LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—With his dignified demeanor, Governor Ramon V. Guico III has what it takes to be one of the country’s most brilliant leaders and perhaps one of the best provincial chief executives Pangasinan has ever had.
His brilliance was exuded in his recent interview on ANC’s Business Roadshow by ABS-CBN ace journalist, Mr. Stanley Palisada. In the interview, Gov. Guico predominantly discussed the provincial board’s approval of an unprecedented P7.1 billion budget for 2025.
“We focused on the other function of the local government unit. One, of course, is according to Republic Act 7160 Sections 15 to 21. The LGUs have political and bureaucratic functions as service providers and as tax-oriented political organizations, but equal to that is the corporate function, which is more empowering and is focused on community creation of wealth and creation of profits and incomes,” Gov. Guico stated as he further said that this kind of premise is what his administration has charted to do since he assumed office in July 2022.
The governor shared that he didn’t do it alone and that the entire community/organization was involved. “It takes the whole community or the whole organization to do it. You need the support of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the local chief executives, and all of your department heads and employees of the provincial Capitol,” he said.
When asked about the challenges he met when he decided to shift the traditional way of running the provincial government into a business-oriented style, Gov. Guico emphasized that before he ran as the highest official of the province, he first assessed what to prioritize and do for Pangasinan.
During the campaign, Gov. Guico vowed to the more than 3 million Pangasinenses that his administration would bolster the province’s economy through various big-ticket projects such as the establishment of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) and the provision of free college education for deserving youth. Likewise, he disclosed his other priority programs and projects, notably job creation, health care, social services, agriculture, and housing.
During the interview, the governor stated his desire to swiftly realize the PLEX project in due time. Thus, the provision of a standby loan and business proposal to some private corporations that are into tollways became an option for the province.
Then San Miguel Corporation (SMC) came in the nick of time, and without a single centavo investment for Pangasinan, the big-ticket project will be realized in due time. “There was a connection; it happened so fast, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement (pertaining to the province and the SMC) without a single centavo investment for Pangasinan,” Gov. Guico said.
As such, the groundbreaking of the P34 billion PLEX Phase 1 took place at Barangay Balligi, Laoac, on March 21, 2024, with no less than Gov. Guico and Mr. Ramon S. Ang, President and Chief Executive Officer of San Miguel Corporation. The historic Gargantuan project will not only improve connectivity between the eastern and western parts of Pangasinan but will likewise enhance the road networks in Central and Northern Luzon.
Among the priority projects for the 2025 provincial budget is education.
With its class opening in August 2024, PPC offers various baccalaureate degrees to 700 initial scholars. Before this, the educational facility started offering technical-vocational courses through its Center for Lifelong Learning (CeLL) last April of the current year. “Soon we would like to expand it into three other campuses. That’s free education, but we reimbursed the cost and the tuition from the CHED Unifast,” Gov. Guico said.
On agriculture, the governor mentioned corporate farming as his administration’s signature project. “We are promoting corporate farming, so we are asking the farmers to consolidate their land holdings so they can have bigger areas of production,” he cited.
The Corporate Farming Program, which was launched in July 2023, aims to enhance food production. Said program is in line with the province’s strategic objective to uplift the socio-economic status and well-being of every Pangasinense. “There should be a scientific approach to farming. With all those ingredients, as we have economies on scale, you get better discounts on your inputs,” he explained in the interview.
With the whopping P7.1 billion budget for Pangasinan in 2025, the governor is optimistic that more projects will be realized. “The national tax allocation is something that the national government gives you, but you have to do something with your local taxes and income,” he said.
“We passed some ordinances, we revised our revenue code, we amended quarry ordinances, and then we employed technology like apps so that we can monitor the operations of quarry in our rivers,” he stated, further revealing that the provincial government targeted a collection of P120 million for 2024 but has already exceeded its target by hitting P218,379,000.00 as of November (this year).
Based on records of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), tax collections on quarry during the past administration (Espino administration) were from P12 million to P15 million only, a far cry from the present collections for quarry under Gov. Guico.
The governor attributed the remarkable feat in revenue collections to the “honest-to-goodness” thrust of his administration. (Ruby F. Rayat/Carlo dela CruzPIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, achieved a stunning record of 14,290 job placements, both local and overseas.
