Pangasinan News April 2016

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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.

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Pangasinan State University, Asingan Campus
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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.
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Tondol Beach, Anda

Pangasinan bags unprecedented 8th Hall of Fame awards

(PNA), SCS/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- Multi-awarded province of Pangasinan under Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. received another Hall of Fame (HOF) regional award on April 20 as Cleanest, Safest and Greenest province in Region 1, its eighth citation given by the Regional Development Council (RDC) so far.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director and RDC Vice Chairperson Nestor G. Rillon conferred the new HOF award to Pangasinan during the State of the Region’s Development Conference at Marand Resort, Bauang, La Union.

In that awards ceremony, Espino was represented by 4th District board member Liberato Villegas and Provincial Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizarro.

Pangasinan consistently topped the regional search for cleanest, safest and greenest province for three years in a row (2013, 2014 and 2015) to qualify itself for the coveted HOF citation.

It was recipient of two more RDC awards -- Champion, 2015 Best Poverty Reduction Program Implementer; and Champion, 2015 Most Outstanding Project Monitor Category B (11-30 projects).

It is only under the Espino administration that Pangasinan was awarded with four HOF citations in 2013 by topping the following RDC search categories for three consecutive years (2010, 2011 and 2012): Best Performing Province of Region 1 - based on local governance performance management system (LGPMS); Best Regional Development Agenda Project Implementer in Region 1; 2012 entry - construction of Sabangan bridge in Lingayen, Pangasinan; 2011 entry – construction of Pangasinan Training and Development Center; 2010 entry – rehabilitation and upgrading of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital;

Best LGU Best Practices – Project Level in Region 1, 2012 entry – “Accelerated Certified Seed Production and Distribution in Pangasinan Project; 2011 entry – “Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko;” 2010 entry – “Enhanced Hospital Management System;” Best LGU Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Project Implementer; 2012 entry – construction of lying-in Maternity Clinic in San Nicolas, Pangasinan; 2011 entry – construction of 10-unit classroom building at Portic, Bugallon, Pangasinan; 2010 entry – construction of 2-unit classroom building at La Paz Elementary School in Umingan, Pangasinan.

In 2011, LGU–Pangasinan was also hailed as regional hall of famer as Best Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Program Implementer (2008, 2009 and 2010).

Meanwhile, two other HOF citations were bestowed to the province as Best in National Statistics Month celebration (2008, 2009 and 2010) and (2014, 2015 and 2016).

The RDC performance awards showcase the effectiveness in service delivery and innovative programs of LGUs through various search categories.

The collective efforts undertaken by LGU Pangasinan in collaboration with various municipal and city LGUs, non-government organizations (NGOs), national government agencies (NGAs) and various community sectors in the province to advance the cause of various development programs and initiatives made Pangasinan the runaway winner in various RDC search categories, it was learned.

Attesting to the outstanding performance of LGU Pangasinan, RDC senior development specialist Mary Jane Cacanindin, RDC validating team leader, stressed that Pangasinan has maintained and even scaled up in terms of performance in areas of peace, order and security and environmental management, protection and conservation.

“The provincial government’s thrust on environmental governance has a clear direction for Pangasinan environment to be properly conserved, preserved and managed,” Cacanindin added.

Unity Walk for peaceful polls held in Dagupan

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, April 29 (PNA) -- A Unity Walk for CHAMP (Clean Honest Accurate Meaningful and Peaceful Election) was held at 8:00 a.m. Friday along the downtown loop in Dagupan City participated in by some candidates, priests, policemen, officials of the Commission on Elections and members of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

The walk was preceded by a concelebrated mass at the St. John Metropolitan Cathedral celebrated by Bishop-elect of Tarlac, Enrique Macaraeg, a native of Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

In his homily during the mass, Fr. Oliver Mendoza said: "In the exercise of our suffrage to vote, to choose those who will lead us is in itself an act of love done by us considered as friends of Jesus, an act of love for our country, an act of love for every Filipino including those who will be coming after us".

The mass was attended by Eric Acuna and Christopher de Venecia, candidates for congressman in the third and fourth districts of Pangasinan; Mayor Belen Fernandez of Dagupan City and members of her team; Bayambang mayoralty candidate Chato Junio, Mangaldan vice mayoralty candidate Richie Abalos and Board Member Mojamito Libunao, candidate for mayor of San Fabian.

It was also joined by Police Provincial Director Officer-in-Charge Edgar Allan Okubo, all chiefs of police; and Provincial Elections Supervisor Joel Ginez and all municipal election officers.

The activity also pushed the advocacy of "One Good Vote" initiated by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

A short program was held when the participants got back at the St. John Metropolitan Cathedral premises where the candidates soaked their hands in white paints and left imprints of their palm in a black bulletin board.

The activity was co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan and the dioceses of Urdaneta and Alaminos.

DOLE to set up one-stop shops on Labor Day job fairs in Pangasinan

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from DOLE)

DAGUPAN CITY, April 28 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will set up one-stop shops at the venues of Labor Day job fairs in Pangasinan to provide job seekers with access to free employment facilitation services.

Regional Director Grace Ursua of DOLE in the Ilocos said some of the employment facilitation services to be offered during the job fairs include enrolment in social security and medical insurance; enrolment in shelter security membership; and issuance and renewal of professional licenses.

The one-stop shops will be manned by officers and representatives of the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, and Professional Regulation Commission.

Ursua said the one-stop shops will also feature the services of DOLE, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, National Labor Relations Commission, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

On the other hand, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will offer free pampering services.

Meanwhile, Ursua said that thousands of jobs await jobseekers during the three job fairs in Pangasinan being organized by DOLE in the Ilocos to highlight the commemoration of Labor Day on May 1.

“The job fairs will be held at the SM City Rosales, Calasiao Sports Gymnasium and Pangasinan PESO Compound in Lingayen,” she said.

The regional director said the SM City Rosales jobs fair aims to bring together 45 local and 20 overseas employers; Calasiao jobs fair, 45 local and overseas employers; and Lingayen jobs fair, 15 local and 5 overseas.

She said the job fairs will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for the Lingayen jobs fair which will be conducted from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.

“Once again, we will be partnering with the local government units, Public Employment Service Offices, government agencies, local and overseas employers and private companies to provide comprehensive employment services to our jobseekers and workers. The occasion is a fitting opportunity to herald our efforts along our goal of decent work,” she added.

This year’s Labor Day theme is, “Kinabukasan Sigurado sa Disenteng Trabaho.”

