Pangasinan News November 2015

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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

PRO1 gets new patrol vehicles

By Alfred P. Dalizon

THE Police Regional Office 1 now boasts of 40 more brand-new Mahindra patrol jeeps to help them beef up their anti-crime patrols in the entire Ilocos-Pangasinan region.

PRO1 director Chief Supt. Ericson Velasquez on Friday received the patrol jeeps from Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento.

Twenty-one of the jeeps will be distributed to different police stations in Ilocos Norte while 19 will be issued to the La Union Police Provincial Office.

Velasquez thanked the DILG and the Philippine National Police leadership under Director General Ricardo Marquez for the new patrol vehicles, which he said will make the Ilocos-Pangasinan police force better equipped and more responsive in carrying out its anti-criminality campaign, particularly the ongoing PNP Oplan: “Lambat-Sibat.”

Sarmiento announced during the turnover ceremonies that the PNP will procure another 16,000 sidearms and long firearms worth P2.1 billion under its capability enhancement program.

“Aside from vehicles, we will also provide communication equipment to our policemen amounting to more than P800 million and it is also in our plan to purchase vests for our police,” he said.

Velasquez expressed gratitude to the DILG chief for the patrol jeeps and for spearheading the capability enhance program of the PNP.

“Surely, the new vehicles will enhance the mobile capability and substantial police presence of our police units in responding to emergencies and in support to administrative and operational requirements,” he said.

At present, the PRO1 has 116 Mahindra patrol jeeps, with 44 of them already issued to the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office and 32 to the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office.

Bikers pedal against drugs

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – At least 250 bike enthusiasts took the road on Wednesday in support to the government's anti-drug advocacy.

Raymund Basbas, administrative officer of the Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center here, said the activity dubbed “Padyak Kontra Droga” was part of the awareness campaign of the Region 1 Medical Center-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center against the use of illegal drugs.

This is also in line with Proclamation No. 124 which declares the third week of November of every year as “Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week” in the Philippines, he said during the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of PIA-Pangasinan on Tuesday.

The observance seeks to increase understanding of the adverse effects of drug abuse not only on the health of the people – especially the youth – but also on the social, economic and even the political development of the country.

This year’s “Padyak Kontra Droga” was held in cooperation with the Dangerous Drugs Board, DOH, DILG, PDEA, PNP, DepEd, Panda Fire Volunteer and the city government of Dagupan.

Basbas said that aside from this biking activity, they also conduct outreach programs in schools and jails to orient the participants on the country’s drug abuse problem, the ill effects of drug abuse and the legal consequences of being involved in illegal drugs activities.

News Feature: DOLE’s special employment program helps indigent students get college education

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

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan, November 28 (PIA) – The Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) was not merely an employment bridging program, it is also an uplifting arm that brought indigent students closer to their dreams of achieving a college diploma.

Gemalyn Sibayan, 26, shared that her life has changed for the better after being a student-worker through the SPES program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) where she was one of the beneficiaries nine years ago.

Sibayan was assigned as an office aide at the local government unit of Urbiztondo from April to May 2006.

“Being a SPES worker helped me develop values and skills which I could not have learned in school. I learned to manage my time wisely and productively. Realizing the value of hard work, I developed a stronger determination to pursue my dreams in life,” she said.

She also developed her patience, which she finds very useful in her present profession as teacher at the Balangay National High School in this town.

“I was also able to pay my tuition fee from the salary I earned. The SPES is like a program which pays you while learning. I am very thankful to the DOLE and the LGU of Urbiztondo,” she added.

DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua said the SPES prepares the student-workers for actual work, thereby increasing their employability when they finally look for jobs after graduating.

“We at the DOLE delight in the stories of success of our program beneficiaries. There is no better reward than knowing that they have succeeded in life and are able to participate more in achieving development and growth for their families, community and the country,” Ursua said.

She bared that for this year, around 5,490 students have been placed by various government agencies, public and private educational institutions, private companies and local government units for employment during summer and Christmas vacation.

The amount of P13,231,202.04 have been allotted for the DOLE’s 40 percent share in the student-workers’ salaries.

“We thank our participating employers whose growing commitment to the SPES continues to assist more poor but deserving students through the years,” she said.

90 Pangasinense athletes vie for Batang Pinoy 2015 national finals

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov 27 (PIA) – At least 90 Pangasinense athletes, who were trained and conditioned under the sports development program of the provincial government, will vie for this year’s Batang Pinoy national games scheduled today until December 2 in Cebu City.

Governor Amado Espino, Jr, who graced the send-off ceremony for Team Pangasinan held on Monday at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in this town, stressed that sports development forms part in molding the potentials and personalities of the youth that should be inherited by the next generation.

Espino urged the athletes, who will compete in 13 sporting events such as arnis, athletics, cycling, boxing, chess, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, taekwondo, volleyball, basketball and wrestling, to aim for higher standing in the Batang Pinoy National Finals.

He said that since the formation of Team Pangasinan in 2011, athletes from the province showed commendable performance in Batang Pinoy.

“Pangasinan athletes continuously posted good performance in Batang Pinoy National Finals as it ranked 18th in 2011, 12th in year 2012, 11th in 2013 and 9th in 2014, out of hundreds of local government units in the country,” Espino said.

Batang Pinoy is a national sports competition program for children, which aims to address the need for a grassroots sports program center on values formation inherent in the practice of sports.

Likewise, some 31 coaches and 15 delegation officials will attend and support the athletes from the province.

18 towns receive multipurpose vehicles

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 26 (PNA)--Eighteen towns comprising the first and second districts received on Friday (November 27) early Christmas gifts from the Pangasinan provincial government, as each one was provided with a multipurpose vehicle.

The multipurpose vehicles, Mitsubishi L300 model, were turned over to the respective Liga ng mga Barangay (LB) municipal/city federation during a blessing/turnover ceremony held at the Capitol Plaza here.

