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ANGELES CITY – Thousands of athletes and delegates from 17 school divisions in Central Luzon joined the opening ceremonies of the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) hosted by the Angeles City government on Tuesday.
With the theme “Discipline, Teamwork, Excellence and Dedication”, featured the color of parade from the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and the cities of Cabanatuan, Tarlac, San Fernando, Angeles, Balanga, Malolos, Olongapo, San Jose Del Monte, Gapan and Science City of Muños.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the City Sports Stadium who’s groundbreaking and capsule-laying was done at Barangay Mining recently.
In his message, Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno said this is the first ever for Angeles City to host and accommodate all the delegates, participants and guest of CLRAA. He urged the young athletes to look beyond victory in the competitions but in winning friends.
“Welcome to the City of Friendship. This is a glorious day for us all because we are giving importance to sports in making better citizens of you. It is a time for camaraderie and sowing the seeds of friendship. Friendships continue to shine even as your medals fade. It’s all about fair flay and winning more friends that you will have to look beyond the driving force of winning,” Nepomuceno said.
“Alam nating lahat, na ang kahalagahan ng sports sa ating bansa ay hindi lamang nauukol sa mga panalo na natatanggap sa bawat paligsahan dahil ang diwa ng sportsmanship ay may kaakibat ng mga katangian na kinakailangan upang maging isang mabuting mamamayan” Nepomuceno added.
City Administrator Mark Allen Sison said the City Government has been all-out in support of the CLRAA and participating athletes.
“The City Government led by Mayor Nepomuceno is fully supporting the event in terms of allowances for our players, uniforms from head to toe plus their food and transportation. Of course the most important of these is the moral support.”
He said the CLRAA has boosted the city’s sports development program to lure away the youth from vices.
“This was supposed to be held by in Zambales but following the recent calamities that hit it, the Department of Education regional office 3 requested our Mayor to host it. That was just four weeks ago but we accepted the challenge and made the necessary preparations including peace and order, traffic and their living quarters which we had fumigated. We also made arrangements with private schools for the use of their facilities for the 10 major events to be held here,” said Sison.
He added that some games would be held in Malolos but majority of events would be hosted by the city.
Sison said that after the Palarong Pambansa in Tarlac, the City Government would bid to host it as the world class City Sports Stadium would be fully operational by then.
“By that time in 2013 the Palarong Pambansa would be back in Luzon after its Visayas-Mindanao tour. We would definitely bid for its hosting,” Sison concluded.
Angeles City- In its bid to further enhance its function and enforcing the Provisions of R.A.9208 and R.A. 9262, otherwise known respectively Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and Violence Against Woman and Children, Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno reconstituted the city’s inter-agency committee by issuing Executive Order No. 3, Series of 2010 last February 16,2010.
The committee is composed of Mayor Nepomuceno as Chairman, Lourdes Naguiat, City Information Officer/Gender and Development Officer as Co-Chairperson. The members are councilor Rudy Simeon, Comm. Chair on Labor, Robin Nepomuceno, President, Liga ng mga Barangay, Myrvi Apostol Fabia, DILG City Director, Juliet Bautista,City Civil Registrar, Adelina Deocales, PESO Manager, Heidi Patio, CSWDO, Atty. Oliver Garcia, City Prosecutor, P/S Supt. Danilo A. Bautista, City Police Director, Representative from the Children and Woman’s Desk, ACPO, Carl John Miranda, SK Federation President, Punong Barangay’s Rodelio Mamac, Edison Nacu and Gerom Costales, Representative’s from Women’s Education Development, Productivity & Research Organization (WEDPRO) Inc., Nagkakaisang Kababaihan ng Angeles (NAGKA) Inc., Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) and Pag-Asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP).
The Committee’s duties and functions are as follows: Coordinate programs and activities related to the campaign against trafficking in persons and violence against women and children to the Sanggunian, propose and recommend policies and regulations. They shall also monitor and review policies, programs, projects and activities.
Furthermore, the secretariat’s support shall be lodged with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) which shall be responsible for the documentation of proceedings of meetings and preparation of reports and other necessary documents as needed by the committee. MAG/CIO
The Angeles City Government, through the City Planning & Development Office (CPDO), officially launched the ‘Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Angeles City’ (CLUP) at De Paolo’s Restaurant, Cutcut, Angeles City on February 16, 2010.
 Mayor Francis ‘Blueboy’ Nepomuceno appealed to leaders and investors from both the public and private sectors a comprehensive solution that would benefit the Angeleños within the next 20 years.
“CLUP will enable us to transform Angeles City into a better place to grow, a community with better choices, a city that offers a brighter future for us all,” said Nepomuceno as he emphasized the importance of the project.