DSWD launches anti-abuse program for the elderly

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from DSWD)

SAN CARLOS CITY (PIA) – To protect the rights of the elderly against all forms of abuse, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Ilocos has launched a local reporting mechanism and referral system for detecting and preventing such abuses.

Information Officer Iryn Cubangbang said the program called RESPPEC or “Reporting System and Prevention Program for Elder Abuse Cases” will also provide services for the full rehabilitation and recovery of victims.

Cubangbang said that San Carlos City in Pangasinan was chosen as one of the pilot areas in the country for the RESPPEC program, along with Lambunao in Iloilo City, Maco in Compostela Valley and Valenzuela City in the National Capital Region.

A memorandum of agreement was entered into by the San Carlos city government and DSWD in the Ilocos for the program's implementation.

The DSWD will provide the technical assistance and funds while San Carlos will have a local reporting mechanism and referral network in the management of elder abuse cases, to utilize a database and information system for the cases.

“This will reduce - if not totally eliminate - incidence of elder abuse through the development of a referral system, conduct of community prevention activities, and provision of necessary interventions for both the victim-survivor and the perpetrator,” Cubangbang said.

She added that the program will likewise lessen the abandoned and neglected senior citizens that will be referred to a long-term care facility.

As part of the program, staff of the Social Technology Bureau of DSWD and the City Social Welfare and Development Office of San Carlos facilitated a planning workshop for barangay councils and senior citizens of Bacnar and Caoayan-Kiling villages.

Cubangbang said they were assisted in preparing their plans of action in the implementation of the RESPPEC program in their respective barangays.

DSWD-1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes Castillo shared that the program will put into place a respect for the senior citizens.

“Through RESPPEC, key players and even ordinary people in the community are called to report cases of elder abuse and even encourage awareness about this program,” he said.

He also said that the success of the program lies in not having reports on elder abuse but rather of having no cases of elder abuse; reported cases, if any, will be used for policy implication.

San Carlos City Mango-Bamboo Festival set April 27-30

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

SAN CARLOS CITY, April 26 (PNA) -- The 16th Mango-Bamboo Festival here will reel off April 27 to 30 under the theme "San Carlos Maunlad at Maayos".

Mayor Julier Resuello and Vice Mayor Joseres Resuello, honorary chairman and honorary vice chairman, respectively, will lead the four-day celebration that will showcase anew San Carlos City's most predominant native products--mango and bamboo.

San Carlos City is known all over the country as the home of the sweetest mango of the carabao variety. At the same time, it is the place in Pangasinan where the biggest number of bamboo trees still stands all over the country.

City Information Officer Rachel Sapigao said the celebration will be opened by a Drum and Bugle Corps Parade around the city at 7:00 a.m. on April 27, to be followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Dominic Church and a grand civic and floats parade along the city's main streets at 8:00 a.m.

A Farmers Day will also be held on the opening day with the holding of the search for the biggest agricultural product, mango rodeo, Bamboo Kubo-Making Contest at Arenas -Resuello Sports Complex.

There will also be a DBC exhibition and showdown and a Liga ng mga Barangay Night at 8:00 p.m. There will also be a Search for Miss San Carlos City.

April 29 will be marked by an Educators' Day and an NGO (Non-Government Organization) comedy night.

At 10 a.m. of April 30, a basketball game between the PBA Legends and the San Carlos City selection will be held at the Csntral Elementary School Dome, Streetdancing contest at the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation gym, and Grand Ball, Balikbayan Night and coronation of Miss San Carlos at Arenas-Resuello Stadium Center.

Hundreds of visitors and balikbayan are expected to flock to San Carlos City for the most awaited festival, Sapigao said.

BSP to hold info drive on new generation currencies

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

BOLINAO, Pangasinan, April 25 (PIA) – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-Dagupan branch will hold an information dissemination campaign on the new generation currencies at the Don Raymundo Celeste Sports Complex here on April 26.

Research Specialist Maria Lourdes Manaois of BSP-Dagupan said the awareness drive is focused on familiarizing the public on the features of the new generation banknotes to protect them from counterfeiters.

“We will give brochures and flyers, entertain queries from the public, and conduct one-on-one briefing on the salient security features of the new generation currencies,” she told the Philippine Information Agency.

Manois added that they will facilitate the forwarding of queries and/or complaints against financial institutions under the BSP-Dagupan’s jurisdiction to their head office in Manila.

The information drive to be conducted by BSP-Dagupan branch is one of the services which will be offered during the Diskwento Caravan or roving discount fair of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Pangasinan.

Provincial Director Peter Mangabat of DTI-Pangasinan said the agency’s Diskwento Caravan is meant to help consumers stretch their budget through price discounts.

“This will result in big savings as variety of products is offered at discounted prices so that consumers could spend their extra cash to afford other necessities of their families,” he said.

Manufacturers and local distributors present during the Diskwento Caravan include Magic Supermarket, National Book Store, Home Ideas Superstore, Sheridan Marketing, BHF Appliance Center and Grandville Sales.

The National Food Authority (NFA)-Western Pangasinan will also offer rice at a lower price.

Moreover, Mangabat encouraged other business establishments to support and participate in future Diskwento Caravans that his agency would be conducting, especially during calamities, opening of classes and the Christmas season to benefit the buying public.

DTI launches feature writing contest

By Elsha Marie Soriano

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – High school and college students in Pangasinan can now showcase their writing prowess and motivate aspiring entrepreneurs in the country through the “Best Feature Story Contest” launched by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Peter Mangabat, provincial director of DTI-Pangasinan, said the DTI is inviting all students in the province to share and submit inspiring success stories of DTI-assisted micro, small and medium enterprises on or before May 6.

“The contest, which is one of the activities for the Negosyo, Konsyumer, ATBP (NKATBP) in the region scheduled within the first half of 2016, aims to increase the awareness of the public particularly entrepreneurs on the various assistance that can be availed from the DTI,” said Mangabat.

He said eligible to join the contest are the students in the region where NKATBP program will be conducted.

Mangabat said participants may submit as many entries as they can but entries submitted must be non-fiction, written in English, composed of at least 1, 500 words but not exceeding 3, 500 words, typewritten in single space in Microsoft Word (with all pages numbered), typewritten using font Arial (font size 11), and submitted with a cover page indicating the title of the story, name of the student writer, school, province or region as well as contact details.

He noted that in order to allow anonymity during judging, references to the entrant’s own work should not be indicated by name in the text or foot notes, otherwise it would mean disqualification.

Entries should also include high-resolution photos (minimum of three and maximum of five) relevant to the story. Photos need not to be taken by the writer or author of the feature story.

