Author: pixelpgsnadmin

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan——The provincial government of Pangasinan and the City of San Juan celebrated a historic event as Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and Mayor Francisco Javier ‘Francis’ M. Zamora sealed the Sisterhood Agreement on September 2 at the Sison Auditorium here.

This progressed after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Provincial Resolution No. 757-2024 on August 5, 2024, and City Resolution No. 134, S-2024, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panglungsod of San Juan on July 29, respectively, signifying the intention to establish a sisterhood agreement between the aforementioned LGUs.

The sisterhood relationship, once established, will strengthen friendly and economic relations and promote common prosperity and development between the people of the province of Pangasinan and the City of San Juan.

The partnership represents a significant step toward building a future of unity, collaboration, and mutual growth benefiting constituencies for generations to come.

Gov. Guico believed that many good things would come out of the sisterhood agreement, as he took pride in some of the province’s projects and products, like the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), solar salt, Malaga (rrabbitfish), Manaoag being a prime tourist destination, the Capitol Complex Improvement, Malico in San Nicolas (Pangasinan’s summer capital), and Bolinao Airport, among others.

“Ang importante po bilang magkapatid, we have an exchange of ideas and best practices that could be learned by our respective department heads and officials, all for the betterment and development of our dear Philippines. Yan po ang kontribusyon natin bilang mga officials po nahalal ng ating mga constituents at ng mga taumbayan. We have that responsibility to develop our respective LGUs and our constituency. On behalf of all of us Pangasinenses, karangalan po na maging kapatid po kayo,” Governor Guico said.

In welcoming the visitors from San Juan City, Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino said that Gov. Guico has always stressed the importance of convergence and partnership in the province, citing that over the past few years, the governor has led the great province of Pangasinan in countless partnerships and endeavors, which include partners both locally and nationally.

San Juan City Mayor Zamora who led the team thanked Gov. Guico for hosting the event and for the hospitality.

“We couldn’t thank you enough for this opportunity. Kahit maliit po kami, tinanggap niyo kami bilang inyong kapatid at ramdam naman namin ang pagmamahal mula sa inyo. Let this be the start of a long-lasting relationship between the city of San Juan and the province of Pangasinan,” the city mayor added.

He also assured support in their little way to help promote the products of their sister LGUs like Pangasinan, believing that behind the sisterhood agreements are the learnings of best practices.

The momentous occasion was graced by Pangasinan and San Juan City key officials along with First Ladies Maan Tuazon-Guico and Keri Zamora, Chief of Hospitals and Department Heads led by Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II and San Juan City Administrator Dennis Pamintuan, barangay captains and employees of both LGUs, basketball idol James Yap, Danny Ildefonso, and Marc Pingris, among others.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, JP De Vera/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The construction of a bridge connecting Barangay Luciente I at the mainland of Bolinao town to Santiago Island will finally take off this year.

Once constructed, the bridge will provide easy access and faster mobilization of people and products. This will serve as a major boost to the local economy and tourism industry.

First District Congressman Arthur F. Celeste, Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Bolinao Mayor Alfonso F. Celeste, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Ronnel Tan, and Senator Imee Marcos led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P1.95 billion project on September 1 at GuiguiwanenFishing Port in Brgy. Luciente 1.

The construction of the 680-lineal-meter bridge including its approaches and access roads will start this year, and it is targeted to be completed by 2028. The project, an initiative of Congressman Celeste that gained support from Sen. Marcos, is under the Sustainable Infrastructure Program Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) Package 1 and the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP).

Fully supportive of the mega infrastructure project, Gov. Guico said this is an opportune time to show not only in the entire Philippines but to the whole world how beautiful Bolinao town is.

“Ako naman po Ma’am ang sinasabi ko dito, gagawin po natin ang Bolinao Airport kasi napakalalim po, either government funded, PPP, joint venture, government and private, kahit ano pong modality ang mahalaga maitayo po ‘yan upang sa ganun ay maipakita po natin hindi lang po sa buong Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo nanapakaganda ng bahaging ito ng lalawigan ng Pangasinan,” the governor said.

The land acquisition for the PHP800 million Bolinao Airport project is now at 70 percent.

The construction of the bridge is a welcome development for the townsfolk, especially local traders who transport their goods from Santiago Island to the mainland on Saturday, which is their market day.

