Angeles City News February 2012

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Clark faces up to NAIA

By Jess Malabanan


CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark International Airport will give its Manila counterpart a run for its money, said a budget fare airline top official.

“Watch out NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport),” said Marianne Hontiveros, chief executive of AirAsia Inc., at the launch of flights to Davao and Kalibo from Clark.

Toward the close of 2011, talks of moving flights out of the National Capital Region were fanned by the Aquino administration indicating growth opportunities in Pampanga and neighboring Tarlac to take up increasing air traffic.

CIA President and chief executive Jose Luciano recently signed a P1-billion loan with Land Bank of the Philippines to expand terminals and upgrade navigational facilities in anticipation of more passengers triggered by more international and domestic flights.

Airphil Express will fly daily from Clark to Cebu, Davao and Puerto Princesa in Palawan starting on March 29.

Other airlines using the Clark hub are Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Jin Air, SeaAir and Aseana Airlines.

“Clark is AirAsia’s 14th hub in Asia,” said Hontiveros, adding that A-320 airbus is designed for 180 passengers.

Echoing the airline’s mantra “Now everyone can fly,” she said AirAsia was offering Filipino travelers its P275 fare all-in one-way for the first time.

Hontiveros said the tag price covered fuel surcharge, processing fee and government-mandated fees such as aviation security fee and value added tax.

“The hype has been building up for the Philippine’s AirAsia particularly the community in Clark,” she said.

AirAsia Berhad regional head Kathleen Tan joined Hontiveros in welcoming guests and members of the media.

She would not discount a travel boom around the corner with more visitors using Clark.

“We cannot stop them from coming to the Philippines,” Tan said.

Angeles City justice council calls for the creation of more courts

By Tuesday 28th of February 2012


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- The Metro Angeles Council on the Administration of Justice (MACAJ) has requested for the creation of three Regional Trial Courts (RTC), one Municipal Trial Court (MTC) for Angeles City and one Municipal Trial Court (MTC) for Magalang.

Executive Judge and MACAJ Chair Omar Viola said since the 80’s, there have been only seven RTC’s which handle cases from Porac, Mabalacat, Magalang and Angeles City. There have also been only four MTC’s for these areas. With the increase in population and the volume of crimes, the creation of four more courts becomes imperative.

Presently, cases emanating from Magalang are tried at the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Mabalacat and Magalang (MCTC) located in Mabalacat. With the creation of a court in Magalang, litigants from the place will not have to go to Mabalacat. It will mean less expense and time spent in attending court hearings, explained Viola.

Viola added that the local councils of Angeles City and Magalang have submitted their resolutions to Congressman Carmelo Lazatin for him to sponsor a bill endorsing the request.

Congress and Senate will approve the establishment of the courts while the Supreme Court will implement the law and appoint judges. This process will take a number of years, Viola said. But the initial step towards the improvement of the system has been started. (WLB/RGSD-PIA3)

Angeles City exec enjoins village chiefs on fire prevention

By (PNA)

LDV/zst/FEM/ps


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 27 (PNA) -- In order to raise awareness and public information on fire avoidance, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan encouraged local village chiefs here to participate on the city’s endeavor in the observance of the Fire Prevention Month.

The call was made by Pamintuan during Monday’s flag raising rites as a response to the growing number of fire-related incidents in the city as reported by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Chief Inspector Gary R. Alto, city fire marshall, reported that as early as February, a total of nine fire incidents were already recorded by their department that caused P4.1 million worth of damage on properties.

Most of these incidents are caused by wild grass fires and burning of rubbish materials.

To properly address this problem, Pamintuan called a strategic meeting and briefing with the 33 barangay captains right after the flag raising program.

Pamintuan said fire prevention and information dissemination must start from the barangay level.

“The presence of the barangay leaders on this day makes it timely to perfectly start the campaign,” Pamintuan said.

The campaign is held annually to raise the level of public awareness on ways to promote safety from fire hazards.

The meeting dwelled on the preventive measures to avoid fire incidents and how village officials could help on BFP’s information dissemination campaign on fire prevention.

“The bureau has implemented several programs to lessen the number of incidents by engaging the civilians in the pursuit for safety,” Alto said.

The fire chief advised the public to observe fire safety measures to prevent accidents and disasters.

“In case of fire, it is very important to inform your neighbors. This would help in controlling the spread of fire while waiting for the fire brigades to arrive,” Alto said.

The city fire department also cautioned the public to refrain from burning rubbish materials and throwing of cigarettes butts on combustible materials; regularly check their LPG hoses; conduct electrical inspection and repairs, unplug electrical appliances that are not in use; take extra precautions on the use of kerosene lamps and candles, and properly store flammable liquids inside the house.

This year’s campaign was dubbed “Makiisa, Makialam at Makipagtulungan Upang Sunog ay Maiwasan.”

The project is in pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A, declaring March as “Fire Prevention Month.”

Alto said the BFP has prepared a list of activities including a series of orientations, inspections and fire drills, among others in line with the program.

