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13 December 2015

Central Luzon workers get pay hike

Workers in Central Luzon will soon get higher pay after the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) approved on Wednesday (Dec. 9) the newest wage order for the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a statement that Wage Order No. RB III-19, which raises by P15 per day the minimum wage for workers in the six provinces and P20 per day in Aurora has been unanimously approved.

“We have unanimously affirmed the wage order for workers in retail and services establishments with less than 16 workers,” Baldoz said, adding that the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) was able to meet its target that all of the country’s 30 minimum wage rates will be above the poverty threshold level before President Aquino’s term ends.

“This is a victory not only for Filipino workers but for all Filipinos,” Baldoz said.

The increase of P15 per day in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales will be given in two tranches: the first P8 upon implementation of the wage order and the next P7 on May 1 next year.

Similarly, for Aurora province, the increase of P20 per day shall also be given in two tranches. The first tranche of P10 will be given upon the implementation of the order and the additional P10 on May 1, 2016.

Dole Regional Director Ana Dione said that with the pay hike, the minimum wage in Central Luzon now stands at P364 per day.

“With the increase, the highest minimum wage in the region is now P364, which is above the poverty threshold of P248 for a family of five as of December 2012,” she said.

The latest Dole-NWPC wage order applies to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in Central Luzon regardless of position, designation, status of employment, and methods by which the wages are paid.

Those who are not covered by the wage order are “kasambahays” and persons employed in personal service of another, including family drivers and workers of barangay micro business enterprises.

In issuing the wage order, the Regional Wage Board encourages establishments to adopt productivity improvement schemes such as time and motion studies, good housekeeping, quality circles, and labor management cooperation, as well as to implement gain sharing programs.

“Complaints for non-compliance with Wage Order RB III-19 shall be filed with Dole Regional Office III and shall be subject of enforcement proceedings under Article 128 of the Labor Code,” Dione said.

Any person, corporation, trust, or firm, partnership, association, or entity which refuses or fails to pay the prescribed wage rates shall be subject to penal provisions under Republic Act 6727, or the Minimum Wage Fixing Law. (JTD/Sun.Star Pampanga)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/12/11/central-luzon-workers-get-pay-hike-446459

Philippine bird festival highlights Subic Bay's endangered parrot

The Green Racquet-tail (Prionitirus luconensis), an endangered parrot species making its last stand in Subic Bay, takes the spotlight in the 10th Philippine Bird Festival in Balanga City, Bataan.

With the theme “Ibon at Kalikasan, Kayamanan ng Bayan (Birds and Nature, Our Nation’s Treasure),” the Philippine Bird Festival aims to raise awareness and appreciation of Philippine birds. The vulnerable Green Racquet-tail is featured as the logo of this year's bird festival.

The last remaining population of Green Racquet-tails is found within the protected Subic Bay Forest Reserve.

This species is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that any international trade in the Green Racquet-Tail should be carefully monitored.

Despite these measures, this bird remains vulnerable to extinction and further measures, such as the protection of other key populations and improved efforts to prevent illegal logging, have been recommended.

The 10th Phiippine Bird Festival is spearheaded by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP), a non-government organization promoting recreational birdwatching and the responsible enjoyment of nature.

“The main purpose of the bird fair is to showcase what birds are for, their ecological effect and contribution,” said WBCP President Gina Mapua, who pointed out that birds are good indicators of how healthy the environment is.

Speaking at the recent launching of the event, Mapua said: “Without birds, there will be no forests – they are main planters of our forests. They are our ecological friends.”

“What we’re trying to push is the protection of birds because they protect us,” she added.

Every year, the festival, in partnership with local government units (LGUs), academic institutions and environment conservation groups, goes to various places in the country to highlight bird species unique in every island.  (SNL)

Click here more information on the Green-Racquet Tail

PHOTO:
A Green Racquet-Tail seen at the Nabasan area in Subic Bay. Named to be so because of its racquet-like tail extensions. This species has been uplisted to Endangered on the basis that its population is estimated to be very small, and thus less numerous than previously thought. (photo courtesy of manilaoldtimer.net)

Related story:
http://www.mb.com.ph/10th-philippine-bird-festival-draws-thousands/

10 December 2015

Phl defense modernization: 1st batch of APCs from US arrives in Subic Bay

77 units of M113A2 Armed Personnel Carriers (APC) arrived in Subic Bay yesterday (Wednesday) evening. This was the first shipment of 114 such vehicles to arrive.

The second shipment of 37 units is scheduled to arrive on 14 Dec, and the remainder will be delivered later this month.

The APCs will be transferred from the U.S. government to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) via the Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program.

The EDA Program grants excess U.S. military equipment from the U.S., without cost, to qualified allied countries.

The transfer is a result of a formal request made by the AFP to assist in their defense modernization efforts.

The M113 was developed to provide a survivable and reliable light tracked vehicle that allows for troops to be brought forward under armor for dismounted operations.

A number of the vehicles are scheduled to participate in the annual AFP Day Parade, Dec. 21.

The AFP is scheduled to receive the remaining vehicles later this month.

PHOTO:
Philippine Defense and Armed Forces officials say the newly procured M113A2 armored vehicles with remote controlled weapons systems will be used mostly in Mindanao. (CNNPH)

http://manila.usembassy.gov/press-photo-releases-2015/usg-transfers-armored-personnel-carriers-afp.html

09 December 2015

Stealth submarine USS Tucson visits Subic Bay

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) arrived at Subic Bay last week for a visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment.

In a statement Wednesday, the US embassy said the USS Tucson is one of the stealthiest and most advanced submarines in the world.

Measuring more than 360 feet long, this submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

With a crew of approximately 150, the Tucson will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.

For many of the crew members, this was their first time visiting the Philippines.

“I look forward to learning about the customs and traditions of the Philippines,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Evan Lusk. “I intend to view local sites and look forward to some well-earned rest and relaxation.”

However, some of the Tucson’s Filipino-American sailors had an opportunity to connect with their heritage.

“I am excited to visit my family’s home country and share our native heritage with my fellow shipmates,” said Seaman Christian Bello.

The men have worked and trained hard to prepare the ship for deployment and their performance over the past 11 months has been nothing less than exceptional,” said Senior Chief Electronics Technician Billy Daly Jr., USS Tucson’s chief of the boat. “I am proud to serve with each and every one of these sailors and to be part of USS Tucson.” (SNL)

PHOTO:
US fast-attack submarine USS Tucson is one of the stealthiest and most advanced submarines in the world. (US Navy/1st Class David J. Weideman)

04 December 2015

Best Western unveils new midscale hotel in Subic Bay

BANGKOK - Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a new midscale hotel in the Philippines.

Located at Subic Bay, on the west coast of Luzon Island, approximately 100km north of Manila, the new Best Western Plus Hotel Subic becomes the first internationally-branded midscale hotel in the area.

Set in a brand new building that exudes contemporary style, Best Western Plus Hotel Subic offers 77 midscale rooms, all including flat-screen TVs, mini-bars and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel also features a range of facilities for both business and leisure travelers.

“The Philippines is an incredibly important market for Best Western, and I am delighted to be able to welcome guests to our first ever hotel in Subic Bay - another exciting destination for our company,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations - Asia.

“The Subic Bay Freeport Zone is a vitally important industrial area for the Philippines, and the broader Asia Pacific region. And the area’s impressive beaches and marine attractions are making Subic Bay an increasingly popular tourism destination. I am confident that Best Western Plus Hotel Subic will become a key addition to the area’s travel and hospitality landscape.” Mr. Berrivin added.

Best Western Plus Hotel Subic becomes the seventh Best Western in the Philippines, joining existing properties in Manila, Makati City, Cebu City and the resort island of Boracay.

It also becomes the country’s third upscale Best Western Plus hotel following the Best Western Plus Antel Hotel in Makati City and Best Western Plus Lex Cebu. (Theodore Koumelis, Travel Daily News)

PHOTOS:

Located at Subic Bay, on the west coast of Luzon Island, approximately 100km north of Manila, the new Best Western Plus Hotel Subic becomes the first internationally-branded midscale hotel in the area.

http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/60299/best-western-unviels-new-midscale

02 December 2015

Toyota Vios cup revs up on Subic track

With the mountains and the sea as an enchanting backdrop, 47 amateur racers battled it out for podium honors in the fourth and final leg of the 2015 Toyota Vios Cup at the tarmac of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) here on Sunday.

