Nanay's intuition

 

A SHORT sidebar to our Man of The Year feature in this issue tells of how Mayor Cris Garbo found in then-Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda the inspiration for Mabalacat City’s donations, notably ambulances and patrol cars, to less financially fortunate LGUs out of the city’s share from the 5% gross income earned from the Clark Freeport locators.

“I made a vow to Nanay: Mabalacat will share its blessings from Clark with the other LGUs in Pampanga once I become mayor,” Garbo remembered.

Of that instance that happened during the “Linking of CFZ Locators and Pampanga PESO” on June 7, 2019 at Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport, Punto! Online duly reported under the headline Gov. Pineda gets Mabalacat pledge for service vehicles, to wit:

…The “nanay” that she always is, Gov. Lilia Pineda has urged her apparent “eldest son” in Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo to provide a vehicle each to the 21 municipalities of Pampanga. They will be primarily used for rescue operations during emergency situations and disaster operations.

“Alam nyo po ba magkano ang nakukuha ng Mabalacat sa Clark ngayon? Aabot po ng P800 million. Kaya ang pakiusap ko po kay Mayor Garbo ay tumulong siya sa ibang bayan,” Pineda said in her speech.

The “eldest” in terms of budget now, Garbo was asked by the outgoing governor to provide the vehicles from the P800 million windfall Mabalacat City is getting this year in the Gross Income Earned (GIE) shares from Clark locators. Pampanga’s third and newest city now has about P2 billion annual budget.

In an employment forum Friday with Capitol officials, Pampanga mayors, provincial board members, Clark Development Corp. officials and Clark locators at Royce Hotel here, Garbo readily agreed to the request. The forum was called by Pineda to foster cooperation among CDC, LGUs and Clark locators…

“And I have been true to that vow since,” Garbo is wont to say, so proudly.

On hindsight now, apart from inspiring Garbo to share his city’s blessings with other LGUs – even outside Pampanga, as it turned out, Pampanga’s beloved Nanay initiated two endeavors in that same forum that have come to fruition.

Of this, Punto! Central Luzon bannered: Gov bats for labor center, workers’ hospital in Clark, to wit:

“That $4.6 billion speaks of the imperative for all of us to do our share to ensure and enhance productivity in this freeport.”

So cited Gov. Lilia G. Pineda of the 2018 export volume of the Clark Freeport during the “Linking of CFZ Locators and Pampanga Public Employment Service Office (PESO)” that gathered the human resources managers of locator firms, local government executives, officials of the association of barangay chairs, and municipal PESO heads at the Royce Hotel here.

“This is the start of close collaboration between Clark, its locators, the Capitol, and the local government units,” Pineda said, giving particular mention to the City of Mabalacat within which territorial jurisdiction lies a greater part of this freeport…

…To further empower the workers, Pineda said she has discussed with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Clark Development Corp. president-CEO Noel Manankil the establishment of a labor center at the freeport that shall address the immediate needs of both workers and locators.

Pineda likewise extended to Clark workers her so-called “Nanay health advocacy” with her planned establishment of an extension of the Pampanga provincial hospital at the freeport.

“We are well aware of the health needs of our workers, and the high cost of hospitalization,” Pineda said. “Thus, this hospital dedicated to them with its own diagnostic center, pharmacy with tax-free medicines, and zero balance billing.”

According to the governor, the CDC has allotted a 2,000 square meter lot for the hospital.

“I already talked with (Mabalacat City) Mayor Cris Garbo for this project. He can allot budget for this from the P800 million share of the city from the gross income earned from Clark,” she said….

Only last month, CDC and DOLE signed a memorandum of agreement for the renewal of its satellite office in the Clark Freeport aimed to enhance the collaboration and the ability to offer meaningful services to Clark locators and stakeholders, as well as to strengthen the partnership between the two agencies.

Beaming as witnesses at the signing rites between CDC president-CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera and Labor Secretary Atty. Bienvenido E. Laguesma were Gov. Dennis “Delta” G. Pineda, and Vice Gov. Nanay.

“This partnership with DOLE, with the local government, especially with the provincial government, CDC, and the private sector – the business sector, can make a difference. We’re moving forward after the pandemic. We’re moving forward because we are here doing the convergence and doing a whole of government approach,” noted Devanadera.

