Korean firms to invest in Pangasinan

Korean firms to invest in Pangasinan. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (left) and JJGPK Co. Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Kanghee Jung (right) sign a memorandum of agreement last May 28 for the establishment of retirement village and other possible investment projects in Pangasinan such as Korean surplus center, chicken dressing plant, cold storage and call center or knowledge process outsourcing. Present during the signing ceremony are (from right clockwise) JJGPK Director Woochan Cho and Division Director Yong Woong Lee. (PIO Photo)

Pangasinan has become a Lakbay-Aral destination

LINGAYEN---More and more local government units are choosing Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Complex as a Lakbay-Aral destination.

Last June 2, some 60 staff and employees of the City Mayor’s Office, as well as of various departments of the City Government of Baguio, led by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista,Jr., visited and toured the Capitol Complex before heading to Bolinao for their Team Building and Planning activities.

“We came here to see the place, to see the transformation of the Capitol. We’ve been here a long time ago and only today do we see that because of these changes, we can see how professional the province can be,” Mayor Bautista said.

Executive Assistant to the Governor Ramon Morden personally guided the group for a tour of the offices inside the Capitol Building, the work stations in the Finance Building, the Sison Auditorium, the Provincial Library and the Capitol Resort.

It can be recalled that the Espino Administration embarked on a grand of the Capitol and its environs with the aim to make the Complex the centerpiece of the province’s tourist attractions.

“Allow me to congratulate Governor Espino for his leadership and the way that he has now transformed the whole province particularly the Capitol. We’ve seen really that being an officer, he has transformed the province and brought his leadership skills in transforming the Capitol into something that’s more professional,” Mayor Bautista said.

A wood carvings critic, the Mayor admired the elaborate and intricately-designed woodworks that adorn the buildings even as he noted that the cleanliness of the area is noticeable.

“The improvement that I’ve seen is already a clear signal that under Gov. Espino’s leadership, the Province of Pangasinan will really be as great as it used to be,” Mayor Bautista added.

Awed not only by the world-class interior and the functional design of the Capitol Building, the Mayor’s personal secretary, John Co, exclaimed, “Hindi lang basta nirenovate, talagang pinag-isipan at pinagplanuhan ang paggawa.”

Meanwhile, Alberto Tomas of the Special Services Division of the City Mayor’s Office said, “I’m greatly impressed. Ang ganda-ganda, it’s just like Malacañang.”

Mayor Baustista also brought his two daughters, Joelle and Annedrew, to personally see and enjoy what Pangasinan has to offer.

Baguio City added to the long list of LGUs that have so far visited the Complex under the administration of Gov. Espino. This includes: La Union, Camarines Sur, Bicol, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Isabela, Pampanga, Ilocos Sur and Vigan. (PIO/Rafael Manuel)

Baguio officials and employees tour Pangasinan Capitol

Baguio officials and employees tour Pangasinan Capitol. The officials and employees from the city government of Baguio, led by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr., (in red shirt at top photo) visit the Provincial Capitol Complex last June 2 as part of their Lakbay-Aral Tour. Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan (right of top photo) briefs the Mayor on the workings at the provincial government while Exec. Assist. Ramon Morden (left of center photo) personally guides the group for a breathtaking aerial view of the Capitol facing the Lingayen Beachfront and to some work stations of the employees (bottom photo). The Mayor, who came to the province many years ago, noted the great transformation of the Capitol under the leadership of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Pangasinan Capitol wows Davao barangay officials

LINGAYEN--- Lakbay-Aral team of barangay officials from Davao city trooped to the Capitol Complex here to take a personal glimpse of the now famous pride of Pangasinan, the Capitol complex which has caught the admiration of each and every visitor.

The barangay council of Talomo, Davao City headed by Barangay Captain Alex Vidal expressed great admiration to the beauty and grandeur of the Capitol which according to him is a real work of art.

Brgy. Kgwd. Francisco Josol said, “hindi lang maganda ang Capitol Building ng Pangasinan, kundi magandang-maganda talaga.”

The barangay council also noted that the Capitol complex is not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside taking notice of the various offices situated in the building which are beautifully furnished and designed.

Jonas Laurom, another kagawad mused, “para tayong nasa Malacañang,” when they were toured inside the Governor’s office.

“The tour gave us a lot of insights,” said lady Kagawad Rizza Blanco who said that aside from learning new things as they were briefed on the various office practices of the province, “nabusog pa ang mga mata namin sa ganda ng Kapitolyo.”

