Pangasinan News June 2016

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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

Dagupan City to open Asia's first modern solid waste facility

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

DAGUPAN CITY, June 30 (PNA) -- This city’s will soon open a modern solid waste facility, the first in Asia, with the eventual closure of its 50-year-old dumpsite in compliance with Republic Act. No. 9003, or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

Mayor Belen Fernandez said this became more certain after President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, in his last official act before stepping down from Malacanang, issued Proclamation No. 1302, series of 2016, amending Proclamation No. 98, series of 1963 issued by then President Diosdado Macapagal, that segregated 19,261 square meters of public land declared as parks and playgrounds in Bonuan Binloc for waste management facility purposes of the city government.

In her inaugural address on Thursday, Mayor Fernandez said the signing of the proclamation by President Aquino last June 23 will pave the way for the establishment by the city of its waste-to-worth facility, thereby hastening the impending closure and clean-up of the old dumpsite in Bonuan.

The facility, to be built at no cost at all to the city, will convert garbage collected daily from homes, markets, schools and factories, into diesel fuel for jeepneys and motor boats as well as biogas to be used for cooking and lighting in homes.

“Not only that, we will also help the world environment by making sure that our garbage, our plastic debris will not pollute our oceans. This will in turn, allow us to bring Dagupan’s beaches back to their former beauty and glory,” she said.

The USD 8.2 million waste-to-worth project will be established with the help of Procter and Gamble, the U.S. State Department, International Ocean Conservancy, Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations (UN) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Last year, Fernandez was invited as a resource speaker in the World Ocean forum in Chile that discussed among others the establishment of the waste-to-worth facility that will make Dagupan eventually as model of this project in the whole world.

The old dumpsite is generating some 30 metric tons of wastes daily which is the minimum requirement to run the plant. The wastes can be turned into liquid form as fuel for vehicles, same as diesel, and biogas.

Fernandez said the scavengers who would be displaced with the closure of the dumpsite would be resettled in row houses in Sito Korea, Bonuan Binloc. A day-care center was also built in the area for their children.

Once the facility becomes operational, the scavengers will be among the first to be hired to work in the facility.

Pangasinense in Top 10 of nurses board exam

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, June 29 (PIA) – A nursing graduate from the University of Pangasinan here was among the Top 10 placers in the recent Nurses Licensure Examination (NLE) held in Baguio City in June.

Mae Beann Asuncion, 20, obtained a rating of 85.40 percent and ranked 8th among 819 successful examinees.

“Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nag-top ako kasi yong makapasa lang talaga ang hiling ko,” she said in a television interview.

Asuncion said that at first, she was hesitant to take up nursing but was convinced to pursue this degree after she got ill and was hospitalized for two weeks when she was in fourth year high school.

“Feeling ko nursing talaga yong para sa akin kasi alam ko yong pakiramdam na maging pasyente,” she said, hinting that a patient needs a proper care given by nurses like her.

Asuncion has an offer to work abroad but if given a better opportunity, she will opt to stay in the country and render her services to her fellow Filipinos.

Meanwhile, NLE passers in Pangasinan are encouraged to avail of the mobile outreach services of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)-Baguio Regional Office to save on travel time and expenses in processing their initial registration.

Teofilo Gaius Sison Jr., regional director of PRC-Baguio, said the mobile outreach services will be held from 9am to 4pm on July 12 at the Robert B. Estrella, Sr. Memorial Stadium in Rosales town; and July 21 at the CB Mall in Urdaneta City.

“The Office will process initial registration on first come, first served basis; no alphabetical queuing,” said Sison.

Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly-accomplished Oath Form (to be distributed during the mobile outreach); 2016 community tax certificate or cedula; two pieces passport-size picture with white background and spelled out nametag (surname, first name, middle name); one documentary stamp; and payment of initial registration fee of P1,050.

Sison said that professional ID cards, official reports of ratings and requested certifications (passing and ratings) will be issued during the oath-taking ceremonies which shall be announced later.

“Those who cannot attend the mass oath-taking ceremonies may join the free mass oath-taking every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am at PRC-Baguio,” he said.

He added that for verification of grades/ratings, visit www.prc.gov.ph, using the registrant’s application number indicated in the notice of admission.

DFA-Calasiao implements online passport application and appointment system

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

CALASIAO, Pangasinan, June 28 (PIA) – In an effort to make the process of passport application convenient to its clients, the Department of Foreign Affairs-Regional Consular Office (DFA-RCO) here has implemented the online passport application and appointment system effective last Friday, June 24.

In a statement, Jennifer Catherine Demesa, officer-in-charge of RCO Calasiao, said the online appointment system aims to avoid inconveniences of applicants such as coming to DFA offices without the assurance of being accommodated which results to long hours of waiting.

“With the new system, the RCO Calasiao will no longer accommodate walk-in appointment as well as walk-in applicants but senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and children (seven years old and below) are excluded from the appointment system,” she said.

Demesa advised passport applicants to log on to DFA Office of Consular Affairs Appointment System at www.passport.gov.ph to secure their schedule.

For the online application filing and scheduling, an applicant will need a working computer with internet access; a web browser (Internet Explorer version 11 or higher or Mozilla Firefox version 45 and up is recommended); a valid and working e-mail address to receive the system-generated messages with file attachments; and a PDF reader and a working printer to view and print the system-generated application form in A4-size bond paper.

SM City Rosales launches "Adopt-A-School" project

(PNA), RMA/LVM/LVMICUA/1810RMA

ROSALES, Pangasinan, June 27 (PNA)--SM City Rosales spearheaded by its Human Resource department conducted an “Adopt-A-School” project at the Puelay Elementary School in Villasis town.

