Angeles City News January 2018

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Official Seal of Angeles City
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Angeles City, Pampanga
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City Hall of Angeles City

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Widus converts container van into police detachment

By Reynaldo G. Navales

THE Widus Foundation Inc. (WFI), in cooperation with the Korean Community Association in Central Luzon Inc. (KCACLI), turned over on January 24 a 20-footer container van to the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) of Angeles City that was converted into a police detachment.

The P1.6-million facility is fully furnished with office equipment, which include a desktop computer, printer, two office table, a water dispenser, a split-type air conditioning unit, a mini-fridge, file cabinets, a 15-door employee steel cabinet, a sala set, one set of HD CCTV (four Channels), one 32 inch flat screen television, four visitors’ chairs, one mobile phone with Globe and Smart SIM, one LED signboard with moving text, and one unit police signpost.

WFI executive director Neki Liwanag led the ceremonial turnover together with KCACLI president Kim Yi Young, Interpol NBC Seoul Chief of Inspector Lee Ji Hun, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, and Regional Office III Director for Administration Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Bantog.

Liwanag, who is also the assistant vice-president for corporate planning and compliance of Widus International Leisure Inc. (Wili), expressed the company’s full support to the Korean community with its vision of making Korean town as a very safe place for both tourists and locals.

“We hope that this container van office would help strengthen our tourist policemen’s efforts in maintaining the security and safety of our community. We also hope that this project eventually helps in making TPU Angeles City the benchmark model in the country,” Liwanag said.

TPU Angeles City is currently composed of 13 police officers who share a space in the current community police precinct located in Barangay Anunas. It has 13 units of bicycles to patrol the area and it serves three police stations.

Bantog expressed the Philippine National Police’s utmost gratitude for WFI support by providing an ambulant office for its tourist policemen in Angeles City.

“Coupled with the technical skills of our tourist policemen, this newly donated office van is doubly significant as we heighten awareness and vigilance towards tourist safety and security in Central Luzon,” Bantog said.

Young, who represented the Korean community, noted of Daesik Han, Wili's president and WFI chairman, for his continued efforts in supporting his countrymen through his company’s generous donation.

Pamintuan also commended WFI’s initiatives, describing it as a “beautiful piece of headquarters.”

“I hope this will be replicated by other locators and institutions,” the mayor said.

WFI was recently accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) and Liwanag described it as a “proof of its commitment to the community.”

“Our accreditation from the PCNC only shows that we are in it for the long haul. WFI is not just a charity arm of WILI but also a foundation that seeks to improve the community through various projects geared towards the betterment of education, health, tourism and even historical and cultural preservation,” Liwanag said.

CDC installs P13-M solar panels on 3 buildings

(PR)

CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) has announced the completion of the installation of 816 units solar panels in three corporate buildings of the state-owned firm amounting to about P13 million.

With the installation of solar panels, the state-owned firm is expected to save P2.1 million a year from the P5.2 million average power consumption of the three buildings annually.

In less than seven years, the return on the costs of investment will be achieved from the savings from solar panels installed.

CDC’s Technical Services assistant vice president Teresito Tiotuyco said Techline Machine Tools Inc., a distributor of equipment of solar and other related industrial products, installed the panels on the three buildings of CDC’s corporate center.

Tiotuyco, in his report to CDC president Noel F. Manankil, said that with the installation of solar panels, CDC is now among the government and controlled corporations compliant with the Philippine Green Building Code.

At least 360 panels were installed at building 2127, 120 panels on building 2122 and 336 panels at building 2121, the report stated.

The adoption of renewable energy measures in CDC facilities would lead to efficient electricity consumption through “net metering.”

Aside from the savings, CDC is also able to export clean energy to the national electric grid from the excess power that the panels are producing.

Clark has been supporting the concept of renewable energy since 2016 when it launched a $40-million Clark Solar Power-Singapore-based Sindicatum Renewable Energy Company in an effort to provide alternative power supply to its growing number of locators.

These projects support CDC’s commitment on reducing carbon foot-print and providing sound working environment to both locators and workforce inside the Freeport.

Clark Development Corporation lauded for support to Asean Summit 2017

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Pampanga Provincial Government commended the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for its help in the successful staging of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Meetings in November 2017.

In its resolution, the Provincial Board lauded CDC “for its full assistance and active participation in the Task Group Clark Asean 2017 which guaranteed the peaceful and systematic outcome of the event.”

The state-owned firm was part of the task group composed of representatives from various government agencies and offices, including Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The task group was formed following a memorandum circular issued by the Office of the President that enjoined all government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, and local government units to extend full support and participation in carrying out the activity.

Clark Freeport has been a preferred venue for business and conferences and became the official site for the Asean 2017.

With the theme “Partnering for Change Engaging the World,” more than 20 heads of states and representatives participated during the event to promote unity and enhance cooperation among the member states and its global partners.

DFA exerting all efforts to speed up passport processing

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario (PNA)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano on Monday said the department is exerting all-out efforts to speed up the processing of passport applications.