He said winning entries shall be announced during the media conference on the first day of the NKATBP program that will be held on May 26-28 at the Philippine Science High School Ilocos Region Campus located in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur province.

Winners will take home a certificate of recognition plus cash prizes amounting to P5, 000 for the first placer, P3,000 for the second placer, and P2, 000 for the third placer.

Mangabat said for inquiries and additional information, all interested participants are advised to get in touch with DTI-Pangasinan Provincial Office at telephone numbers (075) 551-3183 or 529-6177 or email at dtipang@yahoo.com or R01.Pangasinan@dti.gov.ph.

Flotilla Parade for sustainable fisheries

(PNA), RMA/LVM/LVMICUA/1940/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, April 23 (PNA)--A Flotilla Parade of 30 boats will be held along the Calmay River and the Lingayen Gulf on Sunday morning ahead of the third and final Presidential Debate at University of Pangasinan Phinma from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Diah Abida, communication officer of Greenpeace Philippines which is behind the activity, said this would be participated in by fisherfolk leaders, together with civil society organizations and marine conservation advocates, all calling for sustainable fisheries.

On board their boats, they will sail along the Calmay River unto the Lingayen Gulf and back in a bid to call on the five presidential candidates to include them in their agenda and to address persistent poverty in coastal communities and the deteriorating conditions of the Philippine fishing grounds.

The same group already held a rally in front of University of Pangasinan Phinma on Arellano Street to convey the same message to the presidential candidates not to forget the fishery sector.

Participants to the Flotilla Parade were asked to assemble at the boat loading area near the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) building in Barangay Poblacion Oeste and at the Eduardo Maramba Rest House in Bonuan Boquig.

Sand sculpting competition slated in Lingayen beach

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 22 (PNA) -- Art enthusiasts are being invited to join this year’s Sand Sculpting competition slated April 30, 4 a.m. at the Capitol beachfront here.

The activity is one of the major highlights of the annual Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival) celebration chaired this year by the Pangasinan Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Office (PHUDCO).

Engr. Angelito Pedeglorio, PHUDCO officer-in-charge, said that more than the showcasing of ingenuity, craftsmanship and extra-ordinary skills in building sand sculptures, the spirit of teamwork and unity among members of each competing group is the most important factor that they must possess in order to win.

Pedeglorio said the contest, which is open to groups composed of eight members, has two categories — adult and children.

The children's category will be for kids 10 years old and below.

Free of registration, entries must be submitted to the PHUDCO secretariat on or before April 22 and shall be on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Participants are required to bring on the competition day their own construction tools/materials like metal screen, putty knife, plate, trowel, hand sprayer, color materials, among others.

Prizes at stake for the adult category are as follows: Champion - P20,000; 1st runner-up - P15,000; 2nd runner-up - P12,000. Consolation prize of P3,000 per qualified entry will also be given.

For the children category, prizes are P4,000 for the Champion; P3,000 for the 1st runner-up; and P2,000 for the 2nd runner-up. Non-winners will receive P1,500 each.

This year’s contest theme is “Education for Youth towards a Better and Safer Environment.”

Interested participants can get the official entry form from the secretariat at the PHUDCO located at the second floor of the Malong building within the Capitol compound.

Pangasinan to hold lst night job market on Labor Day

(PNA), LDV/LVM/JMRM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 21 (PNA) -- The province of Pangasinan is set to make history when it will conduct night job market, yet the first of its kind in the country, this coming Labor Day on May 1.

Dubbed as the 1st Pangasinan Night Job Market, the event will gather employers and would-be employees in one venue or ‘market’ on May 1, 2016 at the Pangasinan Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO) Compound, Capitol Complex here.

Alex Ferrer, Pangasinan PESO chief, said the job market is “a special jobs fair because it will be held at night, unlike a regular jobs fair that is normally held at daytime.”

It is in response to the problem encountered by jobseekers and career-changers who were not able to avail of past regular jobs fairs because of their daytime commitments, Ferrer said.

“There was a time when a firm needing construction workers went here in province and though the job opportunity was extensively announced, jobseekers failed to attend the jobs fair as they would be losing their one-day salary,” he noted.

The night job market, to be conducted from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight, in celebration of Labor Day and " Pista’y Dayat" (Sea Festival), is in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 1, the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Pangasinan Chapter, and the Pangasinan Association of Private Technical-Vocational Institutions, Inc. (PAPTVI).

Ferrer said a total of 15 companies for local employment and five overseas placement agencies will grace the event.

Job opportunities in this jobs fair will be for nurses, doctors, and other health/medical personnel; hotel and restaurant personnel; mall/department store/ sales staff; construction and industrial skilled and semi-skilled workers; factory workers; administrative/office staff; and farm and agricultural workers.

Gemma Mendoza, PAPTVI president, vowed their graduates will be attending the job market.

Aside from the night job market, the DOLE Region 1 disclosed that simultaneous day jobs fairs in Pangasinan- at Robinson’s Mall in Calasiao and SM City Rosales- will be held on Labor Day.

Meanwhile, Ferrer disclosed that they are also eyeing to put up a Pangasinan Competitiveness Council which would conduct comprehensive manpower development programs among Pangasinan jobseekers.

“We would like to build the reputation for being the most sought-after manpower in the whole country,” he said.

DTI to hold skills and entrepreneurial training in Infanta

By Elsha Marie B. Soriano (MCA/EMBS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Pangasinan will hold a skills and entrepreneurial training for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Infanta town on April 25 to 27 to help entrepreneurs upgrade their skills in food processing.

Peter Mangabat, provincial director of DTI-Pangasinan, said the training, in collaboration with the local government unit of Infanta, aims to continuously provide support services to MSMEs in the town and improve their skills on food processing and good manufacturing practices as well as proper packaging and labelling of products.

He said the participants are MSMEs from the town that are engaged in food processing industry.

“DTI has chosen Infanta because it has been a recipient of machines and equipment under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program for their meat processing project,” Mangabat said.

Last month, President Benigno Aquino III, along with Secretary Senen Sarmiento of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya led the turn-over of the 49 shared service facilities in the province with Infanta as one of the recipients.

SSF Project for LGU Infanta amounted to at least P768, 340 that directly and indirectly benefited 150 meat vendors in the town.

The SSF project is a strategic initiative of the government that would help MSMEs improve their quality and productivity in order to enable them to compete with global market.

Likewise, he said the local government unit has also received funds for the establishment of their pasalubong center under the DTI’s Buttom-Up Budgeting Project.

