CAB move to grant add`l NAIA landing rights opposed
Transcription
CAB move to grant add`l NAIA landing rights opposed
www.headlinegl.com VOLUME III • NO. 182 MARCH 11, 2015 WEDNESDAY vitug Lubao native wins national quiz bee MY LUBAO CENTRAL MRF. Gov. Lilia Nanay Pineda inspects the My Lubao Central MRF together with Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and Board Member Joseph Anthony Torres, PENRO Arthur Punsalan and provincial solid waste management officer and Engr. Dan Aquino, municipal in-charge on solid waste management. --JUN JASO CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A native of Lubao town emerged as champion of a quiz bee competition recently held at the University of Batangas in Batangas City. Paulene M. Vitug, a BS Tourism Management student at the Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila, topped the quiz bee competition of the Union of Tourism Students Cup (UTSP) 2015. The quiz bee was participated in by 28 students from universities and colleges from all over the country, including Puerto Princesa State University, La Consolacion Bacolod, University of Mindanao and Holy Gov wants ‘My Lubao MRF’ as model in Pampanga CAB move to grant add’l NAIA landing rights opposed by Marna Dagumboy-del Rosario CLARK FREEPORT -- Some 46 congressmen showed opposition to the granting of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) of additional landing rights for passenger airlines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). This was formally manifested through a petition paper signed by some 46 congressmen from Northern and Central Luzon and Visayas, led by 1st district Rep. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, objecting all applications for additional landing rights at NAIA. CAB MOVE... pagE 6 LUBAO NATIVE... pagE 6 By ELAINE MERCADO LUBAO, PAMPANGA - Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda wants to turn the My Lubao Central MRF here as a model material recovery facility in the province. MY LUBAO MRF... pagE 7 CONSULTATIVE MEETING. Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Atty. Emigdio P. Tanjuatco III, Department of Transportation & Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Undersecretary Atty. Jose Perpetuo Lotilla and Pampanga 1st District Representative Yeng Guiao stress the importance of the development and growth of the Clark International Airport at the recent Clark Consultative Meeting. --CIAC-CCO 2NEWS CL tourist arrivals mark 21% increase Headline Gitnang Luzon • MARCH 11, 2015 By Mhike R. Cigaral CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Central Luzon might just be one of the leading regional destinations in the country, as domestic visitor arrivals hit the next level at 3.1 million from January to December 2014 or an increase of 21% as compared to 2013 at only 2.7 million. This was confirmed to newsmen by Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico of the Department of Tourism – Region III in a press statement issued recently. He said that the arrival figures are based on monthly survey reports sub- mitted by accommodation establishments in the region. Among the provinces and cities in the region, Subic Bay Freeport and Zambales occupied the first slot at 1.2 million arrivals while Clark and Pampanga / Angeles City came in 2nd at .621 million; Bataan at .199 million, Bulacan, .109 million, Aurora at .108 million, among others. Likewise, Tiotuico emphasized the fact that the figures represent foreign tourists or Filipino travellers who found themselves vacationing in various provinces in the region, thus are called domestic travellers. By Charlene A. Cayabyab roxas wants... Page 7 NEW BREED OF LEADERS. Orani Councilor Rome Sicat (left), Mayor Benjie Serrano, Jr. (middle) and former board member Papo Roman (right) pose for a photo after the turn-over of one of the wheelchairs from Filipino-Chinese Charity Clinic. --MHIKE R. CIGARAL CDC launches excellence awards for college studes By Charlene A. Cayabyab CLARK FREEPORT - Instilling the culture of excellence, the state-run Clark Development Corporation (CDC) launched the first-ever academic excellence award for outstanding graduating students on March 2015. Highest ranking and wellrounded students nominated by their respective schools shall receive cash prize, custom made medal/trophy with CDC symbol of academic excellence award and a certificate. Overall, 49 participants shall receive a cash prize: P10,000 each for 18 college students; and P5,000 each for 31 technical-vocational students. A special endorsement for those who are 18 years old and above shall be extended by CDC REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR Angeles City NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 ( IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that CRISTIAN PAGUINTO LAXAMANA has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of Sex (Gender) from “MALE” to “FEMALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of CRISTIAN PAGUINTO LAXAMANA born on August 3, 1990 at 1031 Magkalinis St., Malabanas, Angeles City and whose parents are CATALINO LAXAMANA AND MA. EDEN PAGUINTO. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with the office not later than__________. (SGD.) NENITA T. GARCIA City Civil Registrar Headline Gitnang Luzon: March 11 and 18, 2015 cl tourist... Page 7 Ombudsman dismisses Morato complaints versus PCSO Roxas wants intensified crime prevention efforts in Region III CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Interior Secretary Mar Roxas ordered a reinvigorated and speedy implementation of “Oplan Lambat-Simbat” in at least three largest regions in the country. Roxas wanted “Oplan Lambat-Sibat” in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Central Luzon by middle of the year. Oplan Lambat-Sibat has been operational for 37 weeks in NCR. Oplan Lambat-Sibat is a reinvigorated crime prevention effort using “deliberate, programmatic and sustained” police operations such as checkpoint, “Oplan Bakal-Sita,” mobile patrol, beat patrol and “Oplan Bulabog” supported by scientific crime report- Of the total arrivals, Filipinos represent a large population of these travellers or a share of 72% of the total arrivals while arrivals of foreign nationality represented a share of 1.54%. In 2014, travellers of Chinese descent represented the biggest population to its partner Clark locator for apprenticeship and/or possible employment. The said program is one of the legacy projects of CDC. The annual event is open for graduating students who belong to the top 1 percent of their class for each academic school year. Depending on the budget, the project targets the top one up to the top three scholars. Moreover, the recipients should be graduates of public or private schools situated in the following five (5) neighboring areas of the Clark Freeport/ Special Economic Zones: Angeles City, Mabalacat City, Porac, Pampanga, Bamban, Capas and Tarlac. Awards are given to vocational and college students who MANILA - The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the complaints of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Manuel L. Morato against members of the PCSO Board of Directors for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. In a joint resolution dated Sept. 15, 2014 and released on Mar. 5 this year, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales struck down the criminal and administrative complaints