Man held for shooting neighbor

By. Mamer Bañez - People's Journal

SAN Felipe, Zambales – A man shot his neighbor he accused of stealing his goat in Sitio Caarosipan, Barangay Apostol Tuesday morning.

Zambales police director Senior Supt. Rolando Felix said Armando Ticbe, 54, for no apparent reason shot Teofilo Cueva, 58, twice but missed.

A team led by Supt. Jerry Sumbad, 315th Provincial Mobile Group director, and Inspector Efipanio Deompoc, town police chief, nabbed the suspect who was hiding in the house ofhis neighbor, Lilia Labrador.

“Hindi siguro nakapagpigil yung suspek nang makita niya ang biktima kaya niya binaril, nagkaroon tuloy siya ng problema,” Sumbad said.

Recovered from Ticbe were a 12-gauge shotgun, three live ammunition and a shell.

The suspect was locked up in jail facing charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition at frustrated homicide.

SBMA’s mandatory workers training lauded

IBA, Zambales -- The local government here lauded the decision of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to require local and foreign construction workers to undergo mandatory safety orientation seminar before allowing them to work inside the Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. (HHIC).

Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso said a mitigating measure is being done to avoid deadly accidents at the shipyard where the safety of the workers is seemingly taken for granted..

“Based on SBMA records there were at least 15 serious accidents that took place in the shipyard since it started operation in 2006; how about accidents that were not officially recorded,” he asked.

“Sana noon pa nila ito sinimulan. Sana hindi na nagbuwis pa ng buhay ang ilan nating mga kababayan para lamang may makain ang kanilang mga pamilya,” he said.

The safety orientation seminar was required by SBMA in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The two agencies have both expressed deep concern over the rising number of work-related accidents at the shipyard.

“Starting September, the 120 shipyard workers and safety officers employed by both Hanjin and its subcontractors will attend the safety course to be be conducted by Occupational Safety and Health Center of DOLE,” SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said.

He said common among the fatal accidents in the shipyard involving Filipino workers were the refusal of the victims to wear personal safety gears, such as hard hats, safety harness or line and safety shoes, because they found it uncomfortable.

SBMA has warned that Hanjin subcontractors found violating regulations on occupational health and safety and other labor requirements would be dealt accordingly.

Based on record , of the 42 companies subcontracted by Hanjin for various operations at the shipyard, 18 have been terminated, including the UT Corp. which hired Efren dela Cruz, the 15th fatality at the shipyard. Ruben A. Veloria - Journal online

September is Civil Service Month

In observance of the 108th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service this September, our city government has lined up activities in celebration of the said occasion with the theme: “Republic Service- Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Panahon ng Paghamon.”

The Personnel office of the City government has lined up several activities to actively and meaningfully observe the said celebration,a memorable yet inexpensive and simple but responsive to the theme of the celebration.

“This year’s anniversary shall honor the significant role played by civil servants in national development and nation-building-highlighting individual and collective efforts to be responsive to people’s needs and enjoining civil servants to take pride in the nobility of their profession despite challenging times,” Civil Service Commission Chairman Ricardo L. Saludo said.

In compliance with CSC MC no. 8 series of 2008, the following activities have been prepared by the city government :

1 Billboard Display at the following sites: City Hall/ Marikit Park and Rizal Triangle (Sept. 1-30)

2. “Kick Off”
a. Flag Raising Ceremony: to be led by the City Administrator, Libraray, Brgy. Pag- asa (Sept. 1)
b. First Friday mass (by City Administrator, Tourism, Museum, PLEB, Convention, POPCOM –Sept. 5)

3. Job Fair by PESO (to be held at Subic Bay Freeport (Sept. 18-21)

4. One day lecture/Symposium on the ff:
a. DIMSUM Making Seminar with Livelihood Office (Sept. 12)
b. Team Building Workshop, DTI (Sept. 15)
c. Spirituality Seminar (Sept. 19)

5. Family Week by CSWDO (Sept. 22-26)

6.Closing Activities (Sept. 29)

a. Flag Raising Ceremony to be led by City Budget/ Brgy. West Tapinac
• Announcement of CSC Passers
• Employee of the Month/ Awarding

For inquiries, contact Ronald Manila at 222-2559 .

PAO/nmm

DELEGATES FROM PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND, U.S.A., TO VISIT OLONGAPO

A delegation from Prince George’s Count,y Maryland, U.S.A., composed of county executives and business leaders, is scheduled to visit the Philippines on October 4 to 9, 2008 including Olongapo City as part of their Asian Trade Mission. The delegation will be led by County Executive Jack B. Johnson.

“The main purpose of this trip is to bring together stakeholders from business and the government in order to enhance the mutual international commercial relations between the Philippines and Prince George’s County,” Johnson said in his letter to Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr.

“We are looking forward to discussing economic and cultural exports and to introduce our international business program to you as well as identify and develop opportunities for companies from the Philippines and the Prince George’s County to do business in prospective markets,” Johnson added.

The delegation is also slated to visit Laguna because of its potential to be a housing development area. Senator Richard Gordon will also be escorting the delegates throughout their visit in the Philippines.

Prince George’s County is the second wealthiest county in Maryland and is the wealthiest county of foreign-born Americans in the United States. The county aims to create a comprehensive business strategy centered in global markets.

Because of this, and also because of the East and Southeast Asia (ESEA) Conference to be held in Olongapo City on November, the whole city is in high gear for the preparations and maintenance of the city’s infrastructures and other facilities.

“Nananawagan ako sa lahat; we have to do our part para maging malinis at maayos ang buong lungsod at hindi lamang pagdating ng mga delegates kundi sana ay mapanatili pa natin ito. Kailangan, hindi dahilan ang mga okasyong tulad nito upang panahon lamang para kumilos, dapat araw-araw,” said Mayor Gordon.

“This is an important mission. Our businessmen must meet with the delegates para makakuha tayo ng investments at mapalago ang economy ng lungsod,” Mayor Gordon added.

PAO/Don

Taiwanese in Subic are happy

By Henry Empeño - Business Mirror

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—Taiwanese investors here “are very happy” that government efforts to harmonize customs systems and procedures with the free port of Clark are helping advance trade relations between Manila and Taipei.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said the recent automation of cargo clearance and releasing facilities in the free ports ironed out kinks in the flow of trade and investments from the island economy.

“Now, we will have an environment where investors can see that their goods are being handled on time and processed in a transparent manner,” Arreza said.

Signatoriesto an agreement adopting an automated cargo clearance and releasing facility between the free ports of Subic and Clark strike a unity pose. (From left) CDC president Benigno Ricafort, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, SCADC chairman Eduardo Pamintuan and SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.

“Our locators, particularly the Taiwanese firms, believe that through the harmonized immigration, customs and quarantine program, doing business in Subic and Clark will truly be at par with world-class standards,” he added.

The SBMA and the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the harmonized customs system last week, along with the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

In particular, the agreement bound the signatories to formulate, coordinate, implement and monitor an automated cargo clearance and releasing facility in Subic and Clark, and to adopt the government’s national single window (NSW) program.

The NSW, which was created under Executive Order 482, enables the single submission and synchronous processing of data and information so that the BOC may release cargo shipments at the earliest possible time.

To put the agreement to work, the parties last week issued a joint memorandum order (JMO) that outlined the administrative and operational provisions for automated cargo facilities and defined the responsibilities of each party involved.

The agreement was signed by Arreza, CDC president Benigno Ricafort, SCADC chairman Edgardo Pamintuan and Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.

Taiwanese locators from Subic and Clark witnessed the signing held at the Clark Free Port.

Pamintuan said the agreement also put to work the vision of establishing an economic corridor to fully open trade linkages with Taiwan, particularly the Taiwan Export Processing Zone Authority.

He explained that the JMO intends to make smooth and easy the way people do business by providing, through the NSW program, a more efficient, less costly and fully automated system for merchandise that are admitted, transited and transferred into and between the free-port zones.

“The MOA and JMO will facilitate a smooth and seamless transfer of goods and people from and to Subic and Clark, and the export processing zones in Taiwan,” Pamintuan added.

Arreza said the Subic Bay Free Port would benefit substantially from the agreement as it woos Taiwanese investors, particularly those involved in information and communications technology, electronics, software design and biotechnology.

In June the SBMA said it will waive rental fees for high-technology firms from Taiwan under a bilateral trade deal between Manila and Taipei.

The talks also resulted in an accord to grant reduced tariffs to Taiwanese manufacturers in Subic and Clark, and the assistance by Taiwan experts in training Filipino workers in integrated circuit design.

SBMA ends accreditation of 18 Hanjin subcontractors

EIGHTEEN of the 42 subcontractors of the biggest shipbuilding facility in Subic Bay Free Port have been ordered terminated and their accreditation were revoked for violating regulations on occupational health and safety and other labor requirements and for failure to secure proper accreditation.

These sub-contractors include UT Corporation, whose worker Efren dela Cruz became the 15th fatality at the Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) shipbuilding yard at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The other subcontractors whose accreditations were not renewed are: Electro Dynamics Construction Development Inc., AFR Construction & Development Co. Inc., Canall Corp., Ron Daniel Construction Corp., Traffic Control Product Corp., General Corp., Geoscience Technology, A.V. Subia Garden, Beton Bau Phils. Inc., Doublefold Construction Corp., Inyoung Phils. Inc., Jeil Sanup Corp., KMI-KJK Inc., LC Builders & Developers Inc., R.P. Alejandro Construction Inc., Wierig Industrial Products Inc., and I. Stone International Corporation.

