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Over 400,000 QC residents get aid from Atayde’s Aksyon Agad program
6:11 p.m. March 26, 2025
More than 400,000 residents in Quezon City’s first district directly benefitted from the various initiatives of Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde since 2022.
In his State of the District Address (SODA ), Atayde reported that his Aksyon Agad program helped address the needs of his constituents as it covers employment, education, health, youth development, disaster response, and infrastructure.
“Sa ilalim ng Aksyon Agad, naisakatuparan natin ang mga programang may direktang epekto sa pang-araw-araw na buhay ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said in his SODA delivered Monday at SM City North Edsa’s Skydome.
The lawmaker said that in his three years in office, his Aksyon Agad program extended aid to 11,498 individuals who were given employment via the TUPAD program; 1,500 applicants who were able to secure overseas jobs through the Taiwan Job Fair; 1,100 residents who trained under TESDA and other livelihood initiatives; 245 small entrepreneurs who received a ₱15,000-capital via the Sustainable Livelihood Program; 60 patients per day who received free treatment at the dialysis facility of Quezon City’s first district which opened in October 2024; 75,466 individuals who needed medical assistance; 4,598 students who received CHEd educational aid to continue their education; 929 senior high school students who received a total of ₱2,817,000.00 in cash allowance under the Tulong Eskwela Program; 1,410 scholars who received support under Tulong Dunong and SMART; 132,567 families via the Rice Distribution Program; 65,300 residents who were provided free meals through Kusina on Wheels; 64,000 families through the Pamaskong Handog initiative during the holiday season; 7,789 families affected by various fire incidents; 3,501 families who received burial assistance; and 40,684 individuals who were given financial help for various needs.
Atayde emphasized that what he has accomplished since 2022 was the fulfillment of his promise that “for every peso the government allocates for our district, we make sure nothing goes to waste.”
“Lahat ay napupunta sa programang direktang makakatulong sa inyo,” he said.
“Public service is not about grand gestures or sweet words—ito ay ang mabilis, epektibo, at tunay na pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng tao… Projects or numbers are not at the core of Aksyon Agad, kundi ang bawat taong natulungan at bawat pamilyang naiangat,” he also said.
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT CHAMPION
The young legislator also pointed out the important role of sports development as he revealed that the Aksyon Agad Sports Program supported 987 young athletes, while the Inter-Barangay Youth Program and Council League that was launched during his first term was expanded to foster unity and discipline.
“Next year, the program will expand to include badminton, chess, darts, and bowling—giving more residents the opportunity to participate and strengthen community ties,” said Atayde.
Atayde closed his SODA by thanking his wife, Maine, and his family for their unwavering support. He also extended his gratitude to his constituents, and vowed that he would never take their trust for granted.
“Wala po ako rito kung hindi dahil sa inyong tiwala—isang tiwalang hindi ko kailanman ipagwawalang-bahala. Sa bawat araw na lumilipas, patuloy kong pinagsisikapan na patunayan na karapat-dapat ako sa pagkakataong ibinigay ninyo sa akin… Maraming, maraming salamat, Distrito Uno! Thank you for believing in me; I won’t let you down.”
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101 free HONOR gadgets! No follow needed
6:13 p.m. July 24, 2026
What? HONOR Philippines is giving away 101 HONOR gadgets to its growing community with its biggest giveaway yet!
Known for continuously surprising consumers with blockbuster promotions — from giving away luxury vehicles to exclusive rewards — HONOR is once again raising the bar by putting 101 HONOR devices up for grabs in a nationwide giveaway, including the latest HONOR 600 Series.
This celebrates the overwhelming support of HONOR fans while making the brand’s innovative technology more accessible to everyone. Joining is as easy as it gets. Participants simply need to comment on the official giveaway post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18wfpQRyTc/ — no follow required!
“Our fans have always been at the heart of everything we do. This giveaway is our way of thanking them for their continued trust and support while giving more Filipinos the opportunity to experience HONOR technology,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.
To stay updated on the latest news, products, and promotions from HONOR Philippines, visit the official HONOR Philippines website: www.hihonor.com, and on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).
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PH salt production hits 199K MT in H1, BFAR cites sector’s robust growth
12:11 p.m. July 14, 2026
Domestic production of salt reached over 199,000 metric tons in the first half of the year, signaling robust growth in the sector following government efforts to revitalize the industry.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) noted such boost in the production of artisanal, solar, and cooking salt after implementing interventions to strengthen the local industry and reduce import reliance under the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP). This initiative is designed to revitalize salt farms nationwide while creating sustainable, diversified livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.
“We are pleased with the improvement in salt output from January to June this year, reflecting gains of the DSIP. BFAR will continue to provide unwavering support to the Philippine salt industry as we work toward unlocking its full potential,” said BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig.
