NEWS ARCHIVE June 2007

Gordon tells FilAms to "nag" US legislators to hel...
ICTSI clinches Subic container terminal deal
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
‘’GAWAD KALASAG 2007’’
‘’ONE-DAY MOBILE PASSPORTING MARAMI ANG NAKINABANG...
Rusina Mining signs option agreement to buy Zambal...
Vice-mayor elect in Zambales arrested
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Future Ex-Vice Governor of Zambales
3RD NATIONAL SAFE KIDS WEEK SA ‘GAPO
‘’FREE CONCERT NG MGA SIKAT’’
RP-Taiwan relations in peril
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
‘’SKILLS TRAINING CENTER’’
‘GOOD GOVERNANCE’ SA LUNGSOD DINADAYO
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
SBMA takeover of Subic golf course backed
SPORTS TOURISM FORUM
"ALAGAAN, ILOG SA GAPO!"
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
US presidential bets back war veteran’s bill
KAPIT-KAMAY SA PAGLABAN SA DENGUE AT MALARIA
Heard through the grapevine
Arroyo orders probe of Subic fuel smuggling
With its debts paid, BNPP open as site for alterna...
2 college students crowned ‘Mutya’ in beauty pagea...
Subic-Olongapo access road to boost investments
Clark execs to seal off oil tanks where 3 scavenge...
World’s largest ship to be built in Subic
Subic dev’t turning tillers, fishers to factory wo...
Business as usual at Subic golf course
FIL-AMERICANS urged to make their presence felt in...
DENGUE: Mapanganib na Sakit sa Panahon ng Tag-ulan...
Subic builds biggest ship in the world
PGMA inaugurates Php 653-M Hanjin access road
GMA, Zambales gov Inaugurate Road Project
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Ombudsman orders 6-mth prevention suspension ...
Castillejos-Subic road inaugurated
PAGLILINIS NG KANAL IPINAG-UTOS NI MAYOR GORDON!
Taiwan Comes to Aid of its Investors at Subic
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Japanese info tech firm to locate in Subic
PAGBABAWAL SA BANDALISMO HIGIT PANG-PALALAKASIN
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Giant China shipping firm to invest $ 3 billion in...
9 foreign-bred Pinays in Mutya 2007 contest
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Try 'beauty tourism'
The Koreans are coming!
Aboitiz Power kicks off roadshow for P12-B IPO
GSO renamed Jose Abad Santos Avenue
Going to jail for children’s rights
OLONGAPO FIRST LADY ANNE GORDON BISE-GOBERNADOR NG...
Teacher hits sale of appointments
Job Opportunities in Olongapo - Subic Bay
FedEx to Base Pilots Overseas
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Nuclear plant is paid for after three decades
Taiwan chamber asks for GMA help
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
INDEPENDENCE DAY AT CITYHOOD CELEBATION SA ‘GAPO!
BARANGAY DAY CARE CENTERS PATULOY NA DUMARAMI
Investments to Surge through 'Economic Corridor'
Absent solons ‘irresponsible’ -- Gordon
8 Lakas members including Magsaysay 'withdraw' sup...
GORDON TICKET VICTORY PARTY, DINUMOG!
PARA SA MGA BAGONG HALAL: TRABAHO AGAD SA HULYO 1
Taiwanese investors to sue SBMA over takeover of g...
Subic hosts Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant on June 22
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
’ISANG PAGSILIP SA KASAYSAYAN NG OLONGAPO’’
Aeta bayanihan builds bridge for under P1M
Karag-karag na chopper ng US ibinigay sa RP
Aging Hueys a big boost to RP military
Bataan nuke plant revival eyed
Rusina to invest US$600m in Philippines
Aetas resist plan to build golf course on their la...
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Subic Construction Boom
Keppel Marine sees higher earnings on ship convers...
PA-BOKSING SA NEW CABALAN HUMATAW NA!
MULTI-MILLION PROJECT SA FREEPORT
BUWAN NG HULYO BILANG CONSCIOUSNESS MONTH
Used car sellers liable for hidden defects, says C...
High rise starts construction in Subic
MUTYA NG PILIPINAS 2007
TRS circuit car racing class opens Saturday
BCDA group prepares for perennial floods in areas ...
Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay
Floating drydock back as Subic Freeport offers ......
MUTYA CORONATION NIGHT SA ‘GAPO GAGANAPIN
OLONGAPEÑA SA MUTYA NG PILIPINAS
INDEPENDENCE DAY AT CITYHOOD SABAY NA IPAGDIRIWANG...
ZAMBALES BANK CLOSED
SubicWater Hearing on water tariff increase
“Preventive Measures” Para sa Tag-ulan; Ipinag-uto...
PAP SMEAR SCREENING SA CITY HEALTH
24 NEW MIDWIVES BUHAT SA GORDON COLLEGE
Peace and Order Council of Olongapo lauded
Clark firm thanks Arroyo for super region projects...
Arroyo restoring open-skies policy in Clark, Subic...
Pitch to automate barangay elections
For losing bets, elections are far from over

Gordon tells FilAms to "nag" US legislators to help WW II vets

WASHINGTON - What do US Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have in common? They're firm supporters of full equity for Filipino World War II veterans.

The A-list of supporters notwithstanding it is not yet certain the equity bill, which calls for an expenditure of about $1 billion in 10 years, will pass because of a growing US budget deficit and the pressure of the Iraq war on the US Veterans Administration.

Aware of this, visiting Sen. Richard Gordon has urged, nay demanded, Filipino-Americans, estimated to number between 2.5 and 3 million, bombard their legislators with letters and phone calls and press them for their support.

"Kulitin n'yo sila," (Nag them) he said.

Gordon in a news interview said Filipino-Americans should take an activist role on the political issues of the times, contribute time, money and effort to help their local political leaders and above all vote to make their power felt because only then can they be a force to be reckoned with.

"We've never come this close before on the equity issue. We're almost at the end of the tunnel. We're on the last lap," said Gordon who is on a visit to Washington to do his share of lobbying for passage of the measure pending in Congress.

A Senate version of the bill (S 57) and a House version (HR 760) seek for Filipino veterans the same pension benefits that their American counterparts receive.

Supporters are pushing for a pension of $800 a month but may be forced to settle for less to get the measures passed because of the enormous medical expenditures for US soldiers coming back from Iraq.

Gordon called on Rep Bob Filner, House veterans affairs chairman, to thank him for his staunch support of Filipino veterans.

He has appointments with Senate President Harry Reid and Sen. Daniel Inoue, both Democrats and personal friend Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican to, as he said, "keep pushing the equity issue."

Since his days as mayor of Olongapo City Gordon has been active in the campaign to help Filipino veterans at home and in the United States receive full benefits for their wartime activities.

According to records kept by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs only 18,155 Filipino World War II veterans are still alive out of 260,143 listed in the US Army roster immediately after the war.

About one-third of the survivors live in the United States and the rest are in the Philippines.

By Lito Katigbak

ICTSI clinches Subic container terminal deal

The Subic Bay International Terminal Corp, the Subic unit of listed port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI), has clinched the concession for the new container terminal at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The ICTSI unit won the contract as no one challenged its proposal before the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).SBMA will award the contract to operate [the new container terminal] to Subic Bay International Terminal subject to the approval of the SBMA board of directors and the concurrence of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

The project, designed to make the Subic seaport a major container port in the country, is being funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for US$215 million. Upon completion, the port would be able to accommodate Panamax vessels, boosting the cargo volume and handling capacity of the free port and economic zone.

Subic Bay International Terminal operates the existing terminal in Subic, which has a deep, natural harbour. Its piers once accommodated the largest carriers of the United States Navy's Seventh Fleet when Subic was still a US naval base.Its main seaport in the former naval supply depot includes a movable pier, a fixed pier and two berths, a cold storage facility, 22 warehouses, two open storage areas, and a container-stacking yard.

by:cargonews asia

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

SECRETARY
ACCOOUNTING CLERK
PURCHASER
PURCHASER
CHECKER
ADMIN OFFICER
COMPANY DRIVER
OFFICE PERSONNEL
PART TIME SALES ASSISTANTS
WAREHOUSE CLERK
PRODUCTION ENGINEER / MACHINIST
SAFETY OFFICER
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
PRODUCTION OPERATOR
IT TECHNICIAN
ON LINE ENGINEERS
PRODUCTION PLANNER

‘’GAWAD KALASAG 2007’’

Sumasa-ilalim ngayon sa matinding ebalwasyon ang Lungsod ng Olongapo sa pamamagitan ng Disaster Management Office (DMO) para sa prestiyosong ‘’National Gawad Kalasag 2007’’.

Ang evaluating team na pinangunahan ni team leader Crispina Abat buhat sa Office of Civil Defense kasama ang hepe ng ibat-ibang departamento tulad ng National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay dumating sa lungsod nitong ika-28 ng Hunyo 2007.

