MABALACAT CITY – The Commission on Elections has dismissed the disqualification case filed against incumbent Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales.

In a Comelec order made public on Monday, the poll body dismissed the qualification case filed by former Vice Mayor Noel Castro in October 2015 for lack of verification; failure to furnish Morales a copy of the petition; and for failure to comply with the Efficient Use of Paper Rule.

Castro filed a petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Morales for allegedly making a false representation that he is still eligible to run as mayor despite having served three consecutive terms prior to the 2016 elections.

“Considering the serious procedural lapses committed by the petitioner and the mandatory nature of the same, the instant petition should fail,” Comelec said in its order.

The order was signed by Comelec presiding commissioner Al Parreno and commissioners Arthur Lim and Sheriff Abas.
Morales is seeking for another term as city mayor and is set to face Castro in the 2016 polls.• Charlene A. Cayabyab

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — An early Valentine’s Day tribute for all female employees of the local government here was held Friday at the Heroes Hall.

Dubbed “Haranang handog sa Kababaihan,” some 600 Fernandina LGU workers were serenaded by selected male employees and other local officials as a way of expressing their admiration for the invaluable contributions of Fernandinas in the city.

Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago said the activity seeks to promote gender equality and empower women for he believes that they, too, play a vital role in the growth and development of their beloved San Fernando.

“In fact, this year’s theme states: ‘Matatag na pagkakaisa ng mga kababaihan, susi sa kaunlaran,’ he added.
Chairperson on Women and Family Affairs Councilor Jack Calimlim, on the other hand, said in her speech that “every woman in this world and in this city, deserves to be loved, respected and treated fairly.”

Each Fernandina employee also received tokens of appreciation as Valentine treats.
This year’s event was realized through the efforts of the city’s Gender and Development Office in cooperation with City Human Resource Development Office.

The activity is also part of ‘Kaganapan 2016’ which marks the 15thCityhood Anniversary of San Fernando.•Marna Dagumboy-del Rosario

BALIK-TAMBALAN sina Enrique Gil at Liza Soberano sa “Dolce Amor.”

“Matagal na, ang daming nagtatanong, nag-aabang, naghihintay, kailan daw ang follow up namin sa ‘Forevermore’, kasi nami-miss na nila kami,” he says. “O ngayon, heto na, finally. The long wait is over. Ang dami nang nakapanood ng trailer at lahat sila, nagsasabing ‘We’re happy to see you back’. And yes, it’s good to be back.”

So how is it working with Liza again?
“Well, definitely, mas maganda ang working relationship namin ngayon. Mas tumaas ang level kasi mas mahaba na ang pinagsamahan namin lalo na after we did our movie ‘Everyday I Love You’ which was shot in Bacolod. Halos araw-araw, magkasama kami uli sa taping and it feels nice.”

So, are they finally, officially in a relationship?
“No, waiting pa rin ako for her to turn 18. Basta ako, I just continue to show how much I care for her. I’m willing to wait naman. Naghintay na ako nang ganito katagal, so I can wait some more.”
So, he doesn’t look at other girls anymore?

“Kailangan pa ba? May makita man ako, in eyes and in my heart, wala nang makakapantay pa sa ganda ng ka-loveteam ko.”
“Dolce Amore” is about Serena (Liza), a balikbayan from Italy who meets Tenten (Enrique), a poor boy and how love blooms between them. It started airing, as replacement for “Pangako Sa’Yo”.• Noel Montes

LATELY, political luminaries have been spewing hollowed promises to provide genuine development to the Clark International Airport like gilded demagogues – delivering a consolation of sorts to a region tired of waiting.

If any, the visceral feeling was that these traditional politicians will leave us alone anew in thin air once they are elected to public office. The likes of Senator Grace Poe and Senator Chiz Escudero, both of whom immediately walked the talk pushing for the development of the CRK after a few minutes of peptalk from former Clark International Airport Corporation EVP-COO Alex Cauguiran. There is nothing wrong with it because at least someone will hopefully heed our call.

One consolation though elated the Central Luzon region so much – the Japan International Cooperation Agency has already scrapped its proposal to construct a $13-billion international airport in central Manila Bay. The Philippine Ports Authority objected to it because it will affect shipping flow in the area. The PPA has serious problems of its own with regards to the flow of goods in the ports and the presence of an airport project in their midst was the last thing they want to see.

