The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is eyeing more visitors to the Subic Bay Freeport from Taiwan with the recent launch of direct flights to Taipei from the neighboring Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma welcomed here on Friday several Chinese Taipei bloggers, who visited various tourism attractions in Subic with the purpose of promoting them in Taiwan.

Taiwanese bloggers visit the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport, accompanied by tourism officers from the SBMA and the Region III office of the Department of Tourism.

The visitors were accompanied by Region III Tourism Officer Marilou Pangilinan, who met them at the Clark International Airport with the first Taipei to Clark flight of AirAsia Philippines, which has just resumed international flights via the Clark hub.

Eisma said the SBMA, with the help of the Department of Tourism, is working to establish Subic as a destination for Taiwanese visitors, who are now the sixth biggest group of tourists in the country.

“Subic has been blessed with many tourist attractions, and we want to use every possible means to entice visitors to come and enjoy Subic,” Eisma said.

SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma (fourth from right) join Taiwanese bloggers at the Subic Bay Yacht Club during their visit to promote the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday.

“Having these bloggers experiencing first-hand the beauty of our place and the hospitality of our people, is one giant step in conveying our invitation to the people of Taiwan,” she added.

The bloggers group started their tour at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, where they met with the SBMA tourism officials. Then they proceeded to the Zoobic Safari nature park, where they enjoyed a “close encounter’ activity with park tigers; and thence to the Ocean Adventure marine park, where they watched animal shows.

Taiwanese blogger reacts while feeding a tiger at the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Following a sumptuous lunch at the Acea Subic Bay Resort, which is renowned for hosting international triathlon events, the group then went on a bay cruise organized by The Lighthouse Marina Resort marketing director Zed Avecilla. The yacht tour gave them a glimpse into Subic’s mangrove forest, Ilanin Bay, and the historic World War II fort at Grande Island.

DOT’s Pangilinan said that Chinese Taipei tourists have often used Clark Airport as their entry point to the Philippines. And while the Taiwanese frequented destinations such as Bohol, Palawan, Cebu and Benguet, they have little knowledge about Central Luzon’s tourist spots, she added.

Taiwanese bloggers aboard a yacht while touring Subic Bay with The Lighthouse Marina Resort marketing director Zed Avecilla (center)

Chairman Eisma expressed the hope that through the write-ups to be made by the visiting bloggers, Taiwanese tourists looking for new areas to visit would consider Subic Bay Freeport Zone as one of their stops during their stay in the country.

According to government figures, Taiwan is the sixth biggest source of tourists for the Philippines, with about 60,000 arrivals for the period January to March this year.

Records from the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Manila, meanwhile, placed Filipino traverlers to Taiwan at close to 300,000 in 2017.

source: subicnewslink.blogspot.com

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Minimum wage earners in Central Luzon will receive an additional increase in their daily pay effective August 1 this year.

This, after the National Wage and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed the newest wage order by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 3 (RTWPB 3) that raises by P20 per day the minimum wage in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and Aurora.

Under Wage Order No. RB III-21, the new rate will apply to minimum wage earners or workers and employees in the private sector in Central Luzon regardless of position, designation, or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.

However, those who are not covered in the said wage order are household or domestic helpers and persons employed in the personal service of another, including family drivers and workers of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with Certificate of Authority, pursuant to Republic Act 9178.

“We are happy to inform our workers all over the region that a new minimum wage is taking effect this August. This means that the additional daily wage increase will enable them to provide more take home pay for their families,” DOLE Regional Director Zenaida Angara-Campita, who chairs the RTWPB-3, said on Tuesday.

Under the new wage order, minimum earners in Central Luzon in the non-agriculture category and establishment with total assets of PHP30 million or more will receive a PHP400 basic pay per day.

On the other hand, employees working in the non-agriculture category and establishments with assets of less than PHP30 million will have a PHP393 basic pay per day.

This new wage hike adjustment applies for minimum wage earners in the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan and Nueva Ecija.

For the province of Aurora, the daily minimum wage increase will take effect in two tranches—from P329, a P10 increase to P339 on August 1 and another P10 increase to P349, six months later.

Under the agriculture category, the new wage hike for plantation and non-plantation workers in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales, will be P370 and P354, respectively.

Workers in the plantation and non-plantation in Aurora, on the other hand, will be P334 and P322, respectively.

Meanwhile, for the retail or service category, with 16 or more workers – P389 and with less than 16 workers – P375, for both six provinces; and, P284 in Aurora.

Campita said the new wage order is a result of the RTWPB 3’s consultations with labor and management representatives from different industries in most parts of the region.

