3G for RACE Gordon Goodwill Games

The Mayor's Office Team won 71-46 over Sangguniang Panlungsod in the opening basketball game in the 3G for RACE Gordon Goodwill Games of City Government officials and employees which took off on March 25, 2011 at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court. (photo below) Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. awards the cash prize to KBG team for having muse Eirene Jaye Manglicmot win in the Best in 3G Muse contest.

FREE OPERATION TULI 2011

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation has switched to high gear its preparations for the upcoming “Operation Tuli” in the city's seventeen (17) barangays.

“Operation Tuli” is held annually by the SK in cooperation with the City Population Office (POPCOM) in line with the HELPS program of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.

According to Dolly Mae M. Ramos, Olongapo City SK Federation Chair, the project aims to unburden parents with the cost of having adolescent boys undergo circumcision. “Malaking tulong ito mula sa pamahalaang lungsod para sa mga magulang at sa mga anak nilang nagbibinata,” said Ramos.

“Hinihintay na lang namin ang SK para isumite ang mga kabuuang bilang ng beneficiaries sa bawat barangay,” said POPCOM head Virginia Navarro.

The SK and POPCOM will be assisted by the medical staff of the City Health Office (CHO) and Red Cross volunteers in implementing the project in each barangay.

The schedule of “Operation Tuli” in the following barangays are:

Those interested may proceed to the POPCOM Office at the Ground Floor of Olongapo City Hall or call 224-4003 or contact their respective SK Chairman.

OPLAN SUMVAC 2011 IN OLONGAPO CITY ALL SET-UP

Tasked by Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) headed by Angelito Layug led the planning and meeting of various govt. agencies, departments and barangays for this year’s OPLAN SUMVAC (Oplan Summer Vacation) on March 29, 2011 at the FMA Hall.

“OPLAN SUMVAC is dedicated to maintain public safety and smooth flow of traffic and to respond and assist effectively in emergencies,” Layug said.

According to the action plan presented by the DRRMO, this year’s OPLAN SUMVAC the Central Command Post will be stationed at the Olongapo City Hall. Satellite stations will also be organized on the following pilot areas: Sitio Iram and Kalapati at Bgy. New Cabalan, Old Cabalan, Ulo ng Apo (BDO), West Bajac-Bajac (Caron St.), Kalaklan Gate and Ocean View Satellite Station at Bgy. Kalaklan and Driftwood and Baloy beach resorts in Bgy. Barretto.

Personnel and volunteers from participating organizations, city government departments and agencies will be assigned on the following stations:

“As a prime tourist destination we shall maintain peace and order and facilitate information for motorists and visitors,” Layug added.

DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. welcomes DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano “Dinky” Soliman at City Hall on Saturday, March 26, 2011 together with First lady Anne Gordon and CSWDO Head Gene Eclarino. Soliman graced the MOA Signing of Civil Society Organization Volunteer Groups at FMA Hall of the City Hall. The activity was in support to the concern of President Benigno S. Aquino III on the importance of volunteer groups / private sectors in the fulfillment of the outlined aims and objectives of public governance including delivery of social welfare programs / services for poverty reduction.

Welfare department enlists civil society in fight vs poverty

Recognizing the importance of civil society organizations (CSO) in the successful implementation of government programs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now seeking the help of CVOs in their fight to stamp out poverty.

Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman personally attended the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the CSO volunteer groups of Bataan, Zambales and Olongapo City which was held at the city hall’s conference room, Saturday.

The CSOs in attendance were the People Power for Volunteer Reform, Area-Based Standards Network (ABSNET), PREDA Foundation, AKBAYAN, Mabuting Pilipino Society, Regional Association of DSWD Licensed and Accredited NGOs and Institutions (READLANI), and the Regional Federation of Day Care Workers.

The DSWD said that the activity is in line with its mission “to provide social protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individual, family and community to contribute to poverty alleviation and empowerment through local government units, non-government organizations, national government agencies, and other members of civil society.”

