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Balibago News Jan-2010

31 Jan 2010 - 10T expected to attend CLRAA in Angeles City

ANGELES CITY -- The City Government here is expecting 10,000 athletes and delegation from different provinces in the region for the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) Meet starting February 22.

In line with this, City Administrator Mark Allen Sison said Mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno has instructed the local police led by Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista to set up security measures and the traffic plans for the said event.

28 Jan 2010 - Philip Morris starts construction of Asia Pacific warehousing hub

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Philip Morris Philippines International Manufacturing Inc. has formally started the construction of its Asia Pacific warehousing hub located in this Freeport after a simple ground breaking ceremony Monday morning.

Philip Morris signed a 50-year lease agreement with the free port authority, increasing its total land area to 49,279 square meters from its current 10,000-square-meter warehouse.

28 Jan 2010 - Business firm to hold economic forum

CLARK FREEPORT - The business sector here will host "The Philippine Economic Prospects for 2010: Between Crises and Opportunities" forum on February 5 at the Mimosa Convention Center.

The forum is organized by the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) in cooperation with Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (MACCII) and the REID Foundation.

29 Jan 2010 - Mayor awards more land titles to indigent folks

ANGELES CITY - Mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno on Thursday led the awarding of certificate of land titles to 15 indigent families at the Mayor's office here.

Officials from Local Urban Poor Affairs and Housing Office (Lupaho) partnered the City government in extending the land titles to the villages of Malabanias, Pandan, Capaya and Ninoy Aquino.

In his message, Nepomuceno said the award is part of the ongoing processing work to qualified housing beneficiaries undertaken in the city through Lupaho.

29 Jan 2010 - Issues vs mayoralty bets up in the internet

ANGELES City- Though merely dismissed as political propaganda, issues about the mayoralty candidates here have became topics of conversations and neighborhood chats in the internet.

Among these controversies up in the internet is mayoralty bet Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan's case with a certain 16-year-old model before. Web portals like the http://www.cannestv.com and http://www.members.tripod.com, among others have hosted comments on the alleged issue involving Pamintuan.

One post read: "Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan was involved in the case of a 16-year-old model being prostituted by a talent manager, Jojo Veloso."

28 Jan 2010 - Clark development firm offers alternative DFA sites

CLARK FREEPORT - The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) officials said Thursday they have offered alternative sites to home the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office.

CDC president Benigno Ricafort said that CDC provided the DFA a retention plan offering several areas in Clark that included a portion of the Clark Expo's Global City, a vacant lot behind Puregold Duty-Free, and three vacant buildings formerly occupied by duty-free mall operators as alternative sites.

Ricafort said the move aims to help the DFA maintain its operations inside the Clark Freeport.

27 Jan 2010 - 'Acceptable' lease rate for DFA urged

MABALACAT - Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales has urged the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to give "acceptable" lease rate to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to re-establish its consular office in Clark Freeport.

The high rental rate is said to be one of the reasons why the DFA consular office here is transferred to the City of San Fernando.

27 Jan 2010 - Satellite office in Clark 'up' soon

CLARK FREEPORT -- A consular satellite office will soon be established at the Clark Freeport, a regional foreign affairs top official disclosed.

This is in response to the clamors of some sectors and government officials to return the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in the Freeport, DFA Regional Director Asuncion Florentin said.

27 Jan 2010 - Holy Angel University wins Super Quiz Bee

ANGELES CITY - Holy Angel University (HAU) emerged as the champion in the Inter-High School Super Quiz Bee held at Angeles University Foundation (AUF) last January 26.

HAU bested seven other schools in the academic contest. It was able to defend its title in the quiz bee organized by the Pathways AUF Chapter at the St. Cecilia's auditorium of AUF.

27 Jan 2010 - Establishment of satellite office in Clark sought

ANGELES CITY -- Various sectors and local residents in this city and adjoining towns are urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to expedite the establishment of a satellite office inside the Clark Freeport.

The call followed after the transfer of the DFA consular office to the City of San Fernando.

27 Jan 2010 - 2 nabbed in pot session

MABALACAT -- Elements of the town police arrested two men who were allegedly sniffing shabu inside a house in Barangay Dau here.

The suspects were identified as Demostenes Mende, 42, a tricycle driver, of South Daang Bakal, Barangay Dau, this town; and Carlo Mabalo, 35, of Roxas Street, Barangay Dau here.

