Mabuhay the Original Subic Bay News!

• For the reader's information, here is the original Subic Bay News and why its viscocho who actually is a violator of real intellectual property

  

  Its an established community paper of our beloved locality ever since we learned how to read, how come viscocho is now claiming ownership of it! ang kapal naman ng mukha nya!

  
  

  Now look at the layout of viscocho's newspaper, NOT AN OUNCE OF ORIGINALITY, a second rate trying hard copycat! and his got the nerve to report to facebook that somebody is stealing his intellectual property!!!! Its actually a public property that he stole.

  
  

  

Now here's the update of this issue three months after...

We decided to create another facebook page to quench Olongapo and Subic's thirst for news.

By comparison, 6,882 are now fans of ours while viscocho's online news has measly 957, obviously outclassed and simply means that viscocho were not able to get the needed trust of the readers. Notice that in a single week, we are getting additional 525 fans.

The copycat's page (see below) is doing poorly

we have already forgotten about this issue until the copycat made new noises so we need to inform the public.

Subic workforce reaches 80,000

SUBIC BAY Freeport: The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported Friday that its total workforce had breached the 80,000 mark as of August this year.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said that the 11,321 new hires for the past eight months was due to companies who are expanding their operations in the Subic Freeport.

Arreza added that in the first eight months of this year, SBMA had approved 130 new investment projects.

“More jobs are about to be created in the coming months as we step up efforts to sign in more businesses and to coordinate job-skills matching with our locators,” he said.

Last year, Subic workforce for the same period was only 70,408.

SBMA data indicated that of the total 81,729 workers employed in the Subic Freeport, majority of those were from Olongapo City, which contributed a total of 32,241, or 39.45 percent.

The second biggest number of Subic workers are from Zambales with 17,794 or 21.77 percent, followed by Bataan with 10,803 or 13.22 percent; the National Capital Region with 4,421 or 5.41 percent; Pampanga, 2,837 or 3.47 percent; Tarlac, 1,153 or 1.41 percent and other areas, 12,480 or 15.27 percent. --Anthony Bayarong - Manila Times

Subic bucks perk for Bataan port

THE SUBIC BAY Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) opposes the proposed exemption from wharfage fee in a bill pending in the House of Representatives that seeks to covert Bataan’s Port of Mariveles into a special economic zone and freeport, making it a direct competitor of Subic.

The measure, House Bill No. 1425, was authored by Bataan Rep. (2nd district) Albert S. Garcia.

Ruel John Kabigting, officer-in-charge of SBMA’s business and investment group, said exempting the Port of Mariveles from wharfage dues would lead shipping firms and businesses to prefer that port rather than Subic Freeport, and, consequently, would "seriously affect and prejudice its [SBMA’s] capability to pay" its ¥16.45-billion ($149.545-million, or P5.875-billion) loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

"If we activate this provision of exemption from wharfage fees in the Port of Mariveles, we [Subic] will lose our revenues [due to lost business]. We will have difficult time paying this loan. We are not exempt from wharfage dues. We are collecting them from port users. This is our only objection to this bill," Mr. Kabigting said in a hearing last week.

The JBIC loan was used to build the new 600,000 20-feet equivalent units (TEU) container terminal. Listed International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is operating the first berth. SBMA will start paying its loans in 2010.

"Right now, we are already marketing this port and having difficulty convincing shippers and manufacturers to use the Port of Subic. We are [working] double time so we can meet our obligation to JBIC," Mr. Kabigting said.

"This is one of our sources of revenues. We are essentially a harbor. Our target is to be a maritime hub in the Southeast Asian region."

Mr. Garcia said the Bataan port has been operating since 1969, but its development has been stalled since 1986.

"It was placed in the backburner. That is when all these new freeports and economic zones emergedIt will be more disadvantageous for Bataan if we create something less than a freeport. With proximity to SBMA, investors will have to compare incentives and other attractions to these free ports. All the more we have to level the playing field and give these incentives to the Bataan economic zone," he added.

Noting the long impasse in the development of the Port of Mariveles, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) deputy director general Mary Harriet O. Abordo said in the same hearing that "the creation of the Bataan economic zone was not PEZA’s choice. If it were my choice, as an ordinary citizen, I would not have probably put an economic zone or a freeport in that area unless the government was already committed to fund itThere was no infrastructure to speak of in that place to begin with." — R. A. M. Rubio - Business World

SBMA to invest P160M in WiMax security network

THE SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN Authority (SBMA) is investing about P160 million to build a security net powered by the rising star of wireless communications -- WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) technology.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Armand Arreza told the Inquirer that the government development arm is planning to acquire security cameras and install WiMax equipment all over Subic to connect these.

