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Pangasinan Province - Archived News
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Pangasinan Province, Philippines
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Map Locator of Pangasinan Province
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The Capitol Building of Pangasinan in the municipality of Lingayen

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Pangasinan State University, Asingan Campus.jpg
Pangasinan State University, Asingan Campus
Aguilar pangasinan church.jpg
Church in Aguilar Pangasinan

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Tondol beach anda pangasinan.jpg
Tondol Beach, Anda

P909.7-B allotted for 'Build, Build, Build' program in 2019

By Jelly Musico (PNA)

MANILA -- A total of PHP909.7 billion out of the proposed PHP3.757 trillion national budget for 2019 will be allotted for the construction of the flagship projects under the "Build, Build, Build" program.

According to President Rodrigo Duterte’s budget message recently submitted to Congress, the PHP909.7 billion for infrastructure projects represents 24.2 percent of the cash budget for 2019 or 4.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

“Investments in sufficient and quality infrastructure will increase economic activity through improved mobility, connectivity and sustainability across the country,” Duterte emphasized.

He said the public infrastructure spending in 2019 is estimated to generate 1.1 million jobs “something we desperately need”.

The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) will get the bulk of the 2019 infrastructure budget amounting to PHP555.7 billion while the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will take PHP76.1 billion.

Duterte said the two departments will use the amount to provide connectivity for all Filipinos and to implement major infrastructure projects.

Of the DPWH budget, PHP113.29 billion will be used for the network development including widening of 778.822-kilometer roads with PHP35.93 billion budget and construction of by-pass and diversion roads/missing links/new roads with PHP63.77 billion.

The DPWH has also PHP29.66 billion for the widening, replacement, retrofitting, repair/rehabilitation and construction of new bridges next year.

“Bridges remain an important backbone of our infrastructure investments,” Duterte said.

A total of PHP56.65 billion is allocated for asset preservation program to keep the roads in good condition while PHP101.91 billion will be spent for flood management program including the PHP72.74-billion drainage systems.

Since Metro Manila contributes at least 35 percent to the Philippine economy, DPWH has allotted PHP25.2 billion for the construction of 35-km Metro Manila subway project while PHP2 billion will be used to build 17 more stations of Pasig River Ferry Convergence Program.

Duterte also emphasized the need to build more infrastructure projects outside Metro Manila to spur economic activities in the rural areas.

For Luzon area, the projects include the 56-km PHP4.6-billion Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Commuter project from Solis, Tondo to Los Banos in Laguna; the 38-km PHP14.04-billion PNR North 1 Project that will have 10 stations from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos, Bulacan; the PHP17-billion Chico River Pump Irrigation System; PHP875-million Lower Agno River Irrigation System Extension Project in Pangasinan; and PHP311-million Bongabong River Irrigation Project in Oriental Mindoro.

The listed projects for Visayas, on the other hand, are the PHP754 million will go to New Bohol (Panglao) International Airport; PHP450 million for Catbalogan airport in Samar; PHP50 million for Tacloban airport in Leyte; PHP282 million for New Cebu International Container Port Project; PHP75 million for rehabilitation and improvement of various ports and wharves.

Mindanao also stands to receive PHP2.9 billion for construction of Mindanao Railway Project; PHP500 million for the Siargao Airport; PHP315 million for the Davao International Airport; PHP400 million for Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Phase II in North Cotabato; PHP300 million Sapalan River Irrigation Project in Maguindanao; and, PHP92 million for the Central Mindanao (M’lang) airport.

On the other hand, the bulk of the allocation for the DOTr, PHP24.6 billion, will fund its various railway projects.

DOTr has also allotted PHP2.2 billion for improvement of airports and PHP627 million for sea transport primarily for implementation of Phase 2 of the PHP330-million Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project.

In a bid to make 145 cities throughout the country livable, sustainable and inclusive, Duterte said his administration will continue investing in the infrastructure development outside Metro Manila.

He said some PHP11.7 billion will be provided for the Assistance to Municipalities, basically to fund local access roads, local bridges, sanitation and health facilities, and potable water system projects, among others.

Likewise, some PHP8.2 billion will be set aside for Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces (CMGP) to pave, repair, and improve around 500km of provincial roads.

With number of Filipino internet users to hit 70 million in 2018, the Duterte administration also continued to investment in information technology (IT) infrastructure projects.

A total of PHP1.2 billion and PHP280 million has been allotted for free internet wife access in public places and state universities and colleagues, respectively, while PHP177 million for National Government Data Center and PHP43 million for National Broadband Plan in 2019.

Pangasinan distributes 30K seedlings to LGUs, NGOs

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan -- The provincial government of Pangasinan on Friday distributed some 30,000 seedlings to encourage local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) to plant.

Provincial Agriculture Officer Dalisay Moya, in an interview, said the distribution is part of the province’s ‘Green Pangasinan Magtanim sa Barangay’ project.

“We target to distribute 170,000 seedlings this year. This is also in response to the requests of the LGUs and NGOs in the province,” Moya said.

According to Moya, of the total number of seedlings sought to be distributed this year, 10,000 are coconut seedlings; 25,000 are cacao seedlings; 54,000 are fruit-bearing tree seedlings; and 81,000 are forestry tree seedlings.

