1. art and entertainment
2. shows and events
3. festival

Pampanga hits 90%
target rate on TB
treatment in 2014
www.headlinegl.com
VOLUME III • NO. 168
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
By ELAINE MERCADO
THURSDAY
BACOLOR, PAMPANGA — Pampanga has hit the exact national target of
90 percent Tuberculosis Treatment Success Rate in 2014, according to Innovations and Multisectoral Partnerships to
Achieve Control of Tuberculosis or IMPACT.
Meanwhile, it has also exceeded the
national target of 90 percent tuberculosis case detection rate, registering a 91
percent case detection rate last year.
IMPACT is a USAID-funded, PBSPmanaged non-government organization,
based in Intramuros, Manila. It serves
as technical assistant of the NTP Team
of Pampanga Provincial Health Office
(PHO) in the implementation of the National TB Control Program with their
North Luzon Region Team Leader Mona
Lisa D.L. Morales and Pampanga Area
Facilitator Diana Jeane T. Mallari.
According to Morales, the National
Tuberculosis Program (NTP) in PamTB TREATMENT.. PAGE 7
AC IS CHILD-FRIENDLY. Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan receives a certificate which
confers Angeles City with the Seal of ChildFriendly Local Governance by the Council for
the Welfare of Children (CWC) for the city’s
commitment in promoting child rights to survival, development and protection. Handing
the certificate is Social Welfare Officer Heide
Patio and Department of the Interior and Local
Government City Director Belina T. Herman,
CESE. --ACTO PHOTO
Acquisition of Paskuhan
Village lot legit -- Tieza
by Marna Dagumboy-del Rosario
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
– An official of the Tourism
I nfra st r uc t u r e a nd
Enterprise Zone Authority
(TIEZA) yesterday clarified that the 9.3-hectare
lot where the Paskuhan
Village is situated was acquired by the Philippine
Tourism Authority (PTA)
from its owner Jesus Lazatin way back in 1989.
paskuhan.. PAGE 7
IMPROVED ROAD. Photo shows the improvement with concrete pavement of a farm-to-market road from Sitio Gubat, Barangay Laug to Barangay
Sta. Maria in Mexico town. The DILG, under Secretary Mar Roxas, funded the infrastructure project through the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) Program.
--DILG PHOTO
DILG completes 2 local road projects in Mexico
By ELAINE MERCADO
MEXICO, Pamp. - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced yesterday that they
have already finished the con-
crete pavement of two separate barangay roads in this
town, with funding allotment
of P3,247,365.38.
The DILG, under Secretary
Mar Roxas, funded these infrastructure projects through
the Bottom-Up Budgeting
(BUB) Program.
Myrvi Fabia, DILG provincial director, disclosed that
the paved road of 340 linear
meters from Barangays Cauayan to Buenavista amounted
to P1,498,221.93 and the other improved and newly concreted 400 linear meter-road
located in Barangays Laug
and Santa Maria totalled to
P1,749,143.45.
The local officials and resi-
dents here headed by Mayor
Roy Manalastas had expressed gratitude to Secretary
Roxas, DILG Regional and
Provincial staff for providing
easy access to progress for
ROAD PROJECTS.. PAGE 7
2NEWS
Police: Angeles’ crime rate down 15%
Headline Gitnang Luzon • FEBRUARY 19, 2015
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
ANGELES CITY - The city’s
index crime rate has declined by
as much as 15 percent, from 554
to 470 covering January 2014 to
January 2015, police said.
According to a report from
Angeles City Police Office
(ACPO) as Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan recently convened the
first meeting of the City Peace
and Order Council (CPOC) for
2015.
In the same report, ACPO recorded a 32 percent increase in
the crime solution rate in the onset of 2015, wherein 152 crimes
are declared “solved” as compared to the previous year’s 45
resolved cases.
The Weekly Crime Trend
(WCT) further validates the
decreasing movement of crime
in the city. A consistent drop in
the city’s crime volume from 139
from October 24 to November 2
to only 74 crimes in the recent
recorded week.
According to Pamintuan,
who is also the chairman of the
CPOC, this is a manifestation
of city government and national
police’s commitment in making
Angeles City a safe haven, not
only for the people of Angeles,
but also for indirect constituents
like students, workers, tourists
and other groups who come to
visit Angeles City.
“We are now beginning to
reap the fruit of our hard-earned
toil to somehow decrease, if not
totally eradicate, forms of crime
By Butch Gunio
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
ABUCAY, Bataan – Colegio
de San Juan de Letran Bataan will
be holding “CINEMArriba 2015”,
which will feature short films made
by its students.
Three films will be shown, namely ‘Siklo’, which explores the moral
dilemmas of an impoverished adolescent; ‘Duyan’, a film about the
dangers found in the streets; and
‘Dreamcatcher’, which tackles an unforgettable love affair.
The films are directed and produced by the school’s senior Communication Arts students and features all original musical scores and
songs.
Play dates will be on February 23
to 24 at the college’s audio-visual
room. Trailers and other promotional materials are uploaded in CINEMArriba’s official Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/CINEMArriba.
Earlier this month, Letran Bataan
conducted week-long activities for
its College Week celebration that
culminated on the school’s Foundation Day.
A seminar dubbed “Birding in Letran Bataan” and bird photo exhibit
were part of the highlights of their
celebration. Letran campus is located in this town. •
Republic of the Philippines
Province: PAMPANGA
City/Municipality: ARAYAT
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
In compliance with the publication requirement 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 CAROLINA
MIRANDA SAGUM has filed with this office, a petition for correction of entry in the
date of birth from “12 23 68” to “DECEMBER 22, 1968” in the certificate of live birth
of CAROLINA DUñGAO MIRANDA at
Arayat, Pampanga and whose parents are
EMILIANO MIRANDA and EMILIA DUñGAO.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this
Office not later than two weeks upon publication.
(Sgd) GRETA P. DE ALA
Municipal Civil Registrar
HEADLINE Gitnang Luzon: February 12 & 19, 2015
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ac crime rate... Page 7
Accountancy
student wins
1st ‘Haring
Caragan’ title
Letran Bataan
to hold
‘CINEMArriba’
Local Civil Registry Office
that greatly affect the lives of our
citizens here in Angeles,” he said.
The ACPO also reported on
the security they provided during the APEC 2015 Senior Officials’ Meeting, held inside Clark
Freeport Zone. A total of 973
APEC delegates were billeted in
hotels in Angeles City.
Child-friendly seal
MABALACAT CITY — This city’s
first “Haring Caragan” is a 19-year old
accountancy student from Barangay
Mabiga.
Dankan Nicdao Manalo, an accountancy student from the Holy Angel University and sister of CLTV 36’s Starmill:
Central Luzon Star Search 1st runnerup Barbie Manalo, is the city’s first
winner of the “Haring Caragan” title.
He also bagged Mr. Photogenic, Best in
Talent, Formal Wear, Casual Wear and
Festival Costume.
The following are the complete list
of winners and recipients of special
awards: Mr. Friendship-John Joseph
Cabarle; Mr. Personality-Daniel Dwaine
Gadores; Mr. Telegenic-Vince Dustien
Castro; Best in Swimwear-Adrian Bautista; and Mr. Body Beautiful-John Joharing caragan... Page 7
WELCOME, DIREK. Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab welcomes world renowned director
Brillante Mendoza during talks for a Tourism Infomercial. --LGU LUBAO FB PHOTO
Napolcom opens online application
for PNP Entrance Exam in April
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - National Police
Commission (Napolcom)
Central Luzon recently
activated its enhanced
On-Line
Examination
Application
Scheduling
System (OLEASS) for the
Philippine National Police (PNP) Entrance Exam
slated on April 26.