On May 1, 2022, among the last ceremonies he attended as the country’s chief executive, President Duterte led the groundbreaking rites for the Pampanga Provincial Hospital – Clark, the first government hospital inside the Clark Economic Zone.

Recognizing the efforts made by the Pampanga provincial government, notably Nanay, the outgoing president remarked: “You have helped us realize our goal of a healthier and more productive Filipino citizen. Responsible and responsive leaders should know the areas where they can build and establish advantageous institutions even for the successful generations.”

Meanwhile, in deference to Nanay, Garbo has committed the city government to provide counterpart fund in the construction of the Pampanga provincial hospital in Clark.

The potency of Nanay’s intuition is, indeed, legendary.

Biz Icons of 2022

 

Tough times as the Covid-19 pandemic wrought on the economy, impacted yet by the surge in fuel prices which dominoed on the basic commodities and services that contracted, if not altogether shuttered many a business; tougher though stood, indeed excelled, in 2022 five enterprises, continuing on a trajectory to even higher achievements in 2023. The Editor

 

Aesthetics becomes proprietary

Beautéderm

 

“A DREAM come true.”

Rhea Anicoche-Tan, president-CEO of Beautéderm Corp., says of the eponymous corporate headquarters that took two grand festivities to inaugurate last January. And this, only as a prelude to the company’s 14^th anniversary celebrations this year.

“Each person who ever believed and continues to believe in my vision to contribute a beautéful difference in this world has impacted every brick, metal, and stone of this building. I did not accomplish this alone – I certainly had help. I dedicate this to all our consumers not only here in the Philippines but around the world as well, to my hardworking staff, to my brand ambassadors, and to all our resellers, distributors, and franchisees. Together, we are ready more than ever, to face the promises of the coming years anew with all our hopes and dreams,” enthused the beauty maven.

Shared hopes, collective dreams of her Beautéderm family that proved far stronger than the nightmare that is the Covid-19 pandemic that shattered weaker hopes, broke lesser dreams of many other enterprises, notably in the beauty industry.

For over a decade coming into the pandemic times, Beautéderm has steadfastly won the trust of millions of loyal consumers as an industry leader in the field of beauty and wellness with countless products that are now considered daily essentials that consists of skin and body care, vitamins and health boosters, home fragrances, and patented merchandise, to mention but a few.

Daily essentials. To that level of basic need has Beautéderm taken what used to be the easily expendable pan-retoke of womankind, expanding it to menfolk alike thereby, in effect, assuming proprietary rights to the art and science of aesthetics.

Beyond physical appearances, Anicoche-Tan designed a business to serve consumers with life-changing products that enable them to gain the confidence to maximize their full potential as individuals, and at the same time providing resellers, distributors, and franchisees a sustainable livelihood that empowers them with the financial independence to live full lives with their families and loved ones.

A template for success there, finding most manifest in the flourishing Beautéderm branches at SM City Clark, SM City Pampanga, Marquee Mall, One North Mall-Dau, New Point-Angeles City, and Clark Cityfront Mall – in Pampanga alone.

Success – excellence as well – monumentalized in the grand edifice that is the Beautéderm Corporate Headquarters, where domiciled too are the other subsidiaries of the Beautéderm Group of Companies – luxury store A-List Avenue that offers high-end fashion brands, BeautéHaus that is arguably one of the top aesthetic clinics in Northern Luzon, state-of-the art AK Studios for photo shoots and video productions, and Beauté Beanery, the poshest fusion restaurant and café in the city. Indeed, the premier lifestyle venue in all of Pampanga, if not Central Luzon, today.

“A testament to passion, dedication, and a lot of hard work,” Anicoche-Tan called it.

Heartthrob Piolo Pascual put it best though: “You are a game-changer in the skincare industry. I am forever grateful to my Beautéderm family.”

 

Born local, grown global

Mekeni Food Corp.

 

“SOMETHING BIG is coming your way this year and we could not be more excited for what is to come.”

So declared Pruds Garcia, president of Mekeni Food Corp., at the dawning of 2022 – so readily dismissed off as unguarded optimism at best, wishful thinking at worst. What with the pandemic not-quite contained, the African swine fever still extant, the fuel prices unsteady, and Russia about to invade Ukraine.

