Angeles City News July 2014

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Official Seal of Angeles City
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Angeles City, Pampanga
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Angeles City Map Locator
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City Hall of Angeles City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Fontana spruces up ahead of APEC

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE -- In preparation for Clark's hosting of the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit ministerial meet, Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino, the largest tourism estate inside the Freeport, instituted nine expansion projects, including a makeover of its convention center costing P200-million.

Manuel Sequeira, Fontana chief executive officer, said the projects also include the upgrading of its Clubhouse and Golf Course, acquisition of state-of-the-art facilities and construction of villas and rooms at the Fontana complex.

"The new convention center will provide additional 500 seats from its current 500-seating capacity. This also means additional 500 to 1,000 new jobs," he said during the opening of Fontana Coffee, Tea and Juice Bar by the Piano Lounge where American singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop held a press conference prior to his recent concert.

"All nine projects will be completed by December in time for the APEC meeting in January," said Sequeira.

Fontana, which sits in a 300-hectare property within the Freeport, is one of the many hotels inside Clark that is expected to provide accommodation to thousands of APEC leaders from countries like United States, Japan and China, among others.

Malacañang, in its July 22 memorandum, approved Clark and Bagac in Bataan as areas in Central Luzon to host one of the APEC meetings from January 6 to February 10. The memorandum also listed Metro Manila; Boracay and Iloilo in the Western Visayas; Tagaytay City in Southern Tagalog; and Metro Cebu in Central Visayas as approved venues for the APEC meet.

Sequeira said that Fontana management is working closely with the state-run Clark Development Corporation (CDC), particularly on APEC, stressing that all activities set for the summit will entirely benefit Clark.

He said that details for the APEC meet have yet to be finalized with the CDC and the organizing team. "We have not talked about the details yet but we are partners in this endeavor."

Earlier, CDC president and chief executive officer Arthur Tugade led APEC diplomats and other state officials who visited Clark for a familiarization tour inside the Freeport, where some 1,800 senior ministers of finance and tourism from 21 countries are expected to stay for two weeks.

Tugade and local government officials of Angeles City had also met last March to discuss plans for the Clark-Angeles greening and beautification, traffic situation and the hastening of the ongoing infrastructure projects in Angeles City prior to the summit. The meeting was participated in by private contractors, legal consultants, environment officials, local police, public transport representatives and other officials from the city government and the CDC.

Pamintuan reports on ‘fulfilled promises’ on Soca

Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY -- An ecstatic Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan reported on the fulfillment of his other major campaign promises Wednesday during his State of the City Address (Soca) where he cited his administration's achievement on the fiscal, social and administrative management of the city.

Number one on the mayor's report is that Angeles City is now one of the few highly urbanized cities that are no longer dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

The ratio of the internally generated revenues vis-à-vis the IRA is now 60:40, he said.

"This is a testimony to our efficiency in generating and collecting revenues and taxes, and our efforts at eradicating under-the-table transactions in payment of fees and taxes," Pamintuan said.

Pamintuan stressed that with the passage of Tax Ordinance 63, they expect that by the end of the year, the RPT revenues shall register dramatic increments, allowing the city to locally finance and support many social services and infrastructure projects.

The city was also been conferred the E-Readiness Award as one of the top 10 local governments by successfully complying with the Business Permits and Licensing Standards and with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) standards and procedures.

"We are also now using the Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, including the use of drone photography, for more accurate data base relative to real estate properties, resource management, boundaries determination, disaster risk reduction and preparedness, among other things," he said.

Education

Pamintuan reported that the City College of Angeles, which started with 300 students in 2012, now has 1,548 students which is equivalent to a 500 percent increase. The college has also expanded its courses from three to eight courses.

"Sa katunayan nga po, may kasunduan tayo sa Clark Development Corporation na kahit estudyante pa lamang sa CCA ay maaari nang makapagtrabaho sa mga locators sa loob ng Clark. Dugtong pa dito, mayroon tayong 217 iskolar na nag-aaral sa iba’t ibang pamantasan sa ating syudad," Pamintuan said.

Health

Pamintuan also reported on his revolutionary program of opening the Dialysis Center at the Ospital Ning Angeles. Recently, the city government also opened a new P50-million worth building facility that will house the city's plan for a coronary treatment center as well as cancer and trauma center.

From July 2013 to May 2014, some 95,544 patients have availed of medical services at ONA. Pamintuan said that in the past four years, some 372,362 patients have received treatment from the hospital.

Pamintuan also said that some 8,864 patients were able to receive dialysis treatments from July 2013 to May 2014. In all, the Renal Center has conducted some 25,071 treatments.

Pamintuan also reported on other achievements of his administration that drew applauses from the public, which assembled at Marquee Mall's event center.

Vice-Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting said that the mayor’s speech was well presented, detailed and sincere. She added that these achie

2 dead, 2 cops held in foiled Angeles City robbery

Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon


ANGELES CITY—Two policemen were arrested while two of their suspected cohorts were killed in a shootout with members of the city police and personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Barangay Ninoy Aquino here on Monday. Police declined to disclose any information on the incident pending the drafting of an official report on the incident by Monday afternoon. But initial information obtained by the Inquirer from sources, who asked not to be quoted because of lack of authority to talk about the incident, showed that the incident happened in Marisol Subdivision, where the suspects tried to rob a poultry trader. They said both the city police and the Pampanga CIDG received a tip about the planned robbery by a group that included policemen. On Monday morning, policemen positioned themselves near the businessman’s house and noticed two men on board a motorcycle and a white Mercedes Benz van in the area. At 10 a.m., a tricycle arrived at the front gate to fetch an employee of the businessman, who was to deposit money in a local bank.

