MISS YOUNG INTERNATIONAL 2008 - Gov. Aurelio Umali (center) posed with the candidates during the swimsuit competition at Sierra Madre Suites swimming pool in Palayan City

Neri Naig saves beauties in distress

Neri Naig of ABS-CBN Star Circle came to the aid of the downhearted contestants of the Miss Young International 2008 which turned out to be a scam. The NBI arrested event organizer Mark Ancheta, president and CEO of MYA Elite Philippines, for ripping off 21 young ladies from different countries.

“They said it was their first decent meal since arriving in the Philippines. Some of them were crying,” says Neri about meeting the contestants, whose ages ranged from 18 to 24. “I really felt for them. Footing the girls’ meals was so small a price to arrest a damaged reputation.”

Neri was part of the Top 5 of the first batch of Star Circle which included Hero Angeles, Roxanne Guinoo and Sandara Park. E should not allow shady characters like these to drag down the reputation of our country,” says Neri who along with friend Avianne Torres were introduced by an acquaintance to the contestants during a dinner on Dec. 8, the pageant’s supposed coronation night.
The pageant had all the traits of a scam. No officials from the organizers welcomed contestants at the airport.
They were billeted in a rundown hotel they described as horrendous food was limited to combo meals. There was also no official vehicle assigned to shuttle the ladies back and forth to “functions.” The ladies even paid for their fares. Worse, they were brought to pub to meet “VIPs” only to pose as guest relation officers.

Neri vows to help the ladies up until all of them have left the country.

Gunmen strafe barangay leaders in Ecija; 3 dead

Five heavily-armed men mowed down a group of barangay officials killing three, including the president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) of this town, and injuring three others early Monday afternoon in Barangay San Francisco, here

Police have not established the motive in the killing as Senior Inspector Felix Castro Jr., police chief, identified the fatalities as Guillermo Bernardo, 48, married former barangay chairman; and Evangeline de Guzman, 51, all of Barangay San Francisco, here.

Bernardo was a known ally of former vice governor Mariano Crisasnto Joson, Mayor Marvin Pariñas and former three-term mayor Jimmy Domingo in the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) party.

Santos and de Guzman were killed on the spot while Bernardo died in a nearby hospital.

Police said five men pulled off the attack at around 1:30 p.m. Monday along the Talavera-Sto Domingo provincial road here.

ABC president Guiller sustained 11 gunshot wounds all over his body. Santos and De Guzman also succumbed to several gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Injured and taken to hospital were: Celso B. Aquino, 42, married, barangay treasurer; Louie Flores, 20, single, and Adrian Reña, 17, all San Francisco village residents. They were serving as laborers at the church construction when hit by stray bullets.

PO3 Dennis Penson, case investigator, said the attack happened while Bernardo, Santos and De Guzman were inspecting construction work in a barangay chapel donated by the Santoses.

Mayor Librador Santos has couraged farmers in this town “to go hybrid.”

This came after he was impressed by the benefits that the farmers get from planting the high-yielding rice seeds variety.

In a brief talk before members of the Pinagkaisa N.E. Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PNEPMPC) during a recent meeting sponsored by SL Agritech Corp., Mayor Santos said he was happy to learn that farmers in his town have substantially increased their production and income through the planting of the hybrid rice variety.

“Talaga naman, ngayon ko lang nalaman na malaki na pala ang inyong mga kinikita sa pagtatanim ng hybrid rice. Dahil dito, natutuwa ako at ‘yan naman ang gusto ko, umunlad lahat ang inyong pamumuhay,” he said, adding “I will now look for a farm where I will also plant hybrid rice.”

Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali is another official who has endorsed the planting of hybrid rice which “will move our province further towards economic prosperity.”

“Magkaisa nating i-angat ang antas ng agrikutura sa ating lalawigan sa pagtatanim ng mataas na uri ng palay kagaya ng kasalukuyang ninyong tinatanim,” he told farmer-members of the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NMMPC) in Barangay Tabacao, Talavera, Nueva Ecija during the last harvest festival sponsored by SL Agritech.

Ricardo Buenaventura, cooperative president, said the average harvest in their 1,000-hectare rice farm was 180 cavans per hectare.

“Ang iba naming kasama ay umani ng 225 cavans kada ektarya. Ito ay kumpara sa dati naming inaaning inbred rice variety na imaabot lamang lagi sa 70-80 cabanes kada ektarya,” he said.

NBI, cops doubt missing Ecija coed was kidnapped

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police are both at a loss on the case of a teenaged college student who went missing a month ago after being taken by her alleged abductors, saying the girl may not have been kidnapped.

Pedro Roque Jr., NBI-Cabanatuan chief, said that Rosemarie Ducut may not have been abducted but could have eloped, matching an earlier finding of the Central Luzon police. “There is no evidence that would show she (Rosemarie) was kidnapped,” Roque said.

Police investigators also maintained that they remain unconvinced that Ducut was abducted as she had claimed in a series of text messages. They said they found it odd that Ducut was able to text her mother “with considerable ease” while her supposed abductors were killing her other companions.

Senior Superintendent Jojo Gumban, regional investigator of the PNP based in Camp Olivas Pampanga, said that while they are conducting further investigation, they could not believed that Ducut was abducted, as she had alleged in text messages she had sent to her mother Milagros.

Ducut, an education student of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, disappeared on Nov. 4, allegedly after unidentified suspects whisked her to a waiting van in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. she was reportedly on her way to attend practice teaching in Guimba town when the passenger jeep she was riding on developed engine trouble in Talavera, forcing her and her other companions to alight for another ride when dragged to the van.

Chief Superintendent Leon Dela Cruz, PNP regional director for Central Luzon, earlier expressed doubts Ducut had been abducted. He said they received information she had eloped after flunking her studies.

The day she disappeared, she texted her mother and narrated in a series of text messages, how she, along with some companions, were whisked to a van in Talavera by the suspects, led by a Chinese-looking man wearing a nurse suit.

She said the van had several cadavers with no internal organs. While inside, she claimed the Chinese grabbed her bag containing her cellphone and money intended for payment of her tuition fees. She said her captors failed to notice another cellphone hanging around her neck.

She recalled that she was forced to inhale something, causing her to lose conciousness and when she regained her senses, she found herself in a tall building in a still unknown place.

In one of her text messages, Ducut said the bodies of her companions were being dumped into a river after a nurse took their innards, “Baka ako na ang susunod (I might be next),” she texted.

Senior Supt. Arrazad Subong, regional intelligence officer, said a verification made by the Smart Network Office in this city showed that when Ducut was sending text messages, she was located somewhere in southern Manila.

Subong said that an investigation made by the Talugtog police station showed no sufficient evidence that Ducut had all the chances to use her cellular phone while under detention, even including periods and commas in her text. “This is not the kind of text messages you expect from someone who had been abducted,” he said.

Hog ebola found in four RP farms

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Health (DoH) announced yesterday the detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus in pigs in two commercial farms and two backyard farms in Bulacan, Pangasinan, and Nueva Ecija.

In a late night press conference yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Health Secretary Francisco Duque, however, assured the public that the detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus is not a human health problem, but a animal health issue.

The DA and its agencies, led by the Bureau of Animal Industries, accidentally discovered the virus while investigating the previous outbreak of the Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), which affected the local hog industry last year.

The test was conducted in May, June and September this year.

Upon detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus, the infected pigs were killed, officials said.

