< Back Service Without Limits BY HELEN HERNANEPALAPAG MTRCB CHAIRPERSON LALA SOTTO-ANTONIO HAS ALWAYS BEEN DETERMINED TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, EVEN WHEN IT MEANT SHE HAD TO PAVE THE WAY HERSELF. W hen Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio walks into the room, her striking appearance reels in everyone’s attention. But while this is what people first notice, what they remember most when she leaves is her passion for service. In the short amount of time she spent with LEAGUE, Sotto clearly displayed her dedication to her position as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and to her advocacies. Sotto is not new to public service, and with her last name and family background, it is no wonder that she has been continually exposed to governance. Her father is former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and her mother is actress Helen Gamboa. Currently, her brother Gian Sotto is Quezon City’s (QC) vice mayor, while her cousin is Pasig City’s Mayor Vico Sotto. However, her first foray into politics was thwarted by none other than her own father. While she was taking up Consular Diplomatic Affairs at De La Salle University (DLSU), Sotto wanted to run for QC councilor and naturally, sought her parent’s approval. “I begged my parents to let me run but my father was hesitant. He’s always been very strict and overprotective and didn’t want me to enter the world of politics,” Sotto reveals. SERVING IN ANY WAY Her father’s disapproval only further fueled her deep desire to serve the people, leading her to start her own foundation— the Samahang Kasama ng Kabataan (Kasama) Foundation. Sotto approached her professors and classmates who pushed her toward this endeavor, knowing her capabilities and passion. She shares that she saved up her allowances and eventually, the foundation was launched. Its aim is to help underprivileged groups in society. “During that time, we would help the people near [DLSU], around Taft Avenue in Manila, sometimes going all the way to Batangas. Today, Kasama Foundation has over 10,000 members. While it started with the mission of keeping children away from drugs, it eventually branched out to also help women,” Sotto adds. Kasama Foundation’s initial focus was providing financial assistance and scholarship programs. Later on, medical missions and special activities during holidays, such as Christmas, were added. When the foundation had more women members, they also held livelihood training and seminars. With the success of Sotto’s philanthropic endeavor, she finally earned her father’s blessing to enter politics. Without hesitation, she immediately seized the opportunity to make an even bigger difference in her community. In 2001, she became a Quezon City councilor—a position she held for six terms or a total of 18 years. During this span of time, Sotto served the city’s 6th and 3rd Districts, helming several committees such as the Committee of Cultural Affairs and Tourism; Health and Sanitation; Education, Science and Technology; and Public Works and Infrastructure. Sotto made great use of her time as councilor, launching dozens of programs and projects which helped thousands of people in her districts. Aside from these, she also authored pieces of legislation that continue to benefit the city until today. “During my time in the city council, I learned how to formulate policies and create programs and projects that became very beneficial to QCitizens and my constituents in the districts I served. Now, in MTRCB, I’m able to apply these policy formulation and project execution [skills] to create programs that would benefit our stakeholders,” Sotto explains. WISDOM FROM AND BEYOND EDUCATION While her bachelor’s degree undoubtedly proved useful when it came to dealing with her colleagues and stakeholders, the young councilor also sought added education to further enhance her skills in governance. She took a crash course at the University of the Philippines (UP) titled, “Quezon City Executives and Legislators Planning Course (QC EXCEL)” and also studied “Applying Behavioral Insights to the Design of Public Policy” at the Harvard Kennedy School. Still, much wisdom could be gained from experience so it’s not surprising that Sotto turns to her parents for guidance when it comes to politics or even other matters. “With regard to politics, a few of the many things that my father taught me are to practice humility and always find ways to humble myself. He also taught me to be courageous and learn how to shut out the ‘noise’ and not let it get to me,” Sotto shares. Especially in the age of social media, nobody is spared from criticism, least of all our government officials. The chairperson says that there will always be people who will disagree or not like her, which is where her father’s advice comes in. “Another lesson I’ve learned is to be sensitive to the needs of others and to empathize [with them]. ‘People have so much hope when they come to you for assistance, that’s why you have to do everything [you could] to help them,’ my dad would say,” she adds. Despite her famous last name and family, Sotto reveals that she felt no pressure when she stepped up to the plate and became involved in politics herself. With over two decades of experience in public service, she has developed her own leadership style which distinguishes her from the other Sottos in government. Above all, she stresses, she has always sought the Lord’s guidance. THE BIG LEAGUES With her stellar record, Sotto caught the attention of the national government and was appointed as MTRCB chairperson. The announcement came at the wrong time, however. “When I received the text message asking me to attend an oath-taking to be the new MTRCB chairperson, I was sleeping because I was sick with COVID-19. [The announcement] was that simple. But I had to call [the Presidential Management Staff] and apologize, explain my situation and that I had to finish the quarantine period. They were able to set another time for my oath-taking before President [Marcos],” Sotto shares. And she hit the ground running when she started a year ago. Her biggest challenges include debunking misconceptions regarding the MTRCB, expanding the board’s jurisdiction, empowering parents when it comes to responsible viewing, and developing partnerships with online streaming platforms. First, when their agency is mentioned, the word “censorship” often comes to mind. Its history may have something to do with this misunderstanding as the body was first known as the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures in 1912. It was then changed to the Board of Review for Motion Pictures and Television (BRMPT). In October 1985, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. abolished the BRMPT and established the MTRCB. “In our charter, we have a developmental mandate which states that we must initiate plans and cooperate with the industry to improve, upgrade, and make the industry viable. While it’s true that the board issues an ‘X’ for those not suitable for public viewing, we are transparent with the producers and they are allowed to apply for a second review. Also, we are not in charge of handling piracy issues, that [task] falls under the