Family-oriented fun at Grand Clark Festival

CLARK FREEPORT – More fun-filled and family-oriented activities are slated from Nov. 16 and 17 for the much-awaited Grand Clark Festival to be held at the CDC Parade Grounds here.

On the first day, festival goers will be greeted by a fun run early in the morning to be followed by a parade and skydiving exhibition from the Philippine Air Force.

Cooking demos and cultural presentations from Nayong Pilipino and Paradise Ranch are also expected to add to the festive atmosphere of the two-day celebration here.

For music lovers, cap the evening with melodic concerts from the Korean Orchestra Performance and the St. Paul American School Musicale.

Relax and unwind with a fireworks display and live band performances at the stage area.

On the second day, a fun bike followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass will jumpstart the day’s activities.

This will be followed by an animal show by Zoocobia and a dog show organized by the Clark Development Corporation together with PET BERO.

For more details, interested parties that wish to join the Grand Clark Festival may call the CDC Tourism Promotions Office at (045) 599-9000 and look for Noemi or Ellen.

Gapo City Futsal team swept Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg

IBA, Zambales – Over 4 thousand youth all over Luzon ages 15 years old and below have converge in IBA, Zambales last October 15-19, 2013 for the annual Batang Pinoy 2013 Luzon Leg.

Thirty sporting events where played in 5 days, where kids battle it out to top their respective event so they will qualify for the National games that will be held in Bacolod next month.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have included new sports to be played in this year’s event and one of the newest sports that is becoming very popular with Filipinos is FUTSAL. Thanks to PSC Chairman Ricardo Garcia and PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez.

After 4 days of intense games Olongapo City emerge the first Champions of the Batang Pinoy Futsal for the Luzon Leg Boys and Girls Division.

Olongapo City head coach David Bayarong said that the city have really prepared the kids months in advance for the competition. Our main goal coming to the Batang Pinoy is to qualify for the nationals, but the boys and girls played with all their hearts.

"With the Batang Gapo Futsal Program of the Olongapo City conducted by Lighthouse Amihan FC, there is a huge interest in the sport in all of our barangays," he added.

Philippine Futsal Committee (PFC) chair Ismaeil Sedigh said that grassroots program all over the country has been doing very well because of the availability of basketball courts where futsal can be played.

“With the support of LGu’s and Deped, Futsal is now being introduced to youth level such as regional and national game. Futsal will also make a debut in this coming Palarong Pambansa," Sedigh added.

He added that because of increased futsal coaching trainings, the number of teams is also growing.

Futsal is the official 5 vs 5 variation of football, usually played inside basketball courts. It is also a sanctioned sport of International Football Federation (FIFA).

National finals of Batang Pinoy 2013 will be held at Zamboanga City on Nov. 19-23, 2013. Teams that finish 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd from the different leg in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will battle for the National Futsal Youth Championship. David Bayarong

Who will finance Angat Dam rehab?

MALOLOS CITY—Questions on who will finance the long delayed P5.7-Billion rehabilitation of the giant Angat Dam in Bulacan have re-emerged days after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol province in the Visayas.

This came as the National Power Corporation (Napocor) which manages the dam said they still have to receive a copy of the contract signed by the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (Psalm).

Even the provincial government led by Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado is asking for a copy of the said contract noting that Bulakenyos are alarmed by the recent earthquake in Bohol.

“We have reasons to be afraid,” the governor said referring to about 3-Million Bulakenyos and added that in case Angat Dam is damaged by earthquake, Bulakenyos will suffer first.

This is due to possible rush of water from the dam to the Angat River, which was described  to reach up to 30 meters high based on feasibility study conducted by Tonkin and Taylor International about two years ago.

The said study noted that 20 towns and cities in Bulacan will be affected, along with seven towns in Pampanga, and three cities in Metro Manila.

Malacanang took notice of the said scenario and allocated a total of P5.7-B for the remediation of the  Angat Dam, of which, P2.6-B is said to be utilized for installation of  new instruments, while the remaining P3.1 me is intended for the actual rehabilitation.

