World’s largest flower discovered in Aurora forests

World’s largest flower discovered in Aurora forests CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- A team of biologists and biodiversity experts have recently found the world's largest flower, Rafflesia manillana in the thick forests of the Sierra Madre mountains in Aurora. Maximo Dichoso, executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office here, said that the Rafflesia manillana is in their list of threatened species and can be also be found in Mt. Natib in Bataan, Mt. Makiling in Laguna, Mt. Labo in Bicol, and on Samar Island Natural Park in Samar. Forester Max Millan, Jr. was accompanying a team of biologists from the National Museum of the Philippines led by Dr. Edwin Tadiosa when they found a Rafflesia bloom while surveying reptiles and amphibian inside the 5,000-hectare Aurora Memorial National Park. Millan said the flower is in full bloom, with a diameter of 17 centimeters. Considered critically endangered, Rafflesia manillana is a genus of tropical parasitic plants that do not contain a chlorophyll, and therefore, incapable of photosynthesis. Scientists estimate that there are 17 Rafflesia species distributed throughout Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, there are at least 11 recognized species of Rafflesia, four of which are found in Luzon. "The presence of such flower in the area only proves the rich biodiversity in Aurora’s forests," Dichoso said. Aurora Memorial National Park spans more than 5,000 hectares of mostly lowland dipterocarp forests in the Sierra Madre mountain range at the border of Nueva Ecija and Aurora. Rising to 1,000 meters above sea level, Aurora Memorial National Park is home to 19 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, and eight species of birds including the endangered Philippine Eagle. The park has been declared a protected area under Proclamation No. 744 of 1941 and was dedicated to the late first lady Aurora Aragon Quezon. In 2011, two species of forest mice of the genus Apomys were also discovered in the Mingan Mountains in Aurora. The biodiversity expedition found at least 304 species of plants and 142 species of animals thriving in the 17,000-hectare forests in Central Luzon’s tallest mountain, including six other plant species that can only be found in Luzon. (PNA)

DOLE recognizes Palayan City PESO

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Oct. 8 (PNA) -- The local employment office here was recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for facilitating thousands of job seekers and extending guidance to over 16,000 students, a ranking employment official here said on Tuesday. “The recognition will truly serve as an inspiration for us to work harder,” said Emmarie JP Martinez, chief of the city public employment services office (PESO) even as she expressed gratitude to the DOLE. The PESO got its first Best PESO award under component city category during the recent 13th National PESO Congress in Oriental Leyte Hotel and Resort in Palo, Leyte. This, after Palayan City PESO successfully assisted 6,212 job seekers under different employment facilitation schemes for local and overseas employment to create an astounding 109.75 percent placement rate, according to the DOLE. It also facilitated Career Guidance and Employment Coaching for more than 16,000 secondary and graduating students, the DOLE added. Martinez said that Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas is making sure that their services “are effectively delivered to our constituents.” The congress, carrying the team “PESO, Kabalikat at Gabay sa Disente at Matatag na Panghanap Buhay,” was led by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. Among other awardees were PESO Zambales, under the helm of PESO Manager and Provincial Vice Governor Hon. Ramon G. Lacbain II, again hailed as Best PESO under the 2nd Class Province Category; and the DOLE Regional Office No. 3 and its Technical Support and Services Division for Employment and Welfare which received the Department’s prestigious Secretary’s Award. (PNA)

