Month: December 2024

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Under the stewardship of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, 2024 is a fruitful year of significant strides, accomplishments, successes, and numerous awards for Pangasinan.

As one of the top priorities of the present administration, Gov. Guico led the province in intensifying hospital management and improving health facilities to include the construction of new buildings and purchased of new equipment such as MRI, Xray machines, CT scan, ultrasound and dialysis machines to realize the goal of transforming all 14 government health facilities into ‘hospitals of choice.’

The launching of the Government Unified Incentives for Medical Consultations or Guiconsulta program which aims to register two million Pangasinenses, is a shining example of genuine care and protection for poor and sick Pangasinenses.

Determined to bring the province’s ‘Preventive Health Care Program’ closer to the people, especially those from the grassroots level, the pro-poor program was intensified through an ordinance duly approved by the provincial board.

Before the launching of the program, the Provincial Hospital Management Services Office (PHMSO) reported that only around 28,000 Pangasinenses were enrolled in the 14 government hospitals under the Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama) program of PhilHealth.

This pushes Gov. Guico to spearhead an intensified campaign to support the program of the state health insurance. As an added assistance, the provincial government grants cash incentives for residents who will avail of the program.

In addition to this, a district hospital in Brgy. Gonzales, Umingan, and the hospital extension of the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug are under construction.

The provincial government likewise prioritized giving free education to deserving Pangasinense youth from low-income families. Thus, the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) opened its doors to some 700 freshman students last August.

A landmark project of the Guico administration, PPC serves as a gift to Pangasinenses. Following its initial batch of students, the governor disclosed that expansion is in the offing with establishment of more campuses to accommodate more deserving youths throughout the province. This, he previously stated, will be further pushed to realize the goal of producing at least one professional in every Pangasinense family.

The first batch of PPC scholars are currently enrolled for free in courses like Bachelor of Special Needs Education, Bachelor of Multi-Media Arts, Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, and Bachelor in Public Administration with a Major in Local Governance.

Another historic project to reckon with is the Pangasinan Salt Farm located in Zaragoza, Bolinao. From several years of slumber due to non-operation, the provincial government revived the facility bringing in job opportunities for more than a hundred locals in the area thereby providing revenue for the province.

In 2024, the salt farm was able to produce 6,400 metric tons. As a result, a total sales of over P10 million was generated. Said accomplishment rooted in the provincial government’s tie-up with the Philippine Coconut Authority for the latter’s Coconut Fertilization Project for CY 2024.

“We need to drastically reduce our dependency on imported salt and produce 100% of our consumption needs. We must even think of becoming a net exporter of salt in the future,” Gov. Guico earlier said.

On job placements, the provincial government, through the Pangasinan Public Employment Service Office (PESO), facilitated the employment of thousands of job seekers during the regular job fair and caravan in different localities in Pangasinan.

On agriculture, the present administration continuously supports the plight of marginalized farmers in the province.

For the Corporate Farming program, another trademark project of the Guico administration, some 600 hectares of farmlands are now under said program that aims to increase farmers production and uplift the lives of local farmers.

“The simple story about corporate farming is that because it is more cost-efficient, a higher yield per hectare is achieved with a lower cost of production,” the governor stated.

Aquaculture, on the other hand, made a significant stride with the Pangasinan Bangus Breeding and Hatchery Project located in Brgy Arnedo, Bolinao at the frontline. The program aims to produce 100 million bangus fry and more than 48 million bangus larvae each year.

Among other continuous projects are various infrastructure projects, such as the big-impact project Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), which broke ground in March 2024, and other regular projects under the engineering office. Social services such as financial and medical assistance to Pangasinenses are also actively carried out with the assistance of the First Spouses League of Pangasinan.

The tireless efforts of the provincial government team (both executive and legislative) for the entire year paid off as numerous awards were given to the province to wit: Seal of Good Local Governance Award; Gawad Kalasag Beyond Compliance Award; Top 1 Highest Locally Sourced Revenues in Nominal Terms; Top 1 in Year-on-Year Growth in Locally Sourced Revenues; Region 1’s Top Performing Province in Local Revenue Generation; SubayBAYANI Awards Exemplars (National); Gawad Parangal 2024 Outstanding Provincial Jail, Best Livelihood Program and Best Educational Program:Alternative Learning System; Northern Luzon’s Best Newborn Screening Facilities in Region 1; Region 1 Best Province in Local Tourism Planning; 1st runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenirs (Banaan Museaum Souvenirs); 2nd runner-up for Best International Event Hosting (2nd International Conference on Pangasinan and Bulosan Studies).

