BCDA, CIAC AND CDC sign agreement that will address human trafficking

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), signed a Memorandum of Agreement that will establish a facility that institutionalizes the response to the issues on exploitation/ human-trafficking of women, the socio-emotional costs of feminized migration and institutionalize gender-responsive programs.

The agreement will facilitate the establishment of the GAD Centrale at the vicinity of Buildings7352 and 7253, at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The facility will feature (a) Halfway House for victims of human trafficking, (b) AMMA (Ama na Magaling Mag-Aruga sa Anak) Center for women- migrant workers as well as the husbands and children left behind and for other GAD-related training programs, and (c) Childcare Center for young children of employees.

The objectives of the project are to strengthen advocacy for the rights of migrant workers at the national and global level, implement sustainable livelihood and skills training for women, conduct gender training on issues relating to trafficking in women and girls, illegal recruitment and repatriation, and embark on a re-orientation and intensive psychosocial workshop on values, practical gender needs as well as strategic gender interests to help women and men transform themselves into self-actualizing and fully functioning individuals.

Representing the three corporations during signing ceremonies were BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova,CDC President and CEO Arthur Tugade and CIAC President and CEO Victor Luciano, who hosted the said event at the CIAC corporate office in the Clark Freeport Zone.
In his welcome remarks, CIAC President Luciano acknowledged the unity between members of the BCDA Group for the project, which is timely as it falls on the National Women's Month celebration in March.

"These three corporations can unite in purpose to effect meaningful changes in people whose lives are directly affected by the decisions that we make," Mr. Luciano said.

For his part, BCDA President Casanova expressed his appreciation for this initiative, and shared how hard it was being a son of a mother who had to work overseas to help make ends meet.

"Through this project, we show our countrymen that we understand what families go through as they deal with the risks of working overseas. The partnership between BCDA,CIAC and CDC shows our firm commitment to institutionalize a gender-responsive culture in Central Luzon, through a facility that will serve our whole nation."

Under this MOA, BCDA, CDC and CIAC shall create a Technical Working Group (TWG) consisting of the GAD-Focal Point Chair and GAD-TWG Head of each agency to prepare the implementing rules and regulations necessary to ensure smooth and coordinated operations of the GAD Centrale.

Mass in Morong to Commemorate Canonization of Pope John Paul II on April 27

Morong, Bataan.  April 10.- A Mass to be officiated by Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos is to be celebrated on April 27, 2014 at 7:00 a.m. at the Shrine of Blessed John Paul II located at the Bataan Technology Park (BTP) in Morong, Bataan to commemorate his canonization in Rome, sources from the Diocese of Balanga announced.

Blessed John Paul II, together with Blessed John XXIII, are to be declared saints of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis I in a ceremony later that day in Rome.

According to Bishop Santos, the Mass in Morong is particularly significant because it is to be celebrated at the exact place that Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in February 1981 when he visited Vietnamese and Cambodian war refugees at the former Bataan Refugee Processing Center (now the site of the BTP).

"The province of Bataan is fortunate to have been visited by Pope John Paul II and it is only fitting that we commemorate his canonization with a Mass to be offered at the very spot where he once celebrated Mass and visited refugees as part of his Pastoral Visit to the Philippines," Balanga Bishop Santos said. "The whole shrine is like a veritable relic that was graced by his presence," he added.
April 27 is also a significant day in the life of John Paul II because the Feast of the Divine Mercy is also celebrated by the Catholic Church on that day. Pope John Paul II was the one who established this feast day and made it a universal celebration for all Catholics.

John Paul II's beatification and canonization on April 27 is also considered as one of the fastest processes in the history of the Catholic Church. Expected to participate in the Mass in Morong are provincial and local officials as well as representatives from the Bases Conversion Development Authority which allowed the construction of the Historical Shrine at its present site in 2011, when Pope John Paul II was beatified.

 BCDA bids out two SCTEX bridge projects worth P122M

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) owner and builder of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) said it is bidding out two infrastructure projects worth P122.27 million that is expected to ensure the safe and convenient travel of people as well as the efficient delivery of  goods and services via the SCTEX.