DOLE sets special recruitment activities in Pangasinan

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from DOLE)

DAGUPAN CITY, April 19 (PIA) – Jobseekers participated in two separate special recruitment activities (SRAs) held in Pangasinan over the weekend.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Ilocos said the Industrial Personnel and Management Services, Inc., a Quezon City-based licensed recruitment agency (LRA), held a two-day SRA at the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Lingayen town on April 16 and 17.

The LRA has POEA-approved job orders for nurses for the United Kingdom; engineers and skilled construction workers for United Arab Emirates and China; and skilled workers for Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the E-GMP International Corporation, a Malate-based LRA, has slated a SRA at the Dagupan PESO on April 29 to make available nursing jobs, positions for professionals and skilled construction workers for Saudi Arabia and hotel and restaurant workers for Kuwait.

“There are also jobs available for office workers such as accountants, analysts, secretaries/administrative staff, data encoders and many others. Jobseekers are encouraged to join the special recruitment activities and bring complete application requirements,” DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua said.

She said the SRAs will be helpful for jobseekers because they do not need to go to Manila and incur bigger expenses.

“Like job fairs, SRAs are among the strategies implemented by the DOLE and its partners to facilitate employment of jobseekers,” she added.

Pangasinan library holding summer workshop

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 18 (PNA) -- The provincial government through the Pangasinan Provincial Library is holding starting today (April 18) a three-week Summer Workshop for children.

To last till May 20, the activity is intended to make the summer vacation of school children more fun and worthwhile.

The project was launched by the administration of Gov. Amado Espino Jr. since 2011 to improve the learning skills of children and increase their love for books.

Olivia Ganzon, a staff of the provincial library, speaking in behalf of Provincial Librarian Ma. Cynthia Encarnita F. Vila, said the project offers various activities like computer tutorial, story-telling, film viewing and paper origami-making.

The activities, she stressed, were designed to equip the participants with the necessary skills that they can use in their studies.

"We will try to make the children attending the workshop feel very much at home so that they can learn and enjoy at the same time,” she explained.

The participants are children from three to 15 years.

Session hours for two batches of participants from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the first batch; and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the second batch.

A total of 127 enrollees are taking computer tutorial; 61, story-telling; 64, film-viewing; and 96, paper origami-making.

Over 16,000 jobs up for grabs at mega job fairs

By Elsha Marie B. Soriano (MCA/EMBS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – More than 16,000 jobs both local and abroad will be offered at the mega job fairs organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) –Eastern Pangasinan.

Fresnaida Guban, chief of DOLE-Eastern Pangasinan, said jobseekers may avail of these job openings on April 22 at the CB Mall in Urdaneta City and May 1 at the SM Rosales in Rosales town, from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon.

Gundan said the jobs fair aims to bring job opportunities closer to Pangasinenses from eastern part of the province seeking employment especially fresh graduates aspiring to work locally or abroad.

“It is an avenue where job seekers can save time, money and effort as they look for a job because instead of going to Manila and other provinces, the employers will bring their job vacancies closer to applicants,” she said in an interview on Wednesday.

She said at least 15 percent of the total applicants who registered and will avail of the job openings are expected to be hired on the spot in the jobs fair.

Gundan said over 50 various companies and local and overseas job placement agencies will join the mega jobs fair.

Likewise, she advised those who are interested to apply to bring with them copies of their complete requirements which includes transcript of records, certificate of employment if previously employed, birth certificate, certificate of trainings and seminars attended and other important documents needed for employment.

“Applicants should also come with their proper attire and a little bit presentable because some employers will actually look at the job seeker’s personality based on how they dress,” she added.

Floating fish market eyed in Dagupan's fishing village

(PNA), BR PGL/LVM/LVMICUA/1500/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, April 16 (PNA)-- A floating fish market patterned after a similar world-class facility in Bangkok, Thailand was proposed in the island barangay of Pugaro, a fishing village facing the Lingayen Gulf, to provide additional source of livelihood to the people and attract local and foreign tourists as well.

The proposal was made by Christopher "Toff" de Venecia, the 29-year old son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Pangasinan Fourth District Congresswoman Gina de Venecia, who said the floating fish market--soon to be the first of its kind in the Philippines--will be part his legislative agenda for Dagupan if he wins a seat in Congress in the May 9 elections.

He said under his plan, Dagupan--with its vast tourist infrastructures, such as museums, historical landmarks as the place where General Douglas Mac Arthur landed in Luzon when he came to liberate the country Japanese occupation, the remnants of the Franklin Bridge that once linked eastern to western Dagupan and first class shopping malls, is envisioned to become a modern tourism hub.

Asked why he chose Pugaro as site of the floating fish market, the young De Venecia said that the beaches of Pugaro remain unspoiled and its water is still pristine, that can suit the needs of tourists with discriminating tastes.

He said he and Mayor Belen Fernandez talked lengthily about the project when the two accompanied former Senator Francis Pangilinan to Pugaro where campaigned and woo voters to support the the "Daang Matuwid" tandem of former Secretary Mar Roxas and Camarines Sur Congresswoman Leni Robredo, the first ever national candidate to do so.

Riding on one of the flat boats of the Pantal River Cruise, De Venecia and Mayor Fernandez showed to Pangilinan the rich river resources of Dagupan, including its verdant mangroves and white river birds called "dulakak," which all made the city's Dagupan bangus as the best tasting in the world.

"We will of course make our own floating fish market too as world-class similar to its model in Thailand," said De Venecia, pointing out that he and Mayor Fernandez are continuously studying the coastline of Pugaro for both aqua-culture ans tourism.

The fish to be sold in floating fish market are fresh catch of unrelenting fishermen from Pugaro, Salapingao, Lomboy,Calmay and Carael, De Venecia said.

At the same time, De Venecia said said that the water of Pugaro can be developed as another diving spot in the country, noting that divers like Dagupan City Councilors Jose Netu Tamayo and Karlos Reyna are now frequenting Pugaro just to dive and practice their favorite sports.

"We can put up a series of underwater coves there to attract schools of fishes so that later on, when divers explore the bottom of the water, they can watch the fishes at close range," he said.

He also called for the refurbishing of the existing passenger boats that now service the island villages of the city into something like a river taxis to cater to tourists and residents.

He agreed with the call of residents of the island villages of Pugaro, Salapingao, Lomboy, Calmay and Carael for the construction of land bridges to finally link these villages and finally end their isolation but still sees need to preserve the culture of boating which, he added, is the life and character of the people in these villages.

