Pangasinan News November 2016

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

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

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

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Pangasinan State University, Asingan Campus
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Church in Aguilar Pangasinan

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Pangasinan distributes livelihood assistance to community-based groups, MSMEs

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, November 30 (PIA) - At least 26 cooperatives, associations, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Pangasinan received livelihood assistance from the provincial government at the Urduja House here.

Governor Amado Espino III on Monday led the distribution of the P3.3 million-worth of livelihood assistance to the leaders and members of the 23 associations and cooperatives and three MSMEs.

Ellsworth Gonzales, acting provincial population officer in Pangasinan, said the program is in line with the provincial governments' poverty reduction program and Espino’s flagship program that aims to improve the socio-economic status of community-based groups as well as individual entrepreneurs accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

He said the program, which is a non-collateral credit facility supervised by the Provincial Population Office (PPO), offers a very minimal interest of four percent and have a high repayment rate of 94 percent for all its current accounts.

“If the borrowers can pay their loans before its maturity date, they will be required to pay the loan with only 1.5 percent interest instead of the four percent interest. The 2.5 percent rebate will again be added to the groups’ capital as their revolving capital,” Gonzales said.

He added that it is their way to encourage the borrowers to be serious about their project and ensures that they can pay their loans to also give others the opportunity to avail the loan.

The program, which is payable in a six-month cycle, has released at least P77.697 million since it was launched in October 2008 under the administration of former governor and now Representative Amado Espino, Jr.

DPWH asked to build detour bridge in Pangasinan

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 29 (PNA) -- Motorists have called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build a detour bridge along the national highway where traffic to and from Binmaley town proper will be re-directed.

This is to prevent stand-still traffic along the national highway while the Curambeng bridge in Barangay Manat is undergoing widening, a project which might take several months to complete.

Motorists decried stand-still traffic along the national highway to and from Binmaley town last Saturday and Sunday when the contractor that won the bidding for the bridge widening project initially mobilized its heavy equipment to finally begin the project.

This necessitated the closure of the Curambeng bridge and when this happened, vehicles to and from Binmaley town proper were re-routed to a narrow circuitous road in barangay Linoc connected to Barangay Canaoalan then Biec, Binmaley and back to the national highway.

The Curambeng bridge was reopened again Monday, restoring the normal flow of transportation to and from Binmaley town proper.

Alarmed by the stand-still traffic for hours on weekend, officials of Binmaley town reportedly asked the DPWH to put off in the meanwhile the widening of the Curambeng bridge till the contractor builds a detour bridge in order not to close the vital road from Dagupan to Lingayen via Binmaley.

Php3.4-M projects rising anew in Pangasinan's rural villages

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 28 (PNA) -- A total of Php 3.345 million worth of livelihood projects are up anew in different rural areas of Pangasinan as part of the continuing war against property under the administration of Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III.

The checks corresponding to this amount were distributed on Monday, Nov. 28, by Gov. Espino to 26 recipient cooperatives and small-scale projects pursuing different income-generating projects.

Gov. Espino said that his administration is sustaining the Livelihood Assistance Program (LAP) started by the province some eight years ago by making available loans to small-scale projects in the rural areas in a bid to conquer poverty and boost the economy of local entrepreneurs.

This was the 6th batch of recipients under LAP since 2016 and the 2nd one under the incumbent provincial chief executive.

Among the recipient entities were 23 multi-purpose cooperatives (MPC) and three micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), comprising 913 individual beneficiaries.

Loan grants vary per beneficiary ranging from Php 50,000 to Php 180,000 or sixth month cycle. Some of the recipients availed of the loan for the first time while others renewed their loan for the fifth time already, which indicated that these projects are really earning.

Ellsworth Gonzales, Provincial Population Office officer in charge, said that the credit program enjoys a high loan repayment rate of 94 percent due to the considerate early payment rebate system they are employing for the borrowers.

“It is our way of encouraging them to pay their commitment so that when they pay, others can also be given the opportunity to avail of the assistance,” he said.

Gonzales bared that paying at least a day ahead of the cycle deadline can ensure beneficiaries a downsized interest rate of 1.5 percent from the regular 4 percent, which could save them a huge chunk that they can use for additional operative capital.

Though a “non-collateral loan” policy, a LAP participating MPC or MSME must be duly registered to the Department of Trade and Industry, an existing business in operation and a current market.

Aside from consistent monitoring of the recipients, LAP also provides training on organizational and financial management for the beneficiaries, to name a few.

“We are capacitating them to help them become as transparent as possible to ensure sustainability of the program. From the start, the former and the present governors want the beneficiaries to be self-sustaining and be independent of assistance,” Gonzales said.

LAP started during the first term of the elder Espino in October 2008 to develop entrepreneurship among women at the grassroots level but has since grown into a credit facility designed to aid Pangasinenses on their livelihood ventures and entrepreneurial activities.

At present, the total amount of livelihood assistance distributed since LAP’s inception has reached almost Php 78 million.

PMS, Dagupan focus on teens health concerns

By Joseph C. Bacani (JCB/CIO, Sunday Punch)

BALON DAGUPAN NEWS

THE Pangasinan Medical Society (PMS) and the City Health Office (CHO) conducted a one-day seminar on Adolescent Health Care at the city museum on November 25, attended by 45 barangay nurses as well as midwives and physicians at the CHO tasked to address the concerns of teenagers in the city.

The seminar was intended to equip all health care providers as the first persons in contact with the teenagers while doing field work, according to Dr. Hilarion H. Maramba, PMS president.

This seminar dwelled on the updates of the Adolescent Job Aid Manual in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Society on Adolescent Medicine and the Pangasinan Medical Society.

PMS focused on the general, mental, sexual and reproductive health concerns of teenagers including the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Maramba said that while the government gives importance to the health of pregnant mothers, the elders and the children, lesser attention is being given to the teenagers in 10 to 19 years of age bracket.

The topics tackled included teenage pregnancy, peer pressure, bullying, depression that affects their behavior, puberty-related conditions, sexual maturity, school performance, anxiety, alcohol use, substance use and abuse, smoking and tobacco use, physical and sexual abuse, violence, and nutritional concerns among others.

The nurses were updated on psycho-social screening to equip them enough to detect whether their subject is undergoing a teenage crisis or not.

“This seminar is one of the five things on how to reach out to our teenagers,” said Maramba as he advised teenagers to stay in school, not to go on drugs and learn to say ‘NO’ when not ready.

Mayor Belen T. Fernandez launched the city’s own anti-bullying hotline, anti-drug hotline and violence against women and children hotline.

Dagupan is most improved city in Region 1

(PNA), RMA/LVM/LVMICUA/1750/RMA)

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 26 (PNA)-- The city of Dagupan continues to reap more laurels in its continuing struggle to the top when it has been adjudged this year as the Most Improved Component City in Region 1, beating eight other cities.

This after Dagupan bagged earlier this month the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) , its second year in a row.

The new award came from the Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC) of Region 1, composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) DILG , and the private sector.

