NGA 911 Receives International Community Impact and Service Award for Bringing World-Class Emergency Response System to the Philippines

Torrance, California, August 15, 2026 — California-based public safety technology company NGA 911 LLC has been awarded the prestigious Community Impact and Service Award by the International Asian American Business Expo (IAABE) in California for bringing world-class emergency response system to the Philippines.

Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) is a global leader in emergency communications technology that develops systems to connect people in their most critical moments to police, fire, and emergency medical responders.

 

The provider of advanced cloud-based Next Generation emergency communications and public safety solutions modernizes traditional dispatch infrastructure by using IP-based systems to reliably transmit voice, text and video during critical incidents.

The award was presented to NGA 911 at the IAABE Legacy Gala at the Torrance Marriott in California on August 7. The affair was hosted by the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) – a national alliance of over 61 Filipino American Chambers of Commerce spanning over 20+ U.S. states.

IAABE International Honors are supported by participating consulates from the Philippines, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Sri Lanka.

 

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles — one of the Philippine government's largest consular posts, serving approximately 1.3 million Filipinos across Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona — nominated NGA 911 for the award.

 

“We recognize the company’s efforts to bring a unified emergency response system modeled after the U.S. 911 system to the Philippines. Its full implementation will benefit a huge number of our Filipino population,” Los Angeles Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz said.

 

Ishka Villacisneros-Tusjakova, Chief Financial Officer of NGA 911 in the United States and President of Next Generation Advanced 911 Philippines received the award on behalf of the company.

 

"This recognition is an opportunity to put the Philippines on an international stage as an example of what can happen when American innovation meets Filipino leadership and public service. As a Filipina, I am proud that the work we are doing can become a model for other ASEAN countries — and inspire us to keep building technology that reaches more people and ultimately saves more lives. If our work can inspire another city or another country to modernize emergency response, then this recognition becomes something much bigger than Next Generation 911," Villacisneros-Tusjakova said.

 

Today, NGA's technology supports emergency communications across the United States and powers the Unified 911 system of the Philippines. Every day, its platform helps ensure that emergency calls and critical information reach dispatchers quickly and accurately, enabling first responders to save lives and protect communities.

 

Soon, citizens will be able to do far more than make a voice call. They will be able to text 911, send photos, videos, and share real-time information with emergency responders to provide critical situational awareness even before help arrives. Through continuous innovation, NGA is helping redefine the future of public safety, Ms. Villacisneros-Tusjakova added.

 

The Philippines became the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt this US-grade emergency system and is the only ASEAN country where next-generation technology is fully implemented and actively being used. Neighboring countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are looking to the Philippines as template for upgrading their own legacy infrastructures.

Discovery Samal is Nominated for Best Resort in the Philippines at DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2027

Discovery Samal is proudly stepping onto the national stage as a nominee for Best Resort in the Philippines at the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2027 which marks an exciting milestone for the resort and a proud moment for the destination it calls home.

The nomination celebrates the experiences and connections Discovery Samal has created over the past three years. From family getaways and romantic escapes to corporate retreats and trips with friends, the resort has welcomed guests from different backgrounds to come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories on the island.

The nomination not only recognizes the resort experience, but also showcases Samal Island as a world-class destination, where breathtaking surroundings, memorable experiences, and a distinctly Filipino warmth come together. It is a celebration of how far it has come and an invitation for more travelers to discover what makes this part of the Philippines truly special.

A Resort Built Around Gathering

The DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate outstanding travel and hospitality experiences as chosen by the readers of DestinAsian. Discovery Samal’s nomination under Best Resort in the Philippines gives guests, partners, Davaoeños, and supporters of the destination an opportunity to rally behind a resort that has made Samal its home.

Discovery Samal brings people together through warm Filipino hospitality and thoughtful service. From family holidays and weddings to celebrations and corporate events, the resort caters to a wide range of occasions. Its 1,000-capacity ballroom also makes it a key venue for MICE gatherings, strengthening Samal and the wider Davao region as a destination for both business and leisure.

The resort has also grown into a place for milestones and shared experiences. Couples can celebrate at the Chapel on the Hill or along the beachfront, while families can enjoy three expansive pools, the Sandbox kids’ play area, an arcade, and Samal Escape Spa. Just beyond the property, Samal Island’s clear waters invite guests to snorkel and discover the rich marine life that gives the destination its distinctive character.

Together, these moments tell the story behind its DestinAsian nomination not through a single attraction, but through the celebrations, connections, and memories created on its shores.

Cast Your Vote for Discovery Samal

Help bring this recognition home to Samal. As Discovery Samal competes for Best Resort in the Philippines at the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2027, every vote is a chance to celebrate not only the resort, but also the warmth, beauty, and hospitality that make Samal and the Davao region truly special.

To vote:

Visit the official DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards voting page at destinasian.com/survey/vote

Go to the Best Resort in the Philippines category.

Select Discovery Samal as your choice.

Complete the required information and submit your vote.

Voting is open until October 20, 2026. Share the voting link with family, friends, and fellow travelers, and help bring greater recognition to Samal and the Davao region. Every vote celebrates the people, experiences, and warm hospitality that have shaped Discovery Samal over the years.

Security Bank Employees Turn 75th Anniversary Celebration into Scholarship Support

Makati City, Philippines — As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, Security Bank transformed employee entrepreneurship into an opportunity to create brighter futures, with proceeds from its annual People's Fair Marketplace helping support the Security Bank Foundation's Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko (RMKK) Scholarship Program.

Held at the SMX Convention Center Manila, the People's Fair Marketplace brought together employee-run businesses from across the Bank. Participation fees from exhibitors were donated to the Foundation to help deserving but underprivileged students pursue their education. 

“When we learned that the booth fees would go directly to the Security Bank Foundation's programs, we felt even more encouraged to participate. It's a great opportunity to sell while giving back,” shared Kimberly Malka Soner, Relationship Manager from the Corporate Banking Group.

Now in its 16th year, the RMKK Scholarship Program provides educational assistance to agency-hired personnel of Security Bank, including janitors, security guards, messengers, drivers, and other support staff, as well as their children. For Academic Year 2026-2027, the program supports 87 scholars, helping make education more accessible for families with limited means.

For many participants, the People's Fair was an opportunity to contribute to a cause larger than themselves.

For Jan Jethro Puzon, Relationship Manager from the Corporate Banking Group, joining the People's Fair was a natural way to support both a cause he believes in and his wife's home baking business.

"I have always believed in giving back—whether through my personal life, our church, or simply helping others when I can,” said Jan Jethro Puzon, Relationship Manager from the Corporate Banking Group. “Joining the People's Fair was a chance to support a cause I care about while also cheering on my wife's baking business.” 

The annual marketplace has become a meaningful expression of generosity within the Security Bank community, bringing employees together in support of education and opportunity. Together with the Foundation's Adopt a Scholar campaign, the initiative helps fund scholarships that empower students to pursue their goals and build a better future.

"The People's Fair gave us the chance to showcase our products, connect with the Security Bank community, and at the same time support initiatives that help students achieve their educational goals," shared Jose Gil Puey IV, an officer from the Information Technology Group.

Echoing the same spirit of giving, Tristan Joseph Legaspi, an officer from the Business Banking Segment, shared a message for the scholars: "Keep your persistence and drive for continuous education, and remain hopeful that your determination to finish your studies will eventually be rewarded."

The public may also support the RMKK Scholarship Program through the Adopt a Scholar campaign. To donate, visit: RMKK Adopt a Scholar.

Public Solicitation Permit No.: DSWD-SB-PSP-S-2026-000082

Learn more by visiting www.securitybank.com/foundation/