Subic bay news vol 12 no 48 20.00Php

Tapas Bar and Restaurant

2nd Floor Subic Gas Bldg 724, Dewey Avenue, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

PCC - Fulbright Partnership to Boost Business Competitiveness and Innovation Manila — On December 20, Philip- pine-American Educational Foundation Honorary Board Chairperson and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Competition Com- mission (PCC) Chairperson Arsenio M. Balisacan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a new staff development program on competition law and policy. This new partnership between PCC and the Phil- ippine-American Educational Founda- tion (PAEF, also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines) will build the skills, knowledge, and capabil- ities of Filipinos working at PCC, Office of the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, and National Economic and De- velopment Authority. At the signing, Ambassador Kim expressed his strong support for the new partnership, “One of the most important endeavors for the Embassy … is investing in the development of the Philippines’ human capital. This new partnership Philippine-American Educational Foundation Honorary Board Chairperson and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. between PCC and Fulbright does exactly Kim and Philippine Competition Commission Chairperson Arsenio M. Balisacan signed a Memorandum of Understanding that: builds Filipino capacity in compe- (MOU) to establish a new staff development program on competition law and policy. see PCC Partners,page 02 Record High Number of Workers in Freeport in 2019

MARIVELES, Bataan --The Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) here has recorded a new high in terms of the number of direct worAkers projected to reach 46,000 by the end of this year. FAB chairman Emmanuel Pineda said Friday as oAf October 2019, the num- ber of workers grew to 45,020 compared to 12,777 when FAB took over from the Bataan EconoAmic Zone in 2010. from the management and staff of Subic Bay News FAB was formerly the Bataan Export Processing Zone, the first export zone estab- lished in the country in the 1970s. “We are proud of the rate of reg- 100 fiberglass boats from DA-BFAR ularization in employment going on in FAB enterprises. From about 5,000 regular work- ers in 2010, there are now 26,760 regulars to Zambales fisherfolks or 57 percent of the present total number of workers,” Pineda said. SUBIC, Zambales -- The Department of Agriculture’s “Each and every one of these work- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA- ers is a crucial part of FAB’s success. I have BFAR) in Central Luzon has distributed some 100 fi- no doubt in my heart the success the free- berglass reinforced plastic boats worth PHP4.5 mil- port has attained and will continue to attain lion to fisherfolks in Zambales. is due largely to our hard-working manpow- er,” he added. BFAR regional director Wilfredo Cruz, togeth- The record showed that 73.7 per- er with Representative Jeffrey Khonghun of the first cent of the workers reside in while district of Zambales, led the distribution of fiberglass the rest from either the other towns of Bata- boats to the 200 recipients at the Subic Fish Port in an at 14.07 percent or 12.2 percent outside Barangay Baraca-Camachile here on Thursday. the province. The recipients of the 20-footer fiberglass-re- The number of workers consider- ably increased with the number of enter- inforced boats with complete set underwater fitting/ prises operating in FAB now registering at accessories were the marginalized fisherfolks from 141 from only 39 multi-national firms left in the towns of Subic and San Marcelino and Olongapo the zone almost 10 years ago, Pineda said. City. Of the present registered enterpris- The boat distribution is part of an existing es, 57 are Filipino-owned, 11 Korean, eight livelihood assistance program of the DA-BFAR's FB British while the rest are Chinese, Japanese, American, German, Taiwanese, Bahrainese, Pagbabago tagged as "Bangka Mo, Gawa Mo”, with French, Polish, Sri Lankan and Pakistani. fishermen provided with livelihood assistance and They are into manufacturing, infor- ASSISTANCE TO FISHERFOLK. Fishermen from the towns of Subic, San training on fabrication, maintenance, and repair of mation and communication, wholesale and Marcelino, and Olongapo City show their certificate of ownership of the boats as well. retail trade, accommodation and food - ser the fiberglass reinforced plastic boats distributed by the Department “It is also our vision to build cooperativism vice, estate development and management, of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) among