Before the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) adopted the Unified Platform for Communications & Dispatch (UPCAD) system of Unified 911 for emergency response, command stations relied on voice-only radio frequencies that were hampered by poor signals, dead zones and congested telephone lines.

Dispatchers relied on inaccurate, panic-stricken verbal descriptions from callers and were “completely blind” to what was actually happening at the scene of the emergency. Exact incident locations and changing ground conditions were pure guesswork.

This was how Fire Senior Inspector (FSINSP) Jeramile C. Valdez, Chief of Fire Communication Operations Section of the Quezon City Fire District, described the BFP’s emergency response operations before the adoption of the cutting-edge communication tools and technology provided by Unified 911.

“In the past we lacked a shared platform with the local government unit (LGU) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) so coordinating cross-agency assets like traffic control or city water tankers required tedious phone calls that created critical operational delays. But when the BFP switched to the UPCAD system in early 2026 dramatic operational and dispatch improvements happened,” FSINSP Valdez noted.

UPCAD is the Philippine government’s next-generation mission-critical technology for emergency response that integrates local 911 call centers with field responders to deliver real-time data exchange, multimedia communication and precise geolocation tracking.

“UPCAD transformed our workflow by replacing guesswork with precise, real-time data that significantly cuts down our turnout and response times. The platform automatically pins a caller's exact GPS location while allowing our dispatchers to receive live text, photos, and video feeds directly from the scene before the trucks even roll out. This instant situational awareness allows us to dynamically map out the fastest routes around urban traffic and deploy the exact specialized equipment needed the moment we arrive,” FSINSP Valdez said.

The BFP logistics head praised the seamless inter-agency collaboration that is the hallmark of UPCAD and the cutting-edge technology provided by NGA 911 Philippines to the Unified 911 system.

​“Having a wide-coverage, unified network creates a single operational picture that bridges the gap between the BFP, the LGU and disaster response units like the CDRRMO. The moment an incident is logged, the LGU’s traffic and security forces are able to see the same data so we can immediately clear gridlocked roads, establish outer cordons, and prepare evacuation shelters ahead of time. This digital interoperability cuts out administrative red tape and allows us to request for heavy city machinery or asset support, directly through the platform, while actively fighting a fire,” Valdez added.

​Addressing mayors and DRRMO heads in a message, he said “upgrading to UPCAD is not just buying software; it is a vital investment in your city's survival. In public safety, every second spent navigating a communication blind spot or a traffic jam directly costs lives and millions in property damage. By bringing the BFP, LGU, and national emergency lines onto a single next-generation platform, you give your frontline responders the exact tools they need to make your community a resilient, data-driven smart city.”

UPCAD acts as the backend and dispatch engine for public safety officials and directly supports the existing Emergency 911 National Hotline (which can be reached by dialing 911 toll-free). “By providing precise geolocation and streamlined data sharing, emergency calls are routed and dispatched to the nearest available first responders much faster,” FSINSP Valdez told LGU officials.

The national rollout of UPCAD that was implemented in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, NGA Philippines and PLDT happened last January and has transformed emergency response operations for the BFP, medical services and LGUs.

Jollibee has once again been hailed the No. 1 Best Fast Food Fried Chicken in the U.S. in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, securing the top spot for the third consecutive year.

Voted on by USA TODAY readers, the latest recognition reaffirms Jollibee Chickenjoy’s reputation for consistently delivering the crispy, juicy, and delicious taste that customers love in the highly competitive U.S quick-service restaurant market. Its third straight win also shows that Chickenjoy fried chicken’s exceptional taste is not a one-time achievement, but a quality standard that Jollibee continues to uphold.

“Receiving this recognition for the third consecutive year is especially meaningful because it reflects the consistency of the quality, taste, and customer experience that we work hard to deliver with every serving in Chickenjoy,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group Global President and Chief Executive Officer. “It gives us even greater confidence in Jollibee’s ability to deepen customer trust and brand love in more markets, as we continue bringing the products and experiences that have made our brand a source of joy for many families.”

A consistent standard of superior taste

Known for its golden, crispy exterior and juicy, delicious chicken, Chickenjoy fried chicken continues to earn the loyalty of customers across markets.

The win marks another milestone in Jollibee’s growing list of international accolades, having previously been named: The Best Fast-Food Fried Chicken by Eater.com (2022) for Chickenjoy, and Best Chain Fried Chicken in America by Thrillist (2021).

