Subic Bay News Vol 12 No 09 15.00Php

Subic bay news vol 12 no 09 15.00Php

Pacific Partnership 2019 Concludes Mission Stop in Philippines

From Pacific Partnership 2019 Public Affairs TACLOBAN, Philippines (NNS) -- Senior mission leadership, host nation and partner nation personnel attended the closing ceremony of the second Pacific Partnership 2019 (PP19) mission stop in Tacloban, Philippines, March 22. “Each Pacific Partnership line of effort – engineering, medical, host nation outreach, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief – has been instru- mental in working alongside their Phil- ippine counterparts for a greater good,” said Capt. Randy Van Rossum, commo- dore, Destroyer Squadron 1, the mission commander for Pacific Partnership 2019. “They’ve worked collaboratively to enhance host nation capability, build regional relationships and exercise a collective ability to respond to disaster emergencies.” During the two-week mission stop in the Philippines, U.S., partner nation military members and non-govern- mental organization volunteers conducted more than 40 subject matter expert exchanges, worked more than 1,500 hours on two evacuation center con- struction projects, hosted 15 U.S. Pacific Fleet and host nation band performances, engaged with more than 7,000 Taclo- ban students and residents, and includ- ed more than 300 personnel in the final collaborative disaster relief exercise. “Alone we can do so little,” said Jerry Yaokasin, vice mayor of the city of TACLOBAN, Philippines “ Senior U.S and Philippine leaders at the Pacific Partnership 2019 closing ceremony pose for a photo. Pacific Tacloban. “But we’ve proven here that Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mis- together, all of us, we can do so much. sion conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friend- see PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2019, page 02 ships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nicholas Burgains) Biggest int’l pyromusical show in Clark RJG to hospitals: “Don’t follow Baypointe’s footstep” Senator Richard J. Gordon warned areas for humanitarian consideration. both public and private hospitals against Gordon wrote a letter to the DOH committing unjust practices or they could after getting a complaint that the hospital also be sanctioned like the ACE Medical billed an ICU patient almost P200,000 for Center – Baypointe in the Subic Freeport blood and blood services alone. Not only which he lodged a complaint against be- did it charge exorbitant fees for blood, it fore the Department of Health. also required blood coming from the Phil- Gordon said the DOH has revoked ippine Red Cross to be re-tested. its permit to operate blood service facilities The Blood Manual of Baypointe and ordered the downgrading of the said states that all blood products from anoth- hospital from being a second level medi- er facility shall be tested. In their letter of cal facility to mere infirmary since second explanation, they admitted that they have level hospitals are required to maintain a been conducting retesting of blood prod- blood service facility to maintain its cur- ucts coming from another blood service rent level. facility. The DOH said this is a clear viola- “Baypointe was found to be liable tion of the department’s existing rules and for violating various administrative orders regulations on prohibition on re-testing of pertaining to the dispensation of blood, blood products obtained from a licensed hence it’s license to operate a blood ser- blood center. vice facility was revoked prompting its “This should serve as a warning downgrading. As a consequence, the hos- to all hospitals – both public and private. pital could not accept new admissions to it Stop committing unjust practices, such as intensive care unit, neonatal intensive area charging exorbitant fees for blood, requir- unit and its high-risk pregnancy unit once ing re-testing of blood coming from the PYROMUSICAL SHOW. Canada paints the night sky with bursting colors, with its very the downgrading is implemented. PRC, among others. Don’t add any more own “Fireworks Spectaculars” during the ongoing 10th Philippine International Py- Current patients at the ICU, NICU, burden to your patients. Adhere to your romusical Competition (PIPC) at the SM Clark in Pampanga. (Photo by Marna Dagum- HRPU of the hospital will be continuously Hippocratic Oath or you could be severely boy del Rosario) managed and treated at their respective sanctioned,” Gordon warned. CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga –- The 10th The contenders are