Pangasinan News June 2014

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

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

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

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Pangasinan State University, Asingan Campus
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Church in Aguilar Pangasinan

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Pangasinan congratulates INC on upcoming 100th anniversary

(PNA), LAM/LVM/PR/LVM

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 30 (PNA) -- The provincial government through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has expressed best wishes and congratulations to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) headed by Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo on the occasion of its 100th founding anniversary on July 27.

In a resolution approved during its regular session on Monday, the provincial board conveyed its deep admiration to the religious sect which continues to lead spiritual upliftment of its members.

The SP noted that the INC, throughout the years, has greatly supported the province of Pangasinan as well as its various municipalities and cities through the extensive civic-oriented activities and other meaningful socio-economic projects .

The resolution stated that after 100 years of existence, the INC founded in 1914 by the late Executive Minister Felix Y. Manalo at Barrio Tipas in Taguig, Rizal has become one of the fastest growing churches in the world.

The SP said INC has yielded remarkable achievements like the establishment of magnificent worship buildings, the latest of which is the monumental Philippine Arena in Bulacan built in time for the centennial anniversary.

It has also attained significant accomplishments and worthwhile programs that have helped and benefited a great number of people, INC members as well as non-members of the religious organization, the SP said.

Among these accomplishments in recent years include Guinness World records such as: 8,026 blood pressure reading, 4,128 dental health check patients, 5,217 blood glucose level tests all three activities accomplished in eight hours, largest charity walk in a single venue with 175,000 participants and largest charity walk in 24-hour walk in multiple venue with 519,521 participants.

Galvan Market renovation up

(BALON DAGUPAN NEWS)

DAGUPAN CITY—The planned renovation of the Galvan Market is now all set for implementation following the groundbreaking rites last June 27.

Explaining the importance of the project, Mayor Belen Fernandez stressed the need to have a safe, clean, presentable, well-organized and customer-friendly public market to attract more buyers and boost the sales of vendors and stallholders.

She said a brand new Galvan market will not only benefit the vendors but the economy of the whole city.

Larry Maningding, a coconut vendor, said that after 20 years selling at Galvan Market, that no major renovation had ever taken place and is glad that it will happen shortly under the administration of Mayor Fernandez.

“There were no changes that happened for the last 20 years as the only change was the tax because every year the fee increases”, Maningding said.

The mayor assured the vendors that there will be no increase in market fees to cover the repair and renovation of the Galvan market.

City Engineer Virginia Rosario said the renovation of the Galvan Market will be divided into four phases to minimize inconvenience to the vendors and customers.

City Market Administrator Aguedo Sta. Maria said that for the meantime, affected vendors will be relocated to the Malimgas Market.

“We have already prepared the relocation areas for all affected vendors and this will be good for 15 days”. Sta. Maria warned the vendors not to sell at the sidewalks.

Parts of the renovation of Galvan market include the elevation of the ground floor level due to constant flooding in the area, fixing of the electrical wiring, improving the drainage system and repainting of the stalls.

Pangasinan fetes latest pride

(MST News)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Another Pangasinense has put the province and the country again in the global map of chess.

Ten-year-old Dennis Gutierrez III topped the 20th annual New York State Open Blitz Chess Championship held in Tiki Resort, Lake George, New York on May 18-20, 2014.

The provincial board issued last June 23 resolution 619-2014 commending his feat.

“Gutierrez has once again brought national and international honor for Pangasinan and that our flag was again raised in a foreign land,” said the resolution authored by SP member Liberato Villegas.

“To be a champion in a world class competition like this needs a lot of sacrifice, determination, preparation, and hard work that acknowledgment is deemed necessary to encourage others in engaging in a similar activity.”

A grade 5 pupil from San Fabian, Gutierrez comes from a family of chess players who have topped national cahmpionsips as well.

Last April, 20-year-old Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem earned his international master (IM) title, 57 years after the late Rodolfo Cardoso of Alaminos City made a history for being the first Pangasinense IM.

Pangasinan promotes healthy lifestyle for school kids

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 27 (PIA) – The Lingayen public health team will start promoting a healthy lifestyle among grade school children to mark the National Nutrition Month in July.

Dubbed as “Pangasinan Go 4 for a Better Health,” the program promotes the well-being of school children, day care pupils, teachers and parents through health information campaigns as a proactive measure in the prevention of common diseases.

Franklin Sable, chief of the Lingayen district hospital, said 7,000 school children are expected to benefit from the various health activities to be held in public schools in the towns of Bugallon, Labrador, Mangatarem, Lingayen and Aguilar.

Sable said activities include the conduct of awareness campaign focused on nutrition, oral health care, safety in the school, sanitation and healthy lifestyle.

He said the program is an adaptation of the Pilipinas Go4Health program of the Department of Health.

It is also in line with the provincial government’s advocacy to make Pangasinan the home of healthiest Filipinos.

The four Gos for a better health of Pangasinenses are as follows:

Go for Nutrition seeks to inform and teach children on good and balanced diet, intake of nutritious food such as green leafy vegetables, protein rich foods, carbohydrates, vitamins, milk and dairy products, fruits and root crops, lessen intake of carbonated drinks and junk foods and the use of iodized salt.

Go for Oral Health Care that aims to promote good oral health as a manifestation of a well-being of an individual. This includes the promotion of daily tooth brushing with fluoride, mouth rinsing with fluoride, use of dental floss, avoidance of caramelized sweets, regular dental check-ups, dental sealants and dental filling for a carious tooth.

Go for Clean Sanitation and Good Environment seeks to increase awareness on the benefits of a clean environment which enhances a positive mindset and productivity in school children. This includes clean restrooms, inculcation of organic composting and gardening, massive clean-up drive in schools to prevent dengue, proper waste disposal and planting of trees as part of environmental protection activities.

Go for Healthy Habits include daily exercise, drinking a lot of clean water, positive attitude and mindset, good study habit, daily walking, the inculcation of good moral values, maintenance of good personal hygiene, eating balanced diet and organic food, and time management.

