Pangasinan News July 2013

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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

Hundred Islands restoration starts

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 31 (PNA)--The Alaminos City government under Mayor Arthur Celeste has started its massive restoration of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) to bring back its old glory as the number one tourist destination in Pangasinan if not in Northern Luzon.

City Tourism Officer Miguel Sison said the project, which started on Saturday, would initially focused on Quezon Island, the biggest and the most frequented island in the 100 island group.

He said the cleaning and clearing operations of the Quezon Island was under way while privately-owned cottages were already demolished for a better view the island's contour.

The city government plans to construct two guest houses (one single and one duplex) and four gazebos to be built in the island. Each guest house is allocated a budget of P1.5-2 million while each gazebo has been allocated a construction cost of P150,000.

“We intend to finish the construction of these projects by December so as to have something to showcase for possible investors/donors of guest houses for the other islands,” Sison said.

According to their plan, anyone who will provide a guest house will have free access to the same but such will be owned and managed by the city tourism office.

Last July 24th, the city government conducted an ocular inspection of the islands followed by a meeting with the concessionaires of these cottages.

“There was no problem with the demolition of their cottages. The concessionaires were amenable to it for the betterment of the Hundred Islands,” Sison remarked.

Meanwhile, all the canteens in the park will be placed in just one location in order to have a centralized dining area. It will also lead to a good waste management, said Sison.

Hundred Islands’ peak season is from October to May but for the month of July this year, the Park already reached about 6,000 tourist arrivals, the tourism officer said.

Apart from the park, the city government is in consultation with some foreign investors regarding the improvement and management of the Hundred Islands Hotel in Barangay Lucap.

Pangasinan 'OTOP' gets online

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 30 (PNA)-- The provincial government of Pangasinan has enlisted the help of the top online search engine Google to promote its local government units’ One Town-One Product (OTOP) through an event called “Pangasinan OTOP Goes Google” on Monday at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center.

“The main objective of 'Pangasinan OTOP Goes Google' is for the local industry in our province to acquire internet presence for them to become competitive in the world market," said Vanj Padilla , Google Busines Group (GBG) Dagupan Manager and one of the organizers of the event.

She explained that the partnership of the province of Pangasinan and Google Southeast Asia is for the emerging market like the micro-enterprises to be given the opportunities to cater not only to the local market but also the markets of other countries that may want to order their products," Padilla said.

Through the partnership, the provincial government is tasked to identify what each LGU wants to promote as their "OTOP." On one hand, the Google team is responsible for the online promotions of these "OTOP" products via Google and even on other social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

According to Padilla, the "OTOP" of the different local government units (LGUs) will be brought to the online realm through Google applications and various web technologies that will enable the creation of website or address that can have an electronic commerce (e-commerce) component.

Furthermore, through the e-commerce component, one can choose from an array of "OTOP" products that can be bought online, and the products will be shipped.

Meanwhile, payment can be made through bank deposits, credit card money transfer, or through e-money transfer such G-cash and Smart Money.

Various OTOP entrepreneurs and producers, and other representatives of LGUs including tourism officers attended the activity which included lectures, workshops and mentoring on Google products and tools.

P3.7-B re-regulating pond facility in Pangasinan now operational

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

ROSALES, Pangasinan, July 29 (PNA) -- After a dry run on July 28, the re-regulating pond facility, a major component of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam, is now finally in operation, benefiting 18 towns of Pangasinan, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said.

Costing P3.7 billion through a Preferential Buyer's Credit Facility (PBCF) extended to the government by China Export and Import Bank, the project was built by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to store water being released by the San Roque Dam while in the course of generating electricity for use in the farmlands in 18 towns of Pangasinan.

The 50-hectare water reservoir which can store up to five million cubic meters of water is expected to provide year-round irrigation to additional 34,450 hectares of land in Pangasinan being serviced by the Agno River Irrigation System (ARIS) and the Ambayoan-Dipalo River Irrigation System (ADRIS).

ARIIP covers the town of Rosales, Villasis, Sto. Tomas, Alcala, Bautista, Sta. Barbara, San Manuel, Bayambang, Urbiztondo, Mangatarem and the cities of San Carlos and Urdaneta.

Those under ADRIS are Natividad, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Sta. Maria, Tayug and Balungao in eastern Pangasinan, all in eastern Pangasinan.

Engineer Reynaldo Mencias, ARIIP project manager, said since its dry run, the facility has been releasing to both ARIIP and ADRIS a total of 560 cubic meters of irrigation water per second.

He said with sustained irrigation water, palay yield from ARIIP's service area will increase from four to five metric tons per hectare, or an estimated 345,000 metric tons on a yearly two cropping systems.

Now only 50 hectares, the re-regulating pond facility can be increased to 65 hectares to provide more water storage. If this is done, the area to be serviced will increase from 34,450 hectares to 52,394 hectares, which will soon include the 12,650 hectares being service by the Lower Agno River Irrigation System (LAGRIS).

LAGRIS covers the northern portion of the towns of Lupao, Nueva Ecija and San Manuel and Moncada, Tarlac.

Mencias announced that already in place at ARIIP are 67 kilometers of main canal, 327 kilometers of lateral canals, 283.70 kilometers of improved drainage facilities and 280 kilometers of farm-to-market roads which cost the government some P11.2 billion.

Bayambang gears up for 400th year

(Sunday Punch)

BAYAMBANG—Did you know that this town was once the capital of the Philippines?

This fact will be highlighted when Bayambang celebrates its quadricentennial (400 years) anniversary on April 5, 2014.

Dr. Henry Fernandez, chairman of the celebration, said and the yearlong celebration kicked off last April 5, keeping the town busy with various activities preparing for the festivities intended to remind the people of the town’s rich history since its founding in 1614 as a small settlement established by the Spaniards.

A history book as well as a coffee table book written by top historians and scholars of the town will be published, said Fernandez.

Bayambang goes down in Philippine history as the fifth capital of the Philippines during the Filipino-American War when General Emilio Aguinaldo came to the town as he was fleeing to the north with the Americans on his trail.