Arreza said that SBMA picked WiMax over other technologies because it is most suited to Subic’s mountainous terrain.

“From the airport to the central area, where we have our office, the distance is longer than Quezon City to Makati,” he said, adding that it would be better to use WiMax.

“We will be the one to make an investment on the infrastructure and then we will look for an operator to run it. Our primary goal is to have a wireless security network so we will not need all the bandwidth available. The operator can offer other services, including video streaming, and so on.”

Arreza added that SBMA will finalize plans before yearend so that the WiMax network can be deployed next year. By Riza T. Olchondra - Philippine Daily Inquirer

To meet investment goal, Subic wants IT parks

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, aiming to attract a total of $7.5 billion in investments by 2010, is promoting development of information technology (IT) parks in the Subic Bay Freeport, northwest of Manila, SBMA administrator and chief executive Armand Arreza said.

So far, investments in the free port have reached $5.7 billion, he said. In the first half of 2008, Subic attracted $212 million in investment pledges, he added.

“Subic’s port, shipyard and logistics facilities are well known but Subic is not yet known as an IT hub,” Arreza said. “It would be very good for us to also establish presence in this area.”

Arreza said the SBMA was negotiating with a Taiwanese group and a Dubai-based group that could each develop an IT park in Subic.

“The Taiwanese group is more interested in digital content and biotechnology, while the Dubai group is considering developing space for outsourcing companies, maybe call centers,” he said.

The two IT parks would entail about $40 million in investments, of which about $15 million would go to land development, he said.

About 19 hectares of land has been allocated for IT park development at Subic, he said.

The SBMA will host an ICT forum in November, he added. By Riza T. Olchondra - Philippine Daily Inquirer

HANJIN'S SUBIC BAY SHIPYARD BUILDING 2 SUPER SHIPS FOR UAE OWNERS

South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC) will be building two units of Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) worth a total of $330 million at its shipyard here.

According to a company statement received by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) today, Hanjin has entered into a contract to construct two large carriers for Emarat Maritime LLC (EML) of the United Arab Emirates.

The deal was signed on September 3 by EML president Jitendra Misra and HHIC president Kyu-Won Park on behalf of HHIC-Phil, the company's construction arm based in Subic.

The construction of VLCCs will be the first for Hanjin, which has not been able to participate in large vessel production in the past due to limited space at its Yeongdo shipyard in Korea.

"With the completion of the Subic Shipyard, we're now able to build very large vessels," the HHIC statement said.

"From now on, we're going to focus on high value-added vessels and strengthen our competitiveness through improvement of productivity and technical development based on close cooperation between Yeongdo Shipyard and Subic Shipyard," the HHIC added.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said Hanjin's VLCC contract would accelerate Subic's recognition as a global player in the shipbuilding industry, as well as increase the free port's job creation and export production thrusts.

This is no small feat for Subic, considering that it has just recently shifted its focus to its maritime trade potentials. Now, the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as the Philippines, is gaining popularity for its capability to produce world-class ships," Arreza added.

According to Hanjin, the first VLCCs to be built in Subic are expected to be delivered in June 2011.

The 320,000-ton vessels will be 333 meters long, 60 meters wide and 30.5 meters deep, with speed of up to 16 knots. The vessels will be double-hulled in compliance with maritime industry standards.

Hanjin officials said that with the "revolutionary progress" of VLCC construction in Subic, the company has received high praises from the industry.

The firm's Subic shipyard delivered its first ship, the 41,000-ton container carrier MV Argolikos last July, and launched its second vessel, the CMA CGM Turquoise a month later.

Hanjin said it also recently won a total of $630 million shipbuilding deals in a row, including those for a capesize bulk carrier for Sealink Shipping of Hong Kong on August 27, and two bulk carriers for MPC Steamship of Germany on August 27. By Malou Dungog

Hanjin to improve safety in Philippines after 15 deaths

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (AFP) - Shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction (HHIC) is to improve safety after the deaths of 15 workers at its Philippines shipyard in three years, an official said Wednesday.

The news comes as the South Korean-based company enters into a contract to build two supertankers at the shipyard in the former US naval base at Subic Bay just north of Manila.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza said Hanjin was working to improve safety standards, adding that the workers had died in accidents since construction of the shipyard began in May 2005.

