Philippines

Angeles City News November 2012

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

CDC, Megaworld ink P7-B investment pact

By Clark Freeport

CLARK FREEPORT – Taipan Andrew Tan will develop some 550 hectares of land into mix-use facilities in one portion of this sprawling former American facility following the formal signing of a P7 billion worth of investment agreement yesterday. The project, considered as one of the biggest investment in this Freeport since Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Attorney Felipe Remollo assumed as the top man, will generate some 30,000 jobs once fully operational. “It will be a mix-use land development, with retirement houses, entertainment, commercial structures and medical amenities,” said Tan shortly after the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with CDC officials.

Tan expressed optimism that the retirement homes project will attract foreigners like Koreans, Japanese including Chinese who frequent Clark. Citing his experiences in building business communities such as Eastwood City in Quezon City, McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio and New Fort in Pasay where Resort World is located in Pasay City, Tan said he intend to bring Clark to the next level. “We hope to bring into Clark and develop these wonderful things,” Tan told his audience in his brief speech. Architect Hermilyn Cullano, the lady behind the project blueprint, said initial development works will start at the 35 hectares. She said the project is divided into three phases. The first phase is the construction of buildings which will house Business Processing Outsourcing (BPOs). Cullano said the second phase is the construction of food court, “hawkers” alley, buildings for BPOs and other commercial structures and the third one is for amenities that will complement with the businesses locating within the complex. Construction will be in full swing after the groundbreaking which will be scheduled either December or January next year. Megaworld is primarily engaged in developing large-scale mixed-use planned communities, incorporating residential, commercial, educational, and leisure components. It also engages in activities such as project design, construction oversight, and property management. Among its landmark projects is Forbes Town Center, a 6-hectare commercial and residential district in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila. Another project by Megaworld is the 45-storey Petron Megaplaza office skyscraper, which was the tallest building in the country. Megaworld project inside Clark Freeport will be located at the former Regional Medical Center of the US Air Force locally known now as “abandoned” hospital. Remollo for his part expressed thanks to Megaworld for bringing into reality his vision for Clark. “Megaworld is not only the pioneer in this kind of business inside Clark Freeport but it will change the skyline and business climate.” After the MOA signing with Megaworld, similar activities followed including the buy-out of Clarkwater by the Ayala Group and the planned expansion of aviation business by Lance Gokongwei, said Remollo.


SWS cites Metro Angeles as lowest in corruption

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Nov 29 (PIA) -- Social Weather Stations (SWS) has cited Metro Angeles for posting the lowest perception of public corruption by business enterprises among seven highly urbanized areas across the archipelago.

Results of the 2012 Surveys of Enterprises on Corruption revealed that only 27 out of the hundred small and medium enterprises interviewed in Angeles answered that there is public corruption.

In a statement, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said, “We should be proud of the fact that our city registered the lowest in the incidence of corruption all over the country. This should now put to rest the baseless accusations that the business sector is complaining against my administration.”

The city bagged last October three major awards from Department of Interior and Local Government that indicates its transparency and good governance namely: Seal of Good Housekeeping, Lupong Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives to Barangay Balibago; and Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Highly-urbanized city category.

The 2012 Surveys of Enterprises on Corruption is the 10th in a series that was held since 2000.

Around 972 respondents were interviewed in the survey which also covered Metro Manila, Cavite- Laguna-Batangas area, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Cagayan de Oro-Iligan area, and Metro Iloilo.

Metro Manila topped the list with most affirmative answers to corruption while Cavite- Laguna-Batangas area tied with Angeles for being the lowest.

It was supported by Australian Agency for International Development through The Asia Foundation and done in partnership with the Makati Business Club’s Integrity Initiative program and the National Competitiveness Council.(CLJD/JGB-PIA3)

4Ps cover 182,455 more families in CL

By Ding Cervantes


ANGELES CITY- A total of 182,455 more indigent households in Central Luzon have been enrolled into the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that would entitle them to as much as P1,400 monthly.

This would mean that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would accomplish its PPP objective by 88.02 percent in the region.

DSWD regional director Adelina Apostol said that the additional families would bring to 283,991 the number of families getting assistance from the 4Ps in all 13 cities and 117 towns in Central Luzon. The DSWD wants to bring the 4Ps to a total of 322,622 identified poor families in the region.

Of the additional 182,455 beneficiaries Nueva Ecija has the most number of enrollees at 49,776; Bulacan has 43, 250; Pampanga with 37, 525; Tarlac has 25,889; Bataan with 12,622; Zambales has 12,256; and Aurora, 1,126.

“Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants of P1,400 per month during school months from June to March and P500 per month during non-school months from April to May or P300 per child per month as education grant and P500 per household per month as health grant to household beneficiaries as long as they comply with certain conditions like the regular visit of children in health centers to avail immunization and maintenance of a class attendance rate of at least 85

percent per month for those who are enrolled in day care centers or schools,” Apostol stressed.

She said the beneficiaries were “selected through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), an instrument used in determining the recipients of the Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K), Social Pension and Cash-for-Work programs.”

“NHTS-PR is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country.

It uses the Proxy Means Test (PMT) in the selection of beneficiaries for social welfare programs and services,” she added.

She explained that “some of the variables used in the PMT are family composition, education of household members, housing conditions and access to basic services.”

Kapampangan won Most Outstanding Electronics Engineer Award

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- The Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines Inc. (IECEP), an organization of electronics engineers and technicians in the country, celebrated its 62nd Founding Anniversary and Annual General Membership Meeting on November 22-24 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of The Most Outstanding Electronics Engineers for 2012. This year’s awardee, in the field of Education is Kapampangan Engineer Roman Palo.

Palo, who hails from Angeles City, is the first Kapampangan who received the award.

The awardee is a Professional Electronics Engineer (PECE) and currently working as an associate professor at the ECE Department of De La Salle University in Manila.

He also manages his own consultancy company, Romtec Engineering Consultancy (www.romtecsolutions.com), where he serves as its Chief Executive Officer and President.

Palo is the charter Governor of IECEP-Pampanga Chapter and one of the pioneers of the birth of Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering (BSECE) Program in the province.

He is the former dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture in Holy Angel University. He is also a civic leader where he served in various capacities in Rotary International, Toastmasters International, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Rizal, AUF Alumni Association, and Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon.

The annual search is conducted to give due recognition to its members for their exemplary performance as an electronics engineer. Criteria for judging are professional competence, involvement in the organization, contribution to the profession and social responsibility.

Green Weekend Market in Nepo

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- In all weekends of December, people of Angeles City and nearby towns will have a treat at Nepo Commercial Complex and enjoy the Christmas season with a different twist during the Green Weekend Market to be held at the Nepo Mart Complex in Angeles City.

Organized by Total Advantage Events and AdCentral Media Productions, the Green Weekend Market will be held in all Saturdays and Sundays of December (Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 14-15, 22-23, and 29-30) to promote Pampanga’s producers of organic and fresh farm produce, Capampangan cuisine, eco-friendly goods and crafts, and everything that is green and organic.

The organizers of the event said the organic farming is a farming technique without using chemicals or synthetics, being promoted by many farmers in Pampanga to produce crops which have the highest nutritional values with least impact on nature.

Alice Mendoza, owner of Total Advantage Events, said organic farming is proactive ecology management strategy which enhances the fertility of the soil, prevents soil erosion and at the same time protects the humans and animal kingdom from the side-effects of chemicals and synthetics. Many of the farm harvests, like, vegetables, fruit, herbs, meat, milk, eggs, among others are produced organically by some Pampanga farmers, Mendoza said.

Mendoza said that Pampanga’s best cuisine alongside organic food sellers and stalls selling fresh food and to-go fare; and most importantly Pampanga’s producers of eco-friendly products, goods, and crafts will be available during the Green Weekend Market.

The event will be located beside the Angeles Electric Corporation, Nepo Mart Complex in Angeles City.

There are some 40 participants/firms that will join the event which include Green Kitchen, Rosemary and Thyme Restaurant, Capampangan Food, Homegrown Naturals, Fresh Options, Cream Berry Cakes and Pastries, Williepao, Zabala’s Home Garden of Medicinal & Culinary Herbs, Moonleaf, Soapylicious, organic and conventional farmers from Mabalacat, Candaba, Sta. Ana, and Lubao, among others.

