Author: pixelpgsnadmin

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III encourages Pangasinenses to patronize and promote locally-produced goods and services.

It has been the goal of the present administration under the stewardship of Gov. Guico from day one since he assumed his post as provincial chief executive, to establish programs and projects to help sustain agricultural production and tourism development in the province.

The objective, according to the governor, is to inculcate the value of patriotism and soliciting community support to assist the main drivers of the province’s economy reach their goals.

With the support of the legislative branch led by Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, Provincial Ordinance No. 294-2023 entitled, “Mandatory Promotion and Procurement of Locally-Produced Goods and Services in Pangasinan” was earlier passed.

The ordinance prescribed for the allocation of at least 10% of the total procurement value of the Provincial Local Government Unit and NGAs holding offices in Pangasinan for locally-produced goods and services and their mandatory promotion.

Under the ordinance, all tokens to be given in all activities of the government offices, must be locally-produced. At least 80% of the goods displayed in the Local Pasalubong Centers must also be locally-produced or the One-Town-One Product (OTOP) of each town and city.

Earlier, Gov. Guico pledged full support for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) because they play a pivotal role in the province’s economy by helping generate more jobs thus reducing poverty.

Meanwhile, the present administration recently transcend beyond the promotion of traditional homegrown products by helping 10 SMEs reach the international market. These SMEs were introduced via a Media Launch at The Manila Peninsula in Makati City last October 4.

In his statement, Gov. Guico cleared that the provincial government fully supports the traditional products of the province such as bagoong, bangus, salt and other popular OTOPs. However, the need to level up with regards to promoting Pangasinan’s artisans is a welcome development.

 

Chosen to represent Pangasinan for an opportunity to penetrate the global market in the upcoming trade show Manila FAME on October 19 to 21 at the World Trade Center, are the following SMEs: Crafter’s Joy of Basista town, Cawayan (Buri Products in Bolinao), Rach (Aguilar town), Welab (Women Empowerment and Livelihood Association of Binalonan), ALMA, Ilo, Erastus, Blades, B6 (Blessed Six) that ventured into architectural lamps, home crafts, well-crafted furniture, metal craft, and shoes, respectively; and Herwin Buccat, a self-taught artist from Bolinao town.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Pangasinan is turning to be a favorite home to sporting event with the province playing host to the upcoming two- day week-end Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Festival of Football (FOF) 2023 slated on October 14 – 15 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) here.

It is called FOF because it is a whole day event for the Northern Luzon Cluster comprising of five (5) provinces to wit: Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Cagayan and Pangasinan.

Provincial Sports Coordinator/NRSCC Head Leopoldo C. Arnaiz disclosed that the purpose of the PFF having that FOF Age Group is to assess the football situation of the province’s grassroots.

Arnaiz further bared that each province will be represented by their respective Football Association, fielding-in four (4) grassroots team or a total of twenty (20) teams if all five provinces will have four teams each.

Age Group participants include girls (15), boys (14), girls (13) and boys (12).

Every association has its clubs. Thus, Pangasinan has a total of 19 Clubs.

In a brief interview with Arnaiz, the above-mentioned association had FOF last December in Binalonan wherein all 19 Clubs played.

The grassroots football tournament will be graced by various VIPs from PFF namely; the Head of the Grassroots of the Philippines Dave Javellana, PFF Head of the Referees Department Alan Martinez and PFF Consultant for Youth Development from Japan Tetsuya Tsuchida.

(Chona C. Bugayong/Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinan is recently cited as Top 7 high-earning province in the country out of 81 provinces.

This developed after the Commission on Audit (COA) released its Annual Financial Report of Local Government Units (LGUs) for the year 2022.

As stated in the report, Bulacan topped the list with P8,392.88 billion, followed by the provinces of Cavite- P7,916.78 billion; Ilocos Sur- P7,526.30 billion; Rizal- P7,430.79 billion; Cebu- P7,148.62; Batangas,-P6,697.54 billion; Pangasinan-P6,441.55; Laguna- P6,330.27 billion; Negros Occidental- P6,224.76; and Quezon- P6,186.98 billion.

Under the administration of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, good fiscal management was prioritized. Thus, strict implementation of the updated revenue code of the province is observed.

The Provincial Treasury Office (PTO) attributed the tremendous increase to the Updated Revenue Code thru the passage of Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 1-2022 and strict implementation and monitoring of various impositions by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), and Provincial Assessment Office (PAsO).

