CENTRAL LUZON
YEAR 16 NO. Tarlac City and CL R- III - FEBRUARY 13-18, 2014
The officials of the Tarlac Host Lions Club and visiting Lions Club Alexandria Asian American Chapter based in the United States made a courtesy call at the City Government of Tarlac
STORY ON P.3
DOH picks Brgy. Care as one of country’s best in sanitation practices STORY ON P.3
EDITORYAL MARKET STALL Ilang mg may-ari ng Market stalls ang hindi nakakabayad sa pamahalaanh lungsod ang resulta, na-padlock o isinara ito ng pamahalaan. Siguro dapat pag-aralan ng pamahalaan kung bakit hindi nakakabayad ang may-ari ng puwesto sa palengke. Una ang mga ito ba ay kumikita? O kaya pinauupahan lamang ng may-ari ang puwesto. Marami kasi sa palengke ng syudad ay nagpapa-upa lamang ng kanilang mga puwesto. Kapag hindi nakabayad ang umupa, siyempre hindimagbabayad ng renta sa pamahalaan. Ang pagpapaupa ng puwesto ay matinding ibinabawal sa Market Code. Subalit dahil na rin sa sobrang malapit ang pamunuan ng palengke sa mga stall owners ay hindi nila ito pinapansin at pinababayaan lamang. Siguro isa rin ang pagpapabaya ng administrasyon ng pamilihan sa mga pangayayarng ganito dahil sla ang higit na nakakaalam dahil araw-araw ay kasalamuha nila ang mga nagtitinda rito. Alam ng administrasyon ng palengke kung ibang tao na ang umuukupa sa puwesto, kung ipinahiram ba ito o ipina-upa ng mahal na di kayang kitain ng kasalukuyang nagtitinda. Alam ‘yan ng mga dating konsehal at kasalukuyan dahil ang ilang sa mga ito ay nag-may-ari ng mga stalls at ang iba nga ay nabalitaan nating ipnagbili pa. Bakit nangyayari ang ganito? Dahil sa nagbubulagbulagan ang administrasyon ng pamilihan. Walang ba dapat sisihin kung hindi nakakabayad ang may-ari ng stalls kungdi ang market administration. Hindi nila ginagawa ang kanilang mga trabaho o sadyang sla’y nagbubulagbulagan sa magkanong dahilan! CENTRAL LUZON
Jess P. Malvar Publisher / Editor
Ruby Bautista Ad Consultants
Malou P. Malvar Marketing Manager
Mark Jessel P. Malvar Layout Artist
Central Luzon BANAT is a Community News Magazine, Published in Taglish, circulated in Central Luzon with Editorial Business Office @ Tarlac City. For Subscription, Advertisement, Extra-Judicial Publication, etc. call or text 09473120452 or email @ diyaryobanat@yahoo.com / jessmalvar@gmail.com.website http://clbanat.webs.com
2C
ENTRAL LUZON BANAT
/ FEBRUARY 13-19, 2014
OFF THE AIR
ni Jess Malvar
PEACEFUL NGA BA DITO SA ATING SIYUDAD? Ayon kay Mayor Ace Manalang, tahimik at peaceful daw tirhan ang Tarlac City kung ikukumpara sa ibang mauunlad na siyudad. Naniniwala naman ako doon, dahil maram na rin naman akong lugar na napuntahan, maganda pa ring manirahan dito sa ating siyudad. May mga insidente man ng patayan at holdapan sa kasikatan ng araw, ito’y iilan lamang, at bihirang mangyari at mga dayuhan pa ang gumagawa nito dito sa ating lugar. Dumadami na rn ang drug dealer dito, di ko tuloy alam kung sino ang may kinalaman dito? Mga kapulisan nga ba o ang ilang pulitiko na ginagawa ng hanap buhay ang drugs, at ito na rin ang pinagkukunan nila ng panggastos para sa kanilang pamumulitika. Peaceful nga bang matatawag ang mga pangyayaring ito? sabagay, sa ibang siyudad kasing mauunlad, kahit kainitan ng araw ay tumitirada ang mga kawatan, holdaper, akyat bahay at iba pang uri ng kriminalidad araw-araw, at walang patawad kahit na matanda na’y pinapatulan pa ng mga krminal. Dito naman sa atin, hindi naman ganoon ka talamak, nakakapaglakad pa naman tayo sa kalsada ng mapayapa at walang pangamba na baka ika’y mapag-tripan ng mga masasamang tao. kahit hating gabi ay puwede kang mamasyal sa gitna ng kalsada na walang kaba o takot man lamang. Ito marahil ang sinasabi ni Mayor Manalang na ang TARLAC CITY IS A PEACEFUL PLACE. ilan sa atin sguro ay sasang-ayon sa sinabing ito ni Mayor Manalang. Hindi man perpekto ang anyo ng ating siyudad ay mailalarawan naman ito sa dalawang katagang “MASAYA AT TAHIMIK” ang siyudad ng Tarlac na puwedeng maghikayat sa ibang tao na mula sa ibang lugar na tumira dito lalo na yaong mga taong nagmula sa magulong lugar tulad ng Mindanao na gustong makatikim