The provincial government hosted the 1st Meeting of Pangasinan Tourism Board...

The provincial government hosted the 1st Meeting of Pangasinan Tourism Board that will pave the way for the massive promotion and marketing plans of tourism industry in Pangasinan.

Speaking before the meeting, Chairman on Tourism Committee Charizzma Salud A. Carancho, proposed the holding of Tourism Summit, as contained in the Provincial Resolution No. 38-2008, tentatively on September to discuss issues and concerns about tourism development plans and promotion in the province.

It was noted that a large volume of tourists are only confined in Manaoag Shrine or Hundred Islands in Alaminos because they have no idea yet of the other tourist spots in the province.

In relation to this, Board Member (BM) Carancho also filed Provincial Resolution No. 39-2008 for the establishment or construction of several information centers in the different tourist spots whose main responsibility is to promote and assist local and foreign visitors on the different tourist destinations in the province.

There is also a resolution authored by BM Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario requesting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to proclaim the municipality of Manaoag as “Special Pilgrimage City” by the Department of Tourism.

Composed of the government and private sector, the Tourism Board is ideally a policy-making body which will set the direction of Pangasinan’s Tourism Industry.

Private sectors have expressed full support to Gov. Amado T. Espino’s thrust to improve the tourism in the province by regularly coordinating with provincial government’s program while performing their own respective roles.

Pangasinan Heritage Society vowed to help in preserving Pangasinan’s heritage zones and literature.

Mrs. Arcinue also commended Gov. Espino for regenerating heritage zones in Pangasinan that started with the refurbishing of the historical Capitol Building.

“We think that heritage landmarks with their stories to tell are the most important in terms of history and can do a lot for tourism. Heritage sites would be more appealing to tourist,” Mrs Arcinue said.

Also present during the meeting were Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan, BM Tyrone Agabas, Pangasinan Councilors League President Raul Sison, Department of Tourism Director Martin S. Valera, Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Peter Mangabat, Pangasinan Visitors Bureau President Marion Pozon, Pangasinan Council of Tourism Industries, Inc. President Cynthia Esguerra, Col. Harris Fama with other members of Philippine National Police Lingayen. (PIO/Ninia F. Nicolas)

Gov. Espino Launches GET EXCEL Tilapia Hatchery

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. launched on Thursday (Aug. 21) the Tilapia Hatchery Project of the provincial government with the dispersal of some 70,000 hybrid fingerlings, labelled as “Improved Genetically Enhanced Tilapia for Excellent Entrepreneurial Livelihood” (GET EXCEL) in communal waters of the province.

Considered as the best tilapia variety in the country, the fingerlings which were maiden production stock of the Libsong Fish Farm being managed by the provincial government, were turned over to the given to the Irrigators Associations of Lingayen, Aguilar, Bugallon, and Mangatarem.

In launching the project, the governor said the production and dispersal of the hybrid tilapia variety showcases the provincial government’s technology transfer program aimed at improving the agricultural economy and increasing the income of farmers.

Pointing out that Pangasinan is basically agricultural, the governor stressed the need to upgrade the farming technology to uplift the living condition of the marginalized sector.

The governor expressed his gratitude to the provincial board for allocating P4.5 million to finance the development of all provincial fish farms and breeding stations.

“Kaya nangangako naman ako na magagasta ng wasto yun at magkakaroon tayo ng mga pasilidades na makakatulong sa ating mga farmers at sana maintindihan po ng ating mga kababayan kung ano ang plano ng provincial gov’t. tungkol sa ating agrikultura”, Espino said.

Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya described the project as an “activity that will ensure increased fish production through the utilization of communal irrigation systems and other communal bodies of water.””.

The Libsong fish farm has a processing area for tilapia, a soil station and the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Learning Center for stakeholders and students taking up subjects on CRM.

Moya thanked the governor and the provincial board for prioritizing the rehabilitation and upgrading of the different farms in the province.

