NEW CLARK CITY, TARLAC, – Hundreds of the world’s thought-leaders – urban planners, architects, engineers, property developers, academics – arrive in New Clark City (NCC) Tarlac this week, as the Philippines hosts a historic global congress from Sept. 10-13. Planners, architects, and enthusiasts all join this pivotal moment in urban, regional and environmental planning.
The 60th World Planning Congress (Diamond Edition) or WPC60@NCC, alongside the 1st International Conference on New Cities-Planning New Regenerative Cities, is organized by the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and the Philippines’ host organization composed of the Provincial Government of Tarlac (PGT), led by Gov. Susan A. Yap and the Local Organizing Committee, headed by Philippine Planner and ISOCARP-member EnP Haydee Jacklyn M. Quintana Malubay.
An established global non-governmental organization founded in 1965 and based in the Hague, ISOCARP is a network of professional urban planners from 90+ countries. Its main event, the annual WPC addresses traditional planning issues through rigorously selected technical papers. In its Diamond year, the WPC opens in NCC Tarlac and closes this October in Siena, Italy.
While WPC is long established, the Planning New Regenerative Cities conference is a world first after many years of deliberation, focusing on challenges facing “new” (regenerative) cities and
their relationship with nature. New Clark City Tarlac is the ideal venue for this theme, rising in a former military base from the literal ashes of Mount Pinatubo. Foreign and national delegates can fly into an award-winning international airport, attend sessions at iconic structures created for the 30th SEA Games in 2019, and stroll along the River Park for post-sessions programs against a stunning backdrop of
mountains, sunrise and sunset.
Over the conference’s four days, keynote speakers include Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary, the country’s planning authority; Anacláudia C. Rossbach, Executive Director for UN Habitat; Sylvester Wong, Vice President at AECom Asia Pacific, which formulated the masterplan for NCC Tarlac; Guy Castelaine Perry, VP for Urban Planning & Design at McKinsey; and Ann Forsyth, of the Harvard Graduate School of Design, among many others. Several other international experts from UN Habitat and other planning and development organizations are set to participate in panels, debates, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building.
Outside the plenary, delegates may choose from five tracks, each focused on a key issue of new cities and sustainability. A first-ever Do-Track to draft a Regenerative Cities Manifesto, thought- provoking special sessions and a pre-event YPP challenge for 30 young planning professionals round out the program.
A planning conference must go beneath the surface of its surroundings. Thus, WPC delegates can also join full-day technical tours of Metro Manila, and of Central Luzon, notably Clark, Tarlac and its environs on adaptive reutilization of existing resources and its Carbon Neutrality Initiative. The latter technical tour is led by Architect Royal Pineda, who designed most of NCC Tarlac’s facilities using the region’s abundant lahar as a composite building material. Lahar flowed out from the bowels of Mount Pinatubo upon its devastating eruption three decades ago. Half-day tours of Central Luzon development are presented along with cultural experiences and more “touristic” visits to Pinatubo and surrounding areas.
The ideas behind a pioneering conference
In a digitalizing world with a circular economy, expectations are rising for sustainably humanized, healthy cities and environments. Urban and regional planners now have both the opportunity and the professional responsibility to take a more robust approach.
Though it was coined 14 years ago, the term “regenerative cities” remains relevant today given digital transformation and the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. What we can learn from the past, on-going, and near future urban development will enrich the current stock of knowledge to navigate our future.
In New Clark City, about 100 km northwest of Manila, ISOCARP and the Local Organizing Committee welcome the entire international planning community. Together, in a total of six tracks, delegates will explore the challenges and opportunities of planning sustainable new cities that are healthy, inclusive, compact, regenerative and embedded in a circular economy, carbon-neutral energy supplies, and nature-based solutions, while fostering sustainable connectivity and complementarity with existing cities in the region, Metro Manila in particular.
A particular focus is to explore New Clark City Tarlac as an inspiring practice of regenerating a former military base. The conference will also explore climate adaptive resilience planning approaches, for new (and existing) cities vulnerable to climate change – from drought to floods – and natural risks such as volcanic and seismic activity.
Finally, this world first conference highlights Tarlac’s cultural diversity, as an inspiration for new cities to pursue inclusion of the indigenous population and its culture. One conference activity –
Mga Kwento ni Ima – explores the narratives of Indigenous Peoples – Aetas – about Mother Nature and Mother Earth, the mythology of weather forecasting and river-landscape design process. The Aetas had historical stewardship of domains now part of NCC Tarlac’s development area.
This congress would not be possible without our co-host and platinum sponsor, the Philippines’ San Miguel Corporation, a consistent proponent of long-term sustainability in major infrastructure.
We also thank institutional members of the Local Organizing Committee: PlanNet [Planning Network] Management and Consultancy founded by its President, Haydee Jacklyn M. Quintana Malubay; Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. and its Chairman Juan Romeo Nereus O. Acosta; Royal Pineda+ Architecture•Design of Architect Royal Pineda; the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Overall, WPC will be a remarkable, substantive, memorable and unforgettable planning congress, one that host-Philippines is proud to pioneer.