“With the present atmosphere of technology, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should not close its doors to innovations. We are moving as fast as we can, given the government regulations,” Cayetano said during the conduct of “Passport on Wheels” to local residents at the City Hall grounds here.

He said Angeles City is the first city outside Metro Manila to have access to the mobile passport application system where DFA deployed a total of three mobile vans which are capable of capturing and storing 500 passport data applications per machine.

The project also aims to decongest the passport processing of the consular office located at the third floor of MarQuee Mall as it serves a huge number of people coming from Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and even parts of Pangasinan.

More than 1,400 pre-registered applicants from nearby towns and provinces were served by the mobile passport processing of new applications and renewal.

Applicants began to flock to the city’s Legislative Hall as early as 6 a.m. to avoid long queues.

Receiving of applications went on orderly and peacefully with the assistance of the employees of the city government.

Zarina Palo, an applicant from Mabalacat City, said that she has been trying to book a schedule for the renewal of her passport online. Unfortunately, schedules are already fully-booked until June 2018.

“When I heard about this passport caravan, I rushed to have my name listed because I have plans in mind for this coming vacation. It is indeed a very good action especially to us who are having a hard time booking for schedules online,” said Palo.

Angelita Castro of Angeles City expressed her satisfaction on the speedy and well-organized processing of passport application here, saying that “it is a proactive move and campaign of the agency and the city”.

At an average, the passport processing time is 30 minutes to less than an hour. Only those who have pre-registered were accommodated. However, the DFA allowed some of the walk-in applicants to have their application processed.

Cayetano said a courtesy lane was also established for senior citizens, babies below one year old, visibly pregnant women, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). As such, no appointment booking is required for them. OFWs must present sufficient proof such as a valid employment contract.

The DFA will be adding nine more consular offices to be situated in provinces near Metro Manila in the coming years.

For his part, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded the efforts of the DFA in making passport processing services closer to the people.

“Upon completing the target number of application this day, we received reports that there are still numerous walk-in applicants despite our notice that only those who have pre-registered will be accommodated,” Pamintuan said.

“We will request another day for our constituents who did not make it to the cut-off,” the mayor said.

The DFA Secretary was quick to respond to this request, saying that another 'Passport on Wheels" will be scheduled for Angeles City.

Children’s Art Space launched

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- In cooperation of Gentry International School, Angeles City Government, Philexcel and Paint with Teacher Ann, the Children Art Space was launched last January 18, 2018 at the Philexcel Arts Center.

The ribbon cutting was done with the presence of the members of the Gentry International School namely Ryu Jungho, Eom Sunyong and Cristina Lee.

Erika Jimenez Nepomuceno, the wife of Angeles City Vice-Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno attended the event as one of the faces of the Gallery.

It was also attended by the owner and general manager of Global Access Travel and Tours, Marcia Hernandez.

Gentry Charities wishes to create a source of funding for its outreach program with the collaboration of Gentry International School, Angeles City Government, Philexcel, and Paint with Teacher Ann.

Legarda: LGUs may use budgets for employees healthcare

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY --- Senator Loren Legarda said that government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), and local government units (LGUs) may use their respective funds for the health benefits of their employees.

The Senator said that offices that have fiscal autonomy, such as the Judiciary Department, Legislative Department, the Commission on Audit (COA), Commission on Elections (Comelec), Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Office of the Ombudsman, are authorized to use their respective budgets to pay for supplemental health benefits for their employees through PhilHealth.

“GOCCs, GFIs, and LGUs are likewise authorized to avail of the same coverage,” Legarda said.

Legarda noted that, in the event that the actual cost of availment exceeds the amount of appropriated, the same shall be augmented from the savings of the national government or shall be recognized as account payable to PhilHealth.

She also said that all Filipinos are already covered by PhilHealth, which means those not yet registered in PhilHealth will be automatically made a member upon availing of any healthcare service in a public hospital.

“The health of our people deserves to be on top of the priorities of government. What is crucial now is to make these healthcare benefits known by the people, especially the poorest households who are the intended beneficiaries. The more we invest on the health of our people, the greater we nurture the future of our country,” Legarda said.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said that the amount of P3.5-billion was allocated under the budget of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to cover the cost of supplemental health benefits, which shall cover services ranging from preventive and curative, inpatient and outpatient, and other medical expenses in excess of contributions-based case rates.

“The Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should expedite the drafting and finalization of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of PhilHealth Plus so that the budget can be utilized the soonest time possible,” she added.

School promotes Angeleño identity through souvenir shop

(PR)

THE students of the City College of Angeles (CCA) have launched a unique brand of souvenirs that promote the Angeleño artistry, tourism, cultural and heritage legacies through a shop named “Lamac.”

“Lamac” is a shop manned by the fourth year BS Entrepreneurship students of the CCA. It sells t-shirts, bags, purse, wallets, pouch, mugs and keychains that promote and highlight the tourist spots and the culture of Angeles City in general.

The shop, which is a Kapampangan term for “pasalubong,” was established to engage the students of the CCA enrolled under the entrepreneurship program and experience hands-on business planning and business implementation.

