good food, good times - subic bay freeport chamber …sbfcc.com/newsletters/oct2006.pdf · good...

GOOD FOOD, GOOD TIMES – had by all attendees at last month’s popular Chamber fellowship night/mixer held at Sibil’s Bar and Restaurant. Join us for the next mixer on Tuesday, October 31 at the Seafoods Grill. (see page 5 for reservation details)

Photos by Kevin Hamdorf

SBFCC WORKING COMMITTEES

AD HOC Committee Chairman: Jeremy Simpson

e-mail: js@jeremysimpson.com Tel: 252-3896/6173

ASEAN Nations Committee Chairman: Peter Tumanda

e-mail: ptumanda@subictel.com Tel: 252-1710

Business Development/Tourism Committee

Chairman: Francis Elum e-mail: coo@grandeislandresort.com

Tel: (02) 688-7307/7380 Fax: (02) 635-2951

Environmental Committee Chairman: Jeremy Simpson

e-mail: js@jeremysimpson.com Tel: 252-3896/6173

Fellowship/Ways & Means Committee

Chairman:Dante Pollescas e-mail: dpollescas@davaolight.com Tel: 252-7398

Import/Export Committee Chairman:Jeremy Simpson

e-mail: js@jeremysimpson.com Tel: 252-3896/6173

Liaison Committee Chairman: John E. Corcoran

e-mail: johnecorcoran@cs.com Tel: 252-9000

Membership Development Committee Chairman: John E. Corcoran

e-mail: johnecorcoran@cs.com Tel: 252-9000

Security Committee Chairman: Angelo Olondriz

e-mail: acs@subictel.com Tel: 252-1695

“ Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't.” Pete Seeger

2

3

Dear Fellow SBFCC Member, Statistics was never my favorite subject during my school days, but things have changed for me over the years and I’ve come to more fully appreciate their importance in my everyday business life. I like to share the following with you. Why Customers Quit 1% die 3% move away 5% because of friends with a competitor 9% because of competitive reasons (price) 14% because of product dissatisfaction 68% QUIT BECAUSE OF AN ATTIUDE OF INDIFFERENCE BY SOME EMPLOYEE Attitude can certainly make a business a success or cause it to fail. I’m sure that we all have a number of stories to tell about our own experiences. Success cannot be attributed to attitude alone, there are certainly many more factors that enter into the equation. Have you ever noticed just how different salespeople can be? Why are some so much more successful that others? Again, I would offer a statistical answer to that question. 48% of all sales people make a single effort and no more. 25% of all sales people make two calls and quit. 15% of all sales people make three calls and quit. 12% of all sales people try, try again again, and again and again. THEY MAKE 80% OF ALL SALES. While I’m certainly not suggesting that attitude and extra effort guarantee success, but statistically speaking, those attributes will most certainly put us on a firmer footing on the pathway to achieving our goals. In closing, I’d respectfully suggest that you are at a statistical advantage of getting the information that is important to your business, making new contacts and enjoying meaningful friendships by being an active member of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce. More power! John E. Corcoran

Always reach for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars!

SUBIC FREEPORT WORKFORCE PEGGED Olobigpercewo

AT 61,758 ngapo City residents remain top, holding the gest number of workers which account for 45.6

nt of the total Freeport workforce or 28,172 rkers; followed by Zambales with 18.6 percent 11,489 workers; and Bataan with 16.8 percent 10,355 workers in the third rank.

re and more investors are now looking into the bic Freeport as a competitive advantage over er Asian counties where labor is cheap. hough China offers the lowest, foreign investors l prefer the English-literate highly skilled rkforce that the Subic Freeport could provide m the residents of its neighboring communities.

present, there are 25 different nationalities naging business enterprises ranging from nufacturing, to services, to construction and ers.

rvice-oriented businesses comprise 58.3 percent 36,003 workers, while the manufacturing sector ount for 29.8 percent or 18,444 workers, and struction makes up 10.9 percent or 6,765 rkers.

e entry of the Korean company Hanjin Heavy tries and Construction Co., builder of the

biggest shipbuilding facility in the world, ld create as many as 30,000 direct and indirect , and generate revenues of up to $1.6 billion

m export earnings and tax collections.

ving 68 projects approved by the SBMA Board of ectors, some 12,409 job opportunities are

ted to be generated for the residents of rby communities.

anwhile, the Subic port development project the Subic-Clark expressway, regarded as the jor infrastructure projects that will make the bic Freeport a full-fledged logistics hub in Asia, l be completed by next year.

