Difference between revisions of "Zambales News"

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==SBMA seeds more ‘taklobo’ in Subic Bay==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=411443
*March 9, 2012, 4:52 pm
:by  (PNA)
FFC/zst/MD/ps
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, March 9 (PNA) -- More giant clams or “taklobo” have found their way into Subic Bay through a marine resources conservation program of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the active participation of various stakeholders in this free port.
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency recently seeded the Ilanin Bay here with 200 taklobo seedlings for this year’s clam-seeding project, a part of the agency’s vision to make the Freeport an eco-urban center which merges industrial development with eco-tourism.
The SBMA purchased the giant clams from the University of the Philippines (UP) Marine Science Institute in Bolinao, Pangasinan with proceeds from this year’s “Takbo para sa Taklobo,” a fund-raising project initiated by the SBMA Ecology Center.
“This is already some sort of a social responsibility project supported by the whole Subic Bay Freeport community,” Garcia said.
“Everybody pitches in here — from students to workers at locator-companies, to SBMA employees and Freeport Zone residents. We’re very much happy to be involved because we know we’re helping make a better world,” he added.
Giant clams (tridacna gigas), which can live up to a hundred years, are considered an endangered species and serve an integral part of the coral reef system.
SBMA marine biologist Dorothy Joyce Ardiente said their decline could have an adverse effect on the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem, which is why the SBMA has decided on clam seeding as its cornerstone marine conservation program.
The clams, which measure an average of 15 centimeters in diameter when they are seeded, can grow up to 1.5 meters in diameter and weigh up to 258 kilos.
The “Takbo para Taklobo” conservation run has caught on the Subic Bay Freeport community ever since SBMA environment specialist Rhea Jane Pescador conceptualized it in 2010 as a environmental awareness project of the SBMA Ecology Center
The event has been attended by some 1,500 runners in the inaugural run, and by more than 2,000 participants last year.
The project raised P54,000 in 2010 and P84,340 last year.
==Subic’s top man bares all in first state address==
==Subic’s top man bares all in first state address==
*Source: http://subictimes.com/subics-top-man-bares-all-in-first-state-address/
*Source: http://subictimes.com/subics-top-man-bares-all-in-first-state-address/
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“Let the lessons of the past and the opportunity of today help us realize the vision of the new Subic that we dream of.” Garcia said.
“Let the lessons of the past and the opportunity of today help us realize the vision of the new Subic that we dream of.” Garcia said.


==Misereor coalition issues new mining plan==
==Misereor coalition issues new mining plan==

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

SBMA seeds more ‘taklobo’ in Subic Bay

by (PNA)

FFC/zst/MD/ps


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, March 9 (PNA) -- More giant clams or “taklobo” have found their way into Subic Bay through a marine resources conservation program of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the active participation of various stakeholders in this free port.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency recently seeded the Ilanin Bay here with 200 taklobo seedlings for this year’s clam-seeding project, a part of the agency’s vision to make the Freeport an eco-urban center which merges industrial development with eco-tourism.

The SBMA purchased the giant clams from the University of the Philippines (UP) Marine Science Institute in Bolinao, Pangasinan with proceeds from this year’s “Takbo para sa Taklobo,” a fund-raising project initiated by the SBMA Ecology Center.

“This is already some sort of a social responsibility project supported by the whole Subic Bay Freeport community,” Garcia said.

“Everybody pitches in here — from students to workers at locator-companies, to SBMA employees and Freeport Zone residents. We’re very much happy to be involved because we know we’re helping make a better world,” he added.

Giant clams (tridacna gigas), which can live up to a hundred years, are considered an endangered species and serve an integral part of the coral reef system.

SBMA marine biologist Dorothy Joyce Ardiente said their decline could have an adverse effect on the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem, which is why the SBMA has decided on clam seeding as its cornerstone marine conservation program.

The clams, which measure an average of 15 centimeters in diameter when they are seeded, can grow up to 1.5 meters in diameter and weigh up to 258 kilos.

The “Takbo para Taklobo” conservation run has caught on the Subic Bay Freeport community ever since SBMA environment specialist Rhea Jane Pescador conceptualized it in 2010 as a environmental awareness project of the SBMA Ecology Center

The event has been attended by some 1,500 runners in the inaugural run, and by more than 2,000 participants last year.

The project raised P54,000 in 2010 and P84,340 last year.






Subic’s top man bares all in first state address

by Anthony Bayarong


SUBIC Bay Freeport: Dubbed as the energizer, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia bared in his first State of the Freeport Address his 5-year plan which will aims to revive the agencies thrust to make Subic generate more employment and investments.

Garcia presented several plans of the agency such as making it the top tourism capital of the Philippines by way of increasing sports tourism, bidding as a cruise ship destination and enhancing eco-tourism activities inside the Freeport.

He also plans to increase maritime activity, which he said has a good backing by the Department of Transportation and Communications.

“I have already talked to several shippers and they all agreed that Subic is the best place and had positive feedback,” he said.

Garcia also cited as a good start the arrival in Subic of the London-based MV Spirit of Adventure, the first cruise ship to arrive here this year with 378 passengers on board, mostly Europeans.

“Tourism Secretary Robert Jimenez specifically told me that Subic will become a cruise ship destination. And that is true because all of the passengers expressed their happiness in coming here, especially after seeing our rich eco-tourism facilities,” Garcia said.

Plans of building residential housing are also in the works, Garcia said.

Grand plan

One of Garcia’s grand plans is to convert the unutilized airport into a Sentosa-like resort, the one in Singapore, which hosts a resort and different tourism facilities in one place.

During his presentation, Garcia presented a map of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) which he intended to divide into a water front villas, water-themed park, family hotel, golf course, BPO city, convention center, international theme park, hotel/casino science and technology park, duty free stores, office and residential, a super yacht club and luxury villas.

Challenges facing Subic

Garcia is the only top official since Subic was created in 1992 to formally say that the Freeport has lost a total P7billion cumulative loss.

To date, Garcia said, the Subic Freeport has only 300 hectares of leasable land out of the total 2,959 hectares leasable area.

Subic Freeport has a total land area of 67,452 hectares, 53,852 hectares of these are protected, while 10,341 are undeveloped and the rest are leasable.

The growth of the Freeport was at a standstill last year after Malacañang failed to appoint members of the board of directors to form quorum to tackle issue and new investments.

Job generation only grew by 0.50 percent from 88,450 in 2010 to 88,957 in 2011.

Committed investment grew by only 2 percent from $1.20 billion in 2010 to $1.210 billion in 2011.

Up for the challenge

Garcia is respected as a seasoned business executive and entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in manufacturing, food and leisure industries.

He has been the man behind the success of Oriental and Motolite Corp. He served the company for more than 34 years before being appointed as the top man in Subic last year.

“The opportunities that exist today are very tremendous, believe me. And our plan is very bold and very ambitious but with the support of everyone, this plan will come true,” he said.

Just like any other top man who was appointed for the post, Garcia banked on the vision of former-chair-turned-Senator Richard Gordon to make Subic a thriving business and leisure destination in the region.

“Let the lessons of the past and the opportunity of today help us realize the vision of the new Subic that we dream of.” Garcia said.

Misereor coalition issues new mining plan

by Hernan Melencio, Manila


The Philippine Misereor Partnership (PMP) has announced a six-point proposal for the new mining policy President Benigno Aquino is expected to issue within the month.

The group, which consists of NGOs and Church groups in partnership with Misereor of Germany, called on Aquino to rethink the current mining policy he inherited from the previous administration “aggressively promoting mining as a key economic driver.”

