RP labor head promises to discourage unions

In order to clear investors' worries on labor disputes in the Philippines, the country's labor head visited Taiwan yesterday and promised to solve the problem in favor of employers.

"I will try everything legally and morally to protect the employers' interests in labor disputes, and in order to safeguard better communications between employers and labors an officer from the central government will station full time in the Subic Bay," said Patricia Sto. Tomas, Secretary of Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

For the past six months the Philippine government has been sending friendly messages to lure more Taiwan investors.

The new government led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo outlined a more liberated, incentive-driven Subic-Clark corridor for foreign manufacturers. However, in a labor-dominated country like the Philippines, organizing unions is a constitutional right. Thus, the underling threats of strikes and sabotage had frightened those who intended to launch production lines there.

Hoping to voice many Taiwan investors' concerns on the issue, Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce Chairman Theodore Huang visited Philippines' labor officials several times and finally received a clear endorsement.

Because most of the foreign investors cluster in the Subic Bay, Tomas said she would travel more frequently from Manila to monitor the situation there.

With respect to the fact that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) lacks sufficient power to tackle disputes, and that cases sent back to the central government cost time and money, Tomas also promised the dispute case could stay in the Subic Bay.

"The SBMA will be given broader authority to hear the case, and the central government will not interfere if the disputed parties wish so," she said.

Tomas stressed that only five percent of Philippine workers had joined unions. "There's no way that unions will definitely lead to strikes or sabotage."

"In many cases, Philippine workers prefer not to join the union because they have to pay monthly dues. DOLE will continue working on creative and positive ways for a win-win situation," she said

BCDA president, directors take pay cuts

THE BASES Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) announced Thursday that the salaries and benefits received by its president and directors had been cut by as much as 72 percent in line with the government's efforts to cut expenses.

It said the annual pay of its president and chief executive officer Rufo Colayco was reduced by 58 percent to P1.79 million a year from P4.27 million, including the basic salary and all other benefits.

The BCDA said it also cut the compensation of its directors by 72 percent to P20,000 a month from about P71,400.

BCDA directors include Alvin Capino, Rafael Julian Azanza, Jesulito Manalo, Ari-den Sebastian, Gerardo Seno, Isaac Puno III, and Florencio Padernal.

A resolution on the pay cuts was passed last Sept. 22 to comply with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's call for austerity in the wake of the current fiscal crisis.

The BCDA said the resolution would take effect on Oct. 1.

The BCDA, created by law in 1992, is tasked with converting former and present military bases into commercial or industrial hubs, and promoting social and economic development of the Central Luzon region in particular and the Philippines in general.

Earlier this week, two top officials of state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) resigned in the wake of a controversy on high salaries of executives in government-owned or -controlled corporations.

Resigned were Rufino Bomasang and Jose Gangan, presidents of PNOC Exploration Corp. and PNOC Petrochemical Development Corp., respectively.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which runs a free port built in a former American naval base at Subic Bay, said its pay rationalization plan would assure that the annual salaries and benefits of its officials were within the limits set by Malacañang.

SBMA senior deputy administrator Chito Cruz said a memorandum order dated June 25, 2001, specified that the pay package of SBMA officials should not exceed twice the standard rates for comparable national government positions.

Cruz said SBMA Chairman Felicito Payumo received P51,700 a month because he gave P33,342 of his pay to a scholarship support fund.

Cruz said the SBMA had cut the per diem of its directors to P20,000 a month from P60,000 because meetings were now held twice a month instead of thrice

House urged to probe Subic road project

THE President’s son, Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo of Pampanga, on Sunday sought a congressional inquiry into the delay in the completion of his mother’s pet project in Central Luzon, the Subic-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP).

Arroyo, at the same time, urged concerned agencies like the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to speed up the completion of the project saying, “Whatever delay is disadvantageous to the countryside.”

“I hope that the government agencies concerned like the NEDA will be able to pay its attention to this very vital project, which is expected to benefit our entrepreneurs . . . which is expected to bring progress and commerce,” he said in a telephone interview.

Arroyo said the continued delay in the project’s completion defeats its purpose, which is to propel economic growth and progress not only in Central Luzon but throughout the country as well.

He said that the project has been delayed for 22 months now, long enough after the NEDA approved the project at a cost of P15.247 billion in October 1999.

The P27-billion project, which is the seventh on the Arroyo administration’s 10-point agenda, is supposed to link the Subic Freeport in Zambales and the Clark Air Base in Pampanga to Tarlac.

It is expected to transform Central Luzon into an “economic superstar” by turning the region into an international transshipment hub and logistic center. It is also projected to create jobs and decongest Metro Manila.

The Bases Conversion Development Authority has been wanting to execute the project, but its efforts are being hampered by the insistence of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri to have the project rebidded and redesigned so it would interconnect with the existing North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Neri sought to rebid the project owing to the BCDA’s alleged “procedural lapses,” an assertion that Rufo Colayco, BCDA president, strongly denied. Colayco said the Lopez-controlled Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) stands to benefit from the rebidding.

Congressman Arroyo is among the signatories to an open letter to President Arroyo urging her “to instruct the project’s implementing agency, the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the National Economic Development Authority, to urgently resolve causes of delay so that the project can take off soon.”

Arroyo, along with other local officials, expressed alarm over the delay. “We have long waited for the completion of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project, Madame President. We are very much concerned by the rapid and inevitable increase in the cost of project materials, and the fact that people in the region are already proposing for possible extensions of the road project to the northern and eastern sides. . . We cannot help but be anxious by the delay in the project’s implementation especially because we want to keep the momentum.

“We appeal to you, Madame President, to help us realize our aspirations the soonest possible time with the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway,” read the letter, which was also signed by Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Gov. Mark Lapid of Pampanga, Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao, Rep. Francis Nepomuceno and Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The letter also said that the four-lane 94.5-kilometer expressway, when completed, will be the backbone of a new economy in Central Luzon, creating the impetus for economic growth through efficient access to the seaport and airport. The project is also designed to provide the shortest, direct and efficient link among vital development areas in the region: The Central Techno Park in Tarlac, Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales.

“This in turn will help the region transform a globally competitive agro-industrial-logis­tical complex,” the officials said in the letter.

The other signatories to the open letter are Dennis Pineda, president of the Mayors’ League of Pampanga; Mayor Carmelo Lazatin of Angeles City; Mayor Oscar Rodriguez of San Fernando City; Mayor Exequiel Gamboa of Porac; Levy P. Laus, president of the PCCI in Pampanga; Renato Romero, private sector representative for Trade and Industry-Regional Development Council in Central Luzon;

George Sorio, president of Clark Investors and Locators Association; Rolando Peña, president of Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Willy Ong, president of Filipino-Chinese Chamber-Angeles City; Carmen McTavish, chair of Clark Investors and Locators Association; Catalina Saplala, co-chair of the Regional Development Council in Central Luzon; Renato Tayag, private sector representative for agriculture-RDC in Central Luzon; Rosemarie Herrera, spokeswoman for Citizens’ Movement for Federal Philippines-Central Luzon and Charito Sebastian, professor of Economics, UP Extension Program-Pampanga.

EO 340 Reorganizing SBMA

MALACAÑANG

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 340

REORGANIZING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY [SBMA] AND DEFINING THE POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE SBMA ADMINISTRATOR

WHEREAS, one of the declared targets of the Government is to develop the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone [Subic Special Economic Zone] established under Republic Act No. 7227 approved on March 13, 1992 [RA 7227] and the Clark Special Economic Zone established by virtue of Proclamation No. 163 (s. 1993) as the best international service and logistics center in the region;

WHEREAS, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority [SBMA], which was created by virtue of RA 7227, is the agency mandated to develop the Subic Special Economic Zone into a self-sustaining, industrial, commercial, financial and investment center to generate employment opportunities in and around the zone and to attract and promote productive foreign investments;

WHEREAS, Section 13 of RA 7227 provides that the SBMA Administrator who shall serve as the Chief Executive Officers thereof, shall also be the ex officio Chairman of the SBMA Board of Directors [SBMA Board];

WHEREAS, in view of the multifarious requirements, functions and responsibilities of the Administrator as ex-officio Chairman of the SBMA Board and as Chief Executive Officer of the SBMA, and to ensure the accomplishment of the Government’s target to develop the Subic Special Economic Zone as the best international service and logistics center in the region, there is a need to reorganize the SBMA Board by separating and allocating the powers, functions and duties of the Chairman of the SBMA Board and the Administrator as Chief Executive Officer of the SBMA;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Reorganization. – The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority [SBMA] shall be appointed by the President while the SBMA Administrator shall serve as ex-officio Vice-Chairman of the SBMA Board.

