Friday, April 30, 2010

Olongapo: A Child-Friendly City


Thru the continuous implementation of various programs and projects dedicated to the general welfare of the young, the Olongapo City government has created a child-friendly metropolis where the children can grow well and their rights and welfare are being advanced and protected.

“Tayong lahat ay minsan ding naging bata kaya dapat lamang na naiintindihan natin ang kanilang mga karapatan at pangangailangan. Sabi nga ng bayani ng Bagumbayan na si Jose Rizal, ang mga kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan, kaya dapat ay protektahan natin sila laban sa panganib at pang-aabuso, sa masasamang elemento o bisyo at mapalaki at mahubog natin sila ng wasto upang maging modelong mamamayan at susunod na mga lider ng lipunan,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

“Olongapo City is a national finalist to the Search for the Most Child-Friendly City because of the incessant and combined efforts of different city government departments under the leadership of Mayor Gordon and thru the assistance of barangay health and social workers and the participation of the communities,” said Gene Eclarino, head of City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

“Lahat ng basic needs ng mga bata at nung isisilang pa lamang ay pinagsisikapan nating tugunan. Katulad na lamang ng libreng bakuna at check-up sa ating mga health centers na ngayon ay nakapagbibigay na rin ng Basic Emergency Obstetric and New Born Care (BEMONC) services sa loob ng bente-kwatro oras. This is to encourage pregnant mothers to deliver in a health facility rather than do home birthing, that sometimes, results to infant and maternal death because of lack of medical care needed to attend to birthing problems and complications, ” said Mayor Gordon.

“Sa pamamgitan ng City Health Office ay nagsasagawa rin tayo ng feeding program para sa mga batang ang edad ay 5 pababa sa mga lugar na nasaliksik nating mas nangangailangan ng tulong sa nutrisyon,” said Rich Torralba, City Nutrionist. “Sa katunayan, bumaba ang malnutrition prevalence rate noong 2009 dahil na rin sa mga programang pang-nutrisyon ng lungsod katulad nga ng feeding programs, Garantisadong Pambata at ang kampanya ng lungsod sa mga school canteens laban sa mga junk foods. Sa atas ni Mayor Gordon ay ikinakampanya rin natin ang ASIN Law o ang paggamit ng iodized salt hindi lamang sa ating mga kabahayan kundi pati na sa mga commercial establishments na nagtitinda ng pagkain dahil malaki ang maitutulong ng iodized salt sa ating kalusugan lalo na sa mga bata,” Torralba explained.

“Bilang isa sa pangunahing karapatan ng mga bata at kabataaan, binibigyang prayoridad ng pamahalaang lungsod ang edukasyon. Access to quality and affordable education for all, iyan ang ibinibigay sa lungsod kasama na ng mga scholarship programs mula sa elementarya hanggang kolehiyo,” said Councilor Nathan Manalo, a certified city scholar who graduated as cum laude at Gordon College.

“And to respond to the needs of our public schools to improve their facilities, the city government thru the Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed City Ordinance no.55 that mandates for a grant of school empowerment fund amounting to Php 100,000 for public elementary and high schools that will top the National Achievement Test (NAT) in the city level,” ayon naman kay Tet Marzan, City Planning and Development Office Project Coordinator. “Sa pamamagitan ng school empowerment fund ay mas mabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga bata at kabataang Olongapo sa mas maayos at de-kalidad na edukasyon,” Marzan explained.

“Because we believe that education is for all, Olongapo City has also introduced the ALIVE (Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education) as a peace-building strategy where Muslim –Filipino children in the city are given an opportunity to understand their own language and culture to result to a more compassionate population and to build respect and tolerance to other religion,” Mayor Gordon added.

“Ngunit hindi lamang ang mga mga bata at kabataang nakakapasok sa eskwelahan ang tinutulungan ng lungsod,” said Councilor Manalo. “Opportunities for non-formal education are also being given to Out-Of-School Youth thru the computer classes held in the barangays and thru the Alternative Learning System in coordination with the DepEd so that our OSYs can have equal opportunities and access to education,” Manalo disclosed.