filed by Morato against former Board members Margarita P. Juico (chairman) and Ma. Aleta L. Tolentino (director), incumbents Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II (acting chairman and general manager), Mabel V. Mamba, Francisco G. Joaquin III, and Betty B. Nantes (directors), former Board secretary Eduardo G. Araullo (deceased), and various employees of PCSO and United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB). Rojas hailed the decision, saying, “The current PCSO Board of Directors and management has always walked the straight path, especially when it comes to financial matters. We are glad that this harassment suit has been found to be baseless and without merit.” Morato assailed a resolution passed in 2010 by the respondents transferring PCSO’s dollar account, which was then maturing, from Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) to UCPB because the latter offered a higher interest rate of ombudsman dismisses... Page 6 excellence awards... Page 6 CSF conducts SPES program By Marna Dagumboy -del Rosario CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Five hundred Fernandino students are set to become part of the city government’s workforce in line with the Special Program for the Employment of Students [SPES] under the leadership of Mayor Edwin D. Santiago. A joint program between the city government and Department of Labor Employment, SPES aims to give employment opportunity to students. It assists poor but deserving youth intending to pursue their education by encouraging employment during summer, Christmas vacation or any time of the year for students in the tertiary, technical, or vacational level. The program is part of the city government’s development agenda for employment dubbed as “Sapat na pangkabuhayan sa mga Fernandino tungo sa maunlad na pamumuhay.” The first batch of these beneficiaries will start on April 6 while the second batch will be employed on May 2. They will be assigned in departments that are in line with their courses, and will receive minimum wage under the supervision of the City Employment Service Division.• FOR DESKTOP PCs SMARTPHONES & TABLETS! You can grab our Digital Edition Copy via www.headlinegl.com & click Cover Today MARCH 11, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon Gov enjoins LGUs to work for higher RPT collections By LIEZEL CAYANAN CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda enjoined all municipal/ city government officials to help in increasing Real Property Tax (RPT) collections for this year. The governor appealed to municipal/city mayors, treasurers, assessors and the planning and development coordinators to work hard for higher RPT collections and achieve their respective targets. “Without your help and support of the mayors, the RPT collection will fail,” she said. She said that the time is now to work for higher collection of RPTs. “Let’s find ways to improve the sys- tem of collection by means of updating our records in the municipalities and cities. Let us make our people well informed about the revised tax code that we passed through legislation,” she said,” she stressed. The governor urged them to carry out their duties and responsibilities in improving the RPT collection, as this would mean more developments and improvements in every locality. This came as the governor led the Consultative Meeting on Real Property Tax Collection attended by mayors, municipal planning officers, assessors, and treasurers held at Widus Hotel inside the Clark Freeport last Friday. The meeting is aimed at identifying techniques on how to increase the BUSINESS 3 SM City Pampanga conducts seminar on caring for elderly RPT collection of the 19 municipalities and two cities of the province. Engr. Romeo Dizon, provincial assessor also presented the total RPT collectibles of all every municipalities. Breakdown of RPT collectibles are as follows: Apalit P30,210,847; Arayat - 17,304,821; Bacolor-21,845,621.76; Candaba 21,582,619.98; Flori d a b l a n c a - 1 8 , 8 17,9 7 1 . 8 4 ; G u a g u a - 2 2 ,74 5 , 2 5 7.9 6; L u b a o - 2 3 ,916 ,9 8 8 . 4 0 ; M a cabebe - 20,832, 252. 20; Magalang - 18,378,190.20; Masantol - 7,379,795.16; Mexico - 44,704,714.36; Minalin 7,969,228.60; Porac - 16,514,533.24; CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - In its desire to provide quality customer service, SM City Pampanga yesterday conducted its first seminar for the year 2015 on caring for senior customers. A senior citizen-friendly establishment, SM City Pampanga conducts seminar for the senior citizens as well as to customers with special needs twice a year to further educate its employees, tenants, housekeeping, and security personnel to provide better service. SM Supermalls have been doing its best to provide quality customer service to loyal patrons and customers. SM has become like a second home. More than just offering quality merchandise and services, SM is dedicated in pioneering initiatives that will make everyone’s malling experience as pleasurable as possible and worthwhile for just about anyone who enters its doors. Organizing seminars and advocacies such as proper handling of senior citizens is more than just being compliant with the requirements, as gov enjoins... Page 6 SM PAMPANGA... Page 6 NGCP supports C. Luzon media aid to indigenous students By butch gunio NUEVA ECIJA - Power grid operator National Grip Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) supported the Nueva Ecija-Aurora Energy Press Corps, which recently organized a gift-giving and learning activity for the 70 grade school pupils of Camp Martyr Elementary School in Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. The distribution of school supplies and grocery items to the students was done for the benefit of the Kankanaey and Ibaloi of Labi indigenous peoples, who live in the mountainous part of Bongabon, boundary of Nueva Ecija and Aurora provinces. NGCP considers Nueva Ecija-Aurora Energy Press Corps as one of its most active and supportive regional media partners. Also joining the media in the activity were Nueva Ecija Provincial Governor Aurelio Umali, Congresswoman Cherry Umali, and Senator Cynthia Villar. “Suki na kami ng NGCP. We thank God for them. Even the parents truly appreciate the happiness they have CL MEDIA AID... Page 6 CARING FOR THE ELDERLY. SM City Pampanga Asst. Mall Manager Liezl Carino (7th from left) with personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, after the conduct of a seminar on caring for senior citizens held at the mall yesterday. --CONTRIBUTED PHOTO PLDT maintains lead in mobile postpaid market CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Sun Cellular (Sun), the wireless units of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), continue to dominate the mobile postpaid segment with a 16 percent increase of subscriber base to over 2.8 million, or more than 387,000 net additional subscribers for 2014. This represents 55% of the total Philippine mobile postpaid market. The postpaid segment also ended 2014 with P21.7B in revenues—a 14-percent or P2.6-B increase from the previous year. Postpaid revenues now account for 21% of total cellular revenues for the PLDT wireless business. “The gains posted by Smart and Sun in 2014 are attributed to PLDT’s integrated wireless network with unparalleled capacity, reach and resiliency, and premiumpacked device and content offers,” said Charles A. Lim, Executive Vice President and