Angeles City News February 2014

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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.

Angeles sees P61M savings from waste segregation

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/28/angeles-sees-p61m-savings-waste-segregation-330749

Friday, February 28, 2014

By y Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY -- If things go perfectly well, the City Government here said that it can save at least P61 million a year if its intensive waste segregation program succeeds as it battles the serious problem on garbage.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said that the city, as a natural consequence of its rapid progress and economic activity, has been generating garbage at an average of 561 grams per person. Multiplying this with the current 390,000 population of the city, the local government would have to deal with 212 tons of garbage on a daily basis.

The mayor asserts that the city, in fact, is the only local government unit in Pampanga that regularly dumps garbage at the Kalangitan Landfill. Disposal fees alone saps the city some P80 million to P100 million a year.

"If we can save from our segregation program, we can in fact use the funds for other social service programs," Pamintuan said, as he urged locals to segregate their waste within their own homes.

Serious in making a point, Pamintuan said that the city will no longer collect garbage which is not segregated at source. The program also involves the creation of cluster segregation facilities for barangays in a bid to make sure that only residual waste is collected and forwarded to the transfer station.

Pamintuan said that the move will reduce the percentage of waste collection in the city to 21 percent as biodegradable waste is encouraged to be buried in household lots while recyclable wastes would be forward to junkshops for proper recycling.

The mayor, however, said that the program will not succeed overnight as it would take some time before locals would discipline themselves and follow the proper procedure.

"Segregation at source is the best solution we see now regarding our garbage problem and we hope to address this properly with the help of our local leaders and the people," Pamintuan said.

Pamintuan also warned that the city government will be strictly implementing the provisions of RA 9003 and City Ordinance No. 314 that fines people for not segregating their wastes. Violators will be fined from P100 to P3,000.

BIR Pampanga stages regional tax campaign kickoff in Angeles City

• Source: http://r03.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=561393402291
• Thursday, February 27, 2014

By pia.gov.ph

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, February 27 (PIA) -- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region (RR) No. 4, Pampanga held its regional tax campaign kickoff program for 2014 at the Event Center, Marquee Hall, Angeles City, Pampanga.

The simple kickoff program was attended by taxpayers from the provinces of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Aurora and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Named World’s eighth (8th) Best Mayor by the biennial World Mayors Project (WMP) for 2012 and Entertainment City of Angeles Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan welcomed the participants from the different government, business, civic, professional and academic sectors. The WMP aims to promote the values of honesty, leadership, integrity, and excellence in local governance, among others.

Mayor Pamintuan in his speech stressed the importance of raising revenues in the local government level. He, however, lamented the opposition to increased taxes in his jurisdiction by the privileged few. He stressed that the payment of the correct amount of taxes in his City, just like with the BIR, will only redound to the benefit of the people of Angeles City. He called on taxpayers to set aside personal interests and think of the welfare of the country in paying taxes right.

Deputy Commissioner Nelson M. Aspe reiterated the call of Mayor Pamintuan and immediately thanked the taxpayers for footing the bill for nation-building. He recognized the assistance given by Local Government Units (LGUs) like Angeles City in identifying and locating taxpayers for the BIR. Aspe told the participants that there are about 100 million Filipinos but only 15 to 18 million are registered taxpayers. If the said number of taxpayers can be increased to 40 million, the BIR will have little problem meeting its collection goal every year. He capped his message by pleading for support for the region’s drive to collect and meet its collection target this year.

Regional Director Araceli L. Francisco for her part also thanked her taxpayers for their support to the region’s efforts last 2013. She praised the participation in the kickoff program of all taxpayers coming from as far as Baler, Aurora. She underscored the importance of the kickoff activity as the time for everyone to come together and be informed of what the BIR is doing to increase collection of taxes and improve services being rendered. She disclosed the BIR’s priority programs for 2014 through a video presentation.

The rationale of this year’s tax campaign theme and logo “I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES, I PAY MY TAXES RIGHT. IT’S AS EASY AS RFP (REGISTER FILE PAY)” was explained by Client Support Service Assistant Commissioner Lucita G. Rodriguez.

Entertainment was provided by outsourced personnel (RFP Jingle Dance) and the University of the Assumption Dance Troupe (Filipino Folk Dance).

Among the attendees were Deputy Commissioners Celia C. King, and Lilia C. Guillermo, Assistant Commissioners Gealdina E. Reyes, Marissa O. Cabreros, Pablo M. Bastes, Jr., Marietta U. Lorenzo, and Zenaida B. Chang, HREAs Marilou L. del Rosario, Lucita Oandasan, Myrna Sobremonte and Noe Balbedina, Revenue District Officers, PIED Chief Reymarie T. de la Cruz and other revenue officials. Leo Querubin of the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCAP) was also present. The Public Awareness Campaign (PAC) project of the Bureau is being supported by MCAP.

The kickoff conclusion was followed by the region’s 2014 Tax-Gisan ng Galing. The tax quiz aims to inculcate tax awareness among students and featured fourth year Accountancy students from different schools within the region’s jurisdiction. (BIR)

Caragan to become an annual festival

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/26/caragan-become-annual-festival-330344
• Wednesday, February 26, 2014

By sunstar.com.ph

CLARK FREEPORT -- Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales and the City Council headed by Vice Mayor Christian Halili announced Wednesday that Mabalacat City's widely acclaimed Caragan Festival will be institutionalized to prevent it from suffering the fate of the similarly popular Ibon Ebon Festival of Candaba, Pampanga.

In a breakfast forum at this Freeport, Morales stressed that he will ask the City Council to pass an ordinance making the festival an annual activity.

