Difference between revisions of "Angeles City News July 2016"

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==[[Trader wants council for Metro Clark boom]]==
{{:Trader wants council for Metro Clark boom}}
==[[Aboitiz Power net income up by 24%]]==
{{:Aboitiz Power net income up by 24%}}
==[[Angeles City intensifies waste management campaign]]==
{{:Angeles City intensifies waste management campaign}}
==[[Angeles City police steps up campaign vs illegal drugs]]==
{{:Angeles City police steps up campaign vs illegal drugs}}
==[[Airport execs, bizmen cite need for transport infra in Clark]]==
{{:Airport execs, bizmen cite need for transport infra in Clark}}
==[[Asian tourists love Subic, Clark]]==
{{:Asian tourists love Subic, Clark}}
==[[EdPam is new LCP president]]==
{{:EdPam is new LCP president}}
==[[Notorious drug trader killed in Angeles]]==
{{:Notorious drug trader killed in Angeles}}
==[[Pamintuan bats for AC’s ‘urban renewal’]]==
{{:Pamintuan bats for AC’s ‘urban renewal’}}
==[[A quick tour of the Mount Pinatubo Museum in Angeles, Pampanga]]==
{{:A quick tour of the Mount Pinatubo Museum in Angeles, Pampanga}}
==[[Angeles City eyes to undertake urban renewal program]]==
{{:Angeles City eyes to undertake urban renewal program}}
==[[650 farmers in Clark areas benefit from CDC agri project]]==
{{:650 farmers in Clark areas benefit from CDC agri project}}
==[[Angeles City Police seized illegal drug users]]==
{{:Angeles City Police seized illegal drug users}}
==[[DTI exec highlights value of entrepreneurship towards poverty reduction, better quality of life]]==
{{:DTI exec highlights value of entrepreneurship towards poverty reduction, better quality of life}}
==[[Center for women, child abuse eyed]]==
{{:Center for women, child abuse eyed}}
==[[Surrendered pushers to help in war vs drugs]]==
{{:Surrendered pushers to help in war vs drugs}}
==[[Angeles City exec pushes for changes in SEF utilization guidelines]]==
{{:Angeles City exec pushes for changes in SEF utilization guidelines}}
==[[Village sets 'food for work' program for drugs suspects]]==
{{:Village sets 'food for work' program for drugs suspects}}
==[[Study looks into Angeles, Clark roads]]==
{{:Study looks into Angeles, Clark roads}}
==[[Angeles’ best gov’t practices take the stage at 2016 World Cities Summit]]==
{{:Angeles’ best gov’t practices take the stage at 2016 World Cities Summit}}
==[[226 CL police officials undergo random drug test]]==
==[[226 CL police officials undergo random drug test]]==


Latest revision as of 19:08, 31 August 2016

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Angeles City Catholic Church
Angeles city crucifixion of the faithfuls.jpg
Sacrifice of the faithfuls by crucifying themselves.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Trader wants council for Metro Clark boom

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- A businessman has asked the four local government units (LGUs) around Clark Freeport to coordinate in preparation for the eventual migration of workers, investors and tourists into the area.

Rene Romero, vice-chair of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham), is urging the mayors of Angeles City, Mabalacat City, City of San Fernando and Porac town to form a council that will handle the coordination of the four LGUs.

The four LGUs should coordinate all of their respective activities which are commonalities in governance including education, social, infrastructure, environment, economic, and other aspects, according to Romero.

The LGUs should come out with an integrated development plan in relation to the national government plan to transfer some flights from the Ninoy Aqino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark International Airport (CRK), he said.

The full development and utilization of Clark airport will create social problems, Romeo added.

“I want to convince our local government executives to prepare our place otherwise we will create new social ills which will be worse than what they have in Metro Manila now,” Romero said.

“Hindi aasenso ang isang Angeles o isang Mabalacat o isang San Fernando o isang Porac kung kanya kanya,” he added.

Romero cited the need to regulate the transport sector and discipline the jitney drivers and even the passengers themselves.

“We should have loading and unloading bay for busses and jeepney to solve traffic congestion.”

Both the drivers and passengers who will violate the loading and unloading system will be fined, according to the businessman.

“Let us prepare our place now because the present administration is looking at Clark as one of the gateways. We will regret it if this comes and we are not prepared,” Romero said.

Aboitiz Power net income up by 24%

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Aboitiz Power Corporation recorded a P10-billion net income for the first half of 2016, a 24 percent increase compared to the same period of last year, boosted by growth in its power generation and distribution businesses.

This was learned from Antonio Moraza, Aboitiz Power president and chief operating officer.

“Together with our partners, our net sellable capacity has grown to 3,350 MW. We are pursuing more projects – baseload, solar, biomass, hydro and geothermal – that will allow us to strengthen our balanced mix portfolio,” Moraza said.

“We believe that it is important to provide this balanced mix of energy to support the needs of our country with adequate, reliable and competitively priced power,” he added.

The power generation business group accounted for 82 percent of earnings with P8.1 billion, mainly due to the operations of Therma South's 300-MW baseload power plant in Davao and better water inflows in the 360-MW Magat hydroelectric power in Ifugao and Isabela provinces.

The power distribution group’s earnings, propelled by Visayan Electric Co., Inc., Davao Light and Power Co. Inc., and San Fernando Electric Light and Power Co. in Pampanga, grew by three percent, from P1.7 billion to P1.8 billion.

Aboitiz Power is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services.

The company is one of the largest power producers in the Philippines with a balanced mix portfolio of assets located across the country.

Aboitiz Power is a major producer of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy with several hydroelectric and geothermal power generation facilities.

It also has various fossil-fired power plants in its generation portfolio to support the baseload and peak energy demands of the country.

The company also owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including the second and third largest private utilities in the country.

Angeles City intensifies waste management campaign

(PNA), BNB/ZST/MDDR/PS

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 28 (PNA) -- In a bid to make this city “waste-free”, the local government, through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), has enforced the full implementation of Plastic Ordinance 364 and Waste Segregation Ordinance 365.

“In our effort to counter the effects of climate change, we are reinforcing all the Angeleños to join the movement for a greener and cleaner Angeles City. Ordinances 364 and 365 will significantly lessen, if not totally eradicate, wastes and harmful activities that destroy the environment,” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said.

The mayor also said that this reinforcement campaign will not only benefit the physical aspect of the city but also, promote a healthy and livable environment for every Angeleño.

Ederlinda Valencia, CENRO officer-in-charge, said that 85% of the establishments, canteens, food chains, and restaurants have already complied with city ordinances 364 and 365.

From January to June this year, 870 establishments were inspected and were given clearance for complying with the plastic ordinance and waste segregation ordinance.

Business permits will only be released when establishments fully comply with the ordinances.

On the other hand, CENRO will officially launch “Angeles City Malinis: 365 days” this August, with a city-wide cleanup drive through the help and cooperation of all the barangay officials and residents.

As a staunch environmental advocate and head of the Task Force One Million Trees, Mayor Pamintuan strongly supports this movement that will create a great impact to the city’s environmental sustainability.

"We are setting a long-term and shared solution to the environmental woes of the city and all we need is to comply,” he said.

"Climate Change is not just a government concern. We need a collaborative approach and a collective effort with the community to reverse the harmful effects of this phenomenon,” Pamintuan added.

Angeles City police steps up campaign vs illegal drugs

(PNA), BNB/ZST/MDDR/PS

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 27 (PNA) -- The Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) has intensified its campaign against illegal drugs and other criminalities in the city.

