Month: February 2024

Lingayen, Pangasinan— The provincial government of Pangasinan’s success in managing quarry operations in the province has caught the attention of the Provincial Sand and Gravel Task Force (PSAG TF) of Leyte.

In fact, PSAG TF visited Pangasinan for their two-day benchmarking activity held February 26–27.

Atty. Jose Raymund A. Acol, Overall Supervising Team Leader, PSAG TF—Province of Leyte, said that they chose to benchmark Pangasinan following the province’s impressive sand and gravel implementation, operation, management, and monitoring, among others.

Their benchmarking visit was to learn, examine best practices, and possibly replicate them in the province of Leyte.

“We are here to learn from your processes and other policy reforms,” Atty. Acol added.

Apart from this, he stated that he was more than impressed by the political will of the governor, vice governor, and provincial board, the innovations, and the policy reforms because they reflect the real intention and determination of the leaders for real change.

“With this benchmarking, we hope that we can learn many things and convince the members of the Provincial Board of Leyte to adopt what the Provincial Board of the Province of Pangasinan has adopted. The governor is very impressed by the increase in collection from 12 Million to 200 million through technological innovations and policy reforms. He said to me, go ahead. Go to Pangasinan and study, learn, and implement it in the Province of Leyte,” Acol further said.

In his message, VG Mark Ronald DG Lambino shared the start of a semi-success story of how the province increased its revenue collection and how the monitoring system was modernized.

“We already initiated several benchmarking activities on how to improve the monitoring, collection, and even, if necessary, operations of the sites here in the province,” the vice governor said.

He cited having benchmarked Pampanga and found it to be one of the best models for revenue generation in terms of the extraction of natural resources.

“So itong pong ginawa naming change here in the province is a combination of several systems. A lot of systems were implemented, and at the same time, a lot of national policies were also applied. It is not just one system, not just one policy, not just one direction, but a series of actions na plinano pong mabuti at iniimplement po ng mabuti,” VG Lambino disclosed.

Discussed during the activity were the best practices for management and monitoring of sand and gravel operations, the best practices in the collection fees by the Provincial Treasury Office (PTO), and benchmarking of best practices, including strategies and systems for effective revenue collection from sand and gravel/quarry operations in the province.

Meanwhile, the Leyte delegates were welcomed at the Provincial Capitol by Vivian U. Oamil, Officer-in-Charge, PG-ENRO.

They were likewise toured to the Office of the Governor, Session Hall, and Office of the Vice Governor, and proceeded to the Ceremonial Hall of the Urduja House, where they were welcomed by some department heads led by Provincial Administrator Melicio Patague II.

The provincial administrator bared some of the province’s gigantic programs and projects under the leadership of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III such as the Solar Salt Farm at Barangay Zaragosa, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), and Pangasinan Polytechnic College, among others.

Ending their benchmarking activity in Pangasinan was the site visit at the North Star Aggregates and the San Hai Crushing Plant in Sison, Pangasinan, on February 27.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Omar Cruz, Jairus Sibayan/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinan placed 7th among the 82 provinces in the country in terms of share to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

As released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on February 19, Pangasinan’s share to the national GDP at Constant 2018 Prices amounted to P352.93 billion or 1.8 percent.

The PSA report, titled “2022 Economic Performance of the Provinces in the Philippines,” disclosed that Laguna topped the list with P990.69 billion share; followed by Cavite, P731.39 billion; Batangas, P615.81 billion; Bulacan, P604.71 billion; Pampanga, P525.65 billion; Cebu, P388.11 billion. Trailing behind Pangasinan are the provinces of Rizal, P340.63 billion; Nueva Ecija, P298.57 billion; and Bataan, P256.89 billion.

Based on the PSA report, all 82 provinces had a combined share of about 56.1 percent to the country’s GDP in 2022.

In addition to this, the PSA, for the first time released the results of the Provincial Product Accounts or the PPA of the 16 pilot regions outside the National Capital Region (NCR). Aside from the 82 provinces, 17 Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) from November to December 2023 were included.

Results showed that Aklan recorded the fastest growth of 22.5%. Nueva Vizcaya, Davao Oriental, and Sorsogon recorded 13.1 %, 12.3%, and 12.2%, respectively.

PPA is a mechanism to compile the GDP at the subnational level using a production approach and other economic accounts at the subregional level.

According to PSA, PPA shows how provinces improve, what are the growth drivers, productive sectors, where to invest, and indicators whether targets are met.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III will enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) for the implementation of the nursing skills training program in the province.

In the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on February 26, a resolution was sponsored by SP Member Shiela Marie F. Baniqued to facilitate the purpose.

