Difference between revisions of "Angeles City News"

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==[[Angeles City celebrates International Youth Day]]==
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==[[Angeles City conducts bloodletting drive]]==
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Angeles City - Archived News

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.
Nophoto.gif
Angeles City

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.

Angeles City celebrates International Youth Day

(PR)

THE Angeles City Government headed by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan through the Angeles City Youth and Development Office (ACYDO) kicked off this year’s celebration of International Youth Day along with youth organizations and supporters gathered at the City Hall on Monday, August 13.

ACYDO head Patrick Cura said the office mandates every youth organization and the young community to help provide a “Safe Space for Youth,” in line with this year’s theme.

A fun-filled celebration dubbed as “Linggo ng Kabataan” is set up in cooperation with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) headed by Chairman Arnoah Prince Mandani, along with youth organizations of different barangays and schools, fraternities and sororities in the city.

Booths of exhibits and items created by the youth organizations will be mounted at the City Hall Lobby on August 14, and on the 15th, the employees of the ACYDO will have their Staff Capability Seminar with discussions about the Localization of the Philippine Youth Development Plan.

The City College of Angeles will spearhead a Youth Heritage Seminar-Forum on Thursday, August 16 to involve young leaders in the city’s heritage and cultural awareness drive. This will be followed by a Youth Consolidation Meeting on Friday, and a simultaneous Katipunan ng Kabataan assembly in every barangay on Saturday to culminate the celebration.

Meanwhile, the city’s launching of the celebration on Monday was met with various performances that showcased talents of young Angeleños. Youth organizations in different barangays received their Certificate of Registration after the mini-concert.

Ferdinand Calma, President of the Sigma Kappa Pi Fraternity Alumni Pampanga Chapter, led 9 members of the ACLYDC in a pledge to keep peace and order in the community, focusing on the prevention of frat wars, and hazing as well as the freedom to voice out the opinion of the youth, and to petition their request.

In his message, Pamintuan mentioned young Filipino heroes who fought for the country and shall inspire the youth. “Don’t belittle the youngsters as they will be our future leaders. Instead, let us help them and support them for this generation needs future leaders who are dedicated to serve and make a progress,” the city mayor said.

Angeles City conducts bloodletting drive

(PR)

THE Angeles City Government headed by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan through the Persons with Disability Affairs Office-Angeles City (PDAO-AC) hosted its second bloodletting activity for the year over the weekend at the Legislative hall.

Themed “Give Love, Give Blood, Save a Life. Dugo Mo, Dugtong Buhay,” the activity was organized in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross - Angeles-Pampanga Chapter, Ospital ning Angeles (ONA), City Health Office (CHO), Angeles City Blood Bank, Angeles City Federation of Persons with Disability, and Bridge to Charity.

“Blood is very much needed especially during cases of emergency. By donating blood, we do not just show our compassion to others but we are also doing something good for our health and body. Donating blood indeed saves lives,” said PDAO-AC head Phillip Pelayo.

A total of 61 bags equivalent to 520 cc units of blood was collected from individuals who volunteered for the said campaign. Participating agencies assisted in screening the donors to determine whether they are fit to donate blood.

Pelayo furthered that the activity also served to empower their sector by passing on resources, services, and assistance that PWDs have been blessed with.

Pamintuan said that the drive also reminds Angeleños to value life and to be of service to others by participating in bloodletting initiatives without anything in return.

“I appreciate the efforts of the PWD sector for helping our less fortunate constituents in need of blood whether they belong to the PWD sector or not,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, the donated blood units may be accessed without charge through the PDAO-AC office located in Barangay Sta. Teresita. The collected units of blood will be stored at the Philippine Red Cross and Ospital ning Angeles.

Clark locator to install 1st industrial-scale solar panel project

(PR)

A MANUFACTURING company of cellulose, collagen and plastic casings and packaging materials for meat products in Clark Freeport will be a pioneer firm among Freeport locators in the country to install the first industrial-scale solar power rooftop project.

During a recent interview with the Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI) at Bale Balita (CDC Media Center) here, Viskase Asia Pacific Corporation (VAPC) plant manager Josh Go said that they already signed a contract to install $680,000 solar panel in their buildings.

According to Go, the project will be installed starting September this year and is slated to be completed by February 2019. He said that Mettle and Grip, a leading contractor and developer of solar energy will be the supplier of the solar panels that will be used for the project.

When completed, the installation of some 1,900 solar panels will help eliminate at least 12.3 million pounds of carbon footprint and will generate 829,580 kwh solar production per annum with a module efficiency of 16.72 percent.

He added that the project is in fulfillment of their thrust to help reduce energy consumption and introduce the benefits of renewable energy to other establishments. He said that this is also a commitment of the company to ensure environmentally sound operations beyond the purpose of reducing their operating costs.

“We are promoting renewable energy and hopefully some other companies inside Clark will also explore this kind of project,” he said.

Meanwhile, Noel Tulabut, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) communications division manager, mentioned that under the Green Building Code, firms that help in the reduction of energy consumption and promotion of renewable energy may get certain incentives from the state-owned firm.

“Under the Green Building Code, companies that will implement renewable energy programs and projects may entitle them to certain incentives,” he said.

Viskase is an American company that manufactures meat product casings. It has introduced the first synthetic sausage casing made from regenerated cellulose which allows large productivity for ready-to-eat meat products.

Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Clark conducts fire drill

(Press release)

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE – Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Clark (QHCP) and Mimosa Golf Course General Manager Mr. Patrick Beck and Security Manager Major Angel Aguas led the first ever fire drill (August 3).

The exercise commenced at 10:31 AM when a CODE 2 was raised at the second floor of the hotel.

QHCP’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) immediately took over the scene assisting guests, contractors, and employees for an organized and calm evacuation process at the Acacia Park.

The ERT members also took part in clearing all the guest rooms, function rooms, and had a close coordination with Clark Development Corporation’s Fire Response Team.

Aside from the fire drill, Mr. Beck also shared to everybody a demonstration on how to properly rescue a victim and the basic steps of firefighting using a fire extinguisher: PASS – Pull the trigger, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

“This is a very helpful exercise for everybody here at Quest Hotel and Mimosa Golf Course as you may never know when a fire might occur. It is very important that we get trained about this that is why there will be more drills to be conducted in the future,” Mr. Beck said.

The activity ended at 10:41 AM where a total of 161 participants attended and are now more knowledgeable on what to do during this kind of incident.

UAP: Implement Architecture Act

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

MEMBERS of various chapters of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) in Pampanga have appealed to the local and national government to implement Republic Act Number 9266, or the Architecture Act of 2004.

Architect Andy Gulapa, president of the UAP Angeles Chapter, said that their association, which consists of 40,000 members nationwide, has prepared a position paper for the government to address various concerning the profession.

In 2004, the Congress enacted R.A. No. 9266 or the Architecture Act, according to Gulapa.

“This law categorically provides, without any exemption, that only duly licensed architects can legally sign architectural plans and documents,” he said.

The law further provides that building officers cannot accept architectural plans and documents which are not signed by architects, Gulapa said.

Under the old Architectural Law (R.A. No. 545), civil engineers were expressly exempted from the general rule that only architects can sign architectural documents, he added.

Gulapa stressed that Section 20 (5) of Republic Act 9266 provides that “all architectural plans, design, specifications, drawings and architectural documents relative to the construction of a building shall bear the seal and signature only of an architect.”

“Only architects and no one else, not even civil engineers, can prepare or sign architectural documents,” Gulapa said.

He lamented that some civil engineers are still signing documents classified as architectural documents.

This, Gulapa claimed, is in violation of the Architecture Act of 2004.

The Philippine Councilors League (PCL), which consists of 16,000 members, recently expressed full support for the UAP.

The PCL vowed to initiate an advocacy for the passage of resolution or ordinance enforcing and implementing fully the provisions of RA 9266 and its implementing rules and regulations.

Angeles City council revives bid to rename Clark airport

By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY — Two resolutions have been enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of this city requesting President Duterte and enjoining members of Congress to rename Clark International Airport (CIA) into Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The two resolutions, sponsored by Councilor Edgardo “Edu” Pamintuan Jr., said this is in honor of the late President Diosdado Macapagal, the ninth president of the Republic of the Philippines who was also known as “the poor boy from Lubao, Pampanga, who became President.”

The two resolutions, PR-804-08-18 and PR-805-08-18, were unanimously approved during the SP regular session held on Tuesday.

The resolutions were ratified “in keeping with the revised guidelines of the National Historical Commission specifically stating that the proposed names must have historical and of cultural significance and must contribute to the positive development of national pride through the good example exhibited by the name being used.”

On September 28, 2001, during the 91st birthday of Macapagal, the Board of Directors of the Clark Development Corp. approved a resolution renaming CIA into DMIA, only to be reverted back to its former name during the time of former President Benigno S. Aquino.

The resolutions said the right to name our airport is part of our national patrimony, and the Angeleños expressed their disapproval of the decision made by then by the Clark International Airport Corp. to rename DMIA into CIA.

The resolutions said changing the name into DMIA will have no significant bearing on the airport’s current operation, capacity and potential as a premier international airport.

“The name Diosdado Macapagal is important to the people of Pampanga, as it honors one of its respected leaders who became the first Capampangan president of the republic and the father of land reform.”

Pamintuan said Macapagal is one of the better presidents the country ever had and deserved to be honored and emulated by young Filipinos and aspiring leaders for his character and perseverance in overcoming poverty.

Clark is in honor of Harold M. Clark, an American aviation pioneer who had no known ties with the Philippines, he said.

Marriott to open in Clark in September

(PR)

MARRIOTT Hotel will complement the promotion of Clark Freeport as a premiere tourist destination when it opens on September 14.

During the Talk Widus forum of Pampanga Press Club in cooperation with Widus Hotel and Casino held recently in Clark Freeport, Marriott Hotel director for Sales and Marketing Charley Magabo said that one of the goals of their company is to promote Clark as a destination.

“In each of the hotels that I’ve worked with, the first thing that we really promote is the destination. So, of course, whenever we would go out and introduce the hotel, we will sell first Clark and then once they recognized Clark as a destination, that’s the time that we will be presenting the hotel,” he said.

Magabo said the establishment of other hotels here will also help to showcase Clark as a Meetings, Investments, Conferences and Exhibits (MICE) destination. He said that it will also of help to cater to the needs of every guests especially on the influx of investments and tourists here.

“We actually welcome the idea of them coming in to the picture, it’s actually going be helpful for us. It’s very interesting because they know that a lot of investments are being done here in the area and they know that in the future there are a lot of bigger players that are coming in. We are expecting huge conventions and we need help from the, so it will promote not just us but even the entire area of Pampanga,” Magabo added.

Marriott Hotel Clark will be a 16-story building with 260 rooms and will feature various amenities such as ballroom, meeting rooms, interactive-type restaurants, pool and spa facilities. It is owned by the Widus International Leisure Inc.

Marriott is a 5-star hotel brand and currently one of the biggest hotel chains in the world with more than 6,000 hotels and 30 other different brands.

Angeles eateries urged to maintain clean restrooms

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

AN OFFICIAL of Angeles City has urged owners of eateries to provide their customers with clean and fragrant restrooms.

Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil said that one way of giving back to the people who visit the city is to provide them with quality services.

The official said that Angeles City is one of the country’s culinary capitals and thousands of local and foreign tourists visit the area to taste local delicacies.

Unfortunately, Sangil said that some business establishments do not even have restrooms with basic needs like soap and tissue.

“We want to show our tourists and guests that comfort rooms in Angeles City are clean and fragrant. No doubt that our food is delicious and world class but some restaurants, sad to say, do not even have CRs,” Sangil said.

He added that he will seek the assistance of local architects to help business owners in the design of a basic restroom.

Sangil a few days ago told SunStar Pampanga that he will ask the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to inspect business establishments violating environment laws.

He said that many restaurants and hotels are discharging and dumping greasy waste into the city roads’ drainage system.

He claimed that this sludge and other waste-clogged canals result to massive flooding.

“We don’t want to experience serious flooding similar to what is happening to the coastal towns of Pampanga and some parts of Metro Manila,” Sangil said.

Student wins over P1 M cash, pilot scholarship in new pageant

By Robert Requintina

ANGELES, Pampanga — A 19-year-old student was crowned Miss Midori Clark 2018 during the inaugural beauty contest perceived by many people as the biggest in terms of prize package given in any national pageants in the country.

Jasmine Omay, a freshman in Tarlac City taking up business administration, won P300,000 cash and P790,000 worth of full private pilot license course at the Omni Airline Training Academy.

“I would like to focus on my reign now because it is very overwhelming. It is not a joke. You really have to work hard for it,” says Omay during an interview after she was crowned at the pageant held at the Midori Clark Hotel and Casino on Sunday.

Omay, who stands 5’8, enjoys watching documentaries, plays the violin and guitar, and is into sports such as volleyball, badminton, chess and swimming.

The freelance model bested 21 other candidates for the national title. During the final question and answer portion, she was asked: “Give your best definition of the phrase the beauty of the new generation.”

Omay says: “We are living in a fast-paced world where we encounter issues and problems. And at this moment, what the generation needs is an inspiration to lead and to inspire other people. And I believe that Miss Midori is not only limited with beauty and brains but also with confidence and also a sense of responsibility. She gives an equal improvement of her responsibilities and she can empower beauty through her advocacy. And let me say this: let us all be Midori-fied and be satisfied.”

First runner-up honors went to Emma Tiglao, also winner of People’s Choice award; Elaiza Dee Elaiza Alzona, 2nd runner-up; Christine Julian, 3rd runner-up; and Anie Uson, 4th runner-up, who won major special awards Miss Photogenic, Best In Swimsuit; and Best In Evening Gown.

Other winners of special awards were: Airish Joy Rivera, Miss Congeniality; Joy Opiaza, Miss Talent; and Mariah Nilo, Aqua Planet’s Choice.

Timmy Diwa, marketing and public relations head of Midori Clark Casino, says the grand winners and qualified candidates of the Miss Midori Clark 2018 contest will be offered employment opportunities by Midori and BBI after the pageant.

The beauty pageant is spearheaded by the Midori Clark Casino which is owned and operated by BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation (BBI), one of the prime locators inside Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, BBI is investing billions to develop more than 120 hectares of prime land in Clark.

Included in BBI’s multibillion-peso investments in Clark is the Midori Clark Casino, said to be the most technologically advanced gaming property in North Luzon which uses full RFID gaming tables and top-of-the-line electronic gaming machines; the Midori Clark Hotel offers luxurious accommodations and a five-star experience to guests traveling north; and Aqua Planet, touted as the most modern and one of the biggest water theme parks in Asia.

Sangil asks DENR to check restos, hotels violating env’t laws

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- Councilor Jesus Sangil has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to check restaurants, hotels and other business establishments violating environment laws.

Sangil underscored the need to inspect the business establishments to prevent massive flooding similar to what happened in several areas in Pampanga, Bulacan, and Metro Manila.

The councilor said that many restaurants in the city are dumping grease into the road drainage.

Other establishments with full septic tank dump elsewhere, according to Sangil.

"In the wake of massive floodings. One of the reason why our drainage are being clogged because many establishments are indiscriminately dumping their waste," Sangil said.

"At the wee hours, tinatapon sa ilang bahagi ng Abacan River or Sapangbalen Creek yung kanilang grease," he added.

According to Sangil, sludge is one of the major cause of floodings. "This is waste and grease oil mixed together," he said.

Sangil also asked the DENR to assign a regular monitoring team checking hundreds of restos and hotels if they are compliant with environment law. "Yung hindi naaareglo!"

"May mga pagkakataon kasi na yung ibang mga business establishments ay inaareglo ang mga ibang inspector or monitoring team at binibigyan ng clearance kahit wala ng inspection," said Sangil.

Restaurants and hotels are mostly located in Barangay Balibago, Malabanas, Anunas while scores of eateries are situated at the city proper.

Pursuing accessibility for PWDs

By Ariel Avendaño

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) said the implementation of Batas Pambansa 344 which promotes the welfare of persons with disability (PWD) should be seriously given attention by the government and all other private stakeholders.

During the daylong accessibility audit training dubbed as “Building a better world for all” which was held at the SFJ multipurpose hall in Holy Angel University here, architect Arnel Agustin, UAP – Alaya chapter chair, said there were lots of government and private structures, and similar establishments, particularly in rural areas, that have no ramp facilities for PWDs.

Agustin said it’s about time to comprehensively observe the accessibility law citing section 1 of BP 344 stating that “in order to promote the realization of the rights of disabled persons to participate fully in the social life and the development of the societies in which they live and the enjoyment of the opportunities available to other citizens, no license or permit for the construction, repair or renovation of public and private buildings for public use.

The Act was passed by the Batasang Pambansa on December 7, 1982 which was signed and made into law by the late President Ferdinand Marcos on February 25, 1983.

Corresponding penalty was to be imposed for violators upon the discretion of the court, as stated in the Act.

Participated in mostly by young architects, the training has also highlighted modern and state-of-the-art concepts of facilities for offices such as bathrooms, toilets, ramps and even grab railings which will be conducive for working condition and convenience for PWDs.

On November 22, 2013, former President Benigno Aquino III has signed Proclamation 688 declaring the period of 2013-2022 as the Philippine decade of “make the right real” for persons with disabilities in support of the 3rd Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities.

“By that time, all buildings in the National Capital Region (NCR) should be PWD-accessible,”Agustin said.

EdPam underscores importance of participative governance, thanks AC benefactors

(Angeles City Government Official Website)

ANGELES CITY – Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, through his State of the City Address (SOCA), took the opportunity to finally express his appreciation to all the people who have contributed to the city’s development and those who are instrumental to the success of his 9-year leadership in this highly urbanized city.

On his 9th Ulat sa Bayan, a sentimental Pamintuan attributed the completion of various programs and projects in the city as products of participative governance and harmonious public-private partnership.

“Nais ko pong bigyang diin na ang anumang pagkilala sa akin at sa ating syudad ay hindi dahil sa akin lamang. Dahil po sa inyong lahat, dahil sa mga kasama ko sa pamahalaang lungsod,” Pamintuan said.

The mayor thanked the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno for instituting legislative reforms that brought order and development to the city.

Pamintuan doffed his hat to former president now House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda who have extended support to the MediKalinga Center of the city.

The five-termer mayor expressed his gratitude to the support extended by George Samson of World Medical Relief for various hospital equipment, Dennis Uy for his assistance to the City College of Angeles, Freddie So and the members of the Angeles City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce for the construction of numerous school buildings, and the Renal Care Unit.

Pamintuan also acknowledged the Partido Abe Kapampangan, and people’s organizations who have backed and supported all city government activities such as the One Million Trees Project, Linis Sapang Balen, and many more.

The city’s cultural workers and artist’s organizations, the Culture and Arts Council of Angeles, the Kuliat Foundation and Angeles City Jaycees, were also acknowledged for helping Angeles shed its ‘sin city’ image into a haven for heritage, arts, culinary and hospitality.

His long-time friend and political ally now President and CEO of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Alexander Cauguiran, also placed a special part in his speech.

“Our nine-year leadership proved that we are all in for the development of our beloved city. We showed that every Angeleños have roles to play in the development process- this is our brand of governance,” Pamintuan said.

As he ends his speech, the mayor vowed that he would never abandon the city to make sure that all the P3 billion-worth infrastructure projects set here will be implemented. Pamintuan, who is the incumbent Chairperson of the Regional Development Council in Central Luzon and the National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines, is yet to divulge his future political plans.

AC extends assistance to Bataan flood victims

(Angeles City Government Official Website)

ANGELES CITY – The local government here headed by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is donating relief goods to the residents of the City of Balanga, municipality of Hermosa in the province of Bataan, which was heavily devastated by last week’s heavy downpour.

Mayor Pamintuan instructed the city’s disaster and emergency response team to immediately extend the aid last Wednesday, July 25.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO) will jointly spearhead the said relief operation.

A total of 500 goods are to be distributed to the victims of the calamity in the province of Bataan which was put under the state of calamity last Sunday after Typhoon Josie have caused heavy rains and flash floods.

CSWDO Head Joy Duaso assured that the city government will readily offer its assistance to their city.

“They can expect that the Local Government of Angeles will not turn a blind eye, this aid is a way of giving back and letting them know that we are here for them in times of need,” said Duaso.

Mayor Pamintuan extended his support to the city of Balanga, recalling the outpouring of aid from neighboring provinces when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in the early 90s. He was then seated as Vice Mayor of Angeles City.

“My sympathy goes to the victims of the typhoon. Rest assured that we will prioritize the extension of aid, as well as hope, to our fellow men in Baataan, in perpetual gratitude to their kindness in our unfortunate moments,” the city Mayor said.

The ACDRRMO was tasked to supervise the transport of the goods, while the local government will remain to be in contact with its neighboring province for further support and assistance.

Angeles City celebrates Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

(Angeles City Government Official Website)

ANGELES CITY - In observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) week, the city government here kicked-off the celebration with a flag raising ceremony hosted by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office- Angeles City (PDAO-AC) held on Monday at the City Hall.

With the theme “Kakayahan at Kasanayan Para sa Kabuhayan Tungo sa Kaunlaran”, this year’s 40th celebration of NDPR week, which will run from July 17-23, aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the upliftment of their economic and social conditions.

According to PDAO-AC Head Philip Pelayo, the weeklong celebration is observed annually to promote public awareness and to address issues concerning the PWD sector.

On the other hand, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan assured his full support to the PWDs of the city and he is looking forward to more projects that are beneficial to their sector.

Pamintuan also referred them as valuable assets and that their participation signifies that all of them believe in their capabilities.

“Do not let your disabilities limit you. Being handicapped does not mean that you are less capable. Because in our city, we are making sure that you are granted equal rights and opportunities,” Pamintuan added.

Activities lined up for the NDPR week include: Lecture on Understanding and Exceptionalities and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder which was held last July 17, 2018 at Marquee Mall Activity Center.

The activity gathered in 300 teachers, health workers, barangay population workers and PWDs to participate in the forum facilitated by Dr. Olga Angelica P. Tulabut, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Angeles University Foundation.

On July 18 and 19, Blood Typing services will be extended to PWDs and non-PWDs in the city to be held at Salapungan Elementary School and Department of Education (DepEd) – Angeles City.

To culminate the celebration, the Central Luzon Federation of Persons with Disabilities (CLFPD) will be having a motorcade and a singing contest intended for PWDs in the whole of Region 3 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center on July 23.

Executive Order No. 33 Series of 2018, which renamed the Angeles City Office for Person with Disability Affairs (ACOPDA) to Persons with Disability Affairs Office- Angeles City (PDAO-AC) took effect on July 1, 2018.

To date, the city has 4,300 registered PWDs enjoying various incentives and privileges.

Urban gardening beneficial, wise investment, mayor says

(PR)

ANGELES CITY -- “I would like to invite every Angeleño to start now. Urban gardening is a wise investment that we can provide our families on our own.”

Thus said Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan during the culmination of the city’s month-long celebration of the 44th Nutrition Month over the weekend at the Angeles City Hall.

Pamintuan called on every Angeleño household to kick-start their own backyard gardens and avail of the city’s services like free gardening tutorials and seedlings distribution.

During the event, three activities were held to highlight the benefits of having a vegetable garden through this year’s Nutrition Month theme, “Ugaliing Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin!”

A poster-making contest, decoration of booths and a cooking competition were organized by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and the City Agriculture Office (CAO) enjoining the participation of various sectors in the city.

CAO Urban and Greening Program Coordinator and Agriculturist Rea Dizon welcomed the guests with a motivational speech encouraging every household and the community to implement vegetable gardening that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

“This practice will create a generation that is healthy and wise. Implementing vegetable gardening would give us a safe and healthy food consumption,” Dizon said.

She also mentioned that this practice could help Angeleños financially, as not only is it thrifty, but it could also provide additional income. The use of recyclable materials such as used tires, and plastic bottles serve as pots.

It was a fruitful event as CSWDO head Joy Duaso said: “There are more participants this year and we are very grateful for their presence and support. We all deserve healthier selves and a better environment.”

In relevance to last year’s Task Force One Million Trees and Gulayan sa Barangay Project, urban gardening is expected to generate local products that provided families nutritious and quality vegetables while earning as well.

Special Olympics held at SM Clark

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – In observance of the 40th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the Angeles City Learners’ with Special Education Needs held a Special Olympics at the SM City Clark here on Friday.