MA Administrator Armand C. Arreza added that

s President Arroyo indicated that in her plan e development of new mega regions in the nes, the Subic Bay Freeport will contribute

The country's premier Freeport workforce from January to June this year was pegged at 61,758, which is eight percent higher than last year's mid-year figure of 57,233. Home to nearly 700 locators and investors, the Subic Freeport has generated job opportunities to residents of nearby communities, including Olongapo City, the provinces of Bataan and Zambales, to as far as Pampanga, Bulacan and even extended to Metro Manila. "We are looking forward to creating more employment opportunities in this part of the country as we anticipate the completion of two major infrastructure projects that will make the Subic Freeport more accessible for more business enterprises to come in," Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga said.

or or MoSuothAltstilwofro At mamaoth Seor accconwo

NEWS FLASH for immediate release

I am pleased to announce that the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) has launched two new and exciting membership categories. The first is the GOLDEN EAGLE MEMBER which will be the major sponsor of SBFCC with our highest level of financial support. This will allow us to undertake more programs to help enhance the quality of the business environment as well as the quality of life in general in the greater Subic Bay. Our first member to hold this singular position of honor and support is our own Ms. Rose Baldeo's company, Global Terminal Development, Inc. Rose is an outstanding example of a corporation looking out for the well-being of the greater community. I, personally as well as the entire Chamber, am grateful to Rose and her fine organization.

A second new level of membership support will be the "Silver Circle Member." Twelve member companies will provide a second tier of support for SBFCC and will receive special areas of special consideration and recognition for their special support. More information will be forthcoming shortly on this.

Again, I say "thank you Rose."

ThIndusfourth coujobsfro HaDirexpecnea MeandmaSuwil SBthe Stime afor thPhilippia maLuzon

BMA is also embarking on a very exciting

jor role in the development of the Metro Beltway. JOHN E. CORCORAN, President

"When we accept tough jobs as a challenge to our ability and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen." Arland Gilbert

4

“ People count up the faults of those who are keeping them waiting.” French Proverb

7

PresidConv

ent Arroyo has designated former Bases ersion Development Authority (BCDA) director to "Levi" Laus as the new president of the

Development Corporation (CDC) in anga.

Secretary Peter Favila said Laus would ce Antonio Ng at the CDC after the latter ed to return to the private sector.

said the President has approved the ntment of Laus, a townmate in her home nce of Pampanga, to head the implementing of the BCDA for the Clark Special Economic on the recommendation of businessmen in rea.

erved on the boards of the Fort Bonifacio

lopment Corp. and Bataan Technology Inc. from 2001 to 2003. He is the ent of the Pampanga Chamber of erce and Industry Inc. and a commerce ate of San Beda College.

resident has chosen the Clark and Subic as the main development focus of the Luzon Urban Beltway, one of the five regions she has created in an effort to d wealth in the countryside.

while, outgoing CDC president Antonio as appealed to all employees and other holders of Clark Special Economic Zone port his successor.

cently tendered his resignation to CDC

of Directors’ meeting.

g the vision of zone by promoting the Clark lifestyle he four growth eng es, namely aviation,

Laus appointed President of Clark Development Corp.

LiberaClarkPamp Tradereplaresign

Favilaappoiproviarm Zonethe a

Laus s

DevePark presidCommgradu

The PzonesMetrosupersprea

MeanNg hstaketo sup

Ng rechairmBoard

HClarkand t

an Rizalino S. Navarro during the CDC

e was also credited for realizin

ininfrastructure, tourism and industry.

By Genalyn Kabiling and Fred M. Roxas tin Manila Bulle

252-534 6. Even better, for more serious offences, su . Blank Vo ms are able at all LED detachments or print one

from the Chamber website at

SEE SOMETHING NQR?

elp SBM rtment)H A LED (Law Enforcement Depahelp you — REPORT IT…

Emergency: from landline, call 911 From cellphone, call 9111

Non-emergency or traffic violation report – Call 252-4550. For Binictican Housing

7 Kalayaan Housing 252-534

bmit a Voluntary Statement to LEDluntary Statement For

avail

www.subicchamber.org If necessary, sign it as a concerned investor or resident, drop it f at any LED detachment or FAX to 252-4667. ofBetter yet — take a photo or two, to help

substantiate your complaint.

