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Thursday, January 31, 2008

'Gapo CDCC, Re-organized!

Ni-reorganisa ni Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. ang City Disaster Coordinating Council (OCDCC) sa pulong na isinagawa nitong ika-25 ng Enero 2008 sa FMA Hall ng City Hall.

‘’Masaya ako sa magandang performance ng OCDCC. Bagamat magagaling at well-trained ang mga miembro nito kinakailangan rin na maging ang mga Olongapeño ay magagaling, handa at well-trained dahil naniniwala ako na sa panahon ng kalamidad mas marami ang maliligtas kung lahat ay alam ang gagawin,’’ wika ni Mayor Bong Gordon.

Sa bisa ng Executive Order No. 2 (series of 2008) na may titulong ‘’Reorganizing the Olongapo City Disaster Coordinating Council’’ ay itinalaga rin sina City Councilor at Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Peace and Order Chair Rodel S. Cerezo bilang Vice-Chairman for Internal Affairs at Olongapo City Police Director P/SSUPT Abelardo P. Villacorta para sa External Affairs.

Sa EO order ay itinalaga rin sina DMO Head at Deputized Civil Defense Coordinator Angie Layug bilang Executive Officer, City Administrator Ferdie Magrata para sa Inter-Department Coordination at ang dating kagawad at ngayo’y bagong City Planning and Development Officer Marey Beth Marzan para sa Intelligence and Disaster Analysis.

Kasama rin sa re-organization ay ang Task Units kabilang na ang Mayor’s Office, Public Utilities Department (PUD), Environmental Sanitation & Management Office (ESMO), Olongapo Fire & Rescue Team (OFRT), City Health Office (CHO) at James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH), City Social Welfare & Development Office (CSWDO), Bureau of Fire (BOF), Office of Traffic Management & Public Safety (OTMPS) at Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO).

Malaki rin ang gagampanang bahagi ng City Engineering Office (CEO), Livelihood Cooperative & Development Office (LCDO), Public Affairs Office (PAO), Liga ng Barangay, Nutrition Council, City Population Commission at Veterinary Office sa Task Units para sa mas mabilis na responde ng council sa panahon ng sakuna.

Maging ang ilang National Government Agencies ay isinama rin sa re-organization para sa mas malawak na responde kabilang na ang Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at ang Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM).

Maging ang ibat-ibang sector sa lungsod tulad ng sa water, business, communication, transportation, telecommunication at mass media ay may direktang partisipasyon na rin sa agapay.

Upang higit na matutukan at maipatupad ang mga polisiya, ang council ay inaatasan ng nasabing executive order na magsagawa ng pulong isang beses sa isang buwan o higit pa kung kinakailangan para sa epektibong koordinasyon sa larangan ng disaster preparedness, emergency operations and recovery at rehabilitation activities.

Matatandaan na kamakailan lamang ay muling tinanggap ng Olongapo buhat kay Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang pinaka-mataas na karangalan sa ‘’Kalamidad at Sakuna ay Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan Award o GAWAD KALASAG para highly urbanized category.

Ang pagkilala ay ibinibigay sa mga natatanging bayan at lungsod sa bansa na nagpakita ng magandang performance sa larangan ng disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance samantalang ang Olongapo Fire and Rescue Team (OFRT) ay ‘wagi rin bilang ‘’Best Government Emergency Responders (GOERS)’’ ng bansa.


Pinangunahan ni Mayor Bong Gordon ang re-organization meeting ng Olongapo City Disaster Coordinating Council (OCDCC) nitong ika-25 ng Enero 2008 sa FMA Hall ng City Hall. Katabi sa larawan ni Mayor Gordon sina (from L to R): City Police Director Abelardo Villacorta, City Councilor at Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Peace & Order Chair Rodel Cerezo at Acting City Fire Marshal Rodel M. Manuel.

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Kagamitang Pang-opisina Para sa TODA at BPLD

Tumanggap ng karagdagang gamit pang-opisina mula kay City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. ang tanggapan ng Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) Zone-2 at Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) nitong ika-28 ng Enero 2008.

Sa nakaraang flag raising ceremony ng mga city officials and employees sa Rizal Triangle Multi Purpose Center, personal na iniabot ni Mayor Gordon kay John Dais ng TODA ang isang unit ng advanced typewriter. Gayundin ay binigyan ng punong lungsod ang tanggapan ng Business Permit and Licensing Division sa pamumuno ni Neal Perez ng isang photocopier machine.

Nais ni Mayor Gordon na mapabilis pa ang serbisyo ng TODA at ng BPLD kung kaya’t binigyan niya ang dalawang tanggapan ng naturang mga kagamitang pang-opisina.

Pinasalamatan naman ng TODA at BPLD si Mayor Gordon sa kanilang natanggap na type writer at photocopier. Anila ay makatutulong ito upang mas mapagbuti pa ang kanilang paglilingkod.

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15 Lifeguards Para sa Halfmoon Beach

Labinglimang (15) lifeguards ang inihanda at sinanay ng Olongapo City Government sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Red Cross upang italaga sa Halfmoon Beach na bubuksan ngayong Pebrero 2008.

Sa kagustuhan ni Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. na masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga turista at mga residenteng tatangkilik sa Halfmoon Beach (dating Kale Beach) sa nalalapit na panahon ng tag-init, isinailalim sa First Aid Training at Actual Swimming Training sa patnubay ni Edward Buena ng Red Cross ang labinglimang lifeguards nitong ika-14 hanggang 25 ng Enero 2008.

Bukod sa pagsasanay ng mga lifeguards ay inihahanda na rin ng City Government at ng ‘’Olongapo, Mahal Ko Foundation’’ ang kabuuan ng Halfmoon Beach para sa nalalapit na pagbubukas nito.

Sa inisyatibo ni Mayor Gordon at pagkilos ng mga volunteers mula sa ‘’Olongapo, Mahal Ko Foundation’’ na pinamumunuan ni Lerma de Meza ay kasalukuyan nang inaayos ang mga cottages, shower rooms at ang right of way sa Halfmoon Beach. Oras na matapos ang mga ito ay handang-handa na ang naturang Beach para sa muling pagbubukas nito sa publiko.


Libre-walang entrance fee ang pagpasok sa Halfmoon Beach sa pangangasiwa ng City Government. Sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon na itong 16 cottages kung saan ay ‘good for 20 persons’ ang malalaki samantalang ‘good for 12 persons’ naman ang maliliit.


Nasa larawan habang nagte-training ng first aid ang dalawa sa labing limang (15) lifeguards na itatalaga sa Halfmoon Beach.




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BIR sa Bagong Tanggapan

Pinasinayaan at binasbasan na ang bagong tanggapan ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) nitong ika-29 ng Enero 2008 sa 2nd Floor ng James L. Gordon Market & Mall (Pag-asa Market), Olongapo City.

Sa inisyatibo ni Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr., nakalipat na sa bago at mas malaking gusali ang Kagawaran ng Rentas Internas o BIR. Mananatili dito ang BIR kasama ang Land and Transportation Office (LTO).

Saksi ang mga kawani ng BIR, sa pamumuno ni Revenue District Officer Edgar Tolentino, pinangunahan ni Mayor Gordon ang pagpapasinaya at blessing ceremony ng naturang lugar. Kasama ng punong lungsod sina Bong Pineda, Pochollo Gallan at Ruben de Guzman ng Olongapo Business Club (OBC) at Norie Gomez ng Olongapo City Mall.

Layunin ni Mayor Gordon na higit na maging maayos ang koleksyon ng buwis sa Olongapo kung kaya’t sinikap niyang mapagkalooban ang BIR ng lugar kung saan ay mas maayos na magagampanan ng tanggapan ang mga tungkulin nito.

Pinasalamatan naman ng BIR ang Lungsod ng Olongapo sa paglalaan nito ng espasyo para sa kanilang tanggapan na dati ay matatagpuan sa may Rizal Avenue malapit sa Ramon Magsaysay Drive (RM Drive).


Si Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. kasama ang mga opisyales ng Bureau of Internal Revenue sa pagpapasinaya sa bagong tanggapan ng BIR sa 2nd Floor ng James L. Gordon Market and Mall nitong ika-29 ng Enero 2008.

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FLOOD EXPERTS SA ‘GAPO MULI

Sa inisyatiba ni City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr., muling bumalik sa Olongapo ang mga Canadian flood control experts na sina Michael Cooke at Stanley Taylor.

Sa ikaapat na pagkakataon, dumating sa lungsod mula sa City of Windsor, Ontario, Canada nitong ika-24 ng Enero 2008 at mananatili hanggang ika-5 ng Pebrero 2008. Layon ng pagbisita na ipagpatuloy ang serye ng mga pag-aaral na kanilang isinasagawa sa lungsod bilang bahagi ng Partnership in Land Use and Watershed Management sa pagitan ng Olongapo City at City of Windsor ng Ontario, Canada.

“We are very proud of our partnership with Olongapo City. It’s nice to be back. It’s just like another home,” wika ni Taylor.

Pinasalamatan rin nina Taylor at Cooke ang kontribusyon ng Mayor’s Office, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Engineering Office at Assessors Office sa kanilang masusing pag-aaral ng mga tanggapan . “Your city government is working hard with us for your welfare,” pahayag ni Cooke sa mga Olongapeños.

Magugunitang huling bumisita sa Olongapo City sina Taylor at Cooke noong Agosto 2007. Si Cooke ang Senior Planner ng City of Windsor habang si Taylor naman ang Coordinator ng Source Protection Planning ESSEX Region Conservation Authority, ESSEX, Ontario, Canada.


