Dagupan and Urdaneta Cities, and Pangasinan Province [Archive]

nayki

December 10th, 2006, 04:44 AM

Bayambang — Except for a few more hitches, the establishment of a proposed 33-hectare sanitary landfill here, costing P250 million, is now almost certain.

This was disclosed by Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera who received a report that no less than the Department of Environment and Natural Resources endorsed the project and envisions it as its pilot project for the whole Region 1.

De Vera said the country’s only second sanitary landfill after one earlier built in Puerto Princesa, Palawan would be undertaken by the Waste Integrated Network Systems (WINS) based in Tarlac which owns at least 98 hectares in barangay Dusoc, the project site.

Bayambang even beat Dagupan City in having a sanitary landfill although the latter already started the initiative in 2003 by buying a 30-hectare land in barangay Awai, San Jacinto for P16 million, which project has been moribund the past several years.

WINS, a company identified with industrialist Eduardo Cojuangco, proposed the project, using its own resources and technology. Not a single centavo will be spent by the municipal government, De Vera said.

WINS property in Bayambang is a large rolling area located near the town’s border with Camiling, Tarlac in the south and Mangatarem, Pangasinan in the west.

De Vera clarified that a somewhat similar project in San Fernando City, La Union, which is now under construction, is not a sanitary landfill but only an engineered landfill.

The one planned to be built by WINS in Bayambang at a staggering sum of P250 million he explained, exactly similar to the one in Puerto Princesa, built through the initiative of Mayor Edward Hagedorn. Believing the project to be very scientific and very hygienic, De Vera said this is even more modern than the one put up by Mirant Corporation at its Sual Coal Coal-Fired Power Plant to take care of the company’s own solid wastes.

An engineered landfill is entirely different from sanitary landfill although the former also uses a layer of clay that is put into a shell, where a canal would be built in order to drain the leachate, said de Vera. On the other hand, a sanitary landfill will have clay as an inner layer, boosted by the laying of ground stones as filters, including a plastic lining as outer layer. In this system, the leachate will flow into a tank where it will be converted into methane gas for domestic use, such as in cooking, heating and lighting.

De Vera said Bayambang needs a sanitary landfill because its existing open dumpsite, also located in barangay Dusoc, is now already about to be closed.

WINS will not only accommodate the 3.5 tons of garbage being churned out in Bayambang daily but also from adjacent towns, including the neighboring provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

The Project was already incorporated in a resolution approved in September by the municipal council which was submitted to the provincial board for review.

As soon as it is reported out by the provincial board, De Vera is set to sign a memorandum of agreement with WINS so that the project could be started right away.

In pushing the project, De Vera admitted that many were saying he was risking his political career. He said he did not mind because he believes he can help his constituents more if the project is realized.

‘I believed that if we don’t have the political will, nothing will happen in our beloved town of Bayambang.” De Vera said.

Asked if WINS already submitted its feasibility and technical studies regarding the proposed project, the mayor said these are now in fact being thoroughly scrutinized to make sure that it will really succeed.

The deadline for open dumpsites in the country has already expired in February this year but this was extended to January next year as most if not all of the LGUs in entire country still have no capability to establish sanitary landfill yet which is the real requirement of the law.

De Vera said if the open dumpsite is still on at that time, the city or municipal executive will be slapped with P50,000 fine, aside from facing a separate administrative case.

The municipal coffer will benefit from the project because upon establishment of the sanitary landfill, the proponent will pay for all the garbage that will enter the project site for disposal.

Jonathan Corpuz, Municipal Planning and Development Officer of Bayambang, said with the provincial board about to give its imprimatur to the Bayambang resolution, the only ones being awaited now are the representatives of WINS. (PIA-Pangasinan)

RCXsickboy

December 27th, 2006, 01:30 PM

mga toL if i may po... iLang cities na po ba meron ang pangasinan... coz when i was stiLL Living there then.,,, there was dagupan, urdaneta, and san carLos ata,,,, so taLura Lang...

nayki

December 27th, 2006, 01:49 PM

^^ My bagong city ngayon, Alaminos City. The city where the famous Hundred Islands is located .

Speaking of Pangasinan, kararating2 ko lang ngayon from Bayambang, Pangasinan. Fresh na fresh pa ako kababa lang ng car..hehe Whew kakapagod ang byahe buti na lang wala masyadong traffic. Galing din ako ng Baguio kahapon. Belated Merry Christmas pala sa lahat!!!!! Happy new year!!:)

JAMAICUS

December 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM

Paano ang Lingayen? It's the capitol right? Will it ever become a city?

RCXsickboy

December 27th, 2006, 02:56 PM

^^i was wondering myseLf dati... bakit di pa city un... aheheh tanong ko pa nga kLasmeyt ko dati xe sya anak ng mayor dun si castaneda pa nun... maybe iba nga cguro ngaun... uu is ALaminos reaLLy a city na ba...?? it's aLong the coast diba kasama na Dagupan... i miss going from and to Baguio aLmost every saturday nung jan pa kami... it was Like routine pero nakakamiss din kahit papaano... maLamig kaxe... baLiktad dito sa Visayas...

@nayki|| taga Pangasinan din po ba kau?

allan_dude

December 31st, 2006, 02:31 AM

Paano ang Lingayen? It's the capitol right? Will it ever become a city?

Yup. malapit na maging city ang Lingayen dahil 1st class municipality na..

Other 1st class municipalities (Income Class):

BAYAMBANG (3rd District)
MALASIQUI (3rd District)
MANGALDAN (4th District)
SANTA BARBARA (3rd District)
SUAL (1st District)

Info from 2006 National Statistical Coordination Board

ivanhenares

December 31st, 2006, 01:11 PM

Pangasinan town gets new hall
By Eva Visperas
The Philippine Star 12/10/2006

VILLASIS, Pangasinan — The newly constructed town hall here, a gift of Villasinians working or residing abroad to their hometown, is an example of a project undertaken with transparency and public accountability.

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/2735/villasistownhalloe9.jpg

***i like the arches with bricks. i'm not sure about the yellow-green combination.

Horrible! They demolished a heritage town hall and replaced it with this monstrosity! Sayang yung old building. That one had character. Many heritage municipios get demolished pag malapit na elections. I wonder why? :ohno: And to think they will be celebrating their 200th anniversary. Demolishing heritage for the anniversary? What a gift!

I hope other Pangasinan towns follow the lead of the provincial government. The Pangasinan Capitol is nothing but elegant, especially after its three-year restoration.

g0Rs

December 31st, 2006, 01:36 PM

HAPPY NEW YEAR
SSC-Pangasinan FORUMERS!!!

tyronne

December 31st, 2006, 09:08 PM

Horrible! They demolished a heritage town hall and replaced it with this monstrosity! Sayang yung old building. That one had character. Many heritage municipios get demolished pag malapit na elections. I wonder why? :ohno: And to think they will be celebrating their 200th anniversary. Demolishing heritage for the anniversary? What a gift!

I hope other Pangasinan towns follow the lead of the provincial government. The Pangasinan Capitol is nothing but elegant, especially after its three-year restoration.

i beg to disagree. i would not consider the old municipal hall as a heritage town hall--aesthetically at least. its looks were too far from those of the pangasinan provincial capitol or other heritage municipal halls that you're talking about. the main building of the new municipal hall actually resembles the old one, and then they just added the two wings that span both sides.

i would say the new one looks better and does have more space for the employees. i wish that they could have done better with the design but of course that entails more budget. i still believe though that the color yellow would go well with dark brown roof and glass windows. just my opinion:)

Naragsak nga Baro a Tawen kada kayu amin!:cheer:

ivanhenares

January 1st, 2007, 04:01 AM

i beg to disagree. i would not consider the old municipal hall as a heritage town hall--aesthetically at least. its looks were too far from those of the pangasinan provincial capitol or other heritage municipal halls that you're talking about. the main building of the new municipal hall actually resembles the old one, and then they just added the two wings that span both sides.

i would say the new one looks better and does have more space for the employees. i wish that they could have done better with the design but of course that entails more budget. i still believe though that the color yellow would go well with dark brown roof and glass windows. just my opinion:)

Naragsak nga Baro a Tawen kada kayu amin!:cheer:

Buildings more than 50 years old fall under heritage. Post-War architecture is still unnoticed by a lot of people. But a lot fall under heritage already. They could have repainted the facade of the building. And if they needed space, renovated the interiors. Sayang yung old building, it had character.

