Angeles City News December 2016

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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.

Gonzales wants NLEx service road link for Pampanga

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Third District Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales, Jr. is calling for the establishment of a 20-meter service road linking the eastern and western sides of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Pampanga to provide an effective alternative that would cut travel time, reduce cost, enhance rural productivity, and link far flung barangays to their city and town centers. The proposal, otherwise known as Pampanga Service Road, was forwarded under proposed Bill Number 2271.

Gonzales said that while NLEx has become a major factor in the growth and development of Central Luzon, particularly the province of Pampanga, the use of the NLEx, particularly for short distance or inter-barangay travel has become costly and impractical for many people in the Province of Pampanga.

"It is therefore imperative for government to provide an effective alternative that would cut travel time, reduce cost, enhance rural productivity, and link far flung barangays to their city and town centers," Gonzales said.

The bill proposes to construct a service road along the North Luzon Expressway, within the Province of Pampanga, to help ease the transportation problems experienced most notably by farmers and the commuting public who need to go through the NLEx even for every short distance trips.

The construction of the service road will likewise contribute to the further growth and development of the towns of San Simon, Sto. Tomas, Mexico, and the cities of Mabalacat, San Fernando and Angeles in Pampanga, as well as certain towns of the adjoining provinces, according to Gonzales.

If approved, the Pampanga Service Road shall stretch from San Simon to Mabalacat, Pampanga and shall link the eastern and western sides of the Luzon Expressway commencing from the San Simon Exit up to the Dau, Mabalacat Exit.

Duterte appoints Pamintuan as RDC Central Luzon head

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY --- President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan the new chairperson of the Regional Development Council in Region III.

This was gleaned in the President’s letter to Pamintuan dated December 12, 2016 which stated “Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby appointed Chairperson, Regional Development Council, Region III, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Duterte also stated that the RDC chairperson shall serve for a term of three years which shall coincide with his regular term as local elective official.

Pamintuan replaced former Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. SY-Alvarado, who was appointed RDC Region III chairman by former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino in May 2014.

Pamintuan is also the president of the League of Cities of Philippines (LCP) and adviser of the Philippine Government (GRP) peace panel.

Angeles City Communications Officer Jay Pelayo said that Pamintuan’s appointment as RDC Central Luzon chairperson “adds laurel to Angelenos and Kapampangans.”

One of Pamintuan’s aims is to provide the mayors in the region representation in the development council, Pelayo said. “According to the LCP President, his aim is to make the mayors ‘have a say’ in coordination with their respective governors in Central Luzon,” Pelayo said.

“The mayors are the front liners in the community and they know the needs of their respective jurisdictions and they are also the ones who should convey to their governors what projects should be prioritized,” Pelayo added.

ACWD sets 2nd tranche of water rate hike To fund household septic wastage treatment

By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY – The Angeles City Water District (ACWD) is set to implement the second tranche of its water rate increase to fund the operation of its Septage Treatment Plant.

This was announced by ACWD general manager Reynaldo Liwanag here on Wednesday before members of the media.

Liwanag said the first water rate increase was implemented in 2011. The second tranche should have been implemented in 2014 but was deferred after an assessment was made where it was determined that the district’s operations can still be sustained by its current rates.

“The rate increase started in 2011 and the second tranche should have been in 2014 but we did not implement it because we can still manage to sustain the operations of the water district in the present rate,” Liwanag explained.

He said the ACWD Septage Treatment Plant will be operational within the first quarter of next year.

He said a truck will go around collecting septage from septic tanks of household concessionaires and non-concessionaires within a period of three to five years.

Liwanag explained that the normal cost of operation is 7 to 10 percent of the water consumption which is less expensive than the cost of commercially available services.

He said ACWD concessionaires will be charged an installment fee of P20 to P30 pesos a month which is minimal and can be included in the water bill as compared to a large onetime payment.

“Now that the septic waste treatment plant is about to be operational, we will now implement the second tranche of the water rate increase,” he said.

“It will be there that we will get the funds for the plant’s operating costs which will be operational in the first quarter of 2017,” he added.

Liwanag said the project, located on a 4,000 square-meter property in Barangay Cutud, costs the ACWD P99 million.

“We opted not to get a loan because of the high interest which amounts to P48 million. That’s a lot of money and we can do a lot of projects from that,” he said.

“So we talked to the contractor, Waterkonsult Equipment and Services, Inc. (Waterkonsult), so that we can pay in monthly installments to them for two years,” he said. “We will pay in installment out of the funds that will be generated by the ACWD so that by the following year, we will be able to pay it all out,” he added.

Waterkonsult is the leading non-revenue water reduction equipment supplier and service Provider in the Philippines.

The Septage Treatment Plant is the biggest project that the ACWD is doing for our environment, Liwanag pointed out.

“In Pampanga, ACWD is the first to establish such a plant and third in Central Luzon after Baliwag Water District and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan,” he said.

Liwanag said the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) now compels local government units (LGUs) to come up with their respective ordinances to establish their own septic wastage treatment plants under the Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275).

Hot air balloon fest set in Clark on February 9-12

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT — The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) is set on February 9 to 12 next year. “Over Two Decades of Flying High” will be the theme of the balloon festival which will be held inside this Freeport.

The four-day festival, which started 21 years ago, "will gather aviators and spectators from around the world." Activities include hot air balloon flying, aircraft aerobatic exhibitions and formation flying, radio-controlled aircraft flying, paragliding, skydiving, and several ground activities.

As early as October this year, the Clark Development Corporation and the PIHAB Foundation have already made necessary preparations for the 2017 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF).

The hot air balloon fiesta is a flagship project of CDC for Clark. The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the PIHBF in Clark in 1993, two years after the devastation brought about by the eruptions of Mount Pinatubo.

CIAC exec: Clark is airport of Northern, Central Luzon

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT – Clark International Airport (CRK) will "become the airport of passengers coming from Northern and Central Luzon."

This was disclosed by Alexander Cauguiran, officer-in-charge of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), during a press briefing at Oxford Hotel Friday.

With a catchment area with 23 million population, Clark airport will help in decongesting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to Cauguiran.

