Discussion and approval of 2010 Annual Investment Plan held at FMA Hall Olongapo City. Chaired by Mayor Bong Gordon with reports from CPDO Engr Marivic Nierras and Budget Officer Bebeth Marzan. In attendance are the 17 barangay chairmen, NGOs and the City Council
Re-enactment of the turn-over ceremony which happend December 7, 1959 at Rizal Triangle Olongapo City when the American government turned over the control of Olongapo to the Philippine Government
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuOTe7Sin8I Olongapo a New City
James L. Gordon worked hard for self determination of Olongapo residents and he got it first through the relinquishment of Olongapo by the US government to the Philippine government then by his efforts for city status for Olongapo. His political battles earned for him many enemies who were after self aggrandizement. He fought to retain the power utility and the telephone system which some local politicians wanted to sell to private entities at a bargain. He reiterated his Filipino Citizenship which his political rivals questioned. He was entitled to claim American citizenship being the son of a retired US soldier. Yet he opted to remain Filipino.
In February 20, 1967, he was assassinated at City Hall, only eight and a half months after Olongapo became a city.
Gordons widow Amelia was elected Mayor in the next election. Like her husband, Mayor Amelia worked hard at social amelioration. She invited a Battalion Combat Team from Pampanga to carve out a residential area in the hilly Gordon Heights for homeless families. The BCT came with their bulldozers and pay loaders and the area was soon subdivided for distribution.
Richard J. Gordon was elected Mayor in 1980. He worked for recognition of Olongapo as Highly Urbanized City, a separate entity from the province of Zambales. This recognition was won by Olongapo on December 07, 1983.
During the 1987 election Kate H. Gordon was elected Representative of the First District of Zambales. This made a formidable partnership that worked for the advancement of the interests of Olongapo residents.
The presence of the US Navy in Olongapo for 91 years brought gainful employment for residents. One serious social disadvantage, however, was the proliferation of the sex trade as US Navy on rest and recreation made Olongapo a stopover area. In the efforts to neutralize this, particularly the salacious name of Sin City that the city had been getting, many measures were taken. Rules of hygiene, sanitation, propriety and grooming were strictly implemented. Efforts were made to turn the city into a Festival City, a Scene City, a Mardi Gras City, with wholesome fun encouraged. Olongapo music was at its best.
The even tenor of life in the city was disrupted by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on June 15, 1991. With the entire city covered in volcanic ash from 18 to 24 inches, life became a daily struggle. No water, no electricity, rare transportation, demolished structures, food shortage were only some of the trials experienced by Olongapo residents for some weeks. Native resiliency in the face of disaster came to the fore however, and the city was back to normal in less than a month.
In the national scene, however, legislators were working to free the country from any foreign military presence. On September 16, 1991 the Philippine Senate voted to reject the Treaty of
Friendship, Cooperation and Security, thus effectively terminating the stay of US military bases in the Philippines and prohibiting the establishment of any other foreign military presence in the country.
The vision of a new Olongapo became even more defined with the ingenious design of Mayor Richard Gordon to put up thought provoking and highly-motivating slogans all around the city. Phrases like What Post OptionsThis Country Needs is Not a Change of Men but a Change in Men, Shared Vision, Shared Struggles, Shared Triumphs, Olongapo A City with Integrity, Character, Dignity and Pride, among other inspiring credos spelled the difference on how the city was painstakingly transformed into a highly-unified and forward-looking metropolis. These deeply ingrained values helped create a very disciplined and committed breed of achievers so characteristically Olongapo.
Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce donated 27 boxes of food and cloth items to the victims of recent flooding in Olongapo City.
SBFCC under the leadership of their current president, Professor Danny Piano in four occasions delivered relief goods to Botolan flood victims and recently, truckloads of goods worth half million pesos turned over to the Philippine National Red Cross to help our countrymen in Metro Manila.
The Olongapo City council, after the state of the city report of CDCC Chairman and Mayor Bong Gordon yesterday at their regular session passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity.
In his report, the mayor stated that 15 out of 17 barangays are flooded and 90 percent of the city's roads affected. (read www.sangunian.com for more details)
Monsoon rains submerge Botolan anew, cut link to South Zambales
Ninety percent of Botolan, Zambales is was submerged in floodwater as monsoon rains enhanced by the tailend of Typhoon Labuyo battered the whole province, doubling the effect of the onslaught of tropical storm Kiko that hit the town almost a month ago.
