introduction by allan_dude

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Region 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/24/Ph_seal_aurora.png/140px-Ph_seal_aurora.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/55/Ph_seal_bataan.png/140px-Ph_seal_bataan.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Ph_seal_bulacan.png/140px-Ph_seal_bulacan.png
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ph_seal_nueva_ecija.png/140px-Ph_seal_nueva_ecija.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Ph_seal_of_pampanga.PNG/140px-Ph_seal_of_pampanga.PNGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/71/Ph_seal_tarlac.png/140px-Ph_seal_tarlac.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3c/Ph_seal_zambales.png/140px-Ph_seal_zambales.png

Aurora

Beyond the lush forest of the Sierra Madre mountains lies a splendid land so unbelievably rich and untouched - Aurora, otherwise known as the “Sanctuary of Nature’s Splendor.”

The Sierra Madre mountain range covers a large part of the province of Aurora. In fact, next to the Aurora coastline, it is the place where flora and fauna are most concentrated. Waterfalls, rivers, crystal clear streams of varying sizes are located within, if not adjacent to, the area of the Sierra Madre mountain. Special interest trips such as mountain climbing, safari, bird watching, ecological studies, or even as simple as picnics could be rolled into one by taking the trails recommended by local nature trekkers in the area.

When the northeast monsoon winds blow and the usual tranquil white beaches are transformed into deathtraps by angry waves, it is time to come to Aurora to ride the waves on a surfboard.

Bataan (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=570567)

Discover the magic of the Philippines’ Third Region with this amazing historical and cultural province, only an hour by ferryboat across the bay from Manila. Until recently not a traditional tourist destination, Bataan is now proving to be a tourist haven boasting a multitude of exciting places to visit, and interesting things to do. The province has much to offer – a rich culture and history, the beauty of unspoilt beaches, and a warm hospitality that is truly Filipino.

Bulacan (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=461803)

Feel the heart and soul of the Philippines in Bulacan. Its history and tradition, its land, its culture, and its people, live and breathe Filipino. Truly a melting pot of the past and the present, the old and the new, the countryside and the urbane – that is Bulacan.

The province is noted as the land of heroes. Bulacan is the home province of some of the nation’s celebrated heroes: Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas), “The Prince of Filipino Poets,” Marcelo H. Del Pilar, “The Great Propagandist,” and Gregorio del Pilar, “The Hero of Tirad Pass.” It is reputed for beautiful women, progressive cooperatives, small and medium scale industries. It is known for excellent craftsmanship as in its jewelries, leather crafts, and garments.

The province has emerged into a reputable resort haven of Luzon. Just a few minutes north of Manila by car, Bulacan resorts provide an accessible and welcome respite from the pressures of city life.

Nueva Ecija (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=567522)

Nueva Ecija is the largest province and the biggest rice producer of Central Luzon, thus, often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.”

Among its main attractions is the Pantabangan River, the country’s first multi-purpose infrastructure, which stands today as a phenomenon in Filipino engineering feats. Another is the Pampanga river, cutting across a rich valley floor, famed for irrigation, the generation of hydroelectric power, and the mitigation of flood damage.

Nueva Ecija is also the agri-tourism pilot site in Central Luzon due to the presence of the Central Luzon State University in the province.

Its other worthwhile attractions include the Minalungao National Park, Rizal Hot Spring, Burburayok Springs and Pajanutic Falls, Barrio Puncan in the town of Carranglan, among others.

Pampanga (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=460577)

Steeped in history and blessed with natural and man-made scenery, Pampanga offers several sightseeing options for visitors. Pampanga has always enjoyed the title, “The Culinary Center of the Philippines.” It is populated by resourceful hardy folk who are justifiably proud of their famous Kapampangan cuisine.

The capital city of San Fernando is world-famous for its annual Easter re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is also famous for the Pampanga Christmas lanterns.

The province has remnants of a long and colorful history. It houses a booming night life and tourist destinations. It is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty free shopping, and golf courses.

Tarlac (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=535861)

Tarlac is the most multicultural of the Central Luzon provinces. A mixture of four district groups, the Pampangos, Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, and Tagalogs, share life in the province.

Tarlac is best known for its fine foods and vast sugar and rice plantations. That it has fine cooking to offer is due largely to the fact that it is the melting pot of Central Luzon. It offers some of the best cuisines from the places of ancestry of its settlers, the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pangasinan, and the Ilocos Region.

Historical sites, fine food, vast plantations, a beautifully landscaped golf course, and so many other attractions – all these make the province of Tarlac one of the best of the places to visit in Central Luzon.

Zambales (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=403394)

Zambales has been gifted with the natural beauty of its surroundings. It has been touched by civilization yet has maintained its rustic glory and beauty. The Zambales coastline is most famous for its sandy beaches and deep blue sea teeming with coral reefs.

The province is historical. Located here is the ancestral house of the most beloved Philippine President, Ramon Magsaysay, situated at Castillejos. Mt. Pinatubo, world-famous for its 1991 catastrophic eruption, can be found in the vicinity.

Zambales is perfectly suited for visitors seeking an authentic view of the Philippines without going too far from the national capital, Manila. It is located at the western part of Luzon, 210 kilometers or approximately a three-hour drive from Manila.

Source:
nscb.gov.ph
tourism.gov.ph



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Garbage crisis looms in Central Luzon (http://businessmirror.com.ph/04252007/economy03.html)
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
Correspondent


AN official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned Tuesday of a looming garbage crisis in Central Luzon owing to the failure of concerned authorities to enforce the six-year-old solid-waste management law.

Regidor de Leon, DENR Central Luzon executive director, said that at a daily generation rate of about half a kilo of garbage per person, with about eight million people, Central Luzon could generate as much as 4,000 tons of garbage per day, or 1.44 million tons annually, enough to create a mountain of garbage similar to the Payatas dump site in Quezon City in just a year.

“This is definitely a lot of waste. If we cannot address this problem now, we will soon find ourselves buried in our own trash,” he warned.

De Leon said reducing, reusing and recycling waste are just some of the more “practical and doable” solution to the worsening garbage problem. He added only 70 percent of Central Luzon’s daily garbage, or 2,800 tons, are collected by dump trucks hired by local governments.

The remaining 30 percent, or roughly 1,200 tons end up in canals, vacant spaces, street corners, market places, creeks and rivers, and eventually, into the sea.

The DENR, together with corporate giant SM Prime Holdings in Clarkfield Pampanga, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), and the Environmental Practitioners Association (EPA) launched a massive campaign to promote waste segregation and recycling through a market fair where recyclable waste may be sold at a fee.

Started by EPA four years ago, the Waste Market Event invites the public to sell their recyclable materials such as papers and cartons, plastic bottles, automobile batteries, aluminum cans, old computers, electronic equipment, and ink printer cartridges, among others, to accredited recycler industries in a given buying station during the fair, says public affairs officer Donaver Guevarra of DENR in Central Luzon.

“It is important to increase public awareness on waste management to effectively address the worsening garbage problem in the country. Recycling must be a way of life of every Filipino,” he said at the opening of the waste market fair at SM Clark in Pampanga.

Guevarra said Metro Manila generates about 6,500 tons of solid waste daily, 75 percent of which is recyclable but only 5 percent is actually recycled.

http://i8.tinypic.com/4u2y6o3.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1268/720916506_47f8d6896e_b.jpg
San Manuel, Tarlac. Bishop Mariano Madriaga of Lingayen

by Maleldo (http://flickr.com/photos/alexrcastro/)

Tarlac Cathedral - 1919

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/395477419_bf2b9861d1_o.jpg

by pio-v (http://flickr.com/photos/71004135@N00/)

Cojuangcos sell mall to Gokongwei firm
09/10/2007 | 10:16 PM


Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corp. has acquired the Cojuangco family’s Plaza Luisita Center in Tarlac City, Robinsons Land President and Chief Operating Officer Frederick D. Go told BusinessWorld.

The deal was signed by former president Corazon C. Aquino, Luisita Realty Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Josephine C. Reyes, Luisita Realty Chairman Don Pedro Cojuangco, Mr. Go, and Robinsons Land Vice-Chairman and Deputy Chief Executive Lance Y. Gokongwei.

"It will be a redeveloped mall and become part of our chain of malls," Mr. Go said. He declined to disclose the purchase price and how much the company will spend to redevelop the Plaza Luisita mall.

BusinessWorld tried to reach the Cojuangcos for comment but they were not available as of press time.

The Plaza Luisita Center is a two-storey business and shopping complex. The first shopping complex in central Luzon, it has a multi- cinema complex, boutiques, fast food outlets, grocery stores, an appliance store, and other shops.

Robinsons Land said last month it would jointly develop with Federal Land, Inc., the property arm of the George S.K. Ty-led Metrobank group, a two-hectare prime property on EDSA corner Pioneer Street in Manda-luyong into a residential condominium complex.

The Links, which will be composed of five towers, is expected to churn P15 billion in sales.

Federal Land President Alfred V. Ty said the Tys’s property is right next to Robinsons Land’s Cybergate building.

"It is very natural to work as partners rather than develop it separately. We are both excited about this new venture," he said.

The commercial centers division of Robinsons Land accounted for 41% or P2.46 billion of the company’s gross revenues for the three quarters starting October 2006 to June 2007.

The increase in revenues was principally due to rental escalations and strong rental income from almost all Robinsons malls, particularly Robinsons Place Cainta, Robinsons Place Pioneer, Robinsons Metro Bacolod, Robinsons Place Lipa and the Galleria Mall in Ortigas Center.

Robinsons Land reported a nearly 50% increase in net income during the three quarters, at P1.82 billion from P1.23 billion.

Gross revenues for the nine-month period rose 23.4% to P5.96 billion from P4.83 billion.

The Robinsons Land group is 60.01% owned by JG Summit Holdings, Inc., one of the country’s largest conglomerates with interests in branded consumer foods, agro-industrial and commodity food products, telecommunications, petrochemicals, air transportation and financial services.

On Monday, Robinsons Land shares closed 2.78% weaker at P17.50. — Ruby Anne M. Rubio/BusinessWorld

Region 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/24/Ph_seal_aurora.png/140px-Ph_seal_aurora.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/55/Ph_seal_bataan.png/140px-Ph_seal_bataan.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Ph_seal_bulacan.png/140px-Ph_seal_bulacan.png
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/43/Ph_seal_nueva_ecija.png/140px-Ph_seal_nueva_ecija.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Ph_seal_of_pampanga.PNG/140px-Ph_seal_of_pampanga.PNGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/71/Ph_seal_tarlac.png/140px-Ph_seal_tarlac.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3c/Ph_seal_zambales.png/140px-Ph_seal_zambales.png

Aurora

Beyond the lush forest of the Sierra Madre mountains lies a splendid land so unbelievably rich and untouched - Aurora, otherwise known as the “Sanctuary of Nature’s Splendor.”

The Sierra Madre mountain range covers a large part of the province of Aurora. In fact, next to the Aurora coastline, it is the place where flora and fauna are most concentrated. Waterfalls, rivers, crystal clear streams of varying sizes are located within, if not adjacent to, the area of the Sierra Madre mountain. Special interest trips such as mountain climbing, safari, bird watching, ecological studies, or even as simple as picnics could be rolled into one by taking the trails recommended by local nature trekkers in the area.

When the northeast monsoon winds blow and the usual tranquil white beaches are transformed into deathtraps by angry waves, it is time to come to Aurora to ride the waves on a surfboard.

Bataan (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=570567)

Discover the magic of the Philippines’ Third Region with this amazing historical and cultural province, only an hour by ferryboat across the bay from Manila. Until recently not a traditional tourist destination, Bataan is now proving to be a tourist haven boasting a multitude of exciting places to visit, and interesting things to do. The province has much to offer – a rich culture and history, the beauty of unspoilt beaches, and a warm hospitality that is truly Filipino.

Bulacan (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=461803)

Feel the heart and soul of the Philippines in Bulacan. Its history and tradition, its land, its culture, and its people, live and breathe Filipino. Truly a melting pot of the past and the present, the old and the new, the countryside and the urbane – that is Bulacan.

The province is noted as the land of heroes. Bulacan is the home province of some of the nation’s celebrated heroes: Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas), “The Prince of Filipino Poets,” Marcelo H. Del Pilar, “The Great Propagandist,” and Gregorio del Pilar, “The Hero of Tirad Pass.” It is reputed for beautiful women, progressive cooperatives, small and medium scale industries. It is known for excellent craftsmanship as in its jewelries, leather crafts, and garments.

The province has emerged into a reputable resort haven of Luzon. Just a few minutes north of Manila by car, Bulacan resorts provide an accessible and welcome respite from the pressures of city life.

Nueva Ecija (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=567522)

Nueva Ecija is the largest province and the biggest rice producer of Central Luzon, thus, often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.”

Among its main attractions is the Pantabangan River, the country’s first multi-purpose infrastructure, which stands today as a phenomenon in Filipino engineering feats. Another is the Pampanga river, cutting across a rich valley floor, famed for irrigation, the generation of hydroelectric power, and the mitigation of flood damage.

Nueva Ecija is also the agri-tourism pilot site in Central Luzon due to the presence of the Central Luzon State University in the province.

Its other worthwhile attractions include the Minalungao National Park, Rizal Hot Spring, Burburayok Springs and Pajanutic Falls, Barrio Puncan in the town of Carranglan, among others.

Pampanga (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=460577)

Steeped in history and blessed with natural and man-made scenery, Pampanga offers several sightseeing options for visitors. Pampanga has always enjoyed the title, “The Culinary Center of the Philippines.” It is populated by resourceful hardy folk who are justifiably proud of their famous Kapampangan cuisine.

The capital city of San Fernando is world-famous for its annual Easter re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is also famous for the Pampanga Christmas lanterns.

The province has remnants of a long and colorful history. It houses a booming night life and tourist destinations. It is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty free shopping, and golf courses.

Tarlac (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=535861)

Tarlac is the most multicultural of the Central Luzon provinces. A mixture of four district groups, the Pampangos, Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, and Tagalogs, share life in the province.

Tarlac is best known for its fine foods and vast sugar and rice plantations. That it has fine cooking to offer is due largely to the fact that it is the melting pot of Central Luzon. It offers some of the best cuisines from the places of ancestry of its settlers, the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pangasinan, and the Ilocos Region.

Historical sites, fine food, vast plantations, a beautifully landscaped golf course, and so many other attractions – all these make the province of Tarlac one of the best of the places to visit in Central Luzon.

Zambales (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=403394)

Zambales has been gifted with the natural beauty of its surroundings. It has been touched by civilization yet has maintained its rustic glory and beauty. The Zambales coastline is most famous for its sandy beaches and deep blue sea teeming with coral reefs.

The province is historical. Located here is the ancestral house of the most beloved Philippine President, Ramon Magsaysay, situated at Castillejos. Mt. Pinatubo, world-famous for its 1991 catastrophic eruption, can be found in the vicinity.

Zambales is perfectly suited for visitors seeking an authentic view of the Philippines without going too far from the national capital, Manila. It is located at the western part of Luzon, 210 kilometers or approximately a three-hour drive from Manila.

Source:
nscb.gov.ph
tourism.gov.ph

Central Luzon eyed as retirement haven

By DINO BALABO
The Philippine Star

MALOLOS CITY – Central Luzon is fast becoming a retirement destination as increasing number of retirees abroad seek alternative and affordable place of retreat.

Renato Romero, chairman of the Central Luzon Retirement Industry Enhancement Team (CLRIET) said that Subic and Clark have been chosen by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) as one of the six retirement cluster areas in the country.

The other chosen retirement cluster areas are the National Capital Region, Baguio in North Luzon, Tagaytay in Southern Luzon, Cebu in the Visayas and Davao in Min*danao.

The said retirement cluster areas were chosen due to their proximity to international airports and have tertiary hospitals, tourist spots, and other facilities that are fit for retirees.

Romero said at least 355 retirees of the 4,450 have already been staying in Central Luzon as of December 2007.

Choosing Central Luzon as a retirement place for international retirees, Romero said is simple.

He said that lower cost of living in Central Luzon compared with Metro Manila and other countries along with nearby accredited retirement villages and support facilities make it easier for international retirees to decide to stay in the region.

Tarlac Cathedral - 1919

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/395477419_bf2b9861d1_o.jpg

by pio-v (http://flickr.com/photos/71004135@N00/)

This cathedral is like WOW!!! Amazing! :D

Discovering Baler

By Mae Gianina Cabalida

As with all books, it’s not important what writers have been through, but what the writers produce and it’s not important what the book looks like, beautiful as it is, but what it contains.”— Manuel L. Quezon III.

Baler takes the reader into a journey through the capital town of Aurora, a province situated between lush and formidable mountains, and a vast coastline opening to the Pacific.

The book describes in detail a town that has been witness, and sometimes casualty to, a rich and colorful history. Originally three miles closer to the shore, Baler was transferred to its present site after a tsunami in 1735 wiped off the original town, leaving only five surviving families: the Angaras, Bijasas, Bitongs, Carrascos, Lumasacs and Pobletes.

Here, the events behind the popular book, El Sitio de Baler showed the fortitude of Spanish soldiers during their yearlong standoff against the Katipuneros, and the gallantry of Filipinos in giving the retreating soldiers safe passage to Manila.

This invaluable piece of history, which almost every Spaniard grew up familiar with through songs and films, has ironically faded in the memories of Filipinos and even Aurorans.

Baler points out a similar irony between the prestige the town’s sons and daughters have achieved, in contrast to the remoteness the town still suffers from. Baler is home to prominent national leaders such as President Manuel Quezon— whose life and love are thoroughly discussed in the book—and Senator Edgardo Angara, as well as international renowned artists Jeho Bitanor and Maria Cruz.

A collection of various essays on Baler, the book showcases the town’s treasured heirlooms dating back to prehistoric times to the present; and ranging from the town’s geography, natural resources, anthropological artifacts, political history and culture.

Complementing these essays is the book’s lush imagery, which captures Aurora’s tranquil and idyllic environment. These photographs trigger a melancholic longing for the peaceful rural life, and the memory of what was beautiful in the past.

But Baler also presents the Gordian knot preventing Aurora from achieving a better future—the province is torn between modernizing for development and damaging the pristine environment cherished by both the Aurorans and tourists alike.

Aurora’s favorite son, Edgardo Angara breaks this knot through his essay, “Aurora: Laboratory for Development”, a blueprint where sustaining the environment and educating the youth are the crux of all development efforts.

Aside from Angara, other contributors to the book include Jose Maria A. Cariño, Ricardo T. Avanceña, Juan Edgardo Angara, and Augusto de Viana, all experts in their fields whose works have collectively created a passport to Baler.

But Baler unveils not only its namesake. Through the book’s narratives and ironies, it also offers glimpses of Philippine history and society.

An effort of the publisher, Edgardo Angara, to restore pride and history of the Filipinos, Baler aspires to reach out especially to the hearts of tomorrow’s future, the youth.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife1_april8_2008

Getting Lost: Surfing Safari

By CHEN REYES-MENCIAS

Former tourism Secretary Mina Gabor predicts that adventure tourism will be one of the future trends in Philippine tourism. The niche market for this segment in the past has been dominated by SCUBA divers, bikers and mountaineers. It should be noted though that the landscape, seascape and topography of the Philippine islands provide an excellent venue for various other types outdoor recreational activities. Experts predict that the next big niche market that is anticipated to grow rapidly are surfers. A quaint little town across the Sierra Madre mountain range may soon become the haven for both serious surfers and beginners

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/chen2008_0406surfing.jpg
FUTURE SURFER. This local boy may well be the next champion of Baler. This town is becoming a haven for seasoned surfers and beginners and more local boys are trying surfing at an early age. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

Surf’s up in Baler

Baler is the capital of Aurora. It is the birthplace of President Manuel Quezon and it used to be a sub-province of Quezon. In 1979, Aurora became the 79th province of the Philippines and was named after Quezon’s wife.

Baler plays a major role in the potential growth of surfing as an adventure recreational activity in Luzon. Its coastline presents opportunities for various levels of difficulty. Summer however is the best season to take basic lessons and the local surfers called Baler Boys had for years been instrumental in ushering in new recruits to the sport. The increase in the number of companies and shops selling boards and apparels is a significant indicator of the increasing number of people being drawn to it. This summer a program called Surfing Safari will be launched by Team Blue Water, a group of enthusiasts and educators whose mission is to promote outdoor recreational activities. The program is designed to introduce people to surfing in a well-preserved natural landscape.

A state of being

Program Coordinator David Tajan, who was introduced to the sport quite recently, says, “It can be quite addicting because there is a certain feeling that one gets when on the board and rides the wave even for a few seconds.”

As such the program is adopting the slogan “Get to know the feeling” in order to send the message that indeed surfing is about a state of being. The Baler Boys spend so much time in the water catching the waves rolling in from the Pacific because they are simply addicted to the feeling. These young men who started with the sport when they were 12 to 15 years old travel the surfing circuit and compete among the best surfers from La Union, Siargao, Zambales and Bicol. It is no surprise that these young surfers become excellent competitors even at a young age.

First wave

A group of college students from the University of the Philippines who signed up for the program were so ecstatic when most of them were able to stand on the board and discovered “the feeling.z” One of them even said, “It is nothing like I have ever experienced before.” He adds that he is indeed hooked for life. The thrill and adrenalin rush perhaps, plus the sense of joy for having hurdled a challenge are the major reasons why surfing is already starting to become a popular item in people’s list of things to do this summer.

There are two surf shops in Baler and on a given weekend they normally run out of boards to rent out. I was lucky to have gone to the beach early enough to catch Paquito, a member of the Baler Boys since he was 15. After some dry land exercises to learn techniques on how to stand on the board and balance on it, I bravely faced my greatest challenge that day. After a couple of attempts though I made the decision to shift to a boogie board. Surfing may look simple enough when one is a spectator but the reality is that it requires a lot of energy and perseverance.

Boogie boarding, on the other hand, requires you to lie on your stomach on the board and use your entire body to shift with the wave. Using a pair of fins is a good idea since it helps you move quickly to catch the on-coming wave and move fast enough to ride it. It was not long before I was doing laps and screaming my lungs out with excitement as I get pushed forward onto the beach.

I have not given up on surfing. I have merely decided to start of with something that I can handle more. Most people may find boogie boarding to be less of a challenge than the handling of long boards that are normally used to teach beginners in surfing.

The other side of Baler

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/chen2008_0406kampdigisit.jpg
LEARNING KAMP. Digisit is known for rock formations from where the famous sunrise of Baler may be viewed. The Surfing Safari program incoporates nature hikes and interpretative experiences in the Kamp. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

The Surfing Safari program is not just about surfing. It is an experience that incorporates other activities such as a hike to a nearby waterfalls, a trip to Kamp Digisit for nature interpretations and historical walking tours. As more people hit the beach this summer it is important to note that the coastal area is an excellent venue for learning. Baler is known for its fabulous sunrise, rock formations, riverine ecosystems, forests, fishing, coral reefs and it’s rich history and heritage.

Adelaida Miemban, owner of Kamp Digisit and AMCO Beach Resort emphasized that Baler has always been proud of its rich heritage, from natural landscapes and seascapes to customs and traditions, food, unique dialect, history and crafts. It is a place for life changing experiences.

Baler became synonymous to surfing when Action Asia magazine featured it as an emerging destination years ago. Soon after seasoned surfers from all over the world who seek “untouched” waves and isolated surfing havens flocked here. Surfing Safari is being promoted by Aquamundo Surf, Recreational Outdoor Exchange (ROX) and Island Caravan.

Summer Surf

So if you are looking for something exciting to do this summer, try surfing and discover the other many wonderful sites of Baler. Aquamundo President Ralph Espino remarks, “Surfing is something that people should try this summer. Even the Department of Tourism is promoting it through their surf-lifesaving program.” Espino sponsored six Baler Boys eight years ago and gave them rash guards. They all turned out excellent surfers and some are now even winning in the surfing circuit.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2383#more-2383

Region 3 is the total package; 2 thumbs up!!!

Getting Lost: The magic of Casapsapan

By CHEN REYES-MENCIAS

It is summer and it is time to hit the beach. But where can you go if you are somebody who just cannot stand the crowd in places like Boracay or Mactan. Well, let me share you a little secret. There is one place where the sand is gold and fine, has a beach forest, a stunning river delta, wild toucans, coral reefs and waterfalls flowing out to sea. If you go there, chances are that you will be one of the very few people walking along the long coastline that hugs this stunning hideaway east of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

Explorer’s hideaway

Tucked close to the border between Isabela and Aurora is a bay with an unusual name, Casapsapan. And it is known only to a few explorers. It is part of the municipality of Casiguran in Aurora province. It is not easy to get there since the road leading from Baler or Quirino province is as rugged as what the wind, the rain and the elements can make it. One will have to rough it out a bit to visit this place since there is hardly any resort or places to sleep. One may have to camp-out in the beach. The little inconvenience though is worth it since very few beaches in the country are as well preserved and uncrowded as this.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/chen2008_0504rockcliff.jpg
GEOLOGIC TIME. The pockmarked rock wall near Casapsapan is constantly battered by waves rolling in from the Pacific.Closer look will reveal veins, cracks and layers that tells the story of geologic time. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

The first time I discovered Casapsapan was by boat. Our boat captain Ka Dolsing wanted to find a shelter for the night before we head north to Isabela. As he maneuvered the boat into the bay I could not help but notice the magnificent rock formations. Standing on the deck I realized that geologic time was frozen right there between the folds, the layers and veins of pockmarked cliffs and boulders. Terns and purple herons were diving down into the water catching fish unmindful of our boat that was cruising slowly close to shore. A school of small silver fishes jumped in unison, obviously being chased by a larger predator.

As we went further into the bay, the rocky shore gradually turned into a lace of quaint uninhabited coves. The gin clear water revealed a treasure trove of life. The coral reefs appear like terraces bursting with life. Like confetti, the pink and purple fairy basslets, orange anthias, green damsel fishes and blue cromies move as one as they dart with every perceived disturbance in the water. This pulse of life never ceases to amaze me. Whether snorkeling along the surface or breathing underwater on SCUBA, the intensity of life on the reef is something to behold.

Waterfalls by the beach

My attention was suddenly taken away from the water and on to the beach as a crew pointed out a waterfall that was flowing out to the bay. A strong gush of fresh mountain water flows from within thick growth of forest trees, drops down a cliff and creates an ever-changing pattern on the sand and eventually mixes with the salty sea. It looked so incredible and enticing that I practically begged the Captain to stop.

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BEACH FALLS. One of two water falls that drain out to the sea. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

With help from the crew I rushed to drop the kayak into the water. On boat expeditions like this, it is always a good idea to have a kayak that will allow you to get to the shore and explore rivers and inlets. I paddled and noticed that the tide was going down. I made a mental note of the fact that I had very little time to explore since the kayak may soon be trapped in the inter-tidal zone. After securing it I hiked up to the top of the fall, scrambling along rocks and ledges. I came upon a fabulous pool tucked under a canopy of giant ferns. It was a natural jacuzzi fed by cold spring water from the mountain. Aware of my limited time, I was not able to resist taking a dip. I thought that it was simply sinful not to. So, even for a few moments I got to savor the relaxing tranquility of the sound of water, chirping of the birds, distant pounding of the waves and the therapeutic caress of the bubbly water around my body. It was heavenly! My brain took note of the feeling so that I can go back to it, even in my mind.

Beach forest safari

It was this memory that pushed me to go back a year after to experience Casapsapan once again. This time I decided to go there by land. The truck traveled from the town of Casiguran through rice fields, several creeks (without any bridges), small communities and into a forest. Riding at the back of this truck, my friends and I had a field day as we dodged drooping vines, leaves and branches of trees that line a very narrow dirt road. It was the closest thing to a safari since some portions of the road had almost been engulfed by the trees. A few times the truck had to stop so that the driver can maneuver it carefully through the thick forest growth. It was obvious to me that this jungle road is very seldom used. Wild orchids hang from the understory, that part of the trees just beneath the canopy. At one point we even saw flowering jade vines. The claw-like bluish green flowers are clustered together. It is a twining vine that is native to tropical forests and is often seen with aquamarine flowers hanging amid thick foliage. After some time we noticed some signs that we were near the shore. We could hear the waves and somehow see the beach through spaces in between the trees. We eventually came to the end of the road at the southern tip of Casapsapan.

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UNINHABITED. The beach of Casapsapan is uninhabited during most of the year. It’s isolation has kept the crowd away. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

River delight

Being part of the belt of tropical forest in the Northern Sierra Madre mountain range, I was not surprised that it rained that day. Aurora province and even the eastern portion of Isabela have their own microclimate. It was a shower that brought about a stunning arc of rainbow that covered the entire bay. When the rain stopped and the sun drenched the golden beach, the tide turned and ripples of salt water started flooding the sand bars and started rushing upstream into a small river.

Wanting to beat the rising water, I crossed to the other side to check out a fresh water spring. I came upon a woman who was fetching water with a round plastic buoy. What was once used by fishermen to buoy up their nets had been recycled. A lot of these buoys are somehow detached and often end up washed ashore. They are picked up by people and used as water containers. The woman lives in a hut by the river with her family of four. She told me a story of toucans that fly as a flock across the canopy every morning, and of monkeys, bats and civet cats that live in the jungle. It was such a pleasant wilderness interpretation based on indigenous knowledge. I enjoyed it immensely.

The story however further tickled my curiosity. As I crossed back to the other side to join my friends who were frolicking in the waves rolling in from the Pacific, I realized that the story of Casapsapan is just beginning to unfold. I bet that there are still many other facets in the story, more than enough reason to keep coming back.

Pristine areas are hard to find because there are few of them left. It takes a special kind of attitude and conscious behavior to responsibly explore them. Learn to be a responsible traveler. Take that journey of a lifetime and discover what only a few brave ones are able to blissfully enjoy.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2498

Getting Lost: The boy who learned to surf

By CHEN REYES-MENCIAS

It was a perfectly sunny day, with bright blue sky and puffy white clouds. Just the perfect day to launch a program designed to usher in new recruits for the latest craze among outdoor enthusiasts. The program is called Surfing Safari and it aims to introduce people to surfing and promote the other facets of Baler, Aurora. I have to admit, I am not a surfer, cannot stand on a board (other than when it is on dry land), do not understand the lingo nor have I held a sex wax ever in my life. (At least that term I know).

But one day sometime in January of this year the concept of the program just came to me like lightning. After months of gestation we ended up last week in the famous Sabang Beach in Baler with a very cool-looking tarpaulin behind us that announced the program launch. Little did I know that my first and youngest recruit would end up to be a ten-year old boy who also happens to be my son Miguel.

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TAKING OFF. Standing up is one of the most important skills taught when learning how to surf. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

The birth of a program

Let me backtrack a little bit before I tell you about my son. I have three significant encounters with surfing. The first happened five years ago when I met the greenhorns and the youngest recruits of the “Baler Boys,” as the local surfers are called. Smith dela Torre was 16, Jeff dela Torre was 15 and Allen de Vera was only 13.

I was traveling all over Aurora to take photos for a coffee table book that I was working on. At about the same time, I learned that a friend who was in the business of selling diving equipment started to introduce rash guards. Ralph Espino who owns Aquamundo, the first and only Filipino brand of SCUBA diving equipment was slowly inching his way in into the surfing scene. Somehow I was able to convince him to give free rash guards to the young boys. For some reason we lost touch for years after I turned over the rash guards to them.

My second encounter occurred November of last year when I attended the Lanuza Surfing Safari in Surigao del Sur with my husband Louie and Mr. Espino. I got the surprise of my life when I bumped into the same boys, now much older, and competing against the best surfers of Siargao and La Union. When I saw these guys battle it out in the water and whipping their boards as if they were wearing it like a shoe, I quickly became a fan.

Watching the quick moves, the clever maneuvers, beautiful forms and stance of confidence, deepened my appreciation of the sport. I was totally amazed at how much the boys have grown, not only physically, but in their abilities as surfers. They admitted that when they were given the rash guards, they felt important and that catalyzed their interest and passion for the sport.

Get to know the feeling

My third encounter was when I met the best Filipina wahini (female) surfer in the country. After the Lanuza festival my husband and I did a side trip to Siargao, the home of the world famous surfing spot Cloud Nine. There we met Manette Alcala who said, “Surfing is addicting. It is all I want to do for the rest of my life.”

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HOLDING IT. Being able to stay on the board is the goal of every beginner. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

Wanting to understand why she has so much passion for the sport, I asked what it was that magnetizes people to surfing. And the answer I got did not surprise me at all.

“It is about a feeling, “ she said.

It was then that I pondered on the idea that more people should learn surfing if only for them to discover “the feeling.” It was this same thought that eventually germinated and was born as the Surfing Safari program.

Launch with a bang

The launch was highlighted with an event that was graced by none other than the Hon. Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo herself. It was amazing to learn from her speech that President Arroyo and the First Gentleman had actually surfed in Baler beach many years ago, even before the place became known for surfing. She added that the first surfing competition in the country was also held here. These facts even make Baler an appropriate starting venue of the Surfing Safari program that is envisioned to eventually travel the surfing circuit.

Having been part of the surfing history of the “Baler Boys” Aquamundo became the major partner and sponsor of Blue Water Consultancy, the outfit that is implementing it. Mr. Espino, who went out of his way to be present during the launch turned over an Aquamundo long board to be used for the program. The final ritual was the actual launch of the board out on the surf by one of the local surfers. It was an act that symbolizes that Aquamundo is there to stay.

Braving the waves

Two days after, as if on cue, the weather shifted suddenly from being hot and humid to being windy and rainy, just the right combination for wondrous surfs. Miguel who has been pestering me for days finally had his chance. After some instructions and exercises on land he was taken to chest deep water to wait for the waves. He was not intimidated at all by the rough water and the loud pounding surf.

Several times he was wiped out. He would manage to stay on top of the board for a fraction of a second before being thrown all over the place. All the time he was being a kid and laughing at himself in the process. It must have been his persistence that did it. He surprised everyone when out of the blue he gave quite a show.

As he laid flat on the board, a big wave started rolling in. The facilitator braced himself and pushed him forward towards the beach. Miguel paddled with both arms, then knelt on one knee and slowly stood up while keeping his balance. He did a surfers pose and kept it all the way to shore. He zipped his way past a group of wannabees like him, amid a thunder of applause and proud cheering. He was in fact, able to do this three times within a span of thirty minutes. For a first timer, it is quite incredible.

Surfer in the making

History seems to be repeating itself as I looked at my son’s face. I have seen this expression before, in the faces of the young boys I met in Baler five years ago. I did not truly understand what it meant until Miguel finally gave it a name.

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SUCCESS. Persistence paid off when youngest participant in the Surfing Safari program successfully reaches the shore without getting wiped out. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

“Extreme,” was all he could say while panting and with eyes wide with excitement. He seemed to be groping to find another appropriate word from his limited vocabulary to describe it, but he eventually went speechless. Another surfer in the making and he is my son, I thought. The signs were clear. Miguel got to know the feeling and he is hooked, perhaps even for life. I could not hide the delight from my face and the sense of satisfaction from my heart. The only word I could think of was sheer “exuberance.” #

The Surfing Safari program is also being supported by the province of Aurora, Recreational Outdoor Exchange (ROX), Island Caravan, Department of Tourism, Kamp Digisit, AMCO Beach Resort, Aliyah Surf and Youth Trip. For more information, contact 09213083166 or send an email to wildexpeditions@yahoo.com.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2555

http://www.cltv36.tv/image/logo6.jpg


Central Luzon Television (CLTV 36) is a regional free TV broadcasting over channel 36. Owned and operated by the Central Luzon Broadcasting Corporation (Formely Radionworld Broadcasting Corp.), the station is located at the CGIC Building, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, City of San Fernando, Pamapanga.

It is duly licensed by the National Telecommunications Commision under Permit No. BSD-0064-2007 dated January 10, 2007. Republic Act 8219 enacted by Congress on September 12, 1997 granted a franchise to the corporation to operate a radio and television network. CLTV 36 is the realization of this. franchise with the expansion of operation into television broadcasting.

http://www.cltv36.tv/image/about_pix.jpg

Virtually a young media company, CLTV 36 focusses on a centralized media coverage, starting off with Pampanga and the provinces of Central Luzon or Region III. These provinces include Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales and the latest addition to the region, the province of Aurora.

CLTV 36 programming is more into public affairs and current issues, news and information, as well as a substantial of features on provincial cultures, events and entertainment.

Like any other station, CLTV36 aspires for continued growth and progress, in terms of quality of programming, bringing to the people of Central Luzon in depth, accurate and up to date news and public affairs and social issue.

Modern broadcasting equipment and technologies assures the public of clear and pleasant television viewing.

http://www.cltv36.tv/image/cl_map.jpg


www.cltv36.tv

Fil-Am energy expert to develop wind, solar project in Aurora

By Manny Galvez

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

BALER, Aurora – A Filipino-American energy expert has been tapped to lead the way in the launch of renewable energy projects in the province, including solar and wind farms.

Sen. Edgardo Angara told The STAR that engineer Larry Asera will help the provincial government in setting up wind, solar and hydro power projects in the province.

Angara said that Asera, a graduate of the University of California in Berkely and the Massachussets Institute of Technology, has already done some preliminary studies on the potentials of renewable energy projects in the province.

Asera, accompanied by Benjamin Mina, the provincial environment and natural resources officer, flew by helicopter to Casiguran town in northern Aurora for an aerial inspection of possible sites for solar and wind farms.

Following the inspection, Asera told Mina that an initial three hectares of solar farm can be developed in Barangay Esteves, Casiguran with a capacity of three megawatts.

The Fil-Am energy expert also discussed the prospects of renewable energy with Agripino Teh San, general manager of the Aurora Electric Cooperative (Aurelco) and technical director Noel Vidat.

Asera’s visit came after Angara toured his sprawling house in California to see his wind farm and one-hectare solar farm which supplies the energy requirements of the City of Vallejo. He used to work in Cotabato and in parts of Mindanao. His grandparents migrated to Hawaii. He later married a Filipina from Abra.

Asera owns 22,000 acres of lands in Napa Valley, considered a wine country and in Vallejo. He also built and now operates 25 wind turbines in the area with a power-generating capacity of 1.8 megawatts each. Each turbine costs $1.5 million. With 25 turbines, these cost a whopping P1.5 billion.

Following the visit, the senator invited the Fil-Am to visit the province where they toured the Dicasalarin Cove in Baler town which, Angara said, would be turned into laboratory for renewable energy so that the entire energy source in the province is not fuel and gas but renewable energy.

Angara principally sponsored the Renewable Energy Bill in the Senate, considered a ground-breaking piece of legislation aimed to make the country less dependent on fossil fuel but more on biomass which is abundant in the country.

The Baler senator said that Asera who is also helping Puerto Princesa City in setting up its own solar systems, will enable the province of Aurora to be the first provincial local government unit in the country to develop clean and sustainable energy technology.

Biz groups vow to develop C. Luzon

Sun.Star
Thursday, July 17, 2008

CLARK FREEPORT -- Two business groups recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in a bid to enhance the development of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor, especially the Subic-Clark area.

The Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), led by their respective presidents, signed the MOA recently after a brief program held at the Hotel Stotsenberg here.

Under the MOA, both Cila and SBFCC will "cooperate with each other in enhancing the Subic Clark Alliance Development Program and the Central Luzon Growth Corridor through the use of each other's infrastructure and facilities, information and communication technology, promotions and marketing, and exchange of ideas, expertise, research and planning."

The agreement also aims to "shed off parochialism" by allowing both Cila and SBFCC to combine forces amid "fierce competition" from neighboring Asian countries and other emerging economies worldwide.

Cila president Jeannie Del Rosario-Ng, who signed the agreement with SBFCC president John Corcoran, said Subic's and Clark's new role is to transform the two former United States military installations into world-class regional logistics hubs that cover both air and marine transport.

"This relationship makes perfect sense because of the SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway)," Ng said citing travel time going to and from Clark and Subic is cut short by 30 minutes because of SCTEX.

The MOA signing also paved the way for the creation of an Advisory Committee that allows both parties to exchange information useful for planning, financing, development, governance, operation and promotion/marketing of their respective Freeport zones.

To attract more investments to Subic and Clark, Cila and SBFCC agreed to encourage and generate investments through a system of referral and joint promotions and marketing.

Also, Cila and SBFCC will organize investment missions that will focus high-tech manufacturing industries and other sectors that specialize on air cargo transport, transshipment, and tourism.

"The next few years are full of promise for Clark and Subic. And with our accord, we are confident that we are better armed to meet the challenges and take advantage of these opportunities," Ng said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/07/17/news/biz.groups.vow.to.develop.c..luzon.html

Scadc works for Subic-Clark corridor master plan

By Reynaldo G. Navales

CLARK FREEPORT -- Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (Scadc) said the council is working on the master plan of the Subic-Clark growth corridor.

Pamintuan issued the statement during a forum on the Scadc Mega Logistic Hub held at the Fontana Convention Center on Thursday.