The HR Department initiated a book drive, as highlight of the ‘Adopt-A-School’ project by encouraging its employees to donate books – from story books to subject books in line with its objective to create a public elementary school that is organized and conducive to learning.

The books collected for a month were given to over 150 students of Puelay Elementary School. They were also given school supplies.

SM City Rosales employees also conducted a clean-up drive.

“This activity was conducted to acknowledge the importance of education to young ones,” SM Rosales Assistant Mall Manager Catherine Garcia said.

Garcia also stressed that the program is a symbol of love and care by SM employees.

The “Adopt-A-School” project is part of SM’s Employee Volunteerism project with an objective to help improve the community. This is also to provide opportunity for employees to have a stronger ethics of citizen service.

World leaders hail Dagupan initiatives on ocean pollution

(BALON DAGUPAN NEWS, Sunday Punch)

NEW YORK, USA — Mayor Belen T. Fernandez earned plaudits for showcasing Dagupan as a global model on environment for her initiatives to address marine litter, plastics and microplastics to stave off worsening ocean pollution during a five-day forum here last week.

Speaking as a main panelist during the 17th meeting of the Open-Ended Informal Consultative Process (ICP) on the Oceans and the Law of the Seas at the main headquarters of the United Nations, Mayor Fernandez shared Dagupan City’s achievements in partnership and positive engagements.

“Cleaning our oceans carries with it a great responsibility that is to be shared by all, and we must continuously seek ways on how to engage other people to think, work and act the way we do. There is no other way,” she stressed.

Fernandez impressed the forum’s broad spectrum of stakeholders composed of policy makers, industry leaders, academicians, scientists, government leaders, and representatives from nongovernment organizations where she underlined the crucial role and influence of local leaders in effecting and delivering positive change.

His Excellencies, Gustavo Meza-Cuadra and Nicholas Emiliou, panel chairmen of the forum and permanent representatives of Peru and Cyprus missions to the United Nations, respectively, have jointly expressed the forum’s commendation to Mayor Fernandez for enriching the substance and providing relevant insights and perspectives of local governments in the global action against marine pollution.

Dr. Diego Albareda, chairman of the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, also gave a glowing feedback on Mayor Fernandez’ presentation entitled, “Importance of Local Government Unit’s ownership of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 14 on Oceans: Challenges, Lessons learned, Best Practices”. He agreed that the only way to move forward is to strengthen local action through local governments citing the success of Dagupan City.

Affirming Dagupan’s full commitment as a responsible and responsive member of the global community, Mayor Fernandez said she is set to lead the monumental effort to finally close a 50-year old open dumpsite which sits just a few meters across the Tondaligan Beach, and to completely halt all dumping activities therein. She likewise affirmed her administrations’ commitment to close incremental portions of these areas by planting trees for the next six years.

She also shared Dagupan’s success on recycling plastic containers for the Gulayan sa Paaralan program, the citywide collection of plastics in public schools for the “Wrappers to Pavers” project, the year-round support to the International Coastal Cleanup campaign and regular cleaning of rivers and esteros, demolition of illegal fishing structures which contribute to dumping of commercial feeds, the continuous dredging of silt and plastics at the Pantal River, strict enforcement of and prosecution of violators of fishery laws, and the comprehensive social amelioration package of health, housing, daycare and other welfare services for waste pickers and their families.

Mayor Fernandez said the acknowledgments and praise heaped upon by the global community serve as inspiration for the city to take the next step by enjoining other local governments along the Western sea board to jointly undertake remedial measures to keep the oceans clean, spur marine biodiversity and attract high-end tourist market in the country.

Quake drills shake schools in Dagupan City

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Thousands of students, teachers and employees streamed out of their schools as the second quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill was staged in campuses and some workplaces in this city on Wednesday (June 22).

As the siren was sounded at 9 a.m., teachers and students performed the “drop, cover and hold” positions and walked out of their classrooms to a designated evacuation area, heads covered with books or notebooks.

In Dagupan City National High School (DCNHS), almost 6,000 students joined the earthquake drill despite the on-going construction of a covered gymnasium and five buildings for senior high school.

Ronald de Guzman, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, observed that participants of the earthquake simulation were now attentive and cooperative, unlike in the previous drills.

However, De Guzman noted that the evacuation area at DCNHS is quite constricted and suggested that school administrators should look for an alternative space where students can stay in case of emergency.

“They could tie-up with an adjacent private school that has an open space or those with vacant lots to accommodate students during quake drills,” he advised, adding that DCNHS should alter its evacuation plan, route and area because of the on-going constructions.

Aside from DCNHS, 15 more schools and the division office of the Department of Education in this city participated in the exercise and accepted the #Pagyanig Challenge.

4 Pangasinan LGUs avail of e-AlkaSSSya project

(PNA), ZST/LVM/HILDA AUSTRIA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, June 24 (PNA) — The local government units of Dagupan City, Sta. Barbara, Bayambang and Mangaldan have availed of the e- AlkanSSSya project of the Social Security System (SSS) for contractual employees of the municipal and city government.

Marilyn Dioquino, accounts monitoring section of SSS Dagupan branch, said during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) forum Thursday, that they are still coordinating with the other LGUs to enroll their job order or contractual employees with SSS.

“They (LGU) are having a hard time in accounting for the contribution and some employees would not want anymore deductions from their salaries ," Dioquino said.

In the e- AlkanSSSya project, contractual government employees who are not members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will be registered with SSS.

Under the scheme, their contributions will be shared by both the LGU and the employee to be deducted from their salaries.