our fisherfolk in order to encourage commu- power generation and utilities. in Central Luzon on Thursday (Dec. 19, 2019). BFAR regional director nity development,” Cruz said. Others are in administrative and Wilfredo Cruz (center, standing), leads the distribution of the 100 units support activities, arts entertainment, and of fiberglass boats to marginalized fisherfolk. (Photo courtesy of DA- Each fiberglass boat will be shared by two recreation tourism and health and social BFAR 3) recipients to make sure the unit will be well-main- work activities. (PNA) tained. (PNA) Subic Bay News www.subicbaynews.com 02 DA-Central Luzon steps up measures vs. fall armyworm CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, itoring of the presence of Pampanga -- The Depart- pests and diseases,” he said. ment of Agriculture Region- Meanwhile, Nelson al Field Office 3 (DA RFO 3) Bautista, DA RFO3 region- is recommending strength- al technical director, said a ening of pest surveillance team has been directed to and management activities utilize the available materials to deal with the threat of in conducting intensive -sur fall armyworm (FAW). veillance and provide control Based on the report measures in containing the of DA-Regional Crop Pro- pest-occurrence in farm-corn tection Center (RCPC), 12 areas. sightings were verified with Evergilio Aquino, fall armyworm infestation in FAW task force coordinator, Central Luzon, particularly said the RCPC and the task in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and force team are continuously Pampanga. FAW is an inva- conducting information cam- sive species causing damage paigns in rural areas among to crops, mostly corn. farmers to promote aware- Edgardo Supan, of- ness on the threat of the ficer-in-charge of the RCPC, pest. said based on their valida- “Fall armyworm is an tion most of the affected invasive moth and prefers to areas in the region were va- eat maize specifically the hy- rietal techno-demo farm by brid and open-pollinated va- FALL ARMYWORM. Fall armyworm, an invasive species which causes damage to crops, mostly corn, has seed companies and private rieties (OPV) corn but possi- been sighted in some areas in Central Luzon, particularly in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Pam- institutions. bly feeds on onion and other panga. The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office steps up measures to deal with the threat of “Crop damage could crops,” Aquino added. (PNA) fall armyworm in the region. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 3) be avoided through mon- Bataan bishop urges San Jose del Monte City sets world people to be record in Nativity scene Christ-like to all Jose del Monte. The city’s lone district Rep. Florida Robes expressed elation over the setting of the new world record, saying it is a testament to the unity and commitment of the people of San Jose del Monte to achieve a feat. “It took us around six months to prepare for this event. The process was so te- dious because the Guinness Book of World Records had strict requirements. But with the perseverance of our peo- ple, we made it and we are very happy,” Robes said. Robes and her hus- band, incumbent Mayor Arthur Robes, also participated in the Nativity scene as shepherds Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan. GUINNESS RECORD. Swapnil Dangarikar, official adjudicator of the Guinness Book who came to honor the birth of (File photo by Ernie Esconde) of World Records (6th from right), formally announces the new Guinness world Jesus Christ. record set by the City of San Jose del Monte, for having the most number Robes added that the BALANGA CITY, Bataan -- The bishop of the Diocese of living figures in a Nativity scene on Friday (Dec. 20, 2019). It was the second Nativity scene was chosen- be of Balanga has shared his Yuletide reflection with the Guinness world record for the city -- the first was the largest lantern parade held cause of the innate religiosity Catholic faithful and urged everyone to be Christ-like on Sept. 19, 2017, with 14,173 lantern-bearing participants. (Photo courtesy of of the people of San Jose del to all and not simply wish others a "Merry Christmas". the CSJDM PIO) Monte. Bishop Ruperto Santos said Christmas means to celebrate and commemorate the birth of Jesus who, he CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan -- A new Guin- It was also in accordance with the recent Apos- tolic Letter of the Pope encouraging Catholics to display said was born "to us and for us". ness world record was established in this city on Fri- “Jesus was given to us as God’s