Angeles City News March 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Mayor: Establish chemotherapy, heart care center

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan reiterated plans to establish a chemotherapy and coronary care units at the Ospital Ning Angeles (Ona).

During the opening salvo of the mayor’s slate (Team Agyu Tamu), Pamintuan vowed to implement the programs if he succeeded in his re-election bid.

The mayor also said he will continue implementing his programs and projects, which are stipulated in his “Contract With The Angelenos.”

The City Government, under Pamintuan’s administration, implemented various programs on health, infrastructure, education, livelihood, peace and order, among others.

Pamintuan also told his supporters that the construction of a public cemetery will be realized during his next term.

During his first term, Pamintuan was able to establish a dialysis center at the Ona and the City College of Angeles City.

Pamintuan, together with his runningmates and supporters, marched to the Miranda Street from four assembly points (Crossing, Nepo Grounds, Santo Domingo and Santo Cristo.

Pamintuan’s runningmates are Vice Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting; Councillors Jericho Aguas, Edu Pamintuan, Maricel Morales, Alex Indiongco, Arvin Suller; Former Councilors Lito Ganzon, Romy Taruc, Ruben Maniago; and Danica Lacson.





Councilor: Put up WiFi hot spots

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY - Former Councilor Max Sangil has cited the need to install wireless fidelity (WiFi) hot spots in every villages all over the city.

Sangil, a veteran journalist running for councilor here, said the city needs to adapt today’s communication technology.

He said this is only one of his programs if he will be elected member of the City Council.

The WiFi zones should be put up in central business districts and plazas of every village, said Sangil, who topped the councilor post in the 1995 polls.

Aside from this, he is also planning to push for the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in major streets to monitor crimes and other incidents.

Once seated at the City Council, Sangil said he will scrutinize the budget which now soared to P1.3 billion.

“We will participate in the fiscal management of the City Government,” said Sangil, also a former chair of the Committee on Finances.

He also vowed to upgrade legislative works and promote transparency in local governance.

Sangil added that he will also push for development programs for the youth and delivery of basic services.

“Ang laki na ng budget ng siyudad at maglalaan tayo ng podo para sa mga programang tutulong sa ating mga kabataan,” Sangil said.

In 1998, Sangil acted as city mayor for four months and the budget then was less than P300 million.





Village chief dares Cabigting to resign

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY – Barangay Claro M. Recto chair Valentino Lagman dared over the weekend Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting to resign if the proper court finds there’s truth to his allegations of ghost purchases under the office of the Vice Mayor worth P120,000.

Lagman, at the same time, vowed to resign if there is no truth to his allegations over Cabigting.

Lagman said he would not have filed charges before the office of the Ombudsman against Cabigting and other councilors if there is no truth to his allegations.

Earlier, Lagman filed graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against seven city officials in connection with the alleged anomalous procurement of laptops and cellular phones.

Also facing graft charges, aside from Cabigting, are General Services Officer Menandro G. Dizon, Administrator Dennis Albert S. Pamintuan, and Councilors Jericho G. Aguas, Jesus S. Sangil, Alexander P. Indiongco, and Edgardo D. Pamintuan Jr.

Other complainants who filed the charges along with Lagman are broadcaster Medardo David and lawyer Francisco Ramos Buan Jr.

In their joint complaint-affidavit, the complainants claimed that the seven city officials connived with vendors of a cellphone shop to effect ghost purchases of four units of laptops in August 2011.

They alleged that “no such purchases were made and worse, no actual deliveries.”

The officials allegedly violated several laws including Republic Act 3019 - Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act 9184 - Government Procurement Reform Act, Republic Act 6713 - Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees, and Section 52 of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution 99-1936, dated August 31, 1999, otherwise known as the “Uniform Rules in Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, for Serious Dishonesty and Grave Misconduct.

Lagman said he has a letter coming from Acer Philippines attesting that the serial numbers of the four laptops they submitted to the City Government were non-existent and invalid.