However, the provincial government contractual employees’ contributions were shouldered by the provincial government solely.

“Some LGUs have a lot of job order employees who have meager salaries and the LGU could not also shoulder the full contribution, so that is where the problem lies," Dioquino said.

Howevet, SSS still encourages government contractual employees to avail of e- AlkanSSSya project.

Dagupan's best practices showcased in UN meet

(PNA), BR.PGL/LVM/LVMICUA/1505/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, June 23 (PNA)-- Mayor Belen Fernandez, back from the United States on a speaking engagement in the United Nations from June 13-17, revealed it was the best practices of Dagupan that compelled the world body to invite her as one of the panelists to the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Laws of the Sea.

In an interview upon her arrival on Wednesday, Fernandez said it was the Ambassador of Peru who took the cudgels of extending the invitation to her through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after seeing her presentation in the International Ocean Conservancy Convention in Chile last year and the ministerial conference of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Cebu earlier.

The UN meeting, attended by leaders and also of various non-government organizations of different countries, focused on the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of marine debris, plastics and microplastics, as well as progress made in preventing reducing, and controlling pollution from all these challenges, lessons learned and best practices.

Fernandez said she was the lone delegate from the Philippines and was surprised she had to be picked to represent and speak for the country. She was told by the Peru ambassador that they wanted her to share how her city is coping with the problems on plastics and pollution.

Among the best practices of Dagupan that Mayor Fernandez shared with delegates of the convention were the collection of plastic materials from homes of pupils and students and the recycling of these materials to school desks and tables; the ‘Gulayan sa Paaralan,’ which makes use of plastic bottles of softdrink that are opened on one side and used in growing vegetables; and the conversion of plastics into pavers that can be readily harnessed as pathways during the flood season.

She admitted telling the delegates of the convention that every school children in Dagupan has been told by their teachers not to recklessly throw awasy their plastics and instead save them as these can be sold to the junkshops for conversion into many useful materials in homes as well as in offices and even outdoor.

The mayor said this is something similar with the ‘kinder energy’ program in various advanced countries where children at a very tender age are being taught to save their plastics as these may eventually go down and clog the drainage systems and in the end flow and settled in the oceans.

In that convention, Fernandez cited the efforts of her administration in removing illegal fish pens from the rivers numbering more than 390 to date as a means to prevent marine debris.

These 390 fish pens are growing milkfish that need 1.4 million bags of feeds annually, at least 20 percent of these are actually not consumed by the fish that drops in the bottom of the river and rot, thus causing pollution.

"Since we already have an ordinance banning fish pens, we have to remove these structures and replace them with more environmentally-friendly structures such as fish cages, fish traps and oyster beds and props," she said.

Asked what she will do with fish pens in rivers whose owners insist they have titles over the areas covered by the structures although they are inside rivers, she left the matter to City Administrator Farah Decano and City Legal Officer George Mejia who are both lawyers.

She said these structures are fish pens and have to be removed too as they do not have dikes unlike fish ponds, but is leaving this matter to the lawyers.

"In that international convention, it was stressed that prevention of potential marine pollution is easier and less expensive than removing the cause of pollution, that is why we are now banning the construction if fish pens and demolishing those that are still standing in the water, " Fernandez said.

At the same time, Fernandez was assured by the delegates of their full support so that Dagupan can get an 80 million dollar grant to bankroll a project that will convert garbage into diesel fuel and biogas under the Waste to Worth Program backed up by the U.S. State Department, Asian Development Bank and Procter and Gamble.

Up until the last day in office of President Benigno Aquino III, Fernandez is still hopeful a presidential proclamation will be issued segregating a portion of land at Tondaligan area as site of the Waste to Worth projects.

‘Royal house’ back to life

By Yolanda Sotelo (Inquirer Northern Luzon)

IN LINGAYEN, the capital town of Pangasinan province, a historic but long abandoned house is coming back to life.

Casa Real (royal house) at the heart of the town was built in the 1840s by the Spanish colonial government to serve as Pangasinan’s seat of government. The alcalde mayor held office there as head of the provincial government and as judge of the local court. It was also his official residence.

But in 1918, the American colonial government built a capitol building, stripping Casa Real of its political stature.

Casa Real was unscathed when bombs fell during World War II. It was not even shaken by earthquakes. But it did not survive Typhoon “Cosme” (international name: Halong), which literally blew the house down in May 2008.

Reduced to a shell, the 200-year-old structure was neglected until the government decided to restore it, using local and national funds and allocations from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza).

Historical landmark

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declared Casa Real a historical landmark, describing the building as “an outstanding and unique example of civic architecture from the Spanish colonial period … [which] to this day [is] a beautiful monument to the artistry, craftsmanship and ingenuity of the builders.”

One of the early public edifices built with bricks and stones, the two-story Casa Real is sandwiched by the municipal building and the carcel (provincial jail), another historical landmark. It used to have thick brick walls, ornate ceilings, a staircase made of piedra china (granite stone) and wooden balustrades.

During the 1898 revolution, Spanish soldiers and some Filipinos, recruited to fight the Katipuneros, barricaded themselves in the building.

The Katipuneros tried to capture the building by crossing the Agno River at the rear and converging at the nearby Baraca Street. But they were massacred.

Casa Real was later used as a public elementary school. It became a Juzgado or the Court of First Instance, housing two branches and other court offices. After the courts moved out in 1996, government agencies had their offices in Casa Real until 2008.

Restoration

Before the restoration of Casa Real could start, a hundred families, who lived at the back of the property, had to be relocated.