 

Napocor's Sta. Rita, Vice-Gov. Fernando and Gov. Alvarado.

But a complication came late last year, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of K-Water as the winning bidder in the privatization of the 246 megawatt Angat River Hydroelectric Power Plant.

According to Architect Gerardo Esquivel, administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), part of the  K-Water’s bid contract affirmed by the SC stipulates that it winning bidder will spent money for the rehabilitation of the dam.

The same is the interpretation of ranking Napocor officials like Engineer Rodolfo German of the Arhepp.

He even said in a recent interview that K-Water will also spend an undisclosed amount for the repair and replacement of existing power generating machines of the Arhepp.

However, Napocor President Gladys Sta. Rita said they still to see the copy of the contract between K-Water and Psalm.

She also disclosed that the Philippine government is looking at the possibilities of setting aside the P3.1-B rehabilitation fund thinking that the Koreans will shoulder it once they assume  operation and management of the Arhepp.

While it is not clear who will now finance the rehabilitation and remediation of the Angat dam, millions of Bulakenyos led by Alvarado are living in fear.

“Nakakapangamba ang sitwasyon, nakaamba yung Marikina West Valley Faultline sa Angat Dam na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nasisimulan ang repair,  eh, paano kung gumalaw ang faultline at masira ang dam, eh di tayo ang mapipinsalan,” the governor said..

Alvarado said that Tuesday’s earthquake in Bohol is another wake up call for every concerned government agencies to fast track the repair of the Angat Dam.

Local residents estimates claimed that in case of dam break, about a million Bulakenyos will be killed in the first three hours of the water rush from the dam.

But prolong damage and impact will be in Metro Manila which is dependent on Angat Dam for potable water supply.  Dino Balabo

UP CMC awards 18 fellowships in 17th Graciano Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Workshop on Disaster Reporting

MALOLOS CITY—Eighteen journalists, educators and students including the administrator of Promdi News are this year’s fellows in the 17th Graciano Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Workshop.

This was announced on Sunday by Danilo Arao, associate dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications (UP-CMC) in his blog “Rising Sun.”

Arao is a member of the organizing committee for the 17^th 17th Graciano Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Workshop on Disaster Reporting which will be held at Plaridel Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City from October 13 to 19.

The 14 fellows who are either journalists or educators are Bernardino Balabo ( Promdi News), Jefferson Caparas (TV5), Janess Ann Ellao (Bulatlat.com), Ofelia Empian (Baguio Chronicle), Marvin David Ferraz (Rappler), Charmaine Ivy Hernando (St. Mary’s University), Ainjeliz Orong (The Freeman Newspaper), Carla Padilla (Central Luzon State University [CLSU] and Cabanatuan Herald), Jessa Mardy Polonio (Baguio Chronicle), Rommel Rutor (DYMS Aksyon Radyo), Macey Salabit (Dyaryo Veritas), John Rizle Saligumba (Davao Today), Seymour Sanchez (Far Eastern University) and Divina Suson (DXRJ Iligan).

The four students admitted as fellows are Iza Darlene Cay (Tinig ng Plaridel and Vera Files), Luis Adrian Hidalgo (Tinig ng Plaridel), Candeze Mongaya (Project NOAH and former reporter of Cebu Daily News) and Vince Alvic Nonato (Vera Files). All of them are students of UP CMC.

The 18 fellows were chosen on the basis of their professional background, sample works and story idea for an article they should write during the workshop.

The speakers for the workshop are Prof. Luis Teodoro (Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and former UP CMC dean), Dr. Georgina Encanto (former UP CMC dean), Marites Vitug (Rappler), Ed Lingao (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism), Dr. Diosa Labiste (UP Department of Journalism), Prof. Ma. Gisella Dizon-Reyes (UP College of Law) and Dr. Benito Pacheco (UP College of Engineering).

