Officials of 10 barangays near the West Valley Fault area in Taguig City attended an earthquake preparation training program. From August 18–20, 2025, the DILG-NCR and DILG Taguig conducted the BRAVE AKO Training Program for Taguig City at Astoria Plaza, Pasig. The program aimed to enhance disaster preparedness, especially for the anticipated 7.2 magnitude earthquake, “The Big One.” City Director Alona R. Raymundo urged proactive planning. Discussions led by LGCDD’s Maria Jasmin D. Diaz and LGOO III John Benedict J. Asuncion focused on integrating disaster resilience into Barangay Development Plans. Participants from 10 barangays near the West Valley Fault engaged in workshops on hazard mapping, risk analysis, and planning, fostering shared understanding and preparedness strategies across communities. (PHOTO CREDIT: DILG)
PLDT collaborates with LGUs to protect its barangay-based assets. PLDT and Smart are expanding their barangay-based asset protection program nationwide, building on its initial success in Makati City. The initiative, led by the PLDT Group’s APSRG, collaborates with local governments and police to combat theft and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, which caused nearly 1,000 incidents in 2024. The program aims to reduce material losses and service disruptions by educating residents and providing them with tools to protect their communities. Rollouts in Dagupan City, Davao City, and Cebu included training on reporting incidents, understanding the Anti-Fencing Law, and promoting digital safety. PLDT and Smart also donated security kits and addressed connectivity issues. This effort aligns with PLDT Group’s broader goal of promoting inclusive progress through technology and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9.
Preparations underway for 2025 Barangay Awards in Quirino Province. The DILG Quirino, in partnership with the provincial government, is preparing for the 2025 BALLIGI iti Kailyan awards, launched in 2023 to honor barangay officials who exemplify good governance, innovation, and community empowerment. Led by OIC Provincial Director Karen Joy C. Pablico-Castro, the Provincial Evaluation Team (PET) conducted assessments from August 18–20, followed by deliberations on August 26. Winning barangays will represent Quirino in the 2025 EAGLE Awards. The PET comprises experts from various government sectors, ensuring a credible selection process. Final results will be announced on November 4, reflecting the province’s commitment to grassroots leadership and reform.
Barangay information officers in Quezon Province train in community journalism. The Atimonan municipal government partnered with PIA Calabarzon to train Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) to strengthen community-based information dissemination. BIOs, members of the Barangay Information Dissemination Unit (BIDU), received training in news writing, photojournalism, video editing, and journalism ethics. Mayor Elvis Uy emphasized the BIOs' crucial role in delivering accurate information to constituents. Established in 2022, the BIDU ensures continuous information delivery, especially during emergencies. BIOs from Atimonan's 42 barangays act as a bridge between the local government and communities, leveraging technology and social media to keep residents informed and updated.
34 barangays in Negros Island Region declared drug-free. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared 34 barangays in the Negros Island Region drug-free after evaluation by the regional oversight committee. This includes 27 barangays in Negros Occidental, six in Negros Oriental, and one in Bacolod City. To be certified drug-free, a barangay must meet strict criteria set by the Dangerous Drugs Board, including the absence of drug users, traffickers, suppliers, and illegal drugs. The assessment involves the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police. Barangay 4 in Bacolod is the only one cleared among the city’s 61 barangays.
Taguig City offers free urban gardening lessons in 5 barangays this September. The Taguig City Agriculture Office is set to hold free urban gardening seminars this September in selected barangay halls, including Pembo, Lower Bicutan, Central Bicutan, Ususan, and Pitogo. These seminars aim to teach residents how to grow their own food at home and make the most of their backyard spaces. The sessions are open to all Taguig residents on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is required—walk-ins are welcome. Free seeds will also be distributed to participants, but slots are limited, so early attendance is encouraged.
Barangay leaders from Basilan attend training on effective communication. The Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. conducted a training session for barangay leaders from five communities in Basilan, focusing on effective communication and local registration. The training, part of a peace education program funded by Manos Unidas, aimed to empower leaders and strengthen community engagement. Experts, including a representative from PIA-Basilan and Executive Director Miriam Suacito, emphasized that clear communication and accurate information are essential for transparent governance and informed decision-making. Leaders also learned the importance of proper local registration in accessing services and government programs. Participants expressed appreciation, recognizing the training’s relevance to improving governance and fostering community development.
Puerto Princesa barangay officials gather to advance gender programs. Over 1,000 barangay officials in Puerto Princesa attended a Gender and Development (GAD) workshop on August 27 to improve local gender initiatives. Held at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum, the workshop guided leaders in drafting GAD plans, covering GAD concepts, the Safe Spaces Act, and GAD planning/budgeting. City Administrator Carlo Abogado emphasized the barangays' crucial role in advancing gender programs, urging officials to go beyond mere paperwork. The workshop aims to enhance coordination among barangays, fostering projects that promote equality, protect rights, and ensure safer communities. This initiative marks a significant step towards addressing gender-related issues at the local level.
256 North Mindanao barangays retain drug-cleared, drug-free statuses. A total of 256 barangays in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Bukidnon have retained their drug-cleared and drug-free statuses, as approved by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC). These include 21 drug-free and 235 drug-cleared barangays. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) emphasized continued monitoring and community collaboration through Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs), supported by agencies like DOH, DILG, and PNP. Local officials highlighted community-based rehabilitation and education efforts. PDEA reiterated its commitment to human rights and family involvement in drug prevention, reflecting the Marcos Jr. administration’s ongoing anti-drug strategy.
Illegal dumping of trash found in some Pampanga barangays. The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) of San Fernando blamed unsegregated waste from households and establishments for illegal garbage dumps in some barangays. On August 29, Cenro conducted clearing operations at the boundary of Barangay Del Pilar and San Nicolas, where large amounts of trash were found. Cenro head Maria Teresa Doble emphasized that under Republic Act 9003, waste must be sorted into biodegradable and non-biodegradable types. She warned that unsegregated garbage will not be collected by the city, stressing that proper segregation and disposal are the responsibility of residents and businesses to ensure compliance with the law.