The number was consolidated by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) starting in the first month of Gov. Guico’s term in July 2022 until October 2024.
Based on the report, a total of 1,363 job seekers were placed for local employment, while some 253 individuals were placed overseas from July 2022 until December of the same year.
From January 2023 to December 2023, the number rose three times from the first six months of Gov. Guico’s tenure, translating to 3,265 job seekers placed for local employment and 75 individuals sent for overseas work.
As such, the total number of local job placements from January to October 2024 incurred a threefold increase from that in 2023, with 9,315 individuals employed in different companies in Pangasinan and nearby cities and provinces in Luzon. Nineteen (19) job seekers made it for overseas employment in the past 10 months of this year.
Overall, PESO Pangasinan reported that some 347 individuals were employed overseas for the past two years of Gov. Guico’s term.
It can be recalled that among the campaign promises made by Gov. Guico is to create at least 10,000 jobs for Pangasinenses. “If we want to alleviate poverty, we must create job opportunities and equip our people for gainful employment,” the governor earlier stated as he vowed to provide more opportunities for Pangasinense job seekers in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the PESO report shows that job placements under the present administration are a far cry from the previous administration, which recorded a total of 7,015 local and overseas job placements from July 2019 to June 2022. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The health reform program for Pangasinan visualized by Governor Ramon V. Guico III is expected to be bolstered with international collaborations.
This developed after Pangasinan contingents composed of various department officials and medical experts of the provincial government led by Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II conferred with officers and administrators of the Stanford Hospital during a two-day official visit that started on November 7 in California, USA.
“We are dreaming of international collaboration for the improvement of the healthcare system in the province,” PA Patague said.
The meeting, organized by the United Pangasinanes in America, is part of the province’s benchmarking activities, which included educational discussions with the Urban Planning Council of Daly City, California.
Under Gov. Guico’s stewardship, the province’s health program was improved not just in terms of hospital facilities and equipment but with the technical know-how of the province’s healthcare providers.
Recently, the provincial government launched the GUICOnsulta project with an initial fund of P300 million.
Governor Guico is committed to fulfilling his goal of enrolling the whole Pangasinan population and make the province a haven for the healthiest populace.
As an added assistance, the provincial government has started granting cash incentives to residents who will avail of the program.
“Wala ng dahilan para hindi tayo magpa-check up for the preventive health care program of the province dahil dalhin niyo lang po sila sa mga ospital natin at sa mga barangay health station o mga RHU ng mga munisipyo at siyudad, bibigyan po namin sila ng pangkain at ng kanilang pamasahe. Hindi na po dahilan na hindi kami pwedeng magpa-check up dahil wala akong pamasahe at wala kaming pangkain,”
Lingayen, Pangasinan—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan has approved the 7.1 billion budget of the province for 2025.
Governor Ramon V. Guico III expressed deep appreciation to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino as well as the department heads for their all-out support.
“Let me just highlight that this annual budget, aside from being the first time that we have reached this amount, is mostly the result of the professional management of our provincial government,” Governor Guico said.
The approved 2025 Annual Budget amounting to PhP 7,100,312,215.00 showed a significant increase compared to the P5,729,765,891.00 budget of 2024 with a remarkable difference of P1,370,546,324.00.
The Provincial Board, in its regular session on October 28, approved the 2025 Annual Budget under Appropriation Ordinance No. 5-2024, an ordinance enacting the general fund annual budget for the operation of the provincial government of Pangasinan from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
Based on the comparative data report, the National Tax Allocation(NTA) of P4,969,145,891.00 in 2024, rose to P5,899,987,215.00 for 2025.
As to other sources, the record shows that from P760,620,000.00 in 2024, it increased to P1,200,325,000.00 for 2025.
Meanwhile, the summary of appropriations includes Personal Services (features Implementation of the Salary Standardization Law VI (SSL of 2024), Anniversary Bonus and Medical Allowance); Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses; Capital Outlay and Special Purpose Appropriation (the full provisions of budgetary requirements pursuant to Section 324 of the Local Government Code), to wit: 5% LDRRMF amounting to 350,015,611.00; 20% Development Fund amounting to P1,179,997,443.00; and Other SPA in the amount of P1,283,306,831.00.
