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==HAU announces Founders Day awardees==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/31/hau-announces-founders-day-awardees-389495
*Saturday, January 31, 2015
:(Press Release)
ANGELES CITY -- Holy Angel University has announced the recipients of this year’s Founders Day awards.
The awardees are Ambeth R. Ocampo, popular historian, book author, lecturer, and associate professor of the Ateneo de Manila University, recipient of the Juan D. Nepomuceno Cultural Award (Research and Scholarship category); Andy P. Alviz, musician, writer, choreographer and founder of ArtiSta. Rita, ImaArti and Teatru Kapampangan, recipient of the Juan. D. Nepomuceno Cultural Award (Arts category); Felicidad Tan Sy, co-founder and trustee of SM Foundation, Inc., whose advocacies include education, health and community development, recipient of the Laus Deo Semper Award for outstanding community service; Florina F. Castillo, first lay principal of the St. Scholastica’s College grade school department, recipient of the Order of St. Michael the Archangel given to Catholic lay educators; Ferdinand D. Lapuz, independent film producer and advocate of quality Filipino films, recipient of the Order of St. Gabriel the Archangel, given to outstanding HAU alumni; and Merle Villanueva Morgan, former Personnel Officer of Holy Angel University, recipient of the Order of St. Raphael the Archangel, given to former HAU employees for exemplary record of service.
The University confers the Order of the Archangels on individuals who serve as inspiration and role models by representing the best qualities of the archangels. The special category of Laus Deo Semper Award, named after the school motto (“Praise be to God always”) is given to an individual who is known for his work in community service and development.
Previous recipients of these awards include Antonio Meloto Jr., Rosa Rosal, Onofre Pagsanhan, Apl.de.Ap, Regalado Trota Jose, and Carmelita Quebengco.
The Juan D. Nepomuceno Cultural Awards, on the other hand, are given to cultural workers, scholars and artists who advance the cause of Kapampangan studies and Kapampangan culture. The awards are named after the University founder who was a cultural advocate through his works in the Kapampangan language.
Previous awardees include National Artist Bencab, Patis Tesoro, Brillante Mendoza, Anicia del Corro, John Larkin, Willy Layug, and Nina Tomen.
The HAU Founders Day awards are given every year during the birth anniversary of the University founder, Juan D. Nepomuceno on March 8. This year is Don Juan’s 123rd birth anniversary and the University’s 82nd founding anniversary.
Academic and non-academic departments within the University submit their nominations which are short-listed by a committee before being forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final decision.
The conferment ceremonies will be held at the University Theatre on Friday, March 6 at 10:00 am.
==Pamintuan reminds senior citizens: ‘You’re all automatic PhilHealth members’==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/29/pamintuan-reminds-senior-citizens-you-re-all-automatic-philhealth-mem
*Friday, January 30, 2015 (Date Published)
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan yesterday issued a reminder to all senior citizens that they are all automatic members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and as such are entitled to all benefits of the government's medicare program.
"Republic Act No. 10645 was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III on November 5, 2014. This law amended Republic Act No. 7432 or the Senior Citizens Act and mandated that all Filipinos, 60 years old and above who are not PhilHealth beneficiaries or members shall receive automatic membership in the program," Pamintuan said.
"Under this law, a senior citizen does not need to get a PhilHealth card, and needs only to show any identification card as proof that he or she is a senior citizen and will then be given all the benefits and services of a PhilHealth member," he added.
The new law, which was authored by Senator Ralph Recto and Representatives Rogelio Espina, Angelina Tan, Alfredo Vargas III and Jerry Treñas, also amended Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, which gave PhilHealth benefits only to indigent Filipinos.
Pamintuan called on all private hospital and clinics in Angeles City and the Ospital Ning Angeles and all rural health units of the city government to ensure that the new law is implemented. He also instructed the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to monitor compliance of hospitals and health institutions to the said law and immediately report violations.
