SBMA eyes rehabilitation of Olongapo river

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is now eyeing the rehabilitation of the Kalalake River, which borders this free port and the neighboring city of Olongapo.

Atty. Severo Pastor, manager of the SBMA Labor Department, disclosed this on Saturday as the Subic authority spearheaded this month’s river clean-up project along the river from the free port’s 14th Street Gate to the Kalaklan Gate.

“Now that we have cleared the area, we are now planning to plant ornamental trees there, especially in those areas near the Harbor Point Mall and the Volunteers Park, since these places are being frequented by visitors,” Pastor said.

“We hope that by planting trees along riverbanks, we could help rehabilitate the river, which used to be the lifeblood of the fishing community that once thrived in Olongapo,” Pastor said.

As part of the continuing river clean-up program, the SBMA is planning to build floating platforms in the river that community volunteers can use during clean-up activities.

Pastor said that his office has already coordinated with the five barangays located along the winding Kalalake River for the proposed clean-up platforms.

Beginning November last year, the SBMA Labor Department has conducted monthly river clean-ups with the help of volunteers from Freeport locator-companies, schools and barangays in Olongapo City, as well as with various SBMA departments.

“In exchange for their help, the SBMA is providing livelihood projects for Olongapo residents, as well as scholarships for dual training in computer hardware and electronics for their children,” Pastor shared.

The SBMA official said they wanted the Subic Bay Freeport “to look good not just inside the fenced-in area, but also outside it.”

Pastor added that under the administration of Chairman Roberto Garcia, the SBMA has intensified its program to protect and conserve the local environment and encouraged neighboring communities to join eco-tourism projects.

“We wanted to give visitors a good first impression of Subic Bay and Olongapo City,” Pastor stressed. “These two neighboring areas, anyway, have shared the same aspirations and the same desire for progress all through the years.” (FMD-MPD/SBMA)


PHOTOS:
Volunteers from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, locator-companies in the Subic Bay Freeport, and barangays and schools in Olongapo City scour the riverside for garbage during a clean-up project last Saturday.

Read More

Hong Kong, Singapore top int’l table tennis open in Subic

Hong Kong and Singapore emerged as victors in the men’s and women’s singles events in the recently concluded GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Philippine Open held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Hong Kong’s Ho Kwan Kit defeated Singapore’s top- seeded Zhan Jian four sets to two (9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10) after overcoming third-seed Yang Zi, also from Singapore in the semi-finals.

Ho became the second player from Hong Kong to win an ITTF World Tour men’s singles title after Jiang Tianyi, who won the 2008 men’s singles title at the Brazilian Open in Belo Horizonte.

The 17-year old surprised everyone since Ho did not even place in the main draw, and was previously defeated by India’s Harmeet Desai during the qualification proceedings in Spain earlier this year.

"This competition was very tough. I did not have any expectations or baggage coming into the event, which helped; I had a lot of luck to win,” said Ho.

“At the beginning of the competition, it did not even go through my head that I could win the event. My plan was just to try my best in each match and see what happened,” he added.

In the women’s singles event, Singapore’s Feng Tianwei beat third-seed Elizabeta Samara from Romania, four sets to one (11-8, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3, 13-11).

Feng, a bronze medalist in the 2012 London Olympics, outplayed Riyo Nemoto during the semi-finals.

Winning her first World Tour title since 2011, Feng said that her journey to the top was not that easy.

“It was a tough finals. I felt tired as I have been playing quite a fair bit of matches, including during the World Championships in Tokyo. Also, my knee is slightly injured,” Feng said, adding that she is hoping to win her next challenge in Australia next week.

In the Under 21 events, Singapore dominated the finals as Chen Feng defeated Wu Shikang in the boys’ singles event, four sets to two (11-7,11-4,13-11,11-13,3-11,11-9) while Lin Ye outclassed Zhou Yihan, four sets to one (11-6,11-5,12-10,9-11,13-11). (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA deputy administrator for business and tourism Ruel John Kabigting (right) awards trophy and check to Ho Kwan Kit of Hong Kong, who topped the men’s singles category of the GAC 2014 International Table Tennis Tour Challenge - Philippine Open held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center over the weekend. Looking on is runner-up Zhan Jian of Singapore.

Read More

New shuttle service to ship boxes from Manila to Subic

A NEW service that will ship containers from Manila to Subic and vice versa could start operating in June.

