Gov to police graduates: ‘Be heroes of the people’ www.headlinegl.com VOLUME III • NO. 142 JANUARY 14, 2015 WEDNESDAY By Mhike R. Cigaral MAGALANG, PAMPANGA - Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda yesterday urged the 835 “Kapanalig” Class 2013-01 graduates of Public Safety Field Training Program (PSFTP) of the Regional Training Center (RTC) 3, to become “heroes of the people”. Pineda, who was guest speaker during the graduation ceremony, said as new police officers, they are bound to make their lives more meaningful through dedicated public service whose main goal is to protect and serve the people The governor also expressed gratitude to the parents and wives of the new police officers for their deep understanding and full support to their new profession as protectors of the people and for allowing their sons, daughters and husbands to become police officers for public safety. The governor learned through Supt. Rodel A. Pastor, regional training coordinator, that they need a covered court for the sports activities and other training programs of be heroes... PAGE 7 ‘BE HEROES’. Governor Lilia “Nanay” G. Pineda tells the 835 graduates of Kapanalig Class 2013 during the commencement exercises held at the Regional Training Center in Magalang town yesterday to ‘be heroes of the people’. Cops solve Lubao Jan. 1 murder case --JUN JASO By Marna Dagumboy-del Rosario LUBAO, PAMPANGA – “Solve the murder case no matter what. The crime may happen again if you won’t arrest the suspect.” Thus collectively said Gov. Lilia Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda to the Lubao police force after their town-mate, a retired hotel worker in Illinois, USA, was attacked in his house in Purok 6, Barangay San Nicolas 1st here, a few hours after New Year’s Eve. Jose Tolentino Garcia, 73, died in a nearby hospital a few days later due to the wounds on solved case... PAGE 7 CDC takes over 3.2-ha leased property idle since 2011 by Marna Dagumboy -del Rosario CLARK FREEPORT – Clark Development Corporation (CDC) on Monday secured a leased property involving a 3.2-hectare land that has been idle since 2011. CDC’s seizure of the property was anchored on Hollywood Park Development Corporation’s (HPDC) “persistent non-compliances’’ with their commitments under the agreement signed three years ago, despite reconsideration and concessions extended to them. A Joint Inspection/Inventory team from CDC and the Commission on Audit (COA) conducted an inventory of all items found inside HPDC to determine damage/loss. The team cdc takes over... PAGE 7 NABBED! Murder suspect Alex Montemayor Carpio of Barangay Remedios, Lubao town at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in the City of San Fernando on Sunday. --CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS 2NEWS Headline Gitnang Luzon • JANUARY 14, 2015 WMRI donates life-saving devices to ONA By Charlene A. Cayabyab CLARK FREEPORT - An American-based charitable institution headed by a Filipino is set to donate multi-million peso cardiac pacemakers to indigent patients of Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA) and nearby towns. George Samson, president and chief executive officer of World Medical Relief Inc. (WMRI), said the pacemakers will be donated in collaboration with the University of Michigan. Samson made the statement during a recent press briefing at Widus Hotel and Casino. “This project is first of its kind and we’re starting it in the Philippines,” Samson said. A pacemaker is a small battery-operated device that delivers electrical impulses to the cardiac muscles in order to keep the heart beating normally. Titanium-made pacemakers have a lifespan of 10-12 years, Samson said. WMRI has collected over 25,000 pacemakers that are being checked by technicians and cardio experts of University Michigan. They are intended for distribution to over hundred countries. A brand new pacemaker costs $10,000 or over 400,000 pesos on the average. Samson said pacemakers are life-saving device and can extend the life of a patient especially the poor. Accomplishing the founder’s mission of “turning sin of waste to miracle of mercy,” Samson discussed that there are also slightly used pacemakers donated by some families in the United States, sterilized and repacked with specifications. “Why can’t we use the ‘used’ pacemakers to save lives? This is a very amazing project,” he said. He said that a special operating room at the cardiac unit of ONA, also known as the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center, is now being put up as part of the arrangements with the Angeles City government. life-saving... Page 6 Alvarado guarantees continuous leadership by example Power firm seeks local police aid to avert pilferage BY RAECHELLE ANN GARCIA OLONGAPO CITY - A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) and the Olongapo Electricity Distribution Co., Inc. (OEDC) to fully enforce Republic Act 7832 or Anti-Pilferage Act. OCPO City Director Sr. Supt. Pedrito F. delos Reyes and OEDC President Jose Maria A. Abaya formed a partnership, recently through the signing of the MOA held at Buma Subic Hotel inside Subic Bay Freeport Zone. This MOA was aimed to promote mutual understanding, shared responsibilities and commitment of working together towards the goal of enforcing the Anti-Pilferage Act. OEDC, in its active-campaign to reduce the system loss through the conduct of random metering inspections and apprehension operations sought the assistance of OCPO which agreed to cooperate and assist the OEDC in the implementation of the law. “When OEDC took over the operations of the electric distribution system in Olongapo City in June 2013, it had a high system loss of 37%,” OEDC said in statement. The statement added that this has now been substantially reduced to 11.28% as of November 2014. OEDC is committed to reduce the system loss level below the ERC-allowable recovery cap of 8.5%. “If the actual system loss continues to improve and becomes lower than the 8.5% cap, then this will directly benefit the customers through a reduction in the Systems Loss Charge,” OEDC said. The massive and intensive campaign of OEDC from June 2013 to November 2014 has resulted to the following apprehensions of 1,353 for Connected Customers and 2,483 for Illegal Connection Cases from 2013 up November last year.• The cardiac unit will be headed by Dr. Rey Franco, a renowned cardiologist and heart surgeon who has a long medical practice in the United States. WMRI had previously donated cardiac monitors to the local government hospital in Angeles City. They are now in use at ONA’s Cardiac Unit. Meanwhile, the Pampanga Press Club commended Samson by conferring him a presidential award “for the betterment of hu- By Froilan E. Magtoto Teresita, Eduardo Badong of Barangay Ninoy Aquino, Angelito Caparas of Barangay Sto. Domingo, and Harry Roque of Barangay San Jose, said that they were upset with news reports stating that they are supporting Lapid’s candidacy. “Ito po ay walang katoto- CITY OF MALOLOS – Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. SyAlvarado assured the Bulakenyos of continuous leadership by example during the first Monday flag raising ceremony of the year this morning held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium. The local chief executive also encouraged the employees to start the year right by serving the people fast, efficient and with smiles on their faces. “We have to work and we will be setting example. Makakaasa