SECTION. 2. Powers and Duties of SBMA Chairman. – The SBMA Chairman shall be the head of the agency and as such, shall have the following powers, functions and duties:

To preside at all meetings of the SBMA Board;
To ensure that all policies, directives, plans and programs formulated by the SBMA Board are faithfully carried out by the Administrator as Chief Executive Officer of the SBMA; and

To exercise such powers and perform such functions and duties as the President may direct, or as may be assigned to him by the SBMA Board.
SECTION. 3. Powers and Duties of SBMA Administrator. – The Administrator, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the SBMA, shall have the following powers, functions and duties:

To execute, administer and implement the policies and measures approved and adopted by the SBMA Board;
To directly administer and supervise the operations and day-to-day business activities of the SBMA;
To represent the SBMA in all dealings with offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the Government and with all persons and entities, public or private, domestic or foreign, unless otherwise directed by the President or by the SBMA Board;
To execute on behalf of the SBMA, all contracts, agreements and other instruments affecting the interests of the SBMA duly approved by the SBMA Board;
To direct and supervise the preparation of the agenda for the meetings of the SBMA Board;
To preside at the meetings of the SBMA Board in the absence of the Chairman; and
To exercise such other powers, functions and duties as may be provided in the By-Laws and as may directed by the President or assigned to him by the SBMA Board.
SECTION. 4. Repealing Clause. - All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, Aug 04 2004

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary

Refugee camp transformed into techno park

A VIETNAMESE executive in America who recently visited Morong, Bataan, cried after seeing the rickety wooden boat still standing. To him, it was more than a boat.

It was a symbol of the struggles he and the rest of the Vietnamese "boat people" had gone through decades ago to escape the oppressive socio-political environment in Vietnam, Cambodia and the rest of Indochina.


Looking back

He reminisced how 34 men, 20 women and 11 children (he was one of the children) set off from Phu Khang (in Nha Trang City, Vietnam) on two motorized light fishing boats and headed for the open seas on May 12, 1981.

For almost a week, these boats were adrift in the high seas, precariously keeping afloat amid storms. Somehow, these boats found its way to the Mabayo Beach, Morong, Bataan. During the '80s and into the early '90s, over 400,000 refugees from the Indochinese Peninsula made the 15.6-hectare Philippine Refugee Processing Center in Morong, Bataan their home. In its 14-year existence, this United Nations facility was, at one point, home to some 18,000 refugees and asylum seekers, and here they stayed until the United States and European governments could find host families for them.

When the UN wrapped up work here in 1994, it left behind an intact infrastructure-roads, sewerage and irrigation systems, buildings and houses. Power was still running.

Special eco-zone

Now, 10 years later, the Center is part of a 365-hectare Bataan Techno Park (BTP), a special economic zone primarily designed to host high-tech agriculture and aquaculture ventures. It is positioning itself as the next investor site outside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Morong's physical characteristics and the manpower availability would soon make it a center for modern agriculture and aquaculture technology focusing on biotechnology in partnership with the country's top scientists and agriculturists.

It would also focus on small and medium enterprises developing high-value indigenous products and generate sufficient quality employment.

BTPI recently acquired 2.7 million-pesos worth of communication equipment and services, making it now capable of 24-hour Internet connectivity, according to its president and CEO Isaac Puno III.

He added that with the installation of the communication facilities in BTP, specifically the satellite phones and the Internet connection, investors are now assured of reliable communication services within and outside the BTP complex.

Land-use categories

The 365-hectare fenced ecozone will be subdivided into three several land-use categories-117.30 hectares for agriculture, 10.42 hectares for commercial purposes and 1.97 hectares for a green buffer zone. On the other hand, 134.67 hectares were allotted for industrial purposes, 24.33 for institutional, 56.12 for open spaces, 5.82 for parks, 9.20 for residential and 5.40 for mixed residential and commercial use.

BTPI is a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, which has already infused 289 million pesos to jumpstart the technopark development. Another 108 million pesos was used for the construction of the 10-km backdoor access road from the Subic special economic and free zone to BTP.

Tissue culture

Said Irwin Jose M. Baylon, head of BTPI's planning and business development: "We have a tie-up with UP Los Baños and Diliman on tissue culture. Plant tissues derived from one original (fruit-bearing) plant will enable us to create up to a hundred thousand plants of the same kind that would not be prone to diseases and will bear fruit simultaneously."

This plan, however, seems to be long-term and would not be realized until the technology and knowledge transfer is complete. "People from UP need highly technical individuals (at BTPI) who know tissue culture. The educational attainment is still not that high because this is a fifth-class municipality," added Baylon.

More immediate plans would include an ostrich farm, coffee and banana plantations, and even a watermelon farm.

Locators

An organic farm for large-scale production of herbs for export is planned for BTP. Barnston Herbs International Inc., a multinational agriculture-based firm, will invest at least 30 million pesos within the next three years.

Barnston Herbs will lease 10 hectares of land for the first five years to be used for organic farming of culinary herbs, spices and high-value crops such as basil, chervil, chives, lemon balm, lemon grass, marjoram, mint and oregano.

Thirty workers will work initially at the herb farm-all residents of Morong. This will be done in coordination with the skill enhancement training of the BTP Labor Center, said Puno.

BTPI chair Rufo Colayco said what makes BTP a good investment site is that stakeholders are included in the development plan, implementation and monitoring. Some of these stakeholders are the BCDA, SBMA, the Bataan provincial government, Morong municipal government, the private sector, the Kasamaka multipurpose cooperative, the community, the Bataan Center for Innovative Science and Technology Inc. and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Brigadier General Lysias C. Cabusao, BTP administrator, said that since it was declared a free zone, the whole area has been free from politicking and bureaucracy.

He added locators also have the advantage of easy access to SBMA facilities via the BTP-SBMA backdoor road. For groups on tour, there are picnic grounds, shrines, monuments, ample water, power and road infrastructure, and the security of a perimeter fence.

At present, facilities are available for lodging, conference and sports functions. There is even a paint-ball war game field and a jungle survival training that are being used for company team-building seminars.

For its first to third year, BTP aims to generate employment, and to achieve this the area is being promoted as a venue for out-of-town seminars, weddings, workshops and corporate programs. The combination of modern infrastructure such as office spaces, guesthouses, dormitories and cottages, and historical sites and markers from the turbulent Vietnam War era enhances BTP's attractiveness as an educational venue for an otherwise routine company trip, Cabusao said.

Furthermore, BTP is also being developed as an ecotourism site. It boasts of neighboring pristine beaches such as the Sudeco Beach Resort-a five-minute drive from SBMA southgate complete with a casino, nature trails, hotels and restaurants, snorkeling and diving sites.

The BPTI decided to hold on to the stone markers, sculptures, small temples, the rickety boat and some sacred spots in memory of those who searched for their freedom.

But like the refugees who have now found new beginnings in new lands, the former refugee center has also moved on and carved out a new beginning for itself.

No nepotism, no hidden deals at SBMA’

By Reynaldo M. Garcia

IN a recent installment of his Manila Times’ weekly column, Hanging Habagat, entitled “Nepotism is Tong’s Folly,” Patrick Roxas named several SBMA officials and department managers and alleged that the only reason they were in the SBMA was because of their kinship with Chair Felicito C. Payumo.

Having worked with those named by Roxas, I feel it is my duty to come out with clarifications on the points that he has raised.

First of all, let me state that no Civil Service rules have been broken with the appointment of all people Roxas has named. According to CS guidelines, one must be within the third degree of consanguinity or kinship with the chair before nepotism can be proven.

Being this, no one among the officials named are related to Payumo within the first to third degree of consanguinity.

Let me also assure you that these people are highly qualified and competent to occupy the posts they were appointed to.

The lawyer Sergio Cruz was not appointed by Payumo, but by then President Estrada and the concurrent post that he holds does not give additional compensation. The treasury department of the SBMA can bear this out. The different position he has held is a sign of the confidence and belief in his expertise by the SBMA administration.

Sergio is a UP Law graduate and former governor for Central Luzon of the International Bar Association of the Philippines (IBP). While the lawyer Chito Cruz is a graduate of the Ateneo Law School.

Let me also counter the notion that delinquent SBMA investors are still delinquent to this day, no thanks to the Special Task Force that the SBMA created.

In fact, the Special Task Force has been commended on separate occasions for its achievements, having been able to collect a total of P1 billion in arrearages.

You will have to understand that these delinquent investors have arrears that accumulated from the previous administration. What we have done here is to create an amenable payment scheme, which would both be advantageous to delinquent investors and the SBMA.

Other managers he has mentioned don’t even fall as distant relatives; here are some to clear a few points:

The lawyer, Carlo Cruz, is a graduate of San Beda Law School, where he has also taught, and has authored several law books. He is not related to neither Payumo nor Chito Cruz. SBMA’s fire chief, Apolinar Salang, has been here since the US Navy days and previous SBMA administrations; his experience highly qualifies him for the post he holds.

The tourism manager, Armin Santos, is a former college professor from Olongapo City and is not related to Payumo whatsoever. Former public works deputy, Cesar Adamos, is a local engineer but has now since migrated to the US. Payumo did not know him before he was hired. Dr. Imelda Montemayor, who heads the Health and Welfare Group, is a doctor from Olongapo City. She is not related to the chair.

The contractor that Roxas names as Jun Sayo has never been awarded a bid nor has he actively participated in a bidding here in Subic. This can be checked with the project bidding and awards committee.