jurisdiction of the Optical Media Board (OMB). Lastly, the MTRCB is not turning a blind eye regarding public complaints regarding online streaming content,” Sotto explains. She reveals that the board is already in dialogue with industry leaders and concerned groups to ensure that they are able to craft a sound policy that will address all concerns while also being responsive to our stakeholders. The chairperson underscores that they are in no way curtailing the people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression and speech, but that they exist to protect the welfare of vulnerable groups, especially the Filipino youth. When it comes to expanding the board’s jurisdiction, Sotto seeks to include videos accessible online, especially those made by subscription video on demand (SVOD) providers, such as Netflix. “The presidential decree which created our charter was made in 1985; the internet was not as widely available then. There were no online streaming providers, no SVOD providers. It’s been over three decades since and it is essential to monitor that content. Our proposal to amend the MTRCB charter is a great necessity, I believe, but ultimately the decision is up to our lawmakers. We can only make recommendations and submit proposals,” she adds. Sotto, however, says that she is not at liberty to further discuss the details of their new proposed MTRCB charter as they are still “navigating its intricacies.” But she does clarify that when they say the monitoring of online streamers, it does not mean that every single online content must be submitted to the board for review and classification as that “is not humanly possible.” Instead, the chairperson shares that they have decided to come up with partnerships with the platforms in order for their efforts to be more efficient and effective. The MTRCB will then be “coregulating” instead of regulating all the content on their own. In 2022, the MTRCB announced their partnership with Netflix and this year, they entered into an agreement with Viva. They are also establishing partnerships with other online content providers both local and international; and they are already in coordination with the Korean Media Regulatory Board and the United States’ Media Bureau. Sotto is quick to share that these would not be possible if not for the effort of everyone comprising the board, which includes 30 members and one vice chairperson. Another program they have launched is the Responsableng Panonood (Responsible Viewing) Program which is an educational campaign aimed at parents and guardians. The goal is to educate the public regarding the parental control features of online streaming platforms and for them to be aware of safeguards they can utilize in order to monitor the viewing habits of the children and give them comfortable viewing experiences. “Part of the program is really to equip and empower the parents; that is the ultimate objective. Of course, they are responsible for their own household, but we aim to help them choose the correct content for their children. Because we all have one goal: for the right content to reach the correct age group,” Sotto says. Under this program, the MTRCB will also be hosting a Global Faith and Media Index (FAMI) Summit which would further educate the public when it comes to their classification ratings and more. The board is also looking into launching webinars, training, and even courses related to their mandate. Sotto stresses that fulfilling the mission of the MTRCB is a shared responsibility among all Filipinos, especially the parents who have to guide their children. She shares that she and her husband practice responsible viewership at home, and that they are very hands-on when it comes to their children. “We make sure both of our kids are properly guided as to what content is appropriate for their ages. Media plays a vital role in forming the minds and behavior of children, which is why it is not only up to the MTRCB but up to each and every Filipino to make sure that our children are consuming the right content,” Sotto ends.

< Back Rice-Fish Culture: A Step Toward Food Security BY TREISHA C. ROVERO In a bold stride toward sustainable agriculture, Dapitan City has launched an experiment that could reshape rural livelihoods in Barangay Ma. Uray. On April 8, 2025, the City Agriculture Office, in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region IX, released 600 red tilapia fingerlings into the rice f ields of farmer Arlim Pasco. This initiative marks the launch of a rice-fish culture project, a dual-purpose farming model that promises to yield both rice and fish from the same plot of land. By integrating fish into rice paddies, farmers can optimize land use, boost income, and diversify food sources—an appealing prospect in a country where food security remains precarious. If successful, it could inspire other barangays to follow suit, transforming idle rice fields into vibrant ecosystems. For now, Arlim Pasco’s field serves as an active testing ground, with its tilapia population reflecting the city’s goals.

< Back BARANGAY CONNECTION As the country eases up on lockdown conditions, DILG Usec. for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño reminds barangay officials to not let their guard down. BY HELEN HERNANE PHOTOS BY TEDDY PELAEZ With over 42,000 barangays nationwide under his helm, DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño has a daunting responsibility. According to the definition of the Local Government Code, barangays are the most basic political unit in the Philippines. Hence, interventions should have been done early on at this level to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “There should have been barangay-level consultations first. As early as February 3, we released a memorandum circular regarding the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT). Then we released another memorandum circular last February 6. We directed the use of PPEs (personal protective equipment) and barangay isolation units. If these were done [properly], then we wouldn’t [have reached] this point,” Diño pointed out. As of June 2, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines was at a staggering 18,638 and the death toll was nearing a thousand. The undersecretary, however, admitted there is no sense in pointing fingers. Since President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entirety of Luzon under lockdown, barangays have been making sure that most people stay inside their homes. Only those with quarantine passes are allowed to leave their homes for work or to buy essential goods (groceries, medicine, etc.) “The first problems we [had] encountered [following the lockdown order] were social distancing violations. There were reports of cockfighting, drinking in the streets, bingo, and gambling. Next, when we issued quarantine passes, some barangays asked for payment— anywhere between P10 to P500,” the undersecretary revealed. On March 22, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año released another memorandum circular stating that barangays should maintain social distancing and that charging people for quarantine passes is illegal. The guidelines included curfew, mobilization of BHERTs, checkpoints, among