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Pangasinan News December 2015

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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

DTI reminds public to avoid using substandard fireworks

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

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reminded the public who will welcome the new year to use only certified fireworks to avoid accidents.

Peter Mangabat, provincial director of DTI-Pangasinan, said the buying public should always check the presence of the Product Standard (PS) quality or Safety Certification mark on the package of the fireworks to ensure that the product was tested for safety.

“Substandard fireworks are prone to fire and unsafe because it may cause immediate accidents,” Mangabat said.

He said only 17 manufacturers of fireworks, which were issued with PS licenses and have passed the Philippine National Standards (PNS) requirements, are allowed to be sold to public.

The brands issued with PS licenses for fireworks are: Age Fireworks; Diamond; Double L; Lion; Golden Leopard King; L.F; Madz; Purity; Pyro Kreations; Tiger; Wow; Nation; Dragon; Pegasus; Phoenix; Platinum; MD; LRG; Nonoy; Bugs; Aragon; Mila; Jess; Canson; GNE; GEM; and Remetre.

Meanwhile, Mangabat urges business firms to sell only certified fireworks to avoid being penalized with administrative fine up to P300,000 and cancellation of any DT issued permit and license.

DOLE urges parents to join career guidance, coaching

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) urged parents to attend career guidance and coaching conducted in schools to learn about labor market information and help address the problem of jobs and skills mismatch.

Engracio Bailon, head of the DOLE-Dagupan Field Office, said that by educating and empowering parents on labor market information, they would be able to direct their children towards careers with high employability after graduation.

“DOLE has high regard to parents as partners in the fight against jobs disparity.They have profound influence in advising and approving the choice of college courses and career decisions of their children,” he said during the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of PIA-Pangasinan on Tuesday.

Bailon said that career guidance and coaching is important in order to help students further know their interest and skills, and efficiently guide them in choosing the right careers in order for them to land jobs that they wish to pursue in the future.

Meanwhile, he appealed to parents and graduating high school students to pursue high-demand courses and skills that will assure them of not only a diploma, but would also easily fit them into jobs or entrepreneurship opportunities in the labor market.

“Some of the high-demand courses that are in line with the needs of the market include agriculture-related courses, information technology, maritime, engineering and accountancy,” he added.

Addressing students who cannot enrol in colleges and universities, Bailon urged them to consider taking up technical-vocational courses being an alternative choice to land jobs and pursue their aspirations in life.

22,000 ha in Pangasinan reforested since 2011

By Yolanda Sotelo (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Northern Luzon)

DAGUPAN CITY—The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) in Pangasinan has planted almost 17 million seedlings in different parts of the province under the National Greening Program (NGP), spending P258 million for the project in the last four years.

Penro reports showed 16,917,478 seedlings of different tree species were planted mostly in public lands starting in 2011.

The agency spent P257.6 million for procurement of seedlings, site preparation, and maintenance and protection, reports showed.

Leduina Co, Penro chief, said 22,000 hectares were reforested under the program, although the agency expected that 15 percent of the trees would not survive.

“The target is 85 percent survival rate. If the [number of surviving] trees [falls below target], the contracted organizations would have to replant,” Co said.

She said Penro contracts out the reforestation program to peopleís organizations based in areas to be reforested so the program could employ locals.

The reforestation areas include protected areas, mangrove forests, riverbanks and open access areas. Planted are trees used for lumber and fuel, and fruit trees.

Co said reforestation activities are difficult to implement in Pangasinan because the hot and windy condition hampers the growth of seedlings. The hills are also rocky while topsoil is thin in most reforestation areas.

Despite these challenges, the Penro surpassed the target number of hectares and amount of seedlings to be planted, Co said.

From 2011 to 2014, the target reforestation area was 16,528 ha but the planted area reached 16,711.015 ha, said Pacencia Votacion, who heads the NGP program in Pangasinan.

More than 11.6 million seedlings were planted during the program’s first four years. This year, 5,702 ha had been reforested, exceeding the target of 5,672 ha.

Co said President Aquino had issued an executive order extending the program, which was supposed to end next year, up to 2018.

She said the reforested areas in Pangasinan did not include the 382 ha that have been planted with 182,000 seedlings to replace the 1,892 trees felled along the Manila North Road (MNR).

These trees had to be cut because of the MNR expansion being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Pangasinan to remain as Ilocos' food basket

(PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY -- After Typhoon Lando in early October, "Aling Lisa" would sport a long face every time she goes to the market to buy vegetables at the Malimgas Public Market in Dagupan City.

And who wouldn't if the cost of one kilo of table tomato had skyrocketed to P160 from the previous price of the commodity before the typhoon at P50 per kilo.

In the city of Dagupan, where vegetables fresh from the farms from the four corners of Pangasinan are being unloaded daily, it is the price of tomato that seems to tell if there is shortage of salad crops.

Pangasinan is an agricultural province with little or no industries to speak of. This is gleaned even from the records of the Social Security System (SSS), which showed that most of its members in the province are self-employed.

Agriculture is the top priority of the Provincial Government under Governor Amado Espino Jr. He confessed that he too is a farmer and growing crops in his own farm in Bautista is his passion.

In his many speeches, Governor Amado Espino Jr. used to say that the province of Pangasinan will continue to remain an agricultural province for the next 50 years, as the lands available for cultivation is not getting any bigger but rather smaller due to continuous land conversion in order to satisfy the needs for housing and urbanization.

That was why the governor continues to encourage farmers to seek improved farming technologies to increase their harvests, practice family planning, and more importantly, send their children to school for them to find careers of their own, so they could leave farming behind.

He asked them, however, to leave even one of their children to take over their farm from them when they get old.

Thus, Espino expressed profound sadness when Typhoon Lando left a big swath of destruction on agricultural crops in the province, destroying rice crops in their tillering stage. Vegetables were likewise destroyed and many fruit trees were toppled down.

Records showed the province of Pangasinan -- the undisputed vegetable bowl and also the top rice producer in the whole of the Ilocos Region -- suffered some P700 million in agricultural crop damages alone.

The damages would have a big impact on the rice production capability of Pangasinan, as it is already the third biggest rice producing province in the country today after Nueva Ecija and Isabela. But Nueva Ecija and Isabela were also not spared from the wrath of Typhoon Lando.

For its continuous success in rice production, the province was adjudged by the Department of Agriculture as winner of the National Rice Achiever's Award in 2012 and 2014 and was also the National Achiever's Award for Quality Corn in 2014.

In terms of vegetables, Regional Director Valentin Perdido of the Department of Agriculture gave the Pangasinenses two months or so to wait before the sale of their favorite "pinakbet" vegetables could go back to normal.

"Pinakbet" is an Ilocano favorite dish that comprises a variety of vegetables like eggplant, ampalaya, squash, sweet potato, string beans, tomato, onion and a slew of pork, and salted by "bagoong" (fish sauce).

It is now almost two months after Director Perdido gave his prognosis about vegetables becoming visible again and seemingly, he was right as some of those that Pangasinenses sorely missed in their dining table are back.

