Pangasinan Provincial Government Department Head visits Hundreds Islands

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (in front) and Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste (right) inspect the area around Quezon Island where dismantling operations on the illegal structures built within the island was conducted last August 3 at the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City. The activity is part of the Alaminos City government's effort to restore the natural beauty of the Hundred Islands defaced by the various illegal structures where Celeste sought the help of the governor in the restoration plans. Gov. Espino said he supports Celeste's plan of restoring the beauty, cleanliness and the pristine waters of the world-famous tourist spot. With the governor and the mayor are some of the provincial government department heads composed of Tourism Operations Division chief Malou Elduayan, Provincial Information Butch M. Velasco, Executive Assistant III Modesto Operana and Special Events Coordinator Marife Acerit. (PIO Photo)

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. answers queries from the local media during one of the dismantling operations conducted by the city government at the Quezon Island in Hundred Islands,  Alaminos City last August 3. Gov. Espino was at the Quezon Island as a show of support to Mayor Celeste (left) who has asked the governor's help in the pursuit of his plan for the restoration of the Hundred Islands. Dismantling operations on illegal structures at the island which has started two weeks ago was led by Mayor Arthur Celeste. (PIO Photo)

Pangasinan soon to have DFA Regional Consular Office

LINGAYEN—  Passports and other documents for  Filipinos bound to foreign countries will soon be processed  in Pangasinan.

This was disclosed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Regional  which said that  a Consular Office will be located at the third floor of Robinson's Pangasinan in Calasiao by the end of this year.

The closest consular office of DFA is in San Fernando, La Union but most OFWs still get their passports and other travel documents.processed in Metro-Manila.

Revealed during the August 5, 2013 Provincial Board regular session, the DFA Regional Consular Office will not cost the national government any rental fee, said Board Member Ranjit Shahani.

The Board Member also remarked that the opening of a DFA office in the province will encourage people to get passports as such are not only travel documents but are means of identification.

"In fact,passports are more effective-as a notary public- than cedula (community tax certificate)," he said.

In addition, Shahani said that Governor Amado Espino Jr. together with  Ex-President Fidel Ramos, Vice President Jejomar Binay, DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario, and Senator Grace Poe are expected to lead the inauguration of the office in December. (PIO)

SP directs NIA-AARIIP to submit a report on the status of irrigation projects in the province

Lingayen --- “Prepare a report and tell this august assembly what you’ve been trying to say with finality and totality.”

This was demanded by Board Member Ranjit Shahani to Engr. Reynaldo Mencias, Project Manager of the National Irrigation Administration – Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (NIA-ARIIP), during the August 5 regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, here.

The move was necessary to determine the status of the irrigation component projects in the province and to further elucidate the funding of the Php3.8 billion re-regulating pond built at the estuary of the Agno river in San Manuel.

The NIA-ARIIP opened on July 23 the west bank gate of a 68-hectare  irrigation water reservoir below the  San Roque hydro-electric dam and started releasing irrigation waters  to more than 12,000 hectares of rice lands in central Pangasinan. The reservoir at the mouth of the Agno River was designed to hold 5.5 million cubic meters.

The news media, however, reported last week that the east gate of the pond designed to divert water from Agno to eastern Pangasinan remained closed after the NEDA put on hold the release of funds for the building of a 10-kilometer main canal from the reservoir to irrigation canals going to eight towns in Shahani’s district.

Relative to this, board member Danilo Uy asked Engr. Mencias to address problems  resulting from road widening in Urdaneta City that affected irrigation canals in the city.

“Bago kayo mag-road widening, dapat may gawin kayong alternatives sa mga daanan ng tubig papunta sa mga farmlands, hindi ‘yung tambak kayo nang tambak,” he said.

In response, Assistant Project Manager of NIA-ARIIP Ceferino Sta. Ana said the DPWH is responsible on the road widening. The NIA-ARIIP is studying plans on how to restore the affected irrigation canals and drainage systems,” he added.

