MAYOR GORDON HELPS 14-YEAR OLD STUDENT

A fourteen year-old student after involved in a vehicular accident recently is one of the latest beneficiaries of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.’s assistance. Jonas Roner C. Talosig, a third year student from Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS) was injured after the jeep he was riding on the way to school collided with a truck at the Old Cabalan highway.

OCNHS Principal Helen Aggabao wrote to Mayor Gordon and asked for help, especially on Talosig’s dental needs because after the accident, several of his teeth was left with impacts.

After he received the letter, Mayor Gordon referred Jonas’ case to City Dentist Dr. Donald Vigo.

“Sinagot ni Mayor Gordon ang dental treatment, complete medical needs at iba pang health needs ni Talosig lalo na ang dentures dahil nasira ang ilan niyang ngipin,” said Vigo.

Talosig and his parents thanked Mayor Gordon for his help and support.

“Ang inyo pong tulong sa amin ay tatanawin naming napakalaking utang na loob magpakailanman . Masayang-masaya po kami na tinutulungan po ninyo ang inyong mga constituents lalo na ang mga mahihirap, “ said Romeo Talosig, Jonas’ father.

For more information regarding the dental services offered by the city government , visit the City Dentist’s Office at the ground floor of the Olongapo City Hall. This is part of Mayor Gordon’s Dental Health Program for Olongapeños.

PAO/don

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

COMPANY DRIVER
IMPORT / EXPORT OFFICER
ENGLISH TEACHER
EQUIPMENT ENGINEER
CRANE OPERATOR
ACCOUNTING STAFF
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER
ACCOUNTING STAFF
LOGISTICS STAFF

SUBIC JOBS FAIR

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Hundreds of jobseekers flocked to the Subic Bay EXHIBITION AND Convention Center at the start of the two-day Jobs Fair 2008 here yesterday hoping to find gainful employment in the companies and businesses located in the Freeport Zone.

A project of Senator Richard J. Gordon, Buhay Partylist Rep. Carissa Coscolluela and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) under the sponsorship of WOW Card Inc., the job generating activity was participated in by more than 20 Freeport locators which set up individual booths to accommodate interested applicants from Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan.

The Jobs Fair was supervised by the Department of Labor and Employment, Tesda and the Public Employment Service Office.

Evelyn Delos Santos, Olongapo PESO head, said the fair facilitated the evaluation and interview of job applicants.

Gordon announced that similar Jobs Fair will be conducted in other parts of the country.

“One of the most effective ways of addressing the problem of poverty in the country is by creating jobs and opportunities for our people,” he said.

Olongapo City is scheduled to hold its Jobs Fair on October 3, Iba, Zambales on October 9, and Balanga, Bataan on October 18.

The event also marked the launching of the Job@8s website at URL www.job8s.com, an information and technology solution that aims to minimize unemployment in the country.

According to Victory Quiton, WOW Card Inc. president, the website Job@8s offers a free and effective way of manpower recruitment and job searching respectively.

OLONGAPO CITY MARATHON 2008

In the 4th Olongapo City Marathon 2008 held last September 27, 2008 at the Ulo ng Apo Rotonda, forty winners received various awards for the 3-K and 5-K run, male and female marathon.

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) gave special awards to the youngest runner, oldest runner and biggest delegation. Maureen Salas, 4 yrs. old was awarded the youngest female runner, while Adrian Nuel Alonzo, 5 yrs. old and Justin Gale Castillo, 2 yrs. old were the youngest male runners.

Meanwhile, Carlota Dela Cruz, 79 yrs. old and Victorino Mandadero, 63 yrs. old got the awards for the oldest runners. Columban College had the biggest delegation, Gordon College was second and Olongapo National High School third.

First place and champion for the 5k run male and female, respectively, was Jayson Villaruz and Manilyn Evalle. Meanwhile, Jose Nobles and Dy Latinazo were awarded first place for the 3k male and female, respectively.

The 3 Kilometer and 5 Kilometer fun-run activity was participated in by more than four thousand (4,000) runners.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. lauded the organizers of the activity for staging not only a health activity, but one that helps the youth avoid vices, as well.

Present during the awarding ceremony were Mayor Gordon, Jr., Councilors Rodel S. Cerezo and Nathan Manalo.

The success of the occasion was made possible through the participation of other YMCA Officers, namely : YMCA Immediate Past President and Board of Director Alberto C. Baviera, Jr., Board of Director Benedicto Asban, YMCA 1st Vice-President & Chairman of the 4th Olongapo City Marathon Rodolfo Neil Guevarra, YMCA 2nd Vice-President Haidee Balance, with the cooperation of SK Federation President Cheenee Hoya and, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ligaya B. Monato.

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. firing the starting gun at the 4th Olongapo Marathon 2008 at Ulo ng Apo Rotonda on September 27, 2008

15th PHILIPPINE COUNCILOR’S LEAGUE WEEK

The Philippine Councilor’s League (PCL) recently celebrated the 15h PCL Week themed: “PCL, Kalusugan, Kalikasan at Kabuhayan. Susi sa kaunlaran.” The Olongapo City chapter, headed by City Councilor Gina Perez, held several activities and programs in line with the celebration.

A feeding program was held at Mactan, Old Cabalan. There was also a free medical, dental, eye-check-up and legal counseling.

The next activity held was a tree planting and feeding program at the Olongapo City Landfill at Brgy. New Cabalan.

The culminating activity of the celebration was held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center on September 29, 2008. Activities held included free welding training, dimsum making training, massage training and a mini job-fair.

“Ang mga programa na ito ay isinasagawa upang maisakatuparan ang layunin ng PCL at matulungan ang mga mamamayan,” said Perez. “Ang lahat ng ito’y naayon sa mga programa ni Mayor James ‘Bong” Gordon Jr. para sa kapakanan ng mga mamayan.”

PAO/Don

Subic workforce reaches 80,000

SUBIC BAY Freeport: The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported Friday that its total workforce had breached the 80,000 mark as of August this year.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said that the 11,321 new hires for the past eight months was due to companies who are expanding their operations in the Subic Freeport.

Arreza added that in the first eight months of this year, SBMA had approved 130 new investment projects.

“More jobs are about to be created in the coming months as we step up efforts to sign in more businesses and to coordinate job-skills matching with our locators,” he said.

Last year, Subic workforce for the same period was only 70,408.

SBMA data indicated that of the total 81,729 workers employed in the Subic Freeport, majority of those were from Olongapo City, which contributed a total of 32,241, or 39.45 percent.

The second biggest number of Subic workers are from Zambales with 17,794 or 21.77 percent, followed by Bataan with 10,803 or 13.22 percent; the National Capital Region with 4,421 or 5.41 percent; Pampanga, 2,837 or 3.47 percent; Tarlac, 1,153 or 1.41 percent and other areas, 12,480 or 15.27 percent. --Anthony Bayarong - Manila Times

Gordon junks Comelec plan to buy more OMR machines

By. Dennis Gadil – Malaya

Senator Richard Gordon on Thursday rejected as ridiculous the proposal of the Commission on Elections to use 85 percent of its budget for a fully automated election in 2010 in buying more optical mark reader (OMR) voting machines which is slower than the Direct recording Electronic (DRE) machines.

“Comelec itself has said that OMR is prone to tampering and is much slower than DRE. Going heavy on OMR in 2010 will defeat our objective of having fast and clean elections,” Gordon said.

He ordered the Comelec to revise its budget proposal for poll automation and reconfigure its purchase plans for automated counting machines. “Every step of the way we have to coax the Comelec to stay the course and not be afraid of the cost, because it is up to Congress really to produce the money. That is why they have to come back and come up with the real budget for a past and very accurate system which cannot be tampered with,” he said.

“There seems to be an attempt by certain unscrupulous people in Comelec to prevent the automation of elections by making it appear as not feasible,” he said, adding that it was ridiculous of the Comelec to submit such budget proposal.

Gordon, chair of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Automated Election System, was surprised to learn during a hearing by the joint panel on poll automated that Comelec was planning to use 95 percent of its proposed p9.7 billion budget for the 2010 polls on OMR machines and only 15 percent for the DRE or touch screen voting machines.

The DREs would be used in Metro Manila, Cebu and Metro Davao. OMR requires voters to fill up a paper ballot which is then counted by a special machine as opposed to the DRE which allows voters to use a toush screen or touch pad.

The Comelec had earlier announced that it had prepared five different budget proposals for full election automation, with the highter costing p61 billion and the lowest P3.4 billion.

Gordon cites Pinoy’s entrepreneurial spirit

By. Jun Velasco – Manila Bulletin

Hundreds of urban poor and civic leaders and some 1,000 participants of livelihood training seminar thanked Sen. Richard Gordon for “teaching us how to fish” at a well-attended graduation rites of a “livelihood skills Olympics” in Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City in the other day.

In extolling the crowd to cultivate self-reliance and the entrepreneurial spirit, Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, rallied the participants from Metro Manila to “be self reliant and productive entrepreneurs and enthusiastically work for yourselves and your countrymen.”

Senior Inspector Roger Moskito, police sub-station commander in the area, estimated the crowd who attended the “Bigay Buhay para sa Bagumbayan” livelihood Olympics at 3,000.

Gordon said his dream is to transform Philippine communities into “a new and strong self-reliant and productive force who will spearhead the country’s socio-economic growth.”

