Monday, June 15, 2009

DA to allocate P25M for Pangasinan fishermen

LINGAYEN – The Department of Agriculture (DA) will allocate P25 million rehabilitation funds for fish cage operators in Pangasinan specifically in the typhoon ravaged towns of Bolinao and Anda where cyclone “Emong” made its landfall.

The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap in a meeting with Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. and Bolinao Mayor Alfonso F. Celeste last Saturday, May 16, as they discussed the need to fast track the rehabilitation project to avoid shortage and increase of fish prices.

According to Yap, growing bangus to marketable size requires at least six to seven months and so the need to address the issues of food security and the livelihood of the affected marginal fish cage operators associations to restore the supply lines of bangus to Metro Manila markets since Bolinao and Anda, and nearby areas supplies 120 metric tons of bangus. Due to typhoon damages, the supply to Manila will be short by 80 tons.

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., thanked the national government for immediately responding to the needs of the affected marginal fisherfolks stressing that an immediate identification of fisherfolk beneficiaries under a selection criteria set by the DA will be done to fast track the rehabilitation project.

The DA will assist in the repair and rehabilitation of the damaged fish cages in accordance with the guidelines in identifying the fisherfolk-beneficiaries.

Fish operators in Pangasinan and La union incurred losses estimated around P500 million or 6,000 metric tons which is 3.7 percent of the regional annual production target of fish stocks for this year. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

Gov. Espino and Sec. Yap


Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) confers with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap (seated, second from right) and Bolinao Mayor Alfonso Celeste (1st from left) last May 16 at the Celeste Seabreeze Restaurant in Bolinao to discuss the fast track rehabilitation project of the ravaged fish cages in Bolinao and Anda after typhoon “Emong” wrought havoc to their town last May 7. Yap assured the fishermen of the P25-million fund assistance. Looking on are Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Dir. Malcolm Sarmiento (left) and BFAR Reg’l Dir. Nestor Domenden (standing, left). (PIO)

Butanding(whaleshark)


Residents of Estanza and Sabangan, Lingayen get surprise visitors when as many as five “butanding” or whale sharks show up on their shores since May 18, 2009. This butanding is dubbed by the locals as “artista” for its penchant of coming out of the waters and showing-off whenever there are visitors around. Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest living fish species and can grow up to 40 feet in length and weigh up to 14 tons. It is found in tropical and warm oceans and lives in the open sea for up to 70 years. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Gov. Espino with Rotarians


Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) listens to Mr. Peter Pearce (right), ShelterBox Response Team volunteer, in a meeting at the Celeste Seabreeze Restaurant in Bolinao, as the latter briefs him regarding the on-going projects of their group in various parts of the country which is to give shelter to people that are affected by natural calamities. ShelterBox, a non-profit organization based in New Zealand, is working with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and local Rotarians for the distribution of some 100 shelterboxes to selected beneficiaries from the typhoon ravaged towns of Bolinao, Bani, Anda and Agno where cyclone “Emong” made its landfall two weeks ago. Each box contains thermal blankets, wood burning stove, multi-fuel stove, cooking wares and utensils, collapsible water containers and basic tool kit. Also in photo is ShelterBox volunteer Mr. Lyndon Tamblyn (left). (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

‘Sports is the great equalizer for the rich and poor’ – Gov. Espino

LINGAYEN --- “Sports is the great equalizer where there is no distinction between the rich and poor,” Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. said during the May 9 opening ceremonies of the national open track and field championship at the Provincial-government owned Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.
“In sports, the poor can compete with the rich and enjoy equal chances of winning,” the governor pointed out.
He stressed that beyond mere competitions, sports development is a vital tool in nation building, as it serves as an “instrument to hone the skills, develop confidence, and instill a culture of discipline, respect for the rights and welfare of others and the value of hard work among our people, especially the young, who will be eventually running the country.”
The governor thanked the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) for holding the event at the NRSCC from May 10-12, 2009. He said the national open championship will promote Pangasinan as a major sports arena in the country. He recalled that the province also hosted the recently-held 12th National Special Olympics.
The PATAFA event was participated in by some 700 athletes from Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Malaysia Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, Singapore, Vietnam and various Philippine provinces, schools and institutions.
He said that indeed, sports is an “effective instrument in building bridges of friendship and camaraderie with our own countrymen and our brothers from other nations.”



The governor also said that sports competition can “strengthen our sense of nationhood as we take pride in every victory that the Filipino brings home to our country.”
He cited national boxing legend Manny Pacquiao who, according to him, has become not just a unifying force and a model of excellence, but has actually brought our small nation and country to international fame.
In welcoming the various delegations, the governor urged the guests to visit the capitol and other places of interest in the province and in the city of Dagupan.
Dagupan City Mayor and PATAFA Chairman Al Fernandez, in his response, said: ”Our governor has so much more in his program for youth and sports development, making the NRSCC the sports mecca of North-Central Philippines.”
Mayor Fernandez added that this event fosters not only sports fellowship, but the development of life skills, formation of athletes’ character and their dedication and discipline as they compete carrying the banner and the torch of their countries, their organizations and institutions and their cities and provinces.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose S. Cojuangco, on the other hand, said that he hopes that this event will be an inspiration to the youth of this province to get into some kind of sport because 95 percent of the youth in the Philippines have not had an opportunity to play any kind of sport or exercise.
The opening ceremonies started with a parade of delegates and ended with the lighting of the urn. Mr. Go Teng Kok, PATAFA president, officially opened the games. (PIO/Rafael U. Manuel)