The Pangasinan Go 4 for a Better Health team will visit the following schools on the following dates: June 26 - Umanday Central Elementary School in Bugallon; July 3 - Buenlag Elementary School in Bugallon; July 9 - Tobuan Elementary School in Labrador; July 16 - Mangatarem Central Elementary School in Mangatarem; July 22 - Matalava Elementary School in Lingayen; July 29 - Baay Elementary School in Lingayen; and August 6 - Bocacliw Elementary School in Aguilar.

Pangasinan police gear for E-Learning skills test

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN – The Pangasinan’s police provincial office (PPO) not only tries to give the best protection for the citizenry but equips its personnel with computer skills as part of the requirements of the Philippines National Police’s Integrated Transformation Program – Performance Governance System ( ITP-PGS).

Police Senior Inspector Velmar Gonzales said Provincial Police Director Senior Superintendent Raymond Sterling Blanco sees to it that all policemen in the four cities and 44 towns in Pangasinan are attuned to the nuances of electronic communication. “Three from Class A municipalities and four from Class B would be sent to the training,” he said. He said those policemen would undertake an array of online examinations until they pass them so they can be ready for the electronic-learning test to be conducted anytime from now in the national headquarters in Quezon City.

Gonzales said the review conducted by PPO to policemen all over the province will enable them to pass the final exams. He said those who failed the test at the PPO will be asked to re-take it until they master the nuances and pass the examination. Blanco said the PPO passed on March 4 the tough initiation stage of the ITG-PGS at Camp Crame. ITP-PGS 2030 is the governance road map of the PNP which is an upgraded version of the ITP. The PGS is the Philippine adaptation of the Balanced Scorecard, a management tool used in tracking the organization’s progress in attaining its vision by 2030. The test for police offices all over the country has four stages namely the Initiation Stage, Compliance Stage, Proficiency Stage and Institutionalization Stage.

ITP-PGS is where six government agencies that include the PNP are scored by selected evaluators on good governance through the Balance Score Card (BSC) system as required by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) – a United State assistance funding body.

Hidden gems abound in E. Pangasinan

By Yolanda Sotelo (Inquirer Northern Luzon)

BALUNGAO, Pangasinan—An extinct volcano has become a major tourist attraction in this eastern Pangasinan town, revealing nature’s hidden treasures to visitors seeking a weekend breather.

The secrets that lurk under the thick tree cover of Mount Balungao, 184 kilometers north of Metro Manila, are now for all to see. The volcano is visible from the Manila North Road (MacArthur Highway) in Rosales town.

Up close, visitors are treated to a welcome attraction: A natural health spa of hot and cold springs built on the slopes of the 382-meter (1,253 feet) volcano, about 3 km from the town center.

Several pools of hot and cold spring water were built by the local government, which has seen its tourism potential, developing the area into Balungao Hot and Cold Spring Resort.

Another come-on is Balungao Hilltop Adventure that features zip lines spanning 1.4 km and 600 m. The 1.4-km zip line, which is 200 m high, starts from one hill and drops into where the 600-m zip line starts. The shorter zip line ends up in the resort’s pool area.

The 600-m zip line was opened in September 2011 while the longer one was introduced to visitors on May 20 this year, just as summer was ending.

The exhilarating ride above the treetops offers a view of the town’s verdant fields and mountains.

All-terrain vehicles (ATV) can be rented if one wishes to explore the mountainside. Guides are also available for tourists who want to hike around Mt. Balungao.

Entrance fee

Adults are charged an entrance fee of P50, and P25 for children. The fee includes the use of the swimming pools. Those who want to try the zip line have to shell out an extra P300, while the ATV rental is P200 for a 30-minute spin. Picnic sheds are available for P200 a day.

Visitors are urged to bring their own food as there are no eateries nearby. Mayor Philipp Peralta said the local government, anticipating the influx of tourists, was still looking for a partner to put up hotels and restaurants in the town.

In San Manuel town, 23 km from Balungao, the village of Botao (local term for “open”) offers natural pools to visitors seeking relief from the heat.

Local officials said Botao was named for its countless “holes,” sources of freshwater.

Resorts

Enterprising residents have made use of this natural resource, turning empty lots and backyards into resorts complete with swimming pools. There are several resorts in the village, some of them with two or more swimming pools, said Mark Anthony Godinez, 28, who helps his mother, Milagros, manage Villa Felisa Spring Resort.

The other resorts are Aqua Pasadiso, Orallo, Sagpat, Water Park, and A and E.

Word of mouth

There are no advertisements to lure the traveling set to Botao, with resort owners depending on “word of mouth” to attract clientele.

The village used to rely solely on agriculture as a source of revenue, according to Milagros Godinez.

In the mid-1980s, an enterprising resident put up Original Botao Spring Resort, but a land dispute forced the owner to shut it down. Next to come up was Orallo Spring Resort, and soon enough, other resorts followed.

“Because the water is not treated, you can stay in the pool for hours, without causing any irritation to the skin and eyes,” Godinez said. “The spring water is so pure. Laboratory tests showed it to be potable. In fact, this is where I get my regular supply of drinking water.”

Pangasinan producers to attend U.S. international trade fair

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob [(PNA), CTB/LVM/JMRM/RMA]

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 24 (PNA)--Local producers here are gearing up for their anticipated participation in the international business and trade exposition to be held in Artisia City in California on October 3-4 this year.

This after the members of the local producers' newly-organized group dubbed Pangasinan Producers Association (PPA) met with members of the Pangasinan Brotherhood- United States of America, Inc. (PBUSA) and the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations of the U.S. Defense Department on June 23.

The meeting which ironed out issues in connection with the upcoming trade fair was also joined by members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for Product Development and Export Promotion headed by Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard.

The business and trade expo tagged Diversity Business Exposition will be held in the city of Artesia, near Los Angeles, to be participated in by 13 different countries including the Philippines specifically Pangasinan.

PB-USA president Eddie Ferrer said that in that international exposition, each booth costs 0.

He called on Pangasinan producers participating in the trade fair to ship samples of their goods as early as next month.

