'No discussion on increased US military assistance in PHL'

MALACAÑANG said on Thursday there was no discussion on the increase of US military assistance in the country during the recent visit of two US senators.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that when they met with President Aquino, US Sens. Daniel Inouye and Thad Cochran did not discuss anything “political” with the Chief Executive.

“[There was] nothing political, they did not discuss Subic, so it’s really surprising that the issue of Subic or establishing a military base cropped up. There was no such discussion,” Lacierda said.

He said the senators also discussed with the President the Save Our Industries (SAVE) Act, which is being backed by Inouye.

“That’s what was it all about. Other than that, no more,” Lacierda said.

Asked about Malacañang’s position on increased military presence, Lacierda told reporters that the Visiting Forces Agreement is being reviewed.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III at the same time vowed to resist incipient attempts to bring back American military bases in the country, amid reports this was part of the “hush-hush” agenda of two ranking US officials who visited the country recently.

“Yes. I will oppose it,” Osmeña told reporters at the sidelines of the Kapihan sa Senado media forum yesterday.

Osmeña observed that the Philippines and the US have enjoyed “excellent relations” despite a 1992 Philippine Senate vote terminating the lease on American military facilities. “So, why do we need to host their bases here [again]?”

He added that the Philippines would not want to get caught in a conflict between the US and China. “We do not want to get involved in the fight between two giants. Uupakan lang tayo dalawang elepante diyan.”

He sought a reasonable justification for the Philippines to allow the return of American military presence. (B. Fernandez, K. Corro, Business Mirror)

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Images of Christ appear in old Acacia tree in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Images of Christ wearing the Crown of Thorns, one of the instruments at the time of crucifixion, appeared in several branches of an old Acacia tree in a posh residential area, here.

The faithful started to flock offering flowers and prayers in the place which they now claimed as sacred.

About few weeks ago, 64 year-old house keeper Remedios Generalo started to see the

unusual formation of the Christ images in several branches of an old Acacia tree in a landscaped garden owned by businesswoman Geralda Villa of East Kalayaan Heights.

Generalo said that the cutting, pruning and trimming of several branches of the huge Acacia tree were done about two years ago but images were discovered only last March 28.

The images appeared in about four to five trimmed branches of the tree.

But days before that, Generalo recalled that for several occasions, she witnessed the swirling and powerful winds near the Acacia tree, lifting door maps and slippers off the grounds.

“Ang akala ko may darating na bagyo (I thought a typhoon is coming),” she said.

Generalo added that another unusual thing happened after she discoverd the images ofChrist on the branches of the Acacia tree.

“Each morning, I used to feed several crow birds in our garden which has become part of my daily routine but now the birds are all gone,” she said.

The images have caught the attention of Fr. Oddie Mozo, the parish priests of San Roque Chapel, who recently visited, blessed the tree and reportedly officiated a mass in the garden.The priest could not be contacted for comment.

Kalayaan resident Angie Samson said that neighbors are not bothered by the influx of faithfuls visiting the house but warned that the “miracle” should not in any way be used for commercial purposes.

“The place is blessed with the appearance of these sacred images. It should be treated with utmost respect. Hindi yung mag-isyuso lang,” Samson said.

The latest visitor in the area was former Senator Dick Gordon who was amazed to see the image of Christ.

“Miracles do happen these days,” says Freeport worker Elsie Muñoz-Cabral who went to see the Holy Face of Jesus on Holy Thursday in Kalayaan Housing with her children.

Some of the visitors claimed that there should a message that comes along with the images of ‘dying’ Jesus.

Olongapo resident Susan Miranda cited the Last Words of Jesus before He died on the cross.

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” the word of Christ which she believed that God has forgiven our sins and will never leave us.

“Clearly, the image of dying Christ tells us that people have to repent, turn away from sinful life and offer ourselves to the forgiveness of sins,” Miranda said.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has yet to investigate on this. (Rey Garcia, News Central)

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Ship parts assembler eyes Subic for Asian/European hub

Polarmarine, Inc., a household name in ship parts industry, is planning to transfer production facilities in Malmo, Sweden and Russia to this free port under an expansion program designed to capture the growing shipbuilding industry in Asia.

