Rolex China Sea Race to finish in Subic Bay

With the start of the Rolex China Sea Race just three weeks away, a competitive fleet is lining up for this 565-nautical mile Asian offshore classic. To date, 29 boats are registered, with several more anticipated to enter the race, which starts on Thursday, April 1 in Hong Kong and finishes in Subic Bay, northwest of Manila, the Philippines.

Organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, in co-operation with Manila Yacht Club and the Subic Bay Yacht Club, this will be the 25th edition of the biennial blue-water race that will start, weather permitting, amidst the hustle and bustle of seagoing activity - sampans, ferries, and ships - of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour.

From the starting line off the RHKYC, there is a short leg to a windward mark before the fleet heads eastwards across the South China Sea, along the west coast of the Philippines to the finish off Subic Bay.

Seasoned competitors know it is never as easy as it sounds. Typically, weather on the first day and night in the South China Sea can feature a boat and crew-testing combination of lumpy seas and a strong headwind. The race then becomes fairly strategic as tacticians and navigators have to decide how close to sail to the Philippine shoreline in search of breeze.

RHKYC Commodore Warwick Downes, an enthusiastic competitor, will be a helmsman of Avant Garde, a new Archambault 40 owned and skippered by Greg Kearns. Downes, having raced in the RCSR around 10 times, including several wins, knows what to expect offshore.

"I look forward to a spectacular start, a rollicking reach to the obstacles of the oil rigs, then a blue-water blast towards a fickle finish," Downes said.

As to strategy, he offered, "It usually pays to go a bit south of the rhumbline, but sometimes a northern route will get you there - it depends on the weather reports and how much you trust them."

The current race record of just under two days was established in 2000 by local yachtsman Karl Kwok on his Volvo 60, Beau Geste, with an elapsed time of 47h 43m 07s.

This year's entries include several strong contenders to challenge Kwok's race record; 2008 RCSR line honours winner, Neil Pryde with his modified Welbourn Custom 52 Hi Fi; the TP52's Geoff Hill's Strewth (AUS), Ray Robert's Evolution Racing (AUS), and Sam Chan's FfreeFire 52; and Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns' Mills 51 EFG Mandrake.

Also in the line-up is FfreeFire 70, a ULDB sled, skippered by Lowell Chang, as well as the 2008 RCSR handicap winner, Ernesto Echauz' Subic Centennial (PHI), a Sydney 46, back to defend their win.

An internationally known sailmaker and formidable competitor, Neil Pryde is a veteran of 18 China Sea Races with two wins - including 2008 line honours - so he knows well what may lie in store en-route.

Pryde offered, "It is always a very challenging race. We start with a sprint across the South China Sea driven by the northeast monsoon. As this runs out, we then work our way into a new weather system that develops off the Philippines coast and there is always a gap in the middle, which is difficult to bridge.

“Like any other ocean race, to win you need an element of luck and obviously, we hope we are going to get plenty!

“Tactically, this is a very interesting race and the objective is always to place the boat in the right position to get first use of the new breeze that takes us into the Philippines, but even when we get to the (Philippine) coast, the last few miles into Subic Bay can bring surprises.

“Depending on the time of the day you arrive, you can either get land or sea breezes and again, there is always a gap in the middle. Such is the joy of ocean racing!

“This year the competition is going to be tough with four other 52 ft boats in Racing Division, including three TP52s. We certainly will have company!"

The Rolex China Sea Race rules require boats must be a minimum length of 10m (LOA) to compete and will be divided into: IRC Racing (three divisions), Cruising Class, and Premier Cruising Class.

Shore-based fans will once again have the opportunity to follow the racing online. Pole Star and SkyWave have joined forces to provide a web-based tracking facility for the event.

The race was first run in 1962, and has been held every two years since then. In 1972, it was officially recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Since then it has continued to attract increased interest and served to draw the attention of the international yachting fraternity to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

The Rolex China Sea Race joins other prestigious Rolex sponsored events including the Farr 40 Worlds, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Swan Cup, Middle Sea Race and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Further information including entry list: www.rhkyc.org.hk/rolexchinasearace.htm

No NPA campaign tax in Zambales

IBA, ZAMBALES — Governor Amor Deloso said that here in this province, the New People’s Army (NPA) does not implement campaign taxes despite rumors that some of the candidates of other provinces in the country have been asked to pay for campaigning in their areas.

According to Deloso, they have already conveyed with the ranking officers of the NPA here, adding that it would go against their idealism of a free country if the only candidate capable of campaigning would be those who are rich.

“It would not be a free nation if the candidate who will campaign in those areas and win will only be those candidates with money. Ibig bang sabihin mayayaman lang ang puwedeng tumakbo? Deloso said.

Currently, the province of Zambales has around 7,000 rebels scattered all around the province and 1,500 of them are willing to vote this coming elections.

The province, Deloso said, attends to all sectors of the community especially during medical needs even if that sector is part of the NPA. “They are Zambaleños. If they need any help, especially medical attention, I will certainly attend to their needs,” he added. (Jonas Reyes)

GORDON: ELECTION SURVEYS ARE JUST PROPAGANDA

(STAR) Bagumbayan presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon yesterday said surveys conducted by various polling firms are mere propaganda.

In a roundtable discussion with STAR editors and reporters, Gordon said voters should not base their decisions on survey results but on the track record of candidates.

“The surveys are nothing but propaganda. We cherish our electoral process which is very transparent. We vote, they count. I have proven that through automated elections,” he said.

Gordon said the survey firms should publish the names of people who commissioned the surveys.

“In the surveys, they don’t even publish who are paying for these surveys. They must. I demand that they show it. Every presidential candidate, every senator, every congressman, they must show. I demand it. In the United States, they do that,” he said.

Gordon also questioned the method used in the conduct of surveys, pointing out that when he ran for the Senate in 2004, the surveys placed him way out of the winning circle but he was elected anyway, even without votes from the Iglesia ni Cristo.

“I was number 29 when I ran for the Senate and landed number 5 even without the Iglesia. How can I believe that (survey results)?” he said.

Gordon said it is hard to believe that he has an approval rating of only one percent in the surveys when he got 13 million votes when he ran for the Senate.

“They have surveyed 1,500 people. Have you met anyone who was surveyed? How can I get only one percent when I got 13 million votes last time? I think at least I’ll get 10 out of 100,” he said.

Gordon said that in the previous presidential election, President Arroyo was supposed to win over her closest rival, the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the metropolis. But when the votes were counted, Poe won in all of Metro Manila except Las Piñas.

“We are enriching the people who do the surveys,” he said, adding that one of the owners of a survey firm now reportedly has a big house in an upscale subdivision.

“Who are running the surveys? What questions are they asking? Is my name even there?” he said. – By Mike Frialde

No more need for visas for locators at freeports

Foreign locators at the Subic Bay Freeport and at the Clark Economic Zone can now enjoy a visa-free entry to the Philippines.

