Subic Freeport BoC, BIR post P95.34-M surplus in September

Two government collection agencies in this free port have reported a combined surplus of P95.34 million last month after posting a total collection of P760.14 million.

According to their periodical reports, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) here collected a total of P677.18 million in September while the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) came up with P82.96 million.

The combined BOC and BIR tallies represented a 14.34 per cent surplus over the total collection target of P664.8 million for September.

The reports also showed that BIR slightly surpassed its September 2012 goal by 1.21 per cent or P988,870, as well as the September 2011 collection of P72 million by 15.22 per cent or P10.96 million.

Still, BIR’s September collection is among the agency’s lowest monthly revenue record this year, which is topped by its April collection amounting to P139.43 million. The BIR recorded its biggest surplus in March when it exceeded its P111.52-million collection goal by 22.38 per cent.

The BIR also said it has surpassed its collection goal in six out of the nine months of the first three quarters this year.

Meanwhile, BoC-Subic reported a collection increase of 16.19 per cent over its September target. This meant an actual surplus of P94.35 million over this year’s September target.

The BOC-Subic's P677.18-million collection this year fell short by 1.56 per cent, or P10.73 million, when compared to the P687.91-million take in the same period last year.

According to BoC records, its August collection, so far, is the biggest monthly tally since January this year. It also represented the biggest comparative difference of 87.81 per cent, or P319.7 million, when placed against the collection record in the same period last year.

In terms of collection targets, the BoC recorded its biggest deficit so far in July when its collection fell 46.75 per cent short of its P604.13 million target. Its biggest surplus, on the other hand, was in August when its collection was 26.05 per cent more than its P542.46-million target.

BoC data also showed that the Port of Subic was among the small ports that posted some surplus even when the BOC here fell short of its target in September.

In fact, BoC-Port of Subic topped the nationwide collection performance for two months in a row by posting the biggest surplus of P141.33 million in August and P94.35 million in September.

From January to September, the Subic Bay Freeport already contributed to the national treasury a total of P5.78 billion, with P4.81 billion from the BoC and P966.49 million from the BIR. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Biggest Ore Carrier Calls In Subic

Vale SA, the iron ore producer operating the world's biggest ships, said one of them called at the port of Subic in the Philippines, extending the number receiving the vessels to seven.

The Vale Minas Gerais, with capacity to carry 400,000 metric tons of iron ore, arrived at Villaneuva port yesterday, Vale said in an e-mail today. The company is spending more than $8 billion to build and control a fleet of 35 of the carriers to lower its freight costs and better compete with Australian miners, who are closer to the biggest consuming region.

China buys about 65 percent of the world’s seaborne iron ore. Vale said in June its biggest ships were restricted from calling at the Asian country’s ports. The vessels already called at ports in Brazil, Oman, the Netherlands, Japan and Italy, the miner said today.

They have also discharged at a floating transfer station at Subic Bay in the Philippines.

JFE Steel Corp. took delivery of the cargo, the fourth steelmaker to do so from one of the so-called Valemaxes, according to Vale.

The ships are lowering transport costs for steelmakers in Asia with “advanced” negotiations with other customers and ports to use

them, Vale’s Executive Director for Ferrous and Strategy Jose Carlos Martins said in the statement.

Vale paid $4.20 a ton to hire a vessel to ship ore to China from Subic Bay, according to an Oct. 11 list of charters published by the Baltic Exchange, the London-based assessor of freight costs.

Vale declined to comment on that charter in an emailed response to questions on Oct. 16.

Rates for Capesize vessels carrying the commodity slid 1.7 percent today to $13,430 a day, according to the Baltic Exchange. The ships have less than 50 percent of the capacity of Valemaxes. Panamaxes, the biggest to navigate the Panama Canal’s locks, fell 1 percent to $7,142 a day.

Costs as measured by the Baltic Dry Index, a wider measure of raw materials freight rates, declined 1 percent to 989 points. (Bloomberg)

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PHIBLEX 2013 a mutual learning experience

Participants in the on-going RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 2013) have expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from each other during the training exercises and civic action activities held in this free port and other nearby areas.

About 3,800 military personnel from the US Marines and various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are participating in the exercises, which are held variously at the Subic Bay International Airport here; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite; Crow Valley in Tarlac; Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and the Naval Education Training Center in San Antonio, Zambales.

PHIBLEX participants also conducted four community health engagement (CHE) projects, as well as several Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP construction projects in Zambales and Palawan.

Lt. Taylor Clarke from the US Marines said that they are very happy about gaining new experiences by observing each other’s practices and techniques.

“We’re here to learn from each other and we are here to exchange techniques and tactics, and just to learn something new because everybody has a different way of going about something. This is the benefit we gain when we came here,” Clarke said.

He also pointed out said that during this year’s exercises, they have conducted various civic action projects, as well as building and repairing school buildings, which he said gives them a chance to work in remote areas and to interact with their Filipino counterparts.

“Honestly I’ve learned a fair amount,” he said.

Lt. Cherry Tindog from the Philippine Marines, meanwhile, sees the exercises as one way to understand each other’s unique capabilities, and to develop bonds.

“We can see that far and beyond the military side of the exercise, this exercise gives us a chance to enhance relationships on a personal level. We gained friendships and an understanding of their culture, of their work ethic, of their professional perspective. We learn from them, and they from us,” she said.

Tindog also explained the importance of conducting the exercises in enhancing disaster response, which is the focus of this year’s PHIBLEX.

“We try to enhance our capabilities and inter-operability, especially on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, considering the massive effects of the disasters that frequent our country and the Asian region,” she said. “It’s important that we operate very smoothly so that in times of disaster, we can reach out to nations that need the services that we can provide.”

As an example, Tindog cited the 2009 flooding caused by Typhoon Ondoy, noting that at that time there was a scheduled PHIBLEX exercise when the disaster struck. She said the PHIBLEX participants shifted from training to actual disaster-response to assist in rescue operations in affected areas.

“It’s a good thing that we have been doing this before, so when Ondoy happened we were ready to respond,” she said.

PHIBLEX 2013 formally commenced here on October 8, with a simple ceremony at the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship of the US Navy, which anchored at Subic’s Alava Pier.

The PHIBLEX command said the training exercises boosts the long-time partnership between the Philippines and the United States and demonstrates their commitment to mutual security.” (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Local visitors join Philippine military personnel in viewing US military aircraft on display at the Subic Bay International Airport Saturday morning. The static display is part of the on-going RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise

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Enercon program saves SBMA P1.8-M in August

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has saved a total of P1.8-million last August, its biggest power consumption savings since the agency started its energy conservation program last year.

Rani Cruz, SBMA Utilities Department manager, said that barely ten months after the implementation of the agency’s power conservation measures, significant savings have become noticeable since last July.

“From P6.98-million in July, the power consumption by SBMA departments and offices went down to P5.16-million in August, or a 26-percent reduction,” Cruz noted.

