Santiago, Breen top Subic triathlon race

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines’ student Mervin Rendel Santiago and Aileen Breen opened the 2014 triathlon season with a bang as they emerged the fastest triathletes among the age-groupers who saw action in yesterday’s kickoff leg of the 2014 National Age Group Triathlon series held at Dungaree Beach in the Subic Bay Freeport.

The 21-year-old Santiago, who last November topped the Anvaya Cove Invitational Triathlon, atoned for his poor showing in the swim leg with big finishes in the bike and run leg to win line honor in the male division at two hours, 13 minutes and 56 seconds.

“This is a good way to start the triathlon year. I knew I will be left behind in the swim, but I also knew that my strength is in the biking and running and I was confident I will be able to catch up with the early leaders,” said Santiago, a graduating student taking up Bachelor in Physical Education, who won the gold medal in the 20-24 age class.

Not to be outdone was Breen, who showed that she has recovered from a fractured right shoulder by becoming the fastest lady triathlete at 2:49:40 to claim the gold medal in the 35-39 bracket.

“I’ve been injured for six weeks, but it’s getting back now. It’s a good start to train again and I love competing in the NAGT because it’s a well-organized race,” said Breen.

The one-day race was organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and supported by the SBMA Tourism Department, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc., Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Green Triathlon, Lifestyle Subic Bay and Philippine Sports Commission.

Other winners in the standard distance (1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run) among the men were Juan Gabriel Velasco (25-29), Jet Ramos (30-34), Jessie Jay Calara (35-39), Hiroshi Takei (40-44), Keita Hasegawa (45-49), and Joey Andaya (50-54) while Chloe Jane Ong (25-29), Richelle Hizon (30-34) and Elaine Andaya (40-over) in the women.

A total of 200 triathletes saw action in the event, with members of the national teams showing their stuff to jump-start their preparation for international tournaments this year, including the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/01/20/santiago-breen-top-national-age-group-triathlon/

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Subic resort launches 'green villages' project for 'Yolanda' victims

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A resort-hotel here that advocates environmental sustainability has launched a long-term environment-friendly resettlement program for victims of the Supertyphoon Yolanda tragedy in Eastern Visayas.

Clyde Chua, chairman of The Lighthouse Marina Resort in this free port, said the company has established Project HOPE (Helping Others Progress and Excel), which involves creating eco-friendly resettlement villages to encourage victim-communities to come together and promote green living.

“Through this program, we hope that each family will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives at a more suitable area compared to cramped tent cities like the ones they have set up for Yolanda evacuees in Manila,” Chua said. He said the eco-friendly resettlement houses require very little skill to assemble, and the villages created may even serve as tourism destinations that may provide added livelihood to evacuee-residents.

“This project will not only help the victims of typhoon Yolanda and prepare a disaster management plan, but at the same time encourage people to recognize that the root of this problem is also related to the way humans have exploited the planet,” Chua said.

The businessman said the long-term vision of the project is to develop a disaster-rehabilitation program in Zambales, which is strategically located, that may be used to assist other areas in the country in times of calamities.

Employees of The Lighthouse Marina Resort unveiled Project HOPE through a fund-raising program during the New Year countdown at The Lighthouse beachfront, in cooperation with artists from Casa San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales.

In the program, renowned violinist Coke Bolipata and the Pundaquit Virtuosi performed an original composition entitled “Deluge” that was dedicated to the victims of Yolanda. The song was written, arranged and composed by Marc Tan, a graduate of the University of the Philippines’s College of Music and also a manager at The Lighthouse Marina. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/25974-subic-resort-launches-green-villages-project-for-yolanda-victims

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FIA president coming to PH

Jean Todt, the recently reelected president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Ferrari Formula One team director when Michael Schumacher won the world driver’s championship seven years in a row, is coming to the Philippines to be the keynote speaker of the first Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference, Auto and Travel Show scheduled for January 29 to February 2 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

The Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference, Auto and Travel Show is a joint project of the Department of Tourism and the Automobile Association Philippines, the country’s largest auto club with over 50,000 members.

AAP is the only Philippine member of the FIA, the Paris-based governing body for all four-wheel motorsport worldwide and the federation of 227 national motoring and sporting organizations in 132 countries.

“We look forward to welcoming Jean Todt,” AAP president Augusto Lagman said.“We could not have thought of a better way to jump-start the very first Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference, Travel and Auto Show than having him as keynote speaker. While ushering in the new year, we hope this event revives interest in local tourism and revs up tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Todt was elected to a second term as president of the FIA just last month. Before joining Ferrari, he was the motorsport director of the PSA Citroen Peugeot Group.

The event’s theme is “Saving Lives, Saving Costs, and Saving the Planet” and supports the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 that aims to save five million lives worldwide by reducing the number of road crashes.

All those involved in road safety and travel are enjoined to attend the conference and exhibition.

Aside from FIA Region 2 (Asia-Pacific) President Ross Heron who will provide an update on the region’s workplan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety, the other speakers include India’s Road Transport and Highways Minister Oscar Fernandes and Sri Lanka’s Transport Minister Kumara Welgama who will speak on innovative and sustainable programs for road safety. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/special-features/fia-president-coming-ph

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Enough staple for Central Luzon in 2014 -- NFA Region 3

CABANATUAN CITY -- The National Food Authority in Central Luzon yesterday gave assurances of enough supply of rice for this year with the arrival earlier this month of the region’s imported rice allocation at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) port.

In a statement, NFA Region 3 said around 500,000 bags (25,000 MT) of Vietnam rice arrived last week via the vessel MV Voge Fiesta while another vessel, MV Vinh Phuoc, will arrive later this month, carrying some 225,000 bags (11,250 MT) of Vietnam rice.

Of the total volume, Region 2 will be allocated 200,000 bags while the provinces of Central Luzon will get the 525,000 bags, it said.

According to NFA-Region 3 Director Amadeo De Guzman, the imported rice from Vietnam is part of the 500,000 metric tons additional imported rice sought by the agency through the government-to-government import scheme.

The Vietnam rice is meant to augment the current rice stocks which were badly affected due to the successive calamities that hit the country in 2013.

De Guzman added that the rice importation along with the planned aggressive palay procurement of the agency will build enough rice stocks to address the region’s rice consumption for this year.

He further stressed that the agency’s rice stocks are all of highest quality because they regularly conduct monitoring of their stocks based on the required regulations and standards. (Steve A. Gosuico, Journal)

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/65156-enough-staple-for-central-luzon-in-2014-nfa-region-3

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Ad Summit Pilipinas all set for Subic in 2014

It's all systems go for Ad Summit Pilipinas, the much-awaited event that is set to rock the country's advertising and marketing industry in 2014.

Organized by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4A's), the summit will take place from May 7 to 11 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Ad Summit Chairman Matec Villanueva says the summit will gather marketers and advertising practitioners in the Philippines through a "professionally managed and efficiently ran event with clockwork precision."

"We are definitely bringing 'rock star' speakers, global luminaries who are iconic, brilliant and whose work transcends national boundaries. We are rolling the red carpet for the finest," Villanueva added.