Cabanatuan City cops arrest more women involved in illicit drugs

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Oct. 9 (PNA) –- Women, once regarded as the “weaker sex,” are getting bolder nowadays with some of them getting involved in illicit drugs activities. This cropped up as more women drugs personalities busted by the local police in separate drug-bust operations the past days. City Chief of Police Superintendent Pedro D. Soliba said that most of their recent accomplishments on anti-illegal drugs campaign involved women. "Based on the trend of our recent arrests involving drugs, there are now more women getting into illicit drug activities," Soliba said. He identified those women reportedly involved into illegal drugs as Melody Francisco, 17, single, and resident of Barangay San Josef, Sta. Rosa, Jennifer Magno y Vicente, 42, married, resident of Barangay Bantog Bulalo, this city who were arrested Monday. Confiscated from were four plastic sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu with an estimated P10,000 market value while Magno yielded two plastic sachet of shabu said to be worth P4,000. Likewise, he said the police busted Liberty Disomimba alias “Jen,” 30, married, temporary resident of Barangay Vijandre, this city, while in possession of 51 pieces plastic sachets containing shabu, and three pieces of P1,000 bills marked money. A native of barangay Tala, Caloocan city, Disomimba is suspected as a drug courier who delivers shabu to her clientele in the city. Soliba said that another woman was arrested in drug-buy bust operation on the same day. The suspect was identified as Merry Princess Quinto, 24, single and resident of Gabaldon town. She yielded 44 pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachets containing shabu. The suspects were charged with violation of Sections 5 (sale) and 11 (possession), of Article II, of Republic Act 9165, The Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)

Pantabangan given 1-mo to pay obligations to First Gen By Joann Santiago

Pantabangan given 1-mo to pay obligations to First Gen By Joann Santiago MANILA, Feb. 13 (PNA) -- The local government of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija has been given one-month starting Wednesday this week to pay its P8.7 billion unpaid bills to First Gen Hydro Corp. (FGHC). Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla on Wednesday said the deadline was agreed upon during a meeting that he attended along with Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Matias Umali, Pantabangan Mayor Romeo Borja Sr. and FGHC representatives Tuesday. He said the provincial government has donated P2 million to pay part of the municipality’s debt. Another P1 million was also donated but this will be paid next week. Also, the municipal government has paid P1.6 million and asked for a month or until March 12 to fully pay its obligations. However, the next bill will be issued February 26 wherein FGHC will be billed another P1.7 million. Petilla, however, requested FGHC representatives to reconnect the electricity connection in Pantabangan Wednesday while the debt issue is being resolved. He said the FGHC representatives agreed with the plan but “they just have to clear this up with the higher ups.” He, on the other hand, stressed that even if the power in Pantabangan was reconnected “this is just mitigating action and not a guarantee that they will have electricity in the future.” “We will continue to negotiate. This is not an energy problem but a financial and local government problem,” he said but stressed that the issue is “still my problem.” Relatively, FGHC spokesman Dennis Gonzales said a reconnection notice has been issued about 2:30 Wednesday for the municipality of Pantabangan. He, however, is not sure whether power was reconnected because there was technical problem earlier in the day. Asked until when the electricity supply will last, Gonzales said it will continue unless the local government defaults in the payment. “For the time being they have power but we will issue disconnection notice a day after the due date if they fail to pay their obligations,” he told PNA in an interview. FGHC operates the 132-megawatt Pantabangan-Masiway hydro power plant, which supplies power in the municipality. It acquired the plant from the government through an auction in November 2006. It cut off supply to the Pantabangan Electric Services (PAMES) 12 noon Monday due to the latter’s failure to pay its bill from July 2012 up to this month amounting to P8.7 million. Gonzales said PAMES’ power requirement is about 0.6 megawatt a month. (PNA) DSP/JS/ABB

