Updates on the Former Base and Area
This portion of the site exists, Thanks to your host Karl Welteke living near the former base. We wish to Thank Karl for his efforts put forth in this section. If anyone else has any input to add to this section, they are more than welcome to have their comments posted as well. Please send your comments to the Webmaster of this site. Thanks!
8/04/02 -
Karl Welteke
Not much to report--all quiet on this front. Due to the rains,
minor land slides. Nothing to worry about. The US Navy ships are
maybe gone. I have not seen them or heard from them. The road
widening and new constructions on base are making progress but
are not finished yet. There is a new building on base that got
built some time ago but I never noticed it before. Facing the
bay, next to the ex Officer Club is a new 2 story building.
Apparently an other restaurant type establishment.
8/06/02 -
Karl Welteke
On base they are keeping up with cutting the grass and the place
continues to look good. A new project has started on base: 8 new
public toilets are being built. One is going to be at our
former Navy Exchange/ Commissary area, now the Duty Free Shopping
Mall.
8/14/02 -
Karl Welteke
Uniformed policemen with M16 rifles were patrolling the streets
in Barretto for about 3 weeks already. So finally I went to the
Barangay office and asked why. They said: "it's only new
recruits from the Olongapo Police Head Quarters which is located
here in Barretto to get their feet wet in
public".
8/17/02 -
Karl Welteke
I got great news for you in regards medical. About 4 or 5 years
ago a retire Dave Jones incorporated a health organization here
called "Health Vision".Our membership cost is about 90
US $ for single person or about 170 US $ for family for us
retirees. Basically you go to one of their contracted
clinics,they take care of you,refer you,or send you to our Health
Vision's Hospital in Olongapo. Other than the annual membership
fee everything else is covered including drugs.They take care of
all the paperwork's to CHAMPUS. This Organization just
took over the old Naval Hospital in CUBI for more bed
space.They are also building a new hospital in Angeles.
8/17/02 -
Karl Welteke
Can't buy a house on base, only long term and expensive leases
are available. All should seriously consider Barretto or location
in the next 2 towns were we military retired hang out now.
8/23/02 -
Karl Welteke
The only thing I got to report is that our health organization
"Health Vision", which just took over our old Naval
Hospital asked an other friend of mine Tom Stone, an ex Navy
Diver like me, to check out the Recompression Chamber, still
located in the old diving locker on former SRF (Ship Repair
Facility). He gave Health Vision his findings. The HP
(high pressure) Air Banks are long OOC (out of commission). The 2
HP air compressors don't work. Only one of the two LP Air
compressors works. The Oxygen system seems to be up. Bottom line
you don't want to have a serious diving accident here. Just to
refresh your memory, on our former Base, two new bridges
have been built over the last 10 years. They help tremendously
with the traffic. The main gate is only for traffic out.The new
bridge at end of Rizal Str. is only for traffic in. The new
bridge at end of 14th street in Olongapo and the old Kalaklan
Bridge (near cemetery) serves traffic both directions. The
Kalayaan Gate is only for vehicles with (base) SBMA vehicle
stickers. Then there is two other gates open for traffic which
were not there or open during our management. They are: a new
gate on the new "on and off Base" Tipo Express
way, and of course the old Morong Gate, at the back side of base,
behind the former Magazine area is open for general traffic.
Speaking of passes; Rowena and I just renewed our SBMA ID cards.
Not that you need any ID to get on base. Any body can walk right
on - real convenient. But I carry that ID card in stead of my
Passport or Military Retiree ID card and it serves most of those
functions to ID me. This is an privilege SBMA has extended to us
old "Canoes" (Americano), members of the RAO (Retiree
Affairs Office) for old time sake.
8/30/02 -
Karl Welteke
A USN Guided Missile Cruiser was here last week for 4 days. The
USS Chancellor (uncertain about the spelling) is home ported in
Japan. The Skipper did not take the Naval Security advise of
granting liberty only on the former base on the 1st day. He said
"No Sir, I have confidence in my crew. This is so according
Tom Meyers, the proprietor of the beach club and restaurant
Mangos. Still the crew only had liberty as far as Barretto. Tom
Meyers said it was the best visit yet. He also said this was a
crew with very high morale and with very good
relationships between Captain, Officers, Chief Petty
Officers and the rest of the crew. In one of the Clubs, all 10
girls had bar fines (happy sailors and happy girls). I'm sure in
the other establishments in Barretto it was the same situation.
The Police patrols are continuing in Barretto, according to the
Barretto Officials, it is just a make work detail for new
recruits from the Olongapo police head quarters located here in
Barretto.
9/06/02 -
Karl Welteke
Well, the tourist season starts before long. On Base the
widened road (4 lanes, 2 each way) from the main gate to the
intersection going to Cubi and our former Main Navy Exchange is
finished. Again on Base from the newly replaced bridge by the
former Special Warfare Camp along the perimeter fence, along the
drainage canal (east side of Olongapo) a new road is being build.
It leads to the new 14th st.bridge that leads to the new vast
Taiwanese Industrial area. This is located on the swamp land
behind our former skeet shooting range. That Skeet shooting range
building only this year got demolished. After hiking, we have
stopped several times at the Scuba Shack That is now the most
important diving spot and place for other water sports activities
on Base and in Subic Bay in general. It is located on the
beach directly across the Waterfront Road from the
former USMC Staff NCO Club. It is also a watering hole and
sometime after the hiking we do some light San Miguel (beer)
lifting (an other sport activity).
9/13/02 -
Karl Welteke
A big waterdam holding back tailings of the inoperative Dizon
Mine has become a concern. The spillway is crumbling. Since I
wrote the previous article early in the week, Yesterday and today
were 2 new newspaper reports saying the dams are collapsing and
people had to be evacuated. The Dizon Mine is located behind
the high mountains behind Olongapo, I can walk there in 4 hours.
But normal access is from San Marcelino. From Olongapo via San
Marcelino it is a good 40 km. The watershed area at the mine
drains to San Marcelino. The river that comes from the mine and
Mount Pinatubo join and are held back by a big dike from the
mountain to San Marcelino and from there to the sea. The
college (where we veterans went under the GI bill) and the rice
mill of John T Brady are located behind the dike and lie on lower
ground than the river bed of the mighty lahar river Santo Thomas
that is streaming by there. The lahar went to the college ones
already and things (sh...t) happens.The dike can break and wipe
out the country side again.
9/21/02 -
Karl Welteke
Read in the news paper 7 bars were closed because of lewd shows
in Calapandayan (we sailors called this place Subic City). I
didn't see any of our frequented bars closed so I'm sure they
were what we here call the Philippine bars. Had massive potable
water pipe break here in Barretto. 2 days, no water - made me
shift to buying potable water by the jug- We coped with rain
water and water from the hand pump. Had anniversary
observation on base by the remaining 10 Senators out of 12, but
only 7 were present to observe the historic vote 11 years
ago on 16th Sep 1991 to kick us, the US Military, out.
The vote was 12 to 11. The magnificent twelve, they are
lionized by many nationalist opinion makers. At the same time, in
the same breath, the paper reports official opinion surveys
indicated 80% in favor of retaining the bases. That is 3rd
world democracy.
9/26/02 -
Karl Welteke
The old lady that owns the large property, beachside in Barretto,
has died. It is the last property on the left, just before one
turns into Baloy Beach. This property includes: Lita's
compound (beach and apartment units), Nightrider Bar, Midnight
Rambler Bar, Palladium Beach and many smaller places in between.
The heirs are fighting already over the spoils. It has affected
the Midnight Rambler. It had to stop construction of 4 new rooms
on the beach side--outcome still uncertain.
10/4/02 -
Karl Welteke
No real change in the tourist scene, but I do see some new faces.
Now the story about beer in our area. San
Miguel Beer has been around forever and untill recently did
not have any competition. I think it is pretty good beer but there
have been complaints about bad beer. This beer is still a very
successful beer. Than Asia Brewery, about 10 or 12
years ago put a beer on the market called Beer na Beer. It was
cheaper and many people drank it. About
2 or 3 years ago Asia Brewery introduced Budweiser Beer and it
became very popular. Budweiser and Asia Brewery could not agree
on a new contract so Budweiser went away. Asia
brewery about 1 or 2 years ago promoted increase of alcohol
content in their beer to 6%, and lost so many customers. So
we are all back with San Miguel Beer regular. But
1 or 2 years ago they introduced San Miguel Light Beer, which
became extremely popular. Now by design, or greed,and/or
mismanagement, they are not keeping up supply and so many of us
are forced again to drink the old San Miguel
regular. Well that is the roller coaster
beer situation here.