26 Jan 2010 - AUFMC opens Kidney Transplant Center

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation Medical Center (AUFMC) takes another big step in providing the best healthcare in Northern and Central Luzon by giving kidney patients a better alternative to endless dialysis treatments.

The Department of Health issued the Certificate of Accreditation to the AUFMC Kidney Transplant Center as an authorized Kidney Transplant Unit on January 1, 2010, barely six months from application date. The first and the only kidney transplant unit in Central Luzon, the AUFMC-KTC is the result of the leadership of one of the country’s foremost transplant surgeons, Doctor Rosemarie Liquete and Doctor Maricel Catunggal, a highly respected nephrologist.

26 Jan 2010 - MarQuee Mall joins 15th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fest

MARQUEE Mall, the favorite gathering place in Central Luzon, is joining the 15th Philippine Hot Air Balloon in Clark on February 11 to 14. The most-awaited February event is one of the biggest annual festivities inside the Clark Freeport Zone that has been drawing tens of thousands of spectators and tourists from all over the world.

25 Jan 2010 - Authorities net P1.5-M ‘fake’ cell phones

ANGELES CITY -- Authorities raided on Friday several mobile phone shops and confiscated some 800 “fake” cellular phones worth P 1.5 million here and in Angeles City and San Fernando.

Headed by National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Regional Director Azor Sitchon and Superintendent Francisco Esguerra and Inspector Albert Andasan of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-3) office based in Camp Olivas, the raiding team swooped down on 28 cellular phone shops owned and operated by Filipino-Chinese traders inside the public market and in some malls like GQ, Robinsons Starmills, Robinsons Balibago, Nepo, Jenra, SM City Pampanga and SM City Clark.

25 Jan 2010 - Foreign affairs asked to restore consular office

MABALACAT -- Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales has appealed to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to re-establish its consular office in Clark Freeport.

“Many investors inside and outside the Freeport will be affected by this. Some of the locators have put up their investment in Clark because of the consular office,” the mayor said.

25 Jan 2010 - Local media commemorate Maguindanao massacre

CLARK FREEPORT -- Journalists and members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NJUP) held Saturday a candlelit ceremony commemorating the second month of the Maguindanao massacre.

The simple, emotional and solemn rite was held at Holiday Inn Resort in this Freeport and was supported by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility

25 Jan 2010 - Group to provide more artificial legs

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) announced Monday that it is ready to provide more artificial legs to amputees in the province.

This after KDF, through its president Benigno Ricafort, received a P2-million donation from various Rotary Clubs of the province headed by Rotary District Governor Rolando Villanueva on Saturday and Sunday.

25 Jan 2010 - Philip Morris starts construction of Asia Pacific warehousing hub

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Philip Morris Philippines International Manufacturing Inc. has formally started the construction of its Asia Pacific warehousing hub located in this Freeport after a simple ground breaking ceremony Monday morning.

Philip Morris signed a 50-year lease agreement with the free port authority, increasing its total land area to 49,279 square meters from its current 10,000-square-meter warehouse.

When finished, the new warehouse will have humidity control, fire suppression equipment, and air conditioning to store imported tobacco which will then be transported to cigarette manufacturing plants in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

24 Jan 2010 - San Fernando, Angeles bag best Peso awards

CLARK FREEPORT -- This city’s Public Employment Services Office (Peso) has been named best in the region under the component city category during Friday’s search for the best employment service office.

In the highly urbanized city category, Angeles City won the same award.

In the City of San Fernando, the award comes after the city’s Peso, now a full blown division after Councilor Alex Patio passed an ordinance establishing it as a 12-personnel City Employment Services Division (CESD) from a single desk unit, was accorded the same recognition in 2008 by the Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Labor and Employment (Dole-BLE).

24 Jan 2010 - Environment office to start clean-up of Pampanga creek

MABALACAT -- The provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Enro) has vowed to work hard to clear the Sapang Matua creek of tons of garbage.

The creek passes through several barangays here and in nearby Angeles City.

24 Jan 2010 - SM City Clark observes National Autism Week

CLARK FREEPORT -- SM City Clark, in cooperation with the Autism Society of the Philippines-Angeles City Chapter, joined the whole country in celebrating the 14th National Autism Consciousness Week at the SM City Clark Event Center here.

SM City Clark Public Relations Officer Venus Manalang said the mall’s management is one with the Autism Week theme: “Giant Leaps, Transcending Boundaries.”