“This is our kick-off activity this year since it’s planting season,” she added.

Moya also advised the LGUs and NGOs that want to avail of the free seedlings to write a letter of request to the provincial government addressed to Governor Amado Espino III.

DepEd, Red Cross launch 'DuRolympics' in Alaminos City

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are promoting volunteerism, through blood donation, to pupils and students with the launch of the Dugong Bayani Guro Olympics (DuRolympics) 2018 on Thursday.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), PRC-Alaminos City Western Pangasinan Chapter (ACWPC) administrator Maricon Dawang said they encouraged teachers and DepEd officials to compete in blood donation among themselves to collect blood supply, as well as to encourage their pupils or students to become blood donors someday.

“We have observed, based on our experience, that teachers are afraid to donate blood. But with this project, they are somehow encouraged to donate as they see that teachers from other schools are participating. Also, children will see that their teachers are donating blood, so it would inspire them and they would think that after all, donating blood is not something scary since their teachers are also doing it,” Dawang said.

She disclosed that the schools with the highest number of blood bags donated among the 45 high schools and elementary schools here within a year will be awarded with a set of first aid kits.

“Since this is like an Olympic game, we will award two high schools and two elementary schools with the highest number of blood bags donated. The prize will come from the Rotary Club of Hundred Islands, and the awarding will be in July next year,” Dawang said.

Aside from the competition, the schools will also receive one referral card for every 10 units of blood. The referral card can be used to avail of one unit of blood from PRC-ACWPC free of blood processing fee.

“It will be (at) the discretion of the respective schools to whom they will give the referral card,” she added.

Although the launch of the DuRolympics was held Thursday, Dawang said the bloodletting activity in line with this project began on July 12, resulting in more than 60 units of blood collected.

“The teachers and other members of the academe positively received this project. We actually collected a minimum of 12 bags from small schools and this is also good for the teachers’ health,” she said.

Pangasinan town offers assistive devices, other services to PWDs

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan -- The municipal government here will offer medical, dental and other services to all persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the town while indigent handicapped persons will receive assistive devices on July 23.

The activity is part of the 40th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week and the National Disaster Resiliency Month celebration of the municipality.

“PWDs can avail of free body massage, haircut, medical and dental checkup, ear candling and they will receive nutritious food packs as well,” said Johnson Abalos of the Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center of Bayambang in an interview Thursday.

He added that the municipality also offers assistive devices to indigent PWDs or handicapped persons who cannot afford to buy one.

The available devices to be awarded are 50 adult wheelchairs, 20 adult walkers, 10 pediatric walkers, four pediatric wheelchairs, 10 canes and 19 crutches.

“Qualified beneficiaries are those who are indigent and below 60 years old and certified to have no capacity to (purchase) the devices. They were screened by our Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO),” he added.

Abalos disclosed that the municipal government allocated PHP500,000 from its Gender and Development fund for the project.

He also said that the Commission on Elections in the town will conduct onsite registration for the PWDs here, while the MSWDO will conduct a lecture for them on disaster resiliency.

Bayambang has a total of 690 registered PWDs since 2015.

“We are targeting to establish a Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office to further cater to their needs,” he said.

Pangasinan launches 'Job Fair on Wheels'

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

UMINGAN, Pangasinan -- The provincial government of Pangasinan will now bring job placement opportunities to applicants in far-flung areas of the province through its "Job Fair on Wheels" launched here on Wednesday.

Provincial Employment and Services Officer Alex Ferrer, in an interview, said the customized air-conditioned bus for the project, which used to be a 56-seater bus of the provincial government, will go to remote areas as venue for job fairs.

“It can accommodate five employers simultaneously conducting interviews with applicants. It has tables and chairs, including the waiting area, as well as a sound system and also a comfort room,” Ferrer said.

During the launch, tents were set up outside the bus, where applicants could wait comfortably or avail of services of government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Health Insurance, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Social Security System, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry.

Ferrer said the "Job Fair on Wheels" is a project of the provincial government in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment and the local government units (LGUs).

“The LGUs’ counterpart is to provide applicants; they will be the one to disseminate the information about the job fair to be conducted in their area, while we bring the employers,” he said.

Seven local employers and four overseas placement agencies joined the launching of the project here.

Ferrer noted that LGUs in the province can request for the Job Fair on Wheels in their localities. However, those from far-flung areas are their priority and are highly encouraged to make a request.

He disclosed that aside from the job fair, they have also urged the applicants to take advantage of the province’s Mobile Skills Training Project (MSTP) for electrical, carpentry, masonry and tile setting.

“We have also incorporated an information counter in the venue for those who want to apply for the free training from MSTP. We chose to offer these courses in preparation for President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, and skilled workers are needed in the overseas market,” Ferrer said.

The 22-day training is free of charge and 25 participants are accommodated per batch, he added.

“We encourage the job seekers to avail of these projects of the provincial government as we are already bringing these services closer to them,” Ferrer added.

Pangasinan PDRRMO soon to have 2 new buildings

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The provincial government of Pangasinan is currently constructing two buildings for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to strengthen its emergency response capability.

“PDRRMO at present occupies the evacuation center of our province, but soon they will have their own operation center,” Provincial Engineer Antonieta Delos Santos said in an interview on Tuesday.