Roxas’ column also questions the presence of some businesses supposedly owned by some relatives. To this, let me say these are legitimate business ventures that have gone through the usual process of approval. One of them can be traced to having been related with Payumo within the third degree of consanguinity. In the case of former SBMA chair Dick Gordon, his sister maintained and ran Mountainwoods Inn in the Kalayaan area.

Roxas’ recent hits on the SBMA can be considered a vengeful act for his recent termination as an SBMA consultant.

Roxas’ consultancy was terminated because of a breach of trust with the SBMA, which is why he has been writing all of these negative articles, just at a time when Payumo’s post as SBMA chair is being coveted by a host of aspirants.

What makes this whole thing ironic is that he has pointed to his sources as former SBMA consultant Doring Rocha and employee Robert Pineda, both of whom were also relieved for breach of trust. Rocha and Pineda were terminated for their involvement in the disposal of an old batching plant.

One last point I would like to raise, which is contrary to Roxas’ statements, pertains to the recent privatization of Subic’s power plant. Roxas and his sources claim that there is P5-billion worth of unpaid utilities from some 40 locators here.

First of all, the total trade receivables in the Freeport, including lease rates and services, do not even run up to that figure. As of recent records, there is only a total of P218 million in utility receivables, P16 million of which are utilities incurred by the residential sector and P202 million by locators. These are overall outstanding accounts and not necessarily delinquent.

The privatization move made with the Aboitiz group is now being hailed as a model for other public utilities groups, which are opting for a similar move. The recent acquisition of our power plant by Enerzone, an Aboitiz group, is actually now a model for other public utilities’ privatization. In fact, even the city of Olongapo is contemplating a similar move.

Even before the privatization process pushed through, unpaid arrears from some investors were carefully worked out so that the transition would be made easy, and also to make sure that the deal puts the SBMA at an advantage and not at a losing end.

With the way Roxas is behaving, his former peers here in the SBMA cannot help but think of why he has decided to take this course of action.

His actions only make us see a hatchet job instigated by certain circles wanting to put down the good name rightfully earned by Subic and the people who work here.

(Reynaldo M. Garcia is department manager of the SBMA’s Public Relations Department)

Philippines government orders strikers back to work

Striking day and swing shift workers at a Taiwanese electronics exporter in Subic Bay industrial estate were last week given 14 hours by the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to return to work. DOLE claimed that the strike, which began on June 16, threatened the economic interests of the country.

The small company, Taian (Subic) Electronic Inc. (TSEI), employs just 144 workers. Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson claimed “a prolonged stoppage of the [TSEI] operation will deprive the [Philippines] economy of very much needed foreign revenues” and “may act as a deterrent to investors to invest in our economic zone”.

Union spokesman Jimmy Mamolo said the union had been surprised when at 9 p.m., on June 16, while at the picket line, he was served with a DOLE order to vacate the area or face dispersal by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) law enforcement officers.

The strike is over unfair labour practices, especially harassment, illegal transfer of machines, union busting and illegal suspension of employees. The union is also demanding that perjury cases against two union officials be dropped. DOLE has asked the National Labor Relations Commission to resolve the dispute within 30 days

DOLE cites ‘national interest’ in stopping Subic Bay strike

SUBIC BAY FREE­PORT—Calling the continued operation of a Taiwanese firm here as “indis­pensable to the national interest,” the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wed­nesday night assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute between the firm’s workers and management, and issued an order to a group of striking workers to return to work or face dispersal.

Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson, through his chief of staff, the lawyer Luzviminda Padilla, ordered some 30 day-shift and swing-shift employees of electric devices manufacturer Taian (Subic) Electric Inc. (TSEI) to return to work within 24 hours upon receipt of the order and the management to accept them under the same terms and conditions prevailing before the strike.

The workers had declined to go to work and staged a strike, holding pickets in front of the company outside the Taiwanese-developed industrial park.

“A prolonged stoppage of the [TSEI] operation will deprive the economy of the very much-needed foreign revenues and may act as a deterrent to investors to invest in our economic zones. The same will adversely affect the employment- and revenue-generation program of the government,” the labor department’s order stated.

“In the light of the foregoing, and considering the effects of a prolonged work stoppage at the company, there is no doubt that the continued operations of the company is indispensable to the national interest,” the order further stated.

The labor department also asked the National Labor Relations Commission to resolve the dispute within 30 days.

The order was questioned by Jimmy Mamolo, head organizer of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Subic district, who said there was no reason for the labor department to issue an order yet, because no party has filed a petition and the strike was just on its first day.

“We were surprised because at around 9 in the evening of June 16 at the picket line, we were served the [labor department] order and was told to leave the area or face dispersal from the SBMA law enforcement department who arrived at the scene together with SBMA labor manager, [the] lawyer Severo Pastor,” Mamolo said.

TSEI makes electric devices for export and employs about 144 people working in three shifts.
Relations between the manage­ment and the company’s labor union, the Taian Subic Employees Union, soured in the last few months after the union, headed by its president Jeffrey Palatulon, filed a notice of strike with the labor department’s National Conciliatory and Mediation Board regional branch in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The union cited as grounds unfair labor practice, specifically harassment, illegal transfer of machines, union busting and illegal suspension of employees.
On May 6, 2004, balloting con­ducted by the union showed an overwhelming majority of the members were for staging a strike.

Mamolo said the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, through its labor center, tried to mediate on the dispute between TSEI labor and management for more than a month but nothing was resolved.

During these meetings, Mamolo said the union deman­ded that management withdraw the perjury case it filed against Palatulon and union secretary Jebeth Moran.

“Ayaw talaga iatras ng manage­ment ang perjury case na isinampa nila sa president and secretary ng union, kaya the workers staged this June 16 strike,” Mamolo said.

The striking workers initially tried to assemble at the front gate of the company inside the industrial park at around 7:30 in the morning of June 16 but security men of the Subic Bay Develop­ment and Management Corp. (SBDMC) belonging to a private security agency intervened and asked the strikers to move out of the industrial park because it was a private and restricted area.

Robert Deano, detachment commander of the industrial park security, told the workers they cannot stage a strike within the premises of the industrial park because they have no permit from SBDMC and that such activity is prohibited in the area

Zambales judge falls in entrapment

Inquirer News Service

IBA, Zambales-A municipal trial court judge in this town was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation after he allegedly asked P15,000 from three people involved in a land dispute pending in his courtroom.

Reports said Judge Conrado Alinea was caught while receiving the marked bills from Jose Abdam, one of the complainants in the case.


In a sworn affidavit, the complainants said Alinea asked the money in exchange for the resolution of the case in their favor.

Abdam said the regional trial court of Zambales earlier issued a writ of demolition for some illegal structures on his land and Alinea was asked to issue a writ of execution on the court's order.

Recall
But Abdam said Alinea recalled the writ of execution and set it aside.

Alinea, after withdrawing the demolition order, called for a hearing on June 11, the affidavit said.

After the hearing, the complainants asked Alinea's explanation on the recall order.

They said the judge then told them that if they could produce P15,000, he would issue the writ of demolition and execution.

Entrapment
The complainants then sought the help of their lawyer, Gerry Montefalcon, and the latter advised them to ask the help of the NBI to entrap Alinea.

When the judge was arrested at 1:40 p.m. on Thursday, Alinea said he did not touch the money.

Alinea was taken to the NBI Central Luzon office in Pampanga to test if he was positive for ultraviolet powder that the NBI used to mark the bills.

Alinea is facing charges of robbery and extortion and violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act

The Mother of Olongapo

Mayor's wife

Public service is nothing new to Amelia. Her father was then mayor of the municipality of Subic, Zambales. In 1965, her husband Jimmy was elected mayor of the mucipality of Olongapo. In 1966, Olongapo became a city-as Jimmy had envisioned it to be. The year after, though, he was felled by an assassin's bullet right in the lobby of city hall. During his term, Jimmy started a massive campaign against illegal logging, fighting well-entrenched syndicates which made Olongapo the center of their business activities. He inevitably antagonized the corrupt rich and powerful who lobbied to protect their vested business interests. His war against crime and corruption cost him his life.

Countless people openly wept over the violent murder of their founding father. Stricken with grief, Amelia had to be strong for her sons and daughters. "It was so painful, so sad," she recalls, "and so many came to pay their respects."



Battlecry

And long before Ninoy Aquino was slain at the tarmac of the international airport, and his widow Cory catapulted to candidacy for the highest office in the land, there already was a clamor for another widow to take over the reins of city hall. "Bring Gordon back to City Hall!" became the battlecry of the people of Olongapo.

The threats on her life notwitstanding, Amelia became the first elected mayor of Olongapo City. She built her campaign on her late husband's platform of good government.

As mayor, Amelia completed the first Master Plan for the city through the Olongapo Land Development and Urban Planning Autority-an interdisciplinary planning group of resident professionals and government officials. This she did 20 years before the end of the Mutual Bases Agreeement. After her term ended in 1971, she served as assemblywoman in the Batasang Pambansa in 1972.

A congressional act Amelia spearheaded enabled the proceeds from the sales of titled land within the city to be retained in the city treasury as the community's development fund. She built new settlements and extended the city's public service to the residents of formerly unserved communities.

