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Balibago News Mar-2011

30 Mar 011 - Police director vows to make Pampanga crime-free

PAMPANGA -- The Pampanga police director vowed to make the province crime-free in Tuesday's hearing at Capitol, where proposed ordinance on barangay information system and safety plan was tackled.

"Never again shall Pampanga be a dumping ground of victims and a haven for carnappers and criminals," said Provincial Police Director Edgardo Tinio.

30 Mar 011 - Village leaders support AUF road barriers

ANGELES CITY -- Leaders of Barangay Lourdes Sur East in this city supported the retention of steel barriers along the MacArthur Highway that were placed by the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) in 2006 to regulate traffic in the area.

Resolution Number 014 Series of 2011, or a resolution supporting the retention of steel barriers along the MacArthur Highway, Angeles City, was unanimously approved and adopted by members of the barangay council on March 25.

30 Mar 011 - Police gear up vs rebel threats

PAMPANGA -- Police in Central Luzon have raised the alarm against possible attacks from communist rebels, as the New People's Army (NPA) observes its founding anniversary.

In a statement, Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima reminded police units within the region to be alert and take extra precautions for possible atrocities the rebel group may carry out, following their founding 42nd anniversary last March 29.

30 Mar 011 - Villages to create women, children's complaint desk

ANGELES CITY -- To address domestic violence, the City Government recently sponsored a seminar aimed at establishing complaint desks for women and children in the city's 33 barangays.

This is in connection with the rules and regulations implementing the Anti-violence against women and children under Republic Act (RA) 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women.

29 Mar 011 - Drivers, operators to join transport strike

PAMPANGA -- Jeepney drivers and operators from two cities and several towns in Pampanga are set to participate in the nationwide transport strike against rising oil prices on March 31.

Members of the transport sector from cities of San Fernando and Angeles, including representatives from towns of Mabalacat, Magalang and Porac will hold a 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. transport strike Thursday.

29 Mar 011 - Revival of US cavalry in Clark

MABALACAT -- The tourism office of the local government here, in cooperation with the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), is set to bring back Clark's history with the revival of the 26th US Cavalry, Philippine Scouts.

The local government and the CIAC agreed in principle the establishment of cavalry horse stables within the area of the Clark civil aviation complex.

29 Mar 011 - Trade agency to present economic agreement to Chinese bizmen

PAMPANGA -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Luzon is set to present a memorandum of cooperation to a delegation of local officials from China on Thursday.

Blesila Lantayona, chief of the DTI in Central Luzon, said they will propose an economic agreement with the delegation from Guangzhou, China as a way to boost economic activities in the region.

29 Mar 011 - Barangay leaders urged to maintain cleanliness

MABALACAT -- Mayor Marino Morales has urged barangay leaders to maintain cleanliness in their respective villages.

Morales issued the statement during the launching of the town's clean and green campaign last Monday at the municipal hall.

29 Mar 011 - Man-made forest built in Tarlac

PAMPANGA -- Decades-old towering trees of various species now abound at the AWECA-built man-made forest in the once-barren and volcanic ash-covered area in Capas, Tarlac are a sight to behold.

Among those affected by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 were hundreds of indigenous peoples residing in the uplands of Barangay Sta. Juliana in Capas here.

28 Mar 011 - Pampangos warned vs lahar, tsunami

PAMPANGA -- Though Mt. Pinatubo is unlikely to erupt again within 200 years, state seismologists warned residents here to be on the watch for lahar flow in case of unusual rainfall.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum Jr. said people who have reclaimed their old communities near rivers and streams once crossed by lahar and mudflow in the 90s should still take precautionary steps in averting possible disasters.

28 Mar 011 - Rape suspect surfaces; now in government custody

PAMPANGA -- After more than a year of hiding abroad, a former professor from the Holy Angel University (HAU) who is facing 32 counts of rape finally arrived in Manila Monday.

Allan Atienza Ocampo, 51, a native of Sapang Maisac, Mexico, was fetched by representatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Thursday last week

28 Mar 011 - Angeles folk get cash grant thru 4Ps program

ANGELES CITY -- Some 711 families from 14 barangays in this city received their conditional cash grants Monday under the government's "Pantawid sa Pamilyang Pilipino Program" (4Ps).