ng katahimikan, sa Tarlac City ay welcome silang manirahan. Napapansin ko nga, marami nang mga Muslim at Chinese sa ating siyudad, siguro daratng na rin ang araw na mga dayuhan na rin ang mamumuno sa ating siyudad at probinsiya. ‘Wag naman sana, iba pa rin kung mismong mga taal na Tarlakenyo ang mamumuno sa ating bayan, madali tayong magka-intindihan at alam nila ang ating kultura. At tiyak tayo na may malasakit ang mga ito sa kanilang mga kababayan. Pero ito ay itinaktada ng panahon kung sno ang mamumuno sa pamamagitan na rn ng pagpipili ng mga naninirahan dto. Huwag sanang magkamal ang mga mamamayan sa mga susunod na mgiging lider ng Tarlac City na puro business interes lamang ang nais sa siyudad at ang mga mamamayan ay mananatiling mahihirapna tila ba napagsasamantalahan lamang ng mga ito.
DOH picks Brgy. Care as one of country’s best in sanitation practices TARLAC CITY (CIO) – The Department of Health has picked Brgy. Care here as one of the best in the country to implement programs and projects on sanitation practices among households and communities. An awarding ceremony was held at the Traders Hotel, Pasay City last February 12, 2014. Fider acknowledged the cooperation of the people and support Included in the 32 finalists in 16 regions in the country, Care received a plaque of recognition and a certificate of appreciation from the different sectors, assistance of the City Government of through a comprehensive assessment of the National Evaluation Tarlac through Mayor Gelacio Manalang and Association of Team of DOH, on its efforts for being a main contributor in meeting Barangay Chairmen President Allan “Manchoy” Manalang, the country’s targets in the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) including the unwavering efforts of the City Health Office under Dr. Ma. Carmela L. Go, who were instrumental for receiving the regional especially in the aspect of ensuring environmental sustainability. The recognition was awarded by Health Assistant Secretary award and the national nomination. “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga mamamayan sa kanilang Enrique A. Tayag and other officials from the DOH which was received by Care Brgy. Chairman Antonio F. Fider, Maricel Yalung, pagtulong at pakikipagkaisa upang maisakatuparan ang ating mga Jose Leandro Ibarra, Chrislette Nicdao, Jhoseline Fantilano and Dave programa at proyekto sa sanidad. Nakamit natin ang pagkilalang ito dahil sa kooperasyon ng mga mamamayan, pagtulong ng iba’t-ibang Lemuel Saavedra. DOH has set the indicators to find the barangays which has the sektor at suportang ibinahagi ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Tarlac best programs and projects on sanitation such as coverage of sa pangunguna ni Mayor Manalang kasama ang mga masisipag na households with sanitary toilets, coverage of households with access kawani ng City Health Office,” Fider said. Though Brgy. Care has not gained the three major awards which on safe water supply, improvement in Sanitary Toilet Coverage during the final evaluation and validation, Approved Barangay Budget for went to Brgy. Damawato, Tulunan, Cotabato (1st prize), Brgy. Del Water and Sanitation Projects in two years and other local sanitation Pilar, Mabini, Compostela Valley (2nd prize), and Brgy. Caraudan, initiatives. Janiuay, Iloilo (3rd prize), Fider said: “Naging inspirasyon ang Care achieved these indicators through the provision of the pagkilalang ito ng DOH upang mapanatili at mapaghusay pa natin barangay of sanitary toilets in homes and the availability of clean ang programa sa sanidad, hindi man natin nakamit ang pinakamataas and sufficient water supply through the provision of deep well pumps na pagkilala ay mas naging agresibo pa tayong mamuhunan at for every household, program on solid waste management, series of palawakin pa ang ating nasimulang programa para sa sanidad at sa clean up drives, the installation of Care “Botika Binhi” and inclusion malinis at sapat na tubig na mahalaga sa ikabubuti ng pamumuhay of sanitation projects and programs in the barangay budget. ng ating mamamayan.”