The total of which represents 39.62% of the total proposed budget, which will go directly to the priority development or results-oriented programs, projects, or activities embodied in the Annual Investment Program for CY 2025.
The annual budget likewise includes estimated expenditures by sector as follows: general services: P2,680,755,275.00 (37.75%); social services: P3,032,256,191.00 (42.71%); Economic Services: P1,387,300,749.00 (19.54%) for a total of P 7,100,312,215.00.
It has been the thrust of Gov. Guico and his administration to increase the revenue of the province.
Attuned to said thrust, Gov. Ramon V. Guico III said during the Budget Hearing on October 24 that the people of Pangasinan deserve no less than the best that such an impactful P7.1 billion was allocated for CY 2025 and further cited that this is the first time in the history of Pangasinan that such a budget has been proposed for the annual operation of the province.
“When we assumed office, the thrust of Gov. Guico and this administration was to increase the revenue not solely to be dependent on the National Tax Allocation (NTA) but more so, working our best to improve collections, proposed so many economic enterprises, efficiency in management, and, at the same time, empowering in the employees because we believe that for us to achieve all of these, we need the participation of each and every Pangasinense, every employee of the provincial Capitol, and that of our hospital system. Even the lowly employees play a big and crucial part in achieving all of these,” the governor added.
Earlier, the province’s Chief Executive also disclosed that part of the said approved budget will be for the establishment of a gnome center, the historic ‘first’ for Pangasinan, construction of an additional school building for Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), construction and acquisition of new hospitals and more dialysis centers, and other infrastructure facilities.
Also, an increased budget for the corporate farming project as well as for the salt production project is taken onto priority in addition to the increased budget for PPC scholarship and the expansion of the healthcare system, notably the GUICOnsulta or the Government Unified Incentives for Medical Consultation, among others.
Gov. Guico also stated that his administration is investing heavily in the healthcare system in his firm belief that health is important and should be given focus.
Currently, the launch of a preventive healthcare system targets about two million of the population to enroll in PhilHealth’s Konsulta program through the GUICOnsulta of the province to address healthcare issues hounding Pangasinan and the entire country.
“This is an evidence that we are on the right track. Whatever commitment or promises that we have proposed tour provincemates, hindi po ito pangakong napapako. Ito po ay pangako that is tangible, concrete, and very achievable,” the governor said. (Chona C. Bugayong/Photo: JP de Vera)
Lingayen, Pangasinan—Pangasinan officials will be joining other global attendees numbering to about 25,000 from both the public and private sectors across the globe.
This is in line with the invitation of Consul General Maria Theresa SM. Lazaro to attend the annual Smart City Expo World Congress from Nov. 5 to 7.
Delegates of the province are set on a 10-day official working visit to Barcelona, Spain, slated for November 2 to November 10.
The Smart City is the world’s biggest and most influential event for cities and urban innovation, serving as a path to discover the latest technologies and enjoy premier networking with the leaders in government and business from around the world.
As per the invitation letter addressed to Atty. Verna T. Nava-Perez, Pangasinan Provincial Board Secretary, and other provincial government officials, the annual congress brings together government leaders, C-level executives, global experts, and visionaries to move cities towards a better future through sharing knowledge and best practices aimed at empowering cities to tackle the current critical challenges.
Delegates of the province are expected to have a packed work schedule/itinerary in their foreign trip, which includes a courtesy call with Consul General Ma. Theresa SM Lazaro, Philippine Consulate General, Barcelona, Spain (Nov. 4); Keynote Session: Majora Carter Infrastructure & Building: How Do Urban Resilience and Talent Retention Connect (Nov. 5); Energy & Environment Mobility Dialogue: Elevating Urban Living: Engaging Communities and Integrating Services for a Net Positive Smart City (Nov. 6); Keynote Session: Stephanie Hare Enabling Technology (Nov. 7); and Benchmarking Tour in Barcelona City (Nov. 5 to 7).
These form part of the many sessions that participants from the province will engage in that are vital in achieving gains for the province towards socio-economic opportunities apart from acquiring learnings that they can personally apply in connection with their respective duties and responsibilities in the provincial government.
