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PAGCOR inaugurates 1st evacuation centers in Albay, CamSur

January 23, 2022 8:29 p.m.

A year after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) bankrolled its Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center (MPEC) projects in the typhoon-prone Bicol Region, the city of Legazpi in Albay and the town of Sagñay in Camarines Sur became the first project recipients to finally complete the construction of two-storey MPEC structures.

PAGCOR, together with city government of Legazpi and the municipal government of Sagñay, Camarines Sur inaugurated the evacuation centers in Brgy. Homapon (Legazpi City) on January 20 and Brgy. San Isidro (Sagñay) on January 21.

Each MPEC worth P50 million has provision for kitchen, toilet and shower rooms for male and female, lactating rooms for nursing mothers, and a spacious badminton-court type area that may be used for sports events, trainings and other purposes when these are not being used as evacuation facilities.

PAGCOR finally inaugurates one of the first Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centers (MPEC) to be constructed since the project was launched in November 2019. President and COO Alfredo Lim (3rd from right) led the inauguration of the two-storey MPEC in Brgy. Homapon, Legazpi City. He was joined by Legazpi City Vice Mayor Oscar Robert Cristobal (4th from left), Albay Board Member Vic Ziga, Jr. (extreme left), PAGCOR’s executives from the Corporate Social Responsibility Group including VP Ramon Stephen Villaflor (2nd from right) and Acting Asst. VP Eric Balcos (extreme right), and other city representatives.

PAGCOR President and COO Alfredo Lim, who graced the inauguration of both newly-built MPECs lauded the recipient LGUs for “completing the projects in record time.”

“Last year, we came here to initially fund the MPECs to be constructed in this place. Now, we are doubly happy as we see the completion of these evacuation center projects, which strictly followed the specifications set by PAGCOR. This achievement simply shows the competence, reliability and efficiency of our partner LGUs,” he added.

Lim explained that PAGCOR committed to build sturdy evacuation centers that are stronger than the typhoons so that more families in calamity-prone areas would have a better, more comfortable, and more typhoon-resilient place to stay in times of disasters.

“We are elated and proud that finally, we are now starting to inaugurate these evacuation centers. We hope that by February, we will be able to inaugurate five or six more and hopefully this year, we can turn over up to 30 evacuation centers,” he cited.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo also congratulated the local governments of Legazpi and Sagñay for their dedication to immediately finish the projects, in spite of the ongoing pandemic.

Legazpi City Vice Mayor Oscar Robert Cristobal, who graced the inauguration ceremony in Legazpi said the PAGCOR-funded MPEC will provide shelter not only to the residents of Homapon but the entire city. “Alam naman po natin na madalas daanan ng bagyo ang Bicol, kasama ang Legazpi. Dahil dito, kailangan namin ng matibay na istruktura kagaya nito upang magamit sa tuwing may kalamidad. Ang evacuation center na ito ay hindi lamang magagamit ng mga taga-Brgy. Homapon kundi maging ng mga taga-ibang barangay sa Legazpi,” he said.

Sagñay Mayor John Vincent Fuentebella also expressed his gratitude to PAGCOR for funding the state-of-the-art MPEC in their town. “Kahit po hindi bagyo ay mapapakinabangan namin ang evacuation center na ito upang gawing venue ng mga trainings at iba pang activities ng mga taga-Sagñay.”

Aside from the inauguration of the MPECs in Legazpi City and Sagñay, PAGCOR also led the groundbreaking of the two-storey evacuation center in Brgy.Tagongtong, Goa, Camarines Sur. Said facility also has P50 million funding from PAGCOR.

To date, the state-run gaming firm has already released a total of P1.635 billion for the construction of 67 MPECs in various parts of the country. #

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Converge collaborates with volunteer groups to bring green initiatives, health services to Aeta community in Pampanga

10:11 a.m. February 6, 2026

LEADING fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. recently engaged with an Aeta community in Angeles City, Pampanga, through a day of tree-planting and outreach activities aimed at creating lasting, positive impact at the grassroots level.

Working alongside socio-civic group The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Kandili Chapter and the all-women volunteer organization Inner Wheel Club of Taguig, Converge sowed 300 fruit bearing seedlings in the Sapangbato Watershed. 