Putting new roof and walls for the building required several agencies to chip in.

The provincial government allocated P5 million for the first phase of reconstruction. The 2016 national budget set aside P30 million for the ongoing second phase, which involved re-roofing and tiling of floors. Tieza earmarked P50 million for the third phase.

NHCP had been supervising and monitoring every step of the reconstruction, said Malou Elduayan, head of the provincial government’s tourism department.

Since the 1940s, Casa Real’s roof was made of cogon grass, according to research by Arabella Arcinue, a local historian. Arcinue, who heads the Provincial Heritage Society Inc., said her group was able to keep some of Casa Real’s original components, like doors and wood trusses, which would be used for the restored building.

When the reconstruction is completed, the government plans to convert Casa Real into a museum.

All systems go for 2nd quake drill in Pangasinan

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, June 21 (PIA) – It is all systems go for the staging of the second quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Wednesday, June 22 at exactly 9 a.m.

Ronald de Guzman, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, bared that at least 16 schools and the division office of the Department of Education here expressed their intent to hold an earthquake simulation.

Secondary schools that initially verified their participation include the Dagupan City National High School and Bonuan Boquig National High School.

On the other hand, participating elementary schools are Leon-Francisco Maramba Elementary School (ES), Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar ES, Sabangan ES, Caranglaan Elementary School, North Central ES, Mangin ES, Tebeng ES, Bacayao ES, Juan P. Guadiz ES, Calmay ES, Pantal ES, West Central ES II, Malued ES, and Suit ES.

According to De Guzman, this exercise is meant to raise awareness and develop a culture of preparedness among people should an earthquake hit the area.

“Likewise, the drill will assess the capacity level of the school and the community in the eventuality of disasters and emergencies,” he added.

Moreover, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) will provide assistance to the conduct of earthquake drills in three schools in the province.

PDRRMO spokesperson Avenix Arenas said they will aid in the simulation of retrieval, evacuation and relief operations at Gayaman Elementary School in Binmaley and at JN Montessori and High School Inc. and Bantayan Elementary School, both in Lingayen.

“A capability building on disaster preparedness and response will also take place for the staff of PDRRMO and community emergency response team from Sta. Barbara at 10 a.m. at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center in Lingayen,” Arenas said.

Meanwhile, those who have their social media accounts are encouraged to show their commitment to the conduct of the second quarter NSED by posting a video saying: “I accept the #Pagyanig Challenge” or a photo with the fan sign "I accept the #Pagyanig Challenge."

The public can also share their earthquake drill experience by posting a photo or video on social media doing the "duck, cover and hold" with #Pagyanig.

Pangasinan receives dental health bus, equipment

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 20 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Pangasinan, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO), received on June 20 one dental health bus from the Department of Health (DOH) and health and medical equipment from a U.S.-based group.

These were turned over to the provincial government during the weekly flag-raising activity at the Capitol Plaza.

The medical equipment from the Bridge of Life-Da Vita USA were turned over to Governor Amado Espino Jr., who was represented by his son and namesake, incoming governor Amado "Pogi" Espino III, current president of the province's Liga ng mga Barangay.

The governor, who is celebrating his birthday today (June 20), was unable to attend the blessing and turnover as he visited the tombs of his father and sibling as part of his regular birthday observance. The older Espino is the incoming congressman of the fifth district of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, according to the younger Espino, the relationship between the provincial government and the Bridge of Life has been very prosperous over the years.

Among the medical equipment donated by the organization through its director for technical operations, Engr. Christopher Atwater Sr., were 863 units of wheelchair, 42 units of infant weighing scale, and 12 units of binocular microscopes.

The Bridge of Life, a non-profit organization that focuses on giving life-saving dialysis machines to developing countries, was the same organization which installed and now operates the dialysis units at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City.

Further, Dr. Ana De Guzman, PHO chief, said the dental bus is under the management of her office and scheduling will be managed by the provincial dentist.

“We will have a meeting with all the dentists of the provincial government to brief them of the scheduling of the dental bus,” she said.

Meanwhile, the distribution of the wheelchairs will be in coordination with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

The incoming governor vowed to continue his father’s legacy of prioritizing the provision of the best healthcare services to the constituency.

Farmers await release of P416-M for irrigation

By Tita Roces

HERE’S a bit of good news for the province’s farmers! The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Pangasinan office is set to implement this year a total of P416-million worth of irrigation projects.

Now the bad news. Engr. Teodoro Paragas, provincial irrigation management office head of the NIA-Project Irrigation Management Office, told the KBP Forum LAST Thursday that while the projects have been approved, the budget has not been released.

He said the bidding process has been done and expressed hope that the fund will be released by the Duterte administration this year.

The P416-million worth of projects are due for construction in all the six congressional districts, the biggest of which is a P26-million project for Dipalo River Irrigation System in San Quintin town.

All told, here will be 50 projects that include irrigation, water pumps, construction of new dams and canals, among others.

Meanwhile, he said only 14 percent of the existing projects budgeted from 2015 are being constructed.

He said the repair of some of their irrigation facilities can only start in October since release of water has already started for planting,

He projects that irrigated farms will have ample palay harvest.

June 20 is a special non-working day in Dagupan City

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, June 18 (PIA) – Malacanang has declared June 20 (Monday) as a special non-working day here as the city marks its 69th Charter Day anniversary.

According to Proclamation No. 1296 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on authority of President Aquino, it is fitting and proper that the people of Dagupan City be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme: “Pangkakasakey na Dagupeño, UNLI-serbisyo’y Nagamuran.”