Nag-ikot ang grupo sa DMO, Bureau of Fire, Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO), mga barangay at ilan pang tanggapan na kabilang sa City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) upang magsagawa ng ebalwasyon at assessment kaugnay sa Basic Disaster Management Capability nito pagdating sa disaster management and emergency situations.

Finalist sa dalawang kategorya ang lungsod, kabilang na ang Olongapo City Fire Rescue Team para sa Best Government Emergency Responders (GOERS) at ang Best City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) na kung saan makakatapat nito ang mga key cities na Makati at Dagupan sa Pangasinan.

Matatandaan, na ang lungsod ay unang nagwagi bilang 2002-2003 ‘’Gawad Kalasag National Awardee’’ at sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay nagwagi rin ang Olongapo City Fire Rescue Team para sa kategoryang Best Government Emergency Responders (GOERS) sa parehong kompetisyon. Kung sakaling mapipili ang lungsod sa ikatlong pagkakataon ay pasok na ito sa ‘’Gawad Kalasag Hall of Fame’’.

Samantala, ma-aalala rin na sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay nagwagi ang kaisa-isang nominee ng lungsod na si Olongapo City Fire Rescuer Abraham T. Abiertas sa kategoryang Heroic Act Emergency Response and Rescue Operations ng ‘’Gawad Kalasag Awards 2006’’ dahil sa walang takot nitong pagsuong sa panganib upang makasalba ng buhay.

Kinatawan rin ng bansa ang Olongapo sa ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX) kung saan kabilang ang dalawamput-isang (21) bansa tulad ng Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand Vietnam, at iba pang miembro ng ASEAN countries.

Misyon ng ARDEX na sanayin ang mga bansang ito pagdating sa disaster management system para sa mas mabilis at sestimatikong paraan sa panahon ng sakuna.


Pao/rem

‘’ONE-DAY MOBILE PASSPORTING MARAMI ANG NAKINABANG’’

Maraming mga residente ng Olongapo at karatig-bayan na Zambales, Bataan at Pampanga ang nakinabang sa mga isinagawang Mobile Passporting ng Pamahalaang Lokal ng Olongapo.

Sa pangunguna ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. at sa kaniyang programang ‘’One-day Mobile Passporting’’ ay mahigit walonglibo (8,000) na ang nagkaroon ng pasaporte sa loob lamang ng isang taon (1 year) simula nang isinagawa ito noong ika-4 at 18 ng Pebrero at Oktubre ng 2006.

Naisakatuparan ang magandang proyekto sa pakikipag-ugnayan ng City Government sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) kung saan mahigit tatlumpong (30) kinatawan nito ang tumutungo sa lungsod upang isagawa ang isang araw na pagpapa-saporte

Sinisimulan ang proseso sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap ng application form ng mga nakapilang aplikante na susundan ng pagribisa ng mga dokumento kasunod ang processing nito.

Makalipas ang ilang oras ay isasagawa na ang releasing o distribution ng passport para sa mga kwalipikadong aplikante samantalang ang mga dis-approved applicants ay inaabisuhan na isa-ayos ang mga kinakailangan pang kakulangan na dokumento.

‘’Naiintindihan ko na marami ang nais tumungo sa ibayong-dagat upang magtrabaho at ang passport ang isa sa pangunahing requirements dito,’’ wika ni Mayor Bong Gordon.

‘’Kaya hindi na kinakailangan pang tumungo ang mga aplikante sa Pasay City o Clark dahil dinala na natin sa Olongapo ang Department of Foreign Affairs at malaking tipid ito sa gastusin, panahon at pagod,’’ dagdag pa ni Mayor Gordon.

Marami ang nakapansin sa maayos at sistematikong paraan na ipinatutupad na nagbunga sa mabilis na proseso ng mga pasaporte kaya naman tuwing magkakaroon ng isang araw (1 day) na passporting ay dinudumog ito.

Maging ang mga DFA officials ay nagpahayag na kung ihahalintulad sa ibang lugar na kanilang tinungo upang magsagawa ng passporting ay malayong mas maayos at mabilis ang proseso sa Olongapo.

Dahil sa matagumpay na programa, ngayon pa lamang ay pinag-aaralan na nang City Government ang muling pagsasagawa ng ‘’One-day Mobile Passporting’’ para sa taong 2007 upang higit pang marami ang makinabang dito.

Pao/rem

Rusina Mining signs option agreement to buy Zambales Chromite for 2 mln usd

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Rusina Mining NL said it has signed an option agreement to buy Zambales Chromite Mining Co Inc (ZCMCI) for a total of 2 mln usd.

ZCMCI holds the mineral production sharing agreement at the Acoje Nickel project in Philippines.

Under the agreement, Fil-Asia Strategic Investment Holdings Corp, a Philippine subsidiary of Rusina, shall have the option to purchase ZCMCI.

Rusina said it is targeting a nickel limonite resource estimate on the ZCMCI property of 6-24 mln tonnes.

Vice-mayor elect in Zambales arrested

Elements of Zambales Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (ZCIDT) apprehended a vice-mayor elect in Zambales in his residence in Botolan town,Wednesday, for estafa case.

Sr. Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-3 (CIDG3) regional officer, identified the suspect as Masinloc town Vice- Mayor Roberto Eamelao, 52, of South Poblacion, Masinloc, Zambales.

He said the arresting team, armed with warrant of arrest issued by Judge Clodualdo Monta, Regional Trial Court branch 70 of Iba, Zambales, when swooped down the residence of Eamelao at about 9:00 a.m.The vice-mayor voluntarily surrendered to the arresting team led by SPO2 Teofilo Juanata Jr., said Eleazar.

Eamelao was facing Estafa case under Article 315 (1)(b) of the Revised Penal Code under Criminal Case 4413-1.Eleazar said the suspect was temporary withheld at the ZCIDT Sub-Office in Iba, Zambales with bail bond of P40,000.00 for his temporary liberty. (PNA)

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

PROMODISER
CIVIL ENGINEER, MECHANICAL and ELECTRICAL ENGINEER...
QUALITY SYSTEMS ENGINEER
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS and DOCUMENTATION ASSISTANT
SALES ASSISTANT
WEB DESIGNER / PROGRAMMER
COOK
SECRETARY
DRAFTSMAN
ACCOUNTING CLERK / JUNIOR AUDITOR
PRODUCTION OPERATORS

Future Ex-Vice Governor of Zambales

Dear Friends, Relatives and Supporters,

In two days time, I will be ex-vice governor and I do not know whether I will still get the chance to go back serving as an elected provincial official, but I have no regrets for all the decisions I made because I know that God is with me all the time and that He has guided me for all the decisions I made.

I have no regret deciding to severe my political alliance with future ex-governor vic (formerly govic now exgovic, he, he) for almost three years now since August 2004 after I have personally discovered his selfish desires as governor.

I can be a very loyal supprter but only if you are truly for the interest of the people. In fact I have been with govic for about 15 years since I became a member of the provincial board representing the youth sector of Zambales.

But unfortunately govic was removed from office in 1986 after the people power revolution so I did not get the chance to work with him and personally experience his style of leadership and his vison for Zambales.

But all through those 12 years that govic was not in the position during the incumbency of Gov. Amor Deloso I have remained my loyalty to govic believing that he is a better leader for Zambales.

But alas I got the chance to work with him very closely as his vice governor for three years from 2001-2004 and discovered so many things about him.

No concern for the plight of the poor but uses them to generate more money; uses money to control people; treats people as robots - never develops people to think and share ideas but says "bawal mag-isip"; no respect for the rule of law; acts and thinks like he owns Zambales, its resources and even its people (like a king); he's the best in remedial law (according to him) which is true in the real sense of the word "remedyo" - magaling talagang magremedyo kahit sa papaanong paraan gagawin kahit mali at makakasakit; no respect for other people, but the worst of it all - NO VISION OF DEVELOPMENT AND HOW TO SAVE THE PEOPLE FROM POVERTY.

I know that very soon he will face someone bigger that him and he will answer for all his actions for the past many years that he was entrusted the highest position in the province. He was very fortunate to have been given the second chance to make up for his past actions during his first term as governor but it was very unfortunate that he missed it.

I know that all of us longs to go to heaven when we die and that's our final destination but I know also that it's not power nor wealth that will bring us to this final destination but how we were able to make the lives of other people better as children of God.

I have no regret not running for vice governor for the last time (since I am just on my second term) because I am able to help Zambales to have a new vice governor in the person of Anne Gordon who is much better than me and more capable to help them with their problems unlike me who is a poor public official.

I have no regret not running for governor (although I must admit that I have also aspired for it after serving the province for 19 years and since I have my clear vision of economic prosperity for every Zambaleno family) because my candidate for governor - Amor Deloso won overwhelmingly.

