Pangasinan News December 2018

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

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

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

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Pangasinan State University, Asingan Campus
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Church in Aguilar Pangasinan

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Pangasinan LGUs bag anti-drug abuse council award

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday presented the first National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award to 27 of Pangasinan’s 48 local government units (LGUs).

The department conferred the award in a ceremony at the Tent City Manila Hotel to Alaminos City, Anda, Bolinao, Bugallon, Burgos, Infanta, Labrador, Lingayen, Sual, Dagupan City, San Carlos City, Bayambang, Alcala, Calasiao, Malasiqui, Sta. Barbara, Urbiztondo, Balungao, Laoac, Pozorrubio, Rosales, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Sta. Maria, Sison, Urdaneta City, and Villasis town.

“The DILG recognized over 200 LGUs with functional ADACs (Anti-Drug Abuse Councils), which effectively carried out their duties and responsibilities in complementing the national government’s drive against illegal drugs,” the department said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.

An ADAC is a multi-sectoral council composed of local officials and representatives of various community organizations tasked to spearhead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all local anti-drug abuse programs, projects, and activities.

DILG Alaminos City director Rhoderick Dawis, in a phone interview, said Alaminos City was one of the gold awardees, along with Bayambang town, scoring 100 in the performance rating, while the others were awarded with silver or high functionality, with a rating of 85-99 in their performance.

Dagupan City was among the silver awardees.

“One major initiative that clinched the national silver award was the city’s Sagip-User Rehabilitation and Empowerment (SURE) program. Through Mayor Belen T. Fernandez’s initiative, the SURE program was instituted as the city’s drug rehabilitation community-based program. The program seeks to help drug surrenderers undergo drug-rehabilitation for free and earn the chance to start a new life by providing free moral and spiritual formation and helping them earn a clean living under the city’s livelihood programs,” the City Information Office said in a statement also on Friday.

The LGUs were rated by the ADAC Performance Audit National Calibration, based on composition, financial capabilities, functionality, and accomplishments of ADACs at different levels of local governments.

PRC to deliver mobile services closer to P’sinan professionals

By April M. Bravo (JNPD/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 27 (PIA) -- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will deliver its services closer to professionals in Pangasinan through its mobile outreach services scheduled in the cities of Alaminos and Urdaneta on January 12, 2019.

The mobile outreach service called “Araw ng Propesyonal” intends to bring PRC’s services closer to clients for their comfort and convenience, saving them from cost of travel and other related expenses.

It will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alaminos City Legislative Building (AVR) and at the second floor of CB Mall in Urdaneta City.

Services to be offered during the mobile outreach services include initial registration for licensure examination passers with online initial registration form generated and printed at online.prc.gov.ph; application for licensure examinations with online application form generated and printed at online.prc.gov.ph; renewal of professional ID card with online ID renewal form generated and printed at online.prc.gov.ph; release of professional ID card and certificate of registration (per prior request by the professional and subject to availability); issuance of certificate of good standing (upon request); and issuance of certificates of passing and ratings.

PRC advised professionals who wish to claim their professional ID card and/or board certificate on the said schedule to send an e-mail at prcbaguio.regulations.renewal@gmail.com or prcbaguio.releasing@gmail.com or text 0946-083-8240 / 0927-788-0145 at least three or four working days before the scheduled date with the following information: venue where to claim; complete name; profession; registration number; and date filed.

Pangasinenses overcome disaster-filled 2018

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan -- Pangasinenses showed resilience after facing several weather disturbances that caused severe flooding resulting in damage to the agricultural sector and increased cases of leptospirosis and dengue.

Months after the summer annual celebration of Pistay Dayat (Feast of the Sea) in Pangasinan, weather disturbances started to affect the province one after the other.

On July 23, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan passed a resolution declaring the entire province under a state of calamity due to flooding brought about by the intensified southwest monsoon and onslaught of Tropical Depression Josie.

Based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), 381 out of the total 1,364 barangays in the province were flooded, with 1,820 families temporarily evacuated from their homes due to severe flooding.

In September, another weather disturbance hit the country, including the province of Pangasinan. Typhoon Ompong left the province with PHP1.65 billion in damage to agriculture and PHP52 million to infrastructures, the PDRRMO said.

‘Ompong’ affected 40,743 hectares of rice field in 31 local government units (LGUs), and 664 hectares of assorted vegetable plantation in 20 localities of the province.

“Although, our province was not directly hit by the typhoon, the ‘palays’ (rice stalks) are in maturity period, while some are flowering so damages in our agriculture are high,” Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said.

She noted that agricultural losses caused by the typhoon were about 7 percent of the total expected production of the province for this year.

“It may seem small in percentage, but this would amount to days of rice or vegetable consumption of Pangasinenses,” Moya said.

Agricultural interventions

The Department of Agriculture (DA) provided 32,000 bags of hybrid-certified palay seeds worth PHP81 million for the 32,000 hectares of disaster-affected farm lands in the province, as well as 100 bags of corn and 50 fishing boats.

It also allotted a PHP50-million fund through its Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) as loan-aid to disaster-stricken farmers and fishermen in Pangasinan.

DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and local government executives in the province directed the ACPC to make the loaning process and requirements for Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) and Survival Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program easy for the beneficiaries.

"They (farmers and fishermen) can loan from PHP5,000 to PHP25,000 through SURE without collateral and without interest and payable in three years, while in PLEA, they could loan PHP25,000 to PHP50,000 without collateral with only 6-percent interest and 1-percent service fee," he said.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) fast-tracked the processing and payment of crop insurance claims of farmers from disaster-stricken provinces, including Pangasinan, to help them get back on track.

As of Sept. 28, some 43,000 farmers from Typhoon Ompong-affected Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte in Region 1, and Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province from the Cordillera region, have already filed for the insurance claim with the PCIC.

Jaime Gomez, head of the marketing and service department of the PCIC 1 (Ilocos), said farmers from these provinces, whose crops were damaged by the typhoon, received a maximum of PHP60,000 worth of insurance claim.

Disaster risk management plan

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently approved the PDRRMO plan for curricular years 2019-2024, which includes integration of climate change advocacies plan in consonance with national and international standards, PDRRMO chief Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro said.