Wireless Consumer Division Head of Smart and Sun. In 2014, Smart unveiled a strong lineup of smartphone offerings for all types of postpaid users, including flagship devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S5, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the Sony Xperia Z1 and Z2, and the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Smart also introduced best-value postpaid plans that came with powerpacked entry-level handsets, data allowance, and access to unlimited music streaming via Spinnr. On top of this, postpaid subscribers were also given access to 35 million songs on-the-go through Smart’s exclusive partnership with global music streaming service Deezer. To further bolster its postpaid growth, Smart recently introduced a revitalized postpaid lineup with better handset choices, bigger data volume allowances, and even FREE music streaming via Deezer for two years. Starting at P999 a month, users can choose from a range of premium handsets that include the Sony Xperia M2 Aqua, the Samsung Galaxy A5, and the Sony Xperia Z3. These new postpaid plans come with bigger volume data allocations for their mobile Internet needs and music streaming on the go with FREE Deezer Premium+ for every subscription. To empower more Filipinos with the latest technology, Sun offered its postpaid subscribers wearable devices through affordable and value-packed packages. Through the Sun Plan 499 or Plan 649, Sun Postpaid subscribers are able to get their hands on wearable devices, PLDT MAINTAINS... Page 6 LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Intestate Estate of Spouses ADORABLE L. DELFIN and RITA S. FELICIANO was Extrajudicially settled among heirs as per Doc. No. 204, Page No. 42, Book XLIV, Series of 2015 of Notary Public Pepito A. Sanchez, Province of Pampanga. HGL: March 4, 11 & 18, 2015 NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EDUARDO P. FERNANDEZ, consisting of a real property described as follows: TCT No. C-T-4002, Lot No. 1217-E,CLOA No. 00641430 Lot area (28,985 sq.m.), situated in Del Pilar, Castillejos, Zambales “has been the subject of AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION, among their heirs as per Doc. No. 31, Page No. 7; Book No. 64; Series of 2014 in the Notarial Register of CONDRADO T. DANAN, Notary Public. (Headline Gitnang Luzon: March 11, 18 & 25) 4 OPINION Headline Gitnang Luzon • MARCH 11, 2015 EDITORIAL Model MRF THE environment will always have a special place in the heart of Gov. Lilia Pineda, the reason why she is also campaigning for a waste-free Pampanga. In line with this, she made a pronouncement that the My Lubao Central MRF – which showcases projects such as production of organic fertilizers, recyclable materials, micro-organism, organic farming and bamboo furniture production – be made as a model material recovery facility in the province. The MRF, which was launched when Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda was still mayor of the town, has already produced 47.07 tons of holcimable materials from January to this date alone. Now, under the leadership of Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, the town has NO illegal dumpsites to speak of, and all waste materials collected are being delivered on a daily basis at the Central MRF. However, the Governor said she is only “partly happy” with the town’s waste disposal methods as she can still see garbage on the road. She will be 100 percent happy, she said, if every Kapampangan should work together to achieve zero waste in Pampanga. She said everyone should fully and actively participate in the campaign for zero waste. This, she added, will be her legacy to her kabalens. HEADLINE Gitnang Luzon is a Daily Regional Newspaper General Manager: MARLO a. franco Editor: RIA DE FIESTA Layout Artist/Photographer: JP Manalang Reporters: CHARLENE CAYABYAB Marna dagumboy - Del rosario Administrative Staff: sherylin l. rivera Marketing Head: ELAINE MAPILES Account Executive: caren m. garcia monica bianca cabiling Publisher: I.N.I. Newspaper Email: [email protected] Website: www.headlinegl.com DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of HEADLINE Gitnang Luzon or its internet website: www.headlinegl. com. The publisher does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of its columnists exercising their right to free expression. All rights reserved. Subject to the conditions provided for by law, no article or photograph published by HEADLINE GITNANG LUZON may be reprinted or reproduced, in whole or in part, without its prior consent. Office Address: 2nd Floor, U2 Building, MacArthur Highway, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, 2000 Tel. Nos. (045) 455.0781 Easing the pain of cancer patients I N 1993 my first wife, Fe, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the National Kidney Institute and Transplant. It was a mere openclose operation that then NKIT Executive Director and later Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona could perform. The cancerous mass has enveloped much of her kidney and removing it would just be fatal. What followed was a series of chemotherapy and beam-targeting sessions under the high-tech linear accelerator in the hope that the cancerous mass would regress. It wouldn’t and we decided not to try the next option, the newly introduced brachytherapy involving the inser- Leny Manalo tion of radioactive material into the cancerous mass. After the above was a long pilgrimage to healing masses and special prayers. But the Lord had other plans for Fe and her final journey to her peace was assisted by pain management using strong pain killers. At that time one capsule of a brand personally delivered by pharmaceutical agents cost about P600. Morphine was much cheaper but difficult to acquire. Only a few accredited doctors could issue the required yellow prescription and only a few hospitals were authorized to stock and sell morphine. I just read that Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has sought for a congressional inquiry on the reported lack of access of cancerstricken Filipinos to strong pain killers. Herself a cancer patient, Santiago urged the Senate to find ways to help relieve the excruciating pain suffered by Filipinos battling cancer through Senate Resolution No. 1215, which seeks probe on reports that some 45,000 Filipinos die annually without access to strong painkillers. Citing data from the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) and the Association of Southeast Asian Pain Socie- gut feel lic Act No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Law to allow the seriously ill, especially cancer patients, with easier access to pain medication. “Congress must ensure that cancer patients have access to means of easing their pain, and are not prevented from such relief by outdated laws, government neglect, or sheer ignorance,” said Santiago, adding the Senate inquiry should identify the best way to address the health issue, which she said undermines “Sorry, but I could not really resist making another comparison. If what ails society, like corruption, is cancerous, are we not just entertaining palliatives on the way to perdition? Will we get bold enough to risk life in order to save life itself?” ties (ASEAPS), Santiago said every year, 98,200 Filipinos are diagnosed with cancer and 59,000 of these patients die and that 75 percent of those who die first have to endure unimaginable pain. The