Poor Management At Clark Airport

Comment from a reader on "The Troubles With Clark Airport":

My family members used to go by Clark to and from Singapore. But I was so disappointed! I was hoping Clark we'll be a different story but alas, Clark People are even worst. Graft and Corruption, its so easy to catch all this people, just look at the blogs on the net, and they'll tell you all the phone numbers.

and another:

I agree on the Clark airport issue, last week I flew into Clark and even though the plane was completely full there was only two imigration officers on duty, one of them for Filipinos and one for Foreign Passports.

After the 3 Filipinos that we on the plane had passed immigration the other two hundred formed a cue that went right back out the door. The immigration guys just stood there and looked at the huge line. Its not unusual to line up for immigration anywhere in the world but this was clearly just bad management.

Heath Care Safety-Net

Comment from a reader on "US Citizens Abroad Paying For Nothing":

This is the kind of narrow-minded thinking that keeps the United States in the realm of Third World health care while Europe, Canada and Australian citizens move ahead.

Yes, Americans abroad would likely have to pay a small amount in taxes for universal health care which they can't enjoy overseas, just as many people in advanced countries do. And true when they stub their toe overseas, they couldn't get the US health care system to pay for it. But when the catastrophic ailment comes - cancer, stroke, heart attack - Americans under a universal system could go home and get care, like Aussies and Canadians can.

Today, if Americans overseas have a catastrophic illness, they can go home to die, but they can't go home to get better. Nothing waits for them in the US in terms of medical assistance except the county hospital where they can line up with the gunshot victims and drug addicts and hope for the best.

America needs to catch up with the rest of the developed world and start providing universal health care (whether the cheap charlies overseas like it or not).

and another:

What does this have to do with the SBFZ!?

[The Subic Bulletin] Just to help your short term memory loss, Subic Bay is a former US military base and still home to hundreds of retirees. Many of them are readers of the Subic Bulletin, if its of interest or concern to them then we are happy to help provide a forum.

In case your new to The Subic Bulletin, we are not SBMA and not restricted to the SBFZ, we are open to all matters of interest about the Subic Bay Area and its residents.

Top Ranking Sewage Scammers

Comment from a reader on "Sewage Scam":

Sounds like they are number one in the number two business!!

[The Subic Bulletin] I wish I had said that!

Superimposed Culture

Comment from a reader on "Dick's Reprehensible Behavior":

As one with experience in coordinating the U.S. military "Hand Clasp" program with local Subic authorities, I say to the author, "Amen, brother."

Sad it is the spectacle of the Westerner who attempts to superimpose his culture and standards of morality on those not of his origins.

Workmen Or Frogmen?

Comment from a reader on "Misrepresentation Of The Bridgeworks":

Maybe the workers are all underwater?

[The Subic Bulletin] Previous posters indicated that there was not much water in the channel just sewage, dare we say...

maybe they are just going through the motions!

The Worlds Largest K-Mart

Comment from a reader on "Serve Your Country In The Commissary":

Wonder what ancient old fart wrote this?

Anyone who has been to Guam in the last decade knows that it is home to the world's largest K-Mart, which has products and prices that make the military commissary mostly useless.

The old days on Guam where the military personnell had the best services are gone. Today, the military people leave the base for the best food, shopping and entertainment.

Words Of Logic From An Old-Timer

Comment from a reader on "Enforcement In Residential Areas"

Sb, speaking of motor cycles i notice many like to pass on right side of my vehicle, is ok for me, not for the rider, culture??.

One of many culture idiosyncrasies i've noticed in philippines, (all countries have their own), i think it is not profiling if in good spirit, i think p.i. spent a lot of money on sidewalks, nobody uses them, they prefer walking in the road, cars would be safer to drive on the sidewalks.

I notice when they start a sentence with this starter, "actually" usually not accurate. "see how you are" confirms what you are not. Walking in front of moving car, holding up your hand in stop signal seems to work as well as their stop lites. Most cars from other places stop tentatively on most crossroads to see what happens. Most generally nothing, except honking from a resident.