"The plan of the province increases disaster mitigation and prevention opportunities especially in the promotion of the people's welfare and security towards gender and rights-based disaster risk reduction management (DRRM)," the SP resolution said.

Key components of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan adopted in the province's plan include information and education campaign; capacity building; DRRM localization; risk assessments and plans; preparedness for emergency disaster response; continuity of essential services and partnerships, the Provincial Information Office said in a statement.

Leptospirosis and dengue cases

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has recorded 67.14-percent increase in the number of dengue cases and 140.31-percent rise in leptospirosis cases in the province.

The PHO recorded 7,777 dengue cases in the entire province from Jan. 1 to Nov. 19 this year from 4,653 cases during the same period last year, Rodhalia Binay-an, coordinator at the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the PHO, said.

In August alone, 1,990 cases of dengue were noted with 25 deaths, nine cases higher than the disease’s mortality rate in 2017, Binay-an said.

Meanwhile, Binay-an said the PHO reported 459 leptospirosis cases from Jan. 1 to Nov. 19 this year, 140.31-percent higher than the 191 cases during the same period last year.

She disclosed there were already 61 fatalities during the period, compared to last year’s three deaths.

The highest number of cases with 179 patients was recorded in August when the province experienced massive flooding due to various weather disturbances.

Provincial health officer Dr. Anna Teresa de Guzman said the PHO continuously conducts information drive through dialogues during ‘Kalusugan Caravan’ with the barangays on maintaining cleanliness of their surroundings to prevent diseases, such as leptospirosis and dengue.

Health authorities also implemented fogging and distributed treated mosquito nets and solutions for the use of the communities and schools.

Peace and order, war on drugs

The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) recorded 2,048 index crimes from January 1 to Dec. 10 this year, lower by 25.7 percent compared to 2,575 on the same period last year. Non-index crimes rose by 22.3 percent with 15,778 this year compared to last year’s 12,857.

Index crimes are those against persons and property such as murder, homicide, robbery, among others, while non-index crimes are violations on special laws.

“The drop in crime rate was due to police interventions such as the simultaneous implementation of police operations against loose firearms and drugs, arrest of wanted persons, and implementation of municipal and local ordinances. Also, the conduct of regular patrolling, checkpoint or Oplan Sita, and the implementation of search warrants,” said Chief Insp. Norman Florentino, PPO chief of police community relations.

Florentino said 63 percent of the total barangays in the province are drug-cleared while 29 municipalities and one city were declared drug-cleared out of the 48 towns and cities of the province.

PPO has conducted 1,040 operations and confiscated 244.659 grams of shabu and 5,262.952 grams of marijuana.

Seal of Good Local Governance Awardee

Despite challenges, Pangasinenses still have reasons to rejoice as the province of Pangasinan and its 24 LGUs were chosen as among the recipients of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award this year, based from the list of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) released on October 1.

In the municipality category, Agno, Aguilar, Alcala, Anda, Balungao, Bayambang, Binalonan, Bugallon, Burgos, Calasiao, Infanta, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Natividad, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Sta. Maria, Tayug, Umingan, Urbiztondo and Villasis were among the awardees, she said.

Alaminos is the only city in the province chosen as SGLG awardee for city government category.

DILG provincial director Agnes De Leon said the LGUs were adjudged based on financial administration; disaster preparedness; social protection; peace and order; business friendliness and competitiveness; environmental protection; and tourism, culture and arts.

She said Pangasinan will receive PHP7 million; the city, PHP5 million; and the municipalities, PHP3.2 million as performance challenge fund (PCF), which they could use in projects, such as the construction of school buildings, rural health units, birthing facilities, water and sanitation facilities, housing and settlements, rehabilitation centers, public safety and command centers, tourism facilities, access roads, public markets, irrigation systems, cold storage facilities, ports and wharfs, post-harvest facilities, slaughter houses, evacuation facilities, and flood control projects, as well as the purchase of motor vehicles and patrol cars.

Moreover, a total of 44 out of 48 LGUs in the province were awarded with the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) this year.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Emilio Samson said the seal is given to LGUs that are promoting children’s rights, development, protection, participation, and implementing child-friendly governance.

Meanwhile, Pangasinan is now a hall of famer to the National Quality Corn Achievers Award after bagging the award for three consecutive years.

The province got the highest ranking on the evaluation of DA, with 104 out of 110 score in the rating for the National Quality Corn Achiever Award.

Pangasinan produces 70 percent of all the corn production in the entire Region 1 (Ilocos) with 6.3 metric tons per hectare, or 300,330 metric tons of corn produced by the Pangasinense farmers in 2017, ranking the province as top 5 corn producer in the entire country.

The award, along with the PHP5-million cash incentive, was conferred by DA on Nov. 15 at D’ Leonor Inland Resort in Davao City.

The municipality of Alcala is also a hall of fame awardee this year as outstanding municipality, while Sto. Tomas also received its second outstanding municipality for quality corn award. Moya is also a hall of famer for outstanding provincial agriculturist.

Pangasinan is also the only recipient in Region 1 (Ilocos) of the Katangi-tanging Pagpupugay sa Lokal na Pamahalaan sa Pagsasakatuparan ng Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) in recognition of the province’s exemplary performance and in appreciation of its long-term contribution to the development of the PCF, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Benita Pizzaro said.

Aside from the SGLG award, the province recently won as the Best National Statistics Month province implementer in Region 1 and the nationwide Best Local Government Unit (LGU) advocate for statistics (province level), which were awarded by the Philippine Statistics Authority on October 29.

The Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce also gave special recognition to the province for being a finalist in the 2018 search for Most Business Friendly LGU (province level).

Bayambang expects bountiful onion harvest next year

(PhilStar Wire Service, Sunday Punch)

BAYAMBANG — Onion farmers in the town are assured of bountiful harvest after receiving supply of pesticides to avert another armyworm attack.

Artemio Buezon, the municipal agriculturist, said increased production of red onions planted in October will be harvested by February or March next year.

About 1,500 hectares are planted to red onions and another 80 hectares for white onions, he said. More than 1,000 farmers are involved in onion growing in the town.

The Department of Agriculture has provided pesticides to stop armyworm infestation.

An onion farmer spends from P120,000 to P130,000 per hectare but he stands to earn from P50,000 to P100,000m per hectare in profit, Buezon said.

