Dahil sa biyaya ng Diyos, ang kalagayan ng ating bansa ay nagiging magandaat matatag.
The dawning of the year, it will all come together in the Mighty Grace ofthe Lord.Ang mga ipinatutupad nating reporma ay magbubunga na -- lalong mapapabutiang mga serbisyo sa mamamayan.
Asahan nating darami pa ang mga puhunan attrabaho sa mga darating na araw sa patuloy nating paglaban sa kahirapan.This is our mission: to build prosperity for the greatest number of ourpeople.
Tulungan natin ang mga biktima ng kalamidad with heartfelt compassion andgenerosity, sharing and caring for those in direst need.At sa pagsapit ng Bagong Taon, nawa’y lalo tayong pagpalain ng Poong Maykapal.Merry Christmas at Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. -OPS
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Radio correspondent survives ambush in San Jose City
A correspondent of dzMM radio station was shot and wounded by a man aboard a motorcycle in San Jose City on Friday.
Rufino “Butch” Gamboa was aboard a tricycle on his way home when he was attacked.
Gamboa, who is also a reporter for the provincial radio station dwNE , suffered two bullet wounds in his left arm and chest. He covered an affair where Nueva Ecija Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson was the speaker on Friday.
Gamboa’s son took him to the affair aboard the family’s jeepney. Gamboa, however, decided to send his son home earlier and he took a tricycle after his coverage.
The motorcycle went close to the driver’s side of the tricycle and the gunman fired successively at Gamboa.
Gamboa, though wounded, alighted from the tricycle and ran. -Anselmo S. Roque
Rufino “Butch” Gamboa was aboard a tricycle on his way home when he was attacked.
Gamboa, who is also a reporter for the provincial radio station dwNE , suffered two bullet wounds in his left arm and chest. He covered an affair where Nueva Ecija Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson was the speaker on Friday.
Gamboa’s son took him to the affair aboard the family’s jeepney. Gamboa, however, decided to send his son home earlier and he took a tricycle after his coverage.
The motorcycle went close to the driver’s side of the tricycle and the gunman fired successively at Gamboa.
Gamboa, though wounded, alighted from the tricycle and ran. -Anselmo S. Roque
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Gapan dad survives ambush; aide killed
GAPAN CITY - The bodyguard of a city councilor was killed while three persons were wounded in an ambush staged by still unidentified suspects in this southern Nueva Ecija city Wednesday morning, police reported.
Supt. Arnel Santiago, the Gapan police chief, said the security aide, Henry Manggit, died on the spot.
Brought to a local hospital were Sangguniang Panlungsod member Elpidio Rueda, Police Officer 1 Baltazar de la Cruz and another policeman, and private security escorts Nori Jacinto and Eric Fernandez.
Police said Rueda and his group were on their way home in a van to Barangay Sta. Cruz after coming from the city’s public market when they were fired on by men in a gray van.
The ambushers then sped away. -Armand Galang
Supt. Arnel Santiago, the Gapan police chief, said the security aide, Henry Manggit, died on the spot.
Brought to a local hospital were Sangguniang Panlungsod member Elpidio Rueda, Police Officer 1 Baltazar de la Cruz and another policeman, and private security escorts Nori Jacinto and Eric Fernandez.
Police said Rueda and his group were on their way home in a van to Barangay Sta. Cruz after coming from the city’s public market when they were fired on by men in a gray van.
The ambushers then sped away. -Armand Galang
Monday, December 18, 2006
P30-million bridge in Cabiao completed
CABIAO, Nueva Ecija- After a long wait, the thousands of farming families in this southwest Nueva Ecija municipality will enjoy easy access to the business community after the P30-million concrete bridge has been completed.
Rep. Rodolfo Antonino and Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco inaugurated the 150-meter bridge in Barangay San Carlos recently.
Congco said that besides direct economic benefits, residents would also benefit from faster delivery of relief goods during calamities.
In the past, she pointed out, rural villages were accessible during calamities only through boats and aircraft. She said the bridge will bring development, citing rising land prices in the area.
The town market, she said, will have greater commerce with easier transport for goods and other commodities.
Congco said the bridge is a dream come true for every child in the community.
“It has been [a long wait through] three presidents, several congressmen and mayors,” she said. Armand Galang
Rep. Rodolfo Antonino and Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco inaugurated the 150-meter bridge in Barangay San Carlos recently.
Congco said that besides direct economic benefits, residents would also benefit from faster delivery of relief goods during calamities.
In the past, she pointed out, rural villages were accessible during calamities only through boats and aircraft. She said the bridge will bring development, citing rising land prices in the area.
The town market, she said, will have greater commerce with easier transport for goods and other commodities.
Congco said the bridge is a dream come true for every child in the community.
“It has been [a long wait through] three presidents, several congressmen and mayors,” she said. Armand Galang
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Cabanatuan exec joins United Opposition
PALAYAN CITY - A local officials from this city has joined the United Opposition to run for mayor in next year's elections.