Here is a quote from the column of Archt. Augusto Villalon...
"Driving through Villasis, Pangasinan, last week, we noticed that the heritage Villasis municipio had been torn down. A new construction was underway to replace it. Would there have been a way to either save the old building or incorporate it into the new structure somehow? With the replacement of the old municipio, a major part of Villasis history has vanished."

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=2377

tyronne

January 1st, 2007, 06:18 AM

Buildings more than 50 years old fall under heritage. Post-War architecture is still unnoticed by a lot of people. But a lot fall under heritage already. They could have repainted the facade of the building. And if they needed space, renovated the interiors. Sayang yung old building, it had character.

Here is a quote from the column of Archt. Augusto Villalon...
"Driving through Villasis, Pangasinan, last week, we noticed that the heritage Villasis municipio had been torn down. A new construction was underway to replace it. Would there have been a way to either save the old building or incorporate it into the new structure somehow? With the replacement of the old municipio, a major part of Villasis history has vanished."

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=2377

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1821/villasistownhalla8c5feig4.jpg

this is the old municipal hall. so, it may be more than 50 years of existence that it could already be considered a heritage building. however, to me it still looked aesthetically unimpressive. not all old buildings are worth saving, do you agree?

if you notice, the center part of the new municipal hall somewhat retained the old structure's design except for the front facade (then the two wings are added). if it was an impressive piece of architecture, i would want it myself to be saved. but honestly, it wasn't. and yes, they've repainted it several times and it didn't make any difference.

ivanhenares

January 1st, 2007, 08:57 AM

^^ That's a much older picture. Do you have one from the front when it was still green with the clock tower?

Maybe the colors didn't work since you did not consult the right architects. All you had to do with that old building was change the jalousie windows. The old Villasis Town Hall reminds me of the government buildings around Elliptical Road in QC. If they are just rehabilitated properly, they'd look great.

I knew I was in Villasis when I passed by that old building with the clock tower in front. Again, as Archt. Villalon said in his PDI column, "Would there have been a way to either save the old building or incorporate it into the new structure somehow? With the replacement of the old municipio, a major part of Villasis history has vanished."

Sayang, you could have asked a restoration architect what to do with it and they could have given great ideas. But it's too late for that now. Same goes for Moncada, Tarlac. Their elegant American colonial municipio now looks like a house.

tyronne

January 1st, 2007, 09:03 PM

the last time i was there was in March of 2003, so that's almost 4 years ago. and you're right, the color was greenish with the clock tower already there. so the clock tower is pretty new also and they'll most likely retain it or maybe move a little bit to give way to that new landscaping for the new municipio (as shown on the rendering posted above).

can you please post pictures of those government buildings around the Elliptical Rd. in QC that you're referring to? i'd love to see them and the resemblance with the old municipio. thanks.

anyway, to me the new one also has character and as long as it serves its purpose that's fine. and the most important thing is, the local gov't didn't have to borrow money to build this structure. who knows, they'll build another one in the future and who knows what design it will have? maybe a more futuristic one without a trace of the old design?

ivanhenares

January 1st, 2007, 10:38 PM

^^ Hmmmm... but the new one does not incorporate any of the old building either. The four door entrance is no longer there. Even the first floor windows. Our point was an expansion could have been contructed incorporating the old building. The new building could have also been built right behind like in the Orchid Garden Suites or Manila Hotel. At least you preserve a look and character which has been there for decades. Anyway, it's too late for that now.

nayki

January 5th, 2007, 10:46 AM

my xmas vacation in my hometown..:)

Municipal hall
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Bayambang/municipalhall.jpg?t=1167988809

Saint Vincent Parish
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Bayambang/saintvincetparish.jpg?t=1167988882

Public Plaza
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Bayambang/plaza1.jpg?t=1167989346
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Bayambang/plaza2.jpg?t=1167989401
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Bayambang/plaza3.jpg?t=1167989882

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/Bayambang/Ph_locator_pangasinan_bayambang.png?t=1167989804

Bayambang is a 1nd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 96,609 people in 17,897 households.

Bayambang is bounded on the north by Malasiqui, on the south by Camiling, on the east by Bautista, and on the west by Urbiztondo. Bayambang is the farthest town south of the province of Pangasinan.

The name of this town according to the legend, came from the name of a plant called "balangbang" which grew in abundance during the early days. The verdant hills of Bayambang were almost covered by these plants. The people made pickles out of them. As years passed by, these plants became extinct in the vicinity, but the name "Bayambang" which sounds like an echo of the plant's name, was retained and was given to designate this town.

Others believed that the name of the town came from the once numerous "Culibangbang" tress (these trees are growing on the hills of Bayambang and at present we can still find some of them). It was said that when the Spaniards first came to this town they asked some natives what this place was called. The people thought the Spaniards were asking about the trees, and so they answered "culibangbang." The Spaniards thought it was "Bayambang" and hence forth they called the town by that name.

The town of Bayambang is in the central part of Southern Pangasinan . The town got its name from a plant called “Balambang” which grew in abundance in the place during the olden days. The hilly portions on the southern part were almost covered by these plants, which was noted for making salad. As years passed by, theses plants became extinct in the vicinity but not before the town was named after it by changing its letter L to letter Y, hence the name of BAYAMBANG.

Bayambang in the early days had a big territorial coverage. The municipality of Bautista , Alcala, Sto. Tomas, Rosales, Paniqui, Gerona and Camiling of the province of Tarlac were once part of the old Bayambang. Today, however, its size has been considerably reduced after the aforementioned municipalities attained municipal status. Bayambang is at present bound4ed by the following municipalities on the north by Basista and Malasiqui; on the east by Bautista; on the south by Camiling, Tarlac, and on the west by Urbiztondo.

According to the records obtained from the “Awarans” of our old folks, the late Benaldo Gutierrez and the late Honorato Carungay, and also from the testimonies of some of their contemporaries, Bayambang was founded in the early sixteenth century by an Aeta known as Agalet. In its early founding, the Aita founder led in forming the town by organizing his own tribe. He formed barangays composed of small villages. The town was first located in what is now barrio Inirangan and Hermosa and later on moved to the barrio of Telbang and part of southern Poblacion just at the old Spanish Catholic Cemetery which is better known as the Old Bayambang. The old Municipal building was found near the public market until finally moved to its present location.

Bayambang is a historic town. It stands with enduring pride as the first town in Pangasinan to experience disastrous and terrifying events that occurred in the province.

It was in Bayambang where the first Juez de Cuchillo sowed horror in 1897. Many of the prominent men of the town were executed and many of the houses were razed to the ground. It was through the intervention of a Spanish-Filipino General which ended the inhuman torture during those days.

The lyrics of the Philippine Anthem were written by Jose Palma in Bautista once part of the old Bayambang.

By early November 1899, President Emilio Aguinaldo made Bayambang his temporary capital in Pangasinan. Bayambang became the last seat of our short-lived Philippine Republic when the American forces of Gen. Arthur MacArthur captured Tarlac on October 12, 1899 , that's when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo moved the capital to Bayambang until November 13, 1899 , when he marched on to Isabela. At the now defunct railroad station of Bayambang located at the north end of Rizal Avenue, the town's main artery way before barrio Tambac (this area is currently called the “Estacion”), Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo encountered the Spanish Forces during the revolution.

Our national hero, Jose P. Rizal had for a number of times visited Camiling because of his love for Leonor Rivera. Camiling was then a part of Bayambang. Gen. Antonio Luna and his brave men once established camp in Bayambang while fleeing from the “ “Krag “ welding American cavalry.

At the railroad station of Bayambang, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo encountered the Spanish Forces during the revolution.