gift so that His day for having the most number of living figures join- the Nativity scene in their homes and in other public places. divine plan of saving us would be fulfilled," he said. ing a Nativity scene. “So let our life be the birthplace of Jesus. Let It was the second Guinness world record for our heart be his manger, our house to be his home. the City of San Jose del Monte, the first being the larg- “We felt that we were being blessed because a few days ago, Pope Francis said in his apostolic letter With that, Jesus is with us. We are Christ, we are Christ- est lantern parade on Sept. 19, 2017, with 14,173 lan- mas to one another,” the prelate added. tern-bearing participants. that putting up a Nativity scene before Christmas is a reminder to stop and remember what Christmas is re- The Bataan bishop said Christmas would be tru- A total of 2,101 took part in the Nativity scene ly merry if Christ is indeed present in the words and held at the Altraza Spine Road in Barangay Tungkong ally about and to prepare one's heart like a manger for the coming of Christ,” she said. deeds of everyone. Mangga in the city at 6 p.m. on Friday. “Speak words which make our family and This bested the 1,254 record set by the Calne Mayor Robes said he hopes the event becomes a renewal for the people of San Jose del Monte to put friends happy. Let us also present ourselves to be pleas- Town Council and Bible Society in Calne, Wiltshire, ing to Jesus,” he said. United Kingdom on Dec. 3, 2016. the essence of Christmas in the forefront of the cele- brations. Santos also asked the faithful to continue at- Swapnil Dangarikar, the official adjudicator of tending dawn masses or “simbang gabi” that started on the Guinness Book of World Records, made the official “We can achieve more if we are united and we hope that this Nativity scene reminds us of the true rea- December 16. announcement after the staging of the birth of Jesus Bataan churches have been filled with people Christ scene. son for the season as we face hand in hand life’s chal- lenges. This is the best Christmas gift we have received in both the anticipated masses in the evening and the The Nativity scene consisted of Mary, Joseph, dawn masses. (PNA) Jesus, wise men, shepherds, angels, and livestock. The as a city,” he said. (PNA) event was spearheaded by the local government of San PCC Partners...... from page 01 tition law and policy to create a more competitive and open market.” The new five-year, P287 million ($5.67 million) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC staff development program, made possible through Notice is hereby given to the public that a DEED Asian Development Bank financing in support of PCC’s OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE “Capacity Building to Foster Competition” Project, will WITH WAIVER ),was made and executed by the heirs of send Filipino staff to U.S. higher education institutions the deceased SELENI M. REGALA who died on Febru- for degree and non-degree studies, as well as for re- ary 7, 2018, at Balanga, Bataan, Philippines as per search and training. The program will also provide op- Doc no 018, Page No. 004, Book No. LXXII Series of portunities for professional consultations, lecturing, 2019 in the notarial registry of Atty. Carlos I Castillo,Jr. and research in PCC-accredited universities and institu- All interested parties, creditors,and persons tions in the Philippines. having money claims against the decedent are hereby The program aligns with PAEF’s broad mission to required to file their claims with the court appointed ex- promote greater international education and exchange ecutor of their estate. between the Philippines and United States, and PCC’s goal of improving the Philippine government’s capacity Notice is hereby given to the public that a DEED for competition policy implementation to foster greater OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE (BDO economic growth. LTNCD),was made and executed by the heirs of the de- Also present were PCC Commissioners and oth- ceased RONALDO S. DUNGOG who died on Novem- er officials, PAEF Board Chairperson and U.S. Embassy ber 22, 2018 at James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital, Public Affairs Counselor Mr. Philip Roskamp, and PAEF Olongapo City, Philippines as per Doc no 016, Page Executive Director Julio S. Amador III. 8C Fontaine Ext., East Tapinac, Olongapo City No. 005, Book No. CeIII Series of 2019 in the notarial TEL. 251- 3104 CELL: 0917 503-8350 / 0928 503-8350 The Philippine-American Educational Founda- registry of Atty. Leonardo L. Gonzales, Jr. tion, also known as Fulbright Philippines, is a bi-na- 0932 879-8350 / 0917 879-8350 All interested parties, creditors,and persons tional commission which administers the Fulbright email: [email protected] having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed ex- Program—a student exchange program which awards www.subicbaynews.com ecutor of their estate. scholarship grants for Filipinos to the United States. More information is available at www.fulbright.org.ph. Subic Bay News www.subicbaynews.com 03 AROUND CENTRAL LUZON BALITA SA WIKANG PINOY Construction of regional evacuation Ika-apat na Blood Station center in Bulacan ng PRC sa Bulacan

