18th Hot Air Balloon festival

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Foundation Incorporated has set the 18th hot air balloon festival on February 21 to 24, 2013.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was recently forged by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), PIHABF, and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Officials present during the agreement signing at the MIAA board room were President and acting CDC President Arnel Paciano Casanova; CIAC President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Jose Luciano and PIHABF President Captain Joy Roa.

The upcoming 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta titled “A Weekend of Everything that Flies” will be held at the Omni Aviation Complex in the Clark Freeport.

CDC Tourism Promotions Manager Noemi Garcia, MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado, CDC Executive Vice-President Philip Panlilio, CIAC Executive Vice-President and COO Bienvenido Manga and CDC Assistant Vice-President Bernie Angeles were also present during the MOA signing.

In 2012, some 26 balloons, including six specially shaped balloons with shapes of a car, birthday cake, ice cream, Sunkist, and a Kiwi mascot, were flown.

by: Reynaldo Navales

Withdraw Pamintuan awards – newsman

Veteran mediaman Robledo Sanchez on December 4 forwarded a letter to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II requesting the agency to review the awards given to the Pamintuan administration.

In his letter, Sanchez said the issue of irregularities surrounding the Pamintuan administration, particularly the controversial “ghost employees” in the job order appointments, do not resonate with the corrupt-free government advocacy of the Aquino administration.

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to DILG regional director Florida Dijan.

Sanchez also cited the case of several barangay officials who denied any knowledge about the inclusion of their relatives’ names in the list of the Pamintuan administration’s job order appointments.

According to the barangay officials, the names of their relatives have been included in the list of job order employees even when their relatives are not even working for City Hall and have never received any salary from the City Government.

Among these officials are Barangay Lourdes Northwest Kagawad and Councilmen’s League of Angeles City (CLAC) Vice-President for External Affairs William David, Barangay Cutcut Kagawad and CLAC Executive Vice-President Roy Ogurida, Barangay Salapungan Kagawad Renato Coronel and Barangay Margot Kagawad Nenita Ferrer.

Sanchez also cited the observations of the City Project Monitoring Committee regarding the projects of the City Government, which are allegedly poorly planned, poorly constructed and perceived to be overpriced.

Sanchez also mentioned the several irregularities cited by COA in its Annual Audit Report for Angeles City for the year 2011, which include unliquidated cash advances amounting to P19.4 million, unbooked hospital equipment donations amounting to P13.9 million, and reimbursements of non-petty expenses amounting to P9.6 million.

On October 19, 2012, Sanchez filed graft and corruption charges against Pamintuan, City Accountant Wilfredo Tiotuico, City Budget Officer Fe Corpuz, City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat and other department heads over the 2,506 job order employees employed by the Pamintuan administration.

by: Reynaldo Navales

Barangay leaders’ kin tag as ‘ghost employees’

Robledo Sanchez has continued revealing pieces of evidence on the "ghost" job order employees appointed by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

In a press statement, Sanchez said relatives of several barangay officials are under the payroll of Pamintuan as job order employees.

“Ang masama pa dito, ang mga residente ng barangay mismo ang magpapatunay na ang mga kamag-anak ng mga barangay official na kasama sa job order ay hindi naman talaga nagtatrabaho,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez was referring to Edward “Sakurai” Gueco, son of Barangay Malabanias Kagawad Antonia Gueco, who is listed as an Administrative Assistant and earning a daily rate of P500.

Sanchez said barangay residents attest that Edward Gueco is not actually working for the City Government and is, in fact, in Singapore.

Sanchez also cited the case of Nestle Joy Paras, wife of Malabanias Kagawad Edwin Nacu’s brother, who is allegedly not reporting for work because she is at home taking care of her two children.

Paras is also designated as an Administrative Assistant under the Philhealth Program of the Office of the Mayor and is given a daily rate of P500.

“Kung may mga sumesweldo kahit hindi naman nagtatrabaho, ibig sabihin, nagtatapon ang administrasyon ng pera ng mga mamamayang nagbabayad ng tax,” Sanchez said.

Also included in the names of job order employees listed by Sanchez are Jonathan Gonzales, son of Malabanias Kagawad Santiago Gonzales, Norberto Tanhueco, husband of former Barangay Pulung Bulu Chairwoman Gloria Tanhueco, Daniel Zaballa, husband of Pulungbulo Kagawad Lorna Zaballa.

“Mukhang gumagawa ng political machinery ang administrasyon,” said Sanchez. “Pero ginagawa nila ang political machinery na ito at the expense of the people. Pera iyan ng tao.”