She noted that the province allotted PHP19.8 million for the two-story emergency operation center and PHP7.2 million for the one-story rescue vehicles bay and supply house.

The Provincial Engineering Office started construction of the two buildings earlier this year, according to delos Santos.

“We hope to finish the bay and supply house by the end of August, while the operation center by the end of this year,” she said.

Shallom Balolong of PDRRMO, in a previous interview, also disclosed the plan of the provincial government to launch its own local 911.

“There will be a memorandum of agreement with our first responders; the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, wherein they will have one personnel on duty at the command center (PDRRMO’s office), so that communication will improved during disasters or emergencies. But this is still being finalized,” Balolong said.

5.5K bags of imported rice arrive in NFA-Pangasinan

By Ahikam Pasion (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Some 5,500 bags of imported rice have arrived at the National Food Authority (NFA) -- Western Pangasinan warehouses here and in Mangatarem this month.

In an interview on Tuesday, Chona Maramba, administrative officer of NFA-western Pangasinan, said the number of bags is expected to increase as the delivery continues until the 50,000 bags allocated for western Pangasinan are completed.

“Western Pangasinan was allotted 50,000 bags of rice, and it began arriving since Monday last week,” Maramba said.

She acknowledged the delay in the transport of rice to NFA warehouses from Poro Point, La Union was delayed because of bad weather experienced in the previous weeks.

“The delivery was not on schedule,” she said.

Maramba, however, assured the availability of NFA rice in the public markets of western Pangasinan once the stockpile has become sufficient.

“We expect the price of commercial rice to decrease as soon as we get the green light from the main office to release NFA rice in public markets,” she said.

Meanwhile, NFA-Eastern Pangasinan finished restocking its rice allocation last week.

Each of the NFA warehouses in eastern and western Pangasinan has 50,000 bags of imported rice allocation from the 280,000 bags comprising the first batch of delivery from Vietnam and Thailand, said Dionisio Rivera, manager of NFA eastern Pangasinan, in a previous interview.

Youth, communities empowered to become disaster resilient

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Pangasinan had conducted trainings and information drive for senior high school students, people in communities and members of the Philippine Army in line with the celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month this July.

In an interview Monday, Shallom Balolong of the PDRRMO operations and warning department, said they have educated senior high school students of the Calasiao Comprehensive National High School on disaster risk reduction and management through the “Dunong. Kaalaman. Kaligtasan. Program” of the provincial government on July 12.

“We have already conducted the said program in at least seven high schools in the province and we target to cover all the senior high school students in the province,” Balolong said.

PDRRMO also taught the people in two barangays of Aguilar town basic survival skills against the hazards in their community last week, said Balolong.

“We have identified the hazards in their community and we taught them basic survival skills, which they could use against these hazards,” he added.

Balolong further said that they held trainings on water search and rescue as well as basic life support for the personnel of the Philippine Army based in Camp Lt. Tito Abat in Manaoag town.

“Our activities were in line with this year’s (National Resilience Month) theme 'Katatagan sa Kalamidad ay Makakamtan Kapag Sapat ang Kaalaman sa Kahandaan',” he said.

He added that the province is planning to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection, the first responders during disasters and calamities, to establish the local 911.

“This is in relation to the executive order 56 of President Rodrigo Duterte dated May 25, designating 911 as the national emergency hotline,” Balolong said.

He noted that the province aims to have the MOA by this month or the next and the PDRRMO to have more upcoming activities on disaster risk reduction and management.

Dagupan preschools to use mother tongue in classes

By Ahikam Pasion (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY – Preschool teachers in this city will soon use the Pangasinan mother tongue as a medium of instruction in their classes, to gear up toddlers for their kindergarten learning transition.

Bacayao Sur Elementary School Principal Dr. Renato Santillan, in an interview on Monday, said the use of mother tongue in preschools is in accordance with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) initiative.

“As one of the major mother tongue languages in the country included in the MTB-MLE program, the Pangasinan language will be used by the Child Development Workers (CDW) in Dagupan City in conducting lessons,” said Santillan.

The implementation of mother tongue-based teaching will include basic writing, spelling and proper Pangasinan grammar, he added.

The MTB-MLE was already implemented in all public schools, from kindergarten to Grade 3, while Dagupan City’s program for preschools will be implemented as soon DepEd gives the green light, said Santillan.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office conducted a seminar-workshop on basic mother tongue for CDWs in the city last week, which aims to prepare them for the usage of Pangasinan as language of instruction, Santillan said.

Pangasinan's 1st mobile police company has new home

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- The 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of Pangasinan now has a new home -- a newly constructed two-storey building in Barangay Tanaytay here that was inaugurated on Thursday.

Engineer Mienardo Inacay, chief of construction of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) 1st Engineering District of Pangasinan, said on Friday that construction of the PHP3.2-million building was a priority project under the Local Infrastructure Program of Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Jesus Celeste.

“Our office was the implementing agency. We started construction in February this year,” Inacay said.

Deputy force commander of 1st PMFC, Senior Insp. Arnold Soriano, said they were overwhelmed by the support they received from the Alaminos city government and Celeste.

