ACTSI eyes Subic as business aviation hub inking deal with SBMA

Aviation Concepts Technical Services Inc. (ACTSI) – a business aviation services provider based in the Philippines – signed lease agreement with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to transform the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA), a former United States Navy Base, into a hub for business aviation in the Asia Pacific region.

Under a 25-year partnership with the SBMA, ACTSI is committed to providing hangar parking, corporate jet Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) services and aircraft corrosion preventive solutions at SBIA, to ease the congested hangar parking and maintenance burdens in the region. Close to 18,000 square-meter ACTSI hangar facility is targeted to complete its premiere upgrade in the third quarter of 2019.

At the signing ceremony, SBMA’s Chairperson & Administrator Atty. Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma commented, “This is very exciting for SBIA and SBMA. With the added push coming from government, we will be able to jointly launch ACTSI’s services this year together with Subic Airport’s 24/7 capability.” ACTSI’s General Manger Mr. John O’Meara also said, “We are very delighted and optimistic in our partnership with the SBMA, helping it realize SBIA’s potential as a premiere hub for business aviation in Asia — servicing business jets around the region.”

The newly refurbished MRO hangar facility is set to meet standards of aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and clients’ expectations. As the former US Navy base, SBIA allows ACTSI’s large-sized aircraft users to enjoy the extensive runway length at 9,000 feet for easy take-offs and landings. The ACTSI Subic hangar facility has Part 145 approvals from Civil Aviation Authority of Cayman Islands and Bermuda, it is currently working towards expanding its capabilities to include an FAA 145 approval.

Based in the Philippines, ACTSI is led by Mr. John O’Meara, a former Gulfstream Test Pilot with over 40 years aviation experience and a team of certified engineers, dedicating their efforts to providing hangar parking, corporate jet maintenance services and aircraft corrosion solutions to clients within the Asia Pacific region. (Aviationpros.com)

PHOTO:

ACTSI hangar at the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA)

https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/press-release/21069524/aviation-concepts-technical-services-inc-actsi-actsi-eyes-subic-as-business-aviation-hub-inking-deal-with-subic-bay-metropolitan-authority

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Biggest supplier of Japanese heavy machinery partners with Subic dealer

One of the world’s biggest suppliers of used heavy machinery has partnered with a company inside this premier free port to provide necessary equipment for development projects in the countryside.

Japanese used machinery supplier AA Japan formally joined forces with Filanka Subic Corporation here on Friday, aiming to help address the country’s development requirements in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, and energy by providing heavy-duty trucks and machinery.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Director Julius Escalona, who welcomed the two companies during the office inauguration, said the partnership will also provide local entrepreneurs with with much-needed heavy equipment units and related services.

AA Japan President and CEO Hameed Ramzan said the Japanese supplier teamed up with Filanka because they “believe in Filanka’s proven track record in this industry.”

He said the partnership “will allow us to adapt our services and products to a broad customer base and develop multiple service offerings.”

“We aim to boost our network here, which may, in turn, strengthen the industry in this part of the country, as well as provide livelihood opportunities to nearby communities,” Ramzan added.

With a $15-million investment, the partnership is gunning for an expansion and provision of full service in the country, officials said. This would mean hiring 200 employees skilled in conversion, painting, engine maintenance, and bodyworks, as well as leasing additional spaces for their stock and service yards.

“Every year, we deal with more than 10,000 customers throughout the world and our reputation of quality has never faltered. We strive, and we will always strive, to offer our customers quality vehicles at a low price, and to provide them with the best customer service,” Ramzan said.

He said that since 1996, AA Japan has provided quality vehicles, equipment, and machinery to contractors and procurers worldwide and has developed a global network of branches and exclusive partners that allow car sales throughout the world. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Director Julius Escalona (left) joins AA Japan CEO Hameed Ramzan, AA Japan COO Kogawa Teruyuki, and former Sto. Tomas, Pampanga mayor Romy Ronquillo in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to launch the business partnership between AA Japan and Filanka Subic Corp.

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SBMA, Subic firms send P70k donation to Orion fire victims

Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as well business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport sent in more than P70,000 worth of donations to victims of the fire that razed more than 600 houses in Orion, Bataan late last month.

SBMA Public Relations Department manager Armie Llamas said the Subic agency mounted a donation drive for the fire victims and collected some 25 boxes of assorted supplies from various SBMA departments and companies operating in the Freeport.

