Olongapo Public Cemetery cleaned-up by volunteers

Volunteers from different organizations of Olongapo City cleaned the public cemetery in Kalaklan in preparation for next week's Piestang Patay.

City Health Department Head Dr. Arnie Tamayo was assisted by 200 strong members of Bagumbayan volunteers led by Councilor Edwin Piano. Most of those who participated are from the Olongapo Skills Training Center - Gordon College. Representatives from different barangays and other NGOs are also present to give hand in the clean-up.

"Relatives of the dead who will troop to the cemetery will be surprised once they see that their loved one's niches including the surrounding is clean." said a welder while hauling bag loads of garbage taken out of the area.

Below are images of the activity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuAH1CltXVY

Welder from Gordon College is finalist for TESDA Idol 2009

A former fruit vendor, ice drop vendor and an automotive shop helper is Region 3's bet for the TESDA IDOL 2009

NELSON P. GUZMAN who took a TEK-BOK Course in Welding under Olongapo's Skills Training Center is now a certified SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDER NC II and AUTOMOTIVE SERVICING TECHNICIAN.

The President Ramon Magsaysay Outstanding Filipino Worker Award (PRMOFWA) search also called, "Search for TESDA Idol," is one of the most prestigious awards being given by the TESDA annually. It is the government's concrete recognition of the important role played by Filipino workers who are honest, hardworking, persevering, highly successful in their respective fields, toward achieving the country's economic goals in support of national development.

The award is institutionalized through Executive Order 411 on May 1, 1997 and named after the late President Ramon Magsaysay, who was once a blue-collar worker.

Olongapo Skills Training Director Councilor Ed Piano endorses NELSON P. GUZMAN for TESDA Idol 2009

To vote for Nelson, text TESDAIDOL POLL D send to 70083732

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYmvNqmMQjs

TESDA Idol is an institutional award created to recognize the graduates of TESDA programs who have attained skills excellence and success in their chosen occupations and contributed to the economic growth of their communities. It is an award to tech-voc graduates who have attained exemplary performance and serves as role models for others through their success stories, which are potent instruments that could provide inspiration and veer the youth and the unemployed towards promising careers in tech-voc. The candidates may either be self-employed or wage-employed working within the country.

The awarding of recognition for the regional and national winners will be held at the TESDA Central Office during the 15th TESDA anniversary celebration this August 24, 2009. The celebration will be observed in all TESDA offices.

Voting thru text/sms (patterned after popular contests) is part of the competition.

Olongapo Skills Training Director Councilor Ed Piano, in behalf of the City of Olongapo and all of Region 3 endorses NELSON P. GUZMAN for TESDA Idol 2009

To vote for Nelson, text TESDAIDOL POLL D send to 70083732

Guam Update 13 June 2009 over DWGO

Guam Task Force Head Councilor Ed Piano and Mayor James Gordon, Jr. gave update on the development regarding Guam Project during interview by Anchorman Romy Guerrero over DWGO AM radio 1008khz.

The recorded audio file was used as voice-over to also present Slideshow of Guam photos

Guam Update 13 June 2009 part 2

http://guam-ofw.blogspot.com/2009/06/guam-update-13-june-2009-over-dwgo.html

Follow link to listen to the four-parts update

HANJIN SAFETY

I will have to disagree with Guest SmartBro user... Filipino shipbuilders are world-class and not dumb as claimed.

The problem w/ Hanjin is that they are not providing appropriate safety training to workers hired from the provices.. Hanjin focus too much on production ... neglecting safety in the process

If you will check the 18 fatal accidents in Hanjin-Subic, you will learn that none of those were caused by a worker trained by the Olongapo Skills Training Center...

You can safely deduce therefore that the Safety Training, including motivation and work ethics were properly inculcated at this training center w/c by the way is a TESDA KABALIKAT Awardee

The combined shipyard Knowledge, Skill, Ability and Experience of trainors at Olongapo Training Center is more than 100 years!!! and this represented a zero wasted time injury.