The facility used to be area an out-patient department of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital and the 10-bed district hospital of Lingayen. (PIO/Chona C. Bugayong)

GET Excel Tilapia Fry. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (2nd from left), with Board Member Danny Uy (left) and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist OIC Dolly Moya, distributes 70, 0000 Improved Genetically Enhanced Tilapia fry and fingerlings to some members of Irrigators Associations from the municipalities of Lingayen, Aguilar, Bugallon and Mangatarem on August 21 at Libsong Fish Farm in Lingayen. The project is part of the province’s foods sufficiency program. (PIO Photo by Emilio R. Mari)

Gov. Espino turns over 89 shotguns to 3 towns; All other towns to follow

LINGAYEN -- “These firearms are not for offense, these firearms are for defense, para sa proteksyon ya na barangay yo, aliwan usaren ya panaktak-takot,” thus declared Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. as he turned over 89 shotguns for use by barangay captains in Binmaley, Bugallon and Lingayen last Thursday in fitting rites at the headquartrers of the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office here.

In issuing the firearms bearing the official seal of the provincial government, the governor urged the barangay captains to be responsible and cautious as the use of the gadget is strictly for the maintenance of peace and order in their localities.

Gov. Espino assured that all the province’s 1,364 barangay captains will be issued similar firearms to help the PNP’s campaign against criminal elements as well as the proper enforcement of laws and ordinances.

He also vowed to equip the barangay officials with radio communication facilities for immediate and fast link up with the police authorities as well as hospitals on emergency cases.

The issuance of the firearms is part of the provincial government’s comprehensive community security program to make Pangasinan the “best place to invest, work, live and raise a family.”

Provincial police director, Sr. Supt. Isagani Nerez echoed the governor’s statement, saying “law enforcement, peace and order is not the only concern of the police force, it is everybody’s concern”.

Regular training on responsible gun handling and marksmanship, he said, will be conducted to ensure that safety measures on the use of ordnance will be observed and followed.

Board Member Amadeo T. Espino, president of Pangasinan Federation of Barangay Captains, on the other hand, reminded the barangay captains of their sworn duties and responsibilities in carrying out the mission to keep their respective areas of responsibilities (AORs) in tip-top shape insofar as peace and security is concerned.

Prior to the issuance of firearms, the PNP conducted the first seminar and familiarization training on the proper handling of the shotguns.

With the governor during the turnover rites were Board Members Von Mark Mendoza, Raul Sison, Amadeo Espino and Nikki “Boy” Reyes, Provincial Administrator Raffy Baraan, Lingayen Mayor Ernesto “Jonas” Castaneda, ABONO Partylist Chairman Rosendo So, Bugallon Mayor Ricardo Orduña, and executives of the provincial government. (PIO/Chona C. Bugayong)

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (right) distributes 89 shotguns to some barangay captains from the municipalities in Lingayen, Bugallon, Mangatarem and Binmaley which is aimed at improving the peace and order situation in the province. The turn-over ceremony held at the Capitol Compound on August 21 is only a first of a series of shotguns distribution to some 1,000 barangay captains that cost P3-million. (PIO Photo by Emilio R. Mari)

Tourist-Friendly Buses

Eco-Tourism Buses. The provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. presents to the public one of the six eco-tourism buses (right) and one coaster (left) designed to ferry visitors to different tourist destinations in the province.

Tourist-Friendly Buses

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. showers the seven brand new tourist-friendly buses with champagne which symbolizes good tidings, good governance and progress for the province through tourism development during the turn-over ceremony in front of the newly-refurbished Capitol Building last August 21. With the Governor are Executive Assistant Ramon M. Morden (right) and friends from the media. (PIO Photo by Emilio R. Mari)

Pangasinan’s 14 Eco-Tourism Buses promote tourism, good governance and punctuality

Lingayen, PANGASINAN – A fleet of 14 eco-tourism and employees buses owned by the provincial government here are set to move around the province to promote Pangasinan’s tourist attractions, good governance and punctuality.