According to Board Member Amado 'Pogi' Espino III, LB provincial federation president, these vehicles are the provincial government’s response to the LB’s request in December of last year realized only now.

“The vehicles are a big help to every Liga ng mga Barangay, as we all know the barangay (village) is the frontliner of government service,” he said.

“At least some basic problems and services needed by our fellows in the village, like during disaster response and relief operations, among other transportation needs, can already be provided at the barangay level,” he added.

Espino reminded barangay officials that the vehicles are “for official use only.”

The 18 vehicles were received by the towns of Agno, Sual, Mabini, Infanta, Dasol, Burgos, Anda, Bolinao, Bani, Alaminos City, Labrador, Lingayen, Aguilar, Bugallon, Mangatarem, Urbiztondo, Binmaley, and Basista.

The remaining 29 towns from the third to sixth districts of Pangaainan are expected to receive their multipurpose vehicles on December 8, said Espino.

Meanwhile, Governor Amado Espino Jr. said the project was one way to “give dignity to the frontliners of public service.”

He called on barangay officials to uphold respect in performing their responsibilities.

“You were elected by the people of your barangay, you should give justice to that,” he told them.

The more than P48 million funding for the procurement of the 47 vehicles was sourced out from the 2015 provincial budget.

Dagupan‘s Waste-to-Worth project cited in APEC meet

(VHS/PIA-1Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN City’s Waste-to-Worth project was cited during a press briefing conducted for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) week Friday.

Trade Undersecretary Laura Del Rosario, chair of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) for APEC, gave the city’s project as an example in her opening statement at the International Media Center when she discussed the country’s development agenda, which, she described as an activity “that will affect the well-being of person.”

“We have projects on converting waste to worth, like plastic waste, how we can convert them into something more useful. We call it ‘Waste to Worth Project’. We’re doing this in relation with cities we have chosen, for instance, the cities of Dagupan and Angeles and they’re working with the plastics industry so that they will have the technology and the know-how to convert this what we call useless stuff into becoming useful stuff, you convert it into something that can be sold, or something that could create livelihood,” Del Rosario said.

The SOM Chair said because of the development agenda, the Philippines has gone into what is called APEC Quality Growth Strategy, which will focus on three key accountability areas which include institution building through governance, social equality and environmental impact of economic activities.

It will be recalled that in September, Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez addressed the APEC 2015 ‘Building Better Cities’ forum where she shared with the international community the biggest challenge being faced by Dagupan as a growing urban city.

In that forum, Fernandez said that the biggest challenge facing her administration is putting a permanent solution to the garbage problem of the city and closing the more than 50-year old dumpsite through the waste to worth project of Procter and Gamble and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) of which Dagupan is a possible recipient.

The $ 8 million Waste-to-Worth project seeks to convert waste into biogas fuel which in turn can be used by the 5,000 public utility vehicles and motor boats in the city.

DTI to retailers: Stick to SRPs

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

DAGUPAN CITY, November 24 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has warned retailers, distributors and manufacturers against selling basic commodities higher than the suggested retail prices (SRPs).

Provincial Director Peter Mangabat of DTI-Pangasinan reiterated that selling goods more than the SRPs is an illegal act of price manipulation.

“Any retailer, distributor and manufacturer found to violate the Price Act will be penalized with an administrative fine of up to P2-million with an imprisonment of up to 15 years,” Mangabat said.

He urged consumers to be vigilant when purchasing basic necessities and prime commodities by checking not only the prices but also the quality of the products they buy.

“For updates on the latest SRPs, visit the DTI website: www.dti.gov.ph,” he said.

To report complaints on spike of prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, Mangabat said that consumers can call the DTI-Pangasinan office at telephone numbers (075) 515-3183 or 529-6177.

Pangasinan to open mobile pre-departure seminar for emigrants

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan November 23 (PIA) - The provincial government here in coordination with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) will soon implement a quarterly mobile pre-departure orientation seminar (PDOS) in Pangasinan to spare emigrants from the burden of traveling long distances to Manila.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution authorizing Governor Amado Espino, Jr. to sign an agreement with the CFO for the implementation and institutionalization of a quarterly mobile PDOS in the province.

"Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country are required to register with the commission and part of its registration requirements is attendance to the PDOS to address their adjustment concerns in their destination countries," said the resolution authored by Board Members Ranjit Shahani and Alfonso Bince, Jr.

"It is to the best interest of the provincial government to find ways to improve services for Pangasinense-emigrants through their attendance to the mandatory pre-departure orientation seminar to be conducted near their place of residence," said Bince during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan held on Monday.

Espino will sign the memorandum of agreement with Commission on Filipino Overseas Secretary Imelda Nicolas.

The mobile pre-departure orientation seminar is a program of the Commission on Filipino Overseas that seeks to inform emigrants about the travel regulations, immigration procedures, cultural differences, settlement concerns, employment and social security concerns and rights and obligations of Filipino emigrants.

Pangasinan vendors upgrade livelihood through ‘Negokart’assistance from DOLE

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

DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Some 20 vendors from Binmaley and Lingayen towns recently received their vending carts from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Ilocos to help them earn more from their existing livelihood.

DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua said the P300,000-worth of livelihood assistance is part of the agency’s Negosyo sa Kariton (Negokart) project which aims to help the beneficiaries turn their small livelihood undertakings into more profitable business that will earn more income.

The Negokart assistance comprises a vending cart which is attached to a side car; capital for raw materials; training on production, entrepreneurship and business management; social protection; and business permits.

The provincial government of Pangasinan shared P76,000 for the training expenses and licensing of the beneficiaries’ businesses.

Alona Geslani, 47, from Barangay Tombor in Binmaley, said the assistance is already the third which she and her family have received from the labor agency.

“My family and I cannot thank enough the DOLE, provincial government of Pangasinan and Pangasinan PESO for all the assistance,” she said.