According to Pamintuan, the Scad corridor will be the site for the Mega-Logistics Hub's primary and support industries like information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, packaging, eco-tourism, medicine and personal well-being, education, among others.

Pamintuan said the corridor will affect the economy of Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, and Bataan.

About 19 municipalities and four cities in these four provinces are expected to benefit from the growth.

The areas include Mabalacat, Magalang, Angeles City, Porac, City of San Fernando, Mexico and Floridablanca in Pampanga; Tarlac City, La Paz, Concepcion, Capas and Bamban in Tarlac; Dinalupihan, Hermosa and Morong in Bataan; and Olongapo City, Subic and Castillejos in Zambales.

Pamintuan also announced the construction of the 833-kilometer North Luzon Railways (NorthRail) which is divided into two sections - Caloocan to Malolos and Malolos to Clark.

The NorthRail will provide fast and efficient mass transport for people and goods to and from the business centers of Metro Manila, he said.

Pamintuan also cited other support infrastructure projects including the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the expansion of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), and the new container terminals at the Subic Bay Port, among others.

"The Scad Mega-Logistics Hub will utilize Subic Bay Port, DMIA, SCTEX, in order to provide a seamless and efficient flow of goods, people, and services between the point of origin and the point of consumption," he said.

One of the 10-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is to develop Subic and Clark as the most competitive international services and logistics centers in the Asia-Pacific region, Pamintuan added.

By virtue of Executive Order (EO) 504-A, the President created the Scadc to accelerate the development of Subic and Clark.

Pamintuan however clarified that the Scadc is a policy-making body and not an implementing agency like the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Clark Development Corporation, and the Department of Trade and Industry, among others.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/07/11/news/scadc.works.for.subic.clark.corridor.master.plan.html

how do we get to aurora? i haven't been to the pacific side of luzon..

Angara proposes creation of new region (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008072358&type=2)

By Manny Galvez
Thursday, July 24, 2008
BALER, Aurora – Sen. Edgardo Angara bared plans of creating a new region that would embrace the landlocked provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and this province into what will be known as the North East Pacific Region (NEPR), distinct from Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley.

Angara told reporters at the Aurora State College of Technology during the inauguration of the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences (UPSHS) here Monday that he had broached the idea of the new region to Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Ma. Luisa Cuaresma and Rep. Carlos Padilla, who both expressed support for it.

“They support it because it’s an idea that makes sense,” he said.

Padilla confirmed that he and Cuaresma are backing up the proposed region.

“Maybe we will talk with Sen. Angara on the possibility of filing a bill on this or not,” he told The STAR in a text message.

For her part, the senator’s younger sister, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, said she has yet to discuss the issue with her brother.

Angara expressed hope that Isabela, through the leadership of Gov. Grace Padaca, would also support the proposal, which would carve out southern Isabela from Palanan down to the boundary of Aurora as part of the NEPR.

Angara said Quirino was included in the proposed region because it is inaccessible and in fact, more accessible to Aurora with Cabarroguis town just less than an hour away from this province. On the other hand, Bayambang in Nueva Vizcaya is just two hours away from Aurora.

He said they will hold consultations in the four provinces as part of an information drive for the proposed NEPR.

Angara said the four provinces proposed to be grouped under the NEPR are located in a wilderness area bordering the Pacific Ocean.

He said the proposed region hosts the two biggest water sources, the Casecnan Dam and the Umiray River, which supply water to the Pantabangan and Angat dams.

The area, he said, also boasts of the two largest mountain ranges in the country – the Sierra Madre and Caraballo.

“If you notice, we have many things in common – we are rich in water resources, timber, fish and marine resources. We will make for a very cohesive and compatible region,” he said.

He added that the four provinces can have a common infrastructure, intermodal transport, school district and health program.

Angara said the four provinces already have a common health program through the establishment of the UPSHS, which would service students from these areas.

He said the school has enlisted 35 scholars from the province, 15 in Nueva Vizcaya, eight in Isabela, and one in Nueva Ecija.

The senator from Baler said the creation of the new region will have to be made through an act of Congress and is tailor-made for a federal system of government.

“If we go federal, this is perfect. Para kang State of Nevada (You are like the State of Nevada),” he said.

Under the present set-up, Quirino, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya belong to Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) while this province is part of Central Luzon.

Aurora used to be under the Southern Tagalog region but President Arroyo transferred it to Central Luzon reportedly to fast-track its development.

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UP medical campus opens in Aurora (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080729122&type=2)
By Manny Galvez
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

BALER, Aurora – A medical school of the University of the Philippines has opened in this province, only the second such school of the university’s School of Health Sciences outside Metro Manila.

The UPSHS-Baler campus was inaugurated here last week and will offer medical courses intended to produce graduates in midwifery, nursing and medicine to solve the dearth of health professionals in the countryside caused by the mass exodus of doctors, nurses and midwives for greener pastures abroad.

Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo said the newly opened campus is a dream come true for the people of the province. She said it has long been her dream to be able to establish a branch of the best university in the country.

Angara-Castillo said the UP branch was initiated by her elder brother, Sen. Edgardo Angara, a former UP president and UP president Emerlinda Roman. She said the UPSHS-Baler campus, will be the first UP specialized school on health in Luzon which will serve the health needs of people in the host province and also the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Nueva Ecija.

The newly opened school will temporarily hold office in the campus of the Aurora State College of Technology Zabali campus while the UPSHS building is under construction. A memorandum of agreement has been signed between the UP administration and ASCOT represented by its president, Dr. Eusebio Angara.

Senator Angara said that the UPSHS-Baler campus will be put up at a five-hectare lot in Barangay Reserva at a cost of P154 million to be financed jointly by the Department of Health and the local government.

Construction of the satellite campus, which is expected to be completed in a year, will be in three phases, involving two to three-story schoolbuildings to house the administration building, academic rooms, laboratory, social hall and staffhouse with identical floor areas of 1,200 square meters each.

An initial 59 students had been enrolled in the ladderized education curriculum, including 35 from the province. The curriculum is unique in that it is community sponsored and the people in the impact zone have a stake in the selection of scholars.

The student scholar is bound by a social contract wherein he is required to go back to his community and render health service, thus applying the knowledge he gained from the program.

Roman for his part, said the UPSHS in Baler is a Centennial Project, referring to the Centennial Celebration of the university. She said she is looking forward to an academic partnership with ASCOT through faculty exchange and enrolment.

She said that UP will also open its extension programs in South Cotabato to service North and South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Shariff Kabunsuan.

Julia Elisa Puertollano, director of the UPSHS-Baler said each student will avail of free tuition fees which would be shouldered by the local government units (LGUs) in the beneficiary areas and the community.

Aside from free tuition, the student will be provided with living subsidy, books and transportation allowance and uniforms worth P24,000 annually.
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Bamban-Mabalacat boundary dispute: Who owns Sacobia? (Part 1)

FOR the first time in Provincial Government history, the Pampanga and Tarlac provincial boards have sat in a joint session as a quasi-judicial body to find a solution to the brewing boundary dispute between the municipalities of Mabalacat (in Pampanga) and Bamban (in Tarlac).

The subject of contention is the estimated 3,325-hectare land that forms part of the Sacobia Estate.

Created through Executive Order (EO) 586 in 1980 by former president Ferdinand Marcos, the Sacobia Estate comprises an approximate area of 5,724 hectares.

The area covers the municipalities of Bamban and Mabalacat.

Alongside the issuance of the EO was the creation of the Sacobia Development Authority (SDA), which was tasked to develop the area as an agricultural base and provide livelihood opportunities to its "squatter family beneficiaries".

With the succeeding political changes, the SDA ran out of funds and the plans for the Sacobia Estate were shelved and forgotten.

In 1991 Mt. Pinatubo erupted and devastated most parts of the Sacobia area.

But the eruption brought with it tons and tons of sand that initially "littered" the area but eventually became the main reason for the Mabalacat-Bamban boundary dispute.

Quarry operation started along Sacobia as early as 1996.

The two municipalities did not pay much attention to their boundaries then as a great deal of the quarry activity was handled by the Pampanga Provincial Government.

But as the monetary reward from sand quarry totaled to P230 million in quarry tax and administrative fees, officials of Mabalacat and Bamban began exerting their jurisdictional rights in the said area.

Tension started in 2006 when an alleged Bamban-based quarry operator hauled sand from the territorial jurisdiction of Barangay Calumpang, a village in Sacobia, whose residents cast their votes in Mabalacat.

The Municipality of Bamban has questioned Mabalacat's 3,325-hectare territorial jurisdiction that runs across Barangay Calumpang.

Bamban officials claim that that Calumpang is merely a "sitio" or part of Barangay San Vicente in Bamban town.

As expected, Mabalacat officials refused to entertain Bamban's "claim" and even strengthened its territorial right over Calumpang.

The result was a "cold war" and exchanges of petitions and rebuttals of the claimants.

Almost three years later, the Pampanga and Tarlac provincial boards met to finally settle the issue by setting up a committee that will look into the boundary dispute.

But the future of Sacobia still hangs in a balance, as the two municipalities have both vowed to fight for their respective claims over the sand-rich portion of the Sacobia Estate. (To be continued) (IOF)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam....(part.1).html

Who owns Sacobia? (Part 2)

IF MABALACAT Mayor Marino Morales is to be believed, the 3,325 hectares contested portion of the Sacobia Estate rightfully belongs to the town.

Morales based his claim on a Sketch Plan (SWO-03-000083), which delineates 3,325 hectares that forms part of the 5,724 hectares of the Sacobia Estate for Mabalacat.

He said the claim of Mabalacat on the area was further strengthened by Executive Order (EO) 344 issued by former President Fidel Ramos.

EO 344 transferred the areas occupied by the then Sacobia Development Authority (SDA) to the Clark Special Economic Zone. The EO particularly mentioned the sketch plan that Morales cited as one of the basic arguments for Mabalacat's claim.

"It is just normal for the Mabalacat Municipal Government to protect its territory, and Calumpang has long been under the supervision of Mabalacat," Morales said.

But Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Leonardo Anunciacion disputes the claims of Morales.

Anuciacion said in 1993, the then municipal agrarian reform officer for Mabalacat Emmanuel dela Cruz, who was assisted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) regional office, requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to identify areas at the Sacobia Estate in Bamban, Tarlac for the creation of the agrarian reform communities for Mabalacat.

Consequently, according to Anunciacion, between the periods of July 23-26, 1993, the DENR prepared a second sketch plan based on the request of dela Cruz. He added that the DENR recalled the 1997 sketch plan.

Lawyer Adenn Sigua, municipal attorney for Bamban, said Calumpang, where much of the contested lands lie, is a mere Sitio of Barangay San Vicente in Bamban.

But Calumpang, as far as Mabalacat is concerned, exists as a "bona fide" barangay.

Morales stressed that mere documentation could not overrule the fact that Mabalacat has exercised jurisdictional and territorial powers over Calumpang.

"The people there (Calumpang) are voters and residents of Mabalacat. The people of Calumpang have long recognized the jurisdiction of Mabalacat in the area," he said.

Morales also pointed to a certification issued by Local Government Regional Director Josefina Castilla-Go, which states that "Barangay Calumpang forms part of the Municipality of Mabalacat with official barangay code Number 35409005." This was also seconded by another certification from the Commission on Elections.

With the seemingly elusive common ground and accusations of quarry encroachment, both parties decided to formally hear the case instead of going to court. Both municipalities have agreed to settle the issue through a joint session by both the Tarlac and Pampanga provincial boards (PBs).

Both PBs responded with the creation of the Bamban-Mabalacat Boundary Dispute Committee that will hear the boundary dispute between the two municipalities. However, a determined resolution is still elusive as the committee's decision would just be "recommendatory" nature.

Sigua hoped for the soon resolution of the case, which has been dragging for almost seven years.

The Tarlac and Pampanga PBs will meet on August 21 at the Tarlac Provincial Capitol to finalize the rules for the committee. But until then, Sacobia will find no peace as quarters would try to exert their influence in the area, which still has vast quarry resources waiting to be tapped. (IOF)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam....(part.2).html

Aurora to set up satellite office in Clark (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008081692&type=2)

Sunday, August 17, 2008
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – Clark Development Corp. and the Province of Aurora officers on Thursday forged a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of a satellite office inside the Clark Freeport Zone.

The satellite office to be established in Clark will serve as logistics office for the promotion of agricultural and other export products coming from Aurora province, CDC President Benigno Ricafort said.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, who witnessed the signing of the agreement with Ricafort and Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (who signed in behalf of Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo), said the signing of the agreement is timely because it will complement soon the declaration of the special economic zone in the province. Angara-Castillo is on official business abroad.

The signing was held at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City.

The elder Angara also told Ricafort that soon the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) will be extended up to Baler in Aurora which will make the province some two hours away from Clark. At present, Aurora province, located at the northeastern part of Central Luzon, is more than three hours away from Clark.

The establishment of a satellite office for the Province of Aurora is likewise necessary for future economic, trade and other forms of cooperation that will help in the growth of tourism in Clark, Angara said.

“If Clark has 10,800 hectares for development as “next frontier,” (in the development of the freeport area), Aurora is also seen as the ‘next frontier’ in Central Luzon,” Angara said during the signing of the MOA. – Ric Sapnu

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One Town One Product fair in Luzon hikes sales by 8.5% (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008081620&type=2)

Sunday, August 17, 2008
The third One Town One Product (OTOP) Luzon Island Fair generated 8.5 percent higher than last year’s fair as more people bought food products.

Sales reached P14.2 million, an increase from last year’s P13.1 million, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported.

Data from the DTI showed that Cagayan Valley (Region 2) emerged as the top regional seller generating P2.7 million, followed by Ilocos Region (Region 1) with P2 million and Central Luzon (Region 3) with P1.8 million.

A wide array of furniture and furnishings, gifts and houseware, processed food, jewelry and fashion accessories, footwear, novelty products, organic and natural products, arts and crafts, and health and wellness products were showcased during the fair.

The top sellers were organic mushrooms from Isabela, pili nut products from Masbate and processed meat from Ilocos Sur.

For the non-food products, meanwhile, the biggest sellers were handloom woven products from Ilocos Sur, fashion accessories made of sabutan from Aurora and loomwoven ethnic crafts from Kalinga.

The top seller for the furniture sector was furniture and fixtures from Ilocos Sur.

DTI said over 200 OTOP micro, small and medium enterprises from the eight regions of Luzon comprised of 37 provinces joined the fair.

The Luzon OTOP fair is one of the three major island fairs organized by the Trade Department to help micro, small and medium enterprises showcase and market their products to local buyers from Metro Manila and the neighboring cities and provinces.

The OTOP program is one of the government’s important strategies for job generation and entrepreneurship promotion. — Ma. Elisa Osorio

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Aurora gov RP’s best local chief exec (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008083032&type=2)

Sunday, August 31, 2008


BALER, Aurora – For the second year in a row, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo has been named the Most Outstanding Local Chief Executive for her pioneering programs on social welfare services.

The award was bestowed on Angara-Castillo by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc. at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City highlighting the 12th National Social Welfare and Development Forum on Wednesday.

Aida Rutaquio, provincial social welfare and development officer received the plaque of recognition in behalf of Angara-Castillo from ALSWDOPI president Ernesto Montecillo. The governor is on official mission to Australia.

In October, Angara-Castillo was also the recipient of the 2007 Search for Most Outstanding LCE by the group in ceremonies at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City.

The 2008 Forum was graced by social welfare and development officers in the provincial, city and municipal levels, the respective chairpersons of the committee on social services of the provincial board, city municipal councils and municipal presidents of day-care workers’ federations nationwide.

In handing the award, the group cited her for carrying out her six-point development agenda in her native province of Aurora centering on the needs of the poor and the needy, particularly the so-called vulnerable sectors of society such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous peoples (IPs), out-of-school youths, unemployed women, single mothers and senior citizens.

The governor was credited for establishing the P5-million People Empowerment and Advancement Center (PEACE) in this capital town to attend to the needs of the sector. The Center, funded by a grant of the Japanese Embassy through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Security Project, empowers the sector to participate in mainstream development by providing them with skills training necessary for their employment.

“By empowering them to become productive citizens, you give them hope and confidence to live decent lives,” Angara-Castillo said.

Guy Tuzon, executive assistant of the governor, told The STAR that the award by no less than the ALSWDOPI, considered the mother of all social welfare institutions in the country, is a fitting tribute to her role as hands-on chief executive and mother figure of the province, considered one of the 20 poorest provinces in the country.

Tuzon said that as hands-on governor, Angara-Castillo shows her passion for public service by keeping personal touch with the people, particularly the sector, by interacting with them, listening to their problems, feelings and aspirations.

Tuzon added that the governor was able to interact with them, particularly children, being a mother herself concerned with the welfare of her offsprings.

The governor, a former congresswoman, was the principal author of the Early Childhood Care and Development Act in the House of Representatives.

This year, the provincial government launched its own child minding center at the Capitol compound to cater to children of Capitol employees. – Manny Galvez

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DA offers feed subsidies to hog farmers (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080905154&type=2)

Saturday, September 6, 2008


The Department of Agriculture is stepping up the implementation of measures for the hog industry to help the sector recover from a growth slump in the first semester.

In line with the government’s goal to energize the farm sector and ensure food sufficiency, the agency is now providing feed subsidies to hog farmers as well as undergoing a stock dispersal program.

The feed subsidy program aims to grow hogs by at least an additional 10 kilos to 15 kilos to increase output from the national average of only 77 kilograms.

With the government’s continued investments in DA programs to boost productivity, the agriculture sector was able to expand by 4.7 percent in the first semester of 2008 as against 3.74 percent in the same period last year.

In the first semester of 2008, the livestock sub-sector contracted 3.33 percent growth but the hog production suffered a decline of 4.33 percent during this same period owing to a drop in the number of animals slaughtered in abattoirs as result of swine diseases outbreak that had negatively affected production in Central Luzon.

And as part of its measures to assist the hog growers, the Department of Agriculture has ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Service to finalize plans to complement the meat inspection laboratories that were set up in General Santos City and Polomolok in South Cotabato.

The subsidy program for the hog industry will be carried out in Central Luzon and Calabarzon areas composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces, which will involve assisting backyard raisers, acquire healthy piglets and their required animal feeds.

The rehabilitation package will also include the livestock sector’s animal health programs and laboratory services.

DA is now undertaking a massive vaccination program worth P30 million, against possible Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PPRS) and other emerging swine diseases focusing on backyard population in Central Luzon, wherein bulk of hog raising production are concentrated.

BAI noted that despite these temporary setbacks, there is still a bright future that lies ahead for the Philippine hog industry as the Philippines will soon ship pork cuts to Singapore after complying with the island-state’s stringent requirements, including an assurance that these pork items are free from banned drugs and veterinary drug residues. —Rhia de Pablo

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LTO Baler to be fully computerized (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/09/08/PROV20080908134560.html)
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Ariel P. Avedano

BALER, Aurora – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) here which was nearly abolished by the LTO central office about a couple of months ago will instead be fully automated beginning next month.

Renato Macalisang, chief of the LTO here, said that Stradcom, which was tapped by the LTO as the exclusive Information Technology (IT) provider in the entire country is now in the final phase of installing computer systems which will be inter-connected to all Land Transportation Offices.

Macalisang said that the Baler LTO is the only non-automated branch of the 32 land-transportation offices in Central Luzon.

Since 2004, Baler LTO has stopped issuing student permits and registration of newly acquired vehicles upon instruction by the LTO central office.

Renewal of licenses and vehicle registration which was previously issued by the agency here have been allowed.

Last May, a memorandum directing the abolition of the Baler LTO was issued by LTO Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing.

However, Moises Amuete, Central Luzon LTO director, clarified that Baler LTO was created under the law, adding that abolition of the agency could be done only if a law for the purpose is passed by the Congress.

"I am very grateful that the Angaras, referring to Senator Edgardo Angara, Rep. Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, and Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, for mediating in the retention of the agency’s office here, Macalisang said.

Governor Castillo, in a mobile phone interview, said that LTO should not be abolished and should instead be upgraded to serve the people of Aurora, noting that the provincial government is working on the establishment of more national government agencies in the province.

"Meron na po tayong satellite office ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Government Services Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and PNP crime laboratory aside from the other existing national offices," Castillo said, adding that, "I’m glad that Baler LTO is now going high-tech".

Congressman Angara lauded the LTO central office for retaining the agency’s office here, saying that abolishing the LTO in Aurora would be disadvantageous to license holders and owners of vehicles whenever they want to have their licenses and vehicle registrations renewed.

‘Our primary goal is to bring the government closer to the people, render services and provide them easy access to the bureaucracy," the young solon said.

‘With the full automation of Baler LTO, the agency can accommodate again the renewal of vehicles registration, drivers’ licenses and new student permits who will be securing licenses without traveling to Palayan City, the nearest fully-automated agency which is more than three hours by land travel from Baler," Macalisang said.


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NFA allots P1.76-B for Central Luzon palay (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008090860&type=2)
By Manny Galvez
Tuesday, September 9, 2008


CABANATUAN CITY – At least P1.7 billion in funds had been allocated by the National Food Authority for its intensified palay procurement operations in Central Luzon.

NFA Region 3 director Nicolas Crisostomo told The STAR that the amount will be enough to buy up to 1.266 million bags of palay in the region. He said that the intensified palay procurement operations is in anticipation of the main harvest season starting the middle of this month until year-end.

Crisostomo said that with another round of bountiful harvest similar to what farmers enjoyed last year, palay farmers are assured that their produce will be getting a fair value with the current government support price of P17 per kilogram.

During last summer’s cropping season, palay farmers benefited from the highest ex-farm prices offered by traders in recent years ranging from P18 kg to P21 kg.

Crisostomo said the targeted palay procurement will adequately complement the buying operations of private traders and maintain a profitable level of ex-farm prices.

He said that to achieve this target, the NFA has established 23 buying stations in the region to accommodate farmers who will sell their palay to the NFA. The NFA has also farmed out 10 mobile procurement teams to serve farmers in far-flung areas where ex-farm prices are showing a decreasing trend against the government support price.

Crisostomo also said that they have made available their mechanical dryers for wet palay deliveries during the rainy days.

He hinted that farmers with wet stocks always find it difficult to sell their produce since private traders in the region have limited drying capabilities, noting the mechanical dryers will be availed of by farmers on a “first-come, first-served” basis at lower costs.

As in the past, the NFA has required farmers to present their passbooks prior to selling their produce to the agency. Farmers with no passbooks yet need to present a certification from a barangay official that he is a bona fide farmer or farm worker.

Those with no farmer’s passbooks are allowed to sell up to 50 cavans as first time delivery.

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Biz groups vow to develop C. Luzon

Sun.Star
Thursday, July 17, 2008

CLARK FREEPORT -- Two business groups recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in a bid to enhance the development of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor, especially the Subic-Clark area.

The Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), led by their respective presidents, signed the MOA recently after a brief program held at the Hotel Stotsenberg here.

Under the MOA, both Cila and SBFCC will "cooperate with each other in enhancing the Subic Clark Alliance Development Program and the Central Luzon Growth Corridor through the use of each other's infrastructure and facilities, information and communication technology, promotions and marketing, and exchange of ideas, expertise, research and planning."

The agreement also aims to "shed off parochialism" by allowing both Cila and SBFCC to combine forces amid "fierce competition" from neighboring Asian countries and other emerging economies worldwide.

Cila president Jeannie Del Rosario-Ng, who signed the agreement with SBFCC president John Corcoran, said Subic's and Clark's new role is to transform the two former United States military installations into world-class regional logistics hubs that cover both air and marine transport.

"This relationship makes perfect sense because of the SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway)," Ng said citing travel time going to and from Clark and Subic is cut short by 30 minutes because of SCTEX.

The MOA signing also paved the way for the creation of an Advisory Committee that allows both parties to exchange information useful for planning, financing, development, governance, operation and promotion/marketing of their respective Freeport zones.

To attract more investments to Subic and Clark, Cila and SBFCC agreed to encourage and generate investments through a system of referral and joint promotions and marketing.

Also, Cila and SBFCC will organize investment missions that will focus high-tech manufacturing industries and other sectors that specialize on air cargo transport, transshipment, and tourism.

"The next few years are full of promise for Clark and Subic. And with our accord, we are confident that we are better armed to meet the challenges and take advantage of these opportunities," Ng said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/07/17/news/biz.groups.vow.to.develop.c..luzon.html
^^
central luzon is an ideal place for business!:cheers:

P7-B port city being planned in Aurora
http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080917-161136/P7-B-port-city-being-planned-in-Aurora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:25:00 09/17/2008

MANILA, Philippines--About 1,000 hectares of land in Aurora province, northeast of Manila, will soon become a P7-billion port city, says R2 Builders, the developer tapped for the port development project.

R2 Builders president Reghis Romero II, who heads the Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and Builders Associations, said about P3.0 billion would be needed to develop a seaport area in Casiguran town, P1.5 billion to further develop an existing airport, and P2.5 billion to build other infrastructure projects.

Romero said the project was in the planning stage. He said land development was expected to start in the next three years and the port city would be available for occupancy in 10 years.

It was announced early this year that the Dingalan, Baler and Casiguran ports in Aurora were to be linked via roll-on roll-off shipping services and that ports in the neighboring provinces of Quezon, Isabela and Cagayan would be linked to those in Aurora. Riza T.Olchondra; edited by INQUIRER.net

P1.7 B allotted for palay purchases (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/09/17/PROV20080917135421.html)

NFA to buy 1.26 M bags of palay in CL

Magtanggol C. Vilar

CABANATUAN CITY — The Region 3 office of the National Food Authority (NFA) has allocated P1.7 billion for its palay-buying program with a target of 1.266 million bags of the grains in the seven provinces in Central Luzon (CL).


NFA Region 3 Director Nicolas Crisostomo said the intensified palay procurement will complement the buying operation of private traders.

The big volume of the NFA palay purchases is expected to set a profitable level of ex-farm prices, he said.

Crisostomo also announced the grant of P1,800 cash as additional incentive for every 50 bags of 50 kilos (or 2,500 kilos) of palay sold to the NFA. This forms part of the fertilizer-incentive program of the Department of Agriculture and NFA, which is expected to lighten the financial burden of palay farmers who are complaining about the increasing cost of fertilizers.

As the main harvest season started in mid-September, the government support price of P17 per kilo of palay gives the farmers a fair value of their produce, Crisostomo said.

In the last dry-cropping season, palay farmers received an unprecedented windfall with the ex-farm prices offered by private traders soaring to level of from P18 to P21 per kilo.

The procurement fund of P1.076 billion is intended for palay purchases in the seven provinces of Central Luzon. The allocation of the funds is as follows: Aurora, P30.6 million; Bataan, P42.5 million; Bulacan, P106.25 million; Nueva Ecija, P501.5 million; Pampanga, P140.25 million; Tarlac, P212.5 million; and Zambales, P42.5M.

Meanwhile, the cereal agency has made available its mechanical dryers to palay farmers whose produce has been soaked by the frequent rain. This is expected to assure farmers that even their wet produce would be bought at fair prices by the NFA, Crisostomo said.

P1.7 B allotted for palay purchases (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/09/17/PROV20080917135421.html)

NFA to buy 1.26 M bags of palay in CL

Magtanggol C. Vilar

CABANATUAN CITY — The Region 3 office of the National Food Authority (NFA) has allocated P1.7 billion for its palay-buying program with a target of 1.266 million bags of the grains in the seven provinces in Central Luzon (CL).


NFA Region 3 Director Nicolas Crisostomo said the intensified palay procurement will complement the buying operation of private traders.

The big volume of the NFA palay purchases is expected to set a profitable level of ex-farm prices, he said.

Crisostomo also announced the grant of P1,800 cash as additional incentive for every 50 bags of 50 kilos (or 2,500 kilos) of palay sold to the NFA. This forms part of the fertilizer-incentive program of the Department of Agriculture and NFA, which is expected to lighten the financial burden of palay farmers who are complaining about the increasing cost of fertilizers.

As the main harvest season started in mid-September, the government support price of P17 per kilo of palay gives the farmers a fair value of their produce, Crisostomo said.

In the last dry-cropping season, palay farmers received an unprecedented windfall with the ex-farm prices offered by private traders soaring to level of from P18 to P21 per kilo.

The procurement fund of P1.076 billion is intended for palay purchases in the seven provinces of Central Luzon. The allocation of the funds is as follows: Aurora, P30.6 million; Bataan, P42.5 million; Bulacan, P106.25 million; Nueva Ecija, P501.5 million; Pampanga, P140.25 million; Tarlac, P212.5 million; and Zambales, P42.5M.

Meanwhile, the cereal agency has made available its mechanical dryers to palay farmers whose produce has been soaked by the frequent rain. This is expected to assure farmers that even their wet produce would be bought at fair prices by the NFA, Crisostomo said.

142 entrepreneurs join 10th Likha ng Central Luzon

ANGELES CITY -– About 142 entrepreneurs will showcase their best products at the 10th Likha ng Central Luzon trade fair from October 8 to 12 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Director Blesila Lantayona of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Central Luzon on Monday said the Likha ng Central Luzon is a major regional trade promotion event jointly organized by DTI, Philexport-Central Luzon and the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the region.

“The fair which is being held annually, serves as the culminating activity of a package of industry and trade-related programs given to the entrepreneurs in the region. It aims to develop the existing micro and small enterprises and create the region’s next generation of exporters from among the Likha participants,” Lantayona said.

Now on its 10th year, Lantayona said the Likha ng Central Luzon trade fair has proven to be an effective venue to promote the products of the region to institutionalize buyers and exporters based in Metro Manila. “It has become one of the much-awaited trade event of the region’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) because of its significant impact to the operations of their business,” she added.

For this year, a total of 142 entrepreneurs will join the trade fair with six coming from Aurora, 10 from Bataan, 42 from Bulacan, 28 from Nueva Ecija, 36 from Pampanga, and 10 from Zambales.

Lantayona said out of the 142 exhibitors, 76 are One-Town-One-Products (Otop) micro, small and medium enterprises.

She added that consistent with the fair’s theme this year, “Natatanging Produkto, Ipagmalaki sa Buong Mundo,” quality and competitive products will be showcased in Likha. This includes processed food, bags, fashion accessories, jewelry, garments, leather goods, furniture, ceramics, organic and natural products, gifts and holiday decors.

According to Lantayona, a special showcase of semi-processed and new products developed from raw materials abundant in the region will be the highlight of this year’s Likha.

The raw materials that will be highlighted are as follows: Aurora’s sabutan, Bataan and Bulacan’s bamboo, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac’s corn husk, Zambales’ serpentine and Nueva Ecija and Tarlac’s water lily.

Part of the Likha program is also the awarding of top three sellers in the 2007 Likha ng Central Luzon. These are Casamoda Handicraft which produces wooden kitchenware out of Kamagong, home decors, chopsticks and candle holders; Lualhati Enterprise which makes curtains, pillows, throw pillows, bags and bed sheets’ and Jesslyn Marie Marketing which makes sala sets out of rattan wicker, home decors made of runo, dividers, and baskets.

Laso, five municipal branding program from Bataan will be launched. These are the Mariveles bags, Udyong mangoes, Bagac casoy, Mabatang brooms, and Lika Morong Vinegar.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/10/07/bus/142.entrepreneurs.join.10th.likha.ng.central.luzon.html

Agri-business packages in Central Luzon identified

by Erlinda T. Yutuc

San Fernando City, Pampanga -- Amidst the global economic crisis, concerned government agencies and local chief executives (LCEs) in Central Luzon recently expressed their commitments to pursue the maximum agribusiness potentials of the region and make its agri-business products globally competitive.

This developed during the recently concluded presentation of agribusiness investment opportunities in the region, an offshoot of the series of investment fora conducted with LCEs and various stakeholders in the seven provinces of the region.

Presidential Assistant for Central Luzon Lorelei Fajardo said that early this year, concerned government agencies went around the seven provinces of the region to dialogue and consult with LCEs, farmers, fisherfolks, businessmen and other stakeholders for them to identify priority potential investments and resources in their respective areas.

Fajardo said that the conduct of investment fora is anchored on the economic vision of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to ensure the development of the so-called W- growth corridor in the region as identified in the Regional Development Council (RDC) master plan.

As a result of the series of investment fora, meeting and consultations, a total of 22 priority projects worth P763 million which are open to both public and private investments were identified.

Fajardo said that these identified investment projects will be presented to President Arroyo during the soon to be held Regional Investment Forum. These will also be packaged for presentation to possible investment groups, both local and national.

These investment projects, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Blesila Lantayona, cover facilities/processing/testing/laboratory packaging, nine; crops production, seven; fishery and marine resources development, five; and livestock raising, one.

Lantayona said that among these proposed projects is the regional center for small ruminants which shall be put up in all provinces of the region and has for its components a regional breeding center, integrated goat production techno-demo modules, agribusiness center, regional goat and sheep training center, including the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the project. With a total project cost of P50 million, the project is open to public and private investment and will benefit livestock raisers, backyard and semi-commercial raisers and goat raisers association.

Also included is the establishment of agricultural tramline system for the region's seven provinces worth P0.99 million and open to private and public investments.

Other projects with regional scope are the multi purpose farm mechanization, P91.19 million; and rice productivity enhancement with hauling and cleaning, milling/whitening and polishing/smoothing, grading, sorting, packaging and storage components costing P28 million per province.

Lantayona said that identified projects for Aurora include cacao production with scion grove establishment and seed distribution, coffee production and expansion, mariculture and buffalo-based dairy development; Bataan, expansion of fish processing; Bulacan, establishments of mango packing house and extended water treatment facility, fish health management and fish product quality testing laboratory and saline tilapia production; Nueva Ecija, rehabilitation of retrofitting of the grain drying facilities with rice hull fed furnace and GMA-Barangay rice technology demonstration

Other projects are Pampanga, commercialization of moring (malunggay), saline tilapia capsulized development plan in Central Luzon and bamboo production; Tarlac, establishment of pesticide analytical laboratory, commercial production of sweet potato and sweet-potato based products; Zambales, mango productivity enhancement, community-based drying center for rice and corn, rehabilitation and retrofitting of grain drying facilities with rice hull fed furnace and seaweeds farming.

Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr. presented the proposed Central Luzon Freeport one stop processing and bagsakan center at the Subic Freeport.

Fajardo said that LCEs must have a sense of ownership of the projects as she stressed the need for a stronger collaboration between and among agencies of the government and LCEs.

"We should act together and act fast; not compete but complement each other's efforts in order to maximize the potential of the region which is situated in the heart of Asia," Fajardo said.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Josefina Castilla-Go said that the region should take advantage of the existing major infrastructure such as the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), economic freeports and make our agribusiness products globally competitive.

Go also said that we need to have the synergy and cooperation of all stakeholders to realize the vision of the Arroyo administration.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is the lead agency of the project with the Office of Presidential Assistant for Central Luzon, DILG, DTI, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and National Economic and Development Authority as members of the technical working group.

Participants to the said activity include concerned vice-governors, board members and municipal mayors and other national government agencies in the region. (PIA-Pampanga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080924.htm&no=15

If we are to create a separate region or separate state, it should be the Kapampangan State or Kapampangan Region, for the following reasons:

Kapampangans have a distinct identity and a common language, culture and history, and are the seventh largest of the eight major ethno-linguistic groups in the country. They have given the country heads of all three branches of government (two Presidents of the Republic, one Senate President, and three Chief Justices of the Supreme Court) and produced the first Filipino Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as leaders in various fields of endeavor. Pampanga was the first province to be created in 1571. Kapampangans can claim one (arguably, two) rays of the sun in the flag, and have been represented in the Cabinet of each president since that of President Aguinaldo.

The Kapampangan Region has a thriving economy, and will not require subsidies from the central government. In 2004 and 2005, Pampanga posted the highest export contributions to the Central Luzon region with an annual average export of US$3.1 billion out of the average annual total of US$4.9 billion for the entire Central Luzon. Moreover, it has an international airport, giving it direct access to foreign destinations, and also has access to the sea at Macabebe, Masantol and Sasmuan. According to Dr. Rene Azurin: “But, of the proposed eleven (or so) federal states, no more than a few - like the Cebuano state or the Pampangueno-Tarlaqueno state - would actually be able to stand on their own financially."
(Azurin, Rene. On Decentralizing Government, p. 5. Paper presented at the Dialogues on Federalism. Center for Local and Regional Governance, NCPAG, UP Diliman, Quezon City, 3 August 2007. Originally published in the book Stationary Bandits: Essays in Political Power, also by Dr. Azurin. Platypus Press, 2007)

The Kapampangan Region has a sufficiently large area and population to become a region or federal state. Kapampangan-majority areas - Pampanga province, plus the highly urbanized city of Angeles, the Tarlac towns of Bamban, Capas and Concepcion, and the city of Tarlac - together registered a population of 2,398,144 in 2000 (It would be even larger if historically Kapampangan areas, like adjoining areas of Bataan and Nueva Ecija where Kapampangan is still spoken, are included.). This is larger than that of the Cordillera and Caraga regions (1,365,412 and 2,095,367, respectively, in 2000) and nearly as large as that of the ARMM (2,412,159 in 2000). Its area (3,424.68 km2) is much bigger than that of Metro Manila (636 km2), a separate region and a proposed autonomous entity in a federal system. Moreover, it is larger in area and population than at least 26 independent countries, including Barbados, Grenada, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius and Seychelles, and in population than another 26 including Brunei, Cyprus, Estonia, Fiji, Gabon, Guyana and Swaziland. It is larger in area than both Singapore and the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Hongkong.

Of the eight major language groups, only Kapampangans and Pangasinenses do not have regions of their own, and consequently, only the two have not been given separate states in most proposals for federalization.

The Kapampangans form a distinct political bloc, which consistently votes differently from the rest of Central Luzon, even the rest of Luzon, especially in recent elections. This additional distinction is one more basis for a separate federal state, as well as a factor which, if taken into account, will encourage greater political pluralism and diversity, and hence a more representative and stable democracy, in the Philippines.

The position of Pampanga and Tarlac is unique in Central Luzon, being the only two provinces without a Tagalog majority or plurality in the region.

Given the central and strategic position and excellent infrastructure of the Kapampangan Region, it will advance economically regardless of the political system. The advantages of federalism are for the most part cultural: that is, it will provide space to protect Kapampangan from the overwhelming dominance of Filipino-Tagalog. This will not be possible in a federal state where the dominant language (and almost certainly the official language) is the same as the national language of the Philippines.

The Kapampangans, a major language group which has contributed much to Philippine history, and is now in danger of disappearing due to language change, deserve recognition, protection and autonomy under a federal system.

A Kapampangan State separate from Central Luzon, in case the Philippines shifts to a federal system, and is converted into a federal republic, is therefore not only a most viable option, but a just

If we are to create a separate region or separate state, it should be the Kapampangan State or Kapampangan Region, for the following reasons:

Kapampangans have a distinct identity and a common language, culture and history, and are the seventh largest of the eight major ethno-linguistic groups in the country. They have given the country heads of all three branches of government (two Presidents of the Republic, one Senate President, and three Chief Justices of the Supreme Court) and produced the first Filipino Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as leaders in various fields of endeavor. Pampanga was the first province to be created in 1571. Kapampangans can claim one (arguably, two) rays of the sun in the flag, and have been represented in the Cabinet of each president since that of President Aguinaldo.

The Kapampangan Region has a thriving economy, and will not require subsidies from the central government. In 2004 and 2005, Pampanga posted the highest export contributions to the Central Luzon region with an annual average export of US$3.1 billion out of the average annual total of US$4.9 billion for the entire Central Luzon. Moreover, it has an international airport, giving it direct access to foreign destinations, and also has access to the sea at Macabebe, Masantol and Sasmuan. According to Dr. Rene Azurin: “But, of the proposed eleven (or so) federal states, no more than a few - like the Cebuano state or the Pampangueno-Tarlaqueno state - would actually be able to stand on their own financially."
(Azurin, Rene. On Decentralizing Government, p. 5. Paper presented at the Dialogues on Federalism. Center for Local and Regional Governance, NCPAG, UP Diliman, Quezon City, 3 August 2007. Originally published in the book Stationary Bandits: Essays in Political Power, also by Dr. Azurin. Platypus Press, 2007)

The Kapampangan Region has a sufficiently large area and population to become a region or federal state. Kapampangan-majority areas - Pampanga province, plus the highly urbanized city of Angeles, the Tarlac towns of Bamban, Capas and Concepcion, and the city of Tarlac - together registered a population of 2,398,144 in 2000 (It would be even larger if historically Kapampangan areas, like adjoining areas of Bataan and Nueva Ecija where Kapampangan is still spoken, are included.). This is larger than that of the Cordillera and Caraga regions (1,365,412 and 2,095,367, respectively, in 2000) and nearly as large as that of the ARMM (2,412,159 in 2000). Its area (3,424.68 km2) is much bigger than that of Metro Manila (636 km2), a separate region and a proposed autonomous entity in a federal system. Moreover, it is larger in area and population than at least 26 independent countries, including Barbados, Grenada, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius and Seychelles, and in population than another 26 including Brunei, Cyprus, Estonia, Fiji, Gabon, Guyana and Swaziland. It is larger in area than both Singapore and the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Hongkong.

