Month: December 2023

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Christmas shows and competitions participated in by provincial government heads and employees will serve as the icing on the cake for the 2023 ‘Paskong Ang Galing, Sa Pusong May Ningning’ celebrations.

Parol-making, building decoration, and the best Christmas presentation per group are some of the events to look forward to by the public.

The parol and building decoration competition is open to provincial government offices, which were grouped by sector and assigned specific buildings as follows: the Urduja (Governance Sector); the Finance Building (Finance Sector); the Palaris Building (Social Sector); the Malong Building (Economic Sector); the Legislative Building (Infrastructure Sector); and the Back of the Capitol Building (Legislative Sector).

Based on the contest guidelines, the main icon for the competition is the parol, in which 40% of the whole decoration (the entire facade) should be made of recycled materials.

Criteria for judging include the following: creativity and originality (40%), use of recycled materials (20%), adherence to the theme (20%), overall appearance (10%), and online engagement (10%).

Online engagement, which is part of the criteria, started with the posting of photos on the official Facebook page of the province and will end at exactly 12:00 p.m. on December 15.

For the Christmas presentation competition, the schedule of performances is as follows: December 10: Economic Sector (Malong Building); December 11: Finance Sector (Finance Building); December 12: Infrastructure Sector (Legislative Building); December 13: Governance (Urduja House); December 14: Legislative Sector (Back of the Capitol Building); and December 15: Social Sector (Palaris Building).

The Capitol Yuletide celebration, which officially kicked off on December 1 with the lighting of the 50-foot Christmas tree and the Nativity Scene (Belen), has attracted hordes of visitors with the launch of several other activities, notably the opening of the Children’s Christmas Village located at the beach park area.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan named Outstanding OF/Ws Family Associations and Migrant Desk Officers through the first-ever “BOLUN AWARDS” held on December 5 at the Pangasinan Training and Development II (PTDC II) here.

Organized by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan through the Pangasinan Migration and Development Council (PMDC), the BOLUN Awards/Volunteerism Awards are in recognition of the OF/W Family Associations’ selfless services and dedication in promoting the welfare of OFWs and their families.

Moreover, the awards not only manifest their remarkable contributions to the implementation of programs and services but also inspire others to engage in volunteerism.

“We are very grateful for your sacrifices and the sacrifices of your loved ones who are outside the Philippines right now. We are very grateful for the things you have done, and we are very thankful for the things that you will do in the future,” Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG Lambino said.

Meanwhile, 4th district Board Member and PMDC Vice Chair Marinor B. De Guzman said that the undertaking is a testament to the dedication and unwavering commitment of the OFW organizations, MDOs, and PESO managers in the province.

“Your dedication and relentless pursuit of making a difference have uplifted the lives of many, inspiring us all to continue working towards a more supportive and compassionate society,” BM De Guzman said.

BOLUN Awardees were Burgos OFW and Family Association as Champion, while Sto. Tomas OFW Family Association (1st Runner-up) and Mangaldan OFW Returnees and Their Dependent Organizations (2nd Runner-up).

At the top 4 to 10, there were the OFW and Family Associations of Calasiao, Lingayen, Villasis, Alaminos City, Manaoag, and Sta. Barbara and Anda, respectively.

Other awardees were the OFW Family Associations of Asingan, Dasol, Labrador, San Nicolas, Sual, San Carlos City, and Natividad in the top 11 to 17.

Gracing the occasion were members of the Provincial Board, PMDC Head of Secretariat, and Provincial PESO Manager Ma. Richelle Raguindin, OWWA Region 1 OIC Regional Director Gerardo C. Rimorin, TESDA Pangasinan Acting Provincial Director Joel Pilotin, NBI Dagupan Head of Agent Darwin A. Lising, Pangasinan OFW Family Federation President Eddie Angeles, MDO Association President Rogelio Montoya II, other PESO Managers, Migrant Desk Officers, and OFW Family Associations.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Jairus Sibayan/ PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Pangasinan provincial government, in partnership with law enforcement and other line agencies, will join hands in building a better community for drug surrenderees in the province.

Collaborative efforts will be strengthened through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on December 7 at the Pangasinan Drug Reformation Center in San Vicente, Burgos town. This will serve as the requirement for the accreditation of the facility as the province’s “Balay Silangan Reformation Center.”