While Hanjin have good safety mannuals... their trainors.... being new to the job.... does not have enough experience and moral ascendancy to impart an effective Safety Training

To conclude, I suggest that Hanjin ensures that their workers undergo a safety training from the Olongapo Skills Training Center... This will not cost them a centavo since its the Leadership of Mayor Bong Gordon and Senator Dick Gordon thru PNRC who provided for the funding.... to ensure that every worker is safe and will be able to return home from work without worry from their family..

By Redlew of OSTC



Jan 24, 2009
SAFETY FIRST I will have to disagree with Guest SmartBro user... Filipino shipbuilders are world-class


2:22 am Jan 24
leakim gordon college took the 2nd place in volleyball event sa nakaraang alculympics... congrats guys...


10:29 pm Jan 23
Guest SmartBro User: How will you educate the people in hanjin if all of them are so dumb to understand safety...


10:27 pm Jan 23
SAFETY FIRST our workers are being killed by mamang incompetent (lack of training) and mr. park greedy (combination of which is deadly)


7:50 pm Jan 23
TheClown intentional to sabotage the operation inside SBMA get them. "full background investigations"


7:13 pm Jan 23
TheClown iisang patern lang. get this "killer out of hanjin" show it to the press and put in jail its not an accident anymore its intentional


7:10 pm Jan 23
TheClown Please get a "background investigations", parang iisang "grupo" ang gumagawa nito at GET THEM ASAP!


7:07 pm Jan 23
chelganda hi regarding the accident in hanjin?sino yung naaccidente, can you name it?thnx..


1:56 pm Jan 23
romy fatal accident in HANJIN!!! 1 dead others seriously injured

DONATIONS TURNED-OVER BY MAYOR BONGO

Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. turned over two (2) jet-matic pumps, two (2) wheelchairs, an LCD projector and a Honda motorbike to several beneficiaries on September 22, 2008 at the flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center.

The LCD projector was turned over by Mayor Gordon to Councilor Edwin Piano for the Technical Skills Training Program. The LCD Projector was a donation from the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA).

The LCD projector will aid in innovating the teaching approach and methods in skills training.

The UNFPA, through City Representative Dyesebel Dado, extended a two-year grant to help the city in the Reproductive Health area.

Meanwhile, Balikatan Ladies president Ledi Payumo received two (2) jet-matic pumps for the residents of Purok 3, Santol Compound, New Cabalan.

Richard Espinosa of New Cabalan and Bernardo Poblete of Barangay Mabayuan each received wheelchairs.

Mayor Gordon also announced a plan about helping the PWDs of the city to build their own wheelchairs.

“Let’s produce that with the welders,” said Mayor Gordon. “Maganda na magproduce tayo nung matibay at pwedeng pambasketball na wheelchairs.”

On the other hand, the Criminal Detection and Intelligence Group (CIDG) received a Honda Motorbike from Mayor Gordon. The motorcycle was received by Supt. Maristelo Manalo, CIDG Olongapo head.

‘We want CIDG to be part of Olongapo City especially with the anti-nude and anti-prostitution campaign,” Mayor Gordon said. “At sana ang CIDG ay tulungan tayo at tanggalin ang mga establihments na may mga nude shows dahil pinipilit nating mawala yan, dapat i-flush out yang problema na ‘yan.”

On September 22, 2008 at the Flag-Raising Ceremony, Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. turned over several donations including: an LCD projector for the City Skills Training Program, received by City Councilor Edwin Piano (upper right photo); two wheelchairs (upper left photo); two jet-matic pumps, received by Ledi Payumo, president of Balikatan Ladies (lower right photo) and a Honda motorcycle for the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) received by CIDG head Supt. Maristelo Manalo (lower left photo).

PAO/Don

LIBRENG LIVELIHOOD TRAINING SA BARANGAY

Livelihood Trainings ang patuloy na isinusulong ni City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. kaya naman nitong ika-13 at 14 ng Mayo 2008 ay nagsagawa ng ‘’Squash Based Products-Free Training’’ ang Livelihood Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) sa mahigit limampung (50) mga kababaihan ng Barangay West Bajac-Bajac.

Mga residenteng may edad na labing-walo (18) pataas na interesadong magnegosyo ang tinuruan ng mga kasanayan na maaaring pagkakakitaan tulad ng Food processing at cooking demo.

