Vice-Governor Anne Gordon presents City Fiesta Queen Candidates
Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon formally introduced to the public the 17 candidates vying for this year’s City Fiesta Queen crown at the presentation recently held at the FMA Hall.
“The 17 candidates, representing all the city’s barangays, will help us raise funds to support the city’s Philhealth Indigent programs, livelihood and scholarship projects,” said Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon, also the current City Fiesta Executive Committee Chair.
This year’s line up of exquisite candidates who will draw the admiration of the crowd are:
1.Jewel Anne Salvador Tan - New Asinan
2.Cherish Joy Feliminiano -New Banicain
3.Michelle Araceli Delgado-Barretto
4.Princess Rose Mabini- East Bajac-Bajac
5.Shainne Laban- East Tapinac
6.Charmaine Smith- Gordon Heights
7.Jesselle Rose Lumague-New Kababae
8.Camille Anne David Edrosolo-Kalaklan
9.Lily Mae Batunan-New Kalalake
10. Elizabeth Espinosa-Mabayuan
11. Dianarah Carpio Fabia-New Cabalan
12. Leah Crizell Mapa-New Ilalim
13. Jovaressa Resuello-Old Cabalan
14. Maria Zita Aragon-Pag-asa
15. Unifer Oda-Sta. Rita
16. Ma. Arceline Niro- West Bajac-Bajac
17. Jelyn F. Benavidez-West Tapinac
The City Fiesta Execom invites the residents to watch out and support their candidates on the following scheduled events:
1. 1st Canvassing-November 20, 2009
Chinese Night at the Olonagpo City Convention Center
2. 2nd Canvassing- December 4, 2009
Korean Night, Rizal Triangle Covered Court
3. 3rd Canvassing-December 16, 2009
International Night, Olongapo City Convention Center
4. Coronation Night- December 23, 2009
Rizal Triangle Covered Court
5. City Fiesta Grand Parade –December 30, 2009
6. Queen’s Ball-December 31, 2009
Olongapo City Convention Center
Mayor Bong Gordon and the seventeen (17) candidates of the Search for the City Fiesta Queen during the presentation recently at the FMA Hall, City Hall. Also in the picture are Zambales Vice Gov. and 2009 City Fiesta Executive Committee chair Anne Marie Gordon, 2009 City Fiesta Executive Committee co-chair Iluminada Santos, City Councilors Edwin Piano and Ellen Dabu with the barangay chairmen. PAO/sara
Eighteen year-old Rosemary Joan Turner bested fourteen other contenders vying for Bb. Olongapo as she bagged the crown on October 24, 2009 at the Grand Pageant Night held at the Olongapo City Convention Center.
Aside from the most coveted Bb. Olongapo title, Rosemary also won the Goddess of the Night, Best in Long Gown and Best in Swimsuit awards.
Taking-up Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Columban College, Rosemary aspires to be a businesswoman in the future. She idolizes former beauty queen and celebrity Miriam Quimbao.
On the other hand, Jhyane Anne Mundo, was crowned as Bb. Olongapo-Tourism while Cherryl Algabre bagged the first runner-up throne. Algabre also won the Miss Talent and Miss Photogenic awards while Cristaline Ruyo was cited as Miss Congeniality.
“All of the candidates are beautiful and talented. They embody the elegance and dignity of a true Olongapeña. Throughout the pageant, they have shown the value of friendship, cooperation and sportsmanship. For me, they are all winners,” said Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon, an advocate or women’s rights and welfare and avid supporter of the pageant.
The top three winners of the pageant will officially represent the city to various beauty competitions including the most coveted Bb. Pilipinas pageant.
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. together with the 2009 Bb. Olongapo top three winners and last year’s Bb. Olongapo Claudette delos Reyes. Rosemary Joan turner bagged the Bb. Olongapo crown while Jhayne Anne Mundo and Cheryl Algabre won the Bb. Olongapo-Tourism and first runner-up titles, respectively. PAO/sara
The City of Olongapo Sangguniang Panlungsod, on motion of Councilor Edwin Piano, passed the other day Resolution 2009 R-162 -- A Resolution Approving the Long-Term Lease of Olongapo City Mall as Proposed By SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and the Competitive Challenge Procedure as a Mode of Awarding the Lease Contract Relative Thereto, Subject to Existing Auditing Rules and Applicable Legal Requirements.
