Pangasinan News September 2014

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Pangasinan Province - Archived News
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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

From old seat of Pangasinan gov’t to museum

By Gabriel Cardinoza (Inquirer Northern Luzon)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—A building that once served as the seat of power in this province will rise again, this time as a museum.

The 1,480-square meter, two-story Casa Real (Royal House), which was built in the 1800s using stone masonry and bricks, was abandoned in 2008 by the local government offices that occupied it when Typhoon “Cosme” ripped off its roof.

Casa Real was where “alcalde mayores” (provincial governors) lived and held office during the Spanish era.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said the provincial government had allocated P5 million for the initial phase of the museum project while Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil proposed the allocation of P30 million from next year’s national budget to augment its initial funding.

Gonzalo Duque, chair of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC), said Casa Real, which the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declared a national historical landmark, was a “silent witness of Pangasinan’s history.”

The place was once the station of Spanish soldiers and their native recruits when they fought the Katipuneros, said PHCC executive director and provincial tourism officer Maria Luisa Elduayan.

“At the end of that century, when the Americans colonized the province, it was called ‘capitol’ and served as the office of the governor,” Elduayan said.

“After the Taft Commission organized Pangasinan as a civil province on Feb. 16, 1901, Judge William Howard Taft and his commissioners went to Lingayen and were given a grand reception at Casa Real,” she said.

The seat of the provincial government was eventually transferred to what is now the capitol building, which was completed in 1918.

In the 1930s, Casa Real was used as an elementary school, then as a seat of what was then the Court of First Instance and, later, as offices of the municipal government.

In a resolution declaring the building a national landmark, the NHCP noted that Casa Real “is an outstanding and unique example of civil architecture from the Spanish and American colonial periods.”

“The old Casa Real survived destruction during [World War II] and remains to this day a beautiful monument to the artistry, craftsmanship and ingenuity of its builders,” it said.

Crisanto David, a restorer from Pampanga province who had been commissioned for the Casa Real project, said he could not say yet how long it would take for his group to finish its work. He said he had seen the building’s original design and vowed to restore it faithfully.

“We cannot deviate from the original design, including its interiors. We will be supervised by the NHCP,” David said.

DOLE issues pay rules for October 6 holiday

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

DAGUPAN CITY, September 29 (PIA) – President Aquino recently signed Proclamation 875 declaring October 6, Monday as a regular holiday across the nation in observance of Eidul Adha.

Eidul Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), one of the two greatest feasts of Islam, celebrates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his eldest son Ismail upon God’s orders.

In line with this, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) urged employers to observe the following rules for pay that apply during the regular holiday:

(a) If the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100 percent of his/her salary for that day [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 100 percent];

(b) For work done during the regular holiday, the employee shall be paid 200 percent of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 200 percent];

(c) For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked];

(d) For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her daily rate of 200 percent [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200 percent] + 130 percent (Daily rate x 200percent)]; and,

(e) For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200 percent x 130 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked].

In a statement, DOLE said that proper observance of the pay rules on a regular holiday strengthens decent work and encourages productivity. Voluntary compliance of companies with this labor standard is a good business practice.

‘Energy City’ in Sual, Pangasinan, to employ 14,000 when completed

By Catherine Pillas

A DUBAI-BASED firm’s $5-billion investment in a 200-hectare “Energy City” in Pangasinan can employ as many as 14,000 people upon completion.

Diversified business Kampac International Plc., the holding company of Kampac Oil ME FZCo, is pursuing its plan to build a $5-billion Energy City in Sual, Pangasinan, said Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman Miguel B. Varela on Friday.

The substantial investment of the UAE-based firm was announced late in 2013. The firm initially set its sights on building the energy city in Southern Luzon. The project has since been relocated to Northwest Luzon, specifically in Sual, Pangasinan, Varela said, due to “difficulty in consolidating property” in Laguna, the initial site.

Late in 2013 Kampac signed a memorandum of agreement with PCCI on the “Energy City” project for possible involvement of the organization.

According to the web site of Kampac, infrastructure for the 200-hectare Kampac Energy City may include three refineries with a total refining capacity of 1 million barrels a day, a petrochemical plant with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons, a storage capacity of 50 million barrels of oil, a re-gasification plant, 10 kilometers of pipelines throughout the complex and a water-treatment company.

Kampac said that upon, completion, Energy City will be worth over $7 billion.

Charles Ampofo, Chairman of Kampac International Plc. was quoted in an earlier report as saying this is intended to boost the country’s energy supply.

The oil and gas company has bid out the contract for the construction of port infrastructure in Pangasinan and construction firms FF Cruz and EEI Corp. are the enlisted contractors, Varela said.

Port infrastructure is a pre-requisite to an oil-refinery complex which will use substantial amounts of water in the refining process.

The ground-breaking, initially reported as slated for March 2014, has been moved back to March 2015 and may be completed in December next year, Varela said.

He said the firm will bring in the oil and refine it in the country for local consumption and also for export.

A Philippine Business Report published by the Department of Trade and Industry said Kampac plans to distribute and sell oil in Southeast Asia with the Philippines as its distribution hub.

Kampac International PLC is the holding company of Kampac Oil, its primary business, with diversified investments including Kampac Travels, Kampac Properties, Kampac Flora, Kampac Telecom, and Kampac Resources.

Kampac Oil is in oil and gas exploration, trading, refining, distribution, oil infrastructure development, equipment supplies and oil services.