senator said both groups blamed the painful deaths to low access to strong painkillers, such as morphine. The groups said that the country’s consumption was at 0.6 milligrams (mg) per capita, way below the global average of 6.11 mg per capita. They added that the factors limiting the distribution of pain medication in the Philippines include insufficient public knowledge, lack of support from the medical community, and the refusal of patients to receive treatment despite their needs. Both PCS and ASEAPS have urged Congress to amend Repub- Filipinos’ rights to a dignified death. While cancer does not distinguish between social classes, ages and genders, the survival rate among poor patients is expectedly much higher. Cancer treatment protocols cost a fortune and dying painlessly could still be very prohibitive. How can a community of man that cannot comfort the poor even in dying can face God as a community of believers? Sorry, but I could not really resist making another comparison. If what ails society, like corruption, is cancerous, are we not just entertaining palliatives on the way to perdition? Will we get bold enough to risk life in order to save life itself? Battling cancer involves sacrifice. Are we willing to make that sacrifice for the community and the country?• LET US HELP YOU! Want to broaden your business horizon? CALL US: (045)455-0781 • EMAIL US: [email protected] VISIT US: 2nd Floor ,U2 Bldg., MacArthur Hiway, Dolores, City of San Fernando (P) MARCH 11, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon Kababaihan... kabayanihan B AGO ka isang ate, bago ka isang asawa, bago ka isang ina, o kapitbahay, at iba pang “ikaw” bilang isang tao, huwag mo sanang kalilimutan na BABAE ka muna bago ang lahat ng mga “ikaw” na ‘yan. BABAE KA... BAYANI KA! BAYANI KA DAHIL BABAE KA. Ang mga KABABAIHAN ay ang makabagong pamantayan ng KABAYANIHAN at KADAKILAAN. ••• mga gawain/gampanin ng samahang ito ng mga kababaihan sa 16 na lungsod at isang munisipalidad sa National Capital Region bilang pakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ng National Women’s Month. Ang Progressive Ladies League of the Philippines, Inc. ay binuo ng alkalde ng Taguig City na si Mayor Laarni L. Cayetano na may layuning palakasin at paunlarin, at pag-ibayuhin ang buhay ng mga kababaihan, lalo na yaong mga “marginalized” na mga kababaihan, sa ating lipunan, sa pamamagitan ng mga gawaing pangkaalaman (education/ We can never downplay the role, the contribution of women in our society. Their greatness and heroism transcend the confines of their homes. Women build bridges. They bridge the gap between the mind and the heart. They put soul and spirit in the process Towards of social transformation. It is the gifts that the Light women can offer that ABEL SOTO will strengthen even more the power of the many social values that the world so information), pangkabuhayan badly need today, like loyalty, dignity, (livelihood), at pangkalusugan hope, honesty, fidelity, and love… a (health). Ito ang “threefold mislove empowered by genuine sacrifice sion” ng PLLPI na inaasahan kong for the good the many. makarating at makapagbuo rin ng kaniyang sangay sa iba’t ibang mga ••• lalawigan ng ating bansa, nang sa Naimbitahan ako ng Progres- gayon ay mas lalo pang mapalakas sive Ladies League of the Philip- ang mga kababaihan sa ating lipupines Inc. na maging tagapagsalita nan. nila tungkol sa Women Empower••• ment at tungkol din sa Violence Noong nakaraang Marso 8 Against Women and their Children (VAWC) sa lahat ng araw ng Hu- ay ipinagdiwang ang National webes, Biyernes, at Sabado nitong Women’s Day at ang International buwan ng Marso na gaganapin sa Women’s Day. Ang paksang-diwa iba’t ibang lungsod ng National ng pagdiriwang ng International Capital Region kung saan may mga Women’s Day para sa taong ito ay libo-libong miyembro na ang PLL- “Make It Happen!” (Pangyarihin PI simula pa noong 2009. Isa ito sa Mo!). Sana nga ay mapangyari ng mga kababaihan ang kanilang mga pangarap at mga adhikain sa buhay. Sana ay mas lalo pang maging masigla at pakikilahok ng mga kababaihan sa iba’t ibang gawaingpanlipunan na may tahasang kinalaman sa kanilang mga karapatan, kapakinabangan, at kalakasan bilang mga kababaihan na mga taga-kanlong ng buhay. Sana ay mas payabungin pa ng mga kababaihan ang kanilang mga kaalaman tungkol sa iba’t ibang mga bagay na nakaka-apekto sa kanilang mga buhay bilang mga “Ang kaalaman sa kanilang mga karapatan at mga kapakinabangan bilang mga babae ay ang pangunahing kasangkapan nila upang mabawasan, kung hindi man tuluyan nang matigil, ang iba’t ibang karahasan, pangaabuso, at pang-aapi sa kanila at sa kanilang mga anak ng iba’t ibang mga puwersa at mga indibiduwal sa ating lipunan.” T babae, bilang mga ina, bilang mga asawa. Ang kaalaman sa kanilang mga karapatan at mga kapakinabangan bilang mga babae ay ang pangunahing kasangkapan nila upang mabawasan, kung hindi man tuluyan nang matigil, ang iba’t ibang karahasan, pang-aabuso, at pang-aapi sa kanila at sa kanilang mga anak ng iba’t ibang mga puwersa at mga indibiduwal sa ating lipunan. Sana ay mas lalo pang kilalanin at palakasin ng iba’t ibang sector ng ating lipunan ang kabayanihan at kadakilaan ng mga kababaihan! Sa paraang ito lamang nagiging mas mabunga at mas malakas ang puwersa ng demokrasya sa isang maunlad na bayan.• Burung Kapampangan OCINO, longganiza, balo-balo, tagilo ay ilan lamang sa maraming halimbawa ng pagkaing gawa o may kinalaman ang pagpapabulok o pagbuburo ng pagkain. Ang mga ito ay kabilang sa listahan ng mga pagkaing may maka-sinaunang pamamaraan ng pag-iimbak ng pagkain. nakikilala sa larangan ng sining na kaluto. Maraming reseta o pagkaing Kapampangan ay binuru o ginagamitan ng buru. Kung ang taguilao o tagilo ngayon na tinatawg ding burung asan ay ginagamitan ng asin, kanin at isda, ang balo-balo (o balao-balao noong una) naman ay asin, kanin at hipon. Ang burung babi naman ay may maraming bersyon, isa na rito ay ang matamis na tocino, at longganiza. May burong talangka na ang sangkap naman Magbalawe ay sa tagilo maliban sa Aleesus Manarang ang ginamit ay maliliit na talangka imbes na naman tama ang pagkaka-asin ito ay isda, katulad din ng iba pang burung tinatawag na malantong. Sa isang ban- may asin at kanin tulad ng burung itu da ito ay naihahambing sa tradisyong (hito), burung likawuk at marami pa. pagdadaing na parehong kalimitan ay ang burung talangka sa Kapampanginagamitan ng asin at ang pinakapag- gan ay iba sa karaniwang tinatawag kakaiba ay ang pagpapatuyo sa ilalim na ‘taba ng talangka’ na tinatawag nang araw kung ito ay dinaing o pagtata- mang aligi sa Kapampangan. Sa mga gulay naman ay kasama go nito sa mga lalagyang halos selyado ang burung mustasa. Habang sa mga ang pagkakatakip kung ito ay binuro. Ang buru ay isa sa mga panguna- ginagawang sawsawan ay nandyan hing kapamaraanan ng kung paano ang burung kamyas, burung santol, naghahanda at nag-iimbak ng pagkain burung mangga at marami pa na ang ang mga Kapampangan. Lalu pa at gamit ay ang mga karaniwang bubot at ang grupong ito ng mga Pilipino ang magbalawe... Page 7 halimbawa ng mga sangkap, at mga gawi at pag-uugali ng paghahanda nito. Halimbawa rito ay ang tumutukoy sa pagpepreserba ng isda gamit ang asin na kung hindi masyadong maalat ito ay tinatawag na taguilao. Buru naman kung ito ay may maraming asin at kung hindi “Ang buru ay isa sa mga pangunahing kapamaraanan ng kung paano naghahanda at nag-iimbak ng pagkain ang mga Kapampangan. Lalu