OLONGAPO CITY – In preparation for the opening of the School Year 2024-2025, the Schools Division of Olongapo conducted a five-day School Based Training of Teachers on the “MATATAG” curriculum last May 20 to May 25, 2024.
The said training of teachers for the implementation of the MATATAG curriculum is pursuant to Regional Memorandum No. 129, series of 2024 coming from the Office of the Undersecretary of Human Resource and Organizational Development to streamline the competencies under the Kindergarten Curriculum, Grade I, Grade IV, and Grade VII (K147).
The training of teachers was done simultaneously on all schools in the Division of Olongapo with the collaborative efforts of the OIC- Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Imelda P. Macaspac, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. William Roderick R. Fallorin and Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Dr. Eleonor C. Cayabyab.
During the training, Dr. William Roderick R. Fallorin expressed great confidence towards the teachers as he delivered his message with great support and encouragement to all those present saying – “that it is not about how beautifully the curriculum is crafted, rather, it is all about how the teachers would implement the curriculum, and at the end of the day – it is all about the teachers and the learners”. (Donald Q. Gramonte)

April 24-26,2024 – The Schools Division of Olongapo successfully held the third three-day Senior High School Summit celebrating the theme: MATATAG na Senior High School para sa MATATAG na Olongapo City.
The said summit is in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Division Memorandum Nos. 520 and 523 aiming to showcase the different skills and talents of the Senior High School students of the Schools of the Division of Olongapo on both academic and vocational strands.
The first day of the celebration was held at Regional Science High School in SBMA for the participating senior high school student of all strands to compete for academic quiz bee and dance competition. The second day was held at the Marikit Park, downtown Olongapo for “Contest of the Booths” to showcase the entrepreneurial skills and other skill competencies to include also the middle skills acquired by the learners of Technical and Vocational Livelihood (TVL) strand. The third day of the event was held to showcase and to give focus on the best practices of every schools in the Division of Olongapo where in William Roderick Fallorin, CESO VI, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, vehemently expressed his confidence that the teachers in the Schools Division of Ologapo are equipped and capable of delivering the Senior High School curriculum in the face of many challenges. The said celebration was spearheaded by the PSDS and Senior High School focal person, Dr. Corazon B. Dumlao. (Donald Q. Gramonte)

SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Olongapo Downtown join the nation in the observance of National Flag Day on May 28.
To ignite the momentous occasion, a flag-raising ceremony that displays a clean Philippine flag was held at SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Olongapo Downtown, as an effort to instill patriotism among mall employees, partner agencies, affiliates, and tenants, as well as business partners and the community.
The National Flag Day commemorates the first unfurling of the Philippine flag during the historic “Battle of Alapan” in Kawit, Cavite on May 28, 1898.
The National Flag Day also signals the unveiling of activities lined up for the Independence Day celebration on June 12. Aside from the vibrant display of the Philippines flag’s symbolic colors around the mall, SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Olongapo Downtown will mount events that promote Filipino-made products, such as the Super Pinoy Food Trip and Super Pinoy Market featuring local MSMEs, while pinoy talents will take centerstage in Super Pinoy Music happening on June 12, 2024, 4PM at the ground level of SM City Olongapo Central.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT –The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to conduct various activities during the Earth Day 2022 Celebration on April 22 as part of the agency’s thrust to promote environmental protection while still practicing minimum public health protocols.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, who is in the US for an official trip, the agency aims to conduct activities at each department’s convenient time.

“This year, with the lowering of the alert level in the area, the SBMA will be taking part in the Earth Day Celebration with strict compliance of the minimum health and safety standards to prevent the spread of the virus. Earth Day activities will be done in several small groups, and not as one big group,” he added.

This year’s theme “Invest in Our Planet” is, according to Paulino, fitting for the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, citing that one of his mandates as Head of the Agency is to invest in the environment in order to attract more business activities in this premier Freeport.

“One of the many thrusts of my office is the beautification of the area, providing lush greeneries and colorful blossoms around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The SBMA has already started planting bougainvillea on many center islands and pathways of the Freeport,” he said.

Among the activities lined up for the occasion, is a cleanup activity within the vicinities of SBMA office buildings, including the administration building 229, Building N, Naval Supply Depot, and other agency infrastructure.

Each department/office will also conduct lectures for their personnel regarding waste management or environmental protection in relation to their Environmental Management System (EMS).

The official also urged each employee to practice the five Rs of waste management all the time, namely, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.

