Pangasinan News February 2017

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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

NHA lauds two housing projects in Pangasinan

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Feb. 27 (PNA) -- The National Housing Authority (NHA) hailed the Pangasinan provincial government led by Governor Amado I. Espino III for efficient implementation of its existing housing program in Lingayen.

NHA General Manager Marcelino P. Escalado Jr. lauded the 2nd phase of the Maniboc socialized housing for employees/teachers and the Aplaya West Resettlement Project intended to shelter the ‘poorest of the poor.’

Escalada recently came to Pangasinan and visited the two housing sites located at Barangay Maniboc and Sitio Aplaya in Barangay Pangapisan Norte of Lingayen town.

He said these projects are concrete manifestation of how the national government and the local government units (LGUs) are cooperating, noting that both were set up jointly by the NHA and the provincial government.

Escalado said that the NHA is doing its best to redirect its thrust and focus by capacitating all LGUs.

He stressed that the project is an obvious manifestation of empowerment and cooperation of the provincial government.

“If we are able to replicate this project, we will be able to address problems on illegal settlers,” Escalada said as he specifically pertained to the resettlement project.

In lauding the provincial government, Escalada also commended the housing designs noting that it meets certain standards like gender-sensitivity, flexibility and comfort of the design.

“It is not only a house but it is also a home where people can live and children can participate,” he added.

Land clearing and development for the housing project which consists of 317 units started last year during the term of former Governor now 5th district representative Amado T. Espino, Jr. Its physical accomplishment to date is about 70 percent.

Meanwhile, Angelito Pedeglorio, PHUDCC officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan Urban Housing Development Coordinating Council (PHUDCC) said the project is intended as resettlement site to accommodate families living along danger zones like the Agno River bank.

The project costs over P12 million, of which the NHA will shoulder more than P9.3 million while the province’s fund share amounted to P3.4 million.

Meanwhile, the provincial government started its clearing of site operations two weeks ago for the 2nd Phase Villa Maniboc socialized housing which target date of land development completion is 180 days.

DOLE’s SPES now open to poor Pangasinense students, out-of-school youths

By Elsha Marie Soriano and Julius Jim Mararac (JNPD/EMBS/JJRM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Poor but deserving students and out-of-school youths who are willing to engage in summer jobs can now submit their application requirements to the office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the Special Program for the Employment for Students (SPES) this summer.

Panfilo Dioquino, labor communications officer of DOLE-Central Pangasinan, said the program is open to all indigent Pangasinense students and out-of-school youths aged 15 to 25 years old who are willing to work and pursue their education.

“Para po sa Central Pangasinan, meron po tayong 750 na target na mga bata na gustong magtrabaho ngayong summer,” he said during the “Pantongtongan Tayo” radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)- Pangasinan aired on Tuesday.

Dioquino said interested applicants must submit to the office of DOLE-Central Pangasinan the copies of their birth certificate, certificate of indigency, grades from the previous semester or school year, and certificate of good moral character issued by their Barangay Council for the out-of-school youth.

“Ini-entertain din namin ang mga out-of-school youths basta mayroon silang intension na mag-aral itong taon na ito,” said Dioquino adding that the program aims to assist students and out-of-school youths pursue their studies through employment.

Dioquino added that for this year, DOLE-Central Pangasinan has partnered with different local government units, fast food corporations, and other government agencies in the province for the program implementation.

He said for the compensation, the department will shoulder the 40 percent of the salary while the 60 percent will be paid by the partner LGU, agency, or company where the student chooses to render his or her services.

Pangasinan Sports Academy to jump start this year

(PNA), FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA)-- The Pangasinan Sports Academy (PSA) will hit the ground running this year to promote athletic excellence among Pangasinenses who can carry the name of the province in regional, national and international competitions.

In a talk to mediamen on Monday, Governor Amado Espino III said the selection of potential athletes from the grassroots level has already started as he promised collegiate scholarships to all those who will be selected.

He said the academy will focus on all the sports events which local athletes have the potential to excel and bring home the medals like in athletics, swimming, cycling , chess and some ball games.

He said the coaches in different sports disciplines are now being assembled preparatory to the launching of the sports academy.

