Subic bay news vol 14 no 13 20.00Php

Tapas Bar and Restaurant 2nd Floor Subic Gas Bldg 724, Dewey Avenue, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Manila- – The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing the Philippines Php170 million ($3.5 million) to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its COVID-19 vaccina- tion rollout. This new assistance, which brings total U.S. government support for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response to nearly Php1.3 billion ($27 million), will strengthen the country’s health system and vaccine delivery efforts. U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law announced this new assistance during a visit to a vaccination site in Calo- ocan City with Philippine Secretary of Health Francisco Duque III, City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II, and other U.S. and Philippine officials. Through this new funding, USAID will support the Philippines in strengthen- ing the vaccine supply chain, monitoring U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law announces that the United States is providing the Philippines Php170 million ($3.5 vaccine safety, and delivering effective million) to support the Department of Health in its COVID-19 vaccination rollout. communication campaigns to address vac- cine hesitancy. This assistance will also to fight this unprecedented global health communicate effectively about health ($2 billion) contribution, provided through support local government units as they crisis together.” risks. USAID, is supporting the purchase and plan for, track, and administer vaccines. U.S. government support for In addition, the White House re- delivery of safe and effective COVID-19 “While the pandemic has tested the Philippines’ COVID-19 response has cently announced a Php194 billion ($4 bil- vaccines. Through the COVAX effort —of our peoples and our economies, the strong helped the country implement interna- lion) commitment to support the COVAX which the United States is the largest do- bonds between Americans and tionally-recognized infection prevention facility, a global initiative to support early nor—the Philippines will receive enough will help us rise above this challenge,” said and control strategies, strengthen labora- vaccine access for 92 countries, including vaccines to immunize at least 20 percent of Chargé d’Affaires Law. “We will continue tory systems and case management, and the Philippines. An initial Php97.2-billion its population by the end of 2021. U.S. and Philippine Forces Conclude 24 NAMRIA 36th Balikatan Exercise crewmen – Service members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) contract and United States Armed Forces conclud- ed the 36th iteration of Balikatan Exercise on Friday, April 23 with a small ceremo- Covid-19 ny held at the General Headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in . SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A total of 24 “The successful conduct of this crewmembers of ships operated by the year’s Balikatan Exercise 36-2021 has defi- government mapping agency Nation- nitely brought us a step closer towards al Mapping and Resource Information our goal of capacitating our forces, and as Authority (NAMRIA) have been infect- such, will consequently contribute to the ed with the new coronavirus diseases peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific Re- (Covid-19) and transferred onshore to an gion,” said AFP Chief of Staff General Cirili- isolation facility here. to Sobejana. According to the Subic Bay Metro- The Chief of Staff was joined by politan Authority (SBMA), which monitors the Philippine Secretary of National De- Covid-19 cases in this free port, the infect- fense ; U.S. Embassy in ed crewmen came from the four NAMRIA the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires John Law; vessels that are based in the Subic Bay Major General Edgard Arevalo, the Com- Freeport. mander of the AFP Education Training and SBMA Chairman and Administra- Doctrine Command and this year’s Exer- tor Wilma T. Eisma said the positive cases cise Director; Brigadier General Fernando were shuttled by the SBMA Covid-19 team Reyeg, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for on Wednesday night to the Manila Times Training and Education and Assistant Ex- temporary treatment and monitoring fa- U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Charge d’Affaires John Law, Philippine Secretary of National De- ercise Director of BK36-2021; and Colonel fense Delfin Lorenzana, and senior Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Indo-Pacific Com- cility (TTMF) at Subic’s Cubi area, which see, Balikata Exercises, page 04 had just opened for operation that morn- mand representatives participate in the closing ceremony of the Balikatan Exercise. (Photos by ing. SN1 Donald Viluan PN/PAOAFP) “We have taken every precaution to prevent further transmission among the crewmen, as