Reports from the office of City Director Sr. Supt. Sydney Villaflor state that as of Monday, a total of 40 operations had been conducted by personnel of the ACPO.

The operations have resulted to 64 arrests of suspected drug pushers; 180 cases filed in courts; and approximately 80 grams of illegal drugs, including shabu and marijuana confiscated, with total street value of almost PHP300,000.

In the same report, a total of 895 households were visited under the Oplan Tokhang, resulting in the surrender of 1,124 suspected illegal drug users and pushers.

Armed with arrest warrants, ACPO personnel, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), conducted buy-bust operations and checkpoints.

Villaflor said the ACPO will not stop and will be relentless in its efforts to rid the city of illegal drugs users and pushers.

Recently, PDEA and the PNP awarded two Angeles City barangays as the first in the region of being drug-free. These are Barangays Salapungan and Cuayan.

City Mayor Ed Pamintuan has given the directive for an all-out war against drugs and its resulting criminal activities.

Even before the assumption into office of President Rodrigo Duterte, Angeles City has been recognized by the PDEA as among the top 3 local government units with the best performing Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Villaflor also reported that 322 ACPO personnel, including their non-uniformed personnel, underwent mandatory drug tests.

One police officer was found positive with drug-use, bringing a total of six ACPO personnel who were found positive with drug use since the mandatory drug tests were conducted in January, February and June, this year.

Airport execs, bizmen cite need for transport infra in Clark

By Marna Dagumboy-Del Rosario [(PNA), LAP/ZST/MDDR/PS]

CLARK AIRPORT, Pampanga, July 26 (PNA) -- Airport officials and businessmen here have cited the need to build a mass transport railway system in consonance with the plan of the Duterte administration for the full utilization of the Clark International Airport.

Dr. Ireneo "Bong" Alvaro, who works as consultant at the BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation, lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for recognizing the need to utilize the Clark Airport during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday.

"Kudos to President Duterte. It's about time. Manila has reached its peak, it is saturated, we must decongest it as soon as possible as things are going out of the hand," he said.

Alvaro, however, said that if the national government is to really develop the Clark International Airport, then transport infrastructure is a must.

"We now need national government support, especially the long-awaited railway system to catch up with the coming change," he said.

He said transferring some flights and business activities in Clark is not a disservice to Metro Manila, but instead is a most needed help.

"The sanest move is to transfer some flights and activities at Clark. The Clark Airport has now a four-million passenger capacity. We are only using 800,000 to one million. Clark is ready," he said.

He, however, expressed belief that the transition will not be easy.

"But with the region's resolute and resourcefulness as exhibited during the grandslam of disasters after the Pinatubo eruption, what more hardships and challenges can we not overcome?" Alvaro pointed out.

He also cited the added convenience for overseas Filipino workers as great number comes from Central and Northern Luzon.

Alex Cauguiran, former vice president of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and now chief of staff of Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, said the country now has a President with foresight and political will to address the issue and carry out solutions to the aviation problems both for NAIA and Clark airports.

"We are very grateful about President Duterte's SONA about Clark airport development by utilizing it as part of dual airport policy. What the President said is included in our Clark-NAIA dual airport policy advocacy," he said.

Cauguiran said their policy includes the transfer of domestic and international flights to Clark, the building of a fast railway system connecting Metro Manila to Clark and a one-stop shop for OFWs inside Clark.

"More flights means more passengers to fly in Clark, more carriers, and more revenues for Clark airport," he said.

He also said that NAIA will be decongested with the transfer of flights to Clark.

"Hopefully, there will be no more holding pattern in the air for arriving flights and lesser waiting time for departing flights that would result in passengers' convenience and improve efficiency and less manpower losses both for passengers and airlines operations as well," he said.

He also foresees possible additional tourists arrival in Clark, boosting local and regional economy that could contribute to the national economy.

Cauguiran also said the development of the Clark airport will address the safety issues brought about by congestion at NAIA, avoid possible collisions and other accidents in the singular runway of NAIA or in any part of its aviation complex brought about by excess capacity of aircraft over its design capacity.

"It will help in the diversion of economic development in the region not only in imperial Manila and also help in the declogging land and vehicular traffic," he said.

He, however, said that the building of rail system is really needed.

"A mass transport system that is fast and efficient is needed by our country and our region in particular. Most of our neighboring countries in ASEAN and other Asian countries not to mention first world countries in North America and Europe have these in operation decades or centuries ago. We are left out. With this, transport of people will be faster and more economical and will be growth oriented," he said.

"OFWs from our region and North Luzon need not go to Manila to follow up and process documents by national agencies of government if we have one stop shop in Clark. It will save time and resources for our OFWs and their families. We owe these fast and efficient services to our OFWs who are serving our country well through their dollar remittances that greatly help our economy," he added.


Likewise, CIAC president and CEO Emigdio Tanjuatco III described President Duterte’s declaration to utilize the Clark International Airport for domestic and international flights as a "welcome development."

"We have been longing for the development of Clark Airport a long time ago and hoping that it will be given attention by the national government. This is a way to attract other airlines to use Clark airport and that is the direction of the government for the aviation,” Tanjuatco said.

He is also pushing for a dual airport system where both the Clark and the NAIA can co-exist to cater to the needs of the passengers in both airports.

He said that Clark airport will cater to passengers from the Central and North Luzon area while the NAIA can service passengers from the Southern area of Luzon.

He also said the Clark airport will play a vital role in the government’s effort to decongest Metro Manila, particularly the NAIA.

Tanjuatco has earlier said that “Clark can accept a well-planned and coordinated flights” since Clark airport has a limited capacity and infrastructure at the moment.

"Not all of the flights at NAIA can be accommodated at Clark airport due to the fact that Clark has a limited capacity and infrastructure," he pointed out.

He, however, said that CIAC has already made some programs for the development of Clark airport that include the upgrading of its services and facilities.

The services include ground handlers, security, and airport infrastructures.

Asian tourists love Subic, Clark

Romeo Dizon

Angeles City—Koreans and Taiwanese composed the majority of the 1.4 million foreign and local tourists who visited Subic and the 900,000 who trooped to Clark in 2015, according to Ronaldo Tiotuico, the regional director of the Department of Tourism in Central Luzon.

The tourists come to the Philippines for weekend casinos and golf courses, Tiotuico said. Subic attracts more tourists than Clark because it is a seaport with natural wonders, theme parks, white beaches and convention facilities that can accommodate up to 9,000 participants, he added.

Clark, a former air force base, also offers casinos and two golf courses and a convention center that can hold 1,000 persons. Outside the base, Angeles City offers culture, heritage houses and food tourism.

Clark will host a bicycle race on July 30 with 600 participants. The cyclists will visit tourists spots inside the base, which is being promoted as a biking hub. There will also be a two-day trade exhibit by bicycle producers and traders at the mall inside the base, Tiotuico said

Other tourist spots near Clark, Tiotuico said, are the Lahar 4x4 trail, the Mt.Pinatubo crater and the Sta. Juliana native village, which attracts 300 tourists a week.

Tourism authorities are anticipating the conversion of Clark International Airport into a dual airport, but the lack of infrastructure and traffic dampens their enthusiasm.

According to Tiotuico, the tourism gains of a dual airport system will spill over to Regions 1 and 2, including the Cordillera.

However, some sectors urged Tiotuico to first develop the rich tourism potential of Central Luzon to serve the expected increase in arrivals.

Some of these potential tourist magnets are the Death March trail dating back to the World War II, beaches, the Mango Festival of Zambales and Aurora, the planting season of Nueva Ecija and its Science City, the war memorial of Bataan, and the Giant Lantern Festival and the Via Crucis of Pampanga.