Livelihood center to rise in Pangasinan's resettlement site

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, September 27 (PIA) – A multi-purpose center will rise in a 300 square meter-resettlement site to provide income to residents who are housed in the Lingayen Gulf Resettlement Project.

The provincial board passed a resolution setting aside a land parcel where the multi-purpose center will rise.

The resettlement site in Barangay Pangapisan Norte has been home to some 735 families who were relocated from disaster prone areas or displaced by government infrastructure projects.

Board Member Nestor Reyes, author of the resolution, said the lot portion in Block 17-A has been identified as proposed site for a livelihood center.

Reyes said under the Republic Act 7279, the establishment of a multi-purpose center is among the facilities that uplift the underprivileged and homeless citizens in resettlement areas.

Dagupan school tops entrepreneurship national finals

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

DAGUPAN CITY, Sept 26 (PIA) - The University of Luzon (UL) bested other schools in a recent national competition on entrepreneurship held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The Dagupan school bested 18 other participating schools for its projects such as coco briquette technology, a livelihood project in processing of locally abundant resources such as milkfish and moringa, and an aquaponics technology to assist the local fishermen.

The Enactus national finals was organized by Enactus Philippines, an international, non-profit organization of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

Enactus was coined from three words – ‘en’ for entrepreneurial, ‘act’ for action and ‘us’ meaning a group of people who see themselves connected in some important ways.

“As a national winner, UL has earned the right to compete at the Enactus World Cup set on October 22-24, 2014, in Beijing, China,” said Dr. Carmelo Vidal, director of UL’s Extension Services.

Vidal said other finalists’ projects included a seaweed experimental farm to help the seaweed farmers affected by Typhoon Yolanda (University of San Carlos); the development of organic products to help local organic farmers and aquatic rehabilitation program for eco-tourism (Holy Trinity College of General Santos City); and a livelihood program using abundant and available crops in the locality such as ube and banana (Sultan Kudarat Access Campus).

Enactus Philippines Chairman Jose Leviste, Jr. led the board of trustees in welcoming the 76 judges representing government organizations, private corporations, non-government organizations, academe and sponsors.

The national finals was opened by Dr. Patricia Licuanan, chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, who commended Enactus Philippines for showcasing entrepreneurial ideas and endeavors of young leaders.

Sen. Bam Aquino, the guest of honor, lauded the Enactus program for being an instrument in transforming communities through the young people. Aquino also promised to help train the winning team in preparation for the World Cup this October.

Pangasinan provincial hospital to provide veterans free medical care

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan September 25 (PIA) – The Pangasinan Provincial Hospital will soon extend free hospitalization, medical care and treatment to Filipino veterans and their dependents through the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution on Monday authorizing Governor Amado Espino, Jr. to seal an agreement with the PVAO for the implementation of hospitalization, medical care and treatment program to veterans and their dependents in the province.

The free medical care is pursuant to Republic Act 6948 as amended by Republic Act 7696.

The PVAO, which extends free hospitalization benefits to veterans and their dependents, has chosen the province through the provincial hospital to be one of its accredited hospitals to implement the program.

Espino will sign the agreement with PVAO Administrator (Ret) Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Board Member Antonio Sison, in a resolution said “the program is one way of reaching out to the needs of the Filipino veterans who have played an important role in defending the nation’s freedom and democracy.”

Dagupan City: ‘Kitchen of the North’

By Gabriel Cardinoza (Inquirer Northern Luzon)

More and more tourists have been rediscovering the coastal city of Dagupan in Pangasinan province, not only for its famous “bangus” (milkfish) but for the culinary adventure and experience it offers.

“This is the kitchen of the North. There’s a lot to eat and it’s cheap,” says Martin Valera, Ilocos regional director of the Department of Tourism.

“I think this is its secret. The food here is delicious. Not only bangus, but the ‘pigar-pigar’ (deep-fried beef), the ‘kaleskes’ (innards stew) and others,” he says.

On a typical weekend, a tourist can hop from one restaurant to another to try a variety of bangus and other seafood dishes.

“We are teeming with seafood restaurants,” says Rose Teng-Mejia, senior tourism operations officer of the city government.

One can have breakfast, for instance, at Pedrito’s Restaurant and order “daing na bangus” or “bangus paksiw.” A good option would be Dagupeña Restaurant in nearby Calasiao town, where its sizzling bangus is simply mouth-watering.

Among the eating places are Matutina’s in Bonuan Tondaligan, Silverio’s in Bonuan Gueset, Kuya Max’s, Mang Peping’s, Sidney’s and the newer one, Jacobo’s on De Venecia Highway, where each offers a completely different dining experience.

The newest restaurant, Ciudad Elmina Fishing Village, which is owned by former Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., allows diners to catch their own tilapia for cooking.

Another adventure would be to eat pigar-pigar at dusk on Galvan Street, where dining tables are set in the middle of the road.

“The best food in the province is in Dagupan City. We have the best bangus and fresh seafood,” says Mayor Belen Fernandez.

History buffs

For history buffs, a walking tour can start from the City Hall.

“The old water tower behind it is over a 100 years old. A short walk further down the street will lead you to the old cathedral, which was lovingly restored by former Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz,” Mejia says.

“Masses are held there every day. This is the church where Leonor Rivera and English railroad engineer Henry Kipping were married in 1890,” she says.

Rivera, a former girlfriend of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, was from Camiling town in Tarlac province. She often came to Dagupan at that time and stayed for several days in the house of her relatives in the city.

From there, one can walk westward toward West Central Elementary School and catch a glimpse of the only remaining Gabaldon-type structure in Dagupan. Mejia says the old Home Economics building in the school compound served as headquarters of American General Douglas MacArthur.