“Ang mga kababaihan ang kadalasang magaling sa pagnenegosyo dahil sa pagkamasinop at kasanayan sa pagba-budget. At ang mga panimulang negosyo ay yung mga nangangailangan ng galing ng kababaihan tulad sa pagluluto, food processing at iba pa, kaya’t matuto kayo dahil pakikinabangan ninyo ito at ng inyong pamilya ,” mensahe ni Mayor Gordon.

Ang livelihood trainings na umiikot sa labingpitong (17) barangay sa lungsod ay bahagi ng kabuuang programa ni Mayor Gordon sa pangkabuhayan na pinangungunahan ng Livelihood & Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) bilang in-charge sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng iba’t-ibang trainings na pangnegosyo.

Naglalaan din ng pondo si Mayor Gordon upang matulungan sa pinansyal na aspeto ang mga nagsisimulang negosyante. Dito ay nagbibigay ng financial assistance ang pamahalaan upang higit na maging kabahagi na makamit ang naisin na magkaroon ng pagkakakitaan ang isang pamilya.

Tuwang-tuwa ang mga dumalo sa training at nabigyan sila ng pag-asa para matupad ang negosyo na talaga namang desidido nilang simulan at palaguin. “May pagkakataon na kaming umasenso. Salamat sa tulong ni Mayor Gordon,” sambit ni Mrs. Fatima Santos, isa mga dumalo sa training.
Si Mayor Bong Gordon habang nagbibigay ng mensahe sa mga kababaihang suma-ilalim sa free livelihood training ng ‘’Squash-Based Products’’. Isinagawa ang training nitong ika-13 at 14 ng Mayo 2008 sa Brgy. West Bajac-Bajac. Pao Photo/rem

Welding Training Program

Gordon College and Mayor Gordon's Welding Academy continue providing welding trainings for Olongapeños.

The 2007 Accomplishment Report of Skills Training Center Director and City Councilor Edwin Piano forwarded to the Mayor's Office says several trainees have already completed various stages of training, as follows: 4,051 trainees on the Shipbuilding Orientation; 2,154 trainees on the Career Workshop Seminar; 312 trainees on the Flux Cord Arch Welding Seminar, 115 trainees on the Basic Computer Literacy; and 107 trainees on the Shielded Metal Arc Welding Level II.

The report also states that a number of trainees are now employed: 2,154 at Hanjin Shipbuilding; 103 at the Hanjin Construction; 240 at the different companies in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and 200 are now outside the Philippines.

Recently, 200 trainees passed the screening and initial interview for job opportunities in Australia.

Meanwhile, Gordon College (GC) President Dr. Arlida Pame, in the Literacy Program of the City Public Library at the Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP) encouraged inmates to avail of the GC's free welding training.

Mayor Gordon enticed the inmates to inform their family members and relatives regarding the said training, "Ipaalam ninyo sa inyong mga asawa, anak at kapatid na tumungo sa City Hall at magpatala sa welding training upang sa gayo'y makatulong sa pamilya kapag natanggap na sa trabaho," wika ni Mayor Gordon.

The Skills Training Program of the City Government is accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It provides a free yet high quality educational training and even behavioral, physical mental and emotional capabilities to the trainees.

HANJIN INCIDENT REPORT

Hanjin Subic Shipyard, Drydock No. 5, January 18, 2008 11am : Explosion was heard at the Propeller Alley (This is a compartment at the AFT, STERN, or TAIL portion of the ship)

Fatalities:

Jeremias Adamos – Barretto, Olongapo ( Family from Subic)
Mario Laxamana – Morong, Bataan

Injured:

Jonathan Martinez – Banicain, Olongapo
Gilbert Ruba – Kalalake, Olongapo (from Tarlac)
Donald Elijan – Castillejos, Zambales (All 3 confined at St. Jude Hospital)
1 Korean National and another Filipino w/ minor hand injury.
Many Filipino co-workers were traumatized by the incident.

According to the survivors:

They are working at the rudder and propeller section of the ship: fitting-cutting-welding-grinding inside a closed compartment.

Adamos and Laxamana are working (grinding) overhead, 10 to 12 feet above them.