SM, known for their numerous big malls around the Philippines with total investment in the country of more than P20 billion, including one of the world's largest -- the Mall of Asia with 42 hectares gross land area -- proposed a long term lease of the Olongapo City mall early this month.
The city's acceptance of the SM proposal does not yet bind Olongapo to enter into a lease contract but only serves as the "go signal" for further negotiations.
Olongapo City Government’s Calendar of Activities for the last months of 2009
The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) has posted the Olongapo City Government’s Calendar of Activities for the last two months of 2009. The calendar of activities serves as guide to officials, employees and residents in the observance of various events and activities to be held in the city.
The following activities and events are lined up for November and December:
November 1-31 Malaria Awareness Month
November 1 Oplan Kaluluwa 09 November 3 Bb. Olongapo 2009 Winners at Flag Raising Ceremony November 7 National Food Fortification November 13-15 North Philippines Tourism and Travel Expo November 14 World Diabetes Day November 16-20 Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Month November 20 Search for the City Fiesta Queen – 1st Canvassing at Olongapo City Convention Center November 20-22 Weekend Activities at the Boardwalk November 23-27 PopDev Week Pop Quiz 2009
November 24 Volunteer’s Day November 24-30 National Book Week November 27-28 Eid’l Adha November 30 Bonifacio Day December 1-31 Firecrackers Injury Prevention Month December 1 World Aids Day December 4 Search for the City Fiesta Queen – 2nd Canvassing at Rizal Triangle Covered Court December 7 50th Anniversary Commemorative Program Turn-over of Olongapo from US to Philippine Government December 11-30 Weekend Subic Bay Christmas Celebration December 16 Search for the City Fiesta Queen – 3rd Canvassing at Olongapo City Convention Center December 22 UBSP-People’s Organization Annual Assembly December 23 City Fiesta Queen Coronation Night at Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center December 25 Christmas Day December 30 City Fiesta Grand Parade
December 31 Queen’s Ball at Olongapo City Convention Center
For questions and additional information regarding the calendar of activities, please visit the City Planning Office and Development Office (CPDO) or call 224-8370 local 4213, 4215.
DENR INKS CADASTRAL SURVEY CONTRACT FOR OLONGAPO CITY
Region III Department of Environment and Natural Resources Executive Director Ricardo L. Calderon, Region III DENR Technical Director Romeo Verzosa and AB Surveying and Development Engr. Antonio Botor have signed the Cadastral Survey Contract last October 29, 2009 at the Olongapo City Sanggunian Session Hall.
Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. and Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo together with City Councilors Gina Perez, Ellen Dabu, Elmo Aquino, Edwin Piano and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Atty. Raul Mamac witnesses the contract signing.
‘’The Cadastral Survey of Olongapo is one of the priority projects of the city. This is to provide security of tenure to our residents particularly those who are legal land owners,’’ said Mayor Bong Gordon.
Thru the funding of Senator Richard Gordon, the DENR will cause the four hundred eighty (480)-day Cadastral Survey with project costing P36. 2 million.
“The results of Cadastral Survey will not only speed up the process and lower the cost of land titling application, but will also diminish conflicts or disputes on land boundaries,” Mayor Gordon explained. Pao/sara
Mayor Bong Gordon witnesses the Cadastral Survey Project contract signing on October 29, 2009 at Session Hall, City Hall. Other witnesses include Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo and City Councilors Gina G. Perez, Ellen Dabu and Edwin Piano.
SEN. Richard Gordon asked the Commission on Elections to come up with “a tracking system” to ensure the orderly transport of voting machines.
He said that the tracking system would complement the use of cargo forwarders to deliver the machines to all polling precincts.
“We have to assure the people that the machines, which have already been tested, will be delivered to a certain polling place at a particular time,” said Gordon, author of RA 9369 or the amended Automated Elections System Law.