The initiative supports the local government’s watershed reforestation efforts while also helping strengthen the livelihood opportunities of farmers in the community.

After the tree planting, the said organizations also conducted a medical mission to bring essential health and dental services directly to residents. Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Taguig gave a health education session on proper oral hygiene, provided basic dental care services, and distributed hygiene kits to community members as part of the outreach.

In addition to these, Converge and the Philippine Eagles also distributed grocery packs, medicines and vitamins, including garments to help address the immediate needs of the families in Sitio Target, Sapangbato.

“This initiative reflects our shared goal of supporting communities in ways that respond to their needs. By working together with other organizations, we were able to do so much for the environment, for the people’s livelihoods, and also in promoting the health and well-being of the community, all in one meaningful effort,” said Converge VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado. 

The engagement of Converge with Sitio Sapangbato builds on an earlier effort where 1,000 mandarin and coffee seedlings were sowed by its employees last year as part of its Women’s Month celebration, led by the mentors and mentees of its women’s leadership program, Grace Under Pressure: MentorSHE.

Overall, Converge planted a total of 4,700 seedlings for the watershed in 2025 in partnership with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Angeles City, Pampanga.

The sustainability commitment of Converge includes a strong focus on creating positive community impact, which the company fulfills by engaging with marginalized communities through the capabilities of its business.

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Grab, MOVE IT strengthen on-trip protection with expanded COCOLIFE partnership 

8:12 a.m. February 3, 2026

Grab Philippines and motorcycle taxi platform MOVE IT have expanded their emergency insurance support with COCOLIFE, widening hospital assistance and financial protection for both rider-partners and passengers in a bid to make coverage more accessible and comprehensive for users of the on-demand mobility services. 

Through the deepened partnership, rider-partners and passengers gain 24/7 access to a wider network of more than 700 COCOLIFE-accredited hospitals nationwide for emergency situations involving a Grab or MOVE IT ride.

The expanded hospital assistance with COCOLIFE strengthens Grab Philippines and MOVE IT’s protection ecosystem by addressing the most time-critical gap in on-trip incidents: emergency care and hospitalization support for both rider-partners and passengers. 

It is designed to complement existing coverage across the platforms. Grab and MOVE IT’s group personal accident insurance, administered through AIG Philippines, continues to provide complimentary on-trip protection for fatal injuries, permanent disablement, and accident-related medical expenses for passengers and partners, while AXA-backed life and disability protection remains an incentive-based benefit for top-performing driver-, delivery-, and rider-partners. 

“Safety and protection have to keep evolving with the realities our partners and passengers face every day,” said Ronald Roda, Managing Director of Grab Philippines. “This expanded support with COCOLIFE builds on our work to strengthen welfare protection in the gig economy. Grab and MOVE IT remain committed to the people who make every trip possible, and to the passengers who place their trust in us with every booking. We’ll keep investing in stronger safety nets so partners can keep earning with confidence, and passengers can ride with greater peace of mind.” 

Under the expanded coverage, Grab and MOVE IT riders and passengers nationwide are entitled to hospital assistance for accidents that occur while a trip is active on the platform. The policy provides up to P50,000 per member per year to help cover essential accident-related healthcare costs, with benefits available for emergency room, inpatient, and outpatient services across COCOLIFE’s accredited hospital network nationwide – with additional assistance available subject to case assessment. 

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TCL shines at 61st Anvil Awards, securing 4 major honors

3:05 p.m. January 30, 2026

TCL Electronics, the Triple Global Top 1 TV Brand, a leading force in consumer electronics, and the No.1 ranking in global fresh air AC sales, has achieved four recognitions at the recently concluded 61st Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal held last January 28 at Solaire Resort, North Quezon City.

Marking a historic milestone, TCL secured its first-ever Anvil trophies, officially placing the brand among the country’s top communicators and demonstrating its excellence in press relations, marketing, and technology.