Also participating are Foodies & Herbs, Bess Pampanga's Products, Human Heart Nature, Prin’s and During’s Capampangan Specialty Foods, Chef’s Unli Desserts, Midori Naturals, Healthy and Organic Food Products, and Ayala Land.

Mendoza said the green weekend is also expected to provide an avenue to bring together in one place the most sought after Pampanga’s produce from raw to cooked to Capampangan’s eco-friendly entrepreneurs. A place where individuals, families, businesses and tourists need not go from one distant place to another to buy and enjoy organic, healthy, fresh, and farm produce food.

The Green Weekend Market will also have several mixes of organic food and ready-to-eat food from new entrepreneurs and home bakers, including some local flavors and cuisine.

Aside from looking for a quick bite, the event is also a venue where one can source for produce and look for of-the-moment goodies for pasalubong, and to those who have no time to visit their favorite vendors without making the trek to the different cities and towns of Pampanga, Mendoza said.

There will be also fresh water and seafoods products, healthy and organic baked and canned food products, sellers of organic, eco-friendly and healthy products and services, and some locally made products.

LiDAR to provide real-time forecasting

By pia.gov.ph


CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Nov 24 (PIA) – The Philippine Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), which is the country’s first three-dimensional (3D) mapping of 18 major river basins, will provide “real-time forecasting” hazard maps of the country.

It is under the program project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which is the Aquino administration’s flagship program for disaster mitigation.

A powerful tool

During the maiden flight of the Philippine LiDAR for Pampanga River early this week in this Freeport, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said the facility “is a powerful tool that could save lives and properties. We will be using LiDAR to acquire high resolution images that can be processed into 3D maps in major river systems including the watersheds in the country.”

Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Mitigation – LiDAR (Dream-LiDAR) will now be the basis to forewarn communities of potential deadly floods. He explained that through the equipment that gives reliable data, information and corresponding warning to vulnerable communities against floods and other hazards can be communicated at least six hours before the coming of floods or any hazards.

The Philippines is considered prone to disasters such as typhoon and tropical storms. At least 19 typhoons are experienced by the country each year.

The project will provide “accurate topographical data,” said Dream-LiDAR project leader Enrico Paringit.

It will also acquire data processed, validate and generate 3D mapping of the major river basins in the country to provide local government units and communities the right tools for city planning and for disaster risk mitigation measures.

Proven effective

LiDAR, which was launched early 2012, is “proven effective,” said Paringit, citing the accurate data provided by the DOST on the Marikina River during the onslaught of the "Habagat" in August that caused much destruction to Metro Manila and Central and Southern Luzon. Marikina River overflowed during the Habagat because of nonstop rains.

“We were able to warn the people of Marikina hours before the flood and averted the possible loss of live because of the LiDAR,” he said.

LiDAR is also considered one of the most extensive three dimensional mappings in South East Asia, which will “complete all flood models of the major river basins, which is roughly 33 percent of the country’s total land area. LiDAR maps also have vertical accuracy of plus and minus 20 centimeters which, compared to Philippine base maps and 2D Google maps which have plus and minus 10 and 20 meters, respectively, that can't be used for effective flood mapping,” he explained.

P1.6 billion worth project

The said project costs P1.6 billion that will be completed on December 2013. “The difference of this project to other flood mapping is we’re using our intellectual capita assets,” said Montejo.

Composed of 50 personnel coming mostly from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, scientists, engineers, “are our assets, for they are the best and brightest people” in the country.

UP Chancellor Caesar Saloma said “this project would really bring us to a much higher level of capability in terms of modelling areas of the country when it comes to its exposures on hazards like flooding. It will provide higher resolution maps compared to what we have now.”

For UP, this project will enable us to be true to our mandate as the national university that stands with the responsibility of providing technical assistance to the government and providing expertise for the benefit of our society and country, he added.

How it works

Dream program is being implemented by UP which leased out two Cessna 206 aircraft modified to carry the LiDAR systems which are presently stationed at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport inside Clark.

500 days of flying is allocated for airborne acquisition.

After the airborne acquisition, LiDAR data will be processed at the project office in UP National Engineering Center where high-performance work stations are placed and will process gigabyte-sized data in able to generate the main output of the project – Digital Elevation models.

Validation will consist of the river characteristics - its depths and flows.

“The 3D maps will also be used in areas of forest inventory, environmental monitoring, infrastructure planning, fault line mapping, archaeological surveys and assessment, and government revenue management,” Paringit bared.

LiDAR technology

LiDAR technology develops ways to asses land use, zoning, calculate risks, structural measures and impacts, and early warning and forecast systems.

It is an instrument that directly measures the 3D position of objects in the earth’s surface, and is also known as airborne laser ranging and scanning, digital surface model, and digital terrain model which can be simulated to determine water flow behaviour.

Dream team

The Dream project envision to develop potentially used data and product developing technologies to government agencies which include flood mapping, urban and landscape assessment and planning, coastal zone mapping, assessment of coastal erosion, geomorphology, soil erosion and diffuse pollution studies, landfill sites, volume and filling rates, water resources and near shore bathymetry.

Also, disaster event monitoring, ortho-rectification of optical remotely sensed imagery, archaeological survey or risk, geological and mining application, forestry, wind farm and hyrdo-electric planning, among others.

Project NOAH

Project NOAH aims to harness technologies and management services for disaster risk reduction activities offered by the DOST through Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute, in partnership with the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences and the UP College of Engineering.

It presently has eight components namely Hydrometeorological Devices in hard-hit areas of the Philippines (Hydromet) Dream-LIDAR, Enhancing Geohazards Mapping through LIDAR, Coastal Hazards and Storm Surge Assessment and Mitigation (CHASSAM), Flood Information Network (FloodNET), Local Development of Doppler Radar Systems (LaDDeRS), Landslide Sensors Development, and Weather Hazard Information Project (WHIP). (WLB/JGB-PIA3)

Young lawyer, big assets

By ED LINGAO, PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM


ARNEL CORTEZ MANALOTO, the lawyer of Andal Ampatuan Jr. who purchased eight of his properties in Davao City, is actually a young, recently married trial lawyer based in Angeles City, Pampanga, roughly a thousand kilometers north of the home province of his more famous client.

How he became one of Andal Jr.’s principal lawyers is the question on many a Kapampangan’s mind. How he could afford to purchase eight significantly sized properties in Davao City all at the same time and just seven years after passing the bar examinations is yet another question begging to be answered.

According to the online law database www.Philippinelaw.info and the Chan Robles Virtual Law Library, Manaloto was admitted to the Philippine Bar only in May 2005. A few years later, Manaloto served as the appointments secretary of then Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio before he was reportedly removed from the position by Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu.

His association with the administration of Pampanga’s former governor-priest, however, earned him the reputation as a “progressive” lawyer. This is why many were surprised when Manaloto surfaced sometime in late 2010 or early 2011 as legal counsel for Andal Jr., the main suspect in the Maguindanao Massacre, and his wife Reshal.

It is not clear why Ampatuan chose a lawyer from Angeles City as one of his legal counsels, although the Ampatuans reportedly also have properties in Pampanga. Pampanga is also the home province of former President and now Congressman Gloria Arroyo, who was Andal Sr.’s principal patron when she was still in power.

One former client says Manaloto was known to be very detail-oriented, a plus factor for a lawyer. He is also noticeable because of his height and his way of carrying himself. Manaloto reportedly stands 5’10 or 5’11, and has fine mannerisms -- qualities that appear to make him compatible with his stewardess-wife.

But the former client tells PCIJ that since the young attorney took the Ampatuans’ case, he has had less time for his clients in Pampanga, often cancelling appointments and meetings, and, one time, arriving “three hours late for a meeting with a local client.”

“We also don’t understand what has happened to attorney,” says Manaloto’s ex-client.

It is also not clear in which cases Manaloto represents Andal Jr. While lead defense counsel Sigfrid Fortun says Manaloto services Andal Jr. in some cases in Maguindanao, Manaloto had also been observed attending to the Ampatuans several times in the early days of the hearings at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Manaloto was also a frequent visitor of Andal Jr. at the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig to consult with his client, according to jail guards PCIJ talked to.