Carolina Agoo, Polarmarine administration and financial manager, said that the expansion will be undertaken for two reasons: first, because of the strategic location of the Subic Bay Freeport, which is closer to the firm’s Asian customers and suppliers; and second, because of the English-speaking skilled workers here.

Currently, Polarmarine has 86 workers, most of whom were former workers in the Subic Naval Base, who have been highly trained by the U.S. Navy, Agoo said.

“With this expansion plan, we aim to lower the cost of our products since we will be saving more from freight costs because we will import from our suppliers in Asia, and export products to customers in Asia,” Agoo added.

Outgoing Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Feliciano Salonga, who himself was an executive in a maritime company, expressed elation over Polarmarine’s long-term plan during a tour of the firm’s assembly plant in Subic last week.

“The SBMA welcomes this expansion project, and the agency is here to help in any way it can. That’s our role — to assist,” Salonga said.

Polarmarine, a Swedish firm which started operations here in 1996, is among the pioneer locators in the Subic Freeport.

Initially, Polarmarine produced “Polar Jet”, a programmable multi-nozzle tank cleaning equipment designed to clean difficult-to-reach parts of slop tanks, wing tanks and under-stringer platforms in conventional tankers.

Later on, Polarmarine ventured into assembly of sonic horns used in shipyards, for which it acquired recently a 484-sq.m. building to for additional assembly facility.

“This is in preparation for our plan to transfer production in Malmo, Sweden to Subic,” Agoo explained, adding that the company sees a 20 per cent increase in production and employment in the first year, and an additional 50 per cent in the succeeding years.

Agoo added that in 2010, the Polarmarine unit in Subic generated about $7 million in revenue. From this level, the company plans to increase production to $8.5 million and augment its workforce to a total of 103 in the first year.

Thereafter, the firm plans to hike production to $12.75 million and its workforce to 155.

Agoo added that company executives also plan to transfer to Subic the production of loadmaster, a loading computer that calculates and balances the load of ship, as well as shipmaster, which takes care of cargo and ballast automation in any type of ship. However, she said the company is set to strengthen its technical team, which includes naval architects, marine engineers, and data encoders, before it could undertake the assembly of loadmasters and shipmasters.

Agoo said that shipbuilding-related industries are now being concentrated in the Asian region, and more shipbuilding component assembly operations are now being transferred to Asia.

Because of this, Polarmarine started this month to closely coordinate with Subic-based Korean shipbuilding firm Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Phils. for an arrangement to directly supply sonic horns.

Polarmarine is a member of the Kockumation Group based in Malmo, Sweden. Aside from Polarmarine, the Kockumation Group also has Kockum Sonics and Texon Automation under its umbrella. The Kockumation Group also has production facilities in Sweden, Russia, Shanghai and Dalian in China, and Great Britain.

Last year, Polarmarine was number 24 among the 198 exporters in the Subic Bay Freeport, with freight-on-board value of $6.13 million; and number 47 among the 314 importers here, with its freight-on-board value of $4.11 million. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
Polarmarine administration and financial manager Carolina Agoo shows samples of the firm’s products to outgoing SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga (right) and SBMA Maritime Business Department head Ronnie Yambao.

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Festival bats for recognition of local fishers

MORONG, Bataan — Local fishermen called on the government to recognize the importance of the fishing industry in the Philippine economy and to place importance on the protection of marine resources during the recent “Araw ng Mangingisda” celebration held at Barangay Sabang in this town.

The event featured activities like fun run, coastal clean-up, fluvial parade, galunggong cooking contest, and parlor games that were lined up for residents and visitors alike in the two-day program held on April 14-15.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which manages part of Morong town under the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, gave its full support to the Sabang festival. SBMA public relations manager Armie Llamas served as a judge in the cooking contest, while the SBMA brass band rendered musical entertainment during the fluvial parade.