10/11/02 -
Karl Welteke
On Base, an Aussie entrepreneur has established a neat bar and
restaurant called Vasco and/or Magellan after the two famous
Navigators. It has a real nautical, rustic atmosphere. It is
built over abandoned pier pilings. While you eat one can
look down and watch fishes go by. They has duplicated the
cannons that stand in front of the Spanish Gate, built a little
Maritime Museum, etc. The establishment also runs sports diving
operation out of this place. The owner's name is Brian. He had
established the "Capt. Gregg" bar and restaurant in
Puerto Galero here in Barretto and on Magsaysay Rd in Olongapo.
They are either sold or closed. He also was the main man in
recovering artifacts from a Chinese Junk or Spanish Galleon from
early times. Many of these artifacts are displayed in his
new place on Base. Recently he and his group found a
9th century Chinese vessel at the South West end of Palawan and
they are beginning to work on it. The place is located just
behind the fuel pumping station for the Clark aviation
activities. This place was also the USN Coaling Station, WW I
area.
10/18/02 -
Karl Welteke
The armed and boot camp policemen are still patrolling the
National Highway in Barretto on there "make busy"
assignment. The hard surfacing and resurfacing of Barretto
streets are continuing.The roads around, and including Jolo St.
have been redone with asphalt. On Base, the widening of
the intersection by the former NEX and the former NSD has been
completed. From here to the entrance of the former NSD the road
also has been made a 4 lane road. I give it an other 2 month and
the new road connecting the new on/off Base Express Way to the
Cubi International Airport will be completed. Since the beginning
of the new base management there have been Policemen at all
the major intersection on base. They ensure smooth traffic and
don't hesitate to pull over violators for a lecture or ticket.
Other news: 600 US Marines have arrived in Subic from Okinawa for
2 weeks training in the Central Luzon Area.
10/25/02 -
Karl Welteke
The tourist
season has started and I see more and more new faces. The
rainy season has come to it's end. There is no more cloud cover; it
is getting hot, the water in the bay is calm; now is the time for
swimming. The 600 US Marines training in
Central Luzon don't even make the news papers.
During our hike, further North on the latitude of Crow Valley, we
observed jet aircraft and C-130 activities. We had a murder in my neighborhood of
Barretto. A woman got stabbed
apparently
by her live-in-partner. He is the suspect and is in flight. Most
shipmates never had a chance to exit the base through the Morong Gate.
I have hiked there a lot. The following is a small description
what one sees there. There always has been a road from
the Morong Gate to the town of Morong, about
9 km.3 km on each end have a paved surface or are concrete. The 3 km
in the mid section are in an atrocious condition. These 3 km have
become worth, especially now since there
are jeepneys and mini busses plying this route.
I will not drive it with my little KIA car again. About
3 km inland from the Morong road was the 3 km long Sabang Refugee Camp,
run by the UN. It was closed about 6 to 8 years ago. The R. P.
Base Conversion Commission is trying to develop it also and
connected it to SBMA, our former Subic Base, with a
modern heavy duty highway. It was already connected to Morong and
the rest of Bataan. POVs use the route now to drive into Bataan
from Subic Base. The Commission also built a
circumvent road around this camp; I assume to keep
regular civilian traffic out of the camp, but it got washed out
last year by the Morong river. Near
this washout and the back gate of the camp is a Negito village
called Kanawan. One only gets there over a
high hanging Foot bridge.
10/29/02 -
Inquirer News Service
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has opened its doors
to the annual war exercises by the Philippine Military Academy.
Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said this was the first time SBMA
officials allowed military troops to set foot on the former
American naval installation, since 1991 when the United States
closed down its military bases in the country. Reyes and SBMA
chairman Felicito Payumo signed a memorandum of agreement here on
Saturday during the PMA's 104th Foundation Day rites. The
agreement authorizes the PMA to use SBMA's forest range and its
airfield and port facilities for its regular field training
exercises. Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan, PMA superintendent, said
the facility offers cadets a better terrain for simulated
guerrilla combat exercises, and counter terrorism tactics than
previous training locations like Cavite. The SBMA Compound will
also ensure the security of the cadets, Adan added. Payumo has
reserved the former George Dewey High School facility for cadet
housing, until the PMA can set up its own facilities there. The
agreement also obliges PMA to share training programs with the
SBMA's security team. Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia, chief of the
Army's Northern Luzon Command, said Subic and the Clark Special
Economic Zone are some of the primary terrorist targets in Luzon.
But Payumo said he is considering the agreement as a tourism
dividend for the Subic freeport.
11/02/02 -
Karl Welteke
There don't seem to be any more restrictions walking through the
Negrito village "Pastolan" . It is located near Sta.
Rita Mnt. on our former base. Been hiking there trice recently
and didn't get picked up or was prevented from going there like
twice in the past. Visited the FRA home of FRA Branch 367 in San
Antonio, just out side the former US NAVY Communication
Station San Miguel. They are doing ok; I'm also a member
there. The Peso stands at 53.14 to the US $ as of today,
official exchange rate. All Saints Day today; the President
declared a 4 day week end. The Kalaklan Cemetery was busy
yesterday, people cleaning and setting up. Today many are
visiting there departed loved ones and the cemetery is
going to be a busy place.
11/08/02 -
Karl Welteke
We survived
an other All Saints Day. But really, Olongapo has a good
organization to deal with very big
R.P.holiday. 31st Oct.: all trash from cleaning up the
cemetery was cleaned out and
all the
vender booths for refreshments were set up. 1 Nov.: the day; a lot of traffic cops made sure
that the traffic flowed by
the cemetery
without too many problems.
2nd Nov.: everything got unrigged and the place got
cleaned up. I think the city government done a
good job. By the way, there was a pretty big
land slide at the cemetery a few weeks ago.
The slide was about 100 yards from the Kalaklan gate. Many graves
came down but I didn't see any bones. They got it cleaned up fast, but it will
happening again, the slope is even steeper now and no
strengthening work has been done.
11/09/02 -
Edzel G Jereza, PN1
I was happy to see that "our" former and beloved base
is being looked after just fine. It's clean and traffic
rules are being enforced to the fullest (i.e. stop at the STOP
sign, helloooo!...). I was there during the week of
Halloween and the local "feast of the the dead" so
Olongapo and their cemeteries were just loaded with people from
all over. I was glad to see that at Halloween night
Magsaysay was closed off because of a "mardi gras" and
the street was bustling once again just like old times.
There were bands on the streets, entertainers, vendors...
reminded me of the old times though I was not surprised to see
that most of the patrons of the clubs and restaurants are now the
new generation of Olongapoans.
11/15/02 -
Karl Welteke
On base the annual Christmas Bazaar has opened again and will run
into the new year. It is located immediately to the
right coming through the Main Gate;
in the area
of the former SUBCOM HQ (former Subic Bay Philippine Navy
Base Command). This time is occupying an even bigger area, about
2 large blocks. Today, a mayor event is occurring
here in Barretto,the VAD (Veterans Appreciation Day).It is
organized by our Olongapo RAO (US Navy Retired Activities Office)
and is sponsored by Veterans health organization /
insurance,"Health Vision". They are paying the bill for food
and drinks. A good opportunity for us Vets to get together and
chew the fat ,and the kids to hit the water. The
Peso dropped to 53.37 to the US $ today. The
Philippine Government has increased security for foreigners in Angeles.
Sections of Fields Ave. is secured to vehicles at certain hours.
11/15/02 -
Karl Welteke
The VAD (Veterans
Appreciation Day) was a real good experience again. It
was last Friday,organized by our local RAO (US NAVY sponsored Retired
Activities Office),it was sponsored by Health Vision,our own
Health Insurance over here.
