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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III signed a Memorandum of Agreement with San Miguel Global Power (SMGP BESS Power Inc.) for the establishment and administration of trust accounts in accordance with DOE DC2018-08-0021 on the accrued financial benefits from the commercial operations of Battery Energy Storage System Facility at San Manuel Municipality.

Enrico dela Torre, Stakeholder Management and Community Relations Manager, represented SMGP BESS Power Inc. in a ceremony held on September 11 at the Urduja Ceremonial Hall here.

Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino, Carlo Fernand M. Fabia, and Exequel D. Madrid, both MCC operators for the SMGP, witnessed the signing.

As stated in the agreement, on August 7, 2018, DOE issued Department Circular No. DC2018-08-0021 amending the purpose of Rule 29(A) of the EPIRA-IRR to accelerate socio-economic development, have a more effective and efficient utilization of the funds, and enforce the immediate provision of benefits to host communities.

Before the signing of the MOA, SMGP, through Dela Torre, presented their project known as Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

The AVP presentation showed that SMGP is energizing a sustainable future through BESS.

BESS facilities contribute to San Miguel Global Power’s commitment to expanding the country’s energy mix and paving the way for sustainable energy.

It further stated that BESS is a safe, clean, and scalable technology that can help support and address energy demand in the country.

Quoting what the President said during the inauguration of the 50 MW San Miguel Global Power Battery Energy Storage System Facilities in Limay Bataan, ‘This technology (BESS) is carving a distinct path towards a more energy-secure and sustainable future for the country. Indeed, it promises great rewards for the country; not only will we be able to generate sufficient reliable and clean energy, leading to more affordability of energy and, of course, generating jobs for the people.’

Gov. Guico earlier said Pangasinan is going to play a key role in contributing to the country’s power requirement.

Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Baby Ruth Torre was also present during the signing. (Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, JP De Vera/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinan will join the other 81 provinces in the country for the simultaneous distribution of government assistance nationwide on September 13.

Dubbed “Handog ng Pangulo Sebisyog Sapat Para sa Lahat,” the activity forms part of the 67th birthday celebration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., will highlight the various projects of the national government, such as the awarding of various farm equipment and inputs to local farmers and associations; the distribution of work pay via TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers); and the conduct of KADIWA ng Pangulo, among others.

Governor Ramon V. Guico III, who expressed his full support for all national government undertakings, will lead the activities together with other local officials, heads of offices and chiefs of hospitals, and the more than 6,000 employees of the provincial government.

Registration will start at 7 AM to 8 AM, while the program proper will kick off at 8:30 AM at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center II (PTDC II), located within the Capitol Complex here.

For the first part of the program, Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino will deliver the welcome remarks, while Gov. Guico will inspire the audience with his message.

In the second part of the program, the overview of assistance and services will be delivered by various speakers, including Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya for agriculture and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistant. Regional Director Honorina Dian-Baga for labor and employment; TESDA Specialist II Carmencita DG. Lopez for skills development; and DTI Provincial Director Natalia B. Dalaten for trade and industry.

The program will end with the speech of President BBM, which will be aired via live stream.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: “Ang Pangasinan ay isang pamilya at sa pamilyang ito, wala pong maiiwan. Ang AKAP po ay hindi lamang pera o ayuda, higit sa lahat, isang simbolo ng pagkakaisa at pag-asa tungo sa magandang buhay. Patuloy po kayong humawak sa pananampalataya. Kasama po ninyo ang Pamahalaan ng Pangasinan sa pag-abot po ng isang magandang bukas.”

This message of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III was conveyed by Atty. Novy Marie Cruz of the Provincial Legal Office (PLO), representative of the governor during the Ayuda Para Sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) held at the Provincial Training and Development Center (PTDC) on September 7 and 8, respectively.

AKAP, a program of Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), headed by Sec. Rex Gatchalian, along with Speaker Martin Romualdez and Cong. Mark Cojuangco, in partnership with the provincial government of Pangasinan, aimed to provide financial aid to minimum wage earners falling under the low-income category.