The “Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Angeles City” (CLUP) is a project in development by the City Planning & Development Office (CPDO). Among those who attended were Regional Director Belen G. Ceniza, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), President Greg L. Pineda, Progress Sentinel Incorporated (PSI) and Consultant Agustin C. Mendoza, PSI.
Nepomuceno added that Angeles City is experiencing rapid urbanization and growth. Within the next decade or two, our city might already be congested.
“By the next 28 years, the city’s population would double,” said Engr. David D. David, CPDO Head. David supported this claim by presenting The Population Gravitational Attraction Model (PGAM). PGAM measures the relative strength of a certain area to attract population over another area. It could also predict which areas are likely to gain population and those that would experience otherwise. Bulacan would remain to have the strongest force of population attraction in Region III while Pampanga comes in second. Angeles City, being an urbanized center, contributes in this growth.
However, Nepomuceno assured a solution for this problem, “CLUP is an integrated and long-term approach to make the most appropriate use of every piece of land, strike a balance between sustaining economic growth, environmental protection, and maintaining a good quality living environment.”
David discussed the details of the project. He stated that CLUP was based from a ‘framework’ for the city that was designed from the ‘70s which he dubbed as the ‘mother of all plans’. David recognized Angeleños to be true visionaries and inspired the guests further by comparing us to other developed cities including Marikina. “If they could do it, so could we,” said David.
There are only 3 major roads that are actively accessible in the present—MacArthur Highway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). It is possible to decongest these roads and redirect the flow of activity. CLUP offered five alternatives: Strip or Linear Development, Concentric Development, Central & Nodal Development, Radial & Circumferential Development, and Grid Pattern. Among those cited, the Radial & Circumferential Development (RCD) solution met the most criteria. The selection was based on Infrastructure Cost, Improvement of Circulation / Decongesting the Urban Core, Agglomeration and Economic Complementation, Food Security & Affordability, Environmental Sustainability, Increased Investments / Employment / LGU Revenue, Aesthetics, Regional Urban Center / Interregional Transportation Hub, and Angeles Global City. RCD met 8 out of 9 of these criteria.
“RCD is an enhanced hub and spoke system. In addition to radial roads, transport infrastructure is further enhanced by establishing circumferential road networks to directly link two adjacent nodes,” David added. The adjacent nodes would serve as ‘secondary urban centers’.
CLUP could potentially improve tourism, agriculture & food, health, housing, education, transportation, and access.
Present at the said activity were representatives from the Private Sector, Business Sector, Academe, Non-Government Agencies, and Government Agencies including departments and offices of the city local government. YAM / CIO
 ANGELES CITY – Some 300 informal settlers from Barangay Pulungbulu gathered at the Angeles City Public Library Function Hall last February 12, 2010 to form an umbrella organization and to voice-out their concerns regarding the home lots they currently occupy.
The settlers are members of the Saint Vincent Neighborhood Association (SVNA), Caldera Neighborhood Association, Bisig Damayan Neighborhood Association, Samahang Pangkaunlaran ng San Vicente De Ferrer, Pigulut Neighborhood Association, Tinbig ng Pagkakaisa and Buklod ng Pagkakaisa Urban Poor Association. The assembly aims to organize their rank into an alliance and unify their stance in negotiating their home lots with the landowners.
The residents have been living in the area since 1960.
According to LUPAHO Deputy Chief Richard Rivera, we are looking for a win-win solution to this matter. It’s about time that we work hand-in-hand and resolve the long time problem of homelessness in the city.
“The chief executive has a clear plan and commitment to resolve the land issue in Pulungbulu village”, added Rivera
The urban poor leaders led by Pulungbulu Urban Poor Alliance (PUPA) President Mer Tuazon invited Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno and the Team Friendship to solicit the support to this land problem.
“This land issue should be brought up to the city council for review. We are going to follow due process, our land acquisition program may allocate funds to expropriate the land which is to be made through a city ordinance,” Nepomuceno explains.
Oath-taking of officers also took place at the end of the program.
The Pulungbulu Urban Poor Alliance pledges to support the candidacy of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno for another mayoralty term and his team friendship.
