Subic hosts ParaTriathlon Asian meet

Asia’s best paratriathletes converge on April 29 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone for the ASTC ParaTriathlon Asian Championships 2017.

Organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) under the supervision of technical officials of the ITU and the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC), the event has attracted close to 50 participants from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, and Kygyzstan.

The Philippines will be led by Sixto Ducay and the blind siblings Jerome and Joshua Nelmida.

The technical delegate in the race is Koji Koganezawa while Daniel Sng of Singapore is the referee.

The race, supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Subic Travelers Hotel, ASTC, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, and Gatorade, will start at the ACEA Beach Resort for the 750 meter swim followed by 18 kilometer biking reaching up to Argonaut Highway and 5 kilometers running along San Bernardo Road finishing near ACEA.

At stake for the Top 3 winners of the paratriathlon categories of PT1, PT2, PT3, PT4 and PT5 are qualifying points to the World ParaTriathlon Championships, specially designed medals and winners’ t-shirts. The awarding ceremony will take place at 5PM at the finish line area and will be graced by Asian Triathlon Confederation president Justin Park and PHILSPADA president Mike Barredo (Manila Bulletin)

http://sports.mb.com.ph/2017/04/03/subic-hosts-paratriathlon-asian-meet/

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Subic Freeport gears up for holy week events

Honoring tradition, this premier Freeport is gearing up for the most solemn Catholic event, the Holy Week.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Atty. Wilma T. Eisma unveiled the agency’s plans for the upcoming Holy Week events yesterday, showing that this Freeport is not without observance of its religious traditions.

The start of the Holy Week will be welcomed with the Reenactment of Jesus Christ Entering Jerusalem at the San Roque Chapel, the oldest chapel in the area. This day’s event will culminate with the Blessing of the Palm on April 9, Palm Sunday.

Eisma said that aside from the event in San Roque Chapel, there will also be another reenactment in Holy Land, where a priest presiding in the mass will ride a donkey towards the chapel there. There will also be an animal parade at the religious theme park as mass goers will be able to interact with two camels, two donkeys, sheep, horses and ponies.

“On April 10 and 11, a ‘Pabasa’ will be held also in San Roque Chapel. And on Wednesday, a procession will be held at the San Roque Chapel, while the Boardwalk area will have food and specialty shops, with entertainment from local bands and DJs to liven up the place,” Eisma said.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet and the Reenactment of the Last Supper will be held at the San Roque Chapel. Tourists will be able to visit the chapel as part of the Visita Iglesia tradition on Maundy Thursday.

Good Friday events will include Private Station of the Cross at the San Roque Chapel, Guided Way of the Cross Meditation at the Holy Land, and a stage play of “The Passion and Death of Jesus” at the Boardwalk area.

Part of the Black Saturday events is the Black Saturday Concert at the Boardwalk area, and an Easter Vigil Mass will be held at the San Roque Chapel. The mass will include the Blessing of Paschal Candle, Blessing of Fire and Blessing of Water.

“And on Easter Sunday, we will have the ‘Salubong’ procession and an Easter Egg Hunt at the San Roque Chapel grounds. The ‘Salubong’ procession will be held at the Dewey Avenue as the Risen Christ and Mary Dolorosa will meet up at the San Roque Chapel,” Eisma said.

Eisma also said that these events are part of the SBMA’s thrust to show that the agency honor religious Filipino traditions and would like to make this an opportunity to get families closer while in Subic Bay Freeport. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Holy Week 2017 schedule of activities to be held in various locations at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

[2] Schedule of activities for this year's Holy Week at the Holy Land

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SBMA intensifies cooperation with BOC to curb smuggling outside the Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is intensifying its cooperation with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to guard against the smuggling of goods outside the Freeport’s borders.

“The SBMA is very vigilant about cases like this and we are closely working with the BOC to ensure that Subic Bay’s tax-free regime is not being used and abused in attempts to smuggle out goods from the Freeport,” SBMA Administrator Wilma Amy T. Eisma said.

At the same time, Eisma denied reports of rice smuggling in the Freeport, saying the agency will not allow any rice shipment to even enter Subic Bay waters under SBMA jurisdiction without a permit from the National Food Authority (NFA).

