PWDs, IPs leave Clark job fair with inspiration, encouragement

 

Former Isabela governor and Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca (center) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony formalizing the opening of the Clark Development Corporation’s (CDC) first-ever job fair for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) held on July 29 at the Mimosa Convention Center inside the Clark Freeport. Joining Padaca are (from left) CDC Director Manolo Feliciano (partly hidden), CDC President Arthur P. Tugade, CDC Chairman of the Board Eliseo Santiago, Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) President Rene Banzon, and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Arnel Paciano Casanova. – Photo by CDC Public Relation Department

CLARK FREEPORT – The more than 400 applicants that participated in the Clark Development Corporation’s (CDC) first ever “Jobs Fair for PWDs and IPs” did not only leave the Mimosa Convention Center yesterday with newfound jobs but also with encouragement and inspiration.

 “Whenever a negative thought would strike me, I would immediately get a book, a magazine, or even a newspaper and read it to convert those negative thoughts into something positive,” said Commissioner Grace Padaca of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as she addressed PWD and IP applicants during her keynote speech here.

Padaca, a former governor of Isabela province, also encouraged the applicants to utilize their time in a productive way: “While waiting for the opportune time, prepare yourselves by doing something productive until the right opportunity knocks on your doorsteps.”

“My message to all of you is that wherever you are make yourselves strong by being a productive person, try to equip yourselves [with skills]. If your strengths lean towards painting or to any skill that you possess, make the most of that talent. Without you knowing it, these little things will prepare you for bigger opportunities in the future,” Padaca emphasized.

In yesterday’s job fair, the CDC Customer Service Department’s (CDC-CSD) initial list revealed that at least 482 registered applicants, composed of 321 IPs and 161 PWDs, participated in the state-owned corporation’s first ever jobs fair for the handicap and indigenous peoples.

The CDC-CSD also reported that 38 applicants (IP, 31; PWD, 7) were hired on the spot. Reports submitted by the 37 participating Clark-based locators showed that of the 1,045 applications they received, 350 job seekers are set for “trade tests” while 230 of them are expected to return for “further interview.”

“The total number of applications reached 1,045 because some applicants have submitted their bio-data sheets to two or more locators,” the CDC-CSD report clarified.

Padaca also said: “I am with you in thanking the 37 Clark locators that have participated in this job fair and for opening their doors to consider employing PWDs like us and likewise, indigenous peoples, who are also our brothers and sisters.”

“To all of you locators, thank you for considering us; thank you for giving us the chance. We guarantee you that if you give us the chance we will prove to you our worth as a human being and our perseverance as an employee,” Padaca added.

CDC President Arthur P. Tugade had, likewise, thanked participating Clark locators for their “contributions and support to the CDC’s corporate social responsibility projects”: “Thank you for reaching out to the helpless, the needy, and the deprived. I assure you that you have not made the wrong move but in fact, you are making the right move.”

 Tugade further said: “Many times you will find that the most efficient and the most hardworking [employees come] from the people who have been forgotten and forsaken, if you give them the chance.”

“Today, I hope that you will find the most diligent and the most hardworking employees that you will ever have because this breed of people have lived and had survived the arena of hardship,” he continued.

“To you all, our brothers – the PWDs, the physically-challenged, and the katutubos, our heart goes with you. Allow me to say one thing, perhaps not all of you will be employed today hence, do not be afraid. Do not falter. And do not lose hope. For the CDC will still provide you opportunities such as this. Come back and look for a job that will suit you well,” Tugade added.

Tugade also announced that the CDC Board of Directors had already approved the proposal to institutionalize the PWD, IP job fair, which will be an annual event here.

 For his part, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Arnel Paciano Casanova said the job fair sends strong message that ethnicity and physical disabilities are not obstacles or barriers for PWDs and IPs from seeking employment and other financial opportunities in the Clark Freeport.

“Believe that dreams do come true. Believe in yourself and in your capabilities despite your respective handicaps. Development and employment opportunities are for everybody,” Casanova said.

Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) President Rene Banzon also announced that his goal is to reach out to different investor/locator associations in Freeport zones nationwide “and spread what CDC has started and to share this concept for other Freeport zones to emulate.”