Arreza said the rise of the shipyard, which he compared to an entire town, had been swift.

The shipyard which Hanjin says is the biggest in the world, covers 354 hectares (875 acres)

"This has been a challenge to us. Hanjin went from having zero employees in May 2005, when they began building the shipyard, to 20,000 employees this year," he added.

He said both Hanjin and the workers had to "comply with the culture of safety we seek to inculcate into all locators at the SBMA."

He added: "Many construction site mishaps are the result of the construction workers not wearing their safety gear and we want to change that mindset."

Pyeung Jung Yu, the head of Hanjin's business department in Subic, said the shipyard had signed a contract to build two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) for 330 million dollars for Emarat Maritime LLC of the United Arab Emirates.

The 320,000-tonne, double-hulled vessels will be 333 metres (1,098 feet) long, 60 metres wide and 30.5 metres tall with a top speed of up to 16 knots.

The tankers are expected to be delivered in 2011 and will be a first for Hanjin, which did not have the space at its South Korea shipyards.

"We simply don't have the space in South Korea so it is only here in Subic that we can build these huge carriers," Yu said.

Hanjin's Subic shipyard delivered its first ship, the 41,000-tonne container carrier MV Argolikos in July, and launched its second vessel, the CMA CGM Turquoise a month later.

It also has contracts for bulk carriers with companies based in Hong Kong and Germany.

Subic cites better golf operations deal with Korean firm

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines - The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) defended its move to award the operations of its only golf course to a South Korean firm led by a senator's relative, saying that the company’s bid was the most advantageous proposal it received.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the South Korean firm Hanafil Golf & Tour, Inc, headed by the nephew of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, gave "the most generous offer with contract provisions that are miles apart from those of the former operators."

The reaction was a response to comments of Northern Samar Representative Emil Ong, who said the terms of the lease contract were "disadvantageous to the government." Arreza said that while the former operator UIG International Development Corp. offered a rental of only P300,000 per month, or a total of P3.6 million in one year, Hanafil has offered $350,000, which translates to more than P14 million annually.

Aside from rental fees, Hanafil also offered the SBMA five percent in gross revenue sharing and development commitments worth $48 million to be established within six years.

“Given these commitments by Hanafil, the P3.6 million annual income under the old contract that the honorable congressman seems to want to maintain simply doesn’t measure up," Arreza said.

He said the bidding process was also reviewed by an oversight committee composed of members of the SBMA board of directors and other agency officials.

SBMA took over the operations of the golf course in 1997 and in 2007 due to alleged contract violations of UIG, a Taiwanese firm. SBMA and UIG have been locked in a tedious court battle for legal rights for the operations of the golf course for over a year.

UIG claims it has complied with the provisions of its lease agreement and SBMA illegally took over the facilities last year in violation of their contract. The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation of the case. - GMANews.TV

Subic hoteliers denounce operator backed by SBMA

SUBIC Bay Freeport -- A Korean-born US national also wanted for several multi-million peso estafa cases in the country was booted out as tourist hotel operator here after failing to fulfill his financial obligations with the original French-led Filipino management.

Local hoteliers Luc Helgen, a French national and former chairman and president of Subic Majestic Hotel, said the board of directors of the SMHI has taken physical possession of the hotel from Leo Hwang, president of Leoh and Leoh Int’l. Group.

The booting of Hwang came after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority issued a memorandum stating that only legitimate stockholders that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission can operate in Subic.

The announcement was made by Helgen during a press briefing held at the hotel’s dining lounge where he was accompanied by SMHI acting president Eloy Pineda III, general manager Marlon Manlangit, and several other hotel crew and staff.

Helgen said Hwang was introduced to him by Raymund Siongco, Business and Marketing officer of SBMA as “high caliber investor with a very clean background.”

Because of Siongco’s assurance and insistence, SMHI agreed to sub-lease the hotel to Hwang. However, said SBMA officer managed to “switch” the direction of the deal toward the sale of stocks of Helgen instead.

Based on the agreement executed in November 2007 between SMHI and LLIG, Hwang paid Helgen US$86,000 as downpayment but it was later canceled and replaced with a US$100,000 check which bounced.

“Even the monthly contract of $4,000 as regular sub-lease payment and the $32,000 SBMA security deposit reimbursable to the Helgen have not been paid,” said Helgen.

Last Feb. 15, the majority of SMHI stockholders took over the hotel’s operation from Hwang to save the company from incurring further losses.