As this developed, the SBMA authorities with the cooperation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will conduct a mandatory safety orientation on all HHIC-Phil construction workers starting next month.

All construction workers employed at the Subic Bay Free Port’s HHIC-Phil shipyard will undergo a mandatory safety orientation course starting next week to help address safety concerns at the $1.6-billion shipbuilding facility.

The training was required by the SBMA and DOLE, which have both expressed alarm over the number of fatal accidents at the shipyard since 2007.

“This will be a basic safety orientation course for construction workers, including safety officers, employed by both Hanjin and its subcontractors,” said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.

“Everyday, starting September 1, there will be 120 shipyard workers attending the safety course,” he added.

The safety appreciation courses, which will be conducted by the DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Center, will cover five topics each day.

The primary target audience for the courses are safety officers employed by Hanjin and its subcontractors. These key personnel are then expected to echo the topics discussed among employees belonging to their respective work units.

Arreza explained that the safety orientation course was necessary because investigations of the 15 fatal accidents in the shipyard indicated some safety lapses committed by workers themselves, aside from those by subcontracting firms. By: Jess V. Antiporda - Journal online

HHIC bags two more capesize bulker deals

HHIC expects to pick up more bulker sales this year.

SOUTH Korea’s Hanjin Heavy Industries Co said on Friday it has won a contract for two capesize dry bulkers, a day after announcing a capesize contract for one vessel from Shanghai’s Sealink.

HHIC said the latest order, from Germany’s MPC, is valued at Won214.7bn ($197.9m). Both vessels will be delivered by February 2011, following construction at the company’s Pusan shipyard.

HHIC’s sales manager Y S Kang spoke of the company’s disappointment at not gaining more containership sales this year, which would have brought more work to HHIC’s new mega-yard at Subic Bay in the Philippines.

“I think you will see us pick up more bulker sales,” he said. “There is no demand for containerships out there. We are very disappointed.” By Mike Grinter - lloydslist.com

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

CIVIL ENGINEER
CPA
MOLDING TECHNICIAN
TEAM LEADER
HR SUPERVISOR
CUSTOMS PROCESSOR
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
ACCOUNTANT ASSISTANT
ACCOUNTANT
SALES ASSISTANT
CAFETERIA COOK
PURCHASING ASSISTANT
ENGINEERING STAFF
SAFETY PATROLMAN
WATCHMAN
PURCHASING / PROCUREMENT STAFF
HR / ADMIN STAFF
DEPUTY MARKETING MANAGER
SALES ASSISTANT
STORE MANAGER

Fifth freedom’ rights eyed for Kuwait-Subic/Clark flights

By Henry Empeño - Business Mirror

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Philippines and Kuwait have begun bilateral talks on liberalized civil-aviation policies that would entitle designated airlines of both countries to operate from the free ports of Subic or Clark to any point in Kuwait and vice versa.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said the broad terms of discussions included provisions for “Fifth freedom rights” that essentially allows an airline to carry passengers from intermediate points between the two contracting countries.

“This will be a big shot in the arm to both the local aviation and tourism industry,” Arreza said on Thursday, pointing out that airports in both Subic and Clark could accommodate passenger and cargo flights.

“The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport [DMIA] in Clark would probably benefit the most because it’s already established as a commercial airport, but our own Subic Bay International Airport [SBIA] could still play catchup,” Arreza added.

Arreza said the initial round of discussions for the prospective Kuwait-Clark/Subic routes was concluded during the visit to the country of Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheik Nasser al-Mohamed al-Alhmed al-Jabber al-Sabah from August 14 to 16.

Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, chairman of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council, and Fawaz Alfarah, president of the Kuwait Civil Aviation, signed the record of discussion on August 15.

A copy of the record of discussion showed that the two parties agreed to specifically entitle designated airlines of both countries to operate air services from Clark/Subic to any point in Kuwait, and from any point in Kuwait to Clark/Subic, “with any number of frequencies and with any type of aircraft.”

The two parties also agreed that such air services along these routes “shall enjoy unlimited frequencies with Fifth freedom traffic rights both for passenger and cargo flights.”

The Fifth freedom rights as discussed, however, specifically provided that any point in the United States “shall not be served as an intermediate or beyond point of destination.”

The discussion also provided that Kuwait shall grant designated Filipino airlines serving the Kuwait-Clark/Subic routes a 10-percent discount on fuel and 15-percent discount on ground-handling services.

Arreza said formal negotiations for these agreed-upon items are expected to be held soon between the respective civil-aviation authorities of the two countries.

Once the agreement is sealed, the SBMA “expects to better market Subic as a destination for international tourists, as well as a logistics hub,” he added. While Clark has lately attracted several airlines flying international routes, the Subic airport has been used mostly for domestic flights and logistics operations by FedEx.

SBMA records indicate that from January to July 2008, a total of 57,998 domestic aircraft and 6,840 FedEx flights used the SBIA.

The Subic airport, which has a 10,000-sq-m passenger terminal and is equipped with an upgraded instrument landing system, now serves as a secondary airport and a main diversion airport of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. It can accommodate as many as 41 passenger planes at a time, including wide-bodied aircraft like Airbus A340-200s and Boeing 747-400s, SBMA airport officials said.

Arreza said the SBIA could expect more international passengers once the Kuwait-Subic route is established.

BB. OLONGAPO CANDIDATES

http://binibining-olongapo.blogspot.com/

The latest batch of candidates of Bb. Olongapo was presented last Monday during the flag raising ceremony at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center. Eighteen candidates comprise this year’s batch of candidates who will vie for the crown and represent the city in the different beauty pageants around the country.

City Councilor and chief of Task Force Tourism Gina Perez presented the eighteen candidates from the different barangays of the city. She also announced the different activities lined-up for the candidates.

The swimsuit competition will be on September 13, 2008 and the grand pageant night will be on October 26 at the Olongapo City Convention Center.

Here is the complete list of the names of the candidates:

• JHARELYN DEONNE Q.ESDUERRA

• CAMILLE D. CAMIA

• MEGGAN SHINEW

• LOUISE ANNE DE GUZMAN

• ADRIANNE SHANE M. MENORCA

• JAYLYN UBALDO

• MARIE JOYCE LISCANO

• ABBIGAILLE C. MASANGKAY

• PRISCILLA KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ

• TIMIKKO P. SANTOS

• ANGELEE CLADETTE DELOS REYES

• HOLLEE IVY M. LUNA

• JOY ANNE N. CORNEJO

• ANGELICA RIVERA

• KRISTA DANIELLE RUANO

• JAYRINE JOYCE UBALDO

• QUENNIE ROSE TAPANG

• GLACHELLE O’CONNOR MATIAS

SEARCH FOR BINIBINING OLONGAPO 2008 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

August 30- Charity Day( Social Development Center)

Sept. 13- 6pm Swimsuit Presentation and Press Conference
(Wild Orchid Resort)

Oct. 4- 7pm Pre- Pageant Night, Talent and Presentation (Oriental Paradise Casino)

Oct. 11- Clean –up Day

Oct. 18- 1 pm Personality Development Training(Olongapo City Convention Center)/ Pre-Judging(Anne Raquel’s Resort)

Oct. 25- Bb. Olongapo Motorcade

Oct. 25- 7pm Bb. Olongapo Candidates at the Mardigras

Oct. 26- 7pm Bb. Olongapo Grand Pageant Night

Nov. 3- Winner’s Circle Courtesy Call to the City Government

According to Kaye Reyes, one of the organizers, this undertaking “aims to recognize the finest maidens in the city and eventually crown the most deserving lady to be the epitome of the young Filipina, modest yet assertive in facing today’s modern times. The pageant also endeavors to forge partnerships with various agencies and organization from the public and private sector, may it be the local or national scene.”

The candidates who passed the preliminary screening possessed the following criteria: Filipino citizen, a resident of Olongapo , 18-25 years old , at least 5’4” in height and charming, intelligent and with grace.

The winner of this pageant will have the chance to represent the city in the national beauty pageants, and will receive a cash prize.

Inquiries may be directed to Ma. Kathrina S. Reyes at 0918-934-1380 or call Ms. Maureen Magrata/Mr. Rionyl Cercado at 224-1471 or 0929-889-4255.

Hanjin men required to take safety course

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Workers of the Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) will undergo a mandatory safety orientation course starting next week to help address safety concerns at the company’s $1.6-billion shipbuilding facility here.

The training was required by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which have both expressed alarm over the number of fatal accidents at the shipyard since 2007.

“This will be a basic safety orientation course for construction workers, including safety officers, employed by Hanjin and its subcontractors,” said SBMA administrator and chief executive officer Armand Arreza.

“Every day, starting Sept. 1, there will be 120 shipyard workers attending the safety course,” he said.

The safety appreciation course, which will be conducted by the DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Center, will cover five topics each day.

The course is primarily targeted at safety officers employed by Hanjin and its subcontractors. They, in turn, are expected to impart the lessons to their respective work units.

Arreza said the safety orientation course is necessary, as the investigation into the 15 fatal accidents in the shipyard showed that the workers themselves had committed some safety lapses.

“There were cases when workers refused to wear hard hats because they found them uncomfortable. So we have to really inculcate a culture of safety among the workers, too,” he said.