Si Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. kasama ang mga “flood control experts” na sina Stanley Taylor (left) at Michael Cooke (right) na nagmula pa sa City of Windsor, Ontario Canada.



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DMIA Clark as RP's main Airport

The recent order of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the transport authorities to complete the upgrade of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at Clark into the country's gateway to the world in six months to one year, is one decision that every Filipino should welcome.

For one, the old Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is not just congested it is also in its sorry state. Even if the problematic NAIA Terminal 3 will be opened still it would not be able to accommodate the surging influx of tourists and investors into the country. Besides, expansion in the NAIA would no longer be possible.

The spacious DMIA is the best choice. Converting it as the country's "premier airport" is a futuristic move. It would put the country in a better position to compete with other modern airport terminals in the region.

The DMIA's upgrade is also in consonance with the government's move to liberalize civil aviation over Clark and Subic.

The DMIA is one of the biggest aviation complexes in Asia at a 2,500 hectare facility with 3.2 kilometer parallel runways that will be extended to four kilometers to accommodate modern widebody aircraft.

The airport is also certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with ratings Category I for Precision Approach Runway and Category IX for Emergency Services.

It is well equipped with an instrument landing system, navigational aids, meteorological equipments, and complete airfield lighting system.

DMIA has an inherent capability as a world-class modern aviation complex catering to the needs of the electronic – commerce driven world trade.

The conversion of the DMIA is envisioned to spur economic growth and development in Central Luzon and expected to radiate to the nearby North Luzon area. (By Renee F. De Guzman - PIA)

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'I've earned it,' he asserts as new org gets Ilonggo members

Of all the reported presidentiables come 2010, Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon wants the voting the public to know that he and he alone is the most qualified. In fact, asked on said much-publicized reports, the Senator has a ready and quick response – "I've earned it."

Such formed part the answers of Senator Gordon in a press conference Sunday. With series of questions primarily raised on his supposed sure candidacy, Gordon used the opportunity to lay down his credentials.

More than two decades of executive work and management, he said that dated back to his years as delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. Such followed suit by his years in public office as mayor of Olongapo City.

"Let the good times roll," Senator Gordon said in jest while adding that until the decision is reached, his concentration for the moment remains on his Senate work.

Yet while at it, rounds are being made nationwide to launch Gordon's group cum movement called "Bagumbayan."

An apparent move to set up mass-bases all over the country, Senator Gordon only has the highest of hopes and praises for the group and ideals set forth by it.

"If the country is corrupt, it is because most of us allow it… Bagumbayan will change that. Our time, our change... that is what we are here for. We are the change that we want to be," he said.

Flyers distributed to the media calls on membership "open to all Filipinos from all walks of life. No ifs, no buts. If you can commit yourself to our covenant to change this nation from what it is to what it can be, and if you can believe in yourself and your community to make that change happen, then Bagumbayan and its ideal are yours."

Among those present with Senator Gordon were former city councilors Mandrei Malabor and Rolando Dabao. Also seen were former Iloilo City Liga president, Marietta Orleans and former Iloilo City Mayor Mansueto Malabor.
By Florence F. Hibionada - www.thenewstoday

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Isabel Rivas's Paradise

In time, this girl from Iba, Zambales, would become one of the country's most formidable kontrabidas.


YES! Magazine

Marilou Yap Gumabao, better known as actress Isabel Rivas, got into showbiz through sheer guts.


"Nauna sa aking mag-artista si Dennis," says Isabel, referring to her elder brother, actor and former Quezon City 3rd District congressman, Dennis Roldan.


"Tapos, naging friend ko si [director] Joey Gosengfiao kasi neighbor namin siya sa Quezon City. So, noong kinuha nilang artista si Dennis, nag-apply din ako. I think I was just 18 [years old] at that time. Pero gusto ko nang mag-trabaho."


She goes on: "One afternoon, pumunta ako sa bahay ni Joey, naka-bisikleta lang ako at naka-shorts. Sabi ko, ‘Pwede ho ba akong maging artista?' He replied, ‘O, sige, titingnan ko, ii-screen test kita.' 'Yong screen test, pelikula na pala! 'Yong Kambal sa Uma ni Rio Locsin at Al Tantay. Tandaan n'yo?"



Showbiz wasn't easy.


"Na-traumatize kasi ako sa role ko," she recalls. "Ang eksena ko, si Rio Locsin nagiging daga, nagseselos sa akin, so kinakagat-kagat niya ako sa bathtub. Isang buong gabi akong nakababad sa bathtub. Nahuhulog-hulog 'yong daga—literal. Kaya sabi ko, ang hirap palang maging artista."


But that didn't stop her. In time, this girl from Iba, Zambales, would become one of the country's most formidable kontrabidas.


She admits that while she was absorbed with showbiz, she forgot the place she grew up in.


"Kasi s'yempre, nag-base kami sa Manila. "Noon, pag bumabalik kami dito [in Zambales], it was only for the beach. S'yempre, uso beach, 'di ba? Sun-bathing nang sun-bathing. After a while, I got so bored. Kasi, after maligo, mag-sunbathe, 'no na? How much sun can you take in? Sunog ka na, wala na."


It was her brother Dennis who came up with the bright idea of investing in a farm.


"Sabi niya, ‘Lika, mag-mangga tayo.' So, ayon. 'Yong isang kapatid pa namin sumosyo. Bumili kami 30 hectares-hati-hati kami-tigte-ten. Then, kanya-kanya na kami ng develop. And you know what? I found my love! "Nahanap ko 'yong pinagdadasal ko sa Diyos all these years—'yong pang-retirement ko. S'yempre kahit ka taga-showbiz, magre-retire ka din. Eto, binigay niya sa akin ito, and it's beautiful!"


Well, God also gave her industry and dedication.


These days, after eight years of cleaning, bulldozing, fencing, planting, and building on the farm, the lady farmer—"I'm farming with glamour!"—is finally taking things slow.


Or is she?

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

MRS. SEVERINA ESTEBAN GREGORIO

Mrs. Severina Esteban Gregorio, mother of City Vice-Mayor, Hon. Cynthia G. Cajudo, peacefully joined her Creator on January 27, 2008 reaching the full age of 90.

Mrs. Gregorio did not only live a fulfilled and productive life, but she was brimming with talents, gifts, value-laden principles and love to share lavishly for her family, relatives, friends, church and community. As such, she spent a lifetime of service and led many by her example of stewardship. She served as the Treasurer of the church for decades, a position she held until she was able.

“Bening” was known to be a “jack of all trades” who had mastered all. She was a great cook, a posh dressmaker, a classy beautician and learned skills that men do, like repairs, plumbing and simple carpentry that once she was called “Berto”. Though she wore many hats, she was focused on rearing her children to be the best that they can be. One of her finest offerings to the community was to raise up a Vice-mayor and a leader, a privilege that she kept in her heart. She was blessed to witness and reap the fruits of motherhood through the lives and accomplishments of her children, yet she gave back to her Lord and Savior the glory and honor due to Him through her unwavering faith and ministry to the church.

Her family and grandchildren call doting “Lola Bening” as a mother of faith for her exceptional grace, unshaken by any adversity. For this legacy to follow upon, their hearts are drawn to discover the Ultimate Source of her strength of character.

Her family, friends and churchmates recall of her endearing presence and her nourishing thoughtfulness, which they will surely miss. Though she will be absent in the body, her memory will linger to encourage them;

The City shares in the grief of the bereaved family of Mrs. Severina Esteban Gregorio for having lost the beacon of their family.

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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

DELOS SANTOS BAGONG MARKET MASTER

Itinalaga ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. si dating Gordon Heights Barangay Chairman Damian delos Santos bilang Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Superintendent ng Olongapo City Public Market na kilala ring East Bajac-Bajac Market.

‘’Inaasahan ko na sa pamamagitan ni Damian delos Santos na may malawak na experience sa paghawak ng isang posisyon ay higit na matututukan ang pangunahing pamilihan sa lungsod o ang mas kilalang ‘’Bagong Palengke,’’ wika ni Mayor Bong Gordon.

Kabilang sa plans and programs ng bagong OIC Superintendent ay ang bukas at malakas na ugnayan ng market tenants at ang street vendors na nasa ilalim naman ng pagsasa-ayos ng Vendors Management Team (VMAT).

‘’Patuloy ang mga isinasagawa nating ugnayan sa mga tenants at mga street vendors upang maiwasan ang matinding duplication o ang pagkakatulad ng mga produkto ng ating mga manininda.’’ wika ni delos Santos.

‘’Sa ngayon ay nasa planning stage na rin tayo upang higit na mapalakas ang pagnenegosyo sa pamilihan partikular na ang pagbibigay ng prayoridad sa mga negosyanteng residente ng lungsod,’’ dagdag pa niya.

Bagamat tubong Bicol ay napiling manatili ng bagong OIC Superintendent sa Olongapo na maglingkod ito bilang Brgy. Secretary noong 1972-1973, Brgy. Councilor 1974-1989 hanggang sa ma-halal bilang Bgry. Chairman ng Gordon Heights noong 1989 hanggang 2007.

Sa kaniyang panunungkulan bilang punong-barangay ay kanyang tinutukan ang education program ng barangay katulad ng pagtatayo ng karagdagang Daycare Center at ang pagsasagawa ng computer training para sa mga residente ng nasabing barangay.


NEW MARKET MASTER: Ang bagong talagang OIC Superintendent ng Olongapo City Public Market na si Damian delos Santos.










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MARZAN, BAGONG CPDO HEAD

Itinalaga ni Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. si Marey Beth Daduya Marzan bilang bagong City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) Officer kamakailan.