others. “You should be ashamed of yourselves. I will make sure that those who abuse their authority will be put behind bars. In this time of crisis, you manage to fool your own fellowmen. You are expected to help your people, not cause them more suffering,” Año said. President Duterte signed the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act on March 24. This authorized the president to “reallocate, realign, and reprogram” the national budget for the pandemic response. The act also created the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), which aims to give 18 million low-income households emergency subsidy, apart from the 4.4 million households who are currently receiving assistance through the Expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Those qualified are entitled to receive a subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 depending on regional wage rates. “Then we received complaints that kapitan prioritized his own relatives or that the kagawad only gave [subsidy] to their political allies. Allegedly, some barangay officials would ask for ‘donations’ or charge a ‘processing fee’ of P1,000 to P3,000,” Diño shared. “Secretary Año ordered us to redirect complaints about graft and corruption regarding the SAP to the CIDG (PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group).” Since then, their office has been focused on the rest of the complaints: those regarding social distancing, distribution of relief goods, and more. Since March 1, they have set up a DILG Emergency Operations Center that operates 24/7. “We have three teams that roam around Metro Manila daily, even on weekends or holidays. They verify and validate complaints that we receive within Metro Manila. If we receive complaints that are outside of Metro Manila, we forward them to provincial or regional offices,” the undersecretary shared. Click here to read full article for free

< Back DPWH SEC. MARK VILLAR BY KRISTEL DACUMOS-LAGORZA DPWH Secretary Mark Villar ushers the nation into the Golden Age of Infrastructure Sec. Mark Villar’s assumption into office as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary was met with a little hesitation as many believed that his being the son of incumbent Sen. Cynthia Villar and real estate mogul (and former Presidential hopeful) Manuel Villar would pose a conflict of interest. But since taking office, Sec. Mark Villar is bearing his family name with pride, and has become the firm hand behind the boldest and most ambitious infrastructure program in history. TAKING UP THE CHALLENGE When President Rodrigo Duterte laid out his 10-point socioeconomic agenda called “DuterteNomics,” many were impressed with his grand vision. It was an ambitious proposal, to say the least, and the Commander-in-Chief wants this all to be achieved during his term. As part of his socioeconomic agenda, President Duterte aims to reduce poverty from 21.6% in 2015 to 13-15% by 2022. This would be achieved by driving reforms that would accelerate infrastructure and the development of industries that would yield robust growth across the archipelago. Investing in key infrastructure projects would spur economic activity, welcoming foreign investments, creating jobs, and increasing incomes of Filipinos across the board. This year alone, President Duterte has raised the budget of infra-spending to 5.4% (of GDP), more than double the average of 2.6% in the past six administrations in the past 50 years. His allotment of P8-9 trillion on bigticket items such as railways and ports aims to “prime the pump” for progress. Sec. Villar is the man tasked with making sure that all of this is realized BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR PROGRESS “Needless to say, we’ve been very busy, as we’ve been fast-tracking many of these projects. I’m excited because the projects that we’ll be starting this year are very large scale, and you’ll really feel the effects,” shares Sec. Villar, the former congressman representing the lone district of Las Piñas. (His wife, Rep. Emmeline Aglipay Villar, assumed to the post as interim congressman when Sec. Villar joined the Cabinet of the President last Aug. 1, 2016).

< Back EMPOWERING LOCAL LEADERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BY TORI TAN The LMP General Assembly prioritizes community needs and grassroots connections to aid LGUs in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly, which took place on February 27, 2024 at the Marriott Manila Hotel, reaffirmed the vital role of local government units (LGUs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., in his address to the assembly, strongly acknowledged the critical role of LGUs as frontliners. They, according to him, are important in achieving our national goals. He said that it has been his personal rule to never pass up on the chances of meeting with mayors since 40 years ago for he always believes in making connections with the grassroots through the local chief executives. This, he said, will allow him to understand the needs and concerns of the communities. “Now that I am in office, that belief has not changed. It has only been strengthened,” he stressed. Municipalities, according to the president, should not be taken for granted as the last outpost of government because, being on the frontlines, they serve as first responders to the needs of the people, especially during critical situations. Marcos said that they should not be viewed as just implementors of the national program; they too can initiate their own. “Municipalities should not be treated as passive receivers of projects from the national government. You must actively incubate your own initiatives, your own projects. Because programs developed by municipalities from below, by leaders who know the conditions on the ground, are better than those policies that are dictated from above.” The president stressed that his administration is supportive of the LGUs' efforts to achieve the SDGs. He said that the government is setting aside Php457.41 billion for projects that address climate change and environmental issues; and improve water security and renewable energy use. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, during the opening, also recognized the role of LGUs in addressing the issues of poverty, healthcare, and climate change. He assured the mayors that the House is committed to providing support to municipalities, emphasizing the Mandanas Ruling that helped augment local government shares in national taxes. He also emphasized the importance of working together between national and local government efforts. LMP National President and La Paz, Abra Mayor Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos emphasized the municipal mayors’ commitment to support the sustainable programs of the Marcos administration. He recognized the role of LMP in promoting sustainable development by localizing SDGs according to the thrust of the national government. The assembly demonstrated the country’s commitment to achieving the SDGs by mobilizing local governments. President Marcos’ recognition of the importance of LGUs stresses the vital role of municipalities in achieving such through community engagement and national government support.