“Ipinagmamalaki rin ng Olongapo ang 55 Day Care Centers natin sa 17 barangay na nagbibigay rin ng non-formal education at pangangalaga sa mga bata edad 3 hanggang 5 bilang preparasyon sa kanilang pagpasok sa elementarya. Sa katunayan, mayroon din tayong in-house day care center sa ikatlong palapag ng Olongapo City Hall na siya namang nangangalaga sa mga anak ng mga empleyado ng lungsod,” Eclarino added.

Moreover, aside from addressing the basic needs of children, the city government is also prepared to respond to children involved in high-risk situations thru the Social Development Center which caters to female children who are victims of child abuse, child labor, human trafficking and street children in need of special protection; the Center for Youth (formerly OCARE) which caters for male minors, street children, victims of violence and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and the Center for Women and their children who are victims of violence, human trafficking and other forms of abuse. A Sagip-Kababayan Program is also being implemented in the city to rescue children and prevent them from being abused and exposed to other forms of exploitation, indignities and degradation.

“Being a child-friendly city is a legacy from no other other than the acknowledged mother of Olongapo, Pearl S. Buck International Woman of the Year Awardee, Amelia Juico Gordon, who, in her quest to safeguard the rights and welfare of the young, adopted more than 50 abandoned children and raised them herself and helped thousands more thru the Boys and Girls Home that she established before,” said Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon, an advocate of women and children’s rights.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Iba na Ngayon: “Its better Automated!”

“Since this is our first time on computerized voting, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. has tasked the Public Affairs Office (PAO) to constantly inform the public about the A-Z’s of poll automation,” Vic Vizcocho, Jr., head of PAO said over SBC TV22 simulcast on radio dwGO. “Sa pamamagitan ng palagiang pagpapaalala sa publiko sa pamamagitan ng radyo, telebisyon, dyaryo o internet man ay mas mapapadali ang pagtuturo natin sa mga botante tungkol sa makabagong paraaan ng pagboto at pagbilang ng boto gamit ang bagong balota at PCOS o Precinct Count Optical (PCOS) machine,” said Vizcocho.
According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) official website for voters’ education www.ibanangayon.ph , voters must observe the following guidelines regarding the proper use of the modern ballot:
1. Before accepting the ballot from the BEI, check to see if the ballot is:
a. Un-filled up; and
b. Clean, i.e., there are no marks anywhere on the
ballot
2. Vote by shading in the oval next to name of the candidate of your choice.
a. Completely shade in the oval. Do not use a check, or an x, or a dot, or any similar mark.
b. Do not make any mark outside the voting areas of the ballot.
c. It is alright to go over or beyond the lines of the voting oval
d. Use the COMELEC provided marking pen
e. Do not over-vote
f. Use only the COMELEC provided marking pen
g. Before filling up the ballot, be sure about the choices you are making. You will not be able to erase the marks you’ve already made; there will be no replacement ballot available.

3. After voting, enclose the ballot in the ballot secrecy folder and proceed to the PCOS.
a. There may be a line, so join the end of the line.
b. Do not show your ballot to anyone.
c. When it’s your turn to cast your ballot at the PCOS, slide your ballot out of the secrecy folder so that only the top portion is exposed.
d. Align the exposed portion to the mouth of the feeder and gently ease the ballot into the PCOS.
e. Release the ballot without removing the ballot secrecy folder.
f. Wait for the PCOS confirmation of your ballot before leaving

4. After casting your vote, return to the BEI for indelible inking.
It can be recalled that the poll automation is the brain-child of Senator Richard Gordon, who is now running for president, to address the usual long and tedious manual counting of votes that the COMELEC used to do.

Step 1
Pagkakuha ng Official Ballot, siguraduhing ito'y walang mga pre-shaded ovals.
Be sure that the ballot is free of marks and that the ovals are not pre-shaded.




STEP 2
Para mabilang ng wasto ang iyong mga boto,
I-SHADE NG BUO ang oval na katapat ng kandidatong iboboto gamit
ang black marker mula sa presinto.
SIGURADUHING HUWAG MAG OVER VOTE.
To ensure that your vote will be counted properly, completely shade the oval beside the name (s) of the
Canidadates using the black marker provided in the precinct. Do not over-vote.


STEP 3
Ipasok ang iyong Official Ballot sa PCOS.
Feed your ballot at the PCOS machine.

FREE OPERATION TULI COMMENCES

The city government of Olongapo under the leadership of Mayor James Gordon, Jr., SK Federation, and the City Population Office (PopCom) with the doctors and medical staff of the City Health Office and Red Cross volunteers have launched the Annual Free Operation Tuli.