FEATURE: Ancestral home holds Pangasinan’s history, culture

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) – If you are visiting the Capital of Pangasinan anytime soon, one of the best things to do is to visit the newly-renovated ancestral home of the Bengson-Yuson clan to get a glimpse of the history and cultural assets that the town holds.

The edifice stands at the heart of Poblacion and now houses the Center for Pangasinan Studies, office of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission, the extension office of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and serves as a museum and art exhibit venue.

Provincial government leaders led the inauguration of the structure last April 5 during the commemoration of the 436th “Agew na Pangasinan” (Pangasinan Day) and was witnessed by the Bengson-Yuson clan members.

In a message, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. thanked the family for donating the property to the provincial government in 2012 as a gesture of support to the province’s campaign to preserve Pangasinan’s historical and cultural resources.

Likewise, Lawyer Antonio Bengson III thanked the provincial government for restoring their ancestral home that perpetuates the memory of their late ancestors, Assemblyman Antonio Bengson and his wife Soterana Yuson.

The house was built in the early 18th century and is reputed to be the oldest standing house in Lingayen town today.

It has undergone restoration, with the assistance of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

At the renovated Bengson-Yuson house, internationally-acclaimed visual artist Romeo Castillo MananQuil is holding a solo art exhibit of his lifeworks dubbed "Pangasinan ed Pusok" (Pangasinan in my Heart).

Maestro MananQuil said the art show is a very significant milestone in his career and a realization of his long-time dream to have an art exhibit in his beloved Pangasinan province.

The art exhibit features 19 oil paintings inspired by Pangasinan’s landscape and culture, including Philippine currency design series which he designed.

His works are known for demonstrating Filipino filial bond, ways of life, history and landscapes, most of which are inspired by his sentimental journeys to Pangasinan every time he comes back home.

MananQuil invites the public to visit the art exhibit that will run until May 1 at the Bengson-Yuson House.

“I hope you will support me fully, not just witness a piece of my canvas but you will also get a piece of my life, my soul and my spirit,” he said.

Whale sharks return to Pangasinan shores

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, April 14 (PNA) -- The gentle whale sharks called "butanding" have reappeared in the shores of the Lingayen Gulf and could be another attraction for tourists visiting Pangasinan this summer.

One whale shark was seen in Alaminos City last month and another in Lingayen early this month which is an indication that the immigration of this kind of large animals came earlier than expected.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the Dagupan-based National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC) said the migration of "butanding" in the shores of the Lingayen Gulf since 2001 usually starts by the last week of April.

"We don't know why they came earlier. It must be because food is plentiful at this time of the year in the mouths of rivers in Pangasinan," said Rosario.

He said it is possible that there is more food now in the shore than in mid-sea.

It is the breeding season of fish in Pangasinan at this time of the year. That is why the mouths of rivers are teeming with small fish and shrimps, including plankton, said Rosario.

Distinguished for their spotted bodies, whale sharks are friendly and sometimes, people who manage to get near them pat them in the back.

Herds of butanding were seen last year along the shoreline of San Fabian and like in past, some people organized tours called "Butanding Watch" and collected a few pesos from interested tourists.

Rosario called on fishermen and boatmen not to hurt or harm the butanding as they may soon stop frequenting the shoreline of the Lingayen Gulf.

At the same time, he warned fishermen never to catch "butanding" or else they will be in trouble as they are among the endangered sea creatures.

Rosario added that once a "butanding" watch team is organized again, boats carrying tourists would be asked to maintain a safe distance away from these animals.

Trans-Asia Petroleum eyes LNG terminal in Pangasinan

(PNA), BNB/JLD/SSC

MANILA (PNA) -- Trans-Asia Petroleum Corp. is planning to build a liquefied natural gas terminal with a capacity for a 500-megawatt power plant in Sual, Pangasinan, according to its executive vice president Raymundo Reyes Jr.

"It will cost around USD500 million (with the power plant)," Reyes told reporters Tuesday at the sidelines of its stockholders' meeting.

Trans-Asia Petroleum president and chief executive officer, for his part, said the company could complete the project by 2018 -- if the new administration issues an energy mix.

He noted the firm is also open to enter into partnerships for the project.

The new project will allow Trans-Asia to supply the Luzon grid's mid-merit requirements.

The Trans-Asia president also disclosed the pre-feasibility study will be completed by the middle of the year.

Viray further stressed the issuance of a fuel mix policy will not cease the development of other resources, but will only manage the timing of projects.

In a disclosure with the Philippine Stock Exchange Tuesday, Trans-Asia Petroleum Corp. also said the gas facility could supply to the industrial, commercial and transport sectors.

Trans-Asia is engaged in power generation and minerals development through its subsidiaries: Trans-Asia Power Generation Corporation, CIP II Power Corporation, Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation, Trans-Asia Petroleum Corporation, Trans-Asia Gold and Minerals Development Corp., Palawan 55 Exploration & Production Corporation, South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation, ACTA Power Corporation, Asia Coal Corporation, MaibararaGeothermal, Inc., and Trans-Asia Wind Power Corporation.

'Pista'y Dayat' to kick off April 22 with beach party

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 12 (PNA) -- People attending the annual Pista’y Dayat (sea festival) of the province of Pangasinan will be welcomed through a beach party when this year’s revelry starts on April 22 at the Capitol beachfront here.

Dubbed as “I Love Pangasinan” beach rave concert/party, the kickoff concert at night will be preceded by an opening program and the launching of the Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) ground, said special events office head Marife Acerit.

Acerit added more beach parties are slated for the rest of the festivity.

Also, on April 23, the provincial government, in partnership with local artists, will hold the “PanagARTela Art Workshop” simultaneous with the opening of an art exhibit at the Pangainan Trade and Development Center (PTDC).

In the evening of the 23rd, the 24 ladies vying for the “Limgas na Pangasinan” crown will showcase their respective skills during the Talent Night to be held at the Capitol Plaza.

Other events which form part of the Pista’y Dayat 2016 celebration are the following: Battle of the Bands (April 25-27); “Pangkalikasang Suporta sa Ummunlad na Lingayen/Pangasinan” tree planting (Apr. 27); “Sayawan at Musikahan sa Dagat” beach party (Apr. 28-29); boxing (Apr. 29); 1st Pangasinan Pista’y Dayat Carshow and Motorshow, “Limgas na Pangasinan” Pageant Night, and “Sayawan at Musikahan sa Dagat” beach party (Apr. 30); sand sculpting competition and Beach Volleybelles (Apr. 30-May 1); youth activity, thanksgiving mass, “Bance Parada”, 1st Pangasinan Skateboarding Competition, Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo Awarding Ceremony, Night Job Market, and “Mitoy Concert” (May 1); and Lingayen Gulf coastal cleanup (May 2).

