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Bataan News

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Province of Bataan - Archived News

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

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.

Bataan sighting

MORONG, Bataan, Philippines — The Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) confirmed Thursday that it is verifying reports that retired General Jovito Palparan had been sighted twice in this province.

Senior Superintendent Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan PPO director, said three teams of fully-armed policemen were deployed Thursday morning and have started combing the mountainous areas of this town, in nearby Bagac, and Abucay where Palparan was reportedly sighted.

Gunnacao said Palparan was sighted first in the towns of Morong and Bagac last January 10. Then on January 23, Palparan was seen in Abucay town, he said.

Palparan, who used to be the commander of the Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion in the 1980s and has since established close relationships with a number of people here, is being sought by authorities over the disappearance of University of the Philippines students.

Balanga mayor encourages more stakeholders from the private sectors to invest

BALANGA CITY, Bataan- "A thriving local economy through investments will be the key to our success,” said Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III during his recent State of the City Address (SOCA), as he invited businessmen to invest in the city.

One of the ways to achieve this desire is by updating the Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan (CLWUP) to suit the needs of our environment, which we are currently undertaking now, said Garcia.

“Through the revision of this plan by the Planning and Development Office, investors will now be given a list of businesses that they could profit in the city,” he said.

The land area of the city reached almost 11,000 hectares, 54 percent of this is fully developed and productive, while the remaining 46 percent is seeing the potential that entrepreneurs would come pouring in to invest.

“And to further develop this city and encourage more businessmen, the City government has passed the idle land tax ordinance that aims to encourage property owners to invest or partner with us to increase the production of agriculture, industrial, mixed used commercial or residential, etc,” Garcia explained.

In a related development, the city received two national awards that include the Seal of Good Housekeeping, an award given by the Department of Interior of Local Government (DILG); and Hall of Fame awardee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) as Most Business Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) for the third time.

Garcia said that “these awards shows dedication, hardwork, and good camaraderie of the LGU to entrepreneurs that we assist and provide us with their products and services, as well as giving job opportunities to Balangueños.

JRI, APO hold medical mission

ORION, Bataan — Indigent folk will be provided free medical and dental services free on Sunday in this town through an outreach project sponsored by the Jose Rizal Institute Alumni Association Class of 1979 and the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Samat Alumni Association.

Dr. Junn Teopengco, APO-Samat president, spearheads the medical services for the poor and said that their project is “being supported by Vice President Jejomar Binay.” Councilor Madell Bathan said the same group conducted a similar project in Samal.

Migratory birds flock to Balanga

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The peculiar but welcome visit of various species of migratory birds in this city continues to attract tourists and entertain investors doing business here.

Coincidentally, Balangeños celebrated recently the 2nd Ibong Dayo Festival at Wetland and Nature Park in Tortugas in a bid to create awareness on efforts initiated by Mayor Joet S. Garcia and Vice Mayor Noel Valdecanas to protect migratory birds.

“We are blessed with the natural gifts from God and we must protect them as caretakers,” Garcia said.

Improved peace and order cited

CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan — The Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) reported Tuesday the steady improvement of peace and order in this province over the last two years and the continued neutralization of organized crime groups.

Senior Superintendent Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan PPO director, said there had been a significant drop in the number of holdup, hijacking and robbery incidents.

Gunnacao assured the public and investors that the PPO will continue to exert efforts to get rid of all organized crime groups for a flourishing economy and peaceful way of life.

New Pilar town hall opened

PILAR, Bataan — Pilarians have all the reason to be proud with the opening of their new municipal hall which now stands as the biggest in the province. “I am proud to be called a ‘Pilarian’ because of our fast-growing economic development such as the establishment of our new municipal hall, the flaming sword, the zip line and the putting up of the Bataan Government center which is now making money,” said Mayor Charlie Pizarro. A total of P37 million will be spent for the complete renovation of the Municipal Hall and the historic flaming sword, a symbol of Pilar’s heroism.

Balanga Program

BALANGA CITY, Philippines — As the City’s Barangay week, a flagship program, enters its 5th successful year, Mayor Joet S. Garcia and the City council are bent on further boosting the said program in their bid to serve more the public.