She said that before any rice shipment or any cargo comes into the Freeport, these should first undergo strict evaluation by the SBMA.

The SBMA Administrator was responding to information reportedly received by Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol that Subic Bay Freeport is being used as an entry port to smuggle rice inside the country.

“Tinatanong muna namin kung may permiso yan sa NFA. Kung walang permiso, wag na kayong dumaong,” Eisma said in a radio interview.

Furthermore, she added that apart from it being a regulated product, rice is usually shipped as bulk cargo and it is only when it reaches the pier that the grains are packed in sacks thereat, making it difficult for someone to hide the shipment.

Eisma clarified that the task of guarding against smuggling is not solely on SBMA’s shoulders, but more so, it is the responsibility of the customs bureau.

“Under the law, one can pretty much bring anything into the Freeport for as long as it is not illegal. The important thing is that these goods should not be brought out of the Freeport without paying the proper duties and taxes,” she said.

“Ang pagbabantay po ng pagbabayad ng buwis ay nasa Bureau of Customs, kaya po dalawa na po kaming nagbabantay,” Eisma said. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

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USS Fitzgerald in brief call at Subic port

THE Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrived on Friday in Subic Bay for a brief port call and minor repairs.

The United States Embassy in Manila said the brief port call highlights the strong community and military connections between the Philippines and the US.

The USS Fitzgerald arriving in Subic Bay Freeport

According to the Embassy, the ship’s crew will use the stop to conduct some minor repairs with the assistance of Philippine companies.

The US and Philippines continue to build upon their 70-year history of partnership through defense cooperation, port visits, and military training activities.

Both American and Philippine militaries have worked together on areas of mutual interest including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter terrorism, cyber security, and maritime security.

USS Fitzgerald is forward-deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/uss-fitzgerald-brief-call-subic-port/320460/

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China’s JOVO prepares ship-to-ship cargo handling in Subic Bay

All is set for China’s leading clean energy service provider JOVO Group Company Ltd. Guangdong to commence its ship-to-ship (STS) operations here for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The STS transfer operations involve mother vessels loaded with LNG which were transferred to vessels before shipping to ports of China.

A petroleum carrier that transports Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LNG) through ship-to-ship transfer

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma said that the SBMA Board of Directors recently approved the STS operations of JOVO in Subic Bay and preparations for the maiden voyage tentatively scheduled on the third week of April is in the progress.

“We are expecting more STS operators to use Subic Bay as their hub. Because it is more cost-effective due to its strategic location,” Eisma said.

SBMA Seaport General Manager Jerome Martinez said JOVO will bring LNG to the Philippines from Australia and Indonesia using a 94,000-ton mother vessel. While anchored, it will be transferred to smaller 47,000-tonnage feeder vessels and bring them to China.

In terms of revenue, it is expected that the Port of Subic will earn $500,000 from services, including tug boat services, port services and anchorage, chandlers, bunkering and food supplies.

Aside from JOVO, Martinez said that three more ship-to-ship service providers have expressed keen interest to operate in Subic Bay.

“There are actually four proponents of ship-to-ship operations that submitted letters of intent to operate here in Subic Bay,” Martinez said.

“They already presented their proposals to a committee, headed by SBMA director Cecille Bitare, which evaluates STS proposals prior to approval of the board,” Martinez added. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


Read also: China’s Jovo to start ship-to-ship cargo handling in Subic

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Japan's largest naval ship to visit Subic Bay in June

Helicopter carrier JS Izumo, one of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s largest vessels, will pay a visit to the Philippines this coming June.

“The JS Izumo, the largest of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s vessel, will be visiting Subic Bay, Philippines this coming June and we’re looking forward to that visit,” Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said after the turnover ceremony of the two Beechcraft King Air TC-90 aircraft in Sangley Point, Cavite on Monday.

Japan's helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183)

Mercado said the PN was still planning possible events with the Japanese ship and personnel.

“We are still planning whatever activities that we are going to have with them, but definitely they are going to allow the visit by some of our troops to have an idea of that particular vessel,” Mercado aid.

He also said that he was able to board the ship during a recent visit to Japan.