The Nursing Skills Training Program is a learning program offered by ITRMC. It is composed of various nursing program specializations such as PeriOperative Nursing Skills Training, Maternal Health Skills Training, Pediatric Nursing Skills Training, Neonatal Nursing Competency Enhancement, Basic Emergency and Trauma Nursing Skills, Basic Critical Care Nursing, and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Nursing.

As stated in the resolution, the Nursing Skills Training Program that is offered by ITRMC to the Province of Pangasinan aims to equip and enhance the knowledge and clinical skills of the nurses in the province.

“The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, through the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, in partnership with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, will join efforts in conducting the said notable program,” the resolution stated.

Said program will run from 2023 to 2025, as stipulated in the MOA. Each program of training will be conducted over a period of two months. (Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in its regular session on February 26 approved a resolution manifesting strong support of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan for the Magna Carta for Public Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Workers.

Authored by SP Member Vici M. Ventanilla, the resolution stated that there is no legislative measure that has been enacted with special reference to the welfare of all disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) workers in the country in consonance with Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010, being the legislative anchor of DRRM councils from local to national levels and the Office of Civil Defense.

“There are no laws or policies explicitly defining the DRRM workers—the first formally used in the profession in 2010 after the passage of RA 10121,” the resolution partly disclosed.

The resolution likewise noted that the NDRRMC presented a magna carta during the conduct of the NDRM Regional Summit of 2023 and advised all DRRMOs to support the passage of the bill by asking for appropriate legislative actions to ensure its approval.

As such, the resolution cited that the Pangasinan Association of Local Disaster Risk Reduction Officers Inc. requested the crafting of a resolution manifesting the strong support of the provincial government of Pangasinan for the Magna Carta for Public DRRM Workers.

“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan members strongly support and believe that the approval of this measure will bring about positive changes, including sustainability and the security of tenure of offices for the local DRRM workers who are risking their lives to deliver flawless rescue operations and to ensure zero casualties during man-made and natural calamities, especially during the sharp rise of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the resolution also stated. (Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Some 1,000 members of different farmer cooperatives and associations from six congressional districts will serve as beneficiaries of the Provincial Corporate Farming Program (PCF) of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) for the current dry cropping season.

In line with this, PCF production field day, mass graduation, and presentation of technology demonstration results are slated for five scheduled dates in March 2024 in different venues as follows: (March 8)—Districts 1 and II, Brgy. Calzada, Mabini, Pangasinan; (March 6)—District III, Brgy. Bued, Calasiao, and (March 11) Brgy. Tuliao, Sta. Barbara (March 5): District IV, Brgy. Angio, San Fabian; (March 14): Districts V and VI, Brgy. Dupac, Asingan.

Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said the scheduled farming field day, mass graduation, and presentation of technology demonstration results by participating program partners will serve as an opportunity for them to showcase their outputs in conducting alternative technology and farming systems.

Corporate Farming is the flagship program of the present administration for the agri-fishery sector through the leadership of Governor Ramon V. Guico III. This aligns with the province’s strategic objective to uplift the socio-economic status and well-being of every Pangasinense.

Major projects under the program are rice production, corn production, high-value crop production, and fishery production. It aims to enhance food production and transform farming into a lucrative and sustainable economic enterprise through the so-called convergence approach among farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs), local government units (LGUs), the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies, different national government entities, the private sector, and financial institutions.

The PCF program is implemented not only to enhance food production but also as a support to the national government’s food sufficiency thrust under the Masagana Program for Agriculture. (Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Office)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The Office of Civil Defense Region 1 (OCD R1) handed over 48 portable generator sets (gensets) to the LGUs in Pangasinan through their Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (LDRRMO).

The distribution of genset to the province’s districts one to six was held during the three-day capacity building on the use of GeoRiskPH platforms in Pangasinan at the Provincial Training and Development Center 1 (PTDC 1), Capitol Complex, on February 20.

This was part of the province’s disaster preparedness in anticipation of the possible effects of the El Nino phenomenon.

Spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHILVOCS) through their DOST Regional Office 1, the training aimed to assist local government units (LGUs) to effectively understand and use GeoMapperPH and GeoRiskPH platforms towards more efficient hazards, risk assessment, data collection, data sharing, and analysis in support of data-informed planning and decision-making.

The training on the use of GeoRiskPH platforms for the municipalities and cities in the province likewise intends to incorporate the importance of geotagging critical infrastructure in Pangasinan in compliance with the approved Provincial Ordinance No. 268-2021.

It also served as a guide for establishing a DRR-related database in the province.

“This will empower us to predict potential disaster areas, to plan more effective responses, and to allocate blended resources for efficient data,” VG Mark Ronald DG Lambino said.