The Subic Super Shuttle service will act as a common feeder for shipping lines serving locators and shippers in and around Northern Luzon.

“Since we cannot get [liner] connections directly from Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia, the Subic Super Shuttle will get cargoes from Manila and bring them to Subic,” Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) General Manager Reimond Silvestre told PortCalls at the sidelines of the Transport Summit 2014. The summit was organized by the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association and PortCalls.

“The Subic Super Shuttle is just a catalyst so that feeder vessels calling Manila will look at the Subic Port and see that they can do a direct call to Subic instead of discharging their cargoes in Manila,” he said, noting that as a catalyst service it may run for two years at the longest.

By then, shipping lines and shippers would have established the volume coming in and out of the area, possibly justifying the introduction of additional direct international liner services to and from Subic.

“The cargo is there. We’re just waiting for everybody in Northern Luzon to understand that they can use the Port of Subic,” he said.

While there seems to be a growing momentum to seriously consider Subic and also Batangas as alternative ports to Manila because of the effects of the Manila truck ban, the constant issue among shippers is the lack of shipping lines directly calling the areas.

To date there are only three international carriers directly calling Subic-NYK, APL and Swire Shipping.

Silvestre said the proposed shuttle service will use a 190 twenty-foot equivalent unit vessel which will call the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT)-Subic route three times a week.

MICT is operated by International Container Terminal Services Inc., the mother company of SBITC.

The shuttle service, Silvestre said, is a joint venture between Subic Super Shuttle Inc. and “a few companies” that SBITC supports, and is still subject to regulatory requirements from the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Ports Authority and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Asked if there are potential clients for the service, the SBITC executive replied, “When we started discussing this with a few key potential clients in Clark and Subic, we were only looking at big industrial players and big container generators in Northern Luzon.”

Nestlé is “committing their volume, Yokohama as well together with the Japanese accounts in Northern Luzon.

“In terms of costs, it will be competitive for them to realize that Subic can be their final destination point instead of Manila.”

As for other shipping lines, Silvestre said, “There are several interested but their issue is container imbalance”, which is why there is a “need for a common vessel service to solve that issue.”

There are also plans to put up an inland container depot somewhere in Bulacan to address the problem of where to store empty containers.

Silvestre noted there has been a 21-percent increase in volume at Subic Port this year.

Yokohama has increased its boxes out of Subic and so has Phillip Morris, he said. (www.portcalls.com)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/32286-new-shuttle-service-to-ship-boxes-from-manila-to-subic

Read More

Espinosa, Salamat lead bike winners

VETERAN Cebuano rider Ramonito Espinosa dominated the first two stages to boost his drive for the overall individual title in Category 2 in the Bike United Tour of Subic 2014 that stated last Saturday at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Defending women’s champion Marella Vania Salamat of Franzia seems headed for a run-away victory in the distaff side even as Fitness First is in the lead in the Team classification in this two-day bikefest organized by Bike King headed by Raul Cuevas.

The event is supported by Unilab Active Health, Aboitiz, Subic Holiday Villas, AbotizPower, Orbea, Pocari Sweat, Crystal Clear Purified Water, Shimano, OtterBox, Maxxis Tires and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority-Tourism Department.

A total of 250 cyclists, including 37 females, are taking part this year with the 36-year-old Espinosa showing his impressive form by topping the 20-k Individual Time Trial and the 60-k road race.

Action opened early Saturday morning with Espinosa negotiating the ITT race in 28 minutes and 56 seconds to spoil the challenge posted by three Fitness First riders Jeremy Ponting (28:58), Mark Ellis (29:19) and Luis Gabino Urrutia (29:20) who settled the next three spots.

Stage 2 was disputed late afternoon of the same day and Espinosa showed legs of steel as he managed to keep pace with three other riders, that included Joey De Los Reyes of Bike King, that went on to finish the race with identical clocking of 2:00:39. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/05/19/espinosa-salamat-lead-bike-winners/

Read More

Philippine team battles foreign competition in Subic table tennis open

Fresh from their successful campaign in the 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, five male and four female players from the country’s national team are battling it out in the ongoing GAC-ITTF Philippine Open Challenge at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Among the talents in the Philippine Team’s roster is Richard Gonzales, who won a bronze medal in the last Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Team coach Noel Gonzales said the tournament provides great exposure to the players as they are set against better-skilled players from 14 different countries.