"There is a clamor from the people of Mabalacat to make the Caragan Festival an annual activity, as part of the city's fiesta celebration. That we will do as we also want to promote the culture of Mabalacat City and make it a center of arts and culture not only in the region but the whole country as well. We would like to elevate Caragan to the likes of the Sinulog Festival," Morales said.

Halili, for his part disclosed that the City Council is more than willing to have the Caragan Festival institutionalized.

"The City Council is very supportive of the arts and culture of Mabalacat. The Caragan Festival is our pride and we are always ready to support it and make it an annual activity through the appropriate ordinance or resolution," he said.

The festival was shelved for the last three years as Mabalacat underwent its cityhood processes and transformation, plebiscite and was not held during the 2013 May polls.

But this year on February 27 and 28, festival head Jun Magbalot noted that Caragan, honoring this city's first Aeta chieftain, will be more exciting and colorful.

"This year's Caragan Festival, which will run for two days, promises to be another grand spectacle as more than 30 schools and hundreds of students and local artists will participate in the cultural dance interpretations complete with costumes and adornments which we ourselves made. Indeed, the festival is not only about having fun with street dances but also about honoring the rich cultural heritage of the people of Mabalacat. The Aetas, being one of the original inhabitants, are given due recognition through their dance moves and unique music," Magbalot said.

He added that the three-kilometer stretch from Xevera to Poblacion will be lined up with security and medical personnel, with about 23 sound systems installed so the expected 30,000 revelers and tourists could listen to DwRW 95.1 FM’s live streaming for advisories and Caragan activities. (JTD)

Clark eyed as SEA trade haven

• Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/clark-eyed-as-sea-trade-haven/
• Tuesday, February 25, 2014

By Mark Manuel

Clark Freeport, Pampanga — Clark has the potential of becoming one of the biggest trade havens in Southeast Asia (SEA), a high-ranking official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the other day.

DFA Undersecretary Lula Quiambao-del Rosario said the potential of Clark is really tremendous because of its excellent location and the people who work inside the Freeport.

Quiambao-del Rosario urged officials of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to take advantage of the visits of state leaders from the Asia-Pacific region during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that will be held inside the Freeport next year.

“Take advantage of this opportunity as this will generate interest and could be an avenue for the ambassadors to assess Clark as possible investment site for their business leaders,” she told CDC.

She advised CDC to familiarize APEC leaders with the culture of Pampanga and show them the various investment possibilities Clark has to offer for various countries.

The DFA official further said Clark can take advantage of the vast lands inside the zone which can be of use for warehousing, medical services and even educational services.

“We should take note that these leaders always look at trade and goods,” she said, adding that Clark also has the potential to become a leader in tourism, service, and leisure.

“We can think of medical services, logistics, the way we transport goods from here to there or even brokerage or housing,” she said.

Clark is set to host the APEC forum for the senior ministers of the member countries next year.

Phl-based ambassadors of APEC-member countries to visit Clark

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2431392876984
• Monday, February 24, 2014

By Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan

CLARK FREEPORT, February 24 (PIA) -- Philippine-based ambassadors of member-countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is set to visit Clark Freeport on March 8 to explore possible investments and inspect probable venues of the Leaders Summit next year.

“The potential of Clark is really tremendous and think we can do a lot not only in the field of tourism but in the service and leisure sectors as well,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Del Rosario said in a radio interview.

With the availability of space, Del Rosario said Clark could take advantage of the vast lands inside the zone, which can be of use for warehousing, medical services and even educational services.

“One thing exciting about Clark and Subic is that if the two Freeport zones are combined, the areas could be bigger than Brunei and Singapore. There could be various business activities here in the future if properly prioritized,” the official added.

Apart from the Philippines, other members of APEC include Australia, Brunei Darrusalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia and Vietnam. (CLJD/RBRP-PIA 3)

Clark international music fest opens

• Source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/135522/clark-international-music-fest-opens
• Sunday, February 23, 2014

By Allan Policarpio

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines—The Global Gateway Logistics City is a sprawling open ground expected to be teeming with thousands of revelers Saturday. At noon, the two-day 7107 International Music Festival being held here kicked off to an assembly that might be considered sparse—for an event area of about 28 hectares (including parking sections). Organizers were taking it easy while they could, knowing that the real test would be on Sunday, when the iconic American band Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) descends on the site to set the stage ablaze. Speaking of which, producer Mike Pio Roda told the Inquirer Friday night, “We’re expecting an early surge of people fighting for the best spots near the stage…die-hard Chili Pepper fans upfront. Last time I checked, we had sold about 80 percent of the tickets.” He said the ultimate goal was a crowd of 35,000. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time.” RHCP, a funk-rock group, has won seven Grammys and is one of the best-selling bands of all time (80 million records worldwide). Famous for the monster hits “Under the Bridge,” “Scar Tissue” and “Californication,” the Chili Peppers will close 7107 Sunday night with a 90-minute set. Grammy-nominated hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar will take the stage earlier. On Friday, RHCP bassist Michael “Flea” Balzary and drummer Chad Smith announced their arrival in the Philippines via the social networking site Twitter. “Manila Manila We’re here here !!,” Smith tweeted. Balzary’s post read: “hi manila! What’s the greatest thing here to go do right now at 130? to eat? where do i go? what do i do? philippine me!” The 7107 fest, touted as the country’s answer to the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, has attracted mostly affluent-looking teenagers and twentysomethings, looking chic and comfortable in denim cutoffs and tank tops. Not a few foreigners sat on mats, basking in the sun as they enjoyed the music. “We have a lot of people from Singapore, California, and a handful from Europe and Australia,” Roda said. Tickets ranged from P8,500 (general admission) to P25,000 (VIP). Saturday’s event opened to the thumping beats of Filipino DJ Katsy Lee, followed by local group Yolanda Moon and the British pop-rock band Natives. With two stages holding simultaneous performances from various acts representing different music genres—rock, hip-hop, indie, electronic-techno dance—revelers gravitated to the music of their choice. Framed by an arc symbolic of the sun, the main stage featured 13 acts; the smaller and more austere second stage served as stomping ground for 15 artists from noon till midnight. Among the performers were The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Alvaro, The Charmes, Run Manila, Taken by Cars, Kjwan, Kid Ink and the main act, DJ-producer Kaskake. On Sunday, aside from RHCP and Kendrick Lamar, the big names expected include local acts Itchyworms, Rocksteddy, Up Dharma Down, Abra and Loonie, Radioactive Sago Project, Sponge Cola, and foreign bands including Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Empire of the Sun. Hard-hitting American rapper Kid Ink, who was featured on Saturday, is looking forward to watching the Philippine talents. He said in an interview, “It’s my first time here, and it’s been crazy good so far. It was surprising to know that we had fans on this side of the world.” In a previous interview, executive producer Conchitina Herrera said she envisioned 7107 to become an annual “global music platform [for] the best of the Philippines.” To help mount the outdoor event and create “full festival experience,” the organizers hired a management team from Los Angeles, Ca., who had worked for high-profile music events such as Coachella, Ultra Music Festival Miami, and Electric Daisy Carnival (US, Puerto Rico and UK).