Santiago Island has seven villages, namely, Binabalian, Goyoden, Lucero, Pilar, Salud, Dewey, and Victory.

Based on the 2020 Census of Population, it has a population of 18,690.

Congressman Celeste thanked Sen. Imee for the support she has given. “Maraming salamat po sa Ate ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos,  Jr., na naging susi sa pagsasakatuparan ng matagal nang inaasam na tulay. Sa proyektong ito, magiging abot-kamay na ang pangarap ng mas mabilis na biyahe at mas maayos na koneksyon para sa lahat,” he stated.

Excited tayong lahat kasi ilang beses na akong pabalik-balik dito lahat tayo nagkakamot ng ulo kung anong gagawin at alam naman natin sa pagitan ng Bolinao at Santiago, bangka, pump boat, at kung ano-anong masakyan, swimming kung kakayanin basta makatawid sa Santiago eh talagang napakahirap po kasi 3.3 kilometers ito,” Senator Marcos said.

The project was first requested for funding in 2005 under the tenure of Mayor Alfonso F. Celeste, who completed his full term from 2004 to 2013. Former town Mayor Jesus “Boying” F. Celeste was the district representative at that time.

Serving as witnesses to the town’s milestone event were Vice Mayor Richard Celeste, DPWH Assistant. Regional Director Mathias L. Malenab, Pangasinan 1st District Board Members Napoleon C. Fontelera, and Apolonia “Apple” DG. Bacay, other local officials.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the signing of the Sisterhood Agreement at the historic Sison Auditorium, Lingayen, Pangasinan, on September 2.

The signing of the Sisterhood Agreement between the Province of Pangasinan and the City Government of San Juan, witnessed by Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino and Vice Mayor Jose Angelo Rafael E. Agcaoili, signifies the commitment to fostering partnerships for positive change, progress, and sustainable development for both LGUs.

Key leaders from both LGUs, including First Ladies Maan Tuazon-Guico, Keri Zamora Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II, Provincial Board members, city councilors, chiefs of hospitals, and department heads, attended the ceremony.

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Employees,  chiefs of offices, chiefs of hospitals, and department heads of the Provincial Government joined hands in planting 200 coconut tree seedlings in the sprawling Eco-Tourism Park located at Brgy. Estanza here on Wednesday, August 28.

The activity is in support of 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 under the flagship program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called “BAYANIYUgan.”

Bonlizardo E. Cabrera, Senior Agriculturist of Philippine Coconut Authority-Pangasinan said the national government is keen on planting 100 million coconut seedlings on 700,000 hectares of land nationwide by the year 2028.

Under the program, the PCA aims to increase coconut production by 4.7 billion nuts, which will be valued at P33.1 billion by 2034.

The province is targeting about 39,325 seedlings to be planted in the 275-hectare eco-tourism park.

Provincial Administrator (PA) Melicio F. Patague II commended the program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as he vowed to support, on behalf of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, all greening projects of the government.

“Malaking bagay po ito dahil unang-una noong pinalakas niyo po ang programa ng pagtatanim, hindi lamang po ang binubuhay niyo dito ay ang coconut industry ng buong Pilipinas, kundi binibigyan niyo rin po ng pagkakataon na maging masigla  ang kalakaran ng asin sa buong Pilipinas, lalong-lalo na po dito sa probinsya ng Pangasinan dahil ito ang pinakamalaking commodity na binibigay po ng lalawigan ng Pangasinan sa buong Pilipinas,” the provincial administrator said.

The revitalization of the salt industry in Pangasinan started after the provincial government, under the leadership of Gov. Guico, took over the management of the Pangasinan Salt Center located in Brgy. Zaragoza, Bolinao town.

PCA Administrator Dexter R. Buted said that Pres. Marcos initially approved a budget of P2.4 billion for the salt industry.

Buted disclosed that the PCA is currently in need of 106,000 metric tons of salt. Hence, Pangasinan needs to double its effort in producing tons of salt as its share to the requirement to revitalize the industry.

Agricultural Grade Salt Fertilizer (AGSF) is being used for the country’s coconut fertilization program.