Bayambang during the Japanese Regime was made the capital of Pangasinan when Dr. Diaz was appointed Governor by the Japanese Imperial Government, Dr. Diaz held his Provincial Administration Office in Bayambang at the still existing residence of the late Eulogio Dauz, at the junction of Quezon Blvd. And M.H. Del Pilar streets.

During the war, three bombs were dropped by the Japanese at Roman Catholic Church of Bayambang. The bombs did not explode something miraculous to reckon with.

Bayambang became the first Pilot Town in the Far East when it was chosen to be the seat of the famed UNESCO NATIONAL COMMUNITY TRAINING CENTER . This made Bayambang the Educational show window of the Philippines in the Far East as waves of Educational dignitaries from all over the country as well as from other countries come to town to attend educational workshops and seminars.

The first Executive of the town under the Spanish Regime was Vicente Cayabyab who held the office of Gobernadorcillo. In 1892, Mauricio de Guzman became the first Cabeza de Barangay (Captain of the Municipality). He was succeeded by Honorato Carungay, Lorenzo Rodriguez and Julian Mananzan. During the revolutionary period, Saturnino Junio was appointed as the Chief Executive. And when the American Military Government was inaugurated, Evaristo Dimalanta was appointed President.

When the CIVIL Government was inaugurated, Lauriano Roldan was appointed as the first President of the town under such government. He was succeeded by Alvino Garcia, Mateo Mananzan, Gavino de Guzman, Marciano Fajardo, Agustin Carungay, Emeterio Camacho, and Enrique M. Roldan. After them followed Mayors Gerundio Emengan, Leopoldo Aquino, Sr., Ambrosio Gloria (appointed by the PCAU of the Army), Bernardo Lagoy, appointed 1946, Leopoldo Aquino, Sr. (reelected), Eligio C. Sagun (1952-1955), Don Numeriano Castro (appointed), Salvador F. Quinto (1956-1959), Miguel C. Matabang (1960-1963), Jaime P. Junio (1964-1986), Feliciano Casingal, Jr. (OIC), Don Daniel Bato (OIC), Domingo Tagulao, Calixto B. Camacho.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

LATITUDE : 15 º 43‘ North

15 º 41‘ North

LONGITUDE : 120º 21' East

120º 33' East

TOPOGRAPHY / TERRAIN : Varies from rolling lands and hills / Generally Flat

CLIMATE :

WET Season ( June to October )

DRY Season ( November to May )

TOTAL LAND AREA

16,800 hectares

Total Agricultural Area

12,225 hectares

Total Residential Area

278 hectares

Total Commercial Area

9.5 hectares

Total Institutional Area

68 hectares

Forest reserve & Wild Parks

2,059 hectares

Total Industrial Area

15.8 hectares

Open Space

2,134.7 hectares

BARANGAYS

Total Barangays :77

Urban Barangays : 11

Rural Barangays : 66

POPULATION

Total Populations 105, 887

HOUSEHOLDS

Total number of Households : 19,252

INCOME CLASS

1st CLASS MUNICIPALITY

LITERACY RATE : 92 %

ANNUALGROWTH RATE : 2.5%

PER CAPITA INCOME : P 26,182.00

SOURCE OF POWER SUPPLY

(CENPELCO) Central Pangasinan Electric Coop., Inc

SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY

( BWAD ) BAYAMBANG WATER DISTRICT

MAJOR SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD

Farming & Fishing

[edit] Barangays
Bayambang is politically subdivided into 77 barangays.

Alinggan
Amamperez
Amancosiling Norte
Amancosiling Sur
Ambayat I
Ambayat II
Apalen
Asin
Ataynan
Bacnono
Balaybuaya
Banaban
Bani
Batangcawa
Beldet
Beleng
Bical Norte
Bical Sur
Bongato East
Bongato West
Buayaen
Buenlag 1st
Buenlag 2nd
Cadre Site
Carungay
Caturay
Duera
Dusoc
Hermoza
Idong
Inanlorenzana
Inirangan
Iton
Langiran
Ligue
M. H. del Pilar
Macayocayo
Magsaysay
Maigpa
Malimpec
Malioer
Managos
Manambong Norte
Manambong Parte
Manambong Sur
Mangayao
Nalsian Norte
Nalsian Sur
Pangdel
Pantol
Paragos
Poblacion Sur
Pugo
Reynado
San Gabriel 1st
San Gabriel 2nd
San Vicente
Sangcagulis
Sanlibo
Sapang
Tamaro
Tambac
Tampog
Darawey (Tangal)
Tanolong
Tatarao
Telbang
Tococ East
Tococ West
Warding
Wawa
Zone I (Pob.)
Zone II (Pob.)
Zone III (Pob.)
Zone IV (Pob.)
Zone V (Pob.)
Zone VI (Pob.)
Zone VII (Pob.)

tyronne

January 5th, 2007, 08:12 PM

Nice pictures of Bayambang:okay:

Anyway, any updates on SM City Urdaneta? Is it not opening later this year, 2007? Have they started construction yet and where?

Thank you.

Sinjin P.

January 6th, 2007, 05:08 AM

Which place has the more urban feel or is more developed? Urdaneta or Dagupan?

tyronne

January 6th, 2007, 05:58 AM

^^Dagupan, definitely. Urdaneta is still small compared to Dagupan.

tyronne

January 14th, 2007, 08:29 PM

Eggplant takes center stage in Pangasinan fest
By Eva Visperas
The Philippine Star 01/15/2007

VILLASIS, Pangasinan — Once again, talong (eggplant), the main product of this agricultural town known as the "vegetable bowl" and "pinakbet capital" of the province, takes center stage in the second Talong Festival on Jan. 19.

The festival, which has gained a following, promises to be bigger and more exciting this year as the town celebrates its 200th foundation day.

Mayor Nonato Abrenica told The STAR that no less than President Arroyo was invited as guest of honor in the grand inauguration of the town’s new municipal hall, considered one of the most beautiful in Northern Luzon, also on Jan. 19.

The special day will be marked with various activities featuring, of course, the eggplant.

In the Talong Cookfest, residents of the town’s different barangays will pit their skills in cooking talong 101 ways at the municipal gymnasium.

In the afternoon of Jan. 19, there will be street dancing to be participated in by students clad in indigenous costumes and swaying to samba music. Showbiz personalities will join the event.

Talong grilling will follow, with some 500 grills, each about one meter long, lined up on the street fronting the town hall. About 1,500 kilograms of eggplants will be grilled, as well as fish, porkchop, hotdog and chicken after the main event.

Manila’s top bands will later perform in a concert, Abrenica said, adding that several Villasinians working abroad are returning home to witness the celebration.

The town prides itself of its long, smooth and sweet-tasting eggplant, which is of the hybrid type and best for inihaw (grilling), omelet, or pinakbet (when harvested young). Ten of the 21 barangays of this second-class municipality cultivate eggplants.

The tremendous success of the first Talong Festival last year inspired the municipal government to restage it, Abrenica said.

Thanks to the festival, he said non-Villasinians now readily identify their town, bordered by Urdaneta City and the towns of Rosales, Malasiqui and Asingan towns, as the "talong capital" of Pangasinan.

"We no longer lack attention now," he said, adding that two morning television shows would cover the festival.

As of last year, municipal agriculturist Cornelio Atchuela said 315 hectares of agricultural land were planted to talong, producing a total of 7,875 of the vegetable. Some 520 farmers are into eggplant planting, he added.

Villasis, according to Atchuela, has a year-round supply of eggplants, making it the top talong producer in the province.

He attributed this to their programs for farmers like seed assistance under the "plant now, pay later" scheme.

This year, he said the municipal government will provide farmers with a 10 percent seed subsidy and off-season technology, and will conduct technology demonstrations, among other assistance.

An eggplant farmer spends about P20,000 per hectare but earns a profit of about 60 percent.

Abrenica said the town’s bagsakan area where agricultural produce is sold at cheap wholesale prices is a boon to farmers as they can readily market their vegetables to merchants from other provinces.