She said the RTWPB saw the need to help workers in the region to cope up with the rising cost of living brought by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law implementation and fuel hikes.

“The Regional Wage Board deemed it best to increase the minimum wage at reasonable and equitable levels in light of the regional poverty threshold level vis-à-vis, average wage, along with the need to promote performance-based incentive schemes under the two-tier wage system,” she said.

In issuing the wage order, the RTWPB 3 has encouraged 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.

The RTWPB added that any person, corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association, or entity which refuses or fails to pay the prescribed wage rates in accordance with Wage Order No. RB III-21 shall be subject to penal provisions under Republic Act 6727, or the Minimum Wage Fixing Law. (PNA)

Source: centralluzon.politics.com.ph

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By Jel Santos

Some of Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) facilities— warehouses and training and events centers— are now up for rent.

PRC said this is “another opportunity for organizations and private companies to contribute to its mission to save lives as it opened its facilities for public use.”

“From an appeal for a hot meal to an appeal for shelter, livelihood, and medical assistance, PRC provides support to communities affected by disasters, emergencies, and conflicts. This is why we are creating an opportunity to organizations and companies to contribute in our humanitarian mission by offering our most valuable assets,” Richard Gordon, PRC chairman, said.

As per PRC, facilities—Events and Training Hall and the Logistics and Multipurpose Center in Mandaluyong City, the Logistics and Training Center in Subic, the Regional Logistics and Disaster Management Training Center in Passi, Iloilo, and the Training Center in Tagaytay—are up for rental for a reasonable price.

Also, the humanitarian body said it will soon offer its vocational training centers in Subic and Tacloban, as well as its warehouses in Mandaluyong, Subic, Laoag, Batangas, Mandaue, Passi, Tacloban, and Cagayan de Oro.

“Funds generated from the assets will be used to fuel PRC’s humanitarian projects, such as training of volunteers and staff members and providing first aid and lifeline kits, hot meals, and relief packs during emergency situations, through its major services—Blood, Disaster Management, Safety, Health, Welfare, Red Cross Youth, and Volunteer.”

Logistics and Multipurpose Center

37 EDSA corner Boni, Mandaluyong City

The 1,000-square meter facility has an event hall that can house up to 600 guests, an in-room dressing room, kitchen, and a grand foyer. It is ideal for shows, parties, seminars, and in-door trainings.

Venue inclusions:

• Eight-hour use of the pavilion with A/C
• Two hours ingress and one hour egress
• 5,000 Lumens LCD projector with 8×8 screen
• Stage panels
• Electricity
• Back-up generator
• Valet service
• Caterer’s area
• Pavilion lounge
• Security, engineering, and maintenance staff during the event

Event and Training Hall

PRC Tower, 37 EDSA corner Boni, Mandaluyong City

The PRC Tower in EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong houses an event/training hall that has sufficient space to host meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops, and other ceremonial occasions. The hall can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Venue inclusions:

• Eight-hour use of the pavilion with A/C
• Two hours ingress and one hour egress
• 5,000 Lumens LCD projector with screen
• Electricity
• Back-up generator
• Caterer’s area
• Security, engineering, and maintenance staff during the event

Subic Logistics and Training Center

East Ilanin Forest Area, Corregidor Hi-Way, Subic Bay Free Port Zone, Olongapo

The Training Center has its doors open for conferences, seminars, jungle-survival, retreats, and team-building activities. It has a 1,000-seater events hall, 2 classroom-type halls, 3 multipurpose rooms, mess hall, activity area, and female and male dormitories.

Regional Logistics and Disaster Management Training Center

Brgy. Sablogon, LGU Housing Road, Passi City, Iloilo

The Logistics and Training Center is ideal for in-house seminars, workshops, trainings, and retreats. It houses two training rooms, mess hall, activity area, covered parking, and dormitories for male and female guests.

Tagaytay Training Center

Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City, Cavite

With its event and training hall, dormitories, and mess hall, the Tagaytay Training Center is a perfect venue for in-house seminars, workshops, trainings, and retreats. It is located near various recreational and tourist sites in Tagaytay.

PRC said they also partnered with caterers to provide quality food service to its guests.

For more details, interested clients may contact PRC at (02) 790-2300 local 603/839 or (+63) 9178348114 or via email at prc.bdev@redcross.org.ph/pamo@redcross.org.ph.

Source: Manila Bulletin

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Even the rains cannot dampen fun and excitement in this premier adventure tourism enclave, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced various events timed for the rainy season.

The biggest thriller scheduled so far this month is the Subic leg of Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas, an all-terrain running race that will take participants on July 22 along some of the wildest, wettest, and most wearying nature trails in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Just when you thought Subic would rest because of inclement weather, it now hosts extreme adventure events to make your visit as enjoyable as during summer,” observed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma.