The construction of the JS Izumo began in 2011 at an IHI Marine United shipyard in Yokohama, with 113.9 billion yen (USD1.5 billion)funds set aside in 2010 budget.

Ships of this class were initially intended to replace the two ships of the Shirane class, which were originally scheduled to begin decommissioning in 2014.

JS Izumo, weighing 27,000 long tons and measuring 248 meters long, is the largest Japanese naval vessel since World War II.

She was laid down on Jan. 27, 2012 and launched on Aug. 6, 2013. The ship began sea trials on Sept. 29, 2014 and was commissioned on March 25, 2015. (Priam Nepumuceno, PNA)

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24th Subic Bay Int'l Triathlon lures record field

Nostalgia has gripped the country’s triathlon community in the run-up to the NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon slated at Subic Bay Freeport Zone on April 29 and 30.

With its hash tag #balikSubit, the country’s premier standard triathlon celebrating its 24th edition (longest running event in Subic Bay) has already over 800 entries in its registry book.

All out to spoil the Filipino triathletes’ trip are their counterparts from the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Korea, India, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and Singapore.

Top finishing elite athletes earn points towards qualifying for the ITU World Triathlon Championships as SUBIT is a leg of the Asia Cup series under the aegis of Asian Triathlon Confederation.

SUBIT also serves as big test for the seven Filipino SEA Games hopefuls before the Asian Triathlon Championships in July. (Philippines copped the two gold medals staked in the last SEA Games.)

List-up for the SUBIT with SBMA, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Finis, Century Tuna, Philippine Star, Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Cablelink, The Lighthouse Marina Resort and ACEA Subic Bay as major sponsors ends on April 1.

Ramon Marchan, president of the organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines, said, “The response to our campaign to return to the root of international triathlons in the Philippines is, indeed, heartwarming that we have to deny entries three weeks before SUBIT.”

Coming in as minor sponsors are Subictel, Foton, PTT, Moonbay Marina The Villas and Asian Center for Insulation, Subic Bay Traveler’s Hotel is the official hotel; Subic Holiday Villas and Subic International Hotel are partner hotels.

Complementing the press and broadcast coverage are media partners: Raceday Triathlon, SBR.ph, Trilife Magazine and AsiaTRI.com.

Interested parties may visit TRAP’s website: www.triathlon.org.ph. or Facebook pages https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil/ and https://www.facebook.com/ITUSubit/.

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LOOK: Binibining Pilipinas 2017 candidates in Subic Bay

The stunning candidates of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant 2017 held their swimsuit photoshoot at the Camayan Beach Resort, and also had their workshop activities at the facilities of Ocean Adventure.

The swimsuit photoshoot and workshop activities gave the Binibining Pilipinas candidates a chance to bond with each other, and prepare for upcoming events in their busy calendar, which will culminate in the Grand Coronation at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 30.

Bb. Pilipinas candidates also got the chance to interact with Dakila, one of the stars of the Sea Lion Marine Patrol show at Ocean Adventure. Dakila, a South American Sea Lion born at Ocean Adventure, gamely posed with the Binibining Pilipinas candidates for a photo op that everyone enjoyed.

According to event organizers, this year’s roster of candidates consists of local pageant winners, degree holders from top schools, honor graduates, artists, sports and fashion enthusiasts, and working professionals who excel in their respective fields.

Representing various provinces in the country, the official candidates bested hundreds of aspirants that went through rigorous screenings and interviews in January.

Check out Ocean Adventure's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oceanadventuresubicbay/

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LOOK: SBMA, farmers and barangay leaders celebrate World Water Day

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), in cooperation with barangay officials and local farmers celebrated the annual World Water Day on Wednesday, March 22 with a river clean-up and a water project for the people of Bangal in Dinalupihan, Bataan.

This year's celebration carries the theme "Why Waste Water?" which focuses on taking action for issues in saving and reusing water which is vital resource for millions of people worldwide.

Barangay officials, members of the Bangal Farmers Association and SBMA Ecology Center Social Development Division staff conduct a clean-up drive along the river banks of Bangal, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Leaders of the local farmers association, barangay officials and SBMA Ecology Center Social Development Division staff applaud after inaugurating a community water project in Barangay Bangal, Dinalupihan, Bataan, coinciding with World Water Day.