Infected hogs displayed flu-like symptoms.

The DA has put under quarantine four farms where the virus was detected.

Duque gave assurances that the virus is of “low pathogenecity” and is different from the feared African Ebola hemorrhagic virus.

Yap said all of the human pig handlers and even the operators in abattoirs in the affected areas were tested and posted negative for any infection from the Ebola Reston strain virus.

However, taking a precautionary and proactive stance, the DA and the DoH have informed the World Health Organization and the Organization Internationale de Epizooties of the detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus in the local hog population.

Yap also ordered a stop to all pork exports until it has completely eradicated the virus from the local hog population.

Experts from the WHO, led by Dr. Soe Nyunt who attended the press conference, assured the public that there is so far no data or evidence that the Ebola Reston strain virus detected in the four farms can infect humans.

Duque advised the public that while local pork is safe to eat, the public should ensure that the pork they buy is properly handled and thoroughly cooked.

Pork, he said should be boiled with a core temperature of 70 degrees centigrade and that all the justices run clear and are not bloody.

December 11, 2008
The Philippine STAR
Marianne Go with Sheila Crisostomo

Ecija town bans conversion of lands into cemeteries

The Sangguniang Bayan of Talavera has banned the rampant illegal conversion of public and private lands into cemeteries and memorial parks. Ordinance No.22-08 which prohibits the land conversion was signed by Mayor L. Santos.

SB chairman Vice Mayor Francis Vincent V. de Leon said violators face penalties ranging from six months to one year imprisonment and a fine of P5,000.

The move was made amid mounting complaints reaching the SB that agricultural and private lots converted into cemeteries and memorial parks have sprouted like mushrooms near the local government-owned cemetery here.

Local residents complained that these lots have allegedly been illegally converted or utilized as such without securing any conversion order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the HLURB or having these lots re-classified for the purpose.

The ordinance was unanimously approved by the SB on motions of councilors Anselmo B. Rodiel III and Andrei C. Bigcas.
December 2, 2008
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL
Steve A. Gosuico

DOJ junks murder raps vs Ecija mayor

The Department of Justice has dismissed a murder complaint against a Nueva Ecija town mayor charged for allegedly masterminding the gunslaying of a municipal employee six months ago.

In a seven-page resolution, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office dismissed for insufficiency of evidence the information for murder against Mayor Amado Corpuz Jr. of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.

The resolution, penned by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Edison Rafanan and approved by OIC-Provincial Prosecutor Floro Florendo found no prima facie evidence to indict Corpuz in connection with the June 4, 2008 murder of Angelito Espinosa.

The information for murder was filed by Espinosa’s widow, Priscila, whose witness Alexander Lozano executed a supplemental affidavit stating that he heard Corpuz telling his bodyguard Carlito Samonte to kill Espinosa and handling him the murder weapon, a stainless gun.

A separate case for murder is pending before the Regional Trial Court Branch 33 in Guimba town against Samonte.

DOJ records showed that prior to the killing, Espinosa and Samonte figured in a heated altercation at the municipal compound after the latter confronted the victim for staring at him. The victim was about to draw his gun but Samonte beat him to the draw and shot him dead.

Lozano, who said he did not mention Corpuz in his first affidavit for fear of his life, claimed that the mayor shouted “(expletive)Lito iyan, sige birahin mo (Tahat f___ Lito, go ahead shoot him).”

Corpus in his counter-affidavit denied any participation in the killing of Espinosa. He said that the incident which led to Espinosa’s killing was a matter between the victim and Samonte. He claimed Lozano’s allegations were biased and an afterthought full of improbabilities and that he did not witness the actual shooting incident.

He added that Lozano’s allusion to the victim as the person referred to as Lito is entirely an opinion because there are several persons bearing the same nickname.

Espinosa’s widow in her complaint disputed Corpuz’s claims he had no quarrel with the victim. She said her husband was behind the filling of several cases against Corpuz, which, she said, are enough grounds to give the mayor motive to order the killing.

The PNP Regional Crime Laboratory reported that the two guns recovered at the murder scene were black pistols and there was no stainless gun as claimed by Lozano.

In its ruling, the DOJ noted Lozano’s failure to tell Espinosa that Samonte would kill him. It said that if only Lozano did so, the victim would not have gone to the place where Corpuz and Samonte were, which it said, would be “ludicrous and suicidal.”

December 2, 2008
The Philippine STAR
Manny Galvez

November 17, 2008
Malaya

Nueva Ecija GovAurelio Umali denied Sunday that he snubbed the opening of the three-day North Philippines Tourism and Travel Expo 2008 at Clark Freeport Zone Friday afternoon, saying a previous commitment was the real reason why he, together with six provincial governors, including host Gov. Eduardo Panlilio, were absent.

“I sent my representative, may nauna kasi akong natanguan,” Umali said.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson and presidential assistant for Central Luzon Lorelei Fajardo, also a Novo Ecijano like Umali, and the event’s guest speaker, stressed that the event would help raise awareness of the best areas North Philippines can offer in terms of tourist destinations, products and services.

Organizers and participants criticized the absence of the governors. They said this attitude explains why the region ranks only seventh among the 16 regions nationwide in terms of tourism competitiveness despite its being the home region of President Arroyo and the new Philippine Tourism Authority general manager Mark Lapid, and the presence of Subic and Clark and other tourism magnets.

Aside from Umali and Panlilio, also absent at the affair were Amor Deloso of Zambales, Jonjon Mendoza of Bulacan, Victor Yap of Tarlac and the suspended Enrique Garcia of Bataan.

It was only Aurora governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo who came all the way from her remote hometown of Baler some 250 kilometers away for the expo which gathered together tourism officers from Region 1, 2, 3 and the Cordilleras.

In previous tourism activities, Angara-Castillo was reportedly the only one to bother, with her counterparts preferring to skip the events. The lady governor, who declined to comment on the other governors’ absence, has made tourism a cornerstone of her development agenda codenamed HEALTH which stands for health, education, agriculture, livelihood, tourism and human resource development.

She said she makes it a point to show up in such events because she wants her province to become known not only as a surfing and dive site but also a tourism haven. She said Aurora has even set up a satellite office in Clark to serve as one-stop shop of information for tourists and prospective investors. – Jojo de Guzman

November 12, 2008
The Philippine STAR
San Isidro pushed as ‘heritage town’

This town which became famous for being the seat of the national government and the target of a historic revolt against Spanish rule over a century ago, is being pushed as a “heritage town” by local government officials for its cultural and historical past.

Mayor Sonia Lorenzo said resident of this town can take pride in the significant role their place played during the “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija (First Cry of Nueva Ecija)” when Filipino revolutionaries, armed only with bolos and pointed sticks, took up arms against Spain on September 2, 1896.

She said the town should also be remembered for being the capital of the Philippines for six months when President Emilio Aguinaldo transferred the seat of the national government here.

“Our town has a vast repository of historical events in our country. Many of the buildings here are a living testament of what happened in the past,” she said, adding the municipal government is lobbying for the national government to grant this town the official distinction as “heritage town.”

The revolt from Spain in 1896, led by Gen. Mariano Llanera of the nearby town of Cabiao, went on for three days and led to the freeing of jailed leaders and members of the revolutionaries.

For its role in the revolution, Nueva Ecija was etched in the annals of history, earning the distinction of landing as one of the eight rays in the Philippine flag. Each ray symbolizes the province that rose up in arms against Spanish rule.