In an interview over dwGO with Virgie Navarro, city population officer she said, “so far wala namang kinakaharap na problema sa mga pasyente namin, meron lang ilan na hindi muna pinayagan na maisagawa ang “procedure” dahil hindi pa napapanahon, maaaring sa susunod na taon pa.”

The project started on April 6, 2010 in Brgy. Asinan. Among the five (5) barangays , Brgy. Barretto emerged with the most number of patients with two hundred one (201) registrants, followed by Brgy Gordon Heights- one hundred fifty (150), Brgy Asinan- fifty five (55), Brgy New Banicain- forty seven (47) and Brgy New Kababae- thirty seven (37).

The project will continue until the end of April. “Malaking tulong ito sa mga kapuspalad dahil hindi na nila po-problemahin ang panggastos sa pag papatuli sa kanilang mga anak,” FL Anne Gordon said.

City Health Officer Arnildo Tamayo cautioned the patients to follow the doctor’s advice and make sure to take medical prescriptions properly and on time. The Medicines were funded by the SK Federation headed Olongapo SK Federation President Cheenee Hoya andfrom the local funds.

The remaining schedule of Free Operation Tuli are as follows:

Kalaklan April 16, 2010
New Kalalake April 19, 2010
Mabayuan April 20, 2010
New Cabalan April 21, 2010
New Ilalim April 22, 2010
Old Cabalan April 23, 2010
Pag-asa April 26, 2010
Sta. Rita April 27, 2010
West Bajac Bajac April 28, 2010
West Tapinac April 29, 2010.
East Tapinac April 30, 2010

Contact your SK chairman for slot reservations or call the city PopCom office at 222 4003.

IBA na Ngayon - Features Ramon Bautista, Mo Twister "Voter Education" by...

Voters Education Animation Project (Tagalog Version)

Gordon : Free Kindle Units for 17 M students

Bagumbayan standard bearer Richard Gordon does not only guarantee salary increases to public teachers, doctors and other professionals should he win the May 2010 presidential race, but also vows to provide free Kindle units to 17 million public school students in the country.
This is in line with Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.’s program to advance education as a tool for progress fro the city and its people.
“We need to improve the quality of education in the country to produce globally competitive graduates and we will do that by increasing the salaries of our teachers up to P40,000 and by providing a Kindle to each of our students wherein all the books that a student will need can be contained in a portable device with a storage capacity of over 1000 publications in digital format,” said Senator Gordon. “This way, all of our students will have free access to up-to-date learning and reading materials. Wala nang estudyante ang magtitiis pumasok ng walang libro,” Senator Gordon added.
Senator Gordon, former mayor of Olongapo City, first chairman and administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and past secretary of the Department of Tourism, proposes to get the funds to purchase 17 million Kindle units, approximately amounting to $100 each, by allocating 50 centavos of every text message to the budget for education.
“We must provide the best education to our students for this country to move forward and not be left behind. Matagal na tayong naiiwan ng mga kalapit-bansa sa Asya, its our time to soar high dahil alam kong kaya natin. “Halos 3-bilyong text messages ang ipinadadala nating bawat araw, kapag siningil mo ng 50 sentimos ang bawat text message, we will have enough money to buy Kindle. I know, there will be opposition to the idea, but this is doable. When we give it for free to students, I don’t think they will refuse,” Gordon explained.

FL ANNE GORDON, Family Inspires Her

Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Marie Gordon takes time to introduce and disclose things about herself to Olongapeños before enumerating her programs and projects for the 1st District of Zambales.

‘’Ako po si Anne Gordon, nakapagtapos ng Nursing sa St. Joseph’s College at kumuha ng Master’s Degree in Business Administration sa De La Salle University. Ako po ay maybahay ni Mayor Bong Gordon at ina ng nag-iisa naming anak na si Jane,’’ FL Anne Gordon said at the “Binggo Bonggah-Anne, Panalo Ka Bayan!” courtesy of Kalinga Community for Children on April 14, 2010 at Brgy. East Bajac-Bajac.

FL Anne Gordon, who is running for Congress in the 1st District of Zambales, also imparted that her inspiration in whatever she does is her family. “Nagsilbing malaking inspirasyon sa akin ang mga halimbawa ng aking mga magulang na parehong naging lingkod bayan. Ang aking ama ay nagsilbi bilang sundalo samantalang ang aking ina naman ay isang public school teacher.”