Towards the end, BM Uy asked Mencias “to check on the irrigation canals in the districts under their management so that farmers may know which are functioning and not-functioning.”

          With the re-regulating pond which stores volumes of water discharged by the San Roque dam, the province is expected to at least double its rice, corn and vegetable production with irrigation water made available  yearround..

Aside from Pangasinan, San Manuel and Moncada in Tarlac and  Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija  will get irrigated if the Lower Agno River Irrigation System under the ARIIP project will be completed.

During the launching, Mencias told newsmen that in addition to the P420 million funds allotted to build the canal that sucks water from the east bank gate of the water reservoir that was suspended, the project will need another P2.2 billion more to irrigate another 12,000 hectares more in eight eastern Pangasinan towns, the towns of Bautista and Alcala in the third district and the towns in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

          BM Liberato Villegas also stirred the attention of Engr. Frida Nidoy, Chief of NIA in San Fabian, to check on reports that the structure of the line canals in San Fabian which were recently built but were said to be  breaking down.(PIO/Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca)

GATE, MVPinkMOU for Lingayen Gulf clean up

Lingayen- - -The provincial government of Pangasinan under the stewardship of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc. (MPIF) chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan  for the implementation of coastal and underwater clean-up campaign for the Lingayen Gulf.Gov. Espino hailed the   project of the foundation dubbed, “Shore-it-Up: Rescue, Restore, Revive  campaign,” as he said that this will serve as a vital support to the Lingayen Gulf Rehabilitation program which is an existing scheme of the provincial government to help revive and regain the natural beauty of the Lingayen Gulf and other waterways in Pangasinan.It can be recalled that the present administration launched the rehabilitation program in 2009 that initially led to the clearing and cleaningof the Lingayen Gulf as well as the various river tributaries.The program has gainfully earned several awards and citations for its environmental and tourism impact.Ma. Luisa A. Elduayan, Tourism Division Chief, said that the highlight of the local government commitment will focus on the manpower requirement and coordinating support during activities and projects of the foundation.Activities for the Shore It Up- Lingayen Gulf Project include the following: Coordinating/Planning Meeting (August 9 and 10), Giant Clam Rearrangement at Hundred Islands in Alaminos City with diving and mangrove planting activities (August 24), and Lingayen Coastal Clean-ups and Environmental Seminar for Children (August 25).The City Government of Alaminos led by Mayor Arthur F. Celeste also signed a MOU, along with other towns and provinces in the country with MPIF.MPIF is a non-stock, non-profit corporation principally engaged in infrastructure projects in the country.Shore It Up campaign is now on its fifth year of implementation.Aside from coastal and underwater clean-up, the campaign likewise involves the conduct of environmental awareness sessions, tree planting activities, waste segregation, and installation of artificial reefs. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

Pangasinan OTOP goes Google

Pangasinan's one town one product is going to be available on our google maps and search engines.

Pangasinan OTOP goes Google

An upcoming event is set on July 29, 2013 where Pangasinan entrepreneurs, selected municipal mayors, Pangsinan's DTI and provincial agriculturists together with the GBG Dagupan members, media partners and volunteers from Pangasinan Bloggers, will gather to create another spontaneous success to improve the province's products.

"Pangasinan OTOP goes Google" was organize with the aim of giving online presence and promote the province's local industry.

Through the event, Pangasinan's one town on product can provide an online platform where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can do promotion and marketing. This marketing and promotion can showcase not only the products but even the stories and culture which is uniquely Pangasinan. The event was approved by Google SEA.

Helping local entrepreneurs helps a lot in the progress of the province. It also indicates that when everyone helps each other, it also helps improve the whole community. And with this project, every local entrepreneur may be known worldwide. One of which describes the province mission, to make Pangasinan number one. With this one day event, everyone deserves a lot of success. Be the best, Pangasinan!