== Artists to hail national arts month with exhibit==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/29/artists-hail-national-arts-month-exhibit-389218
*Thursday, January 29, 2015
:By Ian Ocampo Flora
ANGELES CITY -- Artists here will be celebrating the National Arts Month this February with a campus exhibit dubbed "The Casampatan: Beauty at its Peak" at the Holy Angel University Student Center.
The exhibit will run from February 16 to 28 and is open for free. The exhibit targets to showcase among young students the different styles and artworks of Kapampangan artists in the hope of encouraging the younger generation to go into the arts.
The event also aims to highlight this year's arts month and the importance of sectoral support for the arts and local artists.
Since 1991, when Presidential Proclamation 683 was signed declaring February as National Arts Month, the county has been celebrating the occasion with government and artist groups hosting respective events to highlight the occasion.
The exhibit will feature the works of Angelo "Long" Melo, Antu Ong, Archie Evangelista, Arnel Garcia, Don De Dios, Joel Mallari, Justin Emmanuel Dizon, Ralvin Dizon, Sig Yu and Wiljun Magsino. The event is expected to showcase dozens of artworks with artists available to entertain student queries.
The event is made possible through the support of the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies, The Social Studies Circle, CSC-CASEd, CLTV 36 and Alexander Cauguiran.
==Regulate plastic bags – Lazatin==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/28/regulate-plastic-bags-lazatin-389089
*Wednesday, January 28, 2015
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- A neophyte councilor has filed a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating the use of plastic bags within the city.
Councilor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. called his proposed ordinance “Plastic Bag Regulation Ordinance of Angeles City.”
He said this is aimed “to protect and advance the rights of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology by minimizing the proliferation of plastic waste through regulation of the use of plastic bags.”
Based from the data submitted by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) to the City Council, the city generates an average of 4,600 tons of plastic annually, Lazatin said.
“The city has been dealing with a pressing problem with solid waste management. Most of our solid waste material is made up of plastics, a non-biodegradable material that poses a great risk to our environment. Laws and policies such as this can help the city address its problem with solid waste management,” Lazatin explained.
Once passed, commercial establishments shall be required to provide free paper bags, cloth bags, basket or woven bags made from biodegradable packaging materials, woven native bags and other similar materials in lieu of plastic shopping bags.
All residents, transients and individuals in the city will be encouraged to bring their own plastic bags to stores as carryout bags.
Three months upon the approval of the ordinance, stores shall provide free recycled paper bags every Friday to serve as carryout bags for the purchased items of customers not carrying their own reusable bags.
Also on the same day, stores are prohibited from providing free plastic bags to their customers except for secondary packaging, which will be used solely for wet goods.
Eight months after the approval of the ordinance, stores will provide recyclable bags, for a fee, to serve as carryout bags for purchased items of customers not carrying their own reusable bags.
Use of plastics as carryout bags for free or for a fee will be totally prohibited except for secondary packaging, which will be used solely for wet goods.
The Cenro will be tasked to monitor the compliance of all stores to the ordinance.
Violators of the ordinance will be given a warning with compulsory attendance to an Environmental Consciousness Seminar for the first offense.
A P1,000-fine is meted out for the second offense; P3,000 fine for the third offense and; closure or cancellation of the Mayors/Business Permit is mandated for the final violation.
The proposed ordinance also provides for the creation of a trust fund for all fines collected, which will solely be used for environmental and solid waste projects of the city, Lazatin added.
==Pamintuan: Street kids rescue not for Apec==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/27/pamintuan-street-kids-rescue-not-apec-388860
*Tuesday, January 27, 2015
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- The City Government here has denied reports that it has been rounding up street children because of the ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) meeting inside the Clark Freeport.
Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan described the report as "wrong and malicious."
"We have been doing this years before. It is our policy to rescue street children roaming the streets in line with the country's compliance to the Millennium Development Goals, the Local Government Code which explicitly states that 'it shall be a policy to protect and rehabilitate children gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances which affect or will affect their survival and normal development and over which they have no control', and other pertinent laws like the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse Act and the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act," said Pamintuan.