One of the highlights of the month-long observance of the fire prevention is a city-wide motorcade.

An art contest is scheduled on March 8 at the Marquee Mall where students from public and private schools across the city are expected to join in the contest.

There will also be a blood-letting campaign on March 13 and a fire brigade Olympics as a culminating activity by the end of the month, Alto added.






Bizman welcomes progress in Clark airport

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT – Businessman Rene Romero said the progress at the Clark International Airport is a welcome development, including launch of budget flights by some low-cost carriers and the acquisition of a P1-billion loan to fund the expansion of the existing passenger terminal.

“We are not against it (acquisition of loan). They should get outside source of funds,” Romero said.

Romero, who is also the vice chair of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce (PamCham), said the coming of more flights in the airport is a sign of economic progress.

With regard to the loan acquired by the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) officials led by President Victor Jose I. Luciano, Romero said it is right to source out funds if only to maximize the full development of the airport.

Romero, however, cited the slow pace of development in the airport.

He said that planning and implementation of infrastructures in the aviation should have been done several years ago when then President Fidel V. Ramos pronounced Clark as the next premier gateway of the country.

The National Government instead built the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in favor of the Taipans, said Romero.

He, however, expressed optimism that the latest declaration of Clark as premier gateway by Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas will be the start of the full development of the airport.

“We, in the business sector, believe with the support of President Aquino, our dream to make Clark airport as the country’s main gateway will be realized,” Romero said.

He added that the region needs to have a well-developed airport in order to boost the country’s tourism and attract major investments.

Majority of the major businesses in the country also rely on the aviation industry, he said.

Clark set to be one of Don Bosco’s 60th anniversary celeb venues

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- The Clark Freeport Zone will serve as one of the six venues of the fun run highlighting the 60th anniversary celebration of educational institution Don Bosco in the Philippines.

This year’s founding anniversary carries the theme “Run, Jump, Make Noise: A Celebration 60 years of Don Bosco’s presence in the Philippines.”

The fun run aims to raise funds for the institution’s other eight Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers which will help more marginalized youth realize their dreams of a brighter future.

The race for the 3k, 5k and 10k distance categories will simultaneously be held at Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Parade Grounds in this Freeport, Quirino Grand Stand in Manila, Nuvali in Laguna, San Jose in Nueva Ecija, Legazpi City and Naga City in Bicol, on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 6:00 am.

Proceeds will directly go to the TVET trust fund.

For more details, visit www.odea.sdb.ph or call (02) 534-5922 or (63) 916-611-3970.

The Don Bosco group of schools has been part of the landscape of Philippine education since the 1950s.

It is a community committed to the education of the whole person in the spirit and style of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello- accompanying the young in their journey of formation towards becoming mature apostles among their peers, builders of a Christian community as women and men of Christian conscience, commitment, competency and social responsibility. (WLB/JGB-PIA3)

Angeleños commemorate 26th People Power Anniv

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 24 (PIA) -- The City of Angeles has taken its part in the commemoration of the 26th EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary. The celebration coincided with city mayor Edgardo Pamintuan’s 63rd birthday celebration yesterday.

In a short program which was held at the Marquee Mall Activity Center and participated in by city employees, city officials and local residents, Pamintuan said, “This day is historical because it marks the turning point of our people's long struggle for democracy,” referring to the peaceful People Power revolution in February 1986 that toppled the dictatorial government of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

“After we were placed under dictatorial rule for 14 years, I want us to celebrate the rebirth of our freedom,” the mayor added.

As part of the city's celebration, the Angeles City Public Employment Services Office (PESO) hosted a job fair offering both local and overseas employment held at the Robinson's Place in Barangay Balibago.

PESO Manager Adelina Deocales said that licensed recruitment firms and business locators hiring teams inside Clark Freeport Zone were present in the event.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also took part by providing employment assistance to jobseekers. (WLB/JGB-PIA3)

Clark employment rate up by 4,080 in nine months

By OEY PAVIA / CORRESPONDENT


CLARK FREEPORT­—The number of workers here increased by 4,080 in the last nine months, pushing the total to a record-high 64,256.

The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) announced on Thursday that the employment record was based on the report of 532 locators.

The CDC’s Customer Service Department (CSD) said the increase was recorded from May 2011 to June of this year.

It could be recalled that CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Felipe Antonio Remollo was appointed to the state-owned firm in May last year. There were at least 60,322 workers in January 2011.

Remollo and President Aquino-appointed CDC board directors were responsible for convincing locators, including the Cebu Pacific Air (CPA) to invest more at Clark.

The CPA and its Canadian-based partner invested at least $50 million for the Philippine Academy for Aviation Training Inc.

No less than President Aquino attended last month the groundbreaking ceremony of the pilot training school that will initially employ 100 workers.

In the same CSD report to Remollo, some 552 locators signed an agreement with the state-owned firm.

The number of workers per sector are broken down as: electronics and industrial, 13,838; Information Technology (IT), business-process outsourcing and telecommunications, 11,818; garments, 9,332; manufacturing, 7,223; and service-oriented businesses, 6,530.