Some of the defense and prosecution lawyers who attend the murder hearings still remember Manaloto as the tall, finely dressed lawyer of Andal Jr. as well. In fact, journalists covering the trial filed news reports (Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News Online) of a confrontation between Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and Manaloto at the Quezon City Jail Annex in May 2011.

Mangudadatu, whose wife and sister were among those killed in the Maguindanao Massacre, had wanted to inspect the jail cell of Andal Ampatuan Sr. and Jr. because of reports that they were getting special treatment from their jailers. Manaloto appeared at the Quezon City Jail Annex and successfully blocked Mangudadatu’s attempts at an on-the-spot inspection, prompting Mangudadatu to remark that Manaloto was like a son to the Ampatuan patriarch.

Coincidentally, the confrontation happened on the same month that eight real properties of Andal Jr. in Davao City were transferred to Manaloto’s name.

The sale of all eight properties in Davao to the relatively new lawyer from Angeles City may strike many as curious, as Juna Subdivision, where seven of the eight properties are located, is known as a relatively upscale area.

The memorandum of encumbrances in each of the eight cancelled land titles of Andal Ampatuan Jr. indicate that the properties were sold to Manaloto for P20 million. It is not clear if this means that the properties were sold for P20 million each, or if they were sold as a package deal for the grand total of P20 million.

Either way, the amount involved could be of interest to government regulators. If each of the eight properties was sold at P20 million, then Manaloto spent P160 million for all eight properties. This would make him a person of interest to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. One tax expert told the PCIJ that as a general rule, people who buy P20 million in real properties would have to have at least P30 million in his pocket, to pay for the other expenses such as taxes and other fees. Multiply this by eight properties, and you need P240 million in your pocket.

Now if the eight properties were sold for a total of P20 million, it would give the appearance of a special sweetheart deal between the lawyer and his client, as the properties would be unusually undervalued. The zonal value in Juna Subdivision alone may go as high as P2,680 per square meter just for the land, meaning a 600-meter property would have a zonal value of P1.6 million. Factor in improvements such as buildings, and the value increases dramatically.

It seems, though, that Manaloto became keen on going beyond lawyering after purchasing some of Andal Jr.’s properties.

A check with the Securities and Exchange Commission shows that an Arnel Cortez Manaloto has involvement in at least two companies set up after May 2011: 8Star Farm, Inc, incorporated on Sept. 2, 2011, with Manaloto as lead director and four others (apparently all relatives) as co-directors (Ma. Corazon C. Manaloto, Allan C. Manaloto, Eddie C. Espino, and Dennis C. Espino). The Manalotos listed the same residence address: 20 Don Luis Panlilio Street, Villa Dolores, Angeles City. 8Bullet Security Agency, Inc., incorporated on Aug. 15, 2012, with Manaloto and four other persons as incorporators (Ret. Col. Ledvino Tierra Alva, Mark Anthony Manucum Garcia, Derwin de leon David, and Charmaine Gomez Cortez). 8Star Farm says its primary purpose is “to acquire and maintain agricultural farm land for the purpose in (sic) engaging in raising hog, chicken, cow, goat, duck or any related livestock and farm related products and to sell these products to market for profit.”

The paid-up capital of 8Star Farm amounts to only P62,500, as evidenced by a bank certificate secured by treasurer Ma. Corazon Manaloto from the Banco de Oro-Sto. Rosario, Angeles City Branch.

8Bullet, meanwhile, says its primary purpose is “to provide, offer, render security services to secure either residence, business establishment, buildings, compounds, areas, or property; inspects/monitors bodily inspection, physically/manually or scientifically, electronic, including but not limited to logging concessions and agricultural, mining or pasture lands, transportation, for hire or compensation, or as an employee thereof, including any employee of the national or local government agencies or instrumentality’s (sic) thereof and or government owned and controlled corporations who is (sic) employed to watch or secure government properties or premises, except those agencies and personnel prohibited under existing laws; acquire/purchase firearms, ammunitions, equipment and other equipment necessary/and as required by laws for operation of security services.”

Its secondary purpose is “to render and operate security services for escort outside its jurisdiction or area of operation as allowed under existing laws of the Philippines.”

SEC records show 8Bullet has subscribed shares of only P1 million, with P800,000 coming from Manaloto, who is also treasurer. The firm’s money in an unspecified bank, he certified, is all of P500,000. – PCIJ, November 2012

Clark airport records 5-millionth passenger

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT - Officials of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) led travel agents, hotel executives and other guests in welcoming the airport’s five-millionth passenger on Wednesday.

Limuel Rivera of Taguig City, who was on board a Cebu Pacific flight, arrived at the Clark International Airport (CRK) shortly after midnight from a vacation in Macau.

Rivera, who travelled with his co-workers, said he was surprised by the event and the awarding including the reception of the Clark officials Wednesday night.

“I’m very happy to be the five-millionth passenger of Clark airport,” Rivera said who expressed gratitude to Clark airport officials.

CIAC president and chief executive officer Victor Jose I. Luciano said the passenger and tourists from Metro Manila now prefer CRK because of its accessibility.

Luciano said CRK has achieved an historic five-millionth passenger since it started commercial flight operations in 2003.

Cargo operations in CRK officially started in April 2002 with the opening of the intra-Asia hub of international shipping company United Parcel Service (UPS) while commercial passenger flights started with Asiana Airlines in October 2003, which revolutionized travel and tourism in Clark and set-off an influx of Koreans in the country.

“Our operation has boosted tourist arrivals in Central and Northern Luzon,” Luciano said.

In June 2007, Clark airport received its one-millionth passenger via Asiana Airlines and on October 24 this year, the airport welcomed its one-millionth passenger in a single year (2012) via Air Asia Philippines.

Luciano said CIAC expects an increase and steady flow of travelers, tourists, balikbayans and overseas Filipino workers this month and in December during the Holidays.

“At the rate we’re going, we expect to service close to 1.4 million passengers by the yearend,” he said.

Rivera was awarded overnight stay for two at Remington Hotel Resorts World Manila and Fontana Leisure Parks, round-trip tickets for two to any Cebu Pacific international destination, travel and accommodation to Bohol and Cagayan De Oro, and others.







Group supports back-to-work call to Lazatin

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

By (Reynaldo G. Navales)


ANGELES CITY – The Partido Abe Kapampangan expressed support to the call of City Administrator Dennis Albert Pamintuan to Congressman Carmelo Lazatin to report back to Congress.

“The campaign period is still months away, but it seems Lazatin has no longer been reporting for work, adding to his being among the topnotchers in Congress insofar as absences are concerned,” said Partido Abe Secretary General Danilo de Austria Consumido.

Consumido said since Lazatin filed his candidacy papers last October 4, congressional records indicate that he has been consistently absent during session days, even as Congress is tackling significant measures like RH Bill, the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI), among others.

Consumido cited a news report dated June 15, stating that Lazatin is one of the House members with many absences from July 25, 2011 to June 6, 2012.

“If he reports back to work, he may be able to do a lot to even prop up his candidacy for mayor of Angeles City. He can deliver a privilege speech on the job order workers of the city, or his allegations of bankruptcy of Angeles City, or the earth-shaking issue involving an unpaid gasoline station and perhaps trigger a congressional probe over his allegations,” Consumido said.

Pamintuan expressed concern that Lazatin may be stooping so low just to gain media mileage.

Pamintuan also called on IC Calaguas, chief of staff and media handler of Lazatin, not to put her boss in embarrassing situations that could put to naught the 25 years of government service of her boss.

“It would be a pity if the 25 years that Lazatin has been in politics, which he describes as ‘outstanding service to the people,’ will end up with a bad taste in the mouth and bitter defeat,” Pamintuan said.





AC officials object to cutting of trees for road-widening project

By balibago.org


ANGELES CITY -- Concerned offices in the city government have expressed their protest against the cutting of 486 trees along Mac-Arthur Highway in Pampanga on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) road widening project.

Jose M. Briones, head of the city’s Task Force 1-Million Trees, said that they recognize the project’s objective to sustain progress in Pampanga. However, there is also a need to take into account the effect of the project to the environment.






