Pangasinan News March 2013

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Pangasinan Province - Archived News

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Interactive Google Satellite Map of Pangasinan Province, Philippines

Map Locator of Pangasinan Province

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

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: 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. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Tondol Beach, Anda

Pilgrims continue to flock to Manaoag on Easter Sunday

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=511717
• Sunday, March 31, 2013

(PNA), PDS/LVM /LMMICUA/1130/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, March 31 (PNA)-- Pilgrims continue to flock to Manaoag this Easter Sunday, spawning more traffic bottlenecks along the highways and aggravating the problem of lack of adequate parking spaces.

Many of those who arrived on Sunday came to pray at the Shrine of the Holy Rosary of Manaoag took a vacation in Baguio and were just dropping by while on their way to Manila.

There were an estimated one million pilgrims that visited the Shrine last Good Friday.

Sr. Inspector Ryan Manongdo, public information officer of the Pangasinan police, said the Operation Sumvac (Summer Vacation), which started on Maundy Thursday will ends Easter Sunday when all the vacationists to Pangasinan shall have returned home.

The Police Assistance Centers located along the highways will still remain up to Sunday midnight.

Under Operation Sumvac, the police deployed one or two policemen for every kilometer of the national highway from Rosales to Sison which is 60 kilometers long.

Manongdo said during Holy Week, police received reports of isolated shootings in some parts of Pangasinan.

He added most the shootings involved domestic problems and the suspects were immediately arrested.

Meanwhile, vacationists returning to Manila and Baguio are now crowding at different bus stations here.

They are going home in time for the first day of work tomorrow after the long holidays because of the Holy Week.

It was observed that one bus is leaving their stations in Dagupan every 15 minutes.

A report said that queues in the different bus stations started Saturday and are expected to continue till Sunday night.

LLDA set to benchmark Pangasinan's award-winning program

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=511613
• Saturday, March 30, 2013

(PNA), LAM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 30 (PNA) -- Officials of the Laguna Lake Development Authority ILLDA) visited Pangasinan last week to get information about its successful program "Ilog Ko, Bilayen Ko" (My River, I Will Make it Live".

The LLDA team conducted a meeting with the provincial officials led by Governor Amado Espino Jr. and retired Col. Fernando de Guzman, executive director of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) and its spokesperson Avenix Arenas.

The visitors were members of the LLDA technical working group led by Jacqueline Devo, licensing officer III.

They expressed interest in the province's award-winning “Ilog Ko, Bilayen tan Aroen Ko” program, which is one of Pangasinan's best local government unit practices which they would like to benchmark within Laguna Lake.

The program earned for the province Hall of Fame award from the Regional Development Council (RDC) for the last three years.

While here, they lauded the efforts of the Pangasinan provincial government in getting rid of its illegal fish pens and fish cages.

2 men arrested in Pangasinan for breaking gun ban

• Source:http://www.rappler.com/nation/25090-2-men-arrested-in-pangasinan-for-breaking-gun-ban
• Friday, March 29, 2013 3:55 pm

By Miriam Grace Go (Rappler.com)

PANGASINAN, Philippines — Two persons were arrested for violating the election gun ban in different towns here on Maundy Thursday, March 28.

Marcelino Obra, 44, of Barangay Diaz in Umingan town had an apple-type fragmentation grenade and a fan knife with him while in drinking spree.

Jar-Ar San Miguel, 24, of Barangay Sto. Tomas in San Jacinto town was nabbed by police while in possession of a caliber .38 revolver.

Obra was arrested by his brother, Barangay Captain Paquito Obra, who turned him and his weapons over to the police.

Miguel, on the other hand, was searched by the police, who found what appeared to be dried marijuana leaves rolled in a white paper, and one live ammunition for calibre magnum .35.

In relation to the 2013 elections, a nationwide ban on guns and other deadly weapons has been in place since January 13 and will be lifted only on June 13.

Pangasinan is on the national government's list of "hot spot" or violence-prone provinces for the elections. The regional police said it will be the most closely watched province in the Ilocos Region.

The two Maundy Thursday incidents had no indications of being poll-related, however.

Pangasinan eyed as international chess tourney venue

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=5&rid=511397
• Thursday, March 28, 2013

(PNA), HBC/CJT/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/0930/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 28 (PNA)- National Chess Federation of the Philippines Exec. Dir. Prospero Pichay Jr. aims bringing soon to Pangasinan province an international chess tournament that will feature some of the sport’s world grandmasters and international masters.

He believes time’s right for Pangasinan to host such event, noting the province under Gov. Amado Espino Jr. is active in promoting chess.

Pangasinan’s Alaminos City is also home to Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, the first Asian international master of chess.

Pichay and Espino spearheaded opening the March 23-25 National Age Group Chess Championship that NCFP organized.

The provincial government co-sponsored and hosted the event at Pangasinan Training and Development Center in Lingayen.

Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan handed medals and cash prizes to the event’s top male and female winners in six age divisions.

The winners are Darwin Villanueva and Jocelyn Reyes (Under-8 division), John Ruiz Bravo and Ma. Elayza Villa (Under-10 division), Emmanuel Van Paler and Holythurs Mariel Pangan (Under-12 division), Eric Robert Yap and Samantha Glo Revita (Under-14 division), Antoni Almodal III and Merlene Membrere (Under-16 division) as well as and Jose Carlo Castro and Gladys Hazelle Romero (Under-20 division).

They’ll represent the country in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship this June in Thailand.

DOST showcases Pangasinan products in 2013 Regional Agri-Fishery Fair

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=411363923707
• Wednesday, March 27, 2013

By Venus H. Sarmiento (VHS PIA1-Pangasinan/DOST)

DAGUPAN CITY, Mar 27 (PIA) -- Pangasinan products and projects assisted by the Department of Science and Technology were once again showcased in the 2013 Regional Agri-Fishery Fair held recently at the CSI Mall in Dagupan City.

Engr. Felipe D. Andrada, provincial director of DOST-Pangasinan said the fair aims to promote fresh and processed agri-fishery commodities in the region to feature the best resources and exhibit of local culture and tradition.

Among the DOST-assisted projects featured in the exhibit were Bella’s Calasiao Puto, Crafter’s Joy Cornhusk Products, Laguit-Padilla Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc, Binmaley Rural Improvement Club and Yadao Food products along with other micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES) in the region.

In the same fair, DOST introduced the agency’s activities and projects including the Department’s flagship program, the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) which aims to provide technology interventions to MSMEs.

As support to agri-business entrepreneurs, a capability enhancement seminar on product development was simultaneously done with the trade event to enhance the packaging and labeling skills of local processors in the domestic market.

Andrada, together with Felicidad Gan, officer-in-charge of DOST Pangasinan Satellite Office in Urdaneta City, served as resource speakers in the seminar attended by at least 12 processors and entrepreneurs.

