Volume IV No. 27 December 15-21, 2019 Php 8.00

www.tarlacweekender.com [email protected] tarlac weekender BCDA gives Aetas in Capas “Notice to Vacate” arlac City – While the (dated November 29) to pagmamay-ari ng pamaha- upang makipag-ugnayan sa ng nasabing proyekto ng who are affected have no- whole nation is en- the Aetas, which they say laan na nasa ilalim ng pan- aming opisina at isumete sa gobyerno.” where to go. Tgrossed with the recent- was received December 2. gagasiwa ng [BCDA] ayon BCDA ang mga nararapat In the report by Philstar. On December 5, the NCIP ly-concluded 30th SEA Sandugo, in their Facebook sa Batas Republika Bilang na dokumento at gayundin com, Casamira Maniego, in its Facebook page, posted Games, the Aetas in Baran- page posted the said notice. 7227,” it reads. ay boluntaryo o kusang-loob head of the Asosyason ng a statement as follows: gay Aranguren in Capas, “Nais po naming ipabatid “Dahil po dito at bilang na lisanin ang nasabing lu- Katutubong Mahawang in Statement on the Sev- Tarlac are in the brink of sa inyo na ang lupain na makataong pakikitungo, gar at baklasin ang anumang Capas, a representative of en-Day Notice to Evacuate being evicted from their kasalukuyang kinatitirikan kayo po ay binibigyan ng istruktura na itinayo ninyo the affected Aeta communi- by BCDA homeland. ng inyong bahay/istruktura pitong (7) araw na paglug- dito, kung meron man, upa- ty said that they rejected the 1. There is no forcible This comes as the BCDA o sinasaka niyo sa Barangay it, simula sa araw ng pag- ng magbigay daan sa gagaw- eviction. It was also stated demolition in the New Clark issued a Notice to Vacate Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac ay katanggap ng liham na ito, in at agarang pagpapatupad that the 500 Aeta families Cont. on page 8

THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS YOUR HELP! This is a restroom for 21 families at Purok Rosas, Barangay Cacamilingan Sur, Camiling Tarlac. It is their Christmas wish that it will be fixed up. You can reach their barangay leaders through their Facebook page @brgy.cacamilingan.sur. Why are Electricity Rates in Sitel bolsters country- Residents threaten to the the highest side operations in Asia? with new stop poultry operation (read on Hoy, NCIP! page 8) erona, Tarlac - - “Kung who requested to be anony- ing. Ipapasara talaga namin expansion Gpatuloy ang na pame- mous for fear of reprisal. ang poultry kung muling Umayos ka! Ang tingnan mo meste ng mga langaw, gagaw- In an interview, Eclar re- lalabas ang mga langaw”, dapat ang kapakanan ng mga creating 1,500 in namin ang lahat para vealed that, to control the said the same source. katutubo, ‘yan ang trabaho mo, tumigil ang operasyon ng flies, the poultry owner was It was gathered that the ka ng BCDA! new jobs in poultry”. requested to construct “ful- poultry farm has no road ‘di yung para maging spokesman (read on Thus, said residents living ly screened entry doors in right of way and is only us- page 2) near a large poultry farm in all the doors and ventilation ing a portion of a private Purok Mauplas, Barangay fans of each poultry build- land to go in and out of the Pinasling. ing. farm. The residents made this Chan’s poultry farm in In the same interview, Pope Francis declares threat when the farm owned this barangay has 6 poultry Eclar confided that the Ba- by Alvin Chan again caused buildings which produces rangay Council has no com- the reappearance of “pester- more than 200,000 chicken plaint on the poultry opera- Church(read as on‘Minor page 6) Basilica’ ing flies” in their neighbor- heads per harvest. tion. hood during the poultry’s However, according to the “Hindi tulad ng ibang ba- last harvest last November. residents, swarm of flies re- rangay, ang barangay dyan FDA OKs DOT celebrates PH’s Mayor Eloy Eclar closed surfaced again during the (Pinasling) mga tao lang ang down the poultry opera- last harvest despite the re- nagrereklamo, walang com- redistri- Leading Dive Destina- tion last October due to the pairs made. plaint ang (barangay) coun- complaint of the residents “Mahigit 20 years na ka- bution of tion citation cil”, said Eclar. (read on page 3) but allowed its re-operation ming pine-peste ng mga The mayor also said he Mekeni after the owner allegedly langaw ng poltring yan. Sila had ordered the closure of made “corrective engineer- kumikita ng milyon-mily- other poultry farms in other pork-based DENR awards 30 ing works”. on pero kami naman ang barangays also due to com- residential patents in “Pinagbigyan namin si pinapahirapan. Hindi na plaints of residents over the products Mayor (Eclar) na muling pa- kami papayag na pahirapan issue of “pestering flies”./ (read on (read on page 7) Zambales hintulutan ang operation ng pa kami pati mga apo nam- Nelson Bolos page 3) poultry dahil ayon sa kanya gumawa ng ‘corrective engi- SPIN UP MAGKASANGGA TAYO HATAW NA KAIBIGAN neering works’ ang may-ari. Pero mukhang hindi effec- Mayor Eloy Eclar The Best talaga ang tive ang ginawang repairs Hulaan!! Sino sila? ng Gerona, ANO PA

page 5 TARELCO 1 (Part 6) page 5 page 4 • kaya’t muling dumami ang • • INAANTAY MO?!?! mga langaw nitong last na By: Nelson Bolos By: Nestor Castro By: Roldan Ramos harvest nila”, said a resident December 15-21, 2019 2 tarlacweekender Local/Regional News Sitel bolsters countryside operations with new expansion creating 1,500 new jobs in Central Luzon arlac,City - Sitel, a leading “We are very excited to ex- Officer. We established part- Tglobal customer care pro- pand our operations in Tarlac,” nership with local schools and vider, today announced the Ravi Iyengar, Sitel Chief Op- universities, providing OJT and opening of its 14th custom- erating Officer-APAC, shared. immersion opportunities for er experience center in Tarlac “Since opening our doors their graduating students. Early that will create additional jobs here in 2016, we have experi- for roughly 1,500 talents in the enced tremendous growth in this year, we also established a region. Philippine Government the region and have been able Sitel Academy Hub in our Tar- officials, Sitel executives, and to recruit highly skilled local lac location, which provided industry partners announced talents with strong customer free training to near-hire can- the opening of the new site this service skills and aptitude for didates and this year alone, we morning at the Robinsons Luis- complex outsourcing process- were able to hire more than 300 ita Complex. es and emerging technologies. from our Sitel Academy train- With the official inaugu- From three (3) clients in 2016, ing graduates. Our Sitel Tarlac ration of their latest center – we now have eight (8) global Sitel cuts the ribbon on their brand new Tarlac 3 expansion (L-R) Genaro M. Men- their 3rd in Tarlac and 14th in and local logos being serviced associates also actively partici- doza, Vice Mayor, Tarlac; Haidee Enriquez, Chief People Officer, Sitel PH-ANZ; Ravi the country – Sitel sustains its out of our Tarlac facilities.” pated in initiatives like Brigada Iyengar, Chief Operating Officer, Sitel Asia Pacific; Olivier Camino, Global Chief steady growth trajectory in the Since entering the Philippine Eskwela, Dugong Bayani, and Operating Officer, Sitel; Zameer Basha, Vice President and CFO, Sitel; Jason Skaria, Philippines and reiterates its BPO market in the Philippines outreach activities to the Aeta Global Chief Information Officer, Sitel; Satish Vijayakumar, Vice President Strategic commitment to bringing jobs in 2000, Sitel has enjoyed community.” Accounts, Sitel; Geoff Domigpe, Vice President Operations, Sitel Tarlac; Allan Da- to the countryside. growth due to the country’s tahan, OIC Deputy Zone Administrator; Philippine Economic Zone Authority The new Sitel Tarlac 3 high- business-friendly climate, lights the latest innovations in large pool of readily available workspace technology, design New Clark City secures hosting rights to Asian Aquatics meet and trainable talents, reliable infrastructure, and cost com- aesthetic, and amenities. “We NEW CLARK CITY, ming, diving, water polo, the AASF for confidently President and CEO Viven- petitiveness. Currently, Sitel know our associates spend so Tarlac - The Best Aquatics artistic swimming and entrusting our country to cio Dizon emphasized the employs over 23,000 passion- much of their time in the of- athletes in the continent open water swimming. host this mega event de- readiness of NCC and its ate and talented associates fice and we wanted to be sure will converge in 2020 as It will be held from No- spite the interest shown by facilities to host the event. across centers in Metro Ma- New Clark City (NCC) se- vember 7 to 17, 2020 at the our experienced regional “Thank you for offering we created a space conducive nila, Baguio, Tarlac, and Pala- cures the hosting rights of 2,000-seater NCC Aquat- neighbors to do the same. us this opportunity to be to productivity and growth. A wan. the 11th Asian Swimming ics Center. We see this as an opportu- part of a big project. We workplace that they can call “We don’t just do business Championships (ASC). Aside from the actu- nity to not only maximize agree that this is a great their second home,” explained in Tarlac, we also make sure In a press conference, al competition, AASF the use of the world-class occasion for us to inspire Cher Retirado, Sitel Asia Pacific that we work with the local Philippine Swimming Inc. will also hold a General facilities at NCC but also the next generation of elite government, the academe, and Project Management Office Di- President Lailani Velasco Congress on Nov 8 that to strengthen the local athletes as well as project a the socio-civic society, actively rector. The site provides ample said the quadrennial meet will bring the top brass of community, promote positive image of the Phil- contributing to the develop- spaces for employees to inter- organized by the Asian Fédération internationale tourism and showcase our ippines to the world,” Di- ment of the local communi- act, work, collaborate, brain- Swimming Federation de natation in the conti- hospitality to our foreign zon furthered. (CLJD-PIA ty, said Haidee C. Enriquez, (AASF) consists of five nent. delegates,” Velasco added. 3) storm, and innovate. /Michelle Sitel PHANZ Chief People disciplines namely swim- “We would like to thank For his part, BCDA Alejandro

