NEW CLARK CITY BREAKS GROUND IN TARLAC
CAPAS, Tarlac: The National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) – the Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s (BCDA) most ambitious project to date – broke ground on Tuesday for the construction of the New Clark City (NCC) here. The P13.16-billion NGAC Phase 1A 200-hectare project is located within the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Capas and Bamban towns inTarlac. To be constructed first is a world- class sports complex with an aquatic and athletics center that will be a venue for sports events, especially in the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games on the last quarter of 2019. The stadium will have a seating capacity of 20,000 while the aquatic center will have 2,000. Once completed, the project’s Phase 1B will follow for the construction of additional government office buildings and housing units with support service facilities on a 20-hectare land, including small- scale retail facilities like banks, health centers and hotels. The NGAC is envisioned to house satellite offices of various government agencies for future development. It features an Integrated Operations and Disaster Risk and Recovery Center that will serve as back-up facility to provide continuous business and service from the national government. Vivencio Dizon, BCDA president and chief executive officer, said the project’s beginning is a manifestation of the slow but sure movement of economic activity in the area that will spur growth and ensure the country’s stability.
DOTR LAUNCHES PUV MODERNIZATION IN TACLOBAN
THE initial implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program was done in Tacloban City, Leyte on Wednesday with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) rolling out new e-jeepneys in missionary routes in the city. LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra 3rd said the new e-jeepneys have dash cameras, CCTV cameras and automatic fare collection system. The missionary routes cover: Route A – New transport terminal to Tagpuro and vice versa ( 14 kilometers), which services the housing sites of Villa Sofia, Sangyaw Village, and New Hope Village; Route B – New transport terminal to New Kawayan and vice versa ( 12kms), serving Villa Diana, North Hill Arbours, Guadalupe Heights, Greendale Subdivision and Saint Francis Village; Route C – New transport terminal to Cabalawan and vice versa ( 8 kms), serving Ridgeview Subdivision, UNDP housing site, Lions Ville and Knightsridge. Three franchises with 15 units each were opened for each route, providing 45 units for the new missionary routes.
2 SOLDIERS KILLED, 2 HURT IN KALINGA ENCOUNTER
GAMU, Isabela: Two Philippine Army soldiers were killed while two others were wounded in an encounter with the New People’s Army ( NPA) rebels in Barangay Ba- ay, Pinukpok town of Kalinga. Killed were Corporal Jeather Lancay of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan and Private 1st Class ( Pfc) Edward Bonggat of Tabuk City, Kalinga. Wounded were Staff Sergeant Virgilio Jacinto and Pfc. Keaven Macaiba. They were assigned at the 50th Infantry Battalion ( IB) based in Pinukpuk town in Kalinga under the 5th Infantry Division ( 5ID) based here. Lt. Col. Martin Daiz Jr., 50IB commanding officer, said his troops responded on a tip by the civilians on the presence of the communist terrorists conducting extortion activities among the villagers that led to the clash for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Brigadier General Perfecto Rimando Jr., 5ID commanding general, has ordered the immediate evacuation of the wounded soldiers and the conduct of pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels.
RETIRED POLICEMAN SHOT DEAD
TABUK CITY, Kalinga: A retired policeman tending his riprap project was shot dead by two assailants in Sitio Luyucan, Barangay Lacnog here last Tuesday. Tabuk police identified the victim as Johnny Adaol, 58, of Purok 2, Bulanao who retired from the police force four years ago. Police investigators said Adaol was cleaning the site of his riprap project when the suspects approached and shot him at close range. Four spent shells and two slugs of caliber 45 pistol were recovered from the crime scene.
DOTR ALLOCATES P60M MORE FOR SOUTHERN NEGROS AIRPORT
BACOLOD CITY: An additional P60 million has been allocated by the Department of Transportation ( DoTr) for the runway improvement of Kabankalan airport in Negros Occidental. Mayor Isidro Zayco said the amount is in addition to the P30 million earmarked last year by DoTr for the runway concreting, making it a total P90 million coming from the national government. He said the city government has been working for the realization of the airport for several years now. The development of the 105- hectare airport which stated in 2007 is financed by the city government of Kabankalan. The provincial government also allocated P30 million for the airport, while the city government approved a P50 million budget for it. Kabankalan, the biggest city outside of the capital Bacolod, is considered the gateway to various tourist sites in southern Negros with its strategic location.