“Dagupan has something for everyone. Be it history, culture, devotions and gastronomic adventures. It is also here in the city center, where we can rest and then shop for all the goodies we can carry to bring home,” she says.

Breakfast by the beach

Former city tourism officer Michelle Zarate-Lioanag, a long time resident, says she always takes her guests to Tondaligan Beach for breakfast and morning swim.

“It is always a success when I bring my guests for this experience. I also try to hit the beach before dusk, especially after having a tough day. Again, the sea breeze calms me,” she says.

Tondaligan beach park is now a popular place for skim boarding, a water sport where a board smaller than a surfboard is used to glide across the water’s surface to meet an incoming, breaking wave and ride it back to shore.

Lioanag says that after a short tour around the downtown area, she would bring her guests to the city’s fish market for them to witness how bangus are being traded and sorted.

By bus, this city is four and half hours away from Metro Manila. Buses leave their terminals in Pasay City and Cubao district in Quezon City every 30 minutes.

Jump-off point

Dagupan is also a convenient jump-off point to any tourist destination in the province. One can be at the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Manaoag church in Manaoag town in 45 minutes, hear Mass for an hour, and head back to this city.

A visitor can also reach the capital, Lingayen town, in 30 minutes for a tour of the newly refurbished provincial capitol. Or travel an hour more to Alaminos City to visit the Hundred Islands National Park and return to Dagupan for the night.

Mayor Fernandez says the city government will soon launch the “islands tour,” where visitors are on a “bahay kubo”-inspired boat that will be sailing to the city’s island villages, where Dagupan’s “One Fish, One Barangay (village)” program is showcased.

“It will be an exciting experience for our tourists,” she says.

Immigration bureau sets year-long registration of foreigners

By Venus H. Sarmiento (MCA/VHS/PIA-1/Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, Sept 23 (PIA) - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has set a year-long schedule for the registration of aliens or foreigners in the Philippines.

Gilbert Lopez, BI Chief in Pangasinan, said the Alien Registration Program (ARP) shall be held from October 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015.

‘The ARP aims to account, register, capture information, enrol fingerprints and update the bureau’s alien data base and provide assistance for visa-related problems,” Lopez told the Philippine Information Agency.

Lopez said aliens availing of the program must personally apply at any authorized BI regional office and must bring duly filled-out ARP form and valid identification like passport or driver’s license.

“Another benefit of this program is that registered aliens under ARP may be primary beneficiaries of future social integration or legalization programs of the government,” he said.

For 2014, the BI recorded 1,120 documented aliens or foreigners in Pangasinan, half of which are students while the rest are immigrants.

Pangasinan board eyes ban on adult entertainment sites near Capitol

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

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, September 22 (PIA) – The provincial board is setting its sights on banning the operation of adult entertainment sites within a 200 meter-radius of the Provincial Capitol and the entire stretch of Daniel Maramba Boulevard here.

Board Member Nestor Reyes, in a proposed ordinance, said “the operation of adult entertainment sites is a gross disrespect to the status and symbolism of the Provincial Capitol and downgrades the vicinity to a red light.”

The provincial capitol, located in this capital town, is the seat of the judicial, executive, and legislative government of the province that symbolizes the democratic and development aspirations of Pangasinenses.

The proposed ordinance carries the following penalties for violation: P50,000 and warning of closure of establishment for first offense; P100,000 and closure of establishment for second offense; and P200,000 and permanent revocation of business permit for third offense.

Agencies that will supervise the effective compliance of the proposed ordinance will include the Municipal Engineering Office in Lingayen; Philippine National Police (PNP) Lingayen and Pangasinan Provincial Police Office; and the Capitol Police Contigent.

1st Robotics Science Fair set in November

(Sunday Punch)

PANGASINAN’S youths will likely develop their own ideas about how life will be in the future when robots finally become part of their daily lives.

This is the objective of the1st Dagupan City Robotics Science Fair in November that will be presented by the Science Education Institute (SEI) and the Dagupan City Government on Nov. 6-7.

The event, which aims to inculcate scientific innovation and robotics learning among the kids of Dagupan City and other areas of Pangasinan, will definitely be held after SEI’s head, Dr. Josette Biyo, and Mayor Belen Fernandez inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last week for its staging in the city.

The fair, made possible through a partnership that started in 2011when SEI celebrated the World Space Week in the city, will feature robotics exhibits, demonstration games, training, water rocket launching competition and fun science learning, and products and technology of key players in the robotic industry. “Robotics is definitely a field that is increasingly becoming vital in our industries that’s why we are happy of this move from a local government unit,” said Biyo.

He said they are happy for a chance to bring the Science Explorer and Tagisang Robotics platforms to the event.

The winning teams of the 2014 Tagisang Robotics: Design, Build and Play Competition demonstrate their robots during the fair and teach students how to control the robots in trial matches.

Another highlight will be the Robotics Training Program for both elementary and high school students and teachers using LEGO Mindstorm. Simultaneous sessions of the Science Explorer, SEI’s mobile science laboratory, will also be held to boost science interest and appreciation among the kids. Finally, the event will be capped off with the conduct of a Water-boosted Rocket Competition for elementary and high school students.

Biyo commended Mayor Fernandez and the CGD for initiating the partnership in order to develop the city’s kids in science and technology particularly in robotics.

Fernandez said the SEI was tapped because of its excellent programs and activities.