As of the third week of December, it seems that happy days are here again for the indomitable farmers of Pangasinan. By Christmas, it is expected that the public markets will be loaded again with lots of fresh vegetables.

This somewhat stabilized the prices of vegetables in the market, giving "Aling Lisa" and other housewives with just shoestring budget for food, a reason to be happy.

Now, tomato costs P70 per kilo and is expected to further lower at from P40 to P50 per kilo if the bigger bulk of the bumper harvest arrives in the market.

Observers say this is one proof of the industry and unrelenting spirit of the province's farmers and the undiminished fertility of the soil in the province.

Aling Lisa might no longer be squirming when she goes to the market. The few pesos in her wallet can now buy more agricultural products than what it could buy less than two months ago.

A week after Lando, Director Perdido came to Pangasinan and together with Governor Espino distributed 4,725 kilograms of mungbeans and seeds of lowland vegetables like the yard-long string beans, pechay, okra, hot pepper and others.

Onion farmers from Bayambang and Bautista towns received 300 cans or 120,000 kilos of red onions and shallot seeds to enable them to replace their crops destroyed by the flood.

Also distributed later were certified rice seeds and if used immediately and properly by farmers, they would be harvesting palay before the drought sets in next year.

The year 2015 also saw the introduction in Pangasinan farms of the planting of garlic and of passion fruit in commercial quantity, a move that could hopefully end the sominirion of Ilocos Norte on these two commodities.

On drought, Director Perdido said that if farmers will request for cloud-seeding to trigger rains, his office will course their request to the proper agencies as he did in past droughts.

The Provincial Government will make its own initiatives to provide water to the fields. This year, it has set aside P100 million for the construction of 32 communal irrigation systems costing P56.28 million that can irrigate 497 hectares of land, and the installation of 1,000 shallow tube wells capable of irrigating 1,837 hectares at P43.7 million.

Pangasinan is fortunate that the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) finally approved in mid-2015 the construction of the P2.6-billion Agno River Service Extension Project (Arisep) that will irrigate 10,557 hectares of land in San Nicolas, Tayug, Sta. Maria, Rosales, Sto. Tomas, Alcala and San Manuel.

The project is starting in January next year, former senator Francis Pangilinan, former presidential assistant for food and agricultural modernization, said in his recent visit in Pangasinan.

But sadly, as the biggest province in Ilocos in both area and population, poverty level in Pangasinan is also admittedly quite high as shown in the survey commissioned by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

This is, however, being addressed squarely by the Province and National Government, as shown by the drastic reduction in the number of families considered poor for the past eight years.

DPWH all set for holiday ‘motorist assistance’

By Liezle Basa Inigo

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Melanio C. Briosos has directed all district engineers in Region 1 to organize their respective workforce and set up Motorist Assistance Stations in their area of jurisdiction. DPWH logo

This is to assist the travelling public along the highways in coordination with other concerned agencies such as the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Officials of the Local Government Units (LGUs).

The establishment of motorist assistance in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur is in compliance with the directive of DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson on the department’s move in assisting all motorists during the holidays.

Briosos instructed the District Engineering Offices with on-going Long Term Based Maintenance Projects to properly coordinate with the Project Engineers of both the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) and concerned contractors for the scheduling of road works. The installations of necessary traffic advisory and informative warning signs are also to be effectively undertaken.

Briosos also noted that there should be no obstructions along national highways and necessary directions must be given to motorist for smooth, easy, and safe travel.

Mall chain employees bring early Christmas treat to kids

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

ROSALES, Pangasinan (PIA) – Employees of the SM City Rosales here brought cheers anew to over 30 kids during the “ChriSMiles” event last December 16.

Roselle Gale, public relations officer of the SM City Rosales, said the ChriSMiles is a volunteerism activity of SM Supermalls that aims to make more people smile especially this holiday season.

She said the initiative started in 2012 that seeks to encourage all SM employees nationwide to be more appreciative of their individual blessings by sharing these with the underprivileged sectors of society.

This year, the children of SM City Rosales’ janitorial services were chosen to be the beneficiaries of the annual employee volunteerism program of the mall.

“Children were treated to a free movie screening at the SM Cinema and enjoyed numerous parlor games and simple ‘salo-salo’ with the employees,” Gale said.

As Christmas is a season of giving, the SM employees did not forget to wrap their gifts for the kids.

“From dolls, cars, kitchen set to robots, each child received an early Christmas gift and SM Cares' Bears of Joy,” she added.

SM employee Lovely Macanlalay said that she felt humbled because with just a little time and effort, she made other people happy.

“They (children) are so innocent and sincere, making their happiness very sincere too,” Macanlalay said.

Vacationists from Manila arriving in Pangasinan for Christmas holidays

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- Vacationists from Manila taking off from their respective works have started to arrive in droves for the Christmas holiday in Pangasinan and may stay here till after the New Year.

This was bared by the Pangasinan Police which have placed all highways in Pangasinan under watch to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters and the success of its Operation "Paskuhan".

Anticipating traffic bottleneck along the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway in Urdaneta City where its northernmost exit is located, the police called on other motorists to take the Maguilas Trail east of Rosales starting from Sta. Maria town to Binalonan via Asingan.

The police in Pangasinan and in the entire country--implementing Operation Paskuhan-- is on heightened alert because of the Christmas holidays with no policeman allowed to go on leave.

The TPLEX was reported to be now experiencing heavy traffic in view of the big number of motorists also going to Baguio this holiday season.

Buses and cars bound for Dagupan were advised to take a diversion road from Barangay Nancayasan in Urdaneta to Barangay Sto. Domingo and Palina West before reaching the Dagupan-Urdaneta road.

An official of the Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) confirmed that they are conducting inspection on all passenger buses to ensure that they are really road-worthy to ensure the safety of motorists.

It was learned that several Manila buses were given permits by LTFRB to commute passengers from Manila to the provinces due to the shortages of existing provincial buses commuting passengers to Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PRRMO) is also on heightened alert as there may be vacationists who may go to the beaches and rivers to swim.

Avenix Arenas, PRRMO spokesperson, said the Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) team, medical team and the police are on standby near the beaches and rivers to be able to assist swimmers and beachcombers needing help.

Pangasinan town advocates 'glutinous' rice planting

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, (PNA) -- The municipality of Urbiztondo in the second district of Pangasinan is seeking to promote the planting of "malagkit" (glutinous) rice among farmers in the town through the celebration of the 2nd Kanen Festival.

Mayor Martin Raul Sison II said through the festival, they can promote the planting of glutinous rice that is used for making native cakes.

Sison invited the public to join their festivities set from December 27-29.

According to the mayor, the festival is being held to boost widespread farming of glutinous rice, the main ingredient in cooking "kanen" (native cakes).

“Kaya namin ginagawa itong festival kasi gusto nating imulat ang ating mga farmer, mga kababayan sa ibang pananim katulad ng malagkit, (The reason why we are doing this is because we want to show to our farmers and town mates other rice plants, including the glutinous,” said Sison.