Earlier, Governor Ramon V. Guico III said the implementation and strengthening of a community-based plan of action through the Balay Silangan Reformation Program is a welcome opportunity for the province to help reform drug offenders as self-sufficient and law-abiding individuals.

“Balay Silangan” is a program launched by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that aims to build temporary shelters for drug offenders. Reformatory in nature, the program is an alternative intervention for drug personalities who are not users and are not eligible to undergo medical treatment and rehabilitation in facilities supervised by the health department.

A community-based rehabilitation program is a holistic approach that aims to focus on the healing of the body, mind, and soul of drug surrenders through counseling and other therapeutic sessions.

As contained in the Dangerous Drugs Board regulation, the Balay Silangan Reformation Program shall have various components such as: education and health; psychosocial and physical activities like counseling and consultative sessions; livelihood or employment education, which may be determined by local government units to include a green revolution program; soap making; massage training or reflexology; basic carpentry; basic welding and electrical; basic haircutting; food processing; and mushroom culture.

Along with Gov. Guico, the MOU will be signed by the heads of the PDEA-Region 1, PNP-Pangasinan Police Office, Burgos Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Burgos, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government-Provincial Office, Department of Education (DepEd)-Division Office, Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Provincial Office, religious sector from Burgos town, and Rural Health Unit (RHU)-Burgos.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), in its regular session on December 4, approved a resolution endorsing to the Department of Health (DOH) the application of the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital (EPDH) for a permit to construct a three-storey building.

The said facility to be constructed is intended for the outpatient department and additional wards.

“The EPDH, one of the 14 operated by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, caters to patients coming from the different municipalities and other areas from nearby localities of the 6th District of Pangasinan,” the resolution authored by SP Member Shiela Marie Baniqued and co-authored by SP Members Salvador S. Perez, Jr., and Noel Bince partly stated as it further disclosed that as of present there is a constant inflow of patients being served by the hospital.

Health reform is one of the priority programs of Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s administration. Hence, part of the projects on health include the provision of new facilities, brand new quality equipment, and improved delivery of service.

“In line with the main thrusts of the present administration to have a mass-based health care program to accommodate all people, especially the less fortunate sector of society, there is a need to support the plan of the EPDH to provide a more sufficient and higher level of medical and health services to its patients by the construction of a three-storey building,” the resolution stated.

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

Copies of the approved resolution will be furnished to Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, Dr. Paula Paz M. Sydiongco, and Engr. Annette Tan, OIC Director IV, Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau; Dr. Aurelio O. Carino, OIC-Hospital Administrator; and Dr. Maria Viviam Villar Espino, EPDH chief. (Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—The establishment of a dialysis center located in the Lingayen District Hospital (LDH) is in the offing.

Said project will be strengthened through the partnership of the Pangasinan Provincial Government and Luzon Medical System (LMS), which will be made official through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to be signed by Governor Ramon V. Guico III and LMS President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Paul F. Soliman.

In a resolution authored by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Shiela Marie F. Baniqued, which was unanimously approved by the provincial board on December 4, LMS intends to put up 13 units of brand-new dialysis machines in LDH to provide necessary services to patients who are suffering from kidney failure or end-stage renal disease.

Hence, the province shall exclusively purchase from LMS consumables for the use and operation of the machines during a six-year agreement period.

“The equipment could further enhance better and more accessible ways of providing public health and medical services to the people of Pangasinan, especially the underprivileged,” the resolution stated.

As contained in the MOA, “the Dialysis Center at the LDH will be established to address the escalating mortality rate among financially challenged patients needing dialysis treatment, the cost of which is quite prohibitive, by providing the same at reasonable and affordable rates.”

With the establishment of the dialysis center, more renal patients in Pangasinan, especially those from nearby cities and towns, can be accommodated.

The project to be implemented is under the Private-Public Partnership scheme.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III is set to ink a partnership with Bounty Cares Foundation, Inc. (BCFI) for the implementation of the Pangasinan Corporate Farming project, which is focused on sustainable corn industry development.

Made official through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to be signed by both parties, the BCFI, which is a non-stock and non-profit corporation, has expressed its intent to support the Pangasinan Corporate Farming Project launched by the present administration.

According to a resolution authored by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Nicholi Jan Louie Sison and approved in the regular session of the provincial board on December 4, agriculture is the primary industry of the Province of Pangasinan; hence, programs and projects that redound to the benefit of the farmers are of vital importance.