DSIP’s positive impact can be seen in Barangay Tawagan Sur, Pagadian City, where local fisherfolk are transforming their community into a productive salt hub. Originally organized in year 2000 for seaweed farming, a dedicated group of 19 members—mostly women—has successfully pivoted to salt production.
With BFAR’s guidance, the group employed rigorous site assessments and salinity testing to ensure their area was optimal for salt farming. To bolster their operations, the Bureau provided essential infrastructure, including solar beds, greenhouse tunnel-type salt dryers, elevated solar dryers, storage facilities, and necessary operational tools.
The transition has yielded impressive results. In 2025 alone, the group produced nearly 7 MT of high-quality salt. Today, the community operates a sophisticated network of 12 ground-level solar beds, four greenhouse dryers, 19 elevated solar dryers, and two dedicated storage facilities.
To further elevate their output, BFAR-Region IX is set to provide an iodizing machine this year, while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is providing technical support to foster innovation in iodization and the development of value-added salt products.
Pagadian City Agriculturist Engr. Ramon Rodrigo underscored the importance of this community-led revival.
“Revitalizing the salt industry is essential to strengthening our local production. What we are seeing in Tawagan Sur is proof that with the right support, technical guidance, and community determination, we can produce high-quality salt and secure sustainable livelihoods,” said Rodrigo.
As national production figures continue to climb, BFAR is committed to expanding the DSIP, aiming to see transformation in more coastal communities and ensure that the Philippine salt sector remains a pillar of local economic growth and a source of national pride.
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NephroPlus Philippines strengthens nationwide presence with 50 clinics
7:09 p.m. June 27, 2026
NephroPlus Philippines announced the expansion of its nationwide network to 50 dialysis clinics, a major milestone in its mission to make quality dialysis care more accessible to Filipinos.
NephroPlus recently opened its 50th clinic in Orion, Bataan. The achievement follows the addition of eight newly acquired clinics located in Cauayan, Isabela; Laurel, Batangas; Orani, Bataan; Cagayan de Oro; Aliaga, Nueva Ecija; Kamagong, Quezon City; Bacoor, Cavite; and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao. The expanded footprint strengthens the company’s ability to serve patients in high-chronic kidney disease (CKD)-prevalence areas with limited access to specialized renal healthcare services.
The expansion also aligns with the broader international growth strategy of NephroPlus, Asia’s largest dialysis provider, while contributing to the country’s pursuit of universal health coverage through infrastructure and workforce developments. The company helps create local employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, clinical staff, and admin personnel in the communities it serves.
“Reaching 50 clinics in the Philippines is a defining milestone not just for NephroPlus but for every Filipino living with kidney disease, who deserves access to world-class dialysis care closer to home. The Philippines is now our second-largest country of operations globally, a testament to the trust communities here have placed in us. Our focus remains where it has always been, on our guests, their outcomes, and their right to live normally. At NephroPlus, life can be normal even when kidneys aren’t,” said Rohit Singh, Group CEO of NephroPlus.
Altogether, NephroPlus Philippines brings a total capacity of 686, serving an estimated 2,866 patients every month.
Standardizing Quality Across a Growing Network
As NephroPlus Philippines continues its nationwide expansion, the company ensures to invest in systems and processes that enable every clinic to deliver the same standard of care to its guests everywhere.
“Consistency is crucial for a continuously expanding network like NephroPlus,” said Gowtham Arumugam, Country Head of NephroPlus Philippines. “As much as we want every Filipino to receive the world-class dialysis they deserve, we first ensure that every clinic we open meets our NephroPlus standards – care that is safe, ethical, and compassionate. This demonstrates our commitment to quality dialysis care for our guests.”
This quality is evident across the company’s operational excellence, workforce development, and digital innovation.
The company maintains a robust operational framework that includes active compliance monitoring, standardized clinical protocols, structured onboarding of newly integrated centers, regular quality audits, and continuous patient feedback mechanisms. From operations to senior leadership, direct engagement across all clinics helps strengthen accountability and ensure consistent standards of care.
Every patient at NephroPlus is referred to as a “Guest,” based on the company’s Guest Care Model, which is a commitment to safe, ethical, and patient-centered care. To support this philosophy, the company recently launched the NephroPlus Hemodialysis Training Center in Quezon City, its first-ever training facility in the country. The center develops highly skilled dialysis professionals through programs aligned with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Nephrology, and international standards.
Complementing its investments in infrastructure and workforce development, NephroPlus is leveraging technology to enhance guest support nationwide. Earlier this year, the company launched its Guest App, a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to support comprehensive renal care management beyond treatment sessions. Apart from appointment scheduling, guests can access a learning hub, lifestyle guidance, and a patient community network that overall support their healthcare journey.
NephroPlus Philippines’ ongoing investments in clinic expansion, professional training, and healthcare innovation are a collective effort to reinforce its global commitment: to provide every guest living with kidney disease the opportunity to live a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life.

