Angeles City News August 2015

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Official Seal of Angeles City
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Angeles City, Pampanga
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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.

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

US marine charged in PH double murder dies

(ABS-CBN North America News Bureau)

MANILA – A former US marine facing double murder charges in the Philippines has died of a heart attack.

Authorities said 37-year-old Timothy Kaufman was found unconscious in jail and was declared dead on arrival in a hospital on Aug. 15.

Kaufman was one of three men accused in the 2011 murder of David Balmer, a former Irish police officer, and Balmer’s girlfirend Elma De Guia, near Angeles City in Pampanga.

The Texas-based Kaufman was arrested near his grandfather’s home in New York in 2013 and was extradited back to the Philippines last year.

He denied any involvement in the killings.

Kapampangans unite for Sassa

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Public officials and teachers here have joined the Kapampangan people in supporting "The Voice Kids" finalist Sassa Dagdag of Barangay Balibago in this city.

Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Pampanga Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, Pampanga Board Member Mike Tapang, Balibago Chairman Tony Mamac, and other officials in the city and the province expressed support to the Kapampangan pride.

Pamintuan earlier invited Sassa and his family to a flag raising ceremony two weeks ago. The mayor said he made a pitch for her to all city hall employees to support and vote for her.

“I also invited Sassa’s parents to our radio program Agyu Tamu every morning to get votes for her,” the mayor said.

Sassa is one of the four finalists in the ABS CBN talent search. Her family is seeking the support of their fellow Kapampangans to support her on the online and text message voting system.

The Voice Kids grand finals will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday and the voting via short message system (text message) will be announced during the show.

Jennifer Dagdag, Sassa’s aunt, said that those who will vote via SMS need to encode VoiceSASSA and send it to 2366. This is open to all networks.

Mamac is seeking the support of Kapampangans to support the talented pride of Balibago, Angeles City and Pampanga.

“Hindi dahil kabalen natin siya. Maski sa ibang bansa, sinasabi nila na si Sassa ang pinakamagaling umawit. Dito lamang po sa Angeles City, halos 150,000 ang may cellphones. Kung isasama pa po ang mga kabalen natin sa buong Pampanga sa tulong ng ating mahal na gobernadora (Lilia Pineda), tiyak ang ating tagumpay,” Mamac said.

Former City Councilor Willy Rivera appealed to Kapampangans to vote for Sassa online.

“Let us help Sassa in her journey to 'The Voice Kids' to become the grand champion by simultaneously casting our solid votes on Saturday and Sunday,” he said.

Sassa serves as a role model and inspiration not only to the youth but also to everyone who has a dream, Rivera added.

Robert Yeen, Sassa’s History teacher and former chairman of Barangay Salapungan, urged the people of Pampanga to “give our best support for a world-class talent.”

“Ang labang ito ay laban nating lahat. Laban na ng buong Gitnang Luzon at hindi lamang ng Holy Angel University, Angeles City o Pampanga. Si Sassa ay matalino, simple, masayahin, mabait at palakaibigang estudyante,” Yeen said.

Gun-for-hire killed in shootout

(Tempo)

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – A suspected gun-for-hire syndicate member tagged in the killings of two persons, including a confidential agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in Angeles City, was killed in a shootout with policemen in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, Thursday afternoon.

Chief Supt. Rudy G. Lacadin, Central Luzon acting police regional director, identified the slain suspect as Sarif Mohaimen, alleged member of a gun-for-hire group operating in Pampanga and other areas in Central Luzon.

Supt. Jose Marie Basa, Mabalacat City police chief, reported that Mohaimen was suspect in the slayings of businessman Wilfredo Flores of Sta. Trinidad and Rey Nicdao Rodriguez, a confidential agent of PDEA, in separate places in Angeles City last August 20.

Mohaimen ranked third in the list of most wanted persons in Angeles City, according to Basa said.

He said that Mohaimen was driving a Yamaha Mio motorcycle with plate 4106 RR when flagged down by lawmen who were tipped off of his presence in the area.

Mohaimen, instead to surrendering, resisted arrest and sped off, prompting the operatives to chase him.

Almost 20 minutes after, police cornered the suspect but the latter traded shots with them that resulted in his death.

Probers recovered from the crime scene the suspect’s unlicensed caliber .45-caliber pistol and motorcycle and other valuables.

Angeles to experience power interruption on August 31

ANGELES CITY -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has advised residents in Angeles City to take precautions and necessary preparations for a power interruption scheduled on August 31, Monday.

The power interruption is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 12 noon (Mexico-AEC 69kV Line 1) and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mexico-AEC 69kV Line 2).

NGCP Corporate Communications Officer Ernest Lorenz Vidal said some of its transmission facilities located in Mexico, Pampanga will be shutdown to facilitate load splitting of line 1 and 2 and replacement of potential transformer for metering and protection purposes.

Specific barangays to be affected by the power interruption are determined by Distribution Utility (Angeles City Electric Corporation), unless the power interruption affects the entire franchise area.

The distribution utility allots the available power within its franchise area and implements the power interruption schedule among the end users.

Normal operations will immediately resume after work completion, Vidal said.

House probe sought into Capilion project

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod here has asked the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation on the Clark Green Frontier of Singapore-based Capilion Corporation PTE Limited.

The city councilors expressed their request to Congress through a resolution unanimously approved on Tuesday.

The city officials are requesting Congress through Representatives Oscar Rodriguez (Pampanga Third District), Joseller “Yeng” Guiao (Pampanga First District), Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc (Pampanga Fourth District), Noel Villanueva (Tarlac Third District), Susan Yap Sulit (Tarlac Second District) and all members of the Central Luzon congressman bloc to introduce a resolution in pursuit of an investigation of the construction of Capilion in a no build zone inside the Clark Freeport.

Councilor Max Sangil, proponent of the resolution, said that their request is addressed to all Central Luzon congressmen.

The city officials claimed that the present administration of the state owned Clark Development Corporation (CDC) entered into a lease agreement for 25 years with a possible extension of another 25 years with Capilion, a Singaporean company in a no build zone near the former main gate of Clark Freeport.