Martinez and Ruba noticed that there are oil spills on the deck which came from the cleaning operation on the propeller.

The survivors believe that sparks from cutting and grinding operation which fell on the oil started the fire.

Other witness accounts however claimed that the sparks actually fell on the acetylene gas rubber hose.

The punctures on the hose created by hot molten metals caused the flammable gas to leak.

This gas leak, built-up in the propeller-alley compartment during their 10am breaktime.

When they returned for work at 11am, the compartment is already saturated by a highly combustible gas. An accident waiting to happen.

A spark from either welding, grinding or cutting operation ignited the combustible gas which caused the explosion and the fire.

Comments/Recommendations:

• There was no Safety Officer and/or “Fire Watch” in the vicinity while the work was going on.
• The Safety Officer should have conducted “Gas-Free Inspection” prior to start of work.
• Shipyard workers should be alert all the time, keeping their area clean and clear of hazards. The fatalities were not able to escape the fire because their bodies were entangled in the electrical wires (temporary lighting & extension cords) which were not properly organized inside the compartment.

FINAL ANALYSIS:

Since the survivors insisted that the flame actually started from the oily surface of the deck and that they have not smelled traces of combustible gas in the compartment (which would have alerted them when they returned to work after breaktime), this means that oxygen was the gas that leaked.

An oxygen-rich environment would make an ordinary oil highly-flammable.

Possible Causes of this situation are:

1. Defective Oxygen Valve.

2. Somebody deliberately opened the oxygen valve in order to introduce fresh air into the closed compartment or to flush-out smoke from welding operation (A big mistake by untrained personnel).

3. The oxygen rubber hose was accidentally punctured either by hot molten metal from welding sparks or had been mechanically damaged when hit by a sharp/heavy metal/plate.

RE-TRAINING IN SHIPYARD SAFETY IS OBVIOUSLY IN ORDER.

The writer, Olongapo Skills Training Director, Edwin Piano, have more than 20 years of shipyard experience both locally and overseas. He conducts Safety Training for welders endorsed by Mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr to Hanjin shipbuilding project.

PGMA to focus on modernizing RP education system

Believing that knowledge is the greatest creator of wealth in the present global economy, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed Monday to improve and modernize the country's educational system before the end of her term in 2010.

In her remarks before the start of this afternoon's roundtable discussion in Malacanang that focused on education for competitiveness, productivity and poverty alleviation, the President revealed that the government increased the budget allocation in education to P150 billion this year from P129 billion in 2006 in an effort to modernize the educational system.

"Mga kababayan, sa darating na State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) sa July 23 at sa susunod na tatlong taon, isang bagay ang bibigyan ng pansin at prayoridad, investment. Pamumuhunan hindi lamang para sa negosyo at imprastruktura kundi pamumuhunan sa taumbayan upang lalong makinabang ang mamamayan sa pagsigla ng ekonomiya," she said.

For the technical and vocational education, the President said that she has allotted P4 billion for student loans, business funded training, and expansion of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) under the leadership of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

As a result of this, beneficiaries of student loans increased from 40,000 last year to 200,000 this year.

The President reported that in 2006, her administration had constructed 15,000 classrooms and implemented two shifts a day with a ratio of 50 grade school students in every classroom, except in some conflict areas.

"If someone knows of an elementary school with two shifts and yet there are more than 50 students per classroom in each shift, please let us know," she urged.

Since 2001, the government has hired more than 40,000 teachers and trained 200,000. In 2004, the DepEd also started its regional payroll system which processes salaries and retirement pays within 30 days.

The government, according to the Chief Executive, also procured 120 million textbooks and teachers manuals and was able to provide one textbook per grade school student for English, Filipino, Science, Mathematics and Social Studies subjects compared to one textbook for every five learners in the past.

To ensure the success of the program, the President instructed all government agencies and government financial institutions (GFIs) to support the educational upgrading project of the government.

Among those in the discussion were DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, CHED Chairman Carlito Puno, TESDA Chairman Augusto "Bobby" Syjuco and the beneficiaries of TESDA ladderized training program Roslyn Darum, a welder of Hanjin in Subic, Zambales and Charity Fernandez, call center agent of APAC Call Center. (PNA)