The mayor said that the children roam the streets because they are hungry and some of them have resorted to begging to buy and sniff "rugby" or addictive solvent.
"This enabled them to forget hunger. We feed them, give them shelter and return them to their respective families. We also educate them and their parents. In some cases, we even file formal complaints against the parents in line with the Juvenile Welfare Act," he added.
The problem is nationwide with around 45,000 to 50,000 highly visible children on the streets, according to the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) in their article titled "Proliferation of street children: a threat to the MDGs," said the mayor.
"We did this in 2011 when we noted hordes of Badjaos were roaming our streets who put up shanties along our river banks. After negotiating with them, they agreed to voluntarily demolish their makeshift houses built on the riverbed of Abacan in exchange for cash assistance to go back to their province. We will do it again and again and again for the welfare of our children and the people of the City of Angeles," he said.
He also lamented that after receiving financial assistance from the local government, many of the relocated Badjaos returned to the streets.
The City Government received complaints about street children who become aggressive and hostile if they were not given alms; resorting to spitting at people, snatching and other petty crimes.
In order to address this concern, the local government has partnered with NGOs, including the different Rotary Clubs in Angeles City, Kuliat Foundation and concerned business establishments to come up with a long-term and sustainable solution to rehabilitate and educate these children.
Pamintuan admitted that this is a complicated problem and there is no easy fix for it.
"There must be a concerted effort among all stakeholders to put available resources together, in order to assure that our children are not out in the street begging and being introduced to a life of criminality. They should be in school learning or with their fellow children playing and studying in a safe and secured environment," he said.
==New city roundabout inaugurated==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/26/new-city-roundabout-inaugurated-388664
*Monday, January 26, 2015
:(Sun.Star Pampanga)
ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Arthur Tugade recently led the inauguration of the newly constructed five-lane roundabout (rotunda) in Barangay Balibago, this city.
According to the mayor, the Bayanihan Park Rotunda has proven itself as an effective measure to improve the traffic condition in this congested area, especially to motorists, public commuters and pedestrians alike.
"The roundabout will complement the newly widened MacArthrur Highway in Balibago, where we have also removed the unsightly electric posts with dangling and mostly unused wires. And I think the motoring public will benefit from all these infrastructure developments greatly as businesses, tourists and investors continue to thrive in our city”, said Pamintuan.
He then lauded Tugade, for his steadfast commitment to accomplish and complete all major infrastructure projects that CDC initiated, especially those which were started in relation to the hosting of Clark and Angeles City of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2015 (Apec).
For his part, Tugade underscored the importance of the cooperation between the CDC and the Angeles City Local Government, particularly in maintaining order, traffic and security and cleanliness in the area. The local government, through the Public Transport and Regulatory Office (PTRO) and the Angeles City Traffic Management and Enforcement Unit (ACTMEU) has implemented a traffic scheme that will be convenient to all stakeholders. The traffic and security scheme will be fully implemented during and after the APEC summit.
Tugade added that the CDC is now in the process of starting the construction of the East Perimeter Fence that would provide alternative traffic solutions and additional options to further reduce the number of vehicles plying the area, specifically those coming from Mabalacat City, who will have a direct access to Clark without passing by Angeles City.
According to several studies in traffic and road safety management, roundabouts have proven to be the safer and more efficient way to reduce road collisions. In fact, they are a lot safer than traditional stop signs or signal-controlled intersections, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, a US non-profit organization that aims to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes.
A part of the reason why roundabouts help reduce the likelihood of road accidents and collisions is because motorists have no light to beat. They also have to enter low travel speeds in them, and they are directed via one-way travel, which eliminates the possibility for T-bone and head-on collisions.
The Bayanihan Park Rotunda project was funded by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) at P15.14 million.
Also in attendance during the inauguration were Bases Conversion Development Authority president Arnel Casanova, CDC Chairman Eliseo Santiago, CDC Director Rommel Bondoc, Mabalacat City Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales, and Balibago Barangay Captain Tony Mamac.