po kayo ng leadership by example ang gagawin po natin; mahaba ang naging bakasyon marami ang naghahanap ng ating paglilingkod kaya magsimula tayo,” Alvarado said. Alvarado also reminded the employees to be true to their oath as a public servant. “Sa ating panunumpa, sumusumpa tayong maglilingkod ng mahusay. New Year po ngayon, kalimutan na ‘yung nakaraan, ang importante ‘yung hinaharap. Kinakailangan ng higit na paglilingkod sa nakararami katulad ng sinabi ni Apolinario Mabini, gawin mong maligaya ang iyong bay- brgy chiefs... Page 6 alvarado... Page 6 PRESIDENTIAL AWARD. Pampanga Press Club President Eric Jimenez hands over to World Medical Relief Inc. President and CEO George Samson a presidential award for his contributions, not only in the Philippines, but all over the world. WMRI is based in Michigan, USA. Also in photo are the officers and members of the PPC. --CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Brgy chiefs deny supporting Lapid’s bid for AC mayor By Charlene A. Cayabyab ANGELES CITY - At least five village chairmen in this city have denied reports that they are supporting the mayoralty bid of movie actor turned Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid. The village chairmen said they were invited to attend a PAYING LAST RESPECTS. National Press Club (NPC) president Joel Egco (L) and vice president Benny Antiporda (R), at the wake of slain journalist Nerlie Ledesma, Abante tabloid correspondent. Also in photo is Armi Rico (partly hidden), Ledesma’s colleague at Monica Publishing Corporation. --MHIKE R. CIGARAL Christmas gathering but were surprised to see Lapid and former Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin in attendance. In a joint statement sent to Headline Gitnang Luzon, Barangay Chairmen Reynaldo Malig of Barangay Salapungan, Marino Banola of Barangay Sta. JANUARY 14, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon BUSINESS 3 RP Energy boosts town’s traffic enforcement, security capacity by Butch Gunio DONATION. Castillejos Mayor Angelo Dominguez (L) and the town’s traffic officials accept the RP Energy donation awarded by Vic Chan (R), the company’s CSR head. --BUTCH GUNIO NGCP services normal despite Zambales quake By Butch Gunio ZAMBALES - Power transmission services of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) remain normal despite the magnitude 6 earthquake that shook Zambales and other parts of Luzon in the wee hours of Sunday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismol- ogy said the epicenter was 43 kilometers southwest of San Antonio town. The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth 85 kilometers. “The Luzon grid remains intact as there had been no reported cases of power interruptions and damaged transmission facilities in Zambales, Bataan, and nearby areas”, said Ernest Vidal, NGCP Regional Corporate Communications Officer. The Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also said it had not received reports of any earthquake-related damage in the province. NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing 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. As a corporation with a public service orientation, it partners with relevant institutions to support the communities hosting its transmission facilities, which it considers as true partners in nation building. • NRCO extends services in Central Luzon By Charlene A. Cayabyab CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) is now closer to overseas Filipino workers in Central Luzon. According to the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Luzon (DoLE 3), an NRCO regional coordinator has been designated at the Technical Support and Service Division at the labor agency’s regional office. “We are pleased to inform our OFWs that the NCRO programs are now just within your reach by visiting our office at the Regional Government Center in Maimpis, City of San Fernando,” DoLE 3 chief Ana Dione said. “Our OFWs need not travel and endure the perils of long traffic in Metro Manila anymore to avail the various programs and services of the NRCO,” she added. The NRCO is an attached agency of the DoLE which was institutionalized pursuant to Republic Act 10022 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. It also provides mechanism for OFWs’ reintegration into Philippine society, serves as a promotion house for their local employment, and tap their skills and potentials for national nrco extends.. Page 6 CASTILLEJOS, Zambales - The Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy) has boosted this town’s traffic enforcement and security capacity. The company recently turned over brand new safety vests, LED flashlights and hand reflectors to Castillejos town for the use of its 25-man traffic force. “The donation is part of RP Energy’s “Kasangga Mo!” initiative, which aims to assist in the peace and order situation of the surrounding communities”, said RP Energy Corporate Social Responsibility head Vic Chan. “While valuable to any community, the donation is only a part of what we have planned under the initiative. We also want to enhance the skills of community leaders and officers through capacity-building activities. These include seminar-workshops on community leadership, conflict resolution, disaster risk reduction, disaster response, and crisis management,” he explained. Castillejos Mayor Angelo Dominguez thanked RP Energy. “The ‘Kasangga Mo!’ is a very important program in helping maintain the peace and security of the town of Castillejos. This donation from RP Energy will surely makes the traffic officers happy and encourage them to work harder,” the mayor said. RP Energy vowed to work closely with the local communities to forge a safe and peaceful environment for different stakeholders. “We hope to continue this meaningful partnership with Castillejos and we are looking forward to working with local leaders in surrounding communities. As a responsible corporate citizen, RP Energy believes in investing in its host communities. By focusing on peace and order, we help in building a safe and peaceful environment not only for the residents but also for local businesses as well,” added Chan. “Katuwang Natin sa Buhay” is RP Energy’s umbrella Corporate Social Responsibility program that seeks to establish good stakeholder relations and further community development through initiatives that focus on livelirp energy.. Page 6 JOB WELL DONE. The Pampanga Police Provincial Office, under the leadership of Sr. Supt Rodolfo Sabate Recomono Jr., commends the Lubao Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by the Chief of Police Supt Jean Fajardo and Floridablanca MPS led by Supt Jhoanna Rosales for their successful joint anti-illegal drug operations recently. Their operation resulted to the arrest of five notorious drug pushers. --CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Rules on use of intelligence funds promotes good governance - DBM MANILA - Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad welcomed the signing of the Joint Circular on Confidential and Intelligence Funds (IF) by various government agencies, as the Aquino administration continues to improve transparency and accountability in the use of funds while ensuring just and lasting peace and the rule of law in the country. With the circular, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of National Defense (DND), the Gover- nance Commission for GOCC (GCG), and the Commission on Audit will have specific guidelines to