Angeles City News January 2013

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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.

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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.

Angeles City gov’t vows to support police in its crime prevention campaigns

By (PNA)

PDS/ZST/HPM/PS/UTB


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 31 (PNA) –- The city government will continue supporting the local police in all its programs and campaigns on crime prevention.

This was the assurance made by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan as he commended the local police for successfully maintaining peace and order in the city.

Pamintuan expressed belief that peace and order could be maintained in the city if there was cooperation between the police and the local officials.

He said that well-planned crime prevention strategies not only prevent crime and victimization, but also promote community safety and contribute to sustainable development.

“One of the responsibilities of my administration is to ensure the security of my constituents; this way, business and investments will continue to thrive in our beloved city,” he said during the peace and order council (POC) meeting held on Wednesday.

During the council meeting, the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) has laid down their plans for this year.

Senior Superintendent Jun Hidalgo, ACPO director, said the city police would conduct banks and schools visitation, strengthen police information, education and communication (IEC)program to tri-media, participate in different simulation exercises and intensify local police operations.

Hidalgo also reported the increase in number of police personnel in all police stations in the city.





US$ 1.5-B medical care complex to rise in Clark

By (PNA)

FFC/ZST/MDDR/PS/PJN


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Jan. 30 (PNA) -- The Medical City-Clark (TMC-Clark) has started the construction of its US$ 1.5-billion hospital care complex inside this Freeport.

During the cornerstone-laying ceremony here on Tuesday, TMC president and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon said TMC-Clark is the first component of a larger health care complex at the Global Gateways Logistics City (GGLC), a 177-hectare master-planned logistics and business center which will house new infrastructures amounting to over US$ 1.5 billion.

Bengzon said the construction of the 150-bed world class tertiary hospital complex is scheduled to be completed by August 2014.

“TMC-Clark will have a full complement of top quality diagnostic and treatment services, drawing from the strengths of institutional centers of excellence. It will also be the official medical facility and trauma/burn center of Clark International Airport,” he said.

Bengzon also said that since the hospital is situated next to an international airport, TMC-Clark seeks to serve the global market. The hospital supports TMC’s strategy to expand its presence by developing a national network.

He also said that TMC network is currently composed of two other hospitals and 20 outpatient clinics located across Metro Manila and selected provinces.

“Now I am filled with pride because finally The Medical City in Clark affirms and advances leadership position to build up the largest operating network,” he said.

With the addition of the Clark site to TMC’s growing network of health facilities, he said TMC strengthens its serious bid for prominence in national and international healthcare.

“TMC-Clark will serve as our flagship center for Central and Northern Luzon. In addition, being situated next to an international airport, the Clark location provides an excellent platform for building our international customer base,” he added.

Under the terms of agreement, GGLC will construct the hospital according to TMC’s specifications. TMC will then lease, equip and operate the facility.

The hospital, which will have a 1,500-strong medical staff complemented by a 2,700-member workforce, addresses TMC’s strategy to expand its presence by developing a national network.




Angeles City cites most gender-sensitive barangays

By ( (PNA)

LAP/ZST/FEM/PS/SSC


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 28 (PNA) -- The city government has recently recognized the excellence and innovation of the different barangays in their campaign to become gender-sensitive and gender-responsive.

After eight months of searching, Barangay Balibago won as the most outstanding gender-sensitive barangay, followed by Barangay Lourdes Sur East and Barangay Lourdes North West in second and third place, respectively.

Rodelio Mamac, barangay chairman of Balibago, said they are strictly implementing the law against violation of women and children’s rights in their area.

City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, for his part, lauded the barangays who participated in the search.

He also expressed support to all members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

He also recognized the concerted efforts of the residents of winning barangays to ensure the success of their gender and development programs.

“This awarding ceremony aims to recognize the efforts of each barangay and encourage them to further improve the implementation of programs that would protect abused women and children,” Pamintuan said.

Purita Pineda-David, head of the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, explained that the awarding of such title is to encourage barangays to continue their crusade in helping those who are in need, as well as to promote each barangay's programs on the protection and welfare of women and children by sharing them with other villages.

The GAD office is the first in the Philippines and was established in 1993. It aims to protect the rights of women, children and those who belong in the LGBT community.





Angeles City awards clean barangays

By (PNA)

DSP/ZST/FEM/PS/JSD


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 27 (PNA) --The city government has recently awarded the cleanest and brightest barangays of the city.

Barangay San Nicolas won the first place, followed by barangay Margot, second; barangays Cutcut, third; barangay Pampang, fourth; and banrangay Lourdes Northwest, firth.

Special awards were also given to deserving barangays such as the Most Promising Barangay to Tabun and the Brightest Barangay to Capaya.

City mayor Edgardo Pamintuan congratulated the winners and commended the barangay captains and kagawads in their efforts in making their area beautiful all throughout the year.

“We are doing this search not only to make the barangays look better, but also to promote the spirit of hope among communities and instill the value of cooperation among Angeleños as an important prerequisite to growth and progress,” Pamintuan said.

The mayor also lauded the efforts of the Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO) and all the judges, who came up with the concept of the event which greatly contributed to the promotion of the tourism program of the city.

Peter de Vera, one of the pioneers and judges of the event, explained that annual event dubbed as Buenas Angeles, aims to promote the city as a “City of Angels”, which also served as a brand for promoting tourism here.

Christine Nunag, head of the Angeles City Tourism Office, said that Buenas Angeles also aims to revive Angeleño culture and traditions.




Clark Dev't Corp streamlines paperwork

By (CLJD with reports from Clark Development Corporation)


CLARK FREEPORT, Jan.25 (PIA) -- In the continuing effort to improve delivery of services to its stakeholders, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Arthur Tugade announced that the Board of Directors approved the issuance of business permits valid for three years.

Tugade said the extended period required for the renewal of permits, known as the Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTE) or the registration certificate (RC), will be a boon to locators who must renew their permits annually.

The new scheme will start February 1 and will allow various regulatory departments of the Freeport to be even more effective and efficient in their delivery of services.

Tugade added that all locators certified to be in good standing, as evidenced by proof of current rental payments, and compliance with the state-owned corporation’s regulatory requirements will qualify under the new scheme.

The locators should have no pending civil, criminal, or administrative case filed against them by CDC as well as proof of employment and actual operations.

