Olongapo City - Street Smart is Street Safe Program

The James L. Gordon Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in Olongapo City has partnered with the city administration in re-painting pedestrian lanes in the main thoroughfares of the city in a move intensifying measures to keep both pedestrians and motorists safe.(pao/nmm/03-31-11)

Youth Network of Environmental Advocates

Mayor Bong Gordon speaks before the guests and participants of the Youth Network of Environmental Advocates (YNEA). The two (2)-day symposium particularly tackled Climate Change & Global Warming on August 8, 2010 at the Saint Joseph High School.

Mayor Gordon Opens Scouting Month

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. formally opened the observance of Scouting Month last October 5, 2009 at the flag raising ceremonies attended by city employees and some four hundred (400) scouts who earlier marched and paraded from the Olongapo City Mall to the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court in connection with the celebration.

“I am very pleased and proud that the essence of scouting still lives in the hearts of Olongapeño youth and children,” said Mayor Gordon. Scouting does not only hone responsible citizens and good leaders but also inculcates the love for God, country and fellowmen,” he added.

With this year’s theme, “Scouts Create A Better World,” the Boy Scouts of James L. Gordon Council (Olongapo Council) will be given the chance to chat, talk, and interact with other scouts all over the world thru the Jamboree-on-the-Air/Internet (JOTA-JOTI) program on October 17-18. Scout leaders will also conduct Climate Change and Global Warming Symposiums in different schools from October 19-31 to orient scouts on the importance of environmental protection. Accordingly, a successive city-wide clean-up drive will be conducted on October 23 to encourage scouts to actively participate in the fortification of the environment.

“Scouts will also carry out their social responsibilities as they visit and distribute relief goods and supplies to the flood-stricken families in Botolan, Zambales on October 24. They will also lead the launching of the Olongapo Scouting Book at the end of the month,” said Mario Esquillo, James L. Gordon Council Scout Executive.

Although October is designated as the official scouting month, activities are to be held until the following month. On November 1-15, selected scouts will be assigned to assist in traffic management and operations and will also attend the First Aid Training Course to be given by the scout council in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross-Olongapo Chapter on November 13-14.

To culminate the scouting celebration, at least one thousand (1,000) scouts and scouters will gather at the 2009 Council-Eco-Jamborette to be held at the vicinity of Subic Bay Development and Management Corporation (SBDMC), Subic Bay Freeport Zone on November 19-22.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. together with the city’s scout leaders and scouters who marched from the Olongapo City Mall to the Rizal triangle Covered court last October 5, 2009 as an opening activity of the celebration of Scouting Month.

Pao/sara

GORDON BATS FOR EXPANSION OF SCOUTING MOVEMENT

In response to the call of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. to expand the membership of the scouting movement in Olongapo City, the local council has set a target of 10,000 new recruits annually.

“Palakihin at paramihin ang Boy Scouts sa Olongapo,” said Mayor James Gordon, Jr., chair ng Kames L. Gordon, Sr. Council.

In line with this, the James L. Gordon Council is gearing up for the opening of classes to conduct a series of scouting activities intended to attract more members.

In an interview with Angelie Salinel, field officer of the BSP James L. Gordon, Sr. Council, over Subic Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) dwGO AM radio, she said that every year, the council’s goal is to recruit 10,000 members with the support of all the sectors including local DepEd and the LGU from the city level down to the barangay.

“Scouting is an effective character building institution. Scouts may learn to live life through the process called learning by doing,” Salinel added.

“In the Philippines, BSP is subdivided into 10 Regions covering Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. To date, there are a total of 110 local councils. Council refers to a scouting committee covering one or more City and province. Olongapo City belongs to the Central Luzon region and its scouting council has been named in honor of the patriarch of Olongapo City James L. Gordon, Sr. by virtue of LCEB Resolution. No. 001 Series of 1984,” she added.

To further enhance the membership of the scouting movement, the Olongapo City Council has prepared promotional activities to encourage Adult Membership support and strengthen efforts to promote scouting with a more aggressive approach to penetrate the local community.

Interested individuals may register as Sponsor- support as an adult member and/or provide financial assistance for the council’s operation and Volunteer as member and serve in the Local Board as Committee Member, etc.

pao/nmm

CITY BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS OATHTAKING

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. administered the oath taking of several Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as one-day city officials on February 2, 2009 during the flag raising ceremony of government employees at Rizal Triangle Multi Purpose Center.

The scouts who took their oath of office assumed the positions of their respective counterpart officials in City Hall for the whole day.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr., the City Councilors and the different department heads of the city, personally briefed their Boy and Girl Scout counterparts on their daily functions and activities. They even simulated a session to pass legislation at the Session Hall.

This activity is done yearly as part of the scouts learning activity as youth leaders to give the scouts the opportunity to experience for at least one day as a public servant. This is also in preparation for more responsible leaders of Olongapo in the future.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. administers the oath of office to several Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as City Officials for the Day.

PAO/ chay

2008 COUNCIL ECO- JAMBORETTE IN ‘GAPO

Over eight hundred (800) Scouts, Scouters and Volunteers participated in the 2008 Council Eco-Jamborette in Halfmoon Beach Olongapo on November 6-9, 2008.