Six brand new buses and one coaster are intended for eco-tourism activities, while seven reconditioned buses will ferry employees to and from their work stations and residences.

The seven eco-tourism buses and coaster were turned over to the provincial government led by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. by the Laguna-based bus manufacturer, Phil-Hino Corp., which supplies fleets of Farinas Lines and Santrans.

All the units sport a spanking color of golden yellow accentuated by metallic gold. The buses share the colors of all newly-refurbished and renovated buildings inside the capitol complex, including the ongoing renovation projects of the provincial government’s seven agriculture farm stations and 14 public hospitals.

The fleet will be made available to students, teachers, municipal officials, barangay leaders and other visitors down to the remotest barangays for “Lakbay Aral” trips (educational tours) to various eco-tourism destinations in Pangasinan.

The educational tour will start at the provincial capitol which showcases beautiful buildings, clean surroundings, Lingayen beach, and offices with efficient delivery of services and courteous employees.

“We will make Pangasinan a tourism area among ourselves first. I want Pangasinenses to rediscover and know more about Pangasinan. With these buses, we could bring people from east (Eastern Pangasinan) to the west (Western Pangasinan), from the center (Central Pangasinan) to the east and to the west,” Gov. Espino said in his press conference.

In another meeting with the media, the governor said that Pangasinan is such a big province with 2.6 million population, even as he noted that the Pangasineses alone are one such big tourism captive market.

In preparation for a massive tourism campaign, the provincial government has trained a group of 50 new tour guides for the capitol complex and other tourist destinations in Pangasinan.

Governor Espino believes that the Capitol building and its environs, which include the Maramba Boulevard, the World War II Memorial and the Lingayen Beach, will become the centerpiece of tourism in Pangasinan.

In his recent State-of-the-Province Address, the governor underscored that the tourism industry will become one of the top earners in the province.

Still being repainted, the second-hand buses for employees will be delivered in the last quarter of the year to provide comfortable rides for provincial government employees residing in various towns of Pangasinan.
The shuttle buses are expected to inspire employees, who will save on transportation costs, to be more punctual and work harder. (PIO

San Roque Power Plant and PDCC team up for disaster preparedness

LINGAYEN--- The San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) has proposed for the integration of its emergency action plan (EAP) with the existing disaster preparedness plan of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to avert further loss of lives and properties due to natural and man-made disasters.

In a recent joint conference meeting held at Capitol Resort Hotel, Tom Valdez, senior vice president of SRPC, said the San Roque Dam emergency action plan aims to educate and prepare the people for “emergency situations such as uncontrolled release of dam waters and dam breaks due to strong earthquakes.”

He said however that dam break is a very remote thing to happen as the dam could withstand the maximum earthquake.

The EAP, he said, helps identifies specific responsibilities and actions during dam emergency situations by following a notification flow chart from dam operator to concerned emergency respond agencies which include the Office of the Civil Defense, PAGASA, Office of the Governor through PDCC, media and downstream municipalities.

Valdez said the SRPC plans to conduct an EAP drills involving the members of the PDCC in order to come up with an effective and synchronized disaster preparedness plan in the province of Pangasinan.

Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan, speaking in behalf of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr, chairman of the PDCC, cited the efforts of the SRPC saying that the proposal is very timely as the Philippines is a disaster-proned country being visited frequently by typhoons.”

“We need a more organized and prepared plan of action to effectively respond to the needs of our constituents during calamity,” he said. But what matters most here, he added, is to have a well-organized and well-prepared people at the community level because they will be the first to attend to their immediate needs.

For his part, Pangasinan PNP Provincial Director Senior Supt. Isagani Nerez, vice chair of the PDCC, said the joint meeting of the SRPC and PDCC opens an opportunity to rejuvenate and energize the province’s disaster management team.

“Theory and practice must come together in order for us to respond effectively to our constituents during natural and man-made disasters,” he stressed.

