Pangasinan News December 2016

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Pangasinan Province - Archived News
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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

Dagupan mayor: Rizal a hero, icon and perfect Filipino

By Leonardo V. Micua [(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA]

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 30 (PNA) -- Rizal Day is a day of appreciating the national hero Jose Rizal "as a hero, an icon and a perfect example on how to be a Filipino".

This was the message of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez to the people of Dagupan City on the 120th year anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, delivered at the foot of the national hero's monument at the city plaza.

"We are always gathered here the same day every year because we need to constantly remind ourselves that we are all his heirs to a freedom that we enjoy today".

History and Filipiniana sections in libraries lay bare all information about who he Rizal is. Rizal is extremely and diversely talented, well-travelled, an expert in 22 languages, and nothing less of a genius, said Fernandez in a speech read for her by City Administrator Atty. Fatah Decano in a program in front of Rizal's monument.

She said Rizal led the Philippine revolution through his writings mainly the Noli Me Tangere, published in Berlin; and El Filibusterismo, novel satires exposing and criticizing Spanish clergy.

"I stand here today fancying the thought that not only does the entire country honor him at the precise moment that I speak today, but this honor is replicated all over the world -- in the United States, in Berlin, in Riyadh, in Geneva, in Japan, in Mexico," the mayor said.

With the might of his ideas and writings, she said, Rizal awakened and moved the Filipinos' ancestors towards reclaiming freedom and dignity. It is heartwarming to note that Rizal also inspired nationalist ideas even in Mexico.

All these show how he is respected and admired by so many people around the world, she added.

"If by his ideas and patriotic writings he was able to inspire and unite people from other nations, let this day always remind us Filipinos of the values that tie us together, and of the work that needs to be done to continue our nation’s progress," Fernandez said.

Here in Dagupan, she said, the local government is laying the cornerstones for new school buildings and classrooms and special facilities in many public schools throughout the city.

"We have built school buildings, classrooms, multi-purpose gymasiums in Carael, Bonuan, Dagupan City National High School, East Central Elementary School and the list goes on. We have built a new library hub, special school for the arts and a new Youth Center is currently in the pipelines," Fernandez said.

"For me, this is one way to perpetuate and honor Rizal by providing our children the means, the methods and the venue to improve themselves and to usher social transformation through education. When we honor our children through education, we honor Rizal because he values the impact of knowledge on social transformation," she added.

Other speakers in the Rizal Day rites were retired SPO4 Dionisio Bolor, past Grand Knight 6303, who said Rizal was known not only for his character but also for his intelligence, as he was able to read the bible age of five and was a physician, writer, poet, painter, sportsman, chemist, educator, economist, traveler, linguist who spoke 22 different languages.

Apart from these, he was also courageous and patient, Bolor said.

Dr. Lourdes Servito, assistant city schools superintendent, said that although already a genius, Rizal has not stopped searching for more knowledge locally and abroad.

The celebration was capped by the flying of balloons and the singing of patriotic songs.

Agriculture Secretary Piñol seeks 10-20 year National Road Map in Agriculture and Fisheries

By Leonardo V. Micua [(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA]

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 29 (PNA) -- Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol admitted here he wants to leave a legacy that would ensure the continuity of programs and projects in agriculture and fisheries so that whoever will be the next leaders, these programs and projects seeking to ensure food security will remain.

Speaking to agriculture and fishery officials during his visit to the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC) here, Piñol said he is pushing for the putting up of a 10 to 20-year National Road Map in Agriculture and Fisheries which shall be put into the law and implemented by whoever will become presidents of the country.

The national road map, he said, will be drawn from the provincial road maps to be submitted by each governor of the country that whoever will be governor, the programs in agriculture and fisheries will be implemented in his or her province.

The sad thing is, whenever a new President comes, a new direction in agriculture and fisheries is set and the officials in agriculture and fisheries cannot say no, he said.

"But if we are able to put up a National Road Map in Agriculture and Fisheries that will span from 10 to 20 years, the programs we had in mind will continue," he pointed out.

He said even the United States has a 10-year National Road Map in Agriculture that was enacted into law and President Barack Obama cannot alter or amend it.

Piñol, who is himself a farmer, said the real problem in agriculture and fisheries in the Philippines is politics.

He said with the National Agricultural Road Map in Agriculture and Fisheries, "we can remove the influence of politics into the industry".

"The national agricultural road map can be improved with the infusion of additional funds but never to alter or amend it," he said.

Piñol and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Ed Gogona came from Sual, Pangasinan where they distributed bancas and fishing implements to marginal fishermen from 14 coastal towns of Pangasinan.

On his way to Baguio, Piñol was invited by former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia to drop by at NIFTDC, a 25-hectare research facility of the BFAR headed by Dr. Westly Rosario.

While at NIFTDC, Piñol asked Rosario to focus on three essential commodities like tilapia, milkfish, vannamae or white shrimps, sea cucumber and sea weeds which can immediately help the country attain food sufficiency.

P50,000 awarded to Dagupan's best nativity scene

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PNA) -– Barangay Poblacion Oeste was declared as the big winner in this year’s Belen-Making Contest during the celebration of the Barangay Night at the city plaza on December 27, winning the grand prize of P50,000 from former House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr., former Representative Gina de Venecia, and their son Representative Christopher “Toff” De Venecia.

The winners of the contest were announced during the Barangay Night at the city plaza on December 27, attended by all village officials.

They were judged by Emmanuel Toledo of the Dagupan City National High School (DCNHS), Architect Ann Belen Gutierrez-Laforteza, president of the Architect of the Philippines, Pangasinan chapter; and Joy Josephione Mencia Rayos, senior interior design consultant of MCM Design Solution and Construction Company.

Barangay Mangin landed on second place with a cash prize of P30,000 from Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, while Barangay Pantal placed third with a cash prize of P20,000, also from Mayor Fernandez.

Both Barangays Mamalingling and Tebeng received special prize of P10,000 each from Mayor Fernandez.

Across the years, each "belen" was displayed in every barangay, but this year, the city made a new twist by providing a space along Jose de Venecia Sr. Expressway where all the ‘Belens’ (Nativity Scenes) were displayed.

This is at the Paseo de Belen, a nightly crowd-drawer in Dagupan during the entire Yuletide season.

Each "belen" was judged according to durability and stability and craftsmanship which involved technique, style and quality of work; innovation of traditional ‘belen’ format; appearance with illuminated light bulb or Christmas lights; with 20 percent for the approach of the theme.

The Paseo de Belen will still be open till January 7.

