RICHARD GORDON ON FOOD DONATION ACT

Senator Richard Gordon as Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) led the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Food Donation Act of 2009 last May 17, 2010 held at the PNRC headquarters.

Present to witness the significant event were Parañaque Congressman Eduardo Zialcita; PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang; Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Acting Secretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Austere Panaderos; National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Maria Bernardita Flores; Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines (ULAP) President Benjamin Abalos, Jr.; and Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) President Humprey O’Leary.

According to Gordon’s closing remarks at the occasion, the Food Donation Act is in fact a breakthrough not only for the PNRC but for the Filipinos as a whole whose 285 peso per day income per family is not enough to feed its 5 family members.

“Hunger has been a chronic problem in the country so I encourage food donations even in normal times as well as in times of catastrophes and emergencies,” said Richard Gordon.

“We are not fostering dependence here. However, the poverty and hunger in the country is growing in absurd proportions that we have to take immediate action and take as much leverage as we can. This measure is not intended to serve as a band-aid solution to the alarming hunger crisis. We also persuade beneficiaries to look for decent employment so that they will become less dependent,” he added.

“Providing food to our underprivileged countrymen is just the start; providing jobs and trainings will be the other half of this program,” pledged Gordon who brought investors and created thousands of jobs in Subic Bay Freeport Zone as the first chairman and administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

According to Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr., the Food Donation Act of Sen. Gordon is a big step in addressing the welfare of the less-fortunate members of society.

To be qualified as food donations, food surpluses should pass all quality and labeling standards enforced by laws and regulations to ensure that all excess food and leftovers collected are fit for human consumption.

Signed by President Gloria Arroyo on November 25, 2009, the Food Donation Act is a consolidated version of Gordon’s Senate Bill No. 150 and Parañaque Representative Eduardo Zialcita’s House Bill No. 420

Brigada Eskwela - Olongapo BACK TO SCHOOL 2010

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has directed the different departments of Olongapo City Local Government regarding the school opening on June 15, 2010.

Mayor Gordon wants to be reassured that it is all systems go before the school opening that is why he alerted and notified the Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO), Office of Traffic Management and Public Safety (OTMPS), City Health Office (CHO), James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH), Environmental Sanitation Management Office (ESMO), Disaster Management Office (DMO), City Nutrition Office and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in a meeting held at the FMA Hall of the City Hall on May 25, 2010.

‘’Kailangan na ligtas ang mga mag-aaral sa lahat ng antas sa kanilang pagpasok sa eskwela lalo na ang mga maliliit na bata sa kanilang pagtawid sa lansangan. Tulungan natin ang DepED upang maging maayos ang pagbubukas ng klase sa Hunyo,’’ said Mayor Gordon.

‘’Kailangan na tumutok rin sina City Councilors Rodel Cerezo at Tet Marzan dahil ang pagsasa-ayos sa mga paaralan ng lungsod ang isa sa mga ipinangako natin sa ating mga kababayan noong panahon ng halalan,’’ added the mayor.

‘’Mahalaga rin na turuan ang mga bata na huwag magkalat, na dapat ang mga basura ay huwag itapon kung saan-saan lamang. Dapat turuan ang mga bata na ang basura ay dapat ilagay sa basurahan,’’ he expounded.

Olongapo City has eighty-three (83) schools to boast of 27 of which are public elementary schools, 12 public high schools, 31 private elementary schools at 13 private high schools.

Over forty thousand (40,000) elementary and high school students from both public and private schools in Olongapo are expected to go back to school this June. Pa0/jordan

Last Friday, Bagumbayan Volunteers led by Councilor Ed Piano participated in Brigada Eskwela to prepare local schools for its opening on June 15.

Olongapo CADASTRAL SURVEY PROJECT

After a series of meetings and massive dissemination of information, the Cadastral Lot Survey project of Olongapo City has already covered sixty-seven percent (67%) of the different barangays in the whole of Olongapo with improved cooperation from residents.

City Planning and Development Office Head Engr. Marivic Nierras, however, reminded that: “Dapat din na malaman na may deadline ang surveyor at pag hindi nakapag-sukat ay hindi na maisasama ang kanilang lote sa pagsusukat. Within 3 to 4 weeks ay matatapos na ang ground survey. Sayang nga at libre ‘yon at kung hindi sila makaka-avail ay sayang ang pagkakataon. Pwedi po silang magsadya sa # 25 Jones St. Brgy. New Asinan sa office ng AB Surveyor para magpa-schedule pag hindi pa sila napuntahan,’’ she added.

To ease the residents’ doubts and understand what Cadastral Survey is all about, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has directed City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and Public Affairs Office (PAO) to disseminate information with regards to the project.

The Cadastral Survey Project of Olongapo City is one of the many priority projects of the local government under Bong Gordon’s administration. This project has a fund of P36 million and is expected to be completed on or before four hundred eighty (480) days as stated in the contract. The funding for this project came from Senator Richard Gordon through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The following information is what Olongapenos need to know with regards to the Cadastral project:

What does Cadastral Survey mean?

Cadastral surveys are a type of land survey used to determine land ownership and boundaries. Cadastral surveys are usually conducted by the government and residents are not asked to pay for the surveying.

Objectives of Cadastral Surveying?

To have an extensive land surveying to measure boundaries of private lands, boundaries of the different barangays, municipalities and provinces and boundaries of “Forest Area” which cannot be acquired by anyone.

Benefits from the Cadastral Survey:

1. To make the process of land documentation and titling easier.

2. To make the process of land documentation and titling cheaper.

3. To resolve land disputes.

4. To help the local government in planning projects and programs for the development of each barangay.

NOTICE TO OLONGAPO CITY RESIDENTS:

Expect for a representative from AB Surveying and Development to survey your lot. Prepare land title or any of the following documents you have: Tax declaration, Miscellaneous Sales Application. Show the documents to the surveyor for reference. This surveying is FREE. The local government is expecting for the full cooperation of every resident of Olongapo in this project.

Schedule of meetings regarding the Cadastral Lot Survey:

MAY 30, 2010 Brgy. NEW KALALAKE

JUNE 9, 2010 Brgy. NEW ASINAN

JUNE 19, 2010 Brgy. EAST TAPINAC

JUNE 29, 2010 Brgy. PAG-ASA

JULY 9, 2010 Brgy. WEST TAPINAC

JULY 29, 2010 Brgy. NEW ILALIM

AUGUST 8, 2010 Brgy. BANICAIN

AUGUST 18, 2010 Brgy. STA. RITA

For more information on the Cadastral Survey Project, they may visit the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) or the office of AB Surveying and Development at #25 Jones St., New Asinan, Olongapo City.

Mayor Bong Gordon tries his pulse on the Total Station Survey Instrument as City Engineer Bobby Alvarez looks on. The Cadastral Survey is a kind of land measurement to determine the boundary of lots and authenticate ownership. wheng (Photo Courtesy of PAO/Jordan)

China eyes RP tourism, direct flights to Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – With a 37 percent surge in tourist arrivals from China last year, this premier Freeport is poised to become a major gateway that would have direct flights between the two countries after the Chinese government granted the Philippines its “Approval Destination Status.”