CDC will still assess locators’ compliance with regulatory requirements and contractual obligations and may revoke, cancel, or suspend the business permit and corresponding incentives if the said assessment so warrants.

For locators with contract terms of less than three years, they will be issued business permits co-terminus with their lease or sublease agreements;

Tugade advised all locators to renew their lease or sublease agreements 90 days prior to their expiration, and get in touch with the following CDC offices for specific assistance on business permit requirements: Environmental Management Department (EMD) for the Certificate of Environmental Clearance at 499-1138, 599-9000 local 866; Building Utilities Regulatory Department (BURD) for Full Occupancy Permit or Certificate of Annual Inspection at 499-1139, 599-9000 local 724; Health Services Office (HSO) for Sanitary Permits at 599-2138/ 599-6417; Public Safety Department (PSD) for Fire Safety Certificate at 599-2138/3211; Property and Management Department for insurance at 499-1627; and the Customer Service Department (CSD) for Locator Information Sheet and Undertaking, Annual SEC General Information Sheet, Income Tax Return/Audited Financial Statements, and Manpower Report at 499-0894.





Hapinoy helps Filipinos become micro entrepreneurs

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan 24 (PIA) -- The Hapinoy (Happy and Pinoy) program under the MicroVentures Inc helped Filipinos into the entrepreneurship loop specifically sari-sari store type which makes up 30 to 40 percent of total retail stores in the country.

In a press conference Tuesday in Angeles City, MicroVentures President Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said that aspiring businessmen are provided with financial assistance or capital, cheaper access to goods, trainings and support.

“Dapat pakiramdam nila every step of the way nasusuportahan ako, natutulungan ako, para lumago ang negosyo ko (The micro entrepreneurs should feel that they are being supported, that they are being aided in their business),” Aquino said.

Launched in 2007, all of Hapinoy’s Community Stores are owned by women micro entrepreneurs who are called "nanays" (mothers).

The program puts "Nanay" on the Path to Prosperity, focusing growth in her business and personality. (CLJD/JGB-PIA 3)





'Service Mans Snack Bar' at Winneshiek on Jan. 26 and 27

By journalstandard.com


FREEPORT— Winneshiek Playhouse, 228 W. Clark St., Freeport, will present "Service Man's Snack Bar, on Jan. 26 and 27.

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. This story is based off the closing months of World War II and how the people of Freeport and surrounding communities managed to find the resources to provide food, drinks, and amenities to more than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, and WAVES.

The program will be free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to donate a non-perishable food item that will be then given to one of the local food pantries. For more information, call 815-232-8419.







Democracy in Angeles 'dead'

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Transport leader Reynaldo Gueco said Monday that Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan killed democracy here, following the libel case he filed against Gueco and radio broadcasters Med David and Fred Cortez for airing criticisms about him in a local radio program.

"During the time of Martial Law, Mayor Pamintuan was one of those who fought to bring democracy back, but now, he is the one killing it," Gueco said. "It's sad to think that in Angeles City, people who air their opinions about the mayor, get charged with libel."

Gueco was charged with libel by Pamintuan due to the alleged libelous statements he made against the mayor when he appeared as a co-anchor in the radio program, "Golpe De Gulat," hosted by David and Cortez.

"Instead of conducting an investigation on the issues hounding his administration, Mayor Pamintuan chose to devote his attention to filing a case against those who air these issues," Gueco said.

"This is a clear show of harassment to those who criticize the mayor and citizens of Angeles City should be vigilant in watching over Mayor Pamintuan's dictator-like administration," he added.

Gueco said that according to the subpoena he received, the libelous remark he made on the program on September 5, 2012 was “Pati City Hall kanyan masangla ya... (Even City Hall will get pawned).”

"I vehemently deny these accusations," Gueco said. "I'm sure the radio station keeps a record of their programs and they can attest to this."

However, despite his denial of issuing libelous statements against Pamintuan, Gueco added that he respects Pamintuan's right to file the libel case and he leaves it up to the proper court to decide on the case.

David and Cortez, hosts of the radio program "Golpe De Gulat," are also facing the libel case filed by Pamintuan for the supposed "malicious imputations, schemes and libelous remarks" made against the mayor.

The libelous remarks were allegedly made in their program from September 3 to 21, 2012.

Most of the libelous statements were allegedly issued by David, particularly his supposed referral to Pamintuan as “pitbungan ning alti (struck by lightning).”

In the case of Cortez, the libelous remark credited to him was also allegedly made on September 5, 2012 when David asked who ran for mayor of Angeles City during the time of Abong Tayag and Sonny Lopez, to which Cortez supposedly replied, "Mayor Edong."

David and Cortez are known for exposing alleged illegal practices in government in their radio program, with David usually taking the more aggressive stance on the issues.

Issues of alleged corruption and malversation of public funds in the Pamintuan administration are common subject matters tackled in the program.

Among the issues discussed by David and Cortez in their program include the alleged irregular projects of the City Government under the Pamintuan administration, supposedly revealed in a report by the City Project Monitoring Committee (CPMC) and, more recently, the issue on the controversial job order employees of the City Government.

The complaint filed by Pamintuan cites David's statements regarding the CPMC report as being libelous, particularly when David questioned the press statement released by the Pamintuan camp claiming that the CPMC report being referred to by David is unofficial.

Tugade orders PSD revamp

By y Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president and chief executive officer Arthur P. Tugade has ordered the re-assignment of several key personnel at the Public Safety Department (PSD).

Affected PSD officials were Ruben Luzong, from Senior Traffic Management Officer to Senior Operations Officer; Jesus Marquez, from Field Commander to Senior Traffic Management Officer; Rufino Baniqued, from Training Officer to Senior Intelligence Officer; Albert R. Sama, from Senior Intelligence Officer to Senior Investigation Officer; Hazel Robles from Investigation Officer to Tactical Operations Center Desk Officer; Ronald Pablo from Patrolman to Investigator; and Angelo Miclat from Enforcer (Special Reaction Unit) to Investigator.

Tugade said the new assignments will address and enhance the organizational and operational capabilities of the PSD.

Robin Cenzon, PSD assistant manager for operations, assumed as Officer-in-Charge of the department after PSD Manager Nicanor S. Targa faced a 30-day preventive suspension following a reported robbery incident, where a CDC traffic enforcer was involved.

The case is still under investigation by a special committee headed by Bernardo Angeles, CDC assistant vice president for Business Development.

