San Fernando parallel service roads near fruition
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The creation of parallel service roads along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) is very near to realization.
Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and public works officials inspected recently sites, areas near Jose Abad Santos Avenue close to the NLEx entry and exit gates, where Councilor Alex Patio proposed to put up the said service roads.
Guv orders for Capitol compound clean-up
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Saying cleanliness and orderliness must start “from within”, Governor Lilia Pineda ordered department heads to lead in maintaining the upkeep of their respective workplaces.
The governor, hopping from one office to another, inspected the state of the Capitol compound and its premises, identifying equipment and facilities that have to be repaired and replaced.
Pampanga police laud vice mayor for ‘Kayabe’ program
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Pampanga Provincial Police Office honored Monday Porac Vice Mayor Dexter Albert David for his successful cascading of programs against drug use here.
David, who was among those awarded during the 21st anniversary of the Philippine National Police here, was lauded for the effective propagation of the campaign dubbed “Kayanakan: Yaman Ning Balen at Ehemplu Laban Queng Droga” (Kayabe).
Arayat students get P700,000 scholarship assistance
ARAYAT -- Some 502 students from the Justino Sevilla High School in Barangay Mangga Cacutud and 464 students of Camba High School received over the weekend scholarship assistance from Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. amounting to more than P700,000.
Gonzales personally turned over to Justino Sevilla High School principal Carlito Mandap the fund amounting to P451,800.
Mabalacat cops nab man with gun
MABALACAT -- The town police recently arrested a 31-year-old man who was allegedly carrying a gun in Barangay Dau here.
Alvin Estepa Bayona, a tricycle driver, of 12th Street Barangay Lakandula, this town, was arrested after he was spotted carrying a .22 caliber short gun along South Daang Bakal by police officers conducting drug surveillance in the area.
Guv vows financial assistance for cops
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Lilia Pineda assured members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pampanga of financial assistance should any of their family members undergo major operations.
The governor made the statement in the presence of police officers from the provincial office, chiefs of police from 21 towns and other personnel in uniform during the PNP’s 21st founding anniversary where she was guest of speaker.
SM City Clark joins Hot Air Balloon fest
CLARK FREEPORT -- SM City Clark’s first ever uniquely designed balloon was one of the 28 hot air balloons that filled the skies during the 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival held February 9-12 at the Air Force City here.
The balloon was checked for airworthiness inflation in Bristol, England, SM executives said.
Central Luzon among top 5 regions with most rabies cases
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- From 2005 until 2010, Central Luzon has been included among the top five regions in the country with high animal rabies cases.
Dr. Milagros Mananggit, Regional Rabies coordinator of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said that in 2005 and 2006, the region ranked second among all other regions in the country in terms of reported animal rabies cases.
Central Luzon ranked third in 2007; back to second in 2008; fourth in 2009; and third in 2010.
Irrigators, farmer groups to get P100,000 fuel subsidy
MEXICO -- Irrigators and farmer groups from different towns of Pampanga’s third district are set to receive fuel subsidies amounting to P100,000 from Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. this March.
This developed as Gonzales met with the Irrigators Associations (IA) of Arayat, Sta. Ana., Mexico, Bacolor and the City of San Fernando at the home of IA officer Ner Sambile here over the weekend.
The IA members have been complaining about the exorbitant price of fuel that they use to operate irrigation machines in their respective areas.
Members of anti-illegal drugs group increasing
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- An official from the Pampanga Police Provincial Office said Sunday that the membership of “Kayanakan: Yaman Ning Balen at Ehemplu Laban Queng Droga (Kayabe)” is continuously growing.
Police Superintendent Jhoanna Rosales, chief operations branch of the PPPO, said the total membership of “Kayabe” already reached more than 500 young individuals.
She said most of the members are elected Youth Council officials from the 15 towns in the province.
Firm stops tree cutting
ENVIRONMENT officials and the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) have stepped-up their efforts to prevent the cutting of 1,033 pine trees inside Camp John Hay.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje, in a memorandum dated January 27, ordered John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) to cease and desist from cutting and earth-balling trees relative to the ongoing development in the former US military base.
Benguet flowers still best way to say “I love you”
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Sixty-four-year-old Agnes Dampac still talks to her flowers everyday; she says it makes them grow better.
Dampac along with hundreds of flower growers in barangay Bahong is prepared for today’s celebration of Valentine’s. She proudly said most of the flowers sold in Manila today came from the province.
Broadcasters Club elects new set of officers
SOME 130 members of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) casted their votes Sunday to elect this year’s set of officers.
