GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—At the struck of 12:01 for the new year 2011, new toll fee rates were also implemented at the 85-km North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Balintawak to Sta. Ines, officials of the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) which manages the speed highway confirmed Thurdsay.
Marlene Ochoa, vice president for corporate communications of MNTC, defended the new toll increase as only toll rate adjustment with only a very minimal 11.8 percent increase from the current rates will be lower than the opening rates in 2005.
Today’s minimum toll for class 1 vehicles is at P41 from P36 compared to P42 when the NLEX re-opened under MNTC-TMC sister companies both under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation new management in 2005.
The previous P64 Tabang toll to Balintawak Plaza is now at P72 for class 1 vehicles. Balintawak to Sta. Ines for class 1 vehicles is at a new rate of P195.
Ochoa at a patch phone interview at the Traffic Management Corporation (TMC) office here said the MNTC made the upward adjustment for the first time since it opened six years ago.
She said the January 2007 toll rates went down by 11. 6 percent and the July 2008 toll rates further went down from the previous 2007 rates by 3.1 percent.
At the NLEX booth toll plazas in Balintawak and Bocaue where this reporter entered Thursday, notices of the new toll rates to be effective January 1, 2011 were all up and posted.
Benigno Valles, senior manager for corporate communications of TMC said the new rate notice had been long announced and advised to the public.
Ochoa said the new toll rate is based on provisional authority given to them by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and will be implemented while a public hearing will also be conducted.
She said the toll being collected is worth because of the high quality services being offered and returned to all motorists using the NLEX because.
She said the highway is smooth and there is no area with holes and that can cause traffic.
She said recent road traffic and safety improvement facilities acquired such as accordion type accident impact reducer, lane management vehicle and intervention vehicles further completes the good services returned to the motorists.
Valles said the volumes of traffic this Holiday Season especially those motorists going to North have already increased from 10-15 percent but NLEX personnel have not encountered long piles of vehicles in any of its toll booth.
He said the entry record of vehicles this Christmas has set the highest record of 201,000 compared to the highest so far in the past years of only 199,000. However, the highest transaction was recorded last All Saint’s Day.
Despite the said volume of motorists that used the NLEX this Holiday Season which they also expect to further go up this New Year, Valles said, no major accidents have occurred and no volume of traffic was recorded.
“All are smooth flow, there was no problem area except for the Bocaue section near the stores of fireworks,” he told NEWS CORE.
He said only self accidents of blown tires.
He said the motorists did not take the NLEX in bulk at once time but have scattered times of undergoing their long trips home that’s why there was no heavy volume felt at one time despite an already increased up to almost 20,000 in the numbers of vehicles that have travelled this Christmas Season compared to regular days.
He said the Intervention Vehicles and four Lane Management Vehicles roaming along the NLEX help guide and warn motorists of possible road abuses and shortcomings that can lead to accidents.
He added the opening of the Mindanao Avenue Link also eases up traffic along Balintawak toll plaza.
Francisco Dagohoy, Information officer of TMC said they are expecting a heavy turn of traffic come January 2 and 3 when the vacation is over and motorists are gear back to Metro Manila that’s why they release advisories for the motorists to take extra precautionary measures to avoid accidents.
Dagohoy said they are advising drivers to have enough rest and sleep so that they will not fall sleepy while on the wheels.

BOCAUE, Bulacan—The fireworks industry glittered in 2010 after it set a record of last minute good sales despite government anti-fireworks bombardment and official of pyrotechnic association in the country attributed the silver lining shine in the business on Filipinos new found hope for better lives under the leadership of President Aquino.
Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) said they have already forecasted that sales will go up due to the new found hope and prosperity brought about by the ascendency of Mr. Aquino as the new leader of our country.
Cristy Magaling, owner of Ace Fireworks at a pyro-zone in Barangay Turo going to Gov. F. Halili road here said many of them were amazed on the tremendous sales starting on December 26 where most of them recorded a sales of P200-P300,000 a day.
“Lahat kami dito mahina ang P200,000 na benta kada araw simula nung December 26. May P300,000 pa na benta dito at mas malaki pa. Nagtuloy tuloy na ang magandang benta na iyon hanggang noong December 31. Iyon naman ang dasal namin” Magaling said.
Magaling who engaged in the fireworks retail business in time for New Year sales for the first time said she and her partner is most likely to venture in the same work next year due to good profit and earning they’ve experienced.
Tony Dinglasan which firecracker store within the pyro zone exploded in 2007 had already run out of stock during the 24-hour last minute sales because of regular customers that came in including new buyers from Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
His son’s store, the first along the piles of stores in the pyro-zone area had a jump packed of buyers and have to attend and accommodate all of them even just a couple of hours before the welcome fete for of New Year.
The two admitted good sales this year compared to previous years but could not immediately give an estimate of the amount of sales and earning they had.
The fireworks store owned by Police Supt. Manuel Lukban, next after the Dinglasan’s and Magaling also followed in the trend of good last minute sales.
Celso Enriquez, owner of Unistar Fireworks in the other wing of Turo going to Bocaue town proper also said they started to feel the kick in the sales on Sunday because it is the traditional start of the good sales in the industry every Yuletide Season.
But he said, compare to previous years, sales for this year is far low.
He expressed sentiment over the lost of his huge sales from his regular in Makati City after usage of firecracker in a village there was banned by the city local government due to a gas leak to avoid any accidental explosions.
Cruz said the new found hope and prospect of good lives ahead under a new leader in Malacanang drove many Filipinos to celebrate new year and patronage firecracker products despite series of attacks by various government agencies.
“Gusto ng mga Filipino mag celebrate ng new year kasi may pag-asa kay PNoy na umasenso ang buhay ng marami sa atin,” Cruz who co-founded the PPMDAI in 1993, the following year after RA 8173, the laws that allows the manufacture, sale and distribution of fireworks had been passed told NEWS CORE.
He said as experienced on the night of December 31, people started lighting fireworks as early as 9pm in Metro Manila and lasted up to 1am.
The excitement and eagerness of the people in cracking and lighting fireworks, Cruz said came amidst Department of Health (DOH) “Iwas Paputok” campaign, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Product Standard (PS) seal inspection, close tax monitoring by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), police raid and similar fire safety inspection by the Bureau of Fire Protection and the banning of sale and usage in some local governments in Metro Manila and some provinces.
Joven Ong, president of Dragon Fireworks Inc., also a member of the PPMDAI supported Cruz claim on the positive attitude of many Filipinos these days that favored the industry. “There is truth in that. People when optimistic tend to celebrate and thus spend more on fireworks,” he said.
But, Vimie Erise, president of PPMDAI despite the beam of success in the industry sales in 2010 expressed sadness and frustration there are still numerous individuals particularly children who were victimized of firecracker related incidents during the welcome celebration of the new year.
Erise said it is always the industry that is being blamed because of the said accidents but it is the responsibility of the parents of the children to guide or not allow their kids from cracking fireworks during new year’s celebration.
Erise said the more than half a billion worth fireworks industry in the country can further grow if all government and public sector efforts will be geared toward fully accepting and acknowledging the industry and pushing hard for an individual’s safety use campaign.
She said it is really the information campaign on safely usage and cracking of firecracker and pyrotechnic products which should be the focus of the government agencies rather than continuously attacking them.
According to Erise, the opposition and contradiction approach of the government to the industry even make people more eager to buy and crack fireworks.
“Ang mga Filipino ganyan, habang pinagbabawalan, lalong nanggigigil at hindi tuloy nakakaganda sa industriya,” she said.
She said for 2011, the PPMDAI will dwell on massive information campaign on safety usage of firecracker products.
Erise said the government should also rather concentrate on banning and strictly preventing the smuggling of imported products from China which include piccolo in order to better implement a zero-firecracker accident for the new year’s fete.
Piccolo, according to the DOH is one of the most toxic deadliest firecracker product that have victimized many Filipinos particularly children.
Lukban also blamed the swamping of the said low priced smuggled items from China as what have caused the sales not to have fully comprehended.
Lukban said the good sales were only recorded on the last six days, but before that, his sales has dropped to almost 50% because of the said smuggled products that were favored by buyers and also because of business competition as new stores and retail outlets have sprouted in time for the new year sale.
“Nag-drop to almost 50% masyado kasi dumami ang nagbebenta kaya ang prices ay hindi nagawang tumaas. Lumaki ang competition at masyadong maraming items na galing China na bagsak presyo. Generally, masyadong marami products ang lumabas sa market, malaki ang naging kita ng suppliers pero ang store retailers ay humina ang kita dahil lumakas at dumami ang competitions,” he said.

CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan— A member of sexy female dance group Baywalk Bodies was found dead with a gunshot wound in the head just after the north bound lane of the Tabang toll exit of the North Luzon Expressway in Guiguinto town early morning on Wednesday, belated report reaching this camp said on Saturday.
Police identified the victim as Rejoice Rivera, 26, a native of Malolos City.
Rivera whose real name is Dianne Marie Santos was found lying lifeless at the shoulder and emergency lane of the NLEX in the said area at about 3:45 am on Dec. 29 with a gunshot wound on her temple, Guiguinto police investigators reported.
Police said the victim was found wearing a gray shirt and maong short pants. Her wallet and mobile phone were missing.
Rivera was positively identified by relatives at the morgue of a local funeral parlour in Malolos City.
Nieves Santos, mother of the victim, said she had her last communication with her daughter on December 28 telling her that somebody will fetch her at her apartment in Quezon City.
It was also learned that somebody had earlier sent the victim a gift package but she did not accept it.
The family of the victim are in a state of shock and are clueless on the victim’s death.
They said Rejoice, second of three Santos siblings, was the breadwinner in the family. They also claimed that Rejoice is a kind and happy person and has no known enemy.
Bulacan police director Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva said the Guiguinto police is still investigating the case.
Villanueva said they have yet to establish if the victim was a victim of summary execution and was just dumped near the Tabang toll gate or somebody shot her on her head.
Villanueva said they are looking into all possible angles and motives in the discovery of the dead body of the young beautiful dancer-celebrity with a gun shot wound on her head.

CITY OF MALOLOS—A woman from this city had died of watusi and piccolo ingestion on Christmas Eve, reports from officials and kin of the victim said on Monday.
Dr. Joy Gomez, provincial public health officer of Bulacan identified the victim as Evelyn Faustino, 44, a resident of Purok 3, of Barangay Mojon this City and a fish ball vendor near the Bulacan Medical Center here.
Gomez said based on the details from 566, a Bulacan emergency response office stationed at the provincial capitol grounds, the victim was a victim of piccolo ingestion last Dec. 24 and was rushed at the Bulacan Medical Center.
She was later transferred to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) where she died.
Her son Brian Faustino confirmed on Monday that her mother died past 2am on Christmas Day at the PGH.
But, Dr. Protacio Bajao, BMC Director belied to NEWS CORE the victim died of piccolo ingestion and said the possible cause of death was watusi ingestion.
He said based on interview to the victim while the resident-doctors of BMC were treating her, she admitted taking in watusi.
According to the victim’s son, her mother went to public market in Malolos earlier that day and bought watusi and piccolo.
When she went back home around 12 noon, she locked herself up inside her room and told them not to disturb her whoever may even look for her.
At about 4pm, she left their house and went to her neighbors and friends for some drinking spree.
Brian said her mother was eating ponkan fruit while walking bound to their neighbor’s house.
Brian said it was at the drinking spree place where her mother pee on her clothes where she was sitting and where she fell unconscious.
She was immediately rushed at BMC and was later transferred at PGH where she later expired past 2am on Christmas Day.
Brian said they saw the room of her mother with scattered pieces of piccolo, watusi and an open can of fruit cocktail. Although they did not see her on the act of taking in the piccolo and watusi, Brian said they suspected their mother placed some of the powder chemicals of the said explosive products on the fruit cocktail she was eating.
Supt. Baltazar Mamaril, chief of police of this city said based on investigation they conducted Monday afternoon, said that they learned that the victim who is facing huge financial problem in their family intentionally made in takes of piccolo.

BOCAUE, Bulacan—From famous personalities, colloquial names of some firecracker products made a present switch to names of programs on TV.
There are no more “Goodbye Gloria” fireworks, a huge five star that are prohibited and secretly and illegally sold. This item was being sneaked in last year in time for the last term of former President Gloria Arroyo from Malacanang.
The “Goodbye Gloria” was patterned to “Goodbye Philippines” and “Bin Laden” firecracker products made as fun names for huge bang crackers following the World Trade Bombing incident in the United States 2001.
“Trillanes” another huge and illegally sold firecracker item surfaced in 2007 and was named after Senator Antonio Trillanes, after the infamous Oakwood mutiny where he led a group of soldiers in seizing the said Makati hotel using combat explosive vehicles.
These items are bring explicitly sold to buyers who would whisper their demand for such products.
Celso Enriquez, owner of Unistar fireworks here said during previous interviews that he only have heard of those items but are not selling them because those are illegal and can be considered already as destructive.
Enriquez said, as far as he knew, those items can already destroy window glass when cracked at a near distance.
In 2007, a resident of Quezon City who went home to his native place in Barangay Maysantol in Bulakan town secretly brought pieces of Trillanes and cracked them in their backyard. At a five meters distance, the impact of the explosion left a tremor effect and some glass windows of a nearby house to be destroyed and shattered.
This year, only a handful of these very strong impact fireworks can be sneaked in and bought.
What are openly being sold are the legal products aerial and medium bang fireworks named after television programs “It’s Show Time,” and “Pinoy Big Brother”.
Mark Eleogo, a part time newly hired additional store attendant at a fireworks store here said the “Its Show
Time” is a 16-shot or sixteen times to crack aerial pyrotechnic (pailaw) type of fireworks while the “Pinoy Big brother” is a large kweaton or kuwitis type firework imported from Europe.
Eleogo said manufacturers named the large kweaton as “Pinoy Big Brother” because it is where the show originated.
“Bukod dun, kasi malaki, parang si kuya, malaki, kaya iyon daw ang itinawag ng mga gumagawa ng paputok sa kalse na ito,” he said.
“It’s Show Time” costs P650.00 and the “Pinoy Big Brother” costs P350.00.
Bayani Sayo, president of Bocaue fireworks manufacturers and dealers association said it has been a tradition among manufacturers to name their products to famous personalities and events now shows on TV to make the products more saleable and appealing to the buyers.
“Nakasanayan na ng mga gumagawa na ipangalan sa mga sikat na tao, bagay at pangyayari lalo na yung may kinalaman sa mga sumasabog o pumuputok na bagay, ina-associate ang paputok doon kasi para lalong maging mabili,” he said.
Sayo said, manufacturers not only do that to sale the products but also out of fun for the industry.
Enriquez earlier said it is usually the people who are asking for the stronger impact or effect types of fireworks which also trigger the manufacturers to make or come out with such types of products to give satisfaction to the demand of the buyers.
A bigger five star is called pla-pla, the next bigger in size is called “kabase”. Pla-pla is St. peter’s fish (huge tilapia) and kabase is much bigger type of fish. Both these products are prohibited.
Eleogo said they also sell “Bandila” (a flag type of fireworks after the late night news program of Channel 2) and a heart shape firework they named as “Kapuso” named after channel 7.
“It’s Show Time” and “Pinoy Big Brother” are both TV programs of channel 2.

