Clark to enjoy 50¢ transport fare cut

www.headlinegl.com
VOLUME III • NO. 137
JANUARY 07, 2015
WEDNESDAY
Quarry revenues
hit P1.3B in 2014
By Liezel Cayanan
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Revenues from the quarry industry
of the province of Pampanga reached P1.3 billion in 2014, according to
a report released by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office (PENRO). quarry revenues... PAGE 7
HELP PROTECT TURTLES.
An Olive ridley sea turtle comes to Subic Bay
to lay eggs. --CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
SBMA advises
stakeholders
to look after
pawikan nests
BY RAECHELLE ANN GARCIA
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
(SBMA) appealed to residents and
visitors at the Subic Bay Freeport
Zone to be mindful of the nesting
places of sea turtles in the Freeport,
and report any sighting and nesting
to the agency’s Ecology Center.
“These are gentle creatures that
need our protection, for without our
help they would likely face extinction,” Chairman Roberto Garcia said
in a press statement. “So I’m making a personal appeal to everyone to
support our marine turtle conservation program. The presence of these
sea turtles or pawikan makes Subic
a very special place.”
Garcia said that the SBMA recently launched its “Guard My Nest”
sea turtle conservation program to
enjoin stakeholders’ participation in
making Subic establishments more
pawikan-friendly.
“This is why we discourage pavement constructions on the beach
where the turtles lay eggs, and urge
establishments to minimize lighting
at night because this disorients the
pawikan,” Garcia said.
“Most of all, we are asking everyone to help keep our beaches
clean so that they remain suitable
for nesting,” he added.
pawikan nests... PAGE 7
CROSS-DRESSERS OF MINALIN. Acting to add drama is also part of
the parade show during the recent Aguman Sanduk Ning Minalin. (Story and more photos on
Page 8). -- Jhackie Brendan Garcia
Clark to enjoy 50¢
transport fare cut
By Charlene
A. Cayabyab
CLARK FREEP O R T — The Clark
Development
Corporation (CDC) announced a P0.50 cut
in transport fare on
all routes here.
The
reduced
transport fare, however, does not include
Route 5 or the one
plying to and from
the Industrial Estate
5 (IE5) area.
The new provisional
reduced
transport fare, which
stemmed from the
series of oil price cuts
since last year, was
approved by CDC,
Clark Investors and
Locators
Association (CILA) and Clark
Transport Federation
(CTF).
The new CDC
Fare Matrix was officially implemented
on January 1.
In the minutes
of the meeting submitted to the office of CDC President Arthur Tugade,
CDC, CILA and CTF,
agreed to reduce the
minimum fare rate
from P7.00 to P6.50
on all destinations re- RETURNING THE SIDEWALK TO THE PEOPLE. On the first working day of 2015, Angardless of distance. geles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan personally inspects the situation along Fields Avenue in Barangay Balibago, where
fare cut... PAGE 7
he ordered the barangay and PNP officials to immediately clear the sidewalks of obstacles, illegal vendors and other
obstructions. --AC-CIO PHOTO
2NEWS
CL cops awarded housing units
Headline Gitnang Luzon • JANUARY 07, 2015
By Froilan E. Magtoto
CAMP OLIVAS - Some 750
housing units were awarded
the other day to police personnel in Central Luzon by the
National Housing Authority
Regional Office.
The awarding ceremony
was held here, coinciding with
the regular Monday flag rais-
ing ceremony.
In a statement, the Police
Regional Office said this is
in line with Administrative
Order No. 9 dated April 2011
wherein P4.2 billion was allotted for the housing of police
and military personnel.
The project site is located in
Barangay Maimpis, City of San
Fernando.
The 750 house-and-lot
packages were awarded to
qualified police regional personnel. Each unit has a floor
area of 20 square meters in a
40-square meter lot area.
Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon
Buenafe said the Police Regional Office 3 is fortunate
that its men and women are
recipients of the 750 housing
units, adding, “To the recipients of the housing units, congratulations. Make good use of
your houses at all times dahil
alam nating lahat na marami
pa ring nangangailangan ng
sarili nilang bahay. Mapalad
kayo sapagkat napili kayo
magmay-ari ng mga napakamura ngunit de kalidad ng
mga housing units na ito.”•
COPS AWARDEE. The Camp Olivas Press Society (COPS)
headed by its president Rudy J. Abular conferred a plaque of recognition to three top officials of Police Regional Office 3 for excelling in the
performance of their duties. They are Chief Supt. Ronald V. Santos,
deputy director for administration and concurrent officer-in-charge of
PRO3; Senior Supt. Melvin G. Buenafe, deputy director for operations;
and Senior Supt. Westrimundo D. Obinque, chief of regional comptrollership division. The awarding was held recently at Camp Olivas and
was witnessed by COPS director Jess Malabanan, COPS past president Ric Sapnu and COPS past president George Hubierna.
buenafe
obinque
--CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Police arrest 6 persons
Shoplifters caught
for selling fake vitamins
in SM mall
by Rudy J. Abular
ANGELES CITY – Six persons who
reportedly belonging to a syndicated
group engaged in the manufacture
and sale of fake nutritional vitamins and supplements were arrested
during a police operation Saturday
along Friendship Highway in Barangay Cutcut here.
Chief Inspector Eugene N. Rebadomia, provincial chief of Pampanga
Criminal Investigation and Detection Team, identified the suspects
as Herman Galarza, 27; Ronnie Repones, 36; Mark Anthony Repato,
22; Arnold Pasilao, 20; Elvira Ventinella, 38; and Camille Joy Ermita,
19.
Rebadomia said five of the arrested suspects except for Galarza
are all residents of Bugallon, Pangasinan. Galarza is currently living
at Sunset Valley Homes in Barangay
Cutcut.
The suspects were all arrested in
a police checkpoint led by Senior Inspector Madtaib M. Jalman.
According to Rebadomia, the arrest of the suspects was the result of
an intensified intelligence operation
against the suspects.
He said the suspects were about
to deliver the fake products to Nueva
Ecija and Mindoro when the vehicle
they were riding in, a galvanized jitney (DJX-412), were intercepted by
his men.
Seized from the suspects were
boxes of suspected fake nutritional
vitamins with markings CEE Plus
and Aster-C Oranges syrups including 20 black shoulder bags.
Rebadomia said upon verification from the Food and Drug Administration, the seized items have
no certificate of registration from the
said government agency.
Likewise, the arrested suspects
have no license to operate from FDA
as a certified food manufacturer.