“We have the most modern building among the PMFCs in the province. From our bungalow-type office, we now have a two-storey building,” he said.

Soriano also said that the 1st PMFC vowed to improve its capabilities and the delivery of public safety and law enforcement.

The 1st PMFC’s primary concern is the monitoring of insurgency in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts of Pangasinan, as well as support for the police stations in these districts on the conduct of operations, said Soriano.

The blessing and inauguration of the new building was officiated by Rev. Fr. Napoleon Molano III and was attended by officials of the Pangasinan Police and the city government.

Pangasinan farmers, students learn organic farming techniques

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan -- Junior high school students and farmers here learned organic farming techniques such as foliar feeding and composting when the Municipal Nutrition Committee and Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) conducted a hands-on training on July 12 and 13 at the Bayambang National High School (BNHS).

“The training was intended to teach the students about organic farming and for them to eventually have passion for farming or planting. Also, for them to do organic farming, since it is not just nutritious but also safe and environment-friendly,” Malvar Iglesias, agricultural technician of Bayambang town, said in an interview on Friday.

“The participants were taught how to produce fish amino acid, fermented plant juice, fermented fruit juice, calcium solution among others, as well as the different strategies of composting and how to hasten the composting process,” he noted.

Iglesias said the activity is in line with the Nutrition Month celebration this July with the theme “Ugaliing Magtanim, Wastong Nutrisyon Aanihin”.

After the training, the participating schools received agricultural tools and seeds from the municipal government “so they can continue planting in their school garden as they committed to apply what they have learned,” Iglesias said.

Fifteen farmers and 11 high schools with five students each, except for BNHS which had 20 attendees, participated in the two-day activity, he noted.

“We will continue to monitor the schools, if they would need additional trainings in the future then we will conduct more,” Iglesias said.

Dagupan village PH's 3rd best in Gawad Kalasag

By Ahikam Pasion (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY –- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has named Barangay Malued here as the 3rd Best Barangay in the Philippines for the 2018 Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) Award.

The Gawad Kalasag Award aims to recognize individuals, local councils, and organizations - whose contributions in the field of disaster risk reduction and management - are worth emulating, according to NDRRMC.

In an interview on Thursday, Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, said Barangay Malued was the only village in the city picked as nominee for the award, and one of the two to represent Region 1 (Ilocos region). The other nominee was Barangay San Gabriel in La Union province.

“We just received word from the NDRRMC that Malued made it to the Top 3, after their validation last July 8 to 10 this year,” Fernandez said.

Gawad Kalasag Regional Focal Person Mark Madusog disclosed that the flood-prone barangay’s efforts, which were mainly focused on safety and disaster management, are “worthy of emulation” and the basis for its being a top contender for the national award.

“We take pride in our barangay’s best practices – resilience, response and rescue, whether during emergencies or disasters,” said Chairman Filipina delos Santos of Barangay Malued.

She noted that vehicles owned by the barangay were even converted into response vehicles.

“We have converted our mini-truck into a fire truck, so that it can enter narrow alleys in our sitios, while our patrol vehicle could also serve as an ambulance, in case our residents need emergency response,” delos Santos said.

Projects on flood mitigation in the barangay, mainly the elevation of roads, construction of the drainage system, and the rehabilitation of dikes to prevent flooding and seepage of floodwaters from the Sinocalan River, are ongoing, she added.

The awarding ceremony will take place on July 27.

Pangasinan gov't, PENRO to jointly develop, protect agroforestry land

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

BUGALLON, Pangasinan -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Pangasinan and the provincial government have recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the development, maintenance and protection of a 20-hectare agroforestry farm in Barangay Cayanga here.

Supervising Environmental Management Specialist Nathaniel Pulido of the provincial government, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday, said one of the components of the MOA is the province’s adoption of a mountain area.

He said the provincial government started doing this last year, having planted forestry and fruit bearing trees in the said area and maintains and supervises the growth of those plants to date.

“Right now since it’s the rainy season, what we do is to clean the area, plant seedlings, fertilize the planted seedlings, while two of our personnel are safeguarding the farm,” Pulido said.

He disclosed that under the MOA, the provincial government will establish and maintain forest tree seedlings nursery within or adjacent to National Greening Program (NGP) sites for replanting purposes.

No cutting shall be done within the area without prior consent or approval from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) until the area is fully planted.

The DENR through the PENRO in Pangasinan donated the 20-hectare agroforestry farm to the provincial government as stated in the MOA.

City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Celso Salazar said the involvement of the provincial government in the development, maintenance and protection of agroforestry is a welcome action for them since it has no budget allocation.

“The NGP areas that are being funded by the government beyond three years no longer have allocation; hence we cannot compel the people’s organization to still continue monitoring and maintaining the area, considering that Pangasinan mountains are prone to fire incident during summer season, although the DENR had a MOA with the Bureau of Fire Protection regional office to assist us in protecting the forests from fire,” Salazar said.

Pulido further said that the provincial government under the mandate of Governor Amado Espino III aims to also provide livelihood to the residents in the nearby areas, who depend on the upland areas as their source of income.

“The governor commanded our office to hire the residents there, because there will be a showcase of income generating crops including high-value crops. This is included in the five-year plan for the development of the area,” Pulido said.