Pangasinan LGU Spikers clobber UE Team

LINGAYEN --- A victorious feat for Pangasinan as Team Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) Melanie Carrera and Casandra Leda of Lingayen prevailed and grabbed the championship over University of the East (UE) Pia Sarmiento and Leuseth Dawis in this year’s Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament held at the Capitol Beachfront last April 30 – May 1.

PEO beat UE who were tied at 20 on the second set and settled at 22-20 in favor of PEO who made two straight wins during the best of three sets in the finals.

This gave Pangasinenses every reason to celebrate and proud.

The game between the two teams that advanced in the battle of the champions was a breathtaking and most anticipated championship match with both teams showing off their strong blocks, net defense and powerful spikes.

Meanwhile, twin sisters Ma. Nieza Viray and Ma. Giziel Viray who played for Pangasinan School of Arts and Trade (PSAT) under the Pangasinan banner also went up to the semi-final round along with Maritoni Basas and Samantha Bawson of Far Eastern University.

More lady spikers from the province were seen in action in this season’s game namely; PEO, PSAT, Estanza, Lingayen A, University of Luzon and Lingayen B while teams from Manila includes UE, FEU, DLSU, LETRAN, MAPUA and Rizal Technological University (RTU).

All teams gave volleyball enthusiasts continued excitement during the 30 matches elimination round.

PEO received a trophy from 2nd District Cong. Leopoldo Bataoil, Executive Assistant III Modesto Operania and event organizer Tisha Abundo while all teams were given certificates of participation.

Bataoil and Operania both expressed gratitude to the organizers, supporters and the various university competitors for playing part in this endeavor which has become a major highlight to the annual celebration of Pangasinan Pistay Dayat. (PIO/Chona C. Bugayong)

Espino denies hand in killing, gets support from mayor’s kin

MANILA, Philippines - Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. yesterday formally denied having a hand in last December’s killing of Infanta town Mayor Ruperto Martinez.

Espino submitted his counter-affidavit through his lawyers during the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday, saying it was impossible for him to have any motive to kill Martinez who he considered “a personal friend and an ally.”

Espino said the charges linking him and Pangasinan first district Rep. Jesus Celeste to the killing were fabricated by their political rivals.

Espino also questioned the credibility of the 16-year-old witness of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – incidentally the son of his trusted aide Jaime Aquino – who implicated them in the killing.

He alleged that the young witness is not reliable since he has “a history of duping people for money.”

In yesterday’s hearing, Espino got support from the family of Martinez whose widow, Crisanta, submitted an affidavit asking the investigating panel to drop the charges against the governor and Celeste.

Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1


Mrs. Martinez told the DOJ they have filed a murder case against her husband’s political rival, vice mayoral candidate Florentino Miano, before the Alaminos regional trial court.

She said she had refused to sign the NBI’s complaint as she attested to Espino’s claim that the governor and her husband were close allies under the Nationalist People’s Coalition. – Edu Punay, Eva Visperas
Repost from: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/05/01/936833/espino-denies-hand-killing-gets-support-mayors-kin

Globe GoSakto, Soapdish at Kamikazee, nagpasaya sa Pangasinan

Nagpamalas ng galing sa rakrakan ang banda ng soapdish at kamikazee sa naganap na free concert na hatid ng Globe GoSakto. Ito ay kaugnay ng selebrasyon ng Dagupan bangus festival ng taong 2013.

Jhay ng Kamikazee sa Dagupan Bangus Festival 2013, Dagupan City Plaza

            Dinaluhan ng mahigit isang libong manunuod ang naturang free concert. Nagkaroon din ng isang dance contest na sinalihan ng iba’t ibang mga kabataan mula sa iba’t ibang barangay o grupo ng mga kabataan sa naturang lungsod. Nakamit naman ng grupong Gethro Grade Wallop ang unang pwesto sa nasabing dance contest.

Gethro Grade Wallop, ang champion ng dance contest

Hindi nagpaawat ang mga manunuod sa halakhak at hiyawan sa tuwa habang nagpeperform ang mga idolo.