well as personnel in the Subic mega facility for Covid-19 treatment Port of Subic,” said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma on Friday. “I’ve ordered a ‘gangway-up’ status for and monitoring launched all the NAMRIA ships, which means that SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Government of- all the remaining crew would have to stay ficials on Wednesday (April 14) inaugu- onboard and cannot come onshore except rated a treatment and monitoring facility for emergency.” for patients infected with the new coro- She added that SBMA health of- navirus disease (Covid-19) at the former ficials, as well as port authorities, have Cubi Hospital complex, a sprawling, gat- already completed contact tracing and ed compound deep in the forest of Ilanin put in place safeguards to ensure the ob- East here. The “We Heal As One Center”, servance of Covid-19 protocols and other which was designed to increase the coun- health safety measures imposed in Subic. try’s healthcare system surge capacity and “The vessel commanders have allow hospitals In Manila to care for pa- been very cooperative thus far—with the tients with medium to severe symptoms, SBMA, as well as the Bureau of Quarantine is housed at the 12-hectare campus of The and the Philippine Coast Guard, so we’re Manila Times College of Subic, Inc., which positive that this health issue would be re- includes the former U.S. Naval Hospital. solved soon,” Eisma also said. This Covid-19 wellness center and According to Dr. Solomon Jacalne, temporary treatment and monitoring facil- head of the SBMA Public Health and Safe- ity is an inter-agency cooperation project ty Department, a total of 18 crewmembers of the Department of Health (DOH), Of- of BRP Hydrographer Presbiterio had con- fice of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of tracted Covid-19. Meanwhile, four other Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Bases BCDA President and National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Viven- positive cases were recorded aboard BRP Conversion and Development Authority cio “Vince” Dizon, assisted by DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Francia Miciano-Laxamana and DOH Hydrographer Hizon, one on BRP Hydrog- (BCDA), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), De- Undersecretary and Treatment Czar Dr. , cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the Subic Covid-19 wellness center and temporary treatment and monitoring facility on Wednesday, see, 24 NAMRIA, page 02 see, Subic mega facility, page 02 April 14. Subic Bay News www.subicbaynews.com 02 AboitizPower Oil Business Unit secures ISO SBMA warns...... from page 4 certification for energy management systems Certification Philippines in December 2020, also issuing the The AboitizPower Oil same certification in March this year to the Oil BU’s six facil- Business Unit (BU) ities ― Cebu Private Power Corporation, East Asia Utilities marked a milestone Corporation, and Therma Power Visayas, Inc. in Cebu; Ther- in 2021 for being the ma Marine, Inc. in Maco, Davao de Oro and Nasipit, Agusan first in the Aboitiz- del Norte; Therma Mobile, Inc. in , ; Power Group to be and its administrative office in City. conferred with the According to DQS Certification Philippines, the im- ISO 50001:2018 “En- plementation of an energy management system and the ergy Management identification and analysis of all energy-related consider- Systems (EnMS)” cer- ations make the flows of energy transparent, reduces green- tification. house gas emissions, and helps save cost, among others. With the “The rising cost for energy, the need to handle re- EnMS certification sources responsibly, and the increase of global trade all in place, the Oil BU require new and concrete approaches to energy usage in is poised to improve AboitizPower Oil BU President through and deed,” DQS said, adding that stringent legal re- its performance by and COO Aldo Ramos with the quirements for climate protection and the incentives offered promoting efficiency, ISO 50001:2018 Certification by various aid programs have also pushed sustainable energy reducing energy costs management concepts to gain significance. associated with electricity and fuel consumption, and con- Oil BU manages and operates the oil-fired power tinuing to comply with the Energy Efficiency and Conserva- generation assets of Aboitiz Power Corporation. Its facilities tion Act of 2019 (Republic Act No. 11285) and Department — which include two land-based power facilities operated of Energy Circular No. 2021-01-0001. by Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) in Maco, Davao de Oro and “This certification is a testament to AboitizPower Oil Nasipit, Agusan del Norte; as well as power plants operated BU’s commitment to the continuous improvement of its en- by Cebu Private Power Corporation (CPPC), East Asia Utilities ergy performance,” AboitizPower Oil BU President and Chief Corporation (EAUC), and Therma Power Visayas, Inc. (TPVI) Operating Officer Aldo Ramos said. in Cebu — are ready to provide peaking capacity in Visayas An audit for the certification was conducted by DQS and Mindanao whenever necessary. 