He said that in terms of kilowatt hours saved, the SBMA recorded a drop of 48,417 kWh as the agency’s power consumption decreased from 711,684 kWh in July to 663,267 kWh in August.

The power deduction in August is the biggest savings achieved so far by the agency since it introduced power conservation measures in August 2011, in line with the Government Energy Management Program of the national government and the SBMA board’s directive “to implement controls to manage and/or institute austerity measures.”

A resolution issued in July 2011 by the SBMA board of directors also enjoined SBMA officials and employees to practice conservation measures and ordered that savings from the program to be partly redirected to “increase the budget for training of personnel and other expenses.”

Under the power conservation program, Cruz said the SBMA has achieved 80 per cent replacement of 40-watt bulbs to 32-watt bulb usage as required by the government.

Cruz added that the SBMA Utilities Department is undertaking strict monitoring of power consumption of SBMA departments and offices to ensure that reduced consumption is maintained.

Records showed that the SBMA spent P6.96 million for its power bills in May, P7.02 million in June with a 0.82 per cent increase, and then P6.98 million in July or a 0.63 per cent decrease.

Cruz said that the month of May was pegged to benchmark the agency’s consumption, as it was in this month when the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) started charging the “Deferred Accounting Adjustment.”

Under this scheme, the newly increased generation charge will be billed for the next ten years, Cruz explained.

Aside from the generation charge, the transmission charge and system loss charge also increased during the said billing period.

Cruz also stressed the need to further cut down on power costs, but added that the SBMA has been successful in its energy conservation program because of the cooperation of employees and strict implementation by the management.

“We have to do everything that we can because the SBMA is a self-sustaining GOCC (government-owned and controlled corporation). We are not subsidized by the government. We earn what we spend,” Cruz added. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay gains recognition as superb triathlon venue

An internationally-circulated sports magazine has cited the Subic Bay Freeport as an outstanding venue for world-class racing events.

According to the July-August issue of TriMag Asia, “Subic Bay, the Philippines with its interesting course and friendly atmosphere is increasingly getting a reputation for top notch races.”

The magazine featured two big triathlon events held here in May and June, respectively – the 2012 K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon and the first 5i50 Century Tuna Triathlon.

Both sporting events saw more than 1,400 foreign and local triathletes competing in the professional and amateur categories.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) deputy administrator for tourism Raul Marcelo welcomed the magazine’s recognition of Subic Bay’s growing popularity as a sports destination, particularly for triathlon and other racing events.

“With our widely varied and scenic terrain and well-maintained roads that run through hilly and winding routes, as well as through our central business district, we definitely offer a unique and challenging course for racing events,” he said.

According to Marcelo, the 5i50 Century Tuna Triathlon, for instance, started in the deep portion of All Hands Beach here and took participants of the bike leg to the airport runway and several uphill climbs toward the Naval Magazine area. Meanwhile, runners had to make a break to the finish line via Subic Golf’s rain forest and the main highway of the Freeport.

Marcelo said that participants of both triathlon events found navigating these courses a thrilling and challenging experience. They also enjoyed the support of the community, which gathered along the route to cheer the participants.

Meanwhile, SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia expressed optimism for the future of sports tourism in Subic Bay, after successfully hosting both international triathlons here.

“We are surely gaining ground as far as sports tourism is concerned and we’re very proud to have hosted these two big events, both of which have brought in a lot of foreign athletes,” Garcia said.

He added that with the recognition that the Subic Freeport is now reaping in the sporting world, the Subic agency looks forward to delighting more sports competitors and organizers in the years ahead.

“We will continue to promote Subic as their best bet for triathlons, marathons, biking and all other sports events,” Garcia added. (AMF/CorpComm-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Bikers negotiate a winding road during a recent triathlon event in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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RP-US military exercise kicks off in Subic Bay Freeport

The RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2013 formally commenced here in the freeport Monday with a simple ceremony at the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship of the US Navy, which anchored at Subic’s Alava Pier for the 11-day exercise.

The ceremony was witnessed by US exercise director Brig. Gen. Craig Timberlake, RP exercise director Brig. Gen. Remigio Valdez, flag officer-in-charge Vice Adm. Alexander Pama, Deputy Chief of Mission Brian Goldbeck of the US Embassy, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia.

Both the Philippine and US military officials said they were optimistic that the annual bilateral training would enhance the common goal of regional security and readiness.

An estimated 2,200 American soldiers and members of the Philippine Marine Corps will be participating in the exercises, which will be held variously at the Subic Bay International Airport; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite; Crow Valley in Tarlac; Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and the Naval Education Training Center in San Antonio, Zambales.

Participants from the Philippine Navy’s Air Group and Special Operation Group, the Philippine Army, and the Philippine Air Force will also be involved in the exercise.

In his message at the opening rites, Gen. Pama noted that Phiblex 2013 will serve as a venue for exchanging expertise, technology, tactics and effective procedures to ensure interoperability of the armed forces from the two nations.

Pama added that Phiblex 2013 is focused on the interoperability of the two forces in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in times of calamities.

The US Embassy’s Goldbeck, meanwhile, stressed the importance of the friendship binding the United States and the Philippines, adding that Phiblex “reinforces our long-time partnership and demonstrates the U.S. and Philippines’ commitment to mutual security.”

“All aspects of this Phiblex — whether they are field training, staff exercises, or civic action projects — will enable the men and women of our armed forces to work together, reinforcing our unity, and improving our ability to work as a team,” Goldbeck added.

It is also expected that thousands of residents of host communities in Zambales and Palawan will benefit from the scheduled Medical Civic Action Program (Medcap) during the exercise. Four barangays in Zambales and Palawan will also get assistance through the Engineering Civic Action Program. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
[1] United States and Philippine Marine color guards stand in attention during the opening ceremony of Phiblex 2013 aboard the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[2] Crewmen check on a Harrier fighter jet on the flight deck of the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, as the RP-US marine amphibious exercise Phiblex 2013 kicks off Monday in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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SBMA, Olongapo rescue teams continue earthquake training

With other rescue teams watching their moves, rescue operators from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Olongapo City showed off various techniques in earthquake search and rescue operations as part of their continuing training to improve their emergency command system and to impart new knowledge to fellow rescuers.

At the recent earthquake simulation exercises held at the Columban College campus in Barangay Barretto, Olongapo City the SBMA Search and Rescue Group, the Olongapo City Search and Rescue Team and the Barangay Sta. Rita (Olongapo City) Search and Rescue Unit practiced using the Incident Command System (ICS) for emergency, which designed for planned and unplanned events.

The earthquake scenario for the exercise pre-supposed that a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Olongapo City and damaged residential and commercial buildings. As a result, some 1,000 individuals had to be evacuated to safer grounds after a school building at Columban College in Barretto collapsed and caught fire.

