Dagupan and Urdaneta Cities, and Pangasinan Province - Compiled Threads

[tracymack]

^^Musta karruba? Long time no post. :D

[allan_dude]

Tondol Beach, Anda

http://www.pangasinan.org/2007towns/anda_poblacion/Tondol%20Beach.JPG
Photo courtesy of Pangasinan.org by Anna Marie De Castro

http://www.pangasinan.org/2006town/anda_tondol/jan%20jan%20and%20jerry%20by%20the%20beach%20of%20tondol.jpg
Photo courtesy of Pangasinan.org by dave

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/416346312_d33041ea23.jpg?v=0
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com by finepetite

[tracymack]

Dagupan out to regain first-class city status


If Dagupan gets reclassified to 1st class then that would automatically mean Urdaneta also gets upgraded to 1st class.

It's all about income and for the last few years, Urdaneta has been ahead of all the region 1 cities, including Dagupan, in terms of income.

Here's the income classification criteria used by the Dept of Finance in 2005:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2377330006_c32ecf19ed_o.jpg
Source: National Statistical Coordination Board (http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/articles/con_income.asp)

[allan_dude]

Ye! :cheers1:

[leechtat]

gorgeous tondol beach.. thanks!

[tracymack]

Summer time is Halo-halo time!

Aside from going swimming, one of the best ways to beat the summer heat is by chugging down halo-halo. My favorite one is that of Razon's (of Guagua, Pampanga). Theirs is an old school, back to basics, keep it simple halo-halo. The only ingredients are finely crushed ice, banana, macapuno, milk & sugar topped with uber sweet leche flan. :drool:

Halo-halo isn't their only specialty. It's also their pancit luglug (palabok) & sizzling bulalo! They also serve different varieties of silogs. :drool:

The best thing about it is that my hometown now has two branches of Razon's. For those in Pangasinan or those travelling up north, you can now drop by at any of the Razon's Urdaneta branches to relax, cool off & take a break from your long, tiring drive.

And now the pics..

Razon's Urdaneta City - San Vicente East

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2140/2381877479_428c377c28.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2140/2381877479_428c377c28_b.jpg


Razon's Urdaneta City - Filco Plaza, Nancayasan

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2382710572_40bca87848.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2382710572_40bca87848_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2382723532_f83a9f9e00.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2382723532_f83a9f9e00_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2382723306_8e2c5bf765.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2382723306_8e2c5bf765_b.jpg


I forgot to take pics of the food. I only remembered it after we were done eating. :lol:

[tracymack]

Here are pics of Filco Plaza along MacArthur Highway, Nancayasan, Urdaneta City. It is a one stop shop for home improvement, furnishing & even construction supplies. Products such as tiles, bathroom fixtures, paint, insulation, etc. can be bought here. It houses Home Ideas, Honda Motorcycles, Onemobilenation, Razon's and other establishments.

Too bad the only chances I got to go there & take pics were on sundays when most of the stores are closed. Still, here are the pics..

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/Filco%20Plaza%20Urdaneta%20City/DSC03990_tracymack_downsized.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/Filco%20Plaza%20Urdaneta%20City/DSC03993_tracymack_downsized.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/Filco%20Plaza%20Urdaneta%20City/DSC05021_tracymack_downsized.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/Filco%20Plaza%20Urdaneta%20City/DSC03976_tracymack_downsized.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/Filco%20Plaza%20Urdaneta%20City/DSC03972_tracymack_downsized.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/Filco%20Plaza%20Urdaneta%20City/DSC03985_tracymack_downsized.jpg

[allan_dude]

^^ Great updates tracymack!

[allan_dude]

Pangasinan Pista’y Dayat features more thrills

The Pangasinan Star Online (http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/03/mayor-al-welcomes-a-chinatown-in-city/#more-2499)

LINGAYEN-- The celebration of Pistay Dayat which used to be perceived as a mere Lingayen activity has been repackaged as a provincial summer spectacle with a host of new and meaningful events for all ages to enjoy and cherish, according to the organizers.

Re-branded as Pangasinan Pistay Dayat, the annual sea festival kicks off with a blast of sights and sounds on April 24 with the staging of the country’s first Grand Orchestra Showdown featuring top homegrown street orchestras.

The Pangasinan Pistay Dayat 2008, which centers on the theme: “Aliguas tan Limgas, Intaduro Lawas,” is headed by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. as Honorary Chairman and provincial administrator Rafael F. Baraan as Executive Chairman.

The orchestra showdown is highlighted by a simultaneous production number of the five orchestras, the individual musical repertoire per orchestra and the large ballroom dancing of the people of Pangasinan and their visitors till the wee hours of the morning.

To be interspersed with the orchestra showdown is a Dancesport competition by both amateur and professional ballroom dancers.

The following day, the first Tourism and Trade Expo featuring the best products of every town and cities in Pangasinan opens at 10:30 in the morning. Every LGU in the province, along with Small and Medium Enterprises and Special Interest Groups will showcase their best and latest products and services.

In the evening of the same day, a vocal solo competition will be held at the beachfront dubbed “Kansionan Diad Guilig na Dayat.” Participants are selected per congressional district of Pangasinan.

On April 26, the unique performance arts of Pangasinan takes center stage such as Turbaan, Zarzuela and other fun-filled musical shows delivered in pure Pangasinan dialect by original Pangasinan singers. In partnership with the Federation of Senior Citizens and War Veterans, the event expects big crowd.

The following day, April 27, at 8 in the morning, a triathlon event called “Lumbay Langoy, Bisikleta tan Batik” will be held to test the limits, speed and stamina of Pangasinan athletes and visitors along the breathtaking coastline of Pangasinan.

At night, the expanded Limgas Na Dayat, now called Limgas na Pangasinan, will show the talents of the beauty pageant participants from various towns and cities of Pangasinan during the Limgas Talent Night.

From April 29-May 1, adventurous but family-oriented families can join the Family Camp to be established at the beachfront of Lingayen. Family activities from morning to evening capped by bonfires will be held.

On the same schedule, all Sangguniang Kabataan officials from provincial to municipal/city levels will stage their own Youth Camp as they are clustered on the same beach. The youth camp will also provide the campers leadership training and discuss

Pangasinan history and environmental issues. At night, the young leaders will enjoy simultaneous campfires by the sea.

On April 29, the most acclaimed choir in Asia, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will perform at the Lingayen Beach dubbed: “Say Dayat Tan Musika” to show why they are one of the best choirs in the world.

The morning after, a beach volleyball competition will be held featuring college volleyball players in Pangasinan. Dubbed “Beach Volley Belles,” the event will feature young lady players clad in beach volleyball attire.

In the evening of April 30, the grand finals of the Konsyerto sa Gulpo rock band competition will be staged coinciding with the “Liket tan Gayaga’d Dayat,” or beach party. Participated by all SK officials from provincial to barangay levels, the event will also have guest bands to highlight the event. Preliminaries of the band competition are scheduled on April 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19.

On the final day of Pangasinan Pistay Dayat on May 1, the array of activities include Panangidayew tan Pisasalamat (mass offering) at 7:30 o’clock in the morning; launching and covenant signing of the search for the cleanest municipality; Banda Parada of the famous Drum and Bugle Corps in Pangasinan; Kapamilya Variety Show of ABS-CBN; the finals of the PMA Masigasig Class ’72 Governor’s Cup Shootfest; and finally, the holding of the Limgas Na Pangasinan Pageant and Coronation Night.

The following day, Pistay Dayat tapers off with with “Dayat Ko, Linisan Ko,” at 6 in the morning. (PIO)

[allan_dude]

Mayor Al welcomes a Chinatown in city

The Pangasinan Star Online (http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/03/mayor-al-welcomes-a-chinatown-in-city/#more-2499)

THE first of its kind Chinatown in Dagupan City proposed by the local Filipino-Chinese community will soon be a reality.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said he is open to the proposal but he and members of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce will still have to sit down together to formally discuss the project.

Proposed to be converted as little Chinatown of Dagupan City is Rizal Street which is already the location of many establishments owned by Filipino-Chinese, which include two Chinese schools and a Chinese chapel.

“That is good. We have many Dagupeños, business leaders and Filipinos. Though their parents or ancestors came from China, by birth and by integration, they are as Filipinos as we are,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez was former immigration commissioner.

He added that he is open to the idea of setting up of Chinatown because this will showcase Dagupan’s eco-tourism potential and help enhance its socio-economic development.

By being publicly known as the location of Chinese restaurants and source of good products, the Chinatown is expected to attract more tourists, diners and shoppers, the mayor said.

Rizal Street is the location of the city’s first Chinese chapel, the Filipino-Chinese Charity Foundation which is open to people who would like to learn the Chinese dialect and also value formation.

It is also the location of the school, the Pangasinan Universal Institute; Botica China, Divine Word Academy of Dagupan, St. Therese Church, Lennox Hotel as well as the Iglesia Ni Cristo church in the far end.

[allan_dude]

Alaminos City given control of reclaimed land

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080402-127999/Alaminos-City-given-control-of-reclaimed-land)

ALAMINOS CITY – The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has allowed the city government to take control and manage all activities within the reclaimed portion of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP), the Lucap Wharf and its foreshore areas.

“Finally, we can ensure the protection of the environment while attracting business investors to translate to livelihood and more jobs for the people,” said PRA general manager Andrea Domingo.

Domingo and Mayor Hernani Braganza signed a memorandum of agreement on the city government’s management and supervision of a 34-hectare reclaimed area at Lucap. The city is planning to develop the area as residential and business zones.

“[Braganza] has my full support in his drive to develop the reclaimed property while preserving the natural resources of the Hundred Islands,” Domingo said in a statement.

She asked the mayor to ensure that residents and investors would comply with the guidelines, rules and regulations on reclamation.

PRA, Domingo said, would review, evaluate and approve all reclamation projects in Lucap Bay and its foreshore areas. She said the agency would “strictly monitor” compliance.

Domingo has also offered the PRA’s expertise to help the city in its development plan and future activities in the reclaimed area.

Braganza, in a statement, said the arrangement gave the city the “sense of preparation” to correct the “unplanned reclaimed areas.”

“Such agreement has given me the clear authority to develop a master plan. Hopefully, residents and business operators ... could now have a sense of security,” he said.

[allan_dude]

Korea to finance $2.2-M seafood processing facility in Dagupan

By Marianne V. Go

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea are finalizing the details of a proposed seafood processing facility in Dagupan City through a $2.2-million grant from the latter’s aid implementing agency.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said a survey team from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) visited the country recently to work out the details of the project.

During their visit, the KOICA team, led by Kim In, and Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. discussed the measures to be undertaken to guarantee the successful implementation of the project which will tap Korean technology to improve the facilitation and processing of seafood exports from the Pangasinan port.

The project involves the construction of a 1,500-square-meter seafood processing plant that will include packing, heating and smoking equipment; quick-freeze and ice-making facilities; air showers, sterilizers and other sanitary equipment.

The project will also include the training of Filipino technical personnel in Korea to equip them with skills to properly operate, manage and maintain the processing plant.

Yap said this initiative is in line with President Arroyo’s food program called “Pagkain sa Bawat Mesa, Negosyo sa Sakahan-Laban sa Kahirapan.”

Besides the Dagupan seafood processing facility, Yap said Korea has also provided assistance to other development projects in the Philippines and facilitated bilateral trade between the two countries.

Last year, Yap said Korea excluded Philippine bananas from the list of products subject to its 10-percent adjustment tariff on imports.

The exemption of Philippine bananas from the payment of the new adjustment duties effective Jan.1 last year has effectively lifted the quantitative restrictions imposed by South Korea on Philippine bananas.

A consistent top market for the country’s fresh and processed products, South Korea used to impose a 30-percent basic tariff on Philippine bananas.

Prior to Jan. 1, 2007, it had also imposed a 10-percent adjustment rate on bananas, the only fruit subject to this kind of tariff, making it a quantitative restriction to discourage imports of this fruit.

The adjustment tariff was a distortive trade practice, considering that Korea has no banana industry to protect because the fruit is not grown in “commercially meaningful” quantities in that country.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2008040713

[allan_dude]

Pangasinan moves to meet rice targets

Pangasinan (9 April) -- THE provincial government headed by Governor Amado Espino Jr. has vowed to intensify rice production to meet the reported impending rice crisis in the coming months.

Espino met heads of agencies under the Department of Agriculture on Monday to mutually agree on goals and strategies to assure that planting and harvest programs are on target.

While at it and believing that man can not live on rice alone, Espino said there is also a need to increase production of other cash crops, including fish and meat.

Department of Agriculture Regional Director Cipriano Santiago assured the governor that Pangasinan's total rice production last year was 1,011,000 metric tons, scoring a sufficiency level of 161.3 percent.

Pangasinan is the third biggest rice producer of the country to date, trailing by some 20,000 metric tons the second ranking rice producer Isabela, and the top-ranking rice producer Nueva Ecija.

Santiago confirmed that Pangasinan registered a total accomplishment of 103.9 percent out of the targeted areas for planting but fared poorly in hybrid rice production as only 41 percent or 3,405 hectares were planted out of the target 8,380 hectares.

Only a few farmers who planted hybrid rice despite the fact that the Department of Agriculture was giving P1,000 subsidy per bag of hybrid rice seeds bought by farmers from seed producers.

Santiago revealed a program proposed by Abono Partylist Congressman Robert Estrella Jr. that his group is ready to also set additional subsidy for hybrid rice seeds to be bought by Pangasinan farmers just to ensure massive use of hybrid rice.

Santiago said that on corn, Pangasinan planted 40,000 hectares of land, comprising 56 percent of the total area planted in the whole Region 1.

Total corn production last year was 217,000 metric tons out of 365,000 metric tons produced in the region.

On mango, total areas planted comprise 23,000 hectares but for this year, additional 120 hectares of land will be planted.

On vegetables, Pangasinan is presently supplying eggplants, tomatoes, ampalaya and okra to Metro Manila, Region 2, Cordillera, Region 3, Region 4-A and the Bicol Region.

On Fish, DA Asst. Regional Director Rosario Gaerlan confirmed that 95 percent of the fish production in Region 1 comes from Pangasinan.

At present, Pangasinan is one of the top seven aqua-culture producers nationwide but is the nation's number one milkfish producer.

She said that 93 metric tons of bangus are going to the fish market in Navotas, Metro Manila daily or 33,000 metric tons annually. (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080409.htm&no=45

[cybercliff]

I attended Holy Rosary Academy before becoming changing the name. Here's a link to the Pangasinan.biz website http://www.pangasinan.biz/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3

[allan_dude]

^^ Welcome to Pangasinan Thread cybercliff! :):)

[allan_dude]

Boat tour in Lingayen Gulf launched

SUAL–Now there’s a new way to explore the Lingayen Gulf.

The “Angel of the Gulf”, a twin hull or Catamaran type of boat that can accommodate up to 30 people, has been launched by a private operator for foreign and domestic tourists.

It is programmed to sail from the Sual Port then around the Lingayen Gulf passing through Cabalitian Island here and to the famous Hundred Islands in Alaminos City.

Howie Chua Cham, promoter of the Angel of the Gulf, said this is the first such offering for such a service and is optimistic about business prospects.

“Since this is a new project, ‘yung demand wala pa, kumbaga we are here to create that demand na parang dati, kasi ang tao kung wala silang nakikita, they don’t ask,” Chua Cham said.

He added that while his group is starting off with just one vessel, they are ready to add more once “the service becomes viable”.

Chua Cham also said they intend to forge partnerships with resorts and tour operators to expand their market.

Tour options are from the Sual port to the Quezonisland of the Hundred Islands where tourists can swim then have lunch at the Lucap Wharf, then cruise to Cabalitian Island in Sual for hiking, spelunking and more swimming.

Chuam Cham said they can also build boats for resorts with consideration for specific requirements.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/13/boat-tour-in-lingayen-gulf-launched/#more-8957

[allan_dude]

New Pangasinan-Zambales road being pushed

LINGAYEN—A road normally taken by trucks of illegal loggers passing through mountain slopes is now being eyed for expansion as a new super highway that will connect Pangasinan to Zambales.

This was revealed by Second Highway District Engineer Rodolfo Dion who said the proposed new highway, with a length of 85 kilometers and a 20-meter right of way, is under consideration by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Proposed to be financed solely through local funds, the project site was recently inspected by a team led by Dion and Zambales District Engineer Domingo Mariano.

The highway will connect the town of Mangatarem, passing through barangay Mapita in Aguilar town, to Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

The Pangasinan side of the highway is 27 kilometers while the Zambales side is 58 kilometers.

“In the pilot operation, we were looking at the possible alignment of the new highway which will cut through several mountain slopes overlooking the scenic Dasol Bay between Pangasinan and Zambales,” Dion said.

Construction of the Zambales side of the new highway already started, using an initial P20 million released by the DPWH.

He said once completed, the new highway will be the second access road that will connect Pangasinan and Zambales.

The old route is through the Infanta-Sta. Cruz road in Western Pangasinan.

Dion said the DPWH is already securing environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources since some trees would be cut.

Once completed, the new highway will open the boundary of Pangasinan and Zambales to investments, especially for eco-tourism, as the climate in the areas to be traversed by the project is similar to the mountain tourism destinations of Baguio and Tagaytay.

Dion is optimistic that the project can be finished by the end of this year.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/13/new-pangasinan-zambales-road-being-pushed/#more-8956

[allan_dude]

4 towns get new police patrol cars

CAMP OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union– The fight against criminality in the province received a boost with the assignment of brand new patrol vehicles to the police stations of Alcala , Malasiqui, Umingan and Bolinao.

Chief Superintendent Romeo Hilomen, the newly installed regional police director, said the procurement of new cars and motorcycles is part of the program to improve the “move, shoot, communicate, and investigate” capability of the Philippine National Police nationwide.

The regional command received a total of 23 vehicles (16 Toyota Hi-Lux 4×2 patrol jeeps, five Toyota Altis patrol cars and two 200cc Honda motorcycles) that were distributed in various towns. .

The police stations in Alcala , Malasiqui and Umingan each received a patrol jeep each while Bolinao got a Toyota sedan.

Hilomen, speaking during the turnover ceremonies on April 4, called on the officers and men of PNP Region 1 to conduct more aggressive patrol operations and respond more quickly to calls for police assistance.

“These patrol vehicles must be used to improve our services and to show that Mamang Pulis is ready to serve and act swiftly at all times,” he said.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/13/4-towns-get-new-police-patrol-cars/#more-8960

[allan_dude]

Pantal-Lucao road opening up to DPWH

IT’S up to Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to decide when to inaugurate and open the new Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Road, including its bridge component in the middle.

Fourth District Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., patron of the new highway, made this statement even as he stressed that it is now only a matter of time before the project is finally opened to vehicular trafic.

Arriving in Dagupan on Wednesday, De Venecia said he was informed that the project is now 99.9% complete with the contractors doing only the finishing touches.

De Venecia, however, is still uncertain if he would be invited to the inauguration of the project that he believes will be attended by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“I will go if invited,” De Venecia said chuckling when asked if he will attend the inauguration where he will come face to face with the President.

De Venecia and Arroyo were once close political allies but their relationship soured and turned bitter when the former Speaker’s son and namesake, Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, implicated First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the aborted NBN-ZTE deal, which eventually led to his ouster as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

De Venecia blamed Arroyo for his ouster as House Speaker and later as president of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, the country’s largest political party.

He said protocol dictates that it should be the President who should inaugurate the P1.3 billion project which he describes as one of the most beautiful highways built in the country by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Although the bridge component that spans across the Pantal River was financed through a soft loan of P970 million released by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, it was De Venecia’s Priority Development Fund that was used to build the Dawel-Pantal and the Babaliwan (Poblacion Oeste)-Lucao roads.

Second District Highway Engineer Rodolfo Dion affirmed the solon’s view that the opening of the new road is up to the DPWH central office.

Dion said the contractors are awaiting the go-signal of the DPWH central office to finally remove the barriers now blocking access to the newly-built highway.

Last Saturday, Dion confirmed that except for the beautification on its approaches, the road component is already finished, and that lights on the bridge are already being installed.

The Japanese government, through the Toyo Construction of Japan, built the bridge with integrity, De Venecia stressed, saying, “Walang kalokohan”.

He said he accumulated his pork barrel funds for several years to finance the road component of the project that was built over swamps and rivers in the outskirts of Dagupan City.

De Venecia also bankrolled the construction of the Judge Jose R. de Venecia Highway, connecting Calasiao and Dagupan City bypassing the city’s commercial district, during his first term as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The bypass highway was named after De Venecia’s late father, a retired Court of First Instance judge.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/13/pantal-lucao-road-opening-up-to-dpwh/#more-8967

[allan_dude]

Tapuac Road upgrade now 60% complete

THE upgrading of a portion of the Dagupan-Lingayen road in barangay Tapuac, Dagupan City is now 60% complete and ahead of schedule, according to Second Highway District Engineer Rodolfo Dion.

Funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., the P20 million project is being worked on by the contractor round the clock.

Dion said the road was elevated by 70 centimeters setting it higher than the flood level in the area.

“We hope to end the flooding in that stretch once the upgrading is completed,” he said.

“Every time there is flood, water lags in that area from three to four days to the inconvenience of passing motorists. Nakakahiya sa mga motorists at commuters,” he added.

Flooding the area hinders the flow of light vehicles passing through.

Dion said while they are still concreting the right lane, they already opened the left lane for one-way traffic but only for light vehicles.

This relieved pressure on Malued road where public utility vehicles and trucks have been temporarily diverted.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/13/tapuac-road-upgrade-now-60-complete/#more-8963

[allan_dude]

Dagupan taps PWDs to man city call center

Dagupan City -- SEVEN persons with disability (PWDs) graduated from a two-month call center training qualifying them to man the city's call center in the city hall.

City Administrator Alvin Fernandez said the seven were trained by a call center teacher hired by the city government to train potential call center agents who will man its hotline 324.

The call center, he said, is now being constructed at the lobby of the city hall.the call center will be attached to the City Emergency Operations Center at the police outpost at the city hall.

Hotline 324 was already approved by Philippines Long Distance Telephone and the National Telecommunications Office regional office.

This is being questioned however by the NTC central office because being intended for rescue, it should be assigned the number 117 instead.

Fernandez said the city field a motion for reconsideration because hotline 324 will not only for rescue but for giving information to the public, for instance on where to go in Dagupan City, what restaurants they can go to and school to enroll at, among others.

The PDWs were tapped to man the call center because the city government recognizes their full potentials and believes that they are a big asset to the society notwithstanding their disabilities. (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080410.htm&no=20

[allan_dude]

Sali yopa natan so Tondaligan

Pangasinan -- MARAKEP so pinawayan na impamasimbalo ed andawes na Tondaligan.

No makapasyar kayo natan ditan ed Bonuan et alay abig na saramay balon "tourist sheds" o siroman tan painawaan.

Simpli, gawad pinaor tan kawayan labat (walamet iray pigaran sementado) tan kada pigaran metros et walay tuaton gripo (shallow wells) a nayarin pambegnawan daray totoo. Walamet iray kalutan (grill) ya akatarya kada "shed" tan magalang, maoyamo iray managbantay na sarayan syeds. (Singa siniminar irayo amo, a pare Ike?)

Medyo binmili so abang balet ta lapud samay Holi Wik met lanti siguro kanian onman, kasabi ordinaryon agew et nayarin onabeba la so singil na manag-paabang na syeds.

Agkala natan singa manduaruan awiten so pamilyam ditan ed Bonuan ya manliliket tan manames ed dayat ta marakdakep so kaliber-liber, najal laray akitongilang iran bengatla tan angob ya makapoy.

* * * *

Salamat ed say administrasyon nen Meyor Al ta onialan pinmawil so datin makaingganyon kipapasen tonmay Tondaligan. Otit ya ontanlan makapalikliket a naimatonan ya awawey na parke et sanen onaan ya ginawa iyan "national park" ed silong na administrasyon nen andilad bilay Meyor Opring Manaois.

Diad indadalan na nanduruman administrasyon, kinmapoy lan kinmapoy so bista tonian baleg ya parke. Kinmokoririt iray tanem ya niyog tan arom ya kiew. Pati saray painawaan ed gilig na dayat nagmaliw ya obong na saray bibiin sasaliwen. Nagmaliw ya ayaman daray totoon anggapoy pananginonang dan manbantak na dutak da anggan iner.

Komon ta nasustoni so pasimbalo ed Tondaligan ed ondalan niran panaon. Diad bektan naimano tayon ompapawil so panagbalasubas ditan, manonaan tayon manawag na imano na saray awtoridad ya impasen parad kaabigay "tondaan ya panligaan." (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&fi=p080401.htm&no=44

[tracymack]

Saturday, April 12, 2008
City to hold Miss Magic 2008

DAGUPAN CITY -- About 20 young Pangasinenses will be competing in this year's Miss Magic, a beauty pageant tagged as the most glamorous and most prestigious beauty pageant in the province.

Magic Group of Companies presented last Wednesday the official candidates in the pageant, namely, Cypress Olivas (Asingan), Diana Ruth Pagsolingan (Calasiao), Ma. Rowena Abdon (Manaoag), Rochelle Carlos (Dagupan City), Kheus Jane Amansec (Pozorrubio), Mille Palisoc (San Carlos City), Ellen Ollero (Urdaneta City), Gemmafer Mejia (Binmaley), Kris Alliane Crisulo (San Carlos City), Mae Ann Pagador (Alaminos City), Rominique Cabading (Villasis), Jean Kimberly Ann Oraza (Dagupan City), Braphine Sheen Palisoc (Urbiztondo), Josielyn Rodriquez (Lingayen), Allyza Marie Bernabe (Bayambang), Princess Bautista (Binmaley), Renee Grace Palaganas (Mangaldan), Fely Rose Garcia (Binmaley), Whitney Tibayan (Tayug), and Benelyn Nietes (Villasis).

Marc Brian Lim, chief executive officer (CEO) of Magic Group of Companies, said the Miss Magic beauty pageant was organized to provide opportunities for education, growth and cultural exchange for young Pangasinense women.

It also aims to provide a forum for young Pangasinan women to display their skills and talents; to create a forum for entertainment, relaxation and social contacts; to create brand awareness for Magic and its sponsors; and to differentiate Magic from competitors.

Lim said the pageant is meant to accent the positive qualities among today's women and foster and promote worthwhile ideals.

"Now on its seventh edition, the pageant aims to leave an echoing mark. To the candidates, a worthwhile experience that they will cherish for the rest of their lives; to the organizers, for the seemingly insurmountable task of making a trend-setting production, innovative and interactive promo hypes; and to our customers, for this is one of Magic Group of Companies' way of extending gratitude to their continued patronage to the company," he stated.

The pageant night will be held on May 10, 2008 at the Urdaneta Sports Complex in Urdaneta City. (LCMY/Sunnex)

Source: Sun Star Pangasinan (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/04/12/news/city.to.hold.miss.magic.2008.html)

[tracymack]

Sunday, April 13, 2008
City bares Limgas na Pangasinan aspirants

LINGAYEN -- The committee of Pangasinan Pista'y Dayat 2008 presented to the media Saturday the 20 semi-finalists in the search for Limgas na Pangasinan.

The members of the Pangasinan Tri-Media Association Inc. (Patrima) and the Pangasinan Press and Radio Club (PPRC) chose the "Darling of the Press."

Limgas na Pangasinan means "lovely lass of Pangasinan."

The Limgas ng Pangasinan candidates are: Amor Romero of Manaoag, Pamela Amor delos Reyes of Sta. Barbara, Krizette Crishna Unabia of Lingayen, Rosalyn Suratos of Mangaldan, Ludovina de Leon of Bugallon, Hannielyn Almaden (Anda), Thushara Navimana (Sta. Barbara), Lyka Mae Banaag (Aguilar), Jarydel Prado (Lingayen), Ma. Angela Veronica Carretero (Malasiqui), Joy Anne Cornejo (Lingayen), Ma. Victoria Cacatian (Lingayen), Marilee dela Cruz ( San Carlos City ), Elaine Manangan (Binalonan), Lindsay Pauline Poulakos (Bugallon), Vanessa Lorraine Velasco (Calasiao), Eimee Flor Romero (Binmaley), Lovely Angelica Pre (Lingayen), Alannah Guselle Cuison (Dagupan City), and Jea-Ann Finuliar of Urdaneta City.

During the candidates' press presentation, some of the media practitioners were captivated with the charm, sweet smile, and intelligence of Elaine Manangan of Binalonan.

Manangan, 19, is a nursing student at University of Baguio. She stands 5 feet, 5 and a half inches; with vital statistics 34-25-35. She hails from Barangay Vacante, Binalonan.

She said she joined the Limgas na Pangasinan because it is not just a plain beauty pageant like those she had joined before.

She added that her participation in the beauty pageant does not end with the pageant night, as she has a role or responsibility to help the province in her own simple ways.

Manangan said she was convinced to join the beauty pageant by her friends who had joined in the past. Aside from school beauty contests, she said she had joined Miss Teen Baguio and represented the Northern Luzon to Miss Teen Philippines several years ago.

The Limgas na Pangasinan talent night is scheduled on April 28 while the pageant proper and coronation night will be held on May 1, the actual day Pangasinenses celebrate Pista'y Dayat. Both activities will be held at the Capitol Plaza.

Meanwhile, the Pangasinan Pista'y Dayat festivities kicked off last April 4 with the first elimination round of the Konsyerto sa Gulpo (Battle of the Bands).

The grand celebration will formally open on April 24 with the Grand Orchestra Showdown and Dance sport Festival. This will be held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center grandstand.

The other scheduled activities are: Aliguas ed Turismo tan Ekonomiya (1st Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo); Takayan na Daye ed Kapitolyo (vocal solo competition); Zarzuela tan Turbaan; Lumbay Langoy, Bisikleta tan Batik (Amazing Triathlon Event); Say Dayat tan Musika (a concert featuring the UP Madrigal Singers); Family and Youth Camp; Beach Volleybelles; Liket tan Gayaga'd Dayat (beach party); Panangidayew tan Pisasalamat (mass and environmental thanksgiving ritual); Banda Parada; and Dayat Ko, Linisan Ko. (LCMY/Sunnex)

Source: Sun Star Pangasinan (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/04/13/news/city.bares.limgas.na.pangasinan.aspirants.html)

[tracymack]

^^ Great updates tracymack!

Thanks allan_dude! It's always a pleasure to be able to share stuff about my hometown. Will post more updates when I'm no longer swamped with work. :nuts:

[allan_dude]

^^ Thats fine. I'm also busy. I got a new job. I'm now working with JP M*rgan Ch*se. :lol:

Hope to see your updates!

Sunday, April 13, 2008
City bares Limgas na Pangasinan aspirants

Source: Sun Star Pangasinan (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/04/13/news/city.bares.limgas.na.pangasinan.aspirants.html)

Saturday, April 12, 2008
City to hold Miss Magic 2008

Source: Sun Star Pangasinan (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/04/12/news/city.to.hold.miss.magic.2008.html)

Pageant Season ha! :lol:

[tracymack]

Sanctuary Real Estate Development Corp. AVP

Here's an AVP of the corporation featuring their Sanctuary IT building in Urdaneta City. This building, owned by the Shahanis, is included in PEZA's list of IT parks/buildings and is currently the only one in the Ilocos region. This video also shows some places in Urdaneta such as schools, malls, resorts, etc.

Yf6TgyVDmN0


Pangasinan is sleeping giant –Ex Senator Shahani

The former senator expressed hope that Pangasinan would soon be a part of Information Technology with Urdaneta City as the hub.

Although she and son Ranjit are now out of the government, they are still helping the province and are expected to play a lead role in bringing IT technology in Pangasinan.

The Shahanis are all set to make their high-rise commercial building in Urdaneta as home for several call centers.

“Information technology is one way we can modernize Pangasinan,” the former senator said.

This is the building owned by the Shahanis, The Sanctuary Plaza. Like I said in my previous post, it's not pretty (in fact it's ugly :lol:) but it's location and size are a big plus for BPO's.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/2263471619_3fdc79330e_o.jpg

[tracymack]

CB Mall Update 04-12-08

Updates on CB Mall Urdaneta City:

Left Half (facing the mall): Already open to public for quite some time.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2262061230_01077e0657.jpg
Link to larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2262061230_8a34dea37a_o.jpg

Right Half: Construction is in full swing.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/2262056466_1006e6d433.jpg
Link to larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/2262056466_6bd0a97a33_o.jpg



Pic of the right half (more like right two-thirds :lol:) of the mall. Photo was taken last saturday.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2415562877_1471b3e209_b.jpg

[tracymack]

^^ Thats fine. I'm also busy. I got a new job. I'm now working with JP M*rgan Ch*se. :lol:
Nice. Congrats on your new job!

Hope to see your updates!
Yeah, I've taken quite a number of photos recenty. I'm still trying to find time to organize the pics and post them here. Stay tuned. :)

Pageant Season ha! :lol:
Oo nga eh. Para sa mga kalalakihan. :lol:

[tracymack]

Carabao disappearing in Pangasinan, Ilocos, execs say
By Gabriel Cardinoza
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 11:19pm (Mla time) 04/16/2008

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – Carabao, the national animal, is slowly becoming a rarity in Pangasinan and in the Ilocos.

And unless the government acts fast, it may become extinct in five to six years, Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said here on Tuesday.

“The trend has become very alarming already,” said Perez, who was here to attend the provincial development council meeting. “They are becoming extinct because our farmers now use hand tractors.”

Ten years ago, carabaos were a common sight in rice fields on both sides of the road anywhere in the province, he said. But now, he said, for every 10 cows, only one carabao is seen or “nothing at all.”

The carabaos that are being traded at the Urdaneta cattle market are coming from Abra and Cagayan Valley, Perez said. Cagayan Valley, according to records of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, is the top carabao-producing region.

“There’s nothing, only a few now come from Pangasinan. Before our carabaos came from western Pangasinan,” he said. Urdaneta has one of the biggest cattle markets in the country.

Perez noted that in the Ilocos region alone, carabao population decreased by 80 percent over 10 years.

He said in his city’s cattle market, only about 5 percent of the animals being traded there every week are carabaos.

“And this has affected our cattle market. Before, on an ordinary market day, about 1,800 heads were there for two days. Now, we only have 800 heads,” he said.

He said the government, especially the Department of Agriculture, should seize the initiative in preventing the possible extinction of the national animal.

“A lot of our people are still dependent on carabeef for their meat requirements,” Perez said. “Not only that this is the cheapest meat but, mind you, it also tastes better than beef or pork.”

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=130611)


***********

Who would have thought that carabaos may become extinct in the Philippines? :omg: I hope the government takes action asap.

[tracymack]

Tapuac Road upgrade now 60% complete

Dion said the road was elevated by 70 centimeters setting it higher than the flood level in the area.

“We hope to end the flooding in that stretch once the upgrading is completed,” he said.

“Every time there is flood, water lags in that area from three to four days to the inconvenience of passing motorists. Nakakahiya sa mga motorists at commuters,” he added.

One of the most unfortunate things about Dagupan is that it is extremely flood prone. It should be no surprise since it is below sea level.

Question: Now that the road was elevated 70cm, where does the flood water go? The article didn't mention any drainage improvements were done.

[tracymack]

CSI Urdaneta Renovation Update 04-12-08

Looks like CSI is putting on some effort in making their older Urdaneta branch less of an eyesore. I've also noticed that they have moved their shade back probably to give way to the road widening project.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2419135542_762d96563f.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2419135542_762d96563f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2200961912_aa334b6919.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2200961912_34fba0688e_o.jpg

Here's a pic of the older CSI in Urdaneta. This is not CSI warehouse club Urdaneta. This is the one fronting CB Mall. Half of it which used to be the cinema is being torn down. Business wise, this Urdaneta branch is doing well but the structure isn't the prettiest. Anyone with any info on why it's being torn down? Renovation? Expansion?