The 3.8-hectare location of the Capilion project, where several mixed-used facilities will be erected, was already carved out by virtue of Republic Act 9400 (Bases Conversion and Development Law as amended) and no longer under the territorial jurisdiction of CDC, the officials stated in their resolution.

The said area, which is now part of Angeles City, was freed by several master plans, undertaken in previous administrations of CDC, according to Sangil.

Based on the previous master plan, the Capilion site was reserved for future use as an inter-modal train station for a railway system that will connect the planned Clark International Airport as an international gateway into the main rail system, Sangil added.

The establishment of several tall buildings in that no build zone will restrict the growth of Clark airport, the SP resolution stated.

Aside from these, the councilors projected that the establishment of buildings in the said area will contribute to traffic congestion at the Freeport’s main entrance.

“The presence of the mixed-used facility in the area will aggravate the almost daily traffic jams being experienced by commuters on the nearby, particularly Don Juico Avenue, Fields Avenue that extends up to MacArthur Highway,” Sangil said.

Sangil said that the resolution was co-sponsored by Councilors Maricel Morales and Amos Rivera and backed by majority of the city council members.

CDC: Capilion is within Clark Freeport

(CDC Communications Department)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The 3.8-hectare property where Capilion would put up its Clark Green Frontier (CGF) Project is within the Clark Freeport Zone, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) reiterated Wednesday.

Under Republic Act 9400, the location of the project falls within the Freeport. A survey map issued by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) shows the boundaries of the Clark Freeport Zone and it includes the CGF area.

NAMRIA is the central mapping agency of the government.

The law has specifically carved out of the Freeport “only” the 22-hectare commercial area (SM City Clark) and another 7.5 hectares (Bayanihan Park).

The Capilion area was also already designated by the CDC Board of Directors on February 13, 2014 as part of a mixed use commercial district, thus, cannot be said to be a "no-build zone".

The area was formerly designated as an open space which could be converted into other purposes under existing laws.

CDC would also like to ask all concerned to be patient and allow traffic experts from UPNCTS to finish the Traffic Impact Assessment.

This traffic study and plan would be presented to concerned parties in the near future. CDC asks the public not to lose sight on how it is putting up a wholistic approach to help LGUs address traffic problems.

It is also going to implement soon the East Perimeter Road that would also help decongest MacArthur Highway from Mabalacat to Balibago area.

LTO licensing sites activated in Central Luzon

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The Land Transportation Office has activated 25 sites in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Eastern Visayas for license issuances.

This is the agency’s response to the driver’s license backlog issue. Allcard Plastics will be responsible of the delivery of license cards over a 12 month period.

After testing the new system for the issuance of driver’s licenses at 19 of its sites last week, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) activated 25 sites for driver’s license, student’s permit, and conductor’s license applicants beginning, August 24.

“Our effort to break a 30-year monopoly in driver’s license cards supply is finally about to bear fruit. It is unfortunate that we had to resort to temporary licenses for several months, but good governance principles demanded an open, fair, and transparent bid. We will now work double time to normalize this service,” said Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

In Central Luzon, the LTO designated sites in Bulacan, Pampanga and Angeles City.

“We will print licenses during Saturdays and after office hours on weekdays, in order to erase the current backlog of around 900,000 licenses by the beginning of October this year,” said LTO chief Assistant Secretary Alfonso Tan Jr.

These license cards sport a new, color-coded design: orange cards will be issued to student drivers, yellow cards to conductors, and the current blue card to both professional and non-professional drivers.

The DOTC recently awarded the LTO License Cards Supply Project to Allcard Plastics, whose P 336.868-million bid was 25.3 percent lower than the P450-million budget for the contract.

Allcard is responsible for the delivery of five million pieces of license cards over a 12-month period, which supply is intended to cover demand for the next three years.

Pamintuan Mansion reopens as Museum of Phl Social History

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu (CLJD-PIA 3)

ANGELES CITY, August 24 (PIA) -- The highly urbanized city’s iconic Pamintuan Mansion reopened today as the Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas, offering a panorama of past and present life and culture of ordinary Filipinos.

“Social history is the study of everyday life. Hence one would see here the belief systems, houses and belongings, clothing, food and utensils, and art forms and leisure of Filipinos and how these have changed, remained, or disappeared,” Museum curator Bettina Arriola said.

The museum has nine galleries focusing on the history of the mansion from its construction in 1890; various Philippine textiles, accessories, and weaving tools; and Filipino clothing styles.

Gallery 4 shows architectural styles across the archipelago using scale models of traditional Filipino houses while Gallery 5 features bedroom furniture of 19th century bahay na bato and Gallery 6 contains classic and modern Filipino songs with visitors given listening devices.

Gallery 7, on the other hand, features traditional Filipino games such as dama, sungka, mahjong, and bingo and Gallery 8 depicts Philippine mythological creatures namely the tikbalang, aswang, and dwende.

And lastly Gallery 9 exhibits a typical Filipino kitchen complete with utensils and food.

Apart from galleries, other facilities include an audio-visual room, lecture room, e-learning room for online lessons on the history of the Philippines, and electronic tablets that contain information on Filipino houses, furniture, and music.

“The conversion of the Pamintuan Mansion into a museum is good news for the city as we could expect around 500 visitors daily. We are now working at improving our Museo ning Angeles which was formerly the municipal hall so that we could transform this area into a heritage district along with the Holy Rosary Parish Church,” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines allotted PhP22 million for the restoration and curatorial work of the museum which was the site of the first and only public Independence Day celebration under the administration of former President Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1899 and served as a former branch of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

“It is free. Everyone can visit the museum. We are open daily from 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon,” Arriola added.

For inquiries and guided tours, please contact (045) 304-4042 or email mpshnhcp@gmail.com.

Yakimix reopens Angeles branch at Marquee Mall

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Yakimix restaurant reopened on Sunday its branch at Marquee Mall here following its temporary closure last August 9.