The athletes and coaches to be chosenwill be given quarters at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center which was renovated and expanded by the past provincial administration of his father and namesake former Governor and now fifth district Congressman Amado Espno Jr.

It was the former governor who dreamt of putting up a Pangasinan Sports Academy which he started by renovating the NRSCC, which was put up by the government in 1995, as venue of the Palarong Pambansa and in 2012, when the national games was brought back to the province.

Selected athletes will be given stipends while undergoing training under different topnotch coaches.

"We will continue to search for talents among the young who can be developed and be considered in the athletes' pool," Espino told newsmen.

At present, the provincial government is holding a provincial basketball tournament which has already entered its quarterfinals with the finals slated in late April in time for the celebration of the Pista'y Dayat" (Sea Festival).

He said after the finals, a provincial team will be formed from among the outstanding cagers who will be sent to Manila to compete with other top cage teams in the country.

Aside from basketball, the province is also promoting chess through its holding of the regular chess clinics and provincial chess tournaments.

Pangasinan prepares for 'Umaani' Expo 2017

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RAM

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- Preparations are underway for the holding of the "Umaani" Expo from March 27 to April 1 to showcase Pangasinan’s abundance of food staples that could potentially support the thrust for agro-industrial enterprise.

A brainchild of Governor Amado I. Espino III, the "Umaani" Expo, an agro-industrial trade expo and fair set at the Provuncial Nursery in Sta. Barbara, is expected to bolster the provincial government’s aim to expand existing markets for farm crops and fish commodities in line with the national government’s food security plan.

Governor Espino issued and executive order (no. 011-2017) on February 6 seeking the creation of an executive committee and technical working group for the Umaani fest.

He stressed that the agricultural event will also serve as a converging point for transfer of new technology and farming system and step up farm mechanization in Pangasinan.

“The development of agriculture and fishery sectors of the province is one of the priorities in the Ten Point Development Thrusts of the Provincial Government to achieve equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities and also to maximize their contribution to the province’s wealth and progress,” the Governor said.

He added that her administration recognizes the importance of agriculture in making available food that is necessary to sustain human life and to provide livelihood to major sectors of the province’s population.

Owing to the intense thrusts given to agriculture during the nine-year term of former governor and now 5th district Rep. Amado T. Espino, Jr., Pangasinan is now among the top producers of quality rice and corn in the country.

In preparation for "Umaani" Expo, Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) chief Dalisay Moya convened stakeholders of the agriculture sector along with representatives from various agencies and offices of the provincial government on February 15 where she presented the proposed activities for the six-day festival.

2 Pangasinan socialized housing projects now accepting applicants

(PNA), FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA)-- Some 400 homeless residents here have applied to avail of the socialized housing projects being developed by the Pangasinan provincial government and the National Housing Authority (NHA) in Barangays Maniboc and Aplaya West, Lingayen.

This was bared by Angelito Pedeglorio, officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Office (PHUDCO), who said all the applicants so far, are from Lingayen.

"We have a problem," said Second District Provincial Board Member Raul Sison, adding that this provincial housing project assisted by NHA must be disseminated provincewide to attract other homeless citizens of Pangasinan other than those from Lingayen.

Pedeglorio identified these projects as the Villa Maniboc Socialized Housing Project Phase II where 129 units will soon be available, and the Aplaya West Resettlement Project where 317 units will soon be handed out to lucky applicants.

The Maniboc Housing Project II, comprising of 1.8 hectares and funded by the Sites and Services Program of NHA is part of a 5.5 hectare property segregated from the coverage of Presidential Proclamation No. 499 issued by then President Fidel V. Ramos.

This proclamation reserved the area for housing of homeless Pangasinan residents.

Of this segregated property, at least 3.7 hectares consisting of 257 home lots, were already awarded to qualified government employees under Phase I of the housing project.

Each unit in this housing projects costs PHP250,000, to be amortized monthly by the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the Aplaya West Resettlement Project has a land area of 2.4 hectares that were also earlier segregated from the coverage of Presidential Proclamation No. 499 through a resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Each housing unit costs PHP400,000 to be amortized by the beneficiaries monthly.

PEZA eyes Dagupan as economic zone

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA) -- The city of Dagupan is being eyed as a potential economic zone to host foreign investors, which can help boost the economy and the 10-point agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.