Fernandez said it was on Nov. 12, 1898 when Aguinaldo and his troops arrived on board a train and camped overnight in what was then Barrio Enerangan.

It was in that brief sojourn by the Aguinaldo Army that a young soldier, Jose Palma, took time out to write the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem in Barrio Bautista, Bayambang.

Bautista is now a separate town of Pangasinan.

As part of the quadricentennial year, the executive committee will unveil the monument of General Aquinaldo in Barangay Enerangan, Bayambang on Nov. 12, 2013.

A grand medical mission on Feb. 17-20 will be conducted by some 200 Filipino and American medical specialists and surgeons from the United States who vowed to bring 60 crates of medicines and medical equipment

LONGEST BARBECUE

On April 4, the eve of the founding day, the people will attempt to put up the longest barbecue grill to be etched in the Guinness Record in its next edition of the Malangsi Festival.

In the Malangsi Festival, expected to be graced by officials of the London-based Guinness book, the townsfolk will put on the grill freshwater fish like mudfish, catfish, climbing perch and gurami which are produced in big quantity in Bayambang, especially in its Mangabul Lake.

The present world record in barbecue grill at 6.2 kilometers is owned by a city in Turkey.

Special homage will also be dedicated to Saint Vincent Ferrer, the patron saint of Bayambang.

Meanwhile, quadricentennial arches will be installed in all the approaches of the town as visible reminders of the coming grand celebration.

The celebration will be capped with the selection of five outstanding citizens of Bayambang who contributed immensely in various ways to the growth of the town.

Bayambang is a first class municipality in southern Pangasinan with a population of over 95,000 spread over 77 barangays.

Aside from the Mangabul Lake, another landmark in Bayambang is the Pangasinan State University campus, which used to be called Pangasinan Normal School.

Fernandez said the big town of Bayambang used to include the towns of Camiling and Moncada, Tarlac.

Pangasinan rallies its scholars against illegal drugs

(PNA), LAM/LVM/JMRMACOB/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 27 (PNA) -- The campaign against illegal drugs in Pangasinan went a step further with the participation of the province's scholars who threw their all-out support to make the province drug-free during an activity dubbed "Kabataan ng Pangasinan, Nagkakapit-bisig laban sa Droga Para sa Kalikasan" held at the Narciso Ramos and Civic Center on Friday.

Led by Governor Amado Espino Jr., Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim and Bugallon Mayor Jonel Espino, the activity opened up with a solemn candle-lighting before the signing of a covenant that declared the youth’s commitment to do their share in protecting nature, doing away with illegal drugs and other illegal juvenile activities, valuing their education, and in supporting all the provincial government’s programs and projects.

Under the covenant, the provincial government through Governor Espino assured its continuous support particularly through financial assistance to its over 1,200 scholars enrolled at the Pangasinan State University's nine component campuses in Lingayen, Infanta, Alaminos City, Binmaley, Bayambang, Asingan, Urdaneta City, Sta. Maria, and San Carlos City.

Espino, who authored the Dangerous Drugs Act when he was still congressman of the Second District of Pangasinan, assured that he does not ‘trivialize’ the issue on illegal drugs and -- together with the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) -- is working on it ‘silently.’

The governor noted that real solutions to the drug problem would be the identification, capture and prosecution of the suppliers and users of illegal drugs and not by putting up mere slogans.

Earlier, Espino ordered Calimlim and Provincial Information Officer Orpheus Velasco to devise a year-round plan on massive information drive to regularly inculcate in the minds of the youth the evil of illegal drugs. .

Meanwhile, Espino enumerated some of the provincial government’s pro-environment undertakings such as tree-planting, seedlings and fingerlings dispersal, and river cleanups.

He also mentioned of his plan to make the Agno River within the area of Bugallon as a center of water sports to parallel the likes of Camarines Norte.“Hopefully the project pushes through as it would boost the tourism and economy not only of Bugallon, but of the whole province," he said.

45 complete Water Rescue Training in Pangasinan

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 26 (PNA) -- Forty five persons who participated in the five-day Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training given by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) received their certificates of completion Friday.

The closing ceremony held at the PDRRMC office at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here had Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil as guest of honor and speaker.

"I commend you, I congratulate you for your accomplishment not just for yourself but also for your community," Bataoil told the participants.

He also cited that the province including his legislative district is very much prone to disasters and natural calamities as flooding, tsunami, tidal wave, and conflagration and thus preparedness is highly needed.

With the main objective of improving the disaster and preparedness and response of local government units, the training--which started last July 22-- taught the participants on different life-saving techniques.

The training is likewise inclined with the goal of providing emphasis on preparedness and readiness measures to the local government units (LGUs).

Bataoil said, "LGUs should be proactive."

The participants represented their districts' respective rescue teams.

The training was organized by the provincial government through the PDRRMC in coordination with Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 1 with trainers from Philippine Coast Guard Region 1.

This was in line with the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month.

Dagupan keen in pushing garbage to electricity technology

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, July 25 (PNA)--Mayor Belen Fernandez of Dagupan City is determined to push the establishment of an Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility in the Fourth District of Pangasinan to finally do away with the mounting garbage problem in the city.

Fernandez revealed this project called simply as "Waste 2 Worth" soon after meeting with members of the City Development Council where she outlined plans to put up a material recovery facility (MRFs) in each barangay or cluster of barangays and designate their respective MRF managers.

The lady mayor said the Dagupan government will first establish MRFs in the meantime that the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility is still being ironed out with Dagupan's neighbors Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto and Manaoag.

She expressed elation that the town of Mangaldan through Mayor Bona Fe De Vera has agreed to provide from two to three-hectare lot where hopefully Asia's first Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility that can turn garbage into clean energy will be built.

The facility will be built by a Manila-based company which the giant Procter and Gamble has tapped to make an investment in this kind of project whose return of investments (ROI) is projected to come after three and one-half years.

Clint Navales, country communications manager of Procter and Gamble Philippines briefed all mayors of the Fourth District of Pangasinan, including the staff of Rep. Gina de Venecia on the mechanics of the project at no cost to the local governments.