Top on the list of what they want the government to do is “mine only what we need for our national development,” the group said in a statement.

“We should identify strategic metals for our national development anchored on our agricultural development. The minerals that have been mined and still being mined today are simply extracted by companies mostly foreign-owned and shipped to home countries of such companies.”

PMP also wants the new mining policy to respect and protect “no-go-zones” or restricted areas, ensure punishment for corporate abuses, allow people’s participation in management and decision making, promote “urban mining” or metal recycling, and recognize and respect local autonomy.

The no-go-zones include conflict areas, key biodiversity areas, small-island ecosystem and prime agricultural lands.

The group’s position was firmed up at the end of a three-day summit last week attended by 300 participants including PMP partners and members of communities affected by mining operations.

“We, the Aetas of Zambales, and other indigenous tribes would like to appeal to the president to value and truly consider our well-being and development. It is in agriculture and not in mining,” said Carlito Dumulot, leader of a tribal group allied with PMP in Central Luzon.

Fr Edwin Gariguez, co-convenor of PMP and executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s National Secretariat for Social Action, said: “As pointed out in these policy considerations, there is a need for greater accountability of mining corporations and access to justice of victims of corporate abuses. The respect, protect and remedy framework of the UN principle on business and human rights, to which the Philippine government was one of the signatories, is very clear on this.”

Myrna Llanes of PMP Bicol said victims of the Rapu-Rapu mine tailing disaster in 2005 that damaged 13 villages in Albay province have yet to get justice from the corporations responsible for what she calls “environmental crimes.”

Meanwhile, the cabinet clusters on economy and climate change are meeting Friday to discuss the issue. Their main concern is for the government to get a “fair share” of mining revenues, which they admit is relatively small compared to the revenues generated by the industry.

Their input will be considered in the executive order on comprehensive policy guidelines on mining that has been delayed to give way to more consultations with stakeholders.

Olongapo City mulls freeport status

by Allen M. Villa


OLONGAPO CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- The local government and the Department of Finance has met about their plans of converting Olongapo into a Freeport city and keep up with the developments unveiling inside what was once a United States naval base and territory of Olongapo.

In a recent meeting with Department of Finance (DOF) secretary Cesar Purisima, mayor James Gordon, Jr. laid out plans to make Olongapo a Freeport, citing Executive Order No. 675 that provides for the development of additional areas contiguous to Subic Bay Freeport but outside its secured area.

If Olongapo will be converted into a free port area, according to EO 675, it will be given tax and duty free privileges and may be operated as special economic zones under the supervision of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

“Olongapo City is willing to tie-up with other municipalities wanting to avail of tax privileges enjoyed by businesses under a Freeport regime,” Mayor Gordon said, adding that “we all want to keep up with the development in Subic Bay Freeport and we want to level the playing field.”

Mayor Gordon said Olongapo can also adopt the Gumi City, South Korea model.

Gumi is an industrial city with three large industrial parks of over 100 factories specializing in electronics and semiconductors. A bustling city populated with more than 200,000 people, Gumi is growing more quickly than other parts of Korea.

EO 675 was issued in November 2007 to allow the extension of the secured area of the Subic Bay Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFPZ) to areas within the SSEFPZ but outside the fenced-in former US Naval Base as defined by Proclamation no. 532.

Proclamation no. 532 defines the boundaries of the SSEFPZ as provided in RA 7227 - the law which created the Freeport. The areas covered are the entire City of Olongapo, entire Municipality of Subic, Zambales, former US Naval Base and its contiguous extensions; some portions of Olongapo, some portions of Hermosa and Morong Bataan and some portions of San Antonio, Zambales.

To be a part of the SSEFPZ, EO 675 and RA 7227 prescribe that areas within the territories of these towns and city may be developed through local government or private sector initiatives subject to the concurrence of the legislative bodies of the said areas.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia, said that the additional Freeport areas, as provided in EO 675, can maintain their autonomy and independence as a local government unit.

Gordon noted that under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the local government units comprising the Subic Special Economic Zone shall retain their identity and shall be governed by their respective charters.

Secretary Purisima directed Atty. Ephyro Luis B. Amatong of the DOF Privatization Office to work closely with the Olongapo city government to complete the necessary documentation so that the Olongapo Freeport proposal can be submitted to President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Gordon also directed City Planning Officer Engr. Marivic Nierras to identify all possible areas in Olongapo City, especially the current areas whose development potential have not yet been maximized, that can be prioritized for development as extension of the Subic Special Economic Zone.

“Once the special economic zone status is given to these areas, they have a greater chance of developing into a self-sustaining, industrial, commercial, financial and investment center that could generate more employment opportunities and even more businesses and industries,” Gordon said.

Also present during the meeting between Gordon and Purisima were SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia, SBMA Directors Anne Gordon and Joeben Reyes, and Nierras.(CLJD/AMV-PIA3)

Driver illegally selling diesel fuel arrested

by Mamer Bañez


OLONGAPO City -- The Zambales Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (ZCIDT) arrested a jeepney driver during a raid on his residence for illegally selling diesel fuel on Friday.

ZCIDT provincial officer Chief Insp. Virgilio Villena Rubio said the suspect, Edgar Labsan, 39, of Purok 3, Bgy. Magsaysay, Castillejos, Zambales, was arrested based on “Oplan Ligas” (campaign against illegal refinery/manufacturing/importation and retail of liquefied petroleum gas).

A team led by SPO3 Maximo Ramos and PO2 Anthony Daligdig raided the suspect’s house and recovered four drums and seven gallons of diesel fuel.

“Dini-deliver lang ’yan sa akin ng mga truck driver, sobra daw ang kanilang gamit kung kaya naipon ’yan at ibenebenta ko din sa mga kapwa ko drivers,” the suspect said.

The suspect will be charged with violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 33.

Quake hits Zambales

by LBG, GMA News


Meanwhile, Phivolcs said a magnitude-2.8 quake was recorded at 12:59 p.m. in the Zambales area in Luzon.

It said the epicenter was 95 km southwest of Iba town.

Phivolcs did not immediately cite specific areas where the quake was felt.

No damage or aftershock was expected, it added.






Welcome Summer On The Road

by JOHANNES L. CHUA


MANILA, Philippines — As summer marches in with the month of March, the temperature is not only the one soaring as the anticipation of a lot of people to vacation reaches feverish levels as well. There is a collective vibe in most of us to relax – whether that is attained by discovering the outdoors, relaxing by the beach, or flying to an unexplored destination. Our destinations and goals for summer may vary but there’s one thing common in all of us – a road trip must be in one of our past summer memories.

Observe closely and you will see Filipino families having road trips during summer, whether it is going south to visit the hot springs of Laguna, the diving spots of Batangas, or the old houses of Quezon; or going North to visit Bulacan’s churches, La Union’s surfing spots, or farther to Banawe, Vigan or Laoag, and everyone’s ‘summer capital’ – Baguio. Surf your memory bank, there’s a road trip tucked somewhere there.

My earliest recollection of a road trip is the long ride to Baguio. My family will be ‘packed’ in our gray Lite-Ace and ever since I remember, it was really one arduous ride.

Through the years, we have embarked on various road trips and have emerged with more memorable summer stories. So how do we prepare for a summer road trip? Different families obviously have different needs. But let me impart these eight time-tested tips to make your road trip a fun and unforgettable one.

1. Plan early. Yes, right now. Whether it is for a hotel room, a resort cottage, a special restaurant, etc. it is wise to be early when it comes to making a reservation since sometimes, there are promos that can be availed.