Vice Mayor Raul Mendoza reportedly bolted Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) whose chosen bet for the position is incumbent Gov. Tomas N Joson III. His political ally, Mayor Jay Vergara, is fielding a cousin, energy executive Alvin Vergara, who is coming from the outside.
Mendoza who is in his third and final term will be running in tandem with Air Force Col. Rey Garcia, according to reports.
Garcia is the flying mentor of Jude Estrada, a son of former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, a powerful opposition figure today.
Vice Mayor Raul Mendoza reportedly bolted Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) whose chosen bet for the position is incumbent Gov. Tomas N Joson III. His political ally, Mayor Jay Vergara, is fielding a cousin, energy executive Alvin Vergara, who is coming from the outside.
Mendoza who is in his third and final term will be running in tandem with Air Force Col. Rey Garcia, according to reports.
Garcia is the flying mentor of Jude Estrada, a son of former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, a powerful opposition figure today.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Caregiving center provides breastfeeding service
CABANATUAN CITY - Mothers in Nueva Ecija who are forced to leave their children for work have found relief with the formation of a care-giving program that provides day-care services to breastfeeding.
Maria Victoria Carlos, former regional training officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and acting chief of the Provincial Early Childhood Care and Development Office, said the nursing mothers who provide breastfeeding services were “properly screened and trained” for the job.
The PECCDO has created a center at the back of the old Capitol along Burgos Street, Cabanatuan City, where at least some 10 nursing mothers, along with 16 trained caregivers, attend to children of working mothers from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Carlos expressed hope the system that is aimed at “optimum growth and developments of infants” could be replicated in other areas. The program, she explained, also ensures that the nursing mothers’ own children are not deprived of proper care. Each breastfeeding mother receives P250 worth of food items that includes five kilograms of rice and canned goods.
The center that started operations on October 23 is a special project set up by Gov. Tomas N. Joson 3rd to provide assistance to working mothers who are forced to leave their children to untrained caregivers. -Armand M. Galang
Maria Victoria Carlos, former regional training officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and acting chief of the Provincial Early Childhood Care and Development Office, said the nursing mothers who provide breastfeeding services were “properly screened and trained” for the job.
The PECCDO has created a center at the back of the old Capitol along Burgos Street, Cabanatuan City, where at least some 10 nursing mothers, along with 16 trained caregivers, attend to children of working mothers from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Carlos expressed hope the system that is aimed at “optimum growth and developments of infants” could be replicated in other areas. The program, she explained, also ensures that the nursing mothers’ own children are not deprived of proper care. Each breastfeeding mother receives P250 worth of food items that includes five kilograms of rice and canned goods.
The center that started operations on October 23 is a special project set up by Gov. Tomas N. Joson 3rd to provide assistance to working mothers who are forced to leave their children to untrained caregivers. -Armand M. Galang
Monday, December 11, 2006
5-yr-old girl succumbed to suspected meningo
CABIAO, Nueva Ecija - A 5-year-old girl from Barangay San Fernando Sur here died of suspected meningoccoccemia on Monday at the Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center.
Dr. Leon de Leon, municipal health officer, said they recommended the immediate burial of the victim as her family refuses to subject the body to further test.
The victim's close contacts were also given shots of antibiotics, he said.
He stressed though that the case was not a hundred percent meningo. "Only suspected of," he said.
It was learned that the victim was rushed to a local clinic in Cabiao due to high fever but attending physician recommended the transfer to PJGMRMC "on protocol." There, the victime expired. -Armand M. Galang
Dr. Leon de Leon, municipal health officer, said they recommended the immediate burial of the victim as her family refuses to subject the body to further test.
The victim's close contacts were also given shots of antibiotics, he said.
He stressed though that the case was not a hundred percent meningo. "Only suspected of," he said.
It was learned that the victim was rushed to a local clinic in Cabiao due to high fever but attending physician recommended the transfer to PJGMRMC "on protocol." There, the victime expired. -Armand M. Galang
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Newsman killed in Nueva Ecija
CABANATUAN CITY - A local newspaperman was killed by two motorcycle-riding men in a daylight attack in Sitio Romantiko, Barangay Sta, Arcadia, Cabanatuan City on Thursday.
Supt. Eliseo Cruz, chief of the city police, identified the victim as Ponciano Grande,53, a resident of St. Nicolas Subd., Bantug Norte, Cabanatuan City. Grande, a former director of the Nueva Ecija PressClub, Inc., is also engaged in rice farming.
Police probers said Grande died on the spot. He sustained five gunshot wounds in head and different parts of his body, reportedly from a cal. 45. Grande's wife, Annie Liwag who also hosts public affairs program over radio dwJJ, was several meters away from him when the gunmen fired at him at about11:00 a.m. Thursday, investigation showed.