Good riddance! Since the proposed international airport in Sangley Point, Cavite City will be reclaimed from the sea – its safety is not assured amid the rising level of the ocean due to climate change. By the end of this century, if global climate emissions continue to rise unabated, the sea level will reportedly rise to 23 feet and will submerge 1,429 cities all over the world during high tide. These cities have a population of 18 million.

Climate Central, a nonprofit group of scientists and journalists predicted the sea level rise using a study from Anders Levermann, of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, who found that every degree of global warming caused by carbon pollution equals 4.2 feet of sea level rise.

The state-run PPA opposes the plan to build the international airport to replace the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport along the Manila Bay. JICA has no recourse but to scrap it.

Soon, Sangley Point and Laguna de Bay as potential locations for the new international airport will also be dropped given the propensity of the government not to continue the flagship projects of an outgoing government. It was reported that the feasibility for the new international airport would be completed in 18 months or over a year after President Benigno Aquino III steps down from Malacanang.

The Japanese agency tasked to finish the feasibility study said the NAIA would hit overcapacity or around 37.78 million passengers per year. By 2040, passenger traffic would reach 101.49 million. In 2015, the NAIA accommodated 36.68 million passengers while its maximum handling capacity stands at 35 million passengers a year.

After dropping central Manila Bay from the equation, we are hoping the “crazy idea” that was Sangley Point will also be junked to the dustbin of neglect.•

PROUD parents sina Niño Muhlach at Diane “Abby” Tupaz sa kanilang anak na si Alonzo Muhlach dahil bukod sa pagiging matalino nito sa school, napaka-active din nito sa school activities nito kung saan siya nakakuha ng dalawang medalya sa school intrams.

Kahit super busy si Alonzo sa kanyang showbiz career, hindi ito nagpapabaya sa kanyang pag-aaral sa La Salle-Greenhills kung saan ay nasa Kinder A siya.

Alonzo is turning 6 on February 19 at isang malaking kiddie party ang inihahanda ng kanyang parents para sa kanya.
Alonzo is currently doing the TV “Ang Panday” with Richard Gutierrez sa title role sa bakuran ng TV5 at Viva TV at regular din siyang napapanood sa Sunday show ng Kapatid Network, ang “Happy Trip” (dating “Truck ng Bayan”).

Inihahanda na rin ng Viva Films ang magiging launching movie ni Alonzo, ang remake ng pelikulang “Butsoy” na pinagbidahan ng kanyang amang si Niño Muhlach. Ito’y nakatakdang idirek ng box office director na si Wenn Deramas.

Kasama rin siya sa bagong movie na co-produced ng Viva Films at ng mega couple na sina Donna Villa at Carlo J. Caparas, ang “Miracles are Forever”.•Noel Montes

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced on Monday the release of P115.23 million in revenue shares to adjacent local government units (LGUs) that are affected by operations of the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the releases represent LGU shares for the second half of 2015.
“The current shares totalling P115 million exceeded by 9.44 percent the P105-million shares released in the same period last year. This only goes to show that our business locators, whose taxes pay for these shares, are making good,” Garcia added.

For this schedule, Olongapo City was allotted a total of P27.87 million, while Subic, Zambales got P17.17 million; Dinalupihan, Bataan, P14.47 million; San Marcelino, Zambales, P13.96 million; Hermosa, Bataan, P11.78 million; San Antonio, Zambales, P10.16 million; Morong, Bataan, P9.94 million; and Castillejos, Zambales, P9.88 million.

Garcia said the total share for the said period was P107.03 million, after deducting the mandatory 10 percent retention amount of P11.89 million, which would be refunded after two years.

Added to the total amount for the second half of 2015 were the retained shares of P8.2 million that were withheld in the second semester of 2013.

Garcia said that revenue shares for the LGUs are derived from the corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises, which is five percent of their gross revenue.

Of these, three percent goes to the national government through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), while two percent goes to the SBMA for distribution to LGUs.

The LGU shares are determined according to population (50 percent), land area (25 percent), and equal sharing (25 percent).  

In August 2010, the SBMA implemented the direct payment scheme to ensure prompt release of the LGU shares.

