Author: Nouman Ali

For decades, the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas have anchored national production, supported by its deep industrial ecosystems, infrastructure networks, and sustained investor participation – but as foreign investment continues to concentrate in these corridors, land constraints are tightening and manufacturers are increasingly requiring larger, more flexible sites.

TARI Estate Central Luzon

TARI Estate, a 384-hectare industrial estate in Tarlac, is part of Central Luzon’s expanding manufacturing corridor, reinforcing Aboitiz Economic Estates’ role in building the Philippines’ industrial landscape through integrated platforms that support long-term production capacity

In response, industrial activity is extending into Central Luzon – strengthening national capacity while expanding the geographic base of production. This shift introduces greater redundancy and optionality for supply chain operations.

Within this shift, the region is becoming more integrated into a Luzon-wide industrial network supported by improving infrastructure connectivity and a deepening economic base. This is enabling manufacturers to distribute production, logistics, and support functions across multiple nodes within a single connected corridor, improving resilience and long-term operational flexibility.

For foreign manufacturers, this evolution supports supply chain diversification across both domestic and regional networks, reducing overconcentration in traditional industrial corridors and strengthening resilience against disruption. It opens up a broader set of scalable, multi-phase locations across the Philippines, allowing firms to distribute risk while maintaining operational efficiency.

Aboitiz Economic Estates, through developments such as TARI Estate, is positioned at the center of this transition by delivering integrated industrial platforms that align land, infrastructure, and long-term operational needs-supporting a more distributed and risk-balanced industrial footprint within an expanding regional value chain.

From Industrial Clusters to a Connected System

Industrial expansion is increasingly shaped by the need for scale, redundancy, and logistics flexibility. This is accelerating the development of a more distributed but connected Luzon industrial corridor, where production capacity is spread across multiple nodes while remaining operationally linked.

Central Luzon is part of this system, supported by NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX, which strengthen integration with Metro Manila, Northern Luzon, and key export gateways. Travel times between Tarlac and Metro Manila now allow for efficient coordination across supply chains, reinforcing the region’s role within a wider production network.

The region’s economic base continues to expand, supported by steady industrial growth, sustained investment inflows, and the parallel development of commercial and institutional ecosystems. This deepening structure supports both manufacturing activity and long-term workforce stability.

Within this context, Aboitiz Economic Estates develops integrated platforms where land, utilities, and estate operations function as a single system, reducing friction for locators while enabling scalable industrial growth.

TARI Estate at the Forefront of an Emerging Industrial Corridor

TARI Estate, a 384-hectare masterplanned industrial estate in Tarlac, is located within Central Luzon’s expanding manufacturing corridor and offers direct access to NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX, with connectivity to major ports of entry such as Subic Port, Port of Manila, and Clark International Airport.

The estate is designed for scalable industrial use, supporting light to medium manufacturers requiring large contiguous land and phased expansion capacity. Integrated utilities across power, water, and construction systems are delivered within the Aboitiz ecosystem to ensure operational continuity from setup through full-scale operations.

Within the broader Luzon industrial system, TARI Estate adds immense capacity to an evolving corridor, supporting the gradual extension of manufacturing activity beyond traditional southern hubs while maintaining established standards of infrastructure reliability.

‘What we are seeing is not a shift away from established industrial centers, but the natural expansion of a system that has reached scale,’ said Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, President and CEO of Aboitiz Economic Estates and Aboitiz Land. ‘As constraints emerge in mature corridors, growth is extending into new areas that can support the next phase of industrial development. Central Luzon is becoming a key part of that evolution.’

TARI Estate is advancing toward locator-ready operations, with its first phase fully sold and developed. Anchor locators Ajinomoto and Coca-Cola are moving forward with development activity, reflecting strengthening industrial uptake and consumption-led domestic demand. As the estate builds toward full operational readiness, early entry by major investors and their supply chains sustain momentum into Phase 2.

Built on Proven Industrial Execution

TARI Estate builds on more than three decades of industrial estate development under Aboitiz Economic Estates. Across its portfolio, the platform hosts over 260 locator companies, has enabled more than $2.8 billion in investments, and supports over 100,000 jobs. It operates within the Aboitiz integrated infrastructure ecosystem spanning power, water, construction, and estate management systems, with utilities and services aligned to phased industrial demand to support scalable operations over time.