pa at ang grupong ito ng mga Pilipino ang nakikilala sa larangan ng sining na kaluto.” Ang buru ay isang salitang Kapampangan na kamag-anak ng salitang buro ng ibat-ibang grupong etnolingwistiko ng Pilipinas. Ito may ibat-ibang uri at proseso na may historikal at maka-tradisyunal na kinakapitan. Ayon kay Fray Diego Bergaño, isang paring Español na naging iskolar ng wikang Kapampangan, maraming halimbawa ng mga bokabularyo sa Kapampangan ang nagbibigay pakahulugan sa tradisyong buru. May mga halimbawa ng preparasyon, may halimbawa ng mga produkto, at may OPINION 5 Parnasong Kapampangan Neng Capa M. Pangan Ing bie pamag-Saudi Munag-munag pamu mibablas ney Minyang Uling ining Bino maranun yang datang, King panuli niting Saudi menibatan Kaibat na ning aduang banwa neng panayan. Minabut murin king alus adwang oras Bayu digpa NAIA miglanding king tarmac Itang eroplanung PAL a peka-first class A sekyan nang Bino menibatan Riyadh. At uling y Minyang masyadu yang gagad, Kalual na ning Bino king bakud a rehas, Mig-ala Darna neng karin migpaparak, Trumpeta ya wari keng katni gulisak! Agad neng kinaul, penaplit inuma Iting asawa nang maluat mu ring ala, A keta lalu nang kesabikan bina, Keng pamangulila nang makaba-kaba. Natural mu kasi karing bayung datang Itang malambis la king asawang disan, Pero ining Bino antiamong pitimban Sagin keng karimla na kaul kang Minyang. Inisip na namu rugu ning babai Ing mepagal yamu y Bino keng biahi Nung inya e ne man pin sipingan niti At kebabalaus nang metudtud pati. E nabatang Minyang kabukasan abak Ing keyang kaplas lub kang Bino na biklat; Nung baket at nanukilub ning kabukas, E ne lepitan man king karelang papag. Darling nganing Bino, ing sadya kung bisyu Maluat ku nang leko keng pamag-Saudi ku; Uling karin paladati ka mang loku, Keng sobra kaigpit akwa mung magbayu. Pero nganang Minyang, ing pagmulalan ku, Ike tana ketang ing alak leko mu Uling bawal karin magkang kasukul mu, Pati naman wari aliwa mung bisyu? Ing kekang daralang alak pemye mu ngan At king Marlboro mu ala kang tinagan. Darling nganing Bino leko ku na naman Ing sadya kung bisyu a keti ku likwan. Oyning darala mu a mialiwang lamak Kenu mu ipamye karing kamaganak? Kaku ngan wari ing dakal a pang-makeup A makadatuk keng kekang travelling bag? Ay! e ta pamye yan agya pang katambak, Ala kang dirinan pelalung kapatad; E wari sabi ku, migbayu kung ganap? Kekatang adua yan ilele mu sweetheart! 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 Headline Gitnang Luzon • MARCH 11, 2015 PcsO LOTTO RESULTS Lotto Game Megalotto 6/45 4Digit Swertres Lotto 11AM Swertres Lotto 4PM Swertres Lotto 9PM EZ2 Lotto 9PM EZ2 Lotto 11AM EZ2 Lotto 4PM Grand Lotto Combinations Draw Date Jackpot Winners 18-21-44-25-23-04 3/9/2015 35,287,080.00 0 8-6-0-2 3/9/2015 92,266.0010 8-2-3 3/9/2015 4,500.00 540 1-6-3 3/9/2015 4,500.00 954 0-0-5 3/9/2015 4,500.00 458 21-02 3/9/2015 4,000.00 365 19-24 3/9/2015 4,000.00 211 18-05 3/9/2015 4,000.00 164 21-32-33-11-20-26 3/9/2015 30,000,000.00 0 ombudsman dismisses... from Page 2 2.25 percent yearly compared to the 1.35 percent of the former. He said that the resolution did not take into account various Commission on Audit (CoA) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) circulars and regulations, particularly CoA Circular No. 79-114 which lists the banks that may be authorized to accept government deposits and funds: LBP, Philippine National Bank, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Philippine Amanah Bank, and the Philippine Veterans Bank. The respondents pointed out that the UCPB is authorized to accept deposits from government-owned and –controlled pldt maintains... from Page 3 corporations (GOCCs) such as PCSO by virtue of BSP Resolution No. 590 of 2008. Other BSP and Monetary Board rules, which superseded some of those that Morato mentioned in his complaint, allow GOCCs to deposit their cash balances in such banks as the Monetary Board may designate, among them UCPB. Moreover, this decision of the then-PCSO Board of Directors allowed the government to earn more in the form of higher interest, the earnings of which are used to fund the agency’s charitable programs. The Ombudsman said that they “find no merit in the allegation of corrupt practices imputed against the respondents,” and that there is also “no evidence to show” that the respondents “personally benefited” from the transaction, caused any party undue injury,” “gave any private party unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference,” Neither did the respondents enter into a “contract manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government,” nor were there bad faith nor negligence on their part, said the Ombudsman. Rojas said, “We assure the public that the PCSO Board of Directors continually conducts its affairs with probity and transparency, and prudently stewards its resources for the benefit of the country’s needy and disadvantaged.” • excellence awards... from Page 2 meet the criteria below: class rank 10%, general weighted average of 1.75 or its equivalent grade 20%, extracurricular and other leadership skills 20%, other awards received 10%, good character, positive attitude (courtesy, team player, etc.) and moral values 20%, recommendation of direct teacher/professor and classmates or peers 10%, economic status (indigent, middle income, etc.) 10% for a total of 100%. This academic excellence award falls within the memorandum of cooperation signed by the CDC along with Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Education (DepEd). An independent search and awarding committee, which shall be formed by the CDC External Affairs Department (EAD), will be in charge of the program. The award shall take place by the last week of March 2015. Courses aligned with priority industries inside the Clark Freeport Zones consist of industrial, tourism, hotel, restaurants and other service enterprises, call center, business process outsourcing (BPOs), business enterprises, hospital and aviation and agro-industry. The award equally aims for a sustainable growth that would meet its target of generating and filling-up 100,000 jobs in Clark Freeport Zone. • gov enjoins... from Page 3 San Luis- 4,873,117.40; San Simon 13,122,545.20; Sta. Ana - 8,105,233.30; Sta. Rita - 5,916,363.20; Sto. Tomas 8,804,259.40; and Sasmuan - 7,693,576.80. Dizon added the goal of the provincial assessor is to encode all information in the database of Integrated Taxation Management (iTax). It can be noted that the RPT collection had been improved since the iTax was implemented. Proceeds of the RPT collection go to the province (35%), municipality (40) and barangay (25%).• the community, SM Cares and SM Supermalls have an ongoing program which started two years ago that promotes productive use of the skills and abilities of the senior citizens. The “Senior Citizen Community Service Program” offers casual and part-time work assignment commensurate to the capabilities of our senior citizens. Through this program, SM hopes to strengthen the organization’s efforts in upholding responsibility.