OPERATION TULI ON SUMMER BREAK

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

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

According to  Olongapo City SK Federation Chair Dolly Mae M. Ramos , the project aims to unburden parents of 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.

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

The “Operation Tuli” schedule is as follows:

Asinan: April 1

Banicain : April 2

Baretto: April 3-4

East Bajac Bajac: April 5-9

East Tapinac: April 10

Gordon Heights: April 11-12

Kababae: April 15

Kalaklan: April 16

Kalalake: April 17

Mabayuan: April 18

New Cabalan: April 19-22

Ilalim: April 23

Old Cabalan: April 24

Pagasa:April 25

Sta. Rita: April 26-29

WBB: April 30

West Tapinac: May 2

For more information and inquiries, visit the Olongapo City PopCom Office at the ground floor of the Olongapo City Hall.

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JOB FAIR ON MARCH 8

First Lady Anne Gordon, a known advocate of women empowerment and social welfare, is spearheading the Job Fair on March 8 to jumpstart the celebration of Women’s Month in Olongapo City with the theme, “Kababaihan Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Matuwid na Daan.”

The job fair will be held at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Around 30 local companies and overseas employers will participate in the said recruitment activity.

“Every year, thousands of jobseekers land local jobs and employment abroad through the Olongapo PESO,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. adding that “our aim is to eventually beat unemployment.”

It can be recalled that labor is part Mayor Gordon’s HELPS program, his administration’s major development and service agenda.  HELPS stands for Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Order, Sports and Social Service.

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197 COUPLES SAY “I DO”

February 14 will always be a memorable date for the 197 couples who vowed to be by each other’s side forever at the 2012 Mass Wedding sponsored by the Olongapo City government  and held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

Flower girls from the Early Childhood Care and Development Center showered the aisle with rose petals as the couples marched on the red-carpeted aisle, designed and set-up just for the occasion, as though they were attending a royal wedding.

Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. officiated the wedding ceremonies and also stood as sponsor, together with First Lady Anne Gordon.

City Councilors Rodel Cerezo, Tet Marzan-Estrella, Gina Perez, Ellen Dabu, Edic Piano and Edna Elane were also “ninongs” and “ninangs”, along with city government department heads.

After the wedding rings were sanctified through their promise to always love each other and the “I do’s” of matrimony were expressed in unison, Mayor Gordon finally pronounced the couples as husbands and wives.

“Dapat maging responsable ang bawat isa sa inyo, upang maging maayos ang inyong pamilya at pagbutihin ninyo ang inyong pag-gabay sa inyong mga anak para sa kanilang maayos na paglaki,” Ninong  Bong advised the newly-weds.

“Upang pagkakaroon ng maayos na pagsasama, kailangan marunong makinig at may communication ang bawat mag-asawa. Kung marunong kang making,  mas madaling maaayos ang anumang problema o di-pagkakaintindihan,” said Ninang Anne at the wedding reception.

Rielmar dela Cruz and Angelene Evalle,  both 19 years old and  the youngest pair among the happy couples, released the matrimonial doves while Apolinario Retiro, 66 and wife Rosalia (63), the oldest newly-weds, sliced the cake and led the ceremonial toast.

Each couple also had their portion of the wedding cake and wine as symbol of their commitment to share their lives together.

The Mass Wedding, held every year since 2004, has helped financially challenged Olongapeno couples to get married and   consequently legitimize the status of their off-springs  born out of wedlock.

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THOUSANDS JOIN GAPO MILLION VOLUNTEER RUN

Olongapo City was swamped in a sea of red last February 10, 2013 when about 10,000 runners from all walks of life participated in the 2nd Million Volunteer Run organized nationwide by the Philippine Red Cross.

Red Cross Olongapo Chapter president Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., together with First Lady Anne Gordon, led the kick-off program at Marikit Park where the run started.

The run ended at Ayala Harbor Point where Mayor Gordon gave out certificates of participation to the first 100 participants who made it to the finish line.

“Once again, Olongapo lived up to its reputation as the city of volunteers,” said Mayor Gordon.  Addressing the huge crowd of runners, he added, “We hope that you will also support the Red Cross blood drives and volunteer to our 143 program.”

 Red Cross 143 is a program designed to engage Filipinos into volunteerism as the country is one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world.

Under the program, the agency recruits at least 44 volunteers in every community, comprised of one team leader and 43 members.

They undergo rigid hands-on training to be able to respond to and lead on-ground efforts during emergencies and other challenging situations

Meanwhile, PRC chairman Dick Gordon expressed his happiness and gratitude for the overwhelming support that the public has given the MVR all over the country. Some 700,000 runners participated in MVR 2, surpassing the success of MVR 1 which drew  400,000 volunteers.

The MVR was held in key cities in the country and served as an avenue to raise funds for PRC youth and volunteer trainings on disaster management and equipping every community with life-saving skills.

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