Bolinao Lass Bags 4 Golds at Int’l Trackfest

Lingayen, Pangasinan – A new sports superstar from Pangasinan has emerged.
Bolinao lass Lany Cardona led her team, the Centrex-Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (C-VMUF), to capture the overall team championship for the Juniors Division by winning four gold and one silver medals after the competition in the 800 meter-run, 5000mr, 3000 mr, 10000mr and 1500mr in the National Open Athletics Championship held last May 10 to 12 at the sprawling Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.
The C-VMUF was one of the two Pangasinan teams joining the national open track and field competition which had the participation of athletes from various countries.
Cardona’s team racked up a total of 181 points as against their closest rivals, the Far Eastern University with 105 total points and University of Baguio with 91 points.
Cardona said that she failed to snatch her fifth gold in her final race for the 1500 meter-run due to excruciating abdominal pain that relegated her to a silver medal finish.
Observers said that Cardona is a force to reckon with in the international sports arena considering her speed and stamina she demonstrated during the PATAFA events.
Gov. Espino and Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez, who congratulated the Pangasinan athletes, vowed to help the Philippine Sports Commission to develop local athletes for international competitions.
Meanwhile, athletes, coaches and PATAFA reporters were one in saying that the NRSCC offers world class facilities needed to develop globally competitive athletes.
The Provincial Government of Pangasinan and the City Government of Dagupan co-hosted the three-day national open sportsfest, one of the pre-qualifying events for the forthcoming South East Asean Games in Laos.
Other Pangasinan athletes who brought home medals were: Blessie Mae Sanchez, 400md girls division-gold; Maricris Carolino, 400md girls division-silver; Junelle Gallebo 400md boys division-gold; Jonathan Leyga, 400 md boys division-bronze; Rochille Corpuz, triple jump women division-silver; triple jump girls division-bronze and Sarah Jane Pascua, shotput girls division-bronze.
The 10,000 meter walk was likewise dominated by the Centrex-VMUF athletes Vanesa Membrado for the girls division and Mark Anthony Niro for the boys division. Both athletes clocked 1:03:54.3.25 and 59:27.4.31 respectively.
The Pangasinan team reaped a total of 8 golds, 4 silvers and 3 bronze in the three-day competition.
The Far Eastern University captured the championship title in the senior’s division with 181 points followed by the University of Baguio with 102 points and the Phil. Army occupying the third slot with 81 points. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

‘NRSCC – Region’s center of excellence’ – PSC Chair

LINGAYEN --- Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Harry Angping called the Provincial-owned Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) as the “center of excellence for Region I” for its world class facilities fit for training athletes who has potential to capture medals in international sports competition.

With this, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. announced during the closing rites of the 2009 MILO-National Open track and field championships Tuesday night that the NRSCC will be happy to host the National Open track and field championships every year.

Chairman Angping confirmed the governor’s pronouncement saying “may usapan na po kami na magkakaroon ng tripartite agreement among the Province of Pangasinan, Dagupan City and PSC to make the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center the center of excellence for Region I.”

Angping said under the program, the promising athletes in Region I will be trained at the NRSCC with ample financial support from the PSC, Province and Dagupan City.

Under the new administration of Chairman Angping, the region’s new recruits who have “medal potentials” will also be receiving monthly stipends from PSC like the regular members of the national team.

“Kami po sa PSC ay magbibigay ng stipend o allowances sa mga atleta. Sa bagong policy sa administration ni Chairman Harry Angping, pati yung mga incoming talents o bagong recruits ay bibigyan din natin ng stipends with the approval of the governor and the mayor. Sila ang magsi-select kung sinong mga talents, mga potential athletes ang bibigyan natin ng allowances,” Angping disclosed.

With this kind of program, Angping said that the country’s ace athletes will have better chances of capturing more medals in international competitions such as the 2009 SEA Games in Laos, 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China and 2012 Olympics in London.

Angping thanked Gov. Espino and Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez for providing some 1,500 athletes and coaches with warm hospitality, decent accommodations and efficient staff.

He advised the delegates to visit the Capitol Building before going back to their respective provinces.

“Sa mga atleta at coaches, bago po kayo umuwi, advise ko sa inyo dumaan kayo sa Kapitolyo. Mga five minutess away from here. You will see perhaps, para sa standard ko, ang the most beautiful provincial capitol in the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.

Angping said that Pangasinenses should be proud of that building saying “yan po ang nagdadala ng dignidad at respect.” (PIO/Ninia F. Nicolas)

AID FOR ‘EMONG’ VICTIMS


Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., turns over truckloads of relief goods to the towns of Anda (left photo) and Bani (right photo) as assistance to areas devastated by Typhoon Emong. Both towns were among the hardest hit towns in the western part of Pangasinan. Bolinao and Alaminos City, which also suffered heavy damages, were likewise visited by the governor. Gov. Espino also led the clearing operations along the highways in western Pangasinan immediately after typhoon Emong toppled electric posts and uprooted trees in the area. (Photo by/PIO Bob Sison)

Top Pangasinan Athlete

Provincial government sports consultant Modesto OperaƱa congratulates Lany Cardona (center) for leading the Pangasinan team in reaping medals during the three-day MILO-National Open Invitational Track and Field Championships 2009 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen slated on May 10-12. Cardona, a native of Bolinao and a college student of Centrex-Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation in San Carlos City harvested four golds and 1 silver in the following events: 800-m run, 5000-m run, 3000-m run, 1500-m run and 10000-m run. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

SPORTS PATRONS


Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Go Teng Kok (right) confers with Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) and Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez (left), concurrently PATAFA chairman, during the MILO-National Open Track and Field Championship formal opening last May 10 at the Narciso Ramos Grandstand in Lingayen. Some 1,500 athletes and officials, including foreign players, competed in various athletics events from May 10 to 12 at the sprawling and well-maintained oval of the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)