Mini-Putrajaya gov’t centers to rise in Palayan, 3 other sites in Phl

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A government center serving as a miniature version of the Putrajaya federal administrative center of Malaysia is in the works in this once laid-back city.

          The Putrajaya-type government center cum business hub is envisioned by Alloy MTD, the Malaysian conglomerate which forged a joint venture agreement with the provincial government for the construction of the P1.5-billion Palayan City Business Hub (PCBH) at a 3.4-hectare site in Barangay Singalat at the back of City Hall.

          Isaac David, president of Alloy MTD Philippines which is a subsidiary of Alloy MTD Malaysia, said they are not only committed to offer world-class facilities but give comfort and convenience to people and thus, will pursue government centers patterned after Putrajaya.

          Putrajaya is a planned city 25 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur. Made up of a network of open spaces and wide boulevards, it was constructed in 1995 as the biggest project in Malaysia and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia at a cost of $8.1 billion.

          Alloy MTD bankrolled the construction of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Calabarzon Regional Government Center (CRGC). It is targeting to construct P10 billion worth of government centers  in the country through Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the CRGC serving as template.

          Last Thursday, officials of Alloy MTD and its subsidiary joined Gov. Aurelio Umali in ground-breaking activities for the PCBH, considered yet as the single, biggest Capitol project under the Umali administration.

Present during the rites were Azmil Khalid, chief executive officer of Alloy MTD Group of Malaysia and head of the Malaysia-Philippines Business Council (MPBC), David, Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas whose city government donated the lot for the project site which will house buildings for government offices with retail and commercial spaces, two state-of-the-art business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, a 75-room business hotel and plaza to serve as activity center. 

The main building will be occupied by national offices that will relocate from Cabanatuan to serve as one-stop shop of all government services.

Cuevas said the PCBH is labor-intensive and will generate  13,000 jobs, 10,000 of which in call centers alone, with the rest to come from the operations of the various commercial establishments, the hotel and the government offices.

Alloy MTD is a leading Asian infrastructure conglomerate operating in 13 countries, notably the United States, United Kingdom, China, Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Chile.

Aside from infrastructure, its operations range from civil engineering and construction, manufacturing, energy, port operations, real estate and property development and operation and maintenance. It has developed world-class mountain roads, highways, bridges and engaged in geotechnical works, highway maintenance and erosion control.

Alloy MTD and MTD Philippines constructed the P3.9-billion, 36-kilometer SLEX in Calamba, Laguna which was completed in February 2012 and the P2.5-billion CRGC, dubbed the “Complete City” in Barangay Mapagong, also in Calamba housing offices in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon.

David said in keeping with its avowed mission to establish world-class one-stop shop regional government centers in one accessible location per region across the country through PPP, they will be constructing three government centers worth P6.2 billion.

These are the P1.5-billion,70,000 square meter “The Octagon” in Palo, Leyte, the P3.7-billion “Pili Complex” in Camarines Sur and the P1-billion government center in Maguindanao.

Like the PCBH, the three mega-projects will all have buildings for government offices, retail and commercial spaces, BPOs, business hotel and Capitol buildings.

The Octagon will have a hospital and evacuation center while the Pili Complex will have a hospital and a university, multi-use theater, condotel and a three-storey mosque and dome just like the  Maguindanao project. A fourth project is the Plaza del Pueblo de Vigan in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. (Manny Galvez)

NE Capitol, Malaysian investor to set up world-class gov’t center cum trade hub

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A giant Malaysian conglomerate which bankrolled the construction of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Calabarzon Regional Government Center (CRGC) has tied up with the Nueva Ecija provincial government to establish a P1.5-billion, world-class new government center and business hub in this provincial capital in what is considered yet as the single, biggest Capitol project under the Umali administration.

The mega-project, dubbed the Nueva Ecija Government Center-Central Business Park (NEGC-CBP), was unveiled during ground-breaking ceremonies at a 3.4-hectare site in Barangay Singalat at the back of the newly refurbished city hall.