Nueva Ecija bets sign peace pact

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- Novo Ecianos, in a rare opportunity, witnessed on Tuesday Governor Aurelio Umali sharing a space with First District Rep. Josefina Manuel-Joson to release a couple of doves that symbolize peace. The two were rivals in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections here. The release of doves, coupled with dozens of balloons and lighting of candles were held at the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park here as part of ceremonies for the signing of peace covenant, a campaign to ensure a safe and free elections on May 13 this year. City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara, meanwhile, had a handshake with Umali's brother, third district board member Anthony Emmanuel Umali after months of trading barbs over the former's advocacy of converting this city into a highly urbanized city which the latter strongly opposed. Senior Supt. Crisaldo Nieves, acting director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, said he felt the sincerity of "everyone" who participated the activity that started with a kilometer of "unity walk" participated in by representatives of candidates from four political districts of Nueva Ecija as well as representatives from the non-government and government organizations. "I think they were very sincere. In fact, their mere attendance is an indicator of their sincerity," Nieves said of politicians from the camps of Umali, Joson and those running as independent candidates. Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, head of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in the province, said the convergence of various political personalities and voters was "a clear expression of one desire" of every Novo Ecijano and every Filipino citizen for a peaceful life. After lighting candles, the participants then released the balloons and signed a covenant on tarpaulins in front of the crowd. In separate interviews, both Umali and Joson said their respective camps will not create any violence. "We want to assure you that our camp would fulfill the covenant," Joson said. Umali, on the other hand, said he has proved his love of peace since then. Nueva Ecija is a traditional election hot spot until the 2010 elections. It was named, however, as one of 15 provinces under priority areas by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the May 13 polls. (PNA) FFC/ZST/MEG/PS/ABB

RSOTG nets 456 guns in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG), a team to oversee preparations for the safe and free (SAFE) midterm elections on May, has netted 456 assorted firearms through conduct of checkpoint operations, implementation of search warrants and knocking on doors of gun owners in the province, a ranking police official said on Wednesday. Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario, RSOTG head, said the anti-loose firearms operations will continue even as there is no private armed group in its list yet. "All private armed groups in Nueva Ecija have been previously delisted," Rosario said. Of the figure, 50 firearms, involving high-powered and low-powered were confiscated through checkpoints and Oplan Bakal; nine were recovered in armed encounters and service of search warrants; 388 (103 high powered and 285 low-powered) were voluntarily surrendered and nine were confiscated through Comelec gun ban. Rosario asked the public to inform the team of any politicians that employ security agents or personnel since all police escorts have been recalled. "Let us all work together to show the real Nueva Ecija which is peaceful," he said. This as the Regional Police Office (RPO) replaced on Tuesday Senior Supt. Walter Castillejos as director of the provincial police. He was replaced by Senior Supt. Crisaldo Nieves in a brief ceremony held in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija. Castillejos who served for only seven months here will be brought to Camp Olivas. Nieves urged his men to serve without fear or favor. (PNA)

DOT considering potentials of Fort Magsaysay as tourism destination

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Jan. 21 (PNA)-- The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently conducted a visit here to look into the potentials of this vast military camp as one of the tourist destinations in the province. Brig. Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., commander of the 7th Infantry Division, said the recent visit of the TIEZA/DOT technical working group was highlighted with a briefing about the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation area (FMMR). With a vast area covering the FMMR, the 7th Infantry Division has come up with an idea of making it as one of the tourist destinations here due to its natural features and strategic location. The FMMR was created by virtue of Presidential Proclamation Number 237 signed on December 19, 1955 with a total land area of 44,970 hectares. It is composed of the Cantonment area, training circuit, Kalinga sa Kawal off-based housing for military personnel, jathropa plantation, National Training Center (Balikatan area), and the Libingan ng mga Bayani. During the briefing, proposed projects and activities were discussed like wall climbing, trekking/hiking, downhill mountain biking, camping, motocross riding, 4x4 off-road driving, zip-line, and horse-back riding. Other activities proposed on the coastal areas of Dingalan, Aurora as part of the FMMR include kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, jet-skiing, para-sailing, and beach volley ball, among others. During the ocular inspection of the proposed site for an eco-tourism park, it has been noted that FMMR has the potential to be an ideal tourist destination due to its vast area and natural terrain features that include mountainous areas, natural lakes, and coastal areas. The camp can be used for educational tour, sports activities like golf, mountain trekking, swimming, running and leisure walk. ”We will see the death of insurgency and the birth of peace, prosperity and development in Regions I and III”, Catapang said. “We will also make the 7th Infantry Division as one of the tourist destinations here in Nueva Ecija,” he added. Fort Magsaysay, the home of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, has a vast land area known for its eco-friendly environment. It has an amazing variety of flora and fauna enveloped by rainforest and trees. (PNA)

