Pampanga PWDs now enjoy more perks from government

 Pampanga PWDs now enjoy more perks from government
LUBAO, Pampanga --- Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda announced to some 1,000 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) here that they now enjoy more perks from national and local governments at par with the perks granted to senior citizens.
“The national government is now maximizing the benefits that PWDs deserve under the law as Republic Act No.10754 was already signed granting 12 percent VAT exemption on certain goods and services to PWDs,”the governor said.
She said the VAT exemption coverage of the law shall apply on the following: medical and dental services; skyways and bus fare; admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other places of culture, leisure and amusement; and all services
in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants, and recreation centers.

The PWD law would also allow the relatives, up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, taking care of handicapped to claim a tax deduction of P25,000 in their income tax.

The law added funeral services and burial expenses to the list of assistance to be given to PWDs.
Aside from this, the governor said that all PWDs in the province are now given free Philhealth through the Point of Care (POC) program of the Pampanga Capitol at the eleven district and provincial hospitals in Pampanga.

“The free Philhealth premiun amounting to P2,400 for one year is being paid by the provincial government once they register at the Public hospitals run by the Capitol,” she said.
She added that all PWDs are also given Identification Cards which they could show to the district hospitals for their free hospitalization and provision of free Philhealth.
“If there is a need for the patient to be transferred to the private hospitals, the patient could already use the free Philhealth given by the provincial government through point of care program,” the governor explained. With this, the PWDs lauded the provincial government for giving utmost importance to the rights and privileges of the disabled persons.
During the PWD assembly, the governor
The PWDs said Governor Pineda is giving full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons.

COMPASSION --- Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda distributes food and financial assistance to PWD in a PWD Assembly held at a Gym in Lubao, Pampanga. Photo by Jun Jaso

Negosyo king Panyulung Program: Changing lives of Kapampangan beneficiaries

Negosyo king Panyulung Program: Changing lives of Kapampangan beneficiaries

BY JENNA LUMBANG

Sustainable livelihood development for the Kapampangans is one of the top agenda of Gov. Lilia Pineda’s administration in its quest to achieve growth and prosperity in the province.

The ascension of Gov. Lilia Pineda in the highest hierarchy of public service in the province

gave birth to the Negosyo king Panyulung Program (NPP) of the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCEDO).

Through NPP, the provincial government is providing loans as capital to Kapampangans who are determined and striving to start their own small business.  They can loan P5,000 to P10, 000 payable in six months with zero interest and no collateral needed. For those who want to expand their business, they can borrow up to P200, 000 with .06 percent interest per annum for two years.

Before releasing the loan assistance, the PCEDO headed by Mamerto Gatus conducts capability building and seminars to the beneficiaries on how to manage business and finances, and marketing strategies. Some of them avail the livelihood training such as baking, pastry making and dress making.

From July 2010 to March of this year, the loan assistance of the Pineda administration has reached to P44, 095,000 benefitting 6,000 kapampangan small entrepreneurs who are mostly vendors, store owners, and persons with disabilities.

Success Stories of Beneficiaries

Together with PCEDO staff, we visited some of the beneficiaries of the NPP program who show some changes in their lives.

One of them is Emilie Salazar from Lubao. She borrowed capital from the PCEDO to sell fresh vegetables, meat and fish in their barangay to help augment the income of her husband who works as construction worker whose salary is not enough to meet the needs of their family.

However, with the help of Emilie, after two years, they were able to reconstruct their nipa hut into a concrete house fit for a descent living.

Another beneficiary - Maria Marcelo from Sta. Rita revived the decades-old oblea, known as wafer making business of their family after he got loan from the provincial government. Now, she has employed some of her relatives who are earning enough income to feed their own families.

Valentino Pasco and Nina Hilario, natives of Guagua used to sell pastries through orders. With the loan and training assistance of PCEDO their business progresses enabling them to put up a store in their area.

A fishpond operator, Romeo Vitug is one of the victims of typhoon Habagat. To recover from his loss, he joined one of the NPP associations and was given P200, 000 loan.  He used some amount of his loan to venture into camia-production.

These stories of our cabalens are only a glimpse of the numerous Kapampangans who are successful in their pursuit to triumph over poverty through the support of the provincial government.

It also proves that the livelihood program of the administration is effective tool to eradicate the dole-out mentality since most of the recipients of NPP pay their loan on time. With the P44 million loan assistance released by PCEDO, P38.5 million was already collected.

 Giving fish to the people is just a band-aid solution to fight hunger for a day but teaching them how to fish, you can feed them throughout the years of their lives. They may have the skills but without the means, this effort to help them will remain futile. But in Pampanga, it’s another story. Everything goes hand in hand. Loans are made available. Trainings are accessible and the means and will to start a business is feasible and attainable.