Participants were LDRRMOs and LPDOs from district 1 to district 6. (Chona C. Bugayong, with reports from Rich Majin/PIMRO)

The province, through the Pangasinan Provincial Jail (PPJ), headed by PPJ Chief Lovell U. Dalisay, conducted three significant projects aimed at improving the welfare of persons deprived of liberty.

In collaboration with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), a medical and dental mission was held on February 13. A total of 179 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and 12 PPJ personnel benefitted from the medical services, while 48 PDL availed of the dental services.

On February 15, a Community-Based Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) dubbed ‘Organic Agriculture Production’ was likewise conducted with 25 PDLs as beneficiaries. Participants received P160 per day while undergoing the said training.

The 29-day skills development project, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), led by TESDA Regional Director Joel M. Pilotin, aims to strengthen the agency’s advocacy and commitment.

Anchored on the slogan “Sa TESDA, Lingap ay Maasahan,” the project served as an avenue for producing a skilled and competent Filipino workforce.

As such, the PPJ was mandated to provide similar intervention as part of the PDL’s rehabilitation while inside the PPJ facility.

Meanwhile, another 5-day community-based skills training project on basic electrical installation and maintenance and basic wellness massage training was conducted.

Said undertaking on February 19 was in collaboration with the Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO), headed by Richelle M. Raguindin, and TESDA.

These are continuing programs that ensure PDLs get equal access to the programs and services of the present administration and are aligned with the province’s vision. (Chona C. Bugayong, PIMRO)

Governor Ramon V. Guico III approved the hiring of 185 healthcare providers to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of quality health services in 14 government-run hospitals in the province.

The aforementioned healthcare providers include 44 doctors, 99 nurses, 10 pharmacists, six midwives, five radiology technicians, 19 medical technologists, and two dieticians.

Governor Guico III is optimistic that this will alleviate the growing anxiety brought by the long queueing of patients in the outpatient department (OPD) and emergency room (ER).

The mass hiring was conducted by the provincial government and supervised by Provincial Administrator Melicio Patague II, Legal Officer Baby Ruth Torre, Provincial Accountant Marlon Operana, the Provincial Hospital Management System Office (PHMSO), the Provincial Health Office, and the Provincial Human Resource Management and Development Office (PHRMDO).

Prior to this, a dialogue was conducted between PA Patague II, the Chiefs of Hospital, and employees.

The Guico administration and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by VG Lambino, have placed health among their priority programs and have likewise set their focus on other areas of concern.

Alongside the manpower development, the provincial government has also prioritized the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment to support its aim to provide higher-quality healthcare for over three million Pangasinenses.

The realization of a P200 million state-of-the-art hospital, which is a component of the township project of the provincial government, is likewise expected to rise soon in Umingan town.

(Chona C. Bugayong, with reports from Rich Majin and PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Two educators from Alaminos City National High School were cited as among the country’s outstanding government workers.

In two separate resolutions authored by the 1st District Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members Apolonia DG. Bacay, Napoleon C. Fontelera, Jr., and Arthur C. Celeste, Jr., and approved on February 19, Dr. Raquel R. Rivera and Mr. Kris Christopher C. Dela Cruz, both Master Teachers I of the said school, were commended.

The awards—Outstanding Government Worker of 2023 and Presidential Medal of Merit—were bestowed in a ceremony held last February 14 at the Malacanang Palace as a fitting tribute for their remarkable achievements through unwavering dedication, exemplary service, and extraordinary contributions in the field of education.

Dr. Rivera and Mr. Dela Cruz are two of the five educators who were honored and won the 2023 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for their achievements that have potential benefits for the country.

“The Honor Awards Program (HAP) under the Civil Service Commission grants the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award to those who have made exceptional contributions through innovative ideas or impactful actions of national significance, particularly in the areas of public interest, security, and patrimony,” the resolution stated.

The CSC administers a yearly nationwide search for outstanding government workers through its Honor Awards Program to recognize government officials and employees who have displayed outstanding work performance and ethical behavior.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMPRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—NAPOLCOM Region 1 thru Atty. Phillip Raymund S. Rivera, Provincial Officer for Pangasinan, presented a plaque of appreciation to the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) during the regular session of the provincial board on February 19, for the latter’s support during the PNP entrance examination conducted last December 10, 2023.

Held at Pangasinan National High School (PNHS), the NAPOLCOM RO 1 joined hands with the PGP, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO), Local Government Unit of Lingayen, Lingayen Municipal Police Station, teaching and non-teaching staff of PNHS,Provincial Health Office, and the Bureau of Fire and Protection. (Ruby R. Bernardino, Joey Olimpo/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga commended the leadership of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG Lambino during her visit to the Provincial Capitol on Feb. 16.

“This is the kind of integrated approach that is necessary to secure food, health, nutrition, and water essential to energy security,” Sec. Loyzaga said.