Besides eggplant, local farmers have gone into the cultivation of other pinakbet ingredients such as tomatoes, okra, ampalaya, onions, and sweet potatoes, to augment their income from rice and corn production.

RCXsickboy

January 15th, 2007, 01:59 AM

@ JhaeL....
ang Lau na ng Dagupan compared to Urdaneta... though it's stiLL smaLL, Lamang pa rin sa Lahat ng aspect and Dagupan, weLcome then to the Land of bangus!!!

Sinjin P.

January 15th, 2007, 04:56 AM

^ Okay, so if that's the case, the sprouting of an SM, I conclude, should not be used as means to measure the development of a certain area :yes:

tyronne

January 15th, 2007, 06:50 AM

^^That's right. If you take the case of Urdaneta, it's the urban center of eastern Pangasinan so people from the neighboriing towns in the east go there to shop and trade and do business (Urdaneta is famous for its cattle trading). So, when SM is built there as planned, patrons will not only come from the city itself but also from its neighboring towns.

mhe-ann

January 15th, 2007, 07:01 AM

wow! mukhang malinis sa Pangasinan. :)

tyronne

January 15th, 2007, 07:09 AM

If I remember it right, Sto. Tomas town has always been one of the cleanest towns in Pangasinan. It's a small town west of Rosales, Pangasinan. If you go to Dagupan, it's like any urban places: lots of jeepneys, pollution, humid, crowded, buses, lots of electric wires hanging, etc. Urdaneta has always been known for its traffic on its main intersection (but in fairness, I heard that they have undergone road widening in its city center). I'm not sure how clean the province is now as I haven't been back home for 4 years now:)

nayki

January 15th, 2007, 07:11 AM

^ Okay, so if that's the case, the sprouting of an SM, I conclude, should not be used as means to measure the development of a certain area :yes:

Lamang lang ng Urdaneta City over Dagupan ay ung gateway sila papuntang Nothern part ng Luzon like Baguio, La Union, and Ilocos. Kaya nga sobrang traffic sa urdaneta, ang alam ko my ng proposals na maglagay ng Flyover sa Urdaneta city proper.

allan_dude

January 15th, 2007, 10:54 AM

Hi-way widening spells Urdaneta boom

Widening of the Mac Arthur highway right in the central business district here, is now almost complete, according to City Mayor Amadeo Perez, Jr.

Perez said except for the construction of a much wider bridge, the widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in that stretch is now almost finished.

Perez said first to set back by five meters was the city's public market which was followed by owners of other business establishments along the Mac Arthur highway.

Even Perez' family also sacrificed when they gave up the frontage of their backyard in barangay San Vicente.

The road widening was undertaken in place of a flyover earlier proposed in the area but which was rejected by businessmen and property owners here. It was initiated by fifth district Rep. Mark Cojuangco. The width of the Mac Arthur Highway was stretched to 20 meters or more, thus paving the way for a smoother flow of vehicles going north to south and vice versa at any time of the day.

Businessmen supported the widening project by moving back their establishments as they anticipated bigger economic opportunities ahead for the city as soon as the project is completed.

Businessmen expect an economic boom for the city starting next year, which they believed will be unprecedented in history, brought about their much improved road that makes the one bottleneck area in the poblacion a thing of the past. (PIA-Pangasinan 11/23/06)

nayki

January 15th, 2007, 11:24 AM

allan_dude

January 15th, 2007, 12:11 PM

^^Ang alam ko kaya against ang mga businessmen sa urdaneta sa pagtatayo ng flyover ay baka daw magaya ang urdaneta city sa Avenida sa Manila. Kung saan mula nung itinayo daw ang LRT nag start ng nalugi ang negosyo sa avenida.

hmm.. ngayon na patapos na yung road widening, sana pumayag na sila sa construction ng flyover. malapad na rin kasi yung kasada and average height lang naman ng mga establishments hagangng 3rd floor. Hindi naman na siguro magcacast ng shadow yun pag day time.. And pwede naman nila lagyan ng landscape at fountain sa ilalim ng flyover like here in Makati. :okay:

allan_dude

January 20th, 2007, 10:31 AM

PGMA: P745.5-M Domalandan Bridge one of social paybacks of improved economy

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DOMALANDAN BRIDGE INAUGURATION—President Gloria Arroyo waves to the crowd as she is driven through the newly-opened 600-meter long Domalandan Bridge in Lingayen, along with Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Governor Victor Agbayani, Congressman Amado Espino Jr. and Lingayen Mayor Ernesto Castañeda.

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan--- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the P745.5-million Domalandan Bridge here is just one of the many benefits the Filipino people are getting out of the tough economic reforms her administration implemented to rev up the economy.

In her brief message during the inauguration of the 600-meter long Domalandan Bridge linking Lingayen and Dagupan City to the western towns of Pangasinan, the President said the benefits of an improved economy are beginning to trickle down to the grassroots as part of the social payback to the people.

"This bridge (Domalandan Bridge) is for me just one of the social paybacks as a result of our efforts in improving our economy and putting our fiscal standing in order," the President said in the Pangasinan dialect.

She said the improved economy has brought back the confidence of the international financial community on the Philippines and is now resulting to more investments and jobs for the Filipino people.

The Chief Executive added that the Domalandan Bridge, which was completed ahead of the March 2007 schedule, is one of the major infrastructure projects for the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle super region.

"You are lucky you have one of the major infrastructure projects of the mega regions. This is one of the longest bridges in the North Luzon super region…this is one of the infrastructure projects that would propel our country to achieving the First World status in the next two decades," the President said as she vowed to further strengthen the economy.

The old Domalandan Bridge collapsed in August 1999, when three consecutive typhoons hit the province and caused massive floodings along the Limahong Channel.

Nine days after President Arroyo took over the top post from former President Joseph Estrada in January 2001, she ordered the construction of a new bridge.

It took five years for the bridge to be completed due to funding problems.

The President promised during the celebration of Lingayen’s town fiesta in the first week of February last year that she would have the bridge completed in a year’s time. True to her words, and due to the availability of funds, the bridge was inaugurated today to give a more promising life for the people of western and central Pangasinan.

The President noted that the opening of the bridge would further boost the tourism industry in the province.

The bridge links Dagupan City and Lingayen to the western part of Pangasinan, particularly the city of Alaminos and towns of Labrador, Sual, Bani, Bolinao, Anda, Agno, Mabini, Burgos, Dasol, and Infanta.

allan_dude

January 31st, 2007, 05:33 PM

Pedestrian overpasses to be built in Dagupan

News Clip (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070131112019869)

Five overpasses will be constructed in Dagupan one after the other this year to serve as pedestrian walkways in order to help ease the flow of traffic in the downtown area.

Second Highways District Engineer Rodolfo Dion said the projects are all funded from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., congressman of the fourth district of Pangasinan.

The first of these overpasses located just in front of the Dagupan City National High School, costing P2.8 million, is now almost complete.

The second project, to be started by the first week of March to be built near the Philippine National Bank branch, would cost P4 million.

Dion said the third overpass would be constructed in front of Nepo Mall and Colegio de Dagupan on Arellano street.

Proposed to be the locations of the other overpasses are on M.H. del Pilar Street, Perez Boulevard and in front of the West Central School, near the Dagupan Metropolitan Cathedral.

Dion said that all these projects were coordinated with the Dagupan City government, particularly the office of Mayor Benjamin Lim.

He said these overpasses are a big boon to the pedestrians since they would not risk their lives and limbs anymore while crossing busy roads. (PNA)

allan_dude

February 3rd, 2007, 10:07 AM

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Settled on the banks of the Dawel, a river lined by mangroves and teeming with Dagupan’s most famous fish, San Marino Place is a rare piece of residential real estate development that combines provincial character, urban amenities and unspoiled natural settings.

Located in Dawel, Bonuan, San Marino Place is the address of choice for those who want to be located right outside downtown, but without the noise, the pollution and the urban chaos. The property is situated near schools, hospitals, churches, commercial centers and Pangasinan’s beaches.

Meticulously planned by Managen Development Corporation, San Marino Place is a first class yet affordable residential subdivision, a riverside community that promotes resort-style living where being home feels like a vacation.

