US nuke sub arrives in Subic Bay

A nuclear-powered submarine of the United States Navy arrived here on Friday morning for what was described by the US Embassy in Manila as a “routine port call.”

The USS Chicago (SSN 721), a Los Angeles-type fast-attack submarine, docked at the Alava Wharf here, alongside the submarine tender USNS Emory Land, which came to port days earlier.

The US Embassy said Chicago’s visit will “allow the ship to replenish supplies, as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.”

The ship is said to carry a complement of 135 officers and ratings.

The port call also “highlights the strong historic, community and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,” the Embassy statement said.

USS Chicago is part of the US Pacific Fleet’s Submarine Squadron 15 home-ported in Guam. It belongs to the 41-strong class of fast-attack submarines that form the backbone of the US Navy’s submarine force.

The ship is more than 360 feet long, displaces more than 7,000 tons when submerged, and attains an underwater speed of more than 20 knots.

Chicago, which carries Tomahawk land-attack missiles, Harpoon anti-surface ship missiles, as well as torpedoes and mines, can support “a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, and intelligence surveillance, and reconnaissance,” the embassy said.

Chicago’s visit came amid this year’s staging of the Philippines-US exercise Balikatan and just 45 days after another American underwater craft, the nuclear-powered missile-guided submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727), docked here also for re-supply and crew “liberty.”

The Michigan surfaced here on March 25 amid rising tension at the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) following the attempted blockade by Chinese coast guard ships of a Philippines resupply vessel off Ayungin Shoal, but official US statements did not correlate the two events.

Instead, the embassy said the ship’s crew visited a local school for persons with disabilities in Olongapo City, as well as a local museum “to learn more about Filipino culture and history.” (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Crewmen of the nuclear submarine USS Chicago stand on deck, as the vessel is positioned by a tugboat alongside a submarine tender at the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday. (Henry Empeño)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/31835-us-nuke-sub-arrives-in-subic-bay

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Subic pushing for more shipping trade

The port of Subic is aiming to take in more containerized- and bulk-cargo shipments to help relieve congestion in Manila ports and is now offering better terms for port users in Central and Northern Luzon.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said on Monday that both the government and the business community have to consider using the Subic Bay Freeport as an alternative to Manila because it provides a decidedly comparative advantage.

“Subic is 30-percent cheaper than Manila in terms of overall costs and offers a better turnaround time so it’s more advantageous, all-in,” he said. Garcia added that the Subic advantage is more apparent now that the daytime truck ban in the city has resulted to some problems in the transportation of goods to and from Manila piers.

“From a national point of view, we really have to utilize the ports of Subic and Batangas to help decongest Manila. Inefficient transportation translates to increased costs, and these are eventually passed on to consumers,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official said a study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) had shown that of the 2.8 million containers arriving in the Port of Manila annually, some 450,000 of these go to various destinations in Central and Northern Luzon.

“So why do these shipments have to pass through Manila when Subic is nearer?” he asked.

Garcia said Subic has a total of 14 piers and wharves that can accommodate containerized and bulk shipments, including grains and petroleum products. The port also has warehouses and related logistics facilities.

He said the shipping firm Delgado Brothers is proposing to put up a “super shuttle” barge system that would bring shipments bound for Manila to Subic where they would be off-loaded, sorted and properly taxed.

This pass-through scheme, Garcia said, would enable shippers to off-load cargoes faster since the barging from Manila to Subic would just take four hours.

As of now, Garcia said a lot of big players, especially exporters with shipping deadlines, are looking at Subic to see how they can ship their cargoes here.

Among those recently shifting shipment through the Subic Freeport is Yokohama Tires Philippines Inc., an export-manufacturer based in nearby Clark Freeport.

Aside from the SBMA, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a government agency overseeing the development of former military bases in the country, and the private sector-led Export Development Council (EDC), have been pushing for the diversion of cargo traffic to Subic and the Port of Batangas.

In March EDC Vice Chairman Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the Port of Manila is “operating beyond its capacity” and called for the diversion of foreign cargo to ports outside Manila.

In December 2012 the BCDA also endorsed JICA’s policy mix to decongest port and road traffic in Manila by diverting some shipment to the underutilized Subic and Batangas ports. ( Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/31781-subic-pushing-for-more-shipping-trade

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Ad Summit Pilipinas gets underway in Subic Freeport

Ad Summit Pilipinas, the advertising industry’s biggest event in the country this year, officially kicked off here on Wednesday with a trade exhibit at Central Luzon’s grandest event venue, the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia, Ad Summit chairman Matec Villanueva, and Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies-Philippines (4As-P) chairman Alex Syfu led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the trade exhibit.

Garcia welcomed Ad Summit guests and participants during the opening program, and said that the SBMA team worked very hard to ensure the success of the event.

Villanueva, on the other hand, complimented the SBMA and added that choosing Subic as the venue for the first Ad Summit was only fitting for the advertising industry. “We have chosen the most beautiful free port in the Philippines as the location for an event by the most beautiful industry in the country,” she said.

Villanueva also said that the Ad Summit is the culmination of their months-long preparation and that they are very happy that it is finally happening.

“We assure you that the Ad Summit won’t be a typical four-day event. We will all work together to empower each and every advertising and marketing professional to play a more valuable role in the society today,” she added.

Ad Summit Pilipinas, which is scheduled to begin plenary sessions on May 8, is expected to draw over 2,000 advertising and marketing practitioners who are set to gain insights on the ever-changing landscape of the local and global creative scene.

The Summit will also hold the Kidlat Awards on May 10 to recognize the best creative advertising work during the past year. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia welcomes delegates to the Ad Summit Pilipinas by turning over a symbolic key to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to Ad Summit chairperson Matec Villanueva. The four-day convention is touted to be the biggest event this year in the country’s advertising industry.

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USS Chicago to arrive in Subic Bay

THE USS Chicago (SSN-721), a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, will be arriving at Subic Bay, Zambales on Friday, May 9, for a routine port call that highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the US and the Philippines.

This visit will allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.

The USS Chicago is part of the US Pacific Fleet and is homeported in Guam.

The USS Chicago is commanded by Cmdr. Lance Thompson and crewed by approximately 135 sailors.

Measuring more than 360-feet long and weighing more than 7,000 tons when submerged, the USS Chicago is capable of supporting a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. (US Embassy Public Affairs, Manila)

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DOLE slaps Hanjin subcontractor with cease and desist order

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, May 7 (PIA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office III issued Tuesday a cease and desist order (CDO) to Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation Philippines (HHIC-Phils) subcontractor Finback Corporation following an accident last week that claimed the life of one employee.

“29-year old Ryan Gacus obtained second degree burn from an explosion of a gas-hose of oxy-ethylene used while he was conducting cutting and fit-up work. He was rushed to the nearest hospital and sadly died hours later,” DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante said.

“Based on our investigation, the probable cause of the incident is due to existence of a pinhole at the middle portion of the gas-hose used in cutting works. This might have been resulted from set-up or pulling of the hose inside the work area. With such small leak from the pinhole, workers could not detect the gas leak from the tools used. In the event that he relocated/ re-positioned the tools for a more comfortable condition in finishing the task, the damage portion might have been placed near the victim. Thus upon igniting the cutting torch the hose instantly exploded at the victim resulting to burn injuries,” Agravante explained.

In a meeting with representatives of HHIC and Finback, DOLE urged them to comply with a number of requirements.