Ronnie Tiotuico, former regional director of the Department of Tourism, organized the event in cooperation with Department of Education Angeles City District School Superintendent Leilani Cunanan and SM.

It’s all about fun, fun, fun and a day in the life of children with special needs, said Tiotuico who has been organizing the event annually for three years now.

Some 300 children with special needs gathered at the Activity Center of the mall where they competed in friendly games in the special Olympics.

Lending support to the affair were the Alliance of Travel and Tours Association of Pampanga, Pampanga Agents Travel Society, Greater Clark Visitors Bureau, Hotels and Restaurants Association of Pampanga, Bridge to Charity, Taisho Pharma, Phyllies Sports Grill, El Kabayo Riding Stables, My Tooth Goodies, Care Travel and Bayad Center, Patio Miguelito (Chef Don Edward Quito), Godspeed Business Center, Cris Pecjo, Prisca Castor, Maribel De Guzman, Ela Pascual, Christine Yap-Zamora, Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Pampanga Chapter and Punto Central Luzon.

Korean firm eyes retirement village in Angeles City

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

A KOREAN firm is planning to develop a retirement village in Angeles City, an official of the Philippine Investors and Retirement Industry Council (PIRIC) said.

PIRIC chairman Albert Dela Cruz said that PHICO Corporation, a South Korean company, is considering to build a retirement village at the Korea Town in said city for its members.

PHICO Corporation officials, including Vice President Yoon Si Hyeon, led the ground-breaking ceremonies for the construction of P300 million Water Park Resort and Hotel at the Korea Town, Angeles City.

Dela Cruz, who is also the chairman of the Philippine Globe Ventures Realty and Construction Corporation (PGVRCC), told SunStar Pampanga that some 200 villas, 6,000-square meter swimming pool, 27-foot man-made falls, hot and cold spa, and other attractions will be built inside the facility.

Dela Cruz said that the resort, once completed, is expected to generate 3,000 tourist arrivals every month.

The PGVRCC, the project developer and contractor, has scheduled the completion of the project by December this year.

Dela Cruz was recently appointed as director of the North Luzon Railways Corporation (Northrail) by President Duterte.

He is an environmental and urban planner, realtor and real estate consultant, and a developer engaged in various development and housing projects.

Dela Cruz is also a consultant of the Sanggunian Tribung Aeta of CADT 025 in Mabalacat City in Pampanga province and Bamban town in Tarlac province.

MSME exporters get intensified support from DTI

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT — Micro, small and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs) will continue to get intensifi ed support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Export Marketing Bureau (EMB).

The DTI said MSMEs are accessing export markets through its Regional Interactive Platform for the Philippine Exporters (Ripples) Plus Program.

The DTI said for the full year 2017, Ripples Plus assisted a total of 408 exporters and implemented 33 marketing and promotional activities geared toward strengthening Philippine exporters’ capacities in support to increasing economic revenues for the country.

Through Ripples Plus, Philippine exporters are being assisted to penetrate markets by updating them on latest trends and market requirements.

“For the Track 2 project, the conduct of the product development included the translation of the text of the chichacorn labels in Arabic language. This will open new export markets of my chichacorn products specifically in the Middle East,” said Clemencia Padre, a program participant from Region 1.

For 2018, the program aims to undertake targeted and more aggressive export promotion for priority industries, such as food and agri-marine, services and industrial sectors.

“Our participation to the various trade and exhibitions and fairs allowed our cooperative to open new markets and new opportunities. Orders have increased from Manila- and Cebu- based exporters and converters. We generated a total of P6.40 million for 2016 and P5.06 million for 2017 through Ripples Plus,” said Ma. Trina V. Sumayang, general manager of Tubigon Loomweavers Multipurpose Cooperative.

DTI said Ripples Plus is a focused program developed and being implemented by DTI-EMB that aims to expand the supply base of internationally competitive Philippine export products and services and to provide intensified, purposive and practical assistance geared toward the internationalization of Philippine MSMEs and expand the global export-market opportunities for large corporations.

Ripples Plus develops both products and exporters through four modes of assistance: training and capacity building; marketing and promotion; support for innovation through product development and design; access to markets through mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) and certifications.

In 2017, the country’s merchandise export recorded a 9.5 percent increase compared to 2016. Total exported goods amounted to $62.87 billion with significant growth in non-electronic products, a reflection of the country’s efforts to diversify its export products.

Last week, the DTI central Luzon regional office hosted for the first time the National MSME Summit held here which was keynoted by President Duterte.

Various Clark locators participate in mass CPR event

(CDC CommDep)

CLARK FREEPORT— Some 276 representatives from various locator companies here and outside this Freeport participated in the recent Mass Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Lay held at SM City Clark Event Center.

The Philippine Heart Association Inc. (PHA) – Central Luzon together with Philippine College of Cardiology, Council on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and in cooperation with Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine National Red Cross, Department of Education, American Heart Association and SM Malls spearheaded the said event to raise awareness on cardiac arrest and the importance in knowing how to perform CPR.

PHA-CL Chapter President Dr. Josephus Sibal said that the activity is an initiative of the PHA in educating every individual about how they can use CPR as an emergency life-saving procedure for a person who suffers from a cardiac arrest.

“The initiative of the PHA is to educate the lay or every individual regarding cardiac arrest, and if we are able to educate the people on how to do hands-on CPR then we can at least help them if they witness this certain incident and if we can institute CPR to any individual who goes into cardiac arrest, we can increase the chances of survival for that individual,” Sibal said.

Sibal furthered that the event is a nationwide simulation where the same activity was performed in different parts of the country.

“This is a nationwide simulation and we have different sites across the Philippines. In Central Luzon we have different sites, we have sites in Tarlac, in Cabanatuan City and in Bataan. This is done across the Philippines,” he said.

During the event, trainers who specialize in the field of CPR gave demonstrations and guided each participants to perform the same.

Meanwhile, CDC Health and Sanitation Division Manager Dr. Clemencita Dobles encouraged the participants of the said activity as this is an opportunity for them to learn and save lives.

“Kinagagalak kopo na magkaroon ng ganitong activity para sa mga empleyado sa Clark. Gusto po nating magparticipate dito sa nationwide CPR para yung mga regular citizen ay matuto ng CPR at kahit saan, kahit kailan pwede po tayong magligtas ng buhay,” Dobles said.

Some of the locator-companies who participated in the said event are representatives from Aderans, Global Gateway Development Corporation (GGDC), Luenthai Philippines, La Rose Noire, Sutherland, Sambon and Xenia Hotel among others.

AC to have new P580-M city hall Plus P380-M sports, socio-civic center

By Ding Cervantes

ANGELES CITY- Amid criticisms that the city hall here is “one of the country’s ugliest,” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan announced yesterday the construction starting in September of a P580-million new city hall and sports complex “fit for a highly urbanized city.”

This would be on top of a P320-million sports complex and socio-civic center near the Pampang market, the city’s biggest public market.

City Engineer Donato Dizon said Pamintuan’s plans “are in the pipeline to complement developments at the Clark Freeport Zone.”

“A five-floor modern and green city hall will be built in front of the existing government edifice. The building will feature parking lots and rentable commercial spaces for the first and second floors,” Dizon said.

He said the new building would house new offices for the mayor, vice mayor, members of the sangguniang panlungsod and other city government agencies.

Dizon added that the building would occupy 15,795 square meters and also feature an auditorium and a multipurpose function hall for bigger government events and activities.

“The old city hall is quite small and congested already. It also needs plenty of repairs. The new city hall will bring together all our offices and services to make our compound a compact walkable government complex,” Dizon said.

The current city hall, built by one of Pamintuan’s predecessors, has been described by local folk as “probably the ugliest city hall in the Philippines.”

Dizon said the P320-million sports complex and socio-civic center would accommodate 2,500 people in its convention center with complete sports amenities, multipurpose halls and parking areas.

“The mayor wants the facilities to be green and eco-friendly that is why we are infusing bigger windows as part of the initial designs for energy-saving lighting and ventilation. We can also go as far as making them solar powered but studies are still underway,” Dizon said.

The Angeles local government and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) led by chairman Alberto Romulo recently entered into a loan agreement to fund the projects.

Pamintuan said construction is expected to start this September for completion in 600 days.

He said “this is on top of the P1.3-billion big ticket infrastructure projects for Angeles City, which are set to be implemented in 2019 under the DTI-DPWH Convergence program, the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade.”

UP Aguman holds College Entrance Exam Review

(INQUIRER.net BrandRoom)

Are you feeling scared, excited, or all mixed up on your nearing college admission tests? Got what it takes to study in your dream universe-ity? No worries because we got you to the moon and back!

Held by one of the most prestigious organizations in the University of the Philippines — Diliman, UP Aguman, the College Entrance Exam Review (CEER) has helped high school students from various schools in Pampanga prepare for their upcoming entrance examinations.

July 14 – University of the Assumption ( San Fernando, Pampanga)
July 21- Don Bosco Academy (Mabalacat, Pampanga)
July 28- Angeles City Science High School (Angeles, Pampanga)
August 4- Holy Family Academy (Angeles, Pampanga)

With the students’ anticipation, CEER assists by providing a simulation of tests in the morning, and a review in the afternoon from esteemed lecturers. This year, together with UP Aguman’s sponsors, Hawkbag, Adarna House, and Murakeni, there will be four days of CEER scheduled for July 14, July 21, July 28, and August 4. The event will be conducted in cooperation with the organization’s partner schools: University of the Assumption, Don Bosco Academy, Angeles City Science High School, and Holy Family Academy.

Visit UP Aguman’s pages for more information:

fb.com/AguCEER
fb.com/upaguman

Go Lokal store what? DTI boasts of project before Duterte

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT — Who has ever heard of Go Lokal stores? But this was what Trade and Industry Sec. Ramon Lopez boasted as a major accomplishment of his agency before Pres. Duterte during the recent annual National MSME Summit held here.

The project, said Lopez, is his agency’s “marketing platform for helping small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) for mainstreaming market access incubation, marketing and branding.”

“Through this, our MSMEs have a 365 day exposure not just on weekends, and in prime location retail markets to be able to attract potential buyers,” he said.

To date, there are already 56 Go Lokal stores nationwide with 332 MSME suppliers.

Lopez also reported that these stores were able to generate P33 million sales from December 2016 to May 2018.

Some participants in the summit questioned the project, wondering how the DTI chooses beneficiaries.

“How can the project be fair to all if most MSME’s are not given the chance to apply for it simply because they do not know it exists,” said one participant who asked not to be named.

The government-run Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said in a press release that “With the Go Lokal stores, DTI and its partner institutions were able to give free market access incentives to small entrepreneurs as long as they have quality products,”

Lopez said project beneficiaries were given “free shelf space thus, they were able to save up to P7 million in terms of rental space. They were also able to save the listing fee of P3 million per product and their products have every day mainstream exposure.”

Angeles City to build new city hall, sports complex

By Ric Sapnu (PNA)

ANGELES CITY -- The city government will soon start construction of a new city hall and sports complex to complement the ongoing development of the Clark Freeport Zone.

City engineer Donato Dizon on Monday said that the construction of the two projects in the pipeline will start by September this year and will last for 600 calendar days.

These are on top of the PHP1.3-billion big ticket infrastructure projects for Angeles City, which are set to be implemented in 2019 under the Department of Trade and Industry-Department of Public Works and Highways (DTI-DPWH) convergence program, the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT).

Dizon said that a five-storey modern and "green" city hall will be built in front of the existing government edifice.

“The building will feature parking lots and rentable commercial spaces for the first and second floors,” he said.

He noted that the PHP580-million city hall annex will mainly house the new offices for the mayor, vice mayor, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) and other city government agencies.

Dizon also said that the 15,795-square meter city hall building would feature an auditorium and multi-purpose function hall to serve bigger government events and activities.

“The old city hall is quite small and congested already. It also needs plenty of repairs. The new city hall will bring together all our offices and services to make our compound a compact walkable government complex,” the city engineer said.

Meanwhile, the PHP320-million sports complex and socio-civic center is being eyed to be constructed in Barangay Pampang, a 2,500-capacity convention center with complete sports amenities, multi-purpose halls and parking areas.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the two projects are important facilities.

“I am grateful to the support that the SP headed by Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno has been extending to us to finally have all our projects realized. Our prompt implementation of programs and projects manifests the good relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the city government,” he said.

Dizon said the mayor has also suggested the facilities to be environment-friendly.

“The mayor wants the facilities to be green and eco-friendly that is why we are infusing bigger windows as part of the initial designs for energy-saving lighting and ventilation. We can also go as far as making them solar powered but studies are still underway,” Dizon said.

The City Government of Angeles and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), led by chairman Alberto Romulo, have recently entered into a loan agreement to fund the construction of the said facilities.

CDC’s ‘Brigada Eskwela’ 2018 project benefits 14 schools

(PR)

FOURTEEN public schools from communities surrounding Clark Freeport Zone recently benefited from Clark Development Corporation’s (CDC) “Brigada Eskwela 2018” under its Clark Cares Program.

As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, CDC provided various materials and equipment to different schools. Some of these are emergency kits, learner’s kit, cleaning materials, maintenance materials, school equipment, toiletries, medicine and other emergency supplies.

Recipients include Mauaque High School, Bonifacio Romero High School, Claro M. Recto Information and Communication Technology High School, Mabalacat Elementary School, Villa Teodora Elementary School, Northville 15 Integrated School, Lourdes Northwest Elementary School, Anupul Elementary School, Lourdes Elementary School-Dapdap, Mainang Resettlement Elementary School, Layak Day Care Center, Angeles City Science High School, Malabanias Integrated School and Angeles National High school.

The state–owned firm also created different programs on health, education and livelihood and fulfillment of its mission to bring about inclusive development to neighboring communities of the freeport.

The programs by CDC include dental and medical mission, feeding programs, jobs fair, trainings, distribution of pangkabuhayan mobile carts, retractable tents and other special projects for communities.

Mutya ning Angeles alumna to represent PH in Miss Freedom of the World

(Angeles CIO)

ANGELES CITY – Mutya ning Angeles 2017 Youth Ambassadress Ma. Francesca Taruc will represent the country in this year’s edition of the Miss Freedom of the World to be held in Kosovo.

Miss Freedom of the World (MFW) is a post-war beauty pageant that started in Kosovo, a former war-torn European country.

The pageant’s core advocacy is to raise a message of love and struggle for freedom, the empowerment of women, and the importance of promoting their rights.

Taruc will be competing against participating candidates from different countries all across the globe during the pageant culmination day on August 17.

During her courtesy call with Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, the 20-year old Communication Arts student from Holy Angel University expressed her excitement to finally represent not only the Angeleñas and the Kapampangans, but the Filipinas as a whole in an international beauty pageant.

When asked about her motivation in joining the beauty pageant tilt, Taruc said that the “fight for freedom runs in our blood”.

Francesca is a native of San Luis Town and was raised in Angeles City.

She is the granddaughter of the founder of the biggest peasant-based resistance movement of the Philippines during the World War II, the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) Supremo Luis Taruc.

“I would want to dedicate this pageant to Angeles City, my native town of San Luis, and to my grandfather Luis Taruc who is a patriot and has dedicated his life in pursuit for true freedom,” said Taruc.

“I think it is my generation’s time to continue this legacy. MFW beauty pageant is an opportunity for me to spread a message of equality and peace, and that war or any form of violence is never acceptable,” the beauty queen added.

Mayor Pamintuan lauded Taruc for her eagerness to win the crown that will introduce Kapampangan courage, beauty, and wit to the rest of the world.

“We are indeed honored that another Kapampangan, an Angeleña by heart, will again raise our country’s name in the international stage. We hope for a fruitful outcome on her journey to the crown. Rest assured that the city government will be extending assistanceto her in ways possible,” said the mayor.

Pamintuan urged the Angeleños to support Taruc through online voting which will be announced and launched any time soon in MFW’s official facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MissFreedomOfTheWorld2014/

For many years, the Philippines chooses and sends an MFW candidate through a manner of selection or appointment. Taruc is the first ever Filipina to be crowned Miss Freedom of the World- Philippines through a competition. T

he Angeleña beauty hopes to contribute to the continued winning streak of Filipinas who have made their respective marks in various international beauty pageants.

DSWD allots P8.4-M supplemental feeding aid to Angeles City kids

By Ric Sapnu (PNA)

ANGELES CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here will allot some PHP8.4 million for the supplemental feeding of 4,700 children in 78 day care centers across this highly-urbanized city.

The feeding programs will be held from Mondays to Fridays and will run for 120 days starting this July.

In fulfillment of Republic Act 6972 or the “Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act” which requires the establishment of at least one day care center in every village, a total of 4,700 children aged 3 to 4 years old are being cared for in centers across the 33 barangays of Angeles City.

Joy Duaso, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, said that an average of 50 children are being looked after in each of the city’s day care centers.

“We have even surpassed the requirement of one center per barangay in order to meet the needs of children in bigger villages,” Duaso said.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, meanwhile, thanked the DSWD for its productive and long-standing partnership with the city towards fulfilling the social welfare mandate of the local government unit.

Pamintuan cited the relevance of values formation for children.

“These formative years are the highlight of our youth’s identity. We must guide them through their young years so they grow up to be accountable residents of the community,” the mayor said.

Midori Clark Hotel features All American Buffet this July at Toscana Dining

(Editor)

WHETHER you are longing for the best hamburger, pork ribs or even the confectionery version of an American pie, Midori Clark Hotel and Casino is set to satisfy your U.S. cravings with the All American Buffet at Toscana Dining for the weekends of July.

American foods are best known for the stuff that’s described by words suited to greasy, crushing industrial output, massive and sugary. These foods are surely loved maybe not all but most of the nations around the globe.

Slathered or smoked – Midori Clark Hotel and Casino’s All American Buffet will highlight US Angus Beef and Prime Roast Beef. Two iconic American foods that even need more napkins for greasy feels. United States being home-grown of the Rib ‘Cue Capital – All American Buffet will also feature a meaty and tender Baby Back Ribs.

After reading about every U.S.’s iconic dishes featured at Toscana Dining, you’ll want to take a road trip based solely on dessert. While you’ve likely had your state’s fair share of the dessert it’s known for, you’re about to discover a whole new realm of confections that you shouldn’t miss during your visit.

The U.S.’s national favorite – American Pie, is available with the version of Key Lime Meringue Pie. Also charmingly called slump, grunt, and buckle, a Peach Cobbler is also available ramekins. Other famed American desserts that will be served are Campfire Smores, Banana Foster, Giant Chocolate Chip and Apple Caramel Upside Down.

All American Buffet comes with UNLIMITED BEER and WINE at a price of P1,099+ for adults and P550+ for kids 4 ft. below. Dinner Buffet opens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 PM to 10 PM and Brunch Buffet every Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Treats for Diners

Here’s another treat! If you are celebrating your birthday, just bring someone and you can dine for FREE! You can also bring a group of three or more and get a chance to win an Aqua Planet Tickets.

Make sure you have your seats reserved! For reservations, email restaurants@midorihotel.com or call 0917 868 2217 / 045 308 8888.

Keep social with us! Visit www.midorihotel.com or stay connected, like Facebook.com/midoriclarkhotel, follow @midoriclark on Twitter and @midorihotelcasino on Instagram.

Global mobile group supports disaster response program

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

SMART Communications and Nokia have announced that they have received funding from the GSMA, the organization representing mobile operators globally, for a disaster response drone system.

The Nokia Saving Lives drone project, which will operate on Smart’s frequencies during times of emergency, has been selected as a grantee by the GSMA Disaster Response Innovation Fund.

The Nokia Saving Lives program seeks to provide communications technology and technical assistance to emergency response teams. In the Philippines, Smart will provide high-speed connectivity for a drone-based system to help boost the disaster response efforts of the Philippine Red Cross.

The system consists of drones, a portable data center, a mobile broadband network, and applications like video streaming, gas sensing, mapping, and analytics, which can help Red Cross responders assess current status of lifelines and analyze immediate needs and gaps. This will enable Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to communities in more timely, effective and efficient ways.

Using Smart’s high-speed LTE connectivity and the portable Nokia Ultra Compact Network, the system can also create a secure communication between drones, other equipment, and rescue team members.

The drone can be equipped with different types of cameras, sensors and speakers, and can also be used to carry first aid kits. The portable data center, meanwhile, is a computing and storage unit that can be used for immediate data analysis. The initiative was presented to the delegates of the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter (HCC) Regional Workshop for Asia-Pacific during a visit to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation emergency operations center. Representatives from the GSMA and other telecommunications providers all over Asia attended the HCC meeting, held July 10-11 in Angeles, Pampanga.

“We are proud to present this collaboration with our colleagues here in Asia and the rest of the world,” said PLDT and Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto. “Disaster preparedness is one of our priority advocacies. At Smart, we provide continuous network service, as well as multi-platform technology and training, as we work with the government and other partners. We believe our communications support for the drones will help enhance disaster response and, ultimately, save lives.”

“The GSMA Disaster Response Innovation Fund is proud to be supporting projects that use mobile technology to assist and empower individuals or communities who are building their resilience to natural disasters, or who are affected by humanitarian emergencies,” said Kyla Reid, head of digital identity and mobile for humanitarian innovation at the GSMA. “This project from Nokia and Smart Communications is an excellent example of collaboration and highlights the positive role the private sector can play in strengthening response in the face of disaster.”

Christina Cabrera, head of Nokia Technology Center Philippines, said: “Nokia creates the technology to connect the world. The collaboration between Smart, Nokia Technology Center Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross brings the innovative Nokia Saving Lives solution for emergency situations into use—right here in the Philippines. To do this we build on the strength of Nokia’s engineering capabilities worldwide and especially on the expertise and motivation of our engineers in the Nokia Technology Center Philippines.”

Smart is one of the three founding signatories of the GSMA Human Connectivity Charter, which aims to provide increased access to communication and information for those affected by calamities, helping reduce loss of lives and contribute to humanitarian response.

Smart’s disaster preparedness programs have been cited in the GSMA HCC annual reports. These programs include Smart’s Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS), which sends out location- and hazard-specific alerts; its ICT Bayanihan series of regional summits to institutionalize emergency telecommunications teams; and the Batingaw disaster management app, which has been replicated in the Horn of Africa.

Smart’s support to the Red Cross and commitment to HCC are part of the company’s #SafePH advocacy, which aims to help build resilient communities and reduce disaster-related casualties through technology.

Angeles City gets P8.4-M supplemental feeding aid

(PR)

THE Angeles City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) here was awarded an P8.4-million check by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Luzon (DSWD-3) for the supplemental feeding of 4,700 children in day care centers across the highly-urbanized city.

During Monday’s flag raising ceremony at the city hall, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan formally received the said amount from DWSD regional director Gemma Gabuya, which will fund the city’s supplemental feeding programs across the 78 day care centers here.

The feeding programs will be held from Mondays to Fridays and will run for 120 days starting this month of July.

In fulfillment of R.A. 6972 or the “Barangay-Level Total Development and Protection of Children Act” which requires the establishment of at least one day care center in every village, a total of 4,700 children ranging from 3 to 4 years old are being cared for in centers across the 33 barangays of Angeles City.

“We must continually support our social welfare office as it serves as the voice for the indigent, vulnerable, as well as the women and children of our community,” said Gabuya.

According to CSWDO Head Joy Duaso, an average of 50 kids are being looked after in each of the city’s day care centers. “We have even surpassed the requirement of one center per barangay in order to meet the needs of children in bigger villages,” said Duaso.

Aside from supplemental feedings, day care workers regularly host activities such as play dates, arts and crafts and storytelling, which aid in the mental and social development of the children.

For his part, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan emphasized the relevance of values formation for children. “These formative years are the highlight of our youth’s identity. We must guide them through their young years so they grow up to be accountable residents of the community,” said the mayor.

Top 10 students in Central Luzon feted

By Manny Balbin (PNA)

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- The 10 outstanding students of Central Luzon for this year were given due recognition on Monday as they were challenged to continuously make a difference in their generation to become better leaders in the future.

The 10, who were awarded in a ceremony held at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here, are: Kenneth J. Miranda from Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. in Bocaue; Shaina Mae T. Coronel from Baliuag University; Ezayra D. Dubria of Angeles University Foundation; Francis Edward A. Blanco from the Bataan Peninsula State University; Gabriel B. Lorenzo from the Pampanga State Agricultural University.

Relynne L. Miranda from Baliuag University; Oliver Z. Manarang from the Mabalacat City College; John Adrew Louis M. Vergel from the Mondriaan Aura College; Alvin C. Guinto from the Centro Escolar Universit y-Malolos and Kerwin R. Bañas from the Aurora State College of Technology.