It looks like they're converting the old cinema into an extension of the existing supermarket/department store. I was hoping CSI would convert it into a mall since this branch is already far behind Magic & CB Malls. Though it's not impossible that they are converting it to a mall because it looks like they are also expanding the structure towards the back. I don't have a better picture of it though. I only realized it when I was browsing the pics I took on my laptop. The windows are also a welcome addition.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2265864013_9f2f67ec51.jpg
Link to larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2265864013_7dbc55b601_o.jpg

Whether they convert CSI Urdaneta to a mall or not, they better make the structure look good. Mahiya naman sila sa katapat nilang CB Mall na Palafox ang nagdesign. :lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2265864015_195e90d5dc.jpg
Link to larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2265864015_068c84962d_o.jpg

[allan_dude]

Nice. Congrats on your new job!
Thanks!
CSI Urdaneta Renovation Update 04-12-08

Looks like CSI is putting on some effort in making their older Urdaneta branch less of an eyesore. I've also noticed that they have moved their shade back probably to give way to the road widening project.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2419135542_762d96563f.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2419135542_762d96563f_b.jpg
Mukhang ayaw patalo ng CSI sa Supercenter na tinatayo sa Rosales. :lol:

CB Mall Update 04-12-08
Pic of the right half (more like right two-thirds :lol:) of the mall. Photo was taken last saturday.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2415562877_1471b3e209_b.jpg

December ba completion date?

[tracymack]

Mukhang ayaw patalo ng CSI sa Supercenter na tinatayo sa Rosales. :lol:
Oo nga eh pinareho yung design sa gitna na pa-slant. :lol:

December ba completion date?
Di ko alam eh pero mukha namang by december open na to.

[tracymack]

Has some info on Urdaneta's rice supply..

NE rice millers stop buying palay as costs rise
By Anselmo Roque
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080416-130842/Nueva-Ecija-rice-millers-stop-buying-palay-as-costs-rise)

SAN JOSE CITY – Rice mill owners have stopped buying palay (rough rice), citing diminishing capital and the low demand for milled rice from outlets, particularly in Metro Manila.

“Our combined capital can only buy up to 60 percent of the usual volume of palay that we buy during harvest time,” Edgardo Alfonso, president of the San Jose City Ricemillers Association, said.

He said rice millers here used to buy up to 11 million metric tons of rough rice every year. The palay that they buy is milled and sold in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.

“Our hands are tied and we cannot move on any further,” Alfonso said.

This city has the most number of rice mills in Luzon. The owners, who mill rice year-round, usually send agents to various places in northern Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya to buy the farmers’ palay harvest.

Slow recovery

Not anymore.

“Our P2-billion combined capital was enough then as the palay buying price was from P9 to P10 per kilogram only,” Alfonso said. “But now that it reached more than P19 per kilogram, we can buy only a portion of what we used to buy.”

What aggravated the situation was the low demand for milled rice.

Traders usually use the money they earn selling milled rice to buy more palay. Because the demand is low, it takes them longer now to sell milled rice, which in turn prevents them from buying more palay.

“We are accused of manipulating the buying price of palay to earn more.”

He said: “That’s not true. What we want to do is to continue buying palay so that we can mill and sell rice continuously. Our buying capacity is not that strong anymore.”

The fear of being raided by government agents on suspicion of hoarding is always there, he said. But he said they could not hoard as they should be regularly supplying their outlets.

Asked about the increase in the buying price of rice, Alfonso said the “noise” about the alleged rice crisis, or very low supply of rice, in the world market created panic and speculation by some traders.

Panic-buying

“There was panic-buying of rice. Speculators also bought rice and kept supplies to be sold later at a very high price,” he said.

He said government officials also sent wrong signals to the public about the real rice situation. They even surprised the public about the decision to increase the buying price of palay by the National Food Authority from P12 to P17 per cavan.

It was only recently that the government announced there was no rice crisis. But it came too late, Alfonso said, adding that prices of rough rice and milled rice had already gone up.

For rice farmers, it was good as they would now earn more, he said. But for non-rice producers, they would be affected very much especially during the lean months, he said.

As a rule of thumb, the price of milled rice is pegged by the millers at double the buying price of palay.

Enough rice

“If we bought the palay at P17 per kilogram, the price of the milled rice should be P34 per kilogram. But look what’s happening. The buyers prefer the much cheaper rice now,” he said.

In Urdaneta City, the mayor said that even if farmers would not plant rice in the next one and a half years, residents would still have enough rice to eat.

Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said his city had been producing more than enough rice for its 130,000 residents. “If only our farm produce or harvest in palay would remain in Urdaneta, that is more than enough to sustain Urdaneta residents for one and a half years,” he said.

But he said this had not been the case because after harvest, farmers would sell their produce. “This time, I have been emphatic in telling our farmers not to sell all their palay. Retain one half,” he said.

Dalisay Moya, officer in charge of the provincial agriculture office in Lingayen town, said Urdaneta produced 25,023 metric tons of rice last year.

[garzland]

Good day, Pangasinan.. Where is the Hundred Islands located, is it in Alaminos?

[tracymack]

^^Yes, in Alaminos City. Planning to go there anytime soon?

[garzland]

^^Yup, this coming April 30... In what particular island should we stay?

[[dx]]

Bangus Festival na sa Dagupan City! :)
Photos by TwistedHalo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/twistedhalo/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2418679188_43d1336442_b.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2418694008_72f24d5ba6_b.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2417880609_39996c2028_b.jpg?v=0

[allan_dude]

^^Yup, this coming April 30... In what particular island should we stay?Go to Quezon Island. Rent rin kayo ng banca para sa island hopping :)

[allan_dude]

City police intensify anti-prostitution drive

POLICE operatives of Dagupan accompanied by anti-prostitution civic and religious representatives swooped down on the city’s ‘ red light district’ in Arellano-Bani here, arresting several pimps and customers of suspected prostitution dens and lewd show clubs over the past few days.

The police operation supervised by City Police Chief Dionicio Borromeo was part of the intensified campaign to clamp down on prostitution patrons and operators in the city in line with City Ordinance 1896-2007 or the Anti Flesh Trade Ordinance.

Appropriate charges were filed in court against the suspects who all reportedly posted bail within minutes

At least two suspected pimps, “Philip” of Bugallon and “Roger” of sitio Aliquas on Arellano were arrested during a raid along the strip on April 1.More than 10 suspected prostitutes were also taken in for questioning.

Another entrapment operation was conducted the following day, netting suspected pimps “Jayson” and “Ronald”, both from the city. Two entertainers were arrested.

The anti-flesh trade ordinance prescribes penalties against not only night club operators and agents engaged in lewd shows or acts of prostitution but their customers as well who are caught having indecent acts with the establishment’s guest relations officers (GROs) or attendants.

In the April 1 raid, a religious pastor, Edgardo Ico accompanied the authorities on behalf of the civic groups as called for in the ordinance concerning the conduct of police raids on such suspected sex dens.

On Sunday, April 6, city police also raided the VTB Massage Parlor located along Arellano-Bani. The raiders caught a customer and an attendant in the act of having sex, the police report said.

http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/16/city-police-intensify-anti-prostitution-drive/#more-2521

[allan_dude]

‘Price, not rice, crisis’ — NFA

LINGAYEN- An official of the National Food Authority (NFA) said the current scene of buyers queuing up at NFA retail outlets in markets in Pangasinan is not an indication of rice crisis but only “price crisis.”

Edilberto Libatique, branch manager of NFA in western Pangasinan, observed that the wide gap between NFA rice and commercial rice is the reason people are queuing up before NFA’s “bigasang bayan”.

“So, it’s not really (a) supply crisis but one which we might call possibly as price crisis,” declared Libatique whose office covers 22 towns and three cities of the first, second, third and fourth district of Pangasinan.

Pointing out that there is no reason for panic-buying, he said there is enough government rice available for the people.

NFA rice sells at P18.25 per kilogram while the lowest price of commercial rice prevailing ranges from P30 to P32 per kilogram.

“On the other hand, people are not queuing up on commercial rice,” he observed.

He said if people start also queuing up for the commercial rice, that should only be the time for people to be alarmed because
it would be an indication of poor rice supply and shortage. That is not happening now, he stressed.

Libatique said NFA outlets in the western part of the province are currently being revalidated because of a presidential directive before that all passbooks of NFA outlets are suspended.

Originally, the NFA branch had 98 outlets, in addition to 69 outlets previously sponsored by legislators in order to provide additional sources of cheap rice to their constituents.

Already validated were 45 outlets spread in 22 municipalities and three cities, of which Dagupan got four, located in its two public markets.

All these are now selling their weekly allocation of 30 bas each.
Libatique said they are opening more “bigasang bayan” outlets because of the increased demand for NFA rice.

Each outlet, he said, sells packs of NFA rice at two kilos each.(PNA)

http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/16/price-not-rice-crisis-nfa/#more-2525

[allan_dude]

Daakan so belas dia

Updated April 17, 2008
Courtesy of The Pangasinan Star Online

MARIO F. KARATEKA

ANTOTAYAY panpapa-gaan daray tototoo a ya onkulang kono o naandi so lakon belas ed merkado?

Agdata amta ya dakel, dakdakel ni so nayarin isalat ed satay belas? Walakan mais, kamote, kasaba tan arom niran tane-tanem — no manbilang talagan mairap lay makala o makasaliw na belas.Walad pasal-pasalan labat itan, andita?

Diad tuay tua labat, singa agmo nanenengneng ya naandiay belas so Pangasinan ta aliwan singa saray arom ya probinsiya ya karaklan ed daldalin da ginagawa dalan golp kors odino subdivision tan nanpapaalageyan day angkabaleg iran bildings, dakel ni so papageyan, kaonasan,.maisan tan tabakoan diad luyag tayo, maweste man o paeste.

Manisia ak ed ibabagatoniay Senyor Ed Libatique na NFA ya no bilang walaray pila ed belas na NFA natan, saya et aliwan lapud walay krisi na belas no ag say walay lombaan ed pakasaliw na mamoran presyoy belas. Aliwan krisis na belas sirin itan no ag say ‘krisis’ na presyo.

Ta no nengnengen mon tua et dakel so saramay tatawagen a “fancy rice” odino saray medyo maong a klasen belas ya aliwan “regular-milled” tan anggapomet o nabilang labat so mangasaliw ed saraya. Walaan ni sirin na suston suplay na belas.

Sarayay kakaibad medya met, puero los buenos, et sikara no maminsan so ontutulong ed kitagey laingen na presyoy belas lapud saray istorya tan hidlayn daran mangiiter na kipokal na pagew daray ombaley ya managsaliw. Samboten iyan paga tan takot daray sumasaliw laingen na tuson negosyante pian itagey so biliy belas dan abayag metlan istak da. Panik baying a tatawagen so nagagawa tan baleg so tuboy tuson negosyante.

Walan tuay kakisiran na belas ed intiron mundo lapud ambabangil iran rason kaibalay pasalat-salat ya klima tan say ombababaleg lan ombababaleg ya populasyon. Balet no apigeren labat so produksiyon tan anggapoy pangimbak na masolok nen say nepeg ya kanen na sakey too, walay belas parad amin, mairap-bilay man o mayaman.

* * * *
Agaymetlay awawey kalamor natan nen datin Ispiker Dyo de Benesya.

Bangta proyekto ton atawag itay balon dalan tan taytay ya tatawagey Dawel-Pantal-Lucao “circumferential road.”, singa magkakapeligro laingen ni amo natan ya naitsa-puwera sano inagorasyonan layan baleg ya imprastraktora diad manontombok iran agew.

“No imbitaan daak, (ed inagorasyon) maong met; no andi, anggapoy nagawaan tayo,” kuanton singa natitikel ya imbesngaw ed medya, kaibay maimpis ya imis.

Agni nigetar so pangilukas ed sayan dalan tan taytay ya ginastosay bilyones pesos tan aalagaren so desiyon nen Sekretaryo Hermogenes Ebdane na DPWH no kapigan’

Aliwan singa nen saman ya alaen ya alaen so desisyon nen JdV no walaray onian proyekton baleg ed komapat a distrito.

Asaltan lay panaon met lanti tan pinmigar lay tawen. Walalay barongan ed baetan nen JdV tan si Presidente GMA.

Komon ta no natutltuloy lay inagorasyon na taytay et naalmod puso na saray lideres ed tagey ya ikdan na kanepegan ton pamirbir met so datin Ispiker ya angikalbo met na ag natawalan ya kantidad manlalapud CDF to parad sayan baleg ya pan-inawaan daray biyaherod sayan dapag na Pangasinan.

Babantayan met na saray totood Dagupan no panon tratoen na Palasyo si Kongrisman Dyo ed say onsabi-sabin inagorasyon.

http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/16/sayan-indio-daakan-so-belas-dia/#more-2526

[tracymack]

^^ Inya kano? :nuts:

:lol:

[tracymack]

^^Yup, this coming April 30... In what particular island should we stay?
Go to Quezon Island. Rent rin kayo ng banca para sa island hopping :)

Agree. :yes:

[garzland]

Go to Quezon Island. Rent rin kayo ng banca para sa island hopping :)

Thanks a lot! But how much is the rental fee?

[allan_dude]

^^ P500 i think. Better if you check the current tariff at Lucap wharf's tourism desk. :)

[allan_dude]

DTI donates equipment to Pangasinan Bangus Association

By Venus May H. Sarmiento

Dagupan City -- Various equipments and units for bangus processing and preservation were turned over recently by he Department of Trade and Industry to the association of Bangus producers and dealers.

The equipment consisted of a vacuum packing machine, a chest freezer and two sealers worth P86,000.

DTI Provincial Director Peter Mangabat said the agency donated the machines to the Pangasinan-Dagupan Bangus Association, Inc to help the processors and vendors in giving a longer shelf life to the bangus (milkfish), the city's famous product.

"With these machines, we are expecting that the product will be processed faster and easier and its shelf-life will be extended," Mangabat said.

Bangus, incidentally, is the province and the region's model for the "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) program of the agency.

City Administrator Alvin Fernandez, together with Mangabat, led the turnover ceremonies of the machines to PDBPA,Inc President Gloria Suarez, Thursday at the Dagupan Business Center

The 26 members of PDBPA expressed happiness and pride at the sight of the new machines which they have long wanted to have. The equipment will be housed at the association's office located at the Magsaysay market in the City of Dagupan. (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080418.htm&no=28

[garzland]

^^ P500 i think. Better if you check the current tariff at Lucap wharf's tourism desk. :)

Ok, thanks for the info allan.

[tracymack]

Consortium starts fundraising for Tarlac-La Union expressway
By Daxim Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=131600)


MANILA, Philippines--The consortium that recently won the right to build an expressway aimed at cutting travel time between Baguio City and Manila has started inviting financial partners who will help shoulder the cost of the P15-billion project.

At the same time, the president of the 10-member Philippine Infra Development Corp. (PIDC) said the company was in the process of doubling its capitalization as the project gets underway.

"Our first expenditure will be P500 million so we need to raise another P250 million from our members," said PIDC chairman Rogelio Murga, explaining that the firm already has a paid-up capital of P250 million.

He told reporters that actual work on the project might start as soon as next month when the company expects to secure all the approvals from government regulators.

The government recently awarded the right to build and operate the proposed 88-kilometer Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway (TLUTEx) to PIDC, which counts as its members D. M. Consunji Inc., First Balfour Construction, EEI Corp., C. M. Pancho Construction, R. D. Policarpio Construction, J. E. Manalo Construction, J.V. Angeles Construction, D. M. Wenceslao Construction, New Kanlaon Construction, and Rockford Construction.

The two-lane TLUTEx is expected to be completed up to Urdaneta, Pangasinan, by mid-2010, while completion with full tollway operations will be by January 2013. The plan calls for the addition of two more lanes once the traffic volume reaches 25,000 a day.

With the completion of the TLUTEx, travel to Baguio City will be cut to 3.5 hours compared to the present average of five to six hours. The government hopes that the expressway will help promote tourism as well as lower the cost of farm and fishery products coming from the northern regions.

During the briefing for prospective funders late Friday, BDO Capital and Investment Corp. president Ed Francisco outlined the projects financial needs, saying that P2.9 billion of the project cost will be shouldered by the national government, leaving a requirement of P12.23 billion.

Preliminary plans call for P3.68 billion of this amount to come from equity that will be raised by the consortium members, while P8.59 billion will come from commercial borrowings.

Meanwhile, DMCI Holdings president Isidro Consunji said that his company would fund the capital call by selling at least P1.5 billion worth of "idle assets" as soon as next month.

[allan_dude]

Espino: Explore your province

LINGAYEN—Be tourists in your own province.

This was the exhortation made by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to the 2.7 million Pangasinenses in a bid to spur tourism in Pangasinan.

Espino made the call when he spoke before mayors and heads of different government agencies in the first-ever meeting and strategic planning session of the Provincial Development Council (PDC).

“We are 2.7 million Pangasinenses and with our numbers, we can keep tourism alive in our province,” Espino said.

In the meeting, Espino listed tourism and investment high in his list of priorities for the province.

“We have only a simple vision, which is to make Pangasinan a good place for people to see and invest, where we the people, to include the next generation, wish to work and retire later on,” he said.

Espino said if only half of the 2.7 million Pangasineses will travel and see their own province, there will be more than one million tourists around who can contribute to the province’s economy.

“We encourage even now our local officials and heads of national government agencies to hold their seminars and conventions in the province so that their money will be spent here, rather than in the outside,” Espino said.

It has been a practice among municipal and city executives to hold their seminars and workshops in other places in order to avoid any distraction while plotting their plans and programs.

The governor said there are many good venues in Lingayen, Labrador and San Fabian, for seminars and even big conventions.

Espino revealed he is pushing for the upgrading of the Lingayen airfield into a commercial airport to make the province more accessible to tourists from Manila and other provinces.

The Lingayen airfield is now slowly being refurbished in preparation for handling commercial traffic.

The governor clarified though that this initiative does not undermine similar efforts to build other airports in Alaminos City and Sta. Barbara.

“As the governor, I welcome it if there are more airports that will rise in Pangasinan,” Espino clarified.

SEAPORT

Meanwhile, Espino also announced that the feasibility study on the international commercial seaport in Sual will be completed by next week.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo already committed an initial P100 million for the project.

Sual is where the province’s first government fish port was originally located.

Espino said both the airport and seaport are among the special projects he intends to pursue so that Pangasinan can keep in step with the more prosperous provinces in the country.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/21/espino-explore-your-province/#more-9069

[allan_dude]

Bangus Festival draws crowd

SO far, so good.

This was the assessment of Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, executive chairperson of this year’s Dagupan Bangus Festival, two days into the 19-day festivities, which will last until May 4.

Fernandez hailed the huge crowd that lined up the streets even under the blazing sun to watch the “Gilon-Gilon ed Baley” Street Dancing on Monday afternoon.

She said that the street dancing has so far drawn the biggest crowd and they can look forward to more street dancing during the Festivals of the North on April 26, where all street dancing champions in Northern Luzon will be participating.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez, in a speech during the festival opening on Monday at the plaza, credited Vice Mayor Fernandez for starting the “Gilon-Gilon” dance fever in the city when she introduced it in 1997 as chair of the Dagupan City Golden Year Anniversary.

This year, Barangay Mangin topped the “Gilon-Gilon ed Baley” winning the 1st prize of P80,000 and another P20,000 for being adjudged as best in choreography.

It was followed by Barangay Bolosan, represented by the Jose de Venecia Sr. Memorial National High School, clinching 1st runner up prize of P60,000, and another P20,000 for having the best choreographer.

Barangay Lucao was 2nd runner-up at P50,000; Dagupan City National High School, 3rd runner-up at P40,000 and another P20,000 for being best in costume and Barangay Pogo Chico was 4th runner-up for P30,000.

Barangay Mangin will represent Dagupan in the “Festivals of the North” competition.

FESTIVAL CROWD-DRAWERS

On the night of April 16, the Dagupan Bangus Festival beauty pageant, another crowd drawer, was held wherein ‘Dagupan’s Five Prettiest’ led by Ruth Marie Suarez, a beauty and brains from Lasip Chico, were crowned.

On Thursday, the mayor and vice mayor, Councilor Alfie Fernandez, vice chair of the Bangus Festival, and Councilor Jesus Canto opened the ‘Dagupan Foodstrip’ on Galvan Street, featuring food shops serving Dagupan native delicacies, such as pigar-pigar and kaleskes, among others.

“We were also impressed by the huge number of people that came to walk through and enjoy the ‘Dagupan Foodstrip’, where a competition called ‘Tunog Bangus’ or Battle of the Bands was also being held,” the vice mayor said.

No heavy traffic was noted even if the main streets were kept unlike in previous festivals where the main streets were closed to traffic.

The executive committee changed the previous policy to enable the transport sector to earn as well, not to deprive them, during the festival and gave unrestricted access to the public in all places where the multi-events are being conducted as the festival is really for them.

City Councilor Alfredo Quinto, president of the Dagupan Hotels and Inns, Inc., confirmed that all their member establishments are now almost fully-booked.

Also well-attended was the ‘Beauty Talk’ at the city plaza on the night of April 16 by beauty consultant Dr. Vikki Belo, whose popular clinics in Manila are being patronized by TV and movie personalities.

Dr. Belo mesmerized the crowd, dominated by women, in her solo lecture on how to retain ageless beauty just with the use of soap and water even without the use of any cream.

She won the crowd to her cause when she said that eating bangus belly can help maintain a healthy skin.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/21/bangus-festival-draws-crowd/#more-9067

[allan_dude]

Sta. Barbara gets P20-M corn facility

STA.BARBARA–Barangay Leet here, a self-sufficient agrarian reform community, will soon receive P20 million worth of post-harvest facility for corn from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Albertini de Guzman, municipal administrator, said the project will include a warehouse and equipment for processing the corn harvest in this town where more than 600 hectares of land are devoted purely to yellow corn.

The proposed post-harvest facility, De Guzman said, will also serve as a trading center for yellow corn.

Sta. Barbara is the biggest producer of yellow corn throughout the province of Pangasinan and the entire Region 1.

Mayor Reynaldo Velasco, de Guzman and Provincial Agriculturist Jose Almendares last week visited Mindanao, particularly the provinces of North and South Cotabato and Sarangani, to check out similar projects that will be duplicated in Sta. Barbara.

Velasco sought the project from Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap when he came to Pangasinan in March to grace the Farmers’ Agricultural Exposition in Carmen, Rosales.

There are at least two other corn post-harvest facilities that will be built in Pangasinan, one in Rosales and the other in Bayambang.

Yellow corn is a pro-duct that is in demand by manufacturers of feeds for poultry and animals.

Meanwhile, speaking before members of the Provincial Development Council in their meeting and strategic planning session in Lingayen on April 14, Velasco said all development efforts of the Sta. Barbara municipal government are geared towards the realization of two “As”, which are agriculture and airport.

He said his administration is pursuing infrastructure projects that will both improve the life of farmers and their families and lead to the establishment an airport in barangay Leet.

Among the projects mentioned by Velasco in support of both objectives are the concreting of the Banaoang-Bangsal to Mapandan Road, construction of the Matic-Matic-Leet Bridge, the Tebag-Asin-Malasiqui Road, and the road from Catablan going to Malasiqui.

Velasco reiterated that his vision for an international airport in Sta. Barbara will be a boon to his town which relies mainly on agriculture.

Velasco also stressed that they are prioritizing flood control and irrigation for the town’s development.

“When there is rain, there is too much water. When there is no rain, there is not much water,” he said.

The town’s irrigation system is currently being rehabilitated with the help of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which will increase coverage to 4,200 hectares from the current 1,000 hectares.

Dikes in flood prone areas are also being restored and strengthened through the Department of Public Works and Highway in preparation for the coming rainy season. —LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/20/sta-barbara-gets-p20-m-corn-facility/#more-9056

[allan_dude]

New Maramba Bridge done by December

STA. BARBARA—The new Maramba Bridge, a vital link between the poblacion here and Calasiao, is set for completion by early December this year in time for the town’s fiesta.

Although work on the project has just resumed after being suspended for almost a month, Municipal Administrator Albertini de Guzman assured there would be no more hitches in the construction work.

De Guzman explained that work was suspended for a month to allow the Japanese-owned Toyo Construction to revise the design of the project.

The old design for a four-column footing of the bridge has been changed to a two-column footing to avoid clogging from debris.

Moreover, the contractor found that a two-column footing is more suitable than the four-column footing considering that the Sinocalan River in Sta. Barbara rises during the rainy season, causing flooding in the town.

When floodwater rises, it carries with it debris that could slam into the Maramba Bridge and weaken it anew, De Guzman said.

The Maramba Bridge, built during the post-war era, was earlier recommended for replacement.

The contractor is now hastening work in anticipation of delays resulting from the La Niña phenomenon this year and the constant rain and flooding.

De Guzman also said aside from constructing the bridge, Toyo Construction committed to dredge portions of the Sinocalan River 100 meters before and after the Maramba Bridge.

The dredging was requested by Mayor Reynaldo Velasco in lieu of a temporary detour bridge.

The contractor will also provide concrete abatement of the dike.-LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/20/new-maramba-bridge-done-by-december/#more-9059

[allan_dude]

Alaminos boasts of increased visitors

ALAMINOS CITY—Visitor arrivals in the Hundred Islands National Park shot up by 40%, from 11,514 to 16,084, same period last year, according to records from the City Tourism Office.

Mayor Hernani Braganza said the increase in tourists, both foreign and domestic, is a testament that Hundred Islands remains the top destination in the province.

He credited not just the local government’s efforts to improve the popular site, but also the media and previous visitors who promote the place.

To maintain the Hundred Islands’ attraction, the city government, in coordination with the Hundred Islands Tourism Related Establishment Cooperative, has programmed nightly events until May at the Lam-Ang Garden in Lucap Wharf, the jump-off point to the islands.

Activities include musical performances, modern dancing, ballroom dancing, and bar tending and flair tending competitions.

On May 1, traditionally celebrated as Pista’y Dayat provincewide, special activities have been lined up including the fishermen’s thanksgiving Mass followed by a mini festival with an adventure race, fun race, logo design contest, gourmet cookfest using crustacean and mollusk, bankathon, kite flying and design contest, and musical shows in the evening.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/20/alaminos-boasts-of-increased-visitors/#more-9050

[allan_dude]

Anda Mayor Pulido defends elephant statues

ANDA–Elephants in Anda?

Definitely, says Anda Mayor Nestor Pulido as he slammed his critics who chided his efforts to promote the culture and the arts on the island by building elephant statues.

Pulido said elephants are part of the ancient history of Anda as verified by archeological findings of elephant fossils in the early 19th century.

The mayor told newsmen that the elephant statues are not a waste of money as insinuated by members of the town council because the elephants remind both the island town and the province as whole of its humble beginning.

“Local government executives must not only provide food for the stomach but also food for the spirit,” said Pulido, who has been in constant conflict with the town council, particularly over Anda’s annual budget.

The elephants, he said, are an important part of the town’s history because Anda is the only spot in Northern Luzon where elephant fossils were unearthed and this proves that elephants are, indeed, indigenous to the Asian mainland.

“The studies show that at one time, about 500,000 years ago, Anda was part of the Asian mainland, connected to China through land bridges,” Pulido pointed out.

“Shouldn’t we be proud of that?” he said.

Pulido told his critics in the municipal council that his effort to preserve Anda’s ancient history is not a waste of money since it also promotes the town to both tourists and academicians.

Anda is the only island town in Pangasinan connected to the mainland via a bridge built during the administration of President Fidel Ramos.

A steel bridge, saved from the ruins of the collapsed Don Teofilo Sison Bridge between Villasis and Rosales towns, now connects Anda to barangay Catubig, Bolinao.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/20/pulido-defends-elephant-statues/#more-9062

[allan_dude]

Rosales sees big boom from SM opening

ROSALES–SM will just be the beginning.

Rosales Mayor Ricardo Revita believes that the branch of Shoe Mart Inc. (SM) expected to open here on or before December this year, will prove to be a “strong magnetic force” that will attract other investors and help develop the town’s economy.

“With the opening of SM, we expect Rosales to boom commercially,” Revita said, adding that the agricultural economy of the town must be able to support the needs of migrants who will work and live in the town.

The town’s land use plan reserved enough land for agro-industrial, commercial, residential and eco-tourism zones.

Rosales, the gateway to Pangasinan and the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle from Manila, is an agricultural town and is the leading producer of hybrid rice in Pangasinan and Region 1.

The reported establishment of two agro processing plants whose products can be channeled to the export market through the San Fernando City in La Union and Subic in Zambales is now awaited by the officialdom.— LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/20/rosales-sees-big-boom-from-sm-opening/#more-9055

[tracymack]

^^Rosales (Revita in particular) just got lucky that the SM Urdaneta lot had land title issues. If not for those, Urdaneta would have had an SM City in 2004 and SM Supercenter Rosales would never have been in SM's plans.

[tracymack]

Pangasinan town still eyeing for an international airport

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, April 21 (PNA) — The town of Sta. Barbara is not giving up a bit its bid to be the site of an international airport to be hopefully built either by the government or through private initiative.

This was indicated by Mayor Reynaldo Velasco when he presented his programs and projects during a meeting and strategic planning session of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) headed by Governor Amado Espino Jr.

Velasco said development efforts of the Sta. Barbara municipal government are geared towards the realization of two “A”, which are agriculture and airport.

He said while his administration is seeking to improve the life of farmers and their families, it is at the same time pursuing the vision for Sta. Barbara to become the site of an international airport, notwithstanding similar bids for the facility undertaken by other towns.

Among the projects mentioned by Velasco in support of the planned international airport are the concreting of the Banaoang-Bangsal to Mapandan Road, construction of the Matic-Matic-Leet Bridge, the Tebag-Asin-Malasiqui Road, and the road from Catablan going to Malasiqui.

All these projects, Velasco said, will lead to the proposed international airport, hopefully to be built in Barangay Leet.

Velasco maintained that an international airport in Sta. Barbara will be a big boon to his town which relies mainly on agriculture.

He said being centrally located in Pangasinan and its proximity with the religious center in Manaoag and the cities of Dagupan, Urdaneta and San Carlos, Sta. Barbara is an ideal location for an international airport.

However, the city of Alaminos and the capital town of Lingayen are also bidding to be the site of the project.

Sta. Barbara Municipal Administrator Albertini de Guzman confirmed that all the infrastructure projects already built and being proposed by the municipal government will lead to the proposed airport.

“Practically all our activities, including on agriculture, are geared to support the dream of the town to be the location of an international airport, said de Guzman.

He said the town is making a tie-up with the Department of Agriculture so that farmers will get the necessary support in their food production venture, in order to make them highly competitive. (PNA)

Source: Positive News Media (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Pangasinan_town_still_eyeing_for_an_international_airport.shtml)

[tracymack]

Urdaneta City gov't takes step to avert food crisis
Source: http://news.tradingcharts.com/futures/8/9/107659398.html

URDANETA, Apr 18, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- The city government has taken steps to protect local consumers in the face of the looming food crisis, particularly on rice, Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said on Thursday.

Perez met farmer leaders and appealed to them not to sell all their rice produce so that they have something to eat during the coming lean months from June to September.

He made the appeal because of the practice of farmers of selling all their produce after the rice harvest season for them to be able to buy their needs.

Urdaneta is one of the top rice producers in Pangasinan with farmers planting even third crop rice due to the abundance of irrigation water.

I told farmers that they better be wiser now as the food crisis has just started, he said, pointing out the high cost of commercial rice now.

Perez revealed that middlemen are going to the farmers and offering them to buy their rice at a high of P19.50 per kilo in order to entice sellers.

At the same time, the mayor asked the National Food Authority to sell rice in six selected barangays here where there are many indigents.

He asked the barangay captains in these villages to identify indigent families to whom NFA will directly sell three kilos of rice to each family.

All households here were also encouraged by Perez to plant any kind of food crops in their backyard or any available land for them to be able to cushion the impact of food crisis, particularly on rice.

Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said it is only by producing their own food crops that marginal families can weather the impending food crisis due to the increasing prices of commodities.

He said the city government is buying hybrid vegetable seeds, in addition to the seeds produced at its own nursery for distribution to all households in the city.

Every household must plant and produce their own food for their survival as the food crisis appear to be getting deeper.

[allan_dude]

^^Rosales (Revita in particular) just got lucky that the SM Urdaneta lot had land title issues. If not for those, Urdaneta would have had an SM City in 2004 and SM Supercenter Rosales would never have been in SM's plans. :gaah: :gaah::gaah:Cge pa, cge lang, labas mo galit mo. Grr!!

Pangasinan town still eyeing for an international airport
Source: Positive News Media (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Pangasinan_town_still_eyeing_for_an_international_airport.shtml) Kung matayo man sa Alaminos yung int'l airport, magpapatyo parin raw si Mayor Velasco sa Santa Barbara.