Of the eight major language groups, only Kapampangans and Pangasinenses do not have regions of their own, and consequently, only the two have not been given separate states in most proposals for federalization.

The Kapampangans form a distinct political bloc, which consistently votes differently from the rest of Central Luzon, even the rest of Luzon, especially in recent elections. This additional distinction is one more basis for a separate federal state, as well as a factor which, if taken into account, will encourage greater political pluralism and diversity, and hence a more representative and stable democracy, in the Philippines.

The position of Pampanga and Tarlac is unique in Central Luzon, being the only two provinces without a Tagalog majority or plurality in the region.

Given the central and strategic position and excellent infrastructure of the Kapampangan Region, it will advance economically regardless of the political system. The advantages of federalism are for the most part cultural: that is, it will provide space to protect Kapampangan from the overwhelming dominance of Filipino-Tagalog. This will not be possible in a federal state where the dominant language (and almost certainly the official language) is the same as the national language of the Philippines.

The Kapampangans, a major language group which has contributed much to Philippine history, and is now in danger of disappearing due to language change, deserve recognition, protection and autonomy under a federal system.

A Kapampangan State separate from Central Luzon, in case the Philippines shifts to a federal system, and is converted into a federal republic, is therefore not only a most viable option, but a just

What will happen to Nueva Ecija kuya? E halu-halo rito?

Not being from Nueva Ecija, I would leave this to the Novo Ecijanos to decide. If it were up to me (and based on the principles for creating the Kapampangan state) I would transfer the Ilocano and Tagalog parts of Central Luzon (including Nueva Ecuja) to the main Ilocano and Tagalog states, while constituting a separate Kapampangan state out of the Kapampangan-speaking areas (27% of Central Luzon, the second largest after the Tagalog portion).

The remaining areas which are neither Tagalog nor Ilocano nor Kapampangan, such as the Zambal or Aeta areas, can be organized into separate states, or, if this is economically and politically feasible (being much smaller), they can be made sub-states or protected autonomous entities where they will be guaranteed protection of their cultural, linguistic and other rights.

Not being from Nueva Ecija, I would leave this to the Novo Ecijanos to decide. If it were up to me (and based on the principles for creating the Kapampangan state) I would transfer the Ilocano and Tagalog parts of Central Luzon (including Nueva Ecuja) to the main Ilocano and Tagalog states, while constituting a separate Kapampangan state out of the Kapampangan-speaking areas (27% of Central Luzon, the second largest after the Tagalog portion).

The remaining areas which are neither Tagalog nor Ilocano nor Kapampangan, such as the Zambal or Aeta areas, can be organized into separate states, or, if this is economically and politically feasible (being much smaller), they can be made sub-states or protected autonomous entities where they will be guaranteed protection of their cultural, linguistic and other rights.

Mayroon po kaming apat na ethnic groups sa Nueva Ecija... Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilokano at mga Pangasinan... so you mean ang pinakamalaking lalawigan ng Central Luzon e hahatiin natin sa apat? Wika pa nga lang, nagtatalo na kami, paghahati pa kaya?! Leaving us to decide, it will be a war kasi nga apat kami, manalo ang isa, gulo naman sa kabila...

Central Luzon state na lang para walang gulo...

Mayroon po kaming apat na ethnic groups sa Nueva Ecija... Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilokano at mga Pangasinan... so you mean ang pinakamalaking lalawigan ng Central Luzon e hahatiin natin sa apat? Wika pa nga lang, nagtatalo na kami, paghahati pa kaya?! Leaving us to decide, it will be a war kasi nga apat kami, manalo ang isa, gulo naman sa kabila...

Central Luzon state na lang para walang gulo...

I stand pat with my proposal for a Kapampangan State incorporating Pampanga and Kapampangan-speaking Southern Tarlac, and if they wish, adjoining Kapampangan areas in other provinces as well. It is large enough in area and population (as large as many countries), can stand on its own financially, and has both an airport and access to the sea (Pampanga Bay via Masantol, Macabebe and Sasmuan). After all, Pampanga and Tarlac are the only provinces in Central Luzon without a Tagalog majority or plurality. If the remaining provinces of Region III, including Nueva Ecija, would like to be part of a Central Luzon State, then that's their business. My concern is that a Tagalog-majority Central Luzon state (which is over 54% Tagalog) will inevitably choose Tagalog as its official language (in addition to Tagalog-based Filipino, the national language of the Philippines), sooner or later killing the non-Tagalog languages and Tagalizing the whole area (needless to say, I find this destruction of my own language, culture and nation totally unacceptable). If you doubt this process, consider how San Jose, Muñoz, Carranglan, Gabaldon, Santo Domingo, etc. have switched from Ilocano-majority to Tagalog-majority in the past few decades, and how others like Guimba are following suit. Soon all of Nueva Ecija and other formerly non-Tagalog areas in Central Luzon like Zambales will have become completely Tagalog through language shift.

Eventually, a thoroughly Tagalized Central Luzon, which shares the same language as equally Tagalog Manila, will offer no opposition to absorption to Metro Manila, which has already absorbed Valenzuela (formerly part of Bulacan). Meycauayan, Obando, San Jose del Monte and Malolos have also become part of the Metro Manila urban sprawl, even if they are still politically part of Bulacan, and it may only be a matter of time before they are swallowed up by MM. A Central Luzon with a language, culture and identity no different from the Metro, and economically dependent on it, will find it attractive to follow suit.

I respect your desire to be part of a proposed Central Luzon State, but as a true-blooded Kapampangan, I would have nothing to do with it, and reserve the right of the Kapampangan nation to a federal state of its own - and you also have to respect that right.

I stand pat with my proposal for a Kapampangan State incorporating Pampanga and Kapampangan-speaking Southern Tarlac, and if they wish, adjoining Kapampangan areas in other provinces as well. It is large enough in area and population (as large as many countries), can stand on its own financially, and has both an airport and access to the sea (Pampanga Bay via Masantol, Macabebe and Sasmuan). After all, Pampanga and Tarlac are the only provinces in Central Luzon without a Tagalog majority or plurality. If the remaining provinces of Region III, including Nueva Ecija, would like to be part of a Central Luzon State, then that's their business. My concern is that a Tagalog-majority Central Luzon state (which is over 54% Tagalog) will inevitably choose Tagalog as its official language (in addition to Tagalog-based Filipino, the national language of the Philippines), sooner or later killing the non-Tagalog languages and Tagalizing the whole area (needless to say, I find this destruction of my own language, culture and nation totally unacceptable). If you doubt this process, consider how San Jose, Muñoz, Carranglan, Gabaldon, Santo Domingo, etc. have switched from Ilocano-majority to Tagalog-majority in the past few decades, and how others like Guimba are following suit. Soon all of Nueva Ecija and other formerly non-Tagalog areas in Central Luzon like Zambales will have become completely Tagalog through language shift.

Eventually, a thoroughly Tagalized Central Luzon, which shares the same language as equally Tagalog Manila, will offer no opposition to absorption to Metro Manila, which has already absorbed Valenzuela (formerly part of Bulacan). Meycauayan, Obando, San Jose del Monte and Malolos have also become part of the Metro Manila urban sprawl, even if they are still politically part of Bulacan, and it may only be a matter of time before they are swallowed up by MM. A Central Luzon with a language, culture and identity no different from the Metro, and economically dependent on it, will find it attractive to follow suit.

I respect your desire to be part of a proposed Central Luzon State, but as a true-blooded Kapampangan, I would have nothing to do with it, and reserve the right of the Kapampangan nation to a federal state of its own - and you also have to respect that right.

Ok... I respect your opinion... as far as I know, the places you have mentioned in my province are used to be Ilocano-majority places... now, Nueva Ecija is composed mostly of Tagalogs, then by Ilocanos, Kapampangans and Pangasinan... the languages of these two latter ethnic groups are dying... and I have to admit, although a Kapampangan, I can't speak my own language... :ohno:

kita ko nya syu.medyu asar kapa sa Angeles City eh..ano,ale totoo abe!

kita ko nya syu.medyu asar kapa sa Angeles City eh..ano,ale totoo abe!

Ang ayaw ko lang naman kasi kuya sa Angeles City ay ang pagiging independent city nito sa Pampanga just like all other cities sa Pilipinas na independent... hindi ba mas masaya kung ang lahat ng lungsod ay under sa kanilang probinsya?

kung under ang AC sa probinsyal gov. eh pro recall po ako..ayoko sa paring awol?

kung under ang AC sa probinsyal gov. eh pro recall po ako..ayoko sa paring awol?

Hehe:lol:, bakit mo naman natawag na awol si Father Panlilio?

Ang ayaw ko lang naman kasi kuya sa Angeles City ay ang pagiging independent city nito sa Pampanga just like all other cities sa Pilipinas na independent... hindi ba mas masaya kung ang lahat ng lungsod ay under sa kanilang probinsya?

I agree with the same sentiments.

kasi,hinahanap sya ni POPE Benidick sa VATICAN hehehehehe

Ok... I respect your opinion... as far as I know, the places you have mentioned in my province are used to be Ilocano-majority places... now, Nueva Ecija is composed mostly of Tagalogs, then by Ilocanos, Kapampangans and Pangasinan... the languages of these two latter ethnic groups are dying... and I have to admit, although a Kapampangan, I can't speak my own language... :ohno:

My point exactly. The federal states should be organized according to language (as well as history, geography, etc.), otherwise those who do not speak the official state language will be at a disadvantage, and their native languages will be in danger of dying.

Speaking of Ilocano, while it is not exactly "dying" overall (although the national percentage of Ilocanos has fallen from 12% in 1960 to about 9% in 2000, while Tagalog has zoomed upwards from 21% to 30%), it is already close to dying in Nueva Ecija (like Kapampangan and Pangasinan), since the children of Ilocanos in most of the former Ilocano towns are being brought up as Tagalogs:

"A survey of ilocano writers in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija would reveal that the majority have ages above 50 years. Writers in the local language in these provinces language are a vanishing tribe. And thats because of tagalization and anglo- whatever -ation. Former ilocano areas in nueva ecija , e.g
munoz and san jose, are now tagalog areas. Funny, the children speak
tagalog and the parents speak ilocano."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DILA/message/15357

It is clear. At the risk of being repetitive, non-Tagalog areas in Central Luzon will inevitably be Tagalized unless they are placed in separate states, or if they are joined with the states where their languages are official. And the Tagalog-dominated Central Luzon state itself is bound to disappear by being swallowed up by Metro Manila, with which it shares the same language, culture and identity - since there is no linguistic boundary separating the two.

My point exactly. The federal states should be organized according to language (as well as history, geography, etc.), otherwise those who do not speak the official state language will be at a disadvantage, and their native languages will be in danger of dying.

Speaking of Ilocano, while it is not exactly "dying" overall (although the national percentage of Ilocanos has fallen from 12% in 1960 to about 9% in 2000, while Tagalog has zoomed upwards from 21% to 30%), it is already close to dying in Nueva Ecija (like Kapampangan and Pangasinan), since the children of Ilocanos in most of the former Ilocano towns are being brought up as Tagalogs:

"A survey of ilocano writers in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija would reveal that the majority have ages above 50 years. Writers in the local language in these provinces language are a vanishing tribe. And thats because of tagalization and anglo- whatever -ation. Former ilocano areas in nueva ecija , e.g
munoz and san jose, are now tagalog areas. Funny, the children speak
tagalog and the parents speak ilocano."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DILA/message/15357

It is clear. At the risk of being repetitive, non-Tagalog areas in Central Luzon will inevitably be Tagalized unless they are placed in separate states, or if they are joined with the states where their languages are official. And the Tagalog-dominated Central Luzon state itself is bound to disappear by being swallowed up by Metro Manila, with which it shares the same language, culture and identity - since there is no linguistic boundary separating the two.

Sorry but splitting will not stop the dying of these languages, yes it could delay it but not as a long-term solution since language changes are largely dependent on human migration and not on the borders- as of my last visit in Lupao, Nueva Ecija the Ilocanos are still a majority and believe it or not, the town is composed of all the ethnic groups found in Nueva Ecija- Tagalogs, Ilocanos, Kapampangans and Pangasinans. Ilocanos are still a majority in that town... we need laws that will promote the use of these dying languages in schools, public office, etc. to prevent their extinction... and enforce those laws...

Federalism won't prevent migration from one state to another, it only decentralizes several powers of the national government and brings it to the local governments like imposition of death penalty in a state, etc. and there is currently no provisions that will enforce border patrols- we are going to split the Philippines into several federal states and not into several sovereign states.

Yes, these states could order the schools to teach their mother language pero sa mga lalawigan na gaya ng Nueva Ecija na may apat na dayalekto e magiging malaking tanong iyon... we can't use Ilocano in this subject tapos Kapampangan on these subjects tapos Pangasinan on the other subjects and Tagalogs on the rest... masisira ang ulo ng mga bata... buti sana kung kaya nila... good thing if they can, magiging ala-Lupao ang buong Nueva Ecija... and I salute the people on Lupao kasi apat na dayalekto ang ginagamit nila pero at least nagagawa pa nilang i-preserve ito although namamatay na nga ang ibang mga wika...

Try mo sa Lupao kuya, sa isang jeep na rumaratsada roon na rutang San Jose (Nueva Ecija)-Carmen (Rosales, Pangasinan), yung drayber Tagalog tapos yung katabi niya Kapampangan tapos yung 10 na nasa kanan Pangasinan at yung isang 10 pa sa kaliwa ay Ilocano. Kapag nagsalita sila ng sabay-sabay, alam mo na kasunod... Lupao is the best place in Nueva Ecija to exhibit cultural diversity... and we all need to preserve it... kung kailangang ituro sa mga paaralan sa bayang iyon ang apat na dayalektong iyan, then go ahead...

The reason I can't speak Kapampangan is because I grew up in Manila...

Federalism won't prevent migration from one state to another, it only decentralizes several powers of the national government and brings it to the local governments like imposition of death penalty in a state, etc. and there is currently no provisions that will enforce border patrols- we are going to split the Philippines into several federal states and not into several sovereign states.

Yes, these states could order the schools to teach their mother language pero sa mga lalawigan na gaya ng Nueva Ecija na may apat na dayalekto e magiging malaking tanong iyon... we can't use Ilocano in this subject tapos Kapampangan on these subjects tapos Pangasinan on the other subjects and Tagalogs on the rest... masisira ang ulo ng mga bata... buti sana kung kaya nila... good thing if they can, magiging ala-Lupao ang buong Nueva Ecija... and I salute the people on Lupao kasi apat na dayalekto ang ginagamit nila pero at least nagagawa pa nilang i-preserve ito although namamatay na nga ang ibang mga wika...

Try mo sa Lupao kuya, sa isang jeep na rumaratsada roon na rutang San Jose (Nueva Ecija)-Carmen (Rosales, Pangasinan), yung drayber Tagalog tapos yung katabi niya Kapampangan tapos yung 10 na nasa kanan Pangasinan at yung isang 10 pa sa kaliwa ay Ilocano. Kapag nagsalita sila ng sabay-sabay, alam mo na kasunod... Lupao is the best place in Nueva Ecija to exhibit cultural diversity... and we all need to preserve it... kung kailangang ituro sa mga paaralan sa bayang iyon ang apat na dayalektong iyan, then go ahead...

First, on teaching the languages. You are being inconsistent. First, you say:
"pero sa mga lalawigan na gaya ng Nueva Ecija na may apat na dayalekto e magiging malaking tanong iyon... we can't use Ilocano in this subject tapos Kapampangan on these subjects tapos Pangasinan on the other subjects and Tagalogs on the rest... masisira ang ulo ng mga bata... buti sana kung kaya nila..." Then, you contradict yourself by saying that: " kung kailangang ituro sa mga paaralan sa bayang iyon ang apat na dayalektong iyan, then go ahead..." Then, you declare:"I salute the people on Lupao kasi apat na dayalekto ang ginagamit nila pero at least nagagawa pa nilang i-preserve ito" amd again contradict yourself with: "although namamatay na nga ang ibang mga wika..." This only goes to bolster my position that, as much as possible, territories, in this case federal states should be as uniform, homogeneous or monolingual as possible. Before you think of teaching the languages of migrants, you first teach the language of the locality - Ilocano in the case of Lupao.

Next, on migration and border controls. In the first place, migration is not the only reason, in Nueva Ecija as in many other places. A major factor is language change, as parents no longer teach their children their own languages, but rather the "prestige" language, which is increasingly Tagalog. This cause for language change in Nueva Ecija as well as in places as far apart as Santiago, Isabela; Baguio (where the percentage of Ilocanos was down to about 44% in 2000, from about 60% in the a few decades ago); Cotabato [City] (Tagalog has replaced Cebuano as the lingua franca and dominant language); Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Tagalog is now spoken by the majority, replacing Cuyonon); Iba, Castillejos and Cabangan in Zambales (Tagalog replacing Sambal, Ilocano, and Ilocano/Sambal, respectively); Romblon (Tagalog has replaced Hiligaynon as the lingua franca); and many parts of Mindoro, where Tagalog is replacing Mangyan languages among many Mangyans, notably the now almost extinct Ratagnon.

As for migration: It is not necessary to stop migration or impose border controls. All one has to do is to assimilate or absorb migrants, or, more importantly and effectively, their children. The following excerpts are from
Laponce, J.A. Languages and Their Territories. Toronto, Buffalo, London:
University of Toronto Press, 1987:

<BEGINNING OF QUOTE>
pp.173-175
There are linguistic and administrative frontiers frontiers in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Spain; but none of these states places any obstacle in the way of citizens who wish to cross these internal frontiers and establish
themselves in a linguistic area other than their area of origin, and in none is crossing the linguistic border accompanied by any political discrimination.
The Italian who wishes to settle in Val d'Aosta, the Andalusian who moves to Catalonia, the Fleming who moves to Wallonia, and the Bernese who settles in Geneva are in no way deprived of the right to vote in national or
regional elections, even in Switzerland, where national citizenship can be obtained only through citizenship at the local level.

However, freedom to choose one's place of residence does not automatically include the right to import one's own language. If Switzerland and Belgium feel that they can can leave their linguistic internal boundaries open to
all provided they are resident within the state, these states have substituted control of linguistic behaviour for control of those crossing the boundary. More precisely, they have established strict control over the use of
language wihtinb their territory. In a unilingual Swiss canton, for example Geneva, the language of public usage - whether in politics, administration, education, or at work - is exclusively in French. In this respect, there is no appreciable difference between Geneva and Paris.
<END OF QUOTE>

And this (p. 161):
<BEGINNING OF QUOTE>
In the same way, the tribunal rejected in 1965 the complaints of a francophone association that sought to have the language of the school recognized as an individual right; it thus confirmed the linguistic frontier in its role as protector of the ethnic minorities (Héraud, 1974): The risk of foreign immigration... is controlled only by the linguistic assimilation of the immigrants... and it is there that the school has an important role to play; it becomes the duty to communicate to its students the knowledge of the language of their new home.
<END OF QUOTE>

Let's begin on a positive note. We agree that the indigenous languages should be preserved, and that this should be done in schools and government.
OTOH,
Sorry but splitting will not stop the dying of these languages, yes it could delay it but not as a long-term solution since language changes are largely dependent on human migration and not on the borders- as of my last visit in Lupao, Nueva Ecija the Ilocanos are still a majority and believe it or not, the town is composed of all the ethnic groups found in Nueva Ecija- Tagalogs, Ilocanos, Kapampangans and Pangasinans. Ilocanos are still a majority in that town... we need laws that will promote the use of these dying languages in schools, public office, etc. to prevent their extinction... and enforce those laws...

Federalism won't prevent migration from one state to another, it only decentralizes several powers of the national government and brings it to the local governments like imposition of death penalty in a state, etc. and there is currently no provisions that will enforce border patrols- we are going to split the Philippines into several federal states and not into several sovereign states.

Yes, these states could order the schools to teach their mother language pero sa mga lalawigan na gaya ng Nueva Ecija na may apat na dayalekto e magiging malaking tanong iyon... we can't use Ilocano in this subject tapos Kapampangan on these subjects tapos Pangasinan on the other subjects and Tagalogs on the rest... masisira ang ulo ng mga bata... buti sana kung kaya nila... good thing if they can, magiging ala-Lupao ang buong Nueva Ecija... and I salute the people on Lupao kasi apat na dayalekto ang ginagamit nila pero at least nagagawa pa nilang i-preserve ito although namamatay na nga ang ibang mga wika...

Try mo sa Lupao kuya, sa isang jeep na rumaratsada roon na rutang San Jose (Nueva Ecija)-Carmen (Rosales, Pangasinan), yung drayber Tagalog tapos yung katabi niya Kapampangan tapos yung 10 na nasa kanan Pangasinan at yung isang 10 pa sa kaliwa ay Ilocano. Kapag nagsalita sila ng sabay-sabay, alam mo na kasunod... Lupao is the best place in Nueva Ecija to exhibit cultural diversity... and we all need to preserve it... kung kailangang ituro sa mga paaralan sa bayang iyon ang apat na dayalektong iyan, then go ahead...

I'm afraid you contradict yourself. First, you say: " pero sa mga lalawigan na gaya ng Nueva Ecija na may apat na dayalekto e magiging malaking tanong iyon... we can't use Ilocano in this subject tapos Kapampangan on these subjects tapos Pangasinan on the other subjects and Tagalogs on the rest... masisira ang ulo ng mga bata... buti sana kung kaya nila..." Then, you say the opposite: "kung kailangang ituro sa mga paaralan sa bayang iyon ang apat na dayalektong iyan, then go ahead...". Then, you declare that: " I salute the people on Lupao kasi apat na dayalekto ang ginagamit nila pero at least nagagawa pa nilang i-preserve ito" and again contradict yourself by saying: "although namamatay na nga ang ibang mga wika..." This difficulty with multilingualism only bolsters my point that territories, including federal states, must be as monolingual, homogenous or uniform as possible. If you want to preserve its languages, and not merely Tagalize non-Tagalogs and not create a Northern Tagalog state, a Central Luzon state is not the solution.

About immigration, it is not necessary to prevent immigration or impose border controls. All you have to do is assimilate or absorb migrants, so that the existing language is maintained. The following excerpts are from J.A. Laponce (Languages and Their Territories. Toronto, Buffalo, London:
University of Toronto Press, 1987):

pp. 173-174
There are linguistic and administrative frontiers frontiers in Belgium, Switzerland, Iltaly and Spain; but none of these states places any obstacle in the way of citizens who wish to cross these internal frontiers and establish
themselves in a linguistic area other than their area of origin, and in none is crossing the linguistic border accompanied by any political discrimination.
The Italian who wishes to settle in Val d'Aosta, the Andalusian who moves to Catalonia, the Fleming who moves to Wallonia, and the Bernese who settles in Geneva are in no way deprived of the right to vote in national or
regional elections, even in Switzerland, where national citizenship can be obtained only through citizenship at the local level.

However, freedom to choose one's place of residence does not automatically include the right to import one's own language. If Switzerland and Belgium feel that they can can leave their linguistic internal boundaries open to
all provided they are resident within the state, these states have substituted control of linguistic behaviour for control of those crossing the boundary. More precisely, they have established strict control over the use of
language wihtinb their territory. In a unilingual Swiss canton, for example Geneva, the language of public usage - whether in politics, administration, education, or at work - is exclusively in French. In this respect, there is no appreciable difference between Geneva and Paris.

and this:
p. 161
In the same way, the tribunal rejected in 1965 the complaints of a francophone association that sought to have the language of the school recognized as an individual right; it thus confirmed the linguistic frontier in its role as protector of the ethnic minorities (Héraud, 1974): 'The risk of foreign immigration... is controlled only by the linguistic assimilation of the
immigrants... and it is there that the school has an important role to play; it becomes the duty to communicate to its students the knowledge of the language of their new home.'

Let's begin on a positive note. We agree that the indigenous languages should be preserved, and that this should be done in schools and government.
OTOH,

I'm afraid you contradict yourself. First, you say: " pero sa mga lalawigan na gaya ng Nueva Ecija na may apat na dayalekto e magiging malaking tanong iyon... we can't use Ilocano in this subject tapos Kapampangan on these subjects tapos Pangasinan on the other subjects and Tagalogs on the rest... masisira ang ulo ng mga bata... buti sana kung kaya nila..." Then, you say the opposite: "kung kailangang ituro sa mga paaralan sa bayang iyon ang apat na dayalektong iyan, then go ahead...". Then, you declare that: " I salute the people on Lupao kasi apat na dayalekto ang ginagamit nila pero at least nagagawa pa nilang i-preserve ito" and again contradict yourself by saying: "although namamatay na nga ang ibang mga wika..." This difficulty with multilingualism only bolsters my point that territories, including federal states, must be as monolingual, homogenous or uniform as possible. If you want to preserve its languages, and not merely Tagalize non-Tagalogs and not create a Northern Tagalog state, a Central Luzon state is not the solution.

About immigration, it is not necessary to prevent immigration or impose border controls. All you have to do is assimilate or absorb migrants, so that the existing language is maintained. The following excerpts are from J.A. Laponce (Languages and Their Territories. Toronto, Buffalo, London:
University of Toronto Press, 1987):

pp. 173-174
There are linguistic and administrative frontiers frontiers in Belgium, Switzerland, Iltaly and Spain; but none of these states places any obstacle in the way of citizens who wish to cross these internal frontiers and establish
themselves in a linguistic area other than their area of origin, and in none is crossing the linguistic border accompanied by any political discrimination.
The Italian who wishes to settle in Val d'Aosta, the Andalusian who moves to Catalonia, the Fleming who moves to Wallonia, and the Bernese who settles in Geneva are in no way deprived of the right to vote in national or
regional elections, even in Switzerland, where national citizenship can be obtained only through citizenship at the local level.

However, freedom to choose one's place of residence does not automatically include the right to import one's own language. If Switzerland and Belgium feel that they can can leave their linguistic internal boundaries open to
all provided they are resident within the state, these states have substituted control of linguistic behaviour for control of those crossing the boundary. More precisely, they have established strict control over the use of
language wihtinb their territory. In a unilingual Swiss canton, for example Geneva, the language of public usage - whether in politics, administration, education, or at work - is exclusively in French. In this respect, there is no appreciable difference between Geneva and Paris.

and this:
p. 161
In the same way, the tribunal rejected in 1965 the complaints of a francophone association that sought to have the language of the school recognized as an individual right; it thus confirmed the linguistic frontier in its role as protector of the ethnic minorities (Héraud, 1974): 'The risk of foreign immigration... is controlled only by the linguistic assimilation of the
immigrants... and it is there that the school has an important role to play; it becomes the duty to communicate to its students the knowledge of the language of their new home.'

Napansin mo ang mali ko... hehe good thing kasi kahit ako napansin ko rin iyan... hindi ko lang napalitan agad... anyway, kaya nagkakaroon ng pagbabago sa dayalekto dahil sa pagkakaroon ng migration. Right? Bakit? Kasi they have to adjust to their new environment... nagkataon lang siguro naman nung huling siglo nang magsimulang tirhan ang Nueva Ecija e pinakamarami ang mga Tagalog na pumasok dito compared sa mga Ilocano, Kapampangan or Pangasinan... the aim of this debate is actually clear: We have to preserve our languages and culture in spite of outside influences but we don't agree on the splitting of the Central Luzon... you want the Kapampangan state and I want to preserve the Central Luzon state... I know your sentiments are because you love the Kapampangan culture so much (like I do since I am also a Kapampangan) and we are endangered. However, in your proposal, it's either we join the new state, create a state ourselves or split... (I hate splitting). Nueva Ecija is already absorbing a lot of migrants from all over... and that is the key why our cultures, although different, remained intact.

The federal states are created based on their economic potential and not on their cultural differences... for now, let us wait... I am having a good time with you Kuya Mac, thanks... gusto ko sana ng face-to-face na debate... kaya lang walang manonood... hehe... :lol:

Napansin mo ang mali ko... hehe good thing kasi kahit ako napansin ko rin iyan... hindi ko lang napalitan agad... anyway, kaya nagkakaroon ng pagbabago sa dayalekto dahil sa pagkakaroon ng migration. Right? Bakit? Kasi they have to adjust to their new environment... nagkataon lang siguro naman nung huling siglo nang magsimulang tirhan ang Nueva Ecija e pinakamarami ang mga Tagalog na pumasok dito compared sa mga Ilocano, Kapampangan or Pangasinan... the aim of this debate is actually clear: We have to preserve our languages and culture in spite of outside influences but we don't agree on the splitting of the Central Luzon... you want the Kapampangan state and I want to preserve the Central Luzon state... I know your sentiments are because you love the Kapampangan culture so much (like I do since I am also a Kapampangan) and we are endangered. However, in your proposal, it's either we join the new state, create a state ourselves or split... (I hate splitting). Nueva Ecija is already absorbing a lot of migrants from all over... and that is the key why our cultures, although different, remained intact.

The federal states are created based on their economic potential and not on their cultural differences... for now, let us wait... I am having a good time with you Kuya Mac, thanks... gusto ko sana ng face-to-face na debate... kaya lang walang manonood... hehe... :lol:

I don't know what you mean by "preserving the Central Luzon state." How can you "preserve" something that doesn't exist yet? You can try to "preserve" Kapampangan or Pangasinan or Ilocano because they already exist, but there is no Central Luzon state at the moment, so what do you preserve?

"Nueva Ecija is already absorbing a lot of migrants from all over... and that is the key why our cultures, although different, remained intact." But then, you say that Kapampangan and Pangasinan are dying, and admit that Ilocano is retreating before Tagalog, so how can you say that they will remain

As for preserving our languages and cultures, either we have specific territories for languages, or we effectively allow these languages to die. Look at these additional quotes from Laponce, who has studied the matter in detail:

p. 70
But a dominant language in close contact with a minor language tends to exclude, eliminate and achieve total victory over the minor. A normal state between languages is that of war.

pp. 151-152
We have postulated as a general rule that languages in contact, to the
extent that they cannot ignore each other, will show stratification. Further, except when the object is to forbid rather than to facilitate communications, the dominant language will tend to be the only language.

p. 156
To protect a minority language, not by ineffective individual rights but by group rights, requires territorial rights.

p. 200
The modern state, especially the state that strives for the geographic and social mobility of its citizens, does not willingly put up with multilingualism. Unless it establishes institutional obstacles, the most powerful of which is the linguistic frontier, it will follow a natural evolution that will lead to unilingualism...

Either we have a Kapampangan State, or we allow by default the death of the Kapampangan language or identity. And, btw, since you are Novo Ecijano (you say that you are of Kapampangan descent - from where are your parents?), I've said that Nueva Ecija and the other provinces can choose where they want to be included (if they want a Central Luzon State, let them form it, but they should not include the Pampanga and Southern Tarlac). For my native Kapampangan Region, it can only be the Kapampangan State, or nothing.

About economic potential. I've already cited an authority to say that the Kapampangan State can stand on its own. That should be enough. You can't even say that about the other Pimentel-proposed states.

I don't know what you mean by "preserving the Central Luzon state." How can you "preserve" something that doesn't exist yet? You can try to "preserve" Kapampangan or Pangasinan or Ilocano because they already exist, but there is no Central Luzon state at the moment, so what do you preserve?

Yung opinions natin yun... kasi gusto mo Kapampangan state ang mag-materialize... ako naman gusto ko CL state ang mag-materialize... sorry kung medyo nahilo ka kuya.

"Nueva Ecija is already absorbing a lot of migrants from all over... and that is the key why our cultures, although different, remained intact." But then, you say that Kapampangan and Pangasinan are dying, and admit that Ilocano is retreating before Tagalog, so how can you say that they will remain.

Because these people will still speak their native languages on their homes and on their own fellowmen... they will teach their mother tongue to their children at in turn, the children should absorb what they learn.

As for preserving our languages and cultures, either we have specific territories for languages, or we effectively allow these languages to die. Look at these additional quotes from Laponce, who has studied the matter in detail:

p. 70
But a dominant language in close contact with a minor language tends to exclude, eliminate and achieve total victory over the minor. A normal state between languages is that of war.

pp. 151-152
We have postulated as a general rule that languages in contact, to the
extent that they cannot ignore each other, will show stratification. Further, except when the object is to forbid rather than to facilitate communications, the dominant language will tend to be the only language.

p. 156
To protect a minority language, not by ineffective individual rights but by group rights, requires territorial rights.

p. 200
The modern state, especially the state that strives for the geographic and social mobility of its citizens, does not willingly put up with multilingualism. Unless it establishes institutional obstacles, the most powerful of which is the linguistic frontier, it will follow a natural evolution that will lead to unilingualism...

Hindi lang naman territory ang basis ng language hindi ba? Uulitin ko, nasa tao na iyan kung gugustuhin pa nilang gamitin ang mother tongue nila (which should be the case, ewan ko lang). As long as migration stands, there will still be changes in the language because language is dynamic... kailangang magkaroon ng equilibrium sa pagitan ng migration at ng language acquisition... para matuto ng wika kailangang naririnig ito in the first place... at mas maganda kung sa bahay ito sisimulan...

Either we have a Kapampangan State, or we allow by default the death of the Kapampangan language or identity. And, btw, since you are Novo Ecijano (you say that you are of Kapampangan descent - from where are your parents?), I've said that Nueva Ecija and the other provinces can choose where they want to be included (if they want a Central Luzon State, let them form it, but they should not include the Pampanga and Southern Tarlac). For my native Kapampangan Region, it can only be the Kapampangan State, or nothing.

My mother is Novo Ecijano... my grandfather in mother side is from San Fernando City, Pampanga while my grandmother is Tagalog actually... pero proficient sa 4 na wika sa Nueva Ecija. Yung grandfather sa father side ko ay galing sa Apalit, Pampanga... at yung tatay niya ay galing sa Macabebe, Pampanga... Paano kami makakapili? Siguradong tututol ang ibang ethnic groups pero ewan ko lang kung daanin namin sa plebisito, basta ayaw ko lang mahati ang lalawigan kong mahal.

About economic potential. I've already cited an authority to say that the Kapampangan State can stand on its own. That should be enough. You can't even say that about the other Pimentel-proposed states.

Yes, Pampanga can survive on its own given na mayroon itong malalaking sand quarry, international airport at industriya... what do you mean you can't even say that about other Pimentel-proposed states? Are you asking for examples ba kuya?

Hindi lang naman territory ang basis ng language hindi ba? Uulitin ko, nasa tao na iyan kung gugustuhin pa nilang gamitin ang mother tongue nila (which should be the case, ewan ko lang).

But people are influenced by the state and state policy. And the state operates within a given territory, enforcing its laws (including those affecting language and language use) whether we like it or not. So, in the end, it boils down to territory.

Here's an example of how the government's educational policy has directly affected the choice of language used by parents with their children:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DILA/message/14212

http://www.asu.edu/clas/pseas/pseas_publications/suvannabhumi_magazine
/may2001_vol12_num2.html

<BEGINNING OF QUOTE>
Two generations ago, the great majority of Cuyonon — those living in
rural communities and fishing or farming as a way of life — spoke
Cuyonon in the household and to their children. A smaller number of
more prosperous "middle class" Cuyonon had begun speaking Tagalog to
their children, reasoning that it would give them a head start in
school, and a handful of elite Cuyonon families spoke English to
their children, to better prepare them for future professional
careers, reasoning that Cuyonon could be learned in the street and
Tagalog in school. Today, this situation has been nearly inverted.
Virtually all rural-dwelling Cuyonon now speak Tagalog to their
children...
<END OF QUOTE>

As long as migration stands, there will still be changes in the language because language is dynamic... kailangang magkaroon ng equilibrium sa pagitan ng migration at ng language acquisition... para matuto ng wika kailangang naririnig ito in the first place... at mas maganda kung sa bahay ito sisimulan...

Sorry, but let's not be repetitive. I've already posted how we can absorb or assimilate migrants, and hence prevent language change as a result of migration. In case you missed it:
It is not necessary to stop migration or impose border controls. All one has to do is to assimilate or absorb migrants, or, more importantly and effectively, their children. The following excerpts are from
Laponce, J.A. Languages and Their Territories. Toronto, Buffalo, London:
University of Toronto Press, 1987:

<BEGINNING OF QUOTE>
pp.173-175
There are linguistic and administrative frontiers frontiers in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Spain; but none of these states places any obstacle in the way of citizens who wish to cross these internal frontiers and establish
themselves in a linguistic area other than their area of origin, and in none is crossing the linguistic border accompanied by any political discrimination.
The Italian who wishes to settle in Val d'Aosta, the Andalusian who moves to Catalonia, the Fleming who moves to Wallonia, and the Bernese who settles in Geneva are in no way deprived of the right to vote in national or
regional elections, even in Switzerland, where national citizenship can be obtained only through citizenship at the local level.

However, freedom to choose one's place of residence does not automatically include the right to import one's own language. If Switzerland and Belgium feel that they can can leave their linguistic internal boundaries open to
all provided they are resident within the state, these states have substituted control of linguistic behaviour for control of those crossing the boundary. More precisely, they have established strict control over the use of
language wihtinb their territory. In a unilingual Swiss canton, for example Geneva, the language of public usage - whether in politics, administration, education, or at work - is exclusively in French. In this respect, there is no appreciable difference between Geneva and Paris.
<END OF QUOTE>

And this (p. 161):
<BEGINNING OF QUOTE>
In the same way, the tribunal rejected in 1965 the complaints of a francophone association that sought to have the language of the school recognized as an individual right; it thus confirmed the linguistic frontier in its role as protector of the ethnic minorities (Héraud, 1974): The risk of foreign immigration... is controlled only by the linguistic assimilation of the immigrants... and it is there that the school has an important role to play; it becomes the duty to communicate to its students the knowledge of the language of their new home.
<END OF QUOTE>

...basta ayaw ko lang mahati ang lalawigan kong mahal.

And, for my part, I want a state that will reflect my cultural and linguistic heritage, which mean the world to me, and which will defend my language. I don't object to your proposal - after all, it's an internal affair of your province - but you must also respect mine.

Yes, Pampanga can survive on its own given na mayroon itong malalaking sand quarry, international airport at industriya...
You call yourself "Kapampangan" and you say that all Pampanga has is sand quarry, an international airport, and industries?

To cite just a few things, Pampanga is also the "tilapia capital of the Philippines":

The Philippines was the world leader in tilapia production from aquaculture in 1986.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2008/07/28/bus/tilapia.food.fish.of.the.21st.century.html.

"Our country produced 135,996 metric tons of tilapia in 2003 and was second to China in world production," Dr. Guerrero said.

Pampanga is considered the "tilapia capital" of the Philippines. Statistics have shown that Central Luzon produced 50% of the total tilapia production in the country in the last five years. In 2003, Pampanga produced 65,000 metric tons of tilapia.

And the town of Minalin is considered the egg basket of Central Luzon, responsible for more than half of Metro Manila's egg supply:

PIA Information Services - Philippine Information Agency

p://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=4&fi=p080606.htm&no=31&date=06/06/2008.

more than 50 percent of Metro Manila's egg supply comes from the Minalin 'egg basket'

And Pampanga is also developing as a tourism power, one which can hold its own when compared to others in the country, and even in the world:

Tantingco: Tourism lessons for Pampanga

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2007/08/07/oped/robby.tantingco.peanut.gallery.html.

In Pampanga, thank God, many folk festivals have remained undiscovered and relatively pure and spontaneous: the kuraldal of Sasmuan, the aguman sanduk of Minalin, the batalla of Macabebe, the libad of Apalit, the lubenas of Mabalacat. The exceptions are the Giant Lantern Festival and the Good Friday crucifixion, both in San Fernando, which have been altered and customized to suit tourists' expectations.
[snip]

This is only one of many tourism issues in Pampanga today. In the past, this province never took its tourism potentials seriously. In 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted, ironically jumpstarting tourism consciousness in Pampanga because the catastrophe opened our eyes to the vulnerability and transitory nature of our cultural treasures, like heritage churches, folk festivals and our language itself. Faced with cultural and linguistic extinction, Kapampangans fought back and inadvertently started a cultural renaissance that has persisted to this day.
The eruption also created two of the biggest tourist attractions in the province today: the crater lake and the lahar-buried Bacolor Church.
[snip]

In Pampanga, our best bets for tourist attractions are our traditional folk festivals and our churches. When we brought popular singer Celeste Legaspi to a village in Macabebe to see the batalla, she gushed over it so much that even the villagers wondered what she saw that they didn't. She talked about her experience in a recent article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one year after it happened. Earlier, when we brought world-class pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria to see the Betis Church, she exclaimed that it was better than all the churches she had seen in Europe. I realized that we can promote our centuries-old churches the way Indonesia and Thailand promote their ancient temples.
[snip]

We also should never underestimate the power of cuisine. Tourists love to eat, and they love to take home with them food products as mementoes of their visit. No other region has more varied and more delectable delicacies than Pampanga, and yet we don't promote them as vigorously as other regions do. Cebu's danggit, Vigan's longganisa and Iloilo's biscocho -- they won't hold a candle next to our tocino, sisig, betute, kamaru, bobotu, tabang talangka, turrones de kasoy, sans rival, pastillas, halu-halo, etc., yet we buy them as pasalubong whenever we visit those places.

what do you mean you can't even say that about other Pimentel-proposed states? Are you asking for examples ba kuya?