In attendance during the tree planting were Mr. Albert Estrella, son of Dept. of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III; PCA Regional Manager Mark Roy Q. Macanlalay; Dept. of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Virgilio P. Sison, Estanza Brgy. Captain Renato S. Ocampo, former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Angel Baniqued, Jr.; PCA staff and volunteers.

(Ruby F. Rayat with a report from Marilyn Marcial, Ron Edrian Bince, and PMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—Pangasinan will experience tremendous breakthroughs in the coming months as a result of the gargantuan projects under the stewardship of Governor Ramon V. Guico III.

With Gov. Guico leading the game-changing plan for the province, big ticket projects were designed and accomplished, such as the establishment of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), which broke ground in March; the revitalization of a salt farm located in Bolinao town; the creation of Pangasinan Polytechnic College; the grand reform of all 14 government hospitals; farm mechanization under corporate farming; and the creation of an investment core group.

“Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, our campaign promises are now being actualized, one after the other,” Gov. Guico earlier said.

With the construction of the joint venture between the province and San Miguel Holdings Corporation, owned by business tycoon Ramon Ang, the PLEX, which is worth P34 billion, will connect Pangasinan’s eastern and western parts. Hence, the expressway will serve as the gateway to an economic boom through increased revenue in trade and commerce.

“It will serve as a backbone of the province in terms of ease of travel and accessibility. If we are able to construct it, it will open many doors to other towns and cities. There will be growth in investment, jobs created, and the ease of travel in and out of the province,” Gov. Guico disclosed in the groundbreaking of the multi-billion-dollar project fully funded by SMC under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

As regards the physical design, the expressway will have two lanes in either direction. Aside from connecting the eastern and western parts of Pangasinan, PLEX will provide a more efficient connection between the New Manila International Airport located in Bulacan Province and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

As previously disclosed, the work is carried out in two stages. The completion date for the project will depend on the timeline for the acquisition of the land along the alignment.

Pangasinan Salt Center

The revitalization of the salt industry, a leading local industry in the province that needs to be bolstered to live up to the stature of being the ‘home where salt is made.’ Previously managed by Pacific Farms Inc., whose foreshore lease contract had expired in 2002, the Pangasinan Salt Farm located in Brgy. Zaragoza in Bolinao was shut down in February 2021.

After Gov. Guico assumed office in July 2022, the provincial government took charge of its operation. The salt farm started producing salt thereafter. Just recently, the salt farm sold 40,000 bags of agricultural grade salt fertilizer (AGSF) to a trader who supplies for the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for the agency’s coconut fertilization program.

Pangasinan, the destination

In its aim to repackage Pangasinan as the province of choice among local tourists and foreign visitors, various tourism projects were undertaken, such as the establishment of the Pangasinan Banaan Museum located at the Casa Real and the facelifting of the Capitol Complex.

Hence, two corporate towers will be built to house various offices of the provincial government and some national line agencies.

To add a sense of tranquility and beauty, construction of the reflecting pool and interactive fountain is presently underway. Overlooking the historic Lingayen Gulf, the landmark project will serve as a tourist come-on with the aesthetic vibe of trumphet blooms similar to that of Singapore.

Hospital of Choice

In addressing the primary needs of the 3.4 million Pangasinenses for improved health care, all 14 government hospitals in the province were improved by increasing their authorized bed capacities and are now equipped with newly acquired state-of-the-art medical and laboratory equipment, highly-trained medical practitioners, and additional manpower as well. Soon, all district hospitals will have their own hemodialysis center to address the needs of patients with kidney ailment.

Through the organization of the Provincial Hospital Management Services Office (PHMSO), a landmark project of Gov. Guico, and through collaborative effort with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the province was able to distinguish the curative and preventive aspects of health services under a more organized function.

Playing a pivotal role in assisting Pangasinense indigents and financially incapacitated patients, a hefty amount of P495,401,375.65 was downloaded to the province, which was divided among the 14 government hospitals through the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP). This is the biggest fund acquired by the provincial government since the program was launched in 2019.

Based on the report of PHMSO, from 2023 to 2024, the total number of patients catered by the 14 hospitals under the MAIFIP program reached 182, 679.