CCA president Dr. Richard Daenos said the store is also a way to encourage love and pride of one’s place as the mementos feature the cultural, heritage and tourism assets of Angeles City.

“As much as possible, we would like to instill to our students the sense of valuing for their own culture and heritage. If we want our tourists and visitors to patronize our place, products and services, we should be the first to do it,” Daenos said.

Professor John Kenneth Ayson, adviser of the class, said “they would like to be the first known line brand of souvenir items in Angeles City.”

“It is hard but with the help of multimedia, we know we can manage to introduce this line of souvenirs,” Ayson said.

The students also eye to help the indigenous Aetas generate more income by promoting their skills and craftsmanship, and by marketing their handcrafted products through a dedicated space in the shop.

During his visit to the store, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan expressed his delight to the sundry of collections being sold by the students of the CCA. He also expressed his support to the store’s social responsibility that supports the indigenous people in marketing their local produce.

“Everyone would like to travel and it is in the nature of humans to return from traveling with a remembrance of the experience. What I am struck about this project is its purpose, and the passion to help our fellow more than the generation of income,” he said.

“We are in support of this endeavor and we hope for this to continue for it is a conducive venue for our students’ immersion and hands-on learning experience,” Pamintuan added.

The store, which is located at the ground floor of CCA, will be launched formally during CCA’s foundation anniversary on February.

Ayson said the souvenir shop is CCA’s entry to a competition spearheaded by the Junior Achievement of the Philippines (Japi), an international organization that molds students in the field of Business Management and Entrepreneurship under the Mini-company program.

The competition is categorized into different segments, which will merit various national awards. The program aims to introduce brand awareness through different strategies under the public relations and marketing department.

Being a member of Japi, CCA came up with a company name “Amana Enterprise,” whose objective focuses on promoting a distinctive brand that will uphold local identity and artistry while fulfilling a meaningful cause.

Aside from CCA, participating schools in the competition include University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle State University, and Miriam College to name a few. The winners will be announced during the awards night on April.

CDC: Clark heritage sites, trees will be preserved

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has assured that trees and heritage sites inside the freeport will be preserved.

Noel Tulabut, manager of the CDC Communications Department, said the preservation of trees and heritage areas are included in the thrust of the state-owned firm.

“CDC would like to assure the public that the trees and heritage sites inside the Clark Freeport are preserved as this is among the primordial thrust of the corporation,” Tulabut said.

To preserve the trees, especially century-old acacias, the Environmental Permits Division of CDC is conducting regular monitoring and tree surgery, he said.

“It is also the CDC’s policy that no trees are cut without securing approval from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),” Tulabut said.

When necessary, CDC usually undertakes earth-balling even if it is expensive just to preserve the affected areas, he added.

At the same time, CDC has a standing policy that all historical and heritage sites inside the Freeport are being preserved, Tulabut said.

“These include barn houses, markets, and other structures that have significant historical values,” he said.

Angeles City Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil earlier urged the CDC and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to preserve the century-old trees and historical sites inside the freeport.

Sangil, chairperson of the Angeles City Council committee on Clark Economic Zone, disclosed that hundreds of century-old acacia trees and historical sites should not be sacrificed because of development.

“The BCDA and CDC should preserve hundreds of age old trees as well as historical sites of Clark like the parade ground surrounded by decades-old trees, areas in CDC, picnic grounds, trees along the Freeport main roads and others,” Sangil said.

He also asked the government agencies to restore the CDC buildings, barn houses, chapels, movie theaters in Clark.

“If there are China town and Korea town, let us have a Fil-Am town in Clark and regulate the buildings’ height similar to several areas in California,” the city official said.

For a long time, Sangil said, the CDC Parade Ground has been used by both the American and Filipino soldiers next to Fort Stotsenberg.

The parade ground is one of the most frequented places in Clark which is also used as area for various sports tourism events, jogging, walking, cycling, and others, according to the councilor.

“The massive construction of businesses inside the Freeport is a welcome development but we would like to remind Clark officials to regulate the same and maintain the green environment in Clark,” Sangil said.

Food parks craze

By Kathleen Garcia (UA Intern)

"FOOD is life!" is one of the popular lines that you frequently hear nowadays.

Food lovers are the ones who never stop looking and trying something new just to satisfy their taste buds. In this generation, their population is growing real quick.

From Manila where it first became a hit, food parks are now stretched in Pampanga. And Kapampangans genuinely loves and patronize them. Food parks are fast becoming "in demand" in the food business today.

Their popularity invades Pampanga and took a big bang here, and from left to right they continue popping up in random location. After all, who doesn't want a place where you can eat with a lot of food choices. This will be perfect not only to those who are on a budget but also for food tripping and food hopping.

Here are some of the rising food parks in Pampanga: Moderno Food Park (City of San Fernando), Muceno Food Park (Angeles City), The Yard Food Park (Angeles City), Comos Food Park (City of San Fernando), Yatu Food Park (City of San Fernando), Nuevo Mechico Food Park (Mexico), Kombi Food Park (San Fernando), Pombrera Food Park (Guagua) and many more.