A total of 2,580 Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA) from Lingayen were the chosen beneficiaries of the AKAP program distribution held at the Provincial Training and Development Center.

Each beneficiary received three thousand pesos (P3,000.00), or the sum of seven million seven hundred forty thousand.

2nd district, Cong. Mark Cojuangco, who spearheaded the undertaking along with some key officials of the province, said that TODA has always been his chosen beneficiary for AKAP.

‘Matagal ko na pinili na TODA ang matulungan dahil alam ko na nagtratrabaho kayo, nagbibigay kayo ng lingkod sa ating mamamayan ng Lingayen ngui’t kulang ang inyong kita. Magagamit niyo talaga kung matulungan kayo ng ating gobyerno, dagdag capital, pangtawid sa problema at kung anu-ano pang paggagamitan ng tulong,’ Cong Cojuangco said.

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino assured that all programs of the government, of the province, and the LGUs will reach the public.

“Anggapoy pinili, anggapoy bawasan tayo. Amin ya sarag min gawen para ed sikayo, basta walad legal, walad lugar insan anggapoy nadehado, eter mi ed sikayo. Say promisa mi labat, serbisyo’y munisipiyo, Kapitolyo tan Kongreso, sigsigurado, onleksab ditan ed barangay yo,’ VG Lambino added.

The two-day activity exemplified a higher standard of service and mirrored the cohesive efforts and initiatives of leaders for the common good of all.

Attendees of the event were 2nd district SPM Philip Theodore E. Cruz, 2nd district SPM Haidee S. Pacheco, former Lingayen Mayor Josefina ‘Iday’ Castaneda, Lingayen Municipal Councilors, barangay captains, and officials present, as well as TODA Presidents, among others.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—”I’m prioritizing healthcare right now in light of the full implementation of the universal healthcare law,” Governor Ramon V. Guico III said.

As such, the governor stated his administration had pushed for various projects on health for the last two years to cater to the needs of the sick and less privileged Pangasinenses.

Citing his experience when he had a major operation early this year, Gov. Guico disclosed the agony and hardship he went through during that period.

“Ang hirap po talaga magkasakit. Personally, naranasanko yan,” he stated as he further said that if hardship can knock him down, what more in the plight of the less fortunate members of society? “Dumaan pa ako sapaghihirap, meaning the pain, the agony. And siyempre, undergoing surgery is so hard for me. Now, paano yungmga kababayan nating walang-wala, pag nagkasakit sila, saan sila pupunta,” he further cited.

Hence, the provincial chief executive revealed that he is actively pushing and promoting the full implementation of the e-Konsulta of PhilHealth, or the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Through this, he explained, Pangasinenses can avail of the preventive care program of the government.

For the past two years of his tenure, the improvement of the 14 government hospitals in the province became one of the priorities of the provincial government.

In the early part of his term from July to December 2022, intensive planning was done to include the creation of the Provincial Hospital Management Services Office (PHMSO), which was created to standardize the operations of the hospitals and to improve the quality of health services offered to the over 3.3 million Pangasinenses through careful regulation and monitoring.

Along with the improvement of all government facilities, the provincial government is continuously purchasing more state-of-the-art equipment, such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging); seven brand new CT (computed tomography) scans; 19 X-ray machines; and 22 ultrasound machines, which were spread across the 14 hospitals of the province.

Disclosing that the provincial government has given priority to the physical power plant of the hospitals, Gov. Guico cited that the province purchased a four-hectare property to build a modern community hospital in Umingan.

Once completed, the 55-bed capacity community hospital in Umingan, with a total funding of P200 million, will not only serve the populace residing in the 58 villages there but can cater to other patients from neighboring towns of Natividad, San Nicolas, and Rosales and even the neighboring province of Nueva Ecija as well.

In addition, the province also acquired a two-hectare lot in Tayug to augment the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital (EPDH).

Recently, Gov. Guico led the groundbreaking in Lingayen District Hospital for a new building to be constructed.

To complement all these, the provincial government hired 471 medical staff to be deployed in various hospitals. These consist of doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and pharmacists, among others.