==APEC Senior Officials' Meeting begins on Monday, says Palace==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=728914
*Sunday, January 25, 2015
:(PNA), SCS/PND/SSC
MANILA, Jan. 25 (PNA) -- Malacañang announced on Sunday that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting will begin on Monday in Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga and Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said APEC’s meeting theme this year is "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World."
“Ang nasabing pagpupulong ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng nakatakdang pagdaraos ng 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting sa Nobyembre ng taong ito kung saan ang Pilipinas ang tatayo bilang host at tagapangulo,” said Coloma in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), over 30 working group and committee level meetings will be held in the first leg of the APEC meeting.
Among the topics to be discussed are trade and investment, economic and technical cooperation, anti-corruption, combating terrorism, fisheries and the seas, customs, expanding e-commerce, life sciences and health, fighting illegal logging, and improving different services.
“Layon din ng pagpupulong na isulong ang mga programa at lahat ng patakaran hinggil sa haligi ng APEC na trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, at economic and technical cooperation,” Coloma added.
Coloma said there are four priorities to be discussed during the meeting -- enhancing regional economic integration; fostering small and medium enterprises’ participation in the regional and global economy; investing in human capital development; and building sustainable and resilient communities.
“Bilang host, magdaraos din ang Pilipinas ng isang diyalogo sa pagitan ng mga kinatawan mula sa pampubliko at pribadong sektor upang talakayin ang mga paraan tungo sa pagpapalakas ng kalakalan at kakayahan sa sektor ng information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), creative industries, at research and development services sa rehiyon ng Asya Pasipiko,” said Coloma.
APEC is composed of 21 member economies representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong China, Japan, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam.
==Burial assistance for seniors pushed==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/24/burial-assistance-seniors-pushed-388376
*Saturday, January 24, 2015
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- A neophyte councilor, Carmelo Lazatin Jr., has filed a measure granting burial assistance to senior citizens here.
Proposed Ordinance No. PO-816-01-15 otherwise known as “Senior Citizen’s Burial Assistance Ordinance of Angeles City,” aims to ensure a dignified burial to the elderly of Angeles City, regardless of their economic status.
“This is in addition to the benefits the government provides to our senior citizens as mandated by Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which my father, former Congressman Carmelo ‘Tarzan’ Lazatin, co-authored during his term as First District Congressman,” the younger Lazatin said.
Under the proposed ordinance, beneficiaries of the deceased senior citizen will be entitled to claim P5,000 burial assistance from the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
Claimants must present documents verifying their relation to the deceased and a photocopy of the deceased’s Death Certificate, duly authenticated by the City Civil Registrar.
The ordinance also mandates the city mayor to appropriate the funds for the program.
“The budget may be augmented depending on the recommendation by OSCA and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO),” Lazatin said.
==All systems go for Apec==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/23/all-systems-go-apec-388200
*Friday, January 23, 2015
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
CLARK FREEPORT -- It's all systems go for the of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Senior Officials Meeting (Apec-SOM) inside this Freeport from January 26 to February 7 this year.
The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said that hotels and the convention areas to be used during the meetings are now ready, including the hotels that many of the delegates will be staying during duration of the summit.
CDC is expecting more than 1,600 Apec delegates during the two-week conference here.
CDC president Arthur Tugade said that requirements for staging the APEC-SOM meeting in Clark are almost in place, including the augmentation of security personnel from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The more than 3,000 security personnel are now deployed in strategic areas in and outside Clark to make the Apec-SOM secured while the conference is ongoing.
The Apec is a group of 21-member economies that meet regularly to support sustainable growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.
Chairmanship of the summit involves actual hosting and chairing a series of meetings from the Senior Officials Meetings (SOMs) to the APEC Ministerial Meetings (AMMs) all the way up to the Apec Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM). These meetings will run from December 2014 to November 2015.
In Clark, discussions will focus on economic integration, disaster preparedness and management, and trade and investment goals, among others.