The much-awaited showdown brought the racers and winners in the previous three legs for deciding matches in the promotional, sporting and celebrity classes.

Thousands of racing fans crowded the makeshift galleries set up in front of the SBIA terminal, as the drivers gunned for official practice and qualifiers on Saturday, and for the official races the next day.

The action on the tarmac revved up on Sunday when Race 7 of the sporting class fired off at half past noon. It was immediately followed by Race 7 of the promotional/celebrity class at 1:50 p.m., with fans rooting for celebrity drivers like actors Derek Ramsay and Jasmine Smith-Curtis, DJ and TV personality Sam YG and model-actress-news caster Phoemela Baranda.

In the final race for the sporting class, actor-racer Dominic Ochoa (No. 25) took the lead in the first few laps until a detached rear bumper snagged a wheel, sending him weaving crazily at the track during a crucial turn. That cost Ochoa precious seconds, and Toyota Avenue teammate Allan Uy (No. 26), who was waiting on the wings, immediately capitalized to take the first spot.

The finals for the promotional/celebrity class saw Sam YG (No. 6) taking off at a fast clip and not looking back until the last lap.

The awarding rites began at nightfall after the celebrity drivers gave some time for fans—signing autographs and posing for group selfies. The provisional results had Sam YG on top of the celebrity class by taking both Race 7 and Race 8. He was also named the Best Male Celebrity Driver.

Baranda and sports-show host Jinno Rufino, meanwhile, took turns at the second and third places: Rufino placing second and Baranda third in Race 7 and exchanging positions in Race 8.

Baranda also snagged the Best Female Celebrity Driver title, while Ramsay received the Most Improved Celebrity Driver award.

In the sporting class, Allay Uy was declared champion and won P75,000. He was named Driver of the Day.

Toyota Motors Philippines head Michinobo Sugata, who also joined the races, was on hand to award the prizes, along with representatives of sponsors Bridgestone and Rota and supporters Motul, TRD, Brembo, Denso, AVT, OMP and Tuason Racing. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTOS:

[1] Racers burn rubber at the SBIA tarmac.

[2]After the exciting action at the tarmac of the Subic Bay International Airport, the participants whoop it up during the awards ceremony.

Image Credits: Henry Empeño

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/toyota-vios-cup-revs-up-on-subic-track/


Subic Bay students shine in world robotics tilt

The Philippine robotics team bagged the Best in Mechanism Award in the World Adolescent Robot Contest (WARC) 2015 recently held in Beijing, China.

The team’s flagship robot is called P3DRO or EVE3 Pearl Diving Robot created by students led by The Manila Times College of Subic (TMTCS) standout Keshia Ianthe Gutierrez, an 11-year-old fifth grader.

Also in the team were 11-year-old Nina Alrica Viacrusis, and nine-year-old Takumi Bryan Sab-it.

P3DRO is 25×25 inches in size and has light and color sensors with power motors. It’s main task is to find and count pearls inside the treasure chest and accurately dispense pingpong balls at the shore.

Within the given time period of 30 seconds, the team has to complete all the three segments or else the robot will get drown.

“The team did not expect having an award. During the elimination rounds, they were ranked 10th. The Best in Mechanism Award came by surprise when the trophy was handed,” Maria Aileen Viacrusis, who handles the robotic class of The Manila Times College of Subic basic education department under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum in Subic, Zambales.

The Best in Mechanism Award was given based on robot design, how it runs and the physical tasks made by the object.

“Honestly, I am really confident they will be on the top. They may not have the 1st, 2nd or 3rd place but they really did a good job back there. Among the countries that competed, the team deserves to be recognized and I am very grateful having this experienced with them,” said Philippine robotics team coach Krista Camille Esguerra.

Twenty-four countries participated in this year’s edition. The theme was “Friendship First” as it aimed to build friendship and camaraderie among participants during the three-day meet.

Gifted children

For the record, Gutierrez is a consistent honor student and is labeled a gifted child. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Olongapeños and San Marcelino Zambales Achiever awards for giving honors to the country.

She has won numerous national and division contests in essay writing, declamation, Quiz Bees, chess, poster making, football and singing contests. She is the first Tang Philippines Tang-Galing Kid awardee.

Gutierrez, a treasurer in the TMTCS student council, also plays piano and violin. Playing Minecraft is her favorite past time.

Viacrusis, on the other hand, was the team leader in the group.

Often called a silent worker, she was the champion in the 2014 National Robotics Science Fair Competition.

This future scientist also has a passion for writing. Recently, she competed in the editorial writing category of the annual Press Conference Journalism Contest Division Level.

Arts and music are among her other interests.

For his part, Sab-it is a big fan of Lego since he was four.

He likes to watch science videos online and loves to play Minecraft and other computer games like Gutierrez.

He actually dreams of becoming a doctor but after discovering robotics, his interest shifted toward dealing with complicated numbers and creating designs as he hopes to become an engineer some day. He also represented his school in a Math competition last month.

In September, his group bagged the silver medal in the 14th Philippine Robotics Olympiad under the elementary regular category.

Early this month, his team was ranked 16th out of 74 teams after the second round eliminations in the World Robot Olympiad held in Qatar. (Jean Russel V. David)

PHOTO:
Nina Alrica Viacrusis (left), Keshia Ianthe Gutierrez (middle), and Takumi Bryan Sab-it (right) assemble their robot called as P3DRO or EVE3 Pearl Diving Robot. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

http://www.manilatimes.net/tmtcs-students-shine-in-world-robotics-tilt/232186/

01 December 2015

US Marine found guilty of killing transgender Filipino

OLONGAPO, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine court on Tuesday convicted a U.S. Marine of killing a Filipino last year after he discovered she was a transgender woman in a hotel in the Philippines while he was on a break after participating in joint military exercises in the country.

Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of homicide by first strangling Jennifer Laude and then dunking her head into a toilet bowl in the hotel they had checked into after meeting in a disco bar in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila. He was sentenced to 6-12 years in jail, with time already spent in detention credited, said court clerk Gerry Gruspe.

Laude's mother, Julita, said that while she was happy the verdict detailed everything that had transpired, she was not pleased with the jail term because she had hoped Penderton would be found guilty of murder, a more serious crime than homicide.

"But the important thing is he will be jailed," she said, crying. "My son's life is not wasted."

Outside the courthouse, a small number of left-wing activists rejoiced but warned that they would closely watch to ensure Pemberton is detained in a Philippine jail, as the judge ordered.

The Oct. 11, 2014, killing sparked anger in the Philippines and reignited calls by left-wing groups and nationalists for an end to America's military presence in the country at a time when the U.S. is reasserting its dominance in Asia and Manila has turned to Washington for support amid an escalating territorial dispute with China.

Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford, Massachusetts, was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in a joint exercise last year. He and a group of other Marines were on leave after the exercise and met Laude and her friends at a bar in Olongapo, a city known for its nightlife located outside Subic Bay, a former U.S. Naval base. At least two witnesses testified that Laude was a sex worker.

Pemberton and Laude left the bar and checked in together at a nearby hotel. About 30 minutes later, Pemberton walked out, leaving the room's door ajar, according to hotel staff.

Pemberton testified in August that he had choked Laude during a fight that erupted when he discovered she was a transgender woman, but said she was still alive when he left her in a shower, according to his lawyer, Rowena Garcia Flores.

Lawyers of the Laude family, however, said Laude was dead when Pemberton left her. Police have said that Laude had apparently been drowned in a toilet.

In the decision, Regional Trial Court Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde ordered Pemberton jailed at the New Bilibid Prison, a national penitentiary in suburban Muntinlupa City.

The case also revived a debate over which government should have custody of U.S. military personnel who run afoul of local laws under a Visiting Forces Agreement the two allies signed in 1998.

The agreement, which allows U.S. forces to conduct military exercises in the Philippines, says that the Philippines can prosecute American service members, but that the U.S. has custody over them "from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings."

However, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that convicted U.S. personnel must serve their sentences in the Philippines.