I meant to say that most of the states proposed by Sen. Pimentel are not even economically viable, so what's the basis for saying that they're based on economy (rather than culture)? Again, I've mentioned this before. You don't have to give examples of Pimentel states that are not economically viable, since my source already mentions two:
"But, of the proposed eleven (or so) federal states, no more than a few...would actually be able to stand on their own financially. In contrast, the areas in the proposed Bangsamoro state or in the Bicolano state, for example, raise hardly any revenues and currently benefit greatly from a net transfer of resources from the national government to their provinces and cities."
Azurin, Rene. On Decentralizing Government. Paper presented at the Dialogues on Federalism. Center for Local and Regional Governance, National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines. Diliman, Quezon City, 3 August 2007. pp. 5-6. Originally published in the book Stationary Bandits: Essays in Political Power, also by Dr. Azurin. Platypus Press, 2007.

But people are influenced by the state and state policy. And the state operates within a given territory, enforcing its laws (including those affecting language and language use) whether we like it or not. So, in the end, it boils down to territory.

Ok let's make this clear, whatever state emerges after the transition from unitary to federal republic, it has to take care these things:

Economy
Culture
Social Services
Laws
Other things


Sorry, but let's not be repetitive. I've already posted how we can absorb or assimilate migrants, and hence prevent language change as a result of migration. In case you missed it:
It is not necessary to stop migration or impose border controls. All one has to do is to assimilate or absorb migrants, or, more importantly and effectively, their children. The following excerpts are from
Laponce, J.A. Languages and Their Territories. Toronto, Buffalo, London:
University of Toronto Press, 1987:

<BEGINNING OF QUOTE>
pp.173-175
There are linguistic and administrative frontiers frontiers in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Spain; but none of these states places any obstacle in the way of citizens who wish to cross these internal frontiers and establish
themselves in a linguistic area other than their area of origin, and in none is crossing the linguistic border accompanied by any political discrimination.
The Italian who wishes to settle in Val d'Aosta, the Andalusian who moves to Catalonia, the Fleming who moves to Wallonia, and the Bernese who settles in Geneva are in no way deprived of the right to vote in national or
regional elections, even in Switzerland, where national citizenship can be obtained only through citizenship at the local level.

However, freedom to choose one's place of residence does not automatically include the right to import one's own language. If Switzerland and Belgium feel that they can can leave their linguistic internal boundaries open to
all provided they are resident within the state, these states have substituted control of linguistic behaviour for control of those crossing the boundary. More precisely, they have established strict control over the use of
language wihtinb their territory. In a unilingual Swiss canton, for example Geneva, the language of public usage - whether in politics, administration, education, or at work - is exclusively in French. In this respect, there is no appreciable difference between Geneva and Paris.
<END OF QUOTE>

And this (p. 161):
<BEGINNING OF QUOTE>
In the same way, the tribunal rejected in 1965 the complaints of a francophone association that sought to have the language of the school recognized as an individual right; it thus confirmed the linguistic frontier in its role as protector of the ethnic minorities (Héraud, 1974): The risk of foreign immigration... is controlled only by the linguistic assimilation of the immigrants... and it is there that the school has an important role to play; it becomes the duty to communicate to its students the knowledge of the language of their new home.
<END OF QUOTE>

Yes your right, migration doesn't include the right to absorb the foreign language and forget the mother tongue... we all know that... gaya nga ng sinabi ko: "kailangang magkaroon ng equilibrium sa pagitan ng migration at ng language acquisition... para matuto ng wika kailangang naririnig ito in the first place... at mas maganda kung sa bahay ito sisimulan..." to stop the epidemic disease of language cancer that kills the languages and dialects...

And, for my part, I want a state that will reflect my cultural and linguistic heritage, which mean the world to me, and which will defend my language. I don't object to your proposal - after all, it's an internal affair of your province - but you must also respect mine.

Nire-respeto ko rin naman kuya ang opinion mo kaya nga wala akong ipinost na mali ang proposal mo or naglagay ako ng malaking banner para labanan ang opinion mo...

You call yourself "Kapampangan" and you say that all Pampanga has is sand quarry, an international airport, and industries?

To cite just a few things, Pampanga is also the "tilapia capital of the Philippines":

The Philippines was the world leader in tilapia production from aquaculture in 1986.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen...t.century.html.

"Our country produced 135,996 metric tons of tilapia in 2003 and was second to China in world production," Dr. Guerrero said.

Pampanga is considered the "tilapia capital" of the Philippines. Statistics have shown that Central Luzon produced 50% of the total tilapia production in the country in the last five years. In 2003, Pampanga produced 65,000 metric tons of tilapia.

And the town of Minalin is considered the egg basket of Central Luzon, responsible for more than half of Metro Manila's egg supply:

PIA Information Services - Philippine Information Agency

p://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=4&fi=p080606.htm&no=31&date=06/06/2008.

more than 50 percent of Metro Manila's egg supply comes from the Minalin 'egg basket'

And Pampanga is also developing as a tourism power, one which can hold its own when compared to others in the country, and even in the world:

Tantingco: Tourism lessons for Pampanga

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam...t.gallery.html.

In Pampanga, thank God, many folk festivals have remained undiscovered and relatively pure and spontaneous: the kuraldal of Sasmuan, the aguman sanduk of Minalin, the batalla of Macabebe, the libad of Apalit, the lubenas of Mabalacat. The exceptions are the Giant Lantern Festival and the Good Friday crucifixion, both in San Fernando, which have been altered and customized to suit tourists' expectations.
[snip]

This is only one of many tourism issues in Pampanga today. In the past, this province never took its tourism potentials seriously. In 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted, ironically jumpstarting tourism consciousness in Pampanga because the catastrophe opened our eyes to the vulnerability and transitory nature of our cultural treasures, like heritage churches, folk festivals and our language itself. Faced with cultural and linguistic extinction, Kapampangans fought back and inadvertently started a cultural renaissance that has persisted to this day.
The eruption also created two of the biggest tourist attractions in the province today: the crater lake and the lahar-buried Bacolor Church.
[snip]

In Pampanga, our best bets for tourist attractions are our traditional folk festivals and our churches. When we brought popular singer Celeste Legaspi to a village in Macabebe to see the batalla, she gushed over it so much that even the villagers wondered what she saw that they didn't. She talked about her experience in a recent article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one year after it happened. Earlier, when we brought world-class pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria to see the Betis Church, she exclaimed that it was better than all the churches she had seen in Europe. I realized that we can promote our centuries-old churches the way Indonesia and Thailand promote their ancient temples.
[snip]

We also should never underestimate the power of cuisine. Tourists love to eat, and they love to take home with them food products as mementoes of their visit. No other region has more varied and more delectable delicacies than Pampanga, and yet we don't promote them as vigorously as other regions do. Cebu's danggit, Vigan's longganisa and Iloilo's biscocho -- they won't hold a candle next to our tocino, sisig, betute, kamaru, bobotu, tabang talangka, turrones de kasoy, sans rival, pastillas, halu-halo, etc., yet we buy them as pasalubong whenever we visit those places.

Wala naman akong sinabi kuya na yun lang ang meron sa Pampanga... iyon lang ang nailagay ko pero I never put an end to it... anyway, ngayon ko lang naman na tilapia capital ng Pilipinas ang Pampanga... thanks for the information... at saka siyempre, ipinagmamalaki ko rin ang sisig ng Pampanga... ang sarap kaya niyan lalo na yung kay Aling Lucing (RIP)...

I meant to say that most of the states proposed by Sen. Pimentel are not even economically viable, so what's the basis for saying that they're based on economy (rather than culture)? Again, I've mentioned this before. You don't have to give examples of Pimentel states that are not economically viable, since my source already mentions two:
"But, of the proposed eleven (or so) federal states, no more than a few...would actually be able to stand on their own financially. In contrast, the areas in the proposed Bangsamoro state or in the Bicolano state, for example, raise hardly any revenues and currently benefit greatly from a net transfer of resources from the national government to their provinces and cities."
Azurin, Rene. On Decentralizing Government. Paper presented at the Dialogues on Federalism. Center for Local and Regional Governance, National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines. Diliman, Quezon City, 3 August 2007. pp. 5-6. Originally published in the book Stationary Bandits: Essays in Political Power, also by Dr. Azurin. Platypus Press, 2007.

Hindi naman most, yung few siguro kasi yung regions ngayon (kung saan magiging basis ang mga states ng Pilipinas) e ime-merge para mabuo ang mga states dahil para maging economically feasable sila... speaking the Bicol and Bangsamoro states... economically capable pa rin naman sila kaya lang e daanan talaga ng bagyo (Bicol, ang laki ng kita niyan sa tourism) o laging nadadale ng digmaan...

But people are influenced by the state and state policy. And the state operates within a given territory, enforcing its laws (including those affecting language and language use) whether we like it or not. So, in the end, it boils down to territory.

Ok let's make this clear, whatever state emerges after the transition from unitary to federal republic, it has to take care these things:

Economy
Culture
Social Services
Laws
Other things


That is of course true. It is also true that the state carries out these things within its jurisdiction, in other words, within a given territory. So, territory underlies all of these things. I might add that it would also be using language all the time. Which brings us back to our original discussion, that it all boils down to language use in a territory.


Hindi naman most, yung few siguro kasi yung regions ngayon (kung saan magiging basis ang mga states ng Pilipinas) e ime-merge para mabuo ang mga states dahil para maging economically feasable sila... speaking the Bicol and Bangsamoro states... economically capable pa rin naman sila kaya lang e daanan talaga ng bagyo (Bicol, ang laki ng kita niyan sa tourism) o laging nadadale ng digmaan...
How can you say that they are “economically capable” when they cannot support themselves financially? Dr. Azurin has said that most of the Pimentel-proposed states cannot support themselves financially. So what does that make of your “economic arguments”? And, economically speaking,the Pimentel-proposed Bangsamoro is not an integrated economic entity, since it is composed of two widely-separated areas that have little to do with each other. If the Pimentel states are neither economically viable (your favored criterion) nor culturally homogenous or historically sound, or, in some cases geographically contiguous, of what use are they at all? But let’s not take issue with them too much. This does not detract from the fact that the Kapampangan State is linguistically and culturally homogeneous, historically-based, and economically viable. I do not understand what you have against it.

How can you say that they are “economically capable” when they cannot support themselves financially? Dr. Azurin has said that most of the Pimentel-proposed states cannot support themselves financially. So what does that make of your “economic arguments”? And, economically speaking,the Pimentel-proposed Bangsamoro is not an integrated economic entity, since it is composed of two widely-separated areas that have little to do with each other. If the Pimentel states are neither economically viable (your favored criterion) nor culturally homogenous or historically sound, or, in some cases geographically contiguous, of what use are they at all? But let’s not take issue with them too much. This does not detract from the fact that the Kapampangan State is linguistically and culturally homogeneous, historically-based, and economically viable. I do not understand what you have against it.

Ok... masyado na nga tayong nalalayo kuya... anyway, I won't retract this information na rin kasi we need to give way to other posts here... ang haba ng discussions na po kaya natin dito... :lol:

^^^^^^
Phew...! Mainit pala ang balitaktakan dito, hehehe:lol:

RP's Pacific gateway to the world?

By Charles E. Buban
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 11:08:00 11/04/2008

FOR CENTURIES, IT has always been the western side of the Philippines—the one facing the South China Sea—that has enjoyed economic growth and development.

Proof is Metro Manila and the various ports and special economic zones south of it, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales and recently, the Poro Point Freeport Zone in San Fernando, La Union.

Interestingly, the eastern area facing the Pacific Ocean has experienced quite the opposite as most of the provinces located on this side have remained among the country’s poorest and most isolated.

“It’s unfortunate because there’s so much history along this side of the Philippines: (Portuguese explorer) Ferdinand Magellan reached our country through the east side, landing in the island of Homonhon in the province of Eastern Samar. The Allied and the Philippine Commonwealth forces saw the strategic significance of landing in Palo, Leyte in order to begin their mission of retaking the Philippines from occupying Japanese forces. Even smugglers ship their goods using the Pacific,” noted Felino Palafox Jr., principal architect and urban planner/founder and managing partner of Palafox Associates.

Talking with the Inquirer during the blessing of his new office at the corner of Ayala Avenue and VA Rufino Street, Palafox believes that developing the eastern side will create new opportunities for growth.

“While it has the potential to bring in billions of pesos in revenues to the country, it could also reduce settlement pressure as well as relieve existing traffic-saturated roads of Metro Manila and outlying areas. The development will also create an international gateway on this side linking up with the rest of the countries and cities around the Pacific Rim,” Palafox explained.

Impossible you say?

For Palafox, the task is not so different from when he first arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates almost three decades ago.

Becoming the only Filipino member and the youngest team leader of a quality planning team, Palafox had helped transform this once tiny fishing and pearling village into today’s major business and tourism hub.

“Dubai is an excellent example for the Philippines. A few decades ago, its ruler realized that they can’t forever rely on their oil, which is very little when compared to their other Arab counterparts. To confront this challenge, he created a welcoming social and investment climate, along with special zones with independent laws, that soon attracted investors,” he remembered.

The result was just phenomenal as Dubai, in a matter of decades, successfully turned itself into a post-oil economy that feeds in part on the oil wealth of its neighbors, who are more than willing to invest in the city’s red-hot real estate market.

“Dubai’s property sector started its tremendous growth in 2002 when the city first announced that foreigners would be legally permitted to acquire freehold residential titles for designated areas. When that promise came to reality in 2006, an enormous wave of buying ensued,” he remembered.

Emulate

Palafox said the Philippines could emulate the Dubai experience and become “one of the most successful business hubs in the region, offering topnotch facilities such as state-of-the-art container terminals, airport, seaports and free trade zones.”

“I recently met with Sen. Edgardo Angara who plans to set up similar infrastructures, coupled with tax incentives and transportation and telecommunications facilities in the province of Aurora. The planned Aurora Special Economic Zone ch Palafox will help design) establish the province as the gateway to the Pacific, and could even unlock the resources of its rich and fertile neighboring provinces like Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya,” he said.

Dingalan Bay, located in the southern part of Aurora, will have a pivotal role in this transformation.

Palafox also reported that Romeo Roxas, who owns 30,000 hectares of waterfront property running from Dingalan, Aurora down to Infanta, Quezon is planning to develop a property—Pacific Coast City—that would become an alternative site to Metro Manila for industries, homes, schools and recreation.

“Building an international port here, will put the Philippines ahead of its Asean neighbors as it could cut shipping time by several days for those coming from the Pacific,” Palafox said.

To connect this area to the rest of the Philippines, Aurora is now drawing the plans for road networks (Baler-Casiguran Road and the Pantabangan-Maria Aurora Road) as well as airports.

“Manila and Dingalan are just over a hundred kilometers apart in a straight line moving northeast. A road network via Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija or through the mountains of Montalban in Rizal could make Aurora accessible in just a few hours.

“If you build the roads, people and business will follow. In my experience, this is a foolproof way to jumpstart growth,” Palafox assured.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/propertyfocus/propertyfocus/view/20081104-170147/RPs-Pacific-gateway-to-the-world

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/Legazpinewyear.jpg
Photo by tonytones (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonytones/)

ALL AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATES TONIGHT

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll149/glittergn/newyear/newyear075.gif

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From SSC-Iligan City

Revamped the Welcome to SSC-Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=777770) thread. No need to add your name after you copy and paste the long list of forumers. I've also included a poll to see which part of the globe our members are from.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/bobtaz08/SSC.jpg?t=1230790298

Good Day SSCers!

Here is the information necessary for ordering the SSC National T-shirt:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/gibbster1/others/SSCTeedesign1.jpg

Ordering - Manila, Philippine Domestic and Overseas


You may send your payment through Western Union or for the Philippines, either in ML Lhuiller Kwarta Padala or Cebuana Lhuiller. The recipient information will go as follows:

Name: Bernardo Muerong Arellano III
Address: Unit 16C, Kingswood Condominium, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Telephone Number: +63(921)2155266


Upon sending, please PM/YM/or SMS me the details of your name, address and most importantly your MCTN or the shipping/tracking number.
For Metro Manila orders, you may also pay directly/personally to me (HabagatCentral1) but you may have to contact me before 21 January 2008 since I'll be leaving for Iloilo and will be there for 2 weeks.
Deadline for purchasing for the first batch would be at February 10, 2008.

Distribution and Shipping


For Metro Manila and suburb orders, you have two options:
First: You may claim it personally through me in which it would not incur additional shipping costs. Please do contact me or send me a PM/YM/SMS for claiming your shirt. Otherwise, we will be announcing the date when you can claim your shirts in one meet.
Second: For special requests or delivery, we may send in your order directly to your doorstep with additional shipping cost. For Manila orders, shipping cost may have an additional P115 and for Luzon P120.



For Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Shipping:
We would like to suggest that the SSCers of Luzon and especially Visayas and Mindanao would agree on one contact person who will be responsible distributing the t-shirts in their locality so that we could send the shirt in bulk...this way it will be more affordable to ship the said t-shirts to any destination in the Philippines.
Please do have an agreed assigned representative from your locality by 31 January 2008.
Please do send me a PM of your personal information, delivery address and contact number through PM of the said assigned representative.
Possible rate may be PhP50 to PhP80 but may be reduced if the orders would increase in your locality, so start informing other forumers there and encourage them to take part of this project.



For Overseas Shipping:
Standard shipping rates apply either through FedEx or DHL.

Distribution:


For Greater Metro Manila area orders, we will be announcing when will be the date to claim your t-shirts personally.
For Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao orders, you may claim your tshirts from your designated representative.
Possible delivery of the t-shirts would be from a week to two weeks after deadline, so most probably we will have our tshirts by mid or late February.


For more questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to send me a private message/PM.

Also, for interested parties who want to order, please add up your name on the list so that we could have a complete list of how many will be ordering.

Thanks and mabuhay po tayong lahat!

=====================================

Please check out this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=761866) for more details and information. :okay:

Central Luzon police chief challenges Pampanga gov to work for scrapping of STL franchises (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=441444&publicationSubCategoryId=200)
By Ding Cervantes Updated February 18, 2009 03:50 PM


SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz today challenged Gov. Eddie Panlilio to work for the scrapping of Small Town Lottery (STL) franchises in Pampanga to resolve the issue on whether they are fronts for illegal “jueteng” operations.

In an interview with The STAR, De la Cruz said the police force under him will not raid STL operations based merely on Panlilio’s allegations that they are jueteng fronts.

“We cannot clamp down on STL operations which are legal and with legitimate franchises from the PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office). Perhaps he should first have the frachises scrapped then we will follow,” De la Cruz said.

Panlilio had sought the relief of Senior Superintendent Keith Singian, who was eventually replaced as Pampanga police officer-in-charge last Tuesday by Senior Superintendent Gil Lebin.

Panlilio said Singian failed to stop jueteng operations in this province, even as he claimed that Lebin’s appointment was lobbied for by the Pampanga Mayors’ League (PML) whose president, Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda, is the son of Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda, who was tagged as a big time jueteng lord during the Senate impeachment trial against former President Estrada.

The governor, who stressed he wanted a “morally upright” provincial police director, also said presidential son Rep. Mikey Arroyo had lobbied for Lebin. De la Cruz denied this, saying that since he was appointed regional director of the police last Nov. 18, Arroyo had never interfered in police appointments.

De la Cruz expressed hope that the governor would change his mind once he gets acquainted with his new provincial police director.

Global downturn costs over 10,000 jobs in Central Luzon (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445242&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Ding Cervantes Updated March 04, 2009 12:00 AM


SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The number of Central Luzon workers affected by the global economic crisis has reached 10,464 as of yesterday, but officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) noted a slowdown in the rate of layoffs and work rescheduling.

In an interview with The STAR, Region III, chief labor employment officer Geraldine Panlilio noted that of the total number of workers affected, a third or 3,443 totally lost their jobs while 6,539 others now earn less arising from such measures as reduction of their working hours and job rotation.

She also noted that 371 more workers were affected by the temporary shutdown of their companies, but noted she expects them to return to work in six months unless their companies opt to permanently close and give them their separation pay.

Of the 3,443 who permanently lost their jobs, 111 cases were due to the permanent closure of their firms in Bataan and Bulacan.

The figures were based on reports gathered from all over Central Luzon since last November, Panlilio said.

The number of the affected workers was a big jump from 3,368 workers who totally lost their jobs and 5,056 others affected by work rescheduling as of Feb. 11, but Panlilio noted that in the past week, after the abrupt rise in figures, her office did not receive any report on further layoffs.

She noted that most of the affected workers are those working for export-oriented firms, particularly those engaged semi-conductor and electronics manufacturing, steel manufacturing and metal plating, and furniture.

“High-end products are the most affected. It is easy to conclude that those employed in firms catering to local markets are not really that affected,” she said.

Panlilio said, however,that “we are still hopeful that we are not headed for the worst.”

Earlier, the DOLE said that nationwide, as much as 300,000 persons could lose their jobs over the next six months as the global crisis deepens.

The number of workers affected in Central Luzon, however, is smaller compared to about 62,000 workers laid off in Calabarzon or the Southern Tagalog region.

San Miguel to enter toll business (http://http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/march/04/yehey/business/20090304bus2.html)

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter

SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) plans to venture into tollway business by acquiring the interest of Lopez group’s share in the Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway (TLUTEx) project, which Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is also eyeing, a government source said.

The source said the SMC has expressed interest to take over MPIC’s role in infusing capital into the consortium to raise P12 billion for the construction the 88-kilometer highway project that would link Metro Manila to northern parts of Luzon.

The same source said that the consortium is still waiting if the local unit of Hong Kong-listed First Pacific Co. Ltd. is still interested in joining the group after they conducted an equity call.

He added that all the members of the consortium have already injected capital into the project except for MPIC.

Last year, the government awarded the contract to construct the highway to a group of contractors called Private Infra Dev. Corp. This is composed of Lopez-led First Balfour, D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI), EEI Corp., C.M. Pancho Construction, R.D. Policarpio

& Co. Inc., D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, J.V. Angeles Construction, J.E. Manalo & Co. Inc., New Kanlaon Construction Inc. and Rockford Development.

Late last year, the Lopez group allowed MPIC to step in the project by contributing funds to the consortium. DMCI and First Balfour each has a 34-percent interest in the consortium while the rest hold 2-percent to 6-percent stakes in the group.

The TLUTEx is estimated to cost P15 billion, including the government’s share of up to P3.7 billion to acquire land and right of way (ROW).

The DMCI’s Jorge Consunji and his team went to the National Economic and Development Authority on Monday to ask the government to advance the counterpart funds to pay for the ROW acquisition.

The company also asked National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) how to tap the P50-billion infrastructure fund created by the government to pump prime the economy.

The highway will be built over a five-year period and will be connected to the National Capital Region through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), which MPIC operates through the Manila North Tollways Corp (MNTC). The company bought MNTC’s parent from two Lopez holding firms, Benpres Holdings Corp. and First Philippine Holdings Corp. last year.

The first leg of the project, which is expected to open to motorists by 2010, will cover 48.7 kilometers and start from Tarlac and end in Carmen, Pangasinan. This will be followed by the 9.5-kilometer Carmen to Urdaneta road in 2011, and the 30.4-kilometer

Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union road by 2013.

Bulacan hog industry will recover after culling -- gov (http://http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/04/09/bulacan-hog-industry-will-recover-after-ebola-reston-gov)

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/04/2009 9:45 AM


Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza on Wednesday said he is optimisticthe that the dying hog industry in the province will recover as soon as the government finished the culling of the Ebola Reston-infected pigs in Pandi town.

"Just like in the past when pigs were struck by FMD (food and mouth disease), the hog industry was able to recover," Mendoza told ABS-CBN's morning show, "Umagang Kay Ganda."

Mendoza on Tuesday said that the already troubled hog industry in the province was aggravated by the Ebola Reston scare, bringing down the sales of pork by 50 percent.

"When I went around [public markets] yesterday (Tuesday), vendors told me that pork sales dropped by 50 percent. Market vendors selling eight pigs a day are now selling only four," the governor said.

Mendoza said hog traders around the province told him that pork sales have been cut to half since the Department of Health (DOH) revealed the Ebola Reston infection in pigs from farm in Pandi town.

The governor, however, said that he is expecting the hog industry in the province to recover as soon as the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) finishes the culling of the Ebola Reston-infected pigs in Pandi town this week.

He said a total of 2,662 pigs have been killed and he expects the BAI to finish the culling of more than 3,000 more infected pigs by Friday.

Pigs shot if stunning fails

Dr. Joy Gomez, provincial health officer and spokesperson for the depopulation committee, reported Tuesday that they were able to speed up the culling due to the adjustments and lessons learned from the procedures in last Sunday's dry-run.

Gomez said depopulation teams started working around three in the afternoon on Monday and ended at past 8 p.m. with 795 pigs culled.

Stunning, through the use of a captive bolt, is still the method used to cull the pigs. He said if pigs survive the stunning, they are shot by policemen with a 22-caliber gun.

"Kasama naman yung sa mga napagkasunduan nung pina-plano pa lang namin ito" said Gomez.

New photos and videos were also released to media showing workers unloading pigs on the pit, workers taking tissue samples on pigs' carcasses, and the actual burning of culled pigs. With a report from Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News

Binay: Looming power crisis no excuse to reopen BNPP (http://http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20090304met1.html)

03/04/2009

The looming power crisis is not an excuse to reopen the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant or consider nuclear energy, Makati Mayor and United Opposition president Jejomar Binay said.

Instead, the government should explore geothermal energy since the Philippines has the second highest geothermal capacity in the world at the moment, he added.

“Nuclear energy poses a lot of safety questions that have not been answered fully. Instead of engaging in a protracted discussion on nuclear power, we should explore our full potential for geothermal power,” he said.

Binay added the national government should focus on geothermal power in the light of the looming power crisis, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao brought about by the unprecedented rise in power demand.

He said the Department of Energy had admitted power supply in the Visayas and Mindanao is already tight, with reports of brownouts in these areas last year.

But the national government should go beyond inviting foreign investors to develop the country’s geothermal resources.

In the long term, Binay said harnessing the country’s geothermal potential will attract an increasing number of investors who are looking for locations offering clean and renewable sources of energy for their factories, referred to as “green factories.”

He cited reports that Google, along with Microsoft and Yahoo, are already looking at Iceland to build massive “server farms” because Iceland’s geothermal technology and resources are one of the most highly developed in the world.

“The Philippines is up there with Iceland among countries with the most abundant geothermal resources,” he said. “In fact, we have the second highest geothermal power capacity in the world right now — next to the US. And we have enough geothermal power on our islands to more than double our current capacity,” he said.

He added geothermal power is abundant in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Southern Tagalog, the Socksargen region and Central Mindanao.

“Unfortunately, the Arroyo administration is being short-sighted in approaching the energy issue. Instead of merely looking for investors for geothermal power, national government should develop an investment plan anchored on promoting the Philippines as a location for green factories,” he said.

He urged government to include local government officials in developing an investment incentive plan to bring in green factories.

“Encouraging geothermal energy will not only address our power needs but also provide incentives for new investments. Government should meet local executives to discuss an investment strategy to induce foreign direct investors to build green factories in these regions,” he said.

House approves P100 million for new Bataan Nuclear Power Plant study (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445963&publicationSubCategoryId=63)
Updated March 06, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - The House appropriations committee approved yesterday a P100-million allocation for a new study on the viability of commissioning the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, senior committee vice chairman, proposed the new “validation or feasibility” study as a “compromise” to the bill of Pangasinan Rep. Marcos Cojuangco seeking the “immediate rehabilitation and commissioning” of the nuclear plant.

The bill of Cojuangco is facing stiff opposition from many congressmen and civil society groups, as well as from Catholic bishops. The lawmaker is a son of billionaire businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. who has investments in power distribution and oil refining and retailing.

Lagman said a fourth study has to be conducted to determine whether the nuclear plant could still be operated despite its being mothballed since the Marcos years due largely to unresolved safety issues.

He said the results of three previous studies should be used as references by a group of local and international experts who would be commissioned to undertake the new study.

He said the P100-million budget would be taken from this year’s budget of the Department of Energy and the state-owned National Power Corp.

Lagman said a provision in the committee-approved allocation prohibits the commissioning of the plant ahead of the completion of the new study.

Rep. Cojuangco initially frowned upon Lagman’s proposal, saying a “feasibility study” is “politician’s language that connotes inaction and indecision.”

“We should decide once and for all whether we want to operate this plant or to sell it for its junk value,” he said.

He said at present, the government is spending P40 million a year for the upkeep of the plant, which has not generated a single watt of electricity.

Quirino Rep. Junie Cua, appropriations committee chairman, prevailed upon Cojuangco to accept the compromise.

After Lagman’s proposal was accepted, Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque suggested that portions of the Cojuangco bill that are “incongruous” with the compromise be deleted.

Golez said the “incongruous” portions include allowing the National Power Corp. to immediately rehabilitate and operate the nuclear plant.

He said this might be interpreted as an authority for Napocor to operate the plant even while the mandated new feasibility study is still underway.

“If these irrelevant portions are not deleted, this will be a ridiculous and a defective bill,” he said.

Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit, a co-author of the commissioning bill, said even if the new study finds the plant to be operable and viable, it would still go through a process of licensing by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“This process alone will take time and is usually more strict and tedious than a validation or feasibility study,” he said.

Protests continue

Groups opposed to the activation of the BNPP vowed to launch more protest actions.

“From now on, the public and the broad social movement against the revival of the BNPP will keep tabs on each legislator’s position, action and/or inaction on the said issue. However, special attention will be given to the 184 legislators who have rendered their support to the bill,” said Emman Hizon of the Freedom from Debt Coalition. Members of the group as well as of the Network Opposed to BNPP or No to BNPP picketed yesterday outside the Batasang Pambansa complex.

“Those who have put their signatures to the Cojuangco bill, their reasons notwithstanding, are now under the watchful eyes of the Filipino public,” Hizon said.

FDC appealed to the pro-BNPP lawmakers to withdraw their signatures, citing the “gross disadvantages” and “monumental folly” of operating the BNPP.

“Like the mothballed BNPP, we appeal to the highest sense of our legislators to also mothball Rep. Cojuangco’s bill. We believe such a detrimental legislative measure has no place in the halls of responsible lawmaking,” Hizon said.

NO to BNPP described the mothballed plant as “tremendously dangerous, economically disadvantageous and utterly defective.”

“The protest parade symbolizes the many reasons why the BNPP revival will bring death to the Filipino people if the bill is not put to a close once and for all,” Dr. Giovanni Tapang, spokesman of NO to BNPP said.

“The Arroyo administration and Cong. Mark Cojuangco are running out of reasons to justify the revival of the Bataan nuke plant. The majority of the people of Bataan and their provincial government have already signified their opposition to the plant revival. Even if it passed legislation, the people of Bataan are sure not to allow it,” Tapang said.

“Moreover, the Catholic Church has taken an anti-BNPP revival position and the general public is against this nuclear scheme of the Arroyo administration.” Tapang added. With Katherine Adraneda

Tourism tie-up between Quezon City, Clark proposed (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=446827&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
Updated March 09, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Majority Floor Leader Antonio “Ariel” Inton is eyeing a possible tie-up with Clark International Airport Corp., also known as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), to boost tourism in Quezon City.

In a speech during the oath-taking ceremonies for new officers of the Quezon City Capitol Jaycees where he represented QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Inton talked about his dream of making the city an important tourism destination in Asia.

Inton believes Quezon City could compete with other Asian cities in terms of tourism, especially with the help of Clark International Airport.

DMIA president/CEO Victor Jose I. Luciano, 1985 JCI world president, showed interest in the plan.

In terms of the number of tourists, Inton said the city could compete with Asian cities like Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and even Manila.

He said DMIA, which is approximately just an hour’s drive to and from Metro Manila, could be a big help in attracting tourists as well as investors.

Records show that Tiger Airways and Air Asia Berhad currently operate numerous flights to and from various major cities and tourist destination within Southeast Asia.

“We can have tie-up with Clark International Airport to boost tourism, since the biggest city closest to Clark is the Quezon City,” Inton said.

State-of-art Tarlac venue to hold CLRAA meet (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=447202&publicationSubCategoryId=69)
Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM


SAN JOSE, Tarlac , Philippines – Tarlac Gov. Victor Areno Yap, said yesterday the province is ready to host the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) athletic meet on March 15-21 at the P250-million Tarlac Recreational Park (TRP), considered as one of the biggest sports venues in the country.

TRP has 60 hectares of land wherein 35 hectares has been developed for the holding of the various athletic events. The rest of the site will be used for motor cross field, BMX events, jogging, trekking, mountain climbing and other outdoor activities.

Yap said that the structures being constructed in the place include a grandstand with a view of the whole sports park, a track oval, three volleyball courts, basketball court, baseball and softball fields and dormitories for the athletes.

Yap added that the complex is being built not only for athletic competition but also as an eco-friendly recreation area.

“Eco-friendly sports complex is what we are building,” he said.

He added that the said sports and recreational park was conceived by his father, then governor Jose V. Yap, now a second district representative, after the former Tarlac athletic field was converted into a commercial area leaving the province with no sports facilities for years. In fact, it will be the first time the province will host the CLRAA meet after 20 years. – Ric Sapnu

Clark mulls Pacific Avia Group proposal for new terminal (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=447353&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Ding Cervantes Updated March 11, 2009 12:00 AM


CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – After a failed bidding for the construction of a modern passenger terminal at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here, the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) has announced it is now evaluating Pacific Avia Group, Inc. (PAGI) as possible joint venture (JV) partner in the project that could cost anywhere from P3 billion to P7 billion.

In a statement, CIAC vice president for administration and finance Romeo Dyoco, who chairs the joint venture-selection Committee (JV-SC), said whoever will be CIAC’s partner will “design, finance, construct and operate” the proposed terminal 2 which will increase the passenger capacity of the old but upgraded terminal 1 that was constructed by the Americans when Clark was still a US air force base.

He said PAGI has been accepted by JV-SC “for detailed evaluation and eligibility check” which is expected to be finished by March 13. After passing this requirement, PAGI “will be subjected to a competitive challenge of stage 3” process, it said.

CIAC cited the need to construct a bigger passenger terminal “due to the significant increases in the volume of flights and international passengers during the past three years” and its “mandate” to transform the DMIA into a premiere international gateway of the country.

In May last year, CIAC announced the bidding for the terminal project, soliciting three companies which submitted bid documents. Admiral Energy of the US passed the bidding but later failed to submit proof of its track record in the operation of an international passenger terminal.

CIAC said it consulted with and got the go signal from the Office of Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to pursue the project through the so-called competitive challenge process under its old JV guidelines.

It noted that last November, it received four unsolicited proposals under such process, inclusing those from PAGI, Philco Aero Consortium, R–II Holdings,Inc. and SNC – Lavalin International, Inc.

PAGI, the only local group among the four, is composed of A.M. Oreta Construction Co., DHL Philippines, DRI Holdings, EGIS AVIA S.A., Pentagon Development Corp., the Bank of Commerce and Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose.

CIAC initially approved the proposal of R – II Holdings, but it was later found to have failed to cope with “minimum non negotiable issues required for the project”.

Last Jan. 8, PAGI submitted a complete proposal for the terminal project and this was received favorably by CIAC, even as a new party, the Eugenio Group, also submitted its proposal.

Last Feb. 27, the JV-SC received another proposal from Al Mal Proposal from the Al Karafi Group.

“For very critical reasons on the substance of their proposals and the contextual conditions and requirements of their proposals both the Eugenio Consortium and the Al Mal were rejected,” CIAC said.

“The CIAC joint venture selection committee (JVSC) evaluated both proposals head to head and item to item, and arrived at the conclusion that the PAGI, proposal met its minimum requirements and is vastly superior to the Eugenio CIAC noted that while the present terminal was upgraded last year, its capacity is limited to only 1.5 million passengers per year.

CIAC said, however, that other facilities have been installed to modernize DMIA. These include radars, runway lights and signages, a second runway, modern aviation security and emergency systems, and terminal carousel and x-ray machines.

Airport officials also said they are eyeing a new terminal that could increase DMIA’s passenger capacity from three to seven million passengers annually.

Palace appeals to Bulacan farm owners for patience (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/152197/Palace-appeals-to-Bulacan-farm-owners-for-patience)
03/11/2009 | 09:31 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang appealed Wednesday for patience from owners of hog farms hit by the recent depopulation of some 6,000 pigs in Pandi town in Bulacan province.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Departments of Budget and Management (DBM) and Agriculture (DA) have been tasked to extend “assistance" to the affected farm owners.

“Magkaroon ng kaunting pasensya ang may-ari ng piggeries. Let’s be honest about it, di kasalanan ng government nagkaroon ng Ebola Reston virus. Assistance na lang kung tutuusin [We ask the farm owners for a little patience. Let’s be honest about it, it’s not the government’s fault that their pigs were infected. The most we can do is give assistance]," Remonde said in an interview on dzXL radio.

Health authorities completed last weekend the depopulation process of hogs believed to be infected with Ebola Reston virus.

Remonde said the DA and DBM have instructions to “facilitate" the assistance to the affected farm owners, especially after the P1.415-trillion national budget for 2009 shall have been signed by the President. - GMANews.TV

SBMA chief blames Palafox for casino project delay (http://http://www.tribuneonline.org/business/20090312bus1.html)
By Ayen Infante
03/12/2009


The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) accused yesterday noted Filipino architect Felino Palafox Jr. of economic sabotage for causing the delay of the $80-million Ocean�s 9 casino project of Korean proponent Grand Utopia Inc.

Palafox was commissioned to oversee the design of the casino project.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza indicated that Palafox was trying to pressure the Korean firm to relocate the project near a resort in which the architect has a stake.

Despite the controversy, Arreza said he was able to convince the Korean firm to stay but would give support in finding another location for the project.

Arreza said SBMA is considering two separate sites to relocate the project but has yet to finalize the details with the proponent whom Arreza said was deeply discouraged by the alleged environmental issue raised by Palafox on the project.

Grand Utopia which is a state-run entity in Korea or the counterpart of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. was seriously thinking of another site to operate its casino business.

Arreza said the world-class reputation and features of Subic in accommodating its investors has helped him convince the Korean firm not to relocate the project away from the Subic Freeport.

�Now that every economy in the region is in crisis for investments that could bring thousands of jobs to pump prime their economies, here we are with one notable architect who has succeeded in sabotaging the economy,� Arreza said.

Arreza further doubts the intentions of Palafox after learning from classified documents that which the architect wanted was to get the project situated near the Subic Coastal Development Corp. near the Moon Bay Marina where Palafox has a reported five percent ownership.

�It was his personal interest from day one to move the project in an area where he has a business presence because we have documents furnished us by the Securities and Exchange Commission that he has five percent ownership in Subic Coastal,� Arreza said.

Apart from being successful in sabotaging the economy, Arreza added Palafox was also successful in giving Subic a very bad reputation.

Instead of seeing new construction activities in the freeport zone, the Palafox-made controversy has delayed the project for four months now. The delay is equivalent to $1 million a month in estimated expenses out of the pocket of the proponent.

Palafox had alleged the proposed casino when built at the original site would destroy 300 trees which Arreza said were all �lies� because even Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza and active environment groups have inspected the site and have not seen one single tree cut.

As far as Subic is concerned, the Palafox issue is already a closed case since SBMA and the DENR have stated again that the government will not allow any tree to be cut in Subic freeport zone.

The unnecessary delay will be the result of adjustments in the design of the building since the project would be relocated.

The proponent is requiring two hectares of property which Arreza said remains a big factor in finding an alternative site because there are few areas left in Subic suited for their requirement.

In spite of the problem, Arreza sees the realization of big-ticket project before the end of the year. �These are where investments that were deferred due to many reasons but have assured of coming by the 4th quarter of the year.�

SBMA is expecting $800 million in additional investments that would translate to job generation for more than 10,000 workers. Arreza projects to bring 150,000 jobs in 2010 or double from 86,000 made in 2008.

Economic managers predict Central Luzon to grow 6.9% (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/8134-economic-managers-predict-central-luzon-to-grow-69.html?tmpl=component&print=1&page=)
Written by Joel P. Mapiles / Correspondent
Sunday, 29 March 2009 20:01

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—With the presence of Subic Bay and Clark free ports in Central Luzon, a 6.9-percent economic growth is “highly attainable” in the region this year despite the global economic slowdown, Philippine economic managers said.