A report of the City Information Office said that activities prepared for the event include "Kaunuran na Sankatakkenan na Dagupeño," "Kidiam na Oraka," " Labanan na Awaran," "Arte de Dagupan" and Beat the Feat-4 dance contest.

A mass will be held on June 20 which will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Speaker Eugenio Perez on Herrero-Perez village.

On the same occasion, elected young officers of the "Manlingkor ya Kalangweran" will take their oath before Mayor Belen Fernandez.

Dagupan, known for its bangus (milkfish), became a city by virtue of Republic Act 170 authored by then Speaker Eugenio Perez and signed into law by President Manuel Roxas on June 20, 1947.

Dagupan is the only chartered city among the four cities in Pangasinan. The cities of San Carlos, Alaminos and Urdaneta are component cities.

1,500 jobs offered in Pangasinan town job fair

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

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan, June 17 (PNA) -— Some 1,500 vacant local and overseas jobs were offered to qualified jopb-seekers in a job fair held here today.

Arnel Montemayor, provincial employment services office (PESO) manager in Malasiqui town, said more than 500 applicants were interviewed and screened by 15 local companies, five overseas recruitment agencies and one security agency that took part in the job fair.

The local companies such as Coca-Cola, RC Cola and Pacific Star among others offered different vacancies while the recruitment agencies looked for drivers, gardeners, domestic helpers, housekeepers and caregivers for Singapore, Hongkong and Thailand.

“Applicants will be hired on the spot just like in the previous job fair we conducted here,” said Montemayor.

He said this is the second time this year the PESO invited different companies to hold a job fair in the town.

Within six years, at least 50 residents here were employed overseas and more than 300 in the local job market through job fairs sponsored by the municipal government.

“We are doing this as mandated by our mayor and the rest of the officials in line with their advocacy of a more progressive Malasiqui,” said ontemayor.

Pangasinan to plant palay in 180,000 hectares of land this year

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 16 (PNA) -- More than 180,000 hectares of land are now being prepared to be planted with palay all over Pangasinan in this year's planting season.

This was bared by Dalisay Moya, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, who said of the areas set to be planted, at least 40 percent is rainfed or lands dependent on water from the crops to grow.

Planting already started this month of June, just a week after the start of the rainy season on May 25.

Moya said Pangasinan is the largest rice-producing province in Region 1 and the third largest all over the country, trailing Nueva Ecija and Isabela, in that order.

"We should pray together that there will be no big calamities that will come but with or without calamities, we will still be sufficient on rice," Moya said.

She said floods notwithstanding, the province will still maintain its position as the number one food basket in Region 1, not only on rice and corn but also on vegetables, fish and livestock.

Although this year's rainy season has started, it is only thunderstorms that are still being experienced sporadically, especially in the afternoons.

The monsoon rains have not come yet in any part of the province.

Stressing that the rice sufficiency level in Pangasinan is 200 per cent, Moya said that "here in the province, we produce much, much more than what we need."

She said the average rice harvest in the province to date is more than four tons per hectare or from 80 to 100 cavans per hectare.

Free school supplies for 30,000 pupils distributed in Pangasinan town

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

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan June 15 (PNA) -— Some 30,000 pupils from public elementary and day care schools here received free school bags with school supplies from the municipal government here.

This project was first initiated by outgoing Mayor Armando Domantay Sr. since his first term as the mayor of the town in 2007. Domantay will assume as the town's vice mayor on June 30.

Distributed were at least 130,000 ballpens, 130,000 pencils and 130,000 notebooks.

The town has 52 elementary schools and 73 day care centers.

Domantay hopes the next administration of Mayor Noel Geslani will continue this project.

“Hopefully, this will be continued as the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) will appropriate the budget,” said Domantay.

DENR-EMB hires “basura” patrollers

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – To promote responsible waste disposal, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) has hired personnel who will serve as “basura” patrollers.

Planning Officer Rose Carmelita Orduna of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office said hired “basura” patrollers will monitor and report violations of Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Orduna said these “basura” patrollers will patrol public places such as major thoroughfares, roads, sidewalks, canals and parks and see to it that cleanliness is in- placed among the local government units’ (LGUs) jurisdiction.

“These ‘basura’ patrollers will move around the LGUs to identify violators of RA 9003 that will be reported to the higher-ups,” she said during the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of PIA-Pangasinan aired over DZMQ Radyo ng Bayan on Tuesday.

Orduna said that non-compliant LGUs will receive strike letters, adding that the Ombudsman will charge the LGUs who received three strike letters and have still not acted on the matter.

Casa Real restoration finally begins

(PNA), FFC/LVM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 13 (PNA) -- Reconstruction of the Casa Real, once seat of the Pangasinan provincial government and the home of Spanish gobernadorcillo of Pangasinan, has already started, according to outgoing Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

Espino, the incoming Pangasinan's 5th district congressman, expressed hope in an interview on Sunday that the project will be completed before the end of this year under the administration of his son and namesake Amado I Espino III, the incoming governor of Pangasinan.

The project is being bankrolled jointly by the province of Pangasinan and the Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA), formerly the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).

"I hope the project will be completed before the end of this year as I was informed funding from the national government (referring to (TIEZA) is now in the hands of the district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways," Espino said.

Funding for the ground preparation as well as initial roofing of the project came from the counterpart fund from the provincial government.

Once restored to its old Spanish period grandeur, the Casa Real will serve as a provincial museum to complement the Bengson-Yuson Heritage House, built in the late 1800.

This was renovated by the provincial government after it was donated by the family of former Pangasinan 2nd District Congressman Jose Antonio Bengson III.

The Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC) headed by Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque sought the restoration of the Casa Real to its old grandeur.