The recipients came from barangays Capaya, Cutcut, Cutud, Cuayan, Balibago, Pandan, Pulung Cacutud, Sapangbato, Lourdes Northwest, Sto. Rosario, Pampang, Sta. Teresita, Salapungan and Sta. Trinidad.

28 Mar 011 - Mayor to represent cities league in human trafficking summit

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan will leave Tuesday for South Korea to represent the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) in the international conference on Anti-Human Trafficking.

Pamintuan said the conference, dubbed "Enhancing Human Security: Developing Local Government Capacities to Combat Child Trafficking in the Asia-Pacific Region," was organized by Jeju International Training Center (JITC) and will be held from March 30 to April 1 in Jeju, Republic of Korea.

27 Mar 011 - Education commission to close subpar nursing schools

ANGELES CITY -- Nursing schools in Central Luzon (CL) and the whole country failing to achieve satisfactory passing performance and provide adequate facilities to their students will soon face closure.

Commission on Higher Education (Ched) Commissioner Nona Rocafort, in an interview, said the commission is now looking not just on the ability of nursing schools to produce graduates that can pass the board exams, but also the various requirements on facilities and the quality of education.

27 Mar 011 - Efforts vs global warming encouraged

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has called on for a continuous campaign to protect the environment and reverse global warming.

Pamintuan said during the observance of Earth Hour at the SM City Clark Saturday night that people should always be conscious about the environment.

26 Mar 011 - Drug agency deploys K9 unit at Pampanga airport

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has deployed a K9 unit at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country.

PDEA chief Sonny Gutierrez said highly trained drug-sniffing dogs, including Belgian Malinois and Jack Russel terriers, will be stationed at the airport.

26 Mar 011 - MACCI joins senator in business, livelihood program

ANGELES CITY -- The Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MACCI) signed a memorandum of agreement with the business and livelihood program of Senator Francis Pangilinan over the weekend.

The agreement aims to give MACCI the needed funding to help finance its Executive Lecture Series for Entrepreneurs.

26 Mar 011 - 88-year-old woman dies in Pampanga fire

PAMPANGA -- An 88-year-old woman died on Friday evening after being trapped inside a burning house in Dau 1st, Lubao, Pampanga.

The victim was identified as Loreta Fernando.

25 Mar 011 - Pampanga mayor promotes Earth Hour

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has encouraged Angeleños to participate and support the Earth Hour 60-minute power switch-off Saturday night.

Thousands of cities, towns, and landmarks around the world will start to "go dark" in observance of the project for environmental protection Saturday.

25 Mar 011 - Mimosa golf group: 'No war with CDC'

ANGELES CITY -- An official of the Mimosa Golf and Country Club Association Inc. (MGCCAI) said Thursday that they are not waging a war against the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

The MGCCAI official also revealed that a possible "win-win solution" over the use of the golf course at the Clark Freeport is underway between their group and the CDC.

25 Mar 011 - Bizman dared to name names

ANGELES CITY -- Members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Pampanga has challenged businessman Renato Romero to drop the names of local newsmen allegedly under the payola lists of politicians.

"If there is anybody who has anything to say or any questions on the integrity of media, he has to come up with proofs. Magsalita siya, name names," Ceasar Lacson, columnist of the regional newspaper Punto! Central Luzon, said.

25 Mar 011 - Buy-bust nets 2 drug pushers

PAMPANGA -- Two suspected drug pushers were arrested in a buy-bust operation in San Fernando, Thursday night.

The suspects were identified as Rolly Bondoc, 43, and Rommel Manalili, 39. The two were caught in the act of selling illegal drugs in Mangga Village, San Fernando.

25 Mar 011 - Air Asia Philippines based in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT -- AirAsia Incorporated, the Philippine-based affiliate of the AirAsia Group, has chosen Clark as its hub in the country.

The airline, which announced its set up last December, will be basing its operations at Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. The airline plans to start operating international flights from the airport in the fourth quarter of this year.

24 Mar 011 - Fire razes abandoned house at posh village

ANGELES CITY -- An abandoned house at Diamond Subdivision in Barangay Balibago here was destroyed by fire Thursday noon.