Kasunod nito, isang na namang concert ang magaganap na hatid ng Globe GoSakto.

Ang Globe GoSakto ang pinakabagong serbisyong hatid ng Globe. Ito ang promong nagbibigay kalayaan sa mga subscribers o users ng globe na gumawa at gumamit ng promong swak sa badyet. Maari itong magamit sa pamamagitan ng pagdial sa *143#. Ito ang nagpapadali ng pag-access sa uri ng promo na nais gamitin ng user. Maaari ring gumawa ng iba’t ibang kombinasyon ng text, tawag o surf at kahit sa gaano  ito tatagal.

Photo Credits: Ms. Vanj Padilla & www.grabinformatiions.com

State of the Province Address Gov. Espino outlines marvelous gains

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. outlined “marvelous gains” of the provincial government for the last five-and-half years, from July 2007 to December 2012 in his State-of-the-Province Address (SOPA) delivered this morning (Feb. 18) in front of the Provincial Capitol before a record crowd of around 7,000 well-wishers from all over the province, that included mayors and congressmen and various sectoral leaders.The governor underscored the various national and the regional awards the provincial government obtained since he assumed the provincial leadership in 2007, saying the achievements have propelled Pangasinan as one of the country’s top performing provinces.“Today, Pangasinan is widely known, not just for its inherent political value as a vote-rich province, but more importantly as a consistent top performer in local governance, as a leading tourist destination, and favorite venue for big conventions, conferences, sports and other important national and international events,” the governor declared in his SOPA address which drew a thunderous applause from the audience.The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) declared Pangasinan as the country’s 5^th Best Performing Province in 2010. The following year in 2011, it was voted as the country’s 4^th Best Performing Province.But, the governor said, the year 2012 “was really a banner year for  the Pangasinan” when it bagged the most coveted “Gawad Pamana ng Lahi” considered as “mother of all governance awards” as Region I champion.The award made Pangasinan as one of only ten provincial nominees to the first-ever National Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award.“This coveted leadership position did not just happen overnight; neither did it happen by mere chance, or by a lucky twist of fate,” the governor pointed out, as he stressed the feat “is a product of determined and purpose-driven efforts to achieve clearly defined goals.”The governor recalled that when he assumed office on June 30, 2007, the provincial government was in “total disarray, a graphic picture of mediocrity, indifference and non-performance.”Owing to this, the governor and his staff set out to work “with a sense of urgency, strongly determined to reverse the situation.”A major overhaul of the provincial government’s bureaucracy was undertaken to make the employees function properly to address the challenges of growth and development.The governor reported that a total of P2.5 billion was spent by the provincial government from July 2007 to Dec. 2012 to build and upgrade provincial buildings, facilities and support infrastructures, including hospitals, roads and bridges, potable water systems and irrigation facilities.“Today, there are only 52.4 kilometers of provincial roads that remain unpaved, down from 116.472 kilometers of unpaved provincial roads in 2007,” the governor reported.He said: “All provincial bridges are now made of concrete materials. The last remaining temporary bridge, the 27.3 linear meter Ambonao bridge in Calasiao, was finally rebuilt last yer into a concrete structure, using P8.75 million from the P40-million Local Government Support Fund that came with the Seal of Good Housekeeping – a prestigious local governance award from the DILG.”The governor identified two other projects that were built from the P40-million DILG. These are the 3.8-km. Mangatatarem-Manleluag road (P25.4-million) and the 0.655-km. Balungao-Napudot road (P5.798-million).Recognizing the provincial government’s efforts to upgrade health care facilities, the governor said the Department of Health and the European Community contributed P420.92 million, especially for the acquisition of modern diagnostic equipment, hospital improvements, construction of rural health units and barangay health stations.Pangasinan is the only provincial government in the country that operates its own 14-station dialysis center.The governor noted in his address that Pangasinan has consistently enrolled the highest number of indigent families in the PhilHealth-sponsored program nationwide, from a coverage of just more than 27,000 indigent families in 2007 to a total of 228,032 beneficiaries in 2012.In agriculture, Pangasinan remains as the third highest rice-producing province nationwide, next to Nueva Ecija and Isabela, with an increase in total rice harvest from 811,037 metric tons in 2007 to 1.133 MT in 2012, accounting for 65 percent of then region’s total rice production.On corn, the province recorded for the last two years the highest national average yield of 6.07 MT per hectare in 2011 and 6.10 MT in 2012, accounting for 68 percent of the region’s corn output.The governor pointed out that the province has been chosen by various agencies as pilot area for innovative projects and pioneering activities.He mentioned the P190-million modern rice-processing center in Sta. Barbara, jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture, Korea International Cooperating Agency (KOICA) and the provincial government.The province, he said, is also one of the country’s pilot areas on micro-finance for small- and medium-enterprises, an initiative of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) which granted P100-million as initial capital for the Pangasinan Credit Surety Fund (CSF).With an average monthly crime rate (AMCR) of 14.71 percent, down from 36 percent in 2010, or much lower than the regional AMCR of 20 percent, Pangasinan the most peaceful province in Region I.Pangasinan is also the undisputed top tourist destination in Region I, with an increasing number of tourist arrivals from only 55,600 tourists in 2007, to an impressively total of 661,767 tourists in 2012.“These facts clearly disprove and belie the irresponsible and obviously unfounded pronouncement that Pangasinan is a potential hotspot,” the governor said.“If, indeed, we are a hotspot, we would not be enjoying this increasing number of visitors and tourists, and the numerous big events continually taking place, and still being booked in Pangasinan,” the governor added.It is during this period between 2007 to 2012 when Pangasinan, especially the capitol complex with its upgrade convention and sports facilities, established the reputation and a preferred venue for big conventions and conferences, as well as for national and regional sports events, such as the Palarong Pambansa 2012.“It is evident that we are moving forward gradually, but steadily,” he said, citing that the economic indicators invariably project a rosy picture.Domestic inflation rate of 1.20 is lower than the country’s 3.60, the governor noted, as he pointed out that peso purchasing power in Pangasinan of 0.82 is much higher than the country’s 0.76He also noted a reduction in poverty incidence among families from 23.4 percent in 2006 to 19.5 percent in 2009.“We have already reached this far, we have achieved these marvelous gains in just five and a half years, because we have been united, and moved forward as one people towards the attainment of our common goals,” the governor said. (PIO)

