PIA Dispatch - Friday, February 20, 2009

SLEX – gateway to the progressive south

The South Luzon Expressway or SLEX, a P8.5 billion project consists of three phases called project toll roads (TRs) 1, 2 and 3, which began in 2006.

The project is under the Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region, a major program of President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo.

The SLEX project covers the full rehabilitation of the Alabang Viaduct, the widening and upgrading of the expressway from Filinvest to Calamba, and the construction of a new road from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

The initial phase of TR2 works span between the Filinvest Interchange and San Pcdro and will effectively link up with the current TRI (Alabang viaduct) work site. Four additional lanes arc now being constructed on the highway median.

TR3 is the construction of a new four-lane toll road from Calamba to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Once completed, the now 28- ‘kilometer SLEX will total 36 kilometers from the Alabang viaduct to Sto. Tomas, Batangas and will link with the STAR (Southern Tagalog Arterial Road) expressway which leads to the Batangas international Port.

The rehabilitation and expansion of the expressway is expected to stimulate economic activity by enabling more exports to reach the port of Manila from Batangas and Laguna.

TR2 is 80 percent completed while only 13.98 percent portion of TR3 is completed. Total completion of the project is expected on December this year.

The South Luzon Tollway Corporation (SLTC) is a joint venture of the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) and MTD Manila Expressways, Inc. (MTDME). SLTC has been granted the authorization for the design, construction and financing of the South Luzon Expressway Rehabilitation and Upgrading Project by the Republic of the Philippines, as represented by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), through a Supplemental Toll Operation Agreement (STOA) entered into by the parties on February 2006. PNCC, a government owned and controlled corporation, is the holder of franchise to construct, operate and maintain the South Luzon Expressway. (PIA-Calabarzon)


Daang Hari – SLEX, a P1.3 B toll road project

The National Development Company (NDC), the investment arm of the government, has began road works in cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), for the construction of a P1.358 billion new toll road project that will link Daang-Hari in Cavite and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) near the Susana Heights Interchange in Muntinlupa City.

The toll road project is a major undertaking included in President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo’s SONA 2006 under the Comprehensive Integrated Infrastructure Program (CIIP) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The NDC and the Alabang – Sto. Tomas Development Inc. (ASDI) are the implementing agencies. Dubbed as the ASDI-Daang Hari C-6 Toll Road project, it is a four-lane toll road from Daang Hari to SLEX and passes through the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Complex. Total project cost is estimated at P1.358 billion.

NDC acting general manager Ma. Lourdes F. Rebueno said the project will decongest heavy traffic in some parts of Cavite , Las Pinas and Muntinlupa and will reduce road distance from Daang Hari to the Alabang viaduct by three kilometers. The project will also complement the redevelopment plan for the NBP as directed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The project is a component of the Cavite-Laguna (CALA) East-West National Road Project of the DPWH.

The CALA evolved from the recommendation of the two studies conducted by the Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study (MMUTIS) and CALA Transport Strategy, and Short-term Programs and Policies, a component of the Cavite-Laguna Urban Development and Environmental Management Project of the World Bank. (PIA-Calabarzon)


Marikina-Infanta Road to speed up transport of goods and services between Metro Manila and Quezon Province

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered in 2006 the construction of the P821.40 million, 109.30 kilometer Marikina-Infanta Road System that would connect the provinces of Quezon and Rizal to Metro Manila in order to spur further economic growth.During the groundbreaking of the project two years ago, the Chief Executive said that the Marikina-Infanta road project is one of the most important links between the towns of Quezon and Rizal to the National Capital Region (NCR). It is also considered a crucial infrastructure project that would bolster development of the northeastern towns along the Pacific Coast.

The President further said the road project would enable the province of Quezon to catch up with other provinces in the CALABARZON (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) economic zone in terms of economic development.

"Para sa inyong kinabukasan ang Marikina-Infanta road na iyan para madaling magbiyahe ang mga mamumuhunan (We need the Marikina-Infanta road to speed up travel, particularly for the investors)," the President said.

The project is expected to be completed by December this year.