“The would-be victim has been depositing money in the bank every Monday,” a source said. While the tricycle was on its way to MacArthur Highway, the men on board the motorcycle blocked its path and robbed its occupants at gunpoint. Policemen chased the motorcycle and rammed it. A gunfight reportedly ensued, resulting in the suspects’ death. The Angeles policemen and CIDG personnel then accosted the white van’s occupants, who turned out to be policemen. A source said the arrested policemen were in “floating status” at the city police office in Camp Tomas Pepito here. Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said he had prior knowledge of the planned robbery and relayed the information to the Angeles police officials. “This was tipped to me by one of the would-be participants on Wednesday last week,” Pamintuan said. Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon

ACWD, CDC ink agreement for P17M water project

(PR)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Angeles City Water District (ACWD) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for a P17 million water project in the latter’s 256 square meter property in Little Baguio, Barangay Sapang Bato.

“Provision of potable water supply will greatly improve the hygiene and health of at least 841 families living in the area,” ACWD General Manager Reynaldo Liwanag said.

The Usufruct Agreement entered into by the two parties underscores the use of the CDC-owned land by the ACWD for the construction of a ground level water tank, pump stations, well sites and aeration/filtration sites that will fully provide the water needs of the residents of Sapang Bato with a term renewable after 25 years.

The agreement states that the CDC, being the administrator of the parcel of land, shall monitor the volume of water extracted from the storage tanks.

It likewise mandates ACWD to plant about 5,000 trees in the watershed and other reforestation areas that will be identified by the government-run office.

Water related projects are part of CDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility endeavors particularly for communities along the periphery of the Freeport.

This includes the rehabilitation of water system at San Vicente village in Bamban, Tarlac and the “Potable Water Supply Project” at Sitio Monicayo in barangay Calumpang, Mabalacat City.

Fontana infuses P200-M for expansion projects

By Joey Pavia (Contributor)

CLARK FREEPORT -- Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino, considered as the largest tourism estate in Clark, is investing at least P200 million for the expansion of its convention center.

Fontana chief executive officer Manuel Sequeira said that the on-going expansion work at the Fontana Convention Center will add 1,000 seats to its current 500-seating capacity. He was interviewed on Friday during the press conference for the concert of American singer-song writer Stephen Bishop.

He said they have eight other expansion projects, including the construction of villas and rooms at the sprawling complex. He has yet to disclose the amount to be used for the other expansion works.

Sequeira said the total nine projects, including the expansion work at the convention center, will be completed by December of this year. He added that the projects are for the staging of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2015.

Fontana, which sits on a 300-hectare area in Clark, will host the initial events of the APEC at Clark from January 26 to February 10.

Sequeira said that they presently have 571 villas, 66 rooms and at least 1,500 workers.

“I am happy because we now have more Filipino customers than foreigners. At least 70 percent of our total clients are locals,” said Sequeira.

“It’s good,” he added when asked about their occupancy considering it’s a lean season for tourism business in Clark.

ACCDO to remain strong, consistent

By Joey Pavia (contributor)

ANGELES CITY -- With a vision of genuine people empowerment, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, through the Angeles City Cooperative Development Office (ACCDO) headed by Ferdinand P. Calma, remain consistent with the promise of strengthening one of the bases of the city’s economy, the cooperative sector.

Pamintuan recognizes the role of the “cooperative movement” in the city’s economic front, which ultimately allows the local government to pursue its desired programs and plans.

“The economic advantages that our local coops have extended to the city, through the assistance of the ACCDO, have inspired the administration to build several of our projects – including the hospital extension at the Ospital ning Angeles, the City College, the Renal Care unit and so on,” expressed the mayor.

ACCDO, in coordination with the Angeles City Cooperative Development Council (ACCDC) and Cooperative Development Office (Pampanga Extension) successfully convened 98 percent of registered and operating cooperatives in the city and Freeport zone in order to educate and refresh officers of their organizations for a more efficient fiscal management.

“A sound fiscal management policy is influential in the growth and advancement of a business organization. What more with the cooperatives where more people, its members, are directly affected with it growth.” said Joseph Guintu, resource speaker for the said seminar.

It was in the post Pinatubo era, that more than 300 cooperatives were registered in the city. The incumbent mayor then on his first term fully supported the people in the massive organizing campaign. However, with the absence of a law (RA 6938 or the Cooperative law only passed in 1998), most of the registered cooperatives were delisted or failed to operate not even reaching a month after its registration.

“Tapos na po ang panahon na ang mga kooperatiba ay tinitignan bilang “kuha-pera-tiba” o anumang masamang misinterpretasyon sa sector. Ngayon po ang panahon na ang mga kooperatiba ng siyudad ay mulat at tunay na bumabangon at nagsisikap para sa ikauunlad ng kanilang mga miyembro,” said Calma.

“This seminar is one of the many programs we have agreed to in consensus with the council and ACCDO believing that services should not be entirely reliant upon the government. But we greatly appreciate Mayor Pamintuan in keeping his promise of full support the sector,” stated Bernard DT Chua, chairman of the ACCDC.

The seminar elicited active participation from the attendees on the scheduled lectures and workshops using their actual financial statements as reference on the activities instructed by Guintu. (AC-CIO)

Free seminar on money management held in Angeles

By Joey Pavia (contributor)

ANGELES CITY -- A retired colonel of the United States Air Force and stockbroker gave a free seminar on Thursday on money management at the Blossom Forth School here.

Willie Davis, who is married to a Filipina and based in the City of San Fernando, gave the talk on what one should learn about money that were not taught in school and the truth about money and “how it really works.”

He encouraged the rich and the working class to invest on mutual funds, stocks and real estate.

“It’s not important how much you earn or have. It’s the need to save and then invest them wisely and immediately. No one will stay poor if you learn to properly handle what you have,” said Davis. He has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Davis added that people must “plan and set a goal” to assure the bright future and peaceful existence of themselves and their respective family.

“Are you tired of being broke, busted, and disgusted? The seminar will free you from all these problems,” he said.

Davis and his wife Aura Sanchez-Davis are members of the Psalm 1 Victory Foundation Inc., a kids’ charity, which sponsored the seminar. His group recently led a feeding program in Quezon province.