< Back City on the Rise CITY ON THE RISE With his reforms for security, healthcare, education, and disaster responsiveness, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar “Oca” Moreno bridges the Northern Mindanao region for collective progress BY MARCO NICANO PHOTOGRAPHY BY BON ASERIOS OF ONE HAPPY STORY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY TOURISM OFFICE OF CAGAYAN DE ORO Cagayan de Oro City is located right at the heart of Northern Mindanao, and is considered by many as the gateway to the second largest island in the Philippines. Known as the “City of Golden Friendship,” it is no wonder that the rising metropolis is a melting pot of religion, ethnicities, and culture in the region. With the city being easily accessible to its neighboring regions, Cagayan de Oro has become a convergence point, which explains it being among the top 10 most populated cities in the country. At the helm of this bustling and vibrant first-class, highly urbanized city is Mayor Oscar Moreno, or more fondly called as “Oca” by his constituents. When asked to describe his city and its people, he proudly declares that Cagayan de Oro is a resilient and friendly city. Its citizens embody generally shared traits of Filipinos, particularly openness and hospitality, even to strangers. With Cagayan de Oro being the face and centerpiece of development in the region, Moreno saw that he can further impact on positive change in that part of the country at the city government level. He knows that what orderly and good governance he can achieve in the city will reverberate and be felt across the region and throughout the whole of Mindanao and even the country. “There are many things that are without boundaries—peace, health, education, disaster. It would be wrong to assume that they have defined territorial basis,” says Moreno as he shares his insight about seeing the broader and bigger picture in serving Cagayan de Oro City. Through this belief, he concludes that bringing Cagayan de Oro to greater heights and harnessing its full potential will also effect greater change in the region. As he notably impacts the city with his reforms for security, healthcare, education, and disaster responsiveness, the region will symbiotically and immediately feel the results as well. THE NOBILITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE Cagayan de Oro since 2013 and now on his second term, Moreno was relatively late in joining the public sector. He enjoyed considerable success in the corporate world, having served as vice president for prominent banking institutions such as Citibank and BPI, as well as being an associate director for the Ayala Group. He laughingly shares that even his wife could not understand why he left the private sector. However, he shifts to a more serious demeanor as he recites from memory a quote by one of the most respected public servants from Cagayan de Oro, the late Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez, “Public service is an apostleship of sacrifice and service. You must use it to give of yourself unsparingly in the service of your people, not to make something of yourself.” Adjacent to his office table is a framed picture hanging on the wall with these same words, perhaps to serve as a constant reminder to the good mayor. He then chronicles how he was fortunate enough to have assisted Senate President Nene Pimentel, another highly respected public servant from Cagayan de Oro, for a couple of years during the early ’90s for a political and legal matter. During that time, he learned a lot from the brilliant legislator and that was when he saw the nobility in public service. On his first stint in public office, he was elected and served two terms as the Representative of the First District of Misamis Oriental, when he was recognized by media organizations as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Congressmen and he also became a recipient of the Ramon V. Mitra Award. He then proceeded to serve three terms as the Governor of Misamis Oriental before his tenure as mayor, where he vastly expanded the road network, unprecedented in the history of the province, and notably improved the hospital system. HEART FOR HEALTHCARE Moreno understands the role that Cagayan de Oro plays in its region when it comes to healthcare. He takes it as a challenge to level up this aspect in his local government as he advocates the improvement of hospitals and access to healthcare of the general public. Raised by a father who chose to be a rural doctor instead of making it big in the city, Moreno grew up assisting patients and witnessed how life was so difficult for poor provincial folk who needed medical care. “I saw patients (coming down) from mountains just to seek medical care and bringing with them eggs and chicken and vegetables because they had no money to pay. My father served his patients with passion,” the mayor recalls. But, as if that was not enough, he shares an even bitter memory of the tragic consequences brought about by lack of proper healthcare. He remembers how he was holding his father in his arms, the older man gasping for breath. “I had to shout and shout, but there was no answer. I realized the chief of hospital was behind me, and she couldn’t do anything but just cry,” he recounts. Because of this traumatic experience, Moreno vowed to advocate reliable healthcare for all. Even as governor of Misamis Oriental, he had pushed for reforms and innovation in its healthcare system. His efforts garnered the province one of the two Galing Pook Awards during his term. When he became mayor of Cagayan de Oro, he upgraded the quality and capacity of the lone city public hospital, the J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital. After years of neglect, the hospital was in such a dismal state that the Borja family even tried to remove their name so as not to be associated with the hospital anymore. Through proper focus and determined management, Moreno successfully resuscitated the hospital and paved the way for its expansion. Now furnished with new and modern facilities, the hospital is once more earning the confidence of the public. In fact, it will soon gain the stature of a medical center. The city hospital has since then eclipsed its annual revenue of a paltry P19M in 2013, to posting more than P200M in revenues for 2017. Through effective utilization of the PhilHealth proceeds, the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH, and other external medical assistance programs, the revenues are able to fuel more improvements and have contributed to the general wellbeing of the city and its neighbors. The mayor further shares that two more city governmentowned hospitals are about to begin construction in Lumbia and Tablon. “The idea is that the health services must be brought closer to the people,” he says, stressing that the underprivileged should gain access to medical services. EDUCATION IS A KEY FOUNDATION Being a proud product of the public school system for his primary education, Moreno points out that the history of Cagayan de Oro mentions how the first public high school in the city was established in 1909. Today, that school is called the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School. But recent history also shows how far the state of its public school infrastructure has deteriorated. When Moreno took over the city, the classrooms were so overcrowded that the schools had to conduct two shifts of classes per day, conditions that were not conducive to learning. Aghast at this sorry circumstance, he initiated rehabilitation efforts and improvements not just through the local government but likewise, with the Department of Education. He is very pleased to report that these efforts have birthed significant results. “We have managed to build more than 400 classrooms all over the city in different barangays,” he shares. These facilities come complete with dedicated comfort rooms and roof decks, enhanced conditions that help the youth develop their potential in school. The city boasts of a number of major universities and colleges, like Xavier University-Ateneo