NEW BILIBID PRISON, Muntinlupa City—Fireworks officials in the country gave love this Christmas as they offered a free fireworks show to the employees and inmates of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) New Bilibid Prison (NBP) here on Dec. 23 despite series of bombardments by different government agencies downplaying the firecracker industry in the country.
Vimie Erise, president of Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) which factory is located in this town sponsored in behalf of her group a 15-minute fireworks show for the benefit of the low-income earning BuCor employees and the close to 20,000 inmates at the NBP.
Erise who herself experienced police raids and harassment at her factory said anti-fireworks industry efforts being made by many government agencies like the PNP, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Health does not prevent her and the PPMDAI in extending love and offering to personnel of other government agency which they can bring smiles on their faces and make this Holiday Season a little happier for them.
The PPMDAI official found the more reason to offer the worth P80,000 worth of fireworks show knowing the inmates at the NBP, many of which have been gone away from their families in their native places in Visayas and Mindanao for 10 to 30 years and have not seen or personally experience to watch a fireworks show.
“Hindi lang mga empleyado ng BuCor and napangiti natin kahit sandal dahil sa makukulay at maliliwanag na fireworks aerial show na ginawa natin, lalo’t higit ang mga bilanggo sa New Bilibid Prison na alam nating malulungkot dahil marami sa kanila ang halos ay nakalimutan na ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at hindi man lang sila nadadalaw ilang Pasko at Bagong Taon na ang nagdaan,” Erise told NEWS CORE.
The all aerial fireworks show was held at the open space parking foreground of the BuCor immediately just after the employees and officials Christmas party.
The inmates at the Maximum Security Compound and at the Medium Security Compound in Camp Sampaguita watched the glittering skies in front of the BuCor office while still kept inside the walls of their respective compounds.
Armando Miranda, Chief Penal Superintendent in the NBP allowed the inmates at the Maximum Security Compound to stay outside their respective dormitories inside walls and gates of their compound to watch the fireworks.
The inmates are 40-250 meters distance away depending on the location of their dormitories from where the foreground parking site is where the aerial show was staged.
Alex Delos Reyes an inmate at Dorm 9-A said he had to keep his head upward looking at the skies for about 15-minutes so that he would not miss a bit of second of variety of huge the colorful and bright lights and loud fireworks sound.
Miranda said the fireworks show brought some mode of joy both to the employees and the inmates.
Miranda said BuCor employees who are only earning meager income seemed to have already celebrated the welcoming of New Year through the fireworks offering of the PPMDAI without spending money for the fireworks out of their already short budget for their families.
Many among the employees also brought along with them their children to watch the aerial show.
Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI however said that the series of various government agency’s bombardment on fireworks industry would not deter the numbers of accidents during the welcome fete for New Year. Cruz said the safety consumer usage of firecrackers and fireworks should be the responsibility of the community, the local government, the parents especially for the children cracking pyrotechnic products.”How can we prevent children from using fireworks when they are so interested and amazed with the light, fire and sounds”.
The annual New Year celebration firecracker related incidents toll bears children as leading victims.
RA 7183, authored by former rep. Vicente Rivera of the Second District of Bulacan was implemented into law in 1992.
PPMDAI with members from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao was formed in 1993 where Cruz was the founding vice president.
Bayani Sayo, president of the Bocaue Fireworks Manufacturers and Dealers Association said there are still some dealers in his group who failed to acquire products with PS marks from manufacturers causing them to be frightened of the DTI inspection.
But he said, he asked the DTI officials in Bulacan to just let go of them sell the products this time as a Christmas gift to his members with the assurance all the products they will have PS marks or made by manufacturers who have fully complied with the law and procedures on standard safety.
Sayo and his members have been vocal in saying they only borrowed from lending investors the huge capital they had to sell fireworks today and any hampering to their supposed continuous smooth sale would result to them of not able to raise the sufficient money to pay their debts.
Zorrina Aldana, DTI head in Bulacan who conducted the inspection of stores in Bocaue three weeks ago said their target of verification if products bear PS seal or marks are the manufacturers and the way to find them out is through inspection of fireworks stalls.
Joven Ong, president of Dragon Fireworks Inc., also a member of the PPMDAI who also donated product for the aerial show said the DTI has the regular mandate to check for the PS mark of the products just like the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) checking on taxes, the DOH public safety and the PNP and should not be taken into bad light by some members in the industry.
Ong who said that his firm is the only Filipino company so far to have the highest International Certification ISO 9001:2008 and all its pyrotechnic products to have a PS mark said they are eyeing an expanded export destination of Dragon products to more countries next year.
It was the second year that Bulacan offered a free fireworks show at the NBP. Last year, Gov. Joselito Mendoza, now congressman of the third district of Bulacan sponsored the free fireworks display.

CITY OF MALOLOS—The picturesque of Barasoain Church here, a shining emblem and pride of the Bulakenyo race has finally been back in our Philippine peso denomination after church and government officials and residents joined together and lobbied for its return.
The church picturesque is at the lower center and right side of former President Diosdado Macapagal, the late father of former President Gloria Arroyo in the new P200 peso bill that will be released this month by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Monsignor Angel Santiago, parish priest of Barasoain Church who initiated in 2007 the clamor and efforts to bring back the picturesque of Barasoain Church in our currency denomination to keep a continuous recall of the significance of the religious site in our history and culture expressed so much joy that his hardships bear good fruits.
He told NEWS CORE Sunday, he is so happy because all the efforts he did with the big help from the people and other Bulacan officials has finally gave back to Barasoain Church the honor and prestige it all deserves.
Santiago said the history that was made at the Barasoain Church more than 100 years ago where nationalist residents gathered and formed the Malolos Congress that gave birth to the Malolos Constitution and the First Philippine Republic is the same church and estate unity principle all for the good of the populace which they all similarly participated today was what brought back the church image
He said the Barasoain Church and its picturesque return to our country current denomination continue to become an epitome of the good working relationship between the church and the estate.
“Once again, a good relationship between the church and estate yield good results for the people.”
Santiago said after the signatures were gathered, Rep. Marivic Sy-Alvarado of the first district of Bulacan brought this in Congress, in Malacanang and at the BSP and made a strong lobby.
“Ang simbahan ay talagang kabahagi sa pulitikal na aspeto ng lipunan, isang patunay dito ang naging papel ng Barasoain Church. Hindi naman talaga dapat magkasalungat ang mga paniniwala at prinsipyo ng simbahan at ng pamahalaan. Church and estate is like a bicycle with two wheels, the first one in front is the government and the second one at the back is the church, both working together for the people which they lead and govern,” the priest said.
In July 2007, the priest launched a signature campaign where more than 10,000 residents from Bulacan including tourists who enter the church affixed their signatures.
For the past several years, the previous P10.00 paper currency which largely bears at its back portion the picturesque of the said church has been phased out totally and was replaced by a P10.00 coin.
Based on his research, Santiago said the P10.00 bill where the Barasoain Church was placed made its first print out and release by the BSP in 1968,
The priest who had just been assigned in Barasoain when he made such initiative in 2007 has just arrived in the country for such assignment given by the Malolos Diocese after long years of assignment in a church in New Jersey, USA.
He said he took as on of his priorities the said signature campaign to win their cause of having the
picture of the Barasoain Church re-printed again in the Philippine peso bill.
“The people are starting to lose a sense of nationalism and history, a nation’s currency system
ought to help bring them back, but with the phasing out of the Barasoain Church in our P10.00 bill, the
Central Bank of the Philippines, further caused that sense of nationalism and history among Filipinos to
deteriorate.”
“Sayang naman, hindi na makikita ng mga tao lalo na ng mga kabataan ang mga kaganapang iyan sa araw araw nilang buhay kapag tuluyan nang di ibabalik sa ating pera ang larawan ng Barasoain Church, dapat lang nating pagtulung-tulungan na maibalik ito, ito ang isa sa pinakamayamang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas,” he said.
Mayor Christian Natividad, of this city told NEWS CORE that the first thing they will do on Monday morning is to the go to BSP to thank its officials and ask if possible for a sample of the new P200 bill for official recognition and highlight here in Malolos City.
Natividad, 33, who is a lawyer and the youngest Mayor of Bulacan filed a bill at the provincial board during his term in 2007 as board member that asked the BSP to re-include the picturesque of the Barasoain Church in any Philippine paper currency denomination.
A Bulacan provincial government resolution out of what he filed was also brought before the BSP.

