Month: August 2023

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The establishment and activation of a Tourist Police Unit (TPU) in the province of Pangasinan is on deck.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in its regular session on August 14, approved a resolution which authorized Governor Ramon V. Guico III to enter into and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) for the realization of the plan.

As stated in the resolution which was authored by SP Members Marinor de Guzman and Jeanne Jinky C. Zaplan, the establishment and activation of Tourist Police Unit is an important collaboration between the Province of Pangasinan and the PPPO considering that it will enhance the “safety, security and protection” of tourists in the province.

The resolution disclosed that “the TPU shall be deployed in major tourist destinations in the province in order to provide and ensure a secured environment for all tourists and the local community in the province.”

It was stipulated in the MOU that “Pangasinan, through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), is the primary planning, programming, coordinating, and implementing local government in the development and promotion of the tourist industry and the various cultural affairs concern in the province.”

In the MOU, roles and responsibilities of the Province of Pangasinan thru the PTCAO were enumerated as follows: collaborate with the PPPO on the identification of destinations, sites and events which are in need of PPPO personnel to ensure safety and security of tourists; provide necessary assistance and support for the set-up of Tourist Police Assistance Desk (TPAD) during special events conducted by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan; collaborate with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other training providers in conducting tourism-related training such as, but not limited to, DOT’s Integrated Tourist Police Community Order and Protection (ITOPCOP) for the police force to equip them with necessary knowledge and skills in dealing with international and domestic tourists; develop and produce information, education and communication collaterals; conduct awareness campaigns and publicize the services provided by the TPU; jointly prepare a Crisis Management Plan with the PPO.

The PPPO, on the other hand, has the following roles and responsibilities: conduct province-wide ITOPCOP training for PNP in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP), DOT and the Local Government Units (LGUs); collaborate with the PGP and other LGUs on the identification and recognition of cities and municipalities with tourist attractions or emerging tourist destinations in need of the establishment of TPU; collaborate with concerned LGU in setting-up 24-hour Tourist Police Action Centers (TPACs) in key tourist destinations for information service; establish TPAD with appropriate manpower complement; establish TPO; perform duties as patrollers, first responders, basic first aid assistance officers; conduct visits and inspections in all destination areas; provide quarterly report on tourist-related incidents.

PCol Jeff E. Fanged will sign on behalf of the PPPO.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

Pangasineses will expect more development projects following the tremendous increase in the revenue collection of the provincial government from January to July 2023.

Acting Provincial Treasurer Cristy Ubando disclosed that the increase in revenue collection are attributed primarily to the province’s various impositions namely the Real Property Tax; Tax on sand and gravel and other quarry products; Professional Tax; Amusement Tax, Franchise Tax; Tax on delivery trucks and vans and the Printing and Publication.

As of July 2023, the revenue collection of the province exceeded the estimated income to wit;

Revenue collection data shows that there was a sharp increase on quarry collection which has already reached 309.20 %. It is one of the sources of income that contributes the biggest share to the province’s revenue collection.

With strict implementation and monitoring, quarry revenue collection is expected to soar even higher in the next few months.

In coordination with the Provincial Assessment Office (PAssO) headed by Atty. Geronimo Abad, tax collections have greatly increased.

Ubando cited that the updated revenue code this year as well as the monitoring of trucks, NRSCC & Training Center collections and, rent of stalls are also sources of the province’s increase in income.

Likewise, she commended ENRO and OPVET and, the enforcers assigned at checkpoints who are working hard for their efforts and strict implementation of collections on delivery trucks and vans. In fact, stickers with QR code are issued at checkpoints to identify trucks and vans that have paid their dues.

Currently, ENRO has 22 checkpoints with two (2) or one (1) enforcer for every checkpoint depending on the area.

Apart from this, there are 12 established and maintained animal quarantine checkpoints and 27 animal quarantine guards. To note, three (3) animal checkpoints are located in the towns of Bayambang, San Fabian and Infanta.

Other income sources of the province includes Permit Fees; Clearances and Certification; Rent Income; Income from hotels and dormitories (Capitol Resort Hotel) and Miscellaneous Income (accountable forms, OPVET, testing fees, sale of seedlings from OPAG, rice production, corn production and sale of pateurized and raw carabao milk as well as unserviceable equipment among others.

