Construction of 2 vital
General Tinio roads starts

The Nueva Ecija provincial government formally started the construction of two vital roads in General Tinio last November 2.

Gov. Aurelio M. Umali led the groundbreaking rites for the 10 kilometer General Tinio-Santa Rosa road in Barangay Nazareth.

Umali said the road that traverses hilly portions mostly owned by the provincial government will pave the way for faster travel from General Tinio to Cabanatuan, passing through Barangay Liwayway, Santa Rosa, and make it easier to respond to the people's basic social needs such as education and health and even aid in times of disasters.

Provincial Engineer Vicente Santos said that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had allocated an initial P50 million out of the P100 million total cost of the project.

Mayor Virgilio Bote said the road was the fulfillment of the dream of his constituents.

Also started on the same day was the construction of the General Tinio-Dingalan (Aurora) road in Barangay Sumandig. ###
 
 

Lapus orders fast replacement of burned Pantabangan school building

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has ordered the immediate release of funds for the reconstruction of the burned six classroom school building of Tanauan Elementary School in Pantabangan and the project's completion by March 2008.

The building was razed by fire during the early morning of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election day last October 29.

The education department had urged the Philippine National Police to investigate the incident and file charges against those who would be found liable. ###
 
 

Faulty electrical wiring eyed in Pantabangan school fire

Results of the laboratory tests on ashes from the fire that destroyed a six classroom building in Pantabangan have yet to be released but Sr. Fire Officer 2 Ronaldo Madarcos of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said that the initial result of investigations suggested that faulty electrical wiring could be the culprit.

Earlier, suspicions were aired that the fire at Tanauan Elementary School could have been intentionally set off by a political interest group or an individual to sabotage the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Supt. Leonardo Banago, provincial fire marshall, said the electrical safety fuse discovered at the burned building was found to have a jumper wire that could have caused overloading that led to the burning of the 1972 vintage building.

Pantabangan Mayor Romeo Borja said the October 29 school fire was the second to happen in his town during an election period, with the first occurring only last May.

He said there was sufficient reason to believe that the two fire incidents were election related and meant to sabotage the elections.

However, Sr. Supt. Agripino Javier, provincial police director, said that circumstantial evidence could not prevail over the technical findings of the BFP. ###
 
 

Pantabangan residents displaced by dam still need help

Pantabangan Mayor Romeo Borja appealed to the national government to help the town residents who were displaced by the construction of Pantabangan Dam more than three decades ago.

Borja said the project submerged 8,100 hectares, including the Old Poblacion, forcing Pantabangan residents to transfer to other places -- a "supreme sacrifice" to ensure the irrigation of more than 102,000 hectares of farms in Nueva Ecija and neighboring provinces and the production of additional electricity for Luzon through the dam's power plant component.

The dam constructed with funds from the World Bank was the biggest infrastructure project during the Marcos era. It was completed in 1974 and hailed as the biggest earthen dam in Asia at that time. ### 

A row of weather-beaten vaults circa early 1900s,  of peculiar shape and made of bricks and lime, lie unattended in the old section of the  Gapan City public cemetery.

An antique mausoleum attests to the owner's glorious past.

A huge marble tombstone on an unkempt vault pays a touching tribute -- in English -- to the owner who died in 1918 at the young age of 33.

The neo-classical tomb of the Valdez family whose prominent members include the actress Eula.

The final resting place of Nueva Ecija's famous son, former Health Secretary Paulino J. Garcia.

The vigil for the departed continues until dusk.

Villar cites PhilRice for reducing red tape

Senate President Manuel Villar praised the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in the Science City of Muñoz for initiating the Farmers' Text Center where rice farmers with crop problems are given direct access to advice, comments and recommendations of scientists and experts through SMS or texting.

PhilRice was among the agencies cited by Villar for adopting "out-of-the-box" thinking to reduce red tape which has been choking the country's competitiveness.

Villar also commended the Leyte office of the Department of Trade and Industry for reducing the 17 step process of getting business permits and licenses in Ormoc City to just five steps.

He urged other government agencies to think "out-of-the-box" to implement relevant laws on competitiveness and bureaucratic reforms and instill a business friendly environment. 

This is to improve the country's standing in the World Bank Global Competitiveness-Doing Business Survey 2008 where the Philippines was ranked 133rd out of 178 world economies. It also noted that registering a business in the Philippines requires 15 procedures that take up anywhere from 15 to 58 days to finish.

Villar has authored Senate Resolution 166 urging various executive departments to adopt mechanisms to implement laws on competitiveness and bureaucratic reforms. ###
 
 

PhilRice marks 22nd anniversary

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the Department of Agriculture agency tasked with developing high-yielding rice varieties with cost reducing technologies, marked its 22nd anniversary with four days of celebration starting last November 5.

The PhilRice anniversary coincided with the country's observance of "Rice Awareness Month".

The theme of the celebration was "Tugon sa Hamon ng Agrikultura Tungkol sa Ikauunlad ng Magsasaka".

Dr. Leocadio Sebastian, PhilRice executive director, said that among the highlights of this year's anniversary was the awarding of commendations to 109 personnel for outstanding performance and loyalty, and the giving of scholastic awards and cash prizes.