“It is open to all Filipino citizens aged 30
years old and below who
are holders of a bachelor’s
degree and has a height
of at least 1.62 meters for
males and 1.57 meters for
females,” Napolcom Regional Director Manuel
Pontanal said
Moreover, those with
the rank of Police Officer
1 (PO1) whose appointments are temporary for
lack of appropriate eligibility are also required to
take the entrance exam.
The OLEASS, www.
napolcom.gov.ph or www.
nap olc om- ole a s s.c om,
was activated last February 16 and will continue to
accept online request for
application schedule until
February 20.
“Only applicants with
a confirmed scheduled
appointment with reference number shall be en-
tertained during the filing
of application which is set
from March 2-27, 2015,”
Pontanal stressed.
The online examination scheduling system
will be on a first come,
first served basis and the
regional office may stop
it even ahead of the deadline once the slots are all
filled in.
Accepted civilian applicants are required to
bring the following during
their scheduled appointment: printed letter-reply/
corresponding reference
number confirming the
napolcom... Page 7
manalo
FEBRUARY 19, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon
DoLE, partners honor
C. Luzon kasambahays
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) and its partners coming from
the public and private sectors honored
Sunday the Kasambahays across Central Luzon.
“In Pampanga, around 70 kasambahays were pampered with music via a
two-hour concert featuring local artists
as well as health and wellness services,”
DoLE Regional Director Ana Dione
said.
A team from Couples for ChristPampanga’s Building the Church of the
Poor likewise rendered free medical
and dental services while Department
of Health handed out free medicines.
Moreover, attending kasambahays
were given free massage courtesy of the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority while agencies such
as Social Security System, PhilHealth,
and Pag-IBIG were present to offer their
services.
“We also facilitated the registration
of current and would-be kasambahays
in accordance with Republic Act 10361
as well as discussed the provisions of
this law with emphasis on basic rights
and privileges of domestic workers,” Dione added.
A similar orientation cum registration was likewise held at the multipurpose hall of barangay Cupang in Balanga City and at the municipal atrium of
barangay Patubig in Marilao, Bulacan.
The Domestic Workers Act seeks to
strengthen respect and give due recognition for the laudable services made by
domestic workers for their employers
and institutionalize policies for their
protection and welfare. (PR)•
NGCP resets
Tarlac brownout
to February 27
MEXICO, PAMPANGA - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has reset Tarlac’s scheduled power interruption from Feb. 20 t0
27 to give way to Capas’ Kasalang Bayan
activity.
Lorenz Vidal, NGCP Central Luzon
Corporate Communication Officer, said
a power interruption is set in Bamban
and Capas, Tarlac on from 8 a.m. to 12
noon. Affected distribution utility is
Tarelco II.
He said the shutdown aims to facilitate testing of instrument transformers
for Tarelco II’s revenue meter simultaneous with its energization of 10MVA
transformer at O’ Donnel Substation.
Vidal also announced a power interruption in some towns of Pampanga
including Mexico, Arayat, Candaba,
San Luis, and Sta Ana in Pampanga tomorrow, February 20 from 8 a.m. to 12
noon. PELCO 1 is the distributor of electricity in the affected areas.
He said the shutdown aims to accommodate PELCO I’s request to facilitate annual preventive maintenance at
Plaza Luman, Arayat Substation.
Vidal added normal operations will
immediately resume after work completion.
He advised their customers and the
general public to take the necessary
preparations and precautions for this
scheduled interruption.
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. ●
CAGELCO II visits Pelco I
for benchmarking activity
By Dencio Pacheco
MEXICO, PAMPANGA – The Cagayan II Electric
Cooperative, Inc. (CAGELCO II) visited last Tuesday
and Wednesday the Pampanga I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Pelco I) at its main office in Barangay Sto.
Domingo, this town to benchmark the latter’s information and communications technology (ICT) and
other aspects of operations.
Benchmarking CAGELCO II participants, composed of ICT, finance and accounting personnel likewise observed Pelco I’s good practices, management
style and technological innovations of the said Pampanga power distribution firm.
They expressed their gratitude to Pelco I for the
accommodation and for the said electric power
distribution firm’s sharing of information to which
CAGELCO II promised to replicate when they go
back to their office in Cagayan.
Engr. Loliano Allas, General Manager of Pelco I,
has likewise extended his gratitude to the management of CAGELCO II for choosing their Pampanga
counterpart as their site for their benchmarking activity.
PELCO I supplies electric power and services to
the towns of Arayat, Candaba, Magalang, Mexico,
San Luis and Sta. Ana towns in Pampanga. ●
SM Store wins
LIMA Asian Licensing
Excellence Award
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT. Limay Mayor Ver Roque discusses with officers of the
Limay National High School some concerns to further improve delivery of education to public secondary students in the municipality. --BUTCH GUNIO
Customs launches ‘bible’
for all regulated products
MANILA - The Bureau of
Customs (BOC) has come up
with a masterlist of all of the
regulated import products
in the country and their corresponding import requirements that can be downloaded online in a bid to help
minimize corruption and
make the importing process
more transparent.
“Some importers and bro-
BUSINESS 3
kers would resort to bribery
just to make their transactions with the Bureau faster,
and at the same time, with
little or no knowledge of the
import process, traders are
often victimized or exploited
by unscrupulous Customs
employees. By making the
list of all regulated products
and their corresponding import regulations and required
Want to broaden your business horizon?
LET US HELP YOU!
clearances / permits readily
available online, we are empowering the public so they
can transact with the Bureau with less hassle and at
the same time eliminate any
room for corruption in our
personnel,” Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla
said.
“There will be less legwork
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The SM Store was
named Best Retailer of the Year during the recent
LIMA Asian Licensing Excellence Awards in Hong
Kong for its DC Justice League Heroes United Retail
Campaign in collaboration with the Pacific Licensing
Studio.
LIMA – the International Licensing Industry
Merchandisers’ Association – is the leading trade organization for the global licensing industry. Founded in 1985, LIMA represents interests the interests
of its membership in 35 countries by providing a forum for networking, serving as a source of education
and information, and recognizing excellence and
achievement in the industry.
The LIMA Licensing Excellence Awards is a prestigious annual ceremony in Asia that recognizes the
industry’s most outstanding creativity and performance during the past year.
In 2015, “the addition of the Award for Best Retailer of the Year…provides the industry with even
more opportunities to recognize standout licensing and branding initiatives,” says LIMA President
Charles Riotto.
“It’s a great honor to receive this award… in partnership with the SM Store,” says Neal Rudge, a partner at Singapore-based Pacific Licensing Studio. “It’s
a testimony to our long and successful relationship
with our partners, and their unwavering support
of our work in the region, that we’re fortunate to
enough to be the recipient of this award.”•
BEST RETAILER.
The SM Store was named Best
Retailer of the Year during
the recent 2015 LIMA Asian
Licensing Awards in Hong
Kong for its Justice League
in-store program in collaboration with Singapore based
Pacific Licensing Studio. The
LIMA Licensing awards are the
industry’s most prestigious
recognition of outstanding
creativity and performance.
--CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
customs bible... Page 6
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VISIT US : 2nd Floor , U2 Bldg., MacArthur Hiway, Dolores, City of San Fernando (P)
4 OPINION
Headline Gitnang Luzon • FEBRUARY 19, 2015
EDITORIAL
Legitimacy issues
THE Tourism Infrastructure
and Enterprise Zone Authority
or Tieza has finally spoken up
about the controversial sale of the
Paskuhan Village to the SM Development Corporation or SMDC.
This came in the heels of questions raised by 1st District Rep.
Joseller “Yeng” Guiao surrounding news about the sale, at what
stage of the deal Tieza and SMDC
are currently in, and whether
government procedures on procurement were followed.
It can be recalled that it was
Guiao’s father, the late Pampanga
Governor Bren Z Guiao, when the
Philippine Tourism Authority constructed the Christmas Village.
According to Tieza Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, the
acquisition of the lot between the
PTA and Jesus Lazatin, which
transpired in 1989, is legitimate.
