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THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SUBIC BAY FREEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Inside This Issue

SBFCC Working Committees

SBFCC News

SBMA News

Clark News

National News

Science and Technology

SBFCC Board Members

Volume 61 Issue 125 August 2008

Busy times for your Chamber This month was indeed a busy one for your Chamber. At the onset, we had our first General Membership Meeting for the year, hosted by Camayan Beach Resort. Attended by some 80 participants and graced by two prominent guest speakers, Mr. Tony Meloto and Dylan Wilk of Gawad Kalinga Foundation. It was also the start of our campaign to raise funds and goods in kind for the victims of recent devastating typhoons. Participated by members and non-members, the SBFCC and Subic Enerzone, serving as collection points, donated cash and a truckload of non perishable items, presented to the Philippine National Red Cross Olongapo Chapter. Also featured on this page is the MOA signing between SBFCC and CILA; two business NGO’s who forged an agreement to help develop Subic and Clark into regional logistics hubs and attract more businesses to both Freeport zones.

AUGUST 2008 SBFCC Newsletter 2

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SECURITY and EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMITTEE

Chairman: Rose B. Baldeo E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 252-7064

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Chairman: Danny J. Piano

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 252-3934

LABOR COMMITEE Chairman: Peter Tumanda


LIAISON COMMITTEE Chairman: John E. Corcoran


MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Chairman: John E. Corcoran


NORTH LUZON EXPRESSWAY MMOOTTOORRIISSTT HHAANNDDBBOOOOKK &&

Available @ the Chamber office. Great value for only

P25.00 – Motorist Handbook

P15.00– Gabay Lakbay 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. Prices subjected to authorized increase per TMC Memo dated July 09, 2008.

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, SBFZ Tel 252 3180; Fax 252 3190 Email: [email protected]

CHAMBER SECRETARIAT


YOUR REAL WORTH TO THOSE WHO REALLY COUNT Sometimes in the hectic pace of our daily lives things can bring us down to the point where we question our own value. All people struggle from time to time as they travel the highway of life. When we face obstacles

on our journey and challenges along the way, we may have to slow down and take a slight detour, but we must not let an interruption get us feeling down and out. I want to share this story with you. A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill in the room of 200, he asked, 'Who would like this $20 bill?' Hands started going up. He said, 'I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, 'Who still wants it?' Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, 'What if I do this?' And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. 'Now, who still wants it?' Still the hands went into the air. My friends, we are all taught a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or whom we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. You are special - Don't EVER forget it.' Count your blessings, not your problems. 'And remember: amateurs built the ark .... Professionals built the Titanic.

We are all better served by a positive attitude. If we want others to respect us, we must respect ourselves. Think positive, be positive and you will have a much better chance of succeeding.

God bless,

John

Message from the President:

SBMA has lifted the moratorium on residential lease extensions. Existing leaseholders can now apply for extension subject to 12% of the SBMA Prevailing Published Rates on Housing Units. For more details, visit our website at www.subicchamber.org.


WHAT HAS YOUR CHAMBER BOARD DONE SINCE LAST MONTH?

• Hosted another Mixer/Networking event at Blue Rock in Baloy Long Beach

• Attended and participated in the Greenpeace Forum on Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Subic

• Coordinated and participated on SSS Programs and Benefits Reorientation seminar for locators

• Dissemination of RTWPB Wage Order 14 Implementing Rules and Regulations

• Attended the 2nd Public Hearing on Proposed Policy on Delisting Companies and Subsequent Re-Registration of Delisted Companies in the SBF

• Coordinated with NICA and SBMA on inviting locators for the Risk Management Briefing

• Spearheaded a cash and goods in kind donation project coursed through the National Red Cross for victims of Typhoons Cosme and Frank.

• In conjunction with Rotary Club of Downtown Olongapo, provided needy public schools with hundreds of new Science, Math and English library resource books.

• Signed a joint sisterhood MOA with CILA (Clark Investors Locators Association)

• Revitalized our Blood Bank Donor Registry Program

• Coordinated information campaign on American Citizen Services hosting Outreach Program

DATE ORGANIZATION EVENTS / ACTIVITY VENUE JULY 29 SBFCC MIXER/NETWORKING EVENING BLUE ROCK

JULY 31 2pm SBFCC, NICA, AFP,

SBMA Invitation for Risk Management briefing SUBAC

AUG 02 TRAP ITU- Asian 03 Long Distance Triathlon SBF

AUG 03 PHIL SPORTS FISHING

CLUB FISHING TOURNAMENT ALAVA PIER, SBF

AUG 06 2pm SBFCC Security and Emergency Response Committee

Meeting Subic Enerzone

AUG 15 SBMA, PHILHEALTH,

PAG-IBIG FUND PHILHEALTH SEMINAR 8:30AM – 12NOON

PAG-IBIG FUND EMPLOYERS’ FORUM 1:30 – 5PM SUBAC

AUG 26 SBFCC MIXER / Networking Night DARWIN’S TAVERN

AUG 28 SBMA, CHED Regional Dialogue to Patch Employment Gaps

(Congress On Mismatch) SUBAC, SBFZ

SEP 15 SBWDFI Submission of Nominees for the “Search for Ten

Outstanding Workers” Labor Center

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS


CELLPHONE: 0920CELLPHONE: 0920--905905--79417941CELLPHONE: 0920CELLPHONE: 0920--905905--79417941

Subic Foundation Gives P.5-M to

Scholarship Program A scholarship foundation set up by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last year is now providing educational opportunities to poor but bright students in local communities here.

