SunStar Network News feed for Pampanga, Philippines http://www.sunstar.com.ph en-us Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:30:06 +0800 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:30:06 +0800 AS THE Christian world is united in celebration of Christmas on Thursday, children and the young once, rejoice in the merriest day of the year. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/oped/ram.mercado.first.person.html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ram Mercado First Person LAST Saturday, I had the chance to dine with Ricardo "Apu Ric" Rivera, the ever down to earth municipal mayor of Guagua, Pampanga. It was the Christmas Party of the Sangguniang Kabataan of that town. It was a festive mood among the youth or should I say, young breed of politicians. We know for a fact our lives as Filipinos won't be made complete without every corner of the nation merry making with yuletide parties. While we do not qualify to be with the same level of age as theirs, we nevertheless enjoyed their company. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/oped/dp.limlingan.the.advocate.html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 DP Limlingan The Advocate CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A businessman in this city on Tuesday questioned the assessment of his property taxes, which he was supposed to settle but was taken aback upon learning that it allegedly increased by as much as 700 percent. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/news/property.taxes.rise.by.700..html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jovi T. De Leon CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Rural Bank of Bacolor Inc. (RRBI) here has closed its doors last Tuesday, leaving its depositors wondering how they could withdraw their money. Apparently, RRBI becomes the second rural bank in Pampanga to go on a bank holiday. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/news/another.rural.bank.closes..html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ian Ocampo Flora TERESITA Barrera, 59, could not believe her eyes as she receives a plastic bag of Christmas meat products, a rarity in their household table. "Apung Tere" as she is often called, did not stop thanking the people who gave the generous gift, it was a taste of Christmas and it felt good. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/feat/christmas.gifts.bring.smiles.to.bacolor.folk.html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CHRISTMAS. Definitely the most joyous time of the year. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/24/oped/noel.g..tulabut.my.palm.notes.html Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Noel G. Tulabut My Palm Notes LAST Saturday, I had the chance to dine with Ricardo "Apu Ric" Rivera, the ever down to earth municipal mayor of Guagua, Pampanga. It was the Christmas Party of the Sangguniang Kabataan of that town. It was a festive mood among the youth or should I say, young breed of politicians. We know for a fact our lives as Filipinos won't be made complete without every corner of the nation merry making with yuletide parties. While we do not qualify to be with the same level of age as theirs, we nevertheless enjoyed their company. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/oped/dp.limlingan.the.advocate.html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 DP Limlingan The Advocate AS THE Christian world is united in celebration of Christmas on Thursday, children and the young once, rejoice in the merriest day of the year. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/oped/ram.mercado.first.person.html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ram Mercado First Person BACOLOR -- The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has commended the Pampanga Electric Cooperative (Pelco) 2 here for maintaining a 100-percent collection efficiency during the culmination of the power utility's "One Hundred Day Tactical Plan" at the Mary the Queen College here. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/24/news/power.utility.s.performance.lauded.html Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu said Governor Eddie Panlilio told her she appeared "unreasonable" regarding her handling of the claims and appeal for the back wages of the protesting sacked quarrymen of the Biyaya A Luluguiran at Sisikapan (Balas). http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/24/news/guv.to.dabu.you.appear.unreasonable..html Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A businessman in this city on Tuesday questioned the assessment of his property taxes, which he was supposed to settle but was taken aback upon learning that it allegedly increased by as much as 700 percent. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/news/property.taxes.rise.by.700..html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jovi T. De Leon CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Rural Bank of Bacolor Inc. (RRBI) here has closed its doors last Tuesday, leaving its depositors wondering how they could withdraw their money. Apparently, RRBI becomes the second rural bank in Pampanga to go on a bank holiday. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/news/another.rural.bank.closes..html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ian Ocampo Flora TERESITA Barrera, 59, could not believe her eyes as she receives a plastic bag of Christmas meat products, a rarity in their household table. "Apung Tere" as she is often called, did not stop thanking the people who gave the generous gift, it was a taste of Christmas and it felt good. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/25/feat/christmas.gifts.bring.smiles.to.bacolor.folk.html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified BETTER the devil you know than the devil you don't know. This seems to be the prevailing sentiment of Filipinos about GMA, whom they dislike (as the surveys show) but tolerate anyway, because the present gallery of possible replacements is a gallery of, well, political rogues and political freaks. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/23/oped/robby.tantingco.html Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Robby Tantingco PORAC -- Village folk at the Model Community in Barangay Pio here not only want to clean the environment but also to make something useful this holiday season and they did - by making trash into lanterns. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/23/news/porac.folk.turn.garbage.to.lanterns.html Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Amid reports he led the move in the House of Representatives in extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp), Pampanga second district Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo on Monday denied having a "hand" on the multi-party straw vote called by Speaker Prospero Nograles five months ago. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/23/news/mikey.denies.hand.in.carp.extension..html Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and a Korea-based firm signed recently a lease agreement for the establishment of a manufacturing and assembly plant for medical equipment here. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/23/news/p72.m.clark.medical.devices.plant.deal.inked.html Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Independent trucker groups outside of the province are confused as to where to have their vehicles measured and who they should recognize as president of the Federation of Pampanga Truckers Inc. (FPTI). The measurement of trucks is a prerequisite for accreditation in accordance with Ordinance 261, which is now being implemented in the province to regulate the hauling and transporting of quarry materials within the province. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/23/news/truckers.confused.about.accreditation..html Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jovi T. De Leon KAMAKAILAN, inilunsad ng Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPPO) ang "Project Twin Rider" upang sugpuin ang mga "criminals riding in tandem on motorcycles." http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/22/oped/ric.sapnu.dateline.olivas.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ric Sapnu Dateline: Olivas THERE are some things to ponder this Christmas break. Points to consider, evaluate, adopt and implement immediately after the break. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/22/oped/benjie.pangan.at.close.range.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Benjie Pangan At Close Range THE character of a people can be indicated by its festivities and public events. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/22/oped/ram.mercado.first.person.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ram Mercado First Person CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Olongapo City bagged the Presidential Award in the recently concluded Presidential Search for Child Friendly Cities and Municipalities in the highly urbanized city category. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/22/news/olongapo.mariveles.win.as.cl.s.child.friendly.lgus.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Emma C. Tabalanza ANGELES CITY -- The Commission on Higher Education (Ched) is now determined to push forward its proposal to extend by at least two years the tertiary education in the country to promote "quality education that is up to international standards." http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/22/news/ched.wants.extra.years.in.college.education.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Barangay Telabastagan once again became the Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) back-to-back champion after besting eight other entries in this year's centennial celebration of the world renowned "Ligligan Parul." http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/22/news/telabastagan.is.ligligan.parul.back.to.back.champ.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jovi T. De Leon ANGELES CITY -- It's a not-so-happy Christmas holiday for City Hall employees here. While employees of the Pampanga Provincial Government and the City of San Fernando are now enjoying their extra cash gifts of P20,000 and P10,000, respectively, the around 2,000 City Hall employees here will have to make do with a "minimal" extra cash gift. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/22/news/lgu.employees.dismayed.by.p3t.extra.cash.gift.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ian Ocampo Flora WHAT an Aslagan (sunrise) day of new beginning. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/21/oped/malou.gueco.aslagan.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Malou Gueco Aslagan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- To keep Capitol employees abreast with the latest information on disease prevention, the Human Resources and Provincial Health Offices have teamed up for the conduct of a seminar dubbed as "Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention Control" at the Capitol's Executive House Saturday. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/21/news/province.holds.seminar.on.disease.prevention.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CAMP OLIVAS -- Poor families in three villages around this camp were the beneficiaries of the "Pamaskong Handog" program of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Luzon Friday wherein they received bags of goodies. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/21/news/indigents.receive.christmas.goodies.from.cops.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified GUAGUA -- A week after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) implemented its new fare rollback, commuters here and in other parts of the province are calling on the agency to strictly implement the posting of "new fare guides" inside jeepneys. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/21/news/ltfrb.told.to.strictly.implement.new.fare.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ian Ocampo Flora CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Starting January next year, provinces, cities, and municipalities can no longer establish universities and colleges on their own. The Commission on Higher Education (Ched) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) entered into an agreement barring Local Government Units (LGUs) from establishing Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) by mere board or council ordinances or resolutions. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/21/news/lgus.can.t.just.create.colleges.