Japanese ballclub donates baseball gear to Pangasinan kids

By Joel Locsin /JST (GMA News)

The Saitama Seibu Lions Baseball Club donated 5,717 pieces of baseball equipment including bats, gloves, helmets and balls via YMCA Pangasinan, according to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.

"With the cooperation of the Saitama International Friendship Exchange Association and the YMCA Saitama, the baseball equipment will be shipped to the Philippines on 30 September 2014, to be distributed to 36 children’s baseball teams in Pangasinan by mid-October," the embassy said.

Club president Hajime Igo called on Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Thursday to report on the donation.

Igo said the donation is part of its corporate social responsibility program, where it held a charity campaign to gather baseball equipment no longer used by Japanese children.

The club noted a resurging popularity of baseball among Filipinos, as shown by the Philippines fielding a team to the World Baseball Classic for the first time in 2013.

Lopez, expressed gratitude for the donation, said baseball was once the most popular sport in the Philippines.

UCAAP basketball tourney in Pangasinan opens

(PNA), CTB/LVM/HILDA MARTIN AUSTRIA/LVMSENT FROM MY IPAD

DAGUPAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PNA)--The second season of the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association in Pangasinan (UCAAP) basketball league dubbed as Jimmy Fernandez basketball challenge fired off Thursday at the Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) gymnasium with eight teams participating.

The eight teams are AIE Green Eagles, ICE Maharlika, LNU Duke, LNU Urdaneta, PHILCST Top Notch, PIMSAT Dragons, PSU Lingayen and University of PangasinanFlames.Flames.

Calasiao town Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay, who represented former Pangasinan Fifth District Congressman Mark Cojuangco, inspired the players that the games are not about winning or losing as there can only be one champion but on how they played the games.

“What is important at the end of the competition is that you were able to show your love and passion for basketball”, said Macanlalay in behalf of Cojuangco, who was the guest of honor and speaker in the opening ceremony.

Lawyer Gonzalo Duque, LNU president, called on the teams to play hard as the champion in the tournament will represent the entire province of Pangasinan to the National Basketball against Northern Luzon, Cordillera and Central Luzon teams.

He further admonished them to strive even to become part of the so-called “Sweet 16”, where champions from all over the country compete in the Philippine Collegiate Championship League (PCCL).

Meanwhile, Cris Calaguio, former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player and now commissioner of UCAAP, said that some rules in the game were made simpler and adaptive to the schools.

He said that the chances of local players getting to the national games depend on their teamwork and hard work as individual players.

Cojuangco, Macanlalay and Rosendo So of the ABONO Partylist gave financial support to the league.

Batang Pinoy games Pangasinan leg set on September 27-28

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

DAGUPAN CITY, September 18 (PIA) – Hundreds of young Pangasinense athletes will again vie for dominance in 19 sporting events as the Batang Pinoy Pangasinan Elimination Games unfold on September 27 to 28.

Executive Assistant III Modesto Operania said the provincial government is now gearing up for the province-wide sports activity in preparation for the Batang Pinoy-Luzon Leg slated on November 11-15.

Operania said the province-wide elimination games will be an “open eliminations” as he urged the participating local government units (LGUs) to select and send their best players.

He said the young athletes will be competing in various sporting events such as arnis, archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, boxing, chess, cycling, futsal, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis, volleyball, basketball 3-on-3 and dance sports.

The Batang Pinoy sporting spectacle, which forms part of the sports development thrust of the present administration, has become a training ground for young and promising Pangasinense athletes.

The Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) here will serve as the main venue for the tournaments while other events will be played at the Capitol Resort (archery), Pangasinan State University (arnis and taekwondo), Maramba Boulevard (cycling) and Capitol beachfront (baseball/softball).

Batang Pinoy, a grassroot sports development program for young athletes launched by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), serves as base for sports specialization including training for higher level leagues, national and international tournaments.

The provincial government led by Governor Amado Espino, Jr. has been an active participant in this annual sports spectacle.

In the 2013 Batang Pinoy National Games held in Bacolod City, the province emerged as 10th over-all winner in a field of 129 participating LGUs from all over the country.

Ranking fifth in 2011, Team Pangasinan notched the over-all championship of the 2012 Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg held in Lingayen town.

In 2013, Pangasinan ranked 3rd in the Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg held in Iba, Zambales from out of 140 LGU delegations.

“Athletes who will win in respective sporting events during the elimination games will undergo a series of trainings to keep them in momentum for the Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg,” Operania said.

Volunteers to clean up Pangasinan waters

By Venus H. Sarmiento (MCA/VHS/PIA-1/Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, Sept 17 (PIA) – Volunteers will wade into the waters of Pangasinan and scour for garbage as their contribution to the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day on September 21 with the theme ‘Turn the Tide on Trash.’

Leduina Co, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the ICC Day is led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in consonance with Presidential Proclamation No.470 dated September 2003 to promote healthy and diverse ocean ecosystem and oppose practices that threaten ocean and human lives.

“(We will have) a simultaneous clean-up along the shorelines of every coastal municipality and along the Lingayen Gulf in general,” Co told the Philippine Information Agency.

Clean up will be conducted in the coastal barangays of Bonuan Gueset, Bonuan Binloc and Bonuan Boquig in Dagupan City, and in the towns of Binmaley, Lingayen and San Fabian.

“The public support in this activity will assure preservation and protection of our marine resources,” Co said.

In a report, the Washington-based Ocean Conservancy, said the volume of ocean trash collected by volunteers from the Philippines has gone up every year in the last three years.

In 2010, more than 145,000 Filipino volunteers picked up 240,360 kilograms of trash. In 2011, 114,418 volunteers collected 485,091 kg, while in 2012, almost 144,000 people retrieved more than 1.3 million kg, the reports showed.