Possible Pangasinan products to be brought to the expo are handicrafts and native delicacies such as fish paste and sauce, mangoes, and milkfish, among others.

PBUSA members conducted a Trade-Product Sourcing and Manufacturing Seminar for local producers and manufacturers in Pangasinan in Sept. 2013, where Ferrer announced the willingness of some importers to buy Philippine-made products, particularly those from Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Jan Lam Ho of the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations of the US Defense Department, said here they have partnered with the PB-USA as they learned that they have parallel goals for trade and commerce particularly involving developing nations.

She noted the strong potential for possible reciprocative trade relation specifically between Afghanistan and the Philippines, the province of Pangasinan in particular.

"Our visit here was to link the trade and commerce of Afghanistan...as it's very difficult for the Afghan people to bring their products outside of the neighboring countries," she said, adding that they also want to see what Pangasinan products to export to Afghanistan, as well.

She disclosed that Afghan products of export quality include marble and pharmaceutical bandages.

Also, Lam Ho, "a long lost daughter" of Pangasinan, born of a Dagupeño father, expressed her admiration of the "very pristine and beautiful province" which she came to visit for the first time.

Dagupan’s Historical, Culture and Arts Commission created

(CIO/ J.C. Bacani)

THE 67th Agew Na Dagupan will yet be remembered by future generations as the day Mayor Belen T. Fernandez signed Executive Order No. 01, Series of 2014 creating the Dagupan City Historical Culture and Arts Office.

The local commission will be chaired by lawyer Gonzalo T. Duque, with Fernandez as honorary chairman.

Its members who took their oaths are Elmina Fernandez, Councilor Marcelino Fernandez, PUNCH editor Ermin Garcia Jr., Dr. Lourdes Jacinto, Punong Barangay Bryan Kua, Aurora Samson Reyna, Dr. Lee Rivera, Dr. Chito Salazar, Councilor Jeslito Seen, Dr. Gloria Torres, Dr. Ashok Vasandani, Architect Alex Villaflor, Rey Sto. Domingo, lawyer Cornelia Español and Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

The group is initially tasked to undertake studies and research on the city’s history and cultural heritage to be published as the Dagupan History Book.

It will be the body that will coordinate with the National Commission on Culture and Arts for the promotion of the same.

“The city of Dagupan is engrained in the history as one of the cities with rich and flourishing historic and cultural heritage worth promoting and preserving. That is why we thought of immortalizing it in an official history book as it is the most valued and important assets of Dagupeños so that future generations will have something to read and be guided with,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, the annual search for Sampluran Pinablin Dagupeño (Ten Outstanding Dagupeños) ˆhas been established with the mayor’s approval of the ordinance passed by the sanggunian panlungsod making it as the city’s annual awards program.

The ordinance listed the following sectors where nominees have excelled can be named: medicine, education, community service, public service, and business and entrepreneurship.

The mayor said the nomination process shall start as soon as the criteria for the selection are finalized but the deadline for nomination has been set on December 15, 2014

Another highlight was the recognition of Aurelia Dimacali Landingin, a resident of Bonuan Guest Sabangan, as the known oldest living Dagupeño at 101 years old.

Pangasinan disaster plan, a model of resilience

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan June 22 (PIA) – Residents and community leaders involved in disaster management from various towns gathered here recently and reviewed the province's disaster plan which had become a model in disaster resilience by other provinces.

The forum, conducted by the office of Senator Aquilino Pimentel, III in partnership with the provincial government here, sought to instil in the minds of the people the useful information on basic protection, operations, and first aids in times of calamities.

Citing the provincial government’s disaster preparedness, Pimentel disclosed that the province’s enthusiasm and concern for awareness in disaster risk reduction and management is a great example for other provinces to follow.

Pimentel said the activity, which aimed to infuse into the minds of the public of the importance of calamity awareness, was a repetition of important messages for them to have automatic action in times of disaster and be able to save not only their lives but also the lives of others.

Lectures discussed in the forum focused on project NOAH of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), basics on the search and rescue operations, first aid in times of calamities, fire protection and psychological aid after calamities.

Pangasinan guv celebrates birthday by cheering up hospital patients

(PNA), CTB/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB

SAN CARLOS CITY, June 21 (PNA)--Gov. Amado Espino Jr. spent his birthday on June 20 with patients of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) here where he assured the construction shortly of a two-storey complex building that will house the new emergency and operating rooms of the medical facility.

It has become a tradition during his natal days that the governor visits the PPH to cheer up patients and give them food packs. During his visit, the PPH registered a total of 416 patients.

The new complex costing P45 million will be built on a 720-square-meter lot at the PPH compound, said provincial health officer Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman who accompanied Espino during the visit.

She said the first floor of the complex will house the emergency room while the second will accommodate the intensive care unit (ICU) and operating rooms as well as diagnostic equipment like computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray.

Dr. De Guzman disclosed that this is a joint project of the provincial government which allocated P25 million) with a counterpart from the Department of Health in the amount of P20 million.

De Guzman said that a memorandum of agreement has been readied for the project and bidding for its construction is now set. The project is expected to be completed in six to seven months.

"The project is for us to help more patients. It's quite nostalgic because when I began my term (as governor), there were only 47 patients. Now the patients reach 600 sometimes," Espino noted.

The PPH which is reputed to be the biggest hospital north of Manila accommodates about 400 to 600 patients daily.

For her part, Dr. Policarpio Manuel, PPH chief of hospital, expressed gratitude to the governor whom he called 'micromanager' for his hands-on supervision of the PPH and other provincial government-run hospitals.

He said, "Natutuwa ang ating mga pasyente kay Gov kasi talagang ipinapakita niya na seryoso (siya) sa pagtulong sa ating mga pasyente." (The patients were elated because he shows that he is serious in helping them.)"

The governor distributed food packs not only to the 416 patients but also to the hospital employees.

"By coming here, possibly in small way I was able to inspire them and they will be reminded that the provincial government does not forget them", he remarked.

Asked on his birthday wish, Espino quipped: "sana walang malakas na bagyo ang tumama sa ating probinsya (that no strong typhoons will hit our province)."