De Cagayan (recognized as among the top performing universities in the country), Liceo de Cagayan University, Capitol University, University of Science and Technology Southern Philippines, and Lourdes College, among others. LEARNING LESSONS FROM THE DISASTER In 2011, Typhoon Sendong devastated Cagayan de Oro, leaving thousands dead and almost 100,000 people displaced from their homes. Learning from this tragic calamity, Moreno exerted efforts to bolster the city’s capability for disaster management. One of these undertakings was to institutionalize the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD). Allan Porcadilla, the current head of CDRRMD, recalls that previous to Moreno’s term, the department’s functions were accomplished by volunteers from various sections. “Mayor Oca issued a memorandum converging all the volunteers and eventually regularized and hired additional employees and personnel dedicated to the disaster response team. After his first year as mayor, the office has already become a department,” Porcadillaattests. The department has since then developed its own early disaster warning system, as well as flood risk mitigation programs in partnership with academic institutions to ensure that such catastrophes can be better addressed. Porcadilla adds that Mayor Oca empowers them to decide on the properly use of the 5% budget for disaster management earmarked from the Internal Revenue Allotment, enabling them to reinforce their vehicles, equipment, and training in order to respond more effectively to emergencies. The mayor proudly declares that his CDRRMD team is one of the best in the country. Today, the department has a complement of over 200 dedicated and round-theclock manpower, who can be readily dispatched to respond to emergencies, distress calls, vehicular accidents, fire suppression, urban search and rescue, and even possible terrorist attacks. Enhancing the response team’s capabilities is the recently launched computeraided emergency dispatch system. Cagayan de Oro is the second city in the country to have adopted a 911 24-7 response center. The system is patterned after the successful implementation of Davao City’s Central Communications and Emergency Response Center, as the city was fortunate enough to have invited Colonel Mario Monsanto to oversee the CRRMD and learn from the best practices of Davao. SUPPORTING ACTIVE YOUTH INVOLVEMENT It has been said that the youth is the future of the nation. While it is fundamentally true, reality is far from ideal as the youth sector is often disengaged or glaringly disconnected from the local government. However, Atty. Ernesto Neri, the first-ever chairman of the Oro Youth Development Council in 2014 when he was still a law student, shares that “for the youth, we scroll our newsfeeds and stand satisfied that we rant our complaints about government in our statuses and nestle in our concept of activism by simply sharing the link of an advocacy page.” With the goal of having a proactive form of political engagement, Neri’s group, the Kagayanon for Good GovernanceYouth (KGG), which initially banded together as volunteers to conduct voters’ education seminars and youth consultations, strongly lobbied for a more tangible involvement in local governance. Mayor Moreno was not indifferent to their vigor and youthful exuberance and welcomed their participation in helping create a betterCagayan de Oro. He signed Executive Order 072-14 which established the CDO Youth Development Council (OYDC), with the City Social Welfare and Development Office as secretariat. Neri proudly says, “The unique feature of the OYDC is the institution of youth representatives in various local bodies of the city. I sit as youth representative in the local school board, while my colleagues also sit in other city bodies such as the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, among others.” Although Neri acknowledges that the OYDC has a long way to go, it is no doubt a step in the right direction in enabling and empowering the next generation to better handle the future of the nation. EVEN KEELED AND INCLUSIVE IN SUCCESS While the seasoned mayor acknowledges his achievements and breakthroughs, and is also proud of them, it is evident in his tone that he is not oneto rest on his laurels. “With more success, comes more challenges and expectations,” he says. Not that he complains, but rather, he looks forward to tackling these new challenges in serving his constituents as best as he could. He remains modest and unassuming, confessing that there is still much to be done until the potential of Cagayan de Oro City is fully realized. He is hopeful, now that he is on his second term as mayor and that he has a more cooperative city council. What is evident in Moreno’s style of leadership is his humility in involving the community, whether private sector or the citizenry, realizing that everyone’s joint efforts will produce greater success. From empowering the youth, to seeking assistance from other government agencies, to collaborating with academic institutions, and emulating the best practices of other local government agencies, he knows how to lead and get everyone involved. His governance style is perceived to be more inclusive and is widely appreciated. When asked about what he believes is the best about Cagayan de Oro, the mayor declares, “Aside from the people who are resilient and friendly, this is one city where you can enjoy the luxuries of a metropolitan area and still be able to savor the beauty of provincial life.” Click here to read full article for free

< Back FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2023 BY ADELINA TAN Another storied edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup (FBWC) is over, and certainly, the 2023 edition of the quadrennial basketball tournament has left the winners euphoric, and sent the rest back to the drawing board. For one, host Philippines, represented by Gilas, is still reeling from the debacle it suffered right on its own turf after failing to clinch a win in the regular group phase elimination of the tournament’s 19th edition, co-hosted by Japan and Indonesia. Had they won at least once in the preliminaries, the Filipinos would have assured themselves of an automatic berth to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France—something which co-host Japan achieved after pulling off a 98-88 victory over Finland. WORLD CUP HYPE There was so much hype about the FBWC 2023 iteration of Gilas. Its handlers, notably the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), were not without any idea on the time frame under which they would work on preparing the team. As early as August last year, the SBP announced that the Philippines was awarded with the hosting of the FBWC 2023, along with Japan and Indonesia. The federation also said it was shifting to a higher gear, adding that it had received total commitment from basketball stakeholders in the country. The Manila showpiece was held from August 25 to September 10, 2023. In an SBP board meeting led by Chairman Senator Sonny Angara, President Al Panlilio presented the plans for the staging of the event to the different board members from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and other major basketball organizations. “Showcasing the Philippines, this will be the biggest basketball event to be hosted in the country. Since 1978, we have not hosted a tournament of this magnitude,” said Panlilio. Preparation began and the local organizing committee, composed of industry stalwarts and experts, was formed to run the show. A total of 40 games were held in the qualifiers at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena, and 12 games for the final phase at the Philippine Arena. Everything was done in earnest: launching of the official ball, official clock, in August last year. The FBWC 2023 Draw was done in April 2023. Apart from the hosting plans, the SBP president also shared the unified Philippine basketball commitment to put together the best team for the FBWC 2023. Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes presented to the SBP board his so-called roadmap in building the men’s basketball team, identifying the best players from the PBA, UAAP, NCAA, and different international professional leagues with the aim of performing in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, reclaiming the gold in the Southeast Asian Games, and competing against the world’s best in the FBWC 2023. A 21-man pool for the FIBA World Cup was formed. INSUFFICIENT TEAM PREPARATION Announcement after announcement since August 2022, the preparation of the team itself was forgotten in the interest of other things. The vaunted overall preparation was mistaken for team preparation itself. There’s no doubt, preparation is a must, especially for a team whose players are, by practice in the Philippines, taken from their mother teams in the PBA or in different collegiate leagues. Had the 15 to 20 cagers played together as a team since last year by seeing action in different tournaments here and abroad, we would have seen a fighting Gilas team in the last FIBA. Instead, what the fans saw was a team playing distressingly like a ragtag team assembled in the 11th hour. Oddsmakers’ opinion that Gilas did not have adequate preparations was clearly proven during the group stage eliminations, with the team failing to show some grit and spunk. Basketball, for generations, not just decades, has been the nation’s most popular sport, in fact a national pastime. The truth, however, is that, on the basis of height and reach, we have already long been overtaken, outjumped, and regrettably outclassed by other Asian nations on the hardcourt That being the case, the country’s basketball stakeholders ought to draw a no-nonsense program, in which the national team will have to be formed way ahead of the targeted tournament, sent to as many tournaments overseas as possible to gain exposure and experience of playing together. Other teams did the same strategy as Gilas did, but our team cannot be compared to that of, say France, Spain, and Serbia, since their players are blue-chip ones who could play smoothly and with sound harmony even on a short preparation. Our players need long preparation in order to be competitive. STILL ALIVE All is not lost, however, for Gilas’ Olympic dream. Thanks to a victory they pulled off during the classification round, the Filipinos still have a shot at the Paris Olympics. Behind the yeoman job of Jordan Clarkson, the Philippines defeated long-time regional arch-rival China to advance to the Olympic qualifier. The win somehow soothed the bruised ego of Gilas, which lost all their games in the group phase against Dominican Republic (81-87), Angola (70-80), and Italy (83-90). With the Asian Games coming right after the FBWC, the Filipino cagers, still licking the wounds they sustained in the tournament, knew they had to make a turnaround. AN INDELIBLE MARK Still, the last edition of the World Cup–hosted for the first time by Indonesia, and the second time by the Philippines (1978) and Japan (2006)–left an indelible mark, thanks to an excellent hosting, which Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go described as a “milestone” for Philippine basketball and a testament to the Filipinos’ love for the sport. “The 2023 FIBA World Cup is more than a basketball tournament. It’s a celebration of Filipino resilience, unity, and love for the game,” said Go who frequently watched the games. “The world is watching with us, and we have shown that we can host a global event of this magnitude,” said the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports. The visiting players were thrilled and at the same time amazed by the massive support of fans in most of the games. The tournament set a record for the most-attended World Cup game in history, with 38,115 spectators watching the Dominican Republic vs. Philippines game at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue. The number broke the 32,616 mark set during the 1994 final at the SkyDome in Toronto. Still, the final buzzer to the FIBA World Cup 2023 rang with a much deeper meaning for Filipino fans, who admittedly witnessed the best players from all over the world and immersed in world-class hardcourt action in Manila. Latvia, Georgia, Cape Verde, and South Sudan all made their first World Cup appearances, with Latvia placing in the Top 5. Japan qualified for the Olympics by virtue of being the best-performing Asian team, while the Philippines qualified for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Even well-established teams failed in their bid in the tournament, hence there’s nothing for Gilas to be ashamed of. After all, the Filipinos put up a decent fight every game, except that they could not seem to execute their killer instinct, no thanks to lack of preparation. Defending champion Spain, for instance, lost to Latvia and Canada in the second round and finished only in 19th place. The Spaniards missed the quarterfinals for the first time since 1994. Olympic champions United States (US) also failed to win a medal for the second consecutive tournament. The Filipinos’ love for basketball spilled over on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the three top apps used by fans during the games. One of the main attractions was definitely the US team, notwithstanding the fact that it did not send a star-studded one like it did in previous editions. However, the Americans were the prohibitive pretournament favorites to run away with the Naismith Trophy. In a twist of fate, the US team steered by NBA coaches Steve Kerr, who is the champion tactician of the Golden State Warriors, and his Filipino-American assistant Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat, lost their touch in the playoffs after completing a 3-0 sweep of the elimination. USA lost to Germany, 111-113, while Serbia defeated Canada, 95-86, in the cross-over semifinals. Having seemingly lost their heart to play, the Americans’ skid went unabated as they fell anew in ambush to the Canadians in the battle for third place, 127-118. Germany, meanwhile, turned back Serbia, 83-77, to clinch its first World Cup title. The win completed an 8-0 sweep by the Germans from the elimination up to the final. BASKETBALL SHOWPIECE Thirty-two teams qualified in the World Cup, including five from Africa (Angola, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and South Sudan); seven from the Americas (Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States, and Venezuela); eight from Asia and Oceania (Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and the Philippines); and 12 from Europe (Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain). The preliminaries were held simultaneously in Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, while playoffs were all conducted in the Philippines, being the main host. The main opening ceremony took place in the Philippines on August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, in between the first two games of Group A (Angola vs. Italy; and Dominican Republic vs. Philippines). Another ceremony took place in one of the two co-hosts. It was held on the same day at a later time at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta, before the Group H game between Canada and France. Both ceremonies and another at the Okinawa Arena in Japan featured performances highlighting the cultures of the host countries. The ceremony in Okinawa took place before the start of the Group E game between Germany and co-hosts Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida conducted the ceremonial ball toss. Fans trooped to the Philippine Arena to watch the opening ceremony. They also flocked to watch the succeeding games at the Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena to root for their favorite players and teams. Gilas Pilipinas may have failed to come up with an impressive showing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but still improved their world ranking from 40th to 38th. The Philippines placed 24th overall, punctuated by a 21-point hammering of China to end a nine-game losing skid in the tournament dating back to 2019.