Barangay Councilor Arthur Quarto gives a thumbs up sign as leaders of the local farmers association and residents fill up their water containers from the newly inaugurated community water project in Barangay Bangal, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

(AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Proposed Subic-Clark Railway project listed in forthcoming PHL-Japan trade, infrastructure talks

The Philippines and Japan are set to begin a new round of discussions on trade and infrastructure late this month, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

The high-level meeting, which will take place in Tokyo, is part of the commitments of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he visited the country in January.

The Subic-Clark Railway Project is part of the #BuildBuildBuild program of the Duterte Administration

Neda Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said the discussions will include finalizing the projects to be funded by the Japanese government.

One infrastructure project that could be discussed in the meeting is the hotly contested Subic-Clark Railway project, which is being eyed for funding by both the Chinese and Japanese governments.

The P35.044 billion worth project involves the construction of a 65-kilometer cargo and passenger standard gauge railway.

Envisioned to be a “speed train”, the project will traverse the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Subic Freeport Expressway.

“The project will connect Subic to the major economic hubs in Central Luzon. The project can decongest Metro Manila by transferring portions of business activity to Clark and Subic,” the Neda documents stated.

On the trade side, it is known that the Philippines has a bilateral trade agreement with Japan, the Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa).

The Jpepa agreement was signed in Helsinki in 2006 and was ratified by the Philippine Senate in 2008.

In 2015 the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the Philippines is seeking to bring down tariffs for sugar once a review of the Jpepa begins.

Based on figures from Japan Customs, tariffs for cane sugar range from 18.9 percent to 26 percent.

Agriculture Undersecretary Segredo R. Serrano said the Philippine government is also asking Japan to lower tariff for other agricultural products, such as processed food, fish products and tropical fruits, including bananas, mangoes and pineapples.

In 2007 the DA estimated that the Philippines would earn some $419 million in potential revenues from farm exports under the Jpepa. The department said the amount represents the tariff cuts due that will be implemented under the free-trade scheme. (Cai Ordinario, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/proposed-subic-clark-railway-project-listed-in-forthcoming-phl-japan-trade-infrastructure-talks/

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Port of Subic helps Customs top February collection target

The continued oil shipments coming in the Port of Subic provided some saving grace in the sluggish collections of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for its actual revenues amounting to P1.41 billion last month.

While the other billionaire ports floundered and failed, the Port of Subic performed beyond expectations, exceeding its February target of P1.35 billion by P60 million, an initial data culled from BOC showed.

“We have regular importations of oil and heavy equipments. The big percentage of our revenues come from the importation of these goods,” Subic port collector Carmelia “Mimel” Talusan, who consistently hit her targets since she assumed in November last year, told Manila Bulletin.

The top tax-paying oil firms in Subic include PTT Philippines Corp., Cebu Air, Inc., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., and Total Philippines Corp., among others.

The same collection report indicated the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Port of Davao were the other biggest gainers in terms of revenue collection during the period.

NAIA collected P2.350 billion as against its target of P2.032 billion or an excess of P318 million while Davao registered a surplus of P129 million for its P1.134-billion collection, higher than its revenue goal of P1.005 billion.

These three ports, quite notably, are the survivors of revenue shortfalls in February. The others were smaller ports such as San Fernando, Legazpi, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro.

They outperformed the ports that are traditionally cash cows of the BOC, which have been severely affected by the Chinese New Year.

Revenue collections in BOC have been comparatively dismal in February due to the Chinese holiday as most businessmen and importers traditionally scale down their importations.

But for Talusan, the Chinese New Year has no effect to the oil importations in Subic Port.

“We are affected by the decrease of importations if it is December. In December, they are doing inventories already and they are checking all of their supplies,” she noted.

Unlike Subic, the sluggish volume in importations was evident in the Manila ports.

The Manila International Container Port and the Port of Manila, which are traditional big revenue earners, contributed a combined deficit of more than P2 billion last month.

