holy angel university strike continues

business news
BFAR to launch registration program for CL fishermen
news pagE 3
www.headlinegl.com
Group opposes
Balibago water
firm certification
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
VOLUME II • NO. 56
AUGUST 28, 2013
WEDNESDAY
The Most Widely Distributed Local Newspaper in Central Luzon
ANGELES CITY -- A group of concerned residents here expressed opposition to the application for Certificate
of Public Conveyance (CPC) of the Balibago Water System Inc. (BWSI).
BWSI filed its CPC application before the National Water Resources
Board (NWRB), which would allow it
to continue its services despite the expiration of its franchise in June.
In a letter to the NWRB dated August 22, 2013, the Samahang tagaBalibago na ang Adhikain ay Kalusugroup opposes...pagE 7
Apalit mayor
elected PML prexy
By Marna Dagumboy-del Rosario
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Apalit
Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr. has been
elected yesterday as the new president of
the Pampanga Mayors League (PML).
During an interview, Tetangco called
for unity among the PML members, adding that uniting local chief executives
has challenged him into running for the
league’s top post.
“Masaya tayo dahil nakuha natin ang
tiwala ng ating mga mayors at lalo na ang
suporta ng ating gobernador. Nakita rin
pml prexy... pagE 7
‘MOTHER’ FOR ALL. Governor Lilia Pineda prepares to hand-over a pack of relief goods to an elderly in one of the relief operations of the Provincial Government in the Fourth District over the weekend. --Photo by Ric Gonzales
‘No deal!’
Holy Angel University strike continues
Check gates
proposed
to prevent
dike breach
BACOLOR, Pampanga -- To mitigate the impact of flash floods during
times of calamities, Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon proposed the construction of
check gates at the ring dike.
“This proposal came to mind during
the height of the recent Typhoon Maring
enhanced by the Southwest Monsoon,
which caused erosion on some portions
of the tail dike due to flash floods,” Hizon
check gates... pagE 7
By Joey Pavia
ANGELES CITY–The Holy Angel
University Teachers and Employees
Union (HAUTEU) is on the 14th day of
strike today, affecting the operations of
one of the biggest universities in Central Luzon with some 19,000 students.
no deal...pagE 7
Floods persist in
Pampanga, Bulacan
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The heavy
rains have stopped for
days, but most of the villages in the low-lying and
coastal towns of Pampanga and Bulacan are still
submerged to floodwater.
Latest data from the
Regional Risk Reduction
and Management Council
(RDRRMC) showed that a
total of 179 villages in the
two provinces are still under water despite the imfloods... pagE 7
STRUGGLE. Students show support to the
striking members of the HAUTEU led by its spokesperson,
Veronica Pangilinan (3rd from left), near a mock-up coffin
at the main gate of the Holy Angel University in Angeles
City on Tuesday. --Photo by Joey Pavia
2NEWS
Headline
Gitnang Luzon
AUGUST 28, 2013
Bataan solon
moves to
rectify IRA
shortfall
By Michael Cigaral
‘TULONG KAPATID’. Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan controlled, managed, and/or affiliated companies with provide assistance to victims of
typhoon Maring in the City of San Fernando over the weekend. In photo are Gilas Pilipinas players, TV5 personalities and MVP group officers; Pampanga
Third District Rep. Oscar Rodriguez; Mayor Edwin Santiago, Vice Mayor Jaime Lazatin and Councilor Angie Hizon. --Contributed photo
Villanueva unveils
assessment center for
tourism in Zambales
By Butch Gunio
IBA, Zambales -- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva
led the unveiling of the agency’s Assessment Center for Tourism here recently.
Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Vice
Gov. Ramon Lacbain II joined Villanueva
in the unveiling of the center located at the
TESDA compound in Barangay Palanginan, this town.
Also present were former congressman
Jun Omar Ebdane, Iba Vice Mayor Jun
Farin, TESDA-3 Regional Director Ted
Gatchalian, and TESDA-Zambales provincial director-in-charge, Virgie Bondoc.
“Despite the bad weather, we did not
pass on this opportunity to unveil Zambales’ Competency Assessment Center for
Tourism, that will boost our efforts in upASSESSMENT CENTER... Page 7
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Barangay polls bump-off
slated ‘Tigtigan, Terakan’
By Joey Pavia
ANGELES CITY – The
“Tigitigan, Terakan keng Dalan,” an annual street festival
in Barangay Balibago, which
attracted some 80,000 people in 2012, will be moved to
December, Mayor Edgardo
Pamintuan said on Tuesday.
Pamintuan said the
street party was held annually on October since he
started it 20 years ago to
liven up the businesses affected by the eruption of Mt.
Pinatubo in 1991.
Pamintuan said the
street dance will be held on
December 8. He has yet to
give other dates of the event
usually held for two days.
Pamintuan cited the upcoming Barangay and Sangunniang Kabataan elections as the primary reasons
for moving the original date
of the festival from October
to December.
The barangay election is
set on October 28. Last year,
the street festival was held
on October 28 to 29. ●
DOLE-3 holds job fairs for flood-hit workers
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
regional office here will conduct job fairs in
selected areas in Central Luzon next month
to help workers who were displaced by the
recent storm which enhanced the southwest
monsoon.
Raymundo Agravante, DOLE regional
director, said the move is part of the DOLE’s
employment facilitation strategies to reach
displaced workers in the local communities.
“There are many workers who were severely affected by the floods in Central Luzon. The DOLE, in cooperation with Public
Employment Service Office (PESO) and the
concerned local government units (LGUs),
will conduct job fairs in selected areas in the
region to facilitate the employment search of
jobseekers,” he said, adding that priority will
be given to victims of the recent calamity.
The one-day job fair will be held in the
following areas: Old Capitol compound, Burgos Street, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on
September 2; Tarlac City Plazuela, Tarlac on
September 4; and the municipal auditorium
in Guagua, Pampanga on September 17.
“This is part of our post-calamity efforts
to help displaced workers find decent job,” he said.
He asked job applicants in the flood-hit
areas in the region to visit their local PESO
and register for the job fairs.
Likewise, he advised job seekers to prepare their application documents for the job
fairs, such as curriculum vitae or bio-data,
police and NBI clearances, birth certificates,
employment certificates, diplomas, transcript of records, training certificates, and
other relevant documents.
The job fair is in addition to the emergency employment program or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) that the DOLE is implementing
in the region to help flood-hit workers in the
region.
Through the TUPAD program, flood displaced workers are being given an opportunity
to perform community works in exchange for a
stipend allowance equivalent to existing minimum wage rates for a minimum number of days.
So far, the DOLE has identified some
1,450 flood-displaced workers in Pampanga
as beneficiaries of the TUPAD program.
Of this number, Agravante said 417 displaced workers were prioritized as “they are
already engaged in emergency rehabilitation
works, such as sandbagging operations in the
towns of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, Sto.
Tomas, San Simon, Apalit, Sta. Ana, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Bacolor, and City
of San Fernando.”
He said the displaced workers will be employed for 10 days with a daily wage of P336.
The partner LGUs, on the other hand, will
provide the beneficiaries the necessary tools,
safety/protective gears, hauling equipment, gasoline and seedlings that they will use for work.
Aside from sandbagging activities, the
workers will also render works such as clearing debris, de-clogging of canals, sewers and
drainage and waterways, cleaning and repairing of public buildings and other infrastructures, like schools, barangay halls, public markets, roads and bridges.
“Through these two initiatives, we hope
we could be able to help the flood-affected
families in the region,” he added. ● (PNA)
BALANGA CITY -- Bataan
Second District Rep. Enrique
“Tet” Garcia, Jr. confirmed
Monday morning that he is set
to file this week a petition for
mandamus before the Supreme
Court against the national government and reverse the shortfall on the Internal Revenue
Allotment (IRA) shares of local
government units.