With around 100 stores in North America and over 1,800 locations worldwide, Jollibee has become one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands globally. The brand continues to attract fans across cultures through its joyful customer experience and crave-worthy offerings, with recognitions such as USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award adding to its global brand momentum.

“We are deeply grateful to the USA TODAY readers who voted for Jollibee and to our loyal customers who continue to share their love for the brand,” said Maribeth dela Cruz, Jollibee Philippine Brands North America President. “This recognition also reflects the dedication of our teams who prepare and serve Chickenjoy every day, helping ensure a joyful and satisfying experience with every visit. It inspires us to keep delivering the Jollibee experience people love, while introducing it to even more customers across North America and beyond.”

The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards feature recommendations across food, travel, destinations, and experiences in the United States. Nominees are selected by experts, while the final rankings are determined through public voting.

View the complete USA TODAY 10Best Fast Food Fried Chicken list.  

Fourteen non-governmental organizations (NGO) recently joined GBayanihan, the in-app donation platform of GCash, expanding the reach to more communities in need.

GBayanihan enables users to donate directly to accredited partner organizations through a simple and secure process. Through GBayanihan, GCash continues to use digital technology to promote financial inclusion and enable Filipinos to create meaningful social impact through everyday digital transactions

The digitalization of bayanihan

For many NGOs, the challenge is not the willingness of Filipinos to help, but making donations easy and accessible. Traditional fundraising often relies on offline channels and manual processes, which can limit reach and slow down support.

GBayanihan helps address this by making donations available through a platform Filipinos use every day. With just a few taps, users can support causes they care about, while NGOs can receive donations faster and respond more quickly to those in need.

The signing event marked another step in expanding the GBayanihan ecosystem, bringing together new and existing partners to make giving more accessible. During the event, GCash also shared its one-year impact results, highlighting how digital donations have supported communities across the country. The onboarding of additional NGO partners signals growing confidence in the platform’s reach and security, further expanding the ecosystem and enabling more organizations to benefit from digital financial services.

The signing event marked another step in expanding the GBayanihan ecosystem, bringing together new and existing partners to make giving more accessible. During the event, GCash also shared its one-year impact results, highlighting how digital donations have supported communities across the country. The onboarding of additional NGO partners signals growing confidence in the platform’s reach and security, further expanding the ecosystem and enabling more organizations to benefit from digital financial services.

With the theme “Sama-sama sa Iisang Layunin,” the country’s leading finance superapp formalized the collaboration with newly onboarded NGO partners: Andres Soriano Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Kythe Foundation, Lamdag Foundation, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Philippine Foundation for Cultural and Educational Development, and Uygongco Foundation, strengthening the growing network of organizations that can now receive support through a simple, in-app experience.

Other partners include ABS-CBN Foundation, Alalay sa Kaunlaran Inc., Angat Buhay, Ayala Foundation, Cancer Treatment and Support Foundation Inc., Couples for Christ - Answering the Cry of the Poor, PHINMA Foundation, the Philippine Red Cross, Save the Children, Virlanie Foundation, and World Vision Philippines.

 By welcoming our new and existing partners to the GBayanihan platform, we are opening a secure, digital gateway that bridges the gap between millions of generous Filipinos and the vital grassroots causes that need their help right now,” said Winsley Bangit, Group Head of New Businesses at Mynt, the parent company of GCash.

The GBayanihan platform also raised over PHP 8 million from June 8–30, 2026, collecting aid from over 10,000 Filipinos who contributed to disaster relief efforts.

A platform built for real impact

Recent GBayanihan initiatives include mobilizing donations for earthquake-affected communities in Mindanao, where speed and coordination are critical. By connecting with organizations ready to respond, the platform helped streamline how aid reaches those on the ground.

This was made possible through partners under the Disaster Response category, which is just one of the many advocacies available in the app, giving users a wide variety of causes they can support. 

Organizations can onboard to the GBayanihan platform by submitting the required accreditation, legal, financial, tax, and compliance documents, completing GCash onboarding requirements, and signing a Memorandum of Agreement. Applications are reviewed to ensure regulatory compliance and organizational legitimacy before approval and activation on the platform.

For more information on GBayanihan and other initiatives, please visit www.gcash.com.