He added that the provincial government targets to make the farm a learning center for the employees and a tree library for the younger generation.

“We will plant varieties of trees, so that the younger and the next generation will be able to learn of these trees and hopefully will have deeper sense of environmental protection,” he said.

Espino emphasized the need to protect the area since it is a watershed, Pulido noted.

“It is important to preserve the area, so that there will be continuous supply of water for irrigation and residential use,” Salazar added.

The area is also envisioned to become a campsite or a tourist site in the future, said Pulido.

“With the work started by the province here, more volunteers are joining us in planting seedlings in the area,” he added.

The MOA signing between the provincial government and PENRO was held last week, with Espino representing the province and Raymundo C. Gayo representing the PENRO.

CAAP allots P50.7-M for upgrading of Lingayen Airport

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has allotted a total of PHP50.7 million for the asphalt overlay of runway, improvement of perimeter fence, construction of one bay fire station building, construction of staff house and other upgrading projects for the Lingayen Airport this year.

In an interview on Wednesday, Lingayen Airport manager Job De Jesus disclosed that the construction of the fire station building worth PHP3.5 million will begin this week.

“We have just finished with a pre-construction conference and the contractor will mobilize to start the construction this week,” he said.

The asphalt overlay of the runway, which has the highest bulk of allocation at PHP27.7 million, is still up for bidding since the last bidding held for the project failed.

Nonetheless, he assured that the lined-up upgrading for the airport will happen this year.

“It (upgrading) will definitely start this year. July to October will be the procurement months for the other constructions and after that, the implementation will start,” he added.

The concreting of apron with drainage canal and the construction of runway canal worth PHP10 million; improvement of perimeter fence worth PHP8 million; construction of staff house worth PHP1.5 million and provision of additional septic tank worth PHP75, 000, are also part of the total upgrading project for the airport, said de Jesus.

He further said that their goal is for the airport to accommodate commercial flights, which is also the pleading of the people here.

“We are catering to general aviation, but at present, only small aircraft, usually flight training planes for students from aviation schools are using the airport here,” de Jesus said.

He added that their next project proposal for the airport is the development of the runway, which only measures 1,040 meters by 30 meters, construction of a turn-around pad at the end of the runway and upgrading of the runway surface.

The Lingayen Airport has a total land area of 10.4 hectares.

BFP taps Pangasinan communities for fire prevention, safety

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) provincial office in Pangasinan will involve the communities in fire prevention and fire safety efforts with the launching of Safe Alert Focus and Empowered (SAFE) Pangasinan.

“We wanted to widen the coverage of BFP’s services, besides firefighting, we wanted people to become knowledgeable and be resilient in times of disasters like fire,” Insp. Richard Santillan, information officer of BFP- Pangasinan, said in an interview on Wednesday.

The “Bombero sa Barangay” will be the first step in attaining the goals of project SAFE, wherein BFP personnel in various stations in the province will go to the communities to conduct lectures on fire prevention and safety tips during fire incidents, said Santillan.

"The stations in the cities and municipalities will be scheduling their visits to the communities. We are also mandated by our provincial fire marshall Senior Supt. Joe Fernand Bangyod to be alert in doing other duties and responsibilities. BFP personnel are even required now to be on watch 24/7 as there are some stations that have no one on duty at night,” he added.

He said that they will undergo firefighting trainings to be more equipped in performing their job.

Santillan also noted that three new fire trucks were turned over to their station from the national government and three ambulances from an insurance company, this month.

He commended the BFP regional office’s recruitment activity, as it is set to hire 116 new personnel for the BFP stations in the entire Region 1 or Ilocos region.

“We are really lacking in manpower, so we hope Pangasinense applicants will pass the recruitment for us to have additional personnel,” he said.

Santillan said Project SAFE Pangasinan, which was launched on Monday, aims to have a sustainable fire-hazard-free province; engage people actively in advocating safety in all levels; for BFP personnel to become highly motivated rescuers and firefighters by conducting training in all barangays and households in the community; establish closer linkages and multi-sector safety partnership between and among government and private disaster rescuers, other safety oriented organizations and entities; and to train force multipliers on road safety, vehicular accident responders and other skills within the province.

The project also covers the environmental aspects, wherein it targets to help make the environment safe from all hazardous materials, preserve forests against fires and preserve air quality against firecrackers, pyrotechnics and other kinds of air pollutants.

BFP-Pangasinan has recorded 327 fire incidents in the province from January to June this year, which is 15.5 percent lower than last year’s 387, most of which are grassfires.

DILG-Pangasinan commended for various fetes

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has praised the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) provincial office for winning two regional awards and supporting local government units during the conduct of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) assessment.

“The awards received by DILG-Pangasinan provincial office are manifestations of its tireless efforts and constant focus to have clear and definite results in the affairs of the province,” the SP said in its Resolution No. 1669-2018, authored by all members and approved during their regular session on Monday.

DILG-Pangasinan has been awarded Best Performing Province, Most Outstanding Province in the entire Region 1 (Ilocos), and recognized for exemplary performance in the conduct of barangay-based anti-illegal drugs programs.

DILG-Pangasinan Provincial Director Agnes de Leon, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday, said the Best Performing Province award was based on their implementation of different programs, projects and activities, as well as their compliance with financial and administrative requirements.