The LGU funds are intended to support community development projects, particularly on health, education, peace and order, and livelihood generation to enable communities near the Subic Bay Freeport to keep pace with developments in the special economic zone.• Dante M. Salvana

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda led the awarding of financial aid amounting to P2.6 million to victims of various calamities during the flag raising ceremonies at the Capitol grounds here on Monday.

The provincial government, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, provided P2.4 in million financial assistance for the relocation of 12 families displaced by the Arnedo Dike erosion along Barangay Cupang in Arayat.

“The PSWDO and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office will conduct an inspection on where the displaced families will erect their new houses upon the receipt of the financial grant,” PDRRM Officer Angie Blanco stated.

According to PSWD Officer Elizabeth Baybayan, one Enrico Dularte, who belongs to another displaced family, opted to receive housing assistance through the National Housing Authority and was awarded with the key of their new home located in Guagua town.

It was learned, another 24 families devastated by two separate fire incidents in Sasmuan last December and January were also given emergency shelter assistance.

A total of 16 families whose houses were totally damaged by the fire in Barangay San Nicolas 1st received P10,000 each, while six families with partially damaged homes were given P5,000 each.

Two families whose houses were also totally destroyed by a separate fire incident in Sta. Lucia received P10,000 each as well.

“The financial aid distributed today was sourced out of the PSWDO’s calamity fund,” Baybayan disclosed.• Angelique Tuazon-Eliseo

SO, the Commission on Elections has dismissed the disqualification case filed against incumbent Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales. The mayor’s camp surely considers this a victory, and we cannot blame them for rejoicing.

The poll body dismissed the qualification case, which was filed by former Vice Mayor Noel Castro, for lack of verification. He also apparently failed to furnish Morales a copy of the petition; and has failed to comply with the Efficient Use of Paper Rule.

Castro’s contention for filing the case was that Morales allegedly made false representation that he is still eligible to run as mayor, despite having served three consecutive terms prior to the 2016 elections.

But the Comelec sees serious procedural lapses committed by Castro, reason why the instant petition was dismissed. The order was signed by Comelec presiding commissioner Al Parreno and commissioners Arthur Lim and Sheriff Abas.

We’re sure Morales is ready – always – for whatever comes his way, after this victory. Will Castro be making other plans to discredit Morales?

MAGALANG, PAMPANGA – Anticipating the big demand in organic agricultural products for local and international markets, the Pampanga State Agricultural University has embarked on pure organic farming as an alternative revenue generating agriculture-related project.

Honorio M. Soriano Jr., PSAU President, said organic farming includes fish production (tilapia), poultry, vegetable plantation, and the raising of native chickens, pigs and buffalo inside the campus. He said the university is also propagating fruit trees specifically sweet variety of tamarind which can be found only in Pampanga.

“These are revenue-generating projects interlinked with the government food security program,” said Soriano during an interview on Monday at the Police Regional Office 3 Headquarters in Camp Olivas.

Soriano, who was guest of honor and speaker during the traditional Monday Flag raising rites, announced that PSAU has started accepting enrollees for Bachelor of Science in Food Technology (BSFT), a new course offered related to agriculture.

The PSAU is not only after the volume and quality of agricultural products being harvested inside the campus, but also sees to it that they contribute to the food security program of the government.

“We have to be active players in promoting food security not only on volume but the quality of foods we eat every day,” Soriano said.

 Soriano cited the propagation of fruit-bearing trees in a five-hectare land within the school campus, which had been planted with a sweet variety of tamarind.

As part of the propagation program, Soriano said PSAU established a plantation of sweet tamarind adopting the grafting scheme in Mindanao specifically in Sultan Kudarat, Cebu in Central Visayas, Zambales and Pampanga in Central Luzon and in Isabela province in region 2.

“We’re now in the commercialization phase of the sweet tamarind and we find it to be a million-peso industry. This is a partnership between PSAU and the host institution. Three months pa lamang marami ng bunga ang isang puno,” Soriano added.

Presently, Soriano said PSAU has more than 7,500 students taking different agriculture-related courses. He attributed the increase of enrollees to the impact of school programs and conversion of the school from a mere college to a university.