UNDER CONSTRUCTION. The construction of a PHP30-million regional evacuation Pinasinayaan ni Senador Richard J. Gordon (pangalawa mula kaliwa), tagapangulo at center has started inside the Malolos City Government Center in Malolos City, Bu- chief executive officer ng Philippine Red Cross, ang ikaapat na Blood Station sa Bulacan lacan. The permanent regional evacuation center aims to serve residents of the na matatagpuan sa annex building ng munisipyo ng Marilao. (Shane F. Velasco) coastal areas affected by typhoons and other disasters. (Photo by Manny Balbin) MARILAO, Bulacan, -- Bukas na sa mga Baliwag para sa ikalawang distrito, sa CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- The con- During one of the visits by DPWH- nais magkaloob at nangangailangan ng San Rafael para sa ikatlong distrito na bi- struction of a PHP30-million regional 3 Director Roseller Tolentino in Bulacan, he dugo ang ikaapat na Blood Station ng nuksan kamakailan at itong nasa Marilao evacuation center inside the Malolos City said the regional evacuation center is de- Philippine Red Cross o PRC sa Bulacan. para sa ikaapat na distrito. Nakatakda Government Center here has begun. signed specifically to be disaster-resilient Pinangunahan ni Senador Rich- namang buksan ang isa pang blood sta- Marlou l. Salazar, the director of to ensure that everyone in the area is pro- ard J. Gordon, Tagapangulo at Chief Ex- tion sa lone district ng San Jose Del Mon- the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 3 (Central tected. ecutive Officer ng PRC, ang pagbubukas te sa susunod na taon. Luzon), said the construction of a perma- The regional evacuation center is ng nasabing pasilidad na matatagpuan sa Kaugnay nito, hinikayat ng nent regional evacuation center aims to located just a few meters from the new unang palapag ng bagong tayong Annex senador ang mga taga-ikaapat na dis- serve residents of the coastal areas, who City Hall of Malolos within the 10-hectare Building ng munisipyo ng Marilao. Kat- trito ng Bulacan, partikular na ang mga are affected by typhoons and other disas- Malolos City Government Center. apat nito ang Municipal Social Welfare taga-Marilao, na buhayin ang pagka- ters. The lot was formerly owned by the and Development Office o MSWDO. karoon ng ugaling pagkukusang loob, "The Department of Public Works Philippine Information Agency (PIA). The Layunin nito na maging madali pagmamalasakit at pakikipagkapwa-tao and Highways (DPWH) has designed the ownership of the 10-hectare lot was trans- para sa karaniwang taga-Marilao at mag- upang maging magaan sa kalooban ang regional evacuation center complete with ferred to the Malolos City Government ing sa mga taga-karatig bayan ng Santa pagbibigay ng sariling dugo. the basic facilities needed for temporary through Proclamation 597 by then-presi- Maria, lungsod ng Meycauayan at Oban- Kinakailangan ang suplay ng dugo residents," Salazar said. dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004. do na makakuha ng dugo sa oras ng pan- sa mga sitwasyon na may tinamaan ng It will have a decent bathroom for When the project is completed, gangailangan. sakit na Dengue, mga surgical operation both men and women, as well as a laun- the OCD will assist the Department of Sadyang inilapit din ang bagong at maging sa panahong may digmaan. dry area, water tank, and pump generator Health and the Department of Social Wel- blood station sa MSWDO dahil karani- Nilinaw din niya na bagama’t li- room to ensure 24-hour water supply. It fare and Development in managing the fa- wan na ang mga maralita ang lumalapit bre ang mismong dugo, may kaukulang will also ensure a comfortable sleeping cility during the evacuation. at sumasadya dito upang humingi ng tu- bayad ang mga serbisyo at pagproseso sa area for the evacuees. Meanwhile, the Malolos City gov- long partikular na sa mga pangangailan- bawat partikular na pangangailangan sa Salazar also said there is a provi- ernment will oversee the maintenance of gang pangkalusugan. Nagiging takbuhan dugo. sion for pharmacy and infirmary. the regional