He added that the Festival is geared at making the farmers understand that planting of glutinous rice is a good alternative as this product costs higher than the ordinary rice.

At present, most farmers in the town plant palay, corn, and vegetables, said the local chief executive.

Native cakes to be featured in the festival include "suman", "latik", "bibingka", and "bitso-bitso" to be prepared by the town's 21 villages.

Sison said the 21 villages were clustered into four, with each cluster assigned with one of the four native cakes to prepare.

Each cluster will compete in preparing the tastiest "suman", "latik", "bibingka", or "bitso-bitso".

The natives cakes will be shared and given away for free to the public in the spirit of thanksgiving and sharing, said Sison.

"Kanen" Festival, to be staged in front of the Municipal Hall along Rizal Street, is the major event in the celebration of the Agew na Urbiztondo (Urbiztondo Day).

Other activities of the festivity include Thanksgiving Mass, motorcade, parade, and coronation of Miss Urbiztondo beauties, and An Afternoon with the Senior Citizens and Farmers (Dec. 27); BHWs/ CVOs/ Transport Group/ 4Ps program, mass civil wedding, Educators/Daycare Workers/ Professionals’ Night (Dec. 28); street dancing competition, People’s Grand Ball, and dance showdown (Dec. 29).

A special feature of The Professionals’ Night is a recognition ceremonies of the licensure/board examinations passers from the town while the Grand Ball will be highlighted by the awarding of the Most Outstanding Urbiztondians, the mayor said.

This year's recipients of the Most Outstanding Urbiztondians include a veteran in the radio-broadcast industry and the first general the town has produced.

Meanwhile, the street dance competition, which will feature props and costumes made from recycled materials, will be participated in by nine public and private schools in the municipality.

The local government has provided PHP25,000 to each school-participant to be spent for their respective props and costumes, among other expenses.

Region 1 Medical Center on 'code white' alert this Yuletide season

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

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 21 (PNA) -- The Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) here is now on a “code white” alert l in preparation for any health-related occurrences, particularly firecracker-caused incidents, this holiday season.

Dr. Noel Manaois, head of the R1MC Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) division, said in a press briefing on Monday (December 21) that the Department of Health (DOH) raised the white code alert to the hospital.

“The code white means that the R1MC is ready to accommodate around 20 to 50 patients a day,” said Manaois.

Under this code alert, day/work off privileges of hospital personnel are put on-hold and facilities and medicines are prepared, he added.

Manaois reiterated the DOH’s anti-firecracker campaign for the coming Christmas and New Year festivities anchored on the theme "Sa ingay walang sablay, sa paputok goodbye kamay."

“We hope that the number of (fireracker-related) injuries will decrease this year… and we will all follow the safe way to celebrate,” he remarked.

During the 2014-2015 Yuletide season, R1MC recorded a total of 58 firecracker-related incidents.

Of the 58 cases, 37 were between 1 to 20 years old. Majority of the victims were males and were from Dagupan City.

Top five firecrackers that caused burns injuries to these victims were lucis, piccolo, yoga, five star, and kwitis.

Worst cases then were burns with amputations and eye injuries, said Manaois.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cesar Guico, R1MC Chief of Clinics, also warned people that sniffing the smoke from firecrackers increases the incidence of asthma.

R1MC is one of the three sentinel hospitals in the entire Region 1 which directly reports incidents to the central office of the DOH.

“This is the reason why the provincial figure, through the Provincial Health Office monitoring, was different from the DOH national figure as the national figure was based on the R1MC records,” said Manaois.

The Provincial Health Office listed separately over 200 firecracker-related injuries during the 2014-2015 Yuletide season.

DOLE helps teacher get due retirement pay

(MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from DOLE)

DAGUPAN CITY, December 19 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Single Entry Approach or SENA has enabled a grade school teacher for 36 years to get enough retirement compensation.

Rosita Javier, 60, worked as an elementary teacher for 15 years at a catholic school in Dagupan City before retiring as a principal from the same school.

Disbelief overcame Javier when the school director presented to her a computation of her separation pay. She thought the amount was too small for the long years of dedicated service she spent in the educational institution.

To resolve the issue between her and her former employer, she sought the assistance of the DOLE-Dagupan Field Office. After learning her correct monetary entitlement, she decided to file a request for assistance with the office on September 2.

On the second conference regarding her request on October 27, Javier and her former employer agreed to amicably settle, resulting in the payment of her separation pay in the amount of P80,000.

“My heartfelt gratitude to DOLE in helping me amicably settle with my former employer regarding the correct computation of my separation pay. Keep up the good work,” Javier said as she thanked the labor agency for the assistance.

DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua said the purpose of the SENA is not to assign fault, nor take side with either of the parties.

“Its end goal is to ensure that both parties settle their issues within the bounds of applicable labor laws to ensure more harmonious relationships essential in maintaining industrial peace in the region,” Ursua said.

“Again, I commend Engracio Bailon, head of the DOLE-Dagupan field office, and his staff for rising up to the task of making both our workers and employers understand and trust in our SENA process. Workers and employers who choose to concede to reasonable and peaceful resolution of their disputes are also worthy of praise,” she added.

The SENA is a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation of all labor issues to prevent them from ripening into full-blown labor cases. Through the process, parties are assisted in coming up with an agreement for the amicable settlement of their labor issues, thereby sparing them from the more expensive, stressful and tedious process of adversarial hearings.

46 students benefit from DOLE’s employment program

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

ROSALES, Pangasinan, December 17 (PIA) – Some 46 student-workers under the Special Program for the Employment of Students or SPES recently received their checks from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Fresnaida Gundan, head of the DOLE-Rosales Field Office, said that the checks amounting to P93,104 in total assistance were released to the beneficiaries in two batches: batch 1 – November 20 and batch 2 – November 27.

The recipients were among the 130 student-workers placed by the Urdaneta City University (UCU) for 2015. This year is the third time for the UCU to participate in the SPES.

Those belonging to the first batch worked from May 25 to June 20; while those from the second batch worked from July 20 to August 20. The students were assigned as student-assistants at the university’s various departments.

Judy Ann Flores, a third year BSE student in UCU, was among those who received her check for working at the Human Resource Management Department for teaching personnel. Her total salary amounted to P2,024.

Flores extended her gratitude to the DOLE, saying that being a SPES beneficiary helped her better realize the importance of hard work and education. She said that her family is equally grateful because they did not have to borrow money for her tuition fee.

The SPES is a DOLE employment bridging program which aims to assist poor but deserving students complete their secondary, post-secondary or tertiary education through their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacation.

The salaries of the beneficiaries are co-shouldered by the DOLE and the participating employer following a 40-60 scheme.

Lambat-Sibat vs spoilers of the sea launched in Pangasinan

(PNA), JBP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- The Lambat-Sibat program which seeks to put up a solid front against those contributing to the destruction of the province's marine environment was formally launched in Pangasinan Wednesday (Dec. 16).The launching was marked by a day-long seminar conducted for fisherfolk and farmers at the Narciso Ramos and Sports Center by the PNP Maritime Group, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Pangasinan provincial government.