“And besides, we have the lowest tuition fee in the whole of Region 3,” said Soriano, adding that most of the students are government scholars.• Jess Malabanan

NAKAKATUWA ang kwento ni Gerald Anderson na first time raw niyang na-experience na tulugan ng kanyang kaeksena sa pelikulang “Always Be My Maybe”.

Si Arci Muñoz na leading lady niya ang tinutukoy ng aktor na habang nagsu-shoot sila ng isang scene ay nagulat na lang siya na tulog na pala ito.

“Nakatulog siya talaga. Naawa nga ako, eh. ’Yung eksenang nagde-date kami na sinabi ko na ‘kunyari lang,’ ’yung camera nasa akin, tapos ’pag… (tingin kay Arci, tulog na). Hindi ko alam kung itutuloy ko pa ba ’to. Tapos tumawa ako, tapos ginising namin siya. Sabi niya, ‘Ha? Ay sorry, nakatulog ako?’” kuwento ni Gerald.

Naintindihan naman ng aktor ang leading lady dahil nga naglalagare pa ito that time sa “Pasion de Amor” serye.
“Awang-awa talaga ako sa kanya, kasi ano na ’yun, eh, 9 ng umaga, ako segue ako sa ASAP, diretso ako, ay grabe. Ayun, first time ko na-experience sa movie na ito – tinulugan ako sa eksena. Pero okay lang, okay lang,” natatawang sabi ni Gerald.

Pero in fairness, puring-puri naman ng aktor ang kanyang leading lady dahil wala raw itong kiyeme sa love scenes nila.

“Nagulat ako dahil sobrang professional ni Arci kasi mahirap po ’yung ginawa niya, eh. Medyo daring siya talaga dito. And mahirap po ’yung eksenang sinyut namin na napakatagal din, ilang hours. Isang buong araw, ’yun lang po ang eksena namin, ’yung love scene na ’yun.

“And she did great. Sobrang ganda niya, sobrang… lahat. Ang eksena kasi, siya ’yung magti-tease kay Jake (name ng character), sa akin, so siyempre hindi ako sanay dahil sa ibang mga eksena ko, ako ’yung laging ano, pero ang masasabi ko, napakagaling niya talaga at ’yung sexiness niya, oozing. Lalabas talaga sa screen ’yan at mararamdaman po ng lahat.

“Feeling ko, ito ’yung pinaka-intense na love scene na nagawa ko at saka pinakamatagal,” pahayag ni Gerald.
Showing na sa Feb. 24 ang “Always Be My Maybe” mula sa direksyon ni Dan Villegas.• Noel Montes

FEBRUARY 13 – SM City Marilao made an early Valentine’s Day to remember as popular bands, DJs, and artists performed live to a crowd of 15,200 during the Valentine concert, “Sounds of Love”.

An ecstatic crowd showed up in droves as DJ Natalia Moon steered the energy right with her unique playlist that consisted of EDM, hip hop and chilled house music mixes.

Singer-DJ Natalia Moon gives a warm thank you after the finale number.

A young couple enjoys taking a souvenir picture.

Band artists like Silent Sanctuary and Six Part Invention gave moving interpretations of their carrier singles and other popular OPM love songs. While hearts were set ablaze as Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix teamed up and gave a fine rendition of Alden Richard’s “Wish I May”.

Silent Sanctuary gave moving interpretations of ‘Sa’Yo’
and Gary Valenciano’s ‘Di Bale Na Lang’.

Sounds of Love is one of the many exciting activities in SM City Marilao.

Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix take a selfie with their fans.

Capping off the concert was an aerial light show display, a countdown to “Forever”.•

CLARK FREEPORT – The locators of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) will hold a job fair that will offer 8,000 job vacancies to job seekers on Feb. 25, announced Rommel C. Narciso, CDC vice president for external affairs department.

With this, the CDC executives asked the support of Governor Lilia G. Pineda through the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) for the information dissemination effort up to the barangay level.

The job applicants will be hired on the spot during the Jobs Fair to be held at the Robinsons Place Events Center in Balibago, Angeles City starting from 8:30 am up to 6 p.m.

More than 100 companies that offer employment and opportunities for all jobseekers will join the “Hired on the Spot Clark Job Fair 2016”.

Narciso said that registration and skills training are free of charge with assured employment upon passing.

Also, the job fair offers free employment consultation from the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and pre-employment assistance from Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth, Pag-ibig and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Narciso added.