Moreover, said foreign travel will be an avenue for creating ties with more than 130 participating countries.
The event activities or composition are aligned and significant to the province’s vision and mission under the stewardship of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III.
(Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO)
Images Courtesy of Smart City Expo World Congress Facebook Page
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—A partnership between the Province of Pangasinan, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the implementation of a tourist rest area (TRA) project in the Capitol Area is in the offing.
As this develop, Governor Ramon V. Guico will enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the concerned agencies.
In the regular session of the provincial board on October 29, a resolution authored by Board Member Marinor B. De Guzman was approved.
“The Tourist Rest Area is one of the flagship programs of the Department of Tourism in partnership with TIEZA that aims for local and foreign tourists in need of information on the tourist sites and attractions, activities, accommodations, safety and security, and other provisions necessary during their stay,” the resolution stated.
Known for its historical, cultural, coastal sun, and coastal tourism products, the Provincial Capitol Area has been greatly contributing to the image and branding of Pangasinan as it is likewise considered a driver to the provincial economy.
“The Province of Pangasinan in general and the Capitol Area in particular is a major tourist destination in the Ilocos Region which draws a considerable volume of tourists per year, thus the need to implement the TRA project to improve the overall tourism experience of visitors,” the resolution disclosed.
Moreover, the present administration endeavored to transform the Capitol Area into a major tourist attraction, both local and international, by enhancing its visuals and adding well-planned aesthetic projects such as the Reflective Pool and Interactive Fountain, a product of thorough deliberations between the executive and legislative branches of the provincial government along with the support of multi-agencies and grassroots leaders.
Some of the responsibilities of the parties stated in the MOA include the following:
The DOT shall provide design and conceptual assistance for the interior design (such as the pasalubong center and other tourism-related business activities or services) of the TRA to make it reflective of the local culture;
TIEZA to earmark, allocate, and appropriate, through its budget, the amount of P10,000,000.00;
Province of Pangasinan to operate the TRA exclusively for tourism purposes; provide a government-owned property where the project shall be constructed.
It can be recalled that in the previous State of the Province of Gov. Guico, he said that
“The Provincial Administration through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office strengthens our resolve toward the enhancement of participatory governance especially in tourism. We play the role of an aggressive catalyst to permeate every nook and corner of the province to strengthen the tourism industry.”
Lingayen, Pangasinan—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III is committed to strengthening disaster risk reduction through an entire agency approach.
In line with this, PDRRM Council members convened for its 4th Quarter CY 2024 Meeting on October 16 at the PASER Building Training Hall, PDRRMO here.
The collaborative session was aimed at achieving consistent updates, effective coordination, and strategic alignment.
Executive Assistant III Ronn Dale B. Castillo, who represented the Governor, assured the Council of Gov. Guico’s support towards this end.
‘We have to redouble our disaster risk reduction efforts, and whatever happens, kasama po natin ang buong province sa laban ng disaster risk reduction,” Atty. Castillo said.
Throughout the meeting, the Council engaged in discussions and presentations.
Key topics include the Creation of RDANA Team Composition discussed by PDRRMO Research and Planning Unit Head Ron Maegan Equila; Health Updates on Waterborne Disease (Acute gastroenteritis/vector-borne and zoonotic diseases/Mpox) with reports from PHO through Jonathan Melchor (Nurse); La Nina Updates (Summary of La Nina Damage Reports on Agriculture and Fishery) discussed by Jonald Bautista, Agriculturist I, OPAG, while reports on the effects of La Nina in Livestock and Poultry were discussed by Dr. Ivy Fontanilla; and Oplan Undas was tackled by PDRRMO Operations Supervisor Vincent Chiu.
Earlier, Engr. Jose Estrada Jr., Chief Meteorologist, Pag-Asa Dagupan, gave a brief weather forecast condition.
Other matters such as consolidation of inventory of rescue equipment, disaster response action plan during worst-case scenario, preparation for LDRRM plan training, and 4th quarter NSED preparation wrapped up the day’s discussion.
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) through the Pangasinan Salt Center will supply 6,904 bags of Agricultural Grade Salt Fertilizer (AGSF) in Region III and MIMAROPA for the implementation of the Coconut Fertilization Program of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
An active supporter of the PCA’s Coconut Planting and Replanting Program, the PGP, under the stewardship of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, is committed to extending its cooperative efforts to the various programs and projects of the national government.