The emergency responders’ primary task was to rescue the trapped persons from the damaged building which was now on fire, and bring them out of the collapsed structure.

Aside from the SBMA, Olongapo and Sta. Rita rescue units, the drill also involved the participation of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Red Cross, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Olongapo City Police Office, James Gordon Memorial Hospital, the Department of Education, and some representatives from the 17 barangays in the city.

The exercises were observed by rescuers from San Jose City, Nueva Ecija; San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; the Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO); Tarlac PDRRMO; Bataan PDRMMC; Meycauayan, Bulacan; Masinloc, Zambales; Balanga City Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMO); and University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City.

Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon, Jr., who chairs the Olongapo CDRRMO, congratulated the participants in the simulation training, adding the hope that the event had challenged them to strive more for excellence in the performance of their respective jobs.

“The simulation stresses the crucial role each rescue operator does in saving lives and properties in times of disaster and emergency situations,” Gordon said.

The activity was also witnessed by Region 3 director for Civil Defense Josefina Timoteo, who is also the executive director of the Regional Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council (DRMMC-R3); SBMA Dir. Anne Marie Gordon, and Columban College president Msgr. Crisostomo Cacho.

After the drill, Timoteo said that the participants did a “well done” job, and enjoined observers and rescue groups from other local government units to follow Olongapo and SBMA’s example and religiously practice the execution of the ICS. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Combined elements of the SBMA and Olongapo City search and rescue teams perform a collapsed structure search and rescue breaching method during an earthquake drill held at the Columban College in Olongapo City on September 28. The drill, witnessed by different rescue groups from Region 3, was designed to enhance quick disaster-response and preparedness operability in the event of emergencies.

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US assault ship arrives in Subic

One of the three battle groups assembled by the United States in the Asia-Pacific region arrived (yesterday) in Subic for this year’s launching of the joint amphibious landing exercises in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Helicopter carrier USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) of the US Marine Corps’ air-ground task force, escorted by two frigates, dropped anchor at the former US naval facility at Subic Bay in Zambales with 2,200 US Marines on board.

The US Marines are slated to link up with their local counterparts for the joint mock amphibious landing operations as well as land-based exercises in Palawan and Zambales.

The provinces have territorial jurisdiction over the disputed Panatag Shoal and the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys.

Dubbed as Phiblex 2013, the yearly Filipino-US Marines joint drill will be simultaneously launched on Monday in Zambales.

In a statement, the US embassy said the Bonhomme Richard is in the country for a goodwill visit.

“The goodwill visit highlights the strong historic, community and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,” the US embassy said.

The US Marine Corps air-ground task force is a powerful air, land and sea armada assembled by the US and has started operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

Aside from the 2,200 Marines, the US carrier is also carrying amphibious assault vehicles, light armored vehicles, helicopters and Harrier fighter jets.

The two others are the USS George Washington and the USS John S. Stennis carrier groups. (Jaime Laude, The Philippine Star)

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SBMA defers Subic airport conversion plan

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) had deferred its plan to convert the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) into a recreational theme park.

Some long-term programs adopted by the agency earlier this year are being modified in view of the current economic changes affecting the Freeport, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said.

SBIA is now being eyed as a forward base for the joint operations of the Philippine Air Force and the United States Air Force Pacific alliance to maintain regional balance in light of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

The Freeport’s five-year strategic plan (2012-2016) was to convert the 200-hectare SBIA into a tourism hub with amenities such as hotel-casino entertainment complex, science and technology park, duty free shops, convention center, waterfront and luxury villas, family hotels, golf course, business process outsourcing (BPO) city, theme park, yacht club, condominiums and SBMA corporate headquarters.

Amid strong opposition from public and private sectors, the agency said then that it would proceed with the plan to recover the huge financial losses of the Freeport. (CLJD/AMV-PIA3)

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SBMA cites Ayta contributions to Freeport development

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has lined up activities highlighting members of the Ayta tribes in this free port, as the agency joins in the celebration of Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month this year.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the activities aim to show the agency’s appreciation of the role that the Ayta communities inside the former US military base have played in the conservation and development of what is now the relatively unspoiled forested portion of the Subic Bay Freeport.

“Owing to the presence of indigenous peoples within the Subic Bay Freeport, and in appreciation of their stewardship of their ancestral land, it is only but right to accord them the gratitude and recognition that they deserve,” Garcia said.

He also expressed the SBMA's appreciation of the cooperation and support given by the indigenous Ayta tribes here to the economic development programs and projects of the agency within the Ayta’s ancestral domain.

October of every year was declared National Indigenous Peoples Month by virtue of Presidential Proclamation Order (PPO) 1906 signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 5, 2009.

The PPO is in pursuant of the earlier PPO No. 486, which Arroyo signed in 2003, and consistent with PPO No. 1124 issued by then President Fidel Ramos.

The order was created, “for the purpose of heightening nationwide peoples’ awareness and participation in celebration and preservation of indigenous peoples communities.”

In line with the IP Month celebration, Garcia has designated SBMA public relations manager Armie Belleza-Llamas to spearhead the preparation of a program to promote Subic Ayta culture.

This will commence with a flag-raising ceremony on October 8 in front of the SBMA main office on Waterfront Road, which shall be led by the members of the Pastolan Ayta community. Members of the Ayta Tribal Council of Sitio Pastolan in Hermosa, Bataan and the Council of Elders of Sitio Kanawan in Morong town will also be attending the ceremony.

In addition, a photo exhibit about Ayta culture and arts will be mounted at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on October 26 to 31. Harbor Point will also be the venue of an Ayta cultural show to be highlighted by the “Ayta X-factor” singing contest on October 27.

Meanwhile, for the public to understand better the life and thoughts of the Aytas in the Subic Freeport, the SBMA radio station will conduct an interview with Pastolan tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla and tribal elder Bonifacio Florentino.

The forum is expected to also touch on the benefits received by the Ayta tribes from the SBMA before and after the signing of the Joint Management Agreement by and among the SBMA, the Tribong Ambala Ayta ng Pastolan, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

The interview will be aired over radio station 89.5 Bay FM on October 15 and the Freeport cable TV station on October 26-31.

Llamas said the program is intended to heighten the awareness of the public on the presence of indigenous people in the Freeport, and to show how both parties have looked after each other through the years. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Members of the Pastolan Ayta indigenous tribe in the Subic Bay Freeport enact a tribal dance for the benefit of visitors.

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More US navy ships visit Subic

At least seven United States Navy ships—a submarine, amphibious assault vessels, a helicopter carrier, and destroyers —were expected to arrive in the Philippines in the next few days to take part in a massive joint military exercises involving the two countries, officials said on Thursday.

Lt. Cherry Tindog, director of the Philippine Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, said the 10-day exercises will kick-off on October 8 near Palawan and Zambales provinces, a highly strategic area because of the territorial row between the Philippines and China over a group of islands in the West Philippine Sea.

