BRAVING THE FLOODS through a grueling 10 hour drive
p
from Manila to Subic Bay, guest speaker, Dr. Michael Clancy (PBLF), shown inset,
delighted members and guests at last month’s General Meeting held at Subic Park
Hotel.
Photo by Mike Clancy
Photos by
Kevin Hamdorf
SBFCC WORKING
COMMITTEES
AD HOC Committee
Chairman: Jeremy Simpson
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-3896/6173
ASEAN Nations Committee
Chairman: Peter Tumanda
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-1710
Business Development/Tourism
Committee
Chairman: Francis Elum
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: (02) 688-7307/7380 Fax: (02) 635-2951
Environmental Committee
Chairman: Jeremy Simpson
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-3896/6173
Fellowship/Ways & Means
Committee
Chairman:Dante Pollescas
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-7398
Import/Export Committee
Chairman:Jeremy Simpson
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-3896/6173
Liaison Committee
Chairman: John E. Corcoran
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-9000
Membership Development Committee
Chairman: John E. Corcoran
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-9000
Security Committee
Chairman:Trish Hart
e-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 252-8688
Co-Chairman: Angelo Olondriz
e-mail: [email protected]
2
Tel: 252-1695
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden
All too often in the demands of our daily lives the focus of our energies is on meeting end lines,
achieving the required milestone or simply getting a task over and out of the way. Sometimes the
signature of quality is blurred in this process and the end product is not up to our normal standard.
I would respectfully suggest that we would all be well served to reflect on the following and then
ask ourselves if we have done our best.
THE CARPENTER
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the
house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife,
enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.
They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house
as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in
his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate
way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house.
He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house" he said, "my gift to you." The
carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he
would have done it all so differently. So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often
putting less than our best into the building.
Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd
do it much differently. But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail,
place a board, or erect a wall.
Life is a do-it-yourself project," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today,
build the "house" you live in tomorrow.
Build wisely!
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody is watching.
I wish you the strength and the will to always do your best accompanied by health, happiness and
prosperity.
God bless!
JOHN E. CORCORAN
President, SBFCC
Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value. Albert Einstein
3
4
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” B.B. King, American Blues Guitarist and Songwriter
GLOBE'S INNOVE GROUP LAUNCHES
SPEAK-AND-SURF SERVICES IN FREEPORT
Taking a bolder step into the world of
telecommunications, the Subic Bay Metropolitan
Authority (SBMA) recently welcomed the entry of
Globe Telecommunication's subsidiary Innove
Communications, Inc. who launched their Speakand-Surf services to residents and locators here.
This was bared by SBMA Chairman Feliciano G.
Salonga, who made the maiden ceremonial call
during simple rites recently.
Salonga noted that having a world-class
telecommunications group like Innove in the Subic
Bay gives the Freeport a competitive edge.
"This is a significant event for the investors and
residents here in the Freeport. In this fast
changing world, the necessity of having a modern
communications system gives us an advantage
over other economic zones," Salonga stated.
He further took note that with the entry of the
new system, locators and residents now have a
choice between telecommunication operators
here.
"Our residents and locators are now given a
choice between the different groups that offer
phone and internet services," he added.
According
to
Raquel
Cagurangan,
Chief
Administrative Officer for Innove Communications
Inc., the services they are now offering in the
Freeport were specially designed for the business
needs of the locators and the communication
needs of the residents.
"The system and plans we are offering today were
specially laid out for the Freeport consumer,
making sure that the services are inter-operable
with the outside world," she said.
Cagurangan added that their group has been
organized and structured to deliver innovative
total wireline communications solutions.
"As an integrated wireline voice and data service,
Innove offers its customers unmatchable benefits.
As a unique, financially-strong corporate entity,
we at Innove use our resources for innovation,
product development, network expansion, and in
forging new relationships with strong technology
partners," she said.
Services now being offered are the Speak-andSurf promo, which offers wireless phone and
unlimited broadband service rolled into one. The
promo comes in a special business edition
package and promises to only charge P995 per
month.
