Angeles City News February 2013

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs. Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Angeles City Catholic Church

Sacrifice of the faithfuls by crucifying themselves.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion. But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened . Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions. Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE? Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace? WHY?? There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance: 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. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Globe launches ‘Go Sakto’

• Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/16800/Volume-6-No-109/Headlines/Globe-launches-%E2%80%98Go-Sakto%E2%80%99
• Thursday, February 28, 2013

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE – Budget conscious cellphone pre-paid users of Globe Telecom can now enjoy their own pre-paid promos that suit their needs, budgets and lifestyles.

Globe Telecom launched on Monday at the Holiday Inn Resort here “GoSakto”, the first and only service in the country that allows prepaid subscribers to create and customize a prepaid promo.

GoSakto empowers prepaid subscribers to design their own promo according to what they need, recognizing the fact that customers have different call, text and surfing needs. With GoSakto, subscribers have the flexibility to tailor-fit their prepaid promo based on what they need for the day, week or month.

To enjoy their GoSakto promo, subscribers first choose what type of promo to avail: call/text/surf, call and text, call and surf, text and surf, or a combination of all. They can also choose the validity of their tailor-fit promos for a day, three days, a week, or month.

Once subscribers have chosen their promo, GoSakto further personalizes the experience by letting them select the type and number of calls and texts they need.

Type of call and texts can be within the Globe/TM network or across all networks, while number can be bulk or unlimited. For subscribers who need surfing services,, they can also choose between bulk (in megabytes or MBs of data) or unlimited.

Finally, they get to pick the validity of the calls, texts and surfing services they availed from a day, three days, seven days, or 30 days.

With the many levels of selection, prepaid subscribers can explore and find the best value GoSakto promo combo in over 2,000 possible combinations. The new innovation is another first from Globe.

Meanwhile, there are three easy ways to GoSakto: via mobile phone *143#, via the Globe website www.globe.com.ph/gosakto or via Facebook where they can share their promo to their friends via the GoSakto page on the social networking site.

GoSakto even allows subscribers to name their created promo, as well as let their FB friends register to the same promo, creating a community of GoSakto users online.

With GoSakto, subscribers are spared from promo availment barriers such as maintaining balance, capping, and limited price points. A GoSakto promo is available for as low as P7 and can co-exist with another promo, giving subscribers more value for their money.

“We are thrilled to disrupt the pre-paid market with yet another innovation that will change the behaviour of today’s subscribers when it comes to availing promos,” said KD Dizon, Head of Globe Prepaid.

“With GoSakto, subscribers will bid pre-made and canned prepaid promos goodbye. No customer is the same as the other. One would want more voice calls, another is a heavy texter, and the other enjoys browsing.

One prefers one day promos, the other chooses those with longer validity. At the end of the day, you are the only one who truly understand and know your needs when it comes to connecting with your friends and loved ones,” Dizon said.

“Taking this consumer insight, we at Globe developed a new service that will give the subscribers the power to make their own promo from scratch,” said Dizon. “Through Globe GoSakto, Globe will be the brand that makes prepaid promos more flexible, personal and yes customizable,” she added.

For 2013, Dizon looks at GoSakto to increase the number of promo subscriptions among existing customers, as well as to acquire new ones who are looking for the right prepaid promos that will fit their needs.

Angeles City Council OKs Anti-Discrimination ordinance

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=561361775076
• Wednesday, February 27, 2013

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb.27 (PIA) -- Angeles City Council has approved on third and final reading an ordinance that seeks to give residents equal treatment regardless of their sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religious affiliation.

“The Anti-Discrimination ordinance is not just about political correctness; its about being sensitive to a person’s dignity as a human being,” said councilor Maricel Morales who authored the measure along with Edu Pamintuan, Jericho Aguas, and Alex Indiongco.

“Angeles is a melting pot of various people; discrimination would do no one good as it is divisive and a barrier to social integration. If you want to be treated with dignity, then act dignified. If you abhor the abuses, which you perceive are heaped upon you, then do not be abusive yourself. Respect and dignity cannot be legislated. They are earned,” Pamintuan pointed out.

The approval of the ordinance makes Angeles the first Luzon city to have such a policy and third in the country after Cebu and Davao.

It points out that discrimination is committed when a person withholds from, excludes, restricts, curtails, demeans human dignity or impairs its recognition.

It also identifies discrimination as preventing people of different sexes, genders, religious affiliations, ethnicity or nationality or appearance from availing themselves of services or products supposedly applied to all.

Angeles City government through the Gender and Development Office in partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development Office are tasked to implement the ordinance.

Any complaint filed must first be lodged in the barangay concerned provided both parties are living in the same village, otherwise the case must be filed in court for appropriate action.

For individual violators, the ordinance imposes a fine of not less than P1,000 but not to exceed P5,000 plus imprisonment of not less than 60 days but not to exceed one year.

For business establishments, a fine of not less than P1,000 not to exceed P5,000 and imprisonment of the immediate supervisor or manager of not less than 60 days but not to exceed one year and closure of the establishment.

Multi-sectoral groups led by members of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) committee lauded the passage of the measure.