The CDC said the increase was complemented by the expansions and full operation of several prominent firms, including the Phoenix Semi Conductor of the Philippines and Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc.

In April 2011, before Remollo took over from former CDC President Benigno Ricafort, the number of workers was pegged at 60,056, or a decrease of 266 compared to the previous months.

DMIA renamed CIA

By Rudy J. Abular


CLARK Freeport, Pampanga – Amid the impending renovation of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, the facility will be renamed “Clark International Airport.”

Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano said the renaming of DMIA was ordered by Malacañang and approved by the CIAC board.

Luciano said the DMIA will now be called Diosdado Macapagal Passenger Terminal. He said the CIAC loaned P1 billion from the Land of the Philippines to upgrade the entire facility.

Luciano signed the loan agreement yesterday and brushed off speculations that the renaming was politically motivated and ordered by President Benigno Aquino.

“The Chief Executive did not order the renaming of the airport back to its original name. The CIAC board decided on it because Clark is a practical name and is known internationally,” Luciano said.

In 2003, the CIAC board passed a resolution naming the Clark airport as DMIA in honor of the late father of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Luciano said the name was actually referred only to the terminal and not to the entire aviation complex.

14 Clark firms hire workers

By www.clarkphilippines.com


CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has announced that at least 14 firms inside the Freeport have a total of 3,255 job openings which they intend to fill up within the next three months.

In a report to CDC President Benigno Ricafort, Assistant Vice President for Business Development Group Bernardo Angeles Jr. said most of the job positions that are available here are for customer service representatives and call center agents.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Angeles said the firms will be conducting a job fair at the SM City Clark event center on September 30 in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Pampanga Employment Services Federation, and SM City Clark.

He said that NCO Philippines and Sutherland Philippines are hiring 1,000 customer representatives each.

Other firms looking for applicants are Cyber City Teleservices, 500 customer services agents; 320 apprentices and 300 engineers and production staffers (regular positions) at Texas Instrument Philippines; 50 customer services agents at UPS Clark Philippines; 41 production staff positions at Apex Intec Philippines, C. Ltd. Inc; 25 casino managers, supervisors and staff at Hotel Stotsenberg; 10 administrative staffers and engineers; nine cutters and other positions at O&G Leather Manufacturing Inc.

The Clark Freeport now has a total of 55,500 workers.

Authorized personnel who will be assisting in the job fair are Jhoy Santiago of SMK Electronics Philippines; Sharon Ray Sagansay of WALLEM Innovative Solutions Phils. Inc.; Raides Garcia and Timothy dela Cruz of Yokohama Tires Philippines; Glenda Cerdenola of Fontana Development Corp.; and Christian Mesina of Global Standard Learning Center, Inc.

DENR sets P100M for livelihood projects of CBFM and beneficiaries

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) has allotted P100 million this year for livelihood projects of Peoples Organizations (POs) who are beneficiaries of its Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) program. Speaking before stakeholders during Thursday’s CBFM Practitioners Congress in Clark Freeport, DENR secretary Ramon Paje said such projects and related activities will be handled by the soon-to-be established CBFM office which shall be supervised by the Undersecretary for Field Operations. “The first 100 POs who will pass the criteria set by the CBFM office will be the recipients of the livelihood assistance. Those who will not be able to make it this year need not worry as the conferment of grants will be part of the annual DENR budget until 2016,” Paje said. The Environment chief explained, “The idea of CBFM is built on the principle of social forestry- a people-centered development program. The people are seen as a community of development partners of the government to achieve sustainable forestry while promoting their socio-economic welfare.” Under the program, a management agreement is entered between the government and the upland communities, represented by POs which has a term of 25 years and renewable for another 25 years. As forest managers, the POs both have the responsibilities and benefits to occupy, enrich, protect and utilize portions of forestlands granted to them. Latest figures from DENR show that around 1,790 upland communities have been awarded with CBFM agreements with a total of 1.6 million hectares of managed forestlands. Paje added, “Today, CBFM POs not only contribute in the protection of our forests as they are also active partners in the vegetative growth of the upland areas in consonance with the National Greening Program (NGP).” The NGP was created under Executive Order No.26 of President Benigno Aquino III to pursue sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. It aims to plant 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares for a period of six years (2011-2016) in lands of public domain. These lands include forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations and urban areas. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)