An agreement signed recently between the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) allows visa-free entry to foreign investors visiting the two free ports.

Under the agreement signed by BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan with SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza and CDC president Benigno Ricafort, officers and personnel of a foreign locator in the two freeports may now enter and stay in the country without a visa for a period of 14 days.

The privilege will only be extended to those arriving through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) or the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA).

Arreza said the agreement will help attract more foreign investors to do business in Subic and Clark as well as send a signal to other foreign investors that the government is serious in courting more foreign investments that will create more jobs and improve the economy.

“More than the convenience that the agreement will provide foreign locators in Subic and Clark, the visa-free entry will encourage more investments from Taiwan – which is now one of the biggest in Subic – and invite other foreign investments to do business in the freeport zones,” Arreza said.

Libanan said the visa-free entry privilege for foreign locators in Subic and Clark is part of the BI’s ongoing thrust to attract more tourists and investors to the Philippines, aside from merely guarding against the entry of terrorists, transnational criminals and other undesirable aliens.

Aside from tightening the BI’s guard against the entry of undesirable aliens, Libanan introduced reforms, like cutting red tape and providing visa incentives to foreign investors to encourage them to visit and invest in the country.

The agreement provides that the foreign locator will vouch for their officers and personnel coming here and will notify the SBMA chairman or CDC president who will approve the grant of the visa-free entry privilege.

Gordon eyes 24/7 offices

Bagumbayan-volunteers for a New Philippines Party standard bearer Sen. Richard Gordon, yesterday said that when elected president, he will require key government offices, including the Office of the President, to be open 24 hours a day, a press release from his office said.

Gordon, speaking before students of the Central Philippines University in Iloilo City, said that the first step in curbing corruption is the prompt reporting of an incident, adding that a 24-hour government office would ensure that the people can report all sorts of crime at any time of the day.

The Bagumbayan Party presidential candidate said eradicating corruption is a two-way scheme. The government must go after the culprits, but the public must also “blow the whistle” when they see something irregular or illegal, Gordon said in the press release.

He added that he would be a president who is very accessible to the people so that when the public’s concerns are not given proper and immediate attention, they can go straight to the president.

Crime and corruption are eradicated when there is effective governance, which could be attained if the government is focused, fast, friendly, flexible, and forward-looking, Gordon added

Vice-gubernatorial bet in Zambales shot dead

Unidentified armed men shot dead a vice gubernatorial candidate in front of his wife in his house in Zambales province, a radio report said late Monday.

The men shot the face of Willy Viloria, 45, in front of wife in his house in Mabanglit village in Cabangan town in Zambales, Radio dzRH reported on Friday.

The victim — who was running as an independent — had as his nickname “Boy Agimat," a Filipino term meaning amulet.

It was not immediately clear when the incident occurred.

The dzRH report said the shooting occurred March 7, while a report on Inquirer.net said the incident occurred March 1.

Besides the possibility of politics as the motive behind the killing, police are also looking into robbery as another motive.

Initial investigation showed two unidentified armed men barged into the victim's house, and shot him in the face in front of his wife, who fainted.

The men then went to the victim's vehicle and took a shoulder bag believed to contain P2 million.

Investigators recovered at least 11 shells from the crime scene. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

Gordon vows to make RP investor-friendly

Bagumbayan presidential candidate Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon wants to replicate what he did in Olongapo and at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to the whole country if he becomes the next President of the Philippines.

In a roundtable discussion with editors, columnists and reporters of The Philippine STAR yesterday, Gordon said he would create an environment that would make the Philippines investor-friendly. This, he said, is the formula that spurred economic growth in Olongapo and in the Subic economic zone.

Gordon, a lawyer and a degree holder of history and government, served as founding chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) from 1992 to 1998. He served twice as mayor of Olongapo City from 1980 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1993.

He said that to attract investors, the government must put in place the proper infrastructure and must be consistent with its policies.

Gordon noted that when he headed Subic, he was able to bring in global freight companies FedEx, United Parcel Service and DHL. This, he said was done by providing them adequate infrastructure such as roads, runways, airports and seaports.

As such, he believes that there is a need to put the proper linkages between growth areas in the provinces and in Metro Manila. This would also help decongest Metro Manila so that population growth wouldn’t be overtaking economic growth.

There would also be strong communication between local government units and the national government to ensure that policies are consistent.

“We have to have consistency. We can’t change rules in the middle because we can’t attract investors. We won’t be able to grow,” Gordon said.

He also said that in building the necessary infrastructure projects, his government would enter into Build-Operate-Transfer contracts with the private sector so that state resources can be used in other areas.

“We will have BOT projects. We won’t use government money,” Gordon said.

He believes the Philippines needs a steady growth of seven to nine percent to be able to create the “impetus” for change.

Gordon, who is running on a transformational platform, said he would also overhaul the current system in the country where only the oligarchs have control over the resources of government.

“The oligarchy does nothing but accumulate wealth,” he said. This paves the way for a system of patronage among the country’s political leaders, he added.

“We have to break this cycle,” he said.

Speaking on specific areas of the economy, Gordon said, he would prioritize agricultural growth by investing in irrigation facilities.

In the area of power, he said President Arroyo must be made accountable on the current power crisis and must be asked to explain why it is happening.

He said his government would promote the use of alternative energy and is even willing to look into tapping nuclear energy to resolve the crisis.

Gordon, who served as secretary of tourism from 2001 to 2004 said he would continue to make the Philippines an attractive tourism destination.

Citing Singapore and Hong Kong as ideal models in the region, Gordon said that if he becomes president, he would make the Philippines the one with the “cleanest and most honest government in Asia.” By Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star)

March is National Rabies Awareness Month

“Nais kong ipaalala sa mga magulang na ingatan ang kanilang mga anak lalo na ngayong bakasyon laban sa rabies na maaaring makuha sa kagat ng aso. Ayon sa tala ng Department of Health (DOH), pinakamataas ang insidente ng rabies sa panahon ng bakasyon sa eskwela kung kalian mas maraming batang naglalaro sa paligid at kalsada,” Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. told city govt. employees recently.

According to DOH National Epidemiology Center (NEC) director Eric Tayag, cases of dog bites are expected to increase in the summer since more children will be playing outside their homes where there are more prone to animal attacks or dog bites.

“Kaya naman tuwing Marso, ang Olongapo at ang buong bansa sa pamamagitan ng DOH ay inoobserba ang buwan na ito bilang National Rabies Awareness Month, upang ipaalala sa mga magulang na ingatan ang anilang mga anak laban sa kagat ng aso at ipaalala rin sa mga nag-aalaga ng hayop na responsibilidad nila ang mga ito, lalo na ang pagpapabukana sa kanilangb aso,” Mayor Gordon added.

