Friday, October 9, 2009

43 FINISH 2nd BATCH of GERMAN LANGUAGE TRAINING


Totaling to forty three (43), fourteen (14) boys and twenty nine (29) girls comprised the second batch of graduates of the one and a half month German Language Training at the Olongapo City Skills Training Center.

“The graduates are a clear manifestation of the effectiveness of the city's program for livelihood and skills development for Olongapeños,” Mayor Gordon said.

"Our graduates should not stop on just acquiring the knowledge, they must use this information to better themselves and earn a decent living," Mayor Gordon added.

“We were overwhelmed by the response, ang daming gustong mag-train sa course na ito at hindi namin inaasahan na marami pala ang gustong mag-training ng German Language,” Sanchez said.

Courses discussed during the training include German alphabet, pronunciation, practical conversation and Spelling.

The training was facilitated by Reggie Sanchez, a German Language instructress who married a German national and lived in Germany for more than twenty (20) years.

Because of the huge demand for the course, the German Language Training will be conducted regularly same as the other regular trainings such as computer, call center, welding trainings, basic handtools and power tools safety and usage.

For more information, call 222-5401, 222-2661 or visit the Olongapo Skills Training Center at the 2nd Floor Annex Bldg. of the Olongapo City Hall.

Mayor Gordon: “Make Waste Segregation a Habit”


Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. once again reminded the populace to segregate household wastes thru the garbage bins provided at the streets of Olongapo City.

“The Olongapo City Government has vigorously campaigned for the C3 or Compost, Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle campaign to manage the city’s waste,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. “If we segregate our wastes, we are not only helping to keep the city clean and healthy but more importantly, we are in one way or another, fighting climate change. Southeast Asian countries are beginning to feel the effects of climate change. For the past two months, the Philippines has been hit by succeeding fierce typhoons, same with Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos and the devastations caused by these typhoons are distressing. So in our own little ways, let us help rehabilitate our environment and I am appealing to all Olongapeños to make waste segregation a habit,” he added.

Accordingly, The Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO), distributed leaflets to Olongapeños explaining in detail the CR3 method to segregate wastes and to promote proper care of the garbage bins provided for the residents.

Meanwhile, Dante Ramos, head of ESMO said concerned residents may report cases of lost or ruined garbage bins to their respective barangay leaders o call the ESMO hotline numbers: 223-4538/224-9346.

The meaning of storm signals


In the face of successive tropical cyclones or typhoons that brought massive damages to the country and to Olongapo City as well, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has tasked concerned departments to re-inform Olongapeños about the meanings of storm signals so that appropriate disaster preparedness can be done to prevent accidents.

“The Philippines has the highest number of tropical typhoons in the world with an average of 20 typhoons entering the country every year, so we must always prepare for the worst situations,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAG-ASA, Public Storm Signal No. 1 is put into effect when a maximum wind speed of not more than 60 kph is expected to affect a certain place in at lest 36 hours. In this situation, impact of winds may cause twigs and branches of small trees to be broken, some banana plants may be tiled or downed and some houses of very light materials like nipa and cogon may be partially unroofed. Classes in pre-school level in all public and private schools in affected communities will automatically be suspended.

On the other hand, Public Storm Signal No. 2 is announced when the maximum wind speed is greater than 60kph but not more than 100 kph is expected to affect a certain place in at least 24 hours. In this situation some coconut trees may be tilted or broken, few big trees may be uprooted, large number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed, some old galvanized iron roofing may be peeled off and in general, the winds may bring light to moderate damages to the communities affected. With storm signal no. 2, classes in pre-school, elementary and high school levels in all public and private schools in affected areas are automatically suspended .

Public Storm Signal No. 3 is announced when a maximum wind speed of more than 100 kph up to 185 kph is expected to affect a certain place in at least 12 to 18 hours. In this situation, nipa houses may be unroofed or destroyed and there may be considerable damages to structures of light to medium construction. There may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services and in general, moderate to heavy damage may be expected, practically in agricultural and industrial sectors. With public storm signal no. 3, people are advised not to travel especially by sea or air transportation and people should also seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas and stay-away from seacoasts or river banks. Classes in all levels are automatically suspended in affected communities.