There were no casualties reported during the incident but the fire partly damage another house owned by Justice Carlos De Leon located along Misael Street.

24 Mar 011 - Risk-mapping in Central Luzon lauded

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) has lauded the Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC) for giving premium to measures that will minimize damages to life and property in case the region is hit by a natural disaster.

In a statement, SCAD chair Nestor S. Mangio cited the RDC’s plan to come up with a comprehensive hazard and risk maps identifying disaster-risk areas in the region with corresponding measures that would lessen casualties and economic losses in times of natural calamities.

24 Mar 011 - Archdiocese to mark 1st bishop’s death anniversary

ANGELES CITY -- The Archdiocese of San Fernando will mark the 50th death anniversary of Most Rev. Cesar Ma. Guerrero, D.D., first bishop of Pampanga, on Sunday, March 27 at the Carmelite Monastery here.

Auxiliary Bishop Roberto Mallari, D.D., will officiate the Mass, which starts at 10 a.m. to be followed by a memorial blessing and wreath-laying ceremonies at Bishop Guerrero’s gravesite, also at the Carmelite Monastery.

23 Mar 011 - Caretaker kills fishpond employer

PAMPANGA -- A female fishpond caretaker suspected to be mentally unstable stabbed and hacked her employer to death on Wednesday morning in Minalin, Pampanga province.

The arrested suspect was identified as Lolita Llanera, 44. It was Llanera’s relatives who reported her whereabouts to the police.

23 Mar 011 - Mimosa members still priority: Clark Development

CLARK FREEPORT -- An official of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) clarified Wednesday that members of the Mimosa Golf and Country Club remain in the priority list over visitors, particularly Korean groups.

The issue emanated from an alleged "confrontation" recently, where the legitimate members, through their officers, complained over the alleged favoring of the visitors over them.

23 Mar 011 - Police deny youth abduction incidents

PAMPANGA -- A top police official denied reports of kidnapping cases, particularly of those eight years old and below, across Pampanga.

Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, provincial police director, said he has ordered chiefs of police to verify the reports but found these as false.

23 Mar 011 - Cops tag 6 persons in P800,000 spa robbery

ANGELES CITY -- The city police charged at least six persons involved in a recent robbery incident where some P820,000 worth of cash and other valuables were stolen.

Chief Inspector Luisito M. Tan, Police Station 4 commander, said they filed "robbery with intimidation against person" against Philip Deniega Santos of San Juan City and his five companions last Tuesday.

23 Mar 011 - Talks underway for new public market in Mabalacat

MABALACAT -- Mayor Marino Morales said the local government of Mabalacat is now negotiating with a land owner for the acquisition of an area that will be used for the proposed new Mabalacat Public Market.

"We are now negotiating with the Hizon family for the possible acquisition of a land along the MacArthur Highway in Barangay Mabiga, where the proposed Public Market will rise," said Morales.

23 Mar 011 - Towns bare post Pinatubo rehab efforts

PAMPANGA -- Four towns in Pampanga continued rehabilitation plans on flood and watershed management and land use 20 years after the massive destruction caused by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo here.

In Bacolor town, the rehabilitation of the Pasig-Potrero Flood Control System, the Gugu Creek and other local drainage systems were included as priority projects under the approved Bacolor Rehabilitation Council Act or Republic Act 9506.

23 Mar 011 - Chamber holds consultative meeting with mayor

ANGELES CITY -- Members and officers of the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Macci) held a consultative meeting with Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan at the Angeles Business Center, Nepo Commercial Center over the weekend.

Macci president Frankie Villanueva said the meeting was aimed at discussing the various issues and concerns of the business community in the Metro Angeles area.

22 Mar 011 - Inclusion of earthquake, bridge engineering in curriculum urged

PAMPANGA -- Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. has called on the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to include earthquake and bridge engineering in the curriculum of engineering students.

Gonzales said the inclusion of the two subject areas would greatly improve the knowledge of future engineers in creating building designs that are resistant to earthquakes.