BCDA gives Aetas Notice... quence of government projects or any other voluntary dealings en- Aeta workers praise New Clark from page 8 tered into by government and private individuals, corporations, and which are necessary to ensure their economic, social and cultural jungle survival skills to american soldiers. BCDA City for job opportunities welfare. It shall include ancestral land, forests, pasture, residential, is displacing them to accommodate Chinese busi- eta workers in New Clark City got to experience the agricultural, and other lands individually owned whether alienable nesses in reality, using New Clark City as an ex- world-class facilities during the 30th South East Asian and disposable or otherwise, hunting grounds, burial grounds, wor- cuse. This is highly treasonous, evicting Filipinos AGames held at Capas, Tarlac. ship areas, bodies of water, mineral and other natural resources, and to accommodate their Chinese clients in return for “Masaya po…kasi marami pong kapwa ko na nanonood,” lands which may no longer be exclusively occupied by ICCs/IPs but money.” says Ernesto De Guzman while watching the recent games at from which their traditionally had access to for their subsistence and the Aquatics Center. “Hindi na po lumalayo yung ibang mga traditional activities, particularly the home ranges of ICCs/IPs who Interestingly, the same 9 points were stated in katutubo na manood pa sa ibang bayan. Dito na lang po sa are still nomadic and/or shifting cultivators; the Statement issued by the BCDA in its official amin,” he added. b) Ancestral Lands - Subject to Section 56 hereof, refers to land oc- website on the same day, December 5. It appears De Guzman also shared about his life before he was em- cupied, possessed and utilized by individuals, families and clans who that the NCIP just copy-pasted the BCDA state- ployed in New Clark City. “Nasa bundok lang po kami, nag- are members of the ICCs/IPs since time immemorial, by themselves ment and adopted it as its own, point by point. bubungkal ng lupa,” he said. or through their predecessors-in-interest, under claims of individual On December 6, the Facebook page of Pokus Another aeta worker in New Clark City is Corazon Capiz, or traditional group ownership,continuously, to the present except Gitnang Luzon Multimedia posted that the Ae- a grandmother who watched the games with her two grand- when interrupted by war, force majeure or displacement by force, tas, through the help of Atty. Tony Laviña, filed children. “Masaya kaming lahat,” she said citing that she deceit, stealth, or as a consequence of government projects and other an answer to the 7-day notice. Salient points in could not help but compare the difference now that they have voluntary dealings entered into by government and private individ- the answer, it says, are as follows: jobs and better roads. uals/corporations, including, but not limited to, residential lots, rice “Ngayon po, lahat ng mga tao kulot o ‘di kulot, may tra- terraces or paddies, private forests, swidden farms and tree lots; 1. RA 8371 or Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act baho at saka po ‘yung daan napaganda. 2. Aetas existence, ownership, and cultivation of ancestral domain Cont. on page 3 of 1997 (even as it is riddled with loopholes and and ancestral lands are recorded in Philippine National Archives as had failed to protect IP rights) defined ancestral far back as 1846. Spanish friars and colonizers attested to the pres- domain and ancestral lands as follows: ence of a thriving ‘Negritos’ ‘Black’ ‘Baluga’ community. The terms a) Ancestral Domains - Subject to Section 56 were derogatory but they were indicative of vibrant Aeta settlement. hereof, refer to all areas generally belonging to 3. Their presence to the ancestral domain and lands were only ICCs/IPs comprising lands,inland waters, coast- briefly interrupted during Hukbalahap, Martial Law imposition, and al areas, and natural resources therein, held un- when Pinatubo erupted. All falls under exception of the law. der a claim of ownership, occupied or possessed 4. That being said the Aetas right to Free Prior Informed Consent by ICCs/IPs, themselves or through their an- provision should have been respected and BCDA should consult and cestors, communally or individually since time respect Aetas land rights assertion and right to self determination. immemorial, continuously to the present except Pokus Gitnang Luson Multimedia further quoted the sentiments when interrupted by war, force majeure or dis- of the community leaders. “Kahit nasaksian namin ang karanasan placement by force, deceit, stealth or as a conse- ng mga kapwa katutubo at magsasaka na nakaranas ng palayasan at halimbawa ng militarisasyon sa pagtatayo ng Phase 1A na naroroon ang sports complex na pinagdadausan ng SEA games, lalong lumal- The Tarlac Weekender is published every weekend except akas pa, at mas determinado ang mga Ayta na tindigan ang kanilang during election season when publication is on a bi-weekly istorikal, moral, at makatarungang mga karapatan,” claims Petronila basis. The Tarlac Weekender is printed and published by Two Angels Publishing every weekend, with contact office address Muñoz, Tribal Chieftain in the NCC affected ancestral lands. at Lot 2 Block 4, St. James Subd., Pag-asa, Brgy. Tibag, Tarlac City. “Wala daw kaming titulo kaya walang lupang ninuno at walang Mobile Phone No.: (0917) 506-9123 mga Ayta, ayon sa NCIP, pero wala pa pong NCIP may lupang ninu- E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.tarlacweekender.com no na, at wala pang NCIP, may Ayta na. Ang aming mga titulo ay Mailing Address: P.O. Box 16 ang aming mga palad na nagkalyo,” reiterated Casamira Maniego, Tarlac City Post Office, 2300 Publisher: Roldan P. Ramos Columnists: Chairman of Asosasyon ng Katutubong Mahawang (AKMA), and Editor: Sol Suarez Nestor A. Castro recipient of the first notice of eviction./BDF Consultant: Freddie Farres Atty. Batas Mauricio Circulation: Edgar P. Ramos Roldan Ramos Lay-out & IT Services: Mac Gayao Clyde Sacpa Kevin Villena Editor’s Note: This is a running story. On our succeeding issues, you Cartoonist: Levis can read the full details of the rights, grievances, the history of Aetas in Opinions expressed by the opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of this paper. Capas; how did the government local and national address the Aetas’ concerns, etc. December 15-21, 2019 Korean firm provides P1-M financial aid for Filipino vets National/Regional Newstarlacweekender 3 CLARK FREEPORT, the Filipino soldiers during during their survey num- Pampanga -- Korean firm the Korean war. bers around 60 to 70 who DENR awards 30 residential patents in Zambales Donggwang Clark Corpo- DCC partnered with can be found mostly in Ca- IBA, Zambales - Depart- “The program aims to to address land concerns in ration (DCC) and Kapam- KDFI, a private foundation pas, Tarlac, Pampanga, and ment of Environment and fuel progress in communi- Batonlapoc village. pangan Development Foun- that is apolitical, in the de- Bulacan. Natural Resources (DENR) ties and improve economic Since 2011, a total of dation Inc. (KDFI) inked an livery of medical and educa- Ricafort said they initial- awarded a total of 30 resi- productivity of the people 31,743 residential land titles agreement on Monday to tional assistance to the vet- ly target to support persons dential patents (land titles) by expediting the process- covering 629 hectares have provide funding assistance erans and descendants. with disabilities who are in Batonlapoc village, Bot- ing and issuance of public already been distributed in to the members of the Phil- KDFI has been selected as members of the PEFTOK. olan town covering 9,200 land patents to qualified Central Luzon benefiting ippine Expeditionary Forc- a partner because it has al- PEFTOK is the first con- square meters. beneficiaries,” Moreno ex- over 158,000 residents and es to Korea (PEFTOK). ready existing programs on tingent of a large number DENR Regional Execu- plained. their families. In a ceremony, DCC cataract operations, pros- sent by the Philippine gov- tive Director Paquito More- Botolan Mayor Doris DENR is set to distribute chairman Lee Shin Kun and thetic equipment, harelip ernment to the United Na- no said this is part of the “Bing” Maniquis expressed another 2,100 residential KDFI president Benny Ri- medical procedures, and tions forces that fought in government’s “Handog Ti- her gratitude for the prompt free patents in 2020. (CL- cafort gave PHP1 million training programs on live- the Korean War in 1950. tulo” program. action of the government JD-PIA 3) for the Filipino veterans lihood. PEFTOK’s 10th Battal- during the Korean war. “This project, by DCC ion Combat Team president The funding is provided chairman Lee, which is Maj. Maximo Young (re- by DCC as its way of grat- helping the PEFTOK is ter- tired) said there are 68 PE- DOT celebrates PH’s Leading Dive Destination citation itude for the heroism and rific,” Ricafort said. FTOK members who were Muscat, Oman - The Phil- Awards (WTA) Grand Fi- time, the Philippines bested bravery demonstrated by He said the PEFTOK still alive as of 2018. (PNA) ippines continues to enjoy nal Gala Ceremony held eight other global dive des- recognition as one of the recently at the Royal Opera tinations also nominated 12 Filipino brands set to feature PH world’s premier diving des- House Muscat. under the same category, tinations, this time bagging Winning WTA’s 2019 namely Azores Islands, Bora food exports in SIAL Middle East back-to-back diving