This include conduct of Basic Safety Awareness Training to 10% of the skilled workers of Finback and submission of Employer’s accident-illness report; accident/incident report with photos attached; police report; medical abstract; employment record/contract; work methodology/procedure; employee’s profile; employee safety orientation; proof of document for acknowledgement receipt of social welfare benefits, and proof of documents for salary payments and remittance for Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.

Meanwhile, DOLE is also working closely with the two companies for the provision of financial assistance and other benefits to the family of the victim. (CLJD-PIA 3)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=561399394106

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TRADEX Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014

Ad Summit Pilipinas kicks things off with the opening of the Ad Summit Trade Expo. Showcasing the latest practices and technologies in advertising, the expo features booths by PLDT Home and Smart Communications, the latter displaying a new collaboration between the telecom company and broadcasting company TV5.

The opening ceremonies were attended by board members of organizer 4As, along with SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, and committee members of the Advertising Suppliers Association of the Philippines.

For more behind the scene photos, follow our Official Instagram account here: www.instagram.com/AdSummitPilipinas

https://www.facebook.com/AdSummitPH

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SBMA approves military bases inside Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has approved a resolution allowing the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Navy (PN) to set-up partial military bases inside the Freeport, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia announced on Monday.

PAF is planning to house about 25 fighter jets from South Korea in the Fedex area adjacent to the Subic Bay International Airport while the Philippine Navy is asking for the area encompassing the Alava Pier and the Juliet and Rivera wharfs where two naval cutter will be home ported.

With the ongoing Balikatan exercises between United States and Filipino forces and the newly-approved Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the planned air and naval bases inside the Subic Freeport zone will naturally also be used by American troops.

“We have to stress here that these are Philippine bases not American bases,” Garcia pointed out.

With regards to EDCA, the Garcia said that this is still being worked out. “Materials and supplies pwede siguro dito,” he said.

Garcia said the SBMA board has approved in principle the setting-up of the two bases for the PAF and PN “in the interest of national security.”

“But I have requested that locators be allowed to continue with their operation,” he said.

Two US C-130 planes were spotted at the Subic Bay International Airport while some American sea vessels were seen at the Alava Pier and near the Rivera and Juliet wharfs of the former American naval base.

Garcia said that the airplanes are part of the Balikatan. (Ernie B. Esconde, Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/sbma-approves-military-bases-inside-freeport/94476/

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SBMA revamped after key officials’ ouster

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has reshuffled several of its key managers after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of three agency officials in connection with a flawed port contract.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the SBMA board held a special meeting last Friday and approved the appointment of Joy Alvarado, officer in charge of the SBMA Regulatory Group, as OIC senior deputy administrator (SDA) for the SBMA Business Group; and Marco Estabillo, manager of the SBMA Engineering Department, as OIC SDA for operations and concurrent OIC deputy administrator for public works.

The SBMA board also appointed OIC Deputy Administrator (DA) for Business Reuel John Kabigting as OIC for regulatory; Ronnie Yambao as OIC DA for business development; Anna Joy Quinto as OIC for business accreditation; and Gary Fernandez as OIC for engineering department.

The appointments took effect on Monday.

Garcia said Alvarado replaced Stefani Saño as SDA for business, while Estabillo took over the post of Marcelino Sanqui.

Saño and Sanqui, along with SDA for support services Ramon Agregado, are the only sitting officials among the 18 SBMA officials indicted by the Ombudsman last month for allegedly rigging a joint-venture agreement (JVA) in 2010 for the development, operation and management of the Naval Supply Depot logistics area here and the ports of Boton, Alava, Rivera and Bravo.

Those indicted included former SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga; former Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Armand Arreza; ex-Senior Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez; ex-Deputy Administrator Ma. Cristina Millan; and ex-Board Members Edralino Cajudo, Antonio Rex Chan, Ricardo Coscolluela, Angelita Cruz, Teodoro del Rosario, Jorge Estanislao, Ma. Angela Garcia, James Lorenzana, Ma. Victoria Pineda, Saño, Jennifer Khonghun-Ting and Eddie Tamondong.

Businessman Reghis Romero and Michael Romero, chairman and chief executive, respectively, of Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI), which got the contract, were also charged as co-respondents.

The Ombudsman said the SBMA officials “displayed manifest partiality and evident bad faith in the performance of their functions,” and said the agency resorted to procedural shortcuts in awarding the contract to HCPTI.

The anti-graft body also noted the SBMA had lowered the cost of the contract to only P763 million to allow HCPTI to post a lower bid security of P15.26 million. However, the JVA originally cost P5.537 billion, which should have required the HCPTI to post a bid security of P100 million.

Garcia said the SBMA, under his helm, did not implement the JVA with HCPTI.

He said that upon taking over as chairman in 2010, he asked around and became wary of the contract upon learning that the National Economic and Development Authority had withdrawn from the project.

“So we didn’t take action [on the JVA]. We simply followed the court order declaring the JVA null and void,” Garcia said.

Pending the resolution of the case against the HCPTI contract, the status quo remains and the SBMA continues to operate all the 14 wharves and piers in the Freeport, Garcia said.

The newly appointed OICs will be serving in a temporary capacity, and without additional pay, until the graft case has been finally resolved, he said. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/top-news/31631-sbma-revamped-after-key-officials-ouster

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Subic celebrates Labor Day with job fair, fun games

Investors and workers in this freeport zone, along with their families, joined hands in the annual celebration of Labor Day here with a labor-recruitment activity and fun games to strengthen goodwill and camaraderie.

“While most of the labor organizations in the country join street protests and rallies, workers in the Subic Bay Freeport take part in what they believe is a more productive way to celebrate this global holiday,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said.

“The workers of Subic are going beyond mere display of flags and streamers during Labor Day. Here, we celebrate by building on the positive, by strengthening the workers and creating more opportunities for them,” Garcia said.

Organized by the SBMA Labor Department in collaboration with the Subic Bay Workers Development Foundation, Inc. and Harbor Point (Ayala Malls), the celebration started as early as 6:00 a.m. with a three-kilometer fun run participated in by company managers, workers and some family members.

After that, a talent competition was held at the Harbor Point Activity Center to see who were the best dancers, singers and muses among workers from various companies.

At the same time, 25 business locators in the Freeport organized a job fair at the Harbor Point Promenade.

SBMA labor manager Severo Pastor Jr. said the Labor Day job fair in Subic was the biggest in Central Luzon as more than 4,000 jobs were offered by the participating firms.

The labor official attributed the significant increase in the number of job openings here to the continuing effort of the SBMA management to attract more investors in the Freeport.

Pastor also lauded the workers in the Subic Bay Freeport, saying that the local workforce had helped make Subic a globally-competitive business center.

He added that quality performance by Subic workers is the result of not only good salary or company prestige, but also how workers feel about their employers or managers, as well as how investors feel about the SBMA and vice versa.

“We are different here in Subic. This is because Freeport workers and their managers choose to relax side by side, and also have friendly competition with other personnel from other companies. This makes for good camaraderie and goodwill, and ultimately good performance and good business,” Pastor said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Young jobseekers, most of them fresh from college, scan company announcements during a Labor Day job fair at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall in the hope of landing a full-time job at the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Worker dies in Subic shipyard accident

SUBIC, Zambales , Philippines– A worker died from burns in the latest accident that occurred at the Hanjin shipyard here, hospital sources said yesterday.

Randy Gacos, 29, a welder of Finback Corp., a subcontractor of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc., suffered severe burns while working Wednesday. He was rushed to the Unihealth-Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone but doctors failed to save him.

Sources said Gacos’ welding hose caught fire and the flames spread over his body.

Data showed Gacos is the 37th worker to have died while working at the shipyard.