evacuation center. (PNA) din ito ng mga mahihirap na nasasalanta Kabilang dito ang testing para ng mga kalamidad. sa Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis, Ayon kay Gordon, bahagi ito ng Malaria, Hemoglobin, Blood Typing at target ng PRC na malagyan ng mga blood Vital Signs. May halagang 1,800 piso ang stations ang bawat distrito sa Bulacan. whole blood service fee at 1,100 piso DPWH inspects Capas - Sa mahabang panahon ay na- kung may Donor’s Card. kasentro lamang sa lungsod ng Malolos, Sinumang hihingi ng dugo sa PRC na nasa unang distrito, ang suplay ng ay kinakailangang may blood request Botolan road project dugo para sa mahigit tatlong milyong form mula sa ospital na may pirma at tala populasyon ng lalawigan. ng lisensiya ng doctor. (PIA 3) CAPAS, Tarlac—Officials of the Depart- bypass road, once completed, will serve Kaya naman mula noong 2018, ment of Public Works and Highways as a direct link between the provinces binuksan ang blood station ng PRC sa (DPWH) regional office here inspected of Tarlac and Zambales, and will further on Friday the newly- completed Capas provide access to the New Clark City. section of the Capas-Botolan bypass “The normal travel of five hours Bagong sports complex ng Lungsod road project of the agency. will be reduced to only two hours,” he The bypass road length is 84.47 said. ng San Jose del Monte kilometers, 15.63 kilometers of which is The PHP8.329 billion project the existing road, while the 68.84 kilo- started at Olongapo-Bugallon Road (OBR) meters is under development. in Zambales and will end at the Manila The project also involves the North Road in Tarlac. construction of 15 bridges which are The project schedule’s dura- 2,715 lineal meters total length. tion is from October 2013 to December DPWH regional director Roseller 2022, with 16 percent of the ongoing Tolentino said he is happy the Capas sec- civil works completed based on the total tion has been fully completed. project cost. (PNA) Meanwhile, the Capas-Botolan Barangay Service vehicles In Bataan

BALANGA CITY, Bataan -- Bataan’s pro- He said the last time the provin- Bukas na ang pinakamalaking sports complex sa lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte na vincial government distributed service cial government gave barangays service matatagpuan sa barangay Sapang Palay. Kayang maglulan ito ng limang libong katao. vehicles to several barangays on Friday. vehicles was about 10 years ago, and Itinayo ito ng Department of Public Works and Highways sa halagang 17 milyong piso. Local officials said it would be they now need replacements. (Shane F. Velasco) a continuing process until all the - prov LUNGSOD NG SAN JOSE DEL MONTE -- Pwede rin itong pagdausan ng iba ince’s 237 villages get a service vehicle “Multi-purpose ang mga sasakyan na Pwede nang magamit ang bagong tayong pang uri ng mga pagtitipon dahil pinapalib- each after the submission of a barangay magagamit for rescue. Pwede sa pag- City of San Jose Del Monte Sports Complex utan ang City of San Jose Del Monte Sports master plan. na matatagpuan sa barangay Sapang Palay. Complex nang malawak na parking space. dadala ng mga estudyante sa paaralan sa Sa dami ng mga sports complex sa Itinayo ito malapit sa City College Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III of the malalayong lugar at sa mga pasyente for lungsod, itong itinayo sa Sapang Palay ang of San Jose Del Monte kaya’t magiging pa- province’s 2nd district said they distrib- emergency (The vehicles are multi-pur- pinakamalaki dahil mayroon itong seating silidad din ito para sa asignaturang physical uted 26 multi-cabs in addition to the 56 pose – they can be used for rescue op- capacity na limang libo. education, recreation at sports. that were previously issued. erations and to bring students to schools Ayon kay Engr. Ramiro M. Cruz ng Ang harapan o façade ng City of San Of the 56 units, 19 came from in distant areas, and patients in case of Department of Public Works and Highways Jose Del Monte Sports Complex ay may ram- the provincial government and 37 from Second Bulacan District, ito ay isang pamana pa kung saan uubrang magbaba at magsakay emergency),” Garcia said. sa mga kabataan at sa lahat ng mapagma- ang mga sasakyan. Garcia’s congressional office. He said the vehicles were fund- hal sa palakasan sa lungsod ng San Jose Del Pinatingkad ito ng mga flower and “Parang insentibo sa mga baran- ed by the national government through Monte. plant boxes sa paligid at kinumpleto sa mga gay na nakatapos gumawa ng master departments that have downloaded the May halagang 17 milyong piso ang pasilidad para naman sa mga may kapan- plan (It is like an incentive