As QRPh continues to transform the way Filipinos pay for everyday purchases, scammers are also evolving their tactics to exploit the country's growing reliance on QR-based transactions. To help keep digital payments safe, GCash has intensified its efforts against fraudulent merchants and fake payment pages, blocking over 6,700 suspicious accounts linked to QRPh-related scams while continuing to educate users on how to identify and avoid emerging threats.

Fraud monitoring teams at GCash have flagged a sharp rise in schemes where fake websites mimic legitimate GCash payment pages and use QRPh codes to collect payments. An example of a growing scam is known as “quishing” or QR phishing.

In these schemes, fraudsters exploit QRPh codes to redirect users to malicious payment pages or steal sensitive information, while misusing official branding to appear credible and deceive users into completing unauthorized transactions.

Some cases also involve fraudulent QRPh codes being embedded in posters, emails, receipts, or messages. When scanned, these can redirect users to fake login pages for e-wallets or banks, or even to sites that install harmful software on their devices. This results in users unknowingly sending money to illegitimate accounts, even if the transaction appears familiar or routine.

Protecting QRPh ecosystem through stronger enforcement

As QRPh-related scams continue to evolve, GCash has strengthened its enforcement measures to protect users against quishing and other QRPh-based scams.

Suspicious wallets linked to fraudulent QRPh activity are immediately blocked, preventing scammers from receiving stolen payments through the platform. Fake websites impersonating official GCash payment pages are likewise identified and escalated for takedown, while incident reports are submitted to PH Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) and relevant government authorities to support further investigation and enforcement.

These efforts form part of GCash's broader collaboration with government agencies, including the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), to disrupt scam networks, strengthen consumer protection, and preserve trust in the country's digital payments ecosystem.

Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics alongside digital payments, and we are equally committed to staying ahead of these threats," said Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information Security Officer at GCash. "By proactively blocking suspicious accounts, flagging fraudulent payment pages, and reporting these activities to regulators and law enforcement, we help stop these schemes before they can affect more Filipinos."

Geronilla added, "Protecting users is at the core of our platform. We have zero tolerance for those who exploit digital financial services, and we will continue to strengthen our safeguards while working hand in hand with government and industry partners to keep the country's digital payments ecosystem safe and secure."

Protect yourself from QRPh-related scams

As scams become more sophisticated, GCash urges users to remain vigilant and practice safe digital habits when using QR-based payments:

Before a meal even reaches the table, science is at work making it memorable. Beyond sweet, sour, salty, and bitter lies umami—the fifth basic taste that provides a deep, savory linamnam. This July, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) celebrates Umami Month and World Umami Day to highlight the history, science, and everyday culinary joy of this flavor.

Umami was discovered in 1908 by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda, who isolated glutamate from kombu (kelp) broth. This breakthrough led to the creation of AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, the world’s first umami seasoning. Today, umami remains the "heart" of the Ajinomoto Group as they explore how it can elevate simple ingredients and support better eating habits.

Beat the rainy-day blues with this simple, comforting Beef Pares Mami recipe available on the Cookmunity by AjinomotoPH website.

Beef Pares Mami with AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning

SAUTE. In a pot, sear beef until brown. Set aside. In the same pot, add cooking oil then sauté garlic, onion, and ginger. Add the seared beef.

BOIL. Add water then season with star anise, peppercorn, white sugar, soy sauce, and AJI-NO-MOTO®. Boil until beef is tender.

SERVE. Assemble noodles in individual bowls, add the soup and meat, then garnish with half slice of egg topped with toasted garlic and spring onions. Enjoy!

Beyond enhancing flavor, umami offers distinct wellness benefits. It stimulates saliva production to aid digestion, makes food easier to chew and swallow for older adults, and signals the brain to promote a feeling of fullness.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), the seasoning central to umami, is often misunderstood. It is actually made from natural ingredients like corn and cassava through a fermentation process similar to making yogurt or vinegar. Global and local food safety authorities, including the WHO and the Philippine FDA, recognize MSG as safe.

Additionally, MSG supports healthier cooking. APC’s BawAsin® program demonstrates how umami can reduce dietary salt. Because MSG contains roughly 66% less sodium than regular table salt, using it properly can slash a dish's sodium content by up to 40% without sacrificing taste.

Through the science of umami, the Ajinomoto Group across the globe proves that delicious meals and responsible nutrition go hand in hand. This Umami Month, APC invites families to cook with umami and MSG to experience how small changes can impact everyday wellness and help everyone “Eat Well, Live Well.”