Gov. Aurelio Umali, who conceptualized the mega-project, said it is a joint venture between MTD Philippines, a subsidiary of Malaysian conglomerate Alloy MTD, and the provincial government under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. The province was the first local government unit (LGU) to enact a PPP Code.

Umali led the ground-breaking rites for the project along with third district Rep. Czarina Umali, Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas, Dato Azmil Khalid, chief executive officer of Alloy MTD Group of Malaysia and head of the Malaysia-Philippines Business Council (MPBC) and MTD Philippines president Isaac David.

The project site was donated to the provincial government by the city government under Cuevas whose husband, renowned businessman Vince Cuevas, helped spearhead the negotiations. 

The Cuevas couple said the mega-project is labor-intensive and will generate a whopping 13,000 jobs, 10,000 of which in call centers alone, with the rest to come from the operations of the various commercial establishments, the hotel and the government offices.

Alloy MTD, based in Malaysia, is a leading Asian infrastructure conglomerate operating in the global market, with projects in 13 countries, notably the United States, United Kingdom, China, Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Chile.

Aside from infrastructure, its track record covers a wide range of operations from civil engineering and construction, manufacturing, energy, port operations, real estate and property development and operation and maintenance.

It has extensive experience in the development of world-class mountain roads, highways, bridges and in geotechnical works, highway maintenance and erosion control.

MTD Philippines is Alloy MTD’s investment arm based in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City with interest in infrastructure development and energy.

Its avowed mission is to establish world-class one-stop shop regional government centers in one accessible location per region across the country through PPP.

Umali said some of the firm’s big-ticket projects are the P3.9-billion, 36-kilometer SLEX in Calamba, Laguna which was completed in February 2012 and the P2.5-billion CRGC, dubbed the “Complete City” in Barangay Mapagong, also in Calamba housing offices in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon.   

The mega-project in this city, which will be finished in two years, was undertaken after MTD Philippines submitted an unsolicited proposal to develop the property donated by the city government to the provincial government by leasing it to the Capitol for 50 years, extendable for another 25 years.

To be constructed in the site are buildings for government offices with retail and commercial spaces, two state-of-the-art business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, a 75-room business hotel and plaza to serve as activity center.  

The main building will be occupied by national offices that will relocate from the heavily congested Cabanatuan City to  consolidate all services in one location.

The provincial government is also eyeing, in tandem with a  consortium of private investors, to set up an information technology hub at a 15-hectare site in Cabanatuan City.

          In 2011, Antheros Corporation based in Muntinlupa City, has submitted an unsolicited proposal to the provincial government for the development of the “Nueva Ecija Core Business Hub.”

          The group is eyeing to construct modern office buildings, BPOs, call centers, a conference center and exhibition hall, business hotel, upscale residential facilities, medium-rise condominiums and shopping, entertainment, tourist and restaurant facilities in the site.

          Based on reports, IT firms now prefer to go to the provinces where it is more laid-back and the standard of living is lower compared with the fast pace of city life in the metropolis.

          Umali said the BPOs will be beneficial to many Novo Ecijanos who are known for their proficiency in the English language, harnessed by the language skills institute set up by the provincial government. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda Reminds Public on Typhoon and Storm Surge Preparedness

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today reminded citizens on ways to prepare for a typhoon as Typhoon Ruby starts to affect more areas in the country.

Legarda stressed that citizens, especially those in areas with public storm warning signals, should regularly monitor weather updates and advisories for evacuation; while disaster preparedness and response agencies should be on alert for emergencies and concerned government departments ready to provide basic needs and relief items for residents in temporary shelters and affected areas.

The Senator reminded citizens of measures to undertake based on the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook, a manual produced by the Committee on Climate Change, in partnership with various government agencies.

What to do in case of typhoons

·      Stay indoors and keep calm.

·      Monitor TV and radio reports.

·      Secure your home. Trim trees near dwellings.

·      Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

·      Go to the nearest designated evacuation center if your house is in a flood-prone area.

·      Have a flashlight and radio handy, with fresh batteries.

·      Stock up on food, potable water, kerosene, batteries, and first-aid supplies.