“Actually po, dahil sa mga revenue collection ay nakabili na rin po tayo ng ating mga equipment sa PDRRMO na siya po nating ginagamit sa panahon ng kalamidad. Meron na rin po tayong nabili na lupa sa Umingan na siyang pagtatayuan po natin ng panibagong hospital at nalipat na rin po ito sa pangalan natin. Andiyan din po ang mga farm to market roads at iba pang mga proyekto,” Acting Provincial Treasurer said.

Ubando further stated these were all made possible through the collective efforts of the provincial government officials and employees led by Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino and SP Members along with the hard work of Provincial Administrator Melicio Patague II and Provincial Legal Officer Baby Ruth Torre to include the Municipal Treasurers who served as the collecting arm of the Provincial Treasurers Office (PTO).

The present administration envisions to make Pangasinan a premier Province in revenue generation, Ubando said.

(Chona C., Bugayong / Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Another Pangasinense displayed exemplary achievement after graduating as Class Valedictorian of the Philippine Army Officer Course “Gaigmat” Class 58-2023 last July 7.

In a resolution approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on August 7, 2Lt Jhun Lyndon C. Zamora of Barangay Catablan in Urdaneta City, was commended for his feat.

Authored by SP Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison, the resolution stated that Gaigmat Class 58-2023 was composed of 106 members.

Gaigmat means being watchful of everything at all times.

“The achievement of 2Lt Zamora highlights the potential, capabilities and excellence of Pangasinenses and also serves as a beacon of inspiration to the younger generations wishing to enter the military service,” the resolution stated.

2Lt Zamora was the designated Brigade Adjutant and Program Officer of the Officer Candidate Corps, Philippine Army and was awarded the Presidential Saber which is traditionally given by the incumbent President of the Philippines to the Phil. Military Academy (PMA) Class Valedictorian..

As highlighted in the resolution, the Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course is a rigorous and comprehensive training program designed to select and train individuals who aspire to become commissioned officers for the Philippine Army. It aims to develop the officer candidates’ leadership abilities, character, physical fitness and tactical proficiency.

Born to Joven and Haydee Zamora on January 23, 1999, 2Lt Zamora finished his BS Criminology degree in 2019 and completed the Probationary Officer Training Course at Camp Riego de Dios, Tanza, Cavite in 2022.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in its regular session on August 7, approved a resolution endorsing to the Department of Health (DOH) the application for a permit to construct a hemodialysis facility at the Western Pangasinan District Hospital (WPDH) located in Alaminos City.

Sponsored by SP Member Shiela Marie F. Baniqued and co-authored by Board Members Napoleon C. Fontelera, Jr. and Apolonia DG. Bacay, the resolution partly stated that at present, there is a “significant increase in the number of patients being serviced by the hospital” and that the “Western Pangasinan District Hospital and its medical staff are capable in running and sustaining the operations of the hemodialysis facility.”

Moreover, the resolution disclosed that the project is a pivotal step in helping patients with kidney problems avail of the medical services in the quest to prolong and improve their health condition through affordable cost.

“The Provincial Government of Pangasinan intends to construct a hemodialysis facility through the conversion of supply storage office, motorpool and TB-DOTS building into a Hemodialysis Center and establish 15 dialysis machines and other ancillary equipment thereat,” the resolution stated.

This, according to the resolution, is in line with the main thrusts of Governor Ramon V. Guico’s administration to have a mass-based health care program and accommodate Pangasinenses especially the less-fortunate sector, and provide them sufficient and quality medical services they needed.

Prior to the issuance of a license to operate to construct, the Provincial Board Resolution is required by the health department to facilitate the issuance of the permit to construct the health facility.

The WPDH caters to patients coming from the different municipalities and other areas from nearby localities of the 1st congressional district in the province.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

Pangasinan pays homage to a Pangasinense whose dance literature research was recently included as one of the country’s new folk dances.

This developed after Jeffrey Paulo Bachar, a native of Brgy. Bunlalacao, Mangatarem, Pangasinan, introduced his research entitled, ‘Panangabalayan,’ in the 41^st National Folk Dance Workshop held in Bago City, Negros Occidental last July 26.

The 41^st National Folk Dance Workshop is a five-day event spearheaded by the Philippine Folk Dance Society (PFDS) and the CCP, which aimed to continually propagate Filipino folk dances to the people especially the youth. The event gathered around 700 dance teachers, leaders and directors from different regions in the country as well as US-based Filipino dance groups.