The stockholders’ triumph did not last long when Hwang was able to secure a court order on May 19 to retake the hotel. This, SMHI officials alleged, gave Hwang the opportunity to pocket the income of the hotel and ransack every room for furniture, appliances and equipment.

“We only discovered the looting in the hotel when one closed-van driven by Omar Quintos, Hwang employee assigned at the hotel,was intercepted by the SBMA police while trying bring out of the Freeport Gate various furnitures on June 3,” Helgen said.

Meanwhile, Pineda presented to the media a copy of a warrant for Leo Hwang issued by Judge Luis Tongco of the Regional Trial Court of Pasig City for estafa.

It was learned also that on Sept. 2007, Hwang and Kim Ji Hoon, representing the Hanaro Investment and Dev’t. Industry Corp., based in Seoul, South Korea, entered a contract where Hwang assigned the rights for the 128 housing units in Forest Hills Subdivision project.

“But after Hoon had paid Hwang US$97,204, he discovered that “SBMA has already awarded the Forest Hills to SB Philippine Development Corp., another legitimate investor,” Pineda said. By: Ruben A. Veloria - journal online

OLONGAPO SAYS 'NO TO COAL'

Greenpeace welcomed the Olongapo City government resolution expressing their objection to harmful coal-fired power plants, and called on other cities and provinces to join the movement to 'quit coal' and go renewable as a solution to stop dangerous climate change.

Resolution no. 131, issued unanimously by the City Council of Olongapo recently, shuns coal-fired power plants as an energy source and pushes for renewable energy solutions for the city. The resolution was drawn up as a formal opposition to a proposed 300 MW coal power plant in the Subic Bay area, whose freeport zone and surrounds are popular eco-tourism destinations.

"The citizens of Olongapo do not want coal plants. Coal is a harmful source of energy which exacerbates climate change, the greatest threat our world faces today. Olongapo knows that cleaner, safer renewable energy technologies are abundant and can and should be tapped. The proponents of the coal plant should abandon their dangerous energy project," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Campaign Manager Beau Baconguis.

"Olongapo City shows real leadership in putting the welfare of its citizens over the vested business interests of the coal project. Quitting coal means stopping climate change and giving a healthier environment for the people of Olongapo," she added.

For the past several months, the City Council has been holding forums to present to stakeholders, including Olongapo residents, the side of the coal plant proponents alongside concerns from environment groups, health experts, and socio-civic organizations.

Citing global warming gases from coal plants, as well as harmful coal-plant emissions which studies show lead to premature deaths and mental retardation, the Resolution states that "[T]he City Government believes that the grim environmental and economic impact of a coal-fired power plant in Subic Bay is long-lasting, far outweighing its perceived and unproven benefits to our local economy."

Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., a joint venture of Aboitiz Power Corp. and Taiwan Cogen International Corp., announced last August 22 that they are scheduling the groundbreaking ceremony for the 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Subic Bay Freeport this coming October. The resolution signifies the lack of public acceptance for the project.

This resolution comes a week after DENR Secretary Lito Atienza announced his intention to grant an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to another proposed coal fired power plant in the city of Iloilo. The project is widely opposed by Iloilo residents but which, ironically, is being promoted by Iloilo City officials.

"Olongapo City is joining pioneering provinces such as Negros Occidental, Albay and Antique in declaring 'No to coal, yes to renewable energy!' It is high time that the national government, especially the pro-coal DENR, listened. The Senate must pass the Renewable Energy Bill, the Department of Energy must stop coal expansion, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources must stop issuing Environmental Compliance Certificates to climate change-causing coal-fired power plants," said Baconguis.

SBMA ends accreditation of 18 Hanjin subcontractors

EIGHTEEN of the 42 subcontractors of the biggest shipbuilding facility in Subic Bay Free Port have been ordered terminated and their accreditation were revoked for violating regulations on occupational health and safety and other labor requirements and for failure to secure proper accreditation.

These sub-contractors include UT Corporation, whose worker Efren dela Cruz became the 15th fatality at the Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) shipbuilding yard at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The other subcontractors whose accreditations were not renewed are: Electro Dynamics Construction Development Inc., AFR Construction & Development Co. Inc., Canall Corp., Ron Daniel Construction Corp., Traffic Control Product Corp., General Corp., Geoscience Technology, A.V. Subia Garden, Beton Bau Phils. Inc., Doublefold Construction Corp., Inyoung Phils. Inc., Jeil Sanup Corp., KMI-KJK Inc., LC Builders & Developers Inc., R.P. Alejandro Construction Inc., Wierig Industrial Products Inc., and I. Stone International Corporation.