• paign is simultaneously cascaded to the community which hosts the Cabanatuan-Bongabon-Baler 69-kVLine. NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and de- veloping the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. • cl media aid... from Page 3 given to our pupils,” says School Principal Frederick G. Fernando. Last year, Camp Martyr also benefited from a similar project of NGCP dubbed as “Balik Eskwela.” Transmission line safety and anti-pilferage cam- which also come with a smartphone, plus unlimited Sun calls and texts, texts to other networks, mobile surfing and unlimited music streaming via Spinnr. Another strong entry Plan is the Plan 450 where subscribers can take home a Sun Bundle composed of a handset and a tablet. This bundle is useful for subscribers who prefer to have a bigger screen while surfing, reading books, or emailing, ensuring that the tablet will make the Internet experience more enjoyable. Sun Postpaid also offered useful, relevant add-ons such as the Value MIX which allowed subscribers to beef up their plans by creating their own bundles for just an additional P99 a month. Meanwhile, the Trinet add-on allows Sun subscribers to call and text Smart and Talk ‘N Text subscribers, also for as low as P99. In support of its expanded folio of device and services, Sun Cellular also increased retail presence during the year with the launch of the Sun Shop on Wheels – a new retail channel designed to provide the same in-store services as the regular Sun Shops. Rolled out at key cities of Metro Manila and selected provincial areas, the Sun Shop on Wheels is designed to meet daily customer transactions in areas where there is limited access to Sun retail outlets. To complement the device and plan offers introduced in 2014, Smart and Sun unveiled digital content services which changed the way Filipino mobile users live and communicate. These digital content offers include access to unlimited music streaming via the Smart-developed music app, Spinnr; digital downloads of Summit Publishing titles via e-bookstore, Buqo; video streaming via Viewstream and Blink; online gaming e-Pins via GameX, among others. Smart subscribers also enjoyed millions of apps on Google Play Store and Apple iTunes, which can now be charged to their monthly postpaid bills. Lim said that the companies will continue to build on the gains attained during the previous year. “The year 2014 presented us with opportunities to shape the mobile lifestyles of Filipinos. By introducing our subscribers to an ‘alwayson’ mobile data experience, and by giving them more ways to access information and content, we are able to build habit and spur usage among our subscribers, and to translate this to sustained revenue streams for the postpaid businesses of Smart and Sun.” • lubao native... from Page 1 Angel University. Vitug, a full scholar at FEU, is the daughter of Allan Vitug and Edna Vitug, executive assistant of Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda. Her older sister, Darlene Hazel Vitug graduated Magna Cum Laude (BS Internal Auditing Batch 2013) at FEU. Vitug is set to graduate this year. The FEU sent 15 students for the UFTS Cup 2015, which is part of the 9th Tourism Congress Skills Olym- pics. Vitug was only one who advanced to the finals. FEU-Manila joined the UFTS 2015 and its theme is “One world, One Nation, One Billion Opportunities.” FEU participated in the following catergories: Tour Guiding Domestic, Tour Guiding Asia, Tour Packaging International, Tour Packaging Domestic, and Quiz Bee.• cab move... from Page 1 sm pampanga... from Page 3 SM Supermalls will always nurture the consciousness that senior mall goers must be attended to properly. Furthermore, as part of SM’s goal to empower and extend sustainable assistance to the senior citizen members of AS OF march 09, 2015 Guiao, who himself composed the petition paper to CAB, said the petition is being done in the interest of the public amid safety concerns brought about by the prevailing air traffic congestion that causes delay either in landing or take off of domestic and international flights which is being experienced by many. “We are just promoting the safety and convenience of the airline passengers at NAIA,” the solon stressed. Guiao furthered that based on various public hearings, NAIA has reached its full capacity and any additional accommodation during its peak operating period will only further narrow the window for aircraft movements which is a safety issue for the airline passengers. “The petition is also borne of our common desire to enhance the safety and convenience of those Want to broaden your business horizon? LET US HELP YOU! CALL US : (045)455.0781 EMAIL US : [email protected] VISIT US : 2nd Floor , U2 Bldg., MacArthur Hiway, Dolores, City of San Fernando (P) who utilize NAIA, contribute to the decongestion of Metro Manila, at the same time enhance the economic growth of other areas outside the metropolis,” the petition paper added. “We trust that the Civil Aeronautics Board, in its exercise of its authority and mandate will consider and will inform the signatories of any application for additional landing flights,” it said.• MARCH 11, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon my lubao mrf... from Page 1 This was made clear by the Governor as she visited the said MRF yesterday together with Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, who showcased their projects such as production of organic fertilizers, recyclable materials, microorganism, organic farming and bamboo furniture production. The governor lauded the workers here for their efforts in helping the My Lubao Central MRF to become a model of all material recovery facilities in the province. Established in 2010 during the time of former Mayor now Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, the My Lubao Central MRF has already produced 47.07 tons of holcimable materials from January to this date alone. However, in the same period, at least 212.82 tons of garbage were delivered to Metro Clark Sanitary Landfill and the municipal government spent a minimum of P360 per cubic meter bin of garbage or a total of P11,525 per 32 cubic meter bin. magbalawe... from Page 5 According to Engr. Dan Aquino, designated solid waste management officer here, the My Lubao Central MRF is being manned by at least 16 workers. Now, he said, the entire town has no illegal dumpsites and all waste materials are being collected and delivered on a daily basis at the said Central MRF. The governor also said she is “partly happy” with My Lubao Central MRF, for its waste disposal, proper composting and their compliance to RA 9003 as she believes that this could produce more good results if it could maximize its full potentials. “I am happy but not 100 percent as I am still seeing garbage on the road. We must act together to achieve zero waste not only in Lubao but in the entire Pampanga and I want that as a legacy,” she said. The governor pointed out that “there are still more things and more projects and programs that should be implemented to fully manage solid waste not only in Lubao but in the entire province.” The governor urged the municipal government here to take all the necessary efforts needed in turning Lubao into the cleanest town in the province and achieve zero waste management. He urged all sectors to fully and actively participate in the campaign for zero waste. “Let us involve everybody, every entity, as everyone is producing garbage every day,” the governor reiterated. The governor vowed to continue full support to the municipalities and cities which are most compliant on solid waste management through the provision of additional dump trucks, baling machines, shredders and among other equipment needed for the operation and management of solid waste, suggesting that that there should be a cluster materials recovery facility (MRF) in every town to save energy and gasoline in collecting the garbage.