He showed mediamen during
a mini presscon yesterday two
deeds of absolute sale between
the PTA and Lazatin dated sometime in 1989.
Meantime, Tieza said it is still
waiting for the issuance of a notice of award to reported winning
bidder SM Development Corporation or SMDC. He said they are
still waiting for the board’s positive action on this, and wants to
make it clear to concerned stakeholders that all due processes
were taken in the disposition of
Paskuhan.
According to Lapid, Paskuhan is one of the 13 governmentowned properties under Tieza
which are being eyed for privatization. It was included in the first
tranche with Agoo Playa Hotel in
La Union, and Matabungkay and
Talisay in Batangas, as these are
non-revenue generating assets.
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
Sangley again
R
EPORTS have it that the fea- be submitted to NEDA for another
sibility study on the proposed six months for review depending
$10-billion new international on how fast it will be tackled by the
airport at Sangley, Cavite City will governing body. By then, private citbe completed in January 2016, izen Benigno Aquino III is already
out of Malacanang.
months before PresiThus, it would be exdent Benigno Aquino
tremely difficult for the
III steps down from
Malacanang.
We
all
have
thought that the plan
to construct the new
international airport
at Sangley will be
scrapped by the government because it
may no longer happen
during the incumArnel San Pedro
Aquino administration to
bency of President
roll out its grand plan to
Aquino. On Monday,
for the nth time, it was on the news- construct a new international airpapers again that the DOTC will port in Sangley.
JICA Director for Southeast Asia
pursue the Sangley project despite
Jin Wakabayashi said the informatime constraints.
The feasibility study being con- tion collection survey on the conducted by the Japan International struction of a new airport in Sangley
Cooperation Agency (JICA) will not has started only recently.
“The study has just started. It is
be done in January 2016 or it may
not even be done until the last days going to be completed by the end of
of President Aquino in office. Why January or February next year,” said
bother with the Sangley airport pro- Wakabayashi.
Ok, given the limited time, the
ject that does not have the support
of residents in Central and Nothern most the government can do is to
Luzon? Taking the new internation- approve the project and set the dial airport farther away from Metro rection for the incoming adminManila will add up to the burden of istration. But would the incoming
administration continue the noble
the residents in these areas.
The JICA has it that the fea- intention of the current administrasibility study is expected to take tion? Based on what we had seen in
14 months to complete, or around the past, the incoming administraApril 2016. The feasibility study will tion will trash the Sangley project.
Check and
Balance
Currently, there is no clear direction for the country’s aviation
development. Even the dual airport
scheme that is supposed to see the
development of both Clark International Airport and the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport has no clear
policy.
“Currently, there is no clear direction for the country’s aviation development. Even the dual airport
scheme that is supposed to see the development
of both Clark International Airport and the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport has no clear policy.”
Remember what Pampanga lawmaker Yeng Guiao has to say on the
dual airport scheme: “Meaningless.”
Yes, meaningless because nothing is
going on in that direction – the pairing of the two airports in Manila
and Pampanga.
The DOTC expects NAIA to hit
its maximum capacity between
2018 or 2020 and according to a
2011 JICA study, annual passenger
forecasts for the Greater Capital Region (NCR, Regions 3 and 4A) will
rise from 49.8 million in 2020 to 75
million in 2030, up to 106.7 million
in 2040.
The “dual airport system” has
turned out to be nonexistent. What
now? Let us wait and see what will
happen with the JICA feasibility
study. Between now and May 2016,
everything is now fluid as the campaign fever slowly crops up.•
Year of the wooden sheep
T
HEY say that I have physical attributes that people often conceive the idea that I have Chinese blood running in my veins. The
truth is, I really have Chinese ancestors from my father’s bloodline.
According to my late great grandmother, her ancestors were half Chinese living in the countryside. They
wood manufacturing will thrive. The
year of the wooden sheep is also
a money year. According to Doris
Ingber, a feng shui expert, the opportunity for prosperity is there for everyone, if we take advantage of it.
To serve as guide for
growth, let me share
you her tips for prosperity in this year of the
wooden sheep: 1. Avoid
direct confrontations...
compromise and negotiation will achieve
more than conflict.
2. Home, food, clothing and comfort are of
a priority... surround
yourself with beautiful,
The year 2015 is a “ yang”, ELLEZ J. DAVIO
quality things or make
the light side of the “yin-yang”
sure that what you proChinese philosophy. It is also
the year of the wooden sheep, accord- duce is done with quality materials.
ing to Chinese zodiac. Chinese astrol- 3. Create powerful allies and strong
ogists say that this year, economy will connections. 4. Master the soft sell
flourish. The energy of the wood rep- technique. 5. Be responsible in your
decision-making... be the shepherd.
resents the country’s economy.
Their predictions for this year are 6. Focus on charity and humanitarian
all positive in nature except for poli- acts... the sheep will reward you.
Kung Hei Fat Choy everyone!•
tics. All businesses that are engaged in
Well, since I do not have the time
and resources to find out my Chinese
roots, I just rely on my natural appearance and accept the fact that I have a
small percentage of Chinese genealogy in my blood. Knowing that I have
Chinese lineage, I have reason
to celebrate the lunar new year
in the Chinese calendar.
“The year of the wooden sheep is also a money
year. According to Doris Ingber, a feng shui expert,
the opportunity for prosperity is there for everyone, if we take advantage of it.” Now We
were farmers who tilled their own
lands to survive. Even my great grandfather also had Chinese blood in his
veins. My father used to tell me that
our old ancestral house had a collection of Chinese potteries and ceramics but were eventually destroyed during the Japanese invasion. No wonder
when I was a kid, I often saw small
pieces of china wares whenever I dug
the soil looking for hidden treasures.
Know!
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FEBRUARY 19, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon
Hindi sila ang simbahan
H
INDI ko maintindihan kung
bakit minarapat na gumitna
at maging tampulan ng hindi
kaaya-ayang pansin ng mga kritiko at
ng sambayanang Pilipino ang ilang mga
Obispo at ng Kardinal
sa kabila ng magulo
pa ring situwasyon at
mga usapin tungkol
sa Mamasapano Massacre, at ito’y hinggil
naman sa pagsuporta
nila sa kahilingan ng
National
Transformation Council sa
pangunguna ni dating Kalihim Norberto
Gonzales na bumaba ABEL SOTO
na sa puwesto si
P.Noy bunsod na rin
ng pinakahuling trahedya sa ilalim ng
kaniyang administrasyon.
Kulang na nga ba talaga sa pansin
ang mga matatanda para marapatin
pa nilang lumutang ang mga pangalan nila sa mga balita?
Walang masama na magkaroon
ng sariling paninindigan ang mga
Obispo at Kardinal na ito, subalit ang
magpagamit sila at gumitna sa eksenang hindi ko nakikitang kaaya-aya
sa konteksto ng pagkakahiwalay ng
simbahan at pamahalaan, ay hindi
ko na nakikitang nararapat pa. Ang
pagsang-ayon sa nais mangyari ng
National Transformation Council sa
paghiling nito sa pagbaba ni P.Noy
sa puwesto ay isang insulto na rin sa
kanilang mga katalinuhan, katinuan,
at katauhan. Hindi ko alam kung ano
ang nakaing ulam ng mga Obispo at
Kardinal na ito para gumitna
pa sa usaping pulitika ng ating
bansa.
At binanggit pa ang ilang
Kung Hei Fat Choi
matter how virtuous they might be.”
Tama naman, maliban sa katotohanan na hindi sila ang simbahan
at hindi lamang sila ang kabuoan ng
simbahang tinutukoy sa Gaudium et
Spes. Sila ay ilan lamang sa kinatawan ng simbahan. Nakatitiyak ba sila
na ang sinusuportahan nilang NTC
sa naisin nitong bumaba na si P.Noy
“Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nakaing ulam ng
mga Obispo at Kardinal na ito para gumitna pa
sa usaping pulitika ng ating bansa.”