In a compromise last year, the U.S. agreed to have Pemberton detained in a compound at Philippine military headquarters in Quezon City guarded by U.S. Marines with an outer ring of Filipino forces.

Left-wing activists and nationalist Filipinos have cited the custody provision as proof that the accord was lopsided in favor of the U.S. and undermines the sovereignty of the Philippines, which was an American colony until 1946. (Jim Gomez And Teresa Cerojano The Associated Press)

PHOTO:
U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, center, the suspect in the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude, is escorted inside the courts at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday Dec. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

3 US military warcraft in PH

A maritime surveillance aircraft, a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, and a joint high-speed vessel of the United States Navy (USN) are currently in the country.

At Clark Air Base in Pampanga is a P8-A Poseidon, while now in Subic are the USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) and the Military Sealift Command joint high speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3).

The P8-A is the most advanced long-range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft in the world. A true multi-mission aircraft, it also provides superior maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

A senior military official admitted that the P8-A regularly deploys to the country to conduct joint training and maritime patrol with the Philippine military.

“The P8-A is here on a regular deployment for purposes of continuing bilateral Maritime Security (MarSec) training and for joint Maritime Patrol (MarPat) over important sea lanes,” said the official who requested anonymity.

He stressed that the deployment of the US surveillance aircraft is “under the purview of the 1951 PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and activities managed by the PH-US Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).”

“They are here usually for two to three weeks,” he said.

According to the official, the activities conducted with the P8 benefit the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other countries in terms of skill sets gained from the MarSec training “as well as the added patrols that are put up to watch over our vast coastlines.”

“Nagmamatyag habang nagti-training (Monitoring while training),” the source said.

“The region benefits from it as well since these patrols render sea lanes safer for ships by reducing reaction time in the event of potential emergencies,” he added.

A US military officer earlier said that the P8-A operates out of Clark on a rotational basis. “But they swap units every couple of months. I think it is actually as frequent as every 45 days,” he said.

The US Marine officer emphasized that “the patrolling squadrons abide by the “no activity” periods stipulated by the Philippine government.”

It was learned that the “regular deployment” in Clark of the P8-A started around last quarter of 2014. (Elena L. Aben, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
The USS Cheyenne in one of its port calls in Subic Bay

http://www.mb.com.ph/3-us-military-warcraft-in-ph/

29 November 2015

Philippines gets fighter jets from Korea

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines yesterday took delivery of two Korean-made fighter jets – the country’s first supersonic combat aircraft in a decade – as it strengthens its underfunded military amid an escalating territorial feud with China.

Amid applause from Philippine defense officials, the FA-50 jets touched down at Clark Freeport, a former US Air Force base in Pampanga, where fire trucks sprayed water as a traditional welcome salute for the still-unarmed aircraft. Bad weather delayed the delivery of the jet last Friday.

The Philippines bought 12 FA-50s, which are primarily trainer jets that the military converted to also serve as multi-role combat aircraft, from Korea Aerospace Industries at a cost of P18.9 billion ($402 million). The other jets would be delivered in batches until 2017.

Weapons that include bombs and rockets for the FA-50s will be purchased later.

“We’re glad we’re finally back to the supersonic age,“ Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.

The Philippine military decommissioned its last fleet of supersonic combat aircraft, the F-5, in 2005.

Defense public affairs chief Arsenio Andolog said the jets would be stationed at the Subic freeport facing the West Philippine Sea where China has ramped up its presence by deploying more vessels and building artificial islands.

A military modernization program that included plans for the purchase of at least a squadron of fighter jets and naval frigates didn’t happen for several years largely because of a lack of funds.

Over the years, the military has deteriorated to become one of Asia’s weakest.

Under President Aquino, however, territorial spats with China over islands in the South China Sea escalated and resulted in the Chinese seizure of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in 2012, prompting the military to scramble to acquire new navy ships and air force planes with the help of its long-time defense treaty ally, the United States.

Lt. Col. Rolando Condrad Peña III, one of three Filipino air force pilots who received training in South Korea to fly the FA-50s, said that the jets could carry enough munitions payload and could be used in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

“Now that we have a supersonic aircraft our reaction time will be faster,” Pena told reporters.

“The arrival of the aircraft is very significant because it adds up to the capability,” Peña said.

“We have to contend with the subsonic aircraft, now that we have a supersonic aircraft our reaction time will be faster and we are more capable with this type of aircraft,” he added. (Ding Cervantes and Cecille Suerte Felipe, Philippine Star)

PHOTO:

SUPERSONIC AGE: Two Philippine Air Force FA-50PH fighter jets taxi on the runway upon landing at Clark Air Base in Pampanga yesterday. The first two of the 12 brand new fighter jets from South Korea arrived as part of the country’s modernization program. Inset shows Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri during the welcome ceremony. (Kriz John Rosales)

Read More: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/29/1527087/philippines-gets-fighter-jets-korea

27 November 2015

Singapore-based Interflour Group starts US$30-M flour mill in Subic

Singapore-based Interflour Group (Interflour), one of the producers of the finest flour in the world, commenced on Tuesday the construction of its Philippine mill in Freeport as part of its expansion program to meet the flour needs in South-East Asia .

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Interflour managing director and chief executive Greg Harvey, Subic Bay Gateway Park president Jeff Lin, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, Interflour Group COO Jack Joseph Cwach, Mabuhay Interflour Mill Inc. (MIMI) president Angel Umali, MIMI general manager Vicente Magbanua, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Investment Ronnie Yambao, and SBMA COO Joven Reyes.

“The entry of Interflour in Subic Freeport is a big sign of the vibrancy of the Freeport today,” said SBMA Chairman Garcia, adding that Subic has increased its revenue collection by 15 percent this year.

Further, Garcia said that the flour mill facility will help realize the vision for Subic to become an international hub in Asia.

He noted that with the flour mill now in Subic, time and expenses incurred in hauling and transporting flour from Metro Manila to parts of Central and Northern Luzon would be reduced to as much as 50 percent.

In June 2014, Interflour signed a 50-year lease contract with SBMA, paving the way for the construction of the flour mill under the business name Mabuhay Interflour Mill Incorporated (MIMI), at a committed investment of US$30 million.

This will also mean additional revenue for SBMA, estimated to reach P5.5 million a year, for the use of ports for transport ships (usually Panamax vessels) coming from wheat-growing countries, primarily Australia, United States, and Canada, as well as Europe and the Black Sea countries.

Harvey explained that Interflour will engage in milling wheat into food flour for sale direct to consumers, distributors, and retailers in the country and for exports.

The Philippines is essential to the development of the flour industry and is one of the biggest flour markets in Asia.

The new mill in Subic, he said, is capable of producing 500 metric tons a day of the finest flour intended for the local market, particularly in Central and Northern Luzon.

“We hope to bring to the country affordable but high quality flour to help local bakeshop entrepreneurs,” Harvey said.

He added that the milling facility to be constructed in a 5.2-hectare lot inside the Subic Bay Gateway Park Phase II is expected to be completed in early 2017.

During construction period, more than 500 workers will be employed, while during commercial operation, the flour mill will need more 100 personnel, Harvey said.

Interflour Group is one of the biggest flour milling companies in the world with nine flour mills located in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey with a combined wheat milling capacity of around 6,400 tons per day, which is equivalent to 1.6 million tons of flour produced each year.

It holds international certifications, manifesting its world-class technology, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Halal Certification. It also has ISO 22000:2005/HACCP and ISO 9001:2008 for constantly providing its customers with optimum and consistent quality products and know-how. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia (7th from left) and Greg Harvey, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Interflour Group, and other officials during the ground-breaking ceremony of Interflour’s milling facility in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (extreme right) and Greg Harvey (4th from right), Managing Director and Chief Executive of Interflour Group, joins other officials in the ceremonial ground-breaking of Interflour’s milling facility project in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

Janitor, former pedicab driver among 10 outstanding workers in Subic Freeport

A janitor and a former pedicab driver were among those conferred on Wednesday as Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers here for exemplary performance and contribution in their respective companies.