I am afraid that if I run for governor that would divide the votes and may result in the victory of the son of govic which must not happen so someone must sacrifice for the sake of the people. So I accepted the fact the Amor Deloso is the best alternative so I gave way and instead decided to run for mayor of Subic and declared my all-out support for Amor Deloso for the first time for the good of the people (two weeks before the deadline of filing of candidacy).

At the last minute (two days before the deadline of filing of candidacy), I was convinced to run for congressman instead of mayor since all opposition leaders need to launch an aggressive and massive campaign against a political dynasty in the province.

Believing that I can do more and will be able to help not only my townmates in Subic but even the people of Olongapo, Castillejos and San Marcelino and since I have the firm commitment of support from the high political leaders of the province I declared my candidacy for congressman.

Despite, the lack of resources, the lack of time and my failure to get the support of a strong religious group (I only have 45 days to campaign and practically spent about 80% of this time in Olongapo City since I am not yet known there), I still almost made it.

Initially the incumbent congresswoman was just taking me for granted but as the campaign activities heat up, she realizes that I am also a serious candidate and that I have a very good chance of winning so she decided to work double time and mobilized all her resources. Even her husband (running for gov maybe thinking that he is already winning) and her father-in-law (running for senator maybe thinking that he will not win anyway) came to her rescue and started joining her sorties in the city.

I lost but it was a good fight. I have no regret also for my decision to run for congressman instead of mayor because with my decision Anne Gordon was able to run for vice governor and now the relations between Olongapo City and Zambales was established.

I am looking forward to a good working relations between Gov. Deloso and Vice Gov. Anne Gordon and of course with Mayor Bong Gordon. A lot of Zambalenos are working and living in Olongapo City (not to mention that a lot of Zambalenos go to James Gordon Hospital for medical treatment) so we can expect now a better arrangement since their first lady is now the vice governor of Zambales.

These political developments in Zambales happened under the advise and initiative of Senator Dick Gordon ( a true Zambaleno who was born in Castillejos and whose mother is a true Subicqueno) who out of his love and concern for his province took the initiative to gather the political leaders of the province who wants change.

It's a choice between two leaders - govic (an aspiring senator who ranked no. 10 in his own province and ranked 21st nationwide) or dick (an incumbent outstanding senator) who has a very clear vision not only for his province but for the nation.

Running with govic was his son, his daugther-in-law, 3 of his cousins, his neice and his nephew. Eight of them belonging to one family name but the people have spoken, they made the two won but the six of them lost. While no one from dick's own family run for elections (although his wife could easily run for congress as a former congresswoman and his son is an incumbent city councilor).

Of course mayor bong of Olongapo (dick's brod) is an incumbent and an outstanding mayor so he deserves to be reelected while the decision of Anne Gordon (wife of mayor bong) to run is their decision and not of dick's.

Sen. dick can now bring in more projects and programs for Zambales which were prevented by the outgoing gov in the past. More interaction between local officials and sen dick are now expected, the same way we can expect now more interaction between city officials of Olongapo and the provincial officials of Zambales.

I am leaving the provincial government as an elected official with a happy heart and contented mind believing that it is in good hands under the leadership of Amor Deloso with the full support of Anne Gordon under the guidance of Sen Dick Gordon.

I can say my mission is accomplished to make Zambales a better if not the best place to live in where freedom and prosperity abound. I entrust my vision of ecomic prosperity to every Zambaleno family to Governor Deloso and to Vice Gov. Anne Gordon.

For now, I leave my fate to God. I know God has better plans for me.

Thank you so much to God Almighty and to the people of Zambales for the positions you have bestowed on me as your former Board Member and now your future former Vice Governor.

Very truly yours,

Ramon G. Lacbain II

3RD NATIONAL SAFE KIDS WEEK SA ‘GAPO

Ginanap kamakailan lamang sa Asinan Elementary School ang 3rd Year Anniversary ng Safe Kids Philippines (SKP) sa Olongapo. Sa pamamagitan ng recognition ceremony ay pinarangalan ang kontribusyon ng SKP’s partner at volunteers sa lungsod.

‘’Ang Olongapo ay isa sa tatlong lungsod sa buong bansa, kasama ang Parañaque at Pasay City, na isinasakatuparan ang programa ng Safe Kids. Dahil na rin ito sa maipagmamalaki ng lungsod na tayo ay makailang-ulit ng pinarangalang bilang “Most Child Friendly City”, wika ni City Mayor Bong Gordon.

Ang Safe Kids Philippines ay isang Non-Government Organization na kaisa ng Safe Kids Worldwide sa misyon na pangalagaan ang mga kabataan sa mga hindi intensyonal na mga aksidenteng maaaring maganap lalo na sa mga lansangan.

Tinutugunan ng Safe Kids Philippines ang aksidente sa kalsada na ayon sa mga pag-aaral ay may lumalaking bilang na nagiging dahilan ng pagkamatay ng mga bata na may edad 14 taong gulang pababa.

Sa pakikipagtulungan ng Federal Express, isinusulong ng Safe Kids ang mga proyekto tulad ng pagpipintura ng mga crosswalks. Sa Olongapo, sa kampanyang “Walk This Way”, dalawampu’t limang (25) pedestrian lanes sa tabi ng mga pampublikong paaralan ang patuloy na isinasa-ayos, pinipinturahan at nilalagyan ng mga karatulang paalala ng Safe Kids.

Ang mga gawain ng Safe Kids Philippines ay itinaon sa idineklarang “National Safe Kids Week” ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo na ginaganap tuwing ikatlong linggo ng Hunyo. Ang buong linggo ay inaalay upang tulungang maiwasan ng mga kabataan ang mga sakuna at bigyang edukasyon ang lipunan sa responsibilidad nila upang protektahan ang mga kabataan.

Matatandaan na sinimulan ang Safe Kids Philippines-Olongapo noong Hunyo 2005 sa Olongapo City Elementary School at hanggang sa ngayon ay patuloy na naisasakatuparan ang misyon nito sa lungsod.

Pao/rem

‘’FREE CONCERT NG MGA SIKAT’’

Magtatanghal sa Lungsod ng Olongapo ang mga sikat na artista at banda ngayon sa bansa upang magbigay katuwaan sa mga residente ng Olongapo at mga karatig-lugar na Zambales, Bataan at Pampanga.

Sa ika-30 ng Hunyo 2007 simula ika-7 ng gabi sa Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center ay darating sa lungsod ang nag-gagandahang miembro ng Viva Hot Babes na nagpasikat sa mga novelty songs na ‘’Bulaklak’’, ‘’Kikay’’, ‘’Basketbol’’, ‘’Bombera’’ at marami pang iba.

Darating rin ang tatlong (3) sikat na bandang 6 Cycle Mind na nag-pasikat sa awiting ‘’Sige’’ at ‘’Trip’’, Calla Lily na nagpa-sikat sa hit song na ‘’Magbalik’’ at ang Protein Shake na hit na hit ngayon dahil sa revival song na ‘’Macho Gwapito’’ ni Rico J. Puno.

Upang mapanatili at mapangalagaan ang seguridad ng mga bisita at manunuod ay inatasan na ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. ang ibat-ibang departamento at ahensiya ng City Hall na magsagawa ng security plan.

Unang inatasan ni Mayor Bong Gordon ang Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) sa pamumuno ni P Sr./Supt Gil Pacia na magtalaga ng Police Security sa paligid ng venue para sa Peace and Order. Inatasan rin ang Disaster Management Office (DMO) para sa mga stand-by ambulance at personnel sa pagkakataon na magkaroon ng emergency cases.

Ang Traffic Management Board (TMB) ay aalalay naman sa trapiko para sa isasagawang motorcade sa mga pangunahing lansangan ng lungsod sa araw ng konsierto simula ika-4 ng hapon. Maging ang Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) ay magtatalaga rin ng mga kawani nito para sa pagpapanatili ng kalinisan sa loob at labas ng venue.

Aalalay rin ang mga Barangay Tanod ng East at West Bajac-Bajac para sa karagdagang seguridad na inaasahang libo-libong manonood ang pupuno sa venue.

Ang ‘’Free Concert na Handog ng Tanduay’’ ay sa pakikipag-tulungan ng Lokal na Pamahalaan sa pangunguna ni Mayor Bong Gordon. Sasamahan rin ng fun-games, free products sampling at raffle draws upang makapag-bigay ng kasiyahan sa mga residente ng lungsod ng libre.

Pao/rem

RP-Taiwan relations in peril

Taiwan’s envoy to the Philippines has asked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to help protect Taiwanese businesses and investors in the country, especially in Subic.

Ambassador Dr. Hsin-Hsin Wu made the appeal through a letter to Trade Secretary Peter Favila in the wake of the continued defiance of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority of two Olongapo City Regional Trial Court orders ordering it to return the Subic Bay Golf Course and Country Club to its management.

The Taiwan ambassador’s action made the case of the SBMA and the Subic Bay Golf Course and Country Club a full-blown diplomatic issue.