The 2013 Regional Agri-Fishery Fair was made possible through the Department of Agriculture and partner agencies such as the DOST, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), non-government associations (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs).

'Police alone can't ensure peaceful polls'

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=510717
• Tuesday, March 26, 2013

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LVMICUA/1200RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, March 26 (PNA)-- A ranking police officer admitted that police operations alone can not help ensure the conduct of clean, honest, credible and peaceful elections in Pangasinan.

Sr. Supt. Jonathan Miano, deputy regional director and head of the Regional Special Operations Task Group (ROSTG) assigned in Pangasinan, said even if the local police scored successes in the operations against loose firearms , this is meaningless without the support of the general public.

Miano spoke during the signing of peace covenant among candidates in Pangasinan on Monday inside the St. John Metropolitan Cathedral here personally witnessed by Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

He bared statistics which showed that among all police provincial offices in the country, the PPO in Pangasinan collected the most number of firearms.

Miano hailed the signing of the peace covenant because Pangasinan is among the 15 priority provinces to be given special concern in this election.

There are two other provinces in Region 1 included in the list of priority provinces. The two others are La Union and Ilocos Sur.

Pangasinan ready to hold 'Agew na Pangasinan'

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=12&rid=510309
• Monday, March 25, 2013

(PNA), FFC/PTR/LVM/LMM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 25 (PNA) -- It's now all systems go for the commemoration of the 433rd Agew na Pangasinan (Pangasinan Day) on April 5 with the holding of various colorful fun-filled activities during the occasion.

Provincial administrator Rafael Baraan said the celebration will start with a thanksgiving mass at the Capitol Plaza at 7:30 a.m. to be followed by a commemorative program that will include the presentation of Pangasinan history and Development Book by the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission.

Also lined up is the awarding ceremonies for the "Kurit Panlunggaring" Literary Contest and the Balitok A Tawir Culture and Arts Festival.

Cultural performances will also be showcased with the rendition of Pangasinan songs by the Bautista Chorale Group and Pangasinan folk dances by Urdaneta City.

At 10:30 a.m., the major thoroughfares of Lingayen will be filled with spectators as various floats from the various Local Government Units (LGUs) designed artistically will gracefully traverse the roads for the "Parada na Dayew" (Honor Parade) for the float competition along with local government unit (LGU) streetdancers for the streetdance exhibition.

Treating the Pangasinenses to a whole day of fun and excitement, the province will honor outstanding Pangasinenses who have excelled in various fields of endeavors bringing honor to the province through the 4th ASNA Awards and Ball at the posh Sison Auditorium at 6 p.m.

Simultaneously with the ASNA Awards and Ball, fun and merriment continues at the Lingayen Beachfront through the "Paliket ed Aplaya" (Fun in the Beach) where variety shows await spectators, onlookers, bystanders as well as guests and visitors.

Pangasinan singing duo, Insyong and Gusting will bring entertainment through their novelty songs which will provide comic relief to the listeners.

The Banda ni ATE, the winners of the "Takayan na Dayew" singing competition and the LGU-Bautista Sarswela Group will also render musical entertainment.

5,000 join Bayani Challenge in Pangasinan

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=510146
• Sunday, March 24, 2013

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LVMICUA/1030/RMA

ALAMINOS CITY, March 24 (PNA)--All eyes in Pangasinan are now on Alaminos City when some 3,000 youth, 15 of them from Singapore, took the challenge to help improve the lives of the people and conditions in 39 villages here for a five-day volunteerism activity.

All these, plus 2,000 others in different villages, are participating in the Bayani Challenge 2013 that kicked off here Saturday and will last until Wednesday in in 32 other provinces throughout the country.

Started in 2004, the "Bayani Challenge" is a yearly project of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) in partnership with the Filipinas National Flagship Volunteer Program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) with other government agencies, private sector companies and groups, the media, non government organizations and non-profit organizations.

Dr. Eric Cayabyab, GK national executive director, said the Bayani Challenge this year has assembled some 70,000 volunteers in 33 provinces, with Alaminos City as the lone participant from Pangasinan.

"We are lucky here in Alaminos that we were chosen to host this year's 'Bayani Challenge' to be able to show to the nation and the whole world that we are ready to take the challenge to help lift the living condition of our people," Mayor Hernani Braganza said.

Started by GK in 2004 as a major showcase of volunteerism, the project intends to help build communities and instill and inspire the spirit of unity, cooperation and industry among the people that were somehow lost in transit over the years.

Cayabyab said the volunteers will build four houses at the GK Community in Sitio Rosario, Barangay Lucap while others will plant mangroves and forest trees.

Others will clean the coastal areas and canals, conduct feeding program, medical mission, community education, environmental sanitation and other community activities.

Others will find time to teach the people on various livelihood projects which they can pursue to boost their family incomes.

Braganza said funding for the four houses to be built in the five-day activity came from the City Government Employees Cooperative, the Sangguniang Panlungsod and from a daughter of business tycoon Lucio Tan who is a frequent visitor in Alaminos City.

Like all the GK houses built in Alaminos, the prospective housing beneficiaries from the ranks of the poorest of the poor will contribute "sweat equity" by helping build their own houses.

Cayabyab said 10 teams of volunteers, all comprising 150 people, will be deployed to build the four houses to ensure that the beneficiary families can move in after five days.

"We will show to the whole world that in this five-day activity, the spirit of unity and cooperation among the Filipinos still exists," said Cayabyab, camp director of the Bayani Challenge in Alaminos City.

He said the 70,000 volunteers gathered for five days in 33 provinces in the entire country can now be put on record as the biggest assembly of volunteers ever in the world.

This activity will show that the Filipinos are ready to sacrifice and willing to impart their hard work for the benefit of their less fortunate countrymen.

The 15 Singaporean youths joining the "Bayani Challenge" are old supporters of GK having donated one house earlier in the Namnama (Hope) GK Village in Villasis town and had participated in other Bayani Challenges.

This time, the Singaporeans --a few of them are actually Filipinos working in Singapore-- promised to cheer children of Alaminos by giving them cakes and food in hopefully the biggest birthday party celebration ever held in the city if not the whole of Pangasinan set on March 27, Cayabyab said.

Cayabyab said Alaminos City was chosen to host the "Bayani Challenge" in Pangasinan not only because it has a GK village, now with 18 houses, but also due to the undying support of the the city government and its people to this kind of activity.

Region 1 leg of Bayani Challenge: Biggest volunteer camp takes place in Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=411363747197
• Saturday, March 23, 2013

By Venus H. Sarmiento (MCA/VHS/PIA1-Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, March 23 (PIA) -- Pangasinan is one of 33 provinces in the country where simultaneous activities take place for the biggest volunteer movement dubbed, Bayani Challenge 2013 starting March 23.