“We are bringing the Timplang Atin experience to a whole new level in the coming months,” Garcia boomed with supreme confidence, all the gloom and doom foreboding the economy notwithstanding.

As declared, so delivered.   

Within a month of Garcia’s declaration, Mekeni brought street-food favorites kikiam and fish balls to branches across California and Nevada. In July, Mekeni Classic Tocino was introduced to the Filipino community on the East Coast, particularly in New York and New Jersey, followed by orlians, squid balls, and two variants of fish ball sauce. These marine-based products are now available in key cities with Filipino communities.

“It feels different bringing our flagship brand to the US. When we launched our street food products and tocino, we were flooded with questions from friends, relatives, acquaintances, and kababayans about when we would bring more of our products. They say they miss it. The time has come,” said Garcia. 

Before the US, Mekeni has already been catering to international markets such as Dubai, Bahrain, Brunei, Qatar, Australia, Japan, Canada, and the UK.
“These milestones are a step toward further realizing our vision to be a world-class brand and our mission to uplift the lives of our employees and Filipinos worldwide. This is also a win for the Filipino culture as what we are bringing to the world are Timplang Atin flavors that we are proud of and love dearly,” declared Garcia.

It did not come easy though.

“At the time it was hard here due to low purchasing power, we recognized that Filipinos outside the country have that power but due to the pandemic restrictions could not come home,” he said. “So, we brought to them a taste of home with our products.”

“Of course, it is not all about Mekeni, but about Filipino food,” clarified Garcia.  “Our close family values as Filipinos also helped upon their knowing that Mekeni is a family corporation.” 

Family values that birthed the company in 1986, weathered the Mount Pinatubo eruptions and the devastating aftermath in 1991 through 1996, and surpassed the Asian financial crisis of 1997. In every crisis that came its way, no matter the scope and scale, Mekeni Food Corp. stood firmly on family values, and excelled.

With the pandemic continuing to wane, greater optimism pervades Mekeni, Garcia himself self-assured of a double-digit growth in 2023.

 Mekeni in Milan

We decided to drop by again at Pinoy Saver’s Mart after our appointment at Intesa San Paolo on Friday (Jan. 27) and was really glad to see products from our very own Mekeni Food International available there. What they have there are Mekeni’s fishball, squid balls, and kikiam, which according to Gelvin Calolot, the son of the owner, were imported from the Philippines via the Netherlands the same way most of their Filipino products are. We can’t wait to see Mekeni tocino, longganisa, hotdogs, and other meat products reach Italy and the rest of Europe the way these are now penetrating the United States. We hope we could find a way to get these straight to Milan so that these would be more affordable to our kababayan. Because of the high cost of bringing the products to Milan, the price of a kilo of another popular Filipino hotdog brand is €25.00. ConGen Elmer G. Cato, Philippine Consulate General in Milan, Italy

 

Building homes, uplifting lives

The Hausland Group

 

“MY VISION is to uplift lives through housing because the greater majority of struggling individuals still think that having a decent roof over one’s head is almost a wish upon a star.”

The Hausland Group chairman and president Willy Tan readily translated that vision into his mission to “deliver the dream of home ownership one within reach and one that spells decent living” to as many the company could reach. And he has not wavered even a bit since.

In a span of a few years, Hausland Development Corp. (HDC) has grown out of its Pampanga niche to home in the outlying provinces of Central Luzon. Aye, breaking ground, building, developing, the Covid-19 pandemic notwithstanding.

Launched in September 2022 was Hauslands Subic, the company’s first mid-cost to upscale housing project that forms part of a vast 80-hectare master planned, mixed-use and sustainable development.

The 8.5-hectare first phase of the development comprised 271 available house and lots, and amenities including The Pavilion, an air-conditioned multi-function hall, indoor gym, homeowners’ association office, swimming pool, and landscaped parks.

A month after, Hauslands Bataan broke ground in Abucay town in a 13.8-hectare property subdivided to 697 lots and spacious community amenities. With a front area of 80-meter setback, the development can easily host fast-food chains and a mall.  

In December, The Hausland Group opened the FAB Central Terminal in Mariveles, Bataan its first project in commercial property business development. The 4,500 square meter-terminal facility is part of the 5.9-hectare property for a mixed-use development project in partnership between the company and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan.