Meanwhile, a labor group challenged President Aquino to uphold and protect the rights of the workers at the Hanjin shipyard.

Partidong Manggagawa chairman Renato Magtubo said the death of Gacos would serve as a test for Aquino who once thanked Hanjin for its P24-billion investment in the country.

“The Hanjin shipyard is a graveyard of workers. While capitalists are scrimping on protection for its work force and the government is sleeping on its job of enforcement, workers are dying in the workplace,” Magtubo said.

The group estimated that there are at least 21,000 workers at the shipyard but only a few hundreds are employed directly while the rest were hired through the subcontractors. (Bebot Sison, Sheila Crisostomo, The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/05/04/1319113/worker-dies-subic-shipyard-accident

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Subic will not be part of EDCA – defense official

A defense official on Friday denied that Subic Bay, a former United States Naval base, is being eyed as one of the locations American troops can access under the newly signed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

“No. This is for the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” said Defense Undersectary Pio Lorenzo Batino, a member of the Philippine negotiating panel on EDCA.

Batino said defense and military officials are currently coordinating with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) so that portions of Subic, a civilian property, can be turned over to the AFP for its use.

“The AFP is requesting for limited portions of Subic so that it can strategically locate Philippine Air Force equipment, Philippine Navy equipment, kailangan natin yan para sa ating concerns sa area na yun,” he said at a press conference in Camp Aquinaldo.

Batino said they are eyeing to open three to five Philippine military camps for the use of American forces under EDCA, but was mum when asked if Clark airfield in Pampanga, also a former US military base, is one of them.

“Right now, the discussions would be ranging from three to five AFP bases,” he said. “That's not the final but that is the starting discussion point.”

EDCA was signed Monday, hours before US President Barack Obama arrived in the Philippines for his first state visit.

The agreement grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels.

But the pact rules out permanent basing, as the Philippine Constitution bans foreign military bases in the country unless covered by a treaty. EDCA as an executive agreement has an initial term of 10 years. (Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News)

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/359308/news/nation/subic-will-not-be-part-of-edca-defense-official

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Philippines to offer renewed US military use of Subic

Manila (AFP) - The Philippines said Friday it plans to give the United States access to five military bases under a deal that could see US forces return to their giant former facility at Subic Bay.

An access deal signed last week would allow the US to rotate more aircraft, ships, equipment and troops over the next 10 years at unspecified bases in the territory of the Asian ally strategically facing the South China Sea.

The two countries are now in follow-up talks to select the Filipino bases, said defence undersecretary Pio Batino, the chief Filipino negotiator.

"Right now, the discussions would be ranging from three to five (Filipino military) bases," he told reporters.
"That's not the final, but that is the starting discussion point."

The Philippines is offering Fort Magsaysay, a sprawling army base about 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Manila that regularly hosts annual large-scale US-Filipino military exercises, Batino said.

He added "limited portions of Subic" would also be offered, but declined to identify the three other bases under consideration.

The Philippines intends to conclude the discussions not later than September 30, Batino added.

The deal for increased US access is part of Philippine efforts to boost its weak military capabilities at a time of deep tensions with China over competing claims to parts of the South China Sea.

China claims most of the sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other countries in the region.

Subic, facing the South China Sea, was the former repair yard of the Japan-based US Pacific fleet.

American forces vacated it in 1992, along with nearby Clark Air Base, after the Philippine Senate refused to extend a bases treaty, ending nearly a century of major US military presence.

It is now a civilian free port, but maintains a US-era military runway and a deep harbour that is still used by American warships stopping over for military exercises or for regular provisioning.

Bound by a mutual defence pact, the US and the Philippines engage in regular war games that see thousands of US troops and state-of-the-art American military hardware brought to the Philippines.

The Philippines signed the bases access deal last week, hours ahead of a state visit to Manila by American President Barack Obama.

The deal also allows the US to build structures inside the bases for use by its forces, as well as to store supplies and equipment. (AFP News)

https://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-offer-renewed-us-military-subic-131859141.html

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Quality supervisor is SBMA Employee of the Year

A quality management supervisor responsible in initiating quality management systems in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has been named SBMA Employee of the Year for 2013 in a ceremony held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Juan C. Aquino, Jr., officer in charge of the agency’s Total Quality Management office and previously named as Employee of the Year for the Internal Services Group, bested five other finalists in the annual search for the agency’s outstanding employees.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia congratulated the finalists and said they have the admiration of their peers and the recognition from the whole agency.

Aquino, who has been with the SBMA since 2000, helped the agency achieve the ISO 9001:2008 certification, the international standard for quality management systems. He also set up the “Voice of the Customer” system, which allows customers to give feedback, thus making it possible for the SBMA to further improve customer service.

The other five finalists were shipping operations specialist Florence Basobas, investment analyst Marie Elaine Gonzales, utility worker Renato Ching, heavy equipment operator Nestor Manuel, and Ecology Center clerk Febie dela Cerna. They were also named Employees of the Year for their respective strategic business units.

Basobas, a licensed public accountant who represented the Aviation and Maritime Operations Group, was responsible in auditing liquidation reports of companies engaged in importation inside the Freeport.

Gonzales, who represented the Business and Investment Group, was nominated for her work in pulling in investments worth US$18 million for the SBMA. She was also responsible for handling investor concerns within the Freeport.

Ching of the Chairman and Administrator’s Group is currently designated as driver at the Media Production Department. He was recognized for doing tasks outside his job description, such as providing assistance during production work, and serving as alternate videographer and photographer for the department.

Manuel represented the Public Services Group and was responsible in implementing a system to make garbage collection inside the Freeport more effective.

Dela Cerna, from the Regulatory Group, served as clerk for the Ecology Center and provided assistance during project implementation done by her department.

During the awarding ceremony, Chairman Garcia also took the opportunity to recognize the contribution of the employees in achieving SBMA’s record-breaking income last year.

He proudly said that because of the employee’s collective efforts, the SBMA is now recognized as one of the best government agencies in the country.

“This brings back the pride in our work, because it is important that you take pride in your work, regardless of your position, especially if you are working in a company worth working for,” he said.

Garcia also assured the employees that the SBMA has a bright future ahead despite the challenges the agency faces, as the management is doing everything it can to improve its employees’ working conditions.

“The prospects for SBMA are exceedingly bright, and I promise you we will take advantage of these opportunities and make SBMA a much better place in the years to come,” he said.

The SBMA Employee of the Year Awards is a project of the SBMA Human Resources Management Department to recognize and reward exemplary services rendered by employees, in line with the Civil Service Commission’s PRAISE program. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTO:
Quality supervisor Juan C. Aquino, Jr. receives his award as SBMA Employee of the Year from SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia during the awarding ceremonies held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

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Subic supports PH-US security agreement

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has expressed its support to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that would allow the increased presence of American troops in the country.

In a press briefing held here on Monday, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia told reporters that the Subic agency managing the former US military base is in favor of the new agreement as this would strengthen national security.

Garcia, however, stressed that although there are no details coming from Malacanang as yet, “clearly, no US bases will be put up in Subic.”

The pact merely allows increased presence of US military troops, ships and planes on rotation basis, Garcia added.

The briefing was held while US Pres. Barrack Obama and Pres. Benigno Aquino III met in Malacanang on Monday. The EDCA was signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg.

Obama arrived in Manila on Monday as part of his Asian tour that sought for the rebalancing of power in the region.

Garcia also noted that even without the EDCA, the Subic Bay Freeport already plays an important role in national security because it is now the home port of frigates BRP Alcaraz (PF-16) and BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15), the newest additions to the Philippine Navy fleet.