The establishment of a genome center in the province is likewise in the offing. “We’ve put budget for it for next year. And it’s going to be—if not the first—it’s among the first three in the country,” the governor added.

Genomics is the study of all a person’s genes (the genome), including interactions of those genes with each other and also with the person’s environment. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—With the revitalization of the Pangasinan Dairy Farm in Laoac town, the province’s total sales for milk production have reached almost P1.8 million for the first half of 2024 (January-June) alone.

In 2023, the dairy farm produced 6,487 liters of raw milk, which generated total sales of P2,093,000.00.

It can be recalled that among the earliest directives of Governor Ramon V. Guico III was to increase the number of dairy livestock in the province’s 3.7-hectare dairy farm.

Thus, with the provincial government’s assistance in 2023, a total of 1,460 cattle were inseminated by village-based technicians, which resulted in the production of some 1,022 calves last year.

From the 2022 carabao population of 118 heads, the carabao population increased to 211 in 2023. The latest count showed that the Pangasinan Laoac Dairy Farm has 286 heads of dairy livestock from the original 107 heads, with 199 heads of dairy carabaos and 87 dairy cattle.

Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgO) head Dalisay Moya said the project has an average daily milk production of 80 to 85 litters.

Based on the report, 50% of the harvested fresh milk is fed to the newly born calves, and 50% is sold either fresh or pasteurized milk. About 5 to 10% of the 50% fresh milk is subjected to the pasteurization process while the rest is sold as fresh milk to clients and customers of the project.

At present, the project is serving local consumers in the nearby villages and municipalities, as well as local restaurants and milk processors in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Pasteurized milk produced, on the other hand, is sold in the Kadiwa stores organized by the province in support of the ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo Project.’

To protect and conserve female carabaos in the province, there is an existing provincial board ordinance that regulates the sale or slaughter of female carabaos (riverine buffaloes and crossbreds) within Pangasinan. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III expressed full support to the national government’s call to revitalize the country’s coconut industry by planting around 20 to 25 million seedlings throughout the country within a year.

The governor stated that Pangasinan will likewise benefit from the program, as this can help revive the dying local industry of producing what used to be the best-tasting “bucayo” in the country.

Bucayo is a native dessert that originated from the capital town of Lingayen. It is made by simmering shredded bits of young coconut in water and’sinakob.’ It can also be mixed with ‘politipot’ or sugarcane.

Sinakob, which is the best sweetener for kakanin (made of glutinous rice and coconut milk), is another famous dessert in Pangasinan.

Sometimes called ‘panocha or mollases,’ sinakob are produced in some central and eastern towns like Pozorrubio and Balungao. Panocha is a Spanish term for “sangkaka,” a traditional native jaggery or unrefined brown sugar made in halved coconut shells.

Traditionally, Pangasinan is known for its 3Bs, or ‘Bangus, Bagoong, and Bocayo.’ In fact, Dagupan City produces the best-tasting bangus or milkfish not just in the country but worldwide.

“So ngayon, siyempre, mag-identify po tayo. Sinabi ko po sa mga namumuno dito sa Lingayen. Saan ba yung mga historically, yung mga plantation diyan ng mga coconut trees at saka saan yung gumagawa ng bukayo,” Gov. Guico stated in an interview.

Before reviving the bucayo industry, the provincial chief executive cited the need for massive planting of coconut trees. This, he stated, will be in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

Gov. Guico disclosed that the provincial government intends to propagate more coconut seedlings as an initial step toward the plan.

“So may plano po kami doon. Binigay po natin sa kanila ang ilang area doon sa OPAg, sa Santa Barbara, upang doon po sila mag-propagate ng seedlings po ng coconut trees at doon din po sila mag-imbak ng mga puno, mga seedlings na nakukuha nila,” he added.

On August 28, Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II led employees, chiefs of offices, chiefs of hospitals, and department heads in planting 200 coconut tree seedlings in the sprawling Eco-Tourism Park located at Brgy. Estanza, Lingayen Pangasinan.

The activity is in support of the PCA’s nationwide simultaneous planting.