·      In case of flooding, turn off the main sources of electricity, gas and water in your home.

·      Stack furniture above the expected flood level. Keep appliances, valuables, chemicals, toxic substances, and garbage beyond the reach of floodwaters.

·      Avoid low-lying areas, riverbanks, creeks and coastal areas, slopes, cliffs, and foothills. Rain can trigger landslides, rockslides or mudslides.

·      Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams.

·      Do not operate any electrical equipment during a flood.

·      Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.

Legarda also cautioned communities of possible storm surges.

Storm surge is a sudden rise in sea level above normal, causing big waves as a tropical cyclone approaches the coast. A storm surge can sweep the coastline, and can extend several kilometers inland.

What to do when expecting a storm surge

·      Make plans for evacuating members of your family and yourself to higher ground before a storm surge takes place.

·      Stay off the beach when a weather disturbance is approaching or exists in your community.

·      Listen to the PAGASA Public Forecast/Warnings that are aired regularly. The storm surge warning is incorporated in the Domestic Bulletins.

·      As soon as possible, evacuate to higher ground and stay away from beaches when a typhoon approaches your community.

Rookie cop, suspected drug pusher killed in Ecija shootout

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija – A rookie policeman and a suspected drug pusher cum gun-for-hire were killed following a shootout here yesterday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the fatalities as Police Officer 3 Jacinto Gregorio Jr. and suspected drug pusher Bernardo Magno, alias Boy of Barangay Calaba here.

Both Gregorio and Magno died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Nieves said the shootout erupted at around 6 am yesterday when joint operatives of the intelligence division of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office (NEPPO) and the provincial public safety company (PPSC) led by police Superintendent Ricardo Villanueva swooped down on Magno’s house, armed with a search warrant for violations of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

  While serving the search warrant, Villanueva’s team negotiated with Magno to surrender to prevent bloodshed as he was inside his house with his wife Chona, armed with long firearms.

But while trying to negotiate, a firefight ensued, which left Gregorio dead in a pool of blood. Magno was heavily wounded in an ensuing exchange of gunfire and was rushed to a hospital in Gapan City where he was pronounced dead-on-arrival.

Magno’s wife was unhurt.

Recovered from the encounter scene were one M-14 Armalite rifle, one M-16 Armalite rifle, one 12-gauge shotgun, one caliber 45 pistol and assorted live ammunitions, spent shells and illegal drugs.

Nieves said the operation was in line with the directive of Region 3 police director, Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta to all seven provincial directors in Central Luzon and the city station commanders to map out stricter security measures through the conduct of patrol operations and the serving of search warrants. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda to LGUs in Ruby Path: Relay Info to Citizens

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called on all local government units  (LGUs) in the forecasted path of Typhoon Ruby to ensure that information about the storm is relayed to citizens so that everyone is prepared.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said it is crucial for LGUs, including barangay officials, to conduct information dissemination campaign on the strength of the typhoon and its effects including expected storm surges, and the community evacuation plan.

“Every barangay should gather their citizens or have roaming officials to inform citizens of the effects of the coming typhoon and the preparedness measures that every family should undertake. Are we expecting a storm surge? Then, we should warn our communities of the expected height of the waves and how far inland the flooding would reach. This would help us ensure that people are evacuated in safe places that would not be reached by the storm surge,” she said.

The Senator also reminded government agencies to carry out their respective duties in preparing for the typhoon.

“We should all be on heightened alert now as the storm has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility. We remind LGUs to ensure that all canals and drainage systems are cleaned up and no families are living in high-risk areas, release frequently updated advisories and ensure that areas expected to be affected are prepared--activate all forms of early warning systems, set up evacuation centers, evacuate families living in landslide-prone and flood-prone areas,” said Legarda.

She added that LGUs should implement forced evacuation when called for.  Shelters for evacuees should be well designed, built strong, and prepared ahead of time with emergency supplies of food, water, medicine, shelter, and toiletries, while government agencies are ready to augment the basic needs of evacuees.