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza stated that officials of Shijiazhuang and Taizhou cities including a municipality in Southern China have already expressed support for direct flights to Subic.

The expected influx of tourists from the People’s Republic of China (PRoC) means big business for this freeport and that of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Freeport, just 35-45 minutes drive away via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

“We are now promoting Subic and Clark as one destination,” Arreza said.

Citing the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) projections, Arreza said over than five million foreign visitors may come to the Philippines this year and that a significant number of them will pass through or stay in Subic and Clark. By JONAS REYES - mb.com.ph

GORDON COLLEGE 2010 MIDWIFERY LICENSURE EXAM

Gordon College (GC) has once again showed exemplary performance in the recent Midwifery Licensure Examination where GC examinees got high passing rates after the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the results of the said examination on April 2010.

Out of the 79 first takers who took the exam, 66 or 86% of the GC examinees passed. Apart from getting high passing rate, the premier school exceeded the national passing rate of 52.58% or out of 3,623 examinees, 1,905 passed the board examination.

The continued success of Gordon College in terms of giving students quality education can be attributed not only to the teachers and administrators but more importantly for the support of the city government under the administration of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.

‘’Target ng pamahalaang lokal na maging unibersidad ang Gordon College pagdating ng panahon upang sa gayo’y patuloy na mabigyan ng de-kalidad at abot-kayang edukasyon ang mga kabataang Olongapeño. Hindi na rin kinakailangan pang lumabas ng lungsod tulad ng Maynila o Baguio ang mga college students natin para mag-aral ng kolehiyo dahil kanila ng makukuha ang mataas na kalidad ng edukasyon dito mismo sa lungsod,’’ said Mayor Bong Gordon.

Gordon College is run by the City Government which also provides funding for the construction and renovation of school buildings and for the improvement of school facilities.

HERE IS THE COMPLETE LIST OF GORDON COLLEGE BOARD PASSERS FOR THE APRIL 2010 MIDWIFERY LICENSURE EXAMINATION:

1. Aguada, Angeline Bess Medina

2. Alpez, Charwayne Abutin

3. Amigo, Mary Joy Alberto

4. Angulo, Christine Joy Gallardo

5. Apostol, Harlyn Arandilla

6. Armas, Anthony Ralph Barrameda

7. Bacsal, Mary Ellaine Vitudio

8. Baltero, Janine Tacluyan

9. Bantique, Dana Jane Trayfalgar

10. Brinoes, Katherine Joan Bandoy

11. Cambe, Jamaica Cabreros

12. Caseja, Abegail Villalobos

13. Caseja, Easther Joyce Artagame

14. Dagun, Madelle Marty

15. Dayap, Hazel Ragadio

16. De Castro, Lyle Dannise F.

17. De Lera, Adelbert Rusit

18. Dela Cruz, Rizal Philip Anthony

19. Dizon, May Ann Roncales

20. Dudang, Maria Mila Soriano

21. Ejaus, Rechelle Ann Ladiero

22. Encisa, Lynette Bulatao

23. Florencio, Mae Anne Medina

24. Forelo, Michle Angelo Midelo

25. Franco, Liezel Gonzaga

26. Gatos, Johnry Jackson

27. Guerreri, Camille Deocares

28. Javier, Dana Deniece

29. Labor, Rainier Gloria

30. Laviña, Leevi Paul Cruz

31. Bustillos, Lorjane Lepora

32. Layda, Judy Seraspe

33. Lopera, Grace lyn Ordoñez

34. Manalabe, Rhena Gorospe

35. Manzano, Queenie Ayonke

36. Marcial, Maureen Bautista

37. Monasterio, Ana Isabel Tiu

38. Mora, Nichole Mae Villanueva

39. Naces, Kiel Nixon Montano

40. Nobles, Olive Ross Robles

41. Pablo, Janrei Roxas

42. Panteria, Gloria Peleña

43. Eclevia, Krizza Mae Forelo

44. Paredes, Gerlie Anne Felarca

45. Pascasio, Jovelyn Alkuino

46. Perez, May Evelyn

47. Presquito, Melissa Baloloy

48. Ragadio, Mary Jane Dela Rosa

49. Ramirez, Russeell Paderes

50. Rempillo, Donalyn Santos

51. Repomanta, Sherlene Rae Basa

52. Reyes, Daisy Mae Quillon

53. Salinas, Jovy Lynn Banua

54. Salvacion, Kimberly Pardilla

55. Sanchez, Joey Quimanhan

56. Santos,Maria Cristina Manalastas

57. Saromo, Jenifer Dalit

58. Sazon, Kristine Uriza

59. Soriano, Ronald Jay

60. Taylor, Willie Jr Pobleo

61. Tejoc, Leina Belle

62. Teodoro, Donna Mae Barrarano

63. Villajuan, Bishmark Cabatit

64. Villamor, Oliver Ray Muyco

65. Villanueva, Kris Reario

66. Zulueta, Eleanor Dela Peña

Meanwhile, new CPAs Renee Baltazar and Harold Carbo of Gordon College also passed the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Board Exam out of the 6 GC examinees who took the CPA boards on May 2010.

Gordon College, the premier school of Olongapo delivers the best quality education in the city.

CITY DMO IS READY FOR THE RAINY DAYS

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. has directed Disaster Management Office Head Angie Layug to prepare and “recharge” his rescue teams as the rainy season approaches.

“Inaasahan natin na kasunod ng matinding init na ating naranasan ay susunod naman ang matinding tag-ulan. Kaya ngayon pa lamang ay naghahanda na ang DMO at ang City Disaster Coordinating Council para sa mga susunod na buwan,” Mayor Gordon explained.

“Preparado ang mga rescue teams ng DMO na rumesponde sa anumang sitwasyon sapagkat tuloy-tuloy ang ginagawa naming pag-aaral at training dahil kinakailangang alam ng ating mga rescue ang tamang pagliligtas ng buhay upang sila ay maging ligtas rin habang sumasagip ng buhay ng iba,” said Layug.

Meanwhile, Mayor Gordon has reminded Olongapeños to get ready for the upcoming rainy days thru the following:

 Replacing or repairing leaking roofs and ceilings and cleaning the gutters, canals and waterways;

 Cleaning backyards and getting rid of old tires, bottles or containers that can be the breeding grounds of dengue-causing mosquitoes ; and

 By taking enough vitamins and proper care of the body to fight cough and colds which are the common diseases during the rainy days.

Photojournalism for the youth held at Subic

The Subic Bay Photography Society (SBPS) recently held a one-day lecture on "Photojournalism for the Youth" in Olongapo City. Conducted by SBPS co-founder Roy Van Morales with Cleo Roda Nodado as organizer, the activity was part of the organization’s objective of sharing photography skills to others, particularly the youth around the area.