Cagurangan shared that the Speak-and-Surf
promo has the advantage of being fast and allows
you a lot of savings.
"Speak-and-Surf promises you Bilis-Sabay-Tipid,
which means unlimited broadband services at 256
kilobytes per second (KBPS) speed; allows you to
use your landline even while using the internet
and competitive call and text messaging rates,"
she said.
The Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan Law
Offices, an accredited Continuing Legal Education
provider, is conducting several sets of series of
public lectures on various fields of law at the
SyCipLaw Auditorium, 17th Floor SSHG Law Centre,
105 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, from 8:00 A.M. to
6:00 P.M. on the following dates:
September 1, 8, 15 and 22 (Fridays)
October 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Saturdays)
November 3, 10, 17 and 24 (Fridays)
The lectures are open to lawyers and non-lawyers
alike, and cover a broad range of topics, such as
foreign
investments,
mining,
construction,
intellectual property, shipping, arbitration, legal
ethics, legal writing, trial and pre-trial skills, and
updates on commercial, labor, tax and civil laws.
For more information, call Ms. Joyce L. Rozul at
(02) 817-98-11 to 20 or send your inquiries by fax
to (02) 817-38-96, 817-35-67 or 817-31-45, or
email [email protected]. Interested parties may
also coordinate with the Firm’s Subic branch office
at Rooms 134-136 Alpha Building (888), Subic
International Hotel, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
(telephone numbers 252-3983, 252-3985).
“Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.” Dandemis, Philosopher
5
Hanjin to build Transco’s new
transmission line
HANJIN Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines
Inc. have bagged a deal to put up a new transmission
line for the state-owned National Transmission Corp.
(Transco).
In a statement, Transco said it signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the
Korean company for a transmission line that will allow
the delivery of power to its proposed investment
location at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Under the MOU, Hanjin will design, finance, construct,
test, commission and own a 220-kilometer 230kilovolt double-circuit steel tower transmission line
and a 230-kilovolt substation, which will serve as the
power source for the company’s shipbuilding project.
The contract specifies that the connection
facilities should conform to Transco’s standard
design and specifications. Transco shall assume
the operation and maintenance of the facilities
subject to a mutually agreed amount to be
shouldered by Hanjin.
The new line will connect with the Luzon grid,
which will provide the company with the needed
electricity for the shipyard building operation is
eyeing inside the Freeport.
“We welcome this partnership, which will allow
one of the biggest shipbuilding companies in the
world today to relocate their entire facility from
Korea to the Philippines, bringing in jobs,
technology and new confidence in the Philippine
economy,” Alan T. Ortiz, Transco president,
said.
Hanjin said it expects to generate 1,000 jobs
during the construction of the shipbuilding
facility and directly employ 3,000 to 7,000
professional managers, technical staff and
skilled shipyard workers.
6
We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success.
MORE SHIP CALLS
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is
targeting to increase ship calls at its Freeport in
Zambales province.
"This aims to help boost tourist arrival in the area,"
explained SBMA administrator and chief executive
officer Armand Arreza.
He said SBMA aims to hike frequency of ship calls
from the current one stop-over per three months to
two calls every month.
Such stop-overs are made so ships can re-fuel and
re-stock provisions while servicemen can be allowed
some time for rest and relaxation.
"These ships usually make port calls in Vietnam,
Singapore and Malaysia but not in the Philippines so
we're linking with the Department of Tourism to help
get passengers to tour here," Arreza said.
Considering an average 5,000 people are on board
one ship, he estimated a total 120,000 tourists can
dock in Subic annually to explore the area and other
Philippine scenic spots.
He noted this volume isn't far behind Cebu
province's estimated 180,000 annual tourist arrivals.
with the Subic Freeport zone that she suggested
more ships from the US and Asia must be brought
there to avail of re-fuelling and ship repair facilities.
They were also pleased about Kenney's pledge to
help promote Subic as an attractive investment site.
Arreza likewise announced Hanjin Heavy Industries
and Construction (HHIC) Co. recently opened at the
Freeport a modern training center for shipyard
workers.