Delivery of the machines, called precinct count optical scans, was committed by the consortium of Smartmatic International Corp. and Total Information Management Technology Inc. in its contract signed with the Comelec.
The consortium earlier said that instead of one, it would tap a number of cargo forwarders to speed up the transport of the machines to polling centers nationwide.
Gordon favored the tapping of the services of a number of forwarders, saying it would foster competition and prompt efficient shipment of the machines.
“Since there will be several forwarders instead of just one, they would now compete in the sense that each one will give its best shot by delivering fast and efficiently. They would not want to be criticized and told that the others were better,” he said.
However, Gordon said that the Comelec should know where these machines are at any given time. “That is why, there should be a tracking system. If you can have GPS (global positioning system), that would be better,” he said. By: Bernadette E. Tamayo - Journal Online
The Japanese government has pledged to provide funding for the construction of the Subic-Clark Expressway extension to this province.
Sen. Edgardo Angara said the change in the government of Japan from former Prime Minister Taro Aso to PM Yukio Hatoyama has not altered the Japanese government’s position regarding the SCTEX-Aurora extension project.
“That’s the good thing about Japan. They will change their leaders but not their economic policies and directions,” he said.
Angara noted that Aso earlier committed to finance the SCTEX extension from La Paz, Tarlac to Rizal, Nueva Ecija and to Aurora to effectively cut travel time from six to four hours.
He said Aso made the commitment during President Macapagal-Arroyo’s state visit to Japan last June where the senator was part of her official delegation. During the meeting with Mrs. Arroyo and Angara, Aso even remarked that the extension project would extend “all the way to the constituency of Angara in Aurora.”
The 93.77-kilometer, four-lane SCTEX is considered as the country’s longest expressway, envisioned as a backbone of development in Central Luzon. A flagship project of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, it runs through the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and interconnects three major Central Luzon economic zones, namely Central Techno Park in Tarlac, Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Once extended to the province, it would be interconnected to the Aurora Special Economic Zone in Casiguran, Aurora. By: Mamer Bañez - Journal online
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Korean businessmen remain the top investors inside this premier Freeport as more than 19 Korean companies poured in some $493,374.39 or almost P24 million in committed investments just for the third quarter of 2009.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said, “We are pleased to tell you that the number of Korean investors have significantly grown and that our local investors are just behind them.”
“With the current boom of Korean companies investing here, our local businesses and entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to gain from the momentum since most of the foreign investors here buy locally made raw materials instead of importing them from their country,” Arreza added.
This year, the Koreans are pouring a total of $54.159 million in committed investments (equity) even before the end of the year.
On the other hand, local investors have increased as they invested a total of $51.56 million, while some 107 projects from local investors were approved by the SBMA board.
The third quarter alone yielded some $17.6 million worth of investments from 50 projects as 37 of them are 100% Filipino while the other 13 are mostly Filipino investors with small foreign equities.
“The increase of Filipino investors here have significantly improved since last year mainly because foreign companies who send their expats here made Subic Freeport their second home,” Arreza said.
“Most of the local companies who invested here are banking on the possible rise in the tourism trend of the Freeport, especially during the summer and Christmas season,” Arreza added.
Currently, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. (HHIC) remains the biggest investor in the Freeport with a whopping $1.684 billion while Ocean 9 PhilKor, Inc. invests some $52.4 million and Hanafil Golf and Tour, Inc. (Hanafil) invests around $48 million. Korean investors fund these companies. By JONAS REYES - Manila Bulletin
New Event Venue in Subic Philippines - Yats Leisure's Clearwater Resort
Yats Leisure opens Clearwater Resort in Angeles Clark Philippines – an American suburban lifestyle of leisure and laid-back quality living, with venues for events, wedding reception, company outings and team building.
Subic, Philippines -- New event venue in Subic Philippines - Clearwater Resort & Country Club is a 13ha property with a small number of lodgings for overnight stays.
Lake, beach, 13ha of trees and green, safe, secure, clean environment for kids to roam around free are some of the things that enable a family to spend a few quality nights as together at Yats Clearwater Resort and Country Club.