The lecture started off with a presentation of various images about photojournalism at McDonald's participated in by young individuals together with their parents. A nearby city park was the next stop where participants, together with other club members, had the chance to take images of eyesore and other unpleasant things.

At first, the young participants and their parents were all excited to be in the park to shoot. But as they stayed longer, they realized how unpleasant the place was. Vandalism was very evident almost everywhere. The slides and swings were dilapidated and rusty, making it quite dangerous for kids to play. The comfort room was also padlocked and damaged.

The SBPS organizers have already called the attention of the local leaders about the devastating condition of the city park to support their high hopes of restoring the lost splendor of the place.

The SBPS regularly conducts lectures to the youth that will help and build them become better citizens, role models, and future leaders of the country. Moreover, SBPS is now recognized by the Department of Tourism (DoT) Region III under Director Ronnie Tiotuico. mb.com.ph

For future activities of SBPS, one can check its Facebook group account

Subic Bay zone sees no exodus of Taiwanese firms to China

There is no indication that Taiwanese exporters in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone are prepared to relocate to China if Taiwan and China sign a proposed framework trade deal, a top executive of the Subic Bay Development Management Corp. (SBDMC) said Tuesday.

SBDMC President Jeff Lin was responding to a report given by Augusto B. Santos, director-general of the Philippines National Economic and Development Authority, which predicted that some of the 135 Taiwanese companies in the freeport zone will move to China if the trade deal is signed, leaving thousands of Filipinos out of work.

In fact, Lin said, the freeport zone has become more attractive to Taiwanese investors because of the positive effect of the free trade agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that took effect at the beginning of the year.

In 2009 alone, SBDMC signed new contracts with seven Taiwanese companies that intend to invest US$5.97 million there. Four of the companies entered the zone in the fourth quarter of the year, just before the China-ASEAN FTA came into force, according to Lin.

Taiwanese enterprises have not filed any applications to move out of the zone, Lin said, and some are even preparing to expand their facilities.

Tong Lung Metal Industry Corp., for example, which began operations in the freeport zone in 1998, plans to invest US$5 million to expand production, which is expected to create 600 new jobs.

Lin said that stricter U.S. anti-dumping measures making it more difficult for Chinese products to be exported directly to the United States will also deter Taiwanese exporters now operating in the Philippines from relocating to China.

The freeport zone also has some major competitive advantages over China, Lin said, including preferential tax treatment, low-cost, hard working workers proficient in English, and a safe and comfortable living environment.

SBDMC, a joint venture between Taiwan's United Development Corp.

and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, was established to develop the 300-hectare Subic Bay Gateway Park that is located in the freeport zone.

A number of big Taiwanese companies, including Wistron Infocom, Hitachi Taiwan, Tong Lung, Sanyo Denki Taiwan, and Taian Electric, have operations there.

(By Emerson T. Lin and Y.L. Kao) etaiwannews.com

CITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR SY 2010-2011

The Olongapo City Local Government under the leadership of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has intensified the ‘City Scholarship Program’ for the School Year 2010-2011.

‘’Ang kahirapan ay hindi dapat maging hadlang sa pagtupad ng parangap ng mga kabataang Olongapeño bagkus, ito ay dapat na maging inspirasyon upang makamit ang isang magandang buhay. Let us give our youth a better chance in making their lives better by providing quality education,’’ said Mayor Bong Gordon.

The ‘City Scholarship Program’ is open to poor but deserving students who are smart and bright youths in the elementary, high school and college levels.

To qualify for the ‘City Scholarship Program’, interested applicants should submit the following requirements:

• Requirements for Elementary and High School Level

1. Letter of Intent addressed to Mayor Bong Gordon (2 copies)

2. Bio-data with recent photo (2x2 picture)

3. Report Card showing 4th Grading Average (xerox copy)

4. If former city scholar, include City Scholar Certification

5. Voter’s Registration or Voter’s ID of parents or guardian (xerox copy

• Requirements for College Level

1. Letter of Intent addressed to Mayor Bong Gordon (2 copies)

2. Bio-data with recent photo (2x2 picture)

3. High School Card showing 4th Grading Average (xerox copy)

*for transferees, submit Transcript of Records (xerox copy)

4. Result of Entrance Exam at Gordon College (xerox copy)

5. Voter’s Registration or Voter’s ID of parents or guardian (xerox copy)

6. BIR Certification

For incoming college students, they have to pass the entrance exam at Gordon College where they can choose any two (2) or four (4) year course they wish to take-up.

Those who will be admitted in the ‘educational privilege’ in the city, should have an excellent general average.

Meanwhile, the elementary and high school city scholars will each receive school supplies from Mayor Gordon and Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Gordon at the start of the school year this June.

Mayor Gordon is still accepting applicants who are interested to be part of Olongapo City Scholars. For more information regarding this program, they may visit the City Mayor’s Office, 2nd Floor of the City Hall or they may call 222-2565.

Gov-elect Ebdane launches ‘Sulong Zambales’ program

CANDELARIA, Zambales — Governor-elect Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., has launched “Sulong Zambales,” a program of progressive change for his province “to give our province mates the community they want.”

Addressing some 20,000 Zambaleños and visitors at the town plaza, Ebdane thanked the voters who gave him a landslide victory of about 30,000 votes against incumbent Gov. Amor Deloso.

In an interview, Ebdane said his program of government for the development of Zambales will be based on a master plan that he himself crafted in response to the needs of his constituents.

He said he will give priority to the development of tourism, agrciulture, mineral resources, marine wealth and modern education in his program.

“I will do my best for the growth and development of Zambales for the benefit and happiness of our people,” he said.

For her part, Congreswoman-elect Mitos Magsaysay said: “Ebdane is the kind of leader Zambaleños have been waiting for. He has helped my district a lot even when he was still DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Secretary.”

Former Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain, one of the four candidates for vice governor who supported Ebdane, also won.

He was at the launching, along with Congressman Tony Diaz; reelected San Marcelino Mayor Jose Rodriguez, president of the Zambales Mayors League; and reelected Mayor Jean Misa Morana of this town.

Ebdane said “the grueling campaign was a lot tougher” than what he had gone through in his many years in government. mb.com.ph

OLONGAPO CITY’S FIGHT AGAINST DENGUE!

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has directed City Health Officer Dr. Arnildo Tamayo to intensify the ‘Anti-Dengue Campaign’ of Olongapo.

In a meeting held at the FMA Hall of the Olongapo City Hall on May 25, 2010, Mayor Gordon said that the campaign against Dengue should be observed all year-round and not only during the rainy season. He also encouraged all Olongapeños to take part in the city’s battle against Dengue.

‘’Ang target natin ay ‘zero case of Dengue’ sa Olongapo. Kaya dapat hindi lamang tayo ang kikilos dapat pati ang mga residente ay mag-linis rin dahil lahat tayo ay makikinabang, lahat tayo ay ligtas sa sakit,’’ said Mayor Gordon.

Through the City Health Office (CHO), the city is fully promoting the “4S” or the four ways to prevent the spreading of the harmful disease.