Lack of tourism information prevents foreign and local tourists from fully experiencing the treasures of these destinations, they said.

EdPam is new LCP president

(AC-CMG)

ANGELES CITY--Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has been elected president of the 145-member League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

Elected with Pamintuan at the LCP helm was Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano as league chairman during the 63rd LCP General Assembly at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Center, Metro Manila.

Francis Garcia, Balanga City mayor, was elected secretary general.

Pamintuan, Cayetano, Garcia and all 2016 to 2019 officers of the LCP were selected unanimously by all the city mayors who attended the assembly in a formal resolution presented to outgoing league president Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and secretary general Mayor Del De Guzman of Marikina City.

The other 2016 to 2019 officers of league are General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, vice-chairman; Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon, executive vice-president; Balanga City Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia, secretary general; General Trias City Mayor Antonio Ferrer, treasurer; and Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, public relations officer (PRO). No auditor has been elected.

The deputy secretaries are Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, NCR; Calamba City Mayor Justin Mark Chipeco, Luzon; Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Visayas; and Malaybalay City Mayor Ignacio Zubiri, Mindanao.

The vice-presidents are Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, NCR; Urdaneta City Mayor Amado Perez IV, Luzon; and Dumaguete City Mayor Ipe Remollo, Visayas. There is no vice-president yet for Mindanao.

The deputy PROs are Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, NCR; Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino, Luzon; and Lapu-lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Visayas. There is no deputy PRO for Mindanao yet.

The regional representatives are Vigan City Mayor Carlo Medina, Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Dy, Munoz City Mayor Nestor Alvarez, Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili, Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan, Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Gazmen, Passi City Mayor Jesry Palmares, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Yap II, Maasin City Mayor National Mercado, Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, Tangub City Mayor Philip Tan, Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al Uy, Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel, Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan.

The focal mayor for education is Mayor Krissel Lagman-Luistro of Tabaco City, Albay while the focal mayor for infrastructure development is Mayor Joseph Tan of Santiago City, Isabela.

Notorious drug trader killed in Angeles

By Ric Sapnu

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga -- A suspected drug pusher was killed after he tried to fight it out with police operatives in Barangay Cutud, Angeles City, Friday.

Senior Superintendent Sidney Villaflor, Angeles City police director, said joint operatives of the Angeles City Police Station 3 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted the buy-bust operation at Phase 5 in Barangay Cutud against Jaymor Del Rosario, 46.

Villaflor said that the suspect noticed the presence of policemen during the buy-bust operation, and engaged them in a shootout.

Recovered from the suspect were a caliber .22 magnum semi-rifle with magazine loaded with bullets and four plastic sachets containing suspected shabu.

Villaflor said the suspect is in the watchlist of notorious illegal drug personalities in the city.

Pamintuan bats for AC’s ‘urban renewal’

(Angeles CIO)

ANGELES CITY- “As early as now, we are grooming the city for future developments. We are enjoining the participation of the private sector to help us shape the new face of Angeles City.”

Thus said Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan during the Urban Renewal Program Forum held Tuesday at the Old Session Hall, this city.

Representatives from the business sector and some private building owners attended the forum which is aimed to seek their participation as private counterparts.

Pamintuan, who led the said forum, addressed the need for the city to un - dertake a major landscape and “aeroscape” revamp in accordance to Angeles’ Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).

According to City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) chief David David, Angeles City’s CDP was crafted way back in 2010 during Pamintuan’s first term, and is part of his eight-point agenda known as the Contract with the Angeleños (CWA).

The CDP aims to fully utilize public spaces, roads and sidewalks. Beautifi - cation and restoration of old buildings and structures that are significant to the city’s heritage and history are also being prioritized.

“The rise of the Angeles City Heritage District and linear parks are only parts of the total urban renewal program,” said David. Aside from the heritage district, area of development will also include the Balibago Business District. The Abacan River Comprehensive Development Project is also part of the CDP.

Ongoing rehabilitation project

Initially, the local government has started the removal of dangling, unused and grisly-looking spaghetti wires in the vicinity of San Nicolas Market, which will soon be part of the city’s heritage zone.

The city is also encouraging owners of decades-old buildings to design and repaint their respective edifices with uniform shades and hues of colors depending on the development corridor they belong in.

Sidewalks will also be cleared of illegal structures in preparation for pavement beautification and illumination.

“The city will provide these establishments with design templates and color palettes that they can follow and use as patterns. We will also study on how we can help these establishments who are compliant to this undertaking,” said Mayor Pamintuan.

On the other hand, business and building owners who attended the forum expressed support to this city’s beautification and rehabilitation initiative.

“We, as private owners, should fol - low the flow of development that the local government has started. We are willing to do our share,” said Rene Henson, who owns some of the buildings in the city’s heritage zone.

“We like our mayor’s plan and we are pledging our full cooperation to him. I hope that other business and commercial establishments with decades-old buildings will comply with it,” said Frederick Chan, who owns a building near the San Nicolas Public Market.

For his part, Mayor Pamintuan vows that the city government will be fully hands-on in this endeavora project that will promote peace and order, good business vibe, and better appreciation of local tourism and heritage in the long run.

A quick tour of the Mount Pinatubo Museum in Angeles, Pampanga

By STANLEY BALDWIN O. SEE (BM, GMA News)

Twenty-five years ago, on June 15, 1991, I woke up to the loud sound of rain on our roof and the sight of grey ash blanketing everything I could see outside. A child then, I was of course delighted that school got cancelled. I did not understand the damage and carnage caused by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

The three Central Luzon provinces surrounding Pinatubo—Zambales (west and south), Tarlac (north), and Pampanga (east)—took the heavy blows. Typhoon Diding was also in the vicinity, causing widespread floods, rain of sand, ash, and rocks, earthquake, and lahar. With days turned dark as night, the calamity even contributed to the lowering of global temperatures by 0.5°C from 1991-1993.

Despite the destruction of homes and the loss of hundreds of lives within Pinatubo’s surrounding areas, Filipinos have moved on and even learned how to turn the aftermath of the 1991 eruption into something that can be a source of livelihood. Guided tours to the resulting crater lake, Lake Pinatubo, has been a favorite trek of tourists for quite some time. Discharged sand, rocks, and other minerals are being used for construction and other activities. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the Center for Kapampangan Studies of Holy Angel University in Angeles opened the Mount Pinatubo museum. I was fortunate enough to visit the museum and was amazed by the amount of information regarding the events that happened before, during, and after the eruption.

The museum includes a mural timeline chronicling the history of Mt. Pinatubo from centuries ago to the days leading to the June 15 eruption. In another part of the museum is “Lumud” (Drown), a mural sculpture by Kapampangan artist Arnel Garcia that depicts families buried in lahar together with ordinary everyday items like TVs, bikes, electric fans, etc. It is both a chilling and gruesome reminder of the power of Mother Nature, and a testament to the resiliency and spirit of the Filipino. Two pieces of wood, labelled as Pinatubo’s Petrified Trees, are located at the center of the room. The smaller, still-wooden tree trunk was buried twice: when Pinatubo erupted 3,000 years ago and 600 years ago, and was discovered during the 1991 eruption. The bigger, million-year-old tree piece is now solid rock and is actually much older than Mount Pinatubo itself. Other exhibits and galleries adjacent to the Pinatubo Museum include the Vicente Manansala (National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts) Collection, and the multi-gallery Kapampangan Museum.

Angeles City eyes to undertake urban renewal program

(PNA), BNB/ZST/MDDR/PS

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 20 (PNA) -- The city government is eyeing to undertake an urban renewal program that seen to transform the city’s major landscape towards further development and progress.