“Most Outstanding Province was judged based on the implementation of locally funded projects with highest number of completed projects, liquidation rate, administrative implementation and timely submission of reports,” she said.

Meanwhile, the recognition, she said, was attributed to the successful implementation of barangay-based symposium on anti-illegal drugs and orientation for Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Iligal na Droga (MASA MASID) volunteers.

The awards and recognition were conferred during the DILG Regional Management Conference in Baguio City on May 23.

In a separate resolution, the SP also commended DILG-Pangasinan for “extending invaluable technical assistance to the province of Pangasinan, its cities and municipalities during the conduct of the SGLG assessment last year.”

“It was noted in the resolution, which was authored by all members of the board that the unwavering support of the DILG provincial office has gone a long way as 33 local government units (LGUs) of the province bagged the coveted 2017 SGLG. As a matter of fact, 81 provinces, 45 cities and 1,489 municipalities of the Philippines were assessed along different core and essential areas. Hence, Pangasinan has the highest number of SGLG passers nationwide,” said an article posted on the official Facebook page of the provincial government of Pangasinan.

Pangasinan police stations receive patrol vehicles, vests

By Ahikam Pasion (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) on Monday turned over five patrol vehicles and 358 bulletproof vests to local police stations in the province as part of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) Capability Enhancement Program (CEP).

In an interview aired over the radio, acting provincial police director Senior Superintendent Wilson Joseph Lopez said the police stations of Dagupan City, Bani, San Fabian and Tayug each received a single cab 4x2 Toyota Hilux vehicle.

PPO has also procured its own single cab 4x2 Toyota Hilux vehicle, said Lopez.

“This is only the first batch. I hope that individually, police will have complete equipment. The government is willing to give, but unfortunately, it is not yet possible as of now. But time will come,” Lopez said.

He added that the 358 bulletproof vests will be equally distributed to local police stations, each to have at least seven.

The Philippine National Police received from President Rodrigo Duterte a PHP6.5-billion CEP fund for this year.

With this, the PNP was able to obtain a 98.81-percent procurement of needed equipment, it said in a statement.

The said procurement supports the PNP’s 10-year Modernization Program, necessary for the agency to duly accomplish its functions – to serve and to protect.

LTO rolls out 4K newly designed vehicle plates in Pangasinan

By Ahikam Pasion (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Regional Office 1 (Ilocos region) rolled out 4,447 pairs of vehicle plates here Thursday morning.

In an interview with Department of Transportation Undersecretary Thomas “Tim” Orbos, he bared that the plates released were part of the nationwide backlog from July 1, 2016 to December 31 of the same year.

“We have a backlog of almost six million plates, but we are doing our best to fill that backlog by December this year. We can promise that not later than January 2019, there will be a one is to one ratio for vehicles and plates. No more backlog,” he said.

This does not include backlogs during the years 2013 to 2015, when the Commission on Audit disallowed the LTO to distribute the license plates due to discrepancies, he added.

Orbos said motorcycle plates are also not included in the said backlog, as a proposed law mandating motorcycles to attach two helmets – in front and in the rear, is still underway in Congress.

“We will begin the production of motorcycle plates as soon as we get the green light, but it will also have almost the same design as our new vehicle plates,” said Orbos.

Director for Law Enforcement Service of LTO Francis Almora, in an interview with newsmen, emphasized that the new plates released, with added features for security, were manufactured here in the Philippines.

“New designs were included as we have a new manufacturer from the local scene, for better security and anti-criminality,” said Almora.

The new vehicle plates have a Quick Response (QR) Code, which contains details about the vehicle, he explained.

Aside from the pair of plates, radio-frequency identification (RFID) stickers were distributed, to be placed by the drivers on the windshields of their vehicles.

“The RFID and the QR Code both contain details about the vehicle registered to LTO. If the sticker and the QR did not match, then it is a possibility that either the car or the plate was stolen,” Almora added.

The information in the QR Codes can be accessed by anyone with a QR Code Reader application and internet connectivity in his or her smartphone.

Almora further said that engraved region indicator was also removed from the plates, as it was incorporated in the first letter of the plate itself.

“Our new plates here in the region have the letter “I” as the first among the three letters. This means that the vehicle was initially registered in Region 1,” he said.

Pangasinan to give cash incentives to paralympic games champs

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government will award cash incentives to different-abled Pangasinenses, who won the championship during the National Paralympic Games held in Marikina City last May 11-19.

“The provincial government will give PHP8,000 for each gold medalist; PHP6,000 for each silver medalist; and PHP4,000 for each bronze medalist, while the other participants will receive PHP2, 000 each,” said Emilio Samson Jr., chief of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.

He noted that the Pangasinan delegation won 15 gold, 16 silver and five bronze medals in the said national competition.

The Pangasinan delegation competed in athletics events, table tennis, power lifting, swimming, and chess of two categories – Hearing Impaired (HI), and Ortho, Samson said.

“They were recognized by Governor Amado Espino III during his 2nd State of the Province Address,” he said.

Samson disclosed that the awarding will be on July 23, in line with the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week observance.

The Pangasinan PSWDO will also recognize in the same event the winner for the Most Empowered PWDs (persons with disabilities) Municipal or City Organization, according to him.

