Pangasinan News May 2013

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

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

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

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Pangasinan State University, Asingan Campus
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Church in Aguilar Pangasinan

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Dagupan City schools now ready for opening

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 31 (PNA)-- A total of 11,374 high school and 20,924 elementary students will troop back to class in Dagupan City on Monday.

This was disclosed by Dr. Edilberto Abalos, education program supervisor of the City Schools Division, who said everything is now set for the opening of classes throughout the city on June 3.

The number, however, did not include college students who may yet start their classes on June 17 or earlier as a few of them are still enrolling.

Dagupan City is the center of higher education in the whole of Pangasinan with three big universities within its fold.

Abalos said the "Brigada Eskwela," joined by no less than Acting City Mayor Belen Fernandez, held May 20 to 25 prepared all public schools in top shape condition prior to school opening.

At the same time, the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) has tapped the help of communication and civic organization to help in traffic management during the opening day of school.

This is reportedly in view of the limited number of POSO personnel to be assigned on traffic duty during the day.

The police headed by Superintendent Christopher Abrahano has coordinated with school officials on the need to maintain security inside and outside the campus.

Acting Mayor Fernandez made it clear to the police that she does not want a repeat of last year's incident when a coed of the Dagupan City Nartional High School (DCNHS) was brutally killed inside the campus.

Corollary to this, Senior Inspector Ryan Manongdo, information officer of the Pangasinan Police, said chiefs of police in Pangasinan were alerted by Police Provincial Director Marlou Chan to adopt proactive measures to protect pupils, students and teachers from any troublemakers.

Manongdo said police visibility will be maintained inside and around schools to make no room for any troublemaker, including drug pushers, to strike.

TESDAS's C4TP snowballs in Pangasinan

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 30 (PNA)--The Cash for Training Program (C4TP) of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority is now in high gear in Pangasinan.

TESDA Provincial Director Manuel Wong said that of the 1,734 slots allotted for Pangasinan under C4TP, at least 1,510 or 87 percent were already filled up.

The 100% implementation of C4TP is expected to be completed not later than the second week of June, Wong assured.

TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva launched C4TP when he visited the province last February.

The program is a joint undertaking of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the TESDA budgeted at a total of Php34.7 million.

It allocates Php20,000 to every scholar to be used for their training fees, assessment fees, and transportation allowance.

Those being trained under C4TP are young Pangasinenses from the family-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as identified earlier by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The beneficiaries are being trained on Automotive, Driving, Food and Beverage Services, Commercial Cooking, Bartending, Motorcycle and Small Engine Repair and Maintenance,,Welding, Housekeeping, Computer Hardware Servicing, Beauty Care, Consumer Electronic Servicing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance and Animal Production.

Pangasinan gov to find U.S. doctor who can treat ailing mother

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LMMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 29 (PNA) -- Aside from taking a much-needed rest in the United States after an exhausting campaign, Governor Amado Espino Jr. will look for a medical specialist who he can invite to the Philippines to treat his ailing mother.

The Provincial Information Office (PIO) said this was indicated by the governor in his letter to Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II requesting for an authority to travel to the U.S.

He stated that in the U.S., he will look for medical experts who he could invite to the Philippines or find a hospital that would admit his mother, Victoria Totaan Espino.

Gov. Espino left for the U.S. on Monday and will be back on June 25 in time for his inaugural for his third and final term of office on June 30.

He entrusted the affairs of the provincial government to reelected Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr., his runningmate in the last election, so he could attend to his mother’s medical needs.

Mrs. Victoria Totaon Espino suffered a stroke sometime in December when she disheartened by the barrange of black propaganda hurled against her son by his political detractors.

Disheartened about the negative reports against his favorite son, the Espino matriarch suffered a stroke last December 31 that put her into a temporary comatose condition.

The governor’s travel to the U.S. will also include his visit to a daughter who just gave birth.

DOST to mount equipment for disaster mitigation in Pangasinan

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

DAGUPAN CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Ilocos Region will start mounting automatic rain gauges (ARG) and water level monitoring systems (WLMS) in Pangasinan on May 30.

Science Research Analyst Flogileane Barizo said that both instruments will help in predicting inclement weather conditions with the onset of the rainy season.

“Both devices, which will be installed through the Pangasinan Science and Technology Center, will be used as basis in giving out early flood warnings to communities,” she said.

The ARGs and WLMS are components of the nationwide implementation of the DOST’s Project NOAH or Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, which is a response to President Aquino’s call for a more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas throughout the Philippines.

The ARG tracks and records the rainfall volume and duration in a given time. The rainfall data are distributed through the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network and are handed down to the central server for analysis. The processed data are accessible over the Internet.

On the other hand, the WLMS is strategically placed in flood susceptible zones for flood monitoring and forecasting.

The system is composed of a solar panel and an ultrasonic sensor device that measure and verify the flood water height in real time. The sensor computes the time elapse between sending the signal and receiving the echo. The information acquired is then transmitted to the agency’s central database.

“We are stepping up our efforts in disaster mitigation,” said DOST Provincial Director Felipe Andrada.

“This venture is in collaboration with our partners in the LGUs, Petron Gas Corporation and Smart cell sites,” Andrada said.

The ARGs and WLMS will be installed in the province’s river basins including Alcala, Bayambang, Natividad, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Tayug, Umingan and Urdaneta City as well as in Petron gas stations and Smart cell sites.

Barizo said that partner agencies will provide the area or site of installation and its fencing.

DTI to strengthen bangus fry production in Region I

(PNA), LAM/PTR/LVM/HMAUSTRIA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan, May 27 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office, in line with its implementation of the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Program (NIICCEP), now focuses on fry production as its initial step to help strengthen the "bangus" (milkfish) industry.

Rose Quitos, business division chief of DTI regional office, said their series of meetings with bangus growers and other stakeholders have identified the insufficiency of bangus fry as a hindrance for the price competitiveness of the industry.

They found out that bangus growers in Pangasinan still source out their bangus fry from neighboring provinces, particularly Ilocos Norte, adding cost to their capital.

"We hope to address the insufficiency of bangus fry so that the cost of capital will be lessened -- meaning more capital means more bangus," Quitos said.

The DTI partners in this venture with the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC), a research facility of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Dagupan City.

Director Westly Rosario, chief of NIFTDC, confirmed that their role in the project is to provide training and seminars to the bangus growers on fry production.

Rosario said that some bangus growers from the province are now visiting the hatchery and nursery facility of BFAR located in Dumangas, Iloilo as part of their training.

"We will let them see how the bangus growers in Dumangas operate their backyard hatchery and production," Rosario said.

Meanwhile, some 20 bangus growers here will also undergo training on hatchery and nursery operation at NIFTDC.

"We aim to revitalize their interest in the bangus industry," Rosario said as he noted that it is high time that we go for this since all the needed facilities are available in the city including the Seafood Processing Plant located in Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City.