Airlines operating in Clark include Cebu Pacific, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Dragon Air, Jin Air Tiger Air, Asiana Airlines, Air Asia and Philippine Air Lines (PAL) Express.

Clark is currently averaging 114 domestic and international flights weekly from these carriers, according to Cauguiran.

He added that 122,473 overseas Filipino workers flew from the airport here last year and 112,930 in the last 10 months.

A one-stop shop near Clark airport also provides government services like clearances and other documents needed by OFWs, Caguiran said.

8990 turns over house and lot to Diaz

By CATHERINE TALAVERA (TMT)

Mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. formally turned over a house and lot unit in Pampanga to Filipino Olympic Silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, as her reward for ending the Philippines’ 20-year medal drought in the Olympics.

In a statement released Thursday, 8990 said it has awarded Diaz with a corner house and lot at Deca Clark Resort and Residences in Angeles City earlier this month.

Last August, Diaz won a silver medal in the women’s 53-kg division during the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 8990 management earlier announced that it has signed an agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to reward Filipino medallists in the Rio Olympics.

Under the agreement, 8990 committed to award house and lot packages to medalists in the Rio Olympics, and cash tokens of P10,000 each to the Filipino delegates in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In September, the company said that it would award Diaz with a one-storey house and lot unit on a 53 square meter lot in its Pampanga project. The said property is estimated at P450,000.

Besides the house and lot package, the street fronting the Filipina weightlifter’s home was also named after her.

“The publicly listed mass housing company also named the street fronting her unit after her to pay tribute to her achievements in the said Olympics,” 8990 said.

Present during the turnover of the unit earlier this month were 8990 Chief Operating Officer Willy Uy and 8990 Assistant General Manager Nicolas Cruz.

“We believe that sports develop discipline, we just don’t build houses for families but we also aim to make their lives better,” Atencio said in a statement.

'Kapampangan women: not just mothers, wives; also leaders'—Gov. Pineda

By Jean Ricelle A. Aquino

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Dec.23 (PIA) -- Kapampangan women are not just mothers or wives; they are also leaders.

Pampanga Governor Lilia "Nanay" Pineda remarked during Thursday’s Convergence of Nanay Volunteers as Community Drugwatch which was graced by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Our Nanay Volunteers, composed of 9,000 Kapampangan women, are the partners of the provincial, city and municipal government and of the 505 barangay councils of the province," she stressed.

Organized by the unity of Pineda, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, city and municipal government officials and barangay council officers, the Nanay Community Workers assist the sick in getting help in barangay health centers and district hospitals within Pampanga.

Moreover, the volunteers also help the barangay health workers in trickling down the health services to the people—to the needy in particular.

"Aside from the aforementioned, the Nanay Community workers also aid the provincial government in fighting the war against illegal drugs by reprimanding our youth about the effects of substance use and reporting to the barangay officials the known drug users and pushers in their locality," Pineda added. (CLJD/JRAA-PIA 3)

ACWD sets 2nd tranche of water rate hike to fund household septic wastage treatment

By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY – The Angeles City Water District (ACWD) is set to implement the second tranche of its water rate increase to fund the operation of its Septage Treatment Plant.

This was announced by ACWD general manager Reynaldo Liwanag here on Wednesday before members of the media.

Liwanag said the first water rate increase was implemented in 2011. The second tranche should have been implemented in 2014 but was deferred after an assessment was made where it was determined that the district’s operations can still be sustained by its current rates.

“The rate increase started in 2011 and the second tranche should have been in 2014 but we did not implement it because we can still manage to sustain the operations of the water district in the present rate,” Liwanag explained.

He said the ACWD Septage Treatment Plant will be operational within the first quarter of next year.

He said a truck will go around collecting septage from septic tanks of household concessionaires and non-concessionaires within a period of three to five years.

Liwanag explained that the normal cost of operation is 7 to 10 percent of the water consumption which is less expensive than the cost of commercially available services.

He said ACWD concessionaires will be charged an installment fee of P20 to P30 pesos a month which is minimal and can be included in the water bill as compared to a large onetime payment.

“Now that the septic waste treatment plant is about to be operational, we will now implement the second tranche of the water rate increase,” he said.

“It will be there that we will get the funds for the plant’s operating costs which will be operational in the first quarter of 2017,” he added.

Liwanag said the project, located on a 4,000 square-meter property in Barangay Cutud, costs the ACWD P99 million.

“We opted not to get a loan because of the high interest which amounts to P48 million. That’s a lot of money and we can do a lot of projects from that,” he said.

“So we talked to the contractor, Waterkonsult Equipment and Services, Inc. (Waterkonsult), so that we can pay in monthly installments to them for two years,” he said. “We will pay in installment out of the funds that will be generated by the ACWD so that by the following year, we will be able to pay it all out,” he added.

Waterkonsult is the leading non-revenue water reduction equipment supplier and service Provider in the Philippines.

The Septage Treatment Plant is the biggest project that the ACWD is doing for our environment, Liwanag pointed out.

“In Pampanga, ACWD is the first to establish such a plant and third in Central Luzon after Baliwag Water District and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan,” he said.

Liwanag said the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) now compels local government units (LGUs) to come up with their respective ordinances to establish their own septic wastage treatment plants under the Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275).

Gov urges unified work for revitalizing Manila Bay

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – Gov. Lilia G. Pineda has sounded the call for a united effort of all lo-cal government units (LGUs) and national government agencies in Central Luzon in revitalizing Manila Bay.

Pineda made the call during the Area-Based Management Summit held here on Wednes-day.

“This is a historic event, not just for the province of Pampanga, but for the entire Cen-tral Luzon. This is our response to our desire to be united in providing quality environment for the people we govern,” Pineda said.

She said the event was held for the executive heads of the region to talk to each other face-to-face and discuss what should be done for Manila Bay.

“This is not the time for us to point fingers at one another and dis- cuss who’s at fault. But it’s the moment for us to come up with the solution in solving our problem which is to restore Manila Bay and bring it back to its former beauty,” Pineda said.

“Walang imposible kung tayo’y sama-sama. Walang mahirap kung tayo’y tulung-tulong (Nothing is impossible if we are together. Nothing is diffi cult if we help each other),” she said.