Held every third Saturday of September, ICC Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1986. An active participant in the worldwide event since 1994, the Philippines has consistently ranked second, next only to the United States, in drawing the biggest number of volunteers.

Feature: Empowering Pangasinense youth to take action on climate change

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

DAGUPAN CITY, September 16 (PIA) – “If Pangasinan is your home, join your leaders and fight for your forests, your trees, your rivers, and your fishes.”

This was the challenge posed by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Jose Mari Oquiñena, also Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General, to some 4,000 students who participated in the first-ever climate change advocacy campaign campus roadshow.

The campus tour was attended by students of Pangasinan State University (PSU) in Lingayen and the Panpacific University North Philippines (PUNP) in Urdaneta City held on September 10.

Oquiñena said climate change can be addressed if all Filipinos start to apply the simple value called, ‘bayanihan.’

“It is possible to reverse the process if we all bond together,” Oquiñena said.

He noted that climate change is a result of a collective wrong which needs to be solved by a collective right.

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan said that the present administration is doing everything to institute among Pangasinense, especially the youth, the love for the environment.

“Pangasinan is pro-environment,” Baraan said citing that the present administration has initiated several innovations on environmental protection which earned numerous awards and citations for the province in terms of coastal resource management as well as Likas Yaman program.

“The future belongs to you (referring to the students). And we, the elders owe that future to you,” Baraan said.

He challenged the students to take on their roles as protectors of the environment for themselves and the generations to come.

In Pangasinan, roads under water, impassable to light vehicles

By Venus May H. Sarmiento (VHS/PIA-1/Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, Sept 15 (PIA) - Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. suspended work in government offices on Monday including classes in all levels as flooding occurred in some parts of the province.

Pre-emptive evacuation was imposed in the towns of Mangaldan and Manaoag due to rising flood waters. Flash flood was also reported in the town of Aguilar and some portions of Bugallon last night.

The provincial disaster risk reduction and management council was verifying information that fishermen went missing in Infanta town.

In Dagupan City, main road networks were under water due to heavy downpour combined by a high tide on Monday morning.

Ronald De Guzman, city DRRMC, said the flood waters often recede in two to four hours.

In Urdaneta City, the Urdaneta–Manaoag road was impassable due to high flood waters in Barangay Inamotan. The village of Pinmaludpud going to Dagupan City was also impassable to light vehicles. Reports said Barangay Sto. Tomas in San Jacinto town was also impassable to light vehicles.

Authorities were also monitoring the water level at the San Roque Dam since yesterday.

As of 8 a.m., water level was recorded at 260.77 meters above sea level (masl) or below the critical level of 280 masl.

New patrol cars, ambulance for Dagupan's quick response calls

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

DAGUPAN CITY, September 14 (PIA) – The Dagupan City government fielded two new patrol cars to the Dagupan police and an ambulance to the the disaster response council for immediate response to crime and emergency calls in the central business district.

Supt. Christopher Abrahano, Dagupan police chief, said the newly-acquired patrol cars will help boost visibility, mobility and crime fighting capability of the city's police force.

He added that the vehicles are intended to help them prevent crime or intercept criminal activities in their areas of responsibility.

The local police was also a recipient of four new motorcycles from the city government last month.

“These mobile patrol cars will help the police be more capable and efficient in performing their mission to better serve and protect the public,” said Abrahano.

Abrahano also thanked the city government for its support and close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring public safety.

For peace and order in the city, the Dagupan government and the PNP are spearheading the Basic Emergency and Life Extending Network or B.E.L.E.N. 16911, an integrated 24/7 response system that the public can contact in cases of emergencies.

Mayor Belen Fernandez said that she saw the need to augment the PNP's mobile forces to intensify the local government's peace and order campaign.

“Maintaining peace and order in Dagupan City has always been one of my top priorities. I hope these vehicles will improve our commitment to safeguard every citizen against crime or any untoward incidents,” said Fernandez.

Fernandez added that a new fire truck will also be turned over to the Bureau of Fire Protection next month.

Campus, village roadshow on climate change begins in Pangasinan

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

DAGUPAN CITY, September 13 (PIA) – The Pangasinan youth has accepted the challenge to do more for the environment during the first climate change campus roadshow in Region 1.

The Pangasinan leg of the campus tour last September 10 was part of the climate change advocacy campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) with the theme “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago.”

The DENR and PIA also partnered with Pilipinas Natin, the volunteer arm of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCCO), to help in gathering the youth to embrace the campaign.

The campaign will be brought next to Ilocos Norte, La Union and Ilocos Sur in the coming days. Part of the campaign is a series of townhall forum where village folks will take part in the discussions on climate change adaptive practices.

Some 4,000 Pangasinense in separate schools promised to help curb the ill effects of the weather phenomenon, now described as the new normal that affects the whole world.

The from Pangasinan State University (PSU)-Lingayen Campus and the Panpacific University North Philippines (PUNP) in Urdaneta City made a commitment to protect the environment.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Jose Mari Oquiñena, also PIA Director-General, said the effects of climate change are repercussions of the collective wrongs that humans do.

Oquiñena urged the youth to display the same spirit that Gilas Pilipinas showed the world when they romped away with the country's first win after 40 years in the recent FIBA Cup world series beating Senegal.

“When you plant trees, make sure it grows with you,” he said.

He called on the youth to put into actions what they have learned from the forum to minimize the adverse effects of climate change.

