Government agencies and environmental groups convened an inter-agency meeting to discuss matters concerning the e-waste shipments within the Subic Bay Freeport.
The meeting focused on identifying appropriate courses of action and coordinating the next steps to address the issue. Participating agencies and organizations agreed to submit their respective position papers to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of available legal, regulatory, and policy options. Discussions also covered measures to strengthen existing mechanisms and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, other BOC key officials, and representatives from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), EcoWaste Coalition, BAN Toxics, among other concerned agencies, attended the meeting.
All agencies were encouraged to continue carrying out their respective regulatory functions despite the pending legal proceedings. The dialogue among government agencies and advocacy groups would continue until a clear and lawful resolution is reached.
The participating agencies and environmental groups reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination and ensuring that all actions are consistent with existing laws, regulations, and national policies on environmental protection and responsible waste management.
Earlier, a joint inspection led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), together with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), was conducted on nine (9) recycling locators within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in connection with reports involving suspected electronic waste (e-waste).
The inspection forms part of government efforts to ensure compliance with environmental and customs regulations and to protect public health and the environment.

MANILA, Philippines — In an era where corporate citizenship is defined by action, the intersection of public-private partnerships has proven to be a powerful catalyst for national awareness.
The United Nations Philippines recently released its 2025 Annual Results Report, highlighting the critical role of private sector collaboration in bringing global causes to local communities. Among the key partners recognized were SM Prime and SM Cares, commended for serving as vital amplifiers for major international campaigns, including the UN@80 Campaign and National Women’s Month.
The UN report underscores how SM utilized its massive physical footprint—spanning malls, digital screens, and cinemas—to transform everyday public spaces into hubs for civic engagement and global advocacy.
Bridging the Global to the Local
SM’s inclusion in the UN report signals a shift toward a new era of corporate citizenship—where collaboration reinforces the reach of good work.
Hosting UN initiatives such as the nationwide Women’s Month and UN@80 activations, SM has enabled greater access for these campaigns through the everyday spaces where Filipinos gather allowed the initiatives to achieve unprecedented reach, engaging tens of millions of mall-goers.
“True sustainability and development cannot happen in a vacuum,” says Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls. “Our malls are modern plazas where communities gather. We are deeply honored by the UN’s recognition, but the real credit belongs to the millions of Filipinos who stopped, engaged, and took these conversations to heart.”
A Blueprint for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The collaboration directly aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating how the private sector can provide the infrastructure needed to amplify humanitarian and developmental messages.
During the Women’s Month initiatives, SM’s digital assets amplified gender equality and empowerment. Later in the year, the UN@80 Campaign utilized SM’s high-traffic areas to educate the public on eight decades of global peace, human rights, and sustainable development efforts, making international diplomacy tangible for the everyday commuter and family.
As the UN looks toward future milestones, the success of these campaigns provides a clear blueprint for how corporations can lend their scale to causes that matter. By stepping up as the facilitator, SM has shown that the ultimate metric of corporate success is how well a company can serve the community it inhabits.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Olongapo City, received a Plaque of Appreciation from the Sealift Amphibious Force (SAF) in recognition of its partnership in implementing environmental protection and natural resource management initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship.
CENRO Olongapo City Head Edward Sernadilla said the office has worked closely with the Sealift Amphibious Force in carrying out environmental programs and collaborative activities that strengthen conservation efforts while promoting the sustainable management of natural resources within their respective areas of responsibility.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the recognition reflects the importance of sustained partnerships in protecting the country’s natural resources.
“Environmental protection is a shared responsibility. Our partnership with SAF demonstrates how government agencies can work together to safeguard our forests, coastal areas, and marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable development and national security,” Pablo said.
For her part, Marife Castillo, head of the DENR provincial office in Zambales, said collaboration remains essential in addressing environmental challenges in the province.
“Zambales is home to valuable coastal and marine ecosystems that support biodiversity and the livelihoods of many communities. Through our continued partnership SAF and other stakeholders, we can further strengthen conservation efforts and ensure these natural resources remain protected for future generations,” Castillo ended.
The recognition was conferred during the celebration of the Sealift Amphibious Force’s 80th Founding Anniversary, marking eight decades of dedicated service in strengthening the country’s maritime defense capabilities and supporting sealift and amphibious operations.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES ― Marine anti-ship missile launchers and air defense rolled off contracted Philippine commercial transport vessels onto an island in the middle of the Luzon Strait near Taiwan during drills earlier this month.