As such, the PCA is currently implementing the Coconut Planting and Replanting Program, which aims to fully revitalize the coconut industry by planting 100 million trees from 2023 to 2028.
The province’s 473-hectare salt farm in Zaragoza, Bolinao, on the other hand, will supply the salt requirement in the areas identified by the PCA for its project.
Chlorine deficiency in coconut was found to be widespread in inland areas. A PCA survey conducted nationwide reportedly showed that at least 40 coconut-producing provinces are severely chlorine deficient.
Based on studies, the use of sodium chloride (NaCl) or common salt as fertilizer is a practical means of increasing coconut yield or production.
“A partnership between the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan would help achieve the goal to help the coconut industry for the benefit of both small coconut and salt farmers,” the approved provincial board resolution authored by Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison partly stated.
The Pangasinan Salt Center, which is now being operated by the provincial government through the leadership of Gov. Guico, has an available supply of approximately 3,000 metric tons of salt and can supply the required quantity of locally produced agricultural-grade salt fertilizer for the PCA’s Coconut Fertilization Program.
In his previous State of the Province Address (SOPA), Gov. Guico stated that the provincial government took the bull by the horns in responding to the challenge of President Ferdinand R. Marcos when the latter signed the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, or RA 11985.
“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,” the governor disclosed further, citing that the province fully supports all other endeavors of the national government, including the programs and projects of the PCA.
Hence, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) shall be signed by Gov. Guico and PCA Administrator and CEO, Dr. Dexter R. Buted. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
Lingayen, Pangasinan—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, bagged three major awards for its services and excellence in tourism and heritage promotion during the 25th Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) National Convention and Pearl Awards held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, on October 10, 2024.
The province was awarded 1st runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenirs (Banaan Museum Souvenirs); 2nd runner-up for Best Sports Tourism Event (Philippine Beach Games of Pista’y Dayat); and 2nd runner-up for Best International Event Hosting (2nd International Conference on Pangasinan and Bulosan Studies).
Pangasinan Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) Chief Maria Luisa A. Elduayan expressed pride and elation for the significant accolades received by the province that served as a show window of the governor’s continuing efforts and support for local tourism.
“These are all manifestations of the hard work and passion of PTCAO’s Pangasinan tourism team, the cooperation and collaboration among our MSMEs, LGUs, partner organizations, the private sector, and the full support of the administration of Governor Ramon Mon-Mon Guico III,” PTCAO said in its social media post.
ATOP Pearl Awards is an annual recognition program that honors outstanding individuals, organizations, and local government units (LGUs) for their remarkable contributions to the development and promotion of the Philippine tourism industry.
It can be recalled that the province was likewise awarded as Region 1’s Best Province in Local Tourism Planning last September 20 during the Region 1 Tourism Summit 2024 in San Fernando City, La Union.
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—In support of the farm mechanization component of the Corporate Farming Program, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan is set to receive two units of mechanical recirculating dryers (6 tons).
According to PhilMech’s website, “These dryers are used to reduce the moisture content of the grain to a safe or desired level, providing higher milling yield and head rice recovery.”
Said program primarily supports the Masagana Program of the Department of Agriculture through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
Prior to this, Governor Ramon V. Guico III will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization, or PhilMech.
As this developed, a resolution authored by Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison was approved by the Pangasinan Provincial Board on October 7.
“Whereas, to address major concerns of the agriculture sector of the Province of Pangasinan, the Provincial Government, under the leadership of Honorable Governor Ramon V. Guico III, is implementing the Provincial Corporate Farming Program to enhance food production and to make farming a profitable and sustainable economic enterprise in line with the national government’s food sufficiency thrust through its Masagana Program for Agriculture,” the resolution stated.
The resolution stated that “Pangasinan’s Corporate Farming Program Convergence Strategy endeavors to demonstrate food production cost efficiency through a farm consolidation approach and increase production yield by optimum utilization of inputs, farm machinery, and adoption of package technologies (POT), rekindling the Bayanihan spirit among agriculture stakeholders, particularly LGUs and farmer cooperative associations.”