"Hinahamon ko sila na patunayan na wala sila ginawang anomalya. Kung ako ay mali ako ay magbibitiw bilang barangay kapitan ng aking barangay," Lagman added. ( Rey Navales)





Public urged to observe Earth Hour

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY – Team Lazatin Councilor bet Carmelo Lazatin Jr., son of Congressman Carmelo Lazatin, has urged the people to join the observation of Earth Hour in March 23.

“Sama-sama po tayong makiisa sa Earth Hour sa pamamagitan ng pagpatay ng ating mga ilaw sa loob ng isang oras, mula 8:30 hanggang 9:30 ng gabi,” Lazatin said.

The Earth Hour is an annually-held worldwide event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) where people from homes and establishments all over the world are invited to turn non-essential lights off for one hour to save energy.

According to Lazatin, there is a common misconception that the Earth Hour is merely a ‘lights off’ project and does not really impact the environment.

“Isipin nalang po natin, ilang bilyong mga tahanan, building, at iba pang establishments ang magpapatay ng ilaw sa loob ng oras? Napakalaking enerhiya na po ang matitipid natin dito,” Lazatin said.

“Maliban dito, ang pagkakaisa ng mga komunidad sa buong mundo para i-observe ang Earth Hour ay nagsusulong ng greater collective consciousness to start taking care of the environment,” added Lazatin, “Ang Earth Hour ang nagpapakita na kahit ang maliliit na efforts ay nagkakaroon ng malaking epekto kung maraming tao ang makikiisa dito.”

During the Earth Hour last year, which was held on March 31, 2012, the organizers also launched the “I Will If You Will” campaign, which encourages Earth Hour participants to “go beyond the hour” and participate in other projects to help protect the environment.

Lazatin said that as part of his “Four-Point Agenda” platform for government, one of his priority projects will be concerning the environment, particularly, the implementation of an effective Solid Waste Management Program, part of which will be the establishment of Material Recovery Facilities in every cluster of barangays in the city and an effective information dissemination campaign. (Reynaldo G. Navales)





Pamintuan lauds coops support

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded cooperatives for their active support to the plans of the City Government.

Members of various cooperative groups here participated in a recent forum on labor and other cooperative related laws.

The forum spearheaded by the Angeles City Cooperative Development Office (ACCDO) in cooperation with the Angeles City Cooperative Council (ACCC) was held Wednesday at the Angeles City Council Session Hall where hundreds of cooperative heads attended.

Pamintuan expressed his gratitude for the groups’ cooperation that helped in the economic growth of Angeles City.

“My administration will always be thankful to all the support you are giving the city. Without your cooperation we will never be able to establish your respective cooperatives,” Pamintuan said.

Ferdinand Calma, head of ACCDO, said the forum will serve as a venue in training officers of different coops on how to manage and operate their respective enterprises.

“We have invited a guest speaker from Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to address all the questions of our coop officers with regards to the labor code. We would like them to know their responsibilities as well as their privileges,” Calma said.

This will be the 12th mandatory training for the coops since 2012.

Bernard Chua, chairman of ACCC, expressed thanked the local government for empowering local cooperatives.

According to him, the seminars and orientations greatly help coops to form their own management committee.

“It is our hope that the partnership between cooperatives and the city government will continue so that all our proposed plans and projects will materialize,” Chua said.







Lawmaker: Choose congressman wisely

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY – “Angelenos must choose wisely, dapat piliin nila ang congressman na alam ang ginagawa niya,” said Representative Carmelo Lazatin (1st district, Pampanga) following statements made by Pampanga Vice-Governor Joseller Guiao assailing Lazatin during a flag raising ceremony in the Angeles City Hall held last March 18.

Lazatin said: “Sabi ni Vice Governor Guiao sa flag ceremony, napakatagal na nakaupo ng congressman ng First District pero wala man lang nakaisip na gawing authority ang Clark Development Corporation.”

“Hindi siguro alam ni Vice Governor Guiao na nagfile na tayo ng ganitong batas noon pang taong 2011,” he added.

Lazatin is referring to House Bill No. 4843, otherwise known as “An Act Creating the Metropolitan Clark Freeport Zone and its governing body, The Metropolitan Clark Freeport Zone Authority, replacing Clark Development Corporation”, which was filed by Lazatin on June 8, 2011 and is currently pending approval from the House Committee on Economic Affairs.