He added that the messages of Padaca, Tugade, and Casanova during the job fair did not only inspire PWDs and IPs but Clark investors, as well.

Peping eyes Air Force City for sports

Not only for business, investments

CLARK FREEPORT – The chief of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) said he is eyeing select areas of the 300-hectare Air Force City where he is planning put up various sports facilities for Philippine athletes.

In a dialogue with veteran journalists from the Capampangan in Media, Inc. (Cami) at the Bale Balita here, POC President Joe “Peping” Cojuangco said the Air Force City, a 300-hectare prime lot area here occupied by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), will be a good location to establish training facilities for national athletes.

Cojuangco’s announcement came in the wake of an earlier statement from Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Arnel Paciano Casanova, who said the government is planning to transfer the 300-hectare Air Force City here to Cubi Point in Subic to allow the CDC to lease more lands to future investors.

Originally, Cojuangco was eyeing the upland areas of Clark’s 29,000-hectare sub-zone in the Sacobia Valley after the CDC, in 2011, presented the Clark STAR project to the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The Clark STAR project was supposed to be built on a 200-hectare land at the Northeast tip of Clark, between Mabalacat and the Sacobia River. Aside from having a sports academy and dormitories for athletes, it will have various stadia for indoor games, field events, and aquatic sports.

It will also feature a commercial complex, exhibit halls, convention center, promenade, central park, public transport terminal and a monorail link system around the facility.

Also, Cojuangco cited Sacobia’s geographical location saying its mountainous area forms a natural barrier that would prevent athletes from leaving their quarters prompting them focus more on sports. He added that the Sacobia’s climate and fresh air is ideal for athletes unlike the smoggy environment of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

But Cojuangco emphasized that once the plan to transfer the Air Force City to Subic pushes through, only select areas in the PAF area would be used for various sports facilities.

“I plan to put some of the sports [facilities] here since we have all the space in Clark,” Cojuangco said. “Part of the plan is to refurbish existing sports facilities at the Air Force City like its tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pool, and Challenger football field.”

Cojuangco also announced that the Philippines will be hosting the general assembly for the Centennial celebration of Asian sports to be held in Boracay this coming November.

“The Olympic Council of Asia is composed of 45 countries and some of the member-countries will be landing in Clark. Also, the Executive Council of the Association of National Olympic Committees or ANOC Executive Council will also attend the general assembly,” Cojuangco revealed.

He said the event is a good opportunity to market the Philippines, particularly the Clark Freeport to potential investors.

“Most of the participants are members of royal families, ministers, multi-millionaires and what they would usually ask me is ‘What is the best place to invest in the Philippines?’ So I want these officials to see Clark to entice them to invest here,” Cojuangco said.

          

“For me, this will probably be the biggest aggrupation of big people of the world,” Cojuangco said.

He added that “The Association of National Olympic Committees is composed of 205 countries and is bigger than the United Nations.”

18 countries to compete in Clark little league games

CLARK FREEPORT – At least 18 teams from different countries in Asia will be competing against each other on the upcoming Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) Little League 2013 here, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced.

CDC Tourism Promotions Office Manager Noemi B. Garcia said the event is slated from June 30 to July 8 and will be held at the CDC Parade Grounds.

Garcia added that the teams competing during the ASPAC competition are China, Chinese Taipei, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Jordan, India, Kuwait, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.

All teams from other countries are expected to arrive on June 30.

In anticipation of erratic monsoon rains, Garcia said the game schedules may change in case inclement weather disrupts the sports activities.

As part of Clark’s tourism activities slated for the second half of the summer season, Garcia said the hosting of the ASPAC games here is expected to boost the Freeport’s image as the choice sports tourism destination north of Manila.

For more details about the event visit the ASPAC Little League’s website at littleleague.org.ph, or contact +632-892-1800;+639175754740 and look for Sarah May Cayari or at scayari@relivinc.com.

INGASCO pours P1.35-b for air separation plant in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT – A leading Japanese industrial gas firm will be investing P1.35 billion for the establishment of an air separation facility here, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced.

Masahiko Kitabatake, president of INGASCO, Inc., on Monday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of an air separation facility project of Taiyo Nippon Sanso Clark, Inc., a whole subsidiary of INGASCO, Inc.