follow on the “entitlement, release, use, reporting, and audit” of Confidential Funds (CF) and Intelligence Funds (IF). “The very nature of the IF makes it vulnerable to mis- use. If properly spent, however, the funds can promote greater stability and security in the country, both of which are necessary to inclusive development.” As such, Abad said, the formulation and implementation of the circular is timedbm... Page 7 4 OPINION Headline Gitnang Luzon • JANUARY 14, 2015 EDITORIAL A break in the case CREDIT should be given to the police for the speedy resolution of the January 1 murder case in Lubao, Pampanga. Killed in cold blood was 73-yearold balikbayan Jose Tolentino Garcia, whose family owns the Lubao Institute (LI), the town’s first and oldest private school established in 1929. The suspect, it turns out, was a tricycle driver Garcia sometimes hired to get him to the supermarket. He was identified by witnesses as Alex Montemayor Carpio, 36, of Barangay Remedios. What gave the suspect away – what became the physical evidence against him - was actually an iPhone which Carpio gave to a relative. Carpio admitted to police about the killing, which stemmed from several arguments which transpired between him and Garcia. He made an extrajudicial confession at the presence of a counsel, Atty. Caesar Dallay, on Sunday night. Murder and theft cases, or Violation of Article 248 and 308 of the Revised Penal Code, have been filed against Carpio before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in the City of San Fernando on Monday afternoon. Gov. Lilia Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda had earlier instructed the police to solve the case as soon as possible, before the suspect commits yet again another crime. They were given a break in the case when they discovered about the stolen cellphone, and the pieces fell into place. News of crimes like these, involving the elderly who cannot defend themselves, is saddening. Was the suspect under the influence of alcohol, or worse, drugs? This is exactly why the provincial government is doing everything it can to eradicate the drug menace, to prevent crimes like this from happening. 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 ‘Mistaken identity’ (Napagkamalan) K AHIT sinong nagpapahalaga sa buhay ay nakikiramay at nakikisimpatiya sa pamilyang nawalan nito. Pero ang pagtanggap ng simpatiya ay hindi lisensiya upang mag-akusa ng walang sapat na ebidensiya. Ito ang punto-de-vista natin sa sinasabing pag-aakusa kay Mabalacat City Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales espekulasyon. Mahirap magbintang ng walang katotohanan. Makukunsensiya ka pa pagdating ng araw. Bunsod nito, hiningi ni Mayor Morales ang tulong ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) na magsagawa ng bukod na imbestigasyon para sa mabilis na paglutas sa kaso upang malinis niya ang kanyang iniingatang pangalan. Hindi daw patas sa kanyang pagkatao, sa kanyang pamilya at sa kanyang mga nasasakupan na akusahan siya ng gayong krimen. Humiling din si Mayor Boking sa Sangguniang Panlungsod na maglaan ng P100,000 Pitik-Bulag pabuya sa kaninuman na makapagbibigay ng Angelo Blanco impormasyon tungo sa pagkakahuli ng salarin. Kasunod nito, masakit man kay isang tao, maging ang isang opisyal ng go- Mayor Boking ay nagsampa ng P20byerno kung wala tayong sapat na million libel suit laban kay Pyra Lucas kaalaman, ebidensya at hindi natin sa tanggapan ng RTC’s Prosecutor’s Office sa Lungsod ng San Fernando. nasaksihan ang isang insidente. Pero mabuti na rin anya ito, kung Kaya hindi natin masisisi si Mayor Boking na matapos niyang maki- ito ang paraan para luminaw ang simpatiya sa pamilya ng biktima ay kaso at malinis ang kanyang pangakasuhan niya ng libelo ang nanay na lan bilang ama ng Mabalacat. Sa ganitong mga situasyon, hindi si Pyra sa wala di umanong batayan at malisyosong pahayag nito sa media mabuti na pabugso-bugso ang mga na nag-uugnay sa kanya sa karumal- binibitiwang salita ng magkabilang panig at hindi malalim na pinag-isidumal na pagpatay sa biktima. Ayon kasi kay Pyra na ina ng bik- pan dahil ang mismong dila ang sitima, sa kanyang mga pahayag sa yang magpapahamak sa isang tao. Hangad natin na maparusahan media, na ang kaso ng kanyang anak ay isang “mistaken identity” o napag- kaagad ang nasa likod ng pamamakamalang biktima. Ang mga bala raw slang sa biktima. Pero pinakahahangad din natin na magkaroon ng aniya, ay nakalaan talaga sa kanya. Sa ibang anggulo, baka naman katarungan ang mga inaakusahang “mistaken identity” din ang pag- walang kinalaman sa pamamaslang aakusa ni Pyra kay Mayor Boking da- kaya marapat lang na hanapin ni hil walang siyang saksi at ebidensiya Mayor Boking ang kanyang katusa nangyaring insidente. Maaaring wiran at malinis ang kanyang pangaang kay Pyra ay puro haka-haka at lan.• maslang dahil kagagaling lang niyang pagbintangan ang alkalde ng maling pamamalakad umano sa pamahalaang panlungsod. Sa ilalim ng demokrasya, mayroon tayong karapatang magpahayag ng ating mga pananaw ukol sa mga panyayari. Pero wala tayong karapatan na akusahan at pagbintangan ang “Sa ilalim ng demokrasya, mayroon tayong karapatang magpahayag ng ating mga pananaw ukol sa mga panyayari. Pero wala tayong karapatan na akusahan at pagbintangan ang isang tao, maging ang isang opisyal ng gobyerno kung wala tayong sapat na kaalaman, ebidensya at hindi natin nasaksihan ang isang insidente.” na nasa likod di umano ng pagpaslang sa isang negosyante sa naturang lungsod. Una, nakita ba ng dalawang mata ng nag-aakusa ang buong pangyayari sa insidente o ito ay bunga lamang ng kathang-isip at galit ng nag-aakusa na si Pyra Lucas sa kanyang inaakusahan? Kung ito ay bunga lamang ng silakbo ng damdamin at salat sa katotohanan ay tila nga yata nahuhulog sa bangin ng maling pagbibintang ang nag-aakusa. Ayon sa inisyal na imbestigasyon, ang krimeng ito di umano ay isang “crime of passion” kung saan ang biktima ay may alitan di umano sa kanyang live-in partner ilang Linggo bago ang naturang ambush sa MacArthur Highway, Barangay Mabiga, Mabalacat City. Subalit, tila yata agad na inilagay sa puso’t isip ni Pyra Lucas na si Mayor Boking ang nasa likod ng pama- 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) JANUARY 14, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon Awa at Habag (Mga wika ng pag-ibig ng Diyos) M ARAHIL, hindi lahat ng ordinaryong nilalang ay madadalian sa pag-iisip ng dahilan kung bakit “MERCY AND COMPASSION” ang naging paksang-diwa ng pagbisita ng Santo Papa sa ating bansa. Napakarami kasing tanong ang maaaring magsalimbayan para mabigyan ng sapat na katuturan ang paksang-diwang ito para sa paparating na okasyon sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa bilang nag-iisang Kristiyanong bansa sa Asya. Ano-ano ang mga tanong na ito? Ano ba ang kahulugan ng dalawang salitang ito sa iba’t ibang konteksto at perspektibo? Sa relihiyong Kristiyanismo, ano ba ang kahulugan ng mga ito? Sino ang nangangailangan ng AWA at HABAG sa ating kasalukuyang panahon? Sino ang maaaring makapag-gawad o maka- gong ito. Nais marahil na ipabatid man ng salitang “NGAWA”). Kung at ipamalas ng lingkod-pinuno ng kaya’t hindi talilis sa itinuturo ng Diyos, ang kinatawan ni Kristo dito pagbisitang ito ng Santo Papa ang sa lupa, na nakikiisa ang Diyos sa katuturang-diwa na ang AWA at pagdurusa ng mga Pilipino pagkata- HABAG para sa ating mga KAPWA pos makaranas ang mga ito ng iba’t na tanging nag-uugat lamang sa dakibang hagupit ng kalamidad noong