Towards
the Light
mga pahayag sa “Gaudium
et Spes” upang mabigyan ng
katuwiran ang kanilang paggitna sa usaping ito ng paghiling na bumaba na si P.Noy sa puwesto,
na may ganitong nilalaman sa Ingles:
“…at all times and in all places, the
Church should have the freedom to
teach her doctrine and to pass moral
judgment in those matters which
regard the common good and fundamental rights and freedoms. The
Church and her pastors must never
abandon their duty to denounce evil
and to guide men, women and children in their active search for the
truth and the good. Moral evil must be
removed from the political and social
system. This task, the Church and the
political community cannot just leave
them in the hands of politicians, no
sa puwesto ay siya ring sentimiento
at naisin ng buong simbahan dito sa
Pilipinas?! Sana man lang inisip muna
nila ang magiging implikasyon ng kanilang pakikipag-ugnayan at pakikiisa
sa NTC sa napakaraming mananampalatayang Katoliko bago sila nakilahok at minarapat na magdeklara ng
suporta sa organisasyong ito… dahil
pa rin sa katuwiran na hindi sila ang
kabuoan ng simbahang Katoliko dito
sa bansa!
At bakit kailangan maging puhunan at kalahok ang mga alagad ng
simbahan na kagaya nila para sa isang
napakaselan at napakadelikadong
usaping ito sa pulitika? Si Kardinal
Vidal lang ba ang maaaring magbasa
ng naging posisyon ng NTC para sa
naisin nitong bumaba si P.Noy sa puTOWARDS THE LIGHT... Page 6
teacher’s corner
Aut disce Aut discede
W
E are living in a country that
was fought for and bled for
by our forefathers. Freedom
was earned and won through blood
and sweat with the use of blades, guns
and cannons and paid with the blood
of countless martyrs. It was a trophy
passed from generation to generation,
and now that it is our time, we are very
fortunate that we don’t have to take arms
anymore because we would be fighting
for freedom by fighting ignorance.
There are a lot of ways to win freedom, but in our time the most useful
way would be education. In a civilized
modern society that we are living in
and with the globalized community
in every aspect of our daily lives, we
as Filipinos must exercise freedom
by enriching our education system.
by JHOANN M. VITUG
We are not the ones who would benefit in investing our time, passion and
resources in this precious commodity, yet we have to because it would be
for the benefit of our beloved children
and our grandchildren.
A country was never built by any
military or economic force - it was
driven and formed by educated minds
who know and who understand the
benefit of living in continuous harmony with every single person in the
community. We would never be free
without any consciousness of freedom
and understanding of the fundamentals of the humanity of each and every
person. We must manifest what we
have to and what we ought to, a non
barbaric civilized being that was not
trained, but educated.
The most vital strand of the democratic state is the education of its citizens. We are living in a democratic
state where the majority is the voice
to be listened to. Imagine a voice that
was uneducated and barbaric driving
the country, where would it lead us? It
would turn this democratic country
to a raging car towards the dead end
of the road. It may not be sufficient to
have education to fully develop this
nation, yet it would also never be sufficient for this nation, even having all
the gold in the world, yet lacking education. And so to keep our freedom we
should either learn or leave it.
lll
The author is Teacher 3, Sta.
Tereza Elementary School, Lubao
East, Pampanga.•
Protection of Children
by Jocelyn G. Miranda
I
N A bid to protect the children from
all forms of abuse particularly bullying, the Department of Education
(DepEd), has issued the Child Protection Policy (CPP) guidelines for public
and private school teachers, which they
can use in the administration of disciplinary actions against erring students.
The CPP - hailed as a landmark
policy for teachers against bullying in
schools - can be used by teachers in
instilling discipline among the school
children.
DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro said the CPP is a “comprehensive program that includes capacity
building for teachers and other adults;
protective and preventive remedial
measures to address child abuse holistically.”
The CPP, Luistro said, was developed in partnership with members of
civil society groups, teachers’ groups,
private and public school representa-
tives, international agencies and other
child protection advocates.
He added that it is not a sole project
of the DepEd, but a collaborative effort.
Formally titled “Policies and
Guidelines on Protecting Children in
School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation, Discrimination, Bullying and
Other Forms of Abuse,” the guidelines
seek to protect the child from unfair
and adverse treatment, whether physical or emotional.
The objective of the policy, according to the DepEd secretary, is to
observe and promote zero tolerance
on any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse in school,
and aims to protect the child from all
forms of violence that may be inflicted
by adults, persons of authority as well
as their fellow students, including bullying.
The DepEd, under the guidelines,
OPINION 5
is to develop information, education,
reporting system, exercise of disciplinary action and recommendation to
address and prevent all forms of child
abuse.
A Child Protection Committee
shall also be formed in all public and
private elementary and secondary
schools composed of school officials,
teachers, parents, students, and a community representative.
Its duty is to draft a school child
protection policy with a code of conduct and a plan to ensure child protection and safety that would be reviewed
every three years.
“The CPC needs the cooperation
of all education stakeholders because
what is at stake here is the welfare of
the child and the stability of the community,” Luistro explained.
lll
The author is SSHT-I of San Isidro
High School, Sta. Ana, Pampanga.•
M
OST of us are grateful for the celebration of
this holiday in our country, as we are given
the chance to take that much-needed break
from the stress and pressures of everyday work. The
Chinese New Year, also called as Spring festival, is the
grandest and most important celebration in the Chinese culture. The significance
that Chinese people have for
this festival is comparable to
our anticipation and high regard for the Christmas and
New Year celebrations which
is the apt time for families to
get together and celebrate the
holidays.
It comes on the first day
of the Chinese lunar calendar and lasts for almost half a
Brainwaves
month. But in folk custom, this Michelle Cataptraditional holiday lasts from Lacson
the 23rd day of the twelfth
month to the 15th day of the
first month (Lantern Festival)
in the lunar calendar. Among
these days, the Eve and the
first day Spring Festival holiday is the peak time. The exact
days are different in every year
according to the lunar calendar. The preparation starts
7 days before the New Year’s
Eve. According to Chinese lunar calendar, people start to
clean the house on Dec. 24,
butcher on Dec. 26th and so
on. People have certain things
to do on each day. These activities will end Jan. 15th of the
lunar calendar.
Every family does a thorough house cleaning and purchases enough food, including
fish, meat, roasted nuts and
seeds, all kinds of candies and
fruits, etc, for the festival period. Also, new clothes must be
bought, especially for children. Red scrolls with complementary poetic couplets, one line on each side of
the gate, are pasted at every gate. The Chinese character ‘Fu’ is pasted on the center of the door and papercut pictures adorn windows.
2015 is the Year of the Ram. However, it is also
regarded as the year of the sheep or the goat which
represents the eighth sign in the 12 cycles of the Chinese Zodiac. The ram is also regarded as an auspicious
animal that delivers a year of promise and prosperity.
Those that are born on the year of the ram are said to
possess a lot of peaceful traits. Rams are kind, helpful,
and trusting. The Ram is also resistant to change.
Feng Shui expert Lillian Too of World of Feng Shui
predicts that this year will present immense opportunity for everyone “to make money, achieve success and
attain their goals.” She also revealed that it is a “wellbalanced” year because of the “presence of all five elements”-- metal, wood, water, fire and earth. However,
the first half of the new Lunar Year will be a time of
conflict, but it will last for a very short period of time.
She explained that things will take a positive turn in
the latter part of the 2015 and relationships will improve. It is a good year for lawyers and the second half
of the year is good for investors and stock market. As
for those looking forward to open a business, they
must begin their venture in the mid of the year.