The city government suspended the buffet restaurant’s operations after more than 40 persons allegedly suffered gastroenteritis and other illnesses after eating in the establishment.

Chito Manlapaz, store manager of Yakimix Marquee Mall, assured that they have complied with all the requirements set by the city government and the Department of Health (DOH).

According to Manlapaz, the restaurant management is conducting daily monitoring of food in order to ensure that the customers’ safety.

“We are back to a bigger, healthier, and improved Yakimix to serve you better. We have set stricter standards to ensure that the food we served is safe without compromising its deliciousness and price which made Yakimix a byword among the Filipino people,” Manlapaz said.

“Iniimbitahan ko po kayong lahat sa reopening ng Yakimix Pampanga dito sa Marquee Mall. Ina-assure po namin sa inyong lahat na dino-double check po namin ang mga food namin,” he added.

The city government discovered at least 17 violations in the restaurant’s operation including the employees’ lack of health certificates and clearances and others. Manlapaz however clarified that these were already addressed.

City officials, members of the press, and other guests attended the establishment’s reopening.

Balibago all set for P3.5M CCTV system

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY -- Barangay Balibago chairman Rodelio Mamac said that they are now set to install some 48 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras worth P3.5-million here after announcing plans in July.

Mamac told Sun.Star Pampanga that the CCTV project for the barangay will include a monitoring room that will be manned by six individuals. The individuals will come from the barangay's persons with disability sector.

"The monitoring station will have a direct line with the local bantay bayan force and the police for quick response to emergency situations or crime incidents," Mamac said.

Banks, financial institutions, pawnshops, money lenders, money remittance services, money changers, convenience stores, drug stores, shopping centers, supermarkets, movie houses, hospitals, public transport terminals, hardware stores, and others are also included in the business establishments required to install CCTVs, Mamac said.

The cameras will also be situated in high density areas like Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Hadrian Extension, Santo Niño, and Arayat Street, all in Barangay Balibago.

Mamac added that the installation of state-of-the-art CCTV in areas where most businesses are and places frequented by the people is a deterrent against criminal activities.

Mamac added that they will also encourage business establishments and subdivisions, as well as schools and churches, to put up their own CCTV cameras to boost local security and crime prevention efforts.

30 street children rescued in Balibago

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Some 30 street children were rescued in two separate operations conducted by officials of Barangay Balibago here.

Balibago village chairman Rodelio "Tony" Mamac said that they conducted the rescue following several complaints and reports that some of the kids are exploited for illegal activities.

"Poverty and lack parental concern pushed them to the streets and in sniffing rugby, stealing, pickpocketing, and snatching. Clearly these children are in conflict with the law," Mamac said.

The village chief said that they tried to turn over the children to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) but to no avail.

"Thinking of bringing the kids to CSWD but just the same, they will advise us to bring them home only to be back on the streets. We may rather keep them in the barangay hall for further counseling," Mamac said.

Job opportunities in Clark to rise as firms set to expand, start operations

(CDC CommDep)

CLARK FREEPORT — Firms that are set to expand and opens new business venture here are hoping that more workers will apply in the various job vacancies to complement their manpower needs.

In the Marketing Support Services report to Clark Development Corporation President Arthur P. Tugade, three companies here are looking for qualified workers to fillup vacant positions in their respective firms.

Among the firms that are currently looking for warm bodies for their expansions and new operations are Beepo Inc., La Rose Noire Phils. Inc., and Midori Hotel and Casino.

Three (3) firms are in need of qualified applicants to fill-up vacancies to help improve the number of regular employees in Clark.

Beepo, an Australian Business Process Outsourcing firm located here, is need of digital marketers, social media marketers, SEO Specialists, Web developers, Wordpress developers, Customer Service Representatives, IT/Technical Support representatives, accountants, appointment setters, research analyst and Mandarin speakers for research/marketing positions.

While La Rose, a catering services firm, is in need of bakers, pastry chef, production manager, supervisor warehouse/procurement manager, finance manager, engineering Asst. Manager, Engineering Supervisor, Engineering Line Staff, translator (to Filipino, English and Mandarin), and Quality Staff Control.

The Midori, the first five-star hotel to be established in Central Luzon, is need of bar and banquet captain, revenue supervisor, floor captain, asst. engineer manager, electronic engineer steward shifthead, concierge supervisor, front officer supervisor and laundry supervisor, and general foreman. The hotel is expected to soft open before the end of the year.

The openings of jobs in Clark are just few of the companies that are in need of workers in their expansion and future opening of the firms. Other job openings in Clark can be accessed to CDC website: www.clark.com.ph.

Earlier, actual employment in Clark was recorded at 79,767 from 781 registered enterprises, including some government agencies.

During the mid-year report of June 2014, Clark has only 72,875 workers an increased by 6,892 in June 2015 or more than nine percent increase for a period of one year.

The number of workers in Clark is the all-time highest since the conversion of Clark from military facility 1993.

The increased of workers are attributed by the investors on the sound investment climate inside Clark since President Aquino implemented its programs through the ‘Matuwid na Daan.’

With the opening of employment of some firms, Tugade has expressed hoped that the 100,000 workers in Clark would be breached before President Aquino steps down from Malacanang Palace in June next year.

Best housing design eyes slum-free Clark Green City

(Sun.Star Pampanga)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The best housing design from the final five entries of the BALE (Building Accessible and Liveable Ecologies) global competition is geared towards making the Clark Green City a slum-free community where everyone can afford decent and quality housing, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

The grand winner of the international housing design competition will be awarded on August 20 at the Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City.

The BCDA in early May of this year started the said competition as a prelude to developing the residential complex of mixed-income and affordable housing units inside the Clark Green City, a 9,450-hectare lot within the Clark Special Economic Zone in the province of Tarlac envisioned as the country’s first smart, green and disaster-resilient metropolis.

“Plans to attain slum-free communities must always be included in future development efforts, that is why the vision and innovation of the Green City are geared towards inclusion,” BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova said.