I've lived in this area off and on for over 60 years, enjoyed every minute of it. All the young girls seem to like me, maybe because i am rich, i get over $1000 a month retirement. (stateside would not pay the rent) how can you gripe about motor cycle noise??

[The Subic Bulletin] If young girls like you then noisy motorbikes don't matter.... that's logic!

Obama Confirms - Americans Before Filipinos

By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News

Guam will receive more than $734 million for military buildup projects, as outlined in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which was signed into law Wednesday by President Obama.

That's more than four times the amount that was appropriated for the Department of Defense for military construction in 2009, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist at the Guam Department of Labor."The $734.2 million in military construction projects is more than double the previous record of military construction appropriation for Guam of $345 million in fiscal 2008.

The appropriation for fiscal 2009 was $180 million," Hiles said."That's probably the biggest appropriation that Guam has seen for a military project," added James Martinez, president of the Guam Contractors Association.This sum roughly translates into about 7,000 new construction jobs created for fiscal 2010, based on the ratio of construction industry project amounts to jobs in the 2007 Economic Census for Guam.

Every million dollars in expenditures created about 10 construction jobs at that time, Hiles said.It's the skilled trade workers who will be the most in demand, according to Martinez. However, Guam probably won't see these jobs open up until early next year, Martinez said. The projects most likely will be let out for bid during the first quarter of 2010, in the March-to-April time frame.

That cushion of time will allow Guam's construction industry to evaluate how many qualified workers there are in the labor pool, he said."I would expect that by the end of calendar year 2010, Guam will add in the neighborhood of 2,000 to 3,000 construction jobs to the existing number of 6,700 as of June 2009," Hiles said.

But the defense spending bill requires that construction companies look for qualified U.S. citizens and residents first before turning to recruitment of foreign workers.

Reliable Builders Project manager Rey Brigino said he hoped the local worker pool would support the need presented by construction companies.

Misrepresentation Of The Bridgeworks

Comment from a reader on "Invisible Bridgeworks":

There is absolutely no work or repairs being done to the bridge. It's just another scam being put on by the officials at SBMA. Just stop and take a look for yourself.

There isn't even a single worker there. The bridge has been closed for months and nothing is being done. What lies by SBMA!

"Dummied Up" On Pacific Security

Comment from a reader on "Rejuvenated Guam or Military Parking Area":

Strategically, Guam and the Northern Marianas islands are of great importance to the security of the free world.

Anyone who comes from a country which is protected by the umbrella of the USA and it's allies should appreciate the fact that Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands are a little piece of America out here in the Pacific. And where do you get your figures.. Vast Majority? Can you reference a poll or survey which supports that statement? Americans are generally well educated and are aware of the importance of a strategically placed military.

Just because you seem to be "dummied up" does not mean that others are.

The Struggle Of The Simple Filipino

Comment from a reader on "US Unemployment - Is Guam The Answer?":

Subic Bulletin, when you're talking about the hardworking filipino that works a 12 hour day for only 150 to 300 pesos(a standard set by your own people) are you talking about the guy beating with a hammer on the SCTEX expressway with 15 others standing there only watching him.

Or maybe you're talking about the 3 or 4 workers at the checkout counter more interested in chika chika than their job, when only one worker from most countries is really needed to do the job. In any case, I'm not aware of very many in your country putting in an honest, hardworking 8 hour work day much less the 12 hours you claim.

By then most of your workers are drunk on something like Ginebra gin.

[The Subic Bulletin] Thanks for your opinion but we think your more than a little misguided and quite offensive.

Firstly you missed the point that our post was about Filipinos that do work overseas, but having said that there are certainly many hard working Filipinos that are responsible to there families.

Jobs like the checkout counter you refer to are usually brought about by casual staff on a "six month contract" to avoid labor laws, a whole different story.

We suggest you try living their life for a couple of weeks, taking home a couple of dollars a day that doesn't even make a dent in the expenses lease pay for an educations for your kids to have a better life, you wouldn't survive. Maybe we could make your attempt into a reality TV show, would be good for a laugh.