This was bared by Emmanuel SD Lopez, consultant of the Philippine Economic Cooperation Agency (PEZA) who came to Dagupan on Thursday and held talks with city officials led by City Administrator Farah Decano.

"I've taken as a personal initiative to get Dagupan as one of the priorities. We are hoping that if you have something on the line, we would like to include you already in the ecozone as we are embarking on local marketing so Dagupan would be highlighted as possible area for economic zone," he said.

He sees possible development of aqua culture and processing industry, and said because of the city's huge population (171,000 plus based on the last census), it can also explore the possibility of putting up a Business Processing Outsourcing-Information Technology park.

An agro-industrial park, Lopez said, needs at least 25 hectares of space which may not be on the same site while at BPO-IT park needs at least one hectare or a building with 10,000 square meters as 1,000 call center agents could easily be absorbed by just one company.

He said a BPO-IT park is ideal in Dagupan given the fact that the city has three universities and 12 colleges where students speak good English that is considered as the language of business all over the world.

"Here in Dagupan, we can probably, with the support of Local Government Unit, build an ecozone and PEZA will collaborate to develop it, build up its strength, together with its competitive pattern with other ecozones in other parts of the country," Lopez said.

The other ecozones in the country are in Cebu, Cavite, Laguna, Baguio and other parts of the country.

With an ecozone in Dagupan, the graduates and qualified unemployed need not go abroad any more to work as jobs will soon be made readily available to them.

Lopez also told city officials that the process of applying for an area to become an Export Processing Zone Authority-registered economic zone has been made simpler.

Upon submission of all the pertinent documents, a city resolution must be passed by the local legislative body authorizing the city mayor to apply for an economic zone.

If all the documents are in, "we can guarantee that in 21 days, we will approve it," Lopez said.

The city can then have an area that is credited by the PEZA, and locators can be provided with both the fiscal and non fiscal incentives.

Fiscal incentives include the grant to locators of income tax holiday, land taxes holiday for four to six years, extendable to eight years, and tax-free importation of all the capital equipment and the exemption from paying Value Added Tax (VAT).

The non-fiscal incentives include the expedited processing of visas of foreign executives and the guarantee for industrial peace which means labor strikes are banned as they could set back productivity.

"Once you are able to identify a piece of land, property owned by the city or by public and private enterprises, we can accredit all these as PEZA-accredited zone," Lopez said.

He said he was informed by City Administrator Decano that Dagupan has a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) which identified three additional growth areas and these are privately owned and classified as agricultural, thus need to be converted into commercial and industrial areas.

Lopez noted that PEZA has an existing memorandum of agreement with both the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that gives leeway to conversion, provided that the land is proven to be no longer productive.

"I will not brag about it but definitely, it could be done," he said.

First disability learning resource section in Region I opens in Pangasinan

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

URDANETA CITY, February 16 (PIA) - A Learning Resource Section for persons with disabilities (PWDs) opened on Wednesday in a Pangasinan school library to help champion the cause of inclusive education.

The Urdaneta City University Library here launched the learning section for PWDs making it the first tertiary school in Region I to offer such.

Rizalio Sanchez, chief of the Information, Education and Communication Office of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), lauded the university for the initiative and said the council is keen on raising awareness on disability matters and concerns by partnering not just with local government units but also with the academe.

Sanchez said a paradigm shift is now seen from special education to inclusive education as it is now the call of the time in the global arena.

“We have to empower and integrate the persons with disabilities into the mainstream of our academe because everybody has the right to enter education,” Sanchez said during the launch of the university’s learning resource section.

The challenge, he said, now lies in the academe because once a school accommodates PWD students, especially the blind and the deaf, faculty members must know sign language and the use of the Braille. Teachers, he said, could be trained through the NCDA.

University President Elizabeth Montero said UCU accepts the great endeavor and considers the activity not a challenge but a great opportunity.

“We will champion this effort because we become complete as people and as human beings if we have a great element in us which is to be very essential at our work,” Montero said.

Dagupan City to improve Tondaligan Park

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – After the demolition of at least 255 sheds at the Tondaligan Park in Barangay Bonuan Gueset, the city government of Dagupan now eyes to further improve and develop the park to increase the number of tourists visiting the Bonuan Tondaligan beach.

