MARIVELES, Bataan—Renewable-energy developer New Generation Power Technology Corp. (NGPTC) has received the nod of regulators and the endorsement of authorities to build a 37-hectare, solar-power plant here at the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB).

Officials of NGPTC, a subsidiary of renewable-energy company Citicore Power Inc. (CPI), recently received a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the firm’s 18-megawatt solar-plant project.

A CoC is proof the power project is fully compliant with all the permits and requirements necessary for the safe switch-on and operations of the plant.

Manolo T. Candelaria, CPI EVP for Commercial and Development Operations, said that, under the Revised ERC CoC Rules of 2014, nobody may engage in generation of electricity unless a CoC has been secured from the ERC.

“This CoC enables our solar plant in Bataan to generate electricity that will serve the people. This is in line with one of our goals to become an overall compliant company [that] cares for the environment,” Candelaria said.

The 37-hectare, solar-power project is expected to power over 22,000 homes in Luzon with the use of over 68,500 photovoltaic modules.

CPI said the solar-power plant will help prevent the discharge into the atmosphere of 13,000 metric tons of carbon per year. This is equivalent to planting 600,000 trees, it added.

Meanwhile, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (Afab) said its approval of the solar power project reaffirms its commitment to innovation and sustainable development in the Bataan Freeport.

Afab Chairman and Administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda expressed the authority’s strong support for the renewable-energy project, saying it approved the NGPTC proposal in 2014, knowing it “will definitely support FAB’s vision to become the freeport of choice by 2020”.

Pineda said the solar-power plant is in line with the Afab’s thrust to obtain the FAB’s main agenda of “SOFT HEART,” which means “socially relevant, operationally viable, financially feasible, technologically advanced, housing, expansion areas, accessibility, renewable energy and transportation.”

“Today, we at the AFAB are glad to know the 18-megawatt solar plant will soon be able to help the freeport and the country to address power and environmental concerns,” Pineda added. “We congratulate NGPTC and CPI and once again thank them for choosing the FAB.”

First Published: subicsun.com

Continue Reading

SUBIC, Zambales —The mayor as well as the members of the municipal council of this town have expressed strong opposition for the planned “jade mining” in one of the villages here.

By Patrick Roxas

Mayor Jay Khonghun said he doesn’t believe the proponent company will only do quarrying, and that this is only a front and could result in the destruction of the environment of his beautiful town.

“I’m that afraid if they insist on doing mining in my town there could be trouble, I hope not,” Khonghun said.

The town’s vice mayor JB Felarca has revealed money was offered to him and other members of the municipal council in exchange for the alleged illegal mining operation.

Felarca identified the firm as Philippine Yuanding International Trade Corp. (PYITC) owned by a certain Basilio Jumig of Barangay Batonlapoc in Botolan, Zambales.

He said the mining company used corrupt employees of the provincial government in the bribery attempt but the town council unanimously rejected it.

Subic residents were reportedly shocked and strongly protested when the provincial government issued a special extraction permit on April 25, 2017 to PYITC.

The said company was also given a permit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for quarrying activities on a 5-hectare land said to be very rich in gemstones.

Arthuro Garcia, chairman of Barangay Cawag, has also allegedly issued a permit to PYITC for the jade mining operation without first conducting public consultations.

Residents of the said barangay are reportedly closely monitoring the situation to ensure the protection of the environment and peaceful living in the village.

A public consultation was scheduled last June 18, 2017 in Sitio Nagyantok, Barangay Cawag on the planned mining operation in the area but no representatives from PYITC and the provincial government of Zambales attended.

Efforts were made to reach PYITC and provincial officials to comment on the issue but Subic Sun has received no reply as of press time.

First Published: subicsun.com

Continue Reading

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: Another big business gathering is coming to town this month. The “26th North Luzon Area Business Conference (NLABC),” described as “a venue promoting harmonious relationship among local chambers particularly CCIs from the North Luzon Area,” will be held Aug. 24-26 at the Subic Grand Harbour Hotel inside the Freeport area.

By Percy Roxas

Subic Grand Harbour Hotel, the venue for the annual business gathering.

The event, to be hosted by the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MOCCI) in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), will be held under the theme: “Next Level for Northern Luzon” in conjunction with PCCiI’s theme of “2017 Giant Leap – Leadership, Economic, Attitude, Performance.”

Some 400 to 600 businessmen from Region I, II, and III, as well as the Cordillera Administrative region, are expected to attend the annual business gathering.

“NLABC is a collective activity of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry in every area comprising various regions providing a common base to work and struggle for the common goal and objective,” says Eng. Alfonso Go, NLABC chairman.