This track record reflects a consistent operating model anchored on integrated infrastructure delivery, disciplined estate governance, and long-term alignment with locator expansion. As this model extends into Central Luzon, it enables a more integrated development approach where workforce readiness, infrastructure build-out, and operational scaling advance in parallel with the estate’s growth.

Aboitiz Economic Estates integrates human capital development across the estate lifecycle, aligning skills formation and local employment pathways with each stage of industrial development. As construction progresses and locator participation increases, local communities gain access to employment in construction and support services, while a steadily deepening talent base develops alongside future manufacturing and logistics needs.

For locators, this supports smoother onboarding and more predictable scaling, with workforce availability developing alongside infrastructure and demand. For the broader local economy in Tarlac, it enables participation across multiple stages of development while creating sustained pathways into manufacturing, logistics, and services as industrial activity expands.

Early Access Advantage in an Emerging Industrial Landscape

Central Luzon’s industrial base is growing, with clusters emerging across food processing, beverages, electronics, and light manufacturing. The structure of the corridor continues to evolve, influenced by early locational decisions that will shape its long-term industrial geography.

This is already reflected in the entry of manufacturers such as Ajinomoto and Coca-Cola within TARI Estate, economic and investment signals of shifting site selection priorities toward scale, connectivity, and expansion flexibility.

In this environment, early investments play a defining role in shaping the ecosystem as it develops.

Shaping the Next Phase of Philippine Manufacturing

Philippine manufacturing continues to attract sustained foreign direct investment across semiconductors, electronics, food and beverage, chemicals, automotive, and garments, reinforcing the country’s role in regional supply chains.

In response, industrial geography is expanding. Growth is extending into emerging areas capable of supporting scale, workforce demand, and increasing logistics complexity-reflecting a broader diversification of national production capacity.

Within this landscape, TARI Estate is leading this shift, adding structured capacity in Central Luzon while maintaining the operational standards established in mature industrial hubs.

Aboitiz Economic Estates continues to support this transition by linking proven ecosystems with new growth areas, ensuring continuity as the country’s industrial footprint evolves. What is taking shape is a more integrated national system, where Central Luzon is emerging as a second engine of growth alongside the south, helping shape and build the Philippines’ industrial future.

Happiness is often shaped not by grand milestones, but by everyday choices to move forward, help others, and create meaning despite life’s challenges. Through Happiest Pinoy, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to spotlight Filipinos whose stories reflect quiet resilience and purposeful optimism-demonstrating that even the simplest moments can inspire hope and positive change across communities. More than a recognition platform, Happiest Pinoy has grown into a nationwide advocacy that highlights how personal strength and service to others can create lasting impact.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s Happiest Pinoy winner continue to inspire through #SimpleJoysPH

As the initiative evolves into the digital space through #SimpleJoysPH, the journeys of past winners continue to resonate-showing how small acts of courage, gratitude, and kindness can influence others in meaningful ways.

One such story is that of Zacarias Mansing, the 2025 Happiest Pinoy awardee, whose life journey reflects how adversity can be transformed into purpose.

In 2012, Zacarias’s life changed dramatically after a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. What could have been defined by loss instead became a turning point. Choosing not to be limited by his circumstances, he redirected his experience into service-becoming a socio-civic volunteer, education advocate, and motivational speaker. Guided by his personal mantra, ‘Making a Difference Despite Disability-Inspiring People, Instilling Hope,’ Zacarias has consistently demonstrated how determination and optimism can create impact far beyond one’s own circumstances.

For Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, stories like Zacarias’s reflect the deeper purpose of the initiative. ‘Happiest Pinoy highlights Filipinos who turn life’s challenges into opportunities to uplift others. Zacarias’s journey reminds us that happiness is not about circumstance-it is about choosing purpose, creating impact, and finding meaning in even the simplest moments.’

Since receiving the recognition in 2025, Zacarias has continued to expand his advocacy. His Books for Kids Project, which he launched in 2017, has now reached over 50,000 students across 300 public schools in Negros Oriental, promoting literacy while advancing awareness on disability inclusion. Through partnerships with schools and organizations, he delivers talks on resilience, leadership, and positive self-image-reaching diverse audiences from OWWA scholars to aspiring educators, school leaders, and senior high school students. His work reflects how individual purpose can translate into community impact.