Bangus industry is one of the 24 industry-beneficiaries chosen from all over the country under the NICCEP, a joint project of the DTI and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which allotted P1 million for this part of the project.

Quitos revealed that Pangasinan and La Union were the only provinces chosen as beneficiaries from Region 1 but for now, the focus of the project is Pangasinan.

Sual is home to model bangus fish cages

By Eva Visperas

SUAL, Pangasinan—Definitely, the “strictly no fish pens policy” here is paving the way for the boost in bangus (milkfish) industry in this coastal municipality which has not experienced even a single fish kill occurrence over the years.

Enough distance from one cage to another, proper feeding management, correct stocking density, and regular water quality monitoring are some of the keys behind the bangus growers’ success here, Florencia Guanzon said in an interview Thursday.

Other bangus-producing coastal towns/city in Pangasinan had their share of multi-million peso losses in recent times, like Anda, Bolinao, Binmaley and Dagupan City and had hogged the headlines because of its tremendous impact to the bangus industry.

It may be recalled that in 2002, a major fishkill happened in Bolinao town with estimated losses of P100 million, another in 2007 that affected Dagupan City, Bolinao and Anda with P32.7 million estimated losses and in June 2010, Bolinao, Anda, Binmaley and Dagupan suffered another fish kill with estimated damages of P95.5 million.

“We are very thankful we haven’t experienced fish kill because we really give full teeth to our fishery ordinances particularly on no fish pen policy,” Guanzon said.

She added this has been going on since the time of then President Fidel Ramos.

At present, there are 720 units of fish cages floating in the coastal waters in Barangays Bacquioen, Pangascasan and Cabalitian where most of these structures are located, she said.

Bangus growers harvest their produce twice every one year and a half, giving enough time, too, to empty their cages before another set of stocks are raised again.

Every one unit of circular fish cage, about 16 meters in diameter, can have a stocking density of 40,000 to 45,000 pieces of bangus so they could have enough space for proper dissolved oxygen, she said.

Bangus growers here also observe clustering of their fish cages with proper navigational lane, waterways and correct distance from column to rows (30 meters), rows to unit (20 meters), unit to unit (10 meters).

Clusters are about 50 meters away from each other.

They also have designated areas for fish cages called mariculture zone area.

Because of their successful implementation of their policies, bangus growers enjoy high yield and profit. Last year, the volume of production of their bangus was about 276 metric tons, Guanzon said.

These are brought to the Malabon and Navotas markets and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had accredited their produce for local and international markets.

WORTH EMULATING

Simple yet practical, says Dr. Westly Rosario, BFAR center chief based in Dagupan City, of the policies adopted in Sual town for its bangus industry.

He said these are positive policies of a local government unit to improve its area that can also be adopted by other bangus producing areas in Pangasinan like Dagupan City, Binmaley, Anda and Bolinao.

Rosario said it is noteworthy that Sual has sustained its bangus industry with zero fish kill incidence. The one big difference is the town has good policy, he said.

In Sual, corporations can own a maximum of 50 units of fish cages while individual owners can have a maximum of 15 cages.

No wonder that fish cages have almost uniform design, including the nipa huts where the bangus raisers stay at, he said.

Rosario also noticed the town’s coastal area has consistently good dissolved oxygen (DO) level of 8 parts per million (ppm), higher even than the normal 5 ppm for ideal growth rate of bangus.

The other bangus-producing areas always have critical DO level every time there is neap, he said.

Rosario explained that neap tide is a period in a month wherein tidal fluctuation is very minimal and that no fresh and oxygenated water flows in estuaries where the fish pens, cages and ponds are located.

Neap tide which is a natural phenomenon that results in very low level of DO which causes stress to fish stocks and can lead to fish kill, he said.

Suzuki opens service camp in Pangasinan

By Liezle Basa Iñigo

Calasiao, Pangasinan — Suzuki Philippines rolled out a satisfaction-guaranteed Suzuki Service Camp at its automobile center here for two days until today.

Dubbed “Suzuki@Work,” the Suzuki Service Camp offers a free 23-point check-up of any Suzuki vehicle.

Suzuki Auto-Pangasinan General Manager Reynaldo Jimenez said the service center expected around 60 vehicle owners to avail themselves of the service for general check-up of the exterior of vehicle, underhood, under chassis, until delivery yesterday.

Expert technician Masami Uchiyami, a representative of Suzuki Japan, was onhand to supervise the over-all check-up of Suzuki vehicles assisted by Auto Service Manager Rommel Cabanela.

Aside from the free general check-up of Suzuki units from the oldest to the latest models, the Suzuki Service Camp distributed giveaways, 1 liter of mineral oil, and big discounts on auto spare parts.

Uchiyami said the two-day Suzuki@Work service camp’s objective is to satisfy the owners of Suzuki units as well as promote their latest units.

National karatedo tournament opens in Pangasinan

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 24 (PNA)-- More than 100 Karate-do practitioners representing six teams have entered in the two-day OSKA Shikodan Philippines All Shorin-Ryu National Karate-do Tournament which kicked off Friday at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) here.

The participants come from the Philippine Cats Claw Martial Arts Association- Kuwait; Mugenkai Martial Arts Association- Lingayen-Dagupan, Pangasinan; Falcon Team-Malasiqui, Pangasinan; Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Clan- Bicol; Shidokan Escote Dojo- Antipolo City; and De La Salle University Shidokan-Cavite.

The karate fest opened with Governor Amado Espino Jr, as guest of honor and speaker who was represented by Provincial Employment Service Office chief Alex Ferrer.

The competition has three categories: kobudo, kata, and kumite. Kobudo covers all ancient martial art traditions (armed or unarmed).

The second category: kata refers to detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs and the last one, kumite is the sparring game.

After hosting a number of national sports events in the past, like the Palarong Pambansa last year, Pangasinan has embarked this time on hosting a national Karate-do championship.

The tournament is part of the province's aim of being the center of sports in the region as well as in the whole of the Philippines, added Ferrer.

Oska Shikodan Philippines President Jeremy Escote formally opened the event also dubbed as 4th Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-Do Association (OSKA) Shikodan Philippines National Tournament 1st Katsuya Miyahira Cup, named after Katsuya Miyahira, founder of OSKA Shidokan in Japan.

Escote also thanked the provincial government for all the support it extended in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Escote addressed the young players to "study hard, train hard, and fight easy."

Awarding ceremony will be on May 25 at the NRSCC gym followed by a "sayonara" (farewell) party which will serve as a treat of the provincial government to the entire delegation.

2-day livestock and poultry expo, goat congress kick off in Pangasinan

(PNA), DSP/LVM/LMMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN,Pangasinan, May 23 (PNA)--The two-day PILMICO Livestock and Poultry Expo and Goat Congress kicked off today here with some 5,000 backyard livestock raisers from various towns of Pangasinan and Tarlac attending.

Being held at the premises of the Provincial Training and Development Center (PTDC) and at the Sison Auditorium, the opening program had Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. as guest of honor and speaker.

