Fisherfolk get support from BFAR

MACABEBE - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently provided assistance to the fishermen here in Masantol town.

Lilian Garcia,  assistant BFAR regional director led the distribution of four motor engines and 100 fishing nets in a turn over ceremony held at Colegio De San Lorenzo this town.

She was joined by Governor Lilia Pineda, Mayors Annette Balgan, Peter Flores, Jun Tetangco, Jerry Pelayo among other local elected officials.

Garcia declared that Macabebe and Masantol are considered as the main sources of fish supply in the province as most of the residents here are engaged to fishing.

With this, she said the bureau is willing to help in whatever capacity for as long as it is within their authority.

"Kung may kailangan kayo, sumulat lang kayo sa opisina namin para mapag aralan ang tulong na kinakailangan ninyo," she told  the fishermen.

The lady director added that there is a need to examine the water and soil in this two municipalities to ensure that industry is not affected with the changing environment.

"Ang ahensiya po namin ay pweding magbigay tulong para pag aralan ang tubig at lupa dito para matiyak natin na wala tayong problema sa ating mga inaani dito," Garcia stressed. 

Capitol spends P260-M on education of Kapampangan students

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The provincial government has spent some P260-million for the education of the Kapampangan students particularly in the construction of school structures, facilities  including  scholarship grants to poor but deserving individuals.

Governor Lilia Pineda during her first 30 months in office implemented the  constrction of at least 183 classrooms with appropriate comfort rooms and six covered courts amounting to   P179,242,962.

This initiative was even recognized by the Department of Education (DepED) through Dr. Nicolas Capulong wherein the provincial government was previously conferred with Adopt-A-School Program Award. 

Pineda said that education is another top priority of her administration  because she believes sustainable growth and development will only be achieved when the people are educated or at least be given access to free education.

As this development, the provincial government also partnered  with  Don Honorio Ventura Technical State University (DHVTSU) for an intensive delivery of scholarship grants to qualified students. 

 It has funded the construction of DHVTSU Sto. Tomas satellite campus wherein some P22-million was spent by the capitol  for the renovation of Department of Health's  abandoned building  in Barangay Moras Dela Paz. 

Governor Pineda also supported the construction of a P12-million worth  of  two-storey building for DHVTSU's satellite campus in Porac town.

Likewise, the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PHILSCA) in Floridablanca town got some P25-million from the current provincial administration  for  its building improvements to further strengthen the school's capability in providing quality education. 

 From the year 2010 to 2012 alone, the provincial government through Governor Pineda distributed around P14-million worth of scholarship grants and financial assistance to deserving students. 

This was given under the provincial government’s Educational Fund Assistance Program (EFAP) which has benefited thousands of needy students.

Each of the scholars received P5,000 per semester or  a total of P10,000 for one school year except for the VisualCom beneficiaries who received P5,000 educational assistance  for one semester only.

The provincial board at the same time passed an ordinance providing scholarship for the students who graduated valedictorian, salutatorian and 1st honourable mention.

Binay joins Pelayo's birthday celebration

CANDABA - Vice President Jejomar Binay has joined on Saturday Mayor Jerry "John Lloyd" Pelayo's 57th birthday celebration held at the Ms. Earth Park in Barangay Mandasig this town

Binay was welcomed by the Candabenios and Pelayo's district leaders from eight municipalities adjacent to Pampanga River.

The vice president who  came on his chopper said that despite his busy schedules he could not afford to miss the celebration of Mayor Jerry whom he treated as a loyal friend and partner in the desired reforms not only in the country but also in the 4th district of the province in particular.

"Nandito ako para batiin si Mayor Jerry, ang ating kaibigan sa kanyang birthday na isang taong magaling at tapat makisama. Hindi ka niya iiwan kahit na anu pang mangyari," he said.

Binay, as evidenced by earlier reports, is a vocal supporter and endorser of Mayor Pelayo in his congressional bid in the upcoming 2013 midterm elections.

Some United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidates also greeted Pelayo including
Ernesto Maceda, Mitos Magsaysay, Nancy Binay and  Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Aside from these personalities in the national politics, several mayors in the district likewise came along with their constituents to show support on Pelayo's birthday celebration.

This includes Sto. Tomas Mayor Lito Naguit, Minalin Mayor Arturo Naguit, Macabebe Mayor Annette Flores-Balgan, Arayat Mayor Luisito Espino and former San Simon Mayor Rodrigo Canlas.

As this developed, Pelayo thanked Binay,  UNA senatorial candidates, mayors and the people from the 4th district for the gesture of support and love as  manifested by their  presence in his birthday.