In a speech during the seminar's opening ceremony, Provincial Board Member Amado "Pogi" Espino III rallied the participants to value the environment.

The son and namesake of Gov. Amado Espino Jr., also the provincial president of Liga ng mga Barangay, urged participants to help protect and preserve Pangasinan waters from those who destroy its wealth.

He said the involvement of volunteers in Lambat-Sibat is a clear manifestation that the people's concern for their environment.

"Your participation shows that you value the source of your income that helps sustain your families. We in the provincial government are happy because we have many allies who are ready to protect our Mother Sea," Espino said.

He urged fishermen and farmers to continue their love for their province to see it grow some more and continue its march for progress and prosperity.

Meanwhile, team leader SPO4 Jose Munoz of the PNP Maritime Group admitted that it was the first time his unit conducted the Lambat-Sibat program in Pangasinan.

"Volunteers have been tapped as force multipliers to effectively implement the Lambat-Sibat program,” Munoz said.

The volunteers underwent a one-day training and seminar to orient them on what they will be doing as members of the group in the continuing fight against spoilers of the sea, particularly dynamite fishers.

Pangasinan Capitol hosts 'Simbang Gabi'

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA)--The provincial government of Pangasinan led the observance of the Filipino Christmas tradition by holding the anticipated Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass) on December 15 at 5:00 p.m. and will continue till Dec. 23.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates ‘Soc’ Villegas celebrated the mass held at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center instead of the Capitol Plaza due to rains dumped by Typhoon "Nona."

In his homily, Villegas encouraged the public to complete the nine-day novena masses. He urged couples to hear "Simbang Gabi" and put God at the center of their friendship.

“Simbang Gabi is for worship, not for courtship,” the Archbishop said, reminding people of an article recently posted in the CBCP news website.

Further, Villegas expressed gratitude to Governor Amado Espino Jr. for leading not only the Simbang Gabi tradition, but the development that has been happening to the province.

He said Espino is a ‘blessing’ to the province of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Gov. Espino expressed his elation over the Archbishop’s homily.

“I was so touched. I never expected that…” said Espino as he thanked Father Soc.

Asked of his message to the constituency this season, the Governor said, “Mga kababayan, kalimutan natin ang pulitika. Kalimutan natin ang hidwaan o anuman ‘yan…sabay tayong magmahalan at isipin natin ang ating lalawigan (My provincemates, let's forget politics.Let,s forget enmities or whatever...Let's llve each other and think what is good for our peovince)"

Let us be role models for our youth to emulate, he added.

He likewise asked his provincemates to attend all the Simbang Gabi.

"Simbang Gabi" are masses being held in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary who gave birth to the baby Jesus, called King of Kings, in a manger in Bethlehem.

The nine-day Simbang Gabi ends with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve.

3 SSS branches in Pangasinan now in larger offices

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob [(PNA), RMA/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/1005]

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA)-- The Social Security System (SSS) has relocated its three branches in the cities of Alaminos, Dagupan, and Urdaneta, all in Pangasinan, to larger offices.

This was to give more space for transacting clients, branch personnel, and service facilities, said SSS Senior Vice President for Luzon Operations Group Josie Magana.

The transferred offices are operational though formal inauguration of Dagupan City is only on Dec. 15, of Urdaneta City on Dec. 16, and of Alaminos City early next year.

“This is certainly good news for our members in Pangasinan. The relocated SSS Alaminos branch, for example, is over four times larger than its previous location. Our Dagupan and Urdaneta branches also improved greatly in terms of office space and amenities,” Magana noted.

The floor area of each office has expanded from 96 square meters (sq.m.) to 429.48 sq.m. for SSS Alaminos, 420.22 sq.m. to 925.27 sq.m. for SSS Dagupan, and 339.80 sq.m. to 484.53 sq.m. for SSS Urdaneta.

“Despite the bigger office spaces, the SSS was able to negotiate rental rates that were even less than the leases of our three previous locations. The millions of pesos in savings generated from these new branch locations can be used to further improve our services and facilities for members,” Magana added.

The SSS Alaminos branch, formerly located at the Montemayor Building along the National Highway, was transferred to the AMA Building along Marcos Avenue in Barangay Palamis. Alaminos City is popularly known as the home of the Hundred Islands, one of the country’s top tourist attractions.

SSS Dagupan remained stationed along A.B. Fernandez Avenue, transferring from the Philamlife Building to Eastgate Plaza, while SSS Urdaneta moved from the AAG Building along Alexander Street in Poblacion to a rent-free location at the CB Mall along McArthur Highway in Nancayasan.

SSS Alaminos, Dagupan and Urdaneta are governed by the pension fund’s Luzon Central Division. It covers 2.18 million members as of September 2015, which is eight percent higher than the 2.02 million members as of September last year.

Aside from the three Pangasinan branches, the division also oversees SSS branch operations in Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga; Balanga and Mariveles in Bataan; Baler in Aurora; Baliuag, Bocaue, Malolos, Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte and Sta. Maria in Bulacan; Cabanatuan and San Jose in Nueva Ecija; Iba and Olongapo in Zambales; Camiling and Tarlac in Tarlac, where the division headquarters is located.

“Within the last five years, over a hundred new SSS branches and offices were established nationwide. Many of these are in strategic locations such as malls and municipal halls. We will continue to expand the reach of our branch network to bring our services closer to all types of workers,” Magana added.

SSS Alaminos functions as the supervising branch of the SSS Service Office (SO) at the Lingayen Capitol Ground. In a similar capacity, SSS Dagupan handles the SO at BH Family Plaza and Robinsons Place Dagupan, while SSS Urdaneta handles the SSS Representative Office at the Tayug Municipal Hall.

In Pangasinan, there are around 2.18 million SSS members being served by these three branches.

Pangasinan recognizes tourism-friendly LGUs

By VENUS MAY H. SARMIENTO (MCA/VHS/PIA-Pangasinan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 14 (PIA) – The provincial government here has recognized the men and women behind the clean, enticing sceneries and tourism-friendly local government units which made Pangasinan as one of the top favorite destinations in the región.

Maria Luisa Elduayan, provincial tourism officer, said the award aims to honor top performing tourism-friendly LGUs and give special awards to those which initiated actions for tourism.

“The award is not mainly about the tourism spots or receipts in an area but rather on the LGU’s initiative in eventually putting their town in the tourism map of Pangasinan,” Elduayan said during the awarding ceremonies for ‘Aktibo Ed Turismo’ held at the Sison Auditorium Thursday.

Regional Director Martin Valera of the Department of Tourism, who led an orientation-workshop for the attendees, said it is imperative for LGUs to draft tourism plans that they can pass on to succeeding generations.

“We should be able to draft a step-by-step medium of activities which can be adopted in your areas,” Valera said adding that the plans would have to be followed even if there will be a change in leadership.