On top of all these, Pangasinan was listed as the 7th highest contributor in terms of share to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) among the 82 provinces in the Philippines and the 14th wealthiest province nationwide with a total asset of P18.36 billion.

Capping all awards and citations, Gov. Guico was listed by Edurank.org as among the Top 79 Notable Alumni of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman for his untarnished feats.

“We did this together. Indeed, competence in professional and commitment to public service enrich the defining character of our Team Pangasinan! And with your unfailing support, our journey continues, improving lives and transforming communities in the whole province,” the governor said. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—Pangasinan was conferred the ‘GAWAD KALASAG Seal of Excellence Beyond Compliant,’ a prestigious recognition for LGUs in the country aimed at promoting excellence in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance.

Gov. Ramon V. Guico III said this is an affirmation of his administration’s commitment to strengthening disaster risk reduction in the province.

The province scored 2.68 in the 24th Gawad Kalasag Seal Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs) Category for CY 2024.

To be considered “Beyond Compliant” for the Gawad Kalasag award, an LGU must score between 2.5 and 3 in the rigorous evaluations, indicating that the LGU has exceeded the basic compliance criteria and is implementing innovations.

Thus, the province was found to have exceeded the standards for the establishment and functionality of the LDRRMCOs as prescribed in the Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 of RA No. 10121.

Pangasinan was also an awardee of Beyond Compliant in 2022 and Fully Compliant in 2023, and again earned the Beyond Compliant award this year for meeting the parameters or exceeding the standards required by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Along with Pangasinan, 10 component LGUs were likewise conferred with the Beyond Compliant Gawad KALASAG seal as follows: Alaminos City; Anda; Bani; Bayambang; Bolinao; Calasiao; Manaoag; Mapandan; San Fabian; and Villasis.

Meanwhile, 34 LGUs were conferred for being fully compliant.

Vincent Jun Chiu, Operations Chief/LDRRMO III, said Pangasinan has become a frequent choice for benchmarking activities by LGUs outside the province, including Cagayan and Mindanao.

Atty. Ronn Dale Castillo, Executive Assistant III, and Col. Rhodyn Luchinvar O. Oro, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief, received the award during the 24th Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance Awarding Ceremony held at Vista La Vita, City of San Fernando, La Union, on December 17.

(Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—With Gov. Ramon V. Guico III as the ‘pilot’, Pangasinan’s performance in terms of its share in the overall Philippine economy continues to soar higher.

Recently, Pangasinan was listed as the 14th richest province in the country for the year 2023, according to last year’s Commission on Audit’s (COA) Annual Financial Report on Local Government Units (LGUs).

Pangasinan has assets totaling P18.36 billion.

The country’s richest provinces are:

• Cebu  P309.897 billion
• Rizal    P39.71B
• Camarines Sur P33.522B
• Batangas           P32.522B
• Davao de Oro P23.379B
• Cavite               P22.989B
• Ilocos Sur          P21.951B\
• Bukidnon          P21.643B
• Negros Occidental P21.068B
• Pampanga P20.778B
• Iloilo      P20.75B
• Isabela P18.67B
• Leyte P18.667B
• Pangasinan P18.36 billion
• Palawan P17.956B
• Tarlac P17.047B
• Zamboanga del Sur P16.653B
• Surigao del Norte P16.431B
• Negros Oriental P15.307B
• North Cotabato P14.843B.

Earlier in February this year, Pangasinan placed 7th among the 82 provinces in the Philippines in terms of share of national gross domestic product (GDP).

The province contributed 1.8 percent to the national GDP in 2023.

Pangasinan also ranked 3rd top contributor to national Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) in 2023, contributing 3.8 percent to the total AFF of the country.

During the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) Dissemination Forum held last December 11, Edgar M. Norberte, Chief Specialist, PSA Provincial Statistical Office, presented the 2023 Economic Performance of Pangasinan.

In his report, Norberte highlighted that the economy of Pangasinan in 2023 grew by 6.3 percent from its level in 2022. This represents an increase in the value of GDP from 352.90 billion in 2022 to 375.31 billion in 2023.

Through the PPA, the GDP of provinces and HUCs are compiled, which can be used in strengthening local-level planning and policy making.

The composition of Norberte’s presentation includes the economic performance of Pangasinan, the performance of the three major industries, as well as the performance of 16 production industries, among others.

Meanwhile, Engr. Rowena V. Ignacio (Assistant Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator) Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) discussed the highlights of the province, stating the vision and mission of the province.