“Coming in from another international tournament is an advantage. Plus, since our previous tournament is also sanctioned by the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation), I think what we earned in Japan will have a bearing here,” he said.

He proudly shared that the women’s team swept its group and won the championship during their competition in Japan.

Gonzales added that the Philippines is making history with the hosting of an ITTF tournament here in Subic, which he described as “the most suitable venue” in the country.

“This is the biggest international table tennis tournament to be held here in the Philippines, the first of its kind, so it gives people the impression that we can host this kind of events,” he said.

“I’ve been to many places in Europe and Asia for tournaments, and I must say that the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) provided us with a world-class venue,” Gonzales said.

“We have heard from people who also do sporting events here, and all we hear are nothing but praises about Subic,” he added.

Atty. Ruel John Kabigting, SBMA deputy administrator for business and tourism, said that hosting the GAC-ITTF Philippine Open Challenge Series right after hosting the Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014 has been a welcome challenge for the agency.

“Being able to host two big events just days in between really makes the Subic Freeport a top venue choice, whether for sports or conferences,” Kabigting said. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Sendrina Balatbat of the Philippines outwits Riri Audyra of Indonesia to win a match in the women’s individual category in the ongoing GAC-ITTF Philippine Open Challenge hosted by the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (Tatap) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Read More

240 cyclists vie in tour of Subic

A huge field of 240 cyclists and sports club members from around the nation braces for a full weekend of cycling action and scenic views as the Bike United Tour of Subic fires tomorrow at 7 a.m. at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Participants will be classified into three categories with category 2 comprising advanced riders who performed well in previous Bike King races. Intermediate participants who have been active during the past 1-2 years fall under category 3 while the novice riders are grouped in category 4. Female riders will have a separate category.

Organized by Bike King, headed by Raul Cuevas, the first day action will have Stage 1, a 20-kilometer individual time trial (ITT), which starts at 7 a.m., along the Argonaut Highway with turnaround points near the New Container Terminal and near Zambales Highway before concluding at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., Stage 2 will fire off participants of the 60 km road race and will go around farther the Freeport (Zambales Highway and Appari Road included) and finish at 4 p.m.

The final day of the race at 6 a.m. covers the Freeport and portions of Bataan through Morong past the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

Gift items and specially designed trophies-medals await the top three winners of each category as well as winners of the individual general classification (stages 1, 2 and 3) for categories 2 and 3 and female and the team general classification category. The awarding ceremony will be held at the Subic Holiday Villas on Sunday, at 11 a.m.

The event is sponsored by Unilab Active Health, Aboitiz, Subic Holiday Villas, AboitizPower, Orbea, Pocari Sweat, Crystal Clear Purified Water, Shimano, OtterBox, Maxxis Tires and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2014/05/16/1323765/240-cyclists-vie-tour-subic

Read More

Trans-Asia acquires Subic power plant

MANILA, Philippines - Trans-Asia Power Generation Corp. (TAPGC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. of the Phinma Group, has acquired One Subic Power Generation Corp., a power generation company that operates a diesel power plant in Subic Bay.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Trans-Asia said it has bought the entire outstanding stock of One Subic from Udenna Energy Corp.

“The acquisition of One Subic adds to Trans Asia’s growing generation portfolio, which already includes Trans-Asia’s diesel power plants in Norzagaray, Bulacan, Bacnotan, La Union and Guimaras; the Maibarara Geothermal plant, a portion of the Sem-Calaca power plant, and a 40-megawatt capacity from the Unified Leyte geothermal facilities,” Trans-Asia said.

In all, Trans-Asia Power will acquire a total of 200 million shares at P2.45 per share for a total cost of P490 million.

Trans-Asia is also constructing a 52-MW wind farm in San Lorenzo, Guimaras and a 135-MW coal power plant in Calaca, Batangas through South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp., a 50-50 joint venture with AC Energy Holdings, Inc., the energy subsidiary of Ayala Corp.

One Subic is the lessee and operator of the 116-MW diesel power plant located at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Moving forward, Trans-Asia said it intends to double its power capacity to 400 MW in the next few years.

Trans-Asia has various investments in the energy sector. The company has power generation businesses by itself and through South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp., Trans-Asia Power Generation Corp. and CIP II Power Corp.

Trans-Asia is also involved in renewable energy development via, Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corp. and Maibarara Geothermal Inc., as well as in electricity supply as a licensed retail electricity supplier and a licensed wholesale Aggregator.