STD cases jack up by 7.8 %

By balibago.org


ANGELES CITY -- Cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in this city were noted to have increased by 7.84 percent, all the victims being female freelance workers aged from 18 to 25.

The study, conducted by a group headed by Dr. Richard Velez, head of the department of medicine of the Sacred Heart Hospital here, also noted an average increase of four human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in this city every year since 1985.






SM Clark ‘Giant Candy Land’ center piece wows mall goers

By balibago.org


ANGELES CITY -- SM City Clark’s “Giant Candy Land” Christmas centerpiece recently wowed mall goers, adding another glitter to this year’s Yuletide celebration.

SM City Clark Public Relations officer Venus Manalang said the event aims to add more glitter to this year’s Christmas celebration as all SM Supermalls all over the country also unveiled their respective Christmas-themed center pieces.







Vaseline Xterra series final leg goes to Clark

By Romina S. Austria


ATHLETES and adventure seekers will gather one more time tomorrow at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga for the third and final leg of the Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series. The Putik Pare team duathlon will have participants in pairs alternately doing an 18K off-trail run and 10K mountain bike race. The pairs will then go through a mud pit and must cross the finish line together. Categories are All Female, All Male and Mixed Pair. The Vaseline Men Xterra Philippines is sanctioned by Xterra, the world’s biggest off-road triathlon series. The previous legs were the Pang Rave Run held in Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, and the Xterra Weekend held in Liloan, Cebu. New Zealand’s Ben Allen and Switzerland’s Renata Bucher topped the Professional division in Cebu. Neil Catiil was the top Filipino Male Elite and Rochelle Tan the Female Elite winner. The Xterra weekend also served as qualifier for the recent Xterra off-road triathlon global championship in Hawaii. The five-man Philippine team led by veteran triathlete and coach Noy Jopson was among the 650 finishers in the event held in Maui. The Vaseline Men Xterra Putik Pare team duathlon is also sponsored by Alaska, Timex, Gator-ade, Summit Water, David’s Salon, Prudential Guarantee, ROX, Second Wind and media partners The Philippine Star, Multisport and Studio 23.

Holy Angel tops Luzon Passerelle

By MST Sports


Holy Angel University of Angeles City anda Don Bosco Academy of Mabalacat, Pampanga outclassed separate foes to respectively rule the Passerelle and Small Basketeers Philippines (SBP) Luzon qualifying leg of the MILO-sponsored 2012 BEST (Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training) Center held over the weekend at the University of Assumption gym in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Jouel Francis Luna, Antonio Jeffrey Coronel and Domielle Sunga conspired for 34 points to lead Holy Angel University to an 87-44 victory over St. Louis College of Baguio in the Passerelle finals.

It was total domination for the Angeles City-based quintet as it led 43-27 after two quarters and limited St. Louis College to only three points in the third period. Jerwin Bumatay paced St. Louis College with nine markers.

St. Albert the Great School of Dagupan defeated Sacred Heart College of Lucena to claim third place. Amchel David Angeles, meanwhile, netted 24 points to lead Don Bosco Academy to a 63-47 win over Berkeley School of Baguio in the SBP championship game.

Angeles scored 14 points in the second quarter to give his team a 29-19 lead and never looked back. Joseph Benedict Tiglao added 11 points for Don Bosco. Berkeley was led by Patrick Andrew Rebugio who finished with 13 points in the game. Sacred Heart College of Lucena outplayed Urdaneta 1 Central School in the battle for third place.

The Visayas leg championship of Asia’s first scientific school of basketball is slated on November 17-18 in Iloilo City and the 2012 SBP-Passerelle National Finals is set from December1 to 2 in Roxas City.

Winning the Sportsmanship Awards were St. Albert the Great School in the Passerelle and Berkeley School in the SBP.

The SBP and Passerelle twin tournaments are organized by BEST Center and is for kids 9-11 years old and 12-14 years of age respectively.

Pampanga execs raise funds for OFW on Saudi death row

By Joey Pavia / Correspondent


BACOLOR, Pampanga—Gov. Lilia Pineda said on Wednesday that she and the Pampanga Mayors’ League (PML) have started a fund-raising drive for the P44-million blood money to save an Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) on death row in Saudi Arabia.

Joselito Zapanta, 32, of Purok 4 in Cabetican village, was found guilty in a Saudi court of killing his Sudanese landlord in the ultraconservative Muslim country in 2008.

Pineda, who visited the house of Zapanta here on Wednesday afternoon, said she will urge the 21-member Pampanga Mayors’ League (PML) to help the provincial government raise a “big portion” of the SAR4 million blood money (1 Riyal: 10.9 Philippine peso) as part of the latest agreement between the Philippine and Saudi Arabian governments.

Vice President Jejomar Binay called Pineda on Wednesday night to inform her about the second postponement of Zapanta’s execution. Zapanta was apprehended in 2009, and three years later, was found guilty by a Saudi Arabia court of killing his Sudanese landlord with a hammer during a dispute over rent.

The OFW-mason, who was reportedly not paid six months of his salary before he committed the crime that is punishable by death in the rich Middle East country, was originally scheduled to get the death penalty on November 14. This was moved to December 14 after appeals by Binay and President Aquino to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

“We want to thank the President for making the necessary appeal to stay the execution of Zapanta,” said Pineda, who also lauded Malacanang’s decision to give P4 million for the blood money.

Pineda said “now we have enough time until early next year to help our Cabalen who needs our collective effort to give him a second life and chance.”

“What Zapanta did was wrong and we have no excuse for committing harsh crimes, notably killing someone. But now he needs our help and under the laws of the Saudi government, we can save him,” said Pineda in the dialect.

She interviewed Jesus Zapanta, father of the OFW-convict, at their residence in Bacolor. The Zapantas lived for 14 years in Mexico, Pampanga, but moved back to their native Bacolor town more than a one year ago.

The Zapantas left Bacolor after lahar flows spawned by Mount Pinatubo’s eruption buried their house in Cabetican in 2005.

Jesus, who was also a driver in Saudi Arabia for 12 years, said his son, the eldest among his three children, was giving his earnings to his two children—Jomar, 8 and Maria, 7—who are now living with their mother in Pandan, Angeles City, since he began to work in the country and later in Saudi. Zapanta had been separated from the mother of their children.

“My son was not just good son but a father. He also gave a lot to his relatives, notably his nieces and nephews,” said Jesus, who is being offered a job as a truck driver in the Capitol by Pineda.

Fourth District Board Nestor Tolentino said Pineda was supposed to seek permission from the provincial board to allot P3 million for Zapanta’s blood money. He said they had been informed by the Commission on Audit (CoA) that their plan “was not allowed by law.”

“We will look into other options allowed by law. But in the meantime, we will ask all to help in the drive called by the governor,” said Tolentino.

Porac Mayor Carling de la Cruz, who invited Pineda and Board Members Salvador “Jun” Dimson, Friztie David-Dizon and Trina Dizon in their Binulo festival on Thursday, said “the call of the governor is most welcome and we will look into it” with Vice Mayor Dexter David.

Jesus, now 56 years old, said he sought Pineda’s assistance through the Pampanga Action Center for OFW Concerns (PACOC) on November 12. He said he had to wait for the necessary documents from the Overseas.

Pineda established the first-ever OFW assistance office among the provinces in the country in 2008 and served 2,611 OFWs until last week. She asked her province mates to avail themselves of the services of the PACOC headed by Eliza Rey Yap-Munoz.

In Photo: Jesus Zapanta shows a photo of his son OFW Joselito Zapanta to Gov. Lilia Pineda who visited the father on Wednesday with Board Member Nestor Tolentino. Joselito was convicted by a Saudi court for killing his Sudanese landlord over rent. (Ric Gonzales)






‘Dual training system’ for college eyed

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY - The local government here is now in coordination with Clark Freeport-based electronics company SMK Corporation to begin the implementation of the ‘dual training system’ (DTS) for the City College of Angeles’ (CCA) market-driven courses for academic year 2013-2014.

“We had early talks with SMK Corporation regarding plans on how we will be able to implement the ‘dual teaching system’ with them. This is very apt for CCA since we have designed our curriculum based on the employment needs of companies inside Clark Freeport,” said CCA President Averell Laquindanum.