With the theme: “Synergy of Central Luzon Leaders Envisioning a Cleaner Manila Bay,” the area-based approach concentrated on major interventions per river system that drains into the Manila Bay namely the Pampanga River Basin, Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System, and the Talisay River.

The Manila Bay area in Central Luzon covers 96 towns and cities in the provinces of Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

Only 23 of 94 LGUs in CL have garbage plan

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT – A measly 23 out of 94 local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon have approved solid waste management plan, and only about 45 percent of them segregate wastes.

This was disclosed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) during a two-day summit on the clean-up of Manila Bay which concluded here Friday.

Over a hundred delegates from the government and private sectors from all over Central Luzon gathered here for the summit titled Synergy of Central Luzon Leaders Envisioning a Cleaner Manila Bay in a bid to reverse the bay’s pollution to a level that could make it fit for swimming.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbiterio Velasco, Jr., chairman of the Manila Bay Advisory Council, cited a report from DILG indicating that only 23 of the 94 LGUs in Central Luzon have approved solid waste management plan while about 45 percent segregate garbage at their source.

Velasco further not-ed that only 39 LGU’s in the region have effective materials recovery facil-ities while only 58 com-ply with proper residual wastes disposal.

He urged congress-men to fi le amendments to the existing solid waste management law and give LGUs more time to fully comply with all the requirements of law.

“It is difficult for LGUs to comply will all the requirements of the law given their budgetary constraints,” he said.

He said the national government should es-tablish landfi lls, a facility that the law on garbage allows where residual wastes are dumped and processed for re-use.

Velaso urged local government officials and stakeholders to unite in efforts to ensure the cleanliness of channels in Central Luzon that drain into Manila Bay, particularly the Pampan-ga River.

He noted waterways in Central Luzon impact on Manila Bay directly and indirectly.

This, even as Velas-co lauded Pampanga Gov. Lilia G. Pineda as “environmental champion” of Central Luzon.

He noted that under Pineda, the provincial government has provided garbage trucks to municipalities as reward for complying with the stan-dards of the Ecological Solid Waste Manage-ment Law.

Velasco also pointed out the materials recovery facility of the municipal government of Lubao as a good example for all LGUs.

The Supreme Court, to preserve the Manila Bay, had issued a mandamus obligating certain towns to help clean up Manila Bay. The mandamus obligates certain towns affecting the bay to undertake anti-pollution measures in their areas.

CILA lauds Manankil’s appointment

(CDC CommDep)

CLARK FREEPORT— The officers of Clark Locators and Investors Association (CILA) lauded the appointment of Noel F. Manankil president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corporation during the 4th Quarter General Membership meeting (GMM) of the association.

Manankil was the guest speaker during the 4th GMM of CILA held at the Convention Center of Widus Hotel and Casino here.

Manankil is an accountant and finished his baccalaureate degree at the Dela Salle University in 1991 in Manila and taught part time accountancy subjects at the two universities in Angeles City. Manankil started as a rank and file employee of the state-owned firm in 1995.

Before the presentation of Manankil on the plans and programs of CDC for the 2017, CILA President Joselito Go said that their group is looking forward to establishing a close working relationship with CDC to achieve more milestone inside this Freeport.

“Congratulations to NFM as the new President and CEO of CDC. We are looking forward for continuing partnership and more collaborative discussions on issues and concerns that will make the lives of locators and investors of Clark easier and more convenient, worthy and productive, Go said.

“Good luck to all the upcoming big projects and CILA will always work hand in hand with you because we believe… Everything Clark!,” Go said.

Likewise, CILA Chairperson Jeannie Ng said “he is unique (referring to Manankil) because unlike previous presidents who came from the outside, he has been with CDC for 21 years and he rose from the ranks. Because of this, he has the potential to be the best president of CDC.”

In the meeting, Manankil presented to the CILA members programs lined-up for 2017, especially during the ASEAN Summit which will be held in this Freeport.

Manankil in his 10-minute presentation also updated the group on various developments inside and outside of the Freeport.

Superl Philippines Inc. cited as top exporter in PH

By Erika Mariel Gines

FOR over 5 years, Superl Philippines Inc. has been at the forefront of bag manufacturing in the country.

The impact of its business operations on the Philippine economy is far and wide, and it continues to provide decent and gainful employments to over 12,000 Filipino workers from across Pampanga and Central Luzon.

With Superl’s aggressive presence in the international export market, the company has been ranked among the elite group of the top exporters in the country to date.

Just recently, it has been awarded as the Top Exporter for the Leather Goods Sector by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during the National Export Congress held at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

The Top Sectoral Exporter citation was awarded to top export performers who were able to achieve the highest value of exported goods in 2015 from their respective product sectors based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

These were mostly large companies that have significantly contributed to the export value of the country, working together with Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and communities, and remaining committed as major partners for the creation of jobs and investments in the Philippines.

This recognition is yet another milestone for Superl, according to Vice President and General Manager Alex Fung, who said that the whole company is pleased and honored to receive such award.

He noted that he would credit the continuous success of Superl to its competitive and highly skilled workforce who continue to strive hard in order to keep abreast of the fast changing developments in the global trade and commerce.

Fung remarked, “We are thankful to receive such award from the DTI.

We are more than proud of the craftsmanship and perseverance of our Filipino staff.

I believe its teamwork. It's not just the management, but also the workers. We have a good team of staff.

Most of them have been with us for years already. We all know that we are on a same boat, we just have different titles but we are on a same boat –and we all have the same mission: To make sure that everything is running smooth.”

He added that “We are very glad that we are here. Originally, we are a Hong Kong based company, with several of our factories in China. After realizing that the labor cost in China have become so high, we decided to move to other neighboring Asian countries. Initially, we were just trying out here in the Philippines. Now we know that we have made a good decision.”

With its forward looking approach driven by the invaluable support from the government, Fung noted that Superl will continue to expand its presence by adding another factory in its compound located at Angeles Industrial Park, Special Economic Zone, Barangay Calibutbut, Bacolor, Pampanga.

“Our merchandising team has secure the order for the new factory. It will be operational by April next year. For 2017, the factory is fully-booked already, and we're looking for orders for 2018 now,” he said.