The 12-man Lakbay-Aral Team said this is the most beautiful Capitol they have ever seen with its world class interiors and functional designs. (PIO/Angeline D. Villanueva)

Environmental Storytelling

Environmental Storytelling. The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, in cooperation with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources, conducts storytelling to Grade III SPED pupils of Central I Elementary School in Lingayen at the photo exhibit located at the Veterans Park in Capitol Compound. The activity is part of the World Environment Month which aims to educate the children on how to become stewards of nature and protectors of the fragile ecosystem. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Defense against A(H1N1)

Defense against A(H1N1). A beaming Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) receives a dose of anti-influenza A(H1N1) vaccine as part of the Department of Health and Provincial Health Office’s campaign against flu virus which may have its possible resurgence this rainy season. Frontline workers and government officials who are constantly exposed to a lot of people are among the first groups to receive vaccine. Administering the vaccine is Dra. Athena Marie Merrera (left), chief of the Lingayen District Hospital in Lingayen. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Elected Agno officials take oath

Elected Agno officials take oath. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (right) administers the oath of office to elected officials of the town of Agno led by (from right) re-elected Mayor Jose N. Pajeta and Vice Mayor Wilson N. Rosete last June 19 at the Governor’s Office in Capitol Building, Lingayen. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Capital assistance for MSMEs

Capital assistance for MSMEs. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (2nd from right) awards the cheque to Payar Women’s Association of Malasiqui, one of the livelihood beneficiaries under the province’s Livelihood Assistance Program for the year 2010 last June 17 at the Governor’s Office in Capitol Building, Lingayen. Provincial Population Officer Luzviminda N. Muego (left) said the program aims to generate more income opportunities among the entrepreneurs engaged in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Witnessing the turnover rites is Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Emilio Samson (right). (PIO Photo by Bob Sison).

Gov. Espino awards livelihood checks

LINGAYEN--- Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. awarded loan checks worth P218,000 under the Livelihood Assistance Program of the Provincial Government last June 16 at the Governor’s Office inside the Capitol Building.

The recipients of the second batch of the assistance program for this year were Don Montano Garments Craft Association, Inc. from Umingan and the Payar Women’s Association from Malasiqui, both involved in commodity trading.

The program, launched in 2008 during the first term of Gov. Espino, has benefitted 84 groups composed of 1,774 beneficiaries and 8 individuals belonging to Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs and has released a total of P10,008,150 as assistance.

According to Ellsworth Gonzales, Livelihood Assistance Program Head of the Provincial Population Office, the goal of the program is to give assistance, like loans, as a start-up capital for small businesses to uplift their lives.

This augmentation measure will in turn generate additional income and employment that will give the beneficiaries additional purchasing power for better access to basic commodities like food, clothing and shelter and education.

Gonzales also added that they are usually targeting women’s groups to translate their idle time into something productive. Farmers are also prioritized so they could avail of loans with lower interest rate instead of going to loan sharks.

Beneficiaries are given a four percent interest for a six-month loan cycle, and if paid before the due date, interest is reduced to one percent. The three percent rebate will then become income of the association.

The program also caters to those involved in retailing, production (i.e. sawali and garments production), trading and animal raising (poultry). However, they must be a registered association.

Clarita Alcantara of Don Montano Garments Craft, involved in the manufacturing of throw pillows, curtains, shorts and pajamas, said that the program is a big help for them, especially that they are just starting their business. “Napakalaking tulong sa aming pamilya, lalo na sa aming walang regular na trabaho ang puhunang ito. Kaya ipapakita namin na talagang napapakinabangan at maraming natutulungan ito,” she added. (PIO/Rafael Manuel and Darwin Magalong)

Provincial Government holds photo exhibit to raise biodiversity awareness

Provincial Government holds photo exhibit to raise biodiversity awareness. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (front), accompanied by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Wendy Co and Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan, views the variety of bird species thriving in the province during the opening of photo exhibit featuring the rich natural resources of Pangasinan last June 7 at the Veteran’s Park in Capitol Compound, Lingayen. With the massive coastal reforestation program of the provincial government, resident and migratory birds are given a safe nesting and mating place. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Gov. Espino urges gov’t employees to serve as models for environment protection

Lingayen - - - Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged the provincial employees to serve as role models for the rest of Pangasinenses in protecting the environment with the Capitol being the seat of governance serving as the show window of orderliness and cleanliness.

In the regular flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol Complex here which coincided with the launching of the National Environment Month, the Governor said that people must start on small but basic things like keeping the surroundings of the Capitol clean thus inculcating in every home the right discipline in caring and protecting the environment.

Cleanliness, he said, must start within our self so that other people will follow and emulate. “Maliit at simpleng bagay pero malaki ang epekto kapag ginawa,” he disclosed.

It will be recalled that environment protection became a priority project of the provincial government giving emphasis on coastal reforestation. With this, an intensified program on environment preservation is underway with the second mandate of the governor.

At present, 27 species of mangrove species can be found in the province and being propagated in the provincial government-owned Bolinao Fish Farm Nursery. These mangrove species are distributed to different coastal towns in Pangasinan for plantation.