acco- World’s Leading Dive Des- Bora in French Polynesia, lades at the World Travel tination award for the first Cayman Islands, Fiji, Gala- PASAY CITY pagos Islands, Great Barrier - Twelve (12) FoodPhilippines exhibit is “The in-store promotions Reef in Australia, Maldives, Philippine food the cooking demonstration in Carrefour shall further and Mexico. producers and and food sampling activities highlight new and existing “Dubbed by marine ex- manufacturers conducted by UAE-based Philippine foodsproducts perts and scientists as the are set to take on Filipino chefs under the catered for both the Mid- heart of marine biodiversity the demand of the FILFOOD Program, which dle Eastern market and the in the world, our country is global market in is a collaboration of food large Filipino community home to the highest con- the country’s re- and beverage operators to that resides across the UAE,” centration of coral reef life turn in the 10th innovate Philippine food Macatoman explained. and astounding variety of edition of Salon In- and ingredients for resi- marine species. This latest ternational de l’Al- dents, global citizens and “We want to take advan- recognition is a validation imentation (SIAL) tourists in the UAE. tage of our promotion mo- that the Philippines is truly Middle East at the “Dynamic cooking mentum to launch the PH a premier dive destination,” Abu Dhabi Nation- demonstration will be con- Food Promotion Program said Philippine Department al Exhibition Cen- ducted under the FoodPhil- and form valuable allianc- of Tourism (PDOT) Sec- tre, United Arab Chocolates are one of the product selections that will be showcased by ippines pavilion to highlight es with sustainable global retary Bernadette Romu- Emirates (UAE), the Philippines in SIAL Middle East. our flavorful offerings,” Ma- and regional organizations lo-Puyat. Dubai on Decem- catoman added. “Among in the UAE in time for the Meanwhile, Palawan’s ber 9-11, 2019. bitions Company (ADNEC) riety of coconut products, the food that will be served Expo 2020 Dubai,” he add- prestigious Amanpulo Re- Led by the Department of and Comexposium. among others. in our three-day food sam- ed. sort also emerged victorious Trade and Industry through “Our product lineup in- The Philippine food com- pling are fresh vegetable This participation under as the World’s Leading Dive the Center for International cludes fresh and processed panies exhibiting in SIAL spring roll with peanut FoodPhilippines is led by Resort at the gala event. Trade Expositions and Mis- fruits and vegetables, sea- are Edna and Rebecca’s Ba- sauce, beef sirloin steak DTI-CITEM in partnership Last October, WTA held sions (DTI-CITEM), the food products, ethnic and nana Chips & Coated Pea- wrap, chocolate-covered with Philippine Trade and its gala event for Asia and country’s delegation under gourmet products, non-al- nut, Filipinos Oro de Ca- fruit delight, chicken sa- Investment Center in Dubai Oceania in Vietnam, where the FoodPhilippines coun- coholic beverages, confec- cao, Inc. (Auro Chocolate), tay, and chocolate oatmeal and the Foreign Trade Ser- the Philippines earned its try brand will showcase food tionary, biscuits, and pas- Fruits of Life, Inc., JNRM and peanut cookies—all of vice Corps (FTSC), Export first Asia’s Leading Dive products across various seg- tries, among others,” said Corporation, Mapagmahal which will highlight the use Marketing Bureau (EMB), Destination award after ments that are certified as DTI Undersecretary Abdul- Foods, Marigold Manufac- of the products displayed in the Philippine Exporters multiple nominations since Halal in the Philippines. gani Macatoman, who heads turing Corporation (Mama our pavilion.” Confederation (PHILEX- 2006. Part of the SIAL Network, the agency’s Trade Promo- Sita’s), Miguelitos Interna- The tasting menu was PORT) and the Philippine The PDOT has hosted SIAL Middle East is backed tions Group (TPG). tional Corporation, Mira’s prepared by Filipino chef Embassy in UAE as part of a number of dive-centric by more than 50 years of Part of the country exhib- Turmeric Products, MS3 Edward Dinoso, who is a the government’s unifiedevents including the Ani- experience, industry know- its are selections of coffee, Agri-venture Corp., Pro- Corporate Chef of Asia Gulf effort to promote the Philip- lao Underwater Shootout how and a broad interna- baking and dairy products, source International Inc., Companies, along with oth- pines as a source of quality photography competition, tional network of 8 leading banana chips, peanuts, dried RPO Fine Foods Corpora- er culinary icons under the food products in the global and the Travel Trade Sup- B2B events. SIAL Middle chips, calamansi and dalan- tion and See’s International FILFOOD program. market. port through Dive Travel East is jointly organized by dan concentrates, cooking Food Mfg. Corp. DTI-CITEM is commit- Exchange (TRAVEX) busi- Abu Dhabi National Exhi- mixes and spices, and a va- “As a member of the Mus- DTI aims to strengthen ted to developing, nurtur- ness-to-business (B2B) lim community and some- food promotions in UAE ing and promoting globally meetings. Aeta workers... one who only eats halal Led by DTI Undersecre- competitive small and me- Recently, the PDOT host- food, I can assure you that tary Macatoman, the Philip- dium enterprises (SMEs), ed the first Philippine Inter- from page 2 the food products from pines will lead an Outbound exporters, designers and national Dive Expo (PHI- Dati, ‘di ka makakasakay ng motor diyan. Ngayon kahit na these 12 companies are of Business Matching Mission manufacturers by imple- DEX) exposition, the only gabi magmotor ka, pwede,” Capiz shares. high quality and full of fla- (OBMM) at the Novotel menting an integrated ap- event in the world with the “Malaking pakinabang na dumating ang trabaho dito . vors,” he added. World Trade Center in proach to export marketing Dive Travel Exchange or Lahat po nagkatrabaho. Dati trabaho ko, ‘naggagapas ng Featured under the Phil- Dubai, UAE on December in partnership with other business-to-business (B2B) cogon…nangunguha ng puso [ng saging] sa bundok tapos ippine pavilion in SIAL is 8. government and private en- meetings. The exposition binebenta sa baba. Ngayon po may trabaho na,” she added. the recently awarded Fili- He also shared that the tities. gave foreign buyers the op- Lourdes Rivera, is also grateful for her job as a garden- pino chocolate brand, Auro DTI is planning to conduct For more information portunity to see and expe- er in New Clark City. “Ang trabaho ko dito sir, nagtatanim Chocolate, which was laud- the first in-store promotion on its services and events, rience first-hand Philippine ng bougainvillea, carabao grass at tsaka yung peanut....Dati ed in the International Co- for Filipino food products please log on to www. dive products and knowl- walang trabaho, nagkakalap ng gulay na tinitinda namin sa coa Awards (ICA) of Salon in Carrefour in February citem.gov.ph/sialme/(DTI- e d g e bayan. Nagtatanim kami ng palay.” Du Chocolat last October 2020. CITEM) of the Cont. on page 7 When asked if she will come back again to watch the for producing one of the top games, she said yes. “Ngayon lang kami nakakita ng 20 best cacao beans in the ganyan... mula noong bata pa ako,” Rivera added. world—the first recognition About 500 aetas were employed in New Clark City since for a Philippine brand. development started. “Another good find in our BCDA holds regular dialogues with Capas local govern- pavilion is the Instayum ment and the communities to assure that they are part of Mushroom Chips from the New Clark City development. JNRM Corporation, which Financial assistance packages amounting to P300, 000 reinvented mushrooms into per hectare (or P30.00/sq.m.) were made available to proj- tasty and nutritious snacks. ect-affected people. This is the highest compensation pack- This product won the SIAL age provided by government, to project-affected people. Middle East Innovation Further, relocation sites within New Clark City were also Bronze Award last year,” provided for those whose residential structures were affect- Macatoman added. ed. BCDA worked with credible institutions such as the PH culinary demonstra- Asian Development Bank in master planning and ensuring tion and food sampling the sustainability and inclusivity of New Clark City.(BCDA) Another highlight of the December 15-21, 2019 4 tarlacweekender Opinions WE WON AS ONE! Dirtied waters By: Antonio Contreras (www.manilatimes.net) e love to say that water is free. Thus, some would argue Wthat those who profit from it are basically committing an ethical and moral sin. Indeed, and ideally, water is a commodity that is produced by nature. Technically, water is produced by the natural processes inherent in the water cycle. Precipitation produces rain, snow or ice, which fall into rivers, lakes and oceans, and stored as groundwater in our aquifers, which eventually comes out in springs and creeks that would feed into rivers, lakes and oceans. These bodies of water then evaporate and form into clouds, which eventually become precipitation. But we are not just talking here of water in general, but water fit for consumption not only by humans, but by plants and animals. And it is potable water that becomes a scarce commodity. Gone are the days when we could just go to the nearest spring, well or lake to get water for our domestic con- sumption. A growing population Editorial has made it necessary to install dis- KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS tribution systems that would draw MAGKASANGGA TAYO water from natural sources such as deep wells and natural Juan, Isabel, at Zacarias sa Mayor Eloy Eclar bodies of water, or rely on precipitation and impound this in kuwento ng Pasko ng Gerona, ANO PA human-made dams. There is also now a need to treat the water INAANTAY MO?!?! so that it is rendered fit for domestic and commercial use — By: Atty. Batas Mauricio By: Nestor “Paken” Castro from simple filtration and purification to desalination of salty itong nakaraang lang na kolum ko ay aking binati at water from the sea. INSPIRASYON SA BUHAY: “…`Huwag kang matatakot pinuri itong si Mayor Eclar hinggil sa kanyang pa- Zacarias; dininig na ang iyong mga panalangin. Magsisilang Compounding the problems of greatly reduced natural sources Ngi-isyu ng temporary closure order sa ilang mga poultry sa ang iyong asawang si Isabel, at tatawagin mo siyang Juan’…” of water and accelerating treatment costs are the effects of the kanyang lugar (Gerona). (Lucas 1:13, Bibliya). so-called effluents of affluence or the impact of wastes from Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang pahayagan na ito ay na- -ooo- domestic and industrial activities on the quality of water supply. ka-ilang isyu na kung saan malaking espasyo sa pahaya- BAHAGI NG PASKO SINA JUAN, ISABEL, AT Massive deforestation has greatly compromised the capacity of gan na ito ay ating ginamit para ilabas at ipakita ang mga ZACARIAS: Ang paniniwala ng marami sa kanilang pag- watersheds to hold water, and to regulate its quality and flow. gagawing hakbangin ni the good Mayor Nora Modomo babasa ng Bagong Tipan ng Bibliya, ang pagsilang ni Jesus, (Sta. Ignacia) sa darating na renewal ng mga business per- This leads to the siltation of rivers, lakes and human-made ang ating Diyos at Tagapagligtas na Siyang Diyos Ama, mits sa kanyang lugar. Ang mga impormasyon na sa paha- dams, which further reduces not only the quality, but also the Anak, at Espiritu Santo, ay ipinahayag lamang noong nag- yagan na ito ay ating ipinarating through formal letters (2 quantity of potable water. In addition, the development of built pakita ang anghel kay Maria, ang birhen, at kay Jose, ang letters so far) sa halos lahat ng mga Mayor sa probinsya ng environments that led to the concretization and asphalting kanyang katipan. Tarlac at ang hindi lang namin na inform ay ang munisipyo of land to build human habitats, highways and urban infra- Ngunit kung babasahing mabuti ang Lucas 1, may isa ng San Jose sapagkat sa aking pagkakaalam ay wala naman structures caused a reduction of water seeping into aquifers pang kuwento sa Bagong Tipan na nagpapahayag, ng mas silang mga insidente ng mga environmental issue on pig- maaga, sa pagsilang ni Jesus. Ang pangatlong kuwento ay and the increase of surface run-off. Lack of forest cover and geries and poultries. ang pagsilang ni Juan Bautista, na “pinsan” ni Jesus (ang too much infrastructure development also lead to a situation Base sa aking pagsisiyasat, mukhang itong si Mayor Eclar nanay ni Juan, si Isabel, at si Maria, ang nanay ni Jesus, ay where monsoon rains bring destructive floods that bring a lot ay magaling lang na showman at baka puros pakitang tao magpinsan). of water that is of poor quality, only to be followed by drought lang ang istilo mo Mayor? Base sa kasalukuyang front page Si Juan ang naging anak ni Isabel at ni Zacarias, bagamat episodes. This is because there is very little ground water as story ng pahayagan na ito at info nagmula sa taga Brgy. sila ay parehong matanda na at baog pa, kaya wala silang well as water flowing from springs, wells and creeks. These are Pinasling nagsabi daw si Mayor Eclar na ipaghaharap daw anak. Ngunit silang dalawa ay mga Israelitang maka-Diyos niya ang mga nagrereklamong residente at ang may-ari ng the result of large amounts of surface run-off where water from mula sa lahi ni Aaron, ang pari. Si Zacarias ay isa ding pari poultry ngunit ito ay hindi niya ginawa, bakit kaya? heavy precipitation directly flow into the lakes and seas and na nagsisilbi sa altar. Bagama’t ayoko pang husgahan itong si Mayor Eclar, dala thus fail to adequately replenish the aquifers. Isang araw, noong nagpunta siya sa altar, sinalubong si na rin na ang mga LGU ay mayroon ng sapat na pruwe- Thus, we are now confronted with the situation that water Zacarias ni Gabriel, “ang anghel na nakatayo sa harap ng ba upang hindi i-renew ang mga Business/Mayors Permit ends up being implicated in a complex supply and distribution Diyos”. Natakot si Zacarias pero sinabi ni Gabriel na di siya ng mga matitigas ang ulong poultries at piggeries sapagkat problem. In order to address this, investments have to be made dapat matakot dahil dininig na ng Diyos ang kanyang pana- dapat nating sundin ang tamang proseso with the intent langin, sapagkat magsisilang si Isabel ng sanggol na lalaki at in infrastructure to impound, treat and distribute clean and and purpose to see to it that poultries and piggeries will be tatawagin niyang Juan. potable water; there is also a need to manage the recycling, fully compliant. -ooo- treatment and disposal of waste water and those polluted by Huwag natin kalimutan ang kasabihan na we are a coun- JUAN, IHAHANDA ANG TAO SA PAGDATING NG DI- toxic wastes. All of these activities would require high levels of try of laws and not of men. Ang ibig sabihin ay kumilos tayo YOS: Nagpahayag ng duda si Zacarias sa sinabi ni Gabriel: capital expenditures. ng naaayon sa panuntunan ng butas este batas. “Papaanong mangyayari ito? Matanda na ako, at matanda Ideally, it is the responsibility of the state to invest in these I rundown ko uli ang ilan sa mga aspeto na dapat sun- na rin ang asawa ko.” Nagalit si Gabriel, at sinabihan nito si din ng mga poultries and piggeries bago sila mabigyan ng kinds of activities, considering that water is a public good and Zacarias na siya, si Gabriel, ay lumalakad sa harap ng Diy- kinaukulang renewal ng business permit: even a human rights issue. Unfortunately, our history has shown os, at dahil di naniniwala si Zacarias sa sinabi sa kanya ukol 1. Compliance with National building code hinggil sa that public institutions are not efficient and have dismally failed kay Juan, di muna makakapagsalita si Zacarias. building and related permits (Engineering office) in so many instances. Before 1997, the state had full control Ang kamangha-manghang punto sa kuwentong ito ay 2. Compliance with local taxes over water distribution. But the sheer weight of government ang pahayag na si Juan ay isisilang upang ganapin ang isang Cont. on page 5 inefficiency led President Fidel Ramos to move for the privat- layunin: ihanda ang isang sambayanan para sa pagsilang ni “At mauuna siya sa Panginoon, taglay ang diwa at kapang- Jesus. Basahin po natin ang salin ng New International Ver- ization of water distribution. The conventional wisdom at the yarihan ni Elias, upang ibalik ang puso ng mga magulang sion ng kuwentong ito, sa Lucas 1:12-17. time was that private entities, such as the big water concession- sa kanilang mga anak, at ng mga suwail sa karunungan ng Sa kuwento, kausap ni Gabriel si Zacarias: “Huwag kang aires and the local water districts, because they are driven by mga matuwi---upang ihanda ang isang sambayanan sa pag- matatakot Zacarias; dininig na ang iyong mga panalangin. market forces, would be more efficient. dating ng Panginoon’…” Ang iyong asawang si Elizabeth ay magsisilang ng sanggol The downside of this argument, however, is that private -ooo- na lalaki, at tatawagin mo siyang Juan. entities are also primarily driven by profit-seeking, hence would REAKSIYON? Tawag po sa 0977 805 9058, 0918 574 0193, “Magdudulot siya ng kaligayahan sa iyo, at marami sa Is- 0933 8251308 o sa aking Messenger account sa Facebook: see water no longer as a public good, but as a commodity. They rael ang masisiyahan dahil sa kanyang pagsilang, sapagkat Melanio Lazo Mauricio Jr. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo. would weigh into their equations the cost of their investments mahalaga siya sa Panginoon. Hindi siya titikim ng alak o com, [email protected]. Maaari din po kayong in infrastructures and would expect to recover this from the ng iba pang nakakalasing na inumin, at mapupuspos siya mag-post ng inyong mga reaksiyon sa aking Facebook revenues that they would be collecting from domestic, commer- ng Banal na Espiritu bago pa man siya isilang. Ibabalik niya page, www.facebook.com/attybatas. cial and industrial consumers. Operating under the premise of ang marami sa bayang Israel sa Panginoong Diyos. a business, they would necessarily expect that they will profit from the undertaking. No sane private entity will invest in operate at a loss. It is the job of government to ensure that these something where they would just break even. After all, they companies work for the public interest. Beyond the cursing and are not philanthropists but business corporations. bravado, the Duterte administration is doing the right thing to It is in this context where the allegedly onerous provisions pressure the concession owners, the Ayalas and Manuel Pan- in the contract, which the Philippine government, through the gilinan, to renegotiate the terms of the government’s contracts Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, entered into with the Manila Water and Maynilad. with Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc., Part of the duty of government is to ensure that the water emerged. Desperate to entice parties to invest in the distribu- that is distributed is not dirtied not only by the effluents of tion of water, at a time that the country was facing a water affluence, but also by the greed of the affluent. And this could crisis, our government designed the contracts with provisions not just be solved by forcing Manila Water and Maynilad to that may have appeared logical at the time, but would come exercise some social responsibility and moderate their greed. back to haunt us. It would also involve ensuring that the operations of water It is easy to paint Maynilad and Manila Water as greedy districts all over the country do not fall into the monopolistic companies owned by heartless oligarchs. But it is not the hands of other oligarchs who may be described as “good” but obligation of private companies to force themselves to will be just as profit-seeking as any other oligarch.