Geslani was also a beneficiary of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD, a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and unemployed poor, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

Her daughter, Maria Thalia, also benefitted from the Government Internship Program (GIP), where she had the experience to work with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and earn for the period June to November this year.

“With my vending cart, I can reach more customers because of greater mobility. With additional capital, I can sell more goods and with the trainings, I will be able to properly manage my small business. I am optimistic that these project benefits will redound to more sustainable business and income,” Geslani said.

Barangay folk build police community precinct in Pangasinan

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

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan (PNA)—An Php 800,000 worth police community precinct with a floor area of 150 square meters located in a 300-square meter lot in barangay Gatang here was built purely from donations of barangay folks.

Supt. Armando Muena, chief of Malasiqui police station, said the structure is now 95 percent finished and will soon be inaugurated next month.

Construction of the police community precint was done through the bayanihan way with barangay officials and police trainees providing labor for free.

Muena said the funds used for the purchase of materials all came from the donations of the residents of barangay Gatang, Don Pedro, Lepa, San Julian, Warey, Bakitin, Umando, Palong, Nalsian Norte, Nalsian Sur, Tomling, Goliman, Olea and Waing, with the assistance of the municipality of Malasiqui and members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).

“We practiced ‘bayanihan’ as the laborers were the barangay officials and our trainees, their services were given free and we only gave them free lunch and snacks, and that’s it”, said Muena.

He added the lot where the police precinct was built was donated by residents Luis Cabatbat and Ambing Junio. Most of the residents of the village are farmers.

Muena said the need for a community precinct in the area became urgent due to frequent incidents of robbery-holdup and cattle rustling in the area, aside from the fact that the village used as a usual escape route of riding-in-tandem criminals.

“This area is a way going to Alcala, Bayambang and other neighboring towns and despite being a far-flung barangay we still don’t have a police precinct”, said Muena.

He said since then, the police coordinated with the barangay officials with the assistance of Mayor Armando Domantay Sr., a fundraising drive was started and eventually the construction.

At least six policemen were assigned in the police precinct.

“We have enough number of policemen since we got additional nine policemen last month”, said Muena. Furthermore, a request letter asking the SB to appropriate the amounts to pay for the electricity installation and monthly payment for electric consumption when the precinct becomes operational will be tackled by the body in its session on November 24. (PNA) CTB/LVM/HILDA AUSTRIA/RMA


http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=828914 Barangay folk build police community precinct in Pangasinan

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan Nov. 19 (PNA)—An Php 800,000 worth police community precinct with a floor area of 150 square meters located in a 300-square meter lot in barangay Gatang here was built purely from donations of barangay folks.

Supt. Armando Muena, chief of Malasiqui police station, said the structure is now 95 percent finished and will soon be inaugurated next month.

Construction of the police community precint was done through the bayanihan way with barangay officials and police trainees providing labor for free.

Muena said the funds used for the purchase of materials all came from the donations of the residents of barangay Gatang, Don Pedro, Lepa, San Julian, Warey, Bakitin, Umando, Palong, Nalsian Norte, Nalsian Sur, Tomling, Goliman, Olea and Waing, with the assistance of the municipality of Malasiqui and members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).

“We practiced ‘bayanihan’ as the laborers were the barangay officials and our trainees, their services were given free and we only gave them free lunch and snacks, and that’s it”, said Muena.

He added the lot where the police precinct was built was donated by residents Luis Cabatbat and Ambing Junio. Most of the residents of the village are farmers.

Muena said the need for a community precinct in the area became urgent due to frequent incidents of robbery-holdup and cattle rustling in the area, aside from the fact that the village used as a usual escape route of riding-in-tandem criminals.

“This area is a way going to Alcala, Bayambang and other neighboring towns and despite being a far-flung barangay we still don’t have a police precinct”, said Muena.

He said since then, the police coordinated with the barangay officials with the assistance of Mayor Armando Domantay Sr., a fundraising drive was started and eventually the construction.

At least six policemen were assigned in the police precinct.

“We have enough number of policemen since we got additional nine policemen last month”, said Muena. Furthermore, a request letter asking the SB to appropriate the amounts to pay for the electricity installation and monthly payment for electric consumption when the precinct becomes operational will be tackled by the body in its session on November 24.

DTI opens 3rd Negosyo Center in Pangasinan today

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

ROSALES, Pangasinan, November 20 (PIA) – Local entrepreneurs and those aspiring to start their own business in eastern Pangasinan now have a place to go if they need help as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened another Negosyo Center in this town on November 20.

The DTI-Pangasinan conducted a launching program for the province’s third Negosyo Center located at the Business Permits and Licensing Office in Robert Estrella Memorial Stadium here on Friday at 10 am.

The establishment of Negosyo Centers is mandated by Republic Act 10644, known as the Go Negosyo Act authored by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino.

Negosyo Centers were already established in the cities of Alaminos and Dagupan this year rendering services for entrepreneurs to the western and central districts.

These centers shall be responsible for promoting ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

It offer services such as business registration assistance; business advisory in the areas of product development, market access, financing, and investment promotions; and business information and advocacy.

Scubasurero cleans up Hundred Islands

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

ALAMINOS CITY, Nov. 19 (PNA)- The waters at the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) are now clearer and cleaner than ever after an underwater cleanup dubbed Scubasurero in the area on November 18.

Scubasurero 2015 was a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region I through its Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystems Management Program (SCREMP) which aimed at looking after the sustainability, conservation, and protection not only of the HINP’s natural resources but also the coastal waters of the city.

Ericka Pouz Gandeza, Environment Management Specialist II of DENR Regional Office, talked on the significance of the cleanup activity and its impact on the HINP.

The underwater cleanup project was conducted in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Alaminos City led by Mayor Arthur Celeste.

Celeste vowed that the city government “is steadfast in continuously undertaking worthwhile activities in maintaining cleanliness of the city’s premier tourist destination and its coastal areas which will surely invigorate the city’s local tourism industry and provide a safer environment among the residents..”