The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) worked with their Philippine counterparts to transport the unit’s maritime strike and air defense systems to Calayan Island during the 10th iteration of the Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat drills, according to a news release published June 20 by the U.S. Marine Corps. Abbreviated as KAMANDAG, the Marine drills have gradually shifted toward coastal defense activities facing the South China Sea and Luzon Strait.
“The modern littoral environment requires us to rapidly move our forces across challenging maritime terrain,” Maj. Robert Moore, a logistics officer assigned with the regiment, said in the release on the drills.
From the dispersed archipelagos that dot the strategic waters between the Philippines and Taiwan, Marines can hold maritime traffic transiting the Luzon Strait from 100 nautical miles away with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). The MLR will operate up to 18 of the Naval Strike Missile-armed unmanned vehicles within its anti-ship missile battery, which are further divided into six sections of three launchers each.
“By integrating existing infrastructure, commercial ferries and roll-on, roll-off vessels, the combined force sustained movement across the Batanes Islands during the bilateral maneuvers,” reads the news release.
The MLR fields the Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems, protecting NMESIS from aerial threats. The service deploys two variants of the Joint Tactical Vehicle-mounted systems to provide close-in air defense against attack aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. During KAMANDAG, MADIS was deployed alongside NMESIS on commercial Philippine ferries.
Marines with the 3rd MLR have rehearsed scattered deployments across the Babuyan and Batannes Island Groups in recent years during exercises such as KAMANDAG and Balikatan to test their coverage of the archipelagos.
“By integrating existing infrastructure, commercial ferries and roll-on, roll-off vessels, the combined force sustained movement across the Batanes Islands during the bilateral maneuvers,” reads the release.
The MLR plans to use the upcoming McClung-class Landing Ship Mediums (LSM) to move their ship-killing missiles, but the first LSM will not enter service until 2029. Marines have turned to alternative means to maneuver their forces and meet Force Design concepts in the meantime, integrating U.S. Army logistics support vessels and local civilian transports into their operations.
Getting these anti-ship missiles to the remote islands separating Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines is critical in Washington’s plans to counter Beijing in a potential conflict. Marine and Army leadership view ground-based launchers as key to blunting China’s large fleet. Both services are fielding concepts, formations and tactics designed to rapidly insert missiles into these strategic areas.
Through recent deployments to the region, U.S. forces in the Western Pacific now maintain a forward-based maritime strike capability along the first island chain through MLR deployments of NMESIS. Last week, the service announced that the Okinawa-based 12th MLR received the anti-ship missile launchers. The Army’s Mid-Range Capability, which is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6s for maritime strike operations, has also been flown to the Philippines and Japan. (Aaron-Matthew Lariosa, USNI News)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone June 14-19 2026. This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
As the seventh MCA of 2026, this iteration included U.S. Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps participation and focused on littoral maneuver and amphibious assault subject matter expert exchange and training, in addition to visit, board, search, and seizure; maritime interdiction operations; search and rescue; and maritime law enforcement training. These regular at-sea events expand the interoperability of our respective military doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures between the armed forces of the U.S. and Philippines.
“We always look forward to meaningful engagements with our allies and partners to demonstrate our commitment to the region,” said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Ethan Goldcamp, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145). “The crew of Emlen Tunnell takes pride in upholding the Coast Guard’s core belief of maritime governance and demonstrating professionalism to reinforce the rule of law at sea, so collaborating with our allies and partners to do that is even more rewarding for us.”
MCAs are conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety, navigational rights, and freedoms of all nations.
Participating units included two Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets, one Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX Sokol helicopters; Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV 4407); Philippine Navy Jose Miguel Malvar-class frigate Diego Silang (FFG 7), one AW159 helicopter; U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141), USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145); U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment; and U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
“I’m incredibly proud of the accomplishments of the Charles Moulthrope team during this MCA,” said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Patrick Dixon, commanding officer of Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141). “This is our first time operating with our Filipino partners, and we were able to seamlessly integrate and demonstrate our interoperability. These professional exchanges strengthen our mutual capacity and create opportunities to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The U.S., along with its allies and partners, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (From Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs)