We are one with the Chinese community in welcoming the Chinese New Year! May the bold Chinese
New Year firecrackers scare away the bad luck and
welcome the good luck all through the year!•
“Those that
are born on
the year of the
ram are said
to possess a
lot of peaceful
traits. Rams
are kind,
helpful, and
trusting. The
Ram is also
resistant to
change.”
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 • FEBRUARY 19, 2015
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CUSTOMS BIBLE... from Page 3
for importers and brokers as
they wouldn’t have to go from
one agency to another just to
inquire about the permits /
clearances needed for importation and at the same time,
our front-liners will be empowered as they now have a
single reference list for all regulated products. They don’t
have to guess what permits
are needed for a certain product. They won’t make the mistake of requesting for wrong
or unnecessary clearance /
permit,” Sevilla said.
According to Sevilla, this
is the first time that a single
reference list of all regulated
products has ever been done.
“This is the first in the history
of Customs that such a ‘bible’
of all regulated imports and
their corresponding import
requirements has ever been
compiled. This is truly a major step in improving the Customs process.”
“By taking stock of all
regulations, permits, and
clearances of various government agencies, we were able
to see that many products
require clearances from multiple agencies. We are hoping
that this would also serve as
a catalyst of change for the
different regulatory bodies to
revisit their rules or regulations so that in the future we
can have unified clearances
for products that are presently
requiring more than one permit to import.”
The list of regulated imports can be downloaded
by going to the BOC website
customs.gov.ph and clicking
the banner BOC Regulated
Imports List. Just download
all the links in one folder in
your computer to be able to
access the list including the
user’s guide.
The downloadable imports
list comes in three versions:
by specific product, by broad
category product, and by the
regulating agency. All three
lists contain information for
over 7,400 regulated products ranging from basic commodities like rice and sugar to
vehicles, iron and steel products, oil, and electronic goods,
among others. Each row in
the list corresponds to one
product. Also included in the
row is the product’s category,
who can import it, its regulating agency, list of prerequisite
documents for Customs clearance, links to regulating agencies’ clearances and permits,
among others.
The BOC is advising
importers and brokers to
download and view the Regulated Imports List as the
Bureau will strictly implement all the requirements
shown in the list beginning
April 20, 2015. All imports
of products included in the
list must have the required
permits from the regulating
agencies in the masterlist
before it can be cleared by
Customs.
“Because the online masterlist will become the basis of
all involved in the importation
of products—from the importers, brokers, to the Customs
personnel, we will make sure
that the list is updated if ever
there are any changes in regulations,” Sevilla said.
BOC has requested regulating government agencies
that if there will be changes in
their regulations on imports,
to inform BOC at least one
month in advance before implementation so that the Bureau can reflect the changes in
the master list.
The regulatory products
master list web page was first
announced by Sevilla during
the Economic Development
Cluster Meeting last Friday,
February 13. (customs.gov.
ph)•
TOWARDS THE LIGHT... from Page 5
westo? Bakit hindi ang dating
kalihim na si Norberto Gonzales ang pinagbasa ni Kardinal
Vidal at pumayag siyang siya
ang magbasa ng paghahayag
ng posisyon ng NTC sa harap
ng pambansang MEDIA? Hindi ba ito malinaw na paggamit
at malinaw ring pagpapahintulot na gamitin ang impluwensiya ng simbahan at ng
mga alagad nito para sa isang
usaping pulitika?! At kung totoo ang sinasabi ni Gonzales
na ilan sa mga miyembro ng
NTC ay mga Obispo sa simbahang Katolika, tama ba na
maging miyembro ang mga
alagad ng simbahan sa isang
organisasyong-pulitikal, bagaman inilalarawan ng NTC ang
organisasyon nila bilang isang
“ecumenical and interfaith col-
lective”?! Hindi ba naisip ng
mga Obispo at Kardinal na ito
na maaaring may nagpopondo
at gumagamit lamang din kay
dating Kalihim Gonzales para
sa pababain sa puwesto si
P.Noy para na rin sa pansariling kapakanan ng posibleng
nagpopondo sa NTC? Hindi
rin ba nila naisip na maaaring
isipin ng maraming mananampalatayang Katoliko na tumatanggap sila ng pera mula
sa nagpopondong ito sa NTC
para gamitin ang kanilang
pagiging alagad ng simbahan
para sa kapakanan ng mga nakaisip na bumuo nitong NTC?!
Napakaraming bagay ang
dapat na isina-alang-alang ng
mga Obispo at Kardinal na ito
bago sila gumitna at lumahok
sa naising ito ng NTC. At gaya
nga ng unang pangungusap
ko sa artikulo kong ito, hindi
ko maunawaan kung bakit
minarapat ng mga Obispo at
Kardinal na ito na maging bahagi nitong isang maselan at
sensitibong usapin sa pulitika
ng ating bansa.
Mabuti na lang at hindi sila
ang SIMBAHAN na tinutukoy
sa Gaudium et Spes na ginamit nilang sandigan para sa
kanilang minarapat na maging pakikilahok sa kaduda-dudang naising ito ng NTC! Dahil
kung hindi, baka may maging
angkop na rin sa kanila ang
isang matandang kasabihan
ng mga Capampangan: “Aliua
mu ing tatacla quing pisamban
ing macarine” (“hindi lang ang
tumatae sa simbahan ang nakakahiya”).•
Be heard! Send us
your comments & opinions
FOR DESKTOP PCs
SMARTPHONES
& TABLETS!
You can grab our Digital Edition
Copy via www.headlinegl.com
& click Cover Today
AS of February 17, 2015
mail US:
2nd Floor, U2 Building, Dolores, McArthur, Hi-way,
City of San Fernando, Pampanga
EMAIL US:
[email protected]
HOROSCOPE
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
If you have a fairly flexible nature, today will offer no problems for you, but if you are fairly rigid and resent interruptions to your routine, you may experience difficulties. Try to use this time to break out of counterproductive
habits. Compromises can be reached with co-workers today as you are learning to think things through before
responding too quickly. You may feel that you are being pulled into some activity that you do not really want to
do, which may have you feeling like pulling out your hair. If you take this activity as a duty and responsibility, you
will find that the time will magically move right along. You will be quite surprised to see how much time is left this
afternoon for your own enjoyment. You will enjoy being with your friends this evening.
ARIES (MAR. 21-APR. 19)
Keeping your priorities straight at work is very important today. There are new opportunities to show off your
skills and you will want to be organized. Small-scale endeavors meet with success. There could be a collision
of powerful energies spilling into your life. The decisions and actions of today will have long-lasting effects.
The energies that are present do not lean toward relationships at this time. Your choice of friends is very commendable–they, in turn, have fondness for you. A new purchase of some recorded music after your workday is
over will help you to relax while you tend to a few chores this afternoon. Emotional support comes from family
members and loved ones. You will want to hear the latest stories.
CANCER (JUN 22- JUL 22)
There is a boost to your courage and confidence today. Pay attention to simple conversations and practice
letting the other person have the last word–you will have enough confidence in what you have already said
so as not to repeat yourself. Do not put off to the next day what you can do today–for then you can be truly
relaxed the rest of the day. Help a co-worker get back into focus by pulling from your own wisdom and experience in order to offer the best information you know. This may be a case of just sitting down and explaining
the insurance guidelines or vacation rules. Later this evening, if the weather is good, take a drive to a romantic
restaurant with your sweetheart and then afterward, drive somewhere romantic and just sit and cuddle.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN 19)
Your emotions may be overshadowing your sense of logic–making this a poor time to arrive at any important
decisions. It may be a good idea to do a little self-talk. Plan to set the volatile or vulnerable issues aside so that
you can really think things through. Then–give yourself permission to move forward. The universal energies
are a bit strange just now and the duration of the morning may be best spent with little interaction between
co-workers. This is a good time to complete business projects. You will find a new angle to a particular problem and others will see there is something for them to learn. Later today you will have time to solve a problem
from earlier this morning. Group decisions this afternoon have a positive outcome.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21)
Today you may feel like focusing on the higher aspects of life–the big picture. Pesky little details are a waste
of time with you. It could be you are smarter than people think and patience is in order. Patience to see things
through to an end result with the steps that are set out before you may seem agonizingly slowed. Eventually,
little by little, you will be able to guide higher-ups to some new techniques. An employee interview may gain
you some important recognition. A group meeting in some volunteer organization may spur lots of conversation today. Creative ideas are easy for you to find and this is where you will excel and enjoy success. Clear
thinking and open communication are important to you. You are invited to a party tonight.
