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NEWS ARCHIVE July 2007

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Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

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Labels: Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Five mining firms ordered closed in Zambales

By DING CERVANTES - The Philippine Star

STA. CRUZ, Zambales – Gov. Amor Deloso has ordered the closure of the alleged illegal operations of at least five mining firms in this province, including that of a Taiwanese company engaged in exporting high-priced local minerals abroad.

Deloso ordered the closure after he and joint elements of the Philippine Army and local police, recently inspected the mountainous mining sites situated in far-flung areas of Barangays Guisguis and Guinabon.

Earlier, Task Force Kalikasan, which he created, reported unabated illegal quarrying of precious minerals such as nickel, manganese and high-valued platinum in the areas.

Deloso ordered the closure of the mining sites being operated by A3 UNA, San Juanico, Maxwell, KNG and Taiwanese firm, Arcman International.

"These mining operators are taking away our precious minerals and resources without giving any benefit from the province," Deloso said.

He added that mining firms should be obliged to provide "socio-economic benefits" and compensation package, particularly to nearby local communities affected by its operations.

"Not even a single community project was implemented by these mining firms," he said.

Deloso also ordered the closure of a private pier along the coast of Barangay Balitok, which was reportedly being used by the mining operators to haul and transport the minerals.

Task Force Kalikasan was tasked to investigate the social and economic impact on affected communities caused by mining activities in the province.

"We welcome good investors in our province but we will no longer tolerate businessmen who would only think of robbing our natural resources and not pay due taxes," Deloso said.

"This is part of our program called social re-engineering that would focus on the improvement of the living standard of our local residents," Deloso said.

In its initial report, Task Force Kalikasan cited the "abuses of some mining companies and the alarming effect of its operations on the environment and residents." It also reported the significant increase of mining companies.

The task force said that new mining operations have become rampant in the towns of Castillejos, San Marcelino, San Antonio, Cabangan, Botolan, Masinloc, Candelaria and Sta. Cruz.

"Zambales is known for its abundance in natural resources, which attract many local and foreign investors but none of these companies have brought in economic progress to the province," Deloso said.

Labels: botolan, Cabangan, Candelaria, castillejos, deloso, kalikasan, masinloc, mining, quarrying, San Antonio, San Marcelino, Sta. Cruz, zambales

IP Foundation Pursues Rabies-Free Country Campaign in Zambales

Subic, Zambales -- Publicly-listed Information and Communications Technology company, IPVG Corp. (PSE: IPVG), its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, IP Foundation (IPF) and Family Vaccine and Specialty Clinics, Inc. (FVSC) marks another win in the fight against Rabies with the opening of another Animal Bite Treatment Clinic (ABTC) in Bgy. Wawandue, Subic , Zambales.

This milestone is made possible through the efforts of former Vice-Governor Ramon Lacbain, current Executive Director of Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation.

“The combination of a vaccination and treatment facility in tandem with our drugstore is an opportunity to help fight rabies and provide affordable vaccines and health service for poverty-stricken places in the province. With the help of IP Foundation and FVSC, we are really close to achieving this goal,” says Lacbain.

The aim of the Botika Natin program in Zambales is to build a chain of drugstores that supply affordable medicine. It is a way of fighting the war against poverty through lower cost but quality goods and services.

"The collaboration established between IP Foundation and the Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation with the Botika Natin program is a milestone for the beneficiaries of both organizations. We are happy that our health service endeavours can be used to further the livelihood program for the people of Zambales at the same time address the rabies problem. We are hopeful that nearby provinces will soon follow and join the campaign," says Marco Y. Santos, Chairman of IP Foundation.

In line with the Department of Health and World Health Organization’s “ Rabies-Free Island ” campaign the said ABTC is part of IPF's goal to set up 100 clinics all over the country. The Philippines is ranked 4th highest in the number of reported rabies cases worldwide, after India , China and Bangladesh according to WHO.

FVSC's mission is to provide affordable, accessible and available animal bite and anti-rabies treatment. At PhP 375.00 per intra-dermal injection of the active vaccine, local residents in the area will no longer have to travel long distances and purchase the expensive vaccines individually to get treatment. At the same time, FVSC's low-cost pricing is further augmented by a FREE injection to be given during the first and last visit out of the total 8 required.

The Eradication of Rabies
According to the Department of Health, rabies is a viral infection of animals that can be transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals, most often by a bite or scratch or licks on broken skin or mucous membrane, such as the eyes, nose or mouth. Rabies cases recorded in the Philippines come form bites of dogs (98%) and cats (2%).

In the Philippines , rabies is one of the main concerns in the health sector today. 300 to 600 deaths are recorded yearly due to the rabies infection.

Specialty Clinics
FVSC provide rabies treatment at affordable prices through its chain of specialty clinics. It focuses on setting up bite clinics that administer both pre- and post-exposure treatment. This is at no cost to the local government unit (LGU), and is fully-funded by IP Foundation. The clinic provides vaccines, nurses, and all equipment in the center and uses only globally-accepted, high quality vaccines. These vaccines are all BFAD-approved, WHO-recognized and compliant with WHO/DOH guidelines.

Treatments and consultations for animal bite victims are also available in 13 provinces nationwide. The clinics are located in Aklan, Batangas, Benguet, Bohol , Bulacan, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Metro Manila, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal and Romblon.

For more information on IP Foundation's health advocacy programme, call tel. no. (02) 7571731 loc. 404.

About IPVG Corp.
IPVG Corp. is publicly listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: IPVG) and engaged in the information technology and communications space. IPVG owns three operating subsidiaries engaged in information technology and telecommunications, on-line gaming, and business process outsourcing.

About IP Foundation
IP Foundation is IPVG’s Corporate Social Responsibility arm. Its mission is to provide low-cost and innovative technology-based solutions in healthcare and education. Its current network of vaccination clinics nationwide is designed to provide affordable, accessible and available treatment for animal bites. It is also committed to improve computer literacy of underserved populations.

About FVSC
FVSC is a privately held company primarily engaged in the importation, distribution and administration of vaccines through clinics set up throughout the country. FVSC's mission is to make quality and essential vaccines accessible, available and affordable to Filipinos, particularly to those belonging to the lower income groups.

Editorial contact:
Sheila Rada
IPVG Corp.
Tel. No. – [02] 757 1731
Email – sheila.rada@ipvg.com

Labels: botica, fvsc, ip, rabies, subic, vg, zambales, zwap

New container terminal in Subic a success story

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT--From a beach where American servicemen frolicked during the heydays of the Subic Bay Naval Base here, Cubi Point is now the site of a world class port to complement the development of this freeport and the rest of Central Luzon.

Last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated the first phase of the $215-million Subic Bay port development project here.

The completion of the New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1), built on a 29.2-hectare reclaimed area at Cubi Point, is part of the development of Subic Bay and Clark freeport zones as the most competitive international service and logistics centers in the Asia-Pacific region.

The project is co-funded by the Japanese government through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

New gateway
Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki said Subic, Clark and other areas have found "a new gateway for future growth" with the opening of the container terminal.

"It is also expected to meet the growing demand for Subic and Clark as well as avoiding traffic burden in Manila where more than 80 percent of the country's cargo is presently concentrated," Yamazaki said.

"This is another success story of the ever deeply comprehensive partnership between our two countries and peoples," Yamazaki told Arroyo during the inauguration program.

"As if my own child reached adulthood," Yamazaki said of the project's completion.

Japan funded the project with a P16.3-billion loan.

The project includes the installation of four gantry cranes from Japan, two of which were installed in May last year and the other two in March.

"The entire port modernization project, which is being implemented under the auspices of the JBIC, was designed to make Subic seaport a major container port in the country," said Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair Feliciano Salonga.

"Today is a day of great import," he said.

Salonga added that the terminal was in fulfillment of Arroyo's vision to make Subic and Clark the country's best logistics hub.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the terminal has drawn tobacco giant Philip Morris to set up a warehouse here.

Master plan
"We bested Singapore and Malaysia," he said, attributing that to the trade missions by Sen. Richard Gordon, the first and longest-serving SBMA chairman and president from 1992 to 1998.

The alliance between Subic and Clark is part of the long-term master plan that will see the construction of the $415-million Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx). Both the NCT-1 and the SCTEx are funded by the JBIC.

The terminal will not only serve the freeport's investors, SBMA officials said.

