CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan–An illegal drug dealer identified as one alias “Parak” was caught by Sta. Maria police operatives during a buy bust operation on Wednesday.

Bulacan police director Col. Relly Arnedo said one alias Parak, 32, was arrested in Barangay Bagbaguin. The suspect yielded 4 sachets of shabu worth P20,400 and marked money.

In other anti-illegal drug operations, 2 individuals engaged in the illegal drug trade were arrested by San Miguel and Calumpit police stations. Seized from them were 3 sachets of shabu worth P6,800 and 2 sachets of dried marijuana worth P1,200 and marked money.

In similar apprehensions carried out by the tracker teams of the City of San Jose del Monte and Marilao police stations, 6 individuals, wanted for various crimes and offenses based on court-issued warrants were arrested. They are currently held in custody by the respective arresting units/stations pending due process.

Bulacan PNP’s relentless pursuit of wanted criminals and the crackdown on illegal drug trades reflect the police commitment to region 3 police director Jose Hidalgo Jr.’s mandate in maintaining peace and order in the region under the “Pulis ng PRO 3, Partner ng Pamayanan” thrust.

CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan—Police operatives arrested eight illegal drug suspects and six other crime suspects during simultaneous anti-criminality operations in different towns and cities in the province until Thursday.

Bulacan police director Col. Relly Arnedo identified the first four arrested as one alias Ching and his three companions. They were caught in a buy-bust operation at around 11:40 p.m. in Barangay Longos on Wednesday. Confiscated from them were 4 sachets of suspected shabu worth P81,600 including marked money.

Also, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of Guiguinto and Angat police stations also apprehended four drugs suspects and confiscated 11 sachets of suspected shabu worth P15,000 including marked money. The arrested suspects and the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) for appropriate examination while criminal complaints for violations of R.A. 9165 have been prepared for filing against them in court.

At the same time, six individuals who are wanted for various crimes and offenses were apprehended by tracker teams from the City of San Jose del Monte, City of Meycauayan, Marialo, Sta. Maria and Calumpit police stations. These individuals are presently under the custody of the arresting unit/stations for proper disposition.

Reflecting the Bulacan PNP’s unwavering commitment to reducing crime and ensuring public safety is guided by Region 3 police director PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr, The success of these operations underscores the police dedication and effectiveness in combating drug-related crimes and apprehending offenders under the “Pulis ng PRO 3, Partner ng Pamayanan” thrust, Arnedo said.

CITY OF CABANATUAN—A drug den in this city was busted by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives following the arrest of four drug suspects and the seizure of more than P100,000 worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation on Thursday.

PDEA Nueva Ecija team leader identified the arrested as PDEA Nueva Ecija team leader identified the apprehended suspects as Christopher “Tope” Espiritu, 46, the maintainer of the illegal drug den; Allan Junio, 54 and Michael San Juan, 42, all from Purok 1, Barangay Isla and one Samson “Sonny” Santos, 50, Purok 1, Barangay San Joseph Sur, all in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

They were caught inside the makeshift drug den during a buy-bust operation at around 1:45 p.m.

Six pieces of transparent plastic sachets containing more or less 15 grams of shabu amounting to P103,000, assorted drug paraphernalia and the buy-bust money were recovered from the suspects.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them.

Fifteen Guiguinto garden designers and ladscape artists vie for the Best in 5-minute dish garden design competition during the opening Thursday of this year’s 26th Halamanan Festival held at Garden City Cooperative Center in Tabang Cloverleaf.

Photos by Carmela Reyes-Estrope.

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—Plant and tissue culture heads from the Department  of Science and Technology (DOST), from the University of the Philippines Los Banos including private plant breeding experts will work hand in hand with plant growers of Guiguinto to develop more variety of hybrid and grafted first class ornamental plants as part of the step up measures to further bring to the next level the plant industry of Guiguinto as the Garden Capital of the country.

“With our iLaboratory, we invite experts from UP Los Banos, DOST, landscape architects, urban planners, agriculture and business entrepreneurs so we could learn from them as we further boost our plant industry in Guiguinto,” Mayor Cruz said.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office Chief Henry Alcantara assured Guiguinto officials and the plant industry sector in the town of the full completion of the plant laboratory this year.

The 4-day Jan. 18-21 festival also includes the competition for figure plant, topiary, on the spot dish garden design, cactus and succulents design, ornamental and bougainvillea plants and design including carroza competition, indakan sa kalye, “Ulat sa Bayan” of Mayor Atty. Agatha “Agay” Cruz and many others.