Outstanding fire fighters in Ilocos region recognized

By Joanna Diaz Sabado (JNPD/JDS/PIA-1, La Union)

SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) – Exemplary fire fighters in Ilocos were recently given due recognition during the 43rd Fire Service Recognition Day held on December 21 at Thunderbird Resort, Poro Point here.

During the said awards rites, provincial fire marshal of Pangasinan, Chief Insp. Arthur Sawate, also Civil Service Commission’s Dangal ng Bayan regional awardee is awarded as the Senior Fire Officer of the Year.

Sawate's active participation in activities of line agencies, close coordination with the local government units, personal supervision and management of rescue operations in times of calamities, regular conduct of fire safety lectures, seminars and drills in different educational institutions and commercial establishments, and a healthy relationship with the tri-media made him deserving for his award.

Earlier, he also served as the Urdaneta City fire marshal before leading the Pangasinan fire station.

CSC Provincial Director Violeta Nipal-Mendoza, who represented Acting Regional Director Hedy Jose Lardizabal, and BFP Regional Director Senior Supt. Lilibeth Simangan led the conferment of the awards.

In her message, Mendoza lauded the awards and recognition system of the Bureau of Fire Protection and inspired the awardees to continue extending unselfish and quality service as public servants.

Meanwhile, San Fernando City Fire Marshal, Senior Insp. Ma. Theresa Alqueza, was recognized as Junior Fire Officer of the Year.

“The recognition motivates me and my unit to give our best in every task, to grow more in the service for the people and to continue the active partnership with the stakeholders,” Alqueza said.

She added, “I share the recognition with my colleagues for their support, cooperation, dedication and hard work.”

Earlier this year, San Fernando City Fire Station was also recognized as the 2016 Best City Fire Station in the region.

Other outstanding fire fighters are Fire Officer III Ana Liza Tomas from Piddig, Ilocos Norte as Junior Non-Commissioned Officer, Senior Fire Officer Eldie Vincent Pascua, Municipal Fire Marshal of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur as Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Chief Insp. Eddie Jucutan as Senior Fire Officer, and Insp. Edwin Oredujos as Junior Fire Officer, for administrative work.

The Bangui Fire Station in Ilocos Norte was given special recognition as the Best Maintained Firetruck of the Year.

Also recognized were partner-agencies in the national government like the Commission on Audit, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Office of the Civil Defense.

Some city and municipal mayors in the region were also recognized their active support to the bureau.

Theme for this year’s celebration is “Pagkilala sa tapat at dakilang paglilingkod tungo sa pagbabago (Recognizing genuine and meritorious service for change).”

Fire Recognition Day is commemorated every 14th of December to pay tribute to the heroism of fallen fire fighters during the Rockwell Power Plant Fire in Makati City in 1973 and to give recognition to its personnel who in one way or another gave more than what is expected to do in the spirit of public service.

18 Pangasinan athletes ‘gifted’

By Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Eighteen Pangasinense athletes who brought home medals from the recent Batang Pinoy National Championships in Tagum City, Davao were given cash incentives by Governor Amado Espino III.

For capturing three gold medals in athletics, Aljon Ravina pocketed a total of P15,000. The other gold medalists who received P5,000 each were Francis James San Gabriel (athletics), Narayana RSI Mesina (karatedo), Mark Francis Norial (taekwondo) and John Mark Anastacio (chess).

Kevin Melendez, who earned two silver medals, received P6,000, while John Pauleen Singsing (karatedo), JZ Singsing (karatedo) and Claire Ysabelle Blanco (taekwondo) each received P3,000.

The bronze medalists who received P2,000 each were Iron Frias (athletics), Richard Dean Bravo (athletics), Khyssa Paltep (karatedo), Ren Jericho Bistusio (karatedo), Veronica Mae Tagorda (taekwondo), Arlene Gomez (wrestling), Julius Villabrille (badminton), Jaya Pajarillo (arnis) and Shaira Joy Rosario (arnis). The athletes received their special prizes during a recent courtesy call on the governor at the Urduja House.

Provincial Sports Director Modesto Operania said Team Pangasinan’s 75 athletes captured 21 medals (7 golds, 5 silvers and 9 bronzes) and the ranked 18th out of 248 participating local government units (LGUs).

Meanwhile, Governor Espino announced that the provincial government will launch the Pangasinan Sports Academy January, 2017 to further enhance the skills and competence of the athletes.

“’Yung maging full scholars lang kayo sa larangan ng sports kapag kayo ay nasa kolehiyo na ay napakalaking bagay na sa akin,” Espino told the athletes who are 16 years-old and below.

Pangasinan govt workers reaffirm service pact

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—“Tonight we reaffirm our commitment to serve our fellow Pangasinenses.”

Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III thus set the tone of the Employees’ Night of the provincial government held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center inside the Capitol Compound here.

The governor reminded the provincial workforce of giving due respect foremost to the citizenry, whom they owe their trustworthy service.

“Like what I’ve asked of you since the first day I spoke to you as your governor, during my first flag-raising ceremony with you, always have respect—respect your work, respect your colleagues and, most importantly, respect those whom we serve,” Espino said.

The event was a recognition of every provincial government worker’s effort for the whole year in serving their fellow Pangasinenses, he added.

Lastly, the governor enjoined every employee to carry with them not only their position and own name but the province’s as well.

The annual party coincided with the 42nd wedding anniversary of Fifth District Rep. Amado T. Espino Jr., the former governor and the incumbent’s father, with Madame Priscilla “Mely” I. Espino.

Espino also awarded the winners of the 1st Pagalaw tan Olupan ed Gobyerno Itanduro or POGI Sportsfest individual and team events. The Benchmark team was hailed as the overall champion, with Warriors as the first runner-up, and Generals at third place.

Spicing up the celebration was the 1st Ms. PoGay Universe pageant among male employees. Romping off with the title and P15,000 cash prize was Michael Gonzales of Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

First runner-up was Joenard Manuel from the General Services Office, who received P10,000 cash prize, and third was Roland Cruz from the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, who pocketed P8,000.

Another much-awaited highlight of the Employees’ Night was cash prizes that were raffled off.

Pangasinan Night Job Market draws crowds

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The second Pangasinan Night Job Market attracted hundreds of jobseekers recently at the Pangasinan Provincial Employment Services Offices Building within the Capitol Complex here.

Eleven local companies and six overseas agencies offered jobs in this first-of-its-kind evening employment activity in the Philippines.

PESO manager Alex Ferrer said the second installment of the country’s pioneering job fair became possible through the dynamic leadership of Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III.

“Through his support, we will continue to sustain activities such as this and more special and local recruitment activities so that it could help our provincemates,” Ferrer said.

Some 27 applicants from 300 jobseekers were hired on the spot during the fair.