@tracymack, San ba yung cattle market ng Urdaneta. Napadaan kami sa Urdaneta last Saturday. Ado ti nakitak na nuang diyay dalan. :)

[allan_dude]

http://www.dagupanbangusfestival08.com/jpg/footer.jpg

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

April 16, 2008
1PM – 6PM
OPENING: GILON GILON ED BALEY STREET DANCING COMPETITION
WITH SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST FROM ABS – CBN
PEREZ - DEL PILAR
AB FERNANDEZ
CITY PLAZA

April 16, 2008
5:00PM
BELO 101 SKINCARE TALK WITH DRA. VICKI BELO
CITY PLAZA

April 16-30, 2008
10:00 AM
GREAT DAGUPAN DAY SALE (CITY WIDE)

6PM – 12MN
BANGUSFEST FOODSTRIP
GALVAN STREET

April 16, 2008
8:00PM
HATAW SAYAW, HATAW DAGUPAN
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)

April 16, 2008
8 – 10 PM
CORONATION OF THE 2008 DAGUPAN BANGUS FESTIVAL QUEEN WITH HOST DR. HAYDEN KHO
CITY PLAZA

April 17, 2008
8:00 PM
TUNOG BANGUS BATTLE OF THE BANDS
FOODSTRIP STAGE
(GALVAN)

April 18, 2008
8:00 PM
DAGUPAN PINOY POP IDOL
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)
April 19, 2008
10:00 AM

BANGUS FESTIVAL
CYCLING CLASSIC 2008
CSI MARKET SQUARE

8:00 PM
HATAW SAYAW, HATAW DAGUPAN
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)

10AM - 7PM
GLOBE DAY
CSI THE CITY MALL

April 20, 2008
10AM – 3PM
KAPUSO BANGUS FESTIVAL KICK-OFF SOP IN DAGUPAN LIVE!
CSI STADIA

CSI THE CITYMALL
CSI STADIA
April 20, 2008
3PM – 5PM

BANGUS COOKFEST COMPETION (PARENTS & CHILD TEAM)
CSI ATRUIM

April 20, 2008
6PM – 10PM
TUNOG BANGUS BATTLE OF THE BANDS
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)

7AM - 5PM
LINGKOD KAPAMILYA MEDICAL MISSION
WITH SALAMAT DOC CHERRYL COSIM

ASTRODOME
April 21, 2008
10AM – 5PM
DAGUPAN VISUAL ARTS FESTIVAL (VASE PAINTING)
CSI THE CITY MALL BIG ATRUIM

April 21, 2008
6PM – 10PM
DAGUPAN PINOY POP IDOL
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)

April 22, 2008
10AM - 12NN
DAGUPAN VISUAL ARTS FESTIVAL (PHOTOGRAPHY)
CITY MUSEUM

April 22, 2008
10AM – 5PM
DAGUPAN VISUAL ARTS FESTIVAL (T-SHIRT)
CSI THE CITY MALL BIG ATRIUM


April 22-27, 2008
12:00PM
MAYOR AL FERNANDEZ BOWLING CUP
CSI THE CITY MALL

April 22, 2008
6PM – 10PM
HATAW SAYAW, HATAW DAGUPAN
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)

April 23, 2008
10AM - 5PM
DAGUPAN VISUAL ARTS FESTIVAL (CANVAS PAINTING)
CSI THE CITY MALL BIG ATRIUM

April 23, 2008
3PM – 5PM
ARAW NG MGA BATA WITH CHARLENE SAN PEDRO AND AARON JUNATAS
CITY PLAZA

April 23, 2008
6PM – 10PM
TUNOG BANGUS BATTLE OF THE BANDS
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)

April 24, 2008
6PM - 10PM
DAGUPAN PINOY POP IDOL (GALVAN)

9AM - 12MN
COKE DAY
PLAZA

April 25, 2008
6:00AM
GANDANG UMAGA KAPAMILYA TV PATROL NORTH CENTRAL

4:30PM
KUNDIMAN
SENIOR CITIZEN'S PARK

6:00PM
BANGUS COOKFEST (HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL 13-16 YRS OLD / SHOWCASE OF HOTEL AND RESTAURANTS)
PLAZA

April 25, 2008
8:00PM
HATAW SAYAW, HATAW DAGUPAN (FINALS)
FOODSTRIP STAGE (GALVAN)

April 26, 2008
10AM - 5PM
1ST DAGUPAN MONDIORING AND NATIONAL PITBALL COMPETITION
CSI ATRIUM

April 26, 2008
12NN – 6PM
FESTIVALS OF THE NORTH STREET DANCING COMPETITION
MAIN STREETS AWARDING – CITY PLAZA

April 26, 2008
6 – 10PM
TUNOG BANGUS
BATTLE OF THE BANDS (FINALS)
FOODSTRIP STAGE GALVAN STREET

April 27, 2008
8AM - 5PM
BANGUS INVITATIONAL SHOOTFEST (LEVEL 1)
DON PEDRO BALINGIT FIRING RANGE

April 27, 2008
6:00PM
BOXING
CITY PLAZA

April 27, 2008
10AM – 5 PM
DAGUPAN TAEKWONDO OPEN
CSI THE CITY MALL
BIG ATRUIM

April 27, 2008
12NN – 3PM
ASAP IN DAGUPAN
CSI STADIA

April 27, 2008
6PM – 10PM

DAGUPAN PINOY POP IDOL (FINALS)
FOODSTRIP STAGE GALVAN STREET

April 28, 2008
8AM ONWARDS
GLOBE DAY
CITY PLAZA

April 28, 2008
7AM – 12NN
AGEW NA ILOG
PANTAL RIVER

7PM – 10PM

NIGHT OF THE CHAMPIONS
FOODSTRIP STAGE GALVAN STREET

April 28,29 & 30, 2008
BANGUS FEST BILLIARDS CHALLENGE
CSI THE CITY MALL BIG ATRIUM

April 29, 2008
7:00AM
BANGUSFEST RODEO
WITH UMAGANG KAY GANDA KAPAMILYA COVERAGE
MALIMGAS MARKET

April 29,2008
2:00PM
PERFORMANCE ARTS
CITY PLAZA

April 29, 2008
WHOLE DAY
SMART DAY
CITY PLAZA

April 30, 2008
5:30AM-9AM
UNANG HIRIT BARKADA IN DAGUPAN
SENIOR CITIZEN'S PARK

GMA-7
April 30, 2008
6PM – 12MN

BANGUSAN STREET PARTY
GMA KAPUSO NIGHT
BAMBOO, PAROKYA NI EDGAR,
KAMIKAZE, BLACK DYAK,
ABS-CBN ONE TEAM ONE SUMMER KAPAMILYA
SPONGE COLA, BOSSING BAND
SPLASH IN THE SKY FIREWORKS

May 1, 2008
6AM – 8AM

PISTA'Y DAYAT FLUVIAL PARADE (FISHING BOAT) DRAGON BOAT
PANTAL – BONUAN

8AM - 9AM
THANKSGIVING MASS
TONDALIGAN STAGE 1

10AM - 6PM
CHIPPY GIMIKADA

3PM - 5:30PM
SURF LANGHAP LINIS CHALLENGE
TONDALIGAN BASKETBALL COURT

6PM - 8PM
DAGUPAN BODYFEST (Bikini Open)
STAGE 2 TONDALIGAN

8PM - 11PM
BEACH PARTY WITH THE YOUTH AND MOONSTAR 88

STAGE 2
COLGATE / PALMOLIVE
May 2, 2008
8AM - 5PM

MUD WRESTLING
PARA SAILING
SAND CASTLE MAKING


5PM - 7PM
BEACH VOLLEYBALL

May 3-4, 2008
10:00AM

VM BELEN FERNANDEZ BADMINTON CUP
CSI STADIA

May 4, 2008
BANGUS FESTIVAL 2008 GULF TOURNAMENT
DAGUPAN GOLF & BEACH CLUB

http://www.dagupanbangusfestival08.com/index.html

[cybercliff]

I have compiled videos about Pangasinan and posted on one of my websites at http://pangasinan.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=42

YBoI97LVpHc

[tracymack]

:gaah: :gaah::gaah:Cge pa, cge lang, labas mo galit mo. Grr!!
As long as di pa naco-construct ang SM Urdaneta you can expect more of these kinds of reply everytime an article on SM Rosales is posted. ;)

Kung matayo man sa Alaminos yung int'l airport, magpapatyo parin raw si Mayor Velasco sa Santa Barbara.
Ok lang. Sa Brgy Leet yung proposed site. Alam ko sa may Sta. Barbara-Urdaneta boundary yun so parang sa Urdaneta na rin sila nagpatayo. :lol:

Hindi ba nila naisip na baka mas ok na sa Urdaneta yung airport? Malaki rin ang land area ng Urd plus it has the biggest cattle market (& an AAA slaughterhouse), bagsakan market & public market in Northern Philippines? It's pretty obvious that the government favors some towns over others that are more deserving. I understand why they are pushing for Alaminos but Sta. Barbara??? Geez..

On the other hand, ok na rin na sa Sta. Barbara. I'm not that confident with Philippine aviation anyway. :lol:

@tracymack, San ba yung cattle market ng Urdaneta. Napadaan kami sa Urdaneta last Saturday. Ado ti nakitak na nuang diyay dalan. :)
Saan ka ba galing & saan ka nagpunta? The cattle market is right beside the new city hall. You've been there right? Naalala ko sabi mo nagpunta yata kayo sa assessor's office. Saturday & Sunday are cattle trading days isu nga ado ti nuang, baka, kabalyo, kalding, etc. :)

[tracymack]

http://www.dagupanbangusfestival08.com/jpg/footer.jpg

Big time gumastos ang Dagupan ah. No wonder this city is last in the region in terms of net income. Not that its a bad thing. At least the money from taxes is somehow given back to the people in the form of entertainment.

[nayki]

Pangasinan town still eyeing for an international airport

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, April 21 (PNA) — The town of Sta. Barbara is not giving up a bit its bid to be the site of an international airport to be hopefully built either by the government or through private initiative.

Source: Positive News Media (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Pangasinan_town_still_eyeing_for_an_international_airport.shtml)

Hay naku bahain nga sa Sta.barbara eh...tigas naman ng ulo nila. Ok sabihin natin na ilalagay ung airport na gusto nila sa hindi bahaing lugar sa sta.barbara, pano kung bumaha sa mga katabing lugar eh di wala din. Pangit:ohno:

[tracymack]

^^Hehe. Malakas yung mayor ng Sta. Barbara sa governor diba? :D Kanya-kanya silang diskarte para lang masabi na may airport sa lugar nila kahit di naman nila deserved.

[nayki]

Mas malakas kami ni Allan_dude kay gov dba allan_dude?hehehe joke! :lol: bahala sila gumawa sila ng airpot nila kun gusto nila sayang lang un tamnan na lang nila ng palay.

[tracymack]

^^Yun na nga eh. Sayang lang yung lupa sa Sta. Barbara kung gagawing airport. Sa Alaminos ba? Agricultural area ba yung magiging location ng airport?

Sa major cities lang dapat nilalagay ang airport para bumagay. For Pangasinan, that's Dagupan & Urdaneta pero saan mo ilalagay sa Dagupan yun?

[tracymack]

No rice crisis in Urdaneta City, mayor says
Fa Sison Almazan
Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080422122500.html)

URDANETA CITY — Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo R. Perez Jr. said that there is no rice shortage in this city.

He reported that there is bountiful supply of commercial rice, but the price is more expensive than the NFA (National Food Authority) rice.

Mayor Perez said that to address the needs of the less fortunate families who cannot afford to buy commercial rice, NFA rice will be sold in every barangay.

He said that NFA rice is available today in Barangays Nancamaliran East and West.

Mayor Perez said that the barangay captains will issue rice stubs in an effort to identify legitimate indigent families so that they can buy three kilos of NFA rice at P18.25 per kilo.

The mayor said that the selling of cheap NFA rice to poor families here would help them meet their needs of the staple food.

He also said that the selling of NFA rice will be scheduled in all barangays in this city so that all poor residents will be given a chance to buy NFA rice.

Perez said that the city government willcoordinate with the local NFA office here to assure poor barangay folk that there is sufficient supply of rice.

[tracymack]

Urdaneta pro-poor program to continue
Source: Positive News Media (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Urdaneta_pro-poor_program_to_continue.shtml)

URDANETA CITY, April 23 (PNA) — The city government will intensify its pro-poor programs here to benefit marginal families affected by the soaring prices of commodities.

City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said they will continue the milk program of the city government as a strategy to bring down the malnutrition rate among children zero to six years old.
The program aims to provide milk to children of poor families until they gain weight, he said.

The milk feeding program was started some years ago and will be intensified with more children from different barangays to be covered.

"With milk and nutritious food for our children, we can eradicate malnutrition and hopefully abolish poverty," Perez said.

He said aside from the milk, children aged six years old and below need to be vaccinated to safeguard them from certain diseases.

In line with vaccination, Perez said the city government will soon establish a second rural health unit that will exclusively take care of the sick from the western part of the city.

At the same time, the city has increased by some 2,000 the number of families benefiting from the PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) for the masses.

Perez also asked parents of the children-beneficiaries to produce their own food by planting nutritious vegetables in their backyard, so they need not buy from the market anymore.

“I would like to see families become self-sufficient by producing their own food so that they will no longer depend on the market for their food,” Perez said.

With plenty of vegetables raised in Urdaneta, some could be channeled to other towns that are deficient in vegetables, the mayor noted. (PNA)

[tracymack]

It's SM Supercenter NO MORE in ROSALES!
By Engr. Ronny Poblacion
Source: http://rosales.gov.ph/rosales/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=59

The very much anticipated SM in Rosales is no longer a Supercenter. Instead, it will be a standard mall. Yes, a big mall that will be named SM City ROSALES.

This was officially announced by Bien C. Mateo, Asst. VP for Operations of the SM Supermalls. Rosalenians, folks from adjacent municipalities as well as neighboring provinces will experience a worldclass shopping and advanced entertainment experience as SM City ROSALES opens this late this year.

SM City ROSALES will incorporate a big Department Store and will house four (4) modern theaters. The usual anchors are Ace Hardware, Banco de Oro, Surplus Shop, Watson, SM Appliance and Toy Kingdom. Big company owned fastfood chains, restaurants and an entertainment area can also be found.

About a month ago, no less than HANS SY, the son of business tycoon HENRY SY, Sr. and President of SM Prime Holdings and SM Development Corporation confirmed the plan of constructing an SM city instead of a Supercenter to the Honorable Congressman Conrad Estrella and the Honorable Mayor Ricardo V. Revita when they met at the SM Mall of Asia.

The immediate and outright decision of SM Development Corp. can be credited to the cooperation of the municipal officials, people of Rosales and officials and residents of Brgy. Carmen who made things easy for the company during the planning stage. Besides, SM believes in the potential of Rosales based in the economic profile presented by the administration and result of the independent surveys conducted by their company affirming that Rosales is indeed the gateway to Northern Luzon Growth Quadrangle.

SM will bring about lots of changes for it will serve as engine for growth and development in Rosales,alleviating the economic, social and cultural status and lifestyles of Rosalenians.
:wtf: :badnews:

[Sinjin P.]

Villasis, Pangasinan

Hometown of forumer tyronne.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2520/a1yp7.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/115/a2pg7.jpg

[Sinjin P.]

Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8880/a4rh4.jpg

The church is Spanish-Romanesque sprinkled with a little touch of German and Italian Renaissance architectural composition.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7749/a2pg9.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5950/a3xs2.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9819/a13hn1.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/412/a8pi1.jpg

A big octagonal dome surmounts at the point where the nave and the transepts converge forming a cruciform contour.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6496/a12jd5.jpg

The Main Features of the facade of the church, on each pilaster at the lower section are topped by the statues of St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Margaret of Hungary, St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Dominic of Guzman. The doors of the main entrance are decorated with an engraved Dominican insignia. Set between the church and the convent, the bell tower measures approximately 32 feet in height whose summit is cappped by a white cross.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4005/a1bi4.jpg

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9167/a5jc2.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9027/a6wn5.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7529/a7gu2.jpg

At the center of the church stands the elevated majestic wooden Altar of Our Lady. Atop the tabernacle of the Most Blessed Sacrament are; the center of which enthrones the miraculous image of Our Lady flanked to its right by the statue of St. Francis of Assisi; to its left by the statue of St. Dominic of Guzman.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5163/a10bo9.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1897/a11em2.jpg

Most pilgrims in Manaoag commonly observe lighting a candle, when they visit the shrine. With their increasing number, the Candle Gallery was renovated. At present, it has a bigger space, and has more rows of candle stands

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6821/a9gk9.jpg

Manaoag Town Hall

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1237/a14fa2.jpg

[Sinjin P.]

San Fabian, Pangasinan

http://i25.tinypic.com/iyep1t.jpg

http://i25.tinypic.com/2ibnsk2.jpg

[allan_dude]

^^ Great photos you have there! I enjoyed looking at them Sinjin!

Consortium starts fundraising for Tarlac-La Union expressway
By Daxim Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=131600)


MANILA, Philippines--The consortium that recently won the right to build an expressway aimed at cutting travel time between Baguio City and Manila has started inviting financial partners who will help shoulder the cost of the P15-billion project.

...He told reporters that actual work on the project might start as soon as next month when the company expects to secure all the approvals from government regulators.

...The two-lane TLUTEx is expected to be completed up to Urdaneta, Pangasinan, by mid-2010, while completion with full tollway operations will be by January 2013. The plan calls for the addition of two more lanes once the traffic volume reaches 25,000 a day.

...With the completion of the TLUTEx, travel to Baguio City will be cut to 3.5 hours compared to the present average of five to six hours. The government hopes that the expressway will help promote tourism as well as lower the cost of farm and fishery products coming from the northern regions." Wow! 2 years nalang derederecho na byahe mula Balintawak hangang Urdaneta!

Saan ka ba galing & saan ka nagpunta? The cattle market is right beside the new city hall. You've been there right? Naalala ko sabi mo nagpunta yata kayo sa assessor's office. Saturday & Sunday are cattle trading days isu nga ado ti nuang, baka, kabalyo, kalding, etc. :)

Galing kami sa Manaoag and Dagupan, then nagpaunta sa Rosales. Hindi ko dati napansin sa Tabi ng city hall yung trading area. Viernes kami dimalan haan ko met nakita tay cattle market.

Big time gumastos ang Dagupan ah. No wonder this city is last in the region in terms of net income. Not that its a bad thing. At least the money from taxes is somehow given back to the people in the form of entertainment. Yeah. Lupit rin ng mga nakuha nilang sponsors, ang dami. Check mo yung website ng Bangus Festival.

Last Sunday asa Stadia S.O.P, this week A.S.A.P. naman. Todo na publicity ng Dagupan ha, lalo na sa mga local tv stations. May pang tapat ba Urdaneta dito?

Ok lang. Sa Brgy Leet yung proposed site. Alam ko sa may Sta. Barbara-Urdaneta boundary yun so parang sa Urdaneta na rin sila nagpatayo. :lol: Yan sobrang lapit na sa Urdaneta. Dapat supportahan ng mga taga Urdaneta yung airport sa Sta. Barbara

Hay naku bahain nga sa Sta.barbara eh...tigas naman ng ulo nila. Ok sabihin natin na ilalagay ung airport na gusto nila sa hindi bahaing lugar sa sta.barbara, pano kung bumaha sa mga katabing lugar eh di wala din. Pangit:ohno: Meron ng mga flood control projects underway. Sana lang gumana.

Mas malakas kami ni Allan_dude kay gov dba allan_dude?hehehe joke! :lol: bahala sila gumawa sila ng airpot nila kun gusto nila sayang lang un tamnan na lang nila ng palay. Hala ka! Wag ka ganyan baka may magpapatay satin. LOL Sabi nga ni Erap, "Walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamaganak". Wala raw palakasan kay gov.

^^Yun na nga eh. Sayang lang yung lupa sa Sta. Barbara kung gagawing airport. Sa Alaminos ba? Agricultural area ba yung magiging location ng airport? Yes. Lahat naman ng planned airports kasama na sa land use plan ng mga nasasakupang mga bayan. Wala namang problem sa agriculture sa province natin. Sobrang self sufficient na tayo. Panay surplus nga ang production natin.

It's SM Supercenter NO MORE in ROSALES!
By Engr. Ronny Poblacion
Source: http://rosales.gov.ph/rosales/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=59

The very much anticipated SM in Rosales is no longer a Supercenter. Instead, it will be a standard mall. Yes, a big mall that will be named SM City ROSALES.

This was officially announced by Bien C. Mateo, Asst. VP for Operations of the SM Supermalls. Rosalenians, folks from adjacent municipalities as well as neighboring provinces will experience a worldclass shopping and advanced entertainment experience as SM City ROSALES opens this late this year.

SM City ROSALES will incorporate a big Department Store and will house four (4) modern theaters. The usual anchors are Ace Hardware, Banco de Oro, Surplus Shop, Watson, SM Appliance and Toy Kingdom. Big company owned fastfood chains, restaurants and an entertainment area can also be found.

About a month ago, no less than HANS SY, the son of business tycoon HENRY SY, Sr. and President of SM Prime Holdings and SM Development Corporation confirmed the plan of constructing an SM city instead of a Supercenter to the Honorable Congressman Conrad Estrella and the Honorable Mayor Ricardo V. Revita when they met at the SM Mall of Asia.

The immediate and outright decision of SM Development Corp. can be credited to the cooperation of the municipal officials, people of Rosales and officials and residents of Brgy. Carmen who made things easy for the company during the planning stage. Besides, SM believes in the potential of Rosales based in the economic profile presented by the administration and result of the independent surveys conducted by their company affirming that Rosales is indeed the gateway to Northern Luzon Growth Quadrangle.

SM will bring about lots of changes for it will serve as engine for growth and development in Rosales,alleviating the economic, social and cultural status and lifestyles of Rosalenians.
:wtf: :badnews:

As long as di pa naco-construct ang SM Urdaneta you can expect more of these kinds of reply everytime an article on SM Rosales is posted. ;)

Pano na yan tracymack? :poke:Malamang sa alamang wala na plano ang SM City Urdaneta. Pwede pa naman siguro Save More Supermarket. :pet:

Gera na to! :guns1::gunz::horse:

[Sinjin P.]

^ Thanks. Btw, I have photos of SM Supercenter (now City) Rosales and CB Mall. I'll post them tomorrow. Regards. :)

[allan_dude]

^ Sweet! Looking forward on your update.

[allan_dude]

DENR Pangasinan finally stops certifying foreshore areas as 'alienable'

By Danny O. Sagun

Dagupan City -- THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has stopped issuing certifications of alienability of foreshore areas amid controversies involving occupancy of such prime public lands.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Leduina Co said the agency's move was in response to the request of the provincial government thru the municipality of Lingayen for the DENR to stop the issuance of such certifications.

The capital town along with other coastal towns are facing squatting problem in their beach areas.

The scenic beaches of Lingayen Gulf particularly that of the Lingayen beach are being developed for eco-tourism purposes but squatting affects full implementation of the program.

Similarly, Dagupan City is beset by illegal occupancy of its beach areas in barangay Bonuan Binloc by persons, mostly non-Dagupenos, prompting the city government to cancel any tax declarations issued to the occupants.

A foreshore lease agreement between the DENR and the applicant, it was found out, is used by the latter as basis for developing a parcel of public land for 25 years subject to conditions. The agreement may be renewed.

Evidently there have been abuses in the issuance of such lease agreements or irregularities involving unscrupulous environment personnel.

Co however noted that some problems involving lease agreements have been there long before she took over as PENRO officer for Pangasinan.

Salvage zones, which are areas 20 meters away from the shore during high tide, are not to be disposed. But just a plain view of the beach lands from San Fabian to Alaminos City shows there are indeed anomalous transactions involving prohibited areas.

Co told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng Bayan -DZMQ that she can only do so much to remedy the decades-old situation.

She expressed hope though that the agency's move to stop further issuance of certificates of alienability of foreshore lands will greatly address the squatting problem.

DENR however continues to enter into lease agreements with interested individuals or groups for the development of mountain areas.

Infanta town in fact recently called on interested parties to participate in the 'Adopt a Mountain' program for reforestation and other development purposes. The lease is also subject to conditions, she said. (PIA-Pangasinan (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080423.htm&no=42))

[tracymack]

Wow! 2 years nalang derederecho na byahe mula Balintawak hangang Urdaneta!
Yeah, sana lang walang aberya sa construction.

Galing kami sa Manaoag and Dagupan, then nagpaunta sa Rosales. Hindi ko dati napansin sa Tabi ng city hall yung trading area. Viernes kami dimalan haan ko met nakita tay cattle market.
Like I said, cattle trading days are saturdays & sundays. Isu nga awan ti nuang nga nakitam ta gamin viernes idi napan kayo city hall.

Last Sunday asa Stadia S.O.P, this week A.S.A.P. naman. Todo na publicity ng Dagupan ha, lalo na sa mga local tv stations. May pang tapat ba Urdaneta dito?
Wala! Kaya nga ang laki ng net income ng Urdaneta eh. :lol:

Yan sobrang lapit na sa Urdaneta. Dapat supportahan ng mga taga Urdaneta yung airport sa Sta. Barbara
Pangasinan International Airport kaya ang magiging pangalan?

Pano na yan tracymack? :poke:Malamang sa alamang wala na plano ang SM City Urdaneta. Pwede pa naman siguro Save More Supermarket. :pet:

Gera na to! :guns1::gunz::horse:
Yeah, gyera na nga. I'll never spend a single centavo on that mall. Book it. When I need something from SM, I'd rather take the long drive to SM Baguio which is way classier.

Congrats na lang sa Rosales & good luck sa SM.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2436954078_58b569d306_o.jpg
These two duds are total suck ups to the Sy's.

[allan_dude]

Relax. Puso mo. :lol:

[tracymack]

^^I am relaxed & calm. ;) I'll just look at it as a challenge for Urdaneta not to hinge its progress on a single mall. :)

[Sinjin P.]

CB Mall

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6103/38958958lp9.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5250/cbee9.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6321/cb2le2.jpg

[Sinjin P.]

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5633/29712051lw9.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/8021/43722941qr0.jpg

SM City Rosales

[allan_dude]

Pangasinan remains key in PGMA's agri-business agenda - Golez

By Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr

Lingayen -- Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said today, Pangasinan remains a key province in the President's agri-business agenda for the country even as he lauded the determination and industry of the people and its officials.

Meeting with the media shortly after leading the opening ceremonies for the Tourism and Trade Expo with Governor Amado T. Espino at the provincial Capitol grounds this morning, Golez said the package of financial assistance for agricultural development being released by government today ultimately redounds to the benefit of the breadbaskets of the country including Pangasinan.

Gov. Espino echoed Golez's statements on presidential concern for the province saying the irrigation programs for the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle are today being pursued in tandem with local governments which are developing rehabilitating irrigation systems in the downstream area of the big dams whose irrigation waters still do not reach them.

Espino cited central and western Pangasinan farmlands that are not within the irrigable area of the grand San Roque Dam, being away from its water course but which he said, are now being planned for irrigation strategies in order to support the overall food production of Pangasinan. (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080425.htm&no=80

[allan_dude]

Alaminos ventures into new bamboo business

ALAMINOS CITY–Not banking solely on its booming tourism industry, courtesy of the Hundred Islands National Park, the city is harnessing its bamboo resources as another source of livelihood for the community.

The city government recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) for the adoption of the Engineered Kawayan, or E-Kawayan, a technology that converts bamboo poles into tiles for furniture and handicrafts.

Alaminos is the first local government unit to adopt the technology.

Dr. Stanley Malab, MMSU vice president for Research Extension and Business Affairs who stood as one of the witnesses in the agreement signing, explained that E-Kawayan uses their patented ‘Kawayan Tile Machine’ which produces tiles, which in turn, can be used as material for making other end-products such as furniture and handicrafts.

Barangays San Jose and Amangbangan, the two major bamboo producing communities here, will serve as the pilot areas for the project.

Mayor Hernani Braganza signed the memorandum of agreement with Dr. Meriam Pascua MMSU president,

Under the agreement, the MMSU-Ilocos Region Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC) will fabricate and install one unit of E-Kawayan machine in the city and provide training.

The university will also help the city promote and market their bamboo products.

For the medium term, the city government and the MMSU-ILARRDEC will develop a bamboo processing site in the city.

“We are extremely fortunate that the city was chosen as the first recipient of the E-Kawayan project,” Braganza said.

Braganza also noted that the MMSU and ILARRDEC have been helping the city in developing its agriculture sector over the last five years.

Pascua, for her part, has expressed optimism that the city’s pro-ducts will find their way to the domestic and international markets.

Braganza said the first customers will be the public schools in the city which are due to purchase tables and chairs for the students’ use.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/alaminos-ventures-into-new-bamboo-business/#more-9136

[allan_dude]

Business district maipasdek iti Hundred Islands National Park

Tawid News Team

ALAMINOS, Pangasinan - Naited iti mayor ditoy ti autoridad para iti pannakakontrol, superbision, regulasion ken pannakaimaton amin nga aktibidad iti las-ud ti Hundred Islands kasta met iti Lucap Wharf ken iti igid ti karayan ditoy.

Kinuna ni Mayor Hernani Braganza a babaen ti memorandum of agreement a pinirmaan ti Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) nga imbagian ni General Manager Andrea Domingo ken ti Alaminos City nga imbagianna, maaddaan ti siudad iti naan-anay nga autoridad a mangaramid iti master plan para iti pannakaipasdek iti maysa a business district iti saklaw ti Hundred Islands National Park (HINP).

Inlasin ti gobierno ti siudad ditoy ti 34 ektaria a reclamation area iti Lucap Wharf kas kabarbaro a residential ken business zone a manamnama nga agbalin a business district iti sakup ti Hundred Islands National Park.

Kabayatanna, kinuna ni Domingo a babaen ti nasao a MOA, masigurado ti pannakasalaknib ti aglawlaw, ken pannakapreserba iti natural resources ti Hundred Islands iti baet ti pannakaawis dagiti agnegosio a mangited iti pagbiagan ken ad-adu a panggedan para kadagiti tattao.

Kinuna ni Domingo a nainget a monitorenda ti panagtungpal ti siudad kadagiti paglintegan ti environment.

Kinuna ni Braganza a mangnamnama a makarikna iti seguridad dagiti agnaed ken agnegosio iti las-ud ti nareklamar a lugar iti pannakapirma ti MOA iti nagbaetan ti PRA ken ti gobierno ditoy.

http://www.tawidnewsmag.com/content/view/2280/66/

[tracymack]

^^Kuna kon ket Ilocano met laeng ti taga-Alaminos. :)

[kevinb]

CB Mall

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6103/38958958lp9.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5250/cbee9.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6321/cb2le2.jpg

This CB Mall looks nice. :)

[tracymack]

^^Yes it does. Thanks to Palafox. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/2261274419_3274359090_o.jpg
link: http://www.palafoxoutsourcing.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=53

[allan_dude]

^^Kuna kon ket Ilocano met laeng ti taga-Alaminos. :)

Ilocano ken/tan Pangasinan ti/so sao/salita da. :lol:

[allan_dude]

Ramos, Esperon lead Asingan fiesta events

ASINGAN–The town was star-struck over the weekend but it was not over the presence of some TV or movie stars, for there were none. They had the town’s biggest stars.

Former President Fidel Ramos and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr., two prominent sons of this town, led the festivities in the celebration of its fiesta last Saturday.

Ramos and Esperon arrived here as promised and shared their childhood memories with the townsfolk in several events as they relished their reunion with their kabaleyans and the balikbayans.

Esperon, who is due for retirement next month, pointed out that he finished his primary education at a public elementary school here, took his secondary education at the Philippine Science High School in Manila, and college at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)

They led the inauguration of the new police station, built at a cost of P4 million, and the annual Taray ti Asingan, which was initiated by Ramos in 1982.

They witnessed the turn-over of the four multi-cab type patrol cars donated by citizens to the police station.

Top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) led by Director General Jesus Versoza, deputy chief of the PNP for operations also joined the occasion.

Versoza said the construction and upgrade of police stations nationwide is part of their Integrated Transformation Program, which also includes the development of human resource, systems and procedures, and facilities and equipment.

Mayor Carlos Lopez Sr. took the occasion to thank the PNP for funding the construction of the new building on a 556-square meter lot provided by the municipal government.

Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, provincial police director, in turn, thanked the municipal government for its support for PNP’s operations.

Meanwhile, General Esperon, who is rumored to be appointed secretary of National Defense soon, brushed aside the speculations, saying, “Walang sinasabi sa akin, so everything is now purely speculative”.

He, however, admitted that he would be happy to take on the job as a form of return service for being a “product of the public school system”.

“Kaya dapat lang na makabawi sa akin ang bayan o ang gobyerno,” he said, adding that he is always ready when called for service, “whether government or non-government”.—CSR

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/ramos-esperon-lead-asingan-fiesta-events/#more-9140

[allan_dude]

Palace vows help for Pangasinan

LINGAYEN–A palace official who came to Pangasinan on Friday guaranteed that help from the national government is forthcoming for the administration of Governor Amado Espino Jr.

Undersecretary Anthony Golez, deputy presidential spokesperson, said Pangasinan has the right ingredients for success and the province could count on assistance from the administration in the pursuit of development plans.

Golez, together with Espino, was interviewed by local media after the opening of the lst Tourism and Trade Expo here on April 25.

Golez, Espino and Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the expo which includes, among others, a photo exhibit on the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle sponsored by the Office of the Press Secretary.

“Pangasinan’s greatest assets is having a good and experienced governor in the person of Governor Espino, very supportive local leaders and very anxious people,” Golez said.

He acknowledged that the officials and people need the support of the national government in order to push the reforms that they are taking both for the short and long terms.

At the same time, Golez lauded the effort of the provincial government in promoting Pangasinan as a destination for local and foreign tourists.

He said that given its many natural assets, Pangasinan should also be known for its hospitality.

Some of the places, he mentioned that are worth visiting are the Manaoag Church, the Hundred Islands, the many enticing beach fronts, and hot springs.

Like Governor Espino, Golez believes that tourism is the short-term solution to a long-term problem of Pangasinan.

“It is just a matter of packaging Pangasinan into something, like being one of the wonder destinations in the country, so people will really come and take a second look,” he said.

Espino assured Golez that Pangasinan is encouraging its 2.7 million people to visit every town and city in the province first before they go out to see new sights outside.

“This is our strategy to promote tourism to greater heights,” Espino said.

Espino said they are also highlighting agricultural productivity, especially under the NLAQ, with Pangasinan being the country’s third biggest rice producing province today.

Golez told newsmen that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is also supportive of the provincial government’s plan to reclaim Pangasinan’s old status as the rice granary of the Philippines.

Pangasinan, he said, is included in the list of provinces covered by a new agricultural program launched by Arroyo for which she released P43 billion.

Under this program, Espino said, all he has to do is to maintain their ongoing programs and keep pushing for a share of the funding so local infrastructures related to agriculture could be improved.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/palace-vows-help-for-pangasinan/#more-9148

[allan_dude]

Thousands watch ‘Festivals of the North’

THOUSANDS came to watch and were awed by the ‘Festivals of the North’ yesterday that saw 16 street dancing champions from various cities and towns of the province and the Ilocos Region perform their winning choreographs.

With the major streets closed starting at 1 p.m., the street dancers in their colorful costumes began their parade at 3:00 p.m. from the city plaza. They were preceded by different floats from the city government and various government agencies and non-government organizations.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, executive chairperson of the Bangus Festival said the ‘Festivals of the North’ could become a permanent event in annual Bangus Festival. It was among the much-awaited highlights of the Bangus Festival 2008 that started April 16 and will end on May 4.

Dagupan’s entry in the “Festivals of the North” were the ‘Gilon-Gilon’ dancers of Barangay Mangin that topped the “Gilon-Gilon ed Baley” competition on the first day of the Bangus Festival on April 16.

The other entries were the champion street dancers of the ‘Pamulinawen’ Festival of Laoag City, ‘Pindangan’ Festival of San Fernando City, ‘We Love Bauang Festival of Bauang, La Union, and the ‘Dinengdeng’ Festival ofAgoo.

The local dancers were the Corn Festival champion of Sto. Tomas, ‘Galikayo’ Festival of Manaoag, ‘Kalansay, Payak Manok’ Festival in Umingan, ‘Pandan’ Festival in Mapandan, ‘Talong’ Festival in Villasis, Bamboo Festival in San Carlos City, Goat Festival in Balungao, ‘Binasuan’ Festival in Bayambang, ‘Mangga’ Festival in Infanta, ‘Goat Festival’ of Rajal National High School in Balungao and ‘Sugpo’ and ‘Malaga’ Festival in Binmaley.

As The PUNCH went to press, competitions were still ongoing with the overall champion set to bag a P150,000 prize.

Fernandez said the personalities who composed the board of judges were all from Manila to ensure that no suspicion of favoritism will arise.

Aside from the ‘Festival of the North’, the other awaited event is the ‘Bangusan’ Street Party on April 30 where people will fill the entire stretch of A.B. Fernandez Avenue to grill bangus and be entertained by nine big rock bands from Metro Manila.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/thousands-watch-festivals-of-the-north/#more-9150

[allan_dude]

Dawel-Lucao Road opens 2nd week of May

Too late for the 2008 Bangus Festival, but better late than never.

The inauguration and opening of the P1.3 billion Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Road, which is seen to decongest vehicular traffic in Dagupan’s downtown area, may finally take place by the second week of May.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez said the city government is now looking at that timeframe for the opening of the new highway, considered the biggest infrastructure project ever in the city.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and contractors inspected the project last Monday.

Mayor Fernandez said he intends to invite both President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 4th District Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., to inaugurate the project.

Both President Arroyo and De Venecia were instrumental in funding the project but have since severed political ties after the President and her allies booted him out as House Speaker.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, Councilor Alfie Fernandez, City Engineer Virginia Rosario and Supt. Dionicio Borromeo, chief of police, joined the mayor during inspection.

The bridge, which stretches over the Pantal River, was funded from a P906 million soft loan obtained by the government from Japan, through the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation, and constructed by the Toyo Construction of Japan.

The P231million road component, measuring more than four kilometers, was funded solely from the Priority Development Funds of De Venecia.

The road was built over former fishponds and swamplands in the outskirts of Dagupan City.

Vice Mayor Fernandez, speaking to newsmen after their inspection, said the project is now complete, except for some needed minor improvements, including an access road leading to Barangay Pantal from the new highway.

Mayor Fernandez promised to build the access road, including a children’s park on a vacant space under the bridge in Barangay Pantal.

A theme park, along with a landing wharf for ferry boats, will also be built by the city at the bank of the Calmay River, just beside the new highway.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/dawel-lucao-road-opens-2nd-week-of-may/#more-9146

[allan_dude]

Road in Urdaneta gets more repairs

URDANETA CITY–Work on the newly-widened portion of the Maharlika Highway here is almost complete but more improvements are set to be undertaken.

According to Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr., the next phase is the replacement of the cracked middle portion of the highway, which has not been refurbished since it was built during the pre-Second World War period.

The concreting of more than 700 meters of the road’s middle section will be financed by the Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) of 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

The widening of the Maharlika Highway was effected in lieu of a proposed skyway, which was rejected by residents some seven years ago.

Property owners on both sides of the Maharlika Highway set back their buildings and houses for the widened highway.

Perez assured that construction of the middle portion of the highway would not hinder the flow of traffic from north to south and vice versa.

Also funded by Cojuangco’s CDF is the work on the drainage system along the stretch which is now almost complete.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/road-in-urdaneta-gets-more-repairs/#more-9138

[tracymack]

Road in Urdaneta gets more repairs

URDANETA CITY–[FONT=Arial]Work on the newly-widened portion of the Maharlika Highway here is almost complete but more improvements are set to be undertaken.

