Subic bay news vol 11 no 18 15.00Php

Seaweed farming

project in Subic town

U.S. Embassy Holds Ramadan Iftars in Manila and Marawi

see Seawed Farming, page 2

Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RP Energy) has partnered with the pri-vate and public sectors for a Seaweed Farming Project that will benefit two ba-rangays in Subic, Zambales. A memorandum of understand-ing with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 3, fisherfolk group Subic Bay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Fisher-folk Association (SBIFARMFA), and Farm Capital Corporation, the company behind the brand Weedera, was signed last May 19 for this undertaking. The collaboration involves the set-up of two pilot seaweed nurseries in Barangay Cawag and Barangay Matain in Subic. These nurseries will later expand into seaweed farms. RP Energy facilitated the estab-lishment of the seaweed nurseries. The company is also responsible for the so-cial preparation and coordination with the two beneficiary organizations of the project, which are identified as the Pa-rola Fisherfolk Neighborhood Associa-tion (PAFNA), and Samahan at Ugnayan ng Mangingisda sa Matain (SUMAMA) of Subic. Meanwhile, SBIFARMA and Weedera, worked together and surveyed possible locations for the pilot nurser-ies. BFAR, for its part, will be in charge of monitoring, technical assistance, and training to the beneficiary groups for this project. Weedera, which currently ex-ports seaweeds to various countries like Japan, China and Taiwan, will be the one to buy the seaweeds from the organiza-tions at competitive prices. “This project is very promising, as we have started with the market of the product -- something that is usually last to be figured out in other livelihood proj-ects,” acoording to Litz Manuel-Santana, VP and Head of External Affairs of Meral-co PowerGen, the majority owner of RP Energy. Having an identified off-taker of the produce ensures the sustainability and profitability of the livelihood project that is intended to help the organizations in Subic.“Our aim is to develop a market-based livelihood program for our beneficiaries and so we partnered with Weedera, a private corporation based in Iloilo, who will be buying all the produce,” according to Jason Gavina, CSR Officer of RP Energy. “This is complemented by the technical know-how of our BFAR experts who will assist the groups in setting up the nurseries,” he added. Weedera President Neil Huele, for his part, said: “Seaweed has huge de-mand especially in Taiwan, China, and Ja-pan. In fact, unknown to many, the Phil-ippines is the third largest producer of seaweed in the world. There is still very huge potential.” To formally jumpstart activities under this collaboration, the launch of the seaweed farms and a community training was held last May 22. BFAR trained the community members on how to create the net and install the seedlings properly. They were also oriented on how to maintain the seaweed farms to avoid grazing of fish

SEAWEED PROJECT BREAKS GROUND. Weedera President Neil Huele, RP Energy President Angelito Lantin, SBIFARMFA Represen-tative Reynaldo Miranda and BFAR Regional Seaweed Coordinator Marlon Alejandro together with Meralco PowerGen’s VP Litz Santana, Sitio Parola Leader Crystalyn Reyes and RP Energy CSR Officer Jason Gavina during the signing of the MOU last May 19.

Manila, May 31, 2018 — Chargé d’ Affaires Michael S. Klecheski broke the Ramadan fast with more than 100 leaders of the Nation-al Capital Region (NCR) Muslim community at an iftar reception at the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus in Quezon City to express solidarity with the Muslim com-munity. Simultaneously, U.S. government exchange alumni hosted an iftar for more than 2,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from two relocation sites in Marawi City. Maranao leaders from civil society,

higher education, and the religious commu-nity opened the NCR iftar with an update on the state of recovery efforts in Marawi. Speakers included Ranao Rescue Team mem-ber Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, former Mindan-ao State University president Dr. Macapado Muslim, and President of the Imam Council of the Philippines Colonel Ebra Moxsir. Chargé d’ Affaires Klecheski spoke of his appreciation for the spirit of service that Ramadan encourages and noted the service ethic that motivated U.S. exchange alum-ni in Marawi to organize the iftar for IDPs.

Chargé d’ Affaires Klecheski also recognized the struggles of the thousands of people still displaced by the Marawi crisis and highlight-ed the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to assist in the recovery, stabilization, and reha-bilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas. The U.S. Embassy sponsored these iftars as part of a Php1,000,000 partnership with the University of the Philippines-In-stitute of Islamic Studies to build the ca-pacity of Muslim university student leaders throughout the NCR to lead service activities in their communities.

