SBMA's World-Class Traffic Management

Comment from a reader on Subic's World Class Traffic Management

"Proudly citing the world-class traffic management system in the Subic Bay Freeport, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that global-competitiveness could start with a most unlikely economic pursuit: traffic discipline."

Hmmmmmm I guess he is referring to the hand painted signs at the Royal intersection or the traffic lights that don't work. But to their credit they keep painting the arrows and lines in the streets.

[The Subic Bulletin] Yes we did read SBMA's NEWSROOM UPDATE on the traffic handling inside the Freeport.

http://www.sbma.com/newsroom/16jun09.html

Lt. Benjamin Evia, SBMA traffic branch chief stated that "the Subic system adheres to international standards of road engineering, which includes signage."

We feel sure at the time he made that statement the hand painted wooden signs must have slipped his mind but Lt Evia still needs to do a little more homework. Lets take stop signs for example, international standards dictate that a stop sign must be 75cm across, but this can be reduced in certain circumstances to an absolute minimum of 60cm. The "toy sized" stop signs that SBMA is erecting around the Freeport are only 45cm across, well below international standards.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1/part2/part2b1.htm#section2B04

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_sign

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/SHSm/regulatory.pdf

Under the laws of most countries all tickets issued for not stopping at these stop signs must be voided. If they want international standards SBMA needs to start getting these things right!

Field Landing Practice At Subic Airport

Comment from a reader on "Subic Airport Is Just A Backup":

The Government of Japan could be the key to the preservation of SBIA.

U.S. Navy carrier based aircraft have been conducting Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) in Iwo Jima on a "temporary" basis for many years. However, under the October 29, 2005 Security Consultative Document, http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/security/scc/doc0510.html, Japan reaffirmed its commitment to the U.S. to identify a permanent facility for these exercises someplace else than Iwo Jima. Moreover, this issue is coming to a head. A Roadmap for the implementation of the aforesaid Security Consultative Agreement set a deadline for this decision of July 2009 "or the earliest possible date thereafter". http://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/w_paper/pdf/2008/31Part3_Chapter2_Sec2.pdf at page 236.

Inviting the U.S. Navy back to SBIA to conduct Field Carrier Landing Practice would be a win-win for everyone. For Japan, by enabling to it fulfill its Japan-US Security Treaty obligation to provide a permanent site for the conduct of FCLPs. For the Freeport Zone and Olongapo, by providing hotels and restaurants the business of visiting aircrew. For SBIA, by providing a source of revenue allowing it to continue to exist as an airport. And especially, for Manila bound and Clark bound passengers, by providing an airport flights can be diverted to in case both Manila or Clark are closed by weather or accident.

So what we have here is all the ingredients to the solution of a problem, except one thing-leadership. The Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce "Airport Committee" might wish to fill that gap and contact the Japanese Embassy. The U.S. and Japan are currently actively engaged in seeking a resolution of this issue. The timing is perfect for the Airport Committee to insinuate itself into the process.

[The Subic Bulletin] Thank you for what seems like a well thought through and researched suggestion. The Subic Bulletin has requested a statement from The Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce as to whether they have considered this or if in fact their committee has any ideas. We will share their response if any is received.

What Gets Published In The Subic Bulletin?

Comment from a reader on "Who Should Provide The Subic Economic Update?":

Why is Subic Bulletin posting only one comment each day? Why not publish comments as they come in, especially if Subic Bulletin has no comment to add. That way you would alleviate suspicion that you are manipulating the timing of some comments and censoring/eliminating others.

[The Subic Bulletin] Thanks for your question. The Subic Bulletin follows a few basic rules.

1) All comments are published unless defamatory, racist or advertising.
2) Posts are published is such a way that the readers should have something new to read every day and not have multiple days slip by with no new content.
3) Comments are published in basically the same order they are received and only delayed when research is required.

Posting comments as new subjects allows new topics to spin off from other subjects which has always served The Subic Bulletin's readers well.

We will be publishing a full story about The Subic Bulletin and its purpose in the next few days. Thanks for the continued support of our readers.