“I am asking the Supreme
Court to compel the national
government to give the LGUs
their just share in the national
taxes as mandated by the Constitution. The Local Government Code requires the national government to give the LGUs
a fixed percentage of the national internal revenue taxes as
their IRA--30 percent in 1997
and onwards,” Garcia said.
Garcia, in an interview with
local newsmen here, reiterated
that he is doing this not only for
the province of Bataan, where
he served as governor for the
last nine years, “but for the
benefit of the local government
units all over the country – the
provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.”
Garcia added, “This is a
duty imposed by the Constitution and the law. But I would
say that the national government is fulfilling this duty halfheartedly, instead of fully and
faithfully performing it. The
national government computes
the IRA not on the basis of the
gross national internal revenue
collections in the computation
of the IRA. Moreover, the collections of the Bureau of Customs, of VAT and excise taxes,
which are clearly internal revenue taxes, are not being included in the computation.”
The solon explained that it
resulted to a huge IRA shortfall
which started in 1995 and will
continue to accumulate until
the error in the computation of
the IRA is rectified.
He also confirmed he wrote
a letter to President Benigno
Aquino III about this and told
the Chief Executive that in
three years alone (2009, 2010
and 2011), there is a shortfall
in the IRA distributed to the
LGUs in the aggregate amount
of P233.1 billion.
Reckoned from 1995 up to
2013, the shortfall will easily
reach more than a trillion pesos.
Unfortunately, Garcia said,
he did not receive any response
from the President.
Presently, Garcia explained,
the LGUs are being unfairly
looked down upon for their
perceived failure to deliver essential government services to
the people; for their failure to
provide adequate health services and employment, and to
address poverty.
“I submit that it is grossly
unfair to expect much from the
LGUs when their capability to
RECTIFY IRA... Page 3
Headline
Gitnang Luzon
AUGUST 28, 2013
BUSINESS 3
BFAR to launch registration program for CL fishermen
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
--The Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will
launch in Central Luzon its
simplified National Program
for Municipal Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) on September
5.
“FishR is aimed at developing a standardized registry sys-
tem among municipal fisherfolks nationwide. It is anchored
on Section 19 of Republic Act
8550, otherwise known as the
Philippine Fisheries Code,” explained Lanie Lamyong, BFAR
regional information officer.
The agency targets to solicit
the support of all local government units (LGUs) with coastal
SM Clark promotes
breastfeeding among
future parents
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
ANGELES CITY--A shopping mall here, on Tuesday, conducted a breastfeeding seminar
among future mothers in a bid
to promote its benefits.
SM City Clark (SMCK)
conducted the “Breastfeeding: Close to Mothers” seminar
among female students of the
Clark International Science
and Technology College. Some
male students also attended the
seminar.
The seminar was led by Dr.
Rowena Mangubat, resident
OB-Gyne at the Angeles University Foundation Medical
Center.
Mangubat discussed the
importance of breastfeeding
saying that more than feeding
an infant, it serves as a bond for
the mother and child.
Mangubat also cited SMCK
and other SM malls for establishing a breastfeeding station
in their respective malls.
“We have to breastfeed
our children at least every two
hours regardless of where we
are. So, it’s good to find a breastfeeding station at a shopping
mall,” Mangubat said.
Mangubat added that
breastfeeding is the best source
of nutrition for a healthy infant.
For working mothers, Mangubat said, breast milk can be
stored for a maximum of eight
hours in a refrigerator.
SM Supermalls have been
known to promote breastfeeding as part of their corporate
social responsibility. ●
areas, lakes and other similar
bodies of water to reconcile
their registration system used
at present and align them with
FishR’s simplified system.
“The information we will
obtain from this project will be
of great help in the implementation of relevant programs
to assist LGUs in the develop-
ment, administration, management, protection and care
for fisheries resources; as well
as with the establishment of a
Comprehensive Fishery Information System,” Lamyong furthered.
This information will serve
as BFAR’s basis for providing
technical or economic assis-
4,000 new jobs await
Bataan residents
by Michael Cigaral
HERMOSA, BATAAN -More than 4,000 new jobs
await residents of this town
and nearby municipalities in
a span of several months.
Former Bases Conversion Development Authority
(BCDA) Chairman Felicito
Payumo confirmed to newsmen here that the first locator inside the Hermosa Economic Zone Industrial Park,
the Sumi Philippines Wiring
Systems (SPWS), a Japanese
company which presently
employs 3,000 workers, is
now in its expansion stage
and will need another 3,000
factory workers.
Payumo is one of the
brains behind the 500-hect-
are industrial park located in
Barangay Palihan of this municipality.
Palihan is the entry point
in Bataan to the Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway (SCTEx).
The former Bataan solon added that another foreign investor, which manufactures medical kits and
gadgets, will be building its
factory in the said economic
zone this year and will employ 1,000 workers.
Meanwhile, two foreign
firms, Black and Decker and
Nippon Steel, reportedly signified interests to have their
expansion projects here but
Payumo stated that they are
still on the stage of negotiations with the said companies. ●
tance and other programs or
projects for the community of
fishermen and implementing
ecosystems-based approach to
fisheries management.
FishR shall cover all municipal fisherfolk, and fishworkers
based in a municipality or city,
as well as fishery operators. ●
(PIA 3)
rectify ira from Page 2
undertake good governance is being severely undermined. We need to sufficiently empower the LGUs not only for the sake
of the country and our people but for the
national government itself,” Garcia said.
The Bataan solon cited a paper written
for the Local Government Center, University of the Philippines College of Public Administration and Ford Foundation Philippines, where LGUs are being regarded by
many citizens as the government.
“If local governments fail and are unresponsive to the basic needs of the people,
then government to these people is a failure, regardless of the grandiose plans and
visions (the national government) has.”
Garcia also said that he is filing the petition for mandamus with the Supreme
Court banking on its earlier pronouncements on local autonomy, which he quote:
“Our national officials should not only
comply with the Constitutional provisions
on local autonomy but should also appreciate the spirit and liberty upon which
these provisions are based. Where the law,
the Constitution in this case, is clear and
unambiguous, it must be taken to mean
exactly what it says, and courts have no
choice but to see to it that the mandate is
obeyed.” ●
4
Headline
Gitnang Luzon
AUGUST 28, 2013
EDITORIAL
What’s our beef
with ‘Pork’?
For the past few weeks, we have been
pushed to near nausea upon hearing the
word “pork” or that general term used to
refer to the allocation which congressmen,
senators and top executives of our nation
use to fund their pet projects.
People are calling for its abolition in the
light of controversies of misuse of the fund
and the alleged practice of our government
officials in amassing millions--if not billions-of pesos from the government money directly to their personal bank accounts.
Many now think that it is only the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)
that is encumbering every Filipino who religiously pays taxes even against a meager
salary. Many believe that to abolish pork
would mean killing the root of corruption
that has saddled Juan dela Cruz for a long
time.
We all know that government money
is needed for the state to provide us the
services we all deserve. But, we cannot let
the corrupt ones to manage our funds because these people who we entrusted with
our money end up richer why we remain
poor--if not poorer.
By scrapping the PDAF, however, does
not mean instant savings for the government and more services for us.
After the fund had been removed from
the hands of greedy congressmen, who,
then, will be the most competent people to
handle it? The various departments of the
national government? The local government units?
We have become so busy hating the
pork barrel that we forgot that corruption in
government does not only revolve around
the PDAF. We forgot that wherever the dust
of money is, there will surely be “termites”
running after it.
We cannot let go of the fact that even a
simple clerk in an office can make money,
no matter how measly, from any government fund.
At the end of the day, it is not the PDAF
(or whatever name it will adopt after this
noise) that poses the problem, but the people who control its release.
Removing pork does not kill obese and
greedy politicians, who could look for other
sustenance to survive.
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Tel. Nos. (045) 435-0938
Fed-up na sa PDAF
P
wedeng sabihing
matagumpay ang “One
Million March” na ginanap noong Lunes sa Rizal Park kung tuluyan nang
mawala ang pork barrel ng
mambabatas.