2. Decide on a destination. As roads are now more ‘tourist-friendly’, don’t be afraid to explore new destinations. You don’t have to make a ‘pilgrimage’ to Baguio every summer. This summer, try Sagada or Banawe. If you’re always in Vigan during the hot season, why not push your wheels further to Laoag, or even Pagudpud? Why not try Boracay on four-wheels? The efficient RORO system from Batangas to Calapan, and Roxas to Caticlan will give you a new perspective on our country. Add to that, it is also budget-friendly especially if you have a big group.

3. Be car-ready. On a road trip, make sure to keep the most important member of your family fit and healthy – not the dog – it is your car. Nothing spoils a great road trip than a vehicle stalling somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Tempers would surely shoot to the roof especially when dark descends. Don’t procrastinate on the maintenance of your vehicle; it might be too late to give it a simple remedy. Check the tires most of all.

4. Save. Save. Save. Unless your pocket is as deep as the Mariana Trench, forget this one. Save now to experience some luxuries on the road as the tourism highway is lined with pasalubong shops such as antiques along Lucena, wood carvings in Paete, cut flowers in Tagaytay. You don’t even have to go down your car to make the purchase.

5. Prepare your itinerary. Once you already know your destination, plan out (or just discuss) who the designated driver will be. From there, you will know what activities you will plan so that the driver can enjoy his/ her summer too. Jot down a list of activities which will not put a physical strain on the driver too much (e.g. letting him/ her hike a mountain in the morning and driving back home for eight hours is not a good idea). Allow ‘rest-stops’ in your itinerary.

6. Choose your entourage. Well, if you are joining your family or relatives, you pretty much have no choice. But if you are inviting or joining friends, make sure that they are really your friends.

A few summers ago, I joined a new group of friends on a road trip to Zambales during Lenten break. It was fun at first but as the hours went by, it turned out that I have nothing ‘common’ with them. The air was thick with tension and I had to endure that again during the trip back home (which was around six hours!). So before you sit comfortably in the car, make sure that you know first the group you will be with.

7. Good food, great music. During my earlier road trips, when high-tech gadgets were not yet around, what made us kids comfortable during road trips were ‘food-on-wheels’. I remember my mom preparing a variety of sandwiches, finger food, and even fried chicken that we can eat inside the car.

On the other hand, don’t forget to put the right mood. Now, you can have thousands of songs in a single USB stick.

So whatever the vibe is inside the car, there’s a soundtrack that can complement it.

8. Just have fun. Well, it will be more fun if you are having ‘fun’ inside the vehicle. Don’t fuss too much on small details. Don’t outline a military-like itinerary that requires everyone to have a restroom pitstop for only five minutes.

Don’t set a strict budget allocation for expenses especially on food. Don’t put a scowl on your face every time a glitch happens on the road. If you are stuck in a massive traffic, start a game or divulge a fun gossip. Sing/ laugh out loud. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

If you will just spoil the fun of a summer road trip, you might as well stay at home, tuck in your pajamas, and endure telenovela marathons.





P14.7-M Housing For Fire Victims

by JONAS REYES


MASINLOC, Zambales — An initial budget of P14.7 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be allotted for the procurement of housing materials for more than 200 families whose houses were razed by a fire in Sitio Matalvis, Barangay Inbobol, here, last Sunday.

Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the provincial government has asked DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman to allot the budget for the fire victims.

DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Central Luzon Maura dela Rosa said that the response of the local government units were fast and orderly, including the municipal and provincial units.

The agency visited the victims here on Monday as part of their site inspection.

Dela Rosa also promised the immediate delivery of food packs, water and water containers, mats, blankets and mosquito nets to augment the initial purchase of materials that Ebdane has ordered on Sunday.

In a meeting with Mayor Desiree Edora here on Monday night, Dela Rosa also said that the LGU need only to identify an ideal site for the relocation of the fire victims so that the DSWD can start processing the requirements.






NDRRMC: 108 families evacuated from Zambales fire

by gmanetwork.com


At least 108 families were evacuated from their homes after a fire hit a village in Zambales province on Sunday afternoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the incident occurred at 1:30 p.m. at Inhulog village.

"Cause of fire is still under investigation. There are no reports of casualties at this time," the NDRRMC said on its initial report.

The 108 families were evacuated to the Inhulog Elementary School and Masinloc High School, it said.

The local social welfare offices and disaster risk reduction and management units have started relief operations.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense for Central Luzon continues to monitor the situation. - VVP, GMA News

Ebdane Keen On Sports Tourism

by Jonas Reyes


IBA, Zambales, Philippines — Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane said he foresees Zambales at the forefront of athletics in the next few years and believes that sports tourism is the key to boosting tourism in the province. “We will continue to prioritize youth and sports development, through sports scholarships. We have worked out a full program that involves both academic excellence and athletic performance,” Ebdane said. He said the scholars will be housed here, where they will be studying and training. The schools and the sports complex are all in convenient locations.






US-based Filipino foundation fulfills promise to Subic Aeta kids

by (PNA)

LAP/zst/MD/ps


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Feb. 24 (PNA) — “I have returned.”

Thus said a Filipino-American as he fulfilled a promise he made two years ago to Aeta children in this free port.

Edilberto “Bert” Aguilera, a certified public accountant from Ibaan, Batangas, who now lives in New Jersey, USA, met an Aeta while visiting Subic in 2010 and made a promise to return with school supplies.

Aguilera, president of the family foundation Fil Aid USA, a US-based non-profit humanitarian organization, was then in Subic as part of the delegation from the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Texas that organized a trade, tourism, and humanitarian mission to the Philippines on October 11 to 16, 2010.

On their last day at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, which served as the venue, Aguilera met Tata Kasoy, an Aeta tribal elder living in Pastolan Village inside the Freeport.

“I met Tata Kasoy and made a promise that I would return to donate school supplies for the children in his tribe,” Aguilera recalled.

In a surprise gesture, Aguilera, accompanied by his wife and three more family members, recently visited Subic Bay to fulfill his promise.

In coordination with the Public Relations Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which regularly undertakes livelihood projects in Aeta villages here as part of the agency's corporate social responsibility program, Fil Aid USA visited elementary schools at Sitio Kanawan, Barangay Binaritan, and Pastolan Village in Hermosa, Bataan.

In Sitio Kanawan where a simple turnover of donations was held, the group was met by tribal leaders headed by chieftain Rodelio Tamundong and school principal Jose Labandillo.

In Pastolan Village, Tata Kasoy was among those who greeted the group and was emotional in meeting Aguilera, who returned to fulfill his promise.

"I could not clearly recall what we discussed before and I did not expect that his promise would be fulfilled. But now, he is here and brought the school supplies for the children here,” Tata Kasoy said.

Aguilera said his return is part of a mission to help the needy.

“This trip of ours could be a trailblazer because when I go back to US, we will make some publication about what we have done here for the school children, and probably others will follow suit,” Aguilera said.

“God is giving me energy while I’m doing this mission,” he said.

This kind of project, he added, would be ideal for “people coming from abroad go to various places in the Philippines for a vacation. We, in this mission are looking for places where we could help the needy,” Aguilera added.





Garcia clarify Subic chairmanship row

by Anthony Bayarong


SUBIC BAY freeport: Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia clarified reports stating that a new man has been appointed as SBMA administrator.

“The news release that was printed has caused confusion here, our employees are asking, our locators are also asking for clarifications,” Garcia said.

The issue stemmed from reports printed out I major dailies saying Businessman Mike Macapagal was appointed as SBMA Administrator.

Reports said that Macapagal’s appointment was signed on January 30 and its affectivity date is February 27.