“Rabies is a viral infection of animals that can be transmitted to humans. It is caused by a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family, which attacks the central nervous system. The virus is usually excreted in the saliva of an infected animal. Dogs remain the principal animal source of rabies. In the Philippines, rabies has been transmitted to humans from the bites of dogs (98 percent) and cats (two percent). A person who is infected with rabies may experience symptoms like fever, anorexia, nausea & vomiting, headache, pain or paresthesia at site bite, signs of nervous system dysfunction as hyperactivity, disorientation, hallucination, seizures & paralysis,” explained Dr. Arnold Lopez, City Veterinarian. “That is why it is very important for dog-owners to make sure that their pets can’t harm people or children and give them the appropriate vaccinations,” said Lopez.

“Dito sa Olongapo, simula ng 2007 hanggang 2009 ay bumaba ang insidente ng dog bite at rabies dahil na rin sa pagpapatupad ng City Ordinance No. 23 (series of 1995) na nagbabawal sa mga stray animals sa kalsada para na rin sa kaligtasan ng publiko at sa pagtutulungan ng City Health Department at ng mga barangay na mabigyan ng bakuna ang mga amga alagang aso,” said Mayor Gordon.

For details and inquiries on how to get your dogs vaccinated, visit your barangay offices or the City health Office at the ground floor of the Olongapo City Hall.

Anne Gordon Invites Housewives To Free Livelihood Lessons

‘‘Muli akong nananawagan sa mga kababaihan, lalo na ang mga ina ng tahanan na makilahok at matuto sa tuloy-tuloy na libreng livehood training programs na ibinibigay ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Olongapo sa pamumuno ni amyor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. sapagkat ang mga kasanayan na inyong matututunan ay maaaring makatulong sa kabuhayan ng inyong pamilya o magamit upang makapagtayo ng sariling negosyo, ” said known advocate of women empowerment Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon.

For the month of March alone, the Livelihood Cooperative and Development Office has lined up the following free lessons:

Meat Processing - March 4-5

Basic Cosmetology w/manicure,
Pedicure and Foot Spa - March 8-12

Flip-Flop Slipper Making - March 16-20

Chocolate Candies Making - March 18

Dimsum Making - March 23-24

Aroma Candle Making - March 26

“Ang programang ito ni Mayor Gordon ay malaking tulong at malaking tipid sa mga nais matuto ng iba’t-ibang kasanayan. Kailangan lamang nilang magpatala dito sa LCDO at libreng madadagdagan ang kanilang kaalaman,” said Aileen Sanchez, head of LCDO.

Currently, beneficiaries of the said program has reached more than six thousand and counting, including the out-school-youth, Small to Medium Entrepreneurs and the producers of Gawang Gapo which provides the opportunity to budding entrepreneurs to showcase their products for 5 days at the lobby of the Olongapo City Hall.

Thru the initiative of Mayor Gordon, a two-story Livelihood Training Center located at Ohio St., Kalaklan was constructed and now serves as the official venue where enrollees learned practical livelihood knowledge and skills from competent LCDO and TESDA trainers.

For more details and inquiries about the free livelihood trainings, visit the LCDO at the second floor of the Olongapo City Hall.

MORE OF FL ANNE GORDON’S “ABOT-KAYANG BIGAS PROGRAM”

Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon has launched “Abot-Kayang Bigas Program” on February 22, 2010 at Marikit Park for the benefit of the less fortunate residents of Olongapo.

“We want to uplift the condition of our fellow Olongapeños, and through this program we can help them purchase goods at a reduced price,” FL Anne Gordon said.

The “Abot-kayang Bigas” program is the expansion of the “Tindahan Natin Outlet” program which started in 2008 catering to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens in the city.

With the program now expanded with more beneficiaries, more positive comments are being reaped by the City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Gene Eclarino and its 12 volunteers which consist of PWDs and Senior Citizens, supervised by PWD Elsie Valencia.

“Mura na ang bigas, konbinyente pa ang lugar namin, hindi kami naiinitan at nakaupo pa kami habang nag-aantay ng aming turn,” Maryjane Mendigorin of Blk 20 Gordon Heights said.

“The program aims to help indigents to meet their basic needs, especially when it comes to rice consumption, from P18.25 our commercial rice is now P16.75,” Gene Eclarino revealed.

The “Abot-kayang Bigas” program supplies commercial rice everyday, 1pm to 5pm at Marikit Park.

GORDON HELPS CARAVAN AT OLIVA ST., BRGY. GORDON HEIGHTS

Thumbs up not enough: Children give their full hi-fives to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

Carera won Tour's Subic leg

As South African grabs overall lead in 8th stage of Tour

Sherwin Carera of Liquigas team flashes the No. 1 sign as he crosses the finish line in the Stage 8 of the Tour of Luzon criterium race at SBMA.

SUBIC , Philippines – Dennis Von Nickalk of EMG summoned his remaining strength two kilometers to the finish to grab the overall lead in Stage 8 won by Sherwin Carera of Liquigaz yesterday in the 2010 LPGMA Tour of Luzon.

The 25-year-old South African reached the end of the 105-kilometer criterium at Cubi Point here after Carera (2:38.07) and American Vinyl’s Irish Valenzuela (16.51) to strip Canadian David Veilleux of Kelly Benefits Strategies of the yellow jersey going into today’s final stage at the Ayala Triangle.

Nickalk, who never won a multi-stage race throughout a six-year career, is poised to take his first general classification crown after logging a total of 19 hours, 20 minutes and 39.3 seconds, just 11.2 seconds ahead of the second-running Veilleux.

“The road is flat and we’re going to control it,’’ said Nickalk, referring to today’s 15-lap criterium in Makati City with a distance of 60 kilometers.

“It’s now between us. But I’m a lot faster than him (Veilleux). The only thing that could prevent me from winning the title is an unexpected crash,’’ added Nickalk, who finished the stage 1:12.9 behind Carera.

EMG team captain James Perry (1:28.93) arrived simultaneously with Veilleux before Baler Ravina of Liquigaz (1:33.49) and Smart’s Oscar Rendole (1:42.12) came in.

Perry also moved up a notch higher at third overall (3:15.07) after Kelly Benefits skipper Reid Mumford dropped to ninth 5:40.93 behind Nickalk. Mumford was relegated to the fourth group in the last few kilometers and finished 23rd in the stage.

Running fourth overall was Ravina (3:22.77) followed by Valenzuela (3:28.61), Santi Barnachea of Liquigaz (4:05.63), Tagaytay’s Jay Tolentino (5:16.26), Smart’s Tomas Martinez (5:23.71), Mumford and Joel Calderon of Smart (6:27.94).

“It will be difficult for him (Veilleux) to get it from Dennis. But sometimes these criterium races are dangerous so we still have to be on guard,’’ said Perry.

With three laps to go in the 10-lap race, Carera and Valenzuela cut loose from a big group, which included Nickalk, Perry, Veilleux, Hoag and four other homegrown riders.

As Nickalk reached the final ascent going to Cubi Point, he furiously kicked his way and closed the gap between him and the tandem of Carera and Valenzuela, leaving Perry and Veilleux behind.