Putting agriculture among the top priorities of his administration, Gov. Guico rallied behind the province’s excellent performance in agriculture over the past year.
In 2023, rice farmers in Pangasinan produced 1,388,063.84 metric tons from 267,946.14 hectares, with an average productivity yield of 5.18 tons per hectare.
Hence, Pangasinan reached a sufficiency level of 209% in 2023.
To further boost the province’s agriculture, the concept of corporate farming was introduced in the last quarter of 2022.
In 2023, seven sites with 154.55 hectares produced 773 metric tons of palay. This translated to more savings in farm inputs.
“Research shows that agricultural mechanization and adoption of post-harvest technology in place improve farm work efficiency, help maximize yield and reduce post-harvest losses, and maintain product quality, thereby increasing yield and profitability,” the resolution cited. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III will again enter and sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health—Ilocos Center for Health Development for the implementation of the Medical Assistance for the Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program in 14 provincial government-run hospitals.
Sourced from the funds of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Juan Edgardo Angara, and Grace Poe, the total amount reached more than P83 million. Romualdez committed a hefty amount of P70 million, while Go allocated P14 million. Angara and Poe committed P2 million and P1 million, respectively.
“The Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program is a Department of Health program intended to provide financial support to indigent and poor patients seeking medical examination, consultation, treatment, and rehabilitation and those confined in government hospitals,” the resolution authored by Board Member Shiela Marie F. Baniqued and approved on October 7 stated.
The fund will be downloaded to the following 14 government hospitals for its purpose: 1) Asingan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 2) Bayambang District Hospital, P5,107,234.00; 3) Bolinao Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 4) Dasol Community Hospital, P5,185,874.00; 5) Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital, P5,198,323.00; 6) Lingayen District Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 7) Manaoag Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 8) Mangatarem District Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 9) Mapandan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 10) Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (San Carlos City), P6,930,000.00; 11) Pozorrubio Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 12) Umingan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 13) Urdaneta District Hospital, P7,920,000.00; 14) Western Pangasinan District Hospital, P5,940,000.00.
It can be recalled that in the first quarter of 2024, Sen. Go granted a total of P55.4 million MAIFIP Program Fund, which the 14 hospitals utilized.
A patient who is not classified as indigent but demonstrates the inability to pay or spend necessary expenditures for one’s medical treatment may also apply for financial aid under DOH Administrative Order No. 2020-0060.
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—In only two years, Governor Ramon V. Guico III has set new grounds for Pangasinan’s progress and development through various big-ticket projects considered his administration’s ‘landmarks’.
Eliminating deeply entrenched bureaucratic processes, the governor instituted major reforms in different projects, notably on health, agriculture, infrastructure, education, social services, skills and employment, environment, youth and sports, tourism, and culture.
Quality Healthcare for Poor and Sick Pangasinenses
Governor Guico is determined to bring the province’s ‘Preventive Health Care Program’ to the grassroots level.
Bolstered by the recent approval of the Government Unified Incentives for Medical Consultations (GUICONSULTA) Program ordinance by the provincial board, he personally campaigned for preventive healthcare thrust in various villages in Pangasinan, the most recent of which were in Barangays Cacandongan, Ketegan, Palisoc, Poblacion East, Cabuaan, Nibaliw Norte, and Nibaliw Sur in Bautista town.
Through GUICONSULTA, the provincial government will soon grant cash incentives to residents enrolled in the program.
“Wala ng dahilan para hindi tayo magpa-check up for the preventive health care program of the province dahil dalhin niyo lang po sila sa mga ospital natin at sa mga barangay health station o mga RHU ng mga munisipyo at siyudad, bibigyan po namin sila ng pangkain at ng kanilang pamasahe. Hindi na po dahilan na hindi kami pwedeng magpa-check up dahil wala akong pamasahe at wala kaming pangkain,” Gov. Guico said.
Putting an emphasis on quality healthcare for the more than 3.3 million Pangasinenses, Gov. Guico envisioned a major turnaround for the 14 government hospitals in the province.
The groundbreaking of the modern community hospitals in Tayug and Umingan, costing P300 million, and the additional three-storey building of Lingayen District Hospital are some of the manifestations of the present administration’s goal to transform all community and district hospitals into hospitals of choice.