At the same time, Mayor Garcia also lauded the Barangay Captains here for their full support in launching the program which is actually the brainchild of the mayor to bring the government closer to the people in the barangay level.

Sunrise industries to generate more opportunities to Balangueños

BALANGA CITY, Bataan- The investments of “sunrise industries” in this city would create additional income and job opportunities to Balangueños which will further contribute to the economic growth here.

Sunrise industries are new or relatively new and growing fast. These are expected to make a big dent in the lives of people here.

Through the efforts of the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and the Software Ventures International (SVI), a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, 150 persons have started their data encoding training. They will eventually be hired by a client of SVI.

This initial start of BPO industry in Balanga has the possibility to reach 1,000 to 2,000 for the coming year depending on the availability of qualified workers, Garcia explained.

SVI is one of the premier global companies in the field of information technology (IT) consulting and business solutions development. It is a company that provides software services and business services capitalizing in a team of more than 2,000 highly skilled employees. It is also a pioneer in the Philippine IT offshore outsourcing industry.

BPO, on the other hand, is a subset of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of specific business functions to a third-party service provider.

Real estate like Camella Homes that had poured almost P700 million investment also added to generate employment here, said Garcia.

Also, the city government had talked with Ayala Land, Megaworld, Sta. Lucia, and Robinsons Land which are big names in the real-estate industry to have their own mixed used community development here.

Tagalog News: Bataan, Bulacan, nanguna sa Civil Service exam

Hindi biro ang kumuha ng civil service eligibility exam, sa katunayan, marami ang bumabagsak dito at makailang umuulit hanggang sa pumasa. Kung kayat isang karangalan ang pumasa dito; mas kahanga-hanga kung manguna ka.

Dalawang lalake mula sa Bataan at Bulacan ang nanguna sa Career Service Examinations sa Rehiyon III ng Civil Service Commission (CSC) na igagawad ang mga sertipiko sa mga pumasa ngayong 1:00 p.m. sa SM City Pampanga Event Center.

Si Ezekiel Roel Rodriguez ng Balanga, Bataan ay nakakuha ng gradong 87.43 porsiyento, una sa 754 na pumasa mula sa 5,637 kumuha ng Professional Level ng pagsusulit.

Namayani naman si Michael De Leon ng Sta. Maria, Bulacan na may gradong 87.26 porsiyento sa Sub-Professional Level kung saan 148 ang nakapasa mula sa 1,165 kumuha.

Sinabi ng CSC na 10,866 ang nakapasa mula sa 94,251 kumuha sa isinagawang pagsusulit noong Oktubre 16, 2011 sa buong bansa. Ito ay may katumbas na 11.53 porsiyentong passing rate.

Kabilang sa 10 may pinakamataas na grado sa Gitnang Luzon para sa Professional Level sina Maria Ana C. De Jesus ng Dinalupihan, Bataan, 86.76%; Arnel C. Lalic ng Mexico, Pampanga, 86.68%; Florhen Grace C. Mallari ng Lungsod ng San Fernando, Pampanga, 86.51%; Kim Charmaine Q. Cortez ng Calulut, Lungsod ng San Fernando, 86.08%; Kimberly Anne P. Francisco ng Lubao, Pampanga, 86.02%; Clarence Y. Magtoto ng San Agustin, Lungsod ng San Fernando, 85.85%; Werlo M. Palomar ng Lupao, Nueva Ecija, 85.79%; Jeremiah P. Pascual ng Lungsod ng Malolos, Bulacan, 85.76%; at Joseph Conrad Q. Isidro ng San Rafael, Bulacan, 85.73%.