American Vinyl’s Cris Joven improved to 11th overall, 9:31.28 behind Nickalk while Rendole, American Vinyl’s Ronnel Hualda, Geo Estate Beacon’s Renato Sembrano, Arnel Quirimit of Liquigaz, Bryant Sepnio (Geo Estate), Chau Wai Man (Champion System), Merculio Ramos (Geo Estate), Chene Hoag (Kelly) and Hilson Mangahis (American Vinyl) rounded out the top 20. (The Philippine Star)

Oldest Subic fire truck still in active service

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s oldest fire truck is still being effectively used by the agency’s fire department to put out forest fires.

The 1956 model Howe International HR-62 R 185 Series fire truck with code number “2-1” is mostly deployed in fighting wildfires that are prevalent throughout the whole Naval Magazine (Navmag) area during the dry season.

“We acquired this truck when Subic Bay Freeport was still a US naval base. The US government turned it over in 1992, and we have since used the fire truck for various jobs,” SBMA Fire chief Rannie Magno said.

“The fire truck was used by the US military for airport operations in 1969 and had been at the forefront of the firefighting operations of the US military, and now we are using it. It just goes to show how much effort we put to maintain our equipment,” he added.

A collector’s item, the Howe International fire truck has a reservoir tank and can pump up to 500 gallons of water per minute.

“It is still reliable. We have used this fire truck several times during the summer,” Magno said.

The month of March usually sees the most forest fires since this is the hottest month of the year. And with the El Niño phenomenon upon the country, the SBMA Fire Department expects a lot of forest fires inside the Freeport.

Magno said forest fires occur when all the necessary elements come together in a wooded area: an ignition source is brought into contact with a combustible material such as vegetation that is subjected to sufficient heat, and there is an adequate supply of oxygen from the ambient air.

He added that high moisture content usually prevents ignition and slows propagation, because higher temperatures are required to evaporate any water within the material and to heat the material to its fire point.

Dense forests usually provide more shade, resulting in lower ambient temperatures and greater humidity, and are therefore less susceptible to wildfires.

“Less dense material such as grasses and leaves are easier to ignite because they contain less water than denser material such as branches and trunks,” Magno said.

“Plants continuously lose water by evaporation, but water loss is usually balanced by water absorbed from the soil, humidity, or rain. When this balance is not maintained, plants dry out and are therefore more flammable, often a consequence of droughts,” he added. By JONAS REYES - Manila Bulletin

Provincial agriculturist says ‘minimal’ El Niño effect felt in Zambales

IBA, Zambales—The El Niño phenomenon, which has affected crops in 22 areas all over the country, has spared much of the agricultural lands in this province and posed “minimal” threat to rice production this cropping season.

This was the assessment made by Russell Quitaneg, assistant provincial agriculturist, who pointed out that of some 13,000 hectares planted to rice in the second cropping season, only 300 hectares have been affected by the dry spell as of end of February.

“We are not alarmed because this is just a small percentage of the total, and most of the affected crops are late-planted palay,” Quitaneg told the BusinessMirror.

“We don’t expect much more damage to rice crops now because the cropping season would be over by the middle of March,” he added.

Despite this, Quitaneg said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has alerted all its workers in Zambales to monitor rice lands and farms and report weekly developments to prevent further damage to local crops.

The provincial agricultural office has also undertaken mitigation measures against the effects of El Niño, he said. These include the release of shallow tube wells (STWs) to affected areas and the distribution of certified seeds and fertilizer under the DA’s “Quick Recovery Program.”

One STW can irrigate about 5 hectares of rice land, he said.

The distribution of STWs, however, may come too little, too late, as Quitaneg revealed that there was some problem in the release of funds by the provincial government.

“There are 15 units of STWs we requested that are still under processing. These won’t make it before harvest time this cropping season,” he said.

Part of the problem, he added, is that the STWs do not come cheap, costing from P35,000 to P60,000 per unit.

“Because of this, the provincial office cannot commit the release of as many units as needed,” said Quitaneg.

He added that the DA head office may also send in some assistance, but this, too, “would not make it this season,” and would simply have to be made part of the agency’s rehabilitation program.

Regardless of the current dry spell and the series of typhoons that hit the province last year, Quitaneg said the agricultural industry in the province has been making inroads lately due to the increasing use of new farming technology.

“Before, the average rice yield per hectare was 3.2 tons, but this has lately increased to 4 tons,” Quitaneg said. “Now, we are aiming for a 5-ton yield per hectare.”

The increase in rice production, he added, became possible even as the total area planted to rice and other crops in the province has actually shrunk in the past few years due to land conversion.

As of now, a total of 25,000 hectares are planted to rice during the first cropping season from March to September, while about half, or 13,000 hectares, is utilized during the second cropping season from September to March.

“I would say that our program for seeds subsidy, as well as technical assistance, has really paid off. Aside from this, more farmers in the province have now updated themselves on new technologies applicable to farming in the local setting, thereby helping increase their production and income,” Quitaneg explained.

Quitaneg added that aside from aiming for self-sufficiency in rice production, the agricultural office here has been encouraging local farmers to produce more high-value crops like vegetables, corn, root crops and mango.

He said farmers also receive assistance in marketing their crops from nongovernment organizations and other groups in the private sector.

Farmers dry palay along the highway in San Marcelino, Zambales. Despite damage from natural calamities, including the current dry spell, local farmers have been actually increasing their yield, the Zambales agriculture office says. Written by Henry Empeño / businessmirror.com.ph Correspondent

Ebdane ally named Zambales town mayor

An ally of former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. was installed mayor of San Antonio town in Zambales, replacing Romeo Lonzanida, who had been convicted of falsifying public documents.

Lugil Ragadio, the incumbent vice mayor, took his oath of office before Asst. Provincial Prosecutor Jeoffre Falivchao at the Zambales Provincial Hall of Justice.

The provincial prosecutor also installed councilor Imelda Aratea as the new vice mayor and presiding officer of the town council.

Falivchao said the Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Lonzanida, who remains at large.

Ragadio is running for mayor in the May elections under the Partido ng Mangagawa, which is also fielding Ebdane as gubernatorial bet. Cecille Garcia - manilastandardtoday.com

SCHOOL EMPOWERMENT FUND

ADVOCATES OF EDUCATION: Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon hand out a check amounting to P100,000.00 to representatives of New Cabalan Elementary Schools (OCES) as part of the city government’s school empowerment program that aims to further improve the condition of public education in Olongapo. Beneficiaries of the program are chosen based on the proposals that schools have submitted to the city indicating how they will utilize the fund to boost the quality of education they provide their students.

BASIC EMERGENCY OBSTETRIC AND NEWBORN CARE ORDINANCE OF OLONGAPO CITY

According to the Department of Health (DOH), almost four thousand six hundred (4,600) women die giving birth each year translating into ten (10) mothers dying and leaving more than thirty children motherless every day.

In the Philippines today, 6 out of 10 births take place at home making it difficult to follow a woman from prenatal to postnatal stage thus contributing to a high maternal fatality rate. Hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and obstructed labor constitute the majority of complications relating to maternal fatalities. All of these problems can be prevented through proper medical care.