Pangasinan Polytechnic College

A rightful answer to the needs of every poor but deserving youth to acquire free education, the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) was established and is now officially open. Another landmark project of the governor, the first-ever tertiary educational institution in the entire region that is operated by a provincial government, opened its bachelor’s degree programs last August 12 with 700 freshmen comprising the first batch of students.

“We have to acknowledge that the institution will be greater than all of us. We built a clock that tells time, and we are only a part of that whole element. That is the vision. The clock is still ticking, telling time and reminding all of us to be on time. We are good only as our term, but this one will outlast all of us here,” the governor said.

Corporate Farming

As an agricultural province, programs and projects for farmers and fisherfolks were never left behind.

A flagship program of Gov. Guico, Pangasinan’s Corporate Farming Program endeavored to demonstrate food production cost efficiency through a farm consolidation approach, increase production yield through optimum utilization of production inputs and farm machinery, and adoption of a package of technologies.

In a report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), it was stated that Pangasinan reached 209% rice sufficiency in 2023. This, according to Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya, was accomplished after rice farmers produced a total of 1.3 million metric tons from the 267,946.14 hectares of land.

Recently, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) donated a new set of agricultural machinery to the province.

Said donation, which is the second time, is under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Mechanization Program established in support of the national government’s food sufficiency thrust under the agriculture department’s MasaganaProgram.

Revenue collection

Due to the strict implementation of tax collection, Pangasinan remained on track on target collection.

As of August 27, 2024, the Province of Pangasinan collected a total of P3,964,205,078.05 in tax revenue and has already exceeded its target collections in most income sources, such as local taxes, service income, and business income, among others. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Gov. Ramon V. Guico III is committed to a good governance approach in alleviating poverty with the end goal of providing a better quality of life for Pangasinenses, primarily the underprivileged.

With this commitment, the provincial government, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), conducted Tulong sa Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Payouts on August 28 in two (2) different venues, Binalonan and Rosales towns, respectively.

TUPAD is a community-based emergency employment program under DOLE aimed at providing temporary wage employment to seasonal, underemployed, and displaced workers.

The 3,157 total TUPAD beneficiaries from Eastern Pangasinan were as follows: Urdaneta (1753); Binalonan (429); Laoac (10); Sto. Tomas (50); Alcala (60); Villasis (100); Tayug (10); Rosales (403); San Quintin (109); San Nicolas (109); Umingan (109) and Asingan (15).

“Amo yo apo, agpasalamat ak kinne apo Presidente Bongbong Marcos kinne secretary ti DOLE ta daytoy nga pondo ditoy 5th district has a total of 10 million, four hundred forty-eight thousand 700 pesos, ket buong-buo dayta apo, awan iti bawas na, palagi kong sinasabi sa inyo, sa inyo yan, wala po kayong kahati diyan,” Governor Guico said.

Each TUPAD beneficiary received a total of P4,350.00 for the ten (10) days of work on projects like neighborhood cleanups and rehabilitations. Hence, giving the recipients a sigh of relief and much-needed support.

‘Yung tulong na maibibigay ng programang ito ay malaking tulong na po sa amin dahil sa hirap ng buhay. Malaking tulong na po ito para sa allowance at pambili ng mga kakailanganin ng mga bata sa eskwelahan dahil kolehiyo at high school na po ang aking mga anak. Para sa akin ay napakaganda po ng ipinapakitang serbisyo ni Governor Guico,’ Glenda Almuete, an online tutor and a TUPAD recipient from Umingan, said.

Meanwhile, Anastacia Asuncion Magaway from San Pedro West, Rosales, was heard saying, “Napakabuti po ni Gov. Guico, kaya napakalaking pasalamat po namin sa kaniya. Ang makukuha ko po ngayon ay malaking tulong na gagamitin ko para sa pangdagdag sa aking negosyo bilang nagtitinda ng isda.”

Gov. Guico defines the kind of leadership worthy of praise and trust of the people.

5th District Congressman Ramon Guico Jr., Vice Governor Mark Lambino, FSLP Chair Maan Guico, Board Members Jan Louie Sison at Chinky Tababa, 5th District Consultant Isong Basco, 6th District Consultant Vicky Saldivar, Gilbert Estrella, DOLE Assistant Region 1 Director Honorina Baga, Rosales Mayor William Cesar, BM Salvador Perez Jr., BM Noel Bince, SK Federation President Joyce Fernandez, Sto Tomas Vice Mayor  Timoteo Villar, San Nicolas Councilor Maricon Operana, and other LGU officials from Udaneta City attended the payout.