Aside from the safety orientation course, health and safety experts of the DOLE and SBMA also conducted training at the Hanjin shipyard recently, according to the SBMA Occupational Health and Safety Office.

One of these safety courses was conducted by the DOLE’s Bureau of Working Conditions and the Association of Safety Practitioners Inc., a private safety group.

A DOLE team has also been conducting a five-day construction safety training since Tuesday, with 58 participants from Hanjin and its subcontractors.

As part of the SBMA’s action plan to foster safety at the Hanjin shipyard, Arreza said they will set up an office at the site, to be manned by occupational health and safety personnel and employees of the SBMA’s labor department.

“We (at the SBMA) want to establish a strong presence at the shipyard, so we can enforce adequate control,” he said.

Meanwhile, Arreza gave assurance that Hanjin subcontractors that were found to have violated regulations on occupational health and safety and other labor requirements “won’t be tolerated by the SBMA.”

Of 42 companies subcontracted by Hanjin for various operations in the shipyard, he said 18 have been terminated due to infractions or failure to secure proper accreditation.

These subcontrators included UT Corp., whose worker Efren de la Cruz was the 15th fatality at the Hanjin construction site.

The other subcontractors whose accreditation were not renewed are Electro Dynamics Construction Development Inc., AFR Construction and Development Co. Inc., Canall Corp., Ron Daniel Construction Corp., Traffic Control Product Corp., General Corp., Geoscience Technology, A.V. Subia Garden, Beton Bau Phils. Inc., Doublefold Construction Corp., Inyoung Phils. Inc., Jeil Sanup Corp., KMI-KJK Inc., LC Builders and Developers Inc., R.P. Alejandro Construction Inc., Wierig Industrial Products Inc., and I. Stone International Corp. – By Bebot Sison Jr. With Ric Sapnu - PhilStar

Anti-drugs Groups cited

The City Council of Olongapo, led by Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, passed a ‘Resolution of Appreciation’ for the witnesses of the transfer and destruction of five million pesos worth of dangerous drugs recently on Trece Martirez, Cavite.

The resolution was approved unanimously by the city council on July 30, 2008 and was signed by City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. on August 20, 2008.

The groups that were the witnesses to the transfer and destruction of drugs in Cavite are as follows: Senior Citizens, Bagumbayan Volunteers, Ulo ng Apo Radio Club (DX3-UNA), Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Sanguniang Kabataan- Olongapo City, Columban College, Katipunan ng mga Bantay ng Bayan ng Pilipinas (KABAYAN) and the Knights of Columbus.

The drugs, weighing over seven hundred (700) kilos were confiscated the Subic Bay Freeport on May 28, 2008 and is estimated to worth over five million pesos (P 5M).

The drugs were ordered to be burned by the Hon. Judge Raymond Viray of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in line with Section 21 of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2008”.

The Dangerous Drugs Board through its implementing arm, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), disposes and confiscates drugs such as opium, marijuana and shabu.

The groups and NGOs were commended for their steadfast dedication in the war against drugs.

“Ituloy-tuloy pa natin ang ating laban sa droga,” Mayor Gordon said. “Kaya’t dapat patuloy tayong magsagawa ng mga sports programs at iba pang pwedeng pagka-abalahan ng mga kabataan upang hindi sila malulong sa masamang bisyo.”

DX3UNA ASSISTANCE TO FIRE DEPT COMMUNICATIONS

Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and Olongapo Bureau of Fire (BFP) Fire Marshall C/Insp. Jonas Silvano awarded a certificate of recognition to Ulo Ng Apo Radio Group DX3UNA

The group was recognized for their continued support to the objectives and activities of the city on August 26, 2008 at the flag raising ceremony held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center. The group recently donated several battery packs of handheld radios to BFP.

It can be recalled that Silvano said that his major goal is to ensure that the equipment used by BFP are in good condition and fully functional.

“Part of our current program is to upgrade the equipments at dati wala na kaming gumaganang handheld radios which are instrumental for an effective and efficient conduct of fire operations but with the help of an NGO, the Ulo ng Apo Media Group, we are able to acquire battery packs of handheld radios,” Silvano explained.

“Nung huli po akong nagsalita, I said that I accept the challenge para maging the best fire station in the entire country ang BFP Olongapo and we are currently working on that. At ngayon, I am happy to announce that two of our fire trucks are now upgraded and in working condition,” Silvano said.

Mayor Gordon was grateful for the media group’s donation. Like Silvano, Mayor Gordon wants the equipment of the city to be in tip-top shape and upgraded so efficient public service can be rendered.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., City Councilor Edwin Piano, Olongapo Bureau of Fire (BFP) Fire Marshall C/Insp. Jonas Silvano, DX3UNA President Rudy Dalluay and members of the Ulo ng Apo Radio Group during the awarding of the ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for the said group.

OKTOBERFEST KICK-OFF PARTY!

The Olongapo Business Club, together with San Miguel Corporation will once again be hosting the Oktoberfest kick-off party for Northern and Central Luzon on September 5, 2008 from 4 pm onwards at Ramon Magsaysay Drive (RM Drive). Various fun-filled activities will be held in-line with the kick-off party.

A Grand Parade will open the activities which will start at 3 pm. The parade will consist of five competing floats from which the one adjudged as most fitting entry will the P30, 000 cash prize.

A “Beer Toast” will also be held simultaneously with Olongapo in Ortigas Center, Sta. Rosa Laguna, Cebu City, Iloilo City and Davao City. This will be aired in national TV by GMA 7.

Various local bands will also perform and before the night ends a nationally known band will perform to highlight the night’s festivities.

An assortment of booths, merchandises, games and other activities can also be seen in the said event.

For more information, you may contact the City Tourism Office (047 224 14 71) and look for Kaye Reyes.

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

QC INSPECTOR
ASSISTANT QUALITY ANALYST
FRONT DESK ASSISTANT
LICENSED CIVIL ENGINEER
WAREHOUSEMAN
FACILITY TECHNICIAN
FRONT OFFICE CLERK
INCOME AUDITOR
ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE HEAD / SAFETY OFFICER
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
WAITER /RIDER
ACCOUNTING CLERK / BOOKEEPER
HR SUPERVISOR
SERVICE HOST

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

QC INSPECTOR
ASSISTANT QUALITY ANALYST
FRONT DESK ASSISTANT
LICENSED CIVIL ENGINEER
JANITOR
WAREHOUSEMAN
FACILITY TECHNICIAN
FRONT OFFICE CLERK
INCOME AUDITOR
ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE HEAD / SAFETY OFFICER
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
WAITER /RIDER
ACCOUNTING CLERK / BOOKEEPER
HR SUPERVISOR
SERVICE HOST

‘GAPO, TESDA KABALIKAT AWARDEE

Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. received two (2) trophies from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently during the 14th Kabalikat Awards under the local government unit category.

Mayor Gordon, along with City Councilor and Sangguniang Panlungsod Labor Committee Chair Edwin Piano received the award from TESDA Sec. Augusto ‘’Boboy’’ Syjuco, TESDA Deputy Director-General for Fields Operations Rogelio C. Peyuan and Deputy Director-General for Sectoral TVET Milagros Dawa-Hernandez.

One of the major merits of Olongapo for receiving the award was the establishment of Olongapo City Technical Education Center (OCTEC) which became a community center and is now Gordon College, one of the premier educational institutions in the city.

The college, along with TESDA holds free trainings like housekeeping, welding and computer education. Over six thousand (6000) Olongapenos have already trained under the program and more are still undergoing training.

The trainings, which are TESDA accredited, usually run for six months and afterwards, the trainees, receive a ‘certificate of completion’.

The ‘Kabalikat Award’ is a TESDA annual institutional award. It aims to give recognition to the different institutions which has helped TESDA to strengthen and continue technical education and skills development.

Awardees in the LGU category also include the Office of Congresswoman Nanette Castelo Daza (NCR), Municipality of Tadian (CAR), City Government of Passi (Rgion VI), Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte (Region IX), Office of Congresswoman Thelma Z. Almario (Region XI) at City Government of Bislig (CARAGA).

The awarding ceremonies was held also in celebration of the 14th year anniversary of TESDA on August 14, 2008.

Mayor Bong Gordon at the awarding of ‘’14th TESDA Kabalikat Award’’. Together with Mayor Gordon are (from R-L): Deputy Director-General for Sectoral TVET Milagros Dawa-Hernandez, DOLE Under-secretary for Labor Relation Romeo C. Lagman, TESDA Secretary General Agusto ‘’Buboy’’ Syjuco and TESDA Deputy Director General for Communities and Local Government Unit Services Pastor Z. Guiao.
PAO/Don

Subic learns to deal with monkey business

By Anthony Bayarong - Manila Times

SUBIC BAY Freeport: Smuggling,shabu, second-hand SUVs, accidental deaths of workers at the Hanjin shipyard, and a 22-story high-rise apartment built in the middle of the forest are the few issues that made the news in Subic.

This time monkey business is the issue, quite literally involving the monkeys in the free ports rich and diverse wildlife, which is one of its biggest tourist attractions.

Nature and development sit side-by-side in this free port, Ameth Dela Llana-Koval, manager of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) explained, adding that it is not unusual for one to see snakes or wild boars crossing roads, or long-tailed macaque monkeys entering housing areas and raiding trash bins.

And this has been a problem recently as some residents and locators have lately expressed concern about wild animal becoming too comfortable with people.