In his letter, Wu said that he was bringing to their attention “on behalf of the Taiwanese investors located in the Subic Bay Industrial Park, specially Universal International Group Development Corp., a pioneer Subic Bay Freeport enterprise, on the alleged illegal takeover of the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club Inc. by fully armed and combat-ready elements of Law Enforcement Department of SBMA on June 8, 2007.”

Wu stressed that the promotion of the Subic Bay Freeport as a business destination has aroused great interest to prospective investors from Taiwan since the signing of the “Economic Corridor” between the Philippines and Taiwan.

“As always, it has been my constant endeavor to continue working with your good office towards further forging a dynamic and progressive relations in the fields of trade, industry and investments between our two countries,” Wu told Favila.

Wu endorsed to Favila copies of the letters of Susan Ho, president of SBGCCI and the Subic Bay Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Inc., and the copies of the injuction order of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court on May 24 and a “Writ of Preliminary Injunction” on June 12 which SBMA administrator Armand Arreza and other SBMA officials ignored.

“May, I, therefore, respectfully appeal to Your Honor’s kind intercession for the early resolution of the case, as we continue to pursue our commitment to make Subic Bay Freeport as an investment haven for Taiwanese and other foreign locators,” Wu said.

Earlier, Ho, the president of the Universal International Group Development Corp., which operates and manages the golf course under a long-term lease agreement, said that the takeover and closure was made by SBMA authorities despite knowledge of the existence of an injunction order by Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Judge Ramon Caguioa.

Caguioa, in his order dated May 27, ordered the SBMA “to desist from implementing its threat of issuing a cease and desist order against the plaintiffs UIGDC and Subic Bay Golf and Country Club.”

Ho also pointed out that the illegal takeover by SBMA authorities was made while their negotiations with them on compliance with their lease contract are ongoing.

Ho said her group had invested P1 billion for the improvement of the entire golf course, but Subic Bay authorities illegally took over and barred all golf course officers and employees from the premises.

Armed with an order from Arreza, combat-ready elements of the SBMA Law Enforcement Division illegally and forcibly took over the golf course offices and facilities, destroying some of them in the process, she said. “This is disheartening that such incident of lawlessness will come at a time when a new wave of Taiwan investors have signified their intentions to follow the Taiwanese pioneer investors in SBMA,” she said. How can the Philippines be successful in enticing investors when such lawlessness perpetrated by government officials abound, Ho said.
Members of the Subic Bay Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office are following the ongoing incidents in Subic Bay golf course, pointing out that the golf course is being singled out despite the presence of other companies worst situated and indebted to SBMA.

Ho said that UIGDC is one of the pioneer investors in Subic which weathered more than 10 years of trying times in SBMA.

Recognizing the earlier defiance of the Subic Bay officials, Caguioa issued on June 12 a writ of preliminary injunction against SBMA.

“Wherefore, defendant Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is hereby and henceforth enjoined from implementing its threat of issuing a cease and desist order against the plaintiff during the pendency of these cases and until the court has rendered judgement thereto,” Caguioa ordered.

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

OPERATION and MAINTENANCE SECRETARY
GENERAL AFFAIRS STAFF
MAINTENANCE STAFF
LOGISTICS STAFF
LINE LEADER
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
CNC MACHINIST
QUALITY ASSURANCE INSPECTORS
ACCOUNTING STAFF
MACHINE OPERATOR / GENERAL WORKER
COMPUTER TEACHER
COMPUTER PROGRAMMER
ACCOUNTING CLERK
BANK TELLER
NEW ACCOUNTS OFFICER
ELECTRONICS ENGINEER
CHIEF MATE
CHIEF ENGINEER
BOAT CAPTAIN
FOOD ATTENDANT
GUEST HOUSE MANAGER
TRANSPORT MANAGER
PURCHASING OFFICER
FOOD OPERATIONS MANAGER
HELICOPTER PILOT

‘’SKILLS TRAINING CENTER’’

Sa inisyatiba ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. ay ginagamit nang Skills Training Center ang 3rd Floor ng City Hall na nagsisilbing classroom extension ng Gordon College para sa mahigit apat na libong (4,000) nakapag-tapos na ng welding training.

Ang Training Center na hinati sa dalawang (2) bahagi ay kinapapa-looban ng dalawang (2) Lecture Areas at Actual Training Area kung saan matatagpuan ang ibat-ibang makina tulad ng tatlong (3) Welding Machines, Automatic Cutting Machines at ang sampung (10) Virtual Machines na mahalaga upang masubok ang eye and hand coordination ng trainees.

Matatagpuan rin dito ang Gas Metal Arch Welding Machine na donasyon ng Hanjin Heavy Industries, Corp. (HHIC) sa Lungsod ng Olongapo upang higit pang mahasa ang kakayahan at talino ng mga sumasa-ilalim sa pag-aaral.

Matapos ang massive training na pinag-dadaanan ng bawat trainees ay agarang trabaho ang nag-aabang. Samantala marami na rin ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapunta sa South

Korea para sa on-the-job training ng Hanjin upang higit pang magpakadalubhasa sa larangan ng ship building, welding at painting ng barko.

Ang training ay para sa lalaki at babaing nasa 18 hanggang 40 taong gulang na nais mapabilang sa malaking workforce na kinakailangan ng Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. (HHIC) samantalang nagbubukas rin ito ng pagkakataon sa mga trainees na makapag-trabaho sa ibang-bansa o maging sa pagbubukas negosyo kaugnay sa welding.

Sa mga nais pang suma-ilalim sa training, maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa Mayor’s Office o tumawag sa 222-2565, 222-2206 o tumungo sa Olongapo City labor Center na may telepono bilang 224-8390 loc. 4150


Pao/rem

‘GOOD GOVERNANCE’ SA LUNGSOD DINADAYO

Naging sentro ng usapan ang ‘good governance’ ng Olongapo City sa magkasunod na lakbay-aral sa lungsod ng Municipal Officials mula sa San Mateo, Isabela at Liga ng Barangay mula sa Banga, Aklan.

Ang Municipal Officials ng San Mateo, Isabela sa pangunguna ni Mayor Roberto Agcaoili ay nagtungo sa lungsod noong ika-22 ng Hunyo 2007.

Naq-courtesy call kay City Administrator Ferdie Magrata ang apatnapung (40) katao ng naturang delegasyon.

Samantala, nitong Martes ay nagtungo din sa lungsod ng Olongapo ang Liga ng Barangay mula sa Banga, Aklan.

Ang nasabing delegasyon ay binubuo ng limampu’t isang (51) katao sa pangunguna ng kanilang ABC President Ramon Zante.

Sinalubong ang nasabing delegasyon nina City Administrator Ferdie Magrata at Olongapo City ABC President Carlito Baloy sa pakikipag-ugnayan ng City Tourism Office.

Ang talakayan ng kaugnay ‘good governance’ ay bilang paghahanda na rin marahil sa papalapit na pagbubukas ng fiscal year ngayong Hulyo.

Pao/jms

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

SKILLED SEWERS
TRAINEE SEWERS
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER
CASHIER
PURCHASING CLERK
MACHINIST
ACCOUNTING / INVENTORY CLERK
ACCOUNTANT
MACHINE ENGINEER
LICENSED ELECTRICIAN
ACCOUNTANT
ON-CALL DRIVER
SAFETY OFFICER
PURCHASING STAFF
PRODUCTION LEADER
QA – FAILURE ANALYSIS SUPERVISOR
GARDENER
PRODUCTION CONTROL /PLANNING STAFF
HRD – RECRUITMENT STAFF
HRD – WELFARE AND BENEFITS STAFF
GENERAL AFFAIRS STAFF
SERVICE CREW
BARTENDER
MAINTENANCE
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
SERVICE CREW

SBMA takeover of Subic golf course backed

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Members of the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club, Inc. (SBGCCI) have expressed full support for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as they welcomed its decision to take over the management of the facility here.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ferdinand Hernandez, during a meeting with members of SBGCCI, said that the club members expressed relief when they learned that SBMA had taken control of the management of the facility from the golf and country club which is under the Universal International Group of Developers.

"It was an expected reaction from the members. We have been hearing complaints from them and even from its employees about the style of management Mrs. Ho had implemented while in control of the golf course," Hernandez said.

SBMA officials met with some 40 members of SBGCCI for a briefing on the events that transpired last June 9 when the SBMA officials and law enforcers led by SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon Agregado and Deputy Administrator for Tourism Development Raul Marcelo issued the notice of lease termination to Ho.

Marcelo said that what the SBMA really intends to do is to make the golf course acceptable where club members can exercise their rights, enjoy their privileges, and make them satisfied.

"The SBMA realized that since everyone is paying his share as member, it is time that the golf course gives back the quality facility and services due them. We want the golf course to be one of the best destinations in Subic Bay," he said.

Marcelo also informed the members that golf course workers have already received their "renewed salaries" which were increased from P120 for a 12-hour workday to the regular minimum wage of R239.