The economic forecast was made during a recent briefing here at the Subic International Hotel, where the country’s economic managers held back-to-back presentations on the government’s strategies to override the effects of the global financial crisis.

The speakers were headed by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Ralph Recto and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Director Iluminada Sicat.

Also present were Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano, Budget Undersecretary Laura Pascua, Energy Undersecretary Roy Kyamko, Trade and Industry Region 3 Director Blesila Lantayona and Neda Region 3 Director Remigio Mercado.

In the briefing, Teves said the fiscal reform has generated revenues that are now being invested into two economic sectors—infrastructure and social services—to pump-prime the national economy. He specifically cited the Subic-Clark growth corridor as “steps ahead” compared with neighboring areas because of major infrastructure projects already in place in the area.

These include the modern seaport in Subic that houses the 600,000-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) container terminal, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, or SCTEx, that now links the two free ports.

With these advantages, Central Luzon “can focus on other economic arenas, like attracting investments and streamlining the process of doing business in the region,” Teves said.

Central Luzon contributed 8.3 percent to the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in 2007, the third largest among the regional contributions to the GRDP.

Meanwhile, Neda’s Mercado said agriculture and services would stay resilient and provide avenues for regional economic growth amid the global economic slowdown.

The industrial sector’s output in Region 3, however, is expected to go down since manufacturing, which employs 20 percent of the people in the sector, had been hardest hit by the financial crisis, he added.

“Manufacturing is still expected to grow, but comparatively lower than that of 2007 figures,” Mercado added.

On the other hand, Mercado said growth in the services sector—now Central Luzon’s biggest contributor to growth at 40 percent—may be pushed higher if the region could take advantage of the expanding industries in new growth areas.

Mercado said these include the fields of information and communications technology , business -process outsourcing or call centers, health and wellness, logistics and port development, food processing, agribusiness, aquaculture, tourism, and ancillary services and products to locators in industrial estates and economic zones.

The economic team concluded that the increase in government spending, strong domestic consumption, declining inflation rates and cooperation from the private sector should help the country’s gross domestic product grow between 3.7 percent and 4.4 percent this year.

FINAL RULING
SC: 16 municipalities can’t become cities

By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:38:00 05/07/2009

Filed Under: Local authorities, Judiciary (system of justice)

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has denied with finality appeals to reverse its ruling that declared as unconstitutional laws that converted 16 municipalities into cities.

Voting 6-5, the court voided the following Republic Acts: 9389 (Baybay City in Leyte), 9390 (Bogo City in Cebu), 9391 (Catbalogan City in Samar), 9392 (Tandag City in Surigao del Sur), 9393 (Lamitan City in Basilan), 9394 (Borongan City in Samar), 9398 (Tayabas City in Quezon), 9404 (Tabuk City in Kalinga), 9405 (Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur), 9407 (Batac City in Ilocos Norte), 9408 (Mati City in Davao Oriental), 9409 (Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental), 9434 (Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte), 9435 (El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental), 9436 (Carcar City in Cebu), and 9491 (Naga City in Cebu).

“In view of the denial of the second motion for reconsideration, no further pleadings shall be entertained. Let entry of judgment be made in due course,” the high court said in a three-page resolution.

The court had voided the said laws converting the municipalities into cities in a resolution dated November 18, 2008.

The court said the municipalities were not exempt from the income requirement for cities of P100 million.

The income requirement for cities was raised to P100 million from P20 million after Republic Act 9009 amended the Local Government Code. The laws converting the 16 municipalities into cities were passed after RA 9009 took effect.

The court said “limiting the exemption only to the 16 municipalities violates the requirement that the classification must apply to all similarly situated.”

The high court made the ruling following a petition by the League of Cities of the Philippines, saying a wholesale conversion of municipalities into cities would reduce the share of existing cities of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

Palayan City in Nueva Ecija should also be downgraded to municipality.

Palayan City in Nueva Ecija should also be downgraded to municipality.

Nope, it can't be... Palayan City was created to be a city. There wasn't even a Municipality of Palayan.

Nope, it can't be... Palayan City was created to be a city. There wasn't even a Municipality of Palayan.

Oh ok. Thanks for the info.:)

Nope, it can't be... Palayan City was created to be a city. There wasn't even a Municipality of Palayan.


well said...it was created through a republic act to be the capital of nueva ecija, it was never a municipality, its barangays were carved out from various towns in the area..(this is similar to trece martires city in cavite).

HAPPY 111th, PHILIPPINES!
http://i41.tinypic.com/sqjty1.jpg
LAOAG CITY HALL
Photo credit: anton photographer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15814863@N04/)

a very warm greeting to the people of Central Luzon!

SCTEX spurs tourism business in Central Luzon

Central Luzon Tourism Regional Director Ronaldo “Ronnie” Tiotuico projected a tourism boom in the region as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) recently registered a 35 percent increase on monthly arrivals.

“Our monthly arrivals at DMIA increased from 20,000 to 27,000 since Subic Bay now is only 40 minutes away from the airport,” Tiotuico said attributing the surge of regional travelers to the opening of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

SCTEX is the country’s longest expressway, built to interconnect three major economic and industrial zones in Central Luzon and spur economic activities in the region. Tourism is among the first industries that gained momentum from the existence of the 94-kilometer stretch.

“Prior to SCTEX, it used to take 2.5 hours to get to Subic if one wants to travel smoothly through the Olongapo-Gapan route or a shorter 1.5 hour-travel through the rugged roads of Floridablanca. Now it only takes 40 minutes going to Subic from the NLEX spur road Mabalacat,” the director explained.

He further stressed, this recent development will likely ensure a 10-15 percent increase in the yearly tourist arrival figures.

While exerting efforts to induce tourism in the neighboring provinces of Tarlac and Cabanatuan, the DoT official happily mentioned that Subic Bay benefitted a lot from SCTEX.

According to him a lot of domestic and foreign tourists flock the Subic-Clark corridor to experience Subic’s theme parks and water activities like surfing, jet skiing, kayaking and parasailing and Clark’s world-class hotels, casino, duty free shops and other travel facilities. “It is highly ideal if both Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) would harmonize their marketing and promotional efforts. It will result to a lot of savings in terms of government funds, time and effort if these two organizations will complement each other. Subic has its natural attractions while Clark boasts of its facilities and services,” Tiotuico explained.

Anticipating a sudden increase of tourists not only in the Subic-Clark loop but in the entire Central Luzon, the tourism official is now preparing volumes of EZ maps to make travel faster and easier.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) earlier announced that last year’s investment haul came from the new tourism projects with P9.2 billion committed investments in the next five years.

Essential to the realization of huge market expectations and long term economic projections, the SCTEX is envisioned to play a major role in inducing and sustaining economic growth in the region.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/210521/sctex-spurs-tourism-business-central-luzon

Who owns Sacobia? (Part 2)

IF MABALACAT Mayor Marino Morales is to be believed, the 3,325 hectares contested portion of the Sacobia Estate rightfully belongs to the town.

Morales based his claim on a Sketch Plan (SWO-03-000083), which delineates 3,325 hectares that forms part of the 5,724 hectares of the Sacobia Estate for Mabalacat.

He said the claim of Mabalacat on the area was further strengthened by Executive Order (EO) 344 issued by former President Fidel Ramos.

EO 344 transferred the areas occupied by the then Sacobia Development Authority (SDA) to the Clark Special Economic Zone. The EO particularly mentioned the sketch plan that Morales cited as one of the basic arguments for Mabalacat's claim.

"It is just normal for the Mabalacat Municipal Government to protect its territory, and Calumpang has long been under the supervision of Mabalacat," Morales said.

But Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Leonardo Anunciacion disputes the claims of Morales.

Anuciacion said in 1993, the then municipal agrarian reform officer for Mabalacat Emmanuel dela Cruz, who was assisted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) regional office, requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to identify areas at the Sacobia Estate in Bamban, Tarlac for the creation of the agrarian reform communities for Mabalacat.

Consequently, according to Anunciacion, between the periods of July 23-26, 1993, the DENR prepared a second sketch plan based on the request of dela Cruz. He added that the DENR recalled the 1997 sketch plan.

Lawyer Adenn Sigua, municipal attorney for Bamban, said Calumpang, where much of the contested lands lie, is a mere Sitio of Barangay San Vicente in Bamban.

But Calumpang, as far as Mabalacat is concerned, exists as a "bona fide" barangay.

Morales stressed that mere documentation could not overrule the fact that Mabalacat has exercised jurisdictional and territorial powers over Calumpang.

"The people there (Calumpang) are voters and residents of Mabalacat. The people of Calumpang have long recognized the jurisdiction of Mabalacat in the area," he said.

Morales also pointed to a certification issued by Local Government Regional Director Josefina Castilla-Go, which states that "Barangay Calumpang forms part of the Municipality of Mabalacat with official barangay code Number 35409005." This was also seconded by another certification from the Commission on Elections.

With the seemingly elusive common ground and accusations of quarry encroachment, both parties decided to formally hear the case instead of going to court. Both municipalities have agreed to settle the issue through a joint session by both the Tarlac and Pampanga provincial boards (PBs).

Both PBs responded with the creation of the Bamban-Mabalacat Boundary Dispute Committee that will hear the boundary dispute between the two municipalities. However, a determined resolution is still elusive as the committee's decision would just be "recommendatory" nature.

Sigua hoped for the soon resolution of the case, which has been dragging for almost seven years.

The Tarlac and Pampanga PBs will meet on August 21 at the Tarlac Provincial Capitol to finalize the rules for the committee. But until then, Sacobia will find no peace as quarters would try to exert their influence in the area, which still has vast quarry resources waiting to be tapped. (IOF)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam....(part.2).html

So, who is the winner? Bamban or Mabalacat?

US, European firms eye RP retirement industry

By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:47:00 08/25/2009

MANILA, Philippines - Companies from the United States and Europe are looking at investing in the country’s retirement sector, with plans already on the table to set up “continuing care facilities” for retirees.

In an interview yesterday, Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) acting general manager Reynaldo Lingat said an American firm was looking for idle lands in Clark Field, Pampanga, and even beyond, including Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales to Morong in Bataan.

The land would be used to house continuing care facilities for retirees, he said.

These facilities will include a whole package of products and services that retirees can avail themselves of, including housing, healthcare and lifestyle facilities.

A European company, Lingat said, was also planning to put up facilities for retirees, particularly those in the “assisted” and “nursing” sectors.

According to him, retirees can be divided into three categories: active, 35-49 years old; assisted, 50-65 years old, and nursing, 65 years old and above.

“We should be targeting the assisted and nursing sectors. We have to have the facilities that can accommodate them. We need investments, either from the retirees themselves or from other investors,” he said. “Once (these facilities) are established, there will surely be a domino effect.”

He said a Korean group was also looking at developing some retirement facilities on parcels of land along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

“Investments (in the retirement sector) are increasing this year, at least based on the number of inquiries that we have received in our office,” he said.

PRA accreditation specialist Bing Aquino said there were currently 85 PRA-accredited institutions in the country.

Of these, however, only eight were targeted at the elderly, she said. The others were mostly in the real estate and resorts sectors.

PRA chair Edgar Aglipay said about 20,000 retirees enrolled in its program, 30 percent of whom were Chinese, 20 percent Japanese, and 10 percent Koreans. For 2009, he said PRA was targeting to have another 4,000 enrolled retirees.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20090825-222004/US-European-firms-eye-RP-retirement-industry

Gordon bill to expand Subic, Clark ecozones gains support

MANILA, Aug. 26 (PNA) -- A proposal by Senator Richard Gordon to allow the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to develop more economic zones in neighboring areas gained more adherents during a committee deliberations.

Gordon, who heads the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, received assurances from concerned national government agencies, government corporations and local government units (LGUs) that they would support development thrusts in the Subic-Clark growth corridor as envisioned in Gordon’s bill.

The agencies included SBMA and CDC, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Department of Finance (DoF), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

Representatives from the provincial governments of Zambales and Bataan likewise attended the hearing and expressed support to the proposal.

Gordon said Senate Bill No. 143 seeks to maximize the vision of the Subic-Clark growth corridor to decongest Manila and open up more livelihood opportunities in areas between the Subic, Clark and Manila, as well as along the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

By creating more special economic zones near the two free ports, he said, the government could optimize the use of the three airports in Subic, Clark and Manila, the two seaports in Subic and Manila, and the connecting highway and railway in Luzon.

Agreeing to Gordon’s proposal, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza suggested that funds for the acquisition of lands for conversion into economic zones be sourced out from the five-percent gross revenue tax collected by SBMA and CDC from their business locators.

“The challenge would be in the consolidation of the adjoining lands, and to spur the development of the prospective ecozones, we shall need adequate funding,” Arreza said, pointing out that most of the lands along the SCTEX are already titled, based on a recent survey conducted by the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC).

Meanwhile, PNR chairman Mike Defensor commended Gordon for coming up with a proposal to hasten the development of the Subic-Clark growth corridor.

Defensor revealed that his agency will be starting the Northrail project next month to enhance the benefits of the SCTEx and encourage more trade and livelihood opportunities in the Central and Northern Luzon regions.

“We will support the development of more economic zones,” Defensor pledged.

He added that in particular, the Northrail project will further boost existing means to transport commuters and products in the area.

In the same hearing, Gordon also brushed off concerns by representatives of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) that Gordon’s proposal would duplicate the PEZA law by creating another agency to oversee economic zones.

“This is not a territorial tug of war. What I want to see out of this bill is just development,” Gordon added.

Aside from getting their support, Gordon also asked concerned agencies and LGUs represented in the hearing to form a technical working group to collate suggested measures for incorporation in the bill.

“We’ll put the bill on the floor in two weeks,” Gordon said.

Two other measures seeking to amend Republic Act No. 7227, otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority Act of 1991, are under deliberation by Senate committees.

The bills, which both seek to expand revenue allocations from the sale, lease, joint ventures and other transactions involving military bases and reservations in the country, are authored respectively by senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodolfo Biazon. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=3&rid=226170

Subic, Clark ecozones expansion plan gains support

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales, Aug. 26 (PNA) -- A proposal seeking to allow the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to develop more economic zones in neighboring areas gained support from various sectors, particularly in the region.

Sen. Richard Gordon, principal author of the proposed measure, said he received assurances from concerned national government agencies, government corporations and local government units (LGUs) that they would support development thrusts in the Subic-Clark growth corridor.

The agencies included SBMA and CDC, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Department of Finance (DOF), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

Representatives from the provincial governments of Zambales and Bataan, likewise, expressed support to the proposal.

Senate Bill No. 143 seeks to maximize the vision of the Subic-Clark growth corridor to decongest Manila and open up more livelihood opportunities in areas between the Subic, Clark and Manila, as well as along the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

Gordon said that by creating more special economic zones near the two free ports, the government could optimize the use of the three airports in Subic, Clark and Manila, the two seaports in Subic and Manila, and the connecting highway and railway in Luzon.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, in support to the proposal, recommended that funds for the acquisition of lands for conversion into economic zones be sourced out from the five percent gross revenue tax collected by SBMA and CDC from their business locators.

“The challenge would be in the consolidation of the adjoining lands, and to spur the development of the prospective ecozones we shall need adequate funding,” Arreza said.

He pointed out that most of the lands along the SCTEx are already titled, based on a recent survey conducted by the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC).

Meanwhile, PNR chairman Mike Defensor lauded Gordon for coming up with a proposal to hasten the development of the Subic-Clark growth corridor.

Defensor said his agency will be starting the Northrail project next month to enhance the benefits of the SCTEx and encourage more trade and livelihood opportunities in the Central and Northern Luzon regions.

“We will support the development of more economic zones,” he said.

He said the Northrail project will further boost existing means to transport commuters and products in the area.

Aside from getting their support, Gordon also asked the concerned agencies and LGUs to form a technical working group to collate suggested measures for incorporation in the bill.

“We’ll put the bill on the floor in two weeks,” he said. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=3&rid=226130

Central Luzon fishermen want separate national department for fishery

Written by Butch Gunio / Special to the BusinessMirror

BALANGA CITY—The federation of fishermen in Central Luzon has lodged a resolution in Congress seeking for the creation of a separate national department for fishery.

Billy Santos, former chairman and technical adviser of Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Central Luzon at Lokal (Samaral), a federation of fishermen in Central Luzon, said that there should be a separate national department for fishery that would genuinely cater to the plight of small fishermen in the country.

In the present set-up, the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the government national office that directly caters to fishermen, is a line bureau of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Santos, also technical adviser of BFAR in Central Luzon, said that the government programs at DA seemingly focus on farmers. He lamented that the fishery sector in the country is often neglected by the national government.

“The government has many programs dedicated to farmers, but seems to forget the plight of fisherfolk in the country,” he said.

With a national department solely for the fishery sector, he explained, more programs would be initiated to directly benefit small fishermen.

He said their federation is hoping that Congress will favorably act on their resolution seeking the creation of a new department for fishery sector.

Santos was the founder and chairman of Alyansa ng Mangingisda, federation of fishermen in Bataan. Alyansa is Samaral’s federation member.

http://businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/16733-central-luzon-fishermen-want-separate-national-department-for-fishery.html

First time to visit Nayong Filipino in Clark last week. Hope the government can help improve the place.

I think its good for tourism.

San fernando City and Angeles City in Pampanag are fast becoming highly urbanized cities...:cheers:

San fernando City and Angeles City in Pampanag are fast becoming highly urbanized cities...:cheers:

What do you mean "fast becoming highly urbanized"? Kasi I really think they already are...

^^^^Similar with Metro Manila...densely populated..

El Nino threatens billions worth of crops in Central Luzon (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261590)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 1 (PNA) -- Billions worth of rice and other agricultural crops in Central Luzon are threatened to being damaged by the onslaught of the El Nino phenomenon.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Redentor Gatus said the projection of possible damage was based on the report coming from Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales and Nueva Ecija provinces.

“These are still projections,” Gatus said, adding that data from other provinces in the regions are still being collated.

So far, he said, a total of 4,412 hectares in the four provinces are severely affected by the continuing dry spell wherein some 3,498 farmers were already affected.

Despite the possible effects, Gatus said there is still no direct effect on the rice market sector, particularly on supply and prices.

He said based on their projections, there will be enough supply of production to fill in the needed regular demands even in the worst-case scenario of a dry spell to last until the end of the year for Luzon.

The DA official also said that some P810,000 worth of corn crops are threatened by the dry spell.

He added that commercial crops such as vegetables could also be damaged and could reach as much as 3.804 million metric tons.

Aside from the rice, corn and vegetables, sugarcane plantations as well as fisheries sector are not spared from the onslaught of the El Nino phenomenon.

As mitigating measures, he said, the DA is recommending specific measures to ease the impact of the dry spell.

The recommendations include the cloud seeding for both corn and rice areas; water management especially in dams under the control of National Irrigation Administration (NIA); distribution of shallow tube wells, vegetable seeds, microbial and organic fertilizers for farmers. (PNA)

BIR-Region 3 intensifies tax campaign for April 15 deadline (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=261652)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 1 (PNA) -– The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Regional Office has reminded taxpayers to file their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) before the April 15 deadline.

BIR Regional Director Romulo Aguila Jr. said that they will hold various activities to encourage taxpayers to file their ITRs for the taxable year 2009 early and pay the corresponding taxes correctly.

Aguila said this is in line with this year’s BIR’s theme and slogan “Making the Public Know” which, he said, aims “to awaken the taxpayers that the advent of the income tax filing season is here which deadline is on April 15. “

He also said that their intensified campaign will help in improving the voluntary compliance of taxpayers as they become aware of the activities of the BIR and more information on tax compliance requirements.

The BIR’s Taxpayer Information and Education Division (TIED) has earlier said that all BIR-Authorized Agent Banks (AABs) have been requested to open on two consecutive Saturdays, March 27 (in lieu of April 3 which is Black Saturday) and April 10, 2010.

The AABs were also requested to extend their banking hours up to 5 p.m. for the period April 5 to April 15 to accept tax returns and payments.

Aguila expressed hope that the taxpaying public will again give 100-percent priority concern to this activity as BIR's partners in its mission of tax collection.

The BIR-Region 3 has posted a P1.4 billion revenue collection for January, a remarkable increase compared to the same period last year of P800 million.

Aguila said the P1.4-billion revenue taxes is almost 25 percent higher than their collection target for the first month of the year.

He attributed the revenue collection growth to the country’s economy which started to show signs of recovery following the adverse impact of the global economic crisis. (PNA)

BFAR to provide assistance to El Nino-affected fishpond owners, operators in Central Luzon (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=8&sid=&nid=8&rid=262040)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 3 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Luzon will provide immediate assistance to fishpond owners and operators in the region that have been severely affected by the onslaught of the El Nino phenomenon.

Remedios Ongtangco, BFAR regional director, said they will provide shallow tube wells (STWs) that would help mitigate the adverse impact of the dry spell that resulted to the incidents of fish kills in Pampanga province as well as in the neighboring areas.

Ongtangco said massive fish kills occur when the oxygen in the water is depleted due to hot temperature and little rainfall.

"We are also encouraging them (fishpond operators) to make partial harvest to be able to reduce the stocking density. This way, there is less stress on the fish," she said.

Ongtangco said the BFAR will also analyze and study the waters in Pampanga rivers which the fishpond owners and operators suspected to be the cause of massive fish kills in the towns of Candaba, San Luis and Arayat.

She also said the BFAR will step up efforts in culturing tilapia and bangus (milkfish) in coastal areas.

"So, we are embarking on producing tilapia in coastal waters, which is already a proven technology," she added.

According to Ongtangco, the BFAR will provide fingerlings to fishpond operators so that they can recover from their losses.

"We will also provide inputs assistance," she said.

The manifestations of fish kills were already noted in fishponds within Pampanga and Bulacan.

BFAR data show that there are about 40,000 hectares of fish ponds in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga and Zambales.

Last year, incidents of fish kills were monitored in 1,528 hectares of fishponds in Pampanga, Bulacan and Bataan wherein damages reached to some P7.12 million. (PNA)

DTI-Region 3 intensifies propagation and processing of bamboo in Central Luzon (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=262313)

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, March 4 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DIT) provincial office has intensified the propagation and processing of bamboo in the province.

This is in line with the Bamboo Industry Development Project, a flagship initiative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Yay P. Lasam, DTI provincial director, said that Central Luzon aims to develop the project as a business model for the North Philippines that will be replicated in Visayas and Mindanao.

Lasam said the project business model consists of 12 nodes or primary processing plants that can produce bamboo slats as raw materials for the engineered bamboo and a hub that will further process the bamboo slats into engineered bamboo and assemble into bamboo school desks and other furniture and wood products.

She said the business model came as a result of various interventions of concerned agencies.

Lasam said two potential nodes were already identified in the province, which are the towns of Bagac and Mariveles.

She said a project proposal for the establishment of seven nodes in the region was already submitted for funding to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The DTI provincial director also said Bataan 2nd district Rep. Albert Garcia approved in principle a proposal for the propagation and processing of bamboo in the province.

She said the advocacy for the use of bamboo products specifically engineered bamboo school desks was initiated in the region through the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc., Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CLGFI), bamboo teams and councils and other environment advocates.

The Balanga Elementary School here has received 25 engineered bamboo school desk, which is part of the 175 bamboo desks donated by the CLGFI through the ADCL to the seven provinces in the region.

President Arroyo has been endorsing to help cultivate and produce bamboo enough to supply about 25 percent of the P10-billion desk requirements of the Department of Education.

Records also showed that 59 countries import Philippine bamboo seats, furniture and sawali, where the United States and European Union are top markets. (PNA)

Damage to agriculture in Central Luzon due to El Nino reaches to P60M (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=262525)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 5 (PNA) -- More than P60 million worth of crops have been damaged in Central Luzon due to the effects of the El Nino phenomenon in the country.

Based on the record of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Luzon, some P32.5 million worth of corn, P20.1 million worth of palay and P7.4 million worth of assorted vegetables were destroyed by the continuing dry spell in the region.

Due to the onslaught of El Nino in the region, some 230,795 hectares of agricultural lands were severely hit wherein some 600 hectares planted with crops were reportedly have “no chance of recovery.”

As a result, a total of 3,144 farmers in the region suffered huge losses.

DA report further showed that Tarlac is the most hardest hit in terms of corn with P24.8 million while Bulacan suffered biggest damage in palay with P14.6 million.

Agriculture regional director Redentor Gatus said there is a big possibility that the cost of damages to agricultural sector in the region would even get worse as there is no expected rainfall in the coming weeks.

Aside from agricultural industry, Gatus said the livestock and fishery sectors started to get feel the onslaught of the dry spell and there is a big possibility that the production would decline in the next months.

With this, he said, the DA, in support with other concerned government agencies, are implementing mitigating measures to ease the impact of the dry spell to farmers and fisher folks.

These include the distribution of more than 100 shallow tube wells (STW) and open source pump irrigation systems to closely monitor of a possible drought-triggered outbreak of pests and diseases. (PNA)

Prices of agri products, basic commodities in Central Luzon remain stable amid El Nino (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=263030)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 8 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office is strictly monitoring the prices of agricultural products in the province and the whole Central Luzon as the region started to experience the onslaught of the El Nino phenomenon.

DA regional director Redentor Gatus said that based on their monitoring report the prices of rice, agricultural products and other basic commodities remain stable in the region.

Gatus said that there is no abnormal price situation of agricultural and other prime commodities in the region with “the change in prices is due only to the seasonability of the harvest.”

He said that farmers, particularly in Pampanga, are still not adversely affected by the dry spell.

Many farmers in Pampanga are still harvesting their palay while others have also started planting for the third cropping, he said.

He also said that there is a sufficient supply of government rice in the province through the various Tindahan Natin and Bigasan ng Bayan outlets.

To augment the rice buffer stock of the province, he said there are some 45,000 cavans of imported rice that are expected to arrive anytime.

Except for sugar, he said no price increases yet were also seen on bread, cooking oil, flour, including construction materials like cement, which are directly dependent on some agricultural products during pre-production.

Nevertheless, Gatus asked the public to report unscrupulous traders who will take advantage of the dry spell situation.

He said consumers may report to the Department of Trade and Industry or to the DA any merchant that may raise prices of agricultural products. (PNA)

Mangoes are Zambales province’s top tourist draw

By VINCE G. LOPEZ
March 6, 2010, 11:08am
Manila Bulletin

Iba, Zambales – One of Zambales’ famous delights are its sweet and luscious mangoes. Known for its incomparable taste that’s also beyond description, the Dinamulag variety is the most popular among Zambales mango varieties.

It is for this reason that the Zambales Mango Festival every first week of March, with these luscious tropical fruit in the center of the festivities, draws thousands of local and foreign tourists to this province located on the western coast of Central Luzon.

But Zambales’ Mango Festival is just the initial step in preparing the province in becoming one of the prime tourism spots in the country. Recognized in 1995 by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the sweetest mangoes in the world, Zambales also has interesting sites and activities for those lured by the smell and taste of its premier tropical fruit.

“Have you ever heard of Mt. Apulao? It’s more scenic and has a better climate than Baguio but has not been recognized because it doesn’t receive enough publicity and people don’t know about it,” said Zambales Governor Amor Deloso.

“Zambales is beautifully situated. It’s the only province located between the mountains and the sea. Other provinces just have long coastlines and some just have mountains. We have both,” Gov. Deloso added.

With an airport that’s set to open anytime soon, Zambales is indeed all set to become a premier destination in the country. The province is finding new ways of developing new sites to offer to tourists. At present, only 10 percent of the province’s natural wonders and beauty is being explored and made available to tourists.

“When our neighboring provinces get too commercialized and busy, tourists will come to Zambales and enjoy it here. Here they will experience the best beaches and breathtaking mountains and enjoy our mangoes. From there we will be noticed as a good destination and bring in other tourist which could benefit the entire province as well,” said Deloso.

“Our mangoes are very unique in that they are heart-shaped with a blushing red color, just like a lady who first hears and learns about love,” he added.

In line with the development of the province’s tourism sector, plans are afoot to build a world class resort in Zambales.

“I believe that tourism is the key that can bring in money to our province. That’s why we’re trying to maintain the cleanliness of Zambales as well as our 195 kilometers of white sand beaches” added Deloso.

Zambales’s image will now shift from being the province of indigenous people to a province blessed with vast natural resources.

Central Luzon, big winner in 2010 national OTOP awards
San Fernando City, Pampanga (14 March) -- Central Luzon Region bagged four honors in the recently concluded 2010 National OTOP (One Town, One Product) Awards in Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City.

Specialized gown and barong maker Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Pandi, Bulacan was named National and Luzon Island Outstanding OTOP MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneur) while Department of Science and Technology Region 3 branches in Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales got the Most Supportive Partner Organization-Luzon Island title.

On the other hand, Balanga City (of Bataan) was given the Best Implementer-Luzon Island prize for its production of processed fish notably tuyo and tinapa.

Here is the complete list of the other awardees:

* Outstanding MSME, Luzon Island - Ai-She Footwear of Liliw, Laguna
* Outstanding MSME, Visayas Island - Iloilo Kawayan Marketing
* Outstanding MSME, Mindanao Island - Lao Intergrated Farm of Bansalan, Davao del Sur
* National and Visayas Island Best Implementer - Numancia, Aklan (Vermicast Organic Fertilizer)
* Best Implementer, Luzon Island - La Union (Honey)
* Best Implementer, Mindanao Island - President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat (Muscuvado Sugar)
* National and Mindanao Island Most Supportive Partner Organization - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) branch in Zamboanga del Norte
* Most Supportive Partner Organization, Luzon Island - San Pablo City (in Laguna) Chamber of Commerce and Industry
* Most Supportive Partner Organization, Visayas Island - Negros Oriental Investment Promotion Center

According to Department of Trade and Industry Region 3 Director Blesila Lantayona, the nominees were judged on their accomplishments particularly their earnings and the jobs they had generated. (PIA 3)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100314.htm&no=01

Central Luzon bags 4 awards in 2010 National OTOP Awards
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 16 (PNA) -- Central Luzon has bagged four awards in the recently- concluded 2010 National One Town, One Product (OTOP) Congress held at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 director Blesila Lantayona said that specialized gown and barong maker Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Pandi, Bulacan named National and Luzon Island Outstanding OTOP MSME while Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 3 branches got the Most Supportive Partner Organization-Luzon Island title.

Balanga City of Bataan, on the other hand, was given the Best Implementer-Luzon Island prize for its production of processed fish, notably tuyo and tinapa.

Lantayona said the OTOP awards aim to recognize the active participation and contribution of OTOP stakeholders.

The nominees were judged on their accomplishments, particularly their earnings and the jobs they had generated.

OTOP is a banner program of President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo to promote local products and SMEs in the countryside.

Spearheaded by DTI, the program was designed to provide assistance for SMEs in the manufacture, offer and market of distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents.

Likewise, it offers a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from LGUs, national government agencies, and the private sector. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=264526

Central Luzon cops undergo training on public speaking, news writing
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 18 (PNA) -- Central Luzon police officers and personnel, who are assigned in the public information and community relations offices, including the administrative officers of the directorial staffs and the national support units (NSUs) have been undergoing a two-day training on public speaking and news writing enhancement from March 17 to 18 at Camp Olivas, this city.

The training is being handled by Mario C. Garcia, director of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP).

Garcia, known to be “Super Mario”, is an author of broadcast news for Filipinos, Camp Crame consultant for media affairs, host of NBN Channel 4 and anchorman of Radyo Ng Bayan.

Central Luzon Police Director Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the speech clinic is the first training conducted in the police regional office-3 (PRO-3) since he assumed his post as regional director 10 days ago.

Cacdac also said more trainings and seminars will be conducted on the administrative and operational training enhancement for the policemen which could be used as an armaments in the conduct of effective and efficient police works.

Garcia said the speech clinic and writing skills are two important things for the PNP to develop especially in dealing with the community as well the members of the media. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=265070

http://images.inquirer.net/media/business/money/topstories/images/pic-03210623080897.jpg

CORAZON Narciso-Lagman, manager of the thoroughly modern bakery.TONETTE OREJAS/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON



Old bakery still charms buyers

By Tonette Orejas
Central Luzon Desk
First Posted 19:50:00 03/20/2010


GUAGUA, Pampanga – The homegrown La Moderna Bakery has not stopped selling bread, pastries, and cookies to the A to E crowds in and out of Pampanga for over 60 years.

What are the secrets of its staying power?

First, there is the “old-fashioned taste” in the products, says Corazon “Butchie” Narciso-Lagman, the bakery’s manager.

Belonging to the third generation, she maintained what her parents, Pablo and Narcisa, started. The couple embarked on the bakery business on the guidance of Ignacio, Pablo’s father.

“I think the pugon [stone oven that uses wood for fuel] gives that unique taste,” Lagman, 62, says, noting that the oven is older than her.

The La Moderna taste is preserved because more than half of its 32 employees have been working in the bakery for decades.

Pablo Santos, for one, has always taken the night shift in the last 48 years and knows when the loaves are actually cooked even without a clock or timer by his side.

Luz Benillo, for another, has been kneading the dough for the empanada (stuffed bread) in the last 30 years, taking time off only when she gives birth or when husband Lito is sick.

“We are like family here,” says Benillo.

Other employees are relatives of old hands in the bakery, says Lagman.

Simple folks and well-heeled matrons queue for the ensaymada and 30 other bread specialties because La Moderna’s prices are affordable.

Lagman says she’s not quick to adjust prices whenever the costs of flour and sugar rise.

The products are prepared in an environment so clean that the area smelled and looked cleaner than a modern hospital.

Roots

The bakery began in the neighboring Sta. Rita town, the bedroom community of Guagua that, in the olden days, was the commercial capital of Pampanga.

In the town proper of Sta. Rita, Ignacio ran a small bakery. Three of his five children went in the same business in the same town and in Floridablanca. Ignacio kept Pablo by his side to assist him.

It was not known when La Moderna actually started in Guagua, but a 1947 photograph showed the bakery, with a candy factory to boot, was already located in Plaza Burgos – the same spot where it has been since.

La Moderna might have been established before 1947 because it takes years to make the business boom. The photograph showed more than 100 employees posing next to several delivery vans.

Lagman, the third in the brood of 10, was born in 1947 and could not recall events happening in those years.

A photograph taken in 1960 showed a signboard hailing La Moderna to be a “prewar gold medalist [in the] Philippine Exposition.”

The photographs were found by Lagman’s daughter, Anne.

She and her sisters, Aileen and Aimee, and their cousin, Angelo, have been selling La Moderna products and selected Kapampangan food through their store, “Butchie’s Recipes,” on Wilson Street in San Juan City in Metro Manila, since 2008.

Aileen joins bazaars to promote La Moderna products.

Family business

Pablo and Narcisa engaged all their children in the business.

Lagman wrapped candies (belekoy, butter balls, tira-tira and coffee crunch), earning money on a per-piece basis. After graduation at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, she took a job in a bank.

By 1979, most of her brothers and sisters had gone abroad.

In 1981, Lagman ended 10 years of working in a bank and decided to help Pablo and Narcisa manage the bakery. By the time she took over, her parents had replaced the two-story wooden building with a concrete three-floor structure.

She took baking and cooking lessons to prepare herself in overseeing the La Moderna’s operations.

She has doubled the products from 15 to 30, going beyond the ensaymada and masa podrida (the name that Commission on Elections Chair Jose Melo likes to call the bottle cap-sized cookies). Sylvana, taisan rolls and inipit are best-sellers.

Pablo died in June 2009 and Narcisa, five years ago.

“They did not close the bakery even when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991 because they said the people needed bread,” says Lagman.

Under her, the bakery is closed only on Good Friday and Christmas Eve. All days of the week, it opens at 3 a.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m.

Because Pampanga alone is a big market, La Moderna has stopped selling its products in Divisoria (Manila), Dagupan City (Pangasinan) and Bataan – a thing it did in the 1960s.

“We retained the old-fashioned taste. We worked together as a family. We’re reasonable with pricing. I believe these are the reasons why La Moderna is still around after all these years,” says Lagman.

On the side, she helps local culture flourish through the Arti Sta. Rita where she is a trustee.

There’s another secret that she won’t say.

Her sweet smile, some employees say, keeps people going back to the bakery.

CL police needs 930 new policemen for 2010
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, March 24 (PNA) -- The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) is in need of 930 new policemen to be assigned in the different provinces and cities in Central Luzon.

Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac Jr. said that this's year recruitment for new policemen is part of the PNP Integrated Transformation Program (PNP-ITP) aimed to alleviate the existing ratio one policeman for every 1,250 population.

The ideal ratio is one policeman for every 1,000 population.

Police Sr. Supt. Valiant de Guzman, deputy regional director for administration and chairman of the regional screening committee, said the scheduled oath-taking for the qualified applicants will be on July 1, 2010.

De Guzman said late applicants could also be accommodated to join the PNP recruitment for the second batch scheduled on October 1, 2010 oath taking and the third and last scheduled oath taking will be on December 1, 2010.

He said that the requirements for recruitment are the following: personal data sheet-CSC form 212, revised 2005, birth certificate from National Statistics Office (NSO), college transcript of scholastic records and diploma, copy of eligibility either civil service professional examination, board examination, Napolcom entrance examinations and Presidential Decree 907, clearances needed (Barangay, Local Police, Mayor, MTC, Prosecutor, RTC, NBI and DI) and one piece of whole body picture.

He said the new applicants who wants to join the police force must be a college graduate of a four-year baccalaureate degree, must be 21 years and not more than 30 years of age, must possess at least 5 feet and 4 inches for male applicants and 5 feet and 2 inches for female applicants, must be of good moral character and must passed the neuro-psychiatric and physical examinations as well as interview. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=266105

Palarong Pambansa Online Result (http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0Ajcg9Kw3Uu3AdEJfMFdCdlUzVTNyVEVkd1NzUkpwU3c&gid=6)

TRP, San Jose, Tarlac
April 11 - 17, 2010

meron bang lone thread yung subic? kasi gonna be there siguro... tapos marami akong i ask about the place...

^^ click here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=403394) for the Olongapo, Zambales Province thread, hth :)

DSWD still accepts entries to 4Ps jingle contest
San Fernando City, Pampanga (24 June) -- Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 3 continues to accept entries for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) jingle making contest.

It is open to individuals as well as groups (with a maximum of five members) who are residents of Central Luzon.

The composition should be based on the theme "Kayang-kaya ng Pinoy Tumawid Tungo sa Kaunlaran" and must be able to highlight the importance of health and education in the fight against poverty.

Lyrics can be in English, Tagalog or a combination of the two while its duration should be not be longer than two minutes and shorter than one minute.

Any musical instrument can be used as accompaniment, acapella shall also be accepted.

The first prize winner will receive 10,000 pesos while the second and third placers shall take home 7,000 pesos and 5,000 pesos respectively.

In addition, the first placer will be Region 3's bet in the national competition wherein the winning entry will become 4Ps official jingle and shall be performed live during the agency's 60th anniversary on January 2011 in Manila.

For inquiries, you may visit DSWD Field Office 3 in Regional Government Center, Barangay Maimpis, City of San Fernando,Pampanga or call them in the following numbers: (045) 861-3793, (045) 961-2143 or 09216939372. (PIA 3)http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100624.htm&no=77

PhilRice-based European Commission project benefits thousands rain-fed farmers in Central Luzon

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija, July 7 (PNA) -- The European Commission has recently funded the farmers’ field school (FFS) in the municipalities of La Paz and Victoria in Tarlac province, giving benefits to thousands of farmers in 32 municipalities in Luzon.

“Some of us have been planting for a lifetime but our knowledge in rice planting is not that updated. But when we joined FFS, we learned more about varieties and crop and water management,” Melba Gapang, project participant, said.

Jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Department of Agriculture with its attached agencies such as PhilRice, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Agricultural Training Institute and the local government units, FFS were established in the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Pampanga, and Tarlac, where the rice yields are below 2.9 tons per hectare (t/ha.)

The FFS, with a total of 150 centers in the region, is a component of the increasing rice yield and productivity through the promotion of small scale irrigation and integrated crop management systems in rainfed areas project.

It covers weekly discussions on integrated crop management and water-saving technologies.

The project, which is based at PhilRice, also provides small-scale integrated system surface water pumps and shallow tube wells or small farm reservoirs to improve irrigation and help increase yield in project sites by one ton per hectare (t/ha).

The beneficiaries will also be trained on the operation and management of the pump sets.

Dr. Eulito U. Bautista, national team leader of the development project, said the European Commission also subsidized 50 percent of the purchase cost of water pumps, while the remaining cost will be paid by the farmers in installment basis.

Bautista said the funding scheme is relevant to the farmers in the project sites as surveys showed that most farmers in the areas plant rice only in the wet season.

“Through this subsidy, farmers in these rainfed areas can now plant rice, corn or vegetables in the dry season because they already have equipment that they can use for supplemental irrigation,” he said.