The DOH also mentioned three (3) factors that contribute to the growing maternal fatality rate: (1) the decision when to seek care, (2) reaching the health facility and, (3) receiving appropriate care in the facility.

According to City Health Officer Dr. Arnildo Tamayo, in Olongapo City, maternal deaths also occur. “The city has an annual population growth of more than five thousand births yearly,” he said, “the population is growing steadily and every pregnant mother is at risk.”

To address the root cause of this problem, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has approved Ordinance No. 59 or the Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEONC) Ordinance of Olongapo City passed by the city council recently.

The objective of this ordinance is to provide pregnant mothers with adequate and affordable basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, and encourage pregnant women deliver their babies in health centers and hospitals as birth delivery outside a health facility is commonly practiced especially in far-flung areas.

The ordinance also aims to establish Women's Health Teams in communities composed doctors, midwives, nurses and Barangay Health Workers to ensure that all pregnant women in the community, especially the poor, are adequately served and lead the effort in convincing mothers to shift from home birth to facility or hospital birth.

Mayor Gordon has directed the City Health Office (CHO) as the lead agency in the implementation of this ordinance to ensure that systems, programs and services are available pregnant women at all times. The CHO will also adopt the aforementioned measures to reduce maternal deaths in the city.

Olongapo City Observes Fire Prevention Month

By virtue of Proclamation No. 115-A, Olongapo City and the rest of the country observes the Fire Prevention Month, March of every year, to increase the level of awareness of the public on the ways to prevent fires and to save lives and properties because March is the month of hot and dry season when the environment is more prone and conducive to fires,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

“With this year’s theme: Sustaining Fire Prevention through Active Community Participation, the city government is calling on Olongapeños to help prevent or minimize the incidents of fires by being constantly aware of the environment,” Mayor Gordon added.

Accordingly, the City Bureau of Fire Protection has provided the following home and life-saving tips to prevent the incidence of fires:

• List down the phone numbers of the Fire Department in case of emergencies.

• Eliminate fire hazards through good housekeeping: dispose waste paper, rubbish and other flammable materials regularly.

• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

• Oil or gas lamps and candles should be placed away from curtains. Do not light them near windows, fans or where children or pets may topple them. Put out the flame before going to bed.

• Never read in bed by candle or lamp.

• Do not leave a burning candle unattended.

• Do not keep flammable materials like gasoline, alcohol and paint inside the house.

• Regularly check your electrical installations, and have all frayed wirings and electrical fixtures changed or repaired by a licensed electrician.

• Never leave a lighted cigarette/cigar/pipe unattended. This may fall on flammable materials.

• Crush cigarette butts thoroughly before discarding them. Do not throw butts into the waste basket. Always have ashtray available in your home.

• Check LPG, kerosene and oil stove regularly for leakage and defects.

• Don't leave the stove while cooking and always turn it off after use.

• Don't heat wax, paints and other polishing substances over open flames.

• Always check your kitchen before going to sleep.

• Unplug electrical appliance after use.

• Don't replace blown fused with tin foil, wire or metal to short circuit the current. Used only approved and standard fused.

• Always keep a first-aid kit handy.

It can be recalled that Mayor Gordon’s HELPS (health, housing, environment, education, livelihood, labor, peace and order and social services) report shows a decreasing trend in the city’s fire incidents from 2007 to 2009 due to the combined efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the communities to save lives and properties.

Remembering the Father of Olongapo: James L. Gordon Sr.

On March 4, Olongapo City will commemorate the 43rd Death Anniversary of James L. Gordon Sr., the acknowledged father of Olongapo.

James L. Gordon Sr., whose father was an American, opted to choose the citizenship of his Filipino mother and went on to fight for Olongapo's freedom. On December 7, 1959, after 61 years under the U.S. Government, the then Community of Olongapo was finally turned over to the Philippine Government. On the same day, then President Carlos P. Garcia signed Executive Order no. 366 which created the Municipality of Olongapo in the Province of Zambales.

In 1964, Gordon Sr. was elected mayor in the first ever local elections in the young municipality. His resolve to turn the municipality into a city was finally realized two years later, in 1966, when Republic Act 4645, the City charter was signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos. On September 3, 1966, then Vice President Fernando Lopez swore in James L. Gordon as Olongapo’s first city mayor at a formal inauguration ceremonies.

Known for his dictum, “ang paggogobyerno ay bigay-buhay, hindi hanap-buhay,” Gordon Sr. battled crime and corruptions and narrowly escaped three attempts on his life until finally a hired convict, released from prison for the purpose, shot Gordon Sr. in the head at close range while talking to a woman seeking assistance at the city hall lobby. Gordon Sr. was rushed to USS Repose, a US Navy Hospital ship where doctors tried but failed to save his life.

The news of James Gordon's death shocked the nation. Nationalist and then Senator Jose W. Diokno, in paying his last respects to Gordon Sr. said that the mayor was "born an American and died a Filipino." James L. Gordon’s remains were placed in a caisson reserved for Philippine presidents while his funeral procession was attended by high-ranking Philippine and American officials, recognizing his enormous contribution to the genesis of Olongapo City, now a bustling metropolis due to the legacy of good governance that James Gordon Sr. had started.

"Because of my father’s legacy, I will always strive to become a good leader. Serving the people and delivering justice as speedily as I could when I became mayor, especially for the poor, was like delivering justice to the death of my father,” said former mayor of Olongapo, first chairman and administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and past Tourism Secretary, Senator Richard Gordon who is also the Bagumbayan Party Standard Bearer for the presidential race.

“ I will always look up to my father’s achievements and noble contributions to the freedom and development of the then Community of Olongapo. He loved Olongapo so much that he died fighting the depraved elements of society. We owe it to him to see that Olongapo City continue to be progressive and model city for competitiveness and good governance,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

IDs FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed a resolution fully supporting the Implementation and Recognition of Identification Cards (ID) for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) pursuant to Republic Act 7277 or Magna Carta for Persons with Disability as Amended and for Other Purposes.

The resolution guarantees for PWDs at least 20% discount privileges in drugstores, dental and medical services including diagnostic and laboratory fees in all hospitals and medical facilities and transportation fares in all public utility vehicles nationwide. Accommodation in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers are also subject to the same discount that PWDs can use and enjoy.

To avail of these benefits and privileges, the issuance of PWD Identification Cards duly endorsed by the National Council for the Welfare of the Disabled Person will be necessary.

Because of this, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has directed the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to facilitate the production of the IDs, charged to the PWD Funds.

Another issue that is common to disabled persons are the harsh and rude words or statements being said to them. This resolution prohibits the utterance of slanderous and abusive statements which can make the PWDs lose their self-esteem.