Most of the farmers are located in Manambong Sur, Manambong Norte, Manambong Parte, Amancosiling Sur, Amancosiling Norte and San Gabriel.

The average volume of production reaches 20 tons in single cropping per year.

Bayambang is Region 1’s leading onion producer.

Onion farmers are visited by staff of the Municipal Agriculturist Office for technical assistance. They are also sent to training to upgrade their knowledge and skills, Buezon said.

Last year, onion farmers suffered a big setback due to armyworms infestation that prompted the local government to declare a state of calamity.

Dagupan City’s bangus processing facility is tops

(CIO/VdV, Sunday Punch)
BEST SSF PROJECT IN REGION

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Regional Office I recently adjudged the Bangus Processing Plant the Best Performing Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project not only in Pangasinan but also in Region 1.

The SSF Awards program recognizes the efforts of SSF project partners in managing their projects by utilizing their manpower and resources that empower the people in their communities.

The city government under Mayor Belen Fernandez directed the expansion and development of the bangus industry through the bangus processing facility that led to more employment and livelihood.

The provincial and regional awards for LGU Dagupan was received by City Agriculturist Emma Molina during the SSF Awards and Recognition Ceremony in La Union on December 7. The award was signed by DTI Regional Director Florante O. Leal.

Since the implementation of the SSF program in the city, DTI provided the city’s processing facility with equipment and machinery that helped increase the standards and production of bangus.

CENRO Urdaneta inks partnership for “Adopt-a-tree”

(PhilStar Wire Service, Sunday Punch)

VILLASIS — The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Urdaneta City recently entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the local government unit (LGU) of Villasis, Villasis Water District (VWD) and United Architect of the Philippines (UAP) – Pangasinan SCALE for the “Adopt-A-Tree” project along the stretch of by-pass road in Barangay Barraca, Villasis town for its sustainable development and management.

After the MOA signing, a tree planting activity in the by-pass road area was held where a total of 500 ilang-ilang seedlings and 10 umbrella tree (talisay) seedlings were planted by 29 participants from the agencies.

The CENRO committed to provide the planting materials/seedlings to be planted in the project area and to monitor activities and provide continuous technical assistance for the development, effective maintenance and protection of the plantation.

For their part, LGU Villasis, VWD and UAP pledged to ensure the continuous development, maintenance and protection of the planting area and to submit reports to the CENRO on all activities undertaken in the site.

Shelter for abused women, children inaugurated in Pangasinan

By Liwayway Yparraguirre (PNA)

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan -- Abused women and children in this town now have a temporary shelter as the Abong na Aro (House of Love) situated at Barangay Wawa here was inaugurated on Thursday.

The Abong na Aro is a project of the Local Council of Women (LCW), headed by Mayor Cesar Quiambao's wife, Mary Clare Judith Phyllis “Niña” Jose-Quiambao. It will be operational in the first quarter of 2019.

“It is a very important project for me because this was built out of love for the people of the town, where women could come together in times of need. We wanted to give a safe haven but more than that, we wanted to give hope. Hope to get out of an abusive relationship as we give emphasis here on spiritual and mental aspects,” said Mrs. Quiambao in her speech read by Ian Camille Sabanga, vice president of LCW during the inauguration.

In an interview Friday, Mayor Quiambao said six rooms, each with comfort room, were constructed at one side of the vast evacuation center of Barangay Wawa. It has a kitchen, a prayer room, and a library.

"Magkakaroon ng administrator ito in cooperation with Rural Health Unit 2 (RHU2) which is just nearby. Walking distance ang nurses at doctors. Each room can accommodate two persons hopefully, hindi ito mapuno (There will be an administrator here in cooperation with RHU2, which is just nearby. The doctor and nurses are accessible in case of the need to attend to one of the victims of abuse. Each room can accommodate two persons hopefully, it will not be full packed)," he remarked.

"The evacuation center is not used most of the time (only during flooding), and it has more than enough space. The putting-up of the Abong na Aro here is a joint decision between the local government unit and the barangay," he said, adding that part of the plan is to put-up a Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) here.

The project to have Abong na Aro started when Mrs. Quiambao and the LCW started looking into the welfare of abused girls and women reported or brought to them.

Realizing that there is no place to bring these victims for temporary shelter, she rented a house that was converted into home for victims of abuse.

To have a permanent place where victims will be housed, the LCW, in cooperation with the local government unit and the barangay, conceptualized the Abong na Aro inside the evacuation center.

The evacuation center was constructed several years ago. It has a mezzanine type second floor which can accommodate more evacuees.

Quiambao said more than PHP1-million fund used in the construction of the Abong na Aro rooms was donated by his wife and by his Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation, Inc.

They will be donating more funds for the beddings and other needed furniture and accessories.

Mrs. Quiambao also plans to put up a Home for the Aged in the town next year.

‘Malasakit Center’ to be launched in Pangasinan

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Pangasinenses in need of financial medical assistance will soon have a one-stop-shop as a ‘Malasakit Center’ will be launched in the province by March 2019.

“Noon sa isang lingo, nauubos panahon n’yo sa paghingi ng tulong sa iba’t ibang ahensya gaya ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Sa Malasakit Center, andoon na sa iisang room lahat ng representative ng mga ahensya (Before, you have to spend a week in order to ask for help from different agencies such as PCSO, PAGCOR, DOH, DPWH and PhilHealth. But with the Malasakit Center, representatives of these agencies are already in one room),” former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said during his visit to the province on Thursday.

Go further explained that through the Malasakit Center, the agencies will each give their share to the hospital bill of the patient while the remaining amount will be shouldered by the center to ensure that there will be zero balance on the hospital bill.

“Nananawagan tayo na tulungan ang mga pasyente at huwag silang pahirapan (We are calling on those concerned to help the patients and not burden them),” he said.

Go further said that every Filipino is qualified to avail of the services of the Malasakit Center.

“Basta Pilipino ka pasado ka, wala ng ibang kailangan (If you are a Filipino, then you are qualified. There are no other requirements),” he said.

Go said the center is a “continuing program” of President Rodrigo Duterte for the Filipinos.

There are now 18 Malasakit Centers all over the country since it was launched this year.

Pangasinan town now Guinness World Record holder

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

CALASIAO, Pangasinan — Calasiao town now officially holds the Guinness World Records for ‘Largest Rice Cake Mosaic’ a year after the town’s attempt in 2017.