For Zacarias, the recognition marked not an endpoint, but a renewed commitment to serve. He finds fulfillment in moments of gratitude, in supporting learners through education initiatives, and in seeing how encouragement can help others recognize their own potential. His experience reinforces a simple but powerful insight: meaningful impact often begins with small, intentional actions.

As Happiest Pinoy 2026 enters a fully digital chapter through #SimpleJoysPH, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to spotlight how everyday acts of resilience, generosity, and hope can create meaningful impact beyond individual stories. By amplifying journeys like Zacarias’s, the initiative underscores a simple but powerful truth: happiness is not defined by perfect circumstances, but by the choice to move forward with purpose and inspire positive change in others-even through life’s simplest moments.

Sergio Veloso’s era with Ateneo Blue Eagles has come to an end.

After three seasons, the Brazilian coach handled his final game in the UAAP-and in the Philippines-as Ateneo absorbed a heartbreaking 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10 loss to Far Eastern University to close its Season 88 campaign on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

According to reports, Veloso has already decided to leave after this season. Tiebreakertimes broke the news.

‘This is my last season in Ateneo. I am leaving the Philippines. I’ll work. I am part of the FIVB program. And now in this situation, I am now out of the PNVF,’ Veloso said.

‘For this time, Ateneo decided not only this season. This decision started in the last year, when change came in the PNVF.’

Veloso finished his final season with a 2-12 record.

Under his belt, Ateneo missed the chance to end a four-year Final Four drought. His first two seasons ended with identical 5-9 records when Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner were still leading the team.

Veloso was brought in by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation in 2023, handling the Alas Pilipinas squad in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games before Angiolino Frigoni replaced him for the FIVB Volleyball World Championship.

‘I want to thank Ateneo, thank the PNVF, for this opportunity to share my knowledge and my players. Not only for the girls, but for the national men’s team too, and for me, it’s so glad,’ said Veloso. ‘When I look at the end of the match, all the players, and the former players AC, Lyann, and Roma (Doromal). They give me nicknames, they call me ‘dad.’ And this for me is so good, because I know I can touch the players.’

As he leaves the country, Veloso brings precious memories not just from Philippine volleyball but from all the Filipinos he met.

‘When I think about the countries where I worked in the world, I stayed here three seasons, and if you ask me, out of my country, out of Brazil, here in the Philippines, I think it’s the best. Because the people, it’s more similar than Brazil. I tell them, the Philippines, they are Latin Asians, because the country has a lot of influence because it’s a Spanish-Latin country, and I appreciate it a lot,’ the outgoing Ateneo coach said.

A new generation of showbiz royalty will continue their family legacy as a new crop of stars, the children of beloved actors, actresses and screen veterans, after they were launched by Viva Artists Agency.

After Ashley Diaz, Gabbi Ejercito, Icee Ejercito, Jac Abellana, Jaime Yllana, Rob Walcher, Ryan Walcher and Vito Quizon were introduced as Viva’s ‘Next Gen’ stars, they vowed that they’re more than just rising stars who carry the last names of their famous lineal kin.

‘Okay lang po na natatawag kaming nepo baby, since totoo naman siya. Pero pwede ko namang ipakita na [I’m more than just a] nepo baby since nanggaling ako sa pamilya ng Quizon and kilala po sila,’ Vito, grandson of Comedy King Dolphy and son of Vandolph, said.

‘Medyo mas madali makapasok sa buhay ng paga-artista, and ang pinakagagawin ko is to improve and ipakita anong kaya kong gawin. Nandito po ako ngayon and ipapakita ko na kaya ko,’ he continued.

(It’s okay that we get called nepo babies because it’s true. But I can show that I’m more than just a nepo baby who comes from the Quizon clan. Since they’re known, it may be easier for me to get into show biz. What I can do is to improve and show what I can do. I’m here now, and I’m here to prove that I can make it.)

Gabbi, daughter of Gary Estrada and Bernadette Allyson, said she carries the advice that her parents gave her in her budding showbiz career. Also signing with the agency is her sister, Icee.

‘My parents always tell me to take every opportunity given. Going into Viva alone, of course, I was reluctant, but with their support and advice, I took the chance, and I’m very grateful that I did,’ she said.

Ryan shared that his beauty queen mother, Patricia Javier, and father, Dr. Robert Walcher, taught him how to make the most out of his entertainment career.