Ecija LGU inks pact with firm for sanitary landfill

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The city government has signed a lease agreement with a waste-to-energy corporation to put up a sanitary landfill in a 20-hectare area in this provincial capital. The lease agreement was signed between Mayor Romeo Capinpin representing the city government of Palayan and Juanito Ho, chairman of the Ecosci Corporation, a firm based in Diliman, Quezon City. The project is proposed to be set up in Barangay Imelda Valley which has been certified as an ideal site for a sanitary landfill in a joint survey conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ecosci and a resident geodetic engineer of the city government. Earlier, the city council led by Vice Mayor Moises Carmona Jr. passed Resolution 37 authorizing Capinpin to enter into a lease agreement with Ecosci for the setting up of the waste disposal facility. Under the agreement, the city government as the lessor will lease the facility to the lessee (Ecosci) for a 25-year period renewable for another 25 years at a cost of P700,000 per year. However, this could be increased to P1 million per year when the daily waste disposal has reached 73 trucks per day for 30 consecutive days. The agreement also stipulates that an expansion area of another 20 hectares will be provided for the landfill project. Capinpin said that the project, which will cost P30 million for its first phase, will absorb not only residual wastes produced by the city but the entire province as well. He said the project is in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act which stipulate the closure of open and controlled dumpsites. Lawyer Norberto Coronel, city legal officer, said the landfill project is necessary as the city government already shut down its open dumpsite in Barangay Atate. He admitted that the city now has no available disposal facility following the closure of the Atate dumpsite. Ecosci will commence excavation works in October. The Palayan sanitary landfill is the second known landfill project in the province. A similar project, worth P138-million, is also under construction in a 22-hectare site in the Science City of Munoz some seven kilometers from the city proper, which is projected to absorb up to 150 metric tons of household residual wastes in northern Nueva Ecija. The Munoz facility is expected to operate before the end of the year. – Manny Galvez

Umali asks Comelec : ‘let Ecijano voters cast vote on Cabanatuan’s HUC bid’

Umali asks Comelec : ‘let Ecijano voters cast vote on Cabanatuan’s HUC bid’ Manny Galvez CABANATUAN CITY – Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali has asked the Commission on Elections to consider allowing qualified voters in the whole province to cast their vote on a plebiscite to ratify Presidential Proclamation 418 issued by President Aquino proclaiming this city as a highly urbanized city. In a five-page letter-petition to Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. dated July 9, which was made public yesterday, Umali said that while Section 453 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 provides for the conduct of a plebiscite to ratify the proclamation, the ratification in a plebiscite by the qualified voters therein must be read and understood in conjunction with Section 10, Article 10 of the Constitution which provides that no province, city, municipality or barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected. A copy of the petition was also furnished Comelec deputy executive director for operations Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. Umali said that the province is clearly and exactly the political unit or units directly affected by the conversion of Cabanatuan into HUC because its income, population, land area and boundaries will be substantially altered and irreversibly reduced. He noted that since the land area of Cabanatuan will be deducted from that of Nueva Ecija, the province will be at a disadvantage on account of the massive decrease in its share from the internal revenue allotment which is based on land area and population. Umali said the provincial government has not been receiving taxes due it from the city government of Cabanatuan, be it taxes on sand, gravel and other quarry resources, professional taxes, or amusement taxes. Lastly, he said registered voters of Cabanatuan can no longer vote for and be voted to provincial elective positions and the provincial government shall no longer exercise administrative supervision over the city government, including its power to review all executive orders submitted by the city government and the power of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to review the resolutions and ordinances adopted and approved by the Sangguniang Panglungsod. In batting for the inclusion of all qualified Novo Ecijano voters in the plebiscite to ratify the proclamation, Umali cited existing jurisprudence, foremost of which is a July 11,1986 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Tan vs Comelec regarding the creation of a new province of Negros del Norte wherein 2,768.4 square kilometers from the land area of the parent province will be removed to create a new province whose boundaries will be substantially altered. Umali mentioned the separate concurring opinion of Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee who stated that to limit the plebiscite to only the areas to be partitioned and seceded from the province is “as absurd and illogical as allowing only the secessionists to vote for the secession that they demanded against the wishes of the majority and to nullify the basic principle of majority rule.”

