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)