Moreover, local disaster risk reduction and management officers should be alert. Quick communication, particularly real-time updates, is also vital in ensuring effective disaster response with first responders and search and rescue teams ready for dispatch anytime.

Palayan turns 49, Malacañang declares Dec. 5 special non-working day in NE capital

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–All roads lead to this provincial capital today as local officials, led by neophyte lady Mayor Adrianne Mae J. Cuevas observe this city’s 49^th anniversary celebrations.

          President Aquino, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., issued last November 14 Presidential Proclamation 916 declaring December 5, 2014 a special non-working day throughout the city to enable the people to celebrate and participate in the event.

          The executive committee for this year’s anniversary rites launched the kick-off ceremony last December 1 with an ecumenical service followed by the launch of a service caravan involving medical and dental mission, birth registration and other social services and the barangay and awards night at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center.

          Last year, the anniversary was held in simple rites as the city was one of those hardest hit by “Santi” in October, damaging P300 million worth of crops.

This year’s anniversary rites come on the heels of a major facelift undertaken by the fledgling Cuevas administration which implemented drastic political and administrative reforms, starting with the renovation of the city hall.

        Cuevas said the city, apart from being the seat of the provincial government, also would like to claim for it a rightful place as an agro-industrial center in the province. Presently, Cuevas has been inviting a number of investors to set up businesses in the city in line with her administration’s vision to turn it into an investors’ haven.

          This city was created as the new capital of Nueva Ecija on June 19,1965 by virtue of Republic Act 4475 signed by then-President Diosdado Macapagal. It first rose to prominence when it hosted the National Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in 1969 at its campsite, attended by thousands of scouts from Asia-Pacific countries. 

          The campsite is considered the BSP’s largest regional campsite where the Josefa Llanes Escoda national training center is also housed.

          The city also hosts the headquarters of the Army’s 7^th Infantry Division at the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation, considered one of the largest military training camps not only in the country but also in southeast Asia. (Manny Galvez)

6 international economics experts due for roundtable discussion on ASEAN integration

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–Six economic experts from the international and domestic scene, including economic professors from Australia, Germany and Singapore, will grace the roundtable discussion on the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration today.

The economic experts include Dr. Jayant Menon, lead economist of the Office for Regional Economic Integration of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Bob Gregory, professor emeritus of the Research School of Economics at the Australian National University, Dr. John Dosch, chair of international politics at the University of Rostock in Germany, Dr. Pushpanathan Sundram, managing director of EAS Strategic Advice-Asia and senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

          Entitled “ASEAN Integration: Challenges and Changes in the Coming Decade,” the roundtable forum, the first such forum initiated by a private sector-led think tank, is hosted by the Angara Centre for Law and Economics (ACLE) and co-convener Metrobank Foundation. It will open at 8 am today at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City and end at 4:30 pm.

Dr. Emerlinda Roman, chair of the ACLE board and former president of the University of the Philippines, said the event will give an update on the region’s progress in creating the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and pertinent issues affecting the country.

Roman said the integration is the most pressing economic issue of the day. “We will have been integrated into the AEC by the end of next year and we need to know if we are prepared as an economy for the changes and the increased competition this entails. And if we are not, we need to know the right steps to take to do so,” she said.

          “What does this mean to our banks, our businesses, our BPO industry and our farmers? “This is why we’re taking the brightest minds from around the world and connecting them to the relevant people here.”

Socio-economic planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority director-general Arsenio Balisan will deliver the keynote speech in the event which presentations will kick off with “The ASEAN Economic Community: State of Implementation and Implications for the Philippines” by Dosch.

          Menon will present the topic “Will ASEAN realize its community?”, while Gregory will discuss “Relevant and Sensible Policies for Responding to the China Boom.”

          Sundram will discuss “Public-Private Partnership and the Institutional Development of ASEAN” while Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla will in turn discuss the pressing issue of preparing the Philippine banking system for economic integration.

          Also expected to grace the event are Philippine Stock Exchange President and CEO Hans Sicat, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Perry Rodolfo, who will serve as reactors at the roundtable.

