SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Senator Richard Gordon has called on the Subic Bay Freeport business community to support his proposal to establish an investment corridor in Central Luzon that will encourage more business and livelihood activities and spur further development in the area.

Senator Richard Gordon

Speaking during the North Luzon Business Conference here last week, Gordon said he has filed Senate Bill No. 1325, or “An Act Creating the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corporation of Central Luzon,” to facilitate the creation of an investment corridor in the region.

The senator explained that the proposed Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corp. aims to attract more foreign investors by way of providing for a road network system that will interconnect airports and seaports in Luzon.

He added that the proposed legislation will provide tax incentives for companies and will utilize the area to help ease the traffic currently weighing down the Metro Manila area. This will further ease the congestion of the seaports and airports in Manila, he said.

Gordon, who served as the first chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, also pointed out that Central Luzon is the only region in the country that has three airports like New York, referring to Manila, Clark and Subic.

“Central Luzon also has three seaports—Subic, Mariveles and Manila, and four if we include Batangas—which are complemented by a network of highways,” said Gordon.

He said the country needs to optimize the use of its infrastructures and pointed out that the Central Luzon area is connected by major highways: The North Luzon Expressway, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, and the Olongapo-Gapan Highway.

Central Luzon is also connected to various industrial zones managed by the Export Processing Zone Authority and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

In response, business leaders from the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce Inc., the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other business groups attending the conference pledged their support to Gordon’s bill.

Gordon’s bill had earlier found resonance during the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan Investment Roadshow to Taiwan, when SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma Eisma urged businessmen in Taipei and Taichung City to consider the so-called Central Luzon Manufacturing and Logistics Zone as a prime investment destination.

Eisma said the CMLZ, composed of Clark Freeport, Subic Bay Freeport, and the Freeport Area of Bataan, has strategic location, ample space for manufacturing, developed infrastructure support, and generous tax and fiscal incentives.

The area has ample supply of talented and skilled labor, service utilities for industries and businesses, secured corridor without traffic congestion, and enviable live-work-play environment, Eisma added.

Eisma also said that Central Luzon is perfect for targeted key industries like electronics, automotive parts and aerospace products for Clark; shipbuilding and maritime industries, including cruise ships for Subic; and high-end garments manufacturing for Bataan.

Source: manilastandard.net

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By the time he was exiled to Hawaii by a popular uprising in 1986, former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos had reportedly amassed a fortune of $5-10 billion, despite earning an official annual salary of just $13,500.

His wife, Imelda, now 88, was infamous for her collection of 1,220 pairs of shoes, which became an outward symbol of the family’s alleged kleptocracy and crass extravagance in contrast with the extreme poverty of many of their subjects.

Former senator and vice-presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, greets supporters

Former Philippines First Lady and current congresswoman Imelda Marcos visits the tomb of her husband to mark National Heroes Day in Taguig City, south of Manila, in August 2017 CREDIT: EPA/FRANCIS R. MALASIG

The family, who returned to the Philippines after Marcos’ death, and remain a powerful political clan, have always denied any wrongdoing.

But now, amid rumours that the former strongman’s son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr, has ambitions to run for president himself, they are said to be considering whether to give back some of the wealth acquired through his father’s 21-year rule to the Philippine state coffers.

Reports of the possible spurt of generosity were sparked this week by a statement by current Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, a political ally of Bongbong.

“They [Marcos family] told me they’ll open everything and probably return what is uncovered,” he told reporters. “They are ready to bring it back… including a few gold bars.”

The alleged offer has not been publicly confirmed by the family. Attorney Victor Rodriguez, a spokesman for Bongbong Marcos, declined to comment when contacted by The Telegraph.

The Presidential Commission of Good Government, a quasi-judicial agency created over 30 years ago to recover ill-gotten wealth accumulated by the Marcos regime, has had a laborious task initiating legal action across the world to track down their fortunes.

It has recovered $4.4 billion from Swiss bank accounts, real estate and paintings and jewellery.

In 2016, it approved the auction of part of Imelda Marcos’s extensive jewellery collection, worth approximately $21 million and including a Cartier tiara and a rare 25-carat pink diamond said to be the size of a grape.