As reported by the PTO, the actual total tax revenue (Local and National Taxes) as of December 31, 2022 amounted to P5,909,251,430.76 while the total service and business income totaled to P339, 674, 581.21. Other tax impositions also contributed to the total amount collected for the said period.

With its continuous implementation of strict policy on tax collections and well-managed expenditure of the province, more development projects that are expected to further raise Pangasinan’s revenue, are on deck.

Cristy C. Ubando, OIC-Provincial Treasurer’s Office, earlier revealed that revenue collection for the first quarter of 2023 exceeded the target and had a sharp increase on quarry collection which already reached 309.20%. This, she stated, is expected to soar even higher in the last few months of 2023.

Sources of income taxes of the province come from the following: Professional Tax, Franchise Tax, Real Property Tax (Transfer Tax), Tax on Sand, Gravel & Quarry Products, Tax on Delivery Trucks and Vans, Fines and Penalties (Property Tax), Fines and Penalties (Taxes on Goods and Services).

With the intensified fiscal reforms initiated by the present administration, Pangasinan is expected to further improve its placement in terms of revenue collections in the years to come.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Two Pangasinense brought pride to the province after emerging as 2nd placer and 7th placer in the 2023 Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination and Licensure Examination for Teachers (Secondary Level), respectively.

In the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on October 9, two separate resolutions were authored by SP Members Vici M. Ventanilla, Philip Theodore E. Cruz and Haidee S. Pacheco to commend Trixie Anne S. Teodoro and Maria Olivia Oris Agapay.

Teodoro, who placed second in the September 2023 Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Licensure Examination, a native of Barangay Ano, San Carlos City, is the daughter of Mr. Jose P. Teodoro and Mrs. Teresita S. Teodoro.

A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at the University of the Philippines-Los Banos, Teodoro bagged a rating of 82.76 %.

“The knowledge, skills and attitude of Trixie Anne S. Teodoro has brought her to land in one of the top highest places in the said board exam and being a topnotcher will pave a way for her to contribute in the solution of problems related to agro-industrial development of the Province,” the resolution authored by Board Member Ventanilla partly stated.

Meanwhile, Maria Olivia Oris Agapay who hails from Lingayen town, placed 7th in the March 2023 LET Secondary Level with a rating of 91.60%.

An alumna of Pangasinan National High School (PNHS), Agapay obtained her Bachelor of Science Education with specialization in Biology from the Philippine Normal University in Manila.

Agapay is the daughter of Mr. Osias C. Agapay and Mrs. Mina O. Agapay.

“She has earned the admiration and respect not only of her mentors, classmates, friends and family, but also of all young Pangasinenses for being an outstanding example to her generation who aspire to become successful individuals,” the resolution authored by BMs Philip Theodore E. Cruz and Haidee S. Pacheco stated. (Ruby R. Bernardino/ Pangasinan PIO)

The provincial government of Pangasinan is “leaving no stones unturned” to protect the health of its constituents as well as to ensure the safety of poultry industry in the province.

Governor Ramon V. Guico III , issued Executive Order (EO) No. 0101 on October 1 to extend the temporary total ban in the entire province on the entry of all ducks, quails, spent hens (culled), hatching eggs, pigeons, gamefowls and ready to lay pullet (RTL).

Said order restricts the movement of other poultry birds and by products into the Province of Pangasinan coming from the fifteen (15) provinces to wit: Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, Sultan Kudarat, Benguet, North Cotabato, Saouth Cotabato, Maguindanao, Isabela, Quezon, Kalinga, Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Capiz and Batangas respectively.
The move was made to immediately enforce the continuing implementation of the temporary ban on entry of related products following the continuing avian and other zoonotic influenza outbreaks from nearby provinces which may cause unknown risks to the consuming public.

The provincial government is also determined to maintain the province’s current status as Avian Influenza Free Province as declared by the Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban through Memorandum Circular No. 46, Series of 2023 on September 28.

Meanwhile, Gov. Guico directed LGUs to strengthen the monitoring of the selling of pork and frozen products in various public markets and other establishments within their territorial jurisdiction.

All animal quarantine checkpoints and facilities are also instructed to conduct strict monitoring of different entry and exit points in the province for quail and ducks shippers.
Gov. Guico reiterated all documentary requirements needed in the Animal Quarantine Checkpoints are cited in EO No. 0059, series of 2023.