Some 3,000 volunteers are expected to flock to Alaminos City, the site of the five-day volunteer camp, for a test of courage, endurance and love for country as they engage in various nation-building activities ranging from construction and refurbishment of homes and schools, education sessions for children, tree-planting, mangrove planting, clean-up drives and health missions.

In Region I, the other event site is Candon City in Ilocos Sur. This year’s theme is “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan.”

Lean Braganza, a GK volunteer and President of the Hundred Islands Youth and Sports Council, will lead the Alaminos event. Dr. Eric Cayabyab, focal person of Gawad Kalinga (GK) Foundation for the Pangasinan event, said the movement seeks to counter the apathy and materialism prevalent in the society by instilling lasting hope and concretizing compassion into sustainable and positive action.

Now on its eighth year, the Bayani movement is a revolution against poverty by building healthy, humane and nurturing communities, he said.

Cayabyab said serving the nation will prove to be more fun with the inclusion of activities and games such as marathons, a Master Kusinero cooking competition, sports competitions and Laro ng Lahi games. The activities are intended to foster relationships between volunteers and the members of the empowered communities, he added. Organizers conducted a pre-launch briefing last month to give stakeholders an overview of what will happen during the five-day volunteer camp.

Bayani Challenge is a multi-sectoral partnership spearheaded by Pilipinas Natin (the flagship volunteer program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office).

The vast network of private companies, organizations and other government agencies that support the movement include Gawad Kalinga, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Education, National Youth Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Health, TESDA, PAGCOR, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, League of Provinces, EDSA People Power Commission, Housing and Urban Development Council, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Radyo ng Bayan, LBC Foundation, BERJAYA Corporation Berhad, Globe Telecom, People’s Television among others.

Age group chess on in Lingayen

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/03/22/922608/age-group-chess-lingayen
• Friday, March 22, 2013 12:00 am

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. will lead the opening of the final leg of the 2013 National Age Group today at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Pichay will join Pangasinan Gov.Amado Espino Jr., Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. and sports director Modesto Operana during the colorful opening ceremony.

Visit The Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag on Holy Week with Victory Liner

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/food-and-leisure/2013/03/21/922033/visit-shrine-our-lady-manaoag-holy-week-victory-liner
• Thursday, March 21, 2013 12:00 am

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Five hours north of Manila lies the province of Pangasinan. Known for its delicious food — mangoes, boneless bangus and Calasiao puto —a we-inspiring beaches, marine parks and waterfalls, not to mention the ever-famous Hundred Islands, Pangasinan is definitely a treasure trove for the senses that is worth exploring again and again. Most importantly, for the faithful Catholics, Pangasinan is also home to a revered refuge of healing and devotion — the Our Lady of Manaoag.

The image, one of the most adored Marian icons in the country, is said to have miraculous powers. The statue is housed inside the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag. Every day, people from all walks of life travel to this municipality in Pangasinan to hear Mass, pray the rosary, offer flowers, light candles and be in contact with the venerated image. As seemingly described by its name — manaoag, connotating “a calling” in Filipino — hundreds of people flock to this icon’s home every day.

The church’s interiors are strewn with German and Italian Renaissance motif. The other walls of the shrine also feature murals depicting the miracles credited to the Our Lady of Manaoag. Situated near the back of the altar that leads into the mini chapel is a beautiful wooden carving of the Our Lady of Manaoag on a tree trunk.

Within the church grounds, other facilities and points of interest are worth visiting. The Museo de Nuestra Señora de Manaoag offers a plethora of tangible historical and religious heritage of the Our Lady of Manaoag and the church — from antique altar pieces like chalices, patens and candelabras to capes, chasubles and other priestly garments.

Victory Liner has made it easier for Catholic devotees and tourists to experience the faith of the Our Lady of Manaoag with direct trips to the church proper. With comfortable seats that provide ample legroom, passengers can pass time enjoying free Wi-Fi onboard. The bus stops only a few feet away from the church, making it easy and convenient for passengers to walk. After spending prayerful moments inside the shrine, visitors can also explore the surrounding town areas for pasalubong and refreshments.

Direct trips to Manaoag take place every Sunday at 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. at the Pasay terminal, and at 4 a.m. at the Cubao terminal of Victory Liner. For other trip schedules and online booking, visit www.victoryliner.com.

Lingayen mayor to be laid to rest Thursday

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=508838
• Wednesday, March 20, 2013

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LMMICUA/1100/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 20 (PNA)--The remains of Lingayen Mayor Ernesto "Jonas" Castaneda will be laid to rest Thursday morning at the Lingayen municipal cemetery.

A spokesman of the Castaneda family said that a brief public viewing on the remains of the late mayor will be allowed at the municipal hall, where he held office as mayor for almost 18 years, and after which he will be brought to the adjacent Lingayen Church for a requiem Mass.

One of the longest serving mayors in Pangasinan, Castaneda succumbed to heart attack Saturday morning while confined at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City.

He is survived by wife Josefina "Iday" Castaneda who also served for a term as mayor of Lingayen; and their children Eric, Joy and Shiela.

The remains of the late mayor are now in state at their residence in Barangay Maniboc, Lingayen being visited by streams of people from all walks of life.

Castaneda was succeeded by Vice Mayor Edith Hallare who was sworn in as new mayor of the town on Monday, saying she had to do it upon the prodding of municipal employees who told her to assume right away in order not to hamper the operations of the municipal government.

Pangasinan SP okays Corn Road Map 2011-2016

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=11&rid=508504
• Tuesday, March 19, 2013

(PNA), LAP/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 19 (PNA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) here approved on Monday a resolution endorsing the Corn Road Map for Calendar Year 2011-2016 of the province.

Authored by Board Member Raul Sison, SP chairman on agriculture, the resolution was approved just in time for the upcoming celebration of the Corn Festival in Sto. Tomas town, tagged as the Corn Capital of the World.

The Corn Road Map was prepared by the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government to serve as a common guide and framework for farmers in carrying out various programs to further the quality and quantity of the yellow and white corn varieties,

This was also in support to the Agri-Pinoy food sufficiency program of the national government.

Others involved in the preparation of the corn road map are Municipal and City Agriculture Offices, corn farmers, and other stakeholders of the corn industry.

The road map includes targets, plans, programs, projects, and activities that are geared towards increasing and sustaining the agricultural productivity of the province. It also tackles necessary interventions in the corn industry such as production support, post-harvest facility needs, and extension support services.

The framework also discusses the efforts aimed at enhancing the farmers’ technical capability such as by using latest cost-reducing technologies thus increasing their profit.