DSWD also said that it needs the services of volunteers who will share knowledge, experiences, skills, and resources in working with disadvantaged individuals, groups, and families in the DSWD centers and institutions, in the spirit of trust, care, and participation with government programs and services.

“Tulungan natin ang administrasyon ni PNoy (President Benigno S. Aquino III) upang maging matuwid, magsilbing gabay ng gobyerno, maging tulay sa pag-abot sa mga nangangailangan at maging kaagapay sa pagsugpo ng kahirapan,” Sec. Soliman said in her speech. (Let us help the PNoy Administration to follow the straight path, be a guide for the government, serve as a bridge to reach those who are in need and work hand-in-hand with the government in the fight to end poverty.)

She said that enlisting the help of the CSOs is an effective tool in the success of the government’s 4Ps program (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program).

Mabuting Pilipino Society president Fred Santos said the DSWD/CSO MOA signing is “a milestone step for a more efficient and effective result of Pres. Aquino’s advocacy to address poverty through DSWD Sec. Soliman’s flagship program of bolstered and improved 4Ps.”

“Civic participation is of crucial necessity,” he said in a text message, adding that the country needs thousands of volunteers especially in the business sector to undertake such “humongous” task which can’t just be totally relied upon on the government.

“The 4Ps using the conditional cash transfer program, which have been effective in other countries, is an excellent opportunity for the concerned citizens to contribute to the success in fighting poverty among the poorest instead of just being observers,” Santos added.

He also called on the public to practice the traditional Filipino “bayanihan” spirit.

“We all have social responsibility and duty. A pain in one is a pain for all,” Santos capped.(WLB/ AMV PIA Zambales)

Olongapo City - ALCUlympics 2011 & 10th Central Luzon Culinary Skills Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners!

ALCUlympics 2011 

City of Calapan, Mindoro Oriental

March 6-12, 2011.

OVER-ALL TEAM STANDING

Event                Team Standing

Badminton        Champion

Dancesport       First Runner Up

INDIVIDUAL STANDING

Event                              Place                                 Participants

Dancesport (Latin)        2nd runner up       Evelyn Tinga, Antonio San Jose

Dancesport (Standard)  2nd runner up       Abraham Dionson, Alyssa Palma

Badminton (Single)       Champion            Charlene Pacis

Badminton (Dbl Men)    2nd runner up       Nico Magno, Mc Kee Sobrenilla

Badminton (Dbl mix)     2nd runner up       Jayson Carpio, Julie Delos Reyes

Chess (Women)             Gold                     Ma. Clepe Ramones, Julie Delos Reyes

Chess (Men)                  Bronze                  Rannielle Shannon, Rizando

10TH CENTRAL LUZON CULINARY SKILLS COMPETITION

March 2-3, 2011

Holiday Inn, Clark Pampanga

MARKET BASKET 

Lovelyn Ceralda

Liberty Abille

Michelle Bugayong

Carvin Constantino

MINIATURE CAKE DISPLAY (Silver Medal)

Nikki Agustin

Aimee Lou Ancheta

FILIPINO DESSERT DISPLAY (Bronze Medal)

Kiel Nixon Montano

Wilma Ednalaga

CAKE DECORATING (Bronze Medal)

Jessica Melegrito

Yoshimi Kubonome

Maynol Jaring

COOKIE LIVE (Bronze Medal)

Kimberly Tan

Hannah Ibesa

PASTA FREESTYLE LIVE COOKING (Bronze Medal)

Jefferson Foo

Jeffrey Butac

Louie Mendoza

TABLE NAPKIN FOLDING (Bronze Medal)

Alyssandra Yusi

COCKTAIL MIXING (Bronze Medal)

Jayson Vonn Pennular

Jay-ar Arpojia

Jordan Sevilla (Diploma)

Gerard Cueco  (Diploma)

FRUIT FLAMBE (Diploma)

Carlo Belmonte

Jomer Gabriel

TABLE SKIRTING (Diploma)

Myta Lacandazo

Rosary Jane Chavez

Rechie Cagomoc

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT (Diploma)

Mary Rose Lazara 

Lenten season, sports events heat up Subic Freeport summer

As the scorching summer heat begins to creep in, this free port is getting prepped up for a series of Lenten shows and sports events designed to draw domestic and foreign visitors to this top tourist and vacation destination.