Para sa Sub-Professional Level, kabilang sa sampung pinakamataas sina Jason A. Duero ng Dinalupihan, Bataan, 85.92%; Robin James G. Magsilang ng Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija, 85.32%; Francisco S. Roxas ng Norzagaray, Bulacan, 84.92%; Michaela P. Buenaventura ng San Miguel, Bulacan, 84.81%; Pamela F. Delos Reyes ng Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, 84.68%; Eunice M. Sadsad ng Lubao, Pampanga, 84.68%; Angelique T. Salazar ng Sta. Maria, Bulacan, 84.54%; Cynthia E. Magat ng Orion, Bataan, 84.21%, Charles Dondon E. Centeno ng San Miguel, Bulacan, 84.05%; at Christine S. Austria ng Talavera, Nueva Ecija, 84.01%.

Ang mga pumasa sa pagsusulit sa mga testing center sa Nueva Ecija ay pagkakalooban ng sertipiko sa Enero 16 sa Mega Center Entertainment Plaza, lungsod ng Cabanatuan.

Bataan opens Mt. Samat zipline

MT. SAMAT, PILAR, Bataan— The opening over the weekend of the Mt. Samat zipline which is touted to be the longest in Luzon, will not only attract environment and mountain lovers but will also protect the virgin forest of the historic Mt. Samat.

The setting up of the zipline was a pet project of Alice D. Pizarro, chairperson of the Pilar Tourism Council and wife of Mayor Charlie Pizarro, in an effort to not only protect the Mt. Samat forested area but also to attract tourists, both foreign and local.

Mayor Pizarro, noting its viability, environment and tourism potentials, asked the Sangguniang Bayan here to approve P1.6 million for the setting up of a zipline project which is 540 meters long and considered to be the longest in Luzon.

Mrs. Pizarro who was the first one to try the breathtaking zipline told newsmen that the area is 43 meters above sea level and overlooks Manila Bay, Pampanga and Bulacan.

Mayor Pizarro said Mt. Samat is known not only nationally but worldwide due to its rich in history being the hardest hit during World War II.

The Marcos administration constructed the concrete cross atop Mt. Samat where the government holds the annual celebration of “Araw ng Kagitingan” to rekindle the heroism of thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who died during the heavy fighting in and around the area.

“We are proud to be called Pilarians because of the rich history and the ongoing economic development that we are now reaping,” said Mayor Pizarro during the inauguration of the zipline.

After an ordinance declared Mt. Samat as “Bird sanctuary and Protected area,” Mayor Pizarro said Pilar town is fast becoming the center for commerce with the construction of various establishments, such as the Government Center, concrete roads, prevailing peace and order and tourism due to its strategic location.

Supporting Mayor Pizarro’s environment and tourism programs, Councilors Joel Tallorin and Joey Mariano said they have approved P1.6 million fund as requested by Mayor Pizarro for the zipline project, believing that this will not only protect the forested Mt. Samat area but will attract tourists and expose the once sleepy town before the world.

PPP contributes to the economic growth of Balanga City

BALANGA CITY, Bataan- Through the solid partnership of the city government and the private sector, economic growth in this city is obtained.

This was asserted by Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III as he stressed that “the total investments (in the city) for the year 2011 reached P5.95 billion including the upcoming and new establishments here, compared to the P4.78 billion last 2010.”

“These economic activities not only uplift the economy in this city but it also give Bataeños opportunities to produce more income and jobs”, Garcia added.

Malls

Moreover, the city will earn P108 million from the newly established Galeria Victoria mall from its lease payment for 25 years, and another P50 million for the construction of a commercial center called Plaza de San Jose which will also serve as a link or bridge to Galeria Victoria, Center Plaza Mall and the new Public Library.

These malls will generate jobs to more than 700 people, which could double once the said establishments are already fully operational.

Market

Because of the newly-redesigned frontage section of the market here, the structure of the place gives additional lease for the business people.

According to the city’s Economic Enterprise Office, the financial standing of the market was also revitalized, earning for the city P18.2 million in rental income in 2011, as compared to the P15.5 million posted in 2010.

And in order to make the market more business-friendly, new programs for the vendors will be carried out like the zero interest business loan and supply linkage with wholesalers from Manila which will help the business people in the market earn more.

Park

The Wetland Natural Park in Barangay Tortugas continuously attracts more tourists as it opened last 2010 where the city first celebrated the First Ibong Dayo (Migratory birds) festival.