Executive Assistant Paterno Orduña assured the SRPC of the support from the province as he added that the PDCC would soon be equipped with the state-of-the art gadgets and a pool of well-trained team which are vital in saving lives during emergency situations.

Considered as the 12th world’s largest and 2nd tallest dam in Asia, the San Roque Multi-Purpose project, which generates 345 megawatts for the Luzon grid, stands 200-meter high with a crest length of 1.2 kilometer-long embankment dam on the Agno River spanning the municipalities of San Manuel and San Nicolas. (Merly R. Tibalao/PIO)

Gov. Espino vows to boost health care, agriculture, tourism and local economy to alleviate poverty in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN --- Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. laid out the achievements of the first 365 days of his administration as he vowed to boost the tourism and the economy of Pangasinan in a bid to alleviate poverty and realize his vision to make Pangasinan as the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family.

In his State of the Province Address (SOPA) last Monday, August 4, at the session hall of the newly-refurbished Capitol building, the governor reported the successful transformation of the Capitol building and its environs into a potential tourism landmark of Pangasinan and elevated the attitude of provincial employees into a well-motivated and efficient workforce.

“Noon siguro, ang iniisip ninyo ay pawang panaginip lang ang pinagsasabi ko. Kung ito man ay panaginip, nagkakatotoo na po iyon ngayon,” the Governor said.

Gov. Espino also said that six buses for government employees are set to be purchased to motivate them to work on time.

The governor also bared ways to protect the poor from the economic challenges.

The provincial government has paid a total health premium of P4.8 million for the enrollment of 26,005 heads of indigent families from the 4th and 5th class municipalities to PhilHealth. Some 50,000 health cards of families in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd class municipalities are now under process for enrollment.

Also, the renewal of expired health cards of some 8,083 indigents from the 4th and 5th class municipalities is also under process. This means that a total of 84,088 health card bearing families can avail anytime of the hospitalization and other medical services benefits under the program.

“This will be the first time in the history of Pangasinan that we are taking steps towards a universal enrollment of all indigent heads of families, regardless of political persuasion and party affiliation. I believe that attending to health care needs of the poor should not be tainted with political color,” the Governor said.

“We also want that during this period, all community hospitals will be upgraded from 10 to 15-bed capacity to 25-bed capacity, complete with brand new generators. Hopefully, ECG Machines, blood chemistry analyzer and other basic hospital equipment will be installed in these facilities,” the governor disclosed.

The Governor added that, “as a standard norm of service in all the public hospitals, there will be fully-airconditioned Maternal and Newborn Care Unit plus, additional equipment that include: Fetal Doppler, Pulse oxymeter and ultrasound machines.”

At the same time, all 14 government hospitals are under simultaneous renovation to provide the less fortunate with an optimum health care service.

On the other hand, a centralized procurement system of medicines and medical supplies called Botika ng Probinsiya was established to ensure availability of affordable, safe and good quality drugs for all the 14 government hospitals.

“Because we sell cheaper drugs than private hospitals, there is no logical reason that private drug stores would mushroom in any of our hospitals,” Espino said.

Likewise, Gov. Espino addressed the plight of farmers and fishermen by directing the Provincial Agriculturist and Provincial Veterinary to teach them the modern technology in farming, while the simultaneous renovation of seven agriculture demo stations in Sta. Barbara, San Quintin, Dasol, Mangatarem, Bolinao, Alaminos, Natividad are ongoing. The demo station in Libsong, Lingayen is already finished.

The Governor also reported the accomplishment of his administration in generating jobs for the unemployed.

“From July 2007 to June 2008, a total of 1,303 job applicants were successfully placed within the period. This is a big increase from the previous record of 569 placements for the period July 2006 to June 2007,” the Governor noted.

According to the Governor, other source of job generation came from the livelihood programs initiated by the Provincial Population Office (PPO) and PESO. Some 28 organized groups have been granted with livelihood loans.