22 Mar 011 - Loyal City Hall employees recognized

ANGELES CITY -- The City Government here has recognized the service rendered by its long-time employees and officials by giving loyalty awards during a ceremony on March 21 at the Sangguniang Panglungsod session hall.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan handed out certificates of loyalty in service awards to 131 city workers. The awardees were divided into three categories: bronze for 10 years of service, silver for 15 years, and gold for 30 years and above.

22 Mar 011 - Public warned vs fake narcotics agents

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday warned the public against persons posing as members or agents of the anti-drug groups, fraudulently using the agency’s name to soliciting funds from government and private offices.

PDEA Director General Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. reiterated the warning amid numerous reports reaching the PDEA National Headquarters about the nefarious activities of groups such as the Philippine Anti-Drug Support Group Inc. led by a certain Police Supt. Romeo Valdez Bello.

21 Mar 011 - Guv turns over new vehicles for police

PAMPANGA -- Governor Lilia Pineda led the inauguration of a new Tactical Operations Center for the Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPPO) on Monday and turned over 21 motorcycle patrol units for municipal stations in the province.

The governor, accompanied by Central Luzon Police Director Allan Purisima and Pampanga Provincial Director Edgardo Tinio, said the new Tactical Operations Center is equipped with surveillance monitors of different thoroughfares in the province.

21 Mar 011 - City acquires rescue vehicles, equipment

ANGELES CITY -- The City Government has acquired rescue vehicles and equipment to improve its capability in responding in times of disasters.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, along with City Council members, presented the vehicles and other rescue equipment during Monday's flag-raising ceremony at City Hall.

21 Mar 011 - Info-tech provider gets ISO certification

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Comclark Network and Technology Corporation (Comclark) has been recently awarded the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems Certification.

Comclark is a Pampanga-based Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services and solutions provider.

21 Mar 011 - Quota Pampanga holds free bone scanning for AC women

ANGELES CITY -- Some 100 women from this city benefited in the free bone scanning program sponsored by Quota International of Pampanga at the Francisco G. Nepomuceno Memorial High School here on Monday.

The free bone scanning is part of the group's line-up of events in celebration of the National Women's Month. The event was made possible through the help of Anlene Bone Health Check Centre and Barangay Tabun chairman Alma Mercado.

21 Mar 011 - Couple using minor to sell drug nabbed

PAMPANGA -- A couple who was found using a minor to sell drugs was arrested over the weekend in Tarlac City.

Nasse Taha and Norhaina Macadatar were arrested at a shopping mall in Barangay Sto. Cristo in the province during a buy-bust operation conducted by local police.

21 Mar 011 - Group, parishes express opposition vs RH bill

PAMPANGA -- The church group Families Against Reproductive Health (RH) Bill and various parishes in Pampanga and Angeles City expressed their opposition to the controversial measure on Monday.

The group staged a provincial call for action against the proposed bill by posting anti-RH bill stickers and distributing pamphlets to church goers since Sunday until Monday morning.

20 Mar 011 - Pampanga churches to become part of tour circuit project

PAMPANGA -- Four churches in Pampanga’s second district will form part of a tour circuit program that is expected to draw in tourists and generate employment for local residents.

This was announced by second district Representatives Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo here during the inauguration of the newly constructed Sta. Rita town hall last Thursday.

20 Mar 011 - Traders support earth balling of trees at highway

PAMPANGA -- The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) is supporting the suggestion of the Save the Trees Coalition for the earth-balling of 24 trees along major thoroughfares here.

The relocation is necessary to give way to the construction of a flyover along the Jose Abad Santos Avenue-Lazatin Boulevard intersection, which the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will undertake to immediately alleviate traffic congestion in the area.

20 Mar 011 - Groups renew call to scrap Bataan nuke plant program

PAMPANGA -- Militant groups renewed their call to the government to scrap the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) project amid a looming nuclear meltdown in Japan after it was hit by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Groups opposing the BNPP project held a protest action in Bataan over the weekend and demanded that President Benigno Aquino III dismantle the BNPP for good and scrap the country's nuclear program in the wake of the crisis at the Daiichi Fukushima Power Plant in Japan.

20 Mar 011 - Guv orders priority job matching for OFWs

PAMPANGA -- Governor Lilia Pineda has ordered the Pampanga Action Center for Overseas Filipino Workers Concerns (Pacoc) to facilitate priority matching for possible local and international employment of the 262 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who where recently repatriated from Libya.