Both Governor Espino and 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil are in support of the project being a mute witness to the history that unfolded in Pangasinan since the early 1800s.

It was Rep. Bataoil who authored a law in Congress appropriating funds for the restoration of the facility through TIEZA.

The Casa Real served as seat of the provincial government up the American regime till a new one near the beach was built sometime in 1923.

When a new provincial capitol was built, Casa Real was retained to serve as a court house that once hosted the different court of first instances in Pangasinan.

DPWH-Pangasinan to donate school supplies, bags to pre-schoolers

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Some 120 kindergarten pupils of Libsong Elementary School in Lingayen town are set to receive school bags containing school supplies from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Pangasinan 2nd District Engineering Office.

Bernardo Caronongan, information officer of DPWH Pangasinan 2nd Engineering District Office, said their office spearheaded by District Engineer Rodolfo Dion, will distribute the school bags containing pencils, notebooks, writing pad, eraser and crayons to pre-schoolers during the opening of classes on June 13.

Caronongan said the project, which was voluntarily funded by DPWH Pangasinan 2nd Engineering District Office and its employees, aims to help address the school needs of the growing number of pupils enrolled each year.

“Through this project, we hope to share our love with the kids and encourage them to study hard,” he said during the “Pantongtongan Tayo” radio program of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) –Pangasinan on Tuesday.

The activity, which is in line with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) “Adopt-A-School Program”, is intended to give the public school children the tools they need to start their first day of learning, said Caronongan.

Over 7,000 jobs at stake at Kalayaan Day jobs fair in Pangasinan

(VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from DOLE)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – At least 7,610 jobs are up for grabs in the jobs fair being organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Ilocos to highlight the 118th celebration of the Philippine Independence on June 12.

DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua said the jobs fair will be held at the Nepo Mall here from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with some 30 local employers and licensed recruitment agencies participating in the employment facilitation activity.

Ursua bared that as of Wednesday, the local employers that are sure to join the fair are Northcare Contact Center, Inc.; Champion Employment Agency; Kenwood Hauler and Construction; San Vicente Dressing Plant; DRB Sales, Inc.; Magic Group of Companies; RPR Promotions; S & F Finance Corp.; Option Plus, Inc.; S-P Madrid; Pandayan Bookshop, Inc.; E-Performax Contact Center; Qualicare Expert Outsourcing Company; Service Resources, Inc.; One Source General Solutions, Inc.; Kabraso Multi-purpose; LDP Farms Food Corporation; Acabar Marketing; Watsons; JolliMagic; Northpoint and Grolier International, Incorporated.

On the other hand, the licensed recruitment agencies that will participate are Eyequest International Manpower Services, Inc.; SMC Manpower Agency Philippines Company; God’s Will International Placement, Inc.; LBS Recruitment Solutions Corp.; Al Jazira Manpower Services; 1st Northern International Placement, Inc.; B.M.C.A.R.T and Starborne International Promotion and Manpower Corporation.

“Jobseekers are advised to be ready with their multiple sets of application documents, as jobs are aplenty. Our participating companies have numerous vacancies for professionals, skilled and non-skilled workers,” she said.

Local jobs include teachers, call center representatives, production operators, accountants and accounting staff, cashiers, office personnel, engineers and technicians, among others.

Overseas job orders, on one hand, are topped by nurses and allied professions, professionals and skilled workers for the construction, service and agriculture industries.

“One-stop-shop services will also be provided by PhilHealth, SSS, BIR, POEA, TESDA and OWWA to cater to employment concerns of both jobseekers and workers,” Ursua said.

The 118th celebration of the Philippine Independence Day is anchored on the theme: “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong.”

“As what this year’s theme conveys, we will work with our partners to shorten our jobseekers’ search for employment by bringing our job facilitation services nearer to them and in a one-stop fashion,” the regional director said.

Mall giant in Pangasinan to feature giant pop-up book of heroes for Independence Day

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

ROSALES, Pangasinan, June 10 (PIA) – Mall giant SM-Rosales is set to take part in the 118TH Independence Day celebration with the display of a giant pop-up book of heroes in its Pangasinan branch.

SM-Rosales Communications Officer Roselle Gale said the unveiling of the giant pop- up book will be held on June 11 to be led by SM officers and National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose.

“This is in line with Dr. Jose Rizal’s remarks that to foretell the nation’s destiny, it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past,” Gale said.

The pop-up book, which measures 12 x9 x 2 feet thick, is six feet high on plywood. It showcases the heroes of the country with the martyrdom of Rizal in the center.

A painted letter- cut-out of the phrase ‘Pilipinas Kong Mahal’ hangs above the giant book.

Gale said an additional 118 salakot (native hat) will also be showcased which symbolizes the 118 years of Philippine independence along with the heroes who fought for freedom.

SM Rosales has been in Pangasinan for eight years now and is annually creating giant centerpieces for various Philippine occasions as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Pangasinan DPWH joins 2016 Oplan Balik Eskwela

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – To ensure the smooth opening of classes on June 13, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) actively supported the government’s “Oplan Balik-Eskwela” program by preparing the roads leading to schools.

Bernardo Caronongan, information officer of the DPWH-Pangasinan 2nd District Engineering, said his office mobilized the maintenance division to repair and conduct maintenance of roads leading to schools, re-painting of pedestrian lanes and markings, as well as the cleaning and clearing of debris and de-clogging operations of drainage systems to avoid flooding in schools.

Caronongan said the maintenance of roads, schools and classrooms is part of the department’s commitment to ensure the safety of pupils and students in time for the opening of classes this school year.