Women’s group leader Joy Belmonte, president of the Quezon City Ladies Foundation, and Barangay Holy Spirit chairperson Estrella C. Valmocina said the 1,000 graduates of the livelihood training exemplify the urban Poor’s desire to be productive.

Senior Supt. Ed Pamittan, Batasan police director, said the participants consisted of Metro Manila’s urban poor, senior citizens, out of school youths from Parola, Tondo, Caloocan and Payatas, QC.

Political Science Prof. Jose De Vera of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines said “the former mayor of Olongapo City has a program of transforming the broad masses into productive village leaders.”

Gordon said “our countrymen do not like to live on alms or pity, because they are, by their birthright, creative, fruitful, versatile and effective workers” even as he urged the public and non-government leaders to help the poor not through dole outs but by being models of self reliance and productive leadership.”

“We seek to enable to ennoble our countrymen stand on their own, in still pride in themselves and a sense of accomplishment,” he said.

The senator lauded the participants in health and wellness courses, food processing, beauty culture, recycling technology, home bakeshop, candle making courses and call center training.

It will be recalled that Gordon transformed Olongapo city into a model city in urban renewal in 1980 which became templates for cities around the country like marikina, Cebu, Davao and Naga.

When the Americans left Subic, then Chairman Gordon resuscitated the community through the spirit of volunteerism and protected and sustained the $8 billion Subic facility left by the Americans. When he was tourism secretary, Gordon crafted the slogan “Wow Philippines” and has been a beckon light for Philippine – made products and succeeded in making the country a top tourist destination.

Half of text messages income should go to schools, health care

The current budgetary gaps in education and health can be filled up by 50 centavos for every text message, Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on government corporations and public enterprises, said yesterday.

Gordon said he believes that it is possible for the government to be able to fill the gaps in health and education through the cooperation of telecommunications companies if the latter would be required to remit half of their net revenues from local text messages to the government.

He is now pushing this measure in a bill he filed at the Senate, Senate Bill No. 2402, wherein he proposed that telecommunication firms be required to allocate every single short message system (SMS) charged to their consumers to the government to address the ballooning backlogs in education and health infrastructures.

"When you think about it, R0.50 centavos of every peso you pay every time you send a text message will ensure a world-class education system that is at par with other developing nations. We have more to gain from this than to lose," Gordon said.

Though it may raise eyebrows at first, Gordon said he is confident that the measure, also known as the Health and Education Acceleration Program (HEAP) bill, would bring a lot of benefits to the whole country.

"If the public is aware of the educational and health benefits that our children will gain from the bill, I believe they would even text more often, knowing that every text message they send, part of it will be for the improvement of the country's educational and health system," Gordon said.

The Department of Education (DepEd), in its report to the House appropriations committee, disclosed that it is facing a shortage of 12,418 classrooms; 1,744,237 school seats; 44,200,000 textbooks; 12,733 teachers and 24,709 principals.

The DepEd also noted that 21 percent of pupils are malnourished. Some 11.4 percent of pupils with ages 6-12 are iodine deficient; 37.4 percent suffer from iron deficiency anemia; 36 percent are vitamin A deficient; 67 percent of children suffer from intestinal worms; 97 percent have dental carries, 6.23 percent have hearing impairment; and 2.54 percent are visually impaired.

The measure, Gordon said, can address all these health concerns of the pupils with the money that can be generated from the estimated funds.

Gordon projected that the government can collect up to R73 billion from the HEAP program.

Half of text messages income should go to schools, health care – Gordon
By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA - Manila Buletin

Subic Trained Triathletes rule Taiwan

Gold for Serrano, silver for Langit, bronze for Mangrobang in Taiwan triathlon

By: Reuben Terrado - Business Mirror
Emerging juniors triathlete Joash Serrano led the Philippines’ one-gold, two-silver haul in the recent Asia Cup Series I-Lan Blossom Lake International Triathlon Championship in Chia Yi, Taiwan.

Serrano, 19, clocked one hour, two minutes and 38 seconds in the juniors division, beating Leo Li Tse Hei of Chinese Taipei, who came in two minutes later. Serrano also broke his own national juniors record by two minutes.

Lea Coline Langit and Kim Mangrobang clinched silver medals in the women’s elite and women’s juniors division, respectively.

Langit took the silver medal with a time of 2:08:09, breaking the Philippine record set by Sandra Araullo in 2007 by five minutes (2:13:20). Misato Takagi of Japan won in 2:05:15.

Mangrobang, on the other hand, timed 1:08:27 for the silver medal with Chinese Taipei’s Wu Sum Yi taking the gold medal.

Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap) president Tom Carrasco said Serrano was only in sixth place in the 750-meter swim event but came storming back in the 20-km bike race where he finished second. He took the lead in the 5-km run to take the victory.

Serrano, Langit and Mangrobang were part of the training program set up at the Subic Bay Free Port by Trap and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Beijing 2008 Olympics campaigner Daniel Lee Chi Woo of Hong Kong took the gold in the men’s elite with a time of 1:00:48, six minutes ahead of Ricco Chan Ye Yi, also of Hong Kong.

AGRI-BUSINESS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES SA CENTRAL LUZON

Nagpulong kamakailan ang mga local chief executives (LCEs) at mga government agencies ng Central Luzon sa King’s Royale Hotel and Leisure Park sa Bacolor, Pampanga upang pag-usapan ang investment opportunities at potential ng mga agri-business products ng rehiyon.

Pinag-usapan sa naturang pagpupulong ang ilang proyekto ng pitong probinsya ng rehiyon na nagkakahalaga ng humigit kumulang sa P763 M.

Kabilang sa mga regional projects ang itatayong ‘Regional Center for Ruminants’ kung saan makikinabang ang mga livestock raisers, backyard and semi-commercial raisers, goat raisers, at iba pa.

Ang private at public investments na ito ay nagkakahalaga ng P50 M at pangungunahan ng Department of Agriculture, Region III.

Kabilang sa parte ng naturang proyekto ay ang regional breeding center, integrated goat production techno-demo modules, agribusiness center, regional goat and sheep training center at coordination, monitoring and evaluation upang masiguro na ang proyekto ay maayos na naipapatupad.

Isa pang proyekto para sa rehiyon ay ang pagtatayo ng Agricultural Tramline para sa mga probinsya ng Central Luzon. Ito ay itatayo sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa rehiyon tulad ng sa Bagac at Samal sa Bataan, Palinlang at Balite sa Pampanga at sa Botolan, Castillejos, Subic at San Marcelino sa Zambales.

Naging presentor din si Olongapo City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. Tinalakay niya ang ‘Proposed Central Luzon Freeport One Stop Shop Processing and Bagsakan Center connected via Subic Seaport RORO’.

Ilan naman sa mga proyekto sa bawat probinsya ay ang mga sumusunod:

Aurora-
Cacao Production
Coffee Production and Expansion

Bataan-
Expansion of Fish Processing

Bulacan-
Establishment of Mango Packaging House and Extended Water Treatment Facility

Nueva Ecija-
Rehabilitation and Retrofitting of Grain Drying Facilities with Rice Hull Fed Furnace

Tarlac-
Establishment of Pesticide Analytical Laboratory

Zambales-
Mango Productivity Enhancement

Ang pagpupulong, ‘Presentation of Agribusiness Investment Opportunities in Central Luzon for Local Chief Executives’, ay alinsunod sa layunin ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo na palakasin pa lalo ang ekonomiya ng Central Luzon bilang parte ng Regional Development Council (RDC) masterplan.

“Napakahalaga ang agricultural sector lalo na sa panahong ito. Mas maigi na palakasin pa natin ang potential ng mga agri-business products natin upang lumakas ang ekonomiya at mabigyan ng magandang kabuhayan ang mga mamamayan,” ani Mayor Gordon.

Si Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. habang ipine-present ang proposed ‘Central Luzon Freeport One Stop Shop Processing and Bagsakan Center Connected via Subic Seaport via RORO’ sa ginanap na ‘Presentation of Agribusiness Investment Opportunities in Central Luzon for Local Chief Executives’, sa King’s Royale Hotel and Leisure Park sa Bacolor, Pampanga kamakailan.

PAO/Don

Gordon breaks Palace ties

By. Paul M. Gutierrez – Tonight

ADMINISTRATION Senator Richard Gordon now wants to distance himself from being identifies with Malacañang and insists he should henceforth be addressed as an “independent”.

To emphasize his change of image, Gordon also yesterday declared he would resist “all efforts by some quarters, including the Arroyo administration,” to extend the term of office of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo beyond 2010.

Gordon, who chairs the Senate constitutional amendments committee, said he wants his displeasure for a term extension of t he chief executive to be known to allay fears by former government officials and civic groups that efforts to amend the Constitution was intended to extend the President’s term of office.

“We shall vigorously stand against any move to extend the President’s term limit of office. Let it be clear to all that opening up the Constitution to possible amendments or revisions should only be done after the May 2010 elections,” he said.

Gorodn ran and won under the “Unity” ticket of Malacañang and has dropped broad hints that he too, is eyeing the presidency.

He added that while he acknowledges the legitimate apprehensions by some quarters, public debate and consultation on the merits of opening up the 1987 Constitution to amendments or revisions, notably on federalism, should proceed.