"When we're young, we make inner vows not to be like our mothers, but we end up being exactly like them," Bai says. When Bai was young, she told herself, "I will never be like my mom. I will never be in the restaurant business." But Bai now has a flower shop and a restaurant-businesses her mother had while they were growing up.

Bai's advice for Mother's Day? "Honor your parents, that all may be right with you."

As for Amelia, when asked how she was, she replied, "Eto, buhay pa rin. Maraming anak." (Here, still alive. And with lots of kids.)

‘Forbidden Island’ opens to Filipinos

SUBIC BAY FREE­PORT—What used to be called Forbidden Island, when Subic was a US military installation, has transformed itself into a sprawling P80-million island resort.

After an ecosystem-based concept, the island was formally opened to the public Tuesday afternoon with Chairman Felicito Payumo of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Robert Dean Barbers, the Philippine Tourism Authority general manager, cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Payumo commended the timely opening of the resort, saying that the new resort’s opening marks the official start of summer in Subic, which will surely accompany an increase in tourism arrivals in the Freeport.

“This will definitely boost tourism industry here in the Subic Freeport because the island is perfect. It’s very beautiful and relaxing. It’s like a tropical island resort. And this will surely draw foreign and local tourists alike,” Payumo said.

He said Grande Island used to be called Forbidden Island, because the Americans barred Filipinos from going to the island although it was open to US servicemen and their families.

The efforts to make it into a world-class island resort was a commendable move to make the island now welcome to people from all walks of life, Payumo added.

“Grande Island used to be off-limits to Filipinos, but now it is open to all who wish to see and experience the captivating beauty that it posesses. The developers have truly made a good job in transforming this place short of paradise,” he said.

Barbers commended Payumo and the developers, Robin Tan and Benito Ong, for their wonderful work in transforming Grande Island.

“The country needs more people like Chairman Payumo, Mr. Tan and Mr. Ong, who have strong visions of making islands, like Grande, a tropical paradise,” he said.

Barbers further noted that the country, which is made up of more than 7,100 islands, can be further boosted in the tourism scene despite labels made by some countries that the Philippines is a terrorist laden country.

“We know what kind of beauty the Philippines can attract on tourists and we should join in on the effort of helping promote the country as a top tourist destination,” he added.

According to Francis Elum, Grande Island Resort’s chief operating officer, only 14.2 hectares of Grande Island was transformed into a resort out of the total 44 hectares. The rest of the area will be maintained for its historical value.

He added that this would complement SBMA’s efforts in making Subic Freeport a world-class tourist destination.

Elum added that the island promises a worthwhile trip benefiting any tourist. The new resort will offer various activities, which would range from adventure and historic trails, camping, water sports, fishing and the like. It will also play host to social functions and business conventions.

He further explained that historians need not worry about Grande’s value as an historical icon, because all the war battery sections of the island will remain untouched and will instead be cleaned up and maintained for people to visit and see.

Grande Island houses more than 150 cottages to be located on the island’s beach area.

One of the main attractions of the new project is the construction of a man-made waterfall lagoon, which will be set right in the heart of the island and will be the central section where most of the planned events will take place.

“We are glad to help develop Grande. This is our way of helping make Subic a world-class stop for tourists. When this project is finished, it’s like having an island paradise right in the heart of the country’s economic growth areas,” he added.

A camping site for overnight campers has been set up. An area, which can accommodate more than 150 campers, complete with amenities like toilets and washrooms, has already been set in the plan.

A main restaurant and bar has also been built along a boardwalk fronting the beach. Guests can come in and dine al fresco and enjoy the Subic Bay scenery.

A convention hall will take the place of the old hotel section of the island, giving way for conventioneers to enjoy business and pleasure at the same time

Despite possible delay, investors back ‘gateway’ project

SUBIC FREEPORT—Despite the delay facing President Arroyo’s “global gateway” project, foreign investors and local businessman here praised the project’s inclusion in her socioeconomic agenda for Central Luzon.

Ichiro Tsuji, Subic Techno Park (STEP) president, said the Japanese business community was elated to hear Mrs. Arroyo endorse the project, components of which will be funded by the Japanese government through an economic loan package with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

“President Arroyo is right in saying the project would spur economic progress in Central Luzon. This pronouncement would attract more foreign investors particularly from Japan,” Tsuji said.

“It will also create much-needed jobs in the region,” said Tsuji, whose company developed an industrial park for Japanese companies at the Subic Freeport.

Jose Saddul, the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SBCCI) president, also welcomed President Arroyo’s announcement and said, “it is a step forward in achieving increased business activity in the Subic Freeport.”

“We have been supporting efforts to build a toll road linking Subic and Clark and the planned modernization of the Subic port and news of the President committing her support to the plan to integrate the airport in Clark, the toll road and the Subic port is a most welcome development,” Saddul said.

In her speech at the Central Luzon Development Summit on Global Gateways held at the Holiday Inn Resort in Clark Economic Zone on Wednesday, Mrs. Arroyo said she was part of a team of government officials who began the Central Luzon Development Plan through the “Growth Corridor” concept in the region during her stint as trade and industry undersecretary.

“I initiated it ten years ago. That’s how long we have been on this dream,” the President said.

The global gateway project envision linking the airport in Clark, seaport in Subic and the proposed highway from Subic through Clark to Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

The President said the global gateway project integrating the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, the Subic Container Port and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Toll Road “can be done.”

Admitting the planned March 22 groundbreaking of the toll road may not push through since there are still problems to be resolved, the President said she hopes the concerned officials can thresh out the problem and move forward on this project.

The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also praised Mrs. Arroyo for pushing the gateway project, saying it bolsters his group’s commitment to promote a global village in Central Luzon with its rich cultural heritage that will mark a distinctive and competitive advantage of products made from the region.

“Global gateway would increase the demand for basic commodities and other economic essentials as well as become a catalyst for human resource development,” said Renato “Abong” Tayag, PCCI president.

Chairman Felicito Payumo of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said the SBMA and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), headed by its president Rufo Colayco, initiated the global gateway project through the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD).

“Global gateway will synchronize the two government agencies’ efforts to develop Central Luzon as an air-sea-and-land logistics hub in the Asia Pacific region,” Payumo said.

Payumo added the project is envisioned to create unprecedented employment and potential growth center upon completion and its benefits will go beyond the increased income from by heightened individual, business, government and foreign consumption.

“We see the economic promise of the global gateway for our families, our communities, our province, the whole region and the country as a whole,” the SBMA chief said.

Colayco said the biggest problem of business is that it is being hampered by poor infrastructure, which has become the main reason why more than eight million Filipinos seek jobs abroad.

“Our people opt to look for work abroad due to lack of infrastructure development and business continue to decline because of its inability to compete in the global market,” Colayco said

Shines In Beauty Tilt Abroad

2003 Best Model winner Melissa Frye finished first runner-up at the 2003 Best Model of the World contest in Turkey last March 6. Here’s the report of Gerry Diaz, chief correspondent of the Mabuhay Beauties Board at www.voy.com/61263/

Melissa Frye, 2003 Best Model Philippines winner was proclaimed first runner-up in the 2003 Best Model of the World contest held at the Maslak Princess Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey last March 6. This 20-year old model hails from Olongapo and was studying Computer Engineering before she won the local modeling contest. Melissa, who is 5' 11" tall and measures 34-25-36, is the only daughter of Narcisa Andales and Kevin Frye who is based in Japan. She has three brothers.

At the presscon held before she left for Turkey, I encouraged her to join the Bb. Pilipinas search because she has the makings of a future international beauty titlist. Aside from her height, beautiful face, nice figure and long shapely legs, she has a good command of English and is quite smart. That combination is hard to come by nowadays. Depending on the angle from which you are looking at her, Melissa looks like Melanie Marquez, Sarah Jane Paez and per some SAGA staff, Jaclyn Jose.

Melissa isn't sure yet about her plans. Since she has family members in the United States, she might decide to set up base there. She has a brother in Seattle and her grandmother is in Montana. One of her aunts, Teresa Frye, was a model in the US and was one of those who encouraged her to pursue a modeling career.

Palace exec says SBMA can implement port plan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Renato Diaz said the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has the right under the law to start implementing its port modernization program amid the opposition raised by Olongapo City officials.

This was contained in a memorandum Diaz submitted to Malacañang on Nov. 11. The memorandum cited provisions of Republic Act 7227 or the base conversion law that created the SBMA to transform the former Subic Naval Base into an industrial zone.


"In case of conflict between the SBMA and the local government units concerned on matters affecting the Subic Special Economic Zone (other than defense and security), the decision of the SBMA shall prevail," Diaz, quoting Section 14(b) of RA 7227, said.

He said the SBMA has an autonomous power to operate, administer and manage the freeport as a "self-sustaining, industrial, commercial, financial and investment center."

The conflict over the port project has adversely affected the establishment of the proposed Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (Scad) that is expected to spur the development of an agro-industrial and tourism corridor in Central Luzon, Diaz said.