The Davises thanked the owners of the school along Fil-Am Friendship Highway, Barangay Cut-cut here for providing the venue for the two-hour seminar.

Dev't firms optimistic with Angeles investment

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY -- Officers of the AVG&P Architects and the Realty Development and Integrated Services Inc. (RDISI) expressed their optimism on Thursday in the boom infrastructure and realty developments in Angeles as they opened their new office at the Mint Hotel Tower here Wednesday.

The two firms said that the on-going development of the city under Mayor Pamintuan and the host of construction inside Clark shows the realty investment in Metro Angeles and Clark is in no way of slowing down.

AVG&P principal architect Andy Gulapa said that the hotel projects, condominiums and business establishments have been the bulk of major construction projects in the city. He added that most condominium developments here have been catering to foreign investors, clients and even local buyers.

"We have confidence in the realty developments in the city and our firms hope to be able to contribute to this wholesome development," Gulapa said.

AVG&P has been involved in major development projects in this city as well as Central Luzon. The projects include the Grandview Tower, Maharaja Tower and BGGC Complex among others.

Gulapa said that the development projects for hotels and condominiums in the city are now on the rise. He added that vertical construction is inevitable in a city that is both an urban and commercial center.

"The airport in Clark plays a crucial role. People who we talked to, before they invest, would always ask us about the local airport and it is a major consideration before they invest," Gulapa said, adding that further development of the airport will have a ripple effect on local investment prospects in the city.

Realty Development and Integrated Services Inc. president Rochelle Calma, for her part, said that Angeles City will need to be able to help steer the development growth in the city in terms of bringing more investors and putting more investment incentives.

Angeles qualifies for National Coop Awards

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles City Cooperative Development Office (ACCDO) bagged the Regional award for the Best Performing Local Government Unit for chartered cities in Central Luzon in the recently concluded Gawad Parangal at the Social Action Center of Pampanga in the City of San Fernando.

"Local Government Units play a crucial role in assisting our cooperatives overcome struggles in their sector. The quick advancement of the cooperative movement is also influenced by how the local administration in a city or municipality supports them," said Marietta Hwang, regional director of the Cooperative Development Authority.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan extended his praise and gratitude to the ACCDO for their valiant efforts that lead them to bag the awards.

"This is a manifestation of how the city's economy can grow tremendously through the help of cooperatives – and for the past years, the efforts of the ACCDO have ensured the growth of these local coops," Pamintuan said.

"Ang pagkamit ng award ay hindi lang basta basta. Pinaghihirapan at tinututukan para makamit ang pakay. Kaya't isang tunay na karangalan para sa siyudad ang karagdagang award ng City Cooperative. Patunay na tayo ay nagtratrabaho para sa lubos na ikauunlad ng mga Angeleño! King dahilan a iti, tutung sulagpo tana!" he added.

The 2013 accomplishments of the ACCDO was the basis for the award.

ACCDO was able to showcase exemplary performance in providing support services to cooperatives through regular technical support extended to existing cooperatives in the city.

"Ang trabaho sa kooperatiba ay hindi de kahon. Kailangan ang puso sa pag-gampan ng mga tungkulin dahil sa dynamikong karakter ng kilusang kooperatiba. Ating lalabanan ang kahirapan sa siyudad pamamaraan ng mga samahang kooperatiba!" said Ferdinand Calma, ACCDO chief.

The office in coordination the AC Multi Sectoral Coordinating Council (ACMCC), and other department of the Local Government, is currently doubling its efforts on how to promote the spirit of "cooperativism" in the barangays of the city through "barangayanihan".

For the first half of the year, more than 11 Pre-Membership Education Seminars (PMES) have already been conducted in the different barangays of the city while the office also receive regular request from walk in groups who require assistance for cooperative organization and registration.

The Regional Screening Committee screened more than 71 nominations but only 17 qualified for the nationals in different categories. Angeles is the only national candidate for Best Performing Cooperative Development office for chartered cities to the National Awards to be held in October.

Former Angeles, Bacolod mayors slapped with graft raps

By Cynthia D. Balana (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–The former mayors of Angeles City and Bacolod City have been charged separately with graft in the Sandiganbayan for alleged questionable transactions during their tenures.

Former Angeles City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno was slapped with two counts of graft by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).

In the first offense, the information said that on June 8, 2010, Nepomuceno executed a deed of donation of the city’s Mitsubishi Adventure vehicle worth P786,000 in favor of Kapanalig Angeles City Inc. (Kapanalig), a nongovernment organization. Charged as coaccused was Kapanalig president Abelardo Pamintuan Jr.

According to the OMB, the two conspired to effect the donation which was “manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the city, considering its poor financial condition and the requirements of the city for service vehicles at the time.”

The second case, which referred to the same donation, violated the Local Government Code since the donee, Kapanalig, was ineligible to accept the vehicle from the donor, the city government, since the former was not a government agency or instrumentality.

The OMB charged former Bacolod City Mayor Luzviminda Valdez with four counts of graft and four counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of official/public documents for overpayments made to her by the city government totaling P383,323 through reimbursements.

Records showed the overpayments covered four separate transactions made by Valdez, which were supposedly incurred by the city government.

The OMB said that in one such transaction, the accused made it appear that she paid for P80,000 worth of medicines to the Negros Grace Pharmacy II by inserting items not actually purchased and altering the amounts paid in connection with the implementation of the Mobile Health Clinic Program on Jan. 8, 2004.






10,000 RUNNERS

By Franco G. Regala

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Around 10,000 runners are expected to participate today in the 38th National Milo Marathon (NMM) elimination race here. Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President-CEO Arthur Tugade said organizers of the sports activity had launched an 18-leg event that kicked off in Baguio City last June 29 and culminates in Davao on Nov. 23. This year’s footrace, which marks Milo’s 50th year in the country, is expected to gather around 230,000 runners all-in-all. (Franco G. Regala)

CDC sets 5-month sports festival

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation has set a five-month long sports festival, which is expected to attract local and international tourists.