Harley Palangchao of Baguio Midland Courier won as president against Z Radio’s Edong Carta.
More improvements for Burnham set
EFFORTS to develop and rehabilitate Baguio’s premiere park are nearing completion.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the newly rehabilitated Burnham Park’s Rose Garden is due for inauguration on February 25 with Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez as guest of honor.
Civil Service Commission opens exams
THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) is now accepting applications for the Career Service Professional and Sub-Professional written examinations to be conducted on May 27.
Applications are being accepted at CSC Regional and field offices nationwide until April 12.
However, the application period may be closed any time before said date once the CSC Regional or field office has reached its quota.
Media demands justice for murdered colleague
BANGUED, Abra - Members of the Journalists and Correspondents Club of Abra (Jacca), an organization of local media here, continue to demand for continuing justice for the brutal murder of radio DJ Cirilo Gallardo last year and all victims of killings in the province.
The Jacca conducted a motorcade around the town proper of Bangued and Tayum and to the tomb of Sir Ciril a.k.a. Geo Rabbit and Totsyril of DWWM Spirit FM radio last January 30 in commemoration of his first death anniversary.
High school students learn disaster plans
AS PART of Baguio City National High School’s disaster mitigation measures, the school conducts drills (mostly fire and earthquake drills) from time to time in order to educate students on what to do in the event of disasters.
“During drills we practice the easiest and fastest way out of a building. Besides that, we also get to try escape or survival techniques”, says Ceasar Canutab, president of 111-Kindness, one of the sections in the year level that recently conducted an earthquake drill.
Cordi cops celebrate 21st birthday
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Cordillera police celebrated the 21st anniversary of the Philippine National Police in simple rites.
The celebration started solemnly with wreath laying rites for fallen member of the highland force led by widows of deceased Police Officers offered wreaths at the heroes’ monument inside the Camp.
Police Regional Director Magan-non lauded the efforts of Cordillera chief Benjamin Magalong for efforts to improve police service.
Award-winning filmmaker returns to Baguio City
A PRIDE of the University of Baguio (UB) is set to return to the City of Pines this February for an art exhibit and film showing that will spice up the coming Panagbenga Festival.
Award-winning filmmaker and environmentalist Eufemia “Minnie” Solomon Crouse brings her best works to UB, where she finished a technical course almost five decades ago.
The legends of Valentine’s Day
EVERY February 14, around the country and around the world, candies, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones all in the name of St. Valentine.
But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the history of this centuries - old holiday, from ancient Roman rituals to the customs of Victorian England.
The legend of St. Valentine
Frost seen this season
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The occurrence of frost in the hinterlands is expected this cold season.
But farmers are ready to counter its effects on their crops even as the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist have not received reports of farmlands affected by frost.
Provincial Agriculturist Lolita Bentres said even if frost or ‘andap’ is expected this cold month of February, she stressed frost does not cause any injury to plants.
Frost normally occurs from November to February.
It is usually experienced in Paoay in Atok, Madaymen in Kibungan and Natubleng in Buguias, said Bentres.
High Court expects Senate action on Corona's dollar accounts
MANILA (Updated) -- Supreme Court (SC) justices had anticipated the Senate impeachment court's action to keep the confidentiality of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s dollar accounts at the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank).
SC spokesperson Midas Marquez made the statement on Monday as the senators voted to abide by the High Court ruling issued last week despite the alleged P100-million bribe offered by Malacañang to each senator to defy the temporary restraining order (TRO).
4 robbery suspects arrested
POLICE arrested four men, including a minor, believed to be behind the series of robbery incidents in Davao City.
Superintendent Antonio E. Rivera, chief of the San Pedro police station, identified the suspects as Billy Manaog Albarracim, 19, of Agdao; John Carlo P. Ruta, 20, of Sta. Cruz in Agdao; James Brigol Lumen, 25, of Malinawon Village in Bangkal; and one Richard (real name withheld for being a minor). The suspects were arrested in separate operations.
P100,000 valuables lost to robbers
AROUND P100,000 worth of valuables were lost to robbers in separate incidents in Davao City on Sunday.
The first robbery victim was identified as Hazel Aliden Mendez, 32, nurse, resident of Doña Vicenta Village.
Pinoys with inactive lifestyle may develop diabetes
DUE to inactive lifestyle, Filipinos are more likely to develop diabetes, which is among the leading causes of mortality in the country.
Dr. Roy Ferrer, president of the Diabetes Philippines Davao Chapter, said Monday that patients with diabetes topped the number of admissions in tertiary hospitals in the country.