Grace Morales and Editha Tiamson whose loved ones were victims of the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan Massacre will also speak during the workshop, along with Melanie Pinlac of CMFR. The urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) will help facilitate the field work for the 18 fellows.

Aside from Arao,other members of the organizing committee for the workshop are Dean Roland Tolentino,Department of Journalism Chair Lucia Tangi, former Dean Luis Teodoro, Office of Extension and External Relations (OEER) Director Patrick Campos, Administrative Officer Gina Villegas, Office of Research and Publication staff Alex Tamayo and OEER staff Regina Mendez. CLSU Prof. Ben Domingo is the workshop moderator.

Angat Dam break simulation study, inaccurate?

MALOLOS CITY—Inaccuracies in the conduct of feasibility study in Angat Dam could result in catastrophic event.

This is part of the of a Bulakenyo dam safety expert who conducted analysis on the six month feasibility study conducted by an international consultant for the P5.7-Billion rehabilitation of the Angat Dam.

The bidding for the rehabilitation of the dam is likely to be held before the end of the year.

Engineer Roderick Dela Cruz cited simulation conducted by Tonkin and Taylor International on possible dam break.

He said that simulation showed that towns of Pulilan, Plaridel, Baliag, Calumpit and the City of Malolos will be inundated by five to 10 meters deep flood, while in Hagonoy and Paombong, a meter deep flood will inundate both towns.

Comparing said data in two flood events in Bulacan, Dela Cruz said that the simulation on possible dam break is inaccurate.

He said that in 2011, over a meter deep flood inundated Hagonoy when Angat Dam release about 1,000 cubic meters per second (cms) of water into Angat River at the height of typhoon Pedring.

In October 1978, Hagonoy town was inundated by at six to seven feet deep flood inundated  Bulacan when Angat Dan released 5,000 cms at the height of typhoon Kading.

Based on records, Angat Dam have the capacity to store at least 800-Million cubic meters of water.

Dela Cruz said that in case of a dam break, all that water could rush out and it will not only cause five to 10 meters deep flood in the towns of Plaridel, Pulilan Calumpit and Malolos.

Based on his estimates, the Tonkin and Taylor simulation study have a 20 meter plus or minus inaccuracy.

“Its good if the outcome will result into minus 20 meter inaccuracy, but what if it is on the plus 20 meter inaccuracy,” he said noting that abovementioned town will be inundated by at 25 to 30 meter deep flood.

As a dam safety expert managing 82 dams in the United States, Dela Cruz stressed that providing accurate data in preparation for disaster is crucial.

This is due to the fact that people depends on information government by officials, and prepare themselves based on it.

“What if people prepare for a 10 meter deep flood, when a 20 meter flood is coming, they will have nowhere to go,” he said.

Dela Cruz also scored the lack of site specific seismic study on the Angat Dam.

“I understand their situation, they were given six months to conduct a feasibility study,” he said noting that the time given is just not enough for a more comprehensive study on the dam.

With regards to country’s preparedness on possible dam break, he said that the country still have no national dam safety program or an approve dam safety law.

He said that the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia that still do not have a dam safety legislation.

Earlier this year, Vietnam passed their own version of dam safety law.

Dela Cruz said that lack a national dam safety program increases risk of dam failure in the country.

This is due to the absence of available financing for the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of dam structures, along with lack of single accountable authority on dam safety.

He also said that it also entails lack of emergency preparedness and public awareness on how to deal with possibilities  dam break.  Dino Balabo

Bulacan Gov bats for pork-free gov’t

MALOLOS CITY—Amid the pork barrel scam faced by lawmakers, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado offered a way out by proposing the shift to a “pork-free” government. In his speech before thousands who attended the commemoration of the 115th anniversary of the opening of the Malolos Congress here on Sunday, Alvarado said it is about time the country considered a shift to a parliamentary form of government. 

He explained that the first Philippine Government created by the Malolos Congress 115 years ago was a unicameral parliamentary government. “For decades we have seen and experienced a presidential form of government with bicameral Congress, and we end up in pork barrel controversy,” he said in an interview.