Mayor Joseph Arman Bauzon announced the town’s feat to snatch the world record from Japan’s 64-square-meter rice cake mosaic during the street party on Sunday evening, which was the finale to the town’s Puto (rice cake) Festival this year.

On Dec. 8 last year, the officials and the whole municipality of this town formed a 209.37-square-meter rice cake mosaic as their entry to the Guinness World Records.

Engr. Melanio De Vera, designate tourism officer, said Monday the mosaic was made of about 300,000 small pieces of bite-size rice cake, the main and famous product of their town, cooked by the puto makers here.

“When we heard the news, everybody was jubilant. It was the fruit of everyone’s labor and we hope this would even more uplift our town’s famous product ‘puto’,” he said.

De Vera added this is the first time the town tried to earn a spot in the Guinness World Records, noting they are “very happy that they succeeded”.

Alaminos fishers get solar lights for home, livelihood

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Some 50 members of the Hundred Islands Paraw Operators Association (HIPOA) here accepted a solar lighting system from Team Energy Foundation, Inc. (TEFI) on Thursday.

Alaminos City Tourism Officer Miguel Sison, in an interview Friday, said this is the second time TEFI distributed solar lighting system to the Paraw operators.

TEFI is the corporate social responsibility arm of independent power producer Team Philippines Energy Corp. Sison said the city tourism office is "very grateful," as the project is "very useful" to the families of the beneficiaries.

“The ‘light a home’ project of Team Energy (TEFI) has a livelihood component. The beneficiaries can use the solar lighting system in their homes and at the same time as they go fish at night or use it to charge their phones while they are sailing,” he said.

The tourism officer said most of the Paraw operators belong to the marginalized sector and some of them have no capacity to afford the installation of electricity or have a hard time paying for the electric bill.

TEFI turned over to the fishermen two light bulbs and a solar panel each. The panel should be exposed to the sun for eight hours and can be used for another eight hours, Sison said.

“The lighting system, according to TEFI, can last for 20 years if taken care of properly,” he added.

Dagupan cited anew as ‘Most Competitive City’ in Region 1

By Ahikam Pasion (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has again recognized this city as the Overall Most Competitive City in Region 1 (Ilocos) based on the latest Regional Competitiveness Council’s 2018 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).

Dagupan City has topped the Regional CMCI under the independent component city category for the third consecutive year.

Mayor Belen Fernandez, in her social media post on Thursday, assured continuous improvement for the city’s people, as the local government unit here was also recognized by DTI as number one both in Government Efficiency and in Economic Dynamism in the region.

“With these recently received awards, Dagupan is now ranked 14th in the overall national competitiveness index, 13th in Economic Dynamism nationwide, and 7th place in Government Efficiency among all component cities in the country,” she also said in her post.

The people of Dagupan will benefit through good governance and zero corruption with continuing projects in the city, Fernandez said.

She guarantees far more improvement as a new government center will be put up in Dagupan.

“Once the new government center is put up, we will be expecting more services to be delivered to our people while at the same time ensuring the ease of doing business in our city. The business sector and the public are assured that there will be no corruption and no red tape in our city,” Fernandez said.

According to DTI, the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) is an annual ranking of different cities and municipalities in the country based on a tool developed by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).

This tool is positioned to empower Local Government Units (LGUs) by measuring their current level of competitiveness against global standards, identify areas for growth and development and introduce possible reforms and initiatives to further boost local competitiveness.

The framework of the CMCI is drawn from the goal to make the country more globally competitive by measuring local competitiveness based on four major criteria – economic dynamism, government efficiency, Infrastructure, and resiliency.

Dagupan City’s award was received by Fernandez and other city officials during the 4th CMCI Recognition and Awarding ceremonies held at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol in La Union on Wednesday.

Global Christmas in Pangasinan

By Eva Visperas (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines — Christmas is more fun in Pangasinan with the Paskuan ed Kapitolyo highlighted by the “Christmas Around the World” theme around the century-old provincial capitol building, declared last month by the provincial board as a heritage site in the province.

At the recent launch, the story of Christmas was reenacted with some employees acting in the tableau as the giant belen or nativity scene was lit up. The lighting of the towering Christmas tree also elicited wows from the crowd.

The Christmas Around the World theme adopted by the provincial government had employees spending precious hours to bedeck the façade of their respective buildings.

From Australia to Japan, from the Czech Republic to South Korea, visitors can travel the world by going to each building in the capitol complex.

Malong building has an Australian display with the famous Sydney Opera House and kangaroos as highlights.

Palaris building went with a Korean-inspired motif highlighted by ancient dress and pottery attractions. Finance building depicts the Land of the Rising Sun’s famous cherry blossoms.

The Sison Auditorium is decorated with the Statue of Liberty while Abong na Dayew is China-inspired.

Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan, provincial tourism officer, said, “What we are celebrating is not just the centennial anniversary of the construction of the capitol building but the sense of community of the people as they shared their talents and time to make other Pangasinenses feel the joy of Christmas.”

Construction of the provincial capitol building started in 1917 and completed in 1918 during the American colonial period. It was destroyed during World War II but was re- constructed in 1948.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts declared the provincial capitol building as one of the eight Architectural Treasures of the Philippines due to its pre- served neoclassical architectural beauty and prestige.

1st Hundred Islands Theater Fest set on Dec.16

ByBy Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan — Six stage plays by high school students, religious organizations, out of school youths, college students, and professionals are going to compete in the first-ever Hundred Islands Theater Festival here on Dec.16.

The festival aims to promote the value of theater arts in the community, discover talents of theater arts in the city, select performers for the City Fiesta’s Cultural Night, and strengthen the relationship between the city government of Alaminos and culture and theater arts enthusiast, said Ben Jan Natividad, founding president of the Tanghalang Saandaang Pulo and chairman of the festival, in an interview on Thursday.

He said the entries are original stories and to be performed by the actors, ages 15 to 56 years.

“Participants shall consist of members with a maximum of 15 including one director, five to eight stage actors, and other optional members,” Natividad said.

Besides the stage play, a monologue competition is also part of the theater festival.

“We really wanted to strengthen the force of community theater. We wanted the people to see that theater art is open to everyone,” Natividad said.

