Provincial Gov’t trains frontliners for Tourism

Provincial Gov’t trains frontliners for Tourism

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., initiated an enhanced training for provincial government frontliners to further strengthen tourism initiatives through a one-day seminar for an effective and quality public service.

The seminar which was held in three batches at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center was dubbed “Tourist-Friendly Pangasinan Frontliners.”

“We are doing this because we want to serve the people. You were trained so you can appreciate the very things we are doing here, the very things that we are protecting here, this is the very essence of this training,” Gov. Espino said during the culminating rites.

Espino said he wants Pangasinenses to be the first to appreciate the workings of the provincial government even as he instilled in them the value of discipline by following regulations and doing what is right.

The activity which started on July 7 and concluded last July 9 was spearheaded by the Provincial Tourism Division co-sponsored by the Department of Tourism Region I (DOT-Region I) who provided an International Standard Organization and DOT Accredited Trainor.

Some 143 provincial employees, whose duties include providing direct frontline services to Pangasinenses, visitors and tourists, participated in training.

Among the participants were: provincial security guards assigned at the Capitol Complex, Hospitals and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), provincial bus drivers from the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) as well as employees of the Provincial Governor’s Office, Capitol Resort Hotel, Tourism Operations Division and Solid Waste Management Office.

As province’s frontliners, the training was vital in developing ways to meet the evolving needs of visitors as well as in becoming effective communicators who have direct link and service to the public.

It likewise served as gateway to enhance the frontliners’ skills and capabilities with better understanding of themselves, their attitudes and values to best serve the public.

The frontliners were also oriented on the provincial government programs, facilities and services as well as basic tourism information anchored by their commitment and passion to serve in order to attain targeted results to give meaning to the provincial slogan: “Serving You the Best Way we Can.”

Ma. Luisa A. Elduayan, Chief Tourism Operations Division, said this is part of the province tourism promotions and marketing program to attract more tourists and investors and help improve and establish good customer relations and systems that will boost the province’s economy.

According to Martin Valera, DOT Director, the training program is an opportunity to bring the government closer to the people.

Towards this end, Valera thanked the governor for his efforts on strengthening tourism efforts development and dedication to make Pangasinan great province.

It is the mission of the Pangasinan Tourism to promote responsible tourism development in the province that maximizes socio-economic growth, instills pride in culture and heritage, conserves the environment, fosters partnership among stakeholders, offers the best visitor/tourist experience and nourishes the standard of living of Pangasinenses.

In 2009, the province posted a total of 316,850 tourists and visitors. With the influx of tourist arrivals, Pangasinan is now a top tourist destination in Region I.

The significant progress in the tourism initiatives of the province marks the realization of the overall development plan of the present administration. (PIO/Chona C. Bugayong)

Pangasinan Tourism Frontliners Training

Pangasinan Tourism Frontliners Training. To better serve the burgeoning number of local and foreign tourists visiting the Capitol Complex, the Pangasinan Tourism Office conducts Tourist-Friendly Pangasinan Frontliners Training to administrative aides, security guards and utility workers at the conference room of Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council Building in Lingayen. Tourism Officer Malu M. Elduayan said the three-day workshop, which aims to deliver the best tourism services, deals with effective communication, customer service and basic tour guiding among others. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

New Prov’l Health Officer. Outgoing Provincial Health Officer-in-Charge Ferdinand Totaan (right) turns over the symbolic key to incoming Provincial Health Officer Ana Teresa De Guzman (left), former chief of Manaoag Community Hospital, while Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. and Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan witness the event after the regular Monday flag raising at the Capitol Plaza in Lingayen last July 5. Dr. Totaan will now serve as the chief of Manaoag Community Hospital. (Photo by Bong Laure)

Capitol Solid Waste Management Receives Special Award from DENR Region I

Lingayen- - -The Capitol Solid Waste Management Office (CSWMO) recently received a Special Award from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Regional Office for the successful implementation of the Pangasinan Ecological Solid Waste Management Program.

A group of regional evaluators from the DENR came to the province last May and validated the performance of the recycling team as one of the contenders for the 2010 Search for Likas Yaman Awards for Environmental Excellence.