“This is a big victory … a landmark legislation. The ordinance will serve as a clarion call for a change in the public’s attitude towards the LGBT community,” LGBT committee and president of the United Gay Power Movement Michelle Jhoie Ferraris said. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)

Emirates entry to Clark to lure more airlines – CIAC president

• Source: http://www.headlinegl.com/emirates-entry-to-clark-to-lure-more-airlines-ciac-president/
• Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

By JOEY PAVIA

CLARK FREEPORT – The entry of Emirates to Clark will convince more airlines to operate at the Clark International Airport (CIA) as its officials prepare to host at least two million passengers in 2013. Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said that “where Emirates goes, everyone goes.” Emirates, one of the top airlines in the world, will launch its daily flights to Dubai from the CIA starting October 1. “Airlines make thorough study before deciding to invest and start operations in an airport. But when Emirates suddenly enters, they skip their studies and just join the Dubai-based airline in its new endeavour,” said Luciano, who was interviewed at the recent 18th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. Luciano said Emirates reaches at least 132 destinations in six continents and 74 countries. He added that the largest Middle Eastern airline operates over 2,500 flights per week. “That means Clark will be open to all the other destinations of Emirates around the world, especially in Europe and Middle East,” said Luciano. Luciano said they will increase the immigration lanes from 10 to 36 in preparation for the expected increase in passengers and flights for this year. There are at least 300 flights per week at CIA and it served some 1.4 million passengers in 2012. Clark airport posted a 71 percent increase in passengers in 2012 compared to the previous year. It currently plays host to various budget and legacy carriers operating with routes to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Singapore, Bangkok, and Macau. Other destinations include Incheon and Pusan in South Korea and Taipei in Taiwan.

Big mouth 3: Blueboy exclusively for Angeleños?

• Source: http://www.headlinegl.com/big-mouth-3-blueboy-exclusively-for-angelenos/
• Monday, February 25th, 2013

By ( Tonette T. Orejas

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pampanga First District congressional candidate Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno is courting trouble with the giant billboards he erected around Angeles City in preparation for the May 13 bout against another aspirant, Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao. No, I am not referring to possible trouble with the Commission on Elections with regards to premature campaigning or violation to billboard size limits but more on the implications of the words written on the gigantic tarpaulins. Going down the Abacan Bridge, right in front of the Robinsons Place Angeles in Barangay Balibago, is this clarion call for Angeleños to support one of their own, who is running for congressman in a district that covers the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat, and the town of Magalang. I cannot recall the exact words on the billboard but it seems that Nepomuceno, who had been a congressman of the district before, is banking on parochial support to gain the upper hand in the election come May. Nepomuceno’s idea to set a parochial attitude among Angeleños would be a good one if the city holds the majority of voters in the whole district, meaning the total number of Angeles City voters is larger than the combined voting population of Mabalacat and Magalang. Nepomuceno is, no doubt, a real Angeleno. His relatives–his parents in particular–are among the illustrious sons and daughters of Angeles who made the place into what it is today. However, he is no longer running for a position that requires the votes of Angeles City alone. By posting those billboards, Nepomuceno is pinching the sensitivity of voters from Mabalacat and Magalang, who might think they will be left out if Nepomuceno, the “exclusive” Angeleno, made it in Congress. The last time I checked, combined voters from Mabalacat and Magalang, which is Guiao’s hometown, command the polls in the district with 154,739 registered. It was said that incumbent Rep. Tarzan Lazatin, who is another genuine Angeleno, capitalized on the votes outside Angeles City, which only registered some 148,569 voters in 2010, to corner the House seat, just like in the past elections when he fought Nepomuceno’s son, Jepoy, in the congressional race and won. The numbers might have shifted a little this year because of the recent registration of new voters but the two localities still are about half of the district’s total voting population. If the two other places would take Nepomuceno’s slogan as a challenge, Guiao’s candidacy would surely benefit. The professional basketball coach will have gained not just a rallying point against Nepomuceno but the support of two localities by default. It was as if Nepomuceno served, or junked, the voters of Magalang and Mabalacat to Guiao’s favor and the latter had not spent a single cent on billboards yet. In politics, there are candidates who win people once they opened their mouths; there are some who lose them once they started speaking. In the case of the billboards, Nepomuceno seemed to have lost tack and is about to lose more than half of the votes of the district. Nepomuceno must remember, too, that the incumbent mayors of the two cities and one town are party allies of Guiao. A congressman of the district needs to be a team-player who knows how to equally divide efforts and initiatives among the towns or cities under his turf. The district should only be a single team whose members benefit equally from all the programs and projects of its congressman. Banking on one town or city in a multi-locality race will not do the trick even if one had the support of the majority of the people in the place he favored over the others. Besides, politics is addition and Nepomuceno knows that. After the effects of his own propaganda set in, Nepomuceno might say: “Me and my big…billboard!”•

CIDG gets 9 men who broke into LTFRB exec’s house

• Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/363683/cidg-gets-9-men-who-broke-into-ltfrb-execs-house
• Saturday, February 23rd, 2013

By ( Tonette T. Orejas

Philippine Daily Inquirer

ANGELES CITY — The police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested nine men who robbed the house of an official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board here on Saturday. Attorney Jonathan Javate, LTFRB regional legal officer, was shot on the ear by one of the suspects, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said. Javate is now in stable condition, he said. He described the robbery group that broke into Javate’s residence in Mountain View Subdivision as “heavily armed.” Javate, who is in his early ’50s, apparently fought back using a gun and managed to call the CIDG for help. It was not yet known if the incident was related to his work at the LTFRB.

Clark Dev't Corp deploys employees to assist in Hot Air Balloon Fiesta '13

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R03&article=561361451740
• Friday, February 22nd, 2013

By (CLJD with reports from Clark Development Corporation)

CLARK FREEPORT, Feb.22 (PIA) -- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has deployed some of its employees as volunteers who will assist in the 18th staging of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) at the Freeport from February 21 to 24,

CDC Vice President for Operations Franco Alejo said the volunteers have been divided into four groups led by the following officials: Vice President for Business Development Group Ernesto Gorospe (VIP/Guest Assistance and Help Desk), Vice President for Finance Noel Manankil (Logistics and Medical Team), Asst. Vice President Mariza Mandocdoc (Quick Response Team and Cleanliness Brigade), and union officer Arnaldo Dizon (Traffic and Parking Brigade).