DOLE RO3 achieves 100% Disposition Rate on SENA Cases

In 2011, DOLE RO3 achieves 100% Disposition Rate on SENA Cases, settles 81 % of it resulting to Php. 15.3 Million Monetary Benefits for 1,512 Workers from Central Luzon

City of San Fernando – The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLEs) Single Entry Approach (SENA) is proven and tested and hailed as the number 1 inexpensive way of settling labor disputes in Central Luzon says DOLE Regional Director Leopoldo B. De Jesus.

In his report to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, the DOLE Regional Office 3 garnered an astounding 100 percent disposition rate of the 941 SENA Cases it handled in 2011. This represented a 2-percentage point overshot of the DOLE’s annual target of 98 percent said De Jesus.

Of the total cases handled, 654 were amicably settled registering a settlement rate of 81 percent, which again overshot the DOLE’s annual target of 70 percent, where monetary claims amounting Php. 15,326,943.34 benefited 1,512 workers all over the region.

The average days for the DOLE-SENA Desk Officers (SEADOs) to conciliate and resolve the said cases with parties involved were ahead of the 30-day standard set by the SENA Program, some of which, if not settled within the day, were only settled within a few hours, De Jesus added.

In the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, for instance, Ms. May Garcia sought the help of the DOLE RO3 after her husband who was a driver for a certain construction company, was instantly killed in a self-accident while driving a transit mixer inside the Clark Special Economic Zone on June 2011.

According to Garcia, she has not received any financial assistance she very much needed from the company where her husband worked for since she had limited financial capacity to support their children.

She has exhausted every means like going to the barangay, seeking legal assistance, and the likes to get help, but it was only through the DOLE’s SENA, through the help of SENA Desk Officer, Ms. May Lynn Gozun, that was she able to receive the financial assistance she is demanding from the company. Just within two (2) hours of mediation and conciliation, the company provided the said financial assistance amounting to Php 166,000.00.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DOLE dahil sa kanilang tulong, ang hinihingi naming tulong pinansyal ay ipinagkaloob din ng kumpanya lalo na sa mga panahong pagdadalmhati sa aming pamilya” Garcia tearfully said.

“I am lauding our Regional and Provincial SEADOs for their valued efforts in keeping and sustaining industrial peace within this region. They have been equipped with the adequate training and orientation on the SENA and likewise strategically mastered the beauty and art of conciliation and mediation between opposing parties engaged in labor disputes” proudly said De Jesus.

“This year, we will further intensify our efforts, if not maintain, surpass the feat we’ve accomplished in 2011 to ensure that harmonious relationships will continue to linger between labor and management in all industries in Central Luzon. (Jerry Borja)

NE LGUs humihingi ng suporta sa publiko sa solid waste management

STA. ROSA, Nueva Ecija - Ayaw ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa lalawigan na magkaroon ng problema sa basura.

Bukod sa panganib ng baha, sinabi ni Sta. Rosa Municipal Administrator Ruben Esquejo na naniniwala ang pamunuan ng kanilang bayan, sa pangunguna ni Mayor Otep Angeles, na magdudulot ng banta sa kalusugan kung hindi maayos ang pagpapatupad ng Solid Waste Management Act.

Ito rin ang dahilan kaya nagsagawa ng patimpalak nitong Disyembre ang bawat tanggapan ng kanilang munisipiyo gamit ang mga luma o ni-recycle na materyales gaya ng kutsara, tinidor, bote ng mineral water at iba pa.