“As early as now, we are grooming the city for future developments. We are enjoining the participation of the private sector to help us shape the new face of Angeles City,“ Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said during the Urban Renewal Program Forum held Tuesday at the Old Session Hall, this city.

Representatives from the business sector and some private building owners attended the forum which is aimed to seek their participation as private counterparts.

Pamintuan, who led the said forum, addressed the need for the city to undertake a major landscape and “aeroscape” revamp in accordance to Angeles’ Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).

City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) chief David David said Angeles City’s CDP was crafted way back in 2010 during Pamintuan’s first term, and is part of his eight-point agenda known as the Contract with the Angeleños (CWA).

The CDP aims to fully utilize public spaces, roads and sidewalks. Beautification and restoration of old buildings and structures that are significant to the city’s heritage and history are also being prioritized.

“The rise of the Angeles City Heritage District and linear parks are only parts of the total urban renewal program,” David said.

Aside from the heritage district, area of development will also include the Balibago Business District. The Abacan River Comprehensive Development Project is also part of the CDP.

Initially, the local government has started the removal of dangling, unused and grisly-looking spaghetti wires in the vicinity of San Nicolas Market, which will soon be part of the city’s heritage zone.

The city is also encouraging owners of decades-old buildings to design and repaint their respective edifices with uniform shades and hues of colors depending on the development corridor they belong in.

Sidewalks will also be cleared of illegal structures in preparation for pavement beautification and illumination.

“The city will provide these establishments with design templates and color palettes that they can follow and use as patterns. We will also study on how we can help these establishments who are compliant to this undertaking,” Pamintuan said.

On the other hand, business and building owners who attended the forum expressed support to this city’s beautification and rehabilitation initiative.

“We, as private owners, should follow the flow of development that the local government has started. We are willing to do our share,” said Rene Henson, who owns some of the buildings in the city’s heritage zone.

“We like our mayor’s plan and we are pledging our full cooperation to him. I hope that other business and commercial establishments with decades-old buildings will comply with it,” said Frederick Chan, who owns a building near the San Nicolas Public Market.

For his part, the Mayor vowed that the city government will be fully hands-on in this endeavor- a project that will promote peace and order, good business vibe, and better appreciation of local tourism and heritage in the long run.

650 farmers in Clark areas benefit from CDC agri project

(PNA), BNB/ZST/MDDR/PS

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, July 19 (PNA)-- Some 650 farmer-beneficiaries from the Metro Clark area are expected to benefit from Clark Development Corporation’s (CDC) seedling dispersal project this year which is in partnership with the leading producer of hybrid agricultural products in the country.

Now on its second year, the agri-project dubbed as “Gulay para sa Kalusugan, Katulong sa Pagpawi ng Kahirapan; Prutas sa Kabuhayan tungo Sa Kaunlaran,” is part of CDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programs in partnership with East West Seeds Philippines.

The seedlings dispersal program of CDC on backyard organic vegetable production will benefit farmers from the cities of Mabalacat and Angeles, Porac town, all in Pampanga and nearby Tarlac towns -- Bamban and Capas, including the Indigenous Community (Aeta) group.

The project was launched last year which initially benefitted some 470 farmers here.

The CDC management continuously implements various agricultural and livelihood programs to uplift the lives of marginalized residents within the contiguous of the Clark Freeport Zone.

Rommel C. Narciso, assistant vice-president for CDC External Affairs Department said the program aims to cultivate the culture of farming in Clark contiguous areas.

"Let us cultivate the culture of farming. Let us change the mindset that farmers are poor. In other countries, the farmers are the rich ones," he said.

Roberto Lintag, a farmer from Barangay Pio, Porac and first-time recipient of CDC’s seedlings dispersal, considers the agri-project as an opportunity to develop hybrid-farming.

"The program of the CDC is a big help because we are giving an opportunity to plant hybrid variety of seeds," Lintag said as he expressed hope for the continuous support of CDC to farmers in the surrounding areas in Clark.

Melba Tongol-Malit, Porac municipal agriculturist, thanked the CDC for also conducting vegetable production seminar along with seedlings dispersal.

The municipal agriculturist also said that CDC’s agri-project will create extra income for farmers.

Carlos Tuazon, senior agriculturist of Capas, said various farmers cooperatives in their municipality will benefit from the project.

"Aside from the 30 members of the cooperative, some 50 more farmers will benefit from the project. This year, we have new recepients so that they could also try the project," Tuazon said.

According to Delia Maniago, agricultural technician of Capas, the seedlings being distributed by CDC are of good quality.

Other beneficiaries include: Claro M. Recto Information and Communication and Technology High School, Lourdes Dapdap Elementary School and Villa Concepcion Elementary School.

Angeles City Police seized illegal drug users

(AC-CIO)

ANGELES CITY- The Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) preceded by the chief of police PSSUPT Sidney Villaflor has confiscated a total of P 767, 610 worth of illegal drugs.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is elated to see the Officers doing their assignment in safeguarding the city and its residents.

“I am pleased of the accomplishment of our city police officers headed by chief Villaflor. This is the start of our cleaning the city of the unwanted dwellers who has no place and cannot be allowed to do business here in our beloved city.” Pamintuan said.

According to chief Villaflor, these operations are part of their advocacy against the use of illegal drugs and will do their duty to eradicate it.

"We continue our fight and campaign against illegal drugs as per instruction of the good city mayor. The ACPO is fortunate that the local chief executive is very supportive to the PNP's program for the maintenance of peace and order of the city." Villaflor said.

ACPO has conducted the 156 police operations dated January 1 to july 4 this year which equals to a number of 269 arrested suspects and 482 criminal cases filed to the criminals. Aside from this, the ACPO had performed two raids on illegal drug laboratories in the city.

DTI exec highlights value of entrepreneurship towards poverty reduction, better quality of life

(CLJD/MJLS- PIA 3)

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE (PIA) – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez highlighted the value of entrepreneurship as an effective means to alleviate poverty in the society and improve the quality of life of all Filipinos.

“What we want to showcase in this event are not just the quality products of our micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nor only the many services of DTI in improving the productivity of our businesses, but also the common goal of Filipinos to achieving a better quality of life for their families through entrepreneurship,” Lopez pointed out during the opening of the Negosyo, Konsyumer Atbp (NKAtbp) held at the Fontana Convention Center.

The trade and industry exec also cited what he envisions for the Filipino entrepreneur—not just for the large and medium, but also for the ordinary and would be entrepreneurs— which is prosperity for all.

The secretary also shared to the participants the 7Ms which he thinks will help the agency and its clients in achieving this goal.

“First, and I think the most important of the Ms is mindset changing. If we want to prosper, we must change our mindset towards excellence through continuous learning of better ways to improve our business, products and services. The competition sets higher standards even for the small entrepreneurs and those who do not innovate will be left behind,” the DTI secretary said.

He then mentioned about the second and third Ms – mastery and mentoring, which he said are essential in any business because through continuous and appropriate capacity building, enterprises can further improve what they offer to the market.

“The fourth M which is money, may be a solution or a problem, depending on how the entrepreneur looks at it. That is why the government must work together with financial institutions to improve access to capital for MSMEs,” he proposed.

In terms of market access, Lopez mentioned that the market for Philippine goods is expanding by virtue of our trade agreements across different countries and regions; while for the small entrepreneurs, they can expand their market access by mainstreaming their products in the local market.

Meanwhile, he also commended DTI for implementing its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program, which enabled small cooperatives, associations and even local government units to use modern equipment that meet market standards.