Sang-ayon sa Resolution No. 06, Series of 2008 na inaprubahan ng City Council noong ika-9 ng Enero 2008 at nilagdaan ni Mayor Gordon noong ika-18 ng Enero 2008, pormal nang nanungkulan si Marzan bilang tagapangulo ng CPDO.

“Mas pinili kong maging bahagi ng executive branch ng Olongapo City Government dahil naniniwala akong mas marami akong matutulungang tao kung kasama ako sa planning and implementation process. Ngayon, naisasagawa ko ang mga batas na ginawa ko noong legislator pa ako. I sacrificed my political career to help Mayor Gordon’s administration in serving more people,” pahayag ni Marzan.

Nilalayon ni Marzan na ipatupad ang Rationalized Planning System (RPS) kung saan ay magkakaroon ng koordinasyon ang bawat departamento ng Pamahalaang Lungsod kaugnay sa mga planning processes nito. Ayon kay Marzan, ang sistemang ito ay magreresulta sa integrasyon at kaisahan ng mga desisyong gagawin ng City Government bilang isang united government entity. “This kind of system will also prevent overlapping of services of the city government’s offices,” dagdag pa niya.

Naisin din ni Marzan na palawigin pa ang mga serbisyong hatid ng CPDO sa pamamagitan ng pagkakategorya sa pagitan ng spatial or physical dimension at social settlement tasks ng kanilang tanggapan. Ang mga spatial functions ng CPDO ay tumutukoy sa mga serbisyong may kaugnayan sa land use, mapping at iba pa samantalang ang mga social responsibilities nito ay yaong may kinalaman sa koordinasyon at pagkakaisa ng lahat ng sektor hinggil sa social planning processes. “CPDO’s duty is not only on technical matters but also about humans,” saad ni Marzan.

Naniniwala si Marzan na ang kanyang sampung (10) taon na karanasan sa pagiging lawmaker ay makatutulong sa kanyang bago at mas malaking assignment na pamunuan ang CPDO bilang isa sa mga major agencies ng city government. Gayundin, siya ang magiging liaison sa pagitan ng executive at legislative agendas.

Magugunitang bago pa man maitalaga si Marzan sa pagiging CPDO head ay lumahok siya sa Special Course in Urban and Regional Planning (SCURP) noong ika-26 ng Nobyembre hanggang ika-7 ng Disyembre 2007 na inorganisa ng School of Urban and Regional Planning-University of the Philippines (UP-Diliman). Ito ay bilang paghahanda sa kanyang pagpasok sa isang bagong mundo at upang maintindihan niya ang trabahong kaakibat nito.

Unang naging miyembro si Marzan ng Sangguniang Panlungsod nang siya ay maihalal maging presidente ng Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) City Federation ng Lungsod ng Olongapo mula 1996 hanggang 2002. Siya ay pormal na naihalal bilang regular na city councilor noong 2004 at muling naihalal sa pangalawang pagkakataon noong 2007.

Mula pa pagkabata ay aktibo na si Marzan sa mga social activities na pinatutunayan ng mga pagkilalang kanyang natanggap mula sa iba’t ibang mga grupo, mapanasyunal man o lokal. Nakalahok na rin siya sa mga malalaking conferences, seminars at trainings, mapa-international man o domestic.

Nagtapos si Marzan ng Bachelor of Science in Computer Information System at may 18 units ng Education. Natapos niya ang academic units sa kanyang Masters of Science in Information Technology at nagkamit siya ng Masters of Management on Business Management. Sa kasalukuyan, siya ay nag-aaral ng Bachelor of Laws.


NEW CPDO HEAD: Si Marey Beth Marzan, ang bagong City Planning and Development Officer ng Olongapo City

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Filipino priest’s healing ministry under observation after two die

Filipino priest’s healing ministry under observation after two die in Olongapo

A priest’s healing ministry in the Philippines that attracts thousands of people will continue to be monitored following two deaths at a crowded healing service, said a senior official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Sun Star reports.

Father Fernando Suarez, a 41-year-old member of the Companions of the Cross, has been holding popular healing services in both the United States and the Philippines. He left the Philippines for Canada in 1995, and was ordained a priest in 2002.

ABS-CBN News reported two people died at a Saturday service held by Father Suarez in Olongapo City that attracted a crowd of 10,000. One of them suffered a heart attack from the press off the crowd and later died. In addition, several people collapsed from the intense heat.

Some blamed the deaths on the lack of security measures at the event.

The Philippines bishops’ conference Public Affairs head Bishop Deogracias Iniguez Jr. said the church would not stop people from attending the priest’s healing Masses. The bishop apparently acknowledged the authenticity of Father Suarez’s healing gifts.

"Few people are given the special gift of healing, and Father Suarez is one of them. But church officials are still observant," Bishop Iniguez said, according to the Sun Star.

Father Suarez began his Philippines “healing sessions” on January 11, at a Mass in Batangas City. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila.
Catholic News Agency

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OCGEMPCI MEMBERS, PINURI!

Pinarangalan ang dalawampu’t-pitong (27) mga natatanging miembro ng Olongapo City Government Employees’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (OCGEMPCI) na naging instrumento sa tagumpay na nakamit ng organisasyon sa taong 2007.

Sa pangunguna nina Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. at OCGEMPCI Chairman Aileen Sanchez, isa-isang iniabot sa mga payroll clerks ang sertipiko ng pagkilala nitong ika-4 ng Pebrero 2008 sa Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court. Ito ay bilang tanda ng kanilang kontribusyon sa maayos na koleksyon ng kooperatiba. Ilan sa mga ito ay nakatanggap din ng cash prize bilang resulta ng kanilang isandaang-porsientong (100%) koleksyon.

Kabilang sa mga kinilala ay sina Norma Miranda, Lorelie Ricasa, Esmeralda Esteban, Benicio Tania, Fely Alcabaza, Rosana Agustin, Ofelia Quilarto, Liza Imperial, Nestor Rodriguez, Benjamin Silva, Delia Calbo, Myrasol Domacena, Mercy Bernales, Lorna del Rosario, Eva Abgadi, Julieta Gozo, Susan Cacho, Ma. Teresa Riodique, Dean Lubong, Sofia Santiago, Emelyn Evangelista, Maureen Magrata, Kathleen Mabini, Editha Sanchez, Angie Alison, Rodolfo Calma at Margieve Ortales.

“Let’s continue our thrust to achieve the honor of being the best government employees’ cooperative in the Philippines. Let’s boost further our members so that they will persist on being active,” pahayag ni Mayor Bong Gordon.

Umabot sa P1,900,000.00 ang kabuuang koleksyon ng OCGEMPCI noong taong 2007. Magugunitang nag-umpisa lamang sa halagang P600, 000.00 ang kooperatiba at ngayo’y umaabot na sa P9,000,000.00 ang pondo nito.





Si Olongapo City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. habang ini-aabot ang Certificates of Recognition sa mga payroll clerks ng Olongapo City Government Employees’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc.


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5 oil firms owe govt P4B in taxes, duties

Orders tighter examination of documents of oil shipments, especially those coming from the Ports of Manila, Subic Freeport, Clark and Batangas.

By William B. Depasupil Manila Times Reporter

The Presidential Antismuggling Group (PASG) and the Bureau of Customs are training their eyes on at least five oil firms, hoping to collect some P4 billion in back duties and taxes from grossly undervalued oil importations.

Undersecretary Antonio Villar, who heads the antismuggling group, identified the firms as Oilink International Corp., PTT Philippines Corp., Tri-Solid Corp., Mawab Resources Inc. and Andan Enterprises Inc.

Villar claims these firms committed tax fraud, which under the law should be penalized eight times the amount of the deficiency they incurred through misdeclaration and underdeclaration.

“The government stands to collect some P4 billion in tax deficiencies from [them],” he added. He said they are continuously monitoring the five oil firms on reports that Tri-Solid had shifted its operations from Subic to Cebu.

Villar’s group earlier exposed the tax fraud committed by Oilink, PTT Philippines, Tri-Solid, Mawab Resources and Andan Enterprises, which forced them to pay the government P482 million in back taxes and penalties.

Plus, if the oil firms are found guilty of defrauding the government of duties and taxes, Villar said, they will have to pay a total of P3.8 billion, based on the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines. This amount multiplied by eight the determined revenue loss of P482 million.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said demand letters were already sent to the five oil firms.

Morales said Oilink owes Customs P247.718 million. Unless payment is made, he said, Customs will auction the 8,500 metric tons of gas oil owned by the firm.

Charges have been filed against Oilink top officials Paul Chi Ting Co, chairman; Esteher Magleo, president; and 10 others.

The discrepancies in payments were divulged during post-entry audit of all oil companies and bulk shipments imported in the past three years. The demandable deficiencies are for gas oil importation discharged from the vessel M/T Pro-Giant in September 2004.

An investigating committee was able to uncover that Oilink only declared and filed entry for 26,964 metric tons of the 32,492 metric tons imported. The 5,528 metric tons of gas oil that was undeclared is rendered abandoned, since no formal entry permit was filed for it.

This translates to P132.21 million in foregone duties and taxes. Customs is also seeking additional payment of P221.28 million for penalties, equivalent to eight times the revenue lost under the amended Tariff and Customs Code.

PTT Philippines and Tri-Solid have also hundreds of millions of pesos in tax deficiencies that are now the subject of collection by Customs.

Morales earlier put on hold seven additional oil shipments of Andan Enterprises and Mawab Resources, pending payment of their back taxes and duties from previous importations.

The two firms also face possible investigation by the Bureau of Internal Revenue for possible tax evasion, particularly the possibility of discrepancy in input taxes and payment of value-added taxes.