          The ACLE is the country’s first private-sector law, regulation, and economic policy think-tank, where the country’s best intellectuals will work in tandem with global economic and legal experts to design constructive policy reforms and institutions for Philippine development. (Manny Galvez)

‘Hot Air Balloon Fest in Fort Magsaysay? It’s possible, says DOT exec

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City – The internationally acclaimed “Hot Air Balloon Festival,” which is traditionally being held in Pampanga may be moved  outside of that province and transferred to this sprawling military camp.

          This was the assessment of a top official of the Department of Tourism in Central Luzon who said that holding the festival requires vast tracts of lands.

          DOT Region  3 Ronaldo Tiotuico said Fort Magsaysay, with 44,000 hectares of available lands, can accommodate an event as huge as the “Hot air Balloon.”

          He said, however, that the event may not be moved to Aurora in eastern Central Luzon which, although a fast-emerging tourist destination, may not have available space.

          “When we talk of Aurora, I think it’s a no,” Tiotuico said, adding there is no firm proposal on the ground to transfer the event outside of Pampanga.

          The possibility of transferring the site of the balloon fest outside of the province was raised after the event was moved to Lupao, Pampanga from its traditional site at the Clark Freeport Zone during its holding last April 10-13.

          The new site in Barangay Prado Siongco, Lubao is located some 33 kilometers outside of Clark to Brgy. Prado Siongco, Lubao Pampanga. The reason for the tranfer was due to aviation traffic where 10 international and domestic airlines now operate and fly in and out of Clark from various destinations.

          The hot air balloon event, dubbed “Philippine International Balloon Festival (PIBF) 2014,” was organized by Pilipinas International Balloon Festival, Inc.

          Tiotuico admitted that moving the event to Fort Magsaysay would be treading uncharted territory . He said they previously tried to look for Zambales but it proved not an ideal location, unlike Clark where there are no obstructions.

          He said organizers, in considering a transfer, might look at spectator traffic. “The usual apprehension is that it might draw only few spectators,” he said, adding that the event, spanning at least three days, usually draws 100,000 spectators, 80 percent of whom come from Metro Manila.

          Tiotuico said air balloon fests are popular in Japan, Albuquerque in New Mexico, Putrajaya and Arizona. – Manny Galvez

JINGGOY FILES 5 BILLS ON ‘FIRST DAY OF WORK’

MANILA-On the very first working day after the Senate lifted its 90-day suspension against two of its minority members, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada buckled down to work and resumed his lawmaking functions by filing a host of legislative proposals.

 

Last Monday December 1, Sen. Estrada submitted for consideration of the chamber five bills which seeks to address a variety of problems – from poorly maintained public restrooms to the protection of victims of violence against women and children.

 

Jinggoy introduced Senate Bill 2476 or the establishment of Address Confidentiality Program for the victims of violence against women and children. He noted that over a ten period, the number of reported VAW cases has steadily increased – from 218 documented cases in 2004, shooting up to more than 9,000 in 2010 and to 16,517 in 2013.

 

Estrada is proposing the adoption of the US government program of address confidentiality for the victims, providing them substitute address for public records which will be helpful for them to start and lead normal lives, safe and far from their abusers.

 

Sen. Estrada is also pushing for a definition of the prevalent crime of identity theft through Senate Bill 2477. The measure further provides stiff penalties for offenders (imprisonment of up to 20 years and/or a fine of up to 5 million pesos) and directs the National Statistics Office and the Department of Justice to assist victims of identity theft and to correct their false records.

 

In another legislation, Jinggoy seeks to lay down guidelines and minimum requirements for the operations of dormitories and boarding houses. In his Senate Bill 2478 Estrada wants to ensure that all dormitories and boarding houses, which serve as temporary shelters for many students in the metropolis, be safe, clean and conducive to living and learning.

 

The bill mandates that such spaces offer decent living conditions with adequate lighting, proper ventilation, enough room for mobility, fire protection facilities, study room, first aid equipment, garbage disposal systems, and closed-circuit television (CCTV). Local government intervention is also espoused in specific matters including issuance of licenses, prescription of minimum rentals, and imposition of annual fees.