Navales said the facility will need at least 250 metric tons of garbage daily to put it into operation. This volume of garbage, he said, is expected to generate from four to five megawatts which can be sold to the Luzon Grid.

Fernandez said Dagupan alone can not supply the garbage needed by the plant as it is producing only 150 metric tons of garbage daily so she tapped the neighboring towns of the province's fourth district.

Fernandez and the other mayors are set to present the project to Governor Amado Espino Jr. for province-wide adoption.

Pangasinan town eyes increased rice production

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 24 (PNA)--The town of Villasis in Pangasinan, the acclaimed eggplant capital of the Philippines, is eyeing an increased in its rice production this year as a result of its "clustering" program that benefited farmers in 10 big rice-producing barangays.

Mayor Libradita Abrenica on Wednesday said the program made available to farmers certified rice seeds and fertilizers, such as urea and complete fertilizer, on a loan basis payable after harvest.

The rice seeds were priced at P800 per bag by the local government while its prevailing market price is P1,200; the urea was sold at P900/bag instead of P1,090/bag and each of the fertilizer bag was priced P1,090, instead of the usual price of P1,120 per bag.

"This is another way of helping farmers in our town", said Mayor Abrenica.

The initial implementation of the clustering project covered 150 hectares of land from the 10 villages of Barraca, Bacag, San Blas, Lomboy, Piaz, Puelay, Unzad, Tombod, Amamperez, and Barangobong.

All these barangays were extended a total of 300 bags of rice seeds, 900 bags of urea , and 600 bags of complete fertilizer

Cornelio Atchuela, municipal agriculturist of Villasis said the farmers were given two options to pay.

The first is that the municipal government will harvest, buy, then dry their produce at its own facility, or the municipal government will harvest and dry the grains and after paying for the usage of the drying facility, the farmers can sell their grains to the municipal government or to the market.

DOLE pays P327,200 to 100 Pangasinan studes for summer work

By Lilia Micua [(PNA), HBC/LVM/LMM/1700/RMA]

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 23 (PNA) -- Some 100 students who benefited from the Dept. of Labor and Employment program, dubbed “Special Program for Employment of Students” received their check worth P3,272 each Tuesday at the Capitol here.

The SPES program is a cost-sharing scheme of DOLE and the provincial government wherein the labor department shouldered 40 percent of the wages of students (P3,272) and a bigger sum of 60 percent or P4,909 came from the provincial government.

After receiving their respective checks, these students called on on Gov.Amado Espino Jr. to express their gratitude for the help given them by the provincial government which released its share of the SPES program last June.

Each of the 100 students received a total of P8,181 covering their 20 days work.

Espino commended the students for converting their summer time into a productive working vacation.The Governor said that what they have accomplished is something they can be proud of.

“I wish all of you the best of luck. I hope that when you have graduated, you can find job Who knows, some of you can work at the capitol, the provincial chief executive said.

Diana delos Santos, a graduating Business Administration student at the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation in San Carlos City, who spoke in behalf of the group, thanked the provincial government and DOLE for the laudable program.

"This is a big help to all of us aside from providing us the needed experience as public servants," she said.

DOLE Regional Director Grace Ursua, who joined the Governor in the distribution of checks, said that for the entire region a total of 4,500 students are being hired for the program every summer.

Ursua disclosed that applicants are advised to apply at the Public Employment Services Office in their area to avail of the program.

The regional director said that requirements for the hiring of students include income bracket of parents, good scholastic standing, and age which is 15 to 21 years.

SPES program is usually held in April to May allowing students avail of the opportunity to work at least 20 to 30 days during summer.

PESO Pangasinan Chief Alex Ferrer said that most students come from the lowest income bracket.

The students were deployed at the various government hospitals, offices located at the Capitol compound and beach area for clerical and greening jobs.

'Kising-kising' eyed as alternative to tilapia

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, July 22 (PNA) -- A fresh water prawn called by scientists as macrobrachium rosenbergii or "kising-kising" was recommended by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as another aquaculture species that can be stocked in fresh water fishponds in Pangasinan.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (NIFTDC) cited the big potentials of macrobrachium or "kising-kising" as a big source of income for the producers and additional protein food for the people.

But sadly, he said, the Philippines is now far behind other Asian countries in the production of macrobrachium as fish farmers seemed not interested in raising this important aquaculture commodity.

"Kising-kising" is a native Philippine prawn, known for its big head which is the main feature that distinguishes it from other prawn species, said Rosario.

He said although this is a good commodity to be raised in fresh water ponds, only few fish farmers are trying it as possible replacement of tilapia.

Tagged by Rosario as reason why not much fish farmers are venturing into the production of macrobrachium is that they do not know where to source out the fry that they will stock in their farms.

He said NIFTDC, a research facility of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City, is now producing macrobrachium fry at its nursery.

"We are now the biggest producer of "kising-kising" fry all over the Philippines," according to Rosario, saying any fish farmer who want to raise this can only visit their office.

Barangays can request for fry from NIFTDC to be stocked in communal rivers to make "kising-kising" available to all fishermen.

He said "kising-kising" is an expensive delicacy in Thailand and when one goes to a restaurant for lunch, live macrobrachium is taken from aquariums to be cooked the way a customer wants it.

DENR: Harvesting of bamboo shoots allowed

(PNA), JBP/LVM/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, July 21 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will not stop people from harvesting bamboo shoots because since it is a seasonal livelihood and source of food for them.

However, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Leduina Co is asking local government units (LGUs) to regulate the harvesting of bamboo shoots locally known as "labong" (rabong to the Ilocanos) in order not to deplete the supply of mature bamboos in their respective localities.

Noting that bamboo shoots are now a delicacy in the provinces particularly in the north, Co said the people can harvest bamboo shoots provided they leave some to mature into a full-grown bamboos.

She said even China has not stopped the harvesting of bamboo shoots and in fact is importing canned bamboo shoots to other countries, including the Philippines.

In the Philippines, the province of Pangasinan, particularly San Carlos City, remains as the biggest producer of bamboo throughout the country.