The company said it is aiming to double its power capacity to 400 MW in the next few years upon completion of a new 135-MW clean coal power plant in Calaca, Batangas in partnership with the Ayala Group, an integrated 20-MW geothermal project in Sto. Tomas, Batangas with the Yuchengco Group and the Philippine National Oil Co., and the 54-MW Guimaras wind farm. (Iris C. Gonzales, The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/business/2014/05/14/1322723/trans-asia-acquires-subic-power-plant

Read More

Abdul, Fule secure Asian Cup slots

Former national standout John Abdul put on an impressive performance in the recent K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) to earn entry to the Asian Cup triathlon this October.

Abdul, who did not register as an elite competitor in any race over the last 12 months, topped the crowded 35-39 age-group in Subic with a time of 2 hours, 11 to secure an all-expense paid trip to the ITU Hong Kong International Triathlon.

Keshia Fule topped the female 25-29 age-group of the event sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Harbor Point, Ayala Malls, Canon, Traveler’s Hotel, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines (ACIP) , Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, and Green Triathlon to likewise obtain the same privilege.

Based on tournament rules, only non-pro, non-elite participants are qualified to win the age-grouper award and the Asian Cup triathlon trip. For this year, professionals and elite triathletes who engage in age-group competition are qualified for other age-group awards.

Other age-group winners during the tournament were (18-24), Chao Kit (18-19), Samir Hajazi (20-24), Kok Wai (male 25-29), Maris Balatibat and Chong Seak (30-34), Ani De Leon-Brown (female 35-39), Doray Ellis and Hiroshi Takei (40-44), Celma Hitalia and Mark Ellis (45-49), Elma Gabriana and Frank Lacson (50-54), Thomas Khune and Sandra Reid (55-59), and Kilhak Kunimoto (60-above). (Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/abdul-fule-secure-asian-cup-slots/

Read More

Subic community welcomes ad industry delegates

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia on Thursday warmly welcomed delegates to Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014, as the country’s biggest advertising and marketing congress formally opened at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) here.

Over 2,000 advertising and marketing practitioners arrived in Subic to attend the four-day convention organized by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As) with the theme “Age of Enlightenment.”

“This is the first of many Ad Summits to be held in Subic,” Garcia said to the cheers of the delegates. He said the SBMA would be more than willing to host the convention each time the event is held.

Garcia also enjoined the delegates to explore the Subic Bay Freeport, citing the many reasons why Subic is considered the most beautiful free port in the country.

“Subic does not only boast of having some of the cleanest beaches in the country today, but it also has a well-laid out security plan that I’m sure visitors to the Subic Bay Freeport would really appreciate,” he added.

The SBMA chair also stressed that the holding of the Ad Summit here validates the Department of Tourism’s inclusion of the Subic Bay Freeport among the top 10 tourist destinations in the country for 2013, as well as the top destination for meetings, incentives, convention and exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Central Luzon.

“Tourism is one of the very important industries of the Freeport and with the big delegation that the Ad Summit has brought today and in the next years, hopefully, Subic will always be in the tourism map,” Garcia added.

Meanwhile, congress organizers said the Ad Summit is expected to bring about changes not only in the advertising industry, but also in terms of national development.

“We assure you that the Ad Summit won’t be a typical four-day event,” said Ad Summit chair Matec Villanueva. “We will work together to empower each and every advertising and marketing professional to play a more valuable role in the society today.”

4As Phils. chairman Alex Syfu, meanwhile, said that the Ad Summit demonstrates the 4As’ desire to be the prime mover in the advertising industry and expressed hope that the delegates would be empowered and enlightened by the gathering.
- more -

The first day of the convention was jam-packed with speakers who are considered masters in the world of advertising. These included Louie Morales, chairman of Image Dimensions Inc.; Marcus Rebeschini of Y&R Asia Pacific; Sandipan Roy of ISOBAR Asia Pacific; Boy Abunda, TV host at ABS-CBN; and Dick Van Motman, chairman of Dentsu Aegis Networks/SEA.

One of the speakers, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes, inspired the delegates by relating his coaching style in the hard court to the practice of advertising and marketing.

Reyes cited the importance of trust, effort and accountability in the execution, efforts and responsibility of every player in the company, adding that great teams work with trust, as it serves as the bedrock in gaining the confidence of the people and the client. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia welcomes delegates to the Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014, as the four-day event unfolded at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on Thursday.