Gov. Amado Espino,Jr., who envisioned the Capitol as a tourism hub during his first year as governor, said the area is now a favorite destination of tourists and Lakbay-Aral delegates.

“This (Capitol) area is the equalizer of the whole province. The Capitol grounds is a park for everybody. Tuturuan ang mga Pangasinenses na alagaan ang kanila dahil sa kanila yan,” Espino said during the ceremony.

He added that tourism and agriculture are primary keys to uplift the lives of the people therefore Pangasinenses must put premium to cleanliness of the environment.

For the Aktibo ed Turismo awards, Alaminos City ranked first in the Best-Performing Tourism-Oriented LGUs category and was awarded P200,000 and a trophy. The town of Dasol came in second while Balungao town landed third.

Four LGUs received the Distinct Recognition award namely: Bolinao (Festival Develeopment); Anda (Civic Cooperation); Bautista (Historical Research and Coordination); and Binmaley (Tourism Mapping and Research).

Special Recognition were given to the towns of Sta. Maria (Participatory OTOP development); Mangaldan (Trade Product Branding0; and Natividad (New Destination Development.

'Pasalubong' center soon to open in Pangasinan town

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

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan, Dec. 14 (PNA) -— The "Pasalubong" Center in Mangaldan town, the first in the fourth district of Pangasinan, will finally have its soft opening on December 16 before its grand opening on December 30.

"Pasalubong" is anything a tourist or vacationer brings to friends and family back home.

Mayor Bonafe Parayno said the facility aims to promote the town’s one-town-one-product (OTOP), the famous "Pindang" or carabeef, and make their town’s products accessible to tourists visiting the fourth district of Pangasinan especially the pilgrims of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag.

She said aside from the Pindang, the center will also sell the other meat-processed products of the town such as the "Batutay", "Tapa", Bangus sardines and peanut brittle.

“We would like to focus first with selling or promoting the products of our town before we accept the products of other towns”, said Parayno.

She said the production of the goods to be sold will be handled by the local government unit with the use of the funds and equipment provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Bottom-up-Budgeting (BUB) program.

She clarified that the prices of the products sold in the center will be the same as the pricing of vendors in the market and other establishments.

"There will be a friendly competition and the center will cater mostly to the tourists who might pass our town at night time when the market is already close as we do not want to compete with our vendors,” said Parayno.

The Pasalubong Center is situated in front of the municipal hall.

Furthermore, the municipal government here was already given a special recognition by the Provincial Tourism Office for establishing the Pasalubong Center.

“The income of the center will be part of the town’s budget as it is also an income-generating project”, said Parayno.

2 more housing subdivisions up soon in Dagupan

(PNA), FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA)--The city council here gave the nod for the construction of two more housing subdivision projects in separate areas in Dagupan City.

This was gleaned in a resolution passed by the body in its regular session on Dec. 8 on motion of Councilor Alfie Fernandez, chair of the committee on land use of the city council.

Subdivision projects are now rising right and left in the city that is only 50 square kilometers in land area.

The resolution approved and granted the locational clearance and development permit applied for by a local company intending to put up two subdivision projects in Barangays Bonuan Binloc and Bonuan Boquig.

Granted locational clearance and development permit was the Arzadon Land Corporation headed by Voltaire Arzadon, president of the Colegio de Dagupan.

Arzadon is also the owner of the Leisure Coast Resort in Barangay Bonuan Binloc.

The first is an economic subdivision project in Bonuan Binloc covering 20,000 square meters.

The second is a socialized low-cost housing project in Bonuan Boquig covering an area of 23,434 square meters.

Pangasinan bats for inclusion of scouting in school curriculum

(PNA), RMA/LVM/LVMICUA/1700/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 12 (PNA)--Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. supports the inclusion of scouting in basic education curriculum, noting that the scouting movement remains as the best co-curricular organization that young Pangasinenses must engage in.

Espino was addressing around 3,000 scouts, scout leaders and executives from various towns in congressional districts one, two and three including cities of Alaminos and San Carlos during the opening of the 4-day 38th BSP Pangasinan – San Carlos City Council Jamboree at the Capitol beachfront from Dec. 10 to 13.

He said if he succeeds to become the next congressman of the fifth district of Pangasinan, he will sponsor a bill in congress seeking to bring back scouting under the Department of Education and also make scouting as part of the school curriculum.

Espino is BSP regional chairman having been reelected sometime in April this year.

The governor, who was a rover scout, reminded the scouts that scouting movement is an avenue of learning a lot of things that are necessary for the development of their potentials which include love of country and love for the province of Pangasinan.

“Your heartily singing of the Pangasinan Hymn and recital of Scout Laws and Scout Oath is something that must be emulated by your fellows,” Governor Espino told the scouts, pointing out out that all he had learned from scouting have contributed to the kind of leadership he has now.

It was learned during the jamboree that the present provincial administration has enrolled about 6,000 young Pangasinenses to the BSP.

Espino was unanimously re-elected as BSP regional chairperson during the election of BSP regional officers held last April 14 at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

The election formed part of the regional scout committee meeting that was attended by BSP regional officers, council scout executives, council chairmen and council commissioners of six scouting councils in Region 1.

Based on the BSP regional operations report, BSP Ilocos Region constantly performed well in the past three years since 2012. In 2014, 150,949 scouts including boy, senior, kid and rover scouts were listed, which clearly indicates the growing phase of the organization under Espino’s headship.

DSWD, Dagupan to build 400 housing units

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 11 (PNA) -- The city council here passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Belen Fernandez to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the construction of 400 housing units in the city.

Authored by Councilor and Majority Floor Leader Maybelyn de la Cruz Fernandez,the resolution noted that the construction of the 400 shelter units will benefit some of the homeless indigent families in the city living in danger zones.

Mayor Fernandez earlier revealed that on its own, the city has started construction of 30 housing units in Sitio Korea, Bonuan Binloc designed for as many number of scavenger families who built their shanties within the garbage dumpsite in Barangay Bonuan Boquig.

"We strove hard to build homes for these people as we could not imagine on how can they can live when they are inhaling 24/7 obnoxious smell from the dumpsite," Fernandez said.

She also said she will make a point that when the city's U.S. 8.4-million dollar Waste-to-Worth Project is built and fully operational, the scavenger families will be the first priority to be employed.

The Waste to Worth Project to be funded by Procter and Gamble and other international companies at no cost to the city government could finally solve the 50-year old garbage problem of the city, said Fernandez.

Alaminos City tops in Pangasinan tourism anew

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 10 (PNA) -- Alaminos City won the grand prize of P200,000 and trophy when it bagged for the second time in a row the Governor Amado Espino Jr. Award as this year's Best Performing Tourism-Oriented Local Government Unit (LGU) in Pangasinan.

Governor Espino and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, along with Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Martin Valera, handed the cash award and trophy to a delegation of Alaminos City officials who represented Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste.

The award was handed during the program "Aktibo ed Turismo" Awards 2015 held today (December 10) at the Sison Auditorium, attended by tourism officers and their respective mayors from various towns of Pangasinan.

