Cabanatuan among 3 best RP cities 

A study by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) showed that Cabanatuan City, Makati and Tagbilaran in Bohol are the best places in the Philippines to live, work or start a business.

The three cities were among the 25 top performers in AIM's 2007 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Program.

The cities were classified into metro, mid and small sizes and ranked according to quality of life, cost of doing business, dynamism of the local economy, human resources and training, infrastructure and responsiveness to business needs. Unlike in previous years, AIM did not rank the cities according to total performance.

Cabanatuan ranked first in its category, getting a rating of 7.17 out of a scale of 10, where the average rating was 6.31. It was cited for its good access to commercial banks, low or non-existent informal fees and efficiency in dealing with crime.

Tagbilaran, on the other hand, was rated 7.97 in its category where the average rating was 6.43. It was credited for its low or non-existent informal fees, good supply of water and low water rates and its environmental planning and management program.

Makati was recognized for its good access top commercial banks, efficient handling of crimes, supply of potable water and programs aimed at helping taxpayers and residents.

Some 90 cities were included in the AIM survey, 20 of them metro-sized, 25 mid-sized and 45 small-sized. ### 
 
 

For the 6th straight year
Ecija is country's #1 rice producer

For the sixth straight year, Nueva Ecija retained its record as the top palay producing province in the Philippines.

The National Statistical Coordination Board reported that in 2007, Nueva Ecija recorded a yield of 1,356,161 metric tons of palay, equivalent to eight percent of the country's total rice production.

In terms of rice production growth rate, Abra topped the list at 37.8 percent.

In other agricultural products, Isabela retained its top position in corn production, Compostela in banana production, Pangasinan in mango production and Davao Oriental in coconut production. ###
 
 

2nd Gatas Festival staged

Nueva Ecija launched the "2nd Gatas Festival 2008' during the first of July at NE Pacific Mall, in its bid to become the country's dairy capital.

The project was a joint effort of the provincial government, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Muñoz-based Philippine Carabao Center, the local governments of Llanera, Talavera, Guimba and the Science City of Muñoz, and farm cooperatives.

A trade exhibit at the main atrium of NE Pacific Mall showcased different carabao milk based products like pastillas de leche, mozzarella cheese and yoghourt.

A simultaneous milk feeding was done in all the province's towns and cities, with Cabanatuan City hosting 50 pre-school children selected from the city's 89 barangays.

Raymund Sarmiento, provincial public affairs head who represented Gov. Aurelio M. Umali, said that the provincial government recognizes the importance of the milk festival.

Brigida Pili of the local DTI office said the festival was implemented for the second year under the One Town One Product (OTOP) program to further strengthen the local dairy industry.

Data from the Philippine Carabao Center shows that Nueva Ecija registered a total milk production of 1.8 million liters from 2003 to 2007.

Some 928 dairy farmers affiliated with 36 cooperatives are currently engaged in milk production. ###
 
 

Ecijanos declare war vs dangerous drugs

In observance of Drug Awareness Month, thousands of Novo Ecijanos joined the province wide motorcade that ended with a declaration of war against illegal drugs at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center in Palayan City last July 14.

Rev. Fr. Aldrin Domingo, chair of the month long observance, said that the activity participated in by religious, socio-civic and non-government organizations, schools and government agencies aimed to underlines the need to unite against the threat of illegal drugs.

Gov. Aurelio M. Umali provided the facilities for the anti-illegal drug rally, with the business sector including the owner of NE Group of Companies donated food for the participants.

An effigy of a drug lord was burned at the convention center compound.

Meanwhile, high school students participated in a poster making contest sponsored by the Nueva Ecija Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Laban sa Droga organizers and the education department. ###
 
 

Police stats: Drug dealers operate in 51 barangays in 14 towns

The Nueva Ecija police reported that drug dealers operate in 51 out of the 859 barangays in the province.

Despite the figure, Sr. Supt. Napoleon Taas, provincial police director, reported a big decrease in the number of affected barangays.

He cited the towns of Aliaga, Bongabon, General Natividad, Laur, Licab, Llanera, Lupao, Nampicuan, Pantabangan, Quezon, San Isidro and Santa Rosa, and Palayan City as already free of illegal drugs.

On the other hand, Dr. Vision de Guzman, president of the Nueva Ecija Rehabilitation, Training and Research Center Foundation, pointed to Imelda District in Cabanatuan City as one of the places where the trade in illegal drugs was rampant. She said that even youngsters and women in the barangay knew how to get shabu, with some housewives even using the drug to fight hunger. ###
 
 

Ayaw talagang magpaawat!
Umali, Joson give opposite views on gov's first year in office

One year after taking over the reins of the province, Gov. Aurelio M. Umali called it "a triumph of the spirit".  His vice governor, Edward Thomas Joson, called it a "big flop".