Dagupan City's tourism potentials hailed

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, April 11 (PNA) -- The city museum, hailed as the centerpiece or microcosm of tourism in urban Dagupan, is the only one of its kind in the fourth district of Pangasinan and possibly in the whole province.

This was bared by Christopher de Venecia, son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia, a theater artist, writer and director who as a boy starred in the television sitcom "Billy Bilyonaryo".

De Venecia, 29, said Dagupan has two national artists in the persons of Victorio Edades, for visual arts; and Salvador Bernal, for theater arts, but sadly are not yet fully known by their city mates.

De Venecia, now running for congressman after substituting her mother Gina under the Liberal Party, said he will talk to Mayor Belen Fernandez to allow the home exhibits of the works of Edades and Bernal in the Dagupan Museum.

He noted that the works of Bernal were already exhibited at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and it is about time his works and those of Edades be shown to their province mates.

With the works of the two national artists on home exhibit in the Dagupan Museum, they can entice tourists from all over the country and the world to visit Dagupan City, he said.

He said another place in Dagupan worth converting into a museum is the Home Economics building at the West Central School which was the first command post of General Douglas Mac Arthur in Luzon upon his landing in Dagupan as head of the Allied Liberation Forces that recaptured the Philippines from the Japanese.

The young De Venecia said he wants to join the city government and with the help of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCCP) in developing this building as a war memorial museum to remind the new generations of the role played by their grandfathers in the liberation of the Philippines.

With good exhibits in this museum, we can attract Filipino, Americans and Japanese nationals to visit the place once every year in order to boost the city's tourist arrivals, he said.

Dagupan is the only place in the Philippines where the towering moment of Mac Arthur is located. This can be found in the shores of the Bonuan Blue beach where the U.S. soldiers commanded by General Krueger landed.

Combine these with the Dagupan City Island Tours of the city government initiated by Mayor Fernandez and it would be a complete delightful tourism package especially if it will include a visit to the 32-hectare National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC) in Bonuan Binloc.

De Venecia hailed the Island Tours, using three uniquely-designed flat boats, each one capable of accommodating 25 persons, but which must be continuously innovated with the inclusion of new sights and entertainment for tourists.

Today while taking the Islands Tours, fishermen on board boats would come near and sell to tourists fish that they just caught from the river.

The NIFTDC is now actually an agro-tourism site where up to 1,000 students around the world are going to further study the art of aquaculture.

It is at NIFTDC facility where a research center for a variety of aquatic fish, including milkfish; the Asian Fisheries Academy as well as the Fish Cemetery, the first of its kind in the world, and the Dagupan Fish Processing Plant are located.

Touring the 32-hectare facility by foot, with a stop-over at every research site, can be done in one day.

Dagupan is also historically famous because the first commuter train built in late 1800 ended in Dagupan after its launch in Caloocan.

DTI vows more SSF projects

(Manila Bulletin)

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. has vowed to intensify the Department’s efforts to establish more Shared Service Facilities (SSFs) to benefit cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

President Benigno Aquino III personally led the turnover of P15.6 million worth of SSF projects to at least 23 cooperatives in Dagupan City recently. To date, there are 49 SSFs in Dagupan benefiting local entrepreneurs in fish and meat processing, bamboo production, metal craft, candle making, vinegar processing, dried fish processing, among others.

“These initiatives are geared towards identifying and addressing supply chain gaps. By providing technical and institutional capacity-building to MSMEs nationwide, we sustain the gains we have achieved in recent years to increase competitiveness and enable our entrepreneurs to access regional and global markets,” Cristobal said.DTI logoDTI logo

SSFs improve competitiveness of MSMEs by providing machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system. DTI partners with various government agencies, non-government and international organizations, cooperatives, and local government units to acquire and maintain SSFs.

Since the SSF program started in 2013, there are now 1,702 SSF projects in the country worth P776.53 million — with at least 17,095 entrepreneurs and 72,619 potential small businessmen benefitting from it. These SSFs, located nationwide, aim to improve the quality of products and productivity of entrepreneurs.

According to Cristobal, the DTI targets to establish at least 200 more SSFs by June and at least 400 SSFs by year-end 2016.

Pangasinan State U to plant mangroves

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Pangasinan State University (PSU)-Lingayen campus will lead the planting of mangroves on April 27 to advocate environmental preservation and protection to the community it serves.

Dr. Armando Junio, campus executive director of PSU-Lingayen, said the initiative is part of the university’s mandate to adhere to its extension function in empowering the community to care for the environment.

“Tapped as potential partners of the extension activity are the coastal barangays of Capandanan in Lingayen and Naguilayan in Binmaley that were identified by the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Lingayen Agriculture Office,” he said.

Junio said some 7,000 mangrove seedlings will be planted by local government officials, PSU employees and students as well as scholars of the provincial government in PSU-Lingayen campus in the said coastal areas when the tide is low.

He added the university has requested the provincial government to include the activity in this year’s celebration of Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival) to draw more participants and attain the goal of making Pangasinan cleaner and greener.

More youth now write in Pangasinan language, says poet

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- More youths are now writing in Pangasinan language as gleaned from the big of entries in the yearly "Kurit Panlunggaring" literary writing contest in Pangasinan.

This was revealed by Santiago Villafania, Pangasinan poet and judge of the contest, during the Kurit Panlunggaring Awarding Ceremony held on April 5 at the Sison Auditorium here.

“Compared in the previous years, now we have many new contestants who are young ones,” he said.

“We received 22 entries for the youth division this year, and that number is already considered many,” he added.

Villafania, the 2010 ASNA Awardee for Literature and member of Poetic Sanctuaries Pangasinan, said the contest “gave fresh breath of life in our literature, to be at par with other languages.”

He expressed elation over the growing number of youth joining the contest for the sake of the promotion of the local language.

He said, “Hopefully more schools, mores institutions, more individuals will be writing and will be joining the contest.”

Winners of the latest "Kurit Panlunggaring" Pangasinan literary contest, arranged from first to third places, are the following: Alvin Garcia, Liera Aguinaldo, and John Patrick Manangan (poetry writing- youth division); Angela Kate Estrada, Denson Padlan, and Jireh Ganggangan (essay writing- youth division); Mark Anthony Austria, Alma Nepascua, and Gerald Pagodpod (poetry writing- adult division); Pagodpod, Dionisia Fernandez, and Alex Romeo Fernandez (children’s story writing- adult division); Alex Romeo Fernandez, Rogelio De Guzman, and Dionisia Fernandez (short story writing- adult division).