Said search aimed to recognize the individuals, local government units, academe, civic organizations, military and other institutions for their outstanding contribution to environmental development, conservation and protection.

Rowena dela Cruz, CSWMO Chief, said that aside from recycling project other undertakings that the team currently implement includes composting and bio-organic fertilizer production.

This, she said, will help minimize the bulk of garbage in the province and inculcate the value of recycling in the minds of the people.

Under the present administration, the CSWMO was expanded and improved to further cater and assist the LGUs in formulating policies on waste management.

“We intend to reduce the amount of wastes by at least 50 percent through recycling, composting and other waste prevention or reduction activities,” Dela Cruz said as she added that Gov. Espino wants the Capitol complex as the showroom of cleanliness and orderliness in the province. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

DENR Region I cites Pangasinan Ecological Solid Waste Management Program

DENR Region I cites Pangasinan Ecological Solid Waste Management Program. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) presents the plaque of commendation to Capitol Solid Waste Management Office (CSWMO) Chief Rowena dela Cruz (left) for being cited by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Region I as one of the best recycling practitioners and environmental program implementers during its Search for Likas Yaman Award. Witnessing the awarding ceremony are (from right counterclockwise) Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan, Lingayen District Hospital Chief Athena Marie Merrera and outgoing Provincial Health Officer-in-Charge Ferdinand Totaan. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

“Hurricane” Julaton takes Pangasinan by Storm

“Hurricane” Julaton takes Pangasinan by Storm

Lingayen, Pangasinan - - - Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. led the Provincial Officials and employees in welcoming WBO Super Bantamweight Champion and Fil-Am Boxing Sensation Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton in her first-ever visit to the country and to her home-province in Pangasinan last July 14, 2010.

Upon knowing that the Filipina boxer is going to visit the province’s Capitol, a throng of provincial employees and other spectators trooped to the Capitol building to take a glance of her.
Wearing her pink spaghetti sleeveless blouse and maong jeans, Julaton was described to have the true beauty of a Filipina.

Born Luciana Bonifacio Julaton, the boxing champion traces her Filipino roots in Pozurrobio, Pangasinan. She is the first Filipina to win a boxing world title, already collecting three titles at that.

Julaton revealed she became aware that she is from Pangasinan because of her grandfather, Cesario Cariaso Julaton, who always talks about his roots all the time when he was still alive.

Angelo Reyes, manager of Julaton, said that when she started in 2004 as an amateur boxer, she was already donning the Philippine flag on her shorts. “She was always connected with her Filipino roots because of her grandfather,” Reyes said.

“Ana is the best person to really work for, it is an honor to be around her because she’s always humble even though she has already accomplished a lot”, Reyes added.

Julaton thanked Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan and all the Pangasinenses for welcoming her in the province.

“It was amazing and it was my first time here, everything’s beautiful, everyone’s heart was warm and it feels like home”, she said.

Julaton bared that she plans to bring the fight here in the country with her upcoming fight either against Lisa Brown or a rematch against Maria Villalobos.

“I want to fight here in the Philippines, and be the first Filipino to do that”, she said.
Julaton and Reyes said they are considering the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center as venue for her next fight in September or for her next training under Freddie Roach.

Meanwhile, Julaton received a Plaque of Recognition conferred to him by Governor Espino for her numerous achievements in the field of boxing and becoming the pride and inspiration to the Filipino people especially in her home-province, Pangasinan.

Reyes said that Julaton is set to meet his Amang Pedring and her relatives in Pozurrobio. Amang Pedring is the only surviving relative among the siblings of her grandfather. (PIO/Darwin Magalong)

WBO super bantamweight champion visits Pangasinan

WBO super bantamweight champion visits Pangasinan. Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (right) beams with pride as Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (left), who traces her roots in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan, shows her three world boxing title belts in a courtesy call to the Governor at the Governor’s Office in Capitol Building, Lingayen last July 14. The Fil-Am female boxer recently won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight belt after beating her Mexican opponent in Canada. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)