By:Jonas Reyes

SPORTS TOURISM FORUM

THIS IS TO ENJOIN EVERYONE TO THE "SPORTS TOURISM FORUM" tomorrow, June 26, 2007,10:00am, at the Museum Restaurant of Legenda Hotel.

Speakers are MS CYNTHIA CARRION OF DOT, MR. BUTCH RAMIREZ OF PSC, MR. PATRICK GREGORIO of MicRotel, MR. JOEY SINGIAN OF ADIDAS, Mr. JOSE CAPISTRANO OF PHILSOC, and Mr. JUDE TURCUATO OF SOLAR SPORTS.

Reg. fee is ONLY P700 pesos inclusive of lunch and certificate.

SEE YOU THERE!

"ALAGAAN, ILOG SA GAPO!"

Pinapa-tutukan ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. sa Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) ang higit pang pangangalaga at pagbabantay sa mga ilog sa Lungsod ng Olongapo.

Partikular na pinapabantayan ni Mayor Bong Gordon ang mga malalaking ilog ng Kalaklan, Sta Rita, Mabayuan, Bangal at ang Drainage o Perimeter Channel na matatagpuan sa pagitan ng Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) at Olongapo.

Sa mga isinasagawang weekend-inspection ay inatasan ng punong-lungsod si ESMO Head Dante Ramos na tiyaking patuloy na magsagawa ng paglilinis ang mga itinalagang River Monitoring Teams sa limang (5) ilog sa lungsod.

Upang maiwasan ang pagpasok ng basura ay nagdagdag na rin ng Net Barriers at Sign Boards na nagpapa-alaala sa mga residente na bawal ang pagtatapon ng basura sa ilog at kung sino man ang mahuhuling lumalabag dito ay may karampatang parusa.

‘’Ang pangangalaga sa ilog ay maihahalintulad sa isang drug addict na nangangailangan ng mahabang drug rehabilitation upang mawala ang chemical sa katawan nito. Ganyan rin ang ating mga ilog, hindi ito malilinis overnight kundi dapat ay tuloy-tuloy,’’ wika ni Mayor Gordon.

Pina-alalahanan rin ni Mayor Gordon ang mga Barangay Chairmen at opisyales nito kaugnay sa mga City Ordinances o Batas Pang-lungsod na ang mga ito ang nakatalagang pangunahing implementor ng paglilinis ng ilog at kanal sa kanilang nasasakupan.

Matatandaan na magkatuwang ang Lungsod ng Olongapo at ang Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) sa siyam (9) na Joint River Clean-ups buhat nang unang inilunsad ito noong November 2004 batay sa inisyatiba at proyekto ni Mayor Bong Gordon bilang tugon sa problema sa basura sa mga ilog.

Original patron saint returns to Subic Freeport

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - More than a hundred years since it arrived here as a gift from the town of San Roque (now Cavite City), the original patron saint of the then barrio of Olongapo returns today (June to its original home, the San Roque Chapel in this free port.

From a house in Olongapo City where the statue was kept after World War II, the 102 year-old statue made in Segovia, Spain will be borne by the faithful and moved to the small Spanish-era chapel here for enthronement.

Its return will be marked by a eucharistic celebration by Bishop Florentino G. Lavarias of the Diocese of Iba (Zambales) and members of the clergy, as well as Olongapeños who had heard nothing of their original patron saint for more than half a century.

“This is a cause for celebration,” said Fr. Francel Paje, who initiated the search for the San Roque statue in 1997 when he was still San Roque parish priest.

“As we celebrate the 400th year of Catholicism in Zambales and Olongapo, it is only fitting that an icon, which had seen the vicissitudes of our religious history, will be finally brought out to our attention,” Paje said.

The San Roque statue, according to parish historians, was first enshrined here in 1905 when the then barrio of Olongapo was still a part of the parish of St. James in Subic, Zambales.

Andy Gregorio, who until today’s turnover was the custodian of the statue, said the image was given to their grandmother Cirila Guerrero-Macaraeg by a friend from Cavite City, which was then called San Roque town. The Macaraeg matriarch then donated the statue to the Olongapo parish.

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

COURIER
HANDLER
RECEPTIONIST
FOOD ATTENDANTS
REGISTERED NURSE
SHIFT SUPERVISORS
MANAGEMENT TRAINEES
ASSISTANT STORE MANAGERS
STORE MANAGERS
INTERNAL SECURITY
COMPANY NURSE
ASSEMBLY WORKER
MIS STAFF
SEAWAGE TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR
COMPANY NURSE
AIRCON TECHNICIAN
FOOD ATTENDANT
DRIVER / HELPER

US presidential bets back war veteran’s bill

WASHINGTON-What do US Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama and John Edwards have in common? They’re firm supporters of full equity for Filipino World War II veterans.

The A-list of supporters not with standing, it is not yet certain the equity bill, which calls for an expenditure of about $ 1 billion over 10 years, will pass because of a growing US budget deficit and the pressure of the Iraq war on the US Veterans Administration.

Aware of this, visiting Sen. Richard Gordon has urged, even demanded, Filipino-Americans estimated to number between 2.5 and tree million, to bombard their legislators with letters and phone calls and press them for support.

“kulitin n’yo sila (nag them),”he said. In a news interview Gordon said Filipino-Americans should take an activist role on the political issues on the times, contribute time, money and effort to help their local political leaders and above all, vote to make their power felt because only then can they be a force to be reckoned with.

“We’ve never come this close before on the equity issue. We’re on the last lap,” said Gordon who is on visit to Washington to do his share of lobbying for passage of the measure pending in Congress.

A Senate version of the bill (S 57) and a House version (HR 760) seek for Filipino veterans the same pension benefits that their American counterparts receive.

Supporters are pushing for a pension of $800 a month but may be forced to settle for less to get the measures passed because of the enormous medical expenditures for US soldiers coming back from Iraq.

Gordon called on Rep. Bob Filner, House veterans affairs chairman, on Monday to thank him for his staunch support of Filipino veterans.

He has appointments with Senate President Harry Reid and Sen. Daniel Inoue, both Democrats, and personal friend Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican, to ask them “to keep pushing the equity issue,” he said.Since his day as mayor of Olongapo City, Gordon has been active in the campaign to help Filipino veterans at home and in the United States received full benefits for their wartime activities.

According to records kept by the Philippines Veterans Affairs office and the Department of Veterans Affairs, only 18,155 Filipino World War II veterans are still alive out of 260,143 listed in the US Army roster immediately after the war. About one-third of the survivors live in the United States and the rest are in the Philippines.


By:JOSE KATIGBAK
Philippine Star

KAPIT-KAMAY SA PAGLABAN SA DENGUE AT MALARIA

Pina-igting ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. ang pagkilos ng ibat-ibang departamento ng lungsod kaugnay sa paparating na buwan ng tag-ulan.

Una nang ipinag-utos ni Mayor Bong Gordon sa City Health Department (CHO) sa pangunguna ni CHO Head Dr. Arnulfo Tamayo na magsagawa ng tuloy-tuloy na operasyon upang maiwasan ang mga sakit tulad ng Dengue at Malaria na malimit na lumalabas tuwing sumasapit ang panahon ng tag-ulan.

‘’Ang City Health Department ay all-year-round na nagsasagawa ng De-fogging at Fumigation sa lahat ng lugar sa Olongapo bagamat aming tinututukan ang tatlong (3) malalaking barangay ng Gordon Heights, Sta Rita at New Cabalan na may naitalang mga insidente ng Dengue at Malaria,’’ wika ni CHO Head Dr. Tamayo.

‘’Patuloy rin ang aming ginagawang pagsasanay sa mga barangay personnel upang sa gayon ay sila na mismo ang magsagawa ng De-fogging at Fumigation Operation sa kanilang nasasakupan,’’ dagdag pa ng doctor.

Malawakang Information Dissemination naman ang atas sa City Public Affairs Office para sa kaalaman ng mga residente ukol sa sakit na Dengue at Malaria at kung paano ito maiiwasan samantalang sa Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) ay tuloy-tuloy na pag-kolekta ng basura ang atas ng punonglungsod.

Maging ang mga barangay chairmen at opisyales nito ay pina-kilos na, kaagapay ang Engineering Office na magsagawa ng paglilinis o Declogging sa mga kanal upang maiwasan ang pag-iipon ng tubig na paboritong tahanan ng mga lamok.

‘’May malaking partisipasyon ang mga residente ng Olongapo sa pagsugpo sa Dengue at Malaria kaya kailagangang panatilihin ang kalinisan sa kapaligiran at kanal sa inyong lugar,’’ wika ni Mayor Gordon.

Ang mga residente ay maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa kanilang barangay o kaya’y sa mga sumusunod na tanggapan:

· City Health Office –224–8390 local 4147
· City Engineering Office – 224-8390 local 4301
· ESMO – 224-8390 local 4313

Heard through the grapevine

Two directors of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority paid the Cayetano law firm P2 million in acceptance fees to have themselves defended in a court suit, while another director chose another law outfit whose acceptance fee was a more reasonable P100,000

Victor Agustin - Manila Standard Today.