Casanova cited the usual proliferation of informal settlers around central business districts and urban centers in the country due to non-inclusive development plans.

“The BALE’s concept of inclusion is aimed to uplift human dignity in a new metropolis where opportunities abound,” he added.

The winning design will be considered in BCDA’s joint housing project with Pag-IBIG (Home Mortgage and Development Fund) for the construction of an initial 2,000 low cost housing units intended as residences for some 85,000 daily wage earners inside Clark ecozone.

“Green City employees will have the convenience and proximity to their workplace and to their families. We will try to help improve the quality of their lives,” Casanova said.

Thirty registered participants submitted their design entries to BCDA last July 3 to a jury composed of international and local experts chaired by architect Andrea Dorotan, a faculty of the University of the Philippines College of Architecture and an alumna of the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

“The jury had the difficult task of determining the top five teams out of all the 30 entries with design and financial proposals,” Dorotan said.

Eventually, the five finalists were chosen and were awarded US$3,000 prize each last July 22.

The finalists will submit the refinements of their designs for the final presentation where the grand winner will receive US$40,000 with the winning design to be used as model for implementation.

Architects Jan Carlo San Luis and Angelo Ray Serrano, ages 27 and 26, respectively, are finalists representing the 1/0 Design Collective, who think their proposal is very inclusive of the people.

San Luis and Serrano, both architecture graduates from the University of Santo Tomas, were challenged on how to strike a balance between coming up with innovative solutions and feasible designs.

“We found (the competition) as an opportunity for our generation of professionals to be heard. We are really driven to put ideas out there, which is ultimately represented by our proposal for the Clark Podscapes,” San Luis said adding that students and young professionals alike have “an unlimited repertoire in our drive to learn and innovate.”

The BCDA chief also noted that finalists of the housing design competition belong to the generation of millennials and said innovation and ingenuity will mark development plans for the Green City.

Demographers maintain that the Millennial Generation, also known as Generation Y, are those born in the early 1980s to the early 2000s and the first generation to come of age in the new millennium.

One of the five finalists is a design team called Planning for Harmony and Integration (PHI) composed of youthful architects Olivia Lauron, 31, a product of the Palawan State University, Juan Miguel Buna, 27, from Adamson University, Berlin Gaile Gascon, 24, from UST, and engineer Rosalyn Veneracion, 36, with Criscia Alonte, 24, a Human Ecology graduate of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

“We saw an opportunity for our ideas on housing to be shown to the world,” Lauron said adding that their design harmonizes with what CGC stands for—as an inclusive, smart and green, and disaster-resilient development.

Architect Louwie Gan represents the team, L.A. Gan & Associates, another finalist in the BALE competition. He is an environmental planner and urban designer.

The winning design will be selected based on the following criteria: place branding, responsiveness to local and community needs, environmental sensitivity, green and smart features, project financing and feasibility, operational sustainability and innovation.

Another finalist, the team 3RDCUBE+RS is represented by the 37-year old Raymond Andrew Sih, a University of the Philippines graduate and whose team has more than a decade of experience in urban and sustainable design in the Philippines, China and the US.

Sih said he hopes the Green City’s development prioritizes people and the environment.

“We want the future citizens of CGC to be empowered with a healthy appreciation and respect for nature,” Sih added.

The lone overseas-based finalist is Handel Architects of Hong Kong, represented by David Kilpatrick, a graduate of the Washington University.

A total of 279 hectares is allotted for the mixed-use development of the Green City’s rental housing community to accommodate an estimated 800,000 employees and their families at full development in 50 years.

Five hectares will be allotted for the housing needs of some 200 families to be affected by initial development works.

CGC is expected to be launched in 2016.

“The youth as productive citizens involved in the Green City assure us of a promising future for the country’s first slum-free metropolis,” Casanova added.

The top five finalists incorporated international best practices in their designs and featured prototype communities for a diverse-income community with sustainable lifestyles.

Angeles City exec pushes tax relief measure on real property

By Rhea Katerine Mendoza [(PNA), CTB/ZST/RKM/PS]

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Aug. 18 (PNA) -- Good news to Angeles City real property owners with unpaid real property tax.

City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has certified as “an urgent and priority measure” a proposed ordinance granting “relief in the form of condonation of interests, penalties and surcharges of unpaid real property taxes for the periods: January 1 to December 31, 2010; January 1 to December 31, 2011; January 1 to December 31, 2012; January 1 to December 31, 2013; and, January 1 to December 31, 2014.”

Pamintuan, in his letter to the members of the majority bloc of the Angeles City Council, stated that, “the grant of tax relief to Angeles City landowners who have unpaid real property taxes will enable them to recuperate from losses brought about by the natural calamities that severely affected their businesses and livelihood from 2009 to 2014.”

Supporting the said tax relief measure is Resolution No. 2, Series of 2015 dated August 3, 2015 of the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (ACDRRMC).

The resolution of the city's disaster management body enumerated the typhoons that affected the province of Pampanga, including Angeles City from 2009 to 2014, and recommended the enactment of the tax relief ordinance.

Pamintuan's letter was addressed to councilors Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno, Jericho Aguas, Edgardo Pamintuan Jr., Alex Indiongco, Maricel Morales, Danica Lacson, Arvin Suller, Amos Rivera, Max Sangil and Lito Ganzon.

With the expected support of 10 out of 11 City Councilors, the proposed tax relief measure is expected to be passed on third and final reading before the end of the third quarter of the year and will be in effect until the end of May 2016.

Angeles City govt distributes PhilHealth cards to 1,313 indigent residents

(PNA), FFC/ZST/RKM/PS

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Aug. 17 (PNA) -- The city government distributed on Monday PhilHealth point-of-care (POC) cards to 1,313 beneficiaries from the city’s 33 villages.

City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, together with local officials and village chiefs here, led the distribution of the POC cards that will aid indigent patients of Ospital ning Angeles (ONA) with their medical needs and hospital bills.

“The implementation of the POC program is part of the expansion of our social and quality health care services dedicated to the indigent constituents of our city,” Pamintuan said.