San Marino Place…Your sanctuary by the river.

Stylish designs and master planning

* Master planning by Mario Arturo V. Lising & Associates
* Walled and gated perimeter
* Wide landscaped entrance with concrete pavers
* Wide concrete streets and sidewalks
* Designated area for small commercial establishments

Recreational facilities

* Clubhouse/multi-purpose hall
* Basketball/tennis court
* Swimming pool
* Mini-gym
* Mini-marina with decks for fishing, jet-skis and kayaks
* Tree-lined and lighted promenade ideal for strolling, jogging and biking
* Park and picnic area with barbecue pit
* Children’s playground

website (http://www.sanmarinoplace.com.ph/index.html)

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ivanhenares

February 15th, 2007, 10:29 AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/390972446_eff02496b2_o.jpg

Limited number of commercial stalls now available for lease! Contact Edwin Arceo at (0928) 2353709 for more information.

allan_dude

March 1st, 2007, 09:44 AM

^^^^

3 months na ako hindi nakadaan sa Rosales. bago ba ito? parang Dau Common Bus Stop ba?

tyronne

March 1st, 2007, 10:22 AM

Oo nga, Ivan. More details please. Saan part ng Carmen ito? Any pictures? Thanks.

ivanhenares

March 1st, 2007, 01:15 PM

^^ Yes, it will be a common bus stop like Dau (but it will also house the jeepney, mini-bus and van terminals too). May billboard na sa area. I have photos of the on-going construction from my inspection last week pero I'll have to upload muna. It's about a kilometer away from Pangasinan arch and is the solution of the LGU to ease traffic congestion in the area. Mga May siya operational.

allan_dude

March 1st, 2007, 09:27 PM

tyronne

March 1st, 2007, 10:09 PM

^^So Hypermart lang yung sa Rosales at hindi SM City? Baka yung sa Urdaneta at Dagupan ang SM City?

allan_dude

March 2nd, 2007, 09:23 AM

^^So Hypermart lang yung sa Rosales at hindi SM City? Baka yung sa Urdaneta at Dagupan ang SM City?

Siguro Hypermart lang kasi hindi pa "city" ang Rosales. :lol:

Open mo link na ito, Lot for Sale (http://bahay.ph/ads/13896/Lot___Land___Farm/Pangasinan), property yan malapit sa preset bus terminal, nakalagay sa web site "200-meters away from SM Hypermart".
-
Ito naman article last year:

SM sets aside P5B for four malls next year (http://www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=169)
By Jeffrey O. Valisno, 22 Aug 2006
Source: BusinessWorld

Listed commercial shopping center operator SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has allotted about P5 billion for the construction of four new malls to be opened next year.

SM Prime Vice-President for finance and administration Jeffrey C. Lim said the company plans to open new malls in Bacolod City, Muntinlupa City, Tagaytay City, and an expansion mall to the current SM City Cebu.

"The P5 billion will be used for the construction of new malls, as well as for land banking ... The money will be a healthy mix of internally generated cash and borrowings," Mr. Lim told reporters.

There are currently 26 SM malls in the country, including its 4th mall for this year, the SM Supercenter Pasig, which opened over the weekend.

Located in a 2.7-hectare property in Frontera Verde on E. Rodriquez Jr. Avenue in Pasig City, the 29,017-square-meter mall will serve residents in the neighboring upscale and industrial subdivisions.

"A supercenter is a new format that we will be rolling out at a faster rate in smaller municipalities and provinces. This is our way of introducing organized retail services into these areas with the objective of generating not just new markets for SM Prime, but also increased economic activity for these areas with the provision of more jobs and trading activities," SM Prime President Hans T. Sy was quoted as saying in a statement.

The SM Pasig Supercenter is a smaller SM shopping mall occupying a smaller floor area. It includes a hypermarket, which is a combination of supermarket and department store, and some anchor tenants like Watsons and Ace Hardware.

Earlier this year, SM Prime launched SM City Sta. Rosa in Laguna, SM City Clark in Pampanga, and its largest mall, the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Aside from these, SM Prime also opened The Block, an extension of its first mall, SM North EDSA in Quezon City.

Mr. Lim said the company is also scheduled to open SM City Lipa in Batangas next month, making a total of 27 malls by the end of the year with a gross floor area of 3.6 million square meters.

SM Prime opened three new malls last year, including SM City San Lazaro in Manila, SM Super-center Valenzuela, and SM Super-center in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite.

[B]SM Prime earlier said it intends to build four to five malls annually for the next three years in 14 locations including Marikina, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Bulacan, Tarlac, Laguna, and Pangasinan.

Shares of SM Prime ended P0.30 lower, to settle at P7.80 apiece as of last Friday.
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Wag muna tayo ma excite, urban myth ang SM sa probinsya natin!

tyronne

March 2nd, 2007, 09:44 AM

Siguro Hypermart lang kasi hindi pa "city" ang Rosales. :lol:

Haha! Oo nga naman. Ang engot ko talaga hehe:lol:

ivanhenares

March 3rd, 2007, 07:00 AM

Buti nalang naisip ito itayo ng LGU. :okay:
-
May mga chismis dati, magtatayo raw ng SM Hypermart sa Rosales. Matatamaan ng development yung present bus terminal, caltex gas station, san miguel depotat yung farm sa likod. Ito na ata ang sign! LOL (take note: chismis laeng dagituy kabagis)
-
Anyway, sana maganda ang terminal dahil gateway ito ng norte. cant wait for the pics!

Yes, that is right. Matatamaan nga yung current terminal. Anyway, as soon I get the final plans, I'll post them here. Nasa land development stage na kami. The roads have already been cemented.

allan_dude

March 4th, 2007, 09:28 AM

^^ Whoa! Good news la!

Ala business park ata ang itatayo dita ha. Nice location naman talaga ang Rosales kasi crossroads ito ng Central and Eastern Pangasinan, Northern Tarlac and North Western part of Nueva Ecija.

I hope impressive ang mga structures dito kasi it'll serve as the "gateway to the north."

ivanhenares

March 4th, 2007, 10:14 AM

^^ Don't expect too much kasi di pa masyado ready yung market sa Rosales. For future expansion siya.

nayki

March 4th, 2007, 11:40 AM

Sana magkaron ng plan na irelocate ung mga markets at town proper along mac artur highway including ung asa pangasinan. Para mas ok ang daloy ng trafic papunta at pabalik ng north...

allan_dude

March 4th, 2007, 12:05 PM

^^ Don't expect too much kasi di pa masyado ready yung market sa Rosales. For future expansion siya.

Oh ok. Sabagay 3rd class municipality pa lang ang Rosales, tapos mga neighboring towns 2nd or 4th class municipalities lang. Asa major highway lang kaya madami business para sa mga travelers. Asa ibang districts ng province ang kalakaran.

May other plans/projects pa ba kayo sa Pangasinan?
-

Segway lang, We all know we’re the most populated province in the Philippines (http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2002/pr02178tx.html), we have the highest density of landline telephone and television sets outside Greater Metro Manila Area, almost every family may kaanak na OFW, agri production is high, 1st class province in terms of tax collection, we have the infrastructure, power source, educated labor force, political force in the gov’t etc.

I feel under estimated ang potential ng province namin. Ni IT, business or Light/Heavy industrial Park na maayos wala. Malls, Robinson’s may department store lang sa Dagupan. Most of the call center agents in Baguio are from Pangasinan. Mga locals kelangan pa lumuwas sa Baguio, Central Luzon or Manila (like me) para mag trabaho. Bakit kaya wala masyado major investments? Sa view ng outsiders, ano kaya ang reason?

tyronne

March 4th, 2007, 12:16 PM

Segway lang, We all know we’re the most populated province in the Philippines (http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2002/pr02178tx.html), we have the highest density of landline telephone and television sets outside Greater Metro Manila Area, almost every family may kaanak na OFW, agri production is high, 1st class province in terms of tax collection, we have the infrastructure, power source, educated labor force, political force in the gov’t etc.