Arroyo father’s name to be dropped from Pampanga airport

By Tonette Orejas


CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines—It is Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) no more. The name of the country’s ninth president would be dropped from the airport in this economic zone and would be used instead in a soon-to-rise terminal for passengers served by international and domestic budget airlines, the head of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) said. In dropping the name of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s father, the airport would revert to its original name—Clark International Airport (CIA)—thus needing no executive order, congressional fiat or resolution from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, said Victor Jose Luciano, CIAC president and chief executive officer. He said the name comes with a new corporate logo. “We will project Clark as Clark, including its history,” Luciano said. A survey showed that domestic and international aviation players know the airport more to be Clark than DMIA, Luciano said. CIA, as a name, first appeared in Executive Order No. 192 issued by former President Fidel Ramos on July 27, 1994, documents showed. Through it, Ramos authorized the creation of CIAC to operate and manage the Clark Aviation Complex (CAC). EO 174, also by Ramos, earlier designated this free port’s forerunner, the Clark Special Economic Zone, as the “future site of a premier Philippine International Airport.” Covering 2,500 hectares, the CAC used to be the central facility in the Clark Air Base of the United States Air Force until 1991 when the Senate ordered all US military bases in the Philippines closed and American troops pulled out. Clark Air Base was named in honor of Major Harold Clark of the US Army Signal Corps who died in a seaplane crash in Panama Canal in 1919. In honor of this aviation pioneer, the American government changed the name of Fort Stotsenberg into Clark. The bases conversion master plan, also known as the Abueva Commission report, identified the CAC as the leading resource that would transform Clark for economic uses. Through resolutions by local officials in 2003, Arroyo renamed the CIA after her father, who died in 1997. But name change or none, it turned out that the Clark airport, whether in the US military’s time or under the Philippine government’s jurisdiction, is known among pilots by its three-letter code: CRK. “We made a survey among pilots and other players in the aviation industry. The Clark International Airport or Diosdado Macapagal International Airport went by three letters and these are CRK,” Luciano said. The code of the International Air Transport Association for Clark is also CRK. Luciano saw nothing political in the name change. He said CIA would be a very busy airport this year as Airphil Express and AirAsia are flying to local and international destinations starting March 29. Passengers are expected to reach 1.7 million in 2012, he said. CIA, Luciano said, would sign a P1-billion loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines on February 21 to partly fund the construction of the new terminal.

Foreign teams in softball tourney

By Clyde Mariano


Manila, Philippines – Twenty teams, including four foreign squads from three countries, have confirmed their participation to the 2012 National Men and Women Softball Championship slated in April at Clark Field Freeport Zone diamond. “We are awaiting the confirmation from Malaysia and Singapore which are also interested,” said ASAPHIL operation manager Jun Veloso during the UAAP baseball semifinal games. Veloso, a former varsity player, said the three foreign teams are New Zealand, Indonesia and Brunei which will field two teams. New Zealand and Indonesia will compete in the men’s competition while Brunei participates in the women’s division. Veloso said around 40 teams are expected to take part in the annual event organized by Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Defending men’s champion Philippines Air Force and reigning women’s titlist and newly-crowned UAAP titleholder Adamson University spearhead the local assault. ASAPHIL bankrolled P.5 million in hosting the tournament held last year in Benguet. This will be the first time foreign teams will compete in the annual event that started in the ‘60s during the time of Rizal governor and softball godfather Isidro Rodriguez. “The presence of foreign teams not only makes the competition more exciting and interesting, and will also gauge the competitiveness of our local players against foreign rivals” said Veloso. New Zealand placed runnerup to Canada in the World Softball Men’s Championship held at the Rosario diamond during the time of softball president and former Pasig Mayor Mario Raymundo. while Indonesia is a bitter rival of the Philippines in Southeast Asia. Brunei has gained steady improvement with the help of Filipino coaches and players.

BIR urges residents to show love for country by paying taxes

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No.4 has urged Central Luzon residents to show their love for the country by paying taxes correctly and promptly.

During Wednesday’s 2012 tax awareness campaign launch in Clark, BIR Regional director Araceli Francisco said, “Tax is the life-blood of the government. It is being utilized by the state in building roads, bridges, hospitals and school buildings, providing basic social services to the populace and implementation of programs on climate change adaptation and mitigation.”

Francisco added that “when we pay our taxes, we manifest our love for our country as we give fuel to the machinery of the government.”

Francisco explained that this year’s campaign, billed “I Love Philippines, I Pay Taxes,” aimed at tapping the taxpayers’ sense of volunteerism in paying his or her levy and seeing it as morally the right thing to do. (WLB/CLJD-PIA3)

Pampanga solon gives 30 multi-cabs to 1st district barangays

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- A Pampanga representative has given 30 multi-cabs to 30 selected barangays to provide better service and easy delivery access in the first district of the province.

First district representative Carmelo Lazatin’s program aims to provide “easy transportation for barangay residents especially during emergency situations.”

The multi-cab which costs P280,000 each, amounting to P9 million, were distributed to different barangays in Angeles such as Sta. Teresita, Sto. Cristo, Lourdes Northwest, Lourdes Sur East, Anusas, Malabanias, Ninoy Aquino, Sapalibutad, Margot, Pandan and Agapito del Rosario.

Barangays who benefited in Magalang town were La Paz, Camias, San Pedro 1, San Pedro 2, San Nicolas 2, San Antonio, San Francisco, Sta. Maria, Sta. Cruz, Sto. Niño and Ayala.