The next payout is slated on Friday, August 30 in Calasiao town.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Bernie Cabero/PIMRO)

Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III supported the conduct of institutional registration and issuance of national IDs in paper form by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Said undertaking was aimed at bringing PSA’s services closer to the unregistered population aged one (1) to four (4) years old children from municipalities in all six districts of Pangasinan through the launch of the “Rehistro Bulilit Campaign.”

The event launch was scheduled to take place in six different locations in the province, which started on August 26 at the Alaminos City Sports Complex for District I and at CB Mall Balingit Urdaneta City for District V, respectively.

Showing his strong support for the project, Gov. Guico and 5th District Political Adviser Jesus ‘Isong’ Basco attended the ‘Rehistro Bulilit Campaign’ held in Urdaneta City.

Apart from the registration, the provincial government likewise provided services such as story-telling activities and children’s activities led by the Pangasinan Provincial Library (PPL); feeding activities by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office; and medical and dental services by the Provincial Health Office. The ‘Rehistro Bulilit Campaign’ also serves as an opportunity to disseminate information regarding the National ID.

The launching will continue on August 31 to include: District II-Lingayen (TBD); District III-San Carlos City (TBD); District IV-Fixed Registration Center, Calasiao; and District VI-SM City Rosales.

As of August 20 this year, 2.6 million Filipinos have been successfully registered, with the majority of registrants aged five (5) years old and above.

The PSA looks forward to achieving its goal of having 92 million Filipinos registered in the National Identification (ID) System by the end of September 2024.

For further inquiries, you can contact PSA at pangasinanphilsys@gmail.com/ phone number (075) 540-2547. (Chona C. Bugayong/Omar Cruz,Joey Olimpo|PIMRO)

The Provincial Government of Pangasinan hosted the 4th Voter Education and Registration Fair of the COMELEC as well as the first Automated Counting Machine (ACM) Public Demonstration.

Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia; Executive Director Teopisto E. Elnas, Jr.; and other officials from the COMELEC main office led the activity, which aimed to provide information on voter’s rights, explain the importance of voting, and present the machine that will be used for the May 12, 2025, national and local elections.

Provincial Legal Officer (PLO) Baby Ruth Torre, who represented Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, said that it is highly significant that the Comelec event took place in Pangasinan, beginning in the City of Dagupan and culminating in Lingayen, the capital town of the province.

Atty. Torre called on everyone to protect the integrity of the ballot and the safety of the Filipino voting public.

Relative to this, the province of Pangasinan assured its full support for all efforts that guarantee free, clean, and honest elections.

“Democracy strengthens when people exercise their privilege of choosing the leaders that will represent them. Let us not take the value of our votes for granted,” Atty. Torre added.

In a ‘Welcome Lunch’ for the entire COMELEC Team, COMELEC Chairman Garcia expressed gratitude to Gov. Guico, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, and the entire provincial government officialdom for their support.

“Tatandaan natin ‘Halalan at Kinabukasan’ ang nakaatang sa bawat balikat ng bawat isa. Hindi lahat makukuntento sa mga ginagawa natin. Sa ating mga desisyon, basta naka-base sa Diyos, sa paniniwala natin kung ano yung tama, tama para sa bayan at para sa bawat isa ay yun ang susundin ng puso at isip natin. Ang importante, magtuloy-tuloy lahat ng ginagawa ng ating Komisyon,” Chairman Garcia said.

Earlier, COMELEC Lingayen conducted the Satellite Voter Registration with the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) at Training Center II, here.

Also in attendance at the event were Commissioner Socorro B. Inting, Commissioner Nelson J. Celis, and Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand P. Maceda Jr.; Directors from the COMELEC Main Office; Provincial Election Supervisor of COMELEC Pangasinan Marino Salas; other Election Supervisors (PES) of Region I; Regional Election Directors (RED) of Region I; Election Officer of Lingayen Reina Corazon S. Ferrer; Other Election Officers of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur; SP Secretary Verna Nava-Perez; and Provincial Accountant Marlon C. Operana.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Province of Pangasinan was recently adjudged by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-1) as the “Most Disability-Inclusive Province” in the entire region.