The donations consisted of sleeping mats, water pails, plates and drinking cups, various toiletry items, blankets, pillows, canned goods, and used clothes. These were turned over last week to Orion, Bataan Mayor Antonio Raymundo, Jr.

In a separate project, the SBMA’s 89.5-FM Subic Bay Radio also collected a significant volume of donations as it asked listeners to contribute in the aftermath of the Orion fire.

Acting station manager Menandro Magcale said that good Samaritans from the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City provided 5 cavans of rice, 6 boxes of canned goods, 4 boxes of noodles, 3 boxes of bread and biscuits, 2 boxes of assorted packed food, 3 boxes of hygiene products, assorted kitchen and house ware, and beddings and mattresses.

The station likewise collected some 100 pairs of shoes and slippers, as well as a dozen huge plastic bags of used clothes.

The radio station staff, along with volunteer students from Aura College in the Freeport, delivered the donations on Feb. 8 to social welfare workers at the main evacuation center in the Bataan School of Fisheries in Orion.

SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma, meanwhile, lauded the SBMA employees, business locators and other stakeholders in the Subic community for showing concern for other people who are in need.

“Your gesture of love and kindness for others, especially our neighbors in Bataan, best exemplifies the culture of benevolence and malasakit that we are cultivating in this community,” Eisma added.

Reports said that more than 1 6,000 individuals fled to temporary evacuation centers after a fire broke out at Sitio Depensa in Barangay Capunitan, Orion on January 29.

Abetted by strong winds, the fire razed down more than 600 houses made of light materials that were home to mostly fishermen and informal settlers. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Public Relations Department head Armie Llamas (center) and PRD Community Relations Officer Malou Dungog lead the turnover of goods donated by SBMA employees and business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport for Orion fire victims.

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BOC orders transfer of empty containers in Manila ports to Batangas, Subic

In an attempt to solve port congestion, the Bureau of Customs has ordered the transfer of all empty containers in Port of Manila and Manila International Container Port to the ports in Batangas and Subic.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero directed the district collectors of Port of Manila (POM) and Manila International Container Port (MICP), which are both located in Manila, to transfer all empty containers to the Asian Terminals Inc. in Port of Batangas and Manila International Container Terminal in Subic Bay Freeport.

The two ports, under Executive No. 172, series of 2014, were declared as extensions of the POM and MICP “during port congestion and other emergency cases.”

District collectors of Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Freeport, according to Guerrero, shall exercise authority over the containers to be transferred.

The district collectors of POM and MICP, on the other hand, shall “immediately transmit all pertinent documents relative to the subject containers for immediate processing and disposal.”

Port congestion experienced in 2014 also prompted former Customs Chief Alberto Lina to order the transfer of cargo containers to the container terminals in Batangas and Subic.

According to the bureau, the jurisdiction of the transferred cargoes remained on the district collectors of the POM and MICP, however, in November 2015, the jurisdiction of the cargoes was transferred to the district collectors of the extension ports in Batangas and Subic.

The need for immediate disposition of the transferred cargo container then, the bureau said, prompted them to likewise transfer the jurisdiction of the containers. (Betheena Unite, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:

Unloading at the New Container Terminal of the Port of Subic.


https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/21/boc-orders-transfer-of-empty-containers-in-manila-ports-to-batangas-subic/

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Blue Wolves retain title in 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

The Blue Wolves emerged as back-to-back champion, keeping their title in the recently-concluded 9th Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Mini-Olympic games held recently.

The champion team, which consisted of 11 departments anchored by the Office of the Chairman and Administrator, easily held the commanding lead with 23 gold medals, 21 silvers, and 16 bronze medals.

The Blue Wolves beat three other teams in signature events that included basketball, volleyball, street dance competition, track and field, swimming, fun run, duathlon, and obstacle course race.

Meanwhile, first runner-up Green Cobras, a 12-department team that was led by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations, went home with 12 golds, 9 silvers, and 9 bronze medals.

The second runner-up title went to Yellow Eagles, a team headed by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, which won 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 12 bronze medals.

The team of Red Boars led by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services ended up last with 6 golds, 6 silvers, and 8 bronze medals.

SBMA SDA for Support Services Ramon Agregado handed the medals to the winners during the awarding ceremony that capped the three-day games and congratulated all the teams for their efforts and sportsmanship.