‘The best lesson that my parents taught me is to always make the best of things. No matter how [tough] things may seem, it just makes things a lot easier,’ he said, while his brother and fellow Viva artist Rob nodded in agreement.

Ashley, who stars as Rosetta Rodriguez in ‘Project Loki,’ is the daughter of Joko Diaz, an actor known for his antagonist roles onscreen. She is also the granddaughter of Paquito Diaz.

Also part of the newest crop of stars are Jac Abellana and Jaime Yllana, the son of Jojo Abellana and son of Anjo Yllana, respectively.

DigiPlus Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the country’s pioneer in digital entertainment, DigiPlus Interactive Corp., has formalized its partnership with the Philippine Red Cross through a signing ceremony, marking a ?6 million commitment to support the upgrade of the organization’s facilities in Cavite. Building on previous collaborations focused primarily on blood donation initiatives, this partnership marks the first major infrastructure-focused project between the two organizations.

Under the DigiPlus Foundation’s KalusuganPLUS program, this partnership aims to enhance emergency response capabilities, strengthen blood service operations, and improve community resilience across Cavite and nearby areas. It underscores a shared commitment to strengthening frontline services and ensuring that communities are better equipped to respond to emergencies, disasters, and critical health needs.

More than a building, it is a lifeline: DigiPlus Foundation and Philippine Red Cross have formalized their partnership to strengthen continuous humanitarian support, advancing community resilience and making healthcare more accessible for all. (In photo from left to right: Angela Camins- Wieneke, DigiPlus Foundation’s Executive Director; Jasper Vicencio, Board of Trustee of DigiPlus Foundation; Gilbert Remulla, Chairman of Board of Trustee of Philippine Red Cross – Cavite Chapter; Ms Adelina B. Castillo, Philippine Red Cross-Cavite Chapter Administrator)

Through this initiative, the facility upgrade will enable the Philippine Red Cross to expand its operational capacity, enhancing its ability to deliver timely assistance, mobilize resources more effectively, and provide life-saving services at scale. The improved facilities are expected to support key functions such as emergency response coordination, blood services, volunteer training, and community-based programs.

‘At DigiPlus Foundation, we believe that meaningful impact comes from building solutions that last. Through this commitment, we are investing in stronger emergency response, better access to essential services, and more resilient communities as we continue to multiply the good,’ said Ms. Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of DigiPlus Foundation.

AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. President and DigiPlus Foundation Board Director Jasper Vicencio shared during the ceremony that ‘Our partnership with the Philippine Red Cross Cavite Chapter is rooted in a shared purpose-to be there when people need help the most.’ He added, ‘We are grateful to be part of this journey with the Red Cross as we create together something that will serve generations to come.’

The partnership highlights DigiPlus Foundation’s continued focus on creating sustainable, long-term impact by investing in systems and infrastructure that directly benefit communities-moving beyond one-time assistance toward lasting solutions.

The new Red Cross building will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance service capacity, featuring a modern disaster operations center, a spacious blood center, multipurpose training rooms, and comfortable community meeting spaces. It will enable faster crisis response, support larger blood drives, provide training and workshops, and foster collaboration with local organizations

For the Philippine Red Cross, the upgraded facilities are expected to significantly enhance both preparedness and response capabilities, enabling more efficient coordination during emergencies and improved delivery of humanitarian services across the province.

‘This support from DigiPlus Foundation is a meaningful contribution to our mission of providing timely and effective humanitarian assistance. With improved facilities, we will be better equipped to respond to emergencies, expand our blood services, and serve more communities across Cavite. Partnerships like this are essential in helping us save more lives and strengthen our reach,’ said Gilbert Cesar Remulla, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Red Cross Cavite Chapter.

As one of the country’s leading humanitarian organizations, the Philippine Red Cross plays a vital role in disaster response, health services, and community-based initiatives. Strengthening its infrastructure in Cavite is expected to further enhance its capacity to serve areas that are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and public health challenges.

This partnership forms part of DigiPlus Foundation’s broader mission to ‘multiply the good’ by working alongside trusted institutions to deliver meaningful and measurable impact. By investing in infrastructure that supports emergency response, healthcare access, and community preparedness, the Foundation continues to contribute to building safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

Moving forward, both organizations are committed to ensuring the effective implementation of the project, guided by transparency, accountability, and a shared vision of sustained impact.