Recently, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga turned over P556,250 from the SBMA Scholarship Foundation to help fund the scholarship program of Castillejos, Zambales, one of the municipalities near the Subic Bay Freeport.

Castillejos became the second local government unit in the province to benefit from the fund after the town council requested assistance for its scholarship program.

Castillejos mayor Wilma Billman, who received the check from Salonga, said the assistance was "very timely" because a lot of parents now find it hard to enroll their children due to recent increases in tuition fees and prices of school supplies.

"We will be using this assistance to upgrade and expand our scholarship program, which we have initiated a couple of years ago, so that we can send more children to school," a thankful Billman told Salonga.

"On behalf of the people of Castillejos, I thank the SBMA Scholarship Foundation and hope that this is just the beginning of their assistance to us," Billman said.

Salonga pointed out that the foundation is actually funded

by voluntary donations from business locators and private individuals in the Subic Bay Freeport.

He said the foundation was established last year "precisely to provide support to scholarship programs" in communities adjoining Subic Freeport.

"We set up this foundation because the SBMA believes that education is the real hope for the country," Salonga also told Billman.

The SBMA official likewise said that the foundation will be providing more assistance to communities as Subic projects increasing economic growth in the coming years.

"As investments and trade grow in Subic, there will be more resources that we could dedicate to education," he said.

Aside from Castillejos, the SBMA Scholarship Foundation has already provided assistance to the local government of San Felipe, Zambales, Salonga said.

The foundation has also identified students from Subic town and the indigenous communities in the Freeport zone, who could benefit from similar scholarship programs.

Salonga stressed that the SBMA continues to share with neighboring communities part of the revenue generated from taxes paid by investors inside the Freeport.

"This is part of our commitment to local communities, and part of the SBMA mandate to help develop the Subic Bay area and promote the well-being of local residents," Salonga added. (30)


Freeport and industrial park set to rise in Zambales

BA, Zambales - A 600-hectare Freeport industrial park envisioned to spur economic development in

this typhoon-devastated province is set to rise here.

Gov. Amor Deloso said Imagine Realty Corp is bullish in developing a vast idle lot owned by the government located at the Redondo Peninsula in Barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales to make it into an Ecozone.

"Zambales will soon have its own Freeport designed to attract more investment and generate employment for our people," Deloso said.

The project will focus on sustainable development, said Deloso adding it will be of mix-use industrial park. The Ecozone will be limited to light and non-polluting industries such as electronic and garment factories, information technology and even call centers.

"We will not allow heavy pollutant industries in the area," Deloso pointed out.

Subic town being a contiguous community of the Subic Bay Freeport, Deloso said has been declared as part of the Ecozone.

Just like Subic Freeport, the Zambales Freeport Industrial Park will be developed into a self-sustaining,

commercial, financial and investment center to generate employment in the province and attract local and foreign investments.

Roberto Aventajado, Imagine Realty Corporation president, said Subic town has a potential to become a Freeport due to the existing seaport complemented with other infrastructure facilities.

Our company is currently in alliance with international investors that can pursue full development of the Zambales Industrial Park," Aventajado told reporters here.

The firm, Aventajado said will shoulder the cost of the project study to be completed in the 30-days period. "Our proposal will be mutually beneficial, especially for the progress of Zambales.

Similar to Subic Freeport, Deloso said Zambales Industrial Park will be operated and managed as a separate custom territory ensuring free flow and movement of goods. He said the province will retain its basic autonomy and will operate according to the Local Government Code of 1991.- Jess Malabanan - ABS CBN NEWS

MNTC rebuilds Subic-Tipo roadway The rehabilitation of the Subic Freeport Expressway is expected to be finished by August this year.

The Manila North Tollways Corp., which is overseeing the works, said the 8.6-kilometer road “has served its full 10-year design life” but will be restored to its original state as MNTC gives it a new lease on life. MNTC is also the builder and concessionaire of the 84-kilometer North Luzon Expressway.

With 40 percent of the job already done, MNTC engineers are optimistic they will hit their target completion date on August 15.

The SFEX was constructed from 1995 to 1996 and was completed in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting in Subic.

The road was opened to traffic in November 1996 and has not undergone any major pavement repair since then, except for routine maintenance works.