The committee cited Dagupan for having improved its ranking in the nationwide competitiveness survey this year, especially in the areas of infrastructure, government efficiency, and economic dynamism.

In this award, Dagupan City topped in the overall ranking in Region 1 and climbed to number 15 this year in the Nationwide Overall Competitiveness Index under the Component Cities category from rank 19 in 2015.

On government efficiency, the city was first place in Region 1 and improved its nationwide ranking to 13th compared to 19th place last year.

On economic dynamism, the city again topped the overall ranking in Region 1 and is now 17th in the nationwide ranking compared to 25th last 2015.

The city also made a big leap in its infrastructure performance from 76th place in 2013 to 28th place this year with the numerous infrastructure projects undertaken by Mayor Belen T. Fernandez since she started her term as city mayor in 2013.

These are mostly city and barangay roads, some of which were elevated as they were flood-prone; school buildings and multi-purpose courts including the repair of dilapidated schools.

As such, the city is now second place overall in Region 1 in terms of infrastructure.

The award was presented by Nelson N. Yuchongtian, private sector representative co-chair of the Regional Competitiveness Committee in Region 1; Julie J. Daquioag, Regional Director, DILG Region 1; and Florante O. Leal, Regional Director, DTI Region 1 and chairman of the RCC Region 1.

Fernandez said this award could not have been possible had it not for the hardworking officials and employees of the city government who worked with her in shaping up a new destiny for Dagupan City.

“Our city continues to receive recognition and this is because of our hardworking and efficient department heads and City Hall employees who support our good governance,” said Fernandez .

Advocacy on employees’ compensation held in Pangasinan

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

DAGUPAN CITY , November 25 (PIA) - Employers, human resource officers, and labor union representatives gathered here on Wednesday for an advocacy seminar under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP).

Lawyer Jonathan Villasoto, deputy executive director of the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), said the activity aims to ensure that workers are informed of their rights, benefits and privileges under the ECP.

The ECC, he said, is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mandated by law to provide meaningful and appropriate compensation benefits and services to workers in the event of work-related contingencies.

“Prevention, compensation and rehabilitation services play a major role to effectively and efficiently deliver to workers a comprehensive package of services and benefits to workers who suffered from work-connected illness, injury or death,” Villasoto said during the press conference for Pangasinan media.

Villasoto, however said, the compensation cannot be equated with an employee’s salary, rather, just the work-related benefits.

“Government employees mandatorily contribute P100 a month for ECP while private sector employees contribute at least P20 to P50 per month for the program depending on their salary range,” Information Division Chief Cecilia Maulion said.

In the said seminar, a consultation meeting with the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) representatives was held to update officers on the recent EC programs on policies and resolutions in order to facilitate processing of ECP claims.

Dagupan seeks sisterhood ties with Duarte City in California

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA) -- The city council passed a resolution on Tuesday authorizing Mayor Belen T. Fernandez to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Duarte in California for the purpose of establishing a sister city relationship.

Councilors Marvin V. Fabia and Dennis C. Canto, authors of the resolution, said the measure aims to widen the city’s sphere of diplomatic relations and intend to establish friendship ties anchored on shared and mutual ideas, vision and principles.

Mayor Fernandez along with Fabia, Canto and Councilors Jose Netu Tamayo and Alvin Coquia, visited Duarte City last month after accompanying exchange students from Dagupan City who visited Milpitas City which mayor is Jose Esteves, a son of Dagupan.

Canto said the proposed sisterhood relationship will include the mutual economic, social, political and cultural benefits and the advancement of international relations, goodwill and cooperation, particularly through reciprocal social and cultural exchanges between the peoples of Dagupan and Duarte cities.

A copy of the resolution passed by the council will be sent to to new Duarte Mayor Samuel Kang.

Earlier, the city council also approved another resolution seeking the establishment of sisterhood relationship between Dagupan and Xiamen, China.

Dagupan's lone sister city today is Milpitas in California. The previous one is Iwata city in Japan.

Dagupan fiesta, Christmas season activities start Dec. 2

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA) -- The various activities for the city fiesta and Christmas season in Dagupan will kick off on December 2 with the lighting of parols (lanterns) and carol stroll by participating students along the streets of Dagupan, providing a new twist to the yearly celebration.

With the theme, "Love, Live, Celebrate Balon Dagupan 2016!", the city fiesta in honor of patron saint John the Evangelist whose birthday will be celebrated on Dec. 27, will be ushered in with the lighting of lanterns in every establishment and dancing on the streets to the tune of lively carols by participating students.

“If we have street dancing during the Bangus Festival, every summer, we can institutionalize another traditional event in this year’s city fiesta and this is the parol and carol stroll,” said Epee Rafanan, executive chairman of the 2016 City Fiesta.

Rafanan disclosed that the best and most unique lanterns will receive an award while the school with the best presentation of their Christmas carols and dancing will also rewarded for their performances.

“This will be a competition of who is the best among the best using recycled materials as their instruments to lighten up their singing and presentation,” said Rafanan.

He added that the traditional Belen making contest will also have a new twist because instead of having this in every barangay, the Christmas Nativity Scene will be done in just one place for people to have a closer view of these.

“The belens (nativity scenes) will be in one place this time where the carnival and trade fair would be at a place we will call Paseo de Belen,” said Rafanan.

He stressed that the carnival will not be the usual carnival that most people see in every fiesta celebration but something that everyone will enjoy, Rafanan added.

The Paseo de Belen will open on December 1 and the carnival will open at 5 p.m. and close at 1 a.m. These will be located at the De Venecia Highway near the CSI City Mall.

“The carnival will charge a minimal entrance fee and we will have a designated area for parking. There will be a medical station with an ambulance on standby and a PNP station for police and Public Order and Safety Office personnel,” said Rafanan.

He explained that the idea of having a common area for carnival, belen and trade fair along De Venecia Highway is to avoid traffic and the congestion of vehicles in the city proper.

He expressed hope that the venue will become a permanent place for merriment every celebration of the city fiesta.

On the other hand, Councilor Dennis C. Canto, the 2016 City Fiesta Hermano Mayor, assured that downtown jeepneys and kalesa or horse-drawn carts will be available to transport passengers going to the Paseo de Belen as they will be given a passes to do it.

Region 1 tops in employees' compensation awareness

LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 22 (PNA) -- Region 1 had the highest awareness rate last year as far as the Employees' Compensation Program (ECP) is concerned among all regions throughout the country.

This was bared by Ma. Cecilia E. Maulion, Chief of the Information and Public Assistance Division (IPAD) of the Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) during a news conference here on Tuesday.

ECC is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mandated by law to provide meaningful and appropriate compensation benefits and services to workers in the event of work-related contingencies.

Maulion said Region 1, which comprises Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, had an EC awareness rate of 63 per cent.

Surprisingly, the National Capital Region (NCR) was down below with an awareness rate of only 35 per cent.