The sports events, scheduled this month until November, will be participated in by local, national and international students, athletes, private and business sectors, said CDC President Arthur Tugade.

"Clark proves to be an ideal venue for the holding of various sports activities. This will greatly benefit our locators as some have restaurants, hotels and casinos here. In general, this will improve business tourism inside the Freeport," said Tugade.

From July 19 to 27, the CDC provides venue to four sporting events such as the Clark Cycling Classic; Holy Angel University EnviRUNment: "Run for NAture;’’ and the Angeles University Foundation Colleges of Law LEX FUN RUN.

The 38th National Milo Marathon (NMM), now on its fourth leg, was set on July 20 at SM City Clark and Clark Freeport with an estimated 10,000 runners.

The CDC lined up three sports activities kicking off with the Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic Cycling Tournament (August 16 to 17); the Korean Amateur Baseball Tournament (August 23 to 24) and the Philippine Duathlon Series Leg 3 on Aug. 24.

Opening the sports fest on September 7 is the Active Health Duathlon to be held at Clark roads; the Clark Museum Parking area (Oct 11 to 26), Clark Parade Ground 4 and 5, and the Clark roads will be the setting for the Philippine Australian Football; the Bayani Race Fun Run by Gawad Kalinga Pampanga Chapter and the Tri United 3 Triathlon.

The Clark Parade Grounds will again serve as venue for the International Cricket Sixes Tournament 2014 from November 1 to 2; the Tri United 4 Triathlon on November 23 and the Claret Football Community from November 29 to 30.

SM Pampanga celebrates Children's Book Day

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- SM City Pampanga joined this year's celebration of National Children's Book Day (NCBD) with a host of storytelling activities inside the mall.

Academy of Performing Arts Leonilyn Sarmiento read the story “Askal Inside” and “Pyesta sa Hardin ni Lola Benita” and another story from Carlo Catu titled “Halimaw” was presented to elementary students from San Lorenzo Ruiz Center of Studies and Schools.

SM City Pampanga public relations manager Rain Cervantes said that the students actively joined the interaction during and after the storytelling with the special participation from Angeles City SPED students with visual impairments as they showed their passion for reading through the use of braille.

Since 1967, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated every April 2 in time for the birthday of the world-famous Danish author of well-loved fairy tales and poems, Hans Christian Andersen. Said festivity is held yearly to inspire love of reading and to call attention to children’s books.

Locally, we celebrate National Children’s Book Day on the third Tuesday of July, in commemoration of the publication of Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Ang Pagong at ang Matsing” (The Turtle and the Monkey) at the Trubner’s Oriental Record in London.

The SM Supermalls’ Corporate Social Responsibility program, SM Cares, through the SM Committee on Youth and Children’s Welfare, recently celebrated Children’s Book Day on July 15, with a simultaneous storytelling across 49 SM malls nationwide and five SM malls in China.

Inspirational words from special guests Councilor Noel Tulabut, chairman on education of the City of San Fernando and Provincial Librarian Bessie Macabali shared their love for reading to inspire the youngsters.

“With more than three million customers going to our malls daily, and approximately half being children, we have put it upon ourselves to make our malls not just child-friendly, but more importantly, a venue for a kid’s growth and learning”, said Anna Liza Carino, Assistant Mall Manager of SM City Pampanga.

“SM is now beyond shopping, entertainment, and leisure. It is now about taking affirmative action in our social responsibilities. It is about taking initiatives, to be instrumental in caring for children, the best way we can”, she added.

Together with partners from the Department of Education (DepEd), Vibal Publishing, SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation and SM Foundation INC., the National Children’s Book reading hopes to cultivate a love for reading and inspire kids into reading early to further boost a child’s development.

This shall be highlighted by a turnover of more than 50,000 brand new books to different public schools nationwide. The primary objective of SM Cares is for kids to have fun in learning that would reinforce a child’s rich and colorful imagination, instill proper values, and encourage children to explore and learn about other cultures.

4 more Koreans held in Clark for online gaming

By Philippine Daily Inquirer

ANGELES CITY—A day after the arrest of four Korean men for alleged illegal online gambling here on July 10, four more Koreans were arrested by policemen for allegedly operating an illegal Internet gambling network in the Clark Freeport Zone. A report released by the Central Luzon regional police on Monday said policemen raided a building on Ninoy Aquino Avenue in the Clark Freeport on July 11 where Hon Kim, Young Jee-kim, Byoung Ik-kim, and Seong Hyun-kim, all residents of Angeles City, were arrested.

In a report, Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, Central Luzon police director, said the policemen, who were armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Norman Pamintuan of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 73, arrested the Koreans for alleged violations of Presidential Decree No. 1602, which penalizes illegal gambling, and Republic Act No. 8484, which prohibits the use of electronic devices in fraudulent acts. The subject of the search warrant, Kim Min-gi, was not in the building during the raid. Seized from the building being rented by Kim were 12 sets of desktop computers, telephones, modems, Internet routers and seven pieces of credit cards. Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon

Residents along waterways evacuated

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Heavy rains brought by Typhoon Glenda forced the evacuation of scores of families in Barangay Balibago and other villages here on Wednesday.

The evacuees are temporarily housed at the function room of the Balibago Barangay Hall.

Balibago chairman Rodelio "Tony" Mamac said that he has activated the barangay disaster team and alerted village officials on the situation.

He said that they are monitoring water channels particularly the Abacan River, Balibago Creek, and Hadrian and prepare for possible forced evacuation of residents if water levels rise.

Trucks and emergency vehicles are on "stand by," said Mamac.

"Bumili na kami ng mga pagkain, damit, at mga gamot para sa mga affected residents," he said.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, who led the monitoring efforts of the City Government, said he directed the City Social Welfare and Development Office to provide relief goods to the evacuees.