24 NAMRIA...... continued from page 01 SBMA officials show the metes and bounds of the Subic rapher Palma, and another on BRP Hydrographer Ventura. Bay Freeport after serving a notice to vacate to farmers The NAMRIA, which is under the Department of who put up illegal settlements within the freeport zone Environment and Natural Resources, provides mapmak- ing services and acts as the government’s central map- ping agency. It started basing its vessels here in 2015 after BRPH Hizon and BRPH Palma were commissioned here on June 1 that year. Jacalne said the infection among NAMRIA crew- men was traced to a crewman of BRP Ventura who re- turned for duty on April 5 after some time off in Antipo- lo City. Antipolo, along with other areas in the so-called “NCR Plus bubble,” is still under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status. Jacalne added that on April 8, said crewmember underwent a reverse transcription polymerase chain reac- tion (RT-PCR) test and came out positive, prompting the lockdown of all vessels for quarantine even as the ship crew did not show any Covid-19 symptoms. When one crewmember developed hypertension on April 12, he was brought to a hospital here and RT-PCR Some of the structures built by illegal settlers at Lot 2 near testing was required, and a saliva RT-PCR was then ap- Mt. Sta. Rita in the Subic Bay Freeport proved for the crew. Jacalne said that subsequent results on April 13 An SBMA Covid-19 shuttle picks up NAMRIA crewmen for adjoins Dinalupihan town and Brgy. New Cabalan in Olonga- showed that out of the 75 crewmen, 22 were positive. transfer to the temporary treatment and monitoring facil- po City. Another positive case came up on April 15 from the two ity after 24 NAMRIA personnel in the Subic Bay Freeport A report from the SBMA Ecology Center said that in pending results of the April 12 saliva test. tested positive of Covid-19. late February, inspectors discovered an undeveloped settle- It might be recalled that a crewmember of BRPH ment near the SFEX tunnel, which consisted of some huts Palma became the first Covid-19 case recorded in the Mindoro on March 6 and falling ill upon his return to Subic built in a newly-cleared 500-square meter area. The new three days later. clearing is located along the proposed rail alignment of the Subic Freeport at the onset of the pandemic last year. Said Subic-Clark Railway Project, said SBMA Ecology Center man- crewman tested positive on March 29, 2020 after visiting ager Amethya Dela Llana. Subic mega facility...... continued from page 01 Dela Llana said that after a meeting with the Ka- layaan Ayta community revealed that the unauthorized partment of Information and Communication Technology in this project),” Eisma also said. clearing was made by a group of tribesmen from the Iram (DICT), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Jose B. Prior to this, Eisma has defended the mega isola- Resettlement area in Olongapo City, her office referred the Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH), and Depart- tion facility project after some Subic stakeholders feared matter on March 31 to Nestorio Pablo, the indigenous peo- ment of Interior and Local Government (DILG). that it might lead to more Covid-19 exposure among local ple’s representative to the Olongapo City council. In the inauguration rites, BCDA President Vince residents and workers. The notice sent to Pablo said that the SBMA will de- Dizon said the “We Heal As One Center” will eventually The SBMA chief also assured stakeholders that molish the huts and confiscate the felled bamboos, wood, have a 500-bed capacity from the present 371 beds, plus the remote location of the facility, as well as strict health and other building materials found in the area. 100 beds that will be available at the hospital, which can protocols observed in Subic, would ensure the safety of Eisma said the demolition was carried out last Tues- take in patients with severe symptoms. everyone. day, April 13, by SBMA workers backed by officers from the He added that the facility will benefit patients not To this, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce SBMA Legal Department and the SBMA Law Enforcement only from the Subic Bay and Central Luzon areas, but also (SBFCC) president Benjamin Antonio III agreed, saying Department. from Manila where occupancy rate in government hospi- that the location of the facility “provides a conducive en- She said the SBMA also served a “notice to vacate” tals is already breaking limits. vironment for individuals who would need to be isolated to farmers who have started a new settlement at Lot 2 near “In fact, I’ve already received calls from a lot of because of the COVID-19 virus.” Mt. Sta. Rita. The