Germany’s, Philippine International Pyromusical Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerke; Belgium’s CBF Competition (PIPC) has wowed thou- Pyrotechnics; Portugal’s Pirotecnia Min- RDC OKs Proposed 2020 budget sands of spectators since its first week- hota; France’s Brezac Artifices; Finland’s end show last February 23. Oy Pyroma; Viviano S.R.L. of Italy; Unit- of Central Luzon SUCs Touted to be the grandest and ed Kingdom’s Pyrotex Fireworx; Canada’s IBA, Zambales -- Regional Development gional Director and RDC Vice Chairperson biggest international pyromusical com- Fireworks Spectaculars; China’s Polar- Council (RDC) endorsed the proposed Leon M. Dacanay Jr. said. petition, the annual event - which was is Fireworks and Poland’s Surex Firma 2020 budget of the 11 state universities 2TBA is an approach that sepa- moved from the SM Mall of Asia to SM Rodzinna. and colleges based in Central Luzon. rates evaluation of agency proposals for City Clark - will be held until March 30. Last weekend, it was Canada’s “The Budget Call for FY 2020 pro- ongoing programs and projects (Tier 1) and SM Supermalls' decision to move turn to paint the night sky with burst- vides in the Expenditure Management new spending proposals and expansion of Framework the continued adoption of the ongoing programs and projects (Tier 2). the competition to SM Clark is in full ing colors, with its very own “Fireworks following administrative reforms for great- “The focus of RDC’s review is on support of the ongoing Manila Bay Re- Spectaculars”. The contender from China er budget transparency and reliability: agency Tier 2 proposals in terms of con- habilitation Program of the Department likewise stunned the huge crowd. a) Annual Cash-based Budgeting System, sistency with and responsiveness to the of Environment and Natural Resources During the opening day last b) Two-Tier Budgeting Approach (2TBA), desired development outcomes and strat- (DENR). month, the Philippines’ very own Plat- c) Program-based budgeting structure egies as enunciated in the Regional Devel- SM City Clark Mall manager inum Fireworks Inc. took the sky and through the Program Expenditure Classi- opment Plan 2017-2022,” Dacanay added. Andrea Francesca Madlangbayan said opened the festival with an amazing fication Approach, and institutionalization Among those who got the RDC the PIPC has entries from 10 countries, drone exhibition show. Belgium’s CBF Py- of the Program Convergence Budgeting nod include Aurora State College of Tech- strategy in the budget process to link, nology- P229.05 million, Bataan Peninsula which take on a battle of breathtaking rotechnics then presented its entry that harmonize and synchronize the timing of State University- P651.07 million, Bulacan fireworks performances amid a sympho- left the spectators in awe. critical program interventions,” National ny of sounds. see PYROMUSICAL SHOW, page 02 Economic and Development Authority Re- see 2020 BUDGET, page 02 Subic Bay News www.subicbaynews.com 02 U.S., Tagbilaran City AboitizPower utility sees bright prospects in franchise area Partner to Expand Access AboitizPower-led distribution utility Cotabato Light and Power to Safe Drinking Water Co. (CLPC) sees rosy prospects in its franchise area in the medium term as robust economic growth continues to spread across the country. CLPC projects to grow its demand by 8.47 percent this year in anticipation of several big loads soon to be covered by its franchise area. Demand within the Cotabato-based utility grew by 14 percent to 32 MW in 2018 from 28 MW in 2017. Its customer base grew by a mod- est 1.3 percent from 41,110 in 2017 to 41,645 in 2018. “We are very pleased with our growth in 2018 and maintain this trajectory moving forward. We’ve seen impressive economic growth in Cotabato City, driven by the government’s Tagbilaran City officials at Tagbilaran City’s World Water Day efforts to bring in investors over celebration, led by Mayor John Geesnell Yap (fifth from left) the past few years,” said Cotaba- KEEPING UP WITH PROGRESS. Cotabato Light continues to upgrade its systems and joined by USAID representatives Marian Cruz-Navata to Light vice president and chief so it can support the growing power demand in its franchise area (fourth from left) and Bernadette Cariaga (second from left). With USAID assistance, the city government has improved operating officer Ben Caro C. Arkoncel. respective franchise areas of its utilities, AboitizPower water services, including upgrading water pipes and the me- These include the facilities and offices of the has set aside P3.1 billion to modernize its existing distri- tering system. Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Bangko Sentral bution assets across the country. Tagbilaran City— The U.S. government, through the U.S. ng Pilipinas, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, “We want to take advantage of the robust eco- Agency for International Development (USAID), joined as well as a factory, mall, and hotel, among others. nomic growth in our franchise areas by making sure Tagbilaran City and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to cel- Cotabato Light showed improvement in reliabil- power is delivered to our customers reliably, sustain- ebrate World Water Day. The March 20 event highlight- ity, having been able to reduce the average number of ably, and at the most cost-effective way. The initiatives ed the city’s successes in improving access to safe wa- interruptions each customer experiences in a year from we have mapped out for this year and beyond are part ter and reaffirmed the partnership between Tagbilaran, six in 2017 to 2.5 in 2018. The utility also reduced the of our effort to become world-class and the best at USAID, and Maynilad. As a result of this partnership, average duration of power interruptions in a year to what we do,” said Jaime Jose Y. Aboitiz, chief operating more than 21,500 Tagbilaran City residents now enjoy 122 minutes in 2018 from 811 minutes in 2017. officer of the AboitizPower Distribution Group. around-the-clock access to clean water. Previously, This can be attributed to the installation of line AboitizPower is currently one of the largest these residents only had access to water eight hours reclosers and load break switches, intensification of electricity distributors in the Philippines with owner- a day. vegetation management, augmentation of line mainte- ship interests in seven distribution utilities including For the past two years, USAID and Maynilad nance, putting in place wildlife shields to eliminate or the second and third largest in the country. The distri- have provided training and mentoring to enhance the minimize animal intrusion of power lines, improvement bution subsidiaries of AboitizPower include Davao Light operational and management capabilities of the Tagbi- of substation maintenance, and upgrading of overload- and Power Co. and Visayan Electric Company in Cebu, laran City Waterworks System. In April 2017, USAID and ed distribution transformers, among others. among others. Maynilad Water Academy teamed up with the Tagbila- Cotabato Light’s franchise area covers the city Through the Aboitiz Group, AboitizPower has ran City Waterworks System to improve business plan- of Cotabato as well as portions of the municipalities of more than 80 years of experience in the Philippine ning, strengthen fiscal management, and boost the effi- Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao. power distribution sector and has been known for in- ciency of services. Through these measures, Tagbilaran To keep up with the development within the novation and efficient operations. City was able to collect more fees, increasing the water budget by 34 percent. The additional funding allowed PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2019...... from page 01 Tagbilaran City to upgrade facilities and install 7.5 kilo- Not only for a safer Indo-Pacific region, meters of new water pipes as well as 1,000 new water but for a better world. Thank you for meters. These enhancements reduce leakage and aug- making a difference.” ment the city’s ability to monitor its water needs. Pacific Partnership began in During the World Water Day program at the city response to one of the world’s most hall, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap recog- catastrophic natural disasters, the De- nized the achievements of Tagbilaran City Waterworks cember 2004 tsunami that devastat- System, which is run by the local government. At the ed parts of South and Southeast Asia. event, USAID Urban Planning Specialist Marian Nava- The mission has evolved over the years ta noted, “USAID continues to be a committed partner from emphasis on direct care to an op- of the Philippine government to expand access to safe eration focused on enhancing partner- water and support good governance in the water and ships through host nation subject mat- sanitation sectors.” ter expert and civil-military exchanges. To increase access to clean water and improve Working at the invitation of water service delivery, USAID has partnered with cities each host nation, Pacific Partnership across the Philippines, including Batangas, Cagayan de is joined by