'Green super rice' beefs up Pangasinan fields

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

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, June 20 (PNA)--An innovative rice variety that can withstand toughest growing conditions has continuously been being developed in the country including the province of Pangasinan.

Dubbed "green super rice" (GSR) the environment-friendly rice variety is said to be resistant to drought, flood, salty water, even pests.

Leonardo Balbalec, the officer-in-charge chief of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 and Pangasinan Research and Experiment Center (PREC), said the green super rice started in the Philippines particularly in Region 1 in 2013.

Balbalec said that of the four provinces in the region, it is in Pangasinan that the growth of GSR is doing well.

He said their office had gone beyond their target area for the GSR production in the province which is 90 hectares, making Pangasinan the pilot province in the region for development of the rice variety.

"Seed allocation (specifically for Pangasinan) is continuous," he added.

For the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union, the allotted area for GSR growth is 20 hectares each.

Cropping cycle for the GSR is about 110-113 days. It is said to produce more grains with less fertilizer inputs.

Balbalec also said that the mother trial for the planting of GSR in drought, saline, and flooded areas in 16 sites within the region is ongoing.

He said that an on-farm seed production in irrigated target production areas is underway with the cooperation of local farmers.

Reports said that the GSR project involved 12 years of research among the International Rice Research Institute, the Philippines; the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China; and with the cooperation of farmers from 16 countries in Asia and Africa.

Scientists were said to have cross-bred 250 varieties from world’s largest rice collections.

Pangasinan gov't helps island town students finish college

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

ANDA, Pangasinan, June 19 (PNA) -- Hundreds of students in the lone tertiary school in this island town received Wednesday just a few days after the start of classes - a financial grant from the Pangasinan provincial government.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. personally handed over a total of P1,384,680 financial assistance to the 368 first to fourth year college students of the private Christian school, Asbury College, located in Poblacion, Anda.

"Education is important, this is the best equalizer you have in life. You must study well," Espino told the scholars.

He also reminded them to dream and pursue their dreams without forgetting four things: family, school, community, and God.

Scholarship program coordinator and school registrar Veronica Celeste said the financial grant to the indigent students is based on their tuition fees, as the students are pursuing different courses with various number of units for the current semester.

Meanwhile, first district congressman Jesus Celeste urged the students to encourage more youth to study, as he assured that their education can still be subsidized by the government-even without the priority development assistance fund (PDAF).

This, he said, is through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) scholarship program.

The scholarship program for the Asbury College has been started by Celeste years ago with his PDAF.

"When PDAF was declared unconstitutional, I asked for Gov. Espino's support to this scholarship program. He said 'yes' immediately," said Celeste.

On the one hand, the scholars expressed their gratitude to their local leaders.

One of them, Rechelle Murillo, a third-year student, related how their family chose to move to Anda from Oriental Mindoro, for her to continue with her education.

Murillo noted that fee for a college education in her native town is about three times higher than what they are paying at Asbury with the grant she is receiving since she was a freshman.

The scholars also wished for the continuity of the joint scholarship program to help more students finish college.

Courses offered at Asbury College are AB English; AB Christian Education; BS Secondary Education major in English, Math, or Filipino; and BS Elementary Education major in General Education or Pre-elementary Education.

Students of the Asbury College are mostly natives of the neighboring towns Bolinao, Burgos, and Anda.

Anda Mayor Aldrin Cerdan thhanked Espino and Celeste for their assistance, as he noticed the growing number of students who have enrolled at the Asbury College.

According to the acting college dean, Angeles Otibar, Asbury was founded in 1947 but it was only this school year that enrollment in the college level reached over 600.

Otibar noted that the increase in enrollment was mainly due to the scholarship grants being made available by the joint effort of Espino and Celeste who she dubbed "modern-day heroes."

She then disclosed that there is an ongoing construction of three new classrooms to provide better quality education.

The new set of scholars are in addition to the almost 3,000 scholars of the provincial government under various scholarship schemes-academic, PSU, indigenous peoples, Muslims, and TESDA scholars this semester.

Pangasinan health office promotes traditional medicine

(Philippines News Agency)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Traditional medicines are still acceptable in curing diseases or illnesses despite the presence of high technologies and modern medicines.

Dr. Anna Theresa De Guzman, provincial health officer, admitted that her office is still promoting herbal medicines in their forums on nutritional activities in communities.

“We encourage the people especially the housewives to grow medicinal plants in their homes as these are still acceptable even at these times of high technologies,” said De Guzman.

Medicinal plants like sambong and pitu-pito, among others, are the most common plants used by the elders in treating kidney diseases.

The use of herbal plants is promoted even among young people as the study of these plants is included in their home economics subject, said De Guzman. “Students are asked as well to plant herbal medicines,” she added.

Apart from herbal plants, the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture is also endorsed by the PHO.

“This is an acceptable practice even for us modern medical practitioners,” she said.

However, De Guzman warned traditional medicine enthusiasts especially those with medical conditions to consult their doctors first before taking or trying traditional medicines.

“For those who have illnesses (those under medication or found to be with disease) they should ask prior to taking traditional medicines their doctors because these medicines no matter how effective, are still subject to the advice of specialists,” De Guzman said.

Dagupan sending 200 poor students to college starting this year

(PNA), LAM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, June 17 (PNA) – Some 200 poor but deserving students from different barangays here are going to college starting this school year under the scholarship program of Mayor Belen Fernandez till they graduate from their respective four-year courses in 2018.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer-In-Charge Leah L. Aquino said the students comprising the city's first batch of scholars are now enrolled at the Colegio De Dagupan (CDD), University of Pangasinan (U-Pang), University of Luzon (UL) and Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) taking up various four -year courses.

The scholars are residents of the city duly certified by their respective barangay chairmen and whose general average grade in high school is at least 80 percent or its equivalent with no failing or incomplete grades in any subject.

Aside from their school report cards, the other requisites for the scholars are the validated Income Tax Return of their parents and must also be of good moral character.