In more than two years under the guidance of a visionary leader, the province shared high in terms of economic growth, Engr. Ignacio said.

During the forum, LGU Bolinao received a certificate of recognition for its exemplary commitment and outstanding compliance in providing comprehensive data for the compilation of the 2021-2023 PPA of Pangasinan.

The forum was participated in by representatives of some national agencies, various government line agencies, academe, and LGUs among others (Ruby F. Rayat & Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO).

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Cognizant of the value of the rich history and heritage of Pangasinan, Governor Ramon V. Guico III has set sights on showing a much-improved presentation of the role of Lingayen Gulf landings and the importance of the war veterans being shining examples of patriotism.

With this in mind, the present administration endeavored to include preserving World War II artifacts in the new Capitol Complex Plan (CCP).

As an initial step, the Provincial Government sought the approval of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to relocate WW II historical markers at the Lingayen beachfront through a letter dated January 8, 2024.

The NHCP, on January 24, 2024, responded and approved said request.

“We are amenable to the construction of a reflecting pool that would stretch from the relocation site of the markers towards the north facade of the provincial capitol building,” the letter signed by Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo stated.

“The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) has been a partner of the Provincial Government and the NHCP in establishing the WW II outdoor exhibit at the previously named Veterans Memorial Park. When the Capitol Redevelopment Project included the relocation of the site of war artifacts for further improvement of the Lingayen Gulf Landings marker and exhibits, we advised them of the plans and sought their permission as well, just as we did with NHCP,” Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) Chief Ma. Luisa A. Elduayan disclosed.

Furthermore, the PTCAO reported the PVB through Mr. Mike Villareal vowed that their office shall provide technical assistance to the province for the new presentation of the Lingayen Gulf landings in the Liberation of Luzon during WW II in the Capitol Redevelopment Project.

In addition, the PVB recommended that consultation be held with Mr. Tony Feredo, a WW II historian/restoration worker and likewise an advisory board member of the Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation.

An inspection was conducted last November 26. It was found that the two anti-aircraft guns (single and double barrel) were generally intact and are due for repainting only.

In time for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings this January 9, 2025, the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) was tasked to do the repainting works under the supervision of Feredo.

Restoration works for the two M24 Chaffee Light Tanks and the WW II aircraft shall also be undertaken.

The provincial government assures that all artifacts will be appropriately preserved and will be strategically located within the new Capitol redevelopment site with various refurbishments to make the area an ideal tourism site with a vibe of Pangasinan’s rich history and culture.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III has once again proven its excellence in local governance after receiving the province’s Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award along with 29 local government units (LGUs).

Gov. Guico, who received the award with Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II on December 10 at the Tent City, The Manila Hotel, expressed elation over the award as he commended the various LGUs who were likewise accorded the distinction of being excellent in governance.

“We all did this together. Indeed, competence in professional work and commitment to public service enrich the defining character of our Team Pangasinan! And with your unfailing support, our journey continues, improving lives and transforming communities in the whole province,” Governor Guico said.

SGLG is an institutionalized recognition-based program that uses various parameters to assess the LGUs. It was launched in 2014 after evolving from the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) in 2010.

According to the DILG, this year (2024) holds the highest number of awardees in the history of SGLG, with 714 LGU recipients, of which 41 are provinces, 96 are cities, and 577 are municipalities.

Awardees received the SGLG marker and SGLG Incentive Fund, which will be utilized to finance local development initiatives to bolster national goals and strategic thrusts.

Based on the DILG report, this year’s assessment was upgraded as it included more outcome-based criteria to fully distinguish good performance that meets the demands of the so-called ‘public accountability and reform.

Parameters used in assessing the LGUs are as follows: financial administration and sustainability; disaster preparedness; social protection and sensitivity; health compliance and responsiveness; sustainable education; business-friendliness and competitiveness; safety, peace, and order; environmental management; tourism, heritage development, culture, and arts; and youth development.

Anchored on a performance management system that focuses on three salient features, specifically LGUs’ capacity to deliver basic services; governance principles like transparency and accountability; and performance such as accomplishment of plans, fund utilization, and frontline service delivery. Leadership plays a crucial role in determining the passers, the DILG reiterated.

Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla called on all local chief executives to unite in aid of good governance. “Good governance should unite us all. Politics divide us but good governance should put us all together,” he said.