He said the suspects are now detained at Angeles City district jail after charges for violation of Republic
Act No. 3720 have been filed against
them. •
By Froilan E. Magtoto
CITY of SAN FERNANDO - Two Taguigbased shoplifters were detained after they
were caught the other day carting away items
from two shops inside the SM shopping mall
here.
Supt. Rechie Duldulao, City police chief,
identified the suspects as Alibai Musa, 22; and
Phongs Dalgan, 25; both residents of TawiTawi St., Taguig City, Metro Manila.
Duldulao said the two suspects first entered the SM Department Store and picked up
several T-shirts. Not contented, they proceeded to nearby Dickies American Star Apparel
and likewise took shorts, bags and other items.
But police said the two were spotted by an
alert civilian guard named Gorvahev Soliman,
24, of San Antonio, Mexico while conducting a
routine inspection.
The suspects were presently detained at
the City of San Fernando Police Station.•
CSF marks
Zero Waste
Month
By Marna Dagumboy
-del Rosario
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
- The city government, through
its Environment and Natural
Resources Office, have lined
up activities in line with this
year’s celebration of Zero Waste
Month.
Mayor Edwin D. Santiago,
Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin,
together with city department
heads, unveiled a calendar of
events made from recyclable
materials instead of a tarpaulin
which is non-biodegradable.
This was witnessed by
Councilors Nelson Lingat, Noel
Tulabut, Harvey Quiwa, BJ
Lagman, and representatives
from Mother Earth Foundation.
The month-long program
include events such as banning
of food waste in city government buildings (January 5),
awarding of materials for the
construction of recovery facilities for the Home Owners Association (January 9), environmental quiz bee (January 15),
participation in the 1st Philippine Zero waste fair in Quezon
City Memorial Circle (January
22-24).
On January 29, the city will
hold a walk for the environment
which will start from McDonald’s Intersection and will end
at the Heroes Hall, followed
by the recognition of winners
of Eco Bag making contest;
and on February 1, a city-wide
cleanup program will be held.
Meanwhile, Engr. Anele
David reminded the public that
plastic regulation will be held
every day starting January 1,
2015.
“Batay sa ating ordinansa,
mayroon ng bayad ang plastic
sando bags para sa dry at wet
goods at mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang paggamit ng Styro
sa mga produktong pagkain,”
David said.
Last year, the LGU implemented Ordinance No. 2014008 also known as the plastic-free ordinance of the City
of San Fernando, Pampanga
wherein no store shall utilize or
provide free plastic bags as primary and secondary packaging
materials on goods to customers except those pre-packed
goods by manufacturers while
mandating all stores to make
available for sale of reusable
bags and woven bags for the
purpose of carrying out goods
from the point of sale.
For his part, Mayor Santiago encouraged everyone to
practice proper waste segregation.
“Kung ang lahat ay magsesegregate ng basura, malaki
ang matitipid ng siyudad sa
pagbabayad ng “tipping fee” at
ang pondong dapat sanang gugulin dito ay maaaring gamitin
sa ibang panlipunang serbisyo
gaya ng kalusugan, hanap buhay at edukasyon.”
zero waste... Page 7
JANUARY 07, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon
BUSINESS 3
CDC gears up for APEC meet in Clark
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
CLARK FREEPORT — Clark
Development Corporation (CDC)
is now in full gear for the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation
meeting to be held in this Freeport this month.
During the flag raising ceremonies on Monday, CDC president Arthur Tugade said that
APEC requirements, especially
the convention hall and hotel
rooms to host the delegates, have
been made available.
At the same time, Tugade
also said that Clark-APEC applications are now available on all
Android phones or tablets. He
said the app will allow the Android users to keep track of the
APEC events in Clark.
Tugade said that Widus Hotel and Casino has dedicated its
one tower hotel for the APEC
guests. He added that he will
soon request the hotel to make
30 more rooms available.
Widus is expected to complete a portion of its phase one
improvement project this month.
Meanwhile, Oxford Hotel
and Casino is also dedicating two
floors for the APEC delegates.
Tugade thanked the new
owners of the Oxford Hotel for
expediting their renovation efforts. Earlier, the Oxford hotel
has agreed to invest P200 million
for the beautification and renovation of the hotel and its grounds.
Fontana Hotsprings and
Leisure Parks has also reported
to Tugade about the nearing
completion of its convention hall
that can accommodate more
than 1,800 people in seating capacity.
Fontana has also improved
some of its villas in preparation
and accommodation of APEC
delegates here.
Also other hotels with improved rooms are Holiday Inn
Clark and Stotsenberg Hotel.
Tugade said that the Bayani-
han Park Rotunda in Balibago is
expected to be completed before
the APEC. The rotunda, which
would serve as the main entrance
to the Freeport zone, is worth
P15.14 million.
Aside from the five lanes rotunda project, also included is the
construction of 470 linear meter
drainage system, landscaping of
5,488.72 square meters, including the construction of 1,828.70
square meters of concrete sidewalk. •
Old bank notes
acceptable until
December 2015
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
ANGELES CITY - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
said old bank notes in circulation are still acceptable until
December 31, 2015.
In a press statement, BSP
said the public can still use old
bank notes the whole year in
paying and buying goods and
services and other business
or financial transactions requiring cash. Beyond the date
given, old bank notes will no
longer be accepted for payment
transactions.
BSP has advised the public to exchange old bank notes
with the New Generation Currency (NGC) with authorized
financial institutions, namely
universal and commercial
banks, thrift banks, and rural
as well as cooperative banks
from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Old bank
notes may also be exchanged
with the BSP or any of its regional offices/branches around
the Philippines.
For
overseas
Filipinos
abroad, who have in their possession NDS banknotes which
could not be exchanged within
the prescribed period, they
may register online starting
October 1, 2015 to December
31, 2015 through the BSP Website. These NDS banknotes
may be exchanged with the
BSP within one year from the
old banknotes... Page 7
INSPECTION. Clark
BoI: C. Luzon one of top
choices for investments
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Central Luzon is one
of the top preferred destinations of investments for 2014,
a report from the Board of
Investments (BoI) said.
In the BoI report, Central
Luzon received a total of P10
billion in investments last
year.
Topping the list of preferred destination of investments is the National Capital
Region with P116 billion, a
215 percent surge from last
year’s P36.8 billion. Region
4 came in at a close second
at P112.4 billion, a 26 percent increase from last year’s
P89.4 billion. Other top investment destinations include Region 10 (P59 billion)
and Region 6 (P22.3 billion).
BoI
also
showed
a
77.5-percent surge of investments in the manufacturing
sector from last year’s P13.8
billion to P24.5 billion this
year.