Free beer and
food and best of all old friends meet.My hiking buddy Jim
Niland,a retired young Marine met his First SGT. from San
Miguel Comm.Station again. The
whole thing was held in the Mango's place in Barretto,with enough security
to keep all the venders and freeloaders away. While
the Party was going on we had a VIP visiting.It was a retired O-5 US
Army officer with press,police escort,National Tourist Office
guides and came to visit the director of
the RAO. It was about the Grand Reunion of
former Naval Base Subic Bay Service
Men next
year. More information about our VAD and
the Grand Reunion can be found
on the RAO
Subic web page. http://www.raosubic.com/ Yesterday,21st
Nov.the US and R.P. signed a new military supply agreement called
(MSLA) Mutual Logistics Support Agreement.It is a system of
accounting for services rendered by either
side and it also deals with prestaging equipment for
various eventualities and training.
Wednesday
the 20th Nov.we had 3 brownouts/blackouts which caused havoc with
many PC users including me-I don't know why and at what
areas the blackout occurred.
11/29/02 -
Karl Welteke
Thursday,
yesterday - Thanksgiving Day, we celebrate it here just like
we did in the States. The RAO, the Embassy, etc are closed. And best of all the VFW Post 11447, right
here in Barretto, puts out an outstanding, American
Thanksgiving Dinner, turkey and all.
12/06/02 -
Karl Welteke
It is amazing how many new gas station have been built in the
greater Subic Bay area or old ones modernized. In our own small
Barretto alone we have 2 gas stations. Must be a real sign of
progress. The Police are still patrolling,on foot, the highway in
Bo.Barretto. The Christmas Bazar on Base is twice as big as last
year. There are more eating places, shops and this year many fun
rides. This time it stretches from the 1st block on the right,
coming through the main gate, all the way to the former SUBCOM
Barracks along the canal (Sh... River). SUBCOM was the nominal
R.P.Command of our Naval Base to pacify the many R.P.
Nationalistic Forces many years ago. The Bazar will run to the
1st week of Jan 2003. The many Christmas lighting and decorations
on Base are impressive. The Intersection of Rizal Highway and
Argonaut Highway by/near our former NEX (Main Navy Exchange) and
NSD (Naval Supply Depot) is now complete. Four lanes and
streetlights go in all 4 directions:
a) 400 yards towards Kalayaan Housing
and former NEX
b) 500 yards towards airport and
former NSD,
c) 500 yards towards Binictican
Housing and is connecting to new Express Way on/off Base,
d) Rizal Hwy, all the way to the Main
Gate.
12/20/02 -
Karl Welteke
Reporting on only one item--roads on SBMA, the former Naval Base.
All the infrastructure road projects are finished. 1) from Main Gate to Main NEX (Main
Navy Exchange) now a 4 lane highway. 2) the NEX intersection
now continues in the other 3 direction with 4 lanes for
about 200 to 400 meters: to Calayaan Housing, Binicticn Housing
and the port, the former Naval Supply Depot with traffic lights
at each turn off. 3) a new road from the former SPECWAR (the
SEALS) compound along the perimeter road to the new bridge and
gate leading to Olongapo 14th street and on Base to the new
huge Taiwanese Industrial area. 4) the new On/Off SBMA express way is
now extended to Cubi Point. It started just
behind the Main NEX and runs to Roosevelt Barrio near the
Roosevelt Park along the Olongapo Highway. The extension
runs inland about 500 meters from the old coastal road to Cubi,
passed Binictican Golf course behind the old and new Power
Station, across the swamps and joins the coastal road just before
the fuel depot. Many new bridges had to be built. 5) the coastal road from the just
mentioned merging point is widened to a 5 lane highway all the
way to the former USN fighter hanger, now the new Subic
International airport. 6) along all the above mentioned roads are now
traffic lights, every 100 meters street lights, at appropriate
places are proper curbs or road shoulders. 7) all other
roads are continuously well maintained.
01/10/03 -
Karl Welteke
The Christmas Bazaar on Base is on over .It is being unrigged as
I write. Took the car to 80,000 km
maintenance to San Fernando from Barretto. On
the way I saw the following:
A big new and
higher 2 lane bridge is
now in use across the first big
river, coming
from San Fernando. They are demolishing the old one and
are building an other 2 lane section next to the new one, in
other words, it is going to be a 4 lane
bridge. As one approaches it, you might
remember, there was one of those round cockfighting
arenas on the right. It belongs to the buried town of Bocolor.The
cockfighting arena also got buried about by 10 feet Lahar. Bocolor
is coming back to life. They renovated this arena and built new
buildings around it. As I walked around the buried town
of Bocolor in the past I had seen people jack up their houses
with car jacks about 10 feet and put new concrete posts under
them. The large church is being used
again minus the lower 10 feet space. The
ceiling is now a lot closer and the large windows remind one of cellar
windows. By the way this 1st big river that
flown just passed Bocolor on its western side is called Pasig
Proteros River. It has split up and an other major river arm is
flowing 2 km further East and on the eastern side of
Bocolor. This new arm, flowing by the
cockfighting arena, was formerly the little creek
"Gugu"; but Gugu is gone and all it's bridges. This new
river arm got a new large bridge a few years ago already.
01/18/03 -
Karl Welteke
The weather is just at it's best. The US Embassy had their
quarterly "Outreach Visit" Thursday here in Subic Bay.
I went there because I had questions and needed forms; I was
impressed. It was held in the former Officer
Club; the Embassy pays for this venue. It is for all Americans
here in the region. There was a large attendance. 5 important
offices had representatives: Veterans Affairs, Social Security,
American Citizen Service (passports etc.), Immigration and
Naturalization Services and Visa Section. It
used to be that our local Navy RAO (Retired Activities Office) scheduled
it and organized it, but now they only do the advertising, getting
the word out. The Embassy is doing every thing else. An
other big improvement in our life here in paradise. It
seems the Ambassador took an interest and told the Embassy to do
it professionally. A matter of fact last time the Ambassador was
up here in person and spoke to us.
01/23/03 -
Karl Welteke
We approaching our annual Beach Bash in Barretto 21st to
23rd Feb. It is organized by our VFW Post as
a fund raiser but really all kinds of people
are participating and helping.
Our SB Hash
House Harrier group is participating in the parade. Personally
I sponsored some activities with money contributions and
I got assigned the task of finding a line for the
"Tug-Of-War". Well I found a suitable line
easily. The R.P.has passed a Clean Air Act
last year. Tricycles have to change to 4 cycle
engines. Many of the about 1 million tricycle drivers in Manila
staged a protest demonstration and got a time reprieve. An
air testing station has been built just 200 meters from the
bridge coming from and near the Victory
Liner Bus Depot on the way to Barretto. A"Passed
Air Test Certificate "is now required to register one's
vehicle. If you don't pass the test you
don't get one and you better do what is necessary.
01/31/03 -
Karl Welteke
We are all getting ready for our annual Barretto Beach Bash,
organized by our local VFW Post, on 21, 22, 23 of Feb. Stopped by
the VFW Post today, good crowd there. Many are US visitors over
the winter. More on the ferry service from Port Orion, Bataan to
the Yacht Harbor, Manila. If you have business in downtown Manila
that is the only way to go. 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes
to drive to Port Orion from Barretto. 205 Peso for one trip, 5
Peso more in Manila (port fee). 1 hour and 5 minutes ferry ride
one way. From Manila Yacht harbor, also the place of the CCP
(Cultural Center of the Philippines), it is only a 1/2 hour
walk to the US Embassy or take a Taxi. Because of strong winds it
was a little rough and some of the passengers maybe did not
feel that good. -0630, 0900, 1030, 1300, 1500. 1510, are the
departure times from each location, they have 2 ferries.
Both days, going to the US Embassy, I took the 0630 ferry to and
the 1030 ferry back and was home by 1330.
02/14/03 -
Karl Welteke
At the RAO office we do enjoy the service of doing tax returns
(we have all the comforts of home) or is it
the long arm of Uncle Sam's tax man reaching all the way out
here? Permanent residents in the
Philippines do have to register annually Jan/Feb.
We can do it right here in Olongapo; the R.P.INS has an office
here in Olongapo. As reported earlier the SBMA
(former Naval Base) and the City of Olongapo have a combined and
privatized water district/water company. And
the water service is as good or better than before except in
Barangay (Barrio) Barretto.
In our area,
away from the highway about 1 Km the water does not run on most
days during daylight hours. This condition has developed since
about a year. My theory is increased business
along the highway and no increased
water supply.