A picture is always worth a thousand words.

5

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also w

GLISH TO BE FULLY RESTORED AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION

tary Tarlac Rep. Jesi Lapus recently nced he will fully restore English as the

instruction in the country to upgrade uality of education and make it "market-."

ave to put English back on the frontline," he adding that laws have been passed in Japan ing that English be taught at the grade l level.

, who has recently assumed his new post at lm of the Department of Education (DepEd) ted the deterioration of the quality of tion in the country.

so cited findings that Filipino students rate g the lowest 10 percent in mathematics and

ency in Asia and below the passing rcent in mastery achievement tests. He said

math and science are written in English re difficult to translate into Filipino.

also cited the need to strengthen the ical orientation" of high school students to

the system more "market-driven." He said school students’ "infatuation" with white- jobs causes many students to take white- courses, though many of them end up s. Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for technicians who can command salaries higher than that of a vice president in a ration.

ill fully support the ladderized curriculum of SDA (Technology and Science Development rity) that offers short-term technical courses pecially for high school dropouts," he said.

hat it takes to sit down and listen.” Winston Churchill

EN

Secreannoumedium of the qdriven "We hsaid, requirschoo Lapusthe helameneduca He alamonscience profici75 pebooks inand a Lapus"technmakehigh collarcollarjoblesskilledeven corpo "We wthe TEAutho— es Lapus also said his priority as education secretary

mprove the quality of education by providing tr

e teachers have masters degrees in other " he said, adding that the help of the private

or programs meant to be implemented this pus said.

to ask the Department of Budget and ment (DBM) for some flexibility in this by

ngs for education needs," he

udent population grows at an average rate ercent, while the education budget grows about two percent," Lapus said. "We can’t

ith backlogs with inflation rates also Even if education gets an increase of 7.5 in its yearly budget, it would be able to up only with the (student) population e."

d that, in 2000, the national budget’s on was set at 14 percent, but

r’s allocation is only 11 percent of the total appropriation.

also said that with the huge problems ting the education sector, the DepEd be "spared from the political crossfire."

the DepEd covers about 30 percent of the ent bureaucracy, with 92 percent of its

allocated for payroll.

that while "I will be the first to advocate pensation" for teachers, any pay increase tors depends on the availability of funds.

te salaries, he said, would boost the of teachers and lead to upgrades in the public education.

e will try to work out "new standards" hers’ salaries — similar to the standards

for members of the police and military .

rs, ow

ould be deducted from their salaries to pay s f 18

0 n 100 percent interest on loans they

is to iore ienc

fields,

msc

aining for teachers. "Most math and he welfare of public school teacheg one that established ceilings on h

sector will be tapped for these teacher-trainingprograms.

With a reenacted 2005 budget of only about P102 billion budget, the DepEd is short by some P7.5

billion fyear, La "I planManageallocating some savisaid. "Our stof 2.7 ponly at catch up wrising. percentcatch increas He saiallocation for educatithis yeabudget Lapus confronshould He saidgovernmbudget He saidfair comfor men Adequamorale quality of Lapus said hfor teacappliedservices In Congimprove tincludinmuch cfor loanpercento eveobsh

ress, Lapus authored bills that sought to

and another imposing a maximum ot interest, instead of the then prevailing 7

tained from various sources, including loan arks. --by Ding Cervante

6

BI extends deadline for aliens ard’ to Nov. 15

ureau of Immigration (BI) yesterday said it had ed to Nov. 15 the deadline for foreigners to the hi-tech, microchip-based document called

-Card.”

eadline was supposed to end last Aug. 13 but u officials disclosed the extension was sary to enable the bureau to achieve “optimum iance” with the I-Card project and give aliens a nd last chance to obtain the document and arrest and deportation.

memorandum, Fernandez stated the aliens ail to secure their I-Cards by Nov. 15 will be ously proceeded against” for violating the 1940 ration Act and the 1950 Alien Registration

means any registered alien who does not have ard by then could be arrested and subjected to tation proceedings for being an improperly ented alien,” BI technical assistant for alien

ration Manuel Ferdinand Arbas said.

ded the number of aliens who filed their ations already stood at more than 83,000. Of he said, almost 48,000 applications were ved while the rest are still being processed and d by the BI’s registration officers.

explained all applications are being verified lly to prevent illegal aliens from obtaining the through fraudulent means.