SPIN UP kanila ay dating vice-mayor. December 15-21, 2019 Commentariestarlacweekender 5 Hulaan!! Sino sila? oo0 ^ 0oo Magkasangga Tayo Sino ang nagsabi ng: “GARAPAL NAMAN NG ILANG MGA SP, ...from page 4 By: Nelson Bolos GUSTO PA NILANG KUMITA SA PUREGOLD SAMANTALANG (Guest Columnist) PUMAYAG NA ANG PUREGOLD NA MAGBAYAD NG P810,000 on land, building and machineries and PER MONTH, KUMPARA SA IN-APPROVE NILANG CONTRACT proper declaration for new structures ino-sinong mga city councilors ang nagtangkang harangin NOON NI MANALANG NA P70,000 LANG PER MONTH”? (Assessors Office) Sang Lease Contract ng Puregold at city na kung saan magba- Hindi pa sila kuntento sa kinita nilang milyon-milyon noong i-ap- 3. Land re-classification, if prop- bayad ng P810,000/month sa lungsod ang Puregold sa pag-oku- prove nila ang Manalang-Laddaran contract? erty is not yet agro –industrial, base on pa nito sa halos kalahati ng Downtown market? Clue: Gusto daw the CLUP of Municipality (City or Mu- nilang humihingi sa Puregold ng “SIGNING FEE” bago nila pir- oo0 ^ 0oo nicipal Council) mahan ang SP Resolution Authorizing city mayor Cristy Angeles Sinong city councilor ngayon ang kasamang tumanggap ni Manalang 4. Compliance on locational to Enter into Contract. ng milyon-milyon noong ipa-lease sa Uniwide ang 7 hektaryang lupa clearance (CLUP Officer/Zoning) (Nauna rito, kinansela ni Mayor Cristy Angeles ang sa Aquino Boulevard? 5. Compliance of salaries and Manalang-Laddaran lease contract na P70,000/month, at pi- wages (DOLE) na-renta ni Laddaran ang espasyo ng Doentoewn Market sa oo0 ^ 0oo 6. Compliance on legal benefits- Puregold ng P700,000/month). Clue: ang isa dito ay may mga pu- Sinong opisyal ng DAR Tarlac ang sinampahan ng kaso sa Ombuds- SSS, PAG-IBIG and PHILHEALTH westo sa Downtown market pero hindi daw nababayad ng renta man ng dahil daw sa pagpapahirap sa mga taong humihingi ng clear- 7. Compliance on Fire Safety (Bu- at nasa P3 Million na ang utang sa renta. At ang isa pa sa ance? Clue: Kung wala daw padulas hindi raw nagbibigay ng clearance reau of Fire) o certification ang babaeng DAR opisyal. HATAW NA KAIBIGAN 8. Compliance on Sanitary con- cerns (health office) oo0 ^ 0oo 9. Compliance on Environmental The Best talaga ang TARELCO Sinong kapitan sa Concepcion ang nahuli- Cont. on page 6 concerns: 1 (Part 6) (9a) Environmental Compliance Cer- tificate (ECC) and terms therein By: Roldan Ramos (9b) Accredited pollution control of- ukhang dededmahin ng Tarelco 1 ang letter request for in- ficer (PCO) formation ng isa nilang member-consumer. Sana ay huwag (9c) Waste water discharge permit Mnaman ganuon ang mangyari sapagkat karapatan ng isang mem- (9d) Air pollution control permit ber-consumer na mabigyan ng mga hinihinging impormasyon (9e) Register as hazardous waste pro- at hindi naman ito masasabi na confidential in nature sapagkat ducer ang pagbibigay ng impormasyon ay hindi naman makakasama sa operasyon ng Tarelco 1, unless of course ay mayroong itinatago Ilan lamang ito na kailangan na ang pamunuan ng Tarelco 1 na ayaw nilang ipaalam sa publiko o ma-komplayan ng mga poultry at pig- sa kanilang mga miyembro?!? gery bago ma-isyuhan ng renewal of Napag-alaman ko rin na ang General Manager ng Tarelco 1 Mayors/Business Permit, bagamat hindi na si Engr. Allan Bermudez at si Mr. Owen Dizon ng finance ko direktang sinasabi na huwag i-renew ay parehong naka-bakasyon mula pa daw nung November 9, ang mga permits and licenses na ito, Makikita ang summary ng mga ang sinasabi ko at tutumbukin ka na ay 2019 ngunit malapit na raw bumalik (buti pa kayo mga BOSS- naganap na brownouts sa Brgy. Sta ING, mukhang bakasyon grande kayo ha, saan ba kayo nag ba- huwag pairalin ang aspeto ng KORA- Ines East mula sa petsa April 18, PSYON sa pagre-renew ng Mayors/ bakasyon sa Europa , sa USA, sa Cayman Islands, etc Hi! Hi! 2019 hanggang November 5, 2019. HI!). Kaya siguro ay hindi pa naa-aksyonan ang isang letter re- Business permit at possible sigurong bi- Beginning on the Month of April gyan muna ng provisional o temporary quest na ipinadala sa office of the GM. Aaantayin natin. 2019 – 4 instances, May 2019 – 6 Maliban dito ay malinaw na malinaw ang pakay ng mem- permit pending the full compliance instances, June 2019 – 3 instanc- within certain number of months ( sa ber-consumer na kaya lamang niya inaalam ang mga impor- es, July 2019- 3 instances, August masoyn na ito ay nais niyang mag-boluntaryo ng kanyang aking suhestiyon 90 days or 3 months) 2019 – 6 instances, September for full compliance otherwise ire-revoke serbisyo (panahon at oras) para sa ikabubuti ng operasyon at 2019 – 5 instances, October 2019 serbisyo ng koorperatiba. Yaan naman ang essence and spirit of ninyo ang temporary/provisional per- – 16 instances, November 2019- 3 mit. SUHESTIYON LANG NAMAN a cooperative which is for the members to voluntarily lend their instances for a GRAND TOTAL time and resources for the good of the cooperative. ITO MGA HONORABLE MAYORS. OF 46 times NAG BROWN OUT Sa tutuo lang kasi, ang mga Mayor Nung isang araw ay ibinigay sa akin ng consumer-member ang OF VARYING LENGTHS OF reply ng Tarelco 1 hinggil ng kabuuang sagot sa unang liham ay umaasa rin naman sa kanilang mga TIME. WOW HANEP, PALAGAY staff at department heads. Sa aking pag- sa NEA. Aking ihahayag ang portions ng liham at ang kaukulan KO LANG KUNG MAG KAK- komentaryo. kakalam ay ministerial ang kanilang ABIGAYAN NG AWARDS SA function sa pag-pirma ng mga permit PINAKAMARAMING BROWN bagamat they can be held liable for vi- OUT SIGURADO KO TOP olation of the Anti Graft and Corrupt AWARDEE ANG TARELCO 1. By Practices Act (RA 3019) and other vio- the way hindi na nilista ang mga lation of law for their negligence in the brown outs na naganap sa pet- exercise of their functions. Kaya sa pag- sa May 19 to 28, 2019 , July 18 to kakaintindi ng kolumnistang ito pip- August 8, 2019 at Sept 8 to Oct 2, 2019. CALLING Tarlac Electric Inc., irmahan na ni Mayor ang permit, yun panahon na siguro na subukan ninyong makapasok o ma-take over ang pala sa tutuo lang ay kulang-kulang pa TARELCO 1 para gumanda ang serbisyo ng TARELCO 1!!! pala ang dapat na i-comply ng poultry o piggery owner. NALPAS! Makikita ang Letter reply ng Tarelco 1 addressed to the NEA Deputy Adminis- trator and copy furnished member-con- sumer F. Farres. Makikita sa 4th para- graph ng letter ang isang katawa-tawang submitted report daw ng Tarelco 1 Area Manager na si Engr. Dennis Allan S. Madamba and we quote “ …Based on records, there were only three complaints received of no power that were attended by the linemen….”