Earlier, Governors Vicente Magsaysay (Zambales), Leonardo Roman (Bataan), Manuel Lapid (Pampanga), Tomas Joson III (Nueva Ecija) and Jose Yap (Tarlac) endorsed the SBMA's port project plan.

Olongapo City Mayor Katherine Gordon and other Olongapo officials, however, are opposing the project, citing environmental concerns, livelihood loss for fishermen, coral reef destruction and water pollution that the project would bring about.

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (Cord) in Central Luzon, is also opposing the project.

He questioned the plan of SBMA to borrow 157 million dollars (about 8.5 billion pesos) to develop a new port.

While saying that he was fully supporting the modernization of the Subic Port, Gordon, former SBMA chairman, said he was questioning the feasibility of the SBMA plan in view of the government program to pursue privatization.

He said several groups have expressed concern over the possibility of severe damage to the fragile marine ecosystems in the Cubi Point area once the port is built.

Gordon said there was no need to reclaim 39 hectares in Cubi Point to build a new port because the existing facilities at Subic Bay were already adequate.

THE ACCESSIBLE UTOPIA

By Igan D’bayan (STAR) We all know how crummy city life is. You could just imagine people trudging to work with heavy feet and empty eyes just like in the opening scene of Joe Versus the Volcano. There are a thousand cars during rush hour vying for one inch of road space, defying physics in the process. There are a thousand commuters inside an LRT coach designed for – what? – 30 people, defying physics yet again. There are floods that would make any person hearing Noah inside his head start whipping out hammer, nails and wood and fashioning an ark just to get to work or go home. There are a thousand hassles waiting for each inhabitant – muggers, mulcting cops, and other domestic monsters. It is hot as hell. It rains angels and devils (you never know who you’ll meet in sidestreets and alleyways). It is not a happy place to be in, what with garbage, mediocre movies and other malevolent assaults to the senses. The city has become an agoraphobic’s Fear Factor challenge. One’s best bet is to pack for the weekend and head somewhere that is the antithesis of the city.

Well, it’s hard to believe that all it takes is a two- to three-hour trip from Manila (depending on that bitch called traffic at the North Expressway) to reach a unique utopia in Olongapo. The Subic Bay Freeport Zone is a business-and-leisure utopia to one of its architects (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Felicito Payumo) and a person who believes in the man’s vision (Subic International Hotel president Alejandra Clemente). To both of them, Subic offers a good excuse to do a Nancy Sinatra or a Run-DMC/Aerosmith away from Metro Manila.

"People are looking for an excuse to get out of the city," says Payumo. "And we are offering a place for city folks that has everything."

According to the chairman, the Freeport Zone is a self-contained community with an orderly galaxy of business centers, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and whatnots. Security is topnotch since there is a 911 emergency dialing system, which is networked to police, fire and medical teams. Also, nature made its own set of attractions by way of mangroves, beaches, coral reefs, and forests), while man-made ones include golf ranges, extreme sport centers, go-kart courses, auto racetracks, theme parks and bowling alleys. But wait – to steal a line from the infomercial lady – there’s more.

"You know, Subic is known for its eco-tourism – with attractions like jungle survival trips, bird-watching, and forest hiking," Payumo shares. "The Ocean Adventure, while offering visitors a glimpse of beautiful aquatic creatures, wants to impart the message of conservation."

The chairman is spearheading the establishment of an aviary, a butterfly garden, a zoo, and an insectarium – and Payumo is putting them up bayanihan style.

"I’ve talked to the Philippine Avian Society, and the members have agreed to put their pet birds on display, so that people will get to appreciate these exotic creatures," says the chairman. "Robert Yupangco has around 30 tigers spread out all over the country – in Kalatagan, Tagaytay and somewhere in Mindanao. I’m giving him a place where he can put his animals, and at the same time serve as an attraction to tourists."

For the butterfly garden, the chairman has approached Jun Simon and his French business partner. The same approach with the botanical garden – it is a "we’re-all-in-this-together" thing, so, as to attract more tourists. Payumo is confident that there will be an influx of tourists once these attractions are set in place, and once the Subic International Hotel Convention & Exhibition Center is completed. If You Build It, They Will Come

Payumo calls Subic International Hotel’s convention center the main component of its tourism program, adding that Subic has long been ripe for the M.I.C.E. market. Before you start picturing the Pied Piper dragging along a phalanx of field mice on the roads of Lubao or Guagua, rest assured that the chairman is talking about M.I.C.E., which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibits.

"The convention center will be good for the other hotels and establishments," the chairman says. "These things reinforce each other. Therefore, all the elements, all the ingredients will be in place for Subic to achieve a banner year in terms of tourism."

Subic International Hotel president Alejandra Clemente agrees.

"We want to complete this project by December," she says. "We’ll be eyeing four major markets – China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. We’re also looking at hosting Asia-Pacific regional conventions. And the convention center will be multi-purpose as well, pang-entertainment din siya. The chairman also wants us to bring in the Cirque du Soleil."

Clemente adds that she is inspired by the headway made by Chairman Payumo in making the Subic Bay Freeport Zone an accessible utopia. "We believe in his vision," she says. "There’s so much potential in the Subic Bay Free Port, considering all the infrastructures that are being put in place – like widening of the roads, and the construction of the highway connecting Clark and Subic. This is what you get when the public and private sector work hand in hand."

The convention center is one of the latest projects of the Subic International Hotel, which is reportedly pouring in P300 million for infrastructure initiatives. The Subic International Hotel is one the most popular hotels in the area. Three buildings – Alpha, Delta and Bravo – house 300 deluxe rooms and suites. Also, a slew of restaurants and bars – Seafront Restaurant, Café Subic, Subic Fiesta, Captain’s Lounge, The Terrace Café and the Golden Tea House – offer guests gustatory delights. Putting up a convention center, for Clemente, is key in attracting more tourists.

"This is to attract international markets more," she explains. "There has been tremendous interest for sentimental visits to Subic Bay."

Chairman Payumo nods in agreement. "This is one of the reasons we put up the Subic Naval Museum, which houses memorabilia and mementos of what Subic was before, during and after the American period. Subic has a very rich history. Since the convention center will be a stone’s throw away from the naval museum, the art center, as well the recreational centers, it will be a significant aspect of the Subic community."

The chairman adds that there has been a steady increase of tourists in Subic. "After 9/11 and the SARS epidemic, we have started promoting domestic tourism, which are buoying up our tourism industry. It is important to provide for them an alternative place to visit. Last year we had 7.9 million tourists. When I came here in ’98, we had 2.3 million."

Clemente attests to this. "The potential is here. The developments are in place. I believe that tourism in Subic will flourish even more."

Pinatubo evacuees return home

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga - Like the "exiled" Jews who have returned to their homeland, Israel, thousands of Pampanga Pinatubo victims have also started returning home to their native Bacolor town.

Bacolor was the hardest hit by lahar flows among all the towns in Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales, with all almost of its villages buried by tons of volcanic debris that flowed through the Pasig-Potrero River system from the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo which erupted in 1991.

Many of the evacuees have opted to return to their lahar-laden barangays due to lack of resettlement sites where they are supposed to be permanently relocated. For years these evacuees have been living in the evacuation centers provided for them by the Mt. Pinatubo Commission (MPC) and other government institutions.

Headed by Art Sampang as its executive director, the MPC was created in 1992 by Congress to alleviate the socio-economic well-being of the tens of thousands victims of Pinatubo-related calamities.

However, not only the evacuees have returned home.

Hundreds of Bacolor families that were already resettled have also been returning home, this time due to the lack of means of livelihood supposed to be provided by them also by the MPC.

MPC report said it has already established at least 23 resettlement sites for the victims of Pinatubo-related disasters in Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Livelihood projects were also put up in some of these resettlement sites. But these were found not enough to accomodate thousands of jobless Pinatubo victims.

Sampang, who acknowledge the fact that there indeed thousands of Bacolor evacuees have come back to their town, said, "Those returning home to their still lahar-buried villages are still hoping they would be able to get housing which we are now constructing for them."

To date, Sampang said there are still about 8,000 families living in the evacuation centers, mostly in Pampanga.

The additional housing projects were initiated by President Estrada when he launched ERAPS 2000 in Malacanang last August. ERAPS means Encouraging Renewed Assistance from Private Sector.

Shortly after the launching, some private individuals or groups immediately pledged to donate either cash or housing units for the evacuees.

At Clark Field, several locators at the Clark Special Economic Zone likewise responded to the appeal of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Rufo Colayco for help. Cash pledges from them have already reached P4 million even as others promised construction materials and housing units.

Earlier, Rep. Zenaida Ducut, (Lamp, 2nd District, Pampanga), said the Mt. Pinatubo evacuees who wish to return to their villages would be provided with financial help and construction materials.

Ducut said the assistance is being provided to the evacuees under the "Balik Barangay" program of the government.

The cash assistance will reportedly come from shares of their barangays from the quarry fees allocated by the Natural Resources Devleopment Corp. (NRDC). A government-owned corporation, NDRC has taken over from the Pampanga provincial government the collection of quarry fees from sand truckers.