They will represent the region in the 57th Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) 2018 national search.

These students were selected from 20 finalists from the different colleges and universities in Central Luzon.

The finalists entered into the venue accompanied by the guest of honor, movie actor Jose Sixto “Dingdong” G. Dantes III.

Dr. Christina Nuque, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 3 supervisor, in her speech, said that “it is not every day that we celebrate leadership and excellence. Today’s occasion, therefore, is extraordinary as well as beyond the ordinary.”

She expressed belief that through TOSP, the meticulously chosen finalists can make a difference in the society as they are the young leaders of today.

Meanwhile, Kenneth J. Miranda, who represented the Batch Bagwis of the 2018 TOSP, delivered his batch's response.

“We are the Batch Bagwis, we are the group of youth that will not be afraid, that has a flap in our wings towards the true progress, we will advance and shout that every single one of us can contribute to the society and all of us are the new generation of the brown race, who are free and that has love for you, Philippines. In every journey, there will always be a spark and flow of hope in flying towards the sky that we are yearning and with courage and joy, we will show our wings,” Miranda said.

Dantes, meanwhile, shared a story about his own life, his past experiences which helped him become the man that he is now.

The renowned actor also said he believed that the journey of the outstanding students is truly extraordinary and the opportunity that they have now is an achievement that they really worked hard for.

“When everyone is sitting down, stand up, when everyone is standing up, stand out and when everyone is standing out, be the leader that you are, be the model, be someone that everyone is not,” Dantes added.

Contour of 2019 polls takes shape in Angeles

By Ding Cervantes

ANGELES CITY–The contour of the 2019 mayoral elections in this chartered city has taken form, as Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, already in his third and last term, announced plans to run either for congressman or senator.

This, amid reports from local politicians that his former chief of staff Alexander Cauguiran, veteran politician Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, and former councilor Irineo Alvaro would seek to replace him.

Cauguiran is now the acting president of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) while Lazatin, an octogenarian who had been mayor and congressman for several terms in the past, was elected chairman of commercial Barangay Balibago in the last polls.

On the other hand, Alvaro had served several terms as city councilor and is now president and chief executive officer of BBI, the corporate entity behind upscale Midori Hotel and Casino, water-theme park Aqua Planet, and Eaglesky at the Clark Freeport.

Cauiguiran had already announced his mayoral plans, while Lazatin and Alvaro have yet to announce theirs.

Cauguiran will reportedly have incumbent Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno as running mate, while Lazatin will have former vice mayor Vicky Vega. Alvaro has yet to give hint on who could me his running mate.

In a statement last week, Pamintuan announced his “plans to run for Congress in 2019 to ensure the completion of more than a billion worth of projects for the city that he was able to get approvals for from the national government.”

“I will not leave you,” declared Pamintuan, during a meeting with newly-elected barangay offi cials. He said he will seek “higher national position as congressman, or even a senator, in the 2019 elections.”

Pamintuan cited his accomplished projects worth P1. 5 billion, including the ₱236-million NLEX-SCTEx Connecting Road (Abacan Expressway) in support to the furniture, ITBPO, hotels, garments and textile industries of Angeles City; the ₱66-million widening of the Philippine Export Zone Road and construction of road connecting Angeles-Magalang Road to East Circumferential Road; the ₱103-million improvement of Zeppelin Street and Clark Perimeter Road; the ₱212-million construction of Angeles City Toll Exit connecting NLEx and SCTEx.

He also cited the ₱67.9-million improvement and construction of road connecting West Circumferential Road to East Mega Dike and the ₱644-million construction of East Circumferential Road connecting MacArthur Highway to Angeles Magalang Road.

Pamintuan, who was the 2012 Top 8 World Mayor, also announced projects he wants done, including a new 5-storey city hall with a sports complex and a 2-storey steel parking building; the acquisition of heavy equipment for the city engineering office; 33 dumptrucks; vehicles for the city government and the Philippine National Police; and the installation of 1,000 units of LED streetlights in the city.

“I would like to see through the completion of these projects, and work for better representation of the city in Congress in the face of the expected onslaught of development centered on the Clark Freeport Zone and the Clark International Airport,” he said.

“I will not leave Angeles City until these projects are completed. All roads lead to Clark and its environs insofar as development is concerned,” Pamintuan said.

Pamintuan stressed “the need for progressive and forward- looking local leadership,” urging barangay officials to “think big and out of the box.”

During the meeting, Cauguiran lauded the decision of Pamintuan to continue serving city folk.

Angeles City forms youth development council

(PR)

THE Angeles City Government through the Angeles City Youth Development Office (ACYDO) convened this city’s Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) with the formal installation of new officers and election of sectoral representatives on June 29 at the City Hall.

According to Patrick Cura, ACYDO officer-in-charge, the assembly is in line with the provisions of the Republic Act (RA) 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015.

Section 23 of the law states that the LYDC shall “ensure wide and multi-sectoral youth participation in local governance, there shall be in every province, city and municipality.”

The LYDC shall assist the planning and execution of projects and programs of the SK, and the Pederasyons in all levels.

RA 10742 further states that the LYDC shall be composed of representatives of youth and youth-serving organizations in the provincial, city, and municipal level.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded all the members of the LYDC stressing their importance in the city’s development process through the Local Youth Development Plan.

“I feel ecstatic about the future programs and activities of our youth leaders. Clearly, this is a manifestation that they are taking their first steps as we enjoin their participation in doing public service and government work towards a sustainable and inclusive local governance,” said Pamintuan.

The LYDC will be chaired by SK Federation President Arnoah Prince Mandani and will be assisted by Vice Chairman Renzo Carlo Santiago, SK Federation Vice President.

Meanwhile, the newly-elected LYDC representatives and organizations include: Harvey Santiago, Youth for Empowerment and Progress Inc for City Wide Youth Organization; Christian Jeff Pangilinan, Pulung Cacutud Power Youth Club and Sta. Teresita Youth Organization for Community-based Youth Organizations; Richard Canlas, Dabarkadz for Culture and Arts; Jayson Torres, PWD Youth Organization for Differently-Abled; Sarrah Mae Capiz, ICON- Aeta Tribal Youth Organization for Indigenous People; Imee Jean Regala, ECPAT Philippines for Advocacy-oriented; Jessa Mae Ariscon, Systems Plus College Foundation and City College of Angeles for School-based Organizations; and Ricky Ventura, PYAP Federation for Out of School Youth Organization.

Angeles City is the first local government unit to form an LYDC in Central Luzon according to Cura.

Sectoral groups to support Pamintuan’s congressional bid

(PR)

MULTISECTORAL groups in Angeles City have expressed their support over the earlier pronouncement of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan that he is eyeing a higher government position in the 2019 polls.

Barangay Captain Jeremias Alejandrino of Pandan cited the impact of the flagship projects of Pamintuan to the city that introduced a new brand of public service not only in the region but also in the whole country.

The five-term barangay captain mentioned the modernization of the Ospital ning Angeles (ONA), the construction of the City College of Angeles (CCA) and the public cemetery, among others, as Pamintuan’s key projects that can be replicated in neighboring towns in the first district of Pampanga.

“He has drawn a peaceful, orderly and progressive Angeles City that is why we support the mayor in his quest to continue what he has started,” said Alejandrino.

“We barangay captains are looking for a leader with a clear foresight of the future and the desire to serve his beloved city that is why we manifested our support,” the five-term barangay captain added.

The five-term mayor has also earned the appreciative nods of sectoral leaders citing various projects that he was able to accomplish in just a span of nine years.

Nelson Caranto, overall chairman of the Angeles City Pampang Public Market Vendors Association, expressed the elation of the public market sector on the renovation of the Pampang Market.

“We thank him for not forgetting us and for upgrading the market so we can be abreast with competition. The members of the association are supporting him,” said Caranto should Pamintuan continues with his plan to run for congressman.

Meanwhile, Youth Development advocate Patrick Cura expressed his excitement over the P1.5 billion worth proposed projects for Angeles City which Mayor Pamintuan has requested from the national government.

“We are very happy that our mayor will be able to serve not only our city but our neighbors in the first district. We are grateful to hear his intention in continuing his legacies up to the congress should he be elected,” said Cura.

The 3,000-strong women group, the Kapisanan para sa Kaunlaran ng mga Kababaihan sa Angeles (KKKA) headed by Marie Canlas of Claro M. Recto, has also expressed their support to Pamintuan’s congressional bid.

Canlas, who have been dedicating her life in service of the women sector for more than ten years, said “Pamintuan has been generous at providing livelihood opportunities to their sector and educational assistance to their children, especially those who are indigent.”

“He does not only perform his mandate as mayor of the city but as president of all city mayors in the Philippines as well. We believe he can do it as a congressman, too,” said Canlas citing Pamintuan’s great chance to earn the congressional seat.

During his re-election in 2010, his administration has launched the many firsts in terms of public service and local governance that famed the city in the national scene, and even gaining numerous awards and recognitions for it.

Among others are the Heritage District and Urban Renewal Project, ONA’s Renal Care Unit, Chemotherapy Infusion Unit, Intensive Coronary Care Unit, the MediKalinga Center for Minor Surgeries, the state-of-the-art Emergency and Disaster Command Center, the Million Trees Project and clean-up drives, and many more.

Pamintuan is serving his last term as the local chief executive of this highly urbanized city.

Pamintuan to expropriate Camp Tomas Pepito

(PR)

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has made known to the officers of the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) of his plan to expropriate Camp Tomas Pepito from the Catholic Church.

The message has been relayed by Pamintuan's Communications Officer, Jose Pelayo IV, when he delivered his keynote speech during the 23rd Police Community Relations Month at the ACPO. Pelayo was the guest of honor and speaker during the event.

"The Angeles Police don't need to worry about your stay here for Mayor Ed Pamintuan has informed me that he has a plan to expropriate the property," Pelayo said.

It has been a concern for the local police here about their tenure at Camp Tomas Pepito, which is known to be a property of the Catholic Church.

Pelayo added: "ACPO will stay here in Barangay Sto. Domingo. And after the property has been expropriated, the city mayor wants to build a new headquarters for our PNP."

City Director PSSupt. Enrico Vargas expressed his appreciation to the full support of the city government to the local police. Vargas has also informed his men and women in uniform about the purchasing of additional firearms by the city government including the purchasing of brand new service vehicles for ACPO.

"I would like to express my appreciation to the support of the city government headed by our city mayor," Vargas said in his message after the flag ceremony.

Just recently, Pamintuan led the inauguration of the bunk houses for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to help decongest the facility from overcrowding detainees.

Pamintuan also led the opening of Bahay Pagbabago within the same compound.

Lazatin vows to provide free medicines to constituents

ByREYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- Newly-installed Barangay Balibago Chairman Carmelo Lazatin has vowed to provide free medicines to his constituents, especially the indigent ones.

Lazatin issued the statement during his first Monday flag raising ceremony as top leader of the city’s entertainment village.

Lazatin said that he will look into the existing barangay funds to provide basic services, particularly medical assistance and health programs, to the people.

“First we have to look at the funds so we know how we will allocate them for the improvement of Balibago and one is free medicines for the people,” Lazatin said.

The new village chief said he will also implement education program for indigent students.

Lazatin appealed to the people of Balibago to support his administration which is aiming to be transparent and corruption-free governance.

Lazatin’s two sons, Angeles City Councilor Carmelo Pogi Lazatin and Pampanga First District Congressman Carmelo Jon Lazatin, who were present during the ceremony, vowed to support the programs of their father.

“We’re 100 percent in support especially it’s for the village,” Councilor Lazatin said.

Former Balibago Chairman Tony Mamac, who was elected first councilor, told SunStar Pampanga that his administration left P3.6 million surplus funds deposited at the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Angeles City kicks off nutrition month

(PR/With Chermary Panga)

THE Angeles City Government, headed by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, launched the 44th Nutrition Month celebration themed "Ugaling Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrition Aanihin!" on July 2 at city hall.

A three-day food fair kicked off the city's month-long celebration at the city hall lobby, featuring fresh and healthy assortments of food.

Nutrition Action Officer Arnel T. Calaguas also presented other events and activities anchored on the city's Nutrition Month observance.

For the whole month of July, the City Agriculture Office will hold seedlings distribution to schools around the city.

To encourage Angeleños to kick-start their own vegetable gardens, the agriculture office has opened its doors for walk-in residents who would also want to avail of the free vegetables and fruit-bearing seedlings.

The City Nutrition Office, meanwhile, will hold seminars on Infant and Young Child Feeding to be held on the respective dates and villages: Barangay Cuayan on July 10, Barangay Sto. Domingo on July 12, Barangay San Jose on July 17, Barangay Cacutud on July 19, and Barangay Malabanias on July 24.

Meat Processing workshops will also be conducted to guide homemakers and business owners alike on production and food safety management. These will be done alongside feeding programs and traditional gaming events in Barangay San Jose on July 25 and Barangay Malabanias on July 18 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Also in line with the celebration, the Department of Education-Division of City Schools will conduct an On the Spot Poster Making Contest on July 26 at the Robinson Balibago Event Center, and a Nutri Jingle on August 3 at SM Clark.

Pamintuan pointed out the relevance of willful healthy-living. "We should be wise, utilize whatever strength we have at the moment and invest in it, so we can continue to work and serve well," he said.

The mayor also reiterated the importance of backyard/urban gardening on the pursuit of the Angeleños for good nutrition.

"The launch of our Task Force One Million Trees and the Gulayan sa Barangay Project years back allowed our people to generate their own local produce and provide for themselves and their family some quality and nourishing vegetables and fruits while earning. This year's theme affirms the importance of our project," Pamintuan said.

Kapampangan students win international science tilt in Hong Kong

By IAN OCAMPO FLORA

ANGELES CITY -- Neil David Cayanan and Lucia Dizon of Angeles City Science High School (ACSHS) brought honor to the country, as they won in the Hong Kong Students Science Project Competition (HKSSPC) held in Hong Kong.

The Department of Education (DepEd)-Central Luzon said in a Facebook post that the students were awarded first prize in the International Division for their project "Verde: An Edible Alternative to Plastic Cutlery."

"We are thankful to our students, as well as their teachers, for bringing pride and honor to the country especially in the field of science and technology. Your innovations and inventions are proof that our schools do not only teach you to memorize facts and formulae, but to think critically and logically so that you will be able to analyze and provide solutions to the problems that plague our society. Our warmest congratulations," DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

The DepEd said the event is jointly organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Education Bureau, and the Hong Kong Science Museum, and supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

The competition has been one of the core government-supported programs for fostering innovation and technology culture in Hong Kong since 1998.

On its 20th year, HKSSPC added the International Division fosters academic exchange between global and local young Science talents. With the theme "From theory to practice: Develop Science potential," the competition enabled budding scientists to demonstrate investigative and inventive projects which shall be original, innovative, and applicable in real life.

The Philippine delegates bested their competitors from Thailand, USA, Singapore, Turkmenistan, Macau China, and other participating countries.

Two other teams from ACSHS also participated as finalists: Shaira Gozun and E'van Relle Tongol, and Francine Icban and Ana Sofia Diaz with their projects "Urban Vertical Farming: An Automated Hydroponics System for Vegetable Crop Production," and "Screening of the Anti-Quorum Sensing Property of Bioluminescent Bacteria Against Hospital-Acquired Pathogen Pseudomonas Aeruginosa," respectively.

Angeles City launches activities for Nutrition Month

By Ric Sapnu (PNA)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — A three-day food fair was opened here on Monday as part of the various activities lined up for the 44th Nutrition Month celebration.

With the theme “Ugaling Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrition Aanihin,” fresh and healthy assortments of food are now on sale at the City Hall Lobby here.

During the event opening, nutrition action officer Arnel T. Calaguas presented the other events and activities anchored on the city’s Nutrition Month observance.

Calaguas said that for the whole month of July, the City Agriculture Office will hold seedlings distribution to schools around the city.

“To encourage the Angeleños to kick-start their own vegetable gardens, the City Agriculture Office has opened its doors for walk-in residents who would also want to avail of the free vegetables and fruit-bearing seedlings,” he said.

The City Nutrition Office, on the other hand, will hold seminars on infant and young child feeding to be held in Barangay Cuayan on July 10; Barangay Sto. Domingo on July 12; Barangay San Jose on July 17; Barangay Cacutud on July 19; and Barangay Malabanias on July 24.

Also in line with the celebration, the Department of Education – Division of City Schools here will conduct an On the Spot Poster-Making Contest on July 26 at the Robinson Balibago Event Center, and a Nutri Jingle Contest on August 3 at SM City Clark.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan cited the relevance of willful healthy-living.

“We should be wise, utilize whatever strength we have at the moment and invest in it, so we can continue to work and serve well,” he said.

The mayor also reiterated the importance of backyard/urban gardening on the pursuit of the Angeleños for good nutrition.

“The launch of our Task Force One Million Trees and the Gulayan sa Barangay Project years back allowed our people to generate their own local produce and provide for themselves and their family some quality and nourishing vegetables and fruits while earning. This year’s theme affirms the importance of our project,” he added.

Angeles City MSMEs showcase products in trade fair

By Ric Sapnu (PNA)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga -- A trade fair that showcases the products of this city’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) opened here Tuesday.

The "Buy Angeles Trade Fair", now on its second year, was organized by the Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (ACEDIPO), in partnership with the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno, ACEDIPO head Bernadette Galinato, and DTI-Pampanga Director Elenita Ordonio led the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, signaling the formal opening of the local trade fair.

Galinato said the activity serves as the local government’s support to city-based entrepreneurs to boost the promotion of Angeleño-made products.

She said the city has been tapping MSMEs and enjoining them in various national and regional business expositions to widen the scope of their market.

A total of 24 stalls were installed at the City Hall main lobby for the trade fair, which runs until June 29.

The four-day fair showcases Angeleño-made organic and processed food, pastries and delicacies, home-made beverages and condiments, arts and craft, home decors, cosmetics, fashion accessories and jewelry, and other health and wellness products.

Ordonio, for her part, congratulated the city government, citing the success of the first Buy Angeles Trade Fair in 2017.

“The staging of the second year of this trade fair goes to show that the local government is successful in its first attempt in 2017. We hope that the city will continue with this program, which is a viable venue to showcase the best of Angeles City,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ordonio also reminded the participating MSMEs to accomplish and have for themselves a license to operate from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines has also placed a help desk at the trade fair to extend information on the agency’s patent services, copyright registration, and trademark services.

Nepomuceno, meanwhile, cited the vital role of MSMEs in the local economy, urging them to remain persistent with their businesses and assuring them that the city, through the ACEDIPO, will always support the sector.

“It only takes one successful business to change one’s life forever. Keep on being determined, time will come, you will all succeed. The city government is always here to help you in ways possible,” the vice mayor said.

Nepomuceno also asked DTI-Pampanga to hold a mentoring session at the city’s legislative building regarding ways MSMEs could market their products.

To date, Angeles City has two DTI Negosyo Centers -- one in Robinsons Place Angeles and the other at the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MACCI) Building.

The city will soon have its own permanent outlet for Angeles City-made products and souvenirs with the “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) Store to be situated at the city’s heritage district.

DTI-3 preps up for nat’l MSME summit in July

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Luzon office is now in the thick of preparations for its first ever hosting of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Summit here next month.

During the media forum “News@Hues” organized by the Pampanga Press Club in cooperation with Park Inn Hotel Clark by Radisson here on Tuesday, DTI regional information officer Warren Serrano said the National MSME Summit will be held at the ASEAN Convention Center here on July 10 and 11.

Serrano also said President Duterte will be the guest of honor during the summit as well as top businessmen in the country. This is in line with President Duterte’s priority of “inclusive business,” he said.

Serrano said the Central Luzon region has the highest number of MSMEs in the country which means that “the informal economy is moving on to the formal economy.

“And this is what we want to happen and that’s what we are modelling here in Central Luzon. We are helping the small enterprises in the countryside to go to the mainstream,” he added.

Serrano said among the menu of services for MSME includes the “mentoring program” which is called the “Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprises.” He said under the program, DTI-3 is “getting 20 micro entrepreneurs per province” which translates to 140 for the whole region.

“We will be mentoring them to a 12-course mentoring program which is equivalent to a master’s degree,” Serrano said.

“Parang nag masters kana doon sa 12 module course na ito (As if you have already taken a masters in this 12-module course),” he said.

Serrano said the mentoring program has been in practice since 2015 “and we have very good results, so most of them have levelled up from micro enterprise to small enterprise.”

Serrano said “the mentors are really experts from the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship.”

He said among the teacher-mentors are the owner of Tokyo Tempura Rowena Vallesteros and Sheryll Quintana, owner of Oryspa Spa Solutions, Inc.

Some of the mentors also come from the academe and the business sector, he said. “It’s like an intensive training,” he added.

Serrano said DTI-3 also has a “one-town, one-product (OTOP ) Next Generation Project which is essentially a mark exposure program for MSMEs.”

He said among the participating entrepreneurs are peanut butter and banana chips makers.

“But now we are levelling that up and the OTOP next gen project is expanding,” he noted.

Serrano said last year, DTI-3 had more than 700 entrepreneurs which means that every entrepreneur that was enrolled in the OTOP project got a good brand and design experts that were paid by DTI to help MSMEs with their branding, logo, packaging and design as well as all the services that made their products saleable.

“We will also help them with their trademark and registration with the Intellectual Property Office which is an attached agency of the DTI,” he said.

Serrano said this is important because it is a requirement for exporters.

“So you have a trademark ,brand name and business name so we will help our micro entrepreneurs to complete these requirements,” he said. Serrano said DTI-3 is also training MSMEs with good manufacturing practices by acquiring proper certifications “because more than 50 percent of those that we help for the OTOP next generation project are food processors.”

Serrano said when local products are brought to other countries or hotels here with international guests, they easily get qualified because they have certifications like “Halal” which refers to food certified and permissible under Islamic law.

There is also the hazard, analysis and critical control points (HACCP) certification for local products to be accepted as safe abroad, he said.

Serrano said another project that DTI-3 had last year for marketing exposure was twice attending the Tokyo International Trade Fair in Japan with 10 MSMEs.

He said among the MSMEs that went to Japan were furniture makers, but most of the saleable items in the trade fair were fashion jewelries.

“We sold about Y1 million for the two days fair,” he said. Serrano said also last year, DTI-3 had the biggest five-day trade fair for 2017 at the SM Mega Mall Trade Hall where around 110 exhibitors from the seven provinces joined.

It was dubbed “Likha Ning Central Luzon” which was able to raise P14 million, he said. Among them was the popular “Evelyns’ Homemade Nuts” which was able to generate a sales of P2 million, he said.

Widus Foundation adopts two public school libraries in Pampanga

(Press release)

AS IT celebrates its first year anniversary, Widus Foundation Inc. (WFI), Widus Hotel and Casino Clark’s corporate charity arm, turned over newly rehabilitated public school libraries to San Isidro Elementary School and Justino Sevilla High School on June 19, Tuesday, during the completion of its annual Adopt-a-Library campaign.

The WFI signature project which aims to rebrand, recalibrate, and restore learning spaces by fostering existent and non-existent libraries through rehabilitating, equipping and supplementing existing public school libraries partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) to determine the most fitting beneficiaries for its signature project.

“Adopt-a-Library project is our simple yet profound way to help equip public schools with a functional and dynamic library setting where students can get decent amount of daily reading time and free access to computers. We believe that these school-maintained learning venues play a vital role in the intellectual and economic development of the people and also helps in developing an information-rich society,” WFI Manager Ronnel Golimlim said.

He further said that it is about time for libraries to take forefront of school rather than just being a usually outdated and neglected facility.

The turn-over ceremonies led by WFI Director Neki Liwanag, WFI Manager Ronnel Golimlim, Widus Human Resources Director Ana Cristi Galura, Widus Marketing Manager Sheryl Mamangun and DepEd Pampanga Superintendent Dr. Leornardo Zapanta.

Speaking before the guests, Liwanag also acknowledged the continued efforts of every Widus employee who volunteered to help make the project a success by cleaning the library facilities, painting walls with artworks, setting up desktop computers.

“We have a very challenging work as hoteliers and yet through this foundation we are given the opportunity to give back to community while relieving our stress and sharing our abilities to the best that we can,” Liwanag added.

For her part, Mamangun recalled the fond memories their dedicated team had during the campaign alongside requesting students to preserve their newly-awarded library.