‘’Kabilang sa 4S ang (1) Search and Destroy all Breeding Sites-alisin ang mga bagay na maaaring pag-ipunan ng tubig at pangitlugan ng lamok tulad ng lumang gulong, lata, bote at tansan. Linisin ang mga alulod at palitan ang tubig sa flower vase minsan sa isang linggo. Nangingitlog ang lamok na nagdadala ng sakit na Dengue sa mga malinaw at di-dumadaloy na tubig (2) Self-Protection Measures-magsuot ng mahabang pantaloon at polo. Dapat gumamit rin ng mosquito repellant sa araw (3) Seek Early Consultation-kung may lagnat na tumatagal ng dalawang (2) araw o higit pa at may rashes sa balat, pumunta at komunsulta agad sa pinakamalapit na health center o ospital (4) Say No to Indiscriminate-mag-fogging lamang kung may dengue outbreak. Kung araw-araw nating lilinisin ang ating kapaligiran, mawawala ang mga lamok na sanhi ng Dengue. Kung walang lamok, walang Dengue. Ang sakit na Dengue ay nakamamatay kung hindi ito agarang maaagapan,” explained Dr. Tamayo.

In the ‘comparative dengue cases’ from 2003 to April 2010 of the City Health Office, cases of Dengue in Olongapo went down, much fewer compared to the Dengue cases in other cities due to the city government’s continued campaign against the disease.

Meanwhile, to attain a ‘dengue-free environment’, here are tips with regard to “Puksain ang kiti-kiti at Sugpuin ang Dengue” program of the Department of Health and the City Health Office:

1. Butasan o biyakin ang mga lumang gulong upang hindi pag-ipunan ng tubig at pangitlugan ng lamok.

2. Takpan ang mga drum, timba at iba pang ipunan ng tubig upang hindi pamahayan ng kitikiti.

3. Palitan ang tubig ng plorera o flower vase minsan isang linggo.

4. Linisin at alisin ang tubig sa paminggalan.

5. Linisin ang alulod ng bahay upang hindi maipunan ng tubig at pamahayan ng kitikiti.

6. Alisin ang iba pang bagay na maaaring pag-ipunan ng tubig at pangitlugan ng lamok tulad ng lata, bote, at tansan.

For more information on this matter, visit the City Health Office, Ground Floor, City Hall Complex or call 224-8390 local 4147/4134.

Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. (right) and City Health Officer Dr. Arnie Tamayo (left) while announcing the intensified campaign of the city government against Dengue.

FREE VACCINATION VS H1N1 VIRUS TO HEALTH WORKERS – CHO

The City Health Office (CHO) has announced in an interview by radio station dwGO that health workers all over the city will be vaccinated against the A(H1N1) virus as part of the city’s response to the pandemic.

“Our frontline health workers are at higher risk for getting the disease than ordinary people due to their larger probability of exposure. In addition, they may also transmit the infection to other patients, as well as their families and co-workers, so it is appropriate that they be given priority now that the vaccines are ready for deployment”, City Health Officer Arnildo Tamayo said.

Tamayo said that part of the priority list for vaccination are the pregnant women, children six months to five years old, those 60 years old and above, and those with chronic medical conditions.

The AH1N1 vaccine is available at the city health office and to the different barangay health centers. It is to be given free to the recipients until May 26, 2010.

“When AH1N1 struck last year, we were spared from this virus, but we are not complacent about it, we have to continue our aim to increase the awareness of Olongapenos about this deadly virus,” Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. said.

According to the Department of Health (DOH, more than 420,000 health workers at the national and local levels and the public and private sectors will benefit from the vaccine. The 1.9 million doses of the vaccine arrived during the last week of March and are being shipped to the different regions of the country. Health workers from the regional health offices and local government units have been oriented prior to the distribution of the vaccine.

Based on statistical data, as of May 9 2010, worldwide, more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18,036 deaths.

The City Health Office (CHO) is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the 17 barangay health centers in the city and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.

BARANGAY KALAKLAN REPEATS WIN AS CLEANEST AND GREENEST BARANGAY OF OLONGAPO (2nd Grading)

Brgy. Kalaklan has once again bagged ‘The Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo’ title in the 2nd grading of the competition which focused on the Compost, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (CR3) program of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and the Local Government of Olongapo City.

Mayor Bong Gordon and Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo awarded Brgy. Kalaklan through Brgy. Captain Jesus Ricardo Federico, accompanied by other officials of the said barangay, a check worth fifty thousand (P50,000.00) as cash incentive during the flag raising ceremonies held recently at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center.

‘’Sana ay maging inspirasyon sa labing-anim (16) pang mga barangay sa Olongapo ang dalawang (2) beses na pagkakapanalo ng Bgry. Kalaklan dahil nagpapakita lamang ito na seryoso sila sa pagsasakatuparan ng Compost, Reduce, Reuse at Recycle (CR3) program sa kanilang lugar’’ Mayor Gordon said.

Judges from Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies gave Barangay Kalaklan 83.22% and 90.75% for the 1st and 2nd evaluation and garnered 87.74 % as final score, the highest among the 17 barangays that competed.

‘’Barangay lamang ang nagsasagawa ng implementasyon ng Compost, Reduce, Reuse at Recycle (CR3) ngunit nasa kamay pa rin ng mga residente ang pagsasakatuparan nito kaya naman malaking bahagi ang mga residente ng Brgy. Kalaklan sa success ng programa at ibinabahagi ko ang karangalan na ito sa aking mga ka-barangay,’’ Kalaklan Brgy. Captain Federico proudly said.

Barangay Sta Rita won 2nd place with 80.05% and Barangay New Ilalim came in at 3rd place with 79.03% final score. Brgy. Asinan was in 4th palce with 77.64% final score and Brgy. East Bajac-Bajac made it to 5th place with 73.19% final score.

Brgys. Sta. Rita, New Ilalim, Asinan and East Bajac-Bajac received P25,000.00, P10,000.00, P8,000.00 and P5,000.00 respectively as cash incentives for making it to the Top 5 in the Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo. P 250,000.00 is at stake for the barangay who will be declared as winner in the 3rd and final grading of the competition.

Meanwhile, for the 3rd and final round, members of the evaluating team will go around the 17 barangays for the pre-evaluation on May 24 to 28, 2010 and again on June 21 to 25 for the final evaluation.

Capacity and Capability and Effectiveness in the implementation of the CR3 served as the basis in the assessment and grading of each barangay. Under the capacity and capability, the judges looked into the Waste and Greening Management Plan, Logistics and Budget, Policies, Structure and Facilities while under Effectiveness the judges assessed the Outputs on Waste Management and Outputs on Greening of the competing barangays.

After the ‘Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo’, another search for the greenest and cleanest will immediately follow, this time different schools from the city will vie for the title. The goal of this search is to inform the youth, particularly the students, regarding the Compost, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (CR3) program of the local government.