Alaminos City, home of the Hundred Islands, also garnered the same award last year in recognition of its various activities to promote the tourism industry in the city.

Dasol, which boasts of its scenic Tambobong Beach, garnered the second highest award of P150,000 plus trophy while Balungao placed second and was awarded P100,000.

Balungao boasts of of its zip line, which is considered the longest in the entire Philippines, where tourists can also scale a man-made mountain trail and can soak even for a day in the hot spring.

Meanwhile, Bolinao, Anda, Bautista and Binmaley received P50,000 each as recipients respectively of Distinct Recognition Awards and their equivalent trophies.

Bolinao was adjudged as having the best LGU tourism practices on Festival Development through its Mangunguna Festival; Anda for best LGU tourism practices on civic cooperation; Bautista for Best LGU tourism practices on tourism historical research and coordination; and Binmaley, for Best LGU tourism practices on tourism mapping and research.

Special recognition awards were also received by Sta. Maria, Mangaldan and Natividad, equivalent to P30,000 each.

Sta. Maria was given special recognition in participatory OTOP Development (mushroom production), Mangaldan in trade product branding and marketing carabeef "tapa"; and Natividad for developing new destination development called "Sky Plaza".

OTOP stands for One Town, One Product.

On the other hand, seven towns received P10,000 each and plaques. These are Bayambang, Burgos, Infanta, Agno, San Fabian, Agno, San Fabian, Calasiao and Tayug.

In his speech during the occasion, Gov. Espino called on officials to keep agriculture and tourism away from politics to allow their full development for tne benefif of the province and its people.

He said the provincial government has succeeded in developing the capitol in Lingayen as the center of tourism in Pangaainan, catapulting it as the leading province in tourism in Region 1 from its former numner three position.

He lamented, however, that when he started developing the more than 300-hectare Lingayen eco-tourism zone, politics reared its ugly head, causing the whole project to be shelved although, he said, there is still hope for this project to push through.

Top board passers, campuses of Pangasinan State U with high exam percentage to get PHP710K incentive

(PNA), JMC/LVM/HILDA AUSTRIA/RMA

LINGAYEN (PNA) -- The Pangasinan State University (PSU) is set to award a total of PHP710,000 as incentive to five students who topped the board exams and five campuses on Dec. 14.

Dr. Dexter Buted, PSU president, said the incentive program was institutionalized by the PSU since August this year.

"The first placer will be given PHP150,000, second to fifth placers will receive PHP100,000 and the sixth to tenth placers will get PHP80,000. Teachers of the programs that surpassed the national passing percentage were also given cash incentives," said Buted.

The recipients are Michael Marteja Senados, BS Architecture in Urdaneta campus (top 10); Dante Marcha Mendoza, BS Fisheries in Binmaley campus (top 3); and Lilibeth Lomboy Mateo (top 9); Ronie Gabiola Padlan (top 10); Clarisse Polo Cacapit (top 9), all took up BS Education in Bayambang campus.

Furthermore, the Urdaneta City campus will receive PHP 170,000 for surpassing the required national percentage of passers in its civil engineering (73.1%), electrical engineering (90%), mechanical engineering (92.9%), elementary education (86.4%) and secondary education (84.1%).

Binmaley and Bayambang campuses will receive PHP40,000 each while Infanta and Alaminos campuses will get PHP20,000 each.

Buted said prior to the licensure examination, the PSU graduates with honors were given free review by the institution.

"It was paid off since we were able to produce top passers," said Buted.

Meanwhile, Buted said the profit from the income generating projects (IGPs) of PSU as of October this year already amounted to PHP9.5 million, from the PHP1.8 million last year and PHP400,000 last 2013.

“Forty percent of the profit will be a supplemental budget to the university’s maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) while the 25 percent will be for the financial incentive of personnel and or health insurance," said Buted.

IGPs are sales from books, rental of canteens and dormitories, post harvest facilities, piggery and goatery projects.

The Medical City of Pangasinan to be unveiled Dec. 9

(PNA), ZST/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec, 8 (PNA)--The Medical City Pangasinan, formerly the University of Pangasinan Medical Center, located on Nable Street in this city, will be unveiled in a ceremony at 3 p.m. of Dec. 9.

Dr. Juan Antonio Maximiano R. Escaño, chief operating officer/medical director, said the event marks the beginning of the transformation of the hospital into a world class facility worthy of serving the people of Pangasinan and Region 1.

With its unveiling, The Medical City Pangasinan becomes a member of the 1TMC Network composed of one flagship health care complex, four provincial hospitals and 35 clinic sites in 31 locations in Metro Manila and in select provinces in the Philippines.

The main health care complex is located along Ortigas Avenue in the business district of Pasig City, Metro Manila, while the provincial hospitals are strategically situated in Clark, Iloilo, Laguna, and now Pangasinan.

TMC has taken its brand into the global arena through the ownership and operation of Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC), the first and only private hospital in Guam and the establishment of ambulatory clinics in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

TMC’s aggressive national and global expansion strategy demonstrates a commitment to bringing its unique, world-class brand of health care straight to the communities of its patients.

According to its company profile, TMC has distilled 45 years of experience in hospital operation and administration in the establishment of its world-class healthcare organization that serves some 40,000 in-patients and 400,000 outpatients a year.

The main facility is located on a 1.5 hectare property in Ortigas, Pasig City. It is composed of 115,000 square meters of floor space, and includes two Nursing Towers with capacity of up to 800 beds, joined by a Podium, bridge ways and a Medical Arts Tower.

The 18 floors of the Medical Arts Tower house 280 doctors’ clinics and select commercial spaces. Located within the six-floor Podium are diagnostic and intervention facilities, as well as support and administrative offices. The three-level basement parking accommodates over a thousand vehicles.

The complex is also equipped with a broad range of state-of the-art security features, an advanced building management system, and biosafety features incorporated into sensitive patient areas.

Further, TMC boasts of a distinguished medical staff of some 1,500 physicians, all of whom are experienced and recognized experts in their various fields.

The medical staff is supported by a 2,200-member organization composed of allied medical and administrative staff, many of whom have honed their expertise over years of loyal service to the institution.

TMC has defined for itself a unique service philosophy in which the patient is viewed not as a problem to be solved or a charge to be cared for, but as an equal and empowered partner, co-responsible for the attainment of his health goals.

Pangasinan receives 'Gawad Kalasag' Exceptional DRRM Award

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 7 (PNA) -- Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. proudly dedicated to all Pangasineses the feat accorded the province of Pangasinan by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) when it was recipient of the coveted "Gawad Kalasag" Exceptional DRRM Award.

DRRM refers to Disaster Risk and Reduction Management.

The award was received by Col. Luchinvar Oro, Provincial DRRM officer, in behalf of the province of Pangasinan for its exemplary performance in disaster risk reduction and management activities to all Pangasinenses.

Espino expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone who showed concern for fellow Pangasinenses during the flag-raising ceremony today (Dec. 7) at the capitol plaza.