He said this will help boost competitiveness of local
shipbuilders.
HHIC-Philippines managing director Myung Goo
Kwon agreed as he said international success of the
shipbuilding industry lies in availability of qualified
and competent manpower.
He pointed out the Philippines now lacks such
manpower.
As further proof of confidence in the country, Arreza
also said HHIC committed to invest over US$ 1
billion for its Subic shipyard which is expected to
generate over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
He described this facility as the Philippines' biggest
shipyard.
"We're hoping to get in more tourists during the next
'Balikatan' exercise," he also said.
At the Kapihan sa Sulo forum, Arreza reported SBMA
completed construction of a new passenger terminal
to augment its existing port facilities so more ships
calls can be made.
"Our facilities are for military and commercial ships
from the Philippines and other countries," he said.
Arreza also assured Subic is a safe place since he
said SBMA is coordinating with the United States
military regarding exchange of information on
security threats to the area.
He explained this was done to help correct the
perception that unrest prevails in that place.
"This perception is the reason we now have a low
frequency of ship calls," he said.
SBMA authorities reported US ambassador to the
Philippines Kristie Anne Kenney was so impressed
SEE SOMETHING NQR?
Help SBMA LED (Law Enforcement Department)
help you — REPORT IT… Emergency: call 911
Non-emergency or traffic violation report – call
252-4550. For Binictican Housing 252-5347
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 always worth a thousand
words.
"Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good." Joe Paterno, football coach
7
SBMA AIRS SUPPORT TO BOOST
RETIREMENT PROGRAM OF GOV’T
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)
recently aired its commitment to support the
retirement program as one of the flagship
projects of the government, which aims to
make the country, including Subic, as the
retirement capital of Southeast Asia.
SBMA Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga said that
the new flagship project of the President under
the initiative of the Philippine Retirement
Agency (PRA) will include Subic to be among
prospective
retirement
sites,
and
the
consequently boost the tourism industry, not
only in the Freeport, but the entire country as
well.
“The decision of the Arroyo administration to
promote the retirement industry is very timely
because of the increasing number of foreign
retirees who are looking for a safe and
comfortable place to live in. And the Subic
Freeport is the perfect place for the retirees
because Subic Freeport has just about all their
retirement needs,” he said.
Salonga added that the Subic Freeport has
already been receiving several proposals for the
construction and development of world-class
communities
that
would
retirement
accommodate retirees from Japan, Korea,
Taiwan and other foreign countries.
Presently, Japan-based retirement community
developer Rose Princess Home has invested
some P252 million to construct and operate the
Subic Holiday Mansion, a world-class retirement
village designed to meet the architectural
concepts that would suit the needs of the
Japanese retirees in a four-hectare lot inside
the Freeport.
Other retirement facilities that are ready for
occupancy in the Subic Freeport include the
Subic Holiday Villas, a modern retirement
village dubbed as “a small community in the
United States” which has infused P600 million
and can accommodate up to 500 retirees.
8
There is also the 64-unit condotel built by
Animo JWS Corporation, a Japanese company
which infused $5 million worth of committed
investment.
Other retirement homes to rise in the Subic
Freeport include the Subic Bay Leisure and
Development, Corp., the Subic Executive Loft
Condominium, the Subic Heights and the
Tropical Paradise Retirement Village among
others.
Meanwhile, SBMA Administrator Armand C.
Arreza attributed the upsurge of foreign
nationals wishing to live in the Subic in their
retirement to the high cost of living in their
country of origin.
“The cost of living in Japan, for instance, is 60
percent higher than in Subic. For this reason,
they would want to make use of their pensions
by living here,” Arreza said.
Arreza added that the foreigners appreciate the
way the Filipinos take care of our elders, which
is a rare practice in other developed countries
like Japan, US and European countries.
Aside from this, the lavish nature scenes, clean
environment and high level of security are the
best advantages that the Subic Freeport has
been known for.