notice was received on Monday by Wilson local government units that wanted to know if they can Antonio said he was “quite confident in the ar- Villas, vice chairman of the group Filipino Farmers Center In- bring patients here,” Dizon revealed. rangements our government will institute to protect our ternazionale (FFCI). In the same occasion, SBMA Chairman and Ad- community, since the complex is well-guarded and fenced, Eisma said that while the Lot 2 settlement was still ministrator Wilma T. Eisma pledged another 34 hospital and our healthcare workers are some of the best trained.” uninhabited, some semi-concrete structures put up by the beds to be transferred from the care and isolation facility “Moreover, I know that the stakeholders of the illegal settlers there point to an intent for permanent occu- that the SBMA put up last year at the Subic Gym, which Subic Bay Freeport would take this as an opportunity to pancy. became a DOH-certified community isolation unit for Co- provide help to our countrymen. We cannot disconnect The SBMA chief pointed out that the SBMA has al- vdi-19 cases on July 29, 2020. ourselves from their sufferings. We persistently speak of ready filed in court a case against illegal settlers consisting of “This will be SBMA’s contribution to this national compassion—now is the chance to display it,” he added. about 30 families affiliated with FFCI who have occupied Lot effort,” Eisma said. 12, an area at the boundary of the Subic Freeport and the She added that with the operation of the Covid-19 Roosevelt National Park in Dinalupihan. wellness center at Cubi, the SBMA has been granted its re- NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC She said the SBMA gave the FFCI five days to remove quest that a dedicated number of beds will be allotted for their belongings at Lot 2 and leave the area. Subic Freeport stakeholders, including residents, business locators and SBMA employees. Notice is hereby given to the public that an “Tulong-tulong tayo rito (We will help each other EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF DECEASED AMONG HEIRS WITH WAIVER, was made and entered into by and among the surviving heirs of LEONISA S. ANGELLANO who died on February 14, 2010 in Las Vegas, USA as per Doc. No 96, Page No. 21,Book No. IX Series of 2019 in the notarial registry of Atty. Porfirio Aguilon Aguila Any persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed executor of their estate. 1 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Notice is hereby given to the public that an AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION AS SOLE HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED GEORGE H. BAI- LEY, was made and entered into by and among the surviving heirs of the late GEORGE H. BAILEY who died on August 25, 1992 in Olongapo City as per Doc. No 307, Page No. 63, Book No. VII Series of 8C Fontaine Ext., East Tapinac, Olongapo City 2020 in the notarial registry of Atty. Kristine Carme- TEL. 251- 3104 CELL: 0917 503-8350 / 0928 503-8350 la F. Gonzales-Camaro. 0932 879-8350 / 0917 879-8350 Any persons having money claims against email: [email protected] the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed executor of their estate. Branch: 1677 Rizal Ave., West Tapinac,Olongapo City www.subicbaynews.com 1 Subic Bay News www.subicbaynews.com 03

AROUND CENTRAL LUZON Students, faculty call off pantry BCDA increases capacity of quarantine plan as Covid-19 cases rise facilities in

Map of Bataan province. (Google image) BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The student to instead give the donations to a com- government and faculty members in the munity in Balanga City which is currently campus here of the Bataan Peninsula under lockdown due to a high number of State University (BPSU) were ready to Covid-19 cases. open their community pantry on Monday The goods, he said, will be re- but at the last minute decided to cancel packed for distribution to some 50 families the activity. in the identified village. Professor Jobe Paguio said they Paguio thanked those who have considered the rising cases of coronavirus donated and others planning to contribute disease (Covid-19) in the province in de- to their project. He said they will just finish ciding not to go on with the community distributing their present stock and stop pantry that was supposed to be held at the the project. school compound. “Sa mga gustong mag-donate, su- “Because of the surge in Covid-19 portahan na lang natin ang ibang commu- cases in our province, we decided na hu- nity pantry na mag-oopen dito sa Bataan wag munang ituloy ang aming community o dalhin nila sa mga itatayong community pantry kasi baka maraming pumila sa la- pantry sa mga barangay nila. Maraming bas, humaba ang pila, mag-ipon-ipon ang nag-e-express ngayon ng kanilang mga mga tao at magkaroon ng gathering (not intension to donate, at the same time to hold the community pantry yet because magtayo ng