In his speech, he commended PILMICO for the opportunity given to the province specifically the local backyard raisers in learning modern and innovative techniques on swine and poultry-raising.

Calimlim said that the present administration of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has set its sight in improving the lives of Pangasinenses as it prepares the province to become an ideal place “to work, live, invest and raise a family.”

According to him, the Espino administration is looking forward to the realization of its vision to include a better livelihood opportunity for all local backyard livestock raisers.

Director Valentino Perdido, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 1, said that their agency is thankful for the kind of support that the company (PILMICO) has extended not only in Pangasinan but also countrywide.

He noted that DA is looking for trusted partners to further the cause of agricultural development in the Philippines.

Perdido disclosed that on their part, the DA has enhanced and intensified its Genetic Improvement Program so that local stakeholders can become quality meat suppliers and competitive as well, in the near future.

Meanwhile, PILMICO thru Hendel Cabral, Vice President for Sales, guaranteed a strong partnership of their company with the DA and to Pangasinan.

Cabral said that PILMICO’s aim includes professionalizing the backyard livestock raisers’ sector by way of interaction and sharing of expertise.

The first PILMICO expo was held in November last year in Cebu.

Pangasinan, according to Cabral, was chosen as the second venue of their expo because aside from the fact that the province has the most number of livestock production in Luzon, it is likewise an ideal place for agricultural business being strategically located near three big demand centers (Ilocos, Baguio City, and Pampanga).

PILMICO will also pilot test a project on financing for selected beneficiaries.

The company said that interested participants are advised to proceed in their Swine Consultation Booth located at the PTDC grounds.

Pangasinan backyard farmers to benefit from 2-day expo cum fiesta

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 22 (PNA) -- Local backyard farmers will be given the benefits of modern technology and innovative ideas with the holding of a grand two-day Pilmico Poultry, Livestock and Goat Expo on May 23 and 24.

Dr. Eric Perez, Provincial Veterinary Office chief, said that the expo is considered as one big and important event for local backyard livestock farmers because of the new ideas they can learned from the scheduled seminars to be held at the Sison Auditorium here.

The seminar is anchored on the four-core diamond program of Pilmico, a livestock feeds producer.

Perez identified the four-core program pillars as: 1) breeding and genetics, 2) sound management, 3) complete healthcare and, 4) excellent nutrition.

“Local backyard farmers will have an opportunity to widen their knowledge on successful hog-raising and game-fowl breeding,” Perez said.

He added that the expo will further the cause of launching viable livelihood options for grassroots development in terms of backyard farming.

For his part, John Paul Pangilinan, Pilmico marketing manager, said that aside from acquiring information, participants of the expo can build and strengthen their network.

Pangilinan said that a fiesta atmosphere will be experienced again in Pangasinan after the successful staging of the Pistay Dayat 2013 wherein Pilmico became one of the event sponsors.

During the expo, Pilmico products will also be available thru the booth exhibits to be strategically mounted at the PTDC compound.

Other highlights of the event include raffle draws for participants, pig show, chicken show and aerial "sabong" (cockfighting) which is actually kite-flying competition.

Pangasinan Employees' Wellness Center begins operation

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 21 (PNA)-- Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. on Monday inaugurated the first of its kind Employees’ Wellness Center located at the second floor of the Alley Building, Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center.

The center was put up by the provincial government in order to help enhance the health and welfare of provincial government officials and employees and increase their work productivity.

The Wellness Center which is anchored on the Healthy Habit Club of the provincial government includes a fitness gym and spa.

"This will boost our job of giving monthly checkup to the employees", ” said Provincial Health Office (PHO) Chief Dr. Anna De Guzman of the new facility.

The fitness facilities, include as treadmills and stationery bikes, will promote weight management that in turn will lessen the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, De Guzman also said.

The PHO Chief cited that about 20% of the provincial government employees are diabetic while 30-35% are hypertensive.

Meanwhile, the sauna, massage and reflexology will help in the stress management of the employees, she added.

Furthermore, older employees could opt to have dance exercises as Zumba, Latin dances, and other aerobic exercises with the help of the audio-visual set.

The exercises would also help in improving the fluidity of the body so as to avoid rheumatism and other diseases, De Guzman added as she urged employees to visit the center to have their exercise twice or thrice a week.

The operation of the facility is under the Human Resources Management and Development Office (HRMDO) in collaboration with the PHO.

“ We in the PHO see to it that they (employees) are physically fit at mentally fit to undertake fitness program at the wellness center while the HRMDO will see to it that all employees will have access to these facilities so that they become more productive and prolong their life," explained De Guzman.

HRMDO is likewise in charged with the maintenance and safekeeping of all the equipment.

According to De Guzman, the wellness center is exclusively for provincial government employees- regardless of their employment status but is expected to be open for the rest of the public soon, perhaps with a minimum payment.

The Wellness Center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays to Thursdays and from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Fridays to Sundays as well as on holidays.

First elected woman mayor to give Dagupan hope, reforms

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 20 (PNA) -- A fresh wind of hope and change is now blowing in the Dagupan City Hall shortly after the election of a first woman mayor who will rule the city of more than 150,000 for the next three years.

Many are now pinning their hope on Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez to institute the necessary reforms in the structure and complexion of Dagupan City since after pulling a surprise victory over incumbent mayor Benjamin Lim in a one-on-one duel.

The battle for the mayorship in Dagupan City was dubbed as the "battle of the malls" as the two contenders are owners of malls with branches in some key towns and cities of Pangasinan and in adjacent provinces.

Fernandez is the president and chief executive officer of the City Supermarket Inc., owner of a chain of malls in Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Sur. Lim's family owns the Magic, which similarly own malls in places where the rival company operates.

A candidate of the ruling Liberal Party, Fernandez promised transparency and good governance and a graft-free Dagupan City where the money of the people will be accounted for up to the last centavo.

She relied on her performance as vice mayor for two terms and councilor for one term to help her win the mayorship. On the other hand, Lim was general manager of the Duty Free Philippines, became congressman for one term and mayor of Dagupan for three terms.

However, despite Lim's edge in experience, Fernandez won the race by 4,140 votes, more than the vote margin registered by Lim three years ago when he beat the once vaunted former Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. by some 1,700 votes.

Her campaign program "Pag-asa at Pagbabago" (Hope and Reform) made more impact on the voters of Dagupan than the program presented to the electorate by the incumbent mayor who ran for reelection with no less than his son Brian as his running mate.

The small people longing for reforms, who included members of the urban poor, senior citizens, jeepney and tricycle drivers' groups, displaced fishermen and others voted for Fernandez.

To them, she was found to be more approachable and hands-on official than the incumbent Lim. They think Lim is elitist and is hard to approach in public and even in his office.

A workaholic, Fernandez barely had sleep during the campaign as aides said she would leave their home, sometimes alone, to campaign as early as 5:00 a.m. and calls it a day in the wee hours the next morning.