MNTC senior vice president for operations Luigi L. Bautista said because of effective routine maintenance, the roadway has

endured the daily traffic pounding on its carriageway. “This is the first time that we are implementing such rehabilitation work,” Bautista said.

The project included the rehabilitation of the “heavily traveled” eastbound lanes. This involved the removal of existing asphalt pavement and, if necessary, the structural base material may also be replaced at pre-determined locations.

“After the rehab of the base material at specific locations, a complete overlay of the entire 8.6-kilometer stretch of the SFEX would be carried out and to complete the repair, new thermoplastic pavement marking would be installed,” Bautista said. Journal online

I


$300M resort projects up in Subic Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand C. Arreza said three leisure projects worth at least $300 million will rise in Subic.

The largest will rise near Club Morocco Beach being developed by Sta. Lucia Realty. The Binictican golf course inside the former naval base will also be developed by a new company.

Another development will rise in Tipo, rolling terrain passed by the SCTExpressway.

“All three major developments will start within the year. Our proximity to Clark via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway encourages us to develop resorts here in Subic," Arreza said.

The resort development projects are concentrated in Tipo and Cawag areas in Zambales, which Arreza said, now complete the zone for the leisure component of Subic Freeport.

Subic Neocove, a Korean company backed up by Daewoo Securities and a Korean shipping firm is initially investing $250 million for the first phase of a 70-hectare golf course and resort development.

He said the firm, through a Philippine subsidiary, consolidated and acquired the property, which is ideal for resort since it has a beach area.

The development also includes villas and condominiums. The area is outside the base but is covered by SBMA for incentives as endorsed by the local government.

Another major development is a $50 million investment of Hanafil Golf & Tour, Inc., the South Korean firm that has been recently awarded the golf course development in Binictican.

Arreza said Hanafil, one of the largest tour operators, has won the bid for a 50-year lease of the 105-hectare property at $350,000 a year plus 5 percent gross revenue sharing. This is four times than what the original lessee Taiwanese-owned UIG International Development Corp. had under its contract of P300,000 a month or P3.6 million a year.

Hanafil will rehabilitate the existing golf course closed down after UIG failed to deliver on the terms of the contract it bagged in 1996.

Hanafil will also build an all-weather golf course according to standards set by the US Professional Golfers Association. It would add 9 more holes to the existing 18 holes.

Hanafil would also construct a 100-unit hotel as well as 80 villas.

“Begin with the end in mind.” Stephen Covey

Arreza said development, which started recently, would be completed within six years.

He said the Hanafil, a publicly-listed firm, also plans to bring in tourists. This is its first real estate venture.

Arreza said a 150-hectare Tipo area near the entrance of the Freeport is now being rezoned to be a leisure and gaming center from light industrial mixed-use development. Ideal for ecotourism, the area has a waterfalls and rolling hills. It could also accommodate housing villas.

Arreza also said SBMA is looking for proponents to develop a 220-hectare property in Sabang, Morong just before Anvaya Cove, the leisure community development of Ayala Land Inc.

Of the 220 hectares, 200 hectares are owned by SBMA and private individuals own the remaining 20 hectares where the beach area is located.

Arreza said at least four groups from the Philippines, Dubai, Korea and Hong Kong have expressed interest on the project. A master plan has already been drawn up. By IRMA ISIP- MALAYA ONLINE


SUBIC BAY FREEPORT OFFERS RENT-FREE PERKS TO TAWAINESE HI-TECH

INVESTORS n addition to a generous incentives package to investors here, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will

now offer rent-free locations to Taiwanese companies engaged in high-technology ventures.

According to SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, the rent-free incentive was agreed upon during the joint economic conference between Taiwan and the Philippines.

During the conference, Philippine officials led by Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino also forged an agreement with Taiwanese counterparts to grant Taiwanese manufacturers in Subic and the nearby Clark Freeport reduced tariffs under the ASEAN Free Trade Area's common effective preferential tariff scheme.

Taiwanese experts, meanwhile, will be sent to the Philippines to assist in training integrated circuit designers, according to the same agreement.

The rent-free incentive, which will apply in the Subic and Clark free ports, will be good for 3 to 5 years and will cover firms that will each commit a minimum investment of US$25 million, Arreza clarified.

He said the inducement was meant to spur the entry of more high-technology firms in the hope of putting the country's technological capability at par with major Asian economies.

"This is the logical next step that we have to take," said

Arreza, who joined the Philippine investment mission to Taiwan on June 12-14.

"We've been pushing to attract companies in information and communication technology, software design, biotechnology and the like, and this new incentive is a concrete manifestation of our intentions to build our capabilities and be globally-competitive," he added.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, there are now 79 Taiwanese firms in Subic, with total investment commitments worth US$780 million. In Clark, eight Taiwanese companies have put up ventures worth US$360 million.

SBMA records, meanwhile, put Taiwanese firms as the second biggest investor group in Subic in terms of investment value. Korean firms, boosted by the US$1.6-billion shipyard project of Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp., came in first.