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said the BCDA is inviting contractors to bid for the Long-Term Permanent Works at the Pasig-Potrero Bridge and the Protection Works for Piers 5 & 6 of the SCTEX Gumain Bridge.

“We are calling on all experienced and financially capable construction firms to participate in the public bidding for the two separate infrastructure projects,” Casanova said.

Casanova said the Long-Term Permanent Works at the Pasig-Potrero Bridge involves bridge construction and drainage, slope protection work, as well as earthworks, sub base and base course, and surface courses. The approved budget of the contract is Ninety Nine Million Six Hundred Ten Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Two and 71/100 Pesos (P99,610,472.71).

It would be recalled that strong river current initiated by the heavy downpour during the height of Typhoon Maring last Aug 2013 set off a massive erosion of up to 10 hectares of land from the banks of the Pasig-Potrero river that caused the damage to a segment of the toll road that serves as an approach to the Pasig-Potrero Bridge.

A bailey bridge was constructed and was opened to the public since September 2013 as a temporary measure to ensure unimpeded traffic flow until such time as the permanent works for the Pasig-Potrero Bridge is completed.

The second project is the Protection Works for Piers 5 & 6 of the SCTEX Gumain Bridge with a contract price of Twenty-Two Million Six Hundred Sixty-Two Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Eight and 39/100 Pesos (P22,662,898.39).

The project is a preventive maintenance work for the SCTEX Gumain Bridge. The project consists of earthworks, drainage and slope protection works to ensure that the strong river currents will not affect the integrity of the bridge.

For her part, BCDA Bid and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairperson for SCTEP and Infrastructure Eleanor L. Atienza said bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships; and partnerships, corporations, organizations or joint ventures with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

She added that prospective bidders must have at least a license category “B” and a license classification

“Medium A” from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) for General Engineering on Roads, Highways, Pavements, Railways, Airport Horizontal Structures and Bridges. The PCAB license must be valid and effective at the time of submission of the bid.

Atienza said each complete set of Bidding Documents for the Protection Works for Piers 5 & 6 of the SCTEX Gumain Bridge and the Long-Term Permanent Works at the Pasig-Potrero Bridge may be acquired by interested bidders on March 27, 2014 to May 5, 2014 at the BCDA Corporate Center 2/F Bonifacio Technology Center, 31^st St. cor. 2^nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of Twenty Five Thousand  Pesos (P25,000.00) and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) respectively.

She added that the bid documents for both projects can also be viewed at the BCDA website www.bcda.gov.ph.

Both Pre-Bid Conferences for the Long-Term Permanent Works at the Pasig-Potrero Bridge and
the Protection Works for Piers 5 & 6 of the SCTEX Gumain Bridge  will be held on  April 21,2014 at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm respectively at the BCDA  Corporate Center.

BCDA Chairman describes comprehensive development plan for former military base

There are two major economic drivers of new cities in the Philippines: young Filipinos working in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and sustainable domestic tourism anchored on efficient transportation.

This according to Rolando Gosiengfiao, Chairman of Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), as he unveiled the state-owned agency’s Master Development Plan (MDP) for Poro Point recently in San Fernando, La Union.

Based on figures from the National Statistics Office (NSO), there are more than 11-million residents in Metro Manila. As cities inside this region reach population capacity, there is increased pressure for the national government to develop growth centers outside of it.

BCDA, a government-owned-and-controlled-corporation (GOCC), has recently been exploring the development of Poro Point—a former US station. Gosiengfiao explains, “The planning was led by Palafox Associates and it took several months and iterations to integrate all the districts.”

He continues, “In the end, we espoused a very practical view. We anchored the MDP on young Filipinos, local tourism, and trading and light industry. In line with that, the developmental blueprint plots Poro Point into four dedicated districts for business, commercial, and residential.”