to villages that Local Government Support Fund, and ginugol sa proyekto mula sa Pambansang sanan. have completed their master plan),” he the provincial government through its Badyet ng 2018, na napaaprubahan ni Kina- Samantala, pinakabitan ng Pamaha- said. tawan Florida Robes ng Lone District ng San laang Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte ng mga General Fund. Jose Del Monte sa Kongreso. street LED lights ang kahabaan ng Minuyan Garcia noted that funds were Garcia was accompanied by Bal- Bukod sa malaking kapasidad, dala- road na siyang gateway patungo sa bagong also ready for 20 more vehicles. The anga City Mayor Francis Garcia and Bata- wang layers ang mga bleachers nito at may- Sports Complex. (PIA 3) air-conditioned multi-cabs are worth an Vice Governor Crisanta Garcia in the roong international standard na Basketball about PHP1 million each. blessing of the vehicles. (PNA) Court. IN THE NAVY

Cleanergy Powers Largest electric coop in PH powered

NARRA, Palawan. U.S. Navy Seabees deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, Detail Palawan, place a concrete corridor which will provide access to the new two- room schoolhouse at Malatgao Elementary School. NMCB-5 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high-quality construction to support U.S. and partner nations to strengthen partnerships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. (U.S. Navy photo by Steelworker 3rd Class Taylor Myers) (L-R) Representatives of AboitizPower: Alexander Coo (AP Renewables, Inc. Presi- dent and Chief Operating Officer) and Juan Alejandro Aboitiz (AboitizPower First Vice President for Energy Trading and Sales), together with representatives of Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc.: Ruperto Manalo (Board President) and Octavious Mendoza (General Manager) do the Cleanergy sign after sealing their partnership for a 3-MW clean and renewable energy supply on December 18, 2019 at Lima Park Hotel, Malvar, Batangas. The largest electric cooperative in the coun- newables, Inc. (APRI). It will be utilized by try, Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. BATELEC II for its local retail electricity supply (BATELEC II), is now powered by clean and (LRES) customers. renewable energy under the Cleanergy The partnership is favorable as brand of AboitizPower. APRI’s geothermal plants are also located in BATELEC II, which has a peak de- Batangas and neighboring province of Lagu- mand of 132 megawatts (MW), is the larg- na. In addition, APRI will also supply BATELEC est of all 119 electric cooperatives in the II with a 20-MW emergency power supply country. The bold move to go renewables is for a period of one year, from December 26, yet another groundbreaking initiative of its 2019 to December 25, 2020. The agreement management to diversify its portfolio while for this additional Cleanergy supply was being responsive to customers’ call for a signed on December 23, 2019. more sustainable operations. “We are very pleased to be the part- The electric cooperative and ner of choice of BATELEC II for their Clean- AboitizPower sealed their partnership for a ergy supply. It’s an honor for us to serve the 3-MW Cleanergy supply on December 18, growing number of customers who are push- 2019 at Lima Park Hotel, Malvar, Batangas. ing for a more sustainable energy source,” “We’ve been in the business for Juan Alejandro Aboitiz, AboitizPower First over four decades, and this is the first time Vice President for Energy Trading and Sales, ARABIAN SEA. Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Tristan Bush, from Chicago, Illinois, dresses as Santa we have decided to venture into the open said. Claus for Christmas Eve to hand out candy to Sailors in aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. access business and activate our Local Retail Together with partners, AboitizPow- Truman (CVN 75) in the Arabian Sea, Dec. 24, 2019. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is Electricity Supplier. To make a difference, we er currently has around 1,200 MW of Clean- deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure mar- have decided to source renewable supply to ergy capacity from its hydro, geothermal, serve our contestable customers. It’s such a and solar power plants that are strategically itime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific bold move so we need a dependable partner located nationwide in support of the coun- through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass to support us in this sustainability journey, try’s rapidly growing demand for clean and Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaysee Lohmann) and we trust AboitizPower can do just that,” renewable energy. Octavious Mendoza, BATELEC II General Meanwhile, apart from serving its Manager, said. contestable customers through LRES, BATEL- The Cleanergy supply will be EC II also supplies electricity to its franchise sourced from the Tiwi-MakBan geothermal area of more than 300,000 households across power plants, which are being operated and 15 municipalities and two cities in Batangas. managed by AboitizPower subsidiary AP Re- Ambassador Kim and NYC Chairman Enriquez Lead YSEALI’s 6th Anniversary Celebration