According to Koval, they have been receiving some complaints lately, mostly about monkeys becoming too aggressive in their foraging, overturning garbage cans and invading properties.

This problem has prompted SBMA to team up with Wildlife in Need (WIN), a non-profit organization undertaking habitat protection and restoration, community-based action programs, public education, and professional training for wildlife protection.

We just have to learn how to deal with situations when we encounter wild animals, said WIN President Gail Laude, who presented a slideshow to residents and locators describing the appearance and behavior of wildlife endemic to the Subic Bay Freeport.

Laude said it would be advisable for residents and visitors here to know how animals look like when they are afraid, defensive, confused or angry, so that untoward incidents could be avoided.

Monkeys, for example, bare their fangs when they are afraid, Laude said. But you would know they are really angry when you see them pull their lips back at the same time that they show their fangs.

Other animals, like the monitor lizards, swish their tails when they are defensive.

Laude said that the best thing that people should do when encountering wild animals is to stay at a safe distance and to leave them alone.

Another rule, she added, is not to feed the wild animals, and to secure trash bins in order not to attract wild animals.

Laude said her organization believes that even with the fast-paced development of Subic, wildlife protection and conservation would still be possible in this free port where boundaries have been set to ensure that development will not creep into the habitats of wild animals.

There will always be that kind of conflictthe competition for space, Laude said, adding that there is a way for humans and wildlife to live together and have enough space and freedom.

Koval clarified that while there is now a growing demand for residential and commercial spaces in Subic, the SBMA makes it a point not to sacrifice nature for industrialization.

She added that of the 55,102 hectares of land in Subic, the SBMA has classified a 3,000-hectare area as core ecological zone that environmentalists refer to as a no-development zone.

This serves as a wildlife sanctuary for the 122 animal species and 745 plant species that can be found in Subic, she added.

SEARCH FOR THE MOST CHILD-FRIENDLY BARANGAY

Nitong ika-26 ng Agosto 2008 ay inilunsad na sa Olongapo City ang ‘The Search for the Most Child Friendly Barangay’ na proyekto ni City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

“Ito ang kaunaunahang pagkakataon na magsasagawa ng ganitong proyekto ang lungsod at Olongapo City lamang ang natatanging lungsod na may ganitong proyekto,” pahayag ni City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head, Gene Eclarino.

Ang proyektong ito ay naglalayong mapigting pa lalo ang pagiging ‘child friendly’ ng lungsod sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatatag ng pundasyon simula sa ‘grassroots level’.

“Kailangan child friendly ang mga barangay ng isang lungsod dahil dito sa grassroots level nagsisimula ang lahat,” paliwanag ni Eclarino. “Hindi magiging ‘child friendly’ ang isang lunsgsod kung hindi ‘child friendly’ ang mga barangay nito.”

Ang labing pitong (17) mga barangay ng lungsod sa small and big barangays upang maging patas ang kumpetisyon. Ang paghahati ay ayon sa populasyon, geographical area at ang budget appropriation.

“The main objective of this competition is to recognize the efforts and the initiative of the barangay officials through the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), ito ang nagsisilbing policy making body, na siyang magi-implement at magmo-monitor ng mga programs and services na may kinalaman sa mga bata,” dagdag pa ni Eclarino.

Ang mga programa ng barangay ay tumutugon dapat sa four basic rights of children: ang right to survival, participation, development at protection. Ang mga ito ang magsisilbing susi upang maitanghal na ‘Most Child Friendly’ ang isang barangay.

Kasama sa mga programang ‘child friendly’ ay ang mga scholarship programs, mga health programs tulad ng feeding programs, mga rehabilitation programs, social development centers, sports programs at iba pa.

Ang mga barangay ay dapat na magsubmit ng mga kinakailangang data na nagpapakita ng performance ng kanilang mga programa para sa kabataan. Kasama na dito ang health programs, educational programs, justice system, childhood care and development at ang dissemination ng kaalaman at impormasyon sa komunidad.

“Maganda na nag-iinvest ang isang lokal na pamahalaan sa mga children, dahil ika nga, kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan at sila ang iiwanan nating responsable upang mangalaga sa ating lungsod. Dapat laging itaas ang karapatan ng mga bata,” pagtatapos ni Eclarino.
PAO/Don

Malls, other public places to serve as polling centers

Manila Bulletin

Shopping malls and other similar public places would serve as polling centers in the future where voters can cast their votes as easy as withdrawing cash form an Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

In a forum over the weekend, Sen. Richard J. Gordon said voters will no longer have to troop to the provinces to vote.

“In the future, one only has to go to the mall, find an automated polling machine, and cast his or her vote. The idea is they can vote only once. If they do that in other machines, they will immediately be barred to vote again,” said Gordon, author of the automated elections law.

Gordon expressed confidence that the experience in the autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) can be replicated in the next elections in 2010.

The automated elections in ARMM were successful despite the unstable security situation, inadequate communication and transportation infrastructure, as well as the prevalence of illiteracy and widespread poverty in the region.

Gordon noted that despite the lack of time for massive voter education, the voters in Maguindanao generally described their voting experience as “easy and amazing.”

Vince Dizon, spokesman for Smartmatic-Sahi, the company which provided the technology used in the ARMM polls, said the success of the pilot test in Maguindanao proved that the country is ready for full automation come 2010 and beyond.

In the ARMM automated elections, more than 2,000 teachers in Maguindanao had a first-hand experience in using the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines in the voting and counting process.

“It was Sen. Gordon’s efforts in the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on election automation that pushed the Comelec to ensure automation of the ARMM elections. We owe it to him that we were able to successfully pilot test the technologies in preparation for the 2010 national elections,” Dizon, who was at the same forum, said.

Giyerang MILF vs gobyerno: ‘LQ lang yan’ – Gordon

Naniniwala si Senator Richard Gordon na tulad ng isang mag-asawa ay nagkakaroon lamang ng tampuhan o lovers’ quarrel (LQ) ang pamahalaan at rebeldeng grupong Moro Islamix Liberation Front (MILF) at sa di kalaunan ay manunumbalik ang kapayapaan saq Mindanao at magpapatuloy ang usaping pangkapayapaan.

Ayon kay Gordon, nagawang magtampo ng MILF matapos na mabigong ,aitupad ang pinasok na pamahalaan na Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

“The peace process is just like a marriage – we have to continue the dialogue, we have to continue trying to fix our shortcomings, we have to continue strengthening the peace. And peace is strengthened when you see it being beneficial to the public, if there is education, if there’s economic development; if there’s security, consistency and transparency in everything that will happen when the peace process starts,” ani Gordon

Iginiit ni Gordon na ang paglagda at pagpasok sa naturang kasunduan ay lubhang madali subalit ang pinakamahirap ay ang pagpapatupad nito.

“We properly lay the groundwork for peace by explaining to those who still are not able to understand it, there’s got to be considerable amount of patience and hard work to try and tell the people who will be affected what the law of the land would be,” dagdag ni Gordon.

Binigyang-diin pa ni Gordon na dapat ay magkaisa ang bawat isa anuman ang relihiyon at pinagmulan sapagkat tayo ay pare-parehong Filipino naman.

Atienza vows to review coal plant proposal

By:Ira Karen Apanay - Manila Times

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday assured the residents of Iloilo City that it would study all the matters and issues related to the proposed coal-fired power plant before issuing an environmental clearance certificate.

I assure everyone that we are always on the side of sustainable development and lower cost of power and electricity for Iloilo, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said.

Atienza also stressed that before the DENR would issue an environmental clearance certificate, it would make sure that the project would conform to the highest standards of sound environmental performance, economic advantage to the country and its acceptability to stakeholders.

We are weighing all options very carefully and scrutinizing any and all related issues to the setting up of a coal plant, Atienza said.

Environmental groups like Greenpeace have expressed objections to the setting up of the coal-fired plant and have been asking the government to be serious about exploiting the renewable energy sources that are abundant in the country like sun, wind and geothermal energy.

International climate experts said coal was a major contributor to destructive global warming because aside from it being the dirtiest, it also happened to be the most carbon intensive of all fossil fuels.

Greenpeace said coal emits 29 percent more carbon per unit of energy than oil and 80 percent more than gas. It is also one of the leading contributors to climate change, it added.

Burning coal also releases massive amounts of substances such as mercury and arsenic that are toxic to human health and create acutely detrimental effects on developing economies and hosting communities.

Aside from the 165 MW plant in Iloilo City, the government currently has at least eight coal-fired plants lined up for construction or expansion in the country: the 300 MW expansion in Pagbilao, Quezon Province; the 200 MW each in Naga and in Cebu; the 300 MW expansion in Masinloc, Zambales; the 100 MW in Concepcion, Iloilo; the 300 MW in Olongapo, Zambales; and the 150 MW in Sultan Kudarat.

While we are satisfying all the environmental questions, I want to emphasize that as far as protecting the environment is concerned, we are one with all the advocates of environmental protection, even as we listen to the arguments of those who are against this project, Atienza said.

Atienza explained that the matter of granting or turning down the environmental compliance certificate for the project remains pending because of careful studies being undertaken.

Responding to charges of anti- coal-fire plants, Atienza said that the plant to be set up in Iloilo is reportedly similar to that of a plant operating in Taipei.

I went to Taipei along with independent experts to assess the technology. I would like to tell you that what I saw was impressive, Atienza said.

Atienza explained that the coal-fired power plant in Taipei was located inside an industrial zone producing microchips. This required a pollution-free environment since the production of microchips was very sensitive.