The province's bamboos are providing the materials needed for house construction, furniture and other important finished products.

San Carlos City, which celebrates its Mango and Bamboo Festival yearly, is making miniature bamboo houses for sale in other parts of the country and abroad.

Co admitted that because of the multiple uses of bamboos, they have added bamboo as among the trees to be planted under the National Greening Program (NGP) which started in 2011 and ends in 2016.

PENRO said this will ensure sufficient supply of bamboos needed by the construction and furniture industries in Pangasinan in the future.

In many occasions, bamboo seedlings were also planted in river banks in order to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

She revealed that a big company in Manila is intending to sign a memorandum of agreement with PENRO for the establishment of bamboo plantations in some mountain lands in Pangasinan.

The company will turn the harvested matured bamboos into engineered bamboos to be sold in the local market and abroad.


Cops nab 3 suspected drug pushers Pangasinan

(LBG, GMA News)

At least three siblings linked to the drug trade in Pangasinan province were arrested in a sting operation in Mangaldan town Friday afternoon.

Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents arrested the three in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Guilig, state-run Philippines News Agency reported on Saturday.

The three included Jojo De Guzman, 22; John De Guzman, 23; and Jeannie De Guzman, 25.

Jeannie yielded a marked P1,000 bill, a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), her savings passbook and Philippine passport.

Seized from Jojo were sachets with suspected shabu residue. John yielded 17 plastic sachets with residue of suspected shabu.

All are in the local watch list of suspected drug personalities and were caught selling illegal drugs to a PDEA undercover agent.

The three were charged for violating the comprehensive anti-drug law.

Pangasinan recognized for credit system from pooled funds

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

DAGUPAN CITY, JULY 19 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has recognized Pangasinan as most outstanding local government for an effective credit system created from pooling funds.

Known as the credit surety fund (CSF), the program enabled household heads to loan out funds and put up livelihood that brought home income for their families.

Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan said the CSF is a credit enhancement scheme created by the pooling of cash contributions from participating cooperatives, local government units and partner institutions. The system was established in August 2008.

The fund will serve as surety for loans extended by banks to micro, small, and medium enterprises participating in the CSF program instead of putting up hard collaterals.

The scheme seeks to improve the bankability of cooperatives and businessmen short on capital who are often confronted with difficulty in obtaining loan accommodations due to lack of collateral, credit knowledge and credit track record.

Under the CSF program, credit facilities may now be accessed even in the absence of hard collaterals through the issuance of a surety cover by the CSF in favor of the lending bank.

The BSP conferred the award to Pangasinan and its other institutional partners all over the country that have provided exemplary support to its various statistical initiatives, information requirements and advocacy programs last July 16 at the BSP Assembly Hall, BSP Complex, Manila.

Amado Tetangco, Jr., chairman of the monetary board and BSP governor, led bank officials in honoring this year’s awardees.

Persons with disabilities to compete in volleyball, chess tilts

By Lilia Micua [(PNA), HBC/LVM/LMM/1630/RMA]

ROSALES, Pangasinan, July 18 (PNA)-- Witness how visually impaired and totally blind athletes play volleyball and chess usually played by players with normal vision.

This will be seen when the provincial government supports the staging of a volleyball and chess for the blind at SM Rosales here July 19, seeking to provide full participation of and equal opportunities to persons with disabilities.

The event is part of the 2013 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, facilitated by the Federation of Persons with Disabilities of Pangasinan under the supervision of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

According to Area I Vocational and Rehabilitation Center secretariat, the athletes will be blindfolded to ensure fair play during the game as a person with visual impairment has low vision while a totally blind has completely lost his/her sight.

Other PWDs will also compete in literary and musical contest.

This year’s celebration banners the theme, “Building an inclusive and non-handicapping environment for persons with disabilities,’ with the sub-theme, “Patatagin ang karapatan sa katarungan ng mga taong may kapansanan.”

Reinventing Pangasinan’s metal craft

(MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

POZORRUBIO, Pangasinan, July 17 (PIA) -- The need for more functional and decorative metal crafts have prompted government skills trainors to incorporate new techniques for Pangasinan’s metal craft industry.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) partnered for a two-day training on metal acid etching to help blacksmiths in Pozzorubio re-invent their product line.

The town’s artisans have been producing a variety of metal products from swords, knives and bolos for years.

Science Research Specialist Immanuel Quiban said the training was part of DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) that encourages and assists small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt technology innovations to improve their operations and expand the reach of their businesses.

Engr. Wilfredo Lim and Felix Banawa, of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), introduced how metal acid etching lets the manufacturer put his creativity and ingenuity in creating products.

Lim explained the important principles in metal acid etching such as knowing the material, knowing the solution to be used, and the processing time.

“The rest are based purely on the artistic taste of the artisan,” said Lim.

He also emphasized the importance of observing occupational safety, saying that harmful chemicals and substances are used in the processing of metals.

“Appropriate and safe handling should be practiced,” Lim said.

He then provided the participants some helpful tips and techniques in handling harmful substances.

He also included antiquing and electroplating in his presentation as this technical know-how will help metal workers vary their products using an appropriate machine, the rectifier.

“The training provided to Pozorrubio artisans will help the town to transform its metal craft industry into a better one,” said Quiban.

Nat'l Disaster Consciousness Month highlighting preparedness opens in Pangasinan

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 16 (PNA)--Pangasinan, considered as a high risk and disaster-prone province, on Monday opened the National Disaster Consciousness Month with strong emphasis to proactive preparedness measures and to further improve its disaster risk management reduction program.

Office of Civil Defense Regional Council (OCDRC) regional director and Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) chairperson Melchito Castro commended the provincial government’s proactive disaster and risk reduction program even as he noted Pangasinan “is the most susceptible to natural disasters” among all the provinces in the region.

In line with the event’s theme, “Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan (Safe town, progressive community),” he cited that “Pangasinan is very much ready and assured of safety with the capability of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) under the stewardship of the governor."

Castro then urged every Pangasinense to be informed regarding the risk reduction measures and uphold "bayanihan" (cooperative) spirit particularly in times of crisis.

