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25/09/2026

OT GLOBAL | 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗶 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀

TOKYO, JAPAN — Japan plans to further strengthen its defense capabilities across the Nansei Islands as part of its continuing security buildup in the country’s southwestern region.

The policy, known as the “Nansei shift,” comes amid increased Chinese military activity around Japan. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said strengthening defenses in the southwestern islands is important for protecting Japan and the people of Okinawa.

The government is also considering expanding the designation of airports and ports that can be used by the Self-Defense Forces and Japan Coast Guard. Japan has already established additional military units on islands including Yonaguni, Miyako, and Ishigaki.

The planned expansion has also raised concerns among some local residents who fear that a greater military presence could increase security risks for communities in the region.

Courtesy: Manila Bulletin

25/09/2026

OT CAPTURED | 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

MANILA — House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos said the government is keeping its commitment to free higher education as officials moved to address funding deficiencies affecting state universities and colleges.

Marcos joined government officials and representatives of 108 state universities and colleges during an affirmation and ceremonial turnover held at the House of Representatives on September 24.

The activity formed part of government efforts to settle funding shortfalls under the Free Higher Education Program and provide needed resources to participating public universities and colleges.

House officials also committed to continuing coordination with the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Budget and Management, and state universities and colleges to address recurring funding gaps and strengthen the implementation of free higher education.

Courtesy: Manila Bulletin

25/09/2026

OT CAPTURED | 𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted absolute pardon to former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, marking a major development in a case that has drawn national and international attention for more than a decade.

Marcos confirmed on September 25 that he signed the pardon a day earlier. Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 and sentenced to death following a drug trafficking conviction.

She came close to ex*****on in April 2015 before receiving a last-minute reprieve. After spending nearly 15 years in Indonesia, Veloso was transferred to Philippine custody in December 2024 and detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

The absolute pardon is expected to pave the way for Veloso’s release once the necessary procedures are completed, bringing a significant turn in her long-running case.

Courtesy: Manila Bulletin

25/09/2026

OT CAPTURED | 𝗜𝗯𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 ₱𝟭.𝟱𝗠 𝗗𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

IBA, ZAMBALES — The Department of Labor and Employment Zambales District Office turned over ₱1.5 million in livelihood assistance for beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program Piggery Project on September 24 at the Iba Municipal Hall.

DOLE Zambales Chief LEO Reynante Lugtu formally handed over the assistance, which was received by Mayor Irenea Maniquiz-Binan.

The program aims to provide additional livelihood opportunities and help beneficiaries develop and sustain their piggery projects.

Courtesy: LGU Iba

25/09/2026

OT CAPTURED | 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘇𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻

OLONGAPO CITY — Police Station 1 personnel arrested a man identified by the alias “Gil” while implementing a search warrant in Purok 5, Upper Kalaklan at around 1:05 a.m. on September 24.

Police said the operation resulted in the seizure of one plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 4.605 grams, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱31,314.

The seized item was inventoried at the scene in the presence of barangay officials. The suspect is currently detained at the PS1 custodial facility while a complaint for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 is being prepared for referral to the City Prosecution Office.

Courtesy: PNP Olongapo CPO Police Station 1

25/09/2026

LOOK | 𝗢𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

OLONGAPO CITY — The city government, together with the City Health Department and City Population Office, marked Family Planning Month on September 24 at the SMX Convention Center.

The activity promoted awareness of responsible parenthood and the importance of family planning, while providing participants with information on reproductive health and available health services.

Through continued coordination with partner offices and organizations, the city continues to support programs aimed at promoting healthier and more stable families in the community.

Courtesy: Olongapo City Information Center

25/09/2026

OT OUR TIME | 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 👏

Congratulations to Lee Robin Paraiso Bonifacio, RSW of Columban College, Olongapo City, for placing Top 9 in the 2026 Social Work Licensure Examination with a rating of 91.60%.

His achievement reflects years of dedication, discipline, and perseverance in pursuing the social work profession.

Olongapo Times celebrates this remarkable milestone and congratulates him on bringing pride to his school and community.

25/09/2026

OT CAPTURED | 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 ₱𝟭𝟲𝗠 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀

OLONGAPO CITY — The City Engineering Department has identified around ₱16 million worth of priority infrastructure repairs following damage caused by recent flooding and Habagat, according to a report posted on September 25.

City Engineering Department Head Engr. Bobby Alvarez said the damaged infrastructure includes a concrete road in Iram and Pinagpala, New Cabalan, where only part of the roadway remains passable after being affected by strong water flow. Another damaged structure was also reported near Sergia Soriano Esteban Integrated School in Barangay Kalaklan.

Alvarez said the projects may be funded through the city’s Quick Response Fund, subject to the required procurement process. The Iram road is among the priorities because delays in repairs could affect access for residents.

He also noted that the QRF may be used for qualified disaster-related needs beyond relief goods, including infrastructure repairs, medical supplies, and other emergency response requirements.

Courtesy: 88.7 K5 News FM Olongapo

25/09/2026

LOOK | 𝗠𝗿. & 𝗠𝘀. 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗢𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗱

OLONGAPO CITY — Candidates of Mr. & Ms. Tourism Olongapo 2026 showcased their confidence, creativity, and skills during the Sportswear and Talent Competition held on September 25 at the SMX Convention Center Olongapo, Function Room 1.

The competition formed part of this year’s Mr. & Ms. Tourism Olongapo activities, highlighting the candidates beyond the pageant stage through sportswear presentation and individual talent performances.

The event also served as part of the city’s continuing National Tourism Month celebration.

25/09/2026

OT CAPTURED | 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

OLONGAPO CITY — The Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office is conducting a Massage Therapy training program in Barangay Sta. Rita, according to an update posted on September 24.

The activity forms part of the city government’s livelihood-based initiatives aimed at providing residents with practical skills that may support employment and income opportunities.

The training is being implemented through the Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office headed by Officer-in-Charge Edith Taniana.

Courtesy: Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office

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