I feel under estimated ang potential ng province namin. Ni IT, business or Light/Heavy industrial Park na maayos wala. Malls, Robinson’s may department store lang sa Dagupan. Most of the call center agents in Baguio are from Pangasinan. Mga locals kelangan pa lumuwas sa Baguio, Central Luzon or Manila (like me) para mag trabaho. Bakit kaya wala masyado major investments? Sa view ng outsiders, ano kaya ang reason?

I feel the same way. I, myself, am wondering why our province is overlooked by investors. I mean, the province is easily accessible naman. As you said, the basic infrastructures are there. Pero parang walang pumapansin sa atin. Wala rin tayong IT/business park. I read before na idedevelop yung small airport sa Alaminos ba yun? Pero wala nang follow-up kasi siguro priority yung Poro Point, which is only a few kilometers from Pangasinan. I'm not sure how developed Metro Dagupan is now since I haven't been there for a long time. Pero parang feeling ko, slow ang development.

allan_dude

March 4th, 2007, 12:35 PM

^^ :dunno:

Dating public official dad ko (shhh quiet ka lang..), nakwento nya saken about the proposed international airport in Alaminos city during the Ramos time. Meron pa nga dapat Hyatt Resort sa Alaminos..

Sobrang grand ng plan para sa province natin dati. Pag mapansin mo, sobrang developed ang Eastern side of our province, dyan kasi sinimulan ni Ramos ayusin yung Infrastructure. Andyan pa ang biggest dam in the Philippines. If only Jose de Venecia won the elections, clark should have been extended to western Tarlac all the way to western Pangasinan. Kaya nga nagkaroon ng Proton Moter Plant and Belle Helicopter Plant sa Alaminos pero closed na ngayon. May propose Pangasinan Expressway (http://www.ciaonet.org/conf/ass08/ass08_j.html) pa nga eh.

Too bad nanalo si Erap. scrapped lahat! Pati sana yung high speed train from Fort Bonifacio to Clark with spur line to Pangasinan scrapped. tsk tsk

sayang talaga..

allan_dude

March 4th, 2007, 01:08 PM

I'm not sure how developed Metro Dagupan is now since I haven't been there for a long time. Pero parang feeling ko, slow ang development.

There’s this arterial road na tinatayo from Arellano to Lucao then may interchange sa may wharf area (A.B. Fernandez extension). Bale may reclamation sila na ginawa sa mga fish ponds. Ito yung multi billion peso road-bridge project sa Metro Dagupan ngayon. Tinatayo ito para ma solve ang traffic sa downtown and para ma mabuksan ibang areas for development. Super conjested na kasi sa down town and wala na talaga space for new business.

Try mo sa google earth, makikita mo ito.

So far kahit tinatayo ito, slow parin ang develop kahit sa ibang areas ng metro dagupan.

on the lighter side, booming ang San Carlos City. Kaso panay home grown business makikita mo, which is good.

nayki

March 6th, 2007, 01:38 PM

cno pala mga lalaban na governor sa panagsinan my list na ba?

allan_dude

March 7th, 2007, 10:53 AM

cno pala mga lalaban na governor sa panagsinan my list na ba?

Agbayani, Espino at Lambino. Sigurado uulan uli ng pera at maglalabasan ang mga goons! Pustahan tayo Agbayani vs. Espino lang ang labanan ^^

nayki

March 9th, 2007, 02:18 PM

Colonel Espino? Taga Bautita naman talaga sha eh d sha taga dun sa district kung san sha congressman ngayon. Medyo may pagkasugapa sa kapangyarihan mga espino sa amin sa bautista, ung kapatid nyang mayor sa Bautista ng 9 years after ng last term nya vice mayor naman tinakbuhan nya nagpadown grade. Tapos ung anak ni Colonel Espino ang mayor namin nayon doon. Lahat ng public pisition sa bautista meron sila hangang sa mga kagawad.

allan_dude

March 10th, 2007, 08:24 AM

Hoy nayki wag ka naman ganyan, tito ko tinutukoy mo!

Masama husgahan ang royal family. :lol: :lol: :lol:

nayki

March 12th, 2007, 02:32 PM

talaga as in d nga? so part ka pala ng empirial family..hehehe well un ang sabi ng mga taga bautista. Pero wala namang nakakatibag sa kanila eh. :lol: :lol:

allan_dude

March 12th, 2007, 05:24 PM

^^ True. Tutaan-Espino kasi sila.

(delete)

nayki

March 13th, 2007, 02:33 PM

^^Cge pm na lang tayo..hehehe

allan_dude

March 20th, 2007, 02:29 PM

CSI Bayambang U/C
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/427695578_0cddea79f3.jpg?v=0

CSI San Carlos
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Magic San Carlos
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/427695608_f70541e50b.jpg?v=0

P745.5-million Domalandan Bridge
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allan_dude

April 10th, 2007, 08:35 PM

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Fine sand

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Powder soft ivory colored sand.

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Oh that's me

Waldenstrom

April 12th, 2007, 09:45 PM

^^ Great beach! That could be the next Boracay. :)

flesh_is_weak

April 13th, 2007, 08:11 PM

i've been browsing through google earth, and when my gaze passed by pangasinan, i noticed this very large ring-like formation located a few kilometers south of manaog just near urdaneta...what is is?

allan_dude

April 14th, 2007, 10:37 AM

^^ Those are hillside farms encircling the rolling terrain of Malasiqui. There’s no irrigation system in that area, they only depend on rainwater. On dry weather, the land is not cultivated. If you view it from sky, its like that one big dirt ring. :)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/458545032_a17275464e_o.jpg

flesh_is_weak

April 14th, 2007, 02:35 PM

^^thank's @allandude...akala ko kasi impact crater...:lol:

allan_dude

April 14th, 2007, 10:17 PM

^^ :lol:

allan_dude

April 15th, 2007, 12:25 AM

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Snake Island

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Somewhere in Dasol

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Bolasi Beach, San Fabian (North Eastern Pangasinan)

Pangasinan is more than just "The Hundred Islands". I'm sure the best beaches in Region-1 are in Western Pangasinan. The coastline and islands of Anda, Agno, Bolinao, Bani, Burgos and Dasol are all white sand beaches and teeming with marine life. I dont have the pictures, if you guys have it, please post them here.

If ever you pass by NLEX, you'll see a tourism campaign called "Rediscover the North" and one of the ads says, "Beaches of Pangasinan" :nocrook:

Below: text from www.pangasinan.gov.ph

ANDA
This lone island town of Pangasinan, which thrives on farming and deep-sea fishing, is unlike other "out-of-way" places for progress has already caught up with it. If a Pangasinense has a surname beginning with the letter C, chances are, he is from this town.

BOLINAO
This quaint little town boasts of several attractions aside from its rugged coastline and wide expanse of unspoiled seascapes. Its museum, a branch of the national museum, showcases the rich heritage of the people. Santiago Island, Cape Bolinao Beach, and the Church of St. James, almost 400 years old, are its stronger points.

BANI
This town thrives on the bounties of sea and farm. It boasts of a new park which is a haven for those who want to lose themselves in the sweet clutch of nature.

AGNO
Known as an "old seat of civilization", it competes with Hundred Islands in natural beauty. Its umbrella rocks that just out of its clear lake and its long-winding beachline are tourists' musts.

BURGOS
The "Cowboy Country" or "Marlboro Country" of Pangasinan is not for dudes alone as its Cabungaoan Beach Resort, Klowar Spring, and Sangbay Falls are crowd-drawers.

DASOL
A town gifted with tourist lures: Noah's Island Beach Resort, Tambobong Beach, Salabusoban Falls, and Magunao Resort, all simply marvelous.

INFANTA
Once the rice granary of Western Pangasinan, it now has its beaches to rely on for exposure, the Balqui Island Beach Resort, for one.