The 4A's is set to officially reveal in January the overall summit theme.

One special event that is certain to happen at the Ad Summit, however, is the staging of the Kidlat Awards of; the Creative Guild of the Philippines.

"We intend to institutionalize Kidlat as the country's most prestigious creative advertising competition," Villanueva said.

With five months left before Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014, the 4A's is now focusing on creating intelligent programming and effective event management to ensure high-level understanding and participation of attendees throughout the convention duration.

"We are bent not to overload programs so attendees can manage their time well and register 100 percent attendance in every session. We don't want to see morning sessions not filled up because people stayed late the night before," Villanueva revealed.

Interested participants may email the 4A's secretariat 4asp@pldtdsl.net to avail themselves of early bird rates. They may also check its official Facebook page at faceb0ok.com/AdSummitPH and follow it on Twitter at #ADSuinmitPH. (BusinessMirror)

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Subic collections up

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Bureau of Customs registered revenue collections of P11.2 billion in 2013, up 77 percent from P6.3.billion in 2012, driven by strong duties and tax take.

Port of Subic District collector Arnulfo Marcos said tax collections in the last quarter of 2013 rose 110 percent to P3.30 billion from P1.57 billion year-on-year.

Marcos said the P11.2-billion collections 2013 exceeded the Freeport’s target of P6.15 billion by 83 percent.

He said July registered the highest monthly tax collection with P1.02 billion, or up 220 percent from P321 million on year, followed by December with P1.10 billion, up 149 percent from P442 million on year.

Marcos attributed the increased collections to the reforms institutionalized by his predecessors at the Port of Subic and the recent reconfiguration program and reshuffle of key frontline officials. (Cecille Garcia, Manila Standard)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/01/10/subic-collections-up/

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Jessica Sanchez visits Subic

Filipino-American singing sensation Jessica Sanchez (middle) meets with SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia after visiting tourism attractions in the Subic Bay Freeport with her family over the weekend. Sanchez, who was runner-up on the 11th season of the reality show American Idol, traces her roots to nearby Samal, Bataan, the hometown of her mother Edita. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA to beef up disaster preparedness after Yolanda tragedy

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is all set to expand its existing disaster risk-reduction and management (DRRM) organization, as well as upgrade its emergency preparedness and response plan, in order to be able to handle Yolanda-like disaster scenarios.

SBMA DRRM officer Vicente Tolentino said this course of action was reached after SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia instructed disaster-management experts here to re-assess and re-evaluate the agency’s preparedness and response capacity in the wake of the Typhoon Yolanda tragedy in Eastern Visayas.

The assessment was made recently by the Subic Bay Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Committee (SDRRMC), which is composed of representatives from various SBMA departments, government agencies, and other auxiliary groups in the Subic Freeport.

“The consensus is that there is a need to modify or upgrade the SBMA Disaster and Emergency Prepared and Response Plan, which was drafted in 2001, because some or most of its procedures, systems and protocols are already outdated,” Tolentino said.

“The new benchmark now in disaster and emergency preparedness and response planning is Typhoon Yolanda. We would like to see a level of preparedness and response capacity that can ensure our safety should a super typhoon like Yolanda hit the free port,” Tolentino added.

During the SDRRMC’s assessment and evaluation session, it was noted that while national and local government preparations were in place even before Yolanda hit the country, no one had anticipated the destructive effects of a Signal Number 4 typhoon, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.

The committee also observed that communications systems broke down at impact areas, thus bogging down crucial government action.

Tolentino said that the two observations stressed the need for the SBMA to give importance to an information and education campaign on disaster preparedness for workers and residents in the Subic Freeport area, as well as to ensure a secure network of frequency-based radio communications units.

Roderic Grueso, deputy chief of the SDRRMC Operations Center, also said that in the wake of the Yolanda tragedy, Filipinos should change their perspective about typhoons, which commonly visit the Philippines during the rainy season.

“We used to define major disasters as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes or tsunamis. But with our experience with Yolanda, we should no longer discount the potential of typhoons to bring massive destruction,” Grueso said.

Disaster-management experts here also said that as part of updating Subic’s emergency response plan, the needs and constraints in the acquisition and depreciation of equipment and other resources should be identified.

They added that an update in emergency plans is also in order due to significant changes in DRRM measures, such as the enactment in 2010 of Republic Act 10121, or the Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, which shifted DRRM approach from reactive to proactive.

Tolentino said that the SDRRMC also concluded that since limitations in staff elements and task units hamper the dissemination and implementation of DRRM programs, the body should undergo extensive reorganization to involve other SBMA departments, and government and private groups in DRRM activities.

The body also resolved to strengthen its legal mandate, require members and auxiliary groups to designate action officers as points of contact, and to submit a list of existing and available resources to be integrated into the inventory of SDRRMC assets. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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National triathlon set in Subic

A showcase of new talents of the Philippine triathlon and duathlon team will serve as the highlight of the opening leg of the 2014 National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) series which will start at sunrise on Jan. 19 at the Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport.

The new PHI team members composed of Jared Macalalad, Claire Adorna, Nestor Cagas, Vicky Deldeo, Justin Chiongbian, Baltazar Valencia and Nancy Papaya will compete against tough competitors in the special elite category which will determine their rankings as well as their preparations for this year’s Asian Games, Asian Beach Games and the Youth Olympic Games.

Also competing are national standouts like Nikko Huelgas, Jon Chicano, Km Mangrobang, Kevin Eijansantos, Robeno Javier, Pawee Fornea, Mirasol Abad and Magali Echauz.

The elites along with seasoned age-groupers will endure the Standard Distance 1.5 kilometer swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run course which will take them from Dungaree to Argonaut Highway (until Corregidor) and to Naval Mag in the freeport.

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

The age-groupers (20 and above) and the 16-19 participants will handle the Sprint Distance course (750 meter swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) while teen participants aged 13 to 16-years-old will engage in the mini-sprint course of 350 M swim – 16 Km bike – 2.5 Km run). Lastly, a SuperTriKids aquathlon side-event
will be held for participants aged 9-10 years (200 M swim – 400 M run) and 11-12 years (350 M swim – 1.5 Km run).

At around 8:30 a.m., participants will be allowed to take their post-race meal followed by the event’s awarding ceremony at about 10 a.m. Medals and gift items will be award to the Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female winners of the different categories covering all distances. Meanwhile, race participants will be entitled to finishers’ medals and t-shirts.

Registration is ongoing until Jan. 12 with entry fees set at P3,500 for standard distance events, P3,000 for sprint distance, P2,500 for mini-sprint and P1,000 for STK aquathlon races. BIKEKING (Bonifacio High Street) and SPEEDO Concept Stores (Alabang, SM Megamall, The Podium, Glorietta 4 and Bonifacio High Street) are the registration centers.

For inquiries, interested parties may contact the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) via numbers 0915-6394233, 710- 8259, 399-6598, fax 809-3136 and email fabiedavid@yahoo.com and AFC_0412@yahoo.com. (Tempo)

http://sports.tempo.com.ph/2014/01/national-triathlon-set-in-subic/#.UstraNJDuGM

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Subic community continues to extend Holiday cheers to needy children

Members of the Subic Freeport community, along with business investors and civic organizations, continue to extend holiday cheers to children from indigent families in neighboring villages, as well as those hit by recent calamities.