Andyan na ang momentum.
Kung kailangan ang isa, dalawa, tatlo at higit pang “One
Million March” para mawala
nang todo ang pork barrel,
kailangan, ang mamamayan
ay hindi mag-atubiling maglunsad nito.
***
Fed-up na ang mamamayan
sa PDAF. Marami tayong
kakilala na mga congressmen
na nagsi-yaman dahil binusog nila ang sarili sa SOP nila
sa mga proyekto. Sa gamot na
binibili nila ay mahigit sa 50
percent ang kickback. Sa mga
imprastraktura ay umaabot
sa 30 percent. Halos iyong
kalahati ng sitenta milyones
na pork barrel nila kada taon
ay naibubulsa nila. Mayroon
pa rin sila sa kung tawagin ay
“insertion”.
Dinadaan
***
ni
Pangulong
Noynoy sa rhetorics ang
tungkol sa pork barrel. Sa
totoo lang, hindi niya kayang tanggalin ang pork barrel ng mga mambabatas,
dahil pag ginawa niya yoon
bubuweltahan siya at tatanggalin din nila ang kaniyang
pork barrel na bilyon-bilyong
piso. Naniniwala ba kayo na
walang nagkakwarta sa pork
barrel ng Malacanang?
***
Sa ilalim ng batas, ang executive budget o annual
budget ay preparasyon ng
Malacañang at ito ay dadalhin sa kongreso para bubusiin ng mga mambabatas.
Mayroon silang kapangyarihan na magbawas ng gastusin ng alinmang sangay ng
pamahalaan kasama na ang
palasyo, subali’t hindi pwedeng magdagdag.
Sa kanilang kapangyarihan,
pwede nilang bigyan ng zero
budget ang alinmang ahensiya. Malaking kapangyarihan ito na kahit ang pangulo
ng bansa ay kailangan niya
itong respetuhin.
***
Isa pang kinatatakutan ng
Malacañang ay “power of
impeachment”. Kapag nagalit ang karamihan sa mga
mambabatas at kunwari ay
nag-file ang isang kagawad
nito, malamang kaysa hindi,
aabot ito sa senado.
Natatandaan niyo ba noong
na-impeach si Chief Justice
Renato Corona? Sinabihan
lang ang mga congressmen
na dadagdagan ang kanilang
pork barrel pag pumirma
sa impeachment article,
animo’y mga baboy ang
marami sa kanila na sunudsunurang pumirma kahit
hindi pa binasa ang kalamnan nito. Iyong hindi pumirma tinanggalan. Iyan ba ang
daang matuwid ni Pnoy?
***
Bakit naman binaboy ng
mga raliyista ang pagdalo
ni Corona sa One Million
March? Ang tunay na baboy
ay iyong bumaboy sa kaniya. Pinatalsik siya ng senado hindi sa pork barrel kung
hindi sa maling pagsumite
niya ng Statement of Assets,
Liabilities and Net Worth
(SALN). •
toda max
Max Sangil
“Marami
tayong kakilala
na mga
congressmen
na nagsi-yaman
dahil binusog
nila ang sarili
sa SOP nila
sa mga
proyekto.”
Gov Pineda’s call during calamities
“Since we experience floods every year, the government, including local government units, might want to
consider the massive desilting of rivers and the re-channeling of waterways to proper places such as the
Manila Bay. ”
L
ast week, Pampanga
Governor Lilia Pineda
has called on mayors in
flooded towns in the province
to efficiently use their municipalities’ calamity funds to
truly address their constituents’ needs during times of
calamities. The call was timely as hundreds of barangays
remain inundated as of last
week due to typhoon Maring
and the monsoon rains.
***
Each local government unit
in the whole country has its
own calamity funds comprising of five percent of the
Internal Revenue Allotment
(IRA) they receive from the
national government. The
calamity fund has to be used
solely by the local government unit concerned during
times of calamities in mitigating its effects and in rehabilitating the damages brought
by any calamity to lives and
properties in an area.
***
The calamity fund should
not be used for abuse as it is
an emergency fund that can
only be utilized “when the
need arises” and not when local officials merely wanted it
to be used. It can and should
be used in times of emergencies as a contingency means
for the welfare of the constit-
uencies of our local officials.
including the one in Minalin
town.
***
***
Pa mpa nga
With the call is the
was one of the
governor’s assurance
provinces that
that the provincial
were
badlycapitol is always ready
affected
by
to help in rescue opthe onslaught
erations, relief and reof heavy rains
habilitation efforts of
last week. The
municipalities and baprovince sufrangays. Since the affered
from
termath of the deluge
floods
espethat flooded a number
cially in lowlying
areas ATTY. GEROME TUBIG of barangays, the governor never stopped
brought about
in visiting typhoonby the oversaturation of the soil with affected areas, mostly under
floodwaters and the breach of floodwaters as of this writing.
some flood protection dikes
atty. kap... Page 7
ATTY.
KAP
5
Headline
Gitnang Luzon
AUGUST 28, 2013
Neminem
N
o one should remain nobody.
It’s ridiculous how most
of us flaunt the notion that
those degree holders in college are
always better than those who are
not.
This misconception is an open disgrace to the creators of excellence
that came before
us. It is a direct insult to the intellect
of great thinkers
and workers who
redefine success.
So, if you think
the same way, you
should run now
and save a face,
for I will list down
Outside
a squad of big
names that were Looking In
high school and Mark Lendle L. Toloza
college drop-outs
but succeeded in life: Bill Gates, Al
Pacino, Mark Zuckerberg, Kobe Bryant, Steve Jobs, Johnny Depp, Robert de Niro, Princess Diana, Ringo
Starr, Robert Downey, Jr. and Marilyn Monroe. And these are just some
of those standing on the frontline of
thousand names and beyond.
Don’t get it twisted, the truth that
I want to elevate here is not a question of having a college diploma as a
gateway to success. If you think that
education is the key, so do I. A fact to
complement this is that even I want
my younger brothers and my daughter to finish their formal education,
and have a college diploma in the future. For this will open many doors
of opportunity for them. One must
pursue his education, there is no discussion on that.
But, the issue that I cannot even
stomach is when people act like having a college diploma is the only barometer to success; like it’s the only
mark of a knowledgeable person; like
Mga OFW sa Egypt
it’s the criterion of credibility and
the only touchstone of competency.
That is stupidity in it’s purest form.
That mentality should go like a darn
dirt that should be flushed out, then,
after some good wiping and sanitizing, gone.
It’s true, we need the expertise of
professionals to rebuild a competitive country. But we should
not undermine those high
“Meanwhile, more and
more college drop-outs
with intrinsic abilities are
like winter clothes in summer months of a tropical
country--they remain
unused and unnoticed.”
school and college drop-outs with
potential just because they do not
have a diploma. Otherwise, we will
have a nation that does not produce
leaders, but a breeding ground of superficial individuals full of bravado
and lacking substance.
Kabayans, let us realize the fact
that there are out-of-school youth,
college dropouts and undergraduates who are intellectual, talented
and full of innate abilities but many
are just stagnating. Some of them
abandoned and failed to pursue their
formal education due to financial incapability, self-destructive attitude,
poor emotional quotient, external
and environmental factors or lifechanging events like early marriage
and college pregnancy.
Please, don’t propose an argument
to me that all college graduates are
competent. I can scribble down hundreds of legitimate college graduates
who, until now, cannot even solve a
simple algebraic expression or con-
struct a decent essay less of spelling
errors, or grammatically unsound
statements. Some of them survived
just by eliminating or minimizing
number of absences in each schoolyear; others participated in extracurricular activities to improve their
grades; and a few used the power of
charm to form friendship with classmates and teachers.
Meanwhile, more and more college
drop-outs with intrinsic abilities
are like winter clothes in summer
months of a tropical country--they
remain unused and unnoticed.