It also quoted several businessmen and politician as backing up Macapagal’s appointment.

Garcia however denied the reports saying he has appointment papers to back him up, adding that Malacanang has not called regarding the appointment issue.

“We will follow what the president orders and I will issue some clarification to our locators so they don’t get confused.” Garcia said.

“If ever Macapagal do have an appointment, I will ask for it and we go to Malacanang because it’s the only way to resolve this issue,” he added.

Garcia explained that there could be a possibility of a mix up in issuing the appointment of Macapagal.

“At the end of the day it will be the decision of the president and if the president really decides that he will be appointed then so be it, it’s ok with me,” Garcia added.





Biggest floating library visits Subic Bay

by (CLJD/AMV-PIA3)


OLONGAPO CITY, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- Known as the largest among the floating libraries of the German-based organization Good Book for All (GBA), M.V. Logos Hope will drop anchor in Subic Bay on March 15 to April 8 to bring knowledge, help and hope to the local folks, especially children.

The floating library will also produce an on-board interactive program dubbed ‘Greatest Treasure,’ an hour-long imaginary voyage with an eccentric pirate crew, games, puppet show and a Christ-centered message of hope for the children.

Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. encourages students from public and private schools to visit the ship to find new discoveries and knowledge as an essential pillar of excellence.

“It is best to begin a child’s learning through the standards of books, especially with visuals that easily grasp their interests and lead them to discover new things,” said Mayor Gordon.

Logos Hope offers an expanded selection of over 5,000 titles at affordable prices covering a range of subjects including science, sports and hobbies which, aside from children, the whole family can enjoy.

Twice as big as the previous ships — Logos and Doulos, Logos Hope replaced MV Doulos, which was a frequent Philippine visitor before it retired due to old age.

Logos Hope generally visits a port for two weeks and continually sails from one port to another, year round. Since its launch in 2009, the ship has been in several regions such as Northern Europe, the Caribbean, West Africa, the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula and Asia.

“Books are a more reliable resource for research. They enhance our comprehension skills and highly develop our sensitivity and imagery,” said MV Logos Hope Project Manager Steven Kregel.

“We are looking forward to meet the children of Olongapo and Subic Bay to show them what we have for fun and learning,” Kregel added.

GBA’s mission to bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world started with the launch of its first vessel called ‘Logos,’ meaning the ‘word’ in Greek.

The vessel sailed on her maiden voyage to India in 1971. People flocked to the ship, hungry for the literature and hope Logos carried. In time, GBA Ships began looking for another ship to develop the increasing opportunities.

In 1977, GBA Ships purchased a second vessel calling her Doulos (Greek meaning bond-servant) with the vision that the ship and those on board would be a servant to the nations.

Doulos was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship.

After nearly four decades of service and 1,400 ports of call, over 42 million have visited the GBA ships and around 10,000 young people were trained in the ships for future service.

Logos Hope is now the only operational ship in all of GBA vessels as the older ships were both decommissioned in recent years. The ship is manned by crew and staff that are non-salaried volunteers representing 45 different nationalities.

So far, about 2,518,000 visitors have been on board Logos Hope from 65 different countries and territories and 42 ports of call it made since it was launched into service in 2009.

Logos Hope will be open to the communities around Subic Bay from Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm and on Sundays, 1:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Entrance fee is P20 for visitors over 16 years old. Admission is free for children aged 0 to 15 years.





Central Luzon athletic meet 2012 kicks off in Zambales

by Allen M. Villa


IBA, Zambales, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The first day of games has started today as the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLARAA) meet 2012, where some 10,000 delegates are expected to see action in 28 sports events, kicks off at the Zambales Sports Complex in this town.

Yesterday’s opening ceremonies was filled with colors as the delegates from the Central Luzon provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and the cities of Angeles (Pampanga), Balanga (Bataan), Cabanatuan, Gapan, Munoz and San Jose (Nueva Ecija), Olongapo, Malolos and San Jose Del Monte (Bulacan), Tarlac (Tarlac) and San Fernando (Pampanga) held a parade walking some 3 kilometers stretch through this towns major thoroughfares and ending at the sports center.

Olongapo City bagged the “Best Salute” award during the parade where the city’s gymnasts and martial artists gave the spectators an early taste of their wares as their fellow athletes march past the main grandstand.

Security and traffic was well managed as the Zambales Police Provincial Office (ZPPO) mobilized around 350 policemen augmented by barangay police in the area.

Zambales police Provincial Director Police Senior Supt. Francisco Santiago said that the police forces in the area will be deployed for the duration of the CLARAA and will be augmented by the Philippine Army if needed. He ensured that peace and order is not a problem in the province.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. said that his government worked hand-in-hand with the Department of Education to mount a CLARAA meet that will be a memorable and successful gathering of young athletes who may someday aim to become Olympic champions.

Ebdane also highlighted the newly renovated sports complex which he said was a neglected, forgotten spread of land with buildings and spaces that needed much repair.

“From the dumping ground of rubbish and unwanted things, it is today a place where our youth and all our citizens can enjoy different sports and stay healthy,” Ebdane remarked.

The P100-million sports complex now boasts of a rubberized track oval, a renovated Olympic-size swimming pool, rehabilitated gymnasium, grandstands and bleachers, and a newly constructed athletes’ dormitory.

“It is our hope that you will be happy and satisfied enough to want to come back for another CLARAA meet in Zambales in 2013. If you want to come back next year, you are more than welcome, and we are more than willing,” the governor capped. (CLJD/AMV-PIA3)






DOLE, Hanjin ink pact to promote safety, labor standards

by (PNA)

LDV/zst/MD/ps


OLONGAPO CITY, Feb. 20 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Korean shipbuilding and construction firm Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines (HHICP) have joined forces in promoting safety and health standards in the workplace through the implementation of the Kapatiran WISE-TAV program.

The DOLE’s Kapatiran-WISE-TAV program encourages big companies (Big Brother) to practice corporate social responsibility by coaching small companies (Small Brother) in eventually becoming fully compliant with labor laws and occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.

Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz signed the recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) on behalf of the DOLE, while President Ahn Jin Kyu signed on behalf of HHICP.

DOLE regional director Raymundo Agravante and Bureau of Working Conditions Director Brenda Villafuerte witnessed the recent signing held at the sprawling HHICP shipbuilding facility, the most modern and the largest in Southeast Asia, in Barangay Cawag, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The MOU effectively covers 16 HHICP contractors, subcontractors, and services providers and involves 22,000 workers.

Baldoz hailed the HHIPC for enrolling in the program, saying it is a big step towards instilling a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards in the company.

"I consider this occasion very important and significant. This is a very good starting point of our partnership towards productivity and compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards, given that the HHICP has faced a number of concerns in the past few years," she said.

She said the Aquino administration is committed to create and nurture an environment conducive to sustainable businesses that creates decent jobs.

Kyu, for his part, said that as "Big Brother, HHICP is most willing to share its safety and health standards with its contractors, subcontractors, and services providers."

This is the second agreement that the DOLE has signed under the Kapatiran WISE TAV this year. The first was signed with Yokohama Philippines last January.






A Fast Journey To Love

by EUGENE Y. SANTOS


MANILA, Philippines — Destiny strikes when you least expect it. For triathlon coaches Dan and Ani Brown, true love hit them at an unexpected time, quickly forming into a strong bond forged by a shared love for triathlon and success.

Ani (nee De Leon) first met Dan in Subic, where the latter resided then. It was on November 5, 2010 when they got acquainted through a common friend: Senator Pia Cayetano.