During the maneuvers, dubbed the PH-US Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013, a US Marine air-ground task force would link up with 1,2000 Filipino troops, Tindog said.

The USS Olympia, a Los Angeles class submarine, was the first to arrive in the country. The helicopter-carrier, USS Bonhomme Rchaird, an amphibious assault ship with 2,200 US Marines, and two destroyer ships were expected to arrive at the Subic Freeport on Friday.

The amphibious landing exercise could be one of the most massive activities compared to previous PH-US Balikatan Exercises under the visiting Forces Agreement. Other than the Marine contingents, the USS Bonhomme Richard will also be carrying amphibious assault vehicles, light armoured vehicles and Harrier fighter jets.

Philippine participants in the exercise will include the Marines, the Army, the Air Force, the Navy Air Group and Special Operation Group, Tindog said.

He said the exercises in the Palawan area—which has territorial jurisdiction over the Spratly’s and Zambales, which considers the Panatag Shoal as part of the province—were intended “to enhance the strong defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States.” (Willie E. Capulong, Manila Standard Today)

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Red Cross turns up new batch of health workers

Subic Bay Freeport - The Philippine National Red Cross Zambales Chapter trained 245 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), midwives and volunteers on basic mother and child care, disease control and first aid treatment, through a four-day workshop supported by Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy).

The series of lectures, dubbed KliniKaBarangay Health and Wellness Training, is in line with RP Energy’s thrust to improve health care services within the 16 barangays of Subic and Pastolan Village, an Aeta community in Zambales province.

The training program was able to establish 17 quick response teams that will become “frontliners” in providing maternal care and implementing disease prevention in their respective barangays.

The participants were awarded with KliniKaBarangay Health and Wellness kits composed of BHW uniforms, a cellphone, list of hotline numbers, first aid equipment, a maternal health starter set and KliniKaBarangay Quick Reference Guide for everyday operations.

“With the proper training and health equipment, these KliniKaBarangay health advocates can now effectively initiate health promotion and disease prevention as well as establish other quick response teams in their respective barangays,” said RP Energy project manager Grant Smith. (Anthony Bayarong, Manila Times)

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Another US submarine to dock in Subic

A submarine of the Los Angeles class design, USS Olympia (SSN 717), will arrive in Subic Bay Thursday for a routine port call, the United States embassy said in a statement.

The US Embassy said that the port visit 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 Olympia SSN 717 set sail in February 1986 to her home in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She is the second United States ship to bear the name in honor of the city of Olympia, Washington.

Original USS Olympia was commissioned in 1895 and, as part of the Asiatic fleet, became the flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.

No further details were given to the media. (Anthony Bayarong, The Philippine Star)

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US aviation firm sees big growth in air ambulance

An American aviation company sees good growth prospects for the air ambulance service it started last July in Subic.

It just brought in a second aircraft for the air 911 service.

The Philippines, according to Scotty Watson, Carejet Assist program director, is central to the company’s service in Asian countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Vietnam and Guam.

Watson said they intend to cash in on a vast pool of clients in Asia-Pacific and in North and Central Pacific, particularly with the tourism boom in Asia.

“The way tourism is going in Asia-Pacific, particularly diving and fishing, we can make air ambulance work,” he said, adding their firm is receiving an average of two to three calls a week from clients.

He said the air ambulance business is ideal in the Philippines where medical treatment is cheaper while offering quality service.

“We have a good spectrum of medical professionals. Your doctors here are very excellent,” he said.

The firm also caters to AIG, considered the biggest insurance company in the world.

Carejet was tapped by American-owned Aviation Concepts, based in Subic to implement the air ambulance project.

Aviation Concepts is run by his friend, Terry Habeck, president and chief executive officer. Habeck said that they may also venture into potential markets like Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Air ambulance assets include a fixed-wing seven-seater jet converted into an intensive care unit which offers patients safe and on-time, bedside-to-bedside transport. It is manned by a team of doctors, nurses and is equipped with state-of-the art facilities providing basic life support, advanced life support, pediatric advanced life support, critical care transport and specialty neo-natal care.

While it is still a fledgling industry in the Philippine, air ambulance is a common transport facility in the US. It is considered a better aerial vehicle than helicopters since it is faster, more spacious, has less noise and vibration, less weather-dependent, less costly, can operate 24/7 and is highly recommended for journeys of up to 240 kilometers.

An air ambulance service is considered more significant as it can cover a large region, including remote areas where there are few hospitals, inadequate ground transport or other problems such as poor roads or communications.

Aside from providing medical services, air ambulance also provides repatriation through coordination with other commercial airlines. He said over the past two weeks, they have brought in patients from Copenhagen and London.

Watson said their West-Wind aircraft has a range of 2,000 nautical miles and piloted by American, Japanese and Filipinos experts.

Watson started the air ambulance business in his native New Zealand in 1991. He teamed up with Habeck who enticed him to put up a medical service company in Makati and working with insurance and medical companies.

In the Philippines he met his future wife, Gelmi at the Clark Freeport Zone and decided to settle here.(Jay Chua, Malaya)
Photo:
The air ambulance is a seven-seater jet converted into an intensive care unit which offers patients safe and on-time, bedside-to-bedside transport.

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Foresters urged to be vigilant

Stressing the need to protect the remaining forests in the country, Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFFI) national council president Renato De Rueda urged fellow foresters to be vigilant in performing their duty as guardians of the environment.

De Rueda issued this challenge during the recent “National Summit Conference on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade”, which was held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center here to mark the 64th founding anniversary of the SFFI.

De Rueda said that forests need to be protected from the abusive exploitation of natural resources, because they can yield so much beneficial products if properly taken care of.

“Kailangan nating mapangalagaan ito laban sa mga gustong sumira ng ating mga kabundukan, kasama na dito ang illegal na pagto-troso at pagkuha ng iba’t-ibang produkto ng kagubatan, at pagkakaingin,” he said as he addressed convention delegates.

“Kailangan po natin ng mga mabubuting pamamaraan para mapangalagaan ang ating kagubatan,” he added.

At the same time, De Rueda noted that forest protection is often a very difficult and dangerous job, and has claimed the lives of several foresters since 2010.

“Mayroon na po tayong labing-apat na kamatayan dahil sa pagtatanggol sa ating kagubatan, sa pagseserbisyo sa ating bayan,” he said.

Still, it is the foresters who should lead the people in protecting the environment, he insisted.

“Kung mayroon pong dapat na manguna sa pangangalaga ng ating mga kagubatan, dapat ay tayong mga Filipino foresters. Kailangan po nating magkaisa para tulungan ang Inang Bayan sa pamamagitan ng epektibong pamamahala sa mga natitira pang mga kabundukan at para tulungang lumago ang ating mga kagubatan,” he said.

De Rueda said that towards this end, topics like forest law enforcement that were tackled in the convention would help foresters in performing their duties.