SOUTH CHINA SEA. Sailors assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 prepare an MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter on the flight deck of the Independence-variant littoral U.S. Ambassador Kim, NYC Chairman Ryan Enriquez and Far Eastern University Vice combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) during routine operations at sea, Dec. 24, 2019. Ga- President Mary Rose Imperial recognize outstanding Metro Manila youth organiza- brielle Giffords is on a rotational deployment to INDOPACOM, conducting operations, exercises tions during YSEALI IgniteMNL Youth Summit. and port visits throughout the region and working hull-to-hull with allied and partner navies to provide maritime security and stability, key pillars of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Manila — U.S. Ambassador to the Philip- cia Matute, tax expert Raymond Abrea, and photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Damon Grosvenor) pines Sung Kim and National Youth Com- United Nations Nutrition Ambassador Cher- mission (NYC) Chairman Ryan Enriquez rie Atilano. ARABIAN SEA .Sailors align joined more than 800 Metro Manila youth IgniteMNL is part of YSEALI YOUni- an F/A-18F Super Hornet leaders at the IgniteMNL Youth Summit fied, an annual YSEALI anniversary celebra- attached to the Fight- 2019 on Saturday, December 14, at Far tion in which youth leaders from all over Eastern University to celebrate the 6th Southeast Asia conduct community engage- ing Checkmates of Strike anniversary of the Young Southeast Asian ment activities. In the Philippines, YSEALI Fighter Squadron (VFA) Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). members conducted more than 35 commu- 211 with a catapult on the While at the summit, the youth nity engagement activities ranging from pro- flight deck of the aircraft leaders participated discussed how youth viding psychosocial therapy to people affect- can lead initiatives to positively transform ed by recent earthquakes in North Cotabato, carrier USS Harry S. Tru- their communities. Outstanding youth-led to promoting proper waste management in man (CVN 75) in the Arabi- community projects were also recognized Cagayan de Oro. an Sea, Dec. 24, 2019. The during the program, and youth-oriented Launched in 2013, YSEALI is the U.S. Harry S. Truman Carrier organizations set up booths to promote op- government’s signature program to strength- portunities for professional and leadership en leadership development and network- Strike Group is deployed development. ing in Southeast Asia. Through a variety of to the U.S. 5th Fleet area Addressing the audience, U.S. Ambassador programs and engagements, including U.S. of operations in support Kim shared that the U.S. government creat- educational and cultural exchanges, region- of naval operations to en- ed YSEALI on the premise that young leaders al exchanges and seed funding, YSEALI seeks sure maritime stability and are best positioned to address national, -re to build the leadership capabilities of youth gional, and global challenges. “You, the na- in the region, strengthen ties between the security in the Central Re- tion’s emerging leaders, are the most critical United States and Southeast Asia, and nur- gion, connecting the Med- ingredient for this country’s future success,” ture an ASEAN community. Since its launch, iterranean and the Pacific he said. “YSEALI is one great platform for the network has grown to 28,000 alumni in through the western Indi- change makers like you [the youth] who will the Philippines, and more than 150,000 in 11 be our country’s backbone for the next gen- Southeast Asian countries. an Ocean and three stra- eration,” added Chairman Enriquez. tegic choke points. (U.S. Other speakers at the summit in- YSEALI programs are open to youth aged 18 Navy photo by Mass Com- clude actor and entrepreneur James Reid, to 35 years old. For more information, please munication Specialist 2nd and YSEALI exchange alumni such as TAYO visit http://yseali.state.gov. Class Jake Carrillo) Awards Foundation Executive Director Patri-