Sabang, which is located along the coast of this town, relies on fishing as its major source of income. The major product of resident-fishers is the “galunggong” or mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus), which is a common food fish in local markets.

Restituto del Rosario, chairman of the Morong Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) and 2008 Gawad Saka awardee for fish capture, said the local galunggong season usually starts in February and continues throughout March and April.

But he lamented that the fishing industry is not being recognized as an important part of the economy and is not regarded as a major industry.

“Kailangang makilala ang pangingisda bilang isang malaking industriya,” Del Rosario said.

Apart from batting for recognition of fisher folk, Del Rosario also wants the people to be aware of their responsibilities in taking care of the environment, particularly the sea.

Del Rosario said that changes in the climate is affecting the fishing season. He said that the “amihan” or the northeast wind, which is supposed to end by mid-February, has just ended in April, thus delaying the fishing season by more than a month. This delay reduced their fish catch by almost half, he said.

Normally, the average galunggong haul that local fishers make reaches one to two tons per day during the galunggong season.

At the same time, Del Rosario recognized the SBMA as one of the agencies, which provide assistance to the Sabang fishing village. He said that SBMA gave a P4-million grant recently to rehabilitate the coastal area and to provide aid for fishermen.

“SBMA has always been supportive of our programs here,” Del Rosario said.

He added that they have recently asked the SBMA Ecology Center for technical assistance in conducting studies for the marine protected area project that they are now undertaking.

Meanwhile, Morong vice mayor Bienvenido Vicedo Jr. said the festival is also a good avenue for promoting the products of Morong, particularly galunggong.

Vicedo also said that the local government of Morong had tied up with the Department of Labor and Employment to provide assistance to fishermen, setting up the “Sapaw” group and giving them P1-million worth of boats and equipment to help them in their trade. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
Fishermen get ready for the fluvial parade during the “Araw ng Mangingisda” celebration in Sabang, Morong, Bataan.

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Aytas celebrate ‘Apu Buk-Kot’ festival in Freeport forest (feature)

Far from the busy highways and factories of this free port, inside the thick forest where flora and fauna still exist almost undisturbed, is an open space considered sacred to all Ayta people of Central Luzon.

Every Holy Week, different Ayta tribes from Central Luzon gather at this sacred land which the Aytas believe to be where their most holy ancestor Apu Buk-Kot turned himself into spirit and joined his creator in Heaven.

The place is inside the Boton Forest Area at the back side of the Subic Technology Park, more than two kilometers from ArgonautHighway in the Subic Bay Freeport.

This Holy Week, about 20 Ayta families left their homes in the foothills of Bataan and Olongapo City to visit this place in Boton forest to pay respect to their ancestors, especially Apu Buk-Kot, the holy one.

Bonifacio Florentino, former tribal chieftain of the Pastolan Ayta tribe in this free port and member of the festival organizing committee, said that Aytas celebrate Apu Buk-Kot’s spiritual journey to connect them with the past.

“Ginaganap namin ito tuwing Mahal na Araw bilang pag-alaala kay Apu Buk-Kot, na hindi namatay kundi naglahong parang bula sa lugar na ito. Kaya sa ganitong panahon din siya nagpaparamdam sa amin,” Florentino said.

He added that through this festival, young Aytas and the lowlanders who married Aytas were taught about the origin, culture, practices and traditions of the Ayta.

In the opening ceremony, Florentino urged young tribal members to continue this kind of gathering, stressing that Apu Buk-Kot wanted to see members of the Ayta tribes happily bonding together and sharing food, as well as preserving their rich culture and history.

Joy Reyes, cluster head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in Central Luzon, said that as part of the three-day festival, Ayta elders also teach new members of the tribe and children aged four and above, how to live in the forest with only a bolo for making shelter and gathering food.

She said the children must know how to catch shrimps and crabs in the creek using their bare hands, and identify edible root crops and fruits, as well as sources of water.

They are also taught how to pray in the native dialect, and dance the way their fathers and mothers did.