Bachar’s ‘Panangabalayan’ was among the 11 new dances from various regions in the Philippines which is now featured in the book and set of instructional videos published by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), entitled: “Indak Tayo: Dances of the Philippine Islands.” Said book is now distributed to various schools in the country.

For Bachar’s invaluable contribution to arts and culture, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved a resolution commending his exemplary skill and passion in dance literature.

Authored by SP Member Philip Theodore E. Cruz, the resolution stated  that “Bachar’s success is a source of inspiration among his fellow Pangasinenses to develop a keen interest in this field of dance literature and drive them to find their passion and to put a lot of effort to seize opportunities that will develop and hone their talents.”

The Pangasinense dance literature wiz  is the son of Florito and Nenita Bachar. A graduate of BS Secondary Education (MAPE) of the Pangasinan State University (PSU)-Bayambang campus, and presently a MAPE teacher at the Mangatarem National High School.

“One of the ways to  promote indigenous cultures, that include folk dances, is through Dance Literature, a form of writing that focuses on dance as an art form, particularly on the history, the different styles, the choreography, or the aesthetic and philosophical aspects of dance which is written through articles, books and essays,” the resolution disclosed.

Bachar’s other outstanding works include dance literatures namely, “Binungey” which was introduced in the 2018 National Folk Dance Workshop in San Jose, Antique, and “Bangkag,” an Ilocano word meaning ‘piece of land’ which was introduced in 2006 and was presented in the ‘Indak Tayo Short Film’ and was adjudged by the CCP as one of the six national winners in the 2017 National Music Competitions for Young Artists.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—With a total budget of P286,895,375.51, the funds for the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) and Financially Incapacitated Patients program is now available in all 14 government hospitals in Pangasinan.

Governor Ramon V. Guico III expressed optimism that the program will go a long way in providing the health needs of indigent patients in the province.

“ We were very blessed because congressman representative ng fifth district ang father ni governor (Congressman Ramon Guico, Jr.) ang nagbaba ng pondo ng MAIP mula sa kanyang MAIP funds papunta sa probinsya. And also with the help of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, it’s a total of P286million. Napakalaking halaga,” Hospital Management Services Office administrator Dalvie Casilang disclosed.

Dr. Casilang explains, there are two groups of beneficiaries to be catered by the program. “Una, ‘yong indigent. Second, ‘yong financially incapacitated patients,” he said as he elaborated that the second group are those patients who will not be assessed by their socio-economic status but on the status of medication they will be needing to include cancer patients and those with auto-immune disease.

MAIP is a national government program that aims to provide medical and financial assistance for patients seeking consultation, rehabilitation, examination or confinement in government hospitals.

In June 19 of this year, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved Provincial Resolution No. 527-2023 which authorized Governor Ramon V. Guico III to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Health Center for Health Development 1 (DOH CHD 1) for the implementation of the said program.

The breakdown of the fund for the government hospitals is as follows: Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, P93,159,000.00; Urdaneta District Hospital, P40,683,588.00; Bayambang District Hospital, P28,215,000.00; Western Pangasinan District Hospital, P22,374,000.00; Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital, P21,871,038.05; Lingayen District Hospital, P14,850,000.00; Mangatarem District Hospital, P14,355,000.00; Pozorrubio Community Hospital, P9,900,000.00; Mapandan Community Hospital, P6,930,000.00; Umingan Community Hospital, P6,930,000.00; Asingan Community Hospital, P6,930,000.00; Bolinao Community Hospital, P6,930,000.00; Dasol Community Hospital, P6,930,000.00; and, Manaoag Community Hospital, P6,837,749.46.

Based on DOH Administrative Order No. 2020-0060 which was amended last March 30 of this year, MAIP program fund shall cover essential and life-saving medicines, services and other medical products as prescribed by a licensed physician or health professional. Indigent patients are the primary recipients of the program.

Indigent patients are those who have no visible means of income or whose income is insufficient for family subsistence as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) based on specific criteria.

In the amended AO, however, the definition of the term ‘financially incapacitated patients’ was included.