By Thursday morning, the typhoon is forecast to be outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

Signal number 3 was hoisted in Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Quezon, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Marinduque, Mindoro, and Metro Manila.

CDC hits 1.21B revenue target

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has recorded P1.21-billion in revenue and net income of P327 million during the first quarter.

This was disclosed by CDC president Arthur Tugade during a business conference organized by the Kapampangan Development Foundation chaired by Manny V. Pangilinan.

The cash position of CDC, Tugade said, is now pegged at P2 billion based on a report prepared by the finance group of the state-owned firm.

According to Tugade, the casino at the Oxford Hotel settled its arrears of P200 million and this improved the CDC's cash position.

With the generated income, CDC was also able to remit P220 million to the national treasury following its improved financial disposition.

Last year, CDC's net profit reached P327 million with P1.2 billion in gross revenues.

Tugade also informed the MVP group that CDC has a total of 737 locators as of July 2014, employing a total number of 72,945 workers.

Investment inside the Freeport is pegged at $4.48 billion, Tugade said.

With the improved business climate in Clark, CDC is targeting 100,000 employment opportunities in 2016, the official added.

He also disclosed that CDC was able to recover 28.34 hectares from the non-performing locators while 236.55 hectares were revived from the non-performing investors.

Of the revived property, Tugade said that 10 locators will continue their investments worth $177.77 million. With these investments, CDC is expecting additional 5,000 employment opportunities.

Clark June export volume up by 21 percent

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

CLARK FREEPORT, July 14 (PIA) -- Export volume in Clark Freeport rose to 21 percent in June 2014 compared to the same period last year.

In a media statement, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Trade Facilitation Department Manager Rodgardo Deang disclosed that it was able to generate $388 million compared to $320 million in 2013.

Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corporation of South Korea remains with the most export volume at $229 million or 57 percent of the total export last month.

It was followed by Nanox Philippines Inc. with $73 million; Yokohama Tire Philippines- $26 million; and L&T International Group Philippines Inc.- $13 million.

“Semi-conductor sector as a whole posted the highest export documentations last month with $229 million or 59 percent followed by electronics- $85 million, and manufacturing- $41 million.

Importation volume, on the other hand, was $305 million which is slightly lower to the $317 million last May.

CDC was able to generate around P3.2 million from the various fees of importing and exporting firms, which is up from 2013’s P2.7 million. (CLJD-PIA 3)

P200-M devt plan aims to turn Arayat, Pampanga, into ecotourism hub

By Ashley Manabat / Correspondent

CLARK FREEPORT—A P200-million ecotourism plan has been drawn for two comprehensive programs that could turn Arayat, Pampanga, into a premier tourism hub by 2016.

Arayat Mayor Emmanuel “Bon” Alejandrino made the announcement during the “Balitaan” forum at the Bale Balita here on Friday organized by the Capampangan in Media Inc. in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. and the Social Security System.

The first-term mayor said one of the programs envisions the speedy development of the 14-hectare resort area of Central Luzon’s only mountain. He said this could prepare Arayat achieve its goal of employing tourism activities as an essential instrument for its progress and sustained growth.

Alejandrino, a former Huk leader, said Arayat has an “image problem” concerning peace and order but has now been recently declared by the Regional Development Council as one of the most peaceful towns in Central Luzon.

The comprehensive 10-year eco-tourism program has a price tag of P200 million which will be executed under the national government’s private-public partnership program template designed to lure private capital in projects that could spur economic progress in the country’s urban and rural communities. This program will be supported by a comprehensive land-use plan that will guide the town’s quest for socioeconomic progress, Alejandrino said.

Both plans have been finalized and scheduled for formal unveiling in August, he said, stressing that Phase-1 of the tourism program has actually been implemented to jump-start the reforestation of the denuded sections of the mountain and the upgrading of the facilities at the San Juan Baño Park at the foot of Mount Arayat which was declared by then President Manuel L. Quezon under the Commonwealth Act as a National Park. Alejandrino said Mount Arayat comprises about 3,400 hectares but only about 10 hectares now been is considered virgin forest.

He said the rest has been denuded because of rampant illegal logging and the traditional kaingin or slash-and-burn method of upland farmers to clear the land. With the forest denudation also went the wild animals which once roamed the mountain. Only a handful of monkeys, wild boars and some birds remain, he said.

Sadly, only three forest rangers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are guarding Mount Arayat, the mayor said. Alejandrino said illegal logging has now been abated but sporadic reports of the illegal activity still crop up every now and then.

Alejandrino said, for the first time in years, the San Juan Baño resort has begun to generate revenues for the local government.

He said in a period of three months from March to May this year alone, revenues from gate receipts of the resort have already amounted to nearly P1 million that allowed the municipality to pay entirely the P300,000 annual rent to the DENR.

He said the ecotourism program will be primarily geared toward protecting and rehabilitating Mount Arayat to help mitigate the adverse impact of climate change not only in Arayat town and Pampanga, but the entire Central Luzon.

The reforestation phase of the program will be buttressed by the town’s plan to encourage direct involvement of private groups in planting and growing forest and fruit trees in partnership with the town’s communities and informal upland farmers.

To attain this objective, the mayor said, “we intend to mount a campaign for a wider community support. This means that our cries will not only be confined to within our borders to help us promote the protection of Mount Arayat but also beyond by selling Arayat as ‘The Last Frontier’ in Central Luzon.”

Alejandrino said his administration also hopes to execute plans and programs that will closely abide by the declaration of Mount Arayat as a national park.

To achieve this objective, he said his office has started to network with the three areas around the mountain (the towns of Magalang, Mexico and Angeles City) for a closer coordination in the execution of work plans designed to clean and clear waterways to avert flashfloods in some barangays around the mountain and even mount support for reforestation programs of the other towns, as well as help beef up security in and around the mountain. More than 60 percent of the total area of Mount Arayat falls within the territory of Arayat town, while 40 percent is in the town of Magalang. Angeles City and Mexico are situated at the foot of the mountain.