According to Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr., the next phase is the replacement of the cracked middle portion of the highway, which has not been refurbished since it was built during the pre-Second World War period.
He must be referring to the highlighted portion below. I'm assuming he is since those two lanes are totally different from the four outer lanes in that it is asphalt paved and the other four are made of concrete.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2447003271_8f7f9162cb.jpg
The concreting of more than 700 meters of the road’s middle section will be financed by the Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) of 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

The widening of the Maharlika Highway was effected in lieu of a proposed skyway, which was rejected by residents some seven years ago.

Property owners on both sides of the Maharlika Highway set back their buildings and houses for the widened highway.

Perez assured that construction of the middle portion of the highway would not hinder the flow of traffic from north to south and vice versa.

It shouldn't since there would still be 4 operational lanes while work is being done on the other 2.
Also funded by Cojuangco’s CDF is the work on the drainage system along the stretch which is now almost complete.
Nice!:cheers:

[tracymack]

Palace vows help for Pangasinan
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/palace-vows-help-for-pangasinan/#more-9148
Just "generic" help? I wanted to hear/read more concrete projects. More details perhaps? Gee, would PGMA still be able to spur significant development to Pangasinan given that she only has 2 more years left to her term?

[allan_dude]

Mindanao-wide call center school expands nationwide

Monday, April 28, 2008

A Mindanao-wide call center school chain is expanding to Northern Philippines in a bid to establish its presence nationwide.

Already operating also in Metro Manila, JIB eAcademy is branching out further in Luzon, particularly Urdaneta in Pangasinan and Vigan in Ilocos Sur, thus making it the biggest call center school with the widest network of partners and industry-validated curriculum.

The expansion was announced by JIB eAcademy president Joji Ilagan-Bian, a business and civic leader and an educator, citing the school’s branches in Davao, Manila, General Santos, Butuan, Surigao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Marawi, and soon in Northern Luzon provinces of Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan.

“Also an English school, JIB eAcademy offers lucrative employment to students after finishing 20 days of training at four hours a day,” Bian said.

“Our school has forged partnerships with the biggest call centers in Manila, indicating the excellent quality of our facilities, curriculum and its graduates,” Bian added, referring to industry leaders Advanced Contact Solutions, Teletech, Teleperformance, Sykes, E-Telecare, Ventus, and Viventis, including small but prestigious players among others.

Just recently, JIB eAcademy has concluded its curriculum upgrading workshop in Cebu for teachers and trainers.

“The workshop is part of our efforts to ensure that the quality of our training really meets the actual demands of the big call centers,” Bian pointed out.

“And to support our training course, we are now introducing SPEECHworks in all our centers. This is a program geared for self-improvement in speech, focusing on pronunciation and articulation that you don’t really get to learn in traditional schools,” Bian explained.

SPEECHworks, according to Bian, will distinguish JIB eAcademy from other speech schools.

“It (SPEECHworks) highlights our focus and competence in teaching people how to improve their manner of communication delivery. The end-goal is to really build confidence so that one becomes socially and professionally successful in contact center, business process outsourcing and other careers,” Bian added.

More information can be obtained from JIB eAcademy’s main branches at Mabini St, Davao City (tel. 082-3055522) and at E.Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Libis, Quezon City (tel. 02-6314540)

Accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the school chain is owned and operated by the Joji Ilagan Career Center Foundation Inc.

This two-year course will enable graduates to migrate to Australia and land on high-paying jobs in the culinary and other related sectors of the hospitality industry.

http://philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008042784&type=2

[allan_dude]

Pangasinan assessor is tops nationwide

The Pangasinan Star Online (http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/23/pangasinan-assessor-is-tops-nationwide/)

LINGAYEN – Pangasinan Provincial Assessor Nestor P. Quiambao was recently adjudged the Most Outstanding Provincial Assessor of the Philippines.

The award was given by the Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance (DF-BLGF) during the 75th annual convention of the Philippine Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors (PHALTRA) Incorporated, held recently at the Mall of Asia (SMX) Convention Center in Pasay City.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. commended Quiambao stressing that the award is considered as a pride and accomplishment of the whole province “for it signifies hardwork, dedication to duty and collaborative efforts of the whole workforce of the treasury and assessment offices of the provincial government.”

According to Peter D. Baluyan, Regional Director of DF-BLGF, said that the selection was based on the local government unit’s revenue generation program and overall output during the past three years in which Pangasinan has achieved a remarkable performance.

Earlier, the Provincial Assessor’s Office registered a marked fiscal collection of P160 million representing unpaid real property tax of the Sual Power Corporation.

The Provincial Treasurer’s Office likewise earned a regional citation for Pangasinan as the top real property collector for its overwhelming gross collection of more than P200 million from July to December 2007. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

[allan_dude]

Governor ATE leads strat plan conference

By Ruby R. Bernardino, PIO

THE Provincial Development Council (PDC) composed of all component municipalities and cities of Pangasinan convened last Monday in Lingayen for a strategic planning of the province’s common vision and plans at the Consuelo Hotel and Restaurant here.

The conference, which was the first to be conducted after a lapse of 13 years, according to the Office of the Governor, sought to inform and familiarize members on the major development plans of each local government unit (LGU) to guide them in formulating a common action agenda for the province.

Gov. Amado T Espino who called for the PDC meeting, rallied the officials and planners of the towns and cities to cooperate with the provincial government in making Pangasinan as the ‘best place to invest, visit, live, work and raise a family.’

“This gathering is an opportunity for us in the provincial government to know what is really happening in the grassroots level,” he disclosed.

On the part of the province, the governor cited the ten major thrusts of his administration particularly peace and order, affordable, health care, adequate and high quality education, tourism development, improved agriculture, better job and income opportunities, socialized and affordable housing, sports and youth development, mega-infra projects and special economic zone.

Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan later briefed the members thru a powerpoint presentation on the real situation of the province.

He said basic reforms were initiated by the provincial government for a start. This included the renovation of offices within the Capitol compound, upliftment of the workforce and the massive renovation of fishfarm facilities for an improved and increased agricultural productivity.

Affordable and improved health care services was launched, he added, such as the distribution of health cards to identified indigent families and renovation of all fourteen government controlled district and community hospitals located in the different towns of Pangasinan.

To date, a total of 26,000 heads of indigent families from 4th to 5th class municipalities are also now insured which is about 95 percent of the total number of indigent families duly identified by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

Mega infra projects will include the upgrading and renovation of Lingayen airport and the establishment of an international seaport in Sual. Survey plan and project study undertaken by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is expected to be finished next week, he reported to the PDC in session.

http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/23/governor-ate-leads-strat-plan-conference/

[allan_dude]

Say maong a panangilakoy siyudad

Nen MARIO F. KARATEKA

NADNGEL koy pares da di Dr. Guido Tiong tan si maganganan Rachel N. Sapigao ed radyo nen imbeneg a simba, Sikaran dua so nansalita nipaakar ed araparapen ya Bamboo tan Mango Pistibal ed San Carlos, tan siyempre, dawit metlay Kapiyestaan ed saman a maples so ibubulaslas ton siyudad.

Alay abig – masansanting, no diad salitay taga-Manaoag – ya narengel so nanduruman aktibidades ya akalinya parad sarayan duaran selebrasyon yab imbalikas ed dilin salita tayon Pangasinan ya nilaokan ni na makolor tan matudyon ehemplos tan paelek na sayan duaran inpormesyon opisers na San Carlos.

Diad antikey a salita, marakep so impanolop da di Mama Guido tan si Nana Rachel ta naikday ligsa so pangibalita na nagagawad siudad.

Idayew kopa rayan duan bini nen Palaris ed si Meyor Ayoy Resuello ya bosing da ta naiikdan na baleg ya promosyon so siudad manlalapud dila na mismon kabaleyan da. Aliwan puro Inglis ya ers-wers, pers-pers a kuanda.

Baleg so nagaway maoyamo, malinew tan marandanet ya panagsalita pian “nailako” so sakey a komunidad a singa San Carlos ed saray dumerengel na radyo. Walaniray arom ditan, managTagalog nira, amta pikewet met so dila ra odino anawnawet nen say yakal so punto ra.

I-Pangasinan yopala, mas natalusan dakayoni.

* * * *
Naimanok met labat, (nayarin nalilingo ak met) ya walaray pigaran taga-Isteyts ya kabaleyan tayora ya agaylay inka-negatibo ra no nipaakar ed saray proyekton gagaween tayodia ed Pangasinan a singa kiendalan amin so maong tan suston ideya o kaisipan.

Makapaletey tan makapa-ermen ya nabasa iray komentos daray pigaran taga-abrod ya Pangalatok ya singa leglemewen da met so kurang o proyekton ibabalap na saray opisyales tayodia – a singa satay “Tri-Ferry Service” ed Lingayen Gulf.

Singa naamtaan tayolad medya, sayan proyekto ed baetan na Dagupan tan Alaminos ed Pangasinan tan say San Fernando ed La Union et mangetman naikdan na alternatibon transportasyon iray totoo laotlaray turista ya onlad singa bilang Alaminos a manlalapud San Fernando ya ondalan bilang ed Dagupan panamegley na motorboat odino lantsa.

Aminado met iray taloran mayores ed beneg na sayan proyekto ya ekspirimintal odino panalsali met labat niyan imbalap da tan dakel so aralen ni.

Nen nadngelan na saray taga biek-taew iran Pangalatok balet, walaray pigaran angibagan masyadon ambisyoso kono iray walad benegan tonia, kesyo magastos kono (nen say ombiyahe kan lugan na bus o kotse) tan peligroso ni so ondalan kad dayat.

Singa oonaan dametlay kanonotan daray opisyales tan ekspertod oniaran proyektos dia. Akin? Laputad ditan labat ed Estados Unidos da so nepeg makaindyoy na oniaran modernon panbiyahe tan anggapoy debir tayon makataway na ontan?

Dakel a talaga iray alipeng ya kabaleyan tayo kasompal ya makagatin iradtan ed Baley na Gatas tan Dilo.

http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/23/sayan-indio-say-maong-a-panangilakoy-siyudad/

[tracymack]

Mindanao-wide call center school expands nationwide

Monday, April 28, 2008

Already operating also in Metro Manila, JIB eAcademy is branching out further in Luzon, particularly Urdaneta in Pangasinan and Vigan in Ilocos Sur, thus making it the biggest call center school with the widest network of partners and industry-validated curriculum.

That's what I'm talking about! :rock:

At least this school recognizes Urdaneta's potential unlike some shoe-box-type-mall company. :tongue:

Thanks for the good find allan_dude! :)

[Sinjin P.]

^ Hey, if you have a problem with Rosales having the first SM mall in Pangasinan, then that is your problem, don't make it ours too. Anyone in this forum who does not want development, no matter where in Pangasinan or the Philippines it is should leave.

Let this post serve as a warning.

2. Expression of hate. We do not tolerate hateful messages. This includes things such as racism, sexism, xenophobia, religious bashing, open support of terrorism, homophobia, ultra nationalism or provincialism. If you generally have a problem with an entire group of people because of their nationality, religion, race or sexuality, that is your problem. Don't make it ours too. This rule is especially applicable to forumers who hijack or troll a thread/local forum, basically just to bash the topic or participants of the thread/local forum. This also applies to forumers who persistently engage in posting news articles with an agenda as identified by the SSC staff.

[tracymack]

^^

As a matter of fact I DO have a problem with it and like you said, it is MY problem NOT yours.

I am all for development though. SM can build their mall wherever they want and I couldn't care less. I just can't stand seeing their 15+ hectare land in Urdaneta stay idle. It's been seven years now since they've acquired that property. If they're not going to do anything with it then they might as well sell it back to farmers so more rice can be planted to address the current crisis.

Consider your warning taken.

[tracymack]

Super Region photo exhibit featured in Pista’y Dayat
Updated April 29, 2008
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/nlaq-photo-exhibit-featured-in-pistay-dayat/

1ST TOURISM AND TRADE EXP0

LINGAYEN—The first ever photo exhibit on the Super Region Program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo featuring the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle (NLAQ) opened at the lst Tourism and Trade Expo, a part of the province’s Pista’y Dayat celebration.

Put up by the Presidential Press Staff of the News and Information Bureau under the Office of the Press Secretary, the exhibit features photos of the various strides being undertaken by the government to realize the vision and objectives of NLAQ.

Undersecretary Anthony Golez, deputy presidential spokesperson, cut the ceremonial ribbon that opened the exhibit, along with Governor Amado Espino Jr., Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and other officials of the provincial government.


Governor Espino hailed the photo exhibit as a testament to the strong determination of the administration to push the Super Region Program.

NLAQ, whose development czar is Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, was conceived to be the source of food not only for the Metro Manila but also for the other super regions in the country.

The NLAQ Super Region is composed of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions I and II, and portions of Region III, specifically the northern municipalities of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales.

There are currently 23 major infrastructure projects in NLAQ with a total estimated cost of P56.8 billion.

This involves the construction of three major road projects, seven airports, three ports, four major irrigation projects, three power projects, two flood control projects and one cold chain system.

Also included are small-scale irrigation and farm-to-market roads.

The fusion of these infrastructure projects will hasten the delivery of agricultural produce from farm to markets, reduce transport costs, cut travel time, and increase farmers’ incomes.

The upgrading of the Poro Point Airport into an international airport is now in the early civil work stages.

Projects that were already accomplished under NLAQ are Packages 3 and 4 of the Agno Flood Control Project Phase II-A in Pangasinan, and Package 1 of the Laoag Flood Control Project in Ilocos Norte.

More than 90% completed is the Casecnan Multi-purpose Irrigation and Power Project in Nueva Ecija while the Banaoag Pump Irrigation Project in Ilocos Sur is now 88% complete.—LM

[tracymack]

April 27, 2008
Three-day Tour de Pangasinan kicks off May 1
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/tour-de-pangasinan-kicks-off-may-1/

LINGAYEN–Tour de Pangasinan, a three-day cycling event, will reel off on May 1 to 3 in line with the province-wide celebration of the Pista’y Dayat.

Former Board Member Dionisio “Saffe” Villar, Jr, president of the Eastern Pangasinan Cycling Association Inc. and organizer of the race, said 120 professional and amateur cyclists are expected to join the competition.

The opening event, covering a 200-kilometer route, will start in front of the Capitol and will finish in Bayambang, covering the first and second districts.


The following day, the cyclists will take off from Bayambang and ride through 185 kilometers of road going to Asingan for the third and fourth districts leg of the race.

On the third and final day, the last 165 kilometers will be covered from Asingan to the finish line in Bautista, the hometown of Governor Amado Espino Jr. who will lead the awarding ceremonies.

A cash prize of P15,000 will be given to the daily winner and P20,000 to the overall champion.


The second, third, fourth and fifth placers will get P15,000, P12,000, P9,000, and P6,000, respectively while the seventh up to 10th placers will receive P4,000, P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.

The 11th to 20th placers will receive P800 each and all finishers will get P400.

About 70 cyclists from Pangasinan have already expressed intent and the remaining 50 slots are open to outsiders

[tracymack]

April 27, 2008
Dagupan City shares secret of its tasty bangus
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/dagupan-city-shares-secret-of-its-tasty-bangus/

WHAT makes Dagupan bangus distinctly tasty compared to bangus from other parts of the province and other provinces?

Not a few self-proclaimed bangus connoisseurs offered their prognosis, i.e., a special feed, special water formula concocted by pond owners, location of ponds, etc.

But here’s what a respected local historian (himself a voracious Dagupan bangus eater) offers as the best explanation.

The secret of the Dagupan bangus lies not on what it is fed but on the salanity and quality of water where it is being raised.

Historian Restituto Basa, who was apprised over the years on the system of bangus culture in Dagupan by industry stakeholders including the fish-farmers themselves, made this revelation on the occasion of the ongoing Dagupan Bangus Festival.

Basa, who has also keenly observed the development of the bangus industry over the decades, said the huge volume of fresh water draining into Dagupan City could very well be the reason why the Dagupan bangus tastes better than any others produced anywhere else in the province or in the country.

The fresh water from the uplands blends well with the saline water of the city, said Basa.

The fresh water coming from the Cordillera through the Bued, Sinucalan and Agno rivers, from the Sierra made through the Lagasit River in Rosales, and from Zambales Mountain through tributaries in Urbiztondo, Aguilar and Bugallon mix with the salty water in Dagupan’s river systems, he pointed out.

The mixture of fresh and salty water in the Dagupan rivers produces water that is lighter in salanity, which offer the best condition for growing bangus.

Basa said the presence of two river deltas in Dagupan, one located in the Bued-Cayanga area and the other in Bonuan-Sabangan, further enhances the culture of bangus in the city.

“This plenty of fresh water draining into Dagupan, plus its clayish soil as a result of the river deltas are wonderful gifts of God,” Basa said.

From its rivers, Dagupan also grows nipa which are made into roof shingles and whose sap can be turned into a concoction which has the same effect as gin.

So far, nobody has come forward to refute Basa’s claim. —LM

[tracymack]

Some tagalog new for a change. :)

Mas maunlad na Urdaneta City ngayong 2008, siniguro
http://philnews.info/?p=54

URDANETA CITY – Inaasahang mas lalo pang sisigla ang ekonomiya ng siyudad na ito ngayong taon dahil na rin sa patuloy na sumisiglang kalakalan dito.

Ayon kay Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr., malaki ang naitulong ng dalawang bago gusali na kapwa may apat na palapag sa kanilang palengke sa masiglang kalakalan sa kanyang nasasakupan.

“Dahil sa dalawang gusaling ito, dumami ang negosyante sa Urdaneta,” ani Mayor Perez.

Bukod dito, inaasahang magkakaroon din ng magandang epekto sa Urdaneta City ang ginagawang pagpapalawak ng Maharlika Highway, na proyekto ni Congressman Mark Cojuanco.

“Kapag natapos ang proyektong ito, luluwag ang trapiko sa Urdaneta,” anang mayor. “Tiyak, maraming negosyante ang makakaisip na mamuhunan sa amin. Mas lalo pang dadami ang negosyo sa Urdaneta.”

Ang Urdaneta City ang itinuturing ng Commission on Audit na may pinakamagandang ekonomiya sa kasalukuyan sa buong Ilocos Region.

[tracymack]

Pinoy Idol - Dagupan City Leg

Wala lang.. :D

Part 1
l-QBaGx6p3o

Part 2
-bLPzXx5v1s

[tracymack]

More on carabaos.. Probably just a re-hash of an article I posted earlier this month.

Perez: Save the carabao
April 22, 2008
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/20/save-the-carabao-says-mayor-perez/

URDANETA CITY–Is the carabao, the national animal considered as the farmers’ best friend, under threat of extinction?

Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. of this city, site of the biggest cattle market in the country, believes so and has called on the national government to undertake measures for the preservation of the species.

“If you will look around you, carabaos are already nowhere in sight. They’re becoming passé. Give it five or six years more, you can count with your fingers the carabaos you will see around farm lots,” Perez said.

Perez also noted that the number of carabaos being traded has been on a steady decline over the last 10 years and this situation is “now becoming alarming”.

“Now for every 10 cows, you see only one or no carabao at all,” he added.

Majority of farmers now use mechanized hand tractor locally known as kuliglig for plowing the fields.

Perez said carabaos are also still valuable as a meat product as carabeef is still popular among the poor as a cheaper alternative to pork or beef.

[allan_dude]

Welcome to Basista, where fine music begins

By Gabriel Cardinoza
Northern Luzon Bureau

First Posted 05:07:00 04/29/2008

BASISTA, PANGASINAN – Anyone passing through this small agricultural town in central Pangasinan will be greeted by an arch that reads: "Welcome to Basista: Home of Famous Orchestras, Where Fine Music Begins."

Residents here have reason to be proud: Ten of the more than 20 orchestras in Pangasinan province are based in Basista which had a population of 26,616 as of 2000.

Eight of the orchestras are based in Barangay Dumpay, one of this town's 13 villages. The other two are in Barangay Poblacion.

Nowhere in the province, perhaps in the country, can one find so many homegrown orchestras in a single town.

"This has been a source of livelihood for many people here for many years now," says Egbert de Guzman, bandmaster of the Don Podring Orchestra, one of the more sought-after orchestras in Basista, about 190 kilometers north of Metro Manila.

"It was passed on to us by our grandfathers," he adds.

De Guzman, 38, a political science graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman who also took courses at the UP College of Music, belongs to the third generation of musicians in his clan.

Profitable

Although seasonal, with engagements peaking between October and June every year, De Guzman says the orchestra is a profitable business. They play in different parts of Luzon, earning at least P70,000 for each performance.

"It's good business. You make a little money, you are able to help your relatives, especially the musicians, and you enjoy [the job]," he says.

An orchestra employs an average of 35 people, including dancers and backup singers.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. says the members of the orchestra and their families are direct beneficiaries.

"If there are 10 orchestras, you have employed 350 people and that's 350 families ," Espino says. "And they [orchestras] harness our talents. Many singers are offered jobs as singers by big hotels in Metro Manila."

The provincial government organized the first Grand Orchestra Showdown as part of this year's celebration of the Pista y Dayat (Sea Festival) in the province to showcase the province's orchestras as the "finest" in Luzon.

How it all began

De Guzman says the idea of organizing an orchestra in Basista evolved from the local farmers' rhythmic pounding of threshed palay in a taltagan, a boat-like wooden equipment used in pounding rice, to entertain themselves during harvest seasons in the past.

"The farmers later sang folk songs accompanied by musical instruments such as ukulele, guitar, flute and improvised drums from tin cans and gasoline containers," he says.

Then the farmers formed a group and sang Christmas carols. The practice was called aligando.

"They soon realized they could earn more money by performing at parades during fiestas using a trompa (a loudspeaker used in public address systems)," De Guzman says.

During rainy days, they would join musicians performing at the former US military bases in Olongapo City and in Clark, Pampanga, to entertain American servicemen.

Naturals

"They were naturals. They had no formal training [in music]. Oido-oido lang sa una pero noong medyo na-expose sila sa Olongapo, doon nila na-realize na kailangan pala, marunong silang bumasa ng nota (They initially played by ear but when they started playing in Olongapo, they realized that they should learn to read notes)," De Guzman says.

When Everlasting Orchestra, one of the first orchestras in the province, was formed in the mid-1950s, most of its musicians were recruited from the Caranto clan of Basista.

Not long after, De Guzman says, his grandfathers, brothers Juan and Domingo Caranto, left the Everlasting Orchestra and decided to form their own orchestras here.

These were the Harmony Orchestra and Paradise Orchestra. De Guzman's mother, Priscilla Caranto, is Juan's daughter.

When Harmony Orchestra disbanded, De Guzman says his uncle, Zisoy Caranto, joined his cousins, Joe and Esting Caranto (children of Domingo), and formed the Caranto Brothers Orchestra in the 1960s.

The Caranto Brothers Orchestra would become a byword in every town fiesta in the province in the years that followed.

To date, six of the 10 orchestras here bear the name "Caranto."

[B]Family tradition

This decades-old family tradition of literally passing on the baton is also practiced in other Pangasinan towns where orchestras flourished.

In Villasis town, Lina Abuan, owner of the Lina J. Abuan Orchestra, says her group used to be the Ambassador Orchestra that her father, Delfin Jandoc, founded in the 1960s.

Abuan's son, Jake, is now the orchestra's bandmaster.

Rod Palaganas, owner and bandmaster of the Rod Palaganas Orchestra, says his group evolved from the Melody Boys that his grandfather organized in Malasiqui town.

Piolo, Regine movie

Governor Espino says Pangasinan orchestras are the "finest in Luzon," with many of them playing in places as far as Cagayan, Isabela and the Ilocos provinces.

Nick Caranto, bandmaster of the Joe Caranto and Caranto Brothers Orchestra, says even if they do not advertise, people know where to contact them.

"Sometimes, DIs (dance instructors) would ask for business cards from us or some balikbayan would videotape our performances," Caranto says.

De Guzman says his group's most memorable performance was when they were cast last year in the movie "Paano Kita Iibigin?" The movie starred Piolo Pascual and Regine Velasquez.

De Guzman's Don Podring Orchestra also played for the movie's sound track.

"Regine was so impressed with our performance. She said she did not know that an orchestra in Pangasinan could play her song," he says.

The movie's director, Joyce Bernal, was De Guzman's classmate at the St. Charles Academy in San Carlos City.

Here to stay

Lina Abuan says orchestras will continue to flourish, despite the emergence of digital music technology.

"I think it's because people love live music, especially in the barangay," she says.

"Kasi 'pag nagpatugtog ka lang ng recording, maganda nga, pero di mo naman nakikita iyong mga kumakanta at iyong mga tumutugtog (It's nice when you play recordings, but you can not see the musicians sing and play on stage)," De Guzman says.

"Besides, 'pag walang orchestra, very dry ang fiesta. Hangga't 'di maaalis ang tradition na fiesta, may orchestra (Without orchestras, fiesta celebrations will be dry. For as long as there are fiestas, the orchestra is here to stay)," he says.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080429-133337/Welcome-to-Basista-where-fine-music-begins

[tracymack]

^^An "orchestra festival" sound good. :)

[tyronne]

Abuan orchestra is famous but the Malazo orchestra [Villasis] is better. I'm not sure where they are now but I heard before that they went to Malaysia. The Malazo's in Villasis is a very respected family when it comes to music. I personally know some of them. Basista, having so many orchestras sure sounds fun. Siguro ang saya-saya nila during fiestas--laging may battle of the orchestras hehehe! :D

[tracymack]

^^Battle of the orchestras? Nice! Rock on! :D

By the way karruba, why do you say that the Malazos are better? In what aspect? Awards? Number of gigs? Just curious.

[tyronne]

^^Better singers, better equipment, tsaka mas malayo na kasi yung narating nila :) Kumbaga mas prestigious sila :)

[tracymack]

^^Fair enough. I'm not fond of orchestras that's why I asked. It's good to know that these orchestras still exist & thrive.

[tracymack]

Urdaneta City, Rosales & Mapandan - Cleanest, Greenest & Safest in Pangasinan

RDC-I PAID TRIBUTE TO LGUS IN REGION I (http://neda1.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=113&Itemid=1)

The Regional Development Council of Region I (RDC-I) paid tribute to the exemplary performances of the local government units (LGUs) in the region through its Recognition and Awards Program. Now on its second year, the Recognition and Awards Program for LGUs is a joint collaboration of the RDC and the DILG. Its primary aim is to recognize and honor the commendable performances of the LGUs. The Awards Program is also a tool in documenting best practices and experiences of the LGUs for possible replication. The program is jointly financed by the members of the RDC through their contribution in the Council’s Trust Fund.

For CY 2007, four major awards namely, a) Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest LGU, Inland Bodies of Water and Coastal Area; b) Search for Best Performing LGU through the Local Governance Performance Management System; c) Search for Best Practices; and d) Search for Best Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Implementer, were conferred to deserving LGUs.

Excelling in the Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest LGU are the Province of Ilocos Norte, City of Vigan, Municipalities of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, and Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte. The Tapuakan River in Pugo, La Union was adjudged as the Cleanest and Greenest Inland Body of Water, while Burgos, Ilocos Norte garnered the top award for the Cleanest and Cleanest Coastal Body of Water.

On the Best Performing LGU along the 18 service areas of the LGPMS, the Province of La Union was adjudged for the second time as the Champion in the Provincial Category. Candon City, Ilocos Sur on the other hand, bested other cities in the City Category. While Naguilian, La Union garnered the highest rating for the Municipal Category.

Tagudin, Ilocos Sur garnered the top award for the Best LGU Practices through its ASAP Tagudin Program. ASAP Tagudin stands for “Agpiarkam Siglatmo. Agkakaysakam Panagrang-aymo Tagudin” a program that hastens the speedy development of the municipality. The top three winners shall be assisted by the Secretariat in documenting their best practices and shall likewise be endorsed by the RDC-I as its official entry in the Galing Pook Awards.

For the Coastal Resource Management (CRM), the Province of La Union and the City of Alaminos were adjudged as the Best CRM Implementer in the Provincial and City Category, respectively.

The Conferment of the CY 2007 RDC Awards was held during the CY 2008 First Quarter Regular Meeting of RDC-I in Cabugao Beach Resort, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Below is the complete list of winning LGUs in the four major awards.


Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest Province/City/Municipality

Province
Champion - Ilocos Norte
1st Runner Up - Ilocos Sur
2nd Runner Up - La Union

City
Champion - Vigan
1st Runner Up - Urdaneta
2nd Runner Up - San Fernando

1st-3rd Class Municipality
Champion - Cabugao, Ilocos Sur
1st Runner Up - Rosales, Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

4th-6th Class Municipality
Champion - Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte
1st Runner Up - Mapandan, Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Caba, La Union


Search for Cleanest and Greenest Inland Bodies of Water and Coastal Area

Inland Bodies of Water
Champion - Pugo, La Union
1st Runner Up - Bolinao, Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Alilem, Ilocos Sur

Coastal
Champion - Bani, Pangasinan
1st Runner Up - Cabugao, Ilocos Sur
2nd Runner Up - Bani, Pangasinan???


Search for Best LGU-Local Governance Performance Management System

Province
Champion - La Union
1st Runner Up - Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Ilocos Norte

City
Champion - Candon
1st Runner Up - Vigan
2nd Runner Up - San Fernando

Municipality
Champion - Naguilian, La Union
1st Runner Up - San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
2nd Runner Up - Tagudin, Ilocos Sur


Search for Best Practices

Champion - Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (ASAP Tagudin)
1st Runner Up - Alaminos City (One System One Government)
2nd Runner Up - San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte (Bio-Intensive Gardening)


Search for Best Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Implementer
Province
Champion - La Union
1st Runner Up - Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Ilocos Sur

City
Champion - Alaminos
1st Runner Up - Laoag

[tracymack]

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Bugallon lass is Limgas' Miss Talent
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/04/30/news/bugallon.lass.is.limgas.miss.talent.html

LINGAYEN -- Lindsay Pauline Poulakos of Bugallon town has captured the Limgas na Pangasinan Miss Talent title.

It will be known Thursday evening who among the 20 candidates will be the first Limgas na Pangasinan.

The beauty pageant will be held at the Capitol Plaza with the statuesque Provincial Capitol Building as a backdrop.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Elaine Manangan of Binalonan town was chosen by local journalists as "Darling of the Press" in a press presentation held earlier.

The Limgas pageant search, the longest running beauty quest in Pangasinan and even in the Ilocos Region, spanning three decades of glitz, glamour and prestige promises to be an enriching experience to all the beauteous and charming ladies who wish to capture the crown.

Originally called Limgas na Dayat, the pageant title was repackaged into a bigger and more spectacular pageant, said event chairman Leo Urmaza.

Miss Limgas na Pangasinan will serve as the province's ambassadress of goodwill and promote environmental awareness and conservation in addition to her physical beauty, innate charm and intellectual capabilities.

This year's Limgas semi-finalists are Ma. Angela Veronica S. Carretero (Malasiqui), Pamela Amor D. delos Reyes (Sta. Barbara), Krizette Crishna A. Unabia (Lingayen), Rosalyn E. Suratos (Mangaldan), Ludovina O. de Leon (Bugallon), Hannielyn Almaden (Anda), Thushara O. Navimana (Sta. Barbara), Lyka Mae V. Banaag (Aguilar), Jarydel V. Prado (Lingayen), Amor S. Romero (Manaoag), Joy Anne N. Cornejo (Lingayen), Ma. Victoria C. Cacatian (Lingayen), Marilee S. dela Cruz (San Carlos City), Elaine A. Manangan (Binalonan), Lindsay Pauline S. Poulakos (Bugallon), Vanessa Lorraine G. Velasco (Calasiao), Eimee Flor F. Romero (Binmaley), Lovely Angelica Pre (Lingayen), Alannah Guselle Cuison (Dagupan City), and Jea-Ann Finuliar (Urdaneta City).

[garzland]

How sad, di natuloy yung tour namin sa hundred islands... :ohno: Kainis!

[garzland]

Urdaneta City, Rosales & Mapandan - Cleanest, Greenest & Safest in Pangasinan

RDC-I PAID TRIBUTE TO LGUS IN REGION I (http://neda1.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=113&Itemid=1)

The Regional Development Council of Region I (RDC-I) paid tribute to the exemplary performances of the local government units (LGUs) in the region through its Recognition and Awards Program. Now on its second year, the Recognition and Awards Program for LGUs is a joint collaboration of the RDC and the DILG. Its primary aim is to recognize and honor the commendable performances of the LGUs. The Awards Program is also a tool in documenting best practices and experiences of the LGUs for possible replication. The program is jointly financed by the members of the RDC through their contribution in the Council’s Trust Fund.

For CY 2007, four major awards namely, a) Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest LGU, Inland Bodies of Water and Coastal Area; b) Search for Best Performing LGU through the Local Governance Performance Management System; c) Search for Best Practices; and d) Search for Best Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Implementer, were conferred to deserving LGUs.

Excelling in the Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest LGU are the Province of Ilocos Norte, City of Vigan, Municipalities of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, and Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte. The Tapuakan River in Pugo, La Union was adjudged as the Cleanest and Greenest Inland Body of Water, while Burgos, Ilocos Norte garnered the top award for the Cleanest and Cleanest Coastal Body of Water.

On the Best Performing LGU along the 18 service areas of the LGPMS, the Province of La Union was adjudged for the second time as the Champion in the Provincial Category. Candon City, Ilocos Sur on the other hand, bested other cities in the City Category. While Naguilian, La Union garnered the highest rating for the Municipal Category.

Tagudin, Ilocos Sur garnered the top award for the Best LGU Practices through its ASAP Tagudin Program. ASAP Tagudin stands for “Agpiarkam Siglatmo. Agkakaysakam Panagrang-aymo Tagudin” a program that hastens the speedy development of the municipality. The top three winners shall be assisted by the Secretariat in documenting their best practices and shall likewise be endorsed by the RDC-I as its official entry in the Galing Pook Awards.

For the Coastal Resource Management (CRM), the Province of La Union and the City of Alaminos were adjudged as the Best CRM Implementer in the Provincial and City Category, respectively.

The Conferment of the CY 2007 RDC Awards was held during the CY 2008 First Quarter Regular Meeting of RDC-I in Cabugao Beach Resort, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Below is the complete list of winning LGUs in the four major awards.


Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest Province/City/Municipality

Province
Champion - Ilocos Norte
1st Runner Up - Ilocos Sur
2nd Runner Up - La Union

City
Champion - Vigan
1st Runner Up - Urdaneta
2nd Runner Up - San Fernando

1st-3rd Class Municipality
Champion - Cabugao, Ilocos Sur
1st Runner Up - Rosales, Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

4th-6th Class Municipality
Champion - Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte
1st Runner Up - Mapandan, Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Caba, La Union


Search for Cleanest and Greenest Inland Bodies of Water and Coastal Area

Inland Bodies of Water
Champion - Pugo, La Union
1st Runner Up - Bolinao, Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Alilem, Ilocos Sur

Coastal
Champion - Bani, Pangasinan
1st Runner Up - Cabugao, Ilocos Sur
2nd Runner Up - Bani, Pangasinan???


Search for Best LGU-Local Governance Performance Management System

Province
Champion - La Union
1st Runner Up - Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Ilocos Norte

City
Champion - Candon
1st Runner Up - Vigan
2nd Runner Up - San Fernando

Municipality
Champion - Naguilian, La Union
1st Runner Up - San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
2nd Runner Up - Tagudin, Ilocos Sur


Search for Best Practices

Champion - Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (ASAP Tagudin)
1st Runner Up - Alaminos City (One System One Government)
2nd Runner Up - San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte (Bio-Intensive Gardening)


Search for Best Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Implementer
Province
Champion - La Union
1st Runner Up - Pangasinan
2nd Runner Up - Ilocos Sur

City
Champion - Alaminos
1st Runner Up - Laoag

Dagupan is not in the list? Which is more progressive, Dagupan or Urdaneta? Dagupan is more popular than Urdaneta because of its Bangus Festival.

[tracymack]

^^Dagupan is not on the list because it is not the cleanest, greenest & safest in the province. :lol:

Anyway, to me, this is a subjective topic since I'm from Urdaneta. But let's establish some facts. Dagupan (1947) is the oldest city in region one so you would expect it to be the most progressive, which I think it still is. Urdaneta (1998) on the other hand, became a city just 10 years ago BUT it is now the highest earning city in the entire Ilocos region. Needless to say, Urdaneta is the region 1 city most likely to be reclassified to 1st class. Dagupan & Urdaneta are both 2nd class cities. The two top cities in the Ilocos region.