He noted that the factory is set to hire at least 5,000 workers in its first year of operation, and will employ over 17,000 local workers in the long-run.

Through the new project, Fung disclosed that the company will better improve its operations and export, as well as continue to help the economic growth of the Philippines.

On a daily basis, the company produces between 10,000-12,000 bags and 7,000-8,000 wallets, all of which are being shipped all over the world. Fung said that the company is also resilient and firm to resolve and overcome great challenges faced by the Filipinos and of the present generation.

“We want to solve a lot of social problems for the community. We want to save the youth from vices and give them income instead. Because if they have a decent job, they can avoid these, and in turn help themselves and their family secure a better future. We know that the community is helping us as well, this is a win-win situation. We work hand in hand together, we're partners. We move forward together.”

The leader concluded that he gives credit to the people who help and support Superl since it first set foot in the province of Pampanga. "We would like to thank the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for giving us a lot of help and good service. We also have the support of the DOLE and DTI, as well as the local government officials from the mayors to the board members. Most of all, we would like to thank Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda for her support and trust. Truly, we feel very lucky we’re here,” Fung said.

CDC donates 25 beds to Capas government hospital

By Trixie Joy B. Manalili

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Dec.16 (PIA) -- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) recently donated 25 beds and cushions to Ospital Ning Capas in support to the government’s effort to provide quality medical services.

Assistant Vice President Rommel Narciso of the External Affairs Department led the turnover of the hospital beds to Municipal Administrator Efren de Jesus.

“This will enable the local government unit to provide quality medical service to the growing population of the municipality and its neighboring towns,” de Jesus said.

The hospital is classified by the Department of Health as a Level 1 facility with approved authorized bed capacity of 25. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)

CDC employees want benefits back

By Chris Navarro

CLARK FREEPORT — Members of the Association of Concerned Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Employees or ACCES for two weeks now have been holding a strike for management to honor their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Paul Mamangun, ACCES rank and file president, said that the CDC administration have taken away all their benefits.

“For six years now we have not received the benefits due to us under the CBA.

The previous CDC administration has taken away all benefits invoking Republic Act 10149,” he said.

Mamangun added that the CDC management has refused to discuss the concern with them.

“Ayaw nilang makipag-usap.” But Noel Tulabut, head of CDC’s communication department, in a statement said that the government owned and controlled corporation is bound by certain rules and prohibitions.

"ACCES officers have been told many times over that the CDC's arms, as a government corporation, are tied by certain prohibitions imposed by the new prohibitions and rules against new economic benefits," he said.

"While it is everyone's goal for better economic status, we are duty bound to uphold certain rules," Tulabut said.

132 are ‘HOTS’ in CDC’s Jobs Fair ‘16

(CDC CommDep)

CLARK FREEPORT— One hundred thirty two applicants were ‘hired on the spot’ (HOTS) while hundreds of others were up for tests and interview in the recent Clark Freeport Jobs Fair participated in by 84 locators held beside the tennis court at the Parade Grounds here.

In a report submitted to CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil, AVP for External Affairs Department of CDC (CDC-EAD) Rommel C. Narciso said of the 1,020 job seekers who trooped the recent job fair, 132 were hired on the spot, 269 others were qualified for tests/examinations and the other 2,227 were scheduled for further interview.

More than 9,000 jobs from various locators in Clark are still available as per data at the EAD.

Narciso said the one-day event is a project of the CDC, in partnership with Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region III, Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) of Pampanga.

Some of participating companies in the jobs fair were, Amertron Inc., Comclark COAM Philippines Inc., Super Shopping Market Inc., Service Resources Inc., H3 Technology, Iqor Philippines Inc., GNGN Eikaiwa Phils., Inc., Fully Advanced Manpower Solutions Inc., Ausphil Solution Corp., BSD Trade Service Corp., Ivoline IBT Core Inc., Innoven Contents Center Inc., Maxim De Humana International Inc., Youtech Phils., Inc., Clark Data Center Inc., Mimosa Cityscapes Inc., Talking Net Global Education Inc., ZGETCARE Systems, Inc., among others.

As a continuing initiative to address issues on job mismatches, the CDC, SCADC, TESDA, various Colleges/ Universities and local government units in Pampanga have formally collaborated to prepare training needs assessments. A proposed program is the Dual Training System that will match the labor market with present and future needs of industries.

All set for Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga on Dec. 17

(PNA), LAP/ZST/FEM

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Dec. 13 (PNA) -- It's all systems go for this year's Giant Lantern Festival at the Robinsons Starmills here on December 17.

Dubbed as "Ligligan Parul", 10 villages from this city will vie for the annual competition that is expected to attract thousands of local and foreign tourists.

This year's participating barangays are Calulut, Del Pilar, Dolores, San Juan, San Nicolas, San Jose, Sto. Nino, Sta. Lucia, Sindalan and Telabastagan.

After the competition night, the giant lanterns will be on exhibit at Robinsons Starmills on Dec. 18-21 and Dec. 25-Jan. 1, 2017.

The giant lanterns will also be displayed at Essel Park, Barangay Telabastagan here on Dec. 22, Greenfields Subdivision in Barangay Sindalan (Dec. 23) and in Poblacion (Dec. 24).

A special lantern exhibition of the giant lanterns will also be held at the Marque Mall, Angeles City on Dec. 29-30.

Since 2008, Robinsons Starmills mall has played host to the annual giant lantern festival organized by the city government

The festival was believed to have started in 1931 in honor of the late First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon.

Angeles beyond Fields Avenue

By Constantino C. Tejero (Staff Writer, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

When twilight falls, tourists and expats flock like bats to a certain spot in Balibago, the entertainment district of Angeles City in Pampanga.

There’s a bar on one corner enticing passers-by with “free finger food with your drinks.” Not to be outdone, the bar next to it counters with a nightly finger-food competition. In the spirit of Christmas, a neighboring bar announces a Santa’s Lingerie Show.

This is the nerve center of the legendary Fields Avenue, also known as Walking Street (after the red-light district of Pattaya, Thailand ), about 500 meters of pedestrian road where tourists and locals rub elbows.

