Angeles City News June 2013

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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.

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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.

Bikers set ‘One Big Ride’ at Clark today

By clarkphilippines.com


CLARK FREEPORT — The Kapampangan Mountain Bikers Network (KMTBN) will commemorate today, Saturday, its first founding anniversary with a fun ride dubbed “One Big Ride” at this Freeport.

KMTBN founding member Rio Salas David said that the fun ride aims to foster camaraderie among bikers, cyclists and enthusiasts. The group will also elect its set of officials and craft the programs and projects set for this year.

“This Saturday, our more than 1,000 members and other biking and cycling groups will converge at the Astro Park (Bayanihan Park), just before the old main gate, at 7:30 a.m. We encourage everyone to be in complete safety gear and practice safe riding in this upcoming event,” Salas said.

He added that aside from the unity ride, which will start from the Bayanihan Park all the way to the Clark Development Corporation Parade Grounds, prizes will also be raffled off courtesy of Bikeworx, Maya Nunag, and Bike Hub. Registration is free.

One year ago, the KMTBN was initially created by Salas and a small group of bikers to bring biking enthusiasts together to share stories, bike escapades, and passion for this world-wide popular 2-wheeled human-powered single-track vehicle that is used for sports, recreation, and commuting.

The group is also involved in social projects like medical missions and environmental programs, Salas said.

Unionized workers cry discrimination in Clark

By Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon


CLARK FREEPORT—Several companies wary of organized labor here have blacklisted more than 2,000 workers, mostly women, who have been temporarily laid off after a fire gutted their garments factory on May 31, a union officer told a labor official in Central Luzon. “Blacklisting workers because of their union affiliation is a violation not only of our laws but also of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Ludynela Hamor, president of Smart Shirts Phils. Inc. Workers Union (SSPIWU), in a letter last week to Raymundo Agravante, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “Our government has extended a friendly gesture to these companies, and these companies are under obligation to respect our laws,” Hamor said. Franco Madlangbayan, vice president of the state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC), said he was not aware that garments companies at the free port had enforced a policy against the hiring of workers associated with labor groups. “It is really up to the individual companies as they do their own evaluation of applicants,” Madlangbayan said on Saturday. A report from Rodem Perez, manager of CDC customer service department, said 162 Smart Shirts employees had been hired by other garments companies in Clark. He said Billerby Corp. took in 130 workers; L&T International, 10; Hansa Toys, 20, and Allkey International, two. Rene Banzon, president of Clark Investors and Locators Association, said outright rejection of organized labor “is not a common practice or a general formal policy in Clark.” According to Hamor, SSPIWU members were “unceremoniously sent home” by at least five companies that she identified in the letter. “It seems that workers of Smart Shirts are discriminated by companies located at the free port,” she added. Hamor asked Agravante to act on the discrimination experienced by Smart Shirts employees and other workers who join unions since these are allowed by laws. The company suspended its operations for six months, or until December this year, to be able to rebound from fire losses. Geraldine Panlilio, DOLE assistant regional director, said she had met with CDC executives about the problem and appealed to locators to help the workers. Arlene Tolentino, DOLE Pampanga director, has set a meeting with SSPIWU leaders on July 12 to discuss economic assistance to the group’s members.






‘Green house’ to rise in Angeles City

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY – A “green house,” complete with power-saving designs and other features, will rise soon inside a posh subdivision here.

Former City Councilor Louie Reyes, head of the Green Youth Brigade, said he wants to promote what he calls Green Architecture in Angeles City and in the province by constructing his own energy-efficient house at the Heritage Place Phase 2 along the Friendship Road in Barangay Cutcut here.

“We want to promote Green Architecture here in Angeles City. This is the first in Heritage Place. That is why we are very excited about it,” Reyes said.

On June 29, Reyes scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony inside the subdivision where Architect Rosette Santos and Engineer Joseph Atchicos are set to explain the concept of Green Architecture, the materials they will use and the project design. Reyes said natural lighting and ventilation will be used in the raw green house. As an option, its design may also include a solar and wind energy and a rainwater harvester.

“Bamboo will be part of the design. We will use bamboos as façade of the structure and we will use local materials. We want to cut or lessen our carbon footprint,” Reyes said.

He said there is a market for green buildings in Angeles City.

“There is a boom in the real estate and construction industry. The economic outlook of the country is positive. The demand for green building will rise,” he added.

Gov’t finds ways to help displaced workers

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- The management of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is now finding ways on how to help 2,000 displaced workers of a garment factory, which was destroyed by a fire early this month.

Frank Madlangbayan, CDC vice president for operations, said that among the plans is to get some of the workers of Smarts Shirts Philippines Inc. employed in other factories or companies inside the Freeport.

“We are still preparing the report nung pilan nala reng meka-lub obra kareng aliwang companies,” the CDC official said.

At the same time, Madlangbayan clarified that the notice of temporary shutdown of the garment factory filed before the Department of Labor of Employment, has a maximum period of six months and not one month as earlier reported.

If the company failed to rehabilitate and operate the factory within the prescribed period, it will start compensating or paying separation pay to its displaced workers, Madlangbayan said.