Foreigners In Jail

Comment from a reader on "The Behaviour Of Americans Overseas":

Uh, "other countries such as the Philippines?" Would this include Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, etc?
A lot of Americans imprisoned in those places would be most interested in knowing they could have payed off the cops to avoid the rap. I think I agree with both the author and the SB response, but a little clarification is in order.

[The Subic Bulletin] The number of Asian citizens in US jails is a fraction of a percent according to the USDOJ http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htm, the numbers are therefore too insignificant to draw a conclusion on either side.

Living A Memory

Comment from a reader on "When Will SBMA Allow Victory Liner To Pick Up In T...":

Bus terminals and mega malls? Why not just move to Manila?

[The Subic Bulletin] Did you come to Subic expecting it to always remain a rural backwater? Then you may have chosen the wrong provincial address. Ever since the US pulled out and Dick Gordon (love him or hate him) jumped in with a rescue plan the vision has been for one of growth and prosperity in the Freeport Zone.

The current Administrator tells us the he is modelling the Freeport on Singapore, except Singapore banned coal fired power plants years ago, but that's another story...

There is no stopping Subic from development, putting your head in the sand while the Malls are build around you won't keep that vision of how Subic was before alive for long.

A mall is inevitable and we would sure like to see and independent impact study on its effect (more independent than the railroaded coal plant study that is).

But arguing against a bus stop has got us beat, only the grumpy old lady at the end of the street that says it disturbs the sleep of her budgerigar argues against a bus stop!

Subic's Biggest Air Conditioned Guard House

Comment from a reader on "A Deathly Silence From The Airport":

I wondered about the status of the airport and terminal. On a recent visit I found personal and guards lounging in well cooled aircon comfort. When I ask about flights, they said there are none. I ask how they can afford to keep the building so well cooled with no flights or passengers?
Seems there is no concern for costs to operate the facility. We manage at our home with fans and open windows, aircon is a special treat.

SBMA might consider some cost controls rather than raising fees as more funds are needed. A recent request I made for lease extention for a residence was returned with a fee increase of over 500% of the previous rate. To my knowlege, no notice of this increase was posted, advised or announced.

SBMA seems very hungry for money and seems able to change fees without public notice.

[THE SUBIC BULLETIN] The has been a lot of talk and several moritoriams on lease extension charges, however SBMA allways seems to miss the basics like sending a simple memo with the garbage bill so its recieved by everyone without having to have friends in SBMA.

The Anonymous Brain Teaser

An anonymous reader has left an anonymous comment on "A Deathly Silence From The Airport":

Challenging folks as to why they are responding anonymously to an anonymous forum doesn't work very well.

[THE SUBIC BULLETIN] Is this a brain teaser or just a 5th grader puzzle for how many times you can write anonymous in one sentence? The reader was anonymously inviting us to visit the Subic Airport, and who would we ask for when we got there? Mr Anonymous?
We are happy for readers to write in anonymously, but inviting us to visit is somewhat inane.

Marketing the Olongapo Workforce

Comment from a reader on "Still A Chance For Subic Airport?":

30,000 Filipino construction workers will be drawn to Guam??? Has the US instituted a new work visa policy that you know about. That information is propoganda from the Gordon camp. Has anyone seen that information come up anywhere else on eithor the Guam or US side?

[THE SUBIC BULLETIN] Your right that there does not seem to have been any acceptance of the idea from the US/Guam side but I think your being a little tough calling it propaganda.

Its a Mayors job to create jobs for people in his city, if he did nothing and they hired elsewhere you would probably say he was slow and missed the boat. Socializing the idea, getting people talking even like we are in this blog seems to be good marketing, marketing jobs for Olongapo people. The practicality of Visas is a whole other story...

Ford Dealership To Open In Subic Freeport

From the Sun Star Pampanga Business Section:

The Laus Auto Group (LAG), one of the biggest auto dealership networks in the country, is set to open a Ford outlet in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, bringing Ford vehicles closer to residents, businesses, and over 1,000 locators in the area.

A landmark business venture for the LAG, the outlet will be the first local car dealership inside the economic zone.