Clark International Motor Show rolls out Feb. 20 – 23 in Pampanga

• Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/349645/cbb/clark-international-motor-show-rolls-out-feb-20-23-in-pampanga
• Saturday, February 22, 2014

By gmanetwork.com

The CLARK INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW – CIMS 2014, will happen on February 20 to 23, 2014 at the CDC Parade Grounds, Clark International Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

The event showcases a roster of premium car and motorcycle brands, and after market supplies and distributors. The show has a line-up of special event highlights in the CDC Parade Grounds and in Clark International Speedway.

On its four-day run, CIMS presents exciting activities for an adrenaline rush! The Extreme Auto Fashion, a car show competition with various categories to vie for, creates a line of competing cars with amazing details and features to watch out for.

The CIMS R/C Drift Challenge will focus on the R/C gamers and on how they have fun and challenge with the mini cars and track.

The Miss CIMS Bikini Open, a gathering of the sexiest gals from Manila, Angeles City and its surrounding towns, will make for an exciting encounter of beauty, body and wits all in one!

At the Clark International Speedway, CIMS will have exciting motoring events.

The 2nd Leg Northern Series of the Philippine Drag Racing Championship will be held as a special event highlight of CIMS on February 22, Saturday while the Circuit Shakedown, a circuit time-attack encounter on February 23, Sunday, will be hosted by the Circuit Showdown Series, Inc. with their President, Mr. Enzo Pastor, a multi-awarded race car driver, at the helm.

Organizer of the CIMS is LNA Management Group Corporation, which also staged ASIAFOOD EXPO and Food & Drinks Asia.

GMA Network Inc. is a media partner of the CIMS.

Invited to participate in the CIMS are motorcycle and car clubs like the Chevrolet Club of the Philippines, Club Celica Pampanga, Nissan Patrol Club, MIATA Club Philippines, Volkswagen Club Pampanga, BOSS Club, BMW Car Club of the Philippines, CBR PGM – FI, Trailblazer Club Philippines, Team Isuzu Pilipinas, Mini 80 Club, Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ, Toyota BB Club Philippines, Kymco Motor Club, and Ford Club Philippines.

Clark hotels report high occupancy

• Source: http://www.headlinegl.com/clark-hotels-report-high-occupancy/
• Friday, February 21, 2014

By Charlene A. Cayabyab

CLARK FREEPORT – -Major hotels have reported high occupancy rate as two international events will be held here this weekend. Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Tourism and Promotions manager Noemi Garcia said Holiday Inn’s occupancy is about 90 to 95 percent; Widus Hotel and Resort, about 94 percent; Montevista Villas inside Mimosa Leisure Estate, around 95 percent; and, Hotel Stotsenberg and Casino’s occupancy is about 80 percent. Other major hotels in Clark and in Angeles City have yet to submit their occupancy rate at the Department of Tourism, but reports have it that hotels are also deriving benefits from the two international events. High occupancy rate in and around Clark usually takes place every February during the annual staging of Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival. This time, the high occupancy rate is being attributed to the upcoming International Music Festival (IMF) and the Clark International Motor Show (CIMS). The first ever IMF (Woodstock-style) to be performed by world-renowned artists on February 22 to 23 will be held at the Global Gateway Logistics Corporation (GGLC) grounds in Clark. The music fest is being organized by 7107 Production Group in cooperation with CDC and GGLC. About 35,000 to 70,000 are expected to witness the international music fest. Meanwhile, the CIMS 2014 opened on Thursday and will last at the CDC Parade Grounds and Clark International Speedway from until 23. The CIMS will feature The Extreme Auto Fashion where different cars with amazing features and details will compete, including the holding of Miss CIMS Bikini Open. During the motor show, CIMS will also hold the 2nd Leg Northern Series of the Philippine Drag Racing Championship and Circuit Shakedown at the Clark Speedway. Garcia said several restaurants outside the freeport have started to offer special or discounted rates for ticket holders of the two international events.

RIT gunmen kill Korean tourist

• Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/67457-rit-gunmen-kill-korean-tourist
• Thursday, February 20, 2014

By Bernard Galang

ANGELES City -- A Korean tourist died instantly after he was shot several times by one of two gunmen on board a motorcycle in Bgy. Anunas, here, Tuesday night.