CDC Board of Directors approved the new PSD assignment and authorized the CDC President to initiate review, and implement revisions and adjustments in the state-owned corporation’s existing Table of Organization.

The newly re-assigned PSD officers will undergo evaluation to assess performance of their new duties for the next six months.

There are 211 personnel in the CDC Public Safety Department.

Holy Angel U develops online system review for board examiners

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 20 (PIA) -- Holy Angel University (HAU) will launch on Monday, January 28, its online review for board exams to its students and alumni.

Developed by the College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT) along with the different faculty members from other colleges, HAU is now considered one of the first schools in the Philippines to offer this kind of program.

“The review is for those taking board exams for certified public accountants, engineers, teachers, architects, criminologists, psychometricians, among others, wherein thousands of questions are compiled which will be answered by the aspiring professionals” HAU Vice president for Academic Affairs Jaime Cortez disclosed.

Under the University’s online review system, students could access and answer as many sets of questions they want at their convenient time inside the campus, after which the results of their exam will be immediately seen.

“For most students, review classes after graduation are just too short and too expensive, so we are offering this service to give our students a better fighting chance in the very competitive board exams,” Cortez added. (CLJD/JGB-PIA 3)





Team Tapang eyes council majority

By Jovi T. De Leon


ANGELES CITY -- Reelectionist Councilor Mike Tapang said Saturday that his "Magserbisyu Tamu" Team Tapang will aim for the majority of the Municipal Council seats in Porac during the midterm elections.

Tapang presented his line-up, sans a mayor and vice mayor, during a breakfast forum at a restaurant in this city.

Running with him are experienced and well-educated village chiefs Larry Antido, Regin Clarete, Rommel Gopez and Caloy Sese, who will slug it out with 19 other council aspirants from the town.

Team Tapang will come strong to the polls under the banner of the Nationalist People's Coalition-Kambilan.

"We are aspiring to get the majority in the council. We want to bring change and fresh ideas to the Municipal Council, institute needed reforms and push for a stronger Porac in terms of legislation, creating a development blueprint covering investments and delivery of basic social services and good governance that is corruption-free," Tapang said.

He added that his team will assure participatory legislation that will propel Porac to further growth: "Kailangan kasi lahat gumagalaw. Hindi ako o ang mayor lang o vice-mayor lang to address the various concerns of Poraqueños. Sama-sama ang lahat sa isa-isang galaw para sa kaunlaran, an alliance and united move."

Tapang said it was the reason--forged by respect for other Porac leaders--that led him to give way and set aside his bid for the vice mayoral post.

"I have high regards and respect for our leaders like our mayor [Condralito Dela Cruz], Exequiel Gamboa, the Lapids and Governor Lilia Pineda who all are allied with Kambilan, that is why I decided to give way, at least for this time. Mataas ang respeto ko sa kanila and foremost too, is my desire to continue serving, along with Team Tapang," concluded Tapang.





Environment-friendly aircraft lands in Clark

By Ding Cervantes


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — With the tip of its wings conspicuously curved upward, the world’s reputed first environment-friendly commercial aircraft arrived here yesterday from Malaysia, the first such plane to land in the Philippines.

AirAsia’s A320 with so-called “sharklet” wings landed at 10 a.m. at the Clark International Airport (CIA), sans welcome fanfare.

“It’s the world’s first Airbus A320 with sharklets operated by AirAsia Berhad Malaysia,” said Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano.

The aircraft arrived with 180 passengers from Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Maan Hontiveros said the sharklets “reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft significantly.”

“The sharklets will enable savings of four percent in fuel consumption, corresponding to an annual carbon reduction of around 1,000 tons per aircraft,” she said.

Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Hontiveros added that the sharklets “offer the flexibility of either adding around 100 nautical miles in range or allowing increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.”

Capt. Hans Hernandez, safety manager of AirAsia Philippines, said AirAsia was given the privilege by Airbus to get the world’s first aircraft with sharklets because “AirAsia is Airbus’ top customer for the A320 aircraft.”

Hontiveros disclosed that AirAsia Philippines would also have its own A320 with sharklets by April.

She said AirAsia has placed orders for 100 more A320s, including 36 with sharklets.






Lazatin among Top 10 absentee congressmen

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Just a week after Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan was voted in the Top 10 World Mayors by the London-based City Mayors Foundation (CMF), it was revealed that Pampanga’s first district representative to the Philippine Congress, Carmelo Lazatin, is among the top 10 absentee congressmen.

In a news report published by Rappler.com, Lazatin was named as among the top 10 members of the House of Representatives with the most number of recorded absences in 2012.

“Talaga po na nakakahiya itong balitang ito. Hindi po maganda ito para sa image ng aming lungsod. Pinatutunayan nito ang aming mga hinala at ang kumakalat na balita na hindi na nga nakakapag-report si Ginoong Tarzan sa Kongreso dahil nga sa hindi kaya ng kanyang katawan,” said Pepito Julian, president of the Cooperative of Former Barangay Chairmen of Angeles City.

“Last year, the City Government of Angeles landed among the Top 10 cities of the country for the second consecutive year, and our city mayor, Edgardo Pamintuan, was one of the seven most outstanding mayors as chosen by the prestigious Superbrands Incorporated. Kaya talaga pong nakakapanghina ang balitang ang congressman ng lungsod na si Tarzan Lazatin ay top 10 din, top 10 sa dami ng absences. Kung grado sa eskwelahan ang pag-uusapan, tiyak tayo na bagsak po siya sa dami ng hindi niya pagpasok,” said Aymer Alvarado, a member of the cooperative and former chairman of Barangay Sto. Cristo.

John Sladky, former barangay chair of Agapito del Rosario, added: “Ang higit na nakakahiya ay mas marami pang absences si Tarzan kaysa sa dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, na alam naman natin na may sakit at inilagay sa hospital arrest. Sa katunayan ay wala pa sa kalahati ng 61 session days ang ipinasok ni Ginoong Tarzan. Kailangan po niya itong ipaliwanag. Kung sa kongreso po ay hindi na siya nakakapasok, ano po ang maaasahan natin sa kanya kung magiging alkalde siya? Malamang ay wala.”

Earlier this month, some 29 former barangay chairmen in this city have asked House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to reveal the July 2010 to December 2012 congressional attendance of Lazatin.