Latest report from the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) revealed that nonstop rains that started 12 noon Sept 7 brought floodwaters reaching as high as six feet damaging a total of 1,197 houses and displacing some 2,000 families.
The national highway along Barangay Carael linking South Zambales to the North was also closed to traffic anew as the approaches to the newly constructed steel bridge were damaged by strong currents of floodwaters expanding as wide as 5 kilometers and depth of 2 feet.
The Bailey Type Bridge had just undergone repairs yesterday to avoid further damage but raging waters destroyed even the "Gabion mattress" or concreted boulders the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had placed to reinforce the bridge's shoulders, according to DPWH District Engineer Hercules Manlicmot.
Relief operations and emergency assistance by the PDCC, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Provincial Social Welfare and development Office (PSWDO), Philippine National Police Zambales Provincial Office (PNP-ZPO), and the 24th IB of the Philippine Army are on-going as of press time and is personally supervised by Governor Amor D. Deloso.
In an interview, Governor Deloso has announced his plan to call into a summit the Olongapo City Government and concerned national agencies to discuss massive dredging and desilting operations in the province to clear waterways and avoid aggravating the now escalating disaster. (PIA-Zambales)
In Zambales, 16 villages in the municipalities of San Felipe, San Marcelino and Botolan were reported to be flooded while 15 other villages were under water in Olongapo City, Rabonza said.
Also in Olongapo City, seven families (or 52 persons) were affected by landslides in four areas of the city, the NDCC added.
- - -
Heavy rains plaguing the western section of the country has affected 70,000 residents in Olongapo City in Zambales, leading to suspension of classes in schools at all levels.
Olangapo Mayor James “Bong" Gordon Jr. said he suspended classes Tuesday in the entire city after a river that passes through it overflowed, aggravated by high tides, causing neck-deep floods in at least six villages.
Some residents were forced to move to the second floor of their houses, while others were evacuated to the Olongapo City National High School.
Residents of neighboring Botolan town, also in Zambales, were forced to flee their homes after a number of rivers nearby also overflowed. The inclement weather has also damaged three bridges, isolating half of Botolan’s population.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has deployed rescue teams to assist residents.
The incessant rains, attributed by weather forecasters to the southwest monsoon, closed portions of the national highway connecting Central Luzon to Cagayan Valley region on Monday night.
Sections of the highway in Santa Fe town in Nueva Vizcaya and Carranglan town in Nueva Ecija were closed due to mud and other sediment left by floods.
Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police regional director, said a team of engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways has already cleared the road for motorists.
In Manila, afternoon classes in elementary and high school in five villages in Malabon were also suspended Tuesday due to floods. Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
Courtesy of : ABS-CBN , TV PatroL WorLd .... FLOOD on BOTOLAN , Zambalez and OLONGAPO
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Olongapo City Flood 08SEP09
This was brought by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon which was, itself, enhanced by the Tropical Storm 13W/Dujuan and an active LPA NW of Olongapo City.
BlackDangeros (2 months ago) 0
Reply I Miss olongapo im from there new cabalan there a live... :D... i hope my lola its ok.... TheRenegadeAssassin (3 weeks ago) 0
Reply That's funny, my wife and I have a place in in the Foresty in Old Cabalan. What people need to know is that this is normal every year in downtown Ologapo. Especially in the market area. 32baller (2 months ago) 0
Reply dapat ang sakayan ng victory liner nasa old cabalan malapit sa dam. para hindi matraffic sa rizal ave. masyadong malaki para sa makitid na daan.maswerte parin ang mga taga gapo kumpara sa iba. jlagardejr (2 months ago)
Reply This issue was floated a lot of years ago but I don't know what the status is. Victory Liner and Saulog Transit ought to think about this but the question remains that are we willing to spend few pesos more to go to Old Cabalan (especially from the folks West and South of Old Cabalan) just to get to ride the bus to the destination? cutechel95 (2 months ago) 0
Reply thank you for sharing this video ramil123451 (3 months ago) 0
Reply maybe ibalic na ang us military para gumanda uli ang olongapo.... jlagardejr (2 months ago)
Reply this is not the answer to the matter. In fact sa US din may ganitong mga pangyayari din and they are already a First World Country. It's a matter of Strong Political Will and the population's willingness to do there part. rattlecode (3 months ago) 0
Reply Huh, That time I just left gapo more than a week. What a mess, pero na miss ko ang baha. Parte na yan ng buhay ng tga Olongapo, since i was a child I have some few memories ng baha. jlagardejr (2 months ago)
Reply That's true, nagkataon talaga na unusual yung rains na dala ng wx systems ngayong taon na ito. sayang walang record about the mean rainfall sa Olongapo City. And it happened twice in one day.