The workers were​ honored in a ceremony held at the Subic Bay Arts Center by the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. (SBWDFI) which was established by Subic-based business locators to honor and recognize the “best among the best” ​of Freeport​ workers who ​had ​shown​ discipline, dedication and commitment to excellence in their work.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia said that the conferment is one of the most significant part of the 23rd year anniversary celebration of the SBMA this month, as the honorees represented the best of Filipino workers in Subic.

“These outstanding workers represent the dedication and heroism of the more than 100,000 skilled and English-speaking workers in Subic Bay Freeport today who are loyal, competent,​ and credible,” Garcia added.

SBMA Labor Department manager and concurrent SBWDFI president Atty. Severo Pastor Jr. said the ten awardees were selected from hundreds who were nominated and subjected to a battery of interviews, performance appraisal​,​ and screening by the board of judges chaired by DOLE Regional Director Anna Dione.

The awardees included ​janitorial attendant James Elago from the Subic Bay Workers/Volunteers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. who was cited for committed and excellent service, giving first-rate confidence that the office is clean and in order during his five-year tour of duty; and Jonathan Beduya, a pedicab driver who started as an on-the-job-trainee and then rose to become the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) supervisor of PTT Phils. Corp.

Meanwhile, Jomar Ramos, senior production engineer from Nicera Phils., made it to the Top 10 for treating failure as an opportunity to success, thereby contributing to organizational sustainability and improvement of overall organizational effectiveness and capabilities.

Meldrid Mendoza, another awardee, started ​at​ the lowest level as molder at Koryo Subic, Inc. in 1998. She is now the Line Leader at ​the ​Molding Section​,​ which has the biggest number of workers in the company, and was selected twice as model employee and an Employee of the Year in 2014.

Another worker from PTT Phils. ​wa​s Lenie Manalili, a finance analyst and one of the company’s most outstanding employee for 2014, who had been part of the competence team of PTT​,​ which helped the company save P240,000 in its annual project. She is​considered​ a team leader who motivates her fellow workers and assists them on how they can perform their tasks well.

From CRESC Inc. ​wa​s Geraldine Lustre, a research and development leader who rose to become R&D supervisor for her numerous extraordinary and award-winning contributions to the company, such as safe and cost-reduction cleaning solution (2013), and the introduction of a work process that ​cut down​ production​ cost​.

​W​ith a positive attitude that influences his co-workers, Joel Galang of FBM Systems and Electronics, Inc. has maintained sustained superior performance in producing high quality work, such as maintaining handling equipment at peak serviceable condition without any operating error, thus making him worthy of the Sustained Performance Award given by the company.

Described as “the face” of her company, Medelyn Clavo, the senior accounting supervisor of Nakayama Precision Industries, Inc., helps maintain excellent service reputation that Nakayama enjoys for the past nine years.

From Sanritsu Technology Subic, Inc., Bobby Arabe, ​a​ production junior supervisor, maintained perfect work attendance as he ​delivered​ his job requirement​s​ satisfactorily with high quality level.

Lastly, Ruth Adoremos, the PD Operator and Senior Tester from Wistron Infocomm Phils. Corp., is responsible for the high standard qualification tests process for new electronic and computer model/products, including assembly and disassembly, and has formulated several training and evaluation materials​,​ which​ have​ helped enhance employees’ performance. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] The Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers receive their award for exemplary performance and outstanding contribution to their respective companies. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA officials, led by Chairman Roberto Garcia (center), congratulate the Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers for 2015. (AMD,EVS/MPD-SBMA)

25 November 2015

Airline ordered by court to pay SBMA $160,000

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld an Olongapo City court verdict ordering an airline company to pay more than $160,000 in damages for failing to pay rental for the use of the facilities owned by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Associate Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando with concurrence of Associate Justices Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla and Socorro Inting, the CA’s Second Division denied the appeal of Centennial Air, Inc. (CAIR), et al. and its board, subsequently affirming the decision dated April 8, 2014 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 72, of Olongapo City.

SBMA agreed to lease its building located at Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) to Centennial from February 1, 1999 to January 31, 2004.

However, CAIR became delinquent and remiss in the payment of its obligations, until the case reached the lower court, impleading its officers led by Jennifer Enano-Bote.

The RTC ordered CAIR to pay the total amount of US$163,341.89, plus legal interest to SBMA as it instructed third-party defendant Jose Ch. Alvarez [now Palawan governor] to refund/reimburse to individual defendants Enano-Bote and several others.

Alvarez was also ordered to pay Enano-Bote the amount of P300,000 by way of moral damages and P200,000 as attorney’s fees. (Jomar Canlas, Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/airline-ordered-to-pay-160000/230844/

24 November 2015

Subic port eyes container freight station

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pushing for the establishment of a container freight station (CFS) to make shipping a breeze at the Port of Subic.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said in a news briefing here on Monday that the planned facility will be put up by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), operator of Subic’s New Container Terminal (NCT).

Garcia said the CFS will be another innovation on top of other SBMA initiatives, like one-stop-shop processing and an aggressive marketing program that were designed to further cement Subic’s stature as a competitive shipping port.

“This way, there’ll be no more warehousing as the goods could be loaded directly into delivery trucks,” Garcia added. “That means there will be no downtime, too.”

A CFS is basically a facility where goods are prepared for transport to their next destination. In the case of exports, the goods are packed and consolidated into containers, while in the case of imports, these are “devanned” or deconsolidated from containers.

Garcia announced the planned CFS project as he reported on Subic’s continuing growth as a seaport.

He said that early this month, Subic marked the unloading of the 100,000th cargo container for this year, which came from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

“Last year we recorded just 77,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units),” Garcia recalled. “But having reached the 100,000th mark in November, we are well on our way to hit 120,000 TEUs this year,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official added that the China South International Barter Center (SIBC), one of the biggest online sellers in the world, is also proposing to make Subic a transhipment hub for its Asian shipping operations.

Garcia said earlier that the SBMA has been successful so far in marketing Subic as an alternative port to Manila because it is the only port in Luzon with a one-stop shop for cargo processing.

He pointed out that Subic now has seven shipping lines unloading and taking in cargo on a regular basis after President Aquino signed Executive Order 172 that designated Subic as an alternative port to Manila. (Henry Empeño. BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Cargo unloading at the New Container Terminal in the Subic Bay Freeport.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/subic-port-eyes-container-freight-station/

Boris Savchenko storms through PSC Puregold Open in Subic

Russian Grandmaster Boris Savchenko demolished the opposition in the PSC Puregold International Open to emerge convincing winner with 9,5/10 points, two and a half points ahead of the nearest followers.

Far behind in the score count GMs Lu Shanglei and Vitaly Sivuk share the second place with 7,0 points each.

The PSC Puregold International Open was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines from 16-21st November in Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel, Olongapo City.

44 players competed in the main Open Division, with 18 Grandmasters and 15 International Masters in the field.

The Challenger Division had 83 participants. Franz Robert Grafil and Prince Mark Aquino shared the first place with 7,5/9 points each.

Full standings below.