These go-go bars are remnants of those sprouting around the US air base in Angeles and the US naval base in Olongapo in Zambales some 25 years ago. Those twin Cities of the Plain were then known as Sin Cities. Angeles, especially, gained the dubious title Entertainment Capital of Central Luzon, and wags referred to it as the City of Lost Angels (referring to the streetwalkers, or their mixed-blood kids?).

The city has a large Amerasian population—Caucasian mixed with Han Chinese and Japanese ancestry—such that the visitor would notice this trace evidence of fairer skin and more delicate features than in most Filipino ethnic groups.

A Time magazine report traces this to the sex industry: “During the American colonial period, over 800,000 Americans were born in the Philippines, and a large concentration of Filipinos with American ancestry were located in this city.” The presence of the US military base abetted the growth of the mestizo population.

Even after the US servicemen left Clark Air Base in the wake of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, says Time, “the population of mixed-blood children continued to grow. By 1999, the visiting population of Angeles had shifted from young American GIs to boozy retirees.” That’s what we see on Fields Avenue now.

Top entertainers

High-end establishments have been constructed in the tourist belt to offset this acrid reputation, something that civic-minded Angeleños have been trying to shed since the Americans left.

They want to take off the wall, for instance, a vintage photograph from Asia Magazine showing a GI and a bar girl displayed in one section of Angeles Museum. This constitutes censorship and the curator would have none of it, insisting it should stay as it is part of the city’s history and reality.

In fact, Angeles’ reputation as entertainment center is quite apt, as many top entertainers trace their roots to this city: Lea Salonga, apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo), Hilda Koronel, Pepe Smith, Jaclyn José, Cris Judd, Donita Rose, Ryzza Mae Dizon.

Notable Angeleños also include Efren “Bata” Reyes, Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, Arwind Santos, Peter Valdes, Kristine Johnson, Servillano Aquino (revolutionary general and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino’s grandfather).

The city derived its name from its patrons Los Santos Angeles Custodios (Holy Guardian Angels) and its founder Angel Pantaleón de Miranda (gobernadorcillo of the provincial capital San Fernando).

From a settlement out of a jungle clearing to a barrio of San Fernando, it became a separate municipality on Dec. 8, 1829. For four months it was the capital of the Philippines when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo transferred the seat of the First Philippine Republic here.

The city’s numerous museums richly displaying Kapampangan culture and history should help rehabilitate the place and redeem its name.

Premier museum

Museo ning Angeles in the heritage district of Santo Rosario stands right in front of Holy Rosary Church. This was the site of the casa tribunal (courthouse) which burned down in 1860.

The present building was constructed in 1922 and served as municipio del pueblo (town hall) until 1998. It was refurbished and opened as museum the following year. The city jail has been turned into the museum office, while the police station is now a souvenir shop.

Lucio Sison, city government tourism guide, and Joy Cruz, program officer for culture and heritage, annotate for visitors as they go through the museum’s four sections.

The old treasury office is now the Balikdan, a timeline gallery of old photographs and prints, dioramas, scale models, in several subsections: Culiat Is Born 1796 (life-size diorama of Angeles’ founder and his wife amid the clearing in the woodland entangled with culiat vines); Fort Stotsenburg 1902; Clark Field 1917; Angeles at War (artifacts from the Japanese occupation); The Turbulent 1960s (where the controversial 1968 photo of the GI and the bar girl is).

The assessor’s office is now Vicente Alvares Dizon Gallery, showcasing works of local artists. On permanent display are Claude Tayag’s watercolor pieces and wood reliefs of the Seven Archangels, the city’s patrons.

At the entrance is a copy of Dizon’s oil “After the Day’s Toil,” which unanimously won over works by Salvador Dali and Maurice Utrillo at the Golden Gate Expo in San Francisco in 1939. (Dizon’s contemporary Fernando Amorsolo also won first place in another world fair that year.)

Culinary legacy

On the second floor, the mayor’s office became the Culinarium, a grand showcase of Pampanga’s reputation as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. The entire floor is “dedicated to the Kapampangan culinary art and science that has emanated from the basic concept that the preparation of food is a heritage and a legacy worth preserving.”

Here are permanent exhibits of the typical Pampanga kitchen, dining room, table setting. Surrounding one hall are Edu Perreras’ hyperrealist paintings of eight Pampango dishes. Sisig is highlighted as the city is said to be its home.

Scattered around are 10 miniature dioramas fashioned by Beatriz “Patis” Pamintuan Tesoro, using her Nenita dolls to depict in tableaux vivants traditional town and country life in Pampanga.

In 2012, the National Museum declared the building an Important Cultural Property, the first in the country to be so declared.

Cultural artifacts

Also in the vicinity is the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies. This was put up in 2002 in a three-story building within Holy Angel University. It has a library, archival museum, gallery, research center, theater. Robby Tantingco, the university’s vice president for student affairs, serves as its director.

At the entrance is a gallery of cultural artifacts with a retablo (side altar) as centerpiece. This one is not just a vessel of evangelization, but also a showcase of Kapampangan craftsmanship: upper part of wood crafted by Betis carvers; lower part of painted brass (poor man’s silver) done in pukpok (repoussé) by Apalit smiths; 22 wooden santos from Macabebe representing the patron saints of Pampanga’s 19 towns and three cities.

Strategically placed are the death masks of two of the country’s political and cultural icons with roots in the province—Fernando Poe Jr. and Ninoy Aquino—molded in plaster by National Artist Napoleon Abueva on the eve of their burial.

On one corner, encased in glass, are the laurel crowns of Pampanga’s poet laureates. Here are charts of basic information on the province’s literary men (Zoilo Galang and Crisostomo Soto from Bacolor, Aurelio Tolentino from Guagua); National Artists (Vicente Manansala, Benedicto Cabrera or BenCab, Ramon Zaragoza); folk festivals and rituals (lubenas, kuraldal, batalla, libad, sabat, aguman sanduk, ligligan parul).

Dumbfounding facts

In the next hall is a timeline that Tantingco says is a work in progress. It has empty slots that are filled as more information are added through the years.