Amid rising fuel costs and mounting economic pressure, youth volunteers in this province have launched a relief drive for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers while pushing for long-term agricultural reforms.

On April 22, the Kilos Ko Youth (KY)-Oriental Mindoro chapter led a ‘TODA Rescue’ initiative in Barangay Camilmil here, setting up a community pantry that distributed fresh vegetables and food packs to local drivers.

Organizers said the activity was meant to support a sector heavily affected by fuel price hikes and declining income, while promoting a spirit of community solidarity.

The Calapan effort formed part of a broader nationwide campaign, with similar ‘TODA Rescue’ drives held by KY chapters in cities such as Baguio, Quezon City, and Pasig.

The local initiative drew support from residents through donations, as well as assistance from the national KY network and the office of Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan. Volunteers from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Oriental Mindoro and students from Divine Word College of Calapan also joined the activity.

Beyond relief operations, the group is advocating for the localized implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, particularly in municipalities like Bansud, to strengthen support for farmers.

The law aims to link farmers directly with government and private buyers, helping improve their income and market access.

KY-Oriental Mindoro said its efforts seek to bridge urban and rural sectors by addressing both immediate needs and long-term development, highlighting the role of youth in community-driven solutions.

As the Philippines’ leading microfinance services provider, Cebuana Lhuillier has witnessed how financial inclusion continues to evolve alongside the realities of everyday Filipino life. For many, financial participation does not begin with investments or formal banking relationships-it starts with immediate needs: access to liquidity, the discipline to save, the ambition to grow a business, and the ability to protect what has been built over time.

Sa Cebuana Lhuillier, Goods Ka: Advancing Financial Inclusion Through a Connected Financial Ecosystem

Today, the challenge for financial institutions goes beyond expanding access. It lies in ensuring that financial solutions are interconnected-allowing individuals to move forward progressively as their needs evolve.

This perspective anchors Cebuana Lhuillier’s integrated financial ecosystem and reinforces the promise behind Sa Cebuana, Goods Ka. The assurance is not built on a single service, but on the ability to support customers across multiple financial needs through solutions that are accessible, relevant, and responsive at every stage of their journey.

‘Our goal is to build an ecosystem that supports Filipinos wherever they are in their financial journey,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘Financial inclusion becomes more meaningful when customers and businesses can move from addressing immediate needs toward achieving long-term stability and growth.’

Financial inclusion today requires more than entry into the formal financial system-it requires continuity. Access to credit must lead to opportunities for saving. Entrepreneurs need not only capital, but also guidance and protection. Families building assets benefit from pathways that help them preserve and grow value over time.

With this progression in mind, Cebuana Lhuillier has developed an ecosystem designed to support customers as their financial needs expand. This is enabled by a nationwide network of over 3,500 branches and 25,000 partner outlets, alongside more than 3 million global touchpoints across the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia Pacific. This reach continues to broaden access to formal financial services, particularly in underserved communities.

For many Filipinos, the journey begins with bridge financing. Pawning, small loans, and remittance services provide essential liquidity, helping households manage daily financial pressures while avoiding informal lending channels. These services serve as critical entry points into the financial system, allowing customers to build confidence and capacity for future financial decisions.

As financial behavior matures, savings naturally follow. Through Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, customers can access savings products that encourage discipline and gradually build financial buffers-strengthening resilience against unexpected disruptions.

For entrepreneurs, inclusion must extend beyond access to capital. Through the Cebuana Lhuillier KaNegosyo Center, micro and small enterprises receive not only loans, but also coaching and business advisory support to enhance operations and enable growth. Given the vital role of SMEs in driving local economies, ensuring that financial systems remain responsive to their needs is essential.

Financial protection further strengthens this ecosystem. Through Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, customers and businesses gain access to insurance solutions that safeguard income and assets, helping preserve financial gains even in times of uncertainty.

Beyond protection, financial inclusion increasingly involves enabling asset-building. Accessible investment options such as microinvest, Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry, and Cebuana Lhuillier Gold provide practical and familiar ways for Filipinos to begin building long-term value.

Taken together, this ecosystem approach ensures that financial tools evolve alongside the people they serve. It recognizes that financial journeys are rarely linear, and that priorities shift with changing circumstances. By keeping solutions connected, customers can continue progressing without having to navigate unfamiliar systems or face new barriers to access.