The capital of Nueva Ecija from 1852 to 1912, this town also hosted the Wright Institute established during the American rule, considered the first high school outside of Manila.

The school later came to be known as Nueva Ecija High School.

The municipal government, Lorenzo said, has preserved the house used by Aguinaldo, Gov. Gen. James Wright and Col. Frederick Funston. - Manny Galvez

November 11, 2008
The Philippine STAR
Comelec urged to resolve Ecija vice mayoralty protest

Some 2,000 supporters of vice mayoralty bet Roseller de Guzman of Guimba have called on Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Melo to expedite the resolution of the election protest he lodged against his rival, incumbent Vice Mayor Angelita dela Cruz and to install the former as duly elected winner.

In their two-page letter addressed to Melo, the petitioners, who identified themselves as the Mamamayan ng Bayan ng Guimba urged the Comelec chief to intervene in the election protest filed before the poll body by De Guzman.

The petitioners sought the installation of De Guzman as the duly elected vice mayor of the town based on the decision promulgated on Nov. 29, 2007 by the Guimba Regional Trial Court.

The petitioners expressed fears that the will of the electorate would be defeated by the continued non-assumption of De Guzman. The accused De la Cruz’s camp of allegedly spreading rumors that De Guzman would not be able to assume his post because the former has “strong connections” with Melo and the Comelec.

“While we do not believe that they have strong connections with you, we nevertheless call on you Chairman Melo to give justice to the duly elected vice mayor and resolve this election protest with dispatch,” they said.

The petitioners made their appeal following reports that the election case has been submitted for resolution of Comelec in April but has gathered dust since. -Manny Galvez

Elite Army force opens Ecija camp for eco-tourism

“Unconventional warfare training starts here’” reads a sign at the entrance of the Ben Fe Complex, home of the elite Special Forces School inside the sprawling Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Palayan City in Nueva Ecija.

But now, this camp not only trains the so-called “Green Berets,” but the youth, on environmental consciousness after it opened its doors to students from different schools for the “Lakbay Kalikasan,” a program that aims to raise awareness on the protection and conservation of Mother Nature through actual interaction.

Lt. Col. Monico Batle, a seasoned Special Forces officer who heads the training facility transforms from a strict commandant into a cheerful tour guide, orienting visitors with the various features of the camp and flora and fauna found inside.

Aside from that, soldiers mount capability demonstrations, including jungle survival and rope courses, to give tourist a glimpse of rigid training being undertaken by Special Forces soldiers, who are all :airborne” qualified.
The visitors, as part of the tour, get the chance to plant trees near the Fernandez Hill, the part of the camp memorable to all graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, because it is here where they undergo their field training exercises before they could graduate.

About eight kilometers from Fernandez Hill, is Mount Taclang Damulag, which is also being maintained and taken care of by the elite unit.

Tourist would also get the chance to see the newly improved headquarters of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), which was done during the tenure of decorated Army Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, who is now chief of the Army’s Special Operations Command that also has jurisdiction over the equally elite Scout Rangers and the US-trained and equipped Light Reaction Battalion.

“It’s SFR(A) headquarters now boasts of hotel-like quarters for its officers, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool that now attracts civilians from Nueva Ecija.

“It’s about time that we open up our doors to the public, to give them an idea what military life is about,” Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Army spokesman and a “full-blooded” Special Forces officer, said in an interview.

Brawner said that the idea of allowing civilian visitors inside the Special Forces facility started last year during the Girl Scouts jamboree in Fort Magsaysay, where they hosted thousands of scouts from all over the country.

“At the start, there were debates due to some security concerns, but after addressing that, we have decided to allow tourists to also show them that their Army is not hiding anything from them’” he said, citing several controversies wherein soldiers were accused of being involved in cases of abduction and killing of activists and militant leaders.

Brawner5 said that by letting tourists into their “home,” they are teaching young people to take care of the environment as well as to develop a deeper understanding of the life soldiers have.

Fortune Tellers to Invade SM City Clark! An esoteric tribe of tarot card-bearing fortune tellers or ‘manghuhulas’ will invade the event centre of SM City Clark on November 14-16, 2008 in time for the 3rd North Philippines Travel and Tourism Expo 2008. This was the announcement made by Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico of the Department of Tourism – Region III in a press statement issued recently. Tiotuico said that the organizers of the travel mart decided to invite at least four (4) of the most popular fortune tellers in Central Luzon, particularly in Nueva Ecija, to provide a unique brand of Filipino tradition in managing one’s future thru the practice of tarot card-reading and palmistry. These fortune tellers are said to have a large following on account of their track record in providing “possibilities foreseen”. They are said to have provided relief and hope to one’s dilemma. The fortune-telling event will highlight the annual tourism event which features myriad of tourist attractions and tourism products offered in the four regions of the north, namely Cordilleras, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. Fortune telling has been a favourite pastime of Filipinos since the early 1900s when these so-called ‘travellers on foot’ started knocking on doors of neighbours in the hope having their future foretold. Most of these fortune tellers dwell on the aspects of love, career, and business. History indicates that fortune telling may have some bearing on recovered lost objects, success in bringing together estranged couples or control over some dark forces in the horizon. In Quiapo alone, a steady stream of clients, both sceptics and believers, come to find remedies for their physical or emotional illness. Some eighty (80) exhibit booths and craft demo corners are expected to give the more than 40,000 daily shoppers over the weekend a tapestry of cultural events like street dancing, cultural music and dances plus mega-sale of indigenous arts and crafts from the North Philippines. The travel expo is one of the biggest annual events sponsored by the four regional offices of the Department of Tourism thru the Central Luzon Tourism Council and the Philippine Exhibition and Themeparks Corp. (PETCO). ========================================================================================== DOT launches 3rd North Phils. Tourism and Travel Expo ‘08 The four (4) regions of the North Philippines are set to launch the 3rd North Philippines Tourism and Travel Expo ‘08 on November 14 – 16, 2008 at the SM City Clark, Pampanga with a bigger and better marketing drive that features the Cordilleras, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon regions as a wholesome one-destination-one product package. The North Philippines tourism corridor is headed by the following regional directors, namely Purificacion Molintas for the Cordilleras, Martin Valera for Ilocos, Blessida Diwas for Cagayan Valley and Ronaldo Tiotuico for Central Luzon. This was the announcement made by host regional director Ronaldo Tiotuico of the Department of Tourism – Region III in a press statement issued recently. Tiotuico said that the biggest marketing event of the year happens at a time when the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTex) is readily open to the travelling public from Manila which is the biggest source market for the four regions. The travel mart is expected to draw thousands of potential buyers, stakeholders and major players from both the domestic and international travel industry like big-ticket tour operators and travel wholesalers from around the country to do business calls on their travel-related counterparts in the north. Millions of pesos worth of tour packages is expected to change hands during the three-day event. This year’s event is organized by the Central Luzon Tourism Council, Inc. led by its regional chairman, Ms. Lydia Co, and Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corp. (PETCO) led by Ms. Edith Collado. Some twenty (20) provinces and major cities in the north are expected to showcase their tourism packages, destinations and attractions during the event with an even equal number featuring their cultural and indigenous lifestyles and heritage. Some 100 exhibit booths and pavilions will be occupied by both the private and government institutions to highlight their own unique tourism products. Also to be invited to the event are the regional destinations of the Visayas and Mindanao whose role in positioning the country as one country, one destination is quite crucial to the overall marketing effort of the tourism department. Expected to attend the all-important event are DOT Secretary Ace Durano, all the governors and local chief executives from the north, travel wholesalers and tour operators, including special-interest players like adventure travel specialists and health and wellness executives. This year’s theme is “Go North! A Wellspring of Diversity” speaks well of the north’s image as a diverse destination yet creating a unique blend of the new and the traditional, from a serene and soft environment to a rugged yet exotic places to go to. For further details, please contact the Department of Tourism – Region III, Hilaga Village, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Tel. Nos. (63 45) 961-2612/477-2499/479-6490 or Angeles Sub-office, Marlim Mansions Hotel, Balibago, Angeles City, Tel. Nos. (63 45) 625-8525/477-2498 Email: celtour@yahoo.com Website: wwwvisitmyphilippines.com or contact Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corp. (PETCO), Pasay City, Tel. Nos. (63 2) 832-9303 to 05 Email: northphilexpo@gmail.com
link: www.visitmyphilippines.com