“Through the help of the PRA, the retirement
communities in the Subic Freeport and other
in
the
country,
retirement
key
areas
communities are good boost for our tourism
industry because it will attract tourists and
investors alike, and would possibly open more
job opportunities for the Filipinos and earn a
US$40-billion revenue for the government,” he
said.
Other key areas recommended as retirement
sites were Clark, Baguio, Fort Bonifacio, Makati
City, Cavite, Cebu, Tagaytay, Bacolod, Cagayan
De Oro and Davao.
”Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” Basil King
Local gov't units told to plan
for economic boom
The Bases Conversion Development Authority
(BCDA) said Friday with Subic-Clark-Tarlac
Expressway (SCTEx) expected to be completed by
the end of 2007, local government units (LGUs)
should already start mapping out for economic
boom in Central Luzon.
BCDA president and chief executive officer (CEO)
Narciso Abaya said the planning should ensure
that no LGU will be left out from the
socioeconomic benefit that comes with the
country's longest toll road to date.
Abaya said that once the 93.7-kilometer SCTEx
becomes fully operational, the toll road will link
the Subic Port in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
(SBMA) to the Diosdado Macapagal International
Airport (DMIA) in Clark Special Economic Zone
(CSEZ) and the Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac.
The SCTEx, he said, will serve as the backbone of
a new and highly competitive economic corridor of
the country in the Southeast Asian region.
"We expect investors to take notice of the
convergence of air, sea and land transport and
eventually put up shop in CSEZ, SBMA, other
economic zones and industrial parks in Central
Luzon including those that will be established
along the Subic-Clark corridor," Abaya said.
He said LGUs in Central Luzon should start
evaluating their land use plan to address the
needs of investors who will be putting up shop in
their areas. He hinted that there may be a need to
rezone and reclassify land from agricultural to
industrial and commercial.
Abaya also noted that with the opening of SCTEx,
an increase of local tourists will start trooping to
Central Luzon and will significantly boost the
tourism industry of the area.
He said LGUs should start developing their
tourism and tourism-related industries to take
advantage of the benefits of SCTEx.
Once the SCTEx is operational, it would only take
some 30 minutes to travel from Clark to Subic
and vice versa. Likewise, it would only take 20
minutes to travel from Clark to Tarlac and vice
versa.
The SCTEx is a flagship project of President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo and is espoused under the
Medium-Term
Philippine
Development
Plan
(MTPDP).
At 93.7 kilometers, SCTEx will be the longest toll
road of the country.
By Albert B. Lacanlale
Philippine
immigration
authorities
are
establishing a special bureau to better
apprehend and deport fugitive aliens in the
country.
The new sub-bureau in the Department of
Immigration - BI Interpol - would act as a
coordinating body for local agencies, such as
the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime
and the National Bureau of Investigation,
which
already
has
links
to
Interpol
headquarters in Europe, the Manila Times
reported Wednesday. It would also liaise with
Interpol itself and with embassies in the
country.
Abaya also said that there is a need for LGUs to
coordinate with each other to plan a holistic and
integrated approach in planning their areas to
ensure a win-win scenario among themselves.
Authorities said American, Japanese and
Korean nationals top the list of foreign
fugitives apprehended in the Philippines and
returned to the countries seeking them, but
figures were not disclosed.
"What we don't want to happen is for LGUs to be
competing for the same investors and locators
leading to cut throat competition. We want each
LGU to identify their investment niche be it agriindustrial or service-sector led investment
havens," he said.