On New Year’s Day, students of the Special Education for the Gifted (SPED-G) and their parents coordinated with the San Roque Parish Church in the free port for the SPED-G Gift-Giving Project held at the parish ground.

The project provided toys and snacks to more than 300 children.

Parent and Olongapo City councilor Jong Cortez said that the activity endeavors to bring happiness to children amid hardship and calamities that they experienced last year.

“This is also an opportunity for the students of SPED-G to share the blessings that their families enjoy with less fortunate kids of their age,” said Cortez.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) had also earlier spearheaded gift-giving activities through its Public Relations Department, aside from initiating a collection drive for relief goods sent to victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

On December 20, the SBMA-PRD conducted a gift-giving activity that benefited 200 children in an Aeta tribal community at Sitio Timak, Morong, Bataan.

Seven days later, the SBMA-PRD conducted a similar project for 300 kids at Barangay Asinan Proper in Subic, Zambales.

Meanwhile, Grande Island Resort, one of the more popular tourist destinations in Subic Bay, and operated by GFTG Property Holdings Corporation, will be conducting a feeding and gift-giving project in one of the communities hardest-hit by Typhoon Yolanda.

Karisha Cinco, Grande Island Resort executive assistant, said that the firm’s management and staff will undertake a feeding project and distribute toys to children in Hernani, Eastern Samar on the second week of the month. The project will be done in coordination with the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish there.

Hernani, Cinco noted, was one of the hardest-hit areas, yet has not received enough assistance.

“It is part of our corporate social responsibility,” Cinco said about the project, adding that Grande Island Resort is still accepting donations in any form to be added to toys and other children’s items collected to aid in the relief and recovery of children-victims in Hernani. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Foreign businessmen seek use of Subic, Batangas ports

MANILA, Philippines – The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) is reiterating its calls to utilize ports in Batangas and Subic in an effort to “reduce cost and increase efficiency in the Manila port.”

In a statement on Monday, the JFC said its logistic firms are in talks with major port operators seeking “win-win solutions” to address congestion at the Manila port, truck-bans and route prohibitions.

“They are also looking at the lack of support infrastructure in form of easy access to the ports (including Batangas). The intent is to draw up short-term, mid-term, and long-term solutions. While undertaking these discussions, the JFC advocacy remains that the use of port assets in Batangas and Subic should be promoted and the impact of expanding the Manila port carefully evaluated,” the JFC said.

JFC said it has furnished a letter to the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means from the Arangkada Philippines 2010: A Business Perspective of the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines and the recent Assessment on Infrastructure: Seaports and Logistics to address the underutilization of the Batangas Container Terminal.

JFC added that a private sector expert said the recommendation is not ongoing because “there is still resistance from customers to pay added trucking costs to Batangas.” (ABS-CBNNews.com)

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/12/16/13/foreign-businessmen-seek-use-subic-batangas-ports

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PH to host Challenge triathlon 2014

CHALLENGE Family, the global series of long distance triathlons that is changing the face of ultra-distance racing around the world, is all set for its Philippine debut in February, featuring a spectacular and iconic tri-course that runs through Subic and Bataan.

Set on Feb. 22, the half distance Challenge PHL triathlon caps off a weeklong celebration of the Pinoy spirit and the beautiful traditions of the Philippines, in lifestyle, cultural and community engagements, as well as sporting events for the entire family

The Philippines is Challenge’s 14th destination country, after races in North America, UK, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand. The Challenge Family has mounted over 20 races around the world, participated in by 34,000 athletes – including multi-triathlon world champion Chris “Macca” McCormack – with over 915,000 spectators.

“The Challenge Family selects race courses that provide athletes with the best race experience connected to a community that embraces its vision,” said Dave Voth, Challenge Philippines race chairman, and president of Endurance Entertainment Asia, Inc.

“Challenge Philippines is shaping up to be the country’s most anticipated triathlon competition, offering finishers not only bragging rights for winning against the best in the world, but also cash prizes worth over P2 million,” Voth said. “Racing with the world’s best who are competing for one of the largest paydays in the sport will truly add to that once in a lifetime experience.”

Challenge Philippines offers Male Elite and Female Elite Top 10 finishers cash, trophies, and gift packs. Meanwhile, Philippine national team members, male and female; as well as, elite team members from countries in the SEA region are eligible to compete in the Southeast Asia (SEA) Elite Top 3. Special cash prizes will also be given to Fastest AG Split, male and female categories in Swim, Bike, and Run; as well as highest Team points for the top 3 teams. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/11/01/ph-to-host-challenge-triathlon/

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CL to host APEC 2015

Camp Olivas, Pampanga — All roads lead to Central Luzon when it hosts in 2015 the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders summit, participated in by 19 countries, with key venues identified yesterday as Clark Freeport in Pampanga, Subic Bay in Zambales, and a world-class resort in Bataan.

Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, Police Regional Office 3 director, said that as early as now the Philippine National Police (PNP) has started security preparations for the country’s hosting of the 2015 APEC Summit and its related ministerial and sub-ministerial meetings.

Describing the event as “another milestone in the country’s economic development,” Petrasanta said: “We had an ocular inspection and coordination meeting with officials of sites that are likely to host namely, Clark Freeport, Subic Freeport and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac town in Bataan.”

These efforts are being closely coordinated with the Departments of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and National Defense (DND).

Apart from the Philippines, other members of the APEC are Australia, Brunei Darrusalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam.

In Bataan, Governor Abet S. Garcia and Mayor Ramil del Rosario of Bagac town expressed pride over the choice of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a 5-star resort hotel in the coastal town, as the venue for the APEC leaders – many of whom are critical decision-makers not just in the region but in the world economy.

“Las Casas is primarily eyed as a possible site for the activity of the spouses of visiting heads of state and government, while the leaders’ summit is ongoing,” said Petrasanta.

Las Casas, owned by construction magnate Jerry Acuzar, is famed for its centuries-old houses and world-class hotel rooms.

By the time the APEC 2015 unfolds, additional facilities like the Galeria Victoria, a fully-air-conditioned mall, will have been established through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) venture in Balanga City, Mayor Joet S. Garcia. (Manila Bulletin)

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/cl-host-apec-2015-164737975.html

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Subic theme park to give orphans early Christmas treat

The Zoomanity Group, owner of Zoobic Safari and one of the leading companies in the theme park industry in the country, will be giving an early Christmas gift to orphaned children.

“Christmas is for children,” says Zoomanity Group CEO Robert Yupangco. “Because of this, we are taking the opportunity to give back happiness and blessings to less fortunate children during this season of sharing and thanksgiving.”

Yupangco said that this year, over 500 children will be given gifts and free entrance to all Zoomanity parks to enjoy one day of thrilling interaction with their favorite animals and other exciting animal shows.

He explained that the project to give orphans from different foundations the experience of one whole day of fun, love and care in the Zoomanity parks is part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility program.