Winners of team and individual events received cash prizes.

Agregado also praised the organizers and the various committees for handling the mini-Olympics well.

An award for “biggest delegation” was also given to the Blue Wolves for garnering a total of 141.6 points. Yellow Eagles came second with 75.7 points, while Green Cobras and Red Boars received 71.1 and 41 points, respectively.

This was the eighth iteration of the SBMA mini-Olympics, which aimed to foster sportsmanship and camaraderie among employees. The annual games were organized by the SBMA Human Resources Management Department.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Public Works and Technical Services Group Marco Estabillo, who is mini-Olympics committee chairperson, said that while the previous mini-Olympics was held barely five months ago, the 2019 games had to be held early to make way for the renovation of sports facilities here in time for the SEA Games.

At least 16 events in the 30th Southeast Asian Games were scheduled to be played in Subic when the Philippines hosts the biennial regional multi-sport event from November 30 to December 11, 2019. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma positions a jump-ball during the game between the Blue Wolves and Red Boars in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

[2] Members of the Blue Wolves strain their muscles and vocal cords during a rope tug-o-war against the Yellow Eagles in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

[3] Competitors from various teams race to the finish line while weighted with tires during the obstacle course race in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics.

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SBMA pushes for Subic Freeport expansion

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pressing for the expansion of Subic Bay Freeport boundaries with vigorous legislative help from its first chief executive, Senator Richard Gordon.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that Gordon, who was SBMA chairman from 1992 to 1998, had filed Senate Bill 2207 the other week to expand the area of the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as that of the neighboring Clark Freeport.

Under the proposed measure, some parts of Zambales and Bataan provinces, along with areas in Olongapo City, will be made an adjunct of the Subic Bay Freeport under a phased expansion program.

Eisma said that in consultation with neighboring local government units last year, the SBMA has gotten pledges of about 21,000 hectares of expansion areas for future investment projects.

These included 9,000 hectares in San Antonio; 10,000 hectares in San Marcelino; 500-600 hectares in Subic; 500 hectares in Castillejos; and 900 hectares in Olongapo City, all in Zambales; as well as 505 hectares in Hermosa, Bataan.

“We want these areas to be utilized as economic zones because we’re already running out of space in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Eisma said.

The proposed expansion, she added, “will sustain the growth of the Subic Freeport, attract more investments, and generate jobs for residents from nearby communities and other areas.”

In filing the bill, Senator Gordon said that there was a need to update Republic Act 7227, otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, in order to further strengthen the Subic and Clark free ports.

He said that once enacted, the proposed measure will also give the expanded territories the same tax incentives as those in Subic Freeport and Clark Freeport so that they can attract investments projects.

Senate Bill 2207 also seeks to increase the area of the Clark Special Economic Zone from the current 4,400 hectares to 35,400 hectares and mandates Subic and Clark authorities to frame some master plan for the phased expansion. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Senator Richard J. Gordon confers with SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and other agency officials after sponsoring Senate Bill 2207 on Feb. 4.

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186 applicants hired on-the-spot in Subic job fair

A total of 186 applicants were hired on the spot during the Build, Build, Build= Jobs, Jobs, Jobs Caravan held in Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday, February 9, to help provide alternative employment to workers who were laid off recently at the Hanjin shipyard.

The Build, Build, Build team of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr,) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) organized the job fair in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other agencies.

Around 25,000 jobs were opened to displaced Hanjin workers, as well as walk-in applicants, by 103 participating firms, mostly locators in the Subic Bay Freeport and contractors of government projects.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma thanked the organizers and participating firms during the fair and cited the collaboration between public and private sectors in maintaining a strong workforce to sustain the economic growth of the Central Luzon region.

“We acknowledge the efforts of the government through the BBB Team to come up with an immediate program to address the plight of displaced Hanjin workers,” Eisma said.

“This is only the second Jobs, Jobs, Jobs caravan of President Duterte, and Subic was chosen to be the venue. With all your support, industries here in the Subic Bay Freeport will continue to flourish,” Eisma added.

Villar said President Duterte ordered the conduct of a jobs caravan upon hearing about the problem facing Hanjin workers. “Ang pangarap n’ya sa Pilipinas ay lahat po ng ating kababayan ay magkakaroon ng trabaho, kaya po may Build Build Build program tayo,” he added.