In a report, Chief Insp. Romeo Castro, commander of Police Station 4, identified the victim as Her Tae Suk, 65, who was staying at Prism Hotel on Clarkview Avenue just outside the perimeter fence of Clark Freeport Zone.

Investigators said the victim was with three other Korean tourists walking towards the hotel when the unidentified riding-in-tandem men who were wearing helmets approached and fired several shots at him.

The three other Koreans, identified as Lee Jae Woo, 37, Jung Jon Gik, 37, and Park Jeung Keun, 37, ran away after seeing their companion being shot.

Four empty shells for a 9mm pistol were found at the scene.

Police are still clueless on the identity and motive of the suspect in killing the Korean.

Clark posts $331.8-million exports in January

• Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/clark-posts-331-8-million-exports-in-january/
• Wednesday, February 19, 2014

By Mark Manuel

Clark Freeport, Pampanga — The state-run Clark Development Corporation (CDC) here reported yesterday $331.8 million worth of exports in the first month of 2014, a feat which officials here called as an “indication of a brighter investment inside the Freeport in 2014.”

CDC said the amount represents a $55-million increase from the same month.

It said that last 2013, the Freeport recorded $276 million of exported volume.

“The figure may even be understated since it is exclusive of the value of services rendered by the number of BPOs operating in Clark,” CDC said.

The government-run firm is expecting that the electronics, tires, garments, and other industrial goods will continue to be the Clark’s top exporters in the coming months this year.

Leading the surge in the export products is the South Korean semi-conductor firm Semiconductor Philippines Corporation which continues to be the biggest exporter at Clark, according to CDC records.

Phoenix Semiconductor’s exports volume last January was estimated to have been worth $198.918 million or 60 percent of the total exports for the month.

Lazatin to Pamintuan: Stop blaming others, solve garbage problem

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/18/lazatin-pamintuan-stop-blaming-others-solve-garbage-problem-329062
• Tuesday, February 18, 2014

By sunstar.com.ph

ANGELES CITY – "Instead of blaming my father’s administration which ended seven years ago, I advised and urged Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to put his acts together, solve the garbage problem in Angeles City now."

Thus, said Councilor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin Jr. on the statement of City Administrator Dennis Albert Pamintuan.

Lazatin said that Pamintuan must come up with an immediate solid waste management plan and once and for all clear out the mountain of garbage in their supposed transfer station, which turned out to be an open dumpsite -- a clear violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

"Ang problema ngayon iyong open dumpsite sa Pampang at Sta. Teresita areas na sobrang baho, dapat iyan ang gawan ng aksyon ng ating gobyerno o namin sa gobyerno sa pangunguna ng aming Mayor Pamintuan," Lazatin said.

"I am doing my job, which is to represent the best interest of every Angeleno. I hope Mayor Pamintuan and his men do the same. This is not about politics. This about the welfare of our people and our city," he said.

Lazatin said that for the record he even mentioned in one of the committee hearings in the City Council last week that the Material Recovery Facility at the back of Department of Public Works and Highways building was established by Mayor Carmelo Lazatin in 2006 exclusively for Pampang Market waste only.

The same material recovery facility established by Mayor Lazatin is now being used by Pamintuan as his alleged "garbage transfer station."

"We never denied that fact that my father established that MRF for Pampang Market waste only. Pero ang ginawa ni Mayor Pamintuan ginawa niya itong transfer station para sa buong siyudad at ngayon makikita natin sobrang dami na ng basura lampas na sa bakod at sobrang baho," he said.

Hot air balloon fest moving out of Clark

• Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/17/14/hot-air-balloon-fest-moving-out-clark
• Monday, February 17, 2014

By Ding Cervantes, The Philippine Star

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Hot Air International Balloon Festival, which has become a much-awaited annual tourism event in this freeport, is moving out due to safety considerations at the Clark International Airport.

This year, the festival will be held 33 kilometers away in Lubao, hometown of Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Gov. Lilia Pineda.

And from its usual February staging, the event will now be held on April 10-13 to lure Holy Week pilgrims and tourists.

This was announced yesterday by Noel Castro Jr., chairman of the newly formed Pilipinas International Balloon Festival Inc., “which will henceforth manage and operate this year’s ballooning event and future events as well.”

Past festivals at Clark were spearheaded by pilot Joy Roa and partially funded by the government-owned Clark Development Corp.

“The annual festival has been moved to its new location in view of the air traffic situation (and) aviation-related activities at the Clark International Airport where 10 international and domestic airlines now operate,” Castro said.

“We were told that flying hot air balloons at an altitude of 4,000 feet may inconvenience airlines, especially if launched during peak hours, thus the decision to move out of the 25-kilometer no-fly zone for balloons off Clark,” he added.

Castro said this year’s festival will be held in a 250-hectare property in Barangay Prado Siongco in Lubao town where a world-class theme park is now under construction.

A wakeboarding park, envisioned to be the largest in Southeast Asia, 57 international standard villas and a championship golf course are also being planned in the area, he said.

Clark exports rise 20% in January

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/business/2014/02/16/1290796/clark-exports-rise-20-january
• Sunday, February 16, 2014

By Louella D. Desiderio

MANILA, Philippines - Exports from the Clark Freeport Zone grew a fifth in January from a year ago amid demand for electronics as well as other industrial goods.

In a statement, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) said exports from the freeport reached $331.8 million in January, up from $276 million recorded in the same month in 2013.

Accounting for the biggest share in the outbound shipments for the month was one of the newest South Korean locators in the freeport. CDC noted that exports of Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corp. amounted to more than $198.918 million last month or 60 percent of total. Electronics firm Nanox Philippines, Inc. placed second, with its exports valued at $59.9 million, representing a 17 percent share of total shipments from the freeport Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc.had the third biggest share at six percent, with $21.2 million worth of exports.