• the United States and Canada with its Central 911. Central 911 responds to all kinds of emergencies; medical, fire, police assistance, natural and man made disasters. Its services are absolutely for free and totally subsidized by the city government. The Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council has been cited as the best-prepared disaster coordinating council in the country. Mayor Duterte ordered all shopping malls and commercial centers to install, operate and maintain high end and high definition closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all entrance and exit points of their premises. The city government has a Public Safety and Security Command Center that monitors through CCTV cameras the day-to-day activity of the city and its people. building structures such as the millennial houses in yellow, blue and pink colors. All over the place, piped-in centralized music is played, 24 hours a day. They had breakfast at the very conducive function hall where they were served with delicious food. After which, they were escorted by Pastor Quiboloy in going around the prayer center to experience, see and smell the variety of flowers and plants of different colors; 60 percent of which were imported from around the world. According to volunteers, seven trucks of water are consumed everyday in maintaining its landscapes and gardens. The gardeners take time to soap leaves of pest-prone plants individually. Personnel in-charge manage each 10 square meter of the sprawling complex. The building plans of pastoral houses of the congregation, the details of the furniture, the landscaping and design of every nook and cranny were the brainchild of Pastor Quiboloy. People, prominent and ordinary have visited this so-called paradise on earth. They all have expressed synonymous quips - all praises and commendations because of the Prayer Mountain’s beautiful clean and green scenery. Before the Pampanga delegation bid goodbye to Prayer Mountain, they were able to buy some souvenirs and pasalubong at Quiboloy’s trade center. davao city... from Page 8 among the lowest in the country. This has earned for Davao City the distinction as the Most Peaceful City in the East and Southeast Asia for a number of years already. Everyone obeys and no one in the city is above the law. The city is also the first in the country to have an adaptive traffic signalization system and has a stateof-the-art traffic system similar to the system used in Los Angeles, California, USA. COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-SMOKING ORDINANCE Dabawenyos has City Ordinance 0430-02, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City, the first antismoking ordinance in the Philippines. The ordinance makes it unlawful for any person to smoke or to allow smoking in public utility vehicles, accommodation establishments, public buildings, enclosed public places or in any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence within the jurisdiction of Davao City. Mayor Duterte created a task force by virtue of Executive Order 25 who runs after not only smokers, but also proprietors, managers or establishment owners who allow smoking in their areas in utter disregard of the law. No matter whom you are, when caught violating the ordinance, you will be fined P300 to P1,000 and face imprisonment of not more that four months. Primarily, the intention is to protect the public from the hazards of second-hand smoke. ADDRESSING GLOBAL WARMING They are also creating the necessary mechanism to address the issue of global warming in the city through the implementation of Anti-Smoke Belching Ordinance, among other environment ordinances. The city government also prohibits selling, serving, drinking and consumption of liquor and alcoholic beverages from 1:00 am until 8:00 am. The mayor has also signed Executive Order no. 39, setting 30 KPH speed limits for all kinds of motor vehicles within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City in the interest of public safety and order. PREPARED TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES Davao City is the only Asian city that has an integrated emergency response system similar to that of 7 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Davao City takes advantage of environmental laws, which ensure proper collection, and disposal of garbage. The city is known for its well- disciplined residents plus a localized version of Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which is now being implemented. A huge sanitary landfill in place, regular and systematic collection of garbage from fixed points, and proper segregation have maintained cleanliness in the surroundings. The sanitary landfill is given P300-million minimum funds for its maintenance aside from the purchase of vehicles and equipment amounting to P600 million. The city environment and natural resource office collectively acts and assumes responsibility to attain sound ecological solid waste management. TRIP TO MOUNTAIN OF PRAYER AND GLORY After the whole-day benchmarking activities, the delegation had fine dining at Jose Maria College of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) administered by Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy. The gracious volunteers of KJC served them with delicious and sumptuous food. The next day, escorted by green security force of the city government, they went to Tamayong Prayer Mountain also called as “the Garden of Eden Restored”. It is a breathtaking place in an unknown spot at the foothills of Mount Apo in Tamayong, Calinan, Davao City. It has an altitude of 10,311 feet above sea level with an area of 8 hectares. Inside the Prayer Mountain are GLORY MOUNTAIN Then, Pastor Quiboloy escorted the delegation to another slope of Mt. Apo at the so-called Glory Mountain, a stone’s throw away from the Prayer Mountain. In the 25-hectare Glory Mountain, they found the biggest concentration of pine trees in the country. According to the pastor, the Glory Mountain has more than 50,000 pine trees planted in an area at the foot of Mt. Apo - the country’s highest mountain. An average pine tree reportedly absorbs 10 kilos of carbon dioxide and releases pure oxygen each year. Pine trees also reportedly serves as air conditioner or air purifier, as each tree could reduce as much as 7,000 dust particles in each liter of air. The Pampanga delegation is hoping that this won’t be the first and the last benchmarking trip, because visiting Davao City, according to them, was really a breathtaking experience!• maasim na bungang kahoy na namamanahon. Ito ay ibinababad sa tubig na may asin. May mga ulam naman na ginagamitan ng kapamaraanang pagbuburo, kasama na rito ang tradisyunal na umba (o humba) na parang adobo ang dating ngunit ang karne dito ay pinabubulok muna ng ilang panahon bago lutuin. Ang itlog-na-maalat o itlog-na-pula ay tinatawag namang ebun buru habang ang bagoong at patis na galing sa maliliit na hipon at alamang at katas ng isda ang siyang tinatawag na baguk at kesyap. Tunay na ang buru ay lumarawan sa isang malikhaing kapamaraan ng mga Pilipino. At katulad ng mga nakagawian na ng mga Kapampangan, ito ay nakapagbibigay ng mas mainam at mas masarap na paraan at uri ng kung paano lutuin o imbakin ang yamang pagkain ng mga Pilipino.