Open Division final standings:
1 GM SAVCHENKO Boris RUS 2567 – 9.5
2 GM LU Shanglei CHN 2615 – 7
3 GM SIVUK Vitaly UKR 2512 – 7
4 GM LAYLO Darwin PHI 2471 – 6.5
5 GM KOTANJIAN Tigran ARM 2479 – 6.5
6 IM LIN Chen CHN 2520 – 6.5
7 GM DEMCHENKO Anton RUS 2592 – 6
8 GM SMIRNOV Pavel RUS 2617 – 6
9 GM NGUYEN Duc Hoa VIE 2500 – 6
10 FM ROHAN Ahuja IND 2411 – 5.5
11 GM GUPTA Abhijeet IND 2633 – 5.5
12 GM DEEPAN Chakkravarthy J. IND 2479 – 5.5
13 GM MOZHAROV Mikhail RUS 2573 – 5.5
14 IM GARCIA Jan Emmanuel PHI 2395 – 5.5
15 IM PURANIK Abhimanyu IND 2443 – 5.5
16 GM ZUBOV Alexander UKR 2630 – 5.5
17 GM SHOMOEV Anton RUS 2565 – 5.5
18 GM BELOUS Vladimir RUS 2573 – 5.5
19 FM LIU Xiangyi SIN 2423 – 5.5
20 GM ANTONIO Rogelio Jr PHI 2478 – 5.5
21 GM BITOON Richard PHI 2417 – 5
22 DOCENA Jerad PHI 2319 – 5
23 IM SUNILDUTH LYNA Narayanan IND 2481 – 5
24 IM SEAN Winshand Cuhendi INA 2450 – 5
25 IM NOLTE Rolando PHI 2417 – 5
26 GM ARAVINDH Chithambaram Vr. IND 2496 – 5
27 IM DIMAKILING Oliver PHI 2372 – 4.5
28 GM TORRE Eugenio PHI 2468 – 4.5
29 FM SEVERINO Sander PHI 2349 – 4.5
30 IM BERSAMINA Paulo PHI 2361 – 4.5
31 IM PASCUA Haridas PHI 2462 – 4.5
32 ABELGAS Roel PHI 2316 – 4.5
33 IM SENADOR Emmanuel PHI 2325 – 4
34 IM PIMENTEL Joel PHI 2264 – 4
35 DELA CRUZ Noel PHI 2260 – 4
36 FM TURQUEZA Mari Joseph PHI 2313 – 4
37 WIM FRAYNA Janelle Mae PHI 2273 – 4
38 WIM SUEDE Mikee Charlene PHI 2085 – 4
39 FM SEGARRA Randy PHI 2342 – 3.5
40 WFM SAN DIEGO Marie Antoinette PHI 2065 – 3.5
41 WFM MENDOZA Shania Mae PHI 2057 – 3.5
42 WIM FRONDA Jan Jodilyn PHI 2129 – 3
43 WIM GALAS Bernadette PHI 2094 – 3
44 FM PACIS Adrian PHI 2254 – 1

Challenger Division final standings:
1 GRAFIL Franz Robert PHI 2199 – 7.5
2 AQUINO Prince Mark PHI 2075 – 7.5
3 BAGAMASBAD Efren PHI 2164 – 7
4 SACAR Mohamad PHI 2120 – 7
5 TIU Sherwin PHI 2206 – 6.5
6 MORADO Jeth Romy PHI 2065 – 6.5
7 FM LITERATUS Austin Jacob PHI 2098 – 6.5
8 SALGADOS Lennon Hart PHI 2104 – 6.5
9 RUAYA Virgen Gil C. PHI 2117 – 6.5
10 MEDINA Vince Angelo PHI 2056 – 6.5
11 MARIMLA Erickson PHI 2013 – 6
12 RILLORAZA Istraelito PHI 1880 – 6
13 SEVILLANO Rhenzi Kyle PHI 2052 – 6
14 FLORENDO Joey Albert PHI 2086 – 6
15 INFIESTO James PHI 1950 – 6
16 BERNARDO Dale PHI 1918 – 6
17 PARONDO Rolly PHI 2119 – 5.5
18 BAUTISTA Joshua PHI 2037 – 5.5
19 LOPEZ Henry WC* PHI 2181 – 5.5
20 CURIOSO Romulo PHI 1921 – 5.5
21 MIRANO Jan Francis PHI 2010 – 5.5
22 QUIZON Daniel PHI 1661 – 5.5
23 MICIANO John Marvin PHI 1882 – 5.5
24 RAPANOT Alfredo PHI 2171 – 5.5
25 GARONG Stevenson PHI 0 – 5.5
26 FORTIN Artrino Paul PHI 2003 – 5.5
27 FLORENDO Patrick Erle PHI 2054 – 5
28 CAJERAS Jerich PHI 2204 – 5
29 SUBASTE Arman PHI 1890 – 5
30 ABUTON Kristian Glen PHI 1840 – 5
31 DIAZ Christopher PHI 0 – 5
32 AMAR Denzel John PHI 1957 – 5
33 RIVERA Jeff Russel PHI 0 – 5
34 MOULIC Ella Grace PHI 1830 – 5
35 EVANGELISTA Paul Robert PHI 1943 – 4.5
36 MANTUPAR Ildefonso Jr. PHI 1837 – 4.5
37 JOTA Jonathan PHI 2176 – 4.5
38 PRADAS Dale PHI 2003 – 4.5
39 MANAOG Stewart PHI 2090 – 4.5
40 REDOR Menandro PHI 1893 – 4.5
41 MORDIDO Justine Diego PHI 1601 – 4.5
42 CERVERO Tristan Jared PHI 1773 – 4.5
43 AVILES Ferdinand PHI 1988 – 4.5
44 DELOS SANTOS Don Tyrone PHI 1988 – 4.5
45 DELA TORRE Marife PHI 1737 – 4.5
46 WCM MIRANO Mira PHI 1793 – 4.5
47 BERNARDO Darry PHI 1890 – 4
48 SALCEDO Edgar PHI 0 – 4
49 PINEDA Judith PHI 1986 – 4
50 ALIDANI Leonardo PHI 1954 – 4
51 VILLA Enrica PHI 1707 – 4
52 BACOJO Mark Jay PHI 1539 – 4
53 LIM Samson Jr. PHI 2160 – 4
54 MORSALIM Salahudin PHI 1750 – 4
55 BATENCILA Rosalino Jr. PHI 1935 – 4
56 CRUZ Orlando PHI 1759 – 4
57 MORSALIM Mohmin PHI 1887 – 4
58 POLAO Ben PHI 2066 – 4
59 TALAN Walt Allen PHI 2040 – 3.5
60 CEREZO Lionel PHI 0 – 3.5
61 SALCEDO Rene PHI 1959 – 3.5
62 SALCEDO John PHI 1875 – 3.5
63 SAN JUAN Ma. Mae Bel Grace PHI 1761 – 3.5
64 ANSAY Lynux Louie PHI 1738 – 3.5
65 NOBLIJAS Aaron PHI 1756 – 3.5
66 SARMIENTO Rodolfo VI* PHI 1649 – 3
67 KOELBL Wolfgang GER 1841 – 3
68 FLORENDO Carlo Mark PHI 1872 – 3
69 ABOGADO Anthony VI* PHI 1765 – 3
70 TATOY Glesit Marie PHI 1418 – 3
71 NOBLIJAS Julieber PHI 0 – 3
72 MIRANO Kevin PHI 2085 – 2.5
73 CHING Francis VI* PHI 1848 – 2.5
74 PELIGRO Israel VI* PHI 1766 – 2.5
75 REYES Hans Jeremy PHI 1634 – 2.5
76 CO Davenson PHI 1735 – 2.5
77 BILOG Cecilio VI* PHI 0 – 2.5
78 DE VERA Andrea Bianca PHI 1714 – 2.5
79 BALING Aerronne PHI 1857 – 2
80 NACITA Jean-lee WC* PHI 0 – 2
81 MANGAYAYAM Fe PHI 0 – 2
82 BURNOS Jamy Gaverielle PHI 1692 – 1
83 CONCIO Michael Jr. PHI 1688 – 0

PHOTO:
Russian Grandmaster Boris Savchenko

http://www.chessdom.com/boris-savchenko-storms-through-psc-puregold-open-in-olongapo-city/

20 November 2015

6-star cruise ship diverted to Subic port

The six-starred cruise ship “M/V Silver Shadow” dropped anchor here yesterday for a two-day visit as a “no sail zone” was declared at the Port of Manila due to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Captain Ildefonso Gonzales, Port Captain and General Manager of the Sharp Port Services, Inc., the port of Subic was considered as its priority alternative port call since Manila South Harbor declared “no sail zone” on November 17-20.

The Silver Shadow is a cruise ship built in Italy that entered into service in year 2000, which can carry up to 382 passengers.

Being operated by Silversea Cruises along with seven other cruise ships, the Silver Shadow was brought to the Philippines through SHARP Travel Services Inc.

Silver Shadow, a cruise ship rated with six stars for its exceptional services, amenities, cuisine and accommodations, docked at the Alava Pier in Subic Bay Freeport straight from Coron, Palawan.

It has been in Philippine waters since November 16 and has toured Tagbilaran, Bohol; Boracay Island, and Coron, Palawan.