Envisioned to be the central hub of Mariveles, the terminal can accommodate various vehicles with two-zone allotment for tricycles, 11 slots for PUV/PUJ jeepneys, 16 slots for regular buses, and nine slots for mini buses. It will also house 30 commercial stalls and two restaurant facilities.

It was also last December that The Hausland I am Home, Greener project was launched in Mabalacat City. The 14-hectare development for 938 future homeowners is masterfully-planned featuring a grand entrance gate, an airconditioned multi-function hall called The Pavilion, swimming pool, and naturally-fenced play park.

The Hauslands Mabalacat will also grow 28 balacat trees upon its completion, in partnership with the city environment and natural resources office in the hope of saving this endangered species.

Fiesta Communities

The string of successes of its Hauslands brand has not in any way hampered developments in HDC’s Fiesta Communities Inc. projects.

Launched in May was Fiesta Communities-Mariveles Phase 2 comprising 10 hectares with 1,093 units in Barangay Balon Anito.   

Started on Dec. 1 was PRIME Pampanga in a 15-hectare property of 865 lots in Manibaug-Paralaya, Porac.

On Dec. 17, launched was Fiesta Communities-Abucay in 16.8 hectares in Barangay Gabon subdivided to 1,282 lots.

Paying it forward 

Borne by Tan’s article of faith: “…ang lahat po ng nakikita natin dito hindi po nanggaling sa amin. Nanggaling itong lahat sa Diyos at ibinabalik lang po namin by way of following what we feel is our mandate,” HDC embarked in corporate social responsibility endeavors finding few precedents in the local housing industry.

On March 1, the Angeles-Magalang Bypass Road was inaugurated to ease the traffic congestion in the old Angeles-Magalang Highway. Some 8,200 square meters were donated by HDC to the city for the right-of-way of the road project.

On April 12, Hausland Group donated 10,505 sqm of land in Barangay Anunas also to the Angeles City government intended to be developed as a relocation site of 171 residential lots for an estimated 700 individuals from Anunas and EPZA.

On Dec. 4, a 2,000-square meter lot at Seabreeze in Barangay St. Francis II, Limay, Bataan was donated by the Hausland Group to site the Limay General Hospital.

As much in successful projects as in acts of benevolence did The Hausland Group close 2022 – on the highest note of excellence.

 

Taking off anew

LIPAD Corp.

 

HONGKONG, BANGKOK. Singapore. Macau. Tokyo. Multiple times weekly.

Caticlan. Davao. Cebu. Iloilo. Bacolod. General Santos. Cagayan de Oro. Puerto Princesa. Multiple times weekly, likewise.

February 27’s announcement by Cebu Pacific of the destinations it shall serve starting March from the Clark International Airport was a first in the history of the aviation industry in the country – for the airline too – if only for the sheer number of fights ticked off in a single event.

CEB is also getting three additional aircraft which will be based in Clark, on top of the 10 new Airbus NEO aircraft that will be delivered in 2023 to expand the airline’s entire fleet.

As much an affirmation of CEB as the Philippines’ leading carrier and largest airline servicing Northern and Central Luzon, as recognition of the CRK as premier gateway made most manifest there.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said so himself: “This would steer the transport sector, specifically the aviation industry, toward full recovery. The increased connectivity from Clark will also help develop the station as a premiere hub for aviation and international logistics in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Averred CEB president and CCO Xander Lao: “It allows us to boost our third operating hub in the Philippines that will help generate economic opportunities to support the country’s growth agenda.”

Data from the International Air Transport Association show that every job in the air transport industry supports 29 other jobs in tourism, supply chain and other related sectors. This means that with CEB hiring at least 140 pilots, cabin crew, and on-ground staff for its CRK hub, over 4,000 jobs for the locals can be produced.

The Philippine Airlines has not lagged either in boosting CRK this year, flying to Caticlan and Busuanga (Coron, Palawan) in April.

Sunlight Air opens flight to Coron in April too.

This March, Eva Air is poised to start its CRK-Taipei run, allowing connections to the rest of Asia, North America, and Europe.

Noel Manankil, CEO of the Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) that operates CRK, sees this increase in flights “not just positive signs of recovery by the travel industry but also of the attraction of the use of the new CRK terminal to travelers.”

Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic not only spoiled the grand celebration for the opening of the spanking new terminal but, more so, grounded the CRK to a veritable standstill, but for the Middle Eastern carriers that enabled the country to bring home OFWs who would have been stuck in their places of work during the pandemic.