“We are grateful for the support of our partners like the Laus Auto Group for making available to our consumers Ford’s high quality and fuel efficient vehicles. We appreciate their invaluable contribution to the continued growth of Ford’s operations in the Philippines,” said Ford Group Philippines president Richard Baker.

Ford Subic (West Coast Automotive), set to open by the end of the year, will be situated on a 1,175 square-meter lot along Argonaut Road and J.P. Rizal Highway in the Subic Freeport. It houses a five-car showroom and eight service bays, with provision for a second level that can hold eight more service bays.

The choice of Subic for the new Ford dealership is strategic, given that it is a modern, globally competitive, and commercially viable location for various businesses.

“Ford Subic is part of our expansion program to service the growing requirements of customers in the western part of Luzon. We are certainly proud to be part of over 1,000 locators in Subic who will help contribute to the business and economic growth in the area,” said LAG chairman and founder Levy Laus.

Laus, who has been a Ford franchise holder since the early 1980s, said the establishment of Ford dealership in Subic indicates sustained confidence in the future of Ford in the Philippines. Ford Subic is scheduled for opening before the end of 2009.

LAG has Ford dealerships in Libis, Quezon City; San Fernando, Pampanga; Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; and Dagupan, Pangasinan.

Subic Needs A Professional Mail Service

Comment from a reader on "The Illustrious RAO Storyteller":

Just to clarify, what this poster is talking about is the FPO - or Fleet Post Office. That never goes to Olongapo Post Office. That goes from the US to the US embassy to RAO. It is a military/diplomatic mail system that never touches local hands, whether those local hands are Filipino, Egyptian, etc. What is remarkable about this line of comments is that these complaints are about this official FPO system.

The OTHER system, run by RAO, which is open to non-US military retirees (but there are other restrictions so check the website), but this non-official system that goes through the Olongapo post office has had an excellent track record of integrity, by some accounts better than the system that is run through the US government. I use this other RAO mail system, that goes through Olongapo, and have never had a check, magazine or anything else pilfered.

Who will open a Mail Boxes Etc. type business on Magsaysay in front of the main gate and offer good quality mail services to all? There's a business opportunity in Subic for someone.

[The Subic Bulletin] Whether its a private, public or military mail service everyone seems unhappy with Subic's mail service.

The Subic Graveyard

Comment from a reader on "Subic Airport, A Home For Unwanted Planes?":

Could a 747 even land at Subic's airport in its current condition? The point of previous posts is that with the departure of Fedex, the technology at the airport is not capable of safely handling such traffic. An airport isn't like a bay. It's a much more sophisticated task hosting laid-up jumbo jets than laid-up ships. Sophistication hasn't been Subic airport management's strong point to date.

[The Subic Bulletin] And another

Well i suppose it is one solution. But the airport as a storage place for laid up planes and the bay for laid up ships. What an impression!

[The Subic Bulletin] One more

The Subic Airport article gave a chuckle. Does anyone noticed our bay lately, does it tell you it is also a ship graveyard. Soon our beloved place will be nicknamed "Subic Graveyard" if we take on airplane graveyard.

[The Subic Bulletin] Ouch!

Park Those Planes At Subic Instead Of Hong Kong

Comment from a reader on "Can SBMA Market The Subic Airport?":

The cost to airlines of parking their planes overnight at some airports is very high. Some airports charge airlines by hour for parking of their airplanes.

Has anyone thought to ask airlines flying into the airport serving Hong Kong if they could save money by flying to SBIA and parking here, instead of parking overnight in Hong Kong? SBMA might pay for the cost of maintaining the ILS in this way, and incidentally, airlines parking their planes here overnight could recover part of their costs by bringing in Olongapo based OFWs and ecotourists, golfers and divers from Hong Kong and environs to Subic.

[The Subic Bulletin] Chek Lap Kok is Hong Kong Airport. I imagine when they fly the planes in for overnight storage they have a load of passengers so flying down to Subic empty or partly empty may not be viable.

The big fear is we could have planes fly in that can't afford to fly out like the two planes sitting at the Subic Airport now. Anyway, keep the ideas coming.