Arreza said that with the new rent-free incentive, the SBMA hopes to realize its long-term "Cyber-Subic" program, which focuses on developing ICT facilities in Subic and roping in investors in the so-called knowledge industries.

He said that the agency has already reserved locations for ICT industrial clusters in coordination with the Subic Bay Development and Management Corp. (SBDMC), owner of the industrial park where most Taiwanese firms in Subic are now located. (30)

I


SBFCC and CILA ink MOA

(July 11, 2008) - was a lucky day as the Subic Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) and Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement by which they agree to work together on matters of mutual benefit including the responsible growth of both areas as well as the corridor linking the two Freeport zones.

The Stotsenberg Hotel, Clark, was the site of this historic event as SBFCC President John E. Corcoran and CIA President Jeannie Del Rosario-Ng signed the MOA on behalf of their respective organizations. Rose Baldeo, SBFCC Vice President, and Teresa S. Bognot, CILA Chairman, signed as witnesses. SBFCC, Executive Director, Susan Dudley, and CILA Executive Director Joel P. Dungca, were also present along with other member of the CILA Board of Directors.

The two organizations will join hands to monitor legislation, lobby for responsible growth and work hard to ensure that the spirit and intent of RA 7227

is maintained, guaranteeing a level playing field for all.

It was also agreed that the CILA and SBFCC would meet regularly on issues of mutual interest. One topic that was discussed at the signing was the implementation of a ground transportation system linking the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, at Clark, with the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It was recognized that regular daily service would be of benefit to both Freeport Zones, servicing the needs of their respective constituents and communities.

President Corcoran emphasized his total support for this exciting new partnership and recognized the positive impact of their collaboration for the good of both Freeport Zones. He also invited CILA to join them at their August 26, 2008 meeting. Dr. Michael Clancy, noted economist and Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Business Leaders Forum, Inc., will be the Keynote Speaker.


For Subic Clients: 223For Subic Clients: 223--4635; 09214635; 0921--309309--45454545Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Mimosa complex awarded to Waterfront

Waterfront Philippines Inc., the hotel firm of "plastics king" William Gatchalian, said it won a bid to operate the 206-hectare Mimosa Leisure Estate, touted as the tourism crown of the Clark Special Economic Zone, north of Manila.

Levy Laus, president of the zone overseer Clark Development Corp. (CDC), said the government's floor price was P1.4 billion and Waterfront bid P1.5 billion.

The Mimosa complex consists of a 36-hole golf course and 125 Montevista luxury private villas. Shares of Waterfront rose by P0.01, or two %, on the stock market.

CDC privatized Mimosa 10 years after it seized the property from a company controlled by Jose Antonio Gonzalez, former secretary of tourism.

In a statement posted on the CDC website, Laus said CDC would also earn a minimum annual guaranteed lease starting at P160 million over a 50-year term of the contract, which is renewable for another 25 years.

He said Waterfront would invest P1 billion to develop the Mimosa estate over the next five years.

After the issuance of the notice of award, Waterfront and CDC will enter into a 90-day memorandum of understanding to draw up a lease agreement. Waterfront will pay CDC P770 million within 90 days from the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

The amount includes P450 million as the required minimum payment, P160 million as security deposit and P160 million as advance lease rental.

The balance to complete the P1.5-billion winning bid can be paid over a five-year period.

Ten groups and companies had submitted letters of intent for Mimosa. Only eight attended the pre-bidding conference, held May 6. During the submission and opening of bids on June 6, only Waterfront and South Korean consortium Hanwool I&D Corp. made offers.

CDC said Hanwool was disqualified "on a technicality" because it failed to submit a bid security, a required document.

A bid security is a guarantee that the bidder will not default in its offer which must be submitted with the bid documents on the date of bid opening. By Elizabeth Sanchez-Lacson Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ricafort to succeed Laus as CDC chief The lobbying by different sectors and power brokers on who should sit at the helm of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) seems to be finally over with the appointment of Benigno Ricafort to take the helm of CDC as its eighth president.

Long-time CDC director Ricafort is set to succeed CDC president Liberato Laus, who will formally relinquish his post by July 31st.

This was announced recently by Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan before the start of the forum on the SCADC Mega Logistics Hub at the Fontana Convention Center here.

Laus informed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo about his intention to leave his post in a letter he submitted to Malacañang in May this year. Laus cited as reason for leaving CDC his desire to go back to his business and steer his companies in the direction of the country's growing economy under the Arroyo administration.

Pamintuan said President Arroyo has chosen Ricafort based on his experience and understanding of the internal workings inside the Freeport Zone. "His familiarity with the Freeport will greatly help in the way he will lead and how he would be making his decisions," Pamintuan added.

Ricafort, who is among the old-time CDC directors, has been serving the state-owned corporation for 15 years under its seven presidents. Continuation on Page 13..


