Ex-Gov. Panlilio slams PNP claim that CL is jueteng free

Former Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio slammed police claim that Central Luzon is jueteng free.

He stressed that increased collection on Small Town Lottery (STL) operations in the region is not a guarantee that the illegal numbers game is dead.

“Isang insulto ang sabihin ng PNP na jueteng free ang Central Luzon,” Panlilio told journalists in an interview on Friday night.

He added, “mukhang ang mga men and uniform na lang natin ang hindi nakakaalam na may jueteng pa lalo sa Pampanga.”

The former governor also showed journalists two pieces of paper showing proof that he himself was able to place bet on jueteng last October 23.

Panlilio’s disclosure and show of evidence strengthen suspicions by many that he is the alleged ‘mystery shopper’ cited by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas in an earlier meeting at Clark Freeport.

In the same meeting, Roxas asked police officials in Central Luzon led by Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao to immediatel;y submit report on  alleged jueteng operations in the region.

Last Wednesday, Ladao called a press conference at Camp Olivas in San Fernando City and announced that Central Luzon is jueteng free.

He was joined by Lawyer Ferdinand Rojas of the Philippine Charity Sweepestakes Office (PCSO), and STL franchisees in Central Luzon.

Ladao even told journalists that STL collections in the region has increase and noted that it is a sign that there is no more jueteng operations in the region.

But he admitted that there are pocket operations of bookies in the region which local police offices in seven provinces are addressing to eradicate.

For his part, Panlilio said that increased collection in STL operations is not a guarantee that jueteng is dead.

Citing earlier information he received, the priest-turned-politician explained that introduction of STL which was meant to replace jueteng, the illegal numbers game remain and was operated parallel to the STL or legal numbers game.

Panlilio said that he is not in favor of replacing STL with Loterya ng Bayan, instead, he suggested that government acquire operation of jueteng and make it legal.

Earlier on Friday, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda declined to comment on journalists questions with regards to alleged jueteng operation in her province. (Dino Balabo)

Pampanga to host 2012 Southern Luzon Cluster Science and Technology Fair

Department of Science and Technolgy (DOST) Region 3 chief Victor Mariano said the November 22-24 affair will showcase the recent scientific breakthroughs and advanced technologies developed by

government and private research institutions in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Bicol.

Guided by the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation: Working Together for Growth and Development”, people from all walks of life will be able to see the latest products and services on information and communication technology, electronics, and renewable energy among others.

Apart from exhibits, an academic contest, research colloquium, and seminar on Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards otherwise known as Project NOAH will also be featured.

“Project NOAH is a responsive program for disaster prevention and mitigation, specifically for the Philippines’ warning agencies, that is primarily intended to reduce casualties and property loss from

extreme hazard events” Mariano explained.

Its mission is to undertake disaster science research and development, advance the use of cutting edge technologies, and recommend innovative information services in government's disaster prevention and

mitigation efforts wherein its immediate task is to integrate current disaster science research and development projects and initiate new efforts within the DOST.

Project NOAH presently has eight components namely: Hydrometeorological Devices in hard-hit areas of the Philippines (Hydromet), Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Mitigation – Light  Detection and Ranging (DREAM-LIDAR), Enhancing Geohazards Mapping through LIDAR, Coastal Hazards and Storm Surge Assessment and Mitigation (CHASSAM), Flood Information Network (FloodNET), Local

Development of Doppler Radar Systems (LaDDeRS), Landslide Sensors Development, and Weather Hazard Information Project (WHIP). (CLJD/JGB-PIA 3)

Pampanga now accepting nominations for the 2012 MOKA

by: Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga October 10 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Pampanga continues to accept nominations for the 2012 Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards (MOKA).

According to the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTOP), MOKA aims to give due recognition to individuals who have excelled in their respective endeavors or professions and have brought pride to the Kapampangan race.

Nominees must be a Kapampangan either by blood (at least one of the parents is Kapampangan) or birth (born in any of the towns or cities of Pampanga).

Categories at stake for this year’s MOKA include law enforcement, education, parenthood, sports, government service, business and entrepreneurship, religion, arts, culture, agriculture, science, technology, mass media, youth service, judicial service and social services.

Moreover, the provincial government is also accepting nominations for the Outstanding Honorary Kapampangan Award which is bestowed to non-Kapampangans who rendered exemplary service to the province of Pampanga.

Nominators are advised to download the nomination form in the provincial government’s official website- www.pampangacapitol.ph .

For more details, please call the ACTOP in the following numbers: (045) 961-4528, 961-0538 or 963-0107.

Deadline for the submission of nominations is on November 10.

Awardees will be announced and honored this December, in time for the celebration of the 441st Aldo Ning Kapampangan (Pampanga Day). (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)

 

Bacolor celebrates 250th anniversary with unveiling of statue of Spanish official

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

BACOLOR, Pampanga, Oct 10 (PIA) -- Bacolor celebrated on Monday its 250th founding anniversary with the unveiling of a monument dedicated in memory of a Spanish official that transferred the nation's capital to the town.

"Simon de Anda y Salazar was the Lieutenant Governor of the Spanish colony who moved the seat of government from Manila to Bacolor on October 1762," Holy Angel University-Center for Kapampangan Studies Director Robby Tantingco said.

Anda was likewise instrumental in rallying Kapampangans to form a resistance movement against the British when it attempted to overthrow the Spaniards.