“Sa isa pang naging talumpati ni Vice Governor Guiao, sinabi rin niya na kapag naging congressman siya ay isusulong niya ang cityhood ng Mabalacat at ang pagiging unibersidad ng Pampanga Agricultural College,” he said.

Lazatin added: “Nagawa na natin lahat ng sinasabi ni Vice Governor Guiao habang tayo ang nakaupo bilang kongresista, ano pa ang gagawin niya kapag siya ang naupo sa kongreso?”

Republic Act No. 10164, which provides for the conversion of Mabalacat into a component city, was authored by Lazatin and approved by President Benigno Aquino III last May 15, 2012.

House Bill No. 4450, which seeks to convert Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) into a State University, was filed by Lazatin on July 15, 2010 and was approved on its third and final reading last February 4, 2013. The bill is currently awaiting ratification.

“Ang payo ko kay Vice Governor Guiao ay mag-aral muna siya ng leksyon bago siya magsalita tungkol sa mga gagawin niyang programa kapag siya ay naging kongresista,” Lazatin said.





AC College to offer bachelor’s degrees

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY – The City College of Angeles (CCA) was granted government authority from Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to offer bachelor degree courses this coming semester.

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.

The new courses, which will be offered during the start of classes on June, include 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.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded the administration of the CCA in their efforts to expand their academic capabilities through several course offerings.

“Without a doubt, this will encourage more of our youth to study in the City College and improve the quality of their lives through its market sensitive courses, professional skills trainings and other programs,” Pamintuan said.

Averell Laquindanum, president of the CCA, said they have been working for a year to complete all the requirements set by the commission to get the said authorization.

“We were able to prepare and provide the required books, laboratories and equipment as set by the commission. They also require us to submit the list of faculty members even if we are not yet offering the courses,” Laquindanum said.

With the authority given by the commission plus the nearly completed school at Barangay Pampang, the city college is expecting to increase its enrollees by the start of the semester, Laquindanum said.

From its current 300 students, the city college is expecting some 1,000 students by June.

Laquindanum assured the students 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.

Currently the city college is offering associate degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems and Tourism which are ladderized programs that can be pursued further in Bachelors’ Degree courses.

The school, which was established last year, 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.

According to him, this is part of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan’s Contract with the Angeleños.

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






Clark bomb threat a ‘hoax’

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- A bomb threat, which sent hundreds of employees away from a building occupied by a call center, a bank, and a convenience store at the Berthaphil Industrial Estate II here, turned out to be a hoax.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) vice president for operations Frank Madlangbayan said a phone call about a bomb planted inside the commercial building was received by the Public Safety Department before 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Special Operations Wing Explosive and Ordinance Division, K-9 Unit, and CDC police were able to clear the building and employees were sent back to office past 9 a.m.

Madlangbayan said the management of the call center firm received a text message from an anonymous sender that he will blow up the building.

Madlangbayan lauded the cooperation between the PAF units and CDC authorities, which handled the situation properly. No one was hurt during the evacuation of employees, he said.

"The military units and our security personnel did their job well. We cannot sacrifice the safety of the people and employees, which is our main concern," Madlangbayan said.

Two World War II vintage bombs were reportedly found at the construction site of Dongwang Golf Course at the mountain ranges of the Freeport.

Madlangbayan said the bombs are still in the area. CDC police and PAF units placed a security barrier to prevent people from getting near the place.

The CDC official said they are set to acquire blasting caps to detonate the bombs.





Tarzan camp thanks ABE for admitting violation

By /punto.com.ph


ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – “Government resources are for the use of the general public and not for any specific political party moreso the political party of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, the Partido Abe Kapampangan (PAK).”

Thus said IC Calaguas, Chief Political Affairs Officer of Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, on March 18 after Partido Abe Kapampangan (PAK) Secretary General William Aguilar admitted in a press statement that PAK wrote to the office of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and requested that they be lent chairs and tents for their events.