Public Storm Signal no. 4 is declared when very strong winds of more than 185 kph is expected to affect a certain area in at least 12 hours. In this situation, many large trees may be uprooted and most residential and buildings of mixed construction may be severely damaged, electrical power disruption and communication services will be disrupted and in general, massive damages may be expected to communities affected.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Photo News

Mayor Gordon Gives Presents on his Birthday


Foregoing the celebration of his birthday in cognizance of the plight of the typhoon and flooding victims, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. spent his special day giving gifts to needy Olongapenos today, October 1, 2009 at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court.

Together with Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie, Mayor Gordon handed out more than 3,000 grocery gift bags to residents who in turn, expressed their gratitude for the assistance they received.

“I cannot celebrate my birthday knowing that there are people in the city who needs more food and supplies especially after the recent calamity,” Mayor Gordon explained.

“As his wife, I can only wish for his good health and long life and although his special day lacks the merriment of a usual celebration, I know that he is very happy today because he is doing good things for the people,” said Olongapo First Lady Anne Marie.

Mayor Gordon foregoes celebration of his birthday

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon decided against the prior plan of city department heads to throw a surprise celebration party for his 62nd birthday this year.

“Due to the recent catastrophe that hits the city, I am foregoing any merry-making or celebrations. Instead, I am asking you to come up with projects that will provide livelihood and employment assistance to the people of Olongapo and that will make me very happy on my birthday,” Mayor Gordon said, addressing the department heads.

To adhere to this request, last September 30, 2009, several programs were held simultaneously by the City Health Office, Dental Services Department, Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (LCDO) and the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court where hundreds of Olongapeños benefited from the free medical and dental consultation, free livelihood training, and free haircut service that the said offices provided.

Jobseekers also took advantage of the employment opportunities that were offered by accredited recruitment agencies and companies that


participated at the said event. Later that day, Mayor Gordon together with Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie also distributed grocery gift bags to underprivileged families in Brgy. Barreto.

City Starts FACES Project

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. led the ceremonial turn-over of fund assistance given by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals-Family-Based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slums (UNMDG-FACES) Project in Olongapo City.

Held at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court recently, Mayor Gordon officially turned over the P60,000 fund assistance for the 1st phase of UNMDG-FACES project to City Treasurer Marcelino Andawi, UBSP Coordinator Randino Ledesma, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Gene Eclarino and to City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) OIC Engineer Marivic Nierras.

The said amount is the partial funding of the total amount of P300,000.00 fund assistance. The Local Government Academy (LGA) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) of the Philippines thru the United Nations-Habitat, implements FACES in Olongapo. The city is the sole recipient in Region III of the said second batch of the grant.

To ensure the implementation of the said project, Mayor Gordon signs Executive Order No. 59 that creates the FACES Project Management Team (PMT) wherein the Officer-In-Charge of the Urban Basic Services Programme (UBSP) will lead the team.

Among the 17 team members are:
1. The Officer-in-Charge of the City Planning & Development Office
2. The City Social Welfare Officer
3. The City Health Officer
4. The City Nutrition Action Officer
5. The Officer-in-Charge of the City Budget
6. The City Director of DILG
7. The Division Superintendent of the Department of Education
8. The Livelihood and Cooperative Development Officer
9. The City Population Office
10. The PESO Coordinator
11. The JLGMH Women’s Center Officer
12. The City Civil Registrar
13. The President of Gordon College
14. The Officer of the Women and Children Protection Center of the PNP-Olongapo City Police Office
15. The President of the Olongapo Business Club
16. The President of the Gawaing Aktibong Pampamayanan of Olongapo (GAPO)
17. Barangay Focal Persons of the Identified Slum Community

The FACES project aims to focus and target issues on poverty thru the selection of twenty (20) male and twenty (20) female youth from underprivileged communities. From the study of the “subjects” the FACES Project Management Team will then formulate recommendations to address and provide solution to poverty.