BALAGTAS, Bulacan—If there is anyone other than the moneyed culprits who may have earned huge money from selling to antique shops the numbers of bells they steal from many churches and chapels in the province, it is the source of the replacement, the bell makers.
Virgilio Nicolas, 61, owner of N.R. Metalcraft in Barangay Panginay this town said their sales suddenly increase following the series of bell stealing cases in the towns of Bocaue, Balagtas, Bulakan, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Obando and the cities of San Jose del Monte and Malolos.
His shop, he said have sold at least 5-7 bells at P20,000 to P22,000 each of their regular size bronze-made bells to different churches and chapels in Bulacan following the series of stealing incidents from August up to last month to “Nag-uuna unahan kami sa pagkalembang. Nang marinig ng mga tao ang kalembang, sigawan sila at tuwang tuwa naglapitan dito sa bisita at tinitingnan ang bagong kampana at sinasabi nila may kampana na kami, may kampana na kami at isa isa ng nagmadali maghanda para magsimba,” Lacsamana said.
Munsayac said they still need to raise P11,000 to complete the payment for the 20,000 bell they had ordered as replacement to their more than 100 years old bell still missing after it was robbed on Nov. 8.
“We had a meeting, we decided to acquire a new bell in time for the Simbang Gabi, so donations started coming in from devotees here until we have raised some P9,000. We used this money for the purchase of a new bell. However, we are still in need of the same amount to pay our remaining balance to the bell maker. We hope anybody who has a good heart and extra cash can help us have that amount so that we can fully pay our obligation,” Munsayac told Inquirer inside Culianin chapel on Friday night.
She said she wanted to complete the payment of the bell before the new year starts.
Lacsamana said a political rift between the newly elected and the previous barangay captain in their place last October barangay election triggered a loose in the guarding of the chapel and its bell by village watchmen in their place.
The village hall is just few steps distance to Culianin chapel.
According to Lacsamana, their chapel is always jump packed despite the Roman Catholic members have the least in number in their village compared to Aglipay Church members, Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), Born Again and Dating Daan followers.
Mang Joy Galvez, 59, chapel’s kampanero for five years after succeeding his father who had been the lifetime kampanero said his joy can not be completed because he still misses the bell his father had been ringing for years.
“Hindi kasing ganda noong dati ang tunog, Matinis yung dati at malayo talaga ang nararating ng tunog o kalembang, ito hindi malayo ang nararating. Hindi kami ganoong kasaya, hinahanap pa rin namin ang dati, pero dahil wala naman kaming magagawa, pwede na rin itong bagong palit,” he said.
According to Lacsamana, their stolen bell which was already in the chapel since 1898 and had been put up there since under the care of during the time of the grand mother of her husband who was the care taker of their chapel then is believed to have a mixture of gold that’s why that sounds better when being rang.
The bell is also being rang to signal to residents if Angat dam officials release water and it is time for them to evacuate.
Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Bulacan Police Director earlier included the town of Obando and the City of San Jose del Monte as other chapels whose bells were stolen.
Fernando totaled to 6 the number of bells stolen in the province based on reports that reached the respective offices of the police.
Fr. Rolando de Leon, parish priest of Marilao town however totaled to 12 the churches and chapels in Bulacan which bells have been stolen this year.
Villanueva blamed the parish parishioners and chapel and churches care takers of not reporting the lost bell to the police station or reporting them late. He said some of them made a late reporting to the police of the incidents of stolen bells.
Mons. Angel Santiago, parish priest of Barasoain Church said the series of bell robberies is very alarming.
He suspect a syndicated group that sells the bells in high prices to antique shops in Metro Manila and other places could be behind the stolen bell incidents.
Villanueva said they have checked on different junks shops, antique shops and even on the internet to find out if there were bells sold but they have yet to found and recover any of them.
According to Munsayac, the bells that were stolen mostly were snatched from chapels and churches in Bulacan which patron saint is Sto. Rosario.
She said one of those stolen in Guiguinto is a more than 200 year old bell.

SIYUDAD NG MALOLOS— Tinanghal bilang isa sa sampung Juror’s Choice sa katatapos lang na painting competition na inilunsad ng Philippine Air Force (PAF) ang obra ng founder ng Bulacan PNP Crime Laboratory Office at naging kauna-unahang hepe ng tanggapang ito.
Sa temang “Role of Philippine Air Force in Philippine History,” kinilala ang “Noble Wings” entry ni Samuel T. Estrope ng Siyudad na ito bilang isa sa sampung pinakamagaganda at naaangkop na mga likhang sining at ginawaran siya ng isang plake, medal at P10,000 cash sa ginanap na awarding ceremony sa loob ng Museum ng PAF sa Villamor Air Base sa Paranaque City noong Disyembre 10.
Ang 36"x24" oil on canvas na ipininta ni Estrope ay nagtatanghal ng katapangan, kabayanihan at kahandaang sumaklolo sa sakuna at kalamidad ng mga miyembro ng PAF.
Sakay ng isang helicopter ay dala ng isang miyembro ng PAF ang relief goods para sa nabiktima ng matinding bagyo at baha at nakahanda rin nitong kunin mula sa ibabaw ng gusali at bahay ang mga humihingi ng saklolo para sila ilikas, na sa unang tingin ay maiuugnay agad sa bagyong Ondoy na humagupit sa maraming lugar sa Luzon partikular sa Metro Manila Setyembre noong nakaraang taon.
Ani Estrope, pinili niya ang ganoong konsepto sapagkat sa mga nagdaang panahon lalo na kapag may unos at sakuna ay laging andiyan ang mga miyembro ng PAF upang maghatid ng tulong at magligtas ng buhay partikular kapag baha na mahihirapan ang mag-re-rescue kung tatawirin pa ang tubig baha lalo pa nga’t kulang ang bilang ng mga nakahandang rubber boats.
Diin niya ang ganoong papel ang isa sa mahahalagang papel na ginampanan at patuloy na ginagampanan ng PAF sa kasaysayan ng bansa kung saan mas napapalapit ang mga ito sa puso ng bawat Pilipino.
Hindi pinili ng pintor ang eksena sa isang giyera o bakbakan sapagkat aniya, hindi doon minamahal at itinatangi ng marami sa ating mga kababayan ang husay at galing ng mga miyembro ng PAF.
Si Estrope na estudyante ng Arts sa Alternative Learning School (ALS) sa loob ng Maximum Security Compound sa New Bilibid Prison sa Muntinlupa City ay nakamit ang nasabing award sa Student Category na kanya lamang sinalihan bilang nag-uumpisa pa lamang sa larangan ng pagpipinta.
Bagaman may hilig na sa pag guhit simula noong bata pa lamang siya, hindi niya naipagpatuloy ang pagpapalawig pa rito dahil ang pagiging isang pulis ang pinili niyang maging career hanggang siya ay maging isang police official.
Ayon kay Nards Gomez, isa sa mga board of directors ng Arts Association of the Philippines (AAP), ang katuwang ng PAF sa pagtataguyod ng nasabing painting contest, isa ng magandang simula para kay Estrope ang nakuha niyang award.
Sinabi ni Gomez na mahigpit ang naging laban sapagkat 79 na mga paintings mula sa mga nasabi ring bilang ng mga lumahok ang pinagpiliang mabuti ng mga hurado na pinangunahan ng mga kilalang pintor sa bansa at mga opsiyales ng PAF sa pangunguna ng commanding general nito na si Lieutenant General Oscar Rabena.
Si Gomez, kasama ang iba pang mga opisyales ng AAP na madalas mag-lecture at magsagawa ng workshop training sa iba’t ibang sektor kabilang ang mga bilanggong tulad ni Estrope ang nagbukas sa kanya ng pagkakataong lumahok sa nasabing kumpetisyon.
Ayon sa kanya, bukas lagi ang kanilang asosasyon sa pagtulong sa mga may interest sa sining at hindi ito para lamang sa mga tao dito sa laya kundi kahit sino pa man kabilang maging ang sinomang kuwalipikadong bilanggo.
Pinili ni Estrope ng magpinta habang nasa kulungan upang libangin na rin ang sarili at makatagpo ng kalayaan sa sining mula sa umano ay ninakaw sa kanyang hustisya.
“There’s freedom in art. I have found it in every stroke of my hand on canvass, the freedom they took from me as a victim of injustice when I was sentenced for a crime I did not commit,” ayon kay Estrope.
Si Estrope, dating isang police senior inspector at siyang nagtatag noong 1996 ng Bulacan PNP Crime Laboratory Office ay nasa ikalimang taon na sa kulungan ngayon dahil sa kasong violation to illegal drugs law at binubuno ang habang buhay na hatol sa kanya.
Mariin niyang itinatanggi na isa siyang pusher ng shabu at totoo ang operation sa kanya ng mga pulis na nakahuli sa umano ay possession niya ng halagang P1,000 shabu na siyang dahilan ng hatol sa kanyang habang buhay na pagkakakulong.
Kasalukuyan pang naka-apela sa Supreme Court ang kaso niya.
Sinabi naman ni Fidel Sarmiento, pangulo ng AAP na madalas isagawa ng kanilang grupo ang magtaguyod ng mga painting competition ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno maging pribado mang tanggapan na humahasa rin sa katalinuhan at kagalingan ng mga pintor maging mga nagsismula pa lamang umano at mga propesyunal na.
Ayon naman kay Lt. Col. Epifanio Panzo Jr., opisyal ng PAF na siyang in-charge sa nasabing competition, inilunsad nila ito upang kunin ang nasasaloob ng mga artists at pintor sa bansa patungkol sa pananaw sa PAF upang nang sa ganoon ay mas mailapit sa puso ng maraming Pilipino ang tanggapan ng PAF at ang ginagawa nitong misyon para sa bansa.
Ani naman ni Rabena, ang mga artists sa bansa ang mas makapagbibigay kahulugan sa isang tingin pa lang ng mga mamamayan sa pamamgitan ng kanilang mga obra ng tunay na papel ng PAF sa kasaysayan ng bansa kaya’t pinili nila bilang karapat dapat lamang na isang painting competition ang gawin upang itanghal ang kanilang mahalagang papel sa ating kasaysayan.
Ayon kay Panzo, lahat ng mga nanalong paintings ay pag-aari na ng PAF at i-di-display sa kanilang two-storey museum kung saan idinaos ang nasabing awarding.
Si Rey Bautista, isa pa ring kapwa Bulakenyo ang nakasungkit din ng Juror’s Choice award mula naman sa professional category. Taga rito rin sa Malolos City si Bautista at miyembro ng Ilumina, isang art association sa nasabing lugar.
Masayang masaya naman si Estrope dahil nasabay ang pagkapanalo niya sa ika-40 niyang kaarawan noong Disyembre 11.