On October 19, 2012, Sanchez filed a complaint against Pamintuan, City Accountant Wilfredo Tiotuico, City Budget Officer Fe Corpuz, City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat and the different respective Department Heads before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the 2,506 job order employees of the City Government.

by: Sunstar Pampanga

Clark workers to get more jobs

 Congressman-wannabe Francis Nepomuceno said he is in talks with union leaders of the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) in a bid to give more jobs to some 70,000 CFZ workers of the city.

Nepomuceno said he will provide livelihood opportunities, which will come in the form of cooperatives, to the Clark workers through their respective unions such as the Samahang Manggagawa ng DMIA (SMD), Association of Concerned CDC Employees (ACCES), and Association of CDC Supervisory Personel (ACSP).

“Nais po nating pangalagaan ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa sa Clark Freeport Zone dahil sila po ang mga bayani na nagtataguyod sa ekonomiya hindi lamang dito sa Pampanga kundi sa buong bansa,” Nepomuceno said.

The Clark Development Corporation (CDC), earlier, reported that the number of CFZ workers reached more than 70,000, an all-time high employment record.

The CDC-Customer Service Department added there are now 70,097 workers, an increase of 3,874 from June to July of 2012.

Nepomuceno said more workers will be needed as more business firms are to be located in the Clark Freeport Zone. Tourism-related projects in Clark are also expected to increase employment opportunities, not only for the residents of the Metro Clark area, but also in the provinces of Tarlac and Pampanga.

He said several business process outsourcing (BPO) and industrial firms have plans to expand their operations in Clark and this will generate more jobs.

by: Rey Navales

Nothing wrong with backchannel talks

Sen. Drilon said he sees nothing wrong with Trillanes' backchannel talks with the Chinese since these were authorized by Malacañang. Trillanes earlier said it was Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa who authorized the backroom negotiations with the Chinese.

In interviews conducted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV emerged as the negotiator working independently for President Benigno Aquino in Beijing.

In a phone interview, Trillanes said, “If Secretary Del Rosario was only close to being effective as a foreign secretary, then there wouldn’t be any need for a back channel in the first place.”

Trillanes has made no secret about his opinion that Del Rosario is unfit to represent the Philippines on the negotiating table with China because of his allegedly rabid opposition to any peaceful settlement with Beijing and his purported desire to bring the United States into the confrontation.

The senator said this was shown by a series of actions Del Rosario had allegedly made that appeared to intensify, rather than ease, the conflict between the two countries.

Trillanes earlier accused Enrile of being a lackey of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, saying the Senate President is pushing for the passage of a measure to split Camarines Sur.

On the other hand, Enrile accused Trillanes of selling out the country to Chinese interests after being involved with backchannel talks with Chinese officials

Sen. Franklin Drilon on Thursday admitted he is saddened by the ongoing word war between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

Drilon said it was the first time that he has seen such conduct in his 15 years in the chamber especially after the two senators started resorting to personal attacks.

Next DILG Secretary

President Aquino will announce his choice for the new interior and secretary before he leaves for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Russia next week.

We saw posted in Facebook last week a news item about Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirming his interest in the position of DILG secretary

A closer look at the news item, however, showed that the date was June 2012 after President Aquino announced that two senators are being eyed for a cabinet position after their elected term expires in June 2013.

When asked if they were Lacson and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Aquino replied, ““Those two in particular.”

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama  made his own proposal, saying former tourism secretary Robert “Ace” Durano would be a suitable DILG secretary.

He said Durano proved his management capabilities during his time as tourism secretary.

Durano also has a background in local governance being a former congressman of Cebu’s 5th district, Rama added.

Among the nominees for the DILG post were Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Abaya is being lobbied by Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas while President Benigno Aquino III reportedly has  eyes set on Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Like Robredo, Rama said the next DILG Secretary should have occupied a local elective position or has ties with the academe with exemplary management capabilities.

“If the next DILG secretary has no exposure with local government units he will have  a hard time,” he said.

Rama said Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is another likely candidate due to his previous stint as DILG secretary.

As chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC), Rama said he can campaign for Durano’s candidacy.

He said he tried but was unable to contact Energy  Secretary Rene Almendras and Budget Secretary Buth Abad about his suggestion.

Robredo, whose appointment as DILG secretary was made only in June 2011 after almost a year as acting secretary (he was never confirmed by the Commission on Appointments ) was asked if he thought he still enjoyed the trust and confidence of the President and he said,”Yes.”

It is understandable that political groups would want dominion over DILG because not only does it have supervision over the Philippine National Police but also the local government units.

The LGUs are composed of 79 provinces, 38 cities and Metro Manila. It’s a potent political network.

Balay is said to be concerned that if Lacson makes good at the DILG, especially in the matter of peace and order, he would think of running again for president in 2016 and would be a stumbling block to Roxas presidential bid.