Barangays Bundagul, Bical, Cacutud, Paraluyan, Poblacion, Macapagal Village, Marcos Village, and Sapang Biabas in Mabalacat also received multi-cabs. Lazatin explained that “the multi-cabs also ensure the mobility of our leaders who continuously, in any given time, serve their people.” (CLJD/JGB–PIA3)

Tune Hotels is now open in Angeles City

By ASIA, HOTEL PROMOTIONS, PHILIPPINES


Tune Hotels finally introduced its first hotel in the Philippines with the official opening of Tune Hotel Angeles City. The Hotel has 165 rooms and is designed to be an airport hotel with a goal of providing convenience to passengers of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

The Tune Hotel in Angeles City is owned and operated by Red Planet Hotels under a franchise agreement with Tune Hotels for the development of Tune Hotels in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

Tune Hotel Angeles City is also 10 minutes by car to the Clark Freeport Zone, a former US Airbase that has been redeveloped with modern infrastructure facilities.

The City of Angeles in Pampanga is approximately 80 kilometres north of Manila and can be reached within around an hour by car or air-conditioned bus via the North Luzon Expressway.

The hotel in Angeles opening will be immediately followed by the opening of Tune Hotel in Cebu on 23 February and Tune Hotel Ermita on 9 March. The budget hotels future locations include Makati, Ortigas and Quezon City in Manila; and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.

Locators train workers for heavy industries

By 2012/february/14


CLARK FREEPORT—Site Group International, one of the largest training providers in Australia, recently signed an agreement with Monark Foundation Institute to provide skilled mechanics and technicians for the growing needs of the construction and mining industries.

Joint venture principal, Monark Equipment is the official Philippine distributor of Caterpillar, a world-brand of mining and earth moving plants and equipment.

Site Group owns and operates Clark Education City, a 300,000-square meter training facility located in the Clark Freeport Zone, where modules are opened for Mining and Processing, Oil and Gas, Construction and Engineering together with camp services and logistics.

Site executive chairman Vernon Wills said the venture is designed to ensure that industries have the capacity to train sufficient numbers of trade specialists required to meet project requirements across the world with a high demand for skilled labor.

“The foundation and Site Group agreed to put up a facility focused on heavy diesel maintenance and operator/specialist skills training for mechanics and technicians,” he said.

This major investment will include a testing and operator training area for hard stand zones and diagnostic buildings equipped with actual Caterpillar heavy equipment.

Monark Chairman Jose Antonio Banson said partnering with Site “provides Monark with an international standard of workforce training needed by customers and other end users of our equipment globally.”

Canadian dies of heart attack, Japanese found dead in school

By Bernard Galang, Rudy J. Abular


ANGELES City -- A Canadian tourist died of heart attack inside an entertainment bar on Fields Avenue while a Japanese student was found dead in his room in Angeles City Friday.

Canadian Stephen Edward Dooley, 53, was with a Filipino woman when he entered the Road House Bar around 6:40 p.m. and ordered some drinks.

While waiting for the drinks, Dooley suddenly fell down prompting his companion to rush him to the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center.

However, Dooley was declared dead-on-arrival by doctors.

Meanwhile, authorities are looking into the mysterious death of a Japanese student found dead inside his room at an international school in Barangay Cutcut.

Nishimura Yoichi, 69, stay-in student at the Clark International Premier School, was found by school manager Yoshiyuki Fujita, 33, also a Japanese national, and security guard Elejor Tubos at Room 113.

Investigators said Fujita went to the victim’s room to remind him to get ready for his English class.

When no one answered his knocks, Fujita called Tubos to open the door with a duplicate key.

They rushed Yoichi to the nearby St. Catherine Hospital but it was already too late.

Angeles City hospital gets additional dialysis units

By (PNA)

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ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 12 (PNA) -- Three additional dialysis units were installed recently at the Angeles City Renal Care Unit (ACRCU), bringing to 18 the total number of machines used for patients suffering from kidney diseases.

Dr. Ramon Jose Suarez, ACRCU head, said the new machines will supplement the current operation of the renal center and, more importantly, accommodate more patients requiring dialysis treatment.

“As of January 2012, we were able to have 453 treatments. But, with the additional dialysis machines, we are looking at the possibility of serving up to 500 patients a month,” Suarez said.

He added that the city government would purchase another unit this month.

Two of the brand-new machines were donated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) while the other one was given by Juan Nepomuceno & Sons Inc. and Holy Angel University.

“We are grateful to the donations and the continuous support given to us by different organizations and government agencies. Such act is a clear manifestation of the strong public and private partnership that we have established,” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said.

Fr. Conrad Flores of the Holy Rosary Parish Church led the recent blessing rites of the new dialysis machines.

Angeles City Council commends teens for honesty

By William L. Beltran


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb.11 (PIA) -- Two teenagers were lauded by the City Council through an approved resolution for returning a shoulder bag containing cash and other valuables owned by Korean nationals.

Warly Miguel and Jano Fortades, both 17 years old, saw the bag lying along San Angelo St. in barangay Lourdes Sur.