“It is important that under the program no two members of the same family shall be allowed to be under the same program which would mean just one scholar in one family,” said Aquino.

“We will entertain another batch of scholars this second semester, so that the poor but deserving students at the tertiary level can avail of the program,” assured Aquino.

On the other hand, Mayor Fernandez disclosed that the scholarships being given to the students is not full because she wanted the parents to share in the burden of sending their children to college.

“Perhaps the P10,000 pesos that we are going to give in sending these students to school would be good enough to cover 60 to 65 percent of their total tuition fee,” said Fernandez.

The amount will be paid directly to the schools per semester as the scholars would not be allowed to handle the cash assistance from the city.

Fernandez guaranteed that under her program "Building The Future", the scholars will be supported by the city until they complete their four-year studies in college.

This year, the city government has allotted P3M for the scholarship program. Mayor Fernandez is inclined to increase the number of scholars to 500 next year.

Engineers hold occupational safety seminar

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The Provincial Engineering Office held recently a seminar on occupational safety led by PEO staff Engrs. Romualdo Delos Santos and Edgardo Ancheta.

Modules included excavation safety, occupational safety and health and their unsafe condition, scaffolding erection and personal protective equipment, hand tools, power tools, equipment and crane safety.

“We need to provide our personnel the updates on occupational safety so that they will be able to acquaint themselves with the new rules and prevent the occurrence of work-related incidents that would not only compromise their safety but also the safety of the general public,” Delos Santos said.

At the seminar were supervising engineers, project and assistant project engineers, carpenters, welders, painters, plumbers, mechanics, drivers and operators.

He and Ancheta earlier attended a training upgrade at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City.

Governor Amado Espino commended the PEO for sustaining the best practices of the province with the recognition of the International Organization for Standardization.

Last May 12, Pangasinan its third ISO 9001:2008 certification on the services of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH).

Espino and PPH in-charge Chief of Hospital Policarpio Manuel received the document from Certification International Philippines Inc., an ISO-accredited certifying body represented by its managing director Renato Navarrete.

“The hospital complied with the international requirements… (they have) very consistent and coherent performance targets focused on what internal and external customers expect,” he said.

The CIPI has issued two other ISO certifications for the administrative and support services departments, and for the Provincial Health Office led by Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman, the first and only PHO in the country that is ISO-certified for its quality management system.

As an ISO 9001:2008 certified provincial hospital, PPH now belongs to the elite club of public and private firms and organizations that comply with internationally accepted standards and practices.

One of most wanted criminals in Pangasinan arrested

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

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan, June 15 (PNA) -- Police operatives arrested one of the most wanted criminals in Pangasinan in an early morning operation in San Fabian on Saturday.

Arrested by joint elements of the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO) and San Fabian Police Station (SFPS) was Eddie Prado, the No. 8 most wanted person in this province.

Prado, 32, presently residing in Poblacion, San Fabian, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for six counts of rape.

The warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court, Dagupan City, Branch 42 under then Presiding Judge Rolando Mislang on March 30, 2004.

Prado was brought to the San Fabian Police Station for documentation purposes and for turnover to the court for proper disposition.

Pangasinan Police Office information officer Chief Inspector Ryan Manongdo said the arrest of the province's eighth most wanted person "is an initial compliance to Chief PNP's guidance."

"Expect more intensified and aggressive campaign against loose firearms, illegal drugs, arrest of wanted persons and more police focused operations in the whole province of Pangasinan in compliance to the guidance set forth by General Alan Purisima, Chief PNP," Manongdo said.

Purisima made a command visit on Saturday to the Pangasinan PPO.

Earlier on June 13, the chief PNP suspended the effectivity of the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PCFOR) in Pangasinan in view of the increasing number of shooting incidents, the most serious of which was the slaying of Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr. and two others last June 7.

Pimentel seeks bigger fund for disaster management

(PNA), JBP/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/RMASENT FROM MY IPAD

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 14 (PNA) -- Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Friday bared here his pending bill which seeks to allocate bigger budget for disaster management for the national and local governments.

Calling this as "bigger pie, bigger size" bill, Pimentel said the measure proposes that disaster management fund of the national and local governments be sourced out from national taxes and not only from the internal revenue allotment (IRA) which presently is being adopted.

Speaking at the 10th Disaster Risk Reduction and Multi-Hazard Awareness Forum at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center here, Pimentel said with the share in the national tax (SNT) instead of the IRA, the fund for disaster management will be bigger.

The bill also proposes that instead of the present IRA sharing of 60 percent for the national and 40 percent for local government, both will get 50 percent from SNT.

"With the SNT, we will have the existing collection from the Bureau of Internal Revenue with the IRA, plus the collection from the Bureau of Customs," he added.

"The bill is one measure towards further strengthening and increasing the degree of autonomy of local governments," Pimentel added.

Meanwhile, Pimentel urged the public to encourage the youth to pursue science courses such as meteorology.

This, he said, is to assure that government agencies related to disaster forecasting particularly the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, will have no vacuum of efficient weather forecasters, citing the recent brain drain of PAGASA forecasters enticed by bigger pay abroad.

At the same time, he said that the PAGASA modernization bill has been filed in the Senate, which if approved, will improve the technical capability of the agency.

The forum was organized by the Office of Sen. Pimentel in cooperation with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Pinagbuklod na Diwa ng Pangkabuhayan Foundation, Inc., and Office of the Provincial Governor of Pangasinan.

Lectures in the forum centered on Department of Science and Technology's "Project Noah"; the basics on the search and rescue operations by the Philippine Air Force; first aid in times of calamities by the Philippine Red Cross; fire protection by the Bureau of Fire Protection; and psychological aid after calamities by the National Center for Mental Health.

Pimentel vowed that his office will bring the forum to other provinces, echoing that useful information "is never a waste".

Police report lesser crimes

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Crime incidence in the province went down in the first five months this year to 8,054 from 9,141 in the same period last year as a result of the “appropriate peace and order initiatives,” the police provincial director said on Thursday.

