Foot bridge in Sta Rita completed

Residents of Block 27, Purok 5D, Barangay Sta. Rita expressed their appreciation to the construction of a concrete footbridge at their area.

“Kapag natapos na ang tulay na ito ay siguradong malaking ginhawa para sa aming mga residente ang idudulot nito. Maraming salamat kay Mayor Bong Gordon at tinugunan nya ang aming hiling na magkaroon ng tulay dito,” said Lito delos Santos, 31.

The construction of the said bridge started after the City Council approved Resolution no. 23 series of 2010 that mandates for the said infrastructure as one of the priority projects of the city government for 2010.

“Kasama ng mga kapwa ko konsehal na sina Gina G. Perez, Rodel S. Cerezo, Edwin J. Piano, Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr., Elena C. Dabu, Jonathan G. Manalo at Cheenee F. Hoya ay ipinasa namin ang resolusyon upang makapaghatid ng ginhawa sa mga residenteng gagamit ng tulay na ito dahil batid namin ang kahalagahan nito para sa araw-araw nilang pamumuhay,” said Councilor Anselmo Aquino who sponsored the resolution at the City Council.

“Bilang bahagi ng aking HELPS program, binibigyang prayoridad ko ang infrastraktura sapagkat alam ko na sa pamamagitan ng maayos na daan, tulay, gusaling pampubliko at mga paaralan ay tuloy-tuloy tayo sa tinatahak nating progreso para sa lungsod. Kung susuruin, malayong malayo na ang narating ng Olongapo City sa larangan ng kaunlaran kumpara sa mga karatig-bayan nito o probinsya man, patunay diyan ang mga awards at pagkilalang iganagawad sa lungsod bilang isa sa mga higly urbanized cities at most competitive city sa bansa,” Mayor Gordon added.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that Mayor Gordon also initiated the construction of the city’s first overpass infront of Olongapo City Elementary School to ensure the safety of pedestrians along Rizal Avenue, one of Olongapo City’s busiest streets where trucks, buses and cars pass by.

Son of Sta Rita bagged the national Outstanding Councilor Award

Olongapo’s three-termer Councilor, Edwin Piano, has been recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) by the Junior Chamber International Philippines and Senator Edgardo Angara at the Awarding Ceremonies held during the Philippine Councilor’s League End Term Conference at the Cebu International Convention Center, Cebu City last March 12, 2010.

This, after beating all his contenders at the region and at the national levels with his exemplary track record as a legislator committed to uplift the sectors of labor , employment, technical education, telecommunications and information technology.

“We are very proud of Councilor Piano’s success. This award only proves that the constituents have been right in choosing him as one of their representatives in the City Council, ” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

Councilor Piano, a former Subic Bay employee and one of the thousands of volunteers who protected and preserved the former Subic Naval Base under the leadership of Senator Richard Gordon, was first elected city councilor in 2001 and have authored and co-authored the highest number of significant resolutions and ordinances in the city council to date.

The career of Councilor EDWIN J. PIANO can be described as a career characterized by hard work, legislative savvy and selfless dedication to public service. It is a shining example of how a Councilor’s innovativeness and practical skills can be successfully parlayed into the concrete enhancement of the lives of his constituents and the progress of his community and country.

Believing that a councilor’s duties to the people go beyond mere legislative work, Mr. Piano voluntarily assumed other responsibilities that have a direct impact on the welfare of the community. He formally organized and led thousands of volunteers in rendering a wide range of community services. He set up and now heads the Olongapo Skills Development and Employment Center, while he is one of the pillars of the Subic Bay Information and Communications Technology Council. Mr. Piano is also very active in the scouting movement in Olongapo City.

The greatest accomplishment of Councilor Edwin Piano is his effective use of his legislative sagacity and skills in crafting timely and necessary laws that respond to the needs of the community; and his willingness to work even beyond the confines of the legislative halls, without any compensation, to make sure that these laws make their intended positive impact on the lives of the people. This accomplishment aptly exemplifies the line in the JCI Creed that states, “That government should be of laws rather than of men, and that service to humanity is the best work of life.”