He added that counterpart groups from the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) have also been fielded to the balloon fest area.

At the flag raising ceremony early this month, Madlangbayan said CDC President Arthur Tugade encouraged employees to promote the spirit of volunteerism, particularly during the four-day PIHABF activities.

Tugade, during the flag raising rites, stressed on the importance of the PIHABF, saying “…the hot air balloon festival can be considered as one of Pampanga’s jewels since it has always been a top grossing tourism attraction.”

This year, 32 balloons decorated Clark skies. The highlights of the event include five special-shaped balloons and aerobatic exhibitions from the Breitling Jet Team.

Other event highlights are kite flying, radio-controlled plane exhibitions, and a two-night concert featuring Filipino artists.

JV hits out at Liberals

• Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/21/jv-hits-out-at-liberals/
• Thursday, February 21, 2013

By Wilfredo A. Villareal

ANGELES CITY—United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito said on Wednesday that UNA members were being harassed by local authorities in areas considered as bailiwicks of President Benigno Aquino III’s Liberal Party. Ejercito didn’t identify those who allegedly harassed the UNA members and where the harassment happened, but he also alleged that even the local police were bullying their supporters. Vice President and UNA stalwart Jejomar Binay earlier ordered their lawyers to file charges against Cebu policemen for allegedly preventing UNA supporters from attending their proclamation rally on February 12. Asked if they expect the same incident to happen again, Ejercito, the former mayor of San Juan City and one of the sons of former president Joseph Estrada said that “in areas where the administration candidates are perceived to be stronger, ‘may panggigipit’ sa amin sa opposition (we were being pressured). UNA senatorial bet Nancy Binay, daughter of the Vice President, repeated the same allegation and added that based on information they were able to gather from the field, local officials including the police were ordered not to welcome UNA candidates in their respective areas. Binay, however, said they expect no pressure or harassment in Pampanga or at any place in Central Luzon. Asked whether what action UNA would take on the three guest candidates who refused to join their campaign sorties, Ejercito and Binay said they would leave the matter to the three-member member-UNA executive committee. The executive committee composed of Binay, Es

Dubai carrier to have Clark flights beginning October 1

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R03&article=561361281783
• Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

By pia.gov.ph

CLARK FREEPORT, Feb.20 (PIA) -- Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has announced that it will have daily, non-stop flights to Clark International Airport beginning October 1.

The Dubai carrier has been operating flights to Manila since 1990 and, due to the demand, has continued to increase its flight frequency on the route to its current triple daily, non-stop service.

Clark International Airport is located in the province of Pampanga in Central Luzon, which is 80 kilometres to the north of Manila. Its strategic location means it has a catchment area of 17 million people.

“There has always been a growing demand for Emirates’ services since we connected Manila with Dubai and our constantly expanding network on six continents. The launch of flights between Clark International Airport and Dubai will offer our passengers the flexibility of choosing from two destinations in the Philippines,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

“I would like to extend Emirates’ thanks to the Government of the Philippines and the Civil Aviation and Clark Authority that have made the start of this service possible, we look forward to building on our relationship with the country and the enhancement of key tourism and trade links between the Philippines and the UAE, and beyond to our global network,” added Clark.

Operated by a two-class Boeing 777-300ER, EK338 will depart Dubai at 0400hrs and arrive at Clark International Airport at 1640hrs. The return flight, EK339 will depart at 1835hrs and arrive at Dubai International Airport at 2305hrs.

With the new daily flight to Clark International Airport, Emirates SkyCargo will be able to provide more than 160 tonnes of additional cargo hold capacity each way per week, further supporting Philippines exports of perishables, such as dairy products, fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood and electrical and electronic equipment, and its imports of textiles, apparel, plants, flowers and chemical products.

A government study estimated that there are 10 million Filipinos living outside the Philippines – about 10 per cent of the country’s home population. The largest number of overseas Filipinos reside mainly in the United States.

The region with the largest temporary overseas Filipino population is the Middle East with approximately 2.9 million Filipinos, with 680,000 living in the UAE.

For his part, Anand Lakshminarayanan, Divisional Vice President for Route Planning & Economics, expressed his thanks to the Department of Tourism – Region III for providing the airlines substantial guidance and feedback on the market potential of the said route while they were conducting research last year.

He likewise thanked CEO Chichos Luciano of Clark International Airport Corp. for his influence and support in the decision-making process. (CLJD with reports from Department of Tourism Region 3)

US-based group donates P20-M worth of equipment to Angeles City hospital

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R03&article=561361234142
• Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb.19 (PIA) -- United States-based World Medical Relief Inc. (WMRI) recently turned-over around P20 million worth of medical equipment for the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC).

Donations included dialysis units, operating tables, dental chairs, cardiac monitor, incubators, and ventilators.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan expressed his gratitude over the donations, saying he was overwhelmed by the contributions of the WMRI that will surely help the city in improving even further its health care services.

“For the umpteenth time, we have received the support of the WMRI in order to improve our services to our constituents. The equipment will be used in our public hospital and for the establishment of a Coronary Care Unit and an oncology or Cancer Treatment Center,” the local chief executive disclosed.

For his part, RLMMC director Antonio Dizon likewise conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the WMRI as this would help boost the institution in attaining a tertiary hospital status from Department of Health. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)

US-based group donates P20M hospital equipment, supplies to Angeles City

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=498681
• Monday, February 18, 2013

By (PNA)

LDV/ZST/FEM/PS/ABB

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 18 (PNA) -- A United States-based organization on Monday donated some P20 million worth of medical equipment and supplies that would help the city government improve the delivery of health services.