Responding authorities rushed Liwag to a local hospital for immediate treatment.
The suyspects were decribed as about 17-years of age and wearing baseball cups. Cruz said the couple had no known enemies.
Cruz said they have yet to establish the motive of the killing.
The NEPCI officers and members strongly condemedthe attack and pressed for the immediate delivery ofjustice.
Supt. Eliseo Cruz, chief of the city police, identified the victim as Ponciano Grande,53, a resident of St. Nicolas Subd., Bantug Norte, Cabanatuan City. Grande, a former director of the Nueva Ecija PressClub, Inc., is also engaged in rice farming.
Police probers said Grande died on the spot. He sustained five gunshot wounds in head and different parts of his body, reportedly from a cal. 45. Grande's wife, Annie Liwag who also hosts public affairs program over radio dwJJ, was several meters away from him when the gunmen fired at him at about11:00 a.m. Thursday, investigation showed.
Responding authorities rushed Liwag to a local hospital for immediate treatment.
The suyspects were decribed as about 17-years of age and wearing baseball cups. Cruz said the couple had no known enemies.
Cruz said they have yet to establish the motive of the killing.
The NEPCI officers and members strongly condemedthe attack and pressed for the immediate delivery ofjustice.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Actor throws hat into Ecija politics
CUYAPO, Nueva Ecija -A brother of actor Robin Padilla, touted as the Bad Boy of Philippine movies, is throwing a hat into the local political arena, making an early spice into the provincial political contest.
Rommel Padilla, who co-stars in various films of his brother, took his oath of allegiance to the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija before party chair and Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson. He was accompanied with Robin in the ceremonies witnessed by hundreds of residents at the municipal gymnasium in Cuyapo town where a medical mission was also being held.
Gov. Tomas N. Joson 3rd, said Padilla is eyed to run for a first district seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan even as former basketball player J.V. Yango is finishing his mandatory three-term limit.
It can be recalled that in Robin himself run for vice governor of Nueva Ecija in 1995 under Lakas-CMD as runningmate of the late Cabanatuan City Mayor Honorato Perez. Curiously, the Perez-Padilla tandem was then gunning the posts held by Balane.
Robin lost to Vice Gov. Oscar Tinio.
The Padilla’s matriarch, Eva Cariño, traces her roots at Barangay Nagmisahan, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija where their close relatives maintain residence.
The Padilla brothers immediately joined he vice governor, who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat in 2007 mid-term elections, in his tour to Talavera, Nueva Ecija where they attended a large meet of women’s groups.
Rommel Padilla, who co-stars in various films of his brother, took his oath of allegiance to the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija before party chair and Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson. He was accompanied with Robin in the ceremonies witnessed by hundreds of residents at the municipal gymnasium in Cuyapo town where a medical mission was also being held.
Gov. Tomas N. Joson 3rd, said Padilla is eyed to run for a first district seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan even as former basketball player J.V. Yango is finishing his mandatory three-term limit.
It can be recalled that in Robin himself run for vice governor of Nueva Ecija in 1995 under Lakas-CMD as runningmate of the late Cabanatuan City Mayor Honorato Perez. Curiously, the Perez-Padilla tandem was then gunning the posts held by Balane.
Robin lost to Vice Gov. Oscar Tinio.
The Padilla’s matriarch, Eva Cariño, traces her roots at Barangay Nagmisahan, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija where their close relatives maintain residence.
The Padilla brothers immediately joined he vice governor, who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat in 2007 mid-term elections, in his tour to Talavera, Nueva Ecija where they attended a large meet of women’s groups.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Aurora takes spotlight in tourism fair
CLARKFIELD, Pampanga - They came, they saw and they were conquered.
The province of Aurora, one of the country's poorest provinces, surpirisingly took the spotlight with a spectacular presentation that captivated foreign and local tourists which gathered for the laucnh of the three-day 1st North philippines International Tourism Fair at the Events Center of SM-Clark here on Friday.
Some 40 students of the Baler National High School (BNHS), accompanied by a marching band enlivened the event with streetdancing depicting the famous Baler Coco-Sabutan Festival to chants of "Aurora lalawigang itinatag ng galing at sipag (Aurora a province founded on excellence and industry)" as the audience watched in awe.
The students, clad in multi-color costumes, were apparently inspired by the presence of Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Vice Governor Annabelle Tangson who were both visibly elated on seeing the students perfrom.
Angara-Castillo said the province was once tapped by the organizers to render the streetdance of all the provinces comprising the three regions and CAR. "Considering that this is an international tourism fair and this is the first to be held in northern Philippines, this is s big honor for the province of Aurora. This is huge," she said. -Armand M. Galang
The province of Aurora, one of the country's poorest provinces, surpirisingly took the spotlight with a spectacular presentation that captivated foreign and local tourists which gathered for the laucnh of the three-day 1st North philippines International Tourism Fair at the Events Center of SM-Clark here on Friday.