The ECC, with Deputy Administrator Jonathan Villasoto, held a news conference here on Tuesday prior to conducting an advocacy seminar on Nov. 23 at the Star Plaza Hotel in a bid to ensure that workers are informed of their rights, benefits and privileges under the Employees Compensation Program (ECP).

Villasoto clarified that ECC is a policy-making body which will decide on cases to be filed by an employeeor dependents if his compensation as provided by law is denied by the Social Security System (SSS) or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Villasoto said more than 120 human resource officers, employers, labor union representatives from different private establishments, government agencies, including uniformed personnel from the armed forces of the Philippines , Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology from Dagupan city and the nearby areas are attending the seminar.

The seminar will discuss the three EC program components: prevention, compensation and rehabilitation services.

This will also tackle the recent program reforms of ECC anchored on the 3ES, namely equalize, enhance and expand strategy in response to the challenges facing the EC program.

These components play a major role to effectively and efficiently deliver to workers a comprehensive package of services and benefits to workers who suffered from work-connected illness, injury or death.

There will also be consultation meeting with representatives of the sss and gsis to update officers on the EC program policies and resolutions in order top facilitate processing of ECP claims.

At the same time, Villasoto clarified that only workers who have employer-employee relationship with their employers are covered by the EC program.

An employee's coverage shall take effect on the first day of his or her employment.

All ec claims may be filed by the claimant or his beneficiary at the SSS for private sector employees and the GSIS for the public sector employees in cases of injury, sickness or death.

Pangasinan bags 3rd National Quality Corn Achievers Award

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 21 (PNA) -- For the third time, the Province of Pangasinan has received the National Quality Corn Achievers Award (NQCAA) from the Department of Agriculture.

The award was presented to Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III during the flag-raising ceremony of provincial government officials, chiefs of office and employees today, November 21 at the Capitol grounds here.

Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya and her assistant Nestor Batalla presented the award to the governor.

“This one is for our farmers …This is in recognition of their care for all of us because they are the ones who feed us,” the provincial chief executive said.

With the third award, Pangasinan bagged another Php 3-million cash prize which, Gov. Espino said, would be used to improve the Corn Farmers’ Activity/Coordinating Center in San Quintin and other field offices.

Part of it will also be used for the purchase of additional vehicles for use of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), aside from other corn-related developmental projects.

In an interview, Moya said that for this year, Pangasinan is among the only five provinces in the country which received the citation. The province bagged the same award in 2013 and 2014.

She stressed that the province was conferred the award again because of its bountiful corn production, high quality yields and the unrelenting support of the provincial government to the corn sector.

“This is an assurance that we in the corn industry are charting the right direction under the leadership of Gov. Espino,” Moya said.

It was Board Member Liberato Villegas who earlier received the award during the 4th NQCAA Awarding Ceremony in Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

NQCAA was instituted by the Department of Agriculture in 2013 to give due recognition to the most outstanding local government units in the development of corn, which is the second top priority crop among Filipinos next to rice.


PSU, Japanese school forge pact for academic exchange

By Tita Roces, Nora Dominguez (Sunday Punch)

LINGAYEN—Officials of the Pangasinan State University (PSU) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with government of Japan and Philippines Industry-University Research Institute (Tokyo, Japan) for academic exchange and institutional cooperation in simple rites held at the PSU Convention Hall here.

The agreement, valid for three years, was signed by PSU President Dexter Buted and Masato Sato, chairman of Japan-Philippine Industry-University Research Institute.

The agreement seeks to promote the development of cultural and academic activities in both institutions through cultural exchange/immersion of faculty, staff and students; joint faculty and staff researches/undertaking; exchange of academic information and publications; research and collaboration.

Sato cited the Philippines’ and Japan’s diplomatic relationship for 60 years and acknowledged that “2016 is the turning point of this friendship.”

“Today, it gives significant meaning because it is Japan Fiesta this year, so we are bringing some of our cultures to present them to you,” he said.

During the program, they introduced Japanese culture and in return, they watched Philippine traditional dances as an initial undertaking for their partnership. There were also origami, cooking demonstration, haiku play, shogi tournament and cultural exchange program.

Buted said PSU is blessed with the partnership because Japanese students will learn more of the country’s cultural heritage.

He said their relationship with Japan is one of the programs aligned with the university’s international exchange initiatives and nurtures a sense of empathy and co-existence of people in their region by promoting mutual exchange program and cooperation in the various fields ranging from the arts and culture, sports, to the intellectual exchanges.

Dr. Armando Junio, campus executive director of PSU, said the activity marks the collaboration of two Asian countries focused on promoting culture and arts in the academe and in the society.

In addition to the program with Japan, PSU is also collaborating with Israel to improve and benchmark the agriculture subject with students’ practicum in Israel, and with the Naniang University in Taiwan to promote entrepreneurship in agriculture, Buted said.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan commends 2016 LET-Middle East topnotcher from Pangasinan

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here approved a resolution on Monday congratulating a Pangasinense who topped the 2016 Licensure Examination for Teacher (LET)-Secondary administered in Middle East last September 16.

The resolution, authored by all members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, commended Erik Hans Lamsen Sorio, for his exemplary achievement of passing the licensure exams as topnotcher and bringing honor and prestige to the province.

Sorio, son of Eduardo and Adalia Sorio, graduated cum laude with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Pangasinan and was employed as an associate professor at the College of Health Sciences in his alma mater for more than eight years right after his graduation in 2005.

The resolution said, in 2013, Sorio applied for a teaching job overseas and was fortunately hired as an assistant professor at the Center for Health Studies at the Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he works up to the present.

Sorio ranked fifth place out of the 74 secondary teachers who passed the Special Professional Licensure Board Examination with 200 examinees.

“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan joins the whole province in congratulating Erik Hans Lamsen Sorio, who has made all Pangasinenses proud for such feat,” the resolution read.

Pangasinan bags ISO certification for quality works

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA) -- The province of Pangasinan added another feather to its cap when it was chosen among the six provinces and among 14 local government units nationwide conferred with ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Certification.

Gov. Amado Espino III announced that the ISO certificate was issued to the province by the Government Quality Management Committee (GQMC) in recognition of its quality work in various areas of governance.

The GQMC committee was composed of the following national government executives: DBM Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno (Chairman); Ramon M. Lopez, Department of Trade and Industry secretary (Co-Chair); Ismael Sueno, Interior and Local Government secretary; Antonio Kalaw, Development Academy of the Philippines president; and Alberto A. Bernardo, Office of the President-Internal Audit Office deputy executive secretary (members).

The goal of the GQMP is to strengthen institutional capacities of public sector organizations in delivering citizen-focused public services and in implementing international-based quality management system.

Gov. Espino said the Pangasinan Provincial Government, along with the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO), was awarded with an ISO certificate with a process scope that covers the provision of offices and hospitals with administrative and support services.

These include recruitment and training; information technology; repair and maintenance of buildings and vehicles; electrical and plumbing systems, and carpentry; finance and investment planning.

Support services that were included in the ISO certification were those from the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), Management Information Services Office (MISO), Human Resources and Management Development Office (HRMDO), General Services Office (GSO), and the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO).