“Nakakabahala itong ginagawa ng administrasyon ni Mayor Pamintuan. Lantaran na paggamit ng kagamitan ng gobyerno, baka hindi natin alam baka pati papremyo sa bingo ay maaaring galing din sa kaban ng siyudad,” Calaguas said.

“Mayor Pamintuan has shown blatant abuse of authority by favoring his political party,” said Calaguas, “Ibig bang sabihin, dahil ito ang partido niya, priority ni Mayor Pamintuan ang Partido Abe?”

“Sa kabilang banda, nagpapasalamat din kami sa Partido Abe sa pag-amin na ginagamit nila ang mga kagamitan ng City Government para sa kanilang ‘bingo’ events, na isang malinaw na paglabag sa provisions ng Omnibus Election Code,” Calaguas said.

Section 261 (o) of Article 22 from the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) lists under Prohibited Acts the use of “any equipment, vehicle, facility, apparatus, or paraphernalia owned by the government or by its political subdivisions, agencies including government-owned or controlled corporations, or by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for any election campaign or for any partisan political activity”.

Meanwhile, Section 7 (n) of Commission on Elections Resolution No. 9616 states that the prohibitions listed under Section 261 of the OEC are “deemed unlawful anytime” and “any person” can be held liable for its violation.

Photos taken from the ‘bingo’ event held in Open Space, Barangay Malabanias on March 14 show the tents used in the events, which bear the logo of the Angeles City Government, while another photo show the chairs used in the event branded with ‘GAD’, the acronym for the City Government’s Gender and Development Office.

The video footage from the ‘bingo’ event held in Barangay Cuayan on March 16 also show the same tents, chairs and tables owned by the Angeles City Government being used in the event.

Earlier, Lazatin wrote to COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. and requested COMELEC to conduct an investigation regarding the alleged electoral violations of PAK, particularly during their bingo events in Barangay Malabanias and Cuayan.

Lazatin slams Pamintuan for abuse of authority

By Rey G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Representative Carmelo Lazatin (first district, Pampanga) said the camp of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has been abusing authority by allowing the mayor’s political party, Partido Abe Kapampangan, to use government-owned materials during its gaming events.

In a letter addressed to Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., Lazatin said that Partido Abe has been holding bingo gaming events in several barangays in the city: Barangay Santo Domingo (March 9), Malabanias (March 14), and Cuayan (March 16), where photos and video footage show that the tents, chairs, and tables used in the events are owned by the City Government.

Footage taken from the bingo event in Barangay Cuayan shows that the tents used in the events bear the logo of the Angeles City Government, while another photo shows the tables and chairs used in the event branded with “GAD” -- the acronym for the City Government’s Gender and Development Office.

The footage also shows the event’s organizers wearing ABE shirts.

“The acts of ABE are flagrant violations and acts inimical to public interests and public service,” Lazatin said.

“Hindi nakapagtataka na baka ang mga papremyo nila ay galing din sa kaban ng siyudad,” added Lazatin.

ABE also reportedly gave away P300 each to the attendees of the bingo event held at the L&S Subdivision Covered Court in Barangay Santo Domingo last March 9.

In his letter, Lazatin asked the Comelec to investigate the reported violations of the party and take appropriate action. A copy of Lazatin’s letter was also forwarded to Comelec Acting Regional Director Rafael Olaño and Angeles City Election Officer lawyer Nomer Lobo.

Earlier, Lazatin also wrote a letter to Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro about ABE’s use of public school facilities in their political meetings and bingo events.

The Partido Abe Kapampangan, meanwhile, said there is nothing wrong in the use of chairs and tents owned by the City Government for the party’s social events as these were borrowed officially from city hall.

“As far as we know, chairs and tents can be lent by the City Government to any organization that officially requests for them, as long as these are available. We wrote the Office of the Mayor presenting our calendar of social events, including bingo socials, and requested that we be lent chairs, and in some occasions, tents, and they acceded to our request,” said Abe secretary general William Aguilar.

Aguilar said the charges of Lazatin against Mayor Pamintuan in relation to activities of Abe indicate desperation.

“Lazatin is trigger happy and is fond of shooting from the hips on any issue that he thinks he can milk for its propaganda value. He is becoming more and more ridiculous,” he said.