Todays Lesson At Brent, Secure Your Loans

Another reader comment on "Brent Credit Or Brent Debit?":

How does this conflict with the original poster? This post conflicts with itself actually. The poster says the ID card can be used as a debit card, which is true, but then the poster goes onto say that if the child goes beyond the loaded amount, the child goes into negative balance - or as that child will later learn: goes into credit card debt. Debit cards can't go into negative balance.

Does this poster read the news? Credit card debt is bankrupting families throughout the US, Australia and Europe. Giving them to kids to use at the cafeteria is not the responsible way to teach children about the implications of consumer debt. The Brent School ID is a credit card used by the vendor to rack up expenses for kids not responsible enough to know how to use credit cards. It's not used all over the world. It's irresponsible.

[The Subic Bulletin] Surely a Debit Card with a negative balance can only be credit unless it is secured against something. The first poster was indicating that the "security" on this credit account was the child's report card, which doesn't seem very fair if the school fees were already paid.

More Stories On The RAO Postal Delivery

Comment from a reader on "The Illustrious RAO Storyteller":

I also was given "the problem is with the FPO in San Francisco" story after two checks and one credit card never arrived. Strange how I never had a problem with FPO/APO during my twenty years of naval service.

[The Subic Bulletin] And another:

Whoa! I lived in the Philippines for some 25 year - '69 to '96.

I did a lot of bowling and one of the Philippine bowlers had resided for a time in the U.S. and worked at the main S.F. Post Office. He was not the least shy about admitting what all thievery went on there. It was an impressive arrangement and no doubt carries forward to this day. The "best" was a friend in the U.S. military who when on home leave mailed a very large N.C. ham. via the APO. But alas it never arrived. He checked as to its whereabouts and it made it across the U.S. to S.F. where it promptly "flew away". Cheers!!

[The Subic Bulletin] And another:

My use of "illustrious" was sarcasm.

[The Subic Bulletin] Yes we know and we enjoyed it! Thank you!

New comment on Careless Cops Fleecing Motorists.

Comment from a reader on "Careless Cops Fleecing Motorists":

Ever notice when entering the Freeport from the Rizal extension in Olongapo the four way stop backs up so that cars are sometimes backed up over the bridge. Then when you get to the 4 way stop there are two cops, sorry "Traffic Officers" standing on the corner in the shade (guess too hot to do their jobs).

[The Subic Bulletin] Yes, we noticed...

Subic Airport Is Just A Backup

Comment from a reader on "Still A Chance For Subic Airport?":

I am not sure where you are getting your information from but the landing and parking fees for both Clark and Subic are published and in the public domain. The landing fees at Clark are very marginally cheaper than Subic and would not be an issue at all to a company like FedEx.

As for the ILS system I am not sure how old the equipment is but it was installed fairly recently. Not more than 5 years. The ILS approaches to both ends of the runway are non standard and do not meet the FAA standard requirements. This is mainly due to terrain.

The 07 approach comes over the mountain at the north side of the entrance to the bay with a clearance of around 200 feet the 25 approach is not aligned with the runway and is rather steep due to terrain and in particular mount santa rita. It is a category 1 approach with no approach beacons etc.

This airport was constructed for carrier based aircraft and was only really upgraded in 1995 for FedEx use. I would strongly suspect that Clark was chosen on safety grounds. The Clark main runway is longer by around 500m and is 60m wide as opposed to Subics 45m. It has no obstructions and has over runs. It has a secondary runway that can be used if required. It is not surrounded by terrain as Subic is and thus does not have the windshear that is common in Subic.
You may well ask why they chose Subic in the first place. Well if I remember correctly, ash fall in the air was still a serious problem back in 1995 and it was more of a problem in Clark than in Subic. A Japanese study at the time showed this. Volcanic ash is very bad for aircraft engines. Due to prevailing winds etc Subic was not effected as much.

The safety issues can be highlighted by the MD11 that ended up in the bay. Although this may well have been pilot error, had it happeded at Clark I believe the aircraft would have stayed on or close to the runway extension. Imagine if that was a passenger plane!