partner nations that in- Oro, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, clude Australia, Canada, Japan, Ma- Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, and Marawi City. In partner- laysia, Peru, the Philippines, South ship with the Philippine government, USAID’s water Korea, Thailand, and the United King- and sanitation programs have provided almost 2 million dom to strengthen disaster response Filipinos with access to safe drinking water over the last preparedness around the Indo-Pacific five years. region. The Philippines is one of several host nations for Pacific Partnership NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 2019. The Pacific Partnership mission teams will also make stops in the Fed- erated States of Micronesia, Malaysia, Notice is hereby given to the public that an the Republic of the Marshall Islands, EX- TACLOBAN, Philippines “ U.S. Navy Capt. Randy Van Rossum, left, Pacific TRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DE- Partnership 2019 (PP19) mission commander, receives a gift from Philip- Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. CEASED PERSON WITH DEED OF RENUNCIATION- pine Navy Rear Adm. Samuel Felix, Armed Forces of the Philippines, J9, Experts in the fields of engineering, AND QUITCLAIM was made and executed by the lawful deputy chief of staff, during the PP19 closing ceremony to conclude the medicine and disaster response will heirs and successors of the deceased RUBEN SANTIA- Philippines mission stop. Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is partner with each host nation to con- GO, SR. and NATIVIDAD L. SANTIAGO, who died intes- the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief duct civic-action projects, community tate on OCTOBER 10 and AUGUST 24, 2001 RESPEC- preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission health exchanges, medical sympo- TIVELY in San Fernando City, Pampanga , Philippines team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance region- siums, and disaster response training as per Doc no 46, Page No. 11 Book No X Series of al interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and activities. stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the In- Pacific Partnership’s mission 2019 in the notarial registry of Atty. Juanito C. Atien- do-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class is to work collectively with host and za. Nicholas Burgains) partner nations to enhance regional in- All interested parties, creditors,and persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby teroperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and required to file their claims with the court appointed ex- enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific region. Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is the largest ecutor of their estate. annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pa- cific region. PYROMUSICAL...... from page 01 2020 BUDGET...... from page 01 On March 2, Germany’s “Steffes-Ollihmg Feuer- Agricultural State College-P390.41 million, Bulacan State werke” and Portugal’s “Pirotecni Minhota” treated the University-P1.81 billion, Central Luzon State Universi- crowd with their tradition and mastery of skills in the ty-P1.09 billion, and Don Honorio Ventura State Universi- sky. ty-P536.82 million. Last March 9, Clark skyline witnessed the Also, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Tech- nology-P683.53 million, Philippine Merchant Marine France’s “Brezac Artifices,” followed by a burst of vi- Academy-P429.54 million, President Ramon Magsay- brant colors by Finland’s Oy Pyroman. say State University- P553.97 million, Tarlac Agricultural Italy’s very own Viviano S.R.L. and last year’s University-P666.81 million, and Tarlac State University- champion, United Kingdom’s “Pyrotez Fireworx” bat- P809.37 million. (CLJD-PIA 3) tled it out last March 16. Capping off the competition and to close a de- cade of giving the best pyromusical exhibition in the Philippines, March 30 promises to be the most spectac- ular display of colors and surprises with Poland’s Surex Firma Rodzinna and the Philippines’ own Platinum Fire- works Inc. in a grand finale like no other. “The finale will be featuring the Philippines and it will be the culmination of the biggest pyromusical in the world,” Madlangbayan said. Aside from the pyro musical competition, the TEL. 251- 3104 CELL: 0917 503-8350 / 0928 503-8350 / annual PIPC also highlights a photo contest, which fea- 0932 879-8350 email: [email protected] tures entries from amateur and professional