Bacoor, Cavite — On June 23, Bacoor City proudly celebrates the 23rd anniversary of its cityhood, marking more than two decades of transformation, resilience, and sustained progress. Since becoming a city, Bacoor has emerged as a dynamic urban center, making significant strides in economic growth, infrastructure, social services, cultural preservation, and governance.

Economic Growth Bacoor’s economic performance reflects its strong financial management and business-friendly policies. The city has attracted continuous investments, creating jobs and economic opportunities for its residents.

Infrastructure Development Investments in infrastructure have played a key role in the city’s development. Milestone projects have modernized public facilities, improved mobility, and enhanced the delivery of services.

Social Services Bacoor continues to prioritize the welfare of its residents. The city provides educational assistance and accessible, quality healthcare, demonstrating its commitment to inclusive development.

Youth Development Investing in the youth is a top priority for the administration. “Our youth are the future of this city. We are rolling out programs that provide greater access to quality education, technical training, leadership development, and meaningful engagement in civic affairs. We want our young people to dream boldly, work confidently, and lead with compassion,” Mayor Strike Revilla said.

Cultural and Heritage Promotion The city proudly showcases its identity and traditions through various events and cultural initiatives, promoting local heritage and fostering a sense of community and pride.

Good Governance Bacoor’s achievements are rooted in its dedication to good governance, transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

“Today, I want to reaffirm our local government’s dedication to strengthening our social welfare programs, expanding business and livelihood opportunities, and investing in the future of our youth,” Mayor Revilla emphasized, reflecting the administration’s commitment to governance that serves the people.

As Bacoor marks this important milestone on June 23, the City Government reiterates its commitment to serving its people and building a more progressive, inclusive, and livable city for all. Looking ahead, Bacoor will continue to lead with innovation and compassion, ensuring a brighter future for every Bacooreno.

“This 23rd cityhood anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but a reaffirmation of our vision for the future,” said Mayor Strike Revilla. “Together with our people, we will continue building a Bacoor that is modern, inclusive, and filled with opportunity — a city where every Bacooreno can thrive.”

Strengthening its commitment to advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU), has made a significant leap in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, rising from the 601–800 band to the 401–600 band out of 2,318 participating universities worldwide, as announced on June 18.

Among 113 Philippine (PH) higher education institutions making the list, BatStateU The NEU secured 2nd place nationally—further affirming its leadership in driving SDG-aligned initiatives and championing inclusive, sustainable development.

Despite intensified global competition—with 355 additional institutions participating this year—BatStateU not only ascended to a higher bracket but also recorded its highest overall performance score to date: 74.9. This marks a 10.47% increase from the previous year and an impressive 19.65% growth since its inaugural participation in 2023.

“BatStateU is honored to be recognized once again by Times Higher Education,” said Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, University President. “This achievement reflects the steadfast efforts of our academic community—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners—who bring our mission to life every single day. As we continue to elevate our global standing, we remain grounded in our purpose: to engineer meaningful change through inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking innovation. My deepest thanks to everyone who walks this journey with us as we strive to build a more resilient and sustainable world,” he added.

The THE Impact Rankings represents the first global initiative to assess how universities contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), evaluating performance across four key areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching.

Among the 17 UN SDGs, BatStateU stood out in four key areas, earning placements within the Top 101–200 universities globally, with one SDG breaking into the Top 100. Leading the charge is SDG 5: Gender Equality, where the University ranked 68th out of 1,559 institutions, its highest SDG ranking to date. This achievement was driven by a substantial rise in the percentage of senior female academic leaders—from 34.6 to 72.5—as well as enhanced measures for student access and increased representation of first-generation female students. Equally noteworthy is the University’s performance in SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, where it earned high scores in water usage and care, boosting its overall score to 72.3, a significant leap from 63.3 in 2024. For SDG 14: Life Below Water, BatStateU maintained its strong global standing through consistent efforts in aquatic ecosystem preservation and improved marine-sensitive waste management. Lastly, under SDG 15: Life on Land, the University maintained its upward momentum, achieving a commendable score of 71.0 through expanded environmental education programs and advances in biodiversity research.

In addition, the University has also outperformed the global average scores in 9 out of 17 SDGs, including Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), which is a mandatory goal for the said ranking.

Batangas State University, designated as the Philippines’ National Engineering University through Republic Act No. 11694, is widely recognized for its excellence in engineering education. A Level-IV state university, it has produced over 180 engineering board topnotchers, solidifying its reputation as the country’s largest engineering university. Notably, BatStateU is also a pioneer in quality assurance for engineering education. It is the first state university in the Philippines to have engineering programs accredited by the Philippine Technological Council through its Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology (PTC-ACBET). Moreover, it remains the first—and to date, the only—state university in the country with engineering and computing programs accredited by the US-based Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), through both its Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC).

With a QS Stars Rating of three stars, BatStateU has also earned global recognition for its commitment to sustainability, ranking as the 304th Most Sustainable University in the 2024 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Furthermore, it was also recognized as the 128th most innovative university globally in the prestigious World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024.

At the forefront of these efforts is the University’s Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), which serves as the central hub for advancing BatStateU’s sustainability agenda. Recognizing the urgent need for action in support of national and global sustainability goals, the CSD integrates sustainability across the University’s core functions—instruction, research, innovation, extension, and administrative services.

