U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael Klecheski transferred custody of a brand new Joint Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center (JMLETC) valued at over Php 65.4 million to the Government of the Philippines in a ceremony in Magarwak, Barangay Santa Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, on August 4, 2017.

(front row L-R) PNP Director General Ronald M. de la Rosa, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski, U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency Representative LCDR Jeremy Obenchain, PNP-MG Director General PCSUPT Marcelo C. Morales, and WESCOM Commander Lieutenant General Raul L. Del Rosario (back row L-R) Commander Philippine Coast Guard District Palawan Commodore Joselito F. de la Cruz, Philippine Marine Corps 3rd Marine Brigade Commander Brigadier General Nathaniel Y. Casem, Deputy Director for Logistics PCSUPT Jonas B. Calleja, and Regional Director of PRO4B PCSUPT Wilben M Mayor.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald M. de la Rosa was the guest of honor and keynote speaker, and DCM Klecheski also delivered remarks during the turnover.

The JMLETC, funded by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, is part of the larger National Coast Watch System and is designed to bolster the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness capabilities and to stop large-scale weapons from transiting through or near Philippine territorial waters. The facility will also be used to conduct maritime law enforcement training for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Navy (PN), and PNP to enhance vessel boarding, use of force, evidence preservation, and case package preparation techniques.

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Coast Guard will send a team of maritime law enforcement experts who will conduct a one-week Maritime Law Enforcement workshop with PCG, PN, and PNP. This workshop will focus on sharing best practices and enhancing the interoperability among the three participating agencies in support of the National Coast Watch System 2017 Field Training Exercises scheduled to take place in Manila, Palawan, and Cebu in mid-September.

As strong allies, the U.S. and Philippines share a wide range of interests, and we will continue to work in partnership to ensure our joint maritime security efforts and other lines of cooperation are robust and effective. (USEmbassy/Manila)

First Published: subicbaynews.net

Continue Reading

IBA, Zambales — “For the municipality of Iba, we are one with the nation and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in pursuit of peace and security, prosperity, and socio-cultural development.”

Mayor Rudnstedt Ebdane

Mayor Rudnstedt Ebdane said in his speech during the ASEAN Landmark Lighting on Tuesday night at the municipal hall. Marking the 50th founding anniversary of the ASEAN, over 70 other municipalities and cities simultaneously lit up their lanterns at exactly 7:00PM. Iba was one of the municipalities chosen to participate in the event.

According to Ebdane, the landmark lighting symbolizes ASEAN’s important role as the light that guides the path of the member-countries.

“Out of the hundreds of local government units (LGUs) in the country, we are chosen to take part in the ASEAN’s golden anniversary. Let us continue to be partners for change,” he furthered.Aside from Iba, five other LGUs in Central Luzon participated in the event namely Baler in Aurora; Science City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija; City of San Fernando in Pampanga; Angeles City; and Mayantoc in Tarlac. (PIA 3)

First Published: subicbaynews.net

Continue Reading

In an effort to resolve the number of disruptions experienced by residents during rainy season and in consideration of the lasting support that SM upholds for the people of Olongapo City, SM has funded the construction of a new drainage canal along 6th St. Brgy. Pagasa Olongapo City (adjacent to the mall).

Photos show the 6-foot diameter culvert pipes used in the construction of the new drainage canal along 6th St. Brgy. Pagasa, Olongapo City. SM Olongapo funded this project to help reduce, if not entirely eliminate, the flooding risks in the surrounding communities in the city.

The new drainage line will carry out water from surrounding communities and will be carried via the 6ft. diameter pipes to the river.

Barangay Pagasa Chairman Rodolfo Catologan, whose area is directly affected by the circumstance, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to SM for spearheading the project. “Umaasa ang mga residente ng Brgy Pagasa na mababawasan na ang pagbaha sa aming lugar, ngayon pa lang ay laking pasasalamat na ng mga taga rito sa gagawing drainage ng SM,” Catologan added.

On the other hand, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino constantly remind the public to cooperate with the city government to help avoid blockage and misuse of the drainage system, he also called the attention of each barangay that coordinated efforts should be followed to keep the streets clean in order to prevent rubbish from blocking the roadside drainages.

It can be recalled that in 2013 SM donated a unit of “Backhoe” to the city as assistance in clearing and rescue operations, and re-building of its flood-hit areas during the Typhoon Odette.

With the continuous efforts of SM on environment and sustainability program, the drainage system project aims to help reduce if not entirely eliminate the flooding risks in the surrounding communities in the city.

Apart from this endeavor, SM malls have various programs that focus on environment protection, quoting from the SM Cares page, “SM Cares has employed a holistic approach to managing the environment which builds on safety and security through disaster resilience, business continuity programs and emergency preparedness.

Environmental sustainability runs at the core of every project by adopting measures to conserve and preserve energy, water and air quality.

The SM malls have an active solid waste management system that engages not just the employees and customers, but the whole community.”

By taking care of the environment, SM also takes care of the communities they are part of and help promote sustainable progress.

First Published: subicbaynews.net

Continue Reading

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino led the enforcement of the anti smoking ordinance recently passed by the city council in connection with Executive Order. 26 of President Rodrigo Duterte, which bans smoking in public places.

Proponent of ordinance no. 19 series 2017 City Councilor Noel Atienza defined public places as all places, fixed or mobile, that are accessible to the public.

The Ordinance mandates the following:

1. Deployment of Anti-Smoking Task Force on public areas and allow them to post NO SMOKING signages in the most location visible to the public.

2. Ashtrays and any other receptacles for disposing cigarette should be removed from places where smoking is prohibited.

3. No Cigarrete or Tobacco products shall be allowed within 100 meters from school, churches, hospital and government establishments.

4. No vendor shall lit a cigarette or sell it to minors

Mayor Paulino has instructed the Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) to intensify its campaign against violators of the anti smoking law.

So far more than 50 persons have already been fined.

Fines for 1st offenders is P500, P1000 for the second offense and P1,500 for the 3rd or imprisonment of not more than 6 months.

A local task force has also been formed for the implementation of the said ordinance.

First Published: subicbaynews.net

Continue Reading

This week, U.S. Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One (MDSU-1) and members of the Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group (PCGSOG) participated in a combined information exchange and diving survey on the sunken vessel MV Captain Ufuk in Manila Bay’s South Harbor.

This week, U.S. Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One (MDSU-1) and members of the Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group (PCGSOG) participated in a combined information exchange and diving survey on the sunken vessel MV Captain Ufuk in Manila Bay’s South Harbor.

This exchange focused on ship salvage techniques, diving operations, side scan sonar, remotely-operated vehicle operations, damage control, de-watering, as well as cutting and welding. Additionally, PCGSOG personnel toured the USNS Salvor, the Safeguard-class salvage ship from which the U.S. Navy divers and salvage personnel operate during this exchange.

The MV Captain Ufuk sunk roughly a year ago, and poses a hazard to navigation in Manila Bay. As well as enhancing the skill set of PCGSOG personnel, this exchange will also provide vital information to plan for refloating and relocating the MV Captain Ufuk at a later date.

The Commander of PCGSOG, Cdr. Edgardo Hernando met with the MSDU-1 dive teams as well as engineering and salvage representatives from U.S. Combined Task Force 73, who will be joining in a long-term engagement plan to facilitate combined operations in the future to refloat and salvage the vessel. (USEmbassy/Manila)

First Published: subicbaynews.net

Continue Reading