"I had to double time in campaign knowing that I was fighting a giant in politics," Fernandez said after she won the race and proclaimed by the City Board of Canvassers.

A daughter of one of the early Chinese pioneers of Dagupan, Fernandez continued the business founded by her late father in order to see all her siblings through college so that they can improve their lives.

During a campaign rally in Sitio San Gabriel, Bonuan Boquig, she confessed to her audience that one of the good advices left by her father Jimmy to her children was "Never, never steal". She won by landslide later in the whole of Bonuan Boquig.

She won in all three Bonuan villages whose combined population comprise less than hall of the total population of Dagupan, and prevailed even in her opponent's bailiwick Pantal and Malued. She likewise won in all the island barangays of Dagupan, except in Barangay Carael.

Fernandez prevailed in her own precinct in Barangay I where her opponent Lim and his wife are also registered voters.

As a businesswoman, she won the franchise to put up the CSI Market Square on a lot owned by the Dagupan City government to help resuscitate the economy of Dagupan after the city stumbled from the great 1991 earthquake.

With her at the helm of the family company, their business soon expanded to other parts of Pangasinan and in other provinces, such as La Union, Ilocos Sur and Baguio.

She first entered politics in 1995 as a city councilor and was appointed by then Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. to chair the executive committee of the 50th charter anniversary of Dagupan City.

It was there where she first showed to Dagupan people she can manage and organize a big city event. In her first term as vice mayor, she was appointed by the mayor as permanent chairperson of the Dagupan Bangus Festival which she steered well with much successes for three successive years.

Nursing from from her first set back when she failed to win the vice mayorship the first time around in 1998, she rested in politics for six years and concentrated on her business.

When then Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. wanted to come back as mayor of Dagupan after a stint as undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government and as Immigration Commissioner he tapped Belen Fernandez to be his running mate.

That was an easy sailing for the Fernandez-Fernandez team in the 2007 polls. But in 2010, only Vice Mayor Fernandez won her reelection as Mayor Fernandez was beaten by come-backing Benjamin Lim after one year term break of his mayorship.

In the just concluded election, Fernandez went to the people mouthing the campaign slogan "Pag-asa at Pagbabago" up to the remotest villages of Dagupan to assure the less-fortunate people of Dagupan that now is the time to effect the needed change to give back Dagupan its better days.

She won by scoring the biggest upset ever registered in Dagupan political history.

A riverine venture in Pangasinan

By Amadís Ma. Guerrero (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The town of Binmaley in eastern Pangasinan lies near the capital of Lingayen Gulf, surrounded by 16 rivers and fishpens. In fact, three quarters of the town are wetlands, brimming with bounty from the sea, rivers and fishpens.

In town recently with a group of media colleagues for Pangasinan Day, one came across a restaurant with a sense of space and scale: Bangsal is a “lechon (roasted pork) and seafood restaurant.” The style is somewhat reminiscent of a big mountain log cabin.

It is managed by Armi J. Bangsal-Lorica and her mother Carmelita. The restaurant was founded in 1975 by Armi’s late father, Loreto Bangsal.

“It started with one table and one lechon … in one corner of the lot,” Armi says. “Every Sunday we would have roasted pig.”

Soon, she recalls, they started serving lechon every day, “and the table grew from one to twenty.”

Construction on the building started in 1978, and then it slowly grew through the years and decades.

Her father was “conservative,” according to Armi, and he used the earnings from the growing restaurant to expand the building.

Today the property is known as Bangsal Suites & Restaurant, and the complex has a hotel, bakeshop, spa and music lounge.

The suites occupy two stories and have all the amenities. Prices range from P2,500 to P4,500. The property is now owned by Armi’s sister, Marissa Bangsal-Cerezo and her husband, Lorenzo Cerezo, mayor of Binmaley.

The spa is called “Nature’s Bless” and prices for the services range from P300 to P1,800.

The specialties of the house are “a feast for four or more”: Sigay (Pangasinan for harvest) Boodle, P999, ad Chinese Boodle (P1, 299).

Sigay Boodle consists of rice with salted dilis (small fish) served on banana leaves, hito (catfish), boneless bangus (milkfish), shrimps, salted egg, okra and tomatoes.

Slightly heftier is the Chinese Boodle with crab rice in a pot, crispy hito, butter chicken or spare ribs, seaweed with century egg, minced pork and lettuce wrap.

“Medyo nagtitipid ang mga tao ngayon (people are somewhat frugal these days),” Armi notes. So, to drum up business, Bangsal has gone into catering, while hosting weddings, debuts and parties.

“So we give affordable prices, combi, eat all you can, from time to time,” she adds.

Also, she promotes the restaurant and its affiliated features in government offices, NGOs, and events and sportsfests like the Palarong Pambansa and the Prisaa meet.

Business, according to her, is “modest, unlike before. People are very selective. We are really selling Pangasinan to tourists, domestic and foreign. Pero kulang pa … papunta na kami (there are not enough tourists … but we are getting there).”

Business for the complex as well as for the province is expected to improve with the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), which will be ready by next year or 2015.

One heartwarming anecdote about Bangsal Restaurant is that couples who patronized the place in the 1980s now bring their grandchildren to dine there. And they would tell the kids: “You know, your lolo used to court me here, and we got married and had our wedding reception here…”

Armi may be reached at (0917) 5087379.

Poultry, livestock expo set in Pangasinan May 23-24

(PNA), JBP/LVM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 18 (PNA) -- The country's biggest poultry and livestock expo and goat congress will unfold in Pangasinan from May 23 to 24 with the convergence of various local backyard raisers from different parts of the province.

The two-day expo, which is a joint partnership scheme of Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation and the provincial government of Pangasinan thru the Provincial Veterinary Office and Tourism Division, promises to be a spectacular event for backyard animal raisers.

Several activities will highlight the grand expo such as seminars on hog-raising which will be held at the Sison Auditorium on May 23.

Discussions on poultry-raising, on the other hand, will be conducted on May 24 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC).

John Paul Pangilinan, Pilmico Marketing Manager, said the expo will not only cater to local backyard raisers but will likewise delight cockpit aficionados as a different kind of aerial "sabong" (cockfight) will be experienced on May 24, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Capitol beachfront.

Aside from this, pig show and chicken show will be featured on the first and second day, respectively.

The pig show which is slated on May 23, 6:30 p.m. at the PTDC will showcase the 10 healthiest hogs being raised and fed with Pilmico products.

Moreover, the chicken show scheduled on May 24, 6:30 p.m. also at the PTDC compound will feature some 50 chicken of most beautiful layers coming from the 150 layers that were earlier distributed to local raisers in time for the expo.

The hogs as well as the swine/poultry will be auctioned to public after the show.

Pangilinan said that the scheduled expo in Pangasinan is actually the second installment of the first-ever event held in Cebu last November 2012.