Let us build up, and not tear down
undergraduates with potential, abilities and skills competent enough to
kickstart the rise of our country,
positioning itself to honor and pride
that we long deserve.
I propose building scholarship programs not only for those financially
incapacitated students, but also for
those talented, skilled and brilliant
individuals to finish their studies
and capitalize their strengths. I also
suggest adding up subjects for personality development, solidifying
E.Q. and good attitude, character
building, and self-discipline lessons
to our curriculum, just like what Japan and other powerful countries
are doing. These are what we really
need.
My fellow Filipinos, let us recognize what’s beyond the tangible. Let
us judge not by the diploma alone.
Let us choose substance over superficial and potential over praise.
But, still, there are some who like to
downplay the potential of their rivals
and their dire move is to question
their opponent’s capability based on
the educational resumè; fronting as
the better person after they declared
their educational merits. For them,
let my squad of big names shout in
unison: “Wow! That’s cute!” •
A million march away from pork
L
erty alleviation programs of every
ast Monday was a truly a his- its search for Janet Napoles.
Billions of pesos were squandered district.
toric day to remember. It was
C ont r ac t s on i n f r a s t r uc t u r e s
the Million People March Day. by a few individuals and no one, as in,
It was the main discussion on every no one was held accountable. Ficti- should be black and white. No more
corner of the country and even in the tious non government organizations under the table scheme to eradicate
corruption.
social media as hundreds of thou- who received humongous
There should be a resands people marched to voice their funds were disclosed and
vamp in our budgetary
outrage over the graft-taint“I could foresee that in the
system. No more pork
ed priority development asbarrel to both the legissistance fund ( PDAF) also
next national election, there
lative and the executive
known as the pork barrel.
departments of the govIt was the first in the his- would no be more candidates
ernment to prevent cortory of the Philippines that in the House of the Represenruption. I could foresee
Filipino people demanded
tative except, of course, to
that in the next national
the total abolition of the pork
some nationalistic and paelection, there would no
barrel in the streets. Filipinos
be more candidates in the
all over the globe expressed
triotic individuals who want
House of the Representatheir support to the cause by
to serve the country without
tive except, of course, to
protests and slogans. Priests,
vested interests.” ELLEZ J. DAVIO
some nationalistic and
celebrities, militant groups,
patriotic individuals who
private citizens and students
want to serve the country
joined the rally to express
without vested interests.
their sentiments over the controver- nobody was held liable to date.
We should vanguard ourselves
Even the richest man in the world
sial pork barrel.
Discoveries upon discoveries of the does not own 28 houses and more than from the rotten political aspirants to
protect our integrity as Filipinos. A
scam were laid down to the public in 400 accounts as Janet Napoles has.
She could be in the list of the country free of corruption is a counthe past weeks. Still, we could not
get hold of the primary suspect of the Forbes magazine as one of the rich- try of fairness and honor.
I wished I was there to express my
scam, for she is missing in action as est women in the planet with such
of the moment. And the sad truth, no- assets and money. She enjoyed the position and to witness the historic
body knows where Janet Napoles is. comfort of being affluent at the ex- event. I was invited by my fellow
Peyups to join the rally but, unfortuSpeculations that some govern- pense of the Filipino people.
Personally, I am in favor of the nately, I was confined to my obligament high officials were behind her
disappearance are somewhat authen- scrapping of the pork barrel to avoid tions as a mother.
I may not be visibly present, but
tic. Pictures of her rubbing elbows corruption. Instead of handling the
with top government officials is proof funds to one representative of each my faith to the cause is very much
thereof that she was a prominent per- district, it should be directed and re- appreciated by them. Now, is the
sonality in Congress--the reason why channeled to the basic social servic- time to catch the big monster that is
the long arm of the law seems futile in es like education, health, and pov- eating our pork on our table. •
Now We
Know!
K
ung makailang beses lang, nanawagan muli ang ating bansa sa mga kababayan nating nasa bansang
Egypt na umuwi na dito sa Pilipinas upang makaiwas sa
mga kaguluhang nangyayari doon.
Nanawagang muli si Secretary Albert Del Rosario ng
Department of Foreign Affairs sa mga Pilipino na nandoon sa nasabing bansa, na lumisan na at samantalahin
ang “repatriation program” ng ating gobyerno na pagpapauwi sa ating mga Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).
Samantala, hinikayat ni Del Rosario ang mga kababayan natin doon na kung maaari ay manatili muna sila
sa loob ng kanilang bahay na tinitirhan o sa kanilang
mga establisyimentong kinalalagyan habang pino-proseso ng mga tauhan ng ating pamahalaan ang pagpapauwi sa kanila sa ating bansa.
Matatandaang nagsimula ang
mga sunud-sunod na karahasan
sa nasabing bansa noong nakalipas na buwan nang mapatalsik sa
kaniyang puwesto si dating Pangulong Mohamed Morsi sa isang
kudetang naganap na kung saan
kulang lamang sa isang libo ang
mga namatay.
Bunsod ng mga kaguluhan mula
noong ibinaba sa kaniyang puwesto si Morsi, ang ating embahada sa
nasabing bansa ay patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga kababayan doon na kung maaari ay Ka Dencio Pacheco
magsiuwi na sa ating bansa bago
pa mahuli ang lahat.
“Kagaya ng iba
Mayroong tinatayang 6,000
pa nating mga
mga Pilipino ang nasa Egypt at
OFW sa iba’tkaramihan sa kanila ay nagtatrabaho bilang mga “skilled workers”
ibang parte ng
at ang iba ay bilang mga kasambadaigdig, sila
hay.
Kagaya ng iba pa nating mga
ay nagtitiyaga
OFW sa iba’t-ibang parte ng daigna maghanapdig, sila ay nagtitiyaga na maghanbuhay sa mga
ap-buhay sa mga malalayong lugar
upang kumita para sa kanilang
malalayong
mga pamilya dito sa Pilipinas. Tilugar upang
nitiis nila ang hirap ng trabaho,
ang lungkot at kung minsan ang
kumita para sa
pagma-maltrato ng ilang mga
kanilang mga
“employer” upang mayroon lapamilya
dito sa
mang maipakain sa kanilang mga
naiwan sa ating bansa.
Pilipinas”
Kasalukuyang nasa “state of
emergency” ang Egypt dahil na rin
sa kabi-kabilang mga kaguluhan
at away ng mga taga-suporta ni Morsi at ng mga tauhan
ng pamahalaan nila.
Kahit may mga panganib sa kanilang mga buhay,
ayaw lisanin ng ating mga OFW sa nasabing bansa ang
kanilang mga trabaho. Kunsabagay, hindi rin natin sila
masisisi sa bagay na ito dahil mas pipiliin nilang manatili doon kaysa naman sa magutom ang kanilang mga
pamilya na naririto sa Pilipinas.
Kung mayroon lamang mga disenteng trabaho dito
ang ating mga kababayan na kung saan ay magkakaroon
sila nang sapat na kita para sa kanilang mga pamilya,
natitiyak kong hinding-hindi na sila lalayo para lamang
kumayod at magbanat nang mga buto sa ibang bansa.
Sa kabila nang mga panawagan ng ating pamahalaan
na sila nga ay umuwi na sa ating bansa, wala namang
sapat at angkop na programa ang ating pamahalaan
para sa kanila sakaling magpasya silang umuwi na nga
dito. Ang tanong ay kung may madadatnan kaya silang
mga trabaho dito na maaari silang kumita nang sapat
na halaga sakaling sila ay magpasya nang manatili sa
ating bansa?
Marami na rin sa ating mga OFWs ang umuwi na dito
sa Pilipinas pero ninanais pa rin nila ang bumalik sa kanilang mga banyagang “employers” dahil wala man o di
sapat ang oportunidad para kumita dito sa ating bansa.