The inter-agency project was held with the cooperation of the DOLE, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic and Development Authority, and Clark Development Corporation.

The jobs fair was also graced by Senator Richard Gordon, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, BCDA President Vince Dizon, and Zambales First District Rep. Jeffrey Khonghun.

The day-long jobs caravan held at the SBMA Gymnasium drew out 4,051 job applicants, said Rommel Aquino, manager of the SBMA Labor Department’s Manpower Services Division. These included 2,464 former Hanjin shipyard workers who comprised 60.8% of the registered participants.

Meanwhile, out of the 186 applicants hired on the spot (HOTS), 99 were former Hanjin workers. The HOTS were hired as welders, electricians, masons, fitters, engineers, drivers, painters, scaffolders, riggers, admin assistants, clerks, and sales and marketing staff, among others.

Aquino added that applicants who lacked some requirements like trade test certificate and medical certificate may be accepted upon submission of the needed documents.

During the fair, Chairman Eisma also stressed that the SBMA has never failed to fulfil its mandate of generating employment and that it has done so by regularly organizing job fairs every year.

Despite the current financial difficulties hounding Hanjin, Eisma said she is still hopeful that Subic Freeport businesses and industries will continue to flourish, provide jobs to residents, and help in the economic growth of nearby communities.

The Subic jobs caravan was the second leg of the Build, Build, Build=Jobs, Jobs, Jobs project. The first was held in Manila while the third and fourth will be in Cebu and Davao, respectively. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1-2] Job applicants submit requirements to recruiters from various companies that participated in the Build, Build, Build=Jobs, Jobs, Jobs Caravan held in the Subic Bay Freeport on February 9. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Build, Build, Build=Jobs, Jobs, Jobs Caravan organizers and guests do a “Duterte fist” during the jobs fair held at the SBMA Gym, from left: Trade Undersecretary Rowel Barba, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Senator Richard Gordon, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jeffrey Khonghun. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA turns over P4.9-M community facilities to Subic Ayta tribe

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently turned over community facilities worth P4.9 million to the Pastolan Ayta tribe here as part of the agency’s commitment to promote the welfare of the indigenous community in this free port.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma formally handed over the donations consisting of a schoolhouse and a healthcare clinic to officials of the Ambala Ayta Tribe of Pastolan, whose ancestral lands form part of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Eisma said the donated infrastructures are part of the agency’s commitment under a Joint Management Agreement signed by the SBMA, the Ayta tribe, and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) that provides compensation for the use of part of the Ayta ancestral domain.

The health clinic is expected to serve the 330 families living in the Ayta village, while the school building will be used by students in Grades 4 to 6.

“I will do everything I can to give what is rightfully yours under the agreement,” Eisma told the Ayta community led by Chieftain Conrado Frenilla during the turnover. “There may be times when I cannot grant other favors that you ask, but I assure you that if it’s within my power, I would,” she added.

Former Hermosa, Bataan town mayor Gaudencio Ferrer, who was present in the turnover, lauded the efforts of the SBMA in providing facilities to Ayta residents, whose village falls under the political jurisdiction of Hermosa.

“Madam Chairman, thank you for giving us this wonderful school building,” Ferrer said. “It is not just a simple school that was given to you,” he told the residents, “but you received the most beautiful classroom in Bataan.”

According to Armie Llamas, manager of the SBMA Public Relations Department, barangay health workers will man the clinic, but the SBMA will also provide a medical doctor to regularly see patients at the clinic. Consultations with the doctor will be held during Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Llamas added.

Meanwhile, school principal Jake Bautista said the new school building will be converted into rooms for Mathematics and Science classes, aside from serving as additional classrooms for pupils in Grades 4 to 6 who shared just one room previously.

Teachers added that the new school building will be more conducive to learning, and hence would encourage more local children to go to school. (CMC/MPD-SBMA))

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, along with former Hermosa Mayor Gaudencio Ferrer and Pastolan Chieftain Conrado Frenilla, formally opens the health clinic donated by the SBMA to the Pastolan Ayta tribe. (MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma turns over the symbolic key to the Pastolan health clinic to Ayta elder Bonifacio Florentino. (MPD-SBMA)

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Foreign shipbuilders eye Hanjin takeover

MANILA - Shipbuilders from the United States, Japan, South Korean, Indonesia, Australia and Turkey have expressed interest in taking over the operations of cash-strapped Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC-Phil), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday.