The takeover of the collection by the NRDC was prompted by reports of alleged irregularities committed by some provincial officials, led by Gov. Lito Lapid, in the quarry operations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that it is also granting about P2,000 to every family displaced by the Pinatubo calamities who have returned to their villages. Flor Villar, DSWD regional director, however, said that the victims could only get the cash assistance after they secured certificates from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) that their barangays are now safe from future lahar flows.

The DSWD is extending the cash assistance also under "Balik-Barangay Program," Villar said

FILIPINO TO RECEIVE PEARL S. BUCK INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Perkaise, PA - A Filipina, Amelia J. Gordon will be honored with the 2002 Pearl S. Buck International (PSBI) Women of the Year Award for her life-long dedication to the children and adoption on Pearl S. Buck International Day, Saturday - 14 June 2003 at the Pearl S. Buck Historic Site in 520 Dublin Rd., Perkaise, Pennsylvania.

"Mrs. Gordon is the former Mayor and Assemblywoman of Olongapo City in the Philippines, who legally adopted 54 children and changed the lives of thousand more as the founder of the Boys Town and Girls Home, which provides shelter and opportunity for orphaned Filipino children of American descent in Olongapo City. A delegation from the Philippines will be attending the event, including two of Amelia's sons, Congressman James Gordon Jr., who represents the 1st District of Zambales province, and Richard J. Gordon who serves in the President's Cabinet as Secretary of Tourism." said PSBI Board Member Ernesto Gange.

Pearl S. Buck International (PSBI) is a non-sectarian development and humanitarian assistance organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and expanding opportunities for educational, social, economic and civil rights. From its home office in Pennsylvania, PSBI supports program in many countries worldwide, with a particular emphasis on program in Asia.

PSBI was founded by Nobel and Pulitzer prize winning author Pearl S. Buck, the first woman to be awarded both prizes. Upon her return to the United States after forty years in China, Ms. Buck became an activist. Through her activism, she received a certificate of life membership from the NAACP as well as becoming an active trustee of Howard University. She was instrumental in the fight to gain citizenship for Chinese Americans and was a supporter of the first human rights initiative affecting the status of biracial children in many countries. She dedicated her energy and resource to promoting Tolerance, human rights and inter-cultural understanding and fighting the impact which discrimination, prejudice and bigotry can have, particularly on the lives of the children.

"Mrs. Gordon bested other nominees that included Barbara Bush and Laura Bush, mother And wife respectively of President George W. Bush; Dana Cheney, wife of Vice President Cheney, Mary Robinson of the United Nations, primarily because of her life-long work for the cause of the abandoned Amerasian children that closely compares with the dedication and sacrifice of Pearl S. Buck." said Gange.

Previous PSBI Woman of the Year awardees includes actress Audrey Hepburn, former First Lady and now Senator Hillary Clinton and former Philippines President Corazon Aquino


AMELIA J. GORDON
Pearl S. Buck Woman of the Year
(A Family and Personal Profile)


- Amelia Juico-Gordon or Mama as she is fondly called was born on 4 September 1920 in Subic in the province of Zambales.
- Parents were Juan Gonzales Juico, Presidente ("Mayor") of Subic during the American government (1917-1919) and Ma. Espiritu Nepumoceno Juico.
- While in high school she met James Gordon, Sr., the son of John Jacob Gordon of Kingston, New York an American serviceman who arrived with the American forces under Admiral George Dewey and later settled in Barrio Olongapo with Veronica Tagle, the daughter of Capt. Jose Tagle of Imus, Cavite and known hero of the Philippine Revolution.
- In 1952 James Gordon became Deputy Governor of Zambales and in 1959 fought for the independence of Olongapo from the United States being a military reservation. He was elected as its first Mayor in 1963 and in 1966 when Olongapo became a City became its first City Mayor. Due to his unrelenting stance against crime, lawlessness and corruption, he was assassinated in 1967 after three attempts on his life.
- Amelia Gordon took on the cudgels of the City and instituted its first Masterplan. Later on in 1984, she ran and won as Assemblywoman in the Batasan Pambansa.
- Her achievements in politics pale in comparison to her civic accomplishments. In the late 1950s she started by adopting 3 infants and over the years more than a thousand children were looking up to Amelia as their foster mother. This led to the founding of the Olongapo Civic Action Group(OCAG) under who's supervision was placed the "Boys Town" and "Girls Home" that served as foster home to Olongapo's impoverished, unwanted and abandoned babies. Many of these were fathered by US servicemen and forsaken by their mothers. Some where deformed babies left right at the doorstep of the Gordon's house. Others where foundlings - children whose parents driven by poverty simply abandoned them in the streets and alleys of Olongapo. Regardless of their origins and backgrounds, Amelia took them all.
- Not only did she become foster mother to these children, she personally adopted 54 abandoned children. She likewise became an outspoken advocate of Amerasian rights at a time when society refused to acknowledge their existence for religious or cultural reasons. While most people ignored them, Amelia opened her arms, home and heart to the Amerasians. She saw them not as unwanted children but as boys and girls to be loved nurtured and cherished.
- Thanks to Mama Amelia, these children were given the basic necessities of food, shelter and clothing, which they would otherwise not have enjoyed. She personally saw to their health, education, and religious instruction. But more than that, they were given the love, care and affection of a real parent.
- Today the Boys' Town and Girls Home continue s to be a haven for around 70 homeless children. Despite her advanced age, Amelia continues to provide them with a good life and secures for them a better future.
- In addition, Amelia also headed the Olongapo-Iba Catholic Women's League and is the Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross in Olongapo.
- Amelia also made her mark in the field of business and entrepreneurship. Before her husband's entry into politics, she built Olongapo's first centrally air-conditioned hotel, a chain of restaurants, cinemas and a supermarket. All these were named "Admiral."
- More than being a public servant, a civic leader, a successful businesswoman and a dedicated wife, Amelia is a devoted mother.
- Her happy union with James Sr. produced 5 children, namely: Veronica Gordon-Lorenzana; Barbara Gordon-delos Reyes; Cecille Gordon-Mullen; Richard Gordon and James Gordon, Jr.
- Veronica or Onnie is successful in her hotel and resort business - White Rock chain of Hotel and Resort and married to George Lorenzana a leading businessman in the food industry. Barbara or Bai ha been successful in building her restaurant chain and catering service and is married to Antonio delos Reyes a leader of the Catholic laity closely associated with Cardinal Jaime Sin. Cecille who also owns her cakes and catering service is now in the US and is married to John Mullen who works in the United Nations.
- Amelia's two sons have inherited her and her husband's passion for public service. Richard or Dick is presently serving his country as a member of the Cabinet being Secretary of Tourism having been the founding Chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. He pioneered the bases conversion after the Americans left in 1992. Dick was Mayor of Olongapo from 1980-1994 transforming its sin city image to a model for the entire country. Previously, he was the youngest delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. His wife Kate is on her third term as Mayor of Olongapo and has also served as Congresswoman of the 1st District of Zambales.
- Meanwhile, youngest son, James or Bong was a successful businessman making his mark in broadcasting. In 1994, he was appointed as Councilor of Olongapo by then President Ramos. In 1995 he ran and won as Congressman of the 1st District of Zambales. He is now on his third term and Chair of the Bases Oversight Committee in Congress.
- In addition to their 2 sons and 3 daughter, Mama Amelia and her husband also took under their wings two more children - Imelda Deza and Donald Fisher, giving them the same love and care as any child could hope for. Imelda, a nurse now lives in the US and is happily married to Rene a Doctor. Donald on the other hand is engaged in a small business and happily living with his wife Ellen delos Reyes in the Philippines.
- Victor Hugo once wrote that "a mothers arms are made of tenderness and sweet sleep blesses the child who lies therein". Now at the ripe age of 84, Amelia's arms continue to be felt by her children, her 21 grandchildren, by her foster children and indeed by the City of Olongapo.

Gordon’s Goal

"Who can best promote the beautiful places and culture of the Philippines than Filipinos themselves?"

With that single question, Philippine Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon has launched a massive program to sell the Philippines, tapping millions of his countrymen living or working all over the globe to help him revitalize the country's tourism industry and in the process, improve local economy.

"We have launched this program called Volunteer 12, anchored on the strength of the millions of Filipinos all over the world to promote our country and invite their friends to wonderful Philippine tourist destinations," Gordon said. Gordon is optimistic that visitor arrivals in the Philippines will "gain favorable ground" with the help of an estimated seven million overseas-based Filipinos.

This, despite the downtrend in the global tourism industry following the September 11 attacks and a paltry sum for a budget. In fact, the Philippine government, through its Tourism Department, has turned to volunteerism in order to augment the high cost of advertising and promotions.

"Admittedly, promotions is very vital in the tourism industry. But we are faced with budgetary constraints and so, we have thought of tapping the support of Filipinos all over the world to become partners of the Philippine government in promoting the country," Gordon explains.

Appealing too, to the "hero" in every Filipino overseas, Gordon emphasizes that this is an opportune time to help the homeland. According to him, the Philippines earns an estimated U.S.$ 1,076 from every tourist, which creates a ripple effect across various sectors of the economy. Gordon points out that tourism serves as an important catalyst to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos such as taxi drivers, farmers, fishermen and the like.