“This undertaking is for us to take a view from our past and actually learn from it. He noted that one needed to discover and even study our history and origin, for this is where we came from,” Mayor Jose Maria

Hizon said in a statement.

“Kapampangans have their right to commemorate their share during the resistance to the British Invasion of 1762. This is not a diplomatic observance but a sort of reminiscing their glorious past, though colonial in nature,” historian Ian Alfonso said.

“In the end, this is for public awareness. We should emphasize the Kapampangans’ role in defending the archipelago against another foreign opportunist and invader in the 18th century, the British,” Alfonso added. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)

Public urged to maintain healthy lifestyle, avoid dialysis

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, July 3 (PIA) -- A doctor from Central Luzon has advised the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a way of avoiding dialysis.

“To avoid dialysis, one must maintain a healthy lifestyle, regularly do check-ups, proper diet and exercise,” said Central Luzon Organ Sharing Effort (CLOSE) Head Dr. Joy Mallari who is also the visiting

consultant of JBL Hospital, V.L. Makabali and Angeles University Foundation Medical Center (AUFMC) during a press conference held at the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office in line with the

celebration of National Kidney Month last June.

“We all know that having a dialysis is costly, it usually ranges from P30,000 to 50,000 a month, and to prevent this, one should do physical activities,” Mallari explained.

Mallari added that “when we say dialysis, this would be our last resource for us to be alive. In our part, we are labeling or branding the patient that their kidneys only have 10 to 15 percent that is working, so in able to replace the kidney which is not working, dialysis is being done.”

Mallari said a person who undergoes such treatment has an approximate of two to three years that he will be alive.

“Another way to take care of our kidney is one must look into nutrition facts or caloric index when buying processed foods in a store, stop smoking, maintain a healthy diet, exercise and lessen the

intake of alcohol,” Mallari concluded.

According to the Philippine Renal Disease Registry, there are 9,769 dialysis patients in the country, 1,212 of which are from Central Luzon. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)

Clark council, CDC gear for 2012 ConEx

CLARK FREEPORT – The Metro Clark ICT Council and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) are preparing for the 2012 Clark ConEx International ICT Conference and Expo, a gathering of the country’s top leaders and major stakeholders in the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry to be held here on Oct. 10-11.

Spearheaded by the Metro Clark ICT Council, the 2012 ConEx aims to replicate last year’s feat that brought together close to 4,000 participants. The council also “Promises to reach out to an even larger global audience by actively supporting and presenting in the International Outsourcing Summit…”

Metro Clark ICT President Frankie Villanueva said this year’s event would feature a business networking conference, ICT (Information and Communications Technology) stakeholders’ exhibit, ICT council’s capability exhibit, investment site tours, DOST-convergence technology roadshow, talent development conference, academic competitions, and leisure and tourism packages.

Villanueva said the annual holding of the ConEx is one of the council’s flagship projects geared to make the Clark Freeport as the country’s foremost IT and BPO destination.

With the regular hosting of the event, Villanueva said ConEx may also help encourage other IT and BPO companies to bring their businesses to the provinces, particularly those in the Central Luzon region, to decongest employment seekers jostling for job openings in Metro Manila.

For inquiries, sponsorships and promotional opportunities email metroclarkict@gmail.com.

PSHS-CLC scholars win int’l awards

BY ARIES N. OLIVEROS

CLARK, PAMPANGA – The Philippine Science High School – Central Luzon Campus (PSHS-CLC) bagged a back-to-back victory in two international competitions as six scholars excelled in essay writing, science and technology.

Joshua Miguel C. Danac landed as Finalist while Samantha Beatrice A. De Guzman and Stephanie Kate A. Agor won Honorable Mention Awards in the “Dear Mr. UN Secretary-General International Schools Essay Writing Contest”, Secondary Schools Category with 576 entries worldwide, organized by The Living Rainforest, an indoor greenhouse tropical rainforest located in Hampstead Norreys in Berkshire, England last May 16.

The contest organizers wanted to hear what children think governments and world leaders should be doing to build a more sustainable future on planet Earth.

Quantum Chronicles school paper adviser Aries N. Oliveros served as trainer of Danac, De Guzman and Agor.

Likewise, Mikhael Edrich S. Eubanas, Angel Gabriel D. Pineda and Gabrielle Sophia S. Seva brought home three silver medals for chemistry and physics lab skills and one silver and one bronze medals for biology field study competitions, respectively, during the Asean Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey (AJTPS3O) 2012 held in Negara, Brunei Darussalam last June 10-17.

The 2012 AJTPS3O aimed to encourage and challenge gifted science students to excel in the field of science and technology, stimulate students’ intellectual curiosity through various experiences and experiments, provide the students with the opportunity to foster friendship and networking in the APT region and motivate the students to pursue careers in science and technology.

PSHS-CLC science teachers Arnold D. Pitpitunge, Ivy Razel B. Ventura, Ralph S. Hipolito and Joseph Ednie F. Soriano, Rex S. Forteza, Jed Aries C. Castro, Mark Xavier E. Bailon and John Paolo C. Daupang trained the Pisay delegates.

The PSHS – Western Visayas Campus emerged as grand winner after pocketing seven gold medals in all science categories.

With the combined medals of the two PSHS campuses, the Philippines became the over-all champion.

Teams from China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand also participated in the 2012 AJTPS3O.

PSHS-CLC Campus Director Lilia T. Habacon congratulated the students and their trainers for a job well done and challenged the rest of the Pisay scholars and faculty to uphold academic excellence and bring honor to the country.