“Ani arranged to do a bike ride in Subic Bay with some of the people she coached, including [Senator Cayetano,]” recalls Dan. “At that time, I was also coaching some [members of the Philippine Triathlon Team] and [Senator Cayetano] invited us to join them.”

The following day, Dan and Ani met at a triathlon event in Olongapo, where they were both coaching their respective teams. While the race was going on, Dan invited Ani to go for a swim across to a nearby island from the race venue during their spare time. Ani obliged, and Dan thought, “This girl’s okay.”

The next morning, Ani participated in a Milo 21k run in Zambales. Afterwards, Dan asked Ani to have breakfast with him. And they started to hit it off. Clearly, the chemistry between them was hard to ignore.

“I thought that Ani has a strong character,” says Dan on his first impression about his wife. “She’s very confident and she has a very kind personality. She’s nice to everyone around her and she looks amazing.”

On Ani’s part, she liked Dan immediately. “He’s friendly but he’s not overly friendly,” she shares. “He’s quite serious. He’s intense about his passion for his work and for triathlon. I liked that about him. And since he’s Australian, he also knows how to relax and have fun. He’s a professional athlete but he’s not so rigid about it. He can have a beer every now and then. I’m just relaxed around him.”

It also helped that both of them are sports coaches who share the same principles and ideas about triathlon. “We share the same wavelength for coaching,” says Dan.

While they were dating, the Manila-based Ani would visit Dan and vise-versa. “We were engaged a month after we met, on December 11, 2010,” shares Ani.

Yes, it was that fast. For this couple, it was a matter of having a strong gut feeling that his/her partner was “The One,” something that they had not felt before.

“I just knew straight away that it’s going to work,” relates Dan. “Otherwise, if I had a doubt in my mind about it, I wouldn’t go for it to begin with.” Ditto for Ani. “You just know when this kind of thing happens,” she adds.

Their engagement was romantic but not dramatic. It was just an ordinary night, a dinner complemented by wine. when Dan popped the question after their meal. The two had previously talked about getting engaged, but for Ani, it was still a special moment when Dan asked her to marry him.

Interestingly, Ani met Dan when she wasn’t keen on dating anyone. “I had just broken up with somebody a month before I met Dan,” she discloses. “I said to myself that I’m going to take a rest from dating, lie low for a while, and just enjoy being single.”

Ani had her support group, “The Screening Committee,” a group of male triathlete friends who made a bunch of ‘rules’ that any future date or suitor must pass. The rules included the following: He has to be a competitive biker (the moment he is not able to keep up with the bike race, he’s out); and he has to be able to drink a lot of alcoholic beverages such as beer.

“One night, I told my friends that I’ll be bringing Dan over,” says Ani. “Even though I didn’t think that I needed their approval, I still wanted them to meet Dan.” In a nutshell, Dan “passed” the tests and won the respect and friendship of Ani’s friends. “To be honest, they really accepted me and I also liked them. Ani’s close friends have become my close friends as well,” remarks Dan, who credits them for learning more about local etiquette in the Philippines.

On March 5, 2011, Dan and Ani flew to Sydney, Australia. It was Ani’s first time to meet Dan’s family and relatives. “He’s from a really nice family,” says Ani. “They’re very close to each other.” According to Dan, “My family loved Ani. They thought she was good for me.”

The couple hosted a party for Dan’s family in Sydney. In a way, it was their pre-wedding celebration before they tied the knot in the Philippines.

Dan and Ani got married in a simple wedding ceremony in a small Catholic church in Subic on April 16, 2011.

Just as they were embracing newlywed bliss, the couple discovered that they were expecting their first child. As Ani recalls, “It was funny because we were talking about having a baby around January 2011 and we were like, ‘Maybe we’ll have it around the end of the year.’”

The pregnancy came earlier than expected, and Ani suddenly had to turn down some triathlon race commitments, such as a slot for the Timex Global Team. Fortunately, her peers and sponsors understood her situation. “Personally, I also registered for these triathlon events and invested my own money in them,” says Ani, “but it’s a blessing when we found out that I was pregnant. Of course it happened sooner than we expected, but we were still happy.”

The couple welcomed their first born, a baby boy named Dash, on November 29, 2011.

Apart from being newly-minted parents, Dan and Ani are also working together as the newest Sports & Recreation (S&R) Consultants of Pico de Loro Cove, a leisure haven located in Hamilo Coast, SM Land’s “premier coastal development” area in Nasugbu, Batangas.

As S&R Consultants, Dan and Ani are in charge of developing fitness and wellness programs for Pico de Loro’s residents, members and guests. The couple has marathon and triathlon events in the pipeline, as well as regular training sessions for running, among others. They plan to promote Pico de Loro as an ideal destination for sports camps and activities.

As professionals, Dan and Ani feel that they “work well together.” While they always discuss ideas together, Dan and Ani have defined their individual roles when it comes to training people and athletes. Ani will handle trainees from the kids to beginners range, whereas Dan will aid people who qualify for the levels of intermediate and professional.

For couples who work professionally together, Ani says that one has to have a lot of respect for his/her partner. “You cannot always expect to agree with each other,” she says. “Even if we say that Dan and I are very compatible and that we are on the same wavelength most of the time, we have a lot of disagreements as well. Thus, you have to respect your partner’s opinion and consider him/her too.”

It’s the basic rule of give-and-take, with patience on the side. And, as their day jobs can be physically taxing, getting lots of sleep may also help avoid unnecessary stress-induced arguments.

Shot on location at Pico de Loro Cove, Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas. Hamilo Coast is under Costa del Hamilo, Inc. (CdHI), a subsidiary of SM Land. For more information, visit www.hamilocoast.com or call (02) 858-03-33.

He said:

Ani and I complement each other in a lot of ways. She completes me. She gave me more focus and a more positive outlook in life.

She said:

I told Dan and his family that he’s the best thing that happened to me, along with our son Dash. I always tell Dan that one. Dan made my life better.






Zambales hosts CLRAA meet

by The Philippine Star


MANILA, Philippines - Zambales returns to the Philippine sports map starting tomorrow with its hosting of the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) meet at the newly refurbished Zambales Sports Complex in the capital of Iba.

It took 18 years for Zambales to again host the annual competition after Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. boosted the province’s sports program, which includes the refurbishment of sports facilities that deteriorated for almost two decades and the hosting of sports competitions.

Some 12,000 athletes and officials are expected for the six-day meet that ends Friday.

The opening ceremonies are set at 2 p.m. tomorrow with Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Education Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera as principal guests of Ebdane.

The meet will select the region’s representatives to the Palarong Pambansa in Pangasinan this summer.

The P100-million sports complex now boasts of a rubberized track oval, a renovated Olympic-size swimming pool, rehabilitated gymnasium, grandstands and bleachers, as well as a new athletes’ dormitory, according to Ebdane.

Dr. Perlita Basa, schools division superintendent for Zambales, said 18 school divisions from Region 3 (Central Luzon) – Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales – are converging in Zambales for the meet.

The athletes will compete in athletics, swimming, basketball, boxing, among others, for six days until Friday (February 24).

The CLRAA meet will also feature an agro-industrial fair and consultation-meetings among Region 3 school and sports officials and trainers.





Resort owners aim drowning reduction in Zambales

by Anthony Bayarong


ZAMBALES, Philippines – In an effort to address the increasing drowning incident especially during summer, resort owners here recently conducted an international lifeguard training.

The Pundaquit Resort Owners Association, in cooperation with the Zambales Tourism Association, Surfers Association and the Local Government Unit of San Antonio, recently conducted a Lifeguarding Training through the Philippine Life Saving, the sole full member organization to the International Life Saving Federation of Belgium.