This is a good rendition of the lifestyle that the Americans left behind after they left the Clark Airbase. A good short description of this lifestyle is suburban laid-back slow-paced clean living.
Y A T S Leisure Philippines, a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets in Clark Angeles Philippines has announced a special full-board package for Y A T S resort hotel in Clark Philippines called Clearwater Resort and Country Club, just 5 minutes from Angeles City.
Included in this package is accommodation for two, breakfast for two at the rustic but beautiful Clearwater Breakfast Garden which overlooks the Clearwater lake and beach, and a sumptuous 3-course wine dinner at the Michelin-class YATS Restaurant and Wine Lounge located in Mimosa.
Price for weekday is p4,500 (for two persons).
Price for weekend is p5,500.
Getting there
After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, there will be a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. Y A T S Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.
For any assistance, just call 0922-870-5177 or 0917-520-4393 anytime.
For more information, please visit www.YatsLeisure.com or email Resort@Yats-International.com.
While in Clark Philippines, stop by Clark Wine Center (www.ClarkWineCenter.com) to pick up some fine vintage wine or spend some time with the local expat community at the London Pub located in Mimosa.
The first day of the mardigras was a huge success, all 6,000 tickets were sold according to Ellen Villar, in-charge of the celebrations. During assessment meeting at Kong's Restaurant this afternoon, all committee chairmen concluded that it was indeed a successful first day.
Below is a compilation of photos in last night's affair
Weather forecasting services expect rains starting tonight and will continue until tomorrow. We might experience a wet mardigras in Olongapo followed by a relatively dry All Saint's day celebration.
Typhoon “Santi" (international name: Mirinae), the fourth cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in October, has maintained winds of 150kph and is expected to hit provinces in Central Luzon on Saturday morning while bringing rains and winds to Olongapo-Subic Bay area.
STORM WARNING SIGNALS
CLASSIFICATION OF CYCLONES PAGASA hoisted storm signal number 1 over Zambales
2009 R - 163 - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RDC) TO ESTABLISH A RELOCATION SITE FOR RESIDENTS WHO ARE LIVING IN DECLARED DISASTER/HAZARDOUS AREAS IN CENTRAL LUZON, INCLUDING OLONGAPO CITY.
2009 R - 162 - A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LONG-TERM LEASE OF OLONGAPO CITY MALL AS PROPOSED BY SM PRIME HOLDINGS, INC. AND THE COMPETITIVE CHALLENGE PROCEDURE AS A MODE OF AWARDING THE LEASE CONTRACT RELATIVE THERETO, SUBJECT TO EXISTING AUDITING RULES AND APPLICABLE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
2009 R - 161 - A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LETTER OF PROXY OF MR. LEX BYRON MAGRATA TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF OLONGAPO IN THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDER’S MEETING OF SUBIC WATER AND SEWERAGE CO., INC.
2009 O - 33 - AN ORDINANCE DECLARING DECEMBER 7, 2009 AS A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN OLONGAPO CITY IN CELEBRATION OF THE CITY’S 50TH TURN-OVER ANNIVERSARY FROM AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND 26TH YEAR’S ANNIVERSARY AS HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY.
2009 R - 160 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HONORABLE CITY MAYOR JAMES GORDON, JR. TO SECURE A DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR) BATHING PERMIT FOR MAYANGA ISLAND AND OTHER ISLANDS SURROUNDING OR WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF OLONGAPO CITY.
PLDT unit granted reprieve for Subic zone operations
THE Supreme Court has remanded to the trial court the issue of whether the Subic Telecommunications Co. Inc (Subictel), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications Co. Inc., has the right to exclusively provide telco services inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
In a 17-page decision penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the Court’s Third Division reversed and set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) issued on April 4, 2008 which upheld the resolution of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Olongapo City dismissing Subictel’s complaint for “specific performance with prayers for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction” against Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Innove Communications Inc., a subsidiary telecommunications of Globe Telecom.
The appellate court agreed with the Olongapo RTC in junking the complaint filed by Subictel on the ground of “litis pendentia” or pending suit and forum shopping in its decision issued on June 30, 2006.