Reyes added that on May 2 and 3, the festival will move on to Limay, Bataan where the Aytas will be trained in planting, nurturing and harvesting various crops. A tribal wedding ceremony will also be held for those who wish to get married during the festival.

“We hope that the coming generations will continue practicing our rich culture and tradition, and pass them on to their children so that the Ayta heritage will continue to exist through the years,” Reyes also said. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
Ayta elder Bonifacio Florentino shares with youngsters the beliefs and practices of the Ayta tribe at the Subic Bay Freeport

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PHL masters ready for chess championship

TWENTY-FOUR young chess masters will represent the country in the prestigious 2011 Asian Youth Chess Championships scheduled from May 14 to 22 in Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City.

According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) grassroots development program Director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, the players were selected based on their impressive finishes in the recently concluded 2011 Pangasinan National Age Group Chess Championship.

FIDE Master (FM) Emmanuel Garcia and Paul Robert Evangelista will spearhead the team’s campaign in the boys’ division as they participate in the 16-under event along with National Master Alcon John Datu and FM Haridas Pascua who will vie in the 18-under class.

Also seeing action in the boys’ category are Khulene Lord dela Cruz and Dennis Gutierrez III (8-under); Julius Gonzales and Istraelito Rilloraza (10-under); Daryl Unix Samantila and Haince Patrick de Leon (12-under); and Giovanni Mejia and Jerad Docena (14-under).

Leading the girls squad are veteran campaigner Woman FM (WFM) Chardine Cheradee Camacho and Christine Joyce Laz (18-under) along with Jerlyn Mae San Diego and Rheam Arah de Guzman (8-under); Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem and Regyne Palamig (10- under); Marie Antoinette San Diego and Samantha Glo Revita (12-under); Mary Joyce Fuerte and Merlene Membrere (14-under); and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and Janelle Mae Frayna (16-under).

“The top two players in each division will have the chance to compete in the Asian Youth. These athletes are no pushovers. They will be fighting for medals,” said Gonzales. (Emil C. Noguera, Manila Times)

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Subic kids paint for Japan disaster victims

Grade school students in this free port had pooled their paintings together in an arts exhibit here in an effort to raise funds for victims of earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza said that students of the Casa Kalayaan International School (CKIS) in Subic had taken the initiative to raise funds in their own way.

“They put up their own first exhibit, not to profit from the sale of their artworks, but to help in their own little way the victims of disasters in Japan,” Arreza said.

“Their parents should be proud of them, like how I am proud of these kids,” he added. Arreza’s children, fifth grader Lorenzo Gabriel and fourth grader Danielle Bianca, both students of CKIS, participated in the exhibit.

CKIS principal Joanne Prieto said that the arts exhibit was conceptualized a couple of months ago after seeing several beautiful art works the students had made at the Subic Lighthouse Marina, and she thought the paintings should be put on exhibit for a wider audience.

Prieto then made arrangements with Lighthouse manager Argee Gomez, a noted supporter of environmental advocacy, who excitedly agreed on the proposal and named the project “Towers,” an art exhibit at the Lighthouse to save life in Japan.

“The destructive earthquake and devastating tsunami had inspired several students to make posters on Japan, representing hope for their recovery,” CKIS Student Council president Michelle Prieto said.

“The Casa Kalayaan International School Student Council was so moved by these efforts and wanted to organize a fundraiser for this country (Japan) in its time of need,” Michelle said.

The young artist said that there are about 20 paintings exhibited, each selling between P2,500 and P8,000. “Fifty percent of the sales will go towards helping Japan,” Michelle added.

Aside from the fundraising efforts of CKIS students, the Subic Freeport community also responded to a relief drive initiated by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake disaster.

The SBMA also sent its fire and rescue team to Japan to help in recovery operations, and expressed its sympathy and support to the Japanese community in this free port through a resolution passed by the SBMA board of directors.

SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga said the SBMA resolution expressed solidarity with the Japanese community “in this time of trial and adversity” and offered its deepest sympathy and condolences to all Japanese locators and residents in Subic, especially those who may have lost loved ones and friends in the recent disasters.