Under the DTS, the first two semesters of the students enrolled under the Technical and Vocational Education (TVEd), specifically in Electronics, will be under the premise of CCA for the academic and theoretical domain of the curriculum.

After a year, SMK Electronics will take over the students for the field education. The company will also provide scholarship grants, meal and transportation allowances for qualified students.

“Again, these are initial plans; but if this scheme will push through, it will help a lot since we are raising the competency of the Angeleños in the market,” Laquindanum said.

The dual teaching system is an incorporation of corporate apprenticeship to vocational schooling and is practiced by most technical schools in the Philippines.

DTS’s incorporation to CCA’s curriculum is seen to provide work experiences and learning opportunities outside the classroom to the students of the city college.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, on the other hand, vows to continue the improvement of the educational programs of the city.

“Education is a vital foundation to one heading for a brighter tomorrow. We are very privileged to establish the city college which is a life-long dream of the Angeleños,” Pamintuan said.

“The CCA stands strong as our symbol of hopes and dreams. For the city government, it is a promise fulfilled,” Pamintuan added.

To date, the CCA accommodates a total of 376 students with vocational courses in Computer Science, Information System and Tourism.

In the Academic Year 2013- 2014, the city college eyes to accommodate as much as 1,000 students with the additional four-year bachelor’s degree courses of Computer Science, Information System, Tourism Management, and Technical Teacher’s Education in Physical Education and Food Services.

The CCA will also establish the Institute for Teacher’s Education, Institute for Information Technology, and the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education along with the DTS with private companies.

Clark Gates

By Noel G. Tulabut


GOING through the gates of Clark Freeport, I could not help but notice a lot of improvements. Security-and beauty-wise.

Particularly at Mabalacat Gate, people would easily notice the facelift there – landscaping, re-painting, guardhouse renovation. There is also a new passenger terminal with a covered walkway coming from the gate itself leading onto the bays.

Completed about several months ago, that terminal has – finally – put in order the flow of passenger jeepneys in that area. Prior to the construction of that terminal, there used to be mayhem as motorists and passengers crissed-crossed and caused traffic.

That is why when former Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Benny Ricafort first assumed office in August 2008, the first thing I put to his attention was the bad state of that gate. It might have taken quite some time to fix the mess but it’s all right now.

Clark goers might have noticed too the postures, gestures, and alertness of sentries at the gates which had improved through the years. Gone are the days of slouchy, aging, and unequipped gatekeepers. They are constantly being re-tooled and re-trained by Public Safety Department of CDC under Colonel Nick Targa. Adding reflectorized gloves for sentries and those directing traffic at night would be a lot valuable though.

Both the aesthetic and security improvements fall on the lap of Frank Madlambayan, CDC’s vice president for Operations. That is no easy feat for Kong Frank or anybody else for that matter as Clark security per se is a gargantuan task.

What is commendable with Kong Frank is his willingness to take suggestions (and even criticisms) especially if it means yielding more positive results for Clark. One can always call his attention and the next thing you know is he is putting into effect some adjustments on the issue at hand.

Kong Frank rose from the ranks since joining CDC in its initial years of operations in the early 1990s. He has served the frontlines with his placement and training endeavors benefitting countless many before he was promoted to senior management. Given his broad experience, he knows exactly a wide spectrum of concerns and issues obtaining in Clark.

Those that affect all the stakeholders of Clark and local environs.

He is not a unique breed in Clark. His kind of attitude, competence, and professionalism is not rare among officers and rank and file in CDC. I could cite some of them like Bernie Angeles, assistant vice president at Business Development Group that is in charge of bringing in investors and taking care of their after-sales needs in Clark. Debonair as he is, Bernie is well liked by locators, dealing with their problems and concerns with great dispatch. Bernie is ably assisted by Rodem Perez of Customer Services Department.

--oo0oo--

HORSEFEST. This year's staging of Horsefest will be on November 23 to 25 at the El Kabayo ranch near the Picnic Grounds inside Clark Freeport. This promises to be an outstanding event given the improvements the organizers put in every year. There will be sort of horse marathon aside from the usual equestrian events. The Mad Dogs will also be there with their big bikes (and their little brother mopeds courtesy of local bike clubs) with focus on motorcycle safety this time.

--oo0oo--

SMART WIRELESS CENTER CLARK remains to be a testament to great and speedy customer service. If Shoemart (or any other shopping malls for that matter) reward their tenants for such endeavor, I would not be surprised if this particular shop will get the top plum.

Its crew headed by Miss Lolit Cardona and staff Raquel David, Cielo, Fey, Janet, Ian Madlangbayan, Ian Timbang, and the rest continue to serve clients with great endeavors while adhering to core values of the nation’s leading and biggest telco.

Congratulations. Hardworking staff like these deserves a fat bonus.

--oo0oo--

CONGRATULATIONS CEBU PACIFIC for having its 70 millionth passenger this week. With barely two years after having the 50 millionth, Cebu Pacific continues to have unparalleled patronage and great passenger service. It will continue to grow as more aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to this fastest growing carrier in the next 10 years.

One of outstanding judges in Phl is a Kapampangan

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Nov 12 (PIA) -- A Kapampangan was recently named one of the outstanding judges in the country receiving the "Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano Award."

This year's Board of Judges chaired by Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, bestowed the award to Angeles resident and Regional Trial Court (RTC) Manila, Branch 7 Presiding Judge Maria Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, labelling her as a “true leader."

Gomez-Estoesta, who is currently the Public Relations Officer of Manila RTC Judges Association and Second Vice Executive Judge of Manila RTC, said "I am proud of my award, especially now that some are questioning the integrity of the courts of law. And this reward will serve as a challenge and more work and responsibility.”

Apart from Gomez-Estoesta, others named as 2012 Outstanding Judges were: Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig of the Marikina City RTC, Branch 192 as the Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos Awardee; Gregorio Dela Peña III of Zamboanga City RTC, Branch 12 as Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña Awardee; and Emily San Gaspar-Gito of the Metropolitan Trial Court Manila, Branch 20 as the Don Antonio P. Madrigal Awardee.

With this feat, the Angeles City Council released Resolution No.6548, Series of 2012 congratulating Gomez-Estoesta.

“Such conferment to Judge Maria Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta as an Outstanding Judge of Second Level Courts, merits recognition from the people of Angeles City which recognition should serve as an inspiration for other judges to strive for excellence in the dispensation of justice,” the resolution explained.

Gomez-Estoesta joined the government service in the year 1991 as a Solicitor in the Office of the Solicitor General until she was appointed to the Judiciary on February 2002 as a Metropolitan Trial Court Judge in Manila.

By 2006, she became the Presiding Judge of Branch 7 of the Manila RTC, and in 2010-2012, as Acting Presiding Judge of the Manila RTC, Branch 17. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)

Kapampangan film competes in CCP film contest

By Ian Ocampo Flora


ANGELES CITY -- A Kapampangan short film entitled “Walu Pang Bulan (Eight More Months),” is currently competing in the 24th Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Independent Film and Video Competition.

The film was shot during the aftermath of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” last October when southern towns of Pampanga and other provinces in Luzon were inundated with floods.

Jason Paul Laxamana, writer and director of the film, however, said he wanted the film to show how resilient and optimistic Kapampangans are in times of the calamity.

“The film is not really about how we suffer from calamities. Instead, it's how we continue our lives normally and how we manage to smile even when we are experiencing calamities,” Laxamana said.

Shot in the Municipality of Macabebe, the film stars Macabebe residents Albert Tony Antonio, Rey Yumang, and KC Cruz.

“Walu Pang Bulan,” along with some of the other participating films, will be screened for free on November 23 (Friday), 4 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Tanghalang Manuel Conde. It will be competing in the short feature category.






Germans Lead 8 Wakeboard Finalists

By www.mb.com.ph


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Dominik Gührs pulled off a series of difficult, risky tricks Saturday to lead fellow German Frédéric von Osten into the finals of the premier Open men wakeboard division of the World Cable Wakeboard Championships at the Deca Wakeboard Park Clark here.

Gührs humbled von Osten and Nick Davies of Great Britain in Heat 2 in the semis, pooling a whopping 85.33 points in the second run to enter today's finale as the top qualifier.