With the relaxation of travel restrictions, particularly in 2022, CRK commenced its own take off to the skies anew. 

CRK recorded a 282.2% growth, with a 521.7% increase in domestic passengers and a 255.57% increase in international passengers over the same period in 2021.
There was a total of 16% growth vis-a-vis pre-pandemic figures.

A significant surge in passenger traffic was recorded, averaging to 4,000 per day by January 2023.

Presently, CRK hosts 71 international and 27 domestic flights weekly.
International carriers include Qatar Airways for Doha; Emirates for UAE; Jeju Air and Jin Air for Jeju, Busan, and Incheon; Philippine Airlines for Seoul; Gangwon for Yangyang Airport; Scoot and Jetstar for Singapore.

The local carriers are Cebu Pacific bound to Cebu; AirAsia and Royal Air both for Caticlan; and AirSwift for El Nido.

Noted Manankil: “With the resumption of pre-pandemic Cebu Pacific flights and the introduction of new routes, travelers may now seamlessly connect international and domestic destinations from this world-class terminal.”

Open, wide, blue skies beckon at Clark anew.

 

Eat is it!

Chef Vince Garcia Culinary Group

 

TASTE HAS no limits. Not so much in the context of unli-rice in some fast-food joint or in all-you-can-eat buffets for the consumer, as in a chef’s culinary choices.

This, proven – in the wake of the pandemic at that! – by the Chef Vince Garcia Culinary Group.   

Whipping up haute cuisine for a virtual who’s who in the world of cinema and the arts, politics, and business long established young Chef Vince as the “Chef to celebrities” – the C in upper case befitting the upper caste clients. 

His Rainforest Kichene in the City of San Fernando, founded in 2013, is a quotidian affirmation of his culinary excellence. He could have rested on…er, in the scheme of things cheffy, kept flavoring with his laurels with what he had already achieved and remained as profitably famous.

But no, Chef Vince has just more to share. Much more.

European-themed resto En Croute Café with its signature coffee and healthy plates was put up in Clark in partnership with surgeon and derma couple Dr. Eder and Dr. Aenelle Dizon in Dec. 2018.

The onset of restrictions owing to the Covid-19 pandemic constrained the closure of public spaces, eateries not excluded. Still, Chef Vince found time to engage in CSR with food he himself cooked and delivered to frontliners where it was possible.

It was the pandemic too – when health protocols were eased up – that partly gave the chef the impetus to set sight on new food ventures.

To provide jobs for the retrenched workers and fulfil his dream of a Samgyupsal place of his own as he and his wife Sheena are “fanatic eaters” of the Korean culinary delight, Chef Vince opened Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ in the City of San Fernando in February 2022.

Seven months later, Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ opened its first branch in Clark Freeport. A clear case of one delight deserving another…

And another, Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ branch at the Infinity CBD near Angeles City Hall soon opening…

And yet another, Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ branch along Lazatin Blvd. in the City of San Fernando now undergoing construction.

At the freeport, fast rising is VG Bakery + Bistro Clark.

Revenge gustation, anyone?

November 2022 made history for Chef Vince with the groundbreaking for the corporate office building of his eponymous culinary group in Barangay San Isidro, Bacolor, Pampanga.

“A momentous event for everyone, especially those who have witnessed, who grew with us, and who were with us through thick and thin. Finally, this is it. The dream we all have waited for. CVGCG will have now its own home,” enthused the chef.

Expected to rise in the first quarter of 2023, the building will house, aside from the corporate office, two subsidiaries.

Bravosteel Professional Kitchen and Equipment Solutions, a one-stop-shop that offers high standard stainless-steel fabrication and top-of-the-line kitchen equipment and machine. Its aim is to exquisitely design and build high functional kitchens for restaurants, cafe, hotels, hospitals, events place, commissary and real estate such as condominiums, private and luxury houses and resorts, with the 5-star after-sale service, its collateral read.

ZE Food Trading covering a full range of wholesale and retail of food supply and equipment, from imported quality food items like meat, poultry, dry goods, beverage mix, and more to high standard industrial kitchen/business tools.

Good as 2022 is, even greater promises 2023 for Chef Vince. Aye, eats a life!