The Marikina-Infanta bypass road stretches from Sumulong Highway in Rizal and Laguna up to Infanta, Quezon. (PIA-Calabarzon)


Zero flood eyed in Kamanava flood control project and drainage system improvement

Floods in the cities of Kalookan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela will be a thing of the past once President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s priority project in the area is completed.

The KAMANAVA Mega Flood Control Project was designed to improve flood control and drainage system in the 18.49 kilometers of flood-prone areas in the KAMANAVA area. It involves the raising of the seawall along the Tullahan and Maralla rivers, construction of floodgates on strategic areas and the construction of pumping stations, polder dikes and submersible-type navigation gates.

The 3.6-Billion pesos KAMANAVA flood control program was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is now 88% completed. Once fully operational, it is expected to drastically reduce if not totally eradicate flooding problem in the area.

Flooding is a perennial problem in KAMANAVA area, especially to those living in low-lying areas. Heavy rains compounded by high tides triggers flooding in the area which at a time reaches neck level in some areas.

Flood-induced problems such as water-borne diseases, disrupted transportation system and economic activities as well as loss of lives and properties in worst cases will be mitigated upon the completion of the project.

This is expected to significantly improve the living conditions of the people of KAMANAVA. (PIA-NCR)


C5-NLEX-SLEX link to start in March

In President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s SONA, she noted the strategic importance of seamless connections toward the ultimate goal of linking the North Luzon toll road to the South Luzon Expressway.

Thus, the linkup of C-5 road and the North Luzon Expressway is now taking shape as the construction of the 2.7-km Segment 8.1sets to begin for the first quarter.

Manila North Tollway is finalizing work stages alongside Public Works Department, the Toll Regulatory Board and other agencies, including right-of-way requirements, said officials in a statement.

“Segment 8.1 will facilitate a seamless connection of C-5 to the world-class NLEX, one of the priorities of President Arroyo in her bid to decongest Metro Manila and provide relief to motorists dealing with heavy traffic every day,” said Ramoncito Fernandez, First Philippine Infrastructure Investments president.

In the workplan, a toll plaza will be built on Mindanao Avenue where motorists can enter and exit the expressway thereby easing the traffic congestion on Edsa Balintawak.

Segment 8.1 work will begin in March and is expected to be completed in April 2010.
“We expect the construction activities to stimulate the economy in the environs of the areas where the roadway will be built and to directly create some 600 jobs,” said Rodrigo Franco, Manila North Tollway president.

Parallel work by Public Works, the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Quezon City government covers infrastructure to connect Mindanao to C-5 through Katipunan Avenue. (PIA-NCR)


Batangas Port, sentro ng kalakalan sa Calabarzon

Ang Batangas Port ay sentro ng transportasyon at kalakal sa Mindoro at iba pang karatig-isla at trading point ng lahat ng industriya sa CALABARZON.

Ang Batangas Port Development Project Phase II, isang proyekto ni Pangulong Gloria M. Arroyo ay nagkakahalaga ng P7.8 bilyon o US$178 milyon na nagmula sa official development assistance ng Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Ang proyekto ay binubuo ng dalawang phases: ang Phase 1 ay sinimulan noong 1995 at natapos noong 1999 sa kaubuuang halagang P1.7 bilyon.

May tatlong packages naman ang Phase II: Package 1 (P5.7 bilyon) natapos na rin at kinabibilangan ng marine at civil works maliban sa cargo equipment.

Kasama sa Package II (P1.26 milyon) ang supply installation ng passenger boarding bridges at natapos noong Setyembre 2001. Kasama rin dito ang dredging at reclamation, reconstruction ng general cargo berth ng first phase area na may probisyon para sa stacking yard, container freight station, terminal building, utilities, access road, at iba pang support facilities.

Sa package III (P366 milyon) kasama ang pagpapagawa ng port access roads at flyovers at iba pang pagsasa-ayos.

Samantala, binigyang diin ng Bureau of Customs (BoC) ang mga sumusunod na benepisyo ng Batangas Port - ang mga locators sa Calabarzon ay makakatipid ng hanggang 14 na porsyento sa cargo handling service habang ang transport cost ay mababawasan mula 40 porsyento hanggang 60 porysento; ang proseso ng dokumento sa Customs ay umaabot lamang sa 30 minuto dahil konting karga, mas mabilis na proseso at release ng dokumento; mas maraming lupain na tama sa mga pangangailangan ng mga shipping lines para sa kanilang container freight station; mga makabagong kagamitan; mas mabilis na maiikutan dahil walang truck ban sa Batangas at maaaring ibyahe ang mga kargamento 24/7 at malapit sa mga Peza zones.