Meanwhile, participating farmers assured implementers that they will share knowledge gained from the FFS to their fellow rice tillers. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&nid=2&rid=286013

wow..central luzon thread!haha! i read pandi above...hehe.. nice... :D:D:D

of all provinces in Central Luzon, only Nueva Viscaya seems strange to me.


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^^is it bacause of it's ppopularity?hehe..i somewhat agree with you.:D:D:D siguro konti pang exposure.hehe, saka kapag kasi me NUEVA ang pumapasok agad sa isip ko ay ang NUEVA ECIJA without thinking na may NUEVA VIZCAYA pa pala.haha :D:D:D

of all provinces in Central Luzon, only Nueva Viscaya seems strange to me.


_______________________________________________________
Interested to own a Food Cart Franchise for as low as 21,888?
Then Contact me at: 0918 321 8323 or email at: manila_culinary@yahoo.com
or visit my webpage at: www.freztig.webs.com
Lots of FoodCart Concepts are available!
www.freztig.webs.com

Nueva Viscaya is not part of Central Luzon

ai..oo nga pala!haha! :D:D:D^^

Typhoon BASYANG update!
MANILA, Philippines - More than a dozen international and domestic flights were either delayed, cancelled or diverted as Tropical Storm "Basyang" (international codename Conson) intensified into a typhoon on Tuesday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said that as of 1:30 p.m., 3 international flights and 12 domestic flights have been diverted to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga.

Three more international flights and 8 domestic flights were delayed and 11 domestic flights have been cancelled.

In an 11 a.m. weather update on Tuesday, weather bureau PAGASA said "Basyang" intensified into a typhoon as it moved nearer Virac, Catanduanes.

The typhoon was moving west at 22 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gusts of up to 150 kph.

Signal No. 3 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, northern Quezon, Polillo Island, and Aurora while Signal No. 2 was raised over Camarines Sur, southern part of Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ifugao, and Isabela.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and Pampanga were placed under Signal No. 1. Other areas under the same storm alert level were Albay, Marinduque, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, and Cagayan.

source (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000931803612#!/notes/balagtas-bulacan/typhoon-basyang-update-/136755406344761)
Posted at 07/13/2010 2:50 PM | Updated as of 07/13/2010 2:50 PM

post nga po kayo ng info or pics bout nueva ecija sa bagong thread, salamat :)

nueva ecija

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/r0i/28877_1236209559240_1649254028_6136.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/r0i/26277_1269634821689_1254404312_3078.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/r0i/22237_1346651395965_1521716256_3088.jpg






all credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=224381&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=371007625567&id=100000255802541&fbid=116729501678909#!/pages/Cabanatuan-City-Philippines/nueva-ecija/371007625567)

NUEVA ECIJA

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/26883_412924290567_371007625567_551.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/15305_381907360567_371007625567_534.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/24076_371016350567_371007625567_530.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/24682_421431535567_371007625567_574.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/24682_421460125567_371007625567_574.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/24702_409185690567_371007625567_542.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/24702_409186085567_371007625567_542.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/25012_419853790567_371007625567_570.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/26883_412924290567_371007625567_551.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/26883_413345760567_371007625567_552.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/27023_415626360567_371007625567_559.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/27023_417072485567_371007625567_563.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/27023_417072485567_371007625567_563.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/28254_420736170567_371007625567_572.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/28804_437173200567_371007625567_612.jpg





all credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Cabanatuan-City-Philippines/nueva-ecija/371007625567)

San Rafael
BULACAN


http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/30898_127723050579482_1000002536426.jpg
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/30898_127718773913243_1000002536426.jpg
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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/30898_127717443913376_1000002536426.jpg
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/30898_127717433913377_1000002536426.jpg



all credits to the owner (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000253642611)

Barasoain Church

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0873.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0872.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0850.jpg

MALOLOS CITY

Malolos Fly Over and Crossing

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0842.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0843.jpg

Malolos Roads

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0840.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0841.jpg

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Malolos Bayan

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0915.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0909.jpg

Over the 3rd floor of Jolibee Malolos-Bayan

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0914.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0912.jpg

Malolos City Hall

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0881.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0907.jpg

Casa Real Shrine

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0877.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0876.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0875.jpg

Jose Conjuanco's Residence(Cory COJUANCO Aquino's Side)

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/malolos/Photo0874.jpg

nice photos.

i think it's Barasoain not Barosoain...

ai..oo nga pala!haha! :D:D:D^^


nueva viscaya is part of region 2 together with batanes, isabela, quirino, cagayan

whippersnaper ahh opo, barasoain nga.hehe, typo error nakakalito we.hehe

malolos ba capital ng bulakan

yup malolos

malolos ba capital ng bulakan

yeah. malolos was once became the capital of the philippines also. ang unang kabisera ng bulacan ay bulakan,bulacan.tapos inilipat sa malolos dati. :D

Cityhood of 16 towns nixedBy EDMER F. PANESAJuly 26, 2010, 6:21pmThe League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on Monday made a last-ditch effort to convince the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse its December 22, 2009 ruling that declared as valid and constitutional 16 new republic acts converting 16 towns into cities.

In a statement, the LCP National Executive Board said the time has come for the SC to rectify its mistake by changing or taking back its decision exempting the 16 new cities from a law that requires towns to have an annual income of P100 million to vie for cityhood.

The 122-member league issued the statement as the SC is expected to rule on its motion for reconsideration in Tuesday’s full court session.

Basically, the LCP was concerned that the existing cities would suffer a reduced share in the Internal Revenue Allotment – a subsidy given by the national government to local government units – with the creation of additional cities presumably with low income.

The SC, in a close 6-4 vote, granted last December the second motion for reconsideration filed by the towns that lost their city status because of the high tribunal’s decision on November 18, 2008, which found their “cityhood laws” unconstitutional.

The 16 towns converted into cities under various Republic Acts are Baybay in Leyte; Bogo in Cebu; Catbalogan in Samar; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Tayabas in Quezon; Lamitan in Basilan; Tabuk in Kalinga; Bayugan in Agusan del Sur; Batac in Ilocos Norte; Mati in Davao Oriental; Guihulngan in Negros Oriental; Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; Carcar in Cebu; El Salvador in Misamis Oriental; and Naga in Cebu.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/268987/cityhood-16-towns-nixed

isulong ang Lone District nang Angeles City...

Balagtas,Bulacan

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/balagtas/Photo0487.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/balagtas/Photo0479.jpg

naalala ko na naman si ate, nakatingin sa camera di ngumiti.haha
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/balagtas/Photo0480.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/balagtas/Photo0481.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/balagtas/images1.jpg
Balagtas Town Center
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/Photo0135.jpg

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/Photo0239.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/Photo0238.jpg

nfex
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/metro_03.gif

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http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/26230_1350227005558_1527863304_3090.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/20133_1087718531376_1778848452_1557.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/31991_1460121712857_1527863304_3114.jpg

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/images3.jpg

repost from Bulacan Province Thread 10
pwede naman to siguro dito?hehehe

REGION III : CENTRAL LUZON


GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

Strategically located at the central part of Luzon, Region III lies between Manila and Northern Luzon. It is composed of six provinces: Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. It includes all land area north of Manila Bay from the tip of Bataan peninsula on the west, and all the lands north of the Caraballo mountains on the east. It is the longest contiguous area of lowlands, and is otherwise known as the Central Plains of Luzon. The region produces one third of the country’s total rice production, thus is also called the Rice Granary of the Philippines.

Located adjacent to the National Capital Region (NCR), it has benefited from the “spillover” from Metro Manila. It is a part of
the National Industrial Core Region, together with NCR and Region IV or the Southern Tagalog Region. The Core Region contributed 70% of manufacturing value added in 1988. It has emerged as an alternative area for investment to Region IV, but is still overcoming the effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

POPULATION
In 2000, the region’s population totaled 7,797,000 in a total land area of 18,230.8 sq.kms. In 1990, the male population outnumbered that of the female population, at 50.38% and 49.6% respectively.

The region has the highest urban population ratio (60.3%) to total population.

There are three areas of urban population concentration: (a) areas in Bulacan along highways leading from Metro Manila; (b) San Fernando-Angeles City-Mabalacat corridor area; (c) Subic - Dinalupihan area. The total urban population in these areas is over 2 million, over half of the total urban population in Central Luzon.

Human resources in the region are better prepared in terms of a higher participation rate at the primary and secondary levels of education. The participation rate of Central Luzon is 94.2% and 86.1%, respectively, as compared to the national average of 85.7% and 66.1% in SY 1992- 93. There are comparatively more non-government organizations, cooperatives and people’s organizations in the region.

CLIMATE
Dry season in the Region is from November to May. Rains normally occurring during the months of July to October.

LAND USE
41% of its total land area are agricultural plains with rice as the major crop.

It produces one third of the country’s palay followed by corn, banana, fruits and vegetables. Forestland comprises 23% of its land area .

NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Luzon has both timber and mineral resources. Both metallic and non-metallic resources are found in the region. Bataan is known for its copper deposits while refractory chromite, gold and marble may be extracted from Zambales and Bulacan. Fertile rice lands, melon patches and fishponds can be found along rivers and tributaries. It has a long coastline rich with marine resources in western Bataan and Zambales. The region accounts for the third largest aquaculture production in the Philippines.

FACILITIES
Region III is an important trading center and transportation terminal for products. Land travel is facilitated by a network of well-paved and extensive highways and roads linking all municipalities within the region. An extensive railway system is planned to be built linking Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga and Manila. The two former U.S. bases, the Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval Base in Zambales, are now special economic zones. An international airport is to be established in Clark Air Base, while port facilities and a planned international airport in Subic will facilitate trade with other areas in the region such as Hongkong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Central Luzon is well provided with communication facilities. Its provinces have adequate supply of electricity and potable water. Big markets, recreational facilities, educational and financial institutions service the needs of the populace.

URBAN CENTERS
The major trading centers in the region are Olongapo in Zambales, Angeles City and San Fernando in Pampanga; Cabanatuan and San Jose in Nueva Ecija; Balanga in Bataan province, Tarlac City, Tarlac and Malolos, Bulacan.


Government Offices
Department of Trade and Iindustry
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Department Of Health
Department of Public Works and Highways
Department of Science and Technology


source (http://www.evis.net.ph/subregions/subregion3.htm)

saan banda yung flyover ng malolos? tagal na kasi akong di pumunta e. sabi crossing, malapait ba yun sa may carworld? daming pinagbago

saan banda yung flyover ng malolos? tagal na kasi akong di pumunta e. sabi crossing, malapait ba yun sa may carworld? daming pinagbago

sa may crossing po..sa may jollibee-crossing, mercury, chowking, greenwich, at uniwide(super8). :)

sa may crossing po..sa may jollibee-crossing, mercury, chowking, greenwich, at uniwide(super8). :)

ah! sa bago mag capitol pala. dati kasi kami pumapasada ng puj noon, malinta - malolos. thanks william.

ah! sa bago mag capitol pala. dati kasi kami pumapasada ng puj noon, malinta - malolos. thanks william.

opo don nga po. :)
medyo matagal na po ata kayong di napupuntang malolos aaaa.ilang taon na rin po yung flyover na yon. :D

opo don nga po. :)
medyo matagal na po ata kayong di napupuntang malolos aaaa.ilang taon na rin po yung flyover na yon. :D

matagal na po talaga, 2002 yung huling bisita ko diyan. :nuts: pero andun pa rin yung 3 storey na jollibee. ^^

matagal na po talaga, 2002 yung huling bisita ko diyan. :nuts: pero andun pa rin yung 3 storey na jollibee. ^^

ahh.oo matagal na nga po yung jollibee don. ;)
teka 3 storey ba siya?dalawa lang po ata? :)
titingnan ko po bukas.ang alam ko ang 3 storey ay yung sa jollibee-bayan-malolos. :D

ahh.oo matagal na nga po yung jollibee don. ;)
teka 3 storey ba siya?dalawa lang po ata? :)
titingnan ko po bukas.ang alam ko ang 3 storey ay yung sa jollibee-bayan-malolos. :D

yung nasa bayan nga, sori. :):):)

yung nasa bayan nga, sori. :):):)

hehe.okay lang po yon. ;):cheers:

Balagtas,Bulacan

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/26230_1350451611173_1527863304_3090.jpg

repost from Bulacan Province Thread 10
pwede naman to siguro dito?hehehe


ferm ex (ferminia express).

natatawa ako pag naaalala ko yang mga sasakyan na yan. sabi kasi nun ng kasama kong namamasada, masagwa raw kung bibigkasin ng mabilis. kasi pag nabulol ka na raw iba na raw yung tunog, nagiging. :lol::lol::lol:

ferm ex (ferminia express).

natatawa ako pag naaalala ko yang mga sasakyan na yan. sabi kasi nun ng kasama kong namamasada, masagwa raw kung bibigkasin ng mabilis. kasi pag nabulol ka na raw iba na raw yung tunog, nagiging. :lol::lol::lol:

hahaha.anong byahe po yung ferm ex?:D

hahaha.anong byahe po yung ferm ex?:D

me terminal sa balagtas bandang kanan kaliwa ata noon, kung galing ka ng bocaue. ewan ko pero parang papuntang manila.

me terminal sa balagtas bandang kanan kaliwa ata noon, kung galing ka ng bocaue. ewan ko pero parang papuntang manila.

hmm bus po yon di ba?wala po ata sa balagtas non.ewan ko lang dati. ang meron po ay german espiritu liner saka rj express. yung rj express sa may ultra mega ang terminal,yung german dati sa tabi ng rj express kaya lang lumipat sa original na terminal nila sa bulakan,bulacan. ;)

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan/Ph_seal_aurora.pnghttp://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan/n88801271_30069684_1610.jpg http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan/n88801271_30069681_3344.jpg http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan/n88801271_30069680_3207.jpg
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**yan po ang sizes sa source.walang ibig sabihin yan. :D

all credits to the owner.
source (http://www.facebook.com/search/?init=quick&q=bulacan&ref=ts&o=69&s=10#!/group.php?gid=2251824582)

Province of Bulacan
Philippines


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all credits to the owner.
credits to the official Bulacan Province Website
source (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bulacan-Philippines/Bulacan/108579085831266?v=photos&ref=search)

Bulacan Province
Philippines

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all credits to the owner.

Bulacan's Resorts

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all credits to the owner.

Biak na Bato
San Miguel, Bulacan Philippines

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source (http://www.facebook.com/search/?flt=1&q=bulacan&o=65&s=30#!/pages/San-Miguel-Bulacan/BIAK-NA-BATO-san-miguel-bulacan-philipipines/120781451293375?ref=search)

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http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/7070/tan2.jpg


Tarlac City
Photos credit to Perseus

Bulacan Folk Arts
--Sinaunang Sining--
at SM City Marilao

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all credits to the owner.
source (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=419785&fbid=153842927974471&id=100000462951911)

The Worldclass Bulacan

8 Waves Waterpark and Hotel
San Rafael, Bulacan

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http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan%20resorts/9122_141890566769_141885186769_3103207_2402005_n.jpg

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http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan%20resorts/9122_141890581769_141885186769_3103210_7151084_n.jpg

all credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/8-waves-waterpark-hotel/141885186769)


Amana Waterpark Resort
Pandi, Bulacan

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan%20resorts/7016_130977619249_130975669249_2364156_2765003_n.jpg

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all credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104648&id=130975669249#!/pages/Pandi-Philippines/Amana-Waterpark-resort/130975669249)



Villa Conception Wet and Wild Waves Resort
Pandi, Bulacan

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http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan%20resorts/25302_105514979473831_100000459885679_138021_1988518_n.jpg

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http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan%20resorts/25302_105514992807163_100000459885679_138025_4684969_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/bulacan%20resorts/25302_105515129473816_100000459885679_138027_5333951_n.jpg

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all credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=178533&id=100000459885679&ref=fbx_album#!/villa.concepcion?v=wall)


St.Agatha Resort
Guiguinto, Bulacan


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all credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bulacan-Philippines/St-Agatha-Resort/129712550402428)


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credits to the owner.
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This is just 4 out of hundreds resorts here in our province. Discover it.

P15-trilyon ang tea rose marble sa Bulacan
By Dino Balabo

Sep 03, 2010

DONYA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD, Bulacan – Gaano kayaman ang Bulacan?

Ito ang katanungang sinagot ni Gob. Wilhemino Alvarado sa isang pahayag noong Martes, Agosto 31 kaugnay ng paglulunsad ng Green Line Text Facility Project ng Globe Telecommunications sa Capitol Gymnasium.

Ayon kay Alvarado ang Bulacan ay pinagkalooban ng Diyos ng kabuuang 262,5000 ektaryang lupain na ngayon ay tahanan sa halos 3-milyong Bulakenyo.

Ang 36 na porsyento o 93,298 ektarya ng nasabing lupain ay nasasakop ng walong barangay ng bulubunduking bayang ito na tahanan naman sa 19,086 katao batay sa isinagawang census ng National Statistics Office noong 2007.

Ayon kay Alvarado, ang 29,500 ektaryang bahagi ng Bulacan ay nasasakupan ng mga palaisdaan sa baybayin ng lalawigan; 79,000 ektarya ang nasasakop ng kaparangan; 100,000 ektarya ang kabundukan, at 54,000 ektarya ang bahaging nasasakop ng likas na yamang mineral.

Kabilang sa mga likas na yamang mineral ay ang ibat-ibang uri ng marmol, pilak, bakal, semento, ginto at iba pa na pawang matatagpuan sa bulubunduking bahagi ng lalawigan partikular na sa bayang ito.

Ilan sa mga uri ng marmol na mamimina sa lalawigan ay ang tea rose na may mga hiblan o guhit na kulay pula, bukod pa sa mga marmol na kulay beige, pula, berde, at golden beige na unti-unti ng nakikilala sa pandaigdigang pamilihan.

Sa mga nabanggit na uri o kulay ng marmol, ang tea rose ang itinuturing na pinakasikat at pinakamahal, ngunit ang operasyon nito ay nakatigil dahil sa usapin na nasa Korte Suprema.

Matatandaan na ang pagmimina ng tea rose marble ay nilabanan nina dating Gob. Josie Dela Cruz noong 2006 na ipinagpatuloy naman ng kanyang kapatid na si dating Gob. Joselito Mendoza na ngayon ay kongresista ng ikatlong distrito ng lalawigan na sumasakop sa mga bayan ng Norzagaray, Angat, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael at sa bayang ito.

Ayon kay Alvarado, ang tea rose marble ay mamimina sa dalawang bundok sa bayang ito, at batay sa pagtaya ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na binanggit ng gobernador ay umaabot sa P10-trilyon hanggang P15-trilyon ang halaga ng mamiminang tea rose marble sa kabundukan ng Bulacan.

“Ang P15-trilyon ay katumbas na ng 10-taong budget ng Republika ng Pilipinas, at 1,000 taong budget ng Lungsod ng Makati,” ani Alvarado bilang patunay sa yaman ng Bulacan.

Ngunit ikinalungkot niya na sa kabila ng likas na yaman ng Bulacan ay P15-milyon lamang ang nakulektang buwis ng kapitolyo sa nagdaang taon.

Sinabi ni Alvarado na ang nasabing buwis ay katumbas lamang ng 10-araw na koleksyon ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Pampanga mula sa quarry ng lahar na ibinuga ng Bulkang Pinatubo noong 1991.

Ang higit na malungkot sa kalagayang ito ay ang mga ulat na naipon ng tanggapan ni Alvarado na ang tea rose mula sa Bulacan na naipupuslit palabas ng bansa, at idinadaan sa Subic Bay Freeport.

“Dapat ang makinabang sa pagmimina ay ang lalawigan ng Bulacan, pero walang kinikita dahil sa smuggling,” ani Alvarado.

Ito naman ay kinumpirma ni Abraham Cinco, ang pangulo ng Marble Association of the Philippines (MAP) na nagsabing kapag dumalo siya sa mga international tradeshow ay nakikita niyang ibinebenta doon ang tea rose marble ng Bulacan.

“Alam ko na tigil ang pagmimina ng tea rose sa Bulacan, pero ang masakit ang nagbebenta sa ibayong dagat ng tea rose ay mga Chinese,” ani Cinco.


source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9033/Volume-3-No-45/Headlines/P15-trilyon-ang-tea-rose-marble-sa-Bulacan)

EDPAM, BAUTISTA TO COPS:
‘Stop extortion, frame-ups’
By Ding Cervantes

Sep 06, 2010

ANGELES CITY – Stop framed-up cases of illegal drugs and sex exploitation of minors against foreigners so as to extort from them.

Ronnie Tiotuico, director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Luzon, said over the weekend that this was the essence of a memorandum jointly issued recently by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and this city’s police director, Senior Supt. Danny Bautista upon the recommendation of former. The memorandum was addressed to “all police stations and unit commanders” of the local police.

“The memorandum dated last Sept. 2 was tilted ‘Police Operations Related to Foreign Nationals’ and it directed all police station and unit commanders in the city to immediately stop victimizing foreign national (s) allegedly involved in illegal drugs and sex exploitation of minors,” Tiotuico said.

This city has remained a favorite destination of foreign nationals from the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia who often either land at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at the Clark freeport here, or skip Metro Manila and take buses or taxis to this city immediately after landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Tiotuico said the memorandum was an offshoot of a forum held by members of the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Pampanga (HARP), led by its president Jim Dale of Hotel la Casa, with Senior Superintedent Gemma Vinluan of the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) as resource person.

During the forum, members of HARP brought to Vinluan’s attention nagging reports of foreign tourists and expatriates in this city being framed up by “criminal elements pretending to be protectors of the law” who “use women and children in their nefarious activities.”

“It was revealed that foreign tourists staying in hotels are arrested without any warrant on the pretext that they are caught in the act of molesting children or exploiting minors, or involved in illegal drugs, only to fall prey to extortion from criminal elements,” Tiotuico said.
Such frame up ploys allegedly involving local police have been circulating in this city for years. Many of the foreign victims reportedly opted to fly out of the country after paying up, without filing any formal complaint for fear of their safety. A few of those who chose to file charges end up being jailed.

Reports have it that in some cases, the parents are in cahoots with some cops in using their underaged children as decoys offered as of legal age to pleasure-seeking tourists. Once in a hotel or motel room, the minor sends text messages to her parents on when to alert the police to barge in so that the foreigner is caught in a situation that could boost a sexual exploitation case against him.

In other cases, illegal drugs are planted on foreigners for purposes of extortion, HARP members said.

Tiotuico said the memorandum directed all police station heads in this city “to seek clearance and approval from this (city police director’s) office prior to the conduct of police operations involving foreign nationals in any circumstances and events in your respective areas of responsibility, thru the fastest means of communication.”

The memorandum also allows “all owners or managers of any establishments where (police operations) happened or where the suspect or suspects could be located or arrested to call the attention of the city police director and find out if such operation is authorized.”

“Any police personnel who violates the directive shall automatically be subjected to pre-charge evaluation by his or her station or unit commander and be given corresponding administrative sanctions,” the memorandum also said.

Dale and other members of HARP said they are set to issue a board resolution thanking Pamintuan and the local police for issuing the memorandum.

Pamintuan vowed to stop all the alleged extorion ploys as soon as possible. “I want Angeles to be a safe haven for both expatriates and the many foreign and domestic tourists who continue to visit our city and thus boost the local economy,” he said.

Pamintuan also all hotels, restaurants and other tourism-oriented establishments in the city to become members of HARP which, he noted, could be a venue for them to ventilate various issues and concerns needing the response of the city government.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9054/Volume-3-No-46/Headlines/U-EDPAM-BAUTISTA-TO-COPS--U-br-%E2%80%98Stop-extortion-frame-ups%E2%80%99)

DOLE: Minimum wage hike known in October
By Ding Cervantes

Sep 06, 2010

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Minimum wage hike in Central Luzon is expected to be determined in early October, although how much will be granted and when the increase will take effect still have to be resolved.

In an interview with Punto, DOLE regional director Ernesto Bihis said that labor sector wants a P75 minimum wage hike, amid information that the management sector was willing to give only from P10 to P12 pay increase.

The DOLE finished earlier this week its consultations with the labor sectors held in Olongapo City, Bulacan and Pampanga where the workers batted for the P75 wage hike.

Bihis said that last Aug.24, the consultation with the Central Luzon’s management sector, held at the Angeles Electric Corp. in Angeles City, was also held. While the sector had not disclosed its position on the minimum wage issue, he cited reports that most representatives of the management who attended the consultation supported an increase of P10 to P12.

“We will try to resolve this in a joint public hearing slated on Sept. 20,” he said. The hearing, to which both labor and management representatives from Central Luzon’s seven provices were invited, will be held at Partyplace Restaurant in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“We expect both sectors to ventillate their positions during that event. All the inputs will be subject to evaluation and analysis in the backdrop of the economic situation in Central Luzon, before the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board comes out with its decision on the wage hike,” Bihis added.

He said he expected a decision on wage hike “in early October”, adding that the effectivity of a wage hike would also depend on the RTPWB.

“Such wage hike could be retroactive, effective immediately or deferred for implementation depending on the analysis of the board,” he said.

The move for the P75 wage increase in Central Luzon was initiated by a petition filed by a member of regional Trade Union Council of the Philippines (TUCP).

“That’s what the TUCP in the region wants, although we know the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) has stuck to its P125 wage increase demand,” Bihis said.

Bihis noted that the labor sector in Central Luzon tend to be sympathetic to the difficulties affecting the management sector amid global economic crunch and the effects of severe weather disturbances last year amid an 8.5 percent unemployment rate in the region.

The last wage order in Central Luzon was dated June 16, 2008. The present wage rates in the region?s provinces, except Aurora, is P302 for non-agricultural workers of firms with assets worth P30 million or more, P294.50 for workers for firms with less assets and P272 for agricultural plantation workers and P256 for non-plantation workers.

In hospitals with 20 or more beds, the minimum wage is P293, while those in hospitals with less beds get P278. Retail outlets with 16 or more workers are supposed to give a minimum pay of P291 while those with less workers pay them P277. Cottage industry workers get a minimum of P256.

In Aurora, which is regarded as most rural in the region, the pay for workers is P251 in the non-agriculture sector and in agriculture, P236 for plantation workers and P216 for non-plantation workers, while retail industry workers get P173. Those in the cottage industry get a pay of P224.

Bihis said he expected some employers affected by the economic crunch would apply for exemptions in case another minimum wage in approved in Central Luzon. He noted that among those significantly adversely affected are sectors in garments, tourism, transport and power generation.

“I suppose that those in retail and service employing less than 10 workers can be considered from exemptions,” he added.
source (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1599774662&v=wall&story_fbid=147820478584658&ref=notif&notif_t=feed_comment#!/?ref=home)

Aquino names Ecijano as new irrigation czar
By Armand M. Galang

Sep 06, 2010

CABANATUAN CITY – The manager of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) was named new administrator of National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

Engr. Antonio Nangel, operations manager of NIA-UPRIIS, took his oath as NIA administrator before Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on Thursday after President Benigno Simeon Aquino signed his appointment documents.

Aquino chose Nangel because of his sound management of Pantabangan Dam having seated with Gov. Aurelio Umali and other local officials that cushioned the impact of heavy typhoons late 2009,

UPRIIS is the country’s largest national irrigation system (NIS) and the operator of the giant Pantabangan Dam covering 102,000 hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon.

Nangel’s oath-taking was witnessed by his wife Fely and daughter, Dr. Faye Nangel and various regional irrigation managers and department managers. His designation ended weeks of speculations on who would succeed Carlos Salazar, an appointee of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who now seats as representative of Pampanga’s 2nd district.

Nangel was one of five contenders for the post. Others were Vic Vicmudo, project manager of the Balog-Balog Multi-purpose Irrigation Project, a Tarlaqueño; Acting Administrator Antonio Galvez, regional directors Felix Razo of Region 10 and Julius Makiling of Region 11 and former administrator Baltazar Usis.

Nangel was reportedly endorsed to the post by Agriculture Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, daughter of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Gov. Aurelio Umali and a “well-connected” mayor in the province.

Prior to his assumption, Nangel was the subject of a controversy when he was linked to the reported non-payment by UPRIIS of premium contributions to the Government Service Insurance Systems.

Nangel denied the allegations, saying these are part of a demolition job to place him in a bad light. He said the allegations were without solid basis, saying the UPRIIS does not owe the GSIS a single centavo in unpaid premiums over the said period.

Earlier published reports said that some 540 employees of the UPRIIS have been deprived of benefits and privileges because their premium contributions have not been remitted to the GSIS since 2005 even if these are deducted from their monthly pay. Reports quoted a group styling itself as the “Concerned Employees of NIA-UPRIIS.”

A letter-complaint against Nangel has reportedly been lodged before the Presidential Management Staff.

The reports said Nangel was relieved during the time of then-NIA administrator Orlando Soriano after the latter allegedly uncovered many irregularities and anomalies at UPRIIS.

Nangel’s new post capped a banner year for him. Last June, he was elevated to the NIA Hall of Fame for bagging the most outstanding manager award because of the UPRIIS’ high viability index with a surplus of P91 million as of July 31.

Nangel said the efficient performance of UPRIIS has rendered the El Niño phenomenon ineffective in Nueva Ecija due to the abundance of irrigation water for farmlands, enabling farmers to plant a third crop and enjoy bountiful harvest.

Not only that, he added, UPRIIS also introduced the rationing technology, which is only unique among the 75,000 Central Luzon farmers serviced by the system.

Because of high yields, he said, farmers paid their irrigation service fees to the UPRIIS, resulting in very high collection efficiency over the past three years. He said for 2009, UPRIIS collected P350-million worth of ISFs, up from P280-million in 2008 and P240-million in 2007.

Nangel said he would try to duplicate at the NIA central office the accomplishments of UPRIIS.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Section/Headlines)

PARA SA IKA-112 MALOLOS CONGRESS
Pasyal Kasaysayan inilunsad
By Rommel Ramos

Sep 06, 2010

MALOLOS, Bulacan – Dalawang Linggo bago ang eksaktong araw ng selebrasyon ng ika-112 taon ng kauna-unahang Republika sa Asya ay nagsagawa na ang pamahalaang lokal ng pagdiriwang sa makasaysayang simbahan ng Barasoain.

Ang pagdiriwang ay pinangunahan ng pamahalaang panglungsod ng Malolos kasama ang Samahang Pang-Kasaysayan o SAMPAKA at kanilang nilunsad ang programang Pasyal Kasaysayan.

Ang unang araw ng Pasyal Kasaysayan sa Barasoain Church ay dinagsa ng mga turista na karamihan ay mga estudyante.

Layunin ng pagdiriwang ang pagpapahalaga at pagbuhay sa napakalaking ambag ng bayan ng Malolos sa kasaysayan ng bansa lalo na ang Barasoain Church kung saan dito unang itinayo ang kongreso ng Pilipinas bilang isang demokrasyang bansa.

Tampok sa nasabing pagdiriwang ang exhibit sa museo ng simbahan ng Barasoain tulad ng mga bagay na may kinalaman sa ating kasaysayan tulad ng mga bibliya, mga libro at ilang bagay na ginamit ng mga pari na nagsilbi sa simbahan at ilang imahe ng mga santo.

Kabilang din sa exhibit ang mga lathala at larawan ng mga pangyayaring naganap sa ating kasaysayan bago pa natin nakamit ang pagkasarinlan at kalayaan sa ating sariling bansa.

Ang Pasyal Kasaysayan ay ginawa mula sa Barasoain church at sa iba pang makasaysayang lugar sa Malolos tulad ng Casa Real Shrine at Cathedral ng Malolos.

Kasama rin sa mga pinasyalan ang mga century old houses na may kinalaman sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa.

Ayon kay Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad, hangad nilang buhayin sa kabataan ang malaking naitulong ng bayan ng Malolos sa ating kasaysayan.

Dagdag pa ng alkalde, marami na kasi ang nakakalimot sa nagawang kontribusyon ng Malolos sa kasaysayan ng bansa kayat nais nilang pasiglahin ito ngayong ika-112 taon ng pagdiriwang.

Ayon naman kay Gani Giron, founding president ng SAMPAKA, mahalaga na alam ng sambayanang Pilipino lalo na ang mga taga Malolos ang kahalagahan sa mga pangyayari sa simbahan ng Barasoain dahil dito itinayo ang kauna-unahang Republika at Kongreso ng Pilipinas.

Dapat aniyang ipagmalaki na ang Malolos ang kauna-unahang capital ng bansa at dito rin sa mga century old houses namalagi ang mga gabinete ni Emilio Aguinaldo.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9058/Volume-3-No-46/Headlines/U-PARA-SA-IKA-112-MALOLOS-CONGRESS-U-br-Pasyal-Kasaysayan-inilunsad)

Matandang babae natagpuang patay sa tabi ng ilog
By Ernie B. Esconde

Sep 06, 2010

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – Isang matandang babae ang natagpuang patay kamakailan sa madamong bahagi sa tabi ng ilog at lupang sakahan sa barangay Layac, dito.

Ayon kay Boyet Rafanan, una nilang nakita ang babae sa tabi ng ilog umaga pa lamang na akala nila’y mangunguha lamang ng kulitis na panggulay. Tanghali na, aniya, at mainit na ang araw ay nakaupo lamang ito at hindi umaalis.

Nang puntahan nila umano ito ay nilalanggam na sa bibig kaya inireport na nila sa mga opisyal ng barangay na tumawag naman ng pulis.

“Walang may kagagawan, walang foul play sa kamatayan ng matanda na may dalang maraming damit at gamot sa bag niya na first time lamang naming nakita sa lugar na ito,” ani Rafanan.

Sinabi ni PO1 Jefferson Imperial ng Dinalupihan police na nakilala nila ang biktima na si Belen Esguerra, 66, ng Olongapo City, sa pamamagitan ng mga identification cards nito. Sa autopsy report, aniya, ay namatay ito sa sakit.

Dinala ang bangkay sa isang punerarya sa Dinalupihan kung saan kinuha ito ng mga kamag-anak at dinala sa Olongapo City.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9059/Volume-3-No-46/Headlines/Matandang-babae-natagpuang-patay-sa-tabi-ng-ilog)

Matandang babae natagpuang patay sa tabi ng ilog
By Ernie B. Esconde

Sep 06, 2010

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – Isang matandang babae ang natagpuang patay kamakailan sa madamong bahagi sa tabi ng ilog at lupang sakahan sa barangay Layac, dito.

Ayon kay Boyet Rafanan, una nilang nakita ang babae sa tabi ng ilog umaga pa lamang na akala nila’y mangunguha lamang ng kulitis na panggulay. Tanghali na, aniya, at mainit na ang araw ay nakaupo lamang ito at hindi umaalis.

Nang puntahan nila umano ito ay nilalanggam na sa bibig kaya inireport na nila sa mga opisyal ng barangay na tumawag naman ng pulis.

“Walang may kagagawan, walang foul play sa kamatayan ng matanda na may dalang maraming damit at gamot sa bag niya na first time lamang naming nakita sa lugar na ito,” ani Rafanan.

Sinabi ni PO1 Jefferson Imperial ng Dinalupihan police na nakilala nila ang biktima na si Belen Esguerra, 66, ng Olongapo City, sa pamamagitan ng mga identification cards nito. Sa autopsy report, aniya, ay namatay ito sa sakit.

Dinala ang bangkay sa isang punerarya sa Dinalupihan kung saan kinuha ito ng mga kamag-anak at dinala sa Olongapo City.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9059/Volume-3-No-46/Headlines/Matandang-babae-natagpuang-patay-sa-tabi-ng-ilog)

Lalaking drug pusher huli
By Ernie B. Esconde

Sep 06, 2010

HERMOSA, Bataan – Isang madamdaming tagpo ang nasaksihan sa police station dito kamakalawa ng gabi kung saan ipinagtanggol ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa na diumano’y walang kasalanan. Niyakap at hinalikan ng lalaking nakaposas ang babaing tumatangis habang siya’y dinadala sa police car.

Ang lalaki ay si Ramon Jamir, 45, samantalang ang babae ay ang live-in partner niyang si Divina Corpus, 49. Sila’y nakatira sa barangay Culis, Hermosa.

Nahuli diumano ang lalaki sa isang buy-bust operation at nakumpiska sa kanya ang dalawang sachet ng shabu at dalawang P500-bills na marked money.

Habang nasa police station ang lalaki, dumating ang babae at tinangka nitong suhulan ng P30,000 ang mga pulis kapalit ng hindi pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa asawa, ani Chief Insp. Jeremias Dayo, Jr., Hermosa police chief.

“Walang kasalanan ang asawa ko, huwag ninyo siyang ikulong kawawa ang anak ko, ipinautang ko lang ang pera,” sabi ni Jamir habang patuloy sa pagluha ang babae. Ayaw naman nitong sagutin ang tanong na kung para saan ang pera.

Itinanggi rin ng lalaki na gumagamit siya ng shabu. Patuloy ang pagtatanggol niya sa asawa na diumano’y walang kasalanan.

Inihahanda na ng pulisya ang karampatang kaso laban sa mag-asawa. Binati naman ni Senior Supt. Arnold Gunnacao, Bataan police director, ang pulisya ng Hermosa dahil sa magandang ginawa ng mga ito.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9061/Volume-3-No-46/Headlines/Lalaking-drug-pusher-huli)

23 couples exchange I do in mass wedding
By Ernie B. Esconde

Sep 06, 2010

BALANGA CITY, Bataan - Some 23 couples over the weekend finally exchanged “I do’s” in a simple mass wedding at the St. Joseph Cathedral here.

Bishop Ruperto Cruz of the diocese of Balanga and Fr. Perry Medina, parish priest of the St. Joseph Cathedral, officiated the mass wedding sponsored by the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST) of the Infant Jesus.

It was in observance of the ruby jubilee or the 40th year of the missionary work of the nuns belonging to the order in Balanga City, according to Sis. Editha Bass, MCST coordinator.

She said that the only criteria they asked to be able to join the mass wedding was for the pair to be living with each other unmarried for not less than five years.

The couples wore simple clothes colored white.

The nuns provided the “aras”, ring, veil and worked on the issuance of the marriage certificates. Another mass wedding has been scheduled for 27 couples, to complete the number 40.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9062/Volume-3-No-46/Headlines/23-couples-exchange-i-I-do-i-in-mass-wedding)

Footwear industry receives big push
By Armand M. Galang



GAPAN CITY – A source of livelihood for some 15,000 people, footwear-production is a struggling industry that needs a much bigger push, city officials here said.

“There’s no doubt our slippers here are creatively crafted, you can find in both modern and traditional designs,” said Leocadio Reyes, president of the City of Gapan Footwear Multi-purpose Coop. that displays a long line of locally-made slippers in a lot provided for by the city government in front of the city hall since Aug. 9.

Slipper industry has been in this city since time immemorial, Reyes said. But government intervention which “earned us our place” came in 2000.

Mayor Christian Tinio said at least three villages in the city have “tsinelas” as their main source of livelihood. They are San Lorenzo, Marilou and Pambuan.

“Thus, at least P200-million roll in this business here annually,” Tinio said.

“And that is now the bigger challenge to our producers here,” the local chief executive said.

Saying that demand for Gapan City-made footwear continues to grow with orders coming from malls such as SM and Gaisano, the mayor said the market should level up to “repeat orders.”

“The quality of our products has to upgrade and attuned to the times especially with the influx of products from China,” he said.

Brigida Pili, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said that slipper production was identified by the agency as this city’s One Town One Product (OTOP). This means that the industry should be the focus of the national government as well as local government agencies and private entities in livelihood programs.

Thus, OTOP identification entails support of technology transfer to provisions of financing facilities, packaging and marketing, Pili said.

Besides DTI and LGU, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the office of the provincial agriculturist also formed support system for the industry players.

Reyes said that government intervention even forced them to depart from the traditional branding of their products as made in Marikina or other places known in the industry.

“Bago dumating ang suporta ng gobyerno sa pagtsi-tsinelas, may mga umo-order at kung saan gustong sabihin na doon gawa, yun ang ginagawa ng iba,” he said.

But a few years back, he said the city council has passed an ordinance that obliged producers to put Gapan’s trademark to their products.

Reyes said most of the raw materials they use, particularly synthetic leathers, were imported from China. “Kaya medyo malaki rin ang puhunan pero maayos naman,” he said.

Tinio said that besides upgrading quality control mechanism, the city government also monitors the welfare of all the stakeholders, including the youths in the production area. “We do not allow children to be exposed in dangerous areas of production,” the mayor said.