Based on the final investigation report prepared by CDC Fire Marshal Fernando D. Laquian, the fire originated from the ceiling of the firm’s finishing area.

The blaze was caused by electrical short circuit, Laquian said.

The estimated amount of damage on the firm’s building was P25 million.

Laquian said the cost of damage on the properties (materials and equipment) is still being quantified by the management.

Madlangbayan earlier said executives of the firm estimated the cost of damage, based on destroyed raw materials and finished products, to P60 million.

No casualties and injuries were reported in the fire which gutted about 40 to 50 percent of the factory, located at building 25 inside the Philexel Business Park along Jack Nasser Drive here.

Smart Shirts Philippines Inc. is a Hong Kong-based firm manufacturing shirts and long sleeves.






Court of Appeals junks motion for TRO

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- The Court of Appeals (CA) dismissed the motion for reconsideration of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the court’s decision to implement the bargaining rights of Clark workers ‘for lack of merit.’

The 15th Division of the Appellate Court, chaired by Associate Justice Celia Librea-Lealogo, also reaffirmed the decision of the Accredited Voluntary Arbitrator (AVA) directing the CDC to immediately implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by the corporation management and the supervisory union last year.

In its two-page resolution dated June 17, the Court of Appeals stated that (after) “a careful perusal of the Motion for Reconsideration, as well as the Comment thereto, shows that the ground relied upon the said Motion is a mere reiteration of the matter already considered and passed upon our decision, and that the arguments raised therein are ‘too unsubstantial’ to warrant a reconsideration thereof.”

“We therefore, find no compelling reason to modify or reverse our decision,” Librea-Lealogo stressed with the concurrence of Associate Justices Franchito Diamante and Melchor Sadang as members of the 15th CA Division.

The CDC management asked for deferment of the AVA Froilan Bacungan’s decision, which favors the Association of CDC Supervisory Personnel (ACSP).

ACSP president Victor Barbieto said the CA’s decision is a welcome development as it reaffirms the constitutional rights of workers as specified in the Labor Code of the Philippines.

“With this decision, the CDC management should immediately implement our CBA,” Barbieto said, adding that the CBA has been pending since March 2012.

“This is the third time CDC loses in legal battle and affirming workers right to organize and to collectively bargain,” he also stated.

The ACSP sought legal remedy following the CDC’s alleged serious violation of the economic provision of their CBA and refusal to implement the lawful order of the AVA issued on Nov. 29 last year.

Award-winning Kapampangan photographer opens month-long exhibit for a cause

By Joelyn G. Baluyut


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, June 25 (PIA) -- Award-winning Kapampangan photographer Yen Baet on Saturday opened her month-long exhibit for a cause where proceeds generated from purchase of her works will go to scholars of Holy Angel University (HAU).

“This exhibit is my way of giving back. I want these kids to finish their schooling,” said Baet who is an AB English alumna of HAU and formerly a school paper editor and campus beauty queen of that institution.

The United Kingdom-based Baet specializes in travel and long-exposures; and her works have landed in a number of magazines including National Geographic where she took home the top prize of the 2013 “My Thailand, My Story” contest and was a finalist in its Exceptional Experiences tilt.

She was also a finalist in the 2013 National Geographic Traveller UK Photographer of the Year and bagged the 2012 Steve McCurry and WPGA Portrait Award.

“Photography started as a hobby. When we moved to Europe, I was only using point and shoot then I said to myself, it would be better to get a DSLR to capture these beautiful sites and I decided to get one, and that’s where it started and it never stopped after,” Baet narrated.

“My portfolio is dedicated mostly towards nightscapes and travel photography. A good part of my images are shot during my favorite time of the day - the blue hour,” Baet explained.

The blue hour refers to twilight, which is the period when it is neither full daylight nor complete darkness. The time is considered special because of the quality of the light.


This is her first exhibit in the Philippines, and is planning to do it annually not only in Pampanga but in Manila as well.

The works are displayed at the HAU Memorabilia Room of Don Juan Building. (CLJD/JGB-PIA 3)

Angeles intensifies campaign vs. dengue

By Rosa Bianca Pamintuan


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, June 24 (PIA) -- Angeles City government has intensified its campaign against dengue in preparation for the expected surge of cases this rainy season.

Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting said she had a meeting with school officials and barangay chairmen and encouraged them to form and mobilize anti-dengue fever teams to lead in the cleanup drive.

She said the team should be able to assist their respective village personnel and school staff in seeking and destroying of breeding places of dengue-causing mosquitoes such as old tires, coconut husks, roof gutters, discarded bottles, flower vases and other containers that can hold stagnant water.

“The best way to fight dengue is by destroying the breeding places; fumigation only kills the adult mosquitoes but not the larva or egg,” Vega-Cabigting explained.

City Health Office has recorded 71 confirmed cases this year with zero deaths.

Dengue is a disease caused by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during daytime. Headache, fever, muscle and joint pains and skin rashes characterize the disease. In extreme cases, bleeding of the gums and nose may occur. (CLJD/RBRP-PIA 3)

CDC asks firms to hire PWDs, IPs

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has asked locators here to hire persons with disabilities (PWDs) and indigenous people (IPs) in their respective businesses.