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan—Looking for safety tips on firecracker usage, residents outside Bulacan can still avail of the details how as the Bulacan PNP tapped the internet for its public information campaign drive on safety use of firecrackers in time for New Year.
Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Bulacan Police Director told NEWS CORE Friday the flyers he initiated done and distributed in the 21 municipal and three city police stations in Bulacan will have its own internet version for the consumption of non residents of Bulacan.
Villanueva said the safety tips can be found and read at the web site of the Bulacan PNP: www.bulacanpnp.com.
According to the police official, firecracker stall owners and the public can benefit in the safety tips to be posted on their website as the flyers and the public address are only distributed within the province.
He said he initiated the project because being Bulacan as the considered fireworks capital.
Mobile Public address on safety tips is also set to be conducted in the towns of Bocaue, Sta. Maria, Angat, San Ildefonso and Baliuag where firecracker stores abounds.
The information campaign drive is just an additional fireworks safety operations being conducted by the Bulcan police of raiding clandestine fireworks factories and ensuring that manufacturers and dealers are strictly complying with the safety guidelines.
He also said that the “no smoking and no testing” policy is being strictly enforced along fireworks stores.
“Mas masarap ipagdiwang ang Pasko at Bagong taon nang walang nadidisgrasya sa ating mga mahal sa buhay,” he said.
Among the safety reminders are : “Use only labeled fireworks products with the name of manufacturer and instruction manual.”—”Don’t use banned, oversized and killer types of firecrackers like “Goodbye Philippines”, “Kabase”,”Plapla”, Super Lolo, “Giant Bawang”,—”Light fireworks in open grounds or places that can’t trigger fire like electric wires, flammable liquid and other places with combustible materials.—”Don’t let children light a firecracker. Guide them into using sparklers and other safe toy firecrackers.”—”Don’t light fireworks with hands, use a long stick in lighting firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices.”—”Bury or brace fountains and other types of “pailaw” on a ground with sand or earth and make sure it that it will not tilt before lighting them.”—”Don’t use firecracker when drinking liquor or any intoxicating drink.”—”Don’t try to relight defective firecrackers. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes and then douse it with water.”—”Don’t pick used or defective firecrackers.”—”Wet areas after using firecrackers and pyrotechnics and make sure that no more embers are left that could spark fires.”
The PNP Civil Security Group in coordination with the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) and the Provincial Government of Bulacan on Tuesday held a one day fireworks safety refreshers course at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here.
Chief Supt. Emelito T. Sarmiento, director of PNP-CSG, said the safety refresher course aims to instill safety consciousness to local manufacturers and dealers of fireworks. He said accidents can be avoided if the stakeholders and the public would strictly follow safety regulations.
Engineer Celso C. Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI, gave a lecture on the proper packaging, storage and shipment of fireworks products. He said that some accidents happen due to careless packaging of fireworks.
He urged local manufacturers and dealers to stop the practice of just placing fireworks in paper bags or boxes. He added that there are proper and safety procedures in packaging, storing and transporting pyrotechnics.

DRT mayor’s truck impounded for illegal transfer of minerals


CITY OF MALOLOS—The mayor of Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) town is facing charges of violation of Bulacan environmental code for allowing his truck to be used in transporting illegally mined iron ore mineral products.
On duty personnel of the Bulacan provincial government environment office (BENRO) intercepted a 6X6 truck load of iron ore minerals extracted from iron ore-rich mountain site of Barangay Camachin in DRT at a checkpoint in Norzagaray town on Thursday.
Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Bulacan provincial police director said the truck with plate number RAH 611 is owned by DRT Mayor Ronaldo T. Flores and the iron ore cargo was mined by Ore Asia Mining and Development Corp. (OAMDC).
Atty. Rustico De Belen, BENRO chief told Inquirer Sunday the truck and the extracted Bulacan’s natural wealth were seized following failure of truck driver identified as Ryan Cruz to show pertinent documents and permits as to legality of the transporting of the mined product.
Flores, a first time mayor after he won in last May’s election could not be contacted for his comment after he refused to answer the call and text messages made and sent to him by NEWS CORE on his mobile phone.
De Belen said that while OAMDC has a Mineral Product Sharing Agreement (MPSA) permit and an Ore Transfer Permit (OTP) both issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central and regional office respectively, it is found to have violated the environmental law code of the province.
According to De Belen, the seized iron ore minerals and its transfer have no governor’s accreditation or hauling pass in violation of Provincial Ordinance No. 95-1(A) and the newly created Bulacan environment code.
Gov. Wilhemino Sy-Alvarado’ suspension orders on all mining firms in Bulacan that are destructive to the province’s natural wealth remain up.
Alvarado made the suspension of all mining and other operations in the mountains of Bulacan that lies along the Sierra Madre ranges immediately when he assumed post at the provincial capitol last July to make an inventory of the operations of all mining companies in the province to help preserve them from full destruction.
However, a month after, he lifted the said suspension when mining companies requested him to allow them to operate as they voluntarily submit themselves for regular scrutiny in their operations and to police their ranks from unscrupulous deeds of their fellow mining firms.
Following the inventory, the provincial government pulled up to P15 million already the worth of collected taxes and permits from close to 100 quarry and mining operators in Bulacan. The said amount is already a one year collection from the mining sector during the previous years.
It can be recalled that on October 7 this year, an environmental impact assessment of the mining project of OAMDC was held in Camachin where several sector representatives expressed displeased due to claims of environmental degradation of Bulacan’s natural resources and minerals.
Reports reaching the governor’s office revealed that residents in Camachin, claimed that the operations of OAMDC in their place is destructive and are calling for an immediate investigation because the mining activities being made there are allegedly against the provisions of the Philippine Mining Act.
Ely Borcena of the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society has asked the proponent of the project on how it can proceed with a mining operation without destroying the environment.
Borcena who is also a representative of the Dumagat tribe living in Camachin and adjacent mountainous villages in DRT have also expressed concerns over the lives, safety and livelihood of their group that is being affected by the mining operation of OAMDC.
Sources from DRT divulged to Inquirer that Flores entered a contract with OAMDC as hauler of the firm’s mined products in DRT.
But, officials said when a legitimate hauling truck firm already transports products without necessary transport permits from all concerned agencies, it also become an illegal act and can be subjected into necessary sanction.