Aguilar also laughed at Lazatin’s charges that Abe is paying off its members.

“Unlike Lazatin who is openly hauling and paying off voters at his home every day, we need not pay our members. They are our members who joined us on the basis of our principles,” he said.






Pampanga seen to benefit from property boom

By Ian Ocampo Flora


CLARK FREEPORT — United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate Jack Enrile is optimistic that Pampanga will benefit in the years ahead from the property boom in Metro Manila and other urban centers around the region.

Enrile, during a meeting with the Pampanga Press, inside Clark Freeport pointed out that sand quarrying in the province’s lahar areas is now Pampanga’s biggest source of revenue, raking in more than P600 million in taxes and fees in the last two years.

“With the quarrying industry bringing in millions in revenues to Pampanga’s coffers, the provincial government is in a good position to deliver vital social services and infrastructure to its constituents,” Enrile said.

Crude sand is used as filling materials while refined sand is mixed with cement or made into hollow blocks. The quarry industry is concentrated in Bacolor, Porac, Sta. Rita, Floridablanca, Mabalacat, Mexico, Minalin and Sto. Tomas towns.

Enrile noted that the Pampanga Provincial Government had used revenues from quarrying and other industries to fund the construction of new classrooms and roads and to improve district hospitals.

Official records showed that shares received by Pampanga villages hosting quarry operations from December 2010 to April 2012 exceeded P91 million.

As Cagayan congressman, Enrile helped in building various infrastructures that his constituencies in the first district actually needed: farm-to-market roads, irrigation and dredging systems, water impounding projects, and rehabilitation of roads and drainage.

Enrile was the principal author of the Batas Kasambahay, the Credit Access and Protection Reform Bill, the Anti-Monopoly Bill, and the Food for Filipinos First Bill.

Since 2010, Enrile has gone to more than 72 provinces consulting with various sectoral groups for his advocacy of food sovereignty. Enrile emphasized that with a population which will easily exceed 100 million, the country must adopt a sound and rationalized food plan to assure food security for all Filipinos, particularly the poor.





Ex-lawmaker lauds airlines entry in Clark

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- Former Pampanga first district representative Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno said the entry of Emirates Airlines will be the start of something big for the development of the Clark International Airport.

Nepomuceno, who is running for congressman in the first district of Pampanga under the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), said the airline's flights to Dubai will serve overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who hail from Central and Northern Luzon.

OFWs in the area will opt to fly via Clark instead of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to Nepomuceno.

"Napakalapit po ng Clark airport at lubos na makatitipid pa ang mga OFWs," Nepomuceno said.

Another airline, Qatar Airways, has also signified its interest to launch flights in Clark airport.

Nepomuceno earlier said the Clark Freeport and the airport will bring more developments to the entire country.

"Clark is the economic engine of Central Luzon. With more local and international flights, we are expecting to see the development of tourism and economy in Pampanga's First CongreSSional District," Nepomuceno said.

The Clark Airport has been recognized as one of the Top Three Best Airport Zones in the world by the London-based FDi Magazine of the Financial Times Group.

The airport placed third in the FDi Magazine survey where Morroco's Tangiers Free Zone came in second and Dubai Airport Free Zone at number one.

The Financial Times also ranked the Clark Freeport Zone as eighth top Global Free Zone of the Future from 2012 to 2013 which made evident that Clark will play a crucial role in economic development, according to Nepomuceno.

The aviation complex, which occupies some 2,400 hectares of land, is home to budget carriers such as Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Berhad, AirAsia Philippines, Seair, Airphil Express and Jin Air.

A full service carrier, Asiana, also flies to Incheon, South Korea.

Nepomuceno said the entry of more airlines will allow more people to travel and this will be beneficial to the economy.

"Marami po sa ating mga kapwa ang magkakaroon ng oportunidad para makapagtrabaho sa Clark airport," Nepomuceno said.

The Clark airport posted over 1.3 million passengers for 2012. It is expected to double the figure once the Middle Eastern flights start their operations.

Guv seeks biz group’s ‘help’

By Jovi T. De Leon


CLARK FREEPORT -- Governor Lilia Pineda bared on Thursday her administration’s accomplishments in the last 30 months before officials and members of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce Inc.