Virginia Balaong-Harvey, President of Pundaquit Resort Owners Association said the country is ranked 5th in Asia in terms of total number of drowning incidents.

“We wish to safeguard the safety of our international and local guests not only every summer season, but all year round and to further promote our village as one safe tourist destination in the country,” said Harvey.

At least 25 participants from the Philippine Navy, fisherfolk sector, private individual and government representatives, will undergo a two-week training on International Standards in Lifeguarding Training, Operations and Water Safety scheduled from March 1-12, 2012 at Megan’s Paradisio Beach Resort.

Session will also be conducted at Naval Training Center (NTC) in San Miguel village, also in San Antonio town.

During summer, thousands of tourist flock to San Antonio town with its clean and pristine beaches.

“We aim to set up three lifeguard stations in the identified areas manned by at least four newly trained lifeguards and one senior lifeguard,” Harvey added.

Pundaquit has scenic tourist attractions like caves, coves, islands, and a popular venue for movie and television film-making.






UK-based cruise ship to visit Subic Freeport

by (PNA)

DCT/LAM/zst/MD/ps


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will welcome the first international cruise ship to dock in this free port this year, as M/V Spirit of Adventure arrives from Manila on Friday, Feb. 17 as part of its Southeast Asian tour.

The ship, which is based in the United Kingdom, has 378 passengers and more than 200 crew members on board.

They are scheduled to visit key tourist spots in the Subic Freeport such as the Pamulaklakin Aeta village and Camayan Beach.

M/V Spirit of Adventure has been to Malaysia, Brunei and Borneo before arriving at Puerto Princesa in Palawan recently. The ship proceeded to Cebu and Manila before docking at Subic.

Raul Marcelo, SBMA deputy administrator for business and tourism, said that the cruise ship’s visit is an opportunity to show that the Subic Bay Freeport is ready to be a top cruise ship destination in the Philippines and in Asia.

He also said that the SBMA has already made arrangements to ensure the passengers’ safety and convenience during their ten-hour stay here.

The SBMA has been grooming the Freeport as a major cruise ship destination since it co-founded in 2010 the Asia Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA), a group seeking to provide a unified marketing platform for the cruise ship industry in the Asian region.

Last year, the SBMA hosted ACTA’s second meeting before the group was formally launched in Singapore last November.

Marcelo said that Subic stands to get a windfall from the cruise industry, which also eyes the growing number of wealthy Asians as a “source market.”






5,000 jobseekers join Ayala Mall job fair in Subic

by (PNA)

LDV/zst/MD/ps


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Feb. 15 (PNA) -- Close to 5,000 jobseekers braved the long lines outside the Subic Gym in this free port recently, as Harbor Point, Ayala Malls’ newest retail development, opened its doors with employment opportunities for residents of local communities.

The recent two-day job fair, dubbed as “Careers at Harbor Point,” offered almost 2,000 job openings ranging from managerial positions to service staff from 70 participating companies to address the mall merchants’ manpower needs.

During the event’s opening program, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) senior deputy administrator for support services Ramon Agregado expressed optimism that the jobs to be generated at Harbor Point would minimize unemployment in the region.

“We still have around 12 percent unemployment rate in Central Luzon, so in order to address unemployment here, we need to generate an additional 10,000 jobs per year,” Agregado said.

“With almost 1,600 new jobs that are being offered by Harbor Point during this fair, I am confident that we can meet the target this year,” he said.

Agregado also appealed to the merchants to be good employers.

“If you treat your employees with utmost professionalism and care, I’m sure that they will give you your money’s worth,” he said.

Likewise, Agregado urged the jobseekers to cherish the opportunities that will come their way.

The SBMA official also said the new establishment will be an integral part of SBMA’s vision of turning the Subic Freeport into an eco-urban zone.

Harbor Point, which is expected to fully open in summer of this year, is envisioned to be a unique attraction which will have the qualities usually identified with Subic.

“When people talk about Subic, they always think about vacations, think about being laid back. But then of course, you also have a lot of businesses in the area so we wanted somehow to mix that,” said Javier Hernandez, assistant vice president of Ayala Malls–Ayala Land, Inc.

“The ambiance of the shopping center will be resort like, being laid back, being sports inclined. That’s how we started to develop on how it would look and feel like,” he added.

Hernandez also pointed out that the new mall will be able to generate 10,000 jobs from its construction stage up to its full operation.

Meanwhile, SBMA labor manager Severo Pastor reminded the jobseekers of the importance of work, saying that having a job is not just having employment, but a means of livelihood.

“With a job, you can help your family, help send your siblings to school. Jobs also give you dignity, and turn you into productive citizens,” he added.

The job fair is organized by Ayala Malls, in cooperation with the SBMA Labor Center and the Public Employment Service Offices of Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan.





Miners fight in Zambales=

by Cesar Villa, Inquirer Central Luzon


ZAMBALES—Small-scale miners have torn down a barricade set up allegedly by a nickel exploration company on a public road leading to their mining areas. Recto Ebuen, leader of 40 pocket miners who reside in Barangay South Tubo-Tubo here, said government had already directed Shangfil Mining and Trading Corp. to reopen the road. “God and the people know that we make our living via pocket mining but we are being forced by this mining firm to go hungry and we are being denied the chance to live honorably,” Ebuen said. He claimed that security guards hired by Shangfil had barred pocket miners from using the road. Shangfil could not be reached for comment. Its office is located in Quezon City. The company is exploring over 1,660 hectares of nickel and chromite lands by virtue of an exploration permit issued in May 2010, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). The access road was barricaded in November last year, but the MGB intervened because of a complaint raised by another mining firm, which has asserted its own right-of-way over the same road, according to the MGB. Mayor Luisito Marty said the local government had not yet addressed the dispute because mining operators there have not coordinated with the municipal government.





Yacht race to draw int’l teams to Subic

by pia.gov.ph


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, February 13 (PIA) -- As the country commemorates EDSA day on February 25, a new revolution will take place in Subic as the aces of Asian yachting battle for supremacy in the second 200-mile Subic Bay-Boracay Offshore Race.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said that the exciting sporting event would serve as an excellent platform to further showcase the Subic Bay Freeport and help firm up Subic’s quest for a distinctive spot in the yachting circuit.

“With this new development, we add more muscle to our bid for Subic Bay Freeport to be a major player in the maritime industry, as well as a world-class tourism destination. It will be a sure-fire boost to our efforts to attract more visitors to Subic and the communities nearby," Garcia said.

Described as one of the most challenging and tactical races in the sailing world, the Subic to Boracay Race 2012 is part of the 12 prestigious regattas in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship 2011-2012 that will determine the Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

It will be followed by the four-day Boracay Cup Regatta from February 28 to March 2.

Both races are being organized by the Philippine Sailing Association-backed Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen’s Sailing (SAGS) Club of Subic and in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC), The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures, the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, and the provincial governments of Zambales and Aklan.


According to SAGS co-chairman Jun Avecilla, around 30 to 40 Grand Prix Race yachts manned by some 300 to 400 top-notch local and foreign sailors are expected to join the race, which is a successor to the discontinued Manila-Boracay Race.


The starting signal for the sailing competition, which may take 20-40 hours to finish depending on the size of the boat, will be sounded off from the Lighthouse Marina Resort inside the Freeport.


More sea races are scheduled to take place in this freeport, SAGS officials also noted, as the blue-water classic Rolex China Sea Race will take off from the Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong on April 4 and ends at Subic Bay.