In other words, there is such a thing as a pollution-free coal-fired power plant. If that is the technology that will be used in Iloilo, definitely I am impressed. But if the technology does not pass our judgment, we should not approve it, Atienza said.

OLONGAPO TOURIST POLICE

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. along with Colonel Abelardo Villacorta, Head of Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) formally launched the tourist police of Olongapo composed of twenty-six (26) members during the Flag Raising Ceremony last August 19.

The tourist police group was organized through the coordination of OCPO, Taskforce Tourism headed by Kagawad Gina Perez, Disaster Management Office (DMO) and City Tourism Office.

During the launching, Colonel Villacorta encouraged the people of Olongapo to take part in maintaining peace and order in the city.

“Hindi lang tungkulin ng pulisya na panatilihin ang katahimikan ng Olongapo, may role rin na dapat gawin ang bawat Olongapeño,” Villacorta said.

The tourist police, composed of members from the Mobile Lead Group of OCPO from the different police stations of Olongapo.

With the used of mountain bikes given by Mayor Bong Gordon and First Lady Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon the tourist police will patrol the different tourist spots in Olongapo.

The tourist police members went through a two-day seminar before their deployment.

‘Customer Service’, ‘Communication Skills’, ‘Tour Guiding’, ‘History of Olongapo’ at ‘City Tourism Collaterals’ were some of the topics discussed during the seminar/workshop.

A rolling tour was also part of the two-day training.

Several outposts will be constructed beside the Olongapo City Mall, Ulo ng Apo and in Brgy. Barretto as offices of the tourist police.

“Ang programang tourist police ay nagsimula sa panahon ni Senator Richard Gordon noong siya ay Secretary ng Department of Tourism,” said Gina Perez of Taskforce Tourism.

“Iri-revived natin ito sa ating lungsod para mas lalo pang umunlad ang industriya ng turismo dito,” she added.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. together with Councilor Gina Perez, Head of Taskforce Tourism, Colonel Abelardo Villacorta, Head of Olongapo Cito Police Office (OCPO) and the twenty-six (26) members of the tourist police during the launching of the group last August 19, 2008.
PAO/melai

Principals, tuturuang gumamit ng Internet

Tuturuan ang public school principals na gamitin ang Internet upang palawakin ang kanilang kaalaman tungkol sa mga pinakabagong pamamaraan sa pagtuturo.

Sinabi ni Education Secretary Jesli Lapus na bilang pasimula, tuturuan mag-online ng Department of Education sa tulong ng Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional center for Educational Innovation and Technology, isang South East Asia-based educational institution ang may 1,600 principals sa bansa sa ilalim ng DepEd Excels (Excellence in School Leadership in Southeast Asia.)

“The combination of online classes , individual coaching through the Internet and face-to-face sessions will help maximize group and individual learning while ensuring that the outputs are produced by the principals themselves,” paliwanag ni Lapus.

“By upgrading their competencies, we optimize the principal’s leadership and management capabilities while updating them on the latest trends in curriculum and instruction,” dagdag ni Lapus.

Samantala, pinapurihan ni Lapus and Olongapo City National High School sa pagkopo ng anim na parangal sa Classroom and Excellence Awards na itaguyod ng Singapore-based Asia Europe Foundation.

Lahat na tatlong entry ng OCNHS, sa pamumuno ng kanilang principal na si Dr. Helen Aggabao, sa Classroom Awards at tatlo pang entry sa Excellence Awards ay nanalo sa online website contest o online learning platforms.

Sa naturang e-learning o virtual classroom, maituturo at magkakaroon ng talakayan ang member-countries.

Country’s realtors, builders set meet at Subic

Manila Bulletin

The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA) will hold its 2008 national convention with the theme “Managing Land and Environment for Today’s Communities – Best Practices and Success Stories” a the Subic Bay exhibit and Convention Center on Oct. 23-25.

CREBA national president Reghis M. Romero II and overall convention chairman Angel G. Vivas Jr. said a convention forum will focus on “Imperatives on Land for Food, Shelter and Energy” with Department of Agriculture Sec. Arthur C. Yap; Environmental Management Bureau Director Julian D. Amador and Habitat for Humanity Ms. Margarita Moran-Floreindo, as invited panelists.

Romero said, “Agricultural growth rate has consistently declined over the years, and at two percent, it is the lowest in the region. Food sufficiency and productivity are not directly proportionate to land size as shown by the United States, Israel, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

These countries are major exporters of their excess agricultural products. The Philippines should replicate their successes for the benefit of our people.

“Certain laws have reserved land for housing and other urban uses, such as Presidential Decree No. 399 which sets aside 500 meters on each side of the national road or 1,000-meter strip along such road for the purpose. Republic Act No. 7274 or the Urban Development and Housing Act or the Lina Law, mandates the inventory, identification and acquisition of land for socialized housing. RA 7160 or the Local Government Code authorizes the local government units to reclassify land into different uses. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) is already in place with 85 percent of the LGUs having enacted their respective Land Use Plans.

“CREBA takes the position that these laws prevail over RA 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Therefore, the Department of Agrarian Reform has no jurisdiction over lands which are identified for non-agricultural purposes to said laws.

“Like food, shelter is also one of man’s basic needs. Government estimates the housing backlog at 1.5 million units.

CREBA estimates an annual production of 600,000 units for the next 20 years to eradicate homelessness.

“Real estate development and housing are the vanguards of urbanization which, in turn, represents an important path way out of rural poverty. The industry has a very high multiplier effect of 16.6 on the economy, where for every P1 million spent on housing, P166 million is contributed to the economy. Millions of workers and at least 68 million allied industries rely on its activities and growth.

“Land of conversion, estimated at a measly 0.36 percent, has practically no effect on rice production. Housing and real estate development should therefore not be blamed for the failure of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“Instead of using land to plant ethanol as am alternative source of energy, it is suggested that government tap our abundant natural sources of energy such as natural gas, ocean, geothermal, solar, wind, hydro electric, biomass and coal.

“The answer is a comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) that addresses the land requirements of the various sectors, aimed at economic growth. Agricultural lands should be zoned or mapped according to crop suitability, weather and economic advantages. A physical framework based on CLUP can serve as an effective guide to be a balanced land use.”

Pay yourself first: Does it really work?

By Ma. Salve Duplito - INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines--If financial planners are to be believed, the road to wealth is paved with things like "paying yourself first" -- a clever way of saying automatic savings should be at the top of your priorities. In other words, pay yourself first before you pay the electric, telephone, cable television and other bills.

It sounds deceptively simple. You"ll find financial gurus David Bach (Start Late, Finish Rich), George Clason (who wrote the 1926 classic The Richest Man In Babylon) and Efren Ll. Cruz (Pwede Na: The Pinoy Guide to Personal Finance) preaching that if the government can automate taxes, you can do the same thing with personal savings.

That means you set aside a chunk of your income automatically every month even before you see your paycheck, and put the money in a "no-touch" investment account and leave it there to grow. Then live on what is left of your income, even it means switching to cheaper brands, taking the jeepney, canceling magazine subscriptions or doing extra work.

Some financial professionals go as far as saying this principle is the golden rule of personal finance. Started early, it allows you to earn interest from interest (magic of compounding). It begins the discipline of saving. Forced to live on a smaller income, it makes you conscious of your lifestyle choices. It gives you the satisfaction that giving up certain perks now means your golden age will truly be that: happy and secure.

It is also easier said than done. That money could be used for many other things. It can pay for gas, the grocery bill this month, tuition, or the new computer Junior needs -- all necessities, really. Some of us have tried to do it once or twice before, or an unforeseen emergency caused us to dip into the kitty. That normally becomes the end of the story.

There"s also the hard nosed reality Filipinos have to deal with: almost half of the population live below the poverty line and many are in debt.

How in the world can people who live on minimum wage pay themselves first?

Perhaps the more crucial question would be, does this really work in the Philippines where poverty is high, interest on savings are extremely low and loan sharks are more accessible than banks?

"Paying yourself first is for everybody," says Cruz in an interview.

As chairman of Personal Finance Advisors, Cruz has worked with hundreds of individuals and organizations on how to build personal wealth. He once shared how a janitor who worked in Quezon City built a sizeable savings by religiously socking away money and doing other odd jobs. He says that when most people say they don"t have enough income to save, the truth is they are just living beyond their means.

When that"s the case, people spend first and then save what is left of their income. That almost always ends up in zero savings or living in debt. The key is to jump in through forced savings, and live on what's left.

"In preparing for a financial event, the fastest way to accumulate funds is to save, which is paying yourself first. Investment only hastens such accumulation, but everything starts from saving," he says.

The strategy, however, goes beyond just savings. It also means looking at what's left to spend on and adjusting your lifestyle even if it means cutting the cable connection or chucking the mobile phone.

Needs commitment
It needs a lot of commitment. It also requires much creativity. To make it work, all consumer debt should be fully paid.

"It has to start from taking a serious look at how money is spent, then maybe rearranging the family budget to allow for such savings, and even assessing whether the family income is really enough. Paying off debt is part of rearranging the family budget," Cruz says.

Most Filipino families will have to attack both sides of the equation. If expenses can no longer be squeezed, then increase income by doing extra work or starting a small business on the side. That's Cruz' holistic approach to building wealth.