During his first month, Paulino has ordered most of the companies located near the coastal areas of Subic Bay such as the Boardwalk Area and the San Bernardino Road to keep their fronts clean, with all complying to ensure a cleaner and greener Freeport.

The Earth Day Celebration was adopted in the Philippines in 1990 by President Corazon C. Aquino by virtue of PD 553 s. 1990 and was supplemented by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through PD 1481 s.2008, declaring every 22nd of April as the “Philippine Earth Day”.
During the past two years, the SBMA was unable to celebrate Earth Day due to the health and safety protocols brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org (formerly Earth Day Network) including one billion people in more than 193 countries.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Former Olongapo City mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. is the new Chairman & Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

He took his oath of office in Malacañang before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday after having been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

One of the original SBMA volunteers when the Americans shut down their Naval Base in Subic in 1992, Paulino is now the eighth chairman and administrator, replacing Wilma T. Eisma who was also sworn-in by Medialdea on the same day as director of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Paulino was first elected mayor of Olongapo City in 2013 and later on won another two successive terms. His son Rolen Jr., who is the incumbent mayor, succeeded him in 2019.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday, former SBMA OIC Administrator Randy B. Escolango, Deputy Commissioner of the Insurance Commission (IC) since 2017, took his oath of office on his new role sa Undersecretary of Labor (story below).

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Boosted by a resurging seaport trade, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recorded an income of P387 million last January, the highest monthly revenue ever recorded in the Subic agency’s almost 30 years of history.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the operating revenue posted in January 2022 was higher by 92 million, or 31%, compared to that in the same period last year.

The highest monthly revenue previously recorded by the SBMA was P358 million in “pre-pandemic” June 2019. The other record highs were P343 million in December 2021; P337 million in October 2020; P324 million in October 2018; and P298 million in July 2017.

This record-breaking income in January, Eisma said, was accompanied by other positive indicators: an 11% increase in operating expense that was higher by P10 million; a 41% growth in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); and a 20% increase in net income before tax with subsidy, which at P222 million was higher by P38 million.

Eisma pointed out that SBMA’s seaport operations alone contributed P221.4 million, with P91.62 million from cargo charges; P75.32 million in SBMA share from terminal income; P34.17 million in leases and rentals; and P12.28 million in vessel charges.

“We are hoping that this January record will be a foretaste of what’s to come in the succeeding months, as we ease down into normalcy with the waning Covid-19 pandemic,” said Eisma.

The SBMA, she added, “has really set its sights higher this year, especially with seaborne trade, after realizing an actual increase in container cargo traffic even at the height of the pandemic in 2021.”

According to a profit and loss statement from the SBMA Financial Planning and Budget Department, other than the P221 million from seaport operations, the agency’s January 2022 revenue of P387 million was enhanced by P111 million in land and building leases; P28 million in regulatory income; P8 million in housing leases; P6 million in airport operations; P.67 million in tourism collections; and P12 million in miscellaneous income.

Although land and building leases suffered a 1.8% decrease from its 2020 level of P113 million, it still contributed P64.73 million in land leases and P45.98 million in building leases this year, said SBMA budget officer Edith Marzal.

The slight decline in land and building leases was easily offset by a 65% increase in seaport income, a 35% rise in housing leases, and a 20% growth in miscellaneous income, Marzal added.

She also said that SBMA airport operations income likewise showed a 6% increase in January 2022 compared to last year’s record, while regulatory fees grew by 8%, and tourism income by 48%.

Meanwhile, the SBMA reported an aggregate 11% increase in its expense accounts with P67 million in manpower payroll services; P12 million in debt servicing; P10 million in occupancy costs; P1 million in repair and maintenance; P.07 million in advertising and promotion; and P14 million in various services.

The single biggest item in SBMA expenses was manpower cost for regular employees, which stood at P64.7 million, followed by contractual services at P14 million.

IBA, Zambales (PIA) — Central Luzon Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) has reaffirmed support to the plans and programs to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

“Overall, we can firmly assert that the whole-of-nation approach is significantly leading to positive effects in the security situation in all of our seven provinces and two highly-urbanized cities. With the efforts of different agencies and stakeholders converging, we have successfully maintained a peaceful and orderly region for the past years. Despite this, however, RPOC will remain steadfast. It will continue and further strengthen its efforts and support the plans and programs of the National Task Force (NTF) and Regional Task Force (RTF) ELCAC in curbing insurgency towards a more peaceful and progressive Central Luzon,” RPOC Chairperson and Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said.

During the NTF-RTF ELCAC Summing Up FY 2018-2021 and Ways Forward for 2022 and beyond session, Ebdane shared some of RPOC’s significant accomplishments.

“Provincial, City, Municipal, and Barangay ELCAC Task Forces were created in the region. These local task forces have declared the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) as persona non grata which resulted in several neutralization of mass supporters,” he said.