ilang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay naisasanagdaang 2014… na ang Diyos, ang buhay at naipamamalas rin sa pamamagitan at sa tulong Mabuting Pastol, ay ng ating mga KAPWA… na hindi kailanman mamarunong magpamalas layo sa Kaniyang mga ng AWA sa pamamagitan kawan, na kasama Siya ng makabuluhan at mang kaniyang mga pinili bubuting GAWA sa kapwa at pinipinong mga Piliat hindi lamang nagtatapino sa lahat ng kapos sa puro NGAWA. nilang mga pagdurusa Ito ang bumubuhay sa at paghihirap. At ang PA NA NA MPA L ATAYpagbisitang ito ng Santo ANG KRISTIYANO na Papa sa ating bayan ay malinaw na naipaliwanag isang maliwanag pa- Towards at naihayag ni Santiago tunay sa katotohanang the Light sa kaniyang aklat na maang Diyos ay isang ABEL SOTO tatagpuan sa unang kaba“EMMANUEL”! nata nito… na ang tunay at buhay na pananampalaTAYA ay isang pananampalaTAYA na marunong magtaya ng sariling kapakanan para sa kapakanan ng KAPWA, sapagkat sa pagtaTAYA lamang ng Sa isa pang kaliwanagan, ang mga mananampalataya nagkakaAWA ay ang isa pang napakahala- roon ng tunay at malalim na kagang pangangailangan ng sambay- buluhan at pagpaPALA ang salitang anang Pilipino upang maging mas PANANAMPALATAYA at ang mga lalo pang karapat-dapat sa pagsama mananam-PALA-TAYA. Kung kaya’t at pakikiisa ng Diyos na Emmanuel hindi nakapagtataka kung sa ating sa lahat ng mga pagdurusa at paghi- sariling wika bilang mga Pilipino ay hirap nating mga Pilipino… kung makikita ang dalawang salita, PALA atin lamang aaminin at aakuin ang at TAYA sa salitang PANANAMPALlahat ng ating mga pagkukulang, ATAYA. Magka-akibat sa tuwina ang pagkakamali, at pagkakasala sa pagtataya at ang pagpapala. Sa mga katuturang-diwang Diyos, sa bawat isa, at sa ating mga sarili mismo. At nais na ipamalas naihayag makikita ang tunay at gang Santo Papa na palaging handa nap ng konteksto ng napiling pakang Diyos na igawad ang kaniyang sang-diwa ng mga kinauukulan sa AWA/HABAG para sa mga nagbab- makasaysayang pagbisitang ito ng alik-loob sa Kaniya, sapagkat kapil- Santo Papa sa ating bansa… na kaing Siya parati ng mga makasala- gaya niya bilang pinakamataas na lingkod-pinuno ng mistikal na katanan. Dapat ding maunawaan ng wan ni Krist dito sa lupa, tayo rin bisambayanang Pilipino na walang lang mga Kristiyanong sambayanan ibang pinagmumulan ang AWA at ay tinawag na maging mensahero ng HABAG kundi sa dakilang pag-ibig HABAG at tagapag-gawad ng AWA ng Diyos na maawain at mahabagin, sa ating mga KAPWA na uhaw sa na naipamamalas sa pamamagitan dalawang kagandahang-asal na ito… rin naman nating mga tinatawag mga katangian na hindi lamang likas ng “KAPWA” (ang ating sarili sa na Pinoy kundi likas sa pagiging maiba). Hindi ba nakututuwa at na- buting KAPWA ng Diyos na kasama kamamanghang pagmunihan na natin sa TUWINA sa pamamagitan taglay ng salitang “kApWA” ang sali- na rin ng ating mga KAPWA (ang tang “AWA” (ngunit ganoong rin na- sarili natin sa iba).• “Saan nag-uugat o nanggagaling ang AWA at HABAG? Bunga lang ba ang dalawang salitang ito ng isipan o ‘di kaya’y ng damdamin?” pagbigay ng mga ito? Bakit kailangan ang mga ito sa ating kasalukuyang panahon? Mayroon bang pagkakaiba ang dalawang salitang ito sa kahulugan at konteksto ng kanilang kahulugan? Saan nag-uugat o nanggagaling ang AWA at HABAG? Bunga lang ba ang dalawang salitang ito ng isipan o ‘di kaya’y ng damdamin? Ano ang nagbubunsod sa pagka-awa at pagkahabag? Kailan nagiging mali ang pang-unawa sa dalawang damdamin at kaisipang ito? At marami pang ibang posibleng tanong… Ang pagkakaalam ko sa salitang “COMPASSION”, ito ang maaaring ugatin sa tatlong salitang Latin na magbibigay ng literal na kahulugan na “TO SUFFER WITH” (ang magpakasakit kasama ang nagdurusa). Ang “MERCY” ay nag-uugat sa paghingi o paggawad ng kapatawaran o pang-unawa para sa kasalanan o kamaliang nagawa sa kapwa o maging sa sarili. Sa mga payak ngunit malalalim na kahulugang ito maaaring maapuhap ang kaliwanagan sa napiling paksang-diwa sa pagbisita ng ating Santo Papa sa ating bansa sa ling- OPINION 5 Parnasong Kapampangan Neng Capa M. Pangan Pamagaral Inyang papagaral na ku pang tatang ku Ing bage mesambit e ku man sikasu; Bista’t sasabyan dang maralas kanaku Iting edukasyon makailangan kanu. E ku peniwalan uling e ku abut Itang panaral da king isip kung dimut; Mas pinili ku pa ing makipamalut At mamamanasan karing sapa’t ilug. Uling melibang ku e ku apansin man Dagus ning panaun marayu ne disan Megisan ing gabun ala nang pitamnan At den namang ilug meritak la asan. Ding akayabe kung megaral kanita Masanting no’ bili ketang kabyayan da; Samantalang aku agyang nu’ ku munta E ku matatanggap keng nanu mang obra Nung ing kausukan ding kakung pengari Pekirandaman ku’t peulagan iti, Masanting na sana kabilyan ku ngeni, Matiwase isip at e ku sisisi. Makananu na la deting kakung anak Nung e la megaral karas na ning bukas? Maging kalupa kong’ king kabiasnan lubas, Lipang-lipang isip keng pamanarampas? Inya kekong sablang anak a magaral Ing milyari kaku e yu pakiapusan; Kabang agyu da ko’ muring papagaral Ding kekong pengari kekong pagsikapan. Uling ing panaun ustung yang linabas, E mu ne malyaring igutan payatras; Ing katuki niti pane niamung bukas, Ala ne ing napun meko neng tinakas! FOR SMARTPHONES & TABLETS! You can grab our Digital Edition Copy via www.headlinegl.com & click Cover Today Earthquake preparedness I MUST admit that the magnitude-6 earthquake which shook several areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila early Sunday morning didn’t wake me up. Unlike in many places in Olongapo City and some towns in Zambales province, people from said places were disturbed in their slumber and rushed outside their homes. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tremor occurred at 3:32 a.m. and was felt at Intensity 5 in the towns of San Antonio, Subic, Botolan, San Felipe, San Narciso and Olongapo all in the province of Zambales. Its epicenter was traced at 30 kilometers southwest of San Antonio. The shaker was also felt in Metro Manila and in several provinces as far as Oriental Mindoro and in Baguio City. As of this writing, no amount have a damaging effect to properof significant damage and injuries ties and great risk to lives especially were reported but caused some to people in areas vulnerable to panic and fear to some residents, tsunamis, landslides and structure collapse. where the earthquake was strongly felt. People were roused from their sleep with some of their appliances falling and houses squeaking. According to Phivolcs, the quake was triggered by the earth’s movement along the Manila trench and was located at 85 km deep. It Alvin H. Arceo expected aftershocks The question now and advised the public to be aware and prepared for lies on how prepared we are in case some strong earthquakes such as of a strong earthquake, more so if it strikes while almost everyone is the one recently experienced. God forbid, if the tremor had asleep. With the Sunday’s shaking of a slightly higher intensity, it could As of this writing the earth, the awareness on what to do before, during and after was again aroused and the government has renewed its campaign for earthquake preparedness. “Like me, many were fast asleep during Sunday’s earthquake. If it was a devastating one, I could have been one of those who panicked, since the tremor came like a thief in the night when no one was anticipating it to happen.” Like me, many were fast asleep during Sunday’s earthquake. If it was a devastating one, I could have been one of those who