Dr. David Zarate and Lawyer Nick Moldez of the World Medical Relief Inc.-Philippines formally turned to mayor Edgardo Pamintuan the donations that include two new dialysis units for the Angeles City Renal Care Unit (AC-RCU), operating tables, dental chairs, cardiac monitor, incubators and ventilators, among others.

Pamintuan expressed his gratitude to the WMRI, saying this is the second major donation from the US-based organization in his term.

“For the umpteenth time, we have received the support of the WMRI in order to improve our services to our constituents. The equipment will be used in our public hospital and for the establishment of a coronary care unit and cancer treatment center,” the mayor said.

Zarate said the donation is a “phenomenal development” in the field of health care in the city as the Angeleños would not have to go far as Manila in order to find quality health services.

“This is merely the beginning of our partnership with Angeles City. The next step is to help mayor Pamintuan in realizing his goal of building the cancer treatment center equipped with a PET Scan and coronary care unit for its public hospital," he said.

Dr. Antonio Dizon, hospital director of the RLMMC, also conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to WMRI for their donation.

He said this was a “step towards RLMMC to acquire a tertiary hospital status from the Department of Health.”

SM workers told: Protect, respect PWDs

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2013/02/17/sm-workers-told-protect-respect-pwds-268689
• Sunday, February 17, 2013

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- An official from the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has urged employees of SM City Clark to protect and respect persons with disabilities (PWDs), or persons with special needs.

Carmen Zubiaga, executive director of the NCDA and a person on wheelchair, said it is important for the mall employees to have knowledge on how to handle properly persons with physical and mental disabilities.

Zubiaga, together with Pacifico Tee, public relations officer of the Autism Society of the Philippines, oriented security guards and tenants about the services they could extend to PWDs.

She discussed how barriers in malls and other establishments can be eliminated to give PWDs better shopping experiences.

She stressed the need to install assistive devices and equipment like ramps and elevators so persons on wheelchairs could easily go from one floor to another.

Zubiaga said it is about time that people should learn about the rights of PWDs, who should not become objects of charity. She stressed the disability interaction of the person and society.

"Baguhin na natin ang ating pananaw sa mga PWDs. Dati, we see them as object of charity. Hindi na 'yon ang kailangan. Ang kailangan programa kung paano sila maging bahagi ng society," she said.

Tee, for his part, discussed the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

According to Tee, some of the symptoms include short attention span, talkativeness and lack of focus, and tirelessness, among others.

"If you notice these behaviors on a child, please be patient with them," Tee said.

Mark Herrera, SM City Clark assistant mall manager, thanked Zubiaga and Tee for imparting knowledge on the proper handling of persons with special needs.

He also asked employees to apply what they have learned in the seminar.

Holy Rosary Parish launches ‘I Love HRP Campaign’

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2013/02/15/holy-rosary-parish-launches-i-love-hrp-campaign-268313
• Friday, February 15, 2013

By sunstar.com.ph

ANGELES CITY -- The Holy Rosary Parish (HRP) is celebrating the Love Month with the launching of the “I Love HRP Campaign” on February 17 in all masses at the parish church, more popularly known as Pisamban Maragul.

The campaign is a creative way of getting parishioners to know their parish, appreciate their heritage and express their love through service.

Dennis Dizon, a creative arts designer–consultant of the Parish Heritage Committee that conceptualized the project, said a hip commercial on the campaign will be shown for the first time on Sunday.

“There will be a booth that will sell souvenir items like bags, key chains, buttons, fans, stickers and shirts,” he said. Proceeds from the sale of these items will be used for the parish’s heritage conservation project.

The “I Love HRP Campaign” takes off from the popular “I LOVE NY” ad designed for tourism purposes. The twist lies in its tagline “I AM. I LOVE. I SERVE” that encapsulates the call for greater community participation in heritage conservation and in practicing stewardship over the parish.

“When we speak of a parish, what immediately comes to mind is the physical structure,” said Bp. Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D., parish priest of Holy Rosary Parish.

“In truth, we are the parish. We come together to pray. We must also come together to express our love by knowing our roots and sharing our three Ts -- time, talent and treasure,” he added.

David said the campaign has two component projects. The Heritage Conservation component will run from February to October of this year.

Projects under this component include the cataloguing of HRP’s religious heritage pieces, leading to an exhibit in May to celebrate National Heritage Month.

In October, the parish’s very own coffee table book will be launched in time for the celebration of the Fiestang Culiat.

The Parish Stewardship component will be launched in March as part of the parish’s Holy Week celebration. Lent is traditionally observed by the Catholic Church, not just through rites and rituals, but also through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. HRP provides an alternative venue for those who have no material goods to share.

David told the parishioners: “Offer your time and talent to serve our community. Everyone has something to share no matter how dire his or her circumstances in life may be.”

“I Love HRP” campaign is a project of the Parish Heritage Committee in partnership with Curia Sancti Rosarii Inc. (CSRI) and Holy Angel University–Center for Kapampangan Studies. It marks a milestone in the history of the parish.

HRP is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a parish this year, according to chronicles written by Mariano Henson.

In his book, “A Brief History of the Town of Angeles in the Province of Pampanga, Philippines from Its Foundation in 1796 A.D. to the Present 1947-1948,” Henson noted that in 1813 “Most Rev. Juan Antonio de Zulaibar, Archbishop of Manila, paid a visit to this town and formally inaugurated the Parish of Culiat.” A year before, in 1812, he wrote that “the first chapel was built of light materials at the site where the Cabling Press is now located.”

