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.

Ambassador of South Africa to the Philippines - Agnes Nyamande-Pitso, visited Olongapo City

SINGAPORE AMBASSADOR LAUDS OLONGAPO CITY

Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Ampalavanar Selverajah expressed appreciation to the warmth and hospitality accorded to him in his recent visit to Olongapo.

“Filipinos are renowned for their warmth and hospitality and I experienced that this morning, I was overwhelmed with the warm reception, thank you very much,” he said.

Senator Richard Gordon escorted Amb. Selverajah to City Hall on September 16, 2010. Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and FL Anne Gordon together with the city officials and employees welcomed the Ambassador at city hall’s steps.

SBMA administrator and CEO Armand Arreza was also present.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. presented in his speech the city’s HELPS program which also earned praises from the Ambassador.

Amb. Selverajah, in his message, said the Philippines and Singapore have over 40 years of diplomatic relations and bonding relationship.

He said he was delighted to see that some 460,000 Filipino tourists visited Singapore last year, making Filipinos the eight largest tourists of the city-state.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and FL Anne Gordon welcome Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Ampalavanar Selverajah at the steps of Olongapo City Hall on September 16, 2010.

City Designates Artis as Ambassador of Goodwill

Based on Sangguniang Panglungsod Resolution No. 112 (series of 2009) Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has designated Edward A. Artis as “Ambassador of Goodwill of Olongapo City” to honor and recognize Artis’ noble efforts to support the disadvantaged not only in the city, but also around the world.

The city’s Ambassador of Goodwill is the chairman and co-founder of Knightsbridge International, Inc. The said organization is a non-membership, non-profit corporation dedicated to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief worldwide without regard to race, religion or national origin.

Artis has assisted Olongapo in the processing of required documents necessary for the delivery of donations such as hospital beds and wheelchairs from countries abroad and other donations from Switzerland.

Moreover, Artis will also aid the city government in connection with the provision of donations to Olongapo from the US and Japanese governments in line with the upcoming transfer of US Military facilities from Okinawa to Guam.

It can be recalled that in 2005, the city government has considered Artis as Olongapo’s “Adopted Son” by virtue of City Council Resolution No. 40 (series of 2005).

Task Force Guam Created, assigned Ambassadors of Goodwill to Guam

Task Force Guam headed by Councilor Ed Piano was created by Mayor Bong Gordon to ensure participation of workers and businessmen from Olongapo in the Guam Buildup and to foster good relationship between Guam and Olongapo City



Video above was taken during Olongapo City, Philippine Goverment and Private Sector (PASEI) Mission to Guam last April 24 to May 1, 2009. The Guam Industry Forum was brought about by the impending transfer of US Military Base from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, USA. Around 8,000 US Marines and 10,000 dependents has to be relocated to Guam by 2014. In addition 6,000 Navy, Airforce, Coast Guard and other armed services will deploy additional personnel and will be joined by estimated 8,000 dependents.

An "unprecedented" funding to the tune of US $20B is expected to pour in, around 15,000 to 20,000 workers are needed to accomplish the task.

Buildup-related construction projects scheduled for fiscal 2010:

Utilities project, Headquarters building, Medical clinic, Fire station, Bachelor enlisted quarters, Aviation utilities, Aviation parking, Dog kennel, Wharf improvements, Access roads, Training facilities, Exercise support building, Naval hospital, Perimeter fence road, Electrical infrastructure project, Vehicle maintenance facility, Operations facility, National Guard center, Seawall repairs.

The Olongapo City Sangguniang Panglungsod recently passed a resolution supporting the sisterhood of Guam and Olongapo. In addition, Mayor Gordon, Councilors Piano & Baloy, EA Ronnie Lopez and Honorio Gomez was officially designated "Ambassador of Goodwill" of Olongapo City to Guam.