Ang pantalan ay may pitong roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) ramps. (PIA-Calabarzon)


Luzon Urban Beltway, malaking tulong kontra economic recession

Inaasahang malaking tulong ang magagawa ng mga natapos na imprastraktura dito Luzon upang maibsan ang epekto ng economic recession ngayon sa buong mundo.

Isang pangunahing proyekto ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, mahigit sa P26 bilyong piso ang kabuuang halaga ng mga natapos na imprastrakturang sakop ng Luzon Urban Beltway noong nakaraang taon. Dahil sa mga imprastrakturang ito, mas mapapabilis ang daloy ng kalakalan at pag-unlad hindi lamang sa Central Luzon kundi pati narin ng mga karatig rehiyon.

Ayon kay Edgardo Pamintuan, na siyang namumuno sa Luzon Urban Beltway, dalawa sa mga imprastrakturang ito ang narito sa Central Luzon – ang Subic-Clark-Tarlac Toll Expressway o SCTEX na nagakakahalaga ng P20.70 bilyong piso at ang Diosdado Macapagal International Airport Passenger Terminal Expansion na nagkakahalaga naman ng P69 milyong piso.

Ang iba pang mga natapos na imprastraktura ay ang South Luzon Expressway Toll Road, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, at ang Batangas Port Development.

Ang Luzon Urban Beltway ay itinuturing ngayon na sentro ng industriya at kalakalan sa dahilang limampu’t limang porsiyento ng kabuuang gross domestic product (GDP) ng bansa ay nagmumula dito. (PIA-Region 3)


Luzon Urban Beltway, magpapasigla sa NFEx ng Bulacan

Magiging masigla sa tulong ng Luzon Urban Beltway ang kalakalan sa pinakabagong sentrong pang-ekonomiya ng lalawigan ng Bulacan – ang North Food Exchange (NFEx).

Ang NFEx, proyekto ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, ay isang pasilidad pamilihan na nakatayo sa bayan ng Balagtas na nakapaloob sa mismong North Luzon Agri-Business Quadrangle at Luzon Urban Beltway – mga sonang pangkaunlaran sa buong rehiyon.

Sa pamamagitan ng Luzon Urban Beltway, ayon kay Gob. Joselito Mendoza, madaling mararating ng mga mamimili at negosyante ang NFEx mula Metro Manila at maging ang mga nasa hilagang Luzon gamit ang pangunahing daan ng transportasyon – ang North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), ang MacArthur Highway, at di-magtatagal, ang Northrail Mass Transit System at ang East-West Connector Road na magdudugtong sa Metro Manila sa mga lalawigan ng Central at North Luzon.

Ang NFEx ay magsisilbing bagsakan at lagakan ng produkto ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda at maliliit na negosyante at kooperatiba upang mapa-unland ang palitan at distribusyon ng mga produktong pagkain at agricultural sa rehiyon at sa buong bansa.,

Layunin din ng NFEx nag awing globally competitive ang agro & fishery industries ng lalawigan. (PIA-Region 3)


AC dads endorse interconnection of Subic-Clark corridor phone lines

CLARK FREEPORT – The Angeles City Council has strongly endorsed the interconnection of phone lines along the Subic-Clark corridor in a resolution unanimously approved by its members on Tuesday, February 17.

In a resolution sponsored by Councilors Jesus “Jay” Sangil and Ruben Maniago, the City Council said they are “endorsing the move of the Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) to press for immediate interconnection of telecommunications facilities in Clark Freeport Zone with those in Tarlac and Zambales.”

“It would definitely fast-track business and greatly minimize costs to local residents,” Sangil said referring to the MCAC-initiated project which earned distinction from no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Sangil, likewise, called on other executives of Local Government Units (LGUs) situated along the Subic-Clark corridor to support the move saying it will attract investors and provide jobs for residents.