Archival documents from the Archdiocesan Archives of Manila reveal that HRP was actually a Visita of San Fernando that was declared separate and independent from its matriz (mother parish) in April of 1812, in terms of spiritual administration. Padre Don Juan Sablan was named as HRP’s first chaplain.

Technically, it remained under the authority of the Parish of San Fernando. This arrangement was allowed due to the notable distance of Culiat from San Fernando. It was not until 1869 when the official notice (dated October 16, 1829), establishing HRP as an independent parish with its own parish priest, was released by the Provisional Court of Manila (Decretos Sr. Diez Libro de Gobierno 1826-1841, RCAM 1.B.5, Folder 2) that Henson was acknowledged Father of Kapampangan Studies.

He is a descendant of Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda, who co-founded Angeles (formerly known as Culiat) with his wife Doña Rosalia de Jesus in 1796.

LGUs hit for burning, dumping waste

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2013/02/14/lgus-hit-burning-dumping-waste-268080
• Thursday, February 14, 2013

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- An environmentalist here has assailed barangay and city officials who allowed the burning and dumping of waste at an illegal dumpsite in Barangay Cuayan here.

Sonny Dobles, an environmentalist and spokesperson of the Alliance for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), said that according to sources, garbage being dumped comes from several areas here and in nearby City of San Fernando.

"They burn the garbage so that there will be more space at the dumpsite," Dobles said.

He said this is a clear violation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the Clean Air Act.

Dobles said he is planning to file charges before the Green Court against individuals, barangay and city officials responsible for the illegal dumping and burning of the waste here.

Dobles and other environmentalists and DENR officials inspected the dumpsite recently. He also urged city officials to look into the issue.

Mall orients guards, tenants on PWD needs

• Source: http://www.clarkphilippines.com/mall-orients-guards-tenants-on-pwd-needs
• Wednesday, February 13, 2013

By clarkphilippines.com

CLARK FREEPORT–A shopping mall here held an orientation among its security guards and tenants about the services they could extend to persons with disabilities (PWDs). Carmen Zubiaga, executive director of the National Council on Disability Affairs, and Pacifico Tee, public relations officer of the Autism Society of the Philippines, served as guest speakers during the orientation. Zubiaga, a person on a wheelchair, discussed how barriers in shopping malls and other establishments can be eliminated to give better experience for PWDs. Zubiaga said malls should have ramps and elevators so persons on wheelchairs like her could easily go from one floor to another. Also, she said designated parking areas for PWDs should be available. Likewise, Zubiaga said PWDs should not become object of charity. “Baguhin na natin ang ating pananaw sa mga PWDs. Dati, we see them as object of charity. Hindi na ‘yon ang kailangan. Ang kailangan programa kung paano sila maging bahagi ng society,” Zubiaga said. Meanwhile, Tee discussed the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to Tee, some of the symptoms include short attention span, talkativeness and lack of focus. “If you notice these behaviors on a child, please be patient with them,” Tee said. After the orientation, security guards, maintenance crew and tenants assured that they will extend the needed services of PWDs. ●Charlene A. Cayabyab

Clark’s water system loss cut

• Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/12/clarks-water-system-loss-cut/
• Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

By Manila Standard Today

Clark Water Corp., the water and wastewater services operator in the Clark Freeport Zone and Clark Special Economic Zone, registered a record-low, 8.5-percent system loss in 2012.

The company said the system loss was also significantly lower than the 15 percent posted in 2011.

Clark Water, a unit of Manila Water Co. Inc., said the free port suffered a high system loss due to old and leaking pipes and pilferage prior to a public-private partnership with Clark Development Corp., the administrative and governing body of Clark.

Clark Water in 2000 took over the concession with a 54.9-percent non-revenue water rate. It received a mandate from CDC to lower the rate to 20 percent by 2010.

As ‘haven for business’, Traders told: Help promote Pampanga

• Source: http://www.headlinegl.com/as-haven-for-business-traders-told-help-promote-pampanga/
• Monday, February 11th, 2013

By Elaine Mapiles

CLARK FREEPORT–Gov. Lilia Pineda on Thursday appealed to the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) to help promote the province as haven for businesses and investments in Central Luzon following its inclusion in the election watch-list of the Philippine National Police (PNP). “I am hurt. The provincial government is doing it all to improve the general welfare of Pampanga making it ideal for trade and business,” said Pineda in the dialect during the PamCham’s 41st General Membership Meeting and Induction at the Widus Hotel here. Pineda said the PamCham members and officers should join in “proving untrue” the tagging of Pampanga as one of the 15 provinces in the watch-list in relation to the upcoming May elections. “PamCham members and other businesses – big or small – will benefit if we have a good image to potential investors from our country and abroad,” said the 62-year-old governor who was the special guest of the annual meeting of premier business organization in the first-class province. “Pampanga needs your help. Your efforts to show the real peace and order situation of the province and how good is it to do business will benefit all of us,” she added. Pineda lauded PamCham members led by prominent car dealer Liberato “Levy” Laus in “greatly improving” the economy of the province. She also cited PamCham President Jim Jimenez, who invited Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Atty. Miguel Varela in the induction of new set of members and officers. She added that they are “the main reasons why Pampanga is now attaining its total socio-economic development.” Pineda cited PamCham for job generation and prioritizing the hiring of local residents. Laus, in his response on behalf of the PamCham, said they will fully support the appeal of Pineda. He added that it’s “a noble request and will be for the common good, notably on the aspects of businesses.” The 62-year-old governor presented her government’s 30-month accomplishments and projects on infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, livelihood and employment pegged at more than P1 billion. In 2013, the province will allot at least 45 percent of its total annual budget of some P1.5 billion to education, health, infrastructure development and agriculture. “We have done our part by providing the basic services. Now, we need you to help us sell Pampanga to more investors,” said Pineda. She also urged the businessmen to rebuild the image of Pampanga as “peaceful province” and she added that it is everybody’s concern not only in times of election but all throughout the year. Pineda disclosed that the provincial government has a P1.5-billion bank deposit and this will used for future projects. Pineda said they had assisted and supported the some 1,000 PNP members to maintain peace and order. She added that the “number of cops is very small compared to the some two million residents of Pampanga.” Pineda provided a SWAT service van, equipment and other necessary support to improve the operations and performance of the police led by Senior Superintendent R’win Pagkalinawan, provincial police director. Pineda said they had tapped the 10,000 village cops to augment the police force. She earlier gave tricycle units to each of the 505 barangays in the province.