The MICP posted the highest deficit, registering a shortfall of P1.360 billion for its P9.313-billion collections, short to meet its revenue target of P10.673 billion. (Raymund F. Antonio, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
Tankers docked at the Pol Pier of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone where the oil tank facility of the Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corporation is located.

http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/03/14/port-of-subic-helps-customs-top-february-collection-target/

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SBMA officials, employees asked to practice virtue of "malasakit"

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Atty. Wilma Eisma called on employees and officials alike to practice the virtue of malasakit.

“Keeping our surroundings clean by being responsible for our trash and keeping it where it should be is one way to show malasakit,” Eisma said.

“Let us give our Subic Bay Freeport the malasakit it deserves. And I also hope that wherever we go, let us show other people that employees of the SBMA are instilled with malasakit, excellence and passion,” she added.

Malasakit is one of the virtues being instilled by the agency to its employees.

Late last month, SBMA officials and employees from the departments of Land Asset Management, Ecology, Law Enforcement, Office Services, General Business and Investment, and Maintenance and Transportation have taken their initiative to clean the surroundings of the Golden Dragon Terminal that has become an eye sore.

The team trimmed the trees, cleaned an abandoned guard house filled with waste materials, and cleared the scattered filth around the area, like used plastic bottles, soiled plastic bags, old tires, concrete pipes, debris, among many others.

Then, the team placed signage informing everybody to keep the area clean.

She also called on the Ecology Center to make the Freeport clean and green by spearheading clean and green initiatives, such as serving tap water, instead of bottled water, during meetings, keeping the surroundings clean of trash and imposing strict laws against litterers.

Just recently, the Procurement and Property Management Department (PPMD) held its clean-up drive at the Malawaan Park. (NBM/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Employees of the SBMA Procurement and Property Management Department did their share in cleaning the picnic grounds of the Malawaan Park in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (Iryn Llacuna)


MORE PHOTOS, MORE CLEANUP DRIVES:

Because it's our home: SBMA's regular clean-up of Subic Bay Freeport's environs, this time along Canal road and its mangrove area Saturday morning (April 1) by the Public Relations Department led by Ms. Armie Llamas, together with RP Energy and refuse picker groups and joined in by SBMA Administrator Wilma Amy Eisma! (PRD-SBMA)

Law Enforcement Department (LED) personnel set aside their batons and whistles to take part in an early morning clean-up drive Thursday (April 7) near their headquarters as Subic Bay Freeport expects the influx of tourists next week. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

BRINGING THE VIRTUE OF "MALASAKIT" TO THE FREEPORT'S ADJOINING COMMUNITIES: Heeding the call of the SBMA leadership for a cleaner environment, the SBMA Ecology Department Social Development Division joins members of Bangal Farmers Association, PNP-SAF officers and Petron-Subic Corp. employees in a clean-up drive last April 3 along the river banks of Barangay Bangal, in Dinalupihan Bataan. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

The SBMA Legal Affairs Group hit the streets of Subic Bay Freeport for a clean-up drive as part of the agency's campaign to promote the value of malasakit in keeping our HOME clean and green. The Legal Affairs Group is composed of the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs, the Legal and Labor Departments. (photos from Randy Escolango's Facebook page)

The Manufacturing and Maritime Business Division (MMBD) of the Business and Investment Group gave their share of #malasakit as they swept clean an area along Sta. Rita Road in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. As they say, "Hindi hadlang ang bilang ng tao sa paglilinis ng kapaligiran!" Kudos MMBD! (photos from Karen Guillermo's FB page)

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Wild stages epic comeback to win Subic Ironman race

SUBIC BAY - For the second straight year, Australian three-time world champion Crowie Alexander got the better of Tim Reed in the Century Tuna 70.3 Ironman race.

However, none of that mattered here Sunday, as a wild finish stripped Alexander of his title.

Switzerland's Ruedi Wild set up an epic comeback in the final third of the race to win the 2017 edition of the Century Tuna-sponsored event.

Behind by almost two minutes at the end of the 90-kilometer bicycle course, the Swiss Olympian pushed through in the last 21-kilometer run, crossing the finish line after 3 hours, 48 minutes, and 24 seconds.

It was 33 seconds better than Alexander's 3-hour, 48-minute, and 57-second effort as the Aussie's bid for back-to-back titles came to a not so pleasant end.