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ian Ocampo Flora ON WEDNESDAY, farmers across the nation mourned as their elected representatives in Congress delivered the death blow to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) by excluding mandatory land acquisition from its coverage, even as Congress extended it for another six months after the law creating it expires on June 30 next year. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/20/oped/jun.bautista.straight.views.html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jun Bautista Straight Views ON WEDNESDAY, farmers across the nation mourned as their elected representatives in Congress delivered the death blow to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) by excluding mandatory land acquisition from its coverage, even as Congress extended it for another six months after the law creating it expires on June 30 next year. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/20/oped/jun.bautista.straight.views.html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jun Bautista Straight Views THE province's two cities - Angeles and San Fernando - are a study in contrast in their granting of the yearly cash gifts on Christmas to their respective employees. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/20/oped/editorial.html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified CLARK FREEPORT -- Some five locators here have been conferred the "Green Plaque Environmental Awards" by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in recognition of their outstanding feats of exceeding compliance requirements to national environmental standards. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/20/news/5.clark.locators.conferred.green.plaques..html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Reynaldo G. Navales CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Despite getting off the Capitol's power lines for their electricity needs at their picket line at Arnedo Park here, the protesting sacked quarrymen of the Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas) are yet to get their night differentials, terminal leaves, and cash gifts. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/20/news/protesters.backwages.remain.unreleased.html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jovi T. De Leon CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Board (PB) has returned to the Municipal Council of San Simon a resolution enacting its revised revenue code. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/20/news/san.simon.tax.ordinance.html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Chris Navarro CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Federation of Pampanga Truckers Inc.’s (FPTI) new representative to the Technical Working Group (TWG) may have to wait a little longer to be recognized. Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu on Thursday said there is a problem on the appointment and endorsement of Ariel Laxa, the FPTI's official representative to the TWG, replacing Michael Tapang of the Small Scale Quarry Operators. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/20/news/truckers.new.rep.not.known.yet.html Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jovi T. De Leon PLEASE allow me to express my gratitude to Sun.Star Pampanga for its impartial coverage of the Aldo Ning Kapampangan 2008 events. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/oped/editorial.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified THE dawn mass traditionally ushers in Christmas proper, supposedly a solemn, if not relevant, observance of the birth of the Child Jesus, the revered icon of Christians worldwide. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/oped/benjie.r..pangan.at.close.range.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Benjie R. Pangan At Close Range DEMAND for fruits, especially apples and oranges, goes up during Christmas season. Importation is almost doubled, according to a TV news report. Part of the reason for the surge in demand is the collection of twelve round fruits, a tradition said to bring good luck for the coming year. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/oped/rox.peña.e.ssue.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Rox Peña E-ssue SAN FERNANDO CITY -- People who went to the Capitol on Thursday for various transactions were surprised by the sudden “appearance” of a public assistance desk, cordoned entrance and exit points in the main entrance and closure of a door near the Assessor’s Office. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/news/capitol.goers.assail.‘assistance.desk’..html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Jovi T. De Leon SAN FERNANDO CITY -- The Regional Trial Court (RTC) here has issued a writ of preliminary injunction in favor of Governor Eddie Panlilio's plea to temporarily stop implementation of controversial quarry Ordinance 176. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/news/court.issues.injunction.vs.ordinance.176.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified SAN FERNANDO CITY -- The City Government here has approved the issuance of a P10, 000 extra cash gift to City Hall employees. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/news/city.hall.workers.get.p10.t.extra.cash.gift.salary.increase.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified ANGELES CITY -- The 1,500 City Hall employees here will receive an extra cash gift but it will be “minimal.” This was revealed on Thursday by City Administrator Bong Alvaro who said the City Government will give “extra cash gifts” but the exact amount will be revealed by Mayor Francis Nepomuceno on Friday. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/news/‘minimal’.extra.cash.gift.for.angeles.lgu.employees.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Ian Ocampo Flora THE City of San Fernando’s Ligligan Parul promises to be the most spectacular display of lights and color that the whole of Pampanga or for that matter, the entire Philippines, has ever seen. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/12/19/feat/cltv36.to.air.giant.lantern.festival.’08.live..html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0800 Not Specified