IBA, Zambales – Governor Amor Deloso said yesterday his administration is implementing P4 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the province, primarily the construction of additional schools and other social development projects in a span of one year.

“Madaming infrastructure projects that are being implemented in our province. You can see the almost simultaneous blessing of new school buildings and other infrastructures,” the governor said.

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But he reiterated that the provincial government under his leadership will not allow heavy industries to thrive in the province, particularly in the northern Zambales as tourism remains the best industry in the province.

He said the province needed to build more schools and other social development infrastructure projects to empower all, especially the youth sector, towards brighter future.

Aside from the R4-billion projects the province has funded, Deloso also disclosed the revival of the Tarlac-Iba Road project through the persistence of Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla (1st District) and the support of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar. When finished, the P7.2 – billion project will connect Iba, Zambales to Capas, Tarlac and open the vast land area for new investors.

The provincial government is likewise anticipating the construction of the arterial roads here which will accommodate delegates of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, and as well sports enthusiasts and tourists. The construction cost of at least R700-million will come from the national government, said Deloso.

The Philippines was set to host the games after Brunei Darussalam withdrew its hosting rights apparently due to the country’s lack of sporting facilities, accommodation, and preparation of their athletes. The government earlier announced that the games would be held in the Central Luzon area, particularly in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Zambales.

“I am very thankful that Zambales, our province, was chosen as one of the venues for the game,’’ he said, adding that he was personally informed of the development by no less than Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., who paid a courtesy visit along with his staff at the capitol recently.

Source: tempo.com.ph

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Iba, Zambales — The provincial government has firmed up arrangements for the construction of a P1.2-billion capitol building inside the former governor Vicente Magsaysay’s family-owned land in Sto. Rosario, this town.

Speaking to The Manila Bulletin last Sunday, Governor Amor Deloso revealed that the provincial government already entered into a contract with Alloy MTD Philippines, Inc., a leading infrastructure conglomerate in Asia.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the construction of the capitol building with a proposed budget of P1.2 billion was signed by Deloso and Luisito Ucab, project development officer of the Alloy MTD (Phils.) Holding Co., Inc. Other signatories were Zambales 3rd District Representative Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Vice-Gov. Angel Magsaysay, and former governor Vic Magsaysay.

The transfer of the Capitol Building was first announced by Deloso in his first State of the Province Address (SOPA) last July.

In his speech, Deloso lauded ex-governor Magsaysay for donating his family’s three-hectare family land in Barangay Rosario to be established as Government Center where the provincial buildings, including the Capitol, and all government offices will be transferred.

Deloso said the construction of the New Zambales Capitol Building will be made through the Private-Public Partnership (PPP); hence, the provincial government will not spend a single centavo for the project.

Source: news.mb.com.ph

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Three of the Philippine Navy’s multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) are expected to be fitted with anti-ship missiles once the weapon system is delivered in December from Israel.

Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said the three MPACs are waiting to be fitted with their Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd’s Spike ER (extended range) missile systems which are in anti-ship mode.

“The delivery of the missile system is being worked out because it has to be transported by a military platform, either a military ship or plane. Nevertheless, the Navy is preparing our facility at NASCOM Cavite for the work,” Mercado said in an interview.

He added the Navy is eyeing the use of Philippine Air Force (PAF) Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo plane for the delivery of weapons to the country.

The three MPACs were activated last May 22. A Spike ER is capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a maximum range of five miles.

These MPACs are Mark III models and are considerably more advanced than the six Mark I and IIs currently in the Philippine Navy inventory and constructed by Subic Bay-based Propmech Corporation.

Contract for the three ships is worth PHP270 million sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act Trust Fund of 2000. The contract includes mission essential equipment. Mission essential equipment includes day/night electronic navigation systems, communication suites, safety-of-life-at-sea, propulsion system and seamanship and ship-handling gears.

The contract for the weapons system and missiles is worth PHP594,319,550.

Source: update.ph

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MANILA, Philippines — Corruption, barriers to ownership, and infrastructure gaps have topped the list of challenges facing Australian firms operating in the Philippines, a new study showed.

Results of the Australian Business in ASEAN Survey 2017 showed that 52 percent of the respondents cited corruption as the foremost concern among Australian firms doing business in the Philippines.

Results of the Australian Business in ASEAN Survey 2017 showed that 52 percent of the respondents cited corruption as the foremost concern among Australian firms doing business in the Philippines.