Samsung Electronics to build $1-B

microchip plant in Clark Global giant Samsung Electronics is investing US$1 billion in a 30-hectare lot at the Clark Special Economic Zone (sub-zone) after almost a year of intense courtship by the Philippine government to locate its microchip manufacturing facility in the country.

An official of the Subic Clark Alliance Development Council (SCADC) said Samsung, the only Asian conglomerate that made it as the world's largest chipmaker business, is expected to start construction within the year. According to a SCADC official, the Board of Investments pursued the huge investments and brought the Korean chaebol first to Subic Bay but the Freeport has a limited area for the facility.

As a result, the government offered the Clark Ecozone, which Samsung appreciated. The negotiation with Samsung lasted for about a year or just shortly after the official announcement by Texas Instruments, largest chipmaker for mobile phones, of its US$1 billion investments in Clark. But the negotiation was further delayed because of the resignation of its chairman Lee Kun-Hee on US$113 million tax evasion charges.

At present, Samsung has two operations in the country -- Samsung Electronics Philippines Manufacturing Corporation (Sephil) and Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (Sepco). Sephic, in Calamba Premier International Park, producing optical disc drives for its global network. Sepco - is Samsung's local marketing arm for its finished products. Samsung has also manufacturing operations in each of the ASEAN countries except Singapore, which hosts its regional headquarters. The entry of Samsung in Clark will boost the Ecozone as a hub for electronics chip-making, the official said.

"This means the country can move upstream to design and manufacturing as opposed to the low value-added testing and packaging operations," the SCADC source said. The presence of world's electronics giant makers in Clark also ushers in an integrated circuit manufacturing cluster in Clark.

Clark Development Corporation president Liberato Laus has already informed acting director Augusto Santos of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to approve the third phase of the 230-kilovolt Concepcion-Clark Power Transmission Project to finally convince Samsung to come in. In September last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued an executive order for the implementation of the power transmission project to meet higher power demand brought about by the power sensitive-operation of the US-based Texas Instruments.

The National Transmission Corporation (Transco) and CDC agreed to implement two phases (Phase 1 and 2) of the project at a cost of P3 billion to meet the tight schedule for the commercial operation of Texas Instruments by August 2008. Phase 3, on the other hand, aims to meet the power needs of future locators and covers the construction of a third 230-KV line with corresponding 230/69-KV substation transformers, 69-KV feeders and appurtenances.

The CDC said the last phase of the project is now crucial given the expansion of existing locators and the entry of new investors. Initial power requirement of the planned Samsung project was placed at 36 megawatts by November 2008. SUNSTAR

RICAFORT… Continuation from Page 12 As director, he had continuous liaison with the Bases Conservation and Development Authority (BCDA) and had active participation in overseas and local investments and promotion for Clark. Ricafort said he will try to put a "stronger community image" for this Freeport.

"We will be looking at our corporate responsibility towards our immediate community. Within Clark, we are looking on the Sub Zone as the next area for future development here," he said.

Ricafort also hailed the efforts and achievements of Laus, "He (Laus) did a good job and has left his own mark at CDC. The challenges that we will face now would be different from his," Ricafort added.

Laus reportedly favors Ricafort to succeed him to ensure the continuity of his programs for the Freeport.

Educated in the field of business and economics, Ricafort received his Bachelor of Science, Major in Finance at the San Beda College and his Master of Business Administration at St. John's University in New York. He also completed advanced courses on international trade in Germany, Japan and the Netherlands.

As a community servant, Ricafort figured prominently as the president of the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF), an organization of Kapampangans based outside of the province. He pioneered social works like the Walking Free Pampanga with the mission of making the province's amputees mobile again. KDF has also launched various social services missions targeting Kapampangan indigents. Activities of the organization are mostly composite efforts of other organizations through his vast networks.


FRESH WARNINGS: GOVERNANCE NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

he World Bank has listed the Philippines as among the countries that most need improvement in

governance performance. In its Worldwide Governance Indicators report, the bank gave the Philippines a percentile rank of “10” in the category of ‘political stability and absence of violence’, one of the five governance indicators monitored by the study.

This means that the Philippines is in the bottom 10%—90% of the 212 countries included in the study scored better than the Philippines in terms of political stability and absence of violence.

Country scores are reported as percentile ranks, with higher values indicating better governance ratings. The indicators capture six dimensions of governance, including voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence or terrorism, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law and control of corruption.

The World Bank organizes and synthesizes data reflecting the views of thousands of stakeholders worldwide, including respondents to household and firm surveys, and experts from non-government organizations, public sector agencies and providers of commercial-business information.

In other indicators and measured on a percentile ranking, the Philippines scored a percentile rank of 22 in terms of ‘control of corruption’, 34 in ‘rule of law’ and 43 in ‘voice and accountability.’ This means that in each of these areas more than half of the countries surveyed—in some cases more than 75 %— scored better than the Philippines in those areas. Meanwhile, the Philippines had a score of 50 in terms of ‘regulatory quality’ and 56 in ‘government effectiveness’.