Pineda, in a recent dialogue with the OFW workers, said the Provincial Government will be working hand-in-hand with the national government agencies like the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to provide various options and support programs for the OFWs.

19 Mar 011 - Disaster teams urged to intensify preparedness

ANGELES CITY --- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has called on disaster teams in the city to intensify their preparedness in responding to any eventualities like earthquakes and tidal wave or tsunami.

Pamintuan made the appeal to the concerned offices, including the city disaster coordinating council, during Monday's flag raising ceremony at City Hall.

19 Mar 011 - Registry system for skilled workers launched

PAMPANGA -- The provincial Public Employment Service Office (Peso), in cooperation with the Labor department, launched Tuesday the Skills Registry System (SRS) program to create a database of skilled workers for easy employment.

Governor Lilia Pineda, Committee on Labor chair Monina Laus, Peso officer Luningning Vergara and Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Regional Director Leopoldo de Jesus formally decoded the SRS program here in formal ceremonies at Max's Restaurant.

19 Mar 011 - Flying V to put up solar-powered stations in Clark, Subic

CLARK FREEPORT -- Leading independent player Flying V is set to pioneer a new innovation in the petrol industry as it plans to establish solar-powered gasoline stations.

Ramiro Villavicencio, project proponent director of the solar-powered gas station, said pilot areas will be this Freeport and Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales by mid-second quarter of this year.

19 Mar 011 - Guv calls Libya OFWs 'local heroes'

PAMPANGA -- "You are heroes of Pampanga and we thank you very much for helping in the province’s growth and development."

Thus, said Governor Lilia Pineda on Thursday as she led officials of the Pampanga Center for OFW Concerns (Pacoc), provincial Public Employment Services Office, Clark Development Corporation, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, and Provincial Cooperative Entrepreneurship Development Office in addressing the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

19 Mar 011 - Halili wants recruitment agencies duly registered

PAMPANGA -- Provincial Board member Tarcicio Halili pushes for the passage of a resolution seeking to require all recruitment agencies here to register their operations with the Provincial Government.

Halili said the resolution is in response to the call of Governor Lilia Pineda to institute measures to prevent the operation of illegal recruitment agencies victimizing locals by offering them illegal job opportunities abroad in exchange for money.

19 Mar 011 - Central Luzon records 83 human rights cases in 2010

PAMPANGA -- At least 83 cases of human rights violations in 2010 have been recorded in three provinces of Central Luzon, according to a study funded by international organizations.

The study conducted by Lawyer Al Parreño titled “Philippine Extrajudicial Killings: 2001-August 2010,” showed that there were 83 documented cases of human rights violations in Zambales, Pampanga and Bataan.

18 Mar 011 - University: Road barriers prevent accidents

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) defended Thursday the existence of steel barriers along MacArthur Highway that were installed in 2006 to curb vehicular accidents and deter over-speeding motor vehicles in the area.

In a press statement, the AUF said the barriers -- and the overpass -- were also intended to keep the flow of traffic orderly and to enforce discipline among drivers and pedestrians.

18 Mar 011 - Economist to address PamCham's 35th membership meeting

CLARK FREEPORT -- Writer, thinker and economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas will be the guest of honor and speaker of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) on March 31 at Holiday Inn Clark.

PamCham president Jim Jimenez said Villegas will be imparting an "Economic Briefing" to further stress the state of the national economy and its effects to the local industry.

18 Mar 011 - Council commends Pinay finalist in American Idol

ANGELES CITY -- The City Council here has passed a resolution commending the feat of Filipino-American Thia Megia, who ended up as one of the 13 finalists in this year's season of American Idol.

Thia, who is only 15, has roots in Angeles City, having been born to parents Cynthia Lising Megia of Barangay Sta. Teresita, this city, and Loreto Megia of Paco, Manila.

17 Mar 011 - Mayor urges traders to install security cameras

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has urged business establishment owners in the city to implement the ordinance requiring all banks, money changers, pawnshops, malls, supermarkets, and others to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

"This must be done right now to prevent cases of robbery or theft and other similar criminal offenses in their businesses," Pamintuan said.