Both firms were being investigated for grossly undervaluing their last two oil imports by P37 million. They denied the accusation.

Investigation showed Andan Enterprises had wrongfully declared at $286.05 per metric ton the value of its three entries of imported gas oil from Taiwan-based Formosa Petrochemical Corp. It was learned that the average value of imported gas oil amounts to over $500 per metric ton.

A similar case was discovered in the previous gas oil imports of Mawab Resources from South Korea. Customs records showed that Mawab had declared the value of its gas oil imports earlier this year at $344 and $286.05 per metric ton for its five entries that came in two shipments.

In a memorandum, Morales ordered tighter examination of documents of oil shipments, especially those coming from the Ports of Manila, Subic Freeport, Clark and Batangas, which handle most of oil imports coming into the country.

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SBMA issues ‘notice of violation’ to Hanjin

Freeport authorities noted violations might have been in place since the start of its operations

By Anthony Bayarong -Manila Times Correspondent

SUBIC BAY Freeport: The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority issued Monday a notice of violation to Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries Co.-Philippines, Inc. (HHIC-Phil), one week after a blast inside its work site killed two workers and injured several others.

In a statement from SBMA, the said notice was for “violations of safety standards” by the Korean firm, following investigations that indicated five out of 12 safety procedures listed by the Freeport authority were violated.

The five violations included the company’s failure to organize an effective safety and health committee and the absence of a company physician and safety officers. Also it was found that the work site had inadequate, even inappropriate personal protective equipment, as it lacked sufficient safety signage.

Ecology Center manager Amethay DL. Koval said the notice of violation carried with it corresponding fines and penalties for each violation noted.

She said the issuance of a notice of violation is part of the agency’s compliance monitoring protocol, which identifies safety and environmental issues and prescribes corresponding measures that the concerned company need to adapt or comply with.

“For each issue noted, we gave out appropriate requirements and the company would have to comply with these,” Koval explained, adding that HHIC-Phil has made efforts to correct some of the 12 safety issues noted during the investigation. “But we had to serve a notice of violation for the five safety issues we mentioned.

Among the more glaring lapses found by the SBMA Ecology Center’s Oc­cupational Health and Safety who investigated the incident was the revelation by Hanjin safety officers that not all workers in the shipyard were issued personal protective equipment.

Yet even those without protective equipment were allowed to work, with the HHIC-Phil management simply advising said workers “to take extra caution,” the report said.

In an interview with the Manila Times, Koval said that the violations might have been in place since Hanjin started its operation inside the free port in March 2007 and that they were still determining the total amount of fines the company will be charged by SBMA.

Once the amount is determined, Koval said Hanjin will be fined from March 2007 to the present or until the company has complied with required safety measures.

The statement added that the company is still awaiting approval by Hanjin’s parent company in Korea of its request to hire a company physician and a dentist, and to create a safety and health committee, which shall set occupational health standards and implement effective safety measures in the shipyard.

SBMA also confirmed initial findings that the fire, which killed two workers and injured four others, was due to leaking oxygen that was ignited by sparks from a grinding machine.

In its report SBMA said that the fire “may have been exacerbated by the presence of lube oil on the flooring” of the ship compartment.

In view of the lapses mentioned, Koval said the SBMA has required the Hanjin management to fast track the approval of its safety and health committee, to expedite the hiring of a company physician, to hire more safety officers on top of its 28 safety personnel, and to implement an emergency contingency plan, among others.

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SBMA fines Hanjin P50,000 a month for safety violations

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) penalized the Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation, Phils. (HHIC) P50,000 a month, until the five safety and occupational standards violations found are addressed by the South Korean shipbuilding giant.

The notice of violation (NOV) is in connection with the fatal accident that killed two Filipino workers and injured four others at the HHIC drydock on January 18.

Amethya dela Llana-Koval, manager of the SBMA's Ecology Center, issued the NOV based on five violations found, out of the 12 safety issues noted over the weeklong investigation following the accident.

None of the Hanjin officials were available for comment as of posting time. A certain Jo Abalos, Hanjin general affairs supervisor, initially agreed to comment but her staff later said she was not available and was in a meeting.

The five violations found pertained to the organization of an effective safety and health committee, the provision of a company physician, the provision of adequate and appropriate personal protective equipment, provision of additional safety signage, and provision of safety officers.

Koval in a telephone interview said each violation carries a fine of P10,000 for every month Hanjin fails to comply with the safety standards.

"This means [Hanjin] will be penalized with a maximum amount of P50,000 a month should they fail to comply with the safety standards we've set in the NOV," Joval said.

In a report last Friday to SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga and SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, the SBMA Ecology Center said it has issued a notice of violation to the Korean firm “for violations of safety standards."

“The HHIC-Phils has taken actions to correct some of the 12 safety issues noted during the investigation, but there were five issues for which we had to serve a notice of violation," Koval said.

Among the lapses found by the SBMA team was the revelation by Hanjin safety officers that not all workers in the shipyard were issued personal protective equipment.

The report added that the company is still awaiting approval by Hanjin’s parent company in Korea for its request to hire a company physician and a dentist, and to create a safety and health committee, which shall set occupational health standards and implement effective safety measures in the shipyard.

Last week, the SBMA ordered Hanjin to comply with all occupational health and safety standards as determined by concerned government agencies, including the SBMA. - John Bayarong, GMANews.TV

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Monday, January 28, 2008

Two die in healing priest's Olongapo vigil

Two persons died as thousands of people flocked to the Holy Trinity Parish in Olongapo City to have themselves treated by "miraculous" healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez, ABS-CBN News reported Sunday.

The report said the faithful, mostly ill people hoping to be healed by Suarez, started crowding the parish in New Cabalan village Saturday morning.

At 7 a.m., victim Victoria Umali was rushed to the hospital after suffering from a heart attack due to congestion of people waiting for the priest.

She died while being treated at a local hospital.

The second fatality was identified as Juanito Eleazar. He died at 2 p.m.

Aside from the two victims, several people reportedly collapsed due to intense heat.

Despite the incidents, people continued to flock to the church to get a glimpse of the healing priest. The crowd was estimated at 10,000.

Organizers appealed to the crowd to avoid pushing others to prevent injuries.

Some of the faithful, however, scored the organizers for lack of security measures.

ABS-CBN News tried but failed to reach Fr. Suarez for comment.

The Canada-based priest has been performing faith healing in the Philippines and the United States.

He began his "healing sessions" in the Philippines on January 11 at his Montemaria shrine in Batangas City. The Mass was officiated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.

The Catholic Church has since confirmed that Suarez's healing sessions are authentic.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, meanwhile, said it remains "watchful" of the priest's healing Masses and sessions. ABS-CBN

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Sunday, January 27, 2008

Jafza Int'l, signs MOU on development of Subic Bay Freeport in Philippines

Jafza International, the global economic zone operations arm of Economic Zones World signed an agreement with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for the development and regeneration of Subic Bay Freeport in the Philippines.

The signing, which took place during the official visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Philippines to the UAE, marks the enhanced two-way trade between the UAE and Philippines. Mrs. Salma Hareb, CEO Jafza and Economic Zones World signed the MOU with Mr. Armand Arreza, Administrator and CEO, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for an estimated total project investment of $200 million to $250 million over 3-5 years.

President Arroyo toured the free zone and port where she met a number of senior Dubai World officials including Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, Executive Vice-Chairman DP World and Group CEO Port & Free Zone World, Mohammed Sharaf, CEO DP World, Mrs. Salma Hareb, and Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director DP World, UAE region. Mr. Bin Thaniah gave President Arroyo a detailed presentation on the developments and global reach of the world’s fourth largest marine terminal operator, and the synergy between the port and free zone operations in Jebel Ali and abroad.

The Subic Bay agreement incorporates Jafza International’s proposal of the phased lease and consolidation of four areas within the Subic Bay Freeport to form an adjacent industrial zone within the Freeport as well as the renewal & re-alignment of a prestigious residential and leisure area. The four areas under deliberation are the industrial Technopark, Boton Wharf, Subic International Airport and the residential Cubi area.

Subic Bay is the former Asian Pacific base of the United States Navy and has been operated as a Freeport since the mid 1990s. The Philippine government has heavily supported the rapid expansion and development of Subic Bay and has been instrumental in upgrading the local infrastructure (expressways, railways and Clark Airport) in the area. The Subic Bay Area is slated to become a world-class destination for business, commerce and leisure in the Philippines.

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

Customs authorities foil cell-phone smuggling try

By janice - Manila Times

SUBIC BAY Freeport: Three boxes full of different cellular phone units were put on hold for alleged misdeclaration at the Subic Bay International Airport Friday afternoon.

Manila Times sources said the boxes containing the said cell phones were on board a FedEx flight, adding that these were declared only as communication equipment and that the owner only paid P48,000.

It was upon inspection of Customs authorities that the contents of the three boxes were ascertained as full of different cell phone units.

Sources at the airport added that the assessment of the boxes containing the cell phone units was deliberately undervalued, while its street value was estimated at around P700,000 to P1 million.

The source however did not reveal the name of the owner but only said that he was from Barangay Del Rosario, Pilar, Bataan.Anthony Bayarong

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Friday, January 25, 2008

Customs explains loss of P16b oil revenue

By Joel E. Zurbano - Manila Standard Today
Morales ordered the bureau's Internal Inquiry and Prosecution Division to place under investigation a ranking Customs official in Subic, who was tagged by Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief Antonio Villar as the one responsible for the rampant oil smuggling in Subic.