Meanwhile, Governor Amado Espino Jr. said the province through the PDRRMC and all other member agencies and offices has the capability to respond to any disaster.

The governor assured the province has funds to purchase more equipment such amphibious vehicles that are being lent to different towns in Pangasinan.

On that same day, the PDRRMC along with its member agencies and offices held a coordinating conference at the conference hall of the PDRRMC Office at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC).

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr., who represented the governor in the conference, remarked: “We have this conference every year..for us to prepare what will happen.We have to continue the good practices."

The PDRRMC member agencies and offices are as follows: Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, Phil. Red Cross, PAGASA, Dept. of Interior Local Government, Dept. of Education, Dept. of Public Works and Highways, Dept. of Health, Dept. of Trade and Industry, Land Transportation, National Power Corporation, National Food Authority, Phil. Army, Phil. Navy, Phil. Air Force, Agno Flood Control System, Agno River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, Phil. Maritime Group, DELTACOM, Phil. Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection among others.

Complementing the human resources of the PDRRMC are lifesaving equipment like 26 rubber boats, 67 patrol cars, three trucks, 156 life vests, 12 rubberized floating devices, and 42 yard ropes.

Pangasinan’s river system also ripe for oyster-growing

By Cristina Arzadon (MCA/VHS/PIA-Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, July 15 (PIA) -- There is more to Pangasinan’s river waters than growing bangus (milkfish).

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has recommended oyster-growing as alternative to the overly-saturated bangus-growing in Pangasinan’s river system.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries and Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) under BFAR, said oyster (talaba) growing is environment- friendly, does not require a big capital and is easy to grow as it needs little supervision.

“In a tropical country like ours, it only needs a while to grow oysters,” Rosario said during the KBP Forum held at the Philippine Information Agency Office on Thursday.

Rosario said there is a market for oysters but noted the problem lies in production as there is no one selling oysters in big volumes.

Osyter growers, however, have to be on guard against the diarrhea-causing e-coli bacteria which thrives on oysters.

Rosario said to prevent bacteria, fisher folks need to transfer oysters in a clean net connected to bamboos.

“In ten days, the bacteria will disappear. The problem is, no one adopts this scheme,” he said.

Rosario suggested that a policy be enacted to prohibit the sale of oysters that did not undergo the net-bamboo process.

Over-extraction also poses a threat to oyster production, he said.

Oysters, which have not yet reached maturity are immediately harvested leaving no room for growth and cycle.

Rosario said resorting to non-traditional ways of oyster-culture will eliminate bacteria and help the river system recover while providing additional income to fishermen.

Pangasinan to mark disaster preparedness consciousness month

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LMMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 14 (PNA)-- Governor Amado Espino Jr. will lead the kick-off ceremony on the celebration of the Disaster Preparedness Consciousness Month on Monday at the capitol plaza here.

The kick-off ceremony, coinciding with the Monday flag-raising ceremony, will be graced by Director Melchito Castro of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional office.

Modern life-saving gadgets in times of disasters from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) will be on display.

The activity will be held on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the July 16, 1990 killer earthquake which devastated Pangasinan, especially Dagupan City.

De Venecia: Welfare of farmers and fisherfolk top of my agenda

By Leonardo Micua [(PNA), HBC/LVM/0935/RMA]

DAGUPAN CITY, July 13 (PNA) -- Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Gina de Venecia disclosed here the interest of the country’s farmers and fisherfolk will be her top priority in the 16th Congress which opens July 22 with the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III.

"This is because they (farmers and fisherfolk) represent more than 70 percent of our workforce and they’re the country’s main food producers, yet they remain among the lowest earners in the country," the lady solon from Dagupan said.

This is the main reason why she is advocating the passage of an act that aims at strengthening the crop insurance system to improve the present one in effect today. .

“There is a need to have an improved policy support for our farmers and fisherfolk”, she said, citing a stable insurance system should be in place to ensure various produce such as palay, corn, high-value commercial crops, livestock, aquaculture and fishery products, agro-forestry crops and even forest plantations against losses arising from natural calamities and fortuitous events.

This is particularly beneficial to Pangasinan, which is acknowledged as a major fish supplier in Luzon, but oftentimes plagued by natural disasters, De Venecia added..

House Bill 6883, which De Venecia has co-authored with Rep. Walden Bello, was already approved by the Lower House in the 15th Congress.

It seeks the establishment of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, under the Dept. of Agriculture to ensure that the farmers and fisherfolk will be safeguarded against financial losses due to typhoons, floods, droughts, earthquake, volcanic eruption as well as plant and fish diseases and pest, rodent, vermin and insect infestations.

Corollary to this, De Venecia also allotted a sizable portion of her countrywide development fund to benefit her numerous agricultural programs in the 4th District.

Two months ago, she has distributed 4,000 sacks of certified palay seeds to the farmers of San Fabian and San Jacinto.

Recently, she has also given out some 125 motorized irrigation pumps to the farmer representatives of San Fabian, Manaoag, Mangaldan and San Jacinto.

In the meantime, her other pet bill that seeks the establishment of a modern fish port in Dagupan has already been approved by by both houses of Congress.

Pangasinan to disperse 140,000 tilapia fingerlings

(PNA), FFC/LVM/LMM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 12 (PNA) -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) is set to disperse a total of 140,000 tilapia fingerlings in the communal bodies of water in the towns of Aguilar, Umingan, Pozorubio and Bugallon on July 18, 19 and 26, respectively.

Dalisay Moya, OPAg officer-in-charge (OIC), said that of the whole dispersal load, 30,000 fingerlings from the Provincial Freshwater Fish Hatchery in Sta. Barbara will be released in nine different sites in Aguilar.

The local government unit (LGU) of Umingan, on the other hand, will receive a total of 40,000 fingerlings from the San Quintin Provincial Freshwater Fish Hatchery to be dispersed in seven sites.

Meanwhile, the Pozorrubio LGU is set to receive 30,000 fingerlings to be dispersed in four selected areas.