The said park has a huge center building that showcases many of the different bird species with their pictures. It also includes a two separate view deck infront wherein people can stay while anticipating or watching the birds from the sea.

Aside from these treats, programs about knowledge, preservation and care for the environment is conducted to make visitors more aware of the importance of a healthy environment in preserving migratory birds.

Garcia said that the park is the first Wetland and Nature Park in the country, resting on more than four hectares of swamp land along the seaside village of Tortugas fronting the Manila Bay.

Tortugas is one of the three villages in the city designated by the Department of Tourism as bird-watching site.

The said tourist attraction will lure in more tourists in the province especially students and children where they could observe about 14,000 to more than 18,000 migratory birds of different species, as have been counted in the villages of Tortugas, Puerto Rivas Itaas and Sibacan only in a day.

Balanga sets record P6-B investment

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines — This newly-booming city in Central Luzon hit a record-breaking investment of P5.95 billion in the year 2011, Mayor Joet S. Garcia reported in his State of the City Address (SOCA) recently.

Garcia reported that the total amount of investment included the successful implementation of the national government’s program of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) in which the city government was able to attract private investors such as the New San Jose Builders owned by Jerry Acuzar, a native of San Jose, Balanga City.

Through the initiative of Garcia, Acuzar entered into a business agreement with the local government to put up the Galeria Victoria, the biggest commercial establishment in the city that was opened only last Dec. 15, 2011.

The successful establishment of the Galeria Victoria was constructed at no cost on the City through the PPP.

Garcia said the city will earn tens of millions of pesos from the rentals alone aside from the hundreds of employment it will generate once it is fully operational.

Other big investments the past year were the renovation of the Center Plaza mall where the Jollibee, Greenwitch and other commercial establishments were set up; the New Balanga Public market, a McDonald’s store, and Wanam, among others.

“The healthy business competition and convenience has resulted to a more opportunity and jobs and that the newly-hired 700 number of employment will be double once all the commercial establishments in the city are fully operational,” said Garcia.

The former place of Jollibee, Garcia said, was awarded in public bidding to the EBA construction owned by Engr. Eusebio Aquino, also a native of this city, through a build-lease-transfer scheme in which the city will earn an expected amount of P108 million from lease payment in 25 years.

The soon-to-be-constructed Plaza de San Jose, like the Galeria, will be put up through PPP and the city will spend nothing for its construction.

Meanwhile, the Robinson posted record-breaking sales during its opening last December 15, 2011 exceeding 25 percent sales from its other branches, Garcia said.

Garduce conquers "Seven Summits"

Romi Garduce just became the first Filipino to climb the "Seven Summits," or the world's highest mountains spread through all seven continents.

A source from GMA 7, Garduce's main backer, yesterday confirmed the 41-year-old Balanga, Bataan University of the Philippines mountain climber reached the peak of the 16,067-foot Vinson Massif located in the cold, ice barren of Antartica.

"He (Garduce) just reached the summit now," the same source told The STAR at mid-afternoon yesterday.

Accompained by fellow UP mountaineer Levi Nayahangan, Garduce's conquest of Vinson Massif, the sixth highest but not necessarily one of the easiest among the seven and definitely the coldest since the temperature there could dip to as low as -40 at any given time, thus completed his ascent of the Seven Summits.

Garduce had conquered Mt. Kilimanjaro (South Africa in 2002), Mt. Aconcagua (South America in 2005), Mt. Everest (Asia in 2006), Mt. Elbrus (Europe on 2007), Denali Peak (North America in 2008), Mt. Kosciousko (Australia in 2008) and the Carstenz Pyramid (Oceana last July).

And now Vinson Massif.

An information technology expert on the side, Garduce's main backers are GMA-7 and Primer, his official outfitter, and R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street.

Balanga gains

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines - This new economic emerging component city in Central Luzon hit a record-breaking investment of P5.95 billion in 2011.