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone is home to more than 40 Japanese locator-companies, some of whom were pioneering enterprises that helped develop this free port in its early years. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: SBMA administrator Armand Arreza (right) and wife Maria Paz, together with Casa Kalayaan International School (CKIS) principal Joanne Prieto (second from left) and Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce official Susan Dudley, opens an exhibit of paintings by CKIS students. The students are selling their paintings to help raise funds for victims of earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

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Aquino affirms partymate Payumo’s BCDA posting

Malacañang yesterday confirmed reports that President Aquino appointed another fellow Liberal Party (LP) member and former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Felicito Payumo as the new chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte made the confirmation through a text message following Payumo’s admission to Subic-based correspondents that he was indeed appointed by the President to lead BCDA.

“I confirm the appointment of (Felicito) Payumo to BCDA,” Valte said.

The Office of the Executive Secretary claimed Payumo’s appointment papers were signed by Aquino last April 7.

BCDA was established under Republic Act (RA) 7227 whose primary function is to convert former military bases of the United States and military camps in Metro Manila into special economic zones that are expected to generate job and business opportunities for the locals.

Payumo will replace Aloysius Santos who held the BCDA’s reins for about five years. He called the shots for the SBMA from 1998 to 2004 during the Estrada administration. He also had quite a long career as a member of the House of Representatives serving the first district of Bataan from 1985 to 1998.

Wikipedia’s account says Payumo worked in the private sector for more than 20 years, including stints at Procter and Gamble Philippines, Mobil Corp. in New York and Engineering Equipment Inc. where he served as president before venturing into politics.

Payumo’s page at the same database also said he was the principal author for the act creating BCDA along with the Build Operate and Transfer Law and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority during his career as a legislator. (Aytch S. de la Cruz, The Daily Tribune)

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Belmonte cites lawyers’ role in nation-building

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte cited the role of lawyers in nation-building, as he graced the closing ceremonies of the 13th national convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in this free port over the weekend.

Lawyers, he said, “are the most responsible in making our democracy work through their guidance and leadership.”

Belmonte also reminded lawyers that they are the social architects and engineers who design and build the society, and that they have extensive influence in the formation of a nation.

He likewise recognized the challenges faced by lawyers in solving novel and complex legal problems. “This is why the study of law requires mental discipline, logical thinking and organization of ideas,” Belmonte said.

Some 2,000 lawyers from different chapters of the IBP attended the three-day convention at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on April 7-9, the biggest convention turnout so far in the organization’s history.

Notable lawyers such as Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Francis Escudero, Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta graced the affair.

At the same time, Belmonte cited the gains made by the House of Representatives under his helm, pointing out that it has achieved the highest approval rating in post-Martial Law years due to the integrity and competency of current House members.

“Leadership by example is one of the deterrents against corruption,” Belmonte stressed in his speech.

Belmonte also mentioned that the budget for this year was approved by both houses of the Senate and by President Aquino before the year 2010 ended.

He added that another accomplishment eyed by the House is the passage of House Bill No. 4067, or the GOCC (government-owned or controlled corporation) governance bill that both Houses have already approved.

He said that they are just waiting for the bill to be signed into law. If the GOCC governance bill is signed, it would be the first law to be passed this year, he added.

House Bill No. 4067, which is principally authored by Belmonte, recognizes the potentials of GOCC’s as significant tools for economic development, and ensures that their operations are consistent with national development policies and programs. The bill covers all GOCC’s, including all government instrumentalities with corporate powers and government corporate entities. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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New luxury hotel opens in Subic free port

Global Hotel and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GHLPI) has opened its P70-million Segara Suites development late last week to complement its passenger terminal business and another existing hotel, officials said late last week.

Segara Suites managing director Dave Baldeo said the 18-room luxury hotel has been added to the 10 units of the Segara Villas.

The completed investment adds to the existing 1,662 rooms and 1,876 housing units in the free port and thus increases the area’s tourism potential, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand C. Arreza said.