Reed, second in 2016 to Alexander, dropped to third after crossing the finish line less than two minutes after Wild. His official time was 3 hours, 50 minutes, and 17 seconds.

Sven Riederer and Kevin Collington came in seven seconds apart to finish fourth and fifth respectively.

In women's pro, Czech Republic's Radka Kahlefeldt took her revenge on 2016 champion Caroline Steffen to win the title.

Just like Wild, last year's runner up pulled away in the run portion of the three-part race before finishing with the final time of 4 hours, 22 minutes, and 13 seconds. Steffen came in over three minutes later to clock in at 4 hours, 25 minutes, and 55 seconds.

Australia's Dimity Lee Duke kept her spot at third after crossing the finish line after 4 hours, 41 minutes, and 57 seconds.

The third 70.3 Ironman race in Subic started early Sunday morning with the swimming portion taking off at ACEA Beach. Triathletes then had to go through SCTEXT all the way to Floridablanca, Pampanga for the bike course before coming back to Subic for the finish. (Paul Lintag, ABS-CBN Sports)

PHOTOS:
[1] Swiss national Ruedi Wild celebrates after crossing the finish line during the CT Ironman 70.3 triathlon held in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] WINNERS. Triathlon men's elite champ Ruedi Wild (center), shares the podium with runner-ups Alexander Craig (left) and Tim Reed after crossing the finish line during the 2017 Ironman 70.3 triathlon held in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)


http://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2017/03/12/wild-stages-epic-comeback-win-subic-ironman-race-23142

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RPEI-SBMA-PRC team trains Subic health workers on emergency response

Fifty health workers from the remote communities in the municipality of Subic, Zambales on Friday completed capability trainings on emergency response-related courses at the Travelers Hotel here.

The two-day training was sponsored by the Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RPEI) and in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the municipality of Subic and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Reynalita Santana, vice-president and External Affairs head Meralco PowerGen, said the training was specially designed for Rural Health Unit officers, Municipal Health Workers, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, who are detailed in areas that has limited access to transportation and communication.

Most of the participants came from Sitio Nagbayukan, Nagyantok, Nagtulong and Sampaloc, all coastal communities of barangay Cawag in Redondo Peninsula which are accessible only by one-hour boat ride from Subic town. Others were from barangay Matain, Calapacuan, and Pamatawan.

“They are dedicated workers who are committed to help the residents, specially the children, to be healthy and safe, though far from the access to electricity, communications or even transportation,” Santana noted.

She added that it is so even important that they receive refresher course or new knowledge that could help them familiarize and improve their skills and to apply them effectively in time of emergency.

The training included lectures and discussions on Emergency First Aid by Jeffrey Rodejo, RN, and Hazel Jane Quintero, RN, both certified instructors from the PRC; Communication Skills by Brian Bagtas, RN, of SBMA Public Health and Safety Department; and Disaster Preparedness by Jared Radovan of Baypointe Hospital.

The activity also included “Usapang Kalusugan,” a dialogue between Dr. Solomon Jacalne, head, SBMA PHSD; R. Leonardo Afable Jr., head, Subic Municipal Health Office; Mary Grace Molina and Maria Trinidad Gallardo of Subic RHU, where programs on how to improve health services in the communities and cooperation between RPE and LGUs were discussed.

RP Energy is the developer of an environment-friendly and state-of-the-art 600-MW Circulating-Fluidized-Bed coal-fired power plant in Subic.

Meanwhile, SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma lauded RP Energy for initiating the training for the community health workers of Redondo Peninsula and other remote communities in Subic.

“It is very important that residents in our coastal communities, especially those from areas where transportation and communication are lacking, have a team of trained and skillful health workers who would respond in case of emergency,” said.

She said SBMA may have the best land and sea search and rescue group, but still, educating the stakeholders on various phases of disaster, such as, response, management and rehabilitation would minimize the effect of any unwarranted situation.

She noted that SBMA, through its Fire and Law Enforcement Departments, has continuous education programs that involve students and teachers, workers and investors and residents in earthquake and fire drills.