One squadron of combat planes of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is also expected to be stationed at the former Federal Express (FedEx) terminal inside the Subic Bay International Airport, Garcia said.

The SBMA official also contended that the new security agreement became necessary because of the series of incidents in the West Philippine Sea, especially in the area of the Scarborough Shoal, where Filipino fishermen were barred by Chinese Coast Guard vessels.

Garcia said, however, that he remains optimistic that the agreement will be a temporary arrangement that will serve the purpose of benefiting most Filipinos.

Meanwhile, some protesters staged an anti-US rally in front of the main gate of the Subic Bay Freeport to denounce the visit of Pres. Obama.

Garcia said the Subic authority let them finish the rally at their own time.

“We allowed them to express their sentiments, as that is their right. We did not disperse them, but we did not allow them to come inside the Freeport, as this is a rally-free area,” Garcia added. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Kim wins gold for PH

ASIAN Games-bound Kim Mangrobang delivered for the Philippines as the diminutive 22-year-old triathlete came from behind to rule the Elite Under-23 female category of the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon for a gold-medal finish Sunday morning inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

Finishing second in the 1.5K swim leg, Mangrobang initiated a breakaway in the 40K bike stage, but could not sustain it and decided to stay with the lead pack until the final 10K run, where she took the lead right from the start and never looked back en route to a solo finish in 2:19.08.

She was followed by Taipei bets Wei Chen Chien (2:20.54) and Yi Hui Liu (2:21.57).

“Expected ko manalo. Maganda ang training at kundisyon ko para dito. Last year fifth lang ako. I am happy with my improvement,” said Mangrobang, who is eyeing a first-ever stint in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016, but admitted she has to compete in international races to earn points to qualify for the Olympics.

Another Filipino and top-ranked triathlete Nikko Huelgas missed a turn early in the final run leg and lost a few seconds. He paid the price as he settled for second place in the Elite Under-23 Male category 17 seconds behind Taipei’s Pei Yen Hsu (2:00.21). The 22-year-old Huelgas clocked 2 :00.38, followed by another Filipino entry in John Leerams Chicano (2:01.37) in the race also backed by Century Tuna, SBMA, Speedo, Standard Insurance, Gatorade, Davis Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation, and Harbor Point Mall where the race finished. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/04/29/kim-wins-gold-for-ph/

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Industries assemble for Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014

Various industries have joined forces to advance the practice of advertising in the country by affirming their support for Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014 on May 7-10, the much-awaited ad and marketing event that is expected to rock the local scene this year.

Aptly themed “Age of Enlightenment,” the summit, which is scheduled from May 7 to 10 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, is expected to draw over 2,000 local and international advertising and marketing practitioners, who are set to gain insights on the ever changing landscape of the local and global creative scene.

From the telecommunications industry, PLDT Home, provider of trusted digital services in the country, sealed a partnership with Summit organizer—the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As Philippines)—to be a major presenter of the event and to supply a powerful fiber broadband that will connect devices for seamless, simultaneous streaming during the convention.

Another major presenter, Smart Communications, Inc., will make mobile connectivity viable at the conference grounds.

“These new partnerships are perfect indications that there is a growing interest and support for our groundbreaking learning event. We are ecstatic to bring positive changes for the industry,” said Ad Summit chair Matec Villanueva.

Media organizations also forged deals with 4As Philippines after signing a memorandum of agreement as major sponsors. These include the Manila Broadcasting Company; ABS-CBN Corporation; Radio Mindanao Network (RMN: Radyo Mo Nationwide); The Philippine Star, and TV5. Official partners are 11FTC Enterprises, and Pioneer Insurance.

The Ad Summit also secured solid support from the advertising industry’s leading organizations, following a series of road shows it conducted. These organizations include the Advertising Suppliers Association of the Philippines (ASAP), Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng mga Pilipinas (KBP), Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA), Internet & Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP), United Print Media Group, Inc. (UPMG), to the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP).

First day speakers include Louie Morales, chairman of Image Dimension Advertising CID Communications Inc.; Chot Reyes, head coach of GILAS Pilipinas and Coachcom.inc; Marcus Rebeschini, CCO of Y&R Asia Pacific; Sandipan Roy, Regional Strategy Director of ISOBAR Asia Pacific; TV host/celebrity entrepreneur Boy Abunda; and Dick Van Motman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dentsu Aegis Network/Southeast Asia.

Second day speakers are Merlee Jayme, chairmom and CCO of DM9 JaymeSyfu; Cheuk Chiang, CEO of Omnicom Media Group Asia Pacific; Tom Doctoroff, APAC CEO of JWT Asia Pacific; Simon Kemp, Managing Director of We Are Social; and Ariel Fermin, executive vice president and head of Home Business PLDT.

Speaking on the last day are Charles Cadell, regional president of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific and one of the pioneers of the industry in the country, Emily Abrera, Chairperson of Board of Trustees Cultural Center of the Philippines. (Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/industries-assemble-for-ad-summit-pilipinas-2014/

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Amb. Goldberg: EDCA will not reopen US bases in PH

Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, left,
shakes hands with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg
after signing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation
Agreement at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippine military
headquarters in suburban Quezon city, north
of Manila, Philippines on Monday,  April 28, 2014.
AP/Aaron Favila

After eight months of negotiations, both countries inked the 10-year Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Goldberg and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin signed the deal hours before US President Barack Obama arrives in the Philippines for a two-day state visit.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg clarified, the EDCA will not reopen United States military bases in the Philippines.

“It will not reopen US bases. It is an agreement to enhance our defense relationships,” Goldberg said.

EDCA is set to enhance both countries defense cooperation and increase the presence of US soldiers in the country. It is supposed to increase training opportunities for Filipino and US forces, plus greater ability to respond to humanitarian operations.

“The agreement we signed today will be an important part of the existing MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty) and VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) frameworks. But it will also serve to update our security alliance to meet the increasingly complex challenges of the 21st century, whether it is terrorism, transnational crimes, or disasters like typhoon Haiyan,” he said.

Goldberg noted, the largest bilateral military exercise, Balikatan, will kick off next week.

Meanwhile, Gazmin said the Philippines will have better access to US military equipment, supplies and personnel because of the agreement.

"It enables us to do more by making necessary equipment and infrastructure available.Alliances evolve, partnerships develop, engagements mature, but all through out, it is the shared trust to move forward together that keeps what is in place such as the MDT and VFA. This is the essence of a maturing relationship," he said.

He added, "The document we signed only manifests the defense relationship between the Philippines and the United States but equally serves as a framework for furthering our alliance as encapsulated in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation. Underpinned by the common goal being able to meet the security challenges that both the Philippines and the United States share in common, our alliance has continued to evolve as both our countries continuously search for mechanisms that would enhance our individual and collective abilities to face such security challenges." (ANC/Yahoo News)

read more --> https://anc.yahoo.com/news/goldberg--edca-will-not-reopen-us-bases-in-ph-030909508.html

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US eyes return to Subic

MANILA - The United States is eyeing its former military base in Subic Bay, Philippines as one of the military facilities that will be covered by its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines (EDCA).

US National Security Council Senior Director for Asian affairs Evan Medeiros was asked about this in a late briefing in Malaysia, where US President Barack Obama is on the 3rd leg of his 2014 Spring Asia Tour. “There are a variety of facilities on the table. Subic Bay could be one of them."

Medeiros stressed that it’s not a basing agreement.