Wala ring mga programa ang ating pamahalaan para
sa mga nagbabalak na umalis nang bansa upang mahikayat ang mga magagaling na mga propesyonal nating
mga kababayan na manatili na lamang sana dito para
maghanapbuhay.
Kung ating mapapansin, marami sa ating mga duktor, inhinyero at arkitekto ang nagpupumilit na makapagtrabaho sa ibang bansa sa dahilang hindi nila nakakayanan ang murang pasahod o maliit na kita nila
sa Pilipinas. Sayang nga naman ang kanilang galing at
panahon kung hindi ito matutumbasan nang sapat na
kita dito sa atin.
Magiging epektibo at magkakaroon nang tugon ang
ating mga kababayan sa Egypt at sa iba pang mga bansa
sa panawagan ng pamahalaan na sila ay umuwi na sa
Pilipinas kung matitiyak sana nito na may magandang
trabaho silang naghihintay dito. Kung makakasiguro
Walang
Biro!
walang biro!... Page 7
Gitnang Luzon
AUGUST 28, 2013
Crossword puzzle
zles.com for hints and solutions!
.
1
2
3
4
5
6
17
9
10
21
28
24
26
30
31
33
38
43
34
40
39
52
41
45
44
48
35
36
37
60
61
42
46
49
47
50
54
53
55
56
57
58
64
59
62
63
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
B058ID
Down
1. Trots
2. “Leaving on___Plane”
3. First ___ (ship officer)
1. Visitors to
Jesus
4. ___
Islands (Bahamas
group)
2. Vidi, in English
5. Suffix with musket or ballad
3. Currency6.in
Capri
Injure
7. Square-rigger
4. ___ on (exaggerates)
8. Nondairy topping
5. Braz. neighbor
9. Woman’s shoe
10. February stone
6. Eggs, biologically
11. “___ luego”
12. U.S.S.R. collective
7. Cassidy portrayer
William
13. Set aside for later use
8. Peter Fonda's
golden role
18. Regarding
Poet Millay
9. Baggage22.
carrier
24. Butcher’s side
Down
25. It can be 1 through 12
27. ___
ringer
28. Jacob's
wife
before Rachel
28. “Me here!”
29. "The
29.Last
StyleDays of Pompeii"
girl
30. Cornhusker’s city
Getty
Villa site
30. Try31.
this
first
10. Learned
35. Suffix meaning “collection”
31. Antiseptic
36. Pupil’selement
pony
37. Like a Playmate of the
35. Company's icon
Month
39.in
Seaweed-filled
36. Milk,
Marseille sea
41. River of Hades
37. ___-ball
(arcade game)
44. Tilled
46. 1988
Olympics
site
39. Campy
1960's
hit sitcom
49. Stable scene
41. Work
on glass, say
50. Abridgments
51.in
“Good
buddies” hand
44. Item
an actor's
11. Medieval rabbinical writer
46. Teasdale and Roosevelt
12. Bay window
49. Intl. assn. for learning
13. Bushels
50. Gutta- __
18. Maze options
51. Offspring
22. Ugandan tyrant Idi ___
52. Split to bond
SM PAMPANGA | Cinema 1
53. Diminishes in intensity
24. 6-3, 5-7 and 6-4,The
e.g.Mortal Instruments:
City of Bones56. Couples
25. Safe place
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
10:40 AM | 1:15 PM
| 3:50
PM for
| 6:25
57.
Place
cogitation
27. Diner sandwiches,
PMfor
| 9:00 PM
short
Across
13
22
25
29
32
12
19
18
23
11
16
20
51
8
15
14
27
7
Puzzle ID: #W044DV
52. Whether ___
1. Window’s support
5. Form into an arch
10. Cries from creative people
14. Town near Santa Barbara
15. Country’s Steve
16. Mini-___ (convenience store)
17. Union: third stage
19. “____ Perpetua,” Idaho motto
20. Ale holder
21. Enterprising one
23. Mount from which Moses viewed the
Promised Land
26. Fill the lungs
27. Hellish literary work
32. High season, on the Riviera
33. Hopkins of “Gimme a Break”
34. Brand of running shoe
38. Sale tag words
40. Mares’ young
42. Freight charge deduction
43. Alice’s cat
45. Signed I.O.U.’s
47. Veto, slangily
48. Popular lullaby
51. Eccentric one
54. Wife: Lat.
55. Most encompassing
58. Range of the Rockies
62. River in Austria
63. Quick-changers
66. Aussie bounders
67. Gossip columnist Joyce
68. Chimney passage
69. Houston player, informally
70. Tantamount
71. Bar overdoers
Necessity State
for an organ
60.53.
Longhorn
school
transplant
near
the Mex. border
56. The N.B.A.’s O’Neal,
61.familiarly
Houston player, informally
Cologne
thathosts
soundsits
64.57.
Jerry
Lewis
improper
telethons annually: Abbr.
59. ___ contendre
Carpenter’s
metal piece
65.60.
___
favor: please
(Sp.)
61. “____ Death,” Grieg
passage
64. “Oh, give ___ home...”
65. Schubert’s “The ___ KIng”
LAST ISSUE ANSWERS
6
Headline
SM CLARK | Cinema 1
The Conjuring
MTRCB Rating: R-13
11:40 AM | 2:00 PM | 4:20 PM |
6:40 PM | 9:00 PM
SM CITY SAN FERNANDO
Downtown | Cinema 2
The Mortal Instruments:
City of Bones
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:30 PM | 3:20 PM | 6:10 PM | 9:00 PM
SM PAMPANGA | Cinema 3
Planes in 3D
MTRCB Rating: GP
12:20 PM | 2:30 PM | 4:40 PM | 6:50 PM
| 9:00 PM
SM CLARK | Cinema 2
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
11:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 4:00 PM |
6:30 PM | 9:00 PM
SM CITY SAN FERNANDO
Downtown | Cinema 3
R.I.P.D.
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:00 PM | 2:15 PM | 4:30 PM
| 6:45 PM | 9:00 PM
SM PAMPANGA | Cinema 4
The Conjuring
MTRCB Rating: R-13
11:40 AM | 2:00 PM | 4:20 PM
| 6:40 PM | 9:00 PM
SM CLARK |D-CINEMA
Planes in 3D
MTRCB Rating: GP
12:40 PM | 2:45 PM | 4:50 PM |
6:55 PM | 9:00 PM
SM PAMPANGA | Cinema 4
Ang Huling Henya
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
11:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 4:00 PM
| 6:30 PM | 9:00 PM
SM PAMPANGA | Cinema 5
Ekstra
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
11:20 AM | 1:45 PM |
4:10 PM | 6:35 PM
SM PAMPANGA | Cinema 6
R.I.P.D.
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
10:40 AM | 12:40 PM | 2:40 PM |
4:40 PM
SM PAMPANG| CINEMA 6
The Butler
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
6:25 PM | 9:00 PM
SM CLARK |Cinema 4
The Butler
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
10:40 AM | 1:15 PM | 3:50 PM
Percy Jackson:
Sea of Monsters
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
6:40 PM | 9:00 PM
SM CLARK |Cinema 5
Ang Huling Henya
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
10:40 AM | 1:15 PM | 3:50
PM | 6:25 PM | 9:00 PM
SM CLARK |Cinema 6
R.I.P.D.
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:40 PM | 2:45 PM | 4:50 PM
| 6:55 PM | 9:00 PM
HOROSCOPE
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
Your inner resources and emotions are accented. This could not only mean you have control over
yourself in touchy situations but you can expect a sense of support and goodwill from others. This
is a good day to get things done. You have good eye-hand coordination, particularly today. Any
sustained effort will make almost any task run well. You may feel like exercising or getting outside
from time to time--it would certainly give you a good break. Lovers, children and other people dear
to your heart are emphasized this evening. Perhaps a picnic dinner at a nearby park would bring
the family together in a positive atmosphere. Everyone may feel like doing something different
afterwards. New insights are possible with someone older this evening.