 

 

 

 

Man of The Year: Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo, Mabalacat City

 
MCG. Mabalacat City Government. Mayor Crisostomo Garbo.

More than an instance of serendipity, this local government unit bearing identical initials with its chief executive assumes even some essence of providence – most manifest in the invocation of the Divine in each endeavor, Garbo translating it to dedicated labor, ever redounding to his constituents’ favor.    

Thereby, MCG meriting the highest stamp of approval in the Seal of Good Local Governance Award 2022 – Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal – for distinguished local government performance. It is actually the sixth time that the city earned the SGLG award. Garbo, not by mere coincidence mayhaps, also in his sixth year at the mayorship this year.

The accolade, as well as any other recognition that comes the city’s way, Garbo readily dedicated to the people: “Para kekatamu ya ngan pu ini, kabalen ku! To successfully deliver proper services to my fellow Mabalaquenians is my goal. This award is just a big bonus.”

The scale and scope – the facility too – of service delivery has become the hallmark of MCG, not only to the city constituency but even to other communities.

Indeed, what other LGU anywhere in the country could have done MCG’s deed of donating 16 ambulances to other LGUs – not only in Pampanga but in the cities of Balanga and Olongapo, and the Tarlac towns of Bamban and Capas as well? 

This, in February 2020 “as part of the blessings na pinagkakaloob po ng ating Panginoon, to be shared with others,” said the mayor of earmarking for donation part of the city’s share of the 5% tax on gross income earned by Clark Freeport locators.

“Kasi ‘yun po ang pangangailangan na talagang makakatulong po sa kanila in any eventuality. Alam niyo po, marami tayong pinaghahandaan ngayon. We don’t know because of this climate change, iyan po ang pinaka-importante ngayon… mayroon po tayong pangtulong,” Garbo noted at that time.

The coronavirus pandemic thereafter proving some prescience in the words of the mayor, the donation becoming truly providential.

On the home front, Mabalacat City has a fleet of 16 ambulances and all its 27 barangays have received rescue vehicles and garbage trucks, since Garbo took office.

MCG set a precedence as well in September 2021 when it donated 20 brand-new Nissan Navara pick-up trucks to the Pampanga Police Provincial Office for deployment in all police stations in the province. Then-PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar could only yearn: “Napakaganda na ito ay gayahin sa ibang pagkakataon at sa ibang lugar kung kakayanin din lamang.” 

That these donations were made during pandemic times did not in any way dent the city’s response to Covid-19.

 

CRIS confronts crisis

His training in the medical field enabled Garbo to cope with the uncertainty of the pandemic. CRIS – Covid-19 Response and Integrated System – was established for inclusivity, public awareness, and focused responsibility that are needed in order to have a sustainable and centralized cell-type integration in addressing the crisis.

Its comprehensive vaccination program became the toast of national government agencies, notably the DOH and the IATF, for its innovative approaches such as multiple small- and moderate-sized vax sites for greater accessibility thereby addressing the dilemma of vaccination hesitancy, and partnership with SM City Clark to use its cinemas as vax sites, setting the precedence, again, in Central Luzon where malls were present.

Garbo’s initiatives also included the “small bubbles program” – a force multiplier system tapping private companies to achieve a faster vaccination rate; the “after-work vaccination program” to accommodate constituents who find difficulty to show up on vax day due to work-related factors; and a mobile vaccination program catering to TODA and JODA members, which was the first in the region.

MCG was ahead of other LGUs too in the introduction and implementation of the “missed second dose” vaccination scheme.

Consistent with the policy of inclusivity, MCG was also the first in Pampanga to cover jail detainees in its vaccination programs

MCG came up too with a Home Care Package program with the RHU providing assistance in home-based isolation.

Mindful of the mental health of his constituents during the imposed restrictions, Garbo was among the first local executives to open barangay covered courts in a bubble set-up to encourage physical exercise as one coping mechanism.

On account of all these interventions and initiatives, Mabalacat City received the highest praises for its Covid-19 response, and recognized by the IATF for recording the highest vaccination rate in the whole region.

CRIS has also been hailed for having one of the latest data management analytics in partnership with DICT with daily dashboard.

Looking beyond the pandemic, CRIS reinfused the city’s vaccination data through QR-coded Mabalacat City Vaccination Status Cards which are digitally stored and integrated to other health programs of the city.