Mayor Bong Gordon turns-over to Kalaklan Brgy. Captain Jesus Ricardo Federico and his officials the cheque amounting to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) cash incentive after winning the Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo (2nd Grading). With Mayor Gordon are Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo with ESMO and DILG representatives.

‘CHILD MINDING ON WHEELS’

City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Gene Eclarino has conveyed Olongapo City’s plan with the P 300,000.00 cash incentive that Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. recently received for winning the 2009 Child-Friendly City in the Highly Urbanized City category in the Philippines.

‘’Ilalaan ang nasabing halaga sa pagsasa-ayos ng ‘Child Minding on Wheels’. Ito ay magandang programa upang higit pang maisakatuparan ang E o Education sa HELPS Program ni Mayor Bong Gordon,’’ said CSWDO head Eclarino.

‘’Ang bus na pag-aari ng city na ginagamit bilang rolling store ay magkakaroon ng dual function. Kung dati ay umiikot ito sa ibat-ibang barangay upang makabili ang mga residente ng mas murang bigas at groceries ngayon ay magiging classroom na rin ito ng mga bata kaya tatawagin itong ‘Child Minding on Wheels’,’’ she added.

Target of this ‘Child Minding on Wheels’ program are kids ages three (3) to four (4) years old found in different marketplace in the city. These kids often go with their vendor parents in the marketplace because there’s no one to take care of them at home.

‘’Nasasakripisyo kasi ang kalusugan ng mga bata dahil alam naman natin na sa palengke ay exposed ang mga bata sa dumi at ingay at isa pa ang ‘Child Minding on Wheels’ ay bilang paghahanda na rin sa formal education ng bata,’’ Eclarino went on.

The bus will be made over to look like a pre-school. There will be chairs, tables, books, a blackboard and other things one can find and may need in a regular classroom. The ‘Child Minding on Wheels’ will be administered and handled by pre-school or daycare teachers.

At present, there are fifty-five (55) Daycare Centers in the city.

Boxing association nets quality fighters in Subic tournament

SUBIC—With one of its area tournaments about to conclude, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines has identified young, but quality fighters, who may soon be part of the national youth squad.

Philippine Team coaching staff member Elmer Pamisa saw at least five boxers currently competing in the PLDT-ABAP Luzon Area Boxing Tournament here as potential youth members.

“’Yung kailangan natin ngayon, hindi lang basta pumupuntos. Importante na ‘yung may laman ang suntok, kasi ganu’n na ngayon ang scoring sa international at ‘yun ang nakita ko ngayon sa mga bata,” said Pamisa, who is also a former national team boxer.

Among those spotted by Pamisa were pinweights John Mark Pajareto and Fernando Tacuyan, and the flyweight pair of Neco Magliquian and Michael Dasmarinas.

Pajareto and Tacuyan entered the finals by decisioning Jerson Magliquian and Dexter Dimaculangan, respectively.

Dasmarinas, meanwhile, also made it into the finals by scoring a Referee Stopped Contest in the third round over Magliquian. The Bicolano Dasmarinas battles Romblon B’s Reymark De Capiz for the gold.

The finals of every division of this Clusivol-backed tournament were set Thursday night at the Subic Gym.

Other finalists were La Union B’s Jovani Dulce, who won over La Union A’s Joseph Casil in the cotton weight division; Sorsogon’s Norman Estradura is the other cotton weight finalists after winning over Jonji Maritana; and Nueva Ecija’s Ariel Tibayan meets La Union’s Jerusalem Galvez, who both scored RSC wins over Sorsogon’s Jason Hilia and Zambales’ Elmon Carino in their respective mosquito weight assignments.

Olongapo’s Carlo John Espartero and La Union’s Alvin Jay Dulce face off for the paper weight gold as they both decisioned Sorsogon’s Jomaric Deliarte and Joshua Sapaden, respectively; La Union’s Ricardo Dulce won on points over Olongapo’s Melchor Perez and will next face fellow pinweight Noel Pecking of Baguio, a second-round RSC winner over Nueva Ecija’s Alvin Bolante.

In an all-Olongapo featherweight finals match, Reggie Roque a second-round RSC winner over Zambales’ Juan Gabriel Fabay, tangles with Reymark Sanchez, a third-round RSC victor over Churchie Falcunaya.

Meantime, ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson exuded enthusiasm in seeing their drive for talent discovery to be heading in the right direction, especially with PLDT providing needed support.

Shell drill ship to leave Subic for a controversial project

Shell plans to begin drilling in the Beaufort Sea as soon as July 1 and expand drilling operations to the Chukchi Sea soon thereafter. The company’s drilling vessel, the Frontier Discoverer, is expected to depart Subic Bay, in the Philippines, for the coast of Alaska within days. Nearly 700 leases have been sold in the Beaufort and Chukchi, setting the stage for what WWF officials have called an “Arctic oil rush.”

Two engineers with extensive experience in the oil industry said on Capitol Hill today that Shell Oil’s plans to begin drilling off the coast of Alaska in less than six weeks are fraught with risks that have not been adequately addressed by the company.

With oil still spilling into the Gulf of Mexico and threatening the richest fishing grounds in the US from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig blowout last month, WWF-US has repeatedly questioned the wisdom of allowing Shell to commence drilling in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

Dr. Robert Bea, a former Shell official, and Susan Harvey, who previously worked for British Petroleum, expressed serious concerns about Shell’s drilling plans, noting that a spill in the Arctic could not be cleaned up.

Dr. Bea, who now heads the Center for Catastrophic Risk Management at the University of California-Berkley, said he still considers Shell to be like “family,” but nevertheless is concerned that the company’s proposal does not provide an accurate assessment of the true risks of drilling in the Arctic. “This is imagineering, not engineering,” Bea said.

Shell plans to begin drilling in the Beaufort Sea as soon as July 1 and expand drilling operations to the Chukchi Sea soon thereafter. The company’s drilling vessel, the Frontier Discoverer, is expected to depart Subic Bay, in the Philippines, for the coast of Alaska within days. Nearly 700 leases have been sold in the Beaufort and Chukchi, setting the stage for what WWF officials have called an “Arctic oil rush.”

Harvey, who once headed the state agency in Alaska that oversees oil spill prevention and response, noted that the Alaskan North Slope is a particularly risky area to drill given its remoteness and lack of basic infrastructure needed to deploy oil spill response equipment. “All of that spill response infrastructure you see in the gulf right now, it doesn’t exist in Alaska,” she said.

Harvey explained that the freezing temperatures and icy waters of the Arctic render traditional response procedures inadequate and said oil trapped under ice would be unrecoverable for up to half a year. In that situation, she said, “The only thing you can do is wait six months for the ice to melt and by then [the oil] will have spread far and wide.”

The only practical response procedure in the Arctic environment, Harvey said, would be burning off the oil, but she noted severe limitations in using that technique. She agreed with oil industry claims that it is technically possible to burn up to 90 percent of oil that is in a contained space, but said it would be nearly impossible to contain more than just a small fraction of the oil, given the limited number of vessels that would be able to help with containment and the vast size of the potential spill area. “It’s like trying to mow a 100 acre lawn with one lawnmower,” she said.