Among others, the road map calls for cooperation among stakeholders by sharing “human and agricultural resources for an effective and efficient implementation of productivity programs and projects to sustain the province’s capacity as one of the leading corn producers in the region.”

Moreover, the resolution involves manpower complement of the road map which is composed of a total of 109 technical staff and agricultural extension workers (AEW) for the implementation of the various Agri-Pinoy Corn Program and LGU-initiated projects, with 13 of which coming from the PAO and 96, from Municipal and City Agriculture Offices.

The resolution was in accordance with Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 that mandates local government units to effect good governance for food security encompassing the food’s availability, affordability, and accessibility.

In addition, the road map is one major requirement in the province’s bid for the DA’s 2013 Top Five (5) Provinces in the Corn Quality Award Search.

It can be recalled that the province was adjudged as one of the Top Ten Performing Provinces in the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award for CY 2012 with a Rice Road Map also endorsed by the SP earlier.

Dagupan seafood processing plant eyeing HACCP accreditation

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=508009
• Monday, March 18, 2013

(PNA), LAM/PTR/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, March 18 (PNA) -- The National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) has announced that the Seafood Processing Plant here is now busy as ever with a big chance of getting Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACPP) accreditation this year.

Dr. Westly Rosario, NIFTDC chief, whose office was tapped by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to operate the seafood processing plant, said the facility is being availed of by small exporters bringing their products to the United States and other parts of the world.

One of them is Andok's, which used to avail of the processing plant at the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) in Taguig City but transferred this year to the Dagupan Seafood Processing Plant.

Since the processing plant reopened late last year, it has developed processed milkfish and even shrimps of independent exporters, and even products that were shipped to provinces in the Cordilleras.

He said there is demand to fill in the export market for processed shrimps.

Rosario said they need the HACCP accreditation for the United States and the rest of the world to open their door freely to Pangasinan and Dagupan products without hassle.

HACCP is an accreditation given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States based on the guidelines and policies promulgated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Rosario said the seafood processing plant underwent inspection last year from the Philippines' FDA and convincingly passed the test that was submitted to the FDA in the U.S.

He said exporters using the facility are now eyeing Africa as possible market for milkfish and shrimps processed by the plant.

He said the plant is helping the development of the local fishing industry and complementing the research work being conducted by NFITDC being the research arm of BFAR.

Foreign tourist arrivals hit 4.3 M last year

• Source:http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/17/920677/foreign-tourist-arrivals-hit-4.3-m-last-year
• Sunday, March 17, 2013 12:00 am

By Eva Visperas (The Philippine Star)

ALAMINOS CITY, Philippines– Foreign tourist arrivals in the country reached 4.3 million last year, surpassing the three million initially projected, President Aquino said before the weekend.

In his visit here on Friday with local leaders, Aquino also said that the country registered 37 million domestic tourists, surpassing the 35 million expected.

The President hopes that foreign and domestic tourism will reach 10 million and 65 million by 2016, respectively.

Aquino also noted that several ongoing projects in the province - such as the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), the rehabilitation of Pangasinan-Zambales Road, Macidem Small Reservoir Irrigation Projects, and the Regional Mariculture Technology Development Center - would help boost tourism and development of agriculture in Pangasinan and nearby provinces.

When finished, TPLEX will cut travel time from Tarlac to La Union from four hours to one hour, and it will serve more than 20,000 motorists every day.

Aquino said irrigation projects underway in different parts of the country cost P150 million. In Pangasinan alone, 17 irrigation projects are in different stages of construction and these are expected to irrigate around 600 hectares of farmlands in 16 towns. Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

He also expressed confidence that with improved roads in Alaminos, more tourists will be interested to visit the city’s prime summer destination: the Hundred Islands plus the forthcoming Galila Hundred Islands Festival to be celebrated next week.

Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza said during the President’s visit that the Hundred Islands was first known among tourists than the famous Boracay. But politics, he said, marred the development of the Hundred Islands.

Aquino also visited Dagupan City on Friday to inaugurate the modern emergency room at the Region 1 Medical Center. He was joined by Reps. Ma. Rachel Arenas and Gina de Venecia of Pangasinan third and fourth districts, respectively; former House speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.; Dagupan City Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez; and Rosemarie Arenas.

Espino lauds Pangasinan karatedos

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=5&rid=507677
• Saturday, March 16, 2013

(PNA), HBC/LVM/1330/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 16 (PNA)---Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. has lauded the Pangasinan Karate Team (Filipinas Wado Ryu Karate) for being crowned overall champion during the 2nd Philippine Karatedo Federation-NSA Inc.

This is also known as Gov. Jonvic Remulla Karate Championships held March 10 at Cavite Gymnasium, Trece Martires Cavite.

The governor congratulated the Pangasinan Team for bringing honor to the province and the country as well, official sources said Saturday.

Saying youth and sports development is one of the main concerns of his administration, Espino gave assurances he would continue to support athletics.

He cited the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center and its facilities which he said is always open to all athletic organizations holding their sports events.

Dr. Alejandro Enrico Vasquez, chief instructor of the Filipinas Wado Ryu Karate, said the Pangasinan team will further compete in the PKF-NSA Inc national championships on April 13 to 14 at the Philsports Arena ULTRA in Pasig City.

Vasquez noted the gold and silver medalists of the National championships will represent the Philippines in the coming 2nd South East Asian Karate Federation Congress and Championships which our country will host on April 18 to 21 at Stotsenberg Convention Hall Clark, Pampanga.

This international sports event will be participated in by Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei, Singapore, East Timor and host country Philippines.

Espino commended the organizers who exerted extra efforts to ensure a successful competition which will likewise help promote the country’s tourism with the gathering of 11 nations in Southeast Asia.

The outstanding Pangasinan players are John Enrico Vasquez, Kristelle Ira Zabala, John Matthew Manantan, Jude Michael Uson, Gilbert Jorel Arellano, Clint Velosco, John Jerick Obra, Alexis Louise Nunez, John Marc Claveria, and Aldrin Yu Brito.

Aside from the gold and silver medals recently earned from the competition in Cavite, Vasquez, Zabala and Manantan were also top winners in the Batang Pinoy Karatedo national competitions and gold and silver medalists in international competitions in Singapore Korea and Thailand.

PNoy sked to open new ER complex in Pangasinan

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1941363252725
• Friday, March 15, 2013

By April Montes (MCA/AM-PIA1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, March 15 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to fly to this city today to open the nearly P24-million emergency room complex of a regional medical center.

The President will be accompanied by Health Secretary Enrique Ona and other regional health executives in unveiling the marker of the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) emergency room facility.

It will be the first visit of PNoy this year to Pangasinan and the fourth since he became president in 2010.

After the facility’s opening, the President will later sit down with Pangasinan leaders for separate consultations at the CSI Stadia here and at the Sison Auditorium in Alaminos City.