ing to Fernandez, the BI launched the I-Card t last year in line with the bureau’s thrust to aperless” and thus provide added service and nience to foreigners staying in the country.

esult, he stopped issuing the paper-based alien cate of registration (ACR) and replaced it with te-of-the-art and tamper-proof document bling the size of an automated teller machine Fernandez said foreigners with existing visas

ose who are issued new visas are given the I- instead of the traditional ACRs.

t

to secure new ‘I-C The Bextendsecure

the “I The dbureanecescomplfinal aavoid In his

who f“vigorImmigLaw. “This an I-Cdepordocumregist

He adapplicthese,approverifie Arbascarefucards

Accordprojecgo “pconve As a rcertifia staresem

card.

and thCards Any requirwhenalread

were required to replace their old ACRs with I-Cards

foreigner who holds an I-Card is no longered to secure an exit and reentry permiever he leaves the country as the same isy embedded in the new document.

“F know if it works.ascination is one step beyond interest. Interested people want to Fascinated people want to learn how it works.” Jim Rohn

7

For the second time this year, the semi- Worldwide Cost of Living Survey by the

telligence Unit (EIU) listed

d most world, next to Tehran, Iran. ith New York as the

annualEconomist InMsecononly

The constwhich

Supreme Court has affirmed the itutionality of Executive Order No. 420, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

ions."

issued in April 2005 mandating all agencies under the executive branch to adopt a unified, multi-purpose ID system. However, the court clarified that the ID system only applies to the executive branch of government and "does not extend to the judiciary or to the independent constitutional commiss

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has allocated about PhP5 billion for the construction of 4 new supermalls slated for next year. The said malls, which add to the 26 present SM malls, are expected to be constructed in Bacolod City, Muntinlupa City, Tagaytay City and an extension to its mall in Cebu City.

anila, the capital of the Philippines, as theaffordable city in the

Wbase city scoring an index of 100 points, Manila received a score of 39, which means the cost of living here is less than half of that in New York.

STRICT ANTI PIRACY MEASURES BEING ENFORCED IN US

If traveling to the US, according to the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency, ilipino citizenF s who are caught with pirated

vcds will not be allowed to enter the

oked. American citizens who are caught

bject to fines and the disks will be seized. d, American citizens who are caught with re

bject to fines, arrest and criminal secution.

dvds/United States and their U.S. visa will be rev

suAnmo

with less than 50 pirated dvds/vcds will be

than 50 pirated dvds/vcds will besurop

lo Lopez Jr., CDC’s public relations rtment manager, said more jobs will be rated by two new call centers: IntelliRisk

agement Corp. which will initially employ 600 ers from its $2.5 million state-of-the-art firm, Sutherland Global Services Inc. which is g 1,000 workers once operational.

aid that the biggest call center in Clark-Cyber Teleservices Inc. is also in need of 1,000 call

r expansion project of the firm up to 2007.

employment level in Clark may further ase as indirect jobs will also be generated by

consignors, boutiques and other shops at the y opened SM City Clark, Lopez said.

By Rendy Isip - Manila Standard Today

Clark now has 45,011 workers

ere are now 45,011 workers in this special nomic zone, the Clark Development Corp. orted recently.

C president Victor Jose Luciano attributed the e in employment at Clark to the new locators, h as new call centers, that started operations

re between June and August.

ciano said Clark continues to be the favorite stination of investors in Central Luzon noting ongoing infrastructure projects that are being up to make Clark and Subic Economic Zone as logistics hub in the country as envisioned by sident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

rlier, the President graced the opening of the Center of Excellence of the IntelliRisk

nagement Corp. where at least 1,000 jobs are pected to be generated by the end of 2006, ile another call center Sutherland Global ategies is also expected to create 1,200 jobs.

a report submitted by the customer service partment to Luciano, workers in CSEZ are now ,011 ending the month of July this year.

e report said the employment figure was eased by the 309 reporting locators from the 2 operating firms inside the Clark ecozone.

e figure has doubled since the assumption of sident Arroyo as Chief Executive on January

01, records submitted by the customer service partment’s to Luciano.

