Local execs greet “Ka Ediboy” on his birthday

Bro. Eduardo "Ka Ediboy" Manalo 57th birthday

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Various local chief executives both in the provincial and municipal level extended wishes to the  Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo Manalo as he celebrated his 57th birthday yesterday.

Bro. Manalo also known to the faithful as “Ka Ediboy” was born on October 31, 1955.

He is currently the head of the Iglesia Ni Cristo following the death of former late Executive Minister Eraño G. Manalo.

Governor Lilia Pineda in her greetings wished and prayed for good health and more blessings to “Ka Ediboy” and the INC.

Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo described him as a good shepherd to the Church’s members who serves as a guiding light and inspiration, especially on vital spiritual and moral issues.

Among others who greeted “Ka Ediboy” on his birthday were Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, Mylene Cayabyab, Eddie Guerrero, Yolanda Pineda, Romulo Pecson, Venancio Macapagal, Joselito Naguit, Condralito Dela Cruz, Rommel Concepcion, Mike Tapang, Rodelio Mamac, Anthony Josept Torres, Dexter David, Buddy Dungca and  Edgar Flores.

They wished for more success in Bro. Manalo’s administration as the new head of the global church – the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

“Ka Ediboy” graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

He is married to Lynn V. Manalo. They have two daughters and a son: Atty.Dorothy Kristine, Gemma Minna, and Angelo Erano.

Kapampangan inspired ice cream out in the market

Photo by Jun Jaso, PIO Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO  – The Kapampangans’ inspired taste of ice cream is now out in the market following its launching in a simple ceremony held at the municipality of Sta. Rita town.

This came as the provincial government, municipality of Sta. Rita  and executives of Magnolia Ice Cream entered into an agreement for the cooperation in the mass production of “Pampanga’s Pinipig” ice cream.

The capitol was represented Governor Lilia Pineda with Mayor Yolly Pineda of Sta. Rita and General Manager Mauricio Alcon  of Magnolia Ice Cream  during the signing of memorandum of agreement.

Under the agreement, the town of Sta. Rita, being known for its duman and pinipig industry, would supply the pinipig requirement of the Kapampangan inspired ice cream.

Pampanga’s Pinipig will be used as the key ingredient in Magnolia’s new ice cream flavor-Pandan flavor.

 Alcon explained that Pampanga’s Pinipig was chosen out of four other ingredients because of its unique taste complementing the ice cream’s pandan flavor.

  

“We thank Gov. Pineda for introducing us to this great Kapampangan delicacy greatly helping us in our campaign to promote the unique flavors of the Philippines ,”  Brand Manager Pinky Custodio added.

Mayor Pineda believed that this development is boost and help to the local industry that could benefit townfolks.

“This is great news for the Pinipig makers here, not only will this promote our famous delicacy but will also serve as an additional livelihood for the people of Sta. Rita,” the younger Pineda added.

Further, Governor Pineda thanked the Magnolia executives for choosing the Pampanga Pinipig for their new ice cream flavor.

“Sa loob ng mahigit isang daang taon ngayon lamang tayo magkakaroon ng sariling ice cream na pwedi nating ipagmalaki pati sa mgaturista,” Custodio stated.

Spanish envoy cites Kapampangans' resiliency

Photo by Jun Jaso, PIO Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Jorge Manuel Domecq yesterday has cited Kapampangans’ resiliency on calamities which led to the success of the province of Pampanga.

Domecq said the province started to rise and grow from its devastation following  Mt. Pinatubo eruption 17 years ago.

“It is ironic, Kapampangans have found livelihood with the white sands that came out,” he added.

This came as the Spanish envoy visited Villa de Bacolor Monday as part of the continuing celebration of the town’s 250th founding anniversary.

The ambassador was warmly welcomed by Governor Lilia Pineda, Mayor Jose Maria Hizon, Board Members Monina “Monz” Laus, Trina Dizon, Fritzie David-Dizon and other officials both in the municipal and provincial government.

Domecq in his speech shared that Villa de Bacolor has been the seat of the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines for two years from 1762 to 1764 under the leadership of then Lieutenant General Simon de Anda.

“Baculud  became "Villa de Bacolor by virtue of a Royal Crown decree issued on November 1765,” he noted.

“Governor Anda relied on Pampanguenos battalion who were fighting under the Spanish block against the British forces who occupied the country,” the ambassador pointed out.

Provincial cooperative office lauded for bagging award

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An official from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) yesterday lauded the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCedo) for recently bagging the best provincial cooperative award in Central Luzon.

Mildred  Esguerra, CDA director,   during the Monday flag raising ceremony at the capitol ground,  cited the PCedo’s  successful implementation of livelihood programs that benefit the marginalized Kapampangans in the province.

Esguerra noted that there were about more than 240 registered cooperatives in Pampanga.

The provincial cooperative office alone, according to her, has provided employment opportunities to some 30,000 individuals through loan assistance to start a small business of their own.

She said that PCedo under the leadership of Mamerto Gatus has regained the trust and confidence of the people and other stakeholders to support the advocacy of seeing the cooperatives as vehicle for improvement on the economic well being of the people.

Mamerto Gatus, head of PCEDO said the provincial government has released loans amounting to P34, 310, 000 since the conception of Negosyo King Panyulong Program  2010.

He claimed that 28, 566 benefited from the loan granted by the provincial government.