Dr. Roland Joseph Mejia, R1MC chief, said the project is in line with the DOH’s “Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (universal health care)" program.

“The new emergency room complex is dedicated to deliver quality, emergent treatment to gravely ill and injured patients. It is designed to be more responsive to victims of disasters, terrorism, and contagious diseases,” he said.

Damaged by previous typhoons, the old ER complex building was rehabilitated and expanded in December 2010 to make it more roomy, spacious, and organized.

It was upgraded with modern diagnostic and therapeutic tools and facilities, complemented with trained and experienced staff.

The construction of the structure was initially funded from the hospital’s income amounting to P3.98 million. Another P5 million from the General Appropriations Act 2010 was later given until the structure was completed with another fund support from the Health Facilities Enhancement Program 2013 amounting to P15 million.

The new emergency room complex now offers the following services: a bed capacity for 50 patients, (sectionalized into four major clinical departments such as medical, pediatrics, surgical, and OB-Gyne), animal bite center, toxicology room with decontamination facilities, isolation room for highly infectious diseases, satellite laboratory and radiology sections, pharmacy, admitting section and medical social services unit, two operating rooms, one delivery room, resuscitation room, counseling room, and an ambulance bay.

The structure boasts of a spacious lobby which can be utilized to accommodate mass casualty patients, roomy waiting area, modern equipment and instruments, health emergency management staff (HEMS), operation center (OPCEN), with office and a multifunction room.

Based on initial coordination meetings with Malacañang representatives and provincial organizers, some 800 participants composed of doctors, nurses and administrative support of the R1MC are expected to grace the event.

The inaugural activity will start at 10 a.m. upon the President’s arrival.

The President will be received by Dr. Otto Raguindin and Dr. Gerard Gazmen.

A short program follows at the hospital’s conference room where the President will be given a project briefing.

First Pangasinan modern palay drying facility, harvester/thresher put on dry run

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=506952
• Thursday, March 14, 2013

(PNA), FPV/LVM/ JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB

VILLASIS, Pangasinan, March 14 (PNA)—Eyeing to be the nation’s rice barn capital in addition to its long-time hold as eggplant capital of the north, the town of Villasis put into dry run Tuesday its newly purchased multi-million peso palay drying facility and harvester cum thresher machines in preparation to its full-blown operations.

The multimillion-peso worth drying facility which was imported from the Malaysian industrial company Agro Indus is located inside a large agricultural complex situated on a 2.5 hectare area in Barangay Unzad owned by the municipal government.

Villasis Mayor Libradita Abrenica said the project will help farmers boost their production even during the dry season when drying of grains is quite difficult.

Moreover, the facility will prevent farmers from drying their palay in road pavements, a situation that not only destroys some of the grains but also poses dangers to lives.

Aside from drying palay, the complex will also serve as a warehouse facility for farm products with only minimal toll fees.

Gilbert Nebres, the facility manager, said based on the run-through operation, farmers gave positive feedback on the drying equipment.

The project was initiated by Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Kimi Cojuangco to help farmers minimize losses.

Abrenica said although the lot is owned by the municipal government, the cost of the warehouse and equipment was bankrolled from the town’s share of the tobacco excise tax.

Former Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, who laid the masterplan for the complex during his incumbency, visited the project last year along with mayors and vice mayors from the 5th District of Pangasinan and Khoo Lim, Jimmy and William Lee, all executives of Agro-Indus.

At the same time, the harvester/thresher-in-one machinery has also started providing free services to the farmers in Barangay Unzad, Villasis as part of its trial run, introducing mechanized farming to them for the first time.

Villasis is the first town in the province to own and operate such machine which uses German technology although the machine itself was imported from India for more or less P2 million.

Leonilo Miran, in-charge of the machine operation, assured that during the dry run, they have not encountered any technical problem so far.

Nebres said the machine will work alongside the town’s five tractors to guarantee faster and better quality and quantity production and thus give more income for all the farmers from the town’s 21 barangays.

All the new agriculture machinery which will soon cater to all Villasis farmers and even those from neighboring towns for just a minimal fee will bring to them a number of benefits.

Nebres asserted: “Andito na yung combined harvester/thresher at dryer, mami-minimize ung losses sa field katulad sa paggapas, sa paghahakot, sa threshing, at sa solar dring..tsaka less labor pa. (Here is the combined harvester/thresher/dryer that will minimize field losses like in manual harvesting, hauling and threshing as well as in solar drying and labor cost).

Corollary to this, Mayor Abrenica encouraged farmers to plant only at most two varieties of rice so that threshing could be done faster even as he assured that the local government will give subsidy to the town’s farmers soon.

Pangasinan continues to rack up good governance awards

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=506643
• Wednesday, March 13, 2013

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LMMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 13 (PNA) -- There is no stopping the province of Pangasinan from annexing awards of excellence due to its sterling performance in the area of governance.

This, after the provincial government of Pangasinan under the leadership of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. racked up four more Hall of Fame awards for outstanding performance in various search categories launched by the Regional Development Council (RDC).

For bagging the championship in each category for three consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012), the province was elevated to the Hall of Fame for the following awards: Region I Best Performing LGU (Local Government Unit) in Local Governance, Region I Best Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Implementer, Region I Champion for Best LGU Practice and Region I Best Project Implementer.

In addition to this, the province also received the runner-up honor for Cleanest, Safest, and Greenest LGU category.

The awards were received by Governor Espino with Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr., Board Members Von Mark Mendoza and Raul Sison, Provincial Planning and Development Office Coordinator Benita Pizarro, Provincial Health Officer Anna De Guzman, Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya, Provincial Information Officer Orpheus Velasco and Federation of Pangasinan NGOs Carmelita Duque.

All these were conferred by Acting RDC Chairman Juan Ngalob during the First Quarter conference of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Bauang, La Union on March 12.

Pangasinan is also the current Region I Champion in the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi of the DILG (which is considered as the mother of all local governance awards), and RDC Hall of Famer in Coastal Resources Management, and as the most statistically advanced province in the region.

As a Best Performing Province based on the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS), Pangasinan served as a model in the promotion of efficient, effective and transparent local governance practices in Region 1.

The LGPMS award is based on four areas in local management, namely: administrative governance, social governance, economic governance and environmental governance.

The province’s winning project entry for LGU Best Practices award was the “Accelerated Certified Rice Seed Production and Distribution in Pangasinan”.

For this, the RDC cited Pangasinan for its “highly productive and effective management of LGU projects.”

According to the PPDO, the 2012 Best Practices project of Pangasinan promotes people empowerment and organic farming by increasing rice harvest and, consequently, the income of farmers.

For having effectively and successfully implemented the construction of Sabangan Bridge in Lingayen, Pangasinan won first place as Best Project Implementer in Region 1.