She also cited the province as an exceptional example of integrated development in its approach towards social and economic development in the time of climate change.

Sec. Loyzaga made the reaction after VG Lambino’s presentation on the update of the province’s two transformative projects: the Solar Salt Farm and the Bangus Hatchery and Breeding Station located in Bolinao.

The recent acquisition and development of 473 hectares of salt farm, along with the launch of a 238 million peso bangus hatchery and breeding facility, marks significant milestones in the province’s journey towards sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and economic revitalization.

Further, the salt project ensures steady eco-friendly production of high-quality salt, positions Pangasinan as a leader in sustainable resource management, provides a boost to the local economy, creates jobs, supports industries, and promises eco-tourism while maintaining ecological balance and preserving coastal landscapes.

As of February 15, 2024, Pangasinan Salt Center had produced a total of 804. 627 metric tons.

Meanwhile, the Bangus Hatchery is set to become a cornerstone of the aquaculture sector, significantly increasing the supply of bangus, a nutritionally important fish in the community.

VG Lambino described said projects as testaments to what the province can achieve when government, community, and industry leaders come together with a shared vision.

He called on the province’s esteemed partners in the national government for their support of these ventures, which demonstrates the power of collective action in achieving a sustainable, prosperous, and resilient future.

VG Lambino thanked DENR Sec. Loyzaga, the entire workforce of the DENR and its attached agencies, for their unwavering support and visionary leadership that have been instrumental in realizing the projects.

Impressed by the presentation, DENR Sec. Loyzaga stated that she sees here an example of leadership that understands the linkages between biodiversity, climate change, environmental management, forestry, and land management, as well as inclusive and resilient development.

From Lingayen, Sec. Loyzaga visited Pangasinan’s Salt Farm at Barangay Zaragosa,Bolinao, for ceremonial harvesting and a meeting with salt farm workers. She was joined by First District Congressman Art Celeste, Vice Governor Lambino, and local chief executives.

“Itong project ay bilang tugon sa panawagan ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos na muling buhayin ang salt industry dito sa bansa.So on behalf of DENR, sana nakatulong po kami sa muling pagbuhay sa asin industry dito. At kung mayroon pa kaming maitulong, please huwag kayong mag-hesitate na lumapit saa amin,” Sec. Loyzaga said.

The establishment of the Pangasinan Salt Center is one of Gov. Guico’s priority projects.

Meanwhile, Augusto D. Dela Pena, Undersecretary for Organizational Transformation and Human Resources, looked forward to a more collaborative relationship with the LGUs in Pangasinan.

Attendees include Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, CESO I, Undersecretary for Field Operations—Luzon, Visayas, and Environment, Regional Directors, PENROs, CENROs, DENR workforce and its attached agencies, Board Members, Congressmen, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, Department Heads, and Chiefs of Hospitals headed by Provincial Administrator Melicio Patague II. (Chona C. Bugayong, Marilyn Marcial, Orland Llemos, Omar Cruz, Joey Olimpo, and PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – Gov. Ramon V. Guico III assured that persons with disabilities (PWDs) get equal access to the provincial government’s programs and services.

Recognizing the challenges faced by PWDs, the provincial government undertook a comprehensive initiative to render programs and services that aimed not only to address their specific needs but also to empower and uplift their lives.

Some ten persons with disabilities (PWDs) from various towns and cities received wheelchairs and other assistive devices from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), such as quad canes, single-tip canes, and walkers, in January this year.

The identified beneficiaries were from the towns of Bani, San Fabian, Mangatarem,  Sta. Maria, Lingayen,Bolinao, Alcala, and Urdaneta City.

Disability was never a hindrance to reaching their dreams or to their contribution as productive members of society.

In fact, Dave Peralta Soriano, who hails from the City of Alaminos and was born without arms and hands, was among those who won the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2023.

“Super proud po ako na makasama sa international at makapunta sa ibang bansa, nag training po ako ng mabuti para makasali po,” Soriano said.

A total of 169 units of mobility assistive devices were given to PWDs in Pangasinan, while 73 prosthesis amounting to P3,285,000.00 were likewise awarded in partnership with the Kapampangan Development Cooperative, Inc., in 2023.

Apart from these, some 252 PWDs received financial assistance amounting to P849,000.00.

Moreover, the province, in partnership with Perdis Enterprises, conducted a hearing test for 60 people and conducted a wheelchair assessment in partnership with the Ilocos Training and Rehabilitation Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union.

All these underscore the province’s dedication to building a Pangasinan where opportunities are abundant and every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute to the greater welfare of the community.

As of December 31, 2023, there were a total of 40,544 PWDs registered at the Philippine Registry of PWDs.  (Chona C. Bugayong, with reports from Kristine Joy V. Flores /PIMRO)