PPH was earlier recognized as ISO certified for its provision of quality health care services while the PHO was accorded the same certificate for its formulation of health plan; capacity building; monitoring and evaluation of health programs.

This proves that the provincial government, the PPH and the PHO now belong to the elite club of public and private firms and organizations that are compliant with internationally-accepted standards and management systems and procedures, Espino said.

He commended the various department offices further noting that continuous quality service must be given to the public for this international certification.

He said that international standard citation is an added reward for a job well done among the various provincial government offices.

The governor stressed that before adhering to international standard of service, each office/department of the provincial government must first assure that the needed services for the less privileged Pangasinenses must be provided.

The government quality management program (GQMP) of the national government was launched in pursuant to Executive Order No. 605 entitled Institutionalizing the Structure, Mechanisms, and Standards to Implement the Government Quality Management Program.

The program aims to promote and enhance public sector performance through the adoption of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems in all agencies of government and to develop an institutional infrastructure that shall provide certification with international accreditation.

In addition to this, the program aims to establish the citizen’s charter of key government offices that shall be provided to the transacting public as government’s manifestation of service guarantee and recognize citizen-driven government organizations that have attained ISO 9001 certification for other government agencies to emulate.

6th Pangasinan Chess Championship set Nov. 19-20

(PNA), ZST/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 17 (PNA)-- The Pangasinan provincial government, in cooperation with the Pangasinan Chess League (PCL), will stage the 6th Pangasinan Chess Championship at the Provincial Training and Development Center here on Nov. 19 to 20 this year.

The competition is open for chess players from Pangasinan and the provinces of Benguet, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales.

The tournament is divided into three categories, namely: Open Category, for all players regardless of title, rating or age; Junior Category for players born on Jan. 1, 1998 or later; and Kiddie Categories for players born on Jan. 1, 2004 or later.

At stake are cash prizes: (Open Category) 1st Place PHP7,000, 2nd Place PHP5,000, 3rd Place PHP3,000, 4th Place PHP2,000, 5th Place PHP1,000, 6th to 15th Place PHP500 each; (Junior Category) 1st Place PHP5,000, 2nd Place PHP4,000, 3rd Place PHP3,000, 4th Place PHP2,000, 5th Place PHP1,000, 6th to 10th Place PHP500 each; (Kiddie Category) 1st Place PHP3,000, 2nd Place PHP2,000, 3rd Place PHP1,000, 4th Place PHP750, 5th to 10th Place PHP500 each; (Special Category Prizes) Top Senior—60 years old and above PHP500 and Top Female Player PHP500.

Participants are advised to bring with them any document that could show proof of their age and residence.

The tournament is part of the Pangasinan Chess Festival 2016, which will culminate with the 8th Gov. Amado Espino Cup Open Chess Tournament in December.

Feature: DPWH to restore Pangasinan's historical Casa Real

(DPWH)

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is giving a new life to a 260-year old abandoned mansion that once served as the provincial seat of government of Lingayen, Pangasinan during Spanish occupation in the country.

“What was long been abandoned and devastated by World War II and typhoon “Cosme” in 2008 will soon be home of artifacts with significance to Pangasinan’s rich history and cultural heritages,” said DPWH Region 1 Director Danilo E. Dequito, pertaining to the historical Casa Real.

DPWH, in convergence with the Department of Tourism, has implemented restoration works worth P35 million for its first and second phase and will spend an additional P50 million for its third and final phase.

According to Dequito, DPWH has completed the Phase II of Casa Real’s rehabilitation project which covers concrete beam and slab, masonry walls, roofing system and ceiling works, electrical works including installation generator set and power house and office furniture.

DPWH has also installed high definition (HD) screen and audio system with closed-circuit television and plumbing works including cistern tank and fire sprinkler system to add security in the building which will soon be open to public as a museum.

Pangasinenses may expect the full restoration of this historical landmark with the completion of the third stage of its renovation.

PH City wants sisterhood relations with Xiamen City in China

(PNA)

A city councilor in Dagupan City called for the establishment of sisterhood relations between Xiamen City in China and Dagupan to further enhance the now strengthened relationship between the Philippines and China after the state visit to the foreign country by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In his resolution passed by the city council today, Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo earnestly requested Mayor Belen T. Fernandez to initiate the creation of a committee that will undertake the initial spadework leading to the establishment of sisterhood relationship between Xiamen and Dagupan.

Xiamen, he said, is a prosperous city in Southern China, where many Filipino-Chinese presently living in Dagupan, including Mayor Fernandez and Vice Mayor Brian Lim, trace their roots.

He explained his resolution stemmed from the initiative undertaken by President Duterte in seeking improved relations between the Philippines, which was somewhat soured due to the occupation by China of the Spratlys and the Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, which is only 200 nautical miles away from Pangasinan.

“In Davao City, where President Duterte was mayor for more than 20 years, it already extended its hands of friendship and cooperation with Shanghai City in China,” Tamayo noted.

“We talk among ourselves in the city council as we want to duplicate this feat since the trend nowadays is to establish a bridge of friendship between China and the Philippines,” Tamayo added.

“We believe that there is nothing more emphatic than to cement the relationship between China and the Philippines through a sisterhood agreement between Dagupan and Xiamen,” he said.

He asked newsmen: “Why Xiamen?”

“Xiamen is where most of Filipino-Chinese from Dagupan traced their roots. That is where most of our Filipino-Chinese brothers in Dagupan came from,” Tamayo explained.

He said the most of the ancestors of the present Filipino-Chinese in Dagupan came to the city by boats when they fled China, through Xiamen, during the Chinese revolution that drove away the nationalists and installed communist power to that country.

“As a matter of fact, the roots of the mayor (Belen Fernandez) and the vice mayor (Brian Lim) came from the same place,” he added.

He also learned that some of the city officials of Xiamen City are related to some of the Filipino-Chinese residents of Dagupan, pointing out that this could be exploited to the hilt to bring more investments to the city and foster more frequent exchanges of culture, education and technologies between the two cities.

Production of corn boosted in Pangasinan

By Honor Blanco Cabie

BINALONAN, Pangasinan—On strategic edges of the asphalted MacArthur Highway in this Ilocos town, some 193 kms north of Manila, hawkers of freshly harvested corn ears make a tourist sight when the monsoon is over.

Some motorists—either those returning to the metropolis or those going up north, primarily the far northwest Ilocos Norte province—stop for some hairy clusters to be boiled home a few hours later.

The highway corn hawkers here, like those in the other towns of Pozorrubio, Sison due north or even Urdaneta and Villasis south of here take comfort in the return on investments they make during the day.

Much like their cousins in the Visayas and Mindanao, who also sell either the fresh harvest or those already boiled of the yellow sweet corn variety, which fetches a high price in the south as well as in the north of the country.

In some barangays of Cebu City, for instance, corn farmers sell their harvest at least P30 per kilo from the farm. In Metro Manila, sweet corn retailed at shopping malls sells for, at the very least, as much as P30 per cob.