All transhipments going to Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Abra and Benguet shall take TPLEX Urdaneta exit.

It will be recalled that on July 26, 2022, Pangasinan recorded one case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Subtype H5N1 in Brgy. Manzon, San Carlos City.

However, prior to the confirmation of the first case of HPAI in the province, Pangasinan has been free from avian influenza in poultry.

The rapid containment of HPAI from the primary zone of infection was undertaken to prevent risk of further spread through the joint efforts of the LGU, DARFO and BAI.
Thus, since the end of the cleaning and disinfection operations of more than ninety (90) days elapsed, surveillance activities yielded negative AI test results. (Chona C. Bugayong / Pangasinan PIO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan – Student athletes from the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) were awarded plaque of recognition for their exemplary performance in today’s Regular Session, October 2 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Session Hall.

 

SP hailed Renier Jay B. Ranges, an incoming Grade 12 student from VMUF in San Carlos City, Pangasinan for being a gold medalist in the 100-meter dash and also a silver medalist in the 200-meter dash in the Athletic Secondary Boys during the 2023 Palarong Pambansa held in Marikina, Metro Manila.
Assisted by his Coach and Sports Director Dante M. Camaso, Ranges ruled the 100-meter dash with 11.9 seconds .
Palarong Pambansa was participated in by some 9,172 athletes, coaches and officials from the country’s 17 regions who competed in different sporting events and disciplines.
Likewise, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) headed by Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino lauded all 3rd District of Pangasinan student athletes of the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) for winning in the recently concluded 2023 Private Schools Athletic Associations or PRISAA national games held in Zamboanga City.
Held on July 13-19, 2023, the event was participated in by more than 6,000 athletes from 437 schools, colleges and universities.
The young VMUF athletes garnered gold, silver and bronze from athletic competitions to wit: Athletics (Secondary Girls); Athletics Men (Tertiary) and Athletics Women (Tertiary).
The recognition were undertaken relative to the two (2) Provincial Resolutions filed on August 14, 2023 by SPM Vici M. Ventanilla of the 3rd District.

SPM Ventanilla, author of aforementioned Resolutions was himself congratulated and commended by his colleagues for having been awarded as Asia’s Most Exemplary Leader and Man of Excellence in Public Service of the Year award in Bangkok, Thailand on September 25, 2023.

(Chona C. Bugayong / Pangasinan PIO)

Lingayen Pangasinan – The provincial government through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) envisioned to promote responsible pet ownership and increase awareness on animal care towards a healthy community for a rabies-free Pangasinan.

On this note, the PVO take lead in the conduct of free medical services to some 302 pets (dogs and cats) in line with the 17th World Rabies Day celebration held on September 29 at the Veterinary Clinic, here.

Dr. Arcely G. Robeniol, OIC-Provincial Veterinary Office disclosed that to date, PVO have already conducted a total of fifty (50) medical mission in the whole province of Pangasinan. PVO recorded 129,628 dogs vaccinated, 1,499 male animal castrated, 847 female spayed and 6,475 responsible pet owners served.

“Ang ating provincial government sa pamumuno ng ating butihing Governor Ramon V. Guico III ay nandito para maibigay ang libre at sapat na serbisyo para sa ating alagang hayop at maging sa mga farm animals,” Dr. Robeniol further added.

Moreover, Dr. Raymond Vincent G. Guevarra, Executive Assistant III who represented the governor encouraged pet owners to have their pets vaccinated at age three to four months old and every year thereafter.

Among the medical services offered include: Information Education Campaign (IEC); Castration/Spaying /Neutering; Anti-rabies vaccination; Deworming; Vitamin Administration and Consultation.

(Chona C. Bugayong / Pangasinan PIO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan–Outstanding civil servants will be recognized in the culmination of the 123rd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration on Friday, September 29 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) II.

Top seven (7) awardees were named by the Values Restoration Officers after the deliberation which took place at the Center for Excellence in Employee and Organization Development on September 18.