Arroyo orders probe of Subic fuel smuggling

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines—President Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday ordered officials of the Bureau of Customs and other anti-smuggling agencies to go after smuggling syndicates following reports that at least 51 million liters of fuel are unaccounted for in this freeport.

“We are undertaking a strong and steady effort to curb graft and corruption…We do not tolerate smuggling in Subic or anywhere else,” Ms Arroyo said during a visit to the freeport.

“Let us make our economy more business-friendly—friendly to legitimate businesses and unfriendly to crooked businessmen.”

Transactions reviewed

Ms Arroyo said she was instructing the Bureau of Customs and other anti-smuggling task forces “to crack down on those involved in what has just been reported to me these past few days (about) unliquidated 51 million liters of fuel here in Subic.”

Ms Arroyo inaugurated the Subic-Cawag-Balaybay Road that will connect the shipyard of the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd. (HHIC) at Subic to a community of farmers and fishermen.

Armand Arreza, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority administrator, confirmed that 51 million liters of fuel remained unliquidated by an oil trading firm based here.

Arreza declined to name the firm, saying the SBMA was reviewing the transactions of the nine oil trading firms doing business at the freeport.

In Manila, Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales said he had already ordered an investigation into unaccounted for fuel.

By Ansbert Joaquin - Inquirer With reports from Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon, and Edson C. Tandoc in Manila

With its debts paid, BNPP open as site for alternative power plant

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is available as a site for a new power plant as the government finally finished paying off the loans for its construction.

“It is available as a site for anyone who wants to put up a plant using alternative fuel and so on, but we have no proposal,” Lotilla told reporters at the sidelines of a seminar-workshop on nuclear power at the Traders Hotel in Pasay City.

Reports said the final payment of $15 million was settled in April, after 32 years.

Meanwhile, Dr. Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), clarified on Saturday that there were no active fault lines near the BNPP as some critics claimed.

“There is no active fault in the area and, whenever there is ground-shaking, you have engineering designs to solve the issue,” Solidum said.

It has been repeatedly said that the BNPP, located at Napot Point in Morong, Bataan, stands near major earthquake fault lines and is surrounded by several active volcanoes – including Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales – making it hazardous to the people and the environment.

Lotilla said the problem was one of political dimensions, not technical or scientific issues.

“Japan has more earthquakes than the Philippines, yet it has 54 nuclear reactors supplying 34 percent of Japanese energy requirements,” former energy minister Geronimo Velasco wrote in his book “Trailblazing – A Quest for Energy Self-Reliance.” “Although there have been several nuclear plant accidents, including one in August 2004 at Fukui prefecture’s Mihama plant that caused the death of four people, none of these accidents was due to an earthquake,” he said.

Lotilla, however, reiterated that there is a need for the country to first develop a group of scientists and experts who will man nuclear power plants before any plan to build such power plants can be put into motion.

“First we have to develop the people so that it becomes an informed decision,” he said. “We are preparing the nation, but part of that process of preparing is developing a corps of scientists and experts who will advise us on what the options are.”

Lotilla earlier said that given the strict requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it would be far more expensive to rehabilitate the BNPP than to build a new nuclear power plant.

When former President Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown in February 1986, a team of international inspectors visited the BNPP site and declared it unsafe and inoperable because it was built near major earthquake fault lines and close to the then dormant Mt. Pinatubo.

Debt payments for the mothballed nuclear plant became the country’s biggest single obligation.

Reports said successive administrations have looked for ways to convert the plant into an oil-, coal- or gas-fired power plant, but found the cost too expensive. The plant itself has been maintained despite the fact that it was never operational.

The BNPP has a Westinghouse light water reactor and was designed to generate 621 megawatts of electricity.
By HELEN FLORES - The Philippine Star

2 college students crowned ‘Mutya’ in beauty pageant

Two college students were crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas in a four-hour beauty pageant at the Olongapo Convention Center which started last Friday night and ended early yesterday morning.

Zephora Mayon, 18, of Las Piñas, Metro Manila, was named 2007 Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific International, while Ana Marie Morelos, 17, was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International.

Mayon, who stands 5’5" tall and measures 32-23-33, will represent the country in the Miss Asia-Pacific International in a place to be announced soon.

Morelos will compete in the Miss Tourism International in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Mayon said her ambition is to travel and explore the world. She added that she loves to play badminton, bowling, and billiards.

Morelos, who stands 5’6" tall and comes from Valenzuela City, also loves playing volleyball, drawing, and singing.

The 39-year-old beauty pageant added a new title to the contest — Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Community, won by Jacqueline Rodriguez, 18. She was also named third runner-up in the pageant.

Other winners were Ricamarie Ann Taylor, 22, second runner-up; and Iris Frances Tan, 21, first runner-up.

Roberto de Venecia, president of organizer Mutya ng Pilipinas, Inc., said that the new title was highlighted by the presence of 10 beauties from Filipino communities overseas.

Liam A. Navarro, administrative officer of Mutya ng Pilipinas, Inc., said the group has yet to decide on who will represent the country in the Miss Intercontinental beauty pageant in Germany. It will be recalled that the contest was joined by Kirby Ann Basken, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2006, who landed as a semi-finalist in the international contest.

"But we will choose our representative to the international beauty contest among this year’s top three winners," Navarro said.

Each of the winners won a crown, scepter, cash, scholarships, and other prizes.

Special awards went to Mayon, Model Discovery of the Year; Christine Sienicki, Miss Congeniality; Tanya Louise Hendy, Miss Photogenic; Beatriz Arenal, May Pauleen Beauty Award and Best in Swimsuit; and Marian Michelle Oblea, Miss Talent.

The 30 candidates competed in the preliminary rounds of the competition, such as wearing a swimsuit, Filipino terno, and evening gown.

Then, the number of candidates was cut down to 15. They were chosen based on beauty of face, figure, and over-all performance during the finals night.

Other beauties who made it to the Top 15 include Oblea, Aimee Hall, Angelee Claudett de los Reyes, Veronica Turla, Sherlyn Gonzales, Sienicki, Hendy, Kate Princess Alimurong, Arenal, and Maylinn Storbakken.

The contest was highlighted by the "farewell walk" of Basken, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2006, who is one of the few women who competed in various beauty pageants, including this year’s 2007 Miss Universe contest held in Mexico recently.

While Basken held the 2006 Mutya ng Pilipinas title, she also competed and won in the 2007 Miss Norway beauty contest. That earned her the right to represent Norway in the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant.

It was also one of those rare moments in the 2007 Miss Universe contest, where three Filipinas competed in the contest. Apart from Norway, the other contestants with Filipino race were Angelina Glass of Germany and Anne Therese Licaros, representing the Philippines.

Japan’s Riyo Mori won in the 2007 Miss Universe contest.

As Basken ended her reign as Mutya ng Pilipinas last Saturday, she said that her reign as Miss Norway has just started. "My reign as Miss Norway will end next year."

"I am one of those fortunate few whose wish I was magnificently granted. I feel incredibly lucky to be born and raised in one of the richest countries in the world, like Norway. Still, the country I keep going back to is my mother’s homeland, the beautiful Philippines I used to refer to as my favorite ‘summer place.’ I have always been fond of its fascinating landscapes, splendid beaches, with its crystal blue waters, colorful jeepneys and tricycles and the genuinely warm, friendly and hospitable Filipino people," Basken said.

Among the members of the Mutya ng Pilipinas board of judges were Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, SBMA Chairman Commo. Feliciano Salonga, PCGA; Edgardo Pamintuan, head, Subic-Clark Area Development Council (SCAD); top singer Pilita Corrales, TV host Susan Calo Medina, fashion designer Christian Espiritu, and Cesar Gaupo.
By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA - Manila Bulletin

Subic-Olongapo access road to boost investments

The multi-million access road from Subic to Olongapo opened on Friday, making it easier for investors to gain access to both materials and manpower.

“The Subic-Cawag-Balaybay Road is an expression of the National Government’s commitment to support the investment project of the Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. (HHIC) that will not only help provide easy access for manpower and construction materials for the Hanjin plant but will also serve as an important tool to help alleviate unemployment particularly in the nearby communities,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand C. Arreza said.

Arreza said the road project complements the ongoing construction of the new container port under the Subic Port Development project and the Subic-Clark Toll Road project, both of which are being funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

President Arroyo was guest of honor for the formal opening rites of the P653-million Subic-Cawag-Balaybay access road to Hanjin’s ship building facilities. The 16.15-kilometer road project is the gateway for the creation of more employment opportunities for the residents of Subic, Zambales and Olongapo City.