It will set sail toward Hong Kong when it leaves the Subic port on November 21. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTOS:
MV SILVER SHADOW IN SUBIC BAY

[1] Dock workers wait for the MV Silver Shadow cruise ship as it prepares to dock at the Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Nov. 19) morning for a port call. The cruise ship, which carries around 700 crew and passengers, who are mostly European tourists, has been in various Philippine tourist destinations since Nov. 16 and will be sailing to Hong Kong today. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] School children perform a native dance to welcome the arrival of MV Silver Shadow, which docked at the Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Nov. 19) morning. The cruise ship, which carries around 700 crew and passengers, who are mostly European tourists, has been in various Philippine tourist destinations since Nov. 16 and will be sailing to Hong Kong today. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.mb.com.ph/6-star-cruise-ship-diverted-to-subic-port/

19 November 2015

Savchenko grabs solo lead; Laylo top Pinoy contender in Subic chess challenge

RUSSIAN Grandmaster Boris Savchenko put a brake to Ukraine GM Vitaly Sivuk’s five-game winning run, hacking out a 35-move win using an unusual line of the Queen’s Pawn Game to vault into the solo lead after four rounds in the Philippine Sports Commission-Puregold International Chess Challenge at the Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The No. 8 seed Savchenko earlier defeated reigning national champion GM Richard Bitoon in the third round to set up the clash against the newly-minted Philippine International Chess Championship titlist.

Filipino GM Darwin Laylo, meanwhile, stayed a half-point behind the solo leader with 3.5 points with a win and a draw in the two previous rounds.

The 18th seed Laylo downed International Master Oliver Dimakiling in the third round and split the point with Torre in the fourth.

The draw dropped Torre to 3.0 points in the company of fellow Pinoys IM Joel Pimentel and Dimakiling, Sivuk, Russian GMs Mikhail Mozharov and Anton Demchenko, GM Shanglei Lu of China and GM Chakkravarthy Deepan of India.

Mozharov, the no. 7 seed, and Pimentel agreed to a draw after 57 moves of a King’s Indian Fianchetto, Demchenko defeated GM Tigran Kotanjian of Armernia in 42 pushes of a King’s Indian Classical, Lu dealt Bitoon his second straight loss, while Deepan trounced Filipino IM Emmanuel Senador in 54 moves of a Sicilian Moria Gambit.

Trailing behind with 2.5 points are Kotanjian, IM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Narayanan Sunilduth Lyna of India, GM Chen Lin of China and GM Duc Hoa Nguyen of Vietnam.

In the Challenger Division of the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and supported by the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Puregold, Burlington Socks and Marc Ventures and Mining and Development Corp., eight players, led by top seed Franz Robert Grafil, share the lead with three points each after three rounds.

Also in the Challenger Division, nine-year-old Mark Jay Bacojo upset sixth-seed Samson Lim Jr. in huge upset at the first round.

Bacojo, from Pasig, i the youngest competitor is outranked by the veteran Lim by at least 600 Elo rating points. (People's Tonight)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (sitting left) poses with Russian GM  Anton Demchenko at the opening of the Philippine Sports Commission-Puregold International Chess Challenge in Subic Bay along with other world-class chess masters. (People's Tonight)

http://www.journal.com.ph/sports/other-sports/savchenko-grabs-solo-lead-laylo-top-pinoy-contender

18 November 2015

Vios Cup 2 drivers rev up for Subic final clash

The Vios Cup Season 2 gears up for an explosive finish with 50 racers all primed up for the final leg of the track-hopping circuit on Nov. 28-29 at the Subic Bay International Airport.

Eight celebrity racers will join the 42 individual drivers battling it out for top honors in the Sporting, Promotional and Celebrity class categories of the event put up by Toyota Motor Philippines.

The official qualifying race is set from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. with the Toyota Car Club Track Day from 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and the race proper from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. The awards rites will start at 6 p.m.

“This final race in Subic will be the widest and longest out-of-circuit track that the Vios Cup will ever see. Creating a racetrack at the famed Subic Bay International Airport definitely puts an edge to this motorsports event,” said Toyota Motor Philippines president Michinoby Sugata. “I personally look forward to this fourth and final leg because aside from it being an all-new track which will really bring out the best in our racers, we now have a total of 50 racers present making this undeniably more exciting.”

Motorsports fans and spectators will also be treated to waku-doki experience and a day-long show driving prowess from celebrity racing pioneers, including reigning Vios Cup champion DJ Sam YG, Phoemela Baranda, Derek Ramsey, and Jasmine Curtis.

The 2015 Vios Cup is held in partnership with Bridgestone and Rota, supported by Motul, TRD, Brembo, Denso, AVT, OMP and Tuason Racing. (Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/11/18/1523182/vios-cup-2-drivers-rev-subic-final-clash

16 November 2015

Subic marks 100,000th TEU with unloaded cargo from Kaohsiung

Subic’s New Container Terminal 2 (NCT2) registered its 100,000th twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) cargo container last Saturday, marking a milestone in maritime business in this Freeport.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, who was on hand to witness the unloading, said the event only manifested the growing number of port users already transporting their goods through the Port of Subic after it became an extension facility of the Port of Manila.

“This only shows that our efforts to make Subic the most competitive port in Luzon are all reaching fruition,” Garcia said, as he congratulated officials of the Subic Bay International Container Terminal (SBITC), which operates the NCT2.

Garcia said that in August this year, the Port of Subic already recorded 83,000 containers, a number that was almost double the 43,000 recorded for the same period last year.

“As we reached the 100,000-mark this month, we again reached another milestone,” he added.

Garcia said that that SBMA has been successful so far in marketing Subic as the only port in Luzon that has a one-stop shop.

SBMA’s hosting of two maritime summits, the formation of a Maritime Technical Group, and the agency’s aggressive maritime business marketing program “certainly helped a lot in this undertaking,” he also said.

Garcia said the one-stop-shop facility inside Subic’s container terminal has been very well appreciated by brokers from Manila and Northern and Central Luzon because all the necessary documentation “stops” could be accomplished within the shop.

“If your papers are in order, you can finish processing in just 30 minutes or an hour,” he said.

SBITC general manager Roberto Locsin said the 100,000th container was unloaded from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, by Wan Hai Lines for delivery to United Auctioneers, Inc., a heavy equipment trader in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“We never selected it. It was luckily scheduled to unload,” Locsin said.

As this happened, Chairman Garcia also noted that the SBMA is expanding its seaport, and “is pushing very hard to increase cargo volume here to decongest Manila Port.”

The SBMA official also noted that Subic is the only port in the western seaboard that still has the capacity to accommodate more containers, as the Batangas port is already 100% full.

“Before you could unload in Batangas or even in Manila, you’d be forced to wait for three to four days. In Subic, you can enter anytime, unload anytime and process your cargo anytime” he said. “We now have seven shipping lines coming to Subic on a regular basis,” he added.

Subic, as well as Batangas, became an extension port because of congestion in Manila.

Subic now has seven shipping lines unloading and taking in cargo on a regular basis after President Aquino signed Executive Order 172 that designated Subic as an alternative port to Manila. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (middle, left) receives from SBITC general manager Roberto Locsin a copy of documents marking the arrival of the 100,000th TEU at the New Container Terminal 2 in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Ukrainian GM stuns top seed, wins int'l chess fest in Subic

GRANDMASTER Vitaly Sivuk of Ukraine racked up his third straight win – and his biggest in the tournament – to emerge as the undisputed champion in the 2015 Philippine International Chess Championship after the 10th and final round Saturday at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport.

Sivuk, the no. 11 seed, stunned top seed and erstwhile solo leader GM Abijheet Gupta of India after 42 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense to bring his total to seven points and take home the top prize of $5,000.

In all, the 23-year-old Ukranian tallied seven points on five wins, four draws and a loss, which came against GM Anton Demchenko of Russia in the 6th round.

Four other players – Demchenko, fellow GM Anton Shomoev, Chinese GM and 5th seed Shanglei Lu of China and GM Chakkravarthy Deepan of India had a chance to forge a tie for the overall lead but their games all ended in draw, with Lu splitting the point with Demchenko and Deepan settleing for a draw with Shomoev.

The four dropped into a seven-way tie with Gupta and final-round winners GM Narayanan Sinulduth Lyna of India and Russian GM Boris Savchenko with 6.5 points each.