Salonga earlier said the project's cargo market includes Clark freeport in Pampanga and Tarlac, Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac City and other export processing zones in Central and Northern Luzon.

It will also service Metro Manila-based exporters and importers to reduce the traffic in the country's capital and serve as transshipment within Southeast Asia.

The natural deep harbor and accessibility to shipping traffic in the region are the major advantages of this freeport, Salonga said.

Arreza said a new 3.1-km road is being built to link the new container terminals to the existing Argaunaut Highway and, eventually, to the SCTEx.

The access road, Arreza said, is scheduled to be completed by the end of September this year.

The newly acquired goose neck type quay gantry cranes, with a capacity of 40.6 tons rated load each, is also part of a bigger plan of the government for the Subic port to enhance its capacity from the present 100,000 TEUs (container capacity measured in 20-foot equivalent units or TEU) to at least 600,000 TEUs.

Better position
Also included in the package are the construction of the modern container terminals, and two berths, measuring 280 meters in length, with a depth of 13 meters.

"With a combined handling capacity six times its original port facilities (at 600,000 TEUs), Subic is in a better position to attract more containerized cargo in the East Asia Pacific region," Arreza said.

"[After this], we expect our existing locators to expand their container movements and new locators to come in," he said.

Investments
Arreza said investments in Subic, as of June, reached $1.38 billion, surpassing the record that the SBMA set last year during the same period.

The operation of the NCT-1 will be awarded to global port operator Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), a joint venture company between SBMA (15 percent) and Subic Bay International Terminal Holdings Inc., (85 percent).

SBITHI, on the other hand, is a joint venture between the International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) and Royal Port Services Inc. with the former owning 83.33 percent.

By Ansbert Joaquin, Tonette Orejas - Inquirer

Labels: arreza, gordon, jbic, naval base, NCT 1, sbma, subic bay freeport, subic port

Arroyo steps into row over Subic-Clark Expressway project

CLARK FREEPORT -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the recommendation of Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan to give a Japanese contractor at least four months more to finish the Bataan-Pampanga portion of the national flagship project Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Central Luzon.

Ms Arroyo’s approval was contained in a confidential July 25 memorandum, a copy given by a Malacañang source to the Philippine Daily Inquirer showed.

Pamintuan, chair of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council and Luzon Urban Beltway super region, confirmed on Friday Ms Arroyo’s approval of his recommendation to extend the deadline of the Kajima Corp., Obayashi Corp., JFE Engineering Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (KOJM) Joint Venture starting Nov. 15.

“She has officially approved the deadline extension, which she has initially announced during the LUB conference in Subic on July 19,” Pamintuan said.

In approving it, Ms Arroyo ended the negotiations between the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the KOJM. The talks, which began in April when KOJM first sought a 383-day extension, had dragged for three months.

Pamintuan said the BCDA would have to “take action now.”

The recommendation said the extension would have “no direct cost to the government” -- a term that kept up with the BCDA’s position.

Asked if the government would start penalizing the KOJM with at least P5.3 million for every day of delay as stated in the contract, Pamintuan said: “My understanding is that they will not be penalized, only after the expiration of the four-month extension.”

“By granting the four-month extension, KOJM’s completion date is adjusted, current negative slippage is eliminated. No liquidated damages to be charged,” he said.

The KOJM has worked to bring its slippage or the delay in the work schedule to below 15 percent in the 50-km side of the 94-km toll road, it was learned.

The BCDA has required the KOJM to submit a detailed work plan for the four-month deadline extension it requested three weeks ago.

The relief of KOJM project manager, Masato Otsubo, which international consultants have recommended, has been “withdrawn,” it was learned.

Talks for deadline extensions began when the KOJM and the other Japanese contractor, the Hazama-Taisei-Nippon Steel (HTN) Joint Venture, reported incurring 2,408 and 457 days of delay, respectively, due mainly to right-of-way problems or access to sites on which the P21-billion Japanese-funded highway would be built.

Inquirer sources said the project went awry when some BCDA officials connived with real estate brokers to increase the prices of land and as other BCDA executives allegedly mulcted the two major contractors and their Filipino sub-contractors.

According to the original contract, the HTN is supposed to finish the 44-km Pampanga-Tarlac side in August this year. The KOJM’s adjusted deadline will be in March next year.

The BCDA has been reviewing its terms of reference for a third bidding for the operations and management of the toll way.

BCDA president Narciso Abaya said the agency would not operate and manage the toll way, contrary to the apprehension of the multi-sectoral group Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon.

“We are also exploring an interim arrangement for a third party to operate in case the third bidding is not finished before the scheduled opening. But the operations and management will be privatized,” Abaya told the Inquirer last week.

“We just want to be sure that we maximize our revenues from the toll expressway. After all it is the BCDA that will pay for the loan used to finance this project,” Abaya said. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

Labels: bcda, kajima, kojm, obayashi, subic clark expressway

The 2010 presidential fight gets uglier

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By WILLIAM M. ESPOSO - ABS-CBN

Guns blazed ferociously and stealthy daggers found backs to dig into. We talk not of the Iraq War but the fight for the 2010 presidency. Previous presidential battles were similarly vicious but what’s surprising is that open hostilities has erupted this early.

So far, we are aware of the following:

Villar-the-next-President coffee mugs

Shortly after the election for Senate President, Malacanang beat reporters received coffee mugs with the inscription: “I’ll have coffee with you in Malacanang â€‘ Manny Villar 2010.” The malicious prank was apparently intended to embarrass the re-elected Senate President (SP) by projecting him as rabidly over-eager and ambitious.

Demolition text messages

Then text messages started circulating. I received two of these and both came from mobile number 09276429381. Both text messages were attacks on Villar and the Opposition Senators aligned with him.

The first text message sent to me harped on the loyalty issue, citing the “Political Mongrel” tag that originated from Sen. Ping Lacson. The other text message I received was even more direct â€‘ it accuses SP Villar and Sen. Chiz Escudero as the 2010 President-Vice President tandem of Malacanang.

Big media buyer

A White Paper on supposedly the “Most Corrupt Editors, Journalists and Columnists” was circulated on the internet. On the surface, it appeared to be one of those mischievous exposes that come and go. It provided a detailed excoriating attack on editors of broadsheets.

On closer scrutiny, the intention becomes obvious. It identifies a presidential wannabe, known to be highly popular with media, as one who is supposedly a big financial provider of editors and leading personalities in the press.

This looked like a preemptive move on the part of the dirty tricks operatives. By tagging sympathetic media as recipients of this politician’s slush funds, they are also making media more wary of supporting or being identified with the presidential aspirant.

‘Hello Erap’ tape

Unthinkable perhaps, but even former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada has been cast by news reports as the main actor in a supposed “Hello Erap” transcript of a tape that is said to be doing the email rounds.

The said transcript supposedly reveals a conversation between an administration official (former Chief of Staff Mike Defensor was named in some media reports but he denied it) and Estrada where the former president was asked to split the Opposition in the 2004 Presidential Elections in exchange for getting his son Jinggoy off the plunder rap sheet. The apparent political objective of the Opposition split was to enhance the administration’s chances of victory.

Save for the White Paper on alleged press mercenaries, the group of Manny Villar is the clear target of these demolition jobs. These appear to be generated by rivals who have a moist eye for the 2010 presidency.

Knowing the rough and tumble world of Philippine politics, we can never rule out the administration as the probable perpetrator of these shenanigans. Indeed, it stands to reason that the regime could well be the one and only grand puppeteer of the four schemes.

One thing I learned after seeing political operators up-close is that they like to spin their web of lethal schemes when somebody else will be perceived as the main suspect of their misdeeds. In this case, suspicion focuses on the Opposition presidential wannabes who were agitated by the re-election of Manny Villar as Senate President.

It will be remembered that when Senators Mar Roxas, Ping Lacson, Loren Legarda and Jamby Madrigal (oh yes, I was informed by one of her operators that she has presidential ambitions) banded together to push for the election of Sen. Nene Pimentel as Senate President, their stated objective was to level the playing field for all Opposition presidential candidates. To them, the Senate Presidency enhances Manny Villar’s bid for the 2010 presidency.

