Bishop Met NGOs

Zambales Bishop Lavarias met Civil Society and various NGOs such as World Vision Development Foundation and Global Fund for Social Movilization against TB to further unite civil society groups and work towards common goal

SUBIC BAY NEWS ARCHIEVE

View Complete SUBIC BAY NEWS ARCHIEVE

Group says 3 rivers contaminated

Group says 3 rivers contaminated

High levels of chromium hexavalent--EMB

Three major rivers inside the former American naval base in Subic have high levels of chromium hexavalent, a contaminant that has killed several people in the United States, a group, quoting a government report, said.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Alliance for Bases Clean-up (ABC) International during a forum with Japanese volunteers, who arrived here to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment.

Quoting a study conducted by the Environmental Management Board, Myrla Baldonado, president of ABC-International, said the Binictican, Boton and Malawaan rivers in the northern part of this city contained contaminants that could cause respiratory problems, infertility and lumps.

"The contaminant is exactly the same as the culprit in the deaths and illnesses of people in the award winning and true-to-life movie Erin Brokovich," Baldonado said.

Brokovich is a single mother of three working in a California law firm who uncovered cancer-causing chemicals dumped by the Pacific Gas & Electric into unlined ponds in Hinckley, California.

Baldonado said the incident could also occur in communities around the former US military installation here.

"These rivers, where people usually catch fish and take a bath, transverse the old dump inside the Subic Bay Freeport," she said.

Baldonado's group has joined the "Peace Boat," a Japanese-based non-government organization that conducts global peace voyages.

She briefed the Japanese volunteers on updates on the issue of contamination of former US facilities in Clark in Pampanga and Subic.

During the forum, Baldonado also cited another study of the Department of Health that showed that 47 out of 97 people who used to live in former US motor pools in the Clark Air Base Command (Cabcom) had high levels of arsenic and lead in their blood.

"This study confirms earlier findings by a DOH doctor that there are high levels of lead in the blood of pregnant women and children in the area," she said.

"The port call of Peace Boat in Subic is timely. The USS Stockholm will dock at the same site (on Thursday) and it is a great opportunity for the citizens to come together and protest the continued and unlimited access of the US to our ports," Baldonado said.

She said while it used to be only Subic and Clark, American troops are all over the country "polluting our environment while they continue to walk away from the responsibility to clean up heavily polluted bases."

The Japanese ship, which has become a floating peace village over the past years, docked at the Alava Pier in Subic Bay on Wednesday.

The Japanese will learn about the local communities and help victims of toxic wastes left in the former American military bases in the country press the US government for bases cleanup.

Around 1,500 members of various cause-oriented groups staged a "peace march" on Wednesday afternoon to call on the US government to claim responsibility for toxic waste contamination.

Banicain Mini Library

This year's entry of Olongapo City to the Regional Search for Most Functional Community Learning Resource Center is the Mini-Library of Barangay Banicain. Brgy Chairman Batapa took pride in welcoming the evaluators who concluded that the city's entry is indeed functional and child friendly.

GSP AWARDS

Girl Scouts of the Philippines Olongapo City Council held a ceremony in honor of Troop Leaders who have rendered exemplary services to the movement. This Triennial Awards Rites was held in FMA Hall and was led by GSP President Erlinda Crispin., DepEd Division Superintendent Perly Basa and the city's first lady, Madam Anne Gordon.

TRIATLON WORKSHOP HELD

In preparation for the upcoming Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLARAA) Meet this November, YMCA President German Ebue gave a whole day workshop to athletes joining the triathlon. This is the first time that the sport will be included in the annual sports meet. 50 local athletes from various schools in the city participated in the workshop conducted at East Tapinac Sports Complex.

Vice govs’ league supports embattled Zambales official

IBA, Zambales—The League of Vice Governors’ of the Philippines (LVGP) has passed a resolution supporting embattled Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain 2nd of Zambales, who had said he was illegally stripped of his legal functions by Gov. Vicente Magsaysay.

The LVGP, through a resolution passed on October 5, also urged President Arroyo to conduct an inquiry into Lacbain’s claim that Magsaysay had threatened him and had continuously been harassing him since May.

By Patrick Roxas, Central Luzon Bureau Chief

SCOUT-CITY OFFICIALS TURN-OVER

As culminating activity of Scouting movement, local scouts were given a chance to hold office at city hall for one day. The activity aims to give the city's youth a first hand experience on how a city is run. Aside from technical aspects of administration such as knowledge, skills and abilities; city officials who acted as mentors to the community’s future leaders passed on virtues, values and character needed to lead the city. Eagle Scout RC Tolentino was elected boy mayor.

Magsaysay strips Zambales Vice Gov of legal powers

IBA, Zambales—Gov. Vicente Magsaysay, through an executive order, has disfranchised Vice Gov. Ramon Laca­bain 2nd of his legal functions and transferred the powers of the elected vice governor to the appointed secretary of the provincial council.

Lacbain said the act was “total harassment,” which Magsaysay cooked up because of his alleged defiance of the wishes of Mag­saysay.

By Patrick Roxas , Manila Times, Central Luzon Bureau Chief

"O" Club Reunion

A reunion of original Cubi Officers Club employees was held at Olongapo City Mall, short prayer was dedicated to members who passed away, then the whole night was filled with fun and laughter and reminiscing.