The provincial government is targeting about 39,325 seedlings to be planted in the 275-hectare eco-tourism park. (Ruby F. Rayat, Orlan Llemos/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The provincial government, under the leadership of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, has strengthened its relief response operations to ensure immediate support to affected families and individuals during disasters.

128 individuals received food packs and hygiene kits on September 7 through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in coordination with LGU Malasiqui and Alcala.

Affected by Typhoon Enteng include 12 families/41 individuals in Brgy. Butao (Malasiqui); 4 families/8 individuals at Brgy. Barang, Malasiqui, and 16 families/79 individuals at Brgy. Canarvacanan, Alcala, respectively.

Meanwhile, three (3) affected families were likewise recorded in Barangay San Juan who, however, chose to stay with relatives instead of staying at the Alcala Training Center, which was used as an evacuation center.

The relief operation was just one of the province’s various ongoing assistance to families stricken by natural or man-made calamities.

The activity manifests good leadership and displays the undying bayanihan spirit of Pangasinenses.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, Glicerio Moran/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinan is fast becoming the ‘home of the most beautiful, empowered women.’

This can be proven by the feat earned by svelte and witty Stacey de Ocampo of Bolinao town after being crowned as Mutya ng Pilipinas-Visayas in the Coronation Night of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2024 on September 6 at the FilOil EcoOilCentre in San Juan City.

Limgas na Pangasinan Executive Committee chairperson First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico commended the performance of Stacey.

“It is my fervent wish that Pangasinan will continue to produce more beauty queens of international stature in the future,” the First Lady said.

Governor Ramon V. Guico III likewise congratulated Stacey for bringing honor to Pangasinan.

Stacey’s journey in Mutya ng Pilipinas is a tough road to take considering the fact that she had to compete with 30 other equally beautiful, intelligent, and purpose-driven women representing different places across the country and overseas Filipino communities.

From 31 lovely candidates, selection was trimmed down to 16, in which Stacey was included. With her charm and stunning performance onstage and even during the pre-pageant, she was able to land the last spot in the Final 9 beauties onto the road of the most-coveted crown. Finally, she was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Visayas.

Stacey hails from Barangay. Arnedo in Bolinao. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

An active member of the Rotaract Club of Bolinao, she wishes to know more about herself to grow and likewise to expand her advocacy in volunteerism.

The second longest-running national pageant in the Philippines, Mutya ng Pilipinas, which had a two-year break due to the pandemic, is now on its 56th edition.

Here is the complete list of the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2024 Crowned Queens:

Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental 2024—Alyssa Redondo (California)

Mutya ng Pilipinas World Top Model 2024: Anne Klein Castro (Pampanga)

Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International 2024: Liana Barrido (Batangas City)

Mutya ng Piipinas Environment International 2024—Ariana Pantaleon (Canada)

Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Communities 2024—Aiyen Ysabel Maquiraya (Washington State)

Mutya ng Pilipinas Charity 2024-Xena Ramos (Manila)

Mutya ng Pilipinas Luzon 2024: Christine Enero (Paranaque City)

Mutya ng Pilipinas Visayas 2024—Stacey De Ocampo (Pangasinan)

Mutya ng Pilipinas Mindanao 2024: Jireh Mayani (Davao)

It can be recalled that the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, through the Limgas na Pangasinan Executive Committee chaired by Mrs. Guico, has repackaged the mother of all beauty pageants in the province into a world-class spectacle.

Earlier, Limgas na Pangasinan 2023 Nikki Buenafe was crowned as Miss Multinational Philippines 2024. She will represent the country and the province for the Multinational World 2024 in India on December (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO).

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Believing in the vital role of farmers being the key players in achieving sustainable food security, Governor Ramon V. Guico III further pushed for a pro-active convergence approach in agriculture via corporate farming.

Considered the present administration’s landmark project in agriculture, Gov. Guico is keen on beefing up the project to assist more farmers in the coming days.

“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 said.