Pangasinan bested La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. The presentation of the award was one of the highlights of the National Disability Rights (NDR) Post-Celebration in Region 1 on August 22.

The award, according to Jennifer V. Garcia, Disability Officer IV of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), is a recognition accorded to the province for its “exceptional efforts in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are fully integrated into the community.”

“The DSWD Region 1 lauded Pangasinan for its leadership in setting a regional example in disability inclusivity and encouraging other provinces to adopt similar initiatives,” Garcia said.

Governor Ramon V. Guico III undertook a comprehensive initiative to render various programs and services that aimed not just to address the specific needs of PWDs but likewise to empower and uplift their lives.

As an assurance, Gov. Guico vowed to champion the cause of PWDs in the province by giving them equal access to government programs and services.

The provincial government, through the PSWDO led by Anabel Roque, has continuously implemented programs and projects that will redound to the benefit of the sector.

To reinforce the province’s dedication to empowering the sector, the Pangasinan Federation of PWD Incorporated was established, and the creation of 44 out of 47 local government units (LGUs) was facilitated by PSWDO PDAO.

Aside from the province, the main awardees in the regional search for the most disability-inclusive communities are as follows: Local Government Unit (LGU) of Asingan—Most Inclusive Municipality; LGU Alaminos City—Most Inclusive City; Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City—Most Inclusive Barangay. Runners-up, on the other hand, include LGU Mangatarem, 1st Runner-Up (Most Inclusive Municipality); Brgy. Poblacion Malasiqui, Pangasinan-1st Runner Up (Most Inclusive Barangay); Brgy. Tangcarang, Alaminos City, 2nd Runner Up (Most Inclusive Barangay). In the PWD Got Talent competition, Christian Joel Duenas from Zone 6 Campo, Bayambang Town, was adjudged the 2nd runner-up.

Based on the record, there are about 58,813 individuals with disabilities in Pangasinan.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan– The provincial government, through the Provincial Population Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (PPCLDO), in partnership with the Commission on Population Development (CPD) Region I, conducted a Family Planning Forum in celebration of the 2024 National Family Planning Month (NFPM).

Anchored on the theme: “Panalo ang Pamilyang Planado! Tara, Usap Tayo sa Family Planning” highlights the significance of family planning (FP) in improving the quality of lives of the people as the country aims to advance transformative, social, and economic development.

The forum aimed to increase awareness on responsible parenting (RP) and family planning (FP) and promote and share the right information with the public.

“Bilang mga kawani ng pamahalaan, isa po sa ating mga responsibilities ay ang mag share ng tamang impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan patungkol sa pagpapalaganap ng RP at FP upang ang buong probinsiya, ang lahat ng pamilyang Pangasinense ay responsableng nagpapamilya,” PPCLD Officer Ellsworth G. Gonzales said.

Gov. Ramon V. Guico III assured the full support of the provincial government for the said activities, programs, and initiatives to achieve a healthier community, a healthier family, and a better future.

Discussed during the lectures and presentations include Family Planning/Reproductive Health Status of Region I; Family Planning/Reproductive Health Status of Pangasinan; Role of Family Planning Communication in Influencing FP Acceptance; and Men’s Participation in Family Planning.

Acting Regional Director, CPD Region 1 Aileen T. Serrano; Assistant Regional Director, CPD Region 1 Wilma E. Ulpindo; Project Evaluation Officer I, CPD Region I Roy Gerson B. Torres; and FP Program Manager, PHO Pangasinan Sheryll R. Bascos, served as resource speakers.

To wrap up the event, a public health forum dubbed “Mental Health in Action” was also conducted by the province through the Employees Health and Wellness Club (EHWC).

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, and JP De Vera/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III recently created the Construction Supervision Team (CST) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up in the Province of Pangasinan by virtue of Executive Order No. 0081, Series of 2024.

PRDP is a poverty reduction development program of the national government through the Department of Agriculture that aims to increase rural incomes and enhance farm and fishery productivity in the targeted areas of the country.

As such, the accomplishments gained from the PRDP prompted the national government to increase program funds and expand the project to PRDP Scale Up. This is to further support the government’s effort to improve farmers’ and fishermen’s access to the market and boost their income from selected agri-fishery value chains.