Monologue act will be within three to five minutes, while stage play lasts 15 to 20 minutes, he added.

Winners in the stage play competition will receive cash prizes: PHP20,000 for Best Stage Play, PHP10,000 for 1st runner-up, and PHP5,000 for 2nd runner-up, while PHP2,500 will be given as consolation prize.

For monologue competition, winners will be given PHP3,000 for Best Monologue Performance, PHP1,500 for 1st runner-up, and PHP500 for 2nd runner-up.

“All the cash prizes are provided by the city government of Alaminos through Mayor Arthur Celeste,” Natividad said.

The judges for the competition are: Frank Rivera, chairman of the International Theater Institute Philippine Centre; Donna Cariaga, winner of ABS-CBN’s talent competition; Angelo Aurelio, award-winning actor and director; and award-winning theater actor Paul Jake Paule.

“The judges are all award-winning in the theater arts and are also advocates of community theater,” Natividad said.

The festival will be held at the Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center at 12 noon.

Pangasinan to celebrate Capitol building's 100 years of existence

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government of Pangasinan will lead the celebration of the centennial founding anniversary of its Capitol building with the event called “Agaag na Kapitolyo” on Dec.15 and the launching of a commemorative stamp on Dec.17.

“Agaag na Kapitolyo" features a Thanksgiving Mass (the start of the "Anticipated Simbang Gabi"), Concert cum Variety Show, 100 Lights Dance Number, Kidiyam 3D projection of the Capitol Building History, and a Fireworks Display.

The provincial government will showcase at the event the Capitol building’s 100 years of "stronger heritage, and a stronger Pangasinan,” according to a statement issued by the Provincial Information Office (PIO) on Friday.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Malu Elduayan said a commemorative stamp featuring the Capitol building will be launched on Dec. 17, as part of the celebration.

“Leading the momentous activity on Dec. 17, shortly after the regular flag-raising ceremony, Governor Amado I. Espino III and Philippine Postal Corporation Assistant Postmaster General for Marketing Luis D. Carlos will present the stamp, which serves as a symbol of Pangasinan’s stronger heritage,” the PIO said.

Winners of the Capitol centennial photo contest, with the theme "Stronger Heritage, Stronger Pangasinan" from Nov. 12 to 18, will be announced, alongside the launching of the commemorative stamp.

A photo exhibit will at the same time be opened at the ground floor of the Capitol Building.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members have passed an ordinance declaring the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Building as a cultural heritage site to commemorate its 100 years of historical and cultural milestone.

“We acknowledge that the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol building is one of the most beautiful capitols in the country and the declaration is also timely because the province will be celebrating the 100 years of the capitol building in December this year,” 4th district board member Jeremy Agerico Rosario said in recent interview.

Rosario added the SP members wanted the Capitol Building to be preserved and for the national government to fund the restoration and maintenance of the old edifice.

He said the Capitol Building has its historical value, as it stood the test of World War II, while he also commended former Governor Amado Espino Jr. for restoring and preserving the original design of the capitol.

The construction of the capitol started in 1917 and was completed in December 1918 during the American colonial period. It suffered the ravage of World War II but was reconstructed in 1948.

“The capitol represents the service of the government to its people,” Espino III said in a previous interview.

March 21 is San Fabian, Pangasinan Day

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan — Residents of this town will enjoy a special non-working holiday here on March 21 of each year to celebrate their town’s founding anniversary after President Rodrigo Duterte made it official.

“Republic Act (RA) 11132, otherwise known as an Act Declaring March 21 every year as San Fabian Day, was already signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte,” said the author of the bill, Representative Christopher de Venecia of the 4th District of Pangasinan, in an interview on Thursday.

De Venecia said he filed the RA, which was then House Bill (HB) 1865, two months after he was elected representative of his district on July 25, 2016.

“Prior to its founding, San Fabian was just a barangay named as Anguio, which means a tree of bitter fruit. Yet on March 21, 1717, San Fabian marked its sweet start as a town following the petition of the Provincial Dominican Fathers. From then on, San Fabian progressed rapidly to become a first-class municipality in the province of Pangasinan,” de Venecia's HB 1865 stated in the explanatory note.

De Venecia expressed his joy for the declaration made official by the President.

“As the author of this bill, I am happy now that we now have a special day, when we can all celebrate San Fabian’s history. Indeed, this is another victory for us kabaleyans (townmates),” he said.

San Fabian is a first-class municipality of the province, known for its beach and dried fish (tuyo) products, among others.

Pangasinan welcomes building of world-class sports center

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council (PSDMC) was thrilled and expressed support to the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) plan to put up a world-class sports training center in the province next year.

“It is a good encouragement to the athletes considering that there are a lot of athletes in the province; from the out-of-school youths and the students, since the province has six divisions. Pangasinan is a very big province so it is really good if there is this (training center),” PSDMC executive officer Modesto Operania said in an interview Wednesday.

Operania said the new sports training center will be an additional venue for training Filipino athletes.

In Pangasinan, the athletes are being trained at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here by the provincial government.

In a report, PSC announced that the national government allocated PHP3.5 billion for the construction of the Philippine Sports Training Center in Rosales town next year, where national athletes, coaches and referees, will be trained using scientifically-proven techniques and state-of-the-art facilities.

Operania further said Governor Amado Espino III fully supports sports in the province, as indicated by the many programs and activities pertaining to sports development, especially for the youths.

He noted that some 85 medalists and 43 coaches of Batang Pinoy last September received cash incentives from the provincial government.

Meanwhile, Operania admitted that they asked the PSC for the extension of the deadline of submission of list for the Batang Pinoy 2019 Pangasinan team.

He said they need time to conduct a four-day try-out in order to ensure that the composition of the Pangasinan team will be competitive.

“We do not want to just pick any athlete, we wanted to be fair to every athlete in the province and to make sure that we choose the most eligible to be part of the Pangasinan team. And last year, we catered to 5,000 athletes who joined the try-out,” Operania said.

Pangasinan landed fifth in the recent Batang Pinoy held last September.

The deadline for the submission of Batang Pinoy 2019 list will be on December 17.

Commemorative stamp on Dagupan Villaflor hospital launched

By Liwayway Yparraguirre (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY-- The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has launched a commemorative stamp featuring the Dagupan Doctors Memorial Villaflor Hospital (DDVMH), a privately-owned tertiary hospital here celebrating its 50th founding anniversary this year.