"All of these fugitives were blacklisted after
they were deported so that they will not be
able to
re-enter our country," Bureau of
Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez
Jr. told the newspaper
“Each person must live their life as a model for others.” Rosa Parks, 1913-2005, American Civil Rights Activist
9
is proud to present the Firm’s
MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
SyCipLaw Auditorium, 17th Floor SSHG Law Centre, 105 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
A lecture series to be held on the following dates:
Subject
Credit Hours*
August 5 (Saturday), September 1 (Friday), October 14 (Saturday) & November 3 (Friday)
A Survey of Supreme Court Decisions on Commercial Law in 2005
3
-- Rafael A. Morales
(Updates on Jurisprudence) 8:00 to 11:00 AM
Back to Basics in Ethics -- Mia G. Gentugaya
(Legal Ethics) 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 to 3:00 PM
3
A Legal Perspective – Opportunities, Challenges and Risks for Foreign
Investors in the Philippine Mining Industry -- Marilyn A. Victorio-Aquino
(MCLE-prescribed subject: Land and Economics) 3:00 to 6:00 PM
3
August 12 (Saturday), September 8 (Friday), October 7 (Saturday) & November 10 (Friday)
3
Update on Labor Law: Recent Jurisprudence, Laws, Rules and Regulations
-- Dante T. Pamintuan
(Updates on Substantive and Procedural Laws and Jurisprudence) 8:00 to 11:00 AM
Rules and Cases on Bar Discipline -- Ramon G. Songco
(Legal Ethics) 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 to 3:00 PM
3
Foreign Investments in the Philippines -- Rocky L. Reyes
(MCLE-prescribed subject: Transnational Business Transactions) 3:00 to 6:00 PM
3
August 19 (Saturday), September 15 (Friday), October 28 (Saturday) & November 17 (Friday)
Pleading Writing and Oral Advocacy -- Carlos Roberto Z. Lopez
4
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
A Survey of Supreme Court Decisions on Civil Law in 2005
-- Philbert E. Varona (August and October) 1:00 to 4:00 PM, or
Update on Taxation: Recent Jurisprudence, Laws, Rules and Regulations
-- Carina C. Laforteza (September and November) 3:00 to 6:00 PM
3
Problem Areas and Issues Affecting Philippine Construction Arbitration
-- Emmanuel M. Lombos (Alternative Dispute Resolution)
4:00 to 6:00 PM (August and October) or 1:00 to 3:00 PM (September and
2
November)
August 26 (Saturday), September 22 (Friday), October 21 (Saturday) & November 24 (Friday)
Trial and Pre-Trial Skills in Civil Cases -- Anthony W. Dee (Trial and Pre-Trial
2
Skills) 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM (except October); 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (October)
Trial and Pre-Trial Skills in Maritime Cases – Domingo G. Castillo (Trial and PreTrial Skills) 1:00 to 3:00 PM (August and October); 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
(September and November)
2
Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
-- Vicente B. Amador (International Law) 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (August); 1:00 to
3:00 PM (September and November); 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM (October)
2
Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Philippines -- Ricardo Ma. P.G. Ongkiko
3:00 to 6:00 PM
3
Total
36
* Rule 5, Sec. 1, Bar Matter 850 – Credit hours are computed based on actual time spent in an educational activity in
hours to the nearest one quarter hour reported in decimals. (Schedule of each session includes registration and break.)
Limited seats are available on a first come first served basis. Avail of our early registration discount by registration and
payment on or before August 18 (for the September seminar, or a combination of seminar dates starting in September),
September 22 (for October) and October 20 (for November).
For inquiries, please contact Ms. Joyce L. Rozul at 105 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
Phone: (632) 817-98-11 to 20 • Fax: (632) 817-38-96
Email: [email protected]
10
“Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.” Aldous Huxley
MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COMPLIANCE
PROGRAM
August to November 2006
SyCipLaw Auditorium, 17th Floor SSHG Law Centre,
105 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
Registration Fees:
(1)
(a)
Attendance at more than 2 days of sessions or the full course of 4 days:
P10,000
(b)
Attendance at no more than 2 days of sessions: P6,000
(c)
Attendance at no more than 1 day of sessions: P3,000
(d)
Attendance at any lecture will be considered attendance for a full day session
for purposes of the registration fee
(e)
Registrants have the option to pre-select their attendance days within August
to November
(f)
For item (a) above, a 10% discount will be given to early registrants (those
who register and pay on or before August 18 (for the September seminar, or
a combination of seminar dates starting in September), September 22 (for
October) and October 20 (for November), clients of the Firm, SyCip alumni,
and government employees, and a 15% discount for a group of 10 or more
participants who shall register and pay simultaneously. In case more than one
type of discount is applicable, only one type of discount can be availed of.