To make the "pay yourself first" strategy work, financial experts say you have to make saving painless. Here are some tips to make this happen:

1. Pay your debts. There"s no use trying to build up wealth if you are paying 42 percent per annum on consumer loans, or even more to the "5-6" operator next door. Just paying off your credit cards frees up P42 out of every P100 in your budget. That"s truly a painless way to save money.

2. Automate savings. Open a separate account and arrange with your bank to transfer funds automatically at a certain day of the month. If you don"t see the money, don"t touch it, saving it becomes painless. If your bank can't do this for you, transfer your money to another one.

3. Transfer the funds to a higher-yielding savings, trust or investment account. Better still if the funds are locked in. You can look, but not touch. Reevaluate every year if returns match your goals, but stay clear of scams that offer returns that are too good to be true. Invest only in vehicles you understand.

4. Pretend you didn't get a bonus or a raise. You"ve lived on your income for a year, how much more difficult would it be to live on the same amount this year? Take out a small amount of fun money (say 5 percent), then add the rest to your investment account.

5. Invest unexpected windfalls. Filipinos are great at planning, especially when it"s about spending some unexpected commissions, gifts, inheritance, earnings from a sideline or other kinds of sudden windfalls. Get out of the habit of spending money you have not yet received. Instead, sock it all away and make it grow. Filipino blogger Digerati Life (http://www.thedigeratilife.com) shared how this technique has helped her make great progress in her savings program.

6. Look for new ways to earn more. Sidelines and "rackets" (make sure they are legal) increase the amount you pay yourself regularly. Ask businessmen friends what needs they have that you can provide. Perhaps you can earn extra by sharing your expertise among your friends. This is the age of knowledge workers -- Swarovski and jewelry makers are not the only ones who can make a living out of their spare time.

Logistics hub groundbreaking

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to lead on Monday the groundbreaking ceremony of the US$1.025-billion Global Gateway Logistics City at the 2,500-hectare Clark Civil Aviation Complex.

The business is expected to generate 35,000 jobs.

Arroyo is expected to arrive at the aviation complex at 2:00 p.m. to lead officials of the Clark International Airport Corporation (Ciac) and Kuwait Gulf and Links (KGL) for the groundbreaking rites and time capsule laying to set up a world-class 167-hectare Global Gateway Logistics City.

Ciac President and chief executive officer (CEO) Victor Jose Luciano and officials of the KGL headed by president Mark Williams last July 16 sealed an agreement at the Ciac Corporate Office for the establishment of the Global Gateway Logistics City.

The logistics hub is set to be the largest in the Philippines.

The logistics project will complement the National Government's grand plan to develop a logistics and services hub in the Subic-Clark Corridor and the development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The agreement paves the way for the creation of 30,000 to 35,000 jobs and would benefit the surrounding communities of Clark Freeport Zone as well as Northern and Central Luzon.

DMIA is being geared as the next Premier International Gateway and Logistics Hub.

The first stage of the project costs US$25 million. It includes the development of infrastructure such as roads, lights, fence, landscape, sidewalks, utilities, and access points.

The second stage costs about US$1 billion for the construction of facilities and buildings.

Arroyo will also witness the time capsule laying between Luciano and Peregrine Development International president Dennis Wright who is the prime contractor of the multi-billion state-of-the-art project at DMIA.

The KGL group will brief the President on the overall business project.

Other officials include Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president Narciso Abaya, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) chairman Rizalino Navarro, and CDC president Benigno Ricafort.

Alexander Cauguiran Ciac executive vice president will also be there with Nestor Mangio the chairman, and Bienvenido Manga vice president for operations and general manager.

"We're very excited about the opportunity in signing a partner with Ciac and we're looking forward to a long partnership for both organizations," said Williams.

"Ciac is very proactive in terms of business and were looking forward to bring other Kuwaiti and other Middle Eastern businesses at DMIA and the Philippines," he added.

Williams also said the establishment of the Global Gateway Logistics City located at the Industrial Estate Five "will have a significant multiplier effect to the surrounding communities of Clark and to the Philippines."

Williams said the construction of the project will take at least 24 months and the construction of the facilities and buildings, within the timeframe of seven years.

The KGL project will be an aviation-related and dependent business including but not limited to warehousing, distribution, multi-nodal logistics, light manufacturing alongside complementary business operations and facilities to support aviation-related activities within the Civil Aviation Complex of the airport.

KGL will occupy at least 167 hectares of land within the civil aviation complex for the development of a combined-use logistics hub and techno park.

The project is located at the Industrial Estate Five near the Yokohama Tire Philippines and other Japanese firms in the area.

The KGL investment company is an international alternative investment firm engaged in private equity, venture capital and investment banking.

KGL is a global leader with over 50 years of experience in transportation, logistics, stevedoring, passenger transport, warehousing, supply chain management, and port operations.

KGL's current operations include Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Tunisia, Oman, Namibia, Morroco, Pakistan, Germany, Ireland, Cayman, Mauritius and Egypt.

Ciac has started plans for the development of the Terminal 2 project for DMIA which aims to increase passenger capacity to seven to eight million annually.

Last April 4, Arroyo led the inauguration of the expanded terminal of DMIA which increased passenger capacity to two million annually from its previous 500,000 passengers.

An in-flight catering facility has been set up inside the aviation complex which is being managed and operated by Miascor and Gate Gourmet Philippines which produces around 1,500 meals per day for air carriers operating at the airport.

DMIA is averaging 50 flights per week and it is expected to increase due to the entry of more air carriers such as TransGlobal Airlines and Spirit of Manila Airlines.

The two airlines are set to mount flights at the airport this year that would benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the country as well as those working in the Middle East and the Asian region. By Reynaldo G. Navales - SunStar

Flawless caravan

Catch the “Flawless” caravan with endorsers Lorna Tolentino, Richard Gutierrez, Judy Ann Santos, Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras and more on Aug. 21-28 in Farmers Cubao and Olongapo. Get a chance to ask the stars their beauty secrets/papogi pointers. Eye to eye encounter for some skin talk.

SBMA probes 18 Hanjin contractors

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has started investigating the subcontractors of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines Inc. in the wake of workers’ deaths inside the shipyard of the Korean company here.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the agency’s investigation of the latest death at the shipyard, involving Efren de la Cruz who was electrocuted on Aug. 12 while working at Hanjin’s motor pool, yielded a troubling pattern among the subcontractors.

“In all the deaths, the common problem is that these workers were not wearing, or did not have, their safety gear or PPEs (personal protective equipment). Either they were not given any, or they weren’t using it for some reason,” said Arreza.

De la Cruz, hired by Hanjin subcontractor Unicorn T (UT) Corp., died before reaching the San Marcelino Hospital. He was the 15th worker reported to have died while working at the shipyard. On Aug. 7, Arvy Mahinay, 19, who was employed by Hanjin subcontractor Bodahh Inc., died when he fell from a roof while retrieving his helmet that was blown off by the wind.

Poor judgment

In a statement, the SBMA said De la Cruz was electrocuted while working at the shipyard’s motor pool. He and four other workers were using an electricity-driven tool when the accident happened, the SBMA said.

Pyeong Jung-yu, Hanjin general manager, earlier said De la Cruz died after a heart attack. Yu said they did not report De la Cruz’s death immediately to the SBMA or the Department of Labor and Employment because he did not die in an accident.

Arreza said most of the deaths could be attributed to “poor judgment on the part of the worker or workers involved in an accident and/or negligence on the part of Hanjin or its subcontractors.”

Fake papers

He said UT Corp., which is owned by a Korean, had faked its certificate of registration and tax exemption (CRTE), a document that allows them to operate within the Subic Freeport without paying duties.

“We found out that UT Corp. was using fraudulent documents while conducting our investigation into De la Cruz’s death. Also, they were not giving their workers the proper benefits, or paying their SSS (Social Security System) contributions. Plus, most of their workers did not have the proper safety gear, like De la Cruz,” he said.

The SBMA has since banned UT Corp. from doing business inside the freeport while Hanjin has terminated its contract.

Arreza said the SBMA began cracking down on the subcontractors in July, after worker Benje Gamolo died that month when he was hit by an eight-ton steel beam.

At least 18 of 42 Hanjin subcontractors were either unregistered or had expired registrations, SBMA reports said.

“Without the registration, they (subcontractors) cannot work. For those subcontractors [who have] expired registrations, they can continue [operating in the free port]. [There is] automatic renewal if they have no violations,” said Arreza. by Robert Gonzaga, Inquirer Northern Luzon

Politicos, speculators grabbing SCTEx sites

By FEDERICO D. PASCUAL Jr. - Philippine Star

CLARK FIELD (PLDT/WeRoam) — Work has been going on furiously here to put back the interchanges of the P27-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) that had to be dropped when funds were ambushed by “commissioners” along the 94-kilometer road.

The dropping of the vital Clark interchange has embarrassed President Gloria Arroyo, the patroness of the Clark industrial-tourism zone who has been boasting that this signature project in her home province would spark the rapid development of Central Luzon.

But how can the SCTEx serve Clark, its main client, without an interchange through which raw materials can be received from the Subic port and finished products trucked back for export?

To plug the gap, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority has borrowed some P6.4 billion more from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The JBIC already lent earlier some P23 billion for the entire length of the expressway and the missing interchanges.

* * *

WORK RUSHED: One interchange is being rushed near the Yokohama Tire factory in South Clark, and one each in the towns of Floridablanca and Porac, which are adjacent to this former US air base.