She also sought the assistance of the chamber in “showing the country and the whole world that Pampanga is peaceful,” contrary to the province’s being in the “watchlist” this coming May polls.

The governor was loudly applauded by the business group during its 41st General Membership Meeting at the Widus Convention Center here, especially when she disclosed that Capitol has some cash-in-bank of P1.5 billion, including the milestone quarry revenues of P675 million, plus the millions spent by the Provincial Government for health, education, infrastructure and other social services.

In a nutshell, Governor Pineda said Capitol has spent some P94 million for health programs and care of more than 27,000 indigent patients plus improvement of various district hospitals; a total of about P22 million for educational assistance that benefited 5,649 scholars; P160 million for the rehabilitation and construction of new classrooms; P36 million in livelihood grants for 4,950 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs; a collection of P48 million in real property taxes gained from the new I-Tax system and tax mapping; and P260 million in aid to local government units for infrastructure and added social services, including maintenance of peace and order.

“I have been all I can to look after the welfare of Kapampangans from all sectors. Inaruga ko ang Pampanga in the last 30 months at ginagawa ko ang lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya. Sana ay tulungan ninyo akong maituloy lahat ito, particularly our peace and order programs and our continued journey towards progress,” she said.

The governor stressed that the business sector could help greatly in “showing the country and the world” that the region-less Kapampangan race is peace-loving with or without elections and that it does not belong to the “election hotspot watchlist.”

“I appeal to you to participate in our efforts to show them that we are a peaceful people even without a region like the Tagalog, Ilocanos and Visayans. Ipakita natin hindi lang sa bansa kundi sa buong mundo na hindi magulo ang Pampanga,” she emphasized, noting of a major investor who backed-out from interests in the province after getting wind that Pampanga was on the watchlist.

“Nasa kamay ninyo ang kaunlaran at patuloy na progreso ng probinsiya. Malaki ang epekto nito sa ating lahat. Please help me show them we are not what they think we are. Lahat dito ay nagmamahalan at marangal elekyon man o hindi,” added Governor Pineda.

She also urged PamCham to give her an assessment of her administration: “Please give me your assessment on this administration. Kung hindi man karapatdapat ay tatanggapin ko.”

For the chamber’s part, chairman emeritus Levy P. Laus said that they will fully support the governor’s call.

“I agree with Governor Pineda that Kapampangans are peaceful and that the province is orderly even during elections. Everyone here are friends. It’s a welcome request to us,” said Laus.

School cooperates with cops to solve student slay case

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Administration officials of Holy Angel University (HAU) are closely cooperating with authorities to solve the killing of HAU’s engineering student Danielle Huet Conde.

According to Robert Tantingco, HAU vice president for External Affairs, the school administration is also monitoring the investigation of the case.

Conde, an engineering student from Camp O’Donell, Capas, Tarlac, was killed after a suspected robber stabbed her to death inside the victim’s boarding house in Barangay Santo Cristo here.

“The academic community of Holy Angel University is grieving the death of one of its students, Danielle Huet Conde, who is the current Miss Engineering and Architecture and a varsity player for the taekwondo team,” the school stated.

“She passed away in the afternoon of 2 March 2013, in the hands of her still unidentified assailant who had broken into her apartment in Barangay Santo Cristo, Angeles City,” the HAU statement added.

The school management also extended its deepest condolences to the girl’s family, friends, classmates and teammates and pray for her eternal rest.

“We pray that the assailant is brought to justice at the soonest possible time,” the school administration said.

‘Stronger Authority’ For Clark Pushed

By Mark Anthony N. Manuel


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The conversion of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the government-owned and -controlled corporation that supervises and manages this premier Freeport, into an authority with its own charter and fixed term of office for its officers is being pushed by a provincial official and a local party here.

Vice Governor Yeng Guiao and the local party Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan or the Shield of the Pampanga People) said yesterday that there is a need for a law that will strengthen the organizational structure and administrative capabilities of the state-run firm.

Guaio said that the fullest potential of Clark could only be possible if a law would be passed to convert it into a Clark Freeport Authority similar to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in Subic, Zambales.