The teenagers narrated that when they were about to go home after work, they chanced upon the said bag. They also found two passports near it.

“We immediately placed those valuables inside the bag and decided to turn it over to the nearest barangay hall,” Miguel said.

At the village hall, barangay officials in Agapito del Rosario, discovered that the bag contained two passports, credit and debit cards, phone call card, a make-up kit and an envelope stuffed with $3,500 cash.

According to Lim Deok Kyu and Kim Mi Hwa, the rightful owners of the bag, they were walking along Mac Arthur Highway, in front of Casino Filipino, in barangay Balibago when two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle forcibly grabbed their bag.

The Korean couple said they didn’t expect the bag would be returned.

“We really salute their honesty. They are a good example to all,” the couple said.

Miguel and Fortades work as helpers in a bazaars selling merchandise at the Clark main gate and at the night flea market in barangay San Nicolas.

They received a corresponding cash reward from the owners for their great deed.

City Councilor Maricel Morales, who read and sponsored the resolution during their regular session said that the honesty shown by Miguel and Fortades only proves that even if there are a lot of people who are [engaged in] illegal acts, there are still Filipinos who are honest and dedicated.

“As exemplary citizens, Miguel and Fortades deserve to be commended and their honesty should be emulated by the Angelenos,” she added.

The resolution was co-sponsored by councilors Edu Pamintuan, Jericho Aguas and Alex Indiongco.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is also set to commend the honest teenagers this coming Monday during the regular flag ceremony at the city hall. They will also be receiving cash rewards from the city government. (WLB/AC-CIO/PIA3)






Fire hits 7 classrooms in Angeles City

By (PNA)

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ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 10 (PNA) -- A fire believed to be caused by an electrical short circuit razed seven classrooms of a public high school in this city Friday morning.

No one was reportedly injured in the fire inside the Angeles City National High School (ACNHS) in Barangay Pampang here.

Fire trucks from this city and fire fighters from Dee Hwa Liong helped in putting off the blaze.

The fire started at 6:40 a.m. and reached the first alarm at 6:45 a.m.

The firefighters were enabled to stop the fire from reaching other building in the school compound.

City Fire Marshal Gary Alto declared the fire under control at 7 a.m.

Damage to property was estimated at P1.2 million.

Estrellita Lecaros, principal of the ACNHS, said the students were quickly led to safety as firefighters controlled the blaze in the classrooms at the second floor.

Immediately after receiving the news about the incident, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan visited ACNHS to personally oversee and assess the damage caused by the fire.

Pamintuan instructed his staff to provide makeshift tents to the school so that classes for graduating students could resume after clearing the area of fire debris.

He told school officials that the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc.–Angeles City Chapter pledged to finance the repair of the gutted classrooms.





Angeles City Council commends honest teens

By (PNA)

LDV/zst/FEM/ps


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 9 (PNA) — The Angeles City Council on Wednesday lauded two teenagers here through an approved resolution for returning a shoulder bag containing cash and other valuables owned by Korean nationals.

Warly Miguel and Jano Fortades, both 17 years old, said that they were about to go home after working when they chanced upon the bag lying along San Angelo St. in Barangay Lourdes Sur here.

They said they also found two passports and other stuff near it.

“We immediately placed those valuables inside the bag and decided to turn it over to the nearest barangay hall,” Miguel said.

At the village hall, barangay officials in Agapito del Rosario, discovered that the bag contained two passports, credit and debit cards, phone call card, a make-up kit and an envelope stuffed with $ 3,500 cash.

Lim Deok Kyu and Kim Mi Hwa, the rightful owners of the bag, said they were walking along Mac Arthur Highway (in front of Casino Filipino) in Barangay Balibago when two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle forcibly grabbed their bag.

The Korean couple said they did not expect the bag would be returned.

“We really salute their honesty. They are a good example to all,” the couple said.

Miguel and Fortades work as helpers in bazaars selling merchandise at the Clark main gate and at the night flea market in Barangay San Nicolas.

They received a corresponding cash reward from the owners for their great deed.

City Councilor Maricel Morales, who read and sponsored the resolution during their regular session, said the honesty shown by Miguel and Fortades only proves that even if there are a lot of people who are engaged in illegal acts, there are still Filipinos who are honest and dedicated.

“As exemplary citizens, Miguel and Fortades deserve to be commended and their honesty should be emulated by the Angelenos,” Morales said.

The resolution was co-sponsored by councilors Edu Pamintuan, Jericho Aguas and Alex Indiongco.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is also set to commend the honest teenagers next Monday during the regular flag-raising rites at the city hall.

All set for Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

By.ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA, Philippines – The 17th International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is all set for take off.

The yearly aviation event, which opens on Thursday, February 9, at the Clark Freeport, is expected to attract 100,000 visitors, or 20% more than last year’s 80,000 figure.

On Wednesday, organizers held a preview with members of Kite Team Philippines showing off their colorful kites.

“We’re set but, of course, we want 110% preparedness,” event director Capt. Joy Roa told ABS-CBN News.