Umali described his first year in office as a showcase of the collective resolve of Novo Ecijanos for growth, discipline and development.

He said that he intends to harness the full potentials of the provincial government in making a big difference in the lives of his constituents.

Among the achievements that Umali mentioned were solid reforms in fields of economy, local governance, infrastructure, education and social services.

He specifically cited the payment of P56.2 million to the Government Service Insurance System and Pag-IBIG which the previous administration failed to remit, and other monetary benefits to provincial employees.

He boasted of the 30 infrastructure projects built by his administration, including the repair and renovation of eight district hospitals and school buildings.

Joson, on the other hand, said that Umali's first year in office was a "dismal failure", pointing out that the governor failed to implement his "Pagbabago" battle cry.

He called Umali an absentee governor, and said that the latter failed to submit a comprehensive development plan for Nueva Ecija. ###
 
 

Cabanatuan implements strict garbage segregation

To force the Cabanatuan City residents to practice proper trash disposal, government garbage contractors will no longer collect unsegregated solid waste.

Mayor Alvin Vergara said that the policy is in accordance with the Republic Act 9003 ot the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and will be implemented on July 16. He said garbage trucks will be color coded for easy identification, with those collecting biodegradable materials colored green.

The scheme is meant to reduce the amount of garbage dumped at Barangay Valle Cruz.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) wants the Valle Cruz dumpsite closed down for violating the solid waste management law. Former Mayor Jay Vergara tried to comply by establishing new sanitary landfill facilities but these failed to materialize because of the strong resistance of residents around those areas. ###
 
 

Wesleyan U. marks 62nd year

Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P), the first higher education institution in Nueva Ecija to become a university, celebrated its 62nd founding anniversary last July 1 with a thanksgiving service and award ceremonies for its faculty and staff.

Pres. Guillermo T. Maglaya, Sr., assisted by Vice Pres. for Academic Affairs Anselmo D. Lupdag, and Vice Pres. for Finance Jeremias Garcia handed out plaques and cash gifts to this year's awardees:  Salvador Mallari, a university security guard, "Presidential Award"; Dr. Virginia O. del Rosario, dean of the College of the Arts and Sciences, "Outstanding Dean"; Prof. Ramon R. Valmonte, Radio Wesleyan station manager, head of the Wesleyan Printing Office and editor of the official Wesleyan publication, "Outstanding Administrative Head"; Prof. Priscila Santos, Office of Student Affairs head, "Outstanding Academic Head"; Prof. Gladys Mangiduyos of the College of Education, "Outstanding Faculty -Tertiary Level"; Macaria Villar of the Elementary Department, "Outstanding Faculty - Basic Education Level"; and Jonathan Gabriel, "Outstanding Staff".

Prof. Matilde Asperas who has taught in the university for the past 35 years led the service awardees composed of faculty and staff members.

WU-P, a non-sectarian, non-profit, United Methodist Church-related school was founded by Methodist ministers and lay persons led by Rev. Carlos Mañacop, Sr. after the World War II to cater to the education needs of Novo Ecijanos. It attained university status on April 24, 1978, becoming the first private university in Nueva Ecija, and now enjoys a deregulated status granted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in recognition of the quality education it offers.

Under Pres. Maglaya, the university opened the WU-P Cardiovascular and Medical Center, the only heart center in Luzon outside Metro Manila, that has performed a total of 16 successful open-heart procedures with the support of surgeons from the Philippine Heart Center and St. Luke's Medical Center.

Also through Maglaya's efforts, Wesleyan operates DWUP-FM, Radio Wesleyan, the only campus radio station broadcasting in Nueva Ecija. ###
 
 

Ecijano ordained permanent deacon of Archdiocese of Washington

Leandro Yambao Espinosa, who was born in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija and now lives in Fort Washington, Maryland, has been ordained permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington.

He was ordained by the Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, S.T.D., Archbishop of Washington, together with 15 other men from parishes in Maryland and Washington last June 28 in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Unlike transitional deacons who go on to become priests, permanent deacons may be married men who serve in liturgical celebrations and in ministries of the Word, charity and social justice. They are authorized to administer the sacrament of baptism, serve as witness in the sacrament of marriage, distribute Holy Communion and viaticum to the sick, proclaim the Gospel and preach during Mass and preside over funeral services.

Espinosa first wanted to become a priest after finishing high school and attended the Mater Voni Consilii Seminary in Apalit, Pampanga for two years. He went on to the Jesuit-run San Jose Major Seminary where he obtained an AB Philosophy degree.

He later had a change of vocation and got an MBA degree from the Ateneo de Manila University.

He is married to Maria Lourdes Abella and the couple has three daughters and a son.