LEO (JUL 23 - AUG. 23)
You might feel a bit rudderless today in the working world. You are either in a new job, learning new equipment
or you are in some other situation that would cause delays. You need to appear in control. While you are waiting
for instructions, guidance or the friendly repair person . . . Get on the phone and ask if you can help a co-worker, or
make lists. Believe it or not–today is a day you inspire others. Real estate interests you at this time. You could be
studying so that you can obtain a real-estate license, or you are interested in how to make money with real estate.
You may be surprised at how many people watch your actions and follow in your footsteps. Be wise in your choices
this evening–as you visit with friends, you could be tempted to overindulge.
LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 23)
Set short-term goals so that you will have a sense of direction today. The day may have a slow start but business will pick up the pace soon. The changes that occur in the afternoon may be a bit hectic, but fairly easy for
you to negotiate. This is certainly not a boring day. There are plenty of schedules to keep. There could be more
high-activity days on the horizon, if that is what you enjoy. The best way to excel here is to be disciplined. If you
feel your daily life has been dull–this will soon, no longer be the case. You are ready to try something different
in your life at this time. Marriage and other close relationships give rise to great expectations. This is a time to
enjoy and appreciate your ties to others and to seek and promote harmony.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)
Tomorrow is the key word for today. On some days, it is okay to put off until tomorrow the things you could do
today–this is a good day to delay. Sometimes you have too many items to accomplish on your schedule. If you
delegate a few things, or scratch a few items off your list–you will find success with the projects you decide to
tackle. Your sense of humor is fine-tuned and gains you success with customers. You have a lot of responsibilities
now. Others are willing to help you, particularly if you just let them know how. Enjoy your pets this evening; they
can help relieve stress and are a wonderful escape. Another enjoyable way to relax is with a little chamomile tea
before bed. Quiet entertainment is best to relieve any tension this evening.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
Be clear in all things you do and say during this time. Also, make sure you have complete information before
blindly gambling with an investment or project. This is a great day for achievements. Your personal goals are
clearly visible and you should make great strides in reaching them. There is time to plan and set up future dates to
meet your goals. Be careful not to alienate co-workers who may be following orders. You are in a great mood and
you pass it on to others. You have been thinking of inviting someone along to an activity you enjoy–focus on the
goal, not the fear of asking. This month has involved hard work, skin care, music and new recipes. There are lots of
things you want to do and patience will get you where you want to go.
SCORPIO (OCT. 24- NOV. 21)
Figuring out how to organize projects and people may be a bit stressful today but will prove to be quite
rewarding. Opinions are not enough just now: they must be backed by authority or evidence and above all
practical worth. This is a fortunate time, in that you have learned to think through any difficulties you may
encounter, rather than plowing through the challenges without any guidelines. Friendships are a source of
great pleasure and you, in turn, should be quite popular. This harmony should be very useful in easing past
tensions in a relationship or in concluding some difficult financial matters. Later today would be a good time
to invest in some out of the ordinary healing techniques. One idea you may enjoy is a sauna bath or a massage.
TAURUS (APR. 20-MAY 20)
Your drive to climb the ladder of success is commendable and you may be realizing some rewards for your
hard work soon. However, today you may have to concentrate extra hard to get any work done–there are
interruptions. There is a new technical process you may be learning just now that may make your work a lot
easier in the future. However, you will have to stop your regular work long enough to learn this new technique.
Everything will come together soon. You may not appreciate advice from the family this evening, but it is
worth your time to listen. There are some wonderful people in your family and they all love you and love to
be around you. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry . . . And these loved ones will lift your spirits.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEP.22)
Once you settle down today, you should enjoy great success and attention through your profession. Completing the tasks for the day keeps you very busy. Being in the limelight is common to you and you should realize
that it is also a good time to be humble and see where work can best help others. A little rest and relaxation
seems inviting this afternoon and you may find yourself leaving for home at an earlier hour than usual. Generosity, warmth and a desire to be at peace with the world go hand in hand with your frame of mind. Friends
introduce you to someone new. A new love relationship seems the perfect answer to your special dreams.
Harmonious relations with friends, whether they are old or new friends, are easy to find.
FEBRUARY 19, 2015 • Headline Gitnang Luzon
PASKUHAN... from Page 1
“There was a complete sale of
the two parcels of land with the Lazatins,” Tieza Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid said, as he showed
two deeds of absolute sale between
PTA and Lazatin dated sometime in
1989.
Meantime, Tieza said it is still
waiting for the issuance of a notice
of award to reported winning bidder SM Development Corporation or
SMDC.
“On January 12, 1989, pursuant to its mandate under Presidential Decree No. 564, the Philippine
Tourism Authority executed two
separate Memoranda of Understanding with Jesus Lazatin for the
purchase of different parcels of land
from the latter, with PTA conveying P100,000 to Lazatin as earnest
money,” he added.
It was on November 27, 1989
when two Deeds of Absolute Sale
were executed between the two parties over the same subject containing an area of 50,000 square meters
and 43,146 square meters for P80
per square meter.
On December 6, 1989, P4 million
was paid for the 50,000 square meters of lot and another P3,451,680
for the 43,146 square meters.
On April 30, 1992, a Deed of Exchange was executed over Lot 3208G-4 owned by PTA and Lot 3623-B
owned by Lazatin. Subsequently,
Transfer of Certificate of Title Nos.
297231-R covering an area of 43,146
square meters and 376323-R covering an area of 50,000 square meters
were issued in favor of PTA.
Lapid made his clarification in
the wake of reports that Tieza illegally sold the property to SMDC.
Lapid said Paskuhan is one of the
13 government-owned properties
under Tieza which are being eyed for
privatization. It was included in the
first tranche with Agoo Playa Hotel
in La Union, and Matabungkay and
AC CRIME RATE... from Page 2
Talisay in Batangas, as these are
non-revenue generating assets.
He furthered that one of the options recommended by the consultants for Paskuhan was the sale of the
property. The consultancy services
were awarded to the Chadaro Consortium through a public bidding on
April 2, 2014. The consortium shall
assist Tieza throughout the process
of implementing the concept based
on the due diligence they have conducted, and in the actual privatization of the assets, in which at least
four shall be privatized through sale,
joint venture, lease, management
contract or through modalities allowed by law.
“So as approved by the Board of
Directors on October 27 last year,
the Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) and the consultants
included Hilaga on the first tranche
of properties along with Agoo Playa in La Union and properties in
Matabungkay and Talisay in Batangas for fast tracking with sale, or in
the case of Hilaga -- sale or lease
-- as the mode of disposition. The
SBAC then conducted all the necessary processes like the publication
of invitation to bid, pre-bid conference on November 20, 2014 up to the
opening of bids onDecember 17 last
year,” a Tieza official said.
The Tieza official further said
that four companies tendered bids
for Paskuhan and one successfully
won in an amount more than the
minimum bid based on the average
appraisal value of two independent
companies.
“At this point, the SBAC has requested the Board of Directors’ approval of the sale of Hilaga to the
winning bidder. This will allow Tieza
to proceed and conclude the sale, issue the notice of award, present the
required documents and conditions
precedent by the winning bidder and
the signing of the deed of sale. We
are waiting for the board’s positive
action on this as we want to make it
clear to concerned stakeholders that
all due processes were taken in the
disposition of Hilaga,” the official
said.