Lorenzana was reacting to a question regarding the government's plans on HHIC-Philippines during the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Forum, "The National Security Outlook for the Philippines in 2019", at the NDCP Compound, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

"There are several shipyards, ship companies around the world, (which have expressed interest in taking over HHIC-Phil's operations), some US, Japanese, (South) Korean, Indonesian and also Australian, I think lately, I also heard some Turkish or some European shipyards are already interested," Lorenzana said.

But if worse comes to worse, Lorenzana said the government could take over as the Senate has already set aside some money for such eventualities.

"Hanjin shipyard (has) not actually filed for bankruptcy it is just asking for rehabilitation, because the problem is cash flow. It is still building some ships here in the Philippines but it needs money to keep operating (on a) day-to-day basis so it’s still being in the works," he said.

HHIC-Phil earlier revealed that it has a total of USD1.3 billion outstanding loans -- USD400 million from Philippine banks and USD900 million from South Korean lenders.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, HHIC-Phil filed on January 8 a petition at the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City "to initiate voluntary rehabilitation under Republic Act 10142, otherwise known as An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises and Individuals".

The shipbuilder also sought help from the government to find investors that can take over the operation of its shipyard in Subic, as well as to help its employees, who have taken the brunt of the company's financial woes.

In December 2018, the company laid off more than 7,000 workers. (PNA)

PHOTO:

Large carrier ships being built at Hanjin shipyard in Subic Bay Freeport.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060952

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‘Build Build Build’ team sets Subic job fair for displaced Hanjin workers

The “Build Build Build” team composed of various government agencies will gather around 70 employers from different contractors involved in the government’s infrastructure program, and companies within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone for a Jobs Caravan on February 9, Saturday.

To be held at the SBMA Gym in the Subic Bay Freeport, the Build Build Build = Jobs Jobs Jobs Caravan was initiated to provide employment to the displaced workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) Philippines.

Wilma Eisma, chairperson and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said the Authority is committed to find jobs for the displaced Hanjin workers.

“Subic is happy to be part of this project to bring greater positive social impact to our people. We are committed to find every opportunity for the SBMA to make more jobs available and catalyse greater growth in Central Luzon and the rest of the country,” Eisma said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured that there will be no job-skill mismatch after DOLE conducted a profiling activity on 2,779 Hanjin workers.

“Around 65 percent or 1,801 of the 2,779 profiled Hanjin workers are skilled in carpentry, 24 percent or 661 on the other hand have skills in vulcanizing and welding, hence there will be no problem with job-skill mismatch if they work in the construction industry,” Bello said.

“We are bringing job opportunities closer to the people. The available jobs guarantee decent domestic employment for our highly skilled workers. They need not sacrifice being away to provide for their families because local productive work abounds,” Bello added.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, for his part, urged jobseekers to explore employment opportunities in nearby Clark.

“We believe there are enough jobs available at Clark Ecozone alone for the displaced workers of Hanjin Philippines. According to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a lot of jobs for skilled workers are needed at Clark as it shifts to high gear its program to transform New Clark City into the country’s first smart and green metropolis,” Dominguez said.

The Jobs Caravan is spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), BCDA, SBMA, and the Clark Development Corporation.

“This is an opportunity for us to aid those who lost or will lose their jobs in Hanjin, and at the same time complement the manpower requirement of the BBB program of the government,” said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, noting the need for additional labor force to match the yearly additional budget in infrastructure projects.

“The Build, Build, Build program remains a priority of President Rodrigo Duterte’s government. This program, which is expected to generate thousands, even millions of jobs nationwide will be able to provide options for our displaced workers,” said Villar.

According to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, at least a thousand jobs will be available at the Caravan which include vacancies for construction workers, welders, carpenters, engineers, and administrative staff.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez noted that opportunities in the country are booming.

"Tuloy po ang paghandog ng oportunidad, at paggaling ng abilidad, para lahat ay umunlad," Lopez said.

Jobseekers may already pre-register for the Job Caravan at the SBMA Gym. Pre-registration will be open on January 30 to 31, February 4, and February 6 to 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Former Hanjin workers pre-register with the SBMA Labor Department for a jobs fair on February 8 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

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