Before migrating to the United States, Espinosa taught at Ateneo and worked as an agricultural economist with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

He now works as chief financial officer and business manager of  Elizabeth Seton High School run by the Daughters of Charity in Bladensburg, Maryland. ###
 
 

Cabiao man falls from Jeddah building while escaping from Arab's rape try

A 26 year old overseas worker from Cabiao sustained injuries when he fell from the third floor of a building in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia while escaping from an attempted rape by an Arab man.

The victim, Eduardo Valerio, said the suspect was a customer of Bindawood Superstores in Jeddah where he works as a shelf boy.

Valerio said he was on his way home from work at about 2:00 AM when the suspect -- a store customer -- asked for help in bringing the goods he bought to his nearby apartment unit.

He said he accompanied the Arab to the gate of the housing unit, but the man pleaded that he be accompanied to his third floor apartment.

Once inside the apartment, the Arab closed to the door and tried to corner him.

Valerio said that he fled to an open door leading to the balcony, intending to climb down to the second floor below, but lost his balance and fell to the ground.

"Himala na nabuhay pa ako. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakabalik sa aming tindahan at naisumbong ang nangyari sa akin," Valerio said.

A Filipina nurse in the hospital where Valerio was brought quoted doctors as saying that it might take three months for the victim to recover from his injured spinal cord. He needed to wear a brace so he could move.

A supervisor in the store where Valerio works said that the police have arrested and jailed the suspect.  He added that the suspect's mother visited the store and sought to settle the case amicably but Valerio said he could not make a decision right away.

Romeo Pablo, welfare office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, said that Valerio is covered by OWWA's medical insurance. He also asked the employer to look after Valerio's needs. ###
 
 

Ecijano, two others gypped by recruiter returning from Saipan

Three of 12 Filipino workers-- including a Novo Ecijano -- who were promised non-existent jobs in the US territory of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas are set to return to the Philippines.

The three who will be repatriated to the Philippines soon are Darwin A. Viloria, 37, of the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Noelito Jumawan, 37, of Sariaya, Quezon; and Romeo Tesorero, 44, of Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

They came to the capital, Saipan, as tourists in 2007 after paying up to $3,000 each to a recruiter identified as Yolanda Umbay Alfante of J-4B Page Condominium, 2268 P. Burgos St., Pasay City. Alfante allegedly promised them jobs as room boys, farm workers, or workers in a lumber and hardware business in Saipan and Tinian for $3.55 an hour. Today’s minimum wage in the Marianas is $4.05 an hour. When they got to Saipan, they were instead told to work for Kulits Restaurant which was shut down by authorities for employing illegal workers.

The three have to return home because the Department of Labor in the Marianas did not renew their temporary work authorization.

They are determined to file a case in Manila against their recruiter. ###
 
 

Former Cabanatuan barangay chair ambushed

Police investigators continue to look into the motive for the ambush-slaying of a former barangay chair of Bangad, Cabanatuan City last July 10.

The victim, Melencio Martinez, 59,  was shot dead by two armed men riding a motorcycle in tandem, at about 9:20 AM between barangays Lourdes and Bangad.

He served as barangay chair for three terms, and was affiliated with the Josons' Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (BALANE) party. He did not run in last year's barangay elections and was succeeded by Manny Islaya, said to be an ally of Cabanatuan City Mayor Alvin Vergara.

Martinez was reportedly criticized for not immediately turning over to the barangay a multi-cab vehicle donated by the provincial government.

As a result of the killing of Martinez, Sr. Supt. Napoleon Taas, provincial police chief, ordered that checkpoints be intensified to prevent the repetition of such a crime. ###
 
 

Summary execution victims dumped in Pampanga

The Pampanga police was baffled over the discovery in Barangay San Antonio, Arayat of the bodies of three men believed to be victims of summary executions last July 1

The victims were identified as Rolando Magno, 32; his brother Alex, 35; and Danilo Cucio, all from Barangay San Roque, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.

The three bore gunshot wounds though no gunfire was heard in the area, indicating that they were killed elsewhere. ###
 
 

Grandpa bumped by motorbike, then run over by bus

A 62 year old man was bumped by a motorcycle then run over by a passenger bus in Barangay Diversion, San Leonardo town at past 1:00 AM last July 7.

Sr. Insp. Danilo Zulueta of the San Leonardo police identified the victim as Jose Singer Juera.

Investigation showed that Juera was first bumped by a motorcycle driven by Leonides Catli of Barangay Malapit, San Isidro, and thrown several meters away to the other lane of the highway. An oncoming Manila-bound Dagupan Bus passenger bus then ran over him.

Juera was declared dead on arrival at the nearby Gonzales General Hospital. ###