November 2, 2008
MANILA BULLETIN

Candles selling like hot cakes in Cabanatuan

Candle makers here are making a virtual killing as this city celebrates All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Candles in varied shapes, colors, and scents are selling like hot cakes. Ordinarily, candle would cost only a few pesos, but on this occasion, the item “costs an arm and a leg.” Designer-item candles which bear sculpted designs were lighted in past years to mark tombs. A reminder to all cemetery-goers, flower-or candle-bearing or simply on-lookers: Say earnest prayers for the dearly departed. It helps to say a prayer for the kindred souls. Especially for those in limbo. (Magtanggol Vilar)

Pantabangan-Masiway assets valuation set a $240M
By MYRNA M. VELASCO

The value of the 112-megawatt Pantabangan-Masiway hydropower assets of First Gen Corporation due for divestment to affiliate firm Energy Development Corporation (EDC) already climbed to $240 million from the acquisition price of $129 million for the same assets from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation two years ago.

The valuation figure was provided by Punongbayan & Araullo, a financial advisor for the transaction and was disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) by both First Gen and EDC.

It was learned that the appraised value of the hydro assets is now higher because the Lopez group already made some refurbishments that enhanced the operating efficiencies of the two plants.

EDC has offered to buy 60-percent stake in First Gen Hydro Corp., the corporate vehicle for the Pantabangan-Masiway plants, for $105 million; a deal which is targeted to be consummated by the end of the year.

According to Punongbayan and Araullo, the valuation was based on the term sheet agreed upon by EDC and First Gen.

“This is below the range of values we have derived amounting to $262.9 million to $312.4 mullion,” the advisory firm said.

It added that the lower enterprise value drawn in the term sheet “is favorable to EDC from a financial point of view.”

Meanwhile, First Gen vice president Victor Santos Jr. has stipulated in a disclosure to the local source that the proceeds from the transaction “will be utilized by First Gen for its general corporate purposes, including satisfaction of the company’s maturing obligations.”

On the part of EDC, this will be its window “to expand its renewable power generation projects jointly with First Gen.”

All terms in this $105-million transaction will be contained in the Share Purchase and Investment Agreement (SPIA) to be signed by the parties.

These shall include the terms and conditions of the transaction; and the terms and nature of payment or settlement method..

Fifth-class town eyes title as Nueva Ecija’s ‘fruit basket’
By Magtanggol Vilar

LICAB, Nueva Ecija – This fifth-class town on its way to becoming the “Fruit Basket of Nueva Ecija.”

This goal was set by Mayor Willie Domingo several years ago, but its realization came about recently when he entered into an agreement with the country’s top pomologist, Bernie Dizon, on the supply of certified seedlings and technology.

Domingo said he intends to have each of the 11 villages in his town grow one crop of mango and other staple crops that would serve as a sort of “designer item.”

This is expected to produce income for the hard-working farmers in the town and establish a permanent, income-generating industry in his town.

Domingo said he is eyeing the lucrative international, domestic multiple-rooted fruit tree seedling market. “Who knows, we might yet make it Fruit basket of the Region,” he said.

He said that Dizon will supply the town with seedlings of various mango varieties such as Guimaras, Sweet Elena, Chocanan, Golden Queen, Eating Green, Nancocman, Harumanis or Millennium.

Domingo also opted for malunggay and ilang-ilang for their commercial value .

Mayor Domingo, a man who has his own mango symbology etched everywhere at his four-hectare farm in poblacion proper here, believes that there is big money in the culture and production of mango.

A visit to his farm indicates that Mayor Domingo savors everything and anything about mango. Etched in the middle of a swimming pool is the unmistakable shape of a mango. There’s a bust of a beautiful lady caressing a mango.

Aware of the notoriety that his town has gained in the past eight years as “a sort of wild west” as a result of the many unsolved killings and rampant violent incidents, Domingo wants a change of image.

Instead of a violent character, why not a venture that would require all hands toiling to make a clean-cut image, and so he thought of working along his lifetime fancy for mangoes, sweet and delicious mangoes.

Nueva Ecija farmers coop, firm sign agreement on hybrid rice seeds

A partnership agreement was signed over the weekend between the Pinagkaisa N.E. Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (PNEPMPC) of Gen. M. Natividad, Nueva Ecija, and SL Agritech Corp., the country’s top producer of hybrid rice seeds.

Gemma Tomas, chairperson of the 300-strong farmers’ group, and Henry Lim, chairman and chief executive officer of SL Agritech Corp., signed the agreement at the office of Gen. M. Natividad Mayor Librado Santos.

Under the agreement, SL Agritech will provide the farmer-members of the coop with hybrid seeds (SL-7H F1 and SL-9H), including fertilizers and insecticides.

“We will provide them with all these inputs on credit and we will also buy all their harvested seeds based on the prevailing market price,” Lim said, adding that SL Agritech Corp. is increasing the production of its hybrid seeds to cope with the demand of farmers nationwide.

Lim noted in the past months “the growing demand of our seeds by farmers all over the country.”

Many farmers are planting the hybrid rice because they are now convinced that, indeed, it has substantially increased their production and income.”

SL Agritech Corp. manages a 40-hectare hybrid rice research center in Barangay Oogong in Sta. Cruz Laguna, and a 700-hectare hybrid rice seed production area in Lupon, Davao Oriental.

It has also developed over 100 hectares of farms in Tabuk, Kalinga, for massive hybrid rice seed production.

Those who witnessed the signing were former food minister Jesus Tanchanco, SL Agritech official Cathy Galura, senior vice president; Dr. Noel G. Mamicpic, vice president for research; Marciano Aaron, managing consultant; Joe Santos, assistant vice president for rice operation; Donna Lim, finance manager; Joh Dungca, marketing manager; and Doy Carino regional sales manager.

October 14, 2008
Manila Bulletin

Bountiful onion harvest forecast
By Magtanggol C. Vilar

BONGABON, Nueva Ecija – This town’s 2,850 onion farmers are bullish about the coming harvest which was described as “bountiful.”

Bongabon Mayor Amelia A. Gamilla cited the full support for the farmers of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap in the form of certified seeds, a multi-million-peso irrigation network and portable irrigation generators, and coupons for P250 fertilizers subsidy.

It was also noted that the importation and smuggling of onions have been limited to almost nil.