community pantry (Those a lot of people might line up and gather),” who want to donate, just support other he said. community pantries that will open here in Paguio said they feared that the Bataan or bring them to community pan- long lines of people who will avail of the tries that will be put up in their village. free items they will hand out might further Many people are expressing their interest Bases Conversion and Development Authority will convert one building at the National contribute to the spread of the virus. to donate, at the same time put up a com- Government Administrative Center into a Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility Ready to be offered at the com- munity pantry),” Paguio said. that will cater mild and asymptomatic cases. This will expand Clark’s current isolation munity pantry were eggs, sugar, cooking He advised those who are availing capacity by another 171 beds, bringing the total to 1,121. (BCDA) oil, coffee, noodles and other food items, of free food items at community pantries NEW CLARK CITY, Tarlac -- Bases Conver- ty amid the spike in COVID-19 cases. We which were donated by faculty members to adhere to the safety protocols against sion and Development Authority (BCDA) hope to ease the burden of hospitals by and alumni of BPSU and their friends. Covid -19 by wearing face masks and face is increasing the capacity of quaran- building more facilities for patients with Paguio said they have decided shields and practicing safe physical dis- tine facilities in New Clark City to help mild and asymptomatic cases,” he added. the government respond to the surge in The new facility will open within COVID-19 cases. the third week of April. It will be complete In a statement, BCDA President with the needed amenities for the com- Pagcor to build 2 evacuation and National Task Force Against COVID-19 fort, convenience and well-being of pa- Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon tients who will be isolated there. said they will convert one building at the Currently, there are four mega centers in Bataan National Government Administrative Cen- quarantine centers in Clark, namely NGAC SAMAL, Bataan - Two multi-purpose Roman and Mayors Efren Pascual, Jr. of ter (NGAC) into a Temporary Treatment North Wing, NGAC South Wing, Athlete’s evacuation centers funded by the Philip- Orani, and Aida Macalinao of Samal. and Monitoring Facility (TTMF) that will Village Building A and Athlete’s Village pine Amusement and Gaming Corpora- “We in Bataan are happy that de- cater mild and asymptomatic cases. Building B. These four facilities have a total tion (Pagcor) at PHP 50 million each will spite the pandemic we face, Pagcor con- This will expand Clark’s current capacity of 950 beds. soon rise in this province. tinues to pour in financial support to the isolation capacity by another 171 beds, As of April 11, 86 percent or 815 of Pagcor and local officials carried needy in the province and now fund proj- bringing the total to 1,121. the total beds have been occupied. To date, out the groundbreaking on Thursday in ects that will help our constituents in times “The government recognizes all TTMFs in Clark have already served a to- Barangay Gugo in Samal and Barangay Mu- of calamities,” Garcia said. the need to beef up our isolation capaci- tal of 14,958 COVID-19 patients. (PIA 3) lawin in Orani. Macalinao said the evacuation Governor Albert Garcia thanked center was part of their desire to protect Pagcor chair and chief executive officer and take care of the people of Samal, es- Andrea Domingo for choosing the two pecially during calamities and tragedies. USAID holds TB screening in all towns as sites of the multi-purpose evac- “Ang pagkakaroon ng isang mod- uation centers. erno, maayos at maipagmamalaking pa- barangays of Dinalupihan Vice-president for corporate social silidad ay makakatulong upang kami ay responsibility James Patrick Bondoc, and patuloy na makapagkaloob ng isang ser- community relations and services assis- bisyo publiko na ‘deserve’ ng aming mga tant vice president Ramon Villaflor repre- kababayan (Having a facility which is mod- sented Pagcor in the two ceremonies. ern, comfortable and to be proud of is a Aside from Garcia, other Bataan big push for us to continue the service de- officials present during the groundbreak- served by people)”, the Samal mayor said. ing included First District Rep. Geraldine (PNA) DOLE prohibits ‘no vaccine, no work' policy CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, -- gion 3 Labor Relations and Labor Standards Department of Labor and Employment Division Chief Maria Rima Hernandez said (DOLE) Central Luzon emphasized the during 7th board meeting of the Regional prohibition of “no vaccine, no work” poli- Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board. cy in the workplaces. She added that employees’ refusal DOLE Labor Advisory No. 3 Series of the vaccine should not cause discrimi- of 2021 or the “Guidelines on the Adminis- nation against them in terms of tenure, tration of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Work- promotion, training, pay, and other bene- places” applies to employers in the private fits, or termination from employment. sector that intend to establish a vaccina- “Management and employees tion policy in their respective workplaces. must agree on the vaccination policy, with “The vaccination policy in the or without any conditions or undertaking, workplace is not mandatory and no cost of before its implementation to avoid con- the vaccination shall directly or indirectly flicts,” Hernandez furthered. (PIA 3) be charged to the employees,” DOLE Re- About 4,367 residents from all 46 barangays of Dinalupihan town benefitted from the free chest x-ray provided by the United States Agency for International Development’s TB Platforms Project. (USAID’s TB Platforms) 10 suspects nabbed in Subic ‘drug den’ DINALUPIHAN, Bataan -- About 4,367 res- Astonishingly, we detected two Rifampi- idents from all 46 barangays of Dinalupi- cin-resistant TB and we enrolled them for SUBIC, Zambales – Ten suspected drug Also arrested were Abdulgani han town benefitted from the free chest Drug Resistant TB treatment,” Timple dis- suspects were arrested by authorities in Salaman Lamani, 46, security personnel; x-ray service provided by the United closed. Purok 6B, Barangay Calapacuan, Subic, Ajirya Saral Ibnohari, 49, store vendor; States Agency for International Develop- TB program, in collaboration with Zambales on Thursday. Roger Salaman Lamani, 33; Jainal Ibnuha- ment’s TB Platforms Project. other health programs, gives way to exer- Philippine Drug Enforcement li Jilin, 28, helper; Benny Isnani, male, 40, Municipal Health Office Head Jo- cise Patient-Centered Approach and give a Agency (PDEA)-3 (Central Luzon) Region- fisherman; Robert Nali, 35, store owner; selito Timple disclosed that recipients in- chance to implement TB Preventive Treat- al Director Christian O. Frivaldo said the Jeff Pussan, 57, fisherman, all residents of clude daycare center children and their ment. entrapment also resulted in the seizure of Purok 6B; and Raymond Dionisio Echague, parents, senior citizens and contact of Tu- “Psychologically, people benefit some PHP120,000 worth of shabu and as- 29, of Sitio Matangib, Barangay Cawag. berculosis (TB) patients. from the fact that they are not forgotten sorted paraphernalia. The operation was conducted by “Active Case Finding aims to even during this pandemic. Any TB case He identified the suspects as Jor- elements of PDEA and the police. screen patients for TB. It also finds a way finding effort leads the way to finding dana Rivera Inuk, 33, and Melvin Araneta The suspects will be charged with to cater other health problems that maybe missing TB cases, enrolment to and com- Tigbe, 33, both online sellers and main- violation of Republic Act 9165, the Com- encountered incidentally,” he said. pletion of treatment addressing all aspects tainers of the alleged drug den which was prehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. “The efforts led the way for 83 TB of the disease, and dawns the day when TB raided in the village that is also known as (PNA) patients be enrolled to treatment to date. ends,” he furthered. (PIA 3) Muslim Area among locals. Exercise #Balikatan ...... from page 1 Aaron Brunk of the U.S. III Marine Expedi- matter expert exchanges were held virtu- tionary Force, Officer in Charge for Exer- ally to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. cise Support Group. The Philippine Air Force and U.S. Pacific Air “Despite the challenges of the Forces conducted a virtual Global Health COVID-19 pandemic, both Filipino and Engagement and other virtual training on American forces were able to achieve the various air operations and capabilities. objectives of this year’s Balikatan Exercise The exercise also included Hu- – to train together on defense and securi- manitarian and Civic Assistance activities, ty efforts, leveraging on the capability, ex- which began on March 26, prior to the perience, and strength of both militaries’ opening of the exercises. Philippine and longstanding friendship,” Major General U.S. service members completed the con- Arevalo said. structions of two classrooms and a day- Due to the global health crisis, the care center in Plaridel, a classroom in Ati- magnitude of Balikatan 2021 was scaled monan, and a health clinic in Mauban, all down both in numbers of events and par- within Quezon Province. SBMA warns illegal settlers ticipants. Approximately 225 U.S. military “The 36th Balikatan Exercise personnel and 415 AFP personnel partici- brought together AFP and U.S. Armed pated; all of whom strictly followed health Forces amidst the challenge of a never-be- and safety protocols. fore-experienced health emergency. Our “Balikatan showcases the strength participants greatly benefitted from train- and resolve of the Philippine-U.S. Alliance,” ings, exchange of knowledge, and cooper- said Chargé d’Affaires Law. “These exercis- ative activities aimed at better enhancing es demonstrate and improve our ability to our capabilities,” Major General Arevalo jointly respond to crises. But training is said. never over. We will continue to advance Secretary Lorenzana recognized our military-to-military partnership in pur- the shared commitment to the longstand- suit of our shared commitment to mutual ing U.S.