Sinulduth Lyna, who had 5.5 points going into the final round, turned back Filipino GM Joey Antonio in 31 moves of an Anti-Nimzo Indian, while Savchenko defeated International Master Chen Lin of China after 36 moves of a Mieses Variation of the Scandinavian.

Lin and no. 3 seed GM Pavel Smirnov of Russia, who beat compatriot GM Vladimir Belous in 34 moves of a Benko Gambit Accepted, dropped into a two-way tie with six points each.

International Master Rolando Nolte and 17-year-old NM Jerad Docena, meanwhile, emerged as the top Filipino finishers in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Puregold, Asian United Bank and Burlington Socks. Marc Ventures Holdings, Inc. and Marc Ventures Mining and Development Corporation.

Nolte drew his final round against GM Eugene Torre after 21 moves of the Knights Variation of the Indian Game, while Docena outsteadied IM Abhimanyu Puranik of India in 67 moves of a King’s Indian Attack to end up with similar 5.5 points in tie with no. 2 seed GM Alexander Zubov of Ukraine and GM Mikhail Mozharov of Russia.

A half point behind is a large group of five-pointers composed of GM Vladimir Belous of Russia, GM Doc Hoa Nguyen of Vietnam, Torre, GM Joey Antonio, reigning national champion GM Richard Bitoon, IM Paulo Bersamina and GM Tigran Kotanjian of Armenia.

Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna duplicated her feat last year after emerging as the best Filipina female player after finishing with four points.

In the Challenger Division, WFM Shania Mae Mendoza and Lennon Hart Salgados ended up tied with seven points after nine rounds, but Mendoza earned the title via the tiebreak.

Mendoza downed Christopher Diaz in 33 moves of a Nimzowitsch Defense, while Salgados halved the point against Paul Robert Evangelista in a Slav Defense, Exchange variation.

The second tournament, PSC/PUREGOLD International Chess Challenge reels off Saturday, at the same venue.

PHOTO:
GRANDMASTER Vitaly Sivuk of Ukraine

14 November 2015

LOOK: Prepping for Subic Volunteers Day

Filipino ground maintenance workers clean-up the Volunteers Park in Subic Bay Freeport in preparation for commemoration of the US military bases pull-out on November 24.

The park is dedicated to Subic volunteers, mostly women from near-by Olongapo City and Zambales province, who took the initiative to protect the military base from looters after the American withdrawal due to Mt. Pinatubo devastation and rejection of the Philippine Senate on the continuation of the bases treaty.

The Subic volunteers were also instrumental during the Philippine hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in 1996 as they act as human barriers against militant groups trying to stage protests in Subic. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Filipino, Taiwanese firms to build e-vehicles in Subic Freeport

Ropali Corporation, one of the top motorcycle dealers in the Philippines, and TECO Electric and Machinery Co., Ltd., a Taiwan-based company that develops and manufactures electric motors, introduced on Tuesday environment-friendly vehicles at its plant site in this Freeport.

In a simple launching ceremony, ROTECO, the company name for Ropali and TECO Corporation, unveiled to the public the electric tricycle or the E-Trike and the four-wheeled electric jeepney or the E-Jeepney.

TECO Chairman Chao Kai Liu said that the electric vehicles​ will​ provide the riding public with opportunities to replace second-hand diesel jeepneys ​that​ emit dirty smoke and consume much fuel.

“By bringing out green and smart mobility, we can raise the quality of public transport in the Philippines and at the same time​,​ help reduce carbon emission and dumping of used oil in our environment​,​ which cause climate change,” Liu said.

Ropali President Roberto Alingog​ on ​his part said that ROTECO’s main objective is to introduce innovation in the transport sector by creating battery-powered E-vehicles that do not emit smoke or make noise.

“It is our advocacy to drive social entrepreneurship by giving back to the people clean air and a ​clean living environment,” Alingog said.

Production of electric vehicles is expected to commence on the first of January next year, he added.

The ROTECO launching ceremony was graced by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino, and Zambales Vice-Governor Ramon Lacbain II.

Chairman Garcia lauded the project, pointing out that it dovetails with the SBMA’s commitment to protect and preserve the environment, especially ​within​ the Freeport.

“We have successfully implemented the no-plastic policy in all establishments, and initiated programs for rain​forest and coastal protection as part of our commitment to help protect the environment,” said Garcia. “This project is another big step in that direction.”

He added that Subic will soon become a center for renewable energy, as the largest solar farm facility in Asia has started construction to produce cheap electricity for Freeport locators.

ROTECO officials said the electric vehicles provide various advantages. The four-passenger plus driver E-Trike, for instance, assures high cruising range of 80 kilometers for every battery life.

It also features heavy duty front forks, leaf-spring suspension and flat- and ladder-type chassis to give the spacious trike stability and maneuverability.

For the E-Jeepney, the vehicle has ​a ​side entrance and a rear emergency exit to​ provide​ passengers with​ safe and easy entry and exit.

With ​a​ water resistant and powerful 12-kilowatt electric motor, the E-Jeepney is able to produce 140 Nm of torque and guarantee a 20% climbing ability. It can accommodate 20 passengers and can travel 80 kilometers per newly-charged batteries.

Both the E-Trike and E-Jeepney capitalize on five premium qualities: safety, power, efficiency, comfort, ​and stability (SPECS). (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] TECO Chairman Chao Kai Liu discusses the advantages of the E-Jeepney with SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia during the launching of the e-vehicles project of ROTECO in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino tries driving the E-Jeepney with Ropali President Roberto Alingog as passenger, as SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia looks on during the launching of the e-vehicles project of ROTECO in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] The E-Jeepney, which is designed to provide green and smart mobility, is launched by ROTECO at Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

13 November 2015

‘Use Subic for canceled flights’

Flights canceled due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit can use the airport in Subic.

Richard Gordon, a former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman, made the proposal yesterday in a post in his Twitter account @DickGordonDG.

Subic airport was used when the freeport hosted the APEC summit in 1996, Gordon said.

Twenty-four heads of economies attended the meeting at the time, he added.

Federal Express also used the airport for several years, Gordon said.

“We built Subic airport,” he said.

“APEC ’96 used it. Fedex landed 18 cargo jets there for several years. Why don’t we use it today for APEC canceled flights?”

As of October 30, a total of 1,364 flights have been canceled to give way to the arrival of APEC delegates.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has issued notices to airmen (NOTAM) setting certain restrictions on aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from November 17 to 20.

NOTAM B3227/15 restricts general aviation aircraft operations within 40-nautical mile radius of NAIA covering the vicinity of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) effective 6 a.m. of November 17 to 7 p.m. of November 20.

General aviation aircraft operations outside the 40-nautical mile radius of NAIA shall be limited to local operations, excluding Clark and Subic International Airports.

Training aircraft of flying schools are restricted to operate only outside the 40-nautical mile radius.

“Exemptions are Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) related operations with approval from APEC National Organizing Council (NOC) and duly coordinated with CAAP Operations and Rescue Coordination Center (ORCC) and aircraft on emergency mission,” CAAP said.

It also imposed the No-Fly Zone within two nautical miles from coordinates (PICC) due to special operations effective on November 17, 10 a.m. to November 20, 7 p.m.

Takeoff and landing of aircraft on runway 31 were also prohibited and no landing would be implemented on runway 13 during those dates. (Sheila Crisostomo, with Louise Maureen Simeon, Rudy Santos, Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
Subic airport was used when the freeport hosted the APEC summit in 1996, Richard Gordon said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/13/1521346/use-subic-canceled-flights

LOOK: Subic Aeta Woodcarver

Aeta tribesman Joel Baclay works on a wood carving outside a souvenir shack in Subic Bay Freeport. Baclay sells the Navy-inspired carvings to visiting US Navy servicemen whenever American ships dock at the Port of Subic Ba​y for routine port stops, as well as rest and resupply. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)


Lin ties Gupta for lead, Nolte stuns GM in Round 5 of Subic chessfest

Top seed GM Abhijeet Gupta of India defeated co-leader GM Anton Demchenko of Russia to grab solo lead after the fifth round of the Philippine International Chess Championships held at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Gupta, with a rating of 2633, went on to beat Demchenko (2592) in a seemingly drawish Sicilian game in 105 moves, Demchenko overlooked a saving move in time scramble and lost after a forced exchange of his Rook for a queening Pawn and a Bishop. Gupta has 4.5 points in 5 games of play.