Mayor Belen Fernandez said the city government is now preparing to further develop the Tondaligan Park with a plan to construct a children’s playground, baywalk with bicycle and joggers’ lane, and comfort rooms and washrooms for beachgoers.

“Meron na po tayong plano and we are only finalizing it. Anytime ay makapagsimula na po tayo dahil meron na po tayong pondo,” said Fernandez during the live interview and press conference held at the studio of Kabaleyan Channel in Dagupan City.

Fernandez said with the available fund, the construction of the children’s playground and the temporary rehabilitation of comfort rooms will start soon.

Likewise, Fernandez confirmed that the establishment of sheds in the beach area will now be prohibited but the local government will evaluate shed operators who will qualify to stay in the park and operate wide beach umbrellas, movable chairs and tables that can be rented by beachgoers for a fixed amount.

Red Cross blood donation drives roll in Pangasinan

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) - February will be a busy month for the Philippine Red Cross-Pangasinan chapter as requests for blood donation drives surge during this so-called “Love Month.”

Raymund Lim, donor recruiter and information officer of PRC, said companies, local government units (LGUs), and schools usually call for blood donation campaign after the festivities in December and January to help in giving blood to those in need.

“Bawat minuto, may nangangailangan ng dugo, kaya lagi nating isipin ‘pag nagdo-donate tayo ng dugo ay nakakatulong tayo,” Lim said during the KBP Forum in Dagupan City.

Lim said LGU- Labrador had its blood donation drive on February 10 while the University of Pangasinan -PHINMA conducted the noble drive on February 11.

Schedules of blood donation of other LGUs and non-government organizations are as follows: San Carlos City police force (Feb. 13); LGU-Bayambang/Sta. Barbara and St. Joseph Drugstores (Feb. 14); LGU-Mangatarem (Feb. 15); Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas-Pangasinan Chapter at Robinson's Place -Calasiao (Feb. 18) and; Knights of Columbus of Bayambang (Feb. 26).

Other schools and universities that will participate this February include: Pangasinan State University -Binmaley (Feb. 16); Lyceum Northwestern University (Feb.17); University of Luzon (Feb. 27) and Pangasinan School of Arts and Trade (Feb. 28).

Meanwhile, Lim said PRC is looking forward to launching its 70th anniversary on February 17 and the groundbreaking ceremony of a donated lot in San Carlos City.

“A blood collection unit will soon rise in San Carlos City which can cater to municipalities in the second and third districts of Pangasinan.

Australian medical mission operates on 40 kids with cleft lip, palate

(PNA), FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Feb.13 (PNA)-- Some 40 indigent children with cleft lip and palate can now smile with confidence after getting free operation from a team of expert plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists and nurses from an Australia-based voluntary organization, Helping Children Smile (HCS) Inc.

In partnership with the Pangasinan provincial government, 13-man HSCI team is at the Urdaneta District Hospital until Feb. 15 to operate on children patients.

The team is composed of Dr. Nitin Sharma, Dr. Shiby Ninan, (plastic surgeons) ; Dr. Damian Castrnelli , Dr. Kushlani Stevenson, (anaesthesiologists); and registered nurses Tracey Madden, Ashleigh McIntosh, Frank Miki, Malika Burke, Erin McIntosh, Ruth Goodchild, Nicole Johnson, Elizabeth Ingham and David Lovett.

Dubbed ‘Operation Balik Ngiti,’ the surgical mission is inclusive of pre-operative assessment, preparation and intra-operative care as well as post-operative care to include wound management and suture removal.

Erin McIntosh, the team leader, said the organization has conducted a total of 20 missions in the Philippines so far, to include four in Pangasinan.

McIntosh said the high incidence of cleft lip and palate in the country forced them to decide to conduct free operations in the country on a yearly basis.

In their medical mission, the team brought with them electronic equipment, suction units, monitors, defibrillator and HB machine.

As a program partner, the province of Pangasinan provided the operation and recovery rooms and ward for pre and post operation patients and other support facilities.

The HCSI has benefited about 1,100 indigent patients since its first medical mission in the country in 1996.