It was recalled that last Sept. 2 on the occasion of the 112th Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija, President Arroyo distributed P1.2 billion in loans and subsidies to members of 48 farm cooperatives in the province.

After the distribution, the President asked the Novo Ecijano farmers to help feed the nation.

Gov. Aurelio M. Umali responded, saying that Nueva Ecija is helping meet the country’s need for dollars through export of several agricultural products such as brown rice, rice, coffee and handicraft.

October 13, 2008
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Melamine care ups carabao milk demand
By Alselmo Roque

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ – Demand for fresh carabao (water buffalo) milk and products derived from it increased here amid reports of melamine contamination of milk and milk-based products from China, officials of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) here said.

“Our sales in September rose to P437,000 from the August sales of P380,000 said Mina Padilla-Abella, in-charge of the milk processing unit of the PCC at the Central Luzon State University here.

“The melamine scare could be one of the reasons for the increased demand for our milk and milk products,” she said.

The commodities produced by the village-type processing unit here are pasteurized milk, choco milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, lacto juice and milk candy. Raw milk comes from purebred and crossbred carabaos.

Padilla-Abella said the Nueva Ecija Federation of Dairy Cooperatives Inc. and the DVF Dairy Farm, both based in Talavera town, also noted the increased demand for carabao milk and products derived from it.

The scare over the contaminated milk was brought about by the reported deaths in China of at least four infants due to melamine-tainted milk. Melamine is a substance used in the manufacture of plastic products.

“Our gross sales could have been more if we had enough supply of raw milk,” Padilla-Abella said.

“The water buffalo milk is considered the finest among dairy animal milk,” said Dr. Libertado Cruz, PCC executive director.

“It is safe, nutritious and organic because of the nature of its feed,” Cruz said.

“The demand for carabao milk is whetting the appetite of more farmers to own crossbred dairy carabao,” he said.

A crossbred carabao, a cross between the Murrah buffalo and the native carabao, yields three to five liters of milk a day compared to the native breed’s one to two liters. Harvest from a purebred carabao is at least six liters a day.

Cruz said measures to increase the number of crossbred and purebred carabaos include artificial insemination, a bull loan project and importation.

He said there is more demand than supply of milk, citing 2007 PCC records showing that the country spent $652.45 million (about P35 billion) for milk and milk products importation.

As milk is highly perishable and can easily be contaminated, the PCC assists members of local dairy cooperatives in processing raw milk and developing milk products.

“Our experts train cooperatives members on milk hygiene – from collection to processing,” Cruz said.

Among the hygienic ways emphasized are bathing the animal and disinfecting their teats before milking, putting milk in disinfected stainless containers, pasteurizing it at the correct temperature and other sanitary procedures before the milk is sold.

“We are intensifying efforts in organizing and assisting our farmers to become dairy entrepreneurs. Our center has established national and regional impact zones in which the concept of dairy enterprise was put in place,” Cruz said.


Photo caption: SALES of carabao milk have increased in Nueva Ecija since the melamine scare reached this province.

Livelihood windfall unveiled for 1,000 Pantabangan families
By Manny Galvez

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija – A cash windfall amounting to a whopping P100 million to serve as seed money for livelihood has been unveiled by the municipal government to an initial 1,000 poor families in this town.

Mayor Romeo Borja Sr. told reporters that each of the beneficiary family will be given P100,000 as start-up capital for family-based agri-business livelihood ventures. He said that among the beneficiaries of the livelihood package are families of charcoal makers.

Charcoal making has been posing as a major headache for the municipal government which, however, was able to convince them to stop their illegal trade in exchange for other alternative sources of livelihood such as farming.

Borja said that the funds for the livelihood project will be sourced from the collections of real property tax being paid the municipal government by the California Energy International (CalEnergy), the build-operate-transfer (BOT) proponent of the Casecnan Mulipurpose Irrigation and Power Project or the Casecnan Dam.

The American firm constructed the 26-km. underground trans-basin tunnel which diverted water from the Casecnan and Taang rivers in Nueva Viscaya to the Pantabangan Dam forming part of the CMIPP’s BOT component worth $600 million. The facility was completed in2001.

Also to be covered by the livelihood bonanza are families of 200 casual employees of the municipal government who have not been receiving their salaries for the last eight months but offered to stay on while waiting for the release of the funds.

Borja said that the 1,000 beneficiary families represent roughly one-fourth of the total number of families in the town of 4,000 families.

He said that the municipal government, while extending the livelihood aid, will strictly monitor the progress of the livelihood venture entered by every beneficiary family through a monitoring team created for that purpose. Aside from providing cash, the municipal government will provide inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, certified and hybrid seeds and other forms of technical assistance to ensure good harvest.

October 8, 2008
Manila Bulletin

Farm irrigators in Nueva Ecija thank Arroyo
By Magtanggol C. Vilar

CABANATUAN CITY – An umbrella organization of Novo Ecijano farmer irrigators comprising 17 groups thanked the administration of President Arroyo for its continuing support for the agricultural programs in the province.

Coursed through Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurlio M. Umali and Engineer Antonio Nangel, National Irrigation Administrtion-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Service (NIA_UPRIIS) operations manager, the message of thenks by the Dreamland Irrigators Association Inc. was in the form of a manifesto of support for President Arroyo and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

The irrigators said that with the continuing support of the Arroyo administration, Nueva Ecija has maintained its position as a top producer of food.

The irrigators credited the Arroyo administration for the construction in Nueva Ecija of additional irrigation facilities such as the Casecnan and Aulo dams, which have improved the palay production capability of this province, dubbed as “the rice granary of the Philippines.”

In 2007, Nueva Ecija produced 1,231,176 metric tons of rice.

Also, farmers groups in the province were recipient of several flat-bed dryers.

Mrs. Arroyo distributed in Nueva Ecija last Sept. 2, on the occasion of the 112th Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija, a total of P1.2 billion in loans and subsidies to the members of 48 farm cooperatives.

October 7, 2008
Manila Bulletin

Casecnan irrigation project to benefit 8,800 NE farmers
Bay Magtanggol C. Vilar

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija – The implementation of the irrigation component of the giant Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) is right on track for its scheduled completion by December, this year.

National Irrigation Administration Casecnan Project Manager Alex Coloma said Phase I of the irrigation component of the P6.7-billuion CMIPP project is already 97 percent complete.

Coloma reported that P2.4-billion irrigation projects under Phase I have been completed and are ready for inauguration in December.

He said the newly completed complexes arethe P608-million rehabilitated Peñaranda River Irrigation System (PENRIS) under contract package S1 and the P1.7-billion new irrigation areas under contract packages S2 and S3.

The Casecnan irrigation network covers 16,879 hectares of farms in 67 barangays in the Muñoz, and the towns of Guimba and Talugtog in Nueva Ecija, and Victoria in Tarlac. A total of 8,839 farmers will be benefited by the irrigation facilities.

October 6, 2008
Malaya

Nueva Ecija mayor faces investigation for illegal logging
By Jojo de Guzman

CABANATUAN CITY – Nueva Ecija police will investigate reports on the involvement of Gen. Tinio’s mayor in illegal logging activities in the town, which is being blamed for last week’s flash floods that affected Gapan City and three towns, displacing more than a thousand residents.

The suspicion was triggered by felled logs and processed lumber which were washed down from Gen. Tinio’s mountains by floodwaters.