Lion Officers and New Members Inducted

Lion Year 2003-2004 President Rudy Dalluay turns over the leadership to incoming President Ed Darum while new members are inducted in a solemn ceremony at Golden Dragon.

SKILLS COMPETITION HELD

TESDA Provincial Skills competition was held October 19 to 21 at Subic Bay Freeport. VocTech students had their chance to demonstrate their skills and abilities in the three day competition. Winners of said competition will represent the province in the upcoming regional and national competitions.

Ms Earth Candidates visited Subic Bay & Olongapo Officials

Mayor Bong Gordon and Officials of Olongapo City warmly welcomed candidates for Ms Earth 2004 at Subic Bay Yatch Club

SBMA TURN-OVER CEREMONY

Outgoing SBMA Chairman and Administrator officially turned-over the helm of SBMA to Francisco Licuanan (Board Chairman) and Freddie Antonio (Administrator) in a ceremony held this morning at Subic Bay Arts Centre

LATEST SUBIC BAY PANORAMIC PHOTO

Click to view the zoom turn-around shot of SubicBay taken from rooftop of Subic Seaport Control Tower

SBMA TELECOM HEARING

Atty Casino presented witnesses during the 3rd scheduled hearing of Globe-Innove Communications' application to provide telecom services to Subic Freeport and Olongapo City. Evidences of Globe's Capability, Financial Viability and Technical Feasibility were aptly presented as Hearing Officer, Atty Von Rodriguez, Olongapo Telecom Consultant Nards Perez and
representatives of oppositor Piltel and Subictel looks on.

World Scout Jamboree

Preparations for JOTA JOTI in high gear
alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" / />

American Girl Guide Michelle Catherine Clobes giving the locals tips in MiRC chatting, uploading data/images to Internet and web surfing
alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" / />

Scouter Ed Piano (DU3EJP) introducing ECHOLINK to scouts for use during JOTA Jamboree On The Air

SBMA TRAFFIC ADVISORY

SBMA TRAFFIC ADVISORY

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 11, 2004 AT 12 MIDNIGHT

THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC REROUTING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:

RIZAL GATE - INBOUND AND OUTBOUNDMAIN GATE - INBOUND ONLY

Note : Only light vehicles are allowed to pass through these gates.

LET'S ROCK

Half Iron-man triathlon was successfully held 9 October 2004.
It started with a 2km swim at White Rock, 90km bike to Cabangan and finished off with 21km run to Olongapo City.

eXtreme Tribe

Olongapo City Fiesta 1st Canvassing

Miss East Bajac-Bajac gets early lead

Miss West Bajac-Bajac, the Most Elegant

Miss San Diego, CA, the Photographer's Choice

Candidates WOW the crowd

Who will be the FIESTA 2004 Miss Olongapo

SCOUTING MONTH LAUNCHED WITH A BLAST

James L. Gordon Council of Olongapo City Boy Scouts opened the Scouting month with council jamborette which started September 30, 2004 and closed October 3, 2004.

Here are some of the actions during the 3-day event.

Council Chairman Mayor Bong Gordon and Regional Scout Executive Chaves formally opened the council jamborette. Vice Mayor Paulino and Councilor Ed Piano gives out awards in various contests such as knot tying, water boiling, Ham Radio, First Aid, Bandaging, Compass Reading, Scout Crafts, Yells, Presentations, etc

Outstanding Boy Scouts posed with Scout Commissioner Dr. Perlita Basa and Chief Scout Executive Alberto Baviera.
Girl Scouts getting ready for the Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet to be held 3rd weekend of October.

Vice Camp Chief Scouter Edwin Piano and officers of Ulo Ng Apo Amateur Radio Club (DX-3-UNA) lead by 4F3 RUY Rudy Dalluay and DY3NAC Nolan Cionco gives merit badge in HAM RADIO

Actions during the Kab Scout Holiday. The whole day was filled with fun and games. Merit Badges was also distributed for the Kab Scout's advancement.

WHERE are the big-time smugglers?

Law makers were no longer surprised by the revelation in a public hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means two weeks ago that duty-free shops in Clark and Subic have become convenient fronts for smugglers.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House committee on economic affairs, disclosed that in 2003, Clark and Subic registered P4.4-billion retail sales of cigarettes and liquor products. He said it could be considered a form of "technical smuggling" because it was obvious that the duty and tax-free products were taken out of the economic zones . . .

Subic RHD imports-- no legal leg to stand on

SMUGGLING, plain and simple.

The continuous importation of right-hand drive vehicles in Subic is illegal and should be stopped, according to Jess Arranza, president of the Philippine Federation of Industries and co-chairman of the Coalition Against Smuggling.

He said the bringing in of these vehicles through the Freeport violates Republic Act 8506, despite the issuance of a legal opinion by the Department of Justice which he said was "twisted" by former Malacañang officials.

RHD vehicle imports: Car firms cry foul

THE unabated entry of right-hand drive vehicles in the country is hurting the local automotive industry, according to Elizabeth Lee, vice-president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and president of Truck Manufacturers Association.