"When we were planning for the 50th anniversary, we came up with several activities like the in-house medical mission for hospital staff and their respective family and medical mission outside the hospital. My brother also suggested for a commemorative stamp hence, we eventually send an application letter to PHLPost for a special seal,” said Dr. Vivencio V. Villaflor, Jr., DDVMH medical director and son and namesake of the hospital founder, in an interview on Monday.

Villaflor Jr., also a philatelist (a person who collect stamps), admitted that he himself has been gathering and collecting stamps for the past 50 years.

One of the highlight activities of launching is the exhibit of the stamp collection of Villaflor.

"Meron kaming grupo noon, ako na lang naiwan sa mga contemporary collectors ko (We used to have a group, but I am the only one left among my contemporary collectors). We exchanged stamps, we buy. Stamp collection is the described as King of Hobbies and the hobby of kings," Villaflor Jr. said.

He said his stamps are commemorative stamps related to their lives, their affiliation to different clubs, and organizations like Rotary, Inner wheel and Boys Scout of the Philippines.

Among his collections on exhibit are Philippine Stamps issued from 1854 to present; commemorative stamps on the visits to the Philippines of Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II; General MacArthur stamps (first day of issue: February 4, 1948); a stamp commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Dr. Jose Rizal; a July 4, 1946 Philippine Republic Inauguration Issue; stamps commemorative to the 50th anniversary of the death of General Gregorio del Pilar issued on December 2, 1949; Philippine Boy Scouts Silver Jubilee stamps issued on October 31, 1948; and World Refugee Year stamps issued on April 7, 1960.

"We put these collections for the Pangasinenses to see that they could collect stamps. Kids today are more on Ipad and Facebook, they have no desire to collect stamps. And PHLPost is losing because of email. Stamp collection is good for the new generation, and with more stamp collectors, PHLPost will achieve its goals," he said.

“The commemorative stamps underscored a milestone in its history as it looks back at 50 years of dedicated service based on the vision of its founding patriarch -Dr. Vivencio Villaflor Sr.,” PHLPost Assistant Postmaster General Luis Carlos, said in his speech during the launching here on Dec. 7.

He said the application of Villaflor Hospital for a special seal passed through a tedious process.

PhilPost has printed 60,000 copies of DDVMH stamp sold at PHP12.00 each since Dec. 7.

The layout of the stamp was done by PHLPost in-house graphic designer Victorino Z. Serevo.

The stamps and official first day cover was made available at the Philatelic Counter, Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila and selected Area Post Offices, while the last day of sale is December 6, 2019, said Carlos.

Pangasinan holds district-wide OFW ‘fun fair’

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan -- Some 600 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and their family members bonded through and enjoyed games, contests and raffle prizes, in the ‘Fun Fair’ held here on Monday.

Soledad Rosario, manager of Public Employment Services Office (PESO) of this town, said this is the provincial government’s one way of honoring the modern heroes of the present time.

“The provincial government wanted our OFWs and their families to be happy and have fun in time for the Christmas celebration in the country,” she said in an interview Monday,

OFWs and their families are from Mangaldan, Manaoag, and San Fabian.

Rosario said the attendees participated in parlor games, singing and dance contests, with raffle prizes and give-aways, among others.

“This was sponsored by the provincial government. The fun fair is an annual event for the OFWs and their dependents. But this time, it was held by district to accommodate their numbers and serve them better,” she said.

In his speech, Governor Amado Espino III told the participants that the provincial government would augment products to the Bigasang Bayani of the OFW family associations in the three towns --Mangaldan, Manaoag and San Fabian.

Bigasang-Bayani, which was piloted in the said towns, is a joint livelihood support undertaking of provincial government through its Bantay Barangay, Tulong-Hanapbuhay Program and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under its Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, the Provincial Information Office said in an earlier statement.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bonafe Parayno of this town said she fully understands the situation of each and every OFW family, as she expressed her support for their welfare and recognized their big role in the local economy.

Dagupan City is PH's Most Child-Friendly City

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY -- Mayor Belen Fernandez vowed to continue to make Dagupan the safest, healthiest and happiest city for children as the city received a Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC) as the "Most Child-Friendly City" under the independent component city category.

“This is a testament to our Unliserbisyo commitment in making sure our Dagupeño children remain the safest, healthiest and happiest in our city. Our children are our true source of indescribable joy. We continue to work harder to pursue these programs because we believe that a city that takes care of its children, takes care of the future,” Fernandez said in a statement on Thursday.

Among the programs and projects that were implemented by the city for children are scholarship, Children’s Summit on Health, Music and Journalism, free late registration of births, the “Manlingkor Ya Kalangweran” leadership training program, Junior Health Advocate, the Balon Dagupan Children’s Choir, youth and sports development, and the Anti-Bullying hotline.

“After a promising feat as three-time national finalist and four-time most child-friendly city in the Ilocos region, the city of Dagupan was adjudged as the country’s most child-friendly city under the Independent Component City category this year,” a press release issued by the City Information Office (CIO) said.

The city bested Naga City, Ormoc City and Cotabato City in the independent component city category. The citation was awarded by President Rodrigo Duterte, together with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Social Welfare Secretary and Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) chairperson Rolando Bautista, and CWC Executive Director Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy during the Gawad Parangal held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace on December 5.

“Aside from the Presidential trophy, Dagupan also received a PHP500,000 cash prize, which will be utilized for the continuous implementation of child-friendly programs in the city. In the same occasion, the city also received a plaque and another PHP50,000 cash for being one of the 20 national finalists selected from 17 regions throughout the country,” the CIO statement read.

The PACFMC is a national award given to local government units that have excelled in their vital roles of ensuring a child-friendly local governance in their respective communities.

PWD-managed health food store to open in Alaminos City

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in this city will open their very own healthy food stores at the Lucap Wharf here on December 14.

The store, to be called "Pangasinan Food Store, a one-stop shop", is a project of the city government of Alaminos, and the departments of labor, trade, and science and technology for the city’s PWDs, city information officer Venus Balgua said in an interview on Friday.

“The project was funded by the Department of Labor with PHP500,000 for the store’s capital, while the stall is the counterpart of the city government,” Balgua said.