Senior Supt. Ricardo Marquez, Nueva Ecija police director, said he has directed his intelligence officer to look into the possible involvement of Gen. Tinio Mayor Virgilio Bote in illegal logging.

The flash floods, which followed heavy rains brought by typhoon Pablo, buried houses in Gen. Tinio, San Leonardo, Gabaldon and Gapan City and forced the evacuation of residents in barangays Pias, Rio Chico, Poblacion East and Poblacion Centro in Gen Tinio; barangays Catellano and Nieves in San Leonardo; barangays Tagumpay and Bagong Sikat in Gabaldon, and barangay San Vicente, San Nicolas, Pambuasn, Sto. Niño and San Lorenzo, all in Gapan last Thursday.

Gapan Mayor Ernesto Natividad said that the flash floods were a clear indication that illegal logging persists in Gen. Tinio, a known logging hotbed. He said Gov. Aurelio Umali, who distributed relief goods to the affected families, vowed to conduct an investigation into the cause of the flash floods.

Bote, a former three-term mayor who reclaimed his post in last year’s elections, is a close ally of Umali’s.

In 2004, flash floods reportedly caused by illegal logging in Gen. Tinio buried communities in southern Nueva Ecija and downed a bridge in Cabiao town.

14 villages in N. Ecija city, 3 towns flooded


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

October 3, 2008
Philippine Daily Inquirer
By Anselmo Roque

CABANATUAN CITY – Floodwaters yesterday submerged at least 14 villages in three towns and one city in Nueva Ecija, prompting hundreds of families to seek safe grounds.

Flooded were the villages of Pambuan, San Vicente, Sto Niño, San Nicolas and Bukana in Gapan City; Castellano and Nieves in San Leonardo; Poblacion East and Rio Chico in General Tinio; and three other villages in Gabaldon town.

Antonio Nangel, operations manager of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS), said the water came from Peñaranda and Pampanga rivers, which overflowed due to continous rains since Wednesday.

He said the Pantabangan Dam was still 10 meters from spilling level.

Water level in a portion of the Maharlika Highway between San Leonardo and Gapan City was neck-deep or about five feet, according to Supt. Marlon Bingcang, Gapan City police chief, Traffic was rerouted to Jaen and San Isidro towns.

Arnel Tecson, barangay chair of San Vicente in Gapan, said rescue workers were trying to reach 10 people perched on rooftops on Thursday morning.

Gapan Mayor Ernesto Natividad was leading the rescue efforts and evacuation of affected families starting at 2 a.m. yesterday, Tecson said.

In General Tinio, 50 families were evacuated to the town’s gymnasium and other government buildings, according to a police report.

Gov. Aurelio Umali said the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council had mobilized teams to help rescue efforts and assist families in evacuation centers.

October 3, 2008
Manila Bulletin

Antonino Bridge opened in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY – Pursuing his avowed program for the delivery of the basic social services to his constituents. Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo W. Antonio (4th district) led recently the historical inauguration of the Gaudencio E. Antonino Bridge, formerly Cabiao Bridge, in Barangay Langla, Jaen, Nueva Ecija. president Arroyo was the special guest at the event that coincided with the celebration of the congressman’s 57th birthday. The Cabiao bridge had been under constructions. Now, through the effort of Congressman Antonino and support of the Arroyo administration, the dream of Jaen residents has finally come true. The Gaudencio E. Antonino Bridge is in honor of the late Senator and statesman Gaudencio Antonino, the congressman’s father, whose legacy of dedicated public service is being carried out by his son.

The bridge, which connects places and people, brings to reality the dream of the late senator to close the gap between the center and the periphery of Nueva Ecija. after the unveiling, Antonino, two-time outstanding congressman awardee for 2006 and 2007 and President Arroyo also led the awarding of TESDA sholarship certificates, checks for micro-financing to SEA-K, and Philhealth cards.

September 28, 2008
The Daily Tribune
Joson urges probe into political killings

Alarmed by the latest accounts of political killings and violence, a lawmaker has filed a resolution directing the House committee on peace and order to investigate the state of political violence in the country.

Rep. Eduardo Nonato Joson (Nueva Ecija) said the Philippines ranks second in the world in the number of political killings with more than 800 reported incidents since 2001.
“The political killings have reached an alarming proportion, extending not only just to partisan players but also to innocent bystanders and civilians, “ he said.

Joson said House Resolution 791 ensures the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and punishment of political violence, as well as care and protection of people and communities victimized and threatened with violence.

He cited the bombing incident at the Batasan Complex in 2007, which resulted in several fatalities and seriously injured House members and employees. PNA

September 27, 2008
People’s JOURNAL
P2.3B irrigation projects for Casecnan dam done
Steve A. Gosuico

SCIENCE CITY of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – Irrigation projects worth P2.3 billion under Phase 1 of the P6.7-bilion component of the giant Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project have been completed, the National Irrigation Administration here said yesterday.

Alexander G. Coloma, NIA-Casecnan project manager, said the newly completed projects are the P608-million rehabilitated Peñaranda River Irrigation System under Contract Package U2 and P1.7 billion in new irrigation areas under contract packages S2 and S3.

Coloma said they are optimistic that the entire Phase 1 of the irrigation component of the CMIPP will be completed on schedule by December. Phase 2 of the irrigation component is set to start in 2009.

Phase 1 of the irrigation component, which started in January 1998 and is now 97-percent complete, involves construction of a 29-kilometer super diversion canal, repair and rehabilitation of existing dams and enlargement of major canals.

Coloma reported to NIA Administrator Carlos Salazar that the PENRIS dam is now operational and looks as good as new with strengthened/improved structures, new electric-driven gates, replacing old and deteriorated dam structures and worn-out, defective gates.

He said the newly rehabilitated dam will irrigate 19,924.20 hectares of agricultural land in 63 barangays in Gapan City and the municipalities of San Isidro, Cabiao and this town, San Miguel and Ildefonso in Bulacan and Candaba, Pampanga.

The newly developed irrigation areas cover 16,879 hectares of farmlands in 67 barangays in this city and the Nueva Ecija towns of Guimba and Talugtog and Victotia, Tarlac.

September 25, 2008
People’s JOURNAL
Governor linked to agri scam
By Joel dela Torre

A GROUP of farmers yesterday asked the Department of Agriculture to investigate Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali for his alleged involvement in a multi-million-peso agricultural scam.

Sid Villaflor, leader of the farmers, said Umali should be probed for selecting a farmers’group as beneficiaries of a livelihood and irrigation project even if its members are not from the province.

Villaflor said that the Samahan ng mga Manininda ng Prutas sa Gabi, Inc. has been nemed beneficiary of the project.

The farmers claimed that the governor had allegedly entered into an agreement with the SMPGI for a P3-million livelihood and irrigation project.

The project reportedly involved the purchase of water pumps priced at P120,000 each although its market price was only P40,000 each.

The group also asked the Senate to investigate the alleged scam as million of pesos that were diverted from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Nueva Ecija were used to finance bogus projects.

Earlier, graft charges were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Umali for allegedly favoring bogus farmers’ groups as beneficiaries of agricultural projects even if such groups are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The case stemmed from an agreement that Umali allegedly entered into with the Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation, Inc. that authorized the latter to pinpoint the beneficiaries of the agricultural project.

The governor allegedly caused the release of P12 million from the PDAF to by 7,920 bottles of liquid fertilizer for the farmers ot the towns of Gabaldon and General Natividad in Nueva Ecija.