The Anvil Awards received by TCL highlights how the brand combines innovation, social impact, and strategic communication to deliver meaningful results. The TCL-TESDA Air Conditioning Training Program, which earned top marks in both Good Governance and Government Relations got Gold and Silver awards, the TCL x Olympic Basketball Project, which gained recognition in CSR bagging a Silver award and finally the TCL FreshIN 3.0 Campaign which won in Marketing and Brand Communication got Silver award.

We are beyond honored to be recognized by the PRSP. Bringing home not just one, but four Anvil awards is a monumental achievement for us. We are absolutely grateful, yet deeply humbled to be among this year’s top-tier honorees. These awards inspire us to continue pushing boundaries, to innovate boldly, and to deliver initiatives that make a meaningful impact on our customers and communities,” TCL Brand Manager Joseph Cerntichez shares.

The 61st Anvil Awards recognizes those who go beyond the conventional, celebrating bold leadership, creative brilliance, and impactful results for communities and brands alike. As one of the most respected programs in the Philippine communications industry, the Anvil Awards, organized annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, honors outstanding public relations tools, programs, and campaigns that demonstrate strategic insight, creativity, and measurable impact. Winners are carefully selected by a distinguished, multi-sectoral jury of communication professionals, academics, business leaders, and industry representatives, ensuring a rigorous and credible evaluation process.

Headlining TCL’s historic debut at the Anvil Awards is a Gold trophy in the Public Relations Program for Corporate Responsibility and Good Governance. This prestigious award honors the TCL-TESDA Training Center, a landmark initiative that seamlessly integrates social impact with brand leadership. More than just a facility, this fully equipped hub allows students to master advanced climate control technology through direct mentorship from TCL experts. By pioneering a ‘structured enrollment-to-employment’ pathway, TCL has created a sustainable solution to the industry’s skills gap—transforming graduates into certified professionals within its own service network. This award-winning program stands as a masterclass in nation-building, reflecting TCL’s enduring commitment to the Filipino workforce. TCL-TESDA Air Conditioning Training Program also got a Silver award for Public Relations Program Government Relations category.

TCL’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and good governance was once again honored with a Silver Anvil for the TCL Basketball Camp, a project that perfectly embodies the brand’s ‘Inspire Greatness’ mission. Located in the bustling heart of Manila, the camp provided a platform for young athletes to hone their skills and chase their dreams. The campaign’s success across Tech, Education, and Sports media highlights TCL’s unique ability to empower the Filipino youth through multifaceted engagement. As the world looks toward the World Olympics, this initiative stands as a testament to TCL’s dedication to fostering the next generation of champions.

TCL’s FreshIN 3.0 Campaign took home the Silver Anvil for its brilliant execution of a consumer-centric marketing strategy. Recognized in the ‘Marketing and Brand Communication’ category, the program stood out for its seamless integration of experiential touchpoints and multi-channel outreach. By transforming traditional PR into an interactive journey for the public, TCL didn’t just market a product—it built a lasting brand connection, proving its mastery in the art of modern storytelling and external engagement.

Beyond the impressive specs of the FreshIN 3.0 AC, the campaign’s success was driven by the TCL Cool Truck, which brought superior cooling directly to high-traffic areas. By integrating a skills-building partnership with TESDA, TCL showcased a holistic brand philosophy: delivering top-tier appliances while empowering the next generation of Filipino professionals. The result was a massive surge in brand sentiment and a reinforced standing as an industry innovator.

Marking a landmark achievement in its Philippine journey, TCL has solidified its standing as a leader in electronics and communications. These maiden ANVIL honors are a testament to a brand that refuses to settle, successfully merging technical brilliance with the art of storytelling to define the future of the industry

TCL’s growth is driven by a ‘trailblazer mindset’ under the leadership of TCL Philippines CEO Peter Chen. The brand has outlined a strategic roadmap centered on technical leadership and brand elevation. This directive aims to systematically upgrade TCL’s brand value through collaborative industry progress and the continuous pursuit of cutting-edge consumer experiences.

Looking ahead, TCL is set to roll out several key initiatives in the coming week. The mission remains unchanged, Inspire Greatness upholding the highest standards of quality and service, ensuring that the brand will consistently deliver world-class experiences to their loyal customers.

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