ARIES (MAR. 21-APR. 19)
Don’t be surprised if you are not in top mental gear today; these days occur occasionally. You
could find yourself struggling to communicate. Take the time to write a grateful list. Hard words
or confusing information or thoughts will not remain in your energy field for long. You will find that
your hesitation to ask questions has vanished and your timing is greatly improved by the afternoon.
Others will follow your example as you begin to see everything as steppingstones to a better you.
You could be an excellent teacher in areas requiring discipline. You value order and place a high
premium on hard work. You will have a guardian angel blessing you in all you do with family matters this evening. Relax, enjoy and listen to the musical sounds of their voices.
CANCER (JUN 22- JUL 22)
You may tend to ignore the law today--watch your speed and fasten your seatbelt. Your sense
of direction may need more attention than usual as you seem a bit distracted. You have a way of
making yourself known as you are greatly motivated to encourage others and to help whomever to
move forward. Your outward seriousness about things is obvious but occasionally, like today, you
can exhibit a great sense of humor. For some reason, today seems to be one of those days when
you and a co-worker friend could exchange jokes much of the day long. There are things that test
your patience but they will only last a short time. This evening you may decide to involve yourself
with some genealogy study. You will have a helper in this research.
SM CITY SAN FERNANDO
Downtown | Cinema 1
The Conjuring
MTRCB Rating: R-13
11:20 AM | 1:45 PM | 4:10 PM
| 6:35 PM | 9:00 PM
59. Go over 212 degrees
LAST ISSUE solution
MARQUEEMALL | Cinema 1
The Mortal Instruments:
City of Bones
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
1:15 PM | 3:55 PM | 6:35 PM | 9:15 PM
MARQUEEMALL | Cinema 2
Planes
MTRCB Rating: GP
12:40 PM | 2:50 PM | 5:00 PM
| 7:10 PM | 9:20 PM
MARQUEEMALL | Cinema 3
The Conjuring
MTRCB Rating: R-13
12:10 PM | 2:30 PM | 4:50 PM
| 7:10 PM | 9:30 PM
( Cinema schedules are subject to
change without prior notice.)
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN 19)
You value hard work and effort and will go about completing your designated tasks as quickly as
possible today. You like to get down to the bare bones--to what is essential. You may find yourself
being put to good use by your friends this afternoon. All of this should go rather smoothly. You may
be tempted to overextend yourself today with regard to physical exercise or new business. Your
energy is high and opportunities are many, but do not act rashly. Impulsive action could lead to
accidents or overspending. Expand your experiences but stay clear of reckless behavior. There
are opportunities to understand those around you this evening and interaction with others is good.
A sense of support and harmony make this a happy time.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
You could discover that you are appreciated for your ability to get things accomplished. Because
of this, someone may seek you out for your ideas regarding business matters. You are able to
cut through the formalities and get at what is beneath. You possess an architect’s vision for what
needs to be done and how to do it right to make it last--an expert or true builder. Others sense that
you know just what tool to use and how and when to use it when it comes to problem-solving--a
sense of the right path or dharma. You may even wonder why you do not exert this energy on
yourself from time to time. There may be some insights to this quandary and you may find yourself
making lists of things you want to change now. You are energized this evening.
LEO (JUL 23 - AUG. 23)
You could be most persuasive with others today. In a meeting, you will be able to gain the attention
of higher-ups and help to make some positive changes in the workplace. Others listen to your
views. It is natural for you to put your practical and management abilities to work. You can make a
career out of your keen organizational skills and you have clear insight into how things work. You
might consider a consulting profession of your own some day. It is something you could do in little
steps until you see if you like the idea. Supervising and taking charge is your trademark. You tend
to think along lines that are practical and conservative, always coming up with sound and productive ideas. Love, creativity and self-expression fulfill your needs.
LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 23)
You appear perhaps more charming and refined than usual. Now is the best time this month to
request a raise, look for a new position, find a job or otherwise make yourself known. Take an
opportunity to write out your goals. You have great psychological insight into life problems. You
may consider some volunteer work in aiding, counseling or helping others understand difficulties.
You can be fiercely tenacious. You always manage to come across as intense and personal when
communicating and presenting yourself to others. Others are fascinated by the way you present
yourself. It is easy for you to work with people from all walks of life. You could consider a job in
management, perhaps teaching or athletic training or coaching.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)
Considering that your weekend was so full, this day is welcomed! Accomplishments and the completion of any projects or routine work are anticipated before the day even begins. This afternoon
you may enjoy your friends and some light social involvement. Careful--you may find yourself more
than a little interested in spending your money. You are nourished in great measure by the atmosphere and conditions you are able to set up. Now is the time to work on a budget--and this is what
you may want to tell your friends when you finally realize you would rather see your bank account
increase instead of decrease. By clarifying your budget, you will avoid many financial difficulties
later. You enjoy the company of loved ones this evening.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
This is a great time to work with others. You may be asked to perform or oversee certain tasks
today. Your executive abilities are in high focus. This could be an action-filled day when time
seems to slow down as you encounter some of your more vulnerable areas. This kind of intensity
points to inner change and growth. You have the green light for moving forward in your career
decisions. You have plenty of drive and enthusiasm that should be easy to channel. You feel a love
of order and an appreciation for responsibilities. In addition, mystical, metaphysical and occult
subjects appeal to you. You will probably seek out contact in one of these areas to gain a greater
understanding of life’s mysteries. One of your favorites is the art of meditation.
SM CLARK |IMAX
The Mortal Instruments:
City of Bones
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
6:30 PM | 9:30 PM
NOW SHOWING
Robinsons Starmills |Cinema 1
Ekstra
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:00 PM | 2:20 PM
Robinsons Starmills | Cinema 4
Planes
MTRCB Rating: GP
12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM
Robinsons Angeles | Cinema 2
The Mortal Instruments:
City of Bones
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:20 PM | 2:45 PM | 5:10 PM | 7:40 PM
Robinsons Starmills |Cinema 1
Ang Huling Henya
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
5:00 PM | 7:40 PM
Robinsons Starmills | Cinema 5
R.I.P.D.
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
11:40 AM | 1:45 PM | 3:50 PM | 5:55 PM |
8:00 PM
Robinsons Angeles | Cinema 3
Percy Jackson:
Sea of Monsters
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:50 PM | 3:10 PM
Robinsons Starmills |Cinema 2
The Conjuring
MTRCB Rating: R-13
12:30 PM | 2:50 PM |
5:10 PM | 7:30 PM
Robinsons Starmills | Cinema 6
The Mortal Instruments: City
of Bones
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
12:00 PM | 2:40 PM | 5:20 PM | 8:00 PM
Robinsons Angeles Cinema 3
Ekstra
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
5:20 PM | 7:30 PM
Robinsons Starmills | Cinema 3
R.I.P.D.
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
1:30 PM | 3:35 PM | 5:40 PM
Robinsons Angeles | Cinema 1
The Conjuring
MTRCB Rating: R-13
12:30 PM | 2:50 PM | 5:10 PM | 7:40 PM
Robinsons Angeles Cinema 4
R.I.P.D.
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
1:00 PM | 3:10 PM | 5:20 PM | 7:30 PM
SCORPIO (OCT. 24- NOV. 21)
You may find yourself very appreciative of your career and practical skills. You might enjoy solving
puzzles and problems and finding solutions. Be very attentive to times and dates today as there is
some possibility of misunderstanding. There is some inner peace and harmony that comes with
doing a job successfully but you tend to enjoy teaching others and watching for the success of
those you teach. This afternoon there is an opportunity to trade work with your fellow co-workers
so that each of you learn each other’s job for those times of vacation or absences. Your understanding of people and the ability to put sensitive situations into perspective are unique and valuable gifts. There is a chance to understand those around you.