The way we survive is by storing water in water tanks and/or
water barrels.
03/05/03 -
Karl Welteke
This area is just doing fine. took a walk the whole
length of Baloy Beach and back - I'm impressed.
About all the developments. - the new mall and hotel, just passed
St.Monica is being build fast.
- the new
mall and business center on Lot 21, just to the right coming. -
across the Main Gate bridge from the base is moving fast also. -
somebody told me yesterday that our old CPO Club had a fire, but
I don't know more. - Asian Reef will change management
on 1 June, this is the old
Miami club. -
the floating bar secured operation off shore for the season and
is now moored half way up the Mataiin River, and may be open for
business there, Mataiin Rv. separates Baloy
Beach from the land. - in my neighborhood, the Upchurch
family- a retired Marine and owner
of the
Coffeeshop, is building 2 large buildings in his compound. -
the VFW, our Military Association post (watering hole) went
aircon, and got some solid new bar stools -courtesy of our
Health Organization.
03/19/03 -
Karl Welteke
An other College of Science
has opened on base. It was built from scratch. It
is located adjacent and just North of our latest 2 large former
barracks and the CPO (Chief Petty Officer)
Barracks block. There are now 2 colleges, an other
school, the "Brent" International School and
a Scandinavian run Maritime Technical School on our former base, all
adding to the nice ambience of the place (all the young
teenagers). An other sign of progress right
here in Barretto 1 block behind my house. The
"Columban School"(Catholic) which we are familiar with
right outside the Main Gate of the former Base
has expanded here. For a long time they already had a
3 story school building here. In the last 3 years they have built
a large covered Sports Building, a track field, 2 four story
school buildings with about 40 class rooms each, and another
large steel building. In
regards to tourist count and entertainment activities during this
last season; in my humble opinion it was
satisfactory, Subic Bay is doing ok. The
same is true of Angeles based on my recent 3 days there. This
is a good place to visit; it is a good place to live. Again
on Base, the Main Gate Bridge has received a covered walkway and
new hand rails.
03/22/03 -
Karl Welteke
At our old Navy Hospital, "Dschungle General" we fondly
called it, I noticed Health Vision Corp. has
done a good job renovating it and it is now being operated. I
noticed there are; 10 new Ambulances and 5
new expenses cars standing on
the parking lot. The Base dump was burning and smoke
covered Olongapo but I don't know anything else. A
bottom line observation: this Subic Bay region is thriving. That
is my firm conviction.
04/04/03 -
Karl Welteke
An other new business has
been built and is open on the former Base. It is a coffeshop type
restaurant and located on the block
( North ) of
our former movie theatre and library. The
new public restrooms are now open.
Water has
become a pain in the neck here in Barretto to the people further
down the line; it ceases to run at 6am and doesn't come back on
until 1030pm. Reason, my opinion, Barretto has expanded steadily but
no new recourses are provided. And animosity between the Olongapo
City and Subic Municipality prevents corporations to solve that
problem. A policeman has been shot by
the NPA in a Barangay Santa Fe
but I don't
know anymore about it. Santa Fe belongs to San Marcelino, 3
towns North from here. That's where I hike sometimes. The
Crow Valley Bombing Range is closed for 3 days as of last
Wednesday. This bombing range is located on the O'Donnell River
in Tarlac Province and is also the best way to Mt. Pinatubo. It
is being used by R.P. Forces.
04/17/03 -
Karl Welteke
It is Easter and during this holiday period this area has it's
biggest visitor count-local people; reason: school break, it is
very hot (the ocean calls), and the
holydays. I am pleasantly surprised how much
building is going on in Barretto;
that is
certainly progress. New houses are being build or old ones improved.
There is a MEGA project only a block from me - the Columban
College has increased it's campus by 3 new and huge classroom
buildings and built a large sports building with track and
field facilities. One thing that is getting worth is
the water supply. It seems geography and
animosity between Olongapo and Subic Municipality prevents upgrading
the system to catch up with astounding growth of Barretto.
Sorry For The Break In
Postings - Personal Matters Needed Tending Too
~ ALL MESSAGES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED
AND SAVED ~
All Posting Has Been
Finished
05/14/03 -
Karl Welteke
Proprietors complain that
business is slow. Although, our last Hash run, we had 52
participants incl. 27 men. And the R.P. local visitors keep
streaming to the beaches on weekends. During this present
2 week joint US-R.P. exercise some US marines
(hundreds) were berthed at upper MAU on the former base for
a very short period. No time or permission for off base liberty.
But there were many rendezvous on base with local beauties.
05/14/03 -
Karl Welteke
Another short news update
because I've been out of the PI for the month of May. * Biggest
news this month is the tollway construction and traffic delays
between Manila & Angeles. Major repairs & expansion
of the tollway has turned the trip into 3-4+ hour vs the normal
average of 2 hours. Some photos of the construction &
traffic conditions can be seen at: http://www.angeleseyes.com/photos.html * Volcano has closed for some
major renovations. Additionally, the owners of the
Champagne Group have taken over the Pick Up. Word is they will do
some renovations here also and divide it into at least one more
club. * Cleopatra has reopened and will surely bring some more
foot traffic to Real Street. * All the businesses in the
entertainment district have reported SLOW business. The US
military is on Clark, but few businesses are seeing much of their
cash due to restrictions placed upon them by higher headquarters.
* Saddly, this month the news of the suicide of Stacy
Castro, a long time resdient of Angeles City. Stacy was the
owner of Good Times and had been associated with several other
businesses during his years in Angeles. Look for a large
newsletter around mid-June.
05/27/03 -
Karl Welteke
1. Apparently due to weather
& road construction several sources reported travel time
between Manila & Angeles yesterday at between 10 & 11.5
hours!
2. Angeles and most of Luzon being hit by moderate to heavy rains
today as tropical storm passes slowly over the island about 100
miles north of Angeles.
05/30/03 -
Karl Welteke
With the rainy season, the heat is gone and the wet is
here. Our area was not to seriously
affected; a tree down here, a power line pole down there, small
landslide here, ankle deep water on the road there. One thing about the whole thing at this
elevation the rain is not cold.
So one runs
around with rubber slippers, shorts, tee shirt, a rain jacket, or
an umbrella, dodges in and out of trices, jeepneys or cars. So
the rain is no trouble at all; the cold
beer is still here and those beautiful smiles
of the Philppinas are always there even in the rain. I seen 2 wrecked boats on Baloy Beach, the
waves were coming right into the bay; the wind was/is from the
open end of the bay from the SW direction. But no other damage. We had a 12 hour and a few short power
outages but the electricity is now steady. So
far it rained 5 days and it is still raining.
06/06/03 -
Karl Welteke
It's been dry
for 2 days. Our area has been lucky again; the
last 2 monsoon depression that gave us about 11 days of
rain caused only relative minor damage here in our area. But
nation wide 40 fatalities.
Emission
certificates are now required for the annual registration of
vehicles. Maybe tricycles have a reprieve. I
mentioned before that a test station had been build near the bridge
into Olongapo in Kalaklan. It operated only a few days and
is now shut down. I don't have accurate information as to why.
Rumor has it conflict with city government. Now the only station is on base in the
former SRF area (Ship Repair Facility). I observed private
vehicles, Olongapo jeepneys, motor cycles getting their test. In my case for a gasoline engine it cost 300
Peso, and an other 150 for the retest. I failed my
first test; the results went off scale. But
the retest I passed with flying colors after taking care of the problem. Because
I have a base sticker on my wind shield I can enter SRF; others
have to get a pass from the former Base HQ building.
Observations of the former
SRF: --The piers are used much for bulk
cargo and there were heavy trucks parked every where.
--The whole
place looks bad, it is not fully utilized or
maintained.
--Some deep
pot holes were right before the SRF main gate.
--It seems, all the oil donuts (for ships to discharge
waist oil into them are sitting on the pier and are not used and
are a sore sight.
--Some camels (separating ships from pier pilings) are laying
around broke.
--So much
junk is laying every where - it looks terrible - if the Navy was still in charge, the person in
charge would be busted to seaman recruit and get booted out. An other observation about us here in the
R.P.
--Cell phones - it seems every body got one now.