The resolution was approved unanimously by the City Councilors, namely, Elena Dabu, sponsor of the resolution, Gina Perez, John Carlos delos Reyes, Rodel Cerezo, Sarah Garcia, Edwin Piano, Angelito Baloy, Aquilino Cortez, Anselmo Aquino, Carlito Baloy and Cheenee Hoya with City Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo.

Summer heat will test foreign riders

SUBIC. — Foreign riders have dominated the past two legs of the nine-stage 2010 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association Tour of Luzon, relegating Filipino riders to the backseat.

For two-time Tour champion Warren Davadilla, however, these setbacks are only temporary and could be easily neutralized when the "real" race begins Wednesday.

"Mahaba pa ang karera. Magkakaalaman ‘yan pagdating sa road race,’’ said Davadilla, skipper of GeoEstate/The Beacon, one of the leading real estate developers and chief supporters of cycling in the country.

Endurance will be the key when 60 riders from 10 teams go through three consecutive point-to-point massed start races starting Wednesday. They will negotiate a 133-kilometer ride from Subic to San Jose, Tarlac with a moderate climb to the finish.

Stage 6 will again kick off inside the former American naval base with the riders passing through the Bataan Technopark in Dinalupihan, Bataan before finishing it off in Morong, a 130-km race.

Another 130 kilometers of undulating terrain await the riders in Stage 7 where the eventual Tour champion is expected to emerge.

"Malakas talaga sila (foreigners) sa criterium kaya expected na sila ang mananalo sa mga stages na circuit,’’ said the 35-year-old Davadilla after Canadian Ryan Anderson of Kelly Benefits Strategies ruled Stage 2 (ITT) to take the overall lead from Stage 1 winner James Perry of South Africa.

Davadilla could be right and former Tour champions Paquito Rivas and Rene Dolosa totally agreed.

"Maikli ang mga naunang karera kaya tingin ko malaki pag-asa natin pagdating sa road (race),’’ said Dolosa, the 1992 and 1995 Tour champion who is also coaching party list group LPGMA.

"Puro sprinters ang mga foreign riders kaya pabor sa kanila ang karera. Sa init ng panahon, sa road natin makikita ang endurance nila,’’ said Rivas, the former Tour Eagle of the Mountain.

Rivas added Baler Ravina of Liquigaz and Smart’s Tomas Martinez are his top bets to overcome the foreign challenge.

Irish Valenzuela of American Vinyl, Ravina, former champion Santy Barnachea of Liquigaz and Tagaytay’s Alfredo Asuncion are the only local riders in the top 10.

Monday’s race was a smooth 70km ride at the Subic International Raceway while another criterium is in the offing at Clark (84kms) Tuesday

US firm starts $50-b Zambales project

IBA, Zambales—Swiss Global Connect USA, an American financing company, broke ground for the first phase of its multi-billion peso project involving the construction of infrastructure projects, property development, tourism, mining and agricultural research center in this province.

Zambales inks multi-billion investment.Zambales Governor Amor Deloso signs the Memorandum of Ageement (MOA) with Swiss Global Connect USA and AIPAC Phil. Management Corp President Ms. Rubina Zahid that would earmark $50-Billion US over a 10-year period to fund priority projects in tourism, real estate, infrastructure, agriculture and mining. (Allen Villa, PIA-Zambales)

Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso led the groundbreaking ceremony with Rubina Zahid, president of AIPAC Philippines Management Corp., Swiss Gobal’s local partner. AIPAC committed to provide $50 billion to finance the project.

Deloso said Swiss Global would implement the project under the government’s build, operate and transfer and build, operate and own programs.

Deloso said the first phase of the project involved a mass housing project in Botolan town for some 5,000 residents displaced by a series of typhoons last year and the rehabilitation of the six-kilometer Bucao river dike.

“The provincial government has outlined a 10-year infrastructure development programs identifying the Zambales dream project which was envisioned to spur economic growth in the province,” Deloso said.

Priority projects are on tourism and real estate development, infrastructure, agricultural research, indigenous power supply, and mineral enhancements and exploration sectors.

“I would like to thank Swiss Global Connect USA and AIPAC Philippines Management Corp. for believing in the Zambales 2020 vision,” Deloso said.

Zahid said her company had set its eyes on Zambales because of its natural beauty and topography.

She said the projects would generate substantial direct ventures through “foreign investment multiplier effect.” manilastandardtoday.com - by Cecille Garcia - manilastandardtoday.com

SBMA to receive P9.49 billion from Harbour Centre deal

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority will receive around P9.49 billion in the next 25 years should the agreement between the authority and Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) pushes through.

“With an attractive revenue-sharing structure, the SBMA will generate significant income from the joint venture that would reach P9.49 billion or US$197.4 million over the 25-year period,” SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said.

“This is in line with the Subic Bay Port Development Project (SBPDP), a project of the SBMA to upgrade the port facilities of Subic Bay Freeport,” he said.

“With the completion of the initial phase of the SBPDP through the development of the container terminals, the SBMA is now poised to pursue the rehabilitation, improvement and development of the non-containerized port facilities here,” Arreza said.

The joint venture agreement mandates HCPTI to develop, operate and manage portions of the Naval Supply Deport (NSD), an area inside the Subic Bay Freeport where supplies were loaded and unloaded during its occupancy by the US Navy.

“The joint venture would also give Harbour Center the right to develop port areas inside Subic such as Boton, Alava, Rivera and Bravo,” Arreza said.

“In clauses, this is an unsolicited proposal. We got this unsolicited proposal on November 16 and then we evaluated the proposal solicited to the board (of SBMA) and then went on to renegotiations with both parties,” Arreza said.

Arreza clarified that another bidder could still give a higher offer, subject to Swiss challenge, wherein HCPTI has the right to match any offer.

Harbour Center, for its part, said it is looking forward to become a major player in the Freeport.

“Being the largest private commercial port operator for non-containerized cargo in the country, HCPTI is keen on partnering with the SBMA in undertaking a development, management and operational plan that will transform Subic Bay Freeport into a premiere logistics hub in the country,” HCPTI President Michael Romero said.

The signing of the joint venture agreement was held at the EDSA Shangri la and was attended by Arreza, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, HCPTI Chairman Reghis Romero II and HCPTI President and CEO Michael Romero. By JONAS REYES - MANILA BULLETIN

Smooth sailing ahead for Hanjin

The faces inside KOREA’S CONGLOMERATES

Aside from shipbuilding, HHIC is actively looking to get involved in large government projects.

Consumers across the globe are quite familiar with Korea’s electronics and automobile brands, as companies like Samsung and Hyundai are household names in many countries.

But its shipbuilding industry is a major player on the international stage as well, even though most people outside the country likely aren’t as familiar with the companies in this sector.

Although rivals such as China are quickly catching up, Korea has maintained its hold on the global shipbuilding industry. The six largest shipbuilders in the world as of December 2008 were all based in Korea, with the ninth spot also occupied by another local shipyard, according to the global shipbuilding research firm Clarkson Research Services.