“Let us work together in facing climate change, not later but now, so the generations to come could still enjoy the beauty of the environment” he added.

Jennilyne Role, PIA director for the Ilocos, said that the youth can make a big difference in addressing climate change in their own little way.

“From the thousands of youth participants in the campus tours, core students will be selected to join the Kalikasan Camp where they will undergo a training on protecting the environment," she said.

A coastal clean-up and barangay forum were also conducted in Barangay Bonuan Gueset here on September 11 as part of the climate change advocacy campaign.

Pangasinan national finalist in gov't chorale competition

(PNA), LAM/LVM/PR

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Sept. 12 (PNA) -- The Pangasinan Provincial Chorale (PPC) brought honors to the province anew after being chosen as grand finalist of the government chorale competition sponsored by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as part of the agency’s 114th anniversary this September.

The PPC,comprising of 23 employees of the provincial government, will compete against seven other esteemed chorale groups in the country on September 30 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theatre) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Grand finalists include the Dasmarinas City Teachers’ Chorale, Ilocos Norte High School Chamber Singers, PPC (Luzon); Calbayog City Chorale (Visayas); Bayugan City Division Choir (Mindanao); City Government of Makati Employees Chorale, PAGCOR Voice Symphony; and PAG-IBIG Fund Chorale (NCR).

PPC first joined the government chorale competition in 2012.

PPC was organized in October 2008 on instruction of Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. to serve as support arm in the revival of classic Pangasinan songs, which is part of the present of the campaign of the provincial administration to promote the Pangasinan language.

At present, the group is under the supervision and management of Human Resource Management and Development Officer Janet Asis.

PPC Consultant Conductor Joy Nilo, secretary of the Philippine Choral Directors’ Association (PCDA), disclosed that preparations of the PPC for the chorale competition are underway since he assumed as consultant last May.

“PPC has what it takes to win,” Nilo said as he added that members of PPC are taught on theories and genres of chorale music, proper vocal production, and how to handle different musical pieces.

Nilo, who grew up in Villasis town, said the chorale group of the province was already invited to perform in Jakarta, Indonesia this October. “If given the chance, we would also like to compete abroad; and part of competing, we will promote Pangasinan songs – those that I am about to arrange,” Nilo said.

The chorale consultant, who was invited as judge of the 'Takayan na Dayew' singing competition of the Pistay Dayat celebration last May, served as conductor of several award-winning chorale groups in the country aside from arranging remarkable musical pieces like “Ang Aking Munting Bituin,” that was sang by Garry Valenciano as theme song of “Magnifico,” a well-awarded Filipino movie, and was later used on GMA teleserye "Munting Heredera".

PPC has been performing different genres of musical pieces, including Pangasinan and Ilokano songs during special occasions and events of the province. Public Services Officer IV Romeo Aquino served as first PPC President (2008-2009) and was later succeeded by concurrent President Ferlynor Aranda.

524 indigent senior citizens receive social pension

(PNA), CTB/LVM/HILDA MARTIN AUSTRIA/LVMSENT FROM MY IPAD

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan September 11 (PNA)—A total of 524 indigent senior citizens here on Thursday received P3, 000 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the agency's Social Pension Program (SPP).

Dr. Sofronio Domantay, president of the Municipal Federation of Senior Citizens (MFSC) Malasiqui chapter, expressed his gratitude in behalf of their members for the pension granted to them by the government.

The indigent senior citizens are those who have no permanent source of income and are not supported by their family members or relatives. The national government, through the DSWD’s SPP allocates a sum of P500 monthly for them which they can use for their personal needs such as food and medicines.

The beneficiaries were chosen based on data from the National Household Targeting System (NHTS), the same system used in determining the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino progam.

Malasiqui has a total of 768 social pensioners. The distribution of the accumulated pensions will continue until morning this Saturday, Sept. 13.

“We scheduled the distribution so that they won’t have to wait long in the lines before they receive their pensions since they are already old and it might not be good for their health”, said Mayor Armando Domantay Sr.

He also thanked the national government for providing support to the town’s elderly, adding that the municipal government plans to allocate funds to support the other senior citizens who were not chosen beneficiaries of the SPP.

“This program is a big help to them as their local government unit here continues to care for them through our plans and programs as well”, said Domantay.

Malasiqui's MFSC has more than 7, 000 members.


Batang Pinoy 2014 Pangasinan Elimination Games set on Sept. 27-28

(PNA), FPV/LVM/PR/LVM

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Sept. 10 (PNA)-- Pangasinense athletes from 15 years old and below will again vie for fame and honor in 19 sporting events in the Batang Pinoy Pangasinan Elimination Games which unfold on September 27 to 28 in Lingayen.

Executive Assistant III Modesto Operania said the province-wide sports activity will be held in preparation for the Batang Pinoy -Luzon Leg slated on November 11-15.

The Pangasinan Elimination Games will decide on who among the young Pangasinense athletes will compete against the athletes to be fielded by various Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Batang Pinoy - Luzon Leg.

Operania explained that the province-wide elimination games will be an “open eliminations” as he urged the participating LGUs to select and send their best players.

He said the athletes will be competing in various sporting events, such as Arnis, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Boxing, Chess, Cycling, Futsal, Karatedo, Lawn Tennis, Sepak Takraw, Softball, Swimming, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball 3 on 3 and Dance Sports.

The Batang Pinoy sporting event, which forms part of the sports development thrust of the administrarion of Gov. Amado Espino Jr. has become a training opportunity for young and promising Pangasinan athletes.

The Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) will serve as the main venue of the tournament while other events will be played at the Capitol Resort (Archery), Pangasinan State University (Arnis, Taekwondo), Maramba Boulevard (Cycling) and Capitol Beachfront (Baseball/Softball).

The provincial government has been an active participant in this annual sports spectacle.

In the 2013 Batang Pinoy National Games held in Bacolod City, the province emerged as 10th over-all winner in a field of 129 participating LGUs from all over the country.

Ranked fifth in 2011, team Pangasinan notched the over-all championship of the 2012 Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg held in Lingayen.t

In 2013, Pangasinan ranked 3rd in the Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg held in Iba, Zambales from out of 140 LGU delegations.

Operania said athletes who will win in respective sporting events during the elimination games will undergo a series of trainings to keep them in momentum for the Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg, Sports Director Operania said.

Batang Pinoy, a grassroot sports development program for young athletes launched by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC),serves as base for sports specialization including training for higher level leagues, national and international tournaments.

Pangasinan Provincial Hospital to have modern CT scan machine soon

(PNA), FFC/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOBSENT FROM MY IPAD

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Sept. 8 (PNA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed a resolution during its regular session Monday authorizing Governor Amado Espino Jr. to sign a memorandum of agreement with a private company that will provide and install a modern computed tomography (CT) scan machine at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH).

Provincial Resolution No. 764-2014 authorized the governor to sign the MOA with HIMEX Corporation for the provision, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of a brand new Hitachi CT scan machine, model Supria with 16 slices.

The resolution authored by board member Antonio Sison stated, "HIMEX Corporation has offered to the province of Pangasinan a state-of-the-art and much-needed medical equipment which shall be located at the PPH to further enhance its health care services to the people, especially to the poor."

This will further boost the modern facilities of the PPH making it one of the most advanced government hospitals in the country.

This means that patients needing CT scan can be immediately served by PPH once the machine is finally installed.

DOLE to hold special job fair in Pangasinan

(ABS-CBNnews.com)

MANILA – A special job fair will be held in Lingayen, Pangasinan for overseas Filipino repatriates from September 12 and 13, the Department of Labor and Employment announced.

DOLE Region 1 Director Grace Ursua said the Provincial Employment Service Office of Pangasinan, the event's venue, has invited local firms as well as overseas placement agencies that charges no placement fees to participate in the job fair.

"Your job fair comes in the wake of the successful job fair that the DOLE, through the Bureau of Local Employment, had conducted last week in Quezon City for OFW-repatriates from Libya," said DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Ursua said the job fair is in support of the DOLE's Assist WELL Program, a package of comprehensive reintegration assistance and services that addresses the welfare, employment, livelihood and legal assistance needs of repatriates.

"All these services will be brought by the DOLE to the special job fair. In addition, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will also be there and bring its programs and services to job applicants," Ursua said.

Expectant mothers in Pangasinan town receive free medical services

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

Lingayen, Pangasinan, September 5 (PIA) – At least 465 pregnant women from Binmaley town received free pre-natal check-up and laboratory services during the 7th Buntis Congress at the Provincial Training and Development Center (PTDC) here last Friday.

The Provincial Health Office (PHO), Region 1 Medical Center, Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (POGS)-Region 1 Chapter and the Philippine Medical Society (PMS) – Pangasinan rendered medical services and lectures in order to attain the zero-maternal death in the province.

Lectures given include breastfeeding, birth plan, responsible parenthood and contraceptives technology.

Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman, head of the PHO, said the activity aimed to impart to the expectant mothers the importance of medical and maternal services and encourage them to avail the services of the birthing facilities so that no woman shall die while giving birth.

Records from the PHO showed that the maternal mortality rate in province decreased from 27 cases last year to 14 cases as of August 29.

In order to achieve the target of zero-maternal death in the province and decrease the rate of teenage pregnancy, “the PHO will soon establish a help line for women especially teenagers who have queries regarding sex reproduction,” De Guzman said as stressing that teenage pregnancy, which belongs to high risk pregnancy, has posted an increasing trend over the years.

Likewise, Governor Amado Espino, Jr. called on all expectant mothers including minor expectant mother to go to the 14 government hospitals in the province and avail of the pre-natal check-up and birthing facilities to have better and safe delivery.

Espino said poor expectant mothers have no reason to give birth in their homes as the provincial government has already implemented the Point of Care Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Inc. to provide zero-balance billing to all indigent Pangasinenses.

Pangasinan producers to join Oct. 4 U.S. trade expo

(PNA), LAM/LVM/PR

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Sept. 4 (PNA)--It’s all systems go for the province of Pangasinan which is participating in the 1st Diversity International Trade Fair at the City of Artesia in California on October 4.

This was firmed up during a final meeting of members of the Pangasinan Producers Association on September 3 that tackled the shipment of ready-for-export products from Manila to California, either via airfreight or seafreight.

Three companies, which include the Bandulf Industries, DOREVI Products, and VWT Enterprises, are set to transport their products this week to Manila while the BBLM Unistar, Inc. had already shipped its products last week.

Other Pangasinan companies opt to hand carry their products for display in that international fair.

Wooden products, before these are shipped to the U.S. shall first undergo fumigation treatment while the food products should be labeled with Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)-approved markings.

The Skylink Company, a Manila-based international forwarding agent, will be assisting the producers in the packaging of their products to meet the requirements set by the Bureau of Customs.

Along with their products, the companies will also be bringing with them flyers or catalogues at the Artesia, California expo.

The technical working group (TWG) of Product Development and Export Promotion headed by Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan assured the members of the PPA of a fruitful business trip to US.