Meanwhile, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) senior deputy administrator Ramon Agregado thanked members of the SFFI for doing their job in protecting the environment, and assured them that the SBMA will do its part as well.

“From our end we can assure you that SBMA will continue to do more than its fair share in protecting, preserving and managing this heavily-forested paradise that is Subic Bay,” he said.

The SFFI was founded in 1948 and aims to represent and promote the science, technology, education, practice and business of forestry in the Philippines. It currently has 8,000 members from across the country. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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US Navy & Smart in reforestation efforts in Subic

Military servicemen joined Smart Communications, Inc. and its sister-firm Tollways Management Corp. in their reforestation efforts in Subic Bay as part of the US Navy’s community service.

The volunteer-sailors from USS Hawaii and USS Frank Cable were on a routine port visit in the Philippines recently.

Chief Select Jonathan Palmer said this was the first tree-planting activity that the Navy servicemen participated in as a group.

“Most of the time, we go to an elderly folks’ home and we do some cleaning and we entertain them. This is something really different from what we’ve done before as part of our program to help and give back to the communities. It’s good to help protect the environment and plant the national tree of the Philippines. I think everyone here will remember this.”

Narra seedlings were planted during the activity. (Kabalikat News & Features/Smart)

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RP and US Marines set for Phiblex 2013 in Subic Freeport

The RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2013 will formally begin on October 8 in this free port to further enhance the strong defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

According to 1Lt. Cherry Tindog, director of the Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, the exercise will give primacy to effective interoperability on humanitarian assistance and disaster response and relief preparedness, maritime security, and community development.

PHIBLEX is conducted annually to serve as a venue for joint and combined training not only for the Marine Corps of the Philippines and the United States militaries, but for the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy’s Air Group and Special Operation Group as well.

“Considering the massive effects of natural calamities that frequent the Philippines and the Asia Pacific Region year in and out, PHIBLEX 13 is designed to enhance interoperability on disaster response and relief operations,” a statement from the PHIBLEX Joint Information Bureau said.

The said bilateral exercise “also aims to formulate and assess concepts for the enhancement of the amphibious operations capacity of both nations, (and) envisions evaluating concepts for transition from Unilateral Defense Plan (UDP) to Bilateral Defense Plan (BDP) to Post-Conflict response, through the conduct of disaster rehabilitation and rural development projects,” it added.

The projects will be undertaken through the Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) and several Community Health Engagements (CHE), which will be conducted in Zambales and Palawan.

The PHIBLEX command said that thousands of local residents will benefit from the CHE and a total of four barangays in Palawan and Zambales will benefit from the ENCAP.

Even before the start of landing exercise, combined engineering personnel have already been deployed to the ENCAP sites to begin the construction of classrooms and toilets, the command also said.

Aside from these activities, PHIBLEX participants will also engage in community relations activities to bring about a “vigorous relation between the military and the civilian community.”

On the other hand, various military training activities will be held simultaneously in different venues including the Subic Bay International Airport; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite; Crow Valley in Tarlac; Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Naval Education Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales.

The PHIBLEX command also said that the conduct of PHIBLEX 2013 perpetuates a long and lasting partnership founded firmly on common heritage between freedom-loving countries committed to true service and the preservation of liberty and democracy.

The success of the RP-US military training exercises like the PHIBLEX can also be attributed to the diligent participation and cooperation of concerned local government units, it added. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic-BOC Tops Target By P141M

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) based here led all eight of the country’s ports in posting a surplus in collection of more than P141 million. It collected P683.79 million – way above its target of P562 million for August.

BOC-Subic’s District Collector Carmelita Talusan said the surplus in the target collection is a great start for the Port of Subic since it shows that the Customs officials and workers here are on the right track.

Other ports that surpassed their collection targets for August of this year are the Port of Iloilo that exceeded its target by P17 million; the Port of Cebu that exceeded by P1.5 million; the Port of Surigao, P78 million; the Port of Cagayan de Oro with a P400,000 surplus; the Port of Davao, P28 million; the Clark Freeport, P24 million; and the Port of Aparri, P400,000 in excess of its target.

Talusan said it is in their mandate to ensure proper collection in all areas that the BOC holds.

She added that their outstanding performance helped the Bureau in collecting a total of P22.307 billion in August, higher than last year’s P22.152 billion collected.

Last month’s collection on the other hand was P6 billion lower than the P28-billion target collection. This was due to the top tier districts who failed to meet their targets.

“Despite the holidays and fewer working days that affected our collection, we are still adamant in doing our duties to the utmost of our abilities. We want to show everybody that the Bureau of Customs, especially here in Subic, is working to make sure that professionalism is instilled in every customs official in Subic,” Talusan said.

Last month’s collection has brought the BOC’s eight-month take to P190.04 billion, around 10.5 percent higher than last year’s.

BOC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the agency needs to collect some P347 billion this year, a daunting task for the BOC.

But Biazon has not yet asked the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) to lower the target collection this year with next year’s target pegged even higher at P397 billion.

He said that he will step up the agency’s fight against smuggling by using the Run After The Smugglers (RATS) program of the BOC. The agency’s program is still keen on filing cases against smugglers as well as agency personnel and brokers scheming with them. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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Altas eye joint 3rd vs Pirates

Perpetual Help takes on ousted Lyceum today, seeking to catch Letran at third and post a one-game lead over fifth running Jose Rizal University even as Mapua fights for dear life against San Beda in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which goes to Subic Bay for the league’s second out-of-town games.

The Altas are out to bounce back from a sorry 71-74 defeat to the Cardinals last week that dropped them to fourth spot with a 9-6 (win-loss) record, a shade behind Letran (10-6) but just ahead of Jose Rizal (9-7).

A win in their 6 p.m. duel with Lyceum, out of it all with a woeful 3-12 mark, would give the Altas added cushion in a spirited three-team battle for the last two semis berths heading to the crucial phase of the double-round elims.

The Las Piñas-based school, however, will play minus Nigerian big man Femi Babayemi, who was suspended for one game for a disqualifying foul in their match with Mapua.

"Our focus is to win all our remaining games for a Final Four berth," said Perpetual coach Aric del Rosario.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals, at No. 7 with a 6-9 mark, battle the Lions at 4 p.m., hoping to stay in the hunt with a sweep of their last three games although a Perpetual win would keep them out of the Final Four race along with Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (7-9).

The pacesetting Lions, with a 13-2 slate and assured of a twice-to-beat edge in the next round, are also expected to go all-out for a victory for the momentum and confidence they would need in the Final Four.

The Subic matches mark the second time the league is holding a pair of out-of-town games after the Sta. Cruz, Laguna stop last August. (The Philippine Star)

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Seniors form walkers club in Subic Freeport

Health-conscious senior citizens in this free port have formed a walkers club here in cooperation with a popular commercial facility, which has agreed to accommodate the daily exercise activities of the newly-formed group.