The charitable activity, dubbed “Christmas Gift Giving”, will be held at Zip Adventure inside the Star City park in Manila on December 13; Zoocobia Fun Zoo in the Clark Freeport and Zoobic Safari in Subic on December 14; and Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, and Residence Inn in Tagaytay on December 15.

“We will make sure that these less-fortunate children will really feel the essence of Christmas, and that is to be loved and cared for,” Yupangco also said.

Meanwhile, Zoomanity also announced that it will continue to accept donations for victims of the Visayas earthquake and typhoon “Yolanda” until January 31, 2014 at all Zoomanity parks. These include Zoobic Safari, Zoocobia, Residence Inn Paradizoo, Zip Adventure, Zoocolate Thrill in Loboc, Bohol, and the Virtual and Actual Zoo in Tutuban Mall.

It added that as its way of saying thank you to those who bring donation or gift in cash or kind, donors will be getting a 20-percent discount on regular park entrance. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Ayta tribesmen present a fire dance at the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport. The theme park, which is one of three major theme attractions in Subic Freeport, offers “night safaris” every Saturday to showcase life inside the jungle at night time.

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SEZ awarded for good corporate governance

Subic EnerZone Corp. (SEZ), an AboitizPower subsidiary and distribution utility covering the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority franchise area, was recently awarded by the agency’s labor department in view of good corporate governance.

The SBMA Good Corporate Governance Award, in partnership with Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation Inc., recognizes outstanding business practices, industrial relations, human resource management and compliance to occupational health and safety standards.

It also recognized SEZ as a leading employer in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, developing employees with good values, high productivity and drive for excellence.

SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia presented the award to SEZ assistant vice president and general manager Warell Kern Sario in a ceremony held Nov. 22 at the Subic Bay Arts Center, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

In his message during the ceremony, Garcia told SEZ, “You are an example of what we are trying to achieve here in Subic, better business relations, good customer service, honesty, no corruption, accountability, and transparency. Good governance means good business.”

“This recent accolade from SBMA reflects SEZ’s strong commitment to adhere to international labor standards. As an Aboitiz company, we strive for excellence in every field of our businesses,” Sario added.

Subic EnerZone was also recently granted a Tripartite Certificate of Compliance on Labor Standards given by Department of Labor and Employment.

The TCCLS is given to companies that show exemplary adherence to provisions on General Labor Standards, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, the Child Labor Law under Republic Act 9231, industrial peace, and enterprise stability and competitiveness.

SEZ’s authority to operate the Subic Bay Freeport Zone power distribution system was granted by the SBMA pursuant to the terms of the Bases Conversion and Development Act.

In 2007, AboitizPower bought the 20 percent equity of Team Philippines Industrial Power II Corp. (formerly Mirant Philippines) in SEZ for P92 million. (The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/sez-awarded-for-good-corporate-governance

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Olongapo starts dredging its river to lessen flood

OLONGAPO CITY - The local government of Olongapo will now start its massive dredging campaign after it formally received a backhoe from SM Super Malls worth P2.4 million.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Pualino personally tested the backhoe donated by SM Prime Holdings after the hand-over ceremony at Marikit Park last week.

"I have tasked the engineering office to immediately start the dredging of the Kalaklan River, this may not permanently rid out the flood but it will lower it," Paulino said.

Paulino explained that the donation of SM Prime Holdings is of big help to the city's effort to clear the river channels of Olongapo City.

"We have four dump trucks that have been lent to us by private individuals to operate hand in hand with the dredging machine in Banicain river and this backhoe from SM, I am very grateful to this individuals and SM for their help in this operation," Paulino said.

He added that a study is now being conducted by the Planning and Development Office of the city to determine the cause of flooding and find a solution to the problem.

Last August and September, the city suffered its worst flooding in years after the previous administration failed to desilt the long stretch of Kalaklan River that serves as the main water channel going out to Subic Bay. Another desilting effort is being conducted in the Banicain River which started in August.

He also asked residents in Olongapo and nearby areas that if they need sand or filling materials, they could coordinate with the engineering office to get it for free.

City Engineer Ed Santos however said that before they give out filling materials, they will first inspect the area. "It would be no use if we give out sand or filling materials from our desilting operation if it will return back to our rivers, we will first inspect the site to see if it fits our requirements," Santos said.

Zambales 1st district congressman Jeffrey Khonghun meanwhile said that he has already asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct a separate dredging program along the upstream of Sta. Rita River and at the mouth of Kalaklan River.

Khonghun's hometown of Subic also suffered massive flooding during the rainy season but he added that Olongapo was hit worst than them. He added that a desilting program is also in the works in the municipality of Subic. (Olongapo City PAO)  

PHOTO:
Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino inspects the ongoing dredging operation at the East Bajac-bajac flood gate which serves as main water outlet of water coming from the inner part of the city.

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SBMA, San Antonio to jointly develop 10,000-ha. ecozone

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The municipal council of San Antonio, Zambales formally turned over to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) an area covering 10,000 hectares for development into an economic zone.

The turnover was made possible by virtue of Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 13-080, which declared over 10,000 hectares of land and water as the San Antonio Economic Development Area, and allowing it for conversion as an additional secured area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The resolution further declared that the areas of Sitio Silangin, Nagsasa and Talisayin in the Redondo Peninsula be included within the additional area and entitled to the tax- and duty-free privileges of the Subic Freeport.

The resolution was passed by the San Antonio town council on November 19, 2013.

SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia formally received a copy of the resolution from San Antonio municipal mayor Estela Antipolo during a turnover ceremony here on Monday, December 2.

Garcia said that he was pleasantly surprised by the swift action of the San Antonio municipal council in passing the resolution.

He added that the decision is very timely, since the Freeport is already lacking available land area for development.

“Many foreign investors are inquiring, and we are having a hard time to respond to them due to the lack of available land,” Garcia said, pointing out that there are only less than 300 hectares of land available within Subic’s fenced area.

The SBMA official, who just returned from an investment mission in Japan to promote the Subic-Clark Corridor, related that Japanese investors are very interested in doing business in the country.

“So the resolution comes at a very good time because of the high interest of foreign investors in the Philippines in spite of the difficulties that we are having right now because of Yolanda. We should take advantage of this,” Garcia said, stressing that investor confidence in the country remains strong.

Antipolo, for her part, said that the town council came up with the resolution to ensure the progress of San Antonio.

“We are doing this for the welfare of the people, to ensure economic prosperity, increase revenue for the local government, and provide employment opportunities for the people of San Antonio,” she said.

Antipolo assured everyone that the local government of San Antonio will do its part in attracting investors through programs that will promote transparency in government and cut red tape in business transactions.

“On behalf of the people of San Antonio, I look forward to an enhanced cooperation between our offices,” Antipolo told Garcia and other SBMA officials. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Mayor Estela Antipolo of San Antonio, Zambales hands over to SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia a copy of the resolution declaring a portion of the town's southern coastal tip as economic development zone. The area is being eyed for development by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority under its expansion program. Also in photo are members of the San Antonio town council led by Vice-Mayor Lugil Ragadio and other SBMA officers.