The Pangasinan Entrepreneur Development Association, Inc. will supply the products to be sold at the store.

Balgua added that PWDs who are members of the organization in the city will manage the store as their source of income.

“We encourage tourists to buy products from the store. They will be selling healthy variety of foods, like chips or snacks that are organic and other products or things they might be needing before proceeding to the islands,” she said.

Balgua added that the project will be a great help to the PWDs who have a difficult time finding employment.

“Through this, they would be able to sustain their needs and (those of) their families,” she said.

Alaminos lanterns feature Pangasinan’s bests

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Some 39 lanterns showcasing the famous products, places and festivals of the towns and cities of Pangasinan, are the new attractions in this city.

In an interview Thursday, city information officer Venus Balgua said the lanterns were made by the 39 barangays of the city as part of the annual lantern-making contest here.

“The lanterns are six to seven feet in length and are made of durable materials. This year, the theme for each lantern should be related to the one-town-one-product or tourist spots, or the festivals of the cities and towns of the province,” Balgua said.

Among the chosen theme for the lanterns are the provincial capitol building, which will turn 100 years old this December, the Puto Festival of Calasiao town, Tinapa (smoked-fish) of Rosales, the Bangus Festival of Dagupan City, the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Manaoag and the Sunflower of Tayug, among others.

The lanterns, which are hanged beside the city hall, started to become additional attractions in the city on Dec. 3, when the giant Christmas tree and departmental Christmas trees here were also lighted.

Residents are impressed with the lanterns and are betting on which one will win the grand prize. “Ang ganda ganda naman (It is so beautiful),” Leonor Ortaleza Sadumiano said.

Juanita Hawk commended the efforts of the city government and the barangays.

Balgua said the lanterns were judged based on creativity, design, craftsmanship, visual impact, and overall impact.

The winning barangays will receive PHP20,000 (first prize), PHP15,000 (second prize), PHP10,000 (third prize), and each barangay will receive PHP5,000 as consolation prize on the awarding night on Dec. 17, she added.

11th Bantayog-Wika monument unveiled in Pangasinan

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Bantayog-Wika monument for Pangasinan language that serves as a symbol of the rich tradition, culture and language of Pangasinenses, was unmasked here on Thursday.

“Ang Bantayog-Wika ay proyektong naglalayong isinamonumento ang mga katutubong wika ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng pisikal na istruktura bilang baul o sisidlan ng katutubong kaalaman, kalahagahan, gawi, tradisyon at kasaysayan ng mga Pilipino (The Bantayog-Wika project aims to put up monuments of the native languages of the country through physical structures that will serve as treasure chest of knowledge/wisdom, values, practices, traditions, and history of the Filipinos),” Senator Loren Legarda said in a speech read by Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Commissioner Purificacion Delima during the inauguration at the Maramba Blvd. this town.

“Ang bantayog sana ay maging simbolo ng pagtataguyod ng ating kultura at maging inspirasyon na lalo pang gamitin sa pagpapalaganap at pagpapayaman ng wikang Pangasinan (The monument will hopefully be a symbol of our patronage for our culture and may it be an inspiration to promote and enrich even more the Pangasinan language),” Legarda added.

Bantayog-Wika is a project of Legarda’s office and the KWF.

The senator said the stainless steel Bantayog-Wika monument, which features ancient Baybayin letters cut with the use of laser technology and lighted from within so people can read those lines at night, was designed by artist Luis Yee Jr.

She further said KWF installed and unveiled its first Bantayog-Wika monument in Antique province for the Kiniray-a language, followed by Ifugao province; Davao Oriental's Mati City; Kalinga, Occidental Mindoro, Bukidnon, Bataan, Batangas and Surigao del Norte provinces, as well as Baguio City.

“Pangasinan is the second major language which has its Bantayog-Wika this year. The first one is Tagalog,” she said.

The country has 130 languages as reported and documented by KWF.

Sentrong Wika at Kultura KWF Pangasinan director Mary Ann Macaranas said Pangasinan language is widely spoken in central Pangasinan, while some two million population of the province speak Ilokano language based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In his speech, Governor Amado Espino III urged the local government units in the province to create programs that would strengthen the use of the Pangasinan language in response to the report that by 2050, Pangasinan language would be an endangered language.

“Let us begin strengthening Pangasinan language in our homes, even through simple conversations with our children, such as ‘Angan ka la?’ (Have you eaten already?),” Espino said.

He also asked the academe and the KWF to help the province in preserving the language.

“We should adapt to the times, make our teaching strategy acceptable to the independent-minded young people. We ask the help of KWF and to make the teaching of the language to the youths unique,” Espino added.

He thanked KWF for their efforts in supporting the Pangasinan language, assuring he would form programs that would preserve the language.

Int’l cruise visits Pangasinan’s Hundred Islands anew

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Some 201 passengers of the Star Legend cruise ship enjoyed the pristine white sand beach and scenery at the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) here on Monday.

HINP cruise ship coordinator Rey Livara, in an interview on Tuesday, said this is the second time the Star Legend cruise ship visited the famous park.

The tourists, who are mostly Americans and some Filipino and Japanese, toured at HINP’s Governor’s Island, Quezon Island and Pilgrimage Island, while they engaged in water sports activities such as kayaking.

They also tried the island’s zipline, snorkeling and indulged themselves to sunbathing and swimming, he said.

“The cruise ship came from Hong Kong and HINP is its first stop here in the Philippines. Then, it will go to Manila, Coron Palawan, Puerto Princesa, and Boracay before it proceeds to Singapore,” Livara said.

He added Star Legend will again visit HINP twice next year, while a new cruise ship will dock at the islands on February next year.

“I think the cruise ships love to visit HINP because of the beauty of the islands and its history as well as the hospitality of the people,” Livara said.

PSC to build sports training center in Pangasinan

By Jean Malanum (PNA)

MANILA -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will build a world-class sports complex in Pangasinan next year.

This was announced by PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez in a press conference at the PSC building inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Tuesday.

Ramirez said the government has allocated a budget of PHP3.5 billion for the construction of the Philippine Sports Training Center in a 20-hectare property in Rosales town.