“This will give Clark an stronger authority for its full-blown development,” he said.

At present, CDC is an implementing arm of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) that manages the Clark Special Economic Zone.

It was created in April 1993 by Executive Order 80 by then President Fidel V. Ramos “Chief executives of Clark should have a fixed term of office defined by law so that they would not be dragged into partisan politics because of the uncertainty of their terms,” the Vice Governor said.

Clark has seen three presidents since President Aquino came to power in 2010. These are Felipe Remollo, Eduardo Oban and current President Arthur Tugade.

Guaio shared that a team of lawyers are formulating a bill that is an improved version of bills that created the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) in Casambalangan, Santa Ana, Cagayan and the APECO in Casiguran, Aurora.

CEZA was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 7922, otherwise known as the Cagayan Economic Zone Act of 1995.

It is a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, and recreational center, with a suitable residential area, in order to create employment opportunities around the Cagayan Freeport, and to effectively encourage and attract legitimate and productive local and foreign investments.

The freeport is located in Port Irene, Casambalangan, Santa Ana, Cagayan. It is approximately a 45-minute plane ride from Kaoshung, Taiwan’s largest industrial and shipping center.

Meanwhile, APECO was established by virtue of Republic Act 9490, otherwise known as the Aurora Special Economic Zone Act of 2007.

It is being supervised and managed by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, and recreational center, with a suitable residential area, in order to create employment opportunities around Casiguran, and to effectively encourage and attract legitimate and productive local and foreign investments.






Gov't should develop both Ninoy Aquino, Clark airports

By (philstar.com)


MANILA, Philippines - The government must simultaneously develop both the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark Airport, a lawmaker said Monday.

Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo (2nd district, Valenzuela City) said the development of the two airports should be pursued until such time that a fast rail shuttle is operational to carry passengers from Clark to Metro Manila. Gunigundo is the vice chairman of the House Committee on Transportation.

He added that without a fast rail transport system that would ferry passengers from Clark to Metro Manila in just 20 to 30 minutes, the government cannot close down NAIA in favor of CIA.

Gunigundo made this statement as President Aquino is set to decide soon whether to maintain and develop both the NAIA and CIA as major airports or replace NAIA with CIA.

“We need to develop both airports until such time that a Clark fast rail shuttle is operational,” Gunigundo said.

Earlier, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said different plans for CIA and NAIA would be discussed in the Cabinet economic cluster and ultimately with the president for approval within the month.

Abaya said the choice would be between maintaining two major airports, which are, CIA and NAIA that will support each other, or giving up NAIA in favor of CIA. He said the government could also opt to create a new airport inside Metro Manila or in a nearby province that will replace the NAIA complex in Pasay City.

Clark International Airport occupies 2,400 hectares of land, more than three times bigger than the 700 hectares occupied by the already congested NAIA complex. According to Clark International Airport Corp. adviser Capt. Benjamin Solis, the NAIA is already 40 percent over the capacity of its terminals and runway, hence the need to fast track the development of CIA.

Meanwhile, former Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) president Jeff Pradhan said locators inside the Clark Freeport and special economic zone are calling on the government to decide with finality whether the CIA would serve as an alternate gateway into the country.

CIAC submits P6-B airport plan to DOTC

By Reynaldo G. Navales


CLARK FREEPORT -- Officials of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) are set to submit to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) a list of projects, including the construction of the P6-billion budget terminal, navigational equipment, and others.

Luciano said the updated list, including costs of the projects submitted by other attached agencies of DOTC, would also be consolidated and submitted to National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) for processing.

Luciano at the same time denied claims that businesses inside the Freeport are suffering because of the alleged “indecisiveness of the national government over the fate of the Clark airport.”

Local officials, businessmen, and residents in the Metro Clark area are urging President Benigno Aquino III to make the Clark international airport as the country’s alternate gateway.

CIAC adviser Captain Benjamin Solis earlier said that the government should act quickly on the development of Clark airport as the NAIA is already 40 percent over the capacity of its terminals and runway.

According to Solis, the development of Clark airport as an alternative gateway to NAIA would be cheaper compared to putting up a new airport or putting up a high-speed railway.