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. < Back Account Director Apply Now San Francisco, CA, USA Job Type Full Time About the Role This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Requirements This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. About the Company This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Apply Now

< Back Transforming Communities: Filinvest City takes the lead in developing the first sustainable and smart city in the country Long before smart cities were envisioned to be a possibility in the country, one of the Philippines’ leading real estate developers had started laying down the foundation of a smart and sustainable city in the early 1990s, designing a groundbreaking sustainable township in a sprawling 244-hectare prime property in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. This pioneering development is Filinvest City – a vision that was brought to life, thanks to the forward-looking ethos of Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI). As the first and only green-certified central business district in the country, Filinvest City is awarded with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold in Neighborhood Development Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, as well as a BERDE-Certification with a 3-star rating under the Philippine Green Building Council, Filinvest City is truly ahead of its time, seamlessly integrating life’s conveniences around nature. Fully integrated and self-contained, the development is divided into districts with a balanced mix of developments such as residences, leisure hubs, top educational institution, and medical and wellness facilities, all within close proximity for easy walkability and safety. “We believe that these features of Filinvest City are the main reasons its land value continues to appreciate over time. The city continues to evolve and modernize to meet the everchanging needs of people,” stated Don Ubaldo, FAI First Vice President for Townships. Yet despite all the developments that have been achieved over the past 30 years, the improvements and innovations are not about to slow down as the township looks forward to the next three decades with even better innovations that will further enhance the quality of life of its people and the environment. They’re already taking significant steps, beginning with the city’s security, connectivity and accessibility. For motorists, the city offers its ecological parking facility, featuring two slots of e-vehicle charging stations for public use. To involve and inspire the community to recycle, the parking area of this charging station features sustainable pavers which use far less equipment in production, Filinvest City has partnered with Green Antz to upcycle residents’ plastics into building materials that would be used for purposeful display at Filinvest City’s Central Park. Further strengthening its commitment to sustainability, Filinvest City has installed the District Cooling System in 2017, the largest cooling facility in the Philippines that enables 16 of the city’s buildings to outsource chilled water needed to cool their interiors at Northgate Cyberzone. Filinvest City has their forthcoming upgrades to the city’s existing sewage treatment plant which will be complemented with a water re-use facility that will produce recycled potable water for the community by 2025. This initiative aims not only to facilitate safe water recycling for landscaping but also to meet cleaner water quality standards. While in the city’s commercial developments like Festival Mall, solar panels have been operating since January 2022, a 2.8 MWp solar rooftop solution at Filinvest Land Inc.’s Festival Mall in Alabang. The intelligent system will supply about 28 percent of the mall’s peak demand and save close to 41,000 tons of CO2, an equivalent to removing approximately 9,000 cars off the roads of Metro Manila. And since security is a key pillar of communities like Filinvest City, for better monitoring, management and recording of city activities, it has installed CCTVs in strategic locations and common areas of the city. On top of these, as part of the city’s rapid move as a smart city is the infrastructure for connectivity to grant public access to free WIFI, allowing them to utilize the city’s service and operating systems for free. This includes the launch of FC App on December 2023. This mobile application will provide users with a wide range of features, including a comprehensive locator for businesses, parking information, transport option and routes. For Filinvest City’s parks, many improvements are also set to happen to provide ease and better wellness for people and nature. Solar powered streetlights will soon cover the walkways of Filinvest City Central Park. Smart benches will also be provided where people can use wireless phone chargers. “Everything we do is intentional - from the infrastructure to the amenities and creative activations around the city. They are all in place to support our move towards becoming the first smart city in the country where people and the environment can benefit from each other,” concluded Ubaldo.