In seven areas, specifically rivers and creeks in Bugallon, 40,000 fingerlings sourced from the Lingayen Provincial Freshwater Hatchery and Sta. Barbara hatchery will be dispersed.

Moya said that the dispersal project is a regular activity of the province that forms part of the agricultural thrust of Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. geared towards increasing tilapia stocks in the riverine areas of the province with an estimated area of about 9,000 hectares that directly benefit marginal fishermen.

Based on OPAg’s data, the provincial government had already dispersed more than four million fingerlings since Espino assumed the governorship.

Pangasinan PNP to implement Performance Governance System

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 11 (PNA) -- In order to assure that its officers and men are giving their optimum performance as public servants, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pangasinan office will soon implement a province-wide individual performance program dubbed as Performance Governance System (PGS).

"The idea is there. But we are on the process of ironing it out," said Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO) Public Information Officer Ryan Manongdo on July 11.

The main element of PHS is a scorecard which would bear the officers' target to accomplish for the day or for the week, said Manongdo. The target includes very specific and logical tasks that if not done would necessitate the personnel to do double-time efforts the next time, he added.

The performance program would eventually lead to a performance evaluation rating that will determine the amount of bonus each officer gets as well who will be prioritized for promotions and schooling.

The evaluation may also be a basis or reference for the filing of administrative cases to those who did not perform their responsibilities.

"We are expecting the stations to comply with the system," said Manongdo.

Meanwhile, when sought his opinion regarding the recent Global Corruption Barometer of the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International claiming that the PNP is the most corrupt institution in the country, Manongdo remarked, "That is their opinion. Bu to us, we consider it as a challenge and as a guide to ensure that we will further improve our service".

He also noted, "PNP has the most visible public service officials in the field."


Pangasinan hosts ALS National Confab

(PNA), HBC/LVM/LMM/1830/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 10 (PNA)-- Some 500 Alternative Learning System chiefs, assistant chiefs and implementers nationwide are holding a three-day annual consultative assembly at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center here.

Carolina Guerrerro, director of the Bureau of Alternative Learning System Division of the Dept. of Education, said the conference, which began Tuesday, brought together the regional and national chiefs from the 17 regions in the country including ARMM.

They are discussing in the assembly the ALS programs and projects, latest issue about the K to 12 and the rationalization plan and modernization and upgrading of the literacy program for all of the Dept. of Education.

Pangasinan's Dasol Bay eyed as new aquaculture park

By Leonardo Micua [(PNA), HBC/LVM/1500/RMA]

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 9 (PNA)-- Under a new program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Dasol Bay in southwestern Pangasinan closed to the Zambales border is being eyed to be developed into an aquaculture park.

Director Nestor Domenden of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 1 said Dasol Bay is still largely untapped for aquaculture production but it can developed for the massive production of milkfish, tilapia and other aquaculture species.

Domenden spoke Monday before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where he outlined the new Fisheries Industry Enhancement Program which seeks to make the country fish-sufficient in a few years.

He stressed the need to expand the traditional fish production areas in Pangasinan in order to produce more fish that can supply the needs of the local markets and export and jobs to idle coastal families.

To date, there are about 15,000 hectares of fishponds being tilled in fresh water and brackish water in Pangasinan with an additional 2,000 more hectares to be added if FIEP is implemented soon.

Under the program which will make available modern methods in raising fish to fish farmers, the LGUs will be asked to provide their support, said Domenden.

Hearing Domenden's explanation, the SP approved a resolution sponsored by Fifth District Board Member Danilo Uy authorizing Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with BFAR for the implementation of FIEP in the province.

Domenden said the FIEP will not only address the needs of the aquaculture sector, whose combined production in milkfish alone already made Pangasinan as the top all over the country but also the offshore fishing sector.

"In this program, we would like to bring our fishing folks closer to the fishing grounds so that they will produce more protein food in the dining tables, increase their incomes and provide employment," Domenden said.

If FIEP is fully maximized, Domenden is confident that there will be additional 1.5 million metric tons of milkfish and tilapia to be harvested annually consequently employing 60 families.

Noting that the markets and ports for fishes are still outmoded, not designed to meet hygienic and sanitary standards, Domenden said the FEIP "will compel us to put our efforts together to improve our competitiveness not only in the local market but also for export".

Pangasinan to receive national award from BSP

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 8 (PNAA) -- Pangasinan is set to receive another national award, this time as the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in the implementation of the Credit Support Fund (CRF).

Governor Amado Espino Jr., together with the other provincial officials will receive the award to be conferred by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on July 16 at the BSP Assembly Hall in Manila.

Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan announced the award during the flag-raising ceremony held today, July 8 at the Capitol Plaza.

He said that "the ultimate measure of success in all our undertakings is we are able to translate the provincial vision of Pangasinan as a best place to invest, work, live and raise a family at the household level".

He said “for every household in Pangasinan, every household head is able to support his family” which is the intention of the CRF.

Furthermore, Baraan noted that the "CRF aims to enable our household heads to have a viable livelihood activity to support their families".

Baraan said as Gov. Espino said in his inaugural address, Pangasinan has slowly, but steadily moved forward from being a non-entity to become “a consistent top performer in local governance” not to mention the various top awards Pangasinan has to its distinction.

The BSP Governor and Chairman of the Monetary Board Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. will lead the awarding of trophies to the awardees with the Chairman of the Board of Judges, Armando L. Suratos.

Meanwhile, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said that the 2013 awards ceremony for BSP Stakeholders is held annually in recognition of institutions that have extended exemplary support to the BSP’s statistical undertakings, information needs and advocacy programs.

DSWD releases P6.9M for supplemental feeding of 40,000 tots in Pangasinan

(PNA), JBP/LVM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 7 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allocated P6.9 million to the province of Pangasinan to fund the supplementary feeding program of children enrolled in day care centers in 48 towns and cities of Pangasinan this school year.

Iryn de los Reyes Cubangbang, information officer of DSWD in Region 1, said this is only the second year that DSWD is giving funding in support of the feeding program for day care pupil kids through local government units (LGUs).