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-councilor-ed-piano-outstanding-councilor-of-the-philippines-1269012710.html

http://www.pressreleasecirculation.com/received.asp?menubox=F182087772&xbox=F182087772&hEa=2cc8301a775c51d1aafa762cc23badca14bff66d6a3a87632e5809cf59ddf70c&c=Government&start=3055453&comp_=buildmsg=MSG1155465676.31&len=73946&t=Councilor+Ed+Piano,+Outstanding+Councilor+of+the+Philippines&pss=ok&a_=2cc8301a775c51d1aafa762cc2&boxtype=F182087772&comp=Olongapo+City+LGU&url=http://olongapo-subic.com&a=Ed+Piano&e=edpiano@yahoo.com&_a=2cc8301a775c51d1aafa762cc23badca14bff66d6a3a87632e5809cf59ddf70cwqxg

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Technology/Virtual_Welder_Used_by_Outstanding_Councilor_to_Train_Shipbuilders_381083.html

One of the Philippine’s Bests: Councilor Edwin Piano shows his trophy and plaque as The Most Outstanding Councilor in the region and in the Philippines. His national feat was conferred by the Junior Chamber International Philippines and Senator Edgardo Angara at the Philippine Councilors League End Term Conference in Cebu City last March 12, 2010.

City Council Okays Construction of Concrete Footbridge at Balic-Balic

Good news for the residents of Blk. 27, Purok 5D, Balic-Balic, Barangay Sta. Rita . The Olongapo City Council has recently passed Resolution no. 23 series of 2010, that approves of the construction of a concrete footbridge as one of the city’s priority projects for 2010.

“Ang proyektong ito ay batay na rin sa kahilingan ng mga residente ng Balic-Balic, Sta. Rita. Ayon sa pag-aaral ng Committee on Public Works and Engineering, ang footbridge na ito ay makakatulong ng malaki upang mas maging ligtas ang daan para sa publikong nakatira o dumadaan sa naturang lugar,” said Councilor Elmo Aquino who sponsored the resolution.

“Ang bawat daan, tulay o anumang infrastraktura na ipinapagawa ng pamahalaan ay para sa kapakanan ng taong-bayan. Lahat ito ay upang mas maginhawa at mas maging ligtas ang mamamayan. Kung inyong mapapansin, matatapos na rin ang unang overpass ng lungsod na magiging ligtas na tawiran lalo na ng mga mag-aaral ng Olongapo City Elementary School (OCES),” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

Among the city legislators who approved the resolution are Gina G. Perez, Rodel S. Cerezo, Edwin J. Piano, Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr., Elena C. Dabu, Jonathan G. Manalo and Cheenee F. Hoya.

Viva Sto Niño!

VIVA Sto. Niño!

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. and Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice- Governor Anne Marie Gordon joined the festivities held at Purok 1, Sta. Rita last January 17, 2009 in celebration of the Feast of Sto. Niño.

Together with Rodel Cerezo, Gina Perez, Jong Cortez, Ellen Dabu, Nathan Manalo, Bugsy Delos Reyes, Tet Marzan, Romy Guerrero, Ed Piano and Edna Ellane, Mayor Gordon and Vice-Governor Anne Marie offered peace and prayers at the mass held for patron saint.

After the mass, Mayor Gordon and Vice-Governor Anne Marie mingle and groove with the crowd of devotees, residents and visitors who swayed and paraded their Sto. Nino representations, a street dancing tradition held to rejoice the blessings that the community received thru the help of the patron saint.

“Masaya ako sapagkat nadama ko ang tunay na kulturang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng ganitong pagdiriwang. Ang pagkakaisa ng magkakapit-bahay, ang pagiging masayahin, relihiyoso at higit sa lahat ang pagsalubong sa mga bisita. Damang-dama ko ang pagtanggap ng mga taga-Purok 1 lalo na ng salubungin ako ng mga bata,” said Vice-Governor Anne Marie.

Niños and niñas of Purok 1 Sta. Rita cheerfully greet and welcome Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon at the festivities held for the Feast of Sto. Niño last January 17, 2010.