Close to P24 billion worth
of manufacturing projects
were approved by the BoI in
2014, with all its subsectors
registering triple digit increases led by food products,
beverages, basic metals, motor vehicles, coke and refined
petroleum products, fabricated metal products, and
wood and other products of
wood.
Huge increases in investment pledges were recorded
in basic metals (6,651 percent), beverages (802 percl one of top... Page 7
DUTY FREE AT CLARK
AIRPORT. Clark International
Airport Corporation (CIAC) President
and CEO Emigdio Tanjuatco III (2nd
from L) and Clark Airport Duty Free
Shop, Inc. (CADFS, Inc.) President
and CEO Shin Duk Young (2nd from
right) exchange documents following the signing of a lease agreement
for the establishment and operation
of a commercial and retail center at
the Clark International Airport (CRK)
Passenger Terminal. Witnessing the
signing were CIAC Vice-President
Reynaldo Catacutan of the Airport
Operations Management Group
(extreme L) and Korean businessman Joshua Cho. The signing of the
agreement on December 29 capped
2014 for CIAC. --CIAC-CCO PHOTO
Development Corporation President
Arthur P. Tugade inspects the soonto-be-completed new Fontana Convention Center which has a capacity
to accommodate 1,800 people. The
convention center inside the leisure
park is expected to be completed before January 21, and will be used as
one of the official sites of APEC-SOM
meeting inside Clark Freeport Zone.
--CDC-EAD PHOTO
‘Renew
your gun
license now’
– De Peralta
BY Rudy J. Abular
CAMP OLIVAS – A top official of the PNP Firearms and
Explosive Division in Central
Luzon yesterday urged all gun
holders in the region to start
renewing the licenses of their
firearms.
Central Luzon PNP-FED
director Supt. Rey De Peralta
said his office is now ready to
accommodate the renewal of
some 132,000 firearms.
Peralta said unregistered
firearms are considered “wanted” and need to be renewed
after the one-year grace period
given to a certain gun holder
expired.
He said his office could accommodate 150 applicants daily which automatically encoded
on their data base here including Camp Crame.
Last year, the PNP-Firearms and Explosive Office
(FEO) at Camp Crame tasked
its regional offices to process license applications and weed out
those who submitted fictitious
information and documents.
The processing was done
after the PNP-FEO discovered
some errors in the licensing of
the guns.
de peralta... Page 7
4 OPINION
Headline Gitnang Luzon • JANUARY 07, 2015
EDITORIAL
Good news for
a new year
A PIECE of good news for Clark workers: there will be a P0.50 cut in transport
fare on all routes inside the Freeport.
What a way to start the New Year,
eh? Credit should go to the series of oil
price cuts since last year which led to
the provisional reduced transport fare.
Of course, the cut was approved by
the representatives of the Clark Development Corporation, Clark Investors
and Locators Association (CILA) and
Clark Transport Federation (CTF).
However, the reduced rate does not
include Route 5, or the one plying to and
from the Industrial Estate 5 (IE5) area.
How we wish the same can be implemented outside of the Clark Freeport,
which will definitely benefit students,
workers and other commuters. Clark’s
fare rate is now at P6.50 on all destinations regardless of distance, as compared to the P8.50 minimum fare rate
outside the Freeport.
During a recent meeting, CTF officers had also raised the issue on colorum vehicles plying the Clark route.
It turns out that locators have fielded
colorum shuttle services for their workers, probably at a much lower rate than
what was being implemented in the
past. We know they mean well, but this
affects the operations of the vehicles
properly registered with CDC and with
the Land Transportation Franchising
and Regulatory Bureau.
We hope the locators realize this,
and instead urge their workers to utilize the legit vehicles plying the Clark
route.
Facing the Year of the Sheep with burning anticipation
T
HREE events or developments
will keep the nation busy and
excited while getting world attention in the first half of 2015 – the
visit of Pope Francis on January 15
to 19, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings on January 26 to
February 7 that will start in Clark,
Pampanga and hopefully this time,
the much-awaited Pacquiao-Mayweather match on May 2 or some
other date. I was about to include the
rise of Senator Grace Poe as the upcoming presidential bet to beat but I
decided to reserve that for reconsideration in another column.
Things will be better in 2015, the
Year of the Wood Sheep, according
to an international feng shui expert
earlier this year, Marites Allen, who
surmised, “There will always be positive and negative but it’s hoping that
at the Rizal Park for the visit’s con- experienced by the country is threatcluding mass on January 18. Mil- ening local products especially aglions more are expected to line the ricultural crops. With the expected
roads where the Papal convoy will regional lifting of more tariffs, the
pass. However, what keen observers local producers and manufacturers
will be at a disadvantage
are waiting for is the Pope’s
unless their competivisit to Tacloban City
tiveness will improve
where he will interact with
and some sort of safety
the survivors of “Yolanda”
nets will be provided
and “Ruby”. Every faithby the government even
ful is hoping that the Papal
just for the transition
visit will somehow improve
period. The Year of the
both government and nonSheep recommends caugovernment support in the
tion.
rehabilitation effort. The
And finally MayYear of the Wood Sheep ofweather said yes! He is
fers hope.
fighting Pacquiao. He
APEC 2015 that will
himself initially set the
be held in the country
match on May 2, alwill center on the followthough a date conflicting: Enhancing Regional Leny Manalo
ing with another major
Economic
Integration;
bout that reserved the
same day. Though Pacquiao’s camp
still considers Mayweather’s latest
pronouncements as another round
of humbug I guess the more important matter of money sharing and
the final date are the real things left
unsettled now. It will be the richest
match in the history of boxing. After
the Pope’s plane has left for its flight
Fostering SMEs’ Participation in back to Rome next year this dream
the Regional and Global Economy; fight of the century will preoccupy
Investing in Human Capital Devel- everyone in the country despite the
opment; Building Sustainable and more important concerns like the
Resilient Communities. It is in the APEC. The Year of the Sheep promaspect of economic integration that ises great time for this writer, born
the country faces big challenges. in the Year of the Rabbit. I hope it
Enhancing Regional Economic In- is not only because that this overdue
tegration would mean greater trade fight will finally be held.
liberalization. Trade liberalization as
gut feel... Page 7
gut feel
“After the Pope’s plane has left for its flight back to
Rome next year this dream fight of the century will
preoccupy everyone in the country despite the more
important concerns like the APEC.”
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Editor: RIA DE FIESTA
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Reporters: CHARLENE CAYABYAB
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Tel. Nos. (045) 455.0781
it’s not as bad as the last three years
when the charts screwed up.”