The project was jointly funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) in order to connect the $1-billion Hanjin plant to the proposed Zambales Industrial park and provincial port. Hanjin is one of the world’s largest shipbuilders.

The road construction entailed asphalt overlay and widening of the existing 6.1-meter pavement into the nine-meter two-lane roadway with reinforced concrete pipe culvert, stone masonry and line canal with a net length of 7.55 kilometer.
By MA. ELISA P. OSORIO - The Philippine Star

Clark execs to seal off oil tanks where 3 scavenge

CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines—Security officials here have sent patrol teams to cordon off portions of an oil depot formerly operated by the United States military.

They also proposed to dismantle or seal off three idle tanks there to prevent a repeat of the accident that killed three men on Wednesday.

The recommendations to evaluate and remove or cover the structures with cement came after a rescue team from the Philippine Air Force pulled out the third and last victim at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, according to Senior Supt. Nicanor Targa, chief of the public safety office of Clark Development Corp.

It took the PAF team almost 45 hours to recover the body of Jonel Cuenco, 27. The two other victims—Renato Medina, 38, and Renato Genese, 27—had been retrieved on Thursday. They died after the cover of Tank No. 9 split and crashed on them.

The three men, together with five others, were reportedly looting the tank of metal by melting the cover’s side braces through the use of acetylene torches.

The five escaped by fleeing to a narrow underground canal, which they used to enter the tank.

It was 32 feet high, 137 feet in diameter and embedded in the mountains of Barangay Sapang Bato, Angeles City, which is southwest (not north as earlier reported) of Clark’s perimeter fence.

Targa said rescue workers entered the tank, swam in murky rainwater that had pooled inside and searched for the bodies amid mounds of metal that threatened to collapse again.

He said officials in Sapang Bato have been asked to advise villagers not to go near any of the three tanks.

These, as well as the six used by the Coastal PTT, belonged to the petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) farm of the United States’ 13th Air Force.

The POL, which used to have a storage capacity of 25 million gallons, extends to the former Subic Naval Base in Zambales across Clark through a metal pipeline. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

World’s largest ship to be built in Subic

SUBIC BAY Freeport: President Arroyo announced that top Subic investor Hanjin Heavy Industries will be building the world’s largest ship worth $150 million and will be investing another $600 million in the free port.

The President made the announcement during the formal opening of the P653-million Subic-Cawag-Balaybay Road leading to the fourth largest shipbuilding company in the world, Heavy Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co.

Mrs. Arroyo also mentioned that the first of 33 container vessels that were preordered from Hanjin, worth $70 million each, is now being manufactured in Subic.

“Today, we’ll be going to the industrial park of Subic and witness the start of fabrication of the first of 33 container vessels being manufactured by our great Filipino workers here in Hanjin,” she said.

By the end of the year, Han­jin will finish three container ships.

“The shipyard will transform Subic into the fourth largest shipyard in the world,” the President added.

She also announced that the Subic port project would be finished at the end of the month.

Hanjin is seen to boost the economic expansion and development of Zambales.

The 16.15 kilometer Subic-Cawag-Balaybay Road, funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), is now finished, linking the $1.6-billion shipyard to the proposed Zam­bales Industrial Park—the provincial port and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone—by land.

Gov. Vicente Magsaysay of Zambales, Director Jeong Sup Shim of Hanjin Heavy Industry, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, SBMA Chairman Feli­ciano Salonga, SCAD Chairman Eduardo Pamintuan and Rep. Mitos Magsaysay of the First District accompanied the President in opening the Subic-Cawag-Balay­bay Road.
--Anthony Bayarong - Sunday Times

Subic dev’t turning tillers, fishers to factory workers

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines—A proud President Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday said the development of this freeport, particularly with one of the world’s largest shipyards being built by a Korean company, has impressed her greatly.

Built at one of the deepest portions of Subic Bay, the shipbuilding facility of Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. Ltd. (HHIC) at the Redondo Peninsula here has generated employment for about 10,000 workers from the outlying fishing and farming communities in Zambales, Bataan and Olongapo City.

The figure is dramatically up from the 2,400 workers that Hanjin employed when it started activities here last year.

“We are impressed by the surge of development happening here to create jobs and bring prosperity to the people,” Ms Arroyo said during the inauguration Friday of the Subic-Cawag-Balaybay Road.

The P650-million, 16.15-km road connects the Hanjin shipyard to a community of farmers and fishermen “now slowly being converted into a community of factory workers.”

“Congratulations to our fishermen, farmers and formerly plain housewives who are now expert workers,” Ms Arroyo told about 100 Hanjin executives, local officials and workers here.

The road is a legacy of outgoing Gov. Vicente Magsaysay to the people of Zambales, she said.

“We are delivering to you a world-class road leading to a world-class ship-building facility,” Magsaysay, who ran but lost in the recent senatorial race, told the President.

The access road is the fulfillment of the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and HHIC.

“[It] is an expression of the national government’s commitment to support the investment project of the HHIC that will not only help provide easy access for manpower and construction materials for the Hanjin plant but will also serve as an important tool to help alleviate unemployment, particularly in the nearby communities,” SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said.

The road, Ms Arroyo said, was financed with funds generated by the value-added tax (VAT).

“We needed to spend P650 million, value-added taxes went to this road,” she said.

“The difficult and politically unpopular steps we took to raise taxes are bearing fruit. We are now making significant investment in people and infrastructure.

“This includes billions of pesos in programs to promote human capital like education, health care, social services and training like the welders’ training center that we put up here in Subic.”
By Ansbert Joaquin - Inquirer

Business as usual at Subic golf course

Authorities at the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club Inc. (SBGCCI) has allayed fears of some Taiwanese investors and assured them of continued stability and security inside the country's premier Freeport zone.

"It is business as usual here at the golf course," officials said.

This assurance came shortly after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), through a Board Resolution, decided to terminate the lease and development agreement with Taiwanese firm, Universal International Group Development Co. (UIGDC) and its holding company Subic Bay Golf and Country Club, Inc. (SBGCCI) to operate the 105-hectare golf course in the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga and Administrator Armand C. Arreza gave President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the assurance that the takeover of the golf course is "merely a contractual dispute between the SBMA and its Taiwanese operators."

"The bottomline in the SBMA's actions against the Taiwanese entities is the protection of the government's fair share of revenues and development commitments; and the SBMA was only protecting the interest of the government in view of the continued failure of the SBGCCI to settle its unpaid and uncontested obligations which, as of March this year, had accumulated to P37 million," the officials said.

SBMA officials added that allowing the Taiwanese firm to continue operating the facility would simply be less than ideal governance to the great disadvantage of the government due to violations of the Taiwanese company's Lease and Development Agreement (LDA) such as the unfulfilled development commitments since 1996, as well as various violations in labor, health, sanitation and environmental laws.

Prior to the takeover, the SBMA received a Writ of Preliminary Injunction from the Regional Trial Court of Olongapo City, enjoining the SBMA from implementing its alleged "threat" of issuing a "cease and desist order."

The SBMA officials clarified that the SBMA did not violate any court order in taking over the golf course, as its action consisted of exercising its rights as lessor in terminating the lease agreement and recovering the properties without imposing its regulatory power to cancel the Permit to Operate.

The SBMA has effected the takeover with due courtesy and respect in dealing with SBGCCI employees and other concerned individuals.

"Contrary to exaggerated reports in media, at no instance was there any form of harassment, physical or otherwise, and no one was bodily removed from the premises of the golf course but merely escorted out," the SBMA officials said.

Last Wednesday, about 40 irate members and shareholders of the SBGCCI signed a manifesto expressing unconditional support and elation to the SBMA's takeover of the operations and management of the Subic Bay Golf Course.

"For years, we have been witness to the gradual deterioration of the Subic Bay Golf Course and Country Club, the non-fulfillment by the previous operator to its development commitments and the tyrannical management style, which all led to the continued devaluation of our membership shares," the manifesto stated.(PNA)

FIL-AMERICANS urged to make their presence felt in US affairs

Following a meeting with United States Rep. Bob Filner of California, Sen. Richard Gordon called on the Filipino-Americans community in the United States to exhibits political strength and make the community’s presence felt by their respective US legislator on their issue regarding struggle of Filipino World War II veterans who fought side by side with Americans troops in World War II.

In his meeting with Congressman Filner, Senator Gordon expressed his appreciation for Filner’s efforts and commitment in his capacity as sponsor and chairman of US House Committee on Veterans Affairs to pass HR 760, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007.

Senator Gordon said Congressman Filner is true Americans patriot who has shown through the years his deep appreciation of the significance of effectively addressing this issue and give to Filipino World War II.

Senator Gordon stressed that it is time for America to act decisively on this issue as this is not merely an issue of cost and money, but more an issue of honor and values among long –standing allies and friend. As a beacon for justice and equality, America must take this opportunity to live up to the standards and values it has set for itself, he said. “The Filipino-American communities, especially those who vote on US elections, are crucial in this struggle. Their advocacy in this cause would be of high value and necessary in efforts to get Representative Filner’s equity bill passed,” Gordon said.