By Bebot Sison Jr

OLONGAPO CITY: A pastor from this city died last week after a carabao suddenly crossed his path while driving along Sitio Binalaba, Barangay Dampe, Floridablan-ca Pampanga portion of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Pastor Lucio Fuerte Miranda, 68, Head Pastor of the I Care Fellowship Cen-ter, was rushed to the Romana Pangan District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The fatal accident prompted Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino to issue a warning to his constituents and other motorists that it may not be safe anymore to drive inside the expressway. “Why was there a carabao inside the expressway?” the mayor asked. “We have always looked at the expressway as a means not only for con-venient and faster way to travel but also because it is supposed to be safe,” Pauli-no told Subic Bay News. “That is why we gladly pay the toll fees, to ensure safe, convenient, fast-er travel, now it seems that is not the case anymore,” the mayor added. Paulino said Miranda is one of his spiritual advisers. According to a report prepared by Floridabanca Police Station police chief Supt Dulnoan Dinamling Jr., the incident happened at around 4:30 AM on May 29 and the police station was informed by SCTEX Traffic Supervisor An-thony Martinez around 5:40Am of the vehicular accident inside the express-way. Responding policemen found in

Olongapo mayor slams SCTEX over pastor’s death

there scene the dead body of Miranda, his white Nissan Urvan and the dead ca-rabao. The report did not say how the carabao managed to get in the express-way. Mylene Miranda, 38, eldest daughter of the pastor said when they passed by the scene of accident, they

saw SCTEX people trying to repair fence on the side of the expressway. She said SCTEX management did not offer them any help and even charged them P6,000 for the towing his father’s vehicle to the impounding area and charging them P6,000 again to two the vehicle to Olongapo City.

A policeman inspects the Nissan Urvan driven by Pastor Lucio Miranda which collided with a carabao that suddenly crossed his path while driving along the Floridablanca portion of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) in the early morning of May 29. The collision resulted in the instant death of Miranda and the carabao.

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N O T I C E T O T H E P U B L I C

Notice is hereby given to the public that an EX-TRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE DOMINGO GOLIMLIM, JR. WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS was made and executed by the lawful heirs and successors of the deceased DOMINGO GOLIMLIM, JR., who died on May 25, 2013 at Cabalan, Olongapo City, Philippines as per Doc no 475, Page No. 96 Book No IX, Series of 2018 in the notarial registry of Atty. Marc Raymund S, Cesa. All interested parties, creditors,and persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed ex-ecutor of their estate.

USAID, DOH National Project to Strengthen Philippine Health Workers

Notice is hereby given to the public that an EX-TRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIV-ER OVER A PORTION-SHARE OF RESIDENTIAL LOT was made and executed by the lawful heirs and suc-cessors of the deceased LOURDES G. ALBARDA AND ALEJANDRO ALBARDA, who both died in Olongapo City, Philippines as per Doc no 123, Page No. 26 Book No. XIIII, Series of 2018 in the notarial registry of Atty. Segundo E. Mangohig. All interested parties, creditors,and persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed ex-ecutor of their estate.

HOUSE AND LOT FOR SALE

NO. 25 5TH ST., WEST TAPINAC, OLONGAPO CITYPLS. CONTACT 09293368552

Notice is hereby given to the public that a DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND QUITCLAIM was made and executed by the lawful heirs and successors of the deceased RUFINO A. PADUA, who died intestate on April 25, 1999 in San Marcelino. Zambales, Philippines as per Doc no 227, Page No. 217 Book No CXVII, Se-ries of 2016 in the notarial registry of Atty. Saturnini V. Bactad. All interested parties, creditors,and persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed ex-ecutor of their estate.

Notice is hereby given to the public that an EX-TRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS was made and executed by the legitimate sole heirs of the deceased Ricardo M. Matawaran, Sr. , who died on January 15, 1993 in Olongapo City, Philippines as per Doc no 339, Page No. 68 Book No. VI, Series of 2003 in the notarial registry of Atty. Segundo E. Mango-hig. All interested parties, creditors,and persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed ex-ecutor of their estate.