“Magkakaroon ng screening at validation, iikot ang aking mga staff, ivavalidate nila ang iba’t ibang PWD organization sa probinsya (There will be screening and validation, our teams will validate the different PWD organizations in the province),” Samson said.

Currently, there are more than 30 PWD organizations in the entire province, he noted.

A two-day culminating activity, which will be attended by 300 to 350 PWDs from all over the province, will also be held on July 23 to 24 at the President’s Hotel here.

“We will provide free accommodation for them. The forum will be with the Department of Health, but we are still finalizing everything including the venue and the date,” Samson said.

The official further said that the activity “is an opportunity for them (PWDs) and for the province to know their needs through the forum.”

NGOs build houses for indigents in Pangasinan town

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan -- Some 193 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary-families will receive free duplex-type housing units situated in Barangay Sancagulis here in time for Christmas this year.

The “Shelter Project Sheltering the homeless” is a joint project of the Mojares family from Canada, non-profit organizations (NGOs) Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP), Couples for Christ (CFC), Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation, Inc. (KKSBFI), and the Bayambang local government, the town's official Facebook page said.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday at a 1.9-hectare lot in Barangay Sancagulis, which signifies the start of the housing project's construction.

Resty Odon, information officer of Bayambang, in an interview Wednesday said “KKSBFI donated the lot” for the project.

“ANCOP took care of most of the funds for the housing, with each unit costing PHP170,000. KKSBFI, aside from providing the counterpart land donation, also shouldered the balance,” he said.

Odon added that the beneficiaries were chosen by the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Pantawid Pamilya team and the ANCOP-CFC.

Vice Mayor Raul Sabangan, during the groundbreaking ceremony, said, “Hindi po ito pang-karaniwang proyekto dahil ito po ay magiging lifetime o permanent na tulong natin sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan dito po sa bayan ng Bayambang (This is not an ordinary project because this will be a lifetime or permanent help to our constituents in this town who are in need)”.

Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, on the other hand, said the project is in line with his Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Plan.

ANCOP Canada president Bro. Ricardo Cuenca, representing the Mojares family, said they provided the funds for the project “out of love for God and out of love for the poor.”

“The chosen beneficiaries will have to undergo values formation and seminars before receiving their house. The houses are set to be inaugurated on or before Christmas this year,” said Bro. Leopoldo Mendoza, CFC-Pangasinan area director.

Milo Marathon to draw in 15K participants to Urdaneta

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan -- At least 15,000 runners are expected to join the 42nd National MILO Marathon to be held here on July 15.

Tes Bernardino, Milo Sports organizer, during the media launch on Tuesday, said this is the second time Urdaneta City will be hosting the national marathon.

“The kick-off leg will be held here and we wanted to surpass the 12,000 participants who joined last year,” Bernardino said.

Participants will be coming from Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Regions 2 and 3 and National Capital Region, she said.

The marathon categories are three kilometers (3K), five kilometers (5K), 10 kilometers (10K) and 21 kilometers (21K).

Bernardino said that 3K and 5K categories are open to everybody, while the 10K and 21K are for elite runners, who are aiming for higher category of running.

“We are closing the slots in 21K on Monday next week (July 9). As of today there are already 200 elite runners who will be joining, but the other categories are still open,” Bernardino said.

She added that more participants are expected to join the 3K and 5K running events.

The Department of Education targets at least 7,000 students to participate, considering that the registration fee is only PHP110 (with free singlet and 22 grams Milo product), Bernardino said.

Adult registration fee for 3K and 5K costs PHP160; PHP850 for 10K and PHP950 for 21K, she added.

“The purpose of this activity is to shape the community to good and healthy lifestyle. Before, people were complaining, for they pay and run for the activity, but eventually over the years of conducting this activity, people are now jogging, which is good for their health,” Bernardino said.

She further said that they have once again chosen Urdaneta City to be the venue of the event because of its wide roads and a convening area (Urdaneta City Cultural and Sports Center), where the cheer-dance competition will be held simultaneous with the marathon.

City Mayor Amadeo Gregorio Perez IV, who was also present during the media launch, assured the security and safety of runners.

Supt. Rollyfer Capoquian, chief of the Urdaneta City police station, said they will ask augmentation from the Police Provincial Office in order to provide manpower for the traffic and road security, among other roles the police will play on that day.

“We will maximize deployment of our policemen,” he said.

Bernardino disclosed that a field hospital will also be set up in coordination with the City Health Office and Red Cross.

Likewise, the city will provide three ambulances and water stations in every two kilometers of the race track.

Since the marathon will be conducted within the Mac Arthur Highway, Bernardino ensured that it will not affect the traffic in the area, since it will begin at 4 a.m. and expected to be finished by 7 a.m.

Bernardino also revealed that pairs of rubber shoes will again be donated to 500 students here who would join the marathon.

Dagupan pupils empowered to help address health concerns

By Ahikam Pasion and Hilda Austria (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY – Elementary pupils here can now assist the local government unit in addressing the health concerns of their classmates with the launching of the Junior Health Advocates (JHA) Program.

City health officer Dr. Ophelia Rivera, in an interview Tuesday, said the program, initiated by Mayor Belen Fernandez, aims to spread health awareness among grade schoolers and to monitor sick pupils whose bad health affects their studies.