Source: http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/2013/02/state-of-the-province-address-gov-espino-outlines-marvelous-gains/

Search for Miss San Carlos City

SAN CARLOS CITY. Screening of candidates who want to vie for the title Miss San Carlos City 2013 will be on Feb. 16, 2013, 1 P.M. at the City Bulwagan.

Bring casual wear, 3 inches high heeled shoes, 2 piece- type swimsuit. Strictly apply light make-up only. Submit a photocopy of your birth certificate and your parents’. Candidates below 18 years old must secure a waiver by their parents and guardians. All candidates are to abide by the rules of the pageant committee. A candidate will be made to sign an attestation on the veracity of her documents. Any falsification is ground for rejection of her application, or termination of reign and privileges. The pageant committee will check on the veracity of information given by applicant.

A candidate must be single, never been pregnant, in good health, with good moral character. She or parent/parents are from San Carlos City but not necessarily residing thereat. She must be at least 15 years old but not more than 21 years of age at the time of the pageant on April 13. Talent night will be on April 6. Coronation of selected Queen with her court will be on April 27, the grand ball of the mango-bamboo festival.

Search for Miss San Carlos City is a beauty contest. Candidates will be judged on 4 categories: 1.) mango-bamboo costume; 2.) swimsuit; 3.) gown; 4.) question and answer for the top five from whom will be selected the queen and her court. Each candidate will receive Php 2,000.00 financial assistance. Decision of the board of judges will be final.