Some 40 students of the Baler National High School (BNHS), accompanied by a marching band enlivened the event with streetdancing depicting the famous Baler Coco-Sabutan Festival to chants of "Aurora lalawigang itinatag ng galing at sipag (Aurora a province founded on excellence and industry)" as the audience watched in awe.
The students, clad in multi-color costumes, were apparently inspired by the presence of Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Vice Governor Annabelle Tangson who were both visibly elated on seeing the students perfrom.
Angara-Castillo said the province was once tapped by the organizers to render the streetdance of all the provinces comprising the three regions and CAR. "Considering that this is an international tourism fair and this is the first to be held in northern Philippines, this is s big honor for the province of Aurora. This is huge," she said. -Armand M. Galang
"Pacman" to help fans' families
CABANATUAN CITY - The team of the "People's Champion" Manny Pacquiao has pledged to extend relief assistance to two avid fans who were electrocuted, while viewing the Pacquiao vs. Marquez fight 3 on Sunday, Nov. 19 here.
Buboy Fernandez, trainer and best friend of Pacquiao, has reportedly conveyed to the family of the two victims that the Pacquiao Team will undertake the payment of the hospital bills of the two, as well as the funeral expenses of the deceased victim, Jaypee Robles, who died four days from release at the Premiere general hospital here.
Jaypee Robles, 21, and his friend Joey Mallare, 19, both farmers, both residents of Purok 7, Talipapa Norte, this city, sustained third degree burns as a result of electrocution.They were watching the Manny Pacquiao vs. Eric "El Terible" Morales fight on TV at a friend's house in Barangay Pamaldan.Unable to enjoy the fight due to poor reception of the images on the TV set they were watching, the two young men volunteered to fix the antenna by manually altering the iron pole holding the antenna.
Once the cable wires supporting the police were removed, the two moved the antenna to higher ground.However, in the excitement to view the fight and at the same time get a favorable directional setting of the antenna, the iron pole leaned back and landed on a live wire strung nearby which resulted in the electrocution of the two friends.
Mallare's nape, fingers and toes suffered severe burns, while Robles's side of the body, buttocks, fingers, arms and breasts were also severely burned.The victim's families have appealed on TV the other day for assistance from Pacquiao. - MAGTANGGOL C. VILAR
Buboy Fernandez, trainer and best friend of Pacquiao, has reportedly conveyed to the family of the two victims that the Pacquiao Team will undertake the payment of the hospital bills of the two, as well as the funeral expenses of the deceased victim, Jaypee Robles, who died four days from release at the Premiere general hospital here.
Jaypee Robles, 21, and his friend Joey Mallare, 19, both farmers, both residents of Purok 7, Talipapa Norte, this city, sustained third degree burns as a result of electrocution.They were watching the Manny Pacquiao vs. Eric "El Terible" Morales fight on TV at a friend's house in Barangay Pamaldan.Unable to enjoy the fight due to poor reception of the images on the TV set they were watching, the two young men volunteered to fix the antenna by manually altering the iron pole holding the antenna.
Once the cable wires supporting the police were removed, the two moved the antenna to higher ground.However, in the excitement to view the fight and at the same time get a favorable directional setting of the antenna, the iron pole leaned back and landed on a live wire strung nearby which resulted in the electrocution of the two friends.
Mallare's nape, fingers and toes suffered severe burns, while Robles's side of the body, buttocks, fingers, arms and breasts were also severely burned.The victim's families have appealed on TV the other day for assistance from Pacquiao. - MAGTANGGOL C. VILAR
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Rehabilition of waterways pushed
CABANATUAN CITY - The National Irrigation Administration is pushing for the immediate rehabilitation of “dead waterways” as part of a two-point measure to mitigate the effect to crops of releasing water from Pantabangan Dam in eastern Nueva Ecija.
Engineer Antonio Nangel, operations manager of the NIA-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System, said that part of the water released from Pantabangan Dam would be channeled trough the Peñaranda River Irrigation System for irrigation purposes.
In his recommendation, Nangel also pushed for the rehabilitation of the so-called Patay na Ilog, a tributary of the Upper Pampanga River in Barangay Vega, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. The rehabilitation, he added, will lessen the pressure on the Pampanga River.
This after NIA personnel talked with barangay officials in Barangay Vega who told them that the release of water had caused damages to crops in Baranggay Vega, Bongabon, prompted the recommendation, Nangel explained.
Irrigation authorities decided to open the spillway of Pantabangan Dam when the water elevation rose to 220.8 meters, nearing the automatic spilling level, due to heavy water inflows brought by Typhoon Queenie. -Armand M. Galang
Engineer Antonio Nangel, operations manager of the NIA-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System, said that part of the water released from Pantabangan Dam would be channeled trough the Peñaranda River Irrigation System for irrigation purposes.