Nilalayon ng patimpalak na palawakin ang kaalaman ng mga mamamayan hinggil sa batas at sa waste segregation upang mas madaling makapag-kumbinsi ng mga tao.

Bukod sa kampanya, isinaayos din ng pamahalaang bayan ang kanilang materials recovery facility (MRF) upang tanggapin ang mga ni-recycle na materyales mula sa iba't ibang barangay.

Sinabi pa ni Administrator Esquejo na nagpalabas na rin sila ng mga kautusan hinggil sa solid waste management para ipatupad ng mga lider-barangay sa kanilang mga nasasakupan.

Pagkatapos ng mga kautusan, magbabarangay-barangay din ang pamahalaang bayan para matiyak na hindi makakalimutan ng mga mamamayan ang paghihiwalay-hiwalay ng kanilang mga basura.

Una rito, sa panayam ng PIA, ibinahagi ng pamahalaang bayan ng General Tinio ang kanilang naging kampanya sa solid waste management.

Ayon kay Jun Bal, executive assistant ni Mayor Virgilio Bote, bawat barangay sa kanilang bayan ay hinikayat magtayo ng sariling MRF para ang maipapadala sa kanilang landfill ay mga nabubulok na lang.

Sinabi ni Bal na nakipag-alyansa sila sa mga simbahan at mga paaralan upang mapalawak ang kaalaman sa solid waste management lalo na sa mga kabataan. (WLB/LDRP PIA-3)

DTI-Nueva Ecija warns profiteers

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Oct. 8 (PNA) --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warns to slap heavy fines and even imprisonment on businessmen found to have jacked up prices of basic commodities in Nueva Ecija.

The province has been placed under state of calamity as a result of devastation brought by twin typhoons 'Pedring' and 'Quiel' during the past two weeks.

Brigida Pili, DTI provincial director, said Republic Act 7582, also known as Price Act, provides for automatic price control when a state of calamity is enforced. p>"Our provincial government has placed our province under the state of calamity so prices should be frozen," Pili said.

"There is no reason to suddenly increase prices of basic commodities such as sardines, noodles, sugar and the likes," Pili said, adding most retailers have these supplies already in their respective warehouses before the typhoons wrought havoc in Nueva Ecija and other parts of Central Luzon.

She said that her office regularly conducts monitoring of prices as she warned that erring businessmen maybe slapped with at least P1-million fine and imprisonment.

"Even a slight increase in transportation, if there's any, " she said, "is not enough ground to increase retail prices of basic commodities."

She lauded, however, local retailers for "observing proper pricing as part of their corporate social responsibility."

She said their manpower has been reinforced by people from various local governments and market administrators just to make sure no businessman takes advantage of the (PNA)

Suspect in Laguna killing nabbed in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Oct. 11 (PNA) - A suspect in the controversial “cooler killings” in Laguna was arrested by combined forces from the Nueva Ecija and Tarlac police on Sunday.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Aliggayu, director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), identified the suspect as Sonny Boy Corpuz, 26, a resident of Barangay Bakal 1, Talavera, Nueva Ecija who was ranked No. 2 in the province's most wanted list.

Corpuz was the co-accused of his father Bayani Corpuz in the gruesome killing of furniture workers Vilma Badialo and Letecia Lupian on June 22, 2011 whose bodies were found stuffed inside a freezer in San Pablo City.

They allegedly took a Lucida van owned by the victims’ employer and some P70,000 and 300 Euros.

Aliggayu said the younger Corpuz was arrested in a relative’s house in Barangay Baldios, Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac by virtue of arrest warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 37 Judge Nelson Tribiana.

With P140,000 on his head, the suspect is also a co-accused of his father in a string of cases, including robbery with homicide and double frustrated homicide and murder in Nueva Ecija, Aliggayu said.

Prior to his stay in Tarlac, Aliggayu said the suspect sought refuge in another relative's house in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro where he was reportedly also accused of robbery with violence against a person last March.

