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.