Alvarado added that controversial pork barrel scam will be totally eliminated noting that budget will be allocated in government institutions that will implement programs and projects.

“It will be a pork-free government because programs and projects will be implemented according to approved plans,” Alvarado said.

He said that cabinet secretaries in a parliamentary form of government will actually come from the parliament.

“We can strengthen our government institutions by changing our form of government from bicameral to unicameral parliamentary,” he said.

As this developed, Senate President Franklin Drilon said that they have not consider possibilities of a charter change. He said that it may not be time for charter change because the government is still facing many problems like the pork barrel scam and Zamboanga crisis.

However, Drilon said that decision for charter change depends on the people. “Let’s have the people to decide on what form of government they want,” he said in Filipino.

Drilon was here as guest speaker in the commemoration of the 115th anniversary of the opening of the Malolos Congress at the historic Barasoain Church. The said congress was convened and opened by the late President Emilio Aguinaldo on September 15, 1898, and gave birth to the first Philippine Republic on January 23,1899.

The said republic is considered as the first democratic republic to be established in Asia.  Dino Balabo

Secrets of outstanding Bulakenyos revealed

DANGAL NG LIPI (seated, from left with trophy) Engineer Roderick Dela Cruz (Bulakenyo expatriate), retired police Chief Supt. Enrico Salapong (Professional), Gregoria Simbulan (Trade and industy), Ma. Susana “Toots” Ople (Public service), Denisa Reyes (Culture and Arts), Dr. Flaviana Hilario (Science and Technology), Engineer Francisco Duran (Community service) (Dr. Allan De Guzman (Education), and representative of Vincent “Chot” Reyes (Sports). Not in picture are Secretary Mar Roxas (Tanging Dangal ng Lipi) and Dr. Alberto De Leon for health category.

MALOLOS CITY—We love what we do. 

This was how Susana “Toots” Ople summarized the secret of awardees in the annual Dangal ng Lipi, the highest recognition given by the provincial government to outstanding Bulakenyos.

As one of the 11 awardees on Sunday night, Ople, the youngest daughter of the late statesman Blas F. Ople, said advocacies pursued by fellow awardees are neither a job nor a burden to bear.

“It is part of our mission in life, a vocation, an extension of our humanity and a mirror of us as a Bulakenyo,” she said in Filipino as she delivered an impromptu speech in response after the awarding.

As president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center that assists overseas Filipino workers especially victims of human trafficking, the young Ople said they pursued their advocacies without wanting anything in return.

However, she was thankful that what they are doing gets noticed, stressing that it is always sweeter to receive recognition from one’s own province. In behalf of Dangal ng Lipi awardees, the young Ople offered their services saying that they are willing to help the province as part of the provincial government’s council of advisers based on every awardee’s field of expertise.

Other awardees like Engineer Roderick Dela Cruz, a dam safety expert based in the United States said he is also willing to share his expertise. Dela Cruz received the award in the expatriate Bulakenyo category.

At present, Dela Cruz is planning to conduct an independent comprehensive flood study in his hometown of Hagonoy which suffers perennial flooding. Other Dangal ng Lipi awardees for this year are retired Chief Supt. Enrico Salapong of Bulakan (Professional), Gregoria Simbulan of Baliwag (trade and industry), Denisa Reyes of Calumpit (arts and culture), Dr. Flaviana Hilario of Guiguinto (science and technology), Dr. Alberto De Leon of Baliwag (health), Dr. Allan De Guzman of Baliwag (education), Vincent “Chot” Reyes of Malolos City (sports), Secretary Mar Roxas (Tanging Dangal ng Lipi), and Engineer Francisco Duran of San Rafael (community service).

Of the 11 awardees, Roxas and Reyes did not make it to the awards night as Roxas is busy with the Zamboanga crisis, while Reyes is guiding Gilas Pilipinas Basketball team in tune up games abroad.