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[27 October 2003]
Thousands of boy and girl scouts from elementary schools in this town
are in Barangay Amacalan for their Municipal Camporal. The
campsite is located in Purok Danao, only meters away from the Villa
Emilia Resort. Mayor Harmes Sembrano, also the President of the
Boy Scout of the Philippines - Tarlac Chapter, underscored the relevance
of scouting in everyone's daily lives in his inaugural speech. The
camping is from October 27 to October 30, 2003.
[17 October 2003] All systems go for
the 5th Mayor's Cup Inter-Commercial Basketball Tournament as it is set
to start on the 18th of this month. 10 teams participated for this
year representing their respective barangay and sponsor. Games
will be held every night at the covered court of the Don Matias Tañedo
Athletic Field in Poblacion 3 till November 17, 2003. The awarding
ceremonies is at the SK Youth Night on the 23rd of November in time for
the fiesta celebrations. P10,000 awaits the champion for this
year's tourney.
[25
September 2003]
September 22
to 23 is 2003 Family Week Celebrations. Local officials and
employees here had a simple ceremony which involves the reading of 2003
Family Week Message and the Prayer for the Filipino Family. This
year's theme is "The Home: a Cradle of Culture and Values". The
Social Welfare Office and the Population Commission launched seminars on
"Family Welfare and Responsible Parenthood" in various barangays.
Mayor Sembrano emphasized in his speech "the importance of a strong
family in community building, as such it should be nurtured".
[22
September 2003] Representatives from the
Ateneo Graduate School of Business and MicroSys presented here their
proposal to fully computerize this town's operations thru the
installation of various Information Systems. The package is said
to be worth 24 million pesos and includes web hosting, structured
cabling, hardware and software, encoding and other paraphernalia.
If implemented, taxpayers can pay their taxes and apply their business
permits and licenses thru this site. The LGU will then pay the
proposing group thru the "per transaction scheme" in which they will
have a certain percentage on every transaction made thru the systems.
Local officials are now deliberating its feasibility to ensure that the
LGU wont be shortchanged on the deal.
[12
September 2003]
A total of 55 women-delegates from Busilak Women's Groups, Barangay
Health Workers, Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) and SEA Kaunlaran Group
Don Basilio went at the SK Hall here to learn decorative candle making
from instructors sent by the Department Trade and Industry (DTI).
The candle making workshop was a project of Office of the Municipal
Agriculturist in cooperation with the Office of the Mayor and MSWDO
(Social Welfare). Sembrano said in a short speech "that this is
only one of the many projects lined up for the empowerment of women as
partners in community-building." He also said that he will allot more
funding for women groups who would like to venture into similar
undertakings. The D TI facilitators were Coria L. Soriano, Ma.
Divina Gloria Ramos and Eva Evangelista.
[26 August 2003]
Diari de Girona, a respected Spanish daily newspaper in the City of
Girona, Spain, made a feature out of this municipality in its August 10,
2003 issue. Diari de Girona referred to this town as a namesake of
Girona City and as a potential business and tourism hub in the region.
Most of the data and photo used the article were taken from this website
by its writer Jesus Badenes. The article was sent by Mr. Joe Nadal
of said City. Gerona was named after the City of Girona, Spain
which was the hometown of then Governor General Nicolas Claviera.
[21 August 2003]
Municipal
employees and officials here led by Mayor Harmes S. Sembrano
commemorated the 20th Death Anniversary of Senator Benigno "Ninoy"
Aquino, Jr. thru a solemn program at the Municipal Hall Lobby.
Sembrano stressed that Ninoy's death served as the catalyst that
brought back freedom to this country. Councilor Tonju Perez read
Ninoy's famous arrival speech "The Filipino is Worth Dying For."
The song "Bayan Ko" was also sung during the ceremonies.
[01
August 2003] The
Gerona Municipal Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GMEMPC) opened its
first business venture in the form of a mini-grocery store at the SK
Hall. The store offers grocery items with prices lower than most
grocery stores in Gerona. Cooperative members may also borrow
items from the store payable within 15 days. The GMEMPC was
founded only last February with Mr. Gerald Castañeda as its founding
chairman. Marlyn Mejia and Boyet Evangelista were designated as
store managers. It opens from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Mayor
Sembrano has already pledged to grant P100,000 for the cooperative's
cause.