The ILOG KO AROEN KO project was launched to protect the river systems in various towns of Pangasinan against destruction. This also serves as one of the components of the Save Lingayen Gulf (SLING) movement, a pet project of the governor during his tenure as the PNP Provincial Director in 1994.

The Green the Mountains Again is another program being emphasized by the governor wherein a total of five million trees have already been planted since its launching.

Part of the month-long environment celebration includes a photo exhibit at the Veteran’s Park showcasing the province’s natural resources. Lecture on environment protection is also being held to increase public awareness and a signature campaign among the key officials of Pangasinan and various stakeholders in support of the province’s biodiversity program highlighted the affair.

In another development, Pangasinan thru the Provincial Solid Waste Management Division was among the finalists for Likas Yaman Awards for Environmental Excellence (Best LGU initiated environmental project category) in the region.

World Environment Month is celebrated annually in the country during the month of June by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 237 with the year 2010 as the international year of biodiversity. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

College education assistance

College education assistance. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (left), accompanied by Mapandan Mayor and Vice-Governor-elect Ferdinand Z. Calimlim (right), distributes cheques worth P7,000 each for the poor but deserving incoming first year college students under the Provincial Scholarship Fund Board (PSFB) last June 12. The program served as the highlight during the 112th Independence Day Celebration at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen. The new batch of students brings the total number of scholars to 1,926 who are benefitting from the various scholarship programs of the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Espino. Photo shows eight of the top ten examinees who receive the giant-replica of the cheques from Gov. Espino and Vice-Gov. Calimlim. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Gov. Espino awards scholarship grants on Independence Day

Lingayen, Pangasinan --- Education is the most important thing in the life of a person because it makes everybody equal, according to Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. during the Independence Day celebration and awarding of scholarship grants to provincial scholars on June 12 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Gym here.

Gov. Espino said the true meaning of independence to him is freedom from illiteracy, poverty, corruption, fear and bad attitudes even as he said that the scholarship grants will help the provincial scholars achieve independence from illiteracy and soon become the protectors of independence.

The provincial chief executive has awarded financial aids to the new scholars who are incoming first year college students. The 133 incoming freshmen are among the poor but deserving students who passed the qualifying examinations given by the Provincial Scholarship Fund Board (PSFB) last May 5.

Of the almost 700 aspirants, only 124 passed the exams while nine students were automatic qualifiers because they graduated as high school valedictorians. In case the valedictorian waives his or her rights or is not qualified for some reasons, the salutatorian will take the scholarship grant.

Each scholar will be given P7,000 as financial aid every semester provided that he/she maintains a full normal load without failing any subject.

Leny Rose Estrada, the top 1 qualifier during the examination was grateful of the privilege she has gained, saying that “it will somehow ease her family’s financial burden.”

Raiza Ymasa of San Fabian, a first year scholar said, “I’m happy to become one of the scholars of the province and very thankful to Gov. Espino because I am now assured of a college education and a good future.”

Under the leadership of Gov. Espino, the scholarship program of the provincial government has been dramatically expanded to 1,926 scholars as follows: the Provincial Scholarship Fund Board, 389 scholars from first year to fourth year levels; PSU Scholarship, 1,000; Joint Scholarship Program of the provincial government and the First Congressional District Office of Pangasinan, 500; Technical-Vocational Scholarship and Cultural Scholarship, 25; and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, 12. (PIO/Angeline Villanueva)

Gov. Espino increases the number of scholars

Gov. Espino increases the number of scholars. Hundreds of incoming first year college students from various towns and cities take the 2010 Provincial Scholarship Fund Board Examination at the Social Hall of the Pangasinan National High School in Lingayen. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. increased the number of first year scholars by 48percent from 84 last year to 124 this year to help more poor but deserving students. The other scholarship programs that were started under the Espino administration include PSU scholarship under the Amado G. Espino, Sr. Foundation; Joint Scholarship Program of the provincial government and the First Congressional District Office of Pangasinan; Technical-Vocational Scholarship and Cultural Scholarship. (PIO photo by Bob Sison)

Limgas na Pangasinan 2010 winners

Limgas na Pangasinan 2010 winners. Three of the province’s loveliest ladies flash their winning smiles after being proclaimed winners in the 2010 Limgas na Pangasinan during the coronation night held at the Capitol Beachfront in Lingayen last May 1. Jasmine G. Molina (center) of Rosales bagged the title while Rosantonette Mendoza (left) of Sta. Barbara secured the first runner-up spot and Joana Marie Solomon (right) of Manaoag for second runner-up. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Gov. Espino dines with the masses

Gov. Espino dines with the masses. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (right) enjoys a “boodle fight” lunch with the masses to celebrate the successful staging of Banca Parada, one of the highlights of Pista’y Dayat 2010. Also in photo are Pangasinan First Lady Priscilla I. Espino (left) and Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council Chief Paterno M. Orduña.(PIO Photo by Bob Sison)