In 2023, a gargantuan amount of P495,401,375.65 million for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) was downloaded to all government-run hospitals. The record showed that a total of 182,679 patients benefited from the said fund.
Aside from the construction of additional facilities, the provincial government also purchased numerous state-of-the-art equipment, including 21 ultrasound machines, six computed tomography (CT) scan machines, 19 X-ray machines, and one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 471 additional medical staff, deployed in different health facilities, were also hired. Plans are underway for the establishment of hemodialysis centers in all district hospitals.
To cater to the grassroots, medical missions were conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO). A total of 11,806 individuals were given free medical services and maintenance medicine.
A visionary leader, Gov. Guico, is determined to establish a gnome center in the province. If realized, this will be the third in the entire country.
Free Quality Education for the Youth through PPC
Considering education as a ‘great equalizer,’ the governor replicated what he has done in Binalonan, his hometown, through the establishment of the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC).
“A lot of families cannot afford to send their kids to college. Education is one of the requirements for many of us to land a job. So we give them that privilege. It’s a great equalizer. Pag nakapag-aral ka, meron ka ng advantage for you to land a job,” he earlier said.
With the opening of the PPC, some 700 students are assured of a brighter future after graduation.
It can be recalled that in August this year, PPC officially opened and offered four courses such as Bachelor of Multimedia Arts, Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business, Bachelor of Public Administration Major in Local Governance, and Bachelor of Special Needs Education. All courses are responsive to the needs of the province.
Boosting Productivity, Enhancing Connectivity through Infrastructure Development
First-ever in the annals of Pangasinan history, the establishment of the P34 billion Pangasinan Link Expressway plays a pivotal role in the province’s enhanced productivity and connectivity.
A major infrastructure project, PLEX will re-invent the transportation landscape as it prioritizes accessibility of motorists/commuters to major localities, magnifying business and livelihood opportunities.
Aside from this herculean project, in the province under the stewardship of the governor, 154 infrastructure projects amounting to around P729 million were accomplished. These include the construction of multi-purpose buildings (covered courts/barangay halls), farm-to-market roads, improvement of roads and bridges, and provision of solar street lights, among others.
Provision of Social Services to the Grassroots
Bringing the government services closer to the grassroots, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) together with the First Spouses League of Pangasinan (FSLP) headed by First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico, regularly conducts social services for fire victims and other calamities in various parts of the province.
Based on a report, a total of 80,440 individuals have availed of different social services, while 260,800 were served under the Guicosina Bantay Kalusugan Feeding Outreach Program.
Meanwhile, Lingap ed Barangay and Kumustahan 2024: The Governor’s Visit were launched to give residents of the 1,333 villages in Pangasinan the opportunity to rub elbows with the governor and other provincial leaders personally.
Skills Training and Employability for Out-of-School Youth and Unemployed
A game changer, Gov. Guico, who was then the town mayor of Binalonan, established the first economic zone in the province. According to him, he hopes to establish more economic zones in his term as the provincial chief executive.
Hence, various activities and projects involving employability and skill training for Pangasinenses were established and are continuously held.
In the first seven months of 2024, some 3,210 jobseekers were employed through various job fairs conducted by the Pangasinan Public Employment and Services Office (PESO). A total of 1,342 individuals, on the other hand, benefited from the community-based skills training and employability enhancement programs, which are conducted regularly.
“We believe in the empowerment of Pangasinenses. If we want to alleviate poverty, we must create job opportunities and equip our people for gainful employment,” the governor stated in his past State of the Province Address.
Corporate Farming
Another landmark of excellence can be gauged in the province’s performance in agriculture.
Commitment to farmers has been the battlecry of Governor Ramon V. Guico’s administration to transform the agriculture sector as a partner towards Pangasinan’s food security.
Gov. Guico, and local leaders, planned and strategized various initiatives to enhance agriculture sector competitiveness through medium- and long-term projects and programs.
The corporate farming program, a flagship program of the Guico administration, was introduced in the latter part of 2022, primarily to enhance Pangasinan’s food production and transform farming into a profitable economic enterprise.
Under the corporate farming program, major projects include rice, corn, and high-value crop production.