The recipient were given 5, 000 pesos each to start a small business payable in one year, zero interest and no collateral needed.

Gatus added 29, 408, 719 or 98 percent of the 34.3 loan released was collected already.

Through NPP,  at least 113 informal associations were registered with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE ).

Also, they were able to train 4, 994 Kapampangans on cooperative and entrepreneurial developme

On the alleged sub standard projects “I will ask senate to investigate” - Pelayo

CANDABA – The local chief executive of this town has threatened officials of the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) for an investigation due to alleged sub standard projects in the municipality.

Mayor Jerry Pelayo cited in particular three major projects which were found damaged even before the target date of completion.

 “Kapag hindi ninyo inayos tong problema sa mga proyekto sa aming bayan ay dadalhin ko kayo  sa Senado para sa isang imbestigasyon,” he said

These projects were Bomba Bridge in Barangay San Agustin, concrete pavement of a national road in Barangay Paligue and revetment of the slope protection of Pampanga River along the portion of Barangay Mandasig.

Pelayo disclosed that the approach of Bomba Bridge in both sides were already collapsed by strong current of water coming from a river in Manjahnong. This river is drained at Pampanga River.

He questioned the design of the approach being to too high which makes it difficult for the farmers to pass  using carabao with ‘kariton’ and hand tractor.

“Only in the Philippines. Unbelievable. Pati nga yung barkong Titanic ay pweding dumaan sa ilalim. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dahilan bakit ginawa nilang ganun ang design ng approach nito,” the mayor stated. 

Pelayo said that  the 40 percent of the farmers are using the old bridge set to be replaced by the new one with high and sharp approaches in bringing  their farm produced to the market.

It was learned that more P100-million has been spent by the public works in constructing the new bridge.

The shoulder of the concrete pavement in Barangay Paligue also collapsed. It was totally separated from the main road.

“Bakit kapag gawa ng public works sira agad? Tignan nyo yung ginawa namin sa munisipyo by administration,  anim na taon nang nagawa pero hangga ngayon ay buo pa rin,” Pelayo said. 

The mayor is also complaining about the unfinished revetment of the slope protection of Pampanga River along the portion of Barangay Mandasig.

He claimed that the constructor has withdrawn its equipment and stopped working on the project even before rainy season started. 

“Ang problema yung daan sa itaas ay binawasan nila pero hindi naman tinapos na gawin. Kaya kapag pumutok ang bahaging ito masisira yung Ms. Earth Park na ginagamit nating evacuation center tuwing kalamidad,” he pointed out.

  

Logs intercepted in Pampanga River

CANDABA – Several residents here had intercepted logs from the Pampanga River following the abrupt increase of its water level which resulted to flash floods in neighboring communities.

These logs came from the provinces located in the upstream after  they experienced heavy rains brought about by bad weather condition.

“HInaharang po namin sa ilog yung kahoy na pwedi pang pakinabangan. Wala din naman kaming ginawa kaya dito na lang kami sa tulay naghihintay ng mga naaanod  na punong kahoy at ibang pang mahahalagang bagay,” Nestor Gaviola, a resident here said.

Gaviola added  that some of the logs intercepted in the river are in good conditions. In fact, he said, they can use the same in the repair of their houses after rainy season.

 Meanwhile,  the flash floods  came  midnight Saturday which caught the residents unprepared.

“Nagulat na lamang kami mabilis ang dating ng tubig bandang alas dose ng madaling araw kaya ang mga tao nagmamadaling magtaas ng gamit sa kanilang mga bahay. At yung mga may sasakyan ay nagmamadaling  dalhin ang mga ito sa mas ligtas ng lugar,”  Jonathan Manalastas, a resident in Barangay San Agustin said.

Manalastas explained that they are ready for the usual floodwater as high as fifteen feet  but not with flash floods.

LGUs get P100-M from capitol

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial government has provided some P100-million for the local government units (LGUs) in the province to finance various priority development projects. 

Governor Lilia Pineda, the other day, led the distribution of priority development funds to the local mayors with their local finance officers. 

Each municipality received at least P5-million to ensure the continuity of infrastructure development down to the  barangay level.

Pineda believed that the local chief executives are in the best position to identify priority projects needed by the residents in their respective municipality. 

 “Each mayor knows best what is needed for their respective areas thus; we are letting them choose the projects needed to be prioritized and funded,” Pineda stressed.

She has been supportive with the local government units, in fact, since she became governor, the mayors were regularly receiving development funds from the provincial government. 

Governor Pineda explained that infrastructure development in the municipal level would also inure to the benefit and improvement of the province in general.

Motor race compromises public’s safety

Motor race compromises public’s safety

STA. ANA – A group of motorcycle riders were endangering the safety of the public and including private motorists by holding a race in an agricultural road in between the Barangays of San Pablo here and Arenas in Arayat town. 

According to the residents, these motorcycle riders are coming as far as Mexico, Candaba and Arayat towns. 

“They have been doing the race for so long but the authorities are not working to put an end on this activity,” Geraldine Pangan a resident here told Sun Pampanga.

 It was learned that motorcycle riders were having a bet in every race invloving huge amount of money.

 The race is usually being held during afternoon where only few motorists are expected to pass on the road. However, the residents claimed that the activity is attracting locals including children and other motorists which in turn are exposed to danger.

As this developed, they have urged the local police the guard the area in order to prevent the continues conduct of the said activity.