6th Ibon-Ebon Festival kicks off today

CANDABA -- A host of tourists, including Vice President Jejomar Binay and national officials are expected to grace this year’s 6th Ibon-Ebon Festival today that capitalizes on the town’s migratory birds and rich agricultural sector for its tourism attractions.

Mayor Jerry Pelayo told Sun.Star Pampanga that senators and wildlife tourists will grace the 2 p.m. opening at the Miss Earth Park here that will be highlighted by cultural performances, art exhibits and agricultural fare for tourists and local residents.

Sta. Ana’s most wanted man found dead

CAMP OLIVAS -- A notorious member of a robbery/hold-up gang who ranks No. 1 in the list of most wanted persons in Sta. Ana town was found dead in Barangay San Roque, Arayat town.

Chief Inspector Paul Gamido, chief of Police of Sta. Ana, identified the slain hood as Jose Sonny Lacanlale, 40, alias Biringkul, who was believed to have been summarily executed before he was dumped in that town.

New PamCham members, directors inducted

CLARK FREEPORT -- Twelve new members and the set of Board of Directors were inducted into the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) during the group’s 41st General Membership Meeting at the Widus Convention Center in this freeport.

The new members who were sworn into the chamber by chairman emeritus Levy P. Laus and president Marco Antonio Jimenez include Arnold Manaloto of MDK Printing, Allen Laxamana of Bank of Makati, Jeff Pradhan of Peregrine Development International Incorporated, Peter Coyuito of First Life Financial Co. Inc., Jonathan Lintag of the City College of San Fernando, John Paul Miranda of Information Technology Business Solutions, Peter Henson of Kokoburi Restaurant, Amiel Aquino of Aquino Loans Assistance, Salvador Pantig of Bluecab Enterprises, Carlos Manalili of Sumisho Motor Finance, Armando Menta of Macrologic Diversified Industries, and Rey Maria Chumera of GHL Systems Philippines Inc.

Village leader condemns arrest of flyer distributors

ANGELES CITY -- An official of the Councilmen’s League of Angeles City (CLAC) has condemned the arrest and alleged harassment of 10 flyer distributors by personnel of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

Roy Ogurida, Barangay Cutcut councilman and CLAC vice president, in a statement read on a local radio show, criticized the “Martial Law-like” arrest and reported physical harassment of 10 individuals on February 3 by personnel of the Angeles City Entertainment Promotion Office (ACEPO).

Party-list calls for strict implementation of senior citizens law

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Advocates of the Aagapay sa Matatanda (Ama) Party-list had called for the strict implementation of benefits for senior citizens as provided by the law enacted by Congress.

Linda Gaddi-David, Federation of the Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines president, Ama Partylist chairperson and nominee, said senior citizens should be given priority in government programs as they have already done their part in building a stronger nation.

More pregnant women get free screenings

LUBAO -- Dozens of indigent pregnant women from various districts of Pampanga were taken to the Escolastica Romero District Hospital here to avail themselves of free pre-natal checkups and medicines, among other health services.

Governor Lilia Pineda said she would be sponsoring the cost for the caesarian section procedures of the women recommended to undergo such by government doctors here.

Man arrested for robbing, raping ex-girlfriend

ANGELES CITY -- Nineteen-year-old suspect Jayvee Garcia was arrested by police operatives here after allegedly raping his former girlfriend in an urban barangay here.

Police reports reveal that the suspect allegedly robbed and raped his former girlfriend last February 4. The victim is a minor according to police reports.

San Fernando among top PH 'trailblazers'

THE City of San Fernando continues to make it to the roster as one of the most progressive cities, as it was named sixth among the country’s Top 20 Trailblazing Cities.

This was disclosed by Levy P. Laus, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. chairman emeritus and Laus Group of Companies chairman and chief executive officer, who said the city was included in the list by the University of Asia and the Pacific Economic and Business Club.

Guards foil attempt to ‘sneak in’ drugs at jail

JAIL guards and intelligence agents of the City of San Fernando Police on Tuesday afternoon foiled an attempt by a suspected pusher and relative of an inmate to sneak in prohibited drugs inside the Pampanga Provincial Jail.

The suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and some cash was neatly concealed inside a toothpaste tube placed in a bag of groceries and toiletries.

Jasa footbridge hailed

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The newly opened P19-million pedestrian footbridge along Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Jasa) has been hailed for being the only one of its kind in the country.

“This is one of the best footbridges that I have ever seen,” Regional Director Antonio V. Molano Jr. of the Department of Public Works and Highways said, hailing the unique design of the new facility.

Guv eyes development thru education

PAMPANGA Governor Lilia Pineda expressed belief that sustainable development in the province could only be achieved when the people are educated.

Pineda said the demand for quality and affordable education for the Kapampangans is getting bigger.

Council approves Collective Negotiation Agreement

THE City Council of Angeles approved a resolution supporting the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) of the City Government and the Association of Government Employees for a New and Dynamic Angeles City (Agenda).

Councilor Jesus Sangil said the City Government and Agenda has a standing CNA effective for three years starting May 11, 2011.

Pelayo backs Nunag for PB post

PAMPANGA Mayors' League (PML) president Jerry Pelayo has backed the candidacy of Kenneth Nunag, who is now aspiring for a seat in the Provincial Board.

Nunag is a veteran public servant in Apalit town who has been elected as a member of the Municipal Council for three consecutive terms.

Bill converting Pampanga college into state university okayed

ANGELES CITY -- The Senate has approved on third and final reading its counterpart measure of the bill that seeks to convert Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) into a state university.

The House of Representatives has been waiting for the Senate counterpart of the bill for ratification. The House version was authored by Representative Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin (1st district, Pampanga) and co-authored by Representative Juan Edgardo Angara (lone district, Aurora).

New footbridge along Jasa to be guarded

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The new footbridge along the midsection of Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Jasa) in Barangay Dolores here will closely be watched and guarded to safeguard its integrity and prevent unscrupulous parties from using it other than the purpose it was constructed for, officials said.

The world-class P19-million footbridge was formally opened Tuesday by Undersecretary Rafael Yabut and Regional Director Antonio Molano Jr. of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. chairman emeritus Levy P. Laus and president Jim Jimenez, volunteer Engr. Marni Castro, City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao and other sectoral officials.

DENR alarmed over turtle threat to fishery

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Environment authorities here expressed alarm over the proliferation of turtles, which is now threatening the population of fish and other aquatic animals in Central Luzon region.

A growing population of the invasive Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), prompted Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) authorities to create a task force to look into the animal's distribution, feeding habits and reproductive characteristics.

Vice mayor vows to continue 'magsilbi' programs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago vowed Monday evening to continue the programs and projects of the "Magsilbi Tamu" team of outgoing Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and plans to "add more" services and focus areas to the current eight-point agenda.

Ex-village leaders hit Lazatin for black prop

ANGELES CITY -- An officer of the organization of former barangay officials has vehemently criticized Representative Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin (first district) for "continuously employing black propaganda, lies and deceit."

Pepito Julian, president of the Cooperative of Former Barangay Officials of Angeles City and former chairman of Barangay Mining, said "it is another product of dirty politics Lazatin has employed in desperation over his impending and irreversible defeat come May 13, 2013 mid-term elections."

Ravales to lead PamCham economic briefing

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Chief Market Strategist Jonathan L. Ravelas of Banco De Oro Unibank Inc. will lead the economic briefing of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) on February 7 at the Widus Covention Center inside Clark Freeport.

Ravales will keynote as part of 41st General Membership Meeting and induction of new members and officers of the chamber that is expected to be attended by hundreds of members of PamCham from all over the province.

Law classifies bloggers as 'media practitioners'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The law governing the conduct of the 2013 midterm elections has classified bloggers as media practitioners.

As this developed, a group of province-based bloggers had welcomed the initiative of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) categorizing them as such.

Overseas worker shot dead in Nueva Ecija

CAMP OLIVAS -- An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman in front of the KL building in Barangay San Vicente, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija last Monday.

In a report, police identified the victim as Jacquelyn de Guzman, 26, an OFW and a resident of Freedom Park Subdivision, Barangay San Vicente, Gapan City.