Bea and Harvey made their remarks at a Capitol Hill briefing that was co-hosted by WWF and moderated by WWF-US President and CEO Carter Roberts.

As the BP oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico continues to worsen, WWF has called upon President Obama and Secretary Salazar to halt Shell’s planned drilling until the Deepwater Horizon disaster has been fully investigated and the technology and procedures have been put in place to respond to and clean up a spill in the harsh, remote waters of the American Arctic.

“We still don’t have a full picture of what went wrong in the gulf and we need to make sure we don’t sow the seeds of disaster in this very, very special place,” said Carter Roberts, referring to the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

In a May 20, 2010 letter to Secretary Salazar, WWF addressed Shell’s proposal, point-by-point, illustrating how the technology and procedures have not yet been developed to adequately respond to a spill in Arctic waters.

WWF’s analysis noted that drilling in the harsh, remote environment of the Arctic is far more perilous than in the Gulf of Mexico and that the technology and logistical infrastructure does not exist to contain and clean up a spill in the Arctic waters of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

For the native Alaskan communities along the North Slope, an oil spill could be devastating to their culture and way of life, which is entirely dependent on the sea for subsistence hunting and fishing. Several Native Alaskan leaders visited the gulf coast earlier this week to observe the unfolding disaster first-hand. They are now in Washington, D.C., urging federal leaders to prevent a similar catastrophe in their back yards by halting Shell’s proposed drilling.

“What we saw [in the gulf] was very sad,” said Martha Ipalook-Falk, Tribal Council Treasurer of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, who participated in the Capitol Hill briefing today. “These memories of black plumes will stay with us – especially imagining the contrast to the white of the Arctic that we see around us in our homes.” wwf.panda.org

Bb. Olongapo 2010 Preliminary Screening Starts

The City Tourism Office has already started the preliminary screening of candidates for the Bb. Olongapo 2010 pageant.
“Ang Bb.Olongapo pageant ay hindi lamang basta beauty contest kundi isa ring paghahanap para sa isang dalagang kakatawan sa tunay na katangian ng isang Olongapena: talented, matalino at may malasakit sa kanyang kapaligiran at lipunan,” said Olongapo First Lady Anne Marie Gordon.

“Kaya inaanyayahan ko ang mga kadalagahang Olongapena na ang edad ay 18-21 na nagtataglay ng natatanging kagandahan at personalidad na lumahok sa preliminary screening na isinasagawa ngayon ng City Tourism Office upang maging isa sa mga piling kandidata ng Bb. Olongapo pageant sapagkat ito ang maaring maging simula sa pagkamit ng inyong mga pangarap katulad ng mga naunang Bb. Olongapo,” said Anne Gordon, a known advocate of women s welfare and empowerment.

It can be recalled that both Bb. Olongapo 2008 Claudette delos Reyes and Bb. Olongapo 2009 Rosemarie Turner represented the city at the prestigious Ms. Earth Philippines pageant after passing the tough screening procedures and requirements of the said national level beauty contest.

Interested applicants for the preliminary screening are advised to proceed to the City Tourism Office at the first floor of Olongapo City Convention Center and look for Rionyl Cercado or Faye Magrata-Mallen for more details. pao/sara

2010 SPES STUDENT-BENEFICIARIES GRADUATE!

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. attended the closing ceremonies of the two hundred sixty-one (261) student-beneficiaries of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) 2010 on May 17, 2010 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

At the SPES 2010 closing ceremonies, Mayor Bong Gordon commended and acknowledged the student-beneficiaries of the SPES program for the twenty (20) meaningful and productive days spent on their summer jobs in the different departments of the local government and private establishments in Olongapo City, “I congratulate our student-beneficiaries for a job well done. I hope that you were able to learn something from the tasks assigned to you as SPES trainees.’’

‘’Kailangan hangga’t maaga ay ma-train na ang mga kabataang ng lungsod sa pagta-trabaho pero kailangan pa rin na ipagpatuloy ninyo ang inyong pag-aaral at maging magaling na mag-aaral,’’ encouraged Mayor Gordon as he addressed the SPES student-beneficiaries.

Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Evelyn Delos Santos confirmed the graduation of the 261 SPES student-beneficiaries, after which, Mayor Bong Gordon gave out their certificates with the help of Sr. Labor Employment Officer Maylene Evangelista of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The certificates received by the SPES graduates will serve as proof that they were given an opportunity to work and experience real workplace environment in the Local Government and private establishments.

SPES is an annual program and joint project of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the City Government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as the lead agency.

Students ages 15-25 years old are given the opportunity to have their job-training and earn money at the same time. SPES student beneficiaries earn P279.00 daily or P5, 580.00 for their 20 days work.

Mayor Bong Gordon hands-over the certificate of one of the 261 student-beneficiaries of Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) 2010. The SPES graduation was recently held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC). Also in the photo is Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Evelyn delos Santos.

CENSUS 2010: BE COUNTED

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has encouraged the officials and employees of the Local Government of Olongapo City to lead the dissemination of information on the General Census on Population and Housing (CPH).

‘’Dapat ay manguna tayong mga nasa pamahalaan pagdating sa information dissemination upang sa gayo’y malaman ng mga kababayanan natin ang kahalagahan ng census,’’ Mayor Bong Gordon said.

In a statement, City Civil Registry officer Keren Cajudo informed the government officials and employees that Census started on May 17, 2010 and will end on June 9, 2010, adding that, ‘’Ang sensus ay batay sa Article I, Section 2 ng Saligang Batas, isinasagawa ito isang beses bawat limang taon batay sa tinatakda ng Census Bureau na bilangin ang bawat indibidwal na naninirahan sa isang bansa, anuman ang pagkamamamayan (citizenship) o estado.’’

‘’Dapat sana ay year 2005 ang huling sensus ngunit dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo ng pamahalaan kaya year 2007 na ito natuloy at ngayong 2010 ay nasa tamang schedule na. Mahigit walumpu’t limang (85) libong census personnel na kinabibilangan ng mga enumerator, team supervisors, census area supervisors at assistant census area supervisors ang ipinakalat para isigawa ang pagdadatos,’’ Cajudo added.

Every household will be given Census 2010 form while those who are not given the form may get their forms at ‘Be Counted Sites’ around the community.

“The 2010 Census form consists of ten (10) easy questions that can be answered in 10 minutes. 10 basic questions, including name, sex, age and date of birth, race, household relationship and if a person owns or rents their home. The 2010 Census does not ask about bank account information, salary or income, citizenship or immigration status. Make sure that everyone in the household will be counted,” Cajudo said.

“The Census data collected is important because this determines how much money to allocate to a city or province for projects and services like road construction, vocational education, and small-business development centers,” Mayor Gordon concluded.

Cocaine bricks discovered in Pundakit, Zambales shoreline

as PDEA asks fishermen to surrender cocaine

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday issued a stern warning to the public, particularly fishermen, who are in possession of cocaine bricks that were part of a 2-ton shipment dumped from a Chinese fishing vessel off Eastern Samar in December last year.