There is another interchange near the Expo Filipino (also known as the Ramos White Elephant) but officials are representing it as an extension of Panday Pira road. Why the fuss over what to call it when it is clearly an interchange because it has an exit and an entrance to the SCTEx?

Officials of BCDA assure us that the Panday Pira interchange will be finished before the yearend and the other one near Yokohama by Feb. 14 as a Valentine’s Day gift.

The interchanges at Porac and Floridablanca may take longer (possibly later next year), because the roads to which they will connect are to be built by the Department of Public Works and Highways, which is not known to work that fast.

* * *

SLOW POKE: Some BCDA officials are afraid that if they rush the Porac and Floridablanca interchanges and complete them without the DPWH roads, they would be accused of having put up White Elephants.

They do not want a repeat of the embarrassing “Bridges to Nowhere” of President Arroyo erected by the British firm Mabey & Johnson even where there was no river or creek to span or in the absence of connecting rural roads.

(The scandal did not faze the local runner of M&J. Emboldened by his Palace connection, he has reportedly found a new principal, a French firm, selling steel bridges that are reportedly 2.5 times more expensive than comparative European bridges in the country.)

Engineers said the Porac and the Floriblanca interchanges are actually not as urgent as Yokohama and Panday Pira in Clark, but that the projects are political commitments of somebody in Malacañang.

* * *

SPECULATORS: But the biggest news here at the moment about the interchanges is the frenzied real estate transactions and speculation involving business-minded politicians.

Some technicians tell us that while the owners of land hit by the interchanges have to haggle to get a good price under expropriation proceedings, speculators and officials with insider information gobble up adjacent property at higher prices.

One landowner with property near one interchange is being offered in court only P150 per square meter, while well-connected officials and their business associates have cornered adjacent property for much more.

One interchange being eyed with suspicion, also with jealousy, is the interchange in barangay Dolores in Mabalacat. This is in addition to another interchange, also in the same town, in barangay Mabiga where motorists from North Luzon Expressway enter SCTEx.

We have not heard of a good explanation for the redundancy. Having two interchanges in one town and adding two more right in Clark does not seem to make sense to many observers.

* * *

DESERTED ROAD: A drive through the SCTEx prompts one to ask how the expressway can pay for itself with its scanty traffic.

Driving from Clark to Subic and back, for instance, one hardly sees other vehicles on the road. At the toll rate being charged, the road will not be able to earn enough for its upkeep, much less to pay for the P27 billion borrowed from Japan to build it.

That is just vehicular traffic, most of which consist of a few weekenders and sightseers. As for the trucks and vans supposedly laden with raw materials for the factories in Clark, one hardly sees them.

Despite its obvious design deficiencies, the road is a beautiful experience for Filipinos used to bad roads and who have not traveled abroad. The scenery is still pleasant — until the strip beside the expressway starts getting dotted with squatter shanties and billboards, which may not be far off.

* * *

NO TURNING: Motorists should be warned that there is no exit or U-turn anywhere between Clark and Dinalupihan in Bataan, which are about 50 kilometers apart.

If one enters the expressway and changes his mind or realizes a mistake about which direction he should take, there is no way he can turn around. He has to drive the entire length between Dinalupihan and Clark to go back.

As for the question of why there are no lights, making the expressway dangerous for night driving, motorists are forewarned that they have nothing but their headlights and the reflectorized signs to guide them.

By and large, however, the SCTEx is a good road. Driving through it is an experience — like driving on an expressway abroad — that one wants to talk about.

Group sets P4.2B to redevelop Subic golf course

A South Korean and Filipino joint venture announced Friday it was allotting $48 million, or about P4.2 billion, for redevelopment of the golf course in the Subic Bay Freeport, northwest of Manila, with “full country club amenities” planned.

Benjamin John Defensor, president and chief executive of Hanafil Golf & Tour Inc., said in a statement the firm wanted to turn the 18-hole golf course into an all-weather championship course.

Hanafil won a public bidding for the project held earlier this year, after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) took over the operation of the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club last year.

SBMA had terminated the lease agreement of the previous operator due to the latter’s ballooning debts that ran to some $150 million.

Defensor said Hanafil’s commitments included putting up additional nine holes, building a hotel and some villas, and improving the driving range at the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club.

He explained that the project, scheduled for completion within six years, would be phased after club members requested that the existing 18 holes be kept open.

“The fairways would have to be reconstructed from scratch and some of the holes would have to be relocated,” he said.

Defensor said Hanafil has retained the services of some 70 workers and plans to hire more local workers for construction and re-development activities.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said there were two other leisure complexes that would be built in the Subic Bay Freeport area within the next few years.

These are Korean firm Neocove’s golf course and resort project on a 400-hectare site in Subic’s Redondo Peninsula and another in Morong town in Bataan province, which is being considered as a resort and convention complex.

Arreza said the three golf courses would be located in such a way that they would not compete with each other, but instead ensure adequate facilities for the growing number of golf enthusiasts and visiting professional players.

According to SBMA’s legal department, the Subic golf course redevelopment was pushing through considering that the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City has affirmed the validity of the SBMA takeover last year.

This was a repeat of a takeover of the golf facility in 1997 due to the failure of the previous operator to honor its development commitments, which the Supreme Court upheld in a 2000 ruling, SBMA said. By Ronnel Domingo - Philippine Daily Inquirer

OLONGAPO PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL MEETING

The Olongapo City Peace and Order Council (POC), headed by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., held a quarterly meeting on August 22, 2008 at the FMA Hall of the Olongapo City Hall.

Also in attendance were Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, Kagawad Rodel Cerezo, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) City Director Eliseo de Guzman, Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) head Sr. Supt. Abelardo Villacorta, barangay captains, members of the police force, Olongapo Business Club members and other representatives from the different sectors of the city and the government involved in the maintenance of peace and order.

Discussed during the meeting were different topics regarding the peace and order status of the city, evaluation of policies and laws and surveillance reports.

Villacorta gave a presentation regarding the police force’s progress and achievements in their anti-crime campaign from January to July 2008.

According to Villacorta, the crime rate of the city has decreased. This is due to the increased police visibility around the city and the reinforced anti-crime campaigns.

Mayor Gordon stressed the importance of educating the youth in order to arm them with the necessary information to battle crime.

Also discussed were the security concerns of those from the business sector in their establishments.

Mayor Gordon promptly responded to these and assured that the laws and ordinances regarding the security of business establishments, especially the ordinance regarding the ban on drinking alcoholic beverages outside the premises of business establishments, will be implemented rigorously.

Mayor Gordon also reminded the body of the importance of information dissemination regarding crime suspects and the participation of the people to report crimes to the authority for proper attention.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) head Sr. Supt. Abelardo Villacorta and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Olongapo City Director Eliseo de Guzman during the meeting of the Olongapo Peace and Order Council on August 22, 2008 at the FMA Hall of Olongapo City Hall.

PAO/Don

Automated transit and cargo declaration at SBMA,Clark

By. Fred M. Roxas – Manila Bulletin

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Clark Development Corp. (CDC), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have signed here with Taiwan a memorandum of agreement to establish an Automated Transit, Admission and Declaration of Cargo system at the CDC and SBMA.

The objective is to facilitate and harmonize customs systems and procedures in two Philippine economic zones and the Taiwan ecozone, according to Philippine officials.

The agreement is designed to ensure and integrated and coordinated aproach to the development of the Clark-Subic Economic Corridor as a competitive world-class logistics center in the Asia Pacific Region.

Pamintuan explained that the agreement mandates CDC and BCDA to adopt, prepare and implement comprehensive and detailed plans for the conversion of the former Clark and Subic military facilities and their extensions consistent with the plans and programs of the national and local governments.

One principal provision of the newly-signed agreement is to facilitate trade and business, increase the transparency in cargo processing, provide accurate, timely and cost-efficient exchange of information, reduce customs operational costs and enhance revenue collections, he said.

Subic Enerzone gets green light for loan

By.Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo - Manila Times

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given Subic Freeport Zone’s electricity distributor the authority to secure a multimillion-peso loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

In a decision, the ERC said it gave the green light to Subic Enerzone Corp. (SEZ) to tap a P150-million loan from the government financial institution.

SEZ plans to use the proceeds of the proposed borrowing for the acquisition of National Transmission Corp.’s (TransCo) sub-transmission assets in Subic as well as to rehabilitate its lines and substations.

Among the assets SEZ plans to acquire are three 69-kilovolt lines, disconnect switches and the Subic substation worth P131 million.

SEZ will then spend P30.25 million to rehabilitate these facilities.

The total cost of the proposed acquisition and rehabilitation is pegged at about P161 million. As such, SEZ will source the balance of P11 million from its own pockets.

A wholly owned subsidiary of the Aboitiz group of Cebu, SEZ operates the power distribution system of the Subic Freeport under a 25-year distribution management services agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. The company won the franchise through a competitive bidding in 2003.

Aboitiz Power Corp. (AP) originally held an 80-percent stake in SEZ until late last year when it bought out the 20-percent stake of Team Philippines Industrial Power II Corp., formerly Mirant, for P92 million.

Aside from SEZ, AP also controls Mactan Enerzone Corp. and Balamban Enerzone Corp., each of which services the electricity needs of their respective economic zones.

Construction of Subic coal power plant to start

Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. expects to start construction of a 300-megawatt, coal-fired facility in Subic Bay, Zambales by October immediately after securing an environmental clearance certificate from the government.