In a formal letter dated January 7, 2013 and received at the Office of the Speaker on January 10, 2013, the former village chiefs requested Speaker Belmonte to furnish the group a copy of the July 2010 to December 2012 attendance of Lazatin.

But IC Calaguas, chief political affairs officer of first district Representative Lazatin, said Thursday that “it is not surprising that they found Congressman Lazatin’s office empty. Congress is not even in session yet.”

Residents of Angeles City also supposedly snapped a photo of Lazatin’s empty office on January 10.

“Of course, the congressman’s office is empty during the time they took that picture, since as of the moment, Congress is still in recess,” Calaguas said. “Sessions will resume on January 21.”

According to the legislative calendar, sessions in Congress are adjourned from December 22, 2012 until January 20, 2013. Sessions officially resume on January 21 and will run until February 8, 2013.

“This is obviously a politically-motivated action meant to tarnish the reputation of Congressman Lazatin,” Calaguas said. “In the desperation of the Pamintuan camp, they sic their lackeys on the congressman and turn to underhanded means just to discredit him.”

Calaguas said that while the Lazatin camp welcomes the former chairmen’s queries, as they have the right to such, she encouraged the former chairmen to first explain to the citizens of Angeles just what exactly they are doing as job order employees of the City Government.

At least three of the former barangay chairmen who asked Belmonte for Lazatin’s attendance record have been previously revealed to be included in the job order appointment of the Pamintuan administration.

Aymer Alvarado, former chairman of Barangay Santo Cristo, John Sladky, former chairman of Barangay Agapito Del Rosario, and Reynaldo Pamintuan, former chairman of Barangay Ninoy Aquino are all reportedly receiving a daily salary of P272 per day from the City Government.





Ex-village chair hits school, solon on illegal fund grant

By Charlene A. Cayabyab


ANGELES CITY–A former village chief here has criticized the chief of the Republic Central Colleges (RCC), a kin of Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, for completely ignoring his request for documents relative to the grant of government funds to the said school. Former Barangay Sto. Cristo chairman Aymer Alvarado criticized Dr. Victoria Lazatin-Angeles, president of the Republic Central Colleges (RCC) and sister of the congressman for not answering queries on the congressman’s alleged misuse of pork funds. “This is definitely a sign of guilt. I know for sure that the RCC received funds not only from Lazatin’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) but also from the executive budget of the city government of Angeles during those years he was mayor. This is conflict of interest and a very clear violation of laws against graft and corruption,” Alvarado said. Alvarado also scored the 78-year old representative for “his eerie silence” on the issue. “Tila hindi na makapagpaliwanag ng maayos si Ginoong Tarzan Lazatin sa isyung ito. Kaya’t nananahimik na lamang. Baka magkamali na naman ng isasagot tulad ng ginawang sagot ni Irish Calaguas, na lalu lamang nagbaon sa kanyang amo,” Alvarado said. The former village executive also revealed that he will ask the Commission on Audit (COA) to investigate the grant of funds to the RCC from the city budget from 1999 to 2007. “Ayaw ko po sanang madamay ang kolehiyong RCC dahil baka maapektuhan ang mga estudyante. Subali’t kailangan din na panagutan nila ang anumang paglabag sa batas na kanilang nagawa,” he said. Alvarado, who graduated from the RCC in 1983, has already requested the commission to investigate the fund grant to the RCC from the 2010 to 2012 PDAF of the septuagenarian congressman. “As an alumnus of the college, I wish that the RCC management will reveal the truth. It does not matter if this will result in the filing of criminal cases against Tarzan Lazatin, who is one of the owners. The important thing is to save the educational institution,” Alvarado said.





Passport processing back to normal: DFA

By Jovi T. De Leon


THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Central Luzon said Tuesday that the processing of passport applications and renewals at its centers in Robinsons Starmills in the City of San Fernando and MarQuee Mall in Angeles City is back to normal after it suffered from backlogs recently.

DFA Regional Director Art Romua said the backlogs encountered by the agency rooted from the breakdown of printing machines at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas where passports are printed and embedded with security codes and features.

“We had a backlog of about 1,000 applications last month until the early part of January this year. The almost a month backlog was a result of printing machines at the Central bogging down because of probably the heavy load encountered during the peak season of Christmas and New Year when a lot of people travel and go on vacation,” said Romua.

“We even had to close down our Express Lane -- where processing takes just about six to ten days -- because of the delay so we would avoid inconveniencing our clients. Others in a rush were referred to our Manila consulate and given priority. Now I just got word that new printing machines are in place and hopefully, our operations and processing will normalize this week, starting today. We also have re-opened our Express Lane to serve applicants better,” he added.

Another factor that contributed to the sudden rise of applications, Romua said, is the increase of promotional flights for international destinations at the Clark International Airport. Both locals and foreigners seeking passports or applying for renewals of the e-passports have been queuing up at the DFA regional office.

The DFA in Robinsons Starmills processes about 700 applications per day, while the office in MarQuee Mall processes some 250 to 300 passports per day, Romua said.

“Everything will normalize this week and we are optimistic that we could return to our usual processing of passport applications which is from 10 to 20 days from the time of application to releasing of the passport. Applicants need not worry because we are on top of the situation and doing everything to avoid any further delays or backlogs,” Romua added.





Councilor: Provide affordable dentistry for masses

By (Reynaldo G. Navales)


ANGELES CITY -- City Councilor Alfie Bonifacio said he wants to make dentistry affordable to the masses.

Bonifacio, who is a dentist by profession, said his group has already extended free tooth extraction and oral care services to more than 100,000 persons since he assumed office as councilor three years ago.

The official said he is charging minimal fee to his regular patients and part of it goes to the Bonifacio Dental Foundation Incorporated, which provides free dental services to the people.

The foundation is also providing free medicines to patients, according to Bonifacio.

“Mayroon din kaming libreng linis (free tooth cleaning) at namimigay din ng dentures o pustiso kung kinakailangan,” he said.

Bonifacio said this is part of his health program implemented for the people of Angeles City, adding he has created a medical team that conducts medical missions all over the city.

Bonfacio said he sends out a mobile clinic daily to look into the health needs of his constituents.

Aside from these, Bonifacio also cited priority programs, including the improvement of the firefighting capability of the city fire department.

The councilor said his group would provide smaller fire trucks so that firemen can pass through narrow roads leading to the fire scene.