. Sinisiguro ko sayo Engr. Madamba na ang summary ng mga naganap na brownouts are a faith- ful transcription of actual handwritten records of recorded brownouts na na- ganap sa mga panahon na yan. Sim- ple lang naman ang proseso sa farm, at tuwing may brown out ay trabaho ng genset operator at ng manager na ilista Makikita ang liham ni Freddie Farres sa NEA kung saan kanyang ang mga nagaganap na brownout/pow- inireklamo ang pagka walang crew ng Tarelco 1 sa oras ng 12 PM er interruption. Tanungin mo lang mga (midnight) hanggang 8.30 AM ng umaga at kung magkaroon ng security guards ninyo (mga guards kasi brown out sa nasabing oras ay mistulang “manigas” na nga lang ang taga tanggap ng call or text kapag ang tatamaan ng brownout sapagkat walang crew (linemen) na nag-brownout) kung gaano kadalas nila haharap sa problema. Talaga naman nakakatawa ang ganitong natatanggap ang text and calls mula kay sistema ng Tarelco 1 sapagkat napakalaki ng kinikita ng koopera- Mr. Farres and his staff. O baka naman tiba at magpasahod lamang ng 3 to 4 na katao para sa isang team marahil, kayo mismo ay walang records ay hindi nila magawa. Ang aking maipapayo sa mga KATAAS – sa nagaganap na brownouts? Kung sabi- TAASAN AT KAGALANG-GALANG NA MGA OPISYALES NG hin natin sa Ilocano AGA-AMMO TAY- TARELCO 1 AY KUNG HINDI NINYO KAYANG GAMPANAN ON!!! NG TAMA ANG INYONG MGA TRABAHO AY MAG-RE- Siyanga pala Engr. Madamba, kinu- SIGN NA LANG KAYO, TUTAL NAMAN MARAMI ANG MAY kumusta ka ng isang farm sa Camiling KAPABILIDAD NA PUMALIT SA INYO. HUWAG KALIMU- na nabigyan mo raw ng napakaraming TAN YUN KASABIHAN NA “NO ONE IS INDISPENSIBLE”. tulong nung ikaw ay area manager duon. December 15-21, 2019 6 tarlacweekender Regional News WANTED IMMEDIATELY The Weekender Pope Francis declares Orani Church as ‘Minor Basilica’ Group of Publica- rani, -- Pope isang pribilehiyo na ipinag- buong diocese ng Balanga, tions is in need of Francis on Thursday kakaloob ng Santo Papa. sa Bataan na tayo’y pinag- the following for the Oconferred the revered ti- Kapag ang isang simbahan kalooban ng Santo Papa. tle “Minor Basilica” to the ay Minor Basilica, ito ay Hindi natatapos sa titulo launching of its vari- Church of Orani here that tahanan na o simbahan ng ng pagiging Minor Basili- ous publications: is more popularly known Santo Papa (The Minor Ba- ca, kailangang ipakita nat- Pampanga Week- as the Miraculous Virgin silica is a privilege given by ing buhay ang simbahan of the Most Holy Rosary the Pope. Once a church is (Thus, it is a big blessing ender, Nueva Ecija Church. Minor Basilica, it is already for the Orani people, in the Weekender and Bu- from Central a home or church of the whole Diocese of Balanga, lacan Weekender will Luzon and priests from Pope),” said Father Abra- in Bataan, that the Pope the Balanga Diocese assist- ham Pantig, parish priest of has provided us. It does not begin circulation on the 3rd week of January 2020. All interested ap- ed Bataan Ruperto the Orani Church. end with the title of being plicants are requested to please e-mail their respective resumes to Santos in a Holy Mass fol- He said that basilica sym- a Minor Basilica, we need [email protected] lowing the solemn declara- bols like the Papal chair, to show that the church is tion read in Latin by Father umbrella, bell, Vatican alive),” Pantig said. • 2 Lay-out artists, with ample experience with Adobe In- Perry Medina. logo, among others, can be Rep. Geraldine Roman design and Adobe Photoshop. Compensation to be discussed. Santos led in the removal seen in the altar. of Bataan’s first district, • on a per project basis. Compen- of the white cloth covering “Kapag dadalaw dito ang dressed in a beautiful terno, Researchers/reporters the Papal chair in the altar, Santo Papa, doon sa Papal was among the huge crowd sation to be discussed. signifying it was ready for chair siya mauupo (If the of people inside the church, • Sales/Account Executives (area based). Generous use by the Pope. Pope visits here, he will sit who attended the Mass and commissions up to 35%, transportation allowance and other bene- “We must lead to Mary, at the Papal chair),” Pantig witnessed the conferment love her and live like her,” said. of the Minor Basilica title. fits. Santos urged the faithful in The parish priest said Other officials includ- his homily. Orani Church has become ed Governor Albert Gar- Successful applicants can expect all legal benefits as required by law, Mary refers to the Mirac- the 16th Minor Basilica in cia, Representative Jose ulous Virgin Mary of the the Philippines. Enrique Garcia III of the generous incentives and other perks. Most Holy Rosary, the pa- He said there are only province’s second district, tron Saint of Orani. four Major Basilica locat- Orani Mayor Efren Pascual An image of the Virgin ed in Rome – St. Peter Ba- Jr., Samal town Mayor Aida Mary on the beautiful altar silica, St. Paul Basilica, St. Macalinao, and members of the 309-year old church Mary Basilica and St. John of the Sangguniang Pan- is believed to be 303 years Basilica. lalawigan and Sangguniang old. “Kaya napakalaking bi- Bayan of Orani. (PNA) “Ang Minor Basilica ay yaya sa mga taga-Orani, sa DOLE pays P8.4-M for employment beneficiaries in Pampanga ITY OF SAN FER- Governor Dennis Pineda ers. NANDO, Pampanga led on Thursday the distri- “They (beneficiaries) C– A total of PHP8,428,000 bution of their salaries. will be receiving a total of was released by the De- The Nanay Community PHP4,000 in terms of sal- partment of Labor and Workers voluntarily helped aries for 10 days of work. Employment (DOLE) for the provincial government Plus, we call it the person- the salaries of emergency in its quick dissemination al protective equipment, employment beneficiaries and response campaigns which consists of the hat in this province under the regarding issues concern- and the T-shirt that cost Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ing health, peace and order, PHP350. Plus, our bene- Ating Disadvantaged/Dis- natural disaster, and educa- ficiaries are insured to the placed Workers (TUPAD) tion. GSIS (Government Ser- program. Pampanga DOLE chief vice Insurance System). So, PRO3 Regional Director PBGEN RHODEL O SERMONIA attends the 30th SEA Games Clos- The beneficiaries, num- Arlene Tolentino said the all in all, the government ing Ceremony and ensures that the different defense units in Central Luzon are doing their bering 2,107, are the Nanay TUPAD program is aimed will be spending a total of duty to secure and maintain peace and order at New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac all throughout Community Workers from at providing emergency PHP4,400 for each ben- the weekelong event./Photo by @TarlacPPOPCR the province’s fourth dis- employment for the unem- eficiary,” Tolentino said. trict. ployed and displaced work- (PNA) Spin UP tid at kamag-anak? Clue: Ang asawa niya ay isang public school teacher. ...from page 5 Provincial drug center in Nueva Ecija opened han ng drugs at dalawang beses nag-pos- oo0 ^ 0oo itive sa drug test pero naka-upo pa hang- Sinong brgy. Kapitan ang na-convict ng gang ngayon bilang barangay chairman? korte kamakailan ng kasong Reckless Im- prudence Resulting to Damage to Property oo0 ^ 0oo worth P557,000? Clue; Taga second district Sino ang bagong halal na presidente ng si kapitan. Vice Mayors’ League Tarlac Chapter ngay- on, o Liga ng mga Vice Mayors? Clue: First oo0 ^ 0oo time vice mayor siya. (Vice Mayor Ronald Sino ang matapang na babae na bini- ‘Nonoy’ Tanedo-Go, Gerona) gyan ni Ex-mayor Manalang ng maram- ing puwesto sa Tarlac City Uptown Mar- oo0 ^ 0oo ket at ipinapa-upa niya ang mga puwesto Sino naman ang bagong halal na pres- sa halagang mahigit times 2 to times 3 sa idente ng Philippine Councilors League itina-takda ng Tarlac City Market Code? Tarlac Chapter? Taga-saan ba siya? Clue: Asawa daw siya ng isang mayor.