A CUSTOMS official brushed aside allegations of revenue losses due to oil smuggling, saying the discrepancies could be attributed to the separate computations of agencies and the tax-free importation of oil through the special economic zones.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said that all shipments of oil are fully recorded. He rejected the claim of Senator Francis Escudero that at least P16 billion in revenues was lost from the smuggling of 4 billion liters of oil. Escudero based his estimate on an average of P4 tax per liter.

The alleged smuggling cropped up during a Senate hearing where Customs officials revealed that 33 percent of oil importations went untaxed. Morales said there were discrepancies in the reporting of imports.

Morales said the differing sets of data reported by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Customs could be attributed to the separate computations of both agencies. For instance, BIR computes the oil tax on a per liter basis while Customs uses the per barrel valuation, according to Morales.

Likewise, Morales said that the oil and aviation fuel sold to in economic zones are tax-exempt.
Morales said based on Customs documents, a total of 84,081,542 barrels of crude oil was imported from January to December last year, with duties and VAT, amounting to P7,255,459,591 and P28,967,787,017, respectively.

He added the total amount of collection for 2007 on crude importation was P36,223,337,778 including other charges amounting to P91.170 million.

The value of crude oil imports was at P249.848 billion compared to 2006 at P225.531 billion with a 10.8 percent or P24.317 billion deviation.

Morales also ordered the bureau's Internal Inquiry and Prosecution Division to place under investigation a ranking Customs official in Subic, who was tagged by Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief Antonio Villar as the one responsible for the rampant oil smuggling in the area.

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Listen Up, Eye Rollers!

AIG's board of directors include Frank Wisner, Jr., a former Enron director. Wisner Jr., then U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, helped Enron win contracts to operate two Subic Bay power plants despite "fierce local opposition.

Eye rollers, people who condescendingly roll their eyes when confronted with truth, share common characteristics: apathy, naivety, and of course blissful ignorance. In addition, some eye rollers can be very dispassionate, as exemplified in the following separate scenarios:

While attempting to explain the illegalities of unwarranted surveillance, a friend replied – "As long as I am not doing anything wrong, I don't care if they listen to my conversations." While describing the potential tyrannical controls of Codex, another person responded – "I'll just stop taking vitamins." A friend borrowed a copy of Afghanistan After Democracy which photographically illustrates the horrendous birth defects caused by the ongoing use of depleted uranium by the U.S. government. Upon returning the book, that person said – "Well, lots of people have birth defects" implying that the cause is inconsequential and oh well, too bad! Rejection of these and other circumstances does not exempt media-dumbed-down American citizens from culpability or relieve victims from the consequences. What affects one citizen's liberty eventually affects all citizens.

Eye Rollers who read the daily papers assume they are well-informed. Thomas Jefferson warned: "The man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them; inasmuch as he who knows nothing is nearer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. It is a melancholy truth that a suppression of the press could not more completely deprive the nation of its benefits than is done by its abandoned prostitution to falsehood." It is currently legal to falsify or fabricate "news." "Media propaganda tactics include blackouts, misdirections, expert opinions to echo the Establishment line, smears, defining popular opinions, mass entertainment distractions," and the proliferation of the so-called conservative and liberal positions.

[i] According to a decision by the Florida Appeals Court on February 14, 2003 in the Jane Akre whistleblower lawsuit, the court agreed with Fox News who asserted that it is not against the law to distort or falsify the news in the United States. "The Court held that Akre's threat to report the station's actions to the FCC did not deserve protection under Florida's whistle blower statute, because Florida's whistle blower law states that an employer must violate an adopted 'law, rule, or regulation.'"
[ii] "Fair and balanced" Fox News, citing the First Amendment, asserted that there is no rule against distorting or falsifying or deliberately distorting the news on public airways in the United States. The Bill of Rights was designed to protect individual human rights, not the government or corporations. Apparently, corporations (inanimate entities) have appropriated those liberties due to the deliberately ambiguous Fourteenth Amendment.

The Florida Appeals court, in a questionable interpretation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy against falsification of the news, claimed that the FCC policy was not law but merely policy. Consequently, corporations decide what to "report," without consideration of truth.

[iii] Currently it is a crime for a private citizen to lie to a government official, but it is not a crime for a government official to lie to the people.

[iv] Lying is not a crime unless one "contracts" by their oath to tell the truth; that is why government officials resist testifying under oath. Bush and Cheney refused to testify under oath to the 9/11 Commission. With few exceptions, lying politicians are rarely prosecuted. Yet, citizens who perjure themselves often suffer harsh consequences. Despite high-priced lawyers and public support, Martha Stewart was jailed for lying, not for questionable stock transactions. She unwittingly entered into a "contract" with the court to tell the truth. The intimidating media-overkill sent a fearful message to the masses. "When the people fear their government, there is Tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is Liberty." Thomas Jefferson

"Five major media outlets filed briefs of Amici Curiae (friend of FOX) – to support the FOX position: Belo Corporation, Cox Television, Inc., Gannett Co., Inc., Media General Operations, Inc., and Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc." Highly profitable corporate broadcasters, through government complicity, and with the protection of the court, have seized the public airways and erroneously, but conveniently, shield themselves with the First Amendment. Well-compensated, often arrogant and belligerent, persuasive "pundits," without impunity, feign sincerity, propagate the party line and increase profits for their corporate employers. Contrary to the myth, they are not government watchdogs.

The airways belong to the people, not the government or corporations who are intimate partners. Corporate monopolization of the public airwaves will further increase with the FCC decision on December 18, 2007 to allow even greater media consolidation. Bush nominated Kevin Martin as an FCC member on April 30, 2001. Martin served as the Deputy General Counsel for the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2000 and participated in the Florida recount. Bush then designated Martin as the FCC chairman on March 18, 2005.

[v] Martin wants to end limits on media ownership by removing the "cross-ownership ban." This plan takes effect shortly if unimpeded. Since 1983, the number of corporations owning most newspapers, magazines, book publishers, recorded music, movie studios, television and radio stations has decreased from fifty to five.
[vi] Prior to his FCC position, Martin was Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. His wife, Catherine, was a spokeswoman for Cheney during the Valerie Plame fiasco and now works on Bush's communications staff.

[vii]Media corporations share board members with "other large corporations including banks, investment companies, oil companies, health care, pharmaceutical, and technology companies." Media systems, until the 1980's, were domestically owned, regulated, and national in scope. Together with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the U.S. government deregulated and privatized all communications media which "resulted in a global commercial media system dominated by a small number of super-powerful transnational media corporations (mostly U.S. based), working to advance the cause of global markets and the CIA agenda."
[viii]The 1934 Communications Act, and later the Fairness Doctrine (1949)

[ix] allowed equal time to opposing opinions. Mark S. Fowler, a communications lawyer appointed to head the FCC by President Ronald Reagan, aggressively opposed the Fairness Doctrine as well as the First Amendment. "He set about pruning, chopping, slashing, eliminating, burying and deep-sixing fifty years of regulations that guarded against monopolistic practices and excessive commercialism and protected the public interest standard." The Fairness Doctrine, along with diversity, fairness, equal time and objectivity was rescinded in 1987. Television and radio stations were no longer required to present both sides of important or controversial issues nor give equal time to candidates.

[x] Networks have called early election results affecting western voters and a whole plethora of issues. Elite-selected candidates are promoted while constitutional candidates are ignored or ridiculed.

For decades U.S. "news" has been fabricated. Radio Free Europe and the Committee for a Free Europe were big priorities for Truman and his crony, Frank Wisner. Wisner, a Wall Street lawyer, was a Navy censor, head of Office of Strategic Services (OSS) operations in southeastern Europe at the end of World War II, and the head of the Directorate of Plans (clandestine chief) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the 1950s. He was the OSS liaison to the Gehlen Organization, was a senior CIA official (from 1947 until 1965) and was involved in the overthrow of Arbenz in Guatemala (1954) and Mossadeq in Iran (1953). He was the first Director of the CIA's covert action wing called the Office of Policy Coordination (created 1948).

Wisner, along with Allen Dulles, Richard Helms and Phillip Graham (publisher of The Washington Post and husband of CFR/Trilateralist Katharine Graham) established Operation Mockingbird, the CIA program designed to completely control the U.S. media. The CIA collaborated with media-skilled Nazi war criminals who conveniently escaped the gallows after Nuremburg.

[xi] General Reinhard, Klaus Barbie, Otto von Bolschwing (Eichmann's crony) and SS Colonel Otto Skorzeny joined the CIA's perception management efforts.

"There's even evidence that Martin Bormann, Hitler's second-in-command at the end of the war, faked his own death and escaped to Latin America, where he worked with CIA-linked groups."

[xii] "We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." William Casey, CIA Director (staff meeting, 1981).

A real chip off the old globalist block, Wisner's son, Frank G. Wisner, Jr. (CFR, Bilderberger), was ambassador to the Philippines from August 1991 until June 1992. He is Executive Vice President of the American International Group (AIG), the world's third largest capital investment pool and a leading member of the World Trade Organization. Maurice Greenberg is the former chairman. AIG's insurance operations, including the entire period under Greenberg's leadership, have been connected to CIA covert operations. AIG purchased those six ports from Dubai. You remember those ports – U.S. citizens demanded that the government not sell the ports to Dubai. Well, they did anyway and then Dubai sold them to AIG.
[xiii]"Directly relevant to the post-9/11 events, current members of AIG's board of directors include former US ambassador and CFR member Richard Holbrooke, a major post-9/11 war advisor to the Bush administration and business partner of George Soros." The board included Frank Wisner, Jr., a former Enron director. Wisner Jr., then U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, helped Enron win contracts to operate two Subic Bay power plants despite "fierce local opposition."