And with more than 7,100 islands to hop about and frolic in, tourists are treated to countless diverse adventures when they do come and visit. From scuba diving in the Apo reefs, to trekking near the crater of Mt. Pinatubo, to cruising in the rivers of Bohol island or simply enjoying the unique culture, Gordon is certain that even a few days' visit will convince foreigners that the Philippines is virtually a paradise.

To address the issue of security, Gordon is implementing a set of measures for both the country's metropolitan areas and tourist destinations in the countryside. According to Gordon, more than a thousand police officers are now patrolling Metro Manila's top tourist attractions and places frequented by trourists. Places under strict guarding include Ermita, malate, Intramuros, Makati, the domestic and international airports, all street corners from the airports up to the Magallanes interchange, C-5 up to the Pasig River, among others.

Aside from Metro Manila, Gordon says policemen are now posted in the country's top tourist destinations including Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Davao, Baguio City, Ifugao Province, Vigan and Ilocos Norte. With Gordon at the helm of the country's tourism department, the Philippine government is determined to provide a blueprint for tourists' protection in every destination.

The security plan involves the cooperation of ordinary citizens, as well as the sharing of crucial resources such as patrol boats and helicopters among resort operators in clusters of islands. The tourism chief also says hotel owners and general managers of five-star hotels all over the country have expressed their support for the effort and will work with the government to ensure the safety of their guests.

Believing that a tourist's first impression of the Philippines is a reflection of his experience upon arrival at the airport, Gordon also batted for the strict implementation of the public utility vehicle system at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) starting last February.

Designed to improve the Philippine transportation system by instilling discipline and professionalism in public utility vehicle drivers, Gordon now assures all incoming visitors that service at the NAIA would be "fast, friendly and efficient." The new system requires taxi drivers to wear uniforms and body numbers so that the public can imeediately identify "errant" taxi drivers. Passengers are assured that the vehicles are roadworthy and in good condition based on annual inspections conducted by Gordon's deprtment. The system is also geared towards eliminating crimes such as overcharging, trip-cutting and refusal to accept passengers. Passengers are protected from abusive taxi drivers because operators are accountable, while drivers and vehicles are easily identifiable.

Commercial vendors meanwhile, have made a commitment to include in their code of vending operations a provision that they will cooperate in efforts to apprehend worng-doers within their vending sites, Gordon reveals. He adds that operators have indicated their willingness to monitor suspicious individuals and report crimes within their areas of business.

Gordon has also embarked on the rehabilitation of major airports in the country to meet international standards for aviation, hoping that the emergence of more world-class airports will make destinations outside the metropolis more accessible to tourists. Using a "hubs and spokes" blueprint, the system identifies major international gateways as the "hubs" and its outlying destinations as the "spokes." According to Gordon, this approach allows tourism centers to progress and respond to particular needs of travelers, making travel to and from the hub to the spokes more efficient.

In Manila, the completion of the $500-million Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 this year will enable it to efficiently serve 10 million passengers per year. In Angeles City, the 2,500-hectare Clark International Airport, now renamed Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, can handle a growing number of commercial flights with a fixed-based operations terminal in place. Kalibo airport can accomodate day and night landing of big jets carrying tourists and businessmen from Asia and western countries headed for Boracay, one of the world's best beaches. In the Visayas, Tacloban's airport is getting a 3.8-billion peso make-over, to enhance its capability to respond to growing air traffic. Six other airports are also up for modernization: Puerto Princesa, Cotabato, Dipolog, Pagadian and Sanga-sanga.

The renewed vigor that is breathing life into the country's tourism industry is reflective of the man who now heads the department that has been burdened in the past by budgetary constraints, domestic terrorism and lack of adequate infrastructure.

If Richard Gordon seems undaunted by the enormity of the task, that's because Gordon has had extensive experience in overcoming challenges and obstacles that most men of lesser stuff would normally buckle under.

Richard Gordon is best known for leading the successful conversion of Subic from a naval facility into the Philippines' premier trade zone in the Ô90s when the U.S. navy withdrew its forces ending 94 years of military presence in the country.

His father James L. Gordon was the founder of Olongapo and its first elected municipal mayor. Likewise, his mother Amelia J. Gordon was the first mayor of Olongapo when it became a city.

Richard Gordon went to high school at the Ateneo de Manila and received a bachelor's degree in History and Government also at the Ateneo. Eventually he went on to study law at the University of the Philippines (UP) where he graduated in 1975.

He earned his spires as an associate at the ACCRA Law Office in 1975. At 24, and while still a sophomore law student at U.P., Gordon was the youngest delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. It was during this time that the young Gordon envisioned the idea of a freeport like Hong Kong and Singapore as the alternative to the U.S. facility in Subic Bay in Olongapo, after witnessing the displacement of Filipino workers during the U.S. Navy pull-out at Sangley Point in Cavite that same year.

Following family tradition, Gordon, too, became Mayor of Olongapo from 1980 to 1993 earning the distinction of being the youngest ever elected to the office. As mayor of Olongapo, he drafted a joint use plan of Subic Bay by the U.S. and Philippine governments, with commercial enterprises eventually phasing in as the U.S. Navy withdrew from the base. In 1992, with the impending withdrawal of the U.S. navy from the Philippines after the Philippine Senate rejected a treaty extension, Gordon led a congressional lobby to convert the facilities in Subic and Clark into economic enclaves.

From 1992-1998 he was the Founding Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), a brainchild of his that gave new life to the city after the dismantlement of the US Military Bases in 1991.

As founding Chairman and administrator of the SBMA, Gordon inspired an army of 8,000 volunteers who protected and preserved $8-billion facility and successfully transformed it into what is now known as the Philippines' premier investment hub the venue for the APEC Leaders Summit in 1996. By 1998, Subic had become the site of 300 multi-national corporations, including Federal Express, Coastal Petroleum, Acer computers and Thompson Audio, which provided an estimated 70,000 jobs and almost $3-billion in investments.

Gordon has been invited to share this experience in base conversions and volunteerism by governments that host or have military facilities such as Panama, Iran, Vietnam, Okinawa in Japan, Guam in the U.S., and by the World Bank during the 2nd World Competitive Cities Congres in Washington D.C. He has also shared his views on politics and the economy in Asia at the Georgetown University Leadership Seminars in 1986; the Stanford University Asia-Pacific Roundtable Regional Conferences (1994 and 1997); the Asia Society Conferences (1993 and 1997); the 6th Asia-Regional Conference of the International Association of Volunteer Effort in Seoul, South Korea (1996); the Pacific Rim Forum in Hong Kong; the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (1996), and the U.S. Business Council Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1997.

He is also known for transforming Olongapo's "Sin City" image into the Philippines' model city through innovative yet simple programs involving an active citizenry in solving crime, ensuring police accountability, efficient garbage collection, proper health and sanitation and orderly transport and traffic.

As an active volunteer himself and officer of the Red Cross in a disaster-prone country, Gordon personally led numerous relief and rescue operations. These include earthquakes that hit Manila, Cabanatuan and Baguio in Luzon, typhoons and floods that razed Silay in Negros Occidental and Ormoc, Leyte in the Visayas, volcanic eruptions of Mt. Mayon and the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, when he led thousands of Aeta aborigines to safety. Last year, Gordon, with the local Red Cross chapter of Basilan in Mindanao, arranged without ransom the release of 18 Filipino hostages from the Abu Sayyaf. Gordon also assisted the local Red Cross during a fire that razed the PICC and Q.C. Manor last year.

For his efforts and contributions to public service, Gordon has received numerous awards and recognition. The University of the Philippines recognized him as an Outstanding Alumnus in Public Administration in 1984, and later bestowed on him the highest recognition as its Most Distinguished Alumnus for 1997. He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in 1982 and was the youngest recipient of the Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) award in 1996. Asahi Shimbun honored him as one of the 50 Young Leaders of Asia in 1994; Asiaweek named him one of the 20 Great Asians for the Future in its 20th anniversary issue, while NHKTV featured him as one of Asia's Who's Who in 1995.

He is married to Kate Gordon, who is currently mayor of Olongapo.

Standoff at Subic

A standoff over control of the Subic free port in the Philippines has ended after nine weeks, but the incident marred the start of President Joseph Estrada's administration. Estrada succeeded in ousting Richard Gordon as director of the free port, which was established on the premises of a former U.S. naval base.

Gordon accepted defeat and agreed to relinquish control after the Supreme Court rejected his petition to prevent Estrada from forcing him out. More than 100 people were injured last month when troops stormed the Subic administration building, which Gordon's supporters had seized.

Gordon was mayor of the adjacent city of Olongapo when the United States vacated the naval base in 1992 as a result of the Philippine Senate's refusal to renew an agreement on use of the base. Gordon had wanted the Navy to stay because the base was the main prop of the local economy. Estrada, then a senator, opposed extension of the bases agreement.

Gordon subsequently led a successful effort to convert the base into an industrial zone and free port and to attract foreign investors to the facility. It has become one of the brightest spots in the Philippine economy.