Remember the time 15 years ago one had to wait years or for ever
to get a landline phone. For example I can talk to my
sweetheart right this moment while
she is on the
bus right now coming back from the province. But
this coverage is basically line of sight and does not reach into
all those hidden valleys.
06/13/03 -
Karl Welteke
Things are
slow overall but many of the entertainment places get
some of their business from our social activities, dart, pool and
horseshoe tournaments. For my hiking we some time meet at
the VFW, it is doing ok.
Potable
water pressure remains a problem; in my neighborhood one
gets water only at night time. On or near the highway no problem
there. The whole week was dry and every
thing looks twice as nice.
Nothing like
sitting on the beach looking on that blue bay water and watch the
sun disappear behind the Redondo
Peninsular
Mountains and have that cold San Mig in your hand.
06/20/03 -
Karl Welteke
We had 4 wet
days but no serious problem here in the Subic Area. The
potable water situation has improved a little and I don't have to get
up at night to fill up water.
One thing
does give me concern. During this week, there was a
fire fight in our area. This is from the newspaper. 9 commies and 1
soldier dead and the soldier by a land mine.The commie bodies
were not found. The info came only by local people, so I have my
doubts. Now the whole thing has happened
between San Marcelino and the Dizon Mine; the 3 villages
mentioned are truly my stumping grounds. An other thing was
mentioned in the papers and is indicative of the lack
of justice here. This happened of all places on base. Some young
men customers gave a life performer, a well known one no less, P1000
to do more for them. When the customers were not
satisfied, they raised hell and mauled the performer. The base
police just took the performer in and said they did not want to
make things worse because the young customer men had guns. They
probably not only had guns, they probably were kids of
personalities here. That is why one gets the impression the Wild
West situation still exists here.
06/28/03 -
Karl Welteke
There have
been several things which happened here that raises our
concern. In the area from San Marcelino to
the Dizon mine occurred a firefight between Government
Forces and the NPA (New Peoples Army). The paper said 9
dead on the NPA side, one trooper died from a land mine.
This happened a few days ago and right in area which I
consider my stumping grounds: Bo.Aglao, San Rafael and an other Bo. in between. My Belgian
hiking Partner whose husband manages a Belgian factory
in Subic Town, right on the PHILSECO Road, reports that
a manager from the Subic Ship Yard (formerly PHILSECO) was
assassinated. A trice driver also; all last week; no claims by the
Commies yet, maybe it was private grudges. Last
Saturday during hiking we came across a group of 7 men in
a secluded place who said they were having a picnic. The odd
things we recalled later were: although they were cooking they
had no drinks, no music, no wives, no children, no tools, not
near a field, not even machetes (bolos). I think they could have
been Commies holding a meeting.
One thing is
for sure, the Commies never said that they would harm foreigners,
nor has there been instances they have done it. True, during
the base negotiation, 10-12 years ago, they assassinated some of
us US Military and Government personal. Well it is a concern and I leave it at these
stories.
07/04/03 -
Karl Welteke
Had to
restart this report; the power went out. My neighbor and friend
Alan who was jogging seen a pickup truck had run smack
into a power post. It took about 2 1/2 hours to get the power
back. On Base, ground has been broken for
a mall. It is located between the waterfront road and the
beach. An other mall and hotel next to the
highway and near the entrance to Santa Monica
subdivision, just passed Barretto,
is almost
finished. Drove through the former VN Refugee
Camp, which was just South of our base. It is under new
management and it was a little hassle getting permission to get
through. In the future I probably have to get a permanent pass. If
one wants to drive to Bataan through the base back gate, the
Morong Gate, it is better to drive via the refugee camp
because the regular road into Bataan is in deplorable conditions
07/11/03 -
Karl Welteke
Olongapo
remains a very clean town. The roads in the city always look
clean and so does the market.
The Subic
Town market never measures up compared to Olongapo. Right
now beautification projects are going on, the APO circle (near
Victory Liner Terminal Station) is being renovated, half of the Rizal
Triangle Park had been finished last year and the other half,
nearer to City Hall is being done now. It is going to get a
covered Basket Ball court among other
things. I am sure you wondered and I
wondered how Olongapo will fare
after we
leave at closure of the Base.
My friend
Alan and I again and again are observing all the private residential
building that is going on here in Barretto and also in Olongapo.
That surely is a sign of progress.
Here is a
list of some of the infrastructure activities since we left:
-New hospital,now at end of Rizal Ave,now at a new bridge to the
base,it was build with US AID money.
-A new impressive Convention Center near where the old hospital
was; it also has a huge ball court inside.
-New bridges from the base into Olongapo,at 14th street and at
end of Rizal Ave over sh...t
River.
-A park area
along Sh...t River from main gate bridge to new bridge and
end of Rizal Ave.
-Numerous town roads have received concrete surfaces.
-The bridge
on Rizal just before APO circle completely redone, higher
and wider.
-The bridge leaving town to Zambales (also to Barretto) just from
the APO circle has been widened by one lane.
-The City Hall has been rebuild in two stages, 1st the North and
South wings with US AID money, just last year the impressive
center section was completed with
Philppino sources.
-The Central Market area has completely rebuilt with US AID money and
it looks good.
-On Lot 21, finally, a large structure is rising, right now.
Remember the squatters there, and the
problem it was to clear them. This is the area immediately to the
right when one steps of the main gate bridge
into town.
-Right now, as I write an other large commercial building is
going up on Rizal Ave. about across the
street from where the FRA used to be in later years. In other
words it is on the East side of Rizal and half way from
Base to Victory Liner.
-Olongapo is
preparing for a big US Military Reunion get-to-gether in
October this year. It is sponsored by the R.P.Government and is
organized by an US "Visit US Military Historical
Sights" organizations.
You can find
more info on our RAO, Olongapo and other WebPages. BOTTOML
LINE--OLONGAPO IS DOING OK.
07/18/03 -
Karl Welteke
Remember Cubi
Naval Air Station; the barracks and facilities on the
hill, well SBMA (the new Authority of our former base) held tabs
on the place and turned off the power. SBMA says the Mr. Trillio,
who leased the whole place in 1993 and run a resort up there
didn't pay his electric bill. About
300 people of hotel guests and permanent residents ended up with
out power. A good friend of ours, a writer who lives with his
writing PC, is looking for a new venue. Mr.
Trillio says the SBMA Chairman, Mr. Payumo, who comes from
Dinalupihan is trying to put him out of business because he,
Mr.Trillio, is a good friend of the former chairman Dick Gordon
of Olongapo fame. Don't know how this story will end.
The news paper says an other firefight between the Government and
the NPA has occurred in a Barrio about 6 km North-East of
Dinalupihan. Casualties, 5 dead NPA and 2
Soldiers dead. This time they have the NPA bodies. For
those who don't remember Dinalupihan is the large town about 17
miles East from Olongapo. The reason I report it, is it
happened on Wednesday the 16th when we were
hiking in the hills about 6 km West of Dinalupihan about the same
time. There have been an awful many
incidents with the NPA in this greater area
in the last year and a half, and this is my hiking area. It
is a concern.
07/25/03 -
Karl Welteke
The Peso
broke the 54 to the $ rate this week; today it was 53.95. The
SBMA Authority and the Management of Crown Peak Resort,
Barracks Area of old Cubi, came to an agreement and the power
is turned on again. The renovation of the Apo circle in
Olongapo is finished. Now they have some Native Warriors placed
around it and used tiles to make it look nicer. On
the waterfront on base they are doing some serious work on that
big project of building some waterfront businesses. The
biggest thing happening to us US citizen is the US Embassy outreach
program. Today they had again Citizen Service (notarizing documents
and passports etc) ,SSN (Social Security Pensions), VA
(Veteran Matters), Immigration Section and the State department
Visa people. There was a huge crowd and the ex
O-Club had to bring in more and more chairs. I seen 4 sections
and was out of there in an hour not bad. The
Embassy arranges and pays for the venue. Thank you Ambassador and
Staff. The weather had affected this
area-see next section.
08/01/03 -
Karl Welteke
The Peso
dropped through 54 P to the US $; I got 54.35 the other day
because of the attempted coup I guess. Today
I seen banners all over the town "McDonald
is coming, to open soon on Rizal Street".
About 3 or 4 month ago we seen advertisements for job
openings at McDonalds. The 2nd phase of providing a
covered structure at the Rizal Triangle Park is
progressing well. The "Dream Plaza" here in
Barretto, actually just across the Mataiin River in Subic
Municipality, and or passed the entrance to Baloy Beach seems to
be finished and is just getting it's finishing touches. A
large new mall, called "Savers" is at least more than
half finished. It is 4 story high and is located half way between
the APO Circle and the Magsaysay-Rizal Circle. When
I took pictures today I noticed 3 other things in town. The old
Hospital has become a college. This is also the area where the
City built the Convention Center. Next to that was the office of
the City Register; it is being refurbished as the
"Olongapo Museum". In that area there always has been a
park; I had a look, it is impressive: clean, stately trees, much
greenery, lot of kiddy play structures, an open air theatre with
concrete seating--very nice--will take the kid there. Lastly
in town, at Lot 21, the business and cultural structure is at
least half finished. Remember Lot 21 was the squatter area
immediately to the right when one came across the Main Gate
Bridge. On Base the project of building a
massive maritime atmosphere type mall and entertainment project
has started. It will stretch all the way from the Staff NCO club
to Kalaklan River the area where PUC had it gravel yard. Right
now all along the waters edge they planted rows of palm trees and
concrete curbs. Important news from Angeles, the
new International Hotel, is operating. It was built and it is
operated by our health organization "HVC". Capt. Jack
is the administrator.
Numerous people have asked for an update on the travel time to/from Manila airport. Extensive road construction/repairs are still in high gear. Looks like this will continue for as long as another six to eight months. On the bright side, travel time has settled in at an average of 3 hours. There have been no more horror stories of 12-14 hour trips in the last 30-40 days (although the potential is always there in the PI). I arrived a few days ago and did much of the tollway leg in heavy rains. We still arrived in Angeles in just over 3 hours. If you have a choice, Sunday has proved to be one of the best travel days for me. Sunday mornings are usually pretty smooth going into Manila, and Sunday afternoon/evening arrivals are likewise usually easy trips in light traffic coming out of Manila.
08/08/03 -
Karl Welteke
The Peso is
sliding even further;it is now closer to 55 Peso than
54. A few days ago we saw a large crane
putting up the McDonald symbols. So McDonald is going to be
located on Rizal Str. one block passed the Apo
circle towards out of town on the left. At the reverse of that
block they created a large parking lot. I
wrote down what the new memorial at the Rizal Park says in
honoring the WWII resistance forces. They are mentioning historical events
that happened in areas which I now are familiar with. --On
4th Oct 1944 about 40 people were executed on our former Naval
Base by the Japanese. --On 29th Jan 1945 a battle
occurred in Pamatawan with 15
Philippino
fatalities. That is also the day US Forces landed in
San Narcico, about 30 km North of here. Pamatawan is a village on
the highway exactly between Subic and Castillejos and
is next to the Pamatawan River.
--On 10 Nov
1944 the Japanese were able to ambush a group in
Sabang, Morong causing 9 fatalities. Sabang is about 5km South of
the former Morong Gate (back-gate) and later became the
refugee camp for the boat people.
--In the last
ditch defense at the Zig Zag pass by the Japanese
Philippinos suffered 18 fatalities in the period Feb-May.
This pass is located just East of
Olongapo City. It was very savage
fighting here
and the US Forces suffered many casualties. --Also
the memorial is honoring the Vets that were still living since
last year and those that had died up to than. Also many
females that worked as nurses, and those that died in Japanese
captivities. That was this week's history
lesson.
08/09/03 -
Karl Welteke
Philippine
central highway closer to reality. The Subic-Clark-Tarlac
Expressway, a badly needed 94.5-kilometer roadway project aimed
at easing traffic congestion in Central Luzon, has successfully
hurdled a major stumbling block, the Bases Conversion Development
Authority (BCDA) said. The P19 billion (US$352 million) project
has almost completed the right-of-way (ROW) acquisition process,
the agency said. "The ROW acquisition process has reached
more than 90 percent. More than 50 percent of the remaining areas
for acquisition, particularly in the areas to be affected in the
Subic-to-Clark segment of the superhighway has already been
acquired."
BCDA secured the right of way from local communities, including
residential areas and business establishments that would be
affected by the construction of the tollway. At the same time,
the different local communities in Central Luzon helped
fast-track the ROW process. Construction of the 44km Clark-Tarlac
segment is expected to start before the end of the year, while
the Clark-Subic route will commence next March. The Japan Bank
for International Cooperation (JBIC) is to account for 85 percent
of the funding, while BCDA will provide the remaining 15 percent.
Development in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac area has been strangled by
traffic. The expressway is seen to provide a direct and efficient
road connection between the major development areas. The project
has been divided into two packages. Package I involves the Subic
to Clark portion while Package II, the portion from Clark to
Tarlac. Under Package I, the areas to be acquired include 305
hectares for the expressway, another 50 hectares for five
interchanges and an additional 20 hectares for the business and
service areas, or a total land acquisition of 375 hectares. For
Package II, the areas to be acquired include 225 hectares for the
44.4km expressway, 90 hectares for nine interchanges and 20
hectares for the business and service areas, or a total of 365
hectares.
The project is expected to spur economic development in Central
Luzon and provide a direct, efficient and nearly exclusive road
connection between major economic zones in Central Luzon.
08/15/03 -
Karl Welteke
The official
exchange rate was 54.93 to the $ US this morning in the papers. Not much to report. Our
potable water situation has improved some what;we are able to
fill all our stowage containers before we go to sleep.Drinking
water we still buy.
One thing I
have failed to mention for a year KFC, the chicken fast food
place, has a place on base near the main gate. But they are
operating out of portable large trailer. Jollibee
the indigenous fast food gold mine has opened a 3rd place near
the public market but only in a small portable trailer. 3 of the 4 super markets around the
Public Market have expanded and renovated their stores over the
last year. These stores are Conti, Happy Valley and Choa, the 4th
one, R.C. is not doing that good.
08/29/03 -
Karl Welteke
In stead of
something specific about this area I rather talk about matters we
some time deal with. For example: Going
to Manila on business is often better to go by ferry from Bataan,
it is more convenient, easier and faster but not cheaper. 1hour
and 15 minutes for me to drive to the Port of Orion about 70km. The
catamaran ferry seats about 200 people, costs 205 Peso one way,
and takes about 1 hour and 4 minutes, add boarding and
debarkation time. It lands in the Manila Yacht Harbor near the
CCP complex about 1/2 hour walk South from the US Embassy. Taxis
that don't like to use the meter and like to negotiate the price
are standing in the parking lot of the terminal. Other wise you
have to go on the street and fight with others for a taxi. I
payed 120 Peso to the NBI about 45 minutes walk and it was 60
Peso by meter coming back.
For us
getting the Police Clearance went super smoothly because we
contributed to the corrupting way of the Third World countries.
We went there on a Thursday, next day a holiday in remembrance of
the slaying of Nino Aquino. Immediately upon arrival we were told
you can get the document today because of the holiday etc.
However, if we were to pay this individual 500 peso he can get it
in an 1 hour and 1/2 half.
This
individual filled out the application, used his cellphone to
smooth the way, took Rowena around to different desks. Than he
told us to come back in an hour. We went to a mall, had lunch,
went back, it was ready. Rowena payed him the 500 peso, he
promptly put it in his pocket and I'm sure shared it with his
clique friends. AND THANKS GOD we didn't have to
come back to Manila one more day. We were able to catch the 1
o'clock ferry back. That is the way we do things around
here. On the way back we stopped on base
to renew our annual SBMA (former base) ID card. This is
professional produced ID card which we rather use in daily life
than our more valuable Passport or Military ID card. One does
need really any ID card to get on base. Santa
Monica went under water.
09/02/03 -
Karl Welteke
Warning on
new Philippine International Hospital (PIH) in Angeles This
hospital is set up to serve TRICARE patients. If you are on
the TRICARE program, you can be seen & treated in a timely
manner at the new PIH. One patient with TRICARE that I talked to
that had a fairly serious problem had to be transfered to another
hospital due to lack of qualified personnel at PIH. His
bill to Tricare was still over P40,000 for an overnight
stay. His entire bill in the second hospital for a 3 day
stay was less than P6,000. If you do not have TRICARE I strongly
suggest you avoid using this facility because they are
consistently charging rates over twenty times the rate of good
facilities like AUF Hospital. Two long term expats have related
stories to me in the last month about P25,000 - P 60,000 bills
for less than 48 hours of non-critical visits. Both individuals
had to go to a different medical facility upon discharge from the
PIH because the hospital had not taken care of their problems. In
the last few days, a Filipino friend took a American child there
to clean & treat scratches from a playground injury.
Here bill was over P15,000! As she described the injuries,
her bill would not have exceeded P300 in the AUF emergency room.
09/05/03 -
Karl Welteke
The Peso has
improved slightly;it is now 54 Peso something. I got 54.85 last
Tuesday. Yes, the R.P. enacted a seatbelt
law and it is enforced. Actually I belief in wearing seatbelts,
but sometime I'm lacks in slow traffic, etc. This time they got
me at the Baloy Beach entrance. They took the license and give
you a ticket. 4 days later, yesterday I went to the LTO office
(Land Transportation Office), didn't have to wait long, payed 260
Peso and got the license back with out a hassle. The LTO office
is now located on Gordon Avenue O.C.,in the Pag Asa Market
building. The 1st time, (about a year
ago) they got me in O.C. proper near the old Hospital
section where the Marikit Park is and where the LTO office was. Dealing
with the US Embassy especially the INS and Visa section is
outrageous. This is what we US Expats have to put up with. The
Embassy central number is busy about 60% of the time, then
you dial the INS section which is 98% of the time busy. Or the
sytem routes one to an operator who promtly plugs you in to the
INS number which still is busy - a classical catch 22 situation.
Dialing the American Citizen Service section is not that bad but
they can't do nothing for you in the other departments. Now
about the road situation. South of the former base, now
under R.P. management, one goes there driving through the base,
through the Morong (South) Gate. During our management it was verboten
due to magazine (munitions) area.
The trouble
is: a 3km section of the National Highway is so bad that I can't
drive there with my car. A brand new road has been built from our
former base to the former UN Refugee Camp which allows one to
bypass this terrible stretch of road. But everytime we want to
drive through the Camp it is a hassle so we decided to take them
up and get a pass. A personal foot note to the Morong
Gate; as I said we were not able to go through it before. So
a trooper of mine said "Ok, lets collect old clothing
and other things and we donated to the UN Refugee Camp". I'm
game for schemes like that and you know my Viet Nam angle; we put
adds in the base paper etc and collected, that was about 1989.
The trooper got transferred and I got stuck with the project. Run
into the US Navy bureaucracy wall in form of the Security
Department which could not make up it's mind--typical "No
Balls Bull sh....t". Went to the Marine Barracks; some 2nd
Lt had pity on us. He said he was going there and we could hop
on. Two landslides between O.C. and
Barretto on Tuesday but the authorities swiftly took care of
them. These are the things I remember
from the trip: -The road outside the Morong gate
was not paved yet, came across a Marine patrol covered in
1/2 inch thick red dust from head to tow on that road. At that
time they were also building a new water pumping station in that
valley and running a new water pipe back to the base. This
section of road from the gate to the pump got paved before we
left the place in 1992. It was a surprising long drive to the
camp because one had to drive all the way to Morong and than back
North and inland the camp. Of course now there is a brand new
highway from our former base to the refugee camp cutting out all
the extra mileage. Several Djunk boats were displayed
in the camp but now there is only one left. The refugees were the
Boat People from Viet Nam and the other 2 former Indochina
countries.They were Buddhist and built a few Buddhist Shrines.
These are still here.
09/12/03 -
Karl Welteke
The big event here was
the WTC contest and I leave everything to your imagination.
Little bit about the UN Refugee Camp in Morong. All the refugees
are gone. I think all but 1000 were send out, mostly to the
US. The left overs are now mostly in Palawan living within the
society. The R.P.Government is negotiating possible returns with
SE Asian countries.
All the
barracks are gone, already grown over with lush tropical
vegetation. The many and extensive facility buildings, the roads,
the infrastructure are still in place. Now
it is called the Bataan Industrial Park or something and they are
trying to develop it. A super highway, about 8 km, has been built
from this camp to the back gate of SBMA, our former Naval Base. About
7 or 8 years ago Dick Gorden had talked the local officials into
joining SBMA and he make something of that place. Dick Gordon,
the Chairman of SBMA than, and Mayor of Olongapo didn't ask the
Bataan Officials and they put a screeching hold on that exercise. But
now an Bataan Official, thanks to former President Estrada's 1st
executive order, is in charge for over 3
years. And I'm sorry to say the Bataan Officials have
accomplished not one little thing; the place is still absolutely
dead. But it is a nice place to visit;
and with my VN background I'm rather fond of the place. The
refugees left many religious symbols, Buddhist, Khermer versions
and Christian. Yesterday I discovered the cemetery; there were
mostly VN names. I could not help feel sorry for families having
lost loved ones, died in a far off place and maybe never see the
graves again. There are plaques to remember, a
junk boat, 12 years ago I seen 3. I will hike there again.
09/14/03 -
Webmaster
18:45 M 5.5
Luzon, Philippine, 33km 18.60N 121.03E
Location
with respect to nearby cities:
60 km (40 miles) NE of Laoag, Luzon, Philippines (POP. 94,000)
185 km (115 miles) NNW of Ilagan, Luzon, Philippines
440 km (275 miles) N of MANILA, Philippines
09/15/03 -
Tom Windsor
Subic Bay, Zambales -
Some 1,500 United States marines arrived yesterday in this former
American naval base for week-long training exercises with their
local counterparts. The US troops are part of the 31st Marine
Expeditionary Unit based in Okinawa, Japan and would be engaged
in bilateral exercises aimed at enhancing the
"inter-operability" of both forces, the Filipino
military said. The exercises take place a month before US
President George W. Bush visits Manila to discuss anti-terrorism
cooperation with President Arroyo. The Americans arrived on board
three surface battleships at the Alava pier here for their
amphibious exercises and civic works projects dubbed Amphibious
Ready Group Exercises (AGREX 03).
The Sept. 14-21 joint training is a follow-up to a regular training maneuver earlier this year, marine 2nd Lt. Tryiokasus Brown said Saturday. "We are always trying to improve our inter-operability with our allies here in the Philippines, and because of the success of the exercise earlier this year we are doing another," he said. The exercises would include live-fire training, air support operations and ship-to-shore landings as well as civic actions including medical, dental and engineering activities in surrounding communities.
Subic Bay Metroplitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Felicito Payumo welcomed the American troops led by US navy Commodore Richard Landolt, US marine Col. Roy Arnold, and US navy attaché to the Philippines Capt. Timothy Keating. Payumo expressed hope that the visit would be safe, fruitful and educational.
"We are hoping that they will enjoy their visit and we expect that they will appreciate the warm welcome and the signs of progress that have been happening in the freeport since it was turned over to the Philippine government,"
The US Naval battleships docked at Alava Pier in Subic Freeport are helicopter carrier USS Essex (1LHD-2), USS Harpes Ferry (LSD-49) and USS Fort McHenry.
09/19/03 -
Karl Welteke
Last Monday, 3 Gator ships pulled in, and off loaded
Marines. It included a Helo Carrier, and had Harrier jets. The
ships and 1500 Marines conduct an annual 2 week joint
US-Philippines exercise. They train in Clark, Cavite and Nueva
Esjia provinces. Whether they have liberty, I don't know. I wish
them liberty. Next, about my 2 hiking trips, I
write in this section because that is something one can do from
here. Now as an retiree and not having to worry about what
our Military says (the bases are closed) it is easy and
enjoyable. We were 18 people going to
Corregidor, it is a 2 hour drive from Barretto to the bottom SE
corner of Bataan. We had the boats arranged by telephone. They
cost P 1200, per 9 people each boat we chipped in each 150 P. It is 1/2 hour boat ride (5km) across the
North Channel. Entrance fee is 150 Peso and includes a guided
tour by an open tram "looking type" vehicle. It is
really enjoyable. I will be going back there. Is so much to see
and do. It is really an hollow ground in
our US and RP history. They got some good Web Pages on
Corregidor. They even got monkeys running lose on the island. At
3:30 pm we left the Island and went home. The
Coto Chrome Mine was a real big one and is located about 30
clicks (km) inland from the Municipality Masinloc, which is about
100 km North of here. They are making their facilities available
to tourists. I went Wednesday 6am and arrived at
the mine at 0930 hours. Good hiking there and a lot to see in
regards to mining. The place, one sleeps, is like a BOQ 50 years
ago (BOQ-Bachelor Officer Quarters). I choose a room for 350
Peso. The rooms are very clean, wooden floors, large shower, warm
water was turned on at 5 pm.
The Manager
and I were the only people in this building. One can cook ones
self, or like I, went to a little cantina and got some rice,
fried eggs and my canned vegetable.
This mine
used to be the biggest Chrome Mine in the world and had about
2000 employees in the 70s. It produced, than, about 1/2 million
tons a year; now only about 10,000 tons and they have only 150
employees including all the 45 guards. I
absolutely will be going back there many times.
09/25/03 -
Karl Welteke
The big event
or talk of the town was the large annual US/R.P. Military
exercise here in the RP. The large modern Gator Freighters had
pulled in about 10 days ago and off loaded 1000 plus troops
(USMC). They were training in Cavity, Clark AFB and Fort
Magsaysay (Central Luzon). They
did not have any liberty. However some managed to sneak out and
made it all the way to Subic City. I also heard for some others,
staying at the hotels on SBMA (former Naval Base, former
barracks), organized some visitors from Subic City. Some more renovation works in good old O.C.
The circle at the end of Magsaysay Drive where it intersects with
Rizal Street is getting a facelift right now. The commercial building rising on Lot 21,
the former squatter area immediately to the right coming across
Sh...t River out of the Main Gate is now getting a 2nd story. More progress on the fast food
(F.F.) front; Jollier Bee, the local F.F.giant got a mobile
place in Subic Town.
While we are
speaking about Subic Town; it is finishing a complete overhaul
and expansion of it's City Hall (municipality really). The
temporary seat of Subic Town Government is in a
building at the entrance of Santa Monica Sub Division.
10/03/03 -
Karl Welteke
Some observation on
our trip to San Fernando and Angeles previous week. The
road at many places has pot holes from the rains and one has to
drive carefully. Some sections of the road have been
redone and widened to be 4 lanes in the future and those sections
are A ok. I keep telling you that the first
big river,coming from San Fernando, has become 2 big rivers and
the 2 river arms are 2 1/2 km apart.Both arms of the river have 2
new two lane bridges across and they were built high. Now they are building 2 more bridges over
each so it will be 4 lanes across.
Right between
these 2 river arms is the doomed City of Bocolor,which was 99%
buried.This city is resurrecting,only it is 3 to 4 meter higher. This
city is located between the town of Gua-Gua and San Fernando. They have built a new bridge and road
connecting it again with San Fernando.This new replaced road runs
300m to 1 km South of the national Highway we always travel. I
will send 2 pictures by separate mail in a day or two what
was and what is now. Remember the big intersection in
Dolores in San Fernando where the Olongapo Highway crosses
MacArthur Highway?Well they built ,what must be a temporary
measure,an overpass completely out of steel. Steel
stanchion,resting on heavy I Beams which lay on the ground which
in turn are bridged with other beams and decking. Near
this place,about a click (km) North on MacArthur Highway D.E.N.R. has
established an office where on get topographic maps of this
region.That was one of the reasons we made a trip there.
10/10/03 -
Karl Welteke
Today I like
to write what the Health Officer of San Marcelino does on a
weekly schedule. He goes with his staff to outlaying villages and
holds sickcall. This time his team really went out of their way
to reach Sayasay. On the way there his team picked up
other health workers, nurses, from other villages on the way.
This gives these personnel more on the job training. This
village has about 25 families and the Dr. seen about 60 patients. They
bring medications, vaccine and other medical supplies. Some of
the medications were donated by a newly established Foundation,
the "Lotus Foundation".
Many of the
Aetas in the outlaying villages also suffering of malnutrition.
This Lotus Foundation also provided rice, iodine enriched salt,
other items etc. The main moving force behind this
Lotus Foundation is a Dutch Lady, married to a relative of the
Heath Officer. Through relatives in Holland and local donators
she is accompanying the medical team and is helping with the
above items. Maybe I will call her "Mother
Irene"
10/17/03 -
Karl Welteke
Two days ago
a senior Olongapo Police Officer was assassinated in Iba,Capital
of Zambales the province here, when he stepped out of the court
house there. Of course it was the work of the
NPA,the armed Commies. I guarantee, for all these murders
not one lefty will go on the street and protest.What a tragedy
for an other Philippine family.
The
"Dream Plaza", that new mall type building, just
passed Bo.Barretto is finished and is making
preparation to open. On Base,just inside the Main
Gate,preparations are being made for the annual Christmas Bazaar. The
College that has been built just North of the former 3 major
Barracks is now operating.There is at least 5 major
schools/colleges operating on the former Base now.They add to the
urban type atmosphere on the former Base.
10/24/03 -
Karl Welteke
Driving around on base, it is amazing how much activity is going
on. Just to mention some. A new gas station at the
intersection to Cubi, NAVSTA, Kalayaan and Binictican. Near Leyte
Pier (Carrier Pier at Cubi) a large bulk storage building and
next to it what looks like a foundation for 3 silos or tanks are
being build. Near the main gate several buildings are going up. More
details at an other time. In the SBF (Subic Bay Freeport) Chamber
of Commerce news letter it is reported that the R.P. Mall giant
"SM" ShoeMart plans
seriously building a supermall here in the SBF. Everybody would
be happy about that. Found out that the 27 hole
Binictican Golf course is for members or guests of some of the
hotels on base only.They
even wouldn't let me take pictures of the links. Sounds pretty
stupid to me.
10/31/03 -
Karl Welteke
Some body called us and said "a lot of young Kanos are on
the SBF: (Subic Bay Freeport - the former base). And, in deed,
the paper said about 600 US Service Men arrived by ship in Subic
for joint exercises in Central Luzon. The first ever Subic Base Reunion has come
off but there were not to many people. I think the highlight for
Olongapo was on the 23rd Oct. Olongapo City organized a parade,
cultureral activities, etc.
The 2
trips to Manila by ferry, demonstrated to me, it is still the
best way to go there. I went to the Mega Mall in Mandaluyong via
rail transit. Took the LRT down to EDSA, and from there the new
MRT to Megamall. Each system is run separate and one pays twice.
The cost, each leg, was 12 Peso.
From the
Embassy down to where the ferry lands in Manila has 2 big malls
where I killed some time. Now a word about the North Express
Way. They have been working on it for a year or so to widen and
modernize it. They are making progress but got a long way to go. The
first 20 km, they are widening it to 4 lanes each way and put up
a 6 feet high deviding wall. They are redoing everything on the
rest of the way.
11/07/03 -
Karl Welteke
Seen some US Marines running around on base. Right now an other
joint exercise is going on in Central Luzon. About 600 plus GIs
entered the R.P. thru Subic.
Since there
is now an agreement of the "Status of Forces" the US
Forces over here are drawing no negative
press any more. Not even Priest Shay Cullen
is getting his 5 cents in.
There is an
other big political
disagreement between the Gordon's, Olongapo on one side and
the present SBF (Subic Bay Freeport) management and their
associates in regards the future port development. I
don't have all the facts, but it seems the present plan is to
build a container port out over the reef from where the Officer
Beach and Leyte Carrier pier are.
This would
mean restricting or eliminating the use of the airport and
blemish the view out to the beautiful Subic Bay--bad from the
tourism aspect. The Gordon's and their forces
belief it should be developed on existing real estate of former
supply depot,the repair facility etc. I may not be 100% correct
but I belief that is the main difference of the opposing sides. I
drove yesterday passed Officer Beach to Leyte Pier and seen this:
directly across from Leyte Carrier pier where the carrier
fighters were parked when off the ship very large ware houses are
being build, roof framings ready to go up. Also closer to the
Officer beach 5 foundations for large Silos are built already. I
suspect loose bulk cargo such as grains, soy beans are to be
handled here. Bottom line: Subic Bay is and
gets better as a very good place to live.
11/17/03 -
Karl Welteke
A new construction project has been started near the Main
Gate;looking at the gate from with in,the project is to the right
between the bus,-taxi,-parking area and the adjacent ball
field.It will be several buildings