Von Osten, winner of the Tokyo World Cup, racked up 75.67 points to clinch the second position in the star-studded group while Davies, the 2010 winner, rebounded from a so-so performance in the first run (38.00) with a 72.67 ride in the second to gain the No. 3 spot.

Youthful Im San of Korea scored 71.33 points in his first run to grab the last finals berth in the group in the event backed by Rixen Cableways, IWWF Wakeboard 2020 Vision, Smart, Gatorade, Deca Homes, Stoked Inc, RipCurl, Monster Energy Drink, Devant LED TV, Bacardi, Department of Tourism Region 3, Aktion Parks, Plus Event Marketing and organized by Eventking Corp.

Gührs seized the lead in his first run at the newly-built, world class cable park, netting a best score of 78. With a place in the final, the German went for more dangerous tricks in the second run and got it off well for judges' scores of 87-84-85.

"I was safe in the first run so I could risk something in the second run. I did two better tricks in the second run – a switch mobe5 and toeside-backside 9 off the kicker - and I think those were the keys to a better score," said Gührs.

Declan Clifford of Great Britain towed the finals-bound riders from semifinal heat 1 with an average score of 74.33 on his second run. Also through were Israel's Lior Sofer (71.33), Laszlo Papp of Hungary (65.67), and Tatsanai Aye of Thailand (62.33).

The eight finalists will go for all the marbles in today's exciting culmination of the event.

"For sure, it's going to be a good fight. Every good rider is in the finals so it's going to be good and exciting," said Gührs. 

The men open finale gets off the ground after the ladies' own title showdown at 1 p.m.

British ace Kirsteen Mitchell defends her world crown against compatriots Tor Young and Steph Caller, Sophia Marie Reimers and Cosima Giemza of Germany, Astrid Schabransky of Austria, Denise de Haan of The Netherlands, and Angelika Schriber of Australia.

Meanwhile, Susan Larsson gave host Philippines its lone medal as she bagged a silver in the open ladies wakeskate event.

Larsson recovered from a 20-point stint in the first run with a 45.00 in the second to take runner-up honors to champ Zuzana Vrablova of Slovakia (62.00). Julie Panzini of France took third place with 35.00.






P.5-B alleged missing assets during Tarzan term bared

By yats.us.cloudlogin.co


ANGELES CITY–From years 2003 to 2005 with Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin as city mayor, a total of P563 million worth of real and fixed properties of the city government could not be accounted for, according to Commission on Audit (COA) reports covering the three years. The COA Report of 2003, signed by state auditor Lynn S. F. Sicangco, noted that “the validity and correctness of the fixed assets under the (city’s) General Fund amounting to P552,559,664.77 could not be ascertained due to existence of a material discrepancy between the balances of the subsidiary ledgers with that of the property inventory report.” According to the report, P233.7 million worth of fixed assets could not be validly ascertained by the end of year 2003. The report also cited Section 491 of the General Appropriations Act Manual (GAAM) Volume 1 which requires all discrepancies between physical inventory and recorded fixed assets per books must be investigated and reconciled immediately. For year 2004, the COA noted of the same discrepancy and violation of its rules. In its report, which was also signed by Sicangco, some P313.7 million out of the total P698 million fixed assets of the city government could not also be verified for the same reason. In the succeeding year of 2005, the COA reported of P15 million worth of “unlocated properties, plant and equipment.” The common reason for these discrepancies, according to the COA reports, has been “uncompleted inventory.” “Why they have not completed their inventories, despite repeated admonitions from the COA, is also very odd,” said current City Administrator Dennis Albert Pamintuan, who released the COA reports to media. “For three years, their alibi was that then Mayor Lazatin’s people have ‘other commitments’,” he said. “Whether these fixed properties cumulatively worth more than P.5 billion really existed has not been settled till now. Did they exist at all? We can only speculate, but I hope Congressman Lazatin and his people could explain these discrepancies,” he said. The camp of Lazatin has been recently hitting the administration of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan for alleged violations on the use of petty cash for food and gasoline. “Compared to what they have to explain, the so-called violations they are hurling on us on the use of petty cash funds is indeed very, very petty,” Pamintuan said.

Angeles City teams with UST for cultural map book series

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Nov 8 (PIA) -- The local government of Angeles has partnered with University of Santo Tomas (UST) in publishing a book series that contains the history, culture and traditions of its 33 barangays.

City Tourism Office Chief Christine Nunag said “the three-volume book series was a result of a four-month cultural mapping of UST’s Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment (CCPET), our office and around 55 public school teachers and senior citizens.”

“We had an intensive documentation, field works, folk interviews, examination of heritage structures and ocular visits to get details on how Angeles came into existence” UST-CCPET Director Eric Zerrudo narrated.

“Researching on Angeles was very challenging as it is a hodgepodge of various ethnicities and a highly urbanized city. We had difficulty in compiling its historical and heritage treasures as most of them had not been well preserved” Zerrudo added.

UST-CCPET was also behind the successful cultural mapping of tourism hotspots Vigan, Bohol, and Cebu. (CLJD/JGB-PIA 3)

NorthPhil Expo 2012 to be held Nov 9-11

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, November 7 (PIA) -- The 3rd North Philippines (NorthPhil) Tourism and Travel Expo will be held from November 9-11 at Marquee Mall in Angeles City. The event will showcase the rich culture and tradition, distinctive products and picturesque locations of Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera.

In a statement, the Department of Tourism-Central Luzon (DOT-CL) said the event will feature pavilions of the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac; Clark Development Corporation, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; DOT Regional Offices 1,2,3 and CAR; and corporate booths of various tourism-related businesses such as hotels, resorts and airlines.

Aside from the expo, the three-day affair will also have theater presentations, corporate game shows, product presentations, raffle draws and crafts and culinary demonstrations.

“The annual expo was conceived to solidify North Philippines as an international tourism hub,” DOT-CL Director Ronnie Tiotuico said. “Our major destinations alone accounted for 14 percent of the country’s total foreign and domestic tourist volume last year.”

Its top spots are Ilocos Norte, Cagayan province, Zambales and Baguio city.

Tiotuico attributed the surge in tourist arrivals to the construction of the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA). (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)






Infra projects in Pampanga since 2010 amount to P1.2B

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


CLARK FREEPORT, Nov 6 (PIA) -- The provincial government has spent at least P1.2 billion for a number of infrastructure projects in Pampanga since 2010.

This was announced by Governor Lilia Pineda during the oath-taking of the officers of Provincial Federation of Barangay Health Workers dubbed as “Bayanihan Para Sa Kalusugan Ng Mga Kapampangan” held recently at Stotsenberg Hotel inside Clark Freeport.

“Since we assumed as governor of Pampanga, we have funded major infrastructure projects like construction and renovation of district hospitals, construction of classroom buildings in different public schools and provincial, municipal and barangay farm to market roads,” Pineda said.

The provincial government has started the general renovation and improvement of all existing district hospital buildings in the province including facilities and medical equipment . “In the improvement of our district hospitals, we are 85 percent completed," the governor said.

The Capitol has also funded the establishment of dialysis centers in selected district hospitals aimed at providing cheaper treatment for dialysis patients.

These were realized through partnership with private individuals and companies who are helping the governor through the provision of dialysis machines under a co-management agreement.

As of this month, at least 182 newly classrooms and six covered courts in various public schools in the province had been constructed with an estimated amount of P176 million.

For 2011 alone, records from the provincial engineering office show that Pampanga released P50, 083, 216 for the construction of 45 new rooms, repair and improvement of 32 classrooms, and building of five covered courts.

This year, P54, 149,836 was allocated to finance the construction of 28 new classrooms, repair and improve 77 classrooms and one covered court.

At least 35 classrooms amounting to P62.5 million and another P9.7 million for the construction of boys and girls comfort rooms for 26 public schools are still on-going.

The provincial government, through the engineering office had facilitated the reconstruction several provincial roads in flood hit municipalities that were damaged by recent calamities.

Other infrastructure projects finished were the improvement of dikes particularly in Mandili, Candaba, and in San Sebastian, San Luis town.

Pampanga River Dike road Batasan-Candating section in Arayat, San Nicolas 1st barangay road in Sasmuan, Phase 11 of Guagua-Sta. Rita-Porac road San Matias and Becuran section, Phase IV Dila-dila section both in Sta. Rita, and Phase V Dila-dila-Pulong Santol section in Sta.Rita-Porac were also completed.