“I am urging our counterparts in government in the cities, towns along the SCTEx to follow suit and support the same as it will invite investors and eventually create employment for our constituents,” Sangil said.

In the resolution, the city council said the “Cark Freeport and the Subic Clark Tarlac Growth Corridor is being foreseen as one of the world’s major economic hubs and catalysts for development, hence, a major employment generator in North Philippines.”

Also, “the development and improvement of infrastructure facilities, including the establishment of state-of-the-art telecommunications in the Metro Clark Area (Clark FZ, Pampanga and Tarlac) enhances the viability of the Metro Clark Area as a choice investment destination.”

The city council also noted the importance of providing interconnected telephone exchanges saying it “is vital in minimizing costs to investors and their clientele that include government offices.”

“Interconnecting telephone exchanges in Metro Clark Area is keeping with the integration policy of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) where long distance and other toll charges are waived,” the resolution also said.

“The general welfare clause of the Local Government Code, among other things, obliges us to support moves of major employment generators,” it furthered.

In December 2008, President Arroyo bestowed an award to Clark officials led by CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort for the telecommunications interconnection project that was one of the top 10 winners of the 1st Gawad Pampublikong Korporasyon (1st GPK).

According to Ricafort, the CDC’s winning entry was conceived in 2001 and aims to interconnect Clark’s telephone lines to Angeles City and the City of San Fernando, as well as other areas in the province of Pampanga.

He added that the interconnection project was an initiative of the MCAC- an influential partnership group between the CDC and contingent Local Government Units (LGUs) within the Metro Clark area.

CDC Public Relations Manager Angelo “Sonny” Lopez said the project paved the way for phone companies like the Philippine Long Distance and Telecommunications Company (PLDT), Smart Telecommunications (Smart), and the Digitel to provide toll free calls to its subscribers in Clark and the rest of Pampanga.

Lopez, who is MCAC secretariat and headed the original “Task Force Interconnection,” stressed that residents, locators, and investors inside the Clark Freeport are now saving at least P13.2 million yearly on long distance calls because of the project.

“The CDC alone has saved as much as P1.2 million per year since this project was implemented<’ Lopez added. (CDC thru PIA-Pampanga)


Luzon Urban Beltway projects: towards sustained economic reforms

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2006 the creation of the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB) as part of the super regions concept.

Two and a half years after its formation, the LUB has played a vital role in pursuit of the completion of the President’s legacy programs and projects. This, according to LUB champion, Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, who is also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) for Central Luzon.

“Despite its meager budget and logistics, it has served as a middle ground for differing opinions and conflict resolution relative to the implementation of priority projects,” Pamintuan said.

2008 year-end accomplishments

Thus, its completed projects in 2008 reflect its determination to rise above challenges, focused as it is in accomplishing its goals within its identified timeline, he added.

The past year saw the completion and operation of four legacy infrastructure projects – two toll roads, one airport, and one seaport – and the completion of the first segment of a toll road project.

Two of these projects are in Central Luzon namely in Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) Project and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) Passenger Terminal 1 Expansion Project.

According to Pamintuan, the SCTEx Project is the backbone of the Subic-Clark Mega Logistics Hub. It was for the expected influx of tourists during the Holy Week in Subic, Clark, and nearby municipalities.

Then on July 24, 2008, the 93.7 kilometer stretch from Tarlac to Subic was completely opened to traffic.

The DMIA Passenger Terminal 1 Expansion Project, on the other hand, increased the handling capacity of the existing passenger terminal building from one million persons to two million persons per annum.

This, Pamintuan said, is an improvement which befits DMIA as one of the country’s premier gateway. Thus, it was President Arroyo herself who led in its inauguration on April 4, 2008, the same observed her natal day in her home province of Pampanga.

Role in conflict resolution

Pursuant to Executive Order 561, the LUB is tasked to “work out operational policies and remedial actions to ensure that the priority programs and projects are completed on schedule, in full transparency, and at the lowest cost to government”.

Thus, Pamintuan disclosed that “the LUB has been pro-active in addressing bottleneck issues surrounding problematic projects through inter-agency high level and coordination meetings, periodic site inspections and evaluation, technical working groups, active monitoring and direct interventions.”