When the undercurrent of hostility among Opposition presidential wannabes spilled out in the open, I think that it presented a golden opportunity for the regime’s political operators to heighten Opposition in-fighting. It’s like a severely bleeding seal finding itself one meter away from a Great White Shark that has not eaten for days. It’s wishful thinking to expect the regime’s political sharks not to bite.

From what is unfolding, the Opposition can kiss their 2010 ambitions goodbye. All the administration needs in order to win in 2010 is for the Opposition to again make the mistake of 2004 and split their votes.

I’ve said it before: Two Opposition candidates running for president in 2004 will lose to somebody like Sen. Dick Gordon or Mayor Sonny Belmonte running under the powerful Lakas-CMD-Kampi-NPC coalition. These two administration allies both enjoy a positive public image and are each backed by a fantastic executive track record — the Subic Bay transformation for Gordon and the Quezon City fiscal turnaround for Belmonte. Untainted by the sins of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Gordon and Belmonte are exciting candidates who will enjoy the backing of what is still the best political machinery in the country.

* * *
Chair Wrecker e-mail and website: macesposo@yahooo.com and www.chairwrecker.com

Labels: 2010, Belmonte, gordon, President

Subic eyes locally made small vessels

THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is considering building a shipyard for small inter-island ships, particularly roll-on roll-off (RORO) vessels for President Arroyo’s nautical highway system.

SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, whose background is in shipbuilding engineering and naval architecture, said the vessels he has in mind are small, with a gross capacity of 5,000 to 10,000 tons and capable of carrying five to seven trucks loaded with rice and other commodities.

He said there is a demand for 2,500 ships for the domestic shipping industry because the old inter-island trading vessels are no longer seaworthy, as shown by the many incidents of sinking.
"We are now completing a program for a domestic shipyard to be built here soon with the funds that will be available from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation, which offers low-cost money.

The interest is less than 1 percent and loans have long terms of payment. If we can make this materialize within the next couple of months, we’ll have a new shipyard in SBMA that will address the domestic requirements," he said.

He said they picked JBIC as source of funding because the rates of the Development Bank of the Philippines are too high. "The JBIC offered the funds to the Department of Transportation and Communications. Our requirement is only $30 million, not such a huge amount," he said.

He said the Metro Manila Association of Shipyards has also expressed interest in the project, which will be located at the Freeport’s Naval Supply Depot. "We need 7.1 hectares and it’s available," he added.

– Regina Bengco

Labels: building, RORO, sbma, shipyard

GMA steps into row over Subic-Clark

CLARK FREEPORT -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the recommendation of Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan to give a Japanese contractor at least four months more to finish the Bataan-Pampanga portion of the national flagship project Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Central Luzon.

Ms Arroyo’s approval was contained in a confidential July 25 memorandum, a copy given by a Malacañang source to the Philippine Daily Inquirer showed.Pamintuan, chair of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council and Luzon Urban Beltway super region, confirmed on Friday Ms Arroyo’s approval of his recommendation to extend the deadline of the Kajima Corp., Obayashi Corp., JFE Engineering Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (KOJM) Joint Venture starting Nov. 15.

“She has officially approved the deadline extension, which she has initially announced during the LUB conference in Subic on July 19,” Pamintuan said.In approving it, Ms Arroyo ended the negotiations between the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the KOJM. The talks, which began in April when KOJM first sought a 383-day extension, had dragged for three months.

Pamintuan said the BCDA would have to “take action now.”The recommendation said the extension would have “no direct cost to the government” -- a term that kept up with the BCDA’s position.

Asked if the government would start penalizing the KOJM with at least P5.3 million for every day of delay as stated in the contract, Pamintuan said: “My understanding is that they will not be penalized, only after the expiration of the four-month extension.”

“By granting the four-month extension, KOJM’s completion date is adjusted, current negative slippage is eliminated. No liquidated damages to be charged,” he said.The KOJM has worked to bring its slippage or the delay in the work schedule to below 15 percent in the 50-km side of the 94-km toll road, it was learned.

The BCDA has required the KOJM to submit a detailed work plan for the four-month deadline extension it requested three weeks ago.The relief of KOJM project manager, Masato Otsubo, which international consultants have recommended, has been “withdrawn,” it was learned.

Talks for deadline extensions began when the KOJM and the other Japanese contractor, the Hazama-Taisei-Nippon Steel (HTN) Joint Venture, reported incurring 2,408 and 457 days of delay, respectively, due mainly to right-of-way problems or access to sites on which the P21-billion Japanese-funded highway would be built.

Inquirer sources said the project went awry when some BCDA officials connived with real estate brokers to increase the prices of land and as other BCDA executives allegedly mulcted the two major contractors and their Filipino sub-contractors.

According to the original contract, the HTN is supposed to finish the 44-km Pampanga-Tarlac side in August this year. The KOJM’s adjusted deadline will be in March next year.
The BCDA has been reviewing its terms of reference for a third bidding for the operations and management of the toll way.

BCDA president Narciso Abaya said the agency would not operate and manage the toll way, contrary to the apprehension of the multi-sectoral group Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon.

“We are also exploring an interim arrangement for a third party to operate in case the third bidding is not finished before the scheduled opening. But the operations and management will be privatized,” Abaya told the Inquirer last week.

“We just want to be sure that we maximize our revenues from the toll expressway. After all it is the BCDA that will pay for the loan used to finance this project,” Abaya said. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central LuzonCLARK FREEPORT -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the recommendation of Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan to give a Japanese contractor at least four months more to finish the Bataan-Pampanga portion of the national flagship project Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Central Luzon.

Ms Arroyo’s approval was contained in a confidential July 25 memorandum, a copy given by a Malacañang source to the Philippine Daily Inquirer showed.Pamintuan, chair of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council and Luzon Urban Beltway super region, confirmed on Friday Ms Arroyo’s approval of his recommendation to extend the deadline of the Kajima Corp., Obayashi Corp., JFE Engineering Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (KOJM) Joint Venture starting Nov. 15.

“She has officially approved the deadline extension, which she has initially announced during the LUB conference in Subic on July 19,” Pamintuan said.In approving it, Ms Arroyo ended the negotiations between the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the KOJM. The talks, which began in April when KOJM first sought a 383-day extension, had dragged for three months.

Pamintuan said the BCDA would have to “take action now.”The recommendation said the extension would have “no direct cost to the government” -- a term that kept up with the BCDA’s position.

Asked if the government would start penalizing the KOJM with at least P5.3 million for every day of delay as stated in the contract, Pamintuan said: “My understanding is that they will not be penalized, only after the expiration of the four-month extension.”

“By granting the four-month extension, KOJM’s completion date is adjusted, current negative slippage is eliminated. No liquidated damages to be charged,” he said.The KOJM has worked to bring its slippage or the delay in the work schedule to below 15 percent in the 50-km side of the 94-km toll road, it was learned.

The BCDA has required the KOJM to submit a detailed work plan for the four-month deadline extension it requested three weeks ago.The relief of KOJM project manager, Masato Otsubo, which international consultants have recommended, has been “withdrawn,” it was learned.

Talks for deadline extensions began when the KOJM and the other Japanese contractor, the Hazama-Taisei-Nippon Steel (HTN) Joint Venture, reported incurring 2,408 and 457 days of delay, respectively, due mainly to right-of-way problems or access to sites on which the P21-billion Japanese-funded highway would be built.

Inquirer sources said the project went awry when some BCDA officials connived with real estate brokers to increase the prices of land and as other BCDA executives allegedly mulcted the two major contractors and their Filipino sub-contractors.

According to the original contract, the HTN is supposed to finish the 44-km Pampanga-Tarlac side in August this year. The KOJM’s adjusted deadline will be in March next year.The BCDA has been reviewing its terms of reference for a third bidding for the operations and management of the toll way.

BCDA president Narciso Abaya said the agency would not operate and manage the toll way, contrary to the apprehension of the multi-sectoral group Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon.“We are also exploring an interim arrangement for a third party to operate in case the third bidding is not finished before the scheduled opening. But the operations and management will be privatized,” Abaya told the Inquirer last week.

“We just want to be sure that we maximize our revenues from the toll expressway. After all it is the BCDA that will pay for the loan used to finance this project,” Abaya said.

Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

Labels: approved, CLARK FREEPORT, President Macapagal-Arroyo, recommendation, Sec.Pamintuan

MASINLOC SOLD

The government announced the sale, finally, of the 600-megawatt Masinloc coal-fired power plant in Zambales.