 

Exceptional healthcare

That Mabalacat City has exceptional healthcare comes with its chief executive’s territory – medicine.

Right off his very first days at the mayoralty, Garbo declared the health of the Mabalaquenians as top priority, effecting the allotment of P15 million for medical assistance and another P15 million for the city’s central pharmacy that he himself established.

While MCG does not operate its own hospital, it entered into partnerships with most of the city’s premium medical facilities to allow the constituents, especially the most indigent, access to their healthcare services. Specialists have also been hired to provide free medical consultancies that cover even critical illnesses and dreaded diseases.

Beneficiaries of financial/medical/hospital assistance availing themselves of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program for the year 2022 numbered 15,652 (4,955 males, 10,697 females).

The care of the infirmed elderly, already of high priority to MCG, Garbo further elevated to the ministerial plane – waking up as early as cockcrow to make his rounds of the community to visit the bedridden, bringing them provisions in cash and kind and engaging them in healing prayers.  

Dignity in death for even the poorest of the poor of the city MCG warranted with burial assistance.

 

Education

Yet another precedent set by MCG is the provision of free laptops to all public schoolteachers in the city shortly after the mayor took office – eventually proving prescient with the coming of the Covid pandemic making online education the main means, aye, platform, of schooling.

While being the first of its kind in Pampanga, the Mabalacat City College remained much in obscurity until its revival by MCG whence it is now listed in the Times Higher Education, South East Asia Ministry of Education, and able to enter world ranks in different categories. Often cited by the Commission on Higher Education for its socially-inclusive and trailblazing programs, MCC consistently produces topnotchers who are now at the forefront of workforce development complementing the manpower needs of the Clark Freeport.

The premium MCG has put in the skills development of its human resources greatly contributed to the city ranking first in the component cities category in the 2018 Competitiveness Index of the Department of Trade and Industry.

MCG also was the first in the region to go paperless through its data management unit in partnership with MCC by using the existing digital hubs around the city to ensure adequate and reliable connectivity.

Speaking of connectivity, Mabalacat City has its barangay desk digitally equipped with computers, software, printers, municipal forms for birth, and office supplies to compliment civil registration processing.

 

Child care

National acclamation makes a resounding affirmation of MCG being a true champion of the rights of women and children.

From 2019 to 2022, the Philippine Commission on Women certified Mabalacat City as a gender and development local learning hub for its efforts in gender-responsive local governance towards the promotion of human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

At the resumption of the local council for the protection of children assessment, Mabalacat City got the highest in the functionality of local councils for children in Pampanga. Under MCG, the city also garnered the highest rating of 95% for the Seal of Child-Friendly LGU in Central Luzon.

The 2022 national Gawad Edukampiyon for LGUs implementing early childhood care and development was also awarded to MCG.

 

Build, Build

MCG has fixed its sight on a new city hall complex in a 2.1-hectare lot right at the central Camachiles area. It will comprise a four-storey government building with a 1,500-seat convention center, and a museum.

Set for groundbreaking in March 2023, the edifice is expected to usher in a new urban center clustering all frontline and key offices as well as vital partner agencies under one roof for improved government service to the people.

Also in the pipeline are a state-of the-art command center, a new public market building at its current location, and a new slaughterhouse.

A data center will also be built as the city gears for digitalization that will help monitor provision of key city government services especially in healthcare. Such monitoring has already been started with the issuance of MCG Cares data and ID card to the city’s indigent residents.

There is also a plan to build tenement housing for the city’s underprivileged and informal settlers.

MCG is likewise committed to build a 20-bed facility at the province-ran Mabalacat City District Hospital, and to provide counterpart fund in the construction of a new Pampanga provincial hospital inside the Clark Freeport.

Improvement of public schools is also a priority. A school building for the deaf and mute with its own multi-purpose hall will be constructed at the Mabalacat Central Elementary School. The same kind of building in Dau Central Elementary School will also get its own upgrade.

Under its tie-up in the CAMP (Clark-Angeles-Mabalacat-Pampanga) alliance, MCG has also earmarked some funds for employees of the Clark Development Corp.  whose health insurance have been discontinued. The funds will be used for emergency cases of affected Clark workers.

Funding for all these projects shall come from current sources like local taxes and the city shares in the 5% gross income earned from Clark locators. As augmentation, a projected P160-million annual income will also be possible through the newly-passed Local Revenue Code.