The other LGUs in the province that were accorded the SGLG award are as follows: Alaminos City, San Carlos City, Anda, Asingan, Balungao, Bani, Basista, Bayambang, Bolinao, Bugallon, Infanta, Labrador, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Manaoag, Mangatarem, Mapandan, Pozorrubio, Rosales, San Fabian, San Manuel, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Sta. Barbara, Sto. Tomas, Sison, Tayug, Urbiztondo, and Villasis. (Ruby F. Rayat/Jairus Sibayan, Adrian Carlo dela Cruz PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan – Two in a row for the Province of Pangasinan having been conferred the ‘SubayBAYANI Awards’ on the regional and national levels.

This is another feather added to the growing collection of honors and recognitions for Pangasinan under the stewardship of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday, December 3, conferred the SubayBAYANI Awards Exemplars (National) to the Province of Pangasinan in recognition of its outstanding performance in promoting excellence in the governance of local infrastructure services and programs.

The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, through the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), likewise bagged the SubayBAYANI plaque for finishing third in the Provincial LGU Category on November 19, 2024, at the EM Royalle Hotel, San Juan, La Union.

Pangasinan was a consistent SubayBAYANI awardee (regional level) from 2022 to 2024.

“Ako ay nagagalak dahil narecognize nila yung efforts natin sa mga infra projects natin at dahil nakuha din natin ang award sa national level. Sa susunod, pag-igihin natin yung mga projects natin para makakuha ulit tayo ng mga awards na ganito,” Engr. Amadeo B. Veras, PEO Chief, said.

Infrastructure is one of the five (5) big-ticket projects of the present administration.

(Chona C. Bugayong/Joey Olimpo PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan- With the inspiring leadership of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, the Province of Pangasinan has been a consistent awardee of various accolades, awards, and citations in different fields of endeavor.

Just recently, Pangasinan was recognized as the top-performing province in Region 1 for achieving the highest average increase in taxable assessed value for three consecutive years.

With this, a Certificate of Achievement was awarded to the province by the Bureau of Local Government Finance in recognition of the efforts of the Provincial Government through the Provincial Assessor’s Office (PAO), which greatly contributed to the attainment of all development programs of the local government.

Atty. Geronimo M. Abad, Provincial Assessment Office (PAssO) Chief, said the award was a collective effort of the Provincial Assessor’s Office, the Municipal Assessor’s Office, and the entire Assessment Service of the province.

‘So, collective ang award na ito, effort ng buong assessment service sa probinsiya, Provincial Assessor’s Office at Municipal Assessor’s Offices ng lahat ng munisipyo ng probinsiya. Inspired po ulit tayong magtrabaho pra ma-maintain natin yung ganitong drive dahil ang turnout nito is increase ng taxes, revenue collection,’ he added.

The awarding took place at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Quezon City, on November 27, 2024. (Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III has once again proven its excellence in local governance and financial management.

The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) awarded two certificates of achievement to Pangasinan as the region’s top performer in terms of highest locally sourced revenues in nominal terms and top 1 in year-on-year growth in locally sourced revenues, both for the year 2023.

In addition, the province was also awarded as Top 2 in terms of Collection Efficiency on Locally Sourced Revenues for Fiscal Year 2023 and Top 2 as regards Ratio of Locally Sourced Revenue to Total Current Operating Income for the same year.

Provincial Treasury Office head Cristy Ubando accepted the awards during the BLGF Region I Year-end Assessment Conference and Recognition of Top Performing LGUs of Region 1 on November 27, 2024, at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Quezon City.

Under the leadership of Governor Guico, the provincial government endeavored to increase revenues through improvement of tax collection, thereby boosting economic enterprises to become self-reliant and not just rely on tax allocation from the national government.

As earlier stated by Gov. Guico, the biggest challenge handed down on him when he took over as the provincial chief executive in 2022 was how to make Pangasinan progressive.

“We have set clear directions for investors and instituted policies that would be beneficial to them,” Governor Guico said.

His administration likewise capitalized on the province’s abundant mineral resources, and this involved the launch of automated digital apps to modernize and boost the collection of revenues from mining and quarry operators.

It can be recalled that from the total quarry collections that ranged from P12 million to P15 million during the previous administration, the present administration managed to collect an unprecedented amount of P224.33 million.

Based on a report from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, the province’s collection totaled to P15,518,952.48 in 2022. This rose to P185,822,262.49, or about 1,097.39% collection growth rate in 2023. The latest report showed that the province has collected P224,334,849.81, or an increase of 20.73% from the 2023 collection. (Ruby F. Rayat, Photo: Cristy Ubando Facebook page, Joey F. Olimpo/PIMRO)