Sewage Scam

Comment from a reader on a local contractor:

Just the other day I learned of some very unscrupulous business practices that stink.

I hired DUENAS sewage pumping services and they showed up with a huge 8,000 liter capacity truck to pump the waste from our septic tank, their Modus Operandi stinks considerably. 15 minutes into the job the pump man said there done because their tank truck is now full to capacity.

Not even making a dent in the contents of my sewer, it was very obvious there truck was already "literally" full of sh_t even before they started the service, no wonder. The lying pricks than had the audacity to try and charge P4,500 for the job, I told him to get lost because he was also full of sh_t.

I did call one of their contact numbers to report this but as you can imagine they hung up the phone on me. Be forewarned anyone hiring Duenas sewage services as they are full of manure and not to be trusted.

Serve Your Country In The Commissary

Comment from a reader on: "US Unemployment - Is Guam The Answer?":

The people in Guambodia as well as Hawai'i have a long history of joining the National Guard and Reserves in high numbers so they can suck form the government teet, AKA the Commissary and Exchange.

Period.

Hafa Adai!!

The Extra Toll For Overloaded Trucks

Comment from a reader on "Road Trains In Subic - A Very Bad Idea":

Have you ever noticed that at the Tipo(SFEX) truck weighing station that you never see any trucks being offloaded for being overweight, which is the law. Instead, the officials there are just taking money from the drivers and the overloaded trucks are then allowed to pass and go on the SCTEX.

That's why the expressway is falling apart and full of potholes even though it has very little traffic. Trucks are so overloaded that they can barely make it up the hill on the expressway and they are always blocking traffic trying to get by. There is supposed to be a minimum speed on all expressways, but of course that's just another law that's not being enforced because somebody is getting paid off.

US Citizens Abroad Paying For Nothing

Comment from a reader on US Health Care reform:

The recently released language of the House version of the U.S. health care reform legislation does not exempt U.S. citizens living abroad from the mandate that all U.S. citizens pay for health insurance (Medicare, if eligible), although U.S. citizens living abroad are not eligible to participate in Medicare. and no allowance is made in the House bill for coverage of medical care obtained abroad by U.S. citizens living abroad.

The only mention of U.S. Citizens and Residents living abroad is in the section imposing a tax Surcharge on High Income Individuals. Failure to pay for Medicare or the new health insurance would result in penalties being added to the U.S. income tax bill of U.S. citizens. Anybody got any pull in Washington D.C.?

Playing By Dick's Rules

Comment on your post "Dick's Political Stunt":

It seems like you are blaming all this on Mr. Gordon when in fact the "protocol" was enforced by a certain "Ms. Torres".

It's quite probable that Mr. Gordon was detained due to weather or traffic or other problems beyond his control. Richard has done a lot of good for the province and the country. It seems a shame to forget all that over a single incident that he had no control over.

[The Subic Bulletin] Lets be clear, Dick Gordon is the Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. Who do you think is responsible for the protocol that Ms Torres was enforcing.

Subic Airport's Target Market.

Comment on your post "Subic Airport's Target Market":

It's so easy for anyone for that matter to criticize and make statements about other people not knowing what they're doing. More so when they suggest a solution that undermines the very moral fiber we filipinos are known to protect and encourage. Such is the case with the author of this article who's solution it would seem is something as perverted as sex tourists. I would hope you are neither a filipino (as this would demean the essence of what a filipino is all about) nor a locator in the Subic Freeport (as this would mean that the Subic Freeport has hit an all time low because you are a part of it).

What can be said is that there are people who are doing their best with the resources they have to try and push the airport. If there were more support instead of criticism from people who aren't even contributing anything, then we may actually get to see activity in the airport again...

And to Subic Bulletin for your comment about the airport stabbing in the dark, unless you can come up with a better plan, put up or shut up.

[The Subic Bulletin] You must be a new reader of the Subic Bulletin other wise you would be aware that the Subic Bulletin has published more ideas and created more public debate on what we could do with the airport than other sources. Please read the articles on this site to see all the suggestions that have been made. Of course, we tried to make some these suggestions directly to the one in charge of the airport via email but we never got any response.