Countries in northern Europe posted the highest percentile ranks in the survey, with Iceland scoring 100 in control of corruption and political stability. Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland also scored well in almost all areas.

Among Southeast Asian countries, Singapore had the highest score of 96 in terms of control of corruption. Malaysia had 62 in the same area; Thailand, 44; and Indonesia, 27.

The World Bank said countries need not be rich to get good scores in governance indicators, with many developing country governments making important gains in control of corruption, and some of them matching rich country performance in overall governance measures.

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DENR: RP not ready to close coal plants

Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. has said the Philippines is not yet ready to let go of its coal-fired power plants because it needs the power sources.

Atienza made the admission following the clamor of environmental groups to shift to cleaner and renewable sources of energy.

Atienza said his department supports the environmental group Greenpeace, which is seeking an end to the use of coal plants, but "we have to consider the national concern."

“We have to avail of this fuel to run our plants, unless you want total darkness in some areas of the country," he said.

He said the issue should be studied more carefully before making a stance.

He said his department is against putting up coal-fired power plants inside the cities because of the risks that they pose to many people. However, he said "coal-fired power plants outside (the cities), we could consider."

Atienza asked Greenpeace for more understanding, saying that "since we are in the government, in providing service to people we could not impose our own sentiments. There are other concerns we have to consider."

"We're not totally against or for coal," he said.

Greenpeace said it was confused about Atienza's position and urged the environment chief to think renewable energy sources instead.

"The allusion that people in the provinces can be allowed to suffer the toxic effects of operating a coal-fired power plant while people from Manila should be protected from it is outrageous," Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner Jasper Inventor said.

Greenpeace said studies have shown that Mercury, the most toxic among the substances that coal plants emit can travel as far as 600 kilometers.

Inventor said coal, wherever it is built, would continue to emit carbon dioxide and damage the environment.

"The impacts of climate change demands that we have to rethink this coal-intensive development pathway that our country is taking," he said. - Randy Nobleza, Malaya Online


DFA plans to extend validity of green passports

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is planning to extend the validity of the old, green, and “non-machine readable” passports due to irregularities in the machine-readable passport system.

Sources said the DFA is now seeking the permission of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to extend the five-year validity of the old green passports to avoid a likely passport crisis.

The source said interim measures are needed because of the “sudden upsurge in passport renewals and the increased demand for Philippine passports.”

Sources in the DOJ and other government agencies expressed concern over the proposal, saying that such a move would be a step backward considering that the Philippines was trying to comply with an international deadline for countries to adopt machine-readable passports to fight international human smuggling and terrorism.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) gave member nations until 2010 to adopt machine-readable passports.

Documents obtained by The STAR showed that the DFA, through Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin had sought a legal opinion from the DOJ last April 9, 2008, on a proposal to extend the validity of the old passports and even renew or revalidate expired passports.

“The department would like to seek your office’s opinion on the proposal to extend the validity of regular passport as an interim measure to deal with the sudden upsurge of passport renewals and the increased demand for Philippine passports,” Ebdalin

Address all editorial comments, Suggestions and material to the Editor.

SBFCC Bldg. 866 Waterfront Road, SBFZ Tel #: 252-3180; Fax: 252-3190;

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.subicchamber.org

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information. However, with the thousands of documents available, we cannot guarantee that there will be no errors. With respect to information contained herein. SBFCC makes no warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to documents and programs available. SBFCC assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, process disclosed herein and hoes not represent that use of such information would not infringe on privately owned rights.

said in the letter.

“In view of the Philippine Passport Act’s (Republic Act 8239) silence on the possibility of extending the regular passport’s validity, the Department’s Office of Legal Affairs is of the opinion that such extension may be given due course without necessarily violating the provisions on RA 8239,” Ebdalin said.

To justify the extension of the validity of expired passports, Ebdalin said that RA 8239 merely said that a new passport “may” be issued to replace expired passports.

Ebdalin cited Section 10 of the law, which stated that “a new passport may be issued to replace one which validity has expired.”

“While the above-cited provisions of RA 8239 do not expressly provide for the extension of the validity of regular passports beyond five (5) years, neither do the provisions prohibit such extension,” Ebdalin said.

“Moreover, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs or any of his authorized consular officers may renew of revalidate passports which have already expired or the validity of which have already elapsed with respect to diplomatic and official passports,” Ebdalin further argued. By Rainier Allan Ronda PHILIPPINE STAR


See something NQR?Help SBMA LED (Law Enforcement Dept) help you!

REPORT IT…

Emergency: from landline, call 911

from cell phone, call 9111

Non-emergency or traffic violation report –Call 252-4550

For Binictican Housing 252-5347; For Kalayaan Housing 252-5346

Even better, for more serious offences, submit a Voluntary Statement to LED. Blank Voluntary

Statement Forms are available at all LED detachments or print one from the Chamber website at

www.subicchamber.org

If necessary, sign it as a concerned investor or resident drop it off at any LED detachment or FAX to 252-4667.Better yet — take a photo or two, to help substantiate

your complaint..