17 Mar 011 - HAU-CON hosts 4th Narsing Cabiasa

ANGELES CITY -- The Holy Angel University College of Nursing (HAU-CON) is proud to host the fourth edition of the annual Narsing Cabiasa, the longest running regionwide nursing academic interschool quiz bee in the country.

The event will be held on March 21 at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

17 Mar 011 - HAU confers honorary doctorate on Zobel de Ayala

ANGELES CITY -- Holy Angel University (HAU), one of the country's top universities, conferred the honorary degree "Doctor of Science in Management" on Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

Zobel de Ayala, also known as Jaza and chairman and CEO of the Ayala Corporation, attended the HAU conferment rites with his father, Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, chairman emeritus of the Ayala Corporation.

15 Mar 011 - Village chair dismayed over ordinance disapproval

ANGELES CITY -- Balibago chairman Rodelio Mamac has expressed disappointment over the recent disapproval by the City Council of the barangay council’s citizen’s charter ordinance.

The barangay council on February 24 passed Ordinance Number 05-11 Series of 2011, an ordinance implementing the Citizens’ Charter of Barangay Balibago.

14 Mar 011 - High Court asked to reverse decision on cityhood

ANGELES CITY -- City Hall employees here appealed to the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its decision upholding the constitutionality of laws converting 16 municipalities into cities.

During their flag raising rites on Monday, City Hall employees wore shirts printed with "Stop the illegal conversion of municipalities - League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP)."

14 Mar 011 - All systems go for Skills Registry System

PAMPANGA -- The Labor office in Central Luzon, in collaboration with the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (Peso), will launch Tuesday the Skills Registry System (SRS) for Pampanga.

Some 505 newly-placed Pampanga Barangay Peso Coordinators from the targeted barangays, as well as different Peso personnel from all over the province tasked to handle the said program, will be present to attend an orientation to be facilitated by the Dole and Pampanga Provincial Peso.

13 Mar 011 - No cult killings in Angeles: mayor

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has denied spreading the news about the alleged "cult killings" in this city.

News about a satanic cult scouring the city - knocking on doors and apparently murdering innocent families - have placed fear upon the city residents these past few weeks. It recently spread like wildfire in text messages and social networking sites.

12 Mar 011 - Clark airport to use solar power system

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has tied up with a renewable energy company for the usage of solar power inside the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

This is part of CIAC’s industry-defining project that will make DMIA as the country’s premiere international gateway airport and a competitive services and logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific Region.

12 Mar 011 - Medical mission held

CLARK FREEPORT -- Armed with medical supplies and grocery items, the members of the Rotary Club of Balibago visited Sitio Bulacan (better known as Crow Valley) in Capas, Tarlac for a medical and social services mission.

Rotary Club of Balibago president Roger Santos said the activity is among the socio-civic projects of their group aimed at improving the health and social conditions of their target beneficiaries.

11 Mar 011 - Most wanted nabbed

ANGELES CITY -- In Magalang, Helen Santos, 25, was also arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Ofelia Pinto of the RTC Branch 60 in Angeles City.

Santos is facing violations of the Republic Act 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse" law.

11 Mar 011 - Thief caught

PAMPANGA -- In Floridablanca town, Laila Magsino-Razon, 31, a resident of Sitio Saug, Barangay Gutad, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Maria Concepcion Yumang of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 53 in Guagua.

Razon, who is facing theft charges, is the top most wanted person in Floridablanca and is currently detained at the local police station.

10 Mar 011 - 'Cult' rumors dispelled

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan of this city denied rumors circulated through text messages about cults scouring the city, knocking on doors and murdering innocent families.

The false reports have placed fear upon the citizens over the past few weeks.

10 Mar 011 - Libya repatriates urged to grab jobs from US companies

PAMPANGA -- The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Central Luzon has encouraged Libya repatriates across the region to grab the 6,000 jobs to be offered by the embassy of the United States of America (USA).

Leopoldo De Jesus, chief of the Dole in Central Luzon, said the American embassy will offer jobs from local-based USA companies during their three-day outreach program from March 18 to 20.