Job Opportunities in Olongapo-Subic Bay

DELIVERYMAN
PARTS PRODUCTION ASSISTANT MANAGER
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR
MIS ASSISTANT MANAGER
QUALITY ASSURANCE ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR
PRODUCTION LINE LEADER / ENGINEERING STAFF
SAFETY OFFICER
TECHNICIAN
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT LEADER
SERVICE CREW
WAITRESS
SECRETARY / ACCOUNTING CLERK
DESIGN ENGINEERS
HELPER MECHANIC
ENGINE MECHANIC (GAS & DIESEL) / UNDERCHASSIS MECH...
AIRCON TECHNICIAN
PROCESS ENGINEER
TECHNICIAN
JUNIOR STAFF
ISO COORDINATOR
ACCOUNTING STAFF
PCB DESIGN ENGINEERS
REPAIR ENGINEERS
PURCHASING OFFICER / BUYER
NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION ENGINEER
PRODUCTION CONTROL PLANNER
PRODUCT MECHANICAL ENGINEER
WEB DEVELOPER
ACCOUNTING STAFF
MAINTENANCE STAFF
CAD OPERATOR
CIVIL ENGINEER / MECHANICAL ENGINEER / SURVEYOR/ B...
MATERIALS ENGINEER
DRIVER
ELECTRO MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
SALES ASSOCIATE
WAREHOUSE CREW
LOGISTICS SUPERVISOR
ASSISTANT MACHINE OPERATOR

CITY COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

The City Development Cooperative Council (CCDC) held an organizational meeting on September 18, 2008 at the FMA Hall of the Olongapo City Hall. Present during the meeting were over sixty (60) stakeholders of the cooperative sector of Olongapo to elect leaders and representatives for the council’s different committees.

The meeting was led by City Cooperative Specialist Edmundo Engao, Beneficio Blones of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region 3 and City Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) head Aileen Sanchez.

City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. was also present as the guest of honor. In his message, he encouraged the CCDC to strengthen the cooperatives to help Olongapeños in their livelihood needs.

Also present during the meeting were Tony Reyes of Landbank of the Philippines, Elenita Ordonio, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Caretaker of Zambales and Olongapo and Didith Montevirgen, Provincial Officer of Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Below is the list of the elected officials of the CCDC:

Honorary Chairperson: Hon. Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr.
Chairman: Aileen Sanchez: LCDO Officer
Co-Chairman: Edmundo Engao- CDA
Vice Chairman: Dr. Valentino Ola- Professional Group MPC
Secretary: Cesar Santiago: Coop Union of Olongapo and Zambales
Treasurer: Leticia Doropan- BMPC
Auditor: Merlinda Ramos-OMPC

The meeting was held in accordance with Memorandum Circular 2007-08 or the ‘Cooperative Development Council (CDC) Organizational Policy of 2007. It aims to boost and enhance the city’s livelihood sector.

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. delivering a message to the City Cooperative Council on September 18, 2008 at the FMA Hall of the Olongapo City Hall. Mayor Gordon is also the Honorary Chairperson of CCDC

PAO/Don

Transparency in government expropriation projects

Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday proposed the posting of information relating to the disbursements for government expropriation projects, in order to avert suspicions of overpricing in government transactions.

Gordon filed Senate Bill 2634, which seeks full disclosure of all government transactions involving public interest by posting a summary of disbursements, as senators remain locked in discussions on the alleged double budget insertion for the C-5 road project.

He said the summary should be posted within the premises of the national, regional and local offices of the implementing agency, as well as within the local government unit that has jurisdiction over the expropriated property.

"Allegations of overpricing and speculation in budgetary allocations for infrastructure development abound as the 2009 General Appropriations Bill is being deliberated in Congress. Among the most controversial items are payments for the expropriation of lands for government infrastructure projects," Gordon said.

The senator said the summary of disbursements would include information on the project such as the title and names of the owners of the property being expropriated, the valuation of the property as allocated in the government budget, and all disbursements, expenditures and utilization funds for such expropriation, including right-of-way payments.

He said projects involving right of way should be published so that the public would know whether there was a fair price or an overpricing.

"I think the people deserve the kind of transparency that must be given by any government when public funds are disbursed," Gordon said.

He added: "Making available to the public these important details in government transactions and projects would be the first step in combating corruption in this sector."

The senator said many government agencies have committed countless violations of the right of Filipinos to information of public interest and concern because there is no mechanism that would allow the people to look into government projects.

He said allegations of overpricing in government transactions will be averted if government agencies can provide accessible and comprehensible information concerning the disbursement and use of public funds in expropriation proceedings.

Gordon wants transparency in disbursements for gov't expropriation projects - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV

Del Rosario sinks rivals in Subic jet ski GP

SUBIC BAY—Paul Del Rosario copped two titles and easily emerged as the biggest winner in the first-ever SBMA Jet Ski Grand Prix recently at the Waterfront Beach of the Subic Bay Freeport here.

A winner of the rider of the year award three times, Del Rosario showed no ill effects of a long layoff as he bagged the Expert Runabout 1200 Open Unlimited and the Open Ski titles.

Del Rosario thumped John Dee in the Open Expert class before encountering problems from female ace Jam Mangio in his pet Runabout 1200 Open class.

Both actually ended up tied with 47 points after Mangio claimed the penultimate race, becoming, in effect, the first-ever woman to win a race in the centerpiece division.

But Del Rosario claimed the title just the same after turning back Mangio in the final race to win the tiebreak, even as BJ Ang also wound up victorious with a big victory in the Expert Runabout Stock.

Ang, who shared the rider of the year award with Del Rosario two years ago, beat Robbie David and Carlo Garcia.

Mangio, meanwhile, bounced back from that defeat by easily ruling the women’s Runabout with a sweep of Abby Reyes and neophyte Valerie Silva.

Excel Torres, a veteran rider who is also the mayor of Tigbauan town in Iloilo province, flashed vintage form and won over Amiel Romero in the Expert 800 stock.

Winning the other titles in the event organized by the Jet Sports Association of the Philippines (JSAP) were Austrian rider Helbert Mair, Meynard Ko, Romeo Macapinlac and Robby David.

Both Mair and Ko copped victories at the expense of champion rider Butch Casido in the Open Novice.

Ko also benefited from another Casido misfortune, winning the Novice 4-stroke after the steering cable of Casido’s ski snapped in the late stages of the race.

The event was made possible through the support of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arreza and Deputy Administrator for Tourism Raul F. Marcelo. It was sponsored by SBMA, Courtyard Inn, Gerry’s Grill, Networx Auto Detailing, Intermatrix Inc., Joey4xForce and Networx Jetsports. Steve Silva, contributor - Philippine Daily Inquirer

Aetas to engage in small-scale mining soon, thanks to Mt. Pinatubo

IBA, Zambales- Indigenous peoples (IPs) of this province, commonly known as Aetas, will soon engage in small-scale mining-thanks to Mount Pinatubo.

Gov. Amor Deloso said a Hong Kong- based businessman, Peter Liu, has agreed to buy the precious “black sand” that was spat out by Mount Pinatubo when it erupted in 1991.

Some 30 Aetas families, he said, will benefit from the undertaking, which could start in the first week of October.

According to Deloso, the Maraunot River, located on the eastern part of Botolan, was clogged by black sand when Mount Pinatubo erupted. “Little did we metallic minerals,” he said.

He said there is an estimated 4 billion tons of such mineral deposit in the said river, which the Aeta families can extract and sell to Peter Liu.

About 60.7 percent of the black sand is iron, while 5 percent is titanium.
Black sand could be a source of high-quality iron. That’s why the prospect of small-scale mining is very good, Deloso said.

Deloso said he is looking at initially issuing small-scale mining permits covering 1,000 hectares, which he said will be divided equally into five to benefit 30 families who live in the area, the land being part of the Aeta’s ancestral domain.

He estimated that with 1,000 hectare being mined out, 2.5 million tons a year can be extracted in the next two years, with the Aeta families getting P20 per ton, while the provincial government will be able to generate income of $5 per ton.

“I’ve already talked to Mr. Liu and the Aeta families will finally benefit from the mining permit,” he said.

Deloso said Liu will use a machine that can separate metallic minerals such as iron and titanium from the black sand. The machine is worth $300 million. J. Mayuga

DONATIONS TURNED-OVER BY MAYOR BONGO

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. turned over two (2) jet-matic pumps, two (2) wheelchairs, an LCD projector and a Honda motorbike to several beneficiaries on September 22, 2008 at the flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center.

The LCD projector was turned over by Mayor Gordon to Councilor Edwin Piano for the Technical Skills Training Program. The LCD Projector was a donation from the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA).

The LCD projector will aid in innovating the teaching approach and methods in skills training.

The UNFPA, through City Representative Dyesebel Dado, extended a two-year grant to help the city in the Reproductive Health area.

Meanwhile, Balikatan Ladies president Ledi Payumo received two (2) jet-matic pumps for the residents of Purok 3, Santol Compound, New Cabalan.

Richard Espinosa of New Cabalan and Bernardo Poblete of Barangay Mabayuan each received wheelchairs.

Mayor Gordon also announced a plan about helping the PWDs of the city to build their own wheelchairs.

“Let’s produce that with the welders,” said Mayor Gordon. “Maganda na magproduce tayo nung matibay at pwedeng pambasketball na wheelchairs.”

On the other hand, the Criminal Detection and Intelligence Group (CIDG) received a Honda Motorbike from Mayor Gordon. The motorcycle was received by Supt. Maristelo Manalo, CIDG Olongapo head.