Notice is hereby given to the public that an EX-TRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT was made and executed by the surviving heirs and children of the deceased Lina Orga, who died on January 19, 2010 and Osias Orga who died on February 11, 2008 both in Olongapo City, Philippines as per Doc no 365, Page No. 76 Book No. XIII, Series of 2018 in the notarial registry of Atty. Se-gundo E. Mangohig. All interested parties, creditors,and persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed ex-ecutor of their estate.

Notice is hereby given to the public that an EX-TRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH PARTITION was made and executed by the sole heirs and children of the deceased Saturnino G. Reyes who died on August 30, 2008 in Florida, USA and Juana C. Varela who died on March 20, 1966 in Manila, Philippines as per Doc no 252, Page No. 52 Book No. XII, Series of 2017 in the notarial registry of Atty. Segundo E. Mangohig. All interested parties, creditors,and persons having money claims against the decedent are hereby required to file their claims with the court appointed ex-ecutor of their estate.

and ensure quality harvest. The group will harvest their first batch of seaweeds after 45 days from planting. The Seaweed Farming Project joins the many social development pro-grams and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects being implemented by RP Energy for the communities in Subic. Based on the social benchmark-ing study conducted by the company, there is a need for an alternative liveli-hood for the low-income fishing com-munities neighboring the RP Energy site.

The Subic Bay itself is overfished, and the income from fish harvest can be very seasonal. “In our CSR, we always aim to achieve both impact and sustainability. We are very happy to have the support of BFAR, Weedera and SBIFARMFA for this project and we hope that this part-nership continues long term,” said RP En-ergy President Angelito Lantin. RP Energy is the developer of a 2x300 MW coal-fired power plant in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone

TIME TO PLANT SEAWEEDS. Last May 22 at Sitio Parola, Brgy. Cawag during the community launching and training with BFAR expert Marlon Alejandro. IN photo, RP Energy’s CSR Assistant Judy Ann Espiritu, Weedera’s Dante Garzon, BFAR’s Marlon Alejandro, RP Energy’s CSR Officer Jason Gavina, Cawag Councilor Luisito Cerezo, with community partners.

Manila, May 30, 2018 — The United States Agency for International Devel-opment (USAID) yesterday launched a five-year, PhP 750 million ($15 million), nationwide Human Resources for Health in 2030 (HRH2030) project to help the Department of Health (DOH) strengthen the workforce skills to better respond to the country’s health needs. The theme of the launch event was “Investing in Health Workforce Saves Lives.” USAID Mission Director Law-rence Hardy II and DOH Undersecretary Roger Tong-An were keynote speakers at the launch. Hardy said, “Through your commitment and our work together, we are confident that the Philippines will continue to build a strong and resilient health system.” About 30,000 medical doctors, nurses, dentists, medical technologists and midwives serve the needs of 106 million Filipinos. These professionals have divergent skills and are unequally

distributed across the country. USAID’s HRH2030 project will address this dis-parity by building the capacity of the DOH to train, deploy and manage health workers, ultimately expanding access to quality family planning, maternal and child health, and tuberculosis services for vulnerable populations. “The DOH intends to accelerate reforms for service delivery in order to create demand for a holistic client ex-perience. In addition, we are working to address maldistribution of human re-sources for health in the country, espe-cially in underserved areas,” said Under-secretary of Health Dr. Gerardo Bayugo. USAID’s HRH2030 project is part of a global initiative supported by US-AID in more than 20 countries, to fur-ther USAID’s vision of sustained, equi-table access to responsive, high-quality health services. More information about HRH2030 is available on the program’s website: www.hrh2030program.org.

(UpperPhoto, L-R) USAID Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II, Depart-ment of Health (DOH) Undersecre-tary Roger Tong-An, DOH Autono-mous Region in Muslim Mindanao Secretary Kadil Sinolinding, and Chemonics International Director of Project Management Unit for HRH2030 Kartlos Kadkaze formally launch USAID’s Human Resources for Health in 2030 (HRH2030) Phil-ippines. (Left Photo) USAID Mission Director Hardy and DOH ARMM Secretary Sinolinding assemble puzzle pieces symbolizing the shared commitment of the U.S. and Philippine governments to build a strong and resilient health system in the Philippines.

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BALITA SA WIKANG PINOYAROUND CENTRAL LUZON & ELSEWHEREDTI opens 13th Negosyo Center in Tarlac

Dukit Festival highlights Guagua Day celebrations

Mayor Iluminado Pobre Jr. (left) and Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Judith Angeles (second from right) lead the unveiling of marker of the Negosyo Center in Mayantoc, Tarlac.