Benita Pizzaro, provincial planning and development officer and head of TWG secretariat,msaid that aside from the expo there will be meetings between the delegations of the 15 participating countries and the prospective U.S. importers and exporters.

Eddie C. Ferrer, president of the Pangasinan-USA Brotherhood Association, Inc., said in a phone call from the U.S. that the trade expo starts the international exposures of Pangasinan products in the global map of business industry.

“This is a beginning of more trade fairs in the coming years so let us work together to make our first expo outside our country a much motivating business experience for all of us,” said Ferrer.

The participation of Pangasinan in the international trade fair was conceptualized by the PB-USA, Inc. with the sustained support of the provincial government headed by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. and Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr.

Pangasinan is the only province that will represent the Philippines in the exposition organized by the City of Artesia, Artesia Chamber of Commerce and Coalition of Associations at the South East Corridors.

The expo, which is expected to attract more than 30,000 U.S. buyers, aims to help the developing countries in Southeast Asia establish business partnerships, exchange of ideas on different products and market trends as well as to enhance product competitiveness in the global market.

2nd zip line at Hundred Islands National Park opens

By Hilda Martin Austria [(PNA), CTB/LVM/HMA/ 1245/LVM SENT FROM MY IPADSENT FROM MY IPAD]

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan Sept. (PNA)—The Hundred Islands National Park (HNIP) opened Wednesday its new 546-meter long zip line connecting the Governor’s Island and the Virgin Island.

Sol Tablang, city tourism officer, said the opening of the second zipline in the HINP followed a dry-run of the facility held on September 1.

However, he said, the formal blessing and inauguration of the new zip line will be on September 28 coinciding with the formal turn-over ceremony of the HNIP by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to the local government unit (LGU) of this city.

On September 28, a blessing ceremony for the new water supply system will also be held, together with the unveiling of the monument of President Manuel Quezon.

Tablang said the new zip line is more exciting and thrilling compared to the HNIP’s first 120-meter zip line at the Quezon Island.

He also said that any one riding on the zip must first climb a 250-step stair leading to the view deck of the Governor’s Island where they can see the whole one hundred plus islands.

Tablang said the zip line package costs P350 inclusive of a tour inside the Virgin Cave and the Kayaking or wake boarding as a transportation going back to the Governor’s Island from the Virgin Island.

Last month, a couple who had their civil wedding in the Governor’s island officiated by Mayor Arthur Celeste were the first to ride on the zip line, he said.

“We would like to invite everyone to try this new attraction as we continue to develop the HNIP being the tourism pride of Pangasinan”, said Tablang.

September is “Pangasinan Tourism Month”

By ELSHA MARIE B. SORIANO

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan Sept 2 (PIA) – The Pangasinan provincial board has declared September of every year as Pangasinan Tourism Month to strengthen the province's tourism program.

The board authorized the Tourism Operations Division of the Office of the Governor to spearhead the tourism month and plan and implement appropriate activities supportive to the declaration.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr., who authored the resolution, said the declaration is in line with the observance of World Tourism Day celebrated on September 27 as declared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The declaration also supports the National Tourism Week marked every last week of September under Presidential Proclamation No. 894 in 1996.

Calimlim said the recognition will instill tourism in Pangasinan peoples' consciousness and raise awareness on the social, cultural, political and economic values of tourism among Pangasinenses.

Meanwhile, Provincial Tourism Officer Malou Elduayan disclosed that for the past years, Pangasinan showed an increasing trend in tourist arrivals.

The tourism office's latest record showed 250,165 tourist arrival based on hotel occupancy and 611,000 visitors based on guest arrivals in the province’s tourist destinations.

She added Pangasinan remains on the top spot among the four provinces in Region 1 in terms of tourist arrivals.

Pangasinan capitol goes 'paperless' in salary system

(PNA), LAP/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/LVMSENT FROM MY IPAD.SENT FROM MY IPAD

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Sept. 1 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Pangasinan has gone paperless with its automated teller machine (ATM)-supported payroll system.

This was after Governor Amado Espino Jr. led the inauguration of the ATM that will be used for the withdrawals of the provincial employees' respective salaries.

"All their (employees) payrolls, allowances, and other monetary benefits will be credited to their Land Bank visa debit card," said Liza Melendez, Land Bank of the Philippines-Lingayen Chapter manager.

"It is better since one can get his salary right in the capitol, remarked Corazon Patulan of the Provincial Accounting Office of their new payroll system.

She underscored the convenience and practicality of the ATM to her and other employees with regard to getting their salaries.

Espino said that the new system discourages the presence of "loan sharks" from whom employees avail of loans with high interests.

"We will install CCTV (close,circuit tv) camera," he added, noting that the employees themselves should be the ones to withdraw their salaries from the ATM.

Espino said they "will institute proceedings against the employees" if they let other people such as the "loan sharks" hold and process their ATM cards.

According to Melendez, they offered the ATM-payroll system to the provincial government for free as the Capitol is their "valued client."

Initially, 957 employees have received their ATM cards; and other employees' accounts are yet being processed.

The ATM machine is located in front of the Finance Building within the Capitol complex.

Melendez also said that they are planning to put up another ATM unit at the Capitol Building soon.

She assured security of their ATMs as she noted that their bank conducts routine check ups of the machines to downplay card cloning, among other scam tactics.

Apart from the ATM, the bank manager said they will propose another "paperless system"- the Land Bank mobile loan saver program- to the Capitol employees.

The program will allow eligible employees to avail of salary loan through text and online (electronic mail) application.

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