Mayor 'orders' arrest of flyers distributor thru text: Rival

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has allegedly ordered the arrest of 10 individuals distributing flyers of a joint affidavit of village officials hitting the mayor for the job order employees issue here.

Pamintuan denied, however, such move, saying the camp of his rival, Representative Carmelo Lazatin, is becoming so desperate that it is resorting to all sorts of tactics to boost their “sagging image.”

Lazatin supporters file raps vs Pamintuan personnel

ANGELES CITY -- Ten individuals, who are supporters of Representative Carmelo Lazatin, have filed illegal arrest and physical injuries against personnel of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

Lazatin's supporters were arrested and allegedly harassed and threatened by Pamintuan's allies and men led by Jesse Eres, head of the Angeles City Entertainment Promotion Office (Acepo).

Mayor: 'Don't let our gains go to waste'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, in his last State of the City Address, urged his constituents to “not let our gains since 2005 to now go waste," citing the City had gone far in becoming a model city and “a habitat of human excellence.”

"Tayo ay narito upang ipagdiwang at ipagpasalamat ang kaunlaran sa Syudad San Fernando na ating naipundar at naitaguyod nitong nakaraang isang dekada at dalawang taon. Kaya nga ang tema ng Kaganapan 2013: 'Sang Dosenang Taong Kasiyahan, 'Sang Dosenang Taong Kaunlaran.' Sa loob ng panahong ito, inilunsad natin ang ating komunidad bilang isang barong syudad, at inaruga upang maging maunlad at mapayapa. Sa pamamagitan ng ating sama-samang pagsisikap, determinasyon, kasipagan, at sa tulong at kalinga ng Poong Maykapal, tayong mga Fernandino ay matagumpay na naiangat ang kalagayan at antas ng ating pamumuhay. Salamat sa inyong pagpupunyagi, ang ating Syudad San Fernando ngayon ay itinuturing na isang huwaran. Kung noong araw ay dinadaan-daanan lamang ang ating bayan ng mga naglalakbay patungo sa ibang lugar sa Luzon, ngayon ay binibigyan na ng malaking pansin at pinag-aaralan kung anong halimbawa sa pamamahala ang maaaring tularan at kung anong mga negosyo at industriya ang maaaring itatag dito" he said in his address delivered before the Multi-Sectoral Assembly at Heroes, which is a highlight of Kaganapan 2013 or San Fernando's 12th Cityhood Anniversary.

Lass from New York crowned Miss Mabalacat City

MABALACAT CITY -- A New York-schooled lass has been crowned Miss Mabalacat City last Sunday, during an elaborate coronation night that was not only star-studded but also presented the most impressive 17 finalists ever in the pageant's long history.

An aspiring commercial model and nursing student Arlyn Anunciacion from Barangay San Francisco here was crowned the first-ever Miss Mabalacat City, seven months after the town's conversion into a component city of Pampanga.

Mayor, DOST forge pact for disaster preparedness

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan recently forged a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the installation of automatic rain gauges (ARG) that will help the city in its disaster preparedness program.

Pamintuan expressed support to the project and guaranteed the help of the City Government for the installation and safekeeping of the ARG.

DHVTSU-Sto. Tomas to boost exec's education program

MINALIN -- Mayor Arturo Naguit is optimistic the establishment of the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) satellite campus in Sto. Tomas will boost this town's program in education, especially in giving opportunities to marginalized but bright students wishing to finish their studies.

Allied courses in DHVTSU eyed to serve local needs

STO. TOMAS -- Mayor Joselito Naguit said Monday that he will ask the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) to offer courses that will serve the needs of local industries and sectors in the fourth district.

He said this would greatly help in the full development of industries here that require skilled graduates in the areas of management and entrepreneurship.

Board member pushes for ‘Public Health Act’ approval

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Third district Board Member Monina Laus said Monday that she is pushing for the approval of the "Public Health Act."

This came as she expressed optimism that the same will get approved on the first quarter of this year.

Dentists celebrate Dental Health Month

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) Pampanga Chapter has started the "Dental Health Month" celebration in a simple ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol on Monday.

Dr. Josemarie Sandico, PDA-Pampanga Chapter president, said the celebration is aimed at strengthening public awareness on the importance of good oral health.