Problema sa basura ng lungsod, prayoridad ng Administrasyong Manalang TARLAC CITY (CIO) – Patuloy ang mga serye ng isinasagawang clean up drive, paglilinis ng mga pangunahing lugar sa lungsod at pagpapaalala sa mga mamamayan sa tamang pagtapon at pagimbak ng basura upang mapanatili ang kalinisan at mabawasan ang problemang dulot nito mula sa kautusan ni Mayor Gelacio Manalang sa pagpapatupad ng City Ordinance No. 015-08 o ang AntiLittering Ordinance. “Hindi ko hahayaang masira ang magandang imahe ng ating lungsod dahil lamang sa kawalan ng disiplina ng iilan, kawalan ng kaayusan at maruming kapaligiran na nagdudulot ng pagbagal sa pagtamasa ng kaunlaran at nagiging banta rin sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan,” ani Manalang. Noong ika-10 ng Pebrero, ay muling nagpakalat ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Linis Bayan sa iba’t-ibang kalye ng lungsod gaya ng F. Tanedo St., Aquino Boulevard, paligid ng Uptown at Downtown Public Market, M.H. Del Pilar at iba pa upang magsagawa ng paglilinis. Sinuyod nila ang bawat kanto at kalye ng mga nasabing lugar upang magwalis at magtanggal ng mga basura kasama na rin ang pagpapaalala sa mga tao na makipagtulungan sa pamahalaan upang maitaguyod ang kalinisan at sa pagbabawas ng mga dumi at mga basura sa pamamagitan ng tamang pagiimbak nito. SUNDAN SA P.7 CENTRAL LUZON BANAT /
FEBRUARY 13-19, 2014
3
City gov’t, partner agencies brace selves for Masalasa Creek clearing TARLAC CITY (CIO) – In line with the continuing mandamus from the Supreme Court ordering all concerned government agencies to rehabilitate, initiate clean up and restore all waterways especially Manila Bay, the City Government of Tarlac upon orders from Mayor Gelacio Manalang started clean-up and clearing of NIA Canal/Masalasa Creek with other government agencies on January 22 and February 18. The government agencies started the demolition and removal agreed to be relocated, some of them appealed and sought extension of illegal structures in the areas of San Roque, Binauganan and San from government officials for their children until the end of school Sebastian and transfer of hundreds of informal settlers in a relocation year. The government officials granted their appeal and an extension site provided by the city government in San Roque. Draw lots have is given until March 30, 2014. already been initiated to prepare for their relocation. The Supreme Court released in December 18, 2008 a writ of Initially, these informal settlers received notices to vacate from mandamus ordering all government agencies and local government the city government in December 2, 2013. units to carry the rehabilitation and restoration of Manila Bay and The activity was done through the concerted efforts of the city all waterways connected with it. government of Tarlac, Department of Public Works and Highways, It also mandated three meters easement along waterways. The National Irrigation Administration, Department of Interior and Local unified action of the government agencies will be beneficial in Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, reducing flooding to low lying areas and preserve the existing the officials of the said barangays with the assistance from the waterways in the country. Philippine National Police. The city government side was led by City Planning and Development Officer Janet S. Pineda, City Engineer Jose M. Dungca and City Environment and Natural Resources Officer in Charge Joel Lagonilla with the assistance from Brgy. Chairmen Julie Santiago of Binauganan, Mimi Buan Legaspi of San Roque, and Sherwin Samson of San Sebastian. Staffs from the City Health Office were also present during the activity. Masalasa Creek, being the main waterway of this city occupying some portions of the said barangays have been marred of illegal structures and settlers which pose threat of flooding during the rainy season and becomes an eyesore. These illegal structures also caused damage to existing concrete dikes. The creek is also a vital passageway of the city’s drainage system which turned as a temporary residential site and wide “comfort room” for informal settlers and even a dumping site of wastes. During the demolition, though majority of informal settlers have Bahagi ng Masalasa Creek na puno ng basura