Alex Romeo Fernandez was also awarded the Hall of Fame award for short story writing category.

‘Kurit' is the local term for writing while ‘panlunggaring’ is a term coined by Villafania that was taken from the combination of the local words Pangasinan and Matalunggaring.

Last year, the provincial government published an anthology of the winning entries of the first three years.

It can be recalled, the Writers International Network (WIN) Canada recognized in November 2015 the top promoters of the Pangasinan native language including Villafania and Governor Amado Espino Jr., among others.

The award given to Espino was for the efforts of the provincial government of Pangasinan, under his leadership, in cultural and heritage conservation and promotion through its various programs, projects, and activities like the Kurit Panlunggaring, the only literary contest in Pangasinan language.

DENR, DOST ink pact on Agno River Basin preservation

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from DOST)

DAGUPAN CITY, April 7 (PIA) – The Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Science and Technology (DOST) in the Ilocos have forged an agreement on Tuesday to strengthen the advocacy on rehabilitation, preservation and protection of the Agno River Basin (ARB) in Pangasinan.

Planning Officer IV Jimmy Santos of DENR in the Ilocos said the Memorandum of Cooperation indicates that DOST in the Ilocos will provide technical assistance in the planning and implementation of research studies about the river basin as well as development and extension programs.

“DOST is also expected to participate as a member of the Climate Change and Adaptation/Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee of Lower ARB Cluster and likewise, provide technical assistance in the aspect of disaster risk prevention and mitigation,” he said.

On the other hand, Santos said the DENR will capacitate the stakeholders, local government units in the implementation of sustainable environmental natural resources management interventions within ARB.

“The DENR will also implement and promote climate change adaptation and mitigation measures and lead in the advocacy on ARB related laws, rules and regulations through effective and efficient information, education and communication materials,” he added.

Meanwhile, DOST-1 Regional Director Armando Ganal emphasized that the agency will have available research facilities and personnel for the conduct of collaborative research and development or extension activities since it has partnership with state universities in the region.

Dagupan picked as one of top 10 Next Wave Cities

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA) -- Mayor Belen Fernandez on March 30 received the award of Dagupan City as one of the Top Ten Next Wave Cities in year 2015.

The award was conferred to the city by the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTI) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Information Technology Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

Fernandez was invited to receive the award by Undersecretary Louis Napoleon Casambre, director of DOST-ICTO and Jose Mari Mercado, president and CEO of IBPAB.

The two officials lauded the inclusion of Dagupan in the top ten list of next wave cities for showing its commitment and excellent efforts to make the city a preferred destination for Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) operations, in their letter to Ed Casulla, chairman of the Metro Dagupan ICT Council.

The award ceremonies of the 2015 Top Ten Next Wave Cities and Center for Excellence for IT-BPM operations was held at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City.

The awards ceremonies coincided with the general meeting of IBPAP attended by key stakeholders, including members of IT-BPM industry associations, and the national ICT Confederation of the Philippines, among others.

Center for Pangasinan Studies launched

(PNA), ZST/LVM/LVMICUA/FMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 5 (PNA)--The Center for Pangasinan Studies (CPS) was launched on Tuesday to serve as a repository of documents, researches, artifacts, printed materials and media materials on Pangasinan as part of the 436th founding anniversary of Pangasinan, known as "Agew na Pangasinan (Pangasinan Day).

Governor Amado Espino Jr., in behalf of the province of Province of Pangasinan, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) launching the project with officials of the University of the Philippines, and Pangasinan-based institutions of higher learning, namely: the Lyceum-Northwestern University, Luzon University, Collegio de Dagupan, University of Pangasinan PHINMA, and Virgen Milagrosa University, the Local Government Units (LGUs) and other relevant national agencies.

The center will be tasked to undertake research, to render an extensive and accurate recording of Pangasinan history, culture, and heritage, and to conduct research and relevant studies in support to our various development programs and governance initiatives in the province.

The CPS, as well as the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC), will use the newly restored Bengson-Yuson ancestral home, which was donated earlier to the province by the family of former 2nd District Congressman Jose Bengson III, as its base of operations.

After its blessing following a program attended by members of the Bengson family, the house was turned over formally by Gov. Espino to the CPS and the PHCC.

He thanked the Bengson-Yuson clan for giving up an invaluable ancestral heritage "to support our cultural revival program".

During the program marking Pangasinan Day, the revised Pangasinan Ortography and the Teachers Guide on the teaching of "Pinablin Dalin" history book for Grades 3 and 4 were presented by officials of PHCC led by Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque.

Stressing that “a territory without a culture has no soul," Espino underscored the importance of the center in the province's cultural renaissance program.

"We are also categorically forewarned, that “…as long as a culture has a story that everyone understands, that story gives direction and meaning to that culture. But once the people no longer believe the story, the culture distintegrates, " Espino said.

In his speech, the governor called on Pangasinenses not to overlook the fact that whatever they do in terms of how they conduct themselves in their respective stations in life, and in terms of their collective and individual accomplishments as sons and daughters of Pangasinan, " will have a lasting impact on the life and the future of our province, and will eventually become part of the history and cultural heritage of Pangasinan".

He also cited that it is now part of the continuing history of the province of Pangasinan, that during the nine years that he served as governor, Pangasinan emerged as the best performing province Region 1, the 4th best performing province in the whole country, and the first, and so far the only, province in Region 1 to receive what is regarded as the mother of all governance awards: the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi.

"This is the essence of Agew na Pangasinan for us to know and be constantly aware of our historical and cultural roots; to take pride in our identity as native sons and daughters of Pangasinan; to take pride in, and always be ready to stand up for, our province; to practice the habit of always doing our best, as we continually carry the torch of excellence in the name of our beloved Pangasinan," said Espino.

DOLE hires students, OSYs for summer jobs

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Dagupan Field Office have hired students and out-of-school youth (OSY) for a summer work program that starts today, April 4.

Labor and Employment Office II Panfilo Dioquino Jr. of DOLE-Dagupan said some 23 private companies, local government units and other sponsor-institutions in Pangasinan pledged their commitment to his agency to provide jobs to students and OSY who passed the minimum requirements.

“This initiative is part of DOLE’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) which aims to help poor but deserving students by providing them with jobs every summer and Christmas vacations,” he said during the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of PIA-Pangasinan on Tuesday.

Dioquino said that in central Pangasinan, over 700 jobs were offered by various employers to students and OSY this summer.