As one of the highlights of the annual Banuar Ti Amianan (Heroes of the North), the “Gawad Kalasag Exceptional DRRM Service Award,” given to the province is a manifestation of Pangasinenses’ unity, resiliency, and preparedness during the onset of emergency, the Governor stressed.

In a ceremony at Ariana Hotel in Baung, La Union last Dec. 4, Pangasinan bested three other provinces of Region 1 as it has successfully implemented the various disaster programs and activities based on the four thematic areas which are “mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response, repair and rehabilitation.”

Based on the visit of the OCD team headed by Director Melchito De Castro after Typhoon Lando’s wrath last October, Pangasinan through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) and its various line agencies were hailed for the proactive response that the offices rendered to secure the lives of people who were directly affected by the typhoon especially those living within high risk areas like flood-prone and low-lying sites.

“The OCD commended the province not only because of our quick response during the onset of the typhoon but also for our proactive action leading to the repair and rehabilitation of various damages incurred by the calamity,” Gov. Espino disclosed.

They saw that trees were toppled down in the premises of the capitol and we introduced the immediate rehabilitation and repair,” he noted further, stating that several rehabilitation projects are on deck to repair whatever infrastructure were destroyed that time.

Oro said that the programs done by the Pangasinan PDRRMC have been very effective and timely that lessened the ill-effects or damages to structure and affectation to human lives and agriculture.

The Kalasag and Banuar Ti Amianan awards are being given by the OCD1 to agencies and individuals for their selfless and gallant acts and active participation in the disaster mitigation efforts.

More irrigation systems rising in Pangasinan

Reports from Gabriel Cardinoza, Johanne Margarette Macob (Inquirer Northern Luzon) and Estanislao Albano (Contributor) [Philippine Daily Inquirer]

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines—The construction of an expanded irrigation system for Pangasinan will begin in January, as part of the government modernization program to improve food security, according to the former presidential assistant on food security and agricultural modernization.

Former Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who was Malacañang’s food security adviser until

Sept. 30, said agricultural modernization would enable farmers to produce more than enough rice for the country’s needs.

Pangilinan announced the recent approval of a P2.6-billion allocation for the completion of the Agno River Integrated Irrigation System Extension Project (Arisep), which would irrigate 12,800 hectares of rice fields in Pangasinan province.

Pangasinan is the third biggest rice producer next to Nueva Ecija and Isabela provinces, but half of its 180,000-ha farmlands still rely on rain.

Once the expanded irrigation system is completed, 10,557 farmers in Pangasinan would be able to proceed to their second cropping, Pangilinan said.

Arisep will benefit agricultural lands in the Pangasinan towns of San Nicolas, Tayug, Sta. Maria, Rosales, Sto. Tomas and Alcala; and San Manuel town in Tarlac province.

It is the extension of the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP) which serves up to 30,000 farmers planting on 12,530-ha lands in the Pangasinan towns of Asingan, Balungao, Bautista, Binalonan, Calasiao, Laoac, Manaoag, Mapandan, Mangaldan, Natividad, Sta. Maria, San Manuel, San Quintin, Sta. Barbara, Tayug and Villasis and Urdaneta City.

Pangilinan said more post-harvest facilities are needed to minimize rice wastage, which reaches more than a million metric tons a year. “We are importing around 1.7 million tons of rice. If we reduce wastage by way of post-harvest facilities, we also reduce our imports,” he said.

“[Rice] importation should only be a stopgap. What we really want is better harvest. And if we have this, we don’t have to import,” he said.

“We really have to provide agricultural modernization. Right now, what we have is subsistence farming. The little budget for it was even stolen,” said Pangilinan, referring to pork barrel allocations allegedly diverted to fake nongovernment organizations.

Jan. 1 is also the deadline imposed by Kalinga farmers and officials on the National Irrigation Administration for farm water to flow once more through the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) next year.

The rehabilitation of UCRIS, funded by a P425-million loan from the World Bank, had been too slow, disrupting the rice planting season of Tabuk City farmers.

Rains dumped by Typhoon “Ineng” (international name: Goni) in August damaged the system further, and had prevented farmers from completing their second rice cycle.

Kalinga produced 174,012 metric tons of rice in 2013, making it the top producer in upland Cordillera.

Dagupan hymn, Balon Dagupan March to be officially adopted

(PNA), RMA/LVM/RMA/PJN

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 5 (PNA) -- The city council here has proposed an ordinance officially adopting the Dagupan Hymn now being sang in every flag ceremony in the city as well as the newly written Balon Dagupan March entitled "Balon Kabuasan" (New Dawn) as parts of the city's heritage.

The two songs were both written Rex Catubig, a member of Class 1965 of the Dagupan City High School (DCHS) whose batch is holding its jubilee celebration coinciding with the city fiesta, now based in Southern California.

Catubig presented the two songs when he and Epe Rafanan, who came from Northern California, were invited by the Dagupan City Council thru Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, hermano mayor of the Dagupan City Fiesta 2015, on Dec. 1 as official guests.

It was in tne city council where Catubig said that the Dagupan Hymn as well as the Dagupan March are his gifts to the people of Dagupan.

Councilor Tamayo said the Dagupan Hymn was already being sang in the city during the terms of then mayors Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Benjamin Lim spanning more than 20 years though no ordinance was passed officially adopting it.

It is only during the current administration of Mayor Belen Fernandez that the Dagupan Hymn as well as the Balon Kabuasan March are being adopted to become parts and parcels of the rich culture and history of Dagupan.

The Dagupan Hymn was written by Catubig before he migrated to the U.S. sometime in the 80s. He wrote the lyrics of the Dagupan March (Balon Kabuasan) in California where he is now staying.

He brought this home to Dagupan in time for the observance of golden jubilee of his Class 1965 of the Dagupan City High School.

"As a jubilarian of the Dagupan City High School, we have thought of giving back to the city and our school the Balon Kabuasan March which I would like to present to the good people of Dagupan," Catubig said before the SP presided by Vice Mayor Brian Lim.

He also said, "It is often said that commerce and industry determine a city's progress. But it is the culture that determines the quality of city's progress."

It is in these two songs, he said, that they (members of DCHS Class 1965) would like to contribute their share to the quintessential identity of the city.

The city council's committee on cuture and sports headed by Councilor Jeslito Seen will conduct a committee hearing before passing the ordinance officially adopting the two songs.

ARISEP construction starts next month

By Johanne Margarette R.Macob [(PNA), RMA/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R.MACOB/1800/RMA]

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 4 Construction of the Php 2.6- billion Agno River Irrigation System Extension Project (ARISEP) in Pangasinan will start next month, according to former Senator Francis Pangilinan.

“With the ARISEP, more that 2,800 hectares of land will be irrigated, 10, 557 farmers will be able to have their second rice cropping,” Pangilinan, who is also former Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, said during his visit in Dagupan City on Friday.

ARISEP seeks to irrigate agricultural lands in the towns of San Nicolas, Tayug, Sta. Maria, Rosales, Sto. Tomas and Alcala in Pangasinan as well as San Manuel town in Tarlac, all rainfed areas capable of only producing one rice cropping.