This was followed by SMK Electronics (Phils). Corp. with $11.16 million or three percent share, and garments firm L&T International Groups Phils. Inc. which had outbound shipments valued at $10.9 million or about three percent.

Completing the top 10 exporters in the freeport are Amertron Inc. with shipments worth $7.365 million; HLD Clark Steel Pipe Inc. with $6.95 million, UPS International with $2.15 million, Golden Stone Garments with $1.6 million and Multi-Tek Fastener Inc. with $1.42 million.

The CDC is optimistic the positive performance seen at the start of 2014 will continue for the rest of the year. “The CDC is expecting that the electronics, tires, garments, and other industrial goods will continue to be the zone’s top exporters in the coming months this year,” it said.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Imports of locators in the freeport, meanwhile, amounted to $276.06 million, in January, four percent higher than the $265 million reported in the comparable month in 2013.

CDC, which manages the Clark Freeport Zone, is one of the country’s investment promotion agencies. – Ding Cervantes

Lubao town to host hot air balloon fest this April

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/15/lubao-town-host-hot-air-balloon-fest-april-328545
• Saturday, February 15, 2014

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Philippine International Balloon Festival 2014 is scheduled on April 10–13 in Lubao town, some 33 kilometers away from the traditional venue in Clark International Airport.

This was learned from Noel Castro Jr., chairman of the newly-established Pilipinas International Balloon Festival Inc., which will manage this year's event.

Castro said that the annual festival has been moved to its new location in view of the current aviation traffic in Clark where 10 international and domestic airlines now fly and operate.

Clark airport officials expressed to the committee that flying hot-air balloons at an altitude of 4,000 feet may cause inconvenience to airlines especially during peak hours.

This year's venue is situated in a 250-hectare property in Barangay Prado Siongco in Lubao where a world-class theme park is now under construction.

The area is now to the largest wakeboard park in Southeast Asia coupled. It has 57 international standard villas and a golf course.

Balloon pilots are expected to showcase their evening spectacle called night glow by pumping their tethered balloons with hot air to simulate a kaleidoscope of multi-colored incandescent bulbs. This will be launched on a Friday and Saturday only.

Other special events include wakeboarding, kite flying, parade of festivals, live bands, cultural presentations, cook fest, craft demonstration and car show.

Castro is the founding president of the Angeles City Four Wheelers Club, Inc., the same group that volunteered to serve as the so-called chase crew during the event since the start in 1994.

The organizing committee is supported by the Culture, Arts and Tourism Office of Pampanga headed by Arwin Lingat.

BREAKING NEWS: 2014 Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival Location Moved

• Source: http://www.clarkisit.com/breaking-news-2014-clark-hot-air-balloon-festival-location-moved/
• Friday, February 14, 2014

By Maria Krissna Isabele Cruz

CLARK FREEPORT—The Hot Air Balloon Festival set on April 10-13, 2014 in Clark will be moved to Lubao, Pampanga in an announcement posted today in a social media site. The anticipated hot air balloon event set this April will be moved outside of Clark to Brgy. Prado Siongco, Lubao Pampanga in an announcement posted in Facebook today. The reason of the location transfer is due to aviation requirements. According to a source, a hot air balloon event should be staged at a 25-km. no fly zone.

Last December 2013 the Depart of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 announced that a hot air balloon event will be held in Clark after the cancellation of the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival that was organized for the last 18 years inside the Freeport. Still supported by the DOT, the hot air balloon event this year entitled “Philippine International Balloon Festival (PIBF) 2014” will now be organized by Pilipinas International Balloon Festival, Inc. in cooperation with the Culture, Arts and Tourism Office of Pampanga. Some members of the organizing committee have been part of the previous ballooning events in Clark, including a hot air balloon pilot. The PIBF 2014 will still be a 4-day event on April 10-13, 2014. Activities for the event include balloon flight, night glow, wakeboarding, kite flying, live bands, street dancing, cultural presentation, arts and crafts demonstration, cook-off competition, as well as a car show.

Police identify suspects in Angeles kidnapping, robbery

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/13/police-identify-suspects-angeles-kidnapping-robbery-328142
• Thursday, February 13th, 2014

By Fergie H. Fabian

ANGELES CITY -- The suspects in the alleged robbery and kidnapping of employees at the Boracay Massage Hotel last February 5 have been identified through follow-up operations in a remote place in Barangay Sapang Bato here.

Station 4 Police Chief Inspector Romeo Castro said that the identity of the owner of the vehicle used by the suspects have been known by authorities shortly after the incident happened.

"It is a major breakthrough and a good lead for us. We just hope for an early solution of the incident," he said.

Six unidentified heavily armed men who introduced themselves as part of the Bureau of Immigration brought a search warrant to the hotel Thursday and told the employees that they are looking for an overstaying foreigner. After pretending like they did not find the said foreigner inside, they told all the employees to stay in one place and took all their personal belongings like gadgets, jewelry and cash. All these happened with a gun pointed at them.

The suspects later fled together with three employees who served as hostages.

The police later on rescued the victims safe and unharmed in Barangay Mabiga, Mabalacat City.

Castro said that there is a possibility that the suspects are genuine government officials and that the incident was a case of "hulidap." He added that they are thoroughly investigating the case.

BSP governor to receive HAU honorary doctorate

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/12/bsp-governor-receive-hau-honorary-doctorate-327982
• Wednesday, February 12, 2014

By sunstar.com.ph

ANGELES CITY -- Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., the first Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to serve two terms, and acknowledged as one of the world's six best central bankers, is the recipient of Holy Angel University’s honorary doctorate this year.