Agriculture sources say there is an increasing demand for sweet corn. Fact is, they say the Philippines, a basically agricultural economy, remains an importer of corn in canned and frozen forms.

Farm experts say the production period for corn is relatively short. In 65 to 75 days, the crop could be harvested, depending on the variety.

In Metro Manila, big cans are seen in markets—like those at the Quinta market in Quiapo and even the Nepa-Q Mart in Quezon City and even in the eastern towns like Cainta and Taytay—with hundreds of corn ears steaming hot ready for the taking by ambulant vendors who shuffle feet in offices like those at the government’s broadcast complex.

Sources say the growers who supply the Manila market are found in Pampanga, especially the low-lying town of Lubao where some 350 hectares are devoted to this crop in just one barangay.

The sources add there is also an increasing number of growers in Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and Quezon.

In this second class town, verdant with corn fields and rice plants when the rains are gone, residents have since been upbeat following the inauguration of a modern, if state-of-the art, seed processing plant in Sumabnit, one of 24 barangays.

The plant is expected to boost corn production in the country, provide livelihood to farmers and workers, and save precious dollars for the Philippines.

It could also earn foreign exchange in the near future, according to official sources.

This is the $ 8-million seed processing facility of Syngenta, one of the giant multinational companies engaged in developing and distributing various agricultural inputs like crop protection chemicals and improved crop seeds.

While the processing plant could process various crop seeds, the main focus is the processing of Bt corn seeds.

This is the so-called biotech crop which offers several advantages for the farmers.

Sources say this is able to protect itself from the frightful destructive corn borer, which means the corn farmer can save a lot on expensive chemical spray.

Because the corn plants don’t have to be sprayed, the Bt corn does not harm the environment, making the produce environment friendly, according to residents and experts in Bt corn seeds.

More than a decade back, following a rigidly accurate or precise testing by regulatory bodies, Bt corn was approved for commercial production in the Philippines.

From that point, Bt corn has become a favorite of corn farmers because besides requiring no pesticide to protect the plants from corn borer, it is also high-yielding.

One hectare, according to some sources, could yield 8 metric tons or more. The ears are big and uniform under favorable conditions.

Official sources say 50 to 70 percent of the corn farms in Pangasinan are now devoted to Bt corn, adding no less than 4,000 hectares are planted to corn each year in the province, surrounded by La Union, Tarlac, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales.

They say the processing plant could process no less than 2,000 metric tons of seeds per year.

At the seeding rate of 18 to 20 kilos per hectare, the 2,000 tons of seeds are enough to plant no less than 100,000 hectares, the sources add.

In the meantime, tourists – local and foreign – who drive through the MacArthur Highway continue to be jabbed along the road by peddlers of the sweet corn variety.

Career service exam in Dagupan City reset to Nov. 20

(JNPD/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Field Office here said the Career Service Examination-Paper and Pen Test (CSE-PPT) for examinees in Dagupan City has been reset to November 20.

Director Flordeliza Bugtong of CSC-Lingayen field office said that all registered examinees will have the same testing center and school assignment as provided in the original exam schedule set last October 23.

The October 23 exam was suspended following the onslaught and after-effects of Super Typhoon Lawin in the area.

Bugtong said there are 3,430 examinees registered for the professional level and 1, 043 registered for the sub-professional level in Pangasinan.

“For examinees who registered to take the CSE-PPT in Dagupan City testing centers, the professional level will be held at the Dagupan City National High School and West Central 1 Elementary School while the sub-professional level will be at the Lyceum-Northwestern University,” she added.

The CSC stated in its Examination Advisory No. 17 s. 2016 that all affected examinees will only be given one chance to take the rescheduled examination free of charge.

“The CSC will not allow any request for postponement or another rescheduling of exam. Those who will not be able to take the November 20 exam shall have their examination fee and slot forfeited,” the advisory read.

For inquiries and other concerns, Bugayong said that examinees may visit the CSC-Lingayen Field Office located at the National Services Building, Capitol Compound in this town or call at telephone no. (075) 529-9394 or send an e-mail to csc_lingayenfo@yahoo.com.

Meanwhile, the next Career Service Exam is slated on March 12 next year.

Interested applicants may apply from November 14, 2016 to January 13, 2017 at the nearest CSC regional or field office or visit www.csc.gov.ph or Facebook page: Philippine Civil Service Commission.

Pangasinan confers cleanest, greenest and safest towns, barangays

By Elsha Marie B. Soriano

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan November 11 (PIA) –Towns and barangays in Pangasinan who showed support to the advocacy to protect and preserve the environment were conferred as cleanest, greenest, and safest municipalities and barangays by the provincial government through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

The recognition, which aims to give credits to the efforts of local government units (LGUs) for the protection, preservation and management of the environment, was awarded to the winning LGUs and barangay officials during the closing and awarding ceremony of the 27th National Statistics Month celebration held at the Sison Auditorium here on Thursday.

Governor Amado Espino III commended the local officials and employees of all winning LGUs and barangays for their efforts and sacrifices in making their localities clean, green, and safe for the next generation.

“Isa lang po ang ating adhikain, na mabigyan o maiwan ang bayan, lungsod, barangay lalong-lalo na po ang ating lalawigan na maganda at maayos para sa mga susunod na henerasyon,” said Espino as he expressed gratitude to all LGUs for their sacrifice, support, and cooperation to the provincial government’s programs and projects.

Selected from the 1st to 3rd class municipalities for Category A, LGU Villasis bagged the cleanest, greenest and safest LGU award while towns of Tayug and Bolinao were recognized as 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

For Category B comprising the 4th and 5th class municipalities, Sta. Maria town was declared as champion while Sto. Tomas town was recognized as 1st runner-up with Balungao town as 2nd runner-up.

For the component cities in Category C, Alaminos City romped off as the champion with Urdaneta City and San Carlos City as 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

In Category D, which includes various barangays in Pangasinan, PENRO saw Barangay Arnedo in Bolinao town as champion. Meanwhile, Barangay Bal-loy in Sta. Maria town was given the 1st runner-up slot and Barangay Ariston East in Asingan town as 2nd runner-up.

For categories A to C, monetary prizes are from P50,000 (2nd runner-up), P75,000 (1st runner-up), and P100,000 (champion) while for the barangay category or category D prizes are P30, 000 (2nd runner-up), P40,000 (1st runner-up) and P50,000 (champion). (JNPD/EMBS/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

Pangasinan holds sportsfest for provincial employees

By Elsha Marie B. Soriano

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, November 11 (PIA) – The provincial government of Pangasinan continues to observe its sports and wellness program in order to promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and physical fitness among its employees.

The program dubbed as “2016 Pagalaw tan Olupan ed Gobyerno Itanduro (POGI)”, is a continuation of the Angguan Tan Ehersisyo (ATE) sports and wellness activity that was launched under the administration of former Pangasinan governor and now 5th district Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr.

The event, which is being held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen town, will run until December 20.