In the case of Arayat, the mayor said in his first 100 days in office, he managed to improve the town’s, peace-and-order situation by taking a tough stance against bandits, drug pushers and other criminally bent individuals, including illegal loggers and slash-and-burn farmers in the mountain—a development that allowed his office to work on the programs designed to uplift Arayat’s socioeconomic condition.

Clark exports reach $388-M

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has announced that the export volume inside the Freeport has grown to US$388 as of June this year compared to that of same period last year.

The Trade Facilitation Department (TFD) of CDC said that exports increased by $68 million or 21 percent.

TFD Manager Rodgardo Deang said the June 2013 export volume was posted at $320 million.

The TFD manager added that the semi-conductor sector posted the highest e-ED with $229 million or 59 percent of the total export volume last June 2014.

The semicon sector was followed by electronics with $85 million or 22 percent share, and manufacturing firms with $41 million or 11 percent.

The TFD said that Korea’s Phoenix Semiconductor Phils. Corporation (PSPC) led the export volume with $229 million or 57 percent of the total export; Japan’s Nanox Phils. Inc. registered $73 million export volume or 19 percent.

Yokohama Tire Phils. Inc. on the other hand yielded $26 million or seven percent export volume while L&T International Group Phils., Inc with $13 million or three percent of the export volume.

TFD reports said importation volume was posted at $305 million last month. This is lower than the May 2014 with $317 million, the reports stated.

Admission permit applications last June reached 4,243 compared to 3,848 in the same month in 2013.

Deang said that processing fees from the admission (importation) permit in June 2014 amounted P815,500.

CDC generated a total of P2.4 million revenue from the processing of export permits last month.

Claims board rapped for ‘sabotage’

By Christine F. Herrera

President Benigno Aquino III and the Human Rights Victims Claims Board were accused of “sabotaging” the two-day application process that was feared to result in “delisting” of claimants.

Rights victims were being denied of their rightful claim, said Karapatan.

On June 30 and July 1, Karapatan said while the members of the claims board, headed by a police general, were billeted in posh hotels nationwide, the victims from far flung areas and mountains were victimized all over again after they were required to show proof other than the agreed identification documents.

As a result, only a few of the original claimants in Lucena City, Iloilo City, Angeles City and other parts of the country were processed, according to Karapatan chairperson and claimant Marie Hilao Enriquez.

Enriquez, one of the members in the Hawaii class suit filed against the late Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, assailed the Aquino-appointed Human Rights Victims Claims Board in a press conference.

“I accuse this government of sabotaging the implementation of the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 or RA 10368. When Aquino was quoted by media reports saying there are ‘those who would want to sabotage this law,’ he was definitely talking about us who vehemently objected his appointment of PNP General Sarmiento as HRVCB head. Now, by his actions, it is the Aquino government that is sabotaging the law at the expense of martial law victims,” Enriquez said.

Enriquez said only a small percentage of the thousands who came from far-flung provinces were accommodated in the regional on-site centers, which were set up for only two to three days in each location with the members of the Claims Board or their representatives staying in hotels or smug accommodations in the cities contrary to what they say as “a caravan to go and know the victims better.”

In Angeles City, Pampanga, the first of their regional on-site centers, the HRVCB only accepted 300 applicants in two days, depriving a hundred more victims from not filing their applications, said Enriquez, citing reports received by her office.

In Lucena City, she said, only 93 individuals were processed out of more than 600 victims who went to file their applications.

In Iloilo City, only 268 victims were processed in two days out of more than 800 victims who arrived to file applications from the different parts of the Panay Island, she reported.

“The HRVCB said they will return for pending applications in Central Luzon, with no exact date,” she said.


Trader wants north-south railway link extended to Clark

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- A tycoon has asked the government to extend the P271 billion North-South Commuter Railway linking Calamba, Laguna in the south and Malolos, Bulacan in the north, to Clark Freeport.

Businessman Rene Romero said the project, which is declared the biggest Public Private Partnership (PPP) "depicts an unwarranted disregard and invalidation of North Luzon’s role in the country's economic growth."

Romero asked the Regional Development Council (RDC) to pass a resolution requesting the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to consider the railway link to the Freeport and Clark International Airport (CRK).

"The big ticket project palpable omission of Clark in the northern link are both disheartening and perplexing when we note that no less than aviation industry savants, economic development experts, architects and planners of global repute and even government executives and legislator acknowledge and enthuse over the Clark International Airport’s globally-acclaimed aviation facilities and its expansive area conducive for aeronautical and logistics hub development," Romero stated in his letter dated July 1, 2014 to RDC Central Luzon Chairman Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado.

"Bakit hanggang sa Malolos lang yung railway? Ang laki ng development sa Clark Freeport at Clark International Airport ngayon," Romero said.

Romero, RDC 3 private sector representative for trade and industry and vice-chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (PamCham), added that the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) conceptualized the Clark Green City, a massive and comprehensive development plan capitalizing on the economic expediencies of Clark, Subic, and Region 3.

He also urged the national government to be prudent on spending the tax-payers’ money.

The people were already dismayed by controversies on Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), according to Romero.

PamCham, which is advocating for the decongestion of Metro Manila for the country’s sake, is an organization of prominent and credible businessmen and government leaders pronouncing Clark and Subic as drivers of growth, he said.

Clark airport’s full utilization and development has been predicted by economists and urban planners and developers.

The Freeport Area of Bataan and other investment areas in Central Luzon will ensure the free flow of passengers and goods to and from the Metro Manila, Romero added.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) acknowledged the advantages and potentials of Clark as an economic driver in the North, the trader stressed.

“I believe that for our country to fully realize inclusive growth and sustain its economic gains achieved thus far, the fair and equitable distribution of development and investments in the countryside must be seriously considered and implemented,” Romero said in his letter to Alvarado.