“Na-experience na po natin in the past na maraming Kababayan natin ang namatay dahil hindi makapasok ang mga bumbero dahil masisikip an gating mga daa. Kung mayroon tayong maliliit na fire trucks pwede na nating pasukin ang mga maliliit na kalsada at kaagad na maapula ang sunog,” Bonifacio said.

He also said he would push for legislation that would support the projects of the city mayor.

Bonifacio said he is planning to make a complaint box at the city council where people, who are seeking help, may drop their letters addressed to the concerned officials.

“Magkakaroon din tayo ng parang officer of the day para mag entertain sa mga taong nagpupunta sa city council. Ang OD na iyon ay manggagaling din sa mga sampung councilors,” he said.

The official also stressed the need to create cooperatives in different barangays in order to help the women establish livelihood projects.

Bonifacio, who is running for vice-mayor under the Nacionalista Pary, vowed to provide seed capital for each cooperative.





Clark Is Asia’s Next Aerotropolis

By Manila Bulletin


Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano has stressed the urgency to develop Clark International Airport as an aviation hub because the world's economic center of gravity is rapidly moving eastward. Luciano said this as Clark takes centerstage with the holding of a two-day Clark Aviation Conference 2013 on February 21-22 this year. With the theme The Case for Asia's Next Aerotropolis, the trade gathering will examine Clark's compelling case as an aerotropolis, an idea in community planning where airports serve as the center for new cities growing around them. CIAC has partnered with Global Gateway Logistics City. The event will highlight Clark International Airport's critical role in easing air traffic congestion in Manila and driving economic expansion in Central Luzon. It will also identify infrastructure and policy developments at Clark Freeport Zone that are designed to attract airport-related businesses and investments, said Luciano. More importantly, the conference is a call for the full development of Clark International Airport as an aviation nerve center in light of the economic growth in Asia. The convention targets international investors, logistics and supply chain executives, tourism stakeholders, airline officials, import and export managers, and members of the academe. They are expected to gain insights into Clark's potentials as an aviation and investment destination in Asia and understand better its increasing role in national and regional development. Heads of government agencies-including the trade, tourism, and transportation and communications departments as well as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority-and private-sector representatives will look at Clark's prospects as an aviation and investment destination in Asia, even as they examine pressing aviation and tourism concerns and propose sustainable and long-term solutions. Keynote speaker is Greg Lindsay, the US-based co-author of the bestselling book, Aerotropolis, The Way We'll Live Next. Other speakers include Daniel Corpuz, Tourism Undersecretary; John Forbes of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce; Narzalina Lim, former Tourism Secretary; and Capt Benjamin Solis, adviser of CIAC.




Mayor assures more health coverage

By Ian Ocampo Flora


ANGELES CITY — Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan recently assured that more indigent residents here will be covered under the PhilHealth indigent program to help the agency meet its universal health coverage program for 2013.

Pamintuan assured PhilHealth officials here through a message read through Vice Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting that 20,000 PhilHealth coverage cards are set to be distributed starting this month.

The mayor said the city is set at meeting the outpatient-primary care for indigents in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

Cabigting said that one of the reasons for Pamintuan’s winning of 2012 World Mayor Prize is the good health programs for Angeles City from the Dialysis Center to the reforms initiated at the Ospital Ning Angeles.

Pamintuan joined the ranks of the best mayors around the globe as he was ranked eighth among the top 10 awardees for the 2012 World Mayor Prize.

Pamituan also thanked PhilHealth for helping in the health programs of the city. Pamintuan in an earlier statement said that more than 20,000 indigent residents of Angeles City will soon receive their PhilHealth cards which are good up to December 31, 2013.

“With this, the beneficiaries will be able to avail of discounts when availing of medical services in PhilHealth accredited hospitals and clinics including the Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA) and the various Rural Health Units (RHUs) of the city government. This serves as the new year’s gift of Mayor Ed Pamintuan to all indigent Angeleños,” Pamintuan said.






Gourmet mushrooms now grown locally

By headlinegl.com


ANGELES CITY–Gourmet mushrooms that grow only in cold countries are now cultivated here using local raw materials. At the Angeles City Livelihood Complex in Barangay Pulung Cacutud, the Healthy Mushrooms, Inc. is engaged in the cultivation, growing, and processing of gourmet mushrooms using state-of-the-art equipment and technology-based production systems under a controlled environment. Four kinds of mushrooms are propagated – the shiitake, king oyster or the eringli, oohiratake or the giant oyster, and the maitake or hen of the woods. The shiitake mushroom possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties known as proteinase inhibitors. Modern research show that the shiitake stimulates the immune system, reduces platelet aggregation, aids in blood circulation, and cures upper respiratory diseases. The king oyster mushroom has an inhibitory effect on cholesterol and a laxative effect that treats constipation. It stimulates the immune system by increasing the production of interferon-gamma and IL-4. The oyster mushroom contains a statin drug known as lovastatin that is used to lower cholesterol. It contains up to 2.8 percent lovastatin on a dry weight basis. Consumption of the oyster mushroom lowers cholesterol levels. The maitake has the ability to lower blood sugar levels aside from being also an antioxidant. For storage, mushrooms are wrapped in paper or paper towels. Do not keep in plastic bags or containers. Healthy mushrooms can be contacted at (045) 624-7785. ● (PIA3)

Angeles City’s move for heritage district lauded

By (Ian Ocampo Flora)


ANGELES CITY — A top official of the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (MACCII) lauded Wednesday the efforts of the Angeles City Government in moving for the creation of a heritage district here.

This came as the Department of Tourism Region-Central Luzon through Director Ronaldo Tuituico and the City Government of Angeles City sponsored a two-day seminar for capability planning in preparation of the Angeles City Heritage Zone Development Plan.

The seminar was conducted by the United Architects of the Philippines Professional Development Commission in cooperation with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Boardlast January 9 to 10 at the Angeles City Hall.

According to MACCII president Frankie Villanueva, the creation of the Heritage District here will give tourism a more well-rounded view of the city in terms of tourism attractions. He added that a Heritage District will be beneficial to the business and tourism sectors of the city.

Recently, Pamintuan issued Executive Order No. 36 Series of 2011 that mandates the creation of a working committee that will look into the possibility of identifying and setting up a master development plan for a heritage district here.