Mercury Drug’s ‘Operation Bigay Lunas’ to benefit Tarlaqueños this March 1 TARLAC CITY (CIO) – The Mercury Drug Foundation, Inc. (MDFI) will be having a medical mission in Tarlac City Plaza, March 1, dubbed as “Operation Bigay Lunas (OBL)” in line with their 16th year anniversary celebration. The medical mission will start at 8am until 3pm. MDFI will bring 20 volunteers who will cater medical volunteers from the City Health Office, other city government consultations to patients experiencing diseases such as coughs, departments, and Tarlac City Police Station. It will also give support colds, gastro-related diseases and hypertension, and free medicines on mobilization and assistance on security and order. will also be given to the patients. Chua, in a meeting with the representatives of MDFI, said that City’s poorest of the poor including senior citizens and children the city is in deep appreciation to Mercury Drug for taking such will be receiving the medical assistance and 1,500 patient cards will initiative once more in the city and he hopes that the cooperation be distributed to them through the City Social Welfare and with the group will be a lasting one. Development Office. Meanwhile, Mayor Gelacio Manalang said the upcoming activity MDFI had coordinated with the City Government of Tarlac is another welcome development for his administration’s health through City Administrator Necito Ng Chua in the preparations for programs. the medical mission. He said health is among the top priorities of his governance. In the city government’s part, it will provide doctors, staff and SEE MERCURY ON P.6
4C
ENTRAL LUZON BANAT/ FEBRUARY 13-19, 2014
City Government forfeits 55 Market stalls TARLAC CITY (CIO) – This City Government formally closed and forfeited 55 market stalls last February 20 at the Downtown Public Market due to stall owners’ failure to pay or settle unpaid fees, including those businesses without mayor’s permit. Around P3.8 million stall fees are unpaid to the City Treasury as enforcement of forfeiture on the stall being occupied. CEEMO officials have said that they will eventually go after of the month of July, 2013. Through the directives of Mayor Gelacio Manalang to put order those delinquent stall owners for still unpaid obligations and will at the said market and to show that the city government really means undertake legal actions. Meanwhile, the city government is yet to await the directives business, City Information Officer Atty. Godofredo M. Sabado Jr. with the City Economic Enterprise Management Office, City of Mayor Manalang regarding those forfeited stalls if they will be Treasurer’s Office and Business Permit and Licensing Division with open for occupancy soon. the assistance from the Tarlac City Police Station initiated the said action. The operatives inspected each of the forfeited stalls which have been padlocked and forfeiture notices were placed. Forfeited stalls were also documented for security and verification purposes and will be used as a guide if ever there will be complaints regarding unclaimed items contained on the said stalls. CEEMO initially released a notice of closure last February 19 for stall owners who have violated Chapter 8, Section 32 of the Revised Tarlac City Omnibus Market Code and for their failure to secure mayor’s permit imperative in legalizing their business operations. Section 32 of the ordinance or the cancellation of lease right and ejection says that any market stall holder habitually fails to pay the monthly or daily fees and other regulatory fees shall be subjected to revocation of their contracts of lease and cancellation of their certificates of award and ejection from the stalls they occupy. Included in the amendment of Section 32 is a provision which states that for three consecutive months of non-payment of duties will mean abandonment of the stall and constitutes for the
CDRRMO CONTINUES PROGRAMS TO ESTABLISH DISASTER-READY CITY TARLAC CITY (CIO) – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office continues to work and carry out its responsibility in creating a disaster-ready city through the conduct of seminars and trainings to different organizations under the instruction of Mayor Gelacio Manalang. On the other hand, the Tarlac City Fire Station with the Conducted in January this year, the seminars included disaster management and drills on fire and earthquake undertaken by the CDRRMO launched the “Junior and Senior Fire Marshall” which CDRRMO through the supervision of its head, Atty. Godofredo M. benefitted students in the elementary and secondary level in January 17 and is done every year. Sabado Jr. These seminars and trainings have been accomplished in Beneficiaries of these seminars were personnel of Puregold in City Walk Mall, Palm Plaza Mall, and in Ancheta St., Social Security partnership with the TCFS and the Department of Interior and System Tarlac Branch and Land Bank in F. Tañedo St, Casa Amelita Local Government. “We are continuously conducting these disaster preparedness tenants, Principals and Supervisors of Central, North, East, West and South City School Districts, faculty, employees and students seminars and trainings to different organizations and barangays in of Tarlac Montessori School and Asian Institute of E-Commerce the city to prepare our people and make them knowledgeable of what to do during accidents or disasters and in order to strengthen College. Seminar on the roles of emergency group for the disaster their resilience during any natural or man-made calamities, we are emergency response unit of SM City Tarlac was executed and they carrying out our responsibility to our people and in compliance to also participated in the “Barangay Ugnayan” activity conducted the orders of Mayor Ace so that we can lessen the effects and in Barangay San Manuel which was participated in by its officials, withstand any untoward incidents that may happen,” Atty. Sabado said. tanods, and residents. CENTRAL LUZON BANAT / FEBRUARY 13-19, 2014