Bongbong” Marcos Jnr throws a t-shirt to his supporters CREDIT: NOEL CELIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Politicians have demanded the Marcos family give back more, but Mr Duterte’s announcement was met with some scepticism in the Senate where it was debated this week.

“Everything that was stolen should be returned… it’s not like we will be satisfied just with crumbs,” said Senate President Aquilino Pimentel alleged, in a report by the Philippine Star.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez described the potential move as a “welcome development” that would serve the government’s interest. But he added: “The Marcoses should give it all, nothing less.”

Bongbong Marcos is pursuing a legal challenge to become vice-president after what he claimed was an unfair election last year.

His family has seen a comeback in political fortunes despite multiple accusations of human rights violations during his father’s regime.

The younger Marcos enjoys the support of Mr Duterte, who stunned the nation in November when he allowed the late president’s body to be buried in the national Heroes’ Cemetery. Critics said Marcos should have been denied such an honour.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

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Over 5,000 single parent living in the city will now have new privileges after local legislators passed a resolution giving them discounts on basic goods and medicine to help them lessen financial constrain.

Under City Resolution No. 18 Series of 2017 single parents who passed the screening of the City Social Welfare and Development Office will be given special discount cards or passbook which they will use to avail of the discount on selected groceries and drug stores. Under the resolution single parents who have been accredited by the CSWD will be given 10% discount for a maximum purchase of P10,000 they spend on groceries and P5,000 maximum purchase on medicines.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino said that he acknowledge the hardship of single parents, “Mahirap magpalaki ng anak o mga anak na isa mo lang, dahil wala kang katulong sa finances kaya naisipan natin ipapasa ang batas na ito sa tulong ng ating konseho, at nag papasalamat ako sa city council for making this ordinance dahil malaking tulong ito sa kanila (single parents).”

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga partner nating grocery stores at drug store dahil pumayag sila sa ordinansa, walang resistance tayong nadinig sa kanila dahil laman naman nila na tulong ito para sa mga masisipag nating single parents,” Councilot Lugie Lipumano said who is the author of the ordinance said.

Aside from the partner establishments, Lipumano said that solo parents can also avail of the discounts if a grocery store of drug store has a monthly gross income of P200,000 and above.

Lipumano added that solo parents are defined as a woman that gave birth to a child as a result of rape and still provides her child, a parent left alone with responsibility due to one of these reasons: spouse’s death, partner has a serving criminal sentence, mental incapacity of the other or after legal separation but entrusted the custody of his/her child.

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The local government of Olongapo City bagged two top awards during the Regional Gawad Kalasag Award 2017, held in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

Olongapo City Local Government Officials—Former Councilor Edwin Piano (from left), Leonila Jimenez ( City Tourism Office), Tony Karr Balde (CPDO), Mayor Rolen Paulino, City Administrator Mamerto Malabute, Engr. Ed Santos, Lito Majarucon (GSO), Loreli Ricasa ( ESMO), Jun Pascua (CSWDO), Dr. Arturo Mendoza( JLGMH), Dr. Jewel Manuel (JLGMH), Dr. Roderick Bustamante (JLGMH). – Photo by PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Mayor Rolen Paulino, Mr. Angie Layug (DRRMO) in the middle, together with Olongapo City Fire Rescue –Photo by public affairs

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Fire Rescue unit placed 1st as the Best Government Emergency Management Service in the Advance Search and Rescue category while James L Gordon Memorial Hospital won 1st place as the Best Local Government Hospital emergency preparedness.

No less than Olongapo City Mayor Rolen C. Paulino received the award from Regional Director and RDRRMC Chairperson Edgardo Ollet during the awarding ceremony.

“Olongapo City is known for its best rescue personnel, and this award shows how dedicated our rescue workers are, I am very proud of them and if anyone needs their help I will send them without no hesitation, I am also very proud of our hospital which was also given the award, we have been upgrading not only the equipment’s but also upgrading the skills of the staff, state of the art equipment will be of no use if our hospital staff has little knowledge.” Paulino said.

Angie Layug, head of City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said that they will pursue to have a command center this year. The soon to be rise Office of DRRMO with the command center will be built near SM and also a mobile command center will be placed on their current office at Transcon in Old Cabalan.