In this way, financial inclusion moves beyond simply enabling entry-it supports sustained progress. This continuity gives real meaning to the promise Sa Cebuana, Goods Ka-because when financial systems are designed to move with people, progress becomes not only possible, but more achievable for more Filipinos.

A delay in raising interest rates risks allowing Iran war-driven inflation to spread to other essential consumer goods, New York-based GlobalSource Partners said, urging the central bank to stay ahead of the curve to avoid the consequences of acting too late.

In a commentary, Diwa Guinigundo, an analyst at GlobalSource, argued that a quarter-point rate hike at today’s Monetary Board meeting is essential to anchor inflation expectations.

‘A measured but firm response is warranted,’ said Guinigundo, a former deputy governor at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). ‘The cost of acting late will far exceed the cost of acting now. Monetary policy must move ahead of the curve, not behind it.’

Ten of 16 economists polled by the Inquirer expect the central bank’s policy-setting Monetary Board to lift the benchmark rate by a quarter point to 4.5 percent at its April 23 meeting. The rest see policymakers keeping the rate at 4.25 percent.

If carried out, the increase will mark the first tightening move since October 2023, back when the BSP raised borrowing costs in an off-cycle decision after food prices had pushed inflation above 6 percent.

Higher borrowing costs are intended to prompt households to rein in spending, easing demand-driven price pressures but also cooling economic activity.

However, the Philippines-the first country to declare a national energy emergency amid Middle East turmoil-is grappling with supply-driven inflation. The central bank has acknowledged that such challenges are not best addressed through interest rate hikes, which could also delay economic recovery from a confidence shock.

Inflation woes

Already, inflation rose to a near two-year high of 4.1 percent in March, edging past the central bank’s 2-percent to 4-percent target range. This was as limited government support to battered households allowed higher energy prices to spill more quickly into other goods.

Despite the limits to monetary policy, analysts have said raising rates could help anchor inflation expectations. The objective is to prevent a ‘second-round’ inflationary spiral, where consumers and businesses begin to expect indefinite price hikes and adjust their behavior accordingly by demanding higher wages or raising selling prices.

‘While initial shocks were supply-driven, the window to preempt second-round effects has narrowed,’ Guinigundo said. ‘Delay now risks embedding inflation further into wages, contracts and expectations.’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the rank promotion of 17 senior Philippine National Police (PNP) officers, according to a memorandum from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The appointment papers had been signed by Marcos and transmitted to the DILG by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, according to a memorandum dated April 20 from Special Police Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Col. Christopher Olazo and addressed to PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

According to the memo, promoted to major general were Brig. Gen. Wilson Asueta, the Anti-Cybercrime Group director, and Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad, the director for plans.

Promoted to brigadier general were Col. Madeline Cacao, chief of the Center for Police Strategy Management; Col. Rodel Pastor, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office Staff; and Col. Dominic Baccay, executive officer of the Directorate for Plans.

The memo added that the following police lieutenant colonels were promoted to police colonels:

Kenneth Mission

Manolo Salvatierra

George Marca

Jonathan Lee Chy

Richard Bogoy Gumboc

Tyrone Razon Dotimas

Arnold Acosta

Sam Andarino

Romeo Villalobos Jr.

Ariel Bait

Damaso Burgos Jr.

Casan Ali

Section 31 of Republic Act No. 6975, or the DILG Act, which reorganized the PNP, states that only the president can appoint police officers to the rank of police colonel or higher.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on Thursday, inspected the 11-hectare township built under the administration’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa mga Pilipino (4PH) program in Barangay Atate here.

The Palayan City Township Project, which, according to Palayan City Mayor Vianne Nicole Cuevas, already has about 2,000 unit takers through the Home Development Mutual Fund, or Pag-IBIG.

Some 200 of them have already occupied their respective units, Cuevas said.

The township, which includes an elementary school, livelihood center, administrative offices, central park, basketball court, mini market, and aquaponics gardens, has 11,000 available housing units

Together with Cuevas, Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Jay Vergara, and other officials, the President also met with ambulant vendors who sell locally produced vegetables, including those selling through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the Farmers Plaza here.

There, the President led the distribution of 100 10-kilogram sacks of rice to vendors.