As this developed, the SBMA authorities with the cooperation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will conduct a mandatory safety orientation on all HHIC-Phil construction workers starting next month.

All construction workers employed at the Subic Bay Free Port’s HHIC-Phil shipyard will undergo a mandatory safety orientation course starting next week to help address safety concerns at the $1.6-billion shipbuilding facility.

The training was required by the SBMA and DOLE, which have both expressed alarm over the number of fatal accidents at the shipyard since 2007.

“This will be a basic safety orientation course for construction workers, including safety officers, employed by both Hanjin and its subcontractors,” said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.

“Everyday, starting September 1, there will be 120 shipyard workers attending the safety course,” he added.

The safety appreciation courses, which will be conducted by the DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Center, will cover five topics each day.

The primary target audience for the courses are safety officers employed by Hanjin and its subcontractors. These key personnel are then expected to echo the topics discussed among employees belonging to their respective work units.

Arreza explained that the safety orientation course was necessary because investigations of the 15 fatal accidents in the shipyard indicated some safety lapses committed by workers themselves, aside from those by subcontracting firms. By: Jess V. Antiporda - Journal online

HHIC bags two more capesize bulker deals

HHIC expects to pick up more bulker sales this year.

SOUTH Korea’s Hanjin Heavy Industries Co said on Friday it has won a contract for two capesize dry bulkers, a day after announcing a capesize contract for one vessel from Shanghai’s Sealink.

HHIC said the latest order, from Germany’s MPC, is valued at Won214.7bn ($197.9m). Both vessels will be delivered by February 2011, following construction at the company’s Pusan shipyard.

HHIC’s sales manager Y S Kang spoke of the company’s disappointment at not gaining more containership sales this year, which would have brought more work to HHIC’s new mega-yard at Subic Bay in the Philippines.

“I think you will see us pick up more bulker sales,” he said. “There is no demand for containerships out there. We are very disappointed.” By Mike Grinter - lloydslist.com

Hanjin men required to take safety course

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Workers of the Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) will undergo a mandatory safety orientation course starting next week to help address safety concerns at the company’s $1.6-billion shipbuilding facility here.

The training was required by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which have both expressed alarm over the number of fatal accidents at the shipyard since 2007.

“This will be a basic safety orientation course for construction workers, including safety officers, employed by Hanjin and its subcontractors,” said SBMA administrator and chief executive officer Armand Arreza.

“Every day, starting Sept. 1, there will be 120 shipyard workers attending the safety course,” he said.

The safety appreciation course, which will be conducted by the DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Center, will cover five topics each day.

The course is primarily targeted at safety officers employed by Hanjin and its subcontractors. They, in turn, are expected to impart the lessons to their respective work units.

Arreza said the safety orientation course is necessary, as the investigation into the 15 fatal accidents in the shipyard showed that the workers themselves had committed some safety lapses.

“There were cases when workers refused to wear hard hats because they found them uncomfortable. So we have to really inculcate a culture of safety among the workers, too,” he said.

Aside from the safety orientation course, health and safety experts of the DOLE and SBMA also conducted training at the Hanjin shipyard recently, according to the SBMA Occupational Health and Safety Office.

One of these safety courses was conducted by the DOLE’s Bureau of Working Conditions and the Association of Safety Practitioners Inc., a private safety group.

A DOLE team has also been conducting a five-day construction safety training since Tuesday, with 58 participants from Hanjin and its subcontractors.

As part of the SBMA’s action plan to foster safety at the Hanjin shipyard, Arreza said they will set up an office at the site, to be manned by occupational health and safety personnel and employees of the SBMA’s labor department.

“We (at the SBMA) want to establish a strong presence at the shipyard, so we can enforce adequate control,” he said.

Meanwhile, Arreza gave assurance that Hanjin subcontractors that were found to have violated regulations on occupational health and safety and other labor requirements “won’t be tolerated by the SBMA.”

Of 42 companies subcontracted by Hanjin for various operations in the shipyard, he said 18 have been terminated due to infractions or failure to secure proper accreditation.

These subcontrators included UT Corp., whose worker Efren de la Cruz was the 15th fatality at the Hanjin construction site.