These facts might help:
[Stats] Pangasinan (And Region 1) Cities

Hey guys, I did some research and number crunching lately and I thought I'd post this data since there's not a lot going on in our thread. I hope this would be of interest to you and hopefully would trigger some discussions. :)

My sources:
Population Data - NSO Census 2000 (http://www.census.gov.ph/census2000/index.html)
Financial Data - COA 2005 Annual Audit Reports (http://www.coa.gov.ph/Audit/AAR.htm)
Land Area, Classification - City & Provincial Websites

I couldn't find more recent data so I settled for those mentioned above. I wanted to include high-income municipalities to see which ones are primed for cityhood but I couldn't find such data. Audit reports from each Province do not breakdown the total income into income per municipality. The youngest Region 1 City, Batac in Ilocos Norte was not included because no city financial data is available since Batac was upgraded just recently.

I ranked the cities from first to last for every statistical category I could get my hands on.

The stats:

OVERALL DATA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2323225873_5bdecc232b_o.jpg

POPULATION
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2325709341_17efc722d9_o.jpg

LAND AREA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2323266675_d85ef38047_o.jpg

CLASSIFICATION
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2323266693_36d8305fde_o.jpg

[FINANCE] TOTAL ASSETS
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2324043878_9a10b62c6d_o.jpg

[FINANCE] GROSS INCOME
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2324043640_0b9dd2532a_o.jpg

[FINANCE] NET INCOME
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2323226079_9df5a49550_o.jpg

[FINANCE] EXPENSES
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2323226121_f87567ce65_o.jpg

[tracymack]

How sad, di natuloy yung tour namin sa hundred islands... :ohno: Kainis!
Sayang naman. Some other time siguro. :)

[garzland]

^^Dagupan is not on the list because it is not the cleanest, greenest & safest in the province. :lol:

Anyway, to me, this is a subjective topic since I'm from Urdaneta. But let's establish some facts. Dagupan (1947) is the oldest city in region one so you would expect it to be the most progressive, which I think it still is. Urdaneta (1998) on the other hand, became a city just 10 years ago BUT it is now the highest earning city in the entire Ilocos region. Needless to say, Urdaneta is the region 1 city most likely to be reclassified to 1st class. Dagupan & Urdaneta are both 2nd class cities. The two top cities in the Ilocos region.

These facts might help:

Thanks for this info. It gives somehow a picture of the two cities.

[garzland]

Sayang naman. Some other time siguro. :)

I hope next year our tour will be pushed thru. Supposed to be our tour is this april 28 to May 1.

[tracymack]

Thanks for this info. It gives somehow a picture of the two cities.
^^No problem. :) I'm currently crunching more updated numbers/stats of Pangasinan cities & municipalities & I'm planning to post something similar to what I posted earlier but with a wider coverage. Thanks for your interest in our province.
I hope next year our tour will be pushed thru. Supposed to be our tour is this april 28 to May 1.
Sana nga matuloy na yan at sana makapunta rin ako sa Bicol. :)

[allan_dude]

Pistay Dayat La!!!
Aliguas Pangasinan!!!

[nayki]

Anyway, to me, this is a subjective topic since I'm from Urdaneta. But let's establish some facts. Dagupan (1947) is the oldest city in region one so you would expect it to be the most progressive, which I think it still is. Urdaneta (1998) on the other hand, became a city just 10 years ago BUT it is now the highest earning city in the entire Ilocos region. Needless to say, Urdaneta is the region 1 city most likely to be reclassified to 1st class. Dagupan & Urdaneta are both 2nd class cities. The two top cities in the Ilocos region.

These facts might help:

I think one of the key factor why Urdaneta City is successful and poised to overtake Dagupan city is because of its location. Urdaneta lies along the McArtur Highway which connects Manila and the the provinces of Nothern Luzon. Urdaneta is also nearer to Manila than compared to Dagupan city. But I have this feeling that the barrio of Carmen in Rosales Pangasinan will overshine Urdaneta city and the rest of Region 1 cities in the future.:)

[tracymack]

^^You mean outshine? All because of SM? :nuts: Well anything could happen but we'll see..

[tracymack]

Just sharing..


7-11 ROCCA Bldg., Alexander St., Urdaneta City
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2455724699_eeeb2c6356.jpg
Larger Pic (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2455724699_8a9924c84f_o.jpg)

7-11 MacArthur Highway (beside Jollibee), Urdaneta City
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2455724309_cc0d2e1246.jpg
Larger Pic (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2455724309_cc0d2e1246_b.jpg)

[tracymack]

[Updated Stats] Pangasinan (And Region 1) Cities

2007 population data & 2006 COA audit reports are already out so I decided to update my previous post.

Sources:
2007 Population (http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/2007/region%201.pdf)
2006 Audit Reports (http://www.coa.gov.ph/Reports/RFP/2006FP-ProvCities.pdf)

And now the stats:

POPULATION
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/2455931719_82ae96a27b_o.jpg

[FINANCE] TOTAL ASSETS
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2455931735_8453f69783_o.jpg

[FINANCE] GROSS INCOME
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2455931761_65d3e145d4_o.jpg

[FINANCE] NET INCOME
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2456760930_85940c10a5_o.jpg

[FINANCE] EXPENSES
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2455931815_bdbb5fe502_o.jpg


Here's my earlier post for comparison and reference to other data such as land area & income classification (no reclassification has been done as of the moment).
[Stats] Pangasinan (And Region 1) Cities

Hey guys, I did some research and number crunching lately and I thought I'd post this data since there's not a lot going on in our thread. I hope this would be of interest to you and hopefully would trigger some discussions. :)

My sources:
Population Data - NSO Census 2000 (http://www.census.gov.ph/census2000/index.html)
Financial Data - COA 2005 Annual Audit Reports (http://www.coa.gov.ph/Audit/AAR.htm)
Land Area, Classification - City & Provincial Websites

I couldn't find more recent data so I settled for those mentioned above. I wanted to include high-income municipalities to see which ones are primed for cityhood but I couldn't find such data. Audit reports from each Province do not breakdown the total income into income per municipality. The youngest Region 1 City, Batac in Ilocos Norte was not included because no city financial data is available since Batac was upgraded just recently.

I ranked the cities from first to last for every statistical category I could get my hands on.

The stats:

OVERALL DATA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2323225873_5bdecc232b_o.jpg

POPULATION
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2325709341_17efc722d9_o.jpg

LAND AREA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2323266675_d85ef38047_o.jpg

CLASSIFICATION
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2323266693_36d8305fde_o.jpg

[FINANCE] TOTAL ASSETS
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2324043878_9a10b62c6d_o.jpg

[FINANCE] GROSS INCOME
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2324043640_0b9dd2532a_o.jpg

[FINANCE] NET INCOME
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2323226079_9df5a49550_o.jpg

[FINANCE] EXPENSES
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2323226121_f87567ce65_o.jpg

[tracymack]

[stats] 4 Cities & 44 Municipalities of Pangasinan

As promised, here's the grand daddy of Pangasinan stats. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2456411595_9d42e41ac8_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2456411451_91d723db52_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/2456411253_5ee87470fd_o.jpg

Sources:
2007 Population (http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/2007/region%201.pdf)
2006 City Audit Reports (http://www.coa.gov.ph/Reports/RFP/2006FP-ProvCities.pdf)
2006 Municipality Audit Reports (http://www.coa.gov.ph/Reports/RFP/2006FP-Municipalities.pdf)
City & Provincial Websites

[garzland]

^^meron din palang Infanta sa Pangasinan akala ko solo lang ng Quezon hehehe

[tyronne]

[stats] 4 Cities & 44 Municipalities of Pangasinan

As promised, here's the grand daddy of Pangasinan stats. :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/2456411253_5ee87470fd_o.jpg

Sources:
2007 Population (http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/2007/region%201.pdf)
2006 City Audit Reports (http://www.coa.gov.ph/Reports/RFP/2006FP-ProvCities.pdf)
2006 Municipality Audit Reports (http://www.coa.gov.ph/Reports/RFP/2006FP-Municipalities.pdf)
City & Provincial Websites

Oh, thank you so much! I have been trying to find this data because I've read a news before saying that our municipality, Villasis, have been the number 1 municipality in terms of Net Income for the year 2006. Wala lang, I feel proud of it. :D

[garzland]

^^Net income could be higher maybe because the expenses is low. I think what matters is the gross income.

[tracymack]

^^Absolutely. Gross income is the sole basis in reclassifying municipalities & cities and is one of the main considerations in converting a municipality into a city.

Having a lower net income could mean the city/town's expenses went up or more money got diverted to somebody else's pocket :lol:

Oh, thank you so much! I have been trying to find this data because I've read a news before saying that our municipality, Villasis, have been the number 1 municipality in terms of Net Income for the year 2006. Wala lang, I feel proud of it. :D
You're welcome karruba! :)

Yeah, I saw that banner at your town plaza claiming Villasis has the highest net income among all Pangasinan municipalities. I find it a little funny that this is given such a big deal while Urdaneta did not even have a single banner announcing that it was 1st in Gross Income, 1st in Net Income & 1st in Total Assets among all region 1 cities & municipalities back in 2005. In 2006, Urdaneta is still 1st in gross income & total assets (reaching the P1 Billion mark) & is still a respectable 2nd in net income for the entire region.

Still, congrats to our hometowns (Urdaneta City & Villasis)! :)

[nayki]

^^You mean outshine? All because of SM? :nuts: Well anything could happen but we'll see..

Yup outshine/overshine pareho lang un. Well not really the SM itself but the interest of the investors on this barrio (like the Sy's) to invest their money made me feel that there's really a big potential for Carmen to surpass other key cities in the future. If Carmen bested the rest of Pangasinan cities in having the first sm, then there is really something in this barrio.

[tracymack]

^^Yes, it has potential BUT Carmen/Rosales did not exactly best other cities in Region 1. This town clinched the 1st SM Mall in Pangasinan because SM ran into problems with their property in Urdaneta. This means Urdaneta was SM's priority. Too bad things didn't work out too well and thus they went to their 2nd choice - Carmen, Rosales.

Check out this article below. SM Urdaneta was planned for opening in 2004. If this pushed through, do you think SM would have put up a mall in Rosales this soon?

Congrats to Rosales for making it happen. I'm just ticked off at the Urdaneta City Administration for not doing their best in clinching SM Urdaneta.

It appears that mall developers are now setting their sights on provincial growth areas as Metro Manila is increasingly saturated with retail space. Retail projects bared by major developers during the quarter would include:

• Ayala Land Inc. is reportedly looking at areas to build a commercial center in the Angeles City area in Pampanga.
• Robinsons Land Corp. has allocated P3-billion for six malls to be constructed this year including sites in Lipa, Batangas; Cainta, Rizal and Dasmariñas, Cavite.
• SM Prime Holdings will open three new malls before year-end in Baguio City, Marilao, Bulacan and Lucena City, Quezon. In 2004, three more malls will be opened in Dasmariñas, Cavite; Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Batangas City.

Source: http://www.colliers.com/Content/Repositories/Base/Markets/Philippines/English/Market_Report/PDFs/knwldgapr03.pdf

[tyronne]

^^Absolutely. Gross income is the sole basis in reclassifying municipalities & cities and is one of the main considerations in converting a municipality into a city.

Having a lower net income could mean the city/town's expenses went up or more money got diverted to somebody else's pocket :lol:


You're welcome karruba! :)

Yeah, I saw that banner at your town plaza claiming Villasis has the highest net income among all Pangasinan municipalities. I find it a little funny that this is given such a big deal while Urdaneta did not even have a single banner announcing that it was 1st in Gross Income, 1st in Net Income & 1st in Total Assets among all region 1 cities & municipalities back in 2005. In 2006, Urdaneta is still 1st in gross income & total assets (reaching the P1 Billion mark) & is still a respectable 2nd in net income for the entire region.

Still, congrats to our hometowns (Urdaneta City & Villasis)! :)

^^Net income could be higher maybe because the expenses is low. I think what matters is the gross income.

I have to disagree. Gross income shows you your income/profit after you deduct your cost of sale or cost of doing business. Gross income is still subject to some other deductions. On the other hand, net income is the bottom line. It shows how profitable a company is, in this case a government entity. It gives you a figure that you can freely use for whatever way you want. In a company, this is how much the shareholders are entitled to, not the gross income. Also, higher expenses do not automatically translate to better business. Just like what tracymack said, those expenses could go "somewhere else".

It is a big deal because the mayor before our current mayor was not as transparent as the latter. There were no significant improvement in our town during his time. Today, people are happy with our mayor because he has many projects. These things, like financial information, are something that the people should know so kung pwede lang mas malaki pang banner ang ginamit, mas maganda pa. It's an achievement so it should be a big deal. :)

[tracymack]

^^Agree. It is an achievement, something to be proud of. I'm just not used to seeing those banners. :lol:

As for gross income, it is given a premium because it shows a city/town's financial capability. It's capability of generating income.

On the other hand, net income could be high but at the expense of what? Government services? Healthcare? Laying off of casual employees? A town may have a lower net income but it could be because it spends a lot on projects that improve the quality of life of its residents. In this case, having lower net income is actually good. Having high net income could either be good (surplus) or bad (cost-cutting) so that, I think, is why gross income is the basis for reclasification of LGU's and not net income.

[garzland]

^^Agree, that's really what I mean. That's why I actually based it on the gross income.

[tyronne]

Well, actually it depends on what scenario you have so I guess there's no point arguing. Our town is not big, so don't expect our expenses to go as high as those of a city or a bigger municipality. Low expenses do not mean cost-cutting. Why do you have big expenses if your town is small? Gross income may be the basis for reclassification, but it's not the sole basis for evaluating how a municipality performs. So, what's the point of saying that Gross Income matters more? Ah, OK I forgot--for reclassification. On another note, I feel bad when my net salary is too low because of too many deductions. I won't have enough money to use.

[garzland]

^^But you have already spent the deducted money for your own good. Had not your gross income is high it wouldn't be that way, it could be possible that you would not have net income anymore.

[tracymack]

Well, actually it depends on what scenario you have so I guess there's no point arguing. Our town is not big, so don't expect our expenses to go as high as those of a city or a bigger municipality. Low expenses do not mean cost-cutting. Why do you have big expenses if your town is small? Gross income may be the basis for reclassification, but it's not the sole basis for evaluating how a municipality performs. So, what's the point of saying that Gross Income matters more? Ah, OK I forgot--for reclassification. On another note, I feel bad when my net salary is too low because of too many deductions. I won't have enough money to use.

Haha! I too, feel bad when my net salary is low. :lol:

Look at it this way:

A town may have low net income but this may be because it spends a lot to improve the lives of its residents. Expenses are NOT necessarily deductions. Look at it as giving back the taxes people paid in the form of government projects. Also, the bigger the town, the higher the expenses. Another thing, the fact that a town with high gross income can actually afford to sustain these projects says a lot about how it performs.

Say a town has a high net income.. Now what? It's just money & that money is there to be used to improve lives of residents so might as well spend it on some worthy projects. You may have excess money but that money belongs to your city & your residents so might as well make the most out of it (I don't mean pocket it. :lol:).

[tyronne]

Ok, we may have differing opinions here. As I said, there are many possible scenarios, as tracymack was trying to explain. So, basically, we're on the same boat. What I want to emphasize is that, when someone reviews a financial statement, in this case an Income Statement, they'd look at Net Income--the bottom line of it all. We'll at least, that's what I remember my Accounting teachers tried to emphasize. :)

[tracymack]

^^

Alright, here's my last stab at this topic..

Using Tyronne's analogy:

For companies, expenses are NOT good.

For salaries, deductions such as taxes are generally viewed as NOT good.

For LGU's, expenses are NOT necessarily bad. In this case those expenses are targeted to sustain and improve your town/city. These expenses are NOT like salary tax deductions where your money is taken away by the government forcefully. You are actually spending FOR the good of your town/city. You are giving back to your residents by spending on projects be it infrastructure, healthcare, livelihood, environment, etc.

That said, having high net income on your audit report looks great on paper BUT it does NOT necessarily tell you the whole story. A higher gross income on the other hand tells you that a city/town has more money & capability to spend FOR its residents. That it can afford to implement more projects. It may have spent more money but that is money well spent.


Note: This is on the assumption that no corruption took place. :lol:

[nayki]

^^Yes, it has potential BUT Carmen/Rosales did not exactly best other cities in Region 1. This town clinched the 1st SM Mall in Pangasinan because SM ran into problems with their property in Urdaneta. This means Urdaneta was SM's priority. Too bad things didn't work out too well and thus they went to their 2nd choice - Carmen, Rosales.

Check out this article below. SM Urdaneta was planned for opening in 2004. If this pushed through, do you think SM would have put up a mall in Rosales this soon?

Congrats to Rosales for making it happen. I'm just ticked off at the Urdaneta City Administration for not doing their best in clinching SM Urdaneta.

Iyon na nga eh di na nga siya natuloy sa urdaneta kung ano mang rason iyon SM na lang nakakaalam. Ok lang yan kung second choice lang ang Rosales originally. Iyong mga second choice place for investement dati like thailand, malaysia etc nalagpasan na tayo ng malayo. Basta kahit ano pang bayan ang sa pangasinan ang umunlad magiging masaya tayo. Abante Pangasinan :okay:

[tracymack]

Ok lang yan kung second choice lang ang Rosales originally.
This just further disproves your argument below:
If Carmen bested the rest of Pangasinan cities in having the first sm, then there is really something in this barrio.
This is inaccurate. Carmen did not best other cities. It got lucky things didn’t go well in Urdaneta. Besides, what would SM do with that 15 hectare Urdaneta lot if they do not plan to put up a mall there in the future? If & when that happens, sky's the limit.
Basta kahit ano pang bayan ang sa pangasinan ang umunlad magiging masaya tayo. Abante Pangasinan :okay:
I have to agree with this. :okay:

[nayki]

This just further disproves your argument below:

This is inaccurate. Carmen did not best other cities. It got lucky things didn’t go well in Urdaneta. Besides, what would SM do with that 15 hectare Urdaneta lot if they do not plan to put up a mall there in the future? If & when that happens, sky's the limit.


No it did not contradict my argument. I said "originally" ;)

Baka ngayon may nakita na sila sa Rosales na mas maganda kesa sa Urdaneta ke location man un or political situation ang importante nagbago isip nila sa ngayon dahil sa factor na un.

Well tracy im just sharing my own view so please dont be particullar on my words because Im not claiming anything official here okay. Sabi mo nga marami pang mangyayari.;) Basta un na un..hehehe Kabaleyan tayo :okay:

[allan_dude]

Thousands flock to Dagupan Beach on May 1

THE Bonuan Blue Beach was transformed into a virtual sea of humanity as far as the eyes can see when Dagupan celebrated its annual Pista ng Dagat on Thursday as part of the 19-day Dagupan Bangus Festival.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair person of the Dagupan Bangus Festival 2008, and First Lady Elmina Fernandez led the fluvial parade that started at 8 a.m. at the Pantal River and ended at Tondaligan Park in Bonuan.

It was deemed the biggest sea festival ever, eclipsing the crowd that gathered in the capital Lingayen, Binmaley and San Fabian.

“We were overwhelmed by the big crowd that came, starting in the morning till late in the afternoon,” said Fernandez.

The fluvial parade was participated in by some 20 offshore fishing boats that regularly fish in the Lingayen Gulf whose catch are sold in the Dagupan Fish Market.

Chinese dragon boats also joined the fluvial parade.

Vice Mayor Fernandez, Mrs. Fernandez and City Engineer Virginia Rosario rode in the head boat owned by Pantal Barangay Chairman Lilia Yasar.

Each boat was laden with food, like lechon, as offering to thank the Mother Sea for more bountiful catch in the future.

The food was partaken later by the crew and their guests in observance of the age-old tradition of Pista ng Dagat.

While the fluvial parade was going on, Fr. Rodolfo Sumintac of the Annunciation of the Lord’s Parish in Bonuan celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass at the shore of Bonuan.

After the mass, he blest the sea and the fishing boats moored about a kilometer away from the shore.

Visitors came were from as far as Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan City, and Concepcion, Tarlac; and Benguet province.

No untoward incident happened at the Dagupan Beach that day as lifeguards were on hand and members of the Dagupan police, in their beach shorts, patrolled the area.

Members of the city marshal put order in the beach and assisted children who were lost from their guardians due to the huge crowd that flocked there.

Among the activities held at the beach on Thursday were beach volleyball, sand sculpture contest, mud wrestling, amateur boxing, and bikini open.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/thousands-flock-to-dagupan-beach-on-may-1/#more-9232

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/BEATING%20THE%20SUMMER.JPG
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/news/inside-news/

[allan_dude]

Bangus Street Party draws huge crowd despite rains

Despite two-hours of heavy rains, the Bangusan Street Party on Wednesday carried on with much enthusiasm and revelry.

Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, who represented her husband, Senate President Manny Villar; Gina de Venecia, wife of Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr.; and former Guimaras Gov. Emily Lopez joined Dagupan Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez and other city officials in leading the ceremonial lighting of the 600 grills set up along a one kilometer stretch of A.B. Fernandez Avenue.

“I have attended several festivals in the past but this is the most exciting,” Villar said.

The crowd, ready with umbrellas, lined the sidewalks and greeted the officials as they walked along the avenue, dancing to thetune of the Bangus Festival song.

In the evening, popular bands from Metro Manila, provided nightlong entertainment on nine separate stages set up for the festivities and kept people singing and dancing throughout the night.

Vice Mayor Fernandez, chair of theBangus Festival 2008, said the heavy downpour was actually a refreshing break from the summer heat.

“Ang tao nagpayong, nagtiyaga at hindi umalis,” she said.

Mayor Fernandez said they intend to set up a foundation for the Bangus Festival to institutionalize the event, which started in2003.

The mayor said a total of 27,000 pieces of bangus were grilled and and 120 sacks of charcoal were used to replenish the rain-soaked charcoal.

P/Supt. Dionicio Borromeo, city police chief, said no untoward incident was reported.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/bangus-street-party-draws-huge-crowd-despite-rains/#more-9227

[allan_dude]

Resuello monuments unveiled in San Carlos

SAN CARLOS CITY-It was both a fulfilling and sad occasion.

Mayor Julier “Ayoy” Resuello shed tears as he led the unveiling of his late father’s bust at the city auditorium to honor his father, Mayor Julian “Jolly” Resuello, who was gunned down last year.

“Until now, it’s hard to accept what had happened to him for he had done so many good things for San Carlos City,” the young Resuello said.

The former mayor was killed last year during the city’s fiesta celebration at the auditorium at the height of the electoral campaign. He was running for the vice mayor post, having completed the maximum three three-year terms.

Another monument has been built in front of the city plaza he built during his reigh.

The young Resuello said his family is saddened by criticisms from their political enemies about the cost of building these memorials.

“But ask anyone from San Carlos, young and old alike, Mayor Jolly is our hero,” Ayoy said.

Resuello said balikbayans from the United States helped finance the construction of the bust while the monument was funded by the city.

He urged the people to stop politicking and instead concentrate on moving the city forward.

UNRESOLVED

Resuello reiterated his family’s disappointment, too, over the police authorities’ failure to resolve the case.

One suspect, Angelito Soriano, has been arrested but the main gunman, named Kabesa, remains at large. The police have also yet to identify the mastermind.

Resuello insists that politics was the motive behind his father’s murder.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/resuello-monuments-unveiled-in-san-carlos/#more-9231

[allan_dude]

Mangaldan imposes number coding on pedicab drivers

MANGALDAN-This town is home to numerous professional and budding cyclists as well as its distinct big-wheeled pedicabs.

But the absence of regulation and the increase in the number of pedicabs, along with motorized tricycles, over the years has contributed to heavy traffic congestion problem, prompted the municipal government to adopt a number coding system for pedicabs starting last month.

“As of April 30, 2008, the total number of registered pedicab is 1,371 while motorized tricycle was 1,282,” said Alfonso Malapit, chief of the Business Tax on Licensing Department.

The number coding system, explained Malapit in an interview with The PUNCH, imposes a schedule for pedicab drivers restricting their operations to specified days.

The local government has also implemented a moratorium in issuance of new licenses while the renewal of existing licenses will be held off for another year.

Within a year, the Business Tax on Licensing will enforce a stricter evaluation system for renewal applications.

An ID system has been implemented as part of the monitoring system to weed out undisciplined drivers.

Drivers will also now be required to submit to laboratory tests by the Municipal Health Center to determine the drivers’ physical fitness.

Reactions to the new policies are mixed.

Ernesto C. Malanum, 40, a pedicab driver, said “Marami sa aking mga kasama naayaw nila (the number coding system), kasi ang hirap sa byahe, sa hanapbuhay namin.”

Malanum said his average daily income now ranges from P100-200, which is barely enough to support his family of four.

However, Mang Ernesto’s friend opined, “Mabuti na yong coding-an nila, maraming abusado eh.”

Some pedicab drivers also complained that the local government has not done enough to stop and arrest colorum drivers who give them unfair competition.—Joan Rachel Reyes, UPB

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/mangaldan-imposes-number-coding-on-pedicab-drivers/#more-9226

[allan_dude]

Espino, mayors sign Lingayen Gulf pact

LINGAYEN-The scheduled festivities for the Pista’y Dayat were formally started with a thanksgiving mass and the signing of a covenant that seeks to bolster environmental protection and conservation of the Lingayen Gulf.

The signing was spearheaded by Governor Amado Espino Jr. with mayors of 12 coastal municipalities and cities of Pangasinan who joined the provincial government in its efforts to achieve sustainable coastal resources management and development.

The signing also launched the province’s ‘Search for the Cleanest Coastal Municipality or City’ to be participated in by all coastal towns and cities.

The province’s 12 coastal towns and two cities are: Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Infanta, Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, San Fabian, Alaminos and Dagupan.-

“The signing of the covenant was a symbol of unity among multi-sectoral groups to achieve holistic and complementary strategies in confronting the issues besetting the Lingayen Gulf and the environment as a whole,” said Espino.

The covenant primarily seeks the commitment of local government units “to ensure the balanced relationship of economic growth and environmental integrity through the adoption of sustainable development policies, legislation and practices.”

The LGU executives committed themselves to support the programs focusing on pollution control, solid waste management, law enforcement, fishery and aquaculture management and environment conservation.

Espino explained that the covenant will serve as an added mechanism to enable the local executives and local policy makers to effectively perform their mandate.

The signing of the covenant was witnessed by members of the board headed by Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, town mayors and key officials of various line agencies of the province and region.-LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/espino-mayors-sign-lingayen-gulf-pact/#more-9230

[allan_dude]

Espino orders rehab of 8 hospitals

LINGAYEN–Appalled by the state of government hospitals around the province, Governor Amado Espino Jr. has ordered the repair of buildings and upgrade initially of the facilities of eight of the 14 hospitals.

“Kung makikita nyo lang ang state ng mga hospitals natin, parang ayaw mong pa-ospital,” Espino said.

The hospitals given priority for immediate repairs and upgrading are the hospitals in San Carlos City, Lingayen, Manaoag, Umingan, Dasol, Alaminos, Tayug and Pozorrubio.

He pointed out that some hospitals have no basic facilities such as a morgue, lounges for staff, laboratory facilities, kitchen, power generator or even toilets for patients.

He also noted that many beds are rusty and the buildings are dilapidated.

“So we can’t really blame our health providers if they could not give their best to serve the people. Our doctors are very capable but we have to give them an efficient working environment,” he said.

The provincial government administers one hospital in each of the six congressional districts, seven community hospitals and one provincial hospital.

About 20% of the province’s P1 billion budget is spent for the hospitals’ operations.

Espino said the repairs and upgrade are targeted for completion by the end of the year.

Further, Espino said he has called for a program to improve work attitudes among hospital staff, including doctors.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/espino-orders-rehab-of-8-hospitals/#more-9228

[allan_dude]

Pangasinan rice millers to sell to government

ROSALES–Rice millers in Pangasinan offered to sell to the government 200,000 bags of rice at discounted prices starting for the month of May.

The group made the offer during a dialogue last week with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap at the latter’s office in Manila.

Rosendo So, president of the Eastern Pangasinan Rice Millers Association, said the rice millers agreed to sell rice at P1,600 per 50-kilo bag, which is lower by P880 per bag than the imported rice from Thailand and Vietnam.
The dialogue was attended by 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco and Rep. Raymond Robert Estrella of the party list ABONO.

At the same time, rice millers from Isabela and Nueva Ecija also agreed to sell to the government from 300,000 up to 600,000 bags of rice each.

Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Isabela, in that order, are the country’s biggest rice producers based on records of the Department of Agriculture.

So, who is also the founder and president of ABONO, said the rice millers agreed to sell rice to the government to boost the current rice stock.

In buying 200,000 bags of rice from Pangasinan rice millers, the government will save P170 million, which So suggested could be spent for the construction of farm-to-market roads and irrigation facilities to further boost rice production.

At present, the government is importing rice from Vietnam at U$1,135 per metric ton or almost P2,480 per bag, which it sells at a subsidized price of P18.25 per kilo

This is the reason, he said, why the National Food Authority (NFA) is continuously operating at a loss.

So believes that the country still produces enough rice as he pointed out that harvesting of palay for the third cropping season is still ongoing in Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Isabela.

Nonetheless, So said he cannot fault the government for continuing to import rice in preparation for the coming lean months when there would be nothing to harvest.

At the same time, he hailed the coming of early rains and should be taken advantage of by local farmers by planting rice early.

The rice millers met with Yap to ask that a protocol be made in the raids being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation on warehouses suspected of hoarding rice.

Yap agreed to the group’s suggestion that all raids on bodegas be covered by search warrants and only on bodegas owned by merchants who do not have a license as rice traders.

A breach of the suggested protocol will send a wrong signal to the public that there is rice shortage and prompts panic-buying for rice, So said.

At the same time, he projected a drop in the the price of commercial rice soon, pointing out that the rice in the hands of the millers costs from P19 to P20 per kilo at the moment.

“We pray that the price of palay will stabilize atP16.50 per kilo so that farmers will not lose their enthusiasm to plant,” he said.—LM

ALCALA

Meanwhile, in Alcala, Mayor Manuel Collado ended up buying commercial rice at P32 per kilo using personal funds then sold it to his constituents at the NFA subsidized price of P18.25.

Collado stepped in to personally administer the distribution of NFA rice as long queues under the sun were sparking heated arguments and angry growls.

“Only 20 sacks are allocated here every week. Bumili na nga ako ng commercial rice kasi kulang talaga ang alokasyon,” he said.

Given the town’s demand, the 20 sacks allocation could yield one kilo allocation per family.

“Kawawa din naman kung isang kilo lang ang ibibigay kung nagtraysikel pa yan, di naman tama ‘yon, mahal na ang pamasahe ngayon,” he said.

Collado is hopeful that once the NFA sends out its rolling stores, there would be enough supply and shorter lines with the additional retail outlets.-Glaiza Pinto, UPB

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/pangasinan-rice-millers-to-sell-to-government/#more-9233

[allan_dude]

Free puto as Pangasinan town celebrates rice cake festival

By Gabriel Cardinoza
INQUIRER.net


CALASIAO, Pangasinan -- Forget the rice shortage, even for a moment, and stuff yourself with a big fix of bite-sized puto (rice cake) in this town on Monday, May 5.

Anyone inside the public auditorium of this central Pangasinan town on Monday will be treated to free puto when the town celebrates its Puto Festival, an event first celebrated in this town 212 kilometers north of Manila five years ago.

"It's eat all you can," said Mayor Roy Macanlalay. "But you cannot take it out. It should only be eaten there. Otherwise, you can buy from the stalls."

Some 38 stalls will be selling the stuff in front of the public auditorium at P50 a kilogram.

Calasiao (pop: 85,419) is known for its cup-shaped, bite-sized, soft rice cakes, which are also described as the town's "white gold."

Puto-making has been the major source of income for families in the villages of Dinalaoan, Lumbang, Ambuetel, and part of Nalsian here.

Macanlalay said the town government decided to revive the festival to help puto makers promote their product.

Although Calasiao's puto has established its market in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, there is still a need to expand it, Macanlalay said.

Highlights of the festival will be the biggest puto contest and a demonstration on how to make puto.

Macanlalay said the puto that his town has been producing for about 100 years has never been equaled in taste and quality in other parts of the country.

Some puto makers said the old earthen jars where the semi-glutinous rice is fermented could be behind the taste and consistency of their product.

"I think the secret is the water," Macanlalay said. This town draws its drinking water from deep wells.

The puto, he said, is simply made up of rice, sugar, and water.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080503-134365/Free-puto-as-Pangasinan-town-celebrates-rice-cake-festival

[capricorn2000]

thanks @ Allan for the updates........
mas maganda sana kung mayroon mga pictures.
mukha atang walang taga Dagupan na forumer dito.

[[dx]]

Dagupan Bangus Festival, an overall success (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Tourism_24/Dagupan_Bangus_Festival_an_overall_success.shtml)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 4 (PNA)—-After 17 days of merry-making, the Dagupan Bangus Festival 2008 was a huge success in terms of people's participation and influx of visitors. This was the view of Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. who said on Thursday that the huge crowd that saw the festival from day one was very inspiring. In a talk to newsmen, the mayor went on to describe the enthusiasm of the people as “very contagious,” something that did not happen before.

The Dagupan Bangus Festival started with a bang on April 16 and is due to end on May 4 with a badminton tournament finals and the awarding of plaques of appreciation to sponsors and various groups and entities that lent their support. Fernandez said that overall, despite the rains that came on April 26 and 30, the Bangus Festival was a stunning success and had achieved its purpose.

He said the festival not only promoted the city's number one product, bangus, to the world but also Dagupan as an important tourism and investment destination. With its featured "Festival of the North", the Bangus Festival also fostered regional solidarity and cooperation and enhanced the preservation of cultural heritage through songs, dances, arts and sports, he said.

Despite the downpour on April 26, the ’Festivals of the North’ was held till its final conclusion. Mapandan, Pangasinan; and Agoo, Las Union street dancers representing their respective festivals, won the grand prizes of P150,000 each in separate categories.

It also rained on April 30 soon after the Bangusan Street Party was opened but as soon as the downpour stopped, the multitude of people that earlier came went back to the street to jam all night till morning, with up to nine top bands from Metro Manila providing the music. “Overall, it was a stunning success as many people, including visitors, kept on telling me,” Mayor Fernandez confided.

Even Regional Director Martin Valera observed that despite the rains, the festival was a huge success in terms of crowd that attended and also the level of organization that it has. He confirmed that this is the biggest festival he had seen so far in Northwest Luzon.

Mayor Fernandez attributed the success of the Dagupan Bangus Festival to the strong support of the people from all sectors of the society, and to the executive committee headed by Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez for steering the biggest, merriest and grandest Bangus Festival ever. The mayor likewise thanked the sponsors as well as the event organizers who are the city councilors themselves, including members of Non-Government Organizations and the Department of Education for making the summer spectacle possible.

Mayor Fernandez was himself among the many spectators who saw the events nightly from day one, explaining that he was enthralled in seeing that people are happy and really enjoying. Even the Pista ng Dagat on May 1 was mobbed by thousands of beachcombers who came from nearly all nooks and cranny of the province and Luzon, transforming the Bonuan Blue Beach into a virtual sea of humanity, said Vice Mayor Fernandez.

The beachcombers, she said, poured in mid-morning and stayed on in the beach till sunset. Some others did night swimming. The mayor said he will favorably endorse the earlier proposal for the formation of a Bangus Festival Foundation to institutionalize the yearly festival and make it as part of the cultural heritage of the people in the next years to come.

He said also to be institutionalized is the 'Gilon-Gilon' dance depicting the popular way of harvesting bangus which was introduced by Vice Mayor Fernandez in 1997, then as a city councilor, when she was chairman of the 50th Golden Year celebration of Dagupan. The 'Gilon-Gilon' dance, which is strictly Dagupan's, caught fire in many school campuses since then, sparking a 'Gilon-Gilon" dance revolution in Pangasinan for sometime.(PNA)

+++

Covenant signed for protection of Pangasinan's coastal areas (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Covenant_signed_for_protection_of_Pangasinan_s_coastal_areas.shtml)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 3 (PNA)--Governor Amado Espino Jr. on Thursday signed with all mayors of coastal municipalities and cities a covenant seeking to adopt a comprehensive coastal resources management and development. The signing actually launched the Search for Cleanest Coastal Municipality or City, which is a serious effort of the provincial government to bolster the campaign for environmental protection and conservation.