[xiv] While in India, Wisner secured numerous "deals" for Enron. He left India only after Enron was firmly entrenched.

[xv]Wisner preceeded Paul Wolfowitz as United States Department of Defense Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from January 1993 to June 1994. In 2003, Frank Wisner, Jr. was co-chairman of a new independent task force report on Afghanistan cosponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations.

[xvi] He, along with Richard Armitage, is on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Middle East Peace and Development.

[xvii] Wisner is also a trustee with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

[xviii] Families that prey together get richer and accrue power with each generation.

Truman and Eisenhower were the first two presidents to introduce and mobilize propaganda as an official peacetime institution. It was a "war of words" and an "integral component of the government's foreign policy operation." Both Truman and Eisenhower employed propaganda and psychological strategy in order to promote the "Cold War" operation. In fact, much of the planning for the "Cold War" took place during the administration of these two presidents.

[xix]The unrestricted propaganda operation, without congressional oversight, was controlled by the president. This, along with unconstitutional treaties, increased presidential power while decreasing constitutional checks and balances. Presidential influence (intervention) metastasized outside of the country, especially with Reagan who was perfect globalist material. The "great communicator" was a "trustworthy" spokesperson who Americans supported. The perfect "persuader" led the U.S. into the highly profitable military buildup. He got help from abroad. Former Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos donated $12 million dollars to Reagan's 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns. That money, according to rumor, was used, in part, to "sabotage Carter's negotiations to free 52 U.S. hostages held in Iran.

[xx]The National Security Council (NSC) was created by Public Law 80-253, approved on July 26, 1947, a reorganization of the U.S. security apparatus. Its function was to advise the president (chairman of the Council) on "integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to national security and to facilitate interagency cooperation. At the President's direction, the NSC also assesses and appraises risks to U.S. national security, considers policies and then reports or makes recommendations to the President." [xxi] This legislation also provided for a Secretary of Defense, a National Military Establishment, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the National Security Resources Board."

[xxii]The NSC was organized with the following seven permanent members: the President; the Secretaries of State, Defense, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force; and the Chairman of the National Security Resources Board. The CIA Director reports to the NSC and can attend meetings and advise but is not a NSC member.

[xxiii] The Amendments Act of 1949 removed the three military services from NSC membership and added the Vice-President. Additionally, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was added as an advisor.

[xxiv]Harry S. Truman replaced the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), created June 13, 1942, with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1947. Truman struggled to regularize U.S. psychological warfare and the CIA which is not an intelligence-gathering operation – that misconception is one of the agency's greatest propaganda triumphs.

[xxv] "Despite its name, the Central Intelligence Agency's main purpose is, and has always been, carrying out covert operations involving economic warfare, rigged elections, assassinations and genocide. "The Association for Responsible Dissent estimates that 6 million people had died by 1987 as a result of CIA covert operations."

[xxvi] The CIA distorts intelligence to justify its own goals. This "disinformation" deceives policymakers and has resulted in organized terror throughout the world. Using the CIA, our government breaks national and international laws in the name of national security.

[xxvii]In addition to the CIA, Truman, careful never to use the word "propaganda" bypassed the wrangling National Security Council and, through a Presidential Directive

[xxviii] (addressed to The Secretary of State, The Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence) founded the Psychological Strategy Board (PSB), on April 4, 1951 as suggested by Gordon Gray, a CFR member, who was the Board's first director.

[xxix] Henry Kissinger was Gray's consultant. Gray worked for Frank Wisner's Wall Street Law firm, was a State Senator and also became a newspaper publisher – The Winston-Salem Journal and the Twin Cities Sentinel. He was the son of tobacco baron, Bowman Gray, chairman of the R. J. Reynolds Corporation.

There were two major purposes of the PSB: legitimize and institutionalize propaganda during peacetime and as a war of words during the orchestrated "Cold War" and to enable a president to commandeer congressional responsibility at the expense of the American republic. The Psychological Strategy Board was chaired by the CIA and consisted of the following:

(1) Undersecretary of State,
(2) The Deputy Secretary of Defense,
(3) Director of Central Intelligence,
(4) A representative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
(5) An appropriate representative or head of any department or agency of the Government as determined by the Board.

[xxx]On Thursday 26 July 1951, President Truman told the media that the Psychological Strategy Board was a part of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Board was terminated by Executive Order 10483 of September 3, 1953. Its functions were transferred to the Operations Coordinating Board (OCB). These agencies, without any congressional oversight, would assist in the ideological "war of words" against communism.

The CIA has published and disseminated hundreds of books promoting the official Cold War party line. Their newspapers and magazines throughout the world provides cover for their agents and allows the implementation of misinformation that consistently reaches U.S. audiences via the wire services which also "employs" CIA agents who prevent problematic facts from public exposure.

[xxxi]In 1977, Washington Post journalist Carl Bernstein (exposed Watergate with Bob Woodward) declared that over 400 US journalists were CIA employees "who have secretly carried out assignments according to documents on file at CIA headquarters, from intelligence-gathering to serving as go-betweens." A high-level source told Bernstein, "One journalist is worth twenty agents."

[xxxii] CIA media assets include ABC, NBC, CBS, Time, Newsweek, Associated Press, United Press International (UPI), Reuters, Hearst Newspapers, Scripps-Howard, and Copley News Service. The CIA had infiltrated the nation's businesses, media, and universities with tens of thousands of on-call operatives by the 1950's. CIA Director Dulles had staffed the CIA almost exclusively with Ivy League graduates, like George H. W. Bush, from Yale's infamous Skull and Bones (Brotherhood of Death) Society.

[xxxiii] So, who provides your perceptions?---

[i] Operation Mockingbird: CIA Media Manipulation By Mary Louise
[ii] The Media Can Legally Lie, Project Censored by Liane Casten, Spring 2003

[iii] Court Ruled That Media Can Legally Lie by Liane Casten

[iv] John Zube On Law, Donald M. Fraser

[v] Biography of FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin

[vi] More Media Disinformation? FCC Proposes Greater Media Consolidation by Stephen Lendman, Global Research, December 13, 2007

[vii] Ibid

[viii] Operation Mockingbird: CIA Media Manipulation By Mary Louise

[ix] Communications Act of 1934

[x] The Republican Noise Machine, Right-Wing Media and How it Corrupts Democracy by Steve Brock, p. 294-95

[xi] The CIA and Nazi War Criminals, National Security Archive Posts Secret CIA History Released Under Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 146, Edited by Tamara Feinstein, February 4, 2005

[xii] The Gehlen Org, The CIA's Greatest Hits by Mark Zepezauer

[xiii] Dubai firm sells US ports to AIG, December 11, 2006

[xiv] A six-part series, The United States in the Philippines: post-9/11 imperatives By Larry Chin, Online Journal Contributing Editor

[xv] Frank Wisner, Source Watch
[xvi] Wisner: 'Pivotal Moment' in Afghanistan, June 23, 2003

[xvii] Middle East Peace and Development

[xviii] Frank G. Wisner, NNDB

[xix] The Rhetorical Presidency, Propaganda, and the Cold War, 1945-1955 by Shawn J. Parry-Giles, Praeger Series in Presidential Studies, 2002, Introduction

[xx] A six-part series, The United States in the Philippines: post-9/11 imperatives By Larry Chin, Online Journal Contributing Editor

[xxi] National Security Council (NSC), Truman Administration (1947-1953)

[xxii] Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, Papers of Harry S. Truman, Staff Member and Office Files: National Security Council File, Date Span: 1947 – 1953

[xxiii] Ibid

[xxiv] Ibid

[xxv] Safe For Democracy, The Secret Wars of the CIA by John Prados, 2006, Chapter 5, The Covert Legions

[xxvi] Operation Mockingbird: CIA Media Manipulation By Mary Louise

[xxvii] The CIA's Greatest Hits by Mark Zepezauer, Odonian Press, http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/CIA%20Hits/CIA_GreatestHits.html, Accessed December 14, 2007

[xxviii] Safe For Democracy, The Secret Wars of the CIA by John Prados, 2006, Chapter 5, The Covert Legions

[xxix] Harry S. Truman Papers Staff Member and Office Files: Psychological Strategy Board Files, Dates: 1951-53

[xxx] Ibid

[xxxi] The Mighty Wurlitzer (the CIA's propaganda machine) from the book The CIA's Greatest Hits by Mark Zepezauer

[xxxii] Operation Mockingbird: CIA Media Manipulation By Mary Louise

[xxxiii] Ibidthepeoplesvoice.orgBy Deanna Spingola has been a quilt designer and is the author of two books. She has traveled extensively teaching and lecturing on her unique methods. She has always been an avid reader of non-fiction works designed to educate rather than entertain. She is active in family history research and lectures on that topic. Currently she is the director of the local Family History Center. She has a great interest in politics and the direction of current government policies, particularly as they relate to the Constitution. © Copyright 2006 by Deanna Spingola

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Senators to bare bigger smuggling exposés

By Angie M. Rosales - Tribune.net With Sherwin C. Olaes and PNA
With the can of smuggling worms opened in the Senate, more cans are vowed to be opened by senators, with the promise of more worms crawling out through a "big exposé" that may even rip open a claimed scam job at the Subic Bay office where import licenses are said to be sold for P1 million each, and where cases of smuggling are claimed to be quickly dropped and dismissed by the Department of Justice.

But there's more than the alleged P12 billion worth of revenues lost due to oil smuggling last year that the Senate recently uncovered during a hearing Wednesday and it is likely that the Senate will be conducting a thorough probe into this anytime soon.

Opposition Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II indicated that he has in his possession alleged damning evidence to expose this illegal smuggling activity, enough to move for a separate probe in the upper chamber.