For the SCTEx project, the LUB played a critical role in the resolution of problems particularly those concerning CP-1. LUB recommended solutions which enables the contractors to carry-out definitive actions to complete the project.

Likewise, through the LUB, the President granted a four-month extension to one contractor and a 140-day extension to another.

The LUB also led a number of inter-agency high level coordination meetings with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and various stakeholders, aside from conducting periodic site inspections and evaluation of the project.

On Pampanga interchanges, the LUB was instrumental in determining the viable and most cost-effective locations for the SCTEx interchanges in Porac and Angeles City. It also requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Region III to expedite the final construction plan for the Floridablanca Access Road to facilitate its funding requirements.

In addition to these, the LUB assisted the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) in conducting a number of site inspections to different farm-to-market road projects and small irrigation projects in various EWa in Pampanga and in conducting a Community Benefit Assessment (CBA) relative to the SCTEx’s benefits in various municipalities in Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales, and Pampanga.

LUB’s performance assessed

Since its formation in 2006, the LUB was tasked to monitor initially 15 priority government infrastructure projects.

By the first quarter of 2007, 10 new projects were added to the LUB project list; and then 20 more after a year.

Presently, the LUB monitors 45 big-ticket infrastructure projects with total investments of the Php 566 billion.

It encountered problems common to most infrastructure projects such as funding, contract deficiencies, design inconsistencies, inadequate planning, procurement difficulties such as bidding procedures, difficulties in inter-agency coordination and project operations.

The LUB, given its ad hoc status, has been likewise hampered by a meager budget and logistics. Yet it has actively and successfully played its role in conflict resolution leading to project completion.

These problems, on top of such problems as global economic slowdown and inflation, the LUB, Pamintuan said, is “strongly committed to continue carrying-out its tasks through close monitoring of the priority projects and instituting much needed interventions whenever necessary in order to meet the targeted accomplishments for the coming years,” towards ensuring the successful turnover of the Arroyo administration’s legacy to Central Luzon and to the country, as a whole”. (PIA-Region III)


Toshiba seeks huge share in digital device market, beefs up production in RP

Hard disk giant Toshiba will hire more workers in the Philippines as part of its bid to seize a bigger chunk of the digital storage market.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has approved an expansion project of the Toshiba Information Equipment Philippines, Incorporated which is operating in the Laguna Technopark Special Economic Zone.

The Php 110 Million expansion project that involves the production of hard disc drives and other solid state devices would enable Toshiba to ship out exports in Europe , Asia and in the US.

PEZA estimated that the new investment will result in the employment of more than 600 people.

Considered as a new project, PEZA said it is granting full incentives to Toshiba’s latest investment. #


Toshiba, palalawakin ang operasyon sa Pilipinas

Kukuha ng mga panibagong manggagawa ang kumpanyang Toshiba bilang bahagi ng kanilang pinag-ibayong kampanya sa media storage market.

Inaprubahan kamakailan ng Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) ang expansion project ng Toshiba Information Equipment Philippines, Incorporated na kasalukuyang nakahimpil sa Laguna Technopark Special Economic Zone.

Nagkakahalaga ng Php110 Milyon, papalawakin ng expansion project ng Toshiba ang produksyon ng hard disc drives at iba pang solid state devices.

Dahil dito, mabilis na maisasagawa ng Toshiba ang taunan pag-eeksport nito ng mga produkto sa Europa, Asya at Estados Unidos.

Dahil itinuturing na isang bagong proyekto, sinabi ng PEZA na tatanggap ng buong insentibo ang pinakahuling pamumuhunan ng Toshiba. #


LUB, SCTEX extends development in Freeport, Zambales

Less than a year into its opening, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) is fast gaining prominence among tourists and businessmen, and a great number of investors within the Subic Freeport Zone gave nothing but praise to the tollway project.

John Corcoran, president of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (SBFCCI), said that the SCTEX will provide local and foreign visitors with better and faster access to Subic’s recreational facilities as well as commercial and industrial establishments.

“This is going to have such a positive impact all over the Subic Bay Freeport because the new highway has significantly cut travel time to Subic from Clark and from as far as Tarlac,” said Corcoran.