"We are once again appealing to all those who still have cocaine bricks in their possession and control to immediately cooperate by surrendering the drugs to PDEA or other law enforcement authorities. Do not wait for the long arm of the law to reach you," PDEA chief Dionisio Santiago said.

The call came after the recovery of 1.1 kilograms of cocaine buried along the shore of Barangay Pundakit, San Antonio town in Zambales province on Wednesday.

The PDEA said the cocaine bricks worth at least P5.4 million were found by fishermen while sailing in the Mindoro-Manila Bay-Bataan-Zambales area.

It said that the cocaine bricks were stuffed in big plastic containers that were found floating by the fishermen.

The fishermen buried the cocaine bricks along the shore of Barangay Pundakit, but it was discovered by the PDEA through a local informant.

The PDEA believes the cocaine bricks were part of the 2 ton shipment dumped by the Chinese fishing vessel's crew last December.

Santiago said that since December 22, a total of 395.993 kilograms of cocaine have been recovered by the PDEA.

He said some of the drugs were surrendered by fishermen and some were seized from fishermen who tried to sell the cocaine.

He said a total of 14 people have been arrested by the PDEA for selling part of the 2-ton cocaine shipment since January of this year. With a report from Gary Puno, ABS-CBN Pampanga

• Samar fisherfolk warned vs hiding cocaine haul
• PDEA burns seized shabu, cocaine
• Cocaine bricks seized off Eastern Samar
• 16 kilos of cocaine seized from Davao City wharf

Auto Group opens Ford dealership in Subic free port

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—With committed investments of $800,000, the Laus Auto Group has opened a Ford automotive dealership in the Subic Bay free port, the first such venture in a place previously known for imported used cars.

In Photo: Levy Laus (center with lei), founder and chairman of the Laus Auto Group, opens his Ford dealership at the Subic Bay free port. With him during the inauguration rites are officials of Ford Philippines and the Business Group of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. (Henry Empeño)

Levy Laus, chairman and founder of the Laus Auto Group, said his company has “taken this pioneering step to serve the vehicle and service requirements, not only of locators inside the Subic free port, but also the people of Zambales, Olongapo City and Bataan.”

Ford Subic, also known as West Coast Automotive, is the fifth dealership to be put up in the country under the Laus Group and the company’s fourth operation north of Metro Manila. The company also has showrooms in San Fernando, Pampanga; Cabanatuan City, Dagupan City; and Libis, Quezon City.

Laus said Ford Subic now offers a strong line-up of Ford’s “Built Tough” vehicles, including the fast and economical Ford Focus, the real-adventure SUV Ford Escape, the tough and stylish Ford Ranger, the all-action Ford Everest, the bolder and safer Ford Explorer, the ultra-spacious Ford E-150 Club Wagon and the best ultra-luxury full- size SUV Ford Expedition.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Business and Investment Group said the Laus group, reputedly the largest multibrand automotive network in the Philippines today, joined the growing number of business locators here just as when the free port was shrugging off the effects of the global economic crisis.

“We have to admit that this has a significant impact on the free port zone economy,” said SBMA senior deputy administrator for business Stefani Saño. “Everyone was stepping on the brakes, but Levy is stepping on the gas. And he has proven something here.”

Saño also said that Ford Subic is Subic’s first and only company to engage in the sale and distribution of branded high-end motor vehicles, spare parts, accessories, tires, batteries and other related products.

The company’s showroom, which sits on a 1,175-square meter lot at the Gateway Business Park, could accommodate five cars at a time and has eight fully geared up service bays. The firm initially would employ 20 workers.

Laus said the company has made “one of the best corporate decisions in coming to locate here in the Subic Freeport Zone.”

“I think we have chosen a very good location inside the Subic free port because this has become a very busy trading spot. So our confidence level is high,” Laus added.

As for his company’s product line, Laus said that all the vehicles they would be selling in Subic are backed up by advanced technology that the Ford automotive company is well-known for. Written by Henry Empeño - businessmirror.com.ph

‘Gapo, Naghahanda na sa Pagbubukas ng Klase

Siniguro ni Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. na magiging ligtas ang mga estudyante sa mga daan at paaralan kaugnay ng nalalapit na pagbubukas ng eskwela sa susunod na buwan.

Ngayon pa lamang ay inatasan ko na ang Office of Traffic Management and Public Safety (OTMPS) at Olongapo City Police Office na mas bantayan pa ang peace and order at ang City Health Office upang mas paigtingin pa ang kampanya para sa wastong nutrisyon at programa laban sa dengue sa mga paaralan, paliwanag ni Mayor Gordon.

Nag-umpisa na rin ang ESMO sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga barangay upang linisin ang mga paaralan na sya ring naging polling precints sa nakaraang eleksyon, paliwanag pa ni Gordon. Magagamit na rin ng mga mag-aaral sa Olongapo City Elementary School o OCES ang kauna-unahang overpass sa lungsod upang maging mas maging ligtas ang pagtawid ng mga bata mula sa East Bajac-Bajac patungo sa kanilang paaralan, wika pa niya.

Matatandaan na sa pamamagitan ng HELPS program ni Mayor Gordon ay maraming paaralan sa lungsod ang nabigyan ng school empowerment fund na nagbbigay ng pagkakataon na maitaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa mga pampublikong paaralan sa 17 barangay.

Samantala, nanawagan naman si Olongapo First Lady Anne Marie Gordon sa mga magulang ng mga mag-aaral lalo na sa mga ina ng tahanan na suportahan ang pagbubukas ng klase sa pamamagitan ng boluntaryong pagtulong sa DepEd sa paglilinis at pagsasaayos ng mga classroom sa mga paaralan ng kanilang anak.

MAYOR GORDON: ‘clean-up before the rain’’

Although Olongapo City and the rest of the country is still experiencing the scorching heat of summer, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. called on all Olongapenos to prepare for the coming rainy season in June.

‘’Kailangan na ngayon pa lamang ay gawin na ng mga residente ang kanilang bahagi sa paglilinis ng mga kanal gayundin ang pag-aalis ng mga naiwan pang campaign materials,’’ said Mayor Bong Gordon to officials and employees of the local government at the flag raising ceremonies at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center held recently.

‘’Samantalahin natin ang init ng panahon sa pag-lilinis dahil sa June ay tuloy-tuloy na ang buhos ng ulan,’’ added the city mayor.

According to City Engineer Bobby Alvarez, the new dredging machine bought by the city government is continuously being used in the desilting works to clean-up Olongapo City rivers to prevent overflows come rainy season. “Sa darating na araw ng Lunes, May 24 ay ililipat na sa Kalaklan River ang dredging machine at mananatili doon sa loob ng tatlong linggo upang tuloy-tuloy ang paghuhukay,” Alvarez said.

