Informer Newspaper Publishing

15/01/2026

Calling all 𝗩𝗜𝗫𝗜𝗘𝗦! 💜 Are you ready to scream and cheer to the MAX? 😉

Catch VXON live this JAN 20, TUE, 3PM at the Mall Atrium, SM City Tarlac. 🙌 It's your chance to connect, snap a photo, and enjoy explosive performances from VXON. 🤩 Trust us, you don’t want to miss this! 😉

𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘! 🥳 Scan the QR code or click the link to register 👉: https://click.smmallsonline.com/DFqS/SMTLEVENTS

Mark your calendars and bring your fellow VIXIES! 💜 Let's make it a day to remember! 💫 See you there!🤩

12/01/2026

Festival Vibes + Big Savings?🎉✨It’s giving SALE + CELEBRATION to the MAX! 🎊

Join the fun at SM City Tarlac’s TARLAC FESTIVAL SALE on January 16, 17 & 18! 😍 Shop, dine, and explore the mall while scoring up to 70% OFF on amazing finds. 😉🛍️🔥

More deals, more steals, more reasons to celebrate—this is your shopping fiesta, ! 🤩 This and more, from your Home of Celebrations!🥳

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. R3-TAR-001, Series of 2026

10/01/2026

Capas approves P1.021B annual budget
By JERRY M. HERNANDEZ
The Manila Times
10 January 2026

CAPAS Mayor Roseller Rodriguez has signed the more than P1 billion 2026 annual budget, making it the lone municipality in Tarlac to approve a billion-peso allocation.

10/01/2026

NEcija, SKorean universities link up for academic excellence
By JERRY M. HERNANDEZ
The Manila Times
10 January 2026

IN an effort to expand international academic activities, the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (Neust) has tied up with South Korea’s Sunchon National University (SCNU).

08/01/2026

Nearly 2k disadvantaged workers in Tarlac employed through Tupad Program
By JERRY M. HERNANDEZ
The Manila Times
9 January 2026

‎TARLAC – Close to 2,000 disadvantaged workers in the province were given temporary employment last year under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged-Displaced Workers (Tupad) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In its record, DOLE Tarlac reported a total of 1,886 workers from various municipalities were provided jobs under the program from January to December in 2025.

The agency has released a total of P11,577,270 in wages to program beneficiaries in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies.

Senior Labor and Employment officer Jumel Vitao said the beneficiaries included workers from the disadvantaged sector aged 18 years old and above.

Vitao added that detainees from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Tarlac City and Camiling were also hired as workers during the program’s implementation.

Tupad projects implemented in the province focused on community development such as street sweeping, canal and environmental clean-up, vegetable gardening, tree planting, and the painting of public facilities.

Vitao assured the continuation of the program this year in partnership with LGUs through their Public Employment Service Offices.

“We will continue implementing the TUPAD program in 2026 in partnership with LGUs and various government agencies,” he said.

The program is part of the government’s efforts to support vulnerable sectors.

TARLAC — Close to 2,000 disadvantaged workers in the province were given temporary employment last year under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged-Displaced Workers (Tupad) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

08/01/2026

START 2026 MORE ORGANIZED---AND MORE MEANINGFUL---WITH SM MALL

The start of a new year is more than a reset---it's a celebration of fresh beginnings, shared goals, and everyday wins. In 2026, SM Mall continues to be The Home of Celebrations, where togetherness, milestones, and simple joys are all worth celebrating---including the journey toward a more organized life.

With the right planning essentials, every plan, goal, and routine becomes a moment worth honoring. From planners and calendars to notebooks and desk essentials, SM Mall makes it easy to begin the year with clarity, intention, and joy.

Shoppers can explore a wide range of 2026 planning tools from National Book Store, Miniso, Blue Magic, and SM Stationery inside SM Store, thoughtfully designed to support productivity, focus, and everyday organization---whether for work, school, or personal growth.

Make your 2026 your most organized---and most celebrated--year yet. Planning essentials are available at SM City Tarlac.

07/01/2026

Clark semiconductor workers cited as key to global supply chain
By JERRY M. HERNANDEZ
The Manila Times
8 January 2026

SEMICONDUCTOR workers in Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) were cited by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) as key contributors to global supply chains, reaffirming its support for the continued growth of the industry, including in electronics, in Central Luzon.

CDC President and CEO Agnes Devanadera said the precision work of semiconductor employees in Clark directly supports global manufacturing and technology systems, ensuring safety, reliability, and operational continuity across industries.

She said that components produced inside the CFZ form part of the global semiconductor value chain.

“You may feel that your work is simple or insignificant, but the small parts you create here in Clark are vital – not only for this community, but for the global semiconductor industry,” Devanadera said during an event of Inari Amertron, Inc.

Inari Amertron Inc., a subsidiary of Malaysia-based Inari Amertron Berhad Group, is one of Clark’s anchor semiconductor firms, supplying components to international technology companies and reinforcing Freeport's role in global manufacturing networks.

She noted that disruption in semiconductor production can have far-reaching economic effects, highlighting the importance of integrity, commitment, hard work, and workplace safety in meeting global demand.