Barriers to ownership and investment were the second major concern (38 percent) followed by infrastructure gaps (31 percent).

Other notable challenges in the country cited by Australian companies are political instability (24 percent), taxation (24 percent), and cost of operations (21 percent).

The Australian business community in the Philippines is composed mostly of services firms, followed by manufacturing and industrial companies, the report said.

Despite these challenges, the Philippines ranked as the third most preferred destination for expansion in Southeast Asia among Australian companies.

The Philippines was tied at third position with Indonesia, with expansion rates of 15 percent each.

Vietnam emerged as the region’s most popular market for expansion at 22 percent, followed by Myanmar. Brunei was the least attractive market for Australian firms.

Top growth drivers for the Philippines are its economic conditions (72 percent), proximity to customers (59 percent), and ease of doing business (45 percent).

“Philippine trade with Australia has increased significantly over recent years while there has also been growing Australian investor interest on the Philippines. Areas such as agribusiness, information technology, education, training and development, infrastructure, energy and mining are some of the sectors being targeted,” the report said.

“The Philippine government has been active in pursuing economic reforms as well as programs to attack corruption in order to encourage more foreign investments. Further expansion of trade and investment links will continue with enhanced cooperation in defense and law enforcement,” it added.

As of 2015, total stock of Australian investment in the Philippines was A$10 billion, while total stock of Philippine investment in Australia was valued at A$473 million.

Bilateral merchandise trade between Philippines and Australia has expanded to A$2.5 billion in 2016, while services trade have also grown to A$1.5 billion.

In line with Australia’s bullish prospects on the growth of the countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an Australia-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce was launched officially in Manila.

Source: philstar.com

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SUBIC BAY FREE­PORT, Philippines — Naghahanda na ang Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) para sa engrandeng pagdiriwang ng silver anniversary sa Nobyembre 2017.

Atty. Wilma T. Eisma

Ayon kay SBMA Admi­nistrator at CEO Atty. Wilma T. Eisma, inaprobahan ng mga opisyal ng ahensiya ang mga aktibidad na gagawin sa pagdiriwang ng 25th taon ng pagkakatatag ng Subic Bay Freeport Zone na kinukunsiderang isa sa mga success stories ng military base conversion sa mundo.

Napakahalagang milestone ng Subic Freeport ang 25th founding anniversary kaya kailangang maging espesyal din ang mga aktibidad ng SBMA,” pahayag ni Atty. Eisma na isa rin sa mga orihinal na volunteer na tumulong upang maprotektahan at mapangalagaan ang mga pasilidad ng Subic Bay matapos lisanin ng U.S. Navy ang Subic Bay noong 1992.

“Malayo na ang narating ng Subic, salamat sa sakri­pisyo at pagpupursigi ng napakaraming mamamayan sa loob ng maraming taon at ang parangal para sa kanila ay isa sa malaking bahagi ng selebrasyong ito,” dagdag pa ni Eisma.

PAGBABALIK-TANAW

“SBMA at 25” Celebra­ting the Past, Forging the Nation’s Future,” ang magiging tema ng selebrasyo.

PSN ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:
Magsisimula ang selebrasyon sa Nobyembre 6 sa flag-raising ceremony sa makasaysayang Bldg. 229, ang main office ng SBMA, na susundan ng motorcade sa Central Business District ng Freeport habang may mga eroplanong nagsasagawa naman ng streamer at confetti drops sa himpapawid, at water cannon salutes naman sa mga barko sa Subic Bay.

Magsasagawa rin ang SBMA Labor Department ng job fair sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga business locators ng Subic Bay Freeport.

Iba pang mga aktibidad para sa kabuuan ng buwan ng Nobyembre ay SBMA Family Day at “SBMA Got Talent” sa Nobyembre 18 na magtatapos sa pagbubukas ng giant Christmas Tree sa Boardwalk Park.

Samantala, magkakaroon din ng tatlong-araw na “Subic Bay Grand Sale” sa Remy Field at sa mga tou­rism establishments simula Nobyembre 24 hanggang 26.

Ito ay susundan ng isang awarding ceremony bilang pagkilala sa mga pioneer investor companies at mga pioneer SBMA employees.

Isang float at foot parade naman na lalahukan ng mga representante mula sa local government units ang gaganapin sa Waterfront Road.

Source: philstar.com
Image source: sbma.com

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