This is significant because Masinloc is the most valuable among the power-generating plants of the National Power Corp. and has been the subject of questioned attempts to sell it to favored bidders.

The Singaporean-led consortium Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd. won the auction after submitting a $930-million bid. It will be asked to pay 20 percent of that price up front after the official transfer of the plant.

The MPPC is affiliated with Singapore’s AES Transpower Pte. Ltd., an investment holding and service company for entities involved in generating, accumulating and trading electricity.

Losing bidders included big names: Masinloc Consolidated Power Inc. (which bid $588 million), Masinloc Holdco Inc. ($606 million), Anglo Cayman Energy Development Co. Ltd. ($650 million); First Gen Luzon Power Corp. ($710 million).

* * *

BID CANCELLED: The first round of Masinloc bidding in 2004 failed because the only buyer, the supposed winner, would not pay the required deposit until it is assured of signing a firm supply contract with a generator or distributor.

In that bidding in 2004, YNN Pacific Consortium offered $560 million. But it failed to deliver the 40-percent up-front payment of $270 million.

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management which oversaw the bidding forfeited YNN’s performance bond of $14 million in July 2006.

Another major transfer of power assets months ago was of Mirant - the biggest independent power producer - selling its assets in the country to a consortium of Tokyo Electric Power and Marubeni Corp. (ABS-CBN)

Labels: masinloc, power

Korea-Subic budget flight set for takeoff

A new budget airline, Pacific Pearl Airways, announced it would start the only direct flight between South Korea and the Subic Bay Freeport, northwest of Manila, next month.

Pacific Pearl will operate and manage chartered flights on domestic and foreign routes, a company official said.

“The company has prepared daily flight schedules from South Korea to several destinations in the Philippines, namely, Subic, Manila, Kalibo, Cebu City and Davao City,” Pacific Pearl vice president for marketing Eligio Jimenez said.

“Flights will commence in August 2007,” he said.

The airline will use a new Boeing 737-200 aircraft, which flew into Subic last week from San Bernardino International Airport in California.

Along the way, the plane touched down at Salinas in Honolulu, Majaro in the Marshall Islands, and in Guam.

The aircraft can carry 114 passengers at a time.

Jimenez said Pacific Pearl had an agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to lease a hangar in the Subic Bay International Airport.

He said passengers from Korea bound for Subic would gain savings and lessen travel time because they would not have to stop over in Manila.
By Riza T. Olchondra - Inquirer

Labels: airline, korea, Pacific Pearl, subic

PGMAs vision of Subic as logistics and services hub in Asia-Pacific boosted

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's vision of developing fully the Subic Bay Freeport as a logistics and services hub in the Asia-Pacific region got a big boost today with the inauguration of Boeing 737 aircraft of Pacific Pearl Airways at the Subic Bay International Airport here.

The President, assisted by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Pacific Pearl Chairman Eligio Jimenez and Pacific Pearl President and CEO Kristoffer Miel Jimenez, ascended the Pacific Pearl Airways Boeing 737 for the ceremonial pouring of champagne on the plane's nose to signal the official entry of the airline company in the country.

The President also toured and inspected the technologically advanced aircraft which seats 114 passengers.

Pacific Pearl Airways is a private corporation that would operate and manage chartered flights in both domestic and foreign routes that include South Korea, Davao, Manila, Aklan and Cebu.

Jimenez said his company's aircraft will make flights starting Aug. 17. The maiden flight will leave the Subic Freeport Zone bound for Palawan, Aklan and Cebu.

In answer to the President's query why the maiden flight was set for Aug. 17, Pacific Pearl Airways Senior Advisor Ambassador Marita Jimenez said the aircraft would still undergo the various checks in compliance with the airworthiness directives and service bulletins requirements.

She added that for the airline firm to be allowed to make international flights, it must have flown at least 100 flying hours.

The entry of the Pacific Pearl Airways at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is also in response to the President's call on the private private sector to help boost tourism in the country. The airline company would be flying the so-called missionary routes in a move to provide quality yet affordable and comfortable plane service to passengers, especially tourists.

This is the third time the President visited Subic Bay Freeport in six weeks. She was here during the inauguration of the 16.15-kilometer Subic-Cawag-Balaybay road connecting the Zambales towns to the Hanjin shipbuilding facility. Last week, the President attended the inauguration of the first phase of the US$ 215-million Subic Bay Port Development project.

The President, dressed in a pantsuit in her favorite color of blue, arrived here by helicopter earlier than the original noon schedule.

Before proceeding to the inauguration of the aircraft, she held an hour-long meeting with the local government officials of Bataan and Zambales provinces. (PNA)

Labels: airline, airport, carrier, Pacific Pearl, Subic Bay

Palace recalls order on used-car imports

THE Palace will recall a directive that would have allowed the greater influx of used-motor vehicle imports, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila told reporters that Trade Undersecretary Elmer C. Hernandez had been ordered to defer the publication of Executive Order 617 until such time that corrections are made.

EO 617 implements the country’s commitment to reduce the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) rates on products belonging to the priority sectors for regional integration under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). Based on the CEPT tariff reduction schedule, certain products belonging to the priority integration sectors like electronics, garments and automotive should have zero tariffs by this year.

Asean members may identify specific products that will be included. In the Philippines, used cars were “inadvertently” included.

President Arroyo signed the directive last April, but the government has yet to publish the same. Had the government implemented the order, it would have run counter to another Palace directive that bans the import of used vehicles.

The recall comes after intense lobbying by local auto assemblers led by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines.
--Katrina Mennen A. Valdez - Manila Times

Labels: dti, import, used vehicle

CAREGIVER TRAINING PROGRAM

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

REGISTRATION FOR THE GORDON COLLEGE CAREGIVER TRAINING PROGRAM 2ND SEMESTER IS NOW ON-GOING.

FOR MORE DETAILS CALL OR E-MAIL US @ 224-2089 / froilanmobo@gmail.com AND LOOK FOR MR. FROILAN D. MOBO, The Head of Dept. of Vocational & Technical Education

Labels: caregiver, gordon college

iligal rekruter kalaboso

Olongapo City - kalaboso ang binagsakan ng isang 72-anyos na pinaniniwalang iligal rekruter matapos na masakote ng mga tauhan ng pulisya sa isinagawang entrapment operation sa Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City kamakalawa.Sa ulat ni P/Senior Supt.Angelito Pacia Jr., ang suspek na si Denzil Isaac Casto, alyas James Michael Dean ng 103 Carmel View Circle, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, makaraang maaktuhan ng pulisya na inaabot ang mark money mula sa mag-aswang sina Jimmy at Felicidad Canlas kapalit ng trabaho sa ibang bansa. Napag-alamang aabot na sa P.5-milyon ang nakokolekta ng suspek mula sa ilang biktima na karamihan ay nagmula sa Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija at Olongapo. Nasamsam sa suspek ang isang pekeng CIA Identification card at dalawang US passport nito na isa ay peke na may pangalang James
Michael Dean.

Jeff Tombado.

Labels: iligal rekruter, kalaboso

Nuclear plant site eyed as investment area

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is considering to develop the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) area in Morong, Bataan into an investment site.

Noting the shortage of land in this premier Freeport, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said that the Subic authority is now studying the course of action that has to be taken to develop the power plant area.

He said the completion of the SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) project and the start of the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB) project are expected to draw more investors to Central Luzon.
The 300-hectare BNPP area is situated in the 3.57-square-kilometer government reservation in Napot Point, Morong.

An amount of some .3 billion was used for the construction of the nuclear power plant during the period from 1976 to 1984. The Westinghouse light-water reactor was envisioned to produce some 620 megawatts of electricity.

The construction was stopped in 1979 after a safety inquiry into the plant revealed some 4,000 defects in its construction.One problem found was that the plant was built near major fault lines and that the area was near Mt. Pinatubo.

Arreza said that the area is suitable for tourism development.
"SBMA is currently in need of additional land mass due to the influx of investments in the Subic Bay Freeport. We have already tapped areas such as the Redondo Peninsula in Subic town as site for the billion-dollar shipbuilding facility of Hanjin," Arreza said.

"The spillover effect being felt by SBMA is beneficial not only to the area, but also to the economy of our country," Arreza said.