Through POC, he said that non-member patients will be entitled with automatic PhilHealth membership and insurance coverage that will ensure and facilitate their medical needs.

Beneficiaries enrolled under the city’s POC program will grant PhilHealth coverage to members starting on the first day of hospital admission.

Meanwhile, hospital bills, laboratory fees and medicines are free of charge under the No Balance Billing (NBB) policy, especially in government hospitals like ONA.

However, applicants for the POC program should undergo and pass the medical social worker’s assessment as an evaluation mechanism to prove the applicant’s indigency.

A total of PHP2,400 per beneficiary will be subsidized by the city government.

Councilor Alexander Indiongco, the city council’s committee chairperson for health, said that Angeles has allocated PHP8 million funding for the POC program.

In 2014, the city government has enrolled a total of 1,080 patients.

Bizman: Government road projects to boost tourism

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) vice chairman Rene Romero said Sunday that he has high hopes that the Department of Tourism (DOT) projects for Central Luzon under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria (TRIPPC) will provide a "needed boost" to the region's tourism activities.

Romero, a senior member of the Regional Development Council, said that some of the programs under construction works. Among these are the Clark – Angeles – Magalang Road, Angeles City and the West Circumferential Road (Friendship Highway) Angeles City Section.

Other plans for the TRIPPC in Central Luzon include the Lourdes – Clark Airbase Road, Tarlac, and the Pantabangan- Canili Bypass Road Aurora Province. Plans with direct impact on Pampanga tourism include the Aquino Byway – MNR (via San Jose Malino Anao Road and del Rosario Calulut San Fernando) and the Aquino Byway Manila North Road (via Mabalacat – Magalang Road).

Romero said that once the road projects are fully realized, travelers and tourists will have easy access to different tourism destinations in Pampanga and Central Luzon.

"The quality and availability of road networks leading to tourism destinations have an effect on the overall tourism plans of the different provinces serviced by these projects," Romero said, adding that they are closely monitoring the developments of the road programs.

New UP campus to rise inside Clark Green City

(PR)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the University of the Philippines (UP) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) recently that will pave the way for the establishment of a UP global campus in Clark Green City.

BCDA president and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Paciano Casanova and UP President Alfredo Pascual signed the MOA in simple rites held at the Board of Regents (BOR) Room at the UP Administration Building in Diliman, Quezon City.

Joining them in the panel were UP Vice President Elvira Zamora, UP Vice president Gisella Concepcion, BCDA Director Zorayda Alonzo, BCDA Executive Vice President and BCDA Vice-President Jake Bingcang, among other members of the BCDA corporate family.

The new University of the Philippines campus will rise on a 70-hectare area and is envisioned to position the Clark Green City as the "brain capital" of the Central Luzon region.

BCDA believes that a strong country relies on the presence of an enlightened and educated citizenship. Through this partnership, BCDA expresses its commitment to helping UP achieve leadership in higher excellence and fuel social transformation and change in the Philippines.

Yakimix vows to reimburse food poisoning victims

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The management of Yakimix Restaurant at MarQuee Mall has vowed to reimburse their customers who allegedly suffered gastroenteritis and amoebiasis after dining at the buffet food outlet, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said Friday.

The move is included in the official position of the establishment during the hearing called by the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Tuesday, according to the mayor.

Yakimix executives also assured the city councilors that they will fully cooperate in the investigation being conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the City Health Office (CHO).

They also vowed full compliance of requirements issued by the DOH and the CHO.

Pamintuan said that only 10 out of the firm’s 50 employees secured work permits from the City Government.

The mayor said the City Government will impose penalties to the Yakimix branch who hired workers without health certificates.

Pamintuan described the incident as an “eye-opener” to city officials saying that a task force should be organized in order to monitor the operation of all restaurants in the city.

The task force will consist of heads and personnel from the CHO, Engineering Office, and the City Administrator’s Office.

Angeles village visited by CamSur village execs

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Leaders from various villages of Calabanga town in Camarines Sur recently visited Barangay Balibago of this city as part of their Lakbay Aral program.

The CamSur delegation decided to visit Balibago in order to learn and adopt some of its best practices and programs relative to local governance.

Balibago Chairman Rodelio “Tony” Mamac said the Lakbay Aral participants led by Barangay Chairman Angel Comia of San Antonio Quipayo were directed to visit the city by Camarines Sur Third District Representative Leni Robredo.

“For years, Balibago has been a host to Lakbay Aral delegates, sharing its secrets of success to developing communities in the country,” Mamac said.

The village chief said that he shared with the group the village’s projects including social protection benefits, social hygiene, scholarship, Botika Sa Barangay, Baboyan sa Barangay, Gulayan sa Barangay, Vermi Composting, Barangay Rescue, Annual Sports League, Salakot Festival, Senior Citizens Program, and financial management among others.

Robredo thanked Mamac and other leaders of Barangay Balibago for supporting CamSur village officials.

“Super duper thanks as always Kap (Mamac). Dami ko na utang sa iyo. Idol na idol ka ng mga Kaps ko,” Robredo stated in her Facebook message to Mamac.

Capilion to construct green buildings

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Capilion Corporation Pte Ltd. will build “green buildings” in its P7-billion mixed use facility project called Clark Green Frontier (CGF).

This was gleaned in the question and answer (Q&A) released by the Clark Development Corporation recently.

A lease agreement between the CDC and Singaporean firm was signed on May 8, 2014 and it will in effect for 25 years.

CGF is a commercial center ideal for business process outsourcing (BPO) offices, hotel, residential, as well as retail enterprises, the CDC stated.

The name – Clark Green Frontier --- was chosen by Capilion as its undertaking in Clark and is found in a backdrop of greenery that is far from typical urban jungle setting which is something that Clark is known for, the state-owned corporation added.

One of the reasons behind the name of the project is the construction of green buildings designed to respond to the worldwide call to protect the environment, according to CDC.

The facility is located inside a 3.8-hectare property near the Freeport’s main entrance along the M.A. Roxas Avenue.