Pampanga was created in 1571 (the same year as Manila), but, as the timeline traces it, its origin is dumbfounding. The chart shows that, while the first pyramids in Egypt were constructed in 2650 BC, there was boatbuilding in Candaba in 2000 BC (estimated from the age of stone adzes found there).

Displayed here are Candaba earthenware shards incised with designs that could be early baybayin from the Metal Age. (Archaeologist Robert Fox says the most extensive archeological excavation in the country is in Porac.)

Here also is a replica of a lantaka (bronze cannon) from the 17th-18th century, thought to be made by Panday Pira.

John Larkin Library holds books on Pampanga, photocopies of antique volumes and microfilms of church registry. Tantingco says it is meant to be a one-stop shop for research.

On the upper level is the Ambeth Ocampo Filipiniana Collection, with some 6,000 volumes.

The Archival Collection has an April 23, 1763, copy of the London paper General Evening Post with an item on the British occupation of Manila, describing Macabebe soldiers as “fierce and barbarous.”

Apl.de.ap. Music Studio and Library is used primarily by the hip-hop artist’s 20 scholars.

Museum of Kapampangan Arts, created from four classrooms, has a rotating exhibit of local artists, and a permanent one of Manansala’s personal effects and some 1,000 drawings and studies donated by his family.

Pinatubo Museum traces in art, artifacts and timeline the formation and eruption of Mt. Pinatubo from prehistory to the present.

Outside, in the courtyard, the activity area called Plaza San José, are planted indigenous trees that gave names to Pampanga towns: betis, apalit, balacat, dau, balete, bulaon, and the iconic vine culiat, the original name of Angeles.

A city keeps growing in Pampanga

(Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Clark Freeport Economic Zone, a redevelopment of the former US Air Force Base, has become a hub for business, industry, aviation and tourism. Located both in Angeles City and in the municipality of Mabalacat in Pampanga, it has the Clark International Airport as its centerpiece, and attracted hundreds of foreign and domestic investors.

SM City Clark opened in 2006 and, over the past 10 years, has grown into a lifestyle and business complex, including a world-class mall and six tech-hub towers for BPOs and IT-related businesses. A Park Inn Hotel by Radisson opened in 2015 to serve local and international tourists.

The mall’s unique design resembles an airplane. Located along M.A. Roxas Avenue in MacArthur Highway, the 144,484.36-square-meter mall opened in 2006 and serves shoppers in highly urbanized Angeles City, the booming Clark Freeport Zone district, and nearby towns in Pampanga. It has also become a catalyst for employment and business opportunities in the area.

The mall has over 300 shops and various dining establishments, with the SM Store and SM Hypermarket as its major anchors, as well as SM mainstays like SM Appliance, Our Home, Watsons and the Surplus Shop. It also has a Wellness Zone, a Cyberzone, and a service lane. Shopping at SM City Clark has become more exciting as it is home to major global fashion brands as well as international beauty brands.

With Pampanga as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, SM City Clark offers many eating out options: a Food Court; the Meeting Place, an al fresco dining area; international and national food chains; and specialty restaurants.

Foodies will enjoy the mall’s homegrown tenants that serve a variety of cuisines, as well as world-class entertainment in the mall’s cinemas, which includes an IMAX theater and 6 state-of-the-art cinemas; a bowling center; and amusement centers.

Like a city that keeps on growing, SM City Clark continues to transform itself to serve the changing needs of its customers.

Clark to host first Area-Based Management Summit for cleaner Manila Bay

By Jean Ricelle A. Aquino (CLJD/JRAA-PIA 3)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Various stakeholders in Central Luzon will converge in Clark Freeport Zone on December 14 for the 1st Area-Based Management (ABM) Summit meant to bring back the former glory of the Manila Bay.

“The ABM Summit is seeks to show the efforts of national government agencies and concerned local government units in response to the order of the Supreme Court to bring back Manila Bay and its waters to Class SB level, making it fit for swimming, skin diving and other forms of contact recreation,” Pampanga Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Art Punsalan said.

Themed “Synergy of Central Luzon Leaders Envisioning a Cleaner Manila Bay”, the Area-Based approach will concentrate on major interventions per river system that drains into the Manila Bay namely Pampanga River Basin, Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System, and Talisay River.

The Manila Bay area in Central Luzon covers 96 towns and cities in five provinces.

They include Abucay, Bagac, Balanga, Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Limay, Mariveles, Morong, Orani, Orion, Pilar and Samal in Bataan.

Also, Aliaga, Bongabon, Cabanatuan, Cabiao, Carranglan, Cuyapo, Gapan, Gabaldon, Gen. Mamerto Natividad, General Tinio, Guimba, Jaen, Laur, Licab, Llanera, Lupao, Nampicuan, Palayan, Pantabangan, Penaranda, Quezon, Rizal, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, San Leonardo, Santa Rosa, Santo Domingo, Munoz, Talavera, Talugtug, and Zaragoza in Nueva Ecija.

In Bulacan, it covers Angat, Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bulacan, Bustos, Calumpit, Dona Remedios Trinidad, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Malolos City, Marilao, Meycauayan City, Norzagaray, Obando, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, San Jose del Monte, San Miguel, San Rafael, and Santa Maria.

Moreover, the Pampanga area includes Angeles, Apalit, Arayat, Bacolor, Candaba, San Fernando, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Mabalacat, Macabebe, Magalang, Masantol, Mexico, Minalin, Porac, San Luis, San Simon, Santo Tomas, Sasmuan, Sta. Rita and Sta. Ana.

And lastly, those covered in Tarlac are Capas, Concepcion, La Paz, Victoria, Bamban and Tarlac City.

Mayor calls support for anti-drug campaign anew

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Three-term City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said, the City Government, under his administration has been supportive in the anti-drug campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The mayor said that the war against drugs and maintenance of peace and order are the thrusts of President Rodrigo Duterte that the local officials fully support.

“Our partners in this regard are our police forces, whom we continue to support.”

In 2016, Pamintuan said the local government provided 30 patrol cars and 50 motorcycles to the city police forces to “help them to carry out their tasks at maintaining and eradicating drugs in our streets and communities.”

The city’s chief executive also stressed the need to construct rehabilitation centers to implement the recovery program for suspected drug pushers who voluntarily surrendered to authorities.