Cho Nam-ho (59)

Chairman, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction

Bachelor’s in business administration from Korea University

The roots of the nation’s prestigious shipbuilding sector can be traced to Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, also known as HHIC. Founded in Busan in 1937 as Chosun Heavy Industries, the company ranks as the country’s oldest shipbuilder. Other current powerhouses such as Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering didn’t come along until the 1970s.

The Japanese provided a considerable portion of the capital used to establish Chosun Heavy Industries. But the company shed its ties with Japan and became an independent, state-run company in 1945 when Japanese colonial rule ended, changing its name to Korea Shipbuilding and Engineering. It was privatized in the mid-1960s and then, roughly 25 years later, was incorporated into the Hanjin Group, a logistics and transportation giant, becoming Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction.

As the oldest shipbuilder in Korea, it has recorded many “firsts” in the industry. It built Korea’s first steel cargo carrier and machine tool lathes as well as its first large ship, an 18,000-ton behemoth named Pan Korea.

But with the rise in domestic competition over the past few decades, HHIC has lost some of its grip on the industry. Today, Hyundai, Samsung and Daewoo surpass it in numerous areas, though the company still leads in the container area of the shipbuilding business. Maritime Market Research Reports - a major shipbuilding industry analysis agency - also has designated HHIC as the world’s best shipbuilder five times since 1992.

Although shipbuilding is HHIC’s main focus, the company has branched out over the years into other areas. It made inroads in the construction industry in 1968 when it established Hanil Development, quickly growing the business by participating in various transportation projects such as the construction of Incheon International Airport, Yeongjong Bridge, Busan New Port, Suwon Station and the Gyeongbu Expressway, among others. The company later expanded into more areas through affiliates Korea Engineering Consultants Corporation, Hanjin City Gas and Hanil Leisure. As of last year, the conglomerate’s total assets - including those of its affiliates - stood at 7.23 trillion won ($6.24 billion).

HHIC and its three affiliates became independent of Hanjin Group in 2006, four years after Cho Choong-hoon, who founded the group in 1945, died.

At Cho’s request, the group was broken into four different entities, which then were put under the management of his four sons.

Hanjin Group and Korean Air, the country’s largest airlines, went to the eldest brother Cho Yang-ho; Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction to the second-eldest, Nam-ho; Hanjin Shipping, the country’s largest shipping firm, went to the third son, Soo-ho; and Meritz Securities and other finance businesses went to Cho Choong-hoon’s fourth son, Jung-ho.

Under the management of Cho Nam-ho, HHIC has been attempting a sort of corporate revival to regain some of its stature in the industry.

The first major piece of this plan was construction of the Hanjin Subic Shipyard in the Philippines. The 18-month project, which started in 2007, involved developing a 2.31 million-square-meter (571-acre) site.

The company is also counting on its construction arm to generate more revenue as the Lee Myung-bak administration pushes for various large development projects, including the 22.2 trillion won four-rivers restoration project.

“Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction will be among those companies that benefit the most from the four rivers project and some other development projects going on across the country,” said Kim Hyun, an analyst at LIG Investment and Securities.

Cho will rely heavily on the executive team he’s assembled to help the company’s revival.

Vice chairman Kim Jung-hoon worked as an executive at Korean Air before moving to HHIC in 2000, while vice chairman Kim Jeong-woong is a 35-year veteran in the construction business at Hanjin Heavy Industries. Another vice chairman, Choi Jae-bum, was a vice mayor of Seoul before HHIC recruited him in 2007.

Lee Jai-yong, HHIC president in charge of the shipbuilding business, is a finance expert. He served as a top accounting manager and a vice executive managing director in charge of business finance management. Song Hwa-young, HHIC president in charge of the construction business, and Lee Kang-rock, president of Korea Engineering Consultants Corporation, switched positions with each other in February 2008.

Kim Han-seung, president of Hanil Leisure, was a former producer at the now-defunct broadcaster TBC and a former Korean Air executive. Shim Jeong-sup, president of Hanjin City Gas, served as the head of HHIC’s operations in the Philippines. By Moon Gwang-lip / joongangdaily.joins.com [joe@joongang.co.kr]

Miller eyes place in PBA’s elite

ALASKA’S Willie Miller is hoping to join an elite group of players who have won the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) honor three times since the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) started giving the award in 1994.

And he looks to be on the inside track.

The 32-year-old left-handed guard is tied with Aces teammate Joe Devance at No. 3 in the statistical points (SPs) category after the semifinal round of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup with 31.0 SPs average.

Sta. Lucia Realty’s Kelly Williams actually topped the category with 40.6 SPs average but his chances of bagging his second BPC plum look bleak because the Realtors were eliminated in the wild-card stage.

San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos ranked second with 35.3 SPs average but, like Williams, the six-foot-four versatile forward might not get the nod of the voting media, who represent 30 percent of the total vote, as his Beermen were also booted out by Purefoods Tender Juicy in the semifinals.

This prunes down the race among Miller, Devance, LA Tenorio (No. 6, 29.8 SPS average) and Giants star James Yap, who ranked No. 8 in the SPs average with 27.6.

Yap, the top scorer in the semifinals with almost 20 points per game, is the only Purefoods player in the top 10 of SPs category, with teammate Kerby Raymundo at No. 13 with 26.423.

Miller, also a two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), has won the BPC honor last season also in the Philippine Cup after leading his team to the finals against Talk ’N Text. He first won the award in the 2004-05 Fiesta Cup.

If the Olongapo City-native player bags the award, he will join Vergel Meneses, Eric Menk and four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio in the elite group with three BPC citations.

Meneses, now coaching Jose Rizal University, won it in the 1994 Governor’s Cup and the 1995 All-Filipino and Commissioner’s Cup, the year he won his MVP in the PBA.

Menk won the BPC trophy in the 1999 All-Filipino while playing for Tanduay and in the 2004-05 Fiesta Cup and Philippine Cup en route to his first MVP in the league.

Patrimonio, now the team manager of the Giants, pocketed the BPC trophy in the 1994 Commissioner’s Cup, the 1996 All-Filipino and 1997 Governor’s Cup.

The statistical points comprise 30 percent while the players’ votes have 25 percent value in the voting. Television coveror, Solar Sports, has 10 percent. The Commissioner’s Office gets the remaining 5 percent.

The BPC winner will be known on Wednesday before Game Four of the Alaska-Purefoods final series at the Araneta Coliseum. Written by Joel Orellana / businessmirror.com.ph Reporter

Fisherfolk to build P2.3-M artificial reefs in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—Fishers in communities adjacent to this free port will be building artificial reefs worth about P2.3 million in Subic Bay to increase fish population in the area and boost their income.

In Photo: IFARMC chairmen Laureano Artagame and Daniel Mejia (center) receive P4 million in SBMA assistance to local fisherfolk from SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza (left) and SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga. The bulk of the fund will be used to build artificial reefs in Subic Bay. (Henry Empeño)

Laureano Artagame, chairman of the Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (SB-IFARMC), said the artificial reef project will be funded through the P4-million financial assistance recently given by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as part of the authority’s commitment to sustainable development of the Subic Bay area.