He said Pilmico chose Pangasinan to be the venue of this summer event since the province is considered as the biggest backyard market for swine in Luzon.

A fiesta atmosphere is expected during the two-day expo with food kiosks on deck at the specified area.

Solon vows to perk up Hundred Islands

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 17 (PNA) -- Reelected Pangasinan Rep. Jesus Celeste (1st District) on Friday vowed to help in the preservation of the Hundred Islands National Park, Pangasinan's top tourist destination located in Alaminos City.

Celeste said that unlike before, "this will soon be possible" since his brother Arthur Celeste is the new elected mayor of Alaminos City.

“Before, we were hands off in the Hundred Islands. It is different now as my brother is the newly elected mayor,” remarked Celeste, predicting that more tourists will go to the place once it undergoes full-scale development.

He vowed to clean and generally improve the state of the once prime national park in the whole country. "We will improve the Hundred Islands,” he added.

Meanwhile, when asked of his plan on the unfinished Hundred Islands International Airport, he said he will talk to experts to find out from them what exactly should be done to the site.

“We cannot imagine how an airport could be positioned in the middle of two mountains ” he explained. "Perhaps, we can better turn it into a farm to grow grains".

Celeste regretted the funds already spent for project which up to this day is not operational.

The congressman likewise vowed to maintain the services being given to all the villages in the first district as well as his tree-planting activities and other tourism-boosting projects.

Pangasinan Tupig-makers reveal the secret to a successful community enterprise

(PNA), FPV/DOLE/EBP

MANILA, May 16 (PNA) -- In the Municipality of Balungao in Pangasinan, tupig has been known to be the town’s best delicacy. Such homegrown product not only tickled the tastes of Filipinos, but also the tourists who visit the great attractions of the North.

The booming venture of tupig production inspired the 25 members of the Tupig Makers Association of Balungao (TMAB) to turn their simple homespun tradition into a community enterprise.

In 2009, the DOLE Regional Office No. 1, together with the local government of Balungao as the accredited co-partner, awarded a total of P144,300 to the group as they jumpstart their tupig-making livelihood.

The 25 TMAB members underwent project management training, simple bookkeeping/financial management and values orientation.

The LGU of Balungao also provided the tupig-makers with technical and marketing assistance.

Tupig-maker Marites Camba recounts that producing 500 to 1,000 pieces of tupig daily would mean a take home pay of P500.

But Marites and the rest of the members of TMAB did not stop in dreaming big for their chosen livelihood venture. The DOLE Regional Office shared their aspiration of making tupig as a world-class product.

Creating a ripple effect to ensure the sustainability of tupig production, the DOLE awarded P498,069 financial grant for the Tupig Livelihood Enhancement and Integrated Agricultural Production, which benefitted 100 persons, including the 25 members of TMAB.

The assistance also benefitted 35 rice farmers, 25 banana planters, and 25 charcoal makers as the DOLE supported the allied livelihood activities related to tupig-making such as the production of glutinous rice and banana and charcoal briquetting.

“Through the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program-Community Enterprise Development, we envision a more sustainable community enterprise through the infusion of more funds and services in the local industry, thereby assisting individual workers and community groups in developing livelihood activities right in the communities” DOLE Regional Office No. 1 Director Grace Ursua said.

“Convergence is the key. Through the DOLE’s convergence with other partner agencies, we move in providing more worker-groups with productivity improvement services to enhance the enterprises’ competitiveness,” she added.

The convergence of DOLE and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Balungao paved the way for sound agricultural practices in glutinous rice production.

The Department of Trade and Industry introduced the beneficiaries to product quality and competitiveness, packaging and labeling, marketing and linking assistance through trade fairs.

Technology for better productivity alongside with environmental consciousness was also instilled among the beneficiaries of the charcoal briquetting project through the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology.

Access to social protection schemes was also afforded the beneficiaries through the Social Security System and PhilHealth.

Through the power of convergence, the project underwent full-blown transformation in terms of tools, product quality and competitiveness, productivity and returns/profits.

From the open grill on which they used to cook the tupig, their cooking equipment now has a roof and a stainless steel body with glass display compartment.

Even the native delicacy itself has been “dignified” with its appealing packaging and labeling, a total make-over from the usual old newspaper which was traditionally used as wrapper.

Marites shares that she and her colleagues have also diversified the flavors of the tupigs. Consumers can now select among peanut, cheese, and the original young coconut flavor.

“Now, our tupig is marketed not only in the country, but reaches as far as HongKong, Singapore, Spain, Canada, and the US,” Marites said.

With their improved and increased tupig production, Marites proudly remarks that TMAB’s production has increased to 1,500-3000 pieces daily. Consequently, each member’s income doubled, making it decent enough for a family’s daily subsistence.

For Marites, her income from tupig-making allowed her to send one of her child to college and two to high school.

Espino in landslide win as Pangasinan governor

(Rappler.com)

PANGASINAN, Philippines - The provincial board of canvassers proclaimed on Wednesday morning, May 15, re-electionist Gov Amado Espino Jr as the winner in the heated Pangasinan gubernatorial race.

Espino of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) won his third term as governor of the vote-rich province with 809,165 votes. His Liberal Party rival, Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza only got 280,967. Braganza lost in his own city.

The board has canvassed at 71% of the total votes cast in the province.

Although NPC is an administration ally in the senatorial slate, the ruling LP fielded Braganza to challenge the incumbent governor.

Espino leads by wide margin in Pangasinan gubernatorial race

By Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK (GMA News)

Re-electionist Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr. is leading the gubernatorial race in the province despite the accusations hurled against him last year, a television report said Tuesday.

With 58.62 percent of votes tallied, GMA’s Eleksyon 2013 count showed that Espino garnered 530,923 votes compared to the 191,389 votes of Liberal Party bet Hernani Braganza.

Last December, Mayor Rodrigo Orduña of Bugallon, Pangasinan, filed a plunder complaint against Espino with the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly earning around P800 million a year from the illegal numbers game jueteng.

Espino, who ran under NPC/BISKEG, has denied the accusation, saying the filing of the case was politically motivated and connected to the May 13 elections.

According to a television report aired at GMA News Tv’s “Balita Pilipinas,” about 31 towns and three cities or 70.83 percent of towns and cities in Pangasinan have transmitted their municipal votes tally to the provincial board of canvassers.

The other nine towns had problems with defective compact flash (CF) cards, the report said, adding that local election officers have already requested the National Support Center of the Commission on Elections to deliver CF cards in problem areas.

The report said Pangasinan maybe able to fully transmit its certificates of canvass by Wednesday.

2 Reps, 7 mayors enjoy unopposed election candidacy in Pangasinan

(Venus May H. Sarmiento/PIA-Pangasinan/Media Ng Bayan)

PANGASINAN, May 13, (PIA) – Two Congressional representatives and at least seven town mayors in Pangasinan enjoy unopposed election fight today.