“We see drug abuse and illegal trade as symptoms of greater social problems, like poverty.

Which is why we are working hard at trying to rehabilitate the victims but nonetheless move hard on the hardcore pushers,” he added.

A total of 1,318 individuals have so far surrendered and admitted as drug users and peddlers.

Of this figure, 328, including actor Mark Anthony Fernandez, were arrested and 32 armed drug pushers were killed.

“I made instructions to some of our officials, including Councilor Dan Lacson, to look into the possibility of setting up a drug rehabilitation center at the compound of the Angeles City Police Office in Barangay Santo Domingo,” Pamintuan said.

Container vans were transformed into reformation facilities to rehabilitate the drug users, according to the mayor.

Pamintuan also said the City Government enforced local laws and regulations in traffic, illegal vending, vices, traffic obstruction, environment rules, health and sanitation, among others.

“There is no more room for compromise in this regard.

Kaya yung mga kasama natin, lalo na ang mga barangay chairman, na madalas nagte-text sa akin para ipakiusap ang mga kabigan nilang nahuhuli dahil sa paglabag ng ating mga regulasyon, pasensyahan na lang tayo.

Kayo nga dapat ang nanguna sa pagpapatupad ng ating mga batas,” the mayor said.

CDC donates P140-K worth of ‘Pangkabuhayan Karts’ to Capas

(CDC CommDep)

CLARK FREEPORT – To uplift the marginalized sector in the Freeport contiguous areas, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) recently donated P140, 000 worth of livelihood mobile karts to selected indigent-benefi ciaries in Capas, Tarlac.

In a report submitted to CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil , AVP for External Affairs Department of CDC (CDC-EAD) Rommel C. Narciso, sade 10 “Pangkabuhayan Karts” were turned over to the Municipality of Capas on December 1 during the inauguration of the town’s Walking Street.

The karts were Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan and distributed them to to the following benefi ciaries: Miriam Garcia, Edita P. Dabu and Daniel Taruc from Barangay Cub-Cub; Florentina Aguilar and Lilia Manicdao from Brgy. Cut-Cut 1st; Annie M. Corpuz, Benjamin Cunanan from Brgy. Sto. Rosario; Nancy Aquino and Jackielou dela Cruz from Brgy. Sto. Domingo and Rose Anne David from Brgy. Susuba.

The said Corporate Social Responsibility Program of CDC is now on its third year dubbed: “Tulong Kabuhayan para sa Maginhawang Buhay” which aims to provide additional income to the indigents in Clark’s contiguous areas. The staterun fi rm was able to donate a total of 28 “Pangkabuhayan Karts” since its inception.

The project is also in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Tarlac who assisted the state-run firm in identifying the qualified recipients.

Karapatan, Bayan to host CL international human rights week

(PR)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- In commemoration of the upcoming International Human Rights Day on December 10, Karapatan Central-Luzon (CL), an alliance for the advancement of peoples’ rights and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan Gitnang Luson), will be holding a week-long activity to call for justice to the Marcos victims and free all political prisoners in the Philippines.

With the current worsening human rights situation in the country, Karapatan and Bayan said “there is a need to gather support and build a firm condemnation against the prevailing human rights crisis in our country.”

Starting on December 3, Karapatan-CL will unveil a seven-day Solidarity Center Booth for human rights victims beside the Angeles City Library that will end on December 9.

The booth will serve as a station for photo and art exhibit of political prisoners, t-shirt printing, a host to various human rights related cultural performances and poetry reading together with other sectors coming from different provinces.

While on the 10th of December, Karapatan and Bayan will be staging a Central Luzon wide indignation protest at 1:00 p.m. from Plaza Anghel going to Plaza Miranda until 2:30 p.m. Afterwards, a concert starting at 2:30 pm together with Sining Silangan and other cultural groups will end the program until 5:00 pm.

445th Pampanga Day celebration opens

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- This year's 445th Aldo Ning Kapampangan (Pampanga Day) opened Monday with a celebration of the best festival dances from the province’s 22 municipalities and cities as each group presented street dances in front the Provincial Capitol building.

Groups from various towns presented their festival dances wearing their best costumes before government officials. Festival dances like the Sabuaga Festival of Santo Tomas, Duman Festival of Santa Rita, Binulu of Porac, Kamaru of Magalang and Mandukit of Guagua were among the dances presented during the event.

Provincial Tourism officer Arwin Lingat said that the event aimed to promote the various festivals in the different localities of Pampanga.

The provincial government gave out prizes for the participants. The Best Headdress award went to San Simon town while Best Costume went to the Municipality of Guagua. The third place award went to the City of San Fernando for its Parul Festival, second place went to San Simon for its Sun, Sea, Moon Festival while the first place went to Guagua town for its Dukit Festival. Floridablanca was hailed as this year’s festival dance champion for its San Jose Festival.

The Aldo Ning Kapampangan commemorates the founding of Pampanga as a province.

Pampanga, according to history, was the first province and the richest spoil created by the Spaniards in 1571.

It was named after the Indung Kapampangan River, the largest river in the former empire. Ancient Pampanga’s territorial area used to include portions of the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales in the big Island of Luzon of the Philippine Archipelago.

Pampanga, one of the richest provinces in the Philippines, was re-organized as a province by the Spaniards on December 11, 1571.

For governmental control and taxation purposes, the Spanish authorities subdivided Pampanga into towns (pueblos), which were further subdivided into districts (barrios) and in some cases into royal and private estates (encomiendas).

On December 10 will be the coronation night of Mutya Ning Kapampangan. On December 11, from 5:00 p.m. onwards, the awardees of the Most Outstanding Kapampangan awards will be formally presented in a formal program at the Kingsborough Convention Center.

Lingat said this is first time the Provincial Government has brought together all festival traditions in the province under one celebration.

Various towns trooped to the Pampanga Provincial Capitol staging their signature festival dances, which include Candaba (Ibon-Ebun Festival), Mabalacat (Caragan Festival), Lubao (Sampaguita Festival), Mexico (San Nicolas Festival), Porac (Binulo Festival), Angeles City (Bagius Festival), Bacolor (Makatapak Festival), Arayat (Manga Festival), and Sasmuan (Kuraldal).