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in partnership with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and NLEX Corporation, officially signed an agreement of building a new interchange in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga.

The Sto. Tomas Interchange is part of the Greater Pampanga Circumferential Road Masterplan and will serve as link to the future Lubao-Guagua-Minalin-Sto. Tomas (LGMST) Bypass Road project of the DPWH. This interchange will soon be connected to other big infrastructure projects in the town including a new hospital and a university, bringing more progress to the municipality.

“Mapalad ang Sto. Tomas dahil ang bubuksan nating interchange dito ay magsisilbing daan tungo sa progreso ng bayang ito. Kami po sa DPWH ay katuwang ninyo sa pagsasakatuparang ng mga proyektong naglalayong mapagaan at mapagandan ang buhay ng mga mamamayang Pilipino,” DWPH Region III Director Engr. Roseller A. Tolentino said.

While this is a DPWH project, its completion and subsequent operation and maintenance will be a collaborative effort of the DPWH, TRB and NLEX Corporation with the support of the Sto. Tomas LGU and the 4^th District of Pampanga.

“With the opening of our NLEX [Sto. Tomas] Interchange, I see us being one of the most progressive areas. Hindi lang po municipality of Sto. Tomas, pero the whole of 4th district and southern Pampanga po ay mabubuksan po dito,” said Congresswoman Bondoc.

Adding that, “sobra po ang magiging impact sa amin sa pag dami ng businesses, pagtaas ng land values, new economic opportunities, more jobs, pati more investors.”

Mayor Sambo also expressed his excitement towards this project and said that this new interchange will serve as an instrument in achieving the municipality’s goal of bringing progress to the town. “Gaganda po ang ating ekonomiya, higit sa lahat, darami po ang trabaho sa ating bayan,” he said.

Sto. Tomas Interchange will also help decongest the Olongapo-Gapan Road by bringing NLEX closer to the towns in the west. This project is envisioned to improve the lives of the communities within the project vicinity as it serves as a solution to the increasing traffic demand in the region driven by agro-industrial growth.

Executive Director Carullo, on behalf of the TRB, also expressed support for the project and said, “as long as its technically, financially, and legally feasible, we will defend all projects like this that will spur economic development.”

On the other hand, MPTC President and CEO Singson, emphasized that MPTC’s goal is to address the needs of the communities being traversed by its expressways. This is aligned with MPTC’s vision to propel economic growth and national progress by responsibly connecting communities.

“Ang lawak pa ng Sto. Tomas, all it needs is a good access. So here it is, ito na po ang hinihintay ninyong Sto. Tomas Interchange, which will not only improve Sto. Tomas but Minalin, Mexico, and all the communities that will be affected by the Lubao-Guagua-Minalin-Sto. Tomas Bypass, and in the bigger context, ‘yon pong tinatawag nating Greater Pampanga Circumferential Road Master Plan,” said Singson.

The Sto. Tomas Interchange is just one of many infrastructure projects in Pampanga. In fact, the NLEX Candaba 3^rd Viaduct Project is now 34% complete and is expected to be delivered by November this year, while the expansion of NLEX in San Fernando to Sta. Ines in Mabalacat, Pampanga is targeted to start in the second quarter of 2024.  

NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—The Halamanan Festival in this town, considered as the Garden Capital of the Philippines is not his sole works and efforts, Fifth District Rep. Ambrosio C. Cruz Jr. said on Thursday, during the start of the 4 day, Jan. 18-21 celebration of this year’s 26th Halamanan Festival.

Cruz who conceptualized and initiated the Halamanan Festival in Guiguinto in 1998, when he first held office as elected mayor of Guiguinto to give a distinct identity to the town, recognized and expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all the barangay captains and local leaders, the municipal employees, the private sectors and all the members of their community who joined him and supported him in the project for 26 years now.

The festival has not only helped the garden industry flourished and boom further for nearly three decades now but more so had achieved its goals and visions to create for Guiguinto its own unique and appropriate distinction as the plant center and capital of the country.

Not only that Halamanan Festival coveted Singkaban’s best festival award, it was also recognized by Aliwan Festival as among the leading local cultural events in the country today.

But Cruz who had served as 18 years as two season mayor of Guiguinto said he could not do it all alone by himslef with the hard works of all his fellow local officials, partner community and civic sectors and the heads and employees of the municipal government.