5
City government sets strict regulation of Entertainment and Amusement facilities for youth’s welfare TARLAC CITY (CIO) – The city government of Tarlac is set to regulate all kinds of entertainment and amusement facilities in the metropolis including Internet gaming centers to protect the welfare of children who are mostly exposed into these new developments in a two-page resolution passed on February 6 by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). The resolution reiterated the implementation of some important In addition, students below 16 years old should be prevented provisions of an ordinance covering Video Games Machine Centers, in entering these establishments or use of their video, computer and Fun Centers, Computer Internet Game Centers, Amusement Houses internet gaming machines during school days, and all these kinds of or Video Game Parlors or places of amusement using game machines establishments should not be given license to operate without and other related devices which should not be allowed on 150 linear provision of proper ventilation, cleanliness and sanitation. meters distance from any educational institution. The city government has been continuously reminding In the resolution, the SP requested Mayor Gelacio Manalang to applicants of new or existing establishments engaged in these kinds order all concerned agencies particularly the offices of the City of businesses to strictly follow the requirements and regulations set Administrator, Business Permit and Licensing Division and Public by local laws so that their operations will not be interfered. It is also continuously reminding schools in the territorial Order and Safety Office with assistance from the Tarlac City Police jurisdiction of the city and especially the parents to discipline and to strictly implement City Ordinance 03-007. The city ordinance, which is also known as the “ordinance watch closely on children. regulating business establishments engaged in the operation of amusement centers, rental of video game machines, computer internet games and other similar devices, was passed to supervise Last year, MDFI organized social responsibility in the over these establishments and uplift the welfare of children who are the same affair in the city as their community especially to the poor. mostly affected physically, socially, and psychologically and their show of gratitude to the continued The city is only one of the studies as well by too much limitless and customary use of computer patronage of Tarlaqueños to sites for the countrywide medical games as well as the internet. Mercury Drug and as their act of mission. The existence and spread of this computer and internet gaming establishments in the city which is evident even in the remote barangays is found by the city government that should be regulated as it is affecting children adversely in most ways.
MERCURY... from p.4
BE A BLOOD DONOR TODAY
6C
ENTRAL LUZON BANAT / FEBRUARY 13-19, 2014
PROBLEMA... mula p.2 Si City Administrator Necito Ng Chua ay seryosong ipinapatupad ang batas pangkalinisan upang matugunan ang problema sa basura na nakakasira sa imahe ng lungsod at banta pa sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan. Ang Anti-Littering Task Force ay patuloy pa rin sa pagbabantay sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas pangkalinisan ng lungsod upang mapanatili ang pagdidisiplina sa mga mamamayan at layunin din nito na maturuan ng wastong pagtatapon ng kani-kanilang mga basura sa tamang lalagyan. Ang City Environment and Natural Resources Office na pinamumunuan ni Joel Lagonilla naman ang siyang nagbabantay at patuloy na umaaksyon sa mga hinaing ng mga mamamayan patungkol sa suliranin sa basura. Ayon sa City ENRO, nakatutok pa rin ang kanilang mga kasamahan sa pagsubaybay sa mga pangunahing kalye at mga lugar ng lungsod upang agarang maaksyunan ang mga reklamong kanilang natatanggap. Katuwang din sa pagsugpo sa suliranin ng basura ang METROWASTE (Solid Waste Management) na tumutulong sa pangongolekta ng mga basura sa ibat-ibang barangay ng lungsod mula araw ng Lunes hanggang Sabado upang maiwasan ang pagkalat at pag-ipon ng mga basura sa paligid na nagdudulot ng hindi kanais-nais na tanawin at nakaka-apekto sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan Ayon kay Manalang, ang mga programang naumpisahan at ipinagpapatuloy ng kanyang liderato ay magiging matatag at matagumpay lamang kung may kasamang disiplina, pagkukusa, pakikipagkaisa at pakikipagtulungan mula sa mga mamamayan na aniya’y susi sa pagiging maunlad ng lungsod. CENTRAL LUZON BANAT / FEBRUARY 13-19, 2014
7
CENTRAL LUZON
CDRRMO CDRRMO continues continues programs programs to to establish establish disaster-ready disaster-ready cit cityy STORY ON P.5