“The challenge however is how to properly maintain these machines to maximize their operational capacity,” he said as he shared the sixth M.

The last M, Lopez said, is models, which budding entrepreneurs can adapt and innovate.

In closing, he urged all existing and would-be entrepreneurs to take note of these 7Ms in order developing effective programs and strategies that will help their businesses to prosper. He likewise cited the importance of working together to build a better world and uplift the life of the Filipinos.

Center for women, child abuse eyed

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The provincial government led by Governor Lilia Pineda and the Consuelo Alger Foundation are eyeing the establishment of a one-stop center, which will handle women and child abuse cases in Pampanga.

In a stakeholders’ meeting over the weekend at Capitol, Provincial Health Office (PHO) officer-in-charge Dr. Antonio Rivera said the provincial government plans to reactivate Consuelo Foundation’s Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) through the recreation of the Provincial Women and Children Protection Unit (PWCPU), which handles abuse cases. He also asked the help of the provincial board led by Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda for the legislation of the said unit.

Consuelo Alger is a private foundation that supports programs for child abuse cases in the country. The center will be initiated and run by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) through the enactment of a resolution that will be passed and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The PWCPU will be set up at the old Malward building to be converted as infirmary for victims of abuse.

Rivera disclosed that the PWCPU will also be open 24/7 to cater to all cases of women and child abuse in the province.

“There will be designated psychologists, pathologists, physicians, social workers, police personnel, and legal team station at the said unit,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rowena Seblana of Consuelo Foundation lauded the provincial government’s efforts where the CAPIN program had a success rating of 80 percent to 95 percent in a span of four years and even recommended it highly feasible of the program.

She also acknowledged the efforts of Capitol in reporting, identifying, assessing and assisting the more than 1,155 victims of child abuse from the towns of Mexico, Guagua and Floridablanca and from the cities of Mabalacat, Angeles and San Fernando.

Seblana also cited the active implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 547 or the Comprehensive Welfare Code for Children of the Province of Pampanga.

Elizabeth Baybayan, head of the PSWDO, for her part said the project will be the assurance of help for victims of women and children abuse.

“This also makes the CAPIN program more accessible because there will be a hotline for assistance of the said cases,” she added.

Surrendered pushers to help in war vs drugs

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Suspected drug pushers who surrendered to authorities for “fear” will help in the campaign against illegal drugs.

This was disclosed Saturday by Balibago Chairman Rodelio “Tony” Mamac, who said that the suspects volunteered to help the government in its fight against the drug menace.

“They will help in the campaign against the proliferation and total eradication of illegal drugs not only in Barangay Balibago but in the whole of Angeles City,” Mamac said.

Another batch of suspected drug pushers composed of 25 persons recently surrendered to the barangay officials, according to the village chief.

Earlier, more than 100 persons surrendered following a series of saturation drives and “Oplan Katok” on various drugs dens in the said village.

Mamac warned the suspected pushers to stop their illegal activities and surrender to authorities.

The village chief said they are looking for livelihood for the families of the drug personalities.

Angeles City exec pushes for changes in SEF utilization guidelines

(PNA), BNB/ZST/MDDR/PS

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 14 (PNA) -- Three-term city Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is pushing for changes in the utilization of the Special Education Fund (SEF) which would benefit public school teachers and the students.

In his letters addressed to the Secretaries of Education, Budget and Management, and Interior and Local Government, Pamintuan stated that, “the antiquated guidelines on the utilization of the Special Education Fund issued through DBM-DILG-DECS Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series 1998, Joint Circular Nos. 01A, Series of 2000 and Joint Circular No. 01-B, Series of 2000 are not only contrary to law but have failed to assist in alleviating the poor condition of our public schools and public school teachers as it limits the grant of allowances to public school teachers using the SEF to the amount received by the teachers as of 31 December 1997 (almost 20 years ago) and prohibits the use of the fund to settle bills for water and electricity.”

"Clearly, the said Joint Circulars are inconsistent with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly Sections 100 (c) and 272,” Pamintuan added.

The city mayor also said that he hoped that “change will come with a new set of DBM-DILG-DepEd Guidelines on the Utilization of the Special Education Fund; one that is pro-teachers, pro-public students, pro-public schools and pro-local government units (LGUs)."

"The new set of guidelines must allow the LGUs to use the SEF to give the amount of allowances our public school teachers need subject to availability of funds, pay the bill for water, electricity and internet utilities of schools and DepEd buildings, buy books, develop sports, campaign against illegal drugs, conduct educational research work and all other related activities, including commemoration of teachers day and annual teachers general assemblies, pay for the construction and repair of classrooms and school buildings,” the mayor explained.

Lawyer Michael Aguinaldo, chairman of the Commission on Audit, was also given copies of the letters to the three department secretaries.

Village sets 'food for work' program for drugs suspects

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY--An official of a barangay situated in the city's entertainment district is set to implement "Food for Work" program for individuals who surrendered and enrolled under the government's reformation program for drugs personalities.

Reynaldo Nacu Gueco, chairman of Barangay Malabanias, said the surrenderees will be tapped for the village's clean and green program.

"We clean our streets and drainage every week and they (surrenderees) will join our street sweepers and volunteers in our clean and green project," Gueco said.

The village chief said that he will coordinate with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for the food packages they will distribute to the participants.

"I believe that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has an existing 'Food for Work' program. All we have to do is coordinate with them for our project for the surrenderees," Gueco said.

Local government units (LGUs) have yet to include budgets to implement the program for surrenderees, according to Gueco. "We do not have any budget for this as of the moment, so we will be needing the support of the city government."

Gueco earlier lauded President Duterte for the substantial decrease in the crime volume following the nationwide crackdown against illegal drugs.

He said that the crime volume in the city particularly in his barangay has significantly dropped since the President and the Philippine National Police (PNP) started conducting anti-drugs operations.

According to Gueco, majority of the crimes committed are "drug-related."

More than 200 drug personalities recently surrendered to barangay officials and enrolled under the reform program, the barangay chairman said.

"We conducted profiling on the drug pushers and users in our barangay and we are continuously monitoring their activities and movements," Gueco said in the vernacular.

"Our barangay is now peaceful. Our problem on drugs and crimes is gone. And we would like to thank our beloved president for the realization of this big change he promised us," he added.

In his village alone, Gueco said a group of notorious drug peddlers and hold up men was neutralized after two of its members were killed during a recent encounter with elements of the Police Station 4.

Study looks into Angeles, Clark roads

By James Konstantin Galvez

Environment solutions provider World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has identified “All-Weather Urban Corridors” for Angeles City and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga to ensure that the flow of goods, services and people remain undisrupted by assessing the vulnerability of roads to temperature increases and floods.

As Metro Manila’s development pushes outwards, strategically located hubs like the Clark Freeport Zone and Angeles City shall absorb the influx of businesses, industries and residents who shall seek less congested cities to live and operate in.

WWF said that these new all-weather urban corridors will ensure that access to these areas will be partially shielded from climate change.

An All-Weather Urban Corridor is a network of roads with the ability to withstand the effects of extreme weather conditions, coupled with good drainage systems, which allow the safe passage of vehicles.

Over 70 leaders converged at the Clark Freeport Zone for the final presentation of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) for their ‘All-Weather Urban Corridors’ project.

Though both Angeles City and the Clark Freeport Zone are historically free from severe inundation, they are still occasionally susceptible to light flooding as both are located in a Type-1 climate zone, making them vulnerable to the southwest monsoon’s rains.

A study assessed the two sites’ road infrastructure, flood history, plus the drainage efficiency for local canals and culverts. Among the proposed solutions were to look into the suitability of infrastructure materials and design as these are affected by climate change factors.