The complainants claimed that the fertilizers were overpriced at P1,500 each as the prevailing market price for each bottle ranged from P100 to P200 only.

Aulo Dam, Palayan City

Aulo Dam Technical Working Group

September 26, 2008
Manila Bulletin
Ex-Nueva Ecija solon named to CAB; 5 other new officials appointed
By Genalyn D. Kabiling
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has designated former Nueva Ecija Rep. Renato V. Diaz as a member of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and named five other new officials to various government posts.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Diaz will join the CAB, an agency attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), after previously serving as presidential adviser for Northern Luzon.
The CAB provides policy and regulatory framework to ensure safe, reliable, and accessible air transportation services in the country.
Ermita, in a news conference in Malacañang last Wednesday, said the President also appointed Geronimo L. Sy as assistant secretary at the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Sy, a Prosecutor II in the justice department, began his legal career in government in 1999. He obtained his law degree from the Ateneo Law School and passed the Bar examinations in 1995.
The other new appointees were Bai Omera Dinalan Lucman who was named member of the Board of Trustees, representing the women sector, of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA); Emmanuel Mahipus as executive director and Robert B. Albano as regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB); and Raymundo Agravante as regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).
Their appointment papers were signed by the President last Sept. 24, and the new officials will immediately take their office as soon as they receive their respective appointments, Ermita said.

September 5, 2008
The Philippine STAR
Ecija cops file charges vs 4 in ex-vice mayor’s slay
By Manny Galvez

CABANATUAN CITY – The Philippine National Police have filed an information for murder before the Department of Justice against four persons tagged in the cold-blooded killing of the former vice mayor of Cabiao, Nuevo Ecija last month.

Senior Superintendent Ricardo Marquez, provincial police director, said the Cabiao police, under Senior Inspector Romeo Ramos, lodged the complaint in Information Sheet 08H-2079 before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Tony Torres, Ponseng Canlas, a John Doe and one Peter Doe.

The four were tagged for the Aug. 14 killing of former Cabiao Vice Mayor Bonifacio “Boy Good” Clemente. Clemente, 54 died on the spot from gunshot wounds from a caliber .45 pistol.

Marquez said that with the filling of the information, they considered the killing of Clemente solved.

Marquez said that in filling the information, the Cabiao police gathered the affidavits of Clemente’s widow Teresita and Lina Miranda who personally witnessed the killing.

Miranda in his affidavit said she saw two men riding a black motorcycle alight in front of the Jay Vulcanizing Shop in Barangay San Fernando Sur, Cabiao at around 1:20 p.m. on Aug. 14.

Clemente was calling somebody on his cellular phone while waiting for his vehicle to be fixed at the lobby of the vulcanizing shop when fired at by the suspects.

September 5, 2008
People’s Journal
Cops file raps vs 4 suspects in Ecija ex-vice mayor’s slay
By Steve A. Gosuico

CABANATUAN CITY – Police have filed criminal charges against four persons tagged in the cold-blooded murder of a former vice mayor of Cabiao, Nuevo Ecija last month.

Named as respondents in a murder complaint filed before the Department of Justice were Antonio “Tony” Torres and Ponciano “Ponseng” Canlas, both of Barangay Entablado, Cabiao, Nuevo Ecija, a John Doe and a Peter Doe.

Senior Supt. Ricardo Marquez, acting provincial police director, said the complaint was filed by the Cabiao police under Senior Insp. Romeo Ramos.

The four were tagged in the Aug. 14 killing of former Vice Mayor Bonifacio “Boy Good” Clemente, 54.

Marquez said with the filing of the information, they consider the killing of Clemente’s widow Teresita and Lina Miranda who witnessed the killing.

Miranda said she saw two men on a black motorcycle alight in front of the Jay Vulcanizing Shop in Barangay San Fernando Sur, Cabiao at 1:20 p.m. on Aug. 14.

Clemente was talking to somebody on his cellphine while waiting for his vehicle to be repaired at the vulcanizing shop when shot by the suspects.

Police recovered six shells for .45 pistol at the scene.

September 4, 2008
Manila Bulletin

GMA asks N.Ecija folk to produce more staple food for RP
By Magtanggol C. Vilar

PALAYAN CITY – Acknowledging the share of Nuevo Ecija “in producing rice that feeds the nation,” President Arroyo asked Novo Ecijanos to answer the challenge on the table for Filipinos.”

The President issued last Tuesday the challenge on the occasion of the celebration of the 112th anniversary of the “Unang Sigaw ng Nuevo Ecija” in which she was the guest speaker.

President Arroyo lauded the efforts of Nuevo Ecija Gov. Aurelio M. Umali in effecting a dramatic turnaround of the province’s economy through its agricultural pursuits together with infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads.

With the presidential entourage were several Cabinet members who included Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza.

On the same occasion, the President distributed a total of loans and subsidies of P1.2 billion to members of 48 farm cooperatives in the province.

She also distributed 82 flat-bed dryers to municipalities in the four congressional districts, 200 land patents under the government’s “Handog Titulo”program to landless residents in the town of General Tinio, San Leonardo, Zaragoza and Science City of Muñoz.

In her speech, Arroyo cited her administration’s efforts in ensuring food stability of the country, noting the introduction in Nuevo Ecija of additional irrigation facilities as the Casecnan and Aulo dams which have led to increased palay production. In 2007, Nuevo Ecija produced 1,231,176 metric tons of palay.

The President said the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is helping in her administration’s country-wide development projects.

But she challenged local farm groups to help in the country’s efforts to earn dollars which would be used for the purchase of petroleum products.

In answer, Governor Umali said that Nuevo Ecija is helping earn dollars for the country through export of several agricultural products such as brown rice, rice coffee, and handicraft made of rice straws and common grass.

President Arroyo prodded the governor to rush the construction of the P13.59-billion Balintingon Reservoir Multipurpose Project (BRMP) at the tri-border of Nuevo Ecija, Bulacan, and Pampanga.

September 3, 2008
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gov’t to pursue agri subsidies
By Michael Lim
PALAYAN CITY – PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo presided over meetings of the National Economic Development Authority and the National Security Council here to stress her bid to make the country rice self-sufficient before she ends her term in 2010.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the government will spend about P25 billion on agricultural subsidies this year and almost the same amount nest year to hopefully push the country out of the current food crisis.

The Cabinet was also set to approve an “export development program for agriculture,” an ambitious plan to make the country an exporter of hog, livestock and poultry by mid-2009.

To do this, Yap told reporters the Department of Agriculture (DA) proposed the continuous development of processing facilities all over the country (storage, refrigeration and cutting facilities).

“We want processing facilities for meat products ready by mid-2009,” he said, adding that the DA was working with local government units to increase “capacity production.”

Already the country is exporting hog products to Singapore.

“For the first time, the country will export hog products to the world,” he said.

In May, President Macapagal-Arroyo unveiled the P43.7-billion FEEDS program, a financial support package for fertilizer, irrigation and infrastructure, extension and education, loans, dryers and other post-harvest and post-production facilities.

September 2, 2008
People’s Journal

GMA graces P448-M Ecija dam, ‘Unang Sigaw’ rites
By Steve A. Gosuico

PALAYAN CITY – President Macapagal-Arroyo will lead today the inauguration of the P448-million modernized and state-of-the-art dam here coinciding with the 112th anniversary of the “Unang Sigaw ng Nuevo Ecija (First Cry of Nuevo Ecija).”