In his State of the City Address (SOCA) before New Year, Mayor Joet S. Garcia reported the successful implementation of the national government’s program of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) where the city government was able to attract private investors such as the New San Jose Builders owned by Jerry Acuzar, a native of San Jose, Balanga City.

Through the initiative of Mayor Garcia, Acuzar entered into a business agreement with the City of Balanga to put up the Galeria Victoria, the biggest commercial establishment in the city that was opened only last Dec. 15.

Barangays help LGU in Balanga

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines — As the “Barangay Week” program in this city reaches its 5th year, Mayor Joet S. Garcia and the City Council are looking for ways to boost the participation of village leaders as partners of the city government in delivering better service to the public.

A flagship project of Garcia, Barangay Week showcases the efforts of village leaders in implementing the vision, mission and goals of the city government.

Garcia lauded barangay captains here for their full support in launching the program which the mayor initiated to bring the government closer to the people through the barangay.

It is a comprehensive scheme to create productive ideas on how to implement their visions, missions, and goals to certainly attain it on time, Garcia stressed.

Limay gets 1st DILG award

LIMAY, Bataan — For the first time, this industrial town won the Seal of Good Housekeeping award for being an outstanding local government unit in terms of transparency and good governance. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo congratulated neophyte Mayor Ver Roque for bagging the national award, given to local government units (LGUs) with outstanding performance in terms of good governance in house-keeping, transparency and high level of competence in leadership. It is recognition for an LGU’s performance measuring up to President Aquino’s reform agenda that primarily tasked to address poverty, economic development, among others.

AFAB raises aid for Mindanao

MARIVELES, Bataan, Philippines — Cognizant of the hardships of the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities in the aftermath of storm “Sendong,” the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) launched a donation drive to help relief efforts of the Philippine Red Cross. “Our sympathies go out to the victims of typhoon Sendong and their families. It is everyone’s duty to heed the calls for help from our affected countrymen. The AFAB initiated this donation drive in the Freeport Area of Bataan to fulfill that duty, to help those who survived and provide their immediate needs”, said AFAB Chairman Deogracias G. P. Custodio. Helping the AFAB’s drive were locators, employees and other stakeholders.

Some kind of Christmas gift

HERMOSA, Bataan — Policemen hunting for illegal firecrackers being transported on Wednesday night stumbled over a Christmas present which later turned out to be a kilo of dried marijuana leaves in Barangay Tipo, here.

Senior Superintendent Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, said it was found in the possession of one Mikael dela Cruz, 24, of Fabie Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila. She was caught by the team of Sr. Inspector Ronnie Fabia in possession of the marijuana leaves wrapped as a Christmas gift.

She will be charged with violating the Dangerous Drugs Law.

SMC sells Bataan power plant

SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., the power generation unit of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., has sold its 620-megawatt combined cycle power plant in Limay, Bataan, to the privately owned Millenium Holdings Inc.

A company document showed that SMC Global had approved the sale of its 100-percent stake in Panasia Energy Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of San Miguel, to Millenium Holdings, after which a share purchase agreement was later signed between the parties.

An industry source told reporters that Millenium Holdings has yet to take over the operations of the Limay diesel facility as both parties had yet to complete the necessary requirements concerning the sale. PanAsia Energy will still continue to operate the power plant pending the completion of the paperwork.

At present, the output of the Limay powert plant is traded at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market under PanAsia.

In an earlier report to the Philippine Stock Exchange, San Miguel said that the “completion of the sale is subject to certain conditions, including obtaining the relevant corporate and government approvals, such as the Board of Investments.”

San Miguel president Ramon S. Ang already confirmed in September the plan to divest itself of the Limay facility after only two years of operating the facility, primarily because the cost of diesel fuel for the power plant was too high.

The company acquired the Bataan plant in 2009, after it offered $13.5 million via a negotiated sale.

Sources noted that another reason for the divestment was that San Miguel, currently the biggest power generation company in the Philippines, is preparing for its other proposed power plant projects over the next several years.

With 3,148.48 megawatts in its power portfolio as of September 2011, San Miguel is barely 4 percent away from breaching the 25-percent national grid market cap. As such, San Miguel would need to divest either some of its assets or part of ownership in the facilities, if it wanted to pursue plans of building a 3,000-MW greenfield power portfolio over the next six years.