A picture is worth a thousand words!

See something NQR?Help SBMA LED (Law Enforcement Dept) help you!

REPORT IT…

Emergency: from landline, call 911

from cell phone, call 9111

Non-emergency or traffic violation report –Call 252-4550

For Binictican Housing 252-5347; For Kalayaan Housing 252-5346

Even better, for more serious offences, submit a Voluntary Statement to LED. Blank Voluntary

Statement Forms are available at all LED detachments or print one from the Chamber website at

www.subicchamber.org

If necessary, sign it as a concerned investor or resident drop it off at any LED detachment or FAX to 252-4667.Better yet — take a photo or two, to help substantiate

your complaint..

A picture is worth a thousand words!

USAID, the Efficient Lighting Initiative, an international non-governmental organization ,and Australia’s Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

The new Asian system will be compatible with existing quality certification systems, such as the Efficient Lighting Initiative and the UK’s Energy Saving Trust, both used by the Australian government. The Asian system will also denote whether lamps meet various quality criteria, ranking them as “good”, “better” or “best”.

The supplier network is being supported by the USAID and the Australian government as part of a regional climate initiative known as the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP). APP partner countries include Australia, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, Korea, and the United States.

For more information, please contact: USAID: Hal Lipper Development Outreach Communications Specialist Bangkok, Thailand Tel: 66 2 263 7408 Email: [email protected]

ADB : Daniel Cooney Media Relations Specialist Tel: 63 2 632 5672 Mobile: 63 920 938 6487 Email: [email protected]

CFL INDUSTRY LAUNCHES QUALITY IDENTIFICATION PLAN FOR ASIA

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

The world’s three largest lighting companies, Philips, OSRAM and General Electric, recently signed a pact to establish standards for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in an effort to rid the Asian market of shoddy energy-saving lights.

Under the new agreement, lighting suppliers in Asia will develop performance levels to rate CFL quality, a system for product marking, and a regional database so consumers can identify which CFLs meet quality standards.

Half the CFLs in Asia are substandard – producing less light or burning out more quickly than advertised – so establishing performance standards is vital for the continued growth of CFLs, which have potential sales of $7 billion annually in Asia based on current usage and market projections. Consumer dissatisfaction with shoddy CFLs is threatening the energy-saving lamps’ spectacular growth in Asia.

“Having a common quality system is essential to ensure long-term consumer satisfaction and to strengthen the market for these energy-saving lamps,” said Orestes Anastasia, Regional Environment Advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which released the report on poor-quality CFLs late last year.

The accord, called the “Manila Compact,” was signed on the sidelines of the Asia Clean Energy Forum, sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and USAID. Lighting companies Zhongshan Opple Lighting of the People’s Republic of China and Energy Mad of New Zealand co-signed the memorandum, along with lighting councils from Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia,

“Organize one’s values in the order of their worth.” – Francois, Duc dela Rochefoucauld


NNEEWW MMEEMMBBEERRSS COMPANY: ONE CARD INTERNATIONAL Representative: ARNEL F. SULQUIANO Type of Business: Credit cards, Forex, Dealership, Remittances and

Money Changer Address: 23rd Flr The World Centre

Bldg. 330 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City Tel. No.: 02 891-2008 TO 12 loc. 115 Website: www.ONECARD.com.ph

COMPANY: WILDLIFE IN NEED Representative: EMILIANA QUINTO Type of Business: Environmental and Animal Welfare Organization Address: Bldg. 8494 Naval Mag, West Ilanin Forest, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-8494 E-mail Address: [email protected]

MMEEMMBBEERRSSHHIIPP RREENNEEWWAALLSS COMPANY: ANIMO JWS CORP. (POCO-A-POCO CONDOTEL Representative: MEGUMI HORIGUCHI Type of Business: Condo-hotel, home for retirees, long-staying guests Address: Dewey Avenue, SBD, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-2569 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: BAYDESIGN, INC. Representative: LEONARDO B. RONCO Type of Business: Jewelry Manufacturing Address: Bldg. 309 2ND Floor Canal Road, CBD, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-7205 / 7206 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: EDDIE AND JULIE “G” FOOD CORP. (JOLLIBEE SUBIC FREEPORT)

Representative: GEORGE G. DE GUZMAN Type of Business: Franchisee, Fast food restaurant Address: Magsaysay cor Rizal Highway, CBD, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-2028; 252-2029 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: HITACHI TERMINALS MECHATRONICS PHILIPPINE CORP.