• cl tourist... from Page 2 among foreign visitors at 12.5% (or 390,431) of the total arrivals while travellers of American descent came in 2nd at 3.08% (or 95,737); Koreans at 3rd slot with 1.8% (55,692); and Singaporeans at 1.00% (or 31,200). Average occupancy rate for accommodation establishments in the region stood at 62% while length of stay for travellers stood at 22 nights with over 1.2 available rooms during the year. Meanwhile, at the Clark International Airport, total air arrivals stood at 384,221 in 2014 based on Bureau of Immigration arrival cards of air passengers from various destinations. Of the total arrivals, 61% or 236,162 are of Filipino nationality while Koreans represented 14.7% or 56,591; USA residents at .061% or 23,691. Tiotuico attributed the unprecedented increase in visitor arrivals in the region in 2014 to the significant developments in Clark and Subic - two of the most favored destinations, among other places of interest. Among the events that triggered movement of people include the conduct of M.I.C.E. convention in June of last year which propelled the region to higher ground as the convention capital in the North Philippines if not the entire country. As a result, the regional office will come up with an audio-visual production or documentary on the potential of the region as such. Also, paving the way for the development of the region as a major destination is the province of Aurora with its annual surfing event in February of every year. The event never ceases to attract foreign and local aqua sports enthusiasts. Moreso, the recent infrastructure improvement at the Clark terminal to a high of 4 million passenger capacity paved the way for the recognition of the airport as one of the most preferred gateways in the country. The energized re-constitution of the Association of Tourism Officers of Central Luzon (ATOCEL) played a vital role in developing the region as a major destination with the recent hosting of a number of major festivals and events in most cities and municipalities – resulting from the conduct of seminars on festival planning and management. The participation of the region including its private stakeholders and major players to major tourism and travel expositions in Cebu and Davao including the ‘Tara na sa Norte” in Makati City contributed in a significant way to the increase in arrivals to the region. The longrunning expo introduced to the potential travellers in Manila the myriad of major destinations of the region. The same was initiated by the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) in cooperation with the all the chapter members of North Phils Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Association of Tourism Officers of Central Luzon.• roxas wants... from Page 2 ing from the Police Community Precincts (PCPs), to the stations, to the districts up to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and solving them based on statistics. Roxas instructed the Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) and the Directorate for Operations (DO) to be on top of putting the best practices together and compile them in an instruction manual including everything that the PNP had done in terms of crime prevention and solution over the last 37 weeks. “We don’t want them [regions] to start from scratch. We have learned so many lessons from June 16 to today. What we have learned here in the last eight and half months can be cascaded in other parts of the country,” Roxas said. Roxas said “Oplan Lambat-Sibat” have successfully stabilized the robbery and theft incidents in Metro Manila including the carnapping of motorcycles and vehicles as reflected in the weekly crime report from June 2014 to present, thus giving the national police to deflect its focus on murder and homicide. He expressed concern that from an average of 25 murder-homicide incidents in January this year, the incident had grown to 37 towards the end of February to March.• feature VOLUME III • NO. 182 • MARCH 11, 2015 • WEDNESDAY Davao City A breathtaking experience TEXT & PHOTOS BY JOEL MAPILES DAVAO CITY has captured the hearts of Pampanga executives led by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Pampanga mayors, provincial board members and department heads of the provincial government as they experienced the city’s peace and serenity during their two-day stay in the city. Truly, Davao City’s air is fresh. It is really clean and green. No wonder it is considered as one of the most livable cities in Asia. Davao City, a fertile, typhoon-free region, is famous for its fresh produce and fruits available all-year round like durian, banana, pomelo, mangosteen, lanzones and rambutan, making it the “Fruit Basket of the Philippines.” Davao City’s best asset is its people – the Dabawenyos led by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who has the heart, determination, strong political will to implement what is best for the city. The people are so warm and hospitable. The staff and employees of the mayor and the city tourism office are so accomodating, including the security personnel who were assigned to escort the Pampanga delegation during their short stay in the city. Inhabited by almost 1.4 million people from different tribes, culture and faiths, Davao City is abundant with amazing spectacles and destinations as it is also endowed with dazzling landscapes and blessed with wealth in natural wonders. The tourism officers helped the Kapampangan visitors tour the city to fulfill their benchmarking mission – to see and experience the best practices of its people and make it as models when they come back to Pampanga. Governor Lilia Pineda with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Governor Lilia Pineda is amazed by the colorful flowers at the Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong, Davao City. Gov. Pineda witnesses the signing of a sisterhood pact between Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan. DUTERTE’S STRONG POLITICAL WILL, CAPACITY TO INSPIRE The city’s strong, dynamic local government has been regarded as a model for other cities in the country, making it a favorite destination. According to Dabawenyos, Mayor Duterte is much admired. He has the strong political will in implementing laws, policies and programs which will redound to the benefit of the people, whom he pledged to serve, which means enormous progress to the city and for the Dabawenyos. With this dictum that described him, he has built up within him the capacity to inspire people and be of model to other leaders. Gov. Pineda shares a light moment with Mayor Duterte, Mayor Pamintuan and Pastor Quiboloy . Mayor Pamintuan hands over a souvenir book to Mayor Duterte. DAVAO IS BUSINESS-FRIENDLY Davao City is a preferred destination for trade, investment and leisure because of its responsive local government, high quality of life, dynamic economy, human resource, infrastructure, and favorable business environment. It is an urban center home to commercial, educational, recreational, eco-tourism, health and wellness institutions. PEACE AND ORDER The city government through the local police ensures the peace and security of every law-abiding citizen, hence, even with a population of less than 1.4 million and an urban density estimated at 2,400 persons per square meter kilometer, Davao City’s crime rate still remains davao city...Page 7 Gov. Pineda poses with Mayor Duterte as she hands him a Pampanga lantern. With them are Pampanga mayors, board members and department heads.