Duration of the operation is about an hour for cleft lip and two hours for the palate. Patients have either been given one operation or two.

The team held courtesy call with Governor Amado I. Espino III on Monday before ending their mission on Wednesday, February 15.

Pag-IBIG Fund eyes more partners for loyalty card

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) - The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) here is eyeing more partners to expand the scope of its Loyalty Card program.

Becker Van Ramos, information officer of Pag-IBIG Fund- Dagupan Branch, said the loyalty card serves as a membership identification card for Fund members and at the same time a discount and point-system card in specific establishments.

“We want to make the card more appealing to our loyal Fund members and we are venturing into partnerships with more merchants and establishments,” Ramos said during the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Among the local establishments that partnered with Pag-IBIG Fund are Siapno-Tada Optical which gives 35 percent discount to selected items and Island Hotel Corporation which gives a discount to its Alaminos Tour Package.

Schools affiliated include Pan-Pacific University of Northern Philippines (PUNP) in Urdaneta City which gives 20 percent discount on tuition fees if paid in full on or before the preliminary exams and the Feliz Academy in Villasis town which gives 10 percent tuition fee discount if paid in cash or in installment. Both discounts are extended up to the third degree of consanguinity and affinity.

Some of the national partners for the card include Puregold and Petron.

Ramos said the Fund is looking into possibilities of partnering with hospitals and more schools in Pangasinan.

He enjoined Pag-IBIG members to avail of the Loyalty Card as it has no expiration date and can be used by a member even if he has retired from his office.

Members can apply for the card at any Pag-IBIG Fund office or can request the Fund to visit their office for those with big number of employees.

ASEAN membership boosts zero tariff for Phl products, says DTI

By VENUS MAY H. SARMIENTO

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) - The Philippines’ membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) paved the way for a zero-tariff scheme for specific products made in the country and exported to the member-countries, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Marjury Lorezco, chief trade and industry specialist of DTI in Pangasinan, said the Asian Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement among the 10 member states came in full blast in 2016.

“The market development trade agreements dictates na free o zero-tariff and pagpasok ng mga specific products sa mga member countries,” Lorezco said during the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Lorezco said business enterprises must grab this opportunity and be thankful that the Philippines is one of the founding members of ASEAN leading to the advancement of the economic community.

Meanwhile, Natalia Dalaten, also a chief trade and industry specialist of DTI, said buyers and consumers can be assured of quality products because exporters conform not only to the International Organization Standards (ISO) but also to the ASEAN Standards.

“Businesses must harmonize their products with the quality standards for a free flow and integration in a single market, so buyers are assured of products that are fit and safe,” Dalaten said.

Philippines is one of the 10 member states of ASEAN. The other nine include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Pakwan fest also promotes agritourism

By Zac B. Sarian

FACTOR WATERMELON IN BANI – Ardy Oineza, a progressive watermelon farmer in Bani, Pangasinan, poses with the big fruit of his Factor watermelon. This is a Crimson sweet type with water color-like thick stripes. The variety usually weighs 10 to 14 kilos per fruit. It has pink flesh that is sweet and has a long shelf life of 10 to 14 days with good shipping quality. Oineza was a participant in the recent 4th Pakwan Festival in Bani.

Bani, Pangasinan has a way of promoting itself as the Watermelon Capital of the North. This is by holding its annual watermelon festival. On January 28 to February 4, the town held its 4th Pakwan Festival. The annual festival is also one way of promoting the town as an agritourism destination.

One highlight of the event was the Farmers Agri Trade Fair wherein the farmers were given the chance to display and sell their watermelons and other agricultural products. Many of them showcased the varieties they are really proud of.

Ardy Oineza of Brgy. San Simon displayed his two favorite varieties with big fruits. One is China Baby, a Charleston Grey type with light green rind and bright red flesh. It is a big variety with fruits averaging 10 to 12 kilos each. Some even weigh as heavy as 16 kilos per fruit. The fruit has shelf life of 7 to 10 days and with good shipping quality.

Ardy Oineza’s other big-fruited watermelon is Factor, a Crimson sweet type with water color like thick stripes, pink flesh, averaging 10 to 14 kilos per fruit. Factor has a long shelf life of 10 to 14 days and also has good shipping quality.