The Team Friendship is composed of incumbent Councilors Ric Zalamea – running for Vice Mayor, Atty. Arvin “Pogs” Suller, Danilo Lacson, Rudy Simeon (seeking another term for city council), Raf “Pengot” Del Rosario, Jericho Aguas, Dinong De Guzman, Rico Suarez Dizon, Doc Alfie Bonifacio, Atty. Bryan Nepomuceno and Abel Pamintuan. CIO
ANGELES CITY – Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno ordered to close three (3) illegal dumping site of garbage located at Don Bonifacio, Balibago, in Sitio Target, Sapang Bato and Maligaya, Pulung Maragul on Monday, February 16, 2010. This is in compliance of No Open Dumpsite Policy and in response to the RA 9003 known as Ecological Solid Waste Management. KRG/CIO
 PICC, PASAY CITY – The City Government of Angeles through the leadership of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno was been awarded a special citation by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) for achieving universal coverage in the health insurance program assuring the Angeleños access to quality healthcare services.
In behalf of Mayor Nepomuceno, Chief of Staff Gerard Patrick Nepomuceno received the award from Philhealth President and CEO Dr. Rey B. Aquino and DILG Undersecretary for local government Austere A. Panadero in a ceremony dubbed “Pasasalamat sa Partners” held at the Reception Hall of the PICC in Manila last Friday, February 12, 2010.
Other local government units, government and private institutions and partner agencies were also feted during the formal programs highlighting the 15th anniversary of Philhealth, an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH) which is mandated
to provide social health insurance coverage in 15 years time.
This is the first ever award given to Angeles City under the administration of Mayor Nepomuceno for the active implementation of Republic Act 7875 otherwise known as the National Health Insurance Program of the Government.
At the regular Monday flag ceremony, Mayor Blue’s thanked the people who continued to support the said program as well as the departments and offices, including the officials and councilors here who assisted him in the implementation.
The said award is based on the chief executive’s exemplary performance of implementing the program through the free distribution of Philhealth Cards to all 33 barangays of the city with the aims to help indigent families to avail of the health insurance.
Around 11,743 families benefitted from the program since last year. The free distribution of Philhealth cards ensures the beneficiaries coming from the poor have access to health care and medical treatment in any accredited medical institution.
Presently, distribution of cards to families who have yet to benefit of the program of Nepomuceno is ongoing. CIO
 ANGELES CITY – Thousands of Angeleños recently availed of the free eye examination and cataract operation in the 35th RP-Japan joint medical mission managed by the International Association of Lions Club at the RLMHS, Balibago here.
Patients were examined for blood pressure, blood typing, blood sugar, and screened for cataract. Those diagnosed with cataract were scheduled for free operation in the hospital. The group also distributed free eyeglasses to beneficiaries.
Participating groups includes medical personnel from 600th Air Base Wing of Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army Reservist, Bureau of Fire Protection and Angeles City Police Office.
Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno was pleased with the outcome of the activity.
He was thankful the mission has greatly helped the Angeleños especially those who are in need of medical assistance.
Assisting the medical team are midwives and barangay health workers headed by City Health Officer, Dra. Cheryl Tuazon.
Meanwhile, Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno visits 43 offices/departments of the city hall offered chocolate box to women’s employee in celebration of Heart’s Day last Friday.
“Ginagawa natin ito taon-taon, ang paglilibot at pagpunta sa mga opisina ng ating gobyerno para narin sa okasyon ng araw ng mga puso. Ito rin ay magsisilbing mabisita ang ating mga kawani”, Nepomuceno said.
Part of the occasion was the free starbucks coffee for taxpayers and music from an acoustic band at the city hall lobby. MAC/CIO
 ANGELES CITY — Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno led the ground breaking ceremony for the P600-million Angeles City Sports Complex at Barangay Mining recently.
The sports complex will have a 3,000 sitting capacity convention center, a 2,000 sitting capacity grandstand, track and field oval, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a multi-purpose building among others.
In his message, Nepomuceno said, “let us not be stopped by one or two parties who oppose our dream. We must think of the future of our youth and consider the greater benefit of this dream for the majority”.
“With the sports complex comes our medium and long term plans. We are now on with the development of our road networks in the vicinity and boundaries of this sports complex linking us with the City of San Fernando and Mexico. Eventually, this will lessen traffic in the city proper as it opens up other routes to the sports complex. The Bases Conversion Development authority has pledge support for this circumferential road project. And while Barangay Mining is not congested, it is expected to boom with the sports complex. I have been told that the price of real estate here has already increased. And since the sports complex is an economic enterprise, many will benefit from the indirect income it will generate,” Nepomuceno continued saying.
He added that the city will earn from this facility, as it could also be leased for use in big corporate events, commercial activities and even shows. This will put Angeles City on the tourism and economic map and will boost the growth of surrounding communities in the area.
Meanwhile, City Administrator Mark Allen Sison said, the city government will spend some P500 million for the sports stadium and P100 million for the lot where the sports facility will be erected.
Sison said the sports facility will be used to train local athletes to be more competitive in national and international competitions.
“It will serve as future site of major sports events like the Palarong Pambansa. This will contribute to the local economy,” he added.