Although we also don't much like the reference to sex tourists (and chose to ignore it) we do believe that it is attractions and activities that brings people not empty airlines. Get some serious casinos operating, encouraging tour operators etc are targeted activities. Running all over the place trying to sign up 2nd grade airlines to fly empty planes to Subic IS stabbing in the dark.

Dick's Reprehensible Behavior

Comment on your post "Dick's Political Stunt":

This reprehensible behavior has been long part and parcel of the Philippine scene during times of disaster. Many can recall the occasions when the Conjugal Couple were in power and relief goods could not be handed out to the stricken until the proper wrapping was on hand to pack the needed items.

While a person or entity strives to help their fellow man, unless they comprehend the culture, they may be disillusioned ... and rightly so.

Rejuvenated Guam or Military Parking Area

Comment from a reader on: "Guam Buildup Is A Fact":

It is NOT an issue of significance to the vast majority of CONUS (tax paying) citizens, most of whom do not frequent the SUBIC sources of information. Perhaps the effort to keep the beleagured population "dummied up" is by design.

In the meantime, permit the uninformed of our number the luxury of waiting to see tangible results from the promises of a "rejuvinated" Guam.

[The Subic Bulletin] We don't think anyone has promised a rejuvenated Guam, just a place to park the military off of Japanese soil.

Thats How Things Work Here

Comment from a reader on "The Hanjin Bully":

thats how things work here. It is not just Koreans. Remember the Baloy son who murdered two young girls, well that cost him 100,000 per life.

So 35,000 for assault and 100,000 for murder.

Invisible Bridgeworks

Question from a reader:

Does anyone know what the status of the "repairs" on mail gate bridge is?

I may be a cynic but I see no repairs being made. It think that it was cheaper to run one fewer check point so SBMA decided to close it and used this an an excuse. [We all know Philippino logic that a good excuse is the same as actual doing something correctly].

Please tell me if repairs are actually being made. The bridge has been closed several months and all I see are the signs claiming it is being repaired.

Titles Swiped By Dick

Comment from a reader on "Silly Dick":

"Lot 21", where the Olongapo City Mall now stands at the City side of "Sh*t River Bridge", was owned by multiple Title Holders until Dick G swiped it.

It was a lengthy process but he did eventually get it.

He'll get Barretto beachside also if he puts his mind to it.

Don't underestimate the G family.

US Unemployment - Is Guam The Answer?

Comment from a reader on "Americans To Do Hard Labor In Guam":

SB: I am not American, so my comment is not based on any "pride" issues, but observations working with them on all levels.

You are right, America has gone soft, they have not really been challenged for a long time and those on the outside perceive them as weak.

BUT! Americans are a great people, who when their backs are against the wall, invariably come thru.

Mainly because of an indomitable belief in their democratic "of and by the people" way.

U.S. hard labor in Guam will be a catharsis for some, easy for others but a wake up to the next generation not to lose the edge that the post WW2 generation fought so hard to give all those who make snide remarks about Americans...the chance to make them!

TIMES...they are a-changing

and another;

While I usually find SB observations to be fair, factual, and balanced, I feel compelled to offer disagreement on several points.

My sense is that SB is somewhat out of touch with the scenario that has transpired in the U.S. in the past year. We are looking at unemployhment rates not seen in many years.

SB is correct in noting that the U.S. social welfare system panders to the lazy, the stupid, and the misfit, we are now loooking at desperate people who for the first time in their lives are unable to find jobs. We all know people willing to take any job that they can get. This has led to a big change in attitude regarding the humanitdarian spirit SB alludes to.

Guam is a U.S. Territory that is NOT self sustaining by the Guamanians themselves. Guam only exists because of support from the U.S. Dollar, and that translates out to U.S. taxpayer contribution (not always cheerfully tendered). If labor is needed for massive work projects in Guam, who would quarrel with the proposal that first employment go to those U.S. citizens able, willing, and needy?

Incidentally, the aside regarding "Mexican illegal" tells me SB is really out of touch with the impact of the economic downturn. I would suggest communicating with somebody familiar with Oklahoma.