He commended agencies and local governments for the work they’ve put to ensure that each thrust under ELCAC is aimed at excellent peacebuilding and good participatory governance.

“I also thank our military and police officers for working hand-in-hand to conduct joint military and police operations in Central Luzon leading to the retrieval of firearms and neutralization of insurgents of whom were killed and arrested, and have surrendered. Among those arrested and killed were high ranking leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army,” Ebdane furthered.

He also lauded the security forces for the official dismantling of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Sierra Madre which was one of the fronts of insurgency in the region.

KLG Sierra Madre was successfully dismantled in the first quarter of 2021 along with the clearing of barangays formerly under its influence.
Peoples’ organizations in those areas were established and are now supporting development efforts of the government.

Under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, many former rebels have received assistance for their return to mainstream society from 2018 to 2021.

“I thank all regional line agencies, local government units including barangays which are part of the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program and Capacitating Urban Communities for Peace and Development Program since 2020,” Ebdane added.

“With proper coordination and support of different member agencies of NTF and RTF ELCAC, we were able to formulate plans and implement programs, projects and activities with the objective of achieving inclusive and lasting peace in Central Luzon,” the chairperson said.

Also, peace engagement activities with local rebel groups were conducted as well as an intensive advocacy campaign meant to educate the people on the atrocities of the CTG.

“Truly these were accomplished in less than four years and even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This proves that all of us share a vision of attaining peaceful, safe and thriving communities all across Central Luzon,” Ebdane ended. (PIA 3)

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) posted a PHP1.30-billion net income last year, a 55-percent increase compared to its figure in 2020.

In a report on Tuesday, CDC president and chief executive officer Manuel Gaerlan said notable financial milestones for the state-owned corporation were achieved amid the challenges of the global health crisis.

CDC’s financial stance remained afloat as it recorded a PHP5.96-billion cash position last year, a significant growth compared to the 2020 audited figure of PHP5.19 billion.

Aside from this, a 9-percent upturn was also seen in the firm’s total assets of PHP10.72 billion against the audited figure in 2020 at PHP9.84 billion.

From 2016 to 2021, the total generated net income of CDC reached PHP7.05 billion, which represented 70 percent of its overall net profit since its inception in 1993.

During the same period, PHP4.01 billion total cash dividends were also remitted by CDC to the National Treasury.

This six-year figure accounts for 66 percent of the total remittances made by the state-owned corporation in the past 28 years.

Gaerlan attributed these financial feats to the concerted and shared efforts of CDC officials, workers, as well as its stakeholders who continuously pour in support and trust to the state-run corporation.

“The outstanding financial and cash position of CDC by end of 2021 was a result of the combination of efforts of the entire CDC organization to include judicious fund management and cost-saving measures to reduce operational expenses,” Gaerlan said in a social media post. (PNA)

After the preliminaries, the program formally started with an opening remarks delivered by DILG Olongapo City Director Amada T. Dumagat. In her message, CD Dumagat emphasized the importance of the training, as well as how the conformity and commitment of the participants serve a crucial contribution in the formulation of the city’s GPB.

DILG Pampanga’s LGOO VII Lydia M. Baltazar, a member of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)-recognized pool of Gender and Development (GAD) experts, served as the resource person. Before she started the training proper, LGOO VII Baltazar gauged the depth of the participants’ knowledge in GAD by asking their backgrounds on GAD to adjust the pacing of her discussion and set the participants on equal footing for the training. She conducted the training in four parts, comprised of the Gender Mainstreaming, Gender Analysis and Benefits, GAD Planning and Budgeting, and an Open Forum.

In the open forum, participants raised few issues and concerns which were immediately addressed and clarified by the resource person. These include the use of different GAD tools as a basis in crafting the GPB, institutionalization of gathering sex disaggregated data by all departments, identification of gender issues, inclusion of Personal Services (PS) in the GPB, format of GPB to be used, and realignment and crafting of supplemental GPB.

Throughout the training, LGOO VII Baltazar kept on reminding the participants of the following important points: 1) That they are not just mere GAD focal persons of their respective departments but are members of the city GFPS; 2) gender issues exist in almost all areas; 3) for the GPB to be responsive, gender issues must be identified prior to coming up with a project or intervention, and not the other way around; and 4) that the LGU has identified all the gender issues and correspondingly, the programs, projects and activities to address them, with the necessary funds, before coming up with a working GAD budget of at least 5% of the total LGU budget.

As pronounced by the City GAD Focal Person and HRMO Head, Ms. Imelda Abad, in her closing message, a follow through activity shall be conducted to review and critic the GPBs submitted by each department or office. She also asked for the continued commitment and support of the GFP’s members throughout the crafting of the city GPB 2023.