Governor Amado Espino III, who led the program’s opening ceremonies, told the participating provincial government employees to promote cooperation with their co-workers and develop a sense of respect for others.

“Let the competition bring out the best in us and not the worst in us,” Espino said hoping that the event will further develop the employees’ sense of respect, cooperation, and sacrifice while playing the sports they have chosen.

The event was packed with different sports activities such as basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tug-of-war, lawn tennis, table tennis, track and field, badminton, and chess.

The participants were divided into seven different teams such as Financiers, Builders, Medics, General, Warriors, Legislators and Benchmarks.

The Team Financiers is composed of the employees from the Assessor’s Office, Treasurers’ Office, Budget Office, Library, Legal Office, Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Agricultural Office, Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), Prosecutor’s Office and Accounting Office.

Member of the General team is composed of the General Service Office (GSO) while the team Builders is made up of Provincial Engineering Officers (PEO) and Public Utility and Water works.

Employees from Governor’s Office (PGO), Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, Employment and Service Office, Human Resource and Management Office (HRMO), Management Information Services Office, Provincial Warden’s Office, Housing and Urban Development Office, Capitol Resort and Hotel, Provincial Information Office and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office belong to team Warriors.

Medics Team is composed of the officials and employees of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) and district and community hospitals in towns of Tayug, Bayambang, Manaoag, Mapandan, Asingan, Umingan, Pozorrubio, Lingayen and Urdaneta City.

Members of the Team Legislators are from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Office headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim.

The Team Benchmark is composed of employees from the district and community hospital in San Carlos City, Alaminos City, Dasol, Bolinao and Mangatarem town.

Pangasinan LGUs hailed for maximizing statistics in local governance

(PNA), LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 10 (PNA) -- The 27th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration in Pangasinan ended today (Nov. 10) on a high note when the provincial government led by Governor Amado "Pogi" I. Espino, III feted Local Government Units (LGUs) for their notable performance in maximizing statistics in local governance.

During the NSM provincial culminating activity held at the Sison Auditorium Thursday, Gov. Espino bared that the province of Pangasinan has maintained a solid performance not only in the annual NSM Month celebration, but also in taking advantage of the influence of statistics in the implementation of various development thrusts of the provincial government.

Buoyed up by the province’s 2nd regional hall of fame award as Best NSM Province Implementer, which is set to be officially awarded to the province next year, Governor Espino urged Pangasinenses not to rest on its laurels and carry on elevating the performance of the province in various fields.

“It has always been the agenda of this provincial administration to make Pangasinan a premiere province,” said Governor Espino, as he expressed elation over the recent awarding of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), the second SGLG award received by the province.

Most city and municipal LGUs in the province also received their SGLG awards, which is a manifestation of their consistent performance in the SGLG parameters which include: (core components) financial administration, social protection and disaster preparedness; and (essential components) business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order and environmental management.

Meanwhile, 4th district Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, 2016 provincial NSM steering committee chairperson, said that the annually-held NSM celebration was a fitting opportunity to help increase awareness and update information regarding statistics among Pangasinenses.

Rosario said that the Philippine Statistics Authority has recognized Pangasinan as the most statistically-developed province in the region for six times, being the regional champion in the search for best NSM province implementer from 2008-2010 and 2014-2016.

Capping the NSM provincial culminating activity was the awarding program where Governor Espino, Board Member Rosario along with other provincial officials recognized the winners in the search for Most Statistically-developed LGUs.

Category A (cities, and 1st to end class municipalities) was won by LGU Mangaldan led by Mayor BonafeParayno. Runners-up were: LGU San Nicolas led by Mayor Rebecca Saldivar and LGU Pozorrubio represented by Municipal Planning and Development Officer Amerigo Garcia.

Category B (3rd to 5th class municipalities) winners are: LGU Tayug led by Mayor Tyrone Agabas, champion; LGU Laoac led by Mayor Silverio Alarcio, Jr., 1st runner-up; and LGU Sison led by Mayor Danilo Uy, 2nd runner-up.

Champions in the search for most statistically-developed LGUs each received P100,000 while runners-up received P75,000 (1st runner-up) and P50,000 (2nd runner-up), respectively.

Students from various secondary and tertiary schools in the province who won in the provincial and regional NSM contests were also recognized and given with cash prizes, medals and trophies.

The winners in various NSM provincial and regional contests were:

Oratorical contest (secondary level): JhazmynFallorina of Bautista National High School (NHS), provincial champion and regional champion; RovecelMargaux Radovan of Alaminos City NHS, 1st runner-up; and Shereigne Leyson of Abanon NHS – San Carlos City, 2nd runner-up.

Oratorical contest (tertiary level): Mark Carlo Austria of Pangasinan State University (PSU) – San Carlos, provincial champion and regional 1st runner-up; Gerardo Camacho, Jr. of Kingfisher School of Business and Finance – Dagupan City, 1st runner-up; and Terencely Feria of Colegio San Jose de Alaminos, 2nd runner-up.

Poster and slogan making contest (secondary level): Allyna Claveria of East Central Integrated School – Dagupan City, provincial champion and regional champion; Emmanuel Octiva of Agdao Integrated School – San Carlos City, 1st runner-up; and Charlito Abuan, Jr. of Umingan Comprehensive NHS, 2nd runner-up.

Poster and slogan making contest (tertiary level): Mark Anthony Nesperos of PSU – Bayambang, provincial champion and regional champion; John Paul Cabada of Great Plebian College – Alaminos, 1st runner-up; and JhayMark Sabado of PASS College – Alaminos, 2nd runner-up.

Essay writing contest (secondary level): Gaebrielle Anne Geli Zarate of Urdaneta City NHS, provincial champion and regional champion; Josephena Castro of Alos NHS – Alaminos City, 1st runner-up; and Angelica Jethria Cayanan of St. Albert the Great School – Dagupan City, 2nd runner-up.

Essay writing contest (tertiary level): Regina Jimenez of Great Plebian College – Alaminos, provincial champion and regional 3rd runner-up; Jerico de Vera of Kingfisher School of Business and Finance, 1st runner-up; and Stephanie Alyssa Ang of PSU – Urdaneta City, 2nd runner-up.

Essay writing contest – government employee category: Mark Gerry Oblanca of Pangasinan Provincial Information Office (regional champion). He was the official representative of the province in the regional essay writing contest.

Statistical quiz contest (secondary level): SEPNAS – San Carlos City, provincial champion and regional 2ndrunner-up; Alaminos City NHS, 1st runner-up; and Urdaneta City NHS, 2nd runner-up.

Statistical quiz contest (tertiary level): PSU – Urdaneta City, provincial champion and regional 2ndrunner-up; Colegio de Dagupan, 1st runner-up; and Kingfisher School of Business and Finance – Dagupan City, 2nd runner-up.

Jingle making contest (secondary level): Calasiao Comprehensive NHS, provincial champion and regional champion; Tayug NHS, 1st runner-up; and SEPNAS – San Carlos City, 2nd runner-up.