ARISEP is the extension of the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP) which provides irrigation to almost 30,000 farmers planting in the 12,530 hectares of land in Pangasinan.

These farmers are from the towns of Asingan, Balungao, Bautista, Binalonan, Calasiao, Laoac, Manaoag, Mapandan. Mangaldan, Natividad, Sta. Maria, San Manuell, San Quintin, Sta. Barbara, Tayug, Villasis and Urdaneta City.

Pangilinan said procurement for the project is now ongoing.

With the completion of the ARISEP, Pangasinan is expected to regain its position as the top rice-producing province in the Philippines.

At present, the province is next only to Nueva Ecija and Isabela in terms of rice production.

Pangilinan said the ARISEP was one of the Php 30-billion worth of irrigation projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) during his stint as food security czar.

He resigned from his post last Sept. 30 and is now seeking a senatorial seat under the Liberal Party.

In his speech, he rallied for consistency and continuity, citing that the country needs 12 to 18 years of consistency of policy in order to reach total development.

This is the secrets of neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Frequent changes of policies are the ones making the country lag far behind its neighbors, he added as he called support to the "Daang Matuwid" program.

Pangilinan, during his visit to the province, held a forum with different stakeholders from Dagupan City, including fisherfolk, farmers, transport groups, youth groups, barangay workers, and parents-teachers associations.

He also had a luncheon meeting with the business sector which included the Rotary Club, Pangasinan Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Metro-Dagupan Chamber of Commerce.

DTI sets P60-M BUB projects in Pangasinan till next year

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has poured close to P60 million for a "menu of local projects" under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB), a new system of allocating funds emanating from the grassroots level.

This was bared by Bella Cerdan, senior trade specialist of the DTI provincial office, speaking on December 2 during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) forum here.

Cerdan said DTI released P28.4 million in 2014, another P29.5 million this year (2015) and will release another P16.7 million in 2016 for various projects identified by barangay people in Pangasinan.

She explained that BUB projects are planned one year ahead. This was the reason, she said, why there is already budget committed for BUB projects in Pangasinan for 2016.

The P28.4 million released for BUB projects in 2014 benefited 20 towns namely Agno, Aguilar, Balungao, Bani, Basista, Bautista, Binalonan, Bolinao, Calasiao, Dagupan City, Dasol, Infanta, Laoac, Malasiqui, San Fabian, San Jacinto, San Manuel, Sta. Barbara, Sual and Umingan.

Fifteen Local Government Units (LGUs) that benefited from the P29.5 million BUB funds this year are Bani. Bautista, Bayambang, Binalonan, Bolinao, Dasol, Lingayen, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Natividad, San Carlos City, San Fabian, San Nicolas and Sta. Barbara.

For 2016, the P16.7 million BUB fund will benefit identified projects in 12 towns namely Alaminos City, Binalonan, Alcala, Binmaley, Bugallon, Basista, Laoac, Mabini, Laoac, Nafividad, San Nicolas, Sison and Sto. Tomas.

Ms. Cerdan said under the BUB concept, planning of projects emanates from the bottom as members of the poor sector were the ones who identified the projects they want done.

This reversed the system of planning in use which, before, emanated from above or the national government, before cascading down to the grassroots.

Pangasinan board to discuss moves over renewed tree cutting along Manila North Road

(PNA), FPV/BNB/LVM/LVMICUA/FMA

LINGAYEN, Dec. 2 (PNA)-- Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. said the provincial board will discuss necessary actions to be undertaken over the failure of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to consult and coordinate with the provincial government before resuming the cutting trees along the Manila North Road (MNR) in the province.

The cutting of more than 500 trees was covered by a sanitation tree cutting permit and earth-balling permit issued by the DENR regional office through Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno, which set the period of cutting within 45 days.

Expressing his personal disgust over the matter, Calimlim said the two agencies should have consulted the provincial government as well as other stakeholders before resuming tree cutting operations as provided for in the permit.

It should have been consulted first with the community, the people and the provincial government in order to gather their overall sentiment over the issue, he said.

In a letter to the DPWH and DENR dated March 5, Governor Amado Espino Jr. wrote that the provincial government is “absolutely against the cutting of any more living and surviving trees along the MNR”.

Moreover, the governor called on all concerned government agencies such as the DENR to exert all means to treat and rehabilitate those previously girdled trees that have a good chance of survival.

Pursuant to the matter, the provincial board ratified provincial Resolution No. 269-2014 expressing the board's opposition “to the cutting of trees along the national roads within the province, with intent to preserve as many trees as possible with stern warning to the DPWH 3rd Pangasinan Engineering District not to cut any of the standing big trees, numbering becore at more or less 700.

It was learned that the renewed tree cutting went full blast immediately after the tree cutting permit was received by the DPWH third engineering district on November 19.

Meanwhile, Espino reiterated the provincial government’s stand that “only dead and dying trees should be cut.”

Expressing no objection to the cutting and removal of dead trees, the provincial board required the DENR to certify that the trees to be cut are already dead and beyond revival.

On the part of the DPWH, Emmanuel Diaz, head of the agency's third engineering district based in the town of Rosales said: “The trees should go. We have to finish the project by the end of this year.”

More than 500 living trees were the only ones remaining from the previously marked 1,829 trees billed for cutting in 2013 along the 42-kilometer MNR in the towns of Rosales, Villasis, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Sison, and Urdaneta City.

Environmentalist groups, on the other hand, specifically running-priest Fr. Robert Reyes, condemned the tree cutting even as they are continuously exerting all efforts to stop this kind of activities.

In a separate interview, Virginia Pasalo, director of the Women in Development Foundation, also cried foul over the cutting of trees as she lamented the inevitability of the killing of the trees that have been there for decades.

5 1/2-hour power interruption to hit Pangasinan's 1st district on Dec. 5

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 1 (PNA)-- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has scheduled a five-and-a-half-hour power interruption affecting the entire first district of Pangasinan on Saturday, December 5.

In a notice issued by Lilibeth Gaydowen, the North Luzon Corporation Communication & Public Affairs Officer, the NGCP warned of the scheduled shutdown of some of its transmission facilities affecting the franchise area of Pangasinan 1 Electric Corp. franchise area from 7 a.m. to 12:30 noon.

Affected by the power outage are the towns of Sual, Bolinao, Mabini, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta, Agno, Bani, Anda, and Alaminos City.

Gaydowen said the NGCP is completing its refurbishment project of replacing selected wood poles with steel poles and is conducting corrective maintenance along its Labrador-Bani and Labrador-Calasiao 69kV line.

Meanwhile, the NGCP also set a momentary power interruption also on Dec. 5 affecting the town of Labrador from 7 a.m to 7:30 a.m. and from 12 noon to 12:30noon, also to complete its refurbishment project.

Normal operations will immediately resume after work completion.

NGCP customers and the general public are advised to take the necessary preparations and precautions for this scheduled interruption, she added.

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