Subic Bay will also host the Commodore’s Cup Regatta in April. (WLB/AMV/PIA-3)






House panel sets Tuesday probe of ‘irregular’ IBC 13-R-II deal

by BusinessMirror.com.ph


THE Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability of the House of Representatives will start on Tuesday the investigation, in aid of legislation, of the alleged irregular real-estate joint-venture agreement (JVA) between officials of the government-sequestered IBC-TV 13 and land developer Reghis Romero (R-II) that is now also being probed by the Ombudsman. Led by Liberal Party Rep. Jerry Trenas (Liberal Party) of Iloilo, the committee will tackle House Resolution 1103 authored by Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) of Zambales and HR 1606 of Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon. Both resolutions are seeking investigation on the transaction entered into between the officials of IBC 13 and officials of the joint venture of R-II builders Inc./Primestate Ventures Inc. “whereby a possible connivance exists among these officials of these corporations for the purpose of defrauding the government through IBC.” Magsaysay’s resolution said IBC 13 officials entered into the “illegal” transaction “despite being already cautioned by the office of the government corporate counsel [OGCC] that the transaction did not comply with the Neda [National Economic and Development Authority] joint-venture guidelines.” Last week, Dy said there was an urgent need to revisit the government’s anti-graft laws and policies on the disposition of prime pieces of property owned by the state. The JVA concerned has been described as “onerous” and “grossly disadvantageous” to the government. In filing her resolution, Dy urged the two parties to put the execution of the agreement on hold until the House comes up with its findings on the legality and propriety of the deal. Last week graft charges were filed with the Ombudsman against IBC 13 and R-II/Primestate officers over the same issue. R-II/Primestate has reportedly launched pre-selling for the property, which will be transformed into a first-class residential and commercial enclave. Popularly known as the Broadcast City, the IBC 13 property is in Capitol Hills, Matandang Balara, Quezon City. Complainant Percival Mabasa said the legal requirements for public bidding and approval of the Assets Privatization Council were ignored by the contracting parties. Dy noted that the Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the deal that guarantees government only P728 million in exchange for 3.6 hectares of the total IBC 13 property. “The COA had questioned the JVA for pegging the valuation of 3.6 hectares of the IBC 13 at P9,999.99 per square meter or a total of just P364 million,” she said. Dy said since the property is adjacent posh villages like Ayala Heights and Capitol Hills where land value is pegged at P35,000 to P50,000 per square meter, the agreed valuation can be considered “a real bargain.” She cited the COA report said the agreement has not been examined by the agency’s technical inspectors who are expected to compare land valuation with the existing market value in the area. “The arrangement in the JVA is skewed in favor of R-II Builders Inc./Primestate where IBC will be left with only 5,000 square meters for its Broadcast City with a relatively small two-story commercial building which may earn a small income. This two-story commercial building and the IBC 13 Employee Preference privilege for condominium units are mere sweeteners without gain or worth on the part of IBC 13,” the audit report added. “Prior to the execution of the JVA, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel issued an opinion holding that the proposal and proposed text of the JVA were defective since the provisions are not compliant with Neda guidelines on joint ventures,” Dy said. The legislator said that despite knowledge and awareness of the well-reasoned opinion by the OGCC that the contemplated transaction has flaws, officials of IBC 13 proceeded with the agreement.





3 Still Don't Have 'Pork'

by CHARISSA M. LUCI


MANILA, Philippines — Three members of the House opposition bloc are still waiting in vain for the release of their priority development assistance fund (PDAF).

Deputy Minority and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, and Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo remain on the list of “zero-pork” lawmakers.

“Mitos remains zero, so nothing is new. But they released Rep. Iggy’s pork barrel fund,” Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said.

Magsaysay said the fourth district of Negros Occidental should be given the necessary financial backing to ensure the delivery of much-needed services.

“The release should really be made because the recipient is already dead,” she said.

Suarez disclosed that Iloilo Rep. Augusto “Buboy” Syjuco’s PDAF has already been released to his mayors, excluding him from the list of zero-pork lawmakers.

Magsaysay said just like Syjuco, she is willing to have her pork released directly to concerned local officials of her district, including Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

“It is OK with me if they will release my pork through Ebdane to benefit my constituents. I don’t mind if it was done that way. But, they should inform my minority leader that PDAF release will be made through Govenor Ebdane,” she said.

She said due to the non-release of her PDAF, she had accumulated debt amounting to R7.8 million last semester to ensure that all her scholars, particularly those who are graduating, finished their studies.

“I don’t mind as long as my scholars will finish their schooling. Having a debt amounting to R7.8 million for a semester is not a joke,” she said.






Subic mulls banning plastic bags

by Subictimes


SUBIC BAY Freeport: Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is proposing to prohibit retail establishments inside this Freeport the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam’s as packing materials.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the proposal is in line with the agency’s desire to reduce plastic bags in an effort to protect public health and welfare as well as local environment and wildlife.

Garcia said that the SBMA Solid Waste Management Division collects almost 35 tons of garbage every day and 15% of these are plastic and Styrofoam.

“Those not collected end up in clogging canals, creeks, rivers and other waterways. These are hazardous to marine animals and birds,” Garcia said.

Garcia noted that the agency is mandated to conserve and protect the environment of the Subic Freeport, as well as its surrounding communities. He also pointed out that Subic is among the

few remaining areas in the country where rainforests can be found.

In response, restaurant, canteen and food kiosk operators who recently attended a consultation-forum organized by the SBMA Ecology Center signified full support of the new policy, but expressed concern over the availability of alternative packaging materials they may use.

During the consultation with retailers, SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya Koval said that the proposed policy is expected to take effect in June 2012, but for the purpose of moratorium, all business establishments and individual retailers are given six months, or until December this year, to comply with the new regulation.





SM Olongapo Opens Feb. 10

by www.mb.com.ph


MANILA, Philippines — Great shopping, leisure, and entertainment goes to Zambales when SM City Olongapo, SM Prime Holdings’42nd supermall, formally opens its doors to the public tommorow Friday, Feb. 10.

Strategically located at Magsaysay Drive corner Gordon Avenue in the city’s Central Business District, the seven-story 40,863 sqm mall will serve customers in Zambales, Bataan, and other nearby provinces.

Situated at the southern part of Zambales and the northwestern interior of the Subic Bay area, Olongapo was once the site of a US Naval Base. After it was turned over to the Philippines, Mayor Richard Gordon worked for its conversion into a Freeport, launching an aggressive international investment promotion program that has made it into a prime industrial and tourism zone.

Today, it is a city known for its innovative methods of urban management, pioneering an integrated solid waste management system, volunteerism, organized vendors, and a color-coded transport system, among other things. It has also brought much honor to the country with international awards like the UNESCO Cities for Peace representing Asia and the Pacific in 1997 and the Konrad Adenauer Local Medal of Excellence in 1999.

The opening of SM City Olongapo will be a catalyst for employment and business opportunities, as well as lifestyle trends for residents. With the SM Department Store and SM Supermarket as its major anchors, it also features SM mainstays like the SM Appliance Center, ACE Express, Watsons.

Eating out options include popular international and local food chains like Pizza Hut, KFC, Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Savory Classic, and Hainanese Delights. Banking services and three state-of-the-art digital cinemas – the first such theaters in the city – complete the shopping experience.

For customer convenience, SM City Olongapo has allotted three levels of parking with more than 300 slots, as well as a color-coded jeepney terminal just across the mall.

SM City Olongapo’s design team includes DSGN & Associates, design consultants; G & W Architects, Architect of Record; DA Abcede and Associates, project manager; and New Golden City Builders, general contractor.