[08
July 2003]
All of the Barangay Officials in the 44 barangays were lectured here at
the Villa Emilia Resort in Barangay Amacalan on topics concerning Solid
Waste Management as part of the LGUs clean and green project. Mr.
Ruben Posadas of Lacto-Asia discussed three relevant topics while MPDO
Gerald Castañeda presented the Solid Waste Management program of the
municipality. Mayor Sembrano stressed in his welcome address that
it is about time for the municipality to take care of its waste before
its too late.
[01
July 2003]
10.119 grams of shabu were confiscated by PDEA and local police
operatives here in a lawful search held at the residence of former
Punong Barangay Paz Cupcupin (sister of former Tarlac City Mayor Ace
Manalang) in Pob. 2. The suspected shabu was in a small black bag
found under the bed of Alvin Cupcupin, who was the actual subject of the
search. The search warrant was issued by TRC Br. 65 in Tarlac
City. The suspect was not around during the search and is believed
hiding as of the moment.
[18 June 2003]
Another 35 poor but deserving students (30 for high school and 5 for
college) were formally added to the list of the LGU Gerona scholars in a
MOA signing held at the Audio-Visual Room of the Gerona Municipal Hall.
The scholars were chosen via a qualifying exams and a strict background
check on their present economic status to ensure that only those who are
in need will be considered as scholars. Aside from the scholars
and their parents, present during the affair were Mayor H Sembrano, Vice
Mayor A Batenga and other local elected officials.
[12 June 2003]
The Philippine National Flag was displayed in almost every home and
building in Gerona to celebrate the 105th anniversary of Philippine
Independence. Mayor Sembrano and local officials led a parade
around the Poblacion together with employees, students, teachers, NGOs,
NGAs and other concerned citizens. In the ensuing program,
Sembrano stressed in his speech that the people must be responsible and
should be concerned with issues. The program was held at the new
Gerona Mini Park.
[11 June 2003]
Judge Luisito Adaoag and a certain SPO3 Eduardo Galicia of the Gerona
Police Station were caught red handed by NBI operatives receiving marked
money (P20,000.00) from a complainant at the judge's office at the
Municipal Trial Court here in Gerona at around 2:00 PM. SPO3
Galicia denied the allegations in an interview shown in a TV news
program. Charges of direct extortion and violation of Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act will be filed against them.
[02 June 2003] Mayor Harmes Sembrano went today to Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia to attend a seminar on
"Sustainable Farming – Ensuring Food Security and
Environmental Quality" sponsored by the Afro-Asian Rural Development
Organization (AARDO) from June 2 to 8, 2003. Sembrano was only
among the few chosen by the AARDO to attend the all expense paid trip
and seminar.
[28 May 2003] Ms Chriska Abellar Gutierrez (Ms. Gerona 2000) was
adjudged 1st runner-up in the Mutya ng Tarlac beauty pageant held at the
Diwa ng Tarlak in Tarlac City in celebration of the Araw ng Tarlak.
She also won the following awards: Ms. Photogenic, Ms. Magic Star Mall,
and 2nd runner in the Flores de Mayo. She received P20,000.00 in cash
plus sash and trophy. Ms. Tarlac and Ms. Pura won Mutya ng Tarlac and
2nd runner-up respectively.
[23 May 2003] OPERATION Summer Cut, an yearly free circumcision project
of Mayor Sembrano, ended here at the Poblacion Area with a total of 196
patients. Over-all, operation summer cut was able to serve 1,515
patients from 44 barangays. The project was in cooperation with
the Provincial Health Office which sent a group of doctors for the
operations. It started April 1 until May 23, 2003.
[23 May 2003] The local sanggunian here declared the Municipal Hall
Compound as a no-smoking area thru SB Ordinance No. 311. It was
brought about by an earlier request of Mayor Sembrano to enact the same
which Councilor Perez acted upon. Penalty for violators is from
reprimand and warning to a fine of P/2,500.00 and two hours of community
service. A small space at the back of the municipal hall was the
only site designated as smoking area within the municipal hall.
[09 May
2003] Mayor Harmes Sembrano has called for the establishment of
a One-Stop Service Shop -- an all-in-one shop that seeks to provide
assistance to every tax-payer and business entrepreneur in the shortest
time possible. He has tasked each office to simplify the process
for application for permits and payments of fees. The shorter the
processing of applications and permits, the less it will be prone to
graft and corruption, he said. The One-Stop Service Shop will also
have a waiting area where customers may sip tea or coffee or watch TV
while waiting for their papers.