It can be recalled that the Province of Pangasinan is a recipient of four sub-projects approved for funding and implementation under PRDP Scale Up. These are as follows: three provincial warehouses with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) located in the towns of Bugallon and Sta. Barbara and San Quintin and the Pangasinan Bangus Breeding and Hatchery in Bolinao.

With the creation of the construction supervision team, which will be spearheaded by Gov. Guico and chaired by Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison, it is expected that project implementation will be properly guided by the plans and technical specifications required by the project.

Other members of the team include Provincial Engineer Amadeo Veras; Provincial Planning and Development Office officer-in-charge Rowena V. Ignacio; and Asst. Provincial Engineer Jonathan Ramos, Engr. Carl Abarabar, Engr. Danmill Danganan; and Engr. Alvin Melendez. The aforementioned engineers will perform different functions as stipulated in the executive order. Also included are selected offices that are tasked with special functions like monitoring and evaluation, finance, geo-mapping, and governance, among others.

In preparation for the implementation and construction of the projects, a pre-construction conference is slated to be held on August 28–30 at the Pangasinan Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) Conference Room, to be facilitated by technical personnel from the agriculture department’s Regional Project Coordinating Office 1.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan: With the establishment of additional health facilities, procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment, hiring of more health practitioners, and training, all 14 provincial government-run hospitals are now “hospitals of choice.”

In his first few months in service, in 2022, Governor Ramon V. Guico III ordered the hiring of additional health practitioners to be deployed in the various district and community hospitals in Pangasinan. From 3,117 in 2023 (1,826 health and 1,291 non-health personnel), the total number of both health and non-health personnel climbed to 3,221 in 2024 (1,910 health and 1,311 non-health personnel).

Various capability enhancement trainings were likewise conducted for health practitioners stationed in the different district and community hospitals.

In 2023, the province inked a partnership with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 1 that facilitated the deployment of a Residency Training Program to reinforce the human resource requirement in government hospitals. A memorandum of agreement (MOA), on the other hand, was signed by Gov. Guico in February 2024 with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center for the implementation of the Nursing Skills Training Program in Pangasinan.

Aside from enhancing the skills of medical workers and augmenting the number, the province also acquired new medical and laboratory equipment, including 21 ultrasounds, six computed tomography (CT) scans, one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 10 X-ray machines.

The Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program played a pivotal role in assisting indigent patients and those who are financially incapacitated. With this, a hefty amount of P461,801,375.00 was downloaded to the province, made possible through the signing of five separate Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs).

In the first MOA, the province received a total of P269,570,375.65, of which P267,332,429.59 was utilized. For the second MOA, P37,026,000.00 was downloaded, and P37,035,999.92 was utilized. An amount of P72,765,000.00 was granted in the third MOA, with P69,258,840.17 utilized. In the fourth MOA, the province received P55,440,000.00 and utilized a total of P47,969,270.89. An amount of P27,000,000.00 came from the fifth MOA, in which the province utilized P33,600,000.00. Sources of funds came from the health department and various senators, congressmen, party-list representatives, and other leaders.

To provide additional health facilities, the present administration endeavors to build hemodialysis centers in all district hospitals in Pangasinan. Recently, Gov. Guico led the groundbreaking of a three-storey building at Lingayen District Hospital. Upgrading the bed capacities of the various health facilities is also among the thrusts of the provincial government.

It can also be recalled that the province launched the Pangasinan Community-Based Konsulta Plus program to increase the utilization of healthcare services, particularly among vulnerable populations, based on their needs. This is just one of the many health projects of the present administration to achieve its thrust in instituting preventive health programs in the province.

Based on the report prepared by the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital Management Services Office (PHMSO), a total of 64,563 patients were admitted to the 14 government hospitals as of July 31, 2024.

Dr. Racki Senin Ogoy of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital Management Services Office said the growing number of patients is an indication that provincial government-run hospitals are now hospitals of choice.

Meanwhile, with its commitment to excellence in health services and the healthcare system, the Province of Pangasinan was recently recognized as among Northern Luzon’s ‘Best Newborn Screening Facilities in Region 1 in the 2nd quarter of 2024 (Ruby F. Rayat, PIMRO)