In his recommendation, Nangel also pushed for the rehabilitation of the so-called Patay na Ilog, a tributary of the Upper Pampanga River in Barangay Vega, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. The rehabilitation, he added, will lessen the pressure on the Pampanga River.
This after NIA personnel talked with barangay officials in Barangay Vega who told them that the release of water had caused damages to crops in Baranggay Vega, Bongabon, prompted the recommendation, Nangel explained.
Irrigation authorities decided to open the spillway of Pantabangan Dam when the water elevation rose to 220.8 meters, nearing the automatic spilling level, due to heavy water inflows brought by Typhoon Queenie. -Armand M. Galang
Army vs. NPA: 3 killed
CABANATUAN CITY - The hightened campaign by the government against insurgency resulted to the killing of three more suspected New People’s Army guerrillas under a certain Ka Rasul in a daytime encounter with military forces.
Five rifles were recovered in the firefight, which happened in Sitio Lomboy, Barangay Tayabo, San Jose City, about 7 a.m. on Monday.
Lt. Col. Joselito Kakilala, commander of the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, said that about 40 fully armed rebels figured in the encounter with the soldiers led by 2nd Lt. Jover Tutanes.
The fatalities were identified as Aries del Prado alias Bosyong or Ken from Villa Marina, San Jose City; a certain Henry from Quezon, Nueva Ecija; and Mar from Mangaldan, Pangasinan.
A rebel returnee who went to the funeral parlor identified the victims, said City Police Chief Supt. Peter Guibong.
Recovered from the encounter area were two M-16 Armalite rifles and one M-14.
In a separate incident, a troop led by 2nd Lt. Tony Pilas encountered some 12 rebels about 11:30 a.m. and recovered two more M-16 rifles. Kakilala said the success of these anti-insurgency operations depends on the cooperation of the residents. --Armand M. Galang
Friday, November 24, 2006
Same names, faces in 2007 elections
PALAYAN CITY -- The same familiar names - and faces- float for the 2007 midterm elections in Nueva Ecija.
Vying, for instance, for Cabanatuan City mayoralty post are Gov. Tomas Joson III and electric firm head Alvin Vergara. Joson is running in tandem reportedly with Ramon Garcia, a former member of the city council while Vergara is planned to be with the incumbent mayor Jay Vergara, his cousin and benefactor. Joson also has a son in his ticket for the city council, according to reports.
In Science City of Muñoz, incumbent Mayor NestorAlvarez has picked his brother, Dr. Efren Alvarez from whom he succeeded the position, as his vice mayoralty tandem.
Former Mayor Manolito Fausto vows a comeback against Mayor Nery Santos, Fausto has finished three terms and had to field his wife in the May 2004 elections.
In San Leonardo town, board member Nap Interior is in fighting stance against Mayor Marvin Martin for the top post in town.
Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino Joson runs for governor this time with his nephew, senior board member Edward Thomas Joson for vice governor. They are facing third district Rep. Aurelio Umali and Joe Taruc, son of one of the dzRH's popular broadcaster, as governor and vice governor, respectively.-Armand M. Galang
Firm cuts off power supply in Central Luzon's "security command post"
FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, PALAYAN CITY - The electricity service in this camp, which hosts the 7th Infantry ("Kaugnay") Division - has been cut-off and is currently running on single generator units of 7.5 or 8 kilovolts capacities depending on the area being served.
Although the power supply was cut-off effective Nov. 1, it was only known publicly the other day on questioning by the local media here.
Only last June, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has committed to set aside P1 billion for the anti-insurgency campaign of the government.The electricity needs of this 37-hectare camp - touted as the biggest boot camp the army is operating in the country - is being provided by NEECO II-Area 2, which serves 10 muncipalities and the city of Palayan in the central Nueva Ecija area.
According to Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative - Area 2 (NEECO II-Area 2) general manager Ramon de Vera, the power supply in the camp was cut-off at the request of Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez, 7ID commanding general.De Vera said Gomez had himself requested the power cut-off as he had wanted to set the records straight as to how properly the account may be settled without compromising the operations of the various service units in the camp.Without going to details, de Vera said Gomez had partially settled the camp's P6.4-million electric bills as of September, which had accumulated over the years.
"The unpaid electric bills of the camp is now about P4-million," de Vera disclosed even as he said the general has promised to settle the full amount involved within the week.
Gomez, who assumed office here Sept. 11, vice now-retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., said that several camp commanders before him had tried to settle the account on a staggered basis, which had been approved by the power server. -Magtanggol Vilar
Although the power supply was cut-off effective Nov. 1, it was only known publicly the other day on questioning by the local media here.
Only last June, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has committed to set aside P1 billion for the anti-insurgency campaign of the government.The electricity needs of this 37-hectare camp - touted as the biggest boot camp the army is operating in the country - is being provided by NEECO II-Area 2, which serves 10 muncipalities and the city of Palayan in the central Nueva Ecija area.