Just a thought: if Lacson makes good in the DILG, would that not be good for the country? Why would the peace and order situation in the country be held hostage by the presidential ambition of one politician?

One legitimate observation about Lacson, however, is that his rigid style of leadership may not sit well with local politicians.

Even if Lacson would not join the presidential race in 2016, he is seen as more leaning towards the Samar faction than Balay. If that’s the case, Balay would be worried that the LGU network would be used for Binay instead of them using it for Roxas.

Two factions in President Aquino’s Cabinet—dubbed the “Balay” and “Samar” groups, based on their area of operations during the 2010 presidential campaign—are competing to have their candidates fill in the DILG post.

Robredo’s successor would be the main agenda at the Aug. 29 meeting of the Liberal Party at its Balay headquarters in the home of Roxas, also LP president, in Cubao, Quezon City.

Aside from Abaya and Lim, also being considered were former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

But sources said the emergence of Vice President Jejomar Binay of the Samar group as a potential successor of Robredo in the DILG has led some party members to call on Roxas “to step up to the plate and move to the DILG.”

The Samar group was Mr. Aquino’s campaign team on Samar Avenue in Quezon City.

In Cebu, a caravan held by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Community Investigative Support (CIS) to honor Robredo passed by major streets in Cebu and Mandaue cities yesterday afternoon.

Ano ang Naaalala Mo Sa MT. PINATUBO ERUPTION Dalawang Dekada Ang Nakakaraan?

Ang Pinatubo ay isang "bulkang natutulog" sa loob ng halos limang siglo at ito ang naging tahanan ng mga kababayan nating mga aeta o ita mula nang dumating ang mga Kastilang sumakop sa atin noon. Sa kanyang pagkagising, napilitan ang mga naninirahan dito na magsilikas at pumunta sa kabayanan. Natatandaan ko noong mga panahong iyon ang pagdasa ng mga katutubong "Agta" sa Maynila. Sinakop nila ang lahat ng pwedeng sakupin. Ginawa nilang isang malaking evacuation center ang kahabaan ng lansangan. Noong una ay nagbibigay pa kami ng tulong sa mga namamalimos at nagbabahay-bahay dahil sa awa pero nang lumaon ay 'di na dahil sa dami nila. Hindi ka na magugulat noon kung makakakita ka ng mga batang itang naghahabulan sa mga islands ng EDSA.

Ang totoo rin, sa kanyang pagputok ko lang nalaman na pwede pa lang maging bulkan ang isang bundok! Nasanay kasi ko na kapag bulkan ang tinutukoy, “volcano” ang inilalagay sa hulihan ng pangalan tulad ng sa Mayon at Taal.

Isang “nobody” ang bulkang ito kaya nga siguro “Mt. Pinatubo” ang ipinangalan ni dating presidenteng Ramon Magsaysay, isang tubong Zambales, sa kanyang C-47 presidential plane para ito ay makilala. Ang siste nga lang, mas nabaon sa limot nang mag-crash ito sa Cebu noong 1957 na naging dahilan ng pagkasawi ng presidente at kasamang 24 katao.

Hindi pa nakakaahon ang administrasyon ni yumaong Tita Cory sa pagkabulabog ng Luzon dahil sa lindol ng July 16, 1990, isang kalamidad pa ang sumubok sa kanyang panunungkulan. Maraming eksperto ang nagsasabing ang lindol ng 1990 ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit sumabog ang bulkan. Ang epicenter kasi ng 7.7 na pagyanig ay nasa Cabanatuan, 100 km lang ng Pinatubo. Dalawang linggo matapos ang malakas na lindol ay nakakitaan ng mga “volcanic steams” ang bundok ngunit ito ay hindi itinuring ng mga siyentipiko bilang “eruptive activity”.

March 15, 1991 nang unang magpakita ng senyales ang Pinatubo na gusto nitong magpasabog ng kung ano mang nararamdamang init nito sa katawan. Sunud-sunod na pagyanig at pagbuga ng SULFURIC ASHES ang naranasan ng mga taong naninirahan malapit sa kinatatayuan nito sa mga sumunod na buwan. Nagsimulang magbigay ng babala ang PHIVOLCS o Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology na kailangang lisanin ang mga lugar na malapit sa bundok. Ang unang “magmatic eruption” o ang pagkakataong nilabasan na ang bulkan ay naganap noong June 3, 1991. Ito ay nasundan pa ng ilang pagsirit noong June 12, 13, at 14. Nanlupaypay na ang tigasing bundok noong June 15, 1991. Nagbuga lang naman daw ito ng 800,000 tons ng zinc, 600,000 tons ng copper, 550,000 tons ng chromium, 300,000 tons ng nickel, 100,000 tons ng lead, 10,000 tons ng arsenic, 1000 tons ng cadmium, and 800 tons ng mercury.