Olongapo 1980 Bumpy ride along Magsaysay Drive, shot on super 8 Ektachrome film.
MT PINATUBO DAMAGES AROUND SUBIC BAY AREA MT PINATUBO ERUPTION JUNE 1991
Mayor James "Bong" Gordon Jr. together with Councilor Edwin Piano and Olongapeños welcomes Mayor Jose "Pedo" Terlaje & wife Florence from Yona Guam,
Mayor Dale Alverez & wife Helen from Santa Rita Guam
Mayor Roke Blas & wife Maria from Sinajana, Guam
Vice Mayor Louise Rivera from Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon Guam
Benny San Nicolas - President, Guam Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts
Executive Director Angel Sablan & party during their visit in Olongapo City & Subic Bay Freeport Zone last August 14 to 17, 2009
A man was killed and 19 others were injured after a speeding bus of Korean firm Hanjin slammed into two passenger jeeps in Subic in Zambales province early Wednesday.
Radio dzXL reported that many of the injured in the 7 a.m. incident in Nagyantok village were employees of Hanjin Heavy Industries.
The fatality was initially identified as Edwin Asuncion.
Initial investigation showed that the driver of the bus lost control after the vehicle's brakes failed.
In February, at least 18 people were injured after a speeding Hanjin bus carrying them plunged into a canal in Zambales province.
At the time, reports said the driver of the bus allegedly tried to overtake two other buses while speeding along the Hanjin access road in Kawag village also in Subic.
Early this year, executives of the company faced a Senate probe on the number of deaths of workers inside their facilities.
Records at the Department of Labor showed that since 2006, over 4,000 accidents happened there, of which 19 were killed. - GMANews.TV
UPDATE:
Two persons died while nine workers of the Korean-owned Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. were seriously hurt on Wednesday when their mini bus collided with a passenger jeep at Barangay Nagyantok here, police said.
The bus was transporting the workers to the Hanjin shipyard at the Subic Bay Freeport.
The bus conductor, Edgar Asuncion, died at the San Marcelino District Hospital in Marcelino town where he was taken along with the injured workers.
One of the injured, Melba Carreon, died of head injuries later at the St. Jude Hospital in Olongapo City where she was transferred.
The jeepney driver, Adam Hassien, 24, told police investigators that he could not avoid the speeding bus because of an oncoming motorcycle. The bus crashed into his jeepney and pushed it far enough to hit another jeepney, he said.
Asuncion fell from the bus and succumbed to head injuries.
The bus driver, Roy Yap, surrendered to the police.
THE whole province of Zambales is now under state of calamity due to severe damage caused by Typhoon Kiko.
This was confirmed by Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, saying because of the heavy damages in the province, Zambales Gov. Amor D. Deloso declare the whole province under a state of calamity.
Aside from Zambales, also hit by Typhoon Kiko were provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac and Northern Philippines.
Arevalo said as part of government efforts to help affected residents the Navy disaster response teams has been on alert.
He said six disaster and rescue response (DRR) teams, two from the Naval Forces Northern Luzon and four from the Naval Education and Training Command rescued a total of 521 persons in flash- floods in Central and Northern Luzon.
The teams of around 80 officers and enlisted personnel rushed to Botolan, Zambales, particularly at Barangays Paco, Bangan and Carael to conduct rescue and assistance operations in response to the distress call.
Each DRR team is equipped with one M35 truck with DRR trailer, two rubber boats and complete DRR equipment.
Aside from these, members of Provincial Disaster Coordination Council boarded the Navy’s aircraft PN Islander 312 and conducted air reconnaissance of the flooded areas in Zambales.
NETC also transported 100 sacks of relief goods from Olongapo to Botolan.