The Papal visit is already giving
so much hope for the Filipino people
especially to those who are now familiar with the outspoken Pope’s denunciation of corruption and strong
commitment for the poor and oppressed. The latest estimates expect
at least 3 million people converging
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VISIT US: 2nd Floor ,U2 Bldg., MacArthur Hiway, Dolores, City of San Fernando (P)
JANUARY 07, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon
OPINION 5
Stray bullet incidents
D
ESPITE the law enforcement authorities’ campaign
against indiscriminate firing of guns during the New Year
revelry, four policemen, a soldier
and four security guards managed to let their trigger fingers fire
shots that resulted to injuries and
loss of lives.
As of this writing, the said
trigger-happy people were among
those who were nabbed for firing
their guns during New Year’s Eve,
while others who fired shots were
yet to be identified and investigated. Those apprehended for illegally discharging their firearms were
positively identified by witnesses
and tested positive too on paraffin
tests conducted.
(PNP) meanwhile is intensify- how tough would be the authoriing its campaign year after year ties on gun control in the country,
could never be brought back.
against indiscriminate firing.
For years now, it seemed to
It’s hard to comprehend the
minds of some people particularly have been made a trend that some
people need to fire their
gun owners of the irguns during the revelry
responsible kind, as
on New Year’s Eve.
to why they had to fire
The PNP on this note,
their guns in the air or
should intensify further
elsewhere when they
its campaign on indiscan join the merrycriminate firing despite
making activities on
the fact that it is not rethe eve of New Year in
miss in its duty to do so.
some other ways.
The Armed Forces of the
As per statistics, a
Philippines (AFP) meannumber of people who
while should remind
illegally fired their
or give stern warning
guns were under the
to its ranks that firing
influence of alcohol.
Alvin H. Arceo
their guns for the revTheir state of drunkelry would mean some
serious punishments for
them.
Our
lawmakers
should likewise amend
gun control laws which
shall provide stiffer penalties for those who fire
their guns indiscriminately especially during
this time of the year.
enness perhaps triggered their This matter should be taken serimood to display their machismo ously as people are either injured
through the display or firing of or killed senselessly.
While there are responsible
their guns.
We can now understand why gun owners in the country, there
Mr. Nandy Pacheco, the advocate are those that are irresponsible
for a gunless society, is calling for such as those who fail to renew
the banning of guns among civil- their gun licenses, those who
ians and is further calling law leave their guns unsecured from
enforcement authorities to be re- children’s reach and those who
sponsible in the handling of their recklessly fire them during the eve
of the New Year.
firearms.
With our hope for stricter gun
Mr. Pacheco has been advocating for the banning of guns among control measures is our hope too
civilians with such cases of indis- that there will be no more innocriminate firing as one of his rea- cent people who will be injured or
killed by irresponsible gun owners.
sons.
There have been a number of
lll
lives taken by irresponsible gun
This writer welcomes other
owners through indiscriminate
firing of their guns, by intention- views, comments, and reactions.
ally shooting others or by acciden- You may send your message at
tal firing. These lives, no matter 0918-5734634.•
As of this
writing
“Our lawmakers should likewise amend gun control laws
which shall provide stiffer penalties for those who fire
their guns indiscriminately especially during this time of
the year. This matter should be taken seriously as people
are either injured or killed senselessly.”
The irresponsible gun owners whose bullets fell on innocent
people now face criminal charges
for the injuries they have inflicted
during the merry-making activities before the past year ended.
Uniformed personnel likewise
have to face dismissal cases for
their misdemeanor.
It can be recalled that a few
days before Christmas and New
Year, gun muzzles of law enforcement authorities, security guards
and other gun owners were
wrapped in adhesive tape to ensure that their firearms would not
be fired.
The sealing with masking tapes
of the gun muzzles likewise serves
as a strong reminder for gun owners not to fire their weapons for
the revelry or just to make noise.
The Philippine National Police
A new year means a new you
T
HE holiday fever has sub- the positive “chi” to flow in your
sided. No more pigging out mind and soul to achieve harmony
of sumptuous and delicious in life. A new year means a new you.
By the way, during the holiday
foodstuff which literally could
make you a few pounds heavier, season, I was able to indulge and
and the cheery atmosphere that free myself for just a day from the
the season brings has finally end- tedious planning of our annual gettogether with relatives
ed. Life is again back to
the normal level of continuous struggle.
For many of us, a new
year brings hope and a new
beginning. Some people
scout their horoscopes to
know their fate and guidance for luck. Others tend
to accept the same circumstances in the previous
year to avoid disappointments. The future of 2015
is a mystery to unlock. We ELLEZ J. DAVIO
have no idea what 2015
will offer to the world.
Our destiny is still uncertain and friends. I went to the spa to get
for the year 2015. The fact that we a massage to get rid of my aching
are the weavers of our own lives back and it was so good and satisremains the true gauge of our fate. fying that I didn’t even notice that
There comes a definite point in our I fell asleep. The moment I got up
lives that we decide to entangle the and looked for something to drink
thread our own experiences and to delight myself, I have heard
create a new perspective to be used some teenagers laughing out loud
as a new tapestry of life. We need to and talking about the movie that
let go of the past and face the future they saw. I was eavesdropping on
with courage and determination. their “chismisan” and curiosity
Enough of the negativity. Allow all crept in my mind and decided to
Now We
Know!
see the movie.
It was a Tagalog romantic comedy film and I found it interesting but not boring. No wonder it
bagged the second best picture in
the recent Manila Film Festival as
well as the best actress and best actor awards, respectively. I admit, I
“Our destiny is still uncertain for the year
2015. The fact that we are the weavers of our
own lives remains the true gauge of our fate.
There comes a definite point in our lives that
we decide to entangle the thread our own
experiences and create a new perspective to
be used as a new tapestry of life.”
enjoyed the movie. I laughed a bit
and found the storyline delightful.
A “feel good” movie, I must say. I
recommend “English Only, Please”
for those people who hope to find
love in an unconventional way. A
simple story where love knows no
boundaries.
The new year is only days old
and we need to gear up as early as
now for whatever enigma it may
bring. Happy New Year everyone! •
Blending technology in
classroom instruction
by Florida P. Tolentino
B
ECAUSE we are now in the 21st century, technology has become a part and parcel of our
society. We see smartphones, tablets, laptops
and other gadgets everywhere. It’s as if these are
already integrated into our well-being.
Along with these is the rise of social media. Who
does not have a Facebook account? Through this
site, we get to contact relatives and friends we have
not talked to in a long time. Through this site, we
get to see what our friends enjoy doing and eating.
All of these advancements have somehow
changed our nature. They have changed our dayto-day living, how we transact business, how we
communicate with other people, and even how
teachers teach.
But should technology be integrated into classroom instruction? Are there benefits? Disadvantages, if any?