‘We want CIDG to be part of Olongapo City especially with the anti-nude and anti-prostitution campaign,” Mayor Gordon said. “At sana ang CIDG ay tulungan tayo at tanggalin ang mga establihments na may mga nude shows dahil pinipilit nating mawala yan, dapat i-flush out yang problema na ‘yan.”

On September 22, 2008 at the Flag-Raising Ceremony, Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. turned over several donations including: an LCD projector for the City Skills Training Program, received by City Councilor Edwin Piano (upper right photo); two wheelchairs (upper left photo); two jet-matic pumps, received by Ledi Payumo, president of Balikatan Ladies (lower right photo) and a Honda motorcycle for the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) received by CIDG head Supt. Maristelo Manalo (lower left photo).

PAO/Don

Dion regained lead in Bb.Olongapo online voting

Heavily favored to win the Binibining Olongapo 2008 title.
http://binibining-olongapo.blogspot.com/

Barely a month before the Bb.Olongapo 2008 finals, candidate number 1, Dion of Brgy West Tapinac has regained the lead in the pageant's online voting and is heavyly favored to win the title with 73% of the 1801 votes posted in the poll.

Follow link to cast your vote.

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

South Korean firms dominate Subic Bay's investment portfolio

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - South Korean companies continue to dominate the investment portfolio of the Subic Bay Freeport zone, pledging some US$198.8 during the first eight months of the year, cementing their position as the top investors in the freeport.

Figures released by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Tuesday show that 46 South Korean firms committed some 85% of the US$232.6 million investment pledges.

A far second, 67 Filipino projects will infuse about US$10 million. Rounding off the top five are Taiwanese, Malaysian and Pakistani firms that are putting up US$2.9 million, US$ 2 million and US$800,000, respectively.

“Most of these Korean companies are either suppliers or subcontractors of Hanjin, and some are property developers that also target the growing Korean community not only in Subic, but in other parts of the country," said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.

To date, South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation-Philippines (HHIC-Phils) is the biggest investor, promising to put up some US$1.6 billion until 2010.

“Subic’s biggest new investor so far this year, the Subic Neocove Corp., is also a Korean company which intends to develop a resort to cater mostly to Korean expatriates," Arreza said.

Last year, Koreans were on the number one rank with $993 million worth of investments, followed by Filipinos with $355 million, and Taiwanese with $222 million. In 2006, Korean companies put up a total of $1.36 billion, followed by Filipinos with $57 million, and Taiwanese with $9.8 million.

Among the nationalities that put up new investments here this year are the Japanese, American, Norwegian, Australian, British, Singaporean and Canadian.

“Of course, Subic has a good mix of nationalities, who have been part of the local business community since the freeport was established in 1992," Arreza said.

SBMA's investment department records show that from January to August this year, foreign direct investments composed the bulk of fresh capital infusions in Subic with a total of $208.8 million.

In the same period, the SBMA approved a total of 130 projects, with projected employment of 5,177, pushing the number of approved projects to 1,103, with committed investments totaling $5.73 billion. - JOHN BAYARONG, GMANews.TV

Zambales OKs early flood warning system

IBA, ZAMBALES – This province adopted on Thursday a P1.4-million community-based early warning system being used by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in the country’s flood-prone areas.

Pagasa Director Prisco D. Nilo said the project was the result of “what happened in the Surigao provinces in 2006 when flash floods hit the eastern seaboard of the Philippines, causing great damage to property and loss of life.”

Nilo led a ceremonial turnover of the project here.

Zambales is the sixth province in the country to adopt the system among the 13 provinces given priority by Pagasa, the lead agency that addresses the threat of weather disturbances. Because of its location, it is “prone to flash flooding because it is exposed in both the eastern and western seaboards,” Nilo said.

Nilo said the warning system was “an attempt to save lives and do what is necessary before a disaster occurs by giving people enough time to prepare and local government agencies to act.”

Pagasa plans to install the system and train residents in Ilocos Sur, Cavite, northeastern Samar and Bohol next year.

Dr Susan Espinueva, hydrologist and officer in charge of flood forecasting and warning section, is task leader of the new system.

“After consulting with the local government units and training the observers, what we do next is designate a disaster operation center in the municipality or barangay. At different points scattered throughout the area, we’ve identified flash flood-prone areas and assigned observers to obtain data that will be sent to the disaster operation center for interpretation,” she said.

The most important indicators of an imminent flash flood are rainfall intensity and water-level height which observers should measure every two hours during heavy rains.

Espinueva said the community must know about the system for it to be effective.

Scattered throughout Zambales are 15 electronic rain gauges, three standard rain gauges, alarm systems, a public address system, signs, monitoring boards and the operations manual for observers and operation center personnel.

Gov. Amor Deloso pointed to Mt. Pinatubo as a significant cause of the rise of flash floods in Zambales. By Robert Gonzaga - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

Taiwanese businessmen pledge over $1 billion

Taiwanese firms have pledged $1.159 billion worth of multi-year investments in the Philippines’ electronics, manufacturing, and power industries, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said in a statement Monday .

The five-year rent holiday awarded to locators in the Clark and Subic special economic zones investing at least $25 million for high-technology industries has increased investors’ interest, the statement quoted Dita Angara-Mathay, MECO director for commercial affairs, as saying.

Bulk of the projected amount will flow into the power-generation sector, with Formosa Heavy Industries and Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. investing a total of $1.12 billion in separate projects. Taiwan-based Formosa Heavy Industries will spend $700 million to build coal-fired plants in Toledo, Cebu and La Paz, Iloilo, with production capacities of 246 megawatts and 140 megawatts, respectively. Construction, which began last January, should be completed by 2010, MECO said.

Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., a joint venture between Aboitiz Power and Taiwan Cogeneration Corp., is building a 300-megawatt coal-fired plant in Luzon worth $420 million. The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2011.

A total of $32 million will be invested in the electronics industry, MECO added. Great-Sun Optoelectronics, a maker of flat LCD screens, pledged to bring in $30 million over the next three years, while RayShine Photonics pledged $2 million to build a manufacturing plant for light-emitting diodes, a part used for LCD screens.

MECO also said that manufacturing firms Fwu Kuang Enterprises Co. Ltd. and South Forest Co. Ltd. will invest a total of $7 million.

Fwu Kuang Enterprises will be intially investing $5 million to build a factory for screws. It will be raising its investments to $10 million in the next three years, MECO said, adding that the firm has signed a five-year lease agreement to locate to a 2.5-hectare area in Clark.

South Forest will build a $2-million wood processing plant in San Franciso, Agusan del Sur.

There are 190 Taiwanese firms operating in the country’s economic zones, MECO said.

Still, central bank data shows actual investments from Taiwan amounting to only $6.54 million in the first half. Taiwan had invested $90,000 last year, almost 90% less than the $1.02 million in 2006. — Jessica Anne D. Hermosa, BusinessWorld

Subic nets P3.55-B revenue in 8 months

SUBIC BAY Freeport -- The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported Monday that revenue collections in this freeport for the first eight months of the year have reached P3.55 billion.

Figured released by the SBMA indicated that the two collection agencies, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here posted a combined increase of more than P251 million or 7.61 percent over last year's January to August revenue.

The surge in tax and duties collection started in June this year when a positive variance of 40.05 percent was recorded, followed by increases of 12.27 percent and 8.36 percent, respectively, in the next two months.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the positive tally is "reflective of the growth in business operations" by the more than 1,100 investor firms in the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as the increasing number of port users.

"The growing number of business locators in Subic also contributed to the growth in income taxes collected from Freeport employees, which now numbers to almost 82,000," he said.

He added that in the first eight months alone, the 70,408 active workforce in the Subic Freeport rose by 11,321 at the end of 2007.

The highest monthly total in the eight-month period was recorded in July when the BOC collected P393,074,394.64, followed by P367,591,192.46 in June, and P335,330,989.39 in August.

As for the BIR, its income tax collections rose by 6.35 percent in January to August this year, compared to its 2007 performance.

The BIR said it collected a total of P1,014,153,609.10 this year, compared to P953,566,367.74 in January to August 2007.

The bureau's biggest tax haul was made in April when collections reached P210,080,661.86.

The agency also posted a 61.8 percent month-on-month increase in March and 24.36 percent in August, despite negative variances in January (-28.83 percent) and February (-33.01 percent). By Anthony Bayarong - SunStar

DALAWANG SUSPEK SA PANANAKSAK, ARESTADO!

Dalawang suspek sa pananaksak sa isang 23-años na lalaki ang natiklo kamakailan ng Olongapo City Police Office sa Old Cabalan.

Ang biktima na si Mark Mirania ay dead on arrival sa Afable Medical Hospital matapos pagsasaksakin ng mga suspek na nakilalang sina Joel Pederio, at Mark Langcop na kapwa 26 taong gulang at nakatira sa Lumberg Lane, Forestry, Old Cabalan, Olongapo City.

Napag-alaman na ang biktima ay napagtripan ng dalawang suspek habang naka-inom at dumadaan sa bahay ng kaibigan ng biktima. Matapos mamataan ang biktima ay inantay ito ng dalawang suspek na makalabas ng naturang bahay bago pinagsasaksak.

Agad na rumesponde sina SPO2 Joseph Felicitas at PO1 Rodelio Dela Torre ng Police Station 4, sa pangunguna ni Police Senior Inspector Orlando Reyes, kasama na rin ang BPSO ng Old Cabaln.