‘’Dahil na rin sa inspirasyon ng aking ina na isang guro, lubos akong naniniwala na ang edukasyon ay susi sa magandang kinabukasan kaya’t patuloy ang aking pag-suporta sa mga mahihirap nating kabataan sa pamamagitan ng Scholarship Programs. Naranasan ko rin mismo kung gaano kahirap ang magtaguyod ng pamilya dahil ang sweldo ng aking mga magulang ay hindi sapat para sa aming siyam (9) na magkakapatid. Dahil dito, pinagsumikapan kong ilunsad ang programang ‘Abot Kayang Bigas’ pati na rin ang mga proyektong pangkabuhayan at Skills Training,’’ conveyed FL Anne Gordon.

She also acknowledged and paid tribute to the woman whom Olongapeños affectionately calls “Ina ng Olongapo,” first woman mayor and assemblywoman and recipient of the 2002 Pearl S. Buck Woman of the Year Award, “Dahil na rin sa inspirasyon na ibinigay ng pamilya Gordon, partikular na sa mga proyektong pangkawang-gawa ni Mama Amelia (Gordon), ipinagpapatuloy ko ang pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan,” FL Anne said.

Finally, FL Anne acknowledges Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. for being a good husband to her and a loving father to their daughter Jane who is currently studying on a scholarship at the Marymount University in Virginia, USA.

MAYOR BONG GORDON: ‘’Meron na tayong SIPSIP 1’’


Mayor Bong Gordon, Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice-Gov Anne Gordon who is now running for the congressional seat of the 1st District of Zambales and Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo inspect the powerful IMS Model 5012 HP Versi Dredge with Patented Starwheel dredging machine at the mouth of Kalaklan River.
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‘’Gusto kong ipa-alam sa inyo na meron ng sariling dredging machine ang Olongapo na ngayon ay nag- lilinis na sa ibat-ibang mga channels at rivers ng lungsod,’’ said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. at the recent “Binggo Bonggah-Anne, Panalo Ka Bayan!” courtesy of Kalinga Community for Children at Brgy. East Bajac-Bajac.

‘’Tinawag natin na ‘Sipsip 1’ ang unang dredging machine at dadagdagan pa natin yan, bibili pa ng isang dredging machine ang lungsod na tatawagin naman nating ‘Sipsip 2’,’’ Mayor Gordon proudly announced.

’Kung dati ay humihiram lamang tayo ng dredging machine sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), ngayon ay tuloy-tuloy ang gingawang trabaho ng City Engineering Office (CEO) dahil ayon sa mga flood control experts ay malaki ang tulong ng desilting sa mga ilog sa lungsod. Sinimulan noong buwan ng Marso ang desilting sa bukana ng Kalaklan River,’’ Mayor Gordon added.



It can be recalled that the first city-owned dredging machine arrived on February 3, 2010. The IMS Model 5012 HP Versi Dredge with Patented Starwheel Dredging Machine which was bought by the city government from the United States came in with accessories. “Kung ikukumpara sa isang ordinaryong dredging machine na nasa three hundred (300) meters lamang ang layo ng buhangin na kayang ibuga, ang dredging machine na binili ng city government ay tripleng mas powerful dahil meron itong kapasidad na 1.5 kilometer maximum length of pipe na di hamak na mas malayo ang kayang ibuga na buhangin,” General Service Office (GSO) Head Engr. Vic Bernabe said.

‘’Bagamat mas maliit siya sa size ay mas malakas o compact naman ito at kayang pumasok kahit na sa mga makikipot na ilog na hindi nagagawa ng isang ordinaryong dredging machine, the GSO head added.
According to a study done by flood control experts, the over flow of rivers is a result of erosion. Soil, mud, rock and other particles go down from the mountains and making the rivers shallow. To prevent river overflows, the dredging machine will be used for regular desilting works in Olongapo City rivers particularly Sta. Rita River, Mabayuan River, Cabalan River, East Bajac-Bajac Channel and Kalaklan River.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

CADASTRAL SURVEY PROJECT CONTINUES

After conducting a series of barangay meetings last February for the cadastral project Mayor James Gordon, Jr., the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) is calling on Olongapo residents to cooperate in the cadastral survey to conducted by the contractor AB Surveying and Development.

