Saturday,
March 29, 2008
SCTEx records 50,000 vehicles on
Holy Week
By Reynaldo G.
Navales
CLARK FREEPORT -- More than 50,000 vehicles traveled
along the P22.5 billion Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx)
during the Holy Week dry run on the Subic-Clark segment of
the new toll road, according to the Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA).
SCTEx program manager Robert Gervacio said the Tollways
Management Corporation (TMC) recorded that about 50,130
vehicles entered SCTEx from March 19 to 24.
This, Gervacio said, is a validation of BCDA projections
that there is an urgent need for a direct and faster route
between the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales and the
Clark Freeport in Pampanga.
"The huge volume (of vehicles) is a welcome surprise for us.
It affirms the Arroyo administration's long-term vision of
building a world-class toll road to connect the two most
important economic zones in Central Luzon to create an
international logistics and services hub in the Central
Luzon region," he said.
The free SCTEx dry run, dubbed "Handog ni Pangulong Gloria,
Libreng Biyahe sa SCTEx," was ordered by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as her gift to Holy Week travelers shortly
after she formerly opened the 50.5 kilometer Subic-Clark
segment on March 18.
The dry run, which concluded on March 24, allowed only Class
1 vehicles (cars and vans) as well as chartered and tourist
buses and motorcycles with engines 400cc or higher to use
the Subic-Clark portion of the expressway from 5:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. only.
The TMC, the designated interim operator of the SCTEx,
reported that average travel time between Subic and Clark
was only 40 minutes during the dry run.
Before, travel between the two points using the old
provincial road takes more than an hour.
Charly Espanola, TMC division head for the SCTEx, said
vehicles entering the SCTEx peaked during the Holy Week
holidays from Holy Thursday up to Easter.
He noted that on Day One of the dry run, only 2,356 vehicles
utilized the new expressway.
The TMC, which also operates North Luzon Expressway (Nlex),
deployed patrol vehicles, service crews and other Nlex staff
members to ensure adequate assistance to motorists during
the SCTEx dry run.
Emergency medical services, towing crew, and roadside repair
technicians were also dispatched in the freeway during its
soft opening.
Gervacio said the number of vehicles that used the new toll
road also reflected BCDA projections of considerable holiday
traffic along the Subic-Clark segment.
"It offers faster, more convenient travel to Subic and
Clark. The SCTEx is directly linked to Nlex via a
two-kilometer spur road and interchange between the Dau and
Sta. Ines exits (Mabalacat Spur Road)," he said.
"The entire 93.7-kilometer stretch of the SCTEx from Subic
to Tarlac is expected to be fully operational by the end of
April this year," he added.
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SERVICED
HOUSE FOR RENT It is now fully booked thru
1 Sep 2008. We only have one, so book early.
You
can rent one bedroom and have the entire house to
yourself, or a group of 3 guys can have a party house
much cheaper than 3 hotel rooms. You'll
probably want to rent a Balibago Buggie or a motorcycle,
but trikes are available close to the house. For more
details see
http://www.margarita-station.com/house.html |
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MISC |
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What says quality like "Mexican Water"?? |
Wednesday,
March 26, 2008
Consumers warned v. fake
distilled water
ANGELES CITY -- A sanitary inspection officer here
has warned consumers against the potential risks from
drinking distilled water brought about by the un-hygienic
bottling practices of "fake water distillers."
Edgardo Mercado, city sanitary inspector, said there are
fake distillers peddling bottled water that do not undergo
the proper process. He said the City Health Office (CHO)
does not sanction their operation.
"Consumers should not buy bottled water without sealed caps.
These have the potential of being contaminated by viruses
and bacteria because they are being sold at streets at any
given time," Mercado said, stressing that the summer heat
has an effect on the integrity of the water sold in the
streets.
Mercado added that consumers should scrutinize the contents
of the bottle by checking if there are any floating "solid"
substances inside the bottles.
"We advise consumers if they are not convinced with the
safety of their drinking water to have a sample run through
our sanitation tests," Mercado said.
The CHO is also advising consumers to look for the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) print in the bottle's
label to be assured of its quality.
According to Mercado, the City Health Office will be
conducting surveys of distilling shops and water providers
in its bid to abide by the current Department of Health (DOH)
directive to upgrade and ensure the sanitation safety of
water distilling stores.
It is estimated that there are around 150 water-distilling
stations in this city. (IOF)
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"GRAVE SCANDAL!!"
It just takes one guy to give the rest of us a bad name??