Jingle making contest (tertiary level): Colegio de Dagupan, provincial champion and regional champion; PSU – Bayambang, 1st runner-up; and PASS College – Alaminos City, 2nd runner-up.

KBP-Pangasinan holds sportsfest for media

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

DAGUPAN CITY, November 9 (PIA) – The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Pangasinan chapter gathered media practitioners on Saturday at the Divine Word Academy of Dagupan here for the opening of the KBP sports festival.

Emmanuel Sibayan, outgoing chairman of KBP-Pangasinan chapter, said the sports event aims to promote camaraderie among media practitioners in the broadcast, print and social media genre as they unwind for a day from the rigors of the profession.

“Today, let us advocate sportsmanship among service providers on air and forget first the competition of our stations,” he said during the kick-off ceremony that followed after a motorcade.

Sports games include basketball, volleyball and bowling.

Parlor games were also conducted that made the gathering more fun for the media.

Sibayan said games will continue on Saturday, November 12.

Aside from this activity, the KBP-Pangasinan chapter will also stage the “Ballet and Ballads” at 7 p.m. on November 11 (Friday) at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen town.

In partnership with the provincial government of Pangasinan and the Manila Broadcasting Company, the Ballet and Ballads will feature the performances of Ballet Manila and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde with Filipino singer-songwriter Luke Mijares.

The KBP is a non-government and non-profit organization of the broadcast media in the Philippines.

In Pangasinan, the KBP chapter takes active role in spearheading a weekly forum, journalism seminars, member accreditation, blood donation drive, tree planting activity and socio-civic activities.

PUI students win big in 3rd Australian Robotics Challenge

Tita Roces (Sunday Punch)

THREE students of the Pangasinan Universal Institute (PUI) in Dagupan City who learned from the city’s experience in the aftermath of a killer earthquake in 2000, went to compete in Australia to show their prowess in robotic technology.

They came home with their gold medals around their necks, making their country, city and school proud after leaving their marks in the 3rd Australian Robotics Challenge held at the Griffith University, Gold Coast in Australia last Oct. 28 – 30.

Jilian Kay Madison Fernandez, Grade 8; Matthea Flynne Sim, Grade 10 and Beatrice Gail Wong, Grade 11, bagged gold for the 3D Design Challenge in the competition participated in by other kids from China, Korea, Australia and other teams from the Philippines.

The PUI team and students from other schools (Cavite National High School and La Salle-Zobel) in the Philippines who also came home with their medals which they won in a number of challenges from Creative Technology to Mission Challenge, Line Tracing, Symposium and 3D Design.

The PUI students stood out in the 3D Design Challenge and took runner-up honors for the Creative Concept Award.

“It was a contest where students from different parts of the world go to show their prowess in innovating and addressing a specific problem with the use of robotics,” Fernandez said.

In the Symposium Challenge, the PUI team focused on a specific topic while the team addressed showed how a search and rescue operation in the aftermath of an earthquake can be more effective.

The team design designed a vest for dogs (called ROB Vest for Rescue, Optimization), to help in the evaluation of situations inside an earthquake disaster site.

Knowing that there are people normally trapped in the rubble where buildings collapsed, only sniff dogs can possibly track and locate them.

“We augmented the dog’s sensors capabilities with robotic technology,” Wong said.

“A camera is attached to the vest worn by the dog that includes sensors that guide the dog’s movements,” Sim said. “The camera enables rescuers to see what’s happening inside the rubble,” she added.

“With the vest, a search and rescue becomes more efficient,” Fernandez said, saving precious time to save lives.

“It’s what our slogan “Protecting dogs and saving lives” is all about Wong said.

“Our hard work, discipline and focus paid off,” Wong added.

Fernandez recalled what their mentor Melvin Matulac told them: “You’re not trying to make a superman but you’re trying something that could help the world even in small way that could impact greatly”.

Yolanda Que, PUI school principal and their coach Mario Ferrer, said they were ecstatic and felt the pride and honor brought home by their students.

Sual is top bangus producer nationwide

By Tita Roces (Sunday Punch)

SUAL—This town boasts of its fish cages that produce P2.5 billion a year sales of bangus (milkfish) which makes it the biggest bangus producer in a municipal level nationwide.

This was confirmed by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 1 Director Nestor Domenden, Mayor Roberto Arcinue said.

Arcinue said, daily bangus harvest in the 750 fish cages located along Cabalitian Bay here is 60 tons a day or 60,000 kilos.

In one year, some 50 million pieces of bangus (for two-piece a kilo size) are harvested and that, he said, translates to P2.5-billion a year assuming one kilo is P100. (a piece costs P50).

The combined produce of Anda and Bolinao towns is equivalent to the produce in Sual, Arcinue said.

Sual contributes 30 percent of the consumption of Metro Manila of bangus, the mayor said, quoting Domenden. Daily bangus harvest here is brought to Navotas and Malabon, and a few in Dagupan City.

“So in terms of food security of the country, Sual is a big contributor,” he said.

The town earns P10-million in taxes a year from fish cages operations.

A fish cage with an 18 –meter diameter costs P650,000 can raise 45,000 pieces of bangus at one-time production period for about six months.

“Sual is ideal because it has deep water (about 20 meters), unlike Anda and Bolinao,” he said. The net in the cages is about six meters only so there’s remaining 14 meters equivalent to a five-story building at the bottom of the sea, he added.

Arcinue said there has been no incidence of fish kill nor red tide in Sual, a proof that they are observing good aquaculture practices and pointed out that whale sharks and dolphins are sighted in the area which proves that the town’s water is clean and food is available to them like small fish.

“What makes Sual ideal for bangus culture in fish cages? We have deep water, there’s enough oxygen, water is clean, it has underwater current so bangus wastes and unconsumed fish feeds are washed out,” Arcinue said.

The lukewarm treated water from the town’s coal-fired power plant that goes to the bay is another boost for growth of the bangus, Arcinue said. “It’s like having hot shower,” he said.

“Compare our seawater here. It’s blue green that proves it’s clean,” Arcinue added.

Each fish cage here employs at least two persons as caretakers, thus it helps a lot in job generation, he added.

2 top drug personalities arrested in Pangasinan

(PNA), BNB/LVM/

AGNO, Pangasinan, Nov. 6 (PNA) -- Two top drug personalities were arrested while another managed to escape when a composite team of lawmen simultaneously served six warrants in three different houses in Agno on Friday, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) reported.

Arrested in these operations conducted at about 5:30 a.m. Friday were Joel Nery, a high-value target pusher of Barangay Boboy in Agno town from whose house lawmen seized one plastic sachet of suspected shabu; and Mario Nuevo Espana, a drug pusher on the watchlist from Barangay Poblacion East, Agno, from whom lawmen also seized five plastic sachets of suspected shabu, one lighter, five aluminum foils, two straws, one tooter, one syringe needle and one eye glasses.

Meanwhile, 41 empty shells for caliber 38 revolver and one empty shell for 5.56mm, including four sachets of suspected shabu were seized from the house of Hannibal Medrano Sr., also a pusher on the watchlist and a native of Bangan-Oda, Agno town, who was not around when lawmen served the search warrant in his house.