The “Subic Bay Six o’clock Habit Club,” which was organized by Atty. Severo M. Pastor, manager of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) labor department, has requested the use of the promenade area of Ayala Mall’s Harbor Point here.

Harbor Point operations manager Derrick Q. Manuel said that while the agreement is being finalized with top management, walkers may already use open alleys inside the mall except for those that are still restricted due to shop construction work.

Manuel added that while only the Coffee Bean shop opens at 6 am, Starbucks coffee shop had confirmed that they would start receiving customers at 7 am also to accommodate the walkers.

Pastor, who has been walking with friends as his early morning ritual, said the Harbor Point facility is perfect for senior citizens.

“Senior citizens can walk around at Harbor Point’s covered areas freely and safely even when it rains,” Pastor said. “In fact, because Harbor Point has large open spaces, we can also bring the whole family with us so that we can do some exercises while the shops are still closed.”

Pastor said the focus of the Six o’clock Habit Club is to promote health and wellness among senior citizens. “It’s a well-known fact that walking can add more years to life, so I’m sure that walking and interacting with other people would be a big help to senior citizens like me,” he added.

Aside from requesting Harbor Point for walking space, Pastor said that his group has also requested appropriate areas at the ground floor for tai-chi or calisthenics.

And, as some doctors and other medical practitioners are expected to join the club, Pastor said that he would also ask them to provide free medical services to the senior citizens, like blood pressure or blood sugar checks.

The group has initially agreed upon a three-day-a-week schedule — Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and more frequently thereafter until walking becomes a daily habit.

He added that residents, businessmen and workers from the Freeport and Olongapo areas are welcome to join the club.

Among those who expressed intention to join the club are acting SBMA senior deputy administrator for business and investment Atty. Ruel John T. Kabigting, and managers of other SBMA departments. (ILC/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Members of the newly-formed “Subic Bay Six o’clock Habit Club,” led by SBMA labor manager Severo Pastor (3rd from left), kick off an early morning walk at the Harbor Point promenade area in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Officials cite gov’t employees’ role in Subic Freeport CSC rites

Officials from various local government units and national agencies acclaimed the role of civil servants in nation building, as government employees from Zambales and Olongapo City met here in the Freeport recently for the 112th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) hosted the festivities here, as hundreds of government workers joined a fun walk in the early morning of September 15, and then participated in fun games at the Subic Gymnasium.

Atty. Ramon Agregado, SBMA senior deputy administrator for support services, welcomed the delegates on behalf of SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia.

During the welcome ceremony, Atty. Karin Litz P. Zerna, Region III director of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), said that Central Luzon has a lot of exemplary public servants good enough to make it to the list of national CSC awardees who will be recognized this month.

Among the recipients, she added, is Marilou Dungog of the SBMA Public Relations Department, who was cited for her work in helping establish alternative livelihood projects for fisher folk in the Subic Bay Freeport area.

Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., meanwhile, said the Civil Service Commission had gone far in terms of improving the lives of the Filipino people, and public servants have proven themselves worthy of being in the service, as evidenced by the country’s economic growth today.

For his part, Zambales provincial administrator Engr. Jun Runstedt Ebdane described government employees as the “backbone of the government who make delivery of service to the people not only possible, but indispensable.”

“Dapat may yabang natin sabihin na kawani ako ng Pamahalaang Pilipinas; isa akong lingkod-bayan,” Ebdane also urged his fellow civil servants, reminding them to be proud of their role in nation building.

The CSC anniversary celebration also provided an occasion for government employees to bond and engage in fitness games, and promote local culture as well.

The celebration was headlined by a three-kilometer fun walk dubbed as “Race to Serve” which started at 6:00 in the morning. About 250 delegates from various local government units walked altogether from the Boardwalk Park here to the gym where they also held fun games.

Edwin Sunglao Sr., personnel specialist at CSC Zambales, said the games were made part of the program because social gathering is a rare opportunity among the public servants in Zambales and Olongapo.

The program was also interspersed with cultural presentations, like a dance number by delegates from Masinloc town.

In the same program, the Harbor Point mall in the Subic Bay Freeport and SM mall in Olongapo announced that they are offering a 5-10 percent discount privilege for government employees who will shop within the month of September, which has been designated as Civil Service month.

Meanwhile, the SBMA Human Resource department said that it has designated two buses to provide SBMA employees with a free ride from the Freeport gates to SBMA offices every Monday, starting September 3, in honor of public servants and in celebration of the anniversary of Philippine Civil Service. (ILC/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Hundreds of government employees from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and local government units in Olongapo City and Zambales join a fun walk in celebration of the 112th anniversary of Philippine Civil Service.

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ADB: ‘Philippines must take right road to inclusive growth’

The Philippines needs to ensure that economic development be felt by the masses, said an economic expert during the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Economic Forum held here in the Freeport on September 4 at the Lighthouse Marina Resort.

Norio Usui, ADB senior country economist, said that in order to fully enjoy the economic growth that the country is experiencing, key policy challenges should be discussed so that the Philippines can embark on a sustainable and inclusive growth.

Usui said that although the Philippines has a very strong services sector in the form of business process outsourcing (BPO), “it is not sufficient to address development challenges to inclusive growth.”

He noted that the services sector’s labor demand is only one percent of the total labor force and is biased towards the relatively skilled workers, thus leaving the majority of the labor force underutilized.

He said that the country should develop the industrial sector, since it can help create more job opportunities for the growing labor force.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, who also spoke during the forum, shared this view and added that inclusive growth is critical now that foreign economies are moving to Asia.

“It appears that with the present situation now in Europe and America where the economies are very bad because of the Spanish and the Greek crises, they are now really looking at Asia,” he said.

Garcia also noted that the country is enjoying a very stable economic growth, something that the Philippines has not experienced for a very long time. He attributed this to the good governance of the present administration.

“It’s a very good time for the Philippines,” Garcia asserted. “As I’ve always mentioned, I think the main reason why the foreign investors are very interested in the Philippines now is because they perceive the new administration under President Aquino as a very stable one, a very transparent one,” he added.

However, Garcia said that this development should shift down to the masses, otherwise it would be meaningless.

“How can you sustain a growth rate constantly increasing? There is a lot of pressure; there are a lot of factors that come into that,” Garcia also said. “So are we just looking into a temporary situation wherein the Philippines is on the upswing, or are we going to expect a clash with foreign economies? We must consider these things,” he further noted.

The forum was attended by SBMA officials and representatives of locator companies in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Norio Usui, ADB senior country economist, explains the need for policy changes to bring about sustained economic growth in the Philippines during a forum at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

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SBMA Board Studies Airport Conversion

An official of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said the other day that the proposed $5-billion conversion of the Subic Bay International Airport into a world-class theme park is still being studied by the SBMA Board of Directors.

