Marna Del Rosario

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/994297 Megaworld infuses PHP35B for City of San Fernando's township project  By Marna Dagumboy-Del Rosario  June 8, 2017, 5:58 pm CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, June 8 -- Megaworld officials on Thursday formally announced the infusion of PHP35 billion for its mixed use development project in the city called Capitol Town, a new landmark in this province located at the former Pasudeco Sugarmill here. Megaworld Pampanga vice president for sales and marketing Eugene Em Lozano said the Capitol Town will generate around 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in the business process outsourcing (BPO), transport, retail, food and construction sectors. Fifty percent, he said, will be allotted for the BPO sector. Lozano said the construction of the Capitol Town, which started last year, is now in its infrastructure phase. He said that they have been in consultation with international firms to address flooding which is a perennial problem in the area during rainy season. "This will ensure that the establishment is a flood-free area," he told mediamen during the presscon. Capitol Town, which is strategically located near Pampanga Provincial Capitol, will be home to residential and BPO office towers, civic and institutional facilities such as school, amphitheater and event venues, mall and retail hubs, hotel and a shophouse district that highlights neoclassical and art deco architecture, reflective of the province's historic rows of heritage houses. "What we are building in Pampanga is a unique township concept that will truly bring out the best of the Kapampangan culture, tradition and history. In 10 years, Pampanga will see a central business district (CBD) that is not only a showcase of homegrown businesses and entrepreneurs, but also a center for local arts and culture," Lozano said. Twenty five percent of the entire township will be devoted to green and open spaces, including road networks. The main road, San Fernando Boulevard, will be 30 meters wide, or equivalent to six lanes, traversing from Capitol Boulevard all the way to Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Olongapo-Gapan Road). "We are anticipating this to be a busy township. So, as early as now, we are putting in place the infrastructure that fits for a CBD. However, we are also putting up small parks and pocket gardens around the development where people can take a break, relax and enjoy the views of township," he explained. Among the highlights of the township is a mall that will have some design inspiration of the Pasudeco sugar central that used to stand in the same area where it will be built. Significant artifacts, Lozano added, of the old sugar central will be housed in a heritage museum, which will be integrated within the proposed mall development. Monuments of famous Pampanga personalities, particularly those who have established Pasudeco will be erected in various parts of the township. The six-hectare Shophouse District, will be the crown jewel of Capital Town which will highlight the old Pampanga charm with post-colonial architectures. The district will be lined up with low-rise, three-level shophouses. "We will be selling lots to those who want to build their businesses and at the same time, live there. The first two lower levels may be dedicated for the business while the topmost floor may be used for their residence. This is a unique offering that we will introduce in Capital Town to help local entrepreneurs and businesses," Lozano said. Shophouse lot sizes range from 276 to 680 square meters. Some lots include al fresco areas that are perfect for businesses like cafes and restaurants. (PNA) http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/- Angeles City's PHP70-M state-of-the-art disaster command center opens  July 19, 2017, 4:05 pm Share 
 ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 19 -- The city government on Wednesday formally inaugurated its PHP70-million Agyu Tamu Emergency and Disaster Command Center (ACATEDCC), the first real-time command post in the province. The command center is equipped with the latest technologies in surveillance as it features more than 87 high-definition closed circuit television (HD-CCTV) cameras with facial recognition technology, night vision capabilities, zoom-in and zoom-out features, and other modern technical specifications that can provide clear visuals even in low light conditions.
 This will also serve as an integrated department of coordinating bodies on matters of public safety, emergency response, and law enforcement. It is powered with the latest technologies from the leaders in information and telecommunications equipment and services, Huawei and Converge ICT Solutions. City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the facility is the first of its kind in the province, if not the region, that is designed to monitor real-time activities in the vicinity, particularly the streets of Angeles City. Housed inside the former Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, Pamintuan sees the ACATEDCC as an additional aid in furthering the city’s programs on traffic management, disaster mitigation, and crime reduction. “This command center aims to help ease the peace and order situation of the city which will suppress, solve, and reduce criminal activities, monitor the traffic conditions, and give quick response to emergencies and disasters,” Pamintuan said. The command post also utilizes an intelligent video analytic software which allows the local government to closely monitor movements in main road networks, intersections, entries and exits to the city, highly populated areas like schools, business centers, religious centers, public markets, government buildings, and the heritage district on a 24/7 basis. At least 20 well-trained personnel, IT specialists, and technical administrators are assigned to man the command center through shifting. Dennis Uy, chief executive officer of Converge ICT Solutions, who was born and raised in Angeles City, said that the project is his way of paying back and sharing his resources and expertise to the people here. Uy promised that he will, in the near future, connect all the 33 barangays to the internet and will roll down new facilities to provide faster but cheaper internet service. “This is my way of giving back to the city. I pledge my full support to Mayor Pamintuan in making Angeles the next “smart city” in the country through the use of the best technology from Converge,” Uy said. In his capabilities as the national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), Pamintuan wants the project to be replicated throughout the country as he urged neighboring towns and cities to also build their own command center. “We should not discount public safety and order especially now that we are experiencing security crisis. If this would be imitated by the cities, the country will have a stronger and efficient method in solving and preventing crimes and misconduct," he said. During the inauguration, Pamintuan and Uy made a tour of the facility with an actual simulation exercise organized by the Angeles City Police Office. (Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario/PNA) 
 Ping De Jesus is new CDC chairman Thursday, March 02, 2017 By MARNA DAGUMBOY DEL ROSARIO CLARK FREEPORT --- President Rody Duterte on Wednesday officially signed Ping De Jesus' appointment as the newest Clark Development Corporation (CDC) chairman. De Jesus, a native of Bacolor town and a Kapampangan, served for a year at the Department of Transportation (DOTR) during the stint of former President Noynoy Aquino. In his speech at the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) "Build, Build, Build," roadshow, De Jesus said it was DOTR Secretary Art Tugade who offered him to be chairman of CDC. He said he made a decision when he saw the challenges and the opportunities bracing not only Clark but also in the surrounding municipalities. "I'm very happy and truly delighted to be able to work with the board and officials of Pampanga. I am here to serve and to ask for your support so that together we could all bring to reality the development in Clark," De Jesus said. Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2017/03/02/ping-de-jesus-new-cdc-chairman-528743 Follow us: @sunstaronline on Twitter | SunStar Philippines on Facebook Other articles written by your truly are as follows; http://iorbitnews.com/2nd-phil-sports-tourism-awards-nominations-now-opens/ http://iorbitnews.com/new-pdp-laban-members-take-oath/ http://iorbitnews.com/cdc-mandated-develop-freeport-aeta-group-wants/ http://iorbitnews.com/singapore-firm-invests-p500m-cancer-center-pampanga/