She said the mall maintains its objective of being a child-friendly mall with emphasis of making it accessible to children and people with “special needs.”

23 Jan 2010 - New lead in nursing student slay case found

ANGELES CITY -- The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has found a new lead in the brutal killing of a nursing student here last year. Chief Inspector Randy Glenn Silvio, chief of the Pampanga CIDG based in Barangay Pampang here, said two students of Angeles University Foundation (AUF) saw the victim being accompanied by several students on her way to the boarding house where she was killed.

Keith Valerio Ballesteros, 16, a former nursing student of AUF, was brutally killed inside her boarding house in Barangay Salapungan on September 3, 2009.

23 Jan 2010 - City mayoral bet is open for candidate forum

ANGELES CITY -- A mayoralty bet in this city said Saturday he is open for a candidate forum.

Balibago chairman Rodelio "Tony" Mamac, who is running for mayor here under Senator Noynoy Aquino's Liberal Party (LP), said he will attend any candidate forum if he will be invited.

23 Jan 2010 - Ex-cop nabbed for drugs

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) held a "Human Rights Reporting" seminar for some 20 journalists and media practitioners from North Luzon at the Holiday Inn Hotel Resort in this Freeport.

The two-day live in seminar, which started Friday and ended Saturday, tackled various aspects on human rights reporting, including the role of the media in upholding and "articulating" to the public issues on human rights abuse and violation.

20 Jan 2010 - Ex-cop nabbed for drugs

MABALACAT -- A former police officer was apprehended after being suspected of selling illegal drugs in Barangay Dau here over the weekend.

Superintendent Rolly Mendoza, town police officer-in-charge, disclosed Wednesday that former Police Officer 2 Emmanuel Capati Papas was charged with drug pushing after allegedly being caught selling methamphetamine or shabu to police agents.

A buy-bust operation was conducted by the team led by Vega, chief of the Municipal Police Intelligence Branch, which resulted to Papas' arrest.

20 Jan 2010 - CEB offers great discounts

THE country's number one airline, Cebu Pacific (CEB), slashes almost 50 percent off its lowest possible Clark-Bangkok fare with a P1,499 seat sale to Bangkok from both Clark and Manila. The seat sale period begins this January 20-21, for travel this May 1 to July 31 this year.

Those with check-in luggage will just add P100 upon booking.

19 Jan 2010 - Teodoro beats Aquino, Villar in university mock polls

ANGELES CITY -- Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro won a surprising but decisive victory in a survey conducted at Holy Angel University (HAU), the biggest private school in Central Luzon.

Of the 3,688 college students and employees surveyed, 1,432 said they would vote for Teodoro, although only 205 would vote for his running mate, actor Edu Manzano. Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party (LP) topped the survey for vice president with 2,349 votes.

19 Jan 2010 - Teenager stabbed dead

ANGELES CITY -- A 19-year-old man was stabbed to death by one of the persons who allegedly mauled him along Plaridel Street in Barangay San Nicolas here Sunday night.

Kaycee Policarpio, 19, single, of No. 125 Mabini Street, San Nicolas, succumbed to a single stab wound on his left chest, said Chief Inspector Rene Aspe, Police Station 1 commander.

19 Jan 2010 - Mayor lauds physically-challenged individuals

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Francis Nepomuceno has recognized the efforts of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for contributing to the improvement of amusement tax collection last year.

Filipinos with disabilities have proven that they could stand out despite their physical limitations, Nepomuceno said.

19 Jan 2010 - Authorities to ban grass burning along expressways

MABALACAT -- The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) hailed the Municipal Council’s proposed ordinance banning grass burning along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).

Robert Gervacio, BCDA spokesperson for the SCTEx, said it is about time that the indiscriminate burning of grass and other farming practices “that place the motoring public in grave danger” is appropriately addressed by the authorities.

18 Jan 2010 - Mayor wants drive vs criminality improved

MABALACAT -- Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales has directed the newly-installed town police chief to implement programs for peace and order in the municipality.

Morales told Superintendent Rolly Mendoza, town police officer-in-charge, to intensify drive against criminality.

The mayor said Mabalacat is known to be a peaceful town and businessmen and multi-national firms have confidence in investing here. “Investors loved to locate in our town because of its peace and order.”

16 Jan 2010 - City adopts poverty alleviation program

ANGELES CITY -- The City Government has adopted a program to alleviate the living condition of indigent residents here.

Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno issued Executive Order 01 Series of 2010, “Creating the Angeles City Advisory Committee (Acac) to ensure the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P).

Nepomuceno said the 4P is a poverty reduction strategy which provides grant to extremely poor children ages 0 to 14 and help them improve their health and education.

15 Jan 2010 - New Mabalacat cop chief to create anti-drug unit

MABALACAT -- The newly installed officer-in-charge of the town police here said he will create a Drug Enforcement Unit that will go after drug pushers.

Superintendent Rolly Mendoza said he will pursue the plan of his predecessor, Superintendent Gregorio Lim, to form a body which will focus on drive against illegal drugs.

14 Jan 2010 - Finnish tourist found dead in a hotel

ANGELES CITY - A Finnish tourist was found dead inside his rented room at Vistillana Lodge along Charlotte Street, Barangay Balibago, Angeles City on Monday.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista, Angeles City police director, identified the victim as Kari Allan Pentinsaari, a tourist from Finland who was temporarily billeted at said lodge.

Bautista said that the victim was last seen on Saturday by Isabela Pineda, desk clerk of Vistillana who informed him about the time of his check-out.

14 Jan 2010 - BCDA opens Floridablanca interchange at SCTEx today

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) will open the Floridablanca interchange of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) starting at 6 a.m. Friday.

This makes all the 11 interchanges of the toll-way accessible and operational.

14 Jan 2010 - Arroyo to grace institute inauguration

ANGELES CITY -- Angeles University Foundation (AUF) is set to inaugurate Friday its Confucius Institute with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as special guest of honor, AUF President Joseph Emmanuel L. Angeles announced.

"The establishment of the Confucius Institute at AUF (CI-AUF) in cooperation with (China-based) Fujian Normal University (FNU) augurs well for the Kapampangan region as it will allow AUF to promote Chinese language and culture, and strengthen its institutional capacity to engage in inter-cultural activities with contemporary China. The CI-AUF is a fruition of a dream we have worked hard for since 2006", says Angeles.

14 Jan 2010 - Car stolen in Angeles City, first in 2010

ANGELES CITY - A car parked at a mall in Barangay Sto. Rosario was stolen on Monday, recording the first carnapping incident in the city, police official said.

A report said the Honda car with license plate WJU-521 owned by one Annabel Bautista, 31, of Barangay Agapito, Angeles City was stolen from the parking lot of Nepo Mall.

The victim was buying grocery items when her car was stolen.

14 Jan 2010 - Village chief asks water district to defer water rate hike

ANGELES CITY -- A barangay chairman here has appealed to the Angeles City Water District (ACWD) to defer the implementation of the water rate adjustment in the city.

Salapungan chairman Robert Yeen asked the ACWD to suspend the water rate increase, which was already posted in different barangay halls here.

Yeen said that the water rate adjustment will greatly affect the residence, considering the global economic slowdown last year.

14 Jan 2010 - Miss Mabalacat, Caragan fest slated next month

MABALACAT - The Mabalacat fiesta committee has slated the Miss Mabalacat 2010 and the 3rd Caragan Festival next month as part of the town's month-long fiesta celebration.

Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales recently convened the 2010 Mabalacat Fiesta Executive Committee through Executive Order No. 1 series of 2010.

For the Miss Mabalacat beauty tilt, the pre-pageant and coronation night will be held on January 27 and January 30 respectively at Barangay Poblacion, Morales said.

14 Jan 2010 - Militant farmer groups to report on the 'condition of peasants'

ANGELES CITY - Officials of Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) will report their current situation and the "on-going struggles of peasant farmers in Central Luzon" on Saturday.

The briefing in this city, which will be attended by non-government organization leaders, will start at 10:00 a.m.

The gathering is also part of an information campaign about the Central Luzon leg of what is targeted to be the widest and farthest-reaching protest march and caravan of farmers.

13 Jan 2010 - Mobile snatchers nabbed

ANGELES CITY - Two men who allegedly snatched a woman's gold necklace while riding their motorcycle along McArthur Highway in Barangay San Jose here were arrested Tuesday.

The suspects were identified as Anthony Manarang, 27, and Rex Pineda, 32, were charged in court with Robbery With Violence Against Person, said Chief Inspector Rene Aspe, Police Station 1 commander.