The other subcontractors whose accreditation were not renewed are Electro Dynamics Construction Development Inc., AFR Construction and Development Co. Inc., Canall Corp., Ron Daniel Construction Corp., Traffic Control Product Corp., General Corp., Geoscience Technology, A.V. Subia Garden, Beton Bau Phils. Inc., Doublefold Construction Corp., Inyoung Phils. Inc., Jeil Sanup Corp., KMI-KJK Inc., LC Builders and Developers Inc., R.P. Alejandro Construction Inc., Wierig Industrial Products Inc., and I. Stone International Corp. – By Bebot Sison Jr. With Ric Sapnu - PhilStar

SBMA probes 18 Hanjin contractors

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has started investigating the subcontractors of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines Inc. in the wake of workers’ deaths inside the shipyard of the Korean company here.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the agency’s investigation of the latest death at the shipyard, involving Efren de la Cruz who was electrocuted on Aug. 12 while working at Hanjin’s motor pool, yielded a troubling pattern among the subcontractors.

“In all the deaths, the common problem is that these workers were not wearing, or did not have, their safety gear or PPEs (personal protective equipment). Either they were not given any, or they weren’t using it for some reason,” said Arreza.

De la Cruz, hired by Hanjin subcontractor Unicorn T (UT) Corp., died before reaching the San Marcelino Hospital. He was the 15th worker reported to have died while working at the shipyard. On Aug. 7, Arvy Mahinay, 19, who was employed by Hanjin subcontractor Bodahh Inc., died when he fell from a roof while retrieving his helmet that was blown off by the wind.

Poor judgment

In a statement, the SBMA said De la Cruz was electrocuted while working at the shipyard’s motor pool. He and four other workers were using an electricity-driven tool when the accident happened, the SBMA said.

Pyeong Jung-yu, Hanjin general manager, earlier said De la Cruz died after a heart attack. Yu said they did not report De la Cruz’s death immediately to the SBMA or the Department of Labor and Employment because he did not die in an accident.

Arreza said most of the deaths could be attributed to “poor judgment on the part of the worker or workers involved in an accident and/or negligence on the part of Hanjin or its subcontractors.”

Fake papers

He said UT Corp., which is owned by a Korean, had faked its certificate of registration and tax exemption (CRTE), a document that allows them to operate within the Subic Freeport without paying duties.

“We found out that UT Corp. was using fraudulent documents while conducting our investigation into De la Cruz’s death. Also, they were not giving their workers the proper benefits, or paying their SSS (Social Security System) contributions. Plus, most of their workers did not have the proper safety gear, like De la Cruz,” he said.

The SBMA has since banned UT Corp. from doing business inside the freeport while Hanjin has terminated its contract.

Arreza said the SBMA began cracking down on the subcontractors in July, after worker Benje Gamolo died that month when he was hit by an eight-ton steel beam.

At least 18 of 42 Hanjin subcontractors were either unregistered or had expired registrations, SBMA reports said.

“Without the registration, they (subcontractors) cannot work. For those subcontractors [who have] expired registrations, they can continue [operating in the free port]. [There is] automatic renewal if they have no violations,” said Arreza. by Robert Gonzaga, Inquirer Northern Luzon

Group sets P4.2B to redevelop Subic golf course

A South Korean and Filipino joint venture announced Friday it was allotting $48 million, or about P4.2 billion, for redevelopment of the golf course in the Subic Bay Freeport, northwest of Manila, with “full country club amenities” planned.

Benjamin John Defensor, president and chief executive of Hanafil Golf & Tour Inc., said in a statement the firm wanted to turn the 18-hole golf course into an all-weather championship course.

Hanafil won a public bidding for the project held earlier this year, after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) took over the operation of the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club last year.

SBMA had terminated the lease agreement of the previous operator due to the latter’s ballooning debts that ran to some $150 million.

Defensor said Hanafil’s commitments included putting up additional nine holes, building a hotel and some villas, and improving the driving range at the Subic Bay Golf and Country Club.

He explained that the project, scheduled for completion within six years, would be phased after club members requested that the existing 18 holes be kept open.

“The fairways would have to be reconstructed from scratch and some of the holes would have to be relocated,” he said.

Defensor said Hanafil has retained the services of some 70 workers and plans to hire more local workers for construction and re-development activities.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said there were two other leisure complexes that would be built in the Subic Bay Freeport area within the next few years.

These are Korean firm Neocove’s golf course and resort project on a 400-hectare site in Subic’s Redondo Peninsula and another in Morong town in Bataan province, which is being considered as a resort and convention complex.