There is one reason I believe it should stay open and that is to serve as an alternate in the event Manila and or Clarks main runway closes for whatever reason. Manila and Clark both only have one full instrument runway with lights on. Clarks seconday runway could only be used in daytime. We have experienced cases recently where an accident closes Manila's runway then all traffic gets diverted to Clark and Subic.

New comment on The Subic Fuel Pricing Cartel.

Comment from a reader on "The Subic Fuel Pricing Cartel":

Your logic is all twisted. What you are asking is the same thing as complaining about the price of a San Miguel Beer in Makati being double or even triple the prices at a restaurant in Baloy Beach. Same commodity, right? Apples and oranges people.

The cost of doing businss on SBMA a whole lot higher than in the cheaper rent area outside of San Fernando.

Now I am not so naive as to think that is the only reason. There certainly could be some price gouging, but there are several other gas stations in Olongapo that one has to choose from. I believe that if they could offer diesel or gas cheaper at these competing stations, they would. It's the market, baby.

[The Subic Bulletin] The cost of fuel is not just high inside the Subic Freeport but in Olongapo as well, are you going to tell us that Olongapo is a premium area also? Besides the reader below informs us that fuel is much cheaper inside of Clark? Is that a cheap rent location as well. Fact is Subic Olongapo customers are getting fleeced for no reason at all.

Comment from a reader on "The Subic Fuel Pricing Cartel":

Inside Clark Diesel is PHP23 a litre.Where is the accountability for this nonsense?

[The Subic Bulletin] And Another:

Maybe somebody should complain to the DTI. It obviously is some sort of fixing. The receipts from Petron in the "Freeport" are VAT free but obviously not profit free.

[The Subic Bulletin] Nobody expects the businesses in the Subic Freeport to be "profit free" but we do expect value for money, after all we hope that the Freeport is really a Freeport somehow.

The Behaviour Of Americans Overseas

Comment from a reader on "Let Former US Navy Men Run Subic?":

I get so tired of all of these oblique references to the Subic Rape case. It's as if you think Americans quest is to conquer lands and rape the women. Lets do a simple test.

How many Filipinos and other nationalities are in American Jails, and how many Americans are in the jails of the corresponding country? I think you will find that Americans are by far more law abiding when in foreign lands than are foreigners when in America. Check it out.

And try not to stereotype because it shows your racist ignorance.

[The Subic Bulletin] Americans in other countries such as the Philippines can afford to pay off the Police before the case even gets filed to court, foreigners in America do not get the same chance, so basing your argument on Jail statistics may not be representative of behaviour of the relative groups outside of their own country, but we get your point.

Highway Robbery In North Luzon

Comment from a reader:

As a former American "expat" living in the Subic area. I stand in agreement with the author. I always felt comfortable and confideent with the service provided by the Victory Liner, and I'm sure its even better now than it was thirty years ago.

Piracy and banditry are to be found in all parts of the world, the Philippines being no exception. Naive are those who would suggest that Subic has a corner on the market.

I applaud the author of this letter for the suggestions he provides. I have many Expat friends living in the Subic area, most of whom are quite aware of the fact that they are "guests" of the nation. None wish to be identified with the "Ugly American" image, but none worthy of their salts are willing to divorce from their national pride and heritage. Much can be said of the FILNATS who reside in the United States, although the term "Expat" is not part of their lexicon.

[The Subic Bulletin] Based on reports, there has been 3 hold ups on Victory Liner in 30 years of operation, statistically you are safer in a Victory Liner than you are in your own home.

SBMA Cops Are Not Real Police

Comment from a reader....

The SBMA Police are not a constituted police force under the Philippine National Police.

They are unable to proces and file charges against capital crimes.

So, how can you possibley compare these 'Keystone Cops' with any REAL police force in the Philippines, good, bad or otherwise??


[The Subic Bulletin] I seems substantial crime is on the increase in the Freeport, only two weeks ago a woman was attacked in the car park outside BDO by three men to steal her company payroll, the robbers called out to the poorly trained guards (read: doormen) at BDO that "its ok, she’s my wife" and the guards thought nothing more of the three men grabbing at the payroll, luckily there was some properly trained PASG enforcers near by who saved the woman, the payroll and captured one of the culprits. The woman was lucky to escape with a grazed arm. Let’s hope this is not a sign of the future in the Freeport. Armed robbery is ok as long as you wear your seatbelt and have a warning device!