Aboitiz Power Corp. vice president Wilfredo Bacareza Jr. told reporters that Redondo Peninsula was waiting for the release of the certificate from the Environment and Natural Resources Department and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. The power plant is expected to cost $450 million to $500 million.

“We’re still waiting for the ECC, because we want to make sure that we are compliant with every environmental regulation. Once the ECC is issued, we will consult with the stakeholders and proceed afterwards with the plant construction,” Bacareza said.

Aboitiz Power and and Taiwan Cogen International Corp., a subsidiary of Taiwan Cogen Corp., jointly own Redondo Peninsula.

“If we could start the construction this year, it would be completed in three years in time for the projected power demand for that period. We hope to secure the ECCs,” Bacareza said.

Senator Richard Gordon, local government officials and representatives from environmental groups yesterday inspected the 50-MW coal plant of Formosa Heavy Industries Inc. in Subic.

The coal power plant is being run by Asia Pacific Energy Corp., which is majority owned by Formosa.

Formosa bagged the $500-million contract to build the Subic power plant of Redonndo Peninsula.

Formosa owns and operates over 14,000 MW of coal-fired plants in Asia, mainly in Taiwan, China and Vietnam. It belongs to the Formosa Group of Companies, a global conglomerate and one of the largest plastics and petrochemical companies in the world.

Bacareza, meanwhile, said his company was negotiating with several local and foreign banks to finance the 300-MW project, which can be expanded to 600 MW.

The initial 300-MW plant can utilize local and imported coal.

“The new plant will help clean up the environment, create and retain jobs, and provide a reliable supply of power for the Luzon grid,” the Aboitiz executive said. By Alena Mae S. Flores - Manila Standard Today

Clark-Subic port automation

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga: Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President Benny Ricafort said Thursday that the signing of the memorandum of agreement and joint memorandum order on Automated Transit and Admission Declaration Cargo for Subic and Clark Freeport zones would benefit both investors and the government.

Ricafort said the automation was a dream come true since it would facilitate the free flowing of goods based on international standards that would prevent smuggling and corruption.

Ricafort also noted that the automation was part of President Gloria Arroyos vision to make the two freeports as mega logistics hub in the Asia Pacific region.

Director Filas Chen of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office said now is the best time to attract more Taiwanese investors, adding Taiwan is ranked third among the countrys top investors after placing sixth two years ago.

The project aims to provide a more secure and reliable system for preventing smuggling and protecting government revenue, CDC officials said.

The automation is also directed to support audit-based risk management system for ensuring that transit foreign merchandise are safely conducted in a timely manner from the port of discharge to the Freeport zones.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said investors want to see that their goods are being handled in a timely manner.

This is the kind of service that they really expect and we want all procedures to be world-class, he added.

For his part, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the automation would be implemented immediately and expected to enhance revenue collection.

The SBMA, CDC, and the Subic-Clark and Alliance for Development Council headed by Edgardo Pamintuan have agreed to establish the economic corridor that aims to integrate the two freeports and the Taiwan Export Processing Zones into one seamless economic zone. --Joey Aguilar - Manila Times

Gordon bats for Cha-cha after 2010

By: Jess V. Antiporda - Tonight

“I AM in favor of amending the constitution but only after the 2010 elections, this was what Senator Richard Gordon told newsmen who attended the Usapang Daungan news forum held at the Danarra Hotel.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, on the other hand said in a Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Kapihan ng Bayan news forum in Sulo Hotel that there is no better time to change the Constitution than now, because there is no assurance that no one would oppose Charter change after the 2010 elections.

Macalintal said many are threatened, because they suspect that Charter change will be used to extend the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“But if she is unpopular, why not let her run again? If she is unpopular she would be a very easy target and easy rival in 2010, so why be afraid if GMA runs again?” Macalintal asked.

As for the issue on cheating, the election lawyer said that with the success of the automated polls in the ARMM, there is no room for election shenanigans in 2010, and if politician allow themselves to be cheated when they know they would be cheated, then they do not have any business in politics.

“So amend the Charter now. Let it include a provision for PGMA, Ramos (Fidel Ramos), and Erap (Joseph Estrada) if they like to run again. Matira ang matibay,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gordon wants to give the president two terms instead of one and lift the term limits of all local executives.

In a weekly news forum Usapang Daungan forum, Gordon said he would bat for these amendments in the Constitution. However, changes should be done after the 2010 elections.

GAWANG ‘GAPO, TATLONG TAON NA!

Pangungunahan nina City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. at Olongapo First Lady at Zambales Vice Governor Anne Marie Gordon ang 3rd Year Anniversary ng ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo’’ (Made in Olongapo).

Bubuksan ang selebrasyon sa pamamagitan ng siyam (9) na araw na trade fair ng mahigit dalawampung (20) exhibitors sa ika-22 hanggang 31 ng Agosto 2008 sa lobby ng Olongapo City Mall.

Magpapakita ng kani-kanilang mga natatanging produkto ang mga ito na sadyang ‘made in the city’ tulad ng food, novelty items, accessories at marami pang iba.

Ang ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo Product Exhibit’’ ay sa inisyatiba ni Mayor Gordon at Vice Gov. Anne Gordon na palawigin ang livelihood sa Olongapo na ang pangunahing target ay ang mga nagsisimula at maliliit na negosyante.

Sa ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo Product Exhibit’’ ay binibigyan ng tig-isang linggong pagkakataon ang mga mga lokal manufacturers na i-display at ibenta ang kanilang mga produkto sa lobby ng City Hall.

Layunin ng Livelihood Project na makilala at tangkilikin ng mismong mga taga-Olongapo at mga bumibisita rito tulad ng Lakbay-Aral Delegates ang mga produktong gawa sa lungsod.

Buhat ng simulan ang ‘’Gawang ‘Gapo Product Exhibit’’ noong 2006 ay umabot na sa mahigit isangdaang (100) exhibitors ang nabigyan ng pagkakataong ipakita at makilala ang kanilang mga produkto.

Model Search swimsuit competition at Subic on Aug 30-31

Model search ‘Face of the Year’ is back

Being discovered by a talent scout while strolling in a mall, or just sweeping the sidewalk perhaps, or serving a customer in a fast-food restaurant is a far too common an anecdote of models, movie/TV stars now basking in fame and fortune.

A modeling search is the one of the best ways to meet people in the fashion industry for connection. It is also the venue where you can meet the media who can give you free publicity, and or meet producers who could be willing to gamble on you and transform you into a big star.

Face of the Year, a modeling search founded and organized by semi-retired talent manager Jojo Veloso, is back after seven years, but this time, it is under a new management. The franchise of the modeling contest is now owned by budding actor and young entrepreneur James Radd Amado via his Faces International Management Agency.

“I want to try different things. Producing this contest is something new and challenging for me. Although I am a people person, staging Face of the Year is a big task considering that this contest has been in a break for seven years,” 24-year-old James said during an interview at the Great Mall of China where the selection of the contest’s Press’ and Photographer’s Choice Awards was held.

Twenty dashing young men and 20 gorgeous young women sashayed before the press on Aug. 16. Their youthful faces are set to vie for the title 2008 Face of the Year and 2008 Model Discovery of the Year in the grand coronation night slated on Sept. 18 at the Pagcor Theater.

“Our goal is to make this model search bigger than ever. We are eyeing international competitions where we can send the winners. Our agency has been in constant communication with other international agencies. I hope the inter-agency competition we are setting would push through because this could give our talents international exposure,” James explained.

From several hundreds who auditioned, 20 beautiful young girls made it to the official list of candidates and they are Mary Grace Imperial, Maria Aishelle Sanchez, Vanessa-Jane Revilla, Kristine Marie Manicad, Joyce Ann Quizon, Venus Ann Baluya, Ma. Isabelle Mendoza, Jennifer Robertte Fajardo, Divina Beceril, Russelyn Reguin, Allysa Grace Silverio, Roxanne Ortiz, Rachel Luzon, Sarah Misa Hernandez, Elaine delos Santos, Atheena Taccad, Chanela Mira Limpin, Princess Joy Palma, Christine Joy Eugenio and Carla Janine Lao.

The official candidates for the male division are Peter Paul Danganan, Marvin Angeles, John Christian Lopez, Christian Wilfred Gonzaga, John Michael Villanueva, Michael Estorninos, Lester Buna, Jervy Arahan, Lennard Marvin Cruz, Luis Miguel Acosta, Rafael Tolentino, Justine Royce Dizon, Mark Unrubia, Paulo Dy, John Paul Regodon, Rafael Morales, Gabriel Inigo Uy Garcia, Peter Vander Muelen, Yuri Novelli and Mc Carlou Timbol.

These 40 good-looking candidates will visit Subic Bay Yacht Club on Aug. 30 to 31 for the swimsuit competition; they will also face another round of scrutiny for the Cover Girl and Cover Boy competition on Sept. 13 at the Elbow Room in Metro Walk Alabang; and another one for the Glamour Award competition at the Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila a day before the final night.

Winners of the title Face of the Year and Model Discovery of the Year will be the country’s official delegates to the Faces International Model Search to be held in Los Angeles sometime next year.

The winners will endorse Great Mall of China, located along Macapagal Avenue, and Netopia for one year. They will also receive cash prizes, educational plans from STI and contracts under Viva Films. By Nickie Wang - Manila Standard Today