TAURUS (APR. 20-MAY 20)
Everything points to you--moving forward. You could feel great support from those around you
as you find a first in the way of accomplishment. Something you did not think you could do will
be successfully accomplished. A little smile may appear on your face for the rest of this day. The
afternoon is promising for working in groups. Your management abilities shine and you could be
asked to organize or supervise some work process. You like work and career. This is an inspiring
period, be it creative, personal or in the business world. You like radical approaches and may find
yourself in support of whatever is a new wave product or advanced breakthrough. Swimming or
some other form of exercise is helpful for your relaxation this evening.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEP.22)
This is a high-cycle day when you may find yourself signing contracts, making arrangements and scurrying
around on time schedules. You may find yourself serving to guide someone younger than you in important
matters. You may perceive how to proceed with plans and decisions with regard to your life situation. You
could find that you are appreciated or valued for your feelings and your ability to respond quickly and get things
done. More than one person will pay you compliments today on your speedy abilities. Put your mind to work
and take care of any details that you may have, for mental discipline should come easily. After work you will
receive a door prize or gift from some unexpected source. You could be enjoying friends at a coffee house.
Headline
Gitnang Luzon
AUGUST 28, 2013
no deal from Page 1
Veronica Pangilinan,
HAUTEU
spokesperson,
stressed that they will continue their strike at the Holy
Angel University (HAU) until the union’s demand be
granted by the management.
The strike started on August 15 at the school whose
board of directors is led by
business tycoon Manuel
“Manny” Pangilinan.
“We will go on until we
get what we want,” said
Pangilinan who was interviewed at the tents just outside the HAU main gate.
Pangilinan said the issue
is not the low salary of the
more than 600 workers of
the HAU but “transparency.”
walang biro! from Page 5
Pangilinan cited Republic Act 6728, or the law requiring 70 percent of incremental proceeds (IP) from
tuition fee increase (TFI)
should go to: the improvement of salaries, wages and
benefits of teaching and
non-teaching
personnel;
20 percent for physical improvement; and, 10 percent
for return of investment.
Pangilinan said the HAU
had increased tuition fee at
least five times since 2007.
She said that the HAUTEU led by its president,
Dr. Edmond Maniago, “basically wants the report on
where the increases and
money go.”
“They gave us a report but
it was not supported by documents,” said Pangilinan.
She said the operations
at the HAU had been affected even if the management
tapped “substitute” teachers to replace the striking
teaching force.
“Some students just go
out of the classrooms after
reporting to school because
they have no teachers. Some
of the substitute teachers
are not qualified to teach
and this fact forces the students not to report to class,”
said Pangilinan.
Pangilinan said the 385
members of the HAUTEU
had hoped the union and
the management would settle the difference and avoid
the strike. She said that 304
of its members voted “yes”
to the strike, while 24 disagreed during the voting on
December 7.
“We waited longer or
about eight months to give
settlement a chance. We
also considered some of our
members and their families
who may go hungry because
of the policy ‘no work, no
pay’,” said Pangilinan.
Headline Gitnang Luzon
tried but failed to get the reaction of the HAU management, which has yet to issue
official statements since the
strike started. ●
PML PREXY from Page 1
natin ang malasakit at tulong ng bawat
mayor kaya tinanggap na natin ang
hamong ito na pamunuan ang PML,”
Tetangco said.
He also vowed to surpass the plans and
programs of then PML president and former Candaba mayor Jerry Pelayo.
Tetangco also appealed to each PML
member to set aside political differences and work as a team especially in
times of disaster.
“’Di lang natin tatapatan ang mga
ginawa ng dating pamunuan ng PML,
hihigitan pa po natin yun. Sa lahat ng
ating mga mayor, kalimutan na muna
ang political party ng bawat isa, ang importante magtulung-tulong tayo bilang
isang pamilya,” the mayor stressed.
During the election, the group appointed Vice Governor Dennis Pineda
as PML chairman emeritus for his contributions for the past six years of being
the chapter president of the local chief
executives in Pampanga.
Other elected officers are Mayors
Eduardo Guerrero (Floridablanca),
secretary; Annette Balgan (Macabebe),
treasurer; Dante Torres (Guagua), auditor; Condralito dela Cruz (Porac),
business manager; and Edgardo Flores
(Minalin), public relation officer.
The board of directors are Mayors
Roy Manalastas (Mexico); Rommel
Concepcion (Sta. Ana); Venancio Macapagal (San Luis); Joselito Naguit (Sto.
Tomas); and Danilo Guintu (Masantol).
Meanwhile, Lubao Mayor Mylyn
Pineda-Cayabyab was elected PML
Executive Vice President (EVP); Magalang Mayor Romulo Pecson, VP for
First District; Sta. Rita Mayor Yolanda
Pineda, VP for Second District; Bacolor
Mayor Jose Maria Hizon, VP for Third
District; and Candaba Mayor Rene
Maglanque, VP for Fourth District. ●
CHECK GATES from Page 1
said.
In his proposal, four
check gates will be installed
at the ring dike, which include one each at the Sto.
Tomas section, Sta. RitaMinalin, Mesalipit-Bacolor
and City of San Fernando
section.
“In the event of flash
floods, check gates will be
opened to gradually release
floodwaters to lessen the
pressure and prevent damage on the structure,” he
added.
Aside from preventing
flash floods, the said project
also aims to provide irrigation to farmers and aquaculture industries in the town
and neighboring areas.
The said proposal gained
approval in a meeting of var-
ious local chief executives
and government engineers.
In addition, Hizon revealed
that in case the proposal will
materialize, the Department
of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) will provide funding
for the project.
Meanwhile, DPWH Regional Director Antonio
Molano said that the agency
is considering Hizon’s pro-
posal, but they should first
consult LGUs surrounding
the dike before it can be implemented.
He also said that about
P139 million is allotted for
urgent projects like this
one. Other similar projects
include upgrading of dikes,
widening of Gugu River, and
repair of Sta. Ursula Bridge.
●(PIA 3)
FLOODS from Page 1
proved weather condition.
In Pampanga, a total of 111 barangays in the towns of Apalit, Masantol, Macabebe, San Simon, Guagua,
Minalin, Candaba, Sto. Tomas, San
Luis, Mexico, Sta, Ana, are still under
one to four foot-deep water due to slow
recession of water in the Pampanga
river and other allied rivers, aggravated by high tide.
Likewise, 68 villages in the towns
of Calumpit, Hagonoy, Obando, Paombong and Malolos City remained under water due to high tide and the
effects of backfloods coming from
higher towns of Bulacan, Pampanga,
Nueva Ecija and some parts of Tarlac.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, there are still
some roads in Pampanga that are not
passable to all types of vehicles, including the Baliwag-Candaba-Sta Ana
road and the Candaba-San Miguel
road.
The
Apalit-Macabebe-Masantol
road is hardly passable to heavy vehicles while the Sto. Tomas-MinalinMacabebe road is hardly passable to
light vehicles.
The Manila North Road-TulaucSto. Domingo road is only passable to
heavy vehicles while the San SimonBaliwag road is hardly passable to
light vehicles.
Meanwhile, three additional casualties were reported in the region due
to Habagat, bringing the total death
toll to 11 with still one missing.
The latest reported fatalities were
identified as Archie Camueda, 37;
Nazareth Duldulao, 15; and Rafael
Clemente, 43, all from Olongapo City.
The still missing person, on the
other hand, was identified as Michael
Silverio, 21 of Purok 5, San Pedro,
Floridablanca, Pampanga.
The affected population by the
onslaught of Habagat, on the other
hand, reached to 423,193 families or
1,888,067 persons in 75 municipalities of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,
Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.
At least 188 houses were totally
damaged and 277 partially destroyed.
● (PNA)
group opposes from Page 1
gan (SABAK) expressed its
opposition to the continued
operation of BWSI citing
numerous complaints from
residents in the service areas
of the local water company in
Barangay Balibago, Pulung
Maragul and other areas.
“The water is not potable,
despite the insistence of the
BWSI that it is. The water
stinks, has solid residues
and is murky,” said the letter
signed by four of the group’s
convenors, including its
spokesperson Danilo Consumido.