< Back Adapting Technologies in QC District 3 With social distancing norms and lockdowns limiting mobility, Antonio turned to digital technologies to help address health and economic issues in the district. BY FRAULEIN OLAVARIO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA, JR. Chuckie Antonio has taken it upon himself to push for technological innovations in fulfilling his duties as Councilor of the 3rd District of Quezon City, particularly in finding solutions to problems brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing norms and lockdowns limiting mobility, the 29-year old public servant turned to the use of digital technologies to help address health and economic issues in the district. For one, he initiated a free teleconsultation program with the Ears, Nose, Throat (ENT) department of The Medical City, making the process of setting appointments with ENT specialists more accessibleand convenient for patients while being safe inside their homes. To equip public school students with the requirements of distance learning in lieu of face-to-face classes, Antonio started a free tablet program. He sought the help of private institutions and donors from his own network to finance new tablets or donate old ones, which he would bring to a gadgets repair shop that he had partnered with. Soon, Antonio will be launching jobbie.com.ph , a free job portal that will benefit not only the job hunters but also businesses and employers. “Once I announce this, it will accept anyone who wants to put job listings, and I have a person who filters those jobs, and then it will also accept people who want to apply for those jobs. So, it’s what we call the dropship model. You bring two sides of the coin together and you’re creating that sort of free portal,” explained Antonio, who personally funded the creation of the online platform. “I’ve talked to the city administrator about this already. I have a plan to integrate it to the QC ID system, so that we can make sure that all the beneficiaries of these jobs are from Quezon City. All you’ll have to do is enter your QC ID into the portal and it will allow you access. So, all of these are replicable [in other districts],” he adds. His penchant for turning to technological solutions comes as no surprise. After earning his political science degree from the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), followed by an entrepreneurial management degree from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), Antonio completed his Masters of Science Management at the Singapore Management University, specializing in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “I was first exposed to it in Singapore. It’s a very technologically advanced country, and I wanted to sort of use that as a pattern to how I think of programs and how I do things. I would say that maybe it was only brought about by this pandemic, and because of that background, I was able to pursue it,” Antonio says. Antonio, who’s running for reelection under the local Serbisyo sa Bayan party bannered by incumbent Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, believes in using technology to strengthen the ease of facilitating transactions, whether for health, employment, business or health. Though he has yet to concretize the plan, Antonio would like to install e-services kiosks in every barangay to encourage citizens with limited or no access to mobile devices to embrace digital transformations. “That way, they just walk to the barangay and someone would be there. It would solve the problem of ‘di ako marunong niyan.’ Kasi pagpunta mo doon sa e-services kiosk, may tao doon na magtuturo sa‘yo (‘I don’t know how to use that. Because when you go to the e-services kiosk, there are people there to teach you). You don’t have to go to the city, and you can do it remotely from the barangay. Wala kang cellphone? Okay, dito ka sa kiosk, ‘di ba. ‘Yung mga ganoong bagay (You don’t have a cellphone? Okay, proceed to the kiosk, right? It’s those kinds of solutions). It’s really taking advantage of technology to help make everyone’s life easier,” Antonio says. Even outside his political career, Antonio capitalizes on digital advancements as he runs a technological company that creates mobile applications. He launched a free mobile app called Slip Communities, where online sellers can create their own digital store and accept payments for free, track sales, and withdraw their money instantly with no withdrawal fees. “So, para kang nagkaroon ng sarili mong (It’s like having your own) website within the app, but you’re not paying anything. So, it helps you sell online, better and faster. Because the pandemic forced us to enter the digital world all of a sudden. So, [I’m all for] technology helping small businesses,” he explains. However, before being in the position to implement technological solutions for the betterment of his constituents, Antonio had to take on the manual approach to introducing himself, while at the same time, getting to know the needs of his community. In 2019, then running as an independent candidate for the city council, Antonio would walk the streets of the 37 barangays in Quezon City’s 3rd district, every single day, from Monday to Sunday, for 11 months. “Inikot ko lahat (I visited them all). I didn’t even see my family anymore,” Antonio says, chuckling. “I go around just talking to people, meeting new people, talking to them, their problems, etc. And this whole experience really taught me a lot about the people in my district, who they are, the different qualities of the different barangays, different kagawads, captains and their attitudes, etc. So, it really gave me a pulse of the district,” he recalls. “For me that was very memorable because it sort of defined my direction and my track moving forward. They say that you can’t really lead if you don’t know what the people are thinking, ‘di ba. So, that whole experience really sort of made that holistic for me.” It wasn’t his first foray into politics as he started his political career in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) when he was only 15 years old. At 18, he became Quezon City’s youngest kagawad. He was named #1 Barangay Kagawad, serving three terms before running as city councilor. “When I entered high school, that’s when I started being exposed to a lot of public service work. We used to do a lot of work with Gawad Kalinga (GK). We also used to do a lot of work with our own efforts; I used to run feeding programs with my parents, etc. It was the constant exposure to public service as a young child from my parents, their attitude when it comes to giving back. If you meet them, they really are just the type of people who always want to give back. So, in terms of public service [that experience] molded me. I guess that’s really what started my passion for public service,” Antonio recalls. His exposure to the local government and his parents’ community service served to strengthen Antonio’s desire to keep serving his community. “I guess in my head lagi ko nang naisip (I always thought of it) just because I started so young. I mean, during those times, I was in 4th year high school. ‘Yung mga ibang ka-batch ko wala namang ibang iniisip kundi school lang tsaka labas. Ako, I was thinking of school, labas, tapos ‘yung work ko as barangay councilor. So, I guess, it’s always been in my head na itutuloy ko, ‘di ba (My other batchmates used to just think of school and going out. Meanwhile, I was thinking of school, going out, and also my work as a barangay councilor. So, I guess it’s always been in my head that I’ll continue in public service, right?),” he muses. As a young public servant belonging to the Millennial generation, Antonio is cognizant of the advantages he brings to the table. “We’re ushering in a new generation. There’s been a lot of changes, not just in politics, but also in the way the world works. So, I guess I’m just representing my generation. And then, we bridge the older generation and the greatness of the older generation to the potential of the newer generation. I guess that’s my advantage, to be that representative, to show how we can improve the programs and projects that are already existing. Dagdagan natin ng mga bago na baka mas maka-improve pa (Add modern touches [to the project] to further improve them),” Antonio says. “So, it all boils down to technology and really, as part of this new generation that really grew up with technology, I feel like it’s my job to push that,” he adds. As the country looks to shift to lower COVID-19 alert levels and transition into the new and hopefully better normal, Antonio commits to continue pitching in and finding ways to make recovering from the pandemic easier for everyone.