Subic Bay, Zambales—On June 22, the U.S. government transferred four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The delivery of these systems, valued at approximately Php754 million ($13 million), demonstrates the United States’ commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and to a free and open Indo-Pacific by enhancing the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges and illegal maritime activities.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Bridgette Walker, U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official and Chief of the Joint US. Military Assistance Group-Philippines Colonel Daniel Oh, Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Cabahug-Orbe, and Philippine Navy Unmanned Surface Vessel Unit Acting Commander Lt. Cmdr. Aldwin Pasicolan led the turnover ceremony at the Philippine Navy’s Naval Operating Base Subic.
The Triton AUSVs are capable of collecting data above and below the ocean’s surface through a resilient mesh network. The Tritons are solar-powered, allowing each unit to operate for up to 30 days for improved decision-making at the tactical and operational levels.
“The four Ocean Aero Triton AUSVs we are transferring today represent something important: the future of maritime security is not just about platforms¬—it is about capability, speed, and reach,” Chargé d’Affaires Walker said in her remarks. “The Indo-Pacific’s maritime domain is vast, contested, and critical, and the Philippines sits at the heart of it. The ability to monitor and respond to maritime challenges—illegal fishing, gray zone activities, and threats to freedom of navigation—requires persistent, long-endurance awareness that no single ship or aircraft can provide alone. The Triton fills that gap by expanding the capabilities of the Philippine Navy into critical waterways,” she added.
The delivery demonstrates how aligned investments, training, and shared standards translate into credible, ready capabilities that deter aggression and support regional stability. “Today’s delivery highlights our enduring commitment to stand with the Philippines and invest in Alliance modernization in a manner that supports the bilateral Philippines-U.S. Security Sector Assistance Roadmap objectives,” said Colonel Oh. “These unmanned capabilities support the AFP’s transition to territorial defense and improve awareness in critical waterways. The next step is to assist the Philippines integrate these new capabilities in their employment and sustainment concepts.”
The United States and the Philippines stand shoulder to shoulder as ironclad Allies, bound by shared history, common values, and an unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — Nearly a century of faith, history, and community life in Zambales took center stage as the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Museum opened a special public exhibition at SM City Olongapo Central from June 19 to 23, 2026.
Presented in celebration of the 95th anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the province, the five-day exhibit invited visitors to explore a collection of immersive multimedia presentations, historical photographs, rare documents, and unique artifacts that chronicled the Church’s growth in Zambales and the lives of individuals who helped shape its story.
Open free to the public, the exhibit transformed a familiar community space into a journey through local history that spanned generations and reflected the experiences, sacrifices, and aspirations of people whose stories became part of the province’s heritage.
Mounted in collaboration with Christian Family Organizations and Christian Era Broadcasting Service International, Inc., the museum presented visitors with accounts of perseverance and conviction that traced back to the early years of the Church’s presence in Zambales. This offered a glimpse into how faith and community-building evolved alongside the province itself.
For students, the exhibit provided an opportunity to engage with historical materials seldom encountered in classrooms. For families, it offered a space for intergenerational conversations about heritage, identity, and the values that continued to shape communities.
The special pop-up exhibit reflected INC Museum’s broader mission of making history more accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences through engaging and interactive experiences.
Brother Angelo Eraño Manalo, Deputy Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, emphasized the importance of understanding history as a guide for the future. “A society that understood its roots gained a clearer vision of where it had to go. History was not merely a record of the past; it was a source of wisdom that helped people make principled decisions to strengthen communities and contribute to national progress,” he said.
The initiative formed part of INC Museum’s continuing effort to bring historical and cultural learning beyond traditional museum settings, and closer and more accessible to the public.
According to Bro. Cornelio N. Cortez, Jr., Director of the INC Museum, “As cultural workers, it was imperative that as time advanced, we nurtured a generation deeply aware of its historical roots, inspired to uphold the same vision, and committed to passing on the torch of remembrance and reflection on where we came from—even when we were no longer with them.”
The INC Museum hoped that visitors left not only with a deeper appreciation of local history, but also with a renewed understanding of how enduring values could influence future generations.

ABOUT US
Owned and operated by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), the INC Museum was a non-profit cultural and educational institution in Quezon City, Philippines. The museum was established in 1984 at the INC Central Temple and was later relocated to its purpose-built facility, where it was officially inaugurated on August 26, 2019.
Through fine art, historical artifacts, immersive multimedia, and interactive exhibits, the museum presented the history, beliefs, and global presence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Open to both INC members and the general public, the INC Museum was managed by the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, the Church’s socio-cultural arm, and served as a center for heritage preservation, education, and public engagement.
For more information, visit https://incmuseum.net.

Stronger together at sea!

U.S. Department of War, U.S. Coast Guard, and Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity in the Exclusive Economic Zone to reaffirm our shared commitment to a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.

Reinforcing strong security and economic ties in Subic.

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. (CDA) Bridgette Walker met with U.S. equity firm Cerberus at Agila Shipyard in the Luzon Economic Corridor, where U.S. public-private investments are improving infrastructure, creating jobs, and strengthening bilateral ties.

CDA Walker then went to U.S.-owned Subic Drydock Corporation, where critical ship maintenance and repair work supports the U.S. and Philippine navies.

As part of her trip, CDA Walker met with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair Eduardo Aliño and discussed Subic Bay’s key role in supporting the #LuzonEconomicCorridor and bolstering economic ties as #PartnersInProsperity. #FriendsPartnersAllies