13 Jan 2010 - Police recovered 3 'missing' vehicles

ANGELES CITY - Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) here have recovered the missing three Toyota Innova vehicles, which were allegedly sold without the owners consent.

The first to be recovered last Sunday was the one owned by one Lenny Bermudo of Makati City with Land Transportation Office conduction sticker no. AZ 9682.

13 Jan 2010 - CDC forges lease pact with Veterans Bank

CLARK FREEPORT - The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has signed a P10-million lease agreement with the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) for the development of commercial building.

CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort said the PVB will develop a commercial building where its permanent banking facility, a food court and canteen for CDC employees, will be housed.

13 Jan 2010 - Airline's domestic flights, P999 seat sale for the summer

ASIA'S third-largest low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) begins to fuel the summer travel season with a P999 'Go Lite' seat sale from January 14-15, 2010, for travel this February 1 to April 4, 2010.

Those with check-in luggage will just add P100 upon booking.

12 Jan 2010 - Billiard star supports Mabalacat sports development

MABALACAT - Pocket billiards star Efren "Bata" Reyes has reaffirmed his support to the sports development program of the local government here.

Reyes issued the statement, saying the effort of the municipal government will spare the youth from illegal vices particularly the use of illegal drugs.

Reyes made the commitment during the opening of the 9-ball tournament in Barangay Poblacion here recently. Reyes, a resident of nearby Angeles City, have been supporting billiard tournaments here.

12 Jan 2010 - Australian firm to put up technical school

CLARK FREEPORT -- An Australian company will start operating its vocational school inside the Clark Expo on February, accommodating hundreds of international students.

Kingsley Clark, Australian International Training and Management Group (AITMG) chief executive officer, said during a press briefing here on Monday that the construction of the college facilities started in October last year.

12 Jan 2010 - More than 3T city folks get health cards

ANGELES CITY -- The National Government has given free health insurance coverage to thousands of residents here.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, chairman of Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council and head of the Luzon Urban Beltway, recently led the distribution of PhilHealth cards to 3,300 beneficiaries of Barangays Malabanias, Ninoy Aquino, Mining, C.M. Recto, Pandan, and Cut-cut.

12 Jan 2010 - Council drafts ordinance to stop grass burning along SCTEX, NLEX

MABALACAT -- The Municipal Council here is set to pass an ordinance prohibiting all forms of burning along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

This is in respond to the fatal smash-up last December 28 at a section of the SCTEx in Barangay Tabun, where some four people, including a child, were killed.

10 Jan 2010 - Manhunt on vs ex-city councilor

ANGELES CITY -- Police here have launched a manhunt operation against a son of the late Hukbalahap leader Luis Taruc for allegedly shooting a 25-year-old man in this city last January.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista, chief of police here, said charges of either frustrated homicide or frustrated murder will be filed this week against former councilor Romeo Taruc.

10 Jan 2010 - ‘Carnappers’ also suspects in armed robbery

MABALACAT -- Police said the five persons earlier arrested for allegedly stealing a tricycle are also suspects in a series of robbery in this town and nearby Angeles City.

Superintendent Gregorio Lim, town police officer-in-charge, said the group is also believed to be responsible in several cases of robberies on gasoline stations, computer shops, and passenger buses.

The arrested suspects were identified as Jayson Cajala, 19, of Northville 15, Cutud, Angeles City; Marlon Majia, 18, of Biglang Sibol, Dau, this town; Jimmy Moneva, 18, of Diamond Subdivision, Balibago, Angeles City; Totey (not his real name), 16; and Arjay (not his real name), 15.

10 Jan 2010 - Indigents get Philhealth cards

ANGELES CITY -- Some 277 indigent families from the villages of Cutud and Pulung Cacutud received their PhilHealth cards from Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno on Friday.

The distribution of PhilHealth ID cards was held at the Cutud Barangay Hall and Pulung Cacutud Covered Court, and was part of the City Government’s advocacy in providing quality health benefits to Angelenos.

8 Jan 2010 - Spirit of Manila starts Clark-Bahrain flight

CLARK FREEPORT -- Spirit of Manila Airlines has started scheduled passenger services from Clark in the Philippines to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The new airline is the only Philippine carrier that provides service to this route using Boeing jets from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) to Bahrain International Airport.