Through active collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and partner communities, the Center fosters a shared responsibility for building a sustainable future. As such, it is envisioned to evolve into a leading platform for transformative action and thought leadership in sustainable development, both locally and globally.

For the full rankings and methodology of THE Impact Rankings, detailed information can be accessed at the THE Website.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) welcomes the report released by UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, which underscores issues related to press freedom and the safety of journalists and civil society actors in the Philippines.

The report acknowledges the positive steps undertaken by the government, such as the adoption of the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists, the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, and recent legal reforms.

However, we recognize that certain challenges persist, including attacks on journalists, delays in investigations, and vilification campaigns that continue to threaten free expression and the safety of media practitioners.

Despite these challenges, we are pleased to highlight significant progress in the media landscape. The Philippines recently experienced a considerable improvement in the Press Freedom Index, reflecting the country’s best ranking in 21 years. Additionally, for the first time in two decades, there were no reported killings of media personnel in 2024, marking a substantial milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect journalists.

PTFOMS remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing concrete reforms that align with international standards. We are actively working to enhance the capacity, independence, and institutional support for the Task Force while expanding collaboration with law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, media partners, civil society, and international partners.

Our primary objective is to foster a safer environment that enables journalists to fulfill their vital roles without fear, ensuring that impunity for crimes against media workers is decisively addressed.

PTFOMS values the constructive engagement of the international community and pledges to sustain efforts to uphold the right to freedom of expression, protect journalists, and promote a culture of respect, safety, and accountability.

We are dedicated to making tangible progress and ensuring that the Philippines continues to advance as a vibrant democracy where media freedom is firmly respected and protected.

We thank UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan for her insights and recommendations, which we will carefully consider as we uphold our unwavering commitment to human rights, press freedom, and the rule of law in the Philippines.

In a strong show of support for local employment, the Provincial Government of Cavite, through the Office of the Provincial Public Employment Service Manager (OPPESM), successfully held a province-wide Independence Day Job Fair on June 12, 2025, at SM Tanza, Cavite, bringing together jobseekers, employers, and national agencies.

The job fair featured 62 participating companies, offering both local and international employment opportunities across diverse sectors.

A total of 573 jobseekers participated in the event, with 286 male and 287 female applicants seeking opportunities in various industries.

Out of these, 48 individuals were hired on the spot, showcasing the effectiveness of the initiative in bridging jobseekers with potential employers.

In addition to employment opportunities, several national government agencies were present to provide on-site services and assistance including, SSS, Pag-Ibig, PhilHealth, OWWA, TESDA, BIR, PNP, PSA, DOLE, and DTI. These agencies offered consultations, registration services, and guidance on employment-related concerns, maximizing the holistic support extended to jobseekers during the event.

The Job Fair reflects PGC’s ongoing commitment to employment generation, economic development, and empowerment of the Caviteño workforce. By creating direct access to hiring employers and government services, the event served as a valuable platform for career advancement and livelihood opportunities.— R. Tanael (CPIO)

Cavite province joined the 127th celebration of Philippine Independence organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on June 12 at the Rizal Park in Manila.

The province showcased its crucial role in the fight for freedom as it staged the unfurling of Philippine Flag in the Battle of Alapan and the proclamation of independence at the balcony of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s mansion in Kawit through a history-telling float co-presented by the Provincial Government of Cavite, the City of Imus and Cavite City, and the Municipality of Kawit.

Bannering the theme, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.”, the program commenced with a flag-raising ceremony led by His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. followed by wreath-laying rites by the President together with NHCP Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner.

During the program, President Marcos reminded the public that freedom and democracy must be nurtured, safeguarded, and fought for.

He urged everyone to honor the sacrifices of the heroes of the revolution and called on civil servants to be more responsive to the needs of the people, enhance the quality of public service, and improve practices to better serve the nation.

The formal rites were followed by the festive Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 where floats from different provinces, cities and municipalities were displayed depicting the different historical events leading to independence. Cavite’s float brought history to life through a powerful performance by the Republica Filipina Reenactment Group.

Festival performances were also showcased in the parade including the Paru-paro Festival of the City of Dasmariñas performed by students from Dasmariñas North National High School, Dasmariñas East Integrated High School, Salawag National High School, and Francisco E. Barzaga Integrated High School.

Cavite’s participation to the 127th Independence Day celebration was spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Tourism Officer headed by Ms. Elinia Imelda Rozelle Sangalang, in coordination with other local government units and stakeholders in the province.–-E. Reyes (CPIO)

Under the leadership of JCINSP ANALIZA G FOSTER,  Warden, personnel of this jail unit participated on the Brigada Eskwela 2025 “Sama-sama Para sa Bayang Bumabasa” in line with the celebration of 14th Community Relations Service Month.

Before the highly anticipated opening of classes for School Year 2025-2026, a deeply ingrained tradition in the Philippines, Brigada Eskwela, started from June 9 to 13 was participated by volunteers. This acitivity is far more than just a routine clean-up drive; it’s a vibrant testament to the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, where communities wholeheartedly unite to ensure the school is fully prepared and functional for the learners.

The personnel of this jail unit visited ten (10) schools in Bacoor City and extended support by providing cleaning materials and manpower services that symbolizes their commitment to education and development of the youth.

Brigada Eskwela serves as a powerful reminder that when a community comes together, the impact on its children’s future is immeasurable. (Bjmp Bacoor Cjfd)