Dr. Peter Aun-chuan Ooi, regional director of the Asian Regional Center, Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center in Bangkok, Thailand, shared his insights on bringing science to farmers.

The PhilRice anniversary was also marked with the launching of the publications "The Rise with Rice" by veteran agricultural journalist Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico, a compilation of success stories of rice farmers in the country; and "Rice and the Pains of Success Behind the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program" edited by Dr. Manuel G. Gaspar, Dr. Anselmo S. Roque and Diadem B. Gonzales.

Kits containing various rice information materials funded by the Open Academy for Philippine  Agriculture, GMA-Rice and PhilRice were distributed to 13,000 extension workers nationwide. ###
 
 

Environment officials draft rules for MOA vs. illegal logging

Provincial environment and natural resources officials are preparing a draft of the implementing rules and regulations for a memorandum of agreement (MOA) against illegal logging and destruction of natural resources.

Dr. Rafael Otic, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the signatories of the MOA, together with the Nueva Ecija provincial government, provincial police office, Philippine Army and the IRR would formulate the implementing rules and regulations.

He asked all community environment officials under his jurisdiction to finish the draft soon and present this to the parties concerned for any modification.

Earlier, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office signed the MOA with Gov. Aurelio M. Umali representing the provincial government, along with Otic for the  DENR, Sr. Supt. Agripino Javier for the provincial police office and Col. Anthony Alcantara for the Army's 702nd Infantry Brigade. ###
 
 

This one's lucky...
Aliaga barangay chair wins through toss coin

A candidate for barangay chair in San Pablo Matanda, Aliaga won through the toss of a coin.

After all the election results were in, candidates Ricardo Santos and Jose Samson turned out to have received 264 votes each.

To break the tie, the board of canvassers decided to resort to the tossing of a coin as provided  for by the Omnibus Election Code.

Santos won the coin toss and was proclaimed the winner by Municipal Election Registrar Julius de Guzman. Samson accepted his defeat and congratulated the winner.

Lawyer Panfilo Doctor, provincial election supervisor, cited Section 240 of the Omnibus Election Code that says whenever two or more candidates receive the same number of votes, the board of canvassers shall, by resolution, hold a special public meeting at which it shall proceed to the drawing of lots of the candidates to determine the winner. ###
 
 

This one's not too lucky...
Reelected San Jose barangay chair shot by brother

A reelected barangay chair was shot and wounded by his elder brother during a heated argument in Barangay Villa Marina, San Jose City last November 3.

The victim was identified as Danilo dela  Cruz, 51; the suspect, his elder brother Armando alias Manding, 53.

Investigation showed that at about 2:30 PM, the victim was engaged in a drinking session with his brother and some guests when the conversation turned to the results of the recent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. A heated argument ensued between the two brothers that resulted in the shooting.

The victim was rushed to the San Jose City General Hospital and later transferred to Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City. ###
 
 

Napolcom official arrested for extortion

Elements of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested an official of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in Central Luzon for allegedly attempting to extort money from the widow of a Nueva Ecija policeman in exchange for the release of the deceased's benefits.

CIDG Director Edgardo Doromal identified the suspect as Eddie Mar Porquirino, head of the technical services division of NAPOLCOM Region 3.

The suspect was arrested based on the complaint last month of Maridel C. Marzan, widow of SPO2 Noel Marzan of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office.

The widow said that Porquirino was demanding P50,000 from her in exchange for the release of the check for her benefits and other claims.

Sr. Supt. Guillermo Elleazar of the CIDG ordered an entrapment operation against the suspect.

Porquirino was arrested after receiving marked money from Marzan inside Greenwich Pizza at Robinsons Mall in Angeles City at about 10:30 AM last November 7.

He tested positive for ultraviolet powder when brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory at Camp Olivas, Pampanga.

The suspect was charged with robbery-extortion and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act at the Angeles City Prosecutor's Office. ###
 
 

Robbers snatch P1.3-M yearend pay of Palayan teachers

Three unidentified men held up Palayan school officials last November 13 and ran away with some P1.3 million in cash meant for the year-end pay of teachers of Palayan City Central School.

Supt. Elsa Miranda, city police chief, identified the victims as Florencio de Guzman Mariano, 64, supervisor, of Pinagpanaan, Talavera; Racquel Gozun Datu, 35, district guidance coordinator, of Barangay Atate; Florence Ramos Ruzo, 27, teacher/clerk, of Barangay Manacnac and Sherwin Fontanilla Bautista, 31, driver.

The group had just alighted from their Nissan service vehicle when the three suspects aboard a motorcycle without plates appeared and grabbed Datu's bag containing P1,362,910 in payroll money earlier withdrawn from an Equitable-PCI Bank branch in Cabanatuan City.

The suspects fled towards the west after the incident. ###
 
 

3 die in motorcycle accident

Three men aboard a motorcycle died when their bike collided with a Mitsubishi truck in Barangay Rio Chico, General Tinio last October 30.

Chief Insp. Jojo Fontanilla identified the fatalities as Adam Gonzales, Omar Constantino and Gabby Concepcion, all of Rio Chico.

The driver of the Mitsubishi vehicle, Donald Padolina Tamayo, surrendered to the police.

The three victims were declared dead on arrival at the local Medicare Community Hospital. ##