With everything in package through the PCEDO’s Negosyo King Panyulung, the provincial government touches and changes the lives of the Kapampangan beneficiaries.

Capitol Spends P 119M for Medical Assistance

Capitol Spends P 119M for Medical Assistance

BY JENNA LUMBANG

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial government has spent P119, 185, 287 for the medical assistance extended to the indigents Kapampangan who cannot afford to pay their hospital bills from July 2010 to March of this year.

Since the assumption of Gov. Lilia Pineda, the Capitol has been giving medical assistance to patients through guarantee letters containing the amount to be subsidized by the provincial in payment for their bills in all district and provincial hospitals, Jose B Lingad Memorial Hospital, and some private hospitals.

A total of 32, 925 patients benefitted from the medical assistance which is part of the health programs of the Pineda administration.

Based on the records of the provincial government from July to December 2010, the medical support reached to P4.9 million, it increased to P16.5 million in 2011, soared to P66 million in 2012 and P31.9 million just for the first three months of this year.

Gov. Pineda said many Cabalens took for granted their health conditions because of financial constraint. This prompted her administration to provide medical assistance to encourage the indigents to go to hospitals when illnesses persist and undergo surgery if necessary.

“Even if they feel that something is wrong with their body or even if they know their condition, they tend to ignore it because they cannot afford to see a doctor or pay for an operation. They need support from the government,” Pineda said.

She added aside from the medical assistance program, the provincial government rehabilitated all the eleven district and provincial hospitals, provided medical equipment and medicines, employs doctors and surgeon and sponsored 14 879 philhealth membership to indigents.

“With all of these initiatives we have encouraged our Cabalens to prioritize their health and trust government hospitals. The number of beneficiaries proves that our health programs are successful,” Pineda added.

Candaba List of Candidates for May 2013 Election

List of Candidates for Candaba Mayor

1. BAYLON, DANILO (INDEPENDENT)
2. MAGLANQUE, RENE (INDEPENDENT) 
3. PELAYO, KUYA PAT (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
4. SAGUM, REYNALDO (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)

List of Candidates for Candaba Vice-Mayor

1. EVANGELISTA, BABES (INDEPENDENT)
2. GALLARDO, DAN (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
3. GATUS, BIENVENIDO SR. (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
4. SALAC, ROMEL (INDEPENDENT)

List of Candidates for Candaba Candaba Councilor

1. AMURAO, DAN (INDEPENDENT)
2. BAYLON, AMY ROSE (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
3. CAPULONG, TENG (INDEPENDENT)
4. CASTRO, ALBERTO (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
5. CATACUTAN, DEBORAH (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
6. CORPUZ, FREDDIE (INDEPENDENT) 
7. FOZ, CAROL (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA) 
8. GATUS, BIENVENIDO JR. (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
9. GLORIOSO, ANALIZA (INDEPENDENT) 
10. GONZALES, EMY (INDEPENDENT)
11. GULAPA, EDGAR (INDEPENDENT)
12. MACAPAGAL, THELMA (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
13. MAGAT, PAN (INDEPENDENT)
14. MAGLANQUE, SISO (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA) 
15. MICLAT, LET (INDEPENDENT)
16. OCAMPO, ERIC (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
17. PELAYO, GODING (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
18. PELAYO, PILING (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
19. REYES, POGI (KAMBILAN)
20. (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
21. SAGUM, MICHAEL V (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
22. SALAC, DONYA (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
23. SAN JOSE, BILLY (KAMBILAN) (KAPANALIG AT KAMBILAN NING MEMALEN PAMPANGA)
24. SOMBILLO, CHA-CHA (INDEPENDENT)
25. SOMBILLO, FERNAN (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
26. TECSON, AGERICO SR. (NP) (NACIONALISTA PARTY)
27. TURLA, RANDY (INDEPENDENT)