In addition, an on-site photo booth is available for photo IDs, and professional Linked profile picture for job applicants.

The job fair is open to all professionals, graduates, vocational graduates, under-graduates and high school graduates.

Raffle prizes will be given away to lucky job applicants.

For more information, applicants may contact Krissy, Ludy or Randy at jobs@clark.com.ph at telephone numbers (045)-499-2265 or visit the Facebook page- Jobs at Clark Freeport Zone.• MA. REINA LEN LUNA

CITY OF MALOLOS – A brighter future awaits thousands of Bulakenyo college students after receiving a scholarship grant from the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the “Tulong Pang-Edukasyon para sa Kabataang Bulakenyo”, a program of Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado that ensures accessible and quality education for the Bulakenyo youth. 
Alvarado personally handed the certificates of scholarship to 6,639 Bulakenyo college students from Bulacan State University, Bulacan Polytechnic College, Bulacan Agricultural State College and other universities outside the province, during the Scholars General Assembly held early Monday morning at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in this city.

As part of his Seven-Point Agenda, the governor said that one of his goals is to create equal education opportunity among the Bulakenyo youth and to provide them financial assistance in order to finish their studies amidst poverty. 
“Education is primarily the main element in building a strong foundation to achieve a progressive country. Ang edukasyon ang pinakamatibay na sandata ng bawat isa, lalo’t higit ng mga kabataang Bulakenyo na nangangarap na makatulong sa bansa. Ikintal natin sa ating mga isipan na ang susi sa kaunlaran ay ang edukasyon na sinamahan ng pagsisikap. Hindi tayo magsasawa na tumulong sa mga kabataang may pangarap na makaahon sa kahirapan,” the governor said.

Moreover, Catherine G. Aguirre-Inocencio, Asst. Department Head of the Provincial Administrator’s Office, said that accepted scholars are all registered Bulakenyo students who do not have a failing grade, enrolled in colleges and universities within and outside the province and do not receive any study grants from other schools, government and private organizations.

The scholarship program is divided into two categories, the Academic Scholar wherein students with General Weighted Average of 2.00 receive scholarship grant worth P 5,500 and the Educational Assistance wherein students who passed all their subjects coming from indigent family receive scholarship grant worth P3,000. 

“The financial assistance received by the scholars is only for the second semester of school year 2015 to 2016. We have also conducted renewal application last January and details for the new application will be posted soon,” Inocencio ended.•

REMEMBER the old adage: “He who has the gold rules the world.”
In the Middle East setting, the petro states hold the whole world by its neck because it has the largest oil deposit – tapped and untapped reserve – to keep all industries going all over the world for several decades more. Countries will go to war for the last remaining drop of oil in the desert oasis. Oil will also fund wars in the complicated cobweb of petro politics that continue to create tensions between the Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia and the Shiite Iran.

The ongoing war in Syria will be the final showdown between the Sunnis and the Shiites. And the situation was further complicated with the entry of foreign powers such as the United States and Russia. Add several factions such as the Hezbollah, the Kurds, the dreaded ISIS, and nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Israel, Turkey, Iran and Jordan – the cocktail is ripe for a long-drawn out war that could affect the world economy and further decimate lives.

The competing interests at play are just enormous and complicated. Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Arab world are trying to get the US to lead a possible invasion of Syria to drive out President  Bashar Al-Assad. On the other hand, Russia, Iran and the Hezbollah are funneling military support to Assad.

If and when Saudi Arabia and its allies decide to invade Syria, Russia and Iran will bomb Saudi Arabia to smithereens – from Riyadh to Jeddah, from Tabuk to the Holy City of Mecca. Saudi Arabia has to confront its own demon right at its doorstep where Shiite militants had been conducting a protracted war in the Eastern Region, where Saudi Arabia’s Shia minority is risking lives to demonstrate against the conservative monarchy. The Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia comprises less than 15 percent of the population but could inflame dissent that would topple the Sunni monarchy.

In the event of a shooting war, thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will have to be evacuated to safer grounds and there is no “safe haven” in Saudi Arabia once the nuclear heads come raining down. The Philippine government has to provide the air bridge that will evacuate all OFWs. And what do we get from this war? When the OFWs start going home they will have no jobs waiting for them, the millions of dollars they send to keep the economy afloat will also be gone, oil prices will go up, cost of living will also go up and much more.