Subic workshops set to help promote Phl’s competitiveness

by Allen M. Villa


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Globally-acknowledged competitiveness gurus will share their expertise on quality, productivity, workplace cooperation and benchmarking in the forthcoming national symposium-workshops to be held here from March 27 to 30.

The symposium-workshops are being organized through a public-private-partnership (PPP) between Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Quality Partners Co., Ltd. (QPCL).

The event is divided into two parts. First, a pre-symposium seminar-workshop on “Scientific Benchmarking for Excellence” which will be held on March 27 and 28. The seminar-workshop dubbed as “Workplace Cooperation for Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness,” will be conducted on March 29 to 30. Both will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) in this free port.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said the symposium-workshops are projected to be the initial activities in a long-range quest to develop it into a National Center for Excellence and a Resource Center for Quality and Productivity Information and Training with the Subic Freeport as the hub.

Garcia said the SBMA and QPCL are undertaking the project in the belief that quality, workplace cooperation and excellence will lift the country’s global competitiveness.

The pre-symposium seminar-workshop will be conducted by Dr. Robin Mann, chairman of the Global Benchmarking Network of New Zealand, a membership-based organization with members in more than 20 countries and founder-head of the Center for Organizational Excellence Research (COER), Massey University, which undertakes research projects — both focusing on business excellence and benchmarking.

Mann has helped over 300 organizations undertake self-assessment, written 30 refereed journal papers, 100 non-refereed papers, six short books and has been a frequent keynote presenter in 15 countries in 2011.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jose Gatchalian, chairman of QPCL, will address the participants of the seminar-workshop on workplace cooperation with his keynote piece entitled, “Workplace Cooperation: A Cutting Edge for Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness.”

Joining Dr. Gatchalian will be GlobeTel Philippines president Ernest Cu, who will discuss “Workplace Cooperation: Customer First Circle” and University of the Philippines Vice President Dr. M.S.V. Amante, who will talk about “Workplace Diversity and Cross-Cultural Work Relations.”

Meanwhile, the panel discussion will be conducted by panelists composed of successful and prominent resource speakers who shall share their experience and expertise in their respective field.

The symposium will be open to all top management executives and shop-floor leaders.

For inquiries and slot reservations, interested parties may send e-mail to qpcl.gatch@gmail.com or tqm.sbma.yahoo.com or callFerdie Anatacio, QPCL (0915-974-7772) or Buds Fernando, SBMA (0917-552-4920).(CLJD/AMV-PIA3)






Low turnout of Zambales voters

by Leslie Ann G. Aquino


The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said based on their observations, about 70 percent of voters went to the precincts Saturday to cast their vote. PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa said in an interview the low voters turnout may be due to the fact that some of the voters, who were probably living outside Zambales, did not bother to go home anymore to vote. But what dismayed her the most, she said, was the rampant votebuying which was observed by their volunteers even before the election day. The polls in the province’s second legislative district stemmed from the death of Rep. Antonio Diaz in August 2011.






Comelec proclaims Ebdane as new 2nd district representative of Zambales

by (PNA)

scs/zst/MD/ps


IBA, Zambales, Feb. 5 (PNA) -- The Provincial Board of Canvassers of Zambales proclaimed on Sunday Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka Party-list candidate Jun Omar Ebdane as the new representative of the province's second district.

The 37-year-old Ebdane, son of Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., beat four other candidates in a special congressional election conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following the death of Rep. Antonio Diaz in August last year.

Ebdane led by 5,922 votes over his closest rival, Liberal Party bet Cheryl Deloso Montalla, a daughter of former Zambales Governor Amor Deloso. He garnered a total of 62,867 votes while Deloso had 56,945 votes.

Nacionalista Party candidate Rica Diaz, on the other hand, obtained 17,291 votes while independent candidates Atty. Wilfredo Paul Pangan and businessman Alfred Sebarotin Mendoza got 3,756 and 1,512 votes, respectively.

Ballot boxes with envelopes containing the certificates of canvass (COCs) from the 10 municipalities of the second district were delivered by members of the Municipal Board of Canvassers.

The envelopes were opened, examined and read by the Provincial Board of Canvassers led by Provincial Comelec Supervisor Atty. Elaiza Sabile-David, who sat as the chairman of the Board; Atty. Jorge Baculi, vice chairman; and member Public School District Supervisor Dr. Perlita Basa.

Ebdane got the highest number of votes of 11,389 from Botolan, a bailiwick of his closest rival Deloso, who got 9,829 votes out of 22,995 actual total number of voters in the municipality.

In his acceptance speech, Ebdane vowed to work even more harder "for the benefit of my constituents and the whole province of Zambales.”

Before running in the special election, he was appointed as the provincial administrator.

“The campaign is over, so politics is over and back to work,” he said.

The young Ebdane acknowledged the support of his father during his campaign.

He said his priority programs include scholarships and educational assistance, and parallel to that is the opening of more job opportunities.

"For all, it is now the time to push progress in Zambales. Go, Zambales!," he stressed. (PNA) scs/zst/MD/ps





Comelec seeks probe into Zambales shooting between congressional bet, police

by Radyo Inquirer 990AM; INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections is seeking an investigation into the shooting incident in Botolan, Zambales involving police and supporters of Second District congressional candidate Cheryl Deloso, Radyo Inquirer 990AM said Saturday. The report quoted Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes as saying that there was a need to verify what happened because there were claims from Deloso’s camp that police were denying. Deloso’s camp claimed that it was an ambush and not a shooting incident and that they were requesting additional policemen to ensure peace during the elections. Meanwhile, 10 of Deloso’s supporters will be subjected to inquest proceedings at the Zambales Hall of Justice, the report said. Botolan’s police chief Michael Chavez said they increased the number of police personnel and soldiers to avoid a repeat of the incident and to ensure peaceful elections in the second district of Zambales.





Zambaleños ready for special election tomorrow

by Allen M. Villa


IBA, Zambales, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- With the 15-day campaign period ending yesterday, Zambales is now preparing for the final stage of the Second District Special Congressional Election with voting time to start at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

The special election was called for by Congress and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) following the death of Congressman Antonio M. Diaz in August last year due to sickness.

Almost 300,000 voters are expected to cast their votes at the different clustered precincts of the ten towns in the district and will be choosing from the five candidates namely Former Vice Governor Atty. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla of the Liberal Party, Rica Victoria Diaz-Arambulo of the Nacionalista Party, Jun Omar Ebdane of Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka and independent candidates Board Member Atty. Wilfredo “Jun” Pangan and Alfred “Al” Mendoza.

According to COMELEC Zambales Election Supervisor Atty. Elaiza Sabile-David, no election-related incidence or violation has been recorded so far save for notices served by the provincial COMELEC to some candidates with campaign materials exceeding that of the requirements set by the commission.

David said that COMELEC Commissioner Christian Robert Lim and his team are in the district since yesterday monitoring campaign rallies and expenses relative to the election.

She also announced that COMELEC Commissioner Sixto Brillantes will arrive today to personally witness the voting process, canvassing and proclamation tomorrow.

As of press time, official ballots and election returns are already being distributed to the ten towns for dispensation to the different polling precincts.

Media reporters have also started to flock the district for their election coverage which will last until proclamation tomorrow. (WLB/AMV/PIA Zambales)






Tourism Program

by Jonas Reyes


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — In an effort to boost tourism through watersports, two of the most sought after beach tourism sites in the country have teamed up to hold the Subic Bay to Boracay Race, and the four-day racing quest for the Boracay Cup.

The annual sailboat race is being supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the provincial government of Aklan in the hope of boosting the tourism scene of the two areas – Subic Bay Freeport and Boracay. The Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta will start on February 24.


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