“Your libraries are also essential information hubs which can be sustainably utilized to nourish and nurture our youth. Our only request to the school and most importantly to our students is that they keep their libraries neat and orderly so that the succeeding and incoming pupils could also enjoy it.” Mamangun added.

The newly upgraded libraries will cater to more than 5000 Junior and Senior High School in Justino Sevilla and about 200 elementary students in San Isidro Elementary School.

Angeles City commemorates 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption

(Politiko Central Luzon)

The city government of Angeles in Pampanga led by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has remembered the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption and how its people rose from the tragedy.

Dubbed as the “Pamamangun,” the event was held Friday, June 15, at the Abacan Loop.

“We are gathered not to mourn over what we have lost, but to commemorate the heroism and resilience of our people and the individuals who helped us bounce back from the ashes,” said Pamintuan during the event.

Pamintuan was the acting mayor of the city when the disaster took place.

He said the commemorative program was also intended for the young generations of Angeleños to deepen their appreciation and understanding on the significance of the catastrophe to what the city has attained today.

Over 700 people died due to Mt. Pinatubo eruption. But most of those who perished were due to the diseases at the evacuation centers.

More than 1.2 million Filipinos were also affected by the calamity.

Reformation center for drug offenders opens in Angeles City

By Ric Sapnu (PNA)

ANGELES CITY — A new drug reformation center has been opened here as part of the continuing efforts of local authorities to strengthen the program on drug rehabilitation.

The Bahay Pagbabago, which is a joint project of the city government and the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), aims to help drug surrenderers and drug dependents in the city to withdraw and recover from drug abuse.

The facility, located at the Camp Tomas J. Pepito in Sto. Domingo, is the city’s answer to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to immediately address the country’s drug problem by tapping the barangays in accelerating the drive against drug abuse and trafficking through community participation.

The community-based program will be run by the Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ACADAC) and the ACPO, with the support of various non-government and faith-based organizations.

Drug reformists will undergo a 30-day rehabilitation program, which includes the provision of proper guidance and counseling, education about drug addiction, health and wellness through physical activities, skills training, and various community service activities.

They will also be provided with a 15-day post-treatment service after the 30-day reformation cycle.

“We at the local government are doing our best to give people who fell into drug abuse a chance of changing their lives with our program,” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan on Monday said, citing the facility as part of the city’s fight against illegal drugs.

“As we help our people heal and recover, we are also helping our city in obtaining peace and securing safety to the people,” he added.

Japanese exec cites Filipino workers skills in Clark

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT— An executive of a Japanese manufacturing company of interior components and sub-assembly parts for aircraft here cited the competencies of Filipino workers as one of their reasons for establishing a facility in this freeport.

JAMCO Philippines director Katsushige Hasumi said the skills and attitude of Filipino workers have met the expectation of their company. “JAMCO decided to establish a facility in the Philippines because the Philippines have people with above-average English language ability, higher academic achievement or educational level, higher industrious spirit and good work ethics,” Hasumi said referring to his companys employees.

Hasumi made the statement during the plenary conference of the Aeromart Summit here last week. He added that the “stability of the workforce” here and the ideal pyramids of population have also contributed to the efficiency of their production to achieve the goals of the company.

“JAMCO Philippines employees gained the confidence from Jamco Tokyo that they can do more than what is expected. They can produce product on quality, on time and at the proper cost,” he said.

“As a result, Jamco Philippines became one of the key suppliers to achieve our mission,” he added.

JAMCO Philippines established its facility here in 2011 starting the business with only 22 employees and expanding it after six years with a total of 317 current workers.

The Japanese company is a premier supplier of commercial aircraft interiors, seats, galleys and lavatories as well as interior components of Airbus and Boeing aircrafts.

Its operation in the country is an AS9100C multi-site certified company which supports the JAMCO group in the manufacturing of parts and assemblies for its US and Japan operations which are eventually fitted to Boeing planes.

Kapampangan historian holds lecture on importance of preserving heritage churches

By Gladys Mae Gonzales

ANGELES CITY — The importance of preserving heritage churches was underscored by a noted Kapampangan historian in a lecture held at the country’s first museum on social history here.

Lord Francis Musni, archivist and professor as well as curator at Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University in Bacolor, held a lecture at the Museum of Social History of the Philippine (MSHP) recently where he featured the importance of conserving churches in Pampanga.

“Lubao and Betis, the oldest settlements in Pampanga, were the first kumbentos and parishes in Tondo being the mother parish. Pampanga was to become a favorite province of Spain and a most coveted mission territory of the Augustinians,” Musni said.

Heritage religious structures in Pampanga include the San Agustin Church in Lubao, Santiago Apostol Church in Betis, Santa Lucia Church in Sasmuan, San Nicolas de Tolentino in Macabebe, La Purisima Church in Guagua, San Guillermo Aquitania Church in Bacolor and Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion or more popularly known as the Metropolitan Cathedral in City of San Fernando.

“Begin calling the churches by their original titles. We do not just call it Lubao Church, but San Agustin Church,” he stressed. Musni’s lecture entitled, “Pisamban da Ring Ibpa Mi (The churches of our fathers), Directions and Challenges in Kapampangan Church Heritage Preservation” is one of the highlights of the National Heritage Month celebration.

In line with the celebration, Department of Tourism acting regional director Carolina Uy led the opening of “Sanctuario: Pampanga’s Colonial Churches” at the MSHP also known as the Pamintuan Mansion. The exhibit is open to the public.

Huk Supremo to be interred in hometown

By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY – The remains of “Huk Supremo” Luis M. Taruc will finally be interred in his hometown of San Luis.

Robby Tantingco, director of the Center for Kapampangan Studies at the Holy Angel University here, said Taruc’s remains will be exhumed at the Loyola Memorial Park in Manila on June 19 followed by his cremation.

Tantingco said Taruc will be interred in San Luis on the occasion of his 105th birthday on June 21.

“Dr. Romy Taruc expressed to us his father’s wish to be eventually buried in his land of birth and so, on the Huk Supremo’s 105th birth anniversary, his exhumed mortal remains will be permanently enshrined at the Freedom Park of his hometown San Luis,” Tantingco said.

“The exhumation at Loyola Memorial Park will occur on June 19, followed by cremation there,” he added.

Tantingco said the ash will be initially taken to the Luis Taruc Museum in San Luis for a twonight vigil.

“On the morning of June 21, his birth anniversary, we will reinter it at the shrine,” he said.

Tantingco said the proponent of all the activity is historian Francis Musni. Mayor Venancio S. Macapagal said the event will coincide with the celebration of their town fiesta, the feast of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Macapagal said Taruc’s ashes will be put on a carriage and brought to the San Luis Church.

Various activities are also lined up for the occasion, he added.

According to readily available information from the internet, Taruc is the leader of the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap), the Nation’s Army Against the Japanese Soldiers) or Hukbong Laban sa Hapon (Anti-Japanese Army), a Communist guerilla movement formed by the peasant farmers of Central Luzon. They were popularly known simply as “Huks”. They were originally formed to fight the Japanese, but extended their fight into a rebellion against the Philippine Government, known as the Hukbalahap Rebellion, in 1946. It was finally put down through a series of reforms and military victories by Filipino President Ramon Magsaysay.

“Taruc became aware of the unjust situation of tenant farmers and the poor in 1935 and decided to leave his haberdashery business to his wife so he could help, protect and serve the poor, maltreated and suffering peasants. Influenced by his idol socialist Pedro Abad Santos of San Fernando and inspired by earlier Katipunan revolutionaries such as Felipe Salvador, Taruc joined the “Aguman ding Maldang Tala-pagobra” (AMT, Union of Peasant Workers) and in 1938, the “Partido Socialista.” The latter merged with the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas as part of the Common Front strategy, and Taruc assumed the role of Commander- in-Chief of the military wing created to fight the Japanese.”

After the war against Japan, the Hukbalahap continued their demands for agrarian reform. Taruc and seven colleagues were elected to the House of Representatives but the government of Manuel Roxas did not allow them to take their seats in Congress. The Taruc faction opposed the parity rights that the U.S. required from post-independence Philippines as a condition for rehabilitation funding. In the next five years, Taruc would give up on the parliamentary struggle and once more take up arms. At the height of its popularity, the Hukbalahap reached a fighting strength estimated at between 10,000 and 30,000.”

On March 29, 1950, Taruc’s men led by a certain Commander Alibasbas raided the villages of Sta. Ines and San Francisco in the town of Mabalacat in Pampanga.

Records from the Supreme Court, People of the Philippines versus Luis Tarucet al said: “On or about March 29, 1950, an armed band of about 200 HMBs under Commander Alibasbas, taking advantage of nighttime, and with evident premeditation and treachery, raided and attacked the barrios of Sta. Ines and San Francisco, Mabalacat, Pampanga, resulting in the killing of one civilian, Ana Pasamonte, the wounding of two civilians, Jose Manabat and Jose Hipolito, the capture and torture of Seditio Manabat, a civilian, and the burning of ten civilian houses, more or less.”

On May 4, 2005, Taruc died of a heart attack at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City at the age of 91. Many political figures went to his wake to pay respect and give support to his family.

‘MusiKalayaan’ highlights pride for youth in Angeles

(SunStar Pamoanga)

ANGELES CITY -- The youth of this highly-urbanized city were served with a venue to express their creativity and advocacies as the local government here stages the 3rd MusiKalayaan Youth Arts Festival, on June 8 at Plaza Angel, this city.

The event dubbed as “KKK: Kule ning Katimauan Da Ring Kayanakan” is spearheaded by the Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO) and the Culture and Arts Council of Angeles (CACA).

Tourism Officer John Montances said that the event is part of the week-long celebration of the Philippine Independence Day.

“This activity is dedicated to the youth for it allows them to showcase their diverse expressions of freedom. We hold this every year before the Independence Day celebration which is a more formal celebration,” said Montances.

Fun-filled activities such as art exhibits, on-the-spot mural painting, theatrical plays, poetry reading, and musical and dance performances from various young Angeleño performers filled the one-day youth arts gala.

For his part, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said that the activity also aims to educate the youth about the culture and arts of the city, and the role that the city has played in weaving the history of the country.

“This youth arts fest furthers our goal of inculcating to the youth the valuing of the city’s rich history and the ingenuity of its people. Our youth will inherit all the legacies of our beloved city so it is necessary to enjoin their participation in activities like this,” said Mayor Pamintuan.

Performers in the youth arts festival include the Angeles City National High School Dance Troupe, Anak Bale-balayan, Shane Lumanog, Robynn, On Stage School for the Arts, Aslag Teatro SPCiño, The Dance Conservatory, Teen Information Center, Angeles City Dance Athletes, Sunlag Ensemble, Vien Russel, Sinukwan Kapampangan Center for the Arts, Pot Sembrano and Dr. Flavor.

Pampanga-based developer to build a retail strip within The Infinity project

By Arra B. Francia

PAMPANGA-BASED developer AC Beautiful Island Realty Development Corp. (ACBI) recently launched it first project in the province, consisting of retail and commercial spaces targeted toward employees working in the area.

In a statement issued Tuesday, ACBI said it will be developing The Shoppes at The Infinity, a 15,600-square meter retail strip that will feature both local and global brands.

The project is located inside ACBI’s mixed-use development in Pampanga called The Infinity. The 40-hectare estate covers the boundaries of Angeles and Mabalacat and is envisioned to link Pampanga to the rest of Luzon.

“We envision The Shoppes to complement the trade and investment prowess of The Infinity. As business and leisure are industries that now work side by side, we want to make sure that we are offering a complete and one-stop-shop destination at par with central business districts here and abroad,” ACBI General Manager Byron John T. Siy was quoted as saying in a statement.

ACBI said construction for The Shoppes will start by the middle of this year, with the first phase to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2019. It has tapped style firm LG+V Architects to give the project a modern contemporary design.

“(ACBI) conceptualized the commerce district not only to open prospects for Pampanga but to serve as a commerce link of the region to the rest of Luzon. This can be owed to the strategic location of The Infinity at the gateway of Central Luzon and its direct connection to the North Luzon Expressway via the Angeles Exit,” the company said.

Aside from The Shoppes, ACBI has also announced the development of The Pacific Drive, a 290-meter four-lane lighted road inside The Infinity which is part of its road network. The Pacific Drive aims to be an alternative access point to and from Barangay Balibago to Magalang town and the North Luzon Expressway toll exit.

ACBI is the real estate arm of the JENRA Group of companies, which owns a chain of malls, supermarkets, and fastfood restaurants in Central Luzon. It also owns the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Pampanga.

The Pampanga-based company joins the roster of property developers seeking to take advantage of the province’s growth prospects in the coming years.

A study released by real estate consultancy Colliers International Philippines noted that firms should maximize Pampanga’s potential, as several infrastructure projects including the Clark Airport Expansion, Subic-Clark Cargo Railway, and Manila to Clark Passenger Railway are slated to improvement connectivity between Metro Manila and Pampanga.

“Colliers also encourages local players with sizeable landbank but with limited experience in building master-planned townships to partner with national players in developing large integrated communities. The enhancement of the country’s infrastructure backbone should unlock land values in urban areas outside of the country’s capital including Metro Clark,” according to Colliers.

Kapampangan appointed as Northrail director

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- A former vice mayor in Mexico town, Pampanga province was recently appointed director of the North Luzon Railways Corporation (Northrail).

Albert Dela Cruz, a consultant of an Aeta group named Samahang Tribung Ayta, thanked President Duterte and Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade for appointing him as Northrail board member.

The Kapampangan people have waited for a long time for the project to be realized and it’s about time it should be completed under the Duterte Administration, according to Dela Cruz.

“Of course, magpasalamat tamu keng presidenti. One thing is dumalan ya kekatamu ing tren then number two maluat ta neng para-pareung paninap ita. So metung a maragul a bage na ating Kapampangan a atyu keng Northrail uling metung ya kareng flagship project na ning presidenti,” he said.

Because of that train, Pampanga will be having the status as the capital center not only of Central Luzon but also of Northern Luzon because the plan is to have the central station within the area of Clark, Dela Cruz added.

“So we have Clark New City to Tutuban and then Clark New City to Subic, then Clark to far North up to San Fernando La Union. So that is the mandate [of the Northrail]. In so far as the board is concern, we need to wait for other investors to come in specifically for the areas na ala pang meg siginify investment,” the new Northrail official said.

“We have now Tutuban to Clark and then Clark to Subic. So we are exploring the possibility to connect Clark with the rest of the Northern Luzon area,” he added.

Dela Cruz admiited that there are minimal issues related to the project but said that everything is smooth sailing with Tugade’s leadership.

He said the project, once completed, will really change the landscape of Pampanga especially with the [Clark] airport.

“I think in so far as comparing it to other past administration, there is a clear picture at the end of the tunnel under Duterte’s leadership,” Dela Crus added.

The railway system is very important to the development of Central Luzon in terms of fast and mass transport.

“All modern cities and highly industrialized countries they rely more on mass transportation. It will solve our problems on traffic congestion, infrastructure and at the same time global warming and others,” he said.

Duterte enjoins village heads to help in war vs. drugs

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario (PNA)

CLARK, Pampanga -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has called on barangay officials to help in his fight against illegal drugs as he vowed to end the menace until the end of his term.

Duterte made the call after he administered the oath of office of 2,843 newly-elected punong barangays in Central Luzon at the ASEAN Convention Center here Tuesday.

In his speech during the Dialogue for Barangay Good Governance, he urged barangay officials not to engage in illegal drug activities, especially during his “watch”.

“Tatapusin ko ito sa panahon ko (I will end this during my term). Publicly, I will tell you, if you destroy my country, I will kill you,” he said.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año also directed the new barangay leaders to arrest those who are involved in illegal drugs.

Año also warned the new village heads to stop corruption at their level.

For his part, DILG Assistant Secretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño urged newly elected punong barangays to create their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) in two months’ time, right after their oath-taking.

“If after two months you fail to create your respective BADACs, we will file a complaint against you,” Diño warned.

He also urged barangay officials to focus on cleaning the community, particularly sidewalks and waterways.

Data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Luzon showed that of the 3,102 barangays in the region, 2,837 are affected while 265 are unaffected by illegal drugs.

Of the 2,837 drug-affected villages, 2,498 were cleared as of January last year.

The President, in the same speech, vowed to fulfill his other campaign promises, namely to stop corruption in government and the resumption of peace talks with the enemies of the state, particularly the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army- National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

He reiterated his invitation to CPP founding chairperson Joma Sison to return home, with assurance of his safety and security.

However, Duterte said Sison should guarantee that his group would stop its extortion and taxation activities.

He also said that the CPP-NPA-NDF members should stay in a particular area and will not be allowed to carry firearms outside that area.

Prior to the oath-taking ceremony, the newly elected officials were given an orientation on the various campaigns of the DILG against Illegal drugs, criminality, violent extremism, and corruption. The fundamentals of federalism were also discussed.

Barangay leaders who joined the oath-taking rites came from Aurora (151 punong barangays); Bataan, 237; Bulacan, 569; Nueva Ecija, 849; Pampanga, 505; Tarlac, 511; Zambales, 230; Angeles City, 33; and Olongapo City, 17.

Some 92 percent or 2,843 out of the total 3,100 punong barangays in the region took their oath before the President.

History corrected: Church venue of 1st Independence Day Party

By Tonette Orejas (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ANGELES CITY — For the first time since 1898, the Holy Rosary Church here has been included in Independence Day celebrations on June 12.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) had installed markers stipulating that this old Augustinian church was where the first anniversary of the 1898 declaration of Philippine independence from Spain had been celebrated.

Previous accounts erroneously named the Pamintuan Mansion here, where Emilio Aguinaldo stayed, as the venue of the celebration.

For Independence Day rites on Tuesday, a unity parade will start at the Pamintuan Mansion and proceed to Holy Rosary Church.

Relevant

To honor the relevance of this part of the city’s heritage district, a city council resolution approved the installation of a flagpole at the Sapang Balen Bridge.

The 1899 activities at the church would be replicated, said John Montances, city tourism officer.

Mass to mark the first anniversary in 1899, a speech given by Aguinaldo and luncheon for soldiers were held at the church courtyard, according to reports in La Independencia, the newspaper of the Philippine Revolution.

Venancio Concepcion gave the same accounts, which justified the corrections that NHCP made in 2017 at the request of Francis Musni, archivist of the Holy Angel University’s Center for Kapampangan Studies.

The Pamintuan Mansion had served the headquarters of Antonio Luna.

Aguinaldo witnessed a military parade from the mansion on the eve of the anniversary celebration. He had planned to make Tarlac the seat of the Republic in June 1899. ADVERTISEMENT

Wrong venue

Independence Day rites had been held at the Pamintuan Mansion for 17 years but national leaders started gracing these events only in the last six years.

In 2012, Musni found accounts in the June 14 and 15, 1899 editions of La Independencia about the celebration in the church.

The June 14, 1899 story, titled “La Fiesta Nacional (National Holiday),” reported: “On Monday morning (of June 12, 1899), a solemn outdoor Mass was celebrated in the town of Angeles commemorating the anniversary of the proclamation of national independence.”

The paper said people cheered and “a lot of enthusiasm and cordiality reigned on that day among the participants.” The troops were served “an extraordinary feast.”

The next day, La Independencia featured a letter written by an editor that described the eve of June 12, 1899 as “a golden date that must not be forgotten.”

Old accounts

Marching bands from the Pampanga towns of Porac, Magalang, Sta. Rita and Angeles arrived on June 11, 1899, to greet Aguinaldo at his residence (the Pamintuan Mansion) and play the national anthem before marching on the main streets of Angeles, according to the editor’s account.

There was no mention of the unfurling of the flag, which was among the highlights of reenactment at the mansion.

Instead, the letter reported: “As they passed through the streets, the banner of the Motherland was warmly cheered by the immense crowd that overflowed the streets and by the marching bands that launched into the air the gallant melodies of our national march.

“Before being taken to the headquarters, the flag was taken to the palace of the President, and was once again greeted by the music and by a picket line of soldiers.”

Two bands, positioned in front of the Pamintuan Mansion, played the “most exquisite repertoire of selected pieces” until 10 p.m.

Both accounts suggested that the venue of the first anniversary celebration was larger than previously thought and was not confined to the mansion built by Mariano Pamintuan in the 1890s as a gift to his son, Florentino.

Cops nab Korean drug ring leader in Angeles City

By TONETTE OREJAS (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ANGELES CITY — The police on Saturday (June 9) reported the discovery of a newly formed drug syndicate led by a South Korean man who was arrested in Angeles City on Friday (June 8).

Kim Sangsu, 24, was apprehended in a drug bust in his house in Barangay (village) Pampang together with a supposed cohort, Eclarina Danila, 27, said Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, Central Luzon police director.

Korean agents assisted the police, which reported seizing from Sangsu and Danila about four grams of shabu (crystal meth) packed in eight sachets and valued at P120,000.

Three mobile telephones and the marked money were also found among the suspects’ items.

Corpus said the Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which led the sting operation, has yet to identity the gang that Sangsu purportedly heads.

Cases for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165) were filed against the suspects.

Sangsu’s arrest followed the seizure of a kilogram of shabu from a man in Angeles City last Thursday (June 7).

Police did not say if the two arrests were related.

Police release over 400 Pinoys nabbed for alleged online stock trading scam

By MARLLY ROME BONDOC (RSJ, GMA News)

Authorities have released over 400 Filipinos who were arrested in Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga for their alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar online stock trading, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Friday.

The 474 Filipinos were released "upon the recommendation of the inquest prosecutors of the Department of Justice to refer their case for further investigation."

The Filipinos were employees of International Brandings Development Marketing, Inc. (IBD), where the suspected "boiler room" is operating.

"The charge against them remains and they will be given a chance to file their counter affidavits," PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group director Chief Superintendent Marni Marcos Jr. said in a text message.

The Filipinos were released before midnight Thursday after they were brought to Camp Crame, Quezon City for inquest proceedings, said Marcos.

The PNP-ACG on June 6 conducted simultaneous operations in three buildings of the IBD which resulted to the arrest of 482 individuals who were involved in a fraudulent online trading.

However, the eight Israelis who were caught in the act of managing, operating and manning the operations of their fraudulent online activity will remain detained with no bail recommended.

"Lahat ng mga Filipinos, 'yung mga employees were all released for further investigation. That is based on the findings of the five prosecutors from DOJ kagabi. Lahat ng Israeli nationals are all detained with no bail recommended," Albayalde said.

Marcos said the suspects are supposedly operating as a call center defrauding victims for around two and a half years.

"Their modus operandi is like a stock trading scam, meaning they invite investors through online. So again after that they will get details of your bank accounts, credit cards," Marcos said.

The Filipino suspects were caught while in the "act of communicating and doing online transactions with foreign 'clients' from Europe, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Russia."

The suspects were able to reap $1 million USD each day from their foreign victims.

They will face charges for violation of Sections 4 (a)(5) and 5(a) of the Republic Act No. 10175 or the "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” and charges in relation to Article 315 (Syndicated Estafa) of the Revised Penal Code.

June 15 a non-working day in Angeles City

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- Malacañang has declared June 15, 2018 a special non-working day in Angeles City in “remembrance of the ruinous volcanic eruption” of Mount Pinatubo 27 years ago.

This was gleaned in Presidential Proclamation Number 500 signed by Acting Executive Secretary Michael Ong dated May 24, 2018.

“By the authority of the president, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, do hereby declare Friday, June 15, 2018, a special (non-working) day in the City of Angeles,” Ong stated.

The same proclamation stated that the eruption of Mount Pinatubo on June 15, 1991, which is the second largest in the 20th century, caused massive destruction to the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

“In view of rationalizing and integrating the government’s rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of the eruption, then President Corazon C. Aquino created a task force on the rehabilitation of areas affected by the Mount Pinatubo eruption,” Ong stressed.

He added that the proclamation was issued to render appropriate tribute to those who perished, as well to those who survived, and to those who helped in the relocation, rehabilitation, and recovery of families affected by the disaster.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of Angeles City be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” Ong stated.

DTI launches first Aeromart summit in Clark

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT—The first “Aeromart Summit Clark” hosted by the Board of Investments (BOI) of the Department of Trade and Industry was launched here on Monday.

In her welcome remarks, DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba said the Aeromart summit features the growing capabilities and potential of the Philippines in aerospace manufacturing, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul and aviation training.

“We are pursuing the development of an integrated aerospace supply chain by further enhancing our capabilities in various segments of the industry and promoting the participation of our automotive, electronics and IT-BMP [information technology-business process management] industries in aerospace,” Aldaba said.