(Jonas Reyes)

Labels: bataan, BNPP, morong, sbma

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

OFFICE STAFF
FOOD DISPATCHER
FOOD ATTENDANTS / SERVER
ACCOUNTANT – CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
DATA ENCODER
CADET ENGINEER
SWIM COACH - LIFEGUARD
CNC LATHE MACHINE TECHNICIAN
PURCHASING CLERK
WELDERS
FITTERS / FABRICATORS
LINE LEADER
PURCHASER
WAREHOUSE STAFF
COOK
PRODUCTION WORKER
DRIVER / BELLMAN
ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR
HR IN-CHARGE
IMPORT / EXPORT PROCESSOR / LIAISON OFFICER

Labels: Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

PRODUCTION WORKER
WELDERS
FABRICATORS
ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR
INTERNAL AUDITOR

Labels: Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Koreans: The Most Misunderstood Visitors in the Philippines

Filipino journalists, traders, villagers describe them as too noisy, undisciplined and more

Korean visitors, students and "tourists" in the Philippines have been seen and observed as "too noisy, undisciplined and rowdy."

Because of their behavior many Filipino businessmen do not welcome the presence of Koreans in their establishments.

In Baguio City, for instance, Filipino golfers refer the former American rest and recreation enclave as "Kim Jong Hay" because there are more Koreans than locals in Camp John Hay.

A golf club in the northern part of the Philippines reportedly put a sign "Koreans are not allowed," a racist move.

I once visited Korea and saw them otherwise. They are disciplined, friendly and helpful contrary to their actuations in Manila or in Puerto Galera.

When I was in Seoul, I even befriended the assistant manager of a posh music lounge although we had language barrier. We even exchanged souvenir items.

But in the Philippines columnists say Korean visitors are not contributing to the economy. This is because Koreans own Internet and gaming cafes, computer shops, restaurants, travel and tour companies, groceries, spas and salons, freight companies, language schools and even churches.

Immigration officials say of the more than 240,000 Koreans in the country about one-sixth are documented. This means more than 200,000 Koreans have no travel and immigration papers -- half of the number have been waiting for their papers and the rest are unregistered.

But who are the gatekeepers? If immigration officials are wondering their presence, the government operatives themselves are to be blamed.

The strength of the peso, which has the same value more than seven years ago, and the growth of the Korean economy could be the factors that emboldened the salaried Koreans and the middle class to enjoy their money in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, Manila or even Boracay Island.

It is cheaper to spend their vacation money in the Philippines than in other Asian countries, like Japan or Singapore.

Another factor could be that Korean parents want the best for their children-- and an English education is a passport for a better paying job or moving to the United States.

Koreans could be right. For example, our interpreter in Korea earned $100 an hour, comparable to top executive heading an export division who has no export marketing training but with only an English major diploma as credential.

Filipinos should understand the culture of the Koreans before they conclude about them. Filipinos tolerate the presence of the Chinese or the Spaniards because they live among Filipinos for centuries.

In fact most Filipinos have Chinese blood in their veins. Even the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, had Chinese ancestors.

The foundation of the Korean Catholics in the Philippines started way back in the 18th century when Father Kim Dae Gun established a mission in Bulacan province.

The second wave was from 1945 to 1970; the third wave in the 1980s, the fourth in 1990s and the fifth since 2000 onwards.

But compared to the more than 15,000 undocumented Filipinos in cities outside Seoul who could not be seen during daytime or nighttime but only during Christmas and special holidays, undocumented Koreans in the Philippines are even selling used computers in cites in Metro Manila, like in San Juan City or in Laguna and Cavite provinces.

In Seoul I met a Cebuano undocumented entertainment worker in a bar in the Red Light district. I saw a Filipino woman in our hotel past midnight. She said she had to move secretly since immigration agents in Korea are strict compared with those in the Philippines.

My investigation, however, showed that these retail stores are owned and run by Filipino women married to Korean businessmen, who could be overstaying.

I even interviewed one of the shop owners in Calamba City where I bought a computer package for my daughter.

She said they get their slightly used units from Korea in bulk. However, I failed to interview her Korean husband. The couple also owned a branch store in Santa Rosa City, also in Laguna province.

Whether Filipino traders welcome the Koreans or not, it is a fact that as long as Koreans invest in the country, there are jobs for Filipinos.

Even Consul General Hong Sung Mog would suspend the issuance of working visa to Korea,as he did earlier this month, there are jobs offered by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction and its ship building facility for welders, and for others in Subic in Zambales.

In short, understanding the culture of the Koreans is the only way to better appreciate their contribution to the Philippine economy.
Paterno Jr Rebosura - ohmynews.com

Labels: korean, Korean tourists

Singapore's AES group wins bidding for Masinloc

Masinloc Power Partners Co., Ltd., a group affiliated with Singapore's AES Transpower Pte.Ltd., won the bidding for the 600-megawatt Masinloc coal-fired power plant, after submitting a bid of $930 million.

Manila revives power sales with $930 mln deal

(Reuters) - The Philippine government sold a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant for $930 million to a group led by AES Transpower on Thursday, successfully reviving its energy privatisation programme.
The winning bid was nearly two thirds higher than the $562 million price tag paid for the plant, in Masinloc, Zambales northwest of Manila, in a 2004 sale that was later nullified.

All six bidders in Thursday's auction met the undisclosed reserve price for the facility, with the lowest bid at $588 million, said Froilan Tampinco, vice president of the state agency which managed the auction.

The government earlier said it would raise the reserve price for Masinloc from the previous $388 million after it guaranteed the buyer a supply deal comprising 48 percent of the facility's average daily load to ensure its profitability.

It was Manila's second attempt to sell the Masinloc plant after the previous sale was nullified last year when the winning bidder, a consortium led by Malaysia's Ranhill Berhad , failed to make the required downpayment.

Ranhill led the group, which included A. Brown Co , which put in the lowest bid for Masinloc at Thursday's auction, Tampinco said.

Aside from Ranhill, Singapore-based AES, a unit of AES Corp. of the United States, beat other bidders such as the Philippines' First Gen Corp , Suez-Tractebel S.A. , Britain's International Power , and China's Shenhua Group Corp.

First Gen put in the second highest bid of $710 million, Tampinco said.

Masinloc is only the 9th out of 31 plants the Philippines has earmarked for sale in a long-running programme to raise up to $5 billion to boost its coffers and revitalise a sector starved of cash.

Manila will also try, for a fifth time, to sell in December a 25-year licence to run the national grid, valued at up to $3 billion, but in urgent need of modernisation.

Concerns about profitability and political instability have tripped up previous privatisation attempts but the Philippines is confident a new tariff system and political calm will enable it to sell off 50 percent of the National Power Corp's generating assets, with a total capacity of 4,337 MW, this year.

Labels: aes transpower, coal fired plant, masinloc, power plant

Deloso Issues EO Creating Task Force Hanjin

Deloso Issues Executive Order Creating Task Force Hanjin; Designates Lacbain as Head

Iba, Zambales - Governor Amor Deloso issued Executive Order No.01-07 two weeks ago, creating the Task Force on Hanjin (TFH) to address the socio - economic issues arising from the construction of multi-billion peso shipyard project by the Hanjin Heavy Industries Company (HHIC) of South Korea in Redondo Peninsula in Subic Bay.

The Executive Order No. 01-07 states that due to the enormous scale of Hanjin project, a large number of residents and huge land area have been affected leading to numerous problems and complicated issues.
EO 01-07 says “the provincial government of Zambales desires that this major development project must put the interest of the people at its center and as such, all laws and regulations pertaining to labor, health, environment, security, safety, peace and order, among others, are strictly enforced and complied with”.

The Task Force Hanjin, according to Deloso, would be tasked to dialogue and establish parameters of all concerns of the inhabitants of the area affected by Hanjin Project.

Former vice governor Ramon Lacbain II, who, along with the governor, defended the plight of the communities affected by the demolition of the Hanjin Project , was designated by governor Deloso as chairman of said task force with Atty. Carlos Castillo as his deputy.

Other members of the Task Force on Hanjin are former Subic councilor Ruben Gaduang, Belen Quintana-Figueras, journalist, Engr. Dave Maceda, a geodetic engineer and Andres Sazon, a human resource management specialist.

The executive order creating the Task Force on Hanjin was the governor's first since he assumed office on July 1.

