BATAAN PROVINCIAL CAPITOL – Governor Abet S. Garcia announced that the new, P2.5 B provincial capitol is set to open before yearend.

Source: ivoteph.com

The new capitol will be a one-stop -shop office where all the national and local government agencies will hold office to fast track the delivery of services to the public.

A brainchild of Garcia, the project was funded by the AlloyMTD, a Malaysian company, through the Build-Operate-Transfer scheme, at no cost to the provincial government

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board), meanwhile, has approved in a resolution the allocation of P300million for the purchase of office equipment and interior design for the building.

Garcia recently told investor Angus Yau, a Hong Kong-based trader and Realito Rubia, president of Ruvia Yacht based in the Freeport Area of Bataan, that the one-stop shop for government services will be a big relief to the people of Bataan.

“The people can save time and money in securing their needed business permits, clearances, and other services in the capitol,” Garcia told Yau and Ruvia.

Source: news.mb.com.ph

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Source: freepik.es

MANILA – Senators on Tuesday discussed the possibility of adding a ninth ray in the Philippine flag’s sun.

Senator Richard Gordon, sponsor of Senate Bill 102 which seeks to add a ninth ray in the flag’s sun, argued that there is a need to increase the rays of the sun to represent Filipino Muslims who fought against the Spaniards.

“I think inclusion should be the policy. To include our brother Muslims,” Gordon said during the interpellation period.

Senator Franklin Drilon asked Gordon if a 10th ray should also be added for the people of the Cordilleras. Gordon replied that the ninth ray could represent all groups excluded in the eight rays.

“The more important thing is when we replace the rays of the sun there will be discussions in our country’s schools…reminding our people that we have a rich past,” Gordon said.

However, hostorian Xiao Chua earlier said adding a ninth ray in the Philippine flag would “destroy” the historical context behind the symbolism.

Adding ninth ray of sun in PH flag would ‘destroy’ its historical context: historian
Most Filipinos think of the rays as a representation of the first eight provinces – Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac – that joined the revolt for the country’s independence during the Spanish occupation.

But Chua said this was not so.

“These were just the 8 provinces in which the Spaniards suspected that there are members of the Katipunan,” he told ANC’s “Beyond Politics” in reference to the revolutionary movement.

“To add the ninth ray to it would destroy the historical context. It is something that is not correct should we say it,” he added.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Before suspending the consideration of the bill, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III commented that they might also consider changing the lyrics of the National Anthem by amending the same law.

“Some people mostly composers have told me the last two lines of the Philippine anthem sounds…defeatist,” he said during the interpellation.

Sotto suggests using, “Aming ligaya na pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo” as the last line of the song instead of “Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.”

Source: news.mb.com.ph

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The technology group Wärtsilä will provide an integrated cargo handling and fuel gas system for two new gas carrier vessels for Exmar, the Belgium-based fleet owner. The ships, which will transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), are being built at HHIC-Philippines (Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines) in Subic Bay. The design of these ships focuses on high efficiency and a more sustainable operational profile. In achieving this, these 80,000m³ Very Large Gas Carriers will be the first vessels capable of running on LPG. This valuable order with Wärtsilä was booked in July, 2018.

Wärtsilä has more than 50 years of experience in the gas carrier business, and the company’s latest technologies have been utilised to offer ‘LPG as fuel’ as a fully integrated part of the cargo handling system. The system is controlled by the state-of-the-art Wärtsilä Nacos Platinum integrated automation system in combination with the company’s remote process analytics software, which ensures optimised operability and safety.

Exmar’s new Very Large Gas Carriers will feature Wärtsilä technology that enables them to operate on LPG fuel. Photo: Exmar.

Exmar’s new Very Large Gas Carriers will feature Wärtsilä technology that enables them to operate on LPG fuel. Photo: Exmar.

The Wärtsilä Nacos Platinum automation platform combines and visualises data from the bridge navigation and communication controls, the engine room, and the cargo control centre. This integrated solution enables high energy efficiency with lower carbon emissions, providing a positive Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for the vessels. The integrated automation notably reduces both building and operating risks.

Wärtsilä will also deliver its Airguard anti-pollution shaft sealing system, which provides extra security against oil leaking into the sea. The propeller shaft mounted additional ‘air barrier’ ensures complete separation of the stern tube oil from the seawater.

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in mid-2019, and the vessels are expected to be delivered during the latter part of 2020.