Arreza said the three golf courses would be located in such a way that they would not compete with each other, but instead ensure adequate facilities for the growing number of golf enthusiasts and visiting professional players.

According to SBMA’s legal department, the Subic golf course redevelopment was pushing through considering that the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City has affirmed the validity of the SBMA takeover last year.

This was a repeat of a takeover of the golf facility in 1997 due to the failure of the previous operator to honor its development commitments, which the Supreme Court upheld in a 2000 ruling, SBMA said. By Ronnel Domingo - Philippine Daily Inquirer

Another Hanjin worker dies in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Another notice of violation is set to issued by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to Hanjin Heavy Industries Inc. (HHIC) for “not enforcing the occupational safety regulations on its sub-contractors” after a shipyard worker died on Tuesday.

The victim was identified as Efren de la Cruz, 23, of Almasen, Hermosa, Bataan. He was accidentally electrocuted while working at the shipyard’s Motor Pool (U-Ditch Area) using a power driven tool, together with four other workers of sub-contractor UT Construction.

SBMA Ecology Center manager, Amethya Koval, said initial investigation showed there was rainwater in the ditch about three inches deep and there were five of them in the group, however only three of them were wearing company-issued rubber boots.

Koyal also said that the jackhammer De la Cruz was using was connected to an extension wire that may have fallen or gotten in contact with the water in the ditch, thus electrocuting the unprotected worker.

Dela Cruz was immediately taken to the HHIC clinic for first aid treatment and later transferred to the San Marcelino District Hospital for further medical treatment but was declared dead-on-arrival (DOA). -- Ric Sapnu - PhilStar

Subcontractor removed from shipyard after worker’s death

The Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Phils. Inc. on Friday served a notice terminating the contract of its Korean subcontractor Bodahh following the death of another Filipino worker at the shipyard in Subic, Zambales, on Wednesday.

“It did not comply with safety rules and regulations, causing us big damages,” Pyeong Jong-yu, general manager of Hanjin, said.

The Department of Labor and Employment has advised Hanjin to end the services of Bodahh because while the latest victim, Arvy Mahinay, fell from the roof of Dry Dock No. 5 due to “human error,” the subcontractor committed lapses as well, according to DOLE Assistant Regional Director Alvin Villamor.

One such lapse, Villamor said, was that Bodahh subcontracted Mahinay’s employment to Trigon, which Hanjin claimed to be not aware of.

He said Trigon conducted tool box meetings, or work briefings, but these were held in its headquarters within the 385-hectare shipyard, “not at the work area, to give the workers a sort of hands on.”

Investigation

Villamor had interviewed a foreman who was working on the same roof together with Mahinay, 19. The foreman confirmed the worker unstrapped the lifeline on his waist.

The lifeline showed no sign that it snapped, Villamor said.

“The question is, although he wore safety equipment, why did his helmet fall off that he had to get it?” he said. Mahinay only wore rubber shoes, not protective boots.

According to Villamor, Bodahh’s safety officers were not accredited with the Bureau of Working Conditions, an agency under the DOLE.

“It has no pre-employment standard criteria. Mahinay, as a roof installer, should have at least had one or more years of experience before he was hired for such kind of work,” he said.

Liabilities

Both Bodahh and Trigon are liable to pay the funeral cost and damages for the death of Mahinay, a native of Pasig City.

“This is the fault of Bodahh, not Hanjin,” Villamor said.

Pyeong earlier said the latest death at the 385-hectare shipyard made the firm’s officials “so disappointed to the point that the situation drove us speechless.”

“It happened again in spite of our drastic and strict measures being implemented after the last incident as a means of eradicating the cause of accidents,” Pyeong said.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said Mahinay’s death could be attributed to “human error” and was not related to the non-compliance of the Korean shipyard company to safety standards. By Tonette Orejas - Philippine Daily Inquirer

Trader allegedly shot dead by Subic Freeport cop

A 43-year old businessman was allegedly shot dead by a Freeport policeman following a heated altercation at a checkpoint along Argonout Highway, Kalayaan Hills, Subic Bay Freeport early morning Friday, police reports said.

Police identified the fatality as Rayman Reyes, 41, a livestock dealer and resident of Barangay San Jose in Dinalupihan, Bataan. The victim succumbed to a lone gunshot wound in the head.

Sketchy reports said the victim was on board a Toyota Avanza (ZMA-320) cruising the Argonout Highway when flagged down at Post 301 by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) security identified as Judy Bugtong Holanda, 43, member of the Law Enforcement Department (LED) of the Freeport.