The Navy’s immediate response to distressed citizens in times of natural calamities affirms the Navy’s multi-faceted role in carrying out non-combatant missions. By: Zaida delos Reyes-Palanca - Journal online
A former fruit vendor, ice drop vendor and an automotive shop helper is Region 3's bet for the TESDA IDOL 2009
NELSON P. GUZMAN who took a TEK-BOK Course in Welding under Olongapo's Skills Training Center is now a certified SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDER NC II and AUTOMOTIVE SERVICING TECHNICIAN.
The President Ramon Magsaysay Outstanding Filipino Worker Award (PRMOFWA) search also called, "Search for TESDA Idol," is one of the most prestigious awards being given by the TESDA annually. It is the government's concrete recognition of the important role played by Filipino workers who are honest, hardworking, persevering, highly successful in their respective fields, toward achieving the country's economic goals in support of national development.
The award is institutionalized through Executive Order 411 on May 1, 1997 and named after the late President Ramon Magsaysay, who was once a blue-collar worker.
Olongapo Skills Training Director Councilor Ed Piano endorses NELSON P. GUZMAN for TESDA Idol 2009
To vote for Nelson, text TESDAIDOL POLL D send to 70083732
TESDA Idol is an institutional award created to recognize the graduates of TESDA programs who have attained skills excellence and success in their chosen occupations and contributed to the economic growth of their communities. It is an award to tech-voc graduates who have attained exemplary performance and serves as role models for others through their success stories, which are potent instruments that could provide inspiration and veer the youth and the unemployed towards promising careers in tech-voc. The candidates may either be self-employed or wage-employed working within the country.
The awarding of recognition for the regional and national winners will be held at the TESDA Central Office during the 15th TESDA anniversary celebration this August 24, 2009. The celebration will be observed in all TESDA offices.
Voting thru text/sms (patterned after popular contests) is part of the competition.
Olongapo Skills Training Director Councilor Ed Piano, in behalf of the City of Olongapo and all of Region 3 endorses NELSON P. GUZMAN for TESDA Idol 2009
To vote for Nelson, text TESDAIDOL POLL D send to 70083732
Weekly update over DWGO regarding resolutions and ordinances being tackled in the Olongapo City Council session hall. also provides update on Guam buildup project under TaskForceGuam headed by Councilor Ed Piano
Olongapo Subic Bay Freeport Plan by Design Science Animation & Graphics by DIGISCRIPT PHILS
This is a concept as of this time... Masterplan under review prior to approval
Weekly update over DWGO regarding resolutions and ordinances being tackled in the Olongapo City Council session hall. also provides update on Guam buildup project under TaskForceGuam headed by Councilor Ed Piano The video is compilation of photos during the induction ceremony of metro olongapo chamber of commerce at olongapo convention center
Weekly update over DWGO regarding resolutions and ordinances being tackled in the Olongapo City Council session hall. Also provides update on Guam buildup project under TaskForceGuam headed by Councilor Ed Piano The video is compilation of Slides on Socio Economic Impact of Local Inter-Migration in Olongapo City
Guam-OFW.com Olongapo Skills Training for Guam Buildup
Training being done by Olongapo City in preparation for the upcoming Guam Buildup. Featured in Bandila News ABS-CBN Channel 2 by Henry Omaga-Diaz July 15, 2009
“Dream big for yourself and put them into action.”
This is the theme of the story entitled “A Beautiful Dreamer” which City Councilor and Olongapo Skills Training Center Director Edwin J. Piano, had retold to some 50 school children of Nellie E. Brown Elementary School (NEBES) during the Read-Aloud and Storytelling Session held last June 26 at the school Extensive Reading Center (ERC).
The NEBES Read-Aloud and Storytelling Session is a monthly reading-aloud activity where professionals and other community leaders are invited to read or retell stories that could inspire the schoolchildren.
A PDI-Inspired Activity
This reading program was introduced to the school by Mrs. Eva B. Imingan, the District English/Reading Coordinator which aims to promote genuine love for reading among children through reading-aloud strategy – an idea that was inspired by the Read-Along Session of the Philippine Daily Inquirer where celebrities / community leaders were invited to tell stories to schoolchildren in the public schools.
Meaningful Reading Project
This reading project seeks to enhance children’s reading experiences by presentation of literature of various genres by the invited guest storyteller; with connection to the content subjects they have in their classroom.