Technology, which is any tool that can be used
to help promote human learning, can benefit students in more ways than we can imagine. All these
innovations – calculators, computers, tablets, laptops, among others – have helped people all over
the world in conducting their daily activities, so
why not use them in learning?
What more, students can be more prepared for
the challenges that the future may bring, which is
an important aspect if we want them to be globally
competitive.
One benefit of using technology – the internet,
in particular – is that is saves a lot of time. Gone
are the days when students need to use actual
books for research and then make handwritten
notes. This can make students more focused on the
task at hand, and helps them develop better learning through research.
It not only is a time saver, but technology is visual – which makes classroom instruction interesting and not boring.
Learning to use technology in the classroom
will not only benefit students, but teachers as well,
in that they can develop skills needed for the 21st
century and in the future. Let’s face it. Education
is not all about memorizing anymore, but about
applying skills and being productive.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with being
“old school”, but there is also nothing wrong with
embracing technology. Using this can help both
students and teachers be successful in their respective endeavours.
lll
The author is Teacher III of Carlos F. Gonzales
High School, San Rafael, Bulacan.•
There is more
pleasure in loving
than in being
beloved.
--Thomas Fuller
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]
6
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3
PARAŇAQUE CITY - The
Manila International Airport
Authority (MIAA) renewed its
call to passengers with flights
arriving on January 15 and 19,
2015, to contact their airline or
travel agents for their revised
flight plans due to the scheduled
Papal visit.
MIAA General Manager
Jose Angel Honrado said there
will be no flights arriving in all
NAIA Terminals from 2pm7pm on January 15 and 6am10:30am on January 19, 2015.
This consensus was reached
with the airlines and representatives of government agencies
operating in the Ninoy Aquino
Interntional Airport (NAIA) in
a series of consultative meetings
following the announcement of
the National Organizing Committee that there will be road
closures on major thoroughfares around the NAIA Complex
on the arrival and departure
days of the Pope.
As a result of the consultative meetings, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
(CAAP) issued the Notice to
Airmen (NOTAM) announcing
suspension of arriving flights on
said hours and days. Departure
flights however will proceed
subject to the availability of aircraft.
The NOTAM shall guide
the airline operators in revising
their flight schedules or adopting other options that passen-
Crossword puzzle
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M823OQ
Down
1. “Arrivederci ___”
22. Mia of women’s soccer
2. One grand, for short
24. Hooters at night
3. ___’acte: intermission
25. Buster
on the silent screen
Down
24. Winery
vessels
4. Sweater material
27. Pungency
1. Humphrey
:
Rick
::
Ingrid
:
25.
Didn't
go
straight
5. Not vert.
28. Genus of evergreen trees
6. Gulf war’s Patriot, for one:
29. Composer Nino
___
27. Ship's
prison “As I Lay ___”
Abbr.
30. Faulkner’s
2. Madison7. and
Fifth, in N.Y.C.
Not imaginary
31. Dangerous
28. Green
flavor African fly
8. 1957 Harry Belafonte hit
35. Fancy Feast rival
3. Mineral9.inShowy
transparent
Generic
dog’s name
29. The36.Four
Seasons'
"Walk
sheets 10. “Green Eyes” singer Helen Like ___"
37. Hard Dutch cheese
11. Succulent plants
39. Song on the album
4. Like the12.
SixLaundry
Million
Dollar
soap
introduced in 30. Product
“Beatlesfor
‘65”clogs
1918
41. One of the rails
Man
13. Sudden twitch
44.
Concern
of dermatology
31. Muddle
5. Municipal
council
18. St.
___ firemember:
46. Covered with concrete, say
Abbr.
35. Sub shop
6. Fed. medical agency
36. Snarl
7. WWII army member
37. Oxen connector
49. Enfeeble
50. Counteract
Excuses
56. 51.
Fight
stopper
52. Income: Fr.
57. 53.
Preppy
shirt
Leno, for
one label
56. “But there ___ joy in
59. Mudville
Fit of chills
...”
Its cap. is Quito
60. 57.
Hoax
59. Onetime Spanish queen
namesakes personnel,
61. and
Ambulance
60. Normandy town in W.W. II
briefly
fighting
syllables
64. 61.
AirHead-shakers’
Force ___ (U.S.
64. Uhs’ kin
president's
65. Make plane)
65. Above, in an ode
LAST ISSUE ANSWERS
2
the NAIA Complex will only be
accessible via South Superhighway through Bicutan, Alabang
and Sucat Roads.
As a result of the road closures, NAIA Terminal 3 and 4
will be isolated since the entire
stretch beginning from Sales
Avenue fronting Terminal 3 all
the way to the Domestic Road
fronting Terminal 4 will be
closed and will not be accessible
at all to vehicular traffic.
For Terminal 3 and 4 passengers with departing flights
on these days, MIAA will setup a drop-off point cum staging area at the NAIA Terminal 1
Parking B.
The passengers and their
baggage will be secured at the
staging area and will be brought
by the MIAA shuttle buses to
Terminals 3 and 4 through the
airside.
The MIAA also encourages a DROP and GO system for
those who will bring their passengers to NAIA.
The MIAA shall also close
NAIA Terminal 3 arrival and
departure lobbies to non-passengers during the entire day
on January 15 and from 12 midnight to 12 noon on January 19,
2015.
Honrado said “the spiritual
benefit of His Holiness’ visit
far outweighs the little inconvenience and disruptions that
preparations will cause to NAIA
operations.” •
gers with bookings on these
days may take.
“The prerogative to cancel,
advance, delay or divert flights
rests on the airline companies.
Whatever it is, MIAA and other
government agencies in NAIA
will support them,” Honrado
said.
The Civil Aeronautics Board
(CAB) has cleared the airlines
of any liability pertaining to the
consequential effect of the suspension of flight arrivals on the
two days.
The MIAA is set to have a
final consultative meeting with
the airlines and government
agencies on January 7, 2015,
Wednesday, where MIAA hopes
to obtain information as to the
revision preferences being considered by passengers who will
be affected or the airlines’ plan
to implement revised schedules,
if any.
Since departure flights will
proceed on the 15th and the
19th, Honrado reminds passengers with departing flights on
these days to be at the airport
much earlier than the usual 3
hours advise to avoid missing
their flights.
Honrado said it would be
best for passengers to make
their way to the airport way
ahead before the roads within
the NAIA complex start to close
at 3pm on January 15 and at
7am on January 19.
He said that on these days,
zzles.com for hints and solutions!