In addition, the Senator said that it is the time for Filipino-American Community to become a more visible component of the US political landscape.

“The next 30 days are critical and I call on the Filipino-American community to unite behind this issue as this struggle for justice and equity by Filipino World War II veterans is a matter of honor,” Gordon said.”call,write, or even visit your respective Congressman and Senators. It is high time for Filipino-American community to make its number and influenced and legislators.”

“The issue concerning Filipino World War II veterans is an issue of honor and principle and there is no better issue around which the Filipino-American community can rally around and express their collective strength in the political arena,” Gordon said.


Manila Bulletin

DENGUE: Mapanganib na Sakit sa Panahon ng Tag-ulan

Isa sa mga sakit na kinakatakutan ay ang Dengue Fever at Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever….

MGA DAPAT MALAMAN TUNGKOL SA SAKIT NA DENGUE

Ang DENGUE FEVER ay mala-trangkasong sakit na ikinakalat ng kagat ng lamok samantalang ang DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER ay malubha, kalimitang nakamamatay at komplikasyon ng Dengue Fever. Walang pinipili ang sakit na ito, bata man o matanda.

Ang panahong pinakamarami (peak) ang insidente ng pagkakasakit ng Dengue ay dalawang (2) buwan matapos ang pagsisimula ng panahon ng tag-ulan. Ang pagtaas ng kaso ng ganitong karamdaman ay mula Hulyo hanggang Disyembre.

Ilan sa mga karaniwang palatandaan ng pagkakaroon ng Dengue ay ang pagsakit ng ulo at mata, pagsakit ng buto at kalamnan, pagkakaroon ng mga rashes sa balat, pagkawala ng ganang kumain, pagsusuka at pagkapagod. Ang sakit ay nagsisimula sa biglaang pagtaas ng temperatura ng pasyente. Ang rashes ay kalimitang lumilitaw tatlo (3) hanggang apat (4) na araw matapos magsimula ang lagnat.

Karaniwang sa mga impeksyon ng Dengue ay nagreresulta sa katamtaman na karamdaman ngunit ang iba naman ay nagdidiretso sa Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

Kapag mayroon nito, ang blood vessels ay nagsisimulang
magkaroon ng leak o tagas na nagdudulot ng pagdurugo ng ilong, gilagid at bibig. Ang mga pasa ay palatandaan ng pagdurugo sa loob ng katawan.

Kung hindi maagapan, ang mga blood vessels ay maaaring mag-collapse at magkaroon ng shock na tinatawag na Dengue Shock Syndrome. Nagdudulot rin ito ng pamamaga ng atay at sa mas malalang kaso ay circulatory failure na nagiging sanhi ng pagkamatay.

Isa pang tagadala ng Dengue ang natukoy, ito ay ang lamok na Aedes Albopictus na karaniwang nasa rural na lugar. Ang Aedes Aegypti ay karaniwang sa mga urban na lugar. Ang lamok na ito ay kumakagat tuwing araw karaniwan mula ika-anim ng umaga hanggang ika-anim ng gabi. Kung ang isang lamok ay nakakagat ng isang taong may Dengue maaaring mahawa ang taong sunod na kinagat ng naturang lamok.

Ang sintomas ng pagkakaroon ng Dengue ay makikita apat (4) hanggang anim (6) na araw matapos ang pagkakagat ng lamok na may dalang Dengue Virus. Ang taong infected ay maaaring maging source ng virus para sa lamok hanggang anim (6) na araw.

PAGGAGAMOT SA DENGUE

Sa pamamagitan ng blood test ay malalaman kung ang isang tao ay nagtataglay ng impeksyon. Wala pang mga Dengue Vaccine na mabibili sa ngayon ngunit ang mga pananaliksik ukol sa kagamutan nito ay patuloy pang isinasagawa.

Ipinapayo sa mga pasyente ang pamamahinga at pag-inom ng maraming tubig o fluids. Dapat din na maihiwalay sila sa ibang pasyente o dapat lagyan ng kulambo upang hindi makahawa sa iba.

Ang iba namang Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever ay nangangailangan na ng blood transfusion o pagsasalin ng dugo. Walang immunity ito: maaaring ang nagkasakit na ng Dengue ay magkasakit pa uli.

PAANO MAIIWASAN ANG DENGUE

Ang lamok na tagadala ng Dengue Virus ay nangingitlog sa mga nakaimbak na tubig. Alisin ang tubig o linisin ang mga lugar o bagay na pinangingitlugan ng lamok. Karaniwan dito ay ang mga lumang gulong, paso, alulod, lata, bao ng niyog at kung anu-ano pa. Huwag mag-imbak ng basura. Isa sa mga dahilan ng pagdami ng lamok ay mga basura.

Takpan lahat ang mga tubig na iniimbak dahil gusto ng mga lamok na mangitlog sa malinis na tubig. Gumamit ng kulambo sa pagtulog o lagyan ng mga screen ang bintana at pinto. Kung may nararamdamang sintomas, ipagbigay-alam agad sa inyong mga doktok upang malunasan ng maaga ang karamdamang ito.

Subic builds biggest ship in the world

By Joyce Pangco Pañares - manilastandardtoday.com

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said yesterday the biggest tanker in the world, a $150-million floating mammoth, is now being built in Subic by the Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co.

“They are now building the biggest boat in the world right here in Subic,” said Mrs. Arroyo who visited Hanjin’s shipyard in the free port zone to check on the first 12 container vessels being built there.

“Indeed, this shipyard of Hanjin will transform Subic into one of the four largest shipbuilding facilities in the whole world,” she said.

Hanjin officials declined to give more details on the tanker, but sources said it would be bigger than the 260,851-ton Seawise Giant that was built by the Japan-based Sumitomo Oppama Shipyard and measures 1,604 ft. long and 226 ft. wide.

Hanjin’s shipyard in Subic cost $1 billion, and it made South Korea the single biggest source of foreign direct investment in the Philippines last year.

Mrs. Arroyo also opened the P653-million Subic-Cawag-Balaybay access road to the Hanjin Group’s shipbuilding facilities, which stretches for 16.15 kms. and is expected to create more jobs for the residents of Subic, Zambales and Olongapo City.

Hanjin is expected to gross $3.6 billion from its shipyard, which can make 60 ships worth $60 million each every year.

The Korean firm has also opened a $40-million training center for shipyard workers and hired 2,400 Filipinos to build its dry dock. It is expected to hire 30,000 more Filipinos in the next five years. With Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

PGMA inaugurates Php 653-M Hanjin access road

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated Friday the Php 653-million Subic-Cawag-Balaybay road here which she said will further boost business and employment opportunities for residents and prospective investors in and around the province, the country and even the whole world.

The 16.15-kilometer access road now serves as a direct link between the proposed Zambales Industrial Park and provincial port and Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd. (HHIC), one of the world's largest ship builders and top hirer of world-class Filipino welders to work on their ship building activities.

The access road is the fulfillment of the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by and between the Department of Public Works and Highways, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and HHIC signed on Feb. 28, 2006.

In her speech keynoting the formal opening of the access road, the President said the project was funded solely through government and local government resources sourced from collections stemming from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT).

"Php 653 million of (expanded) value added taxes went to this road," the President said, adding that 95 percent was sourced from the government through the DPWH while the remaining five percent came from the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

"The difficult and politically unpopular steps we took to raise taxes are bearing fruit. We are now able to make significant investments in people and infrastructure," the President said.

She added that "this project will also create jobs in the surrounding communities of Subic, Zambales and Olongapo City."

The President also directed the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Anti-Smuggling Task Force (ASTF) to go after those involved in smuggling to the detriment of the Philippine port system.

"We have undertaken a strong and steady effort to curb graft and corruption through reliance on criminal justice, administrative controls and procedural reforms. We do not tolerate smuggling in Subic or anywhere else," the President said.

"So I am instructing the Customs and Anti-smuggling Task Force to crack down on individuals involved in illegal activities," she added.

She called on everyone to "make our economy more business-friendly to legitimate businessmen and unfriendly to crooked businessmen."

She said her administration is taking measures to ensure efficient private sector access to project financing, lower the cost of doing business in the country by cutting down red tape and minimizing corruption.

The government has undertaken "strong and steady efforts to curb graft and corruption through reliance on criminal justice, administrative controls and procedural reforms," the President said.

In just one year, from the time Hanjin officials met with her in Malacanang to review the structural map of the Korean shipbuilding company's structural map, construction of Hanjin's first 12 containers are underway, the President said.

"We are taking steps to make investment decisions easy. The difficult and politically unpopular steps we took to raise taxes are bearing fruits," she said.

The President pointed out that through increased taxes, the government, is now making significant investments in people and infrastructure, including billions of pesos in programs to promote human capital like education, health care services and manpower training. (PNA)