The other major highlight of the event was the Harvest Festival. For this, Known You Philippines and other seed companies supplying watermelon seeds were invited to put up their own demo farms to showcase their watermelon varieties. Aside from introducing their varieties, the harvest festival was also a means of disseminating the improved techniques of planting and managing the crop up to postharvest and marketing operations.

Known-You Philippines which hosted the Farmers Harvest Festival brought the participants to the company’s demo farm and showed them the different characteristics of the watermelon varieties planted there.

The festival included contests in having the Heaviest Pakwan, Pakwan eating contest, Pakwan seed spitting contest and watermelon catching contest.

Other highlights of the 4th Pakwan Festival also included street dancing competition and a drum and lyre competition.

Jolly Calisaan of the Bani Pakwan Growers Association said he was overwhelmed by the success of the event which gathered all their members who have been planting watermelon for more than a decade and who have been contributing to the trademark of Bani as the Watermelon Capital of the North.

TALK ON FRUIT TREES – This agriculture editor and part-time farmer will talk on the potentials of growing exotic fruit trees in the Philippines. This will be tomorrow, Sunday, February 12, from 10 to 12 noon at the lecture hall at the Hortikultura 2017 at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The fruit trees include the superior varieties that can be grown in commercial farms as well as in gardens for personal consumption and also for sale. We will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of growing the different varieties.

Among those that we will discuss are different mango varieties including our own carabao mango and imported ones from Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and elsewhere. Others include the Longkong and duku lanzones, different pummelo varieties, durian, rambutan, jackfruit and many more.

AGRITOURISM EVENT IN TAYUG – The R&D Farm of Allied Botanical Corporation in Tayug, Pangasinan, will open its first Agritourism Event on February 17 that will run through the end of April. It means that you will be able to see for yourself the many new developments in vegetables and other high-value crops. There’s an entrance fee of P100 per visitor.

109 BUB projects completed in Pangasinan

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Feb. 9 (PNA) -- The Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) program in 2016 benefited the province of Pangasinan with at least 109 projects completed, 14 ongoing and 27 others still under bidding process.

This was bared Thursday by Rosemary Tamondong, Local Government Operations Officer V, of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial offices, who said all these were BUB projects of different government agencies.

Speaking during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) forum here on Thursday, Tamondong said these projects include core access roads, flood control, potable water system, drainage canal, purchase of rescue equipment for disaster preparedness and evacuation centers.

Construction of evacuation centers, she said, are ongoing in the towns of Bani, Binmaley, Bugallon and Sto. Tomas.

The documents of three other similar projects are either still being prepared or are under the bidding process.

Water supply projects were built in Agno, Aguilar, Anda and Bugallon while four "Saling Tubig" projects are in Bayambang.

Tamondong clarified that funding of these projects came from various government government but their implementation was monitored by DILG.

BUB was a new system of allocating resources of the government started during the past administration which ensured that projects of the government will be felt by the people in the grassroots.

At the same time, Tamondong announced the holding of BUB Provincial Stakeholders Forum on Feb. 15 and 16.

Participants to the forum on Feb 15 will come from the first, second and third districts of Pangasinan, while participants on Feb. 16 will come from fourth, fifth and sixth districts.

PHP80-M waste-to-energy facility up in Dagupan within this year

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

DAGUPAN CITY, Feb. 8 (PNA)--A permanent solution to the worsening garbage problem in the city may soon be a reality this year as the city government has found one proponent that is willing to build the PHP80-million proposed waste-to-energy facility at its own expense.

This was bared by City Legal Officer Victoria Cabrera during a public hearing conducted by the city council on Tuesday, that discussed the short-term solution to the present garbage crisis in the city brought about by the closure by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the city's more than 50-year old dumpsite last January 21.

Cabrera said the waste- to- energy project has attracted one proponent which intends to build this project at its own expense-- without a single centavo from the city coffers, but in turn will take all the profits from the sale of diesel fuel that will be produced out of solid wastes to be delivered by the local government to its waste conversion plant.

"Though we already have one proponent, it has yet to undergo meticulous evaluation from members of the selection committee," she said, adding that this body includes some members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, other city officials and experts tapped by the city government to share some technical inputs concerning the project.