Highlighting Subic’s summer events is the week-long Lenten season program from April 15 to 23, and back-to-back national and international sports competitions that have already become a traditional summer attraction here.

Raul Marcelo, deputy administrator for business development of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said that while religious activities form part of Subic’s time-honored Lenten tradition, “we have also added some contemporary activities to appeal to a wider range of audience.”

“So aside from the somber rites of the Holy Week, we will have an egg hunt for children, musical concert for teenagers, triathlon and biking for sports enthusiasts, and Santacruzan for the culture type," Marcelo said.

The traditional Lenten rites in Subic will include the “Pabasa,” which is the chanting of the life, passion and death of Jesus Christ; processions on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday; the Last Supper Mass and Washing of the Apostles' Feet on Maundy Thursday; the Stations of the Cross and Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday; Easter Vigil on Black Saturday; and the “Salubong” on Easter Sunday.

Other special Lenten activities are the “Visita Iglesia” at the St. Augustine Cathedral in Iba, Zambales; a healing concert on Black Saturday; and an Easter egg hunt for children.

Meanwhile, sports competitions slated at the Subic Bay Freeport this summer will start with the Annual Kick Sand Tournament organized by the Beach Football Association on April 16 to 17.

This will be followed by Padyak Pinoy’s Le Tour de Filipinas 2011 on April 17, 19 and 20; the ITU Triathlon Asian Cup and the Subic Bay International Marathon on April 30 to May 1; the Subic Mountain Bike Festival on May 1; the Labor Day “Freeport Games and Sports” organized by the SBMA Labor Department, on May 1; the 1st Pinoy Cup Level 3 PPSA-Sanctioned Pistol Competition on May 26-29; and Gravity Games Asia’s Subic Bay Downhill Freeride on May 28.

Special summer presentations this year include the Subic Bay Auto Show on April 8; the Couples for Christ-FFL World Youth Congress, April 15-17; the “Farmers Market at the Waterfront” products fair, April 22; and the Subic Bay Grand Santacruzan and Serenade Night sometime in May.

Because of the expected surge of tourists and visitors going to the Subic Bay Freeport and other destinations in the Zambales area during the Holy Week, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza has announced that the SBMA will temporarily open the Kalaklan bridge to light traffic from April 16 to 24.

Arreza also said that the SBMA intends to attract more visitors this year by staging more events at the Subic Bay Freeport and encouraging tourism stakeholders to invest more in facilities and attractions.

According to the SBMA Tourism Department, overall visitor arrivals reached more than 5.5 million in 2010, a 33 percent increase over the 4.1 million total arrivals in 2009.

The 5.5 million total was the highest number recorded here in the last six years, SBMA data indicated.(SBMA-PRD/AMV/WLB-PIA3)

SM Mall

The SM Retail Affiliates Group (below photo from right) HR Manager-Nursery Care Eden Senen, AVP HR Toy Kingdom Tinet Ramos and VP HR Affiliates Aida Agregado, discuss with Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. another forthcoming Local Recruitment Activity for SM-Olongapo. Retail affiliates job vacancies include Managers, Supervisors, Pharmacists, Office Assistants,Sales Clerks and Staff Clerks.

SBMA to open Zambales bridge this Holy Week

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Due to the expected increase of vehicles going to Zambales and passing through this free port this Holy Week, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that the Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge will be re-opened temporarily from April 16 to 24.

However, only light vehicles will be allowed to pass through the bridge, which has been closed since July last year to make way for the construction of a new bridge and security plaza.

The move to give Zambales-bound vehicles temporary access to the Kalaklan bridge will avert traffic jams in Olongapo City, said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza. It will also facilitate the entry into the Subic Freeport of vehicles from Zambales during the Holy Week.

Arreza clarified that construction work will continue in the area during the re-opening, but designated lanes for light vehicles will be assigned for the safety of motorists.