MABINI
This rustic town is visited for its Cacupangan Caves, formerly Balincaguing Caves, a lair of 1001 bats, Balincaguing River, basin perfect for skinny dipping, Binmatya Spring and Barlo Mines.

allan_dude

April 27th, 2007, 07:19 PM

http://www.lpp.gov.ph/pangasinan-images/top1.gifhttp://www.lpp.gov.ph/pangasinan-images/top2.gif

http://www.lpp.gov.ph/pangasinan-images/pangasinan-tour.gif

http://www.lpp.gov.ph/pangasinan-images/pangasinan-history.gif

Pangasinan was one of the early provinces into which the island of Luzon was divided after the arrival of the Spaniards. Pangasinan was then formally created as a province by Governor-General Ronquillo de Penalosa in 1850. Etymologically, the term Pangasinan means the “place where salt is made”, owing to the rich and fine salt beds which were the prime source of livelihood for the province’s coastal towns.

Pangasinan has played its part in the national scene in almost every pivotal part of the country’s history. During the early part of the Spanish colonization, it played unwitting host to the conquering Chinese corsair Limahong, whose fabled treasures some say, have yet to be discovered.

In 1762, it staged one of the more significant revolts against Spanish rule under Juan de la Cruz Palaris.

Lingayen Beach was the setting of two contrasting historical events. In 1898, American forces led by Gen. Lloyd Wheaton landed there to cut off the retreat of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. During World War II in a reversal or roles and now acting as allies and protectors, American forces seeking to liberate the country from the Japanese, chose the Lingayen Gulf as a crucial landing site under the leadership of the returning Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

In recent times, Pangasinan’s more illustrious sons and daughters have continued to make the province proud with various achievements in government, science, education, entertainment, culture and the arts.

http://www.lpp.gov.ph/pangasinan-images/pangasinan-culture&arts.gif

Much has been written about the Pangasinense. Historical and cultural sites like the Bolinao Museum, Lingayen’s Veterans Memorial Park and even any of the province’s 44 towns’ and cities’ public markets on a busy Sunday morning, provide windows to the psyche and soul of Pangasinan. Thoroughly modern ( with fast rising malls), but embracing its rich, storied past, Pangasinan offers a diversity of attractions that would suit any interest or persuasion. The Pangasinense is hardly frugal in the true sense of the word, nor is he extravagant either. Special occasions such as fiestas, weddings and baptisms bring out his warmness and generosity. Try visiting any of the province’s year-round schedule of special festivals and experience unique local hospitality. Summer’s centerpiece is Pista’y Dayat (Sea Festival), a thanksgiving celebration of the bountiful harvests of the gulf; Dagupan City’s Guinness Book of World Record effort, the Bangus Festival; Manaoag’s Galicayo Festival; San Carlos City’s Mango and Bamboo Festival and Mapandan’s Pandan Festival.

http://www.lpp.gov.ph/pangasinan-images/pangasinan-trade&investments.gif

Pangasinan envisions to become an ecologically balanced and environmentally stable world-class center for tourism, trade, agriculture and industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Pangasinan is the biggest province in the Ilocos Region covering an area of 5,368 square kilometers. Much of the land is flat and devoted to agriculture and the province has the highest amount of irrigated fields in the region. The Lingayen Gulf is a rich fishing ground and is a major source of marine products. The mountain ranges to the east and west of the province are sources of metallic minerals like gold and chromite and non-metallic minerals like clay, limestone, silica and guano. Pangasinan hold the largest pool of labor in northern Luzon at 946,000. With the support of more than 61 technical institutions, the lobor force can adequately respond to the needs of traditional as well as highly specialized manufacturing activities.

Pangasinan is approximately four hours from Manila using the North Luzon Road. A network of secondary roads crisscross the province facilitating the movement of people, commodities and goods. Dozens of bus firms connect trading centers like Dagupan, Urdaneta, San Carlos and Alaminos with Manila, Baguio and San Fernando. The San Fernando Seaport serves as Pangasinan’s major sea access point. The proposed Sual International Seaport, once realized, will connect the province with major markets of East Asia. The province likewise has two local feeder airports in Lingayen and Rosales. Pangasinan enjoys the highest telephone density in the country outside National Capital Region and the four telecommunications firms have continued to provide the province ample communication facilities. Water supply is sufficient for agricultural, industrial and household uses. Potable water is available in more than 97% households. Power supplied by the Luzon Grid is adequate and has been boosted with the operation of 1200 Mega Watts Sual Coal Fired Power Plan and the 345 Mega Watts Hydropower component of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Project. Considered one of the biggest financial centers north of Manila, Pangasinan has 110 rural banks, 63 commercial banks, 17 savings and mortgage banks, 8 specialized government banks as well as 251 non-banking financial institutions catering to the financing needs of the province.

Agriculture remains a strong base on which to build the province’s economy. As a major food producer and supplier in Northern Luzon, Pangasinan produces enormous amounts of rice, corn, legumes, root crops, vegetables and fruits. Its long coastline and inland waterways have been developed into acquaculture farms for milkfish or bangus, tilapia, shrimps, crabs, oyster and mussels. The province is also a major livestock and poultry producer for the Ilocos region and a leading producer of salt. Food processing and feeds production is a growing economic activity in resource rich Pangasinan. A fruit and vegetable processing plant in Central Pangasinan is being offered for interested investors.

The provincial government of Pangasinan under the leadership of Governor Victor E. Agbayani has also worked to attract investors in light and medium industries. There are five identified industrial areas: the Sual Industrial Estate, the Pangasinan Industrial Park I in Mabini, the Pangasinan Industrial Park II in Alaminos and Mabini, the Agro-Export Processing Estate in Villasis and the Eastern Pangasinan Agro-Industrial Complex in Umingan. Handicrafts, furniture making and basketry, which have always been strong export performers, can take advantage of the highly skilled craftsmen in the province.

Tourism remains a strong area for further investments. The Hundred Islands National Park, a traditional tourist destination, is currently being developed to accommodate more tourists and provide better facilities. Western Pangasinan has also been seen as the next tourism mecca with its rugged landscape, caves, white sand beaches and unique marine ecosystems. The Bolinao Tourism Estate and Retirement Village hopes to transform Bolinao into a haven of retirees. Investments in hotels, lodging places, watersports facilities and support industries are needed. Included as a major potential investment project is the proposed Eco-Resort and Recreational Park in Lingayen.

tyronne

April 27th, 2007, 07:39 PM

Yay! My hometown Villasis is mentioned hehe!:D Go Pangasinan!

allan_dude

May 1st, 2007, 09:42 AM

http://bp1.blogger.com/_2V0Xtu9RXWc/RjFewhL0UUI/AAAAAAAAAAc/N4-x96s_hIg/s1600/pd2007.jpg

Masantos ya pista'y dayat tan labor day ed sikayon amin!

allan_dude

May 1st, 2007, 10:19 AM

About Pista'y Dayat...

The Pistay Dayat (Feast of the Sea) is an ancient ritual offering to the spirits of the waters to pacify the gods. Old women known as amiteras were priestesses, who performed ceremonies called maganitos to secure favor from the heavens. They believed in an afterlife. Death, for them, was a voyage, thus, food and other needs were buried with the dead. Mourning rites required an abstinence from rice, wine, meat and fish. A gold chain or a piece of rattan worn around the neck symbolized mourning attire with a great banquet marking the end of mourning.

The Pista'y Dayat has grown from its simple beginnings as a thankgiving celebration to nature's blessing to a full-fledge tourism attraction which gathers thousand of visitors every year. Falling on the first of May, Pangasinenses and out of towners simply cannot make their Labor Day holiday complete without a visit ot the beach stretches of the West to Lingayen beach with its offering of culture and history.

While the provincial government has tapped this event to be its summer centerpiece attraction to generate tourist revenue, the feel of this week-longaffair is casual and relaxed. Typical festival event like the pageants and concerts are comfortably spaced between days where the hurried tourist can simply browse among tiangge or visit the trade and tourism fairs for bargains and interesting local items.