Sr. Supt. Sterling Blanco said the crimes included 106 shootings by motorcycle-riding gunmen and an increase in robbery cases to 94 from 54 for the same period in 2013.

“Out of the 106 shootings by motorcycle-riding gunmen, investigators have solved 55 cases but 51 cases remained under investigation,” Blanco said.

Operatives arrested 455 wanted persons and launched 66 operations against loose firearms that resulted in the arrest of 76 people and seizure of 73 assorted firearms and ammunition, Blanco said.

“Policemen arrested 213 pushers and users of shabu and marijuana in our campaign against illegal drugs,” Blanco said.

He called on barangay, municipal, city and provincial officials to work closely with the police to improve the status of the province as one of the most peaceful places in the country and help boost the local tourism industry.

“We will sustain and intensify our anti-criminal operations and enhance our police visibility to keep Pangasinan peaceful at all times for the benefit of our people,” Blanco said.

Press role in Philippine freedom revisited on Independence Day celebration in Pangasinan

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

ROSALES, Pangasinan, June 12 (PNA)-- The significance of the press in the achievement of the country's independence was remembered through a presentation of the Philippine Flag at SM City Rosales here in connection with 116th Philippine Independence Day in Thursday, June 12.

Joining the nation in its celebration of the 116th Philippine Independence Day, SM City Rosales unveiled its very own centerpiece: a version of the Philippine Flag recognizing the role of journalists in the emancipation of Philippines from its colonizers.

"The centerpiece which is made of newspapers is a tribute to all journalists- both past and present- in winning the freedom for our country," remarked Cesar Bondoc, Shopping Center Management Corporation (SCMC) Regional Operations Manager.

Meanwhile, SM Rosales mall manager Jersey Mendoza said "the centerpiece is one way of showing how writing became an instrument in expressing our ideas both in the past and today."

The mall's Philippine Flag is made of rolled recycled newspapers geared at instilling to every Filipino how early Philippine newspapers played a critical role in the nation’s quest for freedom and independence.

The three-dimensional flag measures 8’x 2’x 5.5’, containing 1,292 kilos of newspapers or 3,486 rolls; 48,804 spreads; and 195,216 pages.

The Independence Day centerpiece made of recycled newspapers was also part of SM City Rosales' greening project.

Pangasinan town provides free school supplies to school kids

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

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan, June 11 (PNA) -— Some 25,000 pupils from all public schools here received free school bags and school supplies from the local government unit (LGU) today, Wednesday.

Mayor Armando Domantay Sr. said that the distribution of school bags and school supplies such as notebooks, papers and pencils or ball pens is an annual project of the (LGU) since he assumed office as the local chief executive.

The beneficiaries of the project are the day care, kindergarten, and elementary school pupils from 52 public elementary schools and 73 day care centers all over town.

“This simple project funded by the municipality under the children and youth welfare program will be a great help to their parents and to inspire the pupils to strive harder despite their financial status,” Domantay said.

He further explained that only the public elementary school pupils were chosen for the project because it is presumed that the parents of the pupils enrolled in private schools have the capability to buy school supplies for their children.

“Education is for all and the LGU will help in anyway in order to ease the burden of each school year especially for our poor citizens”.

Domantay was a school teacher before he entered politics.

Esterlita Fernandez, principal II of Malasiqui Central School, admitted that the project of the LGU is helpful, noting that most of the 2,219 pupils in the school belong to the poor families who could not afford to buy new school supplies.

“We wanted to inspire the pupils to pursue education despite their poverty,” said Domantay.

The municipal government earlier appropriated separate P15,000 for each public elementary and secondary school which was used by their teachers in their recent “Brigada Eskwela 2014”.

Domantay revealed that the municipal government had been allocating P10,000 for each public school yearly which they are using in purchasing construction materials for the renovation or restoration of classrooms, tables and chairs in time for the “Brigada Eskwela”.

“However, this year we have increased the allocation to P15,000 whose funding came under the special education funds”, Domatay said.

The amount was released to the schools who have provided the necessary documents for the liquidation of funds in last year’s Brigada Eskwela.

“We strictly observe liquidation of funds and we are glad that the schools comply with it,” Domantay said.


Multi-sectoral agencies plant seedlings to celebrate Environment Month

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

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan, June 10 (PNA) -— Some 1,000 mahogany seedlings were planted Tuesday in a two-hectare vacant lot of the Malasiqui Central School here by multi-sectoral agencies as part of the celebration of Environment Month this June.

Raymundo Gayo, officer in charge of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Dagupan City, led the activity in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government of Malasiqui, Salvation Army and a non-government organization based in the United States.

“This is under the Urban plantation of the National Greening Program (NGP),” Gayo said.

According to him, urban plantation is one way of eradicating air pollution in towns where most carbon dioxide and other harmful gases are emitted by vehicles.

Mayor Armando Domantay Sr. expressed support to the advocacy of these agencies in protecting and preserving the environment as he said this is the mandate of local government units.

“We support this projects as it is for the good of the people. Through this, we can have a stable weather condition as the trees when they grow could ease the heat that we are experiencing and could give us fresh air”, Domantay disclosed.

The CENRO and DepEd signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) stipulating their partnership in protecting the seedlings from astray animals and human intruders that might lead to their destruction or stagnant growth.

Seedlings that are planted in urban areas have high survival rate compared to those that were planted in mountainous areas as they are easily monitored and wateredl

However, he said these are at risk from astray animals and human intrusion especially because these are situated in populated places said Gayo.

“In order to support the project, we are planning to have a MOA with PNP to help us regulate astray animals like goats and cows that could devour the seedlings and plants around the town”, Domantay said.

Furthermore, Domantay called on his town mates to refrain from burning garbage and dried leaves which he said could be turned into compost or fertilizer for use in the fields and gardens.

Gayo admitted that the cooperation of the LGUs and the public are important to sustain the seedlings planted and insure the success of the NGP.

Baywalk solar lights project launched in Lingayen

LAP/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 9 (PNA) -- Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim presided over the groundbreaking rites on Monday for the construction of solar street lights at the Lingayen baywalk along the scenic Lingayen beach here.