Street and market food-style stalls housed under one roof have different customized dining designs and mouth-watering foods. It is actually an effective way of getting customers so that the business will continue to grow and earn.

Businessmen will surely be delighted in developing new concepts and schemes to perk up this phenomenon in the coming years not just in Pampanga but in other provinces too.

Muslim clans in Angeles City settle dispute peacefully; Rido averted

By Ashley Manabat

ANGELES CITY — A bloody armed confrontation between two Muslim clans here that left seven persons hurt on Christmas Eve was finally resolved last Thursday.

Amroding D. Rasul, Angeles City Muslim Affairs Desk administrative officer, said the clans of Samir Sarip and Omar Hadji Omar Deoro agreed to peacefully settle their differences by placing their hands on the Koran as a sign of their sincerity and pledge of peace.

Sarip and Deoro also signed their names on a peace agreement (kasunduan) witnessed by Hadji Ali Banto, Sultan of Mintring.

Randy B. Dayrit, officer in charge of the Angeles City Satellite Office at the Robinsons Place mall here who represented Mayor Edgardo D. Pamintuan, was instrumental in the amicable settlement mediated by Rasul.

Also observing the peace agreement at the city hall satellite office were Chief Insp. Francisco M. Guevarra Jr. and Dan Liwanag of the City Information Office, as well as numerous members of each clan, who came in droves.

“The problem was because of their children, who had a misunderstanding. There were a lot of customers, they were tired and there was a quarrel last December 24,” Rasul said.

The warring clans are merchants selling their wares in and around the San Nicolas public market here.

The armed confrontation between the two clans started at about 11 a.m. the day before Christmas. It resulted in seven persons hurt by gunfire. Three Deoro clan members were wounded by gunfire, and four from the Sarip clan sustained gunshot wounds.

Rasul said two were seriously hurt, but it was a miracle no one died in the armed confrontation.

Guevarra said the firearms used in the gunfight have yet to be confiscated by the police. He appealed to the two clans to surrender their firearms to their Muslim elders to strengthen their peace settlement.

Dayrit said Mayor Pamintuan was thankful the two clans finally decided to settle their differences.

Angeles exec: Preserve old trees, historical sites in Clark

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Amid massive development in Clark Freeport, a councilor in this city has urged the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to preserve the century-old trees and historical sites inside the freeport.

Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil, chair of the Angeles City Council committee on Clark Economic Zone, disclosed that hundreds of century-old acacia trees and historical sites should not be sacrificed because of development.

“The BCDA and CDC should preserve hundreds of age old trees as well as historical sites of Clark like the parade ground surrounded by decades-old trees, areas in CDC, picnic grounds, trees along the Freeport main roads and others,” Sangil said.

He also asked the government agencies to restore the CDC buildings, barn houses, chapels, movie theaters in Clark.

“If there are China town and Korea town, let us have a Fil-Am town in Clark and regulate the buildings’ height similar to several areas in California,” the city official said.

For a long time, Sangil said the CDC Parade Ground has been used by both the American and Filipino soldiers next to Fort Stotsenberg.

The parade ground is one of the most frequented places in Clark which is also used as area for various sports tourism events, jogging, walking, cycling, and others, according to the councilor. “The massive construction of businesses inside the Freeport is a welcome development but we would like to remind Clark officials to regulate the same and maintain the green environment in Clark,” Sangil said.

Angeles City gets P1.2M for elderly social pension program

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The City Government received on Tuesday, January 9, P1.2 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Central Luzon for its elderly social pension program.

During the 15th Session of the Regional Development Council, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan formally received the check from DSWD-Central Luzon Director Gemma Gabuya.

The P1.2 million is part of the augmentation support program of the DSWD to local government units under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.

“The financial support is part of our compliance to the law where indigent senior citizens are entitled to receive P500 social pension per month. We release the amount on a quarterly basis,” said Gabuya.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Joy Duaso said the turned-over amount will assist more than 800 beneficiaries that were identified by the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

Pamintuan expressed his thanks to the DSWD for its unwavering support to the City of Angeles, particularly for its programs intended to uplift the lives and promote the rights of the senior citizens.

“The amount is indeed a great help to our constituents especially to our senior citizens in the community. We will make sure that the government is putting the elderly sector to its priorities as they are acknowledged by the city as valuable contributors,” he said.

Aside from the sustained social pension, the Angeles City Government has initiated various programs that aim to support the improvement of the total well-being of the Angeleño elderly, such as the yearly “Lakas Sigla para kina Lolo at Lola,” free vaccines and free medical checkups.

Book on Haiku launched in Angeles City

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY — A group of authors launched a booked entitled “Anthology of Haiku and Kindred Verses” in Angeles City yesterday.

The book’s poetry is in Haiku form, a type of poetry from Japan.

The authors, five men and women, who reportedly dub themselves as Bards from the Far East, compiled Haiku with “overflowing openness, depth, simplicity, and lightness of Haiku poems.”