Lawyer Arthur P. Tugade, president and CEO of the CDC, appealed to the firms “to go the extra mile” when hiring PWDs and IPs.

In a meeting with human resources managers of top employers inside the Freeport on June 19, Tugade described his appeal as something “that comes from the heart” and not as a requirement or imposition.

Since assuming the position as CDC head, Tugade has been firm in reminding all CDC employees from accepting gifts or favors from clients.

“But this time, I have to muster enough guts to ask and accept that favor or gift from you – a guarantee that you will provide employment for the physically-challenged and/or indigenous people,” Tugade said.

The meeting, held at the CDC Corporate headquarters, was attended by Ruby S. Chavez-Madria and Jackielyn Navarrete of Nanox Philippines; Angie Casasola of Yokohama Tires Philippines; Nathalie Valeros of Texas Instruments Philippines; Rowena Villanueva and Shenna Lacsamana of Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corporation (PSPC) and Gizelle De Guzman from Luen Thai Philippines.

Tugade said he will also meet HR managers of other locators and officials of local government units to make the same appeal.

Last June 10, Tugade and the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) President Rene Banzon signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in line with the work program for Aetas and PWDs within the Metro Clark area.

The MOA formalizes the commitment of both parties to achieve the government’s objectives as embodied under Republic Act 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.”

CDC appeals to Clark locators to hire PWDs, indigenous people

By (PNA)

LAP/ZST/RKM/PS


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, June 20 (PNA) -- Lawyer Arthur P. Tugade, president and CEO of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), has appealed to locators here “to go the extra mile” when hiring persons with disability (PWD) and indigenous people.

Tugade, in a meeting Wednesday with human resources managers of top employers inside this free port, described his appeal as something “that comes from the heart” and not as a requirement or imposition.

Since assuming the position as CDC head, Tugade was firm in reminding all CDC employees from accepting gifts or favors from clients – until now.

“But this time I have to muster enough guts to ask and accept that favor or gift from you – a guarantee that you will provide employment for the physically-challenged and/or indigenous people,” he said.

The meeting with HR managers was attended by Ruby S. Chavez-Madria and Jackielyn Navarrete of Nanox Philippines, Angie Casasola of Yokohama Tires Philippines, Nathalie Valeros of Texas Instruments Philippines, Rowena Villanueva and Shenna Lacsamana of Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corporation (PSPC) and Gizelle De Guzman from Luen Thai Philippines.

Tugade said he will also meet other HR managers of other locators and officials of local government units (LGUs) to make the same appeal – an integral component of the Persons with Disabilities Employment in Clark Program (PWD-ECP) and assistance to Aetas.

Last June 10, Tugade and the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) president Rene Banzon signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) “to boost the productivity of PWDs from areas contiguous to the Clark Freeport Zone.”

The MOA formalizes the commitment of both parties to go the extra mile when hiring PWDs to boost and achieve objectives of the government as embodied under Republic Act 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.”

DPWH urged to explain on AC sidewalks repair

By joey pavia


ANGELES CITY–Acting Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting is set to meet with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) today as complaints mounted against the on-going rehabilitation of sidewalks along MacArthur Highway here.Vega-Cabigting said she invited the DPWH and its contractors, the local Philippine National Police (PNP), the city’s traffic management office and other concerned groups in a meeting at the city hall today to discuss the repair work of the sidewalks along the national highway stretching from Barangays Balibago to Lourdes Northwest.

The Regional Trial Courts (RTC) and Municipal Trial Courts in this city held yesterday sessions at the Angeles City District Jail located inside Camp Tomas Pepito in Barangay Sto. Domingo here to formally order the release of the inmates.The court sessions were presided by the different judges of the RTCs.According to Executive Judge Omar Viola of the RTC of Angeles City, the judicial activity was done simultaneously in five cities of the country. Viola said the 74 inmates who were charged with various crimes were released because they either served their sentence or there lacked evidence or there were insufficient and doubtful evidence against them.Some of the inmates have stayed injail for at least five years, Viola said.Dubbed as “Judgement Day,” the activity is also a way to decongest jails in the country, the executive judge said.Senior Jail Officer 4 Nelson Miranda, deputy jail warden, revealed that there are 1,603 inmates in the district jail though it can only accommodate about 1,000. Miranda said that of the total inmates at the facility, 265 are females. Miranda said the oldest inmate is a 71-year old woman while the youngest is 18. Among those released were females. One of the inmates, a Korean named Cha Kung Chool, 42, of South Korea, has been languishing in jail since 2008 for drug offense. Viola said that the inmates can be released in two hours as the papers were already prepared. Cha, who has a Filipina wife and two children in Limay, Bataan, said that, once out of jail, he will contact his family in Korea for financial assistance and start his life all over again. Viola lamented that courts and justices are slowed down because of lack of judges, lack of prosecutors and the transfer of arresting officers to other far places who find it hard to attend hearings. Viola also said the courts in Angeles City are not enough to speed up court proceedings. We have only seven courts at present. We need 13 to 15 salas to have venues for justice here, Viola said. President Aquino recently signed a law that creates six new RTC branches in the city. ●

CDC, CILA boost PWD employmentk

By Franco G. Regala


Clark, Pampanga — Physically challenged individuals and indigenous people in areas contiguous to the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) have something to look forward to with the joint venture inked recently between the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA).