I fail to understand the basis of claim that Chamorrps have highest enlistment rate. Enlistment in what? Since the armed forces are having no difficulty with recruitment and retention, it is difficult to pinpoint ANY State or Territory as "highest."

Thanks for the space.

[The Subic Bulletin] Thank you for disagreeing The Subic Bulletin would be pretty boring if we all just patted each others backs.

Your right in that of the 7 US states I have visited this year (not include the territory of Guam) Oklahoma was not one of them, and I had never considered Oklahoma to be the indicative example of the entire USA. Last time I went to the DIY in California (this year) I counted 22 men of Latino origin standing outside looking for undocumented work.

Maybe there is a terrible rate of unemployment in the USA but hard labor jobs in Guam is not going to scratch the surface and those unemployed are not likely to be living with a family of 10 inside a tin "garden shed" working 12 hours for 3-6 dollars.

Of course the people of the Philippines and especially the Olongapo and Subic Bay area are close to our hearts, it would be a hard argument to convince us that anyone deserves jobs more than them.

With regard to the Chamorros enlisting, the original story had a link in it, if you click on these links a window will open with the source article displayed. A link looks like this.

This quotes Guams own Congresswoman Madeline Bardallo who says "People from Guam are very patriotic, she added, pointing out that Guam has the highest rate of enlistment in the National Guard and Army reserves of any U.S. state or territory".

Enforcement In Residential Areas

Comment from a reader on enforcement in Freeport residential areas:

Noicy motorbikes are driving around in SBMA roads, but lately also more and more inside the subdivisions.

It seems like it is "in" for young guys to remove silencers from mufflers to create a lot of noice. This can be heard from long distance and is irritating for residents and others.

We have signs on entrance to subdivisions that no passing through is allowed, but still there are many such.Traffic regulations should be enforced, including air & noice pollution.

[The Subic Bulletin] It seems all complaints fall on deaf ears. But then again when you see the smoke belching SBMA trucks with no license plates or even tail lights you realize they just don't care.

Free Enterprise In Barretto

Comment from a reader on "Filipino or Foriegn Owned Bars?":

SB, YOUR RESPONSE TO "THE BARS IN BARRETTO" ON THE MONEY, MOST FOREIGN BAR OWNERS CATER TO EXPATS LOOKING FOR FUN AND RELAXATION, IT IS DIFFICULT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME IN U.S.A., OTHER COUNTRIES, WITHOUT RISK OF ARREST, FINE AND JAIL TIME, COPS PARKED NEAR BARS TO CATCH A FEW LEAVING A LICENSED BAR AND RESTAURANT, ETC. POLICE IN U.S.A. USE VIOLATIONS FOR REVENUE RATHER THAN CONTROLING MISBEHAVIOR.

LOCALS SHOULD BE HAPPY WITH THE REVENUE, EMPLOYMENT NEEDS TO RUN THE ESTABLISHMENTS, TRYKES, FOOD SERVERS, BAR TENDERS, BEAUTIFUL ENTERTAINERS, CLEANING PEOPLE, FREE ENTERPRISE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME WITHIN THE LOCAL LAWS.

Dick's Political Stunt

Comment from a reader on Dick Gordon's abuse of power for his own political purposes:

DICK GORDON, YOU NEED A DOSE OF REALITY!

To think the deluge of volunteerism support and the "Bayanihan" spirit of the Filipino has somewhat made me believe that this country is indeed worth fighting for, but then someone destroys it for me.

Here's my story.... On September 30, 2009, our company decided to volunteer with various efforts around the Metro as a genuine act of helping out those who have been ravaged by Typhoon Ondoy. I was placed under the group to support the mission of the Philippine Red Cross in Quezon City.

Call time was at 8 am sharp and we got to the Evacuation center by Novaliches at around 10 am.

As we were briefed what to do, we also initiated a system to keep things in order because of the number of people. At around 10:45 we were ready and so was everyone else because they've been there since the early part of the morning but we were informed by one of the Philippine Red Cross staff on site, we could not give out the goods yet because "protocol" dictates that the Philippine Red Cross Chairman, Mr. Dick Gordon was going to visit and deliver some sort of speech or at least be the one to hand out the goods.