Angeles City cannot claim the status of being a premier city when it lacks this basic infrastructure, Sison said.
Present in the activities were city councilors Dan Lacson, Atty. Pogs Suller, Ares Yabut, Rudy Simeon, Dr. Ric Zalamea, City Administrator Mark Allen Sison and Liga ng mga Barangay President Robin Nepomuceno, School Division Superintendent Victoria Aguas, City Sports Office Chief Paul Puri and Ramos Construction owner Engr. Damian Ramos. MAC/CIO
 ANGELES CITY – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 3 Director Ernesto Bihis hailed Angeles City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) under the leadership of Chief Adelina G. Deocales for bagging the “2009 Outstanding PESO Regional Award in Highly Urbanized City Category’ for the third consecutive time since 2007. ‘AIM FOR HALL OF FAME’, yells all.
A familiar sound of applause fills the plaza during this morning’s ceremony. The PESO has yet again won from the recently held ‘Search for the Best PESO Awarding Ceremony’ last January 20-22, 2010 during the Year-End PESO Assessment (YEPA) for the year 2009 at the Century Resort Hotel in Balibago, Angeles City.
Still fresh from our memories, Angeles City PESO was just awarded ‘2009 National Best PESO Award’ against key cities from all over the country last October 2009.
The bestowed award is a reminder of the constant campaign for excellence and efforts of Mayor Francis ‘Blueboy’ L. Nepomuceno in partnership with PESO led by Manager Adelina G. Deocales to address the issue of unemployment.
In accordance with this mission, DOLE Region 3, led by Director Ernesto Bihis, donated an additional computer unit to PESO. This computer unit is specifically tasked for data banking. Data banking intends to benefit both the employer and the job candidate. This innovation enables easier matching of skills offered to skills needed.
This would allocate faster and more efficient placement to job vacancies, thus, guaranteeing improved productivity and satisfaction. Indeed, this is another effective solution to reach Angeles City’s objective of having the lowest unemployment rate in the region possible.
According to Deocales, last year alone, PESO had been successful in assisting and referring a total of 11,408 job hopefuls to various private companies and entities both for local and overseas employment. There has been reportedly an increase of 51% in employment compared to the 41% rate of 2008.
With the new system at hand and the endless joint effort of the people behind its success, the Angeles City PESO is not far from reaching its future epithet of ‘Hall of Famer’. YMY/CIO
 Angeles City – In line with the Joint Multi-Stakeholder Programme to eliminate Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in the country, the Department of Justice (DOJ) in cooperation with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) established a gender sensitivity room at the Angeles City Prosecutor Office on February 11,2010.
The event’s guest speaker was DOJ Undersecretary Linda L. Melenab-Hornilla who is also the Chairperson of the department’s Gender and Development Committee. The activity was graced by Lourdes Naguiat, AC GAD Officer who represented Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno, Atty. Oliver Garcia, City Prosecutor, Jessus C. Simbulan, Regional State Prosecutor, Region III, Ma. Monica Pagunsan, DOJ Management Resources Office Region III and other legal luminaries.
Under the program, a gender sensitivity room shall be established in the Office of the City Prosecutor. UNFPA will provide documentation equipment, desktop. DVD player, digital recording set, MP3 voice digital recorder, digital camera and materials-toys and arts for children of VAWC victims undergoing preliminary investigation. Reading and reference materials will also be provided in the room. Other beneficiaries are the Office of the Regional State Prosecutor (ORSP) XI Davao City and Office of the Chief State Prosecutor (OCSP).
According to Malaneb-Hornilla, a separate room shall be provided for conducting preliminary investigations on gender based cases. Monitoring and implementation of the project together with the monthly utilization report shall be submitted to the Secretary of Justice through the GAD Committee.
Moreover , the administration, including maintenance of the room and equipment shall be undertaken by the Office of the City Prosecutor. They shall also acknowledged the donated equipment and submit the inventory to the DOJ Supply Section.
In her remarks, Naguiat expressed her gratitude to the Department of Justice and UNFPA. She also acknowledged the leadership and dedication of City Prosecutor Garcia and his staff. The City Prosecutor’s Office was recognized and was given a rare opportunity to further enhance the Nepomuceno administration’s program on gender and development issues.
GAD office aims to help and empower women who are victims or suffered from inequality, social injustice and living standards. It also safeguards children’s rights and welfare. Angeles City’s policy on Gender and Development reflects its unwavering commitment in promoting women’s economic and social empowerment though advocacy and meaningful changes. This is also integral part of achieving GAD’s goal of poverty reduction through inclusive and sustainable growth. MAG/CIO
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