HAU Board of Trustees Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and University President Dr. Arlyn S. Villanueva will confer the degree Doctor of Public Administration, honoris causa, on Gov. Tetangco during the celebration of the University’s Founders Day on March 7 at the University Theatre.

Gov. Tetangco was appointed BSP Governor first by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005 and reappointed by President Benigno Aquino III in 2011—an indication of the nation’s faith in Tetangco’s skills in conducting monetary policy and bank regulation, as well as gratitude for saving the Philippine banking sector from the ravages of the global financial and economic crisis in 2007-2009.

Three international magazines hailed his accomplishments by naming him Central Banker of the Year for Asia-Pacific (The Banker, in 2013), Central Bank Governor of the Year for Asia (Emerging Markets, in 2012), and one of the six Best Central Bankers of the World (Global Finance, in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012).

A full-blooded Kapampangan, Gov. Tetangco was born in Apalit, Pampanga on November 14, 1952 to Amando Sr. and the former Teodora Maglalang. He finished elementary and high school at the Don Bosco Academy in Bacolor, graduated cum laude with the degree AB Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University, and finished MA in Public Policy and Administration at the University of Wisconsin.

He joined the Bangko Sentral in 1974 as a rank-and-file employee in the statistics department. When the Philippines called for a debt moratorium in the early 1980s because it did not have enough foreign exchange reserves to pay its debts to foreign creditors, Tetangco was the BSP’s director of its international economic research department tasked with preparing with the creditors a debt-restructuring package for the country.

When the Asian financial crisis struck in the late 1990s, Tetangco was BSP’s managing director for economic research and treasury. “We had to implement measures (at the time) to stabilize the foreign exchange market and financial system,” Gov. Tetangco recalls.

Gov. Tetangco is the seventh recipient of the University’s honorary doctorate, after Manuel V. Pangilinan (Humanities, 2009), Washington Z. SyCip (Management, 2010), Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (Management, 2011), Christopher and Ma. Victoria Bernido (Humanities, 2012), and H.E. Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, D.D. (Humanities, 2013). (PR)

CDC, Sokor school conduct outreach, feeding program to 160 Aeta pupils

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=614893
• Tuesday, February 11, 2014

By pna.gov.ph

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Feb. 11 (PNA) -- At least 160 Aeta pupils from Sitio Burog, in Bamban, Tarlac have benefited from the outreach and feeding program spearheaded by a Korean learning center, in cooperation with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

In a report of the External Affairs Department (EAD) to CDC president Arthur P. Tugade, the outreach and feeding program which was held Sunday was initiated by the faculty and Korean students from the American English Learning Center (AELC), a Korean company based here.

The school is a sub-lessee of Donggwang Ode County, one of the biggest Korean firms in Clark.

The EAD reports said some 40 Korean students, who are studying English language in Clark and their four faculty personnel joined the social project for the Aeta kids in the nearby Clark area.

The Community Service Section of EAD helped in the facilitation and identification of the school beneficiary.

The event was highlighted by a feeding session, cultural exchanges through a song and dance number by both local and foreign students and gift giving from students of AELC. (PNA) LAP/ZST/RKM/PS

Angeles qualifies for 2012 SGH

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/10/angeles-qualifies-2012-sgh-327633
• Monday, February 10, 2014

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas forwarded a letter to Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, announcing the city’s qualification as one of the recipients of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) for 2012.

The letter was read by DILG City Director Remedios Rodriguez during Monday's flag raising rites at the city hall compound here.

The mayor said that the latest award is another strong manifestation of the administration’s firm commitment to good governance for the past year.

“When we started in 2010, we hit the ground running, revealing several programs and projects in education, health care, social welfare and other aspects. Today, the city council and I still devote ourselves in continuously doing so for the benefit of the Angeleños,” Pamintuan said.

The Angeles chief executive also expressed his gratitude to the secretary for once again conferring the award to the local government for the third straight year.

The letter states that the Seal is awarded to LGUs that successfully meet the requirements of the full disclosure policy, have exemplary standards of frontline services & procurement and proven to have no adverse or disclaimer audit findings by the Commission on Audit.

The judging is based on the city’s overall grade on DILG’s self assessment management tool, the Local Governance Performance Management Systems (LGPMS), which is accomplished yearly by the city’s LGPMS Secretariat and a technical working group.

With the SGH, the city will now have access to several national program windows such as the Bottom-Up Budgeting Program (now called Grassroots Participatory Budget Process), Pamana, Salintubig and Special Local Road Fund, as may be eligible based on existing DILG policies.

By next year, the Department will scale up the SGH into the Seal of Good Local Governance which covers a wider range of LGU performance. These include three core assessment areas which are good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness and social protection for the basic sector. Essential assessment areas are also included which are: business-friendliness & competitiveness, environmental management and peace and order.

To be qualified as one of the recipients for the new Seal in 2015, an LGU needs to pass all three core assessment areas and at least one essential assessment area.

Clark to employ 100,000

• Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/clark-to-employ-100000/
• Sunday, February 9, 2014

By Franco G. Regala

Clark Freeport, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is aiming to employ at least 100,000 people by 2016.

This was disclosed over the weekend by CDC President Arthur P. Tugade, who said the actual employment at the state-run office is already 72,000 and that the hiring for some 30,000 will be its goal for this year.

Tugade said the CDC is also targeting for 2016 an investment of $15-billion or at least a minimum of $300 million hard investment.

“That means 40 to 50 percent additional for this year,” he said, adding it was already able to secure a total $10 billion investment in 2013.