The order is in line with Section 6 of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Policy Framework of Angeles City that provides for historical and heritage preservation.

Pamintuan said there are still heritage and historical sites along the busy Sto. Rosario Street that need preservation.

The working committee is tasked to prescribe possible preservation works as well as tourism packages to effectively promote the heritage district.

The committee is also tasked to prescribe development works to be undertaken to effectively make the heritage district tourist-worthy.

Clark to host 2nd Don Bosco “Blue Run”

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


CLARK FREEPORT, January 10 (PIA) -- All roads lead to the Clark Development Corporation Parade Grounds on January 26 for the “Blue Run Year 2: I struggle, I win” - a family-oriented fund raising activity organized by Don Bosco Pampanga Batch 1988 in cooperation with the Don Bosco Alumni Association (DBAA) – Pampanga Chapter.

Event chairman and technical director Melvin Fausto of Batch 1988 said the “Blue Run” aims to raise funds for the various activities of the DBAA.

Proceeds from last year’s “Blue Run” benefitted indigent families living in nearby Mabalacat City.

Fausto added that the event coincides with the Grand Alumni Homecoming, which is hosted this year by Batch ’88.

“This event is an opportune time for all Don Bosco Pampanga students and alumni to get together for a cause-oriented, yet fun-filled activity,” said Fausto.

For the “Blue Run,” registration starts as early as 6 a.m. while the start gun will fire-off at exactly 7 a.m. for the 2.5-kilometers, 5-km, and 10-km categories.

Later in the day, registration for the Grand Alumni Homecoming will start at 4 p.m. followed by celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 5 p.m. and homecoming dinner by 6 p.m.

Fausto stressed that aside from its noble intentions, the “Blue Run” also aims to gather alumni from Batch ’88 “to meet and do some catching up.”

“It has been two decades since we have left the four walls of our high school classrooms to go on our separate ways. It’s very seldom that our batchmates get the chance to see each other, which is why we have organized this annual activity. More than anything else, this is also our small but meaningful contribution to our alma mater,” Fausto said. (CLJD with reports from CDC)

LCP lauds Angeles City mayor for consistent awards and recognitions

By (PNA)

LAP/ZST/FEM/PS/PJN


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 9 (PNA) -- The League of Cities of the Philippines’ (LCP) National Executive Board has recently extolled city mayor Edgardo Pamintuan for his commitment to public service which allowed him to be included in the Top 10 Mayors of the 2012 World Mayor Prize and Superbrands Marketing International’s most outstanding mayor awardees for 2012.

The LCP, in a congratulatory letter, said Pamintuan definitely deserves the awards and recognitions he has been receiving for the past year.

“The unwavering passion Pamintuan has exhibited in serving his constituents, not to mention his exemplary performance in governance, clearly reflects why he is deserving of the awards,” the LCP said.

The letter was signed by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, LCP national president and Mayors Enrico Echiverri and Hernani Braganza, LCP national chairman and secretary general, respectively.

“We are very glad that local leaders like you continue to light the path towards good and transparent local governance,” the LCP added.

For his part, Pamintuan conveyed his gratitude to the support of the LCP, as well as his constituents and local government officials and employees here.

“We had a very successful year in 2012. We had upped the bar and established a new benchmark in public service and local governance. But we could not have done it without the officials, department heads, and all the supportive Angeleños backing up our administration, allowing us to be the best that we can be,” he said.

Last October, the city government was recognized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the No. 1 highly urbanized city in Central Luzon and top 6 in the country, in terms of transparency, accountability and good governance.

The city government also received the much-coveted 2012 Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award from the DILG.

Pamintuan is also one of the six most outstanding mayors from Superbrands Marketing International for his consistent delivery of high-standard public service to Angeleños as well as his contributions to the region.

He is also the only Filipino who was shortlisted and chosen for the 2012 World Mayor Prize, an award given to mayors who made outstanding contributions to his or her community and has developed a vision for urban living and working that is relevant to towns and cities across the world.

Angeles City exec named among Top 10 World Mayor awardees

By (PNA)

LAM/ZST/MDDR/PS/PJN


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 8 (PNA) -- City mayor Edgardo Pamintuan joins the ranks of the best mayors around the globe as he was named one of the top 10 awardees for the 2012 World Mayor Prize.

The City Mayors Foundation, organizers of the World Mayor Project, finally came out with the top 10 awardees on Tuesday which were judged based primarily by the arguments and persuasiveness of testimonials bestowed upon the chosen mayors.

The total number of votes cast was only considered as a secondary factor as, according to the World Mayor website, “basing judgment on numbers alone would unfairly disadvantage mayors from smaller towns.”

Despite its relatively small size against huge cities like Bilbao, Spain; El Paso, Texas; and Quebec City from Canada; Pamintuan still managed to acquire several nominations and testimonies from voters in the city and the country as well.

In an interview, Pamintuan thank all the support from residents and local government employees who helped him take the 8th place.

He specifically mentioned the heads of the different departments, offices and programs of the local government unit for doing a job well done in the past two years.

“I am truly grateful of all the hard work that the city government employees and officials have shown. To all the city councilors headed by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, department, office and program heads, barangay chief executives and kagawads, I could not have achieved such an award without your support.” the mayor said.

Pamintuan is the only mayor from the Philippines to join the awardees, and is one out of three in Asia.

According to the World Mayor’s website, Pamintuan was chosen for his “for specific achievements, including: being the first mayor to build a city college providing low-cost education; the planting of 200,000 trees with help from volunteers, which apparently will help avoid flooding; the cleaning of major drainage; and for modernizing the city hospital, including installing dialysis facilities.”

City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, who is also the national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), congratulated Pamintuan.

“We are happy for Mayor Pamintuan’s inclusion in top ten World Mayor Prize. Another feather in the cap of Kapampangans and Filipinos,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez was also recognized as one of the Top 10 World Mayor awardees in 2005.

The recognition from the City Mayors Foundation is now another stellar achievement under Pamintuan’s belt after being awarded by Superbrands Marketing Inc., as the Most Outstanding Mayor for 2012.

He also received the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi and Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The City Mayors Foundation is an international think tank dedicated to urban affairs to promote strong and prosperous cities as well as good local government.

The World Mayor Prize is given every two years to a mayor who has made outstanding contributions to his/her community and has developed a vision for urban living and for working that is relevant to towns and cities across the world.