Last January, the Kalaklan bridge was also opened to pedestrians, mostly workers in the Subic Bay Freeport.

The Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge, which is the free port’s gateway to Zambales, is one of the four bridges connecting the free port zone to Olongapo City. By JONAS REYES - mb.com.ph

GORDON COLLEGE AT THE 10TH CENTRAL LUZON CULINARY SKILLS COMPETITION

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and First Lady former Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Gordon lauded the twenty-seven (27) Gordon College (GC) students who participated in the 10th Central Luzon Culinary Skills Competitions.

The competition was held at Holiday Inn, Clark, Pampanga last March 2-3, with the GC Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) students joining eleven categories, namely, Market Basket, Miniature Cake Display, Filipino Dessert Display, Cake Decorating, Cookie Live, Pasta Freestyle Live Cooking, Table Napkin Folding, Cocktail Mixing, Fruit Flambe, Table Skirting and Flower Arrangement.

Over one thousand two hundred (1,200) students from sixteen (16) colleges and universities in Central Luzon attended the Culinary workshop and competitions.

Lovelyn Ceralde bagged first place in the Market Basket category while Liberty Abille, Michelle Bugayong and Carvin Constantino received bronze medals from the same category.

Silver medals went to Nikki Agustin and Aimee Lou Ancheta in Miniature Cake Display with Bronze medals for Kiel Nixon Montano and Wilma Ednalaga in Filipino Dessert Display category.

Jessica Melegrito, Yoshimi Kubonome and Maynol Jaring also snatched bronze medals in Cake Decorating category.

Kimberly Tan and Hannah Ibesa also received bronze medals in Cookie Live.

Jefferson Foo, Jeffrey Butac and Louie Mendoza also went for the bronze in Pasta Freestyle Live Cooking.

Bronze medals for Jayson Von Pennular, Jay-ar Arpoja in Cocktail Mixing and Alyssandra Yusi in Table Napkin Folding category.

The following students received diplomas from their respective categories namely Jordan Sevilla and Gerard Cueco in Cocktail Mixing, Carlo Belmonte and Jomer Gabriel in Fruit Flambe, Myta Lacandazo, Rosary Jane Chavez, and Rechie Cagomoc in Table Skirting and Mary Rose Lazara in Flower Arrangement.

Plans afoot for deployment of PDEA agents in Subic ports

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO,Pampanga, (PIA) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Luzon affirmed the imminent deployment of PDEA agents in the air and sea ports inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, as part of the drug enforcement agency’s efforts on anti-drug courier.

In a press conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency- Region 3, Ronald Allan Ricardo, regional director of PDEA, said plans for the deployment are now being finalized.

PDEA, in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), is now setting the date for the deployment, it was learned.

Ricardo revealed that the deployment of PDEA agents in the Subic airport and seaport will be sometime in April.

Meanwhile, Ricardo has confirmed the deployment of its agents at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) since end of February.

He did not reveal the total number of PDEA agents currently deployed at the DMIA, but he assured that a “substantial” number of the drug enforcement agency’s agents has been deployed at the premiere airport.

Deployed PDEA agents at DMIA, said Ricardo, assist airport security in ensuring that no drug courier or drug mule enters or exits the country via the premiere airport.

Ricardo said the country may be lacking in terms of detection devices, but with intensive manning and strict inspection procedure at our airports, the PDEA expects that a decrease and eventual elimination of drug couriers will be attained.

Meanwhile, following the confirmed execution of three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in China sentenced with death penalty, PDEA has reiterated its call for the public to be more cautious and refrain from entertaining offers from drug syndicates which are bent on doing their business at the expense of others.

Ricardo cited the importance of intensified information and education campaign towards the total eradication of drug couriers, which, he said, is an effective tool in giving the public a better understanding of the consequences of being a drug courier or drug mule.

Currently, the government is conducting an intensified educational campaign through the PIA and its regional and provincial offices, in cooperation with the PDEA.