"For the record, I have information which I will collate and formalize, from the oil companies themselves that show that this is not the case and I will look into that," he said during the proceedings called by the ways and means committee chaired by Sen. Francis Escudero.

Roxas made the statement as Department of Finance (DoF) and Energy (DoE) officials admitted to the ongoing oil smuggling of some four billion liters of oil which were unaccounted for last year even as they tried to wash their hands of on how they overlooked this matter.

Department of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes himself confessed, during an interview with reporters that oil smuggling is in existence, but also claimed they have no official figures to determine the extent of it, saying that he believes it is "sizable."

He made the statement in the light of revelations made by Escudero, noting the documents submitted by the DoE and DoF on the discrepancy in figures of imported oil accumulated last year, as only over eight billion liters were taxed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) while records from the Bureau of Customs showed tariffs imposed amounting to P24 billion.

Reyes himself, when this matter was brought up by both Escudero and Roxas, said there is a need for a technical working group (TWG) of the DoE to confer and reconcile the figures.

"We're comparing those coming in as (oil) importation and the consumption…because there may be some that are not taxed, " an official from the DoF said during the hearing.

"I understand that it's the technicality on how its calculated but from a DoF point of view. It would seem to me that it would be of interest that whether in fact the business of petroleum marketing including refining and distributing, was consistent with what was coming in into the country," said Roxas, adding that there is some unit inside that DoF that would be interested in.
"Their data show they do not monitor how much they should collect (in taxes) and this relates to the P50 billion plus of uncollected taxes (annual) other than the VAT (value-added tax) on oil," he said.

Escudero indicated that his committee is determined to dig deeper into the issue.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, however, is not convinced that Malacañang can curb rampant oil smuggling. "Under the administration of President Arroyo, there is no hope of solving smuggling, since a lot of her allies are involved. Up to now, they cannot reveal who is the godfather of smuggling in Customs. Why not? Why can't it be stopped? These are indications that this adminsitration can't or won't stop smuggling," he said.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson dared Malacanang and DoF to go all-out against rampant oil smuggling, "particularly in Subic to erase suspicions that there is a big businessman who is very close to the Arroyo couple involved in smuggling and to erase the suspicion that this smuggling has the blessings of the President. Billions of liters of oil products in Subic are being imported but these are not taxed. This has been happening for a long time now.

But Mrs. Arroyo is set to review the performance of Bureau of Customs chief Napoleon Morales whether he would be retained based on the Senate findings that the government lost four billion litters of untaxed oil due to smuggling passing from Subic Bay Free Port, in Pampanga last year, which the President considers as serious.
In a press briefing, presidential deputy spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo said the Chief Executive is already seriously looking into the Senate investigation the other day that grilled officials from the DoF and DoE who confirmed the smuggling activities.
Fajardo said the Chief Executive has tapped other agencies and the Presidential Anti Smuggling Group headed by Undersecretary Antonio "Bebot" Villar Jr. to conduct a parallel investigation and verify the Senate inquiry findings.

"We are talking of billions of pesos being lost by the government. The President has ordered this matter investigated and verify the senate investigation. We have to look into this matter first before we talk about on Morales retention or not from the position," she said.

At the same time, Fajardo said Malacañang is supportive of PASG's move to recover some P3.8 billion in damages and revenue losses as compensation against four petroleum firms found to have been engage in technical smuggling.

The oil firms Oilink International Corp.; PTT Philippines Corp.; Tri-Solid Movers Services Inc.; and Mawab and Andan Resources had failed to pay back taxes and penalties amounting to a mere P482 million.

The PASG in one of its operations caught oil firms involved in smuggling, but oil firms entered into compromises with BoC. PASG said government shortchanged of the amount paid, he said this would be brought to court to get the exact amount lost.

But it was also found that the Justice Department reportedly upon review of the cases, have been dismissing these.

Earlier, Villar charged the four oil firms have to pay a balance of about another P400-million for them to erase the stigma of having been caught defrauding the government through technical smuggling of fuel.

Villar agreed with some senators in urging authorities to force oil firms to open their books for scrutiny to find out if they conducted their business legally amid suspicion some of them have been involved in the multi-billion oil smuggling scam which they exposed earlier.

Villar on Thursday blamed the BoC for its 'lackluster' effort which resulted in rampant oil smuggling in the ports of Subic, Batangas and Cebu.

In a radio interview, Villar admitted the presence of unbridled oil smuggling in the country's three major seaports. He virtually blamed the BoC for "deliberately allowing illegal activities" to take place in these three ports.

"We should ask the Customs why it cannot stop oil smuggling. Ask them why they tolerate illegal activities to operate in our ports," Villar said.

He also chided Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales for allegedly "following orders" from smugglers instead of doing his job from keeping the bureau tainted with politics.

Villar said the BoC needs someone who is fearless in implementing the anti-smuggling law.
He said smugglers get away with impunity their illegal activities by using "connections" or the so-called "padrino system."

This has allowed smugglers to evade paying the proper taxes.

Villar said the PASG has already filed cases against oil companies like Tri Solid, PTT and Oil Link after they found them engaged in smuggling in the port of Subic in Olongapo City.

These companies had to pay hundreds of millions of pesos as advance penalty for tax evasion, he said.

"The PASG will also file cases against 11 signages engaged in oil smuggling," he added.

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Reyes, DENR execs under fire on award of DMCI mining deal

By Chito Lozada - Tribune.net
DENR-Region III executive director Regidor de Leon, with DENR Undersecretary Eleazar Quinto's knowledge and support, issued an order last Jan. 8 to implement an order of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes favoring DMCI over A3 UNA on overlapping mining claims in Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

Two mining firms — DMCI Holding Inc. (DMCI) and A3 UNA Mining Corp. (A3 UNA) — are locked in at least two pending court cases over a 3.5-hectare mining concession in Zambales, but the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has proceeded to award the mining area to DMCI without waiting for the resolution of the court cases.

DMCI, one of the largest mining firms in the country, is owned by the Consunji family. A3 UNA is a middle-sized mining firm engaged in small mining operations mainly in Zambales, which is said to have one of the richest nickel and chromite deposits in Asia.

DENR-Region III executive director Regidor de Leon, with DENR Undersecretary Eleazar Quinto's knowledge and support, issued an order last Jan. 8 to implement an order of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes favoring DMCI over A3 UNA on overlapping mining claims in Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

The DENR implemented the July 30, 2007 memorandum of Reyes, the current Energy secretary, despite knowledge of pending court cases, which A3 UNA has filed against DMCI.
A day before he was transferred to the Department of Energy as its secretary, Reyes issued a memorandum directing DENR to issue a provisional permit in favor of DMCI, but A3 UNA contested it by filing an injunction suit against DMCI.

A3 UNA secured a temporary restraining order from the court.

In January last year, A3 UNA filed with the DENR a foreshore lease application covering a two-hectare mining concession in Barangay Politoc, Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

A month later, A3 UNA filed an amended application to include the 3.5-hectare area, which is covered by the expired foreshore lease agreement of Acoje Mining Corp., the mining firm which did some operations there for almost 40 years before it closed shop.

DMCI opposed A3 UNA's amended application and subsequently filed for a foreshore lease, which covers part of the area applied for by A3 UNA. DMCI's application was in turn opposed by A3 UNA.

The source said the two firms' conflicting claims have escalated in an armed provocation, when a group of armed men, who introduced themselves as members of the 70th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, allegedly barged into A3 UNA property and harassed barangay residents, who were working on A3 UNA's ongoing loading port construction.

This prompted A3 UNA to file a criminal complaint against DMCI.

Despite the two court cases against DMCI, de Leon issued the Jan. 8, 2008 order that awarded the mining concession to DMCI. Quinto was said to have known De Leon's move, but the former did not lift a finger to do it despite calls to let the court decide the overlapping claims.

Last Jan.12, Quinto displayed "partiality" to DMCI and verbally advised A3 UNA officials led by Adrian Yu to yield to DMCI's position and that Yu would be "duly compensated."

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10 WWII bombs found in Olongapo school

By JESS MALABANAN - ABS-CBN NEWS

Ten World War ll bombs were dug up by pupils at the New Cabalan Elementary School in Olongapo City Thursday afternoon.

Police said the Grade 4 pupils found the bombs while digging up a portion of the school compound as part of a school project.

The pupils mistook the round metal objects for grenades and immediately informed their teacher, Milagros Aguilar, who then alerted the police.

Policemen and personnel from the explosives ordnance unit found four bombs in the school garden and another six bombs near the site. The bombs were brought to police headquarters in Camp Maquinaya.

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Welding Training Program

Gordon College and Mayor Gordon's Welding Academy continue providing welding trainings for Olongapeños.

The 2007 Accomplishment Report of Skills Training Center Director and City Councilor Edwin Piano forwarded to the Mayor's Office says several trainees have already completed various stages of training, as follows: 4,051 trainees on the Shipbuilding Orientation; 2,154 trainees on the Career Workshop Seminar; 312 trainees on the Flux Cord Arch Welding Seminar, 115 trainees on the Basic Computer Literacy; and 107 trainees on the Shielded Metal Arc Welding Level II.

The report also states that a number of trainees are now employed: 2,154 at Hanjin Shipbuilding; 103 at the Hanjin Construction; 240 at the different companies in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and 200 are now outside the Philippines.

Recently, 200 trainees passed the screening and initial interview for job opportunities in Australia.

Meanwhile, Gordon College (GC) President Dr. Arlida Pame, in the Literacy Program of the City Public Library at the Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP) encouraged inmates to avail of the GC's free welding training.