The widening of San Miguel-Sta.Cruz barangay road in San Simon and reblocking and asphalt overlay of Sto. Domingo-Lourdes-San Isidro-Telacsan-Colgante provincial road from Minalin to Apalit and Macabebe.

The provincial government also completed the improvement and concreting of the provincial road in San Juan-San Jose-Natividad-Lambac-Pulong Masle road Lambac section in Guagua, San Matias-San Simon road San Matias section in Sto. Tomas, and Del Rosario-Bacolor road in the City of San Fernando, Sta. Ana Magalang along San Agustin section and in San Sebastian San Luis.

Last year, after typhoon Pedring devastated the province, Pineda provided at least P80 million for the priority development projects of each of the 20 municipalities in the province.

This is intended to jump start the reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure facilities and their projects highly needed in the municipality.

Recently, the provincial government has given all local government units P100 million to finance different priority development projects.

Each municipality received at least P5 million to ensure the continuity of infrastructure development down to the barangay level. (CLJD with reports from Joel Mapiles of Pampanga PIO)

11 human traffickers nabbed in Angeles City

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, November 5 (PIA) -- A total of 11 human traffickers have been nabbed by Angeles City police operatives in a series of raids conducted in Marisol Subdivision.

Members of International Justice Mission, regional social workers, representatives from Embassy of the United States and Child Exploitation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Australian Federal Police Homeland Security helped in the operations that resulted in the rescue of 11 minors.

Prior to the raids, search warrants had been issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Judge Angelica Quiambao against suspected members of human trafficking in Angeles City.

The suspects are now facing charges against Republic Act No. 9208 known as “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003,” an act that institutes policies to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and children, establishing the necessary institutional mechanisms for the protection and support of trafficked persons, providing penalties for its violations.

Minors and suspects were brought to Angeles City Police Office for further disposition and questionings. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)

Youth groups support Pamintuan’s reelection bid

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Various youth groups in Angeles City vowed to support the reelection bid of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

In a press statement sent to Sun.Star Pampanga, the youth groups criticized the alleged "dirty politicking" of the camp of 1st District Representative Carmelo Lazatin.

"The Youth for Empowerment of the People (YEP) has unanimously decided to support the reelection of Mayor Pamintuan. His pro-poor and pro-youth programs must be sustained. The City College of Angeles should have a chance to be fully developed and the ongoing scholarship program must be continued. We believe that such programs will only prosper with Mayor Pamintuan as chief executive,” said Merry Grace Fernandez, spokesperson of YEP.

Fernandez also asked the camp of Congressman Lazatin to “engage in principled and honest information campaign especially relating to program of government.”

“We have noticed a deliberate attempt from the Lazatin camp particularly his aide Irish Calaguas to deceive the people. The series of unscientific and baseless accusations hurled by Calaguas against Mayor Pamintuan are indicative of how low the Lazatin camp views the intelligence of Angeles City voters. It is nothing but mudslinging in the highest order," Fernandez added.

Albert Danting of Partido Abe Kapampangan Youth echoed Fernandez’s statements.

“With the support of all sectors especially the youth and students, Mayor Ed Pamintuan is unbeatable. No amount of black propaganda and even vote buying could beat Mayor Pamintuan. The services, programs and projects being implemented now by the city government under Mayor Ed are more than enough reasons to support his reelection,” Danting said.

He also scored Lazatin saying “from ditak salita, dakal a gawa to dakal salita, ditak a gawa.”

“That is what Lazatin is now with the seemingly unending tirades of black propaganda as well as epal tarpaulins grabbing credit for projects of Mayor Pamintuan," Danting added.

YEP and ABE party youth also asked Lazatin to reveal his "true health status."

"We call on the honorable congressman to state with all honesty his physical situation, his true health status. The people especially the youth voters must know this. If Lazatin could not answer this point blank, then the persistent rumors that he is very sick will be proven to be true," they said.

Officers of various Angeles City based fraternities and brotherhood organizations also aired support to Pamintuan.

Rogelio "Skie" Guina, grandmaster and founder of the Alpha Gamma Beta Fraternity Certified 1972, said “we choose the best and we choose Mayor Pamintuan. He has brought pride and prestige to Angeles City by winning numerous awards from the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.”

“Angeles City is now the top city in Central Luzon and has been in the top 10 nationwide for two consecutive years because of the leadership of Mayor Pamintuan. It will be foolhardy for us to support a traditional politician who wants to be mayor again but could not even show a reward for good governance when he was at the helm of city hall,” said Shem Masigla, president of the Pi Sigma Fraternity-Angeles City.

Emmeraldo Nunag, chairman of the Tau Gamma Phi Angeles City Council, said that the entire Tau Gamma Phi organization in Angeles City is fully supporting Mayor Ed Pamintuan.

Charlie Sia III, vice chairman of the Alpha Kappa Rho Pampanga Provincial Council, said that the youth and students are aware of the achievements of Pamintuan, which include the establishment of the City College of Angeles, the Renal Care Unit, the Medikalinga Center, and the campaign for environmental protection as manifested by the year-long clean-up at Sapang Balen and Abacan, and the planting of tens of thousands of trees are too good to be ignored.

Domingo Waje, chairman of the Alpha Beta Epsilon Kapatiran Org., said Pamintuan is consistent in advocacies in education, health, environment, human rights, social services, livelihood and employment.

“We will support our mayor who is a lawyer and a human rights advocate too. His management and administrative skills has been proven with the numerous awards he won in just over two years as chief executive. This is a record that could not be surpassed by anyone,” said Shalimar Skipper Molina, charter national founder of the Unified Guardian Brotherhood International Incorporated.

Moises Liboon, grand chancellor of the Delta Psi Epsilon Fraternity Angeles City, said that positive change came to Angeles City in 2010 with the election of Pamintuan as mayor. “…and we will contribute so that those developments will continue. Mayor Ed Pamintuan all the way.”






‘Ghost tourism’ birthing at former Clark US base

By angelesmyx.com


Trees seem to bend their branches to welcome tourists into a purportedly haunted, abandoned hospital at the Clark Freeport. Photo by Ding Cervantes CLARK FREEPORT – The old abandoned hospital, the huddled three pine trees known as Tres Marias, the Lily Hill, an old cemetery area.


They are places in this former US military base giving rise to what some local folk have described as “ghost tourism.” In conversations appropriate to whatever is scary on All Saints’ Day, local folk remembering their dead in cemeteries are likely to bring up these places. The sites reputed to be among the most haunted in this Freeport whose history dates back to 1901 when American cavalry forces first moved in, and through World War II that saw many soldiers, both American and Japanese, die. Mabalacat, Pampanga tourism chief Guy Hilbero said that thrill-seeking tourists seek out these areas to experience ghostly sights and sounds, especially during All Saints’ Day. “I am open-minded, and I don’t see anything wrong with this so-called ghost tourism,” he said. Retired Benedictine priest Fr. Ed Santos, now often celebrant for requiem Masses in nearby Sto. Rosario parish church in Angeles City, downplayed belief that searching out haunted places could lead to demonic possession. “Demonic possession does not depend on the place but on how intense is one’s trust and faith in union with Jesus,” he said in a text message. Hilbero noted that in many parts of the US, ghost tourism has caught on, he said, noting “ghost tours” in Los Angeles and New Orleans. A group called Ghoula, a social club for Southern Californian ghost-enthusiasts, has been promoting their local ghosts in known haunted places like the Queen Mary ocean liner and Roosevelt hotel, he added. “There are also ghost tours in San Francisco and Chicago in the US and London and Edinburgh in the United Kingdom,” he also said. Hilbero dismissed fears that a haunted reputation would drive away investors in this Freeport. “Places which are reputed to be haunted here are limited. The haunting is not all over the Freeport, and we can reserve these few reputed areas for the thrill seekers,” he added. He identified the former site of an old cemetery within the grounds of the Mimosa Leisure Estate here as among the most haunted here. “That used to be the site of an old cemetery whose remains were later moved to the present American cemetery near Clark’s main gate,” he said. Hilbero noted that a building, whose construction was started in the 1990’s after the Americans abandoned Clark, has never been finished on the exact site of the former cemetery. “Employees in the area report frequently seeing ghosts or hearing unusual sounds in that unfinished building. There’s no doubt it’s haunted,” he stressed. Also known as haunted is the abandoned US military hospital near the commercial area hosting duty free shops here, he said. The three-story building, he noted, has already been visited by American ghost hunters who featured it on their television show in the US. The hospital’s basement used to serve as morgue for bodies of Americans killed during the Vietnam War, pending their being flown to their bereaved relatives. Hilbero also noted the so called Tres Marias, referring to three pine trees known in Kapampangan as “aguso” along the road towards Clark’s exit gate in Mabalacat City. “I don’t know the history of those three pine trees which can’t be found elsewhere in Clark, but the road near them have seen unusual number of accidents, so may motorists either honk their cars or make the sign of the cross when passing by them,” he said. The Lily Hill, also in the area of duty free shops, was the scene of a fierce firefight between the Japanese and Americans during the last world war, and many died there, he recalled. “The hill used to be haunted but unusual manifestations have ceased after prayers and other ceremonies started to be held there on yearly basis,” he noted. For his part, Santos said that “like in cemeteries, in haunted houses there are also angels and good spirits like saints and even Jesus who said, ‘I am with you always.’” He reminded local folk that even when pre-Spanish era Filipinos worshipped ancestors, “there is no report on the connection between visiting haunted houses and demonic possession.”