The EO also gave authority to the task force chairman, upon approval of the governor, to enlist other persons as members including the members of various law enforcement agencies, who may assist him in the implementation of assigned duties of the TFH, subject to applicable rules and regulations.

Governor Deloso further said that the creation of Task Force on Hanjin will address the illegal activities inside the shipbuilding facilities and stopped the abuses of the Koreans to the nearby communities and the people affected by its development.

“No progress must be done without man as the center of development. Any development that you will allow that will assault the dignity and self-respect of man, kalaban niyo ako (I will oppose) as your governor. Progress must be centered to man hindi sa bulsa ninuman (not to the pocket of anyone) “, Deloso said.

Lacbain is optimistic that the signed EO would assure that the people of Zambales will get maximum benefits from the Hanjin Project and all valid issues and concerns shall be properly and immediately addressed while at the same time maintain good working relations with Hanjin officials as important partners of economic development in the province.

Labels: deloso, gordon, hanjin, lacbain, zambales

EXTENDED VOTERS REGISTRATION

Pina-aalam ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. sa lahat ng mga residente ng Olongapo na nagbigay ng isang linggong extension ang Commission on Elections (COMELEC) para sa mga SK at Brgy. Registrants.

Ang mga hindi nakapagpa-rehistro lamang noong ika-15 hanggang ika-22 ng Hulyo 2007 ang maaaring makapagpa-rehistro sa ‘’Extended Voters Registration’’ na sinimulan noong ika-24 hanggang ika-31 ng Hulyo 2007.

Maaaring tumungo ang mga voters registrants sa COMELEC Office na matatagpuan sa Right Wing ng City Hall, simula alas-8 ng umaga hanggang alas-7 ng gabi samantalang alas-8 ng umaga hanggang alas-5 ng hapon sa ika-28 at 29 ng Hulyo 2007, araw ng Sabado at Linggo.

Ang Barangay Registration ay para sa mga nasa edad labing-walong (18) taong gulang pataas samantalang ang Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Registration ay para sa mga nasa edad mula labing-lima (15) hanggang labing-pitong (17) taong gulang hanggang o bago sumapit ang ika-29 ng Oktubre.

Kinakailangan rin na ang aplikante ay aktuwal na residente ng barangay mahigit-kumulang sa anim (6) na buwan sa takdang-araw ng halalan.
Upang maiwasan ang pagka-antala ng Barangay at SK applicants ay kinakailangang magpri-sinta rin ito ng kaniyang certificate of live birth, baptismal certificate, school records o anumang talaan na magpapakita ng kanyang pagkakakilanlan.
Ang mga kasama sa talaan ng COMELEC bilang voters registrants ay maaaring maka-boto para sa Pam-barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) sa ika-29 ng Oktubre 2007.

Si Mayor Bong Gordon sa lobby ng COMELEC office habang naghahatid-mensahe sa mga voters registrants na panatilihin ang maayos na pila upang mas mabilis na makapagpa-rehistro bilang paghahanda sa gaganaping SK at Barangay Elections sa ika-29 ng Oktubre 2007.

Pao/rem

Labels: comelec, isang linggong extension, SK at Brgy. Registrants.

LIONS CLUB AT CITY GOVERNMENT SA CATARACT OPERATION

Paningin ang bigay sa maraming indibidwal na mapapabilang sa ‘’Cataract Operation’’ ng Olongapo City Peninsula Lion’s Club at sa pakikipag-tulungan ng Olongapo Government sa pangunguna ni Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr.

Ang Free Cataract Operation na nakatakdang isagawa sa buwan ng Agosto 2007 sa James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH) ay pangungunahan ng mga batikang eye specialists at surgeons kasama ang auxiliary staff nito buhat pa sa mga pagamutan sa ka-Maynilaan.

Tinawag na ‘’Sight First Project’’ ang operasyon na ayon sa coordinator nito na si Linda Lim ng Lions Club, International ay dalawang (2) beses sa isang taon nagsasagawa ang organisasyon ng naturang programa.

Kaugnay nito ay nananawagan ang City Peninsula Lion’s Club at ang City Government sa lahat ng mga Cataract victims na tumungo sa James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital Conference Room sa darating na ika-31 ng Hulyo 2007 simula alas-8 ng umaga hanggang alas-4 ng hapon para sa Cataract screening.

Sasa-ilalim sa matinding proseso ng screening ang mga pasyente sa pamamagitan ng mga spesialistang doctor upang matiyak na ang mga ito ay walang anumang problemang medical.

Target ng ‘’Sight First Project’’ na mapabilang sa operasyon ay ang mga indigent o mahihirap na residente ng Olongapo samantalang bukas rin ito sa mga pasyente ng Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga at Pangasinan.

Pao/rem

Labels: ’Cataract Operation’’, Lion’s Club, mayor gordon

PMMA ANNUAL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

Sa ngalan ng pamunuan ng Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) ay nanawagan si City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. sa mga kabataang Olongapeño na nais makapag-aral o makapag-patuloy ng karera sa larangan ng maritime.

Ang imbitasyon ay ipinarating ni Mayor Bong Gordon sa mga opisyales at kawani ng Pamahalaang Lokal ng Olongapo nitong ika-23 ng Hulyo 2007 kasunod ng Flag Raising Ceremony sa Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center.

‘’Nagsimula nang tumanggap ng mga aplikante ang Philippine Merchant Marine Academy para sa nalalapit na PMMA Annual Entrance Examination, sana ay samantalahin ito ng mga kabataan ng lungsod dahil isang magandang pagkakataon ang mapabilang sa premier government maritime institution ng bansa,’’ wika ni Mayor Gordon.

Ang PMMA students kasama na ang mga qualified incoming students nito ay maituturing na ‘’Scholars ng Bayan’’ kung saan lahat ng kanilang gastusin sa paaralan ay subsidized ng pamahalaan.

Kabilang sa mga benipisyo bilang government scholars ay free tuition fee, free board and lodging at katiyakan ng shipboard training sa international vessels pagtapak ng PMMA students sa ikatlong taon (3rd year) nito sa pag-aaral.

Kabilang sa mga sumusunod ang mga Qualification Requirements:

Lalake o babae na may malusog na pangangatawan, Filipino citizen;
Single, hindi pa ikinasal, at walang anak;Walang anumang kasong pinaratangan o nahatulan sa kahit na anong krimen na labag sa batas; Labing-pitong taong gulang (17 years old) at hindi hihigit sa dalawamput-dalawang taong gulang (22 years old) sa buwan ng Hunyo 2008; Nakapagtapos ng high school at kwalipikadong makapag-enroll sa apat na taong kurso (4 year course). Maaari rin ang mga estudyante na kabilang sa April 2008 graduating class;

Sukat at timbang para sa mga kalalakihan:
Height-162.5 centimeters (5 ft. & 4 in.)
Weight-55 kgs. (120 lbs.)

Sukat at timbang para sa mga kababaihan:
Height-157.5 centimeters (5ft. & 2 in.)
Weight-50 kgs. (110 lbs.)

May average academic performance at nakakuha na ng Trigonometry subject sa high school;
Hindi pa kailan man nakakapag-enroll sa PMMA.

Kabilang sa sumusunod ang mga Filing Requirements:

Ang application form ay kinakailangang naglalaman ng mga sumusunod:
1.Apat (4) na kopya ng 2x2 pictures na
may nameplate, front view (white background);
2.Examination fee na Three Hundred Pesos(P300.00);
3.Certified true copy of Birth Certificate buhat sa Civil Registrar;
4.Dalawang piraso (2 pcs) na self-addressed long white mailing envelopes na naglalaman ng stamps.

Lahat ng application forms ay maaaring makuha sa mga sumusunod na tanggapan:
PMMA, San Narciso, Zambales
PMMA Graduate School, Fair Bldg. 2079 Madre Ignacia, Malate Manila
DECS Regional and Division Offices.

Ang kompletong application forms ay maaaring ipadala sa Committee on Admissions, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, San Narciso, Zambales o kaya’y tumawag sa (047) 913-2239 para sa karagdagang impormasyon.

Deadline ng pagpapasa ng application form ay bago o hanggang sumapit ang ika-31 ng Oktubre 2007 lamang. Ang PMMA Entrance Examination ay nakatakdang isagawa sa ika-24 ng Nobyembre 2007 sa lahat ng mga Testing Centers sa buong-bansa at sa Zambales at Olongapo, ito ay gaganapin sa PMMA Complex, San Narciso, Zambales.