It held that the parties’ issues raised as well as the relief being sought by Subictel in the administrative case it filed with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are the same with the civil case it filed before the lower court.
The High Tribunal, however, said both the CA and the trial court erred in issuing the ruling, thus, directed the RTC, Branch 74 in Olongapo City to continue with the proceedings of the civil case filed by Subictel and resolve it with dispatch.
“In ruling on the presence of litis pendentia, both the trial and appellate courts, however, overlooked the fact that there is more determining the identity of the causes of action than an identity of the documentary evidence presented by Subictel. But the more fundamental question to consider is whether or not the cause of action in the second case existed at the time the filing of the first case,” the SC stressed.
Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Minita Chico-Nazario, Antonio Eduardo Nachura and Diosdado Peralta.
In the administrative case, the SC noted, Subictel sought the reconsideration of SBMA’s order giving Innove a provisional permit to operate international and leased lines services as well as local exchange and toll services.
SBMA was not a party to the case but was the quasi-judicial body hearing the Innove’s application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), while Subictel intervened in said case as oppositor to Innove’s application.
But in the civil case filed before the Olongapo RTC, SBMA was the principal party while Innove was impleaded for having been granted a temporary franchise by SBMA.
“Thus, as between the administrative case and the civil case, there was no identity of parties,” the Court stressed.
The SC also held that the relief being sought by Subictel in the administrative case was different from the one prayed for in the civil case.
The remedies sought in administrative case, according to the SC, hinge on the acceptance by SBMA of Innove’s application for CPCN and the consequent proceedings on the matter while the civil case was triggered by the denial by SBMA of Subictel’s notices to exercise the renewal of its alleged exclusivity rights under the joint venture agreement.
“From the foregoing distinction, it is clear that there is, as between the two actions, no identity of rights asserted and relief prayed for; and the facts whence the reliefs are sought are different,” the Court explained.
Subictel anchored its claim for exclusive privilege to operate telecommunication services inside the Subic Freeport on the joint venture agreement (JVA) it signed with the SBMA on June 29, 1994 which is valid for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.
The JVA was inked following the withdrawal of the US military forces in Subic in the aftermath of Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
The agreement further provides that for a period of 10 years, the SBMA would not allow third parties to engage in any activity within the freeport zone, which could impair Subictel’s operation.
It likewise gave Subictel the option to renew its exclusivity privilege for three-year periods.
On April 22, 2004, Subictel notified SBMA that it was exercising its option to renew its exclusivity privilege under the JVA for another five years.
Subictel, however, learned that SBMA had started accepting applications for third parties for CPCN to provide international and leased line services and local and toll services
Despite its opposition, SBMA did not recognize Subictel’s option to renew its exclusive privilege and gave Innove provisional authority to compete with Subictel.
The SBMA board asserted that it was just exercising its power to regulate public utilities within the Freeport Zone pursuant to Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992.
Innove, on the other hand, claimed that all authorities to operate public utilities are, by constitutional mandate, nonexclusive.
It added that Subictel failed to prove that its entry into the zone would cause grave and irreparable damage. Written by Joel R. San Juan / Business Mirror Reporter
PGMA to attend SK National Congress in Olongapo-Subic
SUBIC BAY, Olongapo (PND) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the guest of honor and speaker in the 2009 Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) National Congress being held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.
At that Congress, the Chief Executive is expected to underscore the importance of the Sanggunian Kabataan in achieving the government’s programs and projects.
President Arroyo government has always enlisted the participation of the youth in the Philippine Reform Agenda, which focuses on economy, education and environment.
Noting that people under 30 make up more than half of the population, the President said the youth sector is indispensable in the fight against climate change and in the preservation and protection of the environment.
Aside from President Arroyo, other government officials expected to attend the event are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Sergio Osmena-Valencia and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairman Ephraim Genuino.
SK is the barangay’s youth legislature. It initiates policies, programs and projects for the youth.
The annual October celebration "Oktoberfest" of Olongapo City will start on the 29th this month with a Grand Parade from City Mall to Rizal Triangle then a motorcade around the city and Subic Freeport.