Kaagad na nahuli si Mark Langcop at habang iniimbestigahan ang naturang suspek ay napansin na may bahid pa ito ng dugo sa kanang kamay.

Kinabukasan naman ay nakatanggap ng tawag ang Police Station 4 mula kay Lorenzo Ambe, tiyuhin ng isa pang suspek, at sinabi na ipapaaresto ang kanyang pamangkin matapos aminin ng suspek na isa siya sa sumaksak sa biktima. Kaagad namang naaresto ang suspek na kasalukuyang nakapiit matapos masampahan na ng kaukulang kaso.

Ang pagkakadakip kay Pederio at Langcop ay patunay sa mataas na crime solution efficiency rating ng Olongapo sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr.

Si P/Insp Orlando Reyes, Commander ng Police Station 4 kasama ang dalawang suspek sa pagpatay kay Mark Mirania na sina Joel Artita (naka green na t-shirt) at si Mark Delcano (naka-blue na t-shirt). Naganap ang insidente nitong ika-20 ng Setyembre 2008 sa Old Cabalan, Olongapo City Ang mga suspek ay lango sa alak at kinursunada lamang ang biktima na dead on arrival (DOA) sa ospital sa lalim ng tinamong mga saksak sa katawan

PAO/Don

Gordon pushes HEAP bill passage

People’s Journal

Majority of public school pupils have dental cavities that affect their performance in school, Sen. Richard J. Gordon said yesterday.

This is one of the reasons why Gordon is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 2402 also known as the Health and Education Acceleration Program bill, which aims to improve not only the education system but also the country’s school health profile.

Citing government statistics, Gordon said 997 percent of the country’s school children have tooth decay, which significantly affect their performance and may eventually lead to a poor achievement rate.

“If our students are experiencing toothache, how can they concentrate in school? Instead of listening to the teacher’s lesson, their focus would be on the pain they feel. That’s something we need to address,” he said.

He noted that the country’s health personnel-student ration is at one medical officer is to 80,000 students; one school dentist is to 20,000 students; and one school nurse is to 5,000 students.

The senator explained that hen the HEAP bill is passed into law, telecommunications companies would be mandated to remit 50 percent of their net revenues from local text messages, which will help augment government resources to finance needed education and health infrastructures.

HPG seizes 16 hot vehicles

By. Mamer Bañez – People’s Journal

OLONGAPO City – Sixteen motor vehicles were seized by operatives of the Olongapo highway Patrol Group for various violations over the weekend.

HPG provincial officer Chief Insp. Noel Nuñez said most vehicles violated the Land Transportation law and the Anti- Car napping Law.

These include riding in tandem not wearing helmets, unregistered motorcycles, driving without license, delinquent LTO registration and car plats with colored plastic cover.

Nuñez said two colorum taxis were impounded by the city government,
The HPG also warned vehicle owners using commemorative plates not to superimpose them over regular plates.

Last August, the LTFRB, LTO and HPG impounded four colorum taxis in Olongapo. Their owners were penalized.

White Rock Triathlon 2008 is all set to rock

THE most anticipated endurance race in the Philippines is all set to rock-the White Rock Triathlon (WRT) 2008.

On its fifth year running, race organizer Extribe Inc. has committed to a bigger and better edition this year.

Copresented by Enervon-HP, the stage is set for the White Rock Triathlon 2008 on October 4.

White Rock Beach Resort in Subic, Zambales, will again host this premier long-distance race.

The ultimate triathlon endurance race will cover 2 kilometers of ocean swim at White Rock Beach resort, a 91-km cycling ride through Zambales and a 20-km run to Olongapo and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The logistically demanding event is supported by Coca-Cola, New Balance, Fitness First, David’s Salon and Blue Cross Insurance and the local government and agencies of Olongapo City, the province of Zambales and the SBMA.

As early as now, athletes from all over the country as well as from Singapore, Canada and the United States have signed up for the event.

Extribe Inc. expects ideal weather conditions for the swim and bike portions of the race. The run portion will prove to be most difficult among the three disciplines. It features an undulating road at the hottest time of the day.

For race details, information and registration, visit www.extribe.com.ph. Or contact Extribe Inc. at telephone number (632) 438-9021.

WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATION

Olongapo city is one with the Department of Tourism in celebrating World Tourism Day on September 27, 2008.

To jumptart the celebration in the city, the PASE Ballo dance group from Gordon College performed a colorful interpretative dance number on September 22, 2008 at the flag-raising ceremony held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center. Afterwards, City Councilor and Task Force Tourism chief Gina Perez announced the activities and events lined up for the celebration.

A ‘Front Office Operations Training’ is currently being held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) and will last until September 23, 2008. On September 24-25, a ‘Housekeeping Training’ will be held at the OCCC and Anne Raquel’s Resort.

The trainings are given by the City Government of Olongapo, led by Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. and facilitated by the DOT. The trainings are given to boost the tourism industry and give more employment opportunities for Olongapeños.

Registration fee per seminar is P600 but for a package price of 1150, if both the seminars are availed of. The fees include meals, kits, modules and a certificate from the DOT.

“Palakasin pa natin ang turismo dito sa ating lungsod,” Perez said. “Hindi na tayo kailangan pang pumunta sa ibang bansa dahil dito lang sa Olongapo ay marami tayong madidiscover.”

“Ang tourism ang pinakamalaking industry dito sa Olongapo kaya dapat nating pangalagaan ito,” said Mayor Gordon.

One of the ongoing projects of the Olongapo City Tourism Office is the Bb. Olongapo 2008. The Talent night will be held on October 04, 2008 at the PAGCOR Oriental Paradise Casino and the Grand Pageant Night will be on October 26, 2008 at the OCCC.

The World Tourism Day is celebrated by the member countries of the Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in commemoration of the UNWTO statutes on September 27, 1970.

For more information regarding the World Tourism Day celebration, visit the Olongapo City Tourism Office at the OCCC or call (047)227-1474.

PAO/Don

Subic Water earns flak from dads

By FRANCO G. REGALA - MANILA BULLETIN

OLONGAPO CITY- The local water distributor here is facing mounting criticisms for alleged unnecessary road diggings and discharging chemical wastes in the city’s drainage canals and rivers.

The Kapisanan ng Aktibong Mamamayan ng Olongapo (KAMAO) put the Subic Water Sewerage Company Inc. (SWSCI) to task for the diggings in the city’s main avenue which are causing inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.

According to KAMAO president Ferdinand Delos Santos, the water utility firm should give priority to expanding its coverage to areas in Olongapo which until now do not enjoy water service instead of digging for pipes that do not need upgrading.

He cited Subic Water’s agreement with the city government wherein the former pledged to expand its service coverage to highland barangays.

“It’s been 11 years since Subic Water took over the water supply from Olongapo Water District yet the promised expansion has not happened. Olongapo is a highly urbanized city yet it is ironic that it has areas which do not have water connection. To think that the water utility firm always cites expansion projects,” Delos Santos said.

Delos Santos warned that his group and other socio-civic organizations in the city will oppose any future plan by SWSCI to increase its water rates unless the concerns of local consumers are addressed.

Meanwhile, the City Council took the SWSCI to task over alleged unabated dumping of “chemical sludge” into the city’s rivers as it seeks a reevaluation of the water company’s Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In a resolution, the councilors also asked the National Water Resources Board “to direct SWSCI to implement applicable measures to arrest the growing environmental and health hazards.”

This, after residents of barangays Sta. Rita and Gordon Heights complained of “unbearable noise” coming from the SWSCI pumping station as well as the “obnoxious fumes from the mental Management Bureau has likewise found that Subic Water is operating without a Discharge Permit.

Coal-fired power plant sa Subic tinutulan

OLONGAPO CITY--ISANG mapayapang kilos-protesta ang isinagawa ng Subic Bay Coalition Against Coal (SBCAC) Subic – Olongapo City at ilang mga residente noong Setyembre 14 para ikondena ang pagtatayo ng isang coal-fired power plant sa Sitio Naglatore ng Brgy. Cawag, Subic, Zambales.

Magsisilbi ang 300 MW coal-fired power plant sa pangangailangan ng Hanjin, isang dayuhang kompanyang Koreano na kilala sa larangan ng paggawa ng malalaking barko.

Sinimulan ngayong taon ang konstruksiyon ng planta na pag-aari ng Redondo Peninsula Energy, isang joint venture ng Aboitiz Power Corp. at Taiwan Cogen International Corp. Ookupahan ng planta ang mahigit 20 ektarya habang ang 10 ektarya naman ay para sa “ash pond”.

Batay sa pananaliksik ng grupo, magbubuga ang planta ng 650,000 metro tonelada ng carbon kada taon.

“Maliwanag na magdudulot ito ng grabeng pinsala sa kalusugan ng bawat may buhay at tiyak na makadaragdag sa di-normal at mabilis na ‘climate change’ bunga ng mga lasong ibinubuga ng planta na nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, at mercury,” ayon sa SBCAC.

Umano’y may bago na namang kalbaryo ang mga taga-Sitio Naglatore, Sampaloc, Nagbayukan at Kinabuksan na pangingisda ang ikinabubuhay.

Hanggang ngayon, nagrereklamo pa rin ang mga residente ng mga kalapit na sitio na sapilitang napaalis sa kanilang tirahan at nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil sa pagtatayo ng shipbuilding facility ng Hanjin.