Chosen from among the 21 nominees are the Civil Service Heroes for C.Y 2023 to wit:

Jennifer V. Garcia
Disability Affairs Officer IV Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office

Atty. Geronimo M. Abad Provincial Assessor Provincial Assessment Office

Rolando B. Rodulfo, Jr., Administrative Aide/Liason Provincial Information Office

Merle S. Carriaga, Administrative to Officer V Provincial Agriculture Office

Susan Rita P. Meriño MD,MHA
Chief of Hospital Retired-Western Pangasinan District Hospital

Edgar G. Aucena, Jr.
Staff Nurse
Mapandan Community Hospital

Jerome L. Ellasus
Nurse I
Manaoag Community Hospital

Other awardees include:

DONONG EMPLOYEE COMPETENCY TOURNAMENT – VIDEO MAKING CONTEST:

CHAMPION
INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

Engr. Carl M. Abarabar Laboratory Technician Provincial Engineering Office

John Rey B. Bona
Admin . Aide/Data Encoder
Provincial Engineering Office

Joshua D. Prado
Admin. Aide/Data Encoder Prov’l. Engineering Office

SECOND PLACE – GOVERNANCE SECTOR

Teresita T. Aquino
Admin. Aide/Writer Provincial Information Office

Kenneth P. Dela Cruz Admin. Aide/Videographer
Provincial Information Office

Gian Carlo V. Milanes Admin. Aide/Photographer Provincial Governor’s Office

THIRD PLACE – LEGISLATIVE SECTOR

Gilbert M. Tabora Supervising Administrative Officer
Office of the Provincial Board Secretary

Jefferson V. De Vera Admin. Officer III
Office of the Prov’l. Board Secretary

Jason Q. Soriano
Admin. Aide III
Office of the Board Secretary

DONONG EMPLOYEE COMPETENCY TOURNAMENT – MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST:

CHAMPION – GOVERNANCE:

Bernie E. Cabero
Admin. Aide/Photographer Prov’l. Governor’s Office

SECOND PLACE – LEGISLATIVE SECTOR:

Josephine A. Satuito Admin. Aide/Coordinator
Office of BM Bacay.

THIRD PLACE
ECONOMICS SECTOR:

RC S. Rodolfo
Admin. Aide/Office Staff Prov’l Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office

DONONG EMPLOYEE COMPETENCY TOURNAMENT – DIGITAL LOGO MAKING CONTEST:

CHAMPION – INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

Engr. Theodorre Jan Yvon D. Estrada
Admin. Aide/Civil Engineer
Provincial Engineering Office

2nd PLACE – LEGISLATIVE SECTOR:

Eusebio P. Dela Cruz, JR.
Admin. Aide/District Coordinator
Prov’l. Vice Governor’s Office.

3rd PLACE – SOCIAL SERVICES SECTOR:

Christian G. De Guzman
Admin. Aide/ Multi media Artist
Prov’l. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

DONONG EMPLOYEE COMPETENCY TOURNAMENT – PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST:

CHAMPION – LEGISLATIVE SECTOR:

Sallin Kisa O. Fernandez
Admin. Aide III
Office of BM Pacheco

Leo Marco G. Sarigan
Local Legislative Staff Asst. III
Office of BM Pacheco

Josephine A. Satuito Admin. Aide/Coordinator Office of BM Bacay.

2nd PLACE – SOCIAL SERVICES SECTOR:

Judith V. Cabillo
Disability Affairs Officer III Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office

Erika Glynn C. Galera Admin. Aide/ONE Response
Command Center Telecommunication Management Office

Angelika Nicole P. Alberto
Admin. Aide/Office Staff Public Employment Services Office

SEMI-FINALIST: FINANCE SECTOR:

Michael Angelo J. Santos
Admin. Officer II
Prov’l. Budget Office

Beatriz Kaye P. Torio
Admin. Officer IV
Prov’l. Assessment Office

Jane Emanuelle C. Vinoya Admin Aide/Office Staff Prov’l. Accounting Office.

SEMI-FINALIST – ECONOMICS SECTOR:

Ronna P. Frianeza Agriculturist II
Prov’l. Agriculture Office

Elmer B. Abarra
Fishery Technologist
Prov’l. Agriculture Office

Khristine Andrea G. Perez
Admin. Aide/Office Staff Provincial Veterinary Office

DONONG EMPLOYEE COMPETENCY TOURNAMENT – QUIZ BEE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICERS/DESIGNATES:

CHAMPION – LEGISLATIVE SECTOR

Joenard E. Manuel
Admin. Officer II
Office of the Provincial Board Secretary.

2nd Place – INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR

Omar R. Anonuevo Supervising Admin. Officer Prov’l. Engineering Office.