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Subic traders laud SBMA chair for financial turnaround

Members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. lauded Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia for “resurrecting” the country’s premier free port and turning it from being a negative performer to an achiever this year.

Newly-elected SBFCCI president and chairman of the board Rose Baldeo said that as “captain of the ship,” SBMA chairman Garcia has successfully led SBMA back to business with his leadership, commitment and perseverance.

The message was conveyed during the general meeting of the SBFCCI held at the Global Silk Pavilion here, where Garcia was invited as guest of honor and to give updates on the agency’s programs and prospects.

“The general membership of the Chamber is fully satisfied with the performance of the management of SBMA and the way it helps and supports the locators and investors in Subic,” Baldeo noted.

She added that through cooperation and understanding, both the Chamber and the SBMA could maneuver the Freeport towards greater progress to create more employment and generate more income that would help boost the economy of the country.

For his part, Garcia reaffirmed that SBMA maintains the tradition of support and cooperation with its locators and investors for mutual development.

“Because of your support, SBMA has already on its table a committed investment amounting to P24 billion compared to P2.3 billion for the year 2012, or an increase of 931.4 percent, with three months more to go this year,” Garcia said.

He also noted that a good number of Japanese investors have signified their intentions of transferring their businesses from China to Subic due to territorial disputes between China and Japan.

He added that while SBMA is gearing towards positive markings on almost all of its statistics, smuggling, especially oil, has been successfully curbed.

“Smuggling, particularly oil, in the Freeport is already a thing of the past and we hope to maintain this positive image. Thanks to the Bureau of Customs, which is requiring oil importers to pay duties prior to shipment,” he said.

In the same forum, SBFCCI members applauded Garcia after announcing that his office is pushing the issuance of a single certificate of registration and tax exemption (CRTE) instead of requiring two certificates—one for registration and another for tax exemption.

“We will make the registration process here as simple as possible, as easy as it should be,” Garcia said.

The SBMA chairman noted that unifying the certificates is part of the good governance practices being promoted by SBMA in compliance with the government’s program to eliminate graft and corruption.

“We want to make Subic a place where we can do business in peace and harmony. So, expect a lot of development in the nearest future,” Garcia also told the Subic traders. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Javier, Abad rule national duathlon

MANILA - Robeno Javier reclaimed his billing as the country’s top male duathlete while Mirasol Abad extended her reign to four years on the distaff side as they ruled the 2013 Philippine National Duathlon Championships at the Remy Field, Subic Bay Freeport.

Javier kept pace with national triathlete John Chicano in the 10K run and 40K bike before pushing himself hard in the 5K run to submit the fastest time of one hour, 54 minutes, 48 seconds.

The event, which drew over 200 duathletes, was sponsored by the Subic Bay Mertropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc, Gatorade, David’s Salon, Fitness First, Lifestyle Subic Bay and Green Triathlon.

Former Asian duathlon champion and last year’s top ADC Filipino finisher Ryan Mendoza rallied from third place after the first run to eventually finish second in 1:55:22 while a cramping Chicano settled for the bronze medal (1:55:57).

Abad was simply awesome in her field as she led by a mile after the 10K run to anchor her 2:21:49 time. The only problem she encountered was when she missed the turnaround point in the bike but that hardly made a dent on her performance as Mary Pauline Fornea was still more than three minutes off the winning time (2:23:56). Third place went to Rowena Valdez (2:36:51).

Jeric Buhain and Cebuanos Justin Chiongbian and Shaia Ruth Uy dominated the junior sprint and mini sprint categories in the race organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the SBMA tourism department.
 
The 16-year old Buhain, meanwhile, erased bitter memories of last year’s ADC at the same venue as he clocked an impressive 1:02:26.08 in the 5K run, 20K bike and 2.5K distance.

“I was leading (last year) when I had an infraction with my helmet in the bike transition. So my goal really is to win here,” said Buhain, a developmental pool member, who defeated Edward Jared Macalalad (1:03:30) and Jarwyn Banatao (1:05:40).

Chiongbian retained his title in the boy’s mini sprint (40:16.06) while Uy, 14, won her first duathlon race in 46:13.83. The good performance of the young duathletes boosted TRAP’s plan to put more young athletes in the pool next year.

“We will review the performances of our national athletes because we plan to revamp the squad next year with emphasis on youth and discipline,” said TRAP head Tom Carrasco Jr.

Age group winners: Raven Archer (18-19), Carlo Maniebo (20-24), Christopher Iblan (25-29), Francis Carlo Serrano (30-34), Dejan Glavnik (35-39), Raul Gaerlan (40-44), Jamie Leather (45-49), Arsenio Malibiran (50-54), Josef Gueta (55-59) and Killy Kunimoto (60-over) in the male division and Humma Saeed (20-29), Josette Tanghal (30-39) and Lyka Leather (40-over), girls. (Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/12/02/1263250/javier-abad-rule-national-duathlon

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Subic firm supplies world-class shelters for “Yolanda” victims, relief crew

A Subic-based company is also playing an important role in the rehabilitation of areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda by constructing strong, light-weight tents for use by both victims and relief workers.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said that Delta Production Philippines Corporation is sending at least 30 units of temporary shelters to Tacloban City and other areas in Eastern Visayas that were visited by the recent calamity.

“We are proud that the ingenuity and innovation of Filipino workers manufacturing these temporary shelters are being recognized world-wide,” Garcia said.

“We are doubly pleased that these same Subic-made products are being put to good use in reaching out to our kababayans in their time of need,” Garcia added.

A registered company inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Delta is the manufacturer of easy-to-install, flexible scaffold systems and temporary shelters that are made mostly of steel and aluminum.

The company is playing a significant role in providing its client, the World Food Program (WFP), with world-class temporary shelters that can accommodate up to 400 or 500 individuals each.

Delta special project and sales manager Jon Allen Eschenburg said that the company is now working double-time to deliver on time collapsible tents ordered by WFP for shipment to typhoon victims and responders in Tacloban and other areas.

Eschenburg said the tents, which have a standard width of 10 meters, height of about three meters and length of up to 32 meters, can be easily assembled and turned into temporary schools, hospitals or warehouses.

“It is lightweight. A 10x3x24-meter tent weighs only 1.6 tons and can withstand strong winds with strength of up to 170 kilometers per hour,” Eschenburg said, adding that this is far lighter than those offered by other manufacturers abroad.

He also mentioned that this November alone, WFP ordered 32 tents for shipment to calamity- devastated areas in Visayas and Mindanao, while it also made separate orders for distribution to the Philippine National Red Cross in Davao City and the United Nations contingent in Tacloban City.

In January 2010, Delta tents from Subic were shipped to Haiti to be used as temporary shelters for more than a quarter million residents who were left homeless after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake and several aftershocks struck that country.

“Many government and private organizations still believe that the best temporary shelters they can get for the victims can only be found abroad. What they don't know is that, among the best they got are from Subic,” said Eschenburg. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Jon Allen Eschenburg (right), sales and special project manager of Delta Production Philippines Corp., supervises the preparation of collapsible tents to be shipped to Eastern Visayas for use as mobile hospitals and other temporary shelters for victims and relief crew in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.