The Eco-Jamborette was themed “Kabataan para sa Kalikasan, Kagalingan Para sa Kinabukasan” with an International Theme of “Scouts: Creating a Better World”. Delegates came from the different private and public schools of Olongapo City.

The James L. Gordon Council of the Boy Scouts in Olongapo led the occasion. At present, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. is the Council Chairman and Councilor Edwin Piano as 2nd Vice Chairman who led the Activity Orientation and Guidelines for scouters. Mario Esquillo on the other hand is the Council Scout Executive and Dr. Ligaya Monato as Council Scout Commissioner.

Before the 4-day event, the Council has formulated plans and prepared programs to ensure cleanliness and peace and order in the campsite. Various private and public agencies of Olongapo City like ESMO, DMO, DepEd, PNRC, LCDO, including principals of participating schools and the Parents, Teachers and Community Association joined forces to make the activity a success.

A working committee was formed to make sure that water system, electricity and the physical arrangements in the campsite are organized during the 4-day jamborette.

As Chairman of the Council, Mayor Gordon gave a message in the opening ceremony, saying that “occasions like this is a good training for the Boy Scouts, it prepares them to be responsible citizens in all aspects of life.” He also reiterated that the Jamborette is beneficial to the city’s Tourism Industry.

The Scouters gained new experiences which include lessons on Basic Water Safety Training, Knot Tying, Emergency Preparedness, Life Skills Training and Science and Technology Training, Safety and Humanitarian Skills Training.

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. during the Boy Scouts Eco-Jamboree held at Halfmoon Beach on November 6-9, 2008.

OCTOBER IS SCOUTING MONTH

For the whole month of October, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) will be celebrating Scouting Month. Several activities are slated in conjunction with the celebration which is themed ‘Kabataan para sa kalikasan, kagalingan para sa kinabukasan.”

On October 13, 2008 at the government employees flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center, Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. cited the importance of scouting and its role in society. Mayor Gordon is also the Chairman of the BSP James L. Gordon Sr. Council.

“We are observing the scouting month, a 101 year-old organization with more than a thousand national organizations all over the world,” said Mayor Gordon. “Scouting became part of our history for 72 years and in Olongapo and Zambales alone, it has been more than 35 since the US Navy and the Methodist introduced scouting to our youth.”

It has also been thirty four years since the local BSP council has been renamed in honor of James L. Gordon Sr.

“Through the years, scouting has been part of a training program to promote responsible citizenship and leadership,” Mayor Gordon added.

On October 12, 2008 the BSP held a clean-up drive at Halfmoon Beach, Barretto.

A worldwide Jamboree, called “Jamboree on the Air” will be held where scouts from different countries will meet and chat through the use of modern technology such as radio and the internet.

A Council Jamboree will also be held from November 6 until November 9, 2008 where over a thousand local boy scouts will participate.

For more information about the scouting month, contact the BSP Council office at East Tapinac Elementary School.

PAO/Don

Anti-drugs Groups cited

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Fiesta Olongapo

Mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr. and Zambales Vice Governor Anne Gordon joins the Boy Scouts of the Philippines this morning during the 111th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at Rizal Triangle Park, Olongapo City.

The celebration was led by the Order of the Knights of Rizal with the theme: "RIZALISM: Key to Global Peace, Solidarity and Prosperity.

In celebration of the City Fiesta, a Grand Parade which will start from the Unity Fountain will be held this afternoon and will be followed by a Band Exhibition at Rizal Triangle Covered Court.

Bonggo, Pinarangalan ng BSP

Ginawaran ng Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) ng Olongapo City si Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. ng ‘’Silver Meritorious Award’’ nitong ika-1 ng Oktubre 2007 sa Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court.

Kaugnay ng pagdiriwang ng 60th birthday ni Mayor Gordon, isang plake ang ipinagkaloob sa kanya ng James L. Gordon Council (BSP ng Olongapo) bilang parangal sa sampung taong (10) walang puknat na serbisyo para dito.

Iginawad ni Kgd. Edwin Piano ang naturang parangal na buong galak na tinanggap ng punong lungsod. Kasama ng plake ay ang tropeo na mula naman sa BSP-Olongapo Youth na kumikilala rin sa mahabang panahon na pagsisilbi at pagsuporta ni Mayor Gordon sa samahan.

Ang Silver Meritorious Award mula sa BSP ay ika-5 level ng parangal para sa mga naka-sampung taon nang kabahagi ng samahan. Kasama ng plake ay ang medalyang nauna nang iginawad sa punong lungsod noong Abril ng taong ito.

Matatandaan na Congressman pa lamang si Mayor Gordon ay Board Member na siya ng James L. Gordon Council at mula naupo bilang mayor, siya ay naging Chairman nito.

Si Mayor Bong Gordon tangan ang tropeong ipinagkaloob ng James L. Gordon Council (Boy Scout of the Philippines – Olongapo). Iginawad ng BSP ang Silver Meritorious Award kay Mayor Gordon nitong ika-1 ng Oktubre sa Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court.

PAO/jpb