The project of GHLPI, also the operator of a passenger terminal, will also bolster the free port’s plan to develop a cruise market here as more cruise liners set their sights in Asia, Mr. Arreza said.

Already, the SBMA has recorded a total of $1.02 billion in committed investments for tourism-related projects here, Mr. Arreza said.

Total investment commitments across all sectors meanwhile totaled $1.2 billion for 115 projects, a value nearly six times the $206.5 million recorded for 201 projects in 2009.

Of the 115 investment projects approved by the SBMA in 2010, the bulk was made up by the proposal of South Korean firm MCastle Philippines to spend about $1 billion to develop a resort in Morong, Bataan.

“The Segara resort complex now has the capabilities and facilities to serve visiting cruise ships,” Mr. Arreza said.

“Our plan to increase the number of high-quality rooms is imperative because of the increasing number of tourists coming to Subic,” he added.

The Segara Suites is said to cater to the high-end market which includes business executives as well as celebrities.

“Many are willing to spend for as long as they get their money’s worth,” Mr. Baldeo said.

He added that the new hotel is part of the expansion program of GHLPI that includes the on-going construction of Segara Residences -- a condominium project located near Subic’s Alava Pier -- and the Segara Promenade Commercial Building.

“This is the continuation of the development and expansion phases of Segara,” Mr. Baldeo said.

The company is also seeking to serve visiting cruise ships with the construction of a passenger terminal of its mother-company, the Global Terminals and Development, Inc., according to earlier reports.

The latest development comes as the SBMA had earlier sought to increase the number of shipping firms that use the economic zone’s ports.

Efforts had reportedly been under way to consolidate shipping needs of nearby manufacturers to lure carriers into serving the port, SBMA senior deputy administrator Redentor S. Tuazon had said.

The unnamed shipping firm being targeted, if it signs on, would increase the thrice weekly port calls seen by the Subic ports to daily calls.

Locators at the free port exported $1.345 billion worth of goods in 2010, an increase of 24.6% from the previous year, data from the SBMA Web site showed. But seaport revenues fell 12.33% that year to P414.538 million.

The Subic port covers 41 hectares and consists of 15 piers. (BusinessWorld)

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Subic Freeport hosts biggest IBP convention

Some 2,000 lawyers from different chapters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) across the country attended the organization’s three-day 13th national convention here, the biggest turnout so far in the history of the IBP.

The convention opened on Thursday at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), with guests of honor that included Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Francis Escudero, former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila president Adel Tamano, and Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza, Zambales governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., Zambales 1st District representative Mitos Magsaysay, and Olongapo City mayor James Gordon, Jr. welcomed the convention-goers, with Ebdane and Gordon turning over symbolic keys to Zambales and Olongapo City to IBP officials.

In his welcome remarks, Arreza noted that in all of the conferences and conventions that Subic has hosted, this convention had the most distinguished attendees. He also invited everyone to take the opportunity to enjoy the sights that Olongapo, Zambales and the Freeport has to offer.

Meanwhile, Binay, who is concurrent presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Affairs and chairman of the inter-agency campaign against human trafficking, urged lawyers to be in the frontline of the war against illegal recruiters, stressing that if the evidence points to their guilt, the illegal recruiters should rot in jail.

“We can nip in the bud illegal recruitment and human trafficking by making laws that make them answer before the law,” Binay stressed.

He emphasized that illegal recruiters should not be let off the hook, and that the full force of law should be imposed on international drug traffickers.

Apart from calling on lawyers to fight illegal recruitment, Binay, who was recently sent to China to plead the case of three Filipinos convicted of drug trafficking, also urged lawyers to contribute their own share in the realization of the objectives of good governance.

For his part, Escudero reminded lawyers of the importance of their title. He said that lawyers are seen in society as respected individuals and that their every move is being watched.

He therefore urged lawyers to maintain the level of respect that they are being accorded with.