He also supports the idea of developing the airport as low-cost carrier terminal similar to that of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Luciano said that CIAC and DOTC are considering the twin airport system where NAIA and Clark airport would complement each other’s operation.






Small businesses hit it big during Clark balloon fest

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu


CLARK FREEPORT, March 2 (PIA) -- While the fanfare that came with the recent holding of the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta has left pleasant memories for thousands of tourists that attended the four-day event, operators of small businesses are still enjoying the trickledown effect brought by the influx of spectators to this bustling Freeport.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Public Relations Department Manager Angelo Lopez, Jr. said small scale business operators said they have benefitted from the annual event, which was held at the Omni Aviation Complex from Feb. 21 to 24.

In an interview with Lopez, Flor De Guzman said long queues of tourists, most of them had flocked to Clark, stood in front of her hotdog stand. “It wasn’t even lunch time yet but almost all of my stock and beverages were already sold out,” she said.

Another entrepreneur, Perlita Mendoza of nearby Mabalacat City, said the hot air balloon festival was a timely event since she just opened a Chinese dimsum franchise. “Our sales were beyond expectations and we consider the revenues generated from the balloon fest as a blessing from God since we’ve just opened shop,” Mendoza said.

According to Lopez, amid stiff competition from major food chains that were present in the event, the hot air balloon fiesta had leveled the playing field and provided the much needed income for small scale businesses thriving in adjacent communities of the Clark Freeport.

Aside from the food industry, Lopez added that both major and small players in the hotel and restaurant industry have also benefitted from the influx of tourists to Pampanga, particularly the Clark Freeport.

Lopez noted that major hotels in Clark have posted full occupancy, including resorts like Fontana Leisure Parks.

He added that restaurants and eateries here and those along the vicinity of the Freeport have increased sales during the four-day event.

“Even the heavy rain during day two of the balloon fest is a blessing from Above,” said Lopez, quoting CDC President Arthur Tugade.

According to Tugade, Friday’s rains had helped drench the hot air balloon venue removing dust and other dry particles that can cause various inconveniences to participants and spectators.

The 18th PIHABF was estimated to attract more than a hundred thousand tourists to Clark. They were treated to airshows from 32 hot air balloons, five of which are special-shaped: Humpty Dumpty, Space Shuttle, Tulip Bouquet, Pink Elephant, and a Fire Truck.

Also performing during the event was the Breitling Jet Team. They were complimented by aerobatic exhibitions by radio-controlled airplane owners, ultra-light pilots, paragliders, parachutists, and kite flying.

A two-day concert from the OPM group was also among the highlights of the event.

Lazatin leads Cutcut road opening

By Reynaldo G. Navales


ANGELES CITY -- Pampanga Representative Carmelo Lazatin (first district) led Thursday the inauguration of the newly constructed road in Barangay Cutcut.

The lawmaker, at the same time, joined other barangay officials in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of another road along Leen Street and the rehabilitation of the village's barangay hall.

Lazatin led the ribbon cutting ceremony in Sitio Mali with members of Team Lazatin, including Councilor Bryan Nepomuceno, Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin Jr., Lawyer Nino Enriquez, and Former Councilor and veteran mediaman Max Sangil.

Cutcut chairwoman Cecilia Nepomuceno thanked Lazatin for the said projects.

"In behalf of the Cutcut barangay council and residents, we would like to express our sincere thanks to Congressman Lazatin," said Nepomuceno.

Cutcut councilman Roy Ogurida lauded Lazatin for supporting the barangay council in terms of infrastructure projects.

"As chairman of the Cutcut Barangay Council's Committee on Public Works, I would like to thank Congressman Lazatin for appropriating funds for the road construction in Leen Street and the rehabilitation of the Cutcut Barangay Hall," Ogurida said, adding: "Residents of Barangay Cutcut will benefit greatly from these projects."

Also present during the event are representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways engineers Apolinario Mateo and Rolly Gonzales, and members of the Cutcut barangay council.

Lazatin also led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of two roads in Purok 3 and 4 in Barangay Anunas on Friday.

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