Monitoring fund usage, on the one hand, will be made through the first ever Internal Audit and Quality Management Systems for the city government, a program that will help in fiscal management.

With completion of these projects targeted within the next five years, Mabalaquenians – at this early – are already keen to secure a resounding new mandate for MCG.

 

 

Gifted of grace

 

TODAY, MARCH 9, marks the 86^th birthday of Archbishop Emeritus Paciano B. Aniceto. It has also been nine years since Apu Ceto was succeeded as prelate of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, two years after reaching the mandatory age of retirement at 75.

Retired – we wrote here at that time – only from the administration of the archdiocese but not, never, from being the shepherd to his flock which he shall carry all his life. And, in the divine order of things, up until the life beyond, in the company of the elect basking in the glory of the Lord.

And indeed, he is as active, as involved, as committed as ever in his labors in the Lord’s vineyard everywhere, as though nothing has changed, in his status – for lack of a word – dispensing the gifts of his priestly faculties, sharing the gift of grace with his flock.

Correspondingly the outpouring of gratitude, praise, and reverence that came in the wake of his retirement continues to this day, ever growing that one feels some  beatification process has commenced for the cause of Apu Ceto.   

Apu Ceto will be the first to dismiss even the slightest whiff of saintliness ascribed to him. Just an everyday human being trying to live up to his calling, he would rather be deemed, humbling himself as one “malating talasuyu.”

It is precisely though that “littleness,” that “trying to live up to his calling” that have – in the eyes of his flock – elevated Apu Ceto over and above their everyday pastors, and enshrined him in their hearts. Precisely as the Good Book says of those who humble themselves.

By transcending all socio-economic classes, embraced as much by the perfumed set as by the sweating masses, Apu Ceto is in a class all his own, unwavering though in his steadfastness to the Church’s preferential option for the poor. His mission most focused on “the last, the least, and the lost” in human society. Again, the Good Book on the blessed who shall have the kingdom of heaven, who shall inherit the earth.    

If there is anybody that literally graces any and all occasion s/he comes to, it is Apu Ceto, with his abundance of such sanctifying gift. So much abundance that urban legend has it: Apu Ceto administering the sacrament of extreme unction warrants an instant visa to heaven, that whomever he served the viaticum passes on blissfully through the pearly gates. The peace, serenity and joy as they lay in state – those he anointed proximate to death – a testament to the potency of Apu Ceto’s gift of grace. 

Less human instinct than spiritual rush for the living to reach out to, to touch Apu Ceto, and be imbued with his grace. This I personally witnessed as much in the Pampanga parishes as in the different churches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, in his three pastoral visits from the 2000 to 2004.

And not only Kapampangans and other Filipino regional groups, but even Latinos, African-Americans and whites were wont to circle about him after each Mass seeking his blessing, kissing his hand, embracing him, taking photographs with him, not a few of these framed and found spots in their altars and family shrines at home.

So, I already sound like the postulator for the cause of sainthood of Apu Ceto when he had only retired, and still very much alive. So be it, his most enthusiastic apologist I may serve, but I offer no apologies.

Touched by his grace, the day I entered Mater Boni Consilii Seminary, prayerfully hoping to be a priest.

Unabandoned by him, in the darkest period of my apostasy, when the trinity of Marx-Lenin-Mao obliterated all faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  

Converted by his holiness – he did a Maximilian Kolbe, albeit of less-than-fatal proportion, when he signed my custody papers, offering himself in my stead at the Camp Olivas stockade, if ever I rejoined the movement. This in the earliest – and thus, most terrifying – days of Martial Law.

By his grace, I am alive and have become – for better – what I am now. As with countless others, not only in Pampanga but in the other dioceses he served, aye, every one whose life he has had even the slightest touch.

Apu Ceto is his own message. Messenger and message fused into one. It is from that oneness that emanates Apu Ceto’s charisma – in its true essence of grace endowed upon a person owing to his privileged position with the Divine, to paraphrase the sociologist Max Webber.

Apu Ceto is that good sermon we see, we feel, and – prayerfully – we live.

(Snatches from previous Zona pieces dating from 2014, crafted for our beloved Apu Ceto’s 86^th birthday, 9 March 2023)