Cabrera assured barangay chairmen and other city officials that the selection committee will make sure that whoever will be awarded the project can properly handle the job for the good of the city.

The selection committee will next recommend the proponent for acceptance by Mayor Belen Fernandez, then the proponent will have to undergo several other processes before it can finally implement the project.

Mayor Fernandez arrived on Wednesday from the United States, where she attended a forum on federalism and good governance, as part of the Philippine contingent.

"We hope this year, the project can be hopefully implemented. We are positive that before the first quarter of this year, we can already take one initial step, Cabrera pointed out.

" Pagdating siguro sa Marso ngayong taon ay uusad na sa unang hakbang ang local na mamamahala para naman sa waste conversion facility (Perhaps in March, the local government can take one step concerning the establishment of the waste conversion facility)," said Cabrera.

However, in the meantime, Cabrera said while the city is working on the long-term solution to the garbage problem, the short term solution amid the closure of the city's dumpsite must be put in place.

She called for full cooperation of barangay chairmen and their respective constituents by strictly observing waste segregation, re-use, recycling and composting to reduce the wastes in the city, while the city's dumpsite is being rehabilitated.

But for now, the waste management division will collect the residual wastes to be compacted in the main Material Recovery Facility (MRF) near the city's dumpsite while the biodegradable wastes will be retained by the barangays in their respective MRFs to be composted and converted into organic fertilizers.

Meanwhile, negotiations to bring some of the residual wastes of the city to the Urdaneta City sanitary landfill is yet ongoing.

FEATURE: Empowering Pangasinense farmers with free irrigation systems

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

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, February 6 (PIA) – True to its thrust in increasing the agricultural productivity and in bringing the basic services at the grassroots level in Pangasinan, the provincial government here through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) continues to empower the farmers as well as fisherfolks with the distribution of free irrigation systems.

On January 30 in this town, at least 99 organized farmers’ association and other agri-fishery groups from the 34 towns and cities in the province signed a memorandum of agreement for the installation of 110 units of shallow tube wells amounting to P73, 175.37.

OPAg Officer-in-Charge Dalisay Moya said the distributed irrigation systems would generate additional irrigated areas in the province and would help irrigate the 434 hectares of farmland of 650 farmer-beneficiaries.

Governor Amado Espino III, who awarded the units, signed the MOA with the farmers and fisherfolks to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Under the agreement, irrigation project beneficiaries are responsible for the following: operation and maintenance of the irrigation facilities; creation of project management staff to oversee the operation and maintenance of system; submission of periodic report to the OPAg on the operation and maintenance of the system; and support of rice, corn, high value crops production program and other agricultural technology and extension support provided by the agriculture office.

Pangasinan board endorses bill seeking to establish a marine eco-tourism park

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan February 6 (PIA) – Ever mindful of its legislative function to adopt measures for the protection of the environment, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here has approved a resolution favorably endorsing a bill that seeks to establish a marine eco-tourism park in this town to safeguard the beauty of the Lingayen Gulf.

“House Bill No. 1020, authored by Congressman Leopoldo Bataol, aims to protect the Lingayen Gulf from indiscriminate exploitation and to maintain its ecological balance and preserve the waters surrounding the area,”Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. said in a resolution.

Calimlim stated that when the bill was implemented, it will complement the provincial government’s efforts of safeguarding the beauty of the Lingayen Gulf for the present and future generations to inherit, and in ensuring the continued survival of its rich marine life in order to sustain the livelihood of coastal people.

He added that the establishment of the Lingayen Gulf Marine Eco-Tourism Park is perceived to have an overall effect on the sustainable tourism, employment, and business industry in the province as well as to gain the support of the local populace of Lingayen and its neighboring municipalities.

According to the explanatory note of the bill, a “Bantay Dagat” outpost with breakwater enclosure to protect a one square kilometer area that shall be constructed to serve as guardian of the sea, ensure compliance and enforcement of fishery laws and serve as staging area for search and rescue operations.

Pangasinan governor doles out 110 tube well units to farmers

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- Gov. Amado I. Espino III awarded on Monday at least 110 units of shallow tube wells to various organized farmers' associations and other agri-fishery stakeholders to prepare them for the impending drought this year.