The Sabangan Bridge, which connects Barangay Sabangan in Lingayen to a public market in Labrador, provides faster and cheaper means of transport of fish catch to nearby markets in Lingayen and Labrador.

Furthermore, Pangasinan was selected as the Best Provincial local government unit in the implementation of projects supportive of the millennium development goals (MDG).

In this search, Pangasinan showcased its Maternal Health Care project in San Nicolas which is cited for its timely implementation, quality output and efficient fund utilization.

As first runner up in the 2012 Search for the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest Province in Region 1, Pangasinan significantly contributed and served as an excellent model in the promotion of a clean, healthy and safe environment for the constituents of Region 1.

Prior to these Hall of Fame awards, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Corazon Guray handed to Governor Espino the trophy for the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award and a check worth P7 million representing the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) of the Seal of Good Housekeeping award which the province won in 2011.

Governor Espino announced that the cash prize has been earmarked for tourism-related programs.

Pangasinan okays institutionalization of its employees' health and wellness program

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=505769
• Monday, March 11, 2013

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 11 (PNA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) today passed on second reading a proposed ordinance seeking to institutionalize the employees' health and wellness programs of the provincial government which is already in place.

Authored by Fourth District Provincial Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, a doctor by profession, the proposed ordinance also seeks to appropriate P4 million annually for the purpose, including the adoption of policies to ensure its all-out implementation.

Rosario explained that the proposed edict is in line with Memorandum Circular No. 38, series of 1992 of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which concerns the Physical and Mental Fitness programs for government personnel.

He said the CSC, under a separate circular in 1995, reiterated to all government agencies to adopt the "Great Filipino Workout Program" as an integral part of the National Physical Fitness and Sports Development Program for government personnel.

It can be recalled that based on these CSC memorandum circulars, the provincial government through the Human Resources Management and Development Office and the Provincial Health Office already conceptualized the Health Risk Management Program (HRMP) which is now presently in place.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. initiated the program to boost the morale of provincial government personnel, especially the ordinary ones, making them physically and mentally fit always.

The HRMP already enabled the provincial government employees to avail of various health services to ensure that they achieve optimum levels of health and wellness and prevent incidence of disease among them.

Rosario said the HRMP is a health and wellness program of the provincial government that has been made an integral component of the Employees' Health and Wellness Program of Pangasinan.

Under the proposed ordinance, all employees, whether regular, temporary, casual and contractual can undergo executive check up for free in any of the 14 provincial government-operated hospitals in Pangasinan with diagnostic capabilities.

He said even elected officials of the province can avail of the health and wellness program of the provincial government.

None of NPC mayoralty bets transferring to other camp, says P'sinan town mayor

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=505526
• Sunday, March 10, 2013

(PNA),PDS/LVM/LVMICUA/1100/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 10 (PNA)-- A town mayor dismissed reports that mayoral bets of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)in Pangasinan have expressed willingness to “jump ship” to the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

Mayor Manuel Collado of Alcala asked Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, the LP gubernatorial candidate in Pangasinan to name those who will be transferring.

Braganza is running for governor under the LP in a one-on-one duel with the incumbent Governor Amado Espino Jr. of the NPC.

“We are bound to support our partymates from the Nationalist People’s Coalition,” Collado said.

In this election, the LP is fielding only 29 mayoral bets, three of them seeking reelection, in 48 towns and cities of Pangasinan.

The statement of Mayor Collado was echoed by the 43 mayoral bets of NPC, 28 of them are running for re-election.

The NPC mayors reiterated their pledge of support to the reform agenda initiated by President Benigno Aquino III.

They said the President’s advocacy runs similar to the NPC’s transformational politics.

Pangasinan lines-up activities for Women’s Month celeb

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=411362717952
• Saturday, March 9, 2013

By Venus H. Sarmiento (JCR/VHS-PIA1 Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, Mar 9 (PIA) -- Pangasinan is one with the nation in observing National Women’s Month this March. A series of activities are lined up by various local government units and agencies for the promotion of women’s participation.

On Tuesday, March 5, the city government of Dagupan conducted a forum dubbed “Women’s Right: What to Know and What to Gain” where Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) and other female personnel in the city government were briefed and reminded of their rights.

Emily Ferrer, BSPO president in the city, said most of them only knew about four laws for women. She was surprised to know that at least 100 laws have been passed for women’s welfare.

Today, March 8, a parade kick-off in San Carlos City was held to signal the start of the month–long celebration coinciding with the International Women’s Day celebration. The Local Council for Women spearheaded the activity including the Search for ‘Mrs. Buntis’ where qualifications for pregnant women include: non-high risk with normal BP; at least five months pregnant on the date of contest proper; has received at least one tetanus toxoid as per pre-natal medical record; had at least three pre-natal check-up as certified; and with beauty, talent, pleasing personality.

The Pangasinan State University in Lingayen (main campus) will conduct a motorcade using "padyak" or tri-bike on March 12 to signal the start of the activities.

Female teaching and non-teaching personnel from the nine PSU campuses will lead a forum to empathize the need to accelerate women’s participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance.

Schedules are as follows: PSU Lingayen and Binmaley (March 12); Asingan and Sta. Maria (Mar 13); San Carlos City (Mar 14); Infanta and Alaminos City (Mar 18); Bayambang (Mar 19); and Urdaneta City (Mar 20).

A Symposium on Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. No. 9208) will be held in Dagupan City on March 12 to make the people aware on the value of women and children.

The activity also aims to recognize the importance of protecting the family and its members, particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security.

Media forums, including television and radio programs, will also have women personalities as guests.

Stringent trials for planned Dagupan maternity hospital

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=6&rid=504770
• Friday, March 8, 2013

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LVMICUA/1520/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, March 8 (PNA)--The 21-bed Maternal Child Care and Lying-In clinic planned by the city government will pass through the eye of the needle before it can be granted permit to operate by the Department of Health (DOH).

This was revealed by Dr. Roland Mejia, chief of the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), who said the DOH is granting permits to hospitals based on the new stringent requirements prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

R1MC is a level-3 tertiary hospital, the only one so far in Pangasinan. All others, including the privately-owned Villaflor Doctors Hospital, Nazareth Hospital, Pangasinan Medical Center, Trauma Hospital, Luzon Medical Center are under tertiary level 2 and mostly with 75-bed capacity.

He said the 21-bed Maternal Child Care and Lying in Center, proposed to be built on a lot now occupied by the Juan P. Guadiz Elementary School on A. B. Fernandez Avenue West may start as Level 1.

Requirement of DOH for Level 1 hospital include fully-equipped emergency room, a delivery room and an intensive care unit.

WHO also imposes the construction of a sewage treatment plant for all hospitals of all levels and without it, the National Center for Health Facilities of DOH may deny them their permits, Mejia said.