The festival runs until February 12.

According to Noemi Garcia, the head of the Clark Development Corp.’s Tourism and Promotions Office, spectators will be treated to a larger and more varied event, as at least nine countries are expected to participate – more than in 2011.

Apart from hot air ballon flights, there will be exhibitions on paragliding, kite flying and skydiving, aerobatic flight displays, ultralight aircraft formation flying, light airplane balloon bursting competitions and R/C demonstrations, among others.

Food trip

Tour operators are also offering unique travel packages in connection with the aviation fiesta.

For instance, ClubTravelNOW.org has incorporated a food trip component, given that Pampanga is widely regarded as a culinary capital. The package includes lunch at Cucina ni Atching Lillian Borromeo for authentic Kapampangan food, merienda at Kabigting’s Halo-Halo and dinner at Aling Lucing’s, which specializes in sisig.

Also included in the tour are visits to the Betish Church, said to be Pampanga’s version of the Sistine Chapel; the San Guillermo Church, which was almost submerged in lahar: Abe’s Farm, the resthouse of the late restaurateur Larry J. Cruz that has been turned into a restaurant and museum; and Marquee Mall. -- Reports from JV Dizon, ABS-CBN Pampanga

14 Clark firms hire workers

By. www.clarkphilippines.com


CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has announced that at least 14 firms inside the Freeport have a total of 3,255 job openings which they intend to fill up within the next three months.

In a report to CDC President Benigno Ricafort, Assistant Vice President for Business Development Group Bernardo Angeles Jr. said most of the job positions that are available here are for customer service representatives and call center agents.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Angeles said the firms will be conducting a job fair at the SM City Clark event center on September 30 in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Pampanga Employment Services Federation, and SM City Clark.

He said that NCO Philippines and Sutherland Philippines are hiring 1,000 customer representatives each.

Other firms looking for applicants are Cyber City Teleservices, 500 customer services agents; 320 apprentices and 300 engineers and production staffers (regular positions) at Texas Instrument Philippines; 50 customer services agents at UPS Clark Philippines; 41 production staff positions at Apex Intec Philippines, C. Ltd. Inc; 25 casino managers, supervisors and staff at Hotel Stotsenberg; 10 administrative staffers and engineers; nine cutters and other positions at O&G Leather Manufacturing Inc.

The Clark Freeport now has a total of 55,500 workers.

Authorized personnel who will be assisting in the job fair are Jhoy Santiago of SMK Electronics Philippines; Sharon Ray Sagansay of WALLEM Innovative Solutions Phils. Inc.; Raides Garcia and Timothy dela Cruz of Yokohama Tires Philippines; Glenda Cerdenola of Fontana Development Corp.; and Christian Mesina of Global Standard Learning Center, Inc

P30-M entertainment and dining complex to rise in Clark

By. Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga February 6 (PIA) -- Philippine-owned Pax Americana Food and Leisure Inc. (PAFLI) is set to build a P30-million entertainment and dining complex inside Clark Freeport.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Felipe Antonio Remollo disclosed that PAFLI’s tourism-related venture dubbed “The Station” will be located along the boundaries of Ninoy Aquino Avenue and E.Quirino Street near the Parade Grounds.

It will feature boutiques, coffee shops, a jazz bar and restaurants that serve various American dishes such as steaks and burgers.

The Station will initially generate 20 new jobs with dozens more to be added in the next three years with the establishment of more restaurants that will serve Asian and European cuisines.

“Restaurant businesses in Clark are thriving due to the influx of foreign and local tourists who come during weekends and holidays to relax," he said. "Clark is home to a number of world class resorts, casinos and golf courses plus the Freeport regularly serves as host to various sports activities such as football games, baseball matches and marathons.”

The surge in tourist arrivals is attributed to the increased international and domestic flights in Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as well as the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)

2 overseas firms to employ 140 Angeleños

By. pia.gov.ph


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- Two firms abroad are in need of 140 new staff to be hired directly as they will be coming in this city to employ Angeleños.

Al-Hokair Group Fashion Retail and Turki Co. Ltd. Buffalo and Fatburger Restaurants, both based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, tied up with this city’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) to facilitate the employment of the needed workforce.

Al-Hokair group is in need of 40 salesmen between 21 to 30 years old, with at least one-year experience. 20 visual merchandisers are also needed, of ages 21 to 30 years old and with at least one-year experience in fashion boutiques.

Turki Co. Ltd, on the other hand, is in need of 80 male waiters/barista/service and kitchen crew, between 21 to 30 years old and with at least one year experience in fine or casual dining, restaurants or fast-food.

Interested applicants should bring their resume with attached picture, certificate of employment and passport, if there is any.

Interviews will be held on Feb. 7 from 1 p.m. onwards at the PESO office, Angeles City Hall Compound, in Barangay Pulung Maragul, this city.

Al Hokair is the largest fashion retailer in Saudi Arabia with an estimated overall market share of around 50 percent and sales of SAR1.6 billion in 2007 to 2008. It commenced its operations 18 years ago with two men’s wear stores in 1990.