“Integridad ng soberenya at paglaban sa terorismo, patuloy” - Sec. Lorenzana

Pinangunahan ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ang pagdiriwang ng Pambansang Araw ng Watawat sa Bulacan. (Shane F. Velasco/PIA 3)

Invest Bulacan 2018 Inilunsad

Ibinalita ni Cielito ‘Honeylet’ S. Avanceña sa katatapos na paglulunsad ng Invest Bulacan 2018 na pinirmahan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte ang Republic Act 11032 o ang Ease of Doing Business Law na gagawing simple hindi lamang ang proseso kundi ang mga rekisito sa lahat ng sistema sa pagkuha ng permit para makapag-negosyo. (Shane F. Velasco/PIA 3)

TARLAC CITY -- The Department of Trade Industry (DTI) recently opened its 13th Negosyo Center in the province located at Poblacion Norte, Mayantoc town. “This facility would provide busi-ness advisory services, training, business name registration assistance and regis-tration for Barangay Micro Business En-terprises,” DTI Provincial Director Agnes Ramirez said. It will also serve as a display cen-ter, database center and venue for mar-ket matching activity. For his part, Mayor Iluminado Pobre Jr. expressed his deepest gratitude

to DTI for the Negosyo Center. “I will encourage our micro, small and medium enterprises to use this facil-ity in developing their products,” Pobre added. DTI Regional Director Judith An-geles disclosed that this is the 74th Nego-syo Center in Central Luzon and 865th in the entire country. For Tarlac, similar facilities are located in the capital city, Concepcion, Capas, Moncada, Gerona, Victoria, San Manuel, Ramos, San Clemente, Sta. Ig-nacia, Pura and San Jose. (PIA 3)

A participant of the on-the-spot woodcarving competition shows the ingenuity of Guaguaeño craftsmanship while working on his masterpiece during the recent Dukit Festival led by the municipal government of Guagua. (Photo courtesy of PictureMag-ic PhotoCinema and Municipality of Guagua)GUAGUA, Pampanga) -- The local gov-ernment of Guagua recently organized its 8th Dukit Festival, as part of the ac-tivities for the 428th Aldo ning Wawa (Guagua Day). Mayor Dante Torres said the ac-tivity primarily aims to revive the culture of Betis area and the town of Guagua as a whole. “The woodcarving tradition in Sta. Ursula, Betis is part of the overall history and identity of every Guaguaeño. In fact, we have many woodcarver-art-ists from the town who became famous nationwide and abroad like Willy Layug,” Torres explained. He also cited that one of the reasons why the town decided to come up with the festival is to ensure that the practice will be carried on to the next generation. “We want to promote the wood-craft industry not only to potential cus-

tomers but also to our young generation in the hope that they will take interest in it and continue the woodcarving practice of their predecessors. If we can engage our youth into this industry, then we can ensure that this will not be a lost tradi-tion,” the local chief executed stressed. Part of the Dukit Festival is an on-the-spot woodcarving competition which was participated in by about 30 woodcarvers. Aside from the competition, the event also featured an exhibit of the town’s best woodcarving products in-cluding ecclesiastical and religious items, furniture and art accents. This year’s Aldo Ning Wawa bears the theme “Re-Awakening Con-sciousness Towards Reminiscence of the Town’s History, Strengthening People’s Unity, Marching and Progressing towards the Destined Journey.” (PIA 3)

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS, -- Muling pinagtibay ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana na patuloy na igigiit ng pama-halaan ang integridad ng soberenya ng Pilipinas at ang pagpapaigting sa pam-bansang seguridad partikular na ang paglaban sa terorismo. Iyan ang tinuran ng kalihim nang pangunahan niya ang pagdiriwang sa Bu-lacan ng Pambansang Araw ng Watawat. Aniya, ang pagdiriwang na ito ay angkop na pagkakataon upang muling sumumpa sa watawat at tiyaking mai-

pagtanggol ang Republika ng Pilipinas. Upang maisakatuparan ito, sinabi ni Lo-renzana na naglaan si Pangulong Duterte ng Php 25 bilyon kada taon para sa pat-uloy na modernisasyon ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas. Iba pa rito ang pagpapaupa sa mga tukoy na base militar ng bansa sa komersiyalisasyon upang magkaroon ng 50 bilyong pisong kapitalisasyon para sa magiging sariling sistema ng pagpepen-syon sa mga kawal. (PIA 3)