Tugade said CDC is seeking employment generators such as business processing outsourcing (BPOs) or call centers, light manufacturing and tourism.

Angeles City graduate tops PT licensure exam

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/02/08/1287772/angeles-city-graduate-tops-pt-licensure-exam
• Saturday, February 8, 2014

By Mayen Jaymalin

MANILA, Philippines - A graduate of a Catholic university in Angeles City, Pampanga topped the licensure examination for physical therapists, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said yesterday.

Roman Dizon, of Angeles University Foundation (AUF), led the more than 700 examinees with a score of 85.15 percent, while Liceo de Cagayan University graduate Grazelle Santos placed second with a score of 85.05 percent.

The PRC said only 370 out of 711 examinees passed the exam held in the cities of Manila and Cebu.

University of Santo Tomas (UST) graduate Kenneth Charles Mutia ranked third with a grade of 84.55, followed in fourth place by University of the Philippines (UP) graduate Kristine Eunice Magno, who obtained a grade of 84.10 percent.

Another AUF graduate, Maureen Garcia, and Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) graduate Jester Abolencia shared the fifth spot as both scored 83.80 percent, while another UP graduate, Gino Paulo Santos, captured the sixth slot with a grade of 83.75 percent.

Manila Adventist Medical Center and School of Medical Arts graduate Danny Ocampo Jr. placed seventh with a grade of 83.55 percent, followed by Silliman University graduate Danielle Hannah Enriquez in eighth place with a grade of 83.45 percent.

Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Japhmeld Decy Cabaluna, also of the Manila Adventist Center, and University of Perpetual Help System graduates Edeline Dijamco and Catherine Anne Valentus ranked ninth with a grade of 83.30 percent.

Another UST graduate, Therese Alyanna Tomacruz, scored 83.15 percent and placed 10th in the examination. (See complete list on philstar.com)

The two-day registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration starts on Feb. 13. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

CDC Aeta scholars get jobs

• Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2014/02/cdc-aeta-scholars-get-jobs/#.UvYNEWKSzRk
• Friday, February 7, 2014

By Franco Regala

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said at least 40 Aetas with bachelors degree from the Angeles University Foundation (AUF), including one who graduated with high honors, has been hired in different companies here.

In an interview here, Angelo “Sonny” C. Lopez, Jr., CDC External Affairs Department manager, said that many Aetas have benefited from the scholarship program for indigenous people (IP) since the state-owned corporation started it in 2001. He said the program initially granted scholarships to a total 87 Aetas in cooperation with the Angeles University Foundation (AUF). Of the figure, 43 have dropped out while 44 continued, one of whom completed the Bachelor Science in Electronic and Communication Engineering (BSECE) course with high honors (cum-laude). Leonardo Ramos, who is residing at the Madapdap Resettlement in Mabalacat City, completed his course in 2011 and is now gainfully employed at the American-owned semiconductor firm—Texas Instrument—inside this freeport zone, said Lopez. Moreover, those who have dropped out have been employed in various firms inside the Freeport. Three of them migrated to the US and five are working in the Middle East.

P30-M dining complex to open in Clark

• Source: http://yats.us.cloudlogin.co/clarkphilippines/?p=22552
• Thursday, February 6, 2014

By sunstar.com.ph

CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has signed for a P30-million tourism-related venture inside the Freeport, involving an entertainment and dining complex. The project will be put up along the boundaries of Ninoy Aquino Ave. and E. Quirino Streets near the Parade Grounds here. CDC president Felipe Antonio Remollo signed the venture with Pax Americana Food and Leisure chair Carlos Basilio, who also owns the former SAX Jazz Bar in Angeles City and partner of Gazebo Grille in Clark. The proponent, dubbed as “The Station”, will be the first of its kind in Clark, and will have a true unique Pax Americana architectural approach, Remollo said. The dining complex is expected to serve various American dishes that Clark was known for. Basilio said “The Station” will also feature concept stores, specialty restaurants, and coffee shops with a regular live jazz bar. It will employ about 20 workers in its first year and will add another 10 in the next three years. Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on February 06, 2012.

Clark firms open to more breastfeeding stations

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2014/02/05/clark-firms-open-more-breastfeeding-stations-326784
• Wednesday, February 5, 2014

By sunstar.com.ph

MANILA -- The Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga is now being seen as among the model area in terms of establishing breastfeeding stations in workplaces.

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) reported several companies in the special economic zone have already adopted the requirements of the "Expanded Breast-Feeding Act of 2009," which is to establish breastfeeding stations in workplaces.

Among them are Aderans Philippines, Inc., Fontana Leisure Park, Sutherland Global Services, Texas Instruments Philippines, Inc., Clark International Airport Corporation, United Parcel Services, Landside, United Parcel Service Landside, and Phoenix Semiconductor Philippine Corporation.

This was manifested at the recent Orientation on Workplace Lactation Station organized by the Dole Regional Office 3 in Central Luzon.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the buck does not stop with Central Luzon only as they are strongly encouraging more companies around the country to also establish breastfeeding stations.

"Breast-feeding is not detrimental to productivity requirements of working mothers; rather, it is the opposite. Breast-feeding boosts their morale," said Baldoz.

She noted how it has been found that working mothers who have access to lactation facilities tend to be more productive as they feel less guilty about their responsibility to provide one of the essential needs of their babies.

In addition, Baldoz noted how breast-fed babies are likely to be more active and healthy, or immune from sickness, thus lessening chances of mothers absenting themselves from work on account of their children's sickness.

Under Republic Act 10028, breastfeeding stations in workplaces must have adequate equipment and facilities, like lavatory; refrigeration or cooling station for storing breast milk; electrical outlets for breast pump; a table; and comfortable seats.