At the same time,it was learned that the proposed hospital, being an environmentally critical project, must also secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) as it will be built beside the Pantal River.

Mejia said the DOH will also require the employment of a full-time obstetrician and three other doctors and six nurses on a full-time basis and in the plantilla of the city government.

At the same time, Mejia also find its strange why the Dagupan City government still insists on building its maternal and child care and lying hospital when there are already enough hospitals in Dagupan.

"It is unfair for us if they say that they are building their own hospital to provide access to poor mothers of Dagupan who cannot afford our services," Mejia said.

"As a government hospital fully owned by the people, we are implementing the no balance payment policy of PhilHealth for indigent patients, especially for those covered by 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program), " he said.

"Wala silang gagastusin kahit singko (they will not spend even five cent)," he assured.

Mejia said that there are Basic Emergency and Neo-Natal Centers established by DOH in cluster barangays of Dagupan City where mothers giving birth can also go, aside from R1MC.

Mejia reminded that R1MC is now a 600-bed capacity hospital through a program worked out by Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia.

The number of beds will be 1,500 when R1MC's 11-storey medical building, soon to be the highest structure all over Pangasinan and costing P1.2 billion pesos, is built within two years.

Bidding for the 11-storey R1MC medical building is set in Manila in April while construction will start in June.

R1MC is among four government hospitals in the country to benefit from the five-year modernization program of DOH-run hospitals under the term of President Benigno Aquino III.

The others are the Cagayan Valley Medical Center, the Bicol Medical Center and the Cotabato Medical Center.

A helipad will be located in the top floor of the 11-storey structure in preparation for the coming formation of a DOH air ambulance, he said.

Hundred Islands hugs world tourism limelight anew

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=6&rid=504770
• Thursday, March 7, 2013

(PNA), LAM/LVM/LMMICUA/RMA

ALAMINOS CITY, Mar. 7 (PNA) -- The city of Alaminos once again hogged the international limelight when the Hundred Islands was featured in an article that appeared in the Yahoo web portal on Wednesday.

Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza said the article written by Gael Hilotin, a Filipina, entitled "Budget Travel: Hundred Islands National Park" puts Alaminos City anew in the world tourism map.

Millions of Internet users from all over the world must now have read that article in the Yahoo portal, he said.

In the article, Hilotin described the beauty of the Hundred Islands which, incidentally, was also at the cover of a book in the United Kingdom including it as "501 Must-Visit Islands."

At the same time, the World Travel Mart considers the Hundred Islands as "One of the Best Bird Watching Sites".

Hilotin wrote that the Hundred Islands is a favorite destination of world tourists with meager budget.

She significantly mentioned that the provincial government of Pangasinan even considers the Hundred Islands as the number one tourist spot not only in Pangasinan but the whole region.

Management and supervision of the Hundred Islands is now by the Alaminos City government after the Philippine Tourism Authority turned it over in September 2005 during the first term of office of Mayor Braganza.

A report of the Alaminos City tourism office showed that some 200,000 local and foreign tourists visited Hundred Islands last year.

Under the PTA, the highest number of tourist arrival was only at 40,000.

DPWH okays footbridge, underpass alongside bridge in Pangasinan

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&nid=2&rid=504320
• Wednesday, March 6, 2013

(PNA), LAP/LVM/HILDA MARTIN AUSTRIA/RMA

CALASIAO, Pangasinan, March 6 (PNA) -— The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) agreed to build a permanent footbridge and underpass alongside the Villamil bridge which is still undergoing reconstruction across the Marusay River.

Vivencio Vallo, Calasiao municipal administrator, revealed that this was based on a letter sent to DPWH by the local government in mid-February which was favorably acted upon by Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson.

The municipal government asked for the footbridge to address the problem of the residents living on both sides of the bridge who are forced to travel two barangays on board jeepneys or tricycles in order to cross the river as the Villamil bridge was already closed for vehicular traffic.

“We have seen how wearisome it is for the people to travel and spend for their fare when the town proper is just across their place,” Vallo said.

The footbridge is one-meter wide and its length will be the same as that of the Villamil bridge, which is 100-meter long.

Meanwhile, the underpass was seen by officials to be the solution to the usual traffic problem occurring in both approaches of the bridge where intersections are also located.

According to Vallo, they have learned that the approach of the bridge poses risk to the motorists driving from the intersection because the elevation of these approaches is too high.

Accidents, he said, might occur any time as passing motorists could not see incoming vehicles.

Instead of filling the road with sand and gravel, which is the original plan of the contractor, town officials instead suggested the construction of an underpass.

“This way the motorists coming from the intersection need not pass through the national road anymore,” he added.

Closed for vehicular and pedestrian traffic since last year, the 50-year-old Villamil Bridge's reconstruction was supposed to be finished in November 2012.

However, its construction was delayed due to bad weather conditions and the realignment of water pipes of the town water district, including telephone lines that were positioned underneath or near the bridge.

“We are hoping that it will be finished soon since our folks and from the nearby towns have already been badly affected by its continued closure,” Vallo said.

PPA completes 180-meter wharf, causeway in Sual, Pangasinan

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=503776
• Tuesday, March 5, 2013

(PNA), LAM/LVM/LMMICUA/RMA

SUAL, Pangasinan, Mar. 5 (PNA) -- The 180-meter wharf and rock causeway built by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) at Baquioen Bay in Sual town can now accommodate berthing of small seacrafts including barges and LCTs (Landing Craft Tanks).

Director Silverio Mangaoang, PPA regional director, said the structure built at a cost of P100 million is only the first phase of the envisioned Sual International Seaport.

The second phase to be funded by the Pangasinan provincial government in the amount of P200 million will involve the dredging of the Baquioen Bay to enable bigger ocean-going vessels to berth.

The third phase to be bankrolled by the Sual local government at a cost of P200 million will complete the facility, said Mangaoang.

The whole project was the subject of a memorandum of agreement signed in 2010 by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) through the PPA, the provincial government and the municipality of Sual, Pangasinan.

Pangasinan hosts RIAA Meet

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1941361947789
• Monday, March 4, 2013

By April Montes (JCR-AMM/PIA1 Pangasinan with reports from PIO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 4 (PIA) -- Some 8,000 participants from the various schools in the region gathered as one in the opening ceremony of the Region I Athletic Association (RIAA) Meet on February 24 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.

This year’s RIAA, which is slated on February 24 to March 2, is hosted by the Department of Education Division I of Pangasinan, in cooperation with the provincial government of Pangasinan.

The province’s hosting of the biggest sporting event among public and private elementary and secondary schools in Region I upholds Pangasinan’s reputation as a sporting hub in the country.

Department of Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali told the athletes to play their games well in order to achieve success as he reminded all athletes to put in mind the importance of discipline like team focus.

Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. on the other hand, stressed the importance of sportsmanship and discipline as he welcomed the young athletes and other visitors to the province.

The governor also urged the athletes, especially those from Pangasinan, to give their best shot.

“Isa sa atin dito sa Pangasinan o sa Region I ang magdala pa ng mas mataas na karangalan at makakuha ng mga medalya sa mas mataas na lebel ng kompetisyon,” Espino said.

The regional delegation is comprised of athletes from the elementary and secondary schools including their coaches, trainers, technical officials and chaperones coming from the 14 school divisions in Region I.

The athletes will see action in various sporting events such as athletics, gymnastics, basketball, sepak takraw, baseball, softball, badminton, table tennis, archery, swimming, boxing, arnis, and chess.

For the RIAA, the provincial government guaranteed the successful conduct of the athletic competition by making sure that the venue and sports facilities are well taken cared of. Health personnel were fielded to secure the safety of the athletes in cases of accidents or other related problems.

Security officers were also assigned at the billeting areas as well as in the playing venues to ensure the safety of the athletes and participants.

1,700 Pangasinan youths benefit from P34.7-M C4TP

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=411361937499
• Sunday, March 3, 2013

By Venus H. Sarmiento (JCR/VHS-PIA1, Pangasinan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Mar 3 (PIA) -- At least 1,735 youth from the province will benefit from the Cash-for-Training Program (C4TP) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) launched here recently.

Tesda Secretary Joel Villanueva announced that P1.3 billion was allotted by the national government for the C4TP. Of this amount, P34.7 million was allotted for the scholars of Pangasinan.

“The cash for training program will not only give financial assistance but there will be matching skills training especially now when the world is focused on skills development,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva said it is a must to know the specific needs of the industry and the government is sensitive to these needs, thus the launching of anti-poverty programs. C4TP will give beneficiaries the chance to undergo training for free and land them jobs after graduation.

C4TP beneficiaries were identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Each scholar will receive P20,000 that will be used for training and assessment fees, including allowances.

“It is like an anti-‘tambay’ campaign of the government where poor students and out-of-school youth will be empowered to become Tesda Specialistas,” he added.

Villanueva, who is himself a graduate of Tesda’s Bartending Course, said the program is implemented in two components: the first is the training-for-wage employment where after graduation, Tesda helps the scholar look for a job as wielders, electrical installation or as maintenance crew, among others.

The second component is training for self-employment where Tesda gives its graduates the necessary kit to start their own business in the community.

Tesda Provincial Director Manuel Wong said scholars can enrol in the 33 Tesda-accredited schools in Pangasinan.

Courses offered for the C4TP include: Automotive, Driving, Food and Beverage Services, Commercial Cooking, Bartending, Motorcycle and Small Engine Repair and Maintenance, Wielding, Housekeeping, Computer Hardware Servicing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, and Animal Production.

The provincial government led by Gov. Amado Espino, Jr was elated and expressed full support to the program during the launch.

He thanked the national government for bringing the C4TP program to Pangasinan which he described as “better than a dole-out program.”

Espino said Pangasinan has no big economic zone, no big factories, and no international airport but it is endowed with the most important key to development which is human resource.

He said that many overseas Filipino workers came from Pangasinan and industry and economic partners come to this province to hire employees.

7 Pangasinan coops get loan assistance from provincial gov't

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=502969
• Saturday, March 2, 2013

(PNA), /JBP/LVM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 2 (PNA) — Seven multi-purpose cooperatives with 994 beneficiaries received loan assistance totaling P750,000 under the livelihood assistance program of the provincial government.

Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. personally handed separate checks to officers and members of the seven cooperatives during their courtesy call to the province’s chief executive last February 28.

The loan - payable at very minimal interest rate - will be utilized by these cooperatives in projects like re-lending, commodity trading and in buying various farm inputs.

Victoria G. Peralta, chairperson of the Maresma Multi-Purpose Cooperative, considers the livelihood assistance as an “additional revolving capital” they will be using in crop production, squash noodle production and for their TNAP (Tindahan Natin sa Agrarian Program) in Balungao town.

On the other hand, Antonino Carino, general manager of Kabaraybayan Livelihood Assistance Project Self-Employed Assistance – Kaunlaran (KLAP SEA-K) Cooperative in Anda town, said they will use the fund for their credit cooperative.

He said: "Kailangan namin ng capital para sa organic farming, kailangan din ng mga pakwan ng fertilizer at ng maintenance na rin para sa ibang farm inputs (We need capital for our organic farming, our water melons also need fertilizer and also in buying other farm inputs)".

Carino said the livelihood assistance which they are availing for the first time could provide big help to their members.

However, he assured that they have a process, including guidelines and policies, to be followed to make their re-lending project successful.

At the same time, Leonardo Imasa, chairman of the Golden Mountain Multi-Purpose Cooperative in San Quintin, said the financial assistance will be used by the coop in hog raising project -- buy feeds and other materials needed in their farms.

Availing for first time are the Anda KLAP SEA-K Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Golden Mountain Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Bantay Bayan Association in Natividad, Karayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Natividad), Balungao Vegetables and Grains Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Maresma Multi-Purpose Cooperative, also in Balungao.

The Amamperez Women’s Association in Villasis, which has a good repayment record, is availing of the loan for the fourth time.

According to the provincial government, the loan program has a very high repayment rate.

NSO dispatches 2,350 enumerators for agri/aqua census in Pangasinan

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=411361929834
• Friday, March 1, 2013

By Venus H. Sarmiento (MCA/VHS-PIA, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, March 1 (PIA) –- The National Statistics Office in Pangasinan has dispatched 2,350 enumerators and evaluators for the conduct of the 2013 census on agriculture and aquaculture sector.

Provincial Statistics Officer Dante Pescador said the trained enumerators will knock on every door for the simultaneous nationwide census that started Monday, February 25 and will end on April 13.

The census, conducted once in 10 years, aims to get all the necessary information to form a database on the agri/aqua industry, he said.

“The information will be a great help to our planners and policy makers in drawing up plans and programs to improve this particular sector,” Pescador added during the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency aired live over DZMQ-Radyo ng Bayan on Tuesday.

It will also be helpful, he said, in knowing the various problems encountered by farmers, fishermen, operators and businessmen as 60 to 70 percent of the Philippine population belong to this sector.

Pescador appealed to the public to be cooperative once an enumerator ask them questions.

“Dapat sabihin nila yung totoo para makaplano tayo ng tama,” (They should tell the truth so we could plan for the right things), he said.

For homeowners who are hesitant to let them in, Pescador said the legitimate enumerators have the census IDs, bags, umbrellas and questionnaires. Some will be accompanied by officials and workers in the barangays, he said.