Rene Banzon, CILA president said that starting next month, it will begin hiring qualified physically challenged applicants to work in Clark firms as part of the memorandum of agreement between them and the CDC to boost the productivity of people with disabilities (PWDs).

Included in the agreement, he added is the setting of more PWD-friendly facilities in the workplaces.

“We are contemplating on a special kind of jobs fair where we can really give opportunities to the PWD in areas contiguous to the CFZ,” said Banzon, adding that locators should really “go the extra mile” in hiring qualified applicants.

Banzon represented CILA during the signing of the agreement last June 10, while the CDC was represented by its president, Arthur Tugade.

Both parties committed to support RA 7277 known as “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”, which seeks, among others, to pursue initiatives and projects for the rehabilitation of PWDs

Angeles City wants part of Clark

By Tonette Orejas


ANGELES CITY—Due to lack of space for social and economic uses, the city government has asked Vice President Jejomar Binay to endorse to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) its claim over 1,000 hectares of land that forms part of the Clark free port. Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the US Air Force, former tenant of the then Clark Air Base, used the land as a “buffer against criminality.” Some parcels are in the upland villages of Margot and Sapang Bato. Vast Before the closure of Clark when the Senate on Sept. 16, 1991, rejected the continued stay of US bases in the Philippines, the base proper consisted of 49,000 hectares enclosed in a 35.4-kilometer perimeter, said Roland Simbulan, a University of the Philippines professor. “We are getting hold of the property,” Pamintuan said. Lawyer Arnel Paciano Casanova, BCDA president, did not reply to a request for a telephone interview. Pamintuan said newly elected Pampanga Rep. Joseller Guiao would file a bill to rationalize the use of the former base lands. US territory Clark began as a grazing range for horses of the US Cavalry in 1902, and was turned into Fort Stotsenburg and used for military aviation in 1917. It became the largest US military installation in Asia. Pamintuan said that even without the full development of the Clark International Airport as a premiere gateway or alternative to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila, prices of private land in Angeles City have gone up to what he described as “prohibitive level.” “We don’t anymore have public lands to spare to support the airport’s development,” Pamintuan said, adding that Mabalacat City, north of Clark, is more in the position to fill the need for lands. Clark Freeport spans 4,500 ha, 2,300 ha of which belong to the Clark airport. No need for bases The nearby Clark Special Economic Zone covers Sacobia Hills that extend to Tarlac, or a total of less than 30,000 ha. Lawyer Arthur Tugade, president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corp., which manages the development of Clark, committed to set up a training center at the City College of Angeles (CCA) to match jobs and skills needed in Clark. “We can exist without the US military bases,” Pamintuan said. “What the bases gave was artificial progress, like menial jobs. Now we have real investments and quality jobs,” he said.

Clark garment firm files temporary shutdown

By clarkphilippines.com


CLARK FREEPORT — A garment factory inside the Freeport has filed before the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) a notice of temporary shutdown following a recent fire that destroyed about 40 percent of its building.

Franco Madlangbayan, vice president for operations of Clark Development Corporation (CDC), said that workers of Smart Shirts Philippines Incorporated numbering to 2,000 are still not working as of Friday, June 14.

The shutdown notice has a maximum period of one month. If the company failed to rehabilitate and operate the factory, it will start compensating or paying separation pay to its displaced workers, Madlangbayan said.

He added that they are regularly communicating with officials of the garment company, saying the CDC management is optimistic that the firm will open again its factory.

Based on the final investigation report prepared by CDC Fire Marshal Fernando D. Laquian, the fire originated from the ceiling of the firm’s finishing area.

The blaze was caused by electrical short circuit, Laquian said.

The estimated amount of damage on the firm’s building was P25 million. Laquian said the cost of damage on the properties (materials and equipment) is still being quantified by the Smart Shirts management.

Madlangbayan earlier said executives of the firm estimated the cost of damage, based on destroyed raw materials and finished products, to P60 million.

The official report prepared by the CDC Fire Department will serve as a basis for action that would be undertaken by the state-owned firm to help the company and its employees.

No casualties and injuries were reported in the fire, which gutted about 40 to 50 percent of the factory, located at Building 25 inside the Philexel Business Park along Jack Nasser Drive here.

Smart Shirts Philippines Incorporated is a Hong Kong-based firm manufacturing shirts and long sleeves.

SM Clark puts up ‘Kalayaan’ timeline

By clarkphilippines.com


CLARK FREEPORT–A shopping mall here put up a timeline marble that highlighted the resilience and tenacity of Filipinos in line with the celebration of the 115th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

The timeline was created by Marco and Del Guillen. The marble timeline was a centerpiece which houses an free-flowing fountain which represents how eternally the characters as Filipinos have been tested from one generation to the next.

However, Guillen said that “from the time of our great ancestors and liberators, and until these modern times, we are bamboos swaying strong against the often unmerciful forces, which is a proof of our humility.”