Ayon naman sa Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Department, “done deal” na ang proyekto. Binigyan nila ang kumpanya ng Environmental Compliance Certificate noong Abril 4. Mitch Santos - Pinoy weekly

ICTSI’s Subic terminal ISPS compliant

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI)’s New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1), located in Subic Bay Freeport, was recently awarded a three-year certification for its compliance with the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities (ISPS).

NCT-1’s certification was issued by Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) under Cecilio Penilla, administrator of the office for transport security.

ISPS is a security regulation by the United Nations (UN)’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) established in 2004 to counter increasing terror threats in global maritime trade.

Aurelio C. Garcia, general manager of Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), operator of the NCT-1, said the ISPS clearance is an indication that the new terminal is ready for global trade as well as ensuring the safety and security of all containers stored in its terminal.

“As the new trading gateway in northern Philippines serving the industries of Subic, Clark and Tarlac economic zones, we are priming the NCT-1 to be at par with the world’s best practices in terminal operations,” he said.

“More than complying with the ISPS, the safety and security procedures and installations in place at the NCT-1 ensure the quality of our container handling services. We are bringing in ICTSI’s brand of expertise to the terminal, and we assure our customers, shipping line and consignee alike, that we are committed to give only the best service,” Garcia added.

Headquartered in the Philippines , ICTSI is on its 20th year of operation.(PNA)

ANTI-GRAFFITI CAMPAIGN IN ‘GAPO

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon has intensified the ongoing campaign against vandals who paint graffiti in different areas around the city.

Mayor Gordon tasked several government agencies including the city officials and employees to monitor the city and locate places with graffiti.

“Unang una, it brings down the prices of real estate. Pangalawa pangit tignan lalo na at we are expecting a lot of visitors ngayong mga darating na buwan,” explained Mayor Gordon.

“Kapag yung may mga graffiti ay private properties, pagsabihan yung may-ari na alamin kung sino yung naglagay ng graffiti at pinturahan iyon. Kung sa government naman katulad ng sa eskwela, dapat alamin kung estudyante yung naglagay.

Mayor Gordon alerted the peacekeeping force of Olongapo, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP) and barangays, and told them to patrol around the city.

“Kailangan ay mahuli natin yung mga naglalagay ng graffiti kung gusto nating dumami pa ang investors dito sa Olongapo. Dapat alisin natin yang mga yan dahil minus factor yan sa interes nila at dapat ma-enganyo natin sila na mag-tayo ng business dito,” said Mayor Gordon.

Two personnel of the Civil Security and Safety Unit (CSSU) recently apprehended three minors in the act of marking graffiti on the pavement between Police Station 1 and the Olongapo City Hall.

Mayor Gordon commended Gabriel del Pilar and Angelo Acosta and also gave them cash incentives for helping the city in its campaign.

“Kailangan i-report kaagad para mahuli yang mga yan at hindi na umabuso. Pwede rin akong itext sa 0917 896 1947 para maaksyunan kaagad,” Mayor Gordon added.

Mayor Gordon has also intensified the implementation of anti-jay walking ordinances to avoid accidents and help solve the traffic woes of the city.

PAO/Don

TURN-OVER CEREMONY AND MOA SIGNING OF COMMUNITY- BASED FLOOD EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

In connection with the “Flood Simulation Exercise” held last September 20, 2008 in Brgy. Old Cabalan and West Bajac-Bajac, members of several national agencies turned –over various equipment to the City of Olongapo.

The Turn-over Ceremony and MOA Signing was held at the FMA Hall of Olongapo City Hall. Present during the occasion were Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., City Councilor Rodel S. Cerezo, City government Employees and representatives of the different agencies of Region III Disaster Coordinating Council.

The ceremony focused on the Hazards Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community- Based Disaster Risk Management. Its objective is to raise awareness and educate Olongapeños of what to do in times of natural calamity such as flood.

Tturned-over were five (5) Digital Rain Gauges, one (1) manual rain gauge, four (4) water level gauges and one (1) batingaw. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau also installed Landslide warning signs in selected areas.

Mayor Gordon thanked the participants in the flood simulation exercise as well as to the agencies who sponsored some of the equipment.

“Patuloy nating palawigin ang ating mithiin na makamit ang layunin ng ating Lungsod in “Fighting for Excellence”, Gordon said.

The Agencies who turned-over the equipment include Pag-asa, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, OCD Reg. III, National Mapping Resource and Information Authority (NAMRIA), DOST and Phivolcs.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. receiving the equipment for Community-Based Flood Early Warning System during simple ceremonies at FMA Hall of Olongapo City Hall on September 20, 2008.

PAO/nmm

FLOOD SIMULATION EXERCISE

The City Disaster Management Office together with the City and Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council conducted the “flood simulation exercise” last September 20 in Barangay Old Cabalan and West Bajc-Bajac. The simulation exercise or drill prepares the affected barangay in the event of “flash floods” during rainy season.

City Social Welfare and Development Head Gene Eclarino announced that the City of Olongapo garnered 99.99% rating in the assessment made by the National Validators with the assistance of Olongapo City Disaster Coordinating Council Director Alfaro Neri.

“Both the City and Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils are deserving of the nominations for the National Award for Best Disaster Coordinating Council,” Eclarino disclosed. Meanwhile, Eclarino thanked all the City Officials and some regional representatives for the success of the undertaking.

“Ginawa ang pagsasanay na ito upang mabigyan ng dagdag na kaalaman ang ating mga kabarangay, ano ba ang dapat gawin, ano ang dapat iayos pagdating ng malakas na pagbaha,” added Eclarino.

A total of eight hundred eleven (811) individuals or two hundred fifteen (215) families were evacuated by the barangay officials and city disaster coordinating council to twenty four (24) classrooms in Barangay Old Cabalan.

Prior to the exercise, an orientation took place led by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., with the City Officials and National Agencies namely: Pag-asa, Philvocs, Mines and GeoSciences Bureau, Office of the Civil Defense Region III, Information Authority, Department of Science and Technology, City Disaster Coordinating Council, smart Communications, Philippine National Red Cross Olongapo Chapter, United Nations Development Program and other Regional representatives.

The exercise is another milestone for Olongapeños according to Eclarino, with the validators comparing the city to other places in the Philippines, rating it on top of the rest of the cities of the country.


Photo taken last September 20, 2008 during the “Flood Simulation Exercise” in Barangay Old Cabalan.

Zambales vice gov bats for responsible mining

IBA, ZAMBALES – Zambales Vice Governor Anne Gordon said mining companies should practice responsible mining in the wake of the tragedy in Compostela Valley where mining activities appeared to have contributed to the landslides that left scores of people dead early this month.

Asked by environmentalist groups here regarding mining operations in Zambales, Gordon cited the strict monitoring being done by the provincial government on mining firm operations as she expressed concern over the hazards posed by unchecked mining activities on the environment and communities near mining sites.

There are currently eight mining firms operating in Zambales. These are Benguet Corp., Acoje Mining Company, A3 Una Mining Corp. Eramen Minerals, Inc., Chrom Mining Resources Corp., all in Sta. Cruz town, the Saprolite Mining Inc. in Botolan, and the Consolidated Mines, Inc. and Zambales Chromite Mining Inc., both in Masinloc.

The vice governor said mining firms should address environmental concerns while the government should keep a close watch on protected areas and make sure that these are not settled by villagers.

"We have to ensure that people are out of harm’s way and the provincial government of Zambales is taking no chances when it comes to the safety of people in mining villages," said Gordon.

She added that that the provincial leadership is very particular regarding the impact of mining activities in the ecosystem.

"There is always the possibility of accidents and environmental degradation given that mining is a high-risk activity. That is why Governor Amor Deloso formed Task Force Kalikasan in order to keep mining operations in check.

"Tragedies can be avoided and the damage to the environment can be contained if we all act responsibly," Gordon stressed.

CITY FIESTA QUEEN 2008 CANDIDATES REVEALED

A total of seventeen candidates will compete for the title City Fiesta Queen 2008.

The presentation of the candidates was held last Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Olongapo City Convention Center. The project with the theme: “Bayanihang Gapo” is headed by Councilor Ellen Dabu.

The Olongapo City Fiesta 2008 Execom Chairperson and Councilor Ellen Dabu led the opening and presentation of the candidates with Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., Vice-Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, Fiesta 2008 Execom Co-Chairperson Ellen Villar and other officials of the project.

Proceeds of the contest will fund the Olongapo City Scholarship program and Philhealth membership for indigents .

“Malugod naming hinihiling ang suporta ng mga mamamayan ng Olongapo upang makamit natin ang minimithing layunin ng programa, hindi lamang para sa ating Lungsod kundi pati rin sa mga Olongapeños na lubos na nangangailangan ng tulong.” Dabu said.

The Olongapo City Fiesta Queen 2008 candidates are:

Kerstein Ann P. Ramos- New Kalalake
Rodalyn P. Bautista- West Tapinac
Debbie Jane D. Barquin- East Tapinac
Lieslie Marzan Espelita- New Ilalim
Stephanie Cristal Guiang- Mabayuan
Mae Marielle M. Solomon-Banicain
Angelica S. Laguatan-Asinan
Abbigaille C. Masangkay- West Bajac-Bajac
Joanne Erika Pedraya-Kalaklan
Dasle Marie Vencilao-Sta. Rita
Quinnie Tapang- Pag-asa
Maria Danica Estrada-Gordon Heights
Jaylene Ubaldo-East Bajac-Bajac
Nina Calderon-New Cabalan

The First Canvassing is scheduled on October 17, 2008. Inquiries may be coursed through Aivy at 222-2661 local 4227 or Joy at 09226785043 .