The CDC Board of Directors had approved on February 13, 2014 a resolution declaring the CGF’s area as part of a mixed use commercial district.

The project’s location was formerly designated as an open space which could be converted into other purposes under existing laws.

The height limitation permit for CGF buildings issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on November 13, 2014 set a maximum height of edifice that can be erected in the area at 52 meters above ground.

Based on its initial design, the CGF buildings will be nine-storeys high or 43.9 meters tall.

The CDC disclosed that will be within the CAAP limit and would not pose any problem to flights at the Clark International Airport.

Aside from these, the CGF buildings are designed in a manner that would complement the view from the Don Juico Avenue in Barangay Malabanias in Angeles City which runs parallel with the M.A. Roxas Avenue in Clark, the CDC claimed.

On June 4, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) with reference code R03 1505-0223 for the project.

Clark Museum features science, technology exhibits

(CLJD-PIA 3)

CLARK FREEPORT -- Works of students coming from various schools in Pampanga are currently featured in a Science and Technology exhibit series at the Clark Museum.

The undertaking is co-organized by the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Central Luzon campus, Clark Development Corporation (CDC), and Department of Science and Technology.

“The exhibits are part of our joint agreement with CDC. Students and public alike can view it all Wednesdays of August and September from 2:30PM to 4:00PM,” PSHS Campus Director Lilia Habacon said.

Other participating institutions are Angeles City Science High School, Balibago Elementary School, and Mabalacat Elementary School.

It started last August 5 with a “Pisay Quest” themed display.

Upcoming exhibits include Science Magic (August 12); Robotics (August 19); Water Rocket Challenge (August 26); Science and Research Fair (September 2); Arts, Drafting and Technology (September 9); and Strategies on Teaching Science (September 16).

Cheaper flour pushes down bread, noodle prices

By Warren Serrano (DTI-3)

ANGELES CITY -- Good news for bread lovers.

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently reported that the suggested retail prices (SRP) of bread products like Pinoy tasty and pandesal have dropped due to the steady decrease in the price of hard flour.

The Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) of DTI said that the baking industry implemented a P0.50 to P1 reduction in the price of loaf bread while the price of 10 pieces of pandesal was reduced by P1.

On the other hand, other bread sellers have increased the weight of their products for the same price to reflect their savings on the cheaper purchase price of flour.

Recent monitoring by the price monitoring team of DTI CPAB showed that the normal price of loaf bread in groceries and bakeries ranging from P47 to P60 has dropped to a range of P 46 to 59.50.

DTI-3 Director Judith Angeles noted that the agency has published new suggested retail prices (SRP) of Pinoy Tasty and Pan de Sal dated July 23, 2015.

As compared to their SRP in April 2015, the present SRP price of Pinoy Tasty is P0.50 lower, while a pack of ten pieces of Pinoy pandesal is P0.25 lower.

As compared to last year, the SRP of Pinoy Tasty has decreased by P1 while the price of pandesal fell by P0.50.

For noodles, the SRP of a 55 gram pack has decreased from P 6.70 in April 2015 to P6.45 in the July 2015 SRP schedule.

As per recent monitoring, the price of Pinoy pandesal in bag with 10 pieces is now P 22, compared to P 24 two weeks ago, in supermarkets and groceries in the region.

Pampanga village chief wants to regain lost territory

By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY—The prosperous barangay of Balibago was downsized to prevent it from eventually separating from the city and becoming a new municipality. This in effect is what Balibago Barangay Captain Tony Mamac tried to explain at the media forum “Talk Widus” at the Prism Lounge of Widus Hotel and Casino last Wednesday organized by the Pampanga Press Club in cooperation with the hotel.

Mamac said he intends to regain his village’s lost territory after it was gerrymandered during the time of Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin who was city mayor from 1998 to 2007.

Mamac said Lazatin’s action, backed with the non-opposition of then-Balibago Barangay Captain Noel Flores and the late Malabanias Barangay Captain Thelmo Lalic, has solidified the then-mayor’s gerrymandering move.

Lalic, a known close supporter of Lazatin, gained from the gerrymandering with the acquisition of new territory for his barangay which included SM City Clark.

Mamac said that when SM City Clark was opened in May 2006, it acquired all its permits from Barangay Balibago.

Until now, Mamac said, SM Clark tenants unknowingly go to the Balibago Barangay Hall, less than a kilometer from SM, to get their permits only to be directed to Barangay Malabanias which is located in the downtown area or about 5 kilometers from SM.

Mamac said it was also during Lazatin’s time when Barangay Pulung Maragul, located at the eastern border of Balibago, also gained the latter’s territory including Don Bonifacio Subdivision.

Just recently, the raging controversy over the location of the Capilion Corp. Pte. Ltd. project at the main gate of the Clark Freeport revealed that SM City Clark and the Bayanihan Park are actually excluded from the free port by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 9400 which amended RA 7227, or the Bases Conversion and Development Act.

RA 9400 provides that the 22-hectare commercial area that is now occupied by SM City Clark and another 7.5 hectares covering the Bayanihan Park are excluded from the free port. Armed with this information, Mamac said he intends to reclaim his barangay’s lost territory.

He said RA 7160, or the Local Government Code of the Philippines, states that the territory of a barangay cannot be altered without a corresponding city ordinance and a plebiscite. The law states that as the basic political unit, “the barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, by law or by an ordinance of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or Sangguniang Panlungsod, subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted by the Comelec…shall be necessary.”

Mamac, who won his first term in 2007, said he is now studying his next move to reclaim Balibago’s lost territories. According to the law, “a municipality may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered only by an act of Congress and subject to the approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted by the Comelec…” The law also states that “a municipality may be created if it has an average annual income, as certified by the provincial treasurer, of at least P2.5 million for the last two consecutive years based on the 1991 constant prices; a population of at least 25,000 inhabitants as certified by the National Statistics Office; and a contiguous territory of at least 50 square kilometers as certified by the Lands Management Bureau.”