Leading the walk in the park are re-electionist representatives Ma. Rachel Arenas (third district) of the Liberal Party and sixth district Rep. Marlyn Primicias of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Arenas, in December, withdrew her candidacy and was substituted by her mother, Rosemarie Arenas.

For the mayoralty race, seven candidates are unopposed: Ricardo Camacho (Bayambang), Silverio Alarcio Jr. (Laoac), Robert de Vera (San Jacinto), Timoteo “Dick’ Villar (Sto. Tomas), Mina Joy Pangasinan (Sison), Eldred Tumbocon (Umingan) and Amadeo Gregorio Perez IV (Urdaneta City)

The luckiest candidates are in Santo Tomas town where mayoral candidate Villar, vice mayoral candidate Willy Pescador and the eight councilors are assured of winning their posts as they have no opponents.

The elections will just be a contest among the Santo Tomas council candidates on who will get the highest number of votes.

Provincial Election Supervisor Marino Salas said the unopposed candidates need just at least one vote to ensure their win.

The province of Pangasinan has 1.6 million voters and at least 2,364 PCOS machines are being used here today.

NPC to hold own quick count in Pangasinan

By Carmela Fonbuena (Rappler.com)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) re-electionist Gov Amado Espino Jr has mobilized poll watchers to do the party's own quick count of the poll results on Monday, May 13.

One poll watcher will be assigned to each of about 2,000 polling precincts in the province. They will SMS the results as soon as the PCOS finished counting and before it is transmitted to the canvassing center located at the Capitol.

It's a security measure, said provincial administrator Raffy Baraan.

Espino is running against administration bet Alaminos City Mayor Nani Braganza. It is one of the provinces that Malacañang eyed this elections. President Aquino visited Pangasinan at least twice to campaign for Braganza.

(READ: Braganza, Espino and a divided clan)

The Braganza camp, on the other hand, accused the Espino camp of massive vote-buying.

"We have been receiving reports that vote-buying operations are taking place in all areas of Pangasinan 3 days before the actual election day," said LP spokesperon Oscar Lambino, a former vice governor, in a statement on Sunday.

Lambino talked about political operators supposedly setting up "mobile buying stations" like "sari-sari stores and buses, where the cash are handed out together with the sample ballots."

He claimed that votes are bought for as low as P200 to as high as as P10,000 per family.

Voter's registration of some bishops 'deactivated'

(FP/Sunnex)

MANILA -- A number of Catholic bishops may not be able to vote in the May 13 midterm polls as their registrations have been deactivated.

A check on the precinct finder system of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) website, www.comelec.gov.ph, showed that Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Jose Palma, whose full name is Jose Serofia Palma has been deactivated due to reactivation without biometrics.

Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez explained that the reason why the Cebu prelate's name was not in the list might be because he was not able to complete the registration reactivation process.

Likewise, the registration records of retired Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz could not be found in the precinct finder.

"I was surprised when I found out about it but at the same time I won't be surprised if I'm already deactivated since I was not able to vote twice," Cruz said.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Lingayen-Dagupan added that he was in Rome during the May 2010 polls and was not able to participate in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls the same year.

On the other hand, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas have active registration records.

The Manila Archbishop is a registered voter of Imus, Cavite while Villegas is a registered voter of Dagupan, Pangasinan.

Jimenez noted that their precinct finder is just a guide, as he advised voters to verify their status from their local election office.


All systems go for polls in Pangasinan

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 10 (PNA) -- It's all systems go in Pangasinan as far as Monday's election is concerned.

This was according to Provincial Elections Supervisor Marino Salas exactly three days before the election.

All the 2,364 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines allotted for Pangasinan had earlier been deployed to 1,193 polling centers in 48 towns and cities.

The Provincial Police Office (PPO), through its spokesman Senior Inspector Ryan Manongdo, said there were 1,233 policemen guarding all these polling centers 24/7.

Salas said the synchronized final testing and sealing of all PCOS machines held last Tuesday was successful with the exception of 17 which encountered minor problems but were promptly replaced by backup PCOS machines.

Asked if the election office has any contingency plan when brownout occurs just like what happened last Wednesday, Salas said they have battery backups and generators for the PCOS machines for use during power failure.

But he said that based on the assurance of President Benigno Aquino III, there will be no brownout whatsoever on the day of the election.

Salas said that to facilitate identification, voters must bring along with them their Comelec IDs or any government-issued IDs for presentation to the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).

For purposes of expediency, he said, voters must bring along with them to the polling center their own list of candidates and their respective numbers.

At the same time, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) provincial chapter through Fr Alan Abuan foresees no major problem will arise during the election.

The PPCRV has mobilized 3,000 volunteers throughout the province who had undergone orientation of their duties and functions, the first one of which was voters' education which was already finished, poll watching which is ongoing and operation quick count parallel with the Comelec just after the close of voting.

Each PPCRV volunteer was ordered to use their cell phones in documenting fraud and irregularities, including vote-buying.

Salas said voting begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. However, if there are still voters lining up after 7 p.m., their names are listed and will be allowed to vote.

He urged voters to vote early to avoid long queues.

Quick Reaction Team formed in every police station in Pangasinan

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 9 (PNA)--A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) has been formed in every police station in 48 towns and cities of Pangasinan in preparation for Monday's elections.

This was disclosed by Senior Supt. Ryan Manongdo, provincial informtion officer of the Pangasinan Police Office (PPO), speaking today (Thursday) during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) chapter forum.

Manongdo said the QRT is a composite team of policemen from the Special Action Forces (SAF), Regional Police Mobile Group and the Public Safety Mobile Company and one local policeman who will immediately respond to any problem on peace and order.

This is to ensure that the policemen on duty at the polling center as well as those guarding Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines will not be bothered anymore so that they can concentrate on their specific duties, Manongdo said.

Manongdo said there will be only 11 policemen left in every police station on election day but will be complemented by a separate QRT who can respond to any peace and order problem.

He said there are 1,193 polling centers throughout Pangasinan now being guarded 24/7 by 1,223 policemen who are not expected to leave their post at any time.

"We want to call the attention of our provincemates that the policemen on duty in polling centers and guarding the PCOS machines are not allowed to leave their posts but on emergency cases can be consulted but will only refer the matter to QRTs," he added.

The Police Provincial Office (PPO) thanked the Philippine Army for sending 199 Army personnel in Pangasinan who are now helping man checkpoints and implement security measures in towns and cities.

These Army personnel brought along with them their two Armored Personnel Carriers (APC), one of which was assigned in Bolinao and the other in Dagupan City.

These are in addition to the policemen earlier sent to Pangasinan by the PNO regional and national headquarters, Manongdo said.

At the same time, he said the province of Pangasinan remains peaceful and orderly with only five days more to go before the election as no big untoward incident had happened yet.

He also commended some citizens of Urbiztondo for effecting citizen's arrest on two persons allegedly buying votes which, he said could also be done by other citizens who love their country.