Meanwhile, Martin Valera, the director of the Department of Tourism Region 1, who also graced the event, underscored the impact of sustainable tourism through environmentally-sound projects.

The activity was also participated in by different agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Cost Guard, Alaminos City Police Station, Pangasinan State University-Binmaley Campus, Boatmen Associations, and the City Tourism Office staff led by Solomon Tablang, and other LGU employees.

Pangasinan PESO sets recruitment activities

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 18 (PNA) -- The multi-awarded Pangasinan Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) has scheduled at least two recruitment activities on Thursday.

PESO said interested applicants are encouraged to visit the PESO along Alviar St. East, Capitol Compound, Lingayen for international and local job opportunities.

PESO chief Alex Ferrer said Skills International Company Inc. is looking for workers to be deployed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Interview for the positions of staff nurses, assistant nurses, dental assistants, midwives, paramedics, kitchen assistants, butchers, housekeepers, laborers, laundry operators, biomedical technicians, medical technicians, pharmacy technicians, respiratory technicians, and X-ray technicians will be on on Nov. 19-20, 9 a.m. onwards.

Meanwhile, Epson Precision Philippines Inc. is looking for female production operators who are 18-30 years old and at least high school graduate for local employment.

Interview and examination are scheduled on Nov. 19, 8 a.m. onwards

All applicants are advised to bring with them pertinent documents as bio-data with recent picture, birth certificate, and transcript of records.

Dagupan holds Agri Fair 2015

(PNA), RMA/LVM/LVMICUA/1835/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 17 (PNA)--A two-day Agri Fair 2015 will reel off at the Senior Citizens Park on Dec. 9 to 10 as part of the activities to celebrate the city's 401 years as a parish, showcasing a fiesta from December 4 to 31 on the theme "Happy City, Happy Family".

Cash prizes await exhibitors participating in the two-day Agri Fair 2015 that will start at 8:00 a.m. of Dec. 9 until 6:00 p.m. of Dec. 10.

The fair features an array of organically-grown products from the different public schools as well as exhibitors from nearby towns and provinces.

Accordingly, regular exhibitors and all “Gulayan sa Paaralan” exhibitors are eligible to join the search for the Best Exhibitor.

Each exhibitor will be judged based on the following criteria and point distribution: Booth design, 30 points; staffing, 20 points; adherence to theme, 20 points; over-all appeal, 15 points; ecological awareness, 10 points; and entrepreneurship, 5 points for a total of 100 points.

Prizes for the winners are as follows: 1st place, Php 10,000; 2nd place, Php 7,000; 3rd place, Php 5,000 and a consolation prize of Php 1,000.

Awarding of prizes to winners will be in the afternoon of Dec. 10 at the Senior Citizen’s Park.

Emma J. Molina of the city's agriculture office said the fair was in line with the ‘Pagsasarili Program’ of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez which encourages children in schools to take part in attaining sustainability and food security in the community through school gardening by using new technologies like aquaponics and hydroponics.

In faithful adherence to green technology, the city is encouraging all exhibitors to use paper-based products in wrapping their products to buyers.

“Exhibitors are allowed to sell their products but we would like them to use paper-based products instead of using polystyrene materials while the use of plastics is encouraged to be used minimally,” said Molina.

Molina added that any interested exhibitors are still welcome to join and each one of them will be provided with tents, tables and chairs.

“What is good with our fair is that the exhibitors are free to join us with no expense on their part, except in the decorations of their booth,” said Molina.

Pangasinan to implement mobile PDOS program

(PNA), RMA/LVMJOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/1640/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 16 (PNA)-- Filipino emigrants, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will soon experience less hassle traveling to Manila to have their pre-departure orientation seminar (PDOS), with the request of the provincial government for the implementation of a mobile PDOS program in the province.

The request was contained in provincial board resolution no. 1693-2015 approved on Nov. 16 authorizing Governor Amado Espino Jr. to enter into and sign a memorandum of understanding with the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) for the implementation and institutionalization of a quarterly mobile PDOS in Pangasinan.

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country are required to register with the CFO and part of its registration requirements is attendance to the PDOS to address their adjustment concerns in their destination countries and inform them about travel regulations, immigration procedures, cultural differences, settlement concerns, employment and social security concerns and rights and obligations of Filipino migrants.

"The CFO, as part of its innovative efforts to institutionalize quarterly service program to the localities, has included the province of Pangasinan and for its emigrants to be serviced by mobile PDOS program,"the resolution said.

The provincial government of Pangasinan, through the SP, gives importance to this program of the CFO in conducting the program in the province and spare emigrants from the burden of traveling long distances to Manila.

The resolution authored by Board Member Ranjit Shahani and Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. said that "it is to the best interest of the province of Pangasinan, in coordination with the CFO, to find ways to improve services to Pangasinense-emigrants through their attendance to the mandatory PDOS to be conducted near their place of residence."

DSWD funds livelihood projects of poor housewives

(PNA), SCS/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 15 (PNA) -- For the second time in a row, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) turned over PhP1.805 million to the Dagupan City government under its Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program to be given to housewives belonging to marginal families to be used by them as seed capital for their income generating projects.

City Social Welfare and Development officer-in-charge Leah Aquino, who received the check in behalf of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez on Nov. 10, said that at least 361 housewives will benefit from the fund, each one of whom will receive PhP5,000 as seed capital for their respective projects.

DSWD also turned over amounts in March last year to fund the livelihood projects of some 200 women which they used to put up small-scale livelihood projects like food processing, sewing, cosmetology, among others, to earn a living and boost their families' income.

Aquino said the fund will allow women belonging to poor families in the city to become entrepreneurs so they can help provide some of the financial needs of their families and become productive.

The program intends to enhance the socio-economic skills of poor families through the organization of community-based associations for entrepreneurial development and enhance women empowerment.