Debit or Credit for Brent's School Cafeteria

Comment from a reader on "Brent's New Class - Get Into Debt!":

You obviously are not a student at brent nor do you have a child enrolled at the school.

Their cafeteria system has improved a lot since I first enrolled my child. The cashless system discourages students from bringing cash to school to avoid theft or unscrupulous spending. Parents are asked to deposit a minimum amount to their child's account to enable their kids to use their ID as a DEBIT card, not a CREDIT card! Parents know exactly how much they deposit into their child's account. Parents may also ask for a printout of their child's consumed food items. This is a way of checking on what their child is buying.

I am a Brent parent and I am very happy with their cafeteria system not to mention the high quality of their food. Maybe you should check out their cafeteria for yourself and save your obviously unfair and unnecessary comments until then.

[The Subic Bulletin] Please let the readers know what happens when the ID card has no credit?
Do they refuse to serve the children or run into a "negative balance" as reported by other readers?

Thanks for your support

Comment from a reader on "New Look for the Subic Bulletin":

Moderation is welcome by this reader. Some of the racist comments were getting to be a bit much. The anti-everything and everyone started to remind me of the 50's and 60's in the USA. Good luck, hope it works.

[The Subic Bulletin] Thanks for your support, we are trying to make the Subic Bulletin more positive and inviting the various groups to comment instead of just being commented on. Let's hope we can see the Bulletin bring on some positive changes in the Subic.

When Will SBMA Allow Victory Liner To Pick Up In The Freeport

Comment from a reader on "A Victory for Victory Liner":

This is in response to "A Victory for Victory Liner" and I am in full agreement.

From 2001-2008 it was my pleasure to live on the Freeport. During that time I visited Manila hundreds and hundreds of times, often as much as 2-3 times a week at the height of my travels.

Many of my trips were on Victory Liner aircon buses, day and night, and the majority of the trips were pleasant and on schedule. Never ever were there any major incidents of a negative kind.

One tip for a more enjoyable trip if traveling alone: Purchase two seats! This way the passenger gets plenty of space and makes for a far more comfortable journey.

My experience has been that if the passenger starts off with a positive expectation of a smooth, on-time, enjoyable trip, that result will usually manifest.

[The Subic Bulletin] We have heard that passengers are waiting just outside the Rizal Gate checkpoint to board the Victory Liner. Give us all a break SBMA and allow US to catch the bus inside the Freeport!

Are Your Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

Comment from a reader on "It's So Obvious - Move The Toll Booth":

As of last night they have gone back to the old system of collecting the tolls separately. I wonder why ?

[The Subic Bulletin] It was probably a test but poorly executed, maybe they should have got some fifth graders to run the test?

Make SM Subic Special!

Comment from a reader on "Where Is Our SM Mall?" :

Mega Malls Ruin Communities

Where's Subic's SM Mall? Hopefully, it will never come. What makes Subic special? One thing is that we in Subic have something Manila and "SM cities": do not have: we have restaurants, bars, parks, etc. We have a community life outside of the mall. Malls in the Philippines ruin communities. (In Manila, even museums and art galleries are inside malls!) Malls turn Philippine cities into generic gathering places of junk food restaurants, arcades, China cheap crap stores, and dumping grounds for kids to get fat and lazy, and for vehicle traffic to accumulate. Instead of another Megamall, why not build the Philippines's biggest park? Why not a world class football pitch? Why not a great baseball or cricket field? It is nice to be able to drive to SM Clark 30 minutes away and visit a mall but it is even nicer to drive back to Subic and be in a real community again. Keep Subic Mega Mall Free!

[The Subic Bulletin] Are you sure you’re not the owner of one of our "protected" big joke Duty Free shops? The overwhelming opinion of readers is that the shops in Subic are PATHETIC. Overpriced, old stock, badly managed etc. We need competition here to get these businesses cleaned up.

Almost every kind of Junk Food restaurant can be found already in Subic or Olongapo, the only difference would be that the children are at great risk of being run over by a Jeepney when visiting the Magsaysay road fast foods.