Three important ordinances approved in Angeles City

By ((PNA)

LAP/ZST/FEM/PS/SSC


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 7 (PNA) -- City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan officially approved on Monday three important ordinances that will promote the local tourism industry, institutionalize sanitary practices, and protect the rights and welfare of the children.

Pamintuan said the newly-approved ordinances are the Angeles City Tourism Code, the Angeles City Sanitation Code and the Angeles City Children’s Welfare Code.

“We have been pushing for the approval of these ordinances and I am glad that the City Council of Angeles has finally passed these codes on the third and final reading before the end of 2012,” the mayor said.

Pamintuan created a task force in 2011 to work on the drafting of various codes in cooperation with the majority councilors and Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting.

The partnership between the executive and legislative departments of the Angeles City government resulted in the passage of numerous codes in 2011 and 2012 including the Environment Code, the New Gender and Development Code, the New Market Code, the Local Investment Incentive Code, the Revenue Code, the Traffic Code and the Code of General Ordinances, as well as the three codes earlier mentioned.

“Just like in 2011, we have passed the codes needed by the city government in implementing priority programs and projects. These codes are also requisites in the evaluation for the Local Government Performance Management System (LGPMS), the official assessment system of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in evaluating local government units for the Seal of Good Housekeeping and Gawad Pamana ng Lahi awards,” Pamintuan said.

The Angeles City government bagged the Seal of the Good Housekeeping award for two consecutive years and the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi.

Pamintuan said the new Tourism Code will institutionalize tourism as a major focus program of the city government.

"We are aiming to be the top tourism destination in Central Luzon and one of the best tourism sites in the country. We have the best in terms of culinary destinations. Also, we have world-class hotels, educational institutions and even medical facilities. Soon, we shall develop our own heritage and cultural sites,” he said.

“With the passage of the Sanitation Code and Children’s Welfare Code, we now have more power to enforce sanitation laws and institutionalize sanitary practices, and to protect the rights and welfare of our children,” he added.




Clark airport posts 1.3M passengers

By (Reynaldo G. Navales)



CLARK FREEPORT - The Clark International Airport (CRK) posted a record of 1.3 million passengers in both international and domestic for 2012.

This is a 71-percent increase from the previous year, making it the fastest growing airport of the country, said Clark International Airport Corporation president and chief executive officer Victor Jose I. Luciano.

In a report to Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Luciano said the “Clark airport achieved a historical record of 1.3 million passengers for 2012.”

“The Clark Airport achieved an unprecedented growth on the strength of budget travel that encouraged passengers coming from Northern and Central Luzon and as far as Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog to experience Clark,” Luciano said.

“As an airport, Clark has proven its viability, its resilience and robustness,” he added.

Records showed that Clark airport attracted 1,312,979 passengers from January to December in 2012 surpassing the 767,109 passengers in 2011. This is a 71.16 percent increase from the previous year.

International passengers alone accounted for 1,013,096 passengers or a 77 percent of total volume in 2012 compared to 725,023 in 2011.

Luciano said Clark’s domestic passengers also surged when Air Asia, Airphil Express, and Seair-Tiger commenced domestic flights in April last year to the country’s prime tourist destinations.

Domestic passengers reached 299,883 last year or a 613 percent increase compared to 42,086 in 2011.

Last December 2012, Clark airport posted 151,401 passengers compared to 84,541 passengers for the same period in 2011 hitting a 79 percent increase.

Luciano said that Executive Orders 28 and 29 of President Benigno Aquino III boosted the attraction of Clark as alternate airport to foreign and local carriers alike, as airlines were encouraged to fly outside Metro Manila as alternate to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“It also helped that Clark International Airport was placed under the direct supervision of the DoTC in the December 2011 under Executive Order 64, then Secretary Mar Roxas and now Sec. Abaya did a lot of encouragement and gave full support to Clark when we were made member of DoTC’s Aviation Cluster along with Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA),” he said.

Luciano said they are expecting that the growth will continue this year as the airport’s connectivity to Metro Manila will be improved when a dedicated regular first class bus service commences on January 15, 2013 from Trinoma Mall in Quezon City direct to Clark via Mindanao Avenue then through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) at a low bus fare of P200 per trip to Clark.

He said Ayala-owned Trinoma Mall has provided a comfortable fully-furnished waiting lounge dedicated to Clark-bound passengers while waiting for their buses. Three bus companies will initially operate the Clark-Trinoma run, a trip that will take only an hour.

Luciano said “the surge in passengers has boosted the financial performance of the Clark International Airport Corporation operator of the Clark Airport.”

“For the first time in its 17 year history, the company will post a very positive balance sheet. Clark was a dormant airport from its inception in 1995 up to 2002 when United Parcel Service (UPS) chose Clark as its Intra-Asia Hub. In the last quarter of 2003 the commercial passenger operations in Clark started with the introduction of international passenger charter flights Asiana Airlines of Korea to Clark,” he added.

AirAsia Philippines alone is expected to carry around five million passengers within the next five to seven years. Clark Airport is AirAsia’s 4th hub in the Asian Region.

The airport is the home of at least eight budget carriers, namely, Air Asia Philippines, Air Asia Berhad Malaysia, Cebu Pacific Air, Airphil Express, Seair-Tiger Airways, Jin Air and Zest Air.

Legacy airlines include Asiana Airlines of South Korea and Hong Kong based Dragonair.

These airlines cater flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Malaysia Macau, and Taipei in Taiwan.

Other routes at Clark Airport include flights to Incheon and Pusan in South Korea by Asiana Airlines and Zest Air.

Asiana also has connecting flights to the United States, China and Japan.

Domestic flights also boosted the passenger growth of the airport such as routes to Kalibo, Cebu, Puerto Princesa and Davao which are being provided by Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express and Seair-Tiger.

In October 2012, the CIAC Board approved the reduction terminal fee from P600 to P450 in a bid to attract more passengers especially Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) mostly coming from the Northern and Central Luzon areas.

Clark airport also received its first "One Millionth Passenger" in a single year in the first 10 months of 2012. CIAC named the one millionth passenger as Eddie Rose Navarro of Bulacan who took a flight from Hong Kong to Clark via Air Asia Philippines last October 24, 2012.

In November 13, 2012, the airport achieved its five millionth passenger since commencing commercial operations in 2003. The five millionth was Limuel Rivera of Taguig City, Metro Manila who took a Cebu Pacific flight from Macau.