The fund was coursed through SB-IFARMC and the Olongapo City-IFARMC, which were created under Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

The two groups represent fisher-folk associations and communities in the Subic Bay area, including those in the municipality of Morong in Bataan, and the towns of Subic and San Antonio in Zambales.

“We will be using the bulk of the fund to build artificial reefs, so that we may increase local fish production,” said Artagame. “The artificial reefs are designed to replace former fishing grounds in Subic Bay, which have been taken over by commercial development and maritime projects.”

Artagame added that apart from the P2.3 million set aside for the artificial reefs, the fisher-beneficiaries will use P.7 million for the operation of the IFARMC; P.5 million for a scholarship program to benefit IFARMC members and their immediate families; and P.5 million for livelihood programs for IFARMC members and their families.

Meanwhile, SBMA officials said the authority granted the assistance “in fulfillment of the agency’s responsibility to communities affected by the development of the Subic Bay Free Port.”

“As we develop the bay—implementing in the process such projects like the Subic port modernization and the Hanjin shipyard—we have closed off some areas that were previously fishing grounds used by local fishermen,” said SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga. “This assistance is one way whereby the SBMA could contribute to the welfare of fisher folks in the Subic Bay area.”

According to SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, the P4-million assistance provided by the agency was taken from the Environmental Guarantee Fund, which was created as a condition for the issuance of permits for the Subic port development and Hanjin shipyard projects.

Arreza said that both projects affected local fishing communities whose fishing areas have somewhat dwindled due to the growing maritime trade, as well as the development of shorelines, foreshores and adjacent areas in the Subic Bay Free Port Zone.

He added that the SBMA forged an agreement with the SB-IFARMC in August 2009 for the provision of the P4-million assistance.

“As you can see, we’re not just concerned about attracting investors to the Subic Bay Free Port,” Arreza said. “The SBMA also has a very strong presence in corporate social responsibility, and this is just part of our program.” Written by Henry Empeño / businessmirror.com.ph Correspondent

NEW BANICAIN FISHPORT

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. inspects the construction of the New Banicain Fishport which will be the central trading station of fishing vessels in the city.

LIVELIHOOD TRAINING GRADUATION

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. with the recent graduates of Basic MassageTraining. The graduates were among the thousands of trainees who benefitted from Mayor Gordon’s Free Livelihood Training Program to augment the skills of jobseekers or help budding entrepreneurs to start their own business.

City Council Okays Construction of Concrete Footbridge at Balic-Balic

Good news for the residents of Blk. 27, Purok 5D, Balic-Balic, Barangay Sta. Rita . The Olongapo City Council has recently passed Resolution no. 23 series of 2010, that approves of the construction of a concrete footbridge as one of the city’s priority projects for 2010.

“Ang proyektong ito ay batay na rin sa kahilingan ng mga residente ng Balic-Balic, Sta. Rita. Ayon sa pag-aaral ng Committee on Public Works and Engineering, ang footbridge na ito ay makakatulong ng malaki upang mas maging ligtas ang daan para sa publikong nakatira o dumadaan sa naturang lugar,” said Councilor Elmo Aquino who sponsored the resolution.

“Ang bawat daan, tulay o anumang infrastraktura na ipinapagawa ng pamahalaan ay para sa kapakanan ng taong-bayan. Lahat ito ay upang mas maginhawa at mas maging ligtas ang mamamayan. Kung inyong mapapansin, matatapos na rin ang unang overpass ng lungsod na magiging ligtas na tawiran lalo na ng mga mag-aaral ng Olongapo City Elementary School (OCES),” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

Among the city legislators who approved the resolution are Gina G. Perez, Rodel S. Cerezo, Edwin J. Piano, Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr., Elena C. Dabu, Jonathan G. Manalo and Cheenee F. Hoya.

2010 WOMEN’S MONTH CELEBRATION IN OLONGAPO

The Olongapo City Women’s Council under the chairmanship of Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice-Gov. Anne Marie Gordon has laid out different activities for the celebration of International Women’s Month on March.

In a meeting led and facilitated by Council Vice Chair and City Councilor Ellen Dabu and Council Chair Secretariat and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Gene Eclarino at the Conference Room, Annex Building of the City Hall on February 25, 2010, the activities for the women in Olongapo was set.

On March 1 at 7 o’clock in the morning, the kick-off of the month-long celebration will start with a motorcade around the seventeen (17) barangays to increase the level of awareness of Olongapeños regarding Women’s Month as directed by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. to the Women’s Council.

On the same day, at 8 am, a march of three thousand (3,000) women will unite as a show of force to all the women in the world. The march will start at Marikit Park and will end at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court.

There will be a Women’s Health Consultation which will be conducted by the doctors from the City Health Office (CHO) at the Population Commission Office (POPCOM) of the City Hall. Breast examinations, cervical examinations and Pap smear tests are just some of the free services available for women.

There will also be medical and dental missions, mobile birth certificate registration, free haircut, seated massage, foot spa, face painting seminar, women sing-along contest, job fair and awarding of the Livelihood Capital Assistance (LCA) courtesy of Mayor Bong Gordon and First Lady Anne Gordon.

Meanwhile, also in connection with the International Women’s Month with the theme “Babae, Tagumpay ka ng Bayan,” the Rizal Triangle Covered Court will turn violet, the women’s motif, on March 8.

On March 18 at the FMA Hall of the City Hall, a “Buntis Party” is set for pregnant women in their second and third trimester. Pregnant women, especially first time mothers, will be taught about the importance of new born screening and maternal and child care.

Finally, the month-long celebration will end with a fund raising concert entitled “Voices! Concert for Women” which will be held on March 29 where local Olongapo-grown talents will show off their talents in singing, dancing and acting.

GORDON TICKET AT TECLAAN, NEW CABALAN

PRO-PEOPLE. Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr . together with Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon, Councilor Rodel Cerezo and city consultants Tet Marzan, Edna Elane and Bugsy delos Reyes sojourn for a candid shot with the residents of Teclaan, New Cabalan.

SPEEDY AND SLEEPY

Mr. Rodrigo Poblete turned over to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. “Speedy and Sleepy,” the pawikans that he named and cared for. The city government, in turn, placed the pawikans to the care of the Ocean Adventure at the Subic Bay Freeport. International standards have declared the species of marine turtle to be endangered all over the world due to illegal trading of the creatures and their low survival rate. Marine turtles or pawikans have 7 different species in the world and five of these species are present in the Philippines which are being protected by Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation Act of 2001.

SK GRAND REUNION

Thumbs up! Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. with Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon, now running for the Zambales First District Congressional Seat, joined the youth leaders at the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Grand Reunion held recently at the Olongapo City Convention Center. Also present in the event were City Councilors Ellen Dabu, Jonathan Manalo, Rodel Cerezo and city consultants Romy Guerrero, Bugsy delos Reyes, former SK Tet Marzan and Eduardo Piano.