photogra- www.subicbaynews.com phers - wherein winners will receive special prizes from PIPC partners and sponsors. (PNA) Subic Bay News www.subicbaynews.com 03 AROUND CENTRAL LUZON BALITA SA WIKANG PINOY Ph Army Marksmanship Bumababa kaso ng tigdas sa Assessment and Evaluation Gitnang Luzon LUNGSOD NG SAN FERNANDO, Pampan- Ayon sa DOH, malaki rin ang ga -- Patuloy ang pagbaba ng kaso ng tig- naitulong ng iba’t-ibang ahensya ng das sa Gitnang Luzon sa nakalipas na tatlo pamahalaan sa pagkontrol sa outbreak. hanggang apat na linggo. Kabilang sa mga pagsisikap ng Ayon kay Department of Health o mga ito ang paglulunsad ng Rejuvenat- DOH Regional Epidemiology and Surveil- ed Oplan Ligtas Tigdas sa pamamagitan lance Unit Head Dr. Jessie Fantone, kung ng Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and pagsasama-samahin ang mga kaso ay pa- Management Council kung saan nakuha pataas ang mga ito ngunit kung ita-tally ng DOH ang suporta ng mga ahensya sa araw-araw ay makikita ang patuloy na pamamagitan ng pag-volunteer sa pag- pagbaba ng kaso hanggang sa mapababa babakuna at pagbibigay ng tulong para ito sa kahalintulad na bilang noong na- maabot ang mga liblib na pamayanan. karaang taon. Dagdag pa ni DOH Local Health Dahil ito aniya sa pinaigting na Support Division Chief Dr. Lailani Man- Measles Outbreak Response Immuni- gulabnan, malaki rin ang naitulong ng zation o MORI na isinagawa ng DOH at iba't ibang inisyatibo tulad ng pakiki- iba pang mga ahensya, kung saan ang pagpulong sa mga lokal na punong ehe- 405,101 na populasyon o 117 porsiyento kutibo, pagbibigay ng Vitamin A supple- ng target ay nabakunahan kontra tigdas ments at paggamit ng quad-media para sa buong rehiyon. sa epektibong pagsawata sa virus. Ayon naman kay DOH Disas- Gayunpaman, sa kabila ng bum- ter Risk Reduction and Management in ababang kaso ng tigdas, tiniyak ng DOH Health Medical Officer IV Dr. Maila Ros- sa publiko ang patuloy na pagbabakuna trata, simula noong Pebrero 12 ay nag- kontra rito. deklara na sila ng code white at bumuo Ayon sa DOH, may naitalang ng pitong grupong nakahandang ipadala 4,049 kaso ng tigdas sa rehiyon noong sa mga prayoridad na lugar sa rehiyon na Marso 24, kung saan ang mga probin- apektado ng tigdas. sya ng Bulacan, Pampanga at Tarlac ang A total of 73 soldiers participated in this year’s Philippine Army Marksmanship As- Dagdag niya, naka-alerto din ang may pinakamataas na kaso. Walumpu’t sessment and 33 represented Luzon, 15 for Visayas and 25 represented Mindanao. mga pampublikong ospital upang tang- anim sa mga ito ang namatay. (Cherie Joyce V. Flores) gapin at gamutin ang mga pasyenteng Dahil dito, patuloy na hini- for men and women, rifle event, carbine may tigdas. hikayat ng DOH ang mga ina at tag- CAPAS, Tarlac -- Philippine Army con- match and machine gun match. Bukod dito, tumulong din ang mga apag-alaga na dalhin ang kanilang mga ducted a Marksmanship Assessment and All contingents underwent series kawani ng mga ospital sa malawakang anak sa mga pagamutan upang paba- Evaluation (PMAE) in time for this year’s pagbabakuna sa iba’t ibang sektor gaya kunahan sila. (PIA 3) Asean Armies Rifle Meet (AARM). of matches in accordance with the regu- ng mga katutubo. “PMAE serves as an avenue and lations set by the AARM. platform in selecting the next best shoot- “The success of this event has ers of the Army and to compete locally paved a very effective way in assessing and internationally particularly in the and evaluating the Army’s marksman- Istasyon ng PNR ang Clark AARM and to augment as instructors ship capability. The procedures were of the Marksmanship Training School,” highly challenging which enhanced the Training and Doctrine Command (TRA- skills and competence of our potential Terminal 2 DOC) Commander Major General Roy shooters,” Devesa stressed. Devesa said. “Tradoc, being the primary “For this year, there were 73 par- unit responsible for the Marksmanship ticipants from the Philippine Army Major Training of the Philippine Army will con- Units wherein 33 represented Luzon, 15 tinuously improve its training program for Visayas and 25 represented Mindan- through the conduct of assessment and ao,” he added. evaluation towards the empowerment The shooters competed in var- of our troops,” he furthered. (PIA 3) ious categories including pistol match RDC approves extension of Balog-Balog Phase II Project

Ipinapaliwanag ni Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (may hawak ng mikropo- no), sa ginawang inspeksyon sa progreso ng konstruksyon ng Terminal 2 ng Clark International Airport, na magiging istasyon mismo ng Philippine National Railways Clark ang ilalim ng paliparan. Ito ang magiging kauna-unahang airport-railway link ng bansa. (Shane F. Velasco)