According to Project Manager Noel Ret Sampol, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Clark, Inc. will pour P1.35 billion for the project and will employ some 30 personnel during its initial construction phase and at least 300 workers once the facility is fully operational.

CDC President Arthur P. Tugade, in his speech, described the groundbreaking ceremony as a timely event. At the same, Tugade also pledged the CDC’s commitment and support to the company.

In 2011, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III witnessed the signing of a reservation agreement and term sheet between INGASCO and CDC during the Chief Executive’s state visit to Japan.

The fuel facility will be located in a 32,928-square-meter area along Panday Pira Avenue here.

The project would include the installation of mechanical and electrical equipment used for air separation such as cryogenic distillation column, column, multi-stage air compressors, pumps, electrical substation, cooling towers, and cryogenic storage tanks, among others.

Once fully operational, INGASCO will be capable of supplying nitrogen, argon, and oxygen to big Clark-based firms like Texas Instruments (TI) and Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corporation (PSPC), and other electronic and semiconductor companies.

The facility will have an output capacity of 10,100 Nm3 per hour for the production of liquid oxygen (LOX), liquid nitrogen (LIN), and liquid argon (LAR), including major process areas in filtration, air compression, pre-purification, liquefaction and separation/distillation, storage and product loading.

INGASCO is 70 percent owned by its mother company Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC), a major supplier of industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon to a wide range of industries, including the steel, chemical, electronics, automobile, construction, shipbuilding, and food industries.

The company also develops and manufactures gas-applied devices and equipment and plays a vital role in the frontiers of science and environmental preservation, as well as the Japan National Hydrogen Project.

Aside from its industrial gas business, the corporation is also involved in the supplying medical oxygen and other high-quality gases to medical institutions.

350 patients benefit from Korean firm's medical mission at Clark

CLARK FREEPORT – At least 350 indigent patients benefited from a medical mission spearheaded by a Clark-based Korean firm and civic group in cooperation with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

CDC Vice President for Operations and Technical Services Franco A.L. Madlangbayan said the International Association of Lions Club 354-D Korean Chapter Lions Club and Clark-based JB Cresta Corporation sought the assistance of the CDC for the conduct of a medical mission held in Clark Hills Village here from May 17 to 18.

JB Cresta Corp. Managing Director Jeano Bak said the event aims to boost the “interaction of the Korean organization with the Filipino people and provide medical services to local patients inside and outside” the Clark Freeport.

Bak added that members of the medical team were all from Seoul, Korea consisting of a dentist, dermatologist, general surgeon, internal medicine practitioner, and orthopedic assisted by 20 other staff.

Assisting the Korean medical team were personnel from the CDC Health Services Office and Community Extension Services Office (CESO) and provided various medical services to 200 patients on the first day and another 150 the following day, Madlangbayan also said.

Madlangbayan noted that the CDC “greatly appreciates” the service provided by JB Cresta and Lions Club and for their “intention to foster cooperation between the Korean Chapter Lions Club and local patients,” which he described as “a very worthy cause and gesture of friendship.”

Clark to host MICE Con 2014

CDC President Arthur P. Tugade (3rd from left) accepts the task of hosting next MICE Con at the Clark Freeport in 2014. Witnessing the turn-over ceremony are (from left) DOT Region III Director Ronaldo Tiotuico, CIAC President Victor Jose Luciano, Davao Tourism Officer Jayson Magnaye, BCDA President Arnel Casanova, OIC Philippine Tourism Promotions Board Stanie Soriano, CDC Chairman Eliseo Santiago, and CDC Tourism Manager Noemi B. Garcia. – Photo by CDC Public Relations Department

DAVAO CITY – The Clark Freeport will be next year’s venue for the annual Meetings, Incentives Travel Conventions and Exhibition/Events Convention (MICE Con), the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced.

During this year’s MICE Con farewell dinner on Friday (March 8) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here, the annual corporate event was formally turned-over to CDC President Arthur P. Tugade, who readily accepted the challenge of hosting the 2014 convention.

In his speech, Tugade cited MICE Con’s advantage in forging better business opportunities for tourism stakeholders:

“I understand that yesterday (March 7) his Excellency, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, no less, together with the secretary of tourism and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Speaker [Sonny] Belmonte came here.”