This campaign aims to create heightened awareness on the modus operandi of drug syndicates that prey upon unsuspecting OFWs who are recruited as drug couriers. (by William L. Beltran/PIA3)

Olongapo City - SJSAA Medical & Dental Mission

SJSAA Medical & Dental Mission at St. Joseph College on March 26, 2011 from 6am to 12nn.
for more pics please click the link below:
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Olongapo City - YMCA Gawad Parangal 2011 - 10 Outstanding Students

YMCA GAWAD PARANGAL 2011
The Ten (10) Outstanding Students of Olongapo City
Elementary Level
1. Jasmine Marie C. Bustamante Saint Joseph College
2. Janella B. Umbina SPED-G
3. Dana Katherine G. Cesa Saint Joseph College
4. Alysza Mae Carballo SPED-G
5. John Hubert Lou G. Magrata Olongapo Wesley School
 Secondary Level
1. Jean Claudette L. Galvez Saint Joseph College
2. Marc Joseph Macalinao Olongapo City National H.S.
3. Jermaund Ivan G. Junio Olongapo Wesley School
4. Job Eliezek N. Bangayan Regional Science H.S.
5. Maria Christina Paulson Auda De Laurentus Bus. H.S.

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Olongapo City - Harry K. Thomas, Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines

Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon, Jr. welcomes Harry K. Thomas., Jr., United States Ambassador to the Philippines on March 24, 2011.

Olongapo City - Incentives for six BPSO members of Brgy. East Tapinac

BPSO Members Alex Miranda - Deputy Ex-O, Joel De Guzman, Abner Perigrino, Orlando Sapida, Justin Ferrer and Edward Herosilla of Brgy. East Tapinac received incentives for their prompt response resulted to suspect's apprehension and subsequent turn-over to Police Station 3 during the reported theft incident which transpired on February 18, 2011 at the East Tapinac Oval Track. 

Olongapo City - CLRAA 2011 winners

Winners in the recently held CLRAA 2011 received cash incentives during flag ceremony on March 21.

Former mayor in Zambales gets jail term for graft

A former municipal mayor in Zambales province was meted with 40 years imprisonment after being found guilty of malversation of public funds that stemmed from ghost projects during his term in office.

The Sandiganbayan found former Castillejos town mayor Teofilo Pantaleon Jr. guilty of two counts of malversation acts through falsification of public documents.

Aside from reclusion perpetua, the graft court also meted Pantaleon with perpetual disqualification from holding public office and a total fine of P201,706. The court also ordered him to return the government funds that he misused.

Court records revealed that Pataleon committed corrupt act when he forged the documents bearing an amount of P201,706 in favor of La Paz Construction for the repairs of the drainage system in his town’s public market. The fictitious contract was discovered in December 1996.

Another falsified contract was discovered through a check on November 1997 bearing the amount of P169,440 for the supposed improvement of the barangay roads connecting the villages of Casagatan-Looc, Nagbayan-Macupit and San Agustin proper-Mandamquez.

The graft complaints came when the owner of the LPC, Tiu Ken Suan, said he did not enter into such contracts with the local government units, while citing that he did not received any payment for the enumerated projects.

The graft court also discovered that there were no drainage repairs that happened in 1996, and no road projects that were conducted in the mentioned villages in 1997. philstar.com

Olongapo City - reading materials for city library

Edward Lee, retired US Navy Nurse donated various reading materials to the City Library during flag ceremony on March 21, 2011.

Olongapo City - Janelle Esconde, BPI-DOST 2011 Science Award winner

Janelle Esconde received a cash incentive amounting to five thousand pesos (P5,000) for winning the BPI-DOST 2011 Science Award for her project "Low-Cost Computer-Based Surveillance Inspector for Baguio City Bomb Squad Department".

Olongapo City - St. Joseph Alumni Motorcade 2011

St. Joseph Olongapo Alumni Homecoming

Motorcade - March 18, 2011

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DENR employee, driver ambushed in Castillejos

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales -- An employee of CENRO-DENR, Olongapo City and his driver were in critical condition when they were ambushed by two unidentified suspects riding in a motorcycle in Bgy. Nagbunga, this town, Wednesday afternoon.