Technological breakthroughs, the rise of pandemics, and the effects of natural calamities will also take center stage during the meeting. These issues were identified as hurdles not only to the Apec member economies, but also to their citizens.
Apec aims to foster inclusive economic growth and address income inequality.
The Clark app on Apec is also now ready especially for android users to keep track on the Apec events in Clark.
Tugade said that Widus Hotel and Casino has dedicated its one tower hotel and will soon request for another 30 rooms from the hotel to make more rooms available.
==PRO-3 conducts contingency planning for APEC summit==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=728024
*Thursday, January 22, 2015
:By Rea Katherine Mendoza [(PNA), CTB/ZST/RKM/PS]
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Jan. 22 (PNA) --The Police Regional Office-3 (PRO-3) conducted a two-day contingency planning in preparation for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings at Clark Freeport Zone Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Chief Supt. Ronald Santos, PRO3 regional director, said Police Director Ricardo Marquez, the deputy for operations and national joint task force commander, presided the two-day contingency planning for its final preparations to ensure the success of the APEC Summit 2015.
"The contingency planning that was held Tuesday and Wednesday is to test the security preparations, operational readiness and adequacy of resources for said event," said Santos.
Marquez, in his lecture, said that “contingency planning is very important and are being done specifically for major events because failing to plan means planning to fail."
Through this contingency planning, the availability of financial, human and material resources is ensured, Marquez said.
Practical exercises were done by members of the Special Task Group “Clark” in order for them to be ready for unexpected events.
Since Tuesday, PNP personnel were already deployed within the summit venues and areas where the delegates will be billeted to ensure their safety and security as the APEC Special Senior Finance Officials Meeting (SSFOM) officially started Wednesday to be followed by the First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM) from January 26 to February 7, 2015.
A total of 3,740 PNP personnel will be deployed to Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Freeport, said Santos.
He said Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Recomono Jr., Pampanga Police provincial director, is the Special Task Group "Clark" commander and Senior Superintendent Pedrito Delos Reyes, Olongapo City police director, is Special Task Group "Subic."
Santos said Senior Supt. Eden Ugale, Angeles City police director, is the commander of Special Task Group "Angeles City" to ensure the safety of delegates that will be billeted to various hotels outside Clark Freeport.
Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, deputy regional director for operations, on the other hand, was assigned as sub-commander of Special Task Group Clark-Subic.
==Pamintuan approves monthly pay raise for day care workers==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/01/21/pamintuan-approves-monthly-pay-raise-day-care-workers-387866
*Wednesday, January 21, 2015
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- In a bid to reinforce and improve early childhood rearing, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan recently approved the increase in salaries of 72 daycare workers assigned in all 33 barangays of the city.
This year, daycare workers in the city will receive an additional P1,000 every month.
"The city is steadfast in its goal to support the youth – and this is just one of the many things that we can do to reassure Angeles’ future," Pamintuan said.
The mayor added that the increase is also a way in giving due recognition to the daycare workers of the city.
"Daycare workers are truly unsung heroes. Here in Angeles, day care workers serve almost 7,000 pre-school children. Within their vocation lies a responsibility for society, and it is only right to afford them with the extra compensation that they deserve," said Pamintuan.
The mayor also said that the city's positive financial position allows them to extend such salary increases.
Day care service is one of the major services provided by the City Social Welfare and Development Office for needy pre-school children.
Their goal is to provide pre-school children who may be neglected, abused, exploited or abandoned with their needs. Considered as second parents, day care workers are at the forefront of promoting a child’s welfare and enhance his opportunity for a useful and happy life.
==CDC puts up P4.6-M toilet in time for APEC summit==
==CDC puts up P4.6-M toilet in time for APEC summit==
*Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/21964/Volume-8-No-49/Headlines/CDC-puts-up-P4-6-M-toilet-in-time-for-APEC-summit
*Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/21964/Volume-8-No-49/Headlines/CDC-puts-up-P4-6-M-toilet-in-time-for-APEC-summit
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