In 2022, the provincial government introduced the concept of corporate farming. In 2023, seven sites with 154.55 hectares produced a total of 773 metric tons of palay. This translates to more savings in farm inputs like fertilizer, water supply, and labor costs.

For January to June this year, the province has a palay production volume of 447,638.57 metric tons from the harvested 85,233.70 hectares last dry cropping season CY 2023-2024.

The province for corn production has reached 423,928.8 metric tons for yellow corn and 9,396.57 metric tons for white corn, or a total of 433,325.37 metric tons for the combined production of yellow and white corn. Productivity for the period is 7.2 metric tons per hectare for yellow corn and 4.2 metric tons per hectare for white corn.

It can be recalled that on July 7, 2023, the provincial Corporate Farming and Memorandum of Agreement signing with program partners, LGUs, and Farmer Cooperative and Association (FCA) beneficiaries was held in Binalonan town. This yielded positive results for farmers, causing them bigger earnings in the long run.

“Ibig sabihin, pag mas malaki ang iyong sinasaka, mas nagiging efficient yung iyong inputs at lumalaki yung output mo, yung yield. We have now 1,000 hectares. Pag pinagkaisa mo ang mga maliliit na kalupaan at pare-parehong variety and itinanim mo at kinukuha mo sa iisang supplier ang inyong binhi, ang inyong mga fertilizer, mas magkakaroon sila ng leverage upang bumaba ang cost naman ng pagbili ng mga inputs. At kung pare-pareho schedule, pare-pareho ang pagtanim, ang pag harvest mo, hindi iba-iba ang variety nila, naipakita namin na mas lumalaki yung yield, yung output,” the governor said.

Corporate farms, which often operate on a large scale, are considered economies of scale, which makes agricultural products affordable for consumers as well.

Moreover, the present administration, through the Provincial Agriculture Office, conducted various agricultural machinery technology demonstrations as part of continuing education and empowerment for farmer-beneficiaries under corporate farming.

This marked significant milestones in the province’s journey towards sustainable agricultural development and food production.

Headed by Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay A. Moya, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, LGUs and other government agencies cohesively worked towards this end.

With agriculture as the province’s primary industry, the provincial corporate farming program served as a path to achieving the province’s goal of becoming a self-reliant and self-sufficient province.

Recently, the provincial government through OPAG spearheaded the distribution of financial assistance to a total of 4,876 farmers, fisherfolks, and families stricken by the El Nino phenomenon, evidence of the government’s support for farmers dubbed as today’s modern-day heroes.

(Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Among the numerous dreams of Governor Ramon V. Guico III for Pangasinan is for the province to become an inclusive and vibrant economic powerhouse and premier investment hub by 2031.

In achieving the investment target, the governor, together with key officials of the province, conducted strategic planning by laying the foundation made possible through various big-impact projects.

The Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotion (PEDIPO) was created to encourage more investments and competitiveness in the province.

“Meron po kaming itinayong PEDIPO (Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office). It’s supposed to promote the available jobs in the province. We also have a PESO (Public Employment Service Office) in the province. But the PEDIPO is trying to invite more investments into the province,” Gov. Guico said.

Atty. Raymundo B. Bautista, Jr., who heads the PEDIPO, reported that investment priorities in Pangasinan include agriculture and agribusiness; tourism development; infrastructure development; manufacturing and industry; healthcare and education; and real estate and housing.

Some of the investment targets identified by the PEDIPO primarily include economic diversification; job creation and workforce development; sustainable development; infrastructure and connectivity; promotion of public-private partnerships (PPPs); improving ease of doing business; and long-term goals.

On the other hand, key investment priorities listed by the PEDIPO under agriculture and agri-business specifically identified high-value crops (corporate farm); livestock and poultry in Mangatarem Breeding Station; salt farm in Bolinao town and Bangus Hatchery; dairy farm in Laoac; various tourism projects; food processing; furniture and handicrafts; solar projects under energy and utilities; healthcare and education; education and training (PPC and scholarships); residential development; commercial real estate to include hotels and 360 City; IT parks and BPO centers; climate resilience projects; waste management; mining and mineral resources, among others.