This activity was made possible through the support of the school principals Mrs. Reolita R. Ecura and District Supervisor, Dr. Ramil G. Gonzales.
Said program of the school is now on its second year of implementation with the approval from Dr. Ligaya B. Monato, the Schools Division Superintendent.
A Reader today is a Leader tomorrow
The story, “The Beautiful Dreamer” – a Chinese fable, tries to share and point out the value of hard work and perseverance in reaching out for one’s goals in pursuing dreams in life. It is also about learning the necessary skills to be able to survive the challenges of life in these times of economic crisis. Unemployment is just one of the many problems that affect our country and so please must learn the skills needed to best the odds and uplift their lives.
“We need to be persistent in developing our talents and abilities. This is the only way that we can make a difference in our families and to the community as a whole.” Kgd. Piano admonished to the crowd of eager listeners. “One should not stop from reading and learning. Everyone must strive for personal excellence in order to be productive; and practice always make perfect results,” added.
“It is timely and an eye-opener for all children,” said Roma Angela Manuel (VI-I) regarding the suitability of the book.
The children had taken part in reading the story with Kgd. Piano and they were all delighted while listening and reading the story in a power point presentation.
High Hopes
Mrs. Reolita R. Ecura, the school principal, hopes for the continuous implementation of this activity in the years to come. “I think this one is a worthwhile reading activity to be done in our school for the benefit of our children. A reader today is a leader tomorrow.”
“We hope that more children will be inspired to read books and become just like our guest storyteller who shares with us the noble advocacy in educating the youth through reading. “She pointed out with optimism.
By. Melody M. Gonzales Grade IV Teacher Nellie E. Brown Elementary School
Guam Task Force, Bagumbayan, Subic IT Council, PESO Job Fair
Over four thousand (4,000) Olongapeños and from neighboring provinces such as Bataan and Zambales trooped to the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on May 26, 2009 for the Special Recruitment Activity (SRA), a part of Mayor James Gordon, Jr.s job and opportunities assistance program for the people of Olongapo. The activity was a joint effort of the Subic IT Council headed by Engr. Jay Son, WOW Card Inc., Public Employment Services Office (PESO), Bagumbayan Volunteers and the City Councils Committee on Labor and Employment.
Mayor James Bong Gordon, Jr. through the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), headed by Evelyn delos Santos, thousands of job seekers were served, including the former US base employees, who are given priority on the Guam project. Twenty thousand (20,000) skilled workers are needed to fill in jobs created by the impending transfer of the US military facility in Okinawa, Japan to Guam. In line with this, an on line registration was also conducted which made the processing of applications fast and easy.
Patuloy nating ilalapit sa mamamayang Olongapeño ang mga trabaho sa pamamagitan ng PESO. Ito ay bahagi ng naisin ko na maiangat ang pamumuhay ng ating mga kalungsod, Mayor Gordon said. Nineteen (19) Overseas Recruitment Agencies and thirteen (13) Local Companies participated in the Special Recruitment Activity (SRA), in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment(DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Technical Skills Development Agency (TESDA) and PESO skills Training.
Rally held in Makati to denounce Congress for its attempt to railroad Con-Ass and Cha-Cha to extend the Power of PGMA. Joined by Anak Pawis, Bayan Muna, PDP-Laban, Bagumbayan, ACT, church, academe and manu more
ICT Rise Up Club of Olongapo City National High School participated in the World Green Wave Day. The group planted trees and watered the trees they planted at Parola Olongapo City
Birth of an Olongapo internet based TV - OICTV.COM
Olongapo City had been devoid of news in video format since the local STV6 ceased operations in May 2007 due to economic reasons. Since then Olongapo residents where treated to news and information in mere printed, radio format and websites (entry of bloggers were a big break)
OICTV site aims to fill that gap by inviting residents to use their video capable cellphones/cameras and contribute to the making of the city’s history.
By harnessing the video capabilities of both youtube, onetruemedia and blogger . . . this site’s goal is to post worthy videos for future use of our city’s historians, our children's appreciation of the past and as reference material for decision makers of our community.
Video Streaming important events for live viewing (depending on user's demmand) and permanent 24/7 IP cams on city's strategic locations are in the works.