According to Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative - Area 2 (NEECO II-Area 2) general manager Ramon de Vera, the power supply in the camp was cut-off at the request of Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez, 7ID commanding general.De Vera said Gomez had himself requested the power cut-off as he had wanted to set the records straight as to how properly the account may be settled without compromising the operations of the various service units in the camp.Without going to details, de Vera said Gomez had partially settled the camp's P6.4-million electric bills as of September, which had accumulated over the years.
"The unpaid electric bills of the camp is now about P4-million," de Vera disclosed even as he said the general has promised to settle the full amount involved within the week.
Gomez, who assumed office here Sept. 11, vice now-retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., said that several camp commanders before him had tried to settle the account on a staggered basis, which had been approved by the power server. -Magtanggol Vilar
Monday, November 20, 2006
Ecija gov't creates tasks force vs meat smuggling
PALAYAN CITY - The provincial government has mobilized a special team "to prevent by all means" the possible entry of allegedly "tainted" frozen pork which formed part of a smuggled P40-million pork shipment from China which disappeared on Nov. 9 at the North Harbor in Manila and mysteriously landed in some places in Tarlac and Pampanga.
In this connection, Vice-Gov. Mariano Cristino "Boyet" Joson, immediately formed a composite team - named "Hoof and Mouth Disease task force" - composed of the provincial offices of the veterinary, agriculturist, health to monitor the entry and sale of frozen meat products which might be used in processing meat products as ham, sausages and others for sale this coming Christmas season.
He had also sought the assistance of the provincial police office, under Nueva Ecija police director, Senior Superintendent Alex Paul Monteagudo, to prevent the entry here of the hot meat.
"Tayo na nga lang sa buong Asia at sa buong mundo ang hindi tinatamaan ng bird flu. Kailangang tanggihan ang ganitong uri ng pagkain na maaaring 'tainted' with animal disease," Joson stressed.
It was learned that the pork shipment had no import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry and no veterinary quarantine clearance. Consigned to the Asia Golden Arc marketing and brokered by SM Estrada, the hot cargo was earlier ordered confiscated after it was found "misdeclared as frozen mackerel." Originating from China, the shipment was stored at the Sigma Warehouse at the Harbor Center at the North Harbor I Manila after the same was seized by Customs authorities on Sept. 1. Joson had directed the personnel of the veterinary, and police offices to conduct thorough inspections of cargo trucks that might be used in transporting the hot items into the province.
Joson justified his action saying that there is a government ban on the importation of frozen meat from other Asian countries as China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, North Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam "to prevent the entry into the Philippines of the dreaded bird flu and other animal diseases."-Magtanggol C. Vilar
In this connection, Vice-Gov. Mariano Cristino "Boyet" Joson, immediately formed a composite team - named "Hoof and Mouth Disease task force" - composed of the provincial offices of the veterinary, agriculturist, health to monitor the entry and sale of frozen meat products which might be used in processing meat products as ham, sausages and others for sale this coming Christmas season.
He had also sought the assistance of the provincial police office, under Nueva Ecija police director, Senior Superintendent Alex Paul Monteagudo, to prevent the entry here of the hot meat.
"Tayo na nga lang sa buong Asia at sa buong mundo ang hindi tinatamaan ng bird flu. Kailangang tanggihan ang ganitong uri ng pagkain na maaaring 'tainted' with animal disease," Joson stressed.
It was learned that the pork shipment had no import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry and no veterinary quarantine clearance. Consigned to the Asia Golden Arc marketing and brokered by SM Estrada, the hot cargo was earlier ordered confiscated after it was found "misdeclared as frozen mackerel." Originating from China, the shipment was stored at the Sigma Warehouse at the Harbor Center at the North Harbor I Manila after the same was seized by Customs authorities on Sept. 1. Joson had directed the personnel of the veterinary, and police offices to conduct thorough inspections of cargo trucks that might be used in transporting the hot items into the province.
Joson justified his action saying that there is a government ban on the importation of frozen meat from other Asian countries as China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, North Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam "to prevent the entry into the Philippines of the dreaded bird flu and other animal diseases."-Magtanggol C. Vilar
DENR upbeat on anti-logging drive; cites support from Army, police
CABANATUAN CITY - Environment officials in Nueva Ecija are upbeat about their anti-illegal logging campaign, pinning hope on the “displayed support” from both the military and police agencies as political activities reportedly opened the gate for illicit activities in some areas.
This as Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Joselito Blanco reported on Monday the apprehension of another vehicle (DNC-583) loaded with 880 board feet of assorted lumber by joint operatives from Army’s 33rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Barangay Sinasajan, Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija.