“Sinasabi na ako ang nagsimula ng lahat ng ito. Totoo yan, maaring ako nga po ang may idea at konsepto ng mga ito, pero hindi lamang po ako nag mag-isang nagtaguyod nito kundi kayo pobg lahat. Ang mga kapitan. Ang iba’t ibang sector po natin dito sa ating bayan, ang bawat department heads at ang ating pong mga kawani. Tayo pong lahat ang nasa likod ng ating ngayo’y 26 taon ng Halamanan Festival,” the congressman said.

The congressman said, the Halamanan Festival has made Guiguinto known not only in the country but in the rest of the world.

Guiguinto since the 60’s and the 70’s has been the ornamental center of Bulacan where garden stalls and nurseries sprouted all over in Barangay Sta. Cruz areas, Violeta Village, Rosaryville and along the Cloverleaf and at the approach of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Tabang until it grows bigger and bigger supplying the plant needs of the rest of the country.

Success differs from one person to another. While some define success as achieving a thriving career, others associate it with wealth. Yet, for some like Clemen Aday, a 56-year-old from Quezon Province, success goes beyond earning cash. She emphasizes that it is the ability to share hope with other people.

Clemen spent most of her adulthood working hard to make ends meet. She found employment in a coconut factory, where she not only earned a living but also met her life partner. Together, they sold nilupak (a Filipino dessert made from mashed cassava) in local markets.

Their lives began to change when their friend gave them corn seeds to plant. She saw this as an opportunity to start a plantation and did not hesitate to use the remaining back-pay cash from the company she worked at to buy a hectare of land.

At 38, Clemen used all her knowledge in planting to turn her land into a corn field. All her hard work eventually paid off with good sales and high income.

However, her golden field once became dark and muddy. She faced a great loss when Typhoon Paeng washed away all her crops. Her months of hard work are put into waste.

“I was very devastated at that time because we lost a significant amount of money. Fortunately, CARD Bank is here to support me in getting back on my feet even though I have no idea how to start over,” she said.

Devastated but determined, Clemen turned to CARD Bank, a microfinance-oriented rural bank, for financial support. The Bank provided her with a PHP 400,000 loan, enabling her to restart her plantation and recover from the loss.

Clemen learned about the financial institution through friends who were attending CARD Bank’s center meetings near a small chapel. Initially skeptical, she was drawn in by the individual responsibility of loans. Her good repayment to her loan led to increasing amounts. Never late with payments, she aimed to inspire others with her financial discipline.

Her discipline allowed her to invest in vehicles for her business and contribute to the community by giving away crops to those in need. With CARD Bank’s support, Clemen continued running her cornfield, standing strong against adversities. Clemen’s advice is simple to other aspiring entrepreneurs, “If you want to start something, go for it. Even if you fail, start again. Stay composed and don’t be discouraged.” In her journey, success was no just personal; it was about resilience, community, and the willingness to try again.

CARD Leasing and Finance Corporation (CARD LFC) celebrates its 11th year of providing financial services to economically challenged entrepreneurs, families, and communities on January 10, 2024.

Established in 2013, CARD LFC has been a crucial force of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) in providing leasing and financing schemes. It offers operating leases, finance leases, and various financing products tailored to meet the needs of MSMEs and social enterprises.

Distinguishing itself from other lending entities, CARD LFC allocates 14% of its portfolio to financing Social Enterprises and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This commitment actively contributes to the promotion of inclusive growth among entrepreneurs.

Holistic Client-Centric Approach

CARD LFC President Frederick Nicasio M. Torres attributes the institution’s success to its holistic and hands-on client engagement approach. Going beyond traditional lending practices, the institution addresses client concerns personally and proactively refers them to other CARD MRI institutions for business expansion. Torres emphasizes that this client-centric strategy not only builds trust but also fuels the institution’s outstanding performance.

Despite challenges, CARD LFC’s good performance reflects CARD MRI’s unwavering commitment to community service. Torres underscores the institution’s dedication to eradicating poverty by supporting clients in establishing sustainable businesses through affordable leasing and financing services.

As of December 31, 2023, CARD LFC has outstanding loans exceeding PHP 489 million and holds over PHP 87 million worth of equipment for lease. The institution has assisted more than 18,000 clients, leaving a cumulative impact evident in Off-Grid related Solar Projects that have benefited over 15,000 families.

Since its inception, CARD LFC has been a cornerstone of financial empowerment, providing start-up, vehicle, and gadget loans to clients within and outside the CARD MRI network.

As it celebrates 11 years of empowering dreams, CARD LFC commits to remaining steadfast in its mission to catalyze positive change in the lives of those it serves.

For more information, visit its official website at https://www.cardmri.com/clfc/ or Facebook page,  @CARDLFCOfficial.