The amount was based on the number of children enrolled in day care centers this school year of 2013-2014, which is more than 40,000.

The program aims to provide one hot meal a day for 120 days on regular days to each of the day care center pupils. This consists of rice, viand and soup costing P13 daily for each enrolled child.

The DSWD turned over this year's funding to each LGU in Pangasinan last week.

Cubangbang said only LGUs that have liquidated 100 percent of the funds given them last year were given their funding for this school year's supplementary feeding program for day care centers.

Records showed Dagupan led LGUs in Pangasinan that have not liquidated last year's funding. The others are Lingayen, Binmaley, San Fabian and Binalonan.

Under the implementing rules and regulation for this program, the parents of day care pupils will be the ones to budget, procure, cook and serve the hot meals to their enrolled toddlers, in coordination with day care workers.

Cubangbang said before the feeding program, the children were weighed and measured to ferret out severely malnourished and moderately malnourished who are the priority targets of the feeding program. They will be weighed and measured again after the 120-day feeding.

She said the result of last school year's feeding showed most of the beneficiaries gained weight and height as shown by the fact that the severely malnourished improved to moderately malnourished status while the moderately malnourished already gained their normal weight and height in accordance with their ages.

The 120-feeding program was initiated by DSWD in partnership with the LGUs in support of the country's medium development goal to eradicate poverty and hunger among children.

OceanaGold joins coastal cleanup drive in Pangasinan

(Manila Standard Today)

OceanaGold Philippines Inc. joined a massive coastal cleanup program dubbed the “Scubasurero,” or the Basurero Program, in Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Employee volunteers from OceanaGold’s asset protection department joined the actual coastal and underwater cleanup together with the local government units, professional association of diving instructors and residents of the province.

The program aims to collect garbage in Hundred Islands and help preserve the corals where fishes lay their eggs and thrive.

A lecture on proper scuba diving, environmental mitigation, effects of blast fishing and cyanide in bodies of water was also presented.

Expanding its corporate responsibility programs, OceanaGold pledged to help rescue and renew the country’s coastal and marine ecosystems. This is the first in a series of cleanup drives to be attended by the company as part of its corporate social responsibility-environmental program.

Chito Gozar, OceanaGold senior vice president for communications and external affairs, said the company contributes to the National Greening Program, is an active supporter of the Worldwide Fund for Nature’s “I Will If You Will” campaign, a challenge to save Mother Earth, and implements reforestation program such as “Adopt A Mountain,” “Adopt A Mining Forest,” among others.

“The company is a climate champion and thus it continuously advances and innovates our environmental plan throughout the operations,” Gozar added.

Pangasinan leaders begin new direction

By Venus H. Sarmiento (MCA/VHS-PIA1 Pangasinan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, July 5 (PIA) -- Reelected Governor Amado Espino outlined the programs that will be given attention on his third and final term namely: peace and order, basic household needs, environment and traffic management.

After being sworn into office, the governor immediately called on fellow public servants to contribute in addressing community-based problems such as lack of potable water, sanitary toilets, and decent shelter, widespread malnutrition, environmental sanitation such as lack of or ill-maintained drainage canals and improper solid waste disposal, traffic management, the maintenance of order, decency, and cleanliness in all government centers and offices and other public places.

Espino was sworn into office by Executive Judge Teodoro Fernandez of the Regional Trial Court in Lingayen along with Vice-Governor Ferdinand Calimlim and the 12 members of the 8th Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

In his inaugural speech, Espino said the moment did not come easy as his triumph meant he had to endure and survive psychological pressure, mental agony and many other forms of political harassment.

But he said he was immensely relieved to discover that during his most difficult and trying period, his supporters never left him alone.

“I cannot thank you enough for taking that bold and defiant stand against seemingly formidable forces, in defense of the welfare and the best interests of our province and people,” Espino said.

The governor continued to outline the achievements that his administration had accomplished in the past two terms.

Some of which were the recognitions given to Pangasinan including six Regional Hall of Fame Awards in major areas of local governance and bagging the championship in the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi, the mother of all local governance awards.

“Pangasinan is now the undisputed best performing province in Region I and the fourth best performing province in the country,” he said.

He said the latest feat achieved by Pangasinan is the impressive decline in poverty incidence in the province by 9.5 percent for the last six years which mirrors the government’s efforts to reduce poverty and provide a better life for Pangasinenses. It dropped from 26.5 percent in 2006 to 17 percent in 2012 based on the report of the National Statistical Coordination Board, he said.

Espino went on to say that Pangasinan still has so many untapped potentials and resources that can be put to sustainable and productive use like the large tracts of idle lands, vast mountains and forest areas.

Natural resorts, wide bodies of inland and coastal waters, all with a combined variety of appropriate and potential uses.

The governor also urged other line agencies to do their share to enable the province to provide sound policy direction, and strategic support programs to further the cause of development for Pangasinan.

Espino won by landslide in the May 2013 elections with a margin of more than half a million votes over his closest opponent.

Dagupan adopts schedule to sell tasty Bonuan bangus

(PNA), HBC/LVM/1815/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, July 4 (PNA)-- The city government will set four days a week for the tasty Bonuan bangus to be sold in the Dagupan Fish Market and three days to sell mixed products or those originating from the city, Binmaley and other milkfish producing areas of Western Pangasinan

This was agreed upon in a meeting Wednesday by Mayor Belen Fernandez attended by members of the consignacion or wholesalers and fishpond owners in a bid to protect the Bonuan bangus and maintain the price of the commodity.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center who hailed the move of Fernandez to protect the home-grown bangus which definitely command higher prices than those produced in other areas of Pangasinan and the entire country.

Fernandez said that this way, milkfish from Bulacan, Laguna and Batangas will be eventually banned in the Dagupan Fish Market.

"What is funny is that, producers from Bulacan, Laguna and Batangas still bring their products to Dagupan and on the same day bring back their products to Manila just to make it appear that what they are selling are Bonuan bangus and thus sell them at higher price," said Fernandez.

She said that under her watch, this deception will be stopped.