“Even when times seem dark — whether here at home or abroad — remember that in your own corner of the world, you shine like a star,” Devanadera added.

The workforce’s contribution is also linked to CDC’s broader development agenda, citing continued support for semiconductor firms through investment facilitation and business development initiatives to strengthen Clark’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

CDC said it will remain committed to support semiconductor investments in Clark to promote innovation, generate quality employment, and enhance the country’s participation in global supply chains.

SEMICONDUCTOR workers in Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) were cited by Clark Development Corp. (CDC) as key contributors to global supply chains, reaffirming its support for the continued growth of the industry, including in electronics, in Central Luzon.

06/01/2026

Farmers to receive new rice varieties for improved yields
By JERRY M. HERNANDEZ
The Manila Times
7 January 2026

THROUGH the Variety Field Trials (VFT) implemented by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), new variety of palays (unmilled rice) is expected to help improve the country’s harvest by 2027.

The new varieties of palay are set to be distributed to farmers at the onset of wet season next year.

PhilRice said at least 173 out of 180 target VFT sites have been established across the country in last year’s wet season amid calamities and rat infestation, where 69 of these were already able to harvest as part of study of viability of the new varieties.

Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, 15 in**ed rice varieties are being tested in 78 provinces to ensure the seedlings are compatible with lands, climate, and farmers’ preferences in the localities.

VFT focal person Justine Ragos explained that farmers are given choices of what variety is suitable in the farms.

A new variety, he said, was found to be similar to the popular NSIC Rc 222, which produce good quality. New varieties currently introduced and preferred by farmers are also compared to NSIC Rc 600–700 in**ed series.

VFT Field Days have been conducted by branch stations of PhilRice where farmers, local officials, and seed growers are encouraged to observe and study the performance of each variety. Feedbacks are then used as bases in local seed selection workshops.

PhilRice said through VFT, coordination between these sectors, including research institutes, and will push for the use of certified in**ed seeds.

Selected varieties will be reproduced by seed growers until next year’s dry season before distribution on the wet season.

THROUGH the Variety Field Trials (VFT) implemented by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), new varieties of palay (unmilled rice) are expected to help improve the country’s harvest by 2027.

06/01/2026

1st Tarlac Robotics Governor’s Cup spotlights student innovators
By JERRY M. HERNANDEZ
The Manila Times
7 January 2026

JUNIOR and Senior High School students from public and private schools across the country will take the spotlight as the 1st Tarlac Robotics Governor’s Cup commences.

The tilt is set to bring these students together to provide a platform for young innovators to design and present robotics-based solutions addressing real-world community challenges.

Anchored on the theme “Technology for Resilient Communities”, it aims to encourage creative problem-solving, collaboration, and the application of science and technology for social good.

Department of Science and Technology provincial director Karen Dañez said the activity, being the first of its kind in the province, is designed to ignite students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by providing a venue to showcase their engineering and robotics skills.

“By fostering critical thinking and hands-on problem-solving, we are empowering the youth to become future-ready innovators and the next generation of tech-driven leaders,” she noted.

The event is expected to highlight student-driven innovations and demonstrate how emerging technologies can be harnessed to build resilient, adaptive, and inclusive communities.

For interested applicants, registration and abstract submission are open until 11:59pm of January 16.

Each participating team must be composed of two junior high school students, one senior high school student, and one official coach.

Moreover, 25 teams will be advancing to the final round where finalists will exhibit their entries during the 2nd Tarlac Provincial Science Fair from February 2 to 6.

JUNIOR and senior high school students from public and private schools across the country will take the spotlight during the 1st Tarlac Robotics Governor’s Cup.

05/01/2026

See you on January 11, 2025 at 11 AM!

02/01/2026

SHOP AND SAVE THIS NEW YEAR AT SM’s END OF SEASON SALE

Kick off 2026 with exciting finds and bigger savings as SM City Tarlac bring you the End of Season Sale from January 2-11, 2026.

Start the New Year in style with up to 70% off on great finds. Whether you’re refreshing your wardrobe for the year ahead or upgrading your home with new must-haves, SM has everything you need and all at irresistible prices.

Make your New Year shopping more rewarding and enjoy amazing deals only at SM. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. R2-CGY 1299, Series of 2025.

26/12/2025

FROM OUR SMILES TO YOURS — SM CITY TARLAC CHRISMILES 2025

Kids from partner agencies were filled with joy as they shared the laughter and fun moments with volunteers from SM City Tarlac during this year’s Chrismiles 2025.

Fun games were enjoyed by the kids, creating wonderful bonding moments with their guardians and families. Ate’s and Kuya’s of SM also prepared a delightful performance where in kids danced joyfully to music.

Each child also received SM’s “Besties of Joy”, a cuddly plushy companion that symbolizes comfort, friendship, and hope, along with various items and toys prepared for them.

Mall Manager Rina M. Castro and Senior Human Resources Manager Ms. Rowena C. Martin spread the magic of giving as they attended the event, citing the importance of giving back to the community as one of the core values of SM Supermalls.

ChriSMiles is a volunteerism initiative by SM Supermalls led by Mall Operations and the Human Resources departments, reaffirming its commitment to creating inclusive and compassionate spaces beyond shopping.