The CIDG and 33rd MIB, led by Supt. Ferdinand Vero and Col. Leodegario dela Paz, respectively turned over the hot items to the Cenro office for proper disposition. Blanco noted that the latest apprehension was on top of the more than 7,000 bd ft illegally sawn lumber in two of Nueva Ecija’s critical areas over the weekend amid reports that the nefarious activities proliferate last week.
The troops earlier recovered 4,396 bd ft of assorted lumber in Barangay Las Piñas, Peñaranda town then in another operation, elements of theprovincial mobile group headed by Chief Insp. Nick Malazzab and DENR personnel found 3,580 bd ft in Barangay Concepcion, Gen. Tinio. Peñarada and Gen. Tinio are adjacent municipalities, southeast of Nueva Ecija and are both deemed critical in forest condition.
These areas are among places under total log ban.
This as Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Joselito Blanco reported on Monday the apprehension of another vehicle (DNC-583) loaded with 880 board feet of assorted lumber by joint operatives from Army’s 33rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Barangay Sinasajan, Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija.
The CIDG and 33rd MIB, led by Supt. Ferdinand Vero and Col. Leodegario dela Paz, respectively turned over the hot items to the Cenro office for proper disposition. Blanco noted that the latest apprehension was on top of the more than 7,000 bd ft illegally sawn lumber in two of Nueva Ecija’s critical areas over the weekend amid reports that the nefarious activities proliferate last week.
The troops earlier recovered 4,396 bd ft of assorted lumber in Barangay Las Piñas, Peñaranda town then in another operation, elements of theprovincial mobile group headed by Chief Insp. Nick Malazzab and DENR personnel found 3,580 bd ft in Barangay Concepcion, Gen. Tinio. Peñarada and Gen. Tinio are adjacent municipalities, southeast of Nueva Ecija and are both deemed critical in forest condition.
These areas are among places under total log ban.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Arroyo lauds PNP on Gringo capture
President Arroyo commended the police operatives who implemented the arrest of former military colonel and former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan.
In his statement, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President extols the operatives from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for "the hard work that led to the arrest."
Part of Bunye's statement reads:
"This is another milestonethat brings to a close a broad conspiracy to destabilize the Government andis a harbinger of growing political stability underlying steady economicgrowth.
"No one can make a mockery of the law by playing hide and seek with our lawenforcement agencies, and get away with it. We call on (former Senator Gregorio) Honasan’s companions to come out andface the music.
They will be accorded due process like any other Filipinoand there is no need for any quarters to cry persecution. Let the evidence be presented against him and let the courts decide his fate."
In his statement, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President extols the operatives from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for "the hard work that led to the arrest."
Part of Bunye's statement reads:
"This is another milestonethat brings to a close a broad conspiracy to destabilize the Government andis a harbinger of growing political stability underlying steady economicgrowth.
"No one can make a mockery of the law by playing hide and seek with our lawenforcement agencies, and get away with it. We call on (former Senator Gregorio) Honasan’s companions to come out andface the music.
They will be accorded due process like any other Filipinoand there is no need for any quarters to cry persecution. Let the evidence be presented against him and let the courts decide his fate."
Ecija govt funds RP Baseball Team for Qatar
PALAYAN CITY -- They would not allow the Baseball team to be out of December Asian Games due to lack of funds. Thus the Nueva Ecija provincial government resolved to provide P600,000 to augment the team’s funding requirement of P1.2 million.
Philippine Sports Commission Chair Ricardo Garcia and Commissioner Robert Aventajado received on Wednesday the check from Gov. Tomas N. Joson 3rd and his son, senior Board Member Edward Thomas at the provincial Capitol here.
Joson said the provincial board, headed by his younger brother, Mariano Cristino "Boyet" Joson, passed and approved the resolution to grant the 22-man RP Baseball Team P600,000 upon learning through newspaper reports that the country could not send it for lack of sufficient budget.
The team has only P500,000 while the funding requirements for the December 1-15, Asian Games at Doha Qatar is P1.2 million.
Incidentally, among the Josons’ top sports projects include the Little League Baseball where the board member who also heads the Team Nueva Ecija Foundation is the provincial chair.
“Nueva Ecija has been a province of baseball and softball enthusiasts. In town and barangay fiestas, softball games lure audience more than basketball or any other sports,” the board said.
Vice Gov. Boyet, it turned out, has been a softball pitcher for San Beda in its NCAA Junior and Senior Teams while Gov. Tommy also played with the Juniors.
“We train here grade school tots and high schoolers for Little League baseball,” the board member noted.
Garcia meanwhile said the RP Team expects to reap at least five golds in the Qatar competition. -Armand M. Galang
Philippine Sports Commission Chair Ricardo Garcia and Commissioner Robert Aventajado received on Wednesday the check from Gov. Tomas N. Joson 3rd and his son, senior Board Member Edward Thomas at the provincial Capitol here.
Joson said the provincial board, headed by his younger brother, Mariano Cristino "Boyet" Joson, passed and approved the resolution to grant the 22-man RP Baseball Team P600,000 upon learning through newspaper reports that the country could not send it for lack of sufficient budget.