The members of these associations are given group session modules on self-enhancement, volunteerism and leadership to build their capabilities and confidence for them to become self-reliant.

Homes asked to put up lanterns for Dagupan fiesta

(PNA), RMA/LVM/LCMICU/2030/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA)--Owners of homes and business establishments in Dagupan City were enjoined to light their frontage or put even just one lantern therein on or before Dec. 1 in the spirit of the coming city fiesta centering on the theme, "Happy City, Happy Family" which kicks off Dec. 4 till Dec. 30.

The call was made by Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, named by Mayor Belen Fernandez as "hermano mayor" (executive chair) of this year's city fiesta whose formal opening on Dec. 4 will be the lst Aliwan Street Dancing Competition along the major streets of the city.

In his recent letter to all city residents, Tamayo called on them to partner with the city government in holding the "Pawil Dagupan" (Homecoming Dagupan) for overseas Dagupenos or even those living in other parts of the Philippines who are being called upon to visit the city of their birth during the city fiesta, which coincides with the yuletide season.

"Pawil Dagupan" is being held yearly as Dagupenos, especially those overseas, longing to go back home to relive the old fiesta and Christmas traditions they used to savor in their younger days.

At the same time, Tamayo made it clear that nothing from the city coffer would be used to fund the city fiesta, saying that this was prohibited by law.

This means that the fiesta will be funded solely from private sponsorships and donations as in two city fiestas already held during the administration of Mayor Fernandez.

The baratillo (street bazars) and food strips, usual feature of the city fiestas, are actually opening on Nov. 16.

The fiesta of Dagupan will celebrate the feast of the city's patron saint, John the Evangelist, also patron saint of fishermen.

Pangasinan reactivates pest scouts at the onset of corn planting season

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

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan, Nov. 13 (PNA)—The local government unit (LGU) here reactivated its so-called pest scout or pest volunteer brigade to monitor any existing pests that may attack the 364-hectare corn plantation in the town.

Daisy dela Cruz, agriculture extension worker here, said they are on the alert against the ‘green soldier bug’ which already attacked corn fields in other parts of the province.

Dela Cruz identified the most common pest in the town as the corn plant hopper.

“We wanted to be accurate with the data hence the need for cooperators to monitor for us to be ready in preparing the needed approach especially because we use biological approach and not pesticides or the, chemical- based approaches, as are our last resort”, said Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz was awarded last October by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as National Corn Quality Award Agriculture Extension Worker.

The award was based on the projects of the town in terms of pest control.

“Our corn samples were negative of aflax toxin, a fungus or disease that destroys the quality of the corn”, said Dela Cruz.

She added that among the other projects of the town related to corn production are farmer field school and technology transfer, including organic agriculture program.

Mangaldan produces from five to six tons of white and yellow corn per hectare.

Meanwhile, the National Corn Quality Award for city category this year was awarded to San Carlos City, now a hall of famer, Binalonan for town category and Ilocos Sur for province category.

“We hope to maintain these good practices, but we need once again the cooperation of our corn farmers”, said Dela Cruz.

Pangasinan to put up shallow tube wells for El Niño

(PNA), JMC/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, Nov. 12 (PNA) -- At least 183 shallow tube wells will be put up and 32 water impounding dams and their distribution lines will be rehabilitated across Pangasinan in preparation to mitigate the effects of El Niño which is expected to be felt until the first quarter of 2016.

This was bared by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. who said the provincial government is set to allocate PHP60 million for the projects and allow farmers to plant crops in their farms.

"We are committing PHP60 million in order to mitigate El Niño so that farmers can plant their fields and assure them and their families food and income," the governor said.

Pangasinan and nearby provinces are among the areas being threatened by El Niño.

Espino ordered Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya to make a study and submit recommendations as to where the shallow tube wells will be put up starting January next year.

Pangasinan to observe special public holiday on Nov. 13

(PNA), JMC/LVM/LVMICUA/

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PNA) -- The province of Pangasinan will observe special public holiday on Nov. 13 as it celebrates the 117th birth anniversary of one of its sons, the late Speaker Eugenio Perez, the first Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Republic Act No. 6721, passed and approved on March 20, 1989 during the term of President Corazon Aquino declared Nov. 13 of each year as Pangasinan Day in honor of the late Speaker who presided over the House of Representatives during the terms of Presidents Sergio Osmena, Manuel Roxas and Elpidio Qurino.

Born Nov. 13, 1896 at Sitio Obong in Barrio Basista in the then municipality of San Carlos, Perez served as Speaker from 1945 to 1951. He was one of the founders of the Liberal Party, whose president (Manuel Roxas) he served during his term as speaker.

Basista separated from San Carlos and became a town.

Married to the former Consuelo Salazar, a soprano and a native of Nueva Vizcaya from whom he had three children, Perez died on August 4, 1957.

He was a member of the House of Representatives from the then Second District of Pangasinan which once included Dagupan City.

As speaker, he supported measures introduced by the reigning administrations then that led to massive reconstructions of the Philippines from the ravages of World War II.

Pangasinan holds 2nd Youth Leadership Summit

(PNA), RMA/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/1900/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 10 (PNA)--The provincial government of Pangasinan on Tuesday held the Second Youth Leadership Summit at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center gymnasium here.

Anchored on the theme “Tagumpay ng Kabataan, Pangarap ng Pangasinan,” (Success of the Youth, Dream of Pangasinan), hundreds of elementary, secondary, and tertiary students from different schools in the capital town were reminded of their rights and responsibilities with their respective families, schools, and communities.

This was through presentations titled “Pangasinan Cares For Your Safety,” “Pangasinan Cares For Your Health,” “Pangasinan Cares For Your Education,” and “Pangasinan Cares For Your Future” from the police office, health office, education division office, and the provincial government.