Of the said celebrations, Kuraldal is considered as the oldest with the rest as recent inventions for tourism attractions.

PCSO turns over 26 ambulances to Central Luzon provinces

(PNA), LAP/ZST/JM

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PNA) -- The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Thursday turned over 26 brand new ambulances to the four provinces of Central Luzon.

A total of nine units of ambulance were given to Pampanga while the other units were distributed to the provinces of Tarlac, Zambales and Bulacan.

The distribution, held at the Benigno Hall, Pampanga Capitol Compound was personally facilitated and handed by PCSO chairman Jose Jorge E. Corpuz, under the agency’s Ambulance Donation Program.

Governor Lilia Nanay Pineda is thankful to President Rodrigo Duterte and to the PCSO for the unwavering support and goodwill in providing assistance not only to Pampanga but the entire Central Luzon.

“This is a big help for the people, particularly the poor who are needing emergency response in times of sickness and calamities,” Pineda said.

The governor also advised the end-users to take extra good care and properly maintain the new ambulance as she stressed that ambulance is a basic necessity in any hospital and other health facilities.

Corpuz said the PCSO donation program is aimed at providing ambulance units to municipalities, hospitals, national government offices and foundations for emergency response and patient transfer as way of giving charity assistance.

Second district Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former second district Rep. Mikey Macapagal Arroyo, board members Cherry Manalo, Anthony Torres, Rosve Henson and PCL president Olga Frances David Dizon, and provincial administrator Andres Pangilinan Jr. also graced the occasion.

In Pampanga, the recipients of the ambulance are the municipalities of Bacolor, San Luis, Porac and San Simon, Mabalacat City, City College of Angeles, Dr. Emigdio C. Cruz Sr. Memorial Hospital in Arayat town, Pampanga State Agriculture University (PSAU) and Dr. Andres J. Luciano District Hospital, both situated in Magalang town.

Balibago barangay hall is now Wi-Fi hotspot

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The barangay hall of Balibago, the city’s biggest commercial and entertainment village, is now Free Wi-Fi Zone.

The barangay’s free Wi-Fi project was launched on Thursday coinciding wityh the commencement of the villagers’ yearly Salakot Festival celebration.

Barangay Chairman Tony Mamac said that up to 250-300 mbps internet connection speed will be provided to residents and businessmen around the barangay hall area.

Students and residents with relatives working overseas will benefit from the free wifi, according to Mamac.

“Lubos na mabibiyayaan ng proyektong ito an gaming mga estudyante at lalo na ang mga ka-barangay naming na may mga kamag-anak na naninirahan sa ibang bansa at mga overseas Filipino workers,” Mamac said.

The village chief invited the people to visit Balibago during the festival which kicked off with cultural presentation by students from private and public schools yesterday.

“Inaanyayahan po naming ang lahat na dumalo sa pagdiriwang ng aming Salakot Festival 2016 lalo na po ang mga kababayan natin na may mga kamag anak na OFWs upang maka ugnayan niyo sila sa pamamagitan nga libreng internet at pwedeng makausap at makita silang personal gaming ang social media na Messenger at Skype,” Mamac said.

DILG boosts Central Luzon LGUs' disaster preparedness, response efforts

(PNA), LAP/ZST

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Nov. 2 (PNA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) boosts the knowledge and skills of the local government units (LGUs) on how to meet and respond to emergencies arising from natural and man-made disasters.

Officials and representatives from the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac are presently undergoing a three-day orientation-workshop on Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) spearheaded by the DILG in a move to mitigate the adverse impact of disasters and help increase resiliency of communities to reduce risk.

Lerrie Hernandez, chief of DILG monitoring and evaluation division here, said the activity aims to provide assistance to LGUs in integrating disaster risk reduction-climate change adaptive measures/initiatives in the preparation of their comprehensive development plan (CDP).

Hernandez emphasized the importance of CDRA in formulating various plans.

"With this new development and method of integrating the CDRA process in formulating CDP, Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (LDRRMP) will lead to the identification of more effective and efficient adaptation/mitigation measures and policy interventions," she said.


The three-day activity is comprised of various discussions, workshops and output presentations of the CDRA process to familiarize the participants with the formulation of the assessment and their plans.

She said the activity is the first of the series of workshops lined up for CDRA before the end of 2016.

Pursuant to the Climate Change Act of 2009 or R.A. 9729, LGUs shall be the front line agencies in the formulation, planning, and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas.

AC water crisis seen in 10 years

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – “If we will not act now, we will be facing a serious water crisis in less than 10 years or in 2025.”

Thus, said Renato “Abong” S. Tayag Jr., founding chair of the Kapampangan advocacy group Advancement for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), who is now pushing for surface water source for Clark.

During the Balitaan media forum organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. at the Bale Balita here last Friday, Tayag said conservation is the key to avoiding a water crisis in the near future because of the threat brought about by climate change, the El Nino phenomenon, forest denudation which leads to the destruction of the watershed and wastage.

Tayag said this is echoed by Greenpeace, the National Water Resources Board, World Wildlife Fund for Nature Conservation, and the National Economic Development Authority which warn that the aquifers will eventually dry up.

Tayag said among the keys to conservation are rain water collection especially in industrial plants and big companies to preserve the aquifer. “We pump water only in severe cases,” he said.

Tayag said his group is now developing the Clark watershed by planting more trees because it takes at least five years before the trees can be productive. He said the project is called the Sapang Bato Watershed Community Project which is located on a 40-hectare property in Sitio Target, Barangay Sapang Bato here.

Tayag said City Councilor Edu Pamintuan is leading the advocacy in the city council while the One Million Trees project is led by Bishop Joe Briones of the Church of the Latter Day Saints who reports to the city government.

But Tayag cautioned that those who are planting trees should only plant within the boundaries of their resources.

“We will plant only what we can water based on our resources,” he said. “But the whole community should be involved. There is no exception because we are all using water.”

“We invite schools, universities and big companies like San Miguel Corp. to have this as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he added.


“To sum it up, there will be a serious water shortage if no human intervention is done to conserve it,” he said.

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