“I am sure that we will see more development along the Subic-Clark growth corridor,” added Corcoran, who is also president of Ocean Adventure, a popular marine theme park here.

Another Subic investor, Yvett Ocampo-Desiongco, CEO of the newly-opened Subic park Jungle Joe’s World, also expressed confidence that the SCTEX would bring in more business here.

“Subic can now count on more visitors not only from Metro Manila and South Luzon areas, but also those from North Luzon.”

“And the highway is awesome and world-class,” she added, saying the SCTEX reminds her of the highway going from San Francisco to Idaho in the United States.

The SCTEX, which covers a total distance of 93.77 kilometers and touted to be the longest four-lane expressway in the Philippines today, is also expected to open up more investment opportunities along the Subic-Clark growth corridor.


SCTEX: Luzon Urban Beltway’s priority component

A flagship project of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the SCTEX was funded with a loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and is composed of two packages: the 50.5-km Subic-Clark connection, and the 43.27-km span that connects Clark to Tarlac.

The tollway project is the backbone of the Subic-Clark Mega Logistics Hub and a part of the priority infrastructure projects designed for the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB).

LUB is one of the regions included in the super regions concept eyed to usher development towards the countryside.

“Our resolve to provide the necessary infrastructure for growth and prosperity has heightened investors’ confidence in our ability to slug it out in the global arena…we have billion dollar investments coming in because they have seen us putting money, our own money, our own investment in infrastructure. “

These words, delivered by PGMA during the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB) Infrastructure Conference at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales almost two years ago, sum up the government’s determination to usher development all over the country through the super region concept.


Zambales: Gearing up, cashing in

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arreza announced that SBMA has maintained its status as the country’s leading investment agency after posting US$1.1 billion in committed investment employing nearly 70,000 workers this year.

“Our new challenge today is to bring investments to the nearby towns of Zambales and Bataan and Olongapo City. This will be easier now after the President issued Executive Order 675,” Arreza said.

With the EO 675, according to Arreza, new investors who are looking for bigger land area will be allowed to put up investment to other places near the Subic Bay Freeport and Clark areas.
“We are also preparing a plan for the construction of access roads going to some tourist and investment sites in Zambales. There are also new power plants to be built inside the Freeport zone that will provide lower power rates,” he said.

In a similar move, Zambales Governor Amor Deloso has announced that Zambales is gearing towards development as it vows to open major road networks that will connect the province to other economic zones in Northern and Central Luzon.

“There is a need to open new roads to expand the development opportunities of the provinces and maximize its potentials as a new investment site in the region,” said Gov. Amor Deloso.

He identified the new economic doors as the Santa Cruz-Mangatarem Road that will connect the northern town of Santa Cruz with the town of Mangatarem in Pangasinan and the Iba-Tarlac Road which will connect the province to Tarlac.

The roads are necessary to open new space for possible economic zones and to shorten travel going in and out of the province to and from Central Luzon, Northern Luzon and Western Luzon areas.

“The roads will also maximize the use of our Masinloc Port as a major seaport in the area benefiting investors, particularly exporters and importers, from Zambales and Pangasinan,” Deloso said.

The governor noted that the Tarlac-Iba Road, which would span to about 60 kilometers when finished, has already a plan that was approved during the administration of former president Ramos.

“The road will boost the potentials of the Masinloc Port which will be constructed under a built-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme by a Canadian business group to the amount of US$5 billion. When finished, Masinloc Port will become a major transshipment port in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, the official said that the Mangatarem-Santa Cruz Road Project is about 82 kilometers and could be finished at the cost of P200 million. The road will shorten travel time going to Pangasinan from Iba, Zambales from six hours to about two hours.

Deloso has also announced that discussions have already been started to study the possibility of putting a 500-hectare industrial estate in the former San Miguel Naval Air Stations in San Antonio Zambales.

The proposed industrial zone will fast tract the many development programs of the province to turn the province into a tourism and light industry destination in the region.