So lets look at the other delights you want for Subic....The Philippines Biggest Park, is this so we can decentralize the glue sniffing problem out of Manila? We love open space in Subic and we are fortunate enough to have it in fact right now SBMA seems to be more interested in turning parks into concrete towers, so who do you propose we get to invest in this MEGA PARK?

Baseball, another dead end idea, the unused baseball field has just been demolished and has been turned into a row of shops right near the main gate, this complex was suppose to be a "sports hotel" but seems to have turned into a cheap market.

We can only seem to agree on one point. When SBMA gives permission to SM to build a mall they should force them to have a certain area of floor space for unique museums and places of education interest. I know the owners of Zoobic safari and Ocean Adventure would be more than happy to build displays that provide a tourist attraction inside the Mall, inside Subic, good idea.

A Deathly Silence From The Airport

Comment from a reader on "The Future of Subic Airport":

The ILS in Subic? Which one you want to publish the Old or the New ILS?

Subic Bay International Airport is category 10 means its meet all the necessary requirements.

Come and visit the airport and you yourself will find out the "TRUTH"

[The Subic Bulletin] You are trying to indicate you are connected with the airport in some way by saying "Come and Visit" but yet you’re not answering the questions we are asking.

If you are connected with the Airport why are you hiding behind an anonymous email with aloof comments? If there is a plan for the airport, share it!

Do you really think we would get any further than a security guard at the front door if we went to the airport? He would probably insist we had a valid ticket...

Better still we invited the man listed in the SBMA directory http://www.sbma.com/Directory/Directory.html as in charge of the airport "BGen. MARCELO S. SANTOS (Ret)" to let the locators and residents of Subic know the "TRUTH".

It seems however that BGen. MARCELO S. SANTOS(Ret) must be too busy transferring the airport employees to other SBMA departments to respond to pesky locators and residents.

The Warm Welcome Of The Filipino

Comment from a reader on "The Philippines is Special":

ur always be welcome here.. americans are so kind and great unlike other foreigns here like koreans. im working in a coffeeshop in subic i have a lot of experience dealing with foreigner, 99 out of 100 americans was so kind and friendly. i love americans so much.

Subic Airport, A Home For Unwanted Planes?

Coment from a reader on "The Future of Subic Airport":

I've been reading that, because of adverse economic conditions, airlines around the world have had to ground some of their planes. Has anyone thought of renting airlines space at SBIA to park their unneeded aircraft until the Recession recedes? Rental of space for a few 747s parked on the ramp and on the taxiways on the other side of the runway from Taxiway Charlie could go a long way toward meeting the monthly cost of maintaining the Airport as an airport, and tide us over until a permanent tenant for the Airport can be found. Also, with our inexpensive labor, it would be relatively inexpensive to keep corrosion away from the parked planes with frequent fresh water washdowns.

[The Subic Bulletin] Here are some articles on the subject, we applaud the reader for at very least coming up with a positive suggestion! The only possible downside is that Subic Airport will turn into an aircraft graveyard instead of an aircraft parking lot. We seem to have a two plane start into the graveyard business already, although there seems to be some resuscitation work underway on one of the carcases...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/040909dnbusplaneboneyards.3825de9.html

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/park04209.xml&headline=Aircraft%20Storage%20Forecasts%20Near-Term%20Economy&channel=mro

Brent Credit Or Brent Debit?

Comment from a reader on "Brent's New Class - Get Into Debt!":

Having a Child at Brent School and having been at the Cafeteria myself to load Money on the ID of my Child, I can only say that the statements are incorrect.

The reason why the ID is used for Purchases is to avoid to have to carry Cash. This system is used throughout the world. However the Parents need to load the Card and will be informed in writing when the balance is negative.

Not so different from paying cash or if you will it is exactly like using a Credit Card which all our Children will have to learn how to use sooner or later. I grant that some grown up have never learned to use Credit Cards responsibly but we should but trust in our Children.