“Ito pong pagpipinta ng mga pedestrian lanes along national at local roads ay kinakailangan para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral sa tuwing sila ay tatawid sa kalsada sa kanilang pagpasok o pag-uwi mula sa eskwelahan,” said Caronongan during the “Pantongtongan Tayo” radio program of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Pangasinan on Tuesday.

He said the annual Oplan Balik Eskwela, which is actively participated in by DPWH, is an Inter-Agency Task Force that addresses the problems encountered during school opening.

Schools in the second and fourth congressional districts in the province where pedestrian lanes are already repainted are as follows: Bolosan Elementary School, West Central ES, Central I ES, Dominican School, Tubuan Elem. School, Ramon Magsaysay Integrated School, Magtaquing ES, Binmaley I Central ES, Binmaley North ES, Papagueyan ES, Camaley ES, Dumpay ES, Aguilar Integrated School, Salomague Sur ES , Salomague Norte ES, Salomague Norte High School, Umanday ES, First Baptist Learning Center, Mabilao ES, Bulasi ES, Babasit ES, Buenlag ES, Mansabinan ES, and Guiguisangan ES.

DPWH-Pangasinan 2nd District Engineering Office is comprised of the towns of Lingayen, Bugallon, Aguilar, Mangatarem, Binmaley, Urbistondo, Labrador, Basista, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, and San Fabian including Dagupan City.

DOLE to hold special recruitment activity in Pangasinan

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from DOLE)

URDANETA CITY, June 8 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Ilocos will deliver overseas employment opportunities closer to Pangasinenses with a special recruitment activity (SRA) on Thursday, June 9 at the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) here.

DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua said a licensed recruitment agency will offer job orders for professionals and skilled workers needed in Japan.

“The Laguna-based White Dove Recruitment Corporation has approved job orders for welders, painters, machinists, auto mobile repairers, electronic equipment assemblers, casting workers, engineers, plastic molders, industrial packagers, accountants, medical interpreters, among others,” she said.

Ursua said that jobseekers interested to work abroad and who possess the skills and credentials are encouraged to avail of the opportunity.

She advised applicants to bring multiple sets of application documents such as cover letters, resumes/bio data, original and photocopies of passport, diplomas, transcript of records, employment and training certificates, pictures and other proofs of credentials.

According to Ursua, the SRA will be helpful for jobseekers because they do not need to go to Manila and incur bigger expenses.

“Like job fairs, the SRA is among the strategies implemented by DOLE and its partners to facilitate employment of jobseekers,” she added.

Pangasinan town gets equipment aid from DTI

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DASOL, Pangasinan, June 7 (PIA) – The local government of Dasol received an equipment assistance on Tuesday from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that will boost the town’s salt production.

Natalia Dalaten, chief trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Pangasinan, said the equipment aid worth Php 496, 500 will be used for the salt iodization project in this western town of Pangasinan.

“The delivery of assistance was made possible under the agency’s Shared Services Facilities (SSF) project aimed at accelerating the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises through practical tools and training, and by helping them upgrade and upscale,” she said.

Dalaten said the equipment assistance provided by her agency will increase the production of iodized salt to meet the global demand and at the same time, it would help augment the income of local salt makers.

She added that the LGU- Dasol is targeting at least 50 entrepreneurs and individual beneficiaries of the salt iodization project that will fuel the local economy.

DTI bestows Bagwis award to consumer-friendly stores in P’sinan

By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conferred the Bagwis Award to 11 business firms in Pangasinan in recognition of their best trade practices and proper services to their clients.

Provincial Director Peter Mangabat of DTI-Pangasinan said the Bagwis Program seeks to create an environment where entrepreneurship upholds fair and honest business practices through voluntary self-regulation.

“Likewise, it aims to ensure that quality and safe goods, products and services at affordable prices are available at DTI-certified establishments,” he said.

This year, three establishments obtained the Bagwis Silver Award while eight business firms received the Bagwis Bronze Award.

Recipients of the Bagwis Award were given due recognition in a regional ceremony held at the Vigan Convention Center in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on Thursday.

Silver awardees include Mazda Dagupan, Smart Saver Trading Corporation and CJ Fernandez Enterprises, Inc.-Lucao.

On the other hand, bronze awardees are Tycoon Machine Works; De Leon Wash and Wax Accessories; Urdaneta Lumber and Hardware; Servito’s Bakeshop-Urdaneta; CA-MARA Electronic and Refrigeration, Airconditioning Service Center; LXS Builders; J.R.B.D. Auto Repair Shop; and Alex’s Construction Supply.

Mangabat encouraged business establishments in the province to join the Bagwis accreditation program of DTI to help them improve their customer services, adding that, "the best advertisement is from a satisfied customer."

For free seminars and further details about the Bagwis Program, interested firms may visit DTI-Pangasinan office located at the second floor of Star Building in Arellano Street, Dagupan City or contact (075) 515-3183 or 529-6177.

Police ready for schools’ opening

By Leonardo Micua

THE Pangasinan police will put up assistance desks near every school starting the opening of classes on June 13 to support of the “Balik Eskwela” program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

P/Supt. Jackie Candelario, deputy police provincial director for operations and also information officer of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), said policemen will be out of their respective stations, along with their force multipliers, to ensure the safety of pupils and students going back to school.

He told the KBP Forum that in addition to the assistance desk, uniformed policemen will be posted near the school gate to help ensure that those entering schools are not carrying illegal drugs.

Anticipating the opening of classes to spawn heavy vehicular traffic on the streets, policemen will also direct traffic in major streets and in areas where construction and widening of roads, particularly in Dagupan City, Binmaley and Mangaldan.