She said each class section will have two Junior Health Advocates (one boy and one girl), who will assess who among their classmates have illness and will report to the teacher, who, in turn, will relay the information to the City Health Office (CHO).

The JHAs will be chosen by their classroom adviser.

“Hindi mabigat on the part of the pupils, kasi tatanungin lang naman nila sa klase kung sino ang may sakit (It is not burdensome on the part of the pupils as they will just ask the whole class who among them is sick),” Rivera said.

She said that this program will help the CHO deliver faster response and medication to sick pupils.

In an interview last week with Mayor Fernandez, she said that children have the most potential to monitor health issues in the schools, as they observe their companions firsthand.

“At the end of the day, the children are still the front liners when it comes to health of the youth. In this program (JHA), we will be able to monitor everyday if a child needs assistance from the CHO,” she said.

Fernandez added, “Every time I go to the schools to monitor, I always meet sickly children. The CHO is not able to monitor each individual in the city especially the kids, which is why we have to come up with this program.”

The JHA program was introduced at North Central Elementary School on Tuesday, while it was first launched in West Central Elementary School last June 28, followed by Lucao Elementary School and Sabangan Elementary School.

Iodized salt, sanitizers and other hygienic agents were distributed to school children and teachers to help them in their campaign to maintain cleanliness and health in schools.

“We conducted information dissemination, at the same time an orientation to our new health advocates during the launching in respective schools,” Rivera said.

She added that the mayor wants every public school in the city to have its own JHA program.

DA offers agribusiness program to Pangasinan farmers

(Politiko North Luzon)

Farmers and fishermen in the Ilocos region were urged to benefit from the Department of Agriculture’s agribusiness support program to promote their products.

DA Undersecretary Jose Gabriel La Viña pitched the ASPIRE (Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition) at a recent regional agri-aqua fair.

“ASPIRE can help farmers and fishermen for their marketing. We will also give them technology and training for them to become agri-businessmen, because if they are not knowledgeable in business, they will not be able to maximize their products, wherein middlemen and big companies are benefiting but not the farmers or fishermen themselves,” La Viña said.

He noted ASPIRE, launched last year, is a program of the DA, Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

DTI Ilocos regional director Florante Leal said they support fishermen and farmers through their programs such as the Shared Service Facility, which provides machineries to their groups to be used in processing and packaging their agri-products.

“For the agri-products to be competitive, ensuring its packaging quality is necessary, while the Department of Science and Technology is our partner in ensuring the safety of products and securing the necessary food permits,” Leal said.

Meanwhile, La Viña said the regional fair lets farmers and fishermen inform government of their needs.

He said the ASPIRE also informs farmers and fishermen on how to avail of loans with lower interest rate from government banks.

Dagupan launches Junior Health Advocate program

(Politiko North Luzon)

Dagupan City is now paving the way for young residents to become health advocates.

Mayor Belen Fernandez said they launched the Junior Health Advocate program on Friday, June 29.

Under the program, selected students per classroom will be tasked to ask their peers if they are sick and who among their relatives are also ill. The information will then be transmitted to the city health officer, who will then deploy barangay nurses to look into the reported cases.

“This is our way of bringing health closer to the people,” said Fernandez.

Sabi nga nila, health is wealth!

Pangasinan launches fish processing livelihood project

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Camaley Fisherfolk Association from Binmaley town became the first recipient of the provincial government’s fish processing livelihood project launched on Thursday.

Provincial Agriculture Officer Dalisay Moya, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), said on Thursday the project is a mitigating measure to the effect of the massive river clean-up drive on marginal fisherfolk in the province.

“The massive river clean-up drive in 2007 to 2008 initiated by then Governor Amado Espino Jr., which sought to restore the pristine beauty of our river system, disturbed the livelihood of our fisherfolk as it displaced their structures situated on the rivers at that time,” Moya said.

She disclosed that Camaley fishermen, who are the main beneficiaries of the project, will use the fish processing facility of the provincial government in Libsong Fish Farm here, to produce deboned milkfish products, tinapa (smoked fish) and rellenong bangus (stuffed milkfish).

The facility has a smokehouse, freezer, cooler, and stainless tables that can be used by the group's members in their fish processing, said Moya.

The group has also received a PHP50,000 soft loan from the province and fish processing kits. Moreover, she said, it is requesting for vacuum-packaging equipment.

Moya said the province, through Governor Amado Espino III, vowed to assist the fisherfolk in marketing their products.

“The milkfish supply of the 14 provincial-government-run hospitals in the province will be bought from them as told by Governor Espino. Also parts of their market are provincial government employees and other local government units,” she said.

Moya also encouraged other fisherfolk organizations to create livelihood projects and the provincial government will provide training, loans for capitalization and facility or equipment.

Aside from the main beneficiary, some 30 fisherfolk organizations were also present during the project's launching program.

“We hope that we have inspired them to venture in other livelihood that is still related to what they do, since our governor wanted to expand this project to the whole province,” Moya said.

The livelihood venture is part of the province’s “Ilog Ko, Bilayen tan Aroen Ko (My River, I will Restore and Love) Livelihood Project”.

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