“We wish to replicate the successes of our companies that have diversified from other industries to aerospace and now they are our key partners in and stalwarts of the Philippine aerospace industry,” she added.

According to the DTI, the Philippines is projected to grow more than five times its current economic size to become the 24th biggest economy in the world by 2030.

“We are confident that the Philippine aerospace industry will play an important role in achieving this, especially with aerospace exports posting 42-percent growth from 2010 to 2016,” Aldaba said.

“From our end, we will continue to invest in the development of necessary infrastructures and in the development of our people to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth,” she said.

“Our government has also placed emphasis on the implementation of an Inclusive, Innovation, Industrial Strategy (I3S) which seeks to create globally competitive and innovative industries such as the aerospace industry, Aldaba said.

Two panel discussions were featured in opening day of the summit beginning with “Building a stronger Philippine aerospace industry” and “How to manage supply chain in Asia.”

Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DTI undersecretary and BOI managing head, also delivered a message as well as other speakers on the first day of the three-day summit.

Widus Foundation joins Brigada Eskwela 2018

(Manila Standard)

Widus Hotel and Casino Clark, through its corporate charity arm, Widus Foundation Inc. (WFI), geared up to give back by extending its support during the recent Brigada Eskwela Cleanup campaign in Pampanga.

Empowered by the company’s “Care Beyond Compare” philosophy, atleast 30 Widus employees volunteered in the annual back-to-school event by providing services to Justino Sevilla High School in Arayat last May 29, 2018 and, in San Isidro Elementary School in Magalang on May 30, 2018.

The group led by WFI manager, Ronnel Golimlim, came out to clean the library facilities, paint walls with artworks, set up desktop computers, refurbish leisure reading areas, and arrange books.

Golimlim believes that engaging the Widus Group employees in WFI activities creates a venue for our their workforce to give backthethe to commthe unity by cultivating volunteerism alongside efficiently carrying out and sustaining the company’s education-related projects which embodies its advocacy to help put a premium on education.

“Aside from our participation in Department of Education’s week-long cleanup and maintenance volunteer program, WFI will also rehabilitate these schools’ libraries as a continuation of what we have started with our signature “Adopt-a-Library” campaign,” Golimlim said.

He further added that the campaign will greatly benefit the more than 5000 Junior and Senior High School in Justino Sevilla and about 200 elementary students in San Isidro Elementary School upon its completion and turnover in June.

WFI’s Adopt-a-Library project which started in October 2017 aims to promote quality education by fostering existent and non-existent libraries in public schools through renovating, equipping and supplementing existing school libraries.

The newly established foundation who achieved the certification from Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) hopes to build more beautiful and functional libraries whereby students can have an easy access to conducive and colourful learning spaces which can promote their lifelong passion to reading, intellectual curiosity and independent learning.

PH to host 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship

(PR)

MANILA -- The Philippines will host the 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship (ASC) in January next year.

This was bared during the signing of a new memorandum of agreement on Wednesday for the holding of five math contests in the country by the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG), represented by president Dr. Isidro Aguilar, Dr. Simon Chua and Myrna Agtarap, and sponsor SM Supermalls represented by Millie Dizon, SM senior vice president for marketing.

According to Aguilar, the 2019 Asia Sudoku Championship will be held on Jan. 25 and 26 next year at the SM City Clark in Angeles, Pampanga. The contest is sanctioned by the World Puzzle Federation, which organizes the World Sudoku Championship (WSC). This year, the ASC was held on Jeju Island, South Korea.

“We’re looking forward to the international contest. We were able to see one in Iloilo and we were amazed at how the parents and the children got together for it. This is something we look forward to this time in the country,” said Dizon.

Aguilar said this will be the first time that the country will host the Asia Sudoku Championship, which is expected to attract the best Sudoku players in the region.

Under the agreement, besides the ASC, selected SM Supermalls will also be the venue for the 13th Philippines Super Sudoku Challenge (PSSC), MTG-SM-Department of Education (DepEd) Family Math Quest, National Mathematical Olympiad for Senior High School, 2018 MTG-SM-SHARP-DepEd Math Trail and Problem Solving Competitions.

The 13th PSSC regional elimination rounds will be held on Sept. 29 at SM Supermalls in Cebu, Pampanga, Cagayan de Oro, Dasmarinas (Cavite), Iloilo, Lucena, Baliwag, Bacolod, Lipa (Batangas), Rosales (Pangasinan), Tarlac, Davao, Naga, Olongapo and Marikina. The PSSC national finals will be held on Nov. 24.

In addition, the Math Trail contest is on Oct. 14 and the Family Math Quest and National Mathematical Olympiad for Senior High School will be held on November 10.

“We are very happy and privileged to be partnering again with MTG. We’ve been partners for many years. We’ve seen how these children have grown and they really brought much honor to the country,” said Dizon.

Clark, Labor office conduct training on ‘Ergonomics’

(PR)

CLARK FREEPORT -- To optimize worker’s comfort, health and productivity here, the Health and Sanitation Division (HSD) of Clark Development Corporation (CDC), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole)-Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), recently conducted a training on “Ergonomics in the Workplace.”

According to CDC-HSD manager Dr. Clemencita Dobles, the said activity aims to match the design of equipment or work stations with the capabilities, limitations and needs of a worker.

The principle of ergonomics suggests that the implementation of this program in a working environment will reduce the risk of developing diseases concerning muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons that may affect the productivity of every employee. Some of the work-related diseases that may be prevented include carpal tunnel syndrome, muscles strains and low back injuries among others.

Dobles also said that the activity will help the workers in this Freeport to interact most efficiently and safely once the ergonomic program was integrated in the workplace.

During the event, Dr. Beatriz Villanueva shared some insights on how the participants can incorporate the concept of ergonomics in their respective businesses and workplace.

In the activity, they highlighted that the ergonomics program concentrates on what kind of work you do, tools and the over-all nature of the job. It is directed in making changes in the work place that will make an employee safe, comfortable and less prone to work-related injuries.

Some 55 participants from different companies here and outside the Freeport attended the said training. Twenty- two attendees from various locators here participated in the event, they include representatives from The Medical City–Clark, Foton Phils. Inc., Honda Cars Angeles–Clark, Luenthai, Sutherland, Midori Clark Hotel and Casino, Dornier Technology Inc., UPS International Inc., and Global Gateway Development Corporation among others.

Angeleño SK officials take oath

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

NEWLY-ELECTED Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or youth council officials and federation officers in Angeles City on Monday took their oath of office before Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan at the legislative building here.

The young leaders were sworn into duty through a solemn ceremony organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Angeles City Youth Development Office (ACYDO).

The mass oath-taking serves as the first after the eight-year hiatus of SK elections due to reconsiderations on the SK Law and mandate.

In his inspirational message, Pamintuan, also League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) president, stressed the relevance of the SK in local governance as they remain to be a vital catalyst and role model to the youth and the rest of the city.

“The youth is the most prized sector in the society. They can influence what will become of society in the future, which is why it is important that they introduce programs that go beyond the simple; plans that are intentional and intelligent,” he said.

The city’s new set of SK Federation Officers include SK President Arnoah Prince Mandani of Barangay Capaya, Vice President Renzo Carlo Santiago of Cutcut, Secretary Aris Pamintuan of Malabanias, Treasurer Karlo Sicat of Sto Cristo, Auditor Jay Edward Pineda of Sta. Teresita, PRO Kyra Christine Licup of Lourdes Sur, and Sergeant-At-Arms Emmanuel Arceo of Cutud, Christian Caligagan of Cuayan, and Erwin Dimalanta of Salapungan.

DILG-Angeles City Director Martin Pores Moral expressed his optimism on the youth council’s comeback saying he is “confident that they will embody the ideals of a public servant who is “Mahusay, Matino at Maaasahan”, which is in line with this year’s nationwide campaign.

“The youth council is granted the role to survey and act on the needs of the young people. I think these newly elected officers will do their duty, but we should wait and see how they will prove that they are indeed the pag-asa ng bayan,” said Moral.

Meanwhile, SK Federation president Mandani assured that the youth leaders are ready for their mandate.

“To my fellow SK officials, let’s show our seniors that we are not here for nothing, that the Sangguniang Kabataan is valuable, so let us always be wise,” stated SK President Mandani.

Under the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, the SK is expected to serve for a three-year term as the highest policy-making body to decide on matters affecting the youth in the barangay, with the duty to develop a Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan.

Hungary opens Cebu, Angeles City consulates

(BusinessMirror)

THE honorary consulate general of Hungary in Angeles City, Pampanga, opened its doors on May 11 to provide a live and local connection between the said country and “one of the most dynamic parts of Luzon.”

It will be led by Consul General Ad Honorem Alfonso S. Yuchengco III, who has been representing Hungary for more than 20 years in the Philippines as consul general.

During the absence of a resident diplomatic mission, Yuchengco looked after the interests of Hungary and its citizens in Manila. Recognizing his dedication and achievements in his 20 years of service, Hungary decided to task the consul general with another important region after the reopening of its embassy.

Meanwhile, another honorary consulate of Hungary was inaugurated on May 16 to establish ties between the European country and the Visayan region. It also marked the appointment of Enrilen Joy Benedicto-Tan as the area’s new honorary consul. Advertisement

Well known in local circles, the Cebuana businesswoman holds several managerial and directorial positions in real estate, construction, furniture and agricultural firms. She actively participates in the bustling business and tourism activities of the island.

The daughter of Consul Ad Honorem of Belgium Enrique L. Benedicto and niece of Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto, Benedicto-Tan carries a long and distinguished family tradition of diplomatic and consular service.

The embassy of Hungary in the Philippines reopened in March 2017, bridging a gap of more than two decades since it closed in 1995.

PHL’s reliable partner

HUNGARY is a country in Central Europe founded in the 11th century, defined by its long history, distinct language and unique culture of art, music and innovation. After a storied past of sporadic contacts, its embassy operated between 1991 and 1995 in Manila and reopened in 2017 after a 21-year hiatus.

Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó visited the Philippines in March 2017 to reopen the embassy. It highlighted the growing importance of the Philippines and its potential for Hungary as a reliable partner in trade and investment, research and education, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Szijjártó then signed several cooperation pacts, including an Agreement on Economic Cooperation establishing the Philippines-Hungary Joint Economic Commission.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol and Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez both have visited Hungary since the reopening of its embassy, which proves that the bilateral relations between both countries are in continuous expansion.

Ambassador Dr. József Bencze leads the Hungarian embassy in the Philippines. He previously served as envoy of Hungary to Skopje, Macedonia between 2011 and 2016, and was his country’s National Chief of Police between 2007 and 2010. He presented his credentials to President Duterte on December 6, 2016.

More hotels, industrial spaces needed in Clark — Colliers report

By Arra B. Francia (Reporter)

PROPERTY developers should take advantage of the government’s implementation of more infrastructure projects in Pampanga, as real estate consultancy services Colliers Philippines urged companies to build more hotels, convention halls, office towers, retail strips, and industrial spaces in preparation for the expected influx of residents and tourists in the area.

There are currently five infrastructure projects set to be completed in Clark, Pampanga in the next few years. This includes the Clark Airport Expansion, which is expected to bring capacity to 12 million annually by 2020, triple its current capacity.

Connecting Clark International Airport to Subic Port will be the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway, which seeks to maximize the underutilized Subic Port and effectively decongest Metro Manila. This railway is targeted to be completed by 2022.

The other projects are the 106-kilometer Manila to Clark Passenger Railway; the Skyway Stage 3 which will facilitate travel from San Fernando, Angeles City, and Clark through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx); and the NLEx-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road.

“Colliers believes (these) should play a significant role in transforming Metro Clark into the country’s next major economic corridor. We see these infrastructure projects boosting office, residential, retail, hotel, and industrial demand in Metro Clark,” according to a report authored by Colliers Research Manager Joey Roi Bondoc.

To-date, dominant national players have already established their presence in Clark. The Filinvest group is building the New Clark City alongside the redevelopment of Mimosa Leisure Center. The Gotianun-led company is also poised to build a $200-million casino with an international partner in the future.

Businessman Dennis A. Uy’s Udenna Corp. will also be developing its own mixed-use estate in Pampanga called Clark Global City. The group earlier said it will pour in P6 billion to redevelop the area.

The SM Group of country’s richest man Henry Sy, Sr. has also been expanding its footprint in Clark, adding office buildings and a 154-room Park Inn Hotel to its mall there. The company will be building a convention center within its complex by 2019, in a bid to capture the growing market for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) in Clark.

Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and Megaworld Corp. are both developing their own townships in Pampanga, with the former’s 1,800-hectare Alviera in Porac and the latter’s Capital Town in San Fernando.

With more developers cashing in on Pampanga’s growth, Colliers noted that companies should differentiate their projects from others. This means being able to respond to the needs of both tenants and investors, beyond the usual office, residential, retail, and hotel projects.

“Developers should incorporate institutional uses such as education and health care. Other developers have been more aggressive in differentiating their communities by integrating entertainment and recreational facilities. Moving forward, developers need to be more innovative to be steps ahead of the competition,” the real estate consultancy said.

The company also encouraged the development of more industrial spaces and warehouses in Clark, as it sees the industrial hubs in the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas area spilling over to Clark. It highlighted the need for more standard factory buildings to support the growth of the country’s exports and imports.

More hotels and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) facilities should be built as well, as Clark International Airport’s expansion is set to attract more people into the area.

“We recommend that developers cash in on this opportunity by building more three to four-star hotels particularly as these facilities mainly cater to Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Taiwanese tourists, who are the major visitors to the Philippines,” Colliers said.

1st PH-Australia Joint Lions Mission launched

By IAN OCAMPO FLORA

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles City Clark Balibago Lions Club of Pampanga and the Blacktown Ponds Lions Club of New South Wales, Australia launched the 1st Philippines-Australia Joint Lions Mission recently to highlight the annual celebration of Philippines—Australia Friendship Day throughout the nation.

Last May 12, the two Lions clubs led the activity in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City. It was a full-service mission with 1,200 indigents benefitting from various stations catering to urgent community needs.

Services provided were Medical (doctor checkups), Dental (tooth extractions), Optical (reading glasses distribution), mass Circumcision, Osteoporosis bone density screening, and Pharmacy (prescription and maintenance medicine dispensary).

School supplies, children’s clothes, and adult slippers were likewise distributed on—site; hearty snacks were also given out during the activity.

“This undertaking is a milestone in Philippines—Australia relations. We are working together across borders for a common goal — to serve our underprivileged and less-fortunate,” said Sol Flores Jr., President of the co—lead Angeles City Clark Balibago LC.

Lions from Australia and the Philippines convened in the Anunas Covered Court to render the service activity, with renowned singer of APO Hiking Society Jim Paredes among them.

“Our Lions club is overjoyed to help deliver this first project here in Angeles City and already look forward to future joint missions with our counterpart,” said Rissa McInnes, head of the delegation from the co—lead Blacktown Ponds LC.

Volunteers for the project came from various government partners, foremost the Department of Health, City Government of Angeles, Sangguniang Barangay of Anunas, and PAGCOR Casino Filipino Angeles. The affair was likewise made more fruitful with the help of partner organizations such as SOUL Group, Inc., Soroptimist International of Angeles City, and the Angeles City Medical Society.

The PHL-AUS Joint Lions Mission is a club-to-club initiative of the Blacktown Ponds Lions Club, Inc. and the Angeles City Clark Balibago Lions Club to jointly render high-impact community projects annually.

Clark to host 23 countries in quake drill

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Philippines is set to host this year’s International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Asia-Pacifi c Regional Earthquake Response Exercise (AP-ERE) to be participated in by at least 23 countries on June 25 to 29, the Offi ce for Civil Defense (OCD) has announced.

The OCD said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) would be the main agency to host the INSARAG, a global network under the United Nations umbrella dealing with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) related issues.

For many years, INSARAG has held exercises in countries around the world seeking to strengthen a country’s response capacity to a major earthquake disaster and to enhance its ability to work with international partners and agencies during the initial humanitarian phase of any emergency, the OCD said.

“The Philippines, through the National Council, takes pride in hosting this year’s INSARAG. This is an opportune time for us to showcase our capacities in the international scene, with the hope to further enhance international relations through disaster management and humanitarian assistance,” said NDRRMC executive director and OCD administrator Ricardo Jalad in a statement.

The OCD said “Earthquake Response Exercise or ERE is endorsed by the INSARAG Steering Group primarily as a means to increase awareness of INSARAG disaster response methodologies amongst national and local authorities in the host country and to provide a platform for the strengthening of national response capacities.”

It said the five-day event shall include a three-day Exercise Preparation Phase followed by a two-day Simulation Exercise Phase. Preparatory activities are ongoing, facilitated by the local and international exercise controllers, and the host country through the established steering committee led by exercise director Rodrigo Diapana of the OCD.”

At least 23 countries worldwide, representing various sectors from the government, non-government and international organizations, are expected to participate in the forthcoming exercise, the OCD said.

‘Twisted recipes’ of Angeles City’s sisig

(PN)

COOKS and food lovers from 19 barangays in Angeles City took the challenge of creating new, innovative, tasty sisig recipes with a twist in time for Sisig Fiesta 2018 held recently at Angeles City. Organized by Fresh Options Meatshop, Sisig Fiesta 2018 showcased the top six sisig dishes that were chosen from the 19 recipes in a pre-fiesta showdown.

Three recipes, out of the six, were chosen top winners. Third place went to Barangay Virgen Delos Remedios for Arellenong Pork Sisig. Second place went to Barangay Pulung Maragul for Sisig Pockets. And grand prize went to Barangay Sta. Teresita for its Pork Sisig Roll in Tanglad/Pineapple Sauce. The top three winners were awarded cash prizes and meat products from Fresh Options.

The Sisig Fiesta was started in 2017. Now on its second year, it is envisioned to be an annual event to be held in the Crossing area in Angeles City every April. Robert H. Lo, President and CEO of RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods Inc. and Fresh Options Meatshop said that Sisig Fiesta aims to promote what New York Times called ‘the greatest pork dish on earth’ and honor the city from where it all began, Angeles City. Dr. Lo is passionate about preserving this “non-tangible heritage of the Angeleños especially for the younger generations.” His own meatshop, Fresh Options, also started in Angeles City where he opened his first store in 2005.

Sisig or Sisig Babi is a Filipino dish made from parts of a pig’s head (usually the ears and the cheeks) seasoned with a sour dressing and spices. The word “sisig” can be traced back to 1732 when Spanish friar Diego Bergamo included the word to his Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga and defined the word as a sour salad or snack. It actually started as a dish for expectant mothers in many Kapampangan homes. But it became popular as a dish in the late 60s when it was served as “pulutan” for beer in a sizzling plate in drinking places around the railroad crossing area. And the Sizzling Sisig as an appetizer and dish spread far and wide all over the country with some other regions now having their own version of the dish.

Thanks to Ordinance Number 405, approved by the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod, sisig babi is now declared an intangible, cultural heritage of Angeles City.

Sisig Fiesta 2018 had celebrity chefs demonstrating their culinary skills, songs and dance numbers and all kinds of food stalls serving sisig and a variety of delicious dishes Kapampangans are known for. A night market also added color to the event.

Aeta service awardee recognizes CDC’s support to IP

(CDC CommDep)

CLARK FREEPORT— Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has always been a company whose mandate is to help not only in developing this Freeport into a world class investment destination but also in generating employment for the communities surrounding it, including the indigenous people.

Over the years, the company has been providing job opportunities for Filipinos in order to have a chance for a better life or grow out from poverty.

One of the mandates of the state-owned firm is to extend this assistance to the up landers living within the boundaries of Clark — the Aeta community. Now on its 25th year, the corporation gives recognition to one of its very first employees, an Aeta, who has witnessed the development of the Freeport and CDC over the years, and his very own development as well.

Cresencio Laxamana, known to his co-employees here as “Vigor,” has been serving CDC for 25 years now — from the humble beginnings until the widely successful development. He was the 20th employee of CDC when it was established in 1993.

During the recent 25th anniversary celebration, he was one of the service awardees recognized by the stateowned firm as among the pioneer employees of CDC.

Laxamana said that through CDC, he was able to provide decent life to his family, and even send to education to his children.

During his tenure, Vigor never felt discriminated because of his ethnicity and for lack of education but instead he was given a chance through training.

Thus, he reciprocated it with dedication and hard work making him reach a quarter of century working for the state-owned firm.

“CDC has extended so much help to the Aeta. It has given a lot to them and it never got tired of helping them.” said Laxamana.

He also thanked CDC for allowing Aetas to sell their crops in the designated areas in the Freeport to be able to have decent income for their families living in various Aeta communities adjacent to the Freeport.

Vigor is a proof that CDC gives high regard to the importance of helping the Filipino people, no matter what race or ethnicity, for as long as there is willingness and dedication to advance.

Capitol opens ‘Love Pampanga’ kiosk at Clark Airport

By Leah Isidro De Fiesta

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE – The provincial government opened the first ever ‘Love Pampanga Kiosk’, a pasalubong center at Clark International Airport selling and promoting high-quality Kapampangan products of at least 16 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on Thursday.

The Love Pampanga Kiosk, a brain-child of Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda was realized through the support of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President Alex Cauguiran, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Pampanga Public Employment Service Office(PESO) Arts Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTOP) , members of Sweet and Delicacies Association of Pampanga (SNDAP) and Pampangueno Small Enterprises (PSE) from all over the province.

DTI Provincial Director Elenita Ordonio said the passengers of the airport are now starting to patronize the MSMEs’ Pampanga products and commodities of their own towns and cities.

“These MSMEs represent the best commodity that their town and city can offer,” Ordonio said.

Ordonio said this was just a dream but now it has become a reality. She thanked the Governor and CIAC for making the establishment of a kiosk inside the airport possible, thus helping to boost the tourism development of the province. She also mentioned that in order to achieve the goal of showcasing the best of Pampanga brands, MSMEs must take advantage of the opportunity given by the Governor and CIAC.

“Sana po ay atin itong pangalagaan, mag-tulungan lang po tayo,” she said.

Meanwhile, 2nd District Board Member Anthony Joseph Torres said the kiosk showcases good and delicious food from Pampanga, and the ingenuity of Kapampangans to provide quality products.

Being the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, it can be assured that the products are made with “Pusong Kapampangan,” he added.

CIAC President Cauguiran, for his part, vowed to support the project, saying that these products deserve to be promoted “not just domestically but also internationally”.

“Kapag meron ng slot sa itaas, I assure you it is all yours. Kilala kasi tayo sa mga kakaiba at iba’t-ibang klase ng pagkain at kakanin kaya marapat lamang na mabigyan ng karampatang lugar o ‘special area’ para ma-promote sa mga passengers na pumupunta sa ibang lugar at bansa,” he said.

Madelyn Luna, a tourist from Davao City, said she was impressed about the idea, saying she can now share to her family how good Pampanga products are by taking home pasalubongs she bought from the Love Pampanga Kiosk, such as chicharron and sweet and delicacies.

The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Torres, on behalf of the Governor, and Cauguiran.

Also present during the event were 2nd District Anthony Joseph Torres 1st District Board Member Cherry Manalo, 4th District Board Member Pol Balingit, department heads of Pampanga, and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) President Teri David Carlos, among others.

Newest commercial district to boost Pampanga’s business and tourism

(Press release)

TOUTED AS the first and largest central business district at the heart of Central Luzon; Pampanga homegrown developer AC Beautiful Island Realty Development Corporation (ACBI) is unveiling its pilot development.

The newest retail and commercial hub dubbed as The Shoppes at The Infinity is expected to be the nextgo- to leisure destination in the region.

“The Shoppes, a sprawling retail strip with in the upcoming vibrant fully-integrated city will offer 15,600 square meters of palatable delights, local and global boutique brands and service establishments making it not only a shopper’s paradise but a top-ofmind recreation experience,” said Byron John T. Siy, General Manager of ACBI Realty Development Corporation.

“We envision The Shoppes to complement the trade and investment prowess of The Infinity. As business and leisure are industries that now work side by side, we want to make sure that we are offering a complete and one-stop-shop destination at par with central business districts here and abroad,” added Siy.

Inspired by renowned mixed-used developments in the country whose success was driven by its commercial components, The Shoppes is anticipated to fire up the transformation of the area.

The retail landscape will highlight a relaxed and nature-inspired atmosphere while satisfying the shopping and dining needs of the region.

The recreation zone will start construction as soon as mid of this year and the first phase is projected to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2019.