“Sana, sa inyong mga lugar at komunidad, gampanan natin ang papel na dapat gampanan natin, papel na dapat gampanan hindi lamang bilang Pilipino, hindi lamang bilang abogado, kundi ng isang Pilipinong abogado na nagmamahal sa kanyang bayan, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang salita at gawa (I hope that, in your communities, you do your role not just as a Filipino, not just as a lawyer, but as a Filipino lawyer who loves his country in words and action),” Escudero said.

He also challenged lawyers to help eradicate recurring social problems, such as corruption and human rights violation. Escudero is chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez officiated the oath-taking of new chapter directors and officers during an induction ceremony held later that evening. (SBMA Corporate Communications)
PHOTO: Vice President Jejomar Binay (2nd from left) hands over to SBMA administrator Armand Arreza a statuette of the Lady of Justice in recognition of the agency’s support in the holding of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines 13th Convention held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Also in photo are Roan Libarios(left), executive vice president and governor of the IBP, and retired Justice Santiago Kapunan, IBP officer in charge.

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Subic rescue chief: Disaster awareness a must for Filipinos

With earthquake experts warning of the possibility of a “big one,” there is more reason for Filipinos to be more prepared and properly trained to face calamities, according to Rannie Magno, chief of the fire and rescue group of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Magno, a member of a Philippine team sent to the tsunami-struck city of Sendai in Japan to conduct Oplan Bayanihan last March 18, noted that while Filipinos may have some training in disaster preparedness, they still need to develop a culture of disaster awareness.

“Filipinos must be ready, since the threat of a strong earthquake is highly possible,” Magno said.

In particular, members of disaster response teams should be properly briefed on what to do before and after earthquakes, he said. They must also have the proper tools and equipment in handling rescue operations, he added.

The Philippines, which is located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, is susceptible to strong earthquakes, Magno noted.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Marikina West Valley fault line, one of the active faults in the country, can cause a 7.2-magnitude earthquake at its full movement. The fault line runs through Metro Manila, particularly through the cities of Marikina, Pasig and Muntinlupa.

PHIVOLCS also noted that the Manila Trench, located 50 kilometers off the island of Corregidor, could generate an 8.5-magnitude earthquake, which can produce a tsunami in the Manila Bay.

While in Japan, Magno said he also observed the way the Japanese people dealt with the disaster and noted that while Japan was very well-prepared, the system of notifying residents still needed to be enhanced.

He said that Filipinos who were evacuated from Sendai recounted that not everyone responded promptly after the tsunami warning was issued.

Japan suffered a magnitude-8.9 earthquake on March 11, which caused tsunami waves of up to 37 meters high. The tsunami caused extensive damage in Miyagi Prefecture, particularly in the cities of Sendai and Fukushima, where the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant exploded and leaked some radiation in the aftermath of the tsunami.

Magno stressed that if a tsunami warning has been issued, people should seek higher ground within fifteen minutes.

When asked if he felt any fear during the recovery mission in Japan, Magno said that there was no reason to be scared since his team was well prepared. He also added that he had prior chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training in the United States.

Magno is also a member of the core group of trainers/lecturers who conduct training for local and corporate executives on Incident Command System, which deals with all types of emergencies at all levels. This system, which was patterned after that in the United States, is to be adopted in ASEAN-member countries.

As of now, Magno is promoting disaster awareness activities in Subic and conducting earthquake awareness seminars and earthquake drills.

Magno, who recently received the Civil Service Commission’s Pag-asa award for his work as SBMA fire and rescue chief, said that he is always guided in his undertakings by the core values of the agency.

“Dala natin ang core values ng SBMA. Iba ang values natin,” Magno said. “Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga tao natin na dapat dala natin ito kahit saan tayo mapunta, para mas dumami pa ang maniwala sa ganitong values. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I look at myself as an ambassador of the SBMA,” he added. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
SBMA Fire Chief Ranny Magno, in hazmat suit, checks radioactivity level at the premises of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, which was found to be within normal limits. Magno, a member of the Philippine government’s “Oplan Bayanihan” emergency mission, has called for intensified efforts to increase the level of disaster preparedness in the country.

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