Ang mga kadete ng Philippine Merchant Marine Academy sa isang turn-over ceremony sa PMMA Complex, San Narciso, Zambales.

Labels: Annual Entrance Examination, mayor gordon, PMMA

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

KITCHEN CREW
CASHIER
DELIVERY RIDER

Labels: Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Subic's Tri-Solid charged

SURE, the Malacañang creation called PASG, or the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG), filed criminal cases against some people who were suspected of involvement in the alleged smuggling of billions of pesos worth of imported fuel out of the Subic free port.

PASG Antonio Villar Jr. ordered the filing of the cases against officials and stockholders of the company called Tri-Solid Movers Services.

They are Veronica Alabastro, Eduardo Alino, Stella Alino, Yolanda Galinato, Rafael Soza and Oliver Lim.

Oliver Lim is said to be the son of Jimmy Lim, who also has operations at the Subic free port, importing used vehicles and heavy equipment, which he auctions off in Malinta, Bulacan.

The charges filed against the six suspects were falsification of public document and violation of the Tariff and Customs Code.

And that’s it?

By Conrado R. Banal III - Inquirer

Labels: charged, customs, smuggling, subic, tri-sold

BCDA won’t run expressway toll system, says chairman

CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines -- The government-run Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the proponent of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, will not operate and manage the 94-kilometer toll road connecting Clark and Subic freeports and the Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac City, according to BCDA chairman Narciso Abaya.

“Well, no,” Abaya said in reaction to the apprehension expressed by the private multisectoral group Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL).

Explaining for the hesitance, ADCL Chair Rene Romero cited the government’s “poor” track record in managing toll roads.

He said the North Luzon Expressway, which Philippine National Construction Corp. managed for more than three decades, only improved when the Lopez family-led Manila North Tollways Corp. won the bid to rehabilitate and manage it.

The 82-kilometer highway on Central Luzon’s eastern side opened in February 2005. It was met by protests, however, due to high toll rates that were more than 100 times the old rates.

“We are concerned that if the SCTEx will be operational and its operation and management [are] not awarded to a winning bidder, the BCDA might be assigned to operate the tollway,” Romero said.

In that case, Renato Tayag Jr., ADCL co-chair for infrastructure development, said “the toll road might not serve its purpose for a long time, given the way government handles such infrastructures. The NLEX is a clear example of how a private corporation can efficiently manage an infrastructure at no cost to the government.”

Abaya, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said the second bidding failed due mainly to costs that were above the BCDA’s ceiling.

“We are now reviewing our terms of reference for the third bidding. We are also exploring an interim arrangement for a third party to operate in case the third bidding will not be finished before the scheduled opening. But the operations and management will be privatized. We just want to be sure that we maximize our revenues from the toll expressway. After all it is the BCDA that will pay for the loan used to finance this project,” he said.

An operations and management bids and awards committee has been created for that purpose.

“What we should be careful of are lobby or pressure groups that are working for some other groups’ interests, not of the BCDA’s or the government’s,” Abaya said in a text message.

Romero said the ADCL was not lobbying for any group but only wanted the private sector to handle the toll management for efficiency.

Asked about the proposed rates per kilometer, Abaya said it was the Toll Regulatory Board that prescribed the amount. The TRB, he added, had been holding public hearings on the rates. No such hearings were known to be held in Pampanga, though.

“It is the BCDA that shall pay for the loan out of the (toll) revenues. Kung masyadong mataas baka malugi kami (If the rates are too high we might be in the red),” Abaya said.

“We have to look after the expected revenues that are sufficient, [enough for us] to pay the loan and be not a burden to the national government.”

The project’s profile showed that the loan agreement for 41,931 million yen was signed by Philippine and Japanese officials on Sept. 14, 2001.

The loan has an annual interest rate of 0.95 percent and a grace period of 10 years. It is payable within 30 years.

The 44-kilometer Pampanga-Tarlac side is due to be completed next month. The 50-kilometer Bataan-Pampanga portion, supposed to be finished in November, has been applied for a four-month extension by its Japanese contractor, the Kajima-Obayashi-JFE Engineering-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries joint venture.

By Tonette Orejas - Inquirer

Labels: bcda, subic clark expressway

Petron holds stockholders meet at Manila Hotel today

Petron is already constructing the planned $ 2.5 million fuel additives blending plant in Subic Bay that will serve as a supply hub for Innospec’s customers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Oil giant Petron Corporation will be holding its Annual Stockholders Meeting today at the Fiesta Pavilion of Manila Hotel to report on its full-year performance in 2006 and the first half of this year.

Chairman and CEO Nicasio L. Alcantara and President Khalid D. Al-Faddagh will preside over the meeting which starts at 9:00 a.m.

The company, which has the largest of oil distribution network in the country, controls roughly 40 percent of the country’s oil requirement.

The oil firm reported P6.02-billion net income last year despite some circumstances that have affected its operations, including the oil spill dilemma it had in Guimaras island in the Visayas.

For the first half of 2007, company officials noted that prospects remain bright; though they have withheld information yet on the level of their profit from January to June.

Last year, Petron reported that it cornered a 10.5 percent increase in sales revenues hitting P211.72 billion from the 2005 level of P191.48 billion.

The dynamics of the domestic petroleum market is largely defined by intensifying competition among industry players who are all taking their cue from movements in global oil prices when it comes to price adjustments.

Facing up to that, Petron showed strength when it comes to bringing its operations to higher gear, by sustaining its dominance in terms of market share.

Due to some difficulties brought about by the oil market’s environment, the company noted it incurred inventory losses amounting to P1.6 billion losses during the first half of 2006 primarily due to the steep drop the prices of crude and finished products. However, it was able to bounce back on from such predicament in the second half.

Petron indicated that foreign exchange gains and improvements in operating efficiencies partly offset the inventory losses sustained by the company.

There have also been contraction in domestic demand last year by about 7.5-percent; but the giant player appeared to have fared better against competitors when it comes to maintaining and even snatching market shares.

The company’s share in the domestic oil industry pie has widened to 38.8percent last year; up by 0.8-percent from the yearago level.

Its ever robust export volume is also contributing greatly to its bottom line; with overseas sales inching up to 10.91 million barrels, manifesting a significant 37-percent climb from the 2005 level of 7.96 million barrels.

Last year was also Petron’s period of introduction in the export market of its non-traditional products, like its foray for lubricants in Cambodia and is also gradually establishing market base in Indonesia.

"The company continues to have the highest market share in all major oil industry segments including the retail, industrial and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) trades," Petron has emphasized.

The company also closed deals for its strategic partnership with Innospec, a leading global fuel additives supplier whose products are used in Petron’s world-class fuels, namely Blaze, XCS Plus, Xtra Unleaded and DieselMax.

Petron is already constructing the planned $ 2.5 million fuel additives blending plant in Subic Bay that will serve as a supply hub for Innospec’s customers in the Asia-Pacific region.
By MYRNA M. VELASCO - Manila Bulletin

Labels: oil, petron, Subic Bay

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
GAS STATION CASHIER
GAS ATTENDANT
WAITER / WAITRESS
FAMILY DRIVER
CNC LATHE MACHINE TECHNICIAN
HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
Q.A. / Q.C. INSPECTOR ( MECHANICAL WORKS)
Q.A. / Q.C. INSPECTOR (STRUCTURAL WORKS)
SAFETY INSPECTOR
ISO EVALUATOR

Labels: Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Cosco eyes Subic, Sangley as possible invest sites

By MA. ELISA P. OSORIO
The Philippine Star

Chinese shipping giant China Ocean Shipping Co. is seriously eyeing the 93-kilometer strip between Subic and Clark as a possible location of their multi-billion dollar investment in the country.

“Cosco officials are here on a two-day visit to look at Subic and Sangley Point,” Francis Chua, special Philippine envoy on China trade and investments, said in an interview Tuesday.

According to Chua, Cosco vice-president LiJian Xiong and executive vice-president Li Jianhong went to Sangley Point in Cavite Tuesday and is scheduled to visit Subic Wednesday.

“They want to evaluate the two areas. They want to see if the areas can accommodate the facilities they want to build,” Chua said.

Chua said Cosco’s initial plans include the development of a land where they would put up a “marine school to train maritime sailors. There will be a repairing ships and building ships.”