The US and Russia should leave Syria if they cannot provide relief to the suffering people or provide peace in the volatile region. Saudi Arabia’s Sunnis and Iran’s Shiites should find peace and silence the drumbeat of war because they are both Muslim countries divided only by nationality and ethnicity. Leave the Kurds alone and let them carve their own destiny and crush the remaining ISIS militants if there is a way.

From Damascus to Basilan, the road to peace reeks with the stench of death. In the Philippines, we could not even now sign the Bangsamoro Basic Law because some recalcitrant Muslim fighters killed 44 members of the Special Action Force in Mamasapano. Belligerents have been readying the weapons of death amid the stalemate all over the world.

Peace is just elusive. It will not come during our lifetime. The frailty of those who do not wield power such as the Syrian kids who bore the brunt of massive air strikes either from Russia, US, France, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan will always remind us of the narrative of victimization. The narrative of destruction fuelled by greed, thirst for power and indifference.•

CITY OF MALOLOS – A brighter future awaits thousands of Bulakenyo college students after receiving a scholarship grant from the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the “Tulong Pang-Edukasyon para sa Kabataang Bulakenyo”, a program of Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado that ensures accessible and quality education for the Bulakenyo youth. 

Alvarado personally handed the certificates of scholarship to 6,639 Bulakenyo college students from Bulacan State University, Bulacan Polytechnic College, Bulacan Agricultural State College and other universities outside the province, during the Scholars General Assembly held early Monday morning at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in this city.

As part of his Seven-Point Agenda, the governor said that one of his goals is to create equal education opportunity among the Bulakenyo youth and to provide them financial assistance in order to finish their studies amidst poverty. 

“Education is primarily the main element in building a strong foundation to achieve a progressive country. Ang edukasyon ang pinakamatibay na sandata ng bawat isa, lalo’t higit ng mga kabataang Bulakenyo na nangangarap na makatulong sa bansa. Ikintal natin sa ating mga isipan na ang susi sa kaunlaran ay ang edukasyon na sinamahan ng pagsisikap. Hindi tayo magsasawa na tumulong sa mga kabataang may pangarap na makaahon sa kahirapan,” the governor said.

Moreover, Catherine G. Aguirre-Inocencio, Asst. Department Head of the Provincial Administrator’s Office, said that accepted scholars are all registered Bulakenyo students who do not have a failing grade, enrolled in colleges and universities within and outside the province and do not receive any study grants from other schools, government and private organizations.

The scholarship program is divided into two categories, the Academic Scholar wherein students with General Weighted Average of 2.00 receive scholarship grant worth P 5,500 and the Educational Assistance wherein students who passed all their subjects coming from indigent family receive scholarship grant worth P3,000. 

“The financial assistance received by the scholars is only for the second semester of school year 2015 to 2016. We have also conducted renewal application last January and details for the new application will be posted soon,” Inocencio ended.•

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Nine inmates were injured after a fire broke out inside the Pampanga Provincial Jail Saturday.

According to Edwin Jardinico, Deputy Warden for Administration and Supply, the fire started at 4:30 p.m. when inmates were cooking in preparation for their early Valentine’s Day celebration.

“Dahil masikip sa kusina, nag-decide yung grupo na nasa selda 12 na magluto sa gilid ng selda,” Jardanico said.
He furthered that the leak from the liquefied petroleum gas tank caused the fire.

According to the official, the injured inmates, together with a visitor who lost consciousness due to suffocation, were immediately taken to a nearby hospital.

Jardinico said the provincial jail has always been reminding the inmates that cooking outside the kitchen is prohibited.

“Actually nung pagkalipat pa lang natin dito na-foresee na natin ‘yon. Pero that time, initiative na nila ‘yon na magluto sa loob. Hindi talaga namin sila pinapayagan,” the official said.

Currently, two of the injured inmates are back inside the provincial jail while the other inmates are still admitted at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Chief Insp. Rodel Manuel, OIC-Provincial Director of Bureau of Fire Protection in Pampanga, reminded the public to “always check the LPG hose and tank to ensure that it won’t leak”.