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Ten outstanding Subic Freeport workers recognized

Ten workers who have shown exemplary performance and contributions in their respective companies were recognized by the Subic business community during 2013 Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers awarding ceremony at the Subic Bay Arts Center on Friday.

The search for outstanding workers, which began 12 years ago, is annual project of the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. (SBWDFI), which was established by business locators here to promote the welfare of workers, strengthen their values, and honor workers who showed discipline, dedication and commitment to excellence.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, who was guest speaker during the event, said the awarding was one of the most significant parts in the celebration of the 21st founding
anniversary of the SBMA.

The SBMA official also told workers here that the major advantage of Subic over Vietnam, Myanmar and other countries in Asia, is not the cost of labor but human resources.

“English-speaking Filipino workers, even with their ‘carabao’ English, can communicate with foreign managers,” Garcia pointed out. “But the most important value of Pinoy workers is that they are loyal and credible workers.”

SBMA labor manager and concurrent SBWDFI president Severo Pastor Jr. said that the 10 awardees are the cream of the crop who represent the best of Filipino workers.

The awarded were chosen from hundreds of nominees who underwent a series of interviews, performance appraisal and screening by the board of judges headed by its chairman Evelyn Grace Sorongon, national president of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).

The awardees are Engr. Maricon Amano, inventory management assistant at the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation; Lydia Baltazar, manager and CEO of the Subic Bay Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Edmund De Jesus, community development officer at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Ecology Center; and Roseman Dinco, senior staff, and Israel Fontilla, line foreman, both of Wistron Infocomm Phils., Corporation.

The awardees also include Lovella Jarobel, a professor at the Mondriaan Aura College; Norlangen Morales, printing/assembly section head at Koryo Subic, Inc.; Justin Jay Navarro, engineering group manager at Subic EnerZone Corp.; Engr. Gorgonio Sisante, senior product engineer at Nicera Philippines; and Eduardo Sitjar, senior operator at the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation.

For her part, PMAP Subic chapter president Merlin de Gracia said the 10 awardees exemplify the Filipino workers who are scattered around the world.

“The Filipino workers are the real driving force of our economy. You are the Philippines’ most valuable wealth,” she said.

The ceremony on Friday also recognized five Subic-based companies who were chosen to receive the Good Corporate Governance Award. These are Cartridges Recyclers Services Corporations (CRESC), Inc.; Global Maritime Logistics Support, Inc.; Hitachi Terminals Mechatronics Phils. Corp.; Nicera Phils. Inc.;
and Subic Enerzone Corp.

“These companies are examples of what we wanted to achieve in Subic. They were recognized for continuously working towards excellence,” said Chairman Garcia.

He also noted that the companies promote and maintain high levels of occupational safety standards, just salaries and benefits to workers, and participation in community services. They also observe labor codes and ethics and promote good worker-management relationships. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia (5th from left) joins onstage this year’s winners in the search for the Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers during the recognition ceremony at the Subic Bay Arts Center on Friday, November 22, 2013.

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Olongapo receives 8 new generators for health centers

The City of Olongapo received eight new generators from the Department of Health (DOH) worth P400,000.00 which will be turned over to several barangay health care centers around the city.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino said that it is part of the city’s effort to strengthen the capabilities of barangay health centers.

“What I ultimately want is that all barangay health centers in the city act like hospitals just like James L Gordon Hospital, we are trying to decongest JLGMH. The plan is to equip all barangay health centers with proper equipment and personnel so that it would be appropriate enough to serve the needs of the residents,” Paulino said.

“I have also talked to some private individuals who are willing to assign nurses and doctors in each barangay health center to cater to the needs of the residents,” Paulino added.

He further explained that the new generators are very essential so that barangay centers would function even without power.

Among the barangay health centers that will receive the new generators are Barretto Health Center, Gordon Heights Health Center, Kababae Health Center, Pag-Asa health Center, Old Cabalan Health Center, West Bajac-Bajac Health Center, and New Cabalan health Center.

According to City Health Officer Roderick Bustamante, another set of donations from DOH which is now being processed are medical equipment such as nebulizers, microscopes and baby apparatus which will also be distributed to health centers around the city.

Meanwhile, Victory liner Inc. donated one passenger bus with an estimated value of P1.4million.

The passenger bus, which was personally handed over by Pocholo Galian, Branch Manager of Victory Line Inc. would be of great help to the city, according to Mayor Rolen Paulino.

“We would not rent anymore, this can also be used by students, teachers, non- government organizations, our senior citizens and others for their respective activities outside the City,” Paulino said.

He added that this could also be use for emergency situations.

“This only proves that the local businessmen in the city are trying their best to help us (local government) in our efforts to better the condition of the city” Paulino said. (PAO Olongapo)

PHOTO:
Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino (3rd from right) and City Health Officer Dr. Roderick Bustamante (2nd from right) pose with representatives of Department of Health during the turnover of 8 new generators worth P400,000.00 which will be distributed to different barangay health care centers.

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Subic Bay historical marker unveiled

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) unveiled here on Tuesday a historical marker for the port of Subic, recognizing the contribution of the area and the role of Filipino workers in the economic development of the nation.

The marker, which cited the area as the “Himpilang Pandagat ng Look ng Subic” or the Subic Bay Naval Station, was unveiled by NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy with the assistance of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia.

NHCP is the government agency responsible for the conservation and preservation of the country’s historical legacies, as well as the commemoration of significant events and personages in Philippine history.

The marker was placed on the outside wall of the “Spanish Gate” at the corner of Dewey Avenue and Sampson Road here, which served as the entrance to the former Spanish Naval Port that was constructed in 1885.

The unveiling ceremony was graced by Region 3 tourism director Ronaldo Tiotuico, Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce president Danny Piano, representatives of local tourism establishments and civic organizations, and members of the SBMA board of directors.

Badoy said the marker represents the whole Subic Bay Naval Station, which served as the entrance to and from the Spanish garrison that existed here from 1885 to 1899, when it was forcibly taken by the American forces.

Badoy explained that despite the fact that the area was used as naval port by foreign occupation forces—the Spanish, American and Japanese armies— the contribution of the Filipino workers who toiled here during the time and after the hostilities “is so significant to the development of the region and the national economy.”

The NHCP official also commended the administration of the SBMA for preserving, maintaining and protecting the historical structures and values of the port, adding that he would recommend to the NHCP board of directors the proposal of SBMA to declare the San Roque Chapel inside the Freeport as another historical landmark.

For his part, Chairman Garcia said that marking the Spanish Gate as a historical site will boost the tourism industry in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“Some tourists who come here only remember that Subic was a former recreation area of the US forces. With this historical marker, it will be known to everyone that this free port is a place with a history of its own,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official also noted that the historical marker reflects the undertakings of Filipino workers who have worked hard to build a better community—be it in time of war or peace—and succeeded in developing a place that now contributes to national economic progress.

“This may be the first historical marker for the Subic Bay Freeport, but it symbolizes the long history of the endeavors and heroism of Filipino workers,” Garcia added. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (left) and National Historical Commission executive director Ludivico D. Badoy unveil the historical marker which declares the old Spanish West Gate in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone a historical site.

