Aulo Dam, Palayan City
Aulo Dam Technical Working Group
Saturday
Friday
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.
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.
Saturday
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday
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.
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.
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
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
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
Monday
September 5, 2008
The Philippine STAR
‘NE gov’s unity call empty rhetoric’
By Manny Galvez
CABANATUAN CITY – His one hand may be extending a hand of peace but his other hand is swinging and about to throw a punch.
This is the scenario painted by Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson who accused beleaguered Nuevo Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, who is facing a slew of graft suits for alleged irregularities, of being insincere in his peace overtures and of flaunting “empty rhetoric” in his call for unity among Novo Ecijanos.
Joson, eldest son of former four-time governor Tomas Joson III, said Umali’s oft-repeated call for unity is short of substance amid the controversies hounding his scandal-tainted administration.
Joson was commenting on the provincial government’s adoption of unity as theme in the 112th anniversary of the “Unang Sigaw ng Nuevo Ecija” in Palayan City Tuesday.
The theme: Pagkakaisa para sa patuloy na pagbabago ng Nueva Ecija (Unity for the continuing change of Nuevo Ecija),” Umali said, is timely because it is the call of the hour in the province. He said that “at this point in time, what the province needs is unity and a step toward the direction of the government to use newly discovered knowledge and modern technology which will change our lives and economy.”
Last year, the young governor made a pitch for change when his administration adopted the theme: “Sa Pagbabago ng Nuevo Ecija, lahat kasama (In the change of Nuevo Ecija, everybody has a share).”
Joson said this battlecry was nothing but empty rhetoric, coming as it is from a governor who extends his hand for peace and reconciliation yet exhibits a fighting stance with members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
He told The STAR by phone that the governor lacks sincerity. “Salita lang yon. Ang importante kung ano ang ginagawa mo. Madaling magsalita pero ‘yung ikinikilos mo naman iba. Ipakita mong sinsero ka (This is just a word. What is important is what you are doing. It’s easy to speak but your actions are different. Show you are sincere),” he said.
He said that for one, Umali has shown an utter lack of respect for the entire SP which he (Joson) heads by refusing to heed its call for him to present his plans and programs for the province. “Umali has never faced the SP even once to present his program of government. Let’s give the SP due respect,” he said.
He said immediately after the commemorative rites for the Nuevo Ecija Day was over, Umali called a press conference attacking the SP members for allegedly blocking his programs.
Joson said that on a personal level, he and Umali may not be able to settle their differences but said they can work together professionally but that the latter has ben doing it the wrong way.
“It is only our work as public servants that we can possibly agree on, but he has been doing things that are the opposite of what he is trying to promote which is peace and reconciliation,” he said.
The Philippine STAR
‘NE gov’s unity call empty rhetoric’
By Manny Galvez
CABANATUAN CITY – His one hand may be extending a hand of peace but his other hand is swinging and about to throw a punch.
This is the scenario painted by Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson who accused beleaguered Nuevo Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, who is facing a slew of graft suits for alleged irregularities, of being insincere in his peace overtures and of flaunting “empty rhetoric” in his call for unity among Novo Ecijanos.
Joson, eldest son of former four-time governor Tomas Joson III, said Umali’s oft-repeated call for unity is short of substance amid the controversies hounding his scandal-tainted administration.
Joson was commenting on the provincial government’s adoption of unity as theme in the 112th anniversary of the “Unang Sigaw ng Nuevo Ecija” in Palayan City Tuesday.
The theme: Pagkakaisa para sa patuloy na pagbabago ng Nueva Ecija (Unity for the continuing change of Nuevo Ecija),” Umali said, is timely because it is the call of the hour in the province. He said that “at this point in time, what the province needs is unity and a step toward the direction of the government to use newly discovered knowledge and modern technology which will change our lives and economy.”
Last year, the young governor made a pitch for change when his administration adopted the theme: “Sa Pagbabago ng Nuevo Ecija, lahat kasama (In the change of Nuevo Ecija, everybody has a share).”
Joson said this battlecry was nothing but empty rhetoric, coming as it is from a governor who extends his hand for peace and reconciliation yet exhibits a fighting stance with members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
He told The STAR by phone that the governor lacks sincerity. “Salita lang yon. Ang importante kung ano ang ginagawa mo. Madaling magsalita pero ‘yung ikinikilos mo naman iba. Ipakita mong sinsero ka (This is just a word. What is important is what you are doing. It’s easy to speak but your actions are different. Show you are sincere),” he said.
He said that for one, Umali has shown an utter lack of respect for the entire SP which he (Joson) heads by refusing to heed its call for him to present his plans and programs for the province. “Umali has never faced the SP even once to present his program of government. Let’s give the SP due respect,” he said.
He said immediately after the commemorative rites for the Nuevo Ecija Day was over, Umali called a press conference attacking the SP members for allegedly blocking his programs.
Joson said that on a personal level, he and Umali may not be able to settle their differences but said they can work together professionally but that the latter has ben doing it the wrong way.
“It is only our work as public servants that we can possibly agree on, but he has been doing things that are the opposite of what he is trying to promote which is peace and reconciliation,” he said.