Legarda Commends F. Sionil Jose

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda honored the contribution of National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose to literature and journalism through a Resolution adopted by the Senate during its session on December 9, 2014.

Legarda authored Senate Resolution 1045 to recognize F. Sionil Jose’s contribution to literature and journalism.

“F. Sionil Jose has been an inspiration to several generations of writers and journalists through his essays, his role as a publisher, his lectures, his iconic bookshop Solidaridad and his founding of the Philippine chapter of the PEN, an international organization of poets, writers and novelists,” said Legarda.

“Cognizant of his artistic and literary genius and for his perseverance to instill national pride through the arts, it is but fitting that F. Sionil Jose, be recognized and honored,” she stressed.

F. Sionil Jose, who turned 90 years old last December 3, is considered as one of the prominent writers in the English language. His works have been translated to twenty-eight (28) languages, including Czech, Indonesian, French, Korean, Russian, Latvian and Dutch.

He has received numerous accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres, and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, among others.

Senator Loren Legarda honors National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose through Senate Resolution 1045, which recognizes his contribution to literature and journalism and his perseverance to instill national pride through the arts. Also in photo is Mr. Jose’s wife, Teresita.

Senate commends Miss Earth 2014

MANILA-The Senate today adopted a resolution congratulating Jamie Herrell for winning the Miss Earth 2014 competition on November 29, 2014 at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

Senate Resolution No. 1039, authored by Senator Lito Lapid, recognized the achievement of Herrell when she won the prestigious title against 83 other candidates from all over the world.

“Nineteen-year old Miss Earth Philippines 2013 title holder Jamie Herrell made the country proud when she won the prestigious Miss Earth crown on November 29, 2014,” the resolution stated.

The Cebuana beauty is the second Filipina to bag the Miss Earth title next to Karla Henry, also a Cebuana, who won in 2008.

Aside from the Miss Earth title, Herrell also took home three special awards namely Miss Earth Hannah’s Beach Resort, Best in Swimsuit and Sun for Miss Earth.

The Miss Earth competition was organized in 2001 to promote environmental awareness and the preservation of the earth.

“By being crowned this years’ most beautiful woman in the planet, Jamie Herrell gave Filipinos unparalleled pride and showed the world the grace and excellence of Filipino beauty,” the resolution said.  (Olive Caunan)

Senate commends national artist F. Sionil Jose

MANILA-The Senate today adopted Senate Resolution No. 1045, commending National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose for his distinguished contribution to literature and journalism.

Senate Resolution No. 1045, introduced by Sen. Loren Legarda, recognized Sionil Jose’s “artistic and literary genius, and his perseverance to instill national pride through the arts.”

Born in Rosales, Pangasinan, on December 3, 1924, Sionil Jose is considered as one of the country’s most prominent writers in the English language, his works having been translated to twenty-two languages, including Czech, Indonesian, French, Korean, Russian, Latvian and Dutch.

He has received numerous accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Pablo Neruda Award, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres, and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for literature, among others.

He was bestowed the title of National Artist of the Philippines for Literature in 2001.

“He has been an inspiration to several generations of writers and journalists through his essays, his role as a publisher, his lectures, his iconic bookshop, Solidaridad, and his founding of the Philippine chapter of the PEN, an international organization of poets, writers and novelists,” the Resolution said. (Yvonne Almirañez)

Legarda Hails Vigan Win in New7Wonders Cities

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed jubilation over the inclusion of the Historic City of Vigan in the New7Wonders Cities.

“I am happy that Vigan made it to the New7Wonders Cities. I congratulate the city government of Vigan, led by Mayor Eva Singson Medina, for its efforts and intensive campaign to make this possible,” said Legarda, who also actively campaigned for the city’s bid.

Aside from Vigan, the other winning cities are Beirut in Lebanon, Doha in Qatar, Durban in South Africa, Havana in Cuba, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and La Paz in Bolivia.

“Through this achievement, the hard work of Vigan’s government and citizens to preserve their history and promote culture while working towards sustainable development will be highlighted and hopefully emulated,” she added.

Legarda said that she hopes this would inspire Filipino communities to also work towards making their towns, cities and municipalities into habitable heritage communities like Vigan.

Vigan City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was also awarded the 2012 Best Practice for World Heritage Site Management by UNESCO.

“Vigan is an example of how communities should work to be aware of their heritage, which should be appreciated, preserved and properly utilized to achieve meaningful and sustainable progress,” Legarda concluded.

TRADOC convenes Multi-Sector Advisory Board

CAPAS, Tarlac-Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) convened Wednesday the Multi-Sector Advisory Board (MSAB) who shall be its partner in attaining the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR) by 2028.

 

“MSAB was created for the purpose of promoting continuity, sustainability, and shared responsibility for the ATR at the second level TRADOC Scorecard and third level Performance Governance Scorecard,” TRADOC Commander Major General Ivan Samarita said.

 

“It is tasked to ensure adoption and institutionalization of Performance Governance System as embodied in the ATR and translate into the Unit Strategy Map and Performance Governance Scorecard; provide assessment of ATR-related programs, projects, and activities, and recommend relevant policies critical in achieving breakthrough results; enhance partnerships with key stakeholders and generate public support for the TRADOC ATR and the Unit Strategy Map; evaluate the Command’s performance relative to its scorecard and the implementation of ATR-related programs, projects, and activities; and assist in the generation of additional resources to support the unit’s programs, projects, and activities,” Samarita added.

 

The initial members of the MSAB include Tarlac Vice Governor Enrique Cojuangco Jr. who was elected Chairperson, and businessman retired Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Vidad who was chosen as Vice Chairperson.

 

Voted as committee heads were Tarlac State University - Testing Center Director Dr. Rodrigo Sicat for Governance, Provincial Board Member Henry Cruz for Resource Generation, PIA Planning and Communication Research Officer and Pampanga Provincial Manager Carlo Lorenzo Datu for Strategic Communication, and Health Development For All Foundation Executive Director Brenda Furagganan for Assessment and Review.

 

Completing the 10-man MSAB are Provincial Board Member Carlito David, University of the Philippines Open University Chancellor Dr. Grace Alfonso, Capas Evangelical Ministerial Organization President Pastor Leo Luangco, and Tarlac State University professor Dr. Remedios Domingo.

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