Regional Development Council passed a resolution endorsing the proposed implementation extension and changes in scopes of work of the Balog-Balog Multi-Pur- pose Project Phase II in Tarlac. (Trixie Joy B. Manalili/PIA 3 File Photo) Makikita sa larawan ang rendisyon ng arkitekto sa magiging kabuuang disenyo ng ginagawang Terminal 2 ng Clark International Airport. Target itong buksan sa taong IBA, Zambales. -- Regional Development tional Economic and Development Au- 2020 bilang pinakabagong premiere gateway ng Pilipinas sa Asya. (Megawide Corpo- Council (RDC) passed a resolution -en thority Regional Director and RDC Vice ration) dorsing the proposed implementation Chairperson Leon M. Dacanay Jr. said. CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga -- San Fernando sa Pampanga. extension and changes in scopes of work This P13.37 billion project will Magiging istasyon ng Philippine National Pagdating sa Clark, dadaan na of the Balog-Balog Multi-Purpose Project provide year-round irrigation services Railways o PNR Clark ang ilalim ng ginaga- ito sa ilalim ng lupa o sa isang tunnel Phase II (BBMP II) in Tarlac. to about 34,500 hectares at full devel- wang Terminal 2 ng Clark International hanggang makarating sa CRK station na With an original target comple- opment and improve cropping intensi- Airport o CRK. nasa ilalim ng Terminal 2. tion date of December 2018, BBMP II ty from one to at least two seasons per Ayon kay Transportation Secre- Sa pagkukumpleto ng proyek- experienced delays in implementation as year benefiting about 23,000 famers in tary Arthur Tugade, ito ang magiging kau- tong riles ng tren na nagkakahalaga ng reflected by its low physical and financial the province of Tarlac. na-unahang airport-railway link ng bansa P628 bilyon, kaya nitong makapaglulan accomplishments of 25.71 percent and It will improve rice yield from 3.1 kung saan magiging 24 oras ang biyahe ng ng 550,000 pasahero araw-araw. 31.70 percent respectively. metric tons per hectare under rain-fed tren kasabay ng operasyon ng paliparan. Bukod dito, ang kasalukuyang “Severe weather conditions, re- conditions to 5.2 metric tons per hectare Ang PNR Clark ay binubuo ng da- byahe na halos dalawang oras mula settlement concerns, and right-of-way is- under irrigated conditions. lawang bahagi: ang 38 km Phase 1 mula Clark hanggang Tutuban ay magiging 45 sues hampered the timely completion of “To optimize the project ben- Tutuban sa Maynila hanggang Malolos sa minuto na lamang. the project. As such, the National Irriga- efits, NIA proposed additional scopes Bulacan at 53 km Phase 2 mula Malolos Sinabi pa ni Tugade na mau- tion Administration (NIA) requested the of work to provide irrigation services in hanggang Clark. unang matapos ang konstruksyon ng Investment Coordination Committee for upland areas of San Jose town covering Sa detalye ng proyekto, elevated bagong terminal ng CRK sa 2020 na the approval of the project’s implemen- about 24,000 hectares,” Dacanay added. railways system ang magiging istraktura susundan ng pag-andar ng tren sa ilalim tation extension from 2018 to 2022,” Na- (PIA 3) ng mula Malolos hanggang paglagpas ng nito sa 2022. (PIA 3) IN THE NAVY Pacific Partnership 2019 Field Training Exercise in Philippines

DTI Consumer Corner at SM City Olongapo

TACLOBAN, Philippines. " Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Disaster Response Unit cut a hole in a concrete slab during a field training exercise at the Tacloban North Public Market that simulated a response to a notional 8.5-magnitude earthquake. This exercise is the capstone humanitarian assistance and disaster response event of the PP19 visit to the Philippines. Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pa- cific. Each year the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Carpenter) TACLOBAN, Philippines (NNS) -- Humani- “This is a scenario with a high tarian assistance and disaster relief plan- probability of happening in this region, ners, medical personnel and engineers considering that we have a lot of earth- from Pacific Partnership 2019 (PP19) came quake generators – part of this province together with Philippine servicemembers, lies along the Philippine fault zone, and we local medical professionals, police, fire- are also facing the Philippine trench,” said fighters and community volunteers at the Ray Gozon, regional director of the Office Tacloban City Market for a field training ex- of Civil Defense. ercise (FTX) where participants responded In addition to