SBMA Board Member Francis S. Garcia said they are still deliberating on the proposal because it would impact on the entire region, particularly programs aimed at boosting tourism in Central Luzon provinces.

Earlier, the proposed conversion of the SBMA airport into a theme park drew flak from former senator and SBMA founding chairman Richard Gordon who described the proposal as “a high degree of mental slaught” if the government allows it.

Officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said converting the airport into a theme park may derail plans of provinces around the freeport to integrate tourism promotion programs and take advantage of the existing world-class sea ports and airports in the former American military bases.

Last Friday, tourism officers of seven provinces in Central Luzon gathered at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) to map out plans in promoting the region as a major tourist destination by highlighting idyllic white sand beaches, heritage sites and colorful festivals.

Region 3 Tourism Director Ronaldo Tiotuico said the forum aims to gather tourism officers in 120 local government units (LGUs) in the region to discuss a unified strategy to promote Central Luzon as a major tourism hub.

He said the two freeport zones in Subic and Clark are major assets that will contribute to plans of promoting tourism in the seven provinces of the region-Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Tarlac and Bulacan.

Gordon told newsmen the administration will be committing “a high degree of mental slaught” if it allows the plan to convert the Subic Bay International Airport into a theme park and recreation site.

Gordon, who also once served as tourism secretary, said global tourist destinations such as New York and San Francisco have many airports yet Palawan, now being promoted by the government needs an additional airport.

He said the SBMA should not waste the US$40-million government funds used to rebuild and modernize the SBIA.

Gordon criticized plans of current SBMA Chairman Robert Garcia to push for a US$5-billion investment proposal that converts the freeport’s 200-hectare prime real estate into a theme park with condominiums, malls and recreational facilities similar to Hong Kong Disneyland and Singapore’s Sentosa park.

“It’s very rare to have a world class airport and a seaport in one facility in our country. The government should instead develop it to decongest airports in Metro Manila and bring in more tourists and investors,” said Gordon in a telephone interview over the weekend. (Mar Supnad, Manila Bulletin)

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Customs sues Subic rice smugglers

The Bureau of Customs on Thursday charged before the Department of Justice six rice smugglers who figured in bringing into Subic contraband rice from Vietnam.

Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon said that sued for violation of Sections 3601 and 3602, in relation to Sections 2503 and 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines were Jan Dexter Marfil, president of Masagana Import Export Inc., the consignee of the Vietnam rice shipment; board members Editha Arzola and Jeaneth Espeleta Vega, directors Gerardo Yaco Vega and William Tunog Quiohilag; and Masagana’s customs broker Mary Joy Sanchez.

Biazon added that the six were charged after the rice smuggling attempt at the Subic Freeport Zone of 20,000 bags rice from Vietnam worth about P30 million.

According to Biazon, the 20,000 bags of rice from Vietnam, which arrived at the Subic port on June 20, 2012, were stacked in forty 40-footer container vans and declared as “gypsum board” to avoid the import permit requirement from the National Food Authority.

“A subsequent alert order was issued by the bureau after the discovery of the misdeclaration upon inspection of the 40 container vans from Vietnam,” he said.

“This was a deliberative attempt to deceive our operatives to avoid the import permit requirement from the National Food Authority for all rice importations and to defraud the government of its appropriate revenues,” he said. (Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Manila Times)

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Foresters to draft national action plan for forestry

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The country’s top professional foresters converged at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center here on Wednesday for a three-day summit with the end in view of drafting a national action plan on the management and promotion of the country’s forest resources.

The “National Summit Conference on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade,” according to a statement from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is expected to be a high-level meeting of local foresters from academe, the government and wood-based industry sectors to discuss how the forestry profession can elevate its role in the government’s anti-illegal logging campaign and improve the local wood-based industry by promoting the National Greening Program (NGP).

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, who will be the keynote speaker in the event, lauded the holding of the conference, saying it came at a time “when the profession finds itself on new paths forged in the crucible of rectification in the country’s policies on forestry program being pursued by President Aquino.”

“There’s no better time than now that we, as foresters, should take a deeper reflection on how much contribution the forestry profession have made to winning back the country’s forests which, to a great extent, mirrors the state of our profession,” said Paje, who has a bachelor’s degree in forestry science from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, Laguna.

The forestry conference was organized by the 8,000-strong Society of Filipino Foresters Inc. (SFFI) to mark their 64th anniversary celebration.

The SSFI is a non-profit organization formed in 1948, which is now working for the adoption of science and technology in forestry-related activities within the framework of sustainable forest management practices being implemented by the DENR.

Among the topics expected to be discussed in the three-day summit are measures on how the profession could strengthen and unify ongoing efforts to stop wanton forest destruction, and how local foresters could promote sustainable management of forest resources so that the forestry sector can fully contribute to national development.

Among the important outputs expected from the conference are a “National Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade” and an SFFI action plan to promote good governance among its ranks.

Organizers said the conference will feature papers about updates on Philippine forests. These include “Pagsasaayos Ng Kagubatan: Isang Hamon ng Pulitika at Hindi ng Teknolohiya” by Dr. Antonio Contreras; “The State of the Philippine Forests and Analysis of Key Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in the Philippines” by Dr. Antonio Carandang; “Karanasan at mga Isyung Kinahaharap ng Bantay Gubat ng Mangatarem” by Ely Curimao; “The National Greening Program” by DENR-Forest Management Bureau Director Ricardo Calderon;  and “Binhi Tungo sa Tagumpay ng Community-Based Forest Management” by Mariano Saclauso Sr.

Five other papers will tackle enforcement of forestry laws to curb illegal logging. These are: “Forest Law Enforcement” by Gen. Renato Miranda (ret.), Executive Director of the Anti-illegal Logging Task Force; “Forest Laws Enforcement, Governance and Trade in the Philippines” by Philippine Wood Producers Association head Antonio Olizon; “Initiatives on Strengthening Forest Law Enforcement and Governance” by Generosa Mislang; “Holistic Evaluation and Approaches to Curb Illegal Logging in the Philippines” by forester-Lawyer Wilfrido Pollisco; and “Framework for a National Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade” by Dr. Manuel Bonita.

Other personalities expected to grace the conference are Party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones of Agham, Zambales First District Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr. and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chaiman Roberto Garcia. (Henry Empeno, Business Mirror)

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Over 13,000 Join Coastal Cleanup

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales -- More than 13,000 volunteers from various sectors here and in Olongapo City participated in the recent annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) along the 10 sites of the entire coast of Zambales.

The coastal cleanup, organized by the Lighthouse Marina Resort is part of the international coastal cleanup effort organized by The Ocean Conservancy to protect the world's oceans from harmful debris making its way to coastlines from local beaches, waterways, and inland areas.

“We started four years ago with around 600 volunteers cleaning up mainly the boardwalk area. Now, the movement expanded to include the entire Zambales coast, including a pilot area for the inland clean up in Barangay Mabayuan, Olongapo City," Jun Avecilla, ICC Zone Coordinator said.