panicked, since the tremor came like a thief in the night when no one was antici- pating it to happen. Because of the earthquake, a number of residents in our neighbourhood had inspected and assessed their dwellings’ structural integrity. Also, they checked if their abode can withstand an earthquake, with a higher intensity than the one that was recently experienced. Some government and private offices have inspected their buildings too for any cracks or damage that might have been brought by the shaker. Sad to note, many of us never cared for any eventually and in fact never bothered to check our residences, offices of places of business if we never had the latest earthquake occurrence. For sure, because of the same, some schools and offices are now aware of the necessity of an earthquake drill and an evacuation plan as of this writing... Page 7 6 ENTERTAINMENT Headline Gitnang Luzon • JANUARY 14, 2015 Barbie Forteza, walang panahon sa pag-ibig M ASAYANG humarap sa entertainment press si Barbie Forteza kaugnay ng “The Half Sisters” na todo ang taas ng rating sa ngayon. Malapit nang magwakas ang soap kung kaya nag-presscon ito kamakailan lang. In the said presscon napakaganda ni Barbie na sinagot ang lahat ng katanungan ng press. Una na siyepmreng sinagot ni Barbie ay yung katuwaaan niya sa sobrang taas ng ratings ng kanilang soap. “Nagpapasalamat kaming lahat sa suporta sa amin, hindi ko talaga inisip na ganito kataas ang ratings namin, salamat talaga, maraming salamat,”paulit-ulit niyang sabi. Sumunod na tanong ay ang tungkol sa kanyang lovelife. Pansin daw kasi ng ilang press na tila walang lalaking nali-link sa kanya sa ngayon. “Hindi po talaga ako focus diyan, zero po talaga as in wala, sa career po ako nakatuon ngayon,” sabi pa niya. Samantala, hindi naman sinipot ni Barbie Forteza ang presscon ng sarili niyang indie film na “#Ewankosau Sarangheyo (I Lab U)” last Sunday na ginanap sa Fisher Mall, Quezon City dahil medyo nagkaroon ng kalituhan sa availability ng Kapuso teen star. Ayon sa paliwanag ng publicist ng movie na si Jun Lalin, a month ago ay nagpasabi na raw ang GMA Artist Center na humahawak ng career ni Barbie na hindi available ang young star sa scheduled presscon. Ayon sa talent coordinator ng movie, nag-yes naman daw ang handler ni Barbie sa kanila for the said presscon pero after two hours daw ay binawi. Hanggang last minute ay pinakikiusapan ni Jun ang kampo ni Barbie na sumaglit sa presscon kahit 15 minutes lang bago ito pu- K mankind.” “What they (WMRI) are doing is life-changing and life extending especially for those who cannot afford medical service and attention. This is an excellent undertaking that must be emulated somewhere else,” PPC President Eric Jimenez said. The WMRI, established in 1953, is the 10th largest benefactor nongovernment organization in the world. Samson assured that WMRI will continue to collect and distribute medical supplies, medicines, and surplus medical equipment not only in the Philippines but in needy countries in most parts of the globe. • BRGY CHIEFS... from Page 2 hanan at kathang-isip lamang ng sinumang gumawa ng ‘press release’ na iyon (There is no truth to the press release being circulated about us supporting Lapid’s candidacy),” the village chiefs said. “Kami ay nagtungo sa Angeles Fried Chicken Restaurant noong Disyembre 29, 2014 sa paanyaya ni dating Konsehal Willie Rivera para sa pagtitipong pang-Kapaskuhan. Hindi kami inabisuhan na ang okasyong ito ay gagamitin ni Ginoong Lapid upang ihayag ang kanyang kandidatura (We went to Angeles Fried Chicken on December 29, 2014 because we were invited by former Councilor Willie Rivera for a Christmas party. We were not advised that Mr. Lapid will announce his candidacy in the same event),” they said. The senator and former govmunta sa scheduled appointment sa Tomas Morato, tutal naman ay malapit lang sa nasabing lugar ang venue ng presscon. Si Barbie ang bida sa pelikula at malaking bagay siyempre na makadalo siya sa presscon para humarap sa entertainment press at maipromote ang movie dahil pag nag-flop ito ay siya rin naman ang direktang maaapektuhan. Importante sana na makadalo si Barbie sa presscon dahil ito lang ang chance niya to promote the film dahil mismong ang direktor na si Roman Perez ay aminadong hirap silang mag-promote sa TV dahil magkakaiba ang network na kinabibilangan ng mga cast. Si Francis Magundayao na isang ABSCBN talent ang kapareha ni Barbie sa movie. Kasama rin sa cast sina Alwyn Uytingco na taga TV5 naman at sina Elisse Joson and Jon Lucas na parehong talents ng Star Magic.• Anak ni Ai Ai na si Sancho, boto sa batambatang dyowa ng ina aray-karay ni Ai-Ai delas Alas ang panganay na si Sancho kahapon para sa belated New Year chikahan with the entertainment press, at napakagandang tingnan ng samahan ng mag-ina na talagang close na close sa isa’t isa. Sa isang punto nga ng kuwentuhan, napaluha pa ang dalawa nang maalala ni Sancho ang panahong niregaluhan niya si Ai-Ai ng alahas na halagang P35. Sey niya sa “tanging ina,” paglaki niya, ibibigay niya rito ang lahat ng magustuhan niya. Hindi lang sa materyal na bagay suportado ni Sancho ang mommy niya na tumatayo ring manager niya ngayong nasa showbiz na rin siya. Nakakontrata ngayon si Sancho sa GMA Artist Center at any day ay magsisimula nang sumailalim sa acting workshops. Matindi rin ang pag- LIFE-SAVING... from Page 2 tatanggol na ginagawa nito sa controversial lovelife ni AiAi sa batambatang si Gerald Sibayan. Naniniwala si Sancho na although malaki ang age gap ng dalawa (50 si Ai-Ai at 21 naman si Gerald), maligaya ang komedyana sa kasalukuyang karelasyon. Ibang-iba raw ito sa nakita niya nu’ng panahon ng pakikipagrelasyon ni Ai-Ai sa ex-husband na si Jed Salang. Para kay Sancho, ibang vibes ang nararamdaman niya sa romansang Ai-AiGerald at kitang-kita raw niya kung paano asikasuhin at silbihan ng huli ang una. Kaya naman nang minsang makabasa ng panlalait at pambabatikos sa social media, talagang hindi siya nakatiis at pinatulan ang basher nina Ai-Ai at Gerald. Bilang panganay, siya raw ang pinakamasaya ’pag nakikitang masaya ang mommy niya, pero siya rin ang unang papalag kapag ito’y nadedehado na. Nu’ng panahon ni Jed, inamin ni Sancho na gigil siyang patulan ito nang malaman ang nangyari kay Ai-Ai, pero ang comedy concert queen na rin daw ang pumigil sa kanya dahil “sabi niya, it is not worth it, anak.” Ngayon, magkasanggangdikit nga ang mag-ina at masaya rin si Ai-Ai para sa anak na unti-unting tinutupad ang mga pangarap. Excited na si Sancho na magkaroon ng project sa GMA-7 at kung papipiliin siya, gusto niyang makatrabaho ang anak ni Robin Padilla na si Kylie. Super crush daw niya ang ex ni Aljur Abrenica. ’Nga pala, tapos si Sancho ng Culinary Arts at ang pagpasok sa showbiz ang gagamitin niyang hagdan para makapagpatayo ng isang Italian restaurant.• ernor from Porac, Pampanga will challenge Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, who is presently serving his second term as Angeles City mayor in the upcoming elections. Pamintuan, who served as member of the Cabinet of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is a lawyer by profession. He defeated two former mayors and congressmen namely Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno in 2010 and Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin in 2013. Initial results of ongoing surveys show that Pamintuan leads Lapid and Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting by very big margin. Vega-Cabigting has also indicated her desire to seek the mayoralty of the city but has yet to make a formal public pronouncement. • ALVARADO... from Page 2 an, paglingkuran mo ng may katuwiran, katarungan na nagdudulot ng pagbabago higit sa iyong sarili, sapagkat ‘pag ang inyong bayan ay maligaya, magiging maligaya rin tayo,” the governor said. He also shared the good news to Bulakenyos about Bulacan being predicted to be the next industrialized province in the whole country. “Peace and order is a very important component in development. Umasa tayo, harapin natin ang bagong taon ng may pagmamahal sa bawat gawin natin, puno ng pag-asa at higit sa lahat may pananalig sa Diyos,” Alvarado ended.