professional agen- to a simulated 8.5-magnitude earthquake, cies, 150 local volunteers participated in March 21. the event as role players, serving as disas- The FTX is the capstone event ter victims to enhance the realistic nature after two weeks of intensive training- de of the scenario and the effectiveness of signed to enhance local and multilateral the training. The DTI Consumer Corner Launching was spearheaded by DTI Zambales Provincial capabilities to respond to disasters and to “This is one of the biggest events Director Leonila Baluyut(in black), SM Olongapo Mall Manager Mark Herrera (in facilitate cooperation between forces from that I have ever seen in the 16 years of my checkered) and Olongapo Consumer Affairs Council President Roger Castillejo(in yel- participating partner nations. career,” said Master Sgt. Ging Yeung, one “Learning how to integrate and re- of the planners for the exercise. “There low). ally bolster the local community’s capabili- is a tremendous amount of coordination ty allows us to build not only a partnership, between civilian and military units that but a lasting effort for the community, im- allows them to better understand the big proving our ability to respond to disasters picture and their role in facing a disaster.” both individually and collectively,” said Lt. Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th Cmdr. Eric Hardy, Navy liaison and repre- iteration, is the largest annual multination- sentative at the Joint Enroute Care School- al humanitarian assistance and disaster re- house. lief preparedness mission conducted in the While the earthquake was simu- Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team lated, it allowed participants to practice works collectively with host and partner several key techniques to use in the event nations to enhance regional interoperabil- of a future disaster, including search and ity and disaster response capabilities, in- rescue, triage, logistics, shoring of dam- crease stability and security in the region, aged buildings, and disaster planning and and foster new and enduring friendships in management. the Indo-Pacific.

PHILIPPINE SEA. An F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 is secured on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) in the Philip- pine Sea, March 24, 2019. Wasp, flagship of Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker)

Affiliates and tenants were present in the DTI Customer Corner Launching. The Department of Trade and Indus- It’s important that customers are try(DTI), in partnership with SM City well-informed so that they are protect- Olongapo, has launched the Consumer ed. DTI and SM aim to provide accessi- Corner Program recently to widen the ble, relevant and useful information to access of the general public to consum- the customers about their rights and pro- er-related information and avenues for tection. That is why DTI has intensify its redress. advocacy efforts by providing Consumer According to DTI, this program Corners in every establishment nation- will enable consumers to become wis- wide. er, more vigilant, and empowered. “The Present during the launching Consumer Corner Program is a partner- were DTI-Zambales Provincial Director ship project with business establish- Leonila Baluyut, Olongap Consumer Af- ments that aims to strengthen and pro- fairs Council President Roger Castillejo mote consumer welfare and protection and SM Olongapo Mall Manager Mark by providing an information desk that is Herrera. strategically located inside retail stores Consumer Corner can be found where consumers can gain access to at the Ground Floor Information Booth consumer-related information materials counter of SM Olongapo and Customer of the DTI.” Service Counter of SM Supermarket. PHILIPPINE SEA. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Robert Bell directs a Marine Corps “We are in full support of this For more consumer-relation in- MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft as it lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS project for the benefit of our customers formation, visit the DTI website (www. Wasp (LHD 1) in the Philippine Sea, March 25, 2019. Wasp, flagship of Wasp Amphibious Ready and we are truly honored to be chosen dti.gov.ph) or contact DTI Consumer Care Group, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as one of the venues of this noble proj- 1-384 (1-DTI) and ConsumerCare@dti. as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication ect,” remarked Mark Herrera, SM Olon- gov.ph. Specialist 3rd Class Sean Galbreath) gapo Mall Manager.