Guillen added that the timeline also symbolizes the “heroic drive of Filipinos to break free from those who held, and will hold, us and our Motherland captive.”

The marble timeline was unveiled to the public by the Guillens, SMCC Mall Manager Ana Datu, SMCC Assistant Mall Manager Mark Carlo Herrera and Mabalacat City Marino “Boking” Morales.

Also present were Ryan Boyce of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition, SMCC Assistant Branch Manager of the SM Store Anthony Ochoa and Regional Marketing Manager Jefferson Suarez, among others.

Before the unveiling of the centerpiece, SMCC officials and guests honored the Philippine flag and sang the national anthem. ●CC

TARZAN'S BILL Aquino creates 6 new courts in Angeles

By Ding Cervantes


ANGELES CITY- Pres. Aquino has signed a law creating six more Regional Trial Court (RTC) branches in this chartered city.

Angeles RTC Executive Judge Omar Viola said the President signed recently Republic Act 10582 that created the new court branches.

“We thank President Aquino and Congress for such. This would bring our total number of branches here to 12,” said Viola.

The bill that proposed that law was introduced only last Jan. 29 by outgoing Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin.

Lazatin noted that on the same day, his proposal was referred to the Committee on Rules, a Committee Report was made, then calendared for reading.

“I am very optimistic that the Office of the Court Administrator will prioritize the creation of the Angeles courts. The present courts try the cases of the 1,800 detainees at the Angeles City District Jail,” Viola said.




DC, Clark firms sign agreement to help PWDss

By Ding Cervantes


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Arthur Tugade and Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) president Rene Banzon have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to boost the productivity of persons with disabilities (PWDs) from communities around this freeport.

The signing was witnessed by the officers of registered PWD organizations in Angeles City and Mabalacat town.

The CDC said the MOA “formalizes the commitment of both parties to join efforts to go the extra mile in hiring persons with disabilities in Clark firms” in line with Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

Under the MOA, both parties would pursue initiatives and projects for the rehabilitation of PWDs “to boost their abilities to have a more meaningful and productive life.”

CILA, established on Feb. 22, 1996, is composed of locators and investors in this freeport. It was put up to protect the interest of the locators, help them become globally competitive, and promote the Freeport.

Sonny Lopez, CDC public relations chief who initiated the program, said PWDs in contiguous communities of Clark are thankful to Tugade “for advancing and substantiating the program.”






‘Buffer lands’ in Clark eyed for city programs

By Ian Ocampo Flora


ANGELES CITY -- Some 100,000 hectares of buffer lands said to be owned by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) along Barangay Sapang Bato and Clark Freeport are now being eyed for use by the city for its infrastructure and local housing projects for the poor.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan on Monday said he will move for the conversion of the buffer lands, which are part of the former Clark Airbase and have been designated as perimeter areas.

The mayor said the lands are now idle while some have been unscrupulously titled and claimed by various individuals and entities.

"We would like to use these lands for the housing for our urban poor and for use in government infrastructure programs. Almost all of the lands in the city have been used up and there are few that the government can use for future infra-developments," Pamintuan said.

However, Pamintuan recognized the difficulty of addressing the ownership issue of some of the lands, adding that he will be requesting the help of 1st District Representative-elect Joseller "Yeng" Guiao.

He added that there should be a national legislation of the overall rationalization and use of Clark Freeport lands and its environs to ensure maximum use of real property and to ensure full development of infrastructure projects.

Pamintuan realized the need to use the said lands during the opening of the new City College of Angeles in Barangay Pampang here. He said the city government plans to provide low-cost housing for its urban poor; the establishment of a public cemetery; construction of support infrastructures for its existing facilities in the event of expansion and in the long run a sports complex.

Taiwan firm to pour P360-M investment in Clark

By Charlie Lagasca and Ding Cervantes


BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines – Despite the strained relations between the Philippines and Taiwan over the shooting of a suspected Taiwanese poacher in Philippine waters, a Taiwanese garment firm is set to invest P360 million in Clark Freeport, Pampanga.

The MSK Group Work Inc. will establish a garment factory in the Freeport, the third in Central Luzon after the Subic Freeport and Luisita Industrial Park.

“This (business) expansion is expected to generate 1,360 careers for the first three years of operation. Among MSK operations is Bestelment Industrial Ltd., which supplies belt buckles and leather goods’ metal hardware to international brands such as Nike, Coach, Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger,” Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Arthur Tugade said.

“Among the commitments given by the firm was the repairing of the damaged slope projection along Creekside Road which costs about P50 million and shouldering the construction of road that would lead to the site,” he added.

MSK also agreed, as part of its corporate social responsibility, to train Aetas and employ them afterwards.

The plan to build a garment factory in Freeport was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Tugade and MSK Group Work Inc. president Simon Su last Thursday. The CDC board of directors approved the firm’s business expansion last May 10.

Palace clarifies ban of 15 Taiwan products

Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday clarified that the ban on 15 contaminated food products from Taiwan has nothing to do with the diplomatic tiff over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the ban on the food products was part of the job of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that monitors and regulates the flow of food and medicines in the country.