Paulino added that the city is on the process of building a new building for the City Risk Reduction Management Office which will house a new command center for monitoring which will connect all responders, including traffic, the local police, barangay and others. It will also house personnel from the said office, equipment and other essentials for quick response in emergency situations.

Three schools from the city also participated in the recent Gawad Kalasag and was given a certification by the award given body for their participation, namely Mabayuan National High School, Barretto National high School and Kalalake National High School for actively participating in the19thGawad KALASAG Regional Awards.

Gawad KALASAG or Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galingang Kaligtasan is a yearly awarding event of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to recognize outstanding performances of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs), Barangay (BDRRMCs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), educational institutions including Early Learning Centers (ELCs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Government Emergency Management or GEM (Basic and Advance), Hospitals, Volunteer Organizations and, Private (Business/Corporate) Organizations.

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Businessmen from northern Luzon have joined the clamor for the government to accelerate the shift of cargo shipments from Manila ports to Subic Bay Freeport to promote the development of logistics corridors.

This is one of the resolutions under the “Infrastructure” list passed at the recently concluded 26th North Luzon Regional Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Hauling trucks and reach stackers move some of the container vans in Subic Bay Freeport yesterday at the New Container Terminal-1 in Subic Bay Freeport. Manila port has transferred most of its overstaying cargoes to Subic to help ease the port congestion felt in Manila. (Jonas Reyes)

The regional conference urged the national government and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to shift Manila cargoes to Subic, and promote the development of logistics corridors. PCCI has called for the shift of cargoes to nearby ports such as Subic and Batangas following the horrible traffic port congestion that plagued Metro Manila two years ago.

Several businesses incurred huge losses from that affecting exports and delays in expansion programs of investors.

Aside from the cargo shipments, PCCI also urged DOTr to fast-track the expansion and full utilization of Clark International Airport. Subic has a direct expressway link to Clark Freeport Zone.

According to PCCI, completion of infrastructure projects for North Luzon will facilitate seamless connectivity of roads, rails, ports with agriculture, manufacturing and tourism hub.

These projects include the Central Luzon Link Expressway, PNR North segment, Subic-Clark Cargo Railway Project, Clark International Airport Expansion and New Clark City.

To improve the competitiveness of the region, businessmen from North Luzon were also pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 1325 or the act creating Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corporation of Central Luzon by Senator Richard Gordon to facilitate the creation of Central Luzon investment corridor and other purposes authored.

The resolution further urged the Departments of Science and Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strengthen their partnership and cooperation with the private sector to ensure full implementation of business facilitating programs such as Business Incubation Centers, Fabrication Labs and Food Innovation Centers.

To push for the huge potential of the handicraft industry of Pampanga, the PCCI said both DTI and TESDA should extend full support to crafts producers in the province through market and export promotion and preservation of carving, ceramic crafting and other technical skills.

In addition, the businessmen threw their support for Congress in conducting the long overdue comprehensive review of Local Government Code to institute reforms on local government structure to increase the allocation of financial resources to LGUs that will be used for the improvement of socio-economic condition of localities.

This means institutionalizing an effective, transparent, and accountable governance mechanism to ensure that the allocation will benefit the localities.

These resolutions have been adopted during the plenary. Those related to LGUs will be forwarded to LGU governments while those related to national government and Cabinet offices will be discussed and adopted during the Philippine Business Conference in October 2017, and forwarded to the President.

On agriculture, PCCI said the Department of Agriculture (DA) must be proactive in addressing the effects of avian flu and in strengthened cooperation and coordination between the private and the public sector to fully contain the avian flu disease.

The business community also saw the need for a heightened social marketing effort to alleviate the overreaction of consumers to the avian flu disease in the country, and the eventual declaration of the country to be totally free of avian flu.

For a holistic approach, businessmen have also proposed to the national government, particularly the DA, Departments of the Interior and Local Government, of Environment and Natural Resources, and Agrarian Reform, among other government agencies to develop policies that would ensure protection for the livestock and poultry industry to have a security of tenure as far as their investment and operation is concerned.

The resolution further said that businessmen should be given due consideration and fair treatment in situation that can pose as risks to their investments as they are one with the government’s pursuit in attaining food security and sufficiency.

Tags: Calls for shift of cargo shipments from Manila to Subic get louder, infrastructure, manila bulletin, Manila ports, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Subic Bay Freeport

Source: business.mb.com.ph

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