But Gordon was an opponent of Estrada, and the newly elected president decided to replace Gordon with his own appointee. Gordon is widely recognized as the key figure in the success of the Subic free port and his removal for political reasons could discourage investors. The burden of proof is now on Estrada to demonstrate that what looks like politics as usual isn't quite as bad as it seems

Filipino American Relation

I AM SITTING IN A RICHLY paneled, book-lined greeting room inside historic Malacanang Palace, waiting to interview Fidel V. Ramos, the 12th president of the Republic of the Philippines. I have a question to ask him that is vitally important to America's future in Asia:

As Asia changes. can the U.S. still count the Philippines as an ally?

The last time I met with Ramos was in 1987. I was U.S. Secretary of the Navy. He was chief of staff of the Philippines' armed forces. A year before, the Philippines had gone through the trauma of what they now call the "People Power Revolution," ousting the martial-law government of Ferdinand Marcos. Ramos had been a key player in that revolution, and it was clear to me that his future was larger than his role as the nation's chief military officer.

The Philippines was a different country following the chaotic revolution. Its economic growth was at a standstill. Filipinos could be seen living in boxes and sleeping in makeshift hammocks in trees along Manila Bay. The U.S. presence was most visible in its military installations at Subic Bay and Clark Air Force Base, which had been a part of the Philippines landscape for nearly 90 years.

At that time, the Soviet Union kept its largest fleet in the Pacific. At Vietnam's Cam Ranh Bay, the Soviets regularly based two dozen warships as well as an imposing air force. At our 1987 meeting, I had given Ramos a photograph of a Soviet MiG that was trying to intimidate a U.S. Navy aircraft in international air- space between Vietnam and the Philip- pines. My message had been simple: The Philippines should not lose sight of international dangers d1at were the consequence of its strategic location at the heart of the world's most dynamic economies.

There was no disagreement on that point, although the West Point educated general emphasized the Philippines' difficu1t domestic situation. I came away impressed and confident that he believed the Philippines ought to remain closely aligned with the U.S. I predicted upon my departure that Ramos would be president. In 1992 Filipino voters elected him to a single six-year term.

The country has prospered under his leadership. The Philippines, once the "sick man of Asia," now boasts an economic growth of 7 percent a year. Per capita income has doubled in the last decade. A recent survey by the Far Eastern Economic Review ranked the Philippines as the best place to invest among 10 Asian-Pacific nations and the country least likely to experience political upheaval. Last fall Ramos was host to 18 world leaders, including President Clinton, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum overlooking the former U.S. Navy base at Subic Bay.

These advances have taken place in a dramatically altered international climate. The U.S. bases have been gone from Subic and Clark for five years. The Russians are no longer in force in Cam Ranh Bay. But the lowered U.S. presence has been matched by a looming threat: an energized and potentially expansionist China. The entire region is nervous and unsure of what the future holds. A large factor in the uncertainty is whether the U.S. in- tends to hold fast to its Asian interests.

These questions have particular resonance among the 70 million people of the Philippines. On the one hand, they are now adamant about showing their independence from the U.S.; on the other, they are proud of the role they have played as our friend and ally in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War. China has been aggressively growing its military, particularly its naval forces. If China were to increase its bullying throughout the region, the willingness of "second-tier" countries such as the Philippines to join the U.S. in facing down such moves would be essential.

President Ramos enters the briefing room and greets me. He takes his seat at a wide wooden desk into which a glowing computer screen has been built. At 69, he is a pleasant, intense man whose seriousness is offset by dry humor and a pixie grin. Like most Filipinos, he has strong personal attachments to the U.S. But when asked about the U.S. and the Philippines as strategic partners, Ramos deflects the question.


The greatest continuing benefit of a strong relationship with the U.S., he insists, is trade. "The U.S. is our No.1 trading partner," he declares, "still our No.1 investor." Pressed, he volunteers that the other major connection between the two countries is "the people factor."

"Filipino-Americans are our largest overseas population," he says. "Filipinos of all ages love the United States. Unlike the Spanish [who colonized the Philippines for nearly 400 years], the U.S. put a nationwide educational system in place and emphasized the teaching of English."

Ramos is being coy, but he is not wrong on either count. Despite recent large in- vestments by Japanese and Chinese companies, the U.S. accounts for 33 percent of the Philippines' exports, 20 percent of its imports. U.S. companies also have ear- marked $12 billion for investment in the next five years. And the "people factor" is enormous. An estimated 30,000 Americans visit the Philippines each month. And Americans of Filipino descent have become the largest Asian-American population, now about 2 million, the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines told me.

But Ramos declines to comment on U.S.--Philippines security interests. Asked about the threat brought by China, he anchors himself in Asia. He mentions the growing importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and concludes by saying, "We hope all the players will continue to be engaged. We are in the middle of all this, geographically and otherwise, and we must take a balancing position. The big players may have their competing interests, but we want to see stability."

Ramos' insistence on neutrality represents either careful diplomacy designed not to arouse the Chinese or a reluctance to see the Chinese threat for what it is. Either way, it sends a message that future Chinese aggression will be viewed as a "great power" issue rather than a regional concern.

If our alliance is weakening, it is because American government action is not matching the efforts of American business in this vital region, while the energy of other governments has increased. The U.S. military rarely operates in the Philippines anymore, and American diplomacy has been markedly uneven as it affects our national interests in the entire region.

By contrast, the day I arrived in Manila, the Chinese defense minister was wrapping up a lengthy visit by announcing a plan for future cooperation on defense issues. And Ramos-who last year performed the extraordinary feat of bringing internationally backed Muslim secessionists on the island of Mindanao into a substantive peace process-was leaving after our interview on a trip that would include India as well as key Muslim nations from Pakistan to Bahrain.

What of the future? At present, Ramos is precluded from running for reelection, and his term will expire next year. Curious, I posed the same questions to two younger leaders, both viewed to be future presidential candidates. Roy Golez is a U.S. Naval Academy alumnus who last year was named by the influential Philippines Free Press as the country's out- standing congressman. Richard Gordon is the chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, a free-trade zone situated at the former U.S. Navy base.

Golez, 50, is a key ally of Ramos'. He was only 34 when Ferdinand Marcos selected him to be postmaster general. He aligned himself with Ramos during the 1986 revolution and now heads the key congressional committee that oversees the national police and the fight against crime.

Proud of his American ties, Golez nonetheless echoes Ramos on U.S.- Philippines relations. The greatest benefit of this relationship, he asserts, is trade, although the Philippines is also "looking at tie-ups with giants emerging in such countries as India." Stating that "sentimental reasons" lead many Filipinos to view the U.S. as its most important strategic partner, Golez insists, "We must cope with the realities. Japan is very visible, with all its products dominating the market. The proximity of China, Taiwan and ASEAN and Middle East countries gives us both interaction and opportunities."

How does he view the Chinese threat? "With caution," says Golez. "It's uncomfortable having a giant close to you." But then he retreats to a historically inaccurate comparison- "China has no history of expansion and imperialism, unlike Japan and Western powers"-and predicts that China will be "a big but friendly, polite neighbor."

Richard Gordon is less circumspect. Gordon, 51, grew up in Olongapo, bordering the former U.S. base at Subic Bay. His grandfather was an American soldier here who never went home. His father was the first elected mayor of Olongapo and was killed in 1967 in a political assassination. Later his mother, and then Gordon himself, was elected to the job. When the U.S. Navy left Subic, resulting in the abrupt un- employment of 42,000 Filipinos, Gordon led a group of volunteers who negotiated to turn Subic into a free- trade zone. Today Gordon oversees the vast complex, where more than 150 companies have now signed on.

Rightly taking credit for Subic's new direction, Gordon says it has resulted in "a calmer, stronger relationship" between the U.S. and his country: "There are fewer things to blame on the U.S. when agitators wish to cause trouble." At the same time, he is upbeat about the contribution of the former U.S. bases to regional peace: "The bases provided peace and prosperity for the entire region and contributed to winning the Cold War."

Gordon is adamant that the U.S. remain a Pacific military power. "The Philippines has no real military capability," he says. "China's record on human rights and the growth of its military trouble me. If the U.S. pulls out of Okinawa, it will put the entire Asian- Pacific region at risk. Either a remilitarized Japan or an expanding China would be tempted to fill the vacuum."

In these leaders, as with almost every Filipino, one finds an affection for the U.S. and a desire to continue our unique historical relationship. President Ramos speaks of the "people factor." Congressman Golez predicts that "political and cultural forces" between our two nations will "become even stronger with the years." But it's Chair- man Gordon who most accurately defines the problem: "The relationship between Americans and Filipinos remains incredibly strong. What is lacking right now are the same strong ties between our governments."

Contributing Editor James Webb is a former US Secretary of the Navy, and a recipient of the Navy Cross and the Silver Star for his service in Vietnam. He is the author of four novels, including the Vietnam classic "Fields of Fire." A frequent traveler to East Asia, he currently is working on a novel about the Philippines in World War II. With the increase in concern over the military and economic growth of China and its effect on the Asian-Pacific nations, we asked Webb to report on the significance of the Philippines, one of our strongest allies in the region, since the U.S. has reduced its military presence there.