The shopping mecca will follow a modern contemporary design influence with the help of leading style firm LG+V Architects. ACBI, the real estate arm of JENRA Group of Companies is the power behind The Infinity.

They conceptualized the commerce district not only to open prospects for Pampanga but to serve as a commerce link of the region to the rest of Luzon.

This can be owed to the strategic location of The Infinity at the gateway of Central Luzon and its direct connection to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) via the Angeles Exit.

The Infinity traverses the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga. Masterplanned by Palafox Associates, The Infinity will be a 40-hectare development that will soon house business, commercial, residential and all other dynamic features that completes a community. Utilities at The Infinity are carefully tucked underground making the road networks functional and aesthetic.

Moreover, sustainable features are also in place as the company follows the green building code. In addition, The Infinity offers freehold ownership and long-term lease investment options.

CDC to focus on recreational facilities to complement airport dev’t

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT— To complement the development of the Clark airport, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) is now focusing on developing more tourism recreational facilities.

“Opportunities on tourism recreational facilities that will complement the development of the Clark airport will be one of the focus in this freeport,” said the CDC in a statement on Tuesday.

CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil said tourism recreational facilities are ideal in terms of the size of lands in the freeport as they are supplemental to the on–going expansion of the airport.

“In terms of the size of lands we have, we have more opportunities for tourism recreational facilities. In the meantime, that is the focus. Also, because these types of industries are supportive of the airport development,” Manankil said.

He said they are encouraging more of the tourism related industries as a preparation for the expansion of the airport.

At present, Clark has more than 2,500 hotel rooms available, more than 200 local and international restaurants, theme parks, casinos and golf courses aside from the on-going construction of name-brand hotels.

Widus International Leisure, Inc. President-CEO Daesik Han had just announced recently that Marriot Hotel is set to open in September this year and the infusion of additional P5 billion investments for the expansion of Widus Hotel and Casino, construction of theme park, and convention center to be completed in the next six years.

Marriot Hotel is located inside the Widus complex.

Filinvest Mimosa is also upgrading its facilities as they are preparing for the construction of new hotels, lifestyle malls and theme park among others in the next five to 15 years.

“We are encouraging more tourism- airport driven industries because the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is building a new terminal and I think we are the only freeport zone that has a terminal,” Manankil said.

With the increasing number of tourist going through Clark, Manankil said these industries will be ideal in the freeport. He also cited the advantage of the airport in the creation of more international and local flights.

Currently, there are 158 international flights and 284 domestic flights per week or a total of 442 flights per week or an average of 63 per day with an 11 airlines operating the flights at the Clark airport.

“We have a lot of tourists that come through Clark. The good thing about the airport and I think the airport guys will tell you, we have a lot of local flights now. It provides connectivity for tourists, they fly to Clark and they take their connecting flights and go to their destinations in different tourist spots in the Philippines, because of the entry of the local couriers to Bohol, Davao, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Batanes, among others. It also provided the needed connectivity for international tourists. With this set-up, there is no need for them to go to Manila,” he said.

Manankil also said improvements in terms of the facilities and surroundings of Clark are also underway in support of the development of the freeport and the promotion of local culture and arts.

“We’re doing a lot of beautification which includes landscaping. We are also creating a lot of activity that centers and focuses on culture and arts, because this region is very rich in terms of culture and food,” Manankil said.

He added that the growth of Clark will make it more holistic which will offer an inclusive development for its surrounding communities while incorporating culture, arts, food and local products.

VXI opens newest $3-million BPO office

By Roderick Abad

ANGELES, Pampanga—Business-process outsourcing (BPO) company VXI Global Solutions Inc. has officially opened its $3-million new facility in Clark Freeport Zone, offering over 2,000 job opportunities mostly for the local labor market.

VXI Global Holdings B.V. Philippines EVP and Country Manager Jared Morrison said this site represents the continuation of their strategy and investment in the country and its people.

“We see this area of Luzon, in particular, as a continuing growth area of the Philippines, and the talent pool has been and continues to be extremely rich. We expect to find a great talent [supply] and provide a lot of good jobs here,” he said during the ceremonial inauguration rites held here recently at the SM Clark Parking Grounds.

Occupying two stories of the adjacent SM office tower, this ninth facility of VXI has more than 2,000 seats, making it the biggest location so far in terms of work space.

Currently, it is manned by around 185 newly hired employees doing voice and nonvoice services to North American clients, mainly from the United States.

With continuous recruitment, the company is expecting to hire at least 200 more over the next two to three months. The headcount is projected to reach more than 1,000 by the end of this year, and at a full manpower capacity thereafter.

“I’m glad that VXI is here. I’m glad that VXI has not just provided jobs for many of our countrymen, but has been a very good employer to most of them,” said Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, who graced the opening event.

Though Clark is a new market—the latest addition to its eight locations situated in Metro Manila and Davao—the BPO firm will not change the strategy that has made it successful in the industry.

For Morrison, his focus will remain centered on their philosophy of a “real passion for people.” His leadership will continue to inspire the team to work on driving employee engagement and creating a strong cultural image resulting in the organization’s significant growth in terms of profitability and keeping and attracting talents.

“We’re doing very well,” he told the BusinessMirror when pressed on the current status of their business. “We’re growing in almost all of our locations.”

Financially, VXI posted a revenue growth of 26 percent from 2016 to 2017, while gross margin increased at 31 percent during the two periods in review.

Performance in key client measures/service delivery commitments improved from 53 percent in 2014 to 73 percent last year, representing a 20-percent hike in three years.

Likewise, Employee Satisfaction survey’s overall score rose by 19 percent, from 66 percent in 2014 to 85 percent in 2017. KPI standing also increased by 20 percent last year.

Attendance of its people expanded from 92 percent to 95 percent, as retention significantly surged by 15 percent.

Voluntary attrition or resignation rate dropped by 15 percent, from 31 percent to 16 percent.

Absenteeism level declined by three points, from 7.8 percent to 4.6 percent. VXI also more than doubled its population with an increase in headcount from 6,500 in 2014 to around 14,000 at present, thus, making the Philippines a very critical territory for its global operations that accounts for half of its 28,000 employees worldwide.

“[In the future,] we’re expecting to continue to grow and have a great success,” Morrison said of their business expectations. “Our goal is to really grow by 20 percent per year for the next three to four years.”

2 more Clark art exhibits set

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – Two more art exhibits are now in the works after the success of the ongoing “Salangian Art Exhibit” at the Clark Museum here.

“Salangian,” a Kapampangan word which means to light or to ignite in English, is now ongoing and will be capped with a big impromptu art exhibition on the closing ceremony on June 30.

Bennylee Bondoc, event organizer for Salangian, said during the media forum “Balitaan” organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. at the Bale Balita here last Friday, the first of the two succeeding art exhibits will open in October while the next will be in December.

Bondoc said the December exhibit will be launched as the Pampanga Arts Festival.

“Our goal is to uplift all the artists in Pampanga and unite them to make Pampanga as the art capital of the north,” she said.

Bondoc also said the impromptu art exhibition at the gazebo of the Clark Museum set on June 30 will feature on-the-spot painting and sculpture and even live models. It is also open to the public.

Last April 26, three leading groups of artists in Pampanga converged at the Clark Museum for the opening of “Salangian,” the biggest art exhibit in the province as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the CDC.

The three artists’ groups are the Culture and Arts Council of Angeles City headed by Wing Pingol as executive director, Gamat Kapampangan founded by Dr. Vittorio Pantig, and the Progressive Art Movement Philippines (PAMP) with president Ronnie Tayag.

Bondoc said PAMP is not only for visual arts but also has music headed by noted instrumentalist Conrado “Titus” Del Rosario III, an awardee of the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award (MOKA) and director of the Sunlag Ensemble.

Meanwhile, Dr. Pantig, a prominent surgeon, is also fast emerging as a distinguished sculptor. During the forum, the medical practitioner said his being a surgeon is a big factor in his being a sculptor and as an artist.

Pantig said his skill as a surgeon comes in handy with his deft as a sculptor.

“The only difference is that in surgery there is no room for mistake while in sculpting, mistakes can always be corrected,” he said.

Bondoc said the youngest artist in the exhibit is 17 years old and the oldest is 75 in the person of another MOKA awardee, Leonardo Tulabut.

Noemi Julian, manager of the CDC Tourism and Promotions Division, said around 75 Kapampangan artists joined the event while more than 100 of their artworks were exhibited at the Gallery 2 of the Clark Museum. Andy Alviz, one of the featured artists and lead organizer, has said the activity served as a platform to celebrate the creativity and artistry of Kapampangan painters, sculptors and other artists.

He also cited the suitability of Clark as the location for the event.

Alviz recalled that last year, various Kapampangan artworks and craftsmanship were featured during the 31st Association of South East Asian Nations Summit.

They were showcased at the ASEAN Villas, Clark International Airport Corp. VIP lounge and ASEAN Convention Center.

Meanwhile, among the artworks currently on display at the Clark Museum are the artworks of famous Kapampangan sculptor Willy Layug, the paintings of Rafael Maniago and the Pidayit of Philip Torres.

Central Luzon Tourism Exchange with Eastern Visayas

(Press release)

THE CENTRAL LUZON Tourism Exchange is a program pioneered by the Department of Tourism Region 3 aimed to boost the tourist arrivals in region by connecting the business sectors of Central Luzon to other regions that are connected thru the Clark International Airport.

Now on its 9th leg, the Central Luzon Tourism Exchange with Eastern Visayas was held on April 22-25, 2018 after the successful outbound tourism exchange with them on March 16-19, 2018. The inbound tourism exchange is a continuation of marketing and promoting the different destinations in the country and this time, it featured Clark, Angeles City, and Bataan. Together with the partner airline, Air Asia, the project was successfully implemented.

The participants stayed at some of the best hotels in Clark such as Quest Hotel and Conference Center Clark, Midori Hotel and Casino, Royce Hotel and Casino, and The Oriental in Mariveles, Bataan. Their familiarization tours included Puning Hot Spring, Angeles City Heritage District, Mt. Samat National Park, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Aqua Planet, and Clark Dinosaur Island. The participants indulged themselves in exploring the diverse food offerings of the culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga, like sisig, tibok-tibok, and halo-halo among many others. The guests from Eastern Visayas provided nothing but positive feedbacks about their experience in Central Luzon.

B2B Session

The highlight of the tourism exchange is the business-to-business (b2b) session between the tourism stakeholders of Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas. There were 15 participants from Eastern Visayas who met with around 65 companies from Central Luzon composing of accredited travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, and resorts with the aim of building greater connections in making tourism a business.

Central Luzon is very promising as it is one of the leading regions in the country. In terms of tourism, it is once tagged to as Central Luzon - from A to Z, from the eastern coast of Aurora to Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, up to the western part of Zambales.

Probe use of poor steel in high rise buildings

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT -- Former senator Nikki Coseteng has asked both Houses of Congress to look into reports that contractors, without being aware of it, have used inferior reinforced steel bars (rebars) supplied to them by local manufacturers to build highrise buildings in Metro Manila which is under threat from a major earthquake.

“I am building another school and my daughter lives on the 26th floor of a high-rise building. I also want to know if people are safe in such buildings,” Coseteng said at the News@Hues press forum at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark here Tuesday.

Coseteng is now the president and chief executive officer of the Diliman Educational Corp. Coseteng was with structural engineer Emilio Morales who, in 2010, first raised the issue of local steel manufacturers replacing micro- alloyed (MA) steel rebars with cheaper quench-tempered (QT) rebars which, he insisted, was not advisable for use in high-rise buildings, especially in earthquake- threatened Metro Manila.

She noted reports that MA rebars disappeared from local market and replaced with inferior QT rebars since about 10 years ago.

It is possible that the highrise buildings which mushroomed in Metro Manila over this period could have used inferior steel, she noted.

Morales debunked claims of steel manufacturers that QT rebars were safe for high-rise buildings, saying “herein is where the danger lies, because QT rebars behave quite differently under cyclic loading and also are very much affected by heating, welding, bending, galvanizing and threading procedures employed in their use, particularly in high-rise buildings under Seismic Zone 4.”

His study on the issue, first submitted to his professional peers in 2010, was titled “A Clear and Present Danger- The Use of QT rebars in Seismic Zone 4.”

Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) announced that Metro Manila is ripe for a major earthquake that could reach 7.2 intensity.

A study it conducted by Phivolcs a few years ago estimated that only two percent of high-rise buildings with 30 to 60 stories could be heavily damaged by a significant earthquake in Metro Manila, as against the estimate of eight to 10 percent of older public- purpose buildings, but Coseteng noted that the study did not consider the use of QT rebars in the high-rise structures.

Morales could not immediately say whether here is any technology to “retrofit” high rise buildings which used QT rebars, but he stressed that apparently, contractors for high-rise projects were not aware the QT rebars were delivered to them by suppliers as they merely identifi ed their needs for Grade 60 rebars.

Because the issue could involve the lives of thousands, especially in case of a major earthquake, Coseteng said she has formally asked the Senate, through Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., as well as the House, through Davao Oriental Rep. Corazon Malanyaon, to look into the issue.

DPWH ready with new PHL Building Act

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to present to Congress its final proposal for a Philippine Building Act to replace the 1977 vintage National Building Code, based on the government’s duty to “safeguard the life, health, property and public welfare consistent with principles of sustainable development” amid disaster risks.

In the News@Hues press forum at Park Inn by Radisson Clark here the other day, Public Works Undersecretary Karen Jimeno said the proposal, soon to be presented for legislative action, was also based on the United Nations framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR) for 2017 to 2030, as fi nalized in Sendai, Japan in March, 2015.

(Jimeno on Wednesday was appointed by President Duterte as undersecretary for disaster resiliency under the Presidential Management Staff , which is under the Office of the President.)

Jimeno noted that the Sendai framework aimed to “substantially reduce global disaster mortality, substantially reduce the number of affected people, reduce direct economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product, substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.”

Under the proposed Philippine Building Act, details for quality of buildings are detailed, the list of those tasked to ensure the quality and safety of buildings is longer, penalties for law violaters are stiffer.

Jimeno said the proposal’s general provisions cover “classification of buildings; location, siting, and zoning requirements, design requirements; construction requirements; building materials; occupancy, maintenance, and abatement of buildings; administration; permits and inspections; incentives and penalties, and final provisions.”

“The objective of the proposal is also to reduce and manage hazards, exposures, and vulnerabilities, thereby minimizing disaster risk,” Jimeno said.

At present, the law identified accredited persons in building concerns are limited to building contractor and building professional.

Under the proposed law, they would include a building certifier, structure peer reviewer, testing laboratory personnel and, building inspector.

Jimeno also noted that under the proposal, violations would comprise criminal liability that could lead to imprisonment lasting from six months to six years.

The proposal also mandates that building materials be selected “following a set of criteria including but not limited to strength, fire, resistivity, moisture resistance, durability, and sustainability.”

It also covers proposed design requirements on “stability, protection from fire, protection from moisture and surface water, protection from other hazards, safety of users or occupants, access, energy and energy efficiency, Jimeno said.

It also said that “buildings and structures on special sites shall consider special design requirements and risk mitigation measures called for by the specific site conditions.”

Jimeno also said the proposal zeroes in on resilience of buildings by ensuring the integration “disaster risk reduction and management measures in the rules and regulations for planning, designing and reconstructing of buildings and structures.”

‘Tarzan’ roars again in barangay election win

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- Veteran politician Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has been voted chairman of Barangay Balibago, an entertainment area of this highly-urbanized city.

Lazatin, a former Pampanga first district congressman and an ex-city mayor here, defeated Tess Mamac, wife of outgoing village chief Rodelio “Tony” Mamac, who emerged as first councilor.

Lazatin, who was supported by an influential religious group, garnered 4,294 votes while Tess Mamac only got 3,787 in the unofficial and partial tally.

Lazatin, who will turn 84 years old this June, earlier vowed to implement health, education, and infrastructure programs if he will be given a chance to serve as chairman of Barangay Balibago.

“One of our programs first of all is health. We should have sufficient [supply] of medicines [for the poor people],” he said in the vernacular.

Lazatin also mentioned the need to institute programs to upgrade all public schools in terms of education quality, physical structures and others.

The local government must provide scholarships to “poor but deserving students,” according to Lazatin.

On infrastructure, the former mayor and congressman stressed that barangay roads and drainage systems need to be rehabilitated.

“Those are the three programs which I think are important,” Lazatin said.

When asked about peace and order and illegal drugs, he pointed out that Balibago should be a crime and drug-free barangay.

Lazatin’s two sons, Carmelo “JonJon” Lazatin, Jr. and Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. also hold elective government positions as Pampanga first district congressman and Angeles City councilor respectively.

5 SK bets disqualified on election day in Central Luzon

By Tonette Orejas (/je, Inquirer Central Luzon)

CAMP OLIVAS, PAMPANGA—Five Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates in Central Luzon have been disqualified from the Monday race for either being under or over the mandated 18 to 24 year old age limit set by law, according to the Commission on Elections’ Second Division.

In an omnibus order, the division also ruled that should they win, their victory would be considered void.

“[The division] hereby suspends the proclamation of the (disqualified) candidates in the event that they obtain the highest number of votes, or suspends the effects of proclamation in the event that their proclamation has been already made,” said the order issued on Monday.

Disqualified were Alvin Naval Sierra who is running as an SK Council member in Barangay (village) San Agustin in Carranglan town, Nueva Ecija province; Rowel Arellano Mendoza, bet for SK chair in Barangay Villa Aurora, Maria Aurora town in Aurora province; Godofredo Castillo de la Pena Jr., who is seeking the SK chair in Barangay Cut-Cot in Pulilan town, Bulacan province; Christian Aaron Tongol Bondo, SK chair bet in Barangay Matatalaib, Tarlac City in Tarlac province; and Joven Villapana de la Cruz, SK chair bet in Barangay Salapungan in Angeles City, Pampanga province.

The division acted on petitions to deny due course or to cancel the certificates of candidacy of these bets.

Clark’s growth surges under Duterte administration

(PR)

CLARK FREEPORT -- Economic performance inside this Freeport has made leaps and bounds in the last two years, posting unprecedented levels in growth rates under the Duterte Administration.

Under the present administration, total net income of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for the years 2016 to 2017 peaked to P1.81 billion. This represents 38 percent of the accumulated net income of CDC since its incorporation 25 years ago.

CDC’s net profit grew by almost 50 percent under the two-year old Duterte Administration. Net income for the year 2017 is P1.03 billion compared to P697 million in 2015 or before Duterte assumed Presidency.

CDC president Noel Manankil said the outstanding performance of CDC is attributed to the sound investment climate and economic policies of the Duterte administration. He also credited the collective efforts of the members of CDC Board of Directors, management and employees, as well as the Clark locators and the surrounding local government units.

Recently, CDC also contributed to the national coffers when it remitted P700 million in cash dividends for year 2017 to the national treasury. This brings the total to P3.25 billion in actual dividends remitted to the National Government, which is more than what is required by law.

The cash dividends paid by CDC under the Duterte Administration represent 37 percent of the total amount the state-owned firm remitted since 1993. From 1993 to 1996 CDC remitted cash dividends amounting to P2.5 billion.

At the onset of President Duterte’s assumption to office in 2016, the Chief Executive has pushed for the development of Clark Freeport and the Clark International Airport.

In his visit to Clark late last year, President Duterte has underscored the importance of developing Clark Freeport as an alternative destination for industries due to the congestion of Metro Manila.

He said in his speech that “Clark is a very important arterial place, because it is the center of developments in Central and North Luzon.”

At the same time, the Duterte administration is bent on making Clark “the next big metropolis,” implementing vital infrastructure projects that will bolster economic activities in the Central and Northern Luzon regions.

These include the expansion of the Clark International Airport, the construction of railway between Metro Manila and Clark and the cargo rail link between Clark and Subic Freeport under the Build Build Build program.

In the recent economic briefing and roadshow in Clark for the 51st anniversary of Asian Development Bank last month, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez cited Clark as showcase for growth.

“Clark will soon be the showcase of the Duterte administration’s economic strategy. We expect this area to be the growth driver for Central and Northern Luzon,” Dominguez said.

He added: “Clark was ideally suited to be a center for agro-industrial activities as well as home to cutting-edge technology companies and world-class sports facilities.”

The CDC, the implementing arm of Bases Conversion Development Authority for Clark, also cited the growth on export value inside the Freeport which surged to $6.87 Billion in 2017. This represents a 35-percent upturn from 2016 which stood at $5.08 billion.

While citing the increase of the export volume, there was also growth in the number of locators inside the Freeport. Some 54 additional locators were registered before the end of last year, bringing to 949 the total number of locator-firms in 2017.

This also resulted in the creation of jobs for 108,000 workers as of December 2017. During the heydays of the American troops at the former Clark Air Base, the employment peaked to only about 20,000 workers in over 50-year stay at the military facility.

The industrial and manufacturing industry employ the most number of workers at 48,476 employees. This was followed by ICT industry which has 23,349 number of workers or 22.70 percent from the total number of workers here.

About Clark Freeport Zone and Special Economic Zone

Clark is a former US military base developed into a premiere economic hub after it was left by the Americans due to the devastation brought about by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

Clark has two major areas which are the Freeport at the main zone and the adjoining special economic zone. The Freeport is a 4,400-hectare land, which is composed of the mixed-used area and the airport complex while the special economic zone has a bigger land area with 27,600 hectares.

At present, it is home to 949 locator companies which employ more than 108,00 workers. Clark Freeport Zone is managed by Clark Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

About Clark Development Corporation

Established in 1993 by virtue of the Proclamation No. 80, Clark Development Corporation was designated as the implementing arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority under the Republic Act 7227 also known as Bases Conversion Act. The state-owned firm was tasked to develop the former US military facility into a premiere investment hub.

Through the years, CDC has remained true to its mission of generating productive economic activity which include employment, export and investment in Clark and in the country.

Hotshots upend Batang Pier on Sangalang show

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)
Games today (Ynares-Antipolo)
4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs TNT KaTropa
6:45 p.m. – San Miguel vs Rain or Shine

ANGELES CITY, Philippines — Pampanga pride Ian Sangalang delivered a fine show before his cabalens in the Petron Blaze road showdown here last night, top scoring with 22 points off the bench as Magnolia topped GlobalPort, 92-87, for its first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Vernon Macklin held his own against Malcolm White, Rome dela Rosa helped provide the scoring sock with 14 points while Mark Barroca neutralized Stanley Pringle as the Hotshots redeemed themselves from their heart-rending loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in their conference debut.

Sangalang, however, stood out with his timely hits at the finish, capping a solid performance cheered on by his provincemates inside the Angeles University Foundation Gym.

The 6-foot-6 center/forward is from the nearby Lubao town where he’s discovered to play for the Philippine youth team before strutting his stuff with the San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA.

Sangalang made five points in their decisive 9-2 closing salvo in the close game where neither team enjoyed a lead of more than eight.

Held to two points in the last four minutes of the game, the Batang Pier went down to a second loss in four outings.

Barroca struggled with a 2-of-11 clip but made his presence felt with his pesky defense on Pringle whom he limited to 5-of-17 shooting.

With Barroca all over him, Pringle was held down to two charities in the last six minutes.

Magnolia also employed a tough team defense, forcing GlobalPort to 23 turnovers. And the Hotshots beat the Batang Pier, 21-13, on points off turnovers.

The scores:
MAGNOLIA 92 – Sangalang 22, Macklin 19, Dela Rosa 14, Ramos 9, Lee 8, Barroca 7, Simon 6, Jalalon 5, Pascual 2, Herndon 0, Brondial 0
GLOBALPORT 87 – Anthony 20, White 17, Pringle 14, Tautuaa 12, Javelona 9, Grey 5, Araña 4, Elorde 2, Flores 2, Guinto 2, Teng 0, Gabayni 0, Juico 0
Quarterscores: 20-15, 37-37, 65-62, 92-87

95 mothers, 566 infants die in birthing-related cases in CL

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT -- A total of 95 mothers 566 newly born babies in Central Luzon died last year from preventable causes related to giving birth, the Department of Health (DOH) reported here Wednesday.

“In Central Luzon, there were 95 maternal deaths and 566 neo-natal deaths reported in 2017. Women continue to die despite having available knowledge and resources to prevent such deaths,” the regional DOH office reported here yesterday in commemoration of “Safe Motherhood Week.”

The DOH said that “to be able to respond and resolve the problem, health system needs to be fed accurate and timely information on the medical causes as well as non-medical factors that may lead to such deaths.”