“Lahat ng ginagawa ng provincial government, kasama ang ibang ahensya, ay para sa inyo at sa inyong mga magiging mga anak, (All that the provincial government and other agencies are doing are for you and your future children)” reiterated Governor Amado Espino Jr. to the students.

The governor also reminded the youth of the value of respect and discipline for them to become good leaders.

“Hindi kayo pwedeng maging lider, kung hindi kayo marunong rumespeto ( You can not be leaders unless you learn to show respect," he said.

“The four factors which affect your life are the family, community, school, and God,” he added, citing that the students must give the highest value to these.

Likewise, Board Member Amado 'Pogi' Espino III, president of the provincial federation of the Liga ng mga Barangay, who also graced the event, underscored the value of respect.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Celia Fernandez, education superintendent of Pangasinan 1, urged the students to become vigilant and disciplined in their studies and to become involved members of the society.

“You are lucky for having a government that is very supportive,” she remarked.

We shall prove that we are indeed one of the countries that was able to produce the best scholars and professionals, she added.

Pangasinan wins another national award

(PNA), CTB/LVM/LVMICUA/1900/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 9 (PNA)-- The province of Pangasinan won another national award, this time from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that conferred the province the "Gawad Pasasalamat sa mga Kabalikat sa Pangisdaan" 2015 for its significant contribution to fishery development, protection and conservation.

In giving the award, the BFAR noted that Pangasinan actively and successfully implemented its coastal resources management projects, specifically on coastal resources education (CRE).

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. received the award on behalf of the province from BFAR-Region 1 Director Nestor Domenden during the flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol Grounds on November 9.

The governor expressed its gratitude to all Pangasinenses who showed concern by embracing the program and internalizing it, as well.

The governor recounted how his administration wrestled with some groups who showed disapproval on the massive cleaning and clearing of the province’s river system.

"You have seen perhaps how I was attacked when I launched this project, almost nobody supported me because election that time was coming. They said the livelihood of the people will be affected

Gov. Espino said that after years of hard work, determination, and strong political will, people started to open their eyes and realized the positive things about the once ‘unpopular’ project.

The provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist headed by its officer-in-charge Dalisay Moya, launched the CRE in 2008 to bring about sustainable fishery development in coastal areas of Pangasinan.

Technical team from OPAG conducted outreach activities in various public elementary and secondary schools in coastal local government units (LGUs) using videos and other materials.

The activity, Moya noted, aimed to inculcate into the minds of the youth the importance and significance of conserving and protecting the environment.

Moya reported that from 2008 to September 2015, the OPAG team was able to reach 92 public schools, benefitting around 9,265 students.

The CRE involves optimum utilization of the Provincial Mangrove Information Center located in Arnedo, Bolinao which serves as learning ground on integrated resources management for Lakbay Aral groups from different sectors.

A total of 14,872 visitors (both local and foreign) have visited the mangrove center which reportedly became one of the most popular sites and favorite learning destination of other provinces, as well.

At the same time, a covenant was executed by the Espino administration among concerned stakeholders including local officials to the institutionalize a special project dubbed ‘Ilog ko Aroen tan Bilayen Ko’ ( My River, I will Love and Make it Live) which involved massive coastal cleaning along Lingayen Gulf and mangrove tree planting along coastal areas and riverbanks.

Special projects on tree planting in denuded mountains and continual environmental advocacy were also held in rural communities and schools throughout the province.

The “Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko” program of the province which is one of its flagship programs on environment is anchored on preserving the natural beauty of river systems in the province, maximizing it as a sustainable source of livelihood to marginalized fishermen and also as long term flood mitigation.

0f 579,665 of seedlings has already been distributed by the province for various groups since July 2007 to June 2015.

In 2014 alone, about 70,922 mangrove seedlings were propagated and 38,700 seedlings were planted covering an area of more than five hectares.

To complement the mangrove rehabilitation program, over five million fingerlings were dispersed on the province’s communal rivers and water tributaries for the project.

Pangasinan offers European windmill-themed Christmas

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

ROSALES, Pangasinan, Nov. 8 (PNA) - Aside from its scenic natural resources, mouth-watering delicacies, and crowd-drawing summer festivals, the province of Pangasinan now offers a unique European windmill-themed Christmas centerpiece located in one of the province's prime malls here.

The windmill centerpiece is aimed at highlighting the windmill element which is not usually given much attention in a European Christmas village, said the mall assistant manager, Catherine Garcia, of SM City Rosales.

She said SM CIty Rosales is trying to bring in the European Christmas to provide mall-goers the “wonderful feeling that you're like out of the country.”

“Admittedly, we look up to the European flare that’s why,” she told the media during the unveiling of the centerpiece last Nov. 6.

However, Garcia clarified that the centerpiece is in no way to downgrade the mall’s patriotism, citing that previous events such as their Independence Day observance have focused on local artists.

Previous Christmas centerpiece themes of the mall were angels, giant cupcakes, Santa workshop, Hugo, among others, said Garcia.

After the unveiling ceremonies, kids and kids-at-heart enjoyed having their pictures taken inside the windmill structure which showcases a winter wonderland, miniature Christmas village.

Alongside the windmill display, the mall launched its “Christmas bears” project, as part of its corporate social responsibility.

When one buys a Christmas bear, the proceeds will go to a charity, said Garcia.

Further, the mall executive disclosed that in a few weeks' time, the mall will stage a Chocolate Festival, in time for Christmas season, which will have giant cupcakes and chocolate bars scattered over the area.

Discounts on Christmas goodies such as chocolates will also be provided in the festival.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism Region 1 Director Martin Valera, who was one of the guests during the event, said they are expecting lot of tourists, particularly this Holiday season.

He encouraged more investments on accommodation establishments, especially in Pangasinan which, according to him, has a lot of things to offer.