The authors include Carolyn, Danny Gallardo from Zambales, Felix Fojas, Aine M. Losauro and Jose Rizal M. Reyes.

“The very title of the book indicates a global perspective and expresses the global aspiration of the Filipino poets as well as of other Filipino writers and artists,” the book’s promoters said in a statement.

The book also features contributions from writers like Hiroshi Taniuchi, Albert Casuga, Eileen Tabios, Santiago Villafania, Cesar Ruiz Aquino and many more.

“Altogether, their vision is to instill in the hearts of the people, particularly the younger generation, a deeper understanding and love for reading and even writing classical poetry. Their mission is to spread the teaching of poetry which is an oft-neglected literary form, and is important for the teaching of writing and reading,” the statement added.

The book will be made available commercially soon.

6 Clark Miascor personnel under probe

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- Six personnel of Miascor Aviation Services in Clark International Airport (CRK) are under investigation for allegedly stealing from a passenger’s bag.

Alexander Cauguiran, acting president of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), said the six ground handlers were placed under preventive suspension for the pilferage of the luggage of Jovinal Dela Cruz of Pandi, Bulacan.

CIAC withheld the names of the suspects pending the filing of administrative and criminal charges investigation by the airport authorities.

“I will also recommend to Miascor the termination from employment of the suspects,” Cauguiran said. “Measures are now being undertaken with airlines and ground handlers to ensure that the incident will not happen again.”

The CIAC chief said Miascor has compensated the passenger for the lost items amounting to P82,824.

Under his Facebook account Jov En Ros, Dela Cruz posted on January 10 his experience at Clark airport. The post went viral and earned the ire of netizens.

Upon the discovery of the lost items, Dela Cruz and his spouse, Rosemarie Campo Versoza, filed a complaint at the Clark Airport Police Station on January 10.

The couple told the airport police that they arrived from Singapore on board a Jet Star flight last December 23. They said they were informed by Pags agent Jobel Fernando that they will be notified once their three luggage and one box arrive in Clark.

However, no notification was sent to the passengers after more than two weeks, the police report prepared by Chief Inspector Adriano Junio Jr. stated.

“The complainants decided to go to Clark airport last January 10 for verification about their luggage that they believed was already lost. But to their surprise, they learned that their luggage were delivered in Clark on December 24, 2017,” Junio said.

“Upon claiming, they noticed that their luggage were damaged and found out that some items were missing,” he added.

Angeles City launches first eCedula Kiosk in Luzon

(AC-CIO)

ANGELES CITY- Angeles City Mayor Edgardo D. Pamintuan led the formal launching of the E-cedula kiosk located at the Taxpayers’ Lounge at the ground floor of the city hall building. According to City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat,“The eCedula is a system developed by the CTO for a faster and convenient service for the Angeleños.These kiosks serve as tools to provide easier process in applying and securing the Community Tax Certificate(CTC) or ‘cedula’. They also serve as dispenser of priority numbers for other services offered by the CTO, like payment of Real Property Taxes, Business permits and Traffic violations fines and penalties.”

A total of four kiosks were assembled and programmed by the CTO staff . It is installed with a simple and modern program that is user-friendly and also provide ease of navigation.

The kiosks are equipped with the latest computer hardware that provides quick response and diminishes the processing time.

A step-by-step procedure is also posted beside the kiosks to assist the people who will use the machines. After completing the steps and getting the queue number, the applicant may proceed to the designated payment window to obtain the printed CTC.

“This is really a good innovation and I would like to congratulate the City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat for coming up with this. It’s actually the first in Luzon and I hope other big cities and towns will follow soon,” said by Mayor Pamintuan.

Pamintuan furthered that the creation of kiosks for the purpose of giving a fast and accurate service to the people are his priority for it provides convenience and saves time that can be used in doing other businesses.

“Because of these innovations, the dedication and handwork of our people and the reforms we put in place to improve our tax collection and revenue generation, we are able to increase our budget to almost P2B now, which would translate into more infrastructure projects, better social services, and more benefits for our people,” Pamintuan said.

“We have been taking our initial steps towards making Angeles a smart city and we are getting there. We have to adapt to the modern trends and technologies to provide prompt government service,” Pamintuan added.

Using the E-cedula kiosks, the taxpayer will only need to fi ll-up the application form, click submit, and then wait for the priority number to come out.

The PN will determine which cashier window to proceed and the amount to be paid. After payment, the taxpayer will be issued a computer print-out of the CTC.

There will be no more queuing to manually write an application form, submit it to the cashier who will repeat the process of re-writing or encoding the information of the taxpayer.

On a normal day, the whole process takes less than 5 minutes to be completed.

Aside from the CTC application, other services are also available in using the kiosks such as the traffi c citation fees, business permit assessments, and license and fees payment.

Mayor Pamintuan furthered that the kiosks will have upgrades and additional features in the future for real property tax (RPT) payment and RPT computation and verifi cation.