Under his administration, housing projects have already gained momentum as 120 hectares in 20 areas throughout the province have been identified for grand socialized housing that would address the bulk of squatting problem in the province.

The Governor further stated that 6,000 dwelling units are also in the offing through “Abong Tayo Eletneg Program (ATEP) in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK). Site development has started last March.

On education, Gov. Espino disclosed that by September, the Teachers Guidebooks prepared and developed by DepEd Pangasinan Division I and II for all public teachers in Pangasinan will be released.

“Ang ibig pong sabihin nun, dahil iba-iba ang libro ng ating mga estudyante, gagawa po tayo ng manual nila para ang ituturo sa pinaka-malayong barangay ay pareho ang itinuturo dito sa ating mga kabayanan,” Gov. Espino said.

His 50-minute speech, attended by Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, provincial board members, various officials from Pangasinan, prominent figures as well as his mother, wife children, relatives and classmates, also outlined tourist attractions that would translate to several income opportunities, such as the Capitol building which was described as world-class and the most beautiful Capitol building in the country by national figures who visited the province recently.

Aside from the Capitol area, the beach, the walkways, and other buildings within the Capitol complex are considered as tourist attractions. The transformation of government hospitals and agri-stations are also cited as future sites for medical and eco-tourism.

The newly-renovated Capitol Resort Hotel, the purchased of six tourist-friendly buses, the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center which is an ideal place for several sports events, further perked up the interest of local tourist to visit Pangasinan.

To give convenience to Pangasinenses, as well as to investors and tourist, the provincial government continues to improve bridges and to pave road network.

To catapult Pangasinan to unprecedented economic boom, Espino said that he is pushing for three mega infrastructure projects. These projects include the commercial airport, international seaport and special eco-tourism zone.

On problem with climate change, Gov. Espino has been implementing the Green the Mountains Again (GMA) program aimed at planting millions of seedlings to be distributed to schools and barangays. As Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Lito Atienza deputized him as “Special Environment and Natural Resources Officer” for Pangasinan, Espino now have an autonomous authority on environment concerns in the province.

The Governor is also continuously intensifying his peace and order campaign. He had already issued manhunt for the hired killer that gunned down Agno mayor Arthur Cabantac.

On the issue of family planning, he said that couples should have the option to choose between the medical (artificial) and natural family planning methods depending on their religious beliefs and conviction.

On top of these, the governor noted that Pangasinan is on the right track in accomplishing his major thrusts for the province as shown in the good standing of fiscal status. There was 47 percent increase in local income while expenditures went down by 14 percent. (PIO / Ninia F. Nicolas)

PESO announces Job openings abroad

LINGAYEN --- More job opportunities here and abroad awaits welders and pipe fitters as Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) is set to conduct interviews and trainings to interested individuals on August 13 at 8:00 in the morning at the Narciso Ramos Complex Gymnasium.

Job applicants will be interviewed by the staffs of Skills Development Center (SDC) previously known as KC TECH, the training center of Hanjin Shipping Company Limited.

As a requirement, applicants should be out-of-school youth and unemployed adults, 18 to 35 years old, at least high school graduate, physically fit and willing to be trained.

Alex Ferrer, PESO Chief however explained that welders who have obtained NC 1 or NC 2 certification from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will undergo specialized training after which they will be screened and deployed to foreign employers even without work experience.

He further noted that applicants who successfully finish the training are assured of jobs waiting for them.

Would-be applicants must report to the PESO center with their resume, 2 x 2 photo, photocopy of NBI/Police Clearance, photocopy of birth certificate and diploma.

Also, Ferrer bared that prior to the August 13 screening, the SDC has already interviewed some 121 applicants last July 17, out of which 99 already passed and are presently trained in Subic.

Awarded as Best PESO in Region I, said office continue to strengthen its programs to cater the needs of the growing job hunters in the province. (PIO/Chona Bugayong)