ere are now 8,128 new workers since January s year from the Dec. 31, 2005 which accounted ,883 workers to 45,011 at the end of July. Last e, customer service department’s reported t there are 44,066 workers in Clark. Most of

l

“ Nobody stands taller than those willing to stan

AngedepageneManworkand eyein He sCity cent

d corrected.” William Safire, Columnist

8

er representatives to fill up the multimillion-dolla The increthe newl

CDrissuc

Thecorep

he LudethesetthePre EaClarkMaexwhStr In de45 Threl37 ThPre20de Ththi36Junthathe workers are ewhich manufacture signature apparel. The garments sector were able to contribute some 370 workers last month, boosting the number ofworkers to 13,159, or 29.24 percent of the totaworkforce in Clark.

mployed in garment factories

CAMPI lauds SC decision declaring imported used vehicles

ilippines, Inc. (CAMPI) has applauded the landmark cision by the Supreme Court declaring with finality t importation of used motor vehicles is illegal

cept to the Subic Bay Freeport.

a statement, CAMPI president Elizabeth H. Lee said cerned agencies such as the Bureau of Customs C), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Subic Bay

tropolitan Authority (SBMA), and the Department Trade and Industry (DTI)/Board of Investments I) need to strictly enforce the ban.

e are confident that the respective agencies will port the President's clear objective by strictly

forcing the ban," Lee said.

MPI stressed the SC's resolution further engthens and supports the Executive Department's

ote a healthier business e so as not to prejudice

by country.

nd positive signal at an time given some current

nties in the investment community,

t C declared with finality that "used

imported via the presently nced-in former Subic Naval Base further be imported into the other

s of the Philippine territory".

nimous decipholding th

156 and which also the power of the President to

ibit such importation. (PNA)

ThPh

“ He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Epictetus

9

e Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the

dethaex In con(BOMeof (BO "Wsupen CAstr

resolve to further promand investment climatthe large investments already made investors in the This gives a strong aopportuneuncertaiLee added. In an en banc resolution dated 22 Augus2006, the Smotor vehicles secured fearea cannotpart The same en banc reunauthe prohibition on imported used vehicles

solution reaffirmed the sion of the SC last February 20

e validity and constitutionality of

under Executive Ordersustained proh

Office hours: 7:00am to 6:00pm 7 days a week

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Bananas, containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose, combined with fiber, give an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. Bananas are high in B vitamins that also help calm the nervous system. Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

" Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in." Confucious

GO BANANAS!!!

10

SEE PAGE 11…

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Go Banana!!! (Continuation…)

“ Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.” Sandra Carey

11

e.

n we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, by reducing our potassium levels. These can

ebalanced with the help of a high-potassium na snack.

kes: rding to research in "The New England nal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a lar diet can cut the risk of death by strokes s much as 40%!

a banana really is a natural remedy for many When you compare it to an apple, it has four s the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three s the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A iron, and twice the other vitamins and rals. It is also rich in potassium is one of the best value foods nd. So maybe its time to change well-known phrase so that ay, "A banana a day s the doctor away!"

Whetherebe r

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

bana StroAccoJour

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

reguby a So, ills.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balanc

timetimeand mineand arouthat we skeep

PEOPLE WHO TALK ON CELL PHONES WHILE DRIV REE” DEVICES, ARE AS IMPAIRED AS DRUNKEN DRIVERS

ING, EVEN USING “HANDS-F

Legislators in the Philippines have outlawed cell phone use while driving. The researchers used a driving simulation device for their study. Driving while talking on a cell phone is as bad as or maybe worse than driving drunk. Researchers studied 40 volunteers who used a driving simulator four times--while undistracted, using a handheld cell phone, using a hands-free cell phone and while intoxicated to a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level--the average legal level of impairment in the United States--after drinking vodka and orange juice. Three study participants rear-ended the simulated car in front of them. All were talking on cell phones and none was drunk, the researchers said. Motorists who talked on either handheld or hands-free cell phones drove slightly more slowly, were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes, and varied their speed more than undistracted drivers. Drivers with a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level drove a bit more slowly than both undistracted drivers and telephone users, yet more aggressively.

Just like many people who have been drinking, the cell phone users did not believe themselves to be affected, the researchers found. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of 2002, at least 25 countries prohibit or restrict using cell phones and other wireless technology in motor vehicles. Israel, Japan, Portugal, and Singapore prohibit all cell phone use while driving. Australia, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, the Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa,

and the United Arab -held cell phones while

ch Republic, France and the ell phones, but can be fined if

doing m,

e while g is listed as an

xample of failure to exercise proper control of the vehicle and can result in a fine.