27
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Headline Gitnang Luzon • JANUARY 07, 2015
MIAA advises passengers
to check revised flight
plans on Papal visit
1
2
1 4
7
1. Gossip page couple
5. Sound at the beginning of ‘cup’ and ‘cake’
10. Rowing pair
14. ‘That’s terrible!’
15. Voodooism
16. Football penalty
17. Kids’ game similar to “Simon Says”
19. Chaplin, nee O’Neill
20. Halo-related
21. Home of a hypothetical monster
23. Welcome words after an accident
26. Horse-drawn cab
27. Daredevils may live on it
32. UN workers’ agcy.
33. Annihilates
34. AT&T Wireless service
38. Mr. Hulot’s creator
40. Pens.
42. Put in place, as cables
43. Semester’s-end events
45. Numero uno
47. Jerry Lewis hosts its
telethons annually: Abbr.
48. Excessive wealth
51. Early tournament match,
for short
54. Icicle’s place
55. It’s yellow and crusty
58. Perspire, e.g.
62. Extra things in the env.
63. Ancestors
66. Fit to____
67. Acclimate
68. Dialogue
69. Nostradamus, reputedly
70. Sunday dinner entree
71. Those, in Mexico
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Sudoku Puzzle 5 Solution
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LAST
SOLUTION
SudokuISSUE
Puzzle 7 Solution
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HOROSCOPE
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
You may find yourself wishing you could speak up against what someone is saying. You will do well by staying silent, however, as this could just be a test–patience. What is required now is presence of mind and real
patience, in order to avoid a flare-up. You are good at keeping your feelings under control. As you work with
the truth of whatever subject has your attention just now, you will accomplish what you set out to achieve. If
you allow your creative and intuitive nature to surface this evening, you could find many nice things evolving
as a result. New answers to old problems, inventive ideas and the like are possible. A cultural event involving
friends and associates is quite enlightening. You will learn about some unusual customs.
ARIES (MAR. 21-APR. 19)
Allowing your head to be in the clouds, being unrealistic and in a kind of funk, could certainly keep you from
performing your more established duties. Take your allotted breaks and make sure you receive the important
nutrients for your body. This will enable you to perform your duties and help return your physical wellbeing.
The difficulties that arise now will offer you the best opportunities to grow wiser; listen and learn. There are
opportunities for discovery this afternoon. You are able to distinguish between reality and illusion. Your sixth
sense or psychic abilities are energized at this time. There is a close bond deepening between you and an older
person in your family. This could be a time you will look back on with pride and joy.
CANCER (JUN 22- JUL 22)
If you have been procrastinating about making a date with someone special, applying for the right job or in some
way making yourself known you can set all your worries aside. You will appear more charming and refined than
usual. You may find this a time when your career takes a turn and that could require some careful thought and
good judgment on your part. Good energies and good luck appear on the horizon. You have the ability to demonstrate great understanding and sensitivity about the needs of others just now and that puts you in a positive
place so that you can communicate well with those around you. A shopping expedition later today may show your
strength in decision making; you leave the store taking pride in your choices.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN 19)
You have all the energy you need to assert yourself in the pursuit of your professional success. There are many
opportunities to show your self-discipline and your ability to carry through on responsibilities. It is important to keep up with current events at this time. Successful meetings with out-of-town business partners
may depend on the information you have about their part of the world. Health care options fascinate you
this afternoon. There are all sorts of news about spiritual healing, miracle vitamins and alternative therapies.
Your contacts with family and friends are most pleasant and you may find there is a mutual interest in the
alternative therapies. You enjoy turning to your friends and family in search of social pleasantries. Life is good.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
There can be schemes and subtleties involved in today’s communication, especially in the workplace. While
this tendency will pass, you must get both sides of all stories before making decisions involving others. Your
name and reputation are spreading to higher-ups and your ability to solve problems is impressive. Your objective, as usual, is to get things accomplished. You can produce impressive writing results. You find ideas
counting for much more than merely personal concerns, and you have a lot of respect for those that rise above
difficulties. At home you consider making the improvements necessary before any weather changes create
havoc. Cleaning up and decorating for the holidays are in order this evening.
LEO (JUL 23 - AUG. 23)
Stick with what you know best right now–this may not be the best time for breaking away from the old routine. You may be the person that others come to for guidance in their lives. You have a lot of talent in knowing
people and helping them to choose the right path for their career, expertise, education and talents. It would
not be surprising to find yourself working as a psychiatrist, counselor or consultant. Later, after work, you may
decide to get out and about socially. Chatting among friends or family will help to keep you in the know, so to
speak. A philosophical subject grabs your interest tonight. What you learn could be the answer to a problem
you have been worrying about lately. There are good changes coming tomorrow.
LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 23)
An easy manner will make conversations and interactions go well. You may find yourself more talkative than
usual. A dialogue with an older person may take place, someone you respect and from whom you enjoy getting important feedback. Some areas of your investments or your budget can be adjusted to get the best
results and you gain in a new understanding of business. This afternoon you may be feeling a bit nostalgic and
domestic and can be expressive in the kitchen or through helping friends or relatives with their needs. Your
time tonight with loved ones is sweet. A parent, probably a father, may be in a position to grant you a favor, if
your approach is with patience. Make note of some future gift ideas this evening.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)
Needs of a sensual nature are but one of the issues emphasized in your life now. You will instinctively want to
be more powerful and in control. Perhaps in saying the right thing you could be directed toward some new and
interesting experiences in healing and investing–or in the fascinating mysteries of the field of research. There
may be a sense of others trying to cut you off or someone may try to make it difficult for you to express yourself.
Your ideas and thoughts may not meet with the support that you feel they need; patience. It won’t take very long
before the whole scene is turned around to your favor and the secret–once again–is patience. Enjoy the positive
results that happen through your efforts. You teach others through your own actions.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
You seem to have lots of vitality and interest in communication skills. Your abilities to solve puzzles, answer
questions and help improve situations will help you to help someone in need today. You are open to expansive
feelings and you watch for triggers to new opportunities. Your mental outlook, communications with others
and urges to rush in and take care of any difficulties, may be slowed by delays–patience is important. Lovers,
children and other people, or things that are dear to your heart, are emphasized this afternoon. The evening is
a great time for you to take a young person shopping. Being well thought of for gifts that fit a special need is
important to you. You work hard to find just the right gift for this young person to give.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24- NOV. 21)
You are in the mood to work and to accomplish whatever job is at hand. Talking about your career concerns
with a partner will help you to see things in a larger scope and give the two of you ideas on how to strengthen
your professional standing. A smart idea for an advertisement slogan will gain you recognition as well. You
do not have to worry over a success that could end soon as you are a valued employee. Later today is good to
spend with loved ones. Things may be a bit detached or rather cool on the personal level so be patient. This is
a good time to strengthen relationships. You encourage a friend to take on a leadership role in a community
plot to get rid of crime in the area–you could help–not now–maybe next month.