Olongapo Now and Then

Sta Rita drum n lyre

Sta Rita won the Gawad Kalasag

GMA AWARDS OLONGAPO CITY BARANGAYS & OCDCC

Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo handed plaques of recognitions to city and barangay officials of Olongapo at the awarding ceremonies held at Malacañang Palace on August 12, 2009.

President Arroyo awarded the following recognitions to Olongapo:

1. Gawad Kalasag for Olongapo City Disaster Coordinating Council,
2. Gawad Kalasag for Barangay Sta. Rita, and
3. 1st Runner-Up, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUC) category, Barangay
East Tapinac’s Lupong Tagapamayapa (LT).

Among the officials who represented the city at the said event were councilors Rodel Cerezo and Gina Perez, DILG City Director Eliseo de Guzman, Angelito Layug of DMO, Brgy. Captain Ben Franco of East Tapinac and Brgy. Captain Jerome Bacay of Sta. Rita.

East Tapinac bagged the said award due to its exemplary accomplishments in the procedural mechanism of the LT of Katarungang Pambarangay (KP). Earlier, East Tapinac was adjudged having the best LT in Central Luzon. Aside from using computerized data base for its KP, East Tapinac was the only lupon in HUC category that issues Barangay Protection Order (BPO) in compliance with RA 9262, in cases involving violence against women and children

On the other hand, the Olongapo City Disaster Coordinating Council (OCDCC) and Barangay Sta. Rita received the Gawad Kalasag recognitions for their commendable disaster risk management and preparedness programs. The OCDCC was also cited as Hall of Fame Awardee at the Regional Gawad Kalasag given at Camp Olivas last July 28, 2009.

“The awards and recognitions that Olongapo City received are all anchored to the excellent delivery of services provided by the men and women working in the local government. Let us continue to Fight for Excellence!” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo awarded three (3) plaques of recognitions to Olongapo City for the following feats: Gawad Kalasag for the Olongapo City Disaster Coordinating Council (OCDCC), Gawad Kalasag for Brgy. Sta. Rita and 1st Runner-up award for East Tapinac’s Lupong Tagapamayapa. Among the city officials who attended the awarding ceremonies held at the Malacañang Palace were (from the right) City Councilor Rodel Cerezo, Brgy. Captain Jerome Bacay, Brgy. Captain Ben Franco, Olongapo City adopted daughter and Buhay Party-List Representative Carissa Coscolluela, Angelito Layug, Councilor Gina Perez and Brgy. Sta Rita Kagawad Eric Jahnke.

Councilor Ed Piano infrastructure projects

PUBLIC SERVICE - INFRASTRUCTURES

Inspection of footbridge FOR REPAIR @ TALISAY ST. connecting Barangay Sta Rita and GORDON HEIGHTS .

ONE OF PROJECTS OF OLONGAPO SKILLS TRAINING CENTER UNDER COUNCILOR PIANO

WELDER TRAINEES WELD I –BEAM TO BE USE IN TALISAY FOOTBRIDGe SHOWN HERE PREPARING SOME COUNTER-WEIGHTS FOR BASKETBALL COURT

Students and Scouting, Child Friendly Brgy Sta Rita

CHILD FRIENDLY

Read along session being conducted by Councilor Ed Piano in various elementary schools
Scouting prepares future leaders

Using games and story-telling to start kid's interest in reading

Barangay Consultation

BARANGAY CONSULTATION. Mr. Piano conducts regular visits to the city’s 17 barangays to check the implementation of city ordinances, whether these are working according to the legislators’ intention or there are flaws that needed amendment. At the same time, he also hears out the problems and grievances of residents and later tries to find ways by which the city government could act on the matter.

Public consultation being a major part of legislation and public service, Councilor Piano sees to it that he personally talks to his constituents to give them relevant informations and hear their requests and opinions on matters at hand. Photos show Councilor Piano with barangay officials and residents.

Councilor Ed Piano took the chance to speak to his kabarangays during the activity at Tabacuan Sta Rita

Olongapo Sta Rita Tabacuan flood

Sta Rita Drum and Lyre: Best Band in the City

Barangay Sta. Rita information

Barangay sta. Rita is the largest of all the 17 barangays of the city. It is bounded to the north by sta. Rita river, to the east by east bajac-bajac, to the west by barangay mabayuan and barangay gordon heights and to the south by barangay old cabalan.