Seen as boost to the ecotourism efforts of the province of Pangasinan, the project promotes the use of indigenous sources of energy to cut the province's dependency on traditional sources, said Calimlim who represented Governor Amado Espino Jr.

Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan said the project will help promote tourism for locals and visitors and consequently show that "we are very serious with environmental protection and conservation."

Baraan reiterated that the project is both for the environment and tourism with about 30 kilowatts of energy to be saved every month and more people from all walks of life expected to converge in the area at night.

The baywalk solar street lights project is being implemented by the provincial govrrnment in partnership with the San Roque Power Foundation, Inc. (SRPF), Team Energy Foundation Inc. (TEF), and Trademaster Resources Corporation (TRC).

SRPF vice president for corporate social responsibility Tom Valdez said, the solar lighting project is a good showcase of the province of how it promotes environmental protection, particularly in support of the present World Environment Month.

Apart from the Lingayen baywalk project, Valdez said that the SRPF and TEF have been supporting solar lighting projects in other areas of the province such as in San Nicolas which already benefited around 40 households.

Roderick De Castro, executive director of the TEF, said such projects are in line with their environmental and electrification program.

The baywalk solar lights project costs about P2.2 million with the panel having a 10-15-year warranty, said Castro.

Meanwhile, second district Representative Leopoldo Bataoil led the showcasing of the prototype of the bench which they plan to build in the baywalk.

He announced that for those who would like to pledge, each concrete bench would cost P2,500, including the inscription of the names of those who donated.

He added that they are expecting fund from the General appropriations act (GAA) 2015 to expand the stretch of the baywalk area. Bataoil said that the whole baywalk project is in line with the vision of the provincial government to make Pangasinan "The best place to work, invest, live, and raise a family."

VP Binay visits Pangasinan markets; unveils Seniors' Center

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

DAGUPAN CITY, June 8 (PIA) – Vice-President Jejomar Binay was in Pangasinan on Friday and visited the public markets in the eastern part of the province.

The Vice-President visited the public markets in the towns of Villasis, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Sison and Urdaneta City.

He also led the turnover of medical equipment to the Senior Citizens’ Center in Manaoag town before its inauguration later that day.

Last month, Binay was also in Pangasinan to grace the Boy Scouts of the Philippines’ 6th National Scout Venture Camp held in Lingayen town from May 5 to 9.

Pangasinan peace council tackles insurgency in meeting

(PNA), JBP/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/RMASENT FROM MY IPAD

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, (PNA) -- Despite the fact that Pangasinan has been declared insurgency-free since 2010, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) led by its chairman Governor Amado Espino Jr. still tackled insurgency concerns and how to prevent it during its meeting here Friday.

"This is where policies to be implemented by different concerned agencies are discussed, to first address insurgency, and peace and order second," said Espino in their first council meeting in two years held at the Capitol Resort in Lingayen.

In 2010, Pangasinan was declared insurgency-free in memorandum signed by the Pangasinan provincial government, the 7the Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and the Pangasinan police office.

Espino assured that there is no locally-based organized armed group or insurgents in Pangasinan but there may be those who may only be passing or making a temporary visit.

In his briefing on June 2 before the Sangguning Panlalawigan, Senior Superintendent Sterling Raymond Blanco, officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan Police Office (PPO), said there are two groups of rebels that were monitored to be just passing by in the eastern and western parts of the province.

Espino said that Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGUs) are strategically located in the province to further assure protection and security from anything or anyone, particularly from insurgents.

The PPOC chairman explained that peace and order is very vital not only for security purposes but also for the economic development as in the sectors of agriculture and tourism.

"Let us prevent it (crimes), but if we cannot, then let us solve it. Otherwise, if we can't solve it, there must be a logical explanation," Espino told members of the PPOC.

Members of the PPOC are the provincial office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government led by Reggie Colisao, the provincial government, the law enforcement agencies such as Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other government agencies such as the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Philippine Information Agency, among others.

PPO recorded 8,054 crimes in the province during the first five months of this year, lower by 1,087 incidents as compared to the same comparative period of last year.

Solon wants trees on Pangasinan highways

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN Pangasinan—Provincial Board Member Generoso Tulagan has filed a resolution to save 770 trees along the Manila North Road.

Some 1,059 trees were earlier cut by the Department of Public Works and Highways in the last quarter of 2013 with the permission of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for road widening in the region.

“We want to have the presence of trees along our major highways to provide sufficient carbon sequestration for the pollutants coming from motor vehicles and factories,” Tulagan said, underscoring erosion control as well.

He said the permit lapsed last February leaving 770 trees on the stretch between the towns of Rosales and Sison.

He filed the resolution during the regular session held last June 2 with the support of Board Member Alfonso Bince, who said an ordinance is being finalized to protect all trees along Pangasinan’s major thoroughfares.

In a position paper, DENR regional director Samuel Penafiel justified the removal of the trees as “necessary” for the national government’s road widening project.

He said replacements will be made though thousands of seedlings to be planted across the province in the coming months.

3 job fairs set in Region 1 on Independence Day

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob [(PNA), CTB/LVM/JMRM/RMA]

DAGUPAN CITY, June 5 - Three simultaneous job fairs, including one in this city, are set on June 12 as part of the commemoration of the 116th Philippine Independence Day.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 1 director Grace Ursua announced that job fairs will be held at the Nepo Mall in Dagupan City, Civic Center in Candon City, Ilocos Sur; and Manna Mall in San Fernando City, La Union.

Ursua said, "While we join the whole nation in celebrating Philippine Independence, we will let our job-seekers and unemployed bailed out from joblessness by facilitating their employment."

The job fairs are set to bring together local employers and licensed recruitment agencies which will offer local and overseas job opportunities for fresh graduates, unemployed and other job-seekers.

DOLE partnered anew with the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), local employers, licensed recruitment agencies, private establishments, different government agencies for the conduct of the job fairs which has for its theme, “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago."