Utilizing the “convergence approach or strategy,” program partners, which include private entities, were tapped to collectively address the gaps in the food value chain through farm consolidation leading to corporate farming.
In 2023, rice farmers in Pangasinan produced 1,388,063.84 metric tons from 267,946.14 hectares, with an average productivity yield of 5.18 tons per hectare.
Hence, Pangasinan reached a sufficiency level of 209% in 2023, a huge increase in palay production compared to 2022.
In 2023, seven sites with 154.55 hectares produced 773 metric tons of palay. This translated to more savings in farm inputs.
Significant Firsts, Remarkable Breakthroughs
Under the tenure of Gov. Guico, three pivotal historic breakthroughs were realized: the revitalization of the salt and dairy farm industries through the Pangasinan Salt Center in Zaragoza, Bolinao, and Laoac Dairy Farm; and the establishment of the Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum.
In his first month of tenure in 2022, the governor along with key officials in the provincial government planned for the acquisition of the second largest salt farm in the country. At present, the Pangasinan Salt Center has started producing salt again. Based on record, the salt farm has produced 6,143.91 metric tons of solar salt from January to May 26, 2024, and 150 metric tons of rock salt from May 28 to June 22, 2024.
Another one to reckon with is the operation of the Pangasinan Laoac Dairy Farm, which now has 286 heads of dairy livestock from the original population of 107 heads, with 199 heads of dairy carabaos and 87 dairy cattle. Said project has an average daily milk production of 80-85 liters. From January to June 2024, the farm was able to generate a total sales of P1,799,105.00.
For the first time in its history, the province is now running its own provincial museum. Giving importance to the diverse culture and arts, Gov. Guico commended the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) for putting its best foot forward in operating the Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum. Housed in the historic Casa Real at the heart of Lingayen town, the museum serves as a repository of pivotal memorabilia of Pangasinan’s past. It also serves as a venue for various cultural and arts events in the province.
Another first is the redevelopment of the Capitol Complex, which is a well-planned project in consultation with the best urban planners in the country.
Aside from upgrading its aesthetics, the realization of the project will eventually transform the entire Capitol Complex into one of the province’s ‘destination of choice’ for Pangasinense families and tourists, both local and international visitors.
The project involves the establishment of not just the reflecting pool and interactive fountain but also the construction of a drainage system that could address the perennial problem of flooding in the area long before the term of Gov. Guico. Roads will be widened, putting an end to traffic congestion. Wider parking spaces will also be placed.
For its appealing visuals, the reflecting pool will be similar to that of The Mansion in Baguio City and the Taj Mahal in India, while the interactive fountain will have the same features as the dancing fountain in Vigan, City, Ilocos Sur.
Environmental Advocacy
An advocate of a green planet, Gov. Guico fully supports various environmental projects of the national government, notably the National Greening Program.
Launched in 2023, Pangasinan’s Green Canopy Project, which has already planted more than 300,000 native and fruit-bearing trees, is a confirmation of his love for the environment.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Population Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (PPCLDO), the project is a multi-sectoral approach to promote co-ownership in protecting and rehabilitating the environment, raising community awareness and education in planting trees, mobilizing stakeholders, and soliciting community participation as well.
Human Infrastructure Development
Considered the precious gems of the provincial government, the present administration has embarked on various projects to ensure the wellness of more than 6,000 employees. This includes the regular conduct of skills and development capability and skills enhancement training under the care of the Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO).
In commendation of their hard work, Gov. Guico has approved the promotion of some 187 employees assigned to different offices/hospitals.
This includes the promotion of permanent employees to higher positions and the promotion of casual employees to permanent positions. Some of the casual employees have been with the provincial government for almost four decades, serving past six governors before the incumbent.
The Governor Pangasinan Needs
Achieving all these in the past 30 months of his tenure, the governor disclosed he wants to embark on more programs and projects that will leave lasting effects on the people, with no stone unturned for the more than 3.3 million populace.
Setting his sights on creating a brighter future for the province, Gov. Guico is determined to become the leader Pangasinan needs and the rightful one Pangasinenses truly deserve.
“You have to select a leader who can bring this province to greater heights,” Governor Guico said in his speech, which drew thunderous applause from the crowd. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