3rd PLACE – FINANCE SECTOR:

Beatriz Kaye P. Torio Admin. officer IV
Prov’l. Assessment Office

The provincial government of Pangasinan will also give recognition to employees who have rendered 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and above years in service.

Said event is an excellent opportunity to recognize government employees who have exhibited remarkable, sustainable and effective contributions to the community or have performed tasks in the name of public service. (Chona C. Bugayong / Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The provincial government of Pangasinan led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III encourages Pangasinenses to take active participation in greening the environment.

With this as the objective, the present administration aimed to plant one million trees until June 2024 under Pangasinan Green Canopy Project, an environmental rehabilitation project of the province.

For the month of September, the Provincial Population Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (PPCLDO) reported that a total of 5,892 will be planted to identified areas in the towns of Pozorrubio, Mangatarem, Mabini, Alcala Burgos, Dasol, Manaoag, Natividad and Aguilar.

To date over 30,000 tree seedlings were planted in different locations in Pangasinan.

The project is a multi-sectoral approach to promote co-ownership in protecting and rehabilitating the environment, raise community awareness and education in planting and saving trees, and mobilize stakeholders and solicit community participation in planting trees.

Under the project, a minimum of 25,000 seedlings per Local Government Unit (LGU) and their partner office or hospital must be planted and nurtured. Trees to be planted should be native, rare and endangered species and fruit-bearing trees. Priority areas to be reforested are watersheds, riverbanks, coastal and other vulnerable areas.

Also, “joint stewardship” strategy is implemented where provincial government offices partner with specific LGU for the simultaneous tree planting activities province-wide.

The activity requires partner LGUs to mobilize the support of its constituents to include the LGU employees, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Education (DepEd), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), barangay councils, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members, and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

Monitoring team had been organized to regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of the project.

As an incentive, a reward system was established such as Best Office/Employee/LGU Implementer. Basis of which will be based on performance and project inputs of the participating individuals and offices or groups. (Ruby R. Bernardino with report from Analyn T. Cervantes/Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinan takes pride in congratulating Colonel Joseph Jeremias Cirilo C. Dator for winning the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Award last August 29.

Colonel Dator, a native of Barangay Lucap, Alaminos City, bagged the award for his excellent performance of his duties and responsibilities as current Chief of Staff for Operations (G3) Presidential Security Group including his previous designations which is a clear manifestation of his unwavering commitment to defend the rule of law and serve the military organization at all times.

In recognition of his recent achievement, a resolution authored by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Arthur C. Celeste, Jr. was approved on September 25 during the provincial board’s regular session.

“Colonel Joseph Jeremias Cirilo C. Dator has also been recognized for his unselfish involvement in community development covered by his areas of operation,” the resolution partly stated.

Col. Dator has been assigned to carry out crucial and delicate missions in the country where he helped in confronting the communist insurgency. “Through his adherence to the ideals of peace and understanding, his leadership had resulted in the rehabilitation of former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, paving the way for an insurgency-free Davao Region,” the resolution said.

Moreover, Col. Dator also principally authored the intelligence annex of the Philippine Army’s Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan, serving as the blueprint for intelligence operations across the country.

Likewise, he now joins the echelon of Outstanding Filipinos in the country and is included as among those who served the country “beyond excellence” for rendering service beyond his call of duty as defender of the nation.

Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Award which was launched in 1985, is the most prestigious career-service award for Filipinos in the academe, military and police sectors. (Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Pangasinan Provincial Government led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III set its sight in strengthening various programs on human resource development.

In his first-ever State of the Province Address (SOPA) in the first quarter of this year, Gov. Guico expressed his belief in the “empowerment of Pangasinenses.” Thus, Employability Enhancement program (EEP) and Provincial Scholarship Program (PSP) were given utmost priority.

EEP is a training program which aims to improve the “productivity, employability, and competitiveness of Pangasinan’s labor force.”

Through the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) spearheaded by Richelle Raguindin, various programs are implemented in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and local government units (LGUs).

Said program is designed to assist out-of-school youth, unemployed adults, women from the grassroots, LGBT community, displaced workers/Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and job seekers obtain skills to earn a decent living.

EEP offers basic skills/livelihood training on sewing, nail care, wellness massage, haircutting/coloring and rebonding,

Trainees who benefited from the program are either given financial assistance of P2,000 or toolkits (depending on their choice) which they can utilize to process documentary requirements and medical certificates in their application for employment or for self-employment purposes.