Earlier, Ferrer said the evening fair is intended to provide better employment opportunities for career-changers who are employed during daytime. He assured that another night job market will be mounted during the Pistay Dayat in May 2017.

Next year, the provincial government through PESO will roll out its Mobile Skills Training Program—a roving technical education hub, Ferrer said.

“Through this initiative, we can bridge the access to skills and manpower training for our kabaleyans who live away from growth centers and are least serviced by our job fairs,” he added.

This mobile classroom aboard a custom-built truck will stay for 22 days in a town or city, to provide intensive training on “more employable skills” such as carpentry, masonry, and other construction and industrial skills as facilitated by the Technology Education and Skills Development Authority.

Pasig River Commission lending expertise to rehabilitate Dagupan rivers

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA) -- Mayor Belen Fernandez said she will issue an executive order shortly creating a commission that will oversee the rehabilitation of all the rivers here, clear the esteros, relocate the informal settlers and provide easement areas along river banks where people can walk and enjoy the sights.

Fernandez said this body will be similar to the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) whose officials led by Executive Director Ramil Tan who she invited to come to Dagupan on Dec. 20 to see the situation of the city rivers and recommend ways on how to rehabilitate and make them more sustainable.

The proposed Dagupan City River Rehabilitation Commission (DCRRC) will be made up of different department heads with a focal person to be designated in charge, but who must be resourceful and knows where he will get the funds.

Like the PRRC, the proposed body may seek international grants to be used by it in rehabilitating the city's rivers and in providing alternative livelihood to the fishermen and their families.

Fernandez was impressed with what the PRRC is doing in Metro Manila, like the clearing of esteros and creeks that were formerly swarming with garbage, and the recovery of easement areas beside rivers that used to be occupied by informal settlers, where people and even students can walk in going to work and to their schools.

She said that based on the presentation of PRRC executive director Tan, the commission had been working on many projects through a system he called power convergence where various agencies of the government and stakeholders are freely lending their helping hand for a common objective.

He initially recommended the putting up of a more than one-kilometer baywalk from the Star Plaza Hotel to the front of the National Bureau of Investigation building facing the Calmay River.

Pasig River rehabilitation is an original idea of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez when she was yet in the private sector, although the commission was created through an executive order issued in 2000 by then President Joseph Estrada.

"Actually, we've been doing what the PRRC is already doing like the preparation of a resettlement site where some 400 families living in danger zones like bank of rivers and seashore will be moved soon.

The lot which is now being backfilled is owned by the city with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) screening the beneficiaries.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) was also tapped to build the low-cost housing project for the beneficiaries.

The mayor said the city government put up Island Tours that uses three customized flat boats donated by different private companies as part of their corporate social responsibilities (CSR).

On the other hand, the ongoing drilling of the city rivers is being done, she said, with the help of three dredging machines deployed to Dagupan by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

As to fish pens in the water, Fernandez announced that for the past three years, she had removed 690 of these structures. The only remaining fish pens in the city are those being claimed by their owners as located on their titled lands eroded into the river.

The city already sent notices to owners of these structures but as part of due process, they will still make a consultation with them, the mayor said.

Fernandez believes that the river rehabilitation in Dagupan could be finished in five years with all stakeholders lending their hand to this project.

(YEARENDER) Pangasinan to remain as PHL food basket

By Leonardo V. Micua [(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA]

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 21 (PNA) -- Like his father before him, a son also shines and is now making a difference in Pangasinan, a province which is among the biggest in the whole country with a population of roughly three million people.

The youthful Governor Amado "Pogi" Espino III now leads a province comprising of 44 towns and three cities, with the exception of Dagupan which is the lone independent component city in Pangasinan and Region 1.

A graduate in business administration, major in agri-business, the young Espino catapulted into the governorship not only because of the influence of his illustrious father, former Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr., now congressman of the fifth district of Pangasinan, but also because of his own credentials as a public servant.

He had been in public service for 27 years as councilor, vice mayor and mayor in his hometown of Bautista and as ex-officio provincial member who headed the Federation of Barangay Councils of Pangasinan.

A farmer himself, he is bent on making Pangasinan self-sufficient in food and agri-products so that it will no longer import its food needs from other provinces and from abroad.

As one who utilizes his knowledge in agri-business to the fullest, he wants Pangasinan to keep up with its role as the food basket in the whole country if not in the whole of east Asia.

With Pangasinan now looming to become industrialized, the need for intensified food production is paramount.

One says that if one is in the province of Pangasinan, he and his family will never go hungry because food is plentiful in the farms, rivers and the sea as long as one combines his good traits as a Pangasinense with the values of industry and sacrifice.

Today, Pangasinan is the third biggest rice-producing province in the country, trailing Nueva Ecija and Isabela in terms of yearly rice production.

But given a few more years and also blessed with good weather, it has the capability to wind up on top of the field in rice production alone.

In many photo ops, the younger Espino and co-workers at the capitol always gesture the number one sign in their right hand finger, which means they are not contented with number three or two but number one.

Pangasinan today is the fourth-ranking province throughout the country, from being almost at the bottom when the elder Espino became governor in 2007.

Though with passion for farming, the Espino father and son always encourage their fellow farmers to do everything they can to send their children to school for these young ones to graduate as professionals in many other fields

This is because their farm, which does not expand in size anyway, cannot accommodate all their offspring at the same time and must have to excel in other crafts in order to survive. .

For his part, the younger Espino sustained the program of the elder Espino giving farm inputs like rice seeds and fertilizers to farmers at 50 percent subsidy from the Pangasinan provincial government, the only province doing this so far in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.

As a young entrepreneur whose heart beats for his province's farmers, he vowed not to rest on his laurels till Pangasinan becomes number one in rice production through the introduction of modern farm technologies, use of hybrid rice seeds and organic farming.

Pangasinan is currently the top producer of corn and consistently recognized by the Department of Agriculture as top quality corn achiever for the last two years.

Its farmers also plant vegetables, like eggplant, ampalaya, okra, sweet tomatoes, squash -- all components of the Ilocano favorite dish "pinakbet."

The province under the young Espino and even under his father was also the leading producer of livestock and poultry, some if not many of these are transported to other Ilocos provinces and Metro Manila.

Espino and his father rekindled the spirit of bayanihan in the rural areas through the organization of multi-purpose cooperatives and neighborhood associations, all of which were guaranteed production loans by the provincial government with the money drawn from its coffers.

The province under the elder Espino committed funds to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for lending to entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized industries wanting to expand their business.

In recognition of its great strides in agriculture, the Pangasinan's agri-team under Provincial Agriculture Officer Dalisay Moya was recently awarded by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for having tirelessly propelled increased rice production in the province, an accolade never attained by other top rice producing provinces.