“The agriculture sector is important for inclusive growth, being a key driver of the province’s economy, particularly in the rural areas where farming families live.” Further, it stated that to achieve sustainable food production, it is imperative to continuously address pressing challenges and constraints that may impact the productivity, profitability, and welfare of farmers.

Under the pact, the BCFI will not only donate the organic fertilizer requirements of the farmer cooperators of Pangasinan Corporate Farming towards sustainable corn industry development but will likewise buy the produce of the corn farmers.

Corporate farming is one of the flagship programs of the Guico administration. It aims to transform the agriculture sector as a partner in Pangasinan’s food security.

The Provincial Corporate Farming Program is implemented to enhance food production and to make farming a profitable and sustainable economic enterprise in line with the national government’s food sufficiency thrust under the Masagana Program for Agriculture. (Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of the Infant Jesus. Hence, it is the season to spread joy to children and to build lasting memories for them to rekindle.

With this in mind, the Pangasinan provincial government dedicated a space called the Children’s Christmas Village located at the Lingayen beach park which was formally opened by no-less than Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino and Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico on Saturday, December 2.

As disclosed by Vice Governor Lambino, 2023 Christmas celebration at the Capitol was made more special as the provincial government reserved a place where children can enjoy and feel the merriment of the season.

“Kung di po ako nagkakamali, this is the first time na magkaroon ng isang area na dedicated talaga sa ating mga kabataan,” he said as he stated that parents can also bring their children to the Carnival area which is adjacent to the Children’s Christmas Village.

The opening of the kids’ ville was highlighted with a brief dramatization of the birth of Christ, dance numbers, and the presence of some party mascots.

“Ang Pasko ay para po sa pagsasama-sama ng ating pamilya in celebration po sa kapanganakan ni Hesukristo,” Vice Gov. Lambino said as he further stated that the activity will not be made possible without the initiative of Governor Ramon V. Guico III along with the first lady of the province.

Moreover, families can also feast together with the various food stalls lined in queue at the Christmas Bazaar offering different kinds of food to include Pinoy specialties, popular street foods, variety of fruit juices and milk teas, burgers and pizzas, fresh fruits and salads, Persian foods like kebab, flat breads, shawarma and others, Indian foods such as tandoori, biryani, among many others.

Also present during the opening of the Children’s Christmas Village were vice governor’s wife, Atty. Melanie Lambino, Limgas na Pangasinan World Nikhisah Buenafe Cheveh, Limgas na Panagsinan Grand Rona Lalaine Lopez, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Ma. Luisa Elduayan, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Annabel Roque, and some representatives of provincial government offices.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/ Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Thousands of spectators, including those watching online,witnessed and enjoyed the spectacular 2023 Capitol Christmas Lighting on Friday, December 1, at the Capitol Plaza here.

With Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s message, which focused on the value of unity, Pangasinenses got the chance to experience the best festive mood with their families and friends.

“Let us be united as one province and as Pangasinense,” the governor said as he further stated that his administration always emphasizes excellence in all aspects of development.

In stating this, Gov. Guico called on local chief executives to collaborate. In spite of the intricacies of work, politics, work, and other factors, he added that it is important to go back to the principle of unity to achieve all the goals and objectives set for Pangasinan.

“I take pride as your governor, who can unite all of our common goals in our united vision. Rest assured that the province will be in full support of noble and excellent programs that you would want to implement and to be done in your respective municipalities and cities,” the governor said.

With this year’s theme, “Paskong Ang Galing, Sa Pusong May Ningning,” the objective of bringing the Capitol closer to the grassroots is kept alive as the Pangasinan Spouses’ League led by First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico envisioned helping a community in Pita, Infanta town, experience a brighter Christmas this year. Said community has no electricity to date.

Last year, proceeds from the fund-raising of the spouses’ league were utilized for the re-painting of the Capitol Building to get it back to its original color, which is ‘white.’

The lighting of the 50-foot Christmas tree and nativity scene (Belen) which served as the centerpiece of the event in the presence of the first family, Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino and his wife, Atty. Melanie Lambino, some members of the board with their families, local chief executives with their family members, and the different department heads led by Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II. Serving as special guests were the immediate kin of the first family to include 5th District Congressman Ramon Guico, Jr. and wife Dr. Arlyn Grace V. Guico, and Binalonan Mayor Ramon “RG” Guico IV.

Other highlights of the event include the fireworks display and the lighting of some of the structures in the Capitol Complex.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)