The cadastral project is funded by Senator Richard Gordon through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), thus, no single centavo will be spent by the landowner.

According to Eng’r. Joanne Agaton of CPDO, the benefits of the cadastral survey are as follows: First, it speeds up the processing of land title application; second, less expenses in land titling; third, minimize land dispute , and helps the local government in planning and formulating projects and programs for every barangay.

Cadastral Survey is a kind of land measurement to determine the boundary of lots and authenticate ownership.

In an interview over dwGO’s and SBC TV22’s Mayor’s Corner, Agaton said, “sa lungsod ng Olongapo, tatlong (3) barangay ang kailangang unahin at iprioritize ng cadastral project. Ito ay ang barangay New Cabalan, Old Cabalan at Brgy. Barretto.”

The Cadastral Lot Survey work schedule is as follows:

April 10, 2010 Kalaklan
April 20, 2010 Mabayuan
April 30, 2010 Gordon Heights
May 10, 2010 East Bajac-Bajac
May 20, 2010 West Bajac-Bajac
May 30, 2010 New Kalalake
June 9, 2010 New Asinan
June 19, 2010 East Tapinac
June 29, 2010 Pag-asa
July 9, 2010 West Tapinac
July 19, 2010 New Kababae
July 29, 2010 New Ilalim
August 8, 2010 New Banicain
August 18, 2010 Sta. Rita

For queries about the cadastral project, visit the office of AB Surveying and Development at no. 25 Jones St. New Asinan Olongapo City.

ELECTED LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY-OLONGAPO CHAPTER OFFICIALS TOOK OATH


The newly elected officers of ‘Liga ng mga Barangay-Olongapo Chapter’ formally took their oath of office before Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.

They are Brgy. New Cabalan Chairman Audie S. Sundian as President, Brgy. New Banicain Chairman Ernelizar P. Batapa as Vice-President and Brgy. Gordon Heights Chairman Edgardo R. Gingco as Auditor

“Olongapo’s progress will start from our barangays, given the trust and confidence of their fellow ‘Liga ng mga Barangay’ officers and members, this will give leadership to the barangay development in the city as Liga President Sundiam sits in the Sanguniang Panlungsod,’’ Mayor Gordon said.

City Councilor Edwin Piano and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC-City Director Dennis D. Villasenor stood as witness at the oath-taking of the three (3) officials at the flag raising ceremony on March 29, 2010 at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court.

In the Special Election participated-in by the seventeen (17) members of the league on January 12, 2010, Sundiam got 14 votes, Batapa 13 votes and Gingco 14 votes. The 3 officials received their respective confirmation and recognition letters from Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas National President Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri.

“The Liga, under my guidance, will continue to support the HELPS program of Mayor Bong Gordon,’’ said Liga President Sundiam who joined the Sanguniang Panlungsod (SP) on March 10, 2010 as Liga representative.
Olongapo City First Lady and Zambales Vice Gov. Anne Gordon has also expressed her support to the ‘Liga’ through programs and projects for the barangays.
‘’Bgy. Chair Sundiam as Liga president is a welcome development to the city government as the administration of Mayor Gordon is geared towards uplifting the 17 barangays of Olongapo,’’ said Vice Gov. Anne who is currently running for congress in the 1st District of Zambales.

LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY OATH-TAKING: Mayor Bong Gordon administers the oath-of-office to the newly-elected officials of the ‘’Liga ng mga Barangay-Olongapo Chapter,’’ namely Liga President Audie S. Sundiam, Liga Vice-President Ernelizar P. Batapa and Liga Auditor Edgardo R. Gingco during the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Rizal Triangle Covered Court on March 29, 2010. Witnessing the oath-taking are City Councilor Edwin Piano at Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC-City Director Dennis D. Villaseñor.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. formally turned-over a computer set donation to Cabalan Transport Service Cooperative Incorporated (CTSCI) last March 27, 2010 at the FMA Hall of Olongapo City Hall where the members and officers of CTSCI held their General Assembly. Also present in the occasion were incumbent councilors Gina Perez, Jong Cortez, Ellen Dabu, Rodel Cerezo and city consultants Tet Marzan, Romy Guerrero, Edna Elane and Ed Piano.