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LandBank extends $27-M loan to SBMA

State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines recently approved a $27-million term loan for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

In a statement, the bank said that the loan will be used to refinance and take-out part of SBMA’s existing foreign loans.

“A top dollar depositor of the LandBank Subic Branch, the SBMA plays a major role in promoting tourism and enabling industrial, commercial and investment growth in the Subic-Clark region, which in turn generates employment and contributes significantly to the country’s economic growth,” it said.

Roberto Garcia, SBMA chairman and administrator, and Edward John Reye, LandBank senior vice president for Corporate Banking, signed the loan agreement.

LandBank recently reported that its loan portfolio grew to P280 billion in the first nine months of 2013, up by 16 percent from P241.9 billion in September 2012.

Loans to its priority sectors expanded to P221.7 billion, representing 79.2 percent of the bank’s total loan portfolio.

LandBank’s priority sectors comprise, among others, agri-aqua-related projects of local governments and government- owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), small farmers and fisher folk, microenterprises and small and medium enterprises, and socialized to medium-cost housing, and utilities. Loans to agri-aqua-related projects of local government and GOCCs reached P45.2 billion

Meanwhile, the bank registered a P10.4-billion net income for the third quarter of the year, a 36-percent increase from its year-ago level of P7.6 billion. Its nine-month net income translates to a return on equity of 17.44 percent. (Mayvelin U. Caraballo, Manila Times)

http://manilatimes.net/landbank-extends-27-m-loan-to-sbma/55892/

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PH to host 1st ASPAC Drive Tourism Confab

The Philippines will be hosting the first Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference and Exhibition on January 30 to February 2, 2014 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

The event’s theme is “Saving Lives, Saving Costs, and Saving the Planet” and is in support of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 that aims to save five million lives and prevent 50 million injuries worldwide.

The Drive Tourism Conference and Exhibition is presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the National Auto Club.

The DOT and AAP are encouraging people to see more local attractions in its Drive Tourism caravans. Unlike seat-in-coach tours, Drive Tourism allows participants to tailor fit their visits according to their preferences.

Reasons for visiting local destinations vary from cuisine, culture to water sports and others. Drive Tourism caravans allow travelers to focus their visit based on what interests them more and gives them flexibility.

The participants and guests to the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference and Exhibition 2014 may opt to do side trips and pit stops in Bulacan, Pampanga and Olongapo.

Prior to attending the event, they may wish to visit historic Barosaoin Church in Malolos and buy Bulacan sweets for pasalubong or bird watch in Candaba swamp and have lunch at Susie’s Kitchenette in Angeles City.

Music lovers can bar hop along Magsaysay Avenue in Olongapo and check out the different bands playing there on the eve of the conference.

The president of the Paris-based Federation Internationale d’Automobile, Jean Todt, will be the keynote speaker for the conference. Other invited speakers are the transport ministers of Malaysia and New Zealand and the tourism ministers of Indonesia and South Korea, Philippine Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and FIA Region 2 president Ross Heron. FIA Region 2 consists of Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Japan, China, Taipei, Korea, Indonesia, Macao, Nepal and Thailand. (Malaya)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/special-features/ph-host-1st-aspac-drive-tourism-confab

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SBMA gears up for ISO certification on environmental management

Preparations are now underway for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to be certified for ISO 14000, the international standard for environmental management.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said he has ordered the creation of a technical working group that will oversee the agency’s preparations for certification.

“We hope to have the SBMA certified within a year,” Garcia said, pointing out that the SBMA was granted early this year the ISO 9001:2008 certification, which is the international standard for quality management systems set by the International Organization for Standardization.

SBMA director Benjamin Antonio III recently announced the plan for the ISO certification to locators during the 2nd Environmental Awareness Forum held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

According to Antonio, the agency will specifically work for the ISO 14001:2004 certification, which sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system.

“Since the certification’s scope is geographic, it will include all SBMA offices. In fact, it’s going to include the entire fenced area of the Subic Bay Freeport,” Antonio explained.

“Everything under the control of the SBMA should be part of the scope of the environmental management system,” he added.

Antonio said that one of the requirements for the certification would involve the SBMA conducting environmental risk assessments. This would allow the Subic authority to identify environmental impacts, assess which ones are considered critical, and address the critical environmental aspects that exist within the agency.

“What’s going to happen is we are going to embed the environmental consciousness, awareness, and environmental stewardship in many, if not all of the positions in the SBMA,” he said.

The risk assessment will be done by the entire agency through the respective department managers, and the findings of which will be consolidated and implemented.

Antonio added that apart from the risk assessment, ISO 14000 would also require SBMA to have environmental emergency preparedness and response which will be tested regularly.

“Meaningful change like this one takes time, especially when it involves such a huge agency,” Antonio noted. “It’s not an easy task, but we’ll try our best to get it done in one year.” (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA cancels Christmas party; funds to go to typhoon victims instead

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has cancelled this year the traditional Christmas party for employees in sympathy with victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia made this announcement on Friday following the decision of the SBMA board of directors to cancel the scheduled party for the agency this year.

“It was a unanimous decision on the part of the board,” Garcia said. “We also ratified a resolution donating the amount intended for the Christmas party to the typhoon victims.”

“This is just a small contribution, we know, but we hope that this would somehow make some difference in the life of our kababayans who have suffered a lot,” Garcia added.

The re-channeling of the SBMA Christmas party budget to the Yolanda relief drive was the latest in the humanitarian response here for typhoon victims, as the SBMA rallied the Subic Freeport community last week following the devastation in the Visayas.

Garcia said that employees of the SBMA and locator-companies in this free port have been collecting donations and sending them to concerned agencies to help in the government’s relief efforts.

Garcia launched the relief drive here during the Monday flag-raising ceremony following the weekend disaster.

According to the SBMA Public Relations Department, which is coordinating the collection of donations here, the SBMA has already sent via LBC cartons of assorted food items, water and clothing weighing more than 2,000 kilos. The items were donated by individual SBMA employees, and various Freeport companies and organizations.

The SBMA Tourism Department, on the other hand, reported that it has already received more than P220,000 in cash and bags of in-kind donations from various locators and investors.

Early this week, Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation (HHIC)-Philippines, the Korean shipbuilder based in this free port, said it has delivered P4-million worth of rice to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, Theodore Huang, chairman of the Subic Bay Development and Management Corp., donated P4.5 million, while Moon Kang, another investor here, gave P200,000 worth of rice.

Garcia said that more donations from Subic Freeport workers and companies are forthcoming. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Gov’t, private firms give more typhoon aid - SBMA launches donation drive

Government agencies and private companies have sent more donations to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

Last Monday, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto Garcia launched a campaign to gather donations from companies and employees in Subic.

Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction-Philippines, a South Korean shipbuilder based in Subic Bay, donated 2,041 sacks of rice worth P4 million and these were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Hanjin has responded to our call for donations to help our government in the relief efforts. Other locators here are also having their own way of collecting goods that they may send to the typhoon victims,” Garcia said.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has sent an initial 10,000 family emergency medical (FEM) kits to the typhoon victims in Leyte and Samar.