SIA Engineering Philippines has started construction of its two hangars to boost their maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex. The facilities are expected to be completed by second up to third quarter of 2013.

The hangars will accommodate twin-aisle aircraft such as the B747 and B777 in addition to the existing hangar, established in 2009, that services narrow-bodied aircrafts.

SIA Engineering is a joint venture project between SIA Engineering of Singapore and Cebu Pacific Air.

On June 5, 2012, Hong Kong-based aviation company Metrojet Engineering, the leading business jet operator in Asia, inaugurated their $40 million MRO facility at the aviation complex.




Korean firm tops semiconductor exports volume in Clark last November

By FRANCO G. REGALA


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — A new Korean semi-conductor firm is the first firm to dislodge Clark’s biggest exporter volume since the Japanese firm’s semiconductor operations in year 2000, a report from Clark Development Corporation said.

In the report submitted by Enterprise Operations and Management Department to CDC President Felipe Antonio B. Remollo that on end of November 2011, the export volume of Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corporation (PSPC) recorded more than $98.5 million.

EOMD reports to Remollo said that Nanox Philippines placed only second (for the first time in its exporting volume) with only more than $62.8 million for the same month in 2011.

During the month of August to October last year, EOMD reported to Remollo that Nanox, a Japanese firm, was consistently topping the export volume for the Clark Freeport Zone since year 2000 until the month of November where PSPC nearly reached $100 million — a difference of $35.7 million.

Nanox customizes display format and electro-optic properties which are used in a wide range of fields from home appliances, audio, healthcare equipment, medical equipment, meter (for electricity, gas, water), to automotive products. It also manufactured any combination of backlight, switches, and touch panels, among others.

Due to continuous effort on technology development and production management, Nanox's reputation of reliable quality, quick delivery, and competitive prices are widely recognized. On June 15, 1999, Nanox Philippines Inc. was established at IE-5 Clark Premiere Industrial Park M.A. Roxas Highway, Clark with an initial investment of P90 million, the company occupies a total lot area of 1.5 hectares.

The company presently produces two products – Active and Passive Liquid Crystal Display. The company comprises of 3 production lines.

The company's first production started on March 2000, concentrating on the production of Liquid Crystal Display and Chip-On-Glass to meet the growing demands in the world market. The firm also produces convenient indication device used in office automation equipment (facsimiles, copiers, printers), communication equipment (telephones, mobile phones, pagers), and wide range of measuring instruments.

While PSPC is a semiconductor company which provides turn-key-solutions – a wide range of products with DDR3, Flash Cards and Solid State Drived (SSD – and also offers a full range of memory modules for PCs and notebooks.




P12-B terminal eyed for Clark airport

By Ian Ocampo Flora


CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president Victor Jose Luciano said Wednesday they are pushing for the construction of a budget terminal here that will handle about 10 million passengers a year at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The new facility, amounting to P12 billion, will take three years to complete and make DMIA the second largest airport in the country, next to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“This budget terminal is the kind of terminal that meets the requirements of our airport in Clark. Our terminal right now can only accommodate 2.5 million. So we need a budget terminal to effectively say that DMIA is the next budget airline airport of the country,” Luciano said.

This, he said, has been signaled by the arrival of AirAsia in DMIA. He said the airlines’ current operations would demand an increased capacity for the DMIA.

Luciano said the budget terminal would pave the way for the expansion of DMIA and also in consonance with the government plan to make DMIA a gateway terminal that would feature bigger airlines.

“AirAsia is seen to carry some 800,000 passengers every year and an additional increase of 500,000 each year. AirAsia alone is expecting to have five million passengers out of Clark in the next four years,” Luciano said.

He added that funding for the new terminal can be sourced from public-private partnership program with the government and the private sector.

He said they would present the proposal to the Department of Transportation and Communications.

“The airlines are already here. So the budget terminal is timely. You can just imagine the effect this has on the economy here when you have those millions of passengers passing through Clark. The airport is the driver for more industries here in Clark,” Luciano said.

He said they hope to see the terminal realized by 2015.

Other airlines that fly out of Clark are local carriers Cebu Pacific, Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAir) and AirPhil Express; South Korean companies’ Jin Air and Asia Airlines, and Singapore’s Tiger Airways.





Angeles City gov't to distribute 20,000 more PhilHealth cards

By (PNA)

LDV/ZST/FEM/PS/UTB/PJN






ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The city government will start the distribution of 20,000 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) insurance cards to indigent beneficiaries in all 33 barangays of the city early this month.

City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the new PhilHealth cards will be good up to December 31 this year.

With this, the beneficiaries will be able to get discounts when availing of medical services in PhilHealth accredited hospitals and clinics, including the Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA) and the various rural health units (RHUs) of the city government, Pamintuan said.

The city mayor said he gave specific instructions to fast-track the release of the PhilHealth cards in order for the beneficiaries to avail of free or discounted medical services.

The PhilHealth premiums shall be paid using government funds through a special program under the Non-Office Appropriations (NOA) of the Mayor’s Office of the City Government of Angeles.

The granting of PhilHealth insurance to 20,000 indigent residents of Angeles City is part of Pamintuan’s promise made during his State-of-the-City Address (SOCA) last July 2012.

It is also included in the Contract with Angelenos (CWA) which was signed by the mayor and his entire slate during the elections in 2010.

Mayor to distribute 20,000 PhilHealth cards

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY – Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan will start the distribution of 20,000 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) cards to indigent beneficiaries in all 33 villages here this month.

“More than 20,000 indigent residents of Angeles City will soon receive their PhilHealth card, which is good up to December 31, 2013. With this, the beneficiaries will be able to avail of discounts on medical services in PhilHealth-accredited hospitals and clinics, including the Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA) and the various Rural Health Units (RHUs) of the city government. This serves as the new year's gift of Mayor Ed Pamintuan to all indigent Angeleños,” a press statement said.

The PhilHealth premiums shall be paid using government funds through a special program under the Non-Office Appropriations (NOA) of the Mayor’s Office of the City Government of Angeles.

The granting of PhilHealth insurance is part of Pamintuan’s promise made during his State of the City Address (Soca) last July 2012, and is also included in the Contract with Angelenos, signed by the mayor and his entire slate during the elections in 2010.

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