The MDP is geared towards transforming Poro Point into a major growth driver for North Luzon. The bustling city will be filled with restaurants, commercial centers, business centers, schools, and multi-use areas—which are all connected by a strategically located transit hub.

A walkable city
“It will be a walkable city,” describes Gosiengfiao, who was once an executive involved in the development of Hong Kong’s coveted Discovery Bay. “Based on the MDP, the Cliffwalk will be built around the entire Peninsula—allowing visitors to walk around the scenic peninsula without being bothered by cars. This design is a first in the Philippines.”

According to Gosiengfiao, the MDP starts with Phase 1A which focuses on the 14-hectare area of the Poro Point Lighthouse, while Phase 1B centers on the existing 70-hectare industrial area of the former military base. He likewise confirmed that the infrastructure development for both phases would cost around P1.3-billion.

Public-Private Partnership for San Fernando Airport
Gosiengfiao says the BCDA has started projects to develop the city’s transport systems, which will serve as the backbone of the MDP.

“We have already engaged the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) to perform a study to develop the San Fernando Airport,” explains Gosiengfiao. “The new terminal will be connected to a shopping mall, and underneath it there will be a multi-mode transportation center.”

Three road improvement projects, he remarks, have likewise been started by BCDA. He maintains, “These initiatives, which include a road leading to the Poro Point Lighthouse, will improve access to and in the city.”

Gosiengfiao concludes, “I am very enthusiastic about the MDP, and I hope Filipinos can see its potential. The long-term development plan is set for 50 years, but we are optimistic that the results will speak for themselves.”

Ombudsman affirms Casanova appointment, denies Calleja MR

The Office of Ombudsman denied the Motion of Reconsideration (MR) filed by lawyer Howard Calleja on the dismissed criminal and administrative complaints he filed against BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova.

“We laud the Office of the Ombudsman for their fair and speedy resolution of this issue,” remarked Casanova. He noted that the decision by the Ombudsman is a legal victory against cases filed against government officials merely for harassment purposes.

It would be recalled that in the criminal and administrative complaints filed by Calleja against BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova , he argued that Casanova should be charged with usurpation of authority and violation of the antigraft law, as well as dishonesty and grave misconduct, for performing as the BCDA President, since the BCDA charter stipulates that the agency’s chairman of the board should also be its president. He said that when the position was split between Casanova and then-Chairman Felicito Payumo in April 2011, the law was violated.

In its Joint Resolution dated 30 July 2013, the Ombudsman found that there is no probable cause to file the charges against Casanova, since “it is clear from the appointment letter dated 07 April 2011 issued by Malacañang Palace… that [Casanova] was duly appointed as President and CEO of the BCDA. Thus, respondent Casanova is clothed with the color of title and cannot be considered a “usurper.”

Acting on the Motion for Reconsideration of Calleja on the Joint Resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman issued the Joint Order finding no reason to disturb the findings of the Office as set forth in the said Joint Resolution.

Penned by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer I Rachel Rueve M.T. Barroso-Jamiro, reviewed by Director Nellie P. Boguen-Golez and approved by Ombudsman Conchito Carpio-Morales, the Joint Order stated further that “although complainant contends that such appointment is illegal, until and unless a court of justice exercises its power of judicial review in a proper proceeding and declares the act of appointment by the President of the Philippines as illegal, such executive act enjoys the presumption of validity.”

“We are firm practitioners of transparency and good governance, so we have nothing to hide,” Casanova said.

The Joint-Order also said that “All the issues raised by the complainant-movant [Calleja] are mere rehash of the issues already resolved and taken into consideration by this Office.” It further stated that the motion of Calleja “does not contain new evidence that would warrant a reversal of the assailed Joint Resolution” thus the dismissal of the Motion for Reconsideration.

On his appointment as BCDA president, Casanova reiterated that “I am merely fulfilling my duties, and I am obliged to serve as BCDA President as mandated and appointed by President Aquino. This case was clearly an effort to harass me and prevent me from faithfully fulfilling my duty as a public servant. We shall not be deterred from pursuing a path of good governance.”