In solo second with 4 points is International Master Lin Chen who upset Russian GM Vladimir Belous in 50 moves of an English Opening, Anglo-Slav variation. Six players followed him with 3.5 points: GM Demchenko, second seed GM Alexander Zubov of Ukraine, GM Vitaly Sivuk (Ukraine), GM Anton Shomoev (Russia), GM Lu Shanglei (China) and GM Chakkravarthy Deepan of India.

But the day belongs to International Master Rolando Nolte who upset GM Mikhail Mozharov of Russia in 50 moves of a Spanish Game (Ruy Lopez) and National Master Roel Abelgas who also upset International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi of Indonesia in 47 moves of an Indian Game, Kingside Fianchetto. GM Joey Antonio drew his game with Battle of the Masters Champion GM Richard Bitoon in a Nimzo-Indian Defense Classical Variation. IM Nolte and NM Abelgas have 3 points while GM Antonio and GM Bitoon have 2.5.

In the Challenger division, four players are tied for the lead with 3.5 points after four rounds: Kevin Mirano, Jeth Romy Morado, Lennon Hart Salgados and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza. Mirano drew with WFM Mendoza in 37 moves of a French Defense, Salgados won against John Estrada Salcedo in 48 moves of a Pirc Defense Classical system and Morado demolished Paul Robert Evangelista also in a Classical Pirc in 26 moves. Below them with 3 points are Seniors champion Verth Alora, John Marvin Miciano, Ferdinand Aviles, Jan Francis Mirano and Christopher Diaz.

The tournament is the first of two tournaments being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and supported financially by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by its Chairman, the Honorable Ricardo R. Garcia in cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) headed by its President, the Honorable Jose S. Cojuangco, Jr.

PHOTO:
From left: GM Abhijeet Gupta, India; International Master Lin Chen, China; and International Master Rolando Nolte, Philippines

12 November 2015

Russian, Indian GMs in three-way tie at Int'l Chess tilt in Subic

Three players remain unbeaten after the second round of the Philippine International Chess Championships held at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Russian grandmasters Anton Demchenko and Anton Shomoev and International Master Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan of India defeated their respective rivals to show the way in the second round of the tournament which has an averaged rating of 2434. Demchenko, one the champions in last year’s version of this twin events, stopped the Sicilian Scheveningen Keres Attack of Grandmaster Chakkravarthy Deepan of India in 60 moves while GM Shomoev beat our very own GM Eugene Torre in 79 moves of an Open Ruy Lopez as International Master Narayanan upset GM Lu Shanglei of China in 37 moves of a QGA.

The tournament is the first of two tournaments being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and supported financially by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by its Chairman, the Honorable Ricardo R. Garcia in cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) headed by its President, the Honorable Jose S. Cojuangco, Jr.

The other erstwhile leaders after the first round were held to draws by determined opponents starting with top seed grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta of India, who was held to a draw by International Master Lin Chen of China in 42 moves of a King’s Indian Saemisch, second seed GM Alexander Zuvob of Ukraine drew with fellow GM Vitaly Sivuk also of Ukraine in 33 moves of a Slav Defense Exchange, third seed GM Pavel Smirnov of Russia also drew his game with GM Nguyen Doc Hua of Vietnam in 33 moves of a Gruenfeld Exchange, GM Mikhail Mozharov drew with GM Joey Antonio in a Caro Kann Advance variation, 6th seed GM Vladimir Belous of Russia beat GM Tigran Kotanjian of Armenia in 28 moves of an English Opening. They are bunched in second place with 1.5 points.

PHOTO:
(from left) GRANDMASTERS Anton Demchenko and Anton Shomoev of Russia, and Narayanan Sunilduth Layna of India

08 November 2015

Subic to host 2 big int’l chess tilts

BARELY two weeks after holding its national championship, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines this time goes international, as it hosts two international chess tournaments in the next two weeks at the Subic Bay Freeport.

First up is the Philippine International Chess Championship (Open and Challenger Divisions) which will be held starting Nov. 9 and will end Nov. 14.

This will be immediately followed by the Philippine Sports Commission-Puregold Chess Challenge (Open and Challenger Divisions) to be held Nov. 16 to 21.

Both tournaments will be held at the Subic Peninsular Hotel located inside the Freeport.

NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales said he expects at least 15 full-pledged grandmasters from Europe and Asia to join the tournament who will pit wits against local talents led by newly-minted national champion GM Richard Bitoon.

Based on the tentative list in the NCFP website, the foreign contingent will be bannered by GMs Ivan Popov Ivan of Russia (Elo 2661), Alexander Zubov of Ukraine (2630), Abhijeet Gupta of India (2629), Pavel Smirnov of Russia (2617) Lu Shanglei of China, Anton Demchenko of Russia, Mikhail Mozharov, Boris Savchenko, Vladimir Belous and Antoni Shomoev, all Russia, Chen Lin of China and Tigran Kotanjian of Armenia.

“This tournament will give our young players a chance to improve their game and their ratings as well. This will also give our national and international masters, both men and women, to achieve their goals of making it to the next level,” Gonzales said.

Aside from Bitoon, also expected to see action in the twin tournaments are National Chess Championship runner-up GM Joey Antonio, third placer IM Haridas Pascua, last year's champion and Asia's first GM Eugene Torre and fellow GMs Oliver Barbosa, Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez and several up-and-coming players led by Fide Master Joseph Mari Turqueza and Jerad Docena, IM Paulo Bersamina, among others.

The women's side will be bannered by WIM Janelle Mae Frayna, newly-crowned women's champion WFM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, WFM Shania Mae Mendoza and WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego. (Peopleś Tonight)

http://www.journal.com.ph/sports/other-sports/subic-to-host-2-big-int-l-chess-tilts

07 November 2015

Metro Pacific officially takes over SCTEX

The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) expects up to 9% growth in the annual vehicular traffic of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), as it formally takes over the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the country’s longest toll road.

State-run Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) on Thursday, November 5, officially turned over the O&M of SCTEX to the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led MNTC. The concessionaire shelled out an upfront payment of P3.5 billion ($74.60 million) for the contract.

"We do expect that the operations of SCTEX will be viable from the start. Actually, the traffic has been building up because of the long delay. Between 2009 and today, the traffic has increased to over 30,000 vehicles daily from below 8,000," Jose Ma Lim, president and CEO of MNTC’s parent firm Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), said on the sidelines of the ceremonial turnover in Pampanga.

Higher traffic

"With the higher traffic, the difficult years when the operations were not yet profitable has already been passed," Lim added.

According to the MPIC executive, his group is expecting 8% to 9% growth in annual vehicular traffic.

Average daily vehicular traffic along SCTEX has grown more than threefold to about 30,855 from 9,302 when the road started operations in 2008, BCDA said.

To recall, MNTC submitted revised proposals for the SCTEX deal after Malacañang suspended the company's July 2011 business and operating agreement with BCDA for the 94-kilometer toll road.

Malacañang approved MNTC’s proposal in November 2014, but decided to subject it to a "price challenge" to get "the highest upfront cash value."

The contract required from MNTC a P3.5-billion ($74.60 million) upfront payment, inclusive of value-added tax. It is also required to share half of gross toll revenues with BCDA, as well as assume road operations and maintenance costs of SCTEX.

NLEX-SCTEX integration

For MNTC President and CEO Rodrigo Franco, the turnover "paves the way for the start of improvement of services on SCTEX," citing the integration of toll collection systems of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and SCTEX.

This is aimed at "removing toll barriers along NLEX and SCTEX so that instead of the current 5 stops motorists from Manila have to make to get to Subic, it will be reduced to just two,” Franco said.

With Japan’s assistance, BCDA spent P34.9 billion ($743.87 million) to build SCTEX, which opened in 2008. The 4-lane expressway cuts through Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac, and is directly linked to the NLEX, which is also operated by MNTC. (Chrisee Dela Paz, Rappler.com)

http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/208-infrastructure/111850-metro-pacific-sctex-official-takeover