Event sponsors prepared grand floats with mascots, while the Olongapo Marching Band and SBMA Brass Band will join to provide the marching tune.
Four Spectacular Stages will be set up at RM DRIVE:
SAN MIGUEL BREWERY Stage at Unity Rotonda
GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL Stage Infront of City Square
PAGCOR Stage Infront of Pagcor Casino
SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY Stage Infront of City Mall
This year's festivities is hosted by Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Olongapo City Government and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
Pacific Pearl Airways starts Subic flight this December
SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—A low-cost airline which has established its base of operations here has announced the start of its $10-million project to fly chartered planes to various tourist destinations in the country and abroad.
Pacific Pearl Airways (PPA), a private airline established in 2006, said it will begin flying out of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) in December this year.
Airline president Kristoffer Jimenez, who signed the firm’s business contract with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last week, said PPA will initially field two advanced Boeing 737-200 jets for international flights and some turboprop aircraft for local flights.
Jimenez said local destinations will initially be to popular tourism spots like Boracay, Bohol, Cebu and Davao. But as PPA begins to establish its presence in the local airline industry, the company will expand its local flight destinations.
According to the airline official, the Subic Bay Free Port has a “very strategic location.”
“A lot of tourists come here, foreigners and locals alike. It is also a booming place in terms of businesses,” Jimenez added, ticking off the advantages of locating in Subic.
To attract its potential market, Jimenez said PPA “will be offering competitive rates without sacrificing quality service costs,” an advantage he said was made possible by tax incentives and other perks offered by the SBMA.
He added that his company also intends to “eliminate stop-over hassles” with direct flights, thereby significantly cutting travel lag time.
This would allow Pacific Pearl passengers to gain more savings and more quality holidays, said Jimenez.
Meanwhile, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said during the contract-signing ceremonies that PPA’s $10-million investment pledge is “proof of Subic Bay’s economic resiliency.”
“What we have witnessed now proves that there’s still life after FedEx,” said Arreza, adding that the SBMA has been trying to attract more locators to the SBIA.
FedEx, the US courier giant that used SBIA as its Asia-Pacific hub since 1998, transferred its hub operations to China in February, bowing to realities of the expanding Chinese market.
Arreza, however, pointed out that because of its international airport, “Subic can host just about any kind of air-transport requirements.”
Arreza cited that the SBIA’s cargo-sorting capability has its edge over other airports in the country today. Written by Henry Empeño - Business Mirror
The Philippines being the only Christian nation in Asia will be observing the traditional All Saint’s and Soul’s Day on November 1 and 2, 2009, respectively. The occasion will be highlighted by the usual visit of family members to cemeteries to remember their departed loved ones and offer prayers. This year's celebration falls on Saturday and Sunday.
It is anticipated that major routes of travel leading to and from the different cemeteries will experience heavy traffic build-up due to this occasion.
Olongapo City Police Office concurrent with its present mission in coordination with local government unit (LGU), NGO’s and volunteer groups, shall provide maximum security coverage and public safety services to include security assistance along major thoroughfares, and maintain, control, direct and supervise traffic along routes leading to and from the cemeteries, conduct especial operations against criminal elements and preemptive security measures to ensure peaceful and orderly observance of “ALL SAINT’S DAY”. Maximum police visibility in all areas to deter petty criminals or syndicated crime groups from that may take advantage of the situation.
This operation involves the deployment and utilization of PNP personnel, motorist assistance elements and civic organizations along major routes of travel within the cemeteries and other vital installations. Foot and mobile patrols in residential areas and security of Economic Key Points (EKPs).
Both the Kalaklan Cemetery and the O.C. Memorial and Heritage Memorial Parks will be secured. Please check traffic and parking scheme.
Brgy Tanods will be utilized for maximum police visibility in cemeteries, residential areas and Economic Key Points. There is possibility of conducting check points as the situation warrants.
Bus and other busy terminals will have security augmentation effective 31 October to 02 Nov 2008.
Set-up motorist assistance at Brgy New Cabalan, Brgy Barretto, City Hall and Bus Terminals, Unity Fountain and Ulo Ng Apo Rotundas.
Deployment for maximum police visibility on residential areas are in-place.