(2)
The Registration Fee includes morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, lecture materials,
and the MCLE Certificate of Attendance.
(3)
Payment should be in cash or check payable to SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan.
Except for the early registrants, all check payments must be delivered at least 5
working days prior to the date of the first lecture to the SyCip Salazar Hernandez &
Gatmaitan Office, 4th Floor 105 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.
(4)
We reserve the right to reschedule any and all of the lectures if warranted by reasons
beyond our control.
SYCIP SALAZAR HERNANDEZ & GATMAITAN
MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL
EDUCATION
COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
Name:
Address:
IBP No.:
PTR No.:
Telephone:
Mobile:
Reply Form
Fax: 817-38-96 (Attention: Ms. Joyce L.
Rozul)
Email: [email protected]
Company:
Roll No.:
Fax:
Email:
I will attend the lectures on: (Please mark the appropriate boxes)
August 5
August 12
August 19
September 1
September 8
September 15
October 14
October 7
October 28
November 3
November 10
November 17
Amount Due:
Form of Payment:
Applicable Discount:
Early
Client
Alumni
Government
August 26
September 22
October 21
November 24
Group
For SyCip Accounting Department Use Only:
Cash:
Check:
Date of Payment:
O.R. Number:
Released on:
Released to:
"You can't solve a problem on the same level that it was created. You have to rise above it to the next level." Albert Einstein
11
12
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination." Tommy Lasorda
BPI branches in Olongapo and SBFZ:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
BPI
BPI
BPI
BPI
BPI
BPI
Subic SBMA (Near Royal Mall)
Subic Freeport (behind Park & Shop)
Subic Technopark
Olongapo Rizal (near City Hall)
Olongapo Rotonda (near Mc Donalds)
Olongapo (formerly Prudential Olongapo)
-
Mgr. Ernesto Bugnot
AM Cristino Dangculos
AM Susan Foo
AM Jennifer Santos
AM Joey Mendoza
Mgr. Chit Tanghal
Corporate Segment Cluster Head - SM Bernard Joel Bersamin
Preferred Segment Cluster Head - Mgr. Jocelyn Mendoza
"The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started." Dawson Trotman
13
DA CLEARS SUBIC FREEPORT
OF AVIAN FLU
a meter away from a bird flu virus carrier or
touch a surface contaminated with the secretion
from an infected bird could also be infected.
The country’s premier Freeport has been
declared free from any harm caused by the
spread of avian influenza (H5N1) virus or ‘bird
flu’ by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Persons infected with the virus show signs of
fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches,
sometimes eye infections, pneumonia, severe
respiratory diseases and other illnesses.
The declaration was pronounced by Dr. Romeo
Manalili, the Regional Avian Flu Coordinator
(DA-Region III), during the Basic Orientation on
Bird Flu held recently, which was attended by
officials and employees of the Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as well as
different locators inside the Freeport.
Dr. Manalili clarified that well cooked infected
birds are still safe to eat. But in cases of
confirmed infections, poultries and birds, such
as chickens and ducks, within three-kilometer
radius should be killed and buried to stop the
spread of the virus to other communities.
According to Manalili, key areas in the Freeport
and its vicinities are being closely monitored by
the DA Regional Veterinary Quarantine Office
led by Dr. Renato Alonzo, in close coordination
with the Ecology Department, to make sure
that no person will be affected by the migratory
birds in the areas.
“Our monitoring team has not seen any sign
nor has received report of any suspected bird
flu infection in the area, where some migratory
birds land,” Alonzo reported.
Manalili disclosed the bird flu virus is clinically
referred to influenza A viruses, which is a
combination of (hemagglutinin [HA] and
neuraminidase [NA] proteins), found in all
winged animals.
“There are 16 known HA subtypes and nine NA
subtypes of influenza A viruses, which may
form hundreds of different other combinations
of HA and NA proteins that generally apply low
risk to human. Only the H5N1 combination
could infect a person,” Manalili said.
SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza,
meanwhile, congratulated the SBMA Ecology
Department and the Public Health and Safety
Department, headed by Ameth Dela Llana and
Dr. Solomon Jacalne, MD, respectively, for the
close coordination with the DA in making Subic
Freeport bird flu-free.
“To avoid being affected by the virus, we have
instructed our Ecology Department and Public
Health and Safety Department to launch an
information drive to educate the stakeholders
on what they should do at the sight of
migratory birds in our area,” Arreza said.
The Ecology Department has identified
three areas in the Freeport that are being
frequently visited by migratory birds from
other Asian countries in Asia and as far as
Northern America. These are
the Tago Beach and NabasanMangrove Area inside
the former Naval
Magazine Area and
the Cubi Area.
However, persons or animals that come close to
14
"The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people." Theodore Roosevelt
WEATHER TRENDS…
Philippines prepares for 'The Little Girl' by Nina Ridge
Government officials have told people in the Philippines to prepare for heavy rains and flash flooding over the
coming months as the first signs of a La Niña develop in the Pacific Ocean.
La Niña (The Little Girl) is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific,
as compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.
Both El Niño and La Niña have impacts on global climate patterns. In many locations, especially in the tropics,
La Niña produces the opposite climate variations from El Niño. For instance, parts of Australia, Indonesia and
the Philippines are prone to drought during El Niño, but are typically wetter than normal during La Niña owing to
the warmer ocean temperatures allowing storms to become more marked here.
Continuous heavy rain has already this season caused major landslides, major flooding, killing 16 and forcing
thousands to be evacuated. The Philippines Weather Bureau said that they expect the severe weather to
continue as the La Niña continues to develop and intensify over the coming months. They explained that La Niña
conditions would not necessarily mean more storms, but would bring tropical cyclones closer to the country’s
7,100 islands and therefore bring heavy rains.
Agriculture makes up a fifth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is one of the largest employers.
This has forced the Agricultural Department to take drastic measures to insure a minimal impact on the
economy through this stormy spell. They have decided to widen the areas of rice growing as it is a waterdependent staple of the country, as well as helping farmers in areas likely to be hit by heavy rains to shift to
other crops, which will be more successful than their usual produce in these conditions.
La Niña - one to watch out for over the coming months…
“Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone else's life.” Kobi Yamada
15
I have a question for business owners who force
loud, and largely unwanted, music on the public: DO
YOU WANT TO OFFEND AND CHASE AWAY 10
TO 20 % OF YOUR POTENTIAL ADULT
CUSTOMERS? Unless the answer is yes, PLEASE
TURN DOWN THE MUSIC! Many people don't like it
and don't want it and the rest don't care! Surveys
have shown that a disgruntled customer can cause
up to eight other customers to quit patronizing a
business and a lot of today's "background music" is
creating a lot of disgruntled customers. Often they're
not coming back and you don't even know it!
This stuff you're playing is not the old innocuous
Muzak of years gone by-- the "elevator music" that
people joked about. That was soft, instrumental
music that was almost subliminal and certainly not
offensive to anyone with the exception of a few
purists who felt music should not be performed
unless someone was actually listening. Nope, Muzak
and other forms of "canned" music have changed,
and the music now often includes lyrics. Even the
Muzak company provides vocal music for retailers
and other service businesses, saying they save the
instrumental stuff for offices. One might infer from
this that the instrumental music is only suitable for
places where people have to think. Muzak makes no
recommendations as to how loud the vocal music
should be played and say they have never studied
how music that is too loud affects the ability of
people to communicate. That's a problem they and
the business places should look into. The information
is certainly available and pretty damning of the
practice of forcing background music on the public.
Audiologists and engineers in this country and
abroad studied the effects that background noise has
on the ability to understand the spoken word for
both hearing impaired people and those with normal
hearing. Unfortunately, the information gathered in
these studies does not seem to have found its way
to the business world. One recent study showed that
background music in public areas is actually either
meaningless or a nuisance to the public. A study
in the U.S. found that loud music actually created
what the researchers called an “avoidance situation".