 

Sen. Estrada also filed Senate Bill 2479 which seeks to regulate tattooing and body piercing and prohibition of such acts on minors.

 

Lastly, under Senate Bill 2480 Sen. Estrada wants every private and government institutions to set up functional and sanitary separate comfort rooms for men, ladies and persons with special needs and disabilities.

 

The abovementioned bills were earlier filed during the previous 15^th Congress, and were re-filed by Sen. Estrada as they were not enacted into law. These are expected to be referred to their respective committees upon the First Reading this afternoon before the plenary.

 

Sen. Estrada was recognized as one of the most productive and prolific legislators with the most number of bills filed, a considerable number of which were eventually passed into law. For the present 16^th Congress, Sen. Estrada has already filed 569 bills and resolutions.

Sagada conducted Indignation rally to condemn the NPA

Camp Melchor F dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – More or less 400 students and teachers of Sagada National High School, Antadao National High School, Bangaan National High School and St Mary High School, Sangguniang Bayan members, some elders and Hon Eduardo T Latawan Jr, Municipal Mayor of Sagada conducted indignation rally at Poblacion Sagada, Mt Province condemning the recent ambuscade perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA)against the troops who conducted Youth Leadership Summit at Sagada National High School last 28-30 November 2014.

The rally started at around 11:30 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon on Dec 1. A short program was also conducted in which Hon Latawan Jr condemned the NPA for destroying the image of the peaceful town of Sagada. Mr Finch Luna, Sagada YLS president said in his speech that “NPAs have no right to stay in Sagada, they are the destroyers of peace and hindrances to our hopes and dreams”. The youth of Sagada were saddened and hurt specially those students from Sagada National High School who are members of Youth Leadership Summit Batch 1. For them, the soldiers are their big brothers that they called them “Kuyas” who became part of their lives in enhancing and molding their leadership skills for their brighter future.

Lt Col Eddie M Pilapil, Commanding Officer of 54IB said “It is sad to us that we lost two soldiers but it is our duty to protect and guide our youth,they are the hope of our land;they are our future leaders. What the army wants is for them not to be misguided but rather to become responsible citizensof our community. Let us work hand-in-hand to attain the peace in Sagada, peace in Mt Province and peace in the whole region of Cordillera. We condemn those who want to destroy the dreams and hopes of the peace loving citizens of Cordillera; we condemn the NPA.”

            Students of Sagada, Mt Province show support and sympathy to the soldiers of 54^th Infantry Battalion who were victims of the ambush during the indignation rally in front of Sagada Municipal Hall last 01 December 2014.

Residents of Sagada, Mt Province condemn the NPA who ambushed  the soldiers of 54^th Infantry Battalion who spearheaded the conduct Youth Leadership Summit in their town, during the indignation rally in front of Sagada Municipal Hall last 01 December 2014.

Parts of Tarlac, NE to experience nine-hour power interruption on Friday

TARLAC CITY-Parts of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija will experience up to nine hours of power interruption on Thursday, December 4.

 

“Customers of TARELCO I will have outage from 8:00AM to 5:00PM,” National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Central Luzon Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Officer Ernest Lorenz Vidal said.

 

Affected are the towns of San Manuel, Moncada, Paniqui, Anao, Gerona, Ramos, Pura, Sta. Ignacia, Victoria, San Clemente, Mayantoc, Camiling, and San Jose in Tarlac; as well as Nampicuan and Cuyapo in Nueva Ecija.

 

“Reason of brownout is to facilitate commissioning of feeder protection of TARELCO I’s breaker at Concepcion Substation. Normal operations will immediately resume after work completion,” Vidal added.