“The FDA is not singling out Taiwan… It is their (FDA) mandate to inspect the products entering our country and we know that we should not consume the products disallowed by the FDA,” Valte said in an interview with radio dzRB.

The FDA banned 15 food products from Taiwan after it found that these are contaminated with maleic acid, a substance used to create synthetic which is used in making plastic products, automotive parts and pipes.

The FDA said that long-term consumption of high levels of maleic acid could endanger the kidney.

The banned products are Hong Tapioca Starch, Redman Black Tapioca Pearl, Sun Right Indica Rice Powder, Top 1 Tapioca Pearls, Tea World Tapioca Starch Ball, Unbranded Starch Ball, Ding Long Tapioca Pearls, Sun Chi Noodles, T & M Resources Corp Tapioca Pearls, Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (White), Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (Black), Full Free Green Tea Tapioca Ball, Full Free Yam Tapioca Ball, Long Kow Vegetarian Instant Rice Noodle, and Long Kow Rice Noodle with Thick Soup. – With Alexis Romero

P60M lost in Clark garment factory blaze

By clarkphilippines.com


CLARK FREEPORT — An estimated P60 million was lost in a fire that razed a huge garment factory and affected some 2,000 workers here last week, an official of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said.

Franco Madlangbayan, CDC vice president for operations, said executives of Smart Shirts Philippines Incorporated estimated the cost of damage based on destroyed raw materials and finished products.

Madlangbayan said his office has yet to receive a copy of the official assessment report of the company and the CDC Fire Department.

The official report will serve as a basis for action that would be undertaken by the state-owned firm to help the company and its employees.

No casualties and injuries were reported in the fire, which gutted about 40 to 50 percent of the Smart Shirt Philippines Incorporated, located at Building 25 inside the Philexel Business Park along Jack Nasser Drive here.

Workers were advised to stop from work since Saturday, according to Madlangbayan, who said that the CDC management is looking on how to help affected employees and the company.

Some 14 fire trucks from the CDC, Clark International Airport Corporation, and local government units around Clark responded in the fire which lasted until 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Smart Shirts Philippines Incorporated is a Hong Kong-based firm manufacturing shirts and long sleeves.

Taiwanese firm to set up new garment unit in Philippines

By fibre2fashion.com


A Taiwanese firm will invest P 360 million (US$ 8.5 million) to set up its third project, a new garment manufacturing unit, in the Clark Freeport area of Pampanga province of the Philippines. Taiwan’s MSK Group Work, Inc. has signed a deal with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in this regard, after the board of directors of CDC approved the project last month.

The new garment manufacturing unit will generate employment for around 1,360 workers within the first three years of being operational, Arthur P. Tugade, president of CDC, said at the signing ceremony.

In addition to the Freeport Zone project, the Taiwanese firm has promised to invest P 50 million (US$ 1.19 million) for the reconstruction of the slope projection and other modes of transportation in the Freeport region.

MSK has also agreed to train local Filipinos in garment stitching, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, and would later on employ them at its manufacturing unit.

The MSK is a Taiwan-based group which manufactures for the US-based Coach Garments. It has two apparel manufacturing units in the Philippines—one each at Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Luisita Industrial Park—that are already operational.

Taiwanese firm invests P360M in Clark

By Jovan Cerda


MANILA, Philippines - A new garment factory is expected to open in Clark Freeport, Pampanga after a Taiwanese firm committed P360 million for the expansion of its operations in the economic zone.

Arthur P. Tugade, president and chief executive officer of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) signed on Thursday the deal with MSK Group Work, Inc., headed by its President Simon Su.

The garment factory is expected to hire 1,360 employees for the first three years of its operations, Su said.

He added that the new firm in Clark will be in addition to the company's Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Luisita Industrial Park operations.

The CDC board of directors approved the company's expansion project on May 10.

MSK committed to repair the damaged slope projection along Creekside Road worth about P50 million and the construction of the road that would lead to the site.

The company supplies belt buckles and leather goods' metal parts to international brands that include Nike, Coach, Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger. The firm also manufactures Coach garments for the United States.

Taiwanese firm invests P360M in Clark

By Jovan Cerda


MANILA, Philippines - A new garment factory is expected to open in Clark Freeport, Pampanga after a Taiwanese firm committed P360 million for the expansion of its operations in the economic zone.

Arthur P. Tugade, president and chief executive officer of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) signed on Thursday the deal with MSK Group Work, Inc., headed by its President Simon Su.

The garment factory is expected to hire 1,360 employees for the first three years of its operations, Su said.

He added that the new firm in Clark will be in addition to the company's Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Luisita Industrial Park operations.

The CDC board of directors approved the company's expansion project on May 10.

MSK committed to repair the damaged slope projection along Creekside Road worth about P50 million and the construction of the road that would lead to the site.

The company supplies belt buckles and leather goods' metal parts to international brands that include Nike, Coach, Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger. The firm also manufactures Coach garments for the United States.

Angeles City college opens new campus on June 10

By (PNA)

FFC/ZST/RKM/PS/PJN


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, June 6 (PNA) -– The City College of Angeles (CCA) will open its newly-constructed campus in Barangay Pampang here on Monday for the 1,250 students.

City mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, along with city and school officials, will welcome the CCA students in their new academic home.

Averell Laquindanum, CCA president, said the number of students enrolled this first semester of academic year 2013-2014 has increased to 870.

Laquindanum said the school accommodated more students after the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) gave them the authority to offer bachelor degree courses.

In accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 7722 otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”, CCA is now authorized to offer four-year courses effective this academic year 2013-2014.

New courses offered this school year are BS in Computer Science, BS in Information Systems, BS in Tourism Management, Bachelor in Physical Education and Bachelor in Technical Teacher Education major in Food and Service Management.

Laquindanum assured that CCA is continuously strengthening its curriculum by creating linkages with different industries.

“We want to give the best to our students. We want CCA to produce marketable and quality graduates,” he added.

Last school year, the city college offered associate degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems and Tourism which are ladderized programs that can be pursued in bachelors’ degree courses.

He said the school is also looking at the possibility of offering Bachelor of Library and Information Science and BS Psychology major in Guidance and Counseling and Social Work, since the demands for these courses are high.

The CCA president expressed his gratitude to the city government for its continuous support to the school.

“Providing quality and affordable education to everyone is the only way to break the cycle of poverty,” he said.

The average tuition fee for students enrolled at CCA is P7,600.

Shirt firm suspends work for 6 months

By Charlene A. Cayabyab


CLARK FREEPORT–A shirt factory here has issued an official statement saying that their operations will be temporarily suspended for, at most, six months. In a letter addressed to its employees, Smart Shirt Philippines Inc., (SSPI) General Manager Wai Yee Kong said “the company is constrained to temporarily suspend operations for a period not exceeding six months effective June 1, 2013.” Yee Kong also said that “employees and other workers will be duly notified if and when operations are resumed or their services shall be required.” The letter was sent to SSPI Workers Union (SSPIWU) and to the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Luzon. The shirt company issued the statement after their factory at the Philexcel Business Park was gutted by fire May 31. Authorities are still investigating the cause of fire which started from an area where finished products are stored. According to SSPIWU President Ludy Hamor, they responded to the company’s official statement requesting for the release of their salary this June 10 including, if possible, the release of their unused sick and vacation leave pays. Hamor said some of her co-workers have started looking for new jobs since the factory’s suspension of operations on June 1.

CJ Sereno to lead 115th Independence Day celebration in Pamintuan Mansion

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, June 4 (PIA) -- National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has confirmed that the country’s first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court- Maria Lourdes Sereno will lead the 115th Independence Day celebration in Pamintuan Mansion, Angeles City.

Built in 1890, the mansion was Don Mariano Pamintuan’s wedding gift to his son Florentino.

General Antonio Luna moved his army’s headquarters in the mansion on March, 1899 after the Americans occupied Malolos, Bulacan.

Three months later, then President Emilio Aguinaldo transferred the seat of his government there and led the first and only public Independence Day celebration under his administration.

After the Americans captured Angeles in 1901, General Arthur MacArthur used the Pamintuan residence as his headquarters.

During World War II, the Japanese forces also used the house as a base when they conquered the area.

After the war, in 1959, the house came under the ownership of the Tablante family until it was finally donated to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in 1981.

The house underwent a five-year restoration and was inaugurated in 1988 as the Central Luzon office of the BSP.

After BSP moved its regional office in the City of San Fernando in 2010, the Central Bank decided to transfer responsibility over the property to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) paving the way for the transformation of the mansion into a museum.

The mansion has always been one of the main venues of the Independence Day celebration every year.

Others include: Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan; Rizal National Monument in Manila, Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite;Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan; Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in Manila North Cemetery; city of Cebu and city of Davao.(WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)

DOLE holds Labor-Management Forum in Clark

By Rosa Bianca Pamintuan

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, June 3 (PIA) -- Around 90 labor and management representatives from 30 locators within and outside Clark Freeport recently attended a Labor-Management Forum organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE Pampanga Provincial Director Arlene Tolentino said the forum, which as anchored on the theme “Gearing towards a Stress-Free, Health, and Productive Workplace”, is a series of discussions on the latest labor updates and other related labor laws and issuances (ORLLI) and special topics concerning health.

It is likewise a venue for labor and management to discuss issues and concerns in the world of work with the end-goal of enhancing productivity and work attitude at the workplace.

“Topics that were discussed included Stress Management and Work-Related Diseases; Smoking Cessation in the Workplace and the Sin Tax Bill; and Labor Updates and Recent Jurisprudence,” Tolentino added.

Members from the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine namely Central Luzon Occupational Safety and Health Network (CLOSHNET) Vice President Jeanne Tiangha-Gonzales and Department of Health Medical Specialist II Maila Rostrata and Public Attorney’s Office-Pampanga Officer-In-Charge Socrates Padua served as resource speakers.

“With investments continuously growing in our region, especially on our economic and industrial zones, we are keen on keeping labor and management updated with the Department’s new laws, policies, and issuances, through our developmental seminars and social dialogues, in efforts to sustain stronger harmonious relationships to achieve industrial peace,” Tolentino said.