Aside from this, career entrepreneurship development trainings are also conducted to equip participants with skills, knowledge and right attitude which they can apply in their workplace.

As of latest data, a total of 33 skills/livelihood development trainings and 33 career/entrepreneurship development trainings were conducted by the Pangasinan PESO, producing a total of 2,892 graduates.

PSP, on the other hand, is a continuing program of the provincial government that provides financial grant to students worth P10,000 per semester for the college education.

Said program is offered to financially challenged but deserving Pangasinense students who excel in academics (highly competent), as well as sports and the arts. Also included are selected students from cultural minorities and Muslim groups. A total of P23.90M financial grant was given to some1,195 scholars for school year 2022-2023.

The scholarship program is likewise extended to provincial scholars enrolled at the Pangasinan State University (PSU). Each scholar receives P5,000 per semester. For academic year 2022-2023, a total amount of P17.7M was granted to 1,770 scholars.

Meanwhile, the present administration is keen on improving the present educational landscape in the province by establishing the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), the first government-run college in the province that will offer free college education and vocational courses to qualified students.

The establishment of the PPC was formalized by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 300-2023 passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) last June 26.

As planned, the first campus of the PPC will be located at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen town.

It can be recalled that provision of accessible education for qualified residents is one of the campaign promises of Gov. Guico.

(Ruby R. Bernardino with report from Analyn T. Cervantes/Pangasinan PIO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Commitment to farmers has been the battlecry of Governor Ramon V. Guico’s administration in its aim to transform the agriculture sector as partners towards Pangasinan’s food security.

In more than a year of his administration, Gov. Guico along with local leaders planned and strategize various initiatives to enhance agriculture sector competitiveness thru medium and long-term projects/programs.

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 are major projects to include rice production, corn production and high value crops 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 thru farm consolidation leading to corporate farming.

As this developed, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was executed between the Pangasinan provincial government and the Rice-to-Rise Program of TAO Foods Company, Inc., to venture in “contract growing” with farmers associations; financing institutions’ resources to provide financing needs; and agricultural supplies entities’ network to supply farm inputs at minimal costs.

Initial inputs were provided to farmer cooperatives such as organic and inorganic fertilizers and pesticides and agro chemicals. To date, there are 163 hectares established with some 173 farmer-cooperatives.

Furthermore, the provincial government thru the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) led by Ms. Dalisay Moya, regularly provides technical assistance and technology transfer skills training and livelihood assistance for farmers and fishermen.

Skills training on crops and fishery production, food processing, packaging and technologies, institutional and entrepreneurial are held to equip farmers with modern and appropriate technology and enhance their management and marketing skills preparing them to become agri-preneurs.

To increase production yield and income of farmers, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan distributed significant amount of high quality palay and corn seeds as well as other production inputs such as fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides.

Farm mechanization was boosted thru the support of national agencies notably the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). It can be recalled that in June this year, agricultural equipment worth P42.4 million were distributed to 13,609 farmer-members from 109 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations in the province.

For its part, the provincial government distributed 83 hand tractors and 10 units of axial flow pump to various farmers and fishermen associations and vegetable growers. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), on the other hand, supplied pump and engine sets to 70 associations.

In its support to the fishery sector, the present administration through the agriculture office, awarded a total of 160 gill nets and 40 fish coolers to various associations and some 93 units of fiber reinforced plastic boats. This benefited fishermen from 10 coastal municipalities in the province.

The province’s three provincial hatcheries also distributed a total of 816,800 pieces of tilapia and hito fingerlings which were dispersed in various communal bodies of water. Said project is aimed to increase fish population density, increase catch and income of fishermen.

The provincial government also continuously collaborate with the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in preparation for the sun-project’s inclusion under Scale-up funding.

The sub-project was proposed to help address inadequate supply of milkfish (bangus) fry in the country. Costing a hefty amount of P241.5M, the bangus breeding and hatchery project will be constructed in Barangay Arnedo, Bolinao town.

“As the Bangus Capital of the country, we will soon produce 100,000,000 bangus fry every year through our Pangasinan Bangus Breeding and Hatchery Project in Bolinao,”Gov. Guico stated in his first State of the Province Address (SOPA) last March 2022.

Dubbed as the country’s top producer of bangus, Pangasinan contributes more than 28% in the country’s total production (PSA, 2019). (Ruby R. Bernardino with report from Analyn T. Cervantes/Pangasinan PIO)