All systems go for PNP, Army in Pangasinan

(PNA), JBP/LVM/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 8 (PNA)-- It's all systems go as far as preparations by the police and military in Pangasinan to secure the May 13 elections are concerned.

This was assured by Senior Supt. Marlou Chan following a final meeting of the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC) in Dagupan City attended by police, military and Commission on Elections officials last Tuesday.

The meeting, also attended by regional police Director Ricardo Marquez, discussed among others issues and security requirements of the 16 areas of concern in the province before, during and after the elections.

The 16 are Alaminos City, Agno, Bolinao, Infanta, Dasol, Bugallon, Urbiztondo, San Carlos City, Malasiqui, Dagupan, Binalonan, Alcala, Rosales, Balungao and San Manuel.

Aside from providing tight security to the 16 areas of concern, Chan also assured maximum security in all the 1,193 polling centers of the province.

Chan admitted that the 1,250 policemen in the entire province may not be enough.

To date, the 2,364 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines have already been deployed and these need to be guarded by one policeman per PCOS machine till election day.

Chan is thankful that Police Regional Office 1 deployed additional 200 policemen in Pangasinan while the Philippine Army sent about the same number.

All are now doing law enforcement function to take the place of Pangasinan-based policemen deployed to provide security to the PCOS machines.

As to alleged apprehension of people over the deployment of two armored personnel carriers (APCs) in Pangasinan, he said this is a normal occurrence since they are part of the mobilization of the Army.

He explained that the APCs are attached to a particular Army unit and anywhere this unit moves, the APCs move with it.

One APC is now deployed in Bolinao town and the other for Dagupan City.

Final testing, sealing of PCOS machines in Pangasinan successful

(PNA), JBP/LVM/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 7 (PNA) -- The final testing and sealing of 2,364 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines in 48 towns and cities of Pangasinan on Monday was successful except for minor problems encountered by 17 machines.

This was disclosed by Provincial Elections Supervisor Marino Salas who said the 17 were immediately replaced as they had 48 extra PCOS machines available or on stand-by in such emergency cases.

Most common problem encountered by these 17 PCOS machines is that they failed to print the result. One PCOS machine may have suffered short-circuiting.

Salas considered these as just minor problems.

All the PCOS machines were fetched from municipal and treasurer's offices by members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), secured by policemen at one policeman per PCOS machine the day before.

This means 2,364 policemen of Pangasinan are now on 24-hour duty for the PCOS machine and withdrawn from their duty of performing law enforcement function.

With this development, Salas said Pangasinan is now ready for the May 13 polls except for some more minor details being ironed out.

At the same time, the Comelec, the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are holding their final meeting today in Dagupan.

It was learned that two more areas have been added to the 14 that have been earlier identified as areas of concern in Pangasinan.

The 16 are Alaminos, Agno, Bolinao, Infanta, Dasol, Bugallon, Urbiztondo, Malasiqui, San Carlos City, Dagupan City, Binalonan, Alcala, Rosales, Balungao and San Manuel.

Meanwhile, 500 more policemen from Camp Crame arrived in Pangasinan Monday to beef up the existing police force in the province, one of the 15 areas of concern throughout the country in this May 13 polls.

This is in addition to the 200 policemen from Police Regional Office 1 that arrived in the province on Saturday.

School donation in Dagupan reminds of a bit of Philippine history

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 6 (PNA)--A bit of Philippine history was recalled when a rich family from Manila donated a six-room school building, costing P5 million, for the Pantal Elementary School here.

The donor was Petrona Bucad-Lim, widow of the late Bienvenido Lim who was born in Barangay Pantal, Dagupan and whose forebears were among the city's original Chinese families.

Mrs. Lim, a graduate in Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1957, said they made the donation coursed through Rep. Gina de Venecia (Pangasinan, Fourth District), in memory of her late husband Bienvenido who was born in Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City.

The school building was inaugurated today, Monday, in a ceremony attended by De Venecia, her husband former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Vice Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, City Schools Superintendent Gloria Torres and principal Medarlo de Leon.

Construction of the school building, named Bienvendio T. Lim Building, was rushed in time for the opening of schools in June.

Former Speaker de Venecia said he knew Bienvendio Lim as the son of Lim Cham, one of the Chinese pioneers in Dagupan.

He said his grandfather used to say that Lim Cham was the Chinese friend of national hero Jose Rizal who used to accompany him when he was courting Leonor Rivera by crossing the Pantal River in boat.

Rivera, who became sweetheart of Dr. Rizal, later married Henry Kippling, a British railroad engineer, in the Dagupan church.

At the same time, Vice Mayor Fernandez said the Lims (no relation to Mayor Benjamin Lim of Dagupan City), said that in her brief talk with Mrs. Lim, she learned that her family were the owners of the first copra mill in Dagupan that used to manufacture soap and cooking oil.

The factory was located in Pantal, Dagupan, just beside the former Dagupan Colleges, now University of Pangasinan.

She said her father Jimmy, also one of the Chinese pioneers in Dagupan, used to bring her to the copra mill when she was still a child.

The copra factory operated till the late '60s. The Chinese family that owned it migrated to Manila.

De Venecia said the family of Petrona Bucad Lim has been donating many school buildings throughout the country through the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and decided to donate one in the place where their beloved Bienvenido was born.

Construction of the school building was started in January this year.

Mrs. Lim said she and her children are happy they were able to make a difference in the place where here late husband was born.

Residents of Barangay Pantal did not know of Bienvenido Lim but old folks can recall that there was one time a copra mill that used to be operated by a Chinese family.

240 augmentation policemen arrived in Pangasinan

(PNA), PDS/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, May 5 (PNA)--At least 240 additional policemen from Police Regional Office 1 arrived in Pangasinan Saturday to help secure the May 13 election.

Senior Supt. Marlou Chan, officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan Police Office, said the augmentation force was to beef up the police strength in four cities and 44 towns.

Although he is not anticipating any violence during the election, Chan said additional policemen are needed as Pangasinan is one of the 15 areas of concern of the police nationwide in this election.

These law enforcers will be under the chiefs of police who are working in tandem with the municipal or city election officers, he said.

The new augmentation force boosted a company from the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) and from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) already in the province.

Chan hailed the arrival of additional augmentation force as the present strength of the Pangasinan police was practically reduced to 45 per cent with the deployment of the bigger 55 percent of the policemen to guard each Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines. He said they need the additional force because there are few more policemen left to do the regular enforcement duty.

Chan expressed hope the 240 policemen who arrived will still be boosted by another augmentation force from the Philippine Army.

Chan also confirmed that an Armored Personnel Carrier (APCs) from the Philippine Army for deployment in Dagupan City has arrived and is now on standby in an army camp nearby Binmaley.

Another APC, he said, was deployed in western Pangasinan, particularly Bolinao.