Barangay sta. Rita is generally a flat valley bounded by mountain ranges and the sta. Rita river that serves as the catch basin of water during rainy season. Its land elevation is below sea level and considered the flood plain of the city of olongapo. Flooding that occurred can be attributed to the overflowing of the mabayuan and sta. Rita river where strong water emanated from the mountains surrounding it.

The shallowing of the river brought about by the eruption of mount pinatubo in 1992 is also one factor in the frequent flooding of the area. Dredging is given priority top priority with the simoultaneous operation of two dredging machne.

In spite of all the aforesaid difficulties, barangay sta. Rita is considered the most active barangay in terms of development. It surpasses other barangays in terms of number of puroks, number of population and the vastness of land area. Horticulture and residential lands exist.

Sta Rita Barangay Official Directory

STA. RITA 222 - 4172
Capt Jerome Michael Bacay 0919-647-9402
Raquel Y. Atienza Councilor 0920-928-4326
Rodolfo Neil Guevarra Councilor 0921-446-9775
Eric P. Jahnke Councilor 0918-618-8524
Emerlito Linus D. Bacay Councilor 0920-823-7317
Rosita J. Piano Councilor 0927-518-7592
Elsa V. Flores Councilor 0918-369-6329
Virginia C. Bitangcol Councilor 0916-259-6759
Sk. Chair. Mo-an De Guzman Sk Chairman 0928-546-1038

Disaster Readiness and Mitigation activities

FLOOD CONTROL AND ROAD CLEARING OPERATION

Turn-over of 2,000 sacks for sandbagging operation tomorrow at Sta Rita Village and Jolo Tabacuan.

Meeting with brgy officials: Capt Bacay, kgds, purok leaders

Councilors Piano and Cerezo supervises the flood control and debris clearing operation after typhoon "labuyo" and "Maring" where 80% of the city's roads were affected

Sta Rita pambato sa Gawad Kalasag

BARANGAY STA. RITA ADVANCES TO NAT’L LEVEL OF GAWAD KALASAG 2009

The Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council (BDCC) of Barangay Sta. Rita is one of the finalists for this year’s Best BDCC in the urban category of the 2009 Gawad Kalasag award.

“This is a first for Barangay Sta. Rita. After being hailed as the Best BDCC in the Regional Level, they automatically qualified for the National Level of the Gawad Kalasag 2009,” according to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr.

Originally pitted against two other cities, Bacolod and Davao City, Barangay Sta. Rita is now set to go one-on-one against Davao after Bacolod dropped out of the competition.

According to Captain Jerome Michael Bacay, “Barangay Sta. Rita takes pride in having our own Fire Rescue and Disaster Response Unit with Chief Arturo De Jesus.”

The said unit provides immediate response to emergency situations in the barangay during calamities and other disaster situations and even responding to calls outside the bgy.

“Patuloy kaming sinusuportahan ni Mayor Bong Gordon sa pamamagitan ng mga trainings at kagamitan na ipinagkakaloob niya sa aming barangay. Malaking tulong din na kaagapay ng mga barangay officials ang aming mga kabarangay sa pag-iwas sa sakuna. Kung walang kooperasyon ang lahat, hindi natin makakamit ang ganitong pagkilala,” added Bacay.

A validating team visited the city recently and assessed the barangay based on their basic disaster management capability. The validating team was headed by Regional Disaster Coordinating Council Director Neri Amparo. Also part of the team were Dionisio Magayanes, Jr., Angelo Pailando, Crsipina Abat, Engr. Edmundo Fernandez and Tessie Castañeda.

Gordon is encouraging other barangays in the city to strengthen their disaster management plans. “Let us continue what Barangay Sta. Rita has started. They were recognized in the national level and helped make Olongapo City more competitive. Naghahanda din ang lungsod para sa Best City Disaster Coordinating Council category ng Gawad Kalasag,” remarked Gordon.

The Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) has been promoting total disaster risk management among local disaster coordinating councils.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has been actively providing incentives and awards with the hope of strengthening the spirit of volunteerism among private and public emergency responders and enhancing monitoring systems in the national and local levels through the Kalasag Awards.