[04 May 2003] Judge Arnel Peralta, who was earlier caught red handed
receiving marked bribe money, hanged himself to death in his house in
Batasan Hills, Quezon City. He was declared dead on arrival.
After his arrest, charges of direct extortion and violation of
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were filed against him. The
alleged extortion was supposedly in order for the judge to decide in
favor of a certain Dr. Luz Macaraeg (a daughter of a former mayor) in a
slander case pending in the judge's sala.
[28 April 2003] The Municipal SK Federation in cooperation with Mayor Harmes Sembrano lauched today the 1st SK Sports Festival to be
participated in by all SK officials in Gerona. The games will be
held at the Don Matias Tañedo Memorial Athletic Field. It was
conceived to forge camaraderie and familiarity among SK officials so
that they can share ideas on how to pursue the goals of the
organization.
[14 April 2003] Gerona was the only town in Tarlac to be chosen as one
of the pilot beneficiaries of the e-LGU Project of the National Computer
Center. The e-LGU Project will install (for free) related
Information Systems that will afterwards be integrated to this site.
Come 2004, Cyber Geronians may then be able to apply for permits and
clearances or pay their real property taxes online.
[11 April 2003] Barangay Chairman Arsenio Alonzo, Sr. of San Bartolome,
Gerona was
stabbed to death while watching the graduation rites of Sulipa National
High School. He was sitting at the driver's seat of their barangay patrol when
he was stabbed once on the chest area. The suspect
(yet to be identified) escaped is now being hunted by the local
police. Alonzo, a three time barangay chairman, was
pronounced dead upon arrival.
[09 April 2003] The religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo
conducted a Linis Bayan operation in all the 44 barangays of Gerona.
As early as 8:00 am, INC members simultaneously did a clean-up in all
road shoulders and public places. The Linis Bayan project was done
before noon.
[01 April 2003] OPLAN Summer Cut (free circumcision)
launching in Brgy. Calayaan by LGU Gerona and the Provincial Health
Office. More than a hundred minors (from a cluster of four
barangays) were circumcised for free. OPLAN Summer Cut will be
offered in all the 44 barangays thru clustering. This is the 3rd
OPLAN Summer Cut under Mayor Sembrano.
[31 March 2003] The first graduating batch of high school
scholars sponsored by the Local Government were treated to a special
dinner hosted by Mayor Harmes Sembrano. Aside from the 25
graduating scholars and their parents, Gov. Jose Yap and other
local officials were present to grace the affair. Each scholar
received a special gift and a Certificate of Recognition. The
dinner was held near the SK Hall.
[29 March 2003] First CG (Cyber Geronians) Meet. Fishfillet, Madjo, Renz and Bless met near the gate of the Municipal
Hall Compound. After then, they proceed to try the ambience of
Bambino's Place and then Live Bistro. Of course, there was more
than the ambience... lots of kwentuhan and asaran. More emergency
EBs to come to make way for the grand EB. Keep posted at the
Discussion Forum.
[28 March 2003] Gerona Junior College 57th Commencement
Exercises. Ms. Nelita Asio-Tabbada of Class 1964 is the Guest of Honor
and Speaker. Almario T. Delos Reyes, Jr. as valedictorian and
Adonis R. Curaming as salutatorian. MADJO (Joy Marie Blanco)
recites the Pledge of Loyalty. Venue is at the Gerona Plazuela at
7:00 pm.
[16 March 2003] A suspected big time local drug pusher was
nabbed in a buy bust operation initiated by the local police, RIID, PDEA,
306 CIDG, and intel operatives of the Tarlac Provincial Police Office.
The suspect, Victor SY Y Barawidan, was caught in Barangay Amacalan.
In his possession is a plastic sachet containing 9 grams of methamphetamine
hydrochloride or shabu.
[14 March 2003] The Danding for President Movement -
Tarlac headed by Atty. Bles Buan launched a signature
campaign at the Gerona Junior College in its effort to
convince the SMB top honcho to run for President come
2004.
[12 March 2003] Marilou P. Malvar, wife of local
newspaper (DYARYO BANAT) publisher and radio announcer
Jess Malvar , was nabbed by CIDG - Palawan for alleged estafa
cases filed against her in local courts
in Palawan. Malvar posted bail. |