"The Philippine Sports Training Center will serve as the official home for the development of athletes in the national team and training pools," said Ramirez, who was accompanied by Commissioners Celia Kiram, Ramon Fernandez, Charles Maxey and Arnold Agustin.

The training center aims to develop national athletes through the use of scientific programs, proven training techniques and state-of-the-art facilities. It will also serve as venue for the training of coaches and referees as well as host local and international competitions.

The facilities inside the training center are administration building, dormitory for athletes and coaches, baseball field, beach volleyball courts, bowling center, conference and seminar hall, covered swimming and diving pool, football field, gymnastics center, multi-purpose gymnasium, multi-purpose field, including but not limited to archery range, BMX track, lawn balls and petanque field, rugby pitch, skeet and trap range, softball field, track and field oval, lawn tennis courts, velodrome, villas for guests, sports science building, mess hall, recreation hall (audio-visual room), library, weight training building, school buildings, medical center and worship and meditation room.

Meanwhile, Ramirez also announced the holding of a National Sports Summit in February next year.

"This will be an important vehicle for the PSC to discuss the direction of Philippine sports," Ramirez said.

The PSC chief also mentioned about the sports agency's other activities such as the sports science seminar to be conducted by the Korea Institute of Sports Science, as part of the bilateral agreement between Korea and the Philippines, on December 7 at the Philsports in Pasig City, Children's Games in Marawi on December 9-10 and the PSC's 29th founding anniversary celebration on January next year.

SSS opens processing center extension office in P'sinan

By April M. Bravo (JNPD/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) -- To decongest the bulk of clients in its Tarlac Processing Center, the Social Security System (SSS) has formally opened an extension center at the BHF Plaza in Mayombo District here recently for faster processing and releasing of benefits to members and pensioners in the province.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Dooc said the extension office was created due to the increasing volume of transmitted transactions in Tarlac Processing Center.

“From 2014 to 2016, Tarlac Processing Center receives an average of almost 460,000 transactions from 20 SSS branch offices under Luzon Central 1 and 2. In fact, SSS recorded a massive increase in workload by 10 percent in 2015 and 52 percent in 2016 from three branch offices in Pangasinan. This has prompted the SSS management to create an extension office in Dagupan,” Dooc said.

“On the back of our branch expansion efforts, the creation of an extension office to decongest our Tarlac Processing Center will help reduce the turn-around time in handling SSS transactions,” he told the media in a forum held at the Star Plaza Hotel here.

The new SSS facility is in-charge of the receipt and processing of sickness, maternity, employees’ compensation (EC) medical claim reimbursement, disability, retirement, and death claims, as well as processing, updating and adjustment of membership, contribution and loan repayment records.

“As we bring SSS services closer to our members, we also want to ensure that benefits and privileges are given immediately to the rightful members and beneficiaries. Rest assured that SSS will provide quality service for the benefit of our transacting members and employers here in Pangasinan,” Dooc added.

Prior to the media forum, the SSS awarded certificates of recognition to the provincial government of Pangasinan as 2018 SSS Balikat ng Bayan’s Best Servicing and Collecting Partner Government Agency.

Pangasinan theater group nominee for Aliw Awards 2018

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Tanghalang Sandaang Pulo Cultural Group Inc., a non-profit organization here helping young people discover their potential in theater, is one of the nominees for Best Cultural/Theater Group in the Aliw Awards 2018.

Aliw Awards is an award body recognizing the outstanding live performers in the country.

BenJan Natividad, founding president of Tanghalang Sandaang Pulo, said they did not expect the nomination as there are several cultural groups in the Philippines.

“Naiyak po ako sa bahay kasi sa totoo lang po, sulit yung mga sakripisiyo para sa mga projects po namin. (I actually cried when I got home because our sacrifices for our projects somehow are paid off),” he said in an interview Thursday.

Natividad said the group was formed July last year with the advocacy to help the theatre artist, especially the youth, to strengthen the theatre and arts in the city and even in the entire Pangasinan.

“Isa po itong paraan para sa halip na mabarkada ang mga kabataan at mapunta sa di magagandang mga bisyo, dito nalang nila ibaling ang kanilang attention (This is one way to discourage the youth from involving in unlikely peers and vices. Instead, they would be focused on activities such as this),” he added.

Among the group’s major production is the Palanca Award winning play titled “Baka Sakali”, which was written by Jose Dennis Teodosio last year. They also perform children’s play in the elementary schools of Alaminos, in cooperation with Vice Mayor Anton Perez, Natividad said.

Aside from their advocacy as a theatre group, Tanghalang Sandaang Pulo, a non-government organization, also conducts free ‘Lakbay Aral’ (educational tour) projects and implements an adopt-a-school-project.

It also organizes theatre workshops for their performers and sometimes it is open to the public, Natividad said.

The group currently is composed of seven people from this city who are Natividad’s friends since his college days.

Natividad said they hope to gain more support from the Pangasinenses on their fund-raising activities.

Tanghalang Sandaang Pulo is now processing its Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) registration and preparing for the First Hundred Islands Theater Festival on Dec. 16, while they recently qualified to be part of the International Theater Institute.

The Aliw Awards winner will be announced on Dec. 13 at the Manila Hotel.

Puto Fest in Pangasinan town set on Dec. 13-16

By Hilda Austria (PNA)

CALASIAO, Pangasinan -- The municipal government here will again stage the Puto (rice cake) Festival to boost tourism and sales of its famous product on December 13-16.

In an interview on Thursday, tourism officer-designate, engineer Melanio de Vera said the puto industry here needs a boost after it was affected by severe flooding in the town due to several calamities.

De Vera said the municipal government hopes this year's festival would again promote and increase the sales of puto similar to its bid for the Guinness World Record's biggest mosaic tilt last year.

"After that attempt in Guinness, the sales of puto increased and people even (in) other countries, became aware of our product," he said.

The formal opening of the Puto Festival this year will be on Dec. 1 alongside the lighting of the town's first ever Christmas village. The festival’s main events start on Dec. 13, de Vera said.

"There will be a parade on the opening and street dancing. On the second day, we will feature best ways to cook out, wherein the 26 schools here will present their recipes with puto as the main ingredient," he said.

The other activities are Amazing Race, Puto Festival King and Queen, Ms. Gay, Volleyball tournament, and street party.

"We invite everyone to join us in these activities," de Vera added.

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