“We found that beyond just elevating roads, the design and maintenance of drainage systems as well as the road segments themselves, for both the Clark Freeport Zone and Angeles City should be a priority,” said WWF-Philippines CEO Joel Palma.

Angeles’ best gov’t practices take the stage at 2016 World Cities Summit

By Franco G. Regala

Angeles city, Pampanga — Mayor Edgardo D. Pamintuan is in Singapore attending the World Mayors Forum which is the highlight of the 5th World Cities Summit being held at the Marina Bay Sands.

A total of 110 mayors, governors, ministers and officials of international organization from all over the world attended the forum which is designed to take mayors and city leaders beyond just dialogue and sharing, to culminate in actionable outcomes for their respective cities.

With this year’s theme, “Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Innovative Cities of Opportunities”, the summit aims to explore how cities can better govern and build up resilience through policy, technology and social innovations.

“This is another opportunity for us to learn more of the best practices being implemented by other cities from the different parts of the world. Also, we are raising our city’s local governance to an international scale,” said Pamintuan.

During Session 1 entitled ”Innovative Solutions: New Answers to Wicked Problems,” the mayors shared their best practices on how they are innovating their approaches to some of their city’s toughest and long standing challenges in the areas of housing, transportation, economic development and sustainability.

Pamintuan imparted his experiences on how he was able to engage the national government in partnering with the local governments in providing housing for victims of natural calamities.

226 CL police officials undergo random drug test

By Rudy J. Abular and Bernard Galang

CAMP Olivas, Pampanga -- A total of 226 officials from different police units in Central Luzon underwent random drug testing yesterday at the Police Regional Office 3’s multi-purpose hall.

PRO3 director Chief Supt. Aaron N. Aquino said the drug testing was participated in by all town police chiefs in the region, including seven provincial directors of Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and two city directors of Angeles and Olongapo.

Aquino said the drug test was a mandatory order of PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as part of the cleansing process to rid the PNP of “scalawags”.

Upon his assumption on July 1, Dela Rosa warned all police personnel to severe their ties with illegal drugs traders and surrender themselves as soon as possible or face the consequences of their actions.

PRO3 information officer Supt. Fe Grenas said the drug testing was unannounced and without the knowledge of 226 police officers, who were earlier called to attend a command conference at 8 a.m. yesterday on anti-illegal drugs campaign plan project “Double Barrel” of the PNP.

Grenas said the police chiefs were surprised when their attention was called by PRO3 chief directorial staff Senior Supt. Graciano J. Mijares to undergo drug testing before the start of the command conference.

The PNP launched the “Double Barrel” campaign plan to support the barangay drug cleaning strategy of the government to neutralize illegal drug personalities in the country.

Aquino reiterated earlier pronouncement of PNP Chief Dela Rosa that those who failed the drug testing will be dismissed from the police service.

19th-century home is an authentic museum—without a single fake

By Marge C. Enriquez (Inquirer Lifestyle)

FROM the outside, Casa Consuelo Museum looks like a debutante’s cake, dressed in deep pink fondant, covered with intricate doily patterns.

The latest addition to the attractions at Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort, it displays the mementoes of the founders, Arsenio and Rosario Escudero, who built their fortune on the coconut plantation, and the antiques of their son, Conrado Escudero, or Ado to friends.

“This is the only house that houses authentic antique furniture. There isn’t a single fake here,” declares Ado, the villa’s president and general manager. Important architectural details were salvaged from an ancestral home in Pampanga.

The original house was built in the late 19th century by a mestizo, Don Esteban Gomez, then mayor of Angeles, Pampanga, and his wife, Doña Josefa Pamintuan.

According to Escudero, the Pamintuan family owned the tracts of land which would become Clark Field.

In its halcyon days, this house in Angeles stood out for its delicate rococo tracery surrounding the porch.

ulture historian Martin Tinio Jr. explains to Inquirer Lifestyle that the house embodied the floral style, the architecture popular at the turn of the 20th century.

The flamboyance was born of the people’s weariness with simplicity and geometry. The balcon looked like a large piece of lacework, covered with nothing but intricately carved transoms, arches and ventanillas that evoked transparency, a characteristic of tropical architecture.

Status symbols

Escudero convinced his older sister, Doña Consuelo, to buy the house and transport its delicate woodwork, piece by piece, to the villa in Tiaong, Quezon.

Every carved frame was numbered, dismantled and reassembled on site. Since the original hipped roof of the house was in decay, Escudero ordered roof tiles from Spain.

The harlequin flooring was redone by the famous tilemaker, Machuca.

The façade’s original paint was pulverized red, but it faded into fuchsia.

The original house had a single flight of stairs.

For drama Casa Gomez is built with two long flights that meet at the balcon. Open on three sides, the balcon opened to a view of a well-manicured garden.

Tracery transoms serve as vents over the room doors to allow air flow. Undulating tracery on the little arches, and the corbels and valances in the living room add grace to the space. Pressed tin ceilings, popular in North America in the late 19th century and early 20th century, add sophistication.

The zaguan, the entrance hall, and entresuelo or ground floor have been turned into a cavernous lobby which displays antique carriages and carrozas. The rooms exhibit Don Arsenio’s collection of canes and photographs, and Doña Rosario’s miniatures and other souvenirs from travels.

The top floor recreates the romance of the turn of the 20th century. It is laden with such status symbols as the floral narra frames by sculptor Isabelo Tampinco, the carved four-poster bed by the Chinese maker Ah Tay, the baul mondo or the traveling trunk, bentwood beech furniture made by August Thonet of Germany and Carlos XIII chairs and a rare, circular Bourne chair at the foyer.

Some of the important pieces are the cabinets saved from the original Escudero mansion in San Pablo, Laguna. The house was razed to the ground after the war.

Asked how Casa Consuelo differs from other house museums that recreate the genteel lifestyle in colonial times, he proudly replies, “All the furniture here is well made!”

Heritage tours

Casa Consuelo is just one of the many attractions of the Escuderos’ 900-hectare property, which was originally a coconut plantation. After studying agriculture at Cornell University, Escudero introduced agribusiness to the farm, instead of managing it in the feudal way.

He also thought of turning part of their property into a heritage village, such as the Colonial Williamsburg, which features historical tours and dining experiences, in Virginia.

“Since my parents and I were collectors, I thought I would make something out of them,” says Escudero.

He recalls being surrounded by beautiful objects while growing up. Whenever his parents visited small towns, they always brought home something for the house. In those days, every house had a bodega.

The Escuderos brought gifts and asked the owners if they could look at their bodega. The owners would tell them that it was filled with junk. The couple would say that that was what they were looking for. The old objects were then repaired, and have since found their places in the Escudero museum.

“They didn’t acquire these objects by purchasing them. Their style was to cajole the owners to get the pieces. That’s why people thought they were rich,” says Escudero in Filipino.

At first, the siblings were reluctant to invest in the new idea. Nonetheless, Escudero did the cooking, fixing up the original museum, promotions and entertaining.

As Villa Escudero became successful, his mother urged him to form a corporation to prevent family feuds.

Today, it has become a must destination not only for the cultural experience amid the lush scenery, but also the fresh Filipino cuisine. Lunch is literally served under the waterfalls, as the main attraction. To save on energy and money, the kitchen uses rice hulls for cooking.

The villa attracts an average of 500 to 1,000 visitors a day. On weekends, the staffers, trained by Nestor Cortez, the former dance master from Ramon Obusan Folklorico, present a well-rounded song-and-dance program.