PLARIDEL, Bulacan—Roman Catholic Church parishioners in a chapel here where the bell was stolen last month have their own Christmas wish, this time no longer the recovery of their century old bell or its replacement, but funds to complete the payment of their new found bell.
The first day of the start of the nine days Simbang Gabi in Barangay Culianin here began on the night of December 15 without their bell ringing to signal the church goers it is the first night of the annual nine days mass in time for Christmas Day.
But, during the second day of the mass, says Aurora Lacsamana, assistant care taker at the chapel when the newly bought replacement bell arrived, every one of them was excited to do the pulling of the string to ring their bell to call for all the Roman Catholic church devotees in their barrio to attend the Simbang Gabi.
“Nag-uuna unahan kami sa pagkalembang. Nang marinig ng mga tao ang kalembang, sigawan sila at tuwang tuwa naglapitan dito sa bisita at tinitingnan ang bagong kampana at sinasabi nila may kampana na kami, may kampana na kami at isa isa ng nagmadali maghanda para magsimba,” Lacsamana said.
But Gloria Munsayac, 61, caretaker of the chapel for more than 30 years now they still need to raise P11,000 to complete the payment for the 20,000 bell they had ordered as replacement to their more than 100 years old bell still missing after it was robbed on Nov. 8.
“We had a meeting, we decided to acquire a new bell in time for the Simbang Gabi, so donations started coming in from devotees here until we have raised some P9,000. We used this money for the purchase of a new bell. However, we are still in need of the same amount to pay our remaining balance to the bell maker. We hope anybody who has a good heart and extra cash can help us have that amount so that we can fully pay our obligation,” Munsayac told NEWS CORE inside Culianin chapel on Friday night.
She said she wanted to complete the payment of the bell before the new year starts.
Lacsamana said a political rift between the newly elected and the previous barangay captain in their place last October barangay election triggered a loose in the guarding of the chapel and its bell by village watchmen in their place.
The village hall is just few steps distance to Culianin chapel.
According to Lacsamana, their chapel is always jump packed despite the Roman Catholic members have the least in number in their village compared to Aglipay Church members, Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), Born Again and Dating Daan followers.
Mang Joy Galvez, 59, chapel’s kampanero for five years after succeeding his father who had been the lifetime kampanero said his joy can not be completed because he still misses the bell his father had been ringing for years.
“Hindi kasing ganda noong dati ang tunog, Matinis yung dati at malayo talaga ang nararating ng tunog o kalembang, ito hindi malayo ang nararating. Hindi kami ganoong kasaya, hinahanap pa rin namin ang dati, pero dahil wala naman kaming magagawa, pwede na rin itong bagong palit,” he said.
According to Lacsamana, their stolen bell which was already in the chapel since 1898 and had been put up there since under the care of during the time of the grand mother of her husband who was the care taker of their chapel then is believed to have a mixture of gold that’s why that sounds better when being rang.
Maxi Nicolas from N.R. Metalcraft in Balagtas town where the new bell was made and bought told Inquirer in text messages reply that all the bells they do are made of bronze.
He said it is not only Culianin chapel which they had made a new bell but several other chapels in many towns in Bulacan which chapel bells have been similarly stolen months ago this year. He said there were a total of 7 bells stolen in the province since August.
Nicolas said based from what he heard, seven chapels were recently been stolen of bells and several other more chapels were already victimized of their bells early during this year.
He said the even the towns of Bulakan and Balagtas Malolos City were early been victimized and his firm made the new bells as replacement.
According to Nicolas, the pattern of the robbery of the bells is along the adjacent towns of Bocaue, Balagtas, Bulakan, Guiguinto, Plaridel and Malolos City.
Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Bulacan Police Director earlier included the town of Obando and the City of San Jose del Monte as other chapels whose bells were stolen.
Fernando totaled to 6 the number of bells stolen in the province based on reports that reached the respective offices of the police.
Fr. Rolando de Leon, parish priest of Marilao town however totaled to 12 the churches and chapels in Bulacan which bells have been stolen this year.
Villanueva blamed the parish parishioners and chapel and churches care takers of not reporting the lost bell to the police station or reporting them late. He said some of them made a late reporting to the police of the incidents of stolen bells.
Mons. Angel Santiago, parish priest of Barasoain Church said the series of bell robberies is very alarming.
He suspect a syndicated group that sells the bells in high prices to antique shops in Metro Manila and other places could be behind the stolen bell incidents.
Villanueva said they have checked on different junks shops, antique shops and even on the internet to find out if there were bells sold but they have yet to found and recover any of them.
According to Munsayac, the bells that were stolen mostly were snatched from chapels and churches in Bulacan which patron saint is Sto. Rosario.
She said one of those stolen in Guiguinto town is a more than 200 year old bell.

May ipagmamalaki ang Siyudad ng Malolos sa ganitong disenyo ng palamuti sa harapan ng munisipyo nito. Sa isang bahay naman sa barangay Caingin ng siyudad na ito, ay ang napakamakulay at magandang tahanang ito dahil bukod sa magandang bahay ay tawag-pansin ang Christmas lights na pumaikot dito. Kuha ni Mark Eleogo

Buntal hat weaving, sinimulan na sa Bulacan Provincial Jail. Kuha ni Mark Romer Eleogo