RDC endorses P70-B infra projects for 2018

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Luzon has endorsed P70-billion worth of infrastructure projects to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

This was learned during the council’s 15th session convened by Angeles City Mayor and RDC Central Luzon Chairman Edgardo D. Pamintuan last Tuesday at the Century Resort Hotel in this city.

Pamintuan said the assembly is aimed to update regional government agencies, local government units, private sector representatives and stakeholders regarding the region’s health, education and infrastructure developments.

Engineer Antonio Molano Jr., DPWH-Central Luzon director, presented the approved budget and the priority projects for 2018.

Molano said the proposed projects endorsed by the RDC have reached P70 billion as compared to the P30 billion in the previous year.

According to Molano, the construction of roads and bridges, and flood mitigation structures and facilities are included in the program.

Big ticket projects funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) include the Bagac-Mariveles Road, Capas-Botolan Road, Pulilan-Baliuag Diversion Road, New Clark City-MacArthur Access Road, SCTEx Service Road- MacArthur Access Road, and the New Clark City-Bamban-Capas Access Road.

Aside from these, an update on the status of the Senior High School (SHS) Program implementation was presented by Department of Education (DepEd)-Central Luzon Director Malcolm Garma.

DepEd-Central Luzon recorded a total of 332,470 SHS enrollment from 1,353 schools for the year 2017-2018.

To augment the rising number of SHS students, the agency is planning to hire more teachers on top of the 5,900 teachers employed from 2016 to 2017.

The DepEd also eyes for more SHS implementers and partners for the student work immersions.

The Department of Health (DOH)-Central Luzon, led by Director Leonita Gorgolon, presented an update on the Dengvaxia vaccine, Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), and support to the establishment of lactation station in the workplace.

An audio-visual presentation on the FAQs (frequently asked question) about the dengue immunization program was also prepared by DOH-Central Luzon where the public is urged to follow the 4Ss: [1] Search and Destroy Breeding Places, [2] Seek Early Consultation, [3] Self-Protection Measures, [4] Say Yes to Fogging in times of Impending Outbreak.

Commission on Higher Education (Ched)-Central Luzon Director Dr. Caridad Abuan updated the body on the implementing rules and regulations of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 or Republic Act 10931.

The General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2018 provided P40 billion to implement the law, which includes major provisions for free higher education in SUCs and LUCs, free Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in State-run Technical Vocational Institutions (STVIs), Tertiary Education Subsidy, Student Loans Program for Tertiary Education, and strengthening of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).

Pamintuan thanked the heads of regional government offices who have dedicated their time to partake and collaborate in the said council assembly.

“The meeting has resulted [in] a fruitful discussion. Important matters and clarifications were put to place. We can now clearly see how our national government is moving our region to be the one of the finest in the country,” he said.

25 balloons to highlight hot air festival in Clark

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT-- Some 25 giant balloons will highlight the 22nd Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival to be staged on February 8 to 11 inside this Freeport.

A memorandum of agreement was signed by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and Chief Executive Officer Noel F. Manankil and Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF) president Joy Roa for the flagship tourism project of Clark.

Roa told Manankil that there are some eight special shaped balloons during the event, which will be held at the Omni Aviation Complex here.

The participant-dirigibles will come from England, Germany, Switzerland, US, Netherlands, in some Asian countries, and the Philippines.

Roa added that spectators can look forward to two Stearman airplanes from England that will carry the "wing walkers."

Wing walkers are those who create movements while on the wings of the plane during a flight. Such aerobatic feat will be the first of its kind in the Philippines.

Entrance tickets are pegged at P500 each and a part income will be donated to PIHABF Foundation Scholarship Fund to help indigent students pursuing aviation career in partnership with Air Link International Aviation School and the Philippine Air Transport and Training Services.

Tickets are available at the fiesta's official website, SM Ticketnet outlets, CDC's Tourism and Promotion Division or at the event gates.

Pampanga trader airs support to new tax reform program

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- A Pampanga-based businessman has expressed support to the government’s comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP).

Rene Romero, owner of the Romac Manpower Services and vice chair of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce (PamCham), said the CTRP will enable the government to finance big ticket infrastructure and other social service projects with an efficient tax collection program.

Despite several apprehensions, Romero said he fully supports and accepts the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).

“How can the government deliver the needed infrastructure and social services if we will not help by giving taxes,” Romero said.

He also expressed optimism that the Duterte Administration will accomplish its development projects under the Build Build Build program.

“Personally I accept the new tax reform program. It remains to be seen that the government will deliver what its promises and I believe in the administration right now,” Romero said.

“TRAIN will finance President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s Build Build Build and we in Central Luzon will benefit from these. I encourage our people and friends and my colleagues in the business to support the government,” he added.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), the TRAIN is the first package of the CTRP introduced by the Duterte Administration which seeks to correct a number of deficiencies in the tax system to make it simpler, fairer, and more efficient.

TRAIN was implemented to ensure an efficient tax collection where the rich will have a bigger contribution and the poor will benefit more from the government’s programs and services, the agency added.

Romero at the same time said he is bullish for 2018 until 2022 until the end of Duterte’s term.