Spain, Switzerland, TurkeyEmirates prohibit handdriving. Drivers in CzeNetherlands may use cthey are in a crash while so. In the United Kingdousing a cell phondrivine

Many Smiles because of Subic Bay Freeport‘s Generosity Subic Bay Freeport hosted a domestic “Cleft Mission” in Subic Bay Freeport. In June this year a team of surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses, headed by Dr Mel Cruz and organised by the Philippine Band of Mercy came to Subic Bay and stayed for a long weekend. They operated on 43 children in a few short hours. Working between 4 o’clock on Friday afternoon and 1pm Sunday, and well into the dark hours every night they successfully corrected 24 cleft lips, or scar revisions and 19 cleft palates. Cleft palates and hare-lip birth defects are surprisingly common, about 1 in a 1,000 births, but they can be readily corrected with surgery, permitting the patient to live a complete and normal life. Without the surgery they suffer from practical problems as babies, and social difficulties, including severely impaired speech, as adults. Babies with cleft lips and palates cannot suckle, or suck from a bottle, and have difficulty eating later in life. Clefts of the palate can make speech unintelligible, and if the cleft is repaired too late, can permanently affect a per-son’s ability to speak. They also are a particularly unfortunate and visible dis-figurement. Over 150 syndromes exist, resulting from chromosome, mendelian or isolated birth abnormalities . These defor-mities originate in the 2nd month of pregnancy when the front and sides of the face and the palatine shelves fuse imperfectly. However, there are four basic types – clefts of the lip (one side or two), clefts of the palate (usually on the mid-line); clefts of the lip, gum and palate on one side, (more commonly on the left side), and double-sided (bilateral) clefts of the lip, gum and palate. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is more common in males; cleft palate alone is more common in females. Although cleft lips and palates occur in infants with

chromosomal abnormalities, they also occur in infants who are otherwise normal. Occurrence of cleft deformities is higher in children with a positive family history. Cleft lip correction is usually performed prior to cleft palate correction, which requires a separate operation at a later date. Operations are usually performed around the 12th to 18th month. The medical facility requirements are minimal, and the operation, although conducted under general anesthetic, is not too traumatic for the patient. Even babies from 9 months old onwards can be discharged from hospital

within a day of the operation, and need only relatively simple care and attention for recovery.

– and immediately after her palate correction this June.

For those families with resources, corrective surg-ery is readily available and not ruinously expensive, but there are very many families who cannot afford to have their children treated. For the less for-tunate, there are a number of organisations who offer operations at no cost to the patient. There are many medical missions whose principal purpose is to correct these defects. There are some domestic missions in the Philippines, and there are a number of visiting teams coming from abroad, notably Australia, United Kingdom, and the US. Most of these foreign teams are entirely self-funded. Domestic missions require the provision of transport, accommodation, and food for the patients and the medical team who provide their services and skills at no charge. Finance for pre-operative tests, and feeding are also frequently required. The children are gathered by orphanages or medical and care agencies.

Mary Grace at 10 months. Her lip was corrected in Feb ‘05

There are a lot of candidates. A simple statistical eval-uation would suggest that more than 2,000 children with cleft problems are born every year in the Philippines. Many are corrected, but almost as many are rejected by the missions because the children are not strong enough, are malnourished or have a primary infection – urinary tract, pneumonia or flu, preventing the operation at the time. For this Subic Bay Mission, The Philippine Band of Mercy, under the Presidency of Mr Jesus Cardenas and the management of the Executive Director Ms Percy Benedictos, coordinated the Medical Team and provided the equipment, anesthetics and drugs. The patients came from Olongapo, Zambales and Aurora. They were gathered together and their arrangements were managed by International Children’s Advocate Inc. under its Executive Director Cely Menor. Following a pre-op medical assessment those needing medical attention or feeding were treated to try to get them fit for the operations. The Subic Bay Freeport provided everything else. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arezza embraced the opportunity to help and approved the provision of accommodation for the Medical Team at Subic Greenhills (formerly Forest Hills) through the Freeport Service Corporation, under General Jose Calimlim. Tom Lutz and Dr. Harry Badion of The Subic Bay Medical Centre generously offered the use of their two operating theatres in Cubi, equipment and supplies and more than 20 beds in wards for overnight stays for the patients. Many of their Emergency Room and Nursing staff also volunteered to help with the Mission. Without the help of Cubi Hospital the mission may not have been able to go ahead. Funds were raised from within the Freeport community to provide the support to enable it to happen. At an Auction Dinner in February, a handful of very generous people raised a total of US$7,000 to make such a mission possible. Funds were originally intended to help fund a mission by the Australian charity “Helping Children Smile”, but their mission had to be postponed. There were donations of money to provide the dinner so that all the proceeds of ticket sales could go to the cause.