The signing, joined by mayors of 12 coastal towns and cities, was one of the main activities of the 2008 Pangasinan Pista'y Dayat (Sea Festival), that converted the entire Lingayen Beach as a virtual sea of humanity. In the signing ceremony, Governor Espino encouraged all Pangasinenses to join hands to safeguard and conserve the coastal resources of the province.

The signing was actually a show of unity for the launching of a multi-sectoral approach in the effort to achieve holistic and complementary strategies in confronting the issues besetting not only the Lingayen Gulf but the environment as a whole, he said.

Espino said the covenant seeks to ensure, among others, the balanced relationship of economic growth and environmental integrity thru sustainable development policies, legislation and practices. The covenant is consistent with the provision of the Local Government Code, that gave local govenment units broader role in enforcing and implementing environment-related laws and projects. In the covenant, the mayors agreed to support the programs of the provincial government on pollution control, solid waste management, law enforcement, fishery and aquaculture management and environment conservation.

The signing of the covenant, that took place right after the sea festival’s thanksgiving mass, was witnessed by the members of the provincial board headed by Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and key officials of various line agencies. After the signing, Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan led the turnover of bangus fingerlings to fishermen at the beach area.

Afterwards, the fingerlings were released to the sea as a sign of gratitude to nature’s love to mankind and to further advocate sustainable development.
The province’s 12 coastal towns and two cities are: Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Infanta, Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, San Fabian, Alaminos and Dagupan.

[allan_dude]

mukha atang walang taga Dagupan na forumer dito.

Angapo angano sakey :ohno:

[allan_dude]

Barangay bridges to be constructed in Malasiqui

MALASIQUI -- Two barangays here will soon have their long awaited access bridges that will connect them to neighboring barangays.

Pangasinan third district Representative Ma. Rachel Arenas on Friday led the groundbreaking ceremonies, as well as, the inauguration of four barangays roads in San Carlos City. She was assisted by Public Works Regional Director Fidel Ginez, Malasiqui Mayor Armand Domantay and barangay officials.

Arenas assured the barangay residents that construction of the bridges will be completed in four months. The source of funding is her Priority Development Assistance Fund (Pdaf).

To be constructed are the 18.99 lineal meter long, 8.84 meters wide Pamaranum Bridge in Barangay Pamaranum which costs P18 million to include the concreting of its approaches and several meters of the road on both sides.

The completion of the bridge, including its components, will provide easier transport of agricultural and business products to the market.

Four barangays will benefit from the bridge, namely, Barangay Pamaranum, Palapar Norte, Palapar Sur and Bangar.

To be constructed in Barangay Ican is the 18.99 lineal meter, 8.84 meters wide Bogtong-Ican Bridge, concreting and paving of its approaches and several meters of the roads on both sides.

The project which will cost P22 million is also funded by Arenas’s Pdaf.

There is an existing abutment that was constructed sometime in 1970, according the barangay officials. What is being used by the barangays residents to cross the river is an improvised footbridge made of bamboo and wood.

The project profile states: “The construction of the one span, 18-meter standard bridge will save the government funds in the form of maintenance cost for the repair of the existing bailey bridge structure.”

The bridge will connect Barangays Bogtong and Ican in Malasiqui and the town of Sta. Barbara.

From Malasiqui, Arenas and the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways regional office proceeded to San San Carlos City and inaugurated the concreted Tarece, Pagal, Pangpang and Ano roads.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/05/03/news/barangay.bridges.to.be.constructed.in.malasiqui.html

[tracymack]

Angapo angano sakey :ohno:
Hmm..

In Ilocano: "awan uray maysa".

Right? :D

[allan_dude]

^ Wen manong! :lol:

[allan_dude]

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/Print%20AD%20TVPNCL%2012x18a.jpg

[allan_dude]

Architecture forum for Act of 2004 held in Dagupan

Local government officials, architects, and engineers participated recently in a forum on the Architecture Act of 2004 held at the STADIA in Lucao in Dagupan City.

The event was aimed at promoting the spirit of professional alliance and good governance in line with the full implementation of Republic Act 9266, or the Architecture Act of 2004, said Architect Gerardo Gonzales, immediate past president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Pangasinan-Dagupan chapter.

RA 9266, approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 17, 2004, lays down a more responsive and comprehensive regulation for registration, licensing and practice of architecture.

Gonzales said the activity is a joint endeavor of the UAP Dagupan chapter, headed by Architect Jose Alvin Altre, and the UAP Pangasinan-Scale chapter headed by Architect Rolando Sabado, with support and sponsorship from Boysen Paints.

Dagupan Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, retired Col. Paterno Orduna who represented Gov. Amado Espino Jr., Engr. Fidel Ginez, Public Works and Highways regional director and the city and municipal engineers, graced the opening program.

Also in attendance were UAP national president Medeliano Roldan and Architect Wayne Matthew Jaro, secretary-general.—CSR

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/04/architecture-forum-held-in-dagupan/

[tracymack]

Road in Urdaneta gets more repairs

URDANETA CITY–Work on the newly-widened portion of the Maharlika Highway here is almost complete but more improvements are set to be undertaken.

According to Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr., the next phase is the replacement of the cracked middle portion of the highway, which has not been refurbished since it was built during the pre-Second World War period.

The concreting of more than 700 meters of the road’s middle section will be financed by the Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) of 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

The widening of the Maharlika Highway was effected in lieu of a proposed skyway, which was rejected by residents some seven years ago.

Property owners on both sides of the Maharlika Highway set back their buildings and houses for the widened highway.

Perez assured that construction of the middle portion of the highway would not hinder the flow of traffic from north to south and vice versa.

Also funded by Cojuangco’s CDF is the work on the drainage system along the stretch which is now almost complete.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/04/27/road-in-urdaneta-gets-more-repairs/#more-9138
He must be referring to the highlighted portion below. I'm assuming he is since those two lanes are totally different from the four outer lanes in that it is asphalt paved and the other four are made of concrete.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2447003271_8f7f9162cb.jpg


Recent pics:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2470936164_90a734061d.jpg
Larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2470936164_90a734061d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/2470109781_582a2bcda1.jpg
Larger pic: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/2470109781_582a2bcda1_b.jpg

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Larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2315/2470108445_383257f7cb_b.jpg

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Larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2470108061_8afe1a74db_b.jpg

[garzland]

^^Urdaneta seems well organized and clean based on the picture. Just look at the sidewalks...

[tracymack]

^^Thanks for the compliments! :) Urdaneta rarely gets any because of it's horrendous traffic jams. :nuts:

It looks a lot more organized now that the road has been widened from two lanes to six. The sidewalks were also widened and drainage systems were improved.

[tracymack]

CSI Urdaneta Renovation Update 05-05-08

Here's a pic I took when I went home for the weekend. It looks like the two halves of the building are being linked together. A Security Bank branch is already open though I think it is a bit unsafe with all the construction going on..

I wonder if CSI will rename it to CSI The City Mall Urdaneta rather than just CSI Urdaneta..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2471143636_8c7f1263a1.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2471143636_8c7f1263a1_b.jpg

CSI Urdaneta Renovation Update 04-12-08

Looks like CSI is putting on some effort in making their older Urdaneta branch less of an eyesore. I've also noticed that they have moved their shade back probably to give way to the road widening project.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2419135542_762d96563f.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2419135542_762d96563f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2200961912_aa334b6919.jpg
Larger Pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2200961912_34fba0688e_o.jpg

Here's a pic of the older CSI in Urdaneta. This is not CSI warehouse club Urdaneta. This is the one fronting CB Mall. Half of it which used to be the cinema is being torn down. Business wise, this Urdaneta branch is doing well but the structure isn't the prettiest. Anyone with any info on why it's being torn down? Renovation? Expansion?

It looks like they're converting the old cinema into an extension of the existing supermarket/department store. I was hoping CSI would convert it into a mall since this branch is already far behind Magic & CB Malls. Though it's not impossible that they are converting it to a mall because it looks like they are also expanding the structure towards the back. I don't have a better picture of it though. I only realized it when I was browsing the pics I took on my laptop. The windows are also a welcome addition.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2265864013_9f2f67ec51.jpg
Link to larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2265864013_7dbc55b601_o.jpg

Whether they convert CSI Urdaneta to a mall or not, they better make the structure look good. Mahiya naman sila sa katapat nilang CB Mall na Palafox ang nagdesign. :lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2265864015_195e90d5dc.jpg
Link to larger pic: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2265864015_068c84962d_o.jpg

[pi_malejana]

^^Thanks for the compliments! :) Urdaneta rarely gets any because of it's horrendous traffic jams. :nuts:

It looks a lot more organized now that the road has been widened from two lanes to six. The sidewalks were also widened and drainage systems were improved.

they really need to improve the lane markings though...:)

[allan_dude]

Welcome GMA-7!

By Ben Fer. Hortaleza, Jr.

Dagupan City (6 May) -- THE coming of television giant GMA-7 finally with its studios and crew to Dagupan can only be for the greater good of public service and information in Pangasinan and its four cites.

One way of viewing this development in the local information sector is that GMA's setting shop here to pit programs with rival network ABS-CBN's means there's money to make in this part of northern Luzon, something you can hardly begrudge these giant telecom industries for wanting to have a piece of.

Another way of looking at GMA's chosing to be in Pangasinan, specifically Dagupan, is that there's a whole wide and fertile ground out there for public service and news-entertainment that eager serves can fill and often eagerly do.

Indeed with its vast area and vibrant economic potentials, Pangasinan is every agency's and investor's dream for a playing field and commanding presence. Its people always open to welcome newcomers and fresh opportunities, it is just now slowly realizing that for it to attain the pinnacle of success seemingly already achieved by its counterpart giant provinces like Cebu and Rizal, it must empower its people with information to turn their lives-and manner of thinking-around.

Media is a vital part of such empowerment. While the province already has a surfeit of newspapers and radio stations to begin with, the coming of television into the landscape completes the equation.

From here on, and sooner not later, with the combined effective reaches of these media forms, not a single corner, not a lone nook of the province, will ever be caught and labeled as "information poor." The modern-day purveyors of news and information who set out to do their daily task of bringing the news to the people where it happens and when it happens will see to that. (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080506.htm&no=44

[tracymack]

they really need to improve the lane markings though...:)
An asphalt overlay would be nice. The markings would be more visible because of the darker shade of the asphalt layer. :D

I sure hope they re-do all the markings once this project is done.

[tracymack]

Welcome GMA-7!


Ayos! Matutuwa mga tao sa bahay. Kapuso kasi kami eh. :lol:

[tracymack]

Thursday, May 08, 2008
Mayor launches 'Tulungan sa Purok' program
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/05/08/news/mayor.launches.tulungan.sa.purok.program.html

URDANETA CITY -- The city's "Tulungan sa Purok" program introduced by Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. is addressing the food need of the people in this time of crisis.

"I want the people to make it a habit to plant their food need in every available space at their backyard or around their houses," Perez said.

"We are forcing the people to plant vegetable in their surroundings," he remarked.

Perez said there are 24,000 homes in the 34 barangays here. If 14,000 are self-reliant on vegetables, he explained, 10,000 of them buy vegetable regularly.

"With the current prices of food, P200 a day is not enough for a family with several children. Say P100 is allotted to vegetable multiply, this with the 10,000 households, P1 million is being spent on vegetables by those who do not plant or don't have vegetable garden. If each family plants vegetable, they would have a savings of at least P36,000 a year," he added.

Meanwhile, only five percent of the approximately 150,000 population of Urdaneta eat meat everyday because of the rising cost of meat.

The mayor said the Tulungan sa Purok aims to develop food self-reliance.

"That is their defense/shield against the present problem on food. This is also the reason why our people are not that affected by the food crisis," said Perez.

In his meeting with the barangay officials last May 1, Perez said they distributed vegetable seeds to the barangay officials to be planted in their respective barangays. These include seven varieties of high breed vegetables.

The City Government has established its own vegetable nursery.

"We give them seeds but they must also produce their own seeds. The rotting fruits and vegetables at the public market are also a source of seeds," Perez stressed.

According to him, the Tulungan sa Purok is a program to develop self-reliant on food production; for health and sanitation; and cleanliness and beautification.

"I tell the barangay officials to encourage the people help themselves. I also tell them it's the barangay leaders and the barangay officials (and not me) that are being approached first by a person that has nothing to eat," Perez said.

Evaluators composed of representatives from the social welfare and education department, the Urdaneta police, and the City Agriculturist Office are evaluating the performance of the different barangays for the first quarter.

Part of the area being evaluated is peace and order.

Perez said on December 30, recognition would be given to the top 10 outstanding barangays.

The first placer will receive P500,000 worth of projects. The second and third placers will get P400,000 and P300,000 worth of projects, while the fourth to 10th placers will each receive P100,000 worth of projects.

[cq7cc2]

pistay dayat 2008, Lingayen
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/lngayen%20beach/DSCN6005.jpg

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http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/lngayen%20beach/DSCN5929.jpg

[tracymack]

Nice pics. Thanks for the updates cq7cc2! :)

[cq7cc2]

Thank you and you're welcome tracymack.

[tracymack]

Priest after whom city was named to be built statue
By Gabriel Cardinoza

URDANETA CITY -- AFTER 150 years, the first statue of Spanish priest Andres de Urdaneta, after whom this city was named, will be erected as part of the priest’s 500th birth anniversary celebration this year.

Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said the National Commission for Culture and the Arts has informed him that five national artists will be involved in the project, which includes the design of a new plaza in front of the City Hall along the national highway in Barangay Anonas here.

“We are proud that our city was named after somebody who was considered a hero in Spain and a very good priest at that,” Perez said.

Urdaneta, who was born in Ordizia, Spain, in 1508, was a navigator and soldier before he became a priest. He became a celebrity when he discovered the Manila-Acapulco (Mexico) route, which was used in the Galleon Trade that brought Asian culture to Europe through Mexico.

This city had forged a sister city relations with Ordizia during Perez’s visit to Spain in December last year.

President Macapagal-Arroyo had issued Proclamation No. 1423 declaring this year as the “Year of Urdaneta,” in recognition of Urdaneta’s achievements and “his contributions to Philippine culture and history.”

The proclamation also created the Urdaneta 500 Commission, which involves members of the private sector and co-chaired by Antonio Ynchausti and Dr. Alejandro Roces.

According to the NCCA website, the national artists who will collaborate on the project are Napoleon Abueva, who will create the wooden boat replicating Urdaneta’s original ship; Abdulmari Asia Imao, who will work on the bronze monument of Urdaneta; Ildefonso Santos Jr., who will design and landscape the park; Roces, who will write the text in English and Spanish that would be accompanied by Filipino, Basque, Ilocano and Pangasinan translations; and Benedicto Cabrera, who will design a mural facing the plaza from the city hall.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080511-135800/Priest-after-whom-city-was-named-to-be-built-statue)

It's about time that Fr. Urdaneta is given tribute. It's great to know that Urdaneta's statue as well as the new plaza/park is to be designed by five national artists. :okay:

[allan_dude]

^^ malaki ba yung bagong plaza?

[tracymack]

^^Sana. Di ko alam eh. Di pa naman inuumpisahan. I'm just glad that there are efforts towards the development of parks & landmarks. Urdaneta is really lacking in that regard. Sa tapat ng bagong city hall (which has its own plaza) ilalagay yung bagong park.

[allan_dude]

University of Luzon opens in June … in Pozorrubio


POZORRUBIO—The University of Luzon is opening a new campus here in June, offering the usual regular college courses and DepEd’s pet project of a ladderized education.

UL officials said evening and weekend classes for graduate and post-graduate courses may also be introduced later.

The Samson-Reyna clan, majority stockholders of the university, had already made their mark in the history of this town when, in an unprecedented move, UL Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and also Director of the Mother Goose Special School System, Inc. Mrs. Aurora Samson-Reyna opened a campus in June last year, the first that is not located within a city.

UL will be housed in a new three-storey building in the 2nd class town, along the national highway, a stone’s throw away from the Cablong crossing providing students from Sison, Binalonan and other nearby towns easy access.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Pozorrubioearlier passed two resolutions requesting the university to open an extension school and to allow Mayor Emma Zosima Chan to implement the Memorandum of Agreement.

Mayor Emma Chan said it is a dream come true, not only for her administration but for the parents and the college students of the town.

Parents in the past had to spend more to send their children to colleges in Dagupan.

The establishment of a facility of the university in Pozorrubio was in fact a priority of Chan’s administration which she listed in her major developmental plan submitted to Governor Amado Espino, Jr. last April 14.- EMMANUELLE

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/12/ul-opens-in-june-in-pozorrubio/#more-9313

[tracymack]

The Urdaneta template
By Ermin F. Garcia Jr.
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/13/punchline-117/

With Urdaneta’s City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. at the helm, Urdanetans will undoubtedly be one of the more fortunate Pinoys who will never have to go hungry in the face of a food crisis.

The city’s Tulungan sa Purok, a food production program through self-reliance, is a timely no-frills and simple yet practical community project that doesn’t require a congressman’s pork barrel to get it done and can result in millions-worth of goodwill. It’s a kind of project whose full benefits when successful will surely be felt by the community. Above all, the community will have the rare privilege of claiming and sharing the credit for and among themselves, taking pride in what they have accomplished together.


Obviously inspired by the success of the Green Revolution of the Marcos era, Mayor Perez was right to follow his commonsense by re-launching it simply with another label minus the usual grandstanding as one usually expects from politicians.

A community that has proven to be truly self-reliant evokes pride in everyone àso watch out for the truly proud Urdanetans in the year ahead.

***

A NEW HALL OF FAMER. Mayor Perez, again perhaps learning from the lessons of the early successes of the martial law, feels the operational word for this community project is “force”, as in to “force” his constituents to be productive.

In a sense, he is right. Motivation hardly works in a place where people have been so used to mediocrity and easy money, easy go. The only way he can make people reap the benefits of self-reliance is to force them initially to do what they never imagined doing, in this case planting vegetables and fruit trees in their backyards.

Hopefully, “force” will be replaced by another buzz word —”initiative” — over time by the communities themselves. And Mayor Perez will be the first to realize that the transformation has began once the communities begin to demand that they be allowed to plant in unoccupied, idle government and private lands.

And why not?

For this feat and his other equally ambitious yet achievable projects, I name Mayor Perez to our Hall of Distinguished Creative Leaders. (He is joined by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza).

***

A TEMPLATE FOR THE PROVINCE. The Urdaneta project is a good template and deserves to be copied in all towns.

All it takes are town executives armed with the political will and the vision to see their constituents survive an impending food crisis, and motivated communities who want nothing but respect for themselves as they seek to ensure that their families will always have enough food on the table brought about with the toil of their hands.

Foremost of all, it needs a provincial executive to see to it that it’s done.

Imagine Pangasinan to be self-sufficient in rice, vegetables and fruits without need to infuse millions which otherwise could be used for better classrooms well-equipped with quality books. Pangasinan will be the envy of the rest.

It’s a dream that Guv Spines can verily turn into a reality well within his first term. But would he find such a proposition challenging, if not interesting enough?

Given what’s before us, bridges and roads can wait, but not food.

***

THE RIGHT REASONS FOR STAGING A FESTIVAL. Ours is a society that certainly knows how to live it up even under the most difficult times. Who would think that our country is reeling under troubled economic times what with the endless staging of festivals practically for any reason, across the country?

Going by what we have seen thus far, it would appear that most mayors are of the belief that the best way to promote their local produce is to hold festivals. From bangus to bucayo, pandan, talong, puto, etc, name it, we have a festival name coined for them in the province and elsewhere.

Indeed, the festivals as we enjoy them today make for good respite from the humdrum of life in a community. It creates excitement where there is none. It gives an occasion to celebrate where there was none.

Alas, it also promises a better life after when there is none and that’s when I truly worry for whom the festivals are staged.

But don’t get me wrong on this. Festivals are a good thing for the Pinoy psyche but the possibilities of overnight success after some lavish spending cannot happen, not by a long shot. What the festivals can achieve for the community if at all (after easily spending unbelievable sums for revelry but little for priority livelihood projects), is name recall and the realization perhaps by more Pinoys that their town exists. (Believe it or not, many children of today’s generation are even hardly aware where to find Pangasinan on the Philippine map for the same reason that many young Pangasineneses themselves have no idea where Misamis Oriental is).

In the case of the Dagupan Bangus Festival, Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez being the astute and down-to-earth businesswoman that she is, pointed out squarely what her goal was as festival chair for staging a festival worth talking about until the next one - it is to stimulate business in the city. (Making the bangus more popular has always been the lofty aim but we know that making it more popular each time doesn’t make Dagupeños’ lives better than ever). And she hit the nail right on the head because the businessmen and small entrepreneurs acknowledged they were happy with the results even as others expected nothing but the excitement that could be found in the 19-day revelry.

VM Belen made no false promises except well-planned events for residents and visitors to enjoy and new opportunities for businessmen to earn revenues from in the midst of a weakening economy.

That’s how festivals should be organized. Simple, straightforward, no-nonsense objectives and the rest will take care of themselves.

Take a bow, Vice Mayor Belen.

[tracymack]

Urdaneta City promotes veggie backyard gardening
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/12/urdaneta-city-pushes-backyard-planting/

A revolution is on in Urdaneta City.

A “green revolution”, that is.

Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said the city’s Tulungan sa Purok project, a spin-off from the Green Revolution project introduced by former First Lady Imelda Marcos in the 1970s, encourages people to plant vegetables and fruit trees in their own backyard to enable residents to cope with the impact of rising prices of rice and other food products.


Perez said “motivating people to plant their own vegetables in their own backyards” is a way of “helping the people help themselves” and discouraging the dole-out mentality.

The city government distributes free vegetable seeds and seedlings, sourced from its own nursery, to the barangays leaders who, in turn, distribute these to the households.

Perez said barangay leaders have found the project as timely as it notjust provides food but serves as a deterrent to crimes since young people can be seen busy tending their gardens.

“The Tulungan sa Purok aims at developing self-reliance, food production, improved health, sanitation and beautification,” he said.

Special community gardens have also been designated for senior citizens.

Perez estimates that about 14,000 households out of the total 24,000 inthe city are participating in the program and he hopes to encourage more.

“We are prodding our people to plant,” he said.

Tied to the program is an annual competition among the barangays wherein the most productive, the cleanest and beautiful communities will be awarded special projects worth P500,000 to P100,000.

“Only the lazy person will go hungry in our city,” Perez said.

[tracymack]

Asingan community holds “longest breakfast”
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/12/asingan-community-holds-longest-breakfast-try/

ASINGAN–Long is in.

Inspired by the previous longest grill record of Dagupan City’s Bangus Festival and the recent attempt of Sto. Tomas to establish its own during its Corn Festival, the people of a small barangay in Asingan held their own ‘longest breakfast’ Thursday as the highlight of their community fiesta celebration.

Gem Sapigao, chairman of barangay Carusocan Sur, his barangay is now planning to bid for a Guinness World Record next year following the enthusiastic participation of the residents in this year’s celebration.

Sapigao, also the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in this town, said in a phone interview with The PUNCH that more people than originally expected filled the 2.3 kilometer stretch where they partook of a breakfast meal.

Barangay leaders cooked 17 sacks of rice, 4,000 eggs, 4,000 pieces of longganisa, and more than 5,000 pieces of eggplant for the community but households who occupied the tables fronting their respective houses quickly added more viands to their liking.

Long tables covered with banana leaves were lined along the street served as the community’s common breakfast table.

“Sulit naman kasi masayang-masaya ang mga tao,” Sapigao said

[allan_dude]

Commentary: Alaminos, Urdaneta - info-friendly cities

By Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr.

Pangasinan -- A LOCAL government unit's performance and overall efficiency is usually measured by the time it takes for either the city executive or his administrator to get department heads moving to secure for him the data he needs – even at a moment's notice.

In my visits, (and these, always for official matters) to the cities of Urdaneta and again, just last Thursday, May 8, to Alaminos, it has been such a welcome experience for a mediaman like me to be practically given the answers to my questions, or resource persons summoned to come around to answer as my cup of coffee was being mixed and served hot.

The prompt and courteous response alone bespeaks of a well-oiled, synchronized and dedicated human machinery at work, its members fully realizing the need for their mayor or his chief administrator to be (or at least appear) in control always with facts at his fingertips.

* * *

Small wonder many of our colleagues in this trade easily gravitate to the mayors of these two urban centers of Pangasinan, filling newspaper spaces and the airwaves with news on developments from these cities far more frequently than on any other LGU.

In fairness, I have not been to the mayor's offices of the other two cities of Dagupan and San Carlos of late – possibly by choice – preferring to make contact with them thru their information officers only who have, to their own credit and to no one else's, been more than able and responsive each time to requests for information assistance.

Sometime soon, I intend to do just that, drop by and see for myself if this contagion of courteous, fast and reliable public service has rubbed off on the officials of the other two cities.

Until then, I reserve full comment.

* * * *

In the absence of a mayor, the role of a city or municipal administrator becomes vital, even crucial to the daily operations of an LGU.

Alaminos City, for one, has a suave and thorough administrator in retired police officer, Wilmer S. Panabang whose long and vast exposure to the police civil relations office soon after he had handled top PNP posts all over the region and outside of it (he bowed out as a police colonel) he has carried to his present post as Mayor Nani Braganza's take-charge guy.

I have known Wilmer as a gung-ho police company commander then based in Alaminos town who had excellent rapport with the media even back then. He was just starting his police career and from the way he gave facts to nosey mediamen like us, I was sure he would one day climb the police promotion ladder with his sense of public relations. Of course, he still had that gruff, almost hoarse Ilocano way of talking but it was one he carried with personal warmth.

After his stints in different police company commands of Pangasinan, I would bump into him occasionally in regional conferences and meetings when he was stationed in Abra and at the regional police office in La Union. After the colonel retired from the police service, I was glad to learn Mayor Nani had taken Wilmer under his wings to have the dusky, grizzled police officer serve Alaminos again – this time minus the uniform and the sidearm.

* * * *

For a while, many Dagupeños, including the city's political bigwigs, were looking forward to finally seeing former allies, now estranged partners President Arroyo and former Speaker Joe de Venecia together again in a great occasion – the inauguration of the P934 M Pantal bridge project, a component of the big Dagupan diversion road started during JDV' term as House top honcho.

Until last Monday morning, when an initial coordination meeting for the projected GMA visit between Malacanang functionaries and city officials led by Mayor Al Fernandez and Vice mayor Belen Fernandez was held at the CSI Stadia, this was a thrilling prospect.

Latest word however before deadline is that the President won't be coming after all and in her stead, Public Works and Highways Secretary Jun Ebdane will do the honors of opening the bridge with Congressman Joe assisting as the district's congressman.

Too bad, a scenario that would have rivaled a Big Brother episode on TV in terms of audience anticipation among Dagupenos won't be playing out.

I don't know – don't ask me – if JDV felt dismayed or was relieved by the development. Ever the compleat politico, you'd never catch Gina's hubby betraying his inner true feelings about GMA's staying away.

Anyway, the bridge will be inaugurated on Friday the 16th of May and the highway will be finally formally opened to the riding public to everyone's convenience, and that's that.

All's well that – does not quite end, huh?

* * * *

The Pantal Bridge by the way is located just before the point where the Pantal River and the Calmay River meet before discharging to the South China Sea, a really strong current area that requires great engineering technique to handle.

Until this modern infrastructure era, it was said no bridge can be built in the strong waters of that delta but with Japanese resources and technology combined with Filipino technical ingenuity we now have a bridge that crosses the mighty Pantal river. The river has an average width of 150 meters and a depth of 2.5 meters.

Surely, when the floods come (and this is not to pray they come at all) the engineering strength of the bridge will be put under severe test. Let's all pray the vaunted Japanese engineering marvel carries the day for the big bridge. (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080514.htm&no=50

[allan_dude]

Pangasinan recalls 1st Mother's Day in 1917

INQUIRER.net

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Central Luzon Desk <--Binalik na ata sa Central Luzon ang Pang. :lol:

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines--Maria Magsano, a public school teacher, gathered her Grades 6 and 7 students and their parents at a schoolyard here on Nov. 3, 1917.

In a short program, Magsano paid tribute to the mothers present: "The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."

She tossed flowers, which she called "beautiful gems of nature," to the mothers after she spoke.

The tribute was the first recorded Mother's Day celebration in Pangasinan and possibly in the country, according to research done by Dr. Luis Camara Dery for his soon to be published book, "Pangasinan: Talindeg ed Balangon (Pangasinan: Upholding the Honor)."

Dery worked with researchers Brian Fernandez and Myrna Velasco for this new book on Pangasinan history that would be published by the UP Palaris Confraternity.

Dery, a retired history professor at the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University, said the celebration led by Magsano 90 years ago was among the "historical firsts" in Pangasinan unknown to most Pangasinenses. These accounts were being collected by the Pangasinan Historical Society Inc.

Dery, in the book, said this "modest work on Pangasinan history and culture began with the province's modern personages, especially Princess Urduja."

"It is only fitting to cap the discussion with new data on the annual celebration of Mothers' Day in the Philippines. Mothers are modern versions of Princess Urduja. In their hands rest the future of the country," he said.

The activity led by Magsano was soon imitated in other provinces in central and northern Luzon, he said.

"Soon, other provinces were inspired by Dagupan's celebration. Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Mt. Province celebrated their own Mother's Day [programs]," Dery said.

The one-day program scheduled for Mothers' Day in San Carlos City three years later, on Dec. 19, 1920, "preserved the noble sentiments Pangasinenses have for mothers," said Dery.

Among the activities were a baby contest, an orphans' day, tea party, a literary and musical program, a presentation of the one-act comedy "The game called life," a declamation contest titled "To my mother," and a chorus called "The mother's heart."

"Miss Magsano's noble endeavors bore fruits when Governor General Charles Yeater issued on May 20, 1921 Proclamation No. 11, declaring the first Monday of December of every year as Mother's Day [in the Philippines]," Dery said.

Dery, quoting the proclamation, said the celebration would "afford a yearly opportunity to celebrate the high social position which a woman occupies in this country, the only Christian nation in the Orient, and to acknowledge the great debt the country owes to the unselfishness and sacrifice of motherhood."

Magsano, according to the accounts, thanked the participants of the 1917 celebration, "especially the mothers who have come from their peaceful homes and have willingly honored us with their being here on this day... which we affectionately dedicate to them and which we now celebrate as Mother's Day here in Dagupan."

Magsano, also a writer and a civic leader, said: "Woe to the world when the pure, strong instincts of tender motherhood are disregarded, when the sweet voice loses its power to restrain... In future years, perhaps in distant climes, the lessons they taught [us] will bring a rich harvest to mankind."

In Dery's account, Magsano told her students and their parents that while the country was celebrating various church, legal and school holidays, and commemorating the heroism of patriots and martyrs, it had failed to honor the mothers of these important people.

"So why not have one during the year for those who have brought them into this world, who reared them to manhood, who greatly contributed to their greatness and usefulness?" she asked.

"We celebrate Dec. 30, the death anniversary of the greatest man of the brown race (national hero Dr. Jose Rizal), [as the] day which awakened all the energies of patriotism in the heart of every loyal Filipino citizen. Why not have one for the mother of this sublime hero, whose noble martyrdom redeemed our country from the reign of greed and is now bringing us nearer to the glorious dawn of liberty? Why not a day dedicated, too, for the mothers of us all?" she said.

"[Mothers] are the very angels of mercy, they are the very goddesses of love and the most untiring, the most patient, the most sympathizing nurses of humanity," Magsano said.

She threw the flowers at the listening mothers "as a token of deep respect and solemn reverence of affection and gratitude to your loving care, untiring patience and boundless sympathy."

Copyright 2008 Central Luzon Desk. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080512-135999/Pangasinan-recalls-1st-Mothers-Day-in-1917

[allan_dude]

Thursday, May 15, 2008
Dawel-Pantal road to be opened Friday


DAGUPAN CITY -- Dawel-Pantal Diversion Road will be opened to the motorists.

The soft opening is scheduled Friday with Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. as special guest.

The P936 million diversion road has more than four-kilometer road way and 360 meters bridge span.

The construction of the road way was funded by former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and the Office of the President. The bridge was constructed through the Japan Rural Bridge Program and funded by the Japan Bank for International Corporation.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the road in August 2006 was attended by high ranking government officials led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, de Venecia, Ebdane and officials from the Japanese Embassy.

There were reports that the inauguration was delayed because of the relationship of Arroyo and de Venecia that turned sour following the controversial national broadband network (NBN)-ZTE deal.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. has claimed that the diversion road will not only ease traffic at the main business district, but will also create a new commercial area in Dagupan. (LCMY/Sunnex)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/05/15/news/dawel.pantal.road.to.be.opened.friday.html

*************
GMA coming to open Pantal bridge, road in Pangasinan

By Venus May H. Sarmiento (pia_pang@yahoo.com)

Dagupan City -- After a long wait for a go-signal from President Arroyo to lead the opening of the P1.2 billion Dawel-Pantal-Lucao road project on Friday, May 16, the word is out: She can't make it after all.

The biggest single infrastructure project ever built in Dagupan had been finished well ahead of schedule a couple of months back but had to apparently await appropriate presidential imprimatur before it could be scheduled for formal opening.

The new diversion road of Dagupan would link up further west on the outskirts of the city to the first diversion road called the De Venecia Highway, completing the so-called first circumferential road in the city.

Initial reports said the President will be inaugurating the bridge component of the project located at barangay Pantal built from a soft loan of some P960 million released by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

The road component was financed from the Priority Assistance Development Fund of the former House Speaker.

The road was briefly opened for a day last April 30 at the height of the Bangus Festival highlight activities to ease incoming and outgoing traffic after the main city avenue, A.B. Fernandez, was closed to traffic for the preparations.

Many political leaders in the city who refused to be identified believe the falling out between the President and the former leader of the House of Representatives over the testimony of De Venecia's son, Joey, on the scuttled NBN-ZTE deal had much to do with the delay in setting the inauguration date.

Earlier, De Venecia himself said he welcomes President Arroyo to do the honors for the inauguration even as he admitted to media he was not sure if he would be invited but that he would come, if invited.

He preferred to leave it to the Department of Public Works and Highways to set the date for the opening, a departure from earlier instances where his imprimatur was sought for the opening dates of any big infrastructure project in the fourth district which he represents.

For his part, City Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. said last week he prefers to have President Arroyo and Congressman de Venecia cutting the ceremonial ribbon together.
Many city officials and even provincial leaders agree, saying it cannot be denied that the project pushed through mainly on the joint effort of the two officials of the country, their current political differences notwithstanding. (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080514.htm&no=52

[tracymack]

^^Dude, napaliit yata yung font for the GMA article. :lol: ;)

[allan_dude]

^ tinamad na ako mag-change ng font size, galing yan derecho sa source :lol:

[tracymack]

^^ Akala ko proportional sa projects nya sa province natin. :lol:

[allan_dude]

P2.5 B re-regulating pond for San Roque cancelled

BLACK PROPAGANDA BLAMED

China funding eyed instead

URDANETA CITY—It’s goodbye finally to the proposed P2.5 billion re-regulating pond below the San Roque Multi-Purpose Project in San Manuel after the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) had a change of heart.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Regional Director John Celeste confirmed that JBIC withdrew its funding support for the project earlier set to be implemented by NIA.

Celeste said JBIC’s decision was largely a result of the black propaganda waged in Japan and through the internet by original oppositors to the dam who sought the withdrawal of the loan due to the unsolved slaying of farmer- leader Jose Doton, president of the Tignay Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwayawaya ti Agno (TIMMAWA) about two years ago.

TIMMAWA, a militant farmer organization, earlier opposed the construction of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Project.

However, Celeste said the Arroyo government is presently seeking to source the P2.5 billion fund from another foreign lending institution, possibly from China.

He said that if a new lending agency is found, the implementing agency will no longer be NIA but the National Power Corporation.