TAURUS (APR. 20-MAY 20)
You are at your very best when it comes to dealing and working with others. You know just what to do and can act
without haste. You are called upon to make use of your natural abilities and common sense. If you are in business
to bring in a healthy quantity of fish, you will automatically know just where to sink the net or the lines in order to
bring in the best catch. There is much beauty around you and in your life at this time and you find ways to show
others your appreciation. You look at things from a most positive perspective; people will find their lives taking on
more depth and worth when they are around you. If you are shopping this afternoon, you may have to be guarded
in your spending habits. This is a good time for a budget.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEP.22)
Taking risks and daring to be a little on the unconventional side attract your attention. You will prosper
through new insights, inventions and an independent point of view. For example, some of those wild ideas of
yours could be set down on paper and made into a play or film. Your life may move toward a kind of spiritual
wanderlust just now, as you yearn to expand your horizons and reach for the very best that you can be. New
and interesting involvement in some new directions could find you dabbling in such things as politics, law,
education and religion, metaphysical or philosophical studies. You should not be bored! Just do not add to
your regular duties if you can help it for now. Get plenty of rest this evening.
3
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JANUARY 07, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon
Deles expresses hope for more
peace milestones in 2015
MANILA - Secretary Teresita
Quintos Deles expressed hope and
faith in achieving more milestones
in the peace process this 2015 as she
addressed employees and staff of
the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Monday, the
first working day of the new year.
“This 2015 will not be an easy
year. But definitely like 2014, it can
be full of rewards. It can be full of
high points and milestones.” Deles
said. “Let us face 2015 with boldness, courage, enthusiasm, peace,
faith and hope that we are meant to
do something and our work here is
blessed by (the) Almighty,” she said.
Deles expressed hopefulness for
positive strides in all the peace tables handled by OPAPP, including
the resumption of peace talks of the
government with the Communist
Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic
Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).
“Of course, we would like that
we are able to move this (peace table with the CPP/NPA/NDF) substantially (before the end of PNoy
administration); that this internal
armed conflict (reach the possibility
of a political settlement). We would
like to bring this (conflict) to the
peace table and push improvement
of the situation on the ground,” said
Deles.
The peace adviser underlined
that the Aquino administration
continues to abide by its policy to
implement what it will sign (as a
peace pact). “We don’t want (the)
problem of internal armed conflict
to remain a major thing that has to
be managed or resolved by the next
administration,” said Deles.
Meanwhile, the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro
(CAB), the final peace pact signed
by the government and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in
2014, continues to be implemented by the Parties. Its enabling law
called the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is being deliberated
by Congress for passage early this
year towards the establishment of
the Bangsamoro as complementary
movements on the normalization
process are ongoing.
In her New Year statement, the
peace adviser likewise noted that
government and the Moro National
Liberation Front are endeavoring
to complete the Tripartite Implementation Review of the 1996 Final
Peace Agreement as it continues to
extend socio-economic programs
under the Payapa at Masaganang
Pamayanan or PAMANA “to benefit
MNLF communities and to assist
internally displaced families to ensure that no one will be left behind.”
Deles also noted that government
“welcome the coming together of
MNLF and MILF under the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum, a
mechanism facilitated by the Organization of Islamic Coorpration
to harmonize the efforts of the two
Fronts in achieving the aspirations
of the Bangsamoro people towards
just and lasting peace.”
In its closure tables, Deles reported that the “implementation
of the Memorandum of Agreement
between the Government and the
Cordillera Bodong Administration/
Cordillera People’s Liberation Army
(CBA/CPLA) has entered its final
phase” and “transformed itself into
a legitimate, SEC-registered, unarmed, socio-economic organization called the Cordillera Forum for
Peace and Development (CFPD).”
The same is true with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng ManggagawaPilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade
Tabara-Paduano Group (RPM-P/
RPA/ABB TPG), a splinter group of
the armed wing of the communist
rebels, which is set to sign a closure
agreement with the government
and “through the party-list Abang
Lingkod, has chosen to take the
road to peace by pursuing political
and social change without the use of
arms.”(OPAPP)•
Pampanga and other provinces;
P20,432,805 came from the accreditation of motor vehicles; and
P3,617,942.34 from the total quarry sand and gravel fees.
Meanwhile, Pampanga has a total of 274.68 hectares of land where
the quarry industry operates. They
can be found in the municipalities
of Bacolor, Lubao, Mabalacat, Flor-
idablanca, Sta. Rita, Porac, San Simon, Minalin and Mexico.
Forty percent of the total revenues are given to the barangay, 30
percent to the municipality, and 30
percent to the province under the
Local Government Code of 1991.
Pineda’s administration aims to
reach a P1.6-billion collection before her term ends in 2016.•
QUARRY REVENUES... from Page 1
The P1,366,906,747.34 income
came from the combined sum of
the quarry collection, weighing
scale fees, accreditation of motor vehicles and quarry sand and
gravel fees.
The total quarry collection for
2014 is pegged at P1,276,845,000;
P62,997,500 for the weighing scale
fees collected from truckers from
FARE CUT... from Page 1
During the recent meeting, Vice President for
Operations Franco Madlangbayan, Public Safety
Assistant Manager Christopher Cirujales and Senior Transport Regulatory Officer Edwin Paras represented CDC; President Danilo Abad and Director Lito Mercado represented CILA; and President
Danilo Yumul, Route 2 Chairman Manolito Tacipit,
Route 1 Chairman Ed Yumul, Route 3 Chairman Edner del Socorro, Route 5 Chairman Alber Pabalan,
and Route 6 Chairman Jessie Rodriguez represented
CTF.
CTF officers also raised the issue on colorum vehicles. They promised to submit to CDC-PSD the list
of vehicles, their plate numbers, types and the locators utilizing the illegal shuttle units.
To avoid further misunderstanding, CILA said
they will address the issue of locators using colorum
shuttle services for their respective workers, by encouraging their members to utilize only those that
are properly registered with CDC and with the Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Bureau
(LTFRB).
CDC, through the PSD, will enforce strictly CDC
and LTFRB rules and regulations to settle the transport issues, including the use of these colorum vehicles.•
PAWIKAN NEST... from Page 1
At least seven beach areas in
the Freeport have been identified
as nesting sites for marine turtles.
These are the beaches at the Waterfront area, All Hands, Dungaree,
Edgewater, Grande Island, Camayan, and Minanga.
“All of these areas, however, contain beach resorts and other commercial tourism establishments,
which makes it really important
for Subic stakeholders to join us in
this campaign,” Garcia also said.