The FEM kits contain medicine for common illnesses such as fever, cough, colds and diarrhea.

Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, PCSO general manager, said the FEM kits will be distributed in evacuation centers where displaced families took refuge at the height of the typhoon.

PCSO chairman Margarita Juico said the PCSO Board of Directors also made it a policy to subsidize the hospital bills of patients directly affected by calamities who are being treated at government hospitals and healthcare facilities.

The policy was applied after Typhoons Sendong and Pablo, the monsoon floods in 2012, landslide in Compostela Valley and other natural calamities in the past.

Meanwhile, the Air Materiel Wing Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (AMWSLAI), the second largest non-stock savings and loan association in the country, has started giving calamity loans at reduced interest rate to its members in calamity-stricken areas in the Visayas. It also devised a system that will speed up the processing and release of loans.

There are more than 207,000 AMWSLAI members all over the country, most of them soldiers and policemen and their families.

“To pay tribute to their unparalleled heroism and patriotism and to assist them rise above and rebuild their livelihood, AMWSLAI has started giving out calamity loans at reduced interest rate for its members who were adversely affected by the two recent calamities: the earthquake in Bohol and Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern, Central and Western Visayas,” AMWSLAI chairman Ricardo Nolasco Jr. said.

The Board of Trustees of AMWSLAI also gave donations in kind and in cash, including the budget for their Christmas party this year, and mobilized its personnel to help in rehabilitation efforts.

Maynilad Water Services, Inc., on the other hand, donated potable water, food and other relief items.

Its employees also helped in relief operations. They proceeded to the DSWD National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City to help load relief goods to delivery trucks that will transport the items to relief centers.

Samar group airs appeal

Convenors of a newly formed group of Samareños aired an urgent appeal to fellow Samareños here and abroad for help in rebuilding communities in two Samar provinces that have been devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.

Tindog SAMAR convenors, led by Omi Royandoyan, Rene Nachura and Charo Cabardo, said victims of the typhoon in both Eastern Samar and the main Samar province deserve more than solemn prayers. They need immediate relief for their survival.

“We urge big businesses, international aid agencies, non-government organizations, and Samarnon patronal organizations in Metro Manila and in the United States to help the towns of Basey and Marabut in Samar; and Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Hernani, MacArthur, Salcedo, Mercedes and Guiuan in Eastern Samar,” Tindog SAMAR said in a statement.

Convened a week after Yolanda slammed into the country, Tindog SAMAR aims to help facilitate relief and rehabilitation operations in Samar.

Tindog SAMAR convenors saw the need to form the organization to help extend the reach of relief operations, especially for typhoon victims in both Samar provinces who have yet to get help.

Meanwhile, the local government of Legazpi, in partnership with Sunwest Group Holding Co. Inc. and other private firms, is deploying more aid to Central Visayas.

Team Bicol is sending additional dump trucks, a boom truck and fuel tanker together with a 19-man contingent of electricians, mechanics and cooks from Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. and Misibis Bay.

Other volunteers from private firms in Legazpi City were also mobilized to augment the first team of Sunwest volunteers who first arrived in Leyte on Nov. 12.

Team Bicol has deployed more than 20 dump trucks and earth moving machines courtesy of Sunwest Group. The team is currently helping in massive clearing operations in Palo, Leyte.

Container vans donated to Red Cross

Harbour Center Port Area Inc. donated 40-footer and 20-footer container vans with generator and air conditioner to the Philippine Red Cross. These vans will serve as blood bank and PRC office in Tacloban, replacing the temporary blood facility in Leyte Park Hotel.

Chairman Richard Gordon said the PRC has augmented blood supply in Leyte, particularly at the Divine Word Hospital and other areas in the Visayas hit by Yolanda, from the PRC headquarters blood bank in Manila and Cebu City chapter.

Cebu Pacific continues humanitarian flights

Cebu Pacific, for its part, continues to operate daily flights between Cebu and Tacloban and Manila and Tacloban.

The airline reserves seats for humanitarian purposes in its Tacloban flights.

Cebu Pacific has also transported 3,000 kilos of relief goods from the GMA Kapuso Foundation to Iloilo; another 3,000 kilos to Cebu and 9,000 kilos of relief goods to Tacloban earlier this week.

The airline will be transporting an additional 30,000 kilos of relief goods to Tacloban. (Perseus Echeminada, Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva, Ric Sapnu, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/11/22/1259499/govt-private-firms-give-more-typhoon-aid

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Subic Freeport eyed as retirement haven by American retirees

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has its sights set in further developing the Freeport as a destination for retirees.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia recently met with officials of the American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW) for a possible development of a retirement facility in this Freeport.

ABHOW is a non-profit and non-sectarian corporation, which is committed to providing exceptional service to older adults, their families and the wider community.

ABHOW president David Ferguson said that they have conducted a survey among American and Filipino-American seniors and many are considering retiring in the Philippines.

“We are excited with the opportunity and see what Subic has to offer,” Ferguson said.

In the meeting, Garcia told Ferguson and company that the Subic Bay Freeport is a preferred retirement destination for retirees and now has numerous retirement facilities that are operating here.

“Subic is a perfect destination for American retirees because of the rich American culture here, a result of Subic's being a former US naval base,” he added.

Garcia also stressed that the huge number of nurses in the country can provide adequate care for the retirees.

“We are happy that you are considering Subic as your location and we will be ready to support and assist your group,” he said.

Meanwhile, Randall Stamper, chairman of the ABHOW board of directors, added that accessibility is their main reason for considering Subic as a location.

Aside from being connected to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, which cuts travel time to Manila to just two hours, the Subic Bay Freeport also has its own seaport and airport.

Subic has also become a popular location for several retirement homes due to its modern health and wellness facilities amid a healthy natural environment and laid-back atmosphere. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Lyceum Subic enters PCCL '16'

MANILA - Lyceum of Subic Bay rolled back Lyceum Northwestern University of Pangasinan, 86-74, recently to rule the North-Central Luzon Regional conference of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) at the UNP Gym in Vigan City.

The Sharks, who won their sixth straight United Central Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) championship last month, took the half, 43-31, on their way to a comfortable win and a ticket to the Sweet 16 stepladder phase.

To advance further, the Sharks will have to defeat the South Luzon-Bicol champion on Nov. 25 in Tanauan, Batangas to forge a showdown with the winner of the Metro Manila qualifying games.

In the battle for third place, dethroned North-Central Luzon champion La Finns Scholastica of La Union poured out its frustration on the University of Baguio Cardinals, 87-82.

The South Luzon-Bicol regional games are ongoing in Sorsogon City with University of Batangas, Lewis College, Naga College Foundation and Amando Cope College seeing action.

Additional information on league developments, schedules and happenings can be accessed via the PCCL website (collegiatechampionsleague.net), through its official Facebook fan page (Philippine College Champions League) and twitter account (@pccleague2013). (Olmin Leyba, The Philippine Star)

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/11/17/13/lyceum-subic-enters-pccl-16

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