“I also exhort our government agencies to recognize and acknowledge the economic contributions of urban growth centers outside the imperial Metro Manila because the Philippines, after all, is comprised of 17 regions and its economy is congruently propelled and impelled by regional growth, he added.

Airport workers sacked

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- Seven contractual employees working at Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) were sacked after they were found involved in the illegal collection of travel tax from passengers.

The workers, whose names were withheld, belonged to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), Miascor Ground Handling, and McKleene janitorial services.

CIAC officials dismissed the three Tieza workers, three Miascor workers and a McKleene janitor after they were allegedly caught conniving and exacting discounted travel tax of P1,200 from some passengers.

The CIAC management immediately ordered an investigation to establish the extent of the scam.

TIEZA has set the travel tax at P1,620 per passenger, the CIAC stated.

CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said the access passes of two other erring employees have been revoked pending the investigation.

The PNP-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGroup) is handling the ongoing investigation, said Luciano.

He also clarified that "there is no such discount being offered at the Clark airport. The travel tax of P1,620 is being collected by Tieza (formerly Philippine Tourism Authority) from Filipinos travelling abroad."

Luciano had earlier recommended to Tieza and Miascor to investigate such illegal activities after he received reports that some of their personnel were allegedly involved in the travel tax scam.

The scam was uncovered when three passengers of a Cebu Pacific flight filed complaints on April 22, 2014 about airport employees offering travel tax discounts.

"We are warning personnel working at the Clark airport to refrain from engaging in any illegal activities because these will not be tolerated and the guilty one will be punished," Luciano said.

He even urged passengers to report irregularities and illegal activities inside the aviation complex.

"We assure our passengers that we will exert all efforts to address their concerns and weed out the erring employees in the process," Luciano said.

Guv to cops: Beat the criminals’ lawyers

(Aurora Catu/Pampanga PIO)

CLARK FREEPORT -- Governor Lilia Pineda challenged the graduating class of Pampanga police officers to apply the knowledge and skills they gained in their Criminal Investigation Course (CIC), during the closing ceremony held at Fontana in Clark Freeport, over the weekend.

“Reinforce crime investigation and defeat the lawyers of the criminals who deserve to be in jail,” she told the CIC class 247 -14.

She deemed it necessary to equip the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the expertise in criminal investigation to avoid instances that the law offenders are able to escape from criminal charges because of weak investigation.

“We hope and expect that you will apply what you have learned the moment you return to your respective stations,” Police Superintendent Ricardo Pangan Jr., deputy provincial director for operations, said.

The governor also viewed crime investigation as one of the most dangerous jobs of a police officer.

"I know, you are ready and happy to serve your country and its people that it would be an honor for you to risk even your life on service," she ended.

Class topnotcher was Police Officer 2 Jeremy Agustin of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 3, Camp Olivas.

Also gracing the event were course director Superintendent Raul Apostol Valencia, Pampanga PPO OIC Senior Superintendent Marlon Madrid, Superintendent Henry Flores and Chief Inspector Romeo Balubal, together with health department regional director Leonita Gorgolon, Department of Interior and Local Government regional director Florinda Dijan and provincial director Myrvi Fabia, Board Member Ricardo Yabut and ABC President Jerome Tubig.

Pampanga, Tarlac local leaders express support for Clark Green City

By Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan (CLJD/RBRP-PIA 3)

CLARK FREEPORT, July 7 (PIA) -- Several local leaders in Pampanga and Tarlac have openly expressed support to the establishment of the Clark Green City (CGC) of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which is touted as the country’s next metropolis.

Among the supporters include governors, mayors, and members of the House of Representatives, who recently passed a resolution favorably endorsing such endeavor.

“CGC involves the development of some 36,000 hectares of land at the heart of Central Luzon or approximately half the size of Metro Manila. Based on the masterplan which was recently approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board, it shall have five districts namely government, central business, academic, agri-forestry research and development, and wellness and eco-tourism,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said.

University of the Philippines became the first tenant of its academic district.

“CGC will revolutionize the way Filipinos live, the way they do business, and even the way they spend their leisure time. It would become a portal to the world economy of the country’s next generation of global citizens,” Casanova pointed out.

It shall likewise pave the way for the transformation of the towns of Porac in Pampanga and Capas and Bamban in Tarlac into thriving cities.

BCDA would begin this year the first phase by developing 1,321 hectares.

At full development, CGC would contribute approximately P1.57 trillion per year to the economy and will generate 925,000 jobs.

Cop falls prey to Akyat Bahay gang

By Ric Sapnu

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga -- The Akyat Bahay gang robbed the boarding house of a police officer in Barangay Sto. Domingo, Angeles City and carted away his issued firearms and personal belongings over the weekend.

In a report here, Senior Superintendent Eden Ugale, Angeles City police chief, said Police Officer-1 Richard Labasan, presently assigned at the Angeles City Public Safety Company reported that his boarding house was ransacked by unidentified robbers.

The victim attended an earthquake drill at the Camp Tomas Pepito Angeles City and when he returned to his boarding house, he discovered that the main door was forcibly opened and his personal belongings were disarrayed.

Labasan then noticed that his .9mm Glock caliber pistol with magazines, wrist watch, Nokia cellular phone and P2,500 cash were missing.

Ugale has instructed his men to dig deeper into the alleged robbery.

AUFMC inaugurates new cardio imaging system

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation Medical Center (AUFMC) in collaboration with HB Calleja National Heart Institute, blessed and inaugurated the newly acquired GE Innova 2100 IQ (Optima Edition) Cardiovascular Imaging System for the AUFMC Catheterization Laboratory last June 11 in Angeles City.

The event was led by AUFMC president and CEO Atty. Gabriel Martin L. Angeles, HB Calleja, NHI president and CEO Dr. Jan Denton Chua, AUFMC Medical Director Dr. Ma. Lourdes G. Lagunilla, Cardiovascular Institute Director Dr. Edgardo S. Timbol, Section of Cardiology Training Officer Dr. Gabriel Jocson III and Invasive Cardiology Division Chief Dr. Angelito Medina.