SIYUDAD NG MALOLOS—Ilang mga simbahan at bisita sa mga bayan ng Plaridel, Guiguinto, Obando at sa Siyudad ng San Jose del Monte ang napipintong isagawa ang Simbang Gabi simula sa Huwebes ng walang kalembang ng kampana na manggigising sa mga residente upang tunguhin ang simbahan at makinig ng misa matapos na pagnanakawin ang kalembang ng mga ito ng hindi pa natutukoy na mga magnanakaw.
Ayon kay Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Provincial Director ng Bulacan, ang mga bisita sa Barangay Culianin at Bulihan sa Plaridel; San Ildefonso Sub-Parish sa Tabang at Parish Church sa Barangay Sto. Cristo parehong nasa Guiguinto at tig-isang simbahan at bisita sa Obando at San Jose del Monte City ay natangayan ng mga kampana o bells mula sa magkakasunod na mga insidente ng pagnanakaw mula pa ng mga nagdaang buwan. Ipinag-utos na umano niya maging ang pagche-check sa internet dahil baka sakaling ipinaskil doon ng mga nagnakaw na tumira bilang for sale ang mga nasabing kalembang upang ihanap ang mga ito ng buyer. Nagtalaga na rin si Villanueva ng karagdagang mga puwersa ng pulisya at hiniling din ang kooperasyon at partisipasyon ng mga barangay captains at barangay tanod na magsisilbing police visibility sa mga lugar katabi ang lahat ng mga simbahan at bisita sa buong probinsiya upang mabantayan ito at hindi na tagumpay na matangayan ng kalembang tulad ng nangyari sa anim na mga simbahan at bisita. Ani Villanueva sa NEWS CORE, hiniling na rin niya sa mga care taker ng mga simbahan at bisita na higpitan ang protection measures ng mga ito sa kani-kanilang mga bahay dalanginan gaya ng pagtatali ng mahigpit sa mga kalembang gamit ang mas matibay na materyales at hindi maninipis lang na alambre o bakal.
Suhestiyon aniyang ginawa sa mga ito ang gumamit ng makakapal na bakal na kadena.
Sinisi naman ng pinunong opisyal ng pulis sa Bulacan ang hindi ginawa umanong pagre-report sa mga estasyon ng pulis ng pagkawala ng marami sa kalembang na ninakaw na iyon sa nabanggit na anim na lugar at ang ginawang late umano na pag-rereport. Kung hindi aniya buwan ang binilang ay ilang linggo pa muna matapos ang nakawan at saka pa lamang nakatanggap ang pulisya ng report ukol dito.
Ayon sa opisyal, malaki ang nababawas sa pagkakataong ma-identify agad at mahuli ang sinomang salaring nasa likod ng mga insidente sa nangyaring kawalan ng ulat o late na pagpapa-alam ng mga nakawan sa pulisya. Gayundin dagdag nito, ang mga care takers ng ilan sa mga ninakawang lugar ay sa barangay officials lamang iniulat ang nakawang naganap.
Ayon kay Monsignor Angelito Santiago, parish priest ng Barasoain Church sa Siyudad na ito, sadyang nakaka-alarma ang sunod sunod na mga mga insidente ng nakawan ng mga kalembang o bells sa maraming lugar sa lalawigan.
Anito, hindi na ordinary ang nangyayaring nakawan dahil hindi isolated case o isa lamang ang nangyaring nakawan kundi anim na na mga simbahan at bisita ang pinagtatangayan ng kampana at ito ay nakakalamang na gawa umano ng isang sindikato.
Hinala ni Santiago na ang mga pagnanakaw ay gawa ng isang sindikato upang ibenta sa mga antique shops at antique collectors sa Metro Manila at maaaring sa iba pang lugar.
Ayon sa pari, sadyang mahal ang halaga ng kampana lalo na iyong matatagal na o luma ng mga bells kaya target na rin ito ng mga magnanakaw na dati ay mga mamahaling imahe o mga santo lamang ang kanilang dinadale para ibenta.
Paliwanag niya na hanggat may bumibili ng mga kampana ay maaaring hindi mawala ang interest ng ilang mga halang ang kaluluwa na mga residente na magnakaw nito para pagkaperahan. Gaya lang din umano ito ng mga parte ng chop-chop na mga ninakaw na sasakyan na may bumibili mula sa mga carcjacker para rin nila ipagbili kaya nagtutuloy tuloy ang operasyon ng sindikato.
Subalit ayon sa pari, hindi hadlang ang kawalan ng kampana o bells para hindi matuloy ang simbang gabi sa mga nasabing lugar na ninakawan ang kanilang mga bisita at simbahan. Magaganap pa rin umano aniya ang mga misa sa siyam na araw na simbang gabi kahit walang kampana dahil maraming puwedeng gamiting pantawag sa mga tao o gawing hudyat na oras na ng simbang gabi.
“Hindi naman mapuputol ang simbang gabi dahil lang sa walang kampana ang bisita o simbahan. Tuloy ang simbang gabi at ang mga misa. May trompa na pwedeng gamitin at iyong iba ay nagpapatugtog ng Christmas songs bilang hudyat na simbang gabi na,” ani ng pari.
Subalit ani ng pari, ang mas malalim na epekto o dulot ng mga pagnanakaw ng bells ay ang pagnanakaw din ng bahagi ng kultura, kasaysayan at tradisyon ng mga komunidad o mga residente sa nasabing mga lugar.
Aniya, dahil sa matagal ng panahong naroroon sa simbahan ang mga kampanang iyon, naging bahagi na iyon ng pang-araw araw na buhay ng mga tao dahil maraming okasyon lalo na para sa mga Katoliko ang inihuhudyat ng kampana.
“Kasama na sa buhay ng mga tao sa isang komunidad ang kalembang nila sa kanilang simbahan at bisita at masakit at nakakalungkot na iyon ay nawala dahil lalo pa’t ninakaw at pinagkakitaan. Ang value ng mga kalembang o kampana lalo na kapag matagal ng panahon ng na-acquire ang lalong siyang pinanghihinayangan,” ani ng monsignor.
Ayon kay Irish Alcoreza, parish pastoral council officer ng Culianin chapel sa bayan ng Plaridel, ang ninakaw na kampana sa kanilang lugar ay nasa mahigit ng 100 taon.
Sa ngayon sila umano ay nagsasagawa ng double time effort para mapalitan iyon at maihabol sa Simbang Gabi.
Ang kampana naman sa Barangay Bulihan ay ninakaw mahigit dalawang buwan na ang nakakalipas.
Ayon kay Supt. Miguel Atienza, hepe ng bayan ng Guiguinto, ang kampana sa San Ildefonso sub-parish church sa Barangay Tabang, Guiguinto na tinangay ng mga magnanakaw noong Setyembre 19 ay nito lamang na-i-report sa kanila maging ang kampana na ninakaw sa Sto.Cristo sa Barangay Daungan na kinulimbat noong Agosto ay nito lamang din ipinagbigay alam sa kanilang estasyon.
Ayon naman kay Joseph Bigtas, sekretaryo sa Bintog, Plaridel parish, ang ninakaw na mga kampana ay 30 taon ang pinaka-maliit na edad.
Sinabi rin nito na tuloy ang Simbang Gabi at mga misa kahit na walang mga kampana ang mga bisita at simbahang ninakawan dahil kabisado na umano ng mga tao ang oras ng simba maging sa madaling araw man ito o sa gabi.
Aniya, karaniwang isang oras bago ang misa kinakalembang ang mga kampana.

Nagliwanag ang kalangitan sa fireworks display na inihanda ng Kapitolyo ng Bulacan kasabay ng pagsisindi ng 35-piyeng christmas tree na yari sa singkaban. Kuha ni Mark Romer Eleogo

MARILAO, Bulacan—At least P1.4 million worth of hijacked assorted appliances bound to be distributed at cheaper costs in Pampanga were recovered by joint police operatives at a house in Barangay Sta. Rosa II this town Thursday.
The goods, mostly Samsung products composing of 27 units of flat screen TV, 2 air condition, one washing machine, and 22 refrigirators were seized at the house of a certain Nomeriano Cristobal.Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Bulacan Police Director said Cristobal’s neighbor Reynaldo Florida who was contacted by hijack suspects Edmund Arellano and Arjay Capispisan, both of Tondo, Manila to temporarily allow keep the sake of the appliances at his house will also be charged of violation to PD 532 or anti highway robbery law.
Guiguinto police earlier filed similar charges against Arellano and Capispisan after they were identified by truck driver of the hijacked goods identified as Julie Sonias of Valenzuela City and his two helpers as the ones who flagged them down 12:30 am. Monday near DOST building in Bicutan, Taguig.
Sonias and his helpers picked up the said appliances at CJ GLS Phils. Inc. at Eliseo Road, Caluan, Pasig City late night on Sunday to deliver them to XDE Warehouse at Sta. Maria Industrial Estate in Taguig when the suspects on board a motorcycle blocked them and staged the hijack.
Supt. Miguel Atienza, Guiguinto police chief said Arellano was in full GOA Phil. National Police uniform complete with holster and Capispisan was wearing a camouflage uniform who introduced themselves to the victims as policemen.
The suspects acting as policemen flagged them down and accused then truck driver of almost hitting them. Armed with caliber .45 and 38 revolver, one of the suspects grabbed the steering wheel from the driver and sped off towards north area of Metro Manila.
All the three victims were blind folded, their whole face covered with masking tapes and their hands and feet were hog tied.
Atienza said the victims heard the suspects talking that the goods will be brought in a certain warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga. However, because of an overheat in the engine of the truck, the suspects decided to change course.
The victims said they just heard the suspects talking that they were in this town dropping off the appliances.
They then were proceeding to Pampanga but the suspects decided to just dump the victims near the Sta. Rita exit of the North Luzon Expressway in Guiguinto about 3 am already Monday.
Continuous intelligence work of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office in Bulacan led by its head, Chief Inspector Marlon Santos, the Bulacan PNP and the Highway Patrol Group in Bulacan resulted to the identification of the house of Cristobal where the appliances were being kept.
CIDG Agent Marlon Sanchez said Cristobal was forced to accept keep safe favor sought by Florida because they are brothers in their religious sect and was told to be paid of P10,000 for a short number of hours of keeping the appliances.
Cristobal allegedly do not know that the goods were hijacked.

CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan officials assured Metro Manila consumers that pork meats coming from the province are safe as they suspect a syndicate wanting to promote imported frozen meats this coming Christmas Season is behind the claim against the locally produced meats.
Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado who met hog and swine industry members in Bulacan here Wednesday to immediately stop the trading and transporting of dead hogs and pork meats said the recent confiscation of ill meats in some towns in Bulacan only proved that the government is serious in securing the safety of consumers particularly in Metro Manila.
“We are wondering why the issue on botcha is being highlighted every nearing Christmas time. It is a direct attack on the hog industry in Bulacan and a syndicate probably wanting to sell their frozen imported meats in the market could be behind this,” the governor said.
Based on the data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), sixty percent of the pork demands of Metro Manila is being filled by hog raisers in the towns of Sta. Maria, Pandi, San Jose del Monte, San Ildefonso, Baliuag and San Miguel.
Charles Ong, from Guiguinto town and vice president of National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. said during the meeting that sales of Bulacan pork meats had dropped to twenty percent following recent reports of presence and confiscation of botcha.
Ong said contrary to what is being highlighted in the news, there is only a very minimal 1-3 percent mortality rates among all the close to 1million hogs in the more than 200 commercial and semi- commercial farms in Bulacan and that farm owners have high concerns and efforts to keep within the farms dead pigs to avoid illegal trading by some unscrupulous individuals.
Ong said flu has been a normal case to pigs these times due sudden change in weather this season.
He said the industry is carefully practicing the inceneration of dead hogs, burying them in mortality pits inside the farms or boiling them for consumption to dogs as dog foods as one way of protecting their business.
Ong appeal to all the sectors including the media to observe the angle of syndicate as possibly behind the bombarding of news of presence of botcha in Metro Manila markets as a way to kill the local swine producing industry in the country.
“Ingatan din natin, tingnan natin ang ganitong anggulo, baka gusto lang kaming sirain para ipasok ang imported frozen meats na mas mura kaysa sa fresh na meats natin dito sa atin sa bansa,” he said.
“Those are just isolated case and our police are continuously conducting checkpoints to arrest those unscrupulous individuals who destroy the hog industry in Bulacan and could put in danger the health and safety of the consumers especially in Metro Manila,” Alvarado said.
Last month, Pandi police arrested a resident in the town on the act of roasting, making “lechon” out of the double dead meats, (lechon botcha).
Two weeks ago, San Jose del Monte and region 3 police operatives form camp Olivas, Pampanga confiscated suspected double dead meats and about to expire hogs at a checkpoint they put up at the boundary of San Jose del Monte City and Sta. Maria town.
Police said the ill meats are suspected to be brought to Balaintawak market in Quezon City.
Alvarado said Bulacan markets are zero in botcha because of systematized slaughtering and monitoring of all hogs and pork meats.
He said he wanted Metro Manila markets being supplied of pork meats by hog raisers in Bulacan to also be free and zero in ill meats that’s why he sought the cooperation of the hog raisers to monitor and watch their farms from possible sneaking out of the dead pigs due to fever and flu this colder season.
Vice Governor Daniel Fernando who have initially made talks with huge backyard hog raisers suspect that it is commonly just the care taker of both the commercial and backyard farms who are disposing and selling the dead pigs to illegal botcha trader.
“Karamihan hindi alam ng may ari, kung may nagkasakit na baboy, nilagnat o sinipon, ang utos nito sa care taker ibaon, pero ang ginagawa ng care taker ibinebenta ng illegal, pero meron din siguro na alam mismo ng may ari at maaaring ito pa ang naguutos na ibenta pa rin at pagkakitaan kahit na sa illegal na paraan,” he said.
Fernando said the provincial board of Bulacan is now making a double time effort to amend the Provincial Ordinance on the Rules and Regulations on the Control and Eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Province to increase its current very low P5,000 fine.
Voltaire Basinang, acting Bulacan provincial veterinary officer said the absence of a national law and the low amount of fine to charge the botcha traders allowed those recently arrested and nine others they earlier arrested doing the same illegal business just go home without facing court charges.
According to Basinang, the absence of a national law that would prosecute the persons arrested for double meat violation make an easy business and industry for the double dead meat transporters.
He said unless a tougher law is made, the proliferation of double dead meats may stay especially as scrupulous individuals would still want to benefit from the double dead meats.
Basinang said although Bulacan or this town was not detected or pinpointed as the origin of lechon botcha that was recently confiscated in Balintawak market by Quezon City meats inspection team, hot meats, double dead meats or commonly known as “botcha”, the province is identified by the BAI as one of the seven provinces that are the sources of the said types of meat being sneaked in to Metro Manila.
“Balintawak market sa Quezon City at mga palengke sa Caloocan City ang naging karaniwang nadidiskubreng may mga botcha,” he said.
He said Bulacan markets are always free from botcha because of the close coordination of meat inspectors, market masters and other personnel designated to check the good quality of meats.
He said the receipt to meat owner is only being issued upon delivery of the slaughtered good meat in the market to avoid inclusion and delivery to market of double dead meats that were not cleared by the National Meat Inspection Service.
“Matagal ng sistema ito dito sa Bulacan kaya walang botcha na nakakarating sa palengke kasi halimbawa kung apat lang ang cleared and approved good meat tapos may resibo agad ito na dala, pwedeng samahan o dagdagan ng may ari ng baboy ang bilang ng ulo at katawan nito sa palengke kahit yung hindi dumaan sa meat inspection,” he explained.
Basinang said the lack of coordination of concerned officials in Quezon City and Caloocan City to the Bulacan provincial veterinary office to practice the same stricter monitoring and checking continue to the yield and delivery of double dead meats.

BOCAUE, Bulacan—Fireworks store owners in this considered firecracker capital of the country went on panic on Friday and closed down their stalls due to reports they received of an on the spot inspection of their products by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Bayani Sayo, President of Bocaue Fireworks Dealers Association said the dealers were frightened their stores will be padlocked and their products would be confiscated by the DTI if the inspection pursued that’s why many from his members immediately went on closing their stalls.
“Nagsipagsara na lahat. Nangatakot na maipadlock at makumpiska ang kanilang mga paninda. Halos ako na lang ata ang natirang may bukas na tindahan. Naging normal na na attitude ng marami sa amin ang matakot lagi kapag may darating na mga ganyan kaya nagsisipagsara,” he said.
DTI Bulacan head Zorrina Aldana said the inspection of the close to 300 stalls here was aimed to find out if the products bear the PS (Product Standard) Seal she said was set for fireworks and pyrotechnic products.
Aldana with her office staff and personnel were already in Barangay Turo here where firecracker stalls lined up one after the other when the stores started closing down. But she said they were still able to serve at least ten notice of violations to ten dealers and stores here in Bocaue and in Sta. Maria town.
“We are after the manufacturers at sila ang tulay para madetect namin ang mga manufacturers. I am willing to sit down with them, ayoko ng ganyan na parang taguan, kanino, sino nagbibigay ng mga uncertified products sa kanila,” she said.
According to Aldana, those who were given notice of violation should go to their office in 48 hours and name who supply them those uncertified products, products that have no PS seal or manufactured by unlicensed manufacturers.
Aldana said the firecracker products should be made in accordance with the standard set under the firecracker law, RA 7183 which has the right amount of chemical prescribed and not the old practice of just approximating the amount of explosive chemicals to be placed or used in each item or product.
She said the no PS sealed products caused the accidental explosions.
“May mga pailaw na pumuputok o sumasabog na hindi naman dapat. May kuwitis naman na hindi pumuputok bagkus umiilaw lang. Yun ang mga halimbawa na hindi nagdaan at pumasa sa product standard test and procedures ang mga gumagawa,” she said.
But Sayo said, the manufacturers and not the dealers just like them who should be the target of the DTI.
Sayo also assailed the no timing inspection operation of the DTI as the dealers are already feeling the slow sales. “Ang sa amin ay appeal na huwag ng mag-inspect kasi wala sa timing”.
“Late na ang inspection nila, dapat noon pa. earlier months pa hindi ngayon na gahol na sa bentahan. Matumal na nga ang benta puro inspection pa,” he said pointing to the manufacturers who made the products they sell as the ones who should be inspected for the PS seal during production period earlier during the year.
According to Aldana, at least 12 manufacturers whom they have earlier inspected and visited have already passed the PS seal as required by their office while other manufacturers are on the process to comply.
She said those stalls and manufacturing site found to have no PS seal are obliged to undergo tests and submit documents within 48 hours and might face closure if would not comply or continue to operate even without compliance and PS seal.
Aldana said their operation to inspect the stalls are not against the fireworks industry in Bulacan but rather a positive move both to protect the industry and the people patronizing their product because they are buying safe items.
She said they are not similar to the DOH which conducts “Iwas Paputok” programs and advocacies but they are only enforcing the law for “Ingat Paputok” program.
According to Adana, they will conduct a no announcement inspection next time.