After being informed of a negative balance I have approached the Vendor for an itemised list of my Childs purchases and was issued with a fully detailed printout of ever single item consumed within 3 minutes. I was further asked if I would like to but restrictions on the items my Child is not allowed to have (ice cream, Soft Drinks etc.). I have declined as this is not something the Cafeteria should be dealing with but it is refreshing that the possibility exists in case some Parents find it difficult to restrict or trust their own children.

How can we teach our Children about using money responsibly (and eating healthier homemade food than the cafeteria food) if we rely on a commercial enterprise to do it for us.

[The Subic Bulletin] We have two conflicting reports, we will try to get to the bottom of this and report back.

Who Should Provide The Subic Economic Update?

Comment from a reader on "Economic Update on Subic Needed":

1. Are most commercial buildings occupied? No, a lot of vacant commercial buildings around in SBMA.
2. Are rents about the same, say, the last three years? Yes, but the way the sbma housing look's like was very old already.
3. How would you rate business on scale of1/10? 5/10
4. What would you say is the occupancy rate of hotels, 60/70/80/100%. 100% but case to case basis like during holidays.
5. In the housing areas, are there home rentals available? Yes.

[The Subic Bulletin] Is it not the job of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce to collate and distribute this type of information to its members?

More Prostitution Experts Make Their Case

Comment from a reader on "Comment from a Prostitution Expert":

Subic Bulletin, I like how you try to compare other countries with the Philippines. Do people visit Europe for prostitution? I think they visit to see all the historical sites. What about Australia? Probably to see the koalas and kangaroos. What about Nevada? Probably to gamble in Las Vegas or Reno. What am I trying to get at?

The main purpose for many foreigners to visit the Philippines is for the sex tourism. Also, all three areas that you mentioned allow prostitution as it is legal. There are health checks and laws that govern the trade. What about the Philippines? Any law or regulations? Is it even legal? What about the spread of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases because of the industry in the Philippines.

I like how you try to clear the Philippines and compare it to first world countries, but you do forget that the Philippines is a developing third world country and that one of its main sources of income is through the illicit sex industry. Go to Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, or any other large city in Asia and most of the working women are from the good ole Philippines.

P.S. In Nevada, all the establishments are out in the desert even if they are openly advertised. What about Clark, Angeles, Makati where they are all centered around large metropolitan areas......don't try to deny what everybody sees.

And another:

If this aspect of society bothers this person so much, they need to leave the Country. To hurl accusations of hypocrisy just because someone has concerns about a business possibly being used as a front for illegal activity is uncalled for. Yes, there is prostitution in every country and its illegal in most places. Are all of those who wish to curb this activity hypocrites just because the practice exists in their community? The obvious answer is no, no matter what the country.

The Illustrious RAO Storyteller

Comment from a reader on "RAO Services Should be for Retirees Only":

Only those persons correctly authorized to use the FPO mail system may do so, not the public at large. As for lost mail our illustrious RAO director told me that mail is being stolen by the temp. workers hired to work in the post office where the mail comes and goes from in San Francisco.

[The Subic Bulletin] Your "illustrious RAO director" must have got his "illustrious" boy scout badge in story telling, you would have to be in a coma to believe that the mail is stolen in San Francisco not Baretto.

Post offices in the US have sophisticated security systems, staff are not able to take personal possessions (like bags) in and out of the handling area and above all mail theft is a JAILABLE offence that IS ENFORCED in the United States.

Illustrious indeed, more like one of the great story tellers of our time!

One Of Many Unique Attractions In Subic

Comment from a reader on "The Camayan Beach Experience":

I have to say that a day at Ocean Adventure is quite enjoyable. The animal interaction opportunities are far better than similar "encounter" programs offered that I have seen in other countries. The interaction is much closer and more personal for a reasonable price.

These people are also superb stewards of our environment. Imagine how much more enjoyable life would be if their message caught on throughout our province!

One bonus from our visit was help by the Wildlife in Need folks for a rogue monkey problem we were having in our neighborhood.-Kudos

[The Subic Bulletin] Thank you for you positive comments, we share you belief that Subic has a lot of amazing things to offer other wise we wouldn't spend out time running this blog and lobbying the relevent organisation to keep improving.

Your comments are welcomed here :)