Barangay Balibago has a daytime population of 45,000 to 48,000, which doubles up during nighttime and weekends since it is the main entertainment district not only of the city but the province, as well. The infamous Fields Avenue is located in the village.

Balibago’s land area has been reduced to only 160 hectares even as it presently hosts majority of the hotels in the city, Pagcor’s Casino Filipino, hundreds of restaurants, banks, malls and upscale residential subdivisions with an annual income of P23 million as of last year. Barangay Balibago has a higher income and population than at least six other Pampanga towns—Santo Tomas, Sasmuan, Santa Rita, Santa Ana, San Luis and San Simon.

CDC: P7-B Clark project to benefit local economy

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) stated that the P7-billion Clark Green Frontier (CGF), which is being handled by Singapore-based Capilion Corporation Incorporated, will benefit the local economy.

This was gleaned in a Question and Answer (Q&A) released by the state-owned corporation in a bid to inform the public about the mixed-use facility, which will be constructed at the freeport’s main entrance.

The CDC said that CGF’s employment capacity is massive with 75,000 projected jobs at its peak in about five years.

This is the largest job generation by a single firm in Clark and probably in the whole Central Luzon, according to CDC.

This is contrary to the claims of Councilor Max Sangil and Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) head Ruperto Cruz that the giant commercial facility will compete with local businesses and hurt the local economy, the CDC said.

The CDC disclosed that “the government also stands to benefit enormously in the payment of lease which rates are believed to be the highest for any investment projects inside the Clark Freeport.”

There are also direct benefits from payment of Gross Income Earned (GIE) as required of Clark locators, according to CDC.

For host communities, CDC said there are also actual benefits from payment of business and other permits, income and other forms of taxes.

On the traffic issue, CDC bared that it requires Capilion to submit a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA).

Capilion has commissioned the University of the Philippine (UP) National Center for Transportation Studies (UPNCTS) to prepare the required TIA.

The UPNCTS will work closely with CDC regarding the preparation of this requirement.

The traffic impact assessment will be prepared in consultation with the Angeles City government. It will include an analysis of traffic situation in the project’s various stages of development.

The TIA will also identify locations that would be prone to traffic congestion or conflict points, the CDC stated.

The study is also expected to recommend remedial measures to overcome potential traffic problems.

Sangil earlier said that the facility will create monstrous traffic jam in the area particularly during rush hours and peak seasons.

Trader to bring more Japanese firms to Clark

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- A top executive of a Japanese firm here expressed his intention to bring more Japanese firms in Clark.

Clark Premiere Industrial Park Inc. (CPIP) president and Chief Executive Officer Hiroyasu Yaguchi cited the Freeports' potential in terms of business and tourism.

Yaguchi said the industrial park is willing to contribute to Clark by enticing Japanese investors to put up manufacturing plants inside the Freeport.

The effort is part of an understanding forged between the Business Development Group of Clark Development Corporation and the Japan Economic Trade Organization (JETRO) Network.

Japanese firms occupy the 8.1-hectare industrial park.

CPIP accommodates four hi-tech industries including Nanox Philippines Inc., L & K Industries Philippines Inc., Aderans Philippines Inc. and SMK Electronics Phils. Corp.

JETRO spearheads the investment promotion by receiving appointment requests and providing comprehensive information on the Philippines' investment climate.

It also acts as support center by accommodating inquiries and application for tenancy.

Aside from the investment incentives, high quality work force and strategic location of the Philippines as a business destination makes Clark an attractive investment destination, Yaguchi said.

Yaguchi said CPIP is aiming on reinventing innovative solutions to help Japanese companies relocate in Clark.

He added that this could be done through building the necessary environment such as easy business registration processing and full assistance until the firm is well established.

Yaguchi added that they would continue to assist Japanese companies in entering the Philippines, especially in Clark.

CPIP provides multi-faceted support, including one-stop services, as the first contact point for overseas companies interested in expansion to the Philippines.

Operating for more than 17 years, CPIP has its domestic office located at Industrial Estate 5, M. A. Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport Zone.

700 children benefit from retirees organization's medical mission

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- More than 700 children in Barangay Capaya and other villages in this city benefitted from a medical mission conducted by the Returned and Services League (RSL) of Australia Angeles City Chapter recently.

Barangay Balibago Chairman Rodelio Mamac, coordinator of RSL Angeles City Chapter, said that they also distributed free medicines and vitamins to the kids.

Aside from this, the RSL officers and members led by their president lawyer James Curtis Smith (father of actress Anne Curtis) donated wheelchairs to at least five physically challenged children.

The beneficiaries include Raven Lee Gahoy, 5, of Capaya 2; Jamaica Faith Valencia, 5, of Pineda Compound Capaya 2; Zach Singian, 9, of LNS Subdivision Barangay Santo Domingo; Justine Mallari, 10, of Magsaysay Street Capaya 2; and Daniel Cano, 7 of Purok 3 Capaya 1.

Mamac said the group was able to extend assistance to children with illnesses and disabilities from several barangays in the city.

Other selected villages, including EPZA and Cutcut and others, were among the venues of the RSL’s monthly medical mission, according to Mamac.

The organization is committed to provide medical assistance to help the communities of Angeles City and Pampanga, the village chief added.

"We have donated wheelchairs, hearing aids, medicines and vitamins to indigent children. We will continue our program that will benefit our less fortunate constituents," Mamac said.

4 fake NBI agents yield 6 guns, 94 live ammo

By Bernard Galang

ANGELES City -- Five pistols, several magazines and 94 live ammunition for calibers .45 and .40 firearms were seized from four bogus National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents who were arrested by the Pampanga Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) and city police here last Monday night.

Chief Insp. Ferdinand Aguilar, CIDT head, identified the suspects as Edgar Allan Rivera, Jover Roque, Lito Valdez and Teofilo Soriano Jr., who all claimed to be NBI agents assigned in Nueva Ecija.

The four armed men were arrested after the Pampanga CIDT received information that a group of alleged NBI agents had been roaming around the Korean Town in Bgy. Malabanias here and randomly inspecting establishments for violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law.