The province remains as the number one producer of milkfish supplying the daily needs of Metro Manila. It is also sufficient in other aquatic products like tilapia, prawns, p. vannamae (white shrimps) and the like.

Pangasinan's fish production is complemented by mangrove planting and is the only province today maintaining a mangrove nursery.

Pangasinan farmers get rice aid packs

Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Around 2,000 farmers of the third and fourth district of this province recently received supplemental subsidized certified palay seeds and fertilizer package from the provincial government.

Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III led the agricultural aid pack distribution ceremony at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist field station in Sta. Barbara town.

Pangasinan is the third top rice-producing province in the Philippines. Farmer beneficiaries hailed from the towns of Bayambang, Calasiao, Malasiqui, Mapandan, Sta. Barbara and City of San Carlos in the third district and Manaoag, Mangaldan, San Fabian and San Jacinto in the fourth district.

“This is an augmentation to the earlier 23,900 agri-relief given to our farmers through the help of the Department of Agriculture through DA Regional Director Valentin Perdido for those areas with farmers who are planting this latter part of the year,” Espino said.

The ongoing distribution is part of the agro-industrial program of Pangasinan that Espino vowed to sustain to raise the quality of life of the local farmers.

The province is bracing for the incoming La Niña season next year by making continuous repairs and construction of the province’s irrigation facilities and equipment.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Batalla said the agri-aid package aims to help farmers increase their rice yields to at least one metric ton per hectare during the dry cropping season from October 2016 to March 2017. That would boost collective rice production in the two legislative districts by 2,000 MT/ha for the season.

Pangasinan shoulders half of the cost of the agri-aid, while the farmers bear the other half. Inside the the aid kit are one bag of certified palay seeds, two bags of urea fertilizer, and two bags of 14-14-14 fertilizer, which cost had been halved to P2,450 from its original market price of P 4,900.

“The use of certified seeds and appropriate package of technology is one of the vital components in rice production, which resulted to increased rice yield in 23 municipalities,” Batalla added.

These initiatives have secured the province the Rice Achievers Award from 2013 to 2015 and elevated Pangasinan to the Hall of Fame in April this year.

Present during the ceremony were OPAG-Officer-in-Charge Dalisay Moya and Mapandan Mayor Gerald Glenn Tambaoan.

DENR calls for joint efforts to develop Pangasinan's second protected landscape

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

MANGATAREM, Pangasinan, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- A united effort to develop the Maleluag Spring Protected Landscape (MSPL) here was sought by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” L. Lopez following her earlier visit to the site.

MPSL is among the only 34 protected landscapes throughout the country and only the second in Pangasinan after the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City.

Secretary Lopez said by doing it through joint venture, every body will benefit from MSPL, a lush vegetation of 1,935 hectares of protected landscape located in Barangay Malabobo, Mangatarem.

"Do it multi-sectoral. The private sector, DENR, the (provincial and municipal) governments. Everyone should benefit,” Lopez said in a talk to local officials led by Governor Amado "Pogi" Espino III, and Rep. Amado Espino Jr. of the fifth District and Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil of the second district.

The DENR secretary noted the huge agro-economic tourism potential of the protected landscape, saying that it could open opportunities to boost the provincial tourism in Pangasinan.

She strongly asked local leaders to be all pro-nature or nature advocates

Gov. Espino hailed the coming of Secretary Lopez to Pangasinan, telling her: “We will be your partner in safekeeping as well as in improving this area.”

“We have long been fighting for the preservation and protection of this area,” Congressman Espino also confessed, recalling that in 1993-1994, then Senator Robert Jaworski visited the area and planted some trees.

Meanwhile, Rep. Bataoil adopted Sec. Lopez's suggestion as he also called for united efforts to develop MSPL as a “world class attraction”, noting its big potentials in tourism.

Secretary Lopez suggested that in order to successfully promote conservation of the site, the provincial and municipal governments should harness the “ecological appeal” of the tourist spot to generate social entrepreneurship that could help alleviate poverty.

"We can eliminate poverty by taking good care of nature," she said, pointing to the robust-growing trees in the area.

The event was graced by Board Member Raul Sison, Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla, DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Region 1 Director Paquito Moreno, Jr., DENR Undersecretary Sylvia Ordoñez, National Biodiversity Management Corporation executive Tony Manila, DENR provincial chief Leduina Co and Brigade Commander Col. Milfredo Melegrito of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Joining the governor were Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Ma. Luisa Elduayan, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro, Provincial Information Officer Orpheus Velasco and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Benita Pizarro, who delivered a presentation during the program.

Its name Manleluag was derived from the Pangasinan word of “boiling water” due to the presence of hot sulfuric springs in the area.

Classified as an important biodiversity area, MSPL is today's home to 90 bird species and some rare flora and fauna.

Color Manila caps 2016 in Dagupan City

(BusinessMirror)

COLOR Manila, the country’s most aggressive “concept fun-run” organizer, just capped 2016 with the Color Manila Blacklight Run held at CSI The City Mall Dagupan City, Pangasinan, on December 10. More than a thousand participants participated in the night run, which was also made possible in cooperation with CSI The City Mall.

Jeto Seen, marketing manager of CSI Malls, said, “Because of our partnership with Color Manila, we are able to bring these kinds of events, to our region. Color Manila has been our first partner, who has helped us bring lifestyle events in our community. We are happy that we already reached our fourth event with them and that our events are lauded by some as very well organized and very well attended.”

Justine Cordero, vice president of Color Manila, responded, “Through our partnership with CSI The City Mall, we have been able to let the residents of Dagupan City and other nearby cities experience firsthand what it is like to be part of the biggest concept fun-run in the country. This is our fourth event in Dagupan City, and we look forward to having more events here very soon.”

For 2017, Color Manila will start the year with its biggest annual event, the Color Manila run year 5, to be held on January 8 at the Mall of Asia grounds. The event anticipates 12,000 runners who will join the event.

Registration is still ongoing at www.colormanilarun.com.

8th Pangasinan open chess tourney set Dec. 17-18

(PNA), LAM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Hundreds of rated and non-rated chess players from Pangasinan and adjacent provinces and cities will see action in the 8th Pangasinan Open Chess Festival which kicks off Dec. 17 till Dec. 18 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center here.

The open chess tournament, including a separate tournament for 14-year olds and below, are being sponsored by the Pangasinan provincial government in cooperation with the Pangasinan Chess League.

Governor Amado Espino III will open the tournament at 9:00 a.m. on December 17 and will award the prizes to the winners in the afternoon of the following day.

Pangasinan Chess League president Juan Vicente Sison said rated players including international masters have confirmed their participation to the tournament.