The other signatories
were Avelina Aguas, Mario Velasco and Lorenzo
Manalastas.
It also cited and provided
copies of the tests conducted
on water samples in several
service areas of the BWSI
7
conducted by the Local Water Utilities Administration
(LWUA).
The test results indicated
the water is not fit for human
consumption.
The group also presented
the statement and resolutions signed by more than
1,800 consumers complaining against the water quality
and service of the BWSI.
“We need not emphasize
that water is very essential
to life. But the water being
served to us by the BWSI is
actually a threat to life,” the
letter said.
The group also expressed
concern over the long-term
effects of heavy metals that
may be present in the water
on the health of its consumers. It added many households in the service areas of
BWSI are forced to buy purified water for drinking, putting added pressure on their
family budgets.
SABAK said it intends to
oppose the grant of a new
franchise to the BWSI once
the deliberations are conducted. The CPC is a temporary permit to allow the
company to service its costumers even as its application for franchise is being
heard.
The BWSI claims to
serve some 15,000 households mostly in Barangays
Balibago, Pulung Maragul,
Malabanias and other areas
north of Angeles City. ●
Be heard! Send us
your comments & opinions
mail US:
2nd Floor, U2 Building, Dolores, McArthur, Hi-way,
City of San Fernando, Pampanga
EMAIL US:
[email protected]
lang sila na matutumbasan nang ating pamahalaan ang kanilang mga kinikita, sigurado
tayong mag-uunahan pa sila sa pag-uwi sa ating bansa.
Ang pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa na malayo
sa pamilya at may lungkot at nakaambang panganib ay wala pong biro.
***
Kung kayo po ay may mga reaksiyon, suhestiyon o iba pang opinion, maaari po kayong mag
email sa [email protected]. •
atty. kap from Page 4
***
Meanwhile, Governor Pineda has likewise called on the
convening of a technical working group that
will look into finding
long-term solutions to
floods in the province.
It can be recalled that
millions of pesos worth
of damages were incurred including the
destruction of floodmitigating structures
due to the huge volume
of floodwaters.
***
Governor
Pineda
has said that there is
a need to craft a “more
responsive rehabilitation plan” for Pampanga’s
waterways
that can contain bigger volume of water
especially during the
rainy season. She emphasized that efforts
should not be merely
to temporarily address
flooding problems in
the province.
***
Pampanga mayors,
on the other hand,
are in support of the
plan in finding “permanent solutions” to
Pampanga floods as
they pointed out those
temporary efforts are
made futile and are a
waste of public funds
each year. They said
that engineering interventions and ideas of
“flood experts” should
be tapped to address
the province’s problems during heavy and
continuous rains.
we experience inundations year after year.
Since the eruption of
Mt. Pinatubo, rivers
and other waterways
became silted with
sand and garbage that
make them overflow
during rainy seasons.
Some
waterways,
meanwhile, had their
courses
“naturallyaltered” thus flooding
those areas that were
not flooded before.
***
Since we experience
floods every year, the
government, including local government
units, might want to
consider the massive
desilting of rivers and
the re-channeling of
waterways to proper
places such as the Manila Bay. The solution
lies in the proper containment of massive
volume of water and
its proper channeling
to where it should be.
***
It’s good that we
have local governments in Pampanga
that are working for
the Kapampangans
even in times of calamities. We have,
too, the harmonious
working relationship
of local officials that
is truly needed during
this time of the year.
We are regularly faced
by floods and rains,
yet we always bounce
back from these.●
***
Long-term flooding
solutions in Pampanga
are very necessary as
ASSESSMENT CENTER from Page 2
grading the skills of the Zambalenos,” said Villanueva.
“With the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program, we need more assessment centers and competency assessors to answer the needs of millions of grades 11 and 12,”
he explained.
The testing center offers assessment in
housekeeping and food and beverage servicing for technical-vocational students, industry
workers and overseas Filipino workers.
Gatchalian said the center was built in 2012
with funding assistance from the Provincial
Government of Zambales as part of its commitment to empower Zambales folks thru relevant
technical education and skills development.
In the same event, Villanueva turned over
to Ebdane the ceremonial key to the TESDA
mobile training bus equipped with tools and
equipment.
“If our young and unemployed kababayans
cannot go to the TESDA training centers, TESDA will reach them thru this Mobile Training
Plus Program (MTPP),” the TESDA director
general said. ●
FEATURE
VOLUME II • NO. 56 • AUGUST 28, 2013 • WEDNESDAY
A broken escayola rebulto of Mother Mary
which was left as a
debris of the houses
that were swallowed
by the rampaging
river in Valdez last
August 20.
Life goes on for
this tricycle driver
however high the
tide is in Limjoco
Street, City of San
Fernando.
Catching fish at the
rotunda--Monumento
Fernandino, City of San
Fernando, Pampanga
The People of Pangpang:
Kalesa became a primary
mode of transportation
where motorized vehicles
cannot pass through.
Resiliency of
the Human Spirit
O
It’s playtime in
San Jose, Gandara!
n the eve of typhoon Maring, I already prepared my camera systems to set them on
“floody” battle which I already anticipated
the soonest I heard on the news that a strong typhoon will hit the country.
I remember last year that I got maimed and
got off guard when power shortage impeded me
to charge my batteries and, as it turned out, I
missed a lot of “photographable” moments which
I later on regret.
My half-charged camera then only got some
few shots and never witnessed all the compelling
instances that happened around Pampanga during that ferocious “Habagat” August of 2012.
My urge to shoot was not really to see the
province suffering from this natural calamity.
My urgency was actually coming from the idea
on capturing how Kapampangans deal with situations in “decisive moments” and how human
spirit is best represented and shown that is lifereaffirming.
In fact, the Kapampangans have been in a
long-standing endurance against different types
of calamities and floodwater, not to mention their
survival against the rampage of lahar after the
eruption of Mt.Pinatubo in the early ‘90s. The
Kapampangans, as history tells, were the people
of “pangpang”, the people near or by the water or
river, which simply defines that water has been a
way of life and part of the culture of this uniquespeaking race, which now only has 2 million in
population.
On the first hour of the morning of August 20,
while the rain continued to sink the lowland areas
of the province, I got news from a friend reporter
that a saddening incident happened in the upper
Pampanga. In his text, he said the ravaging Gumain River swallowed the entire 7 houses along
Sanchez Street, Barrio Valdez, Floridablanca, leaving only debris of dilapidated concrete walls and
wood.
In an hour, I was able to arrive on the scene.
One resident narrated that a night before, the rising level of water became ferocious that signaled
the evacuation of the families housed in their shelters. No casualties were recorded but a fallen tree
blocked the road, which also cut the electricity.
I never saw any remorse from the people, but
smiles and “hellos” greeted me while going around
the area. Some even wanted me to photoshoot
them for a possible publication, which will make
you feel that hope is a burning characteristic of
these people—despite the fact that seven families
lost their homes in a blink of an eye. The volunteer
crew even joked about the fallen tree and said that
they have now a wood to start building new houses
for the lost ones—an optimistic view that shows
an uncompromised resiliency and that indeed, “Life
Goes On”.
I stacked a lot of images and sorted some of the
best photos of the day, starting from Floridablanca
to Guagua, where you can see kids on a frolic play
under the rain and floodwater up to the town of
San Fernando where a group of young boys tried
to capture fish within the Monumento Fernandino;
and a tricycle driver doing his regular battle to earn
an income while his bike is half-sunk.
The photos in this article are not just merely
photos but “pictures” of hope and life-reaffirmation that speak for them--no more, no less. •
Clearing the San Juan Bridge.
A man helps to cut in pieces a fallen tree which
impeded the road of Valdes in Floridablanca in the
aftermath of typhoon Maring.
Happiness in times of calamity.
ƒA whole line of townsfolk fishing on a local river.