"Direct flights from our gateway in Clark will allow residents of Central and Northern Luzon, as well as in Manila area, to take advantage of a whole host of new opportunities," said Basilio P. Reyes, president and CEO. "We launched the first flight to Bahrain on 18 December 2009 which marked a long awaited step in the right direction for Middle East service."

7 Jan 2010 - CDC director is new MACCII president

ANGELES CITY - Clark Development Corporation Director Francisco "Frankie" Villanueva Jr., is the new president of the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (MACCII), taking over the helm of the organization's leadership from out-going President Marco Nepomuceno.

Villanueva, who was elected last month, will formally assume office after the turn-over ceremonies on January 29 at Mimosa Leisure Park along with Chairman Nepomuceno, Executive Vice President Arsenio Valdes, Vice President for Economic Affairs Alegria Cruz, Vice President for Internal Affairs Catalina Zablan, Vice President for External Affairs Danilo Pamintuan, Corp. Secretary Alejandro Buan, Treasurer, Pablito Flores and directors Violeta Gonzales, Cynthia Gueco, Elfren Hipolito, Mario Lazatin, Ronald Peña, Myra Rivera and Elizabeth Timbol.

7 Jan 2010 - Clark mall to open Global Pinoy Center for OFWs

CLARK FREEPORT - In a bid to provide a wholesome shopping experience for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families, SM City Clark announced Thursday the opening of its first ever Global Pinoy Center in the province.

SM Public Relations Officer Venus Manalang said that the Global Pinoy Center is one of the biggest projects that will be launched nationwide by SM Supermalls this 2010.

The project is a specialized all-in-one convenience stop that will cater services for the OFWs, Balikbayans, beneficiaries and their guests.

7 Jan 2010 - Clark locators recover from crisis

CLARK FREEPORT - The Clark Development Corporation's (CDC) "sound economic agenda" has recovered from the economic meltdown, CDC official said.

CDC President Benigno Ricafort said the state-owned firm has given its full support to locators affected by the crisis.

7 Jan 2010 - Tricycle 'thieves' nabbed

MABALACAT -- Five persons, including two minors, were apprehended and charged in court by the town police after being suspected of carnapping a tricycle in Barangay Dau here Wednesday.

The arrested suspects were identified as Jayson Cajala, 19, of Northville 15, Cutud, Angeles City; Marlon Majia, 18, of Biglang Sibol, Dau, this town; Jimmy Moneva, 18, of Diamond Subdivision, Balibago, Angeles City; Totey (not his real name), 16; and Arjay (not his real name), 15.

The suspects were involved in a theft case where a tricycle was stolen from Adorable Dela Peña, 63, of Barangay Dau Wednesday morning.

6 Jan 2010 - Kuwait-based firm to develop airport

CLARK FREEPORT -- A Kuwait-based firm, Almal Investment Company, has committed to develop the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) with a total investment of $1.2 billion.

Clark International Airport Corporation Chairman Nestor S. Mangio said Almal Investment Company, a subsidiary of M.A. Kharafi Group, has sent to his office a proposal for the development of the Clark airport.

In its proposal dated December 24, 2009, the company expressed its desire to develop all civil components of DMIA Terminal 1, 2, and 3 based on the corporation's master plan.

6 Jan 2010 - Mabalaqueno killed in vessel fire

MABALACAT -- A young seaman residing in this town was among the six Filipinos who died in a fire that partly razed an international cargo vessel in Venezuela recently.

Bryan Rey S. Pragamac, 24, of Dela Cruz-Lim Subdivision, sustained second-degree burns all over his body and died of suffocation, according to his wife Michaela May.

6 Jan 2010 - Firm formed to operate SCTEx

CLARK FREEPORT -- Two giant companies - San Miguel Corporation and Star Tollway Corporation - recently formed a new company that will handle the operation of the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

The new firm, Northlink Toll Management Incorporated, has a total capital stock of P1 million divided into one million shares with a par value of P1 each, documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed.

Some 25 percent of the authorized capital stock has been subscribed, and 25 percent of the total has been paid.

San Miguel subscribed to 149,997 shares while Star Tollways subscribed to 99,998 shares.

6 Jan 2010 - NBI, DFA satellite offices at Clark urged

CLARK FREEPORT - Two business leaders urged Tuesday the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to maintain its satellite offices inside Clark Freeport.

Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) President Rene Romero's and Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) President Joselito Mercado's calls came after the DFA Regional Consular Office and the NBI formally transferred their base of operations from Clark Freeport to the City Central Transport Terminal and the Regional Government Center here, respectively.