The victims were identified as Arturo Galpo, 56, nursery farm supervisor, CENRO-DENR, Olongapo City and his driver, Eduardo Lachica, 63.

They sustained multiple gunshot wounds in their body from caliber 45 pistol and are being treated at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.

Report said at about 5:30 p.m., the victims were on their way home from their work in San Felipe, Zambales. Upon reaching Bgy. Nagbunga the riding in tandem suspects overtook their owner-type jeep (PAI-409) and peppered them with bullets.

The Zambales Police are still conducting investigation to identify the suspects. Mamer Bañez - journal.com.ph

President Ramon F. Magsaysay 54th Death Anniversary

Today we commemorate the 54th Death Anniversary of President Ramon F. Magsaysay who was popularly referred to as the “Man of the Masses” or “Champion of the Common Man” because he opened Malacañang Palace to the people and gave equal treatment to the peasants and farmers and politicians and their ladies.

President Ramon del Fiero Magsaysay was elected President under the banner of Nacionalista Party on December 30, 1953. He was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines until his demise in a plane crash on March 17, 1957. He was born on August 31, 1907 in Iba, Zambales to Exequiel Magsaysay and Perfecta del Fiero. He studied engineering at the University of the Philippines but later transferred to Jose Rizal College where he finished his degree in Commerce in 1933. He worked as a bus mechanic and later on was promoted to branch manager.

After the war, Magsaysay was named military Governor of Zambales by General Douglas McArthur on February 4, 1945. He was elected as Congressman of Zambales under the Liberal Party on April 23, 1946, and reelected on November 8, 1949. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill of Rights which accorded benefits to Filipino war veterans was passed in the United States Congress during his time. President Elpidio R. Quirino appointed him as Secretary of National Defense on August 31, 1950 to deal with the threat of the Huk rebellion. He was remembered for encouraging the Huk to surrender by offering medical treatment, parole and homesteads in the Mindanao jungle. He resigned as Defense Secretary on February 28, 1953 as his radical measures angered some people within the government.

Magsaysay won the Presidential election in 1953 against President Elpidio R. Quirino. His administration had the solid support of both Houses of Congress. His administration was for the people. He was popular to the masses, the friend of the common people. He opened Malacañang Palace to the people. He mingled, talked and ate with the barrio people. He was a man of integrity, honest and sincere. He used the Filipino language and wore the barong Tagalog even on state functions.

On March 17, 1957, President Ramon F. Magsaysay had speaking engagements at three universities in Cebu before local war veterans and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

On his flight back to Manila, C-47 that he boarded crashed at Mt. Manungal, Cebu. He died at the age of 49. As we commemorate President Ramon F. Magsaysay’s 54th Death Anniversary, may his kind of leadership inspire the leaders of our present generation.

Zambales LGU closes open dump site

IBA, Zambales Mayor Adhebert P. Deloso has ordered the closure of the municipal open dump site in Barangay Bangantalinga, this town, and instructed all barangay environment committee heads to enforce the proper disposal and segregation of garbage in their locality.

The move is a continuing commitment to adhere to Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Signed on January 26, 2001, the law calls for the institutionalization of a national program that will manage the control, transfer, transport, processing, and disposal of solid wastes in the country.

The dumpsite, operated by the municipal government since 1995 under a land lease agreement with a private individual, was subjected to “controlled dumping” since the signing into law of RA 9003.

Mayor Deloso ordered its closure last March 8 upon the recommendation of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Board (MSWDB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 3.

In an interview with Pines Arcega, municipal technical assistant for environment, she said that Mayor Deloso has given strict instruction to all barangay officials in town to fast track the identification and construction of recovery facility and composting sites in their areas.

“So far, only Barangay Palanginan has identified a recovery facility and Mayor Deloso has given instructions to extend the needed support for the construction of a recovery facility there. All the other barangays can expect the same support accorded to Barangay Palanginan,” Arcega said.