-Philippines Alliance. “Allow me to defense in a free and open Indo-Pacific.” convey my gratitude to the U.S. Govern- Major Balikatan 2021 events were ment, represented here by Mr. John Law, held in Colonel Ernesto Ravina Airbase in for its unwavering support to this annual Tarlac, where combined Air Force and Spe- exercise. I am likewise grateful for your cial Operations forces conducted close air constant and continued assurance of the support training, increasing interoperabili- ironclad commitment to our Mutual De- ty across the joint forces. fense Treaty,” he said. AFP Northern Luzon Command Balikatan, which means “shoul- Battle Staff and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command der-to-shoulder” in Filipino, embodies the representatives conducted a bilateral staff Alliance and friendship between the Phil- exercise in Clark, Pampanga, while Phil- ippines and United States. The exercise SBMA workers start dismantling a hut built in an illegally-cleared area near the Subic Bay ippine and U.S. Special Operations forces officially opened on April 12 and was con- Expressway conducted a Bilateral Staff Academic Sem- ducted in Northern and Southern Luzon SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay inar in City. for two weeks. Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thurs- “Matagal na pong may kasunduan tungkol Academic discussions and subject day appealed to farmers and indigenous sa mga lupaing katutubo dito sa Subic Free- Ayta tribesmen to stop encroaching in port, at sana po ay sundin natin ito upang government-administered land and clear- maiwasan ang kaguluhan (There has long ing forests and building illegal settlements been an agreement on the ancestral domain within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. here in the Subic Freeport, and we hope you SBMA Chairman and Administra- would honor it to avoid any problem),” she tor Wilma T. Eisma said the intrusion and added. introduction of unauthorized settlements Eisma also said the SBMA may be violate the law, as well as an agreement constrained to file legal cases against illegal between the Subic agency and the Ayta settlers in order to protect government in- tribe on the use and disposition of tribal terest over the properties. ancestral lands within the Freeport. The SBMA chief issued the warning “Mapapagod lang po kayo sa following the discovery of two new illegal paglilinis ng mga lupain at pagtatayo ng settlements at the Tipo area of the Subic Bay mga dampa kung labag naman sa batas Freeport near the Mt. Sta. Rita Naval Link ang inyong ginagawa. Babaklasin lang po Station and the Subic Bay Expressway (SFEX). ng mga may awtoridad ang inyong ginawa Tipo, which is the location of the eight-kilo- (Your efforts in clearing land and building meter SFEX and some industrial park proj- shacks will simply be wasted if you’re ac- ects, is a village within Hermosa, Bataan, and tivities are illegal. The authorities will sim- ply dismantle what you build),” Eisma said. see, SBMA warns, page 02 THE SPIRIT OF SUMMER AT KULTURA While travelling to your dream destination is currently on hold, you can still add a bit of sunshine to your wardrobe with Kultura’s summer collection. 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Kultura ships here and abroad. 1.A sunburst of 1 2 3 summer colors highlight this short smocked dress with tropical leaves de- signs and beaded halter tie strap. 2.Cool and casual white linen top with sea turtle print. 3.Get summer ready with comfy, breezy loungewear like this Tropiko wrap pants with ex- otic tropical prints.

4. Fatigue short sleeved lin- 4 5 6 en shirt with Az- tec print. 5. Smock dress with ethnic inspired blue and white prints. 6. Crisp white linen top with Aztec prints.

7. The spirit 7 8 9 of summer: wrap pants with pom- pom trimmings, crochet top. 8. Black lin- en shirt with Aztec print. 9. Kultura’s printed palazzo A FA-50PH flies over Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Crow Valley Military Reservation, Ca- pants worn with a pas, Tarlac, Ph., during a bilateral simulated close air support rehearsal, April 16, 2021 white tank top is as part of Exercise #Balikatan. Exercises such as Balikatan increase our ability to work perfect for loung- together across the military spectrum to respond to crises, support the local population, ing at home and and accomplish critical mis-sions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kaylea Berry) running errands as well.