“Roads will bind our resources- land, people and infrastructures. Due to the completion of the SCTEX, space for investment in Bulacan and Tarlac is getting scarce. Subic Freeport soon could not accommodate more factories. But Zambales has vast land space to offer and we have pier, ship repair facilities and a small airport for tourism,” Gov. Deloso said. (PIA-Zambales)


Palace says Baselines bill consistent with Asean-China Agreement

Malacanang defended the new Baselines bill saying it protects the national interest without ignoring concerns of neighboring countries like China that claims sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal and the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

China criticized the Philippines for passing the bill because it allegedly violated Chinese sovereignty.

“The amendment of Republic Act No. 3046, as amended by Republic Act No.5446, was necessary in order to adjust the existing baselines under these laws consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Baseline bill passed by Congress is consistent with UNCLOS. It is also consistent with our commitment under the Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea ,”said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

By crafting the Baselines bill, Remonde explained, the Philippines is merely complying to the UNCLOS which the country has ratified. UNCLOS, he said, was created to address jurisdiction conflicts among countries.

Scarborough Shoal and the Kalayaan Group of Islands were classified as “regime of islands under the Republic of the Philippines” under the Baselines bill. Islands in both territories will have their own contiguous zones, continental shelf, territorial seas and exclusive economic zones.

One of the islands in Kalayaan is a municipality of Palawan: others are occupied by Filipino soldiers.

“The Philippines is prepared to undertake consultations with our partners in discussing the matters covered by the bill at the appropriate time and at the appropriate forum which is the United Nation,” Remonde added. #


Baselines bill, hindi paglabag sa kasunduang Asean-Tsina

Ipinagtanggol ng Malakanyang ang bagong Baselines bill sa pagsasabing pino-protektahan nito ang pambansang interes nang hindi isinasantabi ang mga saloobin ng mga karatig bansa sa rehiyon tulad ng Tsina na umaangkin sa Scarborough Shoal at Kalayaan Group of Islands.

Binatikos ng Tsina ang Pilipinas matapos maipasa ng Kongreso ang Baselines bill dahil paglabag di umano ito sa kanilang soberenya.

Ipinaliwanag ni Press Secretary Cerge Remonde na ang kinakailangan ang Baselines bill bilang pagtugon sa United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) na niratipikahan ng Pilipinas.

Bukod dito, sinabi ni Remonde na hindi rin lumabag sa Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea kaya walang dapat ipangamba.

Aniya, nilikha ang UNCLOS upang hanapan ng solusyun ang mga isyu ng hurisdiksyon at teritoryo sa pagitan ng mga bansa.

Sa ilalim ng Baselines bill, ang Scarborough Shoal at ang mga isla ng Kalayaan ay nabibilang sa “regime of islands” kung saan ang bawat isla ay may sariling contiguous zone, continental shelf, teritoryong pandagat at eksklusibong economic zone.

Isa sa mga isla ng Kalayaan ay kabilang sa mga munisipalidad ng Palawan : ang iba naman ay okupado ng mga sundalong Pilipino.

Tiniyak naman ni Remonde na nakahanda ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas na pag-usapan sa United Nations ang nilalaman ng Baselines bill kasama ang Tsina at iba pang mga claimant. #


PGMA to NEA: Complete barangay electrification this year

OLUTANGA, Zamboanga Sibugay – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to complete its Barangay Electrification program this year and light up all the country’s remaining unlit villages before yearend.

This was revealed here today by NEA officials who are in town to oversee work on the electrification of five of the remaining eight un-lighted barangays in Olutanga Island which hosts three municipalities, including this town, some 240 kilometers away from Zamboanga City.

President Arroyo herself turned over today P15-million to officials concerned for the energization of the remaining eight unlit barangays in Olutanga island – three each in Mabuhay and Talusan towns, and two in this southernmost town of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The amount includes the additional P10 outlay the President promptly decided to make available for road improvement in Oluntanga island to pursue the electrification project after she was appraised of the difficulty in transporting electric posts to the island’s remote villages. The P5 million balance represents the original outlay for the energization of the island.

NEA Director for Engineering Jose Siguban Jr. said NEA is “very confident” it could implement the President’s directive to install electricity in the remaining 932 barangays nationwide that have no electricity yet.

He estimated that the 932 “last-mile” barangays will need up to P3 million each to electrify. This is so, he explained, because these remaining barangays are inaccessible and difficult to reach, with barges charging at least P1,000 per post to be transported to these remote areas.