One can say that Pista'y Dayat has eleveated to to a modern showcase of Pangasinan culture without having lost that distinct warm and homey hospitality that the folks are known for. source (http://lisland.com.ph/dayat.htm)

allan_dude

May 3rd, 2007, 10:58 AM

Pangasinan tourism alive and kicking

By Danny O. Sagun (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p070503.htm&no=21&r=&y=&mo=)

PANGASINAN (3 May) -- Tourism has been one of the priority programs of the present provincial administration contrary to claims that nothing has been done to fully develop potential tourist spots in Pangasinan, an Urduja official stressed Tuesday.

Ma. Luisa Elduayan, tourism operations officer, told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng Bayan DZMQ that the province in tandem with concerned towns and cities and other government agencies has developed tourist spots into crowd drawers like the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City, the Manleluag Hot Springs in Mangatarem, and the eco-tourism site in Bani and Bolinao.

The two-lane Maramba Boulevard, which connects the national highway to the provincial Capitol, was fully rehabilitated and developed into a park. The Capitol ground is also undergoing facelift. Such move, she said, made the Capitol area as one historical destination.

Some meters away from the Capitol is the historic Lingayen beach that draws thousands of visitors every summer especially during the annual Pistay Dayat festivities usually held from the last week of April up to May 1, she said.

This year several events have been scheduled that would surely draw again thousands of visitors not only from the capital town and neighboring areas but also from other provinces, she said.

Gov. Victor E. Agbayani, she said, saw to it that tourism was given top attention by putting in place basic facilities and such infrastructures as roads and bridges as well as the maintenance of peace and order throughout the province. "Malaking punto na rin para sa turismo kung tahimik at payapa ang lugar," she pointed out. (PIA-Pangasinan)

allan_dude

May 4th, 2007, 11:27 PM

http://www.marubeniphil.com/images/newimage/srpc.gif
CAD drawing of the San Roque before construction began in 1998

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The completed San Roque Dam as of end 2003

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San Roque Dam, considered the biggest man-made dam in the Southeast Asia, is the tallest and largest private hydropower project in Asia.

The primary features of the San Roque Multipurpose Project (SRMP) are its massive gated spillway and 200-meter-high, 1.2-kilometer-long embankment dam on the Agno River spanning the municipalities of San Manuel and San Nicolas, Pangasinan, nearly 200 km north of Metro Manila. The dam impounds a reservoir with a sur-face area of about 12.8 square kilometers ex-tending North into the municipality of Itogon, Benguet.A gated spillway protects the dam from overtopping. Each wet season, the run-off is stored for later release via water turbines to generate power and irrigate crops.

FAQs
Where is the San Roque Multipurpose Project located?
The dam is located on the Agno River, spanning the municipalities of San Manuel and San Nicholas in the province of Pangasinan in northern Luzon, nearly 200 kilometers north of Metro Manila. The reservoir impounded by the dam extends north into the municipality of Itogon in the province of Benguet.

Why was this location chosen?
The selection of the SRMP site is the result of years of study and consideration of the water resources of Northern Luzon. Since the late 1940's, many studies of different aspects of the Agno River have been conducted.

A 1976 study examining the potential of the Agno for hydropower, irrigation and other purposes recommended the development of two sites: one at Sitio Tabu in Barangay Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet, and the other in Pangasinan on the boundary of the Municipalities of San Manuel and San Nicholas.

A 1977 study showed the Pangasinan site to be the better choice, especially considering social, cultural and environmental impacts. The National Power Corporation (NPC) implemented these recommendations in 1981.

Please describe the Agno River.
The Agno River is the third largest river in the Philippines with a total length of 221 km and a drainage basin at the Project site of 1,225 square kilometers.

The river originates in the Cordillera Mountains near the common boundaries of the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya. It flows from north to south, emerging from the Cordillera's at San Manuel and San Nicolas, Pangasinan, dividing into several channels in the flat central plain of Luzon and meandering through major settlements in the provinces of Tarlac and Pangasinan before emptying into the Lingayen Gulf.

What are the main objectives of the SRMP?

1. Peaking Power: During periods of about 8 hours each day when the electrical output of base-load and intermediate power plants cannot fulfill consumer demand. A recently completed 500 kV transmission line enables this benefit to serve Metro Manila and the islands south of Luzon.

2. Irrigation: Year-round to some 70,000 to 87,000 hectares of farmland covering parts of Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac, depending on crop diversification choices during the dry season. NIA estimates that more than 53,000 farmers will benefit from the irrigation benefits of the SRMP.

3. Flood Control: Reduce the perennial flooding of the Agno River affecting at least 16 Pangasinan and Tarlac towns by storing a portion of the inflows received from upstream, thereby reducing outflows released downstream.

This benefit will be most pronounced during the more frequent, lesser typhoons up to a once in 50-year event, over which range flood flows are reduced by 1/3 or more.

4.Water quality: Improve the quality of water in the Lower Agno River by serving as a settling basin, trapping sediments transported by the runoff of typhoons or the tailings generated by unregulated small-scale mining activities.

How much power will the dam generate?
The plant has an installed rated capacity of 345 megawatts (MW). It can operate year round at its dependable capacity of 85 MW for a minimum of eight hours a day. When surplus water is available, the SRMP can provide extra peaking capacity (beyond 85 MW) and/or generate off peak power.

Who will receive the power? How is it allocated?
The entirety of the peaking and any surplus power generated by the SRMP is purchased by NPC. NPC sells the power to its customers.

How much will the SRMP cost?
The total cost of the SRMP is US$1.2 billion, including the cost of acquiring the Project site, resettling affected families, and social development programs.

Who is funding the SRMP?
San Roque Power Corporation financed the power component of Project with equity (25%) and non-recourse debt (75%) totaling nearly US$600 million. NPC financed the non-power components (irrigation, flood control and waster quality enhancement) with a sovereign loan totaling US$400 million.

NPC, NIA, the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) will share the repayment of the untied loan in accordance with an inter-agency memorandum of agreement.

In addition, NPC funded land acquisition, resettlement, social development and project administration costs of about US$200 million out of operating revenues.
The non-recourse term lenders to SRPC consist of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, The Fuji Bank, The Sumitomo Trust & Banking Company, The Sakura Bank, The Sumitomo Bank, and The Norinchukin Bank.

JBIC is the sole lender participant in the untied loan to NPC. The Fuji Bank serves as intercreditor agent. The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi is agent for JBIC and technical agent for the independent consultants and advisors. Chase serves as onshore and offshore collateral agent for the parties.

Who is San Roque Power Corporation?
SRPC is a special-purpose company incorporated in the Philippines in October 1997. The corporate shareholders of SRPC are Sithe Philippines Holdings, Inc.-an indirect subsidiary of Sithe Energies, Inc. (New York, USA), Marubeni Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) and KPIC Singapore Pte Ltd (Kansai)-a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of The Kansai Electric Power Co. (Osaka, Japan).

Economic interests in SRPC are divided as follows: Sithe-50.05 percent, Marubeni-42.45 percent and Kansai-7.50 percent. Each of the shareholders has significant experience and expertise in the development or operation of power projects in Asia.

Source: www.sanroquedam.ph

Louman

May 6th, 2007, 04:14 AM

Say, how is the place name "Pangasinan" pronounced in Pangasinan? I saw a book in Tagalog published in the early 1900s with a dash between Pang and Asinan. Is Pang-asinan really an old pronunciation or has PaNGgasinan always been the way the place name is pronounced?

le Reine

May 6th, 2007, 04:40 PM

Ang ganda pala ng Pangasinan! Taga-diyan father ko sa San Nicolas. Tapos yung tita ko sa Bayambang. ****-describe naman yang 2 places na iyan. Nung andun kasi ako, lagi lang akong nasa loob ng bahay. So wala akong nakikita kundi yung bahay

nayki

May 8th, 2007, 01:37 PM

Sa totoo lang malaki potential ng Pangasinan, kulang lang ng desire mga politicians kaya medyo mabagal pa din progress. Pero kompara naman sa ibang nothern province lamang ang Pangasinan in terms of economic activity at tourism potential.

Sinjin P.

May 9th, 2007, 07:30 AM

^ I think the whole Ilocos Region has a huge potential when it comes to tourism. :yes:

allan_dude

May 9th, 2007, 01:32 PM

CSI Hall, soon a landmark in