“As a businessman I am very bullish for 2018. Yes it is true that we have experienced so many ups and downs in 2017 but whether we like it or not 2018 is preparation is preparation for the mid-term elections in 2019,” Romero said.

By middle of 2018, campaign funds will add to the money in circulation which will make the economy run faster. “That will be converted into jobs for our kababayans.”

He stressed that Clark Freeport is “igniting the dynamics of the economy and surrounding provinces in Central Luzon are benefiting from its development.

Giant lanterns, fireworks brighten up Marquee Mall’s year-end celebration

By Erika Mariel Gines

MARQUEE Mall, Angeles City’s go-to destination for one-of-a-kind shopping experience, over the last weekend capped of the year with merry bright lights, aimed to treat Angelenos and mall goers of all ages.

Eight out of eleven giant lanterns which joined this year’s Ligligan Parul were featured during the year-end celebration. The mall has been hosting the annual Giant Lantern Fair for eight years now, with the collaboration between the Giant Lantern Festival and the City Government of San Fernando.

Aside from showcasing the Kapampangan craftsmanship through the giant lantern exhibit, Marquee Mall also wowed everyone with a grand and spectacular fireworks display.

The two-day event held at the Marquee Park was also highlighted by lively performances by local artists Joaquin, JV Decena, and Lilibeth Garcia. The Holy Angel University Chorale also entertained the audience with some heartfelt Holiday music.

The mall also showed the true meaning of their tagline #FeelItLoveIt as they gave away exclusive discounts and not-to-miss shopping deals to kabalens, through the Metro Department Store’s After-Christmas Sale held from December 26 to 31.

For more of Marquee Mall’s exciting events and special perks this 2018, check out its official Facebook page: @MarQueeMall.

Angeles City launches e-Cedula kiosk

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario (PNA)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga -- The city government on Thursday launched the e-Cedula kiosk as part of its continuing efforts to provide faster and more convenient services for the residents here.

City Mayor Edgardo D. Pamintuan led the formal launching of the kiosk located at the Taxpayers’ Lounge at the ground floor of the City Hall building here.

City treasurer Juliet Quinsaat said the e-Cedula is a system developed by the City Treasurer's Office (CTO).

"The kiosks serve as tools to provide easier process in applying and securing the Community Tax Certificate (CTC) or ‘cedula’. They also serve as dispenser of priority numbers for other services offered by the CTO, like payment of real property taxes, business permits and traffic violation fines and penalties," Quinsaat said.

A total of four machines was assembled and programmed by the CTO personnel. Each is installed with a simple and modern program that is user-friendly and also provides ease of navigation.

The kiosk is equipped with the latest computer hardware that provides quick response and diminishes the processing time.

A step-by-step procedure is also posted beside the machines to assist those who will use them.

“This is really a good innovation and I would like to congratulate city treasurer Juliet Quinsaat for coming up with this. It’s actually the first in Luzon and I hope other big cities and towns will follow soon,” Pamintuan said.

“Because of these innovations, the dedication and hard work of our people and the reforms we put in place to improve our tax collection and revenue generation, we are able to increase our budget to almost PHP2 billion now, which would translate into more infrastructure projects, better social services, and more benefits for our people,” he said.

“We have been taking our initial steps towards making Angeles a smart city and we are getting there. We have to adapt to the modern trends and technologies to provide prompt government service,” he added.

Using the e-Cedula kiosk, the taxpayer will only need to fill-up the application form, click “Submit”, and then wait for the priority number to come out. The priority number will determine which cashier window to proceed to and the amount to be paid.

After payment, the taxpayer will be issued a computer print-out of the CTC. There will be no more queuing to manually write an application form, submit it to the cashier who will repeat the process of re-writing or encoding the information of the taxpayer.

On a normal day, the whole process takes less than five minutes to be completed.

Aside from the CTC application, other services are also available in the kiosk such as traffic citation fees, business permit assessments, and license and fees payment.

Pamintuan said that the kiosk will have additional features in the future for real property tax (RPT) payment and RPT computation and verification.

High fashion from lowly scraps of fabric

By Linda Bolido (CONTRIBUTED, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

At the recent Asean Summit, among the souvenir items given to the wives of foreign heads of state were Philip Torres’ Pidayit products

When Philip Torres started designing clothes and accessories using scraps of fabric he collected in his Pret-a-Porter design house in Angeles City, Pampanga, one of the goals he set for himself was to establish a presence in Metro Manila by opening a showroom for his creations.

Today, a strong social media presence has made it unnecessary for Torres to physically bring his pieces to the metropolis. His works are reaching prospective clients not just in different parts of the Philippines, but outside the country, too.

He has even dropped Pret-a-Porter to focus on what is now known as Pidayit—from “pidayit-dayit,” a Kapampangan word that means putting together clothing materials to form a new one. (Five years ago, he called his fledgling fashion as “retazo,” Spanish for “scrap” or “fragment.”)