The agency noted that “high maternal mortality remains to be one of the concerns that prompted initiatives from various sectors to address its causes. Aimed at undertaking concrete actions to address system’s gaps, therefore avoiding preventable deaths, from occurring.”

The DOH also noted that “safe motherhood program calls for every pregnant woman to have quality, focused antenatal care, and to strengthen pregnancy tracking and surveillance, most especially of high risk pregnancies, Part of quality antenatal care includes creating a birth plan at the first visit and reviewing it during every check-up thereafter.”

Trader: Farmers to benefit from business conference

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- The agriculture sector is expected to benefit from the 27th North Luzon Area Business Conference (NLABC) scheduled on May 17 to 19 at the LausGroup Event Centre in the City of San Fernando, said Rene Romero, vice chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Romero said that the business conference, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and hosted by the Pampanga Chamber, will complement the government’s program on food security.

“We will link our farmers with traders so that they can easily sell their products. They will have an access with the market with the help of the businessmen,” Romero said.

He said that this year’s NLABC is themed “North Luzon: This is Our Time!”

“This theme is an affirmation and confirmation of our long-time aspiration of development in our area,” Romero said.

North Luzon is ready for development and its attributes include transport and logistics infrastructures, human resource skills, prime agricultural areas and viable tourism sites in its four regions – Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon, according to the business leader.

Romero said that the national government, under the Duterte administration, has recognized North Luzon as a compelling growth corridor which is expected to complement the development in Metro Manila.

“North Luzon: This is our time” also poses a challenge for the stakeholders to prepare for the unprecedented development in the four regions particularly Central Luzon, he added.

Central Luzon is now being dubbed as the next regional development hub in what Pampanga Chamber started referring to as “Metro Central Luzon” which is adjacent to the National Capital Region.

Resource speakers during the three-day business conference include Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, AirAsia Group Chief executive officer Tony Fernandes, Dr. Bernie Villegas, and others.

DTI to open 24 more Negosyo Centers in Central Luzon

By Melanie B. Ronquillo (CLJD-PIA 3)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, May 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be opening 24 more Negosyo Centers in Central Luzon in 2018.

From the figure, six will be located in Nueva Ecija, five in Zambales, four each in Pampanga and Tarlac, three in Bulacan, and one each in Bataan and Aurora.

“As of April 30, eight new centers have already been established in Marilao and Guiguinto in Bulacan, General Tinio and Quezon in Nueva Ecija, Angeles City (Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Office) and Floridablanca in Pampanga, Pura in Tarlac and Subic Bay (Harbor Point) in Zambales,” DTI Regional Director Judith Angeles disclosed.

Negosyo Centers provide micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME)-related services such as Business Name Registration, Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Registration Assistance, Product Cliniquing, Product Catalogue Production, Business Matching, Loan Assistance, Packaging and Labeling Assistance and Product Development.

They were created by virtue of Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act. It aims to establish at least one Negosyo Center in each local government to help spur inclusive growth and countryside development through the development of the MSME sector.

The law also strengthened the partnership of the private sector and government agencies to help support the growth of the MSME sector.

In 2017, they were able to assist a total of 55,669 MSMEs in the region.

Candidate vows to work on community college

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- The wife of an outgoing chairman in Barangay Balibago, who is aiming to replace her husband, has vowed to implement several programs including the establishment of a community college for indigent students.

Tess Mamac, wife of last-termer village chief Rodelio Tony Mamac, said that three courses - Education, Criminology, and Computer Science – will initially be offered at the public college.

If given a chance to serve as village chief, Tess Mamac is also planning to construct a Barangay Diagnostic Center where the residents may avail of services like medical examination and blood testing.

To date, the barangay has an annual budget of P33 million.

Mamac’s third priority project is the construction of drainage and widening of barangay roads.

As a woman, Tess said she will also work on livelihood for women and the village’s beautification and cleanliness.

Mamac’s runningmates for councilor include her husband Tony, Maricar Calibo, Arnold Ibay, Abel “Bong” Reyes, Carlito “Mickoy” Marcos, Fernando “Ando” Yambao, and Leonardo, “Nards” Nicdao.

Pampanga bags 5th regional ‘Kalasag’

(JTD)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Pampanga once again earned the award in the 20th Regional Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan).

Capitol’s fifth regional “Kalasag” award comes after the PDRRMC bagged it from 2013 to 2017.

In an announcement over the weekend, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) named Pampanga winner in provincial category, along with Angeles City (highly urbanized city category), City of San Fernando (Component City category), Baler in Aurora (first-third class municipality category), and Barangay Pagas in Cabanatuan City (barangay-rural category).

The winners were selected by a committee composed of representatives from OCD, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Science and Technology

“Gawad Kalasag recognizes exceptional contributions of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) practitioners, groups or institutions in promoting and implementing significant and gender-sensitive DRRM, Climate Change Adaptation programs and innovations that build community resiliency in the long-term,” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director and RDRRMC chairperson Marlou Salazar said.

Last April, the regional Gawad Kalasag validation team visited the Capitol and reviewed the best practices of the PDRRMC headed by Angelina Blanco. The team was composed of Michael Dumlao from Office of Civil Defense III, Glenn Cosio from the DILG, Muffy Gopez from Neda, Estrella Salta from the DOH, and Carlo Lorenzo Datu from PIA.

Vice Governor Dennis Pineda congratulated the PDRRMO for preparing the requirements needed for the award. He also said that it is a fitting reward for the efforts laid by the Provincial Government in preventing and responding to various disasters and situations.

“This is just a bonus if we win the award. We are always ready for any disaster or calamity and we will never get tired of serving people,” he said.

Other awardees include for school victors Alasasin Elementary School in Mariveles, Bataan (public primary category); Camp Tinio National High School in Cabanatuan City (public secondary category); and National Child Development Center of Baler Central School in Aurora (early learning center category).

Gawad Kalasag for hospitals honorees include Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City (national government managed category); Mariveles Mental Hospital in Bataan (specialty hospital category); and James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City (local government unit managed category).

The San Fernando Fire and Rescue Unit is the recipient of the special recognition for local government emergency management and response team.

2 suspected drug pushers in Angeles City nabbed

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- The city police arrested two suspected drug pushers on Saturday in barangays Lourdes Sur and Cutcut.

The suspects were identified as Al Amin Sarif Rahim alias Al Migos, 21, a vendor of Block 9 Lot 14 Dama De Noche Street Citi Center Subdivision in Barangay Pandan; and Rommel Castro Pineda, 18, of Barangay Santa Trinidad.

Senior Inspector Agnes Nolasco, public information officer of the Angeles City Police Office, said that Rahim was arrested in a drug bust conducted by the city police at Plaridel Street in Barangay Lourdes Sur.

Pineda on the other hand was nabbed in a separate drug bust conducted at Sitio Bagumbayan in Barangay Cutcut, according to Nolasco.

The suspects are now facing charges for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Firm cites importance of engineered sanitary landfills

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

CLARK FREEPORT —- The Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWM) has underscored the importance of building quality, engineered sanitary landfills in tackling the country’s growing waste problem.

In a media briefing at the Clark Freeport, the operator of Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill, the Philippines’ first engineered sanitary landfill, noted how open and uncontrolled dumping remains prevalent across the archipelago.

“The number of sanitary landfills in the Philippines remains small despite the passage of Republic Act No. 9003, which requires for the closure of open and uncontrolled dumpsites, about 17 years ago,” MCWM president and chief executive officer Rufo B. Colayco said.

Citing data from the National Solid Waste Management Commission, Colayco disclosed that 403 open and 108 uncontrolled dumpsites continued to operate across the country while less than 15% of local government units had access to 118 sanitary landfills in 2016.

“We need more engineered sanitary landfills across the country,” Colayco said. “We have to ensure they conform to the highest standards and actually serve their purposes.”

At the minimum, RA 9003 requires sanitary landfills to have liners; a leachate collection and treatment system; a gas control recovery system; groundwater monitoring well system; covers; closure procedure and post-closure procedure.

The environmental protection features aim to protect the air, soil and groundwater from contamination by leachate and other waste-related emissions.

“We hope to set the bar high for waste management in the Philippines through our world-class engineered sanitary landfill within the Clark Freeport Zone,” Colayco said.

MCWM operates the Clark Integrated Waste Management Facility located within the Clark Freeport Zone. It is the first engineered sanitary landfill in the Philippines and one of the first in Asia to receive ISO certification.

Partly owned by German conglomerates BN Ingenieure GmbH and Heers & Brockstedt Umwelttechnik GmBH, the facility is patterned after the engineered sanitary landfills of Germany, a world leader in waste management.

It has multiple layers of liners, including a 2.5-millimeter high-density polyethylene material that exceeds Philippine standards. It also includes a leachate collection and treatment system; gas recovery system; materials recovery facility; and environmental buffer.

“We can only build as many sanitary landfills,” Colayco noted. “As our population continues to grow and our economy expands further, we need to find more ways to reduce the increasing volume of our waste.”

Colayco cited the experience of Germany and other European countries, where waste are turned into an energy source, among others.

“Let us take advantage of the existing waste management solutions that help us take a significant step forward to our ultimate goal: to preserve our environment for the future generations and ourselves,” Colayco said.

Seniors take bizman into their fold

By Mary Grace Maranan (OJT/ SPCF)

ANGELES CITY – To mark an important milestone in his life, Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro Jr. celebrated his 60thbirthday with senior citizens of Barangay Balibago here on Friday (April 27).

Alvaro, president of BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corp. (BBI), developer of the grand Midori Hotel and Casino as well as Aqua Planet, the biggest water theme park in Asia, turned 60 on April 27.

The Balibago barangay hall was the venue of the celebration with officers and members of the Barangay Senior Citizens’ Association warmly greeting the celebrator by singing him a birthday song and presenting him his senior citizen’s card.

In turn, Alvaro pampered the “young once” with a complete makeover which included manicure, pedicure, haircut, face and body massage, and foot spa.

“I am so thankful that I am now a senior citizen. When I was young, I asked God to allow me to reach the age of 60 and I am so blessed that I am here now celebrating my 60th birthday with you,” he said.

Alvaro said during an interview that he was surprised by the “warm embrace” of the senior citizens of the city’s premier barangay and expressed his gratitude to them.

Aside from a birthday celebration, Alvaro said the party is also a get together with his now fellow senior citizens.

Lina Guarin, president of BASCA, said they did not expect Alvaro to hold his birthday celebration with them as they welcomed him as a new member of their association.

Balibago barangay chairman Tony Mamac also expressed his gratitude to Alvaro for choosing to celebrate his birthday with them in Balibago.

Alvaro is also the president of the Bridges of Benevolence and Initiatives Foundation, Inc. which is known for its multi-faceted services to the communities.

CJ Sereno hits quo warranto petition at IBP CL convention

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday lambasted the quo warranto petition fi led against her in a keynote speech at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon Regional Convention and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education held at the Quest Hotel being held here here May 2-5.

“Ano po ang tawag sa kondisyon na ang citizen walang kalaban- laban sa gobyerno (What do you call a condition where the citizen has no way to fight the government)?” Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno asked. “Ang tawag po doon dictatorship, hindi po constitutional democracy ang tawag doon (You call that dictatorship, that is not what you call a constitutional democracy),” she said.

“That is what is going to happen if the quo waranto petition is granted,” she lamented. “That is why I have been demanding that the impeachment complaint be forwarded to the Senate because I want to tell a story to the people. Not my personal story but the story of judicial and legal reforms.”

“But it seems they don’t like it that is why they invented a very gloomy weapon in the form of the quo warranto petition,” she said.

“The booming voice of Justice Vicente Mendoza has reverberated that if the quo waranto petition is granted, the judiciary will destroy itself,” said Sereno as she also praised the IBP’s stand to oppose and dismiss the petition.

Sereno said her words are clear. If she gets convicted in the impeachment trial, she will step down.

“Hindi ako magdadalawang salita ukol dito kasi yun po ang proseso ng Constitution (I will not make any conflicting statements on this because that is the Constitutional process,” she said.

Sereno said as long as it is constitutional she will follow. She said she is not afraid to face the charges in the Senate even if they will scrutinize how she runs the SC. But she complained that it is not only how she runs the SC that is being probed but what she had done and failed to do 30 years ago.

“That is why I am saying that this quo warranto petition is deadly not only to the judiciary but to every impeachable official because anytime they can be compromised,” she said.

“The decision of the chairman of the Comelec or the Commission on Audit (COA), two powerful positions that can determine our political future, and the accountability in the public coffers, can also be swayed with just a word from the Solicitor General or from the Office of the President because they will be threatened with a quo warranto petition,” she explained.

“What will happen to the accountability to our people? Will COA still be adamant in their report? Will the Comelec still be fair with its decision? What will happen to our motherland?”

Sereno said the government is indeed a very difficult opponent.

Public officials as well as the more than one million government employees nationwide can be removed any time because they can be subjected to a quo waranto petition.

“So, what will happen if there is no longer a professional bureaucracy and everyone’s security of tenure in the government is unsure? What do you call that?” she asked.

“That’s dictatorship. That’s the destruction of professional government service. That is the destruction of the merit based civil service system,” she said.

Sereno told the lawyers’ convention that their legal profession will no longer be considered a profession but reduced to mere “pro forma appearance” for their clients.

She told the lawyers that they will no longer be needing fairness or due process as well as the rules of court compliance and the law because it will be replaced with, “who knows the Solicitor General?”

What you will need then will be a deft political negotiation with the powers that be, she said.

SSS urges members with delinquent loans to restructure, scrap penalties

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Social Security System (SSS) is offering another round of loan structuring starting April 2 to members with unpaid obligations, especially those affected by the recent calamities and natural disasters.

At the Talk Widus forum of the Pampanga Press Club held at the Widus Hotel and Casino here, SSS Luzon Central Division head GloriaCorazon Andrada said this second round of loan structuring program that will end on Oct. 1 is a follow through of the first one offered from April 2016 to April 2017. The SSS collected about P6 billion from over 800,000 members in this first round.

Andrada explained that this round of loan restructuring program that condones penalties of borrowers with past-due loans is a response to the widespread clamor of those members who were not able to avail themselves of the [previous] program.

She estimated that some P2.7 billion worth of unpaid loan penalties are to be condoned by the SSS for loan restructuring.

For this year’s loan structuring, the SSS expects to generate P1.2 billion from about 250,000 member-borrowers in the next six months.

Under the program, members could settle their overdue loan principal and interest in full or by installment under a restructured term depending on their capacity, Andrada said.

She said that for both schemes, the SSS will waive all the loan penalties after the member has completed paying the restructured loan, adding that the program covers all member-borrowers who have past due loans like the salary loan, emergency loan, (old) educational loan, study now pay later plan, voc-tech loans, Y2K loans, and investments incentive loan.

Loans that were past due for at least six months as of April 2 are qualified under the program and would be covered by more affordable amortization interest rate of 3 percent.

Penalties will be condoned upon full payment, while also allowing loan renewal after six months.

Andrada stressed, however, that the SSS will only allow a one-time condonation availment, such that members cannot undergo another condonation or restructuring program in the future.

Cops kill suspected drug peddler, nab 15 others in Central Luzon anti-drug operations

(Politiko Central Luzon)

A drug suspect was killed and 15 others were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Central Luzon Tuesday, May 1, police said Wednesday.

Police Chief Supt. Amador V. Corpus, Police Region 3 chief, said Dominador Balintag, alias Jing, allegedly fired towards the operatives during a buy-bust operation in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

This prompted the police to retaliate, resulting to Balintag’s death, he said.

He said six persons were arrested in an anti-drug operation in Malabanias, Angeles City.

Confiscated from their possession were six transparent sachets containing suspected shabu and other durg paraphernalia.

Eight others were also nabbed in Pampanga, two of them were in the act of selling and possession of 14 sachets of suspected shabu and marked money.

In another operation, a drug suspect was also collared in Pilar, Bataan.

The arrested suspects were charged for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

Five village chiefs charged before Ombudsman; 90 barangay chairmen, 117 ‘kagawad’ on narco list

By Chito Chavez and Czarina Nicole Ong (With reports from Franco G. Regala, Kate B. Javier, and Leslie G. Aquino)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday filed administrative cases against five Manila barangay officials before the Office of the Ombudsman over their alleged failure to organize Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs).

Facing complaints of misconduct and dereliction of duty pursuant to Section 60 of the Local Government Code are Ruby Perez of Barangay 471, Adorado Palad of Barangay 477, Mirasol Magalong of Barangay 482, Ligaya Santos of Barangay 659-A, and Josefa Mendoza of Barangay 690 — all from the City of Manila.

DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño said this is only the beginning in the filing of administrative cases against erring barangay officials. Reports from the field offices indicate that there are still over 600 barangays with no reports on their BADACs.

Next on the list are 11 barangays from Bicol – 10 from the towns of Aroroy, Masbate (Bagauma, Balawing, Gumahang, Lanang, Macabug, Manamoc, Mariposa, Nabongsoran, San Isidro, and Talabaan); and Barangay Cota na Dado (Poblacion) in Gubat, Sorsogon.

Members of the BADAC are kagawads who chair the barangay committee on women and family, SK chairperson, public school principal, tanod chief or executive officer, representative of a non-government organization, and a representative of a faith-based organization such as from the Ugnayan ng Barangay at mgaSimbahan (UBAS).

The DILG issued a memorandum on December 2, 1998 enjoining all barangays to create local anti-drug abuse councils. On July 26, 2001, the DILG directed all barangay captains to create their own ADACs. The implementation of the BADAC was reiterated anew in DILG Memorandum Circular 2015-63 dated June 16, 2015.

“Drug-related incidents have been constantly present in the Philippines which have been the cause of multiple crime incidents,” the complaint read. “The Philippine Government has been in constant war against illegal drugs. The barangays, as the first line of defense, are mandated to lead the fight against illegal drugs through their programs seeking to reach each and every citizen within their jurisdiction.”

“Clearly, aside from being a ground to discipline, suspend or remove as provided under Section 60 of the Local Government Code, non-compliance to the duties provided…warrants the filing of necessary action,” the complaint added.

Narco list

Also on Monday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed the names of 90 barangay chairmen and 117 barangay kagawad (councilmen) in the President’s narco list.

The Bicol region has the most number at 70 followed by CAR (34) and ARMM (13).

To ensure the accuracy of the narco-list and to avoid suspicion of whitewash, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquinosaid four agencies–PDEA, PNP, ISAF and NICA–have validated the list.

In Region 3, included in the narco list are a barangay captain from Angeles City, Pampanga; and another one from Camiling, Tarlac.

Also in the list are three barangay officials from Region 1; six each from Regions 4A, Region 4B and Region 12; nine from the National Capital Region (NCR); two from Region 10; and one each from Regions 11 and 13.

“The disclosure of the names of barangay officials involved in the illegal drugs business is first and foremost a direct order from President Duterte,”’ Aquino said in the statement.

In the NCR, included in the list are two barangay chairmen from Malabon, and another one from Caloocan City.

The three were not in their respective offices when Manila Bulletin visited to get their side. The two barangay chairmen in Malabon are reportedly seeking re-election.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said those in the narco list are not disqualified from running in next month’s barangay polls. A candidate will only be disqualified if there is already a final conviction by the court, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

“We will start our case build-up on the three named barangay chairmen of the CaMaNaVa area in the narco list so we will be able to file appropriate charges against them,” said NPD director Chief Supt. AmandoClifftonEmpiso.

Validation continues

Another set of 214 barangay officials are currently being validated.

Aquino debunked reports that those in the narco-list will be on the “hit list”, nor will its disclosure become a trial by publicity.

“There’s no truth that this will serve as a hit list,” Aquino said at the PDEA-DDB headquarters. “We want to be legitimate in our operations. We want our operations to be transparent.”

Aquino assured the public that the Philippine National Police and other units involved in the operations will give those on the list “protection” and assured the persons on the list that “nobody will harm them.”

As the list went through stringent validation, Aquino said they that they will push through with the filing of cases “in due time” or “in a week or two” with the Ombudsman” and will release their names to the public soon.

“Some barangay officials are users, some are pushers, even to the level of a drug lord. But most of them are protectors,” Aquino said.

The PDEA chief said 86 people on the initial list of 293 drug suspects died or have been arrested before the announcement yesterday. About 46 of the 293 have been arrested.

DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said it is betrayal of public trust for the barangay officials to be involved in illegal drug transactions because they were elected to their post to protect the people who put them in power.

“What aggravated the fact is that they are government officials. They are responsible. Public office is a public trust,” Año said.

Sisig with egg and mayo? Thanks, but Kapampangans aren't having any of that

(LA, GMA News)

For decades, sisig has gained popularity more than any other Filipino dish in the country. There are a myriad of versions of the dish that came from Pampanga, depending on where and who prepares it.

But the Kapampangans won't have any of it.

The Angeles City government had proclaimed sisig as “Intangible Cultural Heritage” by the Sangguniang Panglungsod through Ordinance No. 405, Series of 2017 of Angeles City, officially claiming it as an original Kapampangan creation in order to protect it from further cultural appropriation — fusion anyone?

Over the weekend, the annual Sisig Fiesta took place at Crossing on MacArthur Highway in Angeles City where a sisig exhibition by different Pampangueño cooks and food connoisseurs took place.

Established in 2003, the sisig fest is an official event dedicated to acknowledging the dish as part of the ways of life of the Kapampangans.

"We want to tell the people that sisig is part of our cultural history and heritage and therefore, it is an important element of our identity as Kapampangans," said Angeles Mayor Ed Pamintuan.

Recorded history in the colonial period confirms what the mayor said. The word "sisig" can be traced to as early as 1732 in a Kapampangan dictionary compiled by Augustinian Fray Diego Bergaño. In it, sisig was defined as a "salad, including green papaya, or green guava eaten with a dressing of salt, pepper, garlic, and vinegar."

According to Kapampangan scholar Mike Pangilinan, the SÍSIG BÁBÎ — ‘pork sísig’ — was originally made of boiled pig’s ears and tail mixed with onions and dressed in spicy vinegar.

It was believed that sisig was specifically designed for pregnant mothers; the cartilage in the pig’s ears and tail helping in the bone development of the child in the mother’s womb.

Although sisig was still very much a dish for expectant mothers in many Kapampángan homes until the early 1980's, something happened in Angeles City in the late 1960's that changed sisig forever.

Sisig was first served as a bar chow, or pulutan as we Filipinos like to call food that accompanies alcoholic drinks.

Lucing Cunanan — or Aling Lucing as we now refer to the genius who innovated the sisig — decided to use the pig's cheeks instead of the traditional pig's ears to cater the huge demands of customers that flocked the Angeles crossing.

According to Aling Lucing's daughter Zeny Cunanan, in the '70s, they would obtain for free discarded pig’s head at the abattoir in the former US Airforce Base at Clark and used these for their sisig.

The present-day form of sisig can be attributed to a certain Benedicto Pamintuan, who introduced the dish on a sizzling plate that would become popularly known worldwide.

In 1980, the Pamintuan family brought the sizzling plated sisig to Metro Manila by way of Benedicto’s mom, Lilia, who served the sizzling version at her restaurant in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Soon it swept Metro Manila off its feet.

At the same time, Dan Táyag, another Angeleño, also began serving the sizzling sisig at Trellis Restaurant in Diliman, Quezon City.

The New York Times calls our beloved sisig "arguably the best pork dish on earth." Sisig, that delicious delicacy made by boiling and chopping up a pig's head and ears and marinating the pork in vinegar, salt and pepper before serving, is also one of the purely Kapampangan dishes that has gained international acclaim in recent years. 

It's not only in Angeles where variants of sisig can be found. In lower Pampanga — that part of the province near the Guagua-Sexmoan River — sisig is prepared with boiled pig ears, onions, labuyo and pepper. These are then soaked in vinegar and soy sauce while maintaining the crunchy texture of the pig's ears.

Because this is solely prepared for a conceiving mother, the raw texture of non-grilled pork does not have a commercial marketability.

Edward Lusung, owner of the famous Conching restaurant in Guagua in lower Pampanga, exclusively served this type of sisig but the huge demand for the grilled version made him decide to serve both versions.

"I don't have a secret recipe. I'm just complying with the way my ancestors taught me how to cook it through the combination of a sugar cane vinegar from Angeles, liver cooked in adobo while chopped with chile and onions, he said.