Police said the victim was reportedly fuming mad when his car was subjected for inspection by the SBMA cop. It was gathered that all vehicles plying the Kalayaan Hills are subjected for inspection at Post 301.

A heated confrontation triggered the shooting killing Reyes instantly, police said. The victim suffered a gunshot wound in the upper lips.

Holanda immediately called up his colleague in the LED where he voluntarily surrendered including his 9 mm service pistol.

Crime scene investigators found a loaded caliber .45 pistol at the passenger seat of the victim car.

Freeport police are still investigating the case.- Jess Malabanan - ABS CBN NEWS

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Trader allegedly shot and killed by SBMA law enforcer

By Ansbert Joaquin - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines -- A trader was shot and killed Friday morning, allegedly by one of several Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) guards who accosted him at a police sentry at Kalayaan housing inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

Senior Inspector Orlando Reyes of the Olongapo City police station 4 identified the fatality as Reynan Reyes, 41.

Reyes’ girlfriend, Edith Paunal, said he fetched a friend who had earlier been refused entry by guards at the Kalayaan exit gate at about 6:20 a.m. Friday.

Guards said they did not allow Reyes' friend to enter due to lack of SBMA identification.

Reyes, however, argued with the police, saying his friend was already inside the vehicle and that the vehicle had a valid SBMA sticker.

The businessman later went back and fetched Paunal. Both of them went to the police station in Kalayaan to file a complaint.

Police said the two went back to the Kalayaan sentry and argued with the guards on duty there. Reyes hit a guard with a wooden stick then left.

When the guards at the gate alerted other guards on duty, Reyes and his companions were denied entry at the Kalayaan Housing where Paunal is a resident.

Vicente Tolentino, chief of SBMA's Law Enforcement Division (LED), approached Reyes' Toyota Avanza minivan and asked him to roll down his window.

Tolentino said he was trying to reach for the door lock when Reyes bit his hand.

This prompted Juldy Holanda, an LED agent, to shoot Reyes in the head, killing him instantly.

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SBMA cop shoots gun-toting man to death

By: Ruben Veloria - Journal online
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- A man wanted for hitting Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority policeman with ax handle on the head was shot and killed by another law enforcer at the sentry of a housing facility here when he tried to grab a gun on his car’s floor.

Major Vicente Tolentino, chief of Operations of SBMA Law Enforcement Department, identified the victim as Reyman Reyes, 41, of Bgy. San Jose, Dinalupihan, Bataan. He sustained a lone gunshot wound from a .9mm pistol.

Tolentino said that based on the initial investigation reveals that last Thursday, Reyes, who was driving his Toyota Avanza, entered the Freeport Zone at Kalayaan Gate in Lower Cabalan, Olongapo City, where he was advised by SBMA officer Michael Magpantay to secure an SBMA car pass sticker.

A heated argument ensued after Reyes allegedly grumbled at Magpantay’s advice and cursed him.

At around 6:20 p.m. the next day, Reyes, together with a 17-year-old boy-companion, entered Kalayaan Gate, again Magpantay asked Reyes for his SBMA car pass sticker.

Without a word, Reyes got off the car and hit the officer in the head using a wooden handle and hurriedly left the area.

An hour later, Reyes was stopped at the Kalayaan Hill checkpoint but he refused to surrender.

Tolentino, who came to the scene, ordered the uniformed officers to step back, then asked Reyes to open his window for a conversation.

Reyes transferred at the passenger’s seat and opened about a quarter of the window and started cursing Tolentino and the officers.

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Worker falls to death in Subic's Hanjin plant

A 19-year-old laborer at the Hanjin Heavy Industries died in an accident while working at the shipyard in Barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales late Wednesday afternoon.

Police said Arvy Mahinay, of Gawad Kalinga neighborhood in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, succumbed to multiple body fractures and a broken skull.

The victim is affiliated with Bodah employment agency, reportedly a sub-contractor of Hanjin.

Senior Superintnendent Roland Felix, officer-in-charge of the Zambales provincial police office, said the accident happened past 4 p.m.

Felix, quoting reports submitted by Subic police, said the victim fell from the dry-dock beam and landed on his head. The victim died on the spot.

Rommel Doble, Hanjin safety officer, immediately reported the incident to the police.

Mahinay’s body was brought to Subic Funeral Homes for autopsy, said Felix.

At least seven lives have been claimed at the Hanjin’s work area this year alone. All of the deaths are accident-related. Jess Malabanan - ABS CBN