PCOS machines arrive in Alcala, Pangasinan

By David Lozada (Rappler.com)

ALCALA, Pangasinan – 36 precinct-count optical scan (PCOS) machines arrived at the Commission of Elections (Comelec) office in Alcala, Pangasinan on Saturday, May 4, as the municipality prepares for the upcoming midterm elections.

The PCOS machines arrived in a container truck sealed with the Comelec lock. Armed police officers assisted the election officials in receiving the machines.

The arrival of the PCOS coincided with the inauguration of the newly renovated municipal hall.

UNLOADING. PCOS machines are delivered to different areas. Parts are assembled in the local Comelec offices. UNLOADING. PCOS machines are delivered to different areas. Parts are assembled in the local Comelec offices.

According to administrative aide I Frances Menor, the PCOS will be delivered to the clustered precincts of 26 different barangays on Sunday, May 5. “Sasamahan kami ng mga pulis,” she added. (Police officers will accompany us.)

Last Friday, May 4, the Comelec in Alcala gave the final briefing to more than 150 board of election inspectors (BEIs). The inspectors, mostly teachers, were given instructions on the different scenarios that could occur during elections.

Election concerns

Although there have been no recorded incidents of election-related crimes, the local races in Alcala are being closely monitored.

Outgoing Mayor Manuel Collado supported his party-mate Vice Mayor Pao Mencias Jr (Nacionalista Party) in the mayoral race over his own cousin Manuel Tolentino (Liberal Party). The municipal officials and the residents are divided between the two candidates.

Police officers have also set up various check points in the municipality to prevent any election-related violence from breaking out.

WELL-GUARDED. Police officers surround the COMELEC office as the PCOS machines are being unloaded. WELL-GUARDED. Police officers surround the COMELEC office as the PCOS machines are being unloaded.

According to some residents, vote-buying is also rampant in the barangays. The price of a vote ranges from P200 to P500.

Menor noted, however, that they have not gotten any reports regarding vote-buying. “Residents should really report if they know cases of vote-buying so that the Comelec can act on it,” she added in a mix of Filipino and English.

In an interview, mayoral candidate Tolentino noted that he has heard of such vote-buying cases in the municipality. “I won’t point fingers…but people had been complaining to me that there are people who offer them money for their vote,” he maintained.

Alcala has a total of 24,107 registered voters according to the Alcala Comelec. There are 36 clustered precincts in the municipality.

Pangasinan spikers take 2nd leg of Petron volley

(The Philippine Star)

Melanie Carrera (second from left) and Cassandra Lleda receive their 2013 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament championship trophy from Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (left) and provincial executive assistant Modesto Operana.

LINGAYEN, Philippines – Pangasinense spikers Melanie Carrera and Cassandra Lleda weathered the strong breeze blowing northwards as they got past University of the East spikers Leuseth Dawis and Pia Sarmiento, 21-18, 22-20, to win the second leg of the 2013 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball tournament at the beachfront of the provincial capitol grounds.

Wary of an afternoon breeze which ruined most of their high-flying shots, the former University of Luzon standouts played a cautious game en route to the win that clinched them a seat in the Petron Volleyball Battle of Champions in Boracay in October.

With the match tied at 20-all, the Pangasinense bets moved ahead after Dawis smashed a long volley out of bounds.

They then clinched the championship when Lleda hit an ace, launching the ball towards Dawis’ direction. They went into celebration as the ball hit the back of a crouching Dawis, before quickly bouncing off Sarmiento’s front and went out of range.

“Sobrang lakas ng hangin, kaya kailangan may control kami sa bola namin,” said the 24-year-old Carrera, who claimed her first crown with Lleda in the event held as part of the province’s celebration of the Pistay Dayat festival.

Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (second district) and provincial executive assistant Modesto Operana awarded the trophies to the winners in this Petron event, also supported by Mikasa Balls and the provincial government of Pangasinan through Gov. Amado Espino. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The duo, who represented the provincial engineering office, arranged a showdown with Dawis and Sarmiento after they eased out identical twins, Nieza and Jeziela Viray, 21-12, 21-5, in the semifinals.

Dawis, a hotel and restaurant management senior, and Sarmiento prevailed in a closely fought semis contest with Far Eastern University bets Maritoni Basas and Fil-Australian Samantha Dawson, 21-12, 17-21, 15-13.

Pangasinan youth goes green in poster-making contest

By April Montes (MCA/AMM-PIA1, Pangasinan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 2 (PIA) -- The provincial government wants to involve the youth in promoting environmental protection by conducting a poster-making contest focused on the environment.

Rowena Dela Cruz, administrative assistant of the Solid Waste Management Office, said the contest held last week was one of the highlights in this year’s Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival) celebration.

“It is a form of information, education campaign to heighten peoples’ awareness especially the youth on the importance of the environment,” Dela Cruz said.

Participants, who were assisted by their coaches, belong to grade school and high school from public and private schools.

Students will create posters depicting the theme “Seven Principles of Environmental Education.”

The seven principles include: (1) Nature Knows Best, (2) All Forms of Life are Important, (3) Everything is Connected to Everything Else, (4) Everything Changes, Everything Must Go Somewhere , (5) Ours is a Finite Earth, (6) Nature is Beautiful, and (7) We are Stewards of God’s Creation, she added.

Criteria for judging are creativity and presentation, originality, relevance to the theme and over-all impact.

Winners in the high school category will receive a cash prize of P5, 000 for the top prize while the second and third prize winners will take home P3, 000 and P2, 000 respectively.

For the elementary category, the first prize winner will receive P3, 000 cash while the second and third prize winners will receive P2, 000 and P1, 000 each.

The Provincial Information Office said the project will become a regular fixture in the festival celebration in partnership with schools.

PNoy back in Pangasinan to unveil bypass road on May 2

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

DAGUPAN CITY, May 1 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to be back in Pangasinan on May 2, this time to open a P9.9 million-bypass road in Barangay Quibaol in Lingayen town.

Engr. Josie Oamar, assistant director for operations of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Ilocos, said the Lingayen-Binmaley bypass road cuts travel time to 15 minutes for Dagupan commuters going to the province’s western section avoiding traffic in downtown Lingayen.

The President is expected to arrive at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow to inaugurate the 1.65 kilometer stretch-road, which is part of the Aquino administration’s thrust in providing infrastructure projects that would benefit the public.

District Engineer Rodolfo Dion, of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said Phase 1 of the road project started in May last year and was completed in less than two months.

The budget for the road contract was taken from the Special Road Support Fund also known as the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) amounting to P9.9 million.

Dion said the DPWH derived some P486,780 in savings because the winning bid amounted to only P9.58 million.

The project’s second phase started in January and was completed on March 31. The agency again drew some P495,028 in savings from the bid amount of P9.4 million.

President Aquino will then motor to the Lingayen I Central School in Barangay Maniboc, also in Lingayen town, to meet with local leaders and community folks coming from congressional districts 1, 2 and 4.

The President will also meet leaders and residents at the Urdaneta Cultural Center in Urdaneta City.

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