“They will be using the Philippines as a hub for shipment to Europe and America, so all cargo from Asia will come to the Philippines, using the Philippines as a staging point to go to US, North America, Europe and vice versa,” Chua said.

The move of the Chinese investor is contrary to earlier statements made by Trade Secretary Peter Favila who claimed Cosco has finally decided to pluck in their $3-billion to $5-billion investment in the naval base in Cavite.

“The Chinese liked Sangley Point. They considered other locations but they chose to develop Sangley into a fully operational commercial port,” Favila said last week.

However, Chua said the Chinese are concerned if there is enough space for them in the Sangley Point naval base. “They need a lot of space. They are not certain if the Cavite property will be enough.”

According to Chua, the Philippine Reclamation Authority has told him that Philippine Airlines (PAL) is moving in the naval base to extend the runway of the international airport in order to accommodate the flag carrier’s 747 planes.

Currently, the runway is two kilometers. Chua said the 747 requires seven kilometers so the new runway would eat up five kilometers.

In spite of the confusion as to where the investment is going to be located, Chua said he is confident that the Chinese will not move their business to another country like Vietnam.

“We will not allow that to happen. One thing is sure, Cosco will locate in the Philippines,” Chua stressed.

Founded in 1961 as the pioneer international shipping carrier in China, Cosco has grown into a $17-billion global company. It owns and operates 600 various types of ships operating in 1,300 ports in more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.

Labels: cosco, marine school, shipping, subic clark expressway

PSALM assures no change in privatization scheme

By DONNABELLE L. GATDULA
The Philippine Star

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has assured that there will be no changes in its privatization tack amid the changing of the guard in the energy sector, a top official said.

“I believe it won’t change anything. We will continue with our privatization schedule,” PSALM vice-president for asset management and electricity trading Froilan Tampinco said.

By the end of this month, former Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes will replace Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who resigned recently.

Tampinco said right off, they would continue with the bidding for the 600-megawatt (MW) Masinloc coal-fired power plant tomorrow (July 26).

Among the groups that have reportedly expressed keen interest to bid for Masinloc are the Ranhill Group, Suez-Tractebel, International Power Pls., One Energy, First Gen Corp. and Trans-Asia Power Corp.

Industry sources said more groups have signified strong interest to bid for the Zambales facility despite indications from PSALM that the reserve price would be increased to as much as $450 million from only $388 million during the previous bidding.

On Aug. 1, PSALM will also start issuing the bid package for National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) in preparation for its bidding proper on Dec. 12, 2007.

Meanwhile, the 600-MW Calaca coal-fired power plant in Batangas is scheduled for auction in the third quarter of this year.

Based on a recent status report on the implementation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a policy directive to the energy family aimed at accelerating the privatization and promotion of competition in the Philippine electric power industry.

The EPIRA report is also pushing for the adoption of a semi-portfolio or pairing approach in National Power Corp. (NAPOCOR)-generation companies (genco) sales.

The report said the privatization of the 600-MW Calaca and 600-MW Masinloc coal facilities will proceed as scheduled taking into consideration the tender documents that have been completed already.

“The modified or revised privatization plan and the new privatization strategies and design will only apply prospectively i.e., after Masinloc and Calaca efforts,” the report said.

The National Government is hoping to privatize 50 percent of the generating assets of NAPOCOR by end of the year and 70 percent by 2008.

Labels: masinloc, power, privatization, psalm

DIFFERERENTLY-ABLED NG ‘GAPO SUPORTADO NI MAYOR GORDON

Matagumpay na nagtapos ang isang linggong selebrasyon ng 29th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week sa Lungsod ng Olongapo na may temang ‘’Kapag May Access, May Success’’.

Sa pamamagitan ng Sports and Dance Competition nitong ika-21 ng Hulyo 2007 ay nagpakita ng talento at galing ang mga may kapansanan o differently-abled persons sa Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center sa pangunguna ng Olongapo City Persons with Disability Association, Inc. (OCPWDA) na nasa ilalim naman ng patnubay ng City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Si City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. ang pangunahing panauhin sa closing ceremony at personal na bumati at nag-abot ng medalya sa mga nangibabaw na Persons with Disability (PWD) sa mga sumusunod na kompetisyon:

SPORTS AND DANCE COMPETITION WINNERS:

BOTTLE RELAY CALAMANSI RELAY
1. Christina Tala 1. Richard Nasak
2. Joben Mark Detubio 2. Angelico Elico
3. Reinalyn Favor 3. M.J. Mangubat
4. Janele Bautista 4. Adonis Dimalanta
5. Jasmin Ariola 5. Neslyn Anas
6. Elmer Caellar

WALKATON BASKETBALL
1.Raymind Bita –OCNHS 1. PWDA
2.Donabelle Flores-OCNHS 2. Columban College
3.Ana Rowena Tobias-OCNHS 3. Nino’s Pag-asa Center

TABLE TENNIS (Single) TABLE TENNIS (Double)
1. PWDA 1. Columban College
2. Columban College 2. Nino’s Pag-asa Center
3. St. Joseph Centennial 3. PWDA

BADMINTON (Boys) BADMINTO (Girls)
1.Christopher Ayson 1. Ludylisa David
2.Alden Dacayo 2. Susan Medina
3.Allen Gacad 3. Manilyn Rivera

DRAWING & PAINTING DRAWING & PAINTING-
(Autism) (Hearing Impaired-OSY)
1.Raymond Bita 1. Larry Bustillo
2.Klarenz Quinonez 2. Mary Ann Urbina

DRAWING & PAINTING INTERPRETATIVE DANCE
(Hearing Impaired-ISY) 1. Columban College
1.Erwin James Estabayo 2. Sinag-Kalalake
2.Anthony Elbo 3. Nino’s Pag-asa Center

Maliban sa kompetisyon ay napuno rin ng kaalaman ang selebrasyon na may kaugnayan sa livelihood at health trainings, welfare orientation partikular na ang RA 7277 o ang ‘’Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities’’ nitong ika-17 hanggang 20 ng Hulyo 2007 sa Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Layunin ng selebrasyon na pagbuklurin ang mga differently-abled persons ng lungsod, i-angat ang kalidad ng pamumuhay, bigyan ng positibong pag-tingin sa sarili bagamat may kapansanan at ipaalam ang kanilang karapatan sa batas.

Pinasalamatan rin ng OCPWDA sa pamamagitan ng Pangulo nito na si Susan Medina si Mayor Bong Gordon bunga ng malinaw at konkretong programa ng pamahalaan para sa mga differently-abled ng lungsod.

Si Mayor Bong Gordon habang nagbibigay-pugay sa mga Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ng lungsod sa selebrasyon ng 29th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, Sports Fest Competition sa Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center. Nasa larawan rin si City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Head Gene Eclarino.

Pao/rem

Labels: 29th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation

Olongapo SubicBay BatangGapo Newscenter

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

NEWS ARCHIVE July 2007

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Five mining firms ordered closed in Zambales

IP Foundation Pursues Rabies-Free Country Campaign in Zambales

New container terminal in Subic a success story

Arroyo steps into row over Subic-Clark Expressway project

The 2010 presidential fight gets uglier

Monday, July 30, 2007

Subic eyes locally made small vessels

GMA steps into row over Subic-Clark

MASINLOC SOLD

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Korea-Subic budget flight set for takeoff

PGMAs vision of Subic as logistics and services hub in Asia-Pacific boosted

Palace recalls order on used-car imports

CAREGIVER TRAINING PROGRAM

Friday, July 27, 2007

iligal rekruter kalaboso

Nuclear plant site eyed as investment area

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Koreans: The Most Misunderstood Visitors in the Philippines

Singapore's AES group wins bidding for Masinloc

Deloso Issues EO Creating Task Force Hanjin

Thursday, July 26, 2007

EXTENDED VOTERS REGISTRATION

LIONS CLUB AT CITY GOVERNMENT SA CATARACT OPERATION

PMMA ANNUAL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Subic's Tri-Solid charged

BCDA won’t run expressway toll system, says chairman

Petron holds stockholders meet at Manila Hotel today

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

Cosco eyes Subic, Sangley as possible invest sites

PSALM assures no change in privatization scheme

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

DIFFERERENTLY-ABLED NG ‘GAPO SUPORTADO NI MAYOR GORDON

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