In February this year, Ang said that San Miguel was prepared to invest around $1 billion to expand and convert the Limay power plant into a liquefied natural gas-fired facility. Studies however indicated that it was best for the company to dispose of the plant and build a new facility.

Last year, at the height of the prolonged drought, the Limay power plant provided relief to Luzon customers as it had then operated as a must-run unit (MRU). An MRU is a power generation facility that is deemed necessary under certain operating conditions as this helps secure the country’s supply. The company, in turn, would receive additional compensation for being designated as an MRU.

Commissioned in 1993, the Limay power plant comprises two 310-MW modules, Blocks A and B, which consist of three 70-MW gas turbines and a 100-MW steam turbine, respectively. Located in Limay, Bataan in Central Luzon, or approximately 145 kilometers west of Manila, the plant is designed to meet the base-load demand of the Luzon grid.

Red tide alert remains up in Bataan - BFAR

BALANGA CITY, Bataan- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is still appealing to the public to refrain from gathering and eating shellfish from seven towns and one city along the coastal waters of Bataan as red tide toxin which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning remains present in the area.

Affected by the ban are the municipalities of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Abucay, Samal, and Orani and the city of Balanga.

BFAR Central Luzon information officer Lanie Lamyong said, “ based on the latest shellfish bulletin issued last December 19, the current red tide toxin level in shellfish samples collected from the coastal waters of Bataan is still significantly higher to the 60g STXg/100g tolerable limit.”

Lamyong reiterated that fishes harvested from the Bataan coastal waters are safe to eat as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

Maker of computer and camera bags to locate to Bataan Freeport

MARIVELES, Bataan­—An investor involved in making bags for computers and cameras has invested P86 million at the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) here.

The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (Afab) recently announced that DeskTop Bags Philippines Inc.—a partner of the Luenthai International Group Ltd. (Luen Thai)—signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA), registration agreement and contract of lease with Afab to manufacture computer bags, trolleys, CD bags, camera bags and other accessories.

Afab Chairman and Administrator Deogracias G.P. Custodio said that DeskTop will generate around 600 job opportunities.

“At full capacity, DeskTop will employ around 2,000 workers,” he added.

DeskTop is the first business set to locate in the FAB under the existing partnership between the Afab and Luen Thai. Under the MOA with Luen Thai signed in August 2011, Luen Thai also plans to locate some of its production and manufacturing businesses, including a textile mill operation, at the FAB.

Custodio said there are clamors for Luen Thai to branch into other business ventures at the FAB, such as the establishment of a hotel and restaurant facility but it has maintained its focus on expanding its core businesses related to the production of high-quality items.

Second District Rep. Abet Garcia said he had worked for the creation of the law creating Afab in 2009 to push for progress not just in the FAB but in the entire province.

Balanga upbeat on trade boost

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — With the recent successful entry of a big-time businessman who put up the Galeria Victoria Mall, the biggest business establishment yet in this city through a public-private partnership (PPP), Mayor Joet S. Garcia expressed optimism that more big-time investors will come in.

Garcia told a crowd of more than 1,000 employees of the Capitol that the government-initiated PPP will attract more traders to invest in this city, especially now that it is very accessible to Clark, Subic and Metro Manila through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

Covered courts

ABUCAY, Bataan — Board Member Dexter Dominguez, popularly known as “Teri Onor” in the showbiz industry, continues to veer the youth away from drugs and other delinquent activities through initiatives to build more covered courts and school buildings in the province.

Among the covered courts that have been constructed through his efforts are the ones in Barangays Gabon and Capitangan in Abucay, and the soon-to-rise covered court at the Abucay North Elementary School in Barangay Mabatang.

Doomed Pinoy lives in Bataan

ORION, Bataan – The Filipino sentenced to die in China on December 8 for drug trafficking is a native of this coastal and agricultural town.

And his bedridden mother still does not know his fate, the mayor here said.