source: http://www.comelec.gov.ph

No dengue outbreak in Sto. Tomas–DOH

STO. TOMAS, Pampanga–The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday refuted reports about the outbreak of the deadly dengue disease in Barangay Moras dela Paz here. DOH regional director Leonita Gorgolon said there is “no outbreak in Sto. Tomas” contrary to reports aired over national television.
Gorgolon personally visited the reported barangay and talked with municipal health workers and the barangay chairman to clarify the report, which alarmed the public and the local government of Pampanga.
Contrary to report of alleged dengue outbreak, the records of the town’s health office show that there are only three suspected dengue cases at the barangay since Friday of last week.
Gorgolon stressed that DOH is the only office that should do the announcement in case of a dengue outbreak.
‘Under control’
Mayor Joselito Naguit and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) announced Monday that the spread of dengue in their town has been “contained and is now under control”.
Naguit disclosed that in May this year, dengue cases in the said village increased to 22 and one of the victims died due to shock.
Relative to this, the mayor has implemented canalization project to clear stagnant water that served as breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes in the area.
“Kaya kontrolado na ang sitwasyon. Malinis na iyong lugar at maayos na ang mga daluyang tubig at nagtulong-tulong ang mga kababayan natin kasama na ang mga opisyal ng barangay, munisipyo at pati na ang Kapitolyo (The situation is under control. The area is now clean and the waterways are cleared. Our people had actively participated, including the village, municipal and even the Capitol officials),” the mayor said.
Pampanga Mayors League (PML) president and Candaba town mayor, Jerry Pelayo has also helped the village officials through the implementation of massive clean-up with the participation of the community in the said village.
Dr. Marcelo Jaochico, PHO officer, said Governor Lilia “Nanay” G. Pineda has also assisted dengue patients who had been admitted in district hospitals by shouldering their hospital bills and other expenses.
Jaochico added that the provincial government has deployed its staff to monitor the situation and is consistently imposing measures in controlling the spread of the deadly disease.
“We implement the Four ‘S’ campaign which include: searching and destroying possible breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes; wearing of long sleeved-shirts and long pants for protection; seeking health professionals for a fever that lasts two days or more; and, saying no to indiscriminate fogging,” Jaochico said.
The PHO officer said the campaign should be the battle cry of everybody. “It should generate the active participation of government agencies, community action and involvement and commitment of private sectors as well.
He disclosed that based on record, the rise of dengue cases has deteriorated last June and as of this week of July, the PHO has not received reports of even a single case of dengue in that particular area.By Elaine T. Mercado & Au Catu

AirAsia launches low fare package

CLARK FREEPORT–Philippines’ AirAsia launched on Monday its “special ultra-low fare promotion” as part of its 100 days of operations celebration in the country.

“The new promo is a way to thank the public for the strong support they have given Philippines AirAsia throughout its first 100 days operation in the country,” Maan Hontiveros, AirAsia Inc. Chief Executive Officer, said.

Dubbed as the “100 Hours Special! Philippines’ AirAsia 100 Days into Airvolution” features destinations such as Kalibo, Davao and Puerto Princesa in all-in fare as low as P275 one way.

The special promotion is available for booking from today until July 14 via www.airasia.com as well as through its call centres at this number: +632 588 9999.

Travelers can also fly to Hong Kong from P688; to Kuala Lumpur from P1, 580 and Macau from P588. All fares quoted are for one way travel only. Guests will be able to travel from July 19 to November 30.

Hontiveros said AirAsia is the first airline in the country to promote the “all-in” fare concept and currently flies directly from Clark to Kalibo, Davao and Puerto Princesa. She added that the airline also connects all their guests to nearly 80 destinations across 20 countries through its 16 hubs in the region.

Moreover, AirAsia guests also have the option for travel insurance and get covered with AirAsia Insure and earn 200 BIG points under the airline’s global loyalty program.

Aside from the launching of their all-in program, AirAsia also provided opportunities for less privileged children to pursue their photography skills.

With the help of the Department of Tourism, Canon Philippines and SM Cares and Wings of Change, AirAsia opened an exhibit showcasing selected photographs of hearing impaired children as part of its corporate social responsibility program.

The photo exhibit, which featured the airline’s milestones, will be on display at various domestic airports in the country and at SM malls in Luzon.

AirAsia’s related companies include Malaysia AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia Japan and Malaysia’s long-haul carrier, AirAsia X.

Pampanga crime rate down by 57%

MACABEBE, Pampanga—Crime rate in the province dropped by 57 percent in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year, Senior Supt. Edgardo Tinio, provincial police director, announced yesterday.

Based on the data obtained from the Provincial Police Office (PPO), the total crime volume recorded from January to June of 2011 is 1,755 while crimes documented for the same month of 2012 is 693—a difference of 1,062 incidents.

Tinio noted an average monthly crime volume of 23.57 in 2011 compared to 10.11 for this year.

The police director said the decrease in crime rate is due to the stringent implementation of Police Integrated Patrol System and Comparative Statistics on crime rate areas that serves as basis for their strategies in felony prevention.

He also attributed this “remarkable” accomplishment to the provincial government and with the support given by Gov. Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda.

The governor has intensified peace and order through distribution of motorcycle patrols to every barangay and trainings she funded for the barangay peace-keeping force.

“We acknowledge the full support given by Gov. Lilia Pineda to maintain peace and order in the province. She helped us tap the village officials to become force multipliers in crime prevention,” Tinio said.

To maintain low crime rate in the province, the police director urged everyone to take part in the campaign against lawless elements.

“Peace and order is everybody’s concern. Hindi natin pwedeng iasa lahat sa kapulisan”, he added.–JENNA LUMBANG