Another study indicated that inappropriate music
actually lowered the bar income for the restaurant
and caused an increase in the number of patrons
who left while waiting to be seated. Providing this
music is not cheap whether it is from the Muzak
company or other sources, and one wonders if
16
businesses would make this investment if they were
aware of these study results.
I recently had lunch with a friend in a local
restaurant. We tried to carry on a conversation but
we couldn't hear each other over the loud music. The
waiter was called over and asked if they could please
turn the music down and much to our pleasant
surprise the request was granted. Many places just
say, "Sorry, can't do that…" At another restaurant,
when asked for a table away from the speakers
because the music was too loud, the response was,
"Oh, we have speakers everywhere!" It makes one
wonder if part of the purpose of the music is to
inhibit conversation so that patrons will either eat
and get out, or spend their time drinking rather than
visiting with meal companions. Earlier in the day, I
left a local department store after being unable to
converse with an Associate on the floor due to the
loud music playing over the public address system. I
may sound like some cranky old man who hates
music but that is most certainly not the case. I
derive great pleasure from listening to music. The
distinction worth noting here is that when I hear
music I intend to listen to it. I have a problem with
"background music," and I am a part of one of the
nation’s largest, least understood, and most
neglected minorities.
Also, if there is a lot of background noise (street
sounds,
machines
running,
airplanes
flying
overhead, or that dreaded loud background music)
you may not hear what's being said.. Most of the
loud noises just listed here are at least somewhat
difficult to control. Some cities are trying but not
making a lot of progress. One of the noise sources,
however, is very easy to control: amplified music. All
that is required is that the businesses adjust the
volume control on their music systems or just turn
the music off.
Politicians and bureaucrats must be
held accountable for the task of
regulating noise pollution.
On a recent visit to the local mall,
they were playing instrumental
music. The Mall had just
openedand was almost empty.
The ambient sound level ranged
from 69dB to 79dB-- loud by
anyone’s standards!
SEE PAGE 17…
There is no law that says you HAVE to do good for others .Those who choose to, do good because they are "Difference Makers"Harry Pound
Let’s Talk About Noise! (Continuation…)
For comparison, the average alarm clock sounds at
80dB. Music played at this level hardly qualifies as
“background” music as it already exceeds the sound
level of normal conversation. In one of
the department stores within the Mall, the ambient
sound averaged in the low 50’s, much more acceptable
(although I had to go Halfway through the Store
before I couldn’t hear the Mall’s music).
According to university studies, if the ambient sound
level is 60 dB, people with normal hearing can
communicate at a distance of 2 meters without raising
their voice and understand 95% of the words. The EPA
recommends that background noise not exceed 50 dB
to allow normal hearing people to understand 100% of
the words of a speaker just a few feet away. At the 69
dB level in the Mall, even people with normal hearing
would have a problem, let alone the hard of hearing.
Research indicates that if businesses catering to
the public have any concern for their customers,
they would either turn their music off, or at least
turn it down and revert to instrumental music.
After all, they are making it difficult for a large
percentage of customers to use their services.
The
effect
of
noise
even
has
an
impact on child development. A study by Purdue
University Psychologist Theodore Watch found that
children coming from highly noisy households have
delayed language developmental skills and increased
anxiety.
Whether the problem is just a few loud spots or loud
music all over the place, it doesn't appear that the
problem is going to go away until the public
demands it, so here are a few suggestions.. To those
individuals, whether hearing impaired or not, who
object to this noise being forced on you and possibly
augmenting your handicap, don't let them get away
with it! These people are polluting the air with their
noise and infringing on both your ability and your
right to communicate. What good is free speech if it
can't be heard? If the music is too
loud, complain to the management.
If you get no satisfaction,
LEAVE AND TELL THEM YOU
WON'T BE BACK.
Office hours: 7:00am to 6:00pm
7 days a week
“Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world in the eye.” Helen Keller
17
18
"To be alive, to be able to see, to walk... it's all a miracle." Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) Polish pianist
Vol. 41 Issue# 105
NEW MEMBERS
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20
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Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet.