SCTEX PREPARES FOR LA NIÑA - Philippines Bases Conversion ...

Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions this rainy season. Drive safely!
JULY 2010 VOL. VII NO . IV
What’s inside?
• A different way to SPA:
The New Well Being Spa, Clark
Freeport Zone - p.3
• Scenes from an expressway - p. 4
• SCTEX Commendations - p. 4
BCDA issues safety tips for driving in bad weather
SCTEX PREPARES
story on page 2
FOR LA NIÑA
SCTEX Hotlines: (045) 865-2030 • (02) 362-9997 • (02) 362-2246 • 0920-96-SCTEX

2 JULY 2010
Balitang SCTEX
SCTEX prepares for La Niña
BCDA issues safety tips for driving in bad weather
from page 1
THE STATE-OWNED Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA), builder and
owner of the country’s longest expressway the
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), has
instructed its interim single service provider—
the consortium of First Philippine Holdings
Corporation, Egis Road Operation and Tollways
Management Corporation to prepare the
necessary road safety features for the onset of
the stormy “La Niña” season.
Approach of Porac Interchange
TOLLWAYS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
(TMC)
Publisher and Circulation
ALOYSIUS R. SANTOS
Chairman, BCDA
GEN NARCISO L ABAYA (RET)
President and CEO, BCDA
AILEEN R. ZOSA
Executive Vice President, BCDA
MGEN EDUARDO J LENA(RET)
SCTEX Program Director
BGEN ROBERT C GERVACIO (RET)
SCTEX Program Manager for Operational
Support Services (OSS) & SCTEX spokesperson
LEILANI BARLONGAY-MACASAET
Editor-in-Chief/BCDA Public Affairs Manager
ROY VICTOR R. ROSALES
Managing Editor/BCDA DMO V
GARRY A. CATIVO
MICHELLE S. SAN JUAN
Writers and Lay-out Artists/BCDA PIOs
AGEM ALFAFARAS
Photographer/BCDA Media Production Specialist
Contributors:
JENNIFER MALLO
SCTEX Community Relations Officer
ENGR. JOSHUA BINGCANG
SCTEX PM for Engineering
MA. CECILIA VILLARUEL-SUMISIM
SCTEX Operations and Maintenance Officer, PMO
Ang Biyaheng SCTEX ay ang opisyal na pahayagan ng Subic-Clark-
Tarlac Expressway, proyekto ng Bases Conversion and Development
Authority (BCDA) na inilalathala ng Tollways Management Corp.
(TMC). Matatagpuan ang opisina ng SCTEX sa Toll Operations
Center Bldg. (TOCB) Brgy. Dolores, Mabalacat, Pampanga.
Designed to conform with global
safety standards, the SCTEX handles
an average daily traffic of some
30,000 vehicles.
“While driving conditions are
ideal at the moment, thanks to the
summer weather we continue to
enjoy, the situation is expected
to change once the rainy season
begins,” said Robert C. Gervacio,
BCDA program manager for
operational support services and
spokesman. “And, according to
PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration), that should
happen within a couple of weeks.”
One of the first things affected
by the change in weather conditions
is visibility. Rain greatly reduces
visibility and so the BCDA advises
drivers to use their wipers and, if
necessary, even their headlights.
In fact, the BCDA is advising
drivers to use their headlights (when
they cannot see beyond 100 meters
in front of them) even when it is
not raining, as in the case of foggy
mornings or when thick smoke
from burning hay or grass in the
nearby rice fields covers portions
of the expressway. When this
happens, drivers are urged to keep
a safe distance from the vehicles
ahead of them. If visibility becomes
almost zero, they should gradually
slow down and park for safety on
the shoulder while they keep their
vehicles’ hazard lights flashing. Once
visibility improves, they may then
rejoin the expressway traffic carefully
and resume their travel.
When it rains, the road becomes
wet and, as a result, stopping
distances should, at least, be twice
those required for stopping on dry
roads. This is due to the fact that
tires have less grip or traction on the
road and may, in some occasions, be
running on water, a risky condition
known as “hydroplaning.” In these
conditions, BCDA urges drivers to:
• Keep enough distance between
them and the vehicle in front. This will
increase their ability to see and plan
ahead.
• If the steering wheel becomes
unresponsive, it probably means that
the water is preventing the tires from
gripping the road. The driver should
ease off the accelerator and slow
down gradually.
• The rain and spray from vehicles
may make it difficult to see and be
seen. Drivers must be extra cautious
and make sure that their wipers are
working.
Built according to international
standards, SCTEX has a number
of safety features that include 24/7
mobile patrols with eight relay
stations, speed tracking radars, traffic
management teams, 24/7 emergency
medical services provided by Aeromed
Ambulance Transport Inc., and towing
services by the Automobile Association
of the Philippines.
The tollway also has an ample
supply of reflectorized traffic
cones, road signs, plastic jersey
barriers, and lane closure signs.
Through these portable equipment,
cat’s eyes and reflectorized
road signs, motorists are able
to avoid hazards, even at night,
and are protected from on-going
retrieval operations whenever
there are incidents on the
expressway. Complementing
these safety features is the strict
implementation of Republic Act
No. 8750, the Seatbelt Use Act of
1999.
“The SCTEX is definitely one of
the safe tollways in the Philippines
and the BCDA is fully committed
to keep it that way,” Gervacio said.
“But we also urge our motorists to
do their part by strictly following the
speed limits within the tollway and
driving defensively and safely all
the time.”
For the safety and convenience
of motorists, security teams are
strategically deployed along the
tollway to ensure that help is just
20 minutes away at any point
along the SCTEX. Motorists
needing roadside assistance can
call the following SCTEX hotlines
(0920) 96-SCTEX (72839), (045)
865-2030, (02) 362-9997 and (02)
362-2246.

Lakbay SCTEX
JULY 2010 3
by: Meetch S. San Juan
by: Michelle S. San Juan
An hour and a half drive from Manila is the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga where a pad of serenity and calmness can be found. The
New Well Being Spa at Lohas Hotel provides a holistic wellness experience away from the busy life in the city.
Built around the former Redwood Villas Clubhouse, Lohas Hotel is a 3-hectare property which is considered as one of the largest spas in the
region. The New Well Being Spa is equipped with state-of-the-art spa facilities. Its unique feature is the Jjimjilbang, a Korean version of sauna
and steam room that employs detoxification and thermotherapy. Jjimjilbang is the Korean word for “bath house.” It is divided into three
rooms with different temperatures, which are: Wood-fired Hot Bulgama, Charcoal Detox and Ice Room. Each room promotes health and
wellness through the process of detoxification.
Among to the services being offered are the foot and body massage which include Aromatherapy Massage Special that uses highly
concentrated plant oils, also known as ‘essential oils,’ mixed in the massage oil or lotion. This kind of massage is known to be a “stress buster”
fit for people who has a very stressful lifestyle. Facial spa treatments like Revitalizing Facial with Sea Botanicals and Galvanic Facial Spa are
also rendered which uses non-evasive, non-pricking techniques perfect for sensitive skin. All services are performed by professionally-trained
therapists to ensure total customer relaxation.
The Lohas Hotel boasts of 40 plush and spacious rooms that are fully equipped with amenities for that royal treatment you’ve always wanted.
Floors are made of wood for elegance and cleanliness. All rooms are outfitted with a state-of-the-art 42inch plasma television set for the
ultimate viewing pleasure during your entire stay. Rooms also include a mini-bar and refrigerator.
Among the facilities that can be used are the hot and cold jacuzzi rooms and a large outdoor swimming pool ideal for company outings or
family bondings. The place is also perfect for any social events, seminars, conventions and meetings. Café Mu and the Open Cottage are
among the function areas that can be used for these events.
Gastronomically speaking, Yummy Restaurant is known for offering a menu of authentic Korean cuisine such as Bibimbap (white rice mixed
with meat, vegetables, egg and chili pepper paste) and Bulgogi or “marinated barbecued beef.” The restaurant also serves Filipino and
other international dishes.
So for those who are seeking to be pampered, come to the Lohas Hotel in Clark, Pampanga and experience a unique invigorating
treatment at the New Well Being Spa.
a
b c d e
The New Well Being Spa provides complete relaxation experience with its state-of-the art spa facilities and world class cuisine. Shown in the photos are the (a) Ice Room, one
of the three Jjimjilbang rooms, (b) De Luxe Twin Room, overnight rate of P3,630 inclusive of 2 Complimentary Buffet Breaskfast and free use of Jjimjilbang, (c) and (d) spacious
swimming pools and jacuzzi tubs perfect for water junkies and (e) Bibimbap, an authentic Korean dish served at the Yummy Restaurant.

4 JULY 2010
Scenes f rom an Expressway
Impormasyong SCTEX
by: BCDA Public Affairs
Bulacan Press Tour of Subic Bay via NLEX-SCTEX
June 18, 2010
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in cooperation with Tollways Management Corporation
(TMC) conducted a press tour for the Bulacan Press Corps to promote the seamless connection between
North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). The interconnection of these two
expressways provide a speedy and comfortable travel to destinations in Central and Northern Luzon
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3 4
6
2
5
1) Traffic Works. Bulacan Press Corps gets a glimpse of the North Luzon Expressway’s Traffic Control Room. VP for Traffic Management Nic Manalo and Senior Manager for
Corporate Communications, Boboy Valles gives their visitors a briefing. 2) First stop at SCTEX. BCDA officials welcome the press at the Mabalacat Interchange, the largest
toll plaza in the entire expressway. 3) Inside Subic Bay. One of the highlights of the activity is the rolling tour of the entire Subic Bay Freeport. The tour was made possible
through the assistance of Subic Bay Management Authority (SBMA) Tourism and Public Relations Department. 4) Going down. The group gets the chance to see the Gumain
Bridge up close. Being the tallest bridge in the entire expressway, Gumain Bridge measures 180 feet above ground or equivalent to an 18-storey building. 5) Under the bridge.
The picture shows the weathered steel materials used to contruct the Gumain Bridge. 6) Lunch Briefing. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Supervisor for Business
Investment Panfilo Jurilla conducts a briefing on the freeport’s history, tourism and business opportunities and other investment-related projects inside the zone.