According to Angel Bagaloyos,
officer in charge of the SBMA
Ecology Center, one out of the six
marine turtle species, the Olive
Ridley, visit Subic Bay to lay eggs,
and mostly during the cold months
from September to February.
Sightings of two other species have
been reported here, as well.
This nesting season, the SBMA
Ecology Center has already recorded sea turtle nesting at All Hands
Beach, with a total of 268 eggs laid;
Grande Island, with a total of 835
eggs laid; and Camayan Beach,
with a total of 314 eggs.
The eggs are expected to hatch
starting this month, and until February, said Rhea Jane PescadorMallari, project coordinator of the
“Guard My Nest” program.
To help protect the marine turtles, the SBMA Ecology Center tags
visiting nesters to add to a global
database; guards known nesting
sites from predators; and, along
with local stakeholders, releases
hatchlings to help ensure their survival.•
de peralta... from Page 3
Earlier, the PNP opted to centralize the licensing procedure after finding out that there were around 58,000
fictitious license holders nationwide.
Gun owners and buyers are required to secure from the PNP-FEO at Camp Crame and regional police office
a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF). •
7
gut feel... from Page 4
That is the first half of 2015. By the second half
we will know, more or less, the names of those who
will battle it out in the 2016 elections. By that time
also we will know how Comelec has resolved the
many issues regarding the automated voting to give
the electorate enough trust and confidence that
clean elections could be held. It is about that time
that the voters will decide who in their opinion are
guilty in the more high profile cases of corruption
and other abuses of authority, decisions that hopefully will not be swayed by more of vote buying or
frustrated by automated cheating in the following
year. The Year of the Sheep also offers peace and
abundance, but the way I see it the Filipino people
will have a lot of work to do to attain them.•
zero waste... from Page 2
Earlier, the City of San Fernando was recognized
by the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Environment and Natural
Resources after it topped this year’s environment
compliance audit for its environment-friendly programs and projects.•
old banknotes... from Page 3
date of registration.
Starting January 1, 2017, NDS banknotes that
have not been exchanged shall no longer have any
monetary value, and are considered demonetized.
The demonetization of the NDS will result in the
circulation of a single currency series in the country – the NGC Series. The NGC banknotes which
were issued on December 16, 2010 use new and enhanced security features to protect the safety of the
public against counterfeiters.•
cl one of top... from Page 3
cent), electrical equipment (320 percent), rubber
and plastic products (281 percent), and motor
vehicles (269 percent). Other subsectors with increased investment approvals are in textiles (100
percent), paper and paper products (100 percent),
and other non-metallic mineral products (100
percent).
The surge in manufacturing contributed substantially to the sharp rise of anticipated direct
jobs from BoI-approved projects despite the lower amount of total approved investments in 2014
of P354.5 billion compared to P466.03 billion in
2013, a decline of 24 percent. More projects were
approved this year, which are expected to generate an estimated 58,619 jobs over the next few
years – a 54 percent jump from 38,100 approved
last year.
Implementing the various industry or sectoral
roadmaps crafted by the private sector in partnership with the government contributed to building
investor confidence in the country for sustainable investments, particularly in manufacturing,
according to the BoI. Lower total investment approvals, on the other hand, were recorded in the
Electricity, Gas, Steam and Airconditioning Supply Sector, Transportation and Storage and Mining activities, among others.
The BoI initiated a strategic collaboration with
the private sector in 2012 to formulate sectoral
roadmaps with the industry’s vision and goals for
the short, medium and long-term. Subsequently,
the BoI created Technical Working Groups to assist the industries. The Industry Development
Council was revived this year to support the development and implementation of these roadmaps. The industry roadmaps, particularly the
Manufacturing Industry Roadmap (MIR) serve
as the backbone of the MRP.
To date, 30 industry roadmaps have been submitted to the BoI, of which, 25 roadmaps have
been completed. These sectoral roadmaps not
only complement the Manufacturing Industry
Roadmap (MIR) but also serve as essential components of the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy (CNIS). The MIR, finalized in 2013,
consolidates the roadmaps submitted while the
CNIS is envisioned to be the blueprint for the
overall industrial development strategy and will
cover agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
Domestic investments approved by the BoI
for the year totaled P317.69 billion or 90 percent
while the remaining 10 percent or P36.85 billion
came from foreign sources. The electricity, gas,
steam and air conditioning supply sector continued to record the biggest share of the total investments with P174.7 billion. Other performers were
Construction (P64 billion), Mass Housing (P47.7
billion), Manufacturing Sector (P24.5 billion) and
transportation and storage ice activities (P20.8
billion). •
SPECIAL FEATURE
VOLUME III • NO. 137 • JANUARY 07, 2015 • WEDNESDAY
Aguman Sanduk
Ning Minalin
The Fellowship of the Ladle
Story by Ruston Banal • Photos by Jhackie Brendan Garcia
AS the community
celebrates the change
of the year on the 1st
day of 2015, the males
– young and old in a
certain town in Pampanga – change their
clothes into female
dresses (duster), wear
heavy make-up and
walk around town carrying ladles.
The Aguman Sanduk
(Fellowship of the Ladle), a parade of crossdressers being observed
by the townspeople of
Minalin town, is an
83-year-old annual event
giving fun and laughter
as part of its New Year’s
celebration. The parade,
f locked by hundreds of
spectators and tourists,
will then end in choosing the perennial queen
among the participants,
hailed as the Reyna
Ning Aguman Sanduk
(The Queen of Aguman
Sanduk).
The Aguman Sanduk, which started in
the early 1930s, was
conceived as a result of
drought and impoverishment experienced by the
townspeople, leading to
loss of a good harvest
from their crops and
farmland.
According to Teresita
Tayag Quilang, 67, from
San Nicolas, a group of
professional men called
Aguman Alang Tutul
(The Fellowship of No
Opposition) who were
concerned about the situation of their community, wore dresses, makeup and female jewelry,
set tables in the plaza,
and started cooking
congee and other food
and shared it with the
people. With some of the
members of the group
as known jesters and
poets, the action took
an immediate enjoyable
effect on the community,
who momentarily forgot
about their woes and despair. Since then, it has
become a yearly event.•
These ‘colored’ kids
are part of the annual
spectacle that adds life
to the event.
‘Pregnant women’ are a common sight in the parade
that connotes a new beginning.
Production designs like this are very common.
Another simulation of a pregnant lady
by these cross-dressers.
Only real men are allowed to join and gays are prohibited to participate.
Floats are created from the contributions of the people.
Acting to add drama
is also part of the
parade show.