Report from the office of PSSUPT OSCAR D ALBAYDE, PNP Olongapo City Director
State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority is now bidding the contract to operate the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway at a floor price of P38.9 billion, payable over the thirty-three-and-a-half-year life of the concession.
“BCDA intends to select a private sector partner for the management, operations and maintenance of the SCTEx,” said BCDA in a published notice.
BCDA said it would form a joint venture with the future operator of the 94-kilometer toll road to augment its funds on the face of significant debt service payments starting in 2011. At least P1.2 billion in BCDA debt is due by that year.
The agency said the bid price is payable in semi-annual leases for thirty-three-and-a-half years at a constant exchange rate of two Japanese yen to one peso.
The amount will cover the loan and financing charges of the Finance Department.
The auction notice said the private sector partner would be responsible for the operational funding requirements for the toll road, including insurance and provision for services such as management, toll collection, traffic safety and maintenance.
The winning bidder will also provide BCDA a semi-annual concession fee amounting to the peso equivalent of the yen-denominated loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and financing charges payable to the agency 10 days prior to due dates, or 20 percent of the audited gross toll revenues, whichever is higher.
BCDA said it would furnish the terms of reference to prospective bidders from Oct. 26 to Nov. 6 upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P250,000 in cash.
The agency will hold a pre-bid conference on Nov. 10 at the BCDA corporate center to discuss the terms and other issues that may be raised by the prospective bidders.
Victor Zablan, BCDA vice president for finance services group, said earlier that BCDA needed a private sector partner to improve the financial viability of the toll project, which would start servicing its P26-billion debt by 2011.
The agency has been looking at several options to shore up its finances. It needs to raise between P950 million and P1 billion on the first year of payment on its loan amortization plus interest.
BCDA has secured a P19-billion loan from Jica to bankroll the construction of the toll road. It signed an additional supplemental loan of P7 billion to finance the construction of interchanges along the expressway and escalation costs. by Elaine R. Alanguilan - Manila Standard
Fake Spanish-era cannons find novel purpose in Subic Bay
SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—In a place where authentic shipwrecks abound, planting replicas of cannons, anchors and other parts of Spanish galleons on the seabed may seem an overkill.
But if professional diver Brian Homan would have his way, he would even sink in Subic Bay a full replica of a Spanish galleon for the sake of “authenticity.”
Since last year, Homan, an Australian who owns the watering hole-cum-maritime museum Vasco’s in this free port, has been making copies of bronze cannons that were once arrayed on ship decks of the mighty Spanish armada.
And the purpose of Homan’s fakes? To serve as “apartments” for crabs, fishes and other bottom dwellers in Subic Bay.
“Everybody is into artificial reef building,” Homan said in a recent interview. “But here in Subic, we’re trying to create something different—an artificial reef that would help both the environment and tourism.”
Homan’s personal project to reproduce marine artifacts stemmed from the fact that most artificial reefs consisted mostly of worn-out car tires, old vehicles and discarded appliances, like refrigerators, that, once sunk, appeared like eyesores on the seabed.
In Subic, which capitalizes on shipwrecks, coral reefs and underwater sceneries to attract tourists, the discards stuck out like the underwater thrash that they were, turning off divers.
As an alternative, Homan embarked last year on his artifacts-reproduction project with the express approval of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), making casts of authentic Spanish cannons, then molding concrete replicas to be laid out underwater.
“It’s a very noteworthy project, and it gained our endorsement because it’s so environment-friendly,” said Amethya de la Llana-Koval, head of the SBMA Ecology Center.
“Brian has come up with an imaginative solution that positively impacts our thrusts to improve marine diversity and attract more visitors, particularly divers, to Subic Bay,” Koval added.
Subic Bay has at least 18 known shipwrecks, most of them of World War II, that were scuttled to prevent enemy ships from entering the port of Subic. But easily the most popular diving attraction here is the Spanish gunboat San Quentin, which sank off Grande Island at the mouth of Subic Bay in 1898.
Homan’s replicas, which are laid out in relatively shallow waters, won’t detract from Subic’s reputation as home to authentic shipwrecks, Koval said.