“This is not a sort of return to bases, so to speak. But rather what it does is it’s a framework that will allow us to train and to exercise with the armed forces of the Philippines on a range of missions, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security; countering transnational crime, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, for example.”

The EDCA will be signed by US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin hours before Obama arrives in Manila from Kuala Lumpur.

US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes confirmed this in a briefing in Malaysia late Sunday night.

“We will be completing and signing with the Philippines a very important agreement that will allow the United States access to basing in the Philippines in a way that will build out our defense and security cooperation," Rhodes said.

Medeiros called the agreement the most significant. The Philippines-US bases treaty expired in the 90s after a 50-year lifespan.“This is the most significant defense agreement that we have concluded with the Philippines in decades. What the agreement is, is that it’s a framework that facilitates enhanced security cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines that will allow us enhanced rotational presence at facilities in the Philippines.”

However, Medeiros said there are still details that will be threshed out. "The agreement itself has been under negotiation for about eight months. We’ve had eight rounds of negotiation, but it’s part of a longer conversation that the U.S. military has been having with its Philippine counterparts over the last few years as they have started to shift from an internal security-focused mission to an external security-focused mission.”

Medeiros added, “the agreement itself is just a framework. It creates a legal and policy infrastructure. It’s sort of like the skeletal and the muscular infrastructure that over time, as we talk with the Philippines about what their needs are and what missions they want to work with us on, we will then work through what the specific nature of the training and the exercising will be.”

Rhodes said EDCA is “a flexible agreement that will allow us to position assets as necessary to provide that training and to do that type of joint effort with the Philippines.”

Medeiros confirmed the agreement will be valid for 10 years. “It’s 10-year with a provision for renewing.”

Rhodes also explained that the facilities covered by the agreement are fundamentally Filipino facilities. “So clearly they will be present and will have access to their bases.”

Rhodes said the EDCA is similar to the increased rotational presence agreement that has allowed the US to have some troops in Darwin, Australia.

DISASTER RESPONSE, CHINA

Rhodes attributes part of the impetus for the agreement to disaster response. Last year, central Philippines was battered by super typhoon Yolanda. "Because it was the United States that was able with our capabilities to reach affected areas much more effectively than any other country could. And this type of agreement that could allow, for instance, the U.S. air and naval assets to rotate through Filipino facilities would contribute to the ability to have a very nimble and effective response to a disaster like a typhoon, which tragically is not a non-common occurrence in this region generally that you have those types of natural disasters. It also will help us develop the Filipino capacity to respond in those types of disasters.”

Medeiros also stressed the EDCA has nothing to do with China, whose maritime dispute with the Philippines has exacerbated tensions in the South China Sea.

“They’re interested in stepping up our military-to-military engagement. There have been a variety of instances, as Ben pointed out, like Typhoon Yolanda, where it became clear that an enhanced rotational presence, a legal and policy framework for the U.S. military to work with their Philippine counterparts was something that was needed by the Philippine government.”

Rhodes added, “this isn’t an agreement designed at resolving maritime disputes with any particular maritime dispute as a focal point of why we did this. We have made very clear that we believe that there should be a cooperative approach to addressing maritime disputes consistent with international law, that there should be an avoidance of an escalation of tensions. At the same time, we’ve made clear we have an interest, a national interest, in for instance the free flow of commerce and open sea lanes.”

Rhodes emphasized the US has also increased military-to-military exchanges with China, in part to have greater transparency and in part to avoid any unnecessary and inadvertent escalation.

“And so that’s an important part of how we approach these issues, that we have that type of dialogue and exchange with China. The fact of these negotiations has been public and known in the region, so it’s certainly something that the Chinese have been aware of," he said.

Medeiros added, “we want a constructive relationship with China. We have made a serious effort at improving our military-to-military ties....we want all the countries in the region to have a constructive relationship with China, and we welcome them working with the Chinese on shared security and economic challenges. “

Medeiros, however, reiterated the US position against “ the use of intimidation, coercion or aggression by any state -- any state -- to advance their maritime territorial claims. And to the extent that our work with our alliance partners and our security partners helps them become more capable and not being vulnerable to intimidation, coercion or aggression, we think that’s a good thing. And that’s one of the reasons why we seek to modernize our alliances and our security partnerships when we come here in the region.”

Medeiros pointed out that the Philippines has found an ally in support of its chosen strategy of arbitration in resolving its differences with china.

“As you know, Malaysia is a claimant. And very significantly in the joint statement, for the first time, they actually came out in support of the principle of international arbitration, which has been a subject of some diplomatic wrangling in recent months as the Philippines has sought to pursue an arbitration case regarding its disputes with China." (RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News)

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/27/14/us-eyes-return-subic

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Shipping is said to be cheaper at Subic, Batangas ports

Shipping from Subic and Batangas ports would be cheaper for traders, according to Roberto V. Garcia Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator.

He said that importing from Subic would cost only $ 1,001.79 per 20 footer container compared with Manila’s rate of $ 1,142.26 per 20 foot container. To export from Subic also costs only $ 847.33 per 20 footer container compared with Manila’s rate of $ 990.81 per 20 Ft container.

Garcia cited Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study which showed that out of the 2.8 million containers passing through the Port of Manila, 450,000 containers are destined for Central and Northern Luzon .

“We have the capacity of 600,000 TEUs so even if all the cargo that comes from Manila goes to Subic, we have the facilities to handle that , the location is very central. We are trying to promote Subic as transshipment hub” Garcia said.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone to date , has 1,800 locators with $ 9.3 billion total investments . It also has 90,092 active Freeport zone workforce, and 5.23 million visitor arrivals in 2012.

Asian Terminals Inc. operator of Batangas Port said that the port remain as the better alternative to Manila Ports for Calabarzon (Cavite,Laguna, Batangas , Rizal and Quezon) cargoes as it has enough capacity to handle the 300,000 TEUs going to Calabarzon annually .

Sean Perez ATI vice president said during his presentation at the recent transport summit that the customers from Calabarzon would save trucking cost of at least 16 percent for export and 13 percent import in choosing Batangas rather than Manila Port.

Batangas Port has 350,000 TEUs capacity per year , 12 hectares of terminal space can handle 7,152 TEUs (4 high) at any given day expandable facility is needed . The Port volume has more than doubled to 3,819 TEUs in the first quarter of 2014 compared to previous year same period of 1,564 TEUs .

In 2013, ATI said Batangas Port handled its highest number of outbound passengers at 3.06 million. It also facilitated the seamless transit of 230,173 vehicles via the Mimaropa ( Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon , Palawan) nautical corridor. Cargo operations which handled 580,054 metric tons of conventional cargo .

The government is promoting the use Subic and Batangas port as an alternative to Manila Port as the Manila City government plans to pursue the implementation of full truck ban in Manila by July this year.

Last February, Manila City government has implemented a truck ban gives a daytime window period from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm for loaded truck to ply in Manila. Empty container trucks, was banned to take to Manila’s streets. The daytime window period for trucks was expected to last for six months . (Myla Iglesias, Malaya)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/shipping-said-be-cheaper-subic-batangas-ports

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Filipino bets strike gold in Subic

FILIPINO para-triathletes Sixto Ducay and Andy Avellana struck for gold in their respective categories in yesterday morning’s staging of the second Asian Para triathlon Championships held near the All Hands beach inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

As part of the two-day K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon, the event attracted 11 entries from Japan, which dominated the other categories, Malaysia and Korea aside from host Philippines.

Sorsogon native Ducay, 46 , exacted revenge against Malaysian Mohd Sabkibin Arifin in the Tri 4 category to take the gold, clocking 1:17.9 in the 750m swim-20K bike-5 K run race;

Arifin, who beat Ducay last year in the same race, finished in 1:18.12.