Gifts were made of high value items for auction from a number of organisations and individuals, who made the auction an amusing and entertaining opportunity to pick up a wonderful bargain, and help some children at the same time. Without the consummate ability of Auctioneer Adrian Wiest – and the gift of his time – the auction would have been a non-event. Gifts included gold earrings from Carmine Cosmo of FilCam for the second year running, furniture and more from Nancy Lemmon, antique Chinese porcelain from Brian Homan at Magellan’s, a Jewelry Box and a chess

board from The Exquisite Box Company, and many other fine pieces. V8 Graphics very generously donated the printing of the fliers and the menu cards. The Magic Lagoon kindly accommodated all our requests, the outstanding dinner was catered by Bebot Ferrer and the wines were generously donated by Bill and Margy Woods. Direct donations were very generously made by Yngvar Ronning Olsen, owner of IDESS, and by Henrik Lindberg of Lindberg Optical, and a 15 year old student of Brent School, Eric Price, who

donated his savings to the cause.

Dr. Anne Esguerra and the surgical team at work in SBMC

US$3,585 was received as cash donations, $1,380 as ticket sales and $2,035 raised by the auction. Totalling $7,000. Total promotion, dinner and administrative expenses were less than 10% at $640, leaving a net of $6,360 for the mission. The total costs of the mission funded by our fund-raising were $4,021, the balance of $690 was contributed by funds from the ship’s company of the cable repair ship Cable Retriever. The surplus will be used for future Cleft Missions. Forty three children now can face a normal life with a smile, where before they had little to smile about. The generosity of all is recognised. Thank you. Special thanks are due to Liza Lansigan who jumped in at the last minute to co-ordinate the operations and personally funded many transportation and immediate costs. Volunteers and Donors to help with future missions whether local or from overseas, will be gratefully received. The Freeport Chamber office will pass on any enquiries. Feel free to call 63 47 252 3180 or email to: sbfcc@subictel.com

NORTH LUZON EXPRESSWAY – MOTORIST HANDBOOK

-- available at Chamber office

Great value for only P20.00 – 120 pages of full-color General Tips for Driving the NLEX, Handling Emergencies, Road Signs and Signals, Traffic Rules and Regulations

and excellent linear maps of each NLEX interchange.

14 “ The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” Chinese Proverb

Vol. 42 Issue# 106

Representative: ANDREW KEIL Alternate Representative: Chikage Keil Type of Business: Resident Company: ASIA INT’L AUCTIONEERS, INC. Representative: Hiroyuki Tsuchiya Alternate Representative: Elgin Quiwa Type of Business: Importation & Auction Company: BLUE ROCK RESORTS CORPORATION Representative: Ian Hudson Thomas Alternate Representative: Ryan Edgcumbe Type of Business: Resort & Restaurant Company: CHINATRUST (PHILS) COMMERCIAL

BANK CORPORATION Representative: Eduardo Encio Alternate Representative: Jack Lee Type of Business: Commercial Banking Services

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESS RELEASES ARE PUBLISHED FREE OF CHARGE FOR MEMBERS. PRIORITY WILL BE ACCORDED TO RELEASES OF NEWS VALUE AND ARE SUBJECT TO EDITING.

PLEASE SEND TO:

The Editor, SBFCC Newsletter at SBFCC, Bldg. 866, Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Tel# 252 3180 Email: sbfcc@subictel.com

"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." Franklin P. Jones

Company: EL KABAYO RIDING STABLES Representative: Gabriel C. Lao Alternate Representative: Rizal Malana Type of Business: Rental of Horses and Stabling of Horses Company: ELECTRUCK PACIFIC INC. Representative: John Wellington Alternate Representative: Virginia Castillo Type of Business: Fabrication & Repair of Cranes & Material Handling Structure & Equipment, Engineering Services Company: PTT PHILIPPINES TRADING CORP. Representative: Sukanya Jindanuwat Alternate Representative: Donald L. Smith Type of Business: Petroleum Marketing and Distribution Company: THE EXQUISITE BOX COMPANY, INC. Representative: Jeremy Simpson Type of Business: Luxury Gift items Manufacturing

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