Homan said the concrete replicas—hollowed and fitted out with some holes for the entry and exit of fishes and crustaceans—each took from three to four weeks to complete.
But it took at least three months for the counterfeit cannons to blend in with the other elements in their new watery environment, Homan added.
So far, Homan said, his fake artifacts had successfully delivered on their primary objective of serving as artificial reefs. A cannon that he submerged late last year had already attracted colonies of barnacles and oysters.
In this condition, he said, the counterfeit cannons and anchors looked authentic and, hence, could also improve the underwater scenery in Subic Bay. Neophyte divers can even practice wreck diving among the reproduced relics, he added.
But divers not familiar with Subic’s known shipwrecks should beware because they could easily be fooled by the reproductions.
“They’d probably think they’ve discovered a new wreck, when, in fact, it’s just one of my crab apartments,” Homan said.
BRIAN HOMAN shows a photo of a barnacle-encrusted cannon laid alongside his molded concrete replicas of the Spanish-era artifacts. The reproductions serve as artificial reefs in Subic Bay, which boasts of numerous authentic shipwrecks. Written by Henry Empeño / Business Mirror Correspondent
The Olongapo City Government through the Office of Traffic Management and Public Safety (OTMPS) want to ensure the smooth and orderly flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic within the vicinity of the three (3) cemeteries during the observance of All Saints Day in Olongapo City.
The OTMPS will deploy traffic personnel in all designated Traffic Control Points (TCP) and install appropriate traffic signs in all critical intersections, gates and turning points within the vicinity of the major cemeteries of the city, Olongapo Public Cemetery, Olongapo Memorial Park and Olongapo Heritage Garden.
Command posts will be set up at the parola near the Olongapo Public Cemetery and at Del Rosario Road infont of the Olongapo Memorial Park where representatives from OTMPS, PUD, OBFP, JLGMH, PNP, KHG, ESMO, Olongapo PNRC Chapter, City Engineering Office, Barangays and Civic Communication Group will be stationed.
Here is the traffic scheme released by the OTMPS for Olongapo Memorial Park and Heritage Garden:
- Del Rosario road will be opened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic up to 1259H only.
- Vehicles going to Memorial Park from Sta. Rita Road will turn right at Tulio Street, right turn to Del Rosario Road straight to their destination.
- Vehicles coming from the National Hi-way can go straight to Memorial Park or to Heritage Garden.
- At 1300H Del Rosario Road will be CLOSED to Vehicular traffic until further notice.
- Motorist bound to Olongapo Heritage Garden will be permitted to enter provided they will park inside the Heritage Garden Parking Area, and if they are included in the list of vehicles submitted by Heritage Management.
- The whole stretch of the Del Rosario road will be a No Parking Zone from 0600H to 2400H.
Olongapo Public Cemetery:
- there will be no restrictions on Privately Owned Vehicles (POV) and Public Utility Vehicles (PUJ/PUB) via the National Hi-way passing through Olongapo Public Cemetery.
- Public Utility Tricycles shall only be allowed to drop off their passenger along the National Highway by Lyn’s Frame, approximately three hundred meters (300meters) away from the SBMA Kalaklan Bridge.
PARKING AREAS
Olongapo Public Cemetery
-After PREDA, one side parking going to Subic town.
-Gordon Park
-Inside Ocean View with Parking Fee of PHp 10.00 to be collected by the resort management.
-At SBMA front of TPU by Canal Road, SBMA Kalaklan Gate.
Memorial Park/ Heritage Garden
-Nat’l. Hi-way from Victory Compound to Mactan, One Side Parking going to City proper.
-Tabacuhan Road after Del Rosario St. up to Hulo, One Side Parking going to Hulo.
Mayor James Gordon, Jr. ordered the concerned agencies who will be detailed to the cemeteries to maintain the peace and order of the areas assigned to them.
"Bagumbayan is not a place or a name. It is character, attitude, values and principle. It is a solution to the ills of
society
and a vision of a great
country."
"What this country needs is not a change OF men but a change IN men" Dick Gordon
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16 January 2012