Mayor Gordon enticed the inmates to inform their family members and relatives regarding the said training, "Ipaalam ninyo sa inyong mga asawa, anak at kapatid na tumungo sa City Hall at magpatala sa welding training upang sa gayo'y makatulong sa pamilya kapag natanggap na sa trabaho," wika ni Mayor Gordon.

The Skills Training Program of the City Government is accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It provides a free yet high quality educational training and even behavioral, physical mental and emotional capabilities to the trainees.

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Mayor Bong's 2007 Infra Projects

The Olongapo City Government under the administration of Mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr. had twenty eight (28) infrastructure projects last year.

The City Engineering Office headed by OIC Asst. City Engineer Narciso Martinez submitted to the City Mayor's Office an Accomplishment Report that says thirteen (13) building projects and fifteen (15) roads and drainage projects were completed in the year 2007 amounting to P54,811,986.74.

Some of 2007 projects are the 6 x 12 meters waiting area or Taxpayer's Lounge which will be opening soon and the Channel Restroom at the Olongapo City Mall Complex which provides convenience to shoppers.

Pedestal lamp posts, curbs and gutters in Rizal Avenue have already been repaired and also the fence of New Cabalan's Landfill.

There were various schools which benefited from the infra projects of Mayor Gordon such as the elementary and high schools of Barretto, Gordon Heights, Kalaklan, Banicain. The Olongapo Center for Assistance Rehabilitation and Empowerment (OCARE) Building in Brgy. East Tapinac benefited too.

Skylight roofing of the East Bajac-Bajac Market was constructed simultaneously with the rehabilitation of the Male and Female Rest Rooms.

Meanwhile, Hansen St., (Brill St.-Davidson St., Brgy. East Tapinac), Bacon St. (E-9th St., Brgy East Tapinac), Washingotn ST., (National Highway, Brgy. Kalaklan) where all concreted while the manholes at E-21 St. (Mansion Bakery-Ardion St., Brgy. East Bajac-Bajac) and Irving ST., (E-14th St.-16th., Brgy Kalalake) have been fixed.

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208 skilled hands train for Hanjin Subic shipbuilding

SOME 208 Boholano skilled workers, the biggest delegation of local hands pooled by the Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO) leaves for Subic as an the opening salvo of another glorious year for local employment here, reports BEPO's Ma. Vilma Yorong.
The skilled workers, mostly electricians, welders and machine operators head for Subic to train and perhaps be hired to man Hanjin's multi-billion peso shipbuilding facility, the BEPO official said over the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, Thursday.

BEPO, which facilitates local employment by coordinating with manning and crewing agencies has been into a flurry of activities to hit the government target of easing out unemployment by matching local skills with the demands both local and overseas.

It also monitors the employment trends here to keep track of the province's still unutilized labor force.

Aside from BEPO, the local Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its Public Employment Service Officers in the towns have also been into jobs placement coordination with employment agencies and hiring companies, Terry Salas of the local DOLE added.

As this developed, employment here rose.8 points to 92.6% from a slightly lower figure in 2007, official records from the local DOLE state.

That however could be lower, agree both BEPO and DOLE agree.

Both Yorong, the assistant Public employment service manager and Salas, DOLE labor and employment officer bared that the figures may be lower compared to that if all the PESOs in the towns could have religiously reported their employment statistics.

Also, both Salas, who sat for DOLE Bohol manager Wilson Cenas, and Yorong, shared the positive employment prospects for Boholanos as the year opens.

Pointing to a feat, BEPO has deployed 173 local workers abroad, way above the 1-3 workers deployed monthly as a "good" indicator by the government labor agency.

Majority of those deployed were into domestic work and into the medical fields, Yorong reports.
Also with the brighter employment prospects in 2008, both authorities warned Boholanos seeking employment to be very vigilant about the scrupulous agencies conducting illegal activities, especially those without the DOLE special recruitment authority.

These people deal illegally and no way will the government be able to go after them, unless they be caught red-handed, authorities warned.

Most problems with illegal recruiters is that they demand money without assurance of work, contract amounts higher than the one's received by the worker and jobs not according to the contract. Several illegally contracted workers end up either abused or get at the losing end of the deal.

The lure of better pay abroad has always been top reason for workers aiming abroad, despite the fact that the value of the dollar has shrunk compared to the peso, authorities also agree.

The dollar they send home do not anymore enjoy the high value and so much is lost in their remittances.

Meanwhile, to arrest the situation, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the DOLE to review contracts of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to ensure that their remittances protection from fluctuations in the peso-dollar rate.

In Switzerlad, the President said wages of OFWs should be paid by foreign employers in dollars or pesos, whichever is stronger, to protect Filipino workers from monetary fluctuations.

The President said the contracts between foreign employers and Filipino workers should stipulate that they will be paid in pesos or dollars, whichever is stronger.

The President's directive is also one of the facilities under the government's hedging program that include the OFW bond which she is to unveil soon. (by Rey Anthony Chiu - PIA)

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Knightsbridge International and Wheelchair Foundation Donate Wheelchairs

Knightsbridge International and Wheelchair Foundation of USA donated hundreds of wheelchairs to Filipinos with disabilities last January 23, 2008 at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Through the efforts of City Mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr., thirty (30) differently-abled Olongapeños benefited from the donated wheelchairs.

Accompanied by Mayor Gordon and Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice Governor Anne Marie Gordon, two (2) of the thirty (30) beneficiaries from Olongapo City and Zambales personally received their wheelchairs from Sir Edward Artis of the Knightsbridge International and Ken Behring of the Wheelchair Foundation of USA during the turn-over ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo.

Some dignitaries also graced the event including former President Fidel Ramos, Senator Richard Gordon and Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Hermogenes Esperon.

The Wheelchair Foundation of USA and the Knightsbridge International are both international non-profit organizations dedicated to humanitarian missions.

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Bonggo Album Turns Gold

Viva Records has officially declared Olongapo City Mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr.'s Bonggo Album a Gold Record on the 23rd of January at the Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Mayor Gordon, with Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice Governor Anne Marie Gordon, received the Gold Record Award from Vic del Rosario of Viva Records.

Bonggo Album was a product of Mayor Gordon's passion for music. Some of his original compositions are Fighting for Excellence, Sibit-Sibit, Pilipinas Bayan Ko, Balimbing, May mga Tao, Pinoy Check ng Check at Songs of Love.

Meanwhile, Mayor Gordon expressed his gratitude to those who supported his album especially the Olongapeños and the members of Bonggo Band.

Mayor Gordon has been a member of Bonggo Band since his high school days. He was also a member of Ateneo Glee Club during his college days and of Houseboys during his term as Congressman.

Bonggo Album was released by Gapo Records and distributed by Viva Records.

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Thursday, January 24, 2008

Report: Hanjin committed 7 safety lapses

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A post-accident investigation conducted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority confirmed “inadequate safeguards” at the Hanjin shipyard and said the company had committed seven safety lapses that led to Friday’s gas explosion that killed two workers and injured five others.

By Ansbert Joaquin, Tonette Orejas - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

The SBMA’s Ecology Center, which oversees the operation of the freeport’s occupational health and safety division, cited the seven safety lapses in its report to SBMA Chair Feliciano Salonga.

Salonga immediately asked Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd. to correct the lapses.

“The need is immediate. I’m not giving them any leeway. They need to do it right away,” Salonga said when asked if Hanjin had been given a deadline to comply.

Hanjin management said the firm is complying with “international standards set forth for shipyard operations.”

In a statement, Hanjin said it has outlined standard emergency response procedures for all its shipyards.

Citing the Ecology Center’s investigation report, the SBMA said among the safety lapses were the lack of effective emergency response procedures and safety officers, especially in hazardous work places.

Hanjin also lacked proper inspection procedures to ensure the soundness of equipment and materials, the SBMA said, quoting the Ecology Center manager, Amethya Dl. Koval.

The report said the degree of burns on the victims indicated “inadequate precautionary measures in handling hazardous materials, and inadequate ... fire-extinguishing equipment.”

Hanjin also lacked safety or warning signs in high-risk and hazardous workplaces, the report said. It had no daily “toolbox,” referring to meetings that help remind workers on the hazards of operations.

The investigation also confirmed that only one nurse was on duty at the time of the accident. The company, it said, did not hire a company doctor.

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Subic Bay Nets $1.6-B Investment

Joseph Dela Cruz - AHN News Writer

Subic Bay, Philippines (AHN) - Total investment recorded by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last year was $1.6 billion or equivalent to 17-percent increase from the $1.42 billion peso in 2006.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said the total amount translates to 164 new and expansion projects that were registered last year, pushing the total cumulative investments to $5.4 billion.

According to Arreza, the biggest investment committed in 2007 came from Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., which poured in $684 million on top of its original $1 billion investment in 2006.

Arreza said the new investments represented "a growing line of business opportunities that investors now find in Subic. This, in turn, is reflective of the SBMA' s thrust to focus on the maritime industry as a core business, and in the continuing program to attract investors in logistics and tourism," he added.

Aside from the Hanjin expansion, a joint Taiwanese-Filipino venture in power production contributed the biggest chunk of new investments here in 2007. This was the Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc., which committed $431.6 million to put up a coal-fired thermal power plant near Hanjin' s shipyard site at the Redondo Peninsula.

Other investments were from ABG Shipyard Inc., an Indian company that will engage in ship building and repair with a capitalization of $100 million; Kyung An Co. Ltd. (Korean), with $80 million for a casino and hotel project; Paradise Consulting; Development Corp. (Korean), with $36.7 million for a condominium-type hotel and related leisure facilities; and Wide Tree Leisure and Development Corp. (Korean), with $12 million for a hotel and restaurant business.

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