Up for grabs in the open chess tournament are the championship trophies and pot prizes amounting to Php25,000 for the open category and Php10,000 for the 14-years old and below. First to fourth runners-up will each receive cash prizes ranging from Php8,000–Php20,000 (open category) and Php3,000–Php8,000 (14-year old and below).

Cash prizes will also be given to other runners-up.

Medals and cash prizes will also be given to category awardees -- top local player, top female player, top senior player (60 year-old and below), top score and youngest participant.

SSS pensioners receive 13th-month pension

By VENUS MAY H. SARMIENTO (JNPD/VHS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) - Pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) are all smiles these days as they receive their 13th-month bonus benefit, equivalent to a month’s pension.

Branch Manager Gloria Corazon Andrada of SSS-Dagupan Branch said SSS has advised its partner banks to credit the bonuses to the respective accounts of the pensioners who are registered in the payment-thru-bank program as early as the first week of December.

It also asked the Philippine Post Office to prioritize the delivery of the 13-month pension checks for those who receive their pensions as mailed checks.

“Just as 13th month pay is given to workers in time for Christmas, SSS pensioners also get their 13th month benefit. We are happy to continue granting this extra benefit which started back in 1988,” Andrada said during the media forum held at the Star Plaza Hotel, this city.

The 13th month pension is over and above the regular monthly pension of the pensioner for December in accordance with their respective contingency dates, Andrada explained.

About two million Filipinos are receiving their pension benefits. Some 1.2 million are under the retirement pensioners under the social security program accounting for 63 percent or 4.5 billion of the total 13th month SSS pension disbursements for this year. SSS also disbursed P2.4 billion for social security and employees compensation death pensions and P224.5 million for disability pensions.

UP experts: Dagupan river system alive, bustling with activities

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/FMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- A team from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) found Dagupan's river system alive and bustling with activities when it conducted Reconnaissance Survey of the River System last December 7 and 8.

This was bared to newsmen on Wednesday by Mayor Belen Fernandez who said the activity conducted by the team of UPMSI professor Dr. Caroline Jaraula will help boost efforts to rehabilitate the river system and make it more sustainable in support of the livelihood of small fishermen.

Dr. Jaraula told the mayor after making rounds of the river system: “You have a healthy river, which is healthy for the economy, healthy for livelihood and healthy for the whole system. Dagupan revolves around these rivers. They are beautiful. They have a lot of mangroves with a lot of promising results and activities."

Dagupan is crisscrossed by seven river tributaries, namely: the Calmay river, Pantal river, Dawel river, Tanap river, Mangueragday river, Patogcawen river and Bayaoas river.

Dr. Jaraula commended the city for its ongoing dredging operations of the Calmay river and suggested that dredging be started at the river's mouth in Barangay Pugaro due to the high concentration of silt from upstream in that area.

The team said the city is on the right track in keeping its river clean from ilegal structures and debris and lauded the program of the local,government called "Sa Ilog ko, may Pagbabago" (In my river, there is change).

At the same time, she lauded the political will of Mayor Fernandez in clearing the rivers of unwanted structures, referring to the city’s aggressive campaign against illegal fish pens and in taking efforts to retrieve submerged fishnets and bamboo stumps in the bottom of the river.

Initially, the team recommended that each river system be developed according to their potentials in tourism, fishing, waterways, navigation, bird watching, among others.

On the operation of fish pens, Jaraula stressed that this is the call of the city, whether it will allow its operation provided that a place should be identified as a suitable area for this type of structure with maximum size and number, in order to maintain the river’s sustainability.

"It’s overwhelming to note the healthy conditions of the rivers because there are so many things that could be developed and to be studied in them. We just need to enhance all these,” said Jaraula.

The team will make a further study on the data gathered and will submit its results to the city as soon as these are ready.

Mayor Fernandez met Dr. Jaraula during the 3rd International River Summit in Cagayan De Oro City in late November, attended by 800 participants from local, national and international authorities, policy experts, river managers, public and private sectors, academe, indigenous communities, church base organizations, marginalized sectors and other river advocates.

Discussed during the summit were River Laws and Policies, Sustainable Funding Mechanisms, River Best Practices, Community Empowerment, and Integrated Coastal Management.

“This is the challenge for us Dagupeños to step forward, to level up and continue with our advocacy to rehabilitate our river system and support the livelihood of our fisherfolks. And we will not stop until we have achieved our goal,” said Mayor Fernandez.

2,000 Pangasinan farmers receive agri-aid

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/DMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 13 (PNA) -- Governor Amado Espino III on Tuesday distributed certified palay seeds and fertilizers to some 2,000 farmers from the third and fourth districts of Pangasinan as supplemental subsidized agricultural package from the provincial government.

“This is an augmentation to the earlier agri-relief given to our farmers with the help of Department of Agriculture and DA for those areas to be planted with rice this latter part of the year,” Gov. Espino said during the distribution at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Sta. Barbara.

The distribution was part of the agro-industrial program of the provincial government, which Espino vowed to sustain to raise the quality of life of farmers.

He also bared that the provincial government is now preparing for the expected onset of the El Niño season next year through the continuous repair and construction of the province’s irrigation facilities and equipment.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Batalla explained that the supplemental agri-aid package aims to help the farmer beneficiaries increase rice yield to at least one metric ton per hectare during the dry season from October 2016 to March 2017.

This, he said, would help boost collective rice production in the third and fourth districts by 2,000 metric tons per hectare every cropping season.

Under the scheme, 50 percent of the cost of the agri-aid is shouldered by the provincial government while the other half is paid for by the farmers.

Comprising the agri-aid are one bag of certified palay seeds, two bags of urea fertilizer and two bags of 14-14-14 fertilizer, whose cost had been halved to Php 2,450 from the original market price of Php 4,900.

“The use of certified seeds and appropriate package of technology is one of the vital components in rice production which already resulted to increased rice yield in 23 municipalities,” Batalla added.

He said that this initiative enabled the province to bag the Rice Achievers Award from 2013-2015 and further ensured Pangasinan the hall of fame citation in April this year.

Pangasinan remains as the 3rd top rice-producing province in the Philippines after Nueva Ecija and Isabela.

BFAR: Blue mussels in Dagupan rivers not bane but a good resource

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA) -- The National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC) has advised fish farmers not to discard the blue mussels (Mytella charruana) which have proliferated in the rivers of Dagupan.

This is because this type of mussel is not only an edible species of shellfish that is rich in protein and therefore good as food of Filipino families and also of crabs, prawns, and shrimps being raised in captivity and even fowls.

Dr. Westly Rosario, NIFTDC chief, called on fish farmers not to exterminate mussels that have invaded the rivers as aside from their economic value, they are also good cleaning agents, capable of restoring the river's ecosystem from pollution.