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS -- Pinangunah-an nitong Lunes ni Cielito ‘Honeylet’ S. Avanceña ang paglulunsad ng Invest Bu-lacan 2018. Sa kanyang mensahe, sinabi niya na pinirmahan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte ang Republic Act 11032 o ang Ease of Doing Business Law na gagawing simple hindi lamang ang proseso kundi ang mga rekisito sa lahat ng sistema sa pagkuha ng permit para makapag-nego-syo. Inamyendahan nito ang umiiral na Republic Act 9485 o ang Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 kung saan kinakailangan ma-proseso ng mga tanggapan ng pamaha-laan ang mga simpleng transaksyon sa loob ng 3 working days habang 7 working days sa mga malalaking transaksyon at 20 working days sa mga highly technical na transaksyon. Inoobliga ng batas na ito ang la-

hat ng mga pamahalaang lokal na mag-karoon na ng iisa o unified business ap-plication form mula sa mas pinaigsing proseso ng pagkuha ng business permit, clearance at iba pang uri ng otorisasyon. Dapat ay may partikular na es-pasyo para sa One-Stop Shop ang bawat municipal at city hall. Nakasaad din dito ang pagkaka-roon ng Philippine Business Databank na magbibigay ng mga napapanahon at klarong mga datos kaugnay ng pagne-negosyo. May Central Business Portal rin na siyang tatanggap at kukuha ng mga application data sa lahat ng business-re-lated transactions. Upang matiyak ang tamang pag-papatupad ng bagong batas, itatag ang isang ahensya na tatawaging Anti-Red Tape Authority na mapapasailalim sa Of-fice of the President. (PIA 3)

City gov't educates stakeholders on Flag and Heraldic CodeCITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, -- About 200 stakeholders attended the Flag and Heraldic Code Seminar of the city government of San Fernando. Attendees include government employees, teachers, boy and girl scouts and representatives from the business sector. “The Flag and Heraldic Code also known as Republic Act 8491 is an act prescribing the code of the national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices of the Philip-pines,” City Tourism Officer Ma. Lourdes Carmella Jade Pangilinan said.

This is in line with the obser-vance of National Flag Days from May 28 to June 12 and National Heritage Month this May. Teodoro Atienza from the Na-tional Historical Commission of the Phil-ippines informed the participants of the correct orientation of the Philippine flag, and correct locations where the flag should be placed. “Our flag is unique because it is reversible according to situations: that is, in times of peace and stability, Blue should be on top; Red should be over Blue during the war,” he explained.

Aurelco napailawan na ang lahat ng barangay sa AuroraBALER, Aurora -- Nakabitan na ng kuryente ng Aurora Electric Coopera-tive o Aurelco ang lahat ng barangay sa buong lalawigan kung saan ang pinaka-huli ay ang Villa Aurora sa bayan ng Ma-ria Aurora. Pinangunahan nina Aurora Lone District Representative Bellaflor Anga-ra-Castillo, Vice Governor Rommel An-gara, Punong Barangay Henry Padilla at

Aurelco President Eduardo Yambot ang isinagawang ceremonial switch-on ni-tong Huwebes. Ayon kay Yambot, may kabuuang 60 kabahayan sa naturang barangay ang nakabitan ng kuryente at hindi na mag-titiis pa sa paggamit ng gasera. Php10 milyon piso ang inilaan para sa pagsasakatuparan ng naturang proyekto. (PIA 3)

Adm. Harry Harris, outgoing commander of U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), and his wife Ms. Bruni Bradley are piped ashore during the USPACOM change of command cere-mony. During the Ceremony, Adm. Phil Davidson relieved Harris as USPACOM command-er. USPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression, and, when necessary, fighting to win. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James Mullen)

SM Supports Brigada Eskwela

SM volunteers joined in repainting and cleaning of Olongapo City Elementary School facilities as part of Brigada Eskwela in preparation for the opening on classes this June 4.