Philippine Bible Society celebrates 116th anniversary and 100th Year of Pangasinan Bible

(PNA), RMA/LVM/LVMICUA/1835/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 7 (PNA)--The Philippine Bible Society (PBS) commemorated its 116th anniversary alongside the celebration of the Centennial Year of the Pangasinan Bible on Saturday at the Sison Auditorium here.

The joint celebration was led by retired Chief Justice Reynaro S. Puno, PBS president and chairman, with Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese delivering his message before some 2,000 participants from all over Pangasinan.

In line with this, the Pangasinan Bible Centennial Organizing Committee expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. , who graciously offered the Sison Auditorium as venue for the event.

Espino, represented by Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, delivered the welcome remarks.

The PBS is a non-profit, non-stock and inter-confessional Christian organization established in 1899 to provide people with Scriptures in the language they understand.

Operating in 200 countries and territories worldwide, the organization is affiliated with the United Bible Society, a society of more than 146 Bible Societies in 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Dr.Nora G. Lucero, PBS General Secretary, said the first translated Bible book in the Philippines was the Book of Luke which was translated in the Pangasinan language.

She said it was in 1915 that the translation of the Old and New Testament Pangasinan Bible was completed.

Dr. Edgar Ebajo, PBS publishing manager, said the first chronicled bible translation was in 1896 in Tagalog, then in Bicol, Ilokano, Ilonggo, Hiligaynon, and then Pangasinan, followed by Waray and Ibanag.

Other highlights of the celebration included the launching of the “May Be The One” Bible (MBTOB) Campaign in the province that aims to put a Bible in every home and encourage Filipinos to read and live with the Bible resulting in the transformation of the Philippines.

The MBTOB, she said, aimed to put five million bibles to the homes of five million poor families in the Philippines in seven years, two million of which were already distributed.

The campaign, she said, was PBS’ response to the prayer of Christ for all His children to “be one”.

Under the program, the bible would be sold at the subsidized price of only Php 50 each, Lucero said.

The program also calls for oneness in individuals, familiesand communities resulting in unity among various sectors in working for national unity and transformation.

Campus writers gather for Dep-Ed journalism contest

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

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) – Some 300 campus journalists from elementary schools here gathered for the annual Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) yesterday at the West Central Elementary School.

Participants competed in various journalism areas from news, feature, editorial, headline, science and technology and sports writing. It also included competitions in photojournalism, collaborative desktop publishing and broadcasting.

Dr. Froserfina Bravo, schools division superintendent, said the activity aims to promote responsible journalism and fair and ethical use of social media among campus journalists.

“I am happy to see many contestants for this year because this means many are interested to learn and be a part of this campus journalism contest,” Bravo said during the opening program held at the Division Training Center.

At least 32 public and 22 private elementary schools in the city fielded their contestants in the various categories. Contest for the secondary level will be on November 6-7 also in the same venue.

Top seven winners in each category will advance to the regional contest to be hosted by Pangasinan II Division on December 9.

The National Schools Press Conference, where the DSPC is anchored, is the highest competition for journalism in both private schools and public elementary and high schools in the Philippines. It was established in the year 1991 pursuant to Section 1, Rule IX of Republic Act 7079 also known as Campus Journalism Act of 1991.

'Rimat ti Amianan' trade fair reels off in Dagupan

(PNA), FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 5 (PNA)--The 10-day "Rimat ti Amianan' (Brilliance of the North) sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office reeled off at the Big Atrium of the CSI the City Mall from Nov. 3 to 13, participated in by 46 exhibitors from all over Region 1.

Natalia Dalaten, chief of the Trade and Industry Division of the Department of Trade and Industry, said this is the second year in a row that the "Rimat ti Amianan' is being held in Dagupan through the invitation of Mayor Belen Fernandez.

The trade fair was launched 14 years ago with La Union as its permanent venue and it was only two years ago that it was brought out to Dagupan to take advantage of Pangasinan's big population and buyers.

On display in the 10-day trade fair are food items, woodcrafts, novelty items, potteries and wearables, all produced by manufacturers and entrepreneurs from Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Dalaten said since not all furniture makers were accommodated in this year's "Rimat ti Amianan', a separate furniture fair will be held for them by the first quarter of next year to be held also in Dagupan.

She noted that three days after its launching, exhibitors in this year's "Rimat ti Amianan" reported brisk sales as compared to last year's. Among those enjoying brisk sales are those selling "empanada" and "longganiza" from Vigan.

Most of the exhibitors in "Rimat ti Amianan' , she said, are traditional exporters, like Dorebi of San Carlos City and Aguinaldo Furnitures of Dagupan, and others that are indirect exporters of suppliers products to exporters.

Dalaten said the trade fair is one way of promoting the marketability of Region 1-made products as well as encouraging entrepreneurship.

She invited Dagupenos and Pangasinenses to visit the trade fair so that they can buy native products from their own region.

DBP okays Php 50-M loan to Pangasinan poultry project

(PNA), RMA/PR/DBP/EDS

MANILA, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- In partnership with the Pangasinan Credit Surety Fund (PCSF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has approved a seven-year term loan of Php 50-million to the Malingas Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MMPC).

Proceeds of the loan will be used for the construction of two single deck tunnel ventilated poultry buildings in Malasiqui, Pangasinan with a maximum capacity of up to 120,000 birds, and for additional working capital.

The project promotes a cleaner environment through the use of tunnel ventilated technology and a solar power system. The climate-controlled system of tunnel vent technology manages the temperature and humidity inside poultry buildings, and improves harvest recovery rate up to 96 percent.

The system also helps eliminate foul odors caused by wet manure and the attraction of flies. The solar power system, on the other hand, lessens reliance on fossil fuel as an energy source.

According to PCSF chief executive officer Dr. Ed Mendoza, “The loan package approved by DBP using CSF Surety Cover is a breakthrough in financing agri-based medium scale enterprises owned and managed by farmers’ cooperatives. It demonstrates the seriousness of the government, and DBP, in bringing about inclusive growth in the countryside.