Representative: LYN AMOR DOBLE Type of Business: Manufacturing of ATM parts and card readers Address: Blk E-1 Subic Techno Park Boton Area, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1490 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: ICHIBAN IMPORT-EXPORT CORPORATION Representative: BEN PEREZ Type of Business: Import - Export, Construction Equipment Leasing Address: Bldg. 1457 Argonaut Highway, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1259 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: JAMES FAUSTO CORP. (GERRY’S GRILL) Representative: GERARDO APOLINARIO Type of Business: Gerry's Grill, Aresi, Networx, Courtyard Inn Address: Along Waterfront Road, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-3021 252-3023 252-3936 252-2366 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: NICERA PHILIPPINES Representative: TAKASHI MORIMOTO Type of Business: Developing & Manufacturing for Export on Whole-

Sale basis, Sensors, Sensor Applied Products and Ceramic Related Products

Address: Factory 1B Subic Techno Park, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1044 252-1090 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: PENTA-SHIMIZU-TOA JOINT VENTURE Representative: ISAO MICHISHITA Type of Business: Engineering, construction of Subic Container Port Address: Bldg. 1074 NSD Compound, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-6537 Email: [email protected]

COMPANY: PLDT SUBIC TELECOM Representative: HENRY ANDREWS B. ABES Type of Business: Telecommunications Address: Sampson Road, CBD, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-2000 252-2008 02-813-5680 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: SUBIC BAY INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL CORP. Representative: AURELIO C. GARCIA Type of Business: Cargo Handling & Port Operations Address: NSD Compound, Waterfront Area, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-6475 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: SGS (SUBIC BAY) INC. Representative: BRIAN W. BAILEY Type of Business: Petroleum Services, Quantity Surveying and Quality Testing Address: Bldg. 1428 & 1517, Pol Pier Compound Argonaut

Hiway, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-2716 / 02-817-5656 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: SUBIC SEAPLANE Representative: MIKE O'FARRELL Type of Business: Domestic Seaplane Charter Address: Lot 14 Argonaut Highway, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-2230 E-mail Address: [email protected];

[email protected]

COMPANY: SUPPLY OILFIELD SERVICES SUBIC INC. Representative: SENEN V. LAZARO Type of Business: Logistics Services Address: Bldg. 1031, Watercraft Venture Compound, Rizal

Highway, SBFZ Or 20th Floor PearlBank Center 146 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City

Tel. No.: 02-817-8919 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: TAILIN ABRASIVES (SUBIC) CORPORATION Representative: KIKO WU Type of Business: Manufacturing of Resinoid Grinding Wheels Address: No. 25 Innovative St. SBIP, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-6318; 252-6319 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: WARTSILA SUBIC INC. Representative: MIMI ENICOLA Type of Business: Diesel Power Plant & Marine Application Training Ctr Address: Bldg. 2082 Corregidor Hi-way, Naval Mag Area, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-6402; 02 843-7307 E-mail Address: [email protected]


PETER R. TUMANDA Phone No: 252-8137; 224-8084

SBFCC Corporate Secretary Fax No: 252-8137

President, ZEN STEP Professional Management Corp. E-Mail: [email protected]

Subic Loft Admin Building Canal Road cor Manila Avenue, Central Business District, SBFZ

Bus. Nature: Real properties management, company services

DANNY J. PIANO Phone No: 252-3934; 252-5235

SBFCC Director Fax No: 252-3935

President / CEO, Absolute Service Inc. E-Mail: [email protected]

Bldg. 1149 George Dewey Complex, SBFZ Bus. Nature: Prepress Services

JOHN E. CORCORAN Phone No: 252-9000

SBFCC President Fax No: 252-5883

President, Ocean Adventure/ Camayan Beach Resort E-Mail: [email protected]

Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area,

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE

Bus. Nature: Marine Theme Park & Beach Resort Hotel

ROSE B. BALDEO Phone No: 252-3159; 7064

SBFCC Vice President Fax No: 252-3072

Pres.& CEO, Global Terminals & Dev., Inc. (GTI) E-Mail: [email protected]

Pres & CEO, Global Ship Management & Marine Services Inc.

Bus. Nature: General Shipping Agency & International Ship Supplier

12P Bldg. Rivera Pier, SRF Compound, SBFZ

STEVE J. HAUCH Phone No: 252-1310 252-7906

SBFCC Treasurer Fax No: 252-7905

Vice President and Country Director, CORPORATE AIR, INC. E-Mail: [email protected]

Bldg. 8128 Subic Bay Int'l Airport, SBFZ Bus. Nature: Air Charter

RASHEDUL CHOWDHURY Phone No: 252-1340 252-1341


Vice President for Operations, D-J AEROSPACE, INC. E-Mail: [email protected]

#12 Aim High Corner Commitment St., SBIP, Phase 1, SBFZ Bus. Nature: Assembly of Aircraft Parts

DANTE T. POLLESCAS Phone No: 252-7392 / 7398


VP and General Manager, SUBIC ENERZONE CORP. E-Mail: [email protected]

Labitan St., Cor. Canal Road, CBD, SBFZ

Bus. Nature: Electric distribution