Noting that fish farmers in Dagupan are now having a problem with the Charru Mussel or Western Hemisphere Blue Mussel that had invaded many rivers and coastal areas of the city, Rosario said they should rather culture this species which can be separate from bunches for them to grow bigger and command higher prices.

Local fish farmers were alarmed because the blue mussels rapidly multiplied in just a few months, calling them as bane rather than boon to fish farming.

But from the point of view of scientists like Dr. Rosario, these are not pests as most fish farmers believe these to be, as they can be a source of food for the people, and also for crabs, prawns, vannamae (white shrimps) and even ducks.

Fish farmers were alarmed because they thought the blue mussel to be an invasive species of mussel and have practically no use for it and therefore should be better eliminated.

But Dr. Rosario called on them to wait for a while till the salinity of water in the rivers of Dagupan rises, from the present 2 ppt to 33 ppt which occur during summer, at which time, this kind of mussels will fall in the water and die.

He admitted that the blue mussel is a new discovery and in fact was just subjected to Identification and Salinity Tolerance study by him, Ashley Salinas, a researcher of NIFTDC; Michael Rice and Paul Dawson, both American scientists.

He said that per research of Ms. Salinas, blue mussels have tolerance salinity level of from 2 ppt to 5 ppt and beyond that they will die, fall in the water but soon replaced by the green-lipped mussels which have a higher salinity tolerance of 30 ppt.

He said fish farmers should rather find other uses of mussels not only for food in the dining table but also to sustain other industries.

As to the rapid multiplication of blue mussels, Salinas said they have devised genetic manipulation she called "polyploeydy" to make the mussel sterile.

Once sterile, the mussel can no longer reproduce and instead channel its energy in reproduction to its growth.

Rosario noted that the blue mussels are too small for food, even smaller than the indigenous green-lipped mussels, But when one is detached from the bunch of mussels, this can grow and give bigger meat.

He said the meat can be pickled and placed in a bottle that costs more than P200 each.

At the same time, Rosario admitted that the only crab farm in Dagupan today, located in Barangay Mamalingling, is owned by former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. For feeds, it is using mussels.

There is no other crab farm in Pangasinan and Dagupan yet because fish farmers do not know where to source out food for the crabs. They don't know yet, that the food for the crab is in the rivers.

At the same time, mussels can also be used as feeds for prawns, and vannamae shrimp, which are often being fed with trash fish, and also ducks which survive on snails but bought all the way from Laguna.

On top of these, mussels are also good cleaning agents in the marine water as one mussel is capable of filtering three to five liters of water per hour.

SSS conducts on-site registration services for Pangasinan media

By VENUS MAY H. SARMIENTO (JNPD/VHS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) - Remaining true to its goal of bringing government services close to the community, the Social Security System brought its on-site and online services to the city exclusively for members of the media in Pangasinan.

Department Manager Luisa Sebastian of the Media Affairs Department said SSS has been catering to various groups to inform the community of its services.

“The challenge to attend to is each one remains a challenge, and so we take steps to reach out to more groups and individuals,” Sebastian said during the media forum held at the Star Plaza Hotel, this city.

Sebastian said SSS, a private fund, has laid out four milestones that would shape the reforms in the institution including increasing pension levels, enhancing its fun life, improving service delivery and using pension fund as a tool for economic activity.

Gloria Corazon Andrada, Dagupan City branch head, said aside from the media interaction with SSS heads, the media members were able to inquire about their membership, problems on records, deficiencies and other matters with the on-line services.

“We have already conducted on-site registration for other groups, including farmers and tricycle drivers and operators group, and we are happy to bring these services to the media people who play a vital role in bringing the information on SSS to the public,” Andrada added.

Newly-installed SSS Commissioner for the Labor Sector Gonzalo Duque, who himself is a member of the media sector, assured the group of his help in addressing the various problems faced by its members.

The media forum and conduct of online services for the press, attended by print, television, radio and social media practitioners, was in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency-Pangasinan and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Pangasinan chapter.

Dagupan seafood processing plant still the most modern in PHL

(PNA), RMA/LVM/RSM

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 10 (PNA) -- The RP-Korea Seafood Processing Plant in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City continues to be one of the most modern processing plants in the country jointly owned by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Dagupan City government.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC), a research arm of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said the facility processed fish, particularly milkfish, that were being sold locally and abroad.

Though established through. USD 2- million grant from the Korean Overseas International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), it was then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. who sought this grant making use of his strong linkage with members of parliament of South Korea.

Now employing 97 housewives from Barangay Bonuan Binloc as fish processors year-round, the plant processes the fish of fish farmers and exporters in a bid to add more value to their products before these are sold in the domestic and foreign markets.

"Our workers were chosen from more than 200 housewives we first trained on fish processing. Now, they have a steady source of income and no longer going idle in their homes and neighborhood," Rosario said.

The seafood processing plant is a boon to the 22-hectare NIFTDC, where fish farmers and technicians and also scientists from various countries are being trained on how to improve fish harvests to help ensure food security throughout the country.

Now the exporters need not go to Manila anymore to process their fish products as there is one available now in Dagupan City..

He thanked former Speaker de Venecia for his valuable contributions to improve aquaculture and fisheries which earned him the honor of leaving his footprints in a tablieu at NIFTCD, the first non-scientist to be accorded such honor ever since.

The five others who left their footprints at the center are all scientists and involved in different fishery and aquaculture studies and projects,

De Venecia was also instrumental in the lifting by the BFAR aof the ban against the importation and raising of p. vannamae or white shrimps which is the more prolific specie of shrimps to give fish farmers better income. He also poured ten million pesos for the establishment of the first of its kind and the biggest National Bangus Research Center owned by BFAR, live fish market, aquarium building and the Asian Fisheries Academy.

Pangasinan extends P4,000 financial assistance to each job order employees

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA/EDS

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- For the first time, all job order employees as well as service contract employees, including consultants of the provincial government, will receive financial assistance of P4,000 each and a separate P1,000 each to all barangay health workers (BHWs), day care workers (DCWs) and barangay service point officers (BSPOs) this Christmas.

This was provided for in Provincial Resolution No. 349-2015 approved by the provincial board headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim during its regular session last Monday in a bid to reward these employees for their dedication and hard work.

The resolution states that the financial assistance is being given by the provincial government to reward these employees for their dedicated service in making Pangasinan "always No. 1 in terms of public service.”

Authored by Board Member Angel M. Baniqued, Jr., the resolution also took note of the services of the BHWs, DCWs, and BSPOs who are “indispensable partners of the provincial government in the implementation of its programs and projects to alleviate the plight of the needy".