"Though the move of the NBI and the DFA is beneficial to the general public, both agencies should still maintain satellite offices inside Clark Freeport to serve the needs of locators inside the Freeport and people within Metro Angeles area," Romero said.

6 Jan 2010 - Mangudadatu's ex-bodyguard kills cops

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Two police officers of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's (SBMA) Law Enforcement Department (LED) died Monday after Buluan Vice Mayor Datu Ishmael "Toto" Mangudadatu's former bodyguard shot them.

A source identified the victims as Cerifino Abadia, 60, and SPO4 Delphin Orinez, who is a bodyguard of SBMA Director Jobo Magsaysay. Both died at the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital due to the bullet wounds in the chest.

Olongapo City Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde identified the suspect as a certain Mohamedin Panegas Ali, 39, a resident of Poblacion, Buluan, Maguindanao.

4 Jan 2010 - Pampanga lawmaker gets award

ANGELES CITY -- First District Representative Carmelo Lazatin was chosen as one of the country’s Most Outstanding Congressmen for year 2009 by the Congress Magazine and the Global News Network (GNN) Television.

Also named as outstanding congressmen are Representatives Luis Villafuerte, Jose Solis, Mauricio Domogan, Rodolo Plaza , Elpidio Barzaga, Rofolfo Antonino, Ferjenel Biron, Olando Fua, Bienvenido Abante, Georgidi Aggbao, Emil Ong, Matias Defensor, Ernesto Pablo, Antonio Roxas, Rufus Rodriguez, Yusop Jikiri, Teodoro Casino, Marcelino Teodoro, Pangalian Balindong, Reno Lim, Irwin Tieng; Faysah Dumarpa, Rizalina Seachon, Adelina Rodriguez-Zaldariaga Ma. Ivita Arago, George Arnaiz, Rexlon Gatchalian, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Andres Salvacion, Jr., Justin Marc Chipeo, Eufroceno Codilla, Salvador Britanico, Godofredo Arquiza, Dante Marcoleta, Narciso Santiago Jr., and Mark Llandro Mendoza.

3 Jan 2010 - Cops identify man killed in shootout

ANGELES CITY -- The city police have identified the person killed in a shootout between a group of armed men and authorities in Barangay Amsic last December 30.

Chief Inspector Jaime Villamil, Police Station 2 commander, named the fatality as Frandy Baltar Rocales, 25, of Barangay Santa Monica, Bobon, Northern Samar.

2 Jan 2010 - Suspect killed in shootout

ANGELES CITY -- A person belonging to an alleged criminal syndicate, Waray Waray Group, was killed after his group had a shootout with elements of the City Police Station 2 in Barangay Amsic on Wednesday last week.

Angeles City Police Director Danilo Bautista said that one of the suspects, identified only as Frandy, was killed in the armed encounter.

At around 6:30 p.m. on December 30, 2009, village councilman Jovito Canda informed the Police Station 2 that a group of individuals carrying guns were sighted at Purok 4 Bangkusay in said village.

Bautista said the group is believed to be responsible for the series of robbery on gasoline stations and grocery stores in this city and nearby towns.

After receiving the report, Police Station 2 commander Jaime Villamil led a team of police operatives and proceeded to the area.

2 Jan 2010 - Hold-up suspect nabbed

ANGELES CITY --- An 18-year-old man involved in a recent hold up incident, which transpired at Bagong Bayan Subdivision in Barangay Cutcut here was arrested by police officers stationed at Police Station 5.

Raymund David Buan, 18, single, of Sitio Mali, Barangay Cutcut here, was arrested after having been suspected of stabbing and robbing a woman on December 27 along Belenzula Street in said subdivision.

Buan was charged before the Office of the City Prosecutor with Robbery with Frustrated Homicide.

2 Jan 2010 - Firecracker accidents in C. Luzon lower in 2009

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Saturday that firecracker related accidents for 2009 have been significantly lower by at least 70 percent compared to that of 2008.

DOH regional director Rio Magpantay said as of January 2, the DOH Surveillance Reports noted that some 59 accidents were reported from major hospitals in Central Luzon. About 17 firecracker accidents were recorded in Pampanga alone but with no casualties recorded.

1 Jan 2010 - Happy New Year!

The Team of Balibago.org wishes all visitors a Happy and Prosperous New Year.