The team has only P500,000 while the funding requirements for the December 1-15, Asian Games at Doha Qatar is P1.2 million.
Incidentally, among the Josons’ top sports projects include the Little League Baseball where the board member who also heads the Team Nueva Ecija Foundation is the provincial chair.
“Nueva Ecija has been a province of baseball and softball enthusiasts. In town and barangay fiestas, softball games lure audience more than basketball or any other sports,” the board said.
Vice Gov. Boyet, it turned out, has been a softball pitcher for San Beda in its NCAA Junior and Senior Teams while Gov. Tommy also played with the Juniors.
“We train here grade school tots and high schoolers for Little League baseball,” the board member noted.
Garcia meanwhile said the RP Team expects to reap at least five golds in the Qatar competition. -Armand M. Galang
Monday, November 13, 2006
PNP Chief warns politicians vs. private armies
ZARAGOZA, Nueva Ecija - "No armed private armies, please."
This was the soft refrain of the warning sounded by Philippine National Police Director General Oscar C. Calderon yesterday against politicians who will be gunning for positions come the 2007 elections.Calderon said that if the politicians should insist on putting up their own private armies they would surely be running afoul of the law and he said the police would apply the full force of the law no matter who gets hurt.
The PNP chief's warning gains special significance considering recent experiences where this province has been declared one of the Central Luzon region's election hot spots due to killings of some political personalities.He disclosed that they are having a tough time dissuading Mindanao politicians from resorting to the carrying of firearms due to the tense security situation in the area.
But, he said, the civilian security volunteers of the local politicians there are being required to be listed as police auxiliary groups.
The police auxiliary groups are being trained on the rudiments of responsibility of armed body guards securing local government officials, including the registration of firearms they are using.Calderon's appeal for sobriety in the coming elections attains special meaning since he hails from Nueva Ecija, being a native of Aliaga town, in the light of several violent incidents being linked to political rivalries in several towns in the province in the past.
Last year, however, Nueva Ecija has not been declared an election hot spot and a generally peaceful election has been held with only a few mayoral contests put to protests but has all now been resolved in the lower courts.Calderon was here where he formally graced the ground-breaking ceremony for the Zaragoza police station.Calderon was assisted in the formal ground-breaking rites by Zaragoza Mayor Teodorico Cornes, PRO3 director Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, and Nueva Ecija police director, Senior Superintendent Alex Paul Monteagudo.
Meanwhile, according to Superintendent Roel Obusan, chief of the provincial police intelligence and investigation bureau, their province-wide campaign has resulted in the confiscation of several high-powered firearms and the filing of illegal firearms and explosives possession against their possessors.
Obusan has credited the police's mobile checkpoints in their successful campaign not only on illegal firearms possession but on various street crimes leading to arrests of suspects who have led them to the arrest of notorious enemies of the state. - MAGTANGGOL C. VILAR
This was the soft refrain of the warning sounded by Philippine National Police Director General Oscar C. Calderon yesterday against politicians who will be gunning for positions come the 2007 elections.Calderon said that if the politicians should insist on putting up their own private armies they would surely be running afoul of the law and he said the police would apply the full force of the law no matter who gets hurt.
The PNP chief's warning gains special significance considering recent experiences where this province has been declared one of the Central Luzon region's election hot spots due to killings of some political personalities.He disclosed that they are having a tough time dissuading Mindanao politicians from resorting to the carrying of firearms due to the tense security situation in the area.
But, he said, the civilian security volunteers of the local politicians there are being required to be listed as police auxiliary groups.
The police auxiliary groups are being trained on the rudiments of responsibility of armed body guards securing local government officials, including the registration of firearms they are using.Calderon's appeal for sobriety in the coming elections attains special meaning since he hails from Nueva Ecija, being a native of Aliaga town, in the light of several violent incidents being linked to political rivalries in several towns in the province in the past.
Last year, however, Nueva Ecija has not been declared an election hot spot and a generally peaceful election has been held with only a few mayoral contests put to protests but has all now been resolved in the lower courts.Calderon was here where he formally graced the ground-breaking ceremony for the Zaragoza police station.Calderon was assisted in the formal ground-breaking rites by Zaragoza Mayor Teodorico Cornes, PRO3 director Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, and Nueva Ecija police director, Senior Superintendent Alex Paul Monteagudo.
Meanwhile, according to Superintendent Roel Obusan, chief of the provincial police intelligence and investigation bureau, their province-wide campaign has resulted in the confiscation of several high-powered firearms and the filing of illegal firearms and explosives possession against their possessors.
Obusan has credited the police's mobile checkpoints in their successful campaign not only on illegal firearms possession but on various street crimes leading to arrests of suspects who have led them to the arrest of notorious enemies of the state. - MAGTANGGOL C. VILAR
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