Based on report from the Human Resources Management and Development Office (HRMDO), there is a total of 2,010 job order or contractual employees who perform various tasks in different provincial government offices and hospitals.

It can be recalled that various programs and projects geared towards improving human resources welfare were started by the provincial government under the stewardship of former governor and now 5th district representative Amado T. Espino, Jr. such as health and wellness activities and friendly sports competitions, among others.

Under the administration of his son and namesake Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III, all programs and projects were continued, plus other activities that require unity and cooperation among employees such as the clean-up drive every week where employees together with their respective chief of offices are scheduled to participate at exactly 4 o’clock in the afternoon on Fridays.

Pangasinan tourism website launched

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA/EDS

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. formally logged into Pangasinan's new tourism website www..visitPangasinan.com during its ceremonial launching coinciding the 4th General Assembly and Tourism Forum of the Pangasinan Tourism Officers Association (PTOA) at the Capitol Resort Hotel, Tuesday.

Powered by XPLORRA, a travel website designer in Manila, the new Pangasinan tourism website is expected to further boost tourism in Pangasinan.

Gov. Espino said that the project is a longtime dream of the provincial government, especially during the administration of his father, former governor and now 5th district representative Amado T. Espino, Jr. which, he said, "is now being realized under his term".

Recalling the gains made by the province in which the renovated Provincial Capitol has ultimately become the benchmark of other LGUs from various parts of the country in terms of tourism development, the governor said he is doing his best to continue what was already started with the challenge to add more programs and projects that will further boost the tourism potentials of Pangasinan.

In addition to this, the provincial government is doing all things that could help showcase Pangasinan as a province that is ripe for investment and for tourism.

He likewise commended all tourism officers in the province for actively doing their share to promote local tourism which is pivotal move in selling Pangasinan as one of the country’s best tourism destinations.

Aside from the support given by the local government executives in tourism, the governor stressed that several programs and projects are underway to showcase Pangasinan tourism to include upgrading of facilities specifically those at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC), launching of inter-basketball tournament which will serve as strategic activity that will help promote local tourism.

Meanwhile, the governor said the provincial government is also promoting sports tourism, citing the inter-town basketball tournament, which will tentatively open on December 17, to be participated in by local young cagers and town/city officials. To date, 35 towns have already registered to participate, he added.

“We are pushing on sports tourism to make our own provincemates appreciate the beauty of Pangasinan,” he said, noting that the best players of the different teams will then be selected to form the Pangasinan team which will represent the province in basketball tournaments throughout the country.

According to Gov. Espino, the selected best players will serve as sports and tourism ambassadors.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Calimlim encouraged Pangasinenses to help promote local tourism through the aid of social media pointing out that Pangasinan has many beautiful sites waiting to be explored.

On the other hand, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Ma. Luisa A Elduayan said that with the Pangasinan website powered by XPLORRA, Pangasinan is now assured of higher influx of visitors in the coming days.

The website, she said, will enable people to connect everything from the people to service providers and to the different destinations in Pangasinan. Furthermore, every town will have its link.

Elduayan said that the launching of the website is just a prelude or the first phase of the entire project which covered the first three districts of the province, adding that by February 2017, the website will be covering the remaining three districts in central and eastern Pangasinan.

Pangasinan students bag award for nutrition app

By Gabriel Cardinoza (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

URDANETA CITY—It all started with a slice of pizza.

As they ate their snack one afternoon in June, three information technology students of the Urdaneta City University (UCU)—Marvin Trecenio, Byron Jan Mairina and Justine Louise Villanueva—exchanged jokes about the nutritional benefits of pizza.

Then one of them blurted out: What if we develop an application that could provide people the nutrition facts of the food that they eat?

Four months later, Trecenio, Mairina and Villanueva produced NutriVision, an android application (app).

On Nov. 19, NutriVision won the P100,000 grand prize in the productivity/utility category of this year’s Google Developers Group’s Android Masters, an intercollegiate competition for android programmers. A total of 193 colleges and universities in the country participated in the contest.

The app also won another award for being the most downloaded application in two weeks.

It was sweet victory for the UCU, a city government-owned university, which joined the contest for the first time.

NutriVision could be downloaded for free from Google Play, the official app store for android smartphones and tablets, Trecenio said.

The app opens by giving users four options: search food, capture food, browse for food photos and say the food name.

In the “search food” option, a user may type the name of the food he or she wants to eat and know its nutrition details. The “say the food name” option responds to a user’s voice.

The “browse for food” option allows a user to search for photographs in his or her device’s photo gallery.

The app’s main feature, the “capture food” option, allows a user to take a picture of the food he or she eats to know its nutritional benefits.

Limmuel Ocay, UCU faculty member and team adviser, said the development of the app is consistent with the team’s health advocacy because it helps people live a healthy lifestyle by watching their diet through the app.

He said most of those who download the app are health-conscious people and fitness junkies.

“This is a work in progress. We are thinking of integrating in the app any food that is good for certain illnesses,” Ocay said.

Soon, he said, users could also browse pictures of food served by the different fast-food chains.

So far, the app has been getting good reviews in Google Play, Ocay said. People have also sent emails to his team to express their appreciation for the app.

“We now have a 4.9 rating out of 5. Users have been leaving comments telling us that the app is very useful and functional, especially in determining the number of calories and amount of saturated fat, in the food that they eat,” Ocay said.

DTI shares tips to ensure 'balikbayan' boxes reach destinations

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here advised the public especially the overseas workers who will send packages to their loved ones this Christmas season to follow easy steps in sending “balikbayan” boxes to guarantee that it will reach its destination.

Peter Mangabat, provincial director of DTI-Pangasinan, said overseas workers should have a knowledge on basic requirements of sending their “balikbayan” boxes in order to avoid inconvenience such as lost or damaged packaged, delay in delivery, and overcharging of fees.

First, shippers should organize all the things they want to send and avoid packing items such as currencies, checks, money orders and travelers checks; jewelry; firearms, ammunitions and explosives; drugs and other prohibited substances; pornographic materials, gambling cards, toy guns, and pirated products like tapes which are not allowed to be included in the “balikbayan” box.

Second, overseas workers should book their boxes only with DTI’s Business Licensing and Accreditation Division (BLAD)-accredited sea cargo consolidator or freight forwarder companies. For list of accredited and blacklisted freight forwarders shippers can visit www.dti.gov.ph.

Third, shippers should keep their transport documents such as cargo receipt, bill of landing or other proof of transaction and ensure that the name and contact details of the forwarder’s agent in the Philippines were clearly indicated in their receipts.