CAB driver Arnel Aban
allegedly turned into deaf-mute mode as his male American
passenger let out countless oooohhhs and aaahhhs during a
blowjob orgy with two GROs inside the taxi. While the
thrill-seeking trio pleasured each other, sounds of climax
filled the vehicle and broke the stillness of the night in
Makati City.
Nabbed for allegedly having a sex orgy inside the taxi were
Samuel Adams, 34, an American national, and Pinays Kelly
Clavilla, 27, and Perla Hudalgo, 26. The three were reportedly
caught inside the vehicle while it was parked along P. Burgos
St. in Makati City before Thursday midnight.
Makati City police chief Supt. Gilbert Cruz said Adams, Clavilla
and Hudalgo were charged with grave scandal and exhibitionism
before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.
Supt. Manuel Santos said Aban claimed that he was caught by
surprise by the three passengers’ scandalouse act. The two GROs
supposedly performed oral sex at the same time on Adams.
The driver claimed that Adams asked him to stop the cab at a
dark portion of P. Burgos St. as the passenger had to answer the
call of nature.
Aban said he was shocked when Adams did not alight.
The cabbie claimed he did not know what to do when the two
Pinays started undressing Adams and sucking his private part.
Santos said the offense is bailable. The U.S. Embassy has
already sent a lawyer to assist Adams.
Police are determining if charges should be filed against the
driver. |
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SMUGGLING SPAM?
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Clark Customs: Smuggled 'Spam'
came from Subic
By Reynaldo G. Navales
CLARK
FREEPORT -- The district collector of the Bureau of Customs
(BOC) at Clark Port has denied any involvement of his office in
the reported smuggling of 12,025 cases of luncheon meat bound
for Vietnam.
Lawyer Ronnie Silvestre said he was outraged by the reports that
the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) had seized five
container vans loaded with luncheon meat being diverted "from
Clark Field in Pampanga to Poro Point."
"We do not tolerate smuggling here in Clark. Not even one can of
Spam has entered Clark," said Silvestre.
Silvestre showed documents furnished to him by Bong Reyes, chief
of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS),
which showed that the five container vans loaded with Spam --
not Hormel as previously reported by The Philippine Star -- came
from the Subic Freeport.
In the Foreign Transshipment Declaration (FTD) with Control
Number 59928 of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA),
Subic was identified as the port of discharge while the final
destination was Vietnam via Curimao Point in La Union.
The FTD also identified the consignee as Tom Trading Company,
Ltd, a company based in Ho chi Minh, Vietnam. The shipping
company, on the other hand, was identified as Value City Sales,
Incorporated based at the Clark Freeport.
The luncheon meat arrived from San Pedro California, USA on
January 18, 2008 at Subic Port and was set to leave Subic on
April 18, 2008 bound for Vietnam, the FTD further indicated.
The same details were also reflected in the Daily Transshipment
Permit Report of Port of Subic's District Collector Marietta
Zamoranos dated April 16.
Silvestre said he was "completely unaware" of the alleged
smuggling incident until he was informed by his staff of the
newspaper report. He added that some of his colleagues have also
called him to confirm the television and radio reports.
"But we want to set the records
straight...and the documents will speak for themselves," he
stressed.
"We're not pinning down on Subic but we just want to set the
records straight," he said.
Silvestre also said assistant vice president for permits,
licensing and monitoring Mariza Mandocdoc of the Clark
Development Corporation (CDC) did not issue any import permit
for the five container vans.
"According to Mandocdoc, the last shipment imported to Clark by
Value City was in November 2007," Silvestre said, adding that
"this shipment has already arrived (at Clark)." |
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Rick Tremblat, 61 yeas old. Died on 5 April
2008 at Angeles University Hospital from liver & kidney
failure. Rick was best known for his years with the
Red Baron bar in the 80's, but recently had been somewhat
involved with Matrix Brawn Bar. |
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Tom Donnelly, 60 years old. Died on 16 April 2008 due to
pneumonia and heart failure after lung surgery. He is
survived by his wife Divina. |
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Jerry Cunningham,
another long term EXPAT passed away in April. Not
much information available on Jerry's death at this time.
He was most often seen around the pool tables of Angeles
City. |
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Dante Fabian, 49
years old. Died from a heart attack on 2 May 2008.
Staff writer for the Sun Star Pampanga, he was best
known for his, often fictional, articles about the night
life in Angeles City.
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Richard Long, a frequent Philippine visitor died on 1
May in Brisbane from cancer. No other details
available at this time. |
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