10 Mar 011 - Justice on Wheels rolls into Pampanga

PAMPANGA -- The Supreme Court’s mobile court program "Justice on Wheels" Thursday heard cases of inmates at the Provincial Jail and other district prisons.

An estimated 70 cases where heard, while 40 t0 50 detainees were expected to be released under the program, part of the thousands of inmates cleared during the past months.

10 Mar 011 - American found dead

ANGELES CITY -- An American national was found dead inside his apartment in Barangay Malabanias here Wednesday night.

Police identified the victim as Michael John McArdle, 50, of No. 44 Skyline Apartment 800 in Barangay Malabanias, Angeles City.

Chief Insp. Ricardo Laming of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) said there were no signs of forced entry into the victim’s apartment. The cadaver of the victim was taken to Funenaria Pangilinan for autopsy.

9 Mar 011 - Subic-Clark development firm to harmonize policies

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (Scad) is set to speed up harmonization of policies and regulations between the Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) and Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ).

Scad Chairman Nestor S. Mangio said this came in the heels of a recent meeting of the Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC), where a draft of the Central Luzon Medium Term Regional Development Plan 2011-2016 (MTRDP) was presented.

9 Mar 011 - Mayor reiterates use of fire safety measures

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan warned Angeleños to be aware of the dangers of fire, following the death of three people who were trapped inside a two-storey apartment in Barangay Santo Rosario here, Tuesday.

The fatalities were identified as Leandro Dumalo, 57, his wife Cristina, 56, and their 16-year-old daughter, Joy. The victims' charred remains were found inside the master's bedroom of the gutted apartment.

8 Mar 011 - Japanese firm to launch P800-million project in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT -- Officials of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced that a Japanese firm is set to open its P800-million expansion project here.

CDC President Benigno Ricafort said SMK Industries' expansion in Clark Freeport will double the current output of electronic products. It will boost the Freeport's hold in semi-conductor and touch panel industry.

8 Mar 011 - Pampanga chosen for water assessment project

PAMPANGA -- The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) of the environment agency has chosen Pampanga as one of the priority areas for their groundwater research project.

Aniano Torres, a geologist who heads the nine-man team from the MGB Central Office, said they have embarked on implementing the "Groundwater Resources Assessment Project" to address the issues confronting many regions in the country.

8 Mar 011 - 3 die in Fire

ANGELES CITY -- Three members of a family died after their home was razed by fire in Angeles City, Pampanga, before dawn Tuesday.

The fatalities were Leandro Dumalo, his wife Cristina and their 17-year-old daughter, Joy.

The victims' charred remains were found inside one of the rooms of a gutted apartment in Barangay Pulung Bulo.

7 Mar 011 - Police issue warning on false reports about cults

MABALACAT -- Police officials here warned the people on Monday about false reports on cults who are allegedly into manslaughter or massacre.

Superintendent Rolly Mendoza, town police chief, said there are no confirmed reports about activities of cults here and in other places.

7 Mar 011 - Bishops launch book on homosexuality

PAMPANGA -- The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) has launched a book regarding homosexuality, a Kapampangan Catholic official said.

Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto said the book "Homosexuality and the Catholic Church" was launched as a response to much-needed guidelines among young people.

7 Mar 011 - Pampanga archbishop to continue serving people, church

PAMPANGA -- Archbishop Paciano Aniceto said Monday that he will continue serving the church and its people until Pope Benedict XIII and the Vatican ask him to retire or find a replacement.

The highest prelate of the Archdiocese of San Fernando celebrated his 74th birthday in advance -- March 9, his actual natal day falling on Ash Wednesday -- at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary in this city.

7 Mar 011 - Artist league takes Pampanga to 'higher rock'

PAMPANGA -- ROCK will soon have its voice in the local theater scene as a new artists' group - Artists' League of Pampanga (ALP) - mounts a local adaptation of the popular Rock Opera "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Aptly titled "BATUIN HesuKristo," this version will open up a lot of opportunities for the development of the Kapampangan theater arts, benefiting both the local talents and the audience as well.

7 Mar 011 - Weighing scales seen to curb overloading

PAMPANGA -- Officials and members of the Pampanga Truck Owners Association (PTOA) said over the weekend that overloading by quarry trucks and other heavy haulers can be solved with the use of weighing scales.