CSC honors Central Luzon 'heroes in government'

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's (SBMA) Security Officer III Joel G. Viray received the award for his dynamism and dedication in his work which led to the improvement of security systems and processes Subic Freeport.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) recently honored Central Luzon's heroes in government, all awardees of its Public Service Delivery Audit/Assistance (PASADA) and Honor Awards Programs (HAP).

CSC Chairman Ricardo L. Saludo extolled the awardees' good work, achievements and heroism as he stressed that they are excellent and outstanding servants of government.

The awarding ceremonies highlighted the commission's 108th anniversary celebration this month which has for its theme: "Republic Service - Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Panahon ng Paghamon."

As chairman of the CSC, Saludo vowed that he will ensure that the commission will boost the morale of public servants by giving them a sense of purpose and inspire them to work harder and better.

He also aims to rebuild public trust in government service by highlighting and promoting the good deeds and exemplary works of government employees.

Saludo said that his administration shall give priority focus to the attainment of its mission and vision dubbed MERCI.

He explained that the MERCI acronym stands for Morale of civil servants; Efficiency in information technology, governance, education and trainings; Responsiveness thru constant and regular dialogues and consultation with clientele; and Integrity through mechanisms on effective governance.

CSC Regional Director Karin Litz B. Zerna said that PASADA is CSC's proactive mechanism installed to address the problems wrought by inefficiency at the government's frontline services and it highlights best practices, ideal systems and tested solutions that made possible improved service delivery.

Zerna said that this year's PASADA top rating agencies are the office of municipal planning and development coordinator of Bamban, Tarlac; members assistance section of the Social Security System (SSS); municipal assessor's office of Capas, Tarlac; payment section of Paniqui Water District in Tarlac; taxpayer assistance section of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the City of San Fernando; residence certificate issuance section of the city government of Angeles; payment section of Angeles City Water District; municipal assessor's office of Moncada, Tarlac; and office of the municipal planning and development coordinator, also of Moncada,Tarlac.

Pagasa awards were also given to outstanding individuals and groups in recognition of their outstanding contributions resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government.

Dr. Philip B. Ibarra, president of Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA), received the Pagasa award for his masterful stewardship of the college's human capital which led to the introduction of innovative programs and enhanced competencies and skills of its manpower.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's (SBMA) Security Officer III Joel G. Viray also received the Pagasa award for his dynamism and dedication in his work which led to the improvement of security systems and processes at the said Freeport.

Awardee for the group category of the Pagasa award is the provincial assessment and treasury office of the provincial government of Bulacan for the group's determination to properly collect real property tax in the province through its "Buwis Balikatan sa Barangay", a strategy to improve collection of taxes by sustained tax education in the far-flung barangays.

The TCA is another awardee for the group category for the college's successful introduction and commercialization of the clean planting materials (CPM) which reduced the incidence of sweet potato disease by more than 50 percent. This technology has contributed to an almost 50 percent increase in crop yield.

The awarding ceremony was held at King's Royal Hotel & Leisure Park in Bacolor, Pampanga with regional directors and employees of national government agencies in the region in attendance. by Erlinda T. Yutuc - PIA

TOUR OF HOPE’ IN OLONGAPO CITY

A cycling program and campaign tour to battle cervical cancer ended its last leg here in Olongapo City on September 17, 2008.The campaign, called ’Go the X-Tra Mile to X-Out Cervical Cancer’ took off from Vigan, Ilocos Sur on September 13, 2008.

The 500 kilometer cycling tour had stops in Candon, Ilocos Sur; Agoo, La Union; Alaminos, Pangasinan; and Iba, Zambales.

In connection with the tour, a cervical cancer awareness seminar was held at the FMA Hall of the Olongapo City Hall. Olongapo City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. declared his support of the campaign during the seminar and gave a message about the city’s health programs and priorities.

“One way of preventing cancer is through sports. Kaya nga nagbuo ako ng team ng professionals and experts para sa isang sports medicine department sa James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital,” explained Mayor Gordon.

“The city government supports this project because gusto natin na ang mga kababaihan ay hindi nagkakasakit. Malakas ang support ko sa mga kababahihan,” Mayor Gordon added.

The seminar was led by City Health chief Dr. Arnildo Tamayo and Dr. Cecilia Ladines-Llave, chair of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Cancer Institute and project director of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network Program (CECAP).

The tour aims to raise the people’s awareness, especially women’s, regarding cervical cancer, its causes, how it develops and the ways to prevent it.

“Every eight minutes a woman dies of cervical cancer in the Philippines,” Llave said.

According to medical experts, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death of women in the Philippines. Many of these cases are diagnosed late but there is a huge chance of curing the disease if detected early.

Studies have shown that healthy lifestyle, stress management, proper nutrition at and proper sleep patterns help prevent the disease.

“Sa lahat ng health centers sa Olongapo City ay mayroon pap smear screening. Tuloy tuloy rin ang aming information drive about cervical cancer to raise awareness and prevent its incidence,” said Tamayo.

Olongapo City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. placing his thumbprint on the souvenir of ‘Tour of Hope’ which completed its last leg in Olongapo on September 17, 2008. The tour aims to raise the people’s awareness on the battle against cervical cancer. PAO-DON

Nihao unit gets right to mine nickel in Zambales

It is reported that Companhia Nube Minerale Inc, a subsidiary of Nihao Mineral Resources International Inc, has executed an operating agreement with another local mining firm for the exclusive right to develop a nickel mine in Botolan, northwest of Manila.

As per report, Companhia Nube Minerale Inc has acquired from Concorde International Mining Corporation the exclusive right to develop and operate, for the extraction of nickel, the 2,564 hectare property in Botolan.

The agreement is for 5 years and may be renewed for another 5 years.

Nihao said that Nube Minerale agreed to pay Concorde a royalty fee per tonne of nickel shipped, based on the average current nickel price, with escalation in the event of increase in nickel prices.

Nube Minerale will also be given first priority in the event Concorde decides to enter into another joint venture to develop other mineral resources in the Concorde AEP area.

In August 2008, Nihao signed an agreement with Jiangxi Rare Earth and Rare Metals Tungsten Group Co on exploration and development of mine sites in Zambales. Under the agreement, Jiangxi, Nihao and Geograce Resources Philippines Inc will form a partnership to explore and develop Zambales mining holdings totaling 35,496.6 hectares that are either directly or indirectly held by the two local firms.

The agreement also provides for other arrangements, including establishment of a JV processing plant for nickel and cobalt in the Philippines. If the exploration work proves successful, a nickel smelting plant will e put up in Zambales in three to six months. steelguru.com

PLDT/MABUHAY AND PROTOSTAR SIGN COOPERATION DEALS

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), its subsidiary Mabuhay Satellite Corporation (Mabuhay) and ProtoStar Ltd. (ProtoStar), a Bermuda company, signed today several agreements covering multiple areas of cooperation.

Key aspects of the agreements include: an exchange of certain Mabuhay assets for an equity position in ProtoStar; expanded use of Mabuhays Subic Space Center for the operation and control of satellites; an option for PLDT to make further investments in ProtoStar, and an agreement for PLDT to lease C band transponder capacity on ProtoStars recently launched ProtoStar I satellite.

Overall, the agreements should enhance ProtoStars pan-Asian reach while extending Mabuhays presence in the region. ProtoStar I was successfully launched on July 7, 2008 from Kourou, French Guiana. ProtoStar I has on board 22 Ku-band transponders and 38 C-band transponders (all 36Mhz equivalents).

The Ku-band transponders will support the rapidly expanding Direct-to-Home (DTH) television markets of India and IndoChina, while the C-band transponders will serve the rapidly growing cellular phone markets of Southeast Asia.

A ProtoStar II satellite is now in its final manufacturing stages with a scheduled launch in the spring of 2009. ProtoStar plans to develop and launch several other satellites in the coming years to serve Asia s businesses requiring transponder capacity.

PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan stated that PLDTs investment in ProtoStar affirms PLDTs commitment to the telecommunications industry and provides a platform for future growth in the industry through one of Asias upcoming regional satellite operators.

PLDT president and CEO and Mabuhay chairman Napoleon L. Nazareno added that PLDT and Mabuha'ys collaboration with ProtoStar "will enable PLDT to enjoy full diversity and protection for its satellite needs as ProtoStar continues with its satellite fleet expansion plans.

"The PLDT group uses significant satellite capacity for its GSM backhaul requirements for its rural cell sites, and this diversification will add to the robustness of the PLDT Groups network," Nazareno said.

"We are happy that ProtoStar has found value in Mabuhays Satellite Telemetry, Tracking and Control capabilities which have been built through our experience in ably operating the Agila-2 satellite. This collaboration with ProtoStar ushers Philippine satellite operations into a new era of growth," said Gabriel Z. Pimentel, Mabuhay president and CEO.

Philip Father, president and CEO of ProtoStar Ltd., added that this collaboration represents a win-win-win for PLDT, Mabuhay and ProtoStar in that, together we expand our satellite fleets and customer base as well as our ground systems in a value-adding strategic manner that is terrific for our respective customers and shareholders.