A minimal cerebral palsy victim in his right arm, Ducay posted a come-from-behind win.

“Buti nakabawi ako sa cycling at running legs. Masaya ako at na improve ko time ko last year kahit kulang sa ensayo, “ said Ducay, also a long jumper and middle distance medalist in previous ParaGames.

The other Filipino winner, 38-year-old Andy Avellana, who lost his left leg due to a bus accident, had the easiest time as he had no opposition in the Tri 2 category, completing the distance in 1:44.12.

“Malalakas ang mga kalaban dito at kumpleto sa gamit, naibaba ko ang time ko ngayon compared last year kaya masaya ako,” said Avellana after the race that was also backed by Century Tuna, Standard Insurance, Gatorade, Phil. Sports Commission, Harbor Point Mall, SBMA, David’s Salon, Speedo and Asian Center for Insulation Philippines.

Toshio Furuhata, a 52-year-old visually impaired entry from Japan, exerted just enough effort after only a week’s rest from a longer triathlon race. He led Japan’s charge as he took line honors and ruled the Tri 5 category race, with the best time of 1:08.14, followed by compatriot Nobuyuki Domon in 1:12.04, and Korean Lee Jun Ha in 1 : 24. 10. (Lito Cinco, Manila Standard)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/04/28/filipino-bets-strike-gold-in-subic/

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Economies of scale to settle Subic or Batangas port option

WITH freight contracts mostly decided abroad, whether to call or not on the Batangas Port or the Subic Port is decided based on economies of scale and not as a result of state policies, according to the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL).

AISL President Patrick Ronas said since freight deals are decided abroad, it is only natural that economies of scale factor heavily in the decision-making of foreign principals.

He added that premiums or the extra costs on operating in the ports of Batangas and Subic would disappear once the flow of trade takes progress in those areas.

The ports in Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro, he cited, were historically having a premium of $350 to $400 per cargo at the time that international feeders were non-existent in those ports, but eventually the cost was eliminated after these ports experienced growth in trade.

Foreign shippers have also done their part to ease the current problem of truckers who are being charged with penalties for illegal parking when they could not comply with the truck ban during the hours to traverse Manila to their container yards.

Ronas said a lot of depots, contrary to the knowledge of many in the industry, were not owned by shippers but by private contractors. He added that shipping lines have to convince private contractors to operate their depots for 24 hours to accommodate truckers returning their containers.

He said there was a move by contractors to look for space in the North or South harbors as an alternative for locating the depots, but the only problem would be the distance.

Ronas suggested that the Philippine Ports Authority identify areas near the ports to put up new depots to allow cost efficiency in transporting cargoes.

At the recent transport and logistics summit, included in the private sector’s recommendations is the setting up of alternative depots to address congestion of cargoes.

Exporting and importing companies, as well as service providers of transport and logistics and allied services, contributed to the drafting of the resolution which aims to attain a sustainable solution on removing barriers in cargo transport and customs procedures.

Among the proposed measures include the creation of alternative depots, maximization of Batangas and Subic ports, 24/7 operations by the Customs bureau, removal of the truck ban, connection of the North and Luzon expressways, and facilitation of road-network constructions.

Ronas said shipping lines were caught with surprise when the truck ban was imposed, which resulted in additional costs. “For every four containers that come in, only one goes out. We were not spared of the additional costs,” he added. (Business Mirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/31145-economies-of-scale-to-settle-subic-or-batangas-port-option

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Hi Fi, Ragamuffin 90 take top honors in Rolex China Sea Race

For the second time in four years, Neil Pryde’s Welbourne 52 Hi Fi from Hong Kong has won the Rolex China Sea Race, Asia’s principal offshore event.

On Saturday morning, Hi Fi became the third boat to complete the 565-nm course from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, The Philippines following a dramatic tussle with a group of yachts, most notably Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky from the United States. Pryde’s crew finished the race in 2 days, 21 hours, 47 minutes, enough on corrected time, with the chasing fleet becalmed, to seal overall victory.

“It was incredibly close racing,” enthused Pryde. “To be this close after so many miles is amazing. It was the same all the way down. We were never out of sight of the other boats so you could not relax one moment.”

During the final miles set against the mountainous, scenic and sunbaked approach to Subic Bay, little could separate the boats. “There were three 52-footers, ourselves, Lucky and Freefire (HKG) all neck and neck,” explained Pryde. “We were surging down the coast in good wind with an A3 spinnaker up reaching at 12 to 13 knots. It was incredibly exciting, boats kept changing positions because we had all been reading the same weather.”

With the finishing line in sight, the three crews were all seeking to make the winning tactical decision. “Lucky went around the rocks while we took the inside track. The trade off was whether there was more wind on the inside or outside,” admitted Pryde. While Lucky stole the advantage and beat Hi Fi on the water, the two minute margin was insufficient to defeat Pryde’s crew on handicap.

Pryde, a Hong Kong resident, first competed in the race in 1968 and this victory represents one of the most significant accomplishments of his illustrious sailing career. “It ranks as one of the more memorable victories we’ve had and we’ve won a lot of races,” said Pryde. “It means a lot to me, over the past few years I’ve not done a lot of sailing because I’ve had some health issues so to go out and still prove we can do it is a big thing for me personally. Yacht racing has been part of my life for sixty odd years. I’ve never cruised, I’ve always raced. It’s what I do.”

Australian Syd Fischer had taken line honours with his Maxi Ragamuffin 90 on Friday evening, finishing in a time of 57 hours, 31 minutes and 18 seconds.

By 18:00 local time on Sunday evening, 26 of the 34 competing yachts had completed the race and there had been only one retirement. (Scuttlebutt Sailing News)

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2014/04/20/hi-fi-ragamuffin-90-take-top-honors-rolex-china-sea-race/#prettyPhoto

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Elite triathletes join Subic international tilt

THE stage is set for a battle royale among elite triathletes from several countries seeking ITU and ASTC Asian Cup qualification points as the second day of action of the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon commences at 5:45 a.m. This Sunday at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Expected to strive hard for the Elite Male title are Japan’s Kohei Shimomura (ITU rank no. 142), Jordan’s Fanous Lawrence (ranked 156th) Hong Kong’s Perry Wong (ranked 180th), Korea’s 2012 Olympian Min Ho Heo and Azerbaijan’s Alexander Iatcenko.

Jonard Saim, who recently won the AboitizTRI2014 event a few weeks back, is the Philippines’ only bet among the elites.

In the distaff side of the event sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission and supported by Harbor Point, Ayala Malls, Canon, Traveler’s Hotel, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, and Green Triathlon, Japan’s Hideko Kikuchi (ranked 97th) will be facing off with Macau’s Hoi Long (2010 Asian Games triathlon 4th placer) and her fellow compatriot Chika Sato (ranked121st).

All Standard Distance (1.5kilometer swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run) competitions, including the Under-23,age-groups and triathlon club will take place on Sunday.

The 1.5 Km swim is set off the NCT Junction with the first transition area located nearby. From there, the 40-Km bike will stretch out along Argonaut Highway and conclude at the second transition area located at Harbor Point Ayala Mall.

The redesigned 10-Km run this year will course through the central business district, with the finish line set at the grounds of Harbor Point Ayala Mall.