Fourth, shippers must monitor the movement of their cargo and inquire for a tracking scheme or continuously contact the forwarding company for detailed information on the status of the cargo.

Lastly, they should also inform their consignee to check cargo with the Philippine agent even before it arrives. When the package arrives, make sure to inspect the seal and wrapping of the box before signing the receipt of delivery.

Mangabat said if the consignees or shippers encountered pilferage, lost item, or non-delivery, they may report and submit their complaints on cargo shipments at DTI-BLAD with email address fteb_blad@dti.gov.ph.

Agriculture department stages organic trade fair

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

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan, December 5 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) staged an agricultural trade fair here from December 1 to 4 as a test market for organic products produced by agrarian reform cooperatives in the province.

Maria Ana Francisco, provincial agrarian reform officer of DAR-Pangasinan, said that at least 15 cooperatives showcased their local products in this year’s trade fair recently held in front of the Urdaneta City Cultural and Sports Complex.

“Now on its third year, the trade fair helps in the promotion of products of agrarian reform beneficiaries in Pangasinan and assesses the marketability of the farmers’ produce,” Francisco told the Philippine Information Agency.

This way, the Department will be able to determine the necessary interventions it will recommend for the development of these products for their added value in the market chain, she said.

She added that her agency’s job is not limited in the distribution of land but it seeks to transform agrarian reform beneficiaries into viable entrepreneurs by providing them with support services to increase their income and farming capabilities.

“Among these support services include farmer trainings, product upgrades in partnership with the DOST and DTI, capability building, exposure to food trades, credit assistance, among others,” Francisco said.

Aside from the trade fair, a cooking demo was also held on December 1 wherein students from the Urdaneta City University presented the processes of preparing bangus (milkfish) chicharon and bangus siomai.

She said the trade fair will also be conducted at the SM City Rosales from December 9 to 11.

Gov. Espino chess cup set Dec. 17-18

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- The provincial government of Pangasinan, in cooperation with the Pangasinan Chess League (PCL), is inviting all chess players nationwide to join the 8th Gov. Amado Espino Cup Open Chess Tournament on December 17 and 18.

The two-day tournament is divided into Open and Kiddie categories.

For the Open Category, anyone can join regardless of rating, title, age or residence. For the Kiddie Category, however, the participants must be born on or later than Jan. 1, 2002.

Cash prizes awaiting the winners in the Open Category are: P25,000 (first place); P20,000 (second place); P15,000 (third place); P10,000 (fourth place); P8,000 (fifth place); P5,000 each (sixth to 10th place); P3,000 each (11th to 15th place); P2,000 each (16th to 20th place) and P1,000 each (21st to 25th place).

For the Kiddie Category, the cash prizes are P10,000 (first place); P8,000 (second place); P5,000 (third place); P3,000 (fourth place); P2,000 (fifth place); P1,000 each (sixth to 10th place); P500 each (11th to 15th place).

Also at stake are special category prizes, namely: Top Female Player (P2,000); Top Senior Player—60 years old or above (P2,000); Top Local Player (P2,000); Top Scorer—for participants 5 years old or below (P1,000); and Youngest Participant (P1,000).

Registration and billeting are free.

Registration will be held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in the town of Lingayen on December 16. The game proper will take place on Dec. 17 and 18 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center.

The tournament, sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), is the culminating event of the annual Pangasinan Chess Festival, which featured the 6th Gov. Amado Espino Chess Clinic, the 6th Pangasinan Age Group Chess Championship, and the 6th Pangasinan Chess Championship.

Pangasinan passes P3.4-B budget for 2017

(PNA), LAP/VM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 2 (PNA) -- The provincial board headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim on Friday approved the budget of the provincial government for 2017 in the amount of P3,422,249,257.

This was passed following the certification of the local finance committee that the budget of P3,422,249,257 is realizable.

The 2017 budget consisted of local sources, e.g. tax revenue of P103,700,000; Non-tax revenue of P356,070,000; and External sources of P2,962,479,257.

The budget was approved after a series of public hearings conducted by the provincial board with all department heads of the provincial government and heads of 14 provincial government-run hospitals.

This is the first provincial budget approved under the administration of Gov. Amado "Pogi" Espino III.

Espino took over the reins of the provincial government from his father and namesake former Governor Amado Espino Jr., now congressman of the fifth district of Pangasinan.

P’sinenses dominate 6th P’sinan Chess Championship

By Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca (Press Release)

Lingayen – Pangasinenses dominated the recently-held 6th Pangasinan Chess Championship (PCC) which saw the strong participation of chess players from La Union, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Benguet.

Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ I. Espino, III along with Sports Director Modesto Operania and Pangasinan Chess League President Juan Vicente Sison on November 20 has awarded trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winners of the PCC, which is branded as the chess tournament for ‘the greater Pangasinan’.

Topping the open division, Artrino Paul Fortin of Zambales who bagged home P7,000 cash prize and a trophy was the sole non-Pangasinan player who placed on top of the three PCC contest categories.

Fortin edged out Norm Master Giovanni Mejia of San Jacinto by a slim margin in the championship round.

Runners-up in the open category were: Mejia; Brylle Gever Vinluan (San Fabian), Walt Allen Talan (Mangatarem) and Women Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia (San Jacinto), who also received the top female player award.

For the junior category (18-years-old and below), Villasis woodpusher Antonio Almodal III secured the championship over his nemesis players to receive P5,000 cash prize and a trophy.

Runners-up were: Marvin Limocon (Manaoag), Dennis Gutierrez, Sr. (San Fabian), Jerome Junio (San Carlos) and John Marx Anastacio (Mangaldan).

Securing the top spot in the kiddies category (12-years-old and below), Francis Noel Versoza of Malasiqui received P3,000 cash and a trophy.

Versoza was followed by: Christian Rilloraza (San Fabian), Fritz Gerald Caasi (Alaminos City) and Juan Carlos del Prado (Urdaneta City). Benguet chess player Cliff Daniel Apilado ranked fifth.

Isagani Fernandez of Dagupan City was named the top senior player.

Governor Espino, who vowed all-out support to the Pangasinan Chess Festival (PCF) which was started by his father and predecessor, former Pangasinan Governor and now 5th District Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr., expressed gratitude to the chess players from northern and central Luzon and their parents for patronizing the PCF which has already gained momentum in producing competitive local chess players.

“The chess clinics and tournaments of the chess festival serve as training ground for promising woodpushers,” Governor Espino said.

It was learned during the PCC, the second tournament of PCF gathered about 207 delegates from 26 towns/cities in the province.

The last tournament of the PCF which shall see the participation of rated and non-rated chess players, including chess grand masters is the Amado Espino Open Chess Tournament scheduled on December 16-18, here.

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