• RP ENERGY... from Page 3 hood and skills development, education, health and sports development, environment and disaster risk management and infrastructure support. Since its initial run in 2012, RP Energy’s Kasangga Mo! Initiative has already covered more than 400 police auxiliary units in 17 stakeholder communities including the Law Enforcement Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. RP Energy is a consortium composed of MERALCO PowerGen Corporation, Aboitiz Power Corporation, and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corporation. The company is the developer of an environment-friendly and state-of-the-art 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The plant is expected to augment the power supply in the Luzon grid when it starts commercial operations. • NRCO EXTENDS... from Page 3 development. It enables them and their families to work with entrepreneurial mind-set, primarily through creation of awareness on the value of saving, and empower them to plan for investment, business, or local employment upon their return. The NRCO facilitates activities such as Small Business Management Training, Financial Awareness Seminar, and Livelihood Training for availing OFWs residing within the region. Their program services also include start-up assistance to enterprises and access to livelihood assistance/financing to OFWs especially those who were unsuccessful in their tenure abroad. Working in close coordination with the DoLE and OWWA, likewise the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the NRCO expects more OFWs to be served in the region. In 2014, a total of P4,140,000 worth of various livelihood and training was released to 414 displaced and distressed OFWs through the NRCO’s livelihood assistance program. In Central Luzon, the NRCO regional coordinator is Labor and Employment Officer Freya Palad and can be reached through contact number (045) 455-1617. • DBM... from Page 3 ly: “This Joint Circular comes at a time when our people are demanding greater accountability in public financial management. Citizens now are more intolerant of fund abuse in the Philippine bureaucracy, and rightly so.” Abad said, “Every time the government taps public funds like the IF, we need to guarantee that the money is always used for the people’s benefit. By reforming the use of these funds, the Aquino administration can ably meet its commitments to preserve national security, all while ensuring better governance and responsible fund use.” (DBM)• JANUARY 14, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon SOLVED CASE... from Page 1 as of writing... from Page 5 his head he suffered when he was allegedly attacked by a suspect at around 3:30 a.m. on January 1. Garcia’s family owns the Lubao Institute (LI), the town’s first and oldest private school established in 1929. The five children of Garcia, a US citizen, are all based in the USA and they were not in the country when their father – fondly called “Pitong” by friends -- was allegedly attacked and killed by 36-year-old tricycle driver Alex Montemayor Carpio of Barangay Remedios here. The suspect reportedly used a “long hard wood” in hitting Garcia several times on the head. The Lubao police led by Supt. Jean Salvador Fajardo, town police chief, arrested Carpio in his house on January 11 after “securing physical evidence” – an Apple iPhone reportedly owned by Garcia and was stolen by the suspect after attacking him, along with another unnamed cellphone unit. Fajardo disclosed that Carpio admitted killing Garcia and made an extrajudicial confession at the presence of a counsel, Atty. Caesar Dallay, on Sunday night. On Monday afternoon, the police led by P03 Avelino Agumboy , Lubao chief investigator, filed murder and theft cases – or Violation of Article 248 and 308 of the Revised Penal Code – against Carpio before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in the City of San Fernando. Agumboy said Carpio “developed anger on Garcia” over their misunderstandings on payments related to the use of the suspect’s tricycle. The suspect uses the tricycle of his father who is a neighbor of Garcia in San Nicolas 1st. “Apparently, Carpio took seriously the strong words and expressions of Garcia. He decided to attack him,” said Agumboy. He added the last time they had a “misunderstanding” was last December 31 when Garcia asked Carpio to bring him to the Lubao Supermarket. Agumboy said Garcia, who lives alone in his house, had been using Carpio and his tricycle to bring to him places to buy bottled water. Breakthrough 7 Police arrested Carpio after they were able the get the iPhone unit owned by Garcia from Kelvin Di- zon in his workplace in Guiguinto, Bulacan, on Sunday. Dizon, a relative of Carpio, visited his relatives in Lubao to celebrate the New Year. He said Carpio gave him the cellphone at around 8:00 p.m. on January 1. “Carpio just told me to keep the cellphone and he didn’t give any instructions on what to do with it,” said Dizon in the dialect. He added that “I got suspicious when Carpio called last January 3 and he asked me not to tell anyone, including my parents, that he gave me the unit.” Police investigators said “the discovery of the cellphone helped convince Carpio to admit his crime.” Sr. Insp. German Pascua, Lubao’s deputy chief of police, said the “major breakthrough” of the investigation came on January 2 and 3 when the phone of Garcia was “ringing.” Then they asked for assistance in Camp Crame and found out that the phone is “somewhere in Remedios, Lubao.” Pascua said a child, who lives near the house of Carpio, found the SIM card of Garcia and gave it to a woman-relative. After the SIM card was used by the woman, she was later charged. The charges against her however were not pursued after the suspect was arrested and police found out she was not involved in the crime. The SIM card was found near the house of Carpio at Purok 3, Remedios and it was thrown near the area where the suspect usually parks his tricycle. “So it was getting certain that Carpio was the suspect after the SIM card was located near his house,” said Pascua. He added that “Carpio was caught lying” when he said he was slept with his partner at around 2:30 a.m. Pascua said they spoke and interviewed at least 40 people – some of whom are from Bataan and Antipolo City – to establish that Carpio was not in his house when the crime was committed. Pascua said Carpio joined a drinking spree in Lubao but left the group at around 12:30 a.m. on January 1. He added that someone saw Carpio cleaning his tricycle past4:00 a.m. near his house on the same day the crime was committed. The relative of Carpio’s live-in partner Rowena Y. Sapnu from Antipolo City told police investigators that Carpio left “us while we were drinking before 1 a.m.” on January 1. San Nicolas 1st is about five kilometers