On the other hand, the dredging machine which the city government borrowed from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will stay at the Mouth of Kalaklan river to continue the desilting works in the area. To date, the waste materials extracted from Mouth of the river has reached over seven thousand two hundred (7,200) cubic meters, equivalent to the load of five hundred (500) dump trucks. A large part of the said waste materials were dumped at the New Cabalan Landfill to prevent fire due to ‘methane gas’.

The dredged sand can be used as an ingredient in concrete and asphalt production and fill land holes that’s why the Office of the Mayor is open to those who are in need of dredged sand. The office is located at the 2nd Floor of the City Hall or call 222-2565 for more information.

Hanjin Subic gets Rio bulker order

Hanjin Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Subic Bay, Philippines, recently signed a $500 million contract to construct eight 205,000 dwt bulk carriers for Anglo-Australia’s Rio Tinto.

Hanjin Heavy Industries – Philippines (HHI-Phil) had already won the bids to construct two very large bulk carriers in January, one in February and eight in April. So far this year, it has won bids to build 19 bulkers.

The newbuildings will measure 300m in length, 50m in width and have a service speed of 15 knots. Delivery of the first unit is scheduled for the second half of 2012 and all eight will be completed by 2013.

The 2.6 million m2 HHI-Phil site is 10 times bigger than Yeongdo Dockyard in Korea and, with its competitive labour and stable production systems, the Subic facility is now capable of building offshore plants as well as very large carriers which are too large for the conventional Yeongdo yard to handle.

“We are going to develop the highly-efficient Subic Shipyard into the world’s leading shipbuilding site and Yeongdo Dockyard into a strategic shipbuilding base for high-technology carriers and offshore supply vessels through facility modernization,” an official from HHIC said. The Subic shipyard has been equipped with a 370m-long Dock 5, the 550m long and 135m wide Dock 6 which is claimed to be the largest of its kind, 4km-long quay facility, four ultra-large cranes and over 1,000m-long automated assembly lines. The company has a full order book for the next 3 years. motorship.com

SBMA bares guidelines to expand free-port area for investors

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has released the guidelines for the creation of additional secured areas in communities near the free-port zone, as Subic authorities prepare to accommodate spillover investments this year.

According to SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, the agency is now preparing to execute its expansion plan after completing the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) covering the extension of the boundaries of secured areas of the Subic Bay Free Port.

The IRR, which was jointly drafted by the SBMA, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and local government units within the Subic Special Economic and Free Port Zone (SSEFPZ) prescribes guidelines on what may be declared as additional secured areas, or additional areas, as provided under Executive Order 675.

The qualified areas contiguous to the Subic free port include Olongapo City; the municipalities of Subic and San Antonio in Zambales; and the towns of Morong, Dinalupihan and Hermosa in Bataan.

In a statement, Arreza said that under EO 675, parts of these communities “may be developed through local government or private-sector initiative and become part of the SSEFPZ.”

Consequently, these developed areas “may then avail [themselves] of appropriate tax, duty-free and fiscal-investment incentives and privileges, upon application and after approval by the SBMA,” Arreza added.

Arreza also explained that expanding into areas beyond the traditional secured areas of SSEFPZ “is necessary in order to address the shortage of space for lease to investors.”

This will also help “guarantee the realization of the Subic-Clark economic corridor as a world-class logistics and service hub,” he added.

With the newly released guidelines, areas contiguous to the Subic Bay Free Port may be declared by the SBMA for inclusion as additional secured area after proper consultation with local officials and approval of a resolution by the concerned city or town council.

The IRR also allows businesses to operate privately owned additional secured areas, provided these are approved by the SBMA for inclusion within the SSEFPZ.

Applicants for privately owned additional secured or additional area are required to submit pertinent documents, clearances and registration certificates.

Arreza also clarified that lands and buildings in the additional secured areas, whether privately owned or not, may only be leased to SBMA-registered enterprises. These leases should also be submitted for the approval or ratification of the SBMA board of directors.

Once declared as additional secured areas by the SBMA, the areas concerned will be subject to classification either as industrial, tourism, recreational, investment or financial center, or a mix of these developments.

Arreza said these areas shall be organized, administered, managed and operated directly by the SBMA through an area manager appointed by the SBMA administrator.

Aside from these, the IRR also provided that privately owned areas shall be managed by a Property Management Board, composed of the president of the association of investors, representative of the municipality concerned, two independent private-sector representatives chosen by the SBMA and the local government unit, and an official of the SBMA.

Meanwhile, to prevent smuggling and abuse of duty-free privileges, the SBMA shall establish secured fence-in perimeters for the additional areas within which tax- and duty-free articles and merchandise shall be limited.

Duty-free shop operators shall then be allowed within the additional secured areas as long as they establish their own control system in coordination with the SBMA and BOC, Arreza added. Written by Henry Empeño / businessmirror.com.ph Correspondent

SBMA sets expansion outside secured areas

By FRANCO G. REGALA - mb.com.ph

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is now ready to implement its expansion program, following the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) covering the extension of the boundaries of secured areas of the Subic Bay Freeport.

The IRR was drafted after a series of consultations between the SBMA, Bureau of Customs (BoC) and local government units within the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFPZ), which may be declared as additional secured areas, or additional areas, as provided under Executive Order No. 675.

These areas include the municipalities of Subic and San Antonio in Zambales; Morong, Dinalupihan and Hermosa in Bataan; and Olongapo City.

Under EO 675, areas within the LGUs may be developed through local government or private sector initiative and become part of the SSEFPZ. These may then avail of appropriate tax, duty-free, and fiscal investment incentives and privileges, upon application and after approval by the SBMA.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the expansion of the secured areas of SSEFPZ is necessary in order to address the shortage of space for lease to investors.

“This is necessary to push development into communities outside Subic’s ‘secured area,’ and also to guarantee the realization of the Subic-Clark economic corridor as a world-class logistics and service hub,” Arreza said.

Under the IRR, areas contiguous to the Subic Bay Freeport may be declared by the SBMA for inclusion as additional secured area after proper consultation with local officials and approval of a resolution by the concerned city or town council.

In addition, any business individual or organization may also apply with the SBMA for inclusion within the SSEFPZ as privately-owned additional secured area or additional area, provided that they submit pertinent documents, clearances and registration certificates.

Meanwhile, lands and buildings in the additional secured areas, whether privately owned or not, may only be leased to SBMA-registered enterprises, subject to the approval or ratification of the SBMA Board of Directors.

Once declared as additional secured areas by SBMA, the areas concerned will be classified either as industrial, tourism, recreational, investment or financial center, or a mix of these developments.

These areas shall be organized, administered, managed and operated directly by the SBMA through an area manager, appointed by the SBMA administrator.

The IRR also provides that privately owned areas shall be managed by a Property Management Board composed of the president of the association of investors, representative of the municipality concerned, two independent private sector representatives chosen by SBMA and LGU, and an official of SBMA.

To prevent smuggling and abuse of duty-free privileges, the SBMA shall establish secured fence-in perimeters for the additional areas within which tax- and duty-free articles and merchandise shall be limited.