We were informed by a certain Ms. Torres that this was how it goes... we reasoned out with her that the people were lined up already and OBVIOUSLY hungry waiting for so many hours as it was. We also asked if the goods were from MR. GORDON and we were told it was donations to the Red Cross. So we hinted…. we can give it then!

But wait we did, by around noon, no word from the DICK and people were getting rowdy saying "Ibigay nyo na! (Give it already!) The number of people was increasing and we knew the goods provided to us would be gone in an instant. It was only a small container van of Air 21 that housed the goods and I'd approximate there were at least a 1,000 people on site.

At this point, my fellow colleagues were exasperated at what was going on. WE COULD STAY THERE the whole day to help out and make sure the people there would at least be spared from any further hurt (if losing a house wasn't hurtful enough) by doing something significant, instead we were made to wait doing nothing just because someone wanted to use the program for his political gain.. I mean, the bag only contained rice, canned goods and noodles… would it be so DIFFICULT to give this away already??!!!

To make matters worse, we were wearing our company's shirts… so it looked like WE WERE THE ONES DELAYING the damn operation.

The Barangay Captain got a hold of the mic and told the people "Maswerte tayo na tayo ang pinuntahang Barangay, hinihintay lang natin ang mga panauhin natin, kaya't wag kayong mag tampo" (We're lucky to be the Barangay that will be visited, we're just waiting for our guests, so don't fret).

At almost 2 pm, I don't know what happened but the Brgy. Captain suddenly asked all Senior citizens and pregnant women to make a new line (from the original lines) and then he started to instruct us to give out the goods… and that's when all hell broke loose. Obviously the people in the original line weren't too happy with the situation… even if… the idea was noble.

In the end, the stubs to claim the relief goods were more than the relief goods themselves… and I could see a lot of upset people at what had just happened….

oh and the clincher of it all….. DICK MOTHER (*@#$! %^) GORDON DID NOT SHOW UP AT ALL.

He wanted this obviously to be a POLITICAL event for him and then decided that maybe it wasn't worth showing up for after all.

I can't believe that a time like this when ORDINARY people are coming together, POLITICIANS REMAIN THE SAME… AND I can only PRAY MR. GORDON that you be granted some sort of WISDOM (OR BALLS) to DECIDE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO. Don't go on making PROTOCOLS that are STUPID AND INANE especially in times like this…. people have lost their loved ones, their houses, basically everything they have and you still have the GALL to use this to YOUR Advantage.

Believe me, if you ever run for office, I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR YOU and I hope everyone who sees this blog does the same thing. It's funny a week ago on ANC you told viewers that the reason why we're in a rut is because our government does not have a CLEAR SYSTEM…. so please EXPOUND to me how your PROTOCOL of overseeing the distribution of relief goods was more of SYSTEM rather than a POLITICAL STUNT.

DICK. I honestly believe your name suits you quite well.

The Feud Over Barretto's Tourist Hangouts

Comment from a reader on "Its a Two Way Street To Barretto":

Well spoken, pragmatic person!

and another;

Whats the deal with the trikes from Baloy not going to Barretto and visa versa?

[The Subic Bulletin] The battle between the Mayor's office and the Barangay Captain seems to be worse than ever, but now it seems the Barangay Captain has been suspended for misconduct, more info to come on this soon.

Fleeties Remember Barretto in the 70's

Comment from a reader on your post "Barretto Bars In The 70's":

I side with "Quibbler." Any of us who were "fleeties" of the 70's remember well the Bar Barretto bar scene.

Guam Buildup Is A Fact

Comment from a reader on "Guam Military Buildup":

You must have a problem doing even the most fundamental research on the subject if you aren't able to find any information about the military build up on Guam. The whole world knows about it. The build up is a fact my friend.

[The Subic Bulletin] We must confess it was a surprise to us that someone had not yet heard of the buildup, especially if they read The Subic Bulletin :)