The re-regulating pond is another mega dam just like San Roque that will store all the water the power plant discharges when it produces electricity.

The re-regulating pond can irrigate more that 70,000 hectares of land in eastern and central Pangasinan, as well as in northern Nueva Ecija and Tarlac.

When not impounded, the water will just flow down the Agno River and ends up in the Lingayen Gulf.

The P2.5 billion re-regulating fund is part of the identified projects to be built in the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle in order to spur food production.

As an alternative to the project, NIA is now rehabilitating its old and silted irrigation canals built in Pangasinan more than 50 years ago to increase their capacity to irrigate farm lands.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has designated Engr. Reynaldo Mencias in charge of rehabilitating irrigation canals that seeks to irrigate additional 15,000 hectares of farmlands.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/12/p25-b-re-regulating-pond-for-san-roque-cancelled/

[allan_dude]

GK to build 1,000 homes in Alaminos

goodnewspilipinas.com
First Posted 14:11:00 05/17/2008

GAWAD Kalinga and the city of Alaminos, Pangasinan are set to build an eco-village that will provide more than 1,000 homes for the fisherfolk along the shorelines of Bolo Beach in the village of Pandan.

The city and GK would pour in their resources and capacity to implement the joint housing and community project for the fishermen of Pandan.

While the locality will provide GK with free access to land titles and other vital documents, and draw up a site development plan, a feasibility study, and the legal, technical, financial, architectural and engineering plans.

To give livelihood to the area, GK would put up GK-Kapitbahayan livelihood programs and ensure that basic services, such as education and health, are provided.

The local government would identify homeless constituents living along the shorelines as well as those within the riverbanks and public lands to qualify under the low-cost housing program.

“It’s the dream of the local government that there should be no squatters in the city,” local officials stressed. “In partnership with Gawad Kalinga, this ardent dream will soon be realized.”

Alaminos also welcomed the initiative of GK to provide the informal settlers with a permanent source of income.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20080517-137161/GK-to-build-1000-homes-in-Alaminos

[tracymack]

Lingayen eyes own Bagoong, Bucayo Festival, too!
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/12/lingayen-eyes-bagoong-bucayo-festival-too/

LINGAYEN–The fiesta fever is on.

So how about one for celebrating bagoong and bucayo?

A festival revolution continues to catch fire in Pangasinan after the very successful staging of the Dagupan Bangus Festival and the Puto Festival in Calasiao.

Refusing to be left out, capital town Lingayen is now planning to hold its ‘Bagoong and Bucayo Festival’ during its fiesta celebration in January next year.

Other towns are also set to revive their old festivals, which they allowed to mothball in the past for lack of funds.

In the case of Lingayen, Mayor Ernesto Castañeda said plans are now being mapped out for the holding of the ‘Bagoong and Bucayo Festival’ to focus on the two popular industries in his town.

Lingayen is known for its bagoong-making and it is generally believed that bagoong was introduced in the town by early Chinese settlers

The mayor said it is about time Lingayen promotes its bagoong industry to the world in order to create bigger demands for the commodity.

‘Lingayen Bagoong’ is already being exported to the United States, Saudi Arabia and some parts of Europe countries where Filipino communities thrive.

Castañeda, who comes from a family that makes bagoong, said not even one from the original houses that manufactures bagoong had closed shop, proof that the industry is stable and a viable investment prospect.

Nonetheless, like all industries, bagoong is also beset by challenges, the biggest of which is the dwindling supply of fish.

“Did you know that the bulk of fish being made into bagoong are now coming all the way from Bicol, Quezon and Navotas and only a little comes from Pangasinan and other provinces in Region 1,” Castañeda said.

He said there is a big demand for bagoong but the supply has been limited.

BUCAYO

In the case of bucayo, Castañeda admitted this home industry is now on the decline because of the shortage of coconuts.

He said he intends to revive this age-old industry in Lingayen by initiating the massive planting of coconuts in any available land, including the beaches so the bucayo industry can be sustained.

Aside from bucayo, Lingayen is also famous for native cakes like the ‘talamis,’ Castañeda said—LM

[tracymack]

2 Pangasinense police generals promoted
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/05/18/news/2.pangasinense.police.generals.promoted..html

DAGUPAN CITY -- Two Pangasinense police generals got their second star last Friday.

Chief Superintendents (one-star general in military rank) Leopoldo Bataoil of the Directorate for Police Community Relations and Silverio Alarcio of the Directorate for Police Operations were promoted to Director (two-star general)

National Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr. led the oath taking of the two inside his office at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Bataoil and Alarcio are both members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1976.

They are also both Pangasinenses. Bataoil is from Lingayen town while Alarcio is from Laoac town.

"God is really great," Bataoil said as he thanked his fellow Pangasinenses and the people of the Ilocos Region for continuously praying for him.

Bataoil served as spokesperson for the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the leadership of three PNP chiefs.

His recent achievement was the back-to-back (2006 and 2007) award of Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 as Best Regional Police Office Nationwide while he was the regional director of PRO-1.

Meanwhile, two other police officers were promoted to Chief Superintendent (one-star general).

They are Chief Superintendents Juan Luna of the Directorate for Police Comptrollership and Rommel Heredia, secretary to the PNP Directorial Staff. (LCMY/Sunnex)

[tracymack]

Goat-raising a potential livestock industry
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/05/14/news/goat.raising.a.potential.livestock.industry.html

STA. BARBARA -- Goat-raising is one of the promising livestock industries in the Philippines because of the high demand for goat meat.

This was revealed last Tuesday by Neo Abalos of Abalos and Sons Agro-Industrial Corporation before the opening of the 1st Ilocos Region Goat Exposition at the Provincial Nursery Reservation here.

It was also the soft opening of the 1st Aliguas Farmers Festival, a project of the Municipal Government led by Mayor Reynaldo Velasco.

One of the guest speakers was Bicuvido Rara, president of the four-year-old Federation of Goat and Sheep Producers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (FGASPAPI).

Abalos, FGASPAPI secretary, said the supply cannot cope with the demand.

The group is conducting seminars and trainings to promote the goat-raising industry in the country. They also pass on new technologies and information to their members and encourage farmers to venture into goat-raising.

In Pangasinan, they organized the Pangasinan Goat and Sheep Raisers Association (PGSRA) last month.

"Market-wise domestically the demand is high, what more internationally. Number one market is the Muslims because they don't eat pork. Demand is high in Malaysia and Indonesia. These are target markets, but for the meantime let's go local," Abalos added.

He said goat meat is selling like hot cake since 1999. One of the reasons for the high demand, he added, is that "goat meat is the healthiest red meat. It is high in protein and iron, but low in saturated fat compared to pork, beef and chicken."

In Manila, he said, a dressed goat is sold at P240 a kilo. In Pangasinan, a kilo of goat meat ranges from P190 to P200.

In Southern Tagalog Region, a liter of goat's milk is sold at P120.

"Goat milk is second to human's milk. It's better than cow's milk because it's easier to melt," Abalos said.

Abalos said they would also to educate goat raisers of the kind of grasses that can be feed to goats and the energy and protein level of each grass.

Goats are feed with leaves of ipil-ipil, madri de cacao, cacao, rensonii, ranie, trichantera and stylo.

"Goat-raising is high on capitalization, but once started, labor is the only expense because the goats feed on grass. Whether you have 200 heads or 20 heads of goat, only two people will facilitate," Abalos remarked as he compared goat with pig and chicken that eat feeds everyday.

Abalos said they are promoting the goat industry, as they want more goat raisers for them to be able to meet the demand, which would mean decrease in the prices of goat meat. (LCMY/Sunnex)

[allan_dude]

From www.dagupan.gov.ph

Pantal bridge finally opens
Posted by City Information Office on May 18, 06:41 PM

While President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Congressman Joe De Venecia did not turned up to “bridge the gap”, the Pantal bridge and Dawel-Lucao diversion road nevertheless opened smoothly to the public without glitch in a simple ceremony attended by key national and local officials led by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr..

Public Works and Highways secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, a self-confessed Dagupeno, waxed sentimental as recalled serving as Dagupan police chief in 1977, before he presented a detailed briefing on the city’s biggest infrastructure project that stands to benefit 8000 vehicles daily and lessen traffic congestion most especially in A.B. Fernandez Avenue.

Mayor Fernandez expressed appreciation to the President, De Venecia and the Japanese government for its continued support for Philippine development.

He said the opening of the new road network will increase the usable land area in Dagupan by at least one third, prop up the city’s position as an investments site and reaffirm its tag as regional center of trade and commerce, education, healthcare, media, telecommunications, and banking.

The twin mega-projects were initiated by De Venecia with the 4.897 km diversion road funded from his priority development fund and the 380 meter long bridge component made possible by an 8 billion pesos sovereign loan procured by President Arroyo from the Government of Japan under her Medium Term Public Investment Program (MTPIP).

Touted as the centerpiece of Contract Package III of the Urgent Bridges Construction Package for Rural Development with funding assistance from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the Pantal bridge was completed 5 months ahead of its September 2008 target. President Arroyo led the groundbreaking rites in August 2006.

Ambassador Makoto Katsanura said the bridge project is part of Japan’s ongoing commitment to help develop the infrastructure and economy of the Philippines and connect a “livelihood sphere”.

Acknowledged with her sharp business acumen, Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez said the new bridge strategically connects two emerging business districts – Lucao and Bonuan – and positions Pantal and Careenan as gateways to growth corridors that will open up the city’s island barangays to eco-tourism opportunities.

She said the opening ceremony is also a celebration of a vision accomplished.

“As we share our vision and speak with one voice, no amount of political crosswinds can alter our destiny” she said. (CIO/RR)

http://www.dagupan.gov.ph/index.php?id=65

[tracymack]

^^Buti naman at nabuksan na yan. :okay:
P2.5 B re-regulating pond for San Roque cancelled

Senator Biazon seeks probe on missing irrigation project

Senator Rodolfo Biazon, who visited Umingan town on May 2, said he is initiating a Senate inquiry on the delay of the construction of the irrigation component of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam.

“I’m going to ask irrigators why San Roque Dam has not delivered the irrigation component,” Biazon said.

The irrigation component, he said, is a crucial factor in seeking to increase rice production in the province by providing water to 83,000 hectares of farmlands.

“Just imagine how much it (the irrigation) can add if indeed our production of rice is averaging four metric tons per hectare of in-bred rice,” Biazon said, adding “We need to this irrigation project.”

Earlier, Governor Amado Espino Jr. said he will make an official inquiry about the reported cancellation of funding of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for the irrigation dam component of the 245- megawatt San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam located in San Manuel town.

The irrigation component, estimated to cost about P2.5 billion, was originally scheduled for completion five years ago.

Espino said the JBIC’s withdrawal of the funding could not have been solely a result of strong lobbying by militant farmers’ following the killing two years ago of peasant leader Jose Doton.

FARMERS’ WOES

Farmers have pointed to lack of irrigation as one of the major obstacles to their being productive.

Elpidio Bato, a farmer from Bayambang said “tubig ang pinakaproblema” since they spend so much on fuel to bring water into the un-irrigated areas.

Other problems being raised by farmers are expensive agricultural inputs such as pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer and the low price of the palay.

Meanwhile, Edgareo Tugas, municipal agriculturist of Alcala town, said there are local efforts to help the plight of farmers, i.e., teaching farmers on the use of organic and liquid fertilizer, a cheaper and more effective alternative to commercial brands. - with a report from Glaiza Pinto, UPB

Source: http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/12/senator-biazon-seeks-probe-on-irrigation/

Haaayyy.. Sana matuloy na to.

[Skyprince]

:
Patopat (local delicacy)

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7794/patopat001wg7.jpg


Patopat and Tupig (local delicacies)

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/8425/patopat002pu1.jpg

:rofl: :rofl:

In malaysia.. its " Ketupat"

Great pics of Pangasinan :okay:

[cq7cc2]

For the second consecutive time, WOWOWEE:ohno: in Lingayen was postponed and again, a natural calamity occurred on the supposed date of presentation itself, this time more destructive than the first!
May 15, 2008---Stage of Wowowee under construction at the Capitol Beach Area
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/DSCN6710.jpg
May 16, 2008---The stage almost ready for the live show for May 17
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/DSCN6738.jpg
Because of Typhoon Signal #2, Wowowee was postponed but this did not stop our poultry boys and their families try the Lingayen Beach! Despite the inclement weather swimming pushed through:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/DSCN6784.jpg
By 4:00PM of May 17, everybody packed up. Not knowing that a super-typhoon never before felt in Lingayen will strike. This morning (May 19), I returned to Lingayen and along the way, from Mangatarem to Lingayen, the devastation was beyond compare:
Mangatarem: Many trees uprooted
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7122.jpg
Aguilar:Most houses do not have roofs
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7105.jpg
Same in Bugallon:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7065.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7124.jpg
GI sheets on top of electrical cables
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7057.jpg
fishpens destroyed:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7064.jpg
40 hours after the storm, the national road was still like this
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6845.jpg
shoulders eroded
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6851.jpg
typical road scenery(?) from Mangatarem to Lingayen (my final destination)
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6863.jpg
Photos of Lingayen to follow::shocked:

[cq7cc2]

Pangasinan Provincial Capitol with almost all trees uprooted!!!
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6962.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6967.jpg
the beach!!!
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6976.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6977.jpg
There used to be 2 cottages here owned by my uncle
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6995.jpg
Spitfire Bar and Grille's newly constructed function room totally devastated
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6999.jpg
:omg:Mine is next, and here it is now::ohno:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7025.jpg
only 2 cottages left standing out of 7!!!
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7022.jpg
one cottage was swept away 50 meters from its original location
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7018.jpg
even the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center was not spared
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7048.jpg
my neighbors with the Narciso Ramos Gym at the background
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7032.jpg
Maramba Boulevard became a boulevard of broken dreams!
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6950.jpg
Lingayen Poblacion's residential area!
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6926.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6929.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6897.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6879.jpg
Lingayen Beach Shed Association
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6973.jpg
The only good thing that happened: Bangus now sells at P50.00 per kilo at the expense of the fishpen operators!!!:ohno::hammer:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7045.jpg
For more photos:
http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/?start=0
Let's help in the recovery of Pangasinan!!!

[tracymack]

'Cosme' death toll reaches 12 :(
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=118732

Twelve people were killed across Northern and Central Luzon after Tropical Storm Cosme (international codename Halong) battered the country over the weekend, officials and reports said Monday.

Anthony Golez, deputy chief of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, said the number of casualties and the extent of the damage are expected to surge as reports from the field come in.

As of 6 a.m. Monday, a total of 6,700 families were displaced by the storm, he said.

The fatalities in Pangasinan were identified as Lourdes Soriano and Cesario Basi from Bugallon; George Pascua from San Fabian; Miguel Poserio, Randyl Poserio and Rodyl Poserio from Dagupan City; Carlito Maganes from Mangaldan; Marcos Quinto from Urdaneta; Elpidio Maoile from Infanta; Nicadio Ferrer from Lingayen; and Rogelio Austria from San Carlos City.

The number of casualties in Pangasinan may go up as two children who were reported missing at the height of the onslaught still remained unaccounted for, officials said

The children are feared to have drowned in Dagupan.

More than half of Pangasinan’s towns, cities and municipalities have been destroyed by the storm. A substation of National Transmission Corporation (Transco) and electricity posts were severely damaged, cutting power supply in the entire province.

Damage to crops was initially estimated at P168 million.

Typhoon damage to go up

Disaster officials said their assessment of the extent of the damage and casualties are slowed down by debris and uprooted trees that are blocking their way to the affected areas.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said it would take more than two months to fully restore power and repair the damaged infrastructures.

Disaster and local officials will meet Monday afternoon to decide whether to declare a state of calamity.

The worst-hit town in Zambales, meanwhile, is Sta. Cruz where almost 7,000 houses were destroyed. A resident also died at the height of the storm.

The victim’s identity and the cause of death have yet to be established.

Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso estimated that the damage to structure and agriculture might reach P150 million.

Reports said residents of Sta. Cruz are in need of food and medicine supplies.

“Right now a lot of government agencies are still undergoing clearing operations. Every after an emergency or every after a typhoon, the most urgent need will be food and water and since yesterday (Sunday) the [Department of Social Welfare and Development] has been sending relief supplies to different areas,” Golez said.

He said the government has also sent medical surveillance team to evacuation centers and other crowded areas to monitor their health condition.

Construction materials to build the destroyed homes are also one of the basic and urgent needs of the typhoon victims who have started to return to communities to rebuild their lives.

[tracymack]

Solon says policy on rice imports bad for economy
By FA SISON ALMAZAN
http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080520125120.html

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan — Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco (5th district, Pangasinan) assailed yesterday a government policy that allows rice importation while there is an abundant local supply of the staple.

Cojuangco said that the government policy which calls for the buying of rice abroad at high prices and selling it to the local market at low prices is bad for the country’s economy.

This policy drains the national treasury of dollars and causes disincentive to local rice farmers, the congressman said.

The government should adopt a policy that encourages increase in rice production by giving more support to the farmers, he also said.

To increase production, he said, the government should immediately allocate at least a R2.5 billion for fertilizer subsidy for rice farmers.

Cojuangco said that the provision of substantial fertilizer subsidy to the rice farmers in the next planting season will result in increased harvest that would boost the country’s buffer rice stock.

Noting the policies and programs of developed and industrialized countries on grains productions, Cojuangco said that it is necessary to make the Filipinos aware that these progressive nations give priority concern to their agricultural economy by providing big amounts of subsidies to their farmers.

To maintain soil fertility and productivity and prevent land degradation and erosion, nutrients taken by crops must be replenished with the application of fertilizers, he said.

Fertilizers increase farm yield, which enables the country to attain sufficiency in food and agro-industrial crops, the congressman said.

He added that fertilizers can make crop grow in unproductive soil and can increase farm yield by at least 30 percent.

[barrera_marquez]

Balita diyan sa Pangasinan wala pa ring kuryente a? Kayo ba diyan sa Pangasinan may kuryente na?

[allan_dude]

Hala nasira pala yung Aguilar convent!

Parang sa Myanmar ngyari sa Pangasinan. Effect na talaga to ng global warming. 1st time ngyari ganitong magnitude ng natural disaster sa probinsya.


Aguilar:Most houses do not have roofs
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7105.jpg

Same in Bugallon:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7065.jpg
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7124.jpg
GI sheets on top of electrical cables
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7057.jpg
fishpens destroyed:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN7064.jpg
40 hours after the storm, the national road was still like this
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6845.jpg
shoulders eroded
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6851.jpg
typical road scenery(?) from Mangatarem to Lingayen (my final destination)
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u116/cq7cc2/cosme%20in%20pangasinan/DSCN6863.jpg
Photos of Lingayen to follow::shocked:

Balita diyan sa Pangasinan wala pa ring kuryente a? Kayo ba diyan sa Pangasinan may kuryente na?

^Merong kuryente sa South Central and Eastern Pangasinan. Western, Central and Coastal towns wala parin.

Luluwas ako ngyon. Punta rin kami sa Dagupan later, . Update ko kayo with pics tonight.

[capricorn2000]

wow..ang laking damage...

tanggal din yon bubong ng lumang bahay namin sa dagupan sabi ng sister ko at nadamage din yon bago-bagong bahay at wala pa raw kuryente.

[tyronne]

Buti na lang hindi nasira bahay namin na lumang-luma na at puro anay :(

[barrera_marquez]

Hindi rin, mas maswerte ang Pangasinan kasi hindi umabot ang death toll ng halos 30,000 tapos hindi naman naging ganoon ang damage sa Pangasinan kung iko-compare mo sa Myanmar...

So, I'd say you all thank God dahil nalampasan niyo ang trahedyang ito without too much being sacrificed.

[Sinjin P.]

Please vote for your favorite entries in the 2008 Philippine Independence Day Banner Contest here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=630569

[allan_dude]

Hindi rin, mas maswerte ang Pangasinan kasi hindi umabot ang death toll ng halos 30,000 tapos hindi naman naging ganoon ang damage sa Pangasinan kung iko-compare mo sa Myanmar...

So, I'd say you all thank God dahil nalampasan niyo ang trahedyang ito without too much being sacrificed.

Well-prepared naman ang disaster management team ng Dagupan and Pangasinan, nasabihan agad mga tao na mag evacuate kaya onti lang casualties. Hindi lang nila ineexpect na ganito kalakas yung bagyo.
Kinumpare ko sya sa Myanmar dahil majority ng nasalanta sa probinsya asa may Agno River Delta at sa mga coastal areas. Til now baha parin maraming lugar, karamihan ng mga bahay walang bubungan or nawasak.

Kagagaling ko lang sa Dagupan. Bagsak lahat ng billboards reminiscent hagupit ni "milenyo" sa EDSA. Mga signboard sirasira. Maraming salamin at traffic lights sa downtown basag. Nagkalat mga wires. Binagyo man ang syudad, tuloy parin ang buhay. matraffic, maraming tao sa downtown, maraming namimili sa csi..

Wala parin kuryente sa Dagupan, pati sa Calasiao and Malasiqui. Samin dito sa Bayambang hindi kami affected ng bagyo. Affected kami sa pag swell ng Agno river.

[allan_dude]

Calasiao: May 20,2008 1:30PM

Nilipad isang parte ng GI sheets ng Calasiao Catholic Church. naka-expose na mga wooden beams.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/2508527712_3c1d0883cb.jpg?v=0
Calasiao Central School (Mula sa tulay)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2507701941_32ecd8f9a5.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/2507702689_360bab6f3a.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2507703599_79cc9ba7aa.jpg?v=0

[allan_dude]

Dagupan now in state of calamity

Updated May 21, 2008

DAGUPAN CITY –The Dagupan City council, headed by Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, moved to declare a state of calamity in the city to enable the city government to effectively respond to the emergency situation in the aftermath of typhoon ‘Cosme’.

Dagupan City administrator Alvin Fernandez said relief and rescue operations are now going round-the-clock spearheaded by the City Disaster Coordinating Council under the direction of Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr.

Three boys were also reported to have drowned along Tanap River in Sitio Catacdang in barangay Bonuan Gueset.

The bodies of the three, Miguel Poserio, 2; his brother Randyl, 3 and Rodyl, 4 were recovered only last Sunday and Monday. Randyl and Rodyl were earlier declared as missing.

Some 2,000 homes were totally destroyed and 3,000 others partially in Dagupan City.

The City Disaster Coordinating Council initially estimated the losses in fisheries at P550 million and in crops at P800,000.

Fishpen owners prematurely harvested their bangus, selling these at P30 per kilo, down from P80 per kilo before the typhoon.

The police also reported to the PDCC that two detainees at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology district jail in Bonuan managed to escaped at 8:50 p.m. of Saturday, at the height of typhoon “Cosme”

A third escapee, whose name is not available yet, was captured during a pursuit operation.

Meanwhile in Lingayen, Governor Amado Espino Jr. said clearing operations are still going on in several areas, aiming to make all roads in the province passable, and all towns accessible within the next few days.

While he was pessimistic about an early restoration of electricity in all the towns, he expressed hope nonetheless that a 24-hour work-shift will enable some towns to have power restored within the week.

Espino thanked both Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who arrived separately to assess the damages and plan for rehabilitation program for the province, for their concern for the province’s plight.

The two high government officials both assured that help is forthcoming.

At least 11 persons were reported to have perished from the typhoon in separate towns of Pangasinan since Saturday night.

The fatalities were identified by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) as Lourdes Soriano, 72, of barangay Portic, Bugallon; Cesario Basi, also of Portic, Bugallon; George Pascua of Bolasi, San Fabian;

Carlito Maganes of Salay, Mangaldan, who was electrocuted; Elpedio Maoile of Infanta; Nicadio Ferrer of Lingayen; Mario Quinto of Urdaneta City; and Remedios Paolo, 72, of Bolaoen, Bugallon.

According to the PDCC, the worst hit area in Pangasinan is the province’s western part.

The towns of Infanta, Aguilar, Bugallon and Lingayen reported that 70-90% of houses were either blown away or heavily damaged.

In Sta. Barbara town, flood spawned by the overflowing Sinocalan River has just set in barangay Dalongue and Maningding.

The PDCC reported that at least 33 persons from barangay Baritao and Pugaro in Manaoag were evacuated to the town’s sports center while two families from Doyong, San Carlos City were evacuated to the gymnasium of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City. –LM

24 towns, 4 cities in Pangasinan
worst-hit by typhoon


LINGAYEN —The province has been declared in a state of calamity by the provincial board after Governor Amado Espino Jr. said at least 24 towns and four cities in Pangasinan suffered greatly from the onslaught of typhoon “Cosme” that lashed out Saturday night.

Reports from province’s disaster coordinating council describe hundreds of houses, commercial establishments and public infrastructure to have been either destroyed or seriously damaged in those places.

The governor said this could be the worst calamity that hit the province as he pointed to millions worth of crops lost in the aftermath.

He added that all public schools in those places were not spared rendering these incapable of providing shelter to evacuees.

He believes that most of these schools would not be ready for the start of the school year next month.

Even the provincial capitol as well as the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center were damaged.

According to agricultural officials, most of the crops destroyed were corn and vegetables.

The governor asked Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, who made a short visit here on Monday, to immediately provide assistance to local farmers particularly seeds and fertilizers so they recover quickly.

“Our people also need financial help to build new or repair their houses,” Espino said.-LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/20/24-towns-4-cities-in-pangasinan-worst-hit-by-typhoon/


Courtesy of Sunday Punch:

The Aftermath of Typhoon Cosme

Updated May 21, 2008

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/1.JPG
Welcome and proceed to Mangaldan at your own risk.
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/2.JPG
The way to Binmaley from Dagupan
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/3.JPG
Toppled billboard on Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/4.JPG
Uprooted from the sidewalk fronting the Dagupan City Hall
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/5.JPG
The aftermath at the Lingayen Airfield
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/6.JPG
The remains of the war museum in Lingayen
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/7.JPG
The battered Urduja House in Lingayen the day after.
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/8.JPG
Electric post in front of Silverio’s in Dawel breaks and collapses.
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/9.JPG
Instant play-pool for kids on Arellano St. in Dagupan.

(Exclusive PUNCH photos by Butch Uka)
http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/20/the-aftermath-of-typhoon-cosme/

[allan_dude]

Finally, new Dawel-Lucao road is open to traffic

BIG BOON FOR DAGUPAN

FINALLY, the Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Road is open.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., who led a simple ceremony on Friday for the “soft opening” of the highway, said this marks a new hope for Dagupan.

Also present during the opening event were Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura.

A grand inauguration, set to be attended by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., is being scheduled sometime in June.

Both Arroyo and De Venecia, who were instrumental in making the project possible, were invited for last Friday’s inauguration but both had previously set engagements.

Mayor Fernandez said the project prepares Dagupan to become the leading economic power in the north because the new road opens new growth corridors which investors can take advantage of.

He thanked Arroyo for making Dagupan a priority of her Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development, Package III.

P934 million or 36% per cent of the P2.6 billion allocated to the bridge program was released to Dagupan by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for the construction of the Pantal Bridge.

Fernandez also acknowledged and thanked De Venecia for his “initiative, leadership and tenacity” that led to the realization of a long vision to provide another diversion road for Dagupan.

De Venecia was also instrumental in initiating and funding the Jose R. de Venecia Highway, completed in 1996, connecting Dagupan and Calasiao.

Vice Mayor Fernandez, for her part, said the Dawel-Pantal-Lucap Road is a vision accomplished, adding that the dream to connect two emerging business districts-the Bonuan area and the Tapuac-Lucao area-has been fulfilled.

The Pantal Bridge measuring 380 meters with two lanes, consists of 7-span continuous steel two-1 girder with composite concrete deck slab while the road component-built on former swamps, fishponds and river— has a net length of 4.157 kilometers, said Sec. Ebdane.

She said the new Pantal Bridge had positioned barangay Pantal and Poblacion Oeste as gateways to the new growth corridors that will soon open.

The project puts the island barangays of Calmay, Lomboy, Carael and Pugaro within arm’s length to eco-tourism opportunities, the vice mayor said.

“Today’s occasion ably demonstrates that for as long as we share one vision and speak with one voice, no amount of political crosswinds can alter our destiny,” she said.—LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/20/new-dawel-lucao-road-opens/

[allan_dude]

MY PICS

New Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Road
May 20, 2008 2:00 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2508617170_121b741d46.jpg?v=0
Another stormy day

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2508619626_d860b781cc.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2508534266_2ce9222ce4.jpg?v=0
Southbound U-turn slot

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2341/2507708391_ee827907b0.jpg?v=0
Pantal bridge with AB Fernandez Ave Exit

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2508533514_93c735b74b.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2507706081_f277515434.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2507709905_e8f70b9cfe.jpg?v=0
The city Mall

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2508531178_7767bfafe7.jpg?v=0
Stadia: shattered glasses

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2508532000_76b458968b.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/2507709169_cf2cbf4ecd.jpg?v=0
Posh houses with damaged roofs.

MORE DAGUPAN PICS TOMORROW...

[tracymack]

Photos courtesy of The Main Man of urdaneta.multiservers.com
His photoblog: http://urdanetacity.blogspot.com/2008/05/typhoon-cosme-wreaks-havoc-in-urdaneta.html

Traffic brought about by the floods. Some of these vans would be stalling because of the high flood level.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/cosme/IMG_1104.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/cosme/IMG_1106.jpg


Notice the signages ripped apart by the typhoon

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/cosme/IMG_1108.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/cosme/IMG_1109.jpg


Stranded passengers endure floodwater that is almost knee deep as they wait in front of CSI Warehouse Club

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/cosme/IMG_1111.jpg


Many small sized motorcycles like this one have stalled.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/cosme/IMG_1113.jpg


This is supposedly on the newly widened part of McArthur highway in Nancayasan. The drainage component of the project has not been done yet.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll174/tracymack_urd/cosme/IMG_1114.jpg


Only one casualty from Urdaneta has been reported but IMO, that is one too many. RIP Mr. Quinto.

According to my mom, power was restored shortly after the typhoon and the flood has subsided quite a bit.

[tracymack]

MY PICS

New Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Road
May 20, 2008 2:00 PM


Ganda ng daan. Bagong bago. :okay:

[allan_dude]

^ Meron narin mini skyline ang Dagupan. Maganda yung view mula Arellano st. hangang Pantal bridge. Makuhanan nga ng picute :)

[allan_dude]

‘Cosme’ toll in Pangasinan now 28

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes, Gabriel Cardinoza
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 01:21:00 05/21/2008

DAGUPAN CITY – The death toll from the onslaught of storm “Cosme” almost doubled after more reports of typhoon-related deaths were received from different towns and cities of Pangasinan, reports from the provincial disaster coordinating council (PDCC) showed.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, 16 more deaths were reported in the cities of San Carlos and Urdaneta, and the towns of Infanta, Sta. Barbara, Sual and Mangatarem.

The PDCC said the death toll in Pangasinan stood at 28 on Tuesday. Three typhoon-related deaths were earlier reported in nearby La Union, increasing the total typhoon-related fatalities in Northern Luzon to 31.

Power outages

Candles have become a prime commodity in the province as power had yet to be restored in most towns and cities on Tuesday, three days since “Cosme” toppled electric posts and damaged transmission lines.

Many supermarkets, groceries and neighborhood stores in the province ran out of candles as residents grabbed every stick available starting Monday, reports gathered by the Inquirer showed.

Batteries, flashlights and matchsticks fast disappeared from the shelves as residents tried to cope with darkness.

Dagupan resident Marivic Melecio had to scour the city’s business district before she could buy several pieces of decorative candles. She said the storeowner offered the decorative candles after the store’s supply of ordinary candles ran out.

“But the decorative candles were also sold out soon, although these [were more expensive],” she said. Small candles were sold for P35 apiece while the bigger ones were priced P50.

Many residents also bought mobile phone chargers that could be plugged into car battery slots. Sidewalk vendors sold these chargers for P250 apiece, up by P100 before the typhoon struck.

Some business establishments made money by recharging batteries of cellular phones at P30.

An official of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) said it would take at least two weeks before electricity is fully restored in towns and cities hit by the typhoon.

Gerardo Torres, manager of Transco’s western Pangasinan branch, told officials of the PDCC in Lingayen town that Transco’s personnel have already restored the lines that connect the firm’s substation in Labrador town to the Luzon grid after these were damaged.

The Labrador sub-station supplies electricity to the Pangasinan Electric Cooperative 1 (Panelco 1), Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (Cenpelco) and Dagupan Electric Corp. (Decorp) that distribute electric power to 27 western and central Pangasinan towns and cities.

“We are now in the process of restoring the 69-kilovolt lines, which connect the sub-stations to the cooperatives,” Torres said.

Cosme’s strong winds toppled at least 194 electric poles in Pangasinan on Saturday night, Torres said.

But he said what slowed down their restoration work was that most of these poles were scattered around fishpond areas and rice fields.

“But if we have to use helicopters to drop our poles we will do it, just to hasten the restoration process,” Torres said.

Torres also appealed to local officials and the police to help them protect their wires from thieves.

Power restoration

Decorp said it might be able to restore electricity in commercial and government centers in Dagupan City and the towns of Calasiao and Sta. Barbara.

“We have been told by Transco that they will be able to shift the load of Calasiao substation to its San Manuel line,” said August Sarmiento, Decorp’s operations manager.

As of Tuesday, Decorp has restored power in San Jacinto town, which also draws power from the San Manuel substation.

“We are doing our best to restore power and in fact, we have sought the help of other power (companies) who have sent their crews here to help in the restoration,” Sarmiento said.

Josefina Mandapat, general manager of Cenpelco, said power has been restored in Alcala and in parts of Bayambang and Basista towns.

“[At least] 80 percent of our backbone lines were destroyed. Our estimated damage is P45 million,” she said.

Crews from electric firms in Tarlac, Cabanatuan, Angeles and the Manila Electric Co. arrived here Tuesday.

Like Transco, Sarmiento said they were having problems with electric wire thieves.

“We have a lot of copper conductors in [Barangays] Bonuan Binloc and Bonuan Gueset that were stolen,” he said.

The Dagupan police arrested a junk shop owner for buying a stolen Decorp transformer and a man who was about to sell some 15 kilograms of copper wire to another junk shop.

In Calasiao town, Mayor Roy Macanlalay said 14 villages in his town were flooded after the Sinocalan River overflowed on Monday.

Macanlalay said the number of disaster victims in his town would likely increase because of the flooding.

Paterno Orduna, PDCC executive officer and deputized civil defense coordinator, said relief operations have been delegated by the provincial government to town and city officials.

Orduna said the provincial government’s priority was to repair damaged school buildings.

Baguio under calamity state

The Baguio City council declared the city under a state of calamity on Monday so the local government could access funds for repairs.

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. said barangay councils in several villages hit by floods and landslides were not equipped to fund major rehabilitation work.

The Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) has restored 80 percent of power in the city and in major towns of Benguet on Tuesday.

But Gerardo Versoza, Beneco general manager, said repairs might take until Friday to reenergize remote villages in other towns of Benguet.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=20874485

[tracymack]

^ Meron narin mini skyline ang Dagupan. Maganda yung view mula Arellano st. hangang Pantal bridge. Makuhanan nga ng picute :)

Sige. Malay natin baka maging SSC banner pa yan. :)

[allan_dude]

Widespread damage to Dagupan in typhoon "Cosme" passage

By Bhen Fer. Horaleza, Jr.

Dagupan City -- With four confirmed fatalities in the city in its hands in the wake of killer typhoon Cosme's onslaught, the City Disaster Committee headed by Dagupan Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. is in constant assessment of the situation to ensure further deaths or damages ensue.

At 5 p.m. this afternoon, the CDC has gathered volunteer workers and disaster brigade members along with all barangay heads for an update on relief and rehabilitation efforts at the City Museum, designated CDC main center.

Mayor Fernandez, said the death toll from the typhoon still stands at four considering of the three Poseiro children, all of barangay Pantal Guibang by the swollen Pantal river and an old man, Jesus Maramba of Bonuan Longos who died Monday morning or the day after Cosme's destructive passage in Pangasinan, from an apparent cardiac arrest.

All public utilities – water, light, telecom – have been invited to the CDC meeting to report their operations for immediate restoration of any disrupted service.