Read More

US nuke sub arrives in Subic Bay

A nuclear-powered submarine of the United States Navy arrived here on Friday morning for what was described by the US Embassy in Manila as a “routine port call.”

The USS Chicago (SSN 721), a Los Angeles-type fast-attack submarine, docked at the Alava Wharf here, alongside the submarine tender USNS Emory Land, which came to port days earlier.

The US Embassy said Chicago’s visit will “allow the ship to replenish supplies, as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.”

The ship is said to carry a complement of 135 officers and ratings.

The port call also “highlights the strong historic, community and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,” the Embassy statement said.

USS Chicago is part of the US Pacific Fleet’s Submarine Squadron 15 home-ported in Guam. It belongs to the 41-strong class of fast-attack submarines that form the backbone of the US Navy’s submarine force.

The ship is more than 360 feet long, displaces more than 7,000 tons when submerged, and attains an underwater speed of more than 20 knots.

Chicago, which carries Tomahawk land-attack missiles, Harpoon anti-surface ship missiles, as well as torpedoes and mines, can support “a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, and intelligence surveillance, and reconnaissance,” the embassy said.

Chicago’s visit came amid this year’s staging of the Philippines-US exercise Balikatan and just 45 days after another American underwater craft, the nuclear-powered missile-guided submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727), docked here also for re-supply and crew “liberty.”

The Michigan surfaced here on March 25 amid rising tension at the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) following the attempted blockade by Chinese coast guard ships of a Philippines resupply vessel off Ayungin Shoal, but official US statements did not correlate the two events.

Instead, the embassy said the ship’s crew visited a local school for persons with disabilities in Olongapo City, as well as a local museum “to learn more about Filipino culture and history.” (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Crewmen of the nuclear submarine USS Chicago stand on deck, as the vessel is positioned by a tugboat alongside a submarine tender at the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday. (Henry Empeño)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/31835-us-nuke-sub-arrives-in-subic-bay

Read More

Subic pushing for more shipping trade

The port of Subic is aiming to take in more containerized- and bulk-cargo shipments to help relieve congestion in Manila ports and is now offering better terms for port users in Central and Northern Luzon.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said on Monday that both the government and the business community have to consider using the Subic Bay Freeport as an alternative to Manila because it provides a decidedly comparative advantage.

“Subic is 30-percent cheaper than Manila in terms of overall costs and offers a better turnaround time so it’s more advantageous, all-in,” he said. Garcia added that the Subic advantage is more apparent now that the daytime truck ban in the city has resulted to some problems in the transportation of goods to and from Manila piers.

“From a national point of view, we really have to utilize the ports of Subic and Batangas to help decongest Manila. Inefficient transportation translates to increased costs, and these are eventually passed on to consumers,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official said a study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) had shown that of the 2.8 million containers arriving in the Port of Manila annually, some 450,000 of these go to various destinations in Central and Northern Luzon.

“So why do these shipments have to pass through Manila when Subic is nearer?” he asked.

Garcia said Subic has a total of 14 piers and wharves that can accommodate containerized and bulk shipments, including grains and petroleum products. The port also has warehouses and related logistics facilities.

He said the shipping firm Delgado Brothers is proposing to put up a “super shuttle” barge system that would bring shipments bound for Manila to Subic where they would be off-loaded, sorted and properly taxed.

This pass-through scheme, Garcia said, would enable shippers to off-load cargoes faster since the barging from Manila to Subic would just take four hours.

As of now, Garcia said a lot of big players, especially exporters with shipping deadlines, are looking at Subic to see how they can ship their cargoes here.

Among those recently shifting shipment through the Subic Freeport is Yokohama Tires Philippines Inc., an export-manufacturer based in nearby Clark Freeport.

Aside from the SBMA, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a government agency overseeing the development of former military bases in the country, and the private sector-led Export Development Council (EDC), have been pushing for the diversion of cargo traffic to Subic and the Port of Batangas.

In March EDC Vice Chairman Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the Port of Manila is “operating beyond its capacity” and called for the diversion of foreign cargo to ports outside Manila.