Arcega added that starting March 22, garbage trucks roaming around town will no longer collect unsegregated garbage from residents, offices, and business establishments.

She also said that they will strictly enforce the 3P program of the municipal government. 3P stands for paghihiwa-hiwalay (segregation), pagreresikulo (recycling), and paglikom at pagtabi pansamantala (collection and temporary storage).

“Healthworkers in the 14 barangays of the town will go door-to-door to remind residents of the segregation of garbage and in the implementation of 3P,” Arcega said.(Allen M. Villa/PIA Zambales)

SBMA to honor top employees

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT (PIA) – Preparations are now in full blast for the awarding on March 22 of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Employee of the Year, a prestigious title for which only five contenders remain.

SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga said the “Final Five” emerged after a group selection panel made a careful selection of competitors from a roster of 43 employees who were chosen as monthly winners last year.

“In 2010, Subic began to make a rebound from the global crisis that affected us in 2009. And these men and women who exuded excellence, passion and malasakit have helped the agency in its task of putting the free port back on track,” Salonga said.

According to the selection panel for the SBMA Employee of the Year award, the five finalists now represent the different strategic business units (SBUs) of the SBMA. These are the Aviation and Maritime Operations Group, Chairman's and Administrator’s Group, Business and Investments Group, Internal Services Group, and Regulatory Group.

For the Aviation and Maritime Operations Group,the finalist is TSg. Jesse Arbitrario, a security officer from the Law Enforcement Department. Arbitrario supervises the armory section of the nine branches of the department, and became instrumental in building huge savings through ammunitions shell reload, firearms repair, and firing range training. He is also the evidence custodian of some P28-million worth of jewelry confiscated at the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA).

Representing the chairman’s and administrator’s Group is Genaro Gaco, section chief for minor construction of the Maintenance and Transportation Department. He has facilitated salvaging utilizable materials from structures due for demolition. These materials were later used to construct, renovate, or repair other structures as the SBMA worked on projects with limited budget.

A rose among the thorns, Karen Magno of the Business and Investments Group, is a project evaluation officer of the Manufacturing and Maritime Business Development Department. She handles key and “problematic” accounts, which now amount to a total of $3.5 billion in committed investments. She was SBMA’s primary witness in some cases concerning business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Capt. Nardo Alcantara of the Internal Services Group, is a fire marshal in the SBMA Fire Department. His various contributions to his department were vital in bagging the “Gawad Kalasag” that was awarded by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in 2010 to the SBMA firefighting unit. Called a “jack of all trades” in his unit, Alcantara also undertakes repair and maintenance of the department’s equipment.

Judson Whiteside Jr. of the Regulatory Group is a senior field inspector at the Ecology Center’s tree nursery. In charge of propagating plants, Whiteside produced high-quality planting materials without having to purchase seed bags and commercial fertilizer. Instead, he collected used plastic cups from fastfood restaurants as containers and horse manure for fertilizer.

From among these five finalists, a winner will be selected on the fifth annual SBMA Employee of the Year Awards, which will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on March 22.

The SBMA Employee of the Year (EOY) Awards is a project of the SBMA Human Resources Management Department (HRMD) to recognize and reward exemplary services rendered by employees.

The annual awarding of EOY is in line with the directive of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to implement a Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE). To facilitate this project, the SBMA PRAISE Committee has named a group selection panel to screen nominees from the different SBMA departments.(AMV/PIA Zambales/SBMA-PRD)

Zambales LGU closes open dump site

IBA, Zambales Mayor Adhebert P. Deloso has ordered the closure of the municipal open dump site in Barangay Bangantalinga, this town, and instructed all barangay environment committee heads to enforce the proper disposal and segregation of garbage in their locality.

The move is a continuing commitment to adhere to Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Signed on January 26, 2001, the law calls for the institutionalization of a national program that will manage the control, transfer, transport, processing, and disposal of solid wastes in the country.

The dumpsite, operated by the municipal government since 1995 under a land lease agreement with a private individual, was subjected to “controlled dumping” since the signing into law of RA 9003.