“When the news broke out sometime in 2008, his mother suffered from a heart attack and has been bedridden since. She might die if we inform her that her son will be executed. So we are asking that the privacy of his family would be respected,” said Mayor Jose “Pepe” Santos.

Despite his constituent’s misery, Santos said he has to face the consequences of his action.

“The people of Orion are religious individuals and I do not want our town to be known as hometown of drug mules. We are silent and Godfearing. We do not want our town to be known worldwide due to drug trafficking,” he said.

The identity of the Filipino remains unknown to many because of the refusal of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

But his identity has been the talk of the town and among employees of the municipal government who were once his colleagues.

One of his cousins said that his family is silent and lonely. “Siyempre, malungkot kami lahat na kamag-anak niya, pero hindi pa alam ng nanay ni kuya,” she said.

“Nakakahiya nga e, pero nandiyan na, di natin alam ang tunay na nangyari,” she added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang vowed yesterday to exhaust other diplomatic means to save the life of the Filipino after Beijing refused a planned mercy mission by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the government respects the decision of China to reject the visit of Binay but will still look for other ways to seek mercy for the Filipino.

“While we were informed that the Chinese side is unable to arrange the visit of Vice President Binay, we respect that decision,” Valte said over government radio.

“We are still exhausting some other means to have access for the Vice President to make his appeal in our behalf in the death sentence of the Filipino national,” she added.

‘Jeepers’ to reenact Battle of Bataan

Vintage military jeep owners are set to reenact Saturday the Battle of Bataan at the historic Fort Stotsenberg parade grounds here.

The reenactment is the highlight of events during the first ever “Season’s Jeeping” sponsored by the MD Juan Enterprises, the Military Vehicle Collectors Club of the Philippines (MVCCP) and Mabalacat Tourism Office.

The whole-day event is expected to bring together some 150 jeep lovers from all over the country with some 50 of their vintage military vehicles that they have painstakingly restored through the years.

MVCCP is composed of jeep and military vehicle collectors, restorers, enthusiasts, retired military men, assemblers, traders and just plain hobbyists. It has chapters in Ilocos, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Metro Manila.

A grand motorcade will start the event at 8 a.m., starting from the Bayanihan Park going to Clark Freeport with the vintage military vehicles driven and manned by MVCCP members in full, authentic military uniforms.

The vehicles will then be exhibited at the venue for the public to enjoy, said Lieutenant Guy Hilbero, executive officer of the 26th US Cavalry Philippine Scouts Memorial Regiment, Fort Stotsenburg.

Awards will be given to individuals and groups with the most authentic military uniforms and the best jeep or military vehicle entered in the exhibit competition.

There will also be a traditional swap meet where MVCCP members from different chapters can swap military vehicle and jeep parts and accessories.

The role players in the reenactment will use authentic military uniforms, firearms, military hardware and vehicles. This will be jointly staged by the Buhay na Kasaysayan and the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society Living History Company, Fort Stotsenburg & Fort Mc-Kinley Chapters.

A brief action at the Battle of the Pockets will be re-enacted, showing Japanese infiltration into the Allied lines and a “Banzai” charge into the USAFFE positions.

Actual World War 2 jeeps will be used to ferry the wounded soldiers off the battlefield and to carry fresh Allied troops into the assault positions, Hilbero added.

Simulated explosions and pyrotechnics will add to the atmosphere of the re-enactment. A voiceover will describe both the Battle of Bataan and its historical significance, as well as the action unfolding on the field before the audience.

The Allied forces composed of both the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine Army will be dressed in period-authentic World War 2 khaki uniforms with actual M 1928 and M 1936 field gear, as well as vintage M 1917 and replica “guinit” helmets.

Replica weapons such as M1 Garands and Springfield rifles will also be used. On the other hand, the Japanese forces will be similarly outfitted with authentic reproduction uniforms, field equipment and gear.

With this reenactment, Hilbero said the public can appreciate and understand the sacrifices made by the defenders of Bataan and their role in bringing about the eventual victory of the Allied forces in the Pacific.

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