The GE Innova 2100 IQ Optima Edition features the combination of excellent image quality with dose efficiency thereby achieving the best images for every procedure with minimal radiation exposure, which ensures safety of both health care personnel and patients.

The first and only fully operational catheterization laboratory in Central Luzon and north of Metro Manila which opened in 2010, the AUFMC Catheterization Laboratory is a highly specialized unit which enables certified specialists to perform complex cardiac procedures such as angioplasty, angiogram, percutaneous transluminal mitral commissurotomy for mitral valve stenosis, hemodynamic studies, percutaneous occlusion of congenital heart defects, automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, coiling of cerebral aneurysms, embolization of bleeding vessels, transarterial hepatic chemoembolization for liver tumors, among other interventional cardiology and radiologic procedures.

Apparel manufacturing firm extends lease in Clark, eyes expansion of operations

By Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan

CLARK FREEPORT, July 4 (PIA) -- Apparel manufacturing firm L&T International Group Philippines Inc. (LTIGPI) recently signed a 25-year extended lease agreement with Clark Development Corporation (CDC), pouring in an estimated $6.5 million worth of investments as it eyes expanded operations in the Freeport.

“Under the agreement, LTIGPI shall construct six 70,000-square meter buildings in its expansion area,” CDC President Arthur Tugade said.

Over 5,000 careers shall be generated upon completion of expansion by 2020.

LTIGPI is one of the outsourced manufacturers of Ralph Lauren, Nautica, and Victoria’s Secret.

Angeles council to treasurer: Release P1,000 allowance of policemen

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Members of the city council here have asked the city treasurer's office to release the P1,000 allowance given to each personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) assigned in this city.

This was gleaned in a resolution the city council passed on Tuesday supporting the appeal of the policemen, jail officers, and firemen to the Commission on Audit (COA) to release their monthly allowances.

In her privilege speech, Vice Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting said that since January this year, the allowances were "put on hold" by the City Government.

This, after an Audit Observation Memorandum issued by the COA last January 9, 2014 which states that the granting of honoraria to officials and personnel of various National Government Agencies (NGAs) last year amounting to P6,194,000 was not reported to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The COA memorandum was received by the office of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan last February 4, 2014.

According to COA, this is a violation of COA Circular Number 76-25 dated March 31, 1976 and 76-25 dated June 30, 1976 and 85-25E dated APril 25, 1985, thereby depleting the resources of the agency instead of utilizing them for the implementation of its priority programs.

The SP members asked Pamintuan and City Treasurer Julie G Quinsaat to immediately release the perk.

Cabigting and Councilor Maricel Morales said that financial aid to PNP, BJMP and BFP personnel were appropriated for the 2014 fiscal year.

Cabigting became emotional upon reading a text message sent to her by one of the police officers in this city.

The message read, "Not to add any drama maam, muna reiterate ku mu, I have wanted to be a police officer since anak ku and yes I see disappointments. Pero in the end we work so the Angelenos may sleep soundly, we work so the Angelenos may enjoy their Holidays, we run towards danger, we risk, our lives every time we put on our uniforms, we endeavor to settle disputes, we counsel, we comfort, we struggle to stay calm when surrounded with panic we struggle to remain strong amidst the horrors of what we witness."

"The emotional toll of being a police officer is tremendous that there is no room for weakness. Sabi da pin, if you cant take the heat, get out of the kitchen. And for the police officers who stay in the kitchen and take the heat not only of criminals but of civilians who look down on us, makalungkut, I admit there are police officers who are rotten apples but we can never generalize. So ing P1,000 a month does not even come close to what we need and what most of us deserve. We are being endowed with humility and in recognition of our roles as public safety providers and all that I have mentioned recognized as being part of our job, the allowances will still be highly appreciated," the police officer added.

As of July 2, Cabigting said the allowances are still on hold pending the requirement being requested by the Local Finance Committee.

The Angeles City Police Office, City Fire Department and the City District Jail were required to submit a justification, according to the official.

"We have been supporting our men and women in uniform for the past several years by giving them the extra perk for all their efforts fo the city even beyond the call of duty," Cabigting said.

The vice-mayor also made an assurance that the she and members of the city council will support PNP, BJMP, and BFP personnel who risk their to serve the people.

Japanese tire maker to hire employees for Clark factory

Rimaliza A. Opiña

Japan’s biggest tire-manufacturing company is hiring Filipino workers for its factory at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

A recruitment road show by Yokohama Tire Philippines (YTP) started in Baguio last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Baguio City School and Arts and Trade, with 50 applicants already screened for the pre-employment exam, final interview, and medical examination before they are sent to Pampanga for employee orientation.

YTP Human Resources Section Manager Egelberto Dolo said they are targeting to hire 5,000 employees until 2017 so the factory can meet its target of producing 50,000 tires every month. At present, the Clark factory has 2,290 employees, with 22,000 tires monthly production.

YTP also tied up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for the hiring of certified technical-vocational graduates, whom they need mostly in their production department.

YTP offers a compensation package higher than industry standards with yearly increment and performance-based incentives.

Tesda Regional Director Francisco Jucar Jr. said this is the chance for Filipino graduates to show and apply their skills.

YTP is in need of production operators, quality assurance inspectors, production supervisors, electrical, mechanical, industrial, chemical, electronics and communications engineers, human resource specialists, and accountants.

For production operators, applicants should at least be high school graduates, but tech-voc graduates are preferred, and should be 20 to 30 years old. For those in the supervisory level, qualified are those who are at least 35 years old, graduate of engineering course, and preferably knowledgeable in mechatronics.

For those who were not aware and failed to submit their applications, YTP is still accepting applications. Resumes may be submitted to recruitment@ytpi.com.

The Philippines is the first expansion area of the Yokohama Rubber Company.

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