But acceptable innovation ends there. Says Lusung, "Egg and mayonnaise is a big no! This is a shortcut and [a disrespect for old school Kampampangan cooking]. I was taught by my grandfather and grandmother how to cook it religiously".

Angeles tourism officer Joy Cruz agrees. "It's a total disrespect because perfecting the sisig to have its authentic taste [and chewy texture] is something you earn from experience and acknowledging the history of how it evolved from the Kapampangan sensibilities as a heirloom recipe," she said.

It is believed that the introduction of egg and mayonnaise into sisig started when it was introduced in Manila alongside with the silog meals offered by fast food restaurants. The preparation of the original sisig makes it impossible to simulate in a fast-paced city, where restaurants resorted to using an alternative to the savory effect of a chicken liver, thus using an egg or a mayonnaise.

As Mike Pangilinan said, "For us Kapampángans, cooking is not a mere hobby or a past time. It is an essential part of our identity. It is an expression of who we are as a people. It is our soul. Therefore we get hurt and angry whenever somebody steals our soul and identity and calls it simply Filipino food rather than Kapampangan dish. Worse is when you twist it and play around with it to the point that we can no longer recognise ourselves in it."

Protect all PH writing systems, heritage advocates urge Congress

By Tonette Orejas WITH REPORTS FROM REY ANTHONY OSTRIA AND DALE JAN DINO (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ANGELES CITY — A proposed law heralding the ancient Tagalog writing system called “baybayin” as the national writing system should also recognize and preserve other regional indigenous scripts in the country, a cultural heritage advocate said on Wednesday.

“If they want the rest of the country to support the bill, they should drop baybayin from the bill and allow Kapampangan to use ‘kulitan,’ Ilocanos to use ‘kurditan,’ Visayans to use ‘badlit,’ [or] allow Mangyans to use ‘surat Mangyan,’” Robby Tantingco said of House Bill (HB) No. 1022, the proposed National Writing System Act.

Unfamiliar

Authored by Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, the bill has passed the House committee on basic education and culture chaired by Cebu Rep. Ramon Durano VI.

Tantingco, executive director of Holy Angel University’s Center for Kapampangan Studies, said the measure should not prosper at its current form because it required Filipinos to jump from familiar local languages and writing systems to the unfamiliar, such as baybayin.

“Do they really think that after imposing a national language (Tagalog) on the rest of the regions, which already have their own languages, they can now also impose a national writing system on those same regions, which also already have their own indigenous writing systems?” Tantingco said.

Michael Reymon Pangilinan, who wrote the book “Kulitan,” said he was opposing the bill because it protected only the baybayin of the Tagalogs.

“First our indigenous language was set aside and pushed on the brink of extinction when their language was legislated as our national language. Now our indigenous script will also be set aside and pushed to the brink of extinction when their writing is legislated as our national script?” Pangilinan said.

Neutral term

In Bicol region, Leo Emmanuel Castro, executive director of the group Sanghabi, said a neutral term for the national writing system must be used, noting the baybayin’s Tagalog origin.

Sanghabi, formerly known as Hibla, is a nongovernment organization that promotes indigenous Filipino culture through music and workshops. Castro was in Bicol recently to teach baybayin in Albay and Camarines Sur provinces.

“There are still living writing systems and unlike baybayin, these are still used in their respective regions,” Castro said.

He said groups that attended the International Congress on Baybayin this month agreed on the neutral term “suyat.”

“The word suyat exists or is at least close to the terms in other languages in the Philippines, including in Bicolnon, where the word used is ‘surat,’” he told the Inquirer.

Tantingco found the protection and promotion clauses of the bill to be good. “We are not opposing it in its entirety,” he said. The center, he said, would ask legislators in Pampanga province to oppose the original draft of HB 1022 and seek revisions to it.

He said Congress should not rush the implementation of a national writing systems law. “Instead, use it as a subtext first until people get used to it,” he said.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts should move to “protect all indigenous writing systems, not just baybayin,” he said.

AC council fetes new PNP chief

By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY – Newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, was feted with a resolution from the city council here.

Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil sponsored the resolution, written in Pilipino, citing Albayalde’s achievement as a Kapampangan who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1985 cum laude and top seven from the graduates of the institution from that year.

The resolution acknowledged Albayalde’s service in the public sector as a member of the Philippine Constabulary Special Action Force that started on June 23, 1986.

It also cited Albayalde’s sterling stewardship of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPPO) as director in 2013 and then as deputy director of the National Capitol Regional Police Office (NCRPO) Directorate for Plans and later director of the National Capitol Regional Police Office (NCPRO) in 2016.

The resolution said Albayalde’s role as director of the PPPO and NCRPO that exercised teamwork resulted in strict discipline and openness that brought down the crime rate incidence and led to the dismantling of crime syndicates as well as the dismissal from the service offering and corrupt policemen.

The resolution said the Province of Pampanga has noted with distinction Albayalde’s contribution in the field of law enforcement with the conferment of the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award in 2016.

The resolution said due to his accomplishments and achievements, the people of Angeles City are one in hailing the newly-appointed PNP chief as an outstanding citizen worthy of emulation.

Ex-mayor Lazatin eyes health, education, infra programs

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- Veteran politician Carmelo Lazatin vowed Tuesday, April 24, to implement health, education, and infrastructure programs if he will be given a chance to serve as chairman of Barangay Balibago here.

Lazatin, a former Pampanga first district congressman and Angeles City mayor, is now running for punong barangay in said village.

“One of our programs first of all is health. We should have sufficient [supply] of medicines [for the poor people],” he said in the vernacular.

Lazatin also mentioned the need to institute programs to upgrade all public schools in terms of education quality, physical structures and others.

The local government must provide scholarship to “poor but deserving students,” he said.

On infrastructure, the former mayor said barangay roads and drainage need to be rehabilitated.

“Those are the three programs which I think are important,” Lazatin said.

When asked about peace and order and illegal drugs, he pointed out that Balibago should be a crime- and drug-free barangay.

Lazatin, meanwhile, laughed off reports that he is no longer fit to run an elective position because of his deteriorating health condition.

His message to his constituents: he will work hard to realize his campaign promises.

Aside from Lazatin, businesswoman Tess Mamac will also run for Balibago chairman.

Mamac is the wife of incumbent punong barangay Tony Mamac, who is running for councilman in the said village under his spouse’s ticket.

2 Pampanga cities campaign vs wastewater

By IAN OCAMPO FLORA

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 had required that all wastewater coming from all industrial, commercial and residential buildings must be processed through some form of sewerage or septage system by the year 2020 -- that is less than two years from now.

Almost two decades after the deadline was set, and the warning of P200,000 for every day of non-compliance, only 10 percent of the population is actually connected through a sewerage system and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units (LGUs) and water districts are still struggling to implement the National Sewerage and Septage Management Program (NSSMP).

The NSSMP, implemented chiefly by the DPWH, had set the year 2020 as deadline for cities to establish their own sewerage or septage management systems but, since the deadline has only a couple of months to go, it may look like a long shot for most cities and municipalities.

The burden of the implementation was mandated by law among the local government units and water utilities like the City of San Fernando Water District and Angeles City Water District -- two of the largest water utilities in Central Luzon shadowed only by San Jose Del Monte Water District in Bulacan.

The construction and operation of sewerage and septage systems are required by the Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9275) and so far, the City Governments of San Fernando and Angeles City in Pampanga had managed to pass their respective water management ordinances, a preparatory requirement for the establishment of the actual treatment facility. The two LGUs are among the handful that managed to come up with ordinances on water management.

The DPWH said that P26.3 billion would be needed to build sewerage and septage facilities for at least 17 highly urbanized cities in the country. The DPWH reported that the hindrances to the development of sewage collection and treatment systems is due to “low level awareness and limited demand from the public, low technical capability to develop infrastructure, lack of enforcement of regulations, and limited resources of water districts and local government units.”

Health and environmental impacts

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Fund, in 2015, said that one in 10 Filipinos defecate in open places. This means that some 10 million people defecate on the ground or on plastic bags that are later thrown into rivers or canals.

Also, the NSSMP had reported in 2015 that 55 people die every day from unsafe water sources due to the fact that 90 percent of the wastewater in the country is uncollected and untreated.

The NSSMP report added that most Filipinos “do not have septic tanks; many septic tanks have open bottoms; and most septic tanks are not regularly desludged and the septage removed is not treated and disposed of properly."

The DPWH, in a 2017 report to the Senator Loren Legarda of the Senate Finance Committee, said the failure of the country to invest in adequate sewerage system resulted to economic losses exceeding P78 billion per year as well as “damage to ecosystems and biodiversity.”

Wastewater contains a number of pollutants and contaminants such that when discharged to freshwater bodies and marine waters without being treated, can cause water pollution that is harmful to aquatic life. Wastewater can leach into underground water tables and potentially contaminate aquifers and underground water, according to the DENR.

Wastewater is also disposed in rivers, streams and lakes.

According to the DENR, as many as 50 of the 421 rivers in the country are already considered “biologically dead.” This means that only the species that can thrive in the worst water conditions can live in these rivers.

And since water districts are in the forefront of industrial and residential consumption, which later on end up as wastewater, the task of helping in wastewater treatment also falls on them and their respective local governments.

Angeles City Water District

The Angeles City Water District (ACWD) is the largest among all 13 water districts in Pampanga. It caters to some 55,000 concessionaires who are mostly from industrial, commercial and residential establishments. They consume 1.6 million cubic meters of water per month.

This means that the city produces 19.2 million cubic meters of wastewater each year that if left untreated, the wastewater would end up polluting surface and ground water sources.

Fortunately, ACWD has its own septage treatment facility—the only one in Pampanga.

Built on a budget of P99 million, the treatment facility sits on a 4,000 square meters property in Barangay Cutud and can process some 85 to 100 cubic meters of septage water.

General Manager Reynaldo Liwanag said the process of the treatment involves waste collected and injected into receiving tanks were solid particles will be separated from the water. The sludge and the water will then be processed separately. The sludge will be collected for use in organic farming.

Liwanag said there are farms that use the sludge as soil conditioner. The sludge is treated with enzymes where the biotech process will then breakdown the pathogenic load of the sludge and heat the material through biological reaction resulting in an organic soil additive.

Liwanag added that treated sludge is also used for sugarcane farms were it is treated with enzymes and added to molasses to ferment.

The personnel of the water district were already trained by the engineers who built the treatment facility on how to run the entire process.

Liwanag said their process is so efficient that the water coming out of the treatment process was rated Category C. This meant that water from the treatment facility could be used for irrigation.

“Fish can even live in the water that we have treated,” Liwanag said, however, the water that has been treated ends up in a polluted stream.

“The stream were the treated water exits is already polluted. We worry that people might think the stream is polluted and stinky because of the water coming from the facility,” Liwanag said.

Despite the fact that ACWD’s septage treatment facility is already 100 percent complete, they have yet to actually run it for actual operations.

Liwanag said they had to wait for two years before all the permits were in place.

Just recently, the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR released its Environmental Compliance Certificate for the said facility. And even as permits are in place, the ACWD has yet to receive its rates to be charged to concessionaires for treating the city’s septage waste. The rates will first pass through the scrutiny of the Local Water Utilities Administration.

“Currently, we are still establishing the rates to be charged,” Liwanag said, adding that the ACWD is looking at six percent of the total water consumption of each establishment.

ACWD’s steps to treat waste water stands on the spirit of Ordinance 343, S-2014.

The ordinance, which provides for the local laws on water quality and septage management in Angeles City, features the creation of a City Water Resources Management Board. The board is tasked to do regular water sampling and analysis. The board is also expected to assist in the enforcement of anti-pollution laws.

The ordinance also places emphasis on the standards for the building of future septic tanks and mandates that desludging of septic tanks ones every three to five years.

City of San Fernando Water District

Unlike its counterpart, the City of San Fernando Water District (CSFWD) has yet to construct its septage treatment facility. The water utility needs some P100 million for the said project.

CSFWD is one of the large water utilities in Central Luzon with some 50,000 concessionaires and with a promising growth rate in water connections at an average increase of around 1,000 concessionaires each year. The water utility’s concessionaire water consumption is almost the same with its Angeles City counterpart.

General Manager Jorge Gumba said they are now in the process of looking for the suitable land to construct the treatment facility.

Unlike its Angeles City counterpart, CSFWD figures prominently in the recently passed Ordinance 2018-001, the city’s septage management system ordinance.

CSFWD is empowered in the Article VII of the said ordinance to add P2.99 for every cubic meter of water consumed on the monthly water bill of the water user. Also, unlike in Angeles City, water users with no billable water flow or water consumption with the CSFWD are covered by the ordinance. The CSFWD will estimate the user fee by averaging the billable flow of the households with the same number of members and their toilets.

Commercial establishments too, who have their own water sources, are required to install a production meter. The volume of water produced shall be the basis for computing the cost of desludging the septic tanks.

Gumba added that, like in Angeles City, there are now clearer and more comprehensive local penalties against disposing septage water into the environment.

In 2009, a company was fined for dumping septage waste in sugarcane farms in Barangay Alasas and Magliman, both in the City of San Fernando. How about greywater?

However, while the ordinances of Angeles City and the City of San Fernando echo all other laws against water pollution and provide adequate punishments, the ordinances were silent on the issue of greywater -- which in fact forms the greater bulk of wastewater.

Greywater is the term applied to domestic wastewater that is drained from sinks, showers and kitchens. It is different from toilet wastewater (septage), which is generally flushed into septic tanks. It usually ends up in drainages and end up being disposed without being treated.

ACWD general manager Reynaldo Liwanag said that for greywater to be treated, sewerage treatment facilities should be constructed, which means that billions would be needed for such projects in highly urbanized cities.

Asked why most water utilities focus on septage treatment facilities, Liwanag said: “This is what we can put up for now because you would need billions for sewerage facilities.”

CSFWD general manager Jorge Gumba said that for a sewerage treatment facility to work in a large city like San Fernando, barangays and districts would need to be clustered into at least four or five areas with each having its own treatment facility.

“For that to work, we are talking about millions which most water districts and government units do not have. We have to start somewhere. Septage treatment is the most reasonable course. Waiting for costly sewerage treatment would mean we will be waiting at the cost of the environment,” Gumba added.

As for the septage facilities, Gumba said there should be a provincial-wide survey to look into communities and households without septic tanks and to address such problem with concrete government support.

Sewerage and treatment technologies

The NSSMP Operations Manual has outline different sewer systems and treatment technologies for wastewater treatment.

For sewerage systems, sanitary sewers, combine sewer systems, condominial sewers, and small diameter effluent sewers may be employed. However, constructing these would mean constructing one or a combination of these sewerage facilities for more than 479, 082 households in the whole of Pampanga, alone. This is not counting the hundreds of commercial and industrial establishments.

As for the configuration of septage treatment facilities, the NSSMP Operations Manual prescribed the use of activated sludge treatment, which is generally mixing the septage with a polymer to chemically condition the septage. Example of this is that of the Dagat-Dagatan Septage Plant and the South Septage Treatment Plant run by Maynilad and Manila Water, respectively.

Anaerobic digestion and composting may also be used. Anaerobic digestion involves letting microorganism breakdown the organic material in the absence of oxygen. The sea-side town of Bayawan City in Negros Oriental utilizes this system.

Treatment wetlands, which is characterized by chemical stabilization with hydrated lime and effluent treatment with lagoons, such as the one used In the San Fernando, La Union Septage Pilot Study may also be utilized.

These treatment facilities cost millions to construct, however, they are less expensive compared to extensive sewerage treatment systems.

The cost of construction of such facilities is one of the reasons why the P650-million allotment in the care of the DPWH remains unused.

The financial subsidy is not enough to encourage applicants from local government units to avail of it even while the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has already given its approval for the increase in subsidy to 50 percent. It would actually take the combined efforts and resources of local government units, water districts and the national government to build wastewater treatment systems.

And as the 2020 deadline draws near, local government units and water districts, who are in the process of building a wastewater treatment systems in their areas, would have to work double time with stakeholders to be able to beat the deadline.

Angeles City inks tourism, economic pacts with Vigan, Baguio cities

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario (PNA)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga -- The city government has formalized twin cities and economic partnership agreements with the cities of Vigan and Baguio.

The twinning agreements were inked by Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Vigan City Mayor Juan Carlo Medina in a formal signing ceremony held on Wednesday in Barangay Balibago here.

“The cities of Angeles, Baguio and Vigan have been cooperating as sister cities and partners in development. The signing of the agreements formalizes our desire to learn from our strengths in local governance and benchmark best practices and efforts in good governance,” Pamintuan said.

He said the three cities have a lot in common, particularly tourists’ attractions.

“Baguio City has the Panagbenga Festival while Angeles City has the Tiktikan Terakan Keng Dalan. Vigan City has their world class and UNESCO Heritage District while Angeles City is developing our heritage center which has also won national awards from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines or ATOP," he added.

Aside from tourism, the agreements of the three cities also focus on business and economic matters, and the development of small and medium enterprises specifically the promotion of local products.

1CSIP holds general assembly in Clark

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – Citing its growing community to now more than 2,000 cooperative members and operating offices nationwide as another milestone, the 1 Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines (1CISP) marked its general assembly with success at the Royce Hotel and Casino here last Friday.

Dubbed, “Leadership and Innovation: Sustaining growth, empowering communities,” 1CISP said it has bolstered its operating offices nationwide in areas such as Pampanga, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo in time with its assembly.

The 1CISP also said it remains in its mission, through continued innovation and a commitment to nation building, to bring financial stability and mutual prosperity to its members.

In a statement, the 1CISP said it was first organized in 1974 to look after the insurance and financial needs of farmers, fisher folk, labor unions, coop-groups, cooperative organizations and individuals who are not normally covered by insurance providers like the Government Service Insurance System or the Social Security System as well as privately owned insurance institutions.

A year after its founding, 1CISP became recognized by the government and was registered with the Department of Local Government and Community Development under Presidential Decree 175 having an initial authorized capital stock of P30 million.

The 1CISP marked its 44th anniversary in January this year and now as a leading cooperative insurance in the country, the 1CISP has been the ‘go-to’ entity for the financial and protection needs of local cooperatives and its members.

However, the 1CISP said its largest hurdle is the fact that many individuals still rely on private insurance companies or public services.

Realizing this, it presented the concept of the “Great Third Path,” an innovative concept where the organization opens up a new venue for people to take other than the obvious service insurance options easily available to them.

With the Great Path, 1CISP said it has also created value for its members by making them shareholders in the organization no matter how big or small the investment.

Since 1CISP is owned and governed by its enlisted cooperatives, members are guaranteed a return of investment through patronage refunds, experience refunds, and annual dividends, a system that is predicated on fairness and trust in its shareholders and members.

By creating a system that promotes financial resilience, fairness and responsibility, 1CISP stands at the forefront of promoting a globally competitive cooperative insurance system.

Among those who spoke during the general assembly was Roy Miclat who said 1CISP “is the biggest cooperative insurance in the country with P25 billion assets and 110,000 members.” Miclat added that 1CISP is “not just an insurance but community builders, and allies in terms of economic growth and reducing poverty in the country.”

Lito Villaueva, managing director of FINTQnologies Corp., an affiliate of PLDT that provides technology on financial service and online banking service, talk on new innovations and high-tech solutions.

“Our difference is that we identify which technology to use, we tech-up the coops, make package technology and expertise to connect the community,” he said.

“But we need to establish partnership because we can’t do it alone. We build solutions together and we pilot to co-create.”

Villanueva also launched the “Kasama Ka (You are included)” campaign to promote financial inclusions through collaboration and digital transformation. “This will strengthen retail banking or ‘sachet banking,’ serve the untapped market, lessen the crisis in generational gap and it will be more appealable to millennials,” he said. “We believe that digital transformation will make any industry or generation sustainable,” he added.

Other notable speakers were MyPhone smartphone owner David Lim who spoke on the importance of proper Filipino values and patriotism in the now technologically advanced world, retired Philippine Air Force Brig. Gen. Teodoro P. Evangelista, and former Agrarian Reform secretary Senen Bacani.

DILG Central Luzon makes Q1 assessment of locally-funded projects

(Politiko Central Luzon)

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 3 Office has conducted the first quarter assessment and calibration of the department’s locally-funded projects (LFPs).

The activity held on April 17 in Angeles City, Pampanga was participated in by the Regional Management Team, Cluster Team Leaders, Locally-Funded Projects Focal Persons, Provincial Community Development Officers (PCDOs), Provincial Engineers, and DILG R03 Project Development and Management Section staff.

“The activity successfully served as an avenue to discuss and reconcile data with regards to the implementation and status of all LFPs,” the DILG Central Luzon said.

The participants also shared the practices done by each provincial office, with the hope to encourage others to replicate these and have a more efficient way of implementing LFPs, it added.

‘Salangian’ to showcase Kapampangan artworks at Clark Museum

(Manila Standard)

CLARK FREEPORT— The biggest gathering of Kapampangan artists in an exhibit dubbed as ‘Salangian’, which will feature various pieces of arts, will be staged at the Clark Museum here starting on April 27.

Noemi Julian, manager of Tourism and Promotions Division of Clark Development Corporation said that about 80 Kapampangan artists will join the event and more than 100 of their artworks will be exhibited at the Gallery 2 of Clark Museum.

'Salangian’ which means to light or to ignite, will have a gala on April 26 and will be open to the public the following day, Julian said.

Andy Alviz, one of the featured artists and lead organizer, said the activity will serve as a platform to celebrate the creativity and artistry of Kapampangan painters, sculptors and other artists. He also cited the suitability of Clark as the location for the event.

“It’s high time we celebrate the artistry and creativity of the artists. Clark is booming and there will be a lot of demands for art pieces for hotels, condos, offices and restaurants. Now is the time for artists to come to Clark, “ Alviz said.

Alviz also furthered that the “openness and support to the Kapampangan art and culture” are factors which make Clark their ideal spot for the exhibit as he also cited the support of managers of this Freeport.

“Clark was chosen for the exhibit because of its openness and support to the Kapampangan art and culture. Bases Conversion Development Authority President-CEO Vivencio B. Dizon and Clark Development Corporation President-CEO Noel F. Manankil are both excited and gave an all out support for the biggest gathering of Kapampangan artists,” he said.

Last year, various Kapampangan artworks and craftsmanship were featured during the 31st Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit. They were showcased at the ASEAN Villas, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) VIP lounge and ASEAN Convention Center.

They included the Pidayit by Philip Torres. Pidayit from “pidayit-dayit,” a Kapampangan word that means putting together to form a new one and combining with creative traditions and techniques of embroidery, beadwork, and crochet with diverse style and intricate expressions, all made by hand.

Part of the exhibit are works of to be displayed inside the museum are the artworks of sculptor Willy Layug, painter Rafael Maniago, among others. Both Layug and Maniago are recipient of Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards (MOKA) for the contribution in the world of arts and culture.

The exhibit is also part of the 25th Anniversary of CDC and the creation of this Freeport.

DOTr updates CL stakeholders on big-ticket airport, rail projects

By Cherie Joyce V. Flores (CLJD/CJVF-PIA 3)

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) updated the stakeholders from Central Luzon on the status of big-ticket airport and rail projects during the recent Philippine Economic Briefing.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new passenger terminal building of Clark International Airport broke ground last December 20, 2017.

“Once completed, it will accommodate an additional 8 million passengers annually,” he disclosed.

Moreover, pre-construction activities for the Phase 1 of PNR Clark started last January 2018 with actual construction targeted by November 2018.

“Phase I is a 38km segment spanning from Tutuban to Malolos City in Bulacan. With this line, commuters from Tutuban will reach Malolos in as little as 35 minutes,” Tugade furthered.

Phase II, on the other hand, is a 69km stretch from Malolos City to Clark.

PNR Clark will have a total of 17 stations namely Tutuban, Solis, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos, Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, Clark International Airport, and New Clark City.

Meanwhile, Tugade disclosed that the MRT-7 is 22.96 percent complete as of February 2018 and will meet its target date in 2020. MRT 7 is a 22km rail line that will connect Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte City.

The manufacturing of the 108 rolling stocks is in progress. At present, there are 5 train sets completed, equivalent to 15 cars.

“Through the trust and confidence of the people and with the leadership of President Duterte, the DOTr, Department of Public Works and Highways and Bases Conversion and Development Authority will work hand in hand towards the implementation and realization of the Golden Age of Infrastructure,” the secretary said.

“There is no doubt and it is a given hypothesis that if you want to develop and grow, there’s got to be infrastructure. Infrastructure must be developed in order for any economy to have its best to really grow,” he stressed.

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