“When leaking occurs, the cylinder should be checked and the public should not light a cigarette or electrical system like electric bulb to avoid an explosion,” Manuel added.•LIEZEL CAYANAN

ABUCAY, BATAAN – Two backriders were killed when a motorcycle they were riding on was hit by a bus along the highway in this town on Tuesday night.

Based on a police report, the victims, who died on the spot, were identified as Elet Carreon, 60, and Roberto Carreon, 15. The driver, identified as Ricardo Osias, 52, was rushed to the Bataan General Hospital in Balanga City due to serious physical injuries.  

The report said the motorcycle and the Genesis Bus driven by Rogelio Evangelista Jr. were both travelling fast northward along the Roman Highway when the bus hit the motorcycle.

The report added that the driver of the bus did not notice the motorcycle because of the bright light from vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.

Evangelista alleged that the motorcycle had no tail light.
The bus driver was taken to the Abucay Municipal Police Station as well as the vehicles involved. •Butch Gunio

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Tarlac Provincial Police Office (TPPO) recently held a feeding program for about 150 pupils of Samberga Elementary School in Tarlac City.

The program is part of the community ministry and outreach program of TPPO Community Relations Department (CRD).
SPO2 Violeta De Leon said TPPO regularly conducts feeding and other social development programs to encourage communities in supporting crime prevention and control efforts in Tarlac.

“It is very important that we strengthen police-community relations to effectively fight crime and protect the people against groups who are out to disrupt peace and order in the communities,” De Leon said.

The Provincial Office of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group likewise distributed slippers to Samberga residents. 

Groups such as 1-Ganap Organization and Philippine Information Agency also supported the outreach program.
CRD aims to operate with various sectors of the community to gain support and collaboration for police programs and activities.

By conducting community-oriented activities, said department educates and informs the public on the Criminal Justice System. •Charlene A. Cayabyab

CITY OF MALOLOS – In a bid to continuously strengthen ties among Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) from the 569 barangays towards providing excellent service, the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Public Health Office held its annual Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) Congress on February 17, 2016 at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city.

With this year’s theme “Barangay Health Workers, Kaagapay sa Kalusugan ng Bawat Pilipino”, the event aims to ensure the efficient engagement of BHWs in the delivery of different health programs, provision of updates on relevant DoH programs and issuances and development of camaraderie among them.

Highlights of the event are the launching of the Provincial Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus Control Program and Tsek-Ap by Dr. Eric Tayag.

Also, there will be a short discussion on Hypertension and Diabetes Club, distribution of first aid kit, ceremonial distribution of BP Apparatus and glucometer and AVP showing on Hypertension and Diabetes Club and other infomercial showing. 

Alvarado said that this is a fitting venue to emphasize the important role of BHWs in promoting healthy lifestyle in the community to combat the growing metabolic and non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

“Mahalagang maikalat ng mga masisipag na BHWs ang mga kaalaman hinggil sa mga pag-iwas sa mga nasabing sakit at ang tamang angangalaga sa kalusugan ng bawat Bulakenyo sa grassroots level,” the governor said.

Department Health Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin will grace the event as the resource speaker to more or less 1,000 participants.•

MANILA – Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez batted for a genuine countrywide development through job generation as he asked the government to ensure the implementation of a newly passed law providing easy credit access to small and medium enterprises.

Romualdez cited the urgent need to help the marginalized sectors, especially those in far-flung areas which he added government must help become more productive so they may improve their standard of living.

Republic Act (RA) 10744 lapsed into law last Feb. 6 after it was not signed nor vetoed by the President within the prescribed period.

“This is a welcome development, especially to our rural folk engaged in micro, small and medium enterprises,” said Romualdez, who is seeking a seat in the Senate in the May elections as a guest candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance.

PDP Laban presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has also endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Romualdez.

The law mandates the creation of local cooperatives to administer credit surety funds (CSF) to improve the accessibility of MSMEs, cooperatives, and nongovernment organizations to the credit facility of banks. The CSF is designed to provide MSMEs, cooperatives, and NGOs with more inclusive access to bank credit, and enable them to sustain growth.

Romualdez urged the government to strictly implement the provisions of the new law. “The truth is, we have plenty of laws but the problem lies in the implementation,” averred Romualdez. “I do not want to think the government will lapse into amnesia and pay lip service, which unfortunately always seems to be the case,” added Romualdez. •