 

Meanwhile, the entire Tarlac City shall experience a four-hour power interruption on the same day from 8:00AM to 12:00NN due to the conduct of test and correction on Transformer 2 at Concepcion Substation. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Drilon: Congress to pass Fair Competition Act, other priority laws before yearend

MANILA-Congressional leaders have agreed to tackle and pass a host of key measures that include laws to purge unfair business practices, and to increase the take-home pay of workers in the private and public sectors, according to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

“After our monthly meeting, we have reached a consensus with the House of Representatives to enact at least eight or nine proposed measures before Congress takes a Christmas break on December 17,” said Drilon.

“We are resolved to finish priority measures, in recognition of their immense benefits to the public and the urgency needed to properly effect such legislation,” he added.

“For instance, we are bound to enact the bill that will raise the tax exemption ceiling of 13^th-month pay and other benefits from P30,000 to P82,00, so that the President will be able to sign it before the year ends,” said Drilon, noting that the House agreed to adopt the Senate’s version of the bill. In the House version, the limit was pegged at P75,000.

Drilon said the Congress will pass the Fair Competition Act “in order to promote economic efficiency in trade, industry and commerce through the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and anti-competitive mergers which distort and restrict competition.”

“Having a competition law will foster the competitive environment in our national economy, spur economic efficiency and innovation, and attract investments – all of which lead to lower prices, higher quality of products and services, and more choices for consumers,” explained Drilon.

 He also noted that House of Representatives will pass its version of the Senate Joint Resolution 2 that seeks to expand subsistence allowance of Filipino soldiers. "Our soldiers have waited long enough for us to help them in their daily expenses, and we intend to end their wait," Drilon said.

The Senate chief also said the House will approve its own version of the Senate Bill 2138 that seeks to strengthen the current structure of the Sandiganbayan. Drilon, who authored the bill along with Senate Committee on Justice chairman Aquilino Pimentel III, explained that the bill will decongest the clogged dockets of the country’s anti-graft court. 

Also to be passed in Congress within three weeks are the bills that will establish open high school system for out of school youth, amend the Fisheries Code, repeal a provision in the Revised Penal Code penalizing premature marriage, and authorize sale of Zest Airways to Air Asia Philippines.

Lastly, Drilon said the Congress will tackle the supplemental budget being requested by the executive, explaining that since it is an appropriation measure, the House has to act on it first. However, Drilon assured that once it gets to the Senate, the upper chamber will immediately scrutinize the proposed supplemental budget.

The Congress is also expected to pass and submit to the President for his approval the 2015 General Appropriations Act. 

Dengue cases in CL down by 34.7%

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO–The Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon continues to intensify its preparations against the threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

 

In a recent media conference, DOH 3 Regional Epidemiologist Jessie Fantone said that although the country remains free from Ebola, the agency started preparing its manpower and facilities in the entire region in the event the disease enters the country.

 

“So far, we have readied the facilities of our three regional hospitals to admit, observe and treat cases of EVD in the event that the virus enters the Philippines, specifically Central Luzon. These hospitals which include Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Nueva Ecija, Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital in Pampanga, and Bataan General Hospital are identified to accommodate transfer of cases in the region,” Fantone announced.

 

He likewise said that DOH 3 received 100 sets of Personal Protective Equipment, which were distributed to the regional hospitals for the use of their frontline medical workers who will attend to cases of EVD.

 

“We are also set to undergo training on the use of these PPEs as well as on the proper handling of Ebola cases in the next weeks. Hopefully, we can echo this training to all infection control nurses to equip them with the skills needed in the treatment of said disease,” the regional epidemiologist said.

 

In addition, the Health Department, through its Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) is closely monitoring the passengers arriving via Clark International Airport to prevent the entry of the disease in the region.

 

“The BOQ is doing contact tracing of the passengers in order to ensure that they are not infected with the virus or that they have not come into contact with persons suspected of having EVD,” Fantone said.

 

Aside from this, DOH also intensifies its advocacy on the grassroots level so that even ordinary people have the knowledge on the symptoms of the disease and what to do in case these symptoms manifest.

 

Symptoms of the Ebola virus are sudden onset of headache, muscle pain, fever fatigue and sore throat.

 

Usually, it is followed by rash diarrhea, vomiting and even internal and external bleeding. (Marie Joy L. Simpao)