Europe open to air safety pact with PH

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- Europe is interested in developing an air safety agreement with the Philippines once the European Union’s (EU) ban on Philippine air carriers is lifted, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said.

The Vice President said he had a chance to meet with European Commission (EC) Vice President and Commissioner for Transport Siik Kallas during the 7th European Development Days (EDD) in Brussels to discuss the current EU ban on Philippine air carriers.

Binay said that according to Kallas, EU’s main issue with the Philippines was “maintaining the professionalism and regularity of air safety inspections.”

“I informed the commissioner that the Philippines had sought technical assistance from the French government to improve air safety standards, and that Philippine Airlines, which is now under new management, had just ordered 54 Airbus aircraft in line with its re-fleeting program,” Binay said.

The Vice President added that he assured the commissioner that the government was taking the air carrier ban issue very seriously and was already in the process of instituting critical reforms to improve the country’s air safety standards.

“I even mentioned the fact that the Philippines would be receiving an ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)-Coordinated Validation Mission on October 24 to 28 to assess the improvements made thus far,” he said.

Binay also clarified that the ban applied to both EU and non-EU carriers.

“The commissioner said these bans were not meant to discriminate against non-EU carriers since European carriers were not immune from the same bans if they failed to meet the EU’s strict air safety standards,” the Vice President said.

The EC banned Philippine carriers from operating in all 27 member-states of the EU in 2010.

According to Philippine Airlines, the ban was caused by the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision in January 2008 downgrading the Philippines’ safety rating to Category 2 and “significant safety concern” findings by the ICAO in November 2009 against Philippine aviation safety regulators.

There has been no commercial flight by Philippine-registered carriers to Europe since 1999.


Malfunction at NAIA diverts 13 flights

By Ding Cervantes, Rudy Santos


CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines – Thirteen aircraft were diverted yesterday to Clark International Airport (CIA) after they failed to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) due to a malfunctioning navigational equipment.

Victor Jose Luciano, Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive officer, said the diverted aircraft included 11 from Cebu Pacific, and one each from Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines.

At about midnight yesterday, CIA personnel received notification from NAIA about the flight diversion. The notification said the VOR (very high frequency omni-range) at NAIA was “out.”

The NAIA-bound aircraft started to arrive here at about 1 a.m.

All of them were able to fly back to NAIA by 4:47 a.m.

Last Oct. 9, CIA also took in 14 diverted aircraft because of a faulty VOR equipment at the NAIA.

In 2004, President Fidel Ramos declared the CIA the “future site of the country’s premiere international airport.”

It has two runways, each measuring 3.5 kilometers, capable of accommodating modern wide-bodied aircraft.


In recent years, the CIA has frequently served as alternative airport to NAIA during emergencies.

Last Jan. 1, flights were diverted to CIA due to smog that caused zero visibility at NAIA.

Last July and again in August, CIA accommodated foreign and domestic aircraft diverted from NAIA due to bad weather.

Only recently, flights had to be diverted to CIA because of air traffic congestion at NAIA.

In a recent visit to Pampanga, President Aquino said plans for a world-class passenger terminal at CIA remained stalled because no efficient railway system links Clark to Metro Manila.

Clark is over 80 kilometers from Metro Manila and the accepted standard is 40 kilometers between an international airport and the capital, he added.

Aquino said that the government has yet to find a new partner to finance and construct a new railway system.

Completed structures that China had financed and undertaken during the Arroyo administration are not feasible, he added.

'Ghost tourism' drawing visitors to Clark

By Ding Cervantes, The Philippine Star


CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines – The old abandoned hospital, the trio of pine trees known as Tres Marias, the Lily Hill and the old cemetery.

These are places in this former US military base that gave rise to what some local folk have described as “ghost tourism.”

When talking about scary things in connection with All Saints’ Day, residents visiting the departed in cemeteries are likely to bring up the supposed haunting in these places.

The sites are reputed to be among the most haunted in this Freeport, whose history dates back to 1901 when the American cavalry forces first moved in, and through World War II that saw the death of many soldiers, both American and Japanese.

Mabalacat City tourism chief Guy Hilbero said thrill-seeking tourists include these areas in their itinerary, hoping to experience ghostly sights and sounds, especially during All Saints’ Day.

“I am open-minded, and I don’t see anything wrong with this so-called ghost tourism,” he said.

Retired Benedictine priest Fr. Ed Santos, who now offers requiem masses at the Santo Rosario parish in nearby Angeles City, downplayed claims that a person searching for haunted places could lead him to demonic possession.

“Demonic possession does not depend on the place but on how intense is one’s trust and faith in union with Jesus,” Santos said in a text message.

Hilbero said in many parts of the US, ghost tourism has flourished, citing “ghost tours” in Los Angeles and New Orleans. A group called Ghoula, a social club for Southern Californian ghost-enthusiasts, has been promoting their local ghosts in known haunted places.

“There are also ghost tours in San Francisco and Chicago, and United Kingdom’s London and Edinburgh,” he said.

Hilbero dismissed fears that a haunted reputation would drive investors away from the Freeport.

“Places reputed to be haunted here are limited. The haunting is not all over the Freeport, and we can reserve these few reputed areas for the thrill seekers,” he added.

He described the former site of an old cemetery within the grounds of the Mimosa Leisure Estate here as among the most haunted.

“The remains buried there were moved to the present American cemetery near Clark’s main gate,” he said.

Hilbero said a building erected on the exact site of the old cemetery has remained unfinished since construction began in the 1990s or right after the Americans left Clark.

“Employees in the area claimed they frequently see ghosts or hear unusual sounds coming from the unfinished building. There’s no doubt it is haunted,“ he said.

The official also said the abandoned US military hospital near the commercial area hosting the duty free shops is just as haunted. The three-storey building had already been visited by American ghost hunters who featured the story on a US television show.

The hospital’s basement used to serve as a morgue for American soldiers killed during the Vietnam War before they were flown back to the US.

Hilbero also noted the Tres Marias, three pine trees – aguso in Kapampangan – found along the road leading to Clark’s exit gate in Mabalacat City.

“I don’t know the history of those three pine trees which can’t be found elsewhere in Clark, but the road near them has been the site of several accidents. Motorists are prompted to either honk their horns or make the sign of the cross when passing by,” he said.

The Lily Hill, also in the area of duty free shops, was the scene of the bloody firefight between the Japanese and Americans during World War II.

“The hill used to be haunted, but the unusual manifestations have since ceased after prayer vigils and other ceremonies have been conducted there yearly,” he said.

Santos said “like in cemeteries, in haunted houses, there are also angels and good spirits like saints and even Jesus who said, ‘I am with you always’.”

He reminded residents that even during the pre-Spanish era when Filipinos still worshipped ancestors, “there is no report on the connection between visiting haunted houses and demonic possession.”

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