The K-Swiss ITU SUBIT is a five-in-one event, where elite triathletes can compete for ITU and Asian Cup points, while local triathletes can qualify for consideration in the National Pool as well as opportunities to represent the Philippines in future competitions overseas. (MST Sports)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/04/24/elite-triathletes-join-subic-international-tilt/

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Romeros deny any illegality in Subic deal

The camp of the Romeros of the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) yesterday denied they had committed any illegality in its deal to develop Subic Bay, claiming they were only victims of black propaganda by losing bidders who have been responsible for transforming the once glorious port into its current sordid state.

In a statement, lawyer Carlo Solis, head of the Administration Division of HCPTI said that their company had envisioned Subic to be a world-class seaport capable of handling large volume of cargoes and ships, not like its current state where neglect and disrepair are evident.

“That was what HCPTI had set out to do but for which we had found ourselves unjustly and unduly hailed to court,” Solis said.

Solis lamented it has been disheartening that HCPTI ended up being at the receiving end of baseless accusations for trying to develop Subic into a fully functioning and modern hub for shipping operations.

“All records would show that the HCPTI proposal to modernize Subic ports underwent rigorous government scrutiny and bidding process pursuant to the guidelines and procedures for entering into JVAs between government and private entities issued by the Neda. HCPTI not only followed all the rules and complied with the strict government standards and regulations, records will show that it also complied with additional requirements imposed by the SBMA Board,” Solis stressed.

Last week, Reghis Romero II and son, Michael Romero, chairman and chief executive officer, respectively, of HCPTI along with a list of former officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) were ordered indicted by the Ombudsman regarding a joint venture agreement between SBMA and Harbour Centre to develop and maintain ports and wharves at Subic Bay.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the individuals charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act 3019.

Based on a resolution of the Ombudsman approved April 7, Morales recommended the prosecution of the Romeros along with former SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, former administrator and CEO Armand Arreza, senior deputy administrator Ramon Agregado, former Senior Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez, former Deputy Administrator Ma. Cristina Millan, deputy administrator Marcelino Sanqui, former board member Edralino Cajudo, former board member Antonio Rex Chan, former board members Ricardo Coscolluela, Angelita DJ Cruz, Teodoro del Rosario, Jorge Estanislao, Ma. Angela Garcia, James Lorenzana, Ma. Victoria Pineda, Stefani Saño, Jennifer Khonghun-Ting and Eddie Tamondong.

The 32-page joint resolution stated that the SBMA officials “displayed manifest partiality and evident bad faith in the performance of their functions.”

It cited the guidelines issued by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) that a joint venture agreement (JVA) shall only be executed after the conduct of the competitive challenge (bidding) where a private sector participant has been declared winner and issued a notice of award. (Charlie V. Manalo, The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/romeros-deny-any-illegality-in-subic-deal

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Visually impaired bets join Subic tilt

A TRIO of visually impaired paratriathletes will be leading a crack team from Japan to engage challengers from Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines in the Paratriathlon Asian Championships event of the long-running K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon, which will kick off at 7:20 a.m. on April 26 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Japan is fielding visually impaired Ryu Nakazawa, Toshihiro Shirae and Atsuko Yamadain the sprint distance paratriathlon competition (750 meter swimming, 20kilometer biking and 5 kilometer running), together with teammates ShingoKuboyama, Noboyulki Domon, Toshio Furuhata and Miho Hamada.

Others competing for the paratriathlon titles, include Jun Ha Lee (Korea); 2013 SUBIT paratriathlon gold medallist Andy Avellana (Philippines); Godfrey Taberna (Philippines) and 2013 SUBIT paratriathlon silver medallist Sixto Ducay (Philippines).

Adding importance to the longest-running Olympic distance international triathlon in Asia, sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission and supported Harbor Point, Ayala Malls, Canon, Traveler’s Hotel, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, and Green Triathlon is the presence of ITU (International Triathlon Union) classifiers Marguerite Christophers and Peter Steggall, who will determine the paratriathletes’ categories on April 24 and 25.

The 2014 Asian Paratriathlon Championships is part of the Asian Triathlon Confederation and Triathlon ssociation of the Philippines’ efforts to promote paratriathlon, with participation in the 2016 Paralympics in mind.

As of April 19, close to 1,000 participants have signed up for the K-Swiss ITU SUBIT.

Among them are 20 clubs vying for the Inter-Club Competition title, and over 600 age-group triathletes in the Olympic distance aiming for the National Age-Group championship titles and the right to represent the country in the 2014 World Age-Group Championships to be hosted in Canada. (MST Sports)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/mobile/2014/04/21/visually-impaired-bets-join-subic-tilt/

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Criminal raps ordered vs HCPTI’s Romeros

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Monday ordered the filing of criminal charges against Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) Chairman Reghis Romero II and Chief Executive Officer Michael Romero.

In a resolution approved on April 7, Morales said that besides Reghis and Michael, she ordered the filing of information against 18 officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

According to Morales, on February 24, 2010, the SBMA entered into joint-venture agreement (JVA) with HCPTI for the development, operation and management of the Naval Supply Depot and the ports in Boton, Alava, Rivera and Bravo.

“The Terms of Reference granted it concession as exclusive port operator of the five ports and exclusive cargo handling for foreign and domestic break-bulk and bulk cargoes for the entire zone. In exchange, the SBMA stood to receive a fixed and guaranteed share of $32,000,000 for the 25-year agreement, as well as a variable revenue share,” she said.

The case stemmed from separate complaints filed by port operators Amerasia International Terminal Services Inc. (AITSI) and Subic Seaport Terminal Inc. (SSTI), which contested the award to HCPTI.

The Ombudsman determined that as officers and beneficial owners, Reghis and Michael Romero were at the receiving end of the unwarranted benefits as they failed to show that the company was legally entitled to its grant.

“Respondents’ above-described acts readily show that they acted in conspiracy, that is, they came to an agreement concerning the commission of a felony and decided to commit it,” the resolution said.

However, Reghis and Michael Romero’s other criminal charges for violation of Section 3 (g) and (j) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, and Article 186 (Monopolies and Combinations in Restraint of Trade) of the Revised Penal Code were dismissed for lack of merit.

For the SBMA, Morales ordered the filing of an information for violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019 against former SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, former Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Armand Arreza, Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, former Senior Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez, former Deputy Administrator Ma. Cristina Millan, Deputy Administrator Marcelino Sanqui, former Board Members Edralino Cajudo, Member Antonio Rex Chan, Ricardo Coscolluela, Angelita DJ Cruz and Teodoro del Rosario.

Also included as respondents are former Board Members Jorge Estanislao, Ma. Angela Garcia, James Lorenzana, Ma. Victoria Pineda, Stefani Saño, Jennifer Khonghun-Ting and Eddie Tamondong.

Morales said the SBMA officials “displayed manifest partiality and evident bad faith in the performance of their functions.”

The resolution cited the guidelines issued by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) that a JVA shall only be executed after the conduct of the competitive challenge (bidding) where a private-sector participant has been declared winner and issued a Notice of Award. It also noted that the SBMA resorted to procedural shortcuts and undertook material deviations, including changes in the eligibility requirements.

Morales also said she found that the SBMA pegged the project cost at only P763 million to allow HCPTI to post a lower bid security of P15.26 million, even if the original cost of the JVA was set at P5.537 billion, which should have required a bid security of P100 million.

“By changing the project cost after the publication of the Invitation to Submit Comparative Proposals and imposing additional eligibility requirements, it appears that respondents manipulated the process by enabling HCPTI to post a significantly lower bid security and, at the same time, discouraging prospective JV partners from participating in the competitive challenge by imposing conditions for participation based on the higher project cost,” the resolution explained.