As such, this refers to “a patient who is not classified as indigent but demonstrates inability to pay or spend for necessary expenditures for one’s medical treatment such as but not limited to patients with catastrophic illness or any illness, which is life or limb-threatening and requires prolonged hospitalization, extremely expensive or other special but essential care that would deplete one’s financial resources, as assessed and certified by the medical social worker,” the amended AO stated.

To avail of the program, patients who are admitted to the hospital should seek the assistance of a social worker.

Documentary requirements to be presented by the in patients include: guarantee letter, certificate of indigency, any valid ID, point of service assessment slip, clinical/medical abstract certificate and statement of account/final bill.

Outpatients, on the other hand, need to submit the following: guarantee letter, certificate of indigency, any valid ID, point of service assessment slip, prescription duly signed by the physician, and laboratory/radiology request.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

The province takes pride in commending a Pangasinense for winning the Southeast Asia Mathematics Teaching and Learning Model (SEA-MTLM) Sam Ratulangi Award 2023 held last July 17 to 20 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

For this, a resolution was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in its regular session on July 31.

Dr. Mary Lucena De Guzman Tagama, a native of Alcala town, is a Master Teacher II at Cipriano P. Primicias National High School, Schools Division Pangasinan II, and a talented and devoted Mathematics teacher who has proven her high standard quality education through active involvement and commitment to various learning activities.

“SEA- MTLM competition serves to stimulate and inspire other mathematics teachers to invent more creative and innovative mathematics lessons,” the resolution partly stated.

In recognition of her feat, Dr. Tagama was invited as one of the speakers to share her best practices at the International Seminar on Mathematics Education Yogharta, Indonesia last July 20.

Prior to her winning, Dr. Tagama was as one of the Top 20 selected participants at the SEA-MTLM which was one of the programs of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel. Said program, held virtually from May 16-23 of this year, serves as a platform for mathematics teachers to compete in creating innovative mathematics lessons.

“The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan extends its congratulations and recognition to Dr. Mary Lucena de Guzman Tagama as she truly epitomizes a dedicated teacher committed to the highest ideals of public service and quality education for all,” the resolution said.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) during a regular session on July 31, approved a resolution authored by Nicholi Jan Louie Sison commending Special Program in Mathematics (SPM) students and teacher-coaches of Don Ramon E. Costales Memorial National High School (DRECMNHS) for bagging various medals in different competitions organized by Math Olympiads Training League, Incorporated (MOTLI).

The SPM students have participated in different competitions organized by MOTLI to include the following: Thailand International Math Olympiad (TIMO), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad, Philippine International Math Olympiad (PHIMO), and Hong Kong International Math Olympiad (HKIMO).

In total, the Pangasinense Math wizards pocketed 18 gold medals, 23 silver medals, and 21 bronze medals. Aside from this, five outstanding teacher coach awards were garnered by the team as well as two outstanding school awards. DRECMNHS of Villasis, Pangasinan ranked 7th and 5th in PHIMO and HKIMO, respectively.

The math wizards team is composed of the following 33 students: Virginia C. Balolong, Karl Santino F. Penuliar, Diether B. Abrina, Ranee Randi Regua, Govind Kurstie F. Ellorin, Abenson, Q. Botuyan, Aljun Alejandro, Michelle Mae Libao, David Lanz O. Mairina, Tyler I. Cemanes, Daniella Claire S. Obillo, Chloe D. Verceles, Blessing Joy B. Madriaga, Rhiane Jane N. Rapajon, Arwin James M. Nozuelo, Valerie Pauleen G. Ragasa, Mikaela Jade Menor, Jon Nathan D. Ladimo, Jean Michelle M. Flores, Glyzl R. Sanchez, Athena Greycielle B. Evangelista, Eliza Jelyn G. Comora, Gari Andrew G. Calaus, Lady Julianna G. Corpuz, Charles Noel M. Abrena, Ezra Victoria Alao, Kathleen Erika D. Nagano, Rufa Fe B. Honrado, Mark Klarence F. Penuliar, Rizajane T. Quirona, Shayne Angel M. Lopez, Felix Francis B. Sison, and Harold B. Abrina.

Teacher-coaches who were behind the SPM team are as follows: Mr. Charlie M. Sison, Mr. Rusty C. Rabara, Mr. Aries R. Pangingbatan and Ms. Olivia S. Ibay.

The SPM team is bound to compete in the PHIMO Final Round to be held from September 22-25 at Jose Maria College Foundation in Davao City.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)