He said the assistance desks near schools will also address the problem of bullying by students.

Candelario, however, doesn’t expect any major disruption in any of the 48 towns and cities in Pangasinan during the first week of school because all the contingency measures are already in place by the police and their multipliers. (Leonardo Micua)

Pangasinense students undergo training on integrity development

By Elsha Marie Soriano (JCR/EMBS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

ROSALES, Pangasinan (PIA) – At least 26 student from ten various secondary schools in Pangasinan underwent a five-day leadership training on integrity development conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 23 to 27 in this town.

Luzon Deputy Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera said the training dubbed as “Young Leaders Integrity Development Camp” aims to develop the integrity of the chosen 8th and 9th public school students and promote among them the values of honesty in the government.

“Napakalaki ng halaga kapag ang gobyerno natin ay pinatatakbo ng mga honest at tapat sa kanilang tungkulin kaya importante na maumpisahan itong paglinang ng mga values na ito at earliest age as possible,” said Mosquera.

The 26 students were chosen from the 300 applicants who obtained an overall general average grade of 89 percent and grades per subject not lower than 85 percent during the preceding year.

Meanwhile, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Chito Gascon, who graced the leadership camp, told the students that in order to be a true leader they must always carry humility in their lives and learn to stand and fight for the change for good.

“We need to create a culture for active citizen’s participation both in terms for fighting for integrity and corruption as well as educate the youth to know their rights and be aware about governance so that they can expose abuses when it happens,” Gascon said.

During the training, participants were given insights on the following topics: governance, corruption, youth empowerment and volunteerism, leadership, awakening the youth’s role in the community, anti-corruption initiatives in the Philippines, effects of corruption, and integrity and honesty development.

The chosen participants were students from Alaminos City National High School, Bacar National High School, Benigno V. Aldana National High School, Cabuloan NHS, Juan Macaraeg NHS, Manaoag National High School, Mangaldan National High School, Mariano Q. Umipig NHS, Tayug National High School and Urdaneta City National High School.

State-run hospitals to receive new medical equipment

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) – At least two hospitals run by the provincial government here are set to receive additional medical equipment offered by two private companies under a public-private partnership scheme to enhance the delivery of public health and services in the province of Pangasinan.

On Monday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a resolution authorizing Governor Amado Espino, Jr. to sign an agreement with Himex Corporation and United Diagnostic Supply for the provision of hospital facilities and equipment for provincial government hospitals in the province.

The Urdaneta District Hospital is offered by the Himex Corporation with one brand new unit of 16 slices CT Scan Machine under a profit sharing or fixed quota per month for a span of five years.

Likewise, the Mapandan Community Hospital will acquire a glucometer machine and a Mindray BS-120 chemistry analyser, both under a two-year contract with the United Diagnostic Supply.

“The much needed equipment and facilities could add on to better and more accessible ways of serving Pangasinenses especially the underprivileged,” said Board Member Napoleon Fontelera , Jr. in a resolution.

Pope Francis appoints new auxiliary bishop for Lingayen-Dagupan

By (PNA), SCS/FGP/EDS

MANILA (PNA) -- Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Elmer Mangalinao as the new auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

The appointment of Mangalinao was announced by the Vatican at 12 noon on Tuesday (6 p.m., Manila time).

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, the archdiocese has been without an auxiliary bishop since December 2012 after Renato Mayugba was installed bishop of Laoag.

In Pangasinan, Mangalinao will assist the archdiocese’s chief shepherd, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, in his governance of the local Church.

Prior to his appointment, the 56-year-old bishop-elect is the vicar general of the Cabanatuan diocese.

He is also the current president of the College of the Immaculate Conception in Cabanatuan City and School Cluster Head of Sacred Heart School of Talavera and Our Lady of Fatima, General Natividad.

No date has been announced for the Episcopal ordination of Mangalinao and for his installation as the new auxiliary bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Auxiliary bishops are appointed by the pope at the request of the diocesan bishop “when pastoral needs require” their presence, according to the Code of Canon Law.

Their role is to assist the diocesan bishop in the functions of the office and the diocese.

However, their exact duties depend on the diocese, and the responsibilities a bishop assigns them.

OCD rolls DRRM Caravan in Pangasinan

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

DAGUPAN CITY, June 1 (PIA) – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the Ilocos Region, rolled out its Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Caravan for government information officers and media in Pangasinan.

Regional Director Melchito Castro said OCD recognizes the important role of media and information officers especially in times disasters.

“Information is vital during disaster operations. Mahalaga ang mga reports na mula sa media at mga information officers para makapagbigay kami sa OCD ng tamang intervention during disasters,” Castro said.

The activity aims to uphold the connection of Regional DRRMC to media and to bridge the gap of information dissemination, he added.

“We must really work together for safer, adaptive and resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development,” Castro said.

Castro clarified that the Regional DRRM Council does not only refer to OCD alone but to the entire council which has various line agencies as members. These member-agencies collate and verify information submitted by authorities before sending these to the national council and to the public.

“The report from RDRRMC is the official report that is why we do not release unverified reports,” he explained.

Mike Sabado, chief of operations of OCD-1, said reports, especially casualties and damages, should be verified and validated from all levels before it could be released to the public.

“This is to avoid miscommunication and misunderstanding. We also do not want to sow panic and confusion among the public,” he said.

The Pangasinan caravan is the second leg of the activity. The first was held in La Union province on April 26. The third leg will be held in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in June. A DRRM Radio Program was also launched on May 4 with OCD Undersecretary Alexander Pama as guest.

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