“Their presence…underscored the importance of MICE Con. Today, the full and entire management of the Clark Development Corporation is here if only to underscore the importance MICE Con,” Tugade said.

Tugade opened his speech by thanking all MICE Con delegates who attended the farewell dinner and afterwards accepted the challenge and opportunity, in behalf of the state-run Clark Development Corporation and the Clark Freeport, to host next year’s convention.

“On behalf of the management of the CDC and on behalf of the Clark Freeport, we accept the opportunity and the challenge to host the next MICE Con this coming 2014. This is a single honor as it is a privilege and a golden opportunity,” the CDC president further said.

He added: “Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for the opportunity. Just to show you how important it is [to us] today we have the chair of the Board of Directors [of the CDC] Eliseo Santiago, the president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Atty. Arnel Casanova, and of course, the president of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) Chichos Luciano.”

Tugade also assured MICE Con participants that Clark is now one of the perfect travel destinations in the North Philippines.

“We welcome you all to Clark and I hope you can all come to witness the sights and sounds of Clark. We hope you can all come to see the smiling people of Clark. We hope you can all come to experience the food, the hospitality, and the wonders of Clark as it is said for any reason whatsoever come to Clark – it’s more fun to do it all in Clark!”

RTC grants protection order to ‘doomed’ trees

ANGELES CITY – Score one for the trees!

A 72-hour Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) was signed on Monday afternoon by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Omar Viola after it was filed hours earlier for the protection of some 486 decades-old trees that are mostly acacias lining the MacArthur Highway from Barangay Pulungbulu in this city all the way to Mabalacat City.

The trees have been “doomed” to be cut by the Department of Public Works and Highways to make way for the widening of the Manila North Road.

Early Monday morning, the petition was filed by the Save The Trees Coalition (STC) headed by Cecille S. Yumul, Eugene T. Orejas, Louie T. Reyes, Dino Jose C. Doliente and Nole C. Acervo assisted by their legal counsel Atty. Francisco Yabut at the RTC versus Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and Regional Director Lormelyn E. Claudio of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) III.

The petitioners said the trees along the MacArthur Highway have been “in existence since the early days of the colonial period or for more than 50 years now and have become part of our nation’s heritage.

Aside from the scenic view and clean air that these full-grown trees supply, they also act as natural canopies from the heat of the sun for motorists and the public.”

According to Yabut, a hearing was held at 3 p.m. Monday by Viola on the petition for TEPO. After the hearing at around 5 p.m., Yabut said Viola signed the TEPO which has a validity of 72 hours.

However, the TEPO was only served yesterday, Yabut added. The case will then be heard in the sala of RTC Branch 59 Judge Angelique Quiambao.

The petitioners are seeking a permanent injunction of the cutting of trees on the said stretch along the MacArthur Highway.

In 2009, the DPWH cut down more than 100 trees along the MacArthur Highway in the City of San Fernando in what environmentalist called the “MacArthur Highway Massacre.” The following year, 30 more decades-old trees were felled by the DPWH.

On August 6 this year, the DPWH issued a memorandum to its regional directors informing them that the permit for tree-cutting along the MacArthur Highway from this city to Mabalacat City for various infrastructure projects has been approved by the Office of the Executive Secretary.

However, under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2003-30, an environmentally critical project regardless of its location is subject to the conduct of a mandatory public hearing as part of the Environmental Impact Statement review.

Considering the huge number of trees that will be “killed” in the process, the road improvement project poses a major threat to the environmental rights of those directly and indirectly affected, the petitioners said.

No consultation or public hearing was ever made contrary to the claims of the DPWH, the petitioners said.

Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said he has not given any permit for the cutting of the trees and that he “is not inclined to give any.” The city’s environmental office along with the STC has put notices to this effect on each of the trees marked by the DPWH for cutting.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales has likewise vowed not to allow the cutting of trees along MacArthur Highway within his area of jurisdiction.

Some two weeks ago, Morales joined the STC and former Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio in painting human figures on the X marks on the trees targeted for cutting as a sign of protest against the DPWH action. (By Ashley Manabat)

(Note:  First published by Punto Central Luzon on December 12. 2012, www.punto.com.ph)