Meanwhile, in a 20-page decision on the administrative aspect of the AITSI complaint, Morales said she found the commission of grave misconduct and ordered the dismissal from the service of Agregado, Sanqui and Salonga with the accessory penalties of absolute disqualification from holding any public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of civil service eligibility, and bar from taking any civil service examination.

The same principal penalty would have been imposed on Arreza, Millan, Cajudo, Coscolluela, Cruz, del Rosario, Estanislao, Lorenzana, Pineda, Saño, Ting and Tamondong had they not been separated from the service during the pendency of the case. They were, however, each ordered to pay a fine equivalent to their salary for one year deductible from their retirement benefits, accrued leave credits and other receivables, aside from facing the same accessory penalties.

The Ombudsman, however, said the administrative case against Hernandez, Chan and Garcia was dismissed in view of their separation from the service prior to the filing of the case.

The second administrative case for violation of Section 5(a) of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) was dismissed for lack of merit, in a separate seven-page decision on the administrative aspect of the SSTI complaint. (Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz, Business Mirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/top-news/30636-criminal-raps-ordered-vs-hcpti-s-romeros

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Special lane, weeklong program await Subic visitors during Holy Week

In anticipation of the increased volume of visitors driving to the Subic Bay Freeport this Holy Week, the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) will be implementing an integrated toll fee payments starting April 16.

Under this scheme, all vehicles going to the Subic Freeport using the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) will pay the combined toll fees for SFEX and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) at the SCTEX Tipo collection plaza from April 16 to the 20.

MNTC, which operates SFEX, SCTEX and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), said the special privilege for Subic-bound motorists is in response to a request of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for a designated special lane.

“We have been implementing this annually, basically to address the concern of SBMA,” MNTC said.

The temporary toll fee collection system is expected to free the motorists of hassles brought about by long lines of vehicles at the toll plaza during the peak of the Lenten Season.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the with the anticipated influx of vehicular traffic in Subic this summer vacation, especially during the Holy Week, the integrated toll fees system “will provide comfortable travel experience for motorists going to Subic.”

He also expressed his appreciation to the MNTC management for its support.

Garcia also said that the Subic Bay Freeport community has prepared a week-long program of activities for visitors to Subic to have a meaningful Holy Week observance while enjoying the Freeport's best facilities and services.

The SBMA official, however, noted that almost all of the hotels and housing facilities in the Freeport area have already been fully booked for the summer vacation, as most of the rooms have been reserved as early as January.

The week-long Lenten program in Subic will start on April 13, or Palm Sunday, with the reenactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.

This will be followed by “Pabasa sa Freeport,” the chanting of life, passion and death of Jesus Christ starting on Holy Monday (April 14-15), procession on Holy Wednesday, Grand Procession on Good Friday, “Salubong” on Easter Sunday, and the Stations of the Cross and the Veneration of the Cross.

A free musical healing concert dubbed “The Mysteries of Sorrows and Five Wounds of Jesus” organized by the Bethesda Spring of Hope ministry for Good Friday will feature Karylle and Yael Yuzon of Spongecola, Boots Anson Roa, Jose Mari Chan, Tina Monzon-Palma, Ku Aquino, Gino Padilla and many others at Subic’s Boardwalk area.

On the Black Saturday, visitors will be treated to the opening of food, souvenir and specialty shops at the Boardwalk area, followed by the grand championship round for dance and acoustic band competitions.

To cap the Holy Week activities, the SBMA will be offering the Subic Bay Easter Egg Hunt for children after the morning mass on Sunday at the San Roque Chapel. Gifts, awards and other surprises donated by Freeport businessmen await lucky egg hunters. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA probes looting of historical shipwreck

ZAMBALES, Philippines – Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) ordered an investigation into reports that there was massive looting of a historical shipwreck here, with the agency's own harbor patrol officers allegedly protecting the perpetrators.

SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia told reporters that the SBMA's Law Enforcement Department (LED) had called members of the harbor patrol unit who were manning the Subic diving site during the reported illegal salvage operations. They took place near the shoreline between Grande Island and Chiquita Island on March 19 and 20.

Subic, former host to a United States military base, is also the site of perhaps the biggest number of sunken Japanese ships since World War II – ranging from 10 to 25, according to various accounts. The local government has been promoting wreck diving to attract tourist.

Locals said the ship whose parts were reportedly taken by looters was said to be a "sister ship" of the San Quentin, a wooden gunboat that sank in 1898, and is the oldest known wreck in Subic.

"We are gathering statements [of these harbor patrols] for them to finally answer [the allegations]," Garcia said, adding that they would not spare anyone who would be found guilty.

According to him, SBMA has already tapped all concerned agencies, such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Regional Maritime Unit here to help the agency stop the incidents of looting.

He said they are also urging the Subic divers to help them in solving this problem.

"We will coordinate with the Subic divers and work out an arrangement [to deal with this issue]," Garcia said.

On Monday, police filed charges against 5 men who were caught carrying out unauthorized salvage of vessels and wrecks.

The looting incident was reported by members of the Subic Bay Diving Association, headed by Scott Sharpe.

The suspected looters were identified as Danilo Casapao, 46; Junel Rivera, 31; Armando Salazar, 41; Manuel Casapao, 44; and Michael Eduarte, 37. All were from Barangay Mabayo, Morong, Bataan and remained at large. (Randy V. Datu, Rappler.com)

http://www.rappler.com/nation/54163-sbma-probes-historical-shipwreck-looting

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TATAP hosts GAC Tour

THE Table Tennis Association of the Philippines will host the GAC Group World Tour 2014 Philippine Open on May 15­18 at  the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Table tennis chief Ting Ledesma said the international tournament has attracted more than 180 players from 40 countries  all over the world.

"It is really a great pleasure to host an international competition like the World Tour," said Ledesma, a former national player. "We are expecting the world's toughest table tennis players to compete in the four-day competition."

National players Richard Gonzales, Nash Jacolo, Jamaica Sy, Rodel Valle, Ian Lariba, Sendrina Balatbat, Walden Ledesma,  Annabelle Commendador, Rommelia Princess Tambo and Stephen Andrew Timson will be up against the foreign entries.

"I would like to thank Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, particularly chairman Roberto Garcia, for letting us
use the  venue and facility for free," said Ledesma. "They really wanted to help us developing table tennis."

Interested parties have until April 15 to register. (Manila Times)

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Hanjin starts building VLCCs, rolls off three more ships

Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction’s shipyard in Subic Bay will start building Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) for the first time.

Navig8 has ordered four 300,000 dwt VLCCs there while another unspecified European owner has committed to build two more.

The 300,000 dwt newbuilding measures 333 m in length, 60 m in breadth with 30 m of height.

The ships will start delivering in the second half of 2016. Hanjin’s Subic yard is now busy through to 2017. Hanjin’s own yard in Busan is too small to handle ships of VLCC size.

New Ships

Meanwhile, three newly built container vessels were rolled off at the Korean shipbuilding facility.

The vessels were ordered by the German shipping company Bernhard Schulte Gmbh and Co. KG last week.

The order for these three 5,400 TEU Container Class Carriers is due to the growing number of German manufacturing orders in February, mostly coming from domestic orders.

Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction–Philippines (HHIC-Phil Inc.) held the unveiling at their state-of-the-art shipyard facility in Subic as the three vessels were christened as M/V Christ Schulte, M/V Clemens Schulte, and M/V Carl Schulte. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

http://seashipnews.com/News/Hanjin%E2%80%99s-Subic-yard-starts-VLCC-construction/3w3c2077.html

http://www.mb.com.ph/national-newsbits-for-april-8-2014/

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