Noting that the price of milkfish nowadays has nosedived to P85 per kilo from P115 per kilo in May in the Dagupan Fish Market, Fernandez believes the tasty Bonuan bangus need to be priced higher than other milkfish produced in Binmaley, Western Pangasinan and other parts of the country.

The Bonuan bangus tastes better because it feeds on "lablab" which grows in fishpond beds which the fish dives when it eats, banging its head and after which its lower tail swaggers on the "lablab

Dr. Rosario said this is the reason why the Bonuan bangus has short, curt head; its lower tail shorter than the upper tail; and its stomach somewhat big.

At the same time, Fernandez was amazed to find out that the local consignacion members were following the pricing on milkfish in the Navotas Fish Market, which is too low, despite the fact that the Bonuan bangus is more superior in quality as compared to other milkfish produced in other parts of Pangasinan and other parts of the country.

But the problem is, Dagupan can only unload to the market from three to five tons of bangus daily, coming from 948 hectares of fishponds in the city.

More milkfish are being produced daily in western Pangasinan and in Binmaley which has 2,000 hectares of fishponds.

All these are being shipped daily to Dagupan and also direct to Manila.

De Venecia seeks one-stop-shop for indigents seeking hospitalization

(PNA), HBC/LVM/1210/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, July 3 (PNA)-- Rep. Gina de Venecia has called on members of the Pangasinan Medical Society to help her prepare the proper mechanism for one-stop-shop at Region 1 Medical Center that will largely benefit the indigents.

De Venecia made the call when she was the guest of honor and speaker during the 87th induction program at CSI Stadia of the PMS headed by Dr. Betha Fe Manaois-Castillo.

She said in view of the slated expansion of R1MC to 1,500 beds, the biggest north of Manila, it is just proper that a one-stop-shop is created to assist indigents who will seek hospitalization and do not have any money to pay.

De Venecia was informed often that indigents are shying away from R1MC because even if it is a government, it is charging its patients, including indigents, any way.

If the one-stop-shop is in place, it will be the one to assist indigents on where they get help once they are confined and given medical services.

Often, indigents do not know where to go in case their loved ones or kin is hospitalized and accumulated bills.

This will make less stressful on the part of indigents and avoid the inconvenience of having to be held or detained in the hospital till his or her kin finds some money to pay for the hospital bills.

She proposed the creation of one-stop-shop not only at R1MC but in all health care facilities in Dagupan and Pangasinan despite being informed that indigents need not pay from their own money when confined in hospitals, government or private.

The one-stop-shop will function as a social welfare office inside the hospital where all the things that the indigents need for his or her hospitalization can be obtained with less inconvenience.

In this manner, the indigent will not think twice on going to the hospital to seek medication and in the same vein, no person would be detained in the hospital if she does not have money to pay for his or her hospital bill once discharged. De Venecia is only one of the congressmen of Pangasinan who deposited with R1MC part of her Priority Development Assistance Funds for the hospitalization of indigent constituents.

Aside from seeking the expansion and modernization of R1MC, De Venecia filed several pet bills in support of public health.

These include House Bill No. 4446 which is an act seeking to provide Youth Suicide Intervention And Prevention.

Another is House Bill No:4447 which is an act providing for the establishment of Centers For Children With Autism And Those With Hearing And Speech Impairment.

On the other hand, House Bill 5368 or the “National Cancer Institute Act” which seeks the promotion of comprehensive cancer research dissemination and utilization.

Pozorrubio blacksmiths sharpen skills on metal craft industry

(PNA), HBC/LVM/1210/RMA

POZORRUBIO, Pangasinan, July 2 (PIA) – Even blacksmiths need to sharpen their skills to boost their homegrown metal craft industry.

This town’s blacksmiths underwent training on metal treatment technology to enhance their skills on sword-making, a craft that has shaped the town’s metal industry.

The training on heat treatment of steel held recently at Neneng’s Cutlery in barangay Palacpac was attended by 19 participants working with cutlery and metal craft shops in the area.

“The training aims to upgrade the skills of sword makers in Pozorrubio,” said Science Research Specialist Immanuel Quiban.

Engr. Edilbert Dela Peña and Alfredo Anchorez of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) shared new and various techniques on metal craft production.

The MIRDC, an agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is the sole government entity directly supporting the metals and engineering industry with services designed to enhance its competitive advantage.

“With the proper heat treatment, metals change their physical, mechanical and micro structure properties which in turn can create different products and improve the quality of the existing product lines,” said Dela Peña.

The process of heat treatment involves heating of the metal to pre-determined heat treating temperature, soaking of that metal at that temperature, and cooling of the metal at a pre-determined rate, Dela Peña added.

He stressed the importance of selecting the right material for the job, saying that different materials require different treating temperatures and techniques.

Dela Peña explained that there is a difference between metal hardness and toughness.

“Toughness is always a better indicator,” he said.

The training on heat treatment of steel is part of the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) which seeks to encourage and assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt technology innovations to improve their operations and expand the reach of their businesses.

Medical activities set in Pangasinan

By Venus H. Sarmiento (PIA1-Pangasinan with reports from PIO)

DAGUPAN CITY, July 1 (PIA) -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Provincial Human Resource Development and Management Office (PHRMDO) conducted a series of medical assistance in different sites in Pangasinan.

Mobile blood donation drives were held at the Pangasinan Hospital in Bolingit, San Carlos City and in Bayambang separately to stock up on blood supply in province-owned hospitals. The blood supply is intended primarily for dengue patients and mothers with postpartum hemorrhage (loss of blood following maternal delivery).

The PHO, in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, covered some 400 blood donors. The activity was in time for the birthday celebration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. last June 20.

Meanwhile, a Healthy Habit Day check up for provincial capitol employees was conducted at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen town last June 26.

Health services and physical check-ups offered included pneumococcal vaccines, blood sugar and cholesterol determination, blood pressure checking, massage and reflexology and sauna.

Pneumococcal vaccination, a shot to prevent major causes of pneumonia was only made available to employees 50 years old and older.

They were advised to register at the PHRMDO on a first come, first served basis.

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