“It is the coming together of all the local chambers and other stakeholders for mutual strength, sharing and united efforts to undertake new tasks and challenges,” adds Bong Pineda, NLABC convention direction. “It calls for a collective voice, more potent alliance and convergence of actions towards a vibrant local business climate and development in the countryside.”

First Published: subicsun.com

Continue Reading

Emosyonal ang naging talumpati ni Subic Town Mayor Jay Khonghun sa kanyang SOMA o State of the Municipality Address nitong Martes ng Hapon sa Subic Central School, Subic Zambales.

Ulat ni Lolito Ramada Go

“Tuloy-tuloy sa pagtulong
Tuloy-tuloy sa pagsulong.”

Sa kanyang talumpati inisa-isa ng Punong Bayan ang kanyang naging accomplishment sa taong 2017 sa larangan ng edukasyon, ekonomiya, agrikultura peace and order, disaster preparedness, anti-drug campaign at iba pa. Inisa-isa nya rin ang mga panukalang proyekto ng kanyang administrasyon tulad ng Convention Center, Subic Medical Hospital, bagong munisipyo, bagong town park, boardwalk at iba pa. Makailang ulit ding napahinto sa kanyang talumpati ang alkalde tuwing kokomentuhan ang mga video testimonials ng kanyang mga natulungang kababayan partikular ang testimonya ng kanyang mga scholars.

Samantala, naging highlight ng kanyang talumpati ang mariing pagkondena nito laban sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. Aniya, tutulungan nilang repormahin ang sinumang handang sumuko at magbago subalit tutuluyan nya umano ang sinumang mahuhuling gumagamit at nagbebenta ng droga sa kanyang nasasakupan.
Ito na ang ikalimang Ulat ng Bayan ni Khonghun makaraang maluklok bilang alkalde sa bayan ng Subic noong 2013.

First Published: Subic Broadcasting Corporation @ Facebook

Continue Reading

Now it’s official: 2018 Century Tuna Ironman Philippines to be held at Subic Bay Freeport.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone — After months of speculations, the word is finally out: “Ironman Philippines” is happening in the country. The full-distance Ironman race has been set for June 3, 2018 at the triathlon nerve center of the country, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

By Patrick Roxas

Subic Bay Freeport Zone — After months of speculations, the word is finally out: “Ironman Philippines” is happening in the country. The full-distance Ironman race has been set for June 3, 2018 at the triathlon nerve center of the country, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The “2018 Century Tuna Ironman Philippines” – it’s official name — is a 3.8 km Swim, 180km Bike, and a 42km Run event.

“The enthusiasm around Ironman races in the Philippines is tremendous – from both spectators and participants,” said Geoff Meyer, managing director of Ironman Asia. “We’ve had this project of bringing a full-distance Ironman race to the Philippines for a long time. We are really excited about the special edition of this race and look forward to June 2018.”

The historic event coincides with the 10th year commemoration of the Ironman branded events held in the Philippines.

It has been 10 years since the first Ironman 70.3 race was held in the Philippines (in Camarines Sur). From 583 participants and one race in 2009, the sport has grown by leaps and bounds, with multiple races all over the Philippines.

“We at Sunrise Events are happy to be at the forefront of this triathlon renaissance and are proud to organize the ‘2018 Century Tuna Ironman Philippines’ to showcase one more time the best that the country can offer,” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, founder of Sunrise Events.

RACE COURSE

The inaugural “Century Tuna Ironman Philippines” builds upon the successes of “Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay,” and provides athletes with a challenging, yet beautiful course to tackle.

Athletes will begin their Ironman journey with a one-loop, 3.8km ocean swim in the calm, pristine waters of Triboa Bay, starting and finishing at ACEA Resort, which will also play host to the first of the split transition areas.

Once onto their bikes, athletes will head out of Subic Bay and onto the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway for a fast and flat two-loop, 180km ride, which will bring riders back into the T2 at Remy Field in downtown Subic Bay.

The 42.2km, two-loop marathon run will take in some of the best coastal views that the area has to offer and will be a buzz of energy with local supporters lining the streets to cheer the athletes home.

PRIZE MONEY AND KONA SLOTS

The “2018 Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines” offers a $25,000 prize purse and 30 age-group qualifying slots for the “2018 Ironman World Championship” in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Meanwhile Greg Banzon, vice-president and general manager of Century Pacific Food, said Century Tuna is very proud to be the title sponsor of the first full-distance Ironman race in the Philippines.

“We see the event as the perfect platform to promote a healthy lifestyle – the core value of our brand. We hope that the ‘Century Tuna Ironman Philippines’ will inspire many Filipinos to pursue their own fitness journey.”

For more details and to register for the event, visit www.ironman.com/philippines

First Published: subicsun.com

Continue Reading