By Ruben A. Veloria   SUBIC BAY FREEPORT- The Philippine Navy (PN), together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), seized about 1.5 tons of suspected shabu on a fishing boat off the coast of Zambales on early Friday morning. Authorities estimated the seized illegal drugs to a street value of more than ₱10 billion. PN spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said elements of the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC), in tandem with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), responded to a received information from a tipster. The information relayed that the identified fishing boat has a high possibility of carrying illegal drugs. At around 1:30 a.m., Friday, elements of NLNC and PDEA boarded and checked the fishing vessel and there found on board 1.5 tons or 1,500 kilos of shabu. It was not immediately clear if a suspect was apprehended as details of the operation have yet to be fully divulged. “This is one of the largest illegal drug apprehensions in the history of the Philippine Navy in support of the National Government’s campaign against prohibited substances,” the official added. The Navy said the seized suspected shabu is now on its way to Naval Operating Base – Subic for documentation and turnover to proper authorities. Since May 29 this year, government authorities had already “fished out” some ₱17,083,034,054 worth of shabu in the various parts in the West Philippine Sea. On May 29, local fishermen in Masinloc, Zambales found 223 packs of shabu worth P1,514,054,000 while floating in the water. On June 5-9, coastal residents in Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur found 1,038 kilos or about P7,058,400,000 worth of shabu washed ashore. On June 12, in the shorelines of Ilocos Norte, P20.4 million worth of shabu were fond while floating in the water by fishermen. This was followed with the recovery of 15 kilos or ₱2.72 million worth of shabu in Cagayan area. According to PDEA, all the recovered illegal drugs is believed to be connected to international drug syndicate identified as “Sam Gor”, which is operating in countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines.        

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Nabigyan na ni Gov. Ramon Guico III ng trabaho ang halos 20,000 walang trabaho na Pangasinense mula nang maupo siya noong Hulyo 2022. Ang 19,610 ay halos doble sa 10,000 na trabahong tiniyak niya nang siya ay tumakbo bilang gobernador noong Oktubre 2021. Sa mga ito, mahigit 99 porsiyento o 19,508 ang nabigyan ng trabaho sa lokal at 102 o 52 porsiyento ay nagtatrabaho na ngayon sa ibang bansa, ayon kay Pangasinan Public Employment Services Office (PESO) head Richelle Raguindin. Sinabi niya na nakamit nila ito sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pagsasagawa ng iba’t ibang aktibidad at proyektong nagbibigay ng trabaho tulad ng regular jobs fair; job fair caravans; programa sa pagpapahusay ng kakayahang magamit (EEP); at espesyal na programa para sa pagtatrabaho ng mga mag-aaral. Bukod sa mga oportunidad sa trabaho, ang Pangasinan PESO ay nagsasagawa rin ng iba’t ibang mga pagsasanay sa kasanayan upang matulungan ang mga indibidwal tulad ng mga out-of-school-youths, mga walang trabaho na nasa hustong gulang at mga pinuno ng pamilya, mga taong may kapansanan, mga kababaihan na isama ang mga single mother at iba pa, para sa hinaharap na trabaho. Ilan sa mga pagsasanay ay kinabibilangan ng basic electrical troubleshooting, basic carpentry, livelihood at iba pang entrepreneurial coaching na magpapabago sa mga benepisyaryo na maging self-reliant at skilled. Layunin ni Gob. Guico na tugunan ang kawalan ng trabaho sa lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng intensive employment facilitation at pagbibigay ng mas madaling access sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Para sa mga kabataan, lubos na suportado ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ang Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), isang programang nagtutulungan sa pagtatrabaho sa panahon ng tag-araw o bakasyon sa paaralan. Ang programa ay nagbibigay ng mga trabaho para sa mga mag-aaral na kabilang sa mga pamilyang mababa ang kita gayundin sa mga out-of-school youth at mga dependent ng mga displaced worker. Sa tatlong taong pagsisilbi ni Gov. Guico bilang gobernador, ang Pangasinan PESO ay mayroong 670 benepisyaryo mula Hulyo 2022 hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Kinabibilangan ito ng 253 na benepisyaryo noong 2022; 150 noong 2023; 137 noong nakaraang taon at 130 ngayong taon. Kamakailan, isang employers forum ang isinagawa ng lalawigan sa pakikipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang stakeholder upang makabuo ng estratehikong plano upang matugunan ang iba’t ibang hamon sa merkado ng paggawa ngayon. “Nais kong mabigyan ng oportunidad ang bawat Pangasinense na magkatrabaho nang lokal at maging sa ibang bansa,” pahayag ni Gov. Guico. Ang mga dumalo sa employers forum ay nagmula sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, sektor ng edukasyon, asosasyon ng pribadong sektor, lokal na employer, mga lisensyadong ahensya ng recruitment sa ibang bansa, at mga tagapamahala ng PESO mula sa iba’t ibang lokalidad sa lalawigan.  

Subic Bay Freeport – Wilcon Depot, renowned leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer, is set to open its ₱700 million branch within this premier Freeport soon. The construction of a new branch inside Subic Bay Freeport was confirmed as the lease agreement was signed between Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and Wilcon Depot, Inc. Chairman Emeritus William Belo at the SBMA’s administration building early this month. According to the lease agreement, the branch will be located at Sampson Road, Central Business District of SBFZ, with a lot area of 5,308 square meters, including the renovation of a portion of Building 640, and the construction of a showroom. “This is a great addition to the companies located here, with many construction companies, home builders, and other DIY enthusiasts flocking the area to buy building materials, tiles, plumbing, and other DIY items,” Aliño said. Aliño added that the company will be hiring a total of 200 personnel for its operation which will add to the growing number of workers inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (30)