from Remedios, where Carpio lives with his live-in-partner, Sapnu. Pascua said Sapnu allegedly burned the other cellphone of Garcia – a Nokia unit – and “her action could probably make her also accountable.” Pascua said Vice Gov. Dennis and his sister, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, were “involved” in helping the police solve the case “so that it will stop the fear of some of the residents and for justice to prevail.” “There were times when the vice governor would join us until 3 a.m. during the case conferences,” said Pascua. Somebody saw the attack A 17-year-old woman, who lives near the house of Garcia, reportedly saw from her room that the victim was being attacked near the dining room of his house. But she only relayed to message to his father past 8:00 on January 1. Then her father rushed to the house of Garcia and found him in his room bathing in his own blood. Police said the young woman sent an SMS to her boyfriend at around 4:06 a.m. informing him about the attack on Garcia. Agumboy said the suspect parked his tricycle near Garcia’s house at around 3 a.m. and forced his way in by destroying the door at the kitchen. He then waited for Garcia to wake up. The victim “almost jogs and wakes up before 4: 00 a.m. daily,” police said. Agumboy said Carpio attacked Garcia while he was washing his face on the sink near the dining room. Then the suspect left Garcia slumped on the floor after attacking him and the victim reportedly managed to crawl and reach his room. San Nicolas 1st Barangay Captain Ariel Allado disclosed that Carpio had been complained before his office for allegedly stealing fighting cocks and ducks. He added that Carpio “is tagged in our village as an alleged illegal drugs user.• in case a “big one” comes. They might have been conducting exercises or simulations now. While we can prepare for the coming of a typhoon and the weather bureau can somehow forecast its path, earthquakes cannot be predicted or anticipated. We can never know when and where it will strike. However, we can prepare ourselves and the places where we stay for any eventuality on the shaking of the ground. Those in coastal areas can somehow have their houses or establishments ready for an earthquake and for possible occurrence of a tsunami. For any disaster, our preparedness is more than important for us as we need to anticipate and mitigate its effects. Since we cannot predict earthquakes, we should always be prepared for them. lll This writer welcomes other views, comments, and reactions. You may send your message at 09185734634.• BE HEROES... from Page 1 the trainees. With this, she vowed to provide for the construction of multipurpose covered court and a dormitory for the trainees. The governor also said she will encourage her fellow governors in Central Luzon to help the graduates equip themselves with the necessary firearms and ammunitions, for them to carry out their duties and responsibilities as soon as they are deployed in their respective provinces. During the graduation, Governor Pineda, Regional Police Director Officer-in-Charge Chief Supt. Ronald Santos conferred certificates of Merit to the top three graduates: (1st Honor) PO1 Sherold Datugan for earning a grade of 90.39% ; (2nd Honor) PO1 Benny Cabiltes, 90.3% and (3rd Honor) PO1 Marie Joy Trucilla, 89.89% Other awards given were academic proficiencyPO1 Jessah-Joy Pagurayan; non-academic proficiency – PO1 Everette Domerez; subject proficiency – PO1 Jessa-Joy Pagurayan; fastest runner 21k graduation run for male category – PO1 Arnel Ventura; for female – PO1 Gemma Carame; highest in comprehensive exam – PO1 Jeffrey Puyat. At least 28 graduates were conferred with leadership awards. The members of the Supreme Council, regimental commander and staff, 1st , and 2nd battalion commanders and staff, were given letters of commendation. The graduates were given P835,000 as gifts for their “successful” training at the RTC 3 for more than a year. Supt. Rolly Mendoza, who accepted the graduates, instructed them that they will initially serve and assist as force multipliers in the Apec Summit. The governor was also joined by Board Members Crisostomo Garbo, Cherry Manalo, Chief of Staff Fritzie David-Dizon, Sr. Supt. Rodolfo Recomono, Supt. Bernie Perez and Supt. Macario Ferdinand Aquino.• CDC TAKES OVER... from Page 1 sent was also to ensure that the company complies with the order to cease and desist from their business operation, vacate peacefully from the leased premises and/or voluntarily surrender the same inclusive of all improvements introduced during the effectivity of the Lease Agreement that has been amended January 30, 2009 and May 14, 2010. HPDC was also ordered to settle their arrears amounting to US$146, 174.52 inclusive of all interests and penalties as of January 7. “We have to terminate and take over the property with due notice because of non-development since 2011. The violations were persistent and they already accumulated huge amount of debts at P6.5 million, thus we had no choice but to enforce the contract,’’ said Sagmit. “The contract states that we have the right to do such for our efforts for development,” she added. In 2008, HPDC leased the 3.2-hectare property inside the Freeport for Retirement Estate Project. The agreement indicates an employment commitment of 90 workers during the first year of operations and 1, 500 workers during construction. It also committed an investment of P237million. In its Notice of Termination dated December 8, 2014 addressed to the company’s president, Eung Il Kim, the CDC said HPDC has been non-compliant with its contractual obligations as it failed to give its payment as a minimum guaranteed lease for the period December 2010 to January 31, 2011 in the amount of US$27, 620.72; for the period February 2011 to April 5, 2011 in the amount of US$42, 045.99; and post a performance bond in the amount of $159, 710.40 which expired on March 27, 2011. In 2011 alone, CDC issued three Final Demand Letters to HPDC with Notice of Non-Compliances (Feb 4; April 7; and July 20). On August 17, 2012 when the state-run office issued a Notice of Termination and Take Over of the Leased Property due to continued non-compliances, the HPDC requested for reconsideration and committed anew to pay outstanding arrears and complete construction development on or before December 31, 2014. It also committed to submit their revised construction timelines and list of tenants with corresponding contracts by first week of Nov. 2014. CDC approved the request for reconsideration only on January 17, 2013 with a ‘Notarized undertaking of HPDC to comply with its development commitments and conformity to the termination and takeover of its leased property in case of default on any of its obligations.’ It had also extended several concessions to HPDC in order to assist them to develop the leased property, submit all sub-lessess in the area and renew its CRTE. On May 2014 after getting another demand letter issued by CDC to comply with its obligations, HPDC only paid partial of its outstanding arrears and other obligations like performance commitments on investments while employment commitment remains unsettled. “Despite CDC’s reconsideration and extended concessions, HPDC again failed to comply with its obligations on payment of Minimum Guaranteed Lease, completion of construction, subleasing without CDC’s consent and non-renewal of CRTE since July 29, 2013. HPDC also failed to accomplish its investment commitment of P237, 000, 000 and employment commitment of 90 workers during the first year of operations,’’ the Notice of Takeover of the Leased Property signed by Sagmit, stated. CDC President Arthur Tugade earlier said the state-run office under his term imposes a “contractual commitment’’ on new and even old lease contracts with investors, which means projects that are to be accomplished should be well identified under a timeline. “Now that there is a firm timeline, we can develop an idle lot into something. The timeline states when you will ground break, complete Phase 1 or Phase 2 or when you will be operational. If you will break this, we can novate, we can rescind, and we can confiscate the contract,’’ he said. • FOR DESKTOP PCs SMARTPHONES & TABLETS! You can grab our Digital Edition Copy via www.headlinegl.com & click Cover Today BUSINESS VOLUME III • NO. 142 • JANUARY 14, 2015 • WEDNESDAY Bataan executes MOA with Leverage Sports Asia BALANGA CITY – On behalf of the Provincial Government of Bataan, Gov. Abet S. Garcia signed a memorandum of agreement the other day with Leverage Sports Asia Corporation, represented by its president David Howard Voth at the Bulwagan ng Bayan, this City. Leverage Sports Asia is in the business of organizing sports events in the Philippines and desires to produce an event entitled “Challenge Philippines Triathlon” to be held on Febru- ary 21, 2015 in designated areas in Bataan. The Challenge Family is the fastest growing triathlon brand in the world and, for three years, has been voted the world’s best race brand, beating out IRONMAN in Kona by over 25 percent. Its inaugural Challenge Philippines, which took place February 22, 2014 in Subic Bay and Bataan, gained huge international coverage and accolades. Through its Corporate So- cial Responsibility (CSR), the 5-year vision of the Challenge brand is not only to host the best triathlon in Asia, but also to find a Tri-Challenge Grassroots Development Program for the sport all over the country. The end goal is to encourage participation and engagement in the sport while promoting a healthy lifestyle and inspiring future Olympians and World Champions. Under the terms of agreement, the provincial govern- ment will assist in the logistical preparation and operational execution of the event in order to maximize its exposure and to ensure its success, as well as to be responsible for managing and regulating activities that occur within the Province. Leverage Sports Asia on the other hand shall pay and remit amusement taxes due the provincial government, which include the official logo and/or seal of Bataan, in all advertising and marketing collaterals, documents and other related materials. Since this event shall be marketed to all schools and organizations in the province, volunteers are invited and encouraged to join the event, with the assurance that none of the events to be held in designated areas within Bataan will cause harm to or destruction of the environment; and events organized shall be wholesome and focus on family-centered themes.• Maersk starts regular port calls en route to Subic Freeport BY RAECHELLE ANN GARCIA SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Danish shipping conglomerate Maersk Line marked its maiden direct voyage from Singapore to boost international shipping industry in this premier economic and Freeport zone. In a statement, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced recently that Maersk’s MV Stadt Dresden arrived in the Port of Subic directly from Singapore at around 12:30 in the morning of January 3. “This starts Maersk’s weekly service for a direct Singapore-Subic route,” SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said. The statement added that, “the entry of Maersk Line ushered in the new year here with good luck and good news for 2015.” Maersk Line, the largest operating unit of conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, is considered the biggest container shipping company in the world in terms of revenue and operates more than 600 vessels with a total container capacity of 3.8 million twentyfoot equivalent units (TEUs). MV Stadt Dresden, which started the direct SingaporeSubic route, is a registered Antigua Barbuda-flag carrier with a gross tonnage of 27,971. SBMA Seaport Department manager Jerome Martinez said that Stadt Dresden unloaded 12 cargo containers consigned to Keppel Subic and Petron Oil Company with local in Mandaluyong City. Martinez said that several international shipping lines have opened direct routes to Subic starting in November last year when China-based SITC Container Lines (Phils.), Inc. began a direct route from Xiamen, China to Subic. SITC’s container ship MV Sicilia unloaded 22 containers at Subic’s New Container Terminal (NCT) 2 during its maiden voyage here. This was followed by Japan-based Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line, another one of the largest shipping companies in the world, which made its first direct route to the Port of Subic from Kaohsiung, Taipei. NYK’s MV Jakarta Towers, meanwhile, also docked at NCT-2 in Subic and unloaded 110 containers destined to various consignees in Central and Southern Luzon, as well as Metro Manila. SBMA officials also noted that the entry to Subic of new shipping lines with direct routes from foreign ports started after President Aquino issued Executive Order 172, which classified Subic’s NCT-2 and the Port of Batangas as extension ports to help ease congestion in the Port of Manila. NEW SPORTS DESTINATION. On behalf of the Provincial Government of Bataan, Gov. Abet S. Garcia signs a memorandum of agreement with Leverage Sports Asia Corporation represented by its president David Howard Voth at the Bulwagan ng Bayan in Balanga City. --1BATAAN PHOTO Search for greenest schools now open for nominations QUEZON CITY - The “2015 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools” is now open for nominations, the Department of Environment & Natural Resources announced yesterday. In a statement, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Director Atty. Jonas Leones said the search is open to all public and private elementary and high schools, colleges and universities. “The competition seeks to encourage schools to become more actively involved in environmental issues at the local level. It recognizes academic institutions with best eco-friendly programs and activities,” Leones said. The deadline for submission of nominations is April 10, 2015 and the winners will be announced in November. “This is to give schools more time to prepare and enhance their existing eco-friendly programs,” Leones explained. “We are hoping to encourage more schools to participate and take part in heightening environmental awareness among our youth.” The national search is organized by DENREMB, in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and private sector partners. Smart Communications Inc. joins the activity as part of its corporate social responsibility and community service program Kabalikat. Other program partners from the private sector are Nestle Philippines Inc. and One Meralco Foundation Inc. Launched in 2009, the competition was a direct response to Republic Act No. 9512 or the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008. It is also the country’s initiative in support of the declaration of 2012 as ASEAN Environment Year and the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, from 2005-2014.•
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