In southwest Mindanao, for instance, two of Olutanga’s barangays – Galas to the southwest, and Pulo Laum to the south, are located in two separate islets. Engr. Sibugan assured, however, that the two barangays will be connected to the main power grid by middle of this year.

The two towns shall be connected to the Mindanao power grid via “overhead lines” crossing over to the islets atop concrete posts on ripraps to be built on the sea bottom during low tide, according to Engr. Jesus Castro, general manager of the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO), the power distributor in this part of southwest Mindanao.

Engr. Enrique Diamante, NEA Systems Planning and Evaluation Division manager, said that based on their initial survey of the area, it may take up to P14 million to light the eight remaining barangays in Olutanga island -- Brgys. Bualan, Bulingan and Tubusan in Talusan town; Bangkaw-bangkaw, Tando Lumot and Taguisian in Mabuhay; and Galas and Pulo Laum in Olutanga town.


GMA pushes LGU initiatives to address solid waste management and global warming concerns

TALUSAN, Zamboanga Sibugay -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today turned over a check for P700,000 to Mayor Orlando Ramiso of this town in support of the local government’s landfill and solid waste management Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) projects.

The turn-over was made during a solid waste and climate change briefing at the Talusan Central Elementary School here. This town will soon have its landfill and MRF that would help promote the government’s environmental protection program and support national food security initiatives.

Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who briefed the Chief Executive on the solid waste management situation of this island town said Talusan has not been able to fully comply with Republic Act 9003, or the National Solid Waste Management Program, due to lack of MRF and sanitary landfill.

Mayor Ramiso informed the President they recently acquired an 8,000-square meter property in Barangay Florida as potential area for a controlled dumpsite facility and establishing an MRF to properly handle the more than one ton of garbage generated weekly by the town and its 14 barangays.

Talusan has sought DENR assistance for its capacity building program and procurement of needed equipment and facilities to fully implement R.A. 9003. The MRF it plans to establish will also be used in the production of compost organic fertilizer.

Ignacio said President Arroyo agreed to support the initiatives of the Talusan municipal government and made available the P700,000 fund for its landfill and MRF facilities on condition that the town will provide a P300,000 counterpart to raise the P1-million amount needed for the project.

The DENR official said the President wants the establishment of MRFs nationwide to achieve zero waste through recycling and composting.

Secretary Heherson Alvarez, Presidential Assistant for Climate Change, who is also here, said President Arroyo is so concerned for the sustainable management of our waste to combat the problems on global warming.

Alvarez said part of the President’s regular countryside visits is aimed at encouraging local government officials to strongly promote and practice waste segregation and composting.

He stressed that the President is strongly committed to pursue initiatives designed to address global warming which scientists predict would result to the steep rise in the seawater level and harsher weather disturbances in the next 50 years.


PGMA breaks ground for construction of a bigger airport in Zambo Sibugay

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presided over at noon today the capsule-laying rites for the improvement of the feeder airport in Barangay Anito in this town at a total cost of P85 million.

Assisting the President during the rites were Transportation ad Communications Assistant Secretary Elmer Soneja, Vice Governor Rey Andre Oligario, 2nd District Representative Dulce Ann Hofer, and Ipil Mayor Eldwin Alibutdan.

The President later addressed the province’s anniversary celebration at the capitol grounds where she turned over to Gov. Hofer a check for P45-million representing the first tranche of the airport improvement project.

Soneja said Phase I of the project involves the extension of the 800-meter runway to 1.2 kilometers.

Another P40 million would be allocated next month under Phase II of the project which is the concreting of the 700 meters portion of the runway.

Soneja said the airport improvement would later involve the construction of a terminal, apron (parking) and taxiway.

Once completed, Soneja said the Ipil airport can service or accommodate small cargo and passenger planes.

Rep. Hofer said it is a long-time dream of the province to have its own airport considering Zamboanga City airport which is located in the heart of Region IX is some three hours of land travel from Ipil.

Hofer said the province is so thankful for the Ipil airport improvement project which would definitely bring in investors, provide jobs and spur economic activities in Zamboanga Sibugay.