“We also have races, animal shows, exhibitions, cruise-ship arrivals, and festivals practically the whole year round, so there’s never a long lull here even during the rainy season,” she added.

The upcoming Salomon Xtrail is one of the most anticipated races today, as it is reputed to be a more technical trail running race, with a mixture of different terrain surfaces including dirt, rocks, sand and concrete paths. It is held throughout Southeast Asia with countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines hosting the event.

SBMA Tourism Manager Jem Camba said they expect around 3,000 local and foreign participants this year for the event organized by Primer Group of Companies and Extribe, Inc.

After the Luzon leg in Subic, the race will be run in Davao on August 12 for the Mindanao leg, and in Iloilo on September 16 for the Visayas leg.

Camba said this year’s competition in Subic will involve two race categories – the Trail Run category for beginners with 6-km and 12-km distances, and the more technical Mountain Run designed for experienced runners with 24-km and 32-km distances.

It will take participants along rocky dirt roads, muddy mountain trains, and across swollen streams and overgrown grasslands.

“These trails might be technical and challenging to some, but they will always showcase the beauty of the forests, rivers and mountains in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Camba said.

Aside from the Salomon Xtrail, Subic hosted the Ironman Full Distance and 70.3 Triathlon on June 3, kicking off the start of the rainy season here with the first full-distance Ironman to be held in the country.

This was followed by the qualifying race for the Youth Olympic Games organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines on June 17; the Tri-United Leg 1 by Run Bike Swim, Inc. on June 29-30; and the Tri-United Leg 2 on July 1.

Meanwhile, the month of June also started out with a tourism bang with the return here of the cruise ship MV Costa Atlantica on June 5 and June 19, and the first arrival of Dream Cruises’ latest vessel MV World Dream on June 6, as well as Royal Caribbean International’s MS Ovation of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship operating in Asia, on June 8.

This month, Subic expects two more return of Costa Atlantica, its 11th and 12th arrival, after the cruise line Costa Crociere made Subic a part of the ship’s regular Asian itinerary.

In August, the SBMA has also calendared two more Costa Atlantica visits on August 14 and 28; the Feast of San Roque on August 16; and the arrival of another Royal Caribbean cruise liner, the MS Voyager of the Seas, on August 26. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Salomon Xtrail participants rough it out in previous Subic editions of the trail run. (MPD-SBMA)

Source: SubicNewsLink

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Subic Bay Freeport—Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. has conducted a forum here on turtle conservation under its Protect the Bay Initiative program.

The discussion, entitled “Lessons from PawiCare,” aimed to share the best practices on how the residents of La Paz, San Narciso, Zambales helped in the conservation of “pawikan” or sea turtles held at Harbor Point Ayala Mall here on Saturday.

PawiCare Hatchery is a sea turtle protection and conservation program in San Narciso, Zambales. It is currently managed by Katimpuyog Zambales, an environmental organization, together with the local government of San Narciso and the local fisherfolks called the La Paz Rangers.

“It starts with awareness. Our goal with the Protect the Bay Initiative is to promote environmental awareness by building a community of volunteers. There are already many efforts on the ground but there is need for greater synergy,” said Jason Gavina, RP Energy’s Corporate Social Responsibility Officer.

Protect the Bay is the company’s flagship CSR program on the environment, which aims to curb illegal fishing, promote environmental awareness, and establish sustainable livelihood for fisherfolks.

The forum speakers were San Narciso Mayor La Raine Sarmiento, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Ecology Head Amethya Dela Llana, and Antonio Foronda, Jr., a La Paz ranger and volunteer at PawiCare.

Some of the La Paz Rangers used to be pawikan poachers. Foronda discussed the journey of how they converted these poachers into sea turtle rangers.

“I hope we can learn more about the pawikan. When they are hatched, they are inches away from the surface. Hence, they need to push others up to survive. So, should we,” said Sarmiento.

As an offshoot of the forum, holding a Zambales-wide Pawikan festival was suggested by SBMA’s Dela Llana. Likewise, DENR CENRO Olongapo’s Atty. Marife Castillo supported the idea of deputizing other NGOs in geo-tagging of the sea turtles towards species preservation.

The forum was attended by Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Fisherfolk Association, Philippine National Bank, SBMA, Kabalikat Civicom, Rotary Club of Downtown Olongapo, and JCI Olongapo. The event was organized in partnership with Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

RP Energy is the developer of a 2×300 MW coal-fired power plant in the Freeport Zone.

Source: Manila Standard

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