PLDT is the leading telecommunications service provider in the Philippines. Through its three principal business groups wireless, fixed line, and information and communications technology PLDT offers the largest and most diversified range of telecommunications services across the Philippines most extensive fiber optic backbone and wireless, fixed line and satellite networks. (PNA)

Govt to install fuel-marking systems to curb oil smuggling

The government is taking its drive against oil smuggling a notch higher with a fuel-marking system to be established in three major ports in the country by November.

The fuel marking system will be implemented in the ports of Subic Bay and Batangas, and at the Clark special economic zone to curb rampant oil smuggling.

Bureau of Customs Commissioner Napoleon L Morales said Swiss inspection services provider Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) has been tapped to provide the fuel marking technology for oil products. SGS, for its part, has teamed up with British firm, Authentix, for the three-month trial of a system which is unique to the Philippines. SGS and Authentix have fuel marking systems installed in Tanzania, Kenya, India, and in other parts of Asia.

Morales said the costs of the fuel marking technology is shouldered by the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association.

The government is estimated to be losing as much as P9.5 billion in potential revenues annually due to the smuggling of oil products to the country, P7 billion of which are excise tax payments and the rest are import duties.

Finance Secretary Margarito B Teves earlier ordered an inquiry on the discrepancy between oil import data from the Bureau of Customs and the National Statistics Office. - GMANews.TV

Victim in Subic rape case insists RP should take custody of convicted rapist

The complainant's camp in the Subic rape case on Thursday said they will insist that convicted rapist US Lance Corporal Daniel Smith be turned over to Philippine custody when the Supreme Court holds oral arguments on the matter Friday.

In a radio interview, lawyer Evalyn Ursua, the victim's legal counsel, said they expect to go up against Philippine government lawyers who will insist that Smith remain in the US Embassy's custody.

"Ine-expect namin igigiit ng Philippine government na manatili si Smith sa US Embassy. Yan ang kanilang position. Kami igigiit namin dapat sa atin ang custody (We expect the Philippine government's lawyers to argue that Smith be allowed to remain in the US Embassy. We will insist that he be in Philippine government custody)," Ursua said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Smith was convicted on December 4, 2006 of raping a woman in Subic in November 2005. But shortly after he was whisked to the Makati City Jail, the US serviceman was spirited away and was brought to the US Embassy.

On the other hand, Smith's lawyer Jose Justiniano said Smith will not likely appear before the High Court Friday, saying they have not even received notice for the hearing.

"Ngayong hapon wala kaming notice of hearing. Kami bilang abogado wala kaming notice of hearing (We as his lawyers have not received a notice of hearing)," Justiniano said in a separate interview on dzBB.

Besides, Justiniano said the major parties at the hearing will be Philippine government officials since they signed the Visiting Forces Agreement.

It is the Solicitor General who will argue the case for the Philippine government and not them, he added.

In the interview, Ursua said the High Court will also hear on Friday oral arguments who should have custody of Smith, and if the US should be cited in contempt of court.

Also, she said they are hoping the High Court will decide on the matter before this year ends.

"Pag nagtawag sila ng oral argument, ang decision di malayo (If the high court calls for oral arguments, a decision may be forthcoming)," Ursua said. - GMANews.TV

Maddela is new SBMA chief security

By: Mamer Bañez - People's Journal

SUBIC Bay Freeport -- The Law Enforcement Department handling the security and peacekeeping force here has a new head: retired Gen. Orlando M. Maddela, Jr., former Philippine National Police Chief of Staff for Internal Affairs Services.

Maddela has 31 years of military and police experience from various assignments in Cotabato City, Bicol Region, Sorsogon, Metrocom, Malacañang, Bulacan, Aurora, Manila, Palawan, Davao and Olongapo City as city police director.

In Olongapo City, Maddela led the police force in working closely with the community and the city government.

At Monday’s flag raising ceremony, Maddela was introduced to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority employees. SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza welcomed and introduced him to the Freeport managers.

“I’ve been there for 31 years of my career in the service. Wala po akong pwedeng ipangako kundi I’m going to do the tasks assigned to me and I’m going to do it with all my heart, all dedication and with the best of my ability,” he said.

Maddela replaces retired Col. Jaime C. Calunsad, former Intelligence Officer of the Army.

URBAN HEART

Olongapo City has been chosen as one of the pilot cities for the Urban Health Assessment Record (Urban HEART). On September 19, 2008 an orientation about Urban HEART was held by the Department of Health (DOH) at Grasshut Restaurant in Olongapo City.

Present during the orientation were Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr., DOH Representative Linda Fabunan, City Health Officer Arnildo Tamayo, Assistant City Health Officer Lloyd Bryan Tubban and City Planning Officer Marey Beth Marzan.

Marzan and Regional Urban Heart Coordinator Engr. Manuel Castro presented the project.

Urban Heart is an assessment tool to give the policy-makers and key stakeholders at national and local levels a guide to measure the current status and conditions of their cities and find the areas that need attention.

Urban Heart was developed by the World Health Organization Center for Health Development in Kobe, Japan. It is made up of two components: health equity assessment and health equity response.

According to the DOH, the following are the objectives of the project:

• Assist communities to identify gaps and interventions and promote health equity

• Help policy-makers achieve a better understanding of social determinants and associated health outcomes

• Stimulate policy-makers to make strategic decisions and interventions sensitive to the needs of vulnerable groups

• Assist program managers to develop better intersectoral collaboration and communication strategies dealing with various determinants of health

The other pilot cities are: Parañaque City, Taguig City, Naga City, Tacloban City, Zamboanga City and Davao City.

‘This will definitely help the city to determine the health status and conditions ng mga mamamayan. Health is a major concern for us and this project will aid us in successfully improving the health care delivery sa bawat mamamayan ng Olongapo,” Mayor Gordon said.

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. delivering his speech during the orientation of the Urban Health Assessment Record (Urban HEART) at Grasshut Restaurant on September 18, 2008.

PAO/Don

Hello SBMA??? your locator is dumping sewer into Subic Bay!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xVpAMWjNRc

this is a report on the subic bay vista marina sewer outlet, sbma authorities has to act pronto on this one or people can get sick from this anomaly

Comments


Anonymous said...
I think if you investigated further you would find that ALL establishments along waterfront road plus others dump raw sewerage into the bay - ALL

9/18/2008 11:20 AM


Anonymous said...
i could not believe that this would happen, i always enjoy jet skiing in that area, and you guys are telling me that in fact all establishment in subic waterfront is doing it and sbma not doing anything about it???? somebody from national government has to step in . . . the DENR should assert their regulatory power over sbma ecology :-/

9/18/2008 1:08 PM


Aphrodyteness said...
OMG... they spendt millions on building the lighthouse but they cant fix the sewage and what the hell why do they have to put the sewage straight to the beach????

9/18/2008 2:00 PM



I am living in Europe and I am in Olongapo frequently. I would like to know if anything happened since the first message about this was coming up here? Did the police come there or did any other authority do something about it?

By Anonymous, at 9/19/2008 2:55 PM

Subicwater discharges raw sewage from the Central Business District into the Bay from an outfall located on the bottom of the Bay, eighty feet under the surface, directly offshore from the Chamber office.

The Water Regulatory Board has postponed its hearings on Subicwater's latest rate increase. When those hearings are finally held, the community should show up en masse to demand that any water rate increase be conditioned on Subicwater building a sewage treatment plant to treat the raw sewage it is now dumping into the Bay.

By Anonymous, at 9/22/2008 8:53 AM

I'm not surprised. The investors might have known that SUBICWATER & SEWERAGE CO. INC. was the major sewage dumper in Subic Bay. "If they can do it, so we can."

Subicwater is obliged to invest and construct a main central sewerage treatment plant in SBMA to eliminate sewage outfalls to Subic Bay and it's been 11 years of their operations and nothing had happen.

I wonder if Senator Pia Cayetano who just joined the Asia Triathlon competition knew if the swimming venue is safe for swimmers?

By sammy matias, at 9/23/2008 2:12 PM

my family spend most of our weekends in subic renting jet skis banana boat ride beside gerrys grill only to know that were doing on a sewer bay not subic bay how come sbma is looking the other way you people are sick!

By Anonymous, at 9/24/2008 6:08 PM

I am writing from a hotel on the Barretto beachfront. Last Sunday I took a brief swim in the bay and within 24 hours I had a severe sinus infection. No proof that it came from the sea but I can't think of how else I could have got it.
It seems the hotels are not to blame. I am told that all hotels on the beachfront have septic systems which must be emptied regularly. In fact I am advised that the only people who can discharge untreated waste into the sea are Subicwater. Last Monday we watched a dirty browm stain spreading along the waterfront, presumably from the outfall. I wonder what else was in it apart from soil !!

By Visitor, at 9/25/2008 4:34 PM

If i may to our friendly visitors/tourists bloggers, you can write Subicwater & Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board (SBWRB) and ask about the truth of sewage outfall in waterfront area. You can see their sewage lift station 4 structure 510 waterfront road Central Area in front of Legenda Hotel and just beside the Casino.

Last July I have seen it under on-going improvement project. Improving their sewage dumping to Subic Bay to cater the increasing sewage in SBMA central area.

Why is Subicwater still allowed to continue this kind of operations? What is Subic Bay Water Regulatory Board (SBWRB) doing about it?

Your guess is as good as mine....

Maybe your voice can be heard and make the difference & we'll be very grateful.

By sammy matias, at 9/26/2008 12:15 AM