As of Tuesday morning, the CDC has issued various bulletins/public alerts on the public utility status in the city to include advisory for people not to buy stolen lines, properties and other illegally obtained items under pain of arrest or penalties under an emergency situation.

The latest CDC report by Deputized Civil Defense Coordinator Robert Erfe Mejia showed the following damage estimates to agriculture and fisheries: P180,160,000.00 for fishponds and P548,894,650.00 for crops consisting of downed mango trees, coconut trees and vegetables.

Some 19,072 houses throughout the city were totally damage indicating the wide swath of windy furry unleashed by the typhoon. Neighboring Binmaley and Lingayen also reported almost as many homes blown down or unroofed during Cosme's over two-hour wild swing in the heart of Pangasinan.

The Dagupan Electric Corporation is under extreme pressure to restore electricity even as all it could promise was the reconnection of at least 20 % of primary power lines in the central usiness district in 7 to 10 days. Secondary lines and the rest of the city will be lighted in "succeeding days or weeks." (PIA Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080521.htm&no=65

[tracymack]

^^Yikes!

[suri_maw2020]

:ohno::ohno:..nakaka panlumo naman talaga ang sinapit ng Pangasinan. It will take time para maayos ulit ang mga nasirang bahay(like us)..tumaas pa naman ng mga Construction materials ngayon.:ohno:

[barrera_marquez]

Maswerte na lang talaga ang Pangasinan na hindi naging kasing-tindi ng sa Myanmar ang nangyari sa kanila.

[allan_dude]

Nagtataka lang ang bat ang national gov't wala masyadong natutulong. unlike sa ibang lugar andyan na agad si Gloria kinabukasan. Ni aninong unano wala pa dumarating. Pangasinense paman din sya. Pati national media hindi masyado pinapakita devastation images sa Pangasinan. Parang may news blackout ba or hindi lang sila interesado dahil hindi humihingi ng tulong mga tao sa Pangasinan. Mga Pangasinense malalakas ang loob at marunong tumayo sa sariling paa. Pag manood kayo ng regional news, Balitang Amianan (GMA-10 Dagupan) or TVPatrol North Central Luzon (ABS-CBN 32 Dagupan) hindi nagpapaawa mga Pangasinense. Pagkatapos ng bagyo pilit agad na inaayos ang mga tahanan at ginagawang normal ang pamumuhay kahit walang tulong na galing sa labas.

[allan_dude]

City loses P537M aquaculture property to storm

THE Dagupan City Government has lost about P537 million in its aquaculture industry caused by typhoon Cosme.

Cosme's strong winds pounded the city and other areas in Pangasinan Province on Saturday.

The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) is still waiting for reports of damages from the different towns and cities before they can come out with an estimate to damages in agriculture and aquaculture.

City Agriculturist Emma Molina said the fishpond and fish pen operators in Dagupan were prepared with nets in case floods hit the city. But everybody was dumbfounded and helpless when strong winds started beating and hammering the province, particularly Western and Central Pangasinan.

Molina said about 90 percent of the fish pens situated in 14 barangays and 60 percent of fishponds located in eight barangays were destroyed.

"The estimated damage and loss to fish pens is P349 million and P184 million from fishponds. These include the fix structures and fish stocks (marketable, fry and fingerlings)," she said.

Meanwhile, the PDCC reported that 11 persons died because of the typhoon as of Monday noon.

Provincial Information Officer Butch Velasco identified the fatalities as Lourdes Soriano and Cesar Basi of Bugallon town, George Pascua of San Fabian, Carlito Maganes of Mangaldan, Elpidio Maoile of Infanta, Leocadio Ferrer of Lingayen, Mario Quinto of Urdaneta City, and siblings Miguel, Randyl and Rodyl Poserio of Dagupan City. The name of the 11th fatality is yet to be known.

Velasco further said that about 90 percent of the houses in Infanta were damaged, while damaged houses in Lingayen and Bugallon was about 70 percent.

There was also a report received, said Velasco, that floodwaters (coming from the mountains of Benguet) was rising in Sta. Barbara town.

There was no report as of Monday afternoon of water release from the San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/05/20/news/city.loses.p537m.aquaculture.property.to.storm.html

[allan_dude]

Maswerte na lang talaga ang Pangasinan na hindi naging kasing-tindi ng sa Myanmar ang nangyari sa kanila.

^^ Isang bayan about 90% ng mga bahay damaged. Grabe diba? Isang coastal town lang yun sa western Pangasinan. sama mo pa mga bayan at syudad sa Central, 60-70% ang damage nyan.. mahigit sa kalahati ng 2.4 million population directly affected.

Grabe talaga ang damage. Milagro na konti lang ang nasawi..


Velasco further said that about 90 percent of the houses in Infanta were damaged, while damaged houses in Lingayen and Bugallon was about 70 percent.

There was also a report received, said Velasco, that floodwaters (coming from the mountains of Benguet) was rising in Sta. Barbara town.

There was no report as of Monday afternoon of water release from the San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2008/05/20/news/city.loses.p537m.aquaculture.property.to.storm.html

[tracymack]

Nagtataka lang ang bat ang national gov't wala masyadong natutulong. unlike sa ibang lugar andyan na agad si Gloria kinabukasan. Ni aninong unano wala pa dumarating. Pangasinense paman din sya. Pati national media hindi masyado pinapakita devastation images sa Pangasinan. Parang may news blackout ba or hindi lang sila interesado dahil hindi humihingi ng tulong mga tao sa Pangasinan. Mga Pangasinense malalakas ang loob at marunong tumayo sa sariling paa. Pag manood kayo ng regional news, Balitang Amianan (GMA-10 Dagupan) or TVPatrol North Central Luzon (ABS-CBN 32 Dagupan) hindi nagpapaawa mga Pangasinense. Pagkatapos ng bagyo pilit agad na inaayos ang mga tahanan at ginagawang normal ang pamumuhay kahit walang tulong na galing sa labas.

Amen to this post allan_dude! :cool:

The only place she frequently visits in Pangasinan is Binalonan, her mother's hometown. The town where her cousin is the mayor. Not even that town benefited from her being the president.

I so can't wait for 2010!

[cq7cc2]

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080524-138489/Central-Luzon-typhoon-victims-seek-urgent-help

By Tonette Orejas, Gabriel Cardinoza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:21:00 05/24/2008

STA. CRUZ, ZAMBALES – Guillermo Napa is in dire need of palay seeds. Baltazar Mas and his wife Carolina need a loan to fund the repair of their boat. Charlie Elefane wants an alternative job as none of his 40 mango trees survived the strong winds of Tropical Storm “Cosme” on Saturday.

About the same wish lists are coming from the poor among the victims of “Cosme” in this northern Zambales town. And they want help to come fast from the government so they could recover as soon as possible.

But the disaster response program is still in its emergency stage. Roads, electricity and communication lines are being restored, while food and potable water are slowly coming in.

Rehabilitation is hardly starting for damaged facilities, like the town’s 32 schools and the public market. It could take three to five years, Mayor Luisito Marty said.

The fund requirement is enormous. Sta. Cruz alone needs P150 million, according to Gov. Amor Deloso.

Families are rebuilding their houses with no government help. More than 10,000 houses in the town were either damaged or destroyed.

At least P54.2 million worth of crops, fisheries, livestock and other facilities were ruined, Marty said. A total of 37,672 mango trees were uprooted.

Local governments, public agencies and nongovernment organizations have been coordinating relief operations in the last six days, said Felicidad Tongson, municipal social welfare officer.

Both the municipal and provincial disaster coordinating councils have yet to sit down and map out the rehabilitation program to put the northern towns of Sta. Cruz, Masinloc and Iba back on track, Deloso said.

The clamor of poor victims will likely compete with the priority of local governments to restore public infrastructures, officials said.

In Pangasinan, officials fear that the province, which supplies 40 percent of the total mango and “bangus” outputs in the country, might soon lose its crown as the top producer after the storm ravaged orchards and fishponds.

Dalisay Moya, provincial agriculturist, said at least half of some 500,000 fruit-bearing mango trees were toppled and several bangus ponds, pens and cages were destroyed.

Uprooted trees have no chance of surviving, but those blown down may still bear fruit if rehabilitated immediately “by covering the exposed roots with soil and applying fertilizer,” Moya said. But it would take three to five years before these will bear fruit, she said.

New trees will have to be planted, Moya said, but it would take five to seven years for them to bear fruits.

“Cosme” battered western and central Pangasinan, killing 32 people and leaving 632,749 residents in 686 villages homeless.

The mango-producing towns and cities in western and central Pangasinan were severely affected. These include the top three producing areas of San Carlos City with 80,000 trees damaged, Malasiqui (40,000 trees), and Mangatarem (20,000 trees).

“Next year’s harvest will certainly be [lower],” Moya said. Mangoes are harvested from December, tapering off in June.

Some P49 million worth of ready to harvest mangoes were destroyed, she said. The bangus industry lost at least P1 billion, reports said. In 2007, Pangasinan produced 155,600 metric tons of mangoes and 80,000 MT of bangus.

Moya said ponds in bangus-producing areas of Binmaley, Dagupan City, Lingayen and Dasol were wiped out, allowing the fish to escape to the sea. Pens and cages in Dagupan, Anda, Bolinao and Sual were also destroyed. Anda and Bolinao produce at least 60 tons of bangus daily.

For the provincial government, it will be a tight race against time to rebuild.

Focus is now on the immediate repair of school buildings, provincial administrator Rafael Baraan said. “The school opening is almost here and therefore, we really need to act fast on this if we want our school children to have convenient rooms,” he said.

At least half of the school buildings in 27 towns and cities of the province need immediate repair. “A mere P50,000 per classroom for 16,000 classrooms and we are talking about P400 million right away,” Baraan said.

[allan_dude]

Cabinet members hit for erroneous reports

By Gabriel Cardinoza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:48:00 05/24/2008


LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Pangasinan officials on Saturday assailed some Cabinet members for supposedly giving President Macapagal-Arroyo erroneous reports on the extent of damage that Tropical Storm “Cosme” wrought on the province.

Rafael Baraan, provincial administrator, told reporters here that the national government has done “nothing significant” to Pangasinan as it struggled to recover after taking a heavy beating from the typhoon last week.

The typhoon destroyed some P4.3 billion worth of infrastructure, crops and fisheries, and left 32 people dead in Pangasinan.

“It appears that they (Cabinet members) have been giving the President erroneous reports on the real extent of damage that Cosme did to our province,” Baraan said.

“This is why the President can afford to take a leisurely swim at Panglao Beach while Pangasinan was struggling over the damage of the typhoon,” he said.

Ms Arroyo’s underwater photograph in Bohol appeared on the front pages of newspapers on Wednesday.

As an example, Baraan cited Education Secretary Jesli Lapus’ report during the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting presided by Ms Arroyo here on Friday where the secretary said there were only 14 “heavily damaged” classrooms in Pangasinan.

“Of course, it’s not true,” Baraan said.

Based on figures from the provincial disaster coordinating council, at least 605 classrooms were destroyed and some 1,121 were damaged.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr., who was in the NDCC meeting, said Lapus also reported that DepEd has started repairing school buildings.

“But I asked our mayors and they said there are no repairs being done in their areas,” Espino said.

He said Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral reported during the NDCC meeting that her department has distributed relief goods in Pangasinan worth P947,000.

“I’ve talked to many mayors and they told me they did not receive anything. Kung saan man nila dinala yan, malalaman din natin (We’ll see where those goods really went),” Espino said.

Dr. Jackson Soriano, provincial health officer, said the Department of Health only gave 586 tablets of water disinfectant to the provincial hospital. Each tablet costs P10.

“The rest of our hospitals did not receive any medical supplies or medicines from the DOH,” Soriano said. The province has 14 government hospitals.

“While we are struggling to stretch our limited resources, these Cabinet members were dishing out wrong information on the typhoon damage,” said Espino.

But the governor had kind words for Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., whose personnel in the province immediately cleared the roads from fallen trees, electric posts and other debris to ease the flow of traffic.

“With the help of the provincial engineer’s office, barangay and town officials and the police, they did their jobs even if it was raining,” Espino said.

Espino also said Pangasinenses should know that the province was left to fend for itself.

Except for Ms Arroyo’s promise of GI sheets, Espino said the people should not expect more from the national government.

“We were really left to fend for ourselves. This is why I’d like to take this opportunity to call on everybody who would like to help Pangasinan,” Espino said.

He said he would have no choice but to use the province’s P65-million calamity fund to start rehabilitation efforts.

Several Pangasinan mayors on Friday also complained that they just wasted their time in coming to Lingayen to see the President because they managed to only shake her hand.

Binmaley Mayor Simplicio Rosario, the mayors’ spokesperson, said they were herded to a separate function room in a restaurant at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center while the President presided over the NDCC meeting.

When the NDCC meeting adjourned, Rosario said an official from the Presidential Management Staff told them that they could now go out and shake hands with the President.

“We went to Lingayen hoping to see the President and tell her our experiences during the typhoon,” Rosario said. “But it seemed we were just used as a decoration.”

Rosario said the President might not have known that 13 mayors were there because, he said, the President seemed surprised to see them by saying, “Andiyan pala kayo.”

“They should have given us a chance to be heard so we can report something to our constituents who were waiting for help,” he said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080524-138653/Cabinet-members-hit-for-erroneous-reports

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

[tracymack]

^^

:ohno:

[tracymack]

Mayor acts on health problems caused by piggeries
Fa Sison Almazan
http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080526125636.html

SISON, Pangasinan – "As I have been going to different barangays inspecting our creeks, I have discovered that we have a big problem," Sison Mayor Kimi Cojuangco said.


She said, "it is a problem affecting the townspeople’s health, and I believe that this can reach crisis proportion soon."

The lady mayor said that it seems most residents whose houses are situated on the banks of the creeks and waterways have the same livelihood.

She noted they all have backyard piggeries, but "the sad part is that the once beautiful creeks teeming with "bunog" (a freshwater fish) and the water enjoyed by the children for swimming during summer, do not exist anymore."

Mayor Cojuangco said that the creeks are being used as dump for the wastes from the piggeries.

After conducting a research, she said, she discovered that this situation is called "the black curse" because the color of the water in the creeks turns black and it has brought serious health problems.

The town’s chief executive said that the findings of a study conducted by the University of the Philippines, Greenpeace, and Asian Development Bank regarding backyard piggeries and their impact on health and environment include the following:

Odorous accompanying airborne diseases; water bodies have become unusable; breeding ground for disease-causing parasites and bacteria; and contamination of farms.

She said that because of these findings, she is airing an urgent appeal to all her constituents.

"Let us work together to solve this problem," she told them.

Mayor Kimi, as she is fondly called, said that the problem has worsened because local government units lack the political will to do what should be done.

"As your new mayor, I assure you that I do not lack the political will, on the contrary, some people have said that I am a person without a heart. Well, this mayor does have a heart and for this reason that I would like to do something about this impending crisis because I care," she said.

The lady mayor ordered Jessica Rocapor, sanitation officer of this town, to start collecting and testing samples of water in creeks of the worse-affected barangays.

"I will be holding dialogues with the problematic barangays. I believe we can solve the problem together. Let us all have a heart and do something for our elderly, children, and for ourselves. Let’s wake up and fix this problem," she said.

The mayor, who is described as a workaholic, said that so far she has encountered several cases in which some residents are testing positive for "capillarisis," an intestinal parasite acquired from consumption of infected small freshwater fish.

Mayor Kimi directed Dr. Fe de Guzman, municipal health officer, to conduct mass stool examinations and to launch an information campaign.

"Doctor De Guzman has given the necessary medical intervention to all the infected patients," she said.

[CabanNgTuwa]

grabe pala damages sa Pangasinan, we're planning to go to Dagupan pa naman pakikita ko kay misis the beauty of Dagupan's beaches and progressive structures; halos 2nd time pa lang to since 1998 (Typhoon Gading) with a severe typhoon on an inverted direction (meaning, it came from the South China Sea and crossed Luzon eastwards, instead of westward) hitting Pangasinan

[allan_dude]

^True. Nung 1998 grabe rin yung devastation na dala ni "Gading" sa probinsya. Tinira nun Dagupan, San Carlos at mga central towns. After a year punta kayo sa Pangasinan. Mabilis naman maka recover ang probinsya.

[allan_dude]

Turtles’ nesting ground in Pangasinan also ‘Cosme’ casualty

Philippine Daily Inquirer

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The white sand that serve as nesting place for giant sea turtles in the shores of Burgos town in Pangasinan province has been swept inland by strong waves whipped up by tropical storm “Cosme,” according to Burgos Mayor Domingo Doctor.

But the giant sea turtles, according to Burgos, appeared to have survived the typhoon’s onslaught on May 17.

“The waves are still strong there. It has not normalized yet since Sunday (May 18),” Doctor told reporters here on Saturday.

The sea turtles’ haven is located in the 7-kilometer shoreline of Barangay Ilio-Ilio between Agno and Dasol towns facing the South China Sea.

“This is the first time that their habitat was destroyed. Di ko nga alam kung paano dadalhin ulit sa dagat yon e (I don’t know how we could return the sand to the shoreline). Siguro, it would take another storm para maibalik (Maybe, it would take another storm to return them),” Doctor said.

He said the hatchlings have just left for the sea, after the sea turtles laid eggs this summer.

Doctor said he still hoped that the turtles would go back to the beach to lay eggs.

For years now, olive ridley (Lepodochelys olivacea) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles have been frequenting this town.

Doctor said in the province’s western coastline, from Bolinao to Infanta, the turtles would not find a safe haven.

“The sand in Burgos is very thick, unlike in other beaches na parang inilatag lang yong buhangin (where the sand seem to have only been laid out),” Doctor said.

He said the municipal government has been protecting the area since 2001.

“We conducted an orientation for fishermen and adopted a reward system for those who would discover turtle nests,” Doctor said. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080526-138822/Turtles-nesting-ground-in-Pangasinan-also-Cosme-casualty

[tracymack]

Party-list and traders group extend help to typhoon victims
Fa Sison Almazan

URDANETA CITY — Abono party-list and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. (FFCCCI) in Region I have reached out to the victims of typhoon "Cosme" that devastated Pangasinan last week.

The two groups distributed food packs, consisting of rice and grocery items, to the typhoon victims in Pozorrubio, Sison, Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Dagupan City, and San Carlos City.

Engineer Rosendo So, chairman and treasurer of the Abono party-list, said that in Pozorrubio, 500 food packs from Abono and 500 food packs from FFCCCI were given to victims.

The Abono leader said that 500 food packs from Abono and 500 food packs from FFCCCI were given to affected residents in Sison.

He said 500 food packs from Abono and 1,000 food packs from FFCCCI were given to the victims in San Carlos City.

In Dagupan City, So said, FFCCCI distributed some 1,000 food packs through the Central Pangasinan Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. headed by its president, Board Member Danny Uy.

In Sta. Barbara, Abono distributed 250 food packs, while FFCCCI donated 500 food packs.

Some 2,500 food packs were given to the victims in Calasiao with the cooperation of the Toyota car distributor.

Engineer So said that Abono party-list also donated R100,000 to the provincial government through Gov. Amado T. Espino.

So said that the fund used by Abono for the purchase of the food packs and the cash donation of R100,000 were contributed by friends of the party-list, not from its congressional fund.

He added that the FFCCCI coordinated with the Eastern Pangasinan FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. in the distribution of the food packs.

So is also the president of the Eastern Pangasinan FFCCCI.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080527125725.html



Joey also extends a helping hand to typhoon victims
Liezle Basa Inigo

DAGUPAN CITY — Businessman Joey de Venecia helped the other day the victims of typhoon "Cosme" in this city.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Red Cross chairman Senator Richard J. Gordon sent water-sanitation facilities to two barangays here to help the victims of typhooon "Cosme."

Gordon had earlier received reports that water sources in Barangays Lasit Chico and Malued are contaminated as a result of the typhoon.

Joey de Venecia distributed relief goods to typhoon victims in seven of the hardest-hit barangays in Dagupan.

Taking a break from his provincial tour to speak on the NBN-ZTE controversy, Joey lauded the "bayanihan" spirit of the Dagupeños and Pangasinenses, noting that people in entire communities volunteered to help neighbors and other people whose homes were wrecked by floods and strong winds spawned by typhoon "Cosme."

"It shows that we Pangasinenses can stand together, especially during hard times," Joey told newsmen while meeting some of the typhoon victims in Barangay Binloc, Dagupan.

Accompanied by city officials of Dagupan, Joey distributed packs of relief items consisting of rice, canned goods and bottled water in Barangays Boquig, Gueset, Pantal, Lasip Grande, Pogo Grande, Mayombo, and Binloc.

These barangays, all in Dagupan, were devastated by the typhoon.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080527125726.html

[allan_dude]

Pangasinan sends SOS; P4.3b lost to ‘Cosme’

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. of Pangasinan has called on the National Power Corp. and the Transmission Corp. to help restore power in the province’s typhoon-ravaged towns including the city of Dagupan.

A week after typhoon Cosme battered Pangasinan, Espino said damage continued to pile up, hitting at least P4.3 billion in public and private property, crops and infrastructure.

It will take at least a month to restore power in some areas, Espino said.

The governor also appealed to fellow Pangasinenses to extend help to tens of thousands of victims who lost their homes and sources of livelihood.

He lamented that certain Cabinet officials did not properly apprise President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose mother Dr. Eva Macaraeg was a native of Pangasinan, of the real situation in Pangasinan.

Espino made the appeal as Luzon’s biggest province tallied 39 dead, 61 injured and a total of P4.3 billion in damages to crops, properties and roads and buildings in the aftermath of Cosme’s onslaught. As of latest count, 29,095 houses were destroyed while 75,393 units were partially damaged or a total of 104,488 houses damaged, the provincial disaster coordinating council said.

Damage to public infrastructure and facilities, on the other hand, was valued at P755 million.

The disaster preparedness council estimated that damages to schools, both partial and totally destroyed buildings would need half a billion pesos to rebuild.

Damage to agriculture and the aquaculture industry was even higher, at P3.55 billion.

The province’s most extensive cash crop, mango, was hardest hit with destroyed trees valued at P1.9 billion.

All other sub-segments of the farm and fishery sector that included rice and corn, vegetables, other fruit trees besides mango, livestocks and poultry incurred heavy losses, Espino said.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics5_may27_2008

[allan_dude]

Homeowners begin rebuilding

Sunday Punch 05/26/08

Life in the typhoon battered communities is returning to normalcy as homeowners have begun the difficult task of repairing their damaged houses, and for many rebuilding their houses.

According to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), to date some 22000 houses have been reported as totally destroyed and some 48,000 houses as partially destroyed.

At presstime, San Carlos City tops the list with 6,800 houses as totally destroyed and 10,320 as partially damaged houses followed by Lingayen that reported 3,345 houses totally destroyed and 6,283 partially damaged.

Bugallon reported 2,826 totally destroyed and 6,663 partially destroyed houses.

Other towns that reported high incidence of destroyed houses include Infanta with 1,537 totally destroyed and 4,330 partially damaged; Labrador with 1,413 totally destroyed and 2,837 partially destroyed; Mangaldan with 1,231 totally destroyed and 2,837 partially destroyed.

San Fabian reported 1,188 totally destroyed houses and 2,284 partially destroyed while Binmaley is rated eighth most devastated town with 1,055 totally destroyed houses and 8,144 partially destroyed.

The towns of Calasiao and Dasol were listed as among the 10 that had the highest estimated damages to houses with 1,046 and 626 totally destroyed and 4,278 and 443 partially destroyed houses respectively.

Paterno Orduña, executive officer of the PDCC, estimated that close to P1 billion may be spent by homeowners collectively assuming that P50,000 is all that’s needed to rebuild a totally destroyed house and P25,000 for repairs of partially damaged houses.

Consequently, reports reaching the council indicate that construction material stores have started to increase their prices evidently taking advantage of the sudden high demand for the materials.

This prompted Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to air his appeal to business establishments over DWPR, the only radio station in Pangasinan that survived the onslaught of the typhoon, not to exploit the emergency situation that affected the whole province. -LM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/26/homeowners-begin-rebuilding/

[allan_dude]

Mayors mad for being treated as ‘decorations’ for GMA

BINMALEY—Pangasinan mayors were fuming mad when they learned they would not get a chance to meet with President Gloria Arroyo after being asked to be present when she arrived for an assessment of the damage cuased by Typhoon ‘Cosme’.

Mayor Simplicio Rosario of this town said he and 12 other mayors were invited by the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) ostensibly for a meeting with the President but turned out they were “only made as decorations” for her arrival.

Rosario, who spoke in behalf of the Pangasinan mayors, said they were so disgusted with the outcome because the President was supposed to hear from them.

“It’s unfair to us,” he told The PUNCH.

They arrived around 9:00 a.m. at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center where the meeting was to take place.

“We love the President that’s why we are here. She should have at least heard us,” he said.

“Had we known that we would be treated this way, we would not have come here,” he said.

The President’s visit here turned out to be a meeting with the National Disaster Coordinating Council and a meeting with the mayors who were isolated in another room, was not in the President’s schedule.

When the NDCC meeting was over, the PMS asked the mayors to come out and shake hands with the President.

It was then that the President, ready to board her chopper, learned about the mayors’ presence and commented, “Nandito pala kayong mga mayors.”

“Just a little respect is all we are asking for,” Rosario said when it became evident that the President was not even informed of their presence earlier.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2008/05/26/mayors-mad-for-being-treated-as-decorations-for-gma/

[allan_dude]

1,000 school buildings destroyed by ‘Cosme’ in Pangasinan — DPWH

Cost of damage to public school buildings estimated at P282 M

By FA SISON ALMAZAN

URDANETA CITY — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region I Director Fidel D. Ginez reported yesterday that some 1, 000 public school buildings in Pangasinan were destroyed by typhoon "Cosme" which lashed the province last week.

Director Ginez said that the estimated cost of the damage to public school buildings was placed at almost R282 million.

The estimate, he said, was based on the reports submitted to his office by the various district engineering offices in Pangasinan.

The regional director said that the school buildings need immediate repairs so that these would be ready for the opening next month of schools.

"Karamihan sa pampublikong paaralan sa Pangasinan na sinira ng bagyong Cosme ay nawalan ng mga bubong at mga bakal na pinagkabitan nito, at malaking halaga ang kailangan para maisaayos ang mga nasira sa nasabing mga paaralan (Most of the public school buildings in Pangasinan that were destroyed by typhoon ‘Cosme’ Ginez are without roof and beams, and big amount is needed for the repair of these buildings)," Ginez said.

He said that District Engineer Gary Paragas of the Pangasinan 1st Engineering District Office reported that the damage to schoolbuildings in his area of responsibility is about R42 million, while District Engineer Leopoldo F. Mendoza of the Pangasinan 3rd Engineering District office said the damage to the schoolbuildings in the fifth and sixth districts of Pangasinan is R33 million.

He also said that OIC Assistant District Marietta Mendoza of Pangasinan II sub-district had reported damage of at least R65 million, while District Engineer Rodolfo C. Dion of the Second Engineering District Office reported the damage to school buildings in the second and fourth districts of Pangasinan was estimated at R142 million.

Director Ginez said that aside from the school buildings, infrastructure facilities in the Agno River were also destroyed by typhoon "Cosme." These facilities are in the towns of San Quintin, San Fabian, Mangaldan, St. Barbara, and Sison.

He said that the cost of the damage to the Agno River infrastructure facilities was estimated at R16 million.

Regional Director Ginez said that bridges and roads were likewise destroyed by the typhoon.

The costs of damage to road and bridges were as follows:

Pangasinan District I, R23 million; District II, R6 million; Pangasinan II sub-district, R6.2 million; and Pangasinan district III, R2 million.

He cited the urgent need to repair the damaged roads and bridges so as not to inconvenience the people.

Director Ginez said that all the district engineering officers in Pangasinan, including the personnel in charge of the Agno flood-control system office in Tumana, Rosales were on alert for 24 hours a day during the typhoon to render maintenance services to the public.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080529125944.html

[allan_dude]

NEPO Mart aids Alaminians

Date: May 26, 2008

The city government of Alaminos received a check amounting to P 50, 000 from the Wespan Development Corporation-NEPO Mart Alaminos as the latter’s way of extending their sympathy with the Alaminian families that have suffered and lost their homes and livelihood due to typhoon ‘Cosme’.

Ms. Melissa N. Mapua, Vice-president, Commercial Properties Division of Juan D. Nepomuceno Sons.Inc. (JDNSI), WESPAN Development Corporation- NEPO Mart Alaminos personally handed the cash assistance to City Administrator Wilmer S. Panabang.

Mapua, who represented JDNSI President Arsenio Valdes, said “the NEPO family commiserates with you and your citizens on the damage and devastation brought by typhoon ‘Cosme’.”

”We hope this (small amount) could help those in need to get back on their feet,” she added.

Nepo Mart also suffered considerable damages from the typhoon’s strong winds and to their employees as well.

But Mapua said that their family owned company will not let this setback prevent them from sustaining their operations.

“We will cause the immediate repair of the mall and the market so that we may service the needs of the Alaminos community at this crucial time.”

Panabang, on his part, extends in behalf of Mayor Hernani A. Braganza, the city’s sincere appreciation and gratitude to the JDNSI and Wespan Development Corporation for the very huge and timely assistance tendered to the city’s residents.

“Your gift will definitely be of great help in making the lives of our needy constituents better," he said.

Panabang said this is not the first time that the city received a gift from the Nepomuceno family.

Almost two years ago, Juan Sebastian D. Nepomuceno III, president of Nepomuceno Realty Group of Companies, personally turned over to the city P .7 M worth of computers and container vans.

With these computers, the city government had launched and opened a new Information Communication Technology (ICT) Learning Center at the Alaminos City Central School as part of its city-wide computer literacy program.

Wespan Dev’t. Corp. was also cited by the city government as one of the top ten real property tax (RPT) payers in the city for 2007 during the celebration of 7th city charter day anniversary of Alaminos last March.

Panabang shared the same hope and prayers with Mapua that with hardwork, unity and dedication, Alaminians will soon get back on their feet and the city on the road to recovery and onward on fulfilling its vision 2015.

“We hope that the city government and NEPO Mart will continue to be partners in every step that the city plans in realizing its vision of a peaceful, progressive, livable and green city,” he added. (CIO)

http://www.alaminoscity.gov.ph/news/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=397

[tracymack]

Power firm extends aid to Pangasinan typhoon victims

SUAL, Pangasinan — TeaM Energy Corp., in coordination with the National Power Corp. (Napocor), has stepped up its relief efforts in Pangasinan for the victims of typhoon "Cosme," which devastated the province last week.

TeaM Energy Foundation, headed by Executive Director Roberto Calingo, released P3 million for the relief operations.

Sixty-six volunteers from TeaM Energy’s Sual power station helped pack and distribute relief goods to typhoon victims in the surrounding communities.

Some 2,000 bags of relief items were distributed in Barangays Baybay Sur, Baybay Norte, Cabalitian, Pangascasan, Baquioen, Sual Poblacion, and Labrador Poblacion.

"This is part of TeaM Energy’s continuing commitment to support government efforts to aid the families who have been affected by this calamity. We maintain our commitment to improve the quality of life of our countrymen, particularly those in our host communities," Calingo said.

A report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated 235 families have been displaced and are now temporarily housed in evacuation centers, while 38,595 families are being served outside the centers, with generous families hosting them.

It was estimated that there were 10,941 houses destroyed and 21,967 partially damaged.

"Our volunteers are also assessing the damage to property in the communities to see what assistance we can provide in the rehabilitation of schools and houses," Calingo added.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080529125948.html

[garzland]

Grabe pala ang damages diyan sa Pangasinan. Sana makabangon kaagad kayo diyan. May kuryente na ba diyan?

[tracymack]

^^Sa Urdaneta meron so I would assume na sa eastern Pangasinan may kuryente na. Sa western & central madami pa ding lugar ang walang kuryente.

[allan_dude]

Typhoon destroys mango plantations

By Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre

LINGAYEN -- The province of Pangasinan used to pride itself as the top producer of mango in Region I and one of the top producers in the country.

But it could no longer hold on to this record as typhoon Cosme wreaks havoc on mango plantations in Pangasinan particularly in districts 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Hardest hit is San Carlos City whose bamboo plantations were also flattened by Cosme. The city is known for its mango and bamboo industries.

City Agriculturist Domingo Resuello reported that 541.35 hectares of mango plantation in the city was affected. The damage was at P476.4 million.

San Carlos Vice Mayor Joseres Resuello said it pains him seeing fallen mango trees in the barangays as this means loss of income for a lot of families who depended on their mango harvest. More so, that it will take five years before a newly planted seedling will bear fruit.

Third district Representative Ma. Rachel Arenas said she will intensify her distribution of hybrid mango seedlings to help her mango producer-constituents in the district.

She said what they are doing now is to conduct relief operations and assess the damages sustained by San Carlos City and the five towns in her district to properly address the problems.

Part of the livelihood program of Arenas is the dispersal of goat and pig, and the distribution of certified vegetables seeds and mango seedlings.

She said no time must be wasted especially in the planting of mango seedlings in areas where mango trees fell.

Accordingly, more than 85 percent of the region's mango production is from Pangasinan. The province contributes a big chunk to the country's mango production.

The province's district 3, led by San Carlos City, produces bulk of Pangasinan's mango.

The other mango-producing localities are Malasiqui, Bayambang, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Mangatarem, Aguilar, Urdaneta City, Bolinao, Villasis, Urbiztondo, Umingan, Pozorrubio, Mabini, Infanta, Sison, Bugallon, San Manuel, Basista and Mangaldan.

It is yet to be determined how many percent of the damaged trees are beyond rehabilitation.

Sun Star (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan/index.html)

[Sinjin P.]

^ Yes, napansin ko nga nung dumaan kami ng Pangasinan, ang daming vast mango plantations

[tracymack]

^^Yup. A lot of those can be seen along the Urdaneta-Dagupan Rd especially in Sta. Barbara where Mango Nurseries & Research Facilities can be found. The roadside is also lined with trees of all sorts including mango so that road stretch is very green. That particular road was closed for a period of time because of electrical posts, huge tree branches & uprooted trees piled up along the pavement brought about by cosme.

[allan_dude]

Pag nag Google Earth ka, ang concentration ng mango orchards asa San Carlos, Malasiqui and Urbiztondo area.. maganda tignan, naka line-up into rows ang mga puno. Wala masyadong ibang trees kindi mangga lang.

[Nabartek]

^Gustong gusto ko yung bayabas at Apple mango galing pangasinan. Ang laki kasi nung bayabas sa mga backyards dun. Hehehe

BTW, tuloy ba tagala yung SM sa Rosales? Balita ko kasi sa pinsan ko, sa Dagupan yung talagang plano pero nireject...it's not surprising na rin. Si mayor kasi may ari ng Magic. Hehe.

May mga footbridge na rin sa Dagupan pero parang di practical at pangit yung aesthetics.

=(

[tracymack]

^^Yung dating Mayor ng Dagupan ang may-ari ng Magic. Yung current mayor naman kamag-anak ng may-ari ng CSI, who is also the current vice mayor.

Tuloy na tuloy yung SM Rosales (9 hectares). May property yung SM both sa Urdaneta (15 hectares) & Dagupan (14 hectares) pero naunang na-acquire yung sa Urdaneta so I would think that Urdaneta & Dagupan were the original (and most logical) targets of SM.

[tracymack]

Hey, It's almost time for a new thread!!! :drunk:

Allan_dude, I'm sure you have a nice intro in store for us. :) :cheers:

[Nabartek]

^^Yung dating Mayor ng Dagupan ang may-ari ng Magic. Yung current mayor naman kamag-anak ng may-ari ng CSI, who is also the current vice mayor.

Tuloy na tuloy yung SM Rosales (9 hectares). May property yung SM both sa Urdaneta (15 hectares) & Dagupan (14 hectares) pero naunang na-acquire yung sa Urdaneta so I would think that Urdaneta & Dagupan were the original (and most logical) targets of SM.


Oh okay. Thanks for the correction. Napagbaliktad ko.

Sa totoo lang hindi ko matanto ang SM sa Rosales. I mean, just look at the standard of living at balita ko sa may bukid daw itatayo ang SM. Is this true?