Furthermore, timely approval and release of loan proceeds speaks well of the efficiency, dedication and professionalism of DBP’s Small & Medium Investment & Loans for Entrepreneurs (SMILE) department.”

At the same time, MMPC chairperson Victoria Ferrer and general manager Rufo Catambing also expressed gratitude to DBP’s SMILE department, “for approving and releasing our loan in more or less one month only. You helped us small cooperative farmers a lot.”

'Startup Weekend' comes to Pangasinan

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 3 (PNA) -- Aspiring entepreneurs will have a working weekend on November 6 to 8 with the arrival of the Google for Entrepreneurs’ project called “Startup Weekend” at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in this capital town of Pangasinan.

Startup Weekend, an initiative of the UP Global- Google for Entrepreneurs, serves as a catalyst for individuals to share their ideas and explore further opportunities to turn their ideas into business ventures.

It is a 54-hour course which aims to help different countryside organizations create their own startup.

On Friday night, participants will pitch their entrepreneurial ideas with one another and teams start to form around and discuss the ideas. The following day, teams will work around their ideas and learn from coaches and one another. The teams will then come up with prototypes until they produce a five-minute final presentation which judges will check on the final day.

According to Vanj Padilla, president of the Pangasinan Information and Communications Technology Council (PICTC), the “key fact of the Startup Weekend is the spirit of complete collaboration and ownership. It shortens their way to success and eliminates startup mistakes that inexperienced founders encounter during the early phases of business.”

PICTC is the main organizer of the event in partnership with the Metro Dagupan ICT Council led by Francis Fernandez, among other collaborators.

The winning teams will be decided by a panel of judges including Francis Gary Viray of the Search Opt Media, Herald Uy of Kollab- Google for Education Partner, and Mike Fernandez of Pixelhub Creative.

“Startup Weekend primarily focuses on the entry point of entrepreneurship, but our support and community spans much farther beyond the weekend,” thus stated on the Startup Weekend website.

The event is also supported by the Department of Science and Technology-ICT Office and the provincial government of Pangasinan.

“The provincial government has always been supportive of events that showcase young Pangasinenses’ ideas and talents. Time has come for the young to co-create the future of our province that we envisioned for the next generation. Let them excel through technology,” thus said Governor Amado Espino Jr. of the endeavor.

Expected participants are IT developers, coders, designers, business people, and students, particularly those with technical background.

Startup Weekend supports the development and expansion of entrepreneurship through events worldwide which aim to move an idea to market. It has built a network of over 55,000 alumni, thousands of volunteer organizers, and more than a hundred trained facilitators across 100 countries.

New search for most beautiful, cleanest village launched in Dagupan

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 2 (PNA) -- Mayor Belen T. Fernandez announced Monday a new search for the Most Beautiful and Cleanest Barangay of Dagupan which can help the city in its attempt to vie anew in the search for the greenest, cleanest and safest city in Region 1.

Fernandez announced the search during the flag ceremony today at the Dagupan City Plaza, at which time she also named former Herrero-Perez barangay chairman Salvacion Bravo, now a consultant of the mayor's office, to spearhead the search as executive chairperson.

Bravo and other officials of the city, in coordination with the 31 barangay captains, will draw up the mechanics, including the prizes to be awarded to the winners, who shall receive their awards during the city fiesta celebration in December.

City Waste Management Officer Ronald de Guzman hailed the search as it will be a boon towards making Dagupan the greenest, cleanest and safest city in Region 1.

In the same occasion, the mayor turned over 10 brand new customized three-wheeled "garongs" or receptacles to the City Waste Management Division (CWMD) to boost the garbage collection efforts in the downtown area, including the city markets where most of the solid wastes in the city are coming from.

De Guzman said this is another effort of Mayor Fernandez to boost cleanliness and sanitation in Dagupan, while it is trying very hard to soon phase out its own dumpsite in Bonuan and convert it into a tree park.

This is preparatory to the envisioned Waste 2 Worth Project to be set up in Bonuan with the help of Procter and Gamble, Sure Global, Asian Development Bank and the U.S. State Department.

Dagupan is already a cinch to win the project costing 8 million U.S. dollars at no cost at all to the city government.

De Guzman said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is all out in helping Dagupan prepare the site of the project that may yet be the model throughout the world as it will convert wastes into diesel fuel for motor vehicles and biogas.

Fish cemetery in Dagupan attracts visitors

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

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) – This time of the year, while people are visiting their dead, a cemetery in Dagupan dedicated to dead endanged species continues to generate as much attention.

Conceptualized in 1999, the Fish Cemetery in the northern periphery of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) in Bonuan Binloc village, has attracted thousands of people including the 3,752 visitors for this year alone.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the NIFTDC, said the idea of establishing a fish cemetery came about when a 1.2 ton whale was abandoned by an owner and was confiscated in Malabon, Metro Manila by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Central Office sometime in February 1999.

In the absence of a facility to dispose the huge animal, it was decided to bring the whale to BFAR-NIFTDC for disposal. It was buried in a plot inside the 24-hectare compound. From a simple grave of the unknown whale (which was nicknamed Moby Dick), the area has become a common grave of other large endangered species.

“The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 prohibits the fishing or taking and trade of rare, threatened or endangered species. Poachers are apprehended and live-specimens are released back to the environment but the dead fish do not have a specific place for disposal, thus the fish cemetery,” Rosario said.

Rosario said the fish cemetery, which is the first in Asia, institutionalizes human respect to animal species that contribute to the balance of aquatic environment but selfishly abused by humans,

“Burying the remains of protected fish species will remind a person that selling and eating their meat is a crime and not tolerated by the government,” he added.

Some 34 fish species, including dolphins, sea turtles and whales are now buried in the rectangular lot measuring 1,312 square meters. This year alone, at least 10 big fishes were buried in the cemetery, the latest of which is the Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longilostrus) which died on October 10.

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