Turki Co. Ltd., meanwhile, has the capital, infrastructure, operational expertise and market knowledge to lead and operate store development in the Middle East through its restaurants.

For more details you may contact the following numbers: (045) 892-2591, 63-918-316-7193, and 63-926-546-0925. (WLB/JGB- PIA 3)

14 Clark firms hire workers

By. www.clarkphilippines.com


CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has announced that at least 14 firms inside the Freeport have a total of 3,255 job openings which they intend to fill up within the next three months.

In a report to CDC President Benigno Ricafort, Assistant Vice President for Business Development Group Bernardo Angeles Jr. said most of the job positions that are available here are for customer service representatives and call center agents.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Angeles said the firms will be conducting a job fair at the SM City Clark event center on September 30 in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Pampanga Employment Services Federation, and SM City Clark.

He said that NCO Philippines and Sutherland Philippines are hiring 1,000 customer representatives each.

Other firms looking for applicants are Cyber City Teleservices, 500 customer services agents; 320 apprentices and 300 engineers and production staffers (regular positions) at Texas Instrument Philippines; 50 customer services agents at UPS Clark Philippines; 41 production staff positions at Apex Intec Philippines, C. Ltd. Inc; 25 casino managers, supervisors and staff at Hotel Stotsenberg; 10 administrative staffers and engineers; nine cutters and other positions at O&G Leather Manufacturing Inc.

The Clark Freeport now has a total of 55,500 workers.

Authorized personnel who will be assisting in the job fair are Jhoy Santiago of SMK Electronics Philippines; Sharon Ray Sagansay of WALLEM Innovative Solutions Phils. Inc.; Raides Garcia and Timothy dela Cruz of Yokohama Tires Philippines; Glenda Cerdenola of Fontana Development Corp.; and Christian Mesina of Global Standard Learning Center, Inc.






MACCII to host 2012 revenue updates with BIR

By. yats.us.cloudlogin.co


Incorporated (MACCII) will be hosting a Revenue Update seminar with the Bureau of Internal revenue (BIR) on February 16 at the Angeles Business Center Bldg. here. The event, according to MACCII president Frankie Villanueva, is part of the regular ANGELES CITY — The Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry MACCII Breakfast Meeting Club organized by the chamber to provide information, skills and updates to members on the many issues and trends in the business sector here. The event will be facilitated by BIR OIC Revenue District Rosalina Legaspi. Villanueva said the event will give members here an idea of the various tax measures being implemented by the BIR. Expected to be discussed in the meeting are the salient features of RA 9504 exempt minimum wage earners from income tax on their statutory minimum wage; holiday pay; overtime pay; night shift differential; and hazard pay. Also to be discussed in the meeting are new policies of the BIR. Concerns of the local businessmen here will also be addressed in the meeting. Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on February 03, 2012.

Clark airport workers hold rally over bargain deal

By. Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- Scores of workers at the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) held Tuesday a lightning rally, demanding for their benefits under the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with their management.

The CIAC employees, belonging to the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa DMIA (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) or SMD, assailed the CIAC management for allegedly ignoring the 2011 CBA and refusing to release their basic wage increase (P1,000 per employee) and other benefits.

However, CIAC president Victor Jose Luciano denied the employees’ claims, saying the CIAC Board and management recognizes the CBA.

According to Luciano, the CIAC Board already approved the agreement and that its members are just waiting for the approval of Malacanang regarding the release of the workers’ benefits.

Luciano said the corporation cannot release the benefits without the approval of Malacañang and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

He also clarified that release of the workers’ benefits under the CBA will be retroactive, which means the CIAC employees will receive their perks starting January 2011 when the CBA was ratified.

In a position paper, the SMD stated that the CIAC management refused to negotiate with the employees.

The workers’ union also stated that on July 21, 2011, the negotiation was completed and the employees were able to get salary increase of P750, Care Allowance of P250, and one-time bonus of P12,000.

However, the CIAC management failed to release these benefits.

“However, when we demanded for its incorporation into the CBA and for the release of the benefits, the management just said they are waiting for the approval from Malacanang,” the group said in vernacular.

SMD head Marvin Pineda said there are no provisions under Republic Act 10149 (Government Owned and Controlled Corporation or GOCC Governance Act of 2011) that the CBA wage increase will have to be approved first by the Governance Commission.

Pineda said the workers will continue their rally until the CIAC management released their benefits.

He also said that their dialogue with the CIAC management at 2 p.m. Wednesday will bring favorable results on the employees’ part.

CIAC Vice President for Operations Reynaldo Catacutan, for his part, said the CIAC leadership should implement the workers’ salary increase based on the previous CBA.

“I think the workers’ benefits should be released under the previous CBA pending the approval of the new CBA which we, in the CIAC Board, approved in September last year,” Catacutan said.

He also cited the opinion of the workers’ legal council stating that there are no Committee on Governance Commission as GOCCs have no directive to withhold the employees benefits under the CBA.

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