Moroccan-inspired combination of Pidayit textured fabrics and colors, Pidayit necklacemade from “retazo”

Waste

Torres changed course when he realized he had collected sacks of fabric fragments from Pret-a-Porter’s RTW and custom-made creations. “I decided to create clothes and accessories out of the retazo so they would not go to waste,” Torres says.

His few sample pieces impressed prospective clients. As the demand grew for his retazo pieces, Torres phased out Pret-a-Porter.

At the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, among the souvenir items given to the wives of the foreign heads of state were Pidayit products. Torres’ patchwork creations were also worn by Bea Zobel, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, several Filipino ambassadors, fellow fashion designers Patis Tesoro and Dita Sandico, Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan and a member of the royal family of Qatar.

If Torres says his creations are one of a kind, he is stating a fact. He cannot completely recreate each piece he makes because of his raw material. The scraps come from different fabrics. And even if they come from a single piece of cloth, the shapes and sizes of the scraps will still make a piece different. But he tries to incorporate the Kapampangan and Filipino cultures in his designs.

Torres’ success is shared by his community’s stay-at-home wives, out-of-school youth and even students. Majority of his workers are women. Students work only on weekends.

Pidayit is presenting fashion shows in Angeles City soon. In May, Torres’ creations will be showcased in New York.

Pidayit, 20 Apo Road, L&S Subdivision, Angeles City.

Angeles City sets Jan. 20 deadline for biz permit application, renewal

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario (PNA)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga -- The city government through the Business Permit and Licensing Division-Business One Stop Shop (BPLD-BOSS) is reminding businessmen and investors here on the deadline of new application and renewal of business permits.

BPLD officer-in-charge Evangeline Malonzo said that the deadline for business permit application and renewal is set on January 20.

Malonzo cited the importance of tax collection to the continuous progress and development of the city as she encouraged the taxpayers to pay early or on time to avoid any hassle.

She said that applicants may visit the BPLD-BOSS at the ground floor of the Angeles City Hall from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The BPLD chief also reminded the applicants to bring all necessary forms to avoid delays.

The basic requirements for new application include: DTI/SEC (Department of Trade and Industry/Securities and Exchange Commission) with Articles of Incorporation; occupancy permit for for newly constructed buildings; contract of lease (if renting); barangay clearance and cedula.

On the other hand, the requirements for renewal applications are barangay clearance; cedula, and financial statement or income tax return (ITR) as basis for computing taxes.

Malonzo said that the processing time for the new business permit application is one to two days, while renewals may last for a day or less, assuming all requirements are submitted.

Atos, Jucutan dominate PPS Angeles netfest

(The Manila Times)

Angelyn Atos and Exequiel Jucutan saved their best for last, posting a pair of singles victories each to share the MVP honors in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Angeles City leg age-group tennis tournament at the Angeles City Tennis Club in Villa Gloria Subd. in Pampanga last weekend.

The top-seeded Atos lived up to her billing, dropping just two games to reign in the girls’ 12- and 14-and-under classes of the Group I tournament hosted and sponsored by councilor Joseph Ponce and Palawan Pawnshop. The rising Baguio City crushed Tristenn Kitong twice, 6-0, 6-0, and 6-0, 6-2, respectively.

Jucutan turned in a more impressive performance, beating Jundee Magtabog, 6-0, 6-0, in the boys’ 14-U finals then the Manaoag, Pangasinan ace clipped Josh Molina, 6-1, 6-0, to claim the 16-U diadem in the event presented by Slazenger which capped the PPS-PEPP 53-leg nationwide circuit.

Atos and Jucutan actually made it a three-title feat with the former teaming up with Gabrielle Abarquez to rout Angel Alambra and Rymone Moreno, 8-1, for the 18-U doubles plum and the latter partnering with JM Erpelo to whip Gabby Avila and Ranz Cuarto, 8-2, for the 14-U doubles title.

Anna Demyer also came away with two victoreis as the San Fabian, Pangasinan bet trounced Gabrielle Abarquez, 6-0, 6-2, in the girls’1 6-U finals and repulsed Kim Evangelista, 0-6, 6-3, 10-5, in the 16-U championship.

Local bet Jed Labasano held off Charles Torres, 6-1, 7-5, to clinch the boys’ 18-U plum, John Prince Lim from Urdaneta, Pangasinan topped the 10-unisex side with a 4-1, 4-2 romp over Jeremiah Labasano, and JM Erpelo, also of Urdaneta, took the boys’ 12-U title with a 6-0, 6-7(4), 10-4 victory over Thomas Gabuat.

Other doubles winners were Jed Labasano-Andrei Torres, who edged Josh Molina-Charles Torres, 8-5, for the boys’ 18-U crown; Gab Abarquez-Kitong, who nipped Jumia Ehipto-Janice Navalta, 8-7(4), for the girls’ 14-U title; and JP Lim-Kriz Lim, who ripped Jeremiah Labasano-Matthew Tiotuico, 8-1, for the 10-U plum.

Meanwhile, the country’s premier talent-search, backed by the Unified Tennis Philippines, including PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg, has lined up a 54-stage tour this year, according to PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director and organizer Bobby Mangunay. For details, call 09154046464.

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