Quarry workers charge for violating law

CANDABA - Local police here has formally charged the arrested illegal quarry workers for violating pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7942 also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

This came as the Leny Manalo, municipal government administrator here ordered an intense campaign against illegal quarry activities within the localities following reports from the residents about the indiscriminate extraction of filling materials and damages sustained by the roads in  areas covered by the quarry operations.

Superintendent Benjamin Medina identified the respondents as Pedro Asistin-Payumo, 54, married and a resident of Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Porac town, Leonardo Clarete, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, both are residents of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Porac town, certain Eduardo Dela Pena Payumoz Jr. and an unidentified person who eluded the arrest.

Medina stated in the police report that Asistin-Payumo is the driver of green Izusu dump truck, bearing plate number XEK 355, registered under the name of Estrelita Clarete also of Barangay Sta. Cruz while Dela Pena-Payumo Jr. is driving a green Izusu dump truck bearing plate number UKS 789, registered under the name of Leonardo Clarete of the same barangay.

The police chief disclosed the respondents were caught at Sitio Mapalad, Brgy. San Agustin this town while clandestinely operating around two in the morning.

Fisherfolks to officials: strictly implement law on fishing

MACABEBE -  A group of fishermen here urged the local officials to strictly implement laws governing fishing activities within the municipal waters .

Pepito Lagman, a fisherman and resident in Barangay San Roque disclosed that illegal fishing is hurting the source of livelihood of the residents whose main subsistence is dependent on species living on the river.

"Ang problema kasi natin may mga mangingisda dito rin sa amin ang gumagamit ng iligal na pamamaraan ng panghuhuli ng isda tulad ng paggamit ng kuryente," Lagman told Sun Star Pampanga in an interview.

He claimed that some fishing boats with a total weight capacity of 3.5 tons were being utilized by some inviduals at the disadvantage of small fishermen.

"Bawal ito, ang alam namin batay sa umiiral na batas tungkol sa pangingisda sa kailugan ay hindi pinapayagan yung mga bangka na ang bigat ay mahigit 3.5 na tonelada lalu na at ginagamit pa ito sa iligal na pangingisda," Lagman added.

Fishing is  a major source of sustenance and income for the residents living in the coastal villages here wherein a number of fishing structures were established along the river banks.

Lagman stressed that it is about time for the local officials to seriously address the problem on illegal fishing to maintain an equal oppurtunity on the use and exploration of water resources.

"Hindi naman natin gustong maapektuhan ang sinuman. Ang gusto lang natin ay protektahan ang kailugan para sa karaniwang mamamayan," he pointed out.

Guv wants to empower women through livelihood assistance

MACABEBE – Governor Lilia Pineda recently asked the women here to organize themselves to qualify with the livelihood programs being offered by the provincial government.

Pineda said that women need to be empowered so that they could help their husbands in providing the material needs of the respective families. 

“Dati ding babae ken lamung bale. Manenaya namu kareng dadalan da ring asawa da kaybat ning obra. Kailangan ngeni misasaupan la ring misawa bangkanita kumayan ya ing bie. Magobra ya ing lalaki at manikitan ya naman ing asawang babae,” she added.

As  this developed, the  governor told the women who attended a community dialogue held in this town Wednesday to coordinate with the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCedo) through its head Mamerto Gatus for the provision of financial assistance.

Pineda claimed that the provincial government is continuously providing additional capital for all sectors and groups who wanted to put up a small business in their communitie.

This is being given in the form of loan without interest after complying with the minimum qualifications set forth for the purpose.

Baliuag-Candaba road gets P69-M from DPWH

DPWH Usec Rafael Yabut receives recognition from
Mayor Jerry Pelayo and Vice Mayor Daniel Gallardo

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) divulged that another P69-million has been allocated for c. 

Rafael Yabut, DPWH undersecretary for Project Management Office Operations -Foreign-Assisted Projects in an interview claimed that initially P49-million was approved by the national government to cover  the remaining construction works on the said road. 

Baliuag-Candaba road is national in nature whose maintenance and construction fall  within the authority of the national government through DPWH. 

"Mayroon nakalaang pondo para dyan para magamit na ng ating mga kababayan ang nasabing kalsada," he told Sun Star Pampanga. 

Yabut said that they are targeting to complete the construction before the end of the term of President Benigno Aquino. 

"Hopefully matatapos natin ito sa 2016," he stated. 

The DPWH executive further noted that the public works has set aside another  P20-million for the same road to ensure its completion as projected.

This according to him indicates the strong desire of the current administration to link the province of Pampanga particularly the town of Candaba to the province of Bulacan, Baliuag in particular. 

If completed, there will be an easy access from Baliuag to Candaba with a minimum travel time of 30 minutes.