He is now the subject of police manhunt.

The searches were conducted by elements of the Police Provincial Office led by Supt. Jeff Fanged and Supt. Jackie Candelario, deputy police provincial director for operations, composed of members of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG), Provincial Investigation Branch, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, Philippine Army and Agno Police.

The searches were conducted in orderly manner, watched by officials of barangays and of the Dspartment of Justice.

63 fish pens on titled lots in Dagupan City to be dismantled after validation

(PNA), CVL/LVM/LVMIOCUA1410/RMA

DAGUPAN CITY (PNA) -- At least 63 fish pens scattered along the banks of rivers in various coastal villages here, said to be standing on titled lots, are due for dismantling after they are validated by the city assessors office and the city agriculture office.

This was gleaned from a list submitted by city agriculture officer Emma Molina, indicating the lot number where the fish pens are standing, their total land area, the total area of their properties under water and their respective locations.

Earlier, city assessor Roland Suni said that although these titled properties are under water or partly under water, they were supposed to have reverted to public domain.

The problem is their owners are not about to give up their claims to these properties unless their titles are cancelled through proper judicial process, Suni pointed out.

He said the owners of these properties are holding on to their titles which cannot just be invalidated unless cases are filed in court, asking the Land Registration Authority (LTA) to cancel the titles, a process that normally takes a long time.

A press release from the city information office quoted Molina as saying that after clearing all navigational lanes in all coastal villages of Dagupan City, her office is now setting its eyes on fish pens still standing along the banks of various rivers.

The assessors office will validate the fish pens, Molina said, calling on their owners to submit proof of ownership to her office, which will cross-check the titles to be presented with the actual cadastral map of Dagupan rivers.

From July 2013 to Oct. 27, the assessors office and the Bantay Ilog Task Force already dismantled about 664 units covering a total land area of 97.96 hectares scattered over navigation zones.

Philippine gov’t. extends assistance to 17 Vietnamese fishermen

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

SUAL, Pangasinan, November 4 (PIA) – As an exercise of goodwill, the Philippine government extended assistance to the 17 Vietnamese fishermen as they leave for their homeland to resume their lives with their families.

As a diplomatic move to galvanize reinvigorated bilateral relations with Vietnam, President Rodrigo Duterte led the send-off of the 17 Vietnamese nationals in a ceremony held on Wednesday at the causeway of the coastal town of Sual.

In a message, Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo expressed hopes that the assistance given by the Duterte government will be accepted in the spirit that they are being given and that the two countries continue to build stronger ties of unity that will benefit the people especially the poor.

Several items provided to the fishermen which they can use while on their journey home include: 3,000 liters of gasoline, three sacks of rice, nine blocks of ice, three drums of fresh water, and several kilos of vegetables.

Jackets and tokens were also given.

Social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted psychosocial processing among Vietnamese fishermen prior to the send-off.

Further, the fishermen were escorted by the Philippine Navy and the Maritime group until they have crossed the territorial waters of the Philippines.

“We hope that our 17 guests whom we are sending off today will take this to heart, even as we Filipinos take this to heart. Our message today must be one of diplomacy, unity and solidarity,” Taguiwalo said as she bid the fishermen good luck on their journey home.

Vietnamese ambassador to the Philippines Truong Trieu Duong expressed gratitude to Duterte.

“We, the Vietnamese people, especially the fishermen ... will forever be in debt for the goodwill, the kind and humanitarian gesture by you, Mr. President, and the Filipino people,” the envoy said.

Vietnam expresses gratitude for PH’s act of goodwill

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

SUAL, Pangasinan November 3 (PIA) – “All of you have truly been the good reflection of human compassion.”

This was stated by Vietnam's ambassador to the Philippines Truong Trieu Duong as he conveyed Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang's "profound gratitude" to President Rodrigo Duterte "for the swift and steadfast realization of his promise" to free the 17 Vietnamese fishermen caught in the territorial waters of the Philippines on September 8 this year.

"We, the Vietnamese people, especially the fishermen who are now going to return home today (November 2), as well as their family members, will forever be indebted to such act of goodwill, a kind and humanitarian gesture by you, Mr. President, and the Philippine people," he said.

President Duterte, who led the ceremonial send-off of the 17 Vietnamese fishermen held at the wharf and causeway of Sual town, fulfilled his promise that was made during his visit to Vietnam to free the Vietnamese nationals in view of good relationships between Philippines and Vietnam, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“Kind and generous, as he (Pres. Duterte) has always been, without hesitation he promised that he will order the immediate release of these fishermen and offer them all necessary providence that they can return home safely,” Truong said.

“They are very lucky that by the order of President Duterte they are free to return home with their own vessels with all fuels, foods and other supplies provided by the Philippine government,” he said expressing that he is “deeply moved”, and honored to witness the ceremonial send-off of Vietnamese fellow.

Meanwhile, Truong expressed gratitude to all concerned authorities for their efforts in facilitating the release of captured Vietnamese fishermen and to the people of Sual for allowing them to stay in their municipality.

“I believe our fishermen, shall forever treasure your kindness and hospitality during their short stay here in the Philippines,” he said.

In his closing remarks during the ceremony, Truong said, “Your excellency, you have done more than worth of this price. I would like to wish you all the best and great success in your noble cause for the prosperity of your people.”

Casa Real’s final phase of restoration ends this year

(Sunday Punch)

LINGAYEN— The restoration of Casa Real, once the seat of provincial government of Pangasinan during the Spanish era, is expected when the third phase is completed before the year ends.

“We make sure that the Casa Real restoration will not slow down. It’s one of our very important historical edifices within the province,” Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil said in an interview.

Bataoil said he was recently assured by the Office of Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority’s (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer, Atty. Guiller Asido, that the documentation for the transfer of funds from the Department of Tourism (DOT) to the provincial government for this project is already being processed.

He expects Gov. Amado Espino III to sign the memorandum of agreement after his visit to Guam to complete the documentation requirement.

The third phase includes the interior finishing, electrical and water conduits.

“Before the end of this year, you will see a building that will house various important artifacts as it is intended to be a museum in coordination with the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission,” Bataoil said.

He said in many countries around the world “give importance to historical buildings like that (Casa Real) because it serves as inspiration to future generations especially so that it reminds us of best practices in good governance and many things that we can think of that made the province what it is today”.

Bataoil said heritage structures in Vigan City in the Ilocos area and other parts of the country are flocked by tourists and foresees the same for Casa Real.

“That is my vision, that is what I foresee (with Casa Real),” he added.

The provincial government of Pangasinan gave P5-million for phase 1 of the restoration project.

Bataoil helped source out funds from the Department of Public Works and Highways that gave P30-million to complete phase 2.

TIEZA has allocated P50-million for the phase 3 which includes site development and curatorial works.

When finally completed, it will be inaugurated as the Pangasinan provincial museum during the 437th Agew na Pangasinan celebration on April 5 next year. (Tita Roces)

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