Every year, the villa goes to town with an authentic fiesta to commemorate the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. This year it was celebrated with a Latin Mass, symphony orchestra, three choirs, and a guest singer. “It was as if you were in the heavens,” says Escudero.

Villa Escudero has also become an ideal place for theme weddings. A bride can feel like a princess riding on the carriage.

There’s no one quite like Ado Escudero, who can turn fantasies into realities.

BIKE TOUR EXPO 2016

(DOT Philippines)

CLARK, PHILIPPINES – The Department of Tourism – Region III is set to launch the very first BIKE TOUR EXPO 2016 on July 30-31 in Clark Freeport in Pampanga, Philippines. The event has two components - Bike Tour and Bike Expo.

Bike Tour takes place around the Clark Freeport area (assembly at SM City Clark @ 5:00 in the morning) where some 400 cyclists / road / mountain bikers are required to pedal their way thru some 15 designated hydration / pit stops – all considered to be tourist attractions and facilities. As the day-long event is meant to be a leisurely touristy ride (not a race), bikers are given the entire day to finish all 15 stops at their own pace. In each stop, there will be a photo wall where they are encouraged to have their selfie or groufie and post their photos on social media (Facebook or Instagram). Participants with the highest number of ‘likes’ will have a chance to win exciting prizes. All registered participants in this event will be given free shirts and loot bags provided by the event’s sponsors. Registration is FREE. No obligation required except that each participant should bring his own bike and helmet. Just make it to the first 400 registered participants to join the tour and share your passion.

On the other hand, the Bike Expo will be happening inside the event center of SM City Clark for two days on July 30 and 31. This will be an exhibition of different bike companies, apparels, accessories and gears. Simultaneously, prominent personalities and experts from the biking community are expected to share their thoughts on the share-the-road advocacy program. As of this date, the confirmed speakers are: Jack Yabut, the father-daughter tandem of Donjie and Ariana Dormitorio, Bryan McClelland, Angel Simbol, Bernadette Aguirre, Dir. Benedict Camara and Eboy Roselada. There will be no entrance fee for this event as well.

The event is not only for adults but for kids too! Strider Philippines, known for a new technology on bike training for kids will be part of the event. They will be setting up their famous Strider Adventure Zone for kids ages 3 and up. There will be a free hands-on demo of their bicycles on Saturday and Sunday morning and in the afternoon will be a friendly race within the adventure zone for kids.

The event is in partnership with Clark Development Corporation, Strider Philippines, Tourism Promotions Board and Manila North Tollways Corporation. It is co-presented by SM City Clark, Park Inn by Radisson Clark, Bonamine, Trinx Bikes, Royce Hotel and supported by Gatorade, Globe Telecom, Crystal Power and Supremo World Cameras. Also partnering with the tourism department are: Angeles City Tourism Office and Philippine Retirement Authority.

For interested participants, you may register at https://goo.gl/R9BnXx or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/biketourexpo or email at tourismregion3@gmail.com, Tel. No. (63 45) 625-8525.

For further details, please contact:

Department of Tourism – Region III, G/F Marlim Mansions Hotel Bldg., MacArthur Hwy., Diamond Subd., Balibago, Angeles City, Philippines Phone (63 45) 625-8525 / 458-2358, Email: tourismregion3@gmail.com or visit: www.visitmyphilippines.com Recipient: PATA Gold Intl Award 2001, Kalakbay Natl Award 2001, ASEANTA Intl Award 2002 for Best Ecotourism Project Log on: www.visitmyphilippines.com Emailcast to close to 10,000 online guests worldwide

Trader: Clark seen as best investment haven

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- “Clark is the best investment haven in the South East Asian region.”

This was stated by Kapampangan businessman Irineo “Bong” Alvaro during the soft opening of the Midori Hotel, a five-star hotel owned and operated by BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation, on Friday, July 1.

Alvaro, former president of Midori Hotel and Casino, said that Taiwanese businessmen see Clark as one of the beautiful places in the region in terms of investment and tourism.

Alvaro also cited the potential of Clark including the Clark International Airport; expressways like the Subic Clark Expressway and North Luzon Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, skilled and intelligent work force, and others.

The P2-billion Midori Hotel and Casino is being funded by Taiwanese businessmen.

Hotel facilities include 111 luxury rooms, Toscana Dining, Baccus Lounge, Cigar Maduro, Café Midori, Baci Bar, Business Center, Spa and fitness center, outdoor swimming pools, KTV and Casino, Mahjong Rooms, and others.

Local officials including Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Boking Morales and top executives of Clark Development Corporation graced the hotel’s initial launching the other day.

Angeles execs laud Duterte's idea to make Clark domestic flights hub

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT --- Officials of Angeles City have lauded the idea of President Duterte to make Clark International Airport as hub for domestic flights.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said that transferring local flights to Clark airport will solve congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

"I personally told him (Duterte) that [transfer of domestic flights] and the regional Asian flights to Clark to immediately ease traffic short term. Alex Cauguiran reiterated that also to the president when we met him together Dennis Uy, Simon Paz and Dan Concepcion three weeks ago in Davao Macalacang of the South," Pamintuan said.

"Motorists coming from the North will no longer add up to the volume of vehicular traffic along EDSA. We will have an airport in the North which is Clark and airport in the south which will serve passengers south of Metro Manila," Pamintuan earlier said.

Cauguiran, head of the Advocacy for Dual Airport Priority (ADAPT), shared Pamintuan's statement saying the full utilization of Clark will spur development not only in Central Luzon but in the entire country.

Adapt is urging the incoming national leaders to prioritize Clark's development as major Philippine gateway to Asia and the Pacific, which the fastest growing aviation market in the world.

Last June 13, Cauguiran said he, together with Pamintuan and other city officials, also discussed with Duterte the fast and efficient railway system that will connect Clark to Metro Manila and Clark to Northern Luzon.

"His pronouncement is the validation of his previous statements when we had a dialogue with him few weeks ago," Cauguiran said.

Duterte has suggested to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to study the idea of making Clark as hub for domestic flights.

The President said that roads leading to Clark will be constructed to support the implementation of the local flights transfer project.

"This is just a native idea. We will make road access to Pampanga airport so that we can transfer the domestic flights," Duterte said.

Clark international airport will be temporarily used for domestic flights while construction of the new airport near NAIA is being studied by the government.

"I don't know if we have the money to build an airport in Sangley (in Cavite). If investors will come in, then go but for the meantime, we have to remedy the overcrowded sky of NAIA," he said.

The President said he personally experienced air traffic congestion at the NAIA when the plane he boarded had almost ran out of fuel while waiting for its turn to land at the busy NAIA runway.

"We have been turning around and we are in danger of running out of fuel. I think it's only good for 17 minutes. Mabuti na lang pina-landing kami. I don't want special treatment," Duterte said.

"I want this stopped. We should not be treated different from the other suffering Filipino passengers," he added.

Angeles City celebrates Nutrition Month 2016

(PNA), LAP/ZST/RKM/PS

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 4 (PNA) -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno led the kick off ceremonies of this city’s celebration of Nutrition Month held on Monday at the city hall here.

Spearheaded by the City Nutrition Office (CNO), this year’s theme "First 1,000 days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan," focuses on the early nutritional intervention among babies and toddlers for a strong foundation of health and nourishment to prevent malnutrition.

"The nation is pushing through a more holistic and preventive approach against malnutrition. The first 1,000 days of a child is a crucial stage for development for it is when growth faltering happens,” Pamintuan said.

City nutrition officer Arnel Calaguas said the theme also aims to create awareness on the importance of proper infant and young child feeding practices with focus on breast feeding.