“It is [weighing] the only method to determine if a truck is overloaded or not. It cannot be determined by volume. The law clearly stipulates that loads could really be determined by weight and not by volume,” PTOA president Arnold Liwanag said.

6 Mar 011 - South African storyteller entertains Kapampangan kids

CLARK FREEPORT -- Gcina Mhlope is one of the few female storytellers of South Africa where storytelling has been a way of life.

Storytelling was deeply rooted from the South African culture and is usually dominated by males.

6 Mar 011 - AUF Repertory Theater stages ‘Atang’

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Repertory Theater is staging “Atang: Isang Dulang May Musika” at the AUF St. Cecilia’s Auditorium here until March 17.

Written by seasoned stage and TV director Floy Quintos, “Atang” is the story of Sarswuela Queen and National Artist for Theater Honorata “Atang” de la Rama.

4 Mar 011 - Grenade found in School

MABALACAT -- A fragmentation grenade was found inside a public elementary school here on Friday morning, police said.

SPO2 Jose Almeda, commander of the Mawaque Resettlement Center police detachment, said a janitor found the explosive at an open space inside the Sapang Bibas Elementary School.

4 Mar 011 - Lazatin sponsors excellence awards

ANGELES CITY -- The search for students with exceptional ability who will be bestowed the 2011 Carmelo F. Lazatin Medal of Excellence Awards (CFL-MOE) is on.

Pampanga first district Representative Carmelo F. Lazatin, eight years ago, started the search for students coming both from public and private schools in elementary, high school and college in this city and the towns of Mabalacat and Magalang who are at par with the academic and non-academic standards the lawmaker laid out.

4 Mar 011 - Labor office, province conduct seminar for bizmen

PAMPANGA -- The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Central Luzon and the Pampanga Provincial Government recently conducted a two-day Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) for members of associations under the Negosyo King Panyulung Program (NPP).

The labor agency, along with the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCEDO), conducted the seminar to further enhance the capability of micro-entrepreneurs in improving their respective enterprises.

2 Mar 011 - Bamboo bike to create livelihood for Aetas

ANGELES CITY -- A visual artist said that his new creations -- bamboo bikes -- would provide livelihood opportunity to the Aeta communities in Porac town.

"Buying bamboo bike is creating livelihood for the Aetas," said Hermie Pineda, a visual artist-sculptor and painter.

2 Mar 011 - AUF stages Floy Quintos' Atang

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation Repertory Theater under the directorship of Professor Tony Mabesa is staging "Atang: Isang Dulang May Musika" until March 17 at the AUF St. Cecilia's Auditorium, Angeles City.

Written by seasoned stage and TV director Floy Quintos, Atang is the story of Sarswuela queen and National Artist for Theater Honorata "Atang" de la Rama.

2 Mar 011 - Ex-cop's son involved in illegal drug trade

MABALACAT -- A former police officer's son reportedly involved in the illegal drug trade was caught selling suspected shabu in Sitio Canidha, Barangay Camachiles here recently.

The town police named the suspect as Carlson Fangon, 24, single, of Purok 3 Barangay Camachiles, this town.

1 Mar 011 - Mayor: Cityhood ruling a bad precedent

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan expressed dismay over the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that favors the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities.

"We are deeply saddened by what happened. This is a bad precedent," said Pamintuan.

1 Mar 011 - Drug agency to deploy personnel in airport

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Luzon will deploy some of its agents at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) to boost its anti-drug courier program.

Ronald Allan Ricardo, regional director of PDEA, said the drug agency is looking into providing DMIA at the Clark Freeport Zone a substantial number of agents to help airport security in ensuring that no drug courier or drug mule enters or exits the country via the premiere airport.

1 Mar 011 - Garbage-to-energy plant up for study

PAMPANGA -- The Provincial Board (PB) is now studying a probable solution to Pampanga's waste woes after an American firm presented its proposal for a garbage-to-energy plant at Bliss Hotel here.

Zehira USA's Michael Jimenez said the gasification solution project uses German technology that could churn out as much as 350 tons daily into consumable energy seen to eventually solve the province's massive garbage problem, including the lack of a viable landfill.