On the day of the pageant, major title holders will receive sash, trophy, bouquet and cash. Miss San Carlos City (Php 20,000.00); 1^st runner-up (Php 15,000.00); 2^nd runner-up (Php 10,000.00); 3^rd runner-up Php 7,000.00); 4^th runner-up (Php 5,000.00). They will be judged on beauty of face (40%); beauty of figure (20%); poise (10%); intelligence (30%). Fifteen semi-finalists will be judged on facial beauty ( 50 %), beauty of figure ( 30 %), poise ( 20%).

Minor title winners will receive sash, bouquet, cash. Miss Talent (Php 4,000.00); Miss Friendship (Php 2,000.00); Miss Photogenic (Php2,000.00); Best in Gown (Php 2,000.00); Best in Swimsuit (Php 2,000.00)

Miss Friendship will be chosen by candidates thru voting. Miss Photogenic will be chosen by the official photographer. Recipients of special awards will be chosen by the sponsors of the award. Miss talent will be chosen on creativity and originality (40%), showmanship (execution, mastery, over-all impact) 40%, entertainment value (20%). Best in Mango-Bamboo costume will be judged on originality, (40%), creativity (40%); projection, execution, poise (20%). Best in gown will be judged on bearing and carriage (40%); beauty of face and figure (40%); projection, execution, poise (20%).

Best in swimsuit will be based on beauty of figure (40%), beauty of face (30%), projection, execution, poise (30%). For particulars, contact General Services Officer Lourdes Pinto 955-5427.(CIO)

Courtesy of San Carlos CIO 

         

Youth Empowerment Seminar, ginanap sa Lingayen

Isang youth empowerment seminar ang ginanap sa Lingayen, Pangasinan na dinaluhan ng mahigit isang daang mga kabataan mula sa iba't ibang bayan ng probinsya. Ito ay aktibidad ng provincial government of Pangasinan na ginanap nitong Pebrero 9-10, 2013.

Ang naturang seminar ay naglalayong maibahagi ang kaalaman tungkol sa I Love Pangasinan Campaign ng probinsiya, makilala ng mga kabataan ang Pangasinan sa iba't ibang aspeto gaya ng heograpiya, statistika, populasyon, mga produkto at iba pa. Nais ding maibahagi ang tulong para sa mga kabataan sa pamamagitan ng grupong Y4CD. Ang Y4CD o "Youth for Change and Development" ay isang samahan ng mga kabataang may edad na 18-25 anyos na nakatira sa Pangasinan. Ang grupong ito ay naglalayong  tumulong sa kapwa kabataan para mapabuti ang komunidad. Ang pokus ng grupong ito ay ang turismo, teknolohiya, edukasyon, envuronment preservation at livelihood o employment.

Group Activities during Youth Empowerment Seminar

Ang target ng trainor's training na ito ay ang makalap ang lahat ng mga kabataan sa Pangasinan at lalung-lalo na ang mga out-of-school youth. Ito ay  upang mabigyan ng oportunidad at pag-asa ang bawat kabataan sa probinsya upang lalong mapaunlad ang Pangasinan. Sa pamamagitan ng  aktibidad na ito, maihahatid sa bawat kabataan ang kani-kanilang mga karapatan, mga bagong adhikain at iba pang magagawang tulong para sa Pangasinan.

Speakers of Youth Empowerment Seminar

Ilan sa mga nagbahagi ng kanilang kaalaman at kwento ay sina Sir Joe Mark Pardiñas, Sir Mel Fatric Yan, Sir Nathaniel Joel Daruy, Atty. Verna, Miss Vanj Padilla, Sir JR Padilla at ang butihing gobernador ng Pangasinan na si Gobernador Amado T. Espino Jr..

Inaasahan ang paglawak at pagdalo ng mahigit isang libong mga kabataan sa susunod na pagsasagawa ng nasabing aktibidad.