It can be recalled that PEDIPO in partnership with Dr. Arlyn Grace V. Guico, Founding President of Project Abound, caused the participation of Pangasinan’s export-quality local products in the 2023 FAME Trade Exhibition. The event served as a breakthrough for artisans in the province after their products were introduced not only locally but also in the global market.

Manila Fame is the country’s premier design and lifestyle sourcing event that features world-class quality artisanal products for home, interiors, fashion, and modern living. Said event is considered a vital platform for Filipino craftsmanship and creativity that attracts global buyers and exhibitors.

International Food Exhibition (IFEX), on the other hand, is considered the country’s leading trade promotion initiative, dedicated to propelling the domestic food industry onto the global stage.

Both Manila Fame and IFEX Philippines are significant platforms for promoting local products that foster international trade opportunities.

In a related development, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on September 2 introduced two newly-crafted ordinances. One is for the establishment of a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade, Investment, and Exposition Center in the Province of Pangasinan, and the other is the institutionalization of MSMEs’ participation in the Manila Fame, IFEX activities, and other similar trade expositions. Said ordinances were referred to the committees on Cooperative, Micro, Small, and Medium Business and Entrepreneurship Development; and Laws and Ordinances.

As stated in the ordinance, the institutionalization of MSMEs’ participation in the two major events and other similar trade expositions will ensure consistent support and development of local enterprises, enabling them to penetrate both domestic and international markets.

“The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector plays a vital role in our economy, providing employment, fostering innovation, and contributing significantly to economic growth,” the ordinance partly stated.

Along with these achievements, the provincial government has successfully launched big-ticket projects and is keen on realizing other long-term goals that will leave indelible marks of excellence for Pangasinan.

“These are not just campaign promises in 2022. They will be our legacy for many generations after us. They are not short-term projects. They will endure for decades beyond our lifetime,” the governor earlier said.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Effective fiscal management and transparent transactions are among the indelible marks of excellence of Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s administration.

With the approval of the almost P3 billion supplemental budget for the operation of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan on September 2, more programs and projects are underway.

Enacted through an ordinance during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on September 2, the budget will finance various programs and projects of the provincial government, including the salary increase of employees.

It can be recalled that when Governor Ramon V. Guico III assumed office in July 2022, one of the herculean tasks he vowed to improve was the collection of revenues.

A revolutionary and game-changing leader, the provincial chief executive rallied for big-ticket projects that will redound to the history of the province. All of which will contribute to increasing the province’s revenues.

From this, there was a gigantic increase in revenue. Gov. Guico has recently proposed an increase in the annual budget for the province from the current P5.7 billion to a whopping P7 billion in 2025.

“On the economy side, my thrust is actually to increase the revenues for the province. So by 2025, we are proposing at least a P7 billion annual budget for the province, a big jump from our budget right now, which is more or less about P5.7 billion,” the governor stated.

Citing the efficient and honest collection in the assessment of the real property taxes as among the salient factors in increasing local sources of revenue, Gov. Guico further disclosed that several challenges were met, notably in quarry operations.

“When I implemented the new system of quarry operations for Pangasinan, we were challenged because the collection back then from the previous administration was only P12 million per year for all the six districts of the province,” he said.

Consistent in its target to properly collect revenue taxes, the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), led by Ms. Cristy C. Ubando, reported that the province collected tax on sand, gravel, and other quarry products amounting to PP176,196,152.16 as of August 30, 2024. The target income is P120,000,000.00, thereby incurring an overcollection of P56,196,152.16 for the aforementioned revenues alone.

Under the present administration, new systems were implemented. An online app is now being utilized to monitor the collections, including some legal basis for collections and some regulations that need to be instituted.

“We were able to collect, I think, the projection is about P250 million a year, which, I’m sure, we will be hitting that target this year. And I’m positive that it’s going to be more than the P250 million target. So it’s a big jump,” Gov. Guico disclosed.

True enough, the province, as of August 30, posted a total revenue collection of P4,457,290,224.59. The province’s estimated income, on the other hand, totaled P5,729,765,891.00, which means that only about P1,272,475,666.41 is yet to be collected.