Before the planned privation,
Lapid said the PTA and Tieza asked
the concerned local government
units to produce sustainability programs for the property as the tourism agencies are financially hard-up
in the maintenance of these properties.
“We asked them to produce plans
and sustainability programs for the
property on how they could sustain
it, what’s their plan because on our
side, we are subsidizing the property
at a cost of P66 million annually and
on a monthly rate… it could reach at
around P500,000,” said Lapid.
Earlier, 1st District Representative Joseller “Yeng” Guiao filed a
house bill resolution calling for a
congressional inquiry with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to shed
light on the sale of the Paskuhan Village here to a private firm.
It was Guiao’s father, late Pampanga Governor Bren Z Guiao administration when PTA constructed
the Christmas Village in the property of Lazatin.
Tieza reportedly sold the Paskuhan property for about P900-million.
“In order to shed more light into
the reported sale, may I inquire
whether there is truth to the news
report about the sale, at what stage
of the deal Tieza and SMDC are currently in, and whether government
procedures on procurement were
followed,” Guiao said.
Guiao said that the nature of
Tieza’s ownership of the property
is of particular interest, citing that
there are those who claim that a conditional deed of donation was allegedly executed by the Lazatin family
who previously owned the property.•
munity-based organizations involving the Aetas in Porac and Floridablanca. These CBOs are now
referring presumptive TB cases to
the nearby health centers.
“Five municipalities such as
Floridablanca, Mabalacat, San Fernando, San Simon and Arayat have
issued a TB ordinance and one Executive Order.
Governor Lilia Pineda has also
created the Provincial Multi-Stakeholder Alliance (PMSAT) for Tuberculosis Control in the province.
Pineda has also allocated an
amount of P1.2-million from the
available funds allocated to support
the activities of PMSAT for TB control.
The governor said with the persistence of TB, it requires a renewed
call for action in combating this infectious disease.
The PMSAT for TB control shall
identify and establish the roles and
responsibilities of the partners in the
organization and delivery of TB care.
This alliance is tasked to coordinate with the different sectors
involved in the NTP implementation and ensure that its policies and
directly observed treatment short
course (DOTS) strategy is implemented ensuring a case detection
rate of at least 90% and a treatment
rate of at least 95%.
PMSAT shall also ensure that efforts and resources are generated
and geared towards achieving the
goal of having a community where
TB is no longer a public health program.•
led by Analyn D. Calayaan, parentleader of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and Joven T. Mariano of the Municipal Agriculture
and Fisheries Council
Fabia explained that the BUB
program which started in 2013
is aimed at making planning and
budgeting processes of both national and local governments more
participatory, transparent, and
responsive to the urgent needs of
the people especially the poor and
marginalized through genuine involvement of grassroots organizations and community groups.
“It hopes to institute budget reform, thus LPRATs were formed
through the local Executive Order
composed of equal number of representatives from CSOs elected by
themselves through an assembly,
and Local Government Unit officers headed by the Local Chief Executive,” Fabia said.
She said that series of orientations and workshops were conducted to formulate grassroots-based
plans according to the guidelines
jointly-formulated and approved
by the participating national government agencies.
“Through the BUB, the citizens
experience more than ever, the
constitutional definition of government which is, “a government of
the people, by the people, and for
the people”, she added. •
TB TREATMENT... from Page 1
panga recorded that three private
hospitals are TB DOTS providing
hospitals, while five private hospitals are TB DOTS referring hospitals.
It has also accredited 171 private
drug stores which engaged and have
been referring presumptive TB cases to the health centers for further
health care management.
It was learned that 678 TB case
referrals came from the private sector from 2010 to 2014.One hundred
percent (100%) of all jail facilities
in Pampanga were trained and are
implementing the TB in Jail/Prison
program.
Pampanga has 27 Rural Health
Units that are Philhealth Accredited
and 31 are DOTS certified.
The NTP has also formed com-
ROAD PROJECTS... from Page 1
its citizenry through the improvement of local roads.
Locals here said that with the
completion of these local roads,
they could quickly transport the
farmers’ produce to the marketplace and other trading posts.
Fabia said the two Farm-toMarket road projects were part
of the p15-million 2014 BUB Local Poverty Reduction Action
Plan (LPRAP) formulated by the
Local Poverty Reduction Action
Team (LPRAT) signed by Mayor
Manalastas as chairperson, Roel
D. Sotto (Parents-Teachers Association-South District) as co-chairperson, and two other signatories
from Civil Society Organizations
7
During the same meeting, City Social Welfare and
Development Officer Heide Patio, presented the 2014
Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Certificate
given by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC).
The local government was cited for implementing programs that are geared towards the protection
of children, upholding their rights to survival, development and participation. The Award was signed by
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and DILG
Secretary Mar Roxas.
Recently, the DILG also awarded the Seal of Good
Financial Housekeeping (GFH) to the local government of Angeles City.
“We are all gaining these recognitions because we
are doing what is right according to our mandate and
the Angeleños see that,” said Pamintuan. •
HARING CARAGAN... from Page 2
seph Cabarle. Meanwhile, runners-up include Raven
Lee David (fourth runner-up), Adrian Bautista (third
runner up), Angelito Cordero (second runner up), and
John Joseph Cabarle (first runner-up).
This pageant is part of the two major events in celebration of Mabalacat City’s Fiesta 2015. The other
highlight is the Caragan Festival, in honor of the town’s
Aeta ancestry.
Other activities in celebration of a grander Caragan
Festival on February 20 include a regional trade fair
during the five-day festival, free dance interpretation
and street dance/parade along the stretch of Poblacion
to Xevera joined by elementary and high school students from 51 schools and three divisions in the city.
Road from the public market to Xevera will be closed
from between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Dionisio “June” Magbalot, festival chairman, said
they are now preparing for the festival and Mabalaquenos living in other countries like the United States will
be invited to grace the event, as Caragan Festival goes
global.
Caragan is back to back champion in the Dulansangan Festival. This is the festival held in Malolos where
the Aetas’ role in the revolt against Spain is highlighted.
“As grand prize winner for 2013, and 2014, Caragan qualified in the Aliwan Festa last year. Luckily we
landed 5th grand prize among 16 competing groups
from all over the country. Caragan was the most applauded and was the crowd favorite. That achievement
was very significant as Caragan Festival is the very first
festival in Central Luzon to have won in vaunted ‘festival of champions’, Magbalot said.
Held every third week of February, Caragan was
named after the first chieftain of Mabalacat town who
is a native Aeta married to a Mabalaquena named Laureana Tolentino.
The event is now an annual cultural event bringing
to light the Aeta culture.
Should there be any questions, clarifications,
and guidance text or call Ermie Dizon 0917-5801582/0919-485-9757, Vine Abella 0916-624-9439 and
Verna Maristela 0926-683-3467. •
NAPOLCOM... from Page 2
scheduled appointment; two recent, identical and
colored 1x1 ID pictures with white background and
complete name; one legal size window envelope with
P15 worth of mailing stamp; transcript of scholastic
record with Special Order issued by Commission on
Higher Education or diploma; and birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar or Philippine Statistics Authority.
Moreover, PO1 with temporary appointment must
likewise carry with them the mentioned requirements along with a certified true copy of Attested Appointment, Plantilla Appointment or Special Order.
The coverage for the PNP Entrance Examination
consists of general information, verbal reasoning,
quantitative reasoning, and logical reasoning.
Examination fee is P400. (PR)•
DOLPHIN... from Page 8
Network. We brought a scientist from Hawaii to conduct
audiograms on the dolphins, and found all three suffering from permanent hearing loss. They are now thriving
here with us at the Park,” she said.
The Stranding Team at Ocean Adventure praised the
initial rehabilitation effort of staff and volunteers from
BFAR 1 Regional Office with regards to Julius.
