TROPICAL Cyclone wind Signal no. 4 has been raised over the Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City and the whole province of Zambales as of 5pm today, Sunday (Sept. 25) as Super Typhoon Karding (Noru) continues to pack strong winds on its way towards the West Philippines Sea.

According to DOST Pag-Asa (Dept. of Science & Technology Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), the eye wall of Typhoon Karding is now affecting the Polillo Islands where Typhoon Signal no. 5 is already in effect along with Aurora province, and parts of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pampanga.

Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. has activated its Central Command Center and is at the helm of the implementation of the province’s disaster preparedness plan. 

DOST Pag-Asa estimates that Typhoon Karding will directly hit Botolan, Zambales around 2AM or less than 8 hours from now.

Botolan Town Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane has called on his constituents to exercise all precautions as strong winds of the Typhoon, at warning signal no. 4, is strong enough to uproot trees, posing danger to both lives and properties.

In Olongapo City, Mayor Rolen C. Paulino Jr. has ordered the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to be on full alert to respond to any eventuality.

“Tayo ay nasa signal no. 4 na po, muli mag-ingat po tayong lahat at maghanda sa pagdating ng bagyo,” Mayor Paulino said.

Classes and work in government offices have been suspended for tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 26, both in Zambales and Olongapo, except for staff of frontline offices that are part of disaster response units.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman & Administrator Rolen C. Paulino has suspended work in government offices in the Subic Bay Freeport.

He has clarified, however, that the suspension of work only covers government offices, not private companies which, he said have the discretion to suspend work or otherwise in their respective work places.

“Only government offices lang po ang walang pasok bukas… not including private companies,” Chairman Paulino said.

Meanwhile, sea vessels docked at the piers of the Subic Bay Freeport have moved out to the safety of the open sea and avoid the path and strong winds of Typhoon Karding.

USNS Millinocket, a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport under the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command left Rivera Pier this afternoon, following the USNS John Ericsson, which already left hours earlier.

The Philippine ship BRP Antonio Luna also left its dock at the former Hanjin Shipyard, part of which is now occupied by the Philippine Navy.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has already recommended to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. the suspension of work in government offices, excluding frontline offices, in eight regions, namely Regions 1, 2, CAR, 3, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and 5 due to Typhoon Karding.

“The same course for action for private companies, offices, schools is left to the discretion of their respective heads,” said Dept. of National Defense O-I-C Jose Faustino, Jr., chair of NDRRMC.

###

January 26, 2022 marked an exciting new chapter in Subic, Zambles as the groundbreaking of the first General Hospital took place at Mapanao, Asinan Proper.

“We are here already, we will build this hospital in Subic for our people. It’s high time to start this now because of the growing health concerns in our town and we also need to upgrade our Health care system” Mayor Jon Khonghun said proudly of his plan for the soon to rise general hospital.

The General Hospital is designed to be a two-storey building with 2400 sqm floor area. The hospital will have a 100 bed capacity, fully equipped and complimented with a minor operating room, ancillary area and emergency department with total budget allocation of 100 million pesos to cater with the medical needs of the people of Subic and its neighboring towns.

The project is set to start as soon as the PTC from DOH is released and the timeline is within a year or two from 2022.

The land area of 5,000 square meters was developed and donated by Fiesta Communities led by its President Mr. Wilfredo Tan.

The municipal mayor of Subic Jonathan Khonghun led the groundbreaking ceremony together with Zambales Governer Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Department of Health ASec Maria Francia Laxamana, Regional Director of DOH Corazon Flores, M.D, MPH, Fiesta Communities President Mr. Wilfredo M. Tan and Vice governor Jefferson Khonghun.

“This hospital will cater to the needs of the people of Subic, its neighboring towns, and neighboring Provinces.” Mayor Khonghun said.

Gov. Ebdane and ASec Laxamana, expressed full support to the needs and required assistance of the Municipality of Subic in order to make sure that this new general hospital will prosper and serve its purpose. (Viviene Gail Delgado)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga– A teacher in Subic, Zambales created a storybook focused on the life of children of workers currently in the frontline in the battle against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Noelynne Joyosa from Agusuhin Elementary School said the 20-page story titled “Kakaibang Araw” exemplifies a child who wakes up in an unusual morning where she finds herself eating alone, cannot play and go outside with her family, and has to sleep alone during the night.

“The story also conveys the simple reminders of the child’s parents, a doctor and a soldier, to wash hands thoroughly and to stay inside the house to avoid contracting viruses and to go outside only to buy food and other necessities,” she shared.

The last part of the story shows the child praying for the safety of her parents and for the COVID-19 pandemic to wear off soon so that her parents can go home and be with her.

Joyosa stated that she was inspired by the videos and posts she sees online where frontliners can’t go home to their families because of the Enhanced Community Quarantine and parents watching their children from afar because they cannot go near them.

“I can’t help but think of those frontliners’ children left at home and if those young ones understood the reason why their parents have to leave them during this health crisis,” she added. (-PIA 3)

Ito Ang Totoo: napaka-istratehiko nga naman ng Subic Bay hindi lamang sa larangan ng komersiyo kundi pati sa aspeto na pang-militar at seguridad sa bahaging ito ng Asya.

Kaya nang magsara ang Hanjin, ang kompanyang Koreano na gumagawa ng mga dambuhalang barko, kumilos din ang mga Intsik para maka-take-over sa mga pasilidad nito.

Gayunman, tiniyak na ni Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma na sa mga susunod na buwan ay muling magbubukas ang shipbuilding facility sa ilalim ng kompanyang ayaw pa niyang pangalanan pero sigurado hindi raw Intsik.

Ito Ang Totoo: katakot-takot naman ang usapan nitong mga nakaraang araw kaugnay ng Grande at Chiquita Islands dito pa rin sa Subic, na umano’y kinukuha rin ng mga Intsik.

Sa harap ng mga paglapastangan ng China sa karapatan ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea, nakaaalarma lalo ang presensiya ng mga Intsik sa balat ng lupa ng Pilipinas.

Naglipana na nga sila sa laganap na Online Gambling na umuokupa ng mga buong hotel, apartments, restaurants, pati dating eskuwelahan, at iyon nga, pati mga isla sa bibig ng Subic Bay ay gusto pa kunin.

Ito Ang Totoo:  hindi na dapat isyu ang pag-okupa ng mga Intsik sa dalawang isla dahil ibinasura na ng SBMA Board ang proposal ng kompanyang nakipagsabwatan sa mga Intsik, ang GFTG Property Holdings, Inc. sa pamamagitan ng pagbebenta ng mayoryang shares sa Sanya ng China.

Noong Mayo 19, 2019 naganap ang pagbasura na, ayon kay Eisma, ay sa kadahilanang lalabag sa konstitusyon ang panukalang proyekto ng GFTG Property Holdings Corp.

Naghahanap na lang daw ang SBMA ngayon ng ibang investor na magdi-develop sa naturang mga isla bilang tourist attraction.