Pista ng Sto Nino sa Purok 1 Sta Rita

Viva El Sto. Niño!

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and Olongapo First Lady Zambales Vice Governor Anne Marie Gordon conveyed their greetings to the residents of Barangay Sta. Rita and the devotees of the Patron Saint Sto. Niño in celebration of its feast day on January 18, 2009.

In a message, Mayor Gordon said, “panahon na naman ng pasasalamat sa taong nagdaan at paghingi muli ng gabay at biyaya sa darating na taon.”

“The yearly celebration in honor of the beloved patron is among the most effective way of gathering people and keeping the spirit of the Christian community alive,” he added.

The feast day of Sto. Niño commemorates the beginnings of Christianity in the country. The celebration also reminds catholics that true devotion should reflect concern to the less fortunate, most especially the children.

In closing, Mayor Gordon reminded that “as we honor the image of the Child Jesus, may we be inspired by the simplicity, humbleness and unconditional faith of a child.”

The City Government of Olongapo is joining the community in this peaceful and successful celebration in honor of the beloved patron saint, Sto. Niño.

Señor Sto. Niño, patron saint of Barangay Sta. Rita, will celebrate its feast day on January 18, 2009.

Sta Rita Balic Balic Elem School Band

Olongapo Sta Rita Tabacuan Elem School band

Tabacuan drum and Lyre Corp during parade


At competion... the champs


Practice at Sta Rita High School grounds

Youth Center at Mayumi Santa Rita

SOFT OPENING OF CENTER FOR YOUTH

Olongapo City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. and Zambales Vice Governor and Olongapo City First Lady Anne Marie Gordon led the inauguration of the Center for Youth at Barangay Sta. Rita, Olongapo City.

Accompanying Mayor Gordon on the ribbon cutting ceremony were Vice Governor Anne Marie Gordon with Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, Councilor Ed Piano, Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWDO) Regional Director Dr. Minda Brigoli, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Gene Eclarino, Olongapo City Police Director Abelardo Villacorta and Family Court Judge Renato J. Dilag of RTC Branch 73. The inauguration mass was celebrated by Sta. Rita Parish Rev. Father Nelson Vencilao.

Also joining the inauguration were several department heads of the local government and barangay officials.

The Center for Youth is located at the compound of the Olongapo City Women’s Center where the Welfareville Daycare Center at Mayumi St., Barangay Sta. Rita is also located.

“Ang Center for Youth ay pansamantalang tahanan ng mga kabataang Olongapeno na in conflict with the law. Dito ay may tanggapan si Judge Dilag upang mapag-usapan ang kasong kinakaharap ng mga kabataan,” wika ni Vice Gov. Gordon.

Meanwhile, Mayor Gordon gladly delivered the news that the City has received the ‘Most Child Friendly City’ Award for Region 3. “Sana ay muling mapili ang lungsod bilang National Awardee ng Presidential Search for the Most Child Friendly sa buong bansa. Kaya natin ‘yan kung magtutulungan ang lahat.”

Mayor Gordon also proudly announced the most prestigious award that the city has received recently, the ‘Most Competitive Medium Sized City” award from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

“Nanguna ang lungsod sa iba pang medium sized cities at nangibabaw ang Olongapo kasama ang General Santos City, Cabanatuan, San Pablo, Tagum, Tarlac City at Lucena. Dito ay pinagbabatayan ang kalakasan at kahinaan ng isang lungsod at ang uri ng pamumuhay rito,” Mayor Gordon said.

Mayor Gordon encouraged Olongapenos to continue coordinating with his administration, “Hindi ito maisasakatuparan kung hindi nakikipag-tulungan ang mga Olongapeno.”

The three-story building has seven (7) rooms, including a court room, which can accommodate over sixty people.

Mayor Bong Gordon and Olongapo First Lady and Zambales Vice-Gov. Anne Marie Gordon led the inauguration and blessing of Center Youth. Also present during the occasion are Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, Kgd Piano, DSWD Regional Dir. Minda Brocoli, Family Court Judge Renato J. Dilag of RTC Branch 73, CSWD head Gene Eclarino, barangay and department heads officials of the city government.