Based on the report, the province incurred over-collected dues on local taxes covering the following: Professional Tax; Amusement Tax; Real Property Transfer Tax; Real Property Tax-Basic; Tax on Sand, Gravel, and Other Quarry Products; Tax on Delivery Trucks and Vans; Fines and Penalties-Property Tax; Fines and Penalties-Taxes on Goods and Services. The actual tax collections for the above-mentioned amounted to P413,041,965.68, while the target collection totaled P317,350,000.00. An overcollection of P95,691,965.68 was posted.

For the total national taxes, particularly shares from National Tax Allocation, National Wealth, and Tobacco Excise Tax, the province collected P3,555,613,172.32 from its estimated income of P4,970,145,891.00.

Under service and business income, the province collected an amount of P465,888,826.94, which exceeded the target income of P417,270,000.00 by P48,618,826.94. Service income includes permit fees, registration fees, and inspection fees. Business income, on the other hand, includes hospital fees, waterworks system fees, rent income, income from hotels, and interest income.

Gov. Guico attributed the tremendous accomplishment in revenue collections to the honest-to-goodness thrust of the provincial government. “When I assumed office, it’s one of the things I want to regulate. It’s one of the things that I want to fix and properly manage,” he said.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—For more than a decade, Grace Sison Rosal, an ambulant vendor, lived in an informal settlement at Palaris Poblacion, Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Masyadong marumi doon,” Rosal said.

He wanted to leave the place and build a home he could call his own.

Last July, Governor Ramon V. Guico III turned that elusive dream into a reality.

“Maganda yung tinatayuan ko ngayon, wala ng baha saka maganda ditong manirahan, tahimik,” Rosal happily responded.

The provision of decent housing was among the early directives of Gov. Guico in his first year of tenure.

“We give priority to giving homes to the homeless. We want to realize the dream of Pangasinan families to have their own home,” the governor said.

Since July this year, 68 individuals in Palaris, Poblacion, Lingayen have been relocated to the Aplaya West Resettlement Site here.

The resettlement site has an area of 2.4 hectares, and to date, the provincial government has already built 218 housing units to be awarded to informal settlers. From the said number, some 115 units are now occupied.

According to Provincial Human Settlements and Urban Development Authority (PHUDA) Chief Alvin Bigay, relocated individuals belong to poor families or are considered indigents.

“Ni-require namin sila ng mga certain certifications galing sa local government kagaya ng municipal assessor that they do not have other properties within Lingayen. May certification din ang barangay captain na talagang mahirap lang po ‘yung mga pamilyang ito,” Engr. Bigay stressed.

Jennifer Macaraeg, president of Informal Settler Families of Palaris, thanked Governor Guico for prioritizing their plight, as she stated that from an unsecured community, they were relocated to a safer and healthier site where they could feel a sense of security.

As described by Engr. Bigay: “Raw house type ang design ng ating Aplaya Resettlement project. Yung ground floor ay umabot ng 24.75 square meters tapos meron po siyang provision for loft. Ang area ng loft is 11.02 square meters, kaya’t may kabuuan po ang floor area na 36 square meters. So the total lot area is 45 square meters.”

Affordable monthly amortization of P500 will be collected, which will gradually increase to P600 or P700 until such time that a standard payment will be reached.

There are about 180,000 families throughout the province who need comfortable dwellings that they can call their own. Out of this number, Engr. Bigay stated that 45,000 are considered informal settlers.

Informal housing or informal settlement includes any form of housing or shelter that is considered “illegal” as it falls outside of government control or regulation or is not afforded protection by the state.

Hence, informal settlers are individuals or families who reside in mostly urban areas or spaces that are crowded and have poor sanitation. Common categories associated with informal settlements include slums, shanty towns, squats, homelessness, backyard housing, and pavement dwellers.

“Our dream for the informal settlers is to issue titles for their own homes,” Gov. Guico stated during his State of the Province Address.

(Ruby F. Rayat with a report from Rich Majin/PIMRO)