Some staff from that office came with Julius to Ocean
Adventure to continue his rehabilitation. They were later
joined by a BFAR 2 Regional Office veterinarian Dr. Jefferson Soriano. Veterinary students from UP Los Baños
on an internship at the Park were actively involved as
well.
Aragones noted that “Julius was given every possible
chance to recover because of this great work and compassion for an animal in need. This collaboration and support is what the Stranding Network is all about.” •
gitnang luzon
VOLUME III • NO. 168 • FEBRUARY 19, 2015 • THURSDAY
HAU to award historian
for role in PHL research
By Charlene A. Cayabyab
A
NGELES CITY — The Holy
Angel University (HAU) is set
to award renowned historian
Ambeth Ocampo for his contributions
in Philippine research and scholarship.
Ocampo will be awarded the “Juan
D. Nepomuceno Cultural Award for
Research and Scholarship” on March
6 at the HAU Theatre, San Francisco
de Javier Building.
Ocampo’s first undergraduate thesis was on Kapampangan cuisine and
his first mentor was the Kapampangan journalist-painter E. Aguilar Cruz,
who inspired him to start a career in
journalism where his favorite topic
was history. That was in 1985, when
Marcos was still in power. History and
entertainment were the only two safe
subjects in that age of repression; Ocampo found a way to use them both
in writing about the past to comment
about the present.
His first job was with the government-owned newspaper The Daily
Express where he shared the same
room as showbiz columnist Ricky Lo.
Eventually he wrote a column but it
appeared in the Lifestyle/Entertainment section of another paper, The
Daily Globe, where his serious stuff appeared next to showbiz gossip, which
was probably how he started winning
more readers over to history. He transferred to the Philippine Daily Inquirer
but suddenly dropped everything to
enter the Benedictine Abbey of Our
Lady of Monserrat, where he stayed
from 1993 to 1997 as Dom Ignacio Maria, OSB.
Today, Ocampo enjoys the reputation of being the country’s best-known,
most widely read and most influential
historian. His books not only win the
National Book Awards but also break
sales records, the likes of which have
not been seen before in history and
social sciences publishing. His lectures
in the Ayala Museum and universities
draw huge, excited crowds. He is an
Associate Professor at the Ateneo de
Manila University’s History Department which he once chaired, a visiting
professor at Tokyo’s Sophia University,
and a professorial lecturer at the University of the Philippines (Diliman).
His history column in the Inquirer has
turned bi-weekly and is now found
in the Editorial/Opinion section. He
became the chairman of the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in 2002-2011 and concurrently chairman of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA) in 2005-2007, which were
the nation’s highest governing cultural
bodies that funded and supervised
the National Library, the National Archives, the National Museum, etc.
Ocampo’s innumerable awards include TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young
Men) in 1997, Gawad Balagtas Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Writers
Union of the Philippines in 2006, MetroBank Outstanding Teacher Award
also in 2006, and the Gatpuno Villegas
Award from the City of Manila in 2007.
He holds the rank of Commander
in the Order of the Knights of Rizal,
the Encomienda (Commander) de la
Orden del Merito Civil conferred by
the Kingdom of Spain, and the rank of
Officier in the Ordre des Arts et Lettres
by the Republic of France. In 2010, he
was conferred one of the highest civilian awards of the Philippines, the
Order of Lakandula, rank of Bayani,
for his contributions in cultural administration and the popularization
of Philippine history. The award cited
the fact that throughout his tenure as
chair of both the NHCP and NCCA, he
did not receive compensation. In 2013,
President Aquino conferred on him
the Presidential Medal of Merit “for his
achievements as scholar and teacher,
and for his writings which popularized Philippine history, art and culture,
thus bringing these aspects of our national identity closer to the people.” •
ocampo
US government pays
PHL P87-M for
Tubattaha damage
GOODBYE, JULIUS. Photo shows ‘Julius’, a Fraser’s dolphin rescued off the shores of Pangasinan after having been victimized by dynamite
fishing. The animal perished despite efforts by marine mammal experts and trained volunteers. --CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Dolphin survivor in dynamite fishing dies
SUBIC FREEPORT – A
massive collaborative effort to
rescue and rehabilitate a Fraser’s dolphin that was the lone
survivor of suspected dynamite
fishing affecting 31 dolphins
last month has ended with his
death.
The group of dolphins was
found along the coast of 13 different towns in Pangasinan and
La Union.
Despite receiving the best
care possible during the 3-week
rehabilitation, “Julius”, the surviving Fraser’s dolphin who was
transported from Pangasinan
to the Ocean Adventure theme
park’s Dolphin Rescue Center
in a 5-hour journey, did not
manage to survive despite the
24/7 effort by marine mammal
experts and trained volunteers.
Lem Aragones, President of
the Philippine Marine Mammal
Stranding Network (PMMSN),
said that caring for Julius ‘’is
another testament to how far
the Stranding Network has
come in terms of effective cooperation between agencies like
BFAR, local government units,
and members of the civilian
population where these incidents occur.”
Aragones said that an Unusual Mortality Event (UME)
is “an unprecedented stranding
that involves a significant number of animals going to shore in
one geographic area under conditions that require immediate
intervention”.
Out of the 31 dolphins involved, 22 died, eight were released back into the ocean, and
one, now named Julius, was
unable to swim on his own and
required ongoing medical attention.
Aragones, also a Professor
of marine mammal science at
the Institute of Environmental
Science & Meteorology at UP
Diliman added that “these individuals were most likely from
the same group, as Fraser’s dolphins are often found in large
groups of up to several hundred
animals. The Fraser’s dolphins
are a deep water species so they
may have been attracted into
the Lingayen Gulf by the abundance of Acetes, locally called
‘alamang’, which have noticeably increased recently.”
Dr. Leo Suarez, staff veterinarian at Ocean Adventure
who oversaw the rehabilitation
of Julius said that “Teams of
staff and volunteers provided
around-the-clock care, gently
supporting him and helping
him swim for short distances
on his own.”
Dr. Suarez noted that one
of the biggest risks of long-term
rehabilitation is scoliosis or curvature of the spine from limited
movement. Therefore, caregivers provided physical therapy
multiple times a day to keep his
muscles working properly and
the spine aligned.
Gail Laule, Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Adventure,
said that “Dynamite fishing is
the likely cause of the incident,
and Julius apparently suffered
serious trauma. When a dolphin, or whale, comes ashore
that means they have lost the
ability to survive in their environment. They are in critical
condition, so the odds of success are very low. “
Laule said, however, that
there have been other cases
where a positive result was
achieved due to timely medical
care and life-saving actions of
first responders.
Laule noted that Ocean Adventure now cares for three dolphins, all victims of dynamite
fishing named Valentina, Scarlet, and Phina.
“These dolphins, which we
fondly call the “dynamite girls”,
all managed to survive because
of the work of the Stranding
dolphin... PAGE 7
MANILA - After two years, the United
States has paid the Philippine government the requested full compensation
amounting to P87 million for the damage caused to Tubattaha reef by the
grounding of an American warship in
January 2013.
The Department of Foreign Affairs
made the announcement in a statement
issued on Wednesday, saying Manila
received a total of P87,033,570.71 in
compensation from Washington on
Jan. 20, 2015.
“The compensation will be utilized
for the protection and rehabilitation of
Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the DFA said.
Part of the fund, it added, will also
be used to further enhance capability
to monitor the area and prevent similar
incidents in the future.
In addition to the compensation received, the US government is also providing additional assistance to the Philippine Coast Guard to upgrade the PCG
Substation in Tubbataha, where over
4,000 square meters were damaged by
the US minesweeper.
The US military had to dismantle
the ship to remove it and to prevent
further damage to the reef - a United
Nations-declared World Heritage Site.
The ship’s officers and crew were
also relieved by the US military following the incident for failure to adhere
to standard navigation procedures.
(PNA)•
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