Aside from setting up of lactation stations, the Labor department also noted on the need to allow nursing mother-employees time to breastfeed, aside from the regular time-off for meals such as lunch and snacks. (HDT/Sunnex)

Angeles village chief denies withdrawing in October polls

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/04/angeles-village-chief-denies-withdrawing-october-polls-326639
• Tuesday, February 4, 2014

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- An incumbent village chairman here has denied reports that he withdrew his candidacy in the barangay elections on October 28.

Rodelio "Tony" Mamac, barangay chairman of Balibago, said he never filed an Affidavit of Cancellation of the Certificate of Candidacy before any office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The issue stemmed from a petition dated December 3, 2013 reportedly filed by former councilor, Joseph Alfie Bonifacio, asking the Comelec to disqualify Mamac in the recent polls.

Bonifacio also asked the election body to declare him as the duly-elected chairman in said village.

Mamac said several entries in Bonifacio’s petition -- respondents middle name is H and not T, respondents date of candidacy filing is October 11 and not October 19 and others -- are erroneous.

Aside from these, Mamac claimed that the notary public in Bonifacio's complaint and his alleged affidavit of withdrawal was named by one and the same person, lawyer Leoncio Clemente.

Angeles City Election Officer Numer Lobo issued a certification on January 20, 2014 stating that Mamac is the winning candidate for the position of punong barangay in the October 2013 polls and that the village chief did not withdrew his candidacy.

Mamac also showed the Comelec En Banc a copy of a certification issued by Denise A. Dacanay, Clerk of Court IV and verified by Michael Angelo F Segismar, In-charge of Notarial Section, Office of the Clerk of Court of Angeles City stating that Clemente was never commissioned as notary public in the city and in nearby municipalities and cities of Mabalacat, Magalang, and Porac.

Baguio, Dagupan, Tacloban most at risk to climate change – study

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/02/03/1286001/baguio-dagupan-tacloban-most-risk-climate-change-study
• Monday, February 3, 2014

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga , Philippines – Baguio, Dagupan and Tacloban have been ranked as the most vulnerable cities to the effects of climate change, according to a study released recently by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation.

The latest study of the WWF and BPI ranked 12 major cities in the country.

Baguio obtained a score of 7.43 while Dagupan got 6.91 and Tacloban 6.74.

The other cities found vulnerable to climate change were Iloilo, 6.69; Cagayan de Oro, 6.68; Cebu, 6.65; Zamboanga, 6.32; Naga, 6.10; Laoag, 5.80; Davao, 5.6; Batangas, 5.65, and Angeles, 5.56.

Tacloban’s ranking came two months before Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated the city last November.

In presenting the results of Phase 3 of their study, WWF-Philippines vice chair and chief executive officer Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said they aim to help Philippine cities prepare for the impacts of climate change.

“We are not scaring you. You know reality. We just want to help you to adapt and be sustainable,” Tan said, citing the importance of telling the people the risks they face from climate change, regardless of whether this would trigger antagonism from the business sector in their communities.

BPI executive Florendo Maranan said findings of the study were initially meant to be confidential and intended only for the business interests of his bank.

“But initial results convinced us that the communities would be interested in the findings,” he said.

The cities were ranked according to “climate exposure, socio-economic sensitivity and adaptive capacity melded to generate scores which show each city’s climate vulnerability,” Tan said.

Clark Dev’t Corp net profit up by 74.87%

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2431390800512
• Sunday, February 2, 2014

By Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan

CLARK FREEPORT, February 2 (PIA) -- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) posted a 74.87% increase in net profit in 2013.

“Our net income last year was P327 million which is up by P140 million compared to 2012’s P187 million,” CDC Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group Mariza Mandocdoc disclosed.

The state-owned firm also posted P1.2 billion in gross revenues in 2013, which is higher to 2012’s P1.1 billion.

Both gross revenue and net income figures were the highest recorded since the inception of the corporation in 1993.

It likewise got its highest cash position of P1.48 billion last year.

The official explained the figures were derived from the actual gross revenue and net income from January 1-November 30 plus the outlook for December.

“2013 ended with us being able to have 679 signed contracts among our locators in the freeport which generated a total of 72,616 jobs,” Mandocdoc added. (CLJD/RBRP-PIA 3) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2431390800512#sthash.LiWWpepL.dpuf

BCDA tapped to study Bondoc’s proposal

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/02/01/bcda-tapped-study-bondoc-s-proposal-326155
• Saturday, February 1, 2014

By Kristine Venet Q. Andal

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- While President Benigno Aquino III is "still thinking" of moving national government agencies to the Clark Freeport Zone as broached by Pampanga Representative Rimpy Bondoc, he has tapped the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to conduct a study on the proposal.

Last Tuesday, Bondoc disclosed of his proposal to have all national government agencies’ office moved to Clark Freeport, citing that putting them all together in one area is a basic requirement of governance. He noted that Clark is the most ideal place where all agencies should be located.

“When you are in Clark, after your arrival at the airport, within five minutes you can have a meeting with the people you want to have a conversation or transact with. It will decongest Metro Manila. Just imagine having all government offices in Clark. There will be a boom in housing and in real estate. We already have Clark International Airport. There’s room for housing. We have developed roads and infrastructures. That means Clark is the perfect place,” said Bondoc.

However, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Aquino is still “contemplating” on the proposal of establishing government centers at Clark Freeport.

He said in a statement that President Aquino has directed the BCDA to lead the study group in transferring the national government agencies at Clark Freeport Zone.

"BCDA ang inatasan ni Pangulong Aquino na mag-aral hinggil sa proposal na itayo ang government center sa Clark," Coloma said. (Kristine Venet Q. Andal)