“Being alert and knowing what to do during emergency will always keep us all safe,” she said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Fifty health workers from the remote communities in the municipality of Subic, Zambales completed the two-day capability trainings on emergency response-related courses at the Travelers’ Hotel sponsored by the Redondo Peninsula Energy (RP Energy) and in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the municipality of Subic and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Ironkids, Superbods usher in Ironman weekend in Subic Bay

THE Alaska IronKids Triathlon provided the fitting run-up to the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 as kids aged 6-to-14 slugged it out in their own version of the event—the Alaska IronKids Triathlon Saturday in Subic Bay.

14-year-old phenom Juan Baniqued has established himself as one of the Philippines' future stars in triathlon, taking care of business at the Remy field here after winning the Alaska Ironkids race, his second straight in the 13-14 age category for boys.

In the Girls 13-14 category Karen Manayon dominated the field, finishing the three-part race in 48 minutes and 27 seconds, more than a full three-minute advantage from her next competition.

In other results, Moira Frances Erediano topped the Girls 11-12 category after finishing the course in 34 minutes and 50 seconds. Alison Noble and Natzsa Lozada came in second and third respectively.

For the Boys 11-12, Zedrick James Borja won first after crossing the finish line in 33 minutes and 18 seconds, beating out Glendwyn Mariscotes and Daniel Nazarro.

Kirra Ellis won the Girls 9-10 and Michael Gabriel Lozada won the same age group in the Boys division. Over at the Girls 6-8, Kyle Enialle Toledana finished first while Gabriel Gaw won the Boys 6-8.

The Alaska Ironkids-Subic serves as the kickoff of a three-stage circuit, that includes two aquathlon on April 9 at the Manila Polo Club and June 3, also in Subic, and which culminates in the Alaska IronKids Triathlon in Mactan, Cebu in August.

All category winners are given free entry to the Cebu IronKids with free flights and accommodations, all courtesy of Alaska.

Produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and sponsored by Alaska Milk Corp., the Alaska IronKids is the junior version of the Ironman. It is also held to promote a well-balanced lifestyle for kids and at the same time serving as a perfect venue for family bonding.

Also on tap was the Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run, providing the sizzler of an appetizer to the much-awaited Ironman 70.3 tomorrow (Sunday).

The side-event features the country’s Superbods finalists, running alongside the fancied names of the sport. It started 9:30 a.m. at the Subic Yacht Club and pass through a scenic route along the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Inspired by the tradition at Kona, home of the renowned Ironman World Championship, Century Tuna is staging Superbods Underpants Run for the third straight year. It is also open to all participants of this year’s Ironman 70.3 as part of Century Tuna’s commitment to promote a fun local tradition that also gives back to the community.

Meanwhile, the Century Tuna Iron 70.3 Subic Bay, presented by Century Bangus, Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board and organized and produced by Sunrise Events, Inc., will feature a stellar field, led by defending champions Craig Alexander of Australia and Swiss Caroline Steffen.

The premier triathlon event is also sponsored by 2Go Express (official courier and logistics partner), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (venue partner), Acea Subic Bay (host hotel), Manila North Tollways Corp. (bike course partner), Gatorade (official sports drink), Saucony (official footwear and apparel partner) and TYR (official swim cap partner).

It is also backed by media partners The Philippine Star, Hyper HD on Cignal, TriLife, Asiatri.com and Finisher Pix and supported by Alaska, David’s Salon, GU Energy Gels, Intercare, Prudential Guarantee, Premier Water and Santé Barley and backed by marketing sponsors AlcoPlus, Cetaphil, Daylong, Devant, Froehlich Tours, Inc., Goldilocks, Omega Pro Pain Killer, PLDT Subictel, Regent Foods, Sanicare and Storck.

PHOTOS:

[1] Juan Baniqued celebrates another win in the Alaska Ironkids, his second straight in the 13-14 age group.(ABS-CBN Sports)

[2] Participants dash as they heed the starting horn during the Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run, a prelude activity for the two-day fun and action-filled Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 in Subic Bay Freeport zone. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2017/03/11/14-year-old-phenom-repeats-ironkids-champ-23088

http://www.thestandard.com.ph/sports/active/231440/ironkids-superbods-usher-in-ironman-weekend.html

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