He was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms under criminal case no. 1268 by the Municipal Trial Court of Talavera in February 2010, he added.

Aliggayu said the Corpuzes allegedly robbed three businessmen and reportedly sexually assaulted two women.

They were also charged for the killing of local peacekeeper Ignacio Ariola Eugenio Sr., 54, of Barangay Bakal 1, Talavera. (PNA)

2 Zambales fugitives collared in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Oct. 13 (PNA) -- Two fugitives, who escaped from the provincial jail of Zambales six months ago, were recaptured by elements of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office (NEPPO) in Palayan City, police said.

Sr. Supt. Roberto Aliggayu, NEPPO director, said the suspects, identified as Jessie Bulatao, 35, a resident of Cabangan, Zambales and Gener Dolandolan, 28, of Botolan town were turned over to Zambales authorities on Wednesday.

Bulatao is facing violation of Republic Act 8294 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in Zambales Regional trial Court (RTC) while Dolandolan is charged with robbery.

They both escaped from Zambales provincial jail in Barangay Palaminan, Iba, Zambales in March 2011, Aliggayu said.

Investigation disclosed the duo escaped through a hole to a canal from the comfort room of the facility along with a certain Leymer Canoza, who is also facing robbery with homicide and Reyzon Cruz, a robbery suspect.

Cruz was rearrested in June in San Antonio, Zambales while Canoza was reportedly sighted somewhere in Nueva Ecija recently, Alligayu said.

"The arrest of the most wanted persons and fugitives in the province was a result of a month-long casing and surveillance of the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (PIIB) under Superintendent Ricardo Villanueva and the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) under Supt. Edgar Alan Okubo," he said.

This was also in line with the directives of PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome of intensifying and neutralizing most wanted persons and other wanted persons as well as service of warrants against law offenders, he added. (PNA)

Third cropping to redeem losses from typhoons, says NIA chief

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Oct. 16 (PNA) -- National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Antonio Nangel has ordered officials of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-UPRIIS) to reach out local officials and agency technicians to validate the damage reports “at the soonest time possible.”

This as he expressed belief the losses in production caused by the twin typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” can be recovered through the so-called quick turnaround or planting immediately after harvesting.

Nangel said that dams, especially Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, have enough water to sustain an immediate third cropping.

“Third cropping is our ready solution,” said Nangel, who also pioneered ratooning system during his stint as operations manager of NIA-UPRIIS which operates the giant Pantabangan Dam.

“Of course, we support that because we have the interests of the farmers in mind,” Nangel said.

“I have told them to coordinate with the various local government units (LGUs) in Nueva Ecija and with technicians of the Department of Agriculture so we could validate the damage reports at the soonest possible time,” he added.

Earlier, Vice Governor Jose Gay Padiernos and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution asking NIA to exempt farmers affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel from paying irrigation service fees which is pegged at two and a half cavans (125 kilos) of palay during rainy season and three and a half (175 kilos) during wet season.

The move was readily supported by Governor Aurelio Umali ang the League of Municipalities-Nueva Ecija chapter (LMP-NE) led by Penaranda Mayor Ferdinand Abesamis.

Padiernos their resolution carries a mere request which “may be granted if possible.”

UPRIIS services 88,000 farmers, of whom 62,046 paid a total of P232.4 million as of October 7.

Last year, farmers paid P203.4 million in irrigation service fees. (PNA)

Task force vs. illegal logging created in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, June 7 (PNA) -- Various government agencies forged on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to ensure the effective implementation of President Benigno S. Aquino III directive for a moratorium on cutting and harvesting of timber in the province.

Among the signatories were Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer(PENRO) Rafael Otic; Provincial Prosecutor Floro Florendo from the Department of Justice (DOJ); Provincial Director Abraham Pascua of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Nueva Ecija Police Director Senior Superintendent Roberto Aliggayu and Colonel Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, commander of the Philippine Army's 702nd Infantry Brigade.