Most of the garbage collected by the volunteers comprised of plastic bags and containers, cigarette butts, sanitary napkins, diapers, and even old tires. (Franco Regala, Manila Bulletin)

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Century Tuna duathlon up at Subic Freeport

MANILA - Top duathletes from Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Syria and Iran clash for honors in the Century Tuna ASTC Asian Duathlon Championships Nov. 25 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Records established during the 2006 Asian Duathlon Championships are expected to fall as a fast race course has been mapped out by ASTC (Asian Triathlon Confederation) technical committee chairman Ramon Marchan who led an ocular inspection of several roads and sites at the Freeport with TRAP officials Rick Reyes, Fabie David and coach Melvin Fausto.

The new race course, which will serve both standard (10K run - 40K bike - 5K run) and sprint distance (5K run - 20K bike - 2.5K run) events, was designed to ensure the safety of both participants and spectators and minimize traffic disruption.

With the Remy Field track oval as transition area, the two run legs will stretch out covering the commercial zones, Waterfront Road and reach the lighthouse as its turning point. The bike leg, on the other hand, will stretch from the oval to Rizal Highway, Argonaut Highway and San Bernardo Road.

At stake are cash prizes worth over $5,000, specially designed medals and gift items for winners of Elite, U-23, Junior Elite, Youth, Adult Sprint and age-groupers.

The Century Tuna ASTC Asian Duathlon Championships also serves as an official qualifier for the 2013 World Duathlon Championships slated in Cali, Colombia in mid-2013.

The event is sponsored by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Fitness First, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Standard Insurance and Gatorade,

Registration, details: TRAP tel. No. 710-8259, 399-6598, 0916-504-6513, 0915-6394233, Speedo Concept Stores, Bikeking Boni High Street, TRAP office and its official Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/TriPhil. (The Philippine Star)

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3 measures make Subic trade-friendly

Aside from infrastructures built near Subic Bay Port, there are three more reasons to do business at the Central Luzon port, Alberto D. Lina, former customs commissioner and now chairman of Air21, said.

In his presentation at the recently held maritime conference at Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, Lina identified three major measures that the Bureau of Customs has taken to make Subic viable for business.

“First is a non-intrusive container inspection system,” Lina said.

Second is accession to the international convention on the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures, and, lastly, the Citizen’s Charter.

Among the three, Lina emphasized the Citizen’s Charter.

He said in compliance with Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and in pursuit of its mission to provide quality and performance level service to the public with professionalism and integrity, BOC issued the Citizen’s Charter was issued.

He also explained that the charter was created based on the recommendations of a study from the World Bank in 1993.

“(The BOC) adopted a number of recommendations in a 1993 World Bank study for the operation of the first freeport in the Philippines,” Lina said.

Lina also pointed out that Subic Bay is well equipped with online services that improve customs transactions by importers and other businesses.

“Services are available 24x7, 365 days, accessible anywhere through the internet,” he said.(Malaya Business Insight)

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Using Subic cuts costs saves time, says SBMA

Traders are most likely to benefit from using the Port of Subic as trucking costs as much as 20 percent lower, travel time is halved, and port fees are considerably cheaper, a Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority official said.

Norberto J. Sosa, SBMA director, said in a presentation at a conference at the Subic Freeport that traders win north-bound business are the ones to benefit the most from using Subic port.

He said, for example, the travel distance from Manila to Bataan is 123 kilometers, extremely far compared with the Subic-Bataan route, which is only 20 km.

“Subic to Tarlac is only 60 km while Manila to Tarlac is 125 km,” Sosa said. He also said that Subic is only 60 km away from Clark, compared with Manila, which is 85 km away from the former US Air Force base.

In terms of trucking fees, Sosa said that the costs are trimmed by at least 10 to 20 percent.

Sosa estimated that the fee for trucking via Manila-Clark-Subic is P14,000, while it is only P12,000 for the Subic-Clark-Subic loop.

He likewise pointed out that port fees in Subic are far lower than those charged by Manila’s ports.

Subic Bay charges P1,481.78 for every 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container and P3,402 for every 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU) box. Meanwhile, the Manila International Container Terminal and the Asian Terminal Inc. charge P2,677.12 per TEU and P6,918 per FEU.

“Bay has lower tariff compared with other ports in the Philippines,” Sosa said.

Sosa said the Port of Subic is on the western side of Luzon off the Western Philippine Sea. It is geographically located at the center of the Asia-Pacific region and is the first and premier freeport of the Philippines at the Subic-Clark Corridor and Metro Luzon Urban Beltway.

“The Subic Bay is surrounded by mountain ranges and provides deepwater harbor that is protected from typhoons,” Sosa said. (Jennifer Ambanta, Malaya Business Insight)

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SBMA signs cooperation agreement with Ulsan

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education (UMOE) in South Korea recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote understanding and cooperation between the two institutions.

The UMOE is located in Ulsan Metropolitan City, which is South Korea's seventh largest metropolis and considered as the nation’s industrial powerhouse.

The agreement, signed on August 30, primarily aims to develop cooperative projects concerning education, as well as culture, tourism, community welfare and development, human resource development, environmental protection, and science and technology.

SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia said that under the agreement, SBMA and UMOE seek to formulate and undertake projects and activities for their mutual development and to advance their respective areas of interest.

The officials who represented UMOE during the signing were Kim Bok Man, director of curriculum management division; Hong Hung Goo, manager of internal education; Jeong Hwi, person in charge for international cooperation; Kim Sun Ae, chief secretary; and Han Kyu Chung, administrator.

Aside from Garcia, those present for the SBMA side were Raul Marcelo, deputy administrator for business; Maria Asuncion Fernando, head of corporate communications; and Armina Llamas, public relations manager.

In the signing ceremony, Garcia pointed out the “very close relationship” between the Subic Bay Freeport and South Korea.

“They (the Koreans) are our number one investors here, led by Hanjin which has proven to be one of the most successful business locators here in the Philippines,” he said.

Garcia added that many Korean nationals have chosen Subic as their place of business, or venue for schooling. “As you know, we have facilities here for different types of business, and we have many English-language schools that are popular to Korean students,” he added.

Garcia also recalled that, as an official in Subic, he recently signed an agreement with officials of the city of Daejung to encourage the exchange of information beneficial to both areas.

“So I would like to take this MOU as a sign that, again, we can work closer with the Korean community in attracting foreign investors to come and invest in Subic,” he said.

As a sign of their commitment to the agreement, UMOE donated 300 bags of relief goods for victims of the recent floods in communities near the Subic Freeport, as well as a brand new laptop and five used netbooks. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)
PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (right) and Kim Bok Man, director of curriculum management division of the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education, present a memorandum of understanding that they have signed to promote understanding and cooperation.

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