Reyes said their members had to buy more machines to level up production.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9071/Volume-3-No-46/Business/Footwear-industry-receives-big-push)

Job Listing
Central Luzon Area


Electrical Technician
• Electrical technology graduate or equivalent • Should be able to read and interpret Wiring Diagram and has experience in manufacturing set-up. • Male preferably single and resident of Angeles or Mabalacat. [more details]


SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERS AND PROGRAMMERS
Duties and Responsibilities: The Senior Software Engineer is competent to work on complex C/C++/C#/PHP/Java and applies an in-depth knowledge of engineering/automation concepts, practices and procedures. He/She regularly works under deadlines and is capable of handling extreme workloads. Software Engineer is proactive and operates with only general direction from the CEO and Chief Engineer. He/She is responsible for the development and customization of embedded software devices for SNMP-based environmental and security monitoring products. [more details]


WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR
[more details]


KITA CORPORATION / ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR
[more details]


DIGITEL/ Sales Agent
 Proven track record in sales, High School Graduate/College Level, Hardworking, Long hours including weekends in field, Can work with minimum supervision, Computer literate, With high degree of integrity [more details]


Web Developer/LWS Media Philippines
[more details]


Web Developer/LWS Media Philippines
[more details]


COLORSTEEL/Branch Sales Supervisor
• Graduate of BS Engineering, Marketing and/or any 4 year business related courses. Male/Female, not more than 40 years old. Strong leadership and management Skills. Can handle effectively different levels of people, expected to be well-organized. Skillful in Sales Analysis and Forecasting. With at least 1 year supervisory experience in Sales. Willing to be assigned in NCR or Calasiao, Pangasinan. [more details]


COLORSTEEL/Sales Engineers/Sales Consultants
Graduate of BS Civil Engineering, BS Architecture and/or any 4 year business related courses. Male/Female not more than 35 years old. Highly motivated, dynamic and result-oriented. Excellent communication skills and can deal effectively with different levels of people. Experience in sales is an advantage but not required. Preferably residents of nearby areas. [more details]


COLORSTEEL/Project Engineers
Male, not more than 30 years old. Graduate of BS Civil Engineering of BS Architecture. High integrity, keen on details. Physical fit and not afraid of heights. Preferably residents of nearby areas. [more details]


COLORSTEEL/Project Aide
Male, not more than 30 years old. Graduate of BS Civil Engineering or BS Architecture. Physically fit and not afraid of heights. Preferably residents of nearby areas. [more details]


COLORSTEEL/Estimators
Male/Female, Graduate of BS Civil Engineering or BS Architecture. Hardworking and goal oriented. Experience in estimating will be an advantage. [more details]


Accounting Assistant
Male/Female, Graduate of BS Accountancy or BSC Major in Accounting. Must be flexible, hardworking and a team player. With good interpersonal & communication skills. Proficient in computer application. Has at least 1 year experience in the said field. [more details]


COLORSTEEL/Product Specialist
Female, Graduate of BS Civil Engineer, BS Architecture or any 4 years business course. With pleasing personality. Hardworking, adept in product presentations and with street smart personality. Excellent communication skills and can deal effectively with different levels of people. Willing to do field work/travel. [more details]


COLORSTEEL/Customer Service Assistant
[more details]


DIGITEL/Sales Representatives
Male, Graduate of any 4 yr Business Course, result-oriented, persuasive, assertive and with excellent communication skills, knows how to drive, experience in handling direct sales, account management or customer service would be an advantage. [more details]


DIGITEL/Service/Cable Technicians
Male, Graduate/undergrad of engineering or Vocational courses, must know how to drive, with knowledge in computer, with minimum 1 year related experience in outside plant. [more details]


DIGITEL/Customer Care Representative
Female, College Graduate preferably Business/Computer related courses, highly motivated, with pleasing personality, proficient in both oral and written communication skills, computer literate and excellent interpersonal skills. [more details]


ACE HARDWARE PHILS., INC/SELLING SUPERVISOR
Male, not more than 35 years old, Graduate of any 4-year course, Preferably with supervisory experience, Must be computer literate, Able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, At least 5’6 in height, Articulate and with pleasing personality [more details]


LIVING ROCK CONSTRUCTION, INC. /Surveyor
Male; 24 years old and above; With relevant work experience; Must have good moral character [more details]


LIVING ROCK CONSTRUCTION, INC./Marketing Assistant
Female; at least 22 yrs and above; Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Major in marketing. Preferably with strong sales (REAL ESTATE) and marketing background; with excellent oral & written communication skills; with pleasing personality & excellent interpersonal skills; must have good moral character. [more details]


LIVING ROCK CONSTRUCTION, INC./Accounting Clerk
Female; at least 22 yrs old and above; Graduate of BS Accountancy; computer literate, can work with minimal supervision & under pressure; with pleasing personality; must have good moral character. [more details]


LIVING ROCK CONSTRUCTION, INC. /Warehouseman
Male; 21 yrs old and above; graduate of Civil Engineering or any Financial/Accounting course; must have good moral character. [more details]


LIVING ROCK CONSTRUCTION, INC./Company Driver
Male; 26 yrs old and above; HS Grad/Vocational/College Level [more details]


ACE HARDWARE PHILS., INC/TREASURY ASSISTANT
· Female, not more than 25 years old · Graduate of any 4-year business course · Must be computer literate · Able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment [more details]


AITMG
Our Australian College Representatives Will Be Available for Obligation Free Consultations AITMG have Australian representatives who will be available for consultations to answer any questions you may have. If you are interested in Australian qualifications, international job opportunities and/or further study pathways, please visit them to learn more. [more details]


AITMG
100% Recognized Australian Education Qualifications at 50% cheaper* Clark Education City is an International College located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and run by the Australian International Training and Management Group (AITMG). AITMG offers Australian qualifications which provide global opportunities, potential career advancements, and much more. [more details]


AITMG
100% Recognized Australian Education Qualifications at 50% cheaper* Clark Education City is an International College located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and run by the Australian International Training and Management Group (AITMG). AITMG offers Australian qualifications which provide global opportunities, potential career advancements, and much more. [more details]


AITMG
100% Recognized Australian Education Qualifications at 50% cheaper* Clark Education City is an International College located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and run by the Australian International Training and Management Group (AITMG). AITMG offers Australian qualifications which provide global opportunities, potential career advancements, and much more. [more details]


AITMG
100% Recognized Australian Education Qualifications at 50% cheaper* Clark Education City is an International College located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and run by the Australian International Training and Management Group (AITMG). AITMG offers Australian qualifications which provide global opportunities, potential career advancements, and much more. [more details]


AITMG
100% Recognized Australian Education Qualifications at 50% cheaper* Clark Education City is an International College located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and run by the Australian International Training and Management Group (AITMG). AITMG offers Australian qualifications which provide global opportunities, potential career advancements, and much more. [more details]


SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER
Qualifications: • Minimum 5 years work experience on the same position • Male or female, 35 to 40 years old • Good moral and written communication skills • Self motivated and hardworking • Willing to be assigned abroad • Salary negotiable • FREE board and lodging and airfare [more details]


SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER
FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING

An international firm is in need of SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER [more details]

MORE DETAILS?CLICK HERE (http://punto.com.ph/Jobs/Listing)

Bulacan's
SINGKABAN FESTIVAL

B U K A S N A ! ! ! !

Tatak Bulakenyo
Products

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A drink flavored with ginger
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Inipit
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Chicharon
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Pastillas de Leche
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Polvoron
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Sukang Paombong
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Minasa
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all credits to the owner.
source (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bulacan-Philippines/Bulacan/108579085831266)

Bulacan
Opening of Singkaban Festival
9.8.10


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all credits to the owner.
source (http://www.facebook.com/#!/mabuhaynews?v=info)

CDC PREXY ISSUES VIRTUAL VALEDICTORY:
‘P6.3-B actual investments’
By Ding Cervantes

Sep 08, 2010

CLARK FREEPORT – Achieved: P6.3-billion in “actual investments”, an “all-time high” employment of 58,777, and exports of about $900-million yearly.

Anticipating his possible replacement by the Aquino administration, Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive officer Benigno Ricafort listed these as among his top accomplishments under the eight-point agenda he established when he took over his post in August, 2008.

The investments, employment and exports performance was classified in his virtual valedictory report as “achieved”.

The state-owned CDC runs some 2,500 hectares of this freeport, with another 2,500 hectares – devoted mostly to an aviation complex accommodating the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) – being under the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).

Some sectors have batted for the retention of Ricafort, an appointee of former Pres. Arroyo, but members of the business community in Central Luzon said they expected Pres. Aquino to appoint somebody from his Tarlac home province to replace him.

Among those reportedly being considered is retired international banker Benito Gonzalez who earlier junked the post as president of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

In his report titled “Expanding Development, Changing Lives”, Ricafort also cited infrastructure projects worth P873.7 million either completed or bided out for construction, the signing of a “financial advisory services agreement” on bulk water study to cope with the future demand for water in Clark, the approval of Clark-Subic “telecom connectivity”, and a agreement for the establishment of solar and renewable energy projects.

Ricafort noted that “Clark remains a major contributor to the region’s economic figures this year.” He noted that Clark’s exports worth $890.9-million “comprise 33 percent of Central Luzon’s $2.7 billion exports since 2009.”

“The record 58,777 employment by the end of 2009 complemented the entire region’s 3.8 million partial count of employment for the year,” he also noted.

Ricafort also noted that the P6.3-billion in actual investments now at Clark “is an impressive 19 percent of the region’s investment figure of P33.8-billion.”

He said that despite the global economic slowdown, “the CDC has proven its resiliency and competitiveness in its decision to redefine its goals, build-up more productive areas of collaboration with its stakeholders, develop more efficient processes and enhance internal capability.”

Ricafort has also been credited for institutionalizing the CDC Awards for Most Outstanding Locators to encourage performance as well as better awareness of and adherence to labor and environmental laws.

His report also listed other accomplishments under his other seven of eight-point agenda, including participative management concept, parallel development program (with surrounding communities), pro-active coordination with the CIAC, Clark-Subic synergy, tourism development, strengthening of “after sales” support services to investors and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Ricafort said CDC was able to pursue CSR with the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) whose chairman is business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan.

Ricafort is the president of the foundation which continues to undertake health, education, and livelihood projects in Pampanga.

In its report, KDF said it has already provided either prosthesis or artificial legs or wheelchairs to 397 beneficiaries, surgeries for 423 harelip and cleft palate victims and more surgeries for 615 cataract and pterygium victims in Pampanga in the last two years.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9073/Volume-3-No-47/Business/U-CDC-PREXY-ISSUES-VIRTUAL-VALEDICTORY--U-br-%E2%80%98P6-3-B-actual-investments%E2%80%99)

NPA rebels burn Globe cell sites
By Ding Cervantes

Sep 08, 2010

ANGELES CITY – Armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) simultaneously attacked and burned two cell sites of Globe Telecommunications at about 8:30 p.m. last Sunday.

Sketchy reports received at the regional police headquarters at Camp Olivas in San Fernando, Pampanga said three suspects burned the Globe cell sited in Barangay San Antonio Lote in Mexico, Pampanga.

This happened as another group of 10 armed men in fatigue uniforms also strafed and then burned Globe’s cell site in Barangay Estrada in Capas, Tarlac.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, the reports from the two towns’ police headquarters said, adding that estimate on cost of damage was not immediately available.

The reports said the rebels first fired their arms at the cell sites apparently to scare off guards, before dousing their targets with gasoline and igniting them.

The reports said that the two incidents could be related to the refusal of businesses to pay so-called “revolutionary tax” demanded by the rebels.

Globe subscribers in Pampanga and Tarlac, however, did not report any disruption of cell phone service despite the burning of the two cell sites.

This, even as the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) reiterated yesterday that Tarlac remains one of the nine provinces in North Luzon which are already free from insurgency.

Nolcom spokesman Maj. Rosendo Armas said Tarlac was declared as such by Nolcom earlier this year, together with Aurora, Apayao, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Pangasinan.

Armas said that while internal security operations (ISO) were turned over by the military to the local government units and the police forces in these areas, the military would still remain to merely assist them in security concerns.

Armas said that Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, who assumed post only a month ago, vowed to clear rebel forces in the other areas under Nolcom which has jurisdiction in all provinces north of Metro Manila.

“He will ensure that the enemy will no longer be able to recover lost grounds,” he said.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9074/Volume-3-No-47/Headlines/NPA-rebels-burn-Globe-cell-sites)

Parents hold prayer vigil, want principal’s ouster
By Armand M. Galang

Sep 08, 2010

SAN JOSE CITY – Parents and teachers are holding a prayer vigil here seeking for the immediate relief of their elementary school principal whom they accused of immorality, among other alleged abuses.

Officials and members of the Parents-Teachers-Community-Association (PTCA) and concerned teachers of Malasin Elementary School held the second day of their vigil to press the ouster of MES principal Manolo Lopez. They have filed separate complaints against Lopez before Dr. Alberto P. Saludez, chief of the Department of Education-San Jose City here.

Copies of the two complaints were furnished to offices of 2nd District Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago and Mayor Marivic Belena.

Violago said Lopez needs to be investigated since the allegations against him started to build up two years ago.

In their complaints, the groups accused Lopez of immorality, grave misconduct, meddling in the internal affairs and illegal disbursement of PTCA funds.

Attached to the complaints were separate sworn and notarized affidavits executed by a former pre-elementary teacher and a female parent. Lopez allegedly forced the teacher to resign while the parent attested to the alleged immorality committed by Lopez at the school.

The groups were led by Santiago Vingua Jr., the group spokesman; Santiago Apar, PTA president; Amorsolo Tejano, past PTCA president and Leonardo del Rosario, homeroom PTA president.

Vinagua said they will continue with their vigil until the DepEd regional office has acted on their complaints.

Lopez who has been assigned here since 2005, was also accused of allegedly violating DepEd’s “no collection policy” when he resorted to the withholding of school report cards and recognition certificates whenever students failed to pay their contributions.

Other allegations leveled against Lopez were the alleged selling of books and writing notebooks to pre-elementary pupils, and the deployment of a pre-school teacher without any service contract from the DepEd or the local government unit concerned.

The protesting parents set up tents and chairs in front of the school gates and held their vigil.

Outside the gates, the protesters tied on long strings several sack-tailored streamers, bearing red-painted inscriptions addressed to Lopez which read: “You violated the Code of Ethics and You are not only a principal, you are also a treasurer.”

Lopez reportedly arrived at the school premises around 8 a.m. yesterday and left after 20 minutes after taking video footages of the prayer-vigil.

Punto tried but failed to get the side of Lopez.

source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9075/Volume-3-No-47/Headlines/Parents-hold-prayer-vigil-want-principal%E2%80%99s-ouster)

SINGKABAN FIESTA 2010
Bulacan handa sa kabila ng pagtitipid ng kapitolyo
By Dino Balabo

Sep 08, 2010


MALOLOS—Handang-handa na ang Bulacan sa walong araw na Singkaban Fiesta, ang pinakamahaba at pinakamalaking pistang ipinagdiriwang sa lalawigan bawat taon sa pangunguna ng kapitolyo.

Ayon sa mga opisyal, mas matipid ang pagdiriwang sa taong ito kumpara sa mga nagdaang taon dahil kalahati lamang ng nakalaang pondo ang kanilang gugugulin batay na rin sa polisiya para sa pagtitipid ni Gob. Wilhemino Alvarado.

Gayunpaman, tiniyak nila na mas magiging makabuluhan para sa mga Bulakenyo ang bawat araw ng pagdiriwang dahil ang bawat gawain ay nakatuttok o may lakip na paglilingkod sa bayan.

“Handang-handa na ang Bulacan para sa Singkaban Fiesta,” ani Bise Gob. Daniel Fernando sa eksklusibong panayam noong Biyernes, Setyembre 2, matapos ang pagsasagawa ng kauna-unahang “Talakayang Bulakenyo.”

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/webpulilan_kneeling_carabao_61.jpg
Inanyayahan din niya ang bawat Bulakenyo na dumalo at makilahok sa mga programang inihanda ng kapitolyo para sa pagdiriwang ng Singkaban Fiesta na magsisimula sa Setyembre 8 at matatapos sa ika-15 ng buwan.

Ang nasabing pagdiriwang at pinasimulan ni dating Gob. Ignacio Santiago, at ipinagpatuloy at higit na pinalawak ng mga sumunod na gobernador na sina Roberto Pagdanganan, Josefina Dela Cruz at Joselito Mendoza.

Sa panahon ng panunugkulan ni Dela Cruz ang taunang pagdiriwang ay tinawag na “Singkaban Fiesta” na hinango sa salitang “singkaban” o ang arkong gawa sa kawayan na ginagamit sa mga pista.

Binigyan din ito ng bagong kahulugan na “Sining at Kalinangan ng Bulacan” bilang pagbibigay kahalagahan sa makulay na kasaysayan, kalinangan at sining ng liping Bulakenyo.

Noong 2006, ang nasabing pagdiriwang ay isinagawa sa loob ng isang buwan o mula Agosto 15 hanggang Setyembre 15.

Ang Agosto 15 ay ang araw na tinukoy ng mga Bulakenyong historyador na nagsipagsaliksik bilang opisyal na pagkakatatag ng Bulacan bilang isang lalawigan noong 1578.

Ang Setyembre 15 naman ay ang araw ng pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos sa Simbahah ng Barasoain, na siyang nagsilang sa kauna-unahang demokratikong republika sa Asya.

Ngunit matapos ang 2006, ibinalik sa walong araw ang pagdiriwang ng Singkaban Fiesta. Sa taong ito, ibinalik sa Agosto 15 ang pagsisimula ng paggunita sa pista, ngunit higit na maliit ang pondong gugugulin.

Ayon kay Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio, umaabot sa P20-milyon ang ginugugol ng pamahalaang panlalawigan para sa Singkaban Fiesta.

Ngunit sa taong ito ay halos kalahati lamang ng kanilang gugugulin, alinsunod na polisiya ni Alvarado para sa pagtitipid.

Matatandaan na bago pa manumpa si Alvarado bilang ika-31 gobernador ng lalawigan ay ipinahayag niya na ang mga programang may halong pulitika ng sinundang administrasyon ay kanilang rerebisahin, at kung kailangang itigil ay kanilang ititigil.

Para naman sa mga programa magagarbo, ito ay kanilang babawasan ng pondo at itutukoy ang pondo sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan.

Ayon pa kay Valerio, ang pagtitipid ng kapitolyo ay hindi nangangahulugan na magiging malungkot ang pagdiriwang.

Sinabi niya na nakatitiyak sila na ito ay mas magiging makabuluhan para sa mga Bulakenyo ang pagdiriwang na may temang “Lalawigan Ko’y Ikaw, Kasaysayan Mo’y Iingatan, Serbisyo Publiko’y Iyong Makakamtan.”

Ito dahil na rin sa nakatutok sa serbisyo publiko ang kanilang bawat programa na iinog sa pitong programang pangkaunlaran ni Alvarado.

Kabilang dito ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan, kalusugan, edukasyon, mapanagutang pamamahala, kabuhayan, katahimikan at kaayusan, kasaysayan at kalinangan.

Ayon naman sa Provincial Public Affairs Office (PPAO), inaasahang dudumugin ng mga tao ang bawat araw ng pagdiriwang.

Ito ay dahil na rin sa mga programang inihanda tulad ng parada ng mga karosa, mananayaw, at banda na patitingkarin ng pagpapamalas ng mga sikat na festival sa lalawigan gaya ng Carabao Kneeling Festival at Sayaw sa Obando sa Setyembre 8.

Susundan ito ng pagbubukas ng Bulacan Travel Mart, Tatak Bulakenyo Trade Fair at Techno Demo, Dakilang Bulakenyo Exhibit tampok ang pambansang alagad ng sining na si Nick Joaquin, at Lakan Sining Exhibition.

At dahil edukasyon ang tema para sa Setyembre 8, nakatakda ring ipamahagi ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa pangunguna ni Alvarado ang scholarship grant para sa may 2, 500 iskolar ng lalawigan na may halaga mula P2, 500-P5,000 kaugnay ng programang “Tulong Pang-Edukasyon, Gabay sa Bagong Henerasyon na gaganapin sa Capitol Gymnasium”.

Imbitado bilang panauhing pandangal si Senador Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. upang higit na patingkarin ang pagbubukas ng mga nakatakdang gawain sa araw na ito.

Narito ang iba pang gawaing isasagawa sa mga susunod na araw ng Singkaban Fiesta batay sa opisyal na pahayag ng PPAO.

“Sa Setyembre 9 na may temang kalusugan, mamamahagi ng Philhealth card sa may 1,200 pamilya ng mga kasapi ng TODA; magsasagawa rin ng medical mission kung saan inaasahang 1,500 Bulakenyo ang makikinabang sa libreng konsultasyon, medikasyon at gamot habang 60 pasyente na may harelip and cleft palate o bingot naman ang pagkakalooban ng libreng operasyon sa Baliwag District Hospital sa tulong ng Philippine Band of Mercy. Magkakaroon din ng kumpetisyon ng mga mag-aaral sa Kundiman, Balagtasan at Sayaw na umiikot pa rin sa temang kalusugan.”

“Ang ikatlong araw ay nakatuon sa temang kapayapaan at kaayusan kung saan matutunghayan ang Araw ng Lingkod Lansangan , The Singing Police, at Awit ng Kabataan Concert. Inaasahang maihahalal ang mga opisyal ng Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Drayber sa Araw ng Lingkod Lansangan.”

“Ang mapanagutang pamamahala naman ang tema sa ika-11 ng Setyembre, at dito nakapaloob ang Mobile E-Passport Service, Araw ng Barangay tampok ang Gawad Galing Barangay, Himig ng mga Lingkod Bulakenyo, at koronasyon ng Lakan at Lakambini ng Bulacan.”

“Para sa araw ng kalikasan at kapaligiran ng Singkaban Fiesta sa Setyembre 12, sabayang isasagawa ang Takbuhan para sa Kalikasan, isang fund-raising fun run para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga kailugan ng Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando at Angat, gayundin ang treeplanting activity sa ilang angkop na lugar sa lalawigan.”

“Sa temang kabuhayan naman umiinog ang Setyembre 13, at nakatakdang ipagdiwang dito ang Araw ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda na kinapapalooban ng Agri Achievers Award at Folk Media Presentations, habang sa gabi naman matutunghayan ang Kasalang Bulakenyo tampok ang pagrampa ng mga modelo kabilang ang mga unang ginang at babaeng opisyal suot ang mga magagarbong kasuotang likha ng Fashion Designers of Bulacan at Disenyong Pandi.”

“Ang huling dalawang araw ay pawang may tema na kultura at kasaysayan. Sa Setyembre 14, pararangalan sa Gawad Dangal ng Lipi ang mga natatanging anak ng Bulacan na namayagpag sa larangang kanilang ginagalawan. Una rito, isasagawa ang maghapong Jobs Fair na lalahukan ng may 50 kumpanyang nag-aalok ng trabaho sa loob at labas ng bansa.”

“Sa huling araw ng Singkaban Fiesta, gugunitain ang ika-112 Anibersaryo ng Kongreso ng Malolos sa makasaysayang simbahan ng Barasoain kung saan rin gaganapin ang Hapag Bulakenya.”

“Ang panapos na gawain sa gabi ay tinawag na Konsyertong Bulakenyo na magtatampok sa mga sikat na mang-aawit at artistang Bulakenyo na patitingkarin pa ng isang espesyal na fireworks display na magtatagal ng 10 minuto sa bakuran ng Kapitolyo, upang ihudyat ang isang masaya, makulay, makabuluhan at hindi makakalimutang pagdiriwang ng Singkaban Fiesta.”
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9076/Volume-3-No-47/Headlines/U-SINGKABAN-FIESTA-2010-U-br-Bulacan-handa-sa-kabila-ng-pagtitipid-ng-kapitolyo)

Bulacan vows to reclaim water share from MWSS
By Dino Balabo

Sep 08, 2010

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan is set to reclaim water allocation borrowed by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) from irrigation 12-years ago in a bid to secure water supply for local farmers.

This came as Bulacan and Pampanga farmers experienced losses in rice production since last year due to floods spawned by typhoon Ondoy.

Farmers said they are still uncertain if they will be able to plant rice by November as water elevation from the Angat Dam remains below the critical 180 meters as of Tuesday.

“We should not look for other alternative means to help our farmers in the future. We just have to take back actually allocation for irrigation,” said Board Member Enrique Viudez II during a joint hearing organized by the Committees on Agriculture and Environment on Thursday last week.

Viudez said that before the onslaught of El Niño in 1997, Bulacan and Pampanga farmers that depend on irrigation from the Angat Dam used to enjoy 36 cubic meters per second (cms) allocation.

However, as water elevation at the dam dropped to critical levels, the MWSS borrowed 15 cms allocation for irrigation to secure potable water supply for Metro Manila.

This was affirmed by Gloria Carillo, head of the Provincial Agriculture Office. He said that MWSS’s allocation was only 22 cms in 1997.

After the farmers consented with the MWSS, the waterworks’ allocation rose to 37cms, and further increased by the year 2000 after the opening of the 13-kilometer Umiray-Angat Transbasin Project (UATP) that provided MWSS another nine cms, increasing its total allocation to 46 cms.

“The MWSS is getting so much water from the Angat Dam to the detriment of local farmers in Bulacan and Pampanga,” Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said in an earlier interview.

He also cited World Bank study which showed that one of MWSS’s concessionaries has at least 50 percent non-revenue water (NRW).

Alvarado said that 50 percent of water allocation was wasted due to illegal connection or leakages on the concessionaire’s pipelines.

“This is enough to sustain ricelands in Bulacan and Pampanga,” he said.

Alvarado also said that “this situation is almost a crime, if not a shame as it denies farmers and other citizens of its right to water.”

“Right to water is a basic human right, and yet, Bulacan and Pampanga farmers are denied of it,” he said noting that MWSS and the National Power Corporation (Napocor) still have to pay the province national wealth tax.

Meanwhile, to survive the lack of water allocation from the dam, local farmers have initiated construction of small farm reservoir (SFR).

Leopoldo Fajardo, the chair of the Provincial Fisheries and Agriculture Council (PAFC), said that farmers have no choice but to store rain water on SFR.

“Our problem is how to sustain crops we planted, that’s why many of us has dug small reservoir beside our farms,” Fajardo said in vernacular.

For their part, Board Members Felix Ople, Cheryl Therese Ople, Rino Castro, Ramon Posadas, Michael Fermin, and Allan Robes, and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando are considering other possible short and long term solutions to the lack of water allocation to local farmers.

Some of the solutions they are considering are the proposed construction of mini-dams along the Angat River, massive tree planting campaign, and provision of alternative seedlings to farmers.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9078/Volume-3-No-47/Headlines/Bulacan-vows-to-reclaim-water-share-from-MWSS)

PHILVOLCS TELLS PAMPANGA FOLK:
‘No renewed lahar danger’
By Ding Cervantes

Sep 10, 2010

BACOLOR, Pampanga – Amid some panic triggered by reports that an anti-lahar dike at the Pasig-Potrero river here could give way, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) assured local folk yesterday that threat from the river, which had served as a major channel for Mt. Pinatubo’s deadly lahar flows in the 1990’s, has remained insignificant.

Reports in local media yesterday raised alarm, even some panic, over alleged threats to the integrity of the P2.7- billion anti-lahar megadike at the river amid expectations of La Niña rainy weather this year. The U-shaped megadike, which served as catch basin during severe lahar flows in 1990’s, had protected the capital city of San Fernando, and other highly populated areas from being buried by lahar debris from Mt. Pinatubo.

In an interview with Punto, Ma. Isabel Atigania, officer-in-charge of the geology division of Phivolcs, said that “no aggravating factor” has so far changed the long term worst scenario assessment done during the multi-agency lahar hazard mapping in 2007. The assessment indicated that dangerous lahar episode along Pasig-Potrero had already ceased.
“The threat at the Pasig-Potrero river remains within the megadike, and even this has been calculated to be limited to moderate remobilized lahar flows,” she noted.

Before the megadike was finished in 1996, lahar flows from the Pasig-Potrero buried parts of San Fernando, Porac, and almost all this town, under several meters of lahar materials

While downplaying lahar threat from Pasig-Potrero, Atigania nevertheless said that the megadike needs to be maintained.

The eastern portion of the U-shaped megadike was also converted into a road serving as shorter route between Porac and Bacolor.

Provincial environment officer Art Punsalan reported, however, that concrete beams providing some 2.7-meter clearances across some parts of the dike road have vanished. The beams prevented heavy dump trucks hauling lahar sand from accessing the road as a measure to preserve it. He sought the restoration of the beams.

Only recently, Gov. Lilia Pineda and engineers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which had provided funds for the dike, inspected the 56-kilometer structures and found several portions in need of repair.

While citing the need for a regular maintenance of the megadike, Atigania nevertheless said she knew of no immediate danger to surrounding communities.

“If there are people who are threatened, they are those who have rebuilt houses, even concrete ones, right within the megadike which are permanent danger zones,” she noted.

Atigania said she has observed such rebuilt structures within the dike in Porac and Bacolor. “They are not really squatters. I was told they own the lands where their old homes and farms were buried by lahar flows and they came back to reclaim their lands after lahar flows ceased to affect their properties,” she added.

Atigania said that the only way to protect these folk is through early warning systems and protective structures if they opt to stay on within the diking system.

She also said that lahar threat at the Sacobia river between Pampanga and Tarlac have remained insignificant. She said that such flows could still occur from Mt. Pinatubo up to the Sacobia river traversing a portion of Clark freeport, but downwards toward the MacArthur highway, the flow would tend to spread to cause mere flooding and mild “deposition” downstream.

source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9096/Volume-3-No-48/Headlines/U-PHILVOLCS-TELLS-PAMPANGA-FOLK--U-br-%E2%80%98No-renewed-lahar-danger%E2%80%99)

DOH says dengue cases in CL now 80 % higher
By Ding Cervantes

Sep 10, 2010

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Luzon reported yesterday that dengue cases in the region is now 80 percent more than cases within the same period last year, with 23 deaths due to the mosquito-borne ailment also noted to be higher.

This, even DOH regional director Dr. Rio Magpantay also told Punto he is looking into reports of viral ailments causing dengue-like symptoms such as high fever and lowering not only of platelet counts but also of white blood corpuscles in the blood, but are later ascertained not to be dengue.

Magpantay said the dengue cases in Central Luzon has become “a cause for alarm” but noted that they have not reached epidemic proportions.

He cited latest reports indicating that since last January, 2,704 dengue cases have been noted in Central Luzon, and that this number is 80 percent higher than last year’s over the same period. The number is expected to go higher as more reports were still expected from the field.

At the national level, though, the DOH reported a higher 98.9 percent increase of dengue cases so far this year, as compared to the same period last year.

Magpantay also said that 23 deaths due to dengue have already been reported in Central Luzon. “As this time last year, there were only 16 deaths,” he said.

“While the dengue cases have peaked and there have been reports of clustered cases, we have not yet reached the epidemic threshold. Our deaths so far also had not reached the one percent level of the total cases as the 23 fatalities comprise only .85 percent of the total cases,” Magpantay noted.

The breakdown of the dengue cases are as follows: 1,130 in Bulacan, 600 in Nueva Ecija, 316 in Pampanga, 241 in Aurora, 192 in Zambales, 181 in Tarlac, and 23 in Bataan.

The dengue case deaths included 10 in Bulacan, four in Pampanga, three in Zambales and, two each in Aurora and Nueva Ecija.

Meanwhile, Magpantay said he would task epidiomologists to look into the cases of hospitalized patients who exhibited symptoms of dengue but was later found negative in them.,

Reports he received indicated that the patients experienced recurrent high fever and lowering not only of platelets but also white blood corpuscles in the blood. The fever often reached 40 degrees centigrade or even higher, as against the threshhold of 37 degrees.

Magpantay noted that in dengue cases, only the platelet count normally goes down, not the white blood corpuscles. Doctors attending to the patients always concluded that the cases were viral, although they never went beyond this to give a specific diagnosis.

“I want to see the laboratory findings and record of the symptoms of the patients. It is possible that they are mild cases of dengue,” Magpantay said.

He said that the DOH normally determines cases of dengue through platelet count and not through the so-called “rapid diagnostic test” which, he noted, is expensive.

Magpantay stressed, however, that the best way to curve dengue is to remove pools of water in the environment which serves as breeding grounds for the Aedes Egypti mosquitoes which are carriers of the dengue virus.

He also said that a few cases of AH1N1 were reported recently in Bataan, but that the patients have already fully recovered. “We were not bothered with the cases since they could really be regarded as ordinary flu,” he added.

source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9097/Volume-3-No-48/Headlines/DOH-says-dengue-cases-in-CL-now-80--higher)

SEN. MARCOS HUMANGA
Singkaban Fiesta tagumpay kahit nagtipid sa pondo
By Dino Balabo

Sep 10, 2010


MALOLOS—Matagumpay ang pagbubukas ng walong araw na Singkaban Fiesta sa Bulacan noong Miyerkoles ng umaga, Setyembre 8, sa kabila ng pagbabawas ng pondo sa taunang pagdiriwang.

Tinampukan ito ng mga pagsasayaw ng mga mag-aaral mula sa ibat-ibang pamantasan sa lalawigan; at sinaliwan ng mga tugtog ng mga musiko matapos ang isang Misa sa harap ng kapitolyo.

Hindi rin nagpatalo ang mga karosa na naglarawa ng ibat-ibang industriya at katangian ng ibat-ibang bayan at lungsod sa lalawigan.

Nagpahayag naman ng paghanga sa Bulacan si Senador Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., na nagsilbing panauhing pandangal sa pagbubukas ng walong araw na piyesta na matatapos sa ika-15 ng Setyembre kung kailan ay gugunitain ang ika-112 taon ng pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos na nagsilang sa unang demokratikong republika sa Asya.

Sa kanyang talumpati, ipinahayag ni Gob. Wilhelmino Alvarado ang kagalakan sa matagumpay na pagbubukas ng pagdiriwang na dinaluhan ng mahigit libong Bulakenyo.

Sinabi niya na ang pagdiriwang ay isang paraan ng pag-alaala ng mga Bulakenyo sa kabayanihan ng mga ninunong nagbuwis ng buhay at pagpapahalaga sa makulay na sining, kalinangan at kasaysayan ng Bulacan.

Inayunan din ito ni Senador Marcos ng magpahayag siya ng paghanga sa Bulacan pagkatapos ay ipinagmalaki na siya man ay may dugong Bulakenyo.

“Makasaysayan ang Bulacan at ang kahangahangang mga mamamayan nito dahil sa panahon ng digmaan at maging sa pagsusulong ng kapayapaan ay nanguna ang Bulacan at mga Bulakenyo,” ani Marcos.

Ang tinutukoy ng batang Marcos ay ang pakikilahok ng mga rebolusyonaryo laban sa mga Kastila at Hapon sa panahon ng digmaan; at sa pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos na nagsulong ng kalayaan sa mapayapaang pamamaraan.

“Isang karangalan ang maging isang Bulakenyo,” ani ng Senador na nagmula sa Ilocos Norte.

Binigyang diin niya na siya man ay may dugong Bulakenyo dahil ang kanyang lola na ina ni dating Unang Ginang Imelda Marcos na ngayon ay kinatawan sa Kongreso ay nagmula sa bayan ng lalawigan.

Ayon sa batang Marcos, ang bulubunduking bayan ng Donya Remedios Trinidad (DRT) ay ipinangalan ng kanyang ama sa kanyang lola.

“Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang DRT dahil noong itatag iyon at itinapat iyon sa aking birthday noong September 13, 1978,” ani Marcos.

Tinugon naman ng mga Bulakenyo ng masigabong palakpakan ang pahayag ng Senador na dating punong lalawigan ng Ilocos Norte.

Maaga pa ay nasa harap ng kapitolyo ng Bulacan ang libong Bulakenyo ay nagkakaisang dumalo sa isang Misa na pinamunuan ng mga paring Katoliko.

Pagkatapos ng Misa, nagsimula na ang pagbubukas ng ibat-ibang gawain para sa walong araw na pagdiriwang.

Hindi rin nagpatalo ang mga karosa na naglarawan ng ibat-ibang industriya at katangian ng ibat-ibang bayan at lungsod sa lalawigan.

Kabilang dito ang higanteng buntal hat ng Baliaug, ang pangunahing produkto ng nasabing bayan.

Sa kanyang maikling talumpati, ipinahayag ni Gob. Willy Alvarado ang kasiyahan sa tagumpay.

Una rito, inihayag ni Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio na kalahati lamang ng nakalaang pondong P20-milyon ang kanilang gugugulin para sa pagsasagawa ng pagdiriwang.

Ayon kay Valerio halos P10-milyon lamang ang kanilang gagastusin bukod pa sa nakatutok ang kanilang mga programa sa serbisyo publiko.

Matatandaan na bago pa magsimulang manungkulan si Alvarado bilang ika-31 gobernador ng lalawigan ay sinabi niya na gusto niya ay mga simpleng pagdiriwang lamang at ayaw niya ng magagarbong programa.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9099/Volume-3-No-48/Headlines/U-SEN-MARCOS-HUMANGA-U-br-Singkaban-Fiesta-tagumpay-kahit-nagtipid-sa-pondo)

Pagsasapribado ng NFA tinutulan ng Bulakenyo
By Dino Balabo

Sep 10, 2010

MALOLOS—Nagkakaisang tinutulan ng mga magsasakang Bulakenyo at kawani ng National Food Authority (NFA) ang panukalang pagsasapribado at pagbabawas sa pondo ng ahensiya na gagamitin sa pagbili ng aning palay ng mga magsasaka.

Ayon sa mga magsasakang Bulakenyo, isang malakas na dagok sa mga magsasaka at mga consumer o mamimili ng bigas ang mga nasabing panukala.

Katulad ng naunang pahayag ng NFA Employees Association na sinuportahan ng mga matataas na opisyal sa lalawigan ng Tarlac, nagbabala ang mga Bulakenyo na ang pagsasapribado ng NFA ay isang hakbang patungo sa panibagong krisis sa bigas.

Iginiit pa nila na ang pagsasapribado ng ahensiya ay magsisilang lamang ng panibagong kartel sa bigas na kokontrol sa presyo nito kaya’t pinayuhan nila si Pangulong Benigno Aquino na pag-aralang mabuti ang mga nasabing panukala.

Ayon kay Baby Tenorio, pangulo ng Provincial Farmers’ Action Council (PFAC) na binubuo ng mahigit 100 samahan at kooperatiba ng magsasaka sa Bulacan, na-alarma sila sa panukalang pagtatanggal sa P8-bilyong domestic procurement budget ng NFA dahil kapag hindi na namili ng palay ang ahensiya ay magsasaka ang apektado.

“Medyo naalarma dahil kapag dumating yung oras na hindi na mamili ang NFA, kaming magsasaka talaga ang apektado,’ ani Tenorio.

Ibinulgar din ni Tenorio na kung wala ang NFA, magiging sunod-sunuran na lamang ang mga magsasaka sa presyong ididikta ng mga negosyante.

“Tiyak na babaratin kami ng mga traders, katulad ngayon hindi namin alam kung may pondo para sa procurement dahil nag-aani na,” aniya.

Ayon pa kay Tenorio, binibili ng NFA ang aning palay ng mga magsasaka sa halagang P17 bawat kilo, samantalang ang mga negosyante ay bumababa pa sa P11 ang pamimili bawat kilo.

Para sa mga magsasakang Bulakenyo tulad ni Liza Sacdalan, ang pangulo ng Central Luzon Organic Rice Producers Association (CLORPA), malaking tulong sa magsasaka ang presyo ibinabayad ng NFA sa pamimili ng aning palay.

Ngunit hindi pa rin iyon sapat dahil sa malaki naman ang gastos ng magsasaka sa pagtatanim at pag-aalaga ng palay.

“Kung tutuusin nga ay kulang pa yon, pero kung ikukumpara sa presyo na pinamimili ng pribadong sektor, eh maganda na yung presyo na ipinamimili ng NFA sa palay,” ani Sacdalan.

Iginiit pa ni Sacdalan na sa halip alisan ng procurement budget ang NFA ay dapat dagdagan pa.

“Nakakalungkot na kung iyon ay aalisin, dahil kung tutuusin ay dapat nga yung budget na yon ay dagdagan pa. Bakit kamo, eh, dahil gustuhin man ng NFA na makatulong pa sa magsasaka na makabili sa halagang presyo na P17 isang kilo eh wala naman silang pondo pa para ma-acommodate yung palay ng mga magsasaka na gustong magbenta sa NFA,” paliwanag ni Sacdalan.

Inayunan din ito ni Melencio Domingo, ang tagapangulo ng Malolos City Agriculture and Fisheries Council na nagsabing hindi dapat bawasan ng pondo at isapribado ang NFA.

Ipinaliwanag niya na sa pagsasapribado sa NFA ay ang mga magsasaka ang malulugi kaya’t nagbabala siya na baka tuluyang mawalan ng gana sa pagsasaka ang mga magsasaka.

“Napakalaki ng epekto sa magsasaka, baka ang farmer ay lalong sumuko sa pagsasaka, hindi na magsaka at pabayaan na lang ang bukid. Dahil kung ganoon, palaging magiging lugi ang pagsasaka mo,” ani Domingo.