“Job-seekers may opt to experience our Kalayaan 2014 celebration differently. They should take advantage of the opportunities and services which will be offered, be in their best and bring complete documents such as resumes/bio data, transcript of records, diplomas, employment and training certificates, pictures and other proofs of credentials,” Ursua concluded.

Dagupan bent on making exportation of bangus a top industry

(PNA), LAM/LVMICUA/1450/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, June 4 (PNA) -- Mayor Belen Fernandez is bent on making the exportation of Dagupan "bangus" (milkfish) in the international market as a top industry in Dagupan within her term.

This was bared by City Administrator Farah Decano who said that a tail-tagging facility for bangus will soon be put up to ensure that all the Dagupan bangus to be shipped to Manila and for export will have tags identifying them as originating from Dagupan.

She said the tail-tagging facility is set to be positioned adjacent the about to be built Dagupan Fishport which is set to be built by the national government near the Calmay River or at the vicinity of the Dagupan-Korea Seafood Processing Plant in Bonuan Binloc.

Decano said tail-tagging was the strategy to be adopted by the city to distinguish the Dagupan bangus from the rest of milkfish products from various parts of Pangasinan and the country.

But she said Mayor Fernandez needs the cooperation of bangus producers as there is a need to determine their volume of production to determine if they can sustain the supply year-round.

Before the Dagupan bangus can be exported, the city must determine the capacity of local producers to meet the required commodity for export, thus the need also to find out their schedule for harvesting and stocking fingerlings in their fishponds.

Decano said Mayor Fernandez, whose family is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Dagupan, is now in touch with experts in the bangus industry to find out how to further improve bangus production.

She said the mayor is getting the advice of Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the Dagupan-based National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC), as well as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on how to bring the Dagupan bangus not only to the United States but also other parts of the world where there are many Filipinos.

Of course, she said the Dagupan-Korean Seafood Processing Plant in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, now still being managed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), can help a lot in putting more Dagupan bangus in the word market.

The processing plant is now producing processed milkfish from Dagupan now being shipped to the U.S. but it has to be maximized yet to fully cater to the demands of an expanded export market.

Solar lights at Lingayen baywalk up soon

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob [(PNA), CTB/LVM/JMRM/RMA]

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 3 (PNA)--A novel project that will enhance tourism and promote the use of indigenous sources of energy will soon be made with the lighting of the newly-built baywalk along the Lingayen beachfront using solar power.

The solar panel that will light the entire baywalk will be built hopefully under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) led by the provincial government of Pangasinan.

The project was contained in a resolution approved June 2 by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) that authorized Governor Amado Espino Jr. to enter into a memorandum of agreement with three private companies.These are the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) Team Energy Foundation (TEF) and Trademaster Resources Corporation (TRC) which are being tapped to help the provincial government implement the Solar streetlights project at the baywalk area in the Lingayen beachfront.

The MOA will be signed by Gov. Espino, with SRPF president and chief executive officer Ryukichi Kawaguchi, TEF chairman and president Federico Puno, and TRC president Cris Giovanni Chiong.

"The Lingayen baywalk is envisioned by the provincial government of Pangasinan as an additional attraction to the Lingayen beachfront where people from all walks of life could converge and relax," declared Third District Provincial Board Member Generoso Tulagan Jr.

Apart from further making the baywalk as a tourist spot, the solar street lighting is also seen as an instrument of making the area "a suitable place for the establishment of an alternative source of power in the province."

Corollary to this, Second district congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, the prime mover of the baywalk project, earlier said there is a plan to build concrete benches in the baywalk, also through private participation.

He said that there is an ongoing coordination with different civic groups with regards to this plan.

Bataoil said he expects fund from the general appropriations act (GAA) in 2015 to bankroll the extension of the baywalk area.

P97k irrigation grant for upland barangay

By Dexter A. See

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan --- The provincial government has provided a P97,000 grant to the indigenous people of Sitio Mapita of Aguilar town to complete its irrigation project and boost agricultural production, a senior official said.

Business Development Officer Maricel San Pedro said the grant was presented to the Sitio Mapita High Value Crops Growers Assocation of the Indigenous People community under the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) of the government.

“The amount given by the province is big enough for the whole community,” San Pedro said.

FEP is a public-private partnership project designed to make farmers become businessmen and entrepreneurs. The program is implemented in the towns of Bani, Aguilar (Mapita), Alcala and Umingan.

Vegetable products such as salad tomato, bell pepper and ube are sold in Baguio, Urdaneta, Alaminos and Balintawak in Manila. But officials also link farmers’ association with institutional markets such as Jollibee Foods, Dizon Farm and Splash Corp.

Gov. Amado Espino said that, in addition to the cash grant, the province will also construct training center, conference room and dormitory for FEP trainees.

He said the province has undertaken development projects in the village since 2007 such as school buildings, health center, electrifiction and clearing and paving of roads leading to the sitio.

Local manufacturers gear up for US expo

By Johanne R. Macob

LINGAYEN—Manufacturers of handicrafts and various food products from Pangasinan are meeting next month with representatives of the Pangasinan Brotherhood United States of America (PBUSA) and the US Department of Defense in preparation for their participation in an international expo in October.

The trade fair dubbed ‘Diversity Business Exposition’ is being organized by the PBUSA based in Southern California, the Department of Defense, and 14 developing countries including the Philippines, particularly Pangasinan.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr., who returned last week from a visit to California for a series of meetings on the trade fair, said the provincial government and the Pangasinan business sector are excited about the prospects of increasing local exports. “They want to help us sell our products to other parts of the world and at the same time expose us to other countries’ products,” he said of PBUSA, which has about 400 members.

In September 2013, the PBUSA led by its president Eddie Ferrer organized a Trade-Product Sourcing and Manufacturing Seminar for local producers and manufacturers in Pangasinan.

Ferrer said several importers have expressed willingness to buy Philippine-made products, particularly those from the province.

A technical working group for Product Development and Export Promotion chaired by Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan was recently formed to assist local producers and manufacturers who will join the expo.

Local products expected to be exhibited in the trade fair are handicrafts and native delicacies such as bagoong and patis, mangoes, and milkfish.

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