“Wärtsilä has worked closely with Exmar Group for many years, and we are proud they have selected such a broad scope of our products, which have been combined into a smart marine solution for this new generation of LPG carriers. Wärtsilä’s integrated solutions are designed to promote sustainable shipping and a lower total cost of ownership with lifecycle optimisation,” says Timo Koponen, Vice President, Processing Solutions, Wärtsilä.

“These are ‘game-changing’ gas carriers and our aim has been to achieve the best possible operational and economic performance, while at the same time, ensuring the lowest possible environmental footprint. Wärtsilä’s systems and solutions will help us meet these targets,” says Pierre Dincq, Managing Director Shipping, Exmar. “Exmar has extensive experience with a variety of fuel systems, including HFO, MDO and LNG fuelled steam turbines. Adding LPG as a fuel to this array of fuel systems will be beneficial to Exmar’s reputation as a gas transportation expert.”

Source: hellenicshippingnews.com

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Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the suspicious construction of a P200-million worth nickel mining project in Candelaria, Zambales that would be heavily funded by Chinese investors.

Senator Leila de Lima (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco / MANILA BULLETIN)x

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said the indiscriminate mining operations in Zambales continue to wreak havoc on the country’s environment, thus, the government should carefully assess the environmental, social, and economic impact of another mining project with China.

“Our mountains are stripped of top soil and our river waters are turning all red due to heavy mud. But what’s worse, the government, particularly Mr. Duterte, is obviously willing to allow unscrupulous Chinese contractors rape our environment at the detriment of our natural resources as well as the livelihood of our local residents,” De Lima said.

Citing news reports, De Lima said Fujian Hengrun Investment Co., Ltd. of China and Filipino firms Westchinamin Corp. and Easternreach Mining Group, Inc. have agreed to put up Ferro-Nickel Plant in Candelaria, Zambales.

The deal was sealed despite strong opposition of Zambales residents who called for an immediate halt to the indiscriminate mining operations in their province.

Though detained, De Lima said she was able to obtain documents showing actual photographs of how the river in Zambales had alarmingly turned red due to the risky mining business.
She said there is a need to scrutinize all government transactions with regards to mining operations, especially the construction of a Ferro-Nickel Plant in Zambales, to be fully aware of their effect to the residents and impact to the generations to come.

“The government has the obligation to protect the environment and at the same time ensure the wellbeing of the people. Abandoning the people by disregarding their safety and needs is an outright dereliction of one’s duty,” she said.

Earlier, De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 778, which seeks a Senate inquiry into the apparent gaps in the country’s environmental laws that compound the prevalence of human rights abuses in communities where there are large-scale mining.

The senator said it is imperative that the Senate take an in-depth evaluation of the continuing negative impact of mining operations on the environment and human rights of local communities.

De Lima had also filed Senate Bill No. 960, which seeks to ban black sand mining, which she described as “one form of environmental plunder” resulting to damage on the environment and livelihood of people in the surrounding areas due to floods and landslides.

She said the mining companies and local officials responsible for the destruction of the environment and people’s livelihood in Zambales must not be allowed to go scot-free and should be held accountable for their action.

source: news.mb.com.ph

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Photo Credit: Joan Almazan Conanan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Set against a backdrop of a lush forest and spectacular beaches, towering manmade structures dotted the landscape around Subic Bay Freeport’s West Ilanin Forest in preparation for the day’s big event.

Despite the inclement weather, thousands of participants from around the world gathered at Camayan Beach for the kick-off. Present during the program were Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chair and Administrator Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma, Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBMEI) co-founder Scott Sharpe, and Spartan Philippines Race Coordinator Mike Reyes.

After the short ceremony, the race proper officially opened. All three races were scheduled for the day: The Spartan Sprint, a 6-plus kilometer and 20-plus obstacle course; the Spartan Super, a 13-plus kilometer plus and 25-plus obstacle route; and the much-awaited and toughest race of the entire Spartan circuit, the Beast course, which is a gruelling 21-plus kilometre long route designed with more than 30 obstacles for racers to overcome.

Spartan Race Participants from Team Kaye

Countless numbers of racers pitted themselves against the obstacle course to test their athleticism. With every pull they had to make to walk up walls and every attempt to recover balance as they pump their legs harder as they climb up steep elevations, the racers were pushed to their limits.

The course was well designed, with the obstacles spread well throughout. Also present, were strategically positioned stretches of trail running where the racers could take in and appreciate the scenic Ilanin Forest.

The day-long obstacle course race finished with the following victors:

The top finishers for the Beast course are qualified to participate in the 2018 Asia Pacific Championships in Johor, Malaysia this December while the top three in both the elite and age group categories will also qualify for the Regional Championships as well as the World Championships in Lake Tahoe at the end of the year.

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