oo0 ^ 0oo oo0 ^ 0oo DRUG TREATMENT AND REHAB CENTER. Governor Aurelio Umali (left) and Fr. Ar- Sinong Barangay Kagawad ng Gerona na To public officials: WE ONLY WRITE nold Abelardo (right) lead the ceremonial ribbon-cutting during the opening of Nueva Ecija wala daw kasundong kapitbahay pati kapa- WHAT YOU DO Provincial Government Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Ganade- ria, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Monday (Dec. 9, 2019). The 100-bed capacity drug center is like a family,” Abelardo is said to be the first in the country to be run by a local government unit. (Photo by Marilyn said in Tagalog, noting that Galang) agencies like the Philippine National Police, Depart- La Fuerza PALAYAN CITY, Nueva unit. dent, but their families and Ecija -- A new drug treat- Umali said the facility the community as well, and ment of Education, Tech- Hardware and ment and rehabilitation cen- called the Nueva Ecija Pro- requires unity in action. nical Education and Skills Construction Supply ter with a 100-bed capacity vincial Government Drug Fr. Arnold Abelardo, the Development Authority, was built on a three-hectare Treatment and Rehabilita- center’s executive director, Department of Health, Of- For all your plumbing area in Barangay Ganaderia tion Center (NEPG DTRC) said it will ensure a fami- fice of the Governor and the this city. was aimed at providing an ly-like environment for pa- church will be involved in and electrical needs Governor Aurelio Umali opportunity to change and tients who may stay from the overall operations of the led on Monday the opening bring hope to people ad- six months to one year, de- center. Along F. Tanedo, “The center has 50 em- of the drug rehabilitation dicted to drugs. pending on the gravity of Tarlac City, center, which is said to be The governor said the addiction. ployees with four physicians the first in the country to be drug menace is not the sole “This is a collaboration on and nurses,” he said. (PNA) Call: 0995-378-1692 run by a local government problem of the drug-depen- which the orientation December 15-21, 2019 FTI jump-starts refrigerated services National/Regional News tarlacweekender 7 project, ‘bagsakan’ for Filipino farmers No liquor consumption in government offices – CSC QUEZON CITY - The well as reporting for work her behavior and/or actions”. Civil Service Commission while under the influence Should an untoward in- reminds government work- of alcohol shall be consid- cident happen as a result of ers nationwide on the prohi- ered as an administrative such consumption, both the bition on the consumption of offense, separate and distinct head of office and the officials alcoholic beverages in gov- from the offense of Habitual or employees concerned will ernment offices even during Drunkenness. be held liable. office Christmas parties. However, the consumption Officials and employees Pursuant to CSC Res- of alcoholic beverages may caught in the act of consum- olution No. 1100039, the be allowed during programs ing intoxicating liquor and consumption of alcoholic and rituals such as ceremo- other alcoholic beverages beverages such as, but not nial toasts and observance/ during office hours, as well limited to malt, wine and honoring of local customs as those who will be report- intoxicating liquor in work- and traditions. In such in- ing for work under the influ- place among government of- stances, the alcoholic bever- ence of alcohol shall be held ficials and employees during age must be limited to malt liable for Misconduct which office hours is prohibited. and wine, and the consump- is punishable by suspension CSC Chairperson Alicia tion shall not result to intox- for one to six months for the dela Rosa-Bala stressed that ication which is defined as, first offense, and dismissal TAGUIG CITY -The Food to sustain supply during the Additionally, Department mere consumption of alco- “the impairment of a person’s from service on the second holic beverages in the work- mental faculties ensuing to offense. (CSC) Terminal Inc.(FTI) being lean and peak season. Fur- of Agriculture Assistant Sec- place during office hours as the loss of control over his/ true to its mission to provide ther, Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita retary for Agribusiness Mar- accessible and modern facil- project will provide farm- keting Kristine Y. Evange- ities and buildings that will ers and fisher folk as well as lista mentioned that one of FDA OKs redistribution of not just cater for the needs small and medium enterpris- the main problems in price of agricultural producers but es a venue for trade of their increase of goods and prod- for the needs of food produc- agricultural produced goods ucts is due to non-availability Mekeni pork-based products ers, manufacturers, exporters and products. of storages for our farmers’ MANILA -- The Food appropriate measures and con- mitted that 100 percent of its and other sectors in the food “In the formulation of our products so they often resort- and Drug Administration trols are in place to prevent the raw meats sourced in the Phil- industry recently inaugurat- strategic map and direction, ed to traders or middlemen. (FDA) has given the go possible use of contaminated ippines and abroad will under- ed its modular cold storage nakita po naming that we “Isa sa mga problema ng signal for Mekeni Food raw materials. go thorough testing for ASF. facility as well as launched need to cope up to the orig- ating mga magsasaka, they Corporation, one of the Earlier, Mekeni voluntari- A periodic environmental swabbing of its facilities will Kadiwa Project at FTI Eco- inal mandate of FTI and we have no facility, whether its country’s leading food ly withdrew all its pork-based processors, to redistribute products to help prevent the also be conducted to prevent nomic Zone, Taguig City on need to help our stakeholders cold storage or warehouse. its pork-based products to continuous spread of ASF. The potential contamination. 6 December 2019 in partner- especially the farmers, fisher Malaki kasing bagay yan the market. pullout was done while wait- A dedicated food safety and ship with Manila Economic folk and other stakeholders sakanila because without In a letter to Mekeni ing for the official laboratory quality officer has also been ap- and Cultural Office. in the agricultural sector by that dyan papasok ‘yung Food, FDA said that upon results from SGS and Bureau pointed to lead second layer of This cold storage facility providing facilities in order mga traders. Since DA wants due evaluation, it “allows of Animal Industry. The proac- testing. that would be initially avail- to alleviate their econom- to eliminate some layers of the redistribution of pro- tive measure was commended Garcia said these measures able in Taguig City would be ic condition,” FTI President traders to be able to give our cessed pork meat products by both the Department of Ag- are on top of the company’s beneficial to prolong shelf and CEO Ariel P. Buenaven- farmers a better opportunity that tested negative for riculture (DA) and FDA. strict compliance with all gov- A S F ”. “During that difficult time, ernment regulations and certi- life as well as maintain the in- tura said. para makapagbenta ng kanil- fications. ventory of essential produce ang produkto ng mas mataas Mekeni sought FDA even if we knew that the busi- clearance to redistribute ness would be greatly affected, “The procedures we adopted na value at the same time ang its products after specific we chose to uphold our core in product testing and in our DOT celebrates... consumers naman po natin ay batches of the firm’s Picnic values and put the welfare of manufacturing facility are in from page 3 Red Classic Hotdog and the general public above all line with our commitment to hindi masyadong masasaktan.” provide only the highest stan- Asec. Evangelista further Skinless Longaniza tested else,” Mekeni president Pru- country’s dive destinations, and stressed the Philippines’ positive for DNA traces of dencio Garcia said. dards of food quality. We’re competitive advantage in the region, not only as a diving highlighted the importance of the dreaded ASF virus. He said Mekeni pulled out happy that these tests have destination, but also as a business hub. Kadiwa project initiated by FTI. On November 22, Me- its products from the market to yielded negative results and we “Through the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba “We realized that since FTI is keni presented to DOH help the local hog industry and can again share our products to Undersecretary and FDA to mitigate the possibility that our customers,” he said. Diving (PCSSD), we also ensure that diving safety and op- going to go back to their original Garcia further said that while erating standards in the country are at par with the rest of mandate, ito rin po ang partner officer-in-charge Rolando their products inadvertently Enrique Domingo all cor- become ASF carriers. Mekeni’s ASF incident was an the world,” added Puyat. na kailangang-kailangan ng DA. isolated case that could happen Founded in 1993, the WTA or World Travel Awards has rective actions taken by “Despite assurances from We are not just talking about the the company, including re- the DOH that ASF poses no to any meat processor using the been recognizing brands and organizations from the travel, cold storage facility but we are sults of independent tests risk to humans, we took the is- same processes and the same tourism, and hospitality industries all over the world that talking about a bagsakan,”she conducted by SGS, the sue seriously and spared no ex- raw meats, the firm will contin- have raised the bar for global tourism standards, through world’s leading inspection pense to thoroughly clean our ue working with the DA, DOH added. and NMIS for the implementa- its annual Grand Tour, a series of six regional gala ceremo- and verification company. plant, improve our processes The ribbon cutting of facility tion of a more comprehensive nies with a grand final ceremony held at the end of each After thorough review and open it for inspection,” plan to mitigate the spread of was led by FTI Board of Direc- of documents and test re- Garcia said. tour. (DoT) ASF and prevent other pro- tors Chairman Lt. Gen. Ray- sults, the FDA gave Mek- As an additional safety mea- cessors from encountering the mundo B. Ferrer (Ret) together eni the clearance to redis- sure, the company has com- same problems. (PNA) with Taguig Vice Mayor Ricar- tribute its products. don “Ading” Cruz, Jr. as well The FDA clearance and SGS re- as other Government Officials sults provide assurance that Mekeni’s facilities, equipment, raw meat ma- such as MECO representative terials, and all pork-based finished Advertising Rates Dennis Araullo; Governance products for release in the market are 1 page : P19,000.00 Paper/Page Size: 12” x 18” Commission for GOCC Ken- 100 percent negative for ASF virus 1/2 page: 9,500.00 (30.5 cm x 46 cm) neth Rafols;NFA Deputy Ad- DNA. 1/4 page: 4,750.00 1 column length: 43 cm 1/8 page: 2,375.00 @ 7 columns ministrator for Marketing and As a food business operator, FDA Judicial Publications 1 col. cm. 85.00 Operations Maria Mercedita said Mekeni has the responsibili- @ 8 columns per page ty to be proactive in monitoring its Above rates are for Yacapin; and FTI Board of Di- products’ compliance to existing black and white. For colored Ads, add 30%. rector Richard De Jesus. KSBA | Generous rate discounts available depending on regulations, as well as to ensure that volume and frequency of ad placements. PIA-CENTRAL) We finance all kinds of solar power projects.