Ipinayo pa niya na sa halip isapribado o bawasan ng pondo ang NFA, dapat itong tulungan, at nakahanda rin umano silang magrally bilang suporta sa NFA.

“Tutulungan namin ang NFA, kung kailangan nila ng magsasaka, susuporta kami, kung kailangang magrally, magra-rallly kami sa head office ng NFA,” ani Domingo.

Nagpahayag din ng pagtutol sa pagsasapribado at pagbabawas ng pondo sa NFA ang asosasyon ng mga kawani sa lalawigan.

Ayon kay Ed Camua ng NFAEA-Bulacan, tutol sila sa pagsasapribado sa ahensiya dahil sa ang NFA ang nagiging panangga laban sa mga mapagsamantalang negosyante.

“Alam naman natin na ang NFA ang nag-i-stabilize ng presyo ng mga butil sa mga palengke,” sabi ni Camua.

Hinggil naman sa pagkalugi ng NFA na palagiang ginagamit na argumento ng mga grupong nagnanais buwagin itom, sinabi ni Camua na bahagi iyon ng kanilang mandato bilang ahensiya ng gobyerno na nagbibigay ng subsidiya sa mga bilihin.

“Ang NFA po ay may social function, social responsibility sa mga mamamayan. Ang NFA ay nagsisiguro lamang na may murang bigas na nabibili ang mga tao sa palengke, at ang budget po nito ay karaniwang para sa paglilingkod sa tao, sa masa sa mga magsasaka at hindi po kailangan pagtubuan ang mama-mayan,” paliwanag ni Camua.

Kaugnay nito, pinayuhan din ni Camua si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III na pag-aralang mabuti ang mga panukalang pagsasapribado at pagtatanggal ng pondo sa NFA.

“Sabi po niya (Pangulong Aquino) ay ang boss niya ay ang nakararaming mahihirap at ang mamamayan, eh dapat ay pakinggan po niya, limiin at pag-aralan itong tangkang pag-alis ng subsidy at pagbabawas ng budget sa NFA sapagkat alam naman natin na pangunahin ang kahandaan sa pagkain, food security, buffer stocking, anumang oras, tuwing may kalamidad, nandiyan ang NFA. Kung ito po ay babawasan natin ng pondo o subsidy ay magiging inutil po ang NFA sa kanyang social functions, ani Camua.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9101/Volume-3-No-48/Headlines/Pagsasapribado-ng-NFA-tinutulan-ng-Bulakenyo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diYDrk9bONI

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Singkaban Festival
Province of Bulacan
P h i l i p p i n e s
http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/singkaban2008-4.jpg

56 OTHERS INJURED
Choreographer loses hand in explosion

Sep 17, 2010

SUBIC, Zambales – A choreographer lost his right hand while 56 others were injured when a bottle full of pyrotechnics powder exploded in the midst of a dance sports competition at the covered court in the center of Barangay Asinan in Subic, Zambales at about 7:10 p.m. last Wednesday.

Subic police’s PO Geoffrey Domacena who was the chief investigator in the case, told Punto that choreographer Ferdinand Thelmo, 37, lost his right arm but was pronounced out of danger on Thursday at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.

Critically wounded include Lydia Erodias, 17, of barangay San Isidro; Ronalyn Delodelo, 18, of Subic Hills subdivision; and Mylene Pacampara, 17, of barangay Kalapandangan, all students of Colegio De Subic who were watching the said competition. Other victims were released after medical treatment.

Domacena said the injuries of the three were caused by glass fragments, but were not serious, while the rest of those injured needed only minor medical treatments.

He said that the explosion occurred during the opening ceremonies of a dance sports festival sponsored by the Liga Kolehiyo of the Kolehiyo ng Subic. The site was outside the school compound as the school did not have space for such events.

“The festival had just started with the opening number being performed by a group called Frontline Dancers whose choreographer was Thelmo who is a resident of Olongapo hired to assist in the dance fest choreography,” he said.

He added that the dance group was already almost finished in its performance when Thelmo went to the back area to pour the bottled explosive powder on the ground, supposedly to be lighted to create a “lightning effect.”

Thelmo, using a lighted mosquito repellant device commonly known as “katol”, ignited the powder already on the ground, but the fireworks traveled fast towards the bottle he held in his right hand. The bottle exploded as it still contained significant amount of powder.

The Frontline Dancers were able to finish their number despite the ensuing commotion at their back, apparently thinking that the explosion was part of their props and the consequent shrieking of victims were reactions from fans, Democeno said.

“School officials, however, cancelled the rest of the dance fest amid the following commotion,” he noted.

Democeno said that the explosion appeared to have been accidental, although Thelmo could still face criminal charges for negligence.

“Matagal na nilang ginagawa yung props sa tuwing sila ay nagpe-perform, disgrasya talaga yung nangyari,” he added.

-By Ding Cervantes and Johnny Reblando

source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9157/Volume-3-No-51/Headlines/U-56-OTHERS-INJURED-U-br-Choreographer-loses-hand-in-explosion)

Subic 100% ready for BoC’s e-cargo transfer system

By Malou Dungog
Sep 17, 2010

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT— The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has assured business locators here that the full implementation of the Enhanced Automated Cargo Transfer System (e-ACTS) on September 16 will proceed without a hitch.

Atty. Redentor Tuazon, head of the SBMA Trade Facilitation and Compliance unit, said the use of e-ACTS as mandated by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) will ensure fast, safe, synchronized and secure cargo transit from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Port of Manila, and the International Container Port Terminal to business enterprises in the free ports of Subic, Clark and Bataan.

“Everything has been prepared for the e-ACTS here in terms of equipment, software, manpower, and training. Our value-added services providers—E-Konek Pilipinas and InterCommerce—have provided all the support needed for us to shift from the manual system to the automated system, and to upgrade to e-ACTS. The SBMA did not have to spend money for this,” Tuazon said.

According to Tuazon, SBMA personnel are already accustomed to using the automated system, and some problems with the new technology, particularly with the scanners, have all been addressed, along with the required support facilities.

“All would go well on September 16,” Tuazon said.

Earlier, officials of the SBMA also attended a summit meeting held at the BoC-Manila office to help “tie loose ends” in connection with the e-ACTS project’s thrust to boost the potentials of local ports in face of the increasing competition from other free ports in the Asia-Pacific region.

The summit was also attended by officials from the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB).

In the said meeting, BOC Commissioner Angelito Alvarez explained that the e-ACTS would also boost the government’s campaign in anti-smuggling and anti-diversion through the adoption of electronic or Internet protocols in place of face-to-face transactions.

Alvarez also said that the e-ACTS “will serve as a showcase of BoC’s intention and commitment to put a stop to the abuse of the importation privilege of some unscrupulous free port zone export producers.”

Tuazon said that the e-ACTS would make shipments fast and cost-effective.

“From the moment a shipment arrives in any of the ports mentioned, electronic records will be generated and corresponding barcode tags will be placed on the cargos,” he said. “When these reach the Subic Bay Freeport, electronic readers will scan the bar codes to instantly verify the shipments through the online database.”

Tuazon added that the new system has eliminated the so-called “transport bonds” that were charged under the previous system.

“What we have now is real-time tracking and confirmation of the reception of cargos, plus minimal fees. These are the major advantages of the new system,” he said.



source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9162/Volume-3-No-51/Headlines/Subic-100-ready-for-BoC%E2%80%99s-e-cargo-transfer-system)

Banks forfeit CDC’s P231.4-M deposits
By Ding Cervantes

Sep 17, 2010


CLARK FREEPORT – The state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC) has lost some P231.4 million of its funds deposited in two government banks, over a controversy on a bridge that has remained idle since it was constructed at the cost of P700-million during the Ramos administration in 1998.

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) forfeited last Sept. 7 some P60.7 million of garnished deposits of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) in favor of the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) and private contractor Ciriaco Corp. (Ciriaco) over the construction of a bridge here way back in 1997 whose initial balance was only at P15-million.

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), where the CDC also has deposits worth some P170.7 million, informed the CDC in a letter dated last Sept. 3, said it had “no other recourse but to release the garnished funds of CDC in the absence of a restraining order from the court.”

CDC president and chief executive officer Benigno Ricafort confirmed yesterday that the P170.7-million deposit with the LBP had also been released recently to PNCC and Ciriaco.

This makes moot and academic the still pending petition filed last Sept. 8 by the CDC before the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the garnishment of its accounts totaling P231.4 million in both banks.

Apparently, the CDC was not aware the DBP had already released the P60.7 million of its garnished deposits the day before.

The total garnished amount is supposed to represent the payment demanded from the CDC by PNCC and Ciriaco for the construction of the 910-linear meter Sacobia bridge which was supposed to be a component of the Expo Pilipino theme park project for the commemoration of the Philippine Independence centennial under the administration of former Pres. Ramos in 1998.

The bridge, a project of the CDC as implementing arm of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) rarely used and has been dubbed as a white elephant, although it connects the 4,500-hectare main freeport to the largely untapped Sacobia zone under the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA).

When the bridge completed supposedly at the cost of P700-million in 1997, the CDC still had a balance of only P15-million as payment to the PNCC and its contractor Ciriaco for the project. But PNCC and Ciriaco later demanded some P200-million more to cover foreign exchange costs during the construction period, as well as interest on unpaid balance.

In informing the CDC of the pending release of its garnished P170.7 million account, LBP president and chief executive officer Gilda Pico cited a warning from the lawyers of Ciriaco that she and other bank officials, as well as Ricafort, would be charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act if the garnished funds are not released immediately.

In his letter to Pico last Sept. 3, Ciriaco legal counsel Wilfredo Garrido Jr. also warned her of indirect contempt “for disobedience or resistance to a lawful writ”, referring to the OGCC’s garnishment order.

Documents on the case showed that most of the OGCC’s actions on the garnishment case, which was initially petitioned by PNCC and Ciariaco in 2006, were done during the last months of the Arroyo administration.

In a latter to Malacanang last Aug. 18, the CDC made “a very urgent request” to Pres. Aquino to “freeze and review” the OGCC’s order. With no response from Malacanang, the CDC then filed a TRO petition before the Supreme Court last Sept. 8.

The CDC had argued that the OGCC had no jurisdiction over the case since it involved a private company, and not just the government-owned PNCC. It also noted that the additional cost purportedly based on exchange rate fluctuations during the bridge construction was computed contrary to provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1594 which prescribes policies, guidelines, rules and regulations for government infrastructure contracts.

The PNCC allegedly erroneously simplified the computation of cost adjustment of construction materials by simply adding the 30 percent maximum imposed by the decree, instead of following a more complicated computation per type of materials affected by fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rate.
source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9158/Volume-3-No-51/Headlines/Banks-forfeit-CDC%E2%80%99s-P231-4-M-deposits)

Lokal na opisyales nakikinabang sa jueteng – Jinggoy
By Dino Balabo

Sep 17, 2010

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Hindi mapipigil ang illegal numbers game o jueteng sa bansa dahil sa maraming lokal na opisyal ang nakikinabang dito.

Ito ang naging pahayag ni Senador Jinggoy Estrada ng siya ay makapanayam matapos magsilbing panauhing tagapagsalita sa ika-112 guning taon ng pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos sa makasaysayang simbahan ng Barasoain sa Malolos, Bulacan noong Miyerkoles.

Kaugnay nito, iginiit ni Estrada na dapat ng gawing legal ang jueteng at palitan nito ang small town lottery (STL).

“Ako naniniwala na ang STL ay hindi front ng jueteng, pero ako ay naniniwala din na hindi magkakaroon ng jueteng sa isang lugar kung hindi alam ng puno,” ani Estrada.

Bilang isang dating alklade, sinabi niya na alam niya ang lahat sa operasyon ng jueteng, at kaya hindi mapigil ang operasyon nito ay maraming nakikinabang.

“Of course, alam nila kaya lang hindi nila maihinto dahil maraming nakikinabang,” ani ng Senador.

Nilinaw din ng Punto kay Estrada ang binaggit niyang “puno” kung ito at kumakatawan sa Pangulo ng Republika.

“Ah hindi, hindi ko naman sinasabing alam ng Presidente” aniya at sinabi na “alam ng governor, alam ng mayor, alam ng local officials” ang operasyon ng jueteng sa kanilang nasasakupang lugar.

Bilang solusyon, ipinanukala ni Estrada na kailangan ng gawing legal ang jueteng sa bansa.

“Yung jueteng, dapat i-legalize na dahil hindi pa tayo ipinapanganak nandiyan na yan, hangang ngayon, ilang Presidente na dumaan hindi nasugpo ang jueteng, yung mga kapitalista, mga cabo tago ng tago sa ating mga kapulisan, hinuhuli. Itong mga hinuhuli, ito yung mga walang trabaho,” ani Estrada.

Dagdag pa niya, “kaya noong panahon ni Pangulong Estrada, sinubukan niyang i-legalize ang jueteng para magkaroon ng dignidad yung mga kubrador, mga cabo, para itong maliliit na ito ay maging miyembro ng SSS.”

Kaugnay nito, sinabi niya na nag-file na siya ng isang Senate bill para sa legalization ng jueteng noong 13th Congress, ngunit ngayon ay wala pa.

Sinabi pa ni Estrada na kung magiging legal ang jueteng, mapapalitan nito ang STL.

source (http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/9161/Volume-3-No-51/Headlines/Lokal-na-opisyales-nakikinabang-sa-jueteng-%E2%80%93-Jinggoy)

Province of Bulacan


Bulacan is well-known and highly considered as the land of heroes. It is the habitat of a number of the nation’s celebrated heroes such as Francisco Baltazar, The Prince of Filipino Poets, Marcelo Horacio Del Pilar, The Great Propagandist, and Gregorio del Pilar, The Heroes of Tirad Pass. It is recognized for very good craftsmanship with respect to its garments, leather crafts, and jewelries. It has come out into a safe place where people go for pleasure by providing an obtainable and pleasing period of relief from the pressures of city life just a few minutes south of it by car.

Geography
Bulacan lies on the southeastern part of Central Luzon. It is bounded by the province of Nueva Ecija on the north; by the provinces of Aurora and Quezon on the east; by the Manila Bay, Metro Manila and the province of Rizal on the south; and by the province of Pampanga on the west. Bulacan has a total land area of 262,500 hectares. The province has a generally flat terrain, but mountainous near its boundaries with Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Quezon and Rizal.

Political Subdivision
Bulacan is divided into two cities, twenty-two municipalities and 529 barangays. It is classified as a first class province with four congressional districts. Malolos City, the provincial capital, is about 44 kilometers from Manila.

Climate
The climate of Bulacan is dry from November to April and wet from April to November.

Population
Bulacan had a population of 1,502,343 in 1990.

Language/Dialect
Majority of the people of Bulacan speak Tagalog. About 42 percent are bilingual, with English as a second language. The townfolks use other dialects such as Waray, Ilocano, Bicolano and Kapampangan.

Major Industries
The nearness of the province of Bulacan to Manila gives it the superiority of being a preferred place of industrial establishments such as food processing, cement manufacturing, leather tanning, shoe making, ready-made garment manufacturing, rope making, weaving, ceramic textiles, pottery and many more. On the other hand, the majority of the rural areas are yet relying on agriculture for their livelihood. Rice is the chief crop, followed by corn, sugar, mango, chico and watermelon.
source (http://www.centralluzon.com/content/view/31/55/)

Province of Bataan


Bataan is considered as a center of activity of a written account of important events and their causes of Central Luzon. We must find out the charm of Central Luzon. We must find out the charm of Central Luzon with this greatly surprising historical and cultural province. Bataan, only one hour by ferry boat across the Manila Bay from Manila, is now showing the truth by evidence to be a tourist shelter having and displaying proudly a great number of stimulating places to go to see, and persuading things to do. This province has great quantity to present for acceptance. These are wealthy culture and history, the loveliness of fresh beaches, and a friendly hospitality of true Filipino.

Geography
Bataan is bounded on the north by the provinces of Pampanga and Zambales, on the east and south by the Manila Bay, and on the west by the South China Sea. It is a peninsula located at the western portion of Luzon. It is the province with smallest land area in Central Luzon measuring 137, 296 hectares.

Political Subdivision
Bataan consists of one city, eleven municipalities and 238 barangays. This province is classified as a second class province and has two congressional districts. The City of Balanga, the provincial capital is about 124 kilometers from Manila.

Climate
Bataan has two different seasons. This province is dry from November to April and wet from May to October. Its coldest months are December and January while its hottest months are April and May.

Population
Established on the increase rate o 2.12 percent, the population of Bataan was 552,000 for the year 2000.

Language/Dialect
Tagalog is the chief language constituting 86 percent of the total population of the province of Bataan. Pampango came after with ten percent and the rest speaks Ilocano. English is utilized mainly as the means of bargaining in business.

Major Industries
Bataan continues fundamentally an agricultural province despite of the very fast industrialization during the last ten years. This province is a major producer of banana, mango and palay. There are big industrial establishments in Bataan such as export processing zone, modern oil refinery, munition and carbon plants, pulp and paper mills, and thermal plants. Mariveles is the place of an export processing zone that is the cause for heavy industry in Bataan. Brooms, ropes and shell craft are some of the home industries. Some of the hope giving livelihood programs are cattle and carabao fattening, hog rearing, and poultry industry, particulary broilers, ducks and egg production. Tinapa is one of the livelihood products of the coastal towns in Bataan.
source (http://www.centralluzon.com/content/view/21/53/)

Province of Aurora

Aurora lied on the farther side of the fresh dense growth of trees of the Sierra Madre mountain range on the eastern part of Luzon. The province has a green and mountainous terrain. It is bounded by the province of Isabela on the north, by Pacific Ocean on the east, by the province of Quezon on the south, and by the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya and Quirino on the west. The Sierra Madre mountain range, the place where tauna and flora are the most concentrated and waterfalls, rivers, and streams of different sizes are situated, includes a big part of the province of Aurora.

Geography
Aurora has a total land area of either 308,122 hectares or 323,954 hectares. The principal connection of Aurora to the rest of Luzon is a limited in width mountain gravel road following a winding course from one side to the other side of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges between Baler town and Bongabon town in Nueva Ecija.

Political Subdivision
Aurora is divided into eight municipalities and 151 barangays. It is classified as a 5th class province with one congressional district. Baler, the provincial capital, is about 232 kilometers from Manila.

Climate
Aurora has the average weather condition characterized by rainfall, which is approximately without variation during the whole year. It is regularly beaten with heavy blows by cyclones coming from the Pacific Ocean.

Population
Aurora had a population of 173,797 with an annual youth rate of 684 percent according to the national statistics survey of May 2000.

Language / Dialect
Majority of the people of Aurora speak Tagalog and a few speak Ilocano. The working population is ready in speech in the English language as well as in the Filipino language.

Major Industries
The basic economy of Aurora is agricultural. Copra, rice, rootcrops and banana are its principal agricultural products. Weaving, particularly of buntal hats, is a significant cottage industry.

Fishing production can be made greater in Dinagalan Bay and Casiguran Sound but it is believed to reduce because of over-fishing and sedimentation in Baler Bay.

Lumber, rattan and almaciga are its major forest resources. Its forest is under serious threats from cutting of trees for lumber by illegal loggers.
source (http://www.centralluzon.com/content/view/20/51/)

Province of Pampanga


Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast. Pampanga also lies on the northern shore of Manila Bay.
The name "La Pampanga" was given by the Spaniards who found the early natives living near the river banks. It also served as the capital of the archipelago for two years from 1762-1764 during the British invasion of Manila. The word pampang, from which the province's name originates, means river bank. Its creation in 1571 makes it the first Spanish province in the Philippines. The Province of Pampanga is the culinary capital of the Philippines.
Pampanga is served by the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which is located at Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, some 16 kilometers north of the provincial capital.
The province is home to two air bases under the Philippine Air Force. They are the Basa Air Base in Floridabalanca and the former U.S. Clark Air Base in Angeles City.

Economy

Farming and fishing are the two main industries of the province. Major products include rice, corn, sugar cane, and tilapia. In addition to farming and fishing, the province also supports thriving cottage industries that specialize in wood carving, furniture-making, guitars, and handicrafts. Every year during the Christmas season, the province of Pampanga becomes the center of a thriving industry centered on handcrafted lighted lanterns called “parols” that displays a kaleidoscope of light and color. Other industries include its casket industry and the manufacturing of all Purpose Vehicles present in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas.
The province is famous for its sophisticated culinary industry. Kapampangans are well known for their culinary creations. Well known food products range from the ordinary to the exotic. Pampanga's Best and Mekeni Food are among the better known meat brands of the country producing Kapampangan favorites such as pork and chicken tocinos, beef tapa, hot dogs, and longanezas (Philippines-style sausages and cured meats.)
Speciality foods such as the siopao, pandesal, tutong, lechon (roasted pig) and its sarsa (sauce), are popular speciality foods in the region. The more exotic betute tugak (stuffed frog), kamaru (mole crickets) cooked ala adobo, bulanglang (pork cooked in guava juice), lechon kawali, and bringhe (a green sticky rice dish like paella) are a mainstay in Kapampangan feasts. Native sweets and delicacies like pastillas, turonnes de casuy, buro, are the most sought after by Filipinos including a growing number of tourists who enjoy authentic Kapampangan cuisine.
Tourism is a growing industry in the province of Pampanga. Clark Field, in Angeles City, is home to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, Luzon's second International Airport and designated as the Philippines future premier gateway site. Within the Clark Special Economic Zone are well established hotels and resorts. Popular tourist destinations in the province include: St. Peter Shrine in Apalit, Mt. Arayat National Park in San Juan Bano, Arayat, the Paskuhan Village in the City of San Fernando, the Casino Filipino in Angeles City, and for Nature and Wildlife "Paradise Ranch and Zoocobia Fun Zoo" in Clark. Well known annual events include the Giant Lantern Festival in December, the annual hot air balloon festival in Clarkfield during the month of February, the San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites celebrated two days before Easter and the Aguman Sanduk in Minalin celebrated on the afternoon of New Year's Day.
Other developing economies include a semiconductor industry involved in the manufacturing of electronics and computers mostly located within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City.

Political

Pampanga is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 2 cities.
source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampanga)

Province of Tarlac

Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west. It is a part of Central Luzon, which is composed of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Demographics
As of the 2000 census, Tarlac has a population of 1,068,783. Its population density is 350/km². Pampanga or Kapampangan is spoken by more than half of the population followed by Ilocano but Tagalog is widely understood.

Economy
The economy of Tarlac is dominantly agricultural. Principal crops are rice and sugarcane. Other major crops are corn and coconut; vegetables such as eggplant, garlic, and onion; and fruit trees like mango, banana, and calamansi.
Because the province is landlocked, its fish production is limited to fishponds. On the boundary with Zambales in the west, forest lands provide timber for the logging industry. Mineral reserves such as manganese and iron can also be found along the western section.
Tarlac has its own rice and corn mills as well as sawmills and logging outfits. It has three sugar centrals. Other firms service agricultural needs such as fertilizer. Among its cottage industries, ceramics making has become important because of the abundant supply of clay. Some of the major industries here are the making of the delicious and famous Chicharon and Iniruban in the municipality of Camiling, Ylang Ylang products of Anao and the Muscovado sugar products of Victoria. Besides those products, the province also boosts its sugar products in the Philippines. It is next to Negros Occidental which is the nation's sugar capital. Tilapia is also improving in Tarlac and it will soon be the Tilapia capital of the Philippines.

Geography
Eastern Tarlac is a plain, while Western Tarlac is hilly to mountainous. Because of this, the province owns a large portion of mountains like Mt. Telakawa, which is the highest mountain in the province located at Capas, Tarlac. Mt. Bueno is located also in Capas. The other mountains are Mt. Dueg and Mt. Maasin, found in the municipality of San Clemente. Also noted are Mt. Papaac, Bacsay, Cayasan and Birbira of Camiling. The whole of Mayantoc and San Jose are mountainous so it is suitable for the highest natural resources and forest products in the province such as coal, iron, copper, vegetables, fruits, log fires, sand, rocks and forest animals such as wild boar, deer etc.
Political
Tarlac is subdivided into 17 municipalities and 1 city. These divisions are further subdivided into 511 barangays. The province comprises three congressional districts.
source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarlac)

Province of Zambales

Zambales is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The province lies between the South China Sea and the Zambales Mountains. With a land area of 3,700 km, Zambales is the second largest among the seven provinces of Central Luzon. It has a population density of 170 people per square kilometer², one of the lowest in the country. The province is noted for its mangoes, which are abundant from January to April.
Zambales is served by the Subic Bay International Airport, which is located in Cubi Point, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, located in Bataan province. Subic Bay Freeport Zone is host to many tourist attractions which include casinos, beach resorts, parks, beachside huts and cottages and historical artifacts.

Climate
Zambales has two pronounced seasons: dry from October to June, and wet from July to September.

Physical
Zambales lies on the western shores of Luzon island, between the Zambales Mountains and the South China Sea. Its shoreline is very ragged, and features many coves and inlets. The mountain range on the eastern part of the province occupies about 60% of its total land area. Subic Bay, in the southernmost part of the province, provides a natural harbor, and was chosen as the location of an American naval base. The peak of Mount Pinatubo lies on the intersection of the boundaries between Zambales, Pampanga, and Tarlac. This volcano, once considered dormant, erupted violently in 1991.

History
The area now occupied by Zambales was first explored by the Spanish in 1572, led by Juan de Salcedo. Among the earliest towns founded were Masinloc (1607), Iba (1611), and Santa Cruz (1612). Masinloc became the province's first capital. However, the capital was moved between among the three towns during its history before settling in Iba, due to its strategic location. The first civil governor of Zambales during the American era was the Honorable Potenciano Lesaca from 1901-1903.
The province's name came from the word zambal, which is a Hispanized term for Sambali. Zambal refers to the language spoken by the early Austronesian inhabitants of the place. A contending version states that the name was derived from the word samba, meaning worship, because the Spanish supposedly found the native inhabitants to be highly superstitious; worshiping the spirits of their ancestors.

Demographics and culture
See also: Aeta, Sambal people, Tagalog people, Ilocano people, and Kapampangan people
The Aetas of Mount Pinatubo were the earliest inhabitants of what is now the province of Zambales. They were later displaced by the Sambal, an Austronesian people after whom the province is named. Many Sambal still believe in superstitions and mysteries that have been handed down through the generations.
The Sambal, the Tagalogs, the Ilocanos, and the Kapampangans today constitute the four largest ethnic groups in Zambales; these identities may and do, however, overlap with one another due to intermarriage[1] and other factors. Most of the people of southern Zambales are migrants from different parts of the country owing to the influx of job opportunities brought on by the U.S Subic Naval Base (San Antonio and Subic) during the American regime of the country. Many people found jobs and permanently settled there. The presence of the Americans greatly influenced the inhabitants, from their tastes in food, clothing, and style.
Respect for elders is still importantly observed. Feast days of patron saints are still being practiced in the area, and hospitable Zambaleños are very accommodating when it comes to feasts.

Education
There are a number of higher educational institutions in the province. The Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, the first state university in the province can be found in Iba. It has also satellite campuses in the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Botolan, San Marcelino, Castillejos and in the city of Olongapo. St. Joseph College-Olongapo, a college run by the Roman Catholic Church can be found in Olongapo City. The Columban College, run by the Catholic Church can be found also in Olongapo. The Magsaysay Memorial College is also run by the Roman Catholic Church and can be found in San Narciso. There are also several colleges within the premises of SBMA.

Economy
Zambales is a rich source of Nickel & Chromite.
source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambales)

Province of Nueva Ecija


Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City. Nueva Ecija borders, from the south clockwise, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurora.

People and culture
Nueva Ecija ("New Écija") was settled in the last century by thousands of migrants from adjoining provinces such as Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pangasinan, and Ilocos. Today Novoecijanos are descendants of these settlers and many still hold on to folk traditions that trace their ancestry to other provinces. About 77% of the people speak Tagalog as their first language. Much of the remainder are Kapampangan, Pangasinan, and Ilocano-speakers and they are concentrated in the cities and towns of the south and north,. There are small communities of Ilongots along the Caraballo and Sierra Madre Range as well as Agtas or Negritos.
Agriculture is the main industry of the people because of its naturally rich soil. Lowland crops such as rice, corn, onions, vegetables and sugarcane are produced in great quantities and Nueva Ecija is widely referred to as the "Rice Granary" of the country. Agriculture has played a vital role in molding the culture of the people. The typical Novo Ecijano family is tightly knit and is the basic working unit on the farm.
The May and June Festivals in Nueva Ecija are important Christian observances that are also occasions to ask for favors in ensuring a good harvest. In May, the Novo Ecijanos celebrate the feast of the patron of farmers, San Isidro. Food is served to overflowing in the belief that generosity results in bounty.
In Barangay Bibiclat, in the town of Aliaga there is a unique practice among the devotees of Saint John the Baptist. They cover their bodies with mud and dry leaves and vines to denote the humble origins of the Saint. Known as the taong-putik or the mud people, they ask alms and candles from the people and offering them to the Church during the special mass celebrated at 7:00 in the morning. They believe that such a practice will cure sickness and bring a bounty in the harvest.

Economy
Nueva Ecija is considered the main rice growing province of the Philippines and the leading producer of onions in the Municipality of Bongabon in South East Asia.
Major Industries
Nueva Ecija is one of the top producers of agricultural products in the country. Its principal crops is mainly rice but corn and onion are also produced in quantity. The province is often referred to as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines.” Other major crops are onion, mango, calamansi (calamondin orange), banana, garlic, and vegetables. The town of Bongabon at the eastern part of the province at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains and its neighbouring Laur and Rizal are the major producers of onion and garlic. Bongabon is called the "onion capital of the country".
Education is very well established as a major industry in the province. The leading educational institutions are the Central Luzon State University in Munoz and Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Wesleyan University-Philippines, La Fortuna College and Araullio University in Cabanatuan. There are 18 tertiary level institutions in Cabanatuan City alone.
Health services is also a notable industry and a number of hospitals cater to patients from within Nueva Ecija and some coming from neighbouring provinces. There are also a number of schools of nursing and midwifery, mostly in Cabanatuan.
There are poultry farms in a number of towns, most notably, the Lorenzo poultry farms in San Isidro which is one of the largest in the country. Duck raising and egg production is also an important livelihood. Fishponds are unevenly distributed throughout the province but the largest concentrations are in San Antonio, Santa Rosa, and Cuyapo.
Fabrication of tricycle "sidecars" is widespread in the province, notably in Santa Rosa, where prices are as low as PhP 7,000 which is practically the cheapest in the country.
Several areas have mineral deposits. Copper and manganese have been found in General Tinio, Carranglan, and Pantabangan. The upper reaches of Carranglan and Palayan City are said to contain gold.
In June 2008, it has also received the title: "Milk Capital of the Philippines" due to the reason that Nueva Ecija gathers more milk from both cows and carabaos or water buffaloes than any other place in the Philippines.[1]. The Philippine Carabao Center is located in CLSU compound in Munoz City.

Geography

[/B]Physical[/B]
The province is the largest in Central Luzon. Its terrain begins with the southwestern marshes near the Pampanga border. It levels off and then gradually increases in elevation to rolling hills as it approaches the mountains of Sierra Madre in the east, and the Caraballo and Cordillera ranges in the north.
Political
The governor as of 2007 is Aurelio Oyie Matias Umali , who assumed his governatorial duties after winning the 2007 election.
The province is divided into four congressional districts which consists of 27 municipalities and 5 cities.

source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nueva_Ecija)

San Fernando, Pampanga boosts RP pride with global Hall of Fame award
By US News Agency / Asian

This city has joined the ranks of the world’s best-managed organizations after being elevated to the Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy – regarded as the “gold standard of strategic performance” given to successful and high-performing organizations all over the world.

Successful organizations in the Asia-Pacific region were inducted on Wednesday into the 2010 Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame by Palladium Group founder and director Dr. David Norton.

Aside from this city, the Lopez-owned First Philec Solar Corporation was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“We are very much honored to receive the BSc Hall of Fame Award,” City Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez said.

“This prestigious award not only helps reaffirm the status of San Fernando as a world-class city, but also raises our nation’s pride by having globally recognized local government units,” Rodriguez said.

To make it to the Hall of Fame, the City of San Fernando applied the Performance Governance System (PGS), the local adaptation of the Harvard-pioneered Balanced Scorecard management system to achieve and sustain breakthrough performance results.
These results include the P700-million Sagip-Ilog Project that was partly funded by local taxes in rehabilitating the San Fernando River to reduce flooding and improve the business environment.

The city also made it easy for businesses to get permits by cutting the processing time from two weeks in 2005 to two hours in 2009.

Other breakthrough results also include an increase in the access to public education and the number of social service beneficiaries, a decrease in the unemployment rate, the rehabilitation of a slaughterhouse via build-operate-transfer, and the dramatic growth in the city’s middle class.

The city’s establishment of a Multi-Stakeholder Governance Council has also the private sector to actively participate in governance, which led to positive results in the areas of finance, constituency, and infrastructure.

San Fernando was the second Philippine city to join more than 130 public and private organizations in the Hall of Fame.

The city of Iloilo was the first Philippine LGU to be inducted into the award last year.
“After Iloilo City, we now have the City of San Fernando to receiving a recognition as prestigious as the Palladium Hall of Fame. With one city at a time, the country can embrace good governance using the BSc as a tool to measure performance,” Institute for Soldarity in Asia (ISA) chairman Jesus P. Estanislao said.

ISA, a non-profit organization that advocates governance and responsible citizenship, adopted the BSc model in coming up with the Performance Governance System (PGS) for the public sector.

Every department in all sectors in the city developed a scorecard to correspond to the City Scorecard of the Mayor which aims to measure targets and monitor work progress.
The city also formed the technical working group dedicated to the BSc that assisted departments in preparing their own scorecards.

http://www.usnewslasvegas.com/provincial/san-fernando-pampanga-boosts-rp-pride-with-global-hall-of-fame-award/

soon to rise in Angeles City.12Floor hotel( Red Planet Hotel)www.redplanethotels.com

Free ports Subic, Clark and Bataan to adopt e-cargo transfer system
Submitted by Guest on Mon, 09/13/2010 - 18:04. Free ports to adopt e-cargo transfer syste
Written by Henry Empeño / Correspondent
Thursday, 09 September 2010 12:10
http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/1097-free-ports-to-adopt-e-car...

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—The three adjoining free ports of Subic, Clark and Bataan will start utilizing high technology this month to ensure the fast, safe and secure transfer of cargo to their registered business locators as well as to thwart smuggling and diversion of imported goods.

According to the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD), officials from the three free ports of Central Luzon recently met with SCAD and Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials “to tie loose ends” before the Sept. 16 implementation of the Enhanced Automated Cargo Transfer System (e-Acts), which is touted to improve the country’s import shipments system.

The free ports summit was attended by officials of the SCAD and the BOC, and representatives of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (Afab).

“All concerned agencies vowed to exert greater efforts in responding to the call of President Benigno S. Aquino for a better business environment and a more favorable investment climate in the Philippines that will lead to a better way of life for Filipinos,” the SCAD said in a statement.

The e-Acts was designed to provide for a more efficient movement of imports from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port Terminal to the various export producers located in Subic, Clark and Bataan free ports.

The new system reportedly stands out compared to previous systems because it utilizes modern technology to provide a faster, more economical and simpler process of documenting and processing of clearances, as well as the transfer and admission of foreign merchandise from ports of discharge.

And because e-Acts substitutes electronic or Internet protocols for face-to-face transactions, it is expected to help stamp out corruption in import transactions and to cut overhead costs among free-port locators by allowing the immediate delivery and use of transit goods.

With its built-in antismuggling or antidiversion feature, e-Acts will serve as a showcase of the BOC’s “intention and commitment to put a stop to the abuse of the importation privilege of some unscrupulous free-port zone export producers,” said Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez.

Speaking for the free ports, Afab chairman and administrator Deogracias Custodio said the implementation of the e-Acts “will be a reflection of the constant efforts of the Philippine free ports to improve the level of services that they offer to their locators in order to become the free ports of choice in the world.”

SCAD chairman Nestor Mangio expressed optimism that the new system would create a better business environment in Clark and Subic that would, in turn, result in more investments and more jobs for local residents.

“Needed revenues to fuel the local economy will increase. Entrepreneurship potentials for local suppliers will be developed. Even local tourism will be favorably affected,” Mangio added.

The implementation of the e-Acts will be the latest in a series of cooperation programs between the BOC and the free ports in Central Luzon to curb smuggling and plug revenue leaks from goods imported into the free ports and later sold outside the special economic zones.

On July 15 the SBMA and the BOC began using the electronic Gatepass Management System (GMS) for shipments brought into the Subic Bay Free Port to ensure that only “legal goods” would exit the gates here.

Like the e-Acts system, the GMS was designed to make it even harder for smugglers to use the port of Subic, as well as to reduce the time and cost of doing business in this free port.

Bataan freeport eyes logistics, tourism

MANILA, July 23 (PNA) -- The newly created Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) is coming up with a masterplan that would develop the Freeport into a logistics and tourism hub in the country.

AFAB chairman Deo G.P. Custodio said these two industries would complement nearby Subic Bay Freeport by which to promote itself as a premier investment destination area in the country.

In a talk with reporters, Custodio after his speech before the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) that they are now preparing for the masterplan of the 1,750-hectare property, now known as Freeport Area of Bataan.

AFAB was created by virtue of the passage of Republic Act 9728, which converted the former Bataan Economic Zone of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

Custodio said at the center of the masterplan is a logistics facility that FAB can provide.

He said they are going to develop first a ferry port in Mariveles, separate from the existing ferry port in Orion.

At present, the ferry service is from Orion to Mall of Asia in Manila but a few trips could go straight to Mariveles.

“Logistics is always a selling point,” he said.

FAB’s strategic location makes it ideal as a transshipment point to nearby domestic ports and economic zones, as well as a base to trade networks with major industrial cities in the Southeast Asian region.

“We already have the infrastructure, we have adequate power supply and an existing port facility (Rouvia Port), several buildings, we have the environment in mine our sewage treatment plant,” he said.

He said AFAB has a P500 million per year budgetary allocation for the first five years of operation that it could tap for its initial projects.

On tourism, Custodio said they have Camaya Cover and Mt. Samat.

“We have superior facilities and we are geographically blessed,” he said.

Custodio said there are already inquiries.

So far, there are 43 locators within the industrial zone under the former Bataan Export Zone with 13,400 employes.

What is unique is FAB is the only Freeport in the country that can sell property to foreign investors, making the Freeport with the best incentive to foreign investors.

Custodio, however, said that FAB will have to be selective in terms of selling a property to an investor saying there must be a compelling reason for them to do that. These could be the magnitude of investments and jobs creation.

FAB incentives to its locators include four years of income tax holiday, exemption from duties and taxes on imported capital equipment, spare parts, other supplies and raw materials; and exemption from wharfage dues, export taxes, imposts and fees.

“We also have revenue incentives of domestic sales allowance to as much as 30 percent of total sales,” Custodio added.

The vision is to make FAB the Freeport of choice by 2020 and with the successful democratic elections that has created a generally favorable economic climate. (PNA)
LDV/bac/utb

Mariveles, Bataan

san miguel loading facility
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PNOC petrochemical development complex
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Mariveles harbor
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GN Power to Set Up Wind Energy Project as Part of 2,700-MW Complex in Bataan
By JAMES A. LOYOLASeptember 22, 2010, 8:19pm

MANILA, Philippines – GN Power Ltd. of the Netherlands is asking the Department of Energy for approval for its plans to put up a wind project in Bataan that could generate up to 300 megawatts of power.

Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan said GN Power has a pending application for a wind project with the Energy Department but the company has yet submit all requirements.

However, he declined to disclose the size of GN Power's planned wind project "until they have submitted all application documents."

GN Power documents showed that the planned 300 MW wind project forms part of the third phase of its integrated, multiphase electricity generating and fuel handling complex to be located on a 100 hectare site along the coast and on additional land for wind sites and pump storage in Bataan.

The firm said the "world class energy complex" will be constructed in several phases to match the projected demand growth on Luzon.

"Once completed, the project will have a diversified power generating capacity of approximately 2,700 MW, flexible transmission options, multiple fuel capability and gas through out capacity of over 100 billion cubic feet per annum, sufficient to meet a significant portion of Luzon’s forecasted power requirements in the next decade," GN Power said.

The first phase calls for the construction of a 600 MW clean coal-fired power plant for baseload service while the second phase will be a 600 MW hydroelectric pump-storage for peak and intermediate load service.

GN Power has started construction for its coal fired power project in Mariveles, Bataan, which is expected to be completed in late 2012.

The third phase will be the 300 MW on-shore wind farm while the fourth phase will be a 1,200 MW liquefied natural gas power plant and fuel-handling facilities.

The project also involves the construction of several transmission lines for the efficient and economical evacuation of the power.

The Energy Regulatory Commission has already appro