Calaguas also reminded city government employees to take good care of their health and follow the “Ten Kumainments” for a healthy body as prescribed by the National Nutrition Council (NCC).

Meanwhile, the CNO and other front line departments slated activities for the whole month of July.

The Infant Young Children Feeding (IYCF) program on Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries will kick off on July 6 and will last until July 29. This will be implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in selected villages of the city.

On the other hand, the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) will hold a food and meat processing seminar on July 7, 15 and 21, while the City Health Office (CHO) will stage its annual “Pabasa sa Nutrisyon” on the July 19 and 20.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office will hold an on-the-spot poster making contest on July 22.

A special feeding program activity will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Angeles North on July 26 while a Buntis Congress, spearheaded by the CNO and CHO, will happen on July 28.

The city’s celebration will culminate with a nutri-jingle contest to be hosted by DepEd on August 5 at SM City Clark.

"The city government vows to continue all the health services that help Angeleños maintain a healthy lifestyle. But Angeleños should also remember that prevention is better than cure. So, be watchful on what you take inside your body,” Pamintuan added.

July of every year is declared as Nutrition Month in the Philippines by the virtue of Presidential Decree No. 491, series of 1974.

EdPam eyes more projects for Angeleños

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY - Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan will be laying more projects in the city that will ensure the safety of his constituents.

“We will continue what we have done in the past six years and we will definitely make more developments for the next three years for the city and Angeleños,” Pamintuan said.

Pamintuan was sworn in as local chief executive by Angeles City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Omar T. Viola held Thursday at the MarQuee Mall.

The mayor said he will be strictly implementing laws and local ordinances that concern cleanliness and environmental conservation and traffic regulations in the city.

As a highly urbanized city, the mayor aims to be in line with the vision of President Rodrigo Duterte as he aspires to make Angeles a model city to other cities in the Philippines.

Under the Pamintuan administration, the city has garnered awards such as the Department of Tourism Pearl Award for the Heritage Conservation category, third Most Competitive City for Government Efficiency category, National Competitiveness Council for the Second Regional Competitiveness Summit, Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council in the Philippines awarded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Pamintuan was also hailed the Top 8 World Mayor in 2012 and Superbrands’ Most Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines for four consecutive years (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016).

“I dedicate to you [Angeleños] the recognitions that shaped the city to what it has become.” Pamintuan added.

Pamintuan his gratitude to his supporters and guests from the public and private sector who greatly contributed to develop Angeles City.

“I extend my utmost gratitude to the people who have entrusted me with this last term. All the projects I have started will surely continue and I will give my best efforts to push through the progress of the city,” he added.

Filipina artist steadily sculpting a life in New York

By Eunice Barbara C. Novio (INQUIRER.net US Bureau)

NEW YORK – Growing up in Pampanga, Angeles City, Lorina Tayag-Capitulo was always with her father, who drew giraffes and made flowers from cigarette foil and created “bahay kubo” out of coconut midribs. Lorina soon started sketching cartoon figures like Sanrio characters. Now, she is a full-blown sculptor who’s gaining recognition for her artistry.

Since the 1990s Lorina has been exhibiting her paintings and sculptures in the Philippines and the United States.

She represented the Philippines at the ASEAN Sculpture Exhibition and Workshop in 1997, hosted by Brunei Darussalam. She was a grant awardee of the New York State Council on the Arts’ Decentralization Program in 2001 for the project “Dream Weavers,” which portrayed gifted and talented young children.

The highlight of her career was the presentation of her “Floating Cubes” in Times Square, New York in 2002 and the exhibition of her sculpture “Refuse” at the famous Heckscher Museum in Long Island during the Art Biennial in 2012. Her most recent exhibition was in 2015 –“Territory: Unlimited,” a group exhibition featuring artwork by the Society of Philippine-American Artists (SPAA) at Topaz Arts Inc., Woodside, New York.

In 2014 her “Anthropogenic” was a finalist in the BACCA Arts Center Annual Art Competition in Babylon, New York.

“Anitya: Memento & Nostalgia” was her solo exhibit at the Philippine Center in New York City on 2014.

She graduated a bachelor of fine arts major in sculpture from the University of the Philippines in 1996; but she is also into painting. Married to Jose Ariel, a US citizen, they have a son, Felix Paolo, and currently reside in Long Island, New York.

“It is my art that got me into UP (University of the Philippines), not really my academic inclination,” Lorina Tayag-Capitulo recalls. “I flunked the UPCAT, but it did not deter me from pursuing my passion. But when I applied to the College of Fine Arts in 1987, I ranked Number 1 in UP Talent Determination Test,” Lorina explains.

“I grew up without television, no internet. I could not even afford to go to the malls or disco. My environment was farm lands, the Bunduk Alaya (Mt. Arayat), pigs, chickens and farm animals,” she says. Having no interruptions, she improved her craft, which enabled her to carve a niche on the Philippine art scene and in other countries.

Discovering her talent, people always asked her to decorate bulletin boards and design stage sets and compete in inter-school competitions. She then found Mix-Up, an organization that had regular art exhibits and held workshops.

While at UP, Lorina started selling her paintings, starting from 900 pesos. This was enough to pay for her first semester, which cost 800 pesos. Pablo Picasso, Van Gogh, Dali and the Futurist artists influence her art. She describes her work as abstract, social realist/surrealist/futurist. She is also into experimental arts, using cubes and chess pieces.

Lorina art reflects her childhood experiences and the revival of the lost Pampanga crafts like making horsewhips and caretelas (horse-drawn carriages). Usually, her husband gives the titles to her works. Environment, culture and women are her favored themes.

Back in the Philippines, Lorina worked as a full time artist, sometimes doing jobs on the side like commissioned replicas of the Virgin Mary, dolls and Christmas decorations.

Lorina and son, Felix, emigrated to the United States in the early 2000s to join Jose Ariel. Like her art Lorina has had to evolve to be able to survive in the US. She is currently working in Newsday.com, a Long Island-based magazine as a photo researcher. Prior to that, she worked odd-jobs too.

“One time, I worked at Macy’s during the holiday season putting up Christmas décor. I wanted to pursue my art, but it was very odd and strange. Our art reflects the social environment we live in,” she says. Lorina also lectures about her art in various colleges in New York.

Lorina says that they are not well off because her father had been ill for a long time. He used to work in a bank, but a threat to his life resulting from a deal related to land titles, made him ill; he died recently.

Whenever time permits, Lorina goes back to art as a way of expressing herself and trying to make a name in the United States.

“America is a land of opportunities. Just like any artist here in America, most of us have day jobs, to make a living to sustain our daily needs. We do all the work at home like cleaning, fixing house, doing the laundry, tending to the garden etc.,” she says.

Angeles Police arrest 249 drug pushers

By Ric Sapnu

ANGELES CITY--A total of 249 persons allegedly engaged in illegal drugs were arrested in 148 drug operations in the city from January to date.

Angeles City police director Senior Superintendent Sidney Villaflor said at least 268.225 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and 331.225 grams of marijuana were confiscated from the arrested persons.

Villaflor said the estimated street value for the said seized items is P706,211.00.

A total of 439 drug cases were also filed in court from January to June 22, he said.

Villaflor said Angeles City police will continue and intensify its campaign against illegal drugs until it is eradicated.

As part of Anti-Illegal campaign, Angeles City police conducted a surprise drug test of 308 PNP personnel over the weekend.

Six PNP personnel were found positive of using illegal drugs.

Villaflor said the said six personnel were relieved and charged administratively with maximum penalty of dismissal from the police service.

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