Carlos Salazar, administrator of the National Irrigation Administration, said the President, along with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, will lead in the opening of the newly-rehabilitated Pampanga-Bongabon River Irrigation System, also known as the Atate Dam.

Mrs. Arroyo will hold a Cabinet meeting here. She will be welcomed by Gov. Aurelio Umali and other local officials.

Salazar said the rehabilitation of PBRIS has been fully completed with the installation of electro-mechanically operated gate-lifting mechanism, additional intake, construction of 10.38-kilometer concrete canal lining the PBRIS main canal and installation of new slide gates for 10 main canal structures and turn-outs.

The Atate Dam forms part of Contract Package U1 of the P6.7-billion Phase 1 of the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project.

Alexander Coloma, NIA-Casecnan assistant project manager, said the Atate Dam rehab, undertaken by the China International Water & Electric Corp., cost P448.15 million.

Coloma said the project will benefit 19,151 farmers covering 25,881 hectares of agricultural lands in 105 barangays in Cabanatuan City and Aliaga, Gen. Natividad, Jaen, Peñaranda, San Antonio, San Leonardo, Sta Rosa and Zaragoza towns.

September 1, 2008
The Philippine STAR

Fruit demo garden to rise in NE university
By Manny Galvez

CABANATUAN CITY – a fruit demonstration garden that will serve as a plant and technology exchange center for local and imported fruit trees using the multiple rootstock technology espoused by noted pomologist Bernardo Dizon is taking shape inside the 22-hectare campus of the Nuevo Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) here.

A 25-year memorandum of agreement will be signed on Sept. 6 by NEUST president, lawyer Hilario Ortiz, Dizon and Gary Dizon at the school’s Sumacab campus here.

Following the signing of the MOA, the Dizons will launch a free seminar-workshop on the propagation and culture of high-value fruit trees using the multi-rooted technology.

Under the proposed MOA, Dizon will establish, maintain and operate the demo plot and garden to showcase experimental fruit garden using the multiple rootstock technology.

Dizon said the project will be readily accessible to the farmers, orchard owners and interested backyard growers for their technological requirement in growing fruit and hard wood trees.

He said that with the project, farmers will be taught through actual planting the modern methods of culturing traditional fruit trees such as mango and non-traditional ones such as lychees, oranges, rambutan and durian which are potential dollar-earners.

“This project will disprove the wrong notion that non-traditional fruit trees cannot be grown in Nuevo Ecija or anywhere else in the Philippines,” he said.

August 27, 2008
Malaya

N.Ecija gov charged with graft anew
By Jojo de Guzman

CABANATUAN CITY – For the nth time Nueva Ecija vice governor Edward Thomas Joson charged Gov. Aurelio Umali and four other provincial officials with graft at the Office of the Ombudsman, this time for the allegedly questionable disbursement of P1.3 millio t a caterer which had not actually supplied the food for Umali’s oath-taking at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center in Palayan City on July 4, 2007.

Also named respondents in the complaint were provincial trade and industry officer Giovanni Agtay, provincial administrator Alejandro Abesamis, treasurer Edilberto Pancho, and former administrator Jaime Pallanan.

Joson said Umali and his co-accused made it appear that the Ryan Angelo Sweets and Catering provided food for the affair because the firm still had a live two-year contract with the provincial government to supply meals and food services beginning Sept. 21, 2006.

Joson presented a sworn statement from Cleopatra Gervacio, owner of Ryan Angelo, stating that Agtay requested her to issue a receipt for P1.3 million as food and catering expenses although another caterer had actually provided the food. Gervacio said Agtay told her this would facilitate the release of payment and her other collectibles from the provincial government.

Joson said the actual cost of the food delivered by the real caterer was only P1.08 million, consisting of 9,000 pieces of packed lunch at P120 each. He also questioned why there were 9,000 packed lunches when the convention center where Umali was sworn in can only accommodate a maximum of 3,000 persons. “Sabihin nang may mga tao pa sa labas, pero sabihing naubos yung 9,000, sobra-sobra na iyon,” he said.

Joson also asked the Ombudsman to place the respondents under preventive suspension pending the investigation of this complaint.

August 26, 2008
Manila Bulletin

DPWH employee slain in Cabanatuan
By Magtanggol C. Vilar

CABANATUAN CITY – As employee of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here was gunned down the other day by an unidentified man near a gasoline station in Barangay D.S. Garcia, this city.

Senior Inspector Danilo Eduardo, chief investigator of the Cabanatuan police, identified the victim as Edwin Wycoco, 47, resident of Villa Cecilla (Phase 2), this city.

The victim was a son of retired Assistant City Prosecutor Pacifico Wycoco, now chief of the City Legal Office, and twin brother of Barangay Chairman Edward Wycoco of Sta Arcadia here.

The police said the victim was walking towards his red Zuzuki multi-cab parked near the Fuel Zone gas station adjacent to city’s multi-purpose parking terminal when the gunman fired several shots at him at close range.

The police found six shells of caliber .45 bullets at the crime scene.

Meanwhile, former Nampicuan (Nuevo Ecija) Vice Mayor Luisito Verayo y Sanchez was nabbed yesterday by policemen at a checkpoint in Bliss, Barangay Cabaducan East, Nampicuan town for possession of a caliber .45 pistol (SN482058) with 10 rounds of ammunition. He was unable to present any document for the Strayer Voight Inc.-made firearm.

He was charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

August 26, 2008
The Philippine STAR

Pair of giant slippers ushers in Gapan’s ‘tsinelas’ festival
By Manny Galvez

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A pair of giant slippers as big as 30 feet went on display in this city’s main thoroughfares as the city government launched here yesterday its “7th Tsinelas Festival” or festival of slippiers highlighting its seventh anniversary as a component city.

Mayor Ernesto Natividad and Vice Mayor Christian Tinio led city officials usher in the festival meant to boost sales and income of local slipper makers in the face of stiff competition from imported slippers coming from China and other countries.

Dozens of tsinelas stalls have been installed along the national highway in Barangay Bucana to showcase the slippers aside from the parade of floats and street dancing at the entrance of the new city hall, a giant slipper mounted on a float is put on display.

The city’s backyard slippers industry, which originated in the 1930s, has been abuzz in Barangays Mangino, Pambuan and San Lorenzo. It generates annual sales of P500 million.

During the pre-war period, slippers were made of carabao leather from Meycauyan, Bulacan.

However, the government prohibited the slaughter of cattle such as carabao, resulting in the decline in leather supply. Slippers makers were thus, forced to tap other raw materials such as plastic and rubber.

Local slippers are now made of synthetic material, giving the city distinction of being the biggest producer of synthetic-made slippers in the country. These type of slippers are sold in Luzon, mostly in Bicol, Ilocos Norte and Baclaran and major department stores in Manila.

Matividad, who is one of the biggest slipper producers here before he entered politics, said with a minimum capital of P15,000, one can start a slipper-making business.

One of the few exceptions was Tessie Gomez who started with a meager capital of P120.

The city’s slipper industry, however, is being threatened by the flood of imported slippers. Aside from China, other countries where slippers are being brought in are Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.


Photo by coldapoy
Visit: http://coldapoy.multiply.com/photos/album/177/Tsinelas_Festival_Gapan_City_Nueva_Ecija