The turnout of the forum was a success as participants found the topics discussed very timely, informative, and useful in their respective organizations. The participants likewise expressed eagerness to request for more similar-related topics in the future.

Lorna Mungcal, Administrative Assistant of CRL Environmental Corporation, said that the topics discussed are very helpful since not all industries, like theirs, have human resource personnel working closely to attend to the needs of workers.

“We’re glad to know that the DOLE is informing us of the latest updates on new and existing labor laws, that way, management and labor will be able to sit down and find ways to uplift the plight of workers, likewise find ways to improve productivity,” Mungcal said.

Muncgal added that the subject on stress management, cessation of smoking, and other-related health concerns very insightful because health and wellness is a primary concern at the workplace. Through forums like this, more people will learn more how to value their health. (CLJD/RBRP-PIA 3)

Japanese firm to build P1.35B air separation plant in Clark

By Ric Sapnu

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – The Clark International Airport Corp., (CIAC) has started accepting bids up to June 26 for CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – Ingasco, a leading Japanese gas firm is constructing a P1.35 billion air separation plant here.

Masahiko Kitabatake, president of Ingasco, Inc., led the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an air separation facility project of Taiyo Nippon Sanso Clark, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ingasco, Inc.

At least 30 personnel would be employed during its initial construction phase, and at least 300 workers once the facility is fully operational, said Noel Ret Sampol, project manager of Taiyo Nippon Sanso Clark, Inc.

Arthur P. Tugade, president of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), pledged the state-owned firm’s commitment and support to the company.

“Ingasco will establish and operate an air separation plant facility for the existing and future needs for industrial, medical and specialty gases of several firms, including semiconductor facilities, inside Clark,” Tugade said.

The fuel facility would be located in a 32,928-square-meter area along Panday Pira Avenue here.

The project would include the installation of mechanical and electrical equipment used for air separation such as cryogenic distillation column, multi-stage air compressors, pumps, electrical substation, cooling towers and cryogenic storage tanks, among others.

Once fully operational, Ingasco would be capable of supplying nitrogen, argon, and oxygen to big Clark-based firms like Texas Instruments (TI) and Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corp. (PSPC), and other electronic and semiconductor companies.

Ingasco is 70 percent owned by its mother company Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC), a major supplier of industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon to a wide range of industries, including the steel, chemical, electronics, automobile, construction, shipbuilding, and food industries.

The company also develops and manufactures gas-applied devices and equipment and plays a vital role in the frontiers of science and environmental preservation, as well as the Japan National Hydrogen Project.

Aside from its industrial gas business, the corporation is also involved in supplying medical oxygen and other high-quality gases to medical institutions.

CIAC accepting bids for Clark airport runway repair project

By•Ding Cervantes


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – The Clark International Airport Corp., (CIAC) has started accepting bids up to June 26 for the P18.9-million repair of two portions of the Clark International Airport (CIA) runway.

The CIAC is rushing all expansion and repair works at the CIA in time for the launch of the regular flights of Emirates between Clark and the Middle East, starting Oct. 1.

The CIAC said the P18.9-million budget for the repair of portions D and F2 at one of the two runways here would come from its budget for this year.

“Completion of the work required is 60 calendar days,” CIAC said, noting that “prospective bidders should have a valid PCAB license with at least Category AA.”

It also said the bidder “must have completed a single contract or project involving repair of pavement at any airport within 10 years from the date of submission, and receipt of bids with a contract amount equivalent to at least 50 percent of the ABC.”

CIAC stressed that the bidding process would be conducted in strict compliance with Government Procurement Reform Act and that it is limited to “Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least 75 percent interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.”

The P360 million expansion of the CIA terminal is expected to be completed by September, CIAC president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano said.

This, even as Luciano expressed optimism over prospects of the government’s adopting a twin airport system that he had pushed. The system, he said, would allow the joint development of the international gateway in both Clark and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in a “symbiotic relationship” to better benefit the public.

Transportation and Communications Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya has reiterated that Pres. Aquino now favors a dual airport system to decongest the Manila airport. He also said the government is eyeing an initial P3 billion funding for a new budget terminal for Clark by 2015.

Luciano said the completion of Phase II of the CIA terminal would be in time for the regular flights of Emirates starting this October. Qatar Airways will also have regular flights from Clark starting September.

He noted that the regular flights of the Emirates and Qatar from Clark would further boost the volume of passengers at the CIA, as he noted that the volume already increased 62 percent in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the first quarter last year or from 252,163 passengers last year to 408,895 this year.

Luciano said the P360 million expansion would double the capacity of the existing terminal to five million passengers from the current capacity of up to 2.5 million.

The expansion cost would also cover two more passenger boarding bridges, two escalators, two elevators, concession areas, two VIP lounge areas, X-ray walk through machines, flight information display system (FIDS), closed circuit television, background and music and public address system, centralized airconditioning system and building maintenance system, he said.

“We expect the passenger volume to further increase as we are anticipating the start of the Emirates non-stop daily flights between Dubai and Clark and vice versa on October 1,” he said, noting that Emirates would connect Clark to the rest of Middle East and Europe using the Boeing 777-300ERs aircraft.

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