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii – Adm. Phil Davidson relieved Adm. Harry Harris as Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), in a ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Wednesday, May 30. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis presided over the ceremony. During his remarks Mattis praised Harris’ tenure and highlighted the importance for strong leadership in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. “PACOM is our primary combat-ant command, standing watch and in-timately engaged with over half of the earth’s surface and its diverse popula-tion,” said Mattis. “The United States is today and has been for two centuries a Pacific nation.” Harris, born in Japan and reared in Tennessee and Florida, is a 1978 grad-uate of the U.S. Naval Academy and be-gan his tour as the 24th PACOM com-mander in 2015. “Men and women of the U.S. Pa-cific Command, and your families...what you do on a daily basis is of fundamental importance to our nation's defense. I'm proud to serve alongside you,” said Har-ris. At a time of increasing conten-tion in the region, Harris conveyed his respect and confidence in his successor to the critical post in the Indo-Pacific. “Admiral Phil Davidson is well-suited to operate in the complex international milieu that is the Pacific Command in the 21st Century,” said Har-ris. “He understands completely both his strategic and operational responsibili-ties. I'm pleased, indeed gratified, that I leave this post in his hands...a battle tested leader whose experiences and expertise span the globe in a multitude of important security and operational as-signments.” Davidson, a native of St. Louis, Mo. and 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, reflected on U.S. Pacific Com-mand’s pivotal role in regional peace and security, and reiterated American com-mitment to the region and our allies and partners. “For more than 70 years, the Indo-Pacific has been largely peaceful,” said Davidson. “In most ways, this was made possible by two things: the com-mitment of free nations to the free and

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Change of Command

open international order… and the cred-ibility of the combat power within U.S. Pacific Command... To our allies here in the Indo-Pacific, you will have no better ally. To our partners, I look forward to advancing our partnership in a way that serves our mutual interests.” Davidson, the 25th PACOM com-mander, takes charge after a successful tour as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Naval Forces U.S. Northern Command in Norfolk, Va. His previous command assign-ments include command of Carrier Strike Group 8/Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Taylor (FFG 50). Ashore, Davidson has served in fleet, interagency and joint tours as a flag officer. He was previously the director, Maritime Operations, U. S. Fleet Forces Command, the senior military advisor to the Special Representative for Afghan-istan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the State Department, and the deputy director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff/J-5. He served earlier in his career in policy, strategy and operations billets on multiple tours with the U.S. Pacific Fleet staff, the Navy staff and the Joint Staff, and as the Navy’s military aide to the vice president of the United States. During the ceremony, Mattis an-nounced that PACOM was changing its name as well as its commander. “In recognition of the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pa-cific oceans, today we rename the U.S. Pacific Command to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,” said Mattis. “Over many decades this command has repeated-ly adapted to changing circumstances and today carries that legacy forward as America focuses west.” USINDOPACOM protects and de-fends, in concert with other U.S. Govern-ment agencies, the territory of the Unit-ed States, its people, and its interests. With allies and partners, USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting se-curity cooperation, encouraging peace-ful development, responding to contin-gencies, deterring aggression, and, when necessary, fighting to win. This approach is based on partnership, presence, and military readiness.

Adm. Phil Davidson, left, relieves Adm. Harry Harris, right, as commander of U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM). USPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful de-velopment, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression, and, when neces-sary, fighting to win. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James Mullen)

SM volunteer employees once again showed the bayanihan spirit through Brigada Eskwela on May 26, 2018. The annual program of SM part-nered with DepEd has been the tradi-tional activity where SM employees de-vote their time to help clean, repaint and repair the classrooms for the improve-ment of school facilities. The school maintenance effort engaged SM personnel and all education stakeholders to contribute their time, ef-fort and resources in ensuring that pub-lic school facilities are prepared in time for the school opening. This year, the group of HR de-partment and CRS (Customer Relations Services Dept.) of SM Olongapo went

out to extend help to Olongapo City Ele-mentary School (OCES) and New Kalalake Elementary School, respectively. Based on records, Brigada Esk-wela, launched in 2003, has generated support from the private and public sec-tors all over the country. While no cash donations are accepted, materials for cleaning, repair and beautification can be contributed. Just like the previous years, SM HR Department headed by Dang Lo and security personnel headed by Joselito Isidro together with SM employees and agencies participated and engaged in the school maintenance efforts to ensure the preparedness of public school facilities for the opening of classes. (PR)

The security personnel of SM Olongapo under the Customer Relations Service de-partment conducted a cleanup drive in support to Brigada Eskwela program of DepEd. New Kalalake Elementary School benefitted in the said activity.