Kitang-kita ko sa teevee kung paano nilamon ng abo ang mga lugar na malapit dito. Laman ng mga balita ang paglubog ng mga lugar sa Pampanga - mga bubungan nalang ang makikita sa mga bahay na nakatirik doon. Animo ay naging isang malaking disyerto ang dating masiglang kapatagan. Mas mahirap ang mga sumunod na araw matapos ang pagsabog dahil tag-ulan na nang mga panahon iyon. Nang maghalo ng tubig-ulan at abo galing bulkan ay nabuo ang tinatawag na "LAHAR" (Naaalala ko tuloy bigla 'yung asong si Laharsky na alaga ng pinsan kong si Bambie). Sinubukan itong solusyunan ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng mga istrukturang tinawag na MEGADIKES pero ito ay nauwi sa wala dahil tinipid ng mga potang kurakot at balasubas na mga inhinyerong pulpol. Ang mga pananggala sana sa lahar ay walang tibay kaya ito ay gumuho.

Isang umaga ay nagising kami na may bumabagsak na snow mula sa kalangitan. Hindi pa naman winter kaya kami ay nagtaka. Mas nagtaka kami nang maalala naming nasa Pilipinas nga pala kami kaya imposibleng magka-niyebe! Abo pala ang bumabagsak na 'yun. Parang 'yung sa isang scene sa pelikulang "Schindler's List" kung saan tinangay ng hangin ang abo ng mga Hudyong sinunog. Hindi lang sa Pampanga at Maynila ito naranasan dahil hanggang Vietnam, Cambodia, at Malaysia ay umabot ito. Napakahirap ng may ashfall dahil kailangan mong linisin ang bubungan mo kung ayaw mong gumuho ito dahil sa kabigatan. Sa totoo lang, ito ang naging sanhi ng pagkamatay ng karamihan. Kailangang sarado rin ang mga bintana para 'di pasukin ng alikabok ang bahay. Mayroon namang isang balita sa tabloid noon ang kumalat - ang Pinatubo daw ay nagbubuga ng mga old coins dahil may nakukuha raw nito ang mga naglilinis ng bubong ng mga bahay ng apektadong lugar! Natawa nalang si Ka Ernie nang mai-feature niya ito sa kanyang segment sa TV Patrol. Taena naman kasi ang kabobohang pinaniwalaan ng iba!

Ang abong ibinuga ang bumalot sa alapaap ng mga lugar na malapit sa bulkan at ito ay isang dahilan para maging madilim ang kapaligiran. Malaki ang naging epekto nito hindi lang sa atin kundi pati na rin sa buong mundo. Dahil sa laki ng aerosol na ibinuga sa stratosphere, nagkaroon ng climate change - bumaba ang global temperture ng 0.5 °C (0.9 °F). Naging dahilan din ang Pinatubo sa maliit na pagkasira ng ozone layer.

Sa kabila ng pagpapahirap nito sa ating bayan ay maraming mga militanteng grupo ang natuwa sa pagsabog ng bulkan dahil natupad na rin sa wakas ang kanilang pangarap na mapaalis ang mga base-militar ni Uncle Sam na U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay sa Olongapo at Clark Air Base sa Pampanga. Ilang kilos-protesta ang 'di pinansin ng mga puti pero nang sila ay maambunan ng abo, nagmamadali silang lumisan paalis ng Pinas. Kawawa naman tuloy ang mga entertainers at hospitality gurls nating naiwanan.

Bilyun-bilyong pesoses ang nawala dahil sa pagkasira ng mga ari-arian, panananim, at iba pang mga istruktura kaya nahirapan ang pamahalaan na muling makabangon. May mga NGO's ang nagtulungan upang mabigyan ng kabuhayan ang mga naapektuhan. Naaalala ko 'yung panahon na napakaraming ibinebenta ang SM na mga keychains, figurines, at kung anu-ano pang borloloy na gawa sa volcanic debris. Ang kita daw nito ay igugugol sa pagtulong sa mga nasalanta. May mga grupo namang gumawa ng hollow blocks mula sa mga gabundok na abong naibuga ng Pinatubo ngunit 'di naman ito napansin ng mga hardwares dahil mahinang klase ito sa construction.

Ang bangungot na inihatid sa atin ng kalamidad na ito ay mahirap malimutan. Ngunit mula sa pagkakalugmok natin ay kinaya nating muling makabangon. Ang balita ko, isang napakagandang tourist spot na ang bunganga ng Pinatubo. May nabuo ditong isang lawa na talaga namang dinadayo ng mga dayuhan.