Focus on job creation

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/opinion/2013/02/10/pangan-focus-job-creation-267521
• Sunday, February 10, 2013

By Benjie R. Pangan

SURVEYS guru Mahar Mangahas has buttressed the call of National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director General Arsenio Balisacan for "strengthening of economic sectors he deems most capable of creating jobs and of reducing poverty. Both gentlemen agree on citing manufacturing, tourism and agriculture as prime labor-intensive sectors deserving of priority in development. Mangahas goes further by saying that the labor intensity of a sector obviously requires knowing how many workers are employed in it and relating them to how much the sector produces. The focus is indeed on job creation but ways have to be institutionalized and systematized in order to get qualified workers to handle different positions in work places needing them (the workers).

In Region III, where the province of Pampanga leads the way in matching skills of workers with available jobs, the effort or thrust continues to create more job opening for unemployed individuals whose rank will swell as new graduates join in this year in the race for survival.

Fortunately, the region's Labor and Employment Office is at the forefront in finding suitable jobs for the jobseekers. Assisting, as usual, are Tesda and other government agencies.

In Mabalacat City, no less than its City Mayor is personally reaching out to locators at the Clark Freeport Zone like L & T for slots to be opened for Mabalacat residents. The firm was enthusiastic and responsive to the mayor's call and even offered in-house training and machines for prospective sewers. The Customer Services Department of the Clark Development Corporation, headed by Rodem Perez is more than willing to pitch in in the search for job postings of Mabalaqueños.

At Peso Mabalacat, a skills registry system is being done in earnest in order to compile skills of residents who can be tapped at the flick of a finger.

Last week, in Davao City, it was reported that Motoo Konishi, World Bank country director, told hundreds of local and international delegates to the Philippine Development Forum that the big number of unemployed and underemployed in the Philippines poses a big challenge for the Aquino administration, which, days ago, luxuriously trumpeted the country's glowing economic performance, Mr. Konishi specifically stated that the need for good jobs - jobs that raise real wages or bring people out of poverty - is an overwhelming challenge.

Given this backdrop, there should be collective efforts to put in place programs aimed at massive job creation, with emphasis on those in the agriculture sector.

Truly, the strength of the nation is anchored on the working class, the OFWs and even the workers on the sly.

--oo0oo--

The May 2013 elections are fast approaching, so, it's timely that reminders about their conduct are given out periodically. As some of us already know, the mandated Election Period started last January 13 and will end June 12. There are prohibited acts during that period like bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec; transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service; use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec and suspension of elective local officials. Further, the campaign period starts February 12 to May 11 for candidates for senator and party-list groups while March 29 to May 11 is the designated campaign period for candidates for members of the House of Representatives and elective regional, provincial, city and municipal officials.

The prohibited acts during this period are: appointment or hiring of new employees; creation or filling up of new positions; promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege; construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds and release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds.

So there, the candidates are well advised in order to avoid any controversy.

Clark Water's non-revenue water rate hits record low

• Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/294054/economy/companies/clark-water-s-non-revenue-water-rate-hits-record-low
• Friday, February 8, 2013

By KBK, GMA News

System loss of the Clark Water Corp. (CWC), a unit of Ayala-led utility firm Manila Water Company, reached a record low of 8.5 percent, at par with world standards in terms of non-revenue water rate.

System loss is usually caused by leaking pipes and pilferage.

The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) has mandated the CWC, which took over the concession in 2000, to lower its 54.9 percent non-revenue water rate to 20 percent by 2010.

Prior to CWC’s assumption of water supply contract with the (CDC), the Clark Freeport Zone and Clark Special Economic Zone suffered high system loss. The CWC was able to reduce the non-revenue water rate to 20.6 percent in 2004.

Part of the system loss reduction program rolled out by the CWC were the rehabilitation of pipes, the upgrading of the water system, and metering programs.

Water recovered from the reduction of non-revenue has reached .720,000 cubic meter in a span of 12 months, the CWC said Friday.

CWC’s industrial consumers enjoy one of the lowest tariffs as compared to other water providers within the area, it added.

By the end of 2012, CWC has also tripled its capacity to 35 million liters of water per day and increased wastewater service coverage to 90 percent as opposed to having zero coverage 12 years ago.

CWC is one of the three operational subsidiaries of East Zone water concessionaire Manila Water. Along with Boracay Water (in Boracay Island, Aklan) and Laguna Water (Province of Laguna), it targets to continue its successful management of the water and wastewater services of its concession area.