Mayor Deloso ordered its closure last March 8 upon the recommendation of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Board (MSWDB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 3.

In an interview with Pines Arcega, municipal technical assistant for environment, she said that Mayor Deloso has given strict instruction to all barangay officials in town to fast track the identification and construction of recovery facility and composting sites in their areas.

“So far, only Barangay Palanginan has identified a recovery facility and Mayor Deloso has given instructions to extend the needed support for the construction of a recovery facility there. All the other barangays can expect the same support accorded to Barangay Palanginan,” Arcega said.

Arcega added that starting March 22, garbage trucks roaming around town will no longer collect unsegregated garbage from residents, offices, and business establishments.

She also said that they will strictly enforce the 3P program of the municipal government. 3P stands for paghihiwa-hiwalay (segregation), pagreresikulo (recycling), and paglikom at pagtabi pansamantala (collection and temporary storage).

“Healthworkers in the 14 barangays of the town will go door-to-door to remind residents of the segregation of garbage and in the implementation of 3P,” Arcega said.(Allen M. Villa/PIA Zambales)

Olongapo City - The Outstanding Councilor of the Philippines

The Outstanding Councilor of the Philippines (TOCP) awardee, Ed Piano presented the one million check from Senator Angara for winning the Outstanding Councilor of the Philippines.  The said amount will go to the city's projects.

Olongapo City - champions in Materials Challenge 2011 (MatCh)

Congratulations to the Champions from Olongapo City National High School - Special Science Curriculum who won in the recently concluded  Materials Challenge 2011 (MatCh) with the theme "Spark: Igniting Minds for the Advancement of  Materials Science Innovations" last February 7, 2011 at the Engineering Theater, Melchor Hall, University of the Philippines - Diliman.

They are Micah Luna, Marc Joseph Macalinao and Jilliam Timple with their coaches Emma Villamin, Delia Dingcoy and Myrna Lumague.

Olongapo City - Gawang Gapo - JANICE KAKANIN

This week's exhibitor for the Gawang Gapo Product Exhibit Booth is JANICE KAKANIN - maker of home-made native kakanin.  (owner: Janice Trinidad)

3-14-2011

LEAGUE OF CITIES RALLY AT SC

Some forty (40) city mayors including Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. marched along Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila last March 9, 2011, to protest to what they say on the Supreme Court (SC) about the “flip-flopping” on its decision on cityhood of 16 municipalities.

The City Mayors asked the SC for the fourth time to reconsider its decision upholding the constitutionality of converting sixteen (16) municipalities into cities.

“No province, city, municipality or barangay shall be created, divided, merged, abolished or its boundary substantially altered in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected,” remarked by concern LCP member.

The SC’s first ruling on the issue handed down on November 18, 2008 that declared the 16 cityhood laws unconstitutional had become final and executory on December 21, 2009, but was reversed by the SC.

The ruling granted the motion for reconsideration filed by the LCP on August 24, 2010 and on February 15, 2011; the SC again changed its decision.

LCP is asking the SC to reinstate its original decision and use the Local Government Code.

SUMMMER JOBS 2011 FOR STUDENTS

The annual Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has started in coordination of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., and Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

Last year the PESO was able to employ 261 SPES beneficiary-students who worked for Local Government Units (LGU) and private establishments.

This early, the PESO has conducted examinations and interviews for the qualified students.

“Learn and earn…ang SPES ay taun-taon nating ginagawa para maturuan at matulungan ang mga estudyante natin na magkaroon ng experience at mapagkakakitaan. Ang kita ay tulong para sa pag-aaral, ang experience naman ay para sa future career nila,” ani Mayor Gordon.

The new student-beneficiaries this year are going to start working on April 11.

Through SPES, Students ages 15 to 21 years old are given the opportunity to experience the real workplace environment in their job-training and earn money at the same time.

Olongapo City - James L. Gordon Council Annual Council Meeting & Election

James L. Gordon Council Annual Council Meeting & Election
March 10, 2011, 1pm to 4pm
FMA Hall, City Hall Complex