These officials will serve as members of the task force against illegal logging as stipulated under Executive Order no. 23 which President Aquino issued on Feb. 1, 2011.

Otic said the MOU was aimed at formulating a more drastic action in the implementation of Executive Order No. 23.

EO 23 declared a "moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forest and creating anti-illegal logging task force."

The signatories have pledged to "implement the law" without giving undue favor to anyone, Otic said.

Trinidad said the signing of the MOU formalized the Army's continuous effort in helping the DENR in its fight against illegal logging and all forms of violating laws on forest protection.

"We have to be really sincere in implementing laws to protect our forest," Trinidad said, noting that "after all we are all affected when disaster comes."

Otic said the newly-formed task force against illegal logging will intensify drive against illegal logging or timber poaching in any part of Nueva Ecija.

"It's virtually total log ban in Nueva Ecija," he said.

Florendo said that failure of witnesses, mostly military men, policemen and environment employees, to attend court hearings resulted in dismissal of cases filed against suspected illegal loggers in the past.

But the drive is expected to be more vibrant this time since the task force was created by virtue of the EO.

"Before it was only an agreement among the agencies, but this time it is an executive order from the President," the officials stressed.

Aliggayu admitted they have in their list a local politician allegedly protecting illegal logging operations but refused to disclose the official's identity.

"I would not reveal," he said but stressing that the police will not hesitate to arrest whoever violates the law, especially on the implementation of E.O. 23. (PNA)

New PRO-3 chief urges his men to strictly observe police rules

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, June 13 (PNA) -- Being a policeman is never fun.

This was the statement of Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao to his men here on Monday.

Addressing both ranking officials and the rank and file personnel at the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) here, Ladao stressed that law enforcement is beyond "employment for pay," but requires passion and dedication to be able to discharge its essence effectively.

"There are times you have to work 24 hours a day," Ladao said as noted the risk of being policeman.

Ladao also urged his men in the field to observe rules being imposed on all uniformed personnel "because you cannot effectively implement the laws if you cannot follow our rules."

Among the simple rules that cops should practice, he said, is the proper use of uniform, ban on smoking in public places and basic courtesy to people.

No policeman, he said, can implement the law without first following the rules of the organization.

Nueva Ecija has about 1,600 policemen detailed in its 27 towns and five cities, NEPPO and other offices such as the special reaction teams and public security company.

After paying a courtesy call to Governor Aurelio Umali, Ladao joined a boodle fight with policemen and personnel at NEPPO. (PNA)

Nueva Ecija women’s group wins regional Star Elite award

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, June 20 (PNA) — The Regional Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) team has recently named the Kababaihan Masigla ng Nueva Ecija (KMNE) as one of the recipients of the Star Elite award in Central Luzon.

The KMNE whose products range from rice wine to naturally preserved fruits bagged the honor in the micro enterprise category while Amanda’s Marine Products of Bataan took home the plaque in the small enterprise category.

The prize in the medium enterprise category, on the other hand, went to Iwahori Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Bataan.

KMNE was organized in 1999 as a community project of Lodge No. 73 Masonic Foundation.

It has now 30 active members, majority of them housewives who want to earn extra income for their families.

It started its fruit processing project in 2000. Among its products are tomatoes processed as sweets, jellies and sun-dried; tamarind (sweets, spicy, concentrated); rice (coffee in bottles and in tea bags); glutinous rice turned into rice wine; ginger (in bottles and tea bags); karamuy fruits; guava jelly; tilapia (tilanggit); and virgin coconut oil.

Trade and Industry regional director Blesila Lantayona said Star Elite is one of the three awards given by the SME Star program with the other two being the Rising Star and Star Presidential.

Lantayona said the Star Elite is a regional level citation given to enterprises that have expanded or sustained domestic market presence and are ready to enter the export sector.

She said the regional SME teams determine the winners from nominees submitted by Provincial Small and Medium Enterprise Development Councils.