ORIX METRO LEASING AND FINANCE CORP Unit 102 and 103 Benry Square Building MacArthus Highway, San Nicolas, Tarlac City Tel. No. (045)628-6008 / 628-6021 Look for Janine Carlos December 15-21, 2019 8 tarlacweekender LG Komentaryo; Isang Palaisipan Why are Electricity Rates in the Philippines the highest in Asia? www.linisgobyerno.org By: Lala Rimando and Emil citizens and lifeline consum- or Transmission Rate Ad- Mercado ers who are using less than justment Mechanism and 100 kilowatts a month then NAPOCOR, which is lifted ilipino consumers paid of course government taxes. bringing light to far-flung the highest rates of elec- All these are moving areas or islands also pass on Ftricity in Asia. parts. They go up or down the cost of SPUG or Small Why, we paid an average and usually they go up. The Power Utilities Group most of 9 pesos and 14 centavos bill is high because some of them using expensive die- per kilowatt hour a month cost of operations increased. sel. in 2011 or about 25 dollar For example, almost half of These are added to our bill cents in 2012, more expen- our energy sources are coal through universal charges sive than Singapore, Thai- and oil mostly imported and because they are public land, Malaysia, Indonesia, from the Middle East, but utilities, what goes up and Vietnam, and even industri- these are capital intensive down in our electric bill re- alized Japan. businesses that also have to quired the approval of the The electricity bill reflects recover through profits. Energy Regulatory Com- the following, the power To encourage investments, mission. In the past, the state plants that process energy the government guarantees owned NAPOCOR was in- from sources like coal and their margin. When com- efficient. In the 1990s, ruling fuel turn them into electric- panies import, the foreign blackouts prompted govern- or PISAM, the state owned recovering some of NAPO- WESM or the Wholesale ity that lights up our homes, exchange fluctuations may ment to promised investor it power plants were sold to COR’s debts. Electricity Spot Market. It streetlights, powers or gad- be expensive and aid to their will buy all the supply gen- private investors. The trans- Before the transmission is where power producers gets, and keeps our facto- guaranteed profits. Theyerated by the independent mission service was sold to assets were turned over sell their electricity units ries going. These generation can be covered through the power producers. When the a Filipino-Chinese consor- through TRAM, these profit and customers buy at a price charges account for over ICERA or the Incremental Asian financial crisis struck tium called National Grid related reasons and sins of half of the bill then the cost Currency Exchange Rate in 1997-1998 demands load they want. Corporation of the Philip- the past are passed onto us These systems, the EPIRA of transporting the electric- Adjustment Mechanism. down, but consumers still pines or NGCP. The debts consumers and are tucked in promised were supposed to ity still in its high wooded The power plants former- pay for excess supply. Worst of NAPOCOR amounting the electricity bill. form from the power plants ly owned by state owned in 2002, the government did to $6.5 billion in 2001 were Another item is the feed be placed in 2011. However, through transmission pow- NAPOCOR can also recov- not let NAPOCOR which partly assumed by nation- in tariff. This is to encourage there are still few generation ers to the power distributors er profits. If the purchased had incurred a lot of debts al government and the rest investors to tap renewable players and those who have is reflected in the transmis- power and fuel costs aid into charged higher fees. These are charged to our bill over sources like geothermal, built new power plants are sion charges. these guaranteed margins resulted in NAPOCOR’s time. This is reflected in the hydro, wind, solar, biomass, not generating enough elec- Distributors charged for refill this via GRAM or Gen- massive loses that we are universal charges. and run of fever energy. Be- tricity to make trading at bringing power already re- eration Rate Adjustment now paying for. PISAM, while it was sup- cause these are from indig- WESM a truly competitive duced to 220 volts to us us- Mechanism which increas- The Electric Power Indus- posed to earn revenues from enous sources, they could and thriving one. Buyers are ers. es the generation charges. try Reformed Act or EPIRA the privatized power plants eventually reduce electricity not yet bidding for the low- Systems loses refer to the The same for state owned was introduced in 2001 to incurred debts because it prices. These are not depen- electricity wasted because Transmission Company or address the sins of the past. est price but for the available was not able to immediate- dent on coal and oil imports, supply. When there are more they were lost in transmis- TRANSCO. The new law broke apart ly sell some of them so it which are vulnerable to for- sion or were pilfered. If the cost of transporting NAPOCOR’s monopoly of new power projects and the had to maintain this aging eign exchange volatility, but private sector will stake Universal charges are var- high voltage power to retail- generation and transmis- plants. PISAM will recover what should really drive more power capital in them ious cost passed on to con- ers pull down their assured sion businesses. Throughthis debts worth about P130 electricity down are market sumers and subsidies are profits of 15%, they can be Power Sector Assets and Li- billion via universal charges. forces. then electricity bill will soon discounts given to senior covered through TRAM abilities Management Board NGCP on the other hand are The EPIRA created the be lowered. BCDA gives Aetas Notice... 6. A financial assistance package amounting tospokesperson ng ibang agency na nagpapaalis ng indigenous from page 1 Php300,000 per hectare (or Php30.00/sqm) has been made peoples. Anyare?” available by BCDA to all project-affected people, including “Essa Sayosa - More like a BCDA statement than NCIP” City. The seven-day notice issued by the Bases Conversion indigenous peoples (IPs) and farmers even at the start of “Rycy Pinks Rice - It so sad to see the crash of credibility and Development Authority (BCDA) is a standard fol- the development. Relocation sites have also been provided and reputation of an Institution.” low-up letter sent to all claimants who rejected the financial by BCDA WITHIN New Clark City for those whose resi- “Jenilyn Manzon - Sa himig pa lang ng statement, alam mo assistance offered by the government. dential structures were affected. kanino kumakampi. Nakakahiya kayo!! Naturingan kayo na 2. There are no targeted Aeta communities. The notice 7. New Clark City continues to provide opportunities for representasyon ng mga katutubo sa Pilipinas pero hindi niyo was given to all claimants to inform of the need to start the everyone especially for the IPs/farmers who may be affect- naman ginagawa trabaho niyo. construction of the New Clark City to Clark International ed in the development of roads and other infrastructure. Financial assistance? Land owned by goverment? No Airport access road in the particular area. 8. There are 500 Aetas employed in the New Clark City CADT? Relocation site? Employed 500 aetas? 3. As part of the process, BCDA has always been in con- project - an opportunity that was not available to them be- Mga palusot dahil hindi niyo naman talaga tinitindigan sultation with, and seeks the clearance of the Capas local fore the development started. ang mga katutubo kahit pinapalayas sila. Kinakampihan government on these matters. 9. Credible institutions such as the Asian Development niyo mga kapitalista at foreign investors. Kahihiyan kayo!!” 4. The New Clark City located within the Clark Special Bank worked with BCDA in ensuring the sustainability and “Hex Dagooc - NCIP, bakit kayo ang naglabas ng state- Economic Zone, is a government land owned by BCDA as inclusivity of the New Clark City. ment na ito? Parang ipinalabas ninyo na mali ang mga IPs stipulated in R.A. 7227. This statement of NCIP gathered a lot of negative reac- (na dapat pinoportektahan ninyo) sa claims nila. Regard- 5. There are NO declared ANCESTRAL DOMAINS or tions, some of which as follows: less kasi kung totoo o hindi man ang nangyayaring eviction, Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADT) in the “Stum Casia - Dapat nasa panig kayo ng mga katutubo, the best move that you can do is to issue a statement that area. Therefore, Aeta communities are not displaced. dapat kayo ang nagtitiyak na walang karapatan ng katutubo you need to investigate the matter since it involves the IPs ang matatapakan lalo at ipinaglalaban nila ito, kayo dapat (again, the people you’re suppose to protect) and after such ang una nilang kakampi. Pero sa tono ng pananalita ninyo, investigation, if found false, only then will you release a fi- halata na tagapagsalita kayo ng BCDA.” nal statement. Ang lagay sa statement nyo dito, parang hindi “Jim Leandro Cano - Iyong tipong ang agency na nagd- kayo NCIP. Parang kayo ang BCDA. Hindi kaya BCDA ta- edefend dapat ng rights ng ating mga katutubo ay naging laga ang gumawa ng statement na to tapos binigay sa inyo at inutusan kayong ilabas ito para sabihing ito ang official KLINERGY statement ninyo? No wonder maraming mga kaso na hindi Solar power installation and kayo pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga katutubo dahil sa mga solutions provider for residential, gantong statement. Matagal business, industrial. na ba kayong apologist ng BCDA? LOL” “Edgar Dizon - I am 72 yrs old and been living in this area since 1947. Worked a at Clark AB 64-77 and the Aetas has been part of the commu- nity since I am 72 yrs old and have known Aetas to live in their community since I was born. Clark employed thou- sands of Aetas and helped them do business to improve Call/Text or email us to schedule for a free estimate their lives. They did not dis- Email address: [email protected] placed the Aetas to build their air base, instead they 0999-823-2753 (Smart) employed them to teach them 0905-334-3473 (Globe) www.klinergysolar.com t h e i r Cont. on page 2