Holy Angel U to fete three Outstanding Kapampangans

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R03&article=541360215614
• Thursday, February 7th, 2013

By Rebecca Grace S. David

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Holy Angel University (HAU) will confer the Juan D. Nepomuceno Cultural Awards to three Kapampangans- a fashion icon, a woodcarving artist, and a book author during its Founder’s Day celebration on March 8.

In a press statement, HAU disclosed that honorees are Patis Tesoro, Willie Layug, and Nina Tomen.

Tesoro of Angeles City is a known patron of indigenous fibers particularly the piña which she incorporated with silk that emerged as the fabric of pina seda.

She also created the Ninay Dolls handcrafted and assembled in tableaus to depict a particular custom or tradition.

The Ninay doll is to the Filipino as the Barbie is to the American.

For her contributions in the world of fashion, she was conferred with the Dakilang Filipina Award and the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (Towns).

Meanwhile, Layug of Betis, Guagua is known for his masterpiece retablos (altars) in the biggest cathedrals.

Among his famous works include the San Pedro Calungsod and San Lorenzo Ruiz retablos at the Colegio Filippino in Rome, the baldacchino (canopy over the high altar) of the Intramuros Church, and Matamoros (Statues of the Moors) of the Intramuros gate.

He received the Presidential Medal of Merit for Ecclesiastical Art in 2009.

Tomen of Lubao town penned several books on Kapampangan culture and arts such as Apung Mamacalulu: Sto Entierro of Angeles City, Suli: Legacies of the Santiago Apostol Church of Betis, Libad Bangka ng Apung Iru: Beyond the Revelry, and Kuraldal Atlung Ari, and Luid Ka! Stories and Images of the Kapampangan Crusade for Good Governance. (CLJD/RGSD-PIA 3)

Clark Water serves 1,900 locators

• Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/02/06/clark-water-serves-1900-locators/
• Wednesday, February 6, 2013

By Manila Standard Today

Clark Water Corp. has added 59 service connections in 2012 in the Clark Freeport Zone and the Clark Special Economic Zone Pampanga bringing to 1,921 connections overall last year.

According to the company, the coverage consists of 560 commercial establishments, 120 industrial, 174 government offices along with 1,067 residential subscribers.

Clark Water has built a new treatment plant with deep well, plus new distribution lines to expand capacity to meet the growing needs of locators.

Last year, Clark Water increased its supply to 35 million liters daily while reducing its system loss to 8.5 percent.

It has also boosted wastewater service coverage to 90% versus zero coverage 12 years ago.

A subsidiary of Metro Manila’s East Zone concessionaire Manila Water, Clark Water was formed in partnership with Clark Development Corp., the administrative and governing body of the Clark Freeport Zone, tasked to provide water and wastewater services until 2025.

Since it took over the management and operations of the Clark metropolis, Clark Water has upgraded services to 100% compliance with water quality standards as certified by ISO 14001:2004 + cor 1:2009, ISO 9001:2008 and OHSAS 18001:2007.

Angeles City assisting rehab of drug dependents

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=494483
• Tuesday, February 5, 2013

By (PNA)

LAM/ZST/FEM/PS/SSC

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 5 (PNA) -- The city government has vowed to assist drug dependents who voluntarily submitted themselves to the authorities.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the voluntary surrender by 19 drug dependents here is a good manifestation of the people’s trust towards the programs and projects of the local government against illegal drugs.

“This act is a good sign that we can work together to make Angeles a ‘drug free city’. I salute these people who made a bold move to change for the better. They can expect that the local government will continue to support and help them by providing assistance through the Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council’s (ACADAC) programs,” Pamintuan said.

He said helping the drug dependents do not end in rehabilitation alone.

Work opportunities, quality and affordable education and health services are being offered by the local government to help them improve the quality of their life totally eliminating the possibility of returning to their lives as substance abusers, he said.

Chief Inspector Marciano Bañola of the Angeles City Police Office said they are coordinating with barangay officials in conducting dialogues and encouraging drug abusers to surrender.

Movement vs dynasties to launch signature campaign

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/02/04/904621/movement-vs-dynasties-launch-signature-campaign
• Monday, February 4, 2013

By Ding Cervantes

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – The Movement Against Dynasties (MAD) announced yesterday that the group would start on Feb. 13 a signature campaign against political dynasties in 10 cities nationwide.

MAD volunteer Lito Ong said the campaign would be launched in cities of Manila, Baguio, Antipolo, Tuguegarao, Lucena, Naga, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Gen. Santos, and Davao.

MAD, a multi-sectoral and non-partisan organization that includes students and professionals, supports the Catholic bishops who have expressed opposition to political dynasties.

MAD’s sole objective is to stop the proliferation of political dynasties that is forbidden by the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

MAD chairman Quentin San Diego said the anti-dynasty pastoral statement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is similar to MAD’s vision and mission.

San Diego and MAD co-chairman Danilo Olivares have proposed to the CBCP to unite their efforts against political dynasties.

MAD aims to gather signatures of at least 10 percent of the registered voters nationwide that is required by Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act.

The group said the Catholic Church’s influence through its parishes in the country could help in the campaign to pass the law against political dynasties that Congress has refused to enact since 1987.

“Through the partnership of the Catholic Church and people power groups like MAD, attaining the required number of signatures from the various parishes will force the Commission on Elections to call for a referendum for the people to directly enact the long-awaited enabling law that will prohibit political dynasties and penalize members of dynasties violating the law,” MAD said.

Angeles City government allotted P6.5M for scholars

• Source: http://angelescitynews.net/2013/02/03/angeles-city-government-allotted-p6-5m-for-scholars/
• Sunday, February 3, 2013

By angelescitynews.net

P6.5 million of government funds has been allotted for the scholars of the city for 2013. The funds will be used for the tuition and miscellaneous fees of existing and new scholars, both at the City College of Angeles (CCA) and those in the private universities and colleges in the city. The fund of the city scholars is one of the priority programs of the city government.

Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan increased the scholarship budget from P4 million to P6.5 million this year, which was approved by the City Council.

At present, there are 210 students who enrolled in the city college scholarship program, both indigent and academic scholars. Some 94 students are in the CCA and the remaining 116 are enrolled in the private schools in the city.

New CDC chief tackles changes in cultural, financial fronts

• Source: http://business.inquirer.net/105527/new-cdc-chief-tackles-changes-in-cultural-financial-fronts
• Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

By Tonette Orejas

CLARK FREEPORT—A change in culture and increase in revenues are what Arthur Tugade, the man President Benigno Aquino appointed president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corp. (CDC), is bringing into the agency that is turning this former American military base into an economic engine. “My overriding aim is to cultivate good values, change the ways of doing things within the CDC,” Tugade tells SundayBiz. The two thrusts fit right into the President’s campaign promise of treading the “daang matuwid” (righteous path), he says. He asks CDC officials and employees to “smile genuinely and sincerely, be punctual, refrain from receiving or getting gifts, hold meetings before and after work hours, and avoid having dinners with locators and applicants.” In his case, his staff are getting used to seeing guests bringing gifts and taking home their own gifts. In expecting a new behavior, Tugade says he was not shooting for the moon. More than 300 employees of the 10 companies he founded under Perry’s Group of Companies proved this is doable, he says. So even at 67, he is still filled with idealism. “This is my first job in government and it is amusingly challenging,” Tugade says. “I agreed to serve in the government because I believed in the President. I will try my best. I’m not a thief,” he says. At first, he did not like the idea of working for CDC because he thought that the interests of Perry’s Group in logistics would be in conflict with the agency. He only agreed to be at the helm of CDC when he was told that it was a separate entity from Clark International Airport Corp., which oversees logistics investments.

He says the order he got from the President was to do his job in the way he wants it to be and stay away from corruption. So Tugade asked for a copy of CDC’s audited statement and its profit-and-loss report. He has been working on this since last month when he took his oath. “It’s difficult but not hopeless,” he says of his assessment of CDC’s financial status. “The revenues [from land leases] are on a plateau [because the available lands for development now are few] while the expenses are going high,” he says. He has revamped the security department and set up a special administrative committee with the Clark Investors and Locators Association sitting as an observer. The board has also approved the extension of the certificate of tax exemptions (CRTE) to three years. The CRTE, which is used to honor the privilege of 5 percent tax on gross income, is valid for only a year. Extending the CRTE’s validity saves locators time to process documents, Tugade says. Several CDC officials followed Tugade’s example of doing sacrifices by surrendering benefits, which saved the CDC P2 million. The amount is going to be used to add to the shuttle services of employees. Tugade’s policy with employees expecting a new collective bargaining agreement is “to continue the dialogue … and settle the matter within the operations of law and decisions of the government.” The privatization of the management of Mimosa Leisure Estate, which was taken over by CDC in 1998 due to debts, is still being studied. Locators who have been delinquent in paying leases will be “thrown out within the confines of the law.” Tugade was born in Claveria, Cagayan. His parents, both employees of the public works department, moved to Sampaloc, Manila, when he was in grade school. When their shanty in Sampaloc was gutted by fire, the family transferred to a slum area in Tatalon, Quezon City where, as he recalls, his toilet was a “hole in the ground where after the floods, vegetables grew.” Priests in San Beda College helped him get an education through scholarships and jobs in the same school, enabling him to finish law. He co-founded the Transnational Group of Companies and retired 10 years ago because of the need to slow down. Nursing himself back to good health after a colon problem, Tugade established the Perry’s Group of Companies. Under it are the Trans-Global Consolidator’s Inc. (said to be the first and only formal Philippine consolidator in the airfreight and sea freight business), APT Travels Inc., Trans-Global Trucking Inc., Perry’s Fuel Distribution Inc., Fizzfashion Mercantile and Trading Inc., Perry’s Foundation, Perry’s Technologies Inc., Perry’s Farms Inc. and the sales and importing agency Perryome. Perry is the name of his son who passed away, a story he prefers to tell another time.

DOH cites health partners in Central Luzon

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R03&article=561359604666
• Friday, February 1, 2013

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

CLARK FREEPORT, Feb 1 (PIA) -- Recognizing the role of health partners on the delivery of efficient, effective and quality health care to the people in the region, the health department came up with the first-ever Central Luzon Excellence Awards for Health (CLExAH) 2012 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Clark Freeport.

“CLExAH aims to give recognition to our partners in health for their outstanding performances and significant contributions towards the attainment of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP),” Center for Health Development 3 Regional Director Leonita Gorgolon said.

According Gorgolon, the 53 chosen awardees are considered to be the region’s top performers, excellent innovators, and health governance stewards.

The activity also aims to strengthen the camaraderie and partnership between the CHD 3 and its health partners, co-implementors, and other advocates for health.

Health Assistant Secretary Gerardo Bayugo and San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez likewise graced the event.

Rodriguez shared his secrets on Public-Private Partnerships through the involvement of each citizen as stakeholder or partner for progress.

The event was marked by signing of two memoranda of agreements (MOAs).

The first MOA was the strengthening of health service delivery network for forging interconnectivity among health services among DOH-CHD 3, rural health units and the Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric & Newborn Care facilities.

This was followed by the MOA signing between the DOH-CHD 3 and the local governments present on the event for the sustainability and functionality of health facilities. (CLJD with reports from DOH-CHD 3)