Employers and the number of jobs they offered are as follows: LGU Mangaldan (30), LGU Sta. Barbara (150), LGU Dagupan (100), University of Luzon (100), Jollibee Nepo Mall (20), Jollibee Mangaldan (20), Jollibee San Carlos (20), Chowking Mangaldan (10), Greenwich Nepo Mall (5), LGU San Carlos (20), Dagupan Colleges Foundation (40), LGU Calasiao (38), Pangasinan State University-SanCarlos (20), Perpetual Help College of Pangasinan (50), Chimesco (5), McDonald’s Dagupan I (12), McDonald’s Lucao (12), McDonald’s at University of Pangasinan (4), Chowking Calasiao (14), Jollibee AB Fernandez (10), Lyceum-Northwestern University (45), McDonald’s Bayambang (2) and AIE College Dagupan (20).

“Under the SPES, DOLE shoulders 40 percent of the salaries of beneficiaries, while their employers pay the remaining 60 percent,” he said.

He said that as a school-to-job bridging program, the SPES helps beneficiaries prepare for the world of work.

SPES “babies” as beneficiaries are popularly called, use their income to defray expenses for their tuition and other school expenses, he added.

DTI to roll out discount caravan in Pangasinan town

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

BOLINAO, Pangasinan (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will roll out its Diskwento Caravan or roving discount fair at the Don Raymundo Celeste Sports Complex here on April 26.

Provincial Director Peter Mangabat of DTI-Pangasinan said the agency’s Diskwento Caravan is meant to help consumers stretch their budget through price discounts.

“The caravan will also save consumers from travel expenses and valuable time as their needed products will be brought closer to them,” he told the Philippine Information Agency.

Mangabat said the discount caravan will showcase variety of products such as grocery items, appliances, school supplies, construction materials and electrical supplies.

He added that the National Food Authority (NFA)-Western Pangasinan will also offer rice at a lower price to benefit the buying public.

Mangabat encouraged consumers in the area to take advantage of availing marked down prices of products to be sold during the Diskwento Caravan so their savings could be spent for other necessities of their families.

“Suppliers and retailers of different products will be invited during the event to provide discount ranging from five to 20 percent,” he said.

The Diskwento Caravan will start from 7 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.

April 5 a special non-working day in Pangasinan

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Malacañang has declared April 5 as a special non-working day in Pangasinan as the province celebrates its 436th founding anniversary known as “Agew na Pangasinan” (Pangasinan Day).

In behalf of President Aquino, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. signed Proclamation No. 1240 stating that “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of Pangasinan be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”

This is the sixth year that the province is celebrating Agew na Pangasinan since Gov. Amado Espino Jr. signed Provincial Ordinance No. 143 in the year 2010.

The ordinance adopted the result of a study and research submitted by a special committee that unearthed from old documents that Pangasinan was created as a province on April 5, 1580 in the name of the Spanish crown.

Dagupan City, a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 170, is included in the proclamation being an integral part of Pangasinan.

Among the highlights of the occasion include the awarding of winners in the “Kurit Panlunggaring” (Pangasinan Literary Contest) and the giving of ASNA Awards to the province’s sons and daughters who distinguished themselves in their respective professions and lines of endeavor in the Philippines or abroad that made all their province-mates proud.

A report of the Provincial Information Office said the restored Bengzon-Yuson ancestral house that was donated to the provincial government will be unveiled during the Agew na Pangasinan celebration on April 5.

The Bengzon-Yuson building, located in Lingayen town, shall house the Center for Pangasinan Studies and the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission, which will also be inaugurated on the said day.

DOST visits SETUP beneficiaries in Pangasinan

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted a project visit on Wednesday to four firms in Pangasinan that benefitted from the agency’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Regional Director Armando Ganal of DOST in the Ilocos said these SETUP recipients, which belong to the food processing as well as metals and engineering sectors, were offered funding assistance and technical help by DOST to improve their business.

“SETUP is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist small and medium enterprises to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness,” he said.

Metals and engineering firms that were visited are Barangay Machine Works in Barangay Caranglaan, Dagupan City and Philgerma Manufacturing, Inc. in Barangay Bued, Calasiao.

Barangay Machine Works was established in 2009 by Manny Ventura and presently fabricates and installs various types of metal parts for power plants, factories and other allied industries. Currently, the company employs 11 workers and five non-production staff.

On the other hand, Philgerma Manufacturing, Inc. is a family-owned metals and engineering company that was founded in 1980. The firm manufactures 22, 802 pieces of plow shears, plow points and assorted machine parts annually.

The team from DOST led by Assistant Secretary and Program Manager for Countryside Development Dr. Urdujah Tejada also visited firms in the food processing sector under the SETUP.

One of these is Bella’s Calasiao Puto and Pasalubong Center in Dinalaoan village, Calasiao town.

Bella’s Calasiao Puto and Pasalubong Center is a well-known producer of puto (in different flavors), kutsinta, tikoy, suman, cheese bibingka, bitso-bitso, ube halaya and papaya pickles (atchara). It was chosen as 2012 SETUP Best Adoptor in Region I.

Another beneficiary of SETUP is the Long Live Pharma in Barangay Malanay in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.

Provincial Director Felicidad Gan of DOST-Pangasinan said that Long Live Pharma is the sole producer of hyposol, a simple water treatment technology accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), for disinfecting raw or contaminated water to make it safe for human consumption.

“The firm has close collaboration with DOH, World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for the distribution and marketing of the products throughout the Philippines,” she said.

It also offers other food products that promote proper nutrition especially among children such as the RIMO (rice-mongo) curls, RIMO baby food blend, Go and Grow micronutrients growth mix, Momsie (rice, nutty, chocolate-flavored complementary food), Brown Rice Nutty-Fruity Bar and Nutri-Bite.

Last year, Gan said the company requested for another technology assistance from SETUP for the commercialization of Food Nutrition and Research Institute-developed technologies on iron rice premix and iron fortified rice.

With the growing demand for its products, the firm empowers itself by increasing its workforce. During peak seasons, 30 more workers are hired.

During the visit, Tejada was pleased to note the huge difference the SETUP has done for the firms. She commended these four companies for availing the opportunities offered by the DOST for their own advancement.

Prior to the project visit, the assistant secretary also inspected the implementation of her agency’s certification program for the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) who will serve during the May 9 polls.

The inspection was held at the Pangasinan Regency Hotel in Calasiao town and at the Dagupan Village Hotel in Dagupan City where the training of BEIs are being conducted.

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