Aguilar said he was informed that the suspects had allegedly been extorting money and drinking alcoholic beverages in different bars without paying their bills.

CIDT operatives, along with elements of Police Station 4, rushed to the Hwangjini KTV Bar to accost the suspects but they were no longer there. After an hour, the operatives received a call that the armed men were at Don’t Tell Mama KTV Bar and proceeded there.

The operatives chanced upon Rivera, who tried but failed to flee. He yielded a cal. .45 Colt pistol and seven live ammunition but could not present documents for the firearm.

Minutes later, his companions went out of the bar and introduced themselves to the lawmen as NBI agents.

The suspects were then brought to the CIDT office. Upon verification with the NBI Regional Office in the City of San Fernando, it was learned that they were not members of the NBI so they were detained.

Police confiscated a cal. .40 Taurus pistol with 12 live ammunition from Roque; a cal. .45 Norinco and unbranded .45 pistols and 54 live ammunition from Valdez; and cals. .45 Llama and .45 Armscor and 33 live ammunition from Soriano.

The suspects, who were using a maroon Mitsubishi Adventure (DVG-499), are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition of 2013 and for usurpation of authority.

SC’s mobile courts free 8,500 inmates

By Tonette Orejas (Inquirer Central Luzon)

ANGELES CITY—Some 8,500 inmates from various jails in the country had been freed through hearings in mobile courts under the Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) of the Supreme Court (SC) since its launch in December 2004, Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo said on Friday.

Their release saved the government P552,000 daily in food allowance alone, said Del Castillo, chair of the SC’s committee on EJOW. The program was started during the term of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

Jayron Bacusmo was the first inmate acquitted by a mobile court here on Friday, during EJOW’s second visit in Angeles City since 2011. Bacusmo, 28, a father of three, was cleared of illegal drugs possession after staying in jail for almost six years.

He shed tears when a clerk read Executive Judge Omar Viola’s decision finding him innocent. “I’d like to see my kids in Bicol,” said Bacusmo, a native of Mabalacat City in Pampanga.

The cases of 65 male detainees and 13 female inmates were set to be resolved on Friday, Viola said.

The Supreme Court has nine buses that double up as mobile courts around the country.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, a human rights lawyer during martial law, said EJOW helps ease decongestion at the Angeles City jail. At least 65 local inmates were released through EJOW in 2011.

The facility, run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology here, hosts 1,957 men and 306 women, said wardens Supt. Florante Nisperos and Chief Insp. Rebecca Tiguelo.

The jail, good for only 250 prisoners, is among the most congested in the country.

“EJOW is a big help in decongesting jails and in expediting [resolution of] cases,” Nisperos told the Inquirer.

Del Castillo said EJOW also provided medical and dental aid to 20,358 inmates and gave legal assistance to 5,748 detainees.

KDF offers free cleft lip, palate operations

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – The Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) is offering free cleft lip and cleft palate operation for babies and children aged six months to two years old.

KDF Executive Director Sylvia M. Ordoñez said patients in Luzon affected by the birth defects can go to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Gymnasium on August 5 for the final screening and scheduling of surgical operations on board the US Navy Mercy Ship.

Ordonez also said free transportation to Subic will be provided to patients and their care-givers or companions during the media forum dubbed “Inn the News CAMI” organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI) in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), the Social Security System (SSS) and the Holiday Inn at the hotel’s Molave room last Friday.

Patients and their companions can also go to the KDF-Jesus A. Datu Medical Center (JADMC) in Barangay San Vicente, Bacolor, Pampanga on Aug. 5 for free transportation, she added.

May Shilton, past president of the Rotary Club of Mabalacat and overall mission coordinator, said the KDF can also be accessed through telephone numbers 045-4580027; 0917563314 and 09998847060 for further inquiries.

Indigent patients and their care-giver/companions will also be sheltered for free at the SBMA Convention Center before and after the surgery, Ordonez said.

She clarified that the mission is giving priority to cleft lip and cleft palate patients aged six months to two years old “because those operated at an early age have a better chance of recovering their ability to speak 100 percent.”

Shilton said the mission is ready to provide surgical operation on for at least 200 patients aboard the US Navy Mercy Ship presently winding up a medical mercy mission in Roxas City.

Ordonez said “this is the reason why we’re asking everybody to spread this news to help as many individuals as possible.”

She also encouraged older and other cleft lip and cleft palate patients to register for free surgery that will be undertaken at the cleft lip/palate center that the KDF will start operating this September at the JADMC.

This center, the first of its kind in Asia-Pacific, will continue to be supported by Operation Smile, Ordonez said.

Next month’s mission for cleft lip and cleft palate patients is a joint undertaking of the KDF, Operation Smile, the Rotary Club and SBMA.

Angeles council lauds AUF's Confucius Institute

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles City Council has approved Resolution 7211 as it moved to recognize the contributions of Angeles University Foundation-Confucius Institute (AUF-CI) in promoting friendly relations with China and the Philippines through education, culture and the arts.

Also recognized in the resolution were AUF-CI's Philippine Director Dr. Lourdes Tanhueco-Nepomuceno and Chinese Director Dr. Zhang Shifang. The resolution said that AUF-CI and the two directors have brought prestige to Angeles City through their endeavors.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilors Bryan Nepomuceno and Max Sangil, said that AUF-CI has spearheaded the inclusion of Chinese Mandarin in the Philippine basic education system since 2011 as well as the continuing training of local teachers of Chinese mandarin and the development and adoption of teaching materials customized for Filipino students.

The AUF-CI has been cited by the Confucius Institute Headquarters or Hanban as one of the Most Outstanding Confucius Institutes in the World for two years, 2011 and 2013. In 2014, the AUF-CI was named Overseas Chinese Test center of the year by Hanban.

In January 2013, the Department of Education officially designated the AUF-CI as the Center for Nurturing and Training Local Filipino Chinese Teachers.

Copies of the resolution honoring the contributions of AUF-CI were presented to the institute’s officers recently.

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