Espino signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the recipient farmers organizations and sectors after turning over these facilities to them in a ceremony at the Provincial Agriculture Field Office in Sta. Barbara town.

Noting that farming is the main source of livelihood of the Pangasinenses, Gov. Espino called on the recipients of the shallow tube well units to use these to improve their harvests and their incomes.

These tube wells could be installed in areas which cannot be reached by existing irrigation facilities during the summer season.

At the same time, the governor assured that the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) is contemplating on giving more farm equipment projects to other groups of marginalized farmers to also improve their harvests.

On the same occasion, the governor also announced plans for the revival of the farmers Festival in Pangasinan which can serve as venue for the agricultural sector to showcase their outstanding crops and products and ultimately highlight the gains in agriculture in the province this far.

The provincial government earlier awarded subsidized certified palay seeds and fertilizer package to some 2,000 farmers from the third and fourth districts of the province to help them achieve increased rice yield to at least one metric ton per hectare during the dry cropping season from October 2016 to March 2017.

This could help Pangasinan maintain its prestige as one of the biggest rice producing provinces in the country today, only trailing Nueva Ecija and Isabela, in that order.

This project was to subsidize the agri-relief given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for areas with farmers who are planting during the latter part of last year.

ECC conducts seminar to media practitioners in North Luzon

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) conducted an orientation on the employees’ compensation program to media practitioners in North Luzon last January 28 at the Asian Fisheries Academy of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources office here.

Information Officer II Dexter Dupagan of the ECC-Regional Extension Unit 1 said the orientation intends to inform the media practitioners of their rights, privileges, and benefits in case of work-related possibilities such as sickness, injury, or death.

“Kinikilala ng bansa na ang media ay bahagi ng estado bilang ‘fourth state,’ maliban sa executive, legislative at judiciary. Umaakto sila bilang equalizer at taga-bantay laban sa corruption at anomaly, dahil dito nalalagay sa peligro ang kanilang buhay at ng kanilang pamilya sa pagganap ng kanilang trabaho,” Dupagan said.

The ECC held the orientation during the seminar and accreditation examination staged by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Pangasinan chapter on Saturday in this city.

At least 70 media personnel from different networks from the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Abra, and Baguio City listened attentively to Dupagan’s discussion as the information about ECC and its programs are new to them.

With the help of KBP-Pangasinan chapter, headed by its chairman Mark Gemson Espinosa who is also the station manager of iFM-Dagupan, the Commission was able to deliver information on the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP).

Dupagan said the ECP is a government program designed to provide a compensation package to public and private employees with employer-employee relationship.

“Under the ECP, they may enjoy the loss of income benefit, medical benefit, career's allowance, death benefit and rehabilitation services,” he said.

Pangasinan board endorses house bill seeking establishment of Lingayen Gulf Marine Eco-Tourism Park

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has thrown its support to a bill filed in Congress seeking the establishment and appropriation of funds for the Lingayen Gulf Marine Eco-Tourism Park.

In its approved Provincial Resolution No. 499-2017, the SP favorably endorsed the passage of House Bill No. 1020 filed by Pangasinan Second District Congressman Leopoldo N. Bataoil to help protect the Lingayen Gulf from indiscriminate exploitation and to maintain its ecological balance and preserve the waters surrounding the area.

The proposed site of the marine eco-tourism park at the Capitol beachfront is adjacent to the Lingayen baywalk along the coast of Lingayen Gulf.

“The SP is ever mindful of its legislative function to adopt measures for the protection of the environment as well as for the enhancement of the social and economic well-being of the people,” the resolution authored by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. states.

When implemented, the measure will complement the provincial government’s efforts of safeguarding the beauty of the Lingayen Gulf for the present and future generations to inherit, and in ensuring the continued survival of its rich marine life in order to sustain the livelihood of coastal people.

In the explanatory note of his house bill, Rep. Bataoil pointed out: “. . . the protection and regeneration of the Lingayen Gulf are crucial to ensure that our children and the generations to come could still inherit the beauty of our bountiful marine life.”

“It will also boost the local and national economy as it provides livelihood, employment and business with the expected influx of local and foreign tourists,” said Bataoil.

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