In December 2012 the BCDA also endorsed JICA’s policy mix to decongest port and road traffic in Manila by diverting some shipment to the underutilized Subic and Batangas ports. ( Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/31781-subic-pushing-for-more-shipping-trade

Read More

Ad Summit Pilipinas gets underway in Subic Freeport

Ad Summit Pilipinas, the advertising industry’s biggest event in the country this year, officially kicked off here on Wednesday with a trade exhibit at Central Luzon’s grandest event venue, the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia, Ad Summit chairman Matec Villanueva, and Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies-Philippines (4As-P) chairman Alex Syfu led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the trade exhibit.

Garcia welcomed Ad Summit guests and participants during the opening program, and said that the SBMA team worked very hard to ensure the success of the event.

Villanueva, on the other hand, complimented the SBMA and added that choosing Subic as the venue for the first Ad Summit was only fitting for the advertising industry. “We have chosen the most beautiful free port in the Philippines as the location for an event by the most beautiful industry in the country,” she said.

Villanueva also said that the Ad Summit is the culmination of their months-long preparation and that they are very happy that it is finally happening.

“We assure you that the Ad Summit won’t be a typical four-day event. We will all work together to empower each and every advertising and marketing professional to play a more valuable role in the society today,” she added.

Ad Summit Pilipinas, which is scheduled to begin plenary sessions on May 8, is expected to draw over 2,000 advertising and marketing practitioners who are set to gain insights on the ever-changing landscape of the local and global creative scene.

The Summit will also hold the Kidlat Awards on May 10 to recognize the best creative advertising work during the past year. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia welcomes delegates to the Ad Summit Pilipinas by turning over a symbolic key to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to Ad Summit chairperson Matec Villanueva. The four-day convention is touted to be the biggest event this year in the country’s advertising industry.

Read More

USS Chicago to arrive in Subic Bay

THE USS Chicago (SSN-721), a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, will be arriving at Subic Bay, Zambales on Friday, May 9, for a routine port call that highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the US and the Philippines.

This visit will allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.

The USS Chicago is part of the US Pacific Fleet and is homeported in Guam.

The USS Chicago is commanded by Cmdr. Lance Thompson and crewed by approximately 135 sailors.

Measuring more than 360-feet long and weighing more than 7,000 tons when submerged, the USS Chicago is capable of supporting a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. (US Embassy Public Affairs, Manila)

Read More

DOLE slaps Hanjin subcontractor with cease and desist order

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, May 7 (PIA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office III issued Tuesday a cease and desist order (CDO) to Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation Philippines (HHIC-Phils) subcontractor Finback Corporation following an accident last week that claimed the life of one employee.

“29-year old Ryan Gacus obtained second degree burn from an explosion of a gas-hose of oxy-ethylene used while he was conducting cutting and fit-up work. He was rushed to the nearest hospital and sadly died hours later,” DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante said.

“Based on our investigation, the probable cause of the incident is due to existence of a pinhole at the middle portion of the gas-hose used in cutting works. This might have been resulted from set-up or pulling of the hose inside the work area. With such small leak from the pinhole, workers could not detect the gas leak from the tools used. In the event that he relocated/ re-positioned the tools for a more comfortable condition in finishing the task, the damage portion might have been placed near the victim. Thus upon igniting the cutting torch the hose instantly exploded at the victim resulting to burn injuries,” Agravante explained.

In a meeting with representatives of HHIC and Finback, DOLE urged them to comply with a number of requirements.

This include conduct of Basic Safety Awareness Training to 10% of the skilled workers of Finback and submission of Employer’s accident-illness report; accident/incident report with photos attached; police report; medical abstract; employment record/contract; work methodology/procedure; employee’s profile; employee safety orientation; proof of document for acknowledgement receipt of social welfare benefits, and proof of documents for salary payments and remittance for Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.

Meanwhile, DOLE is also working closely with the two companies for the provision of financial assistance and other benefits to the family of the victim. (CLJD-PIA 3)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=561399394106

Read More

TRADEX Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014

Ad Summit Pilipinas kicks things off with the opening of the Ad Summit Trade Expo. Showcasing the latest practices and technologies in advertising, the expo features booths by PLDT Home and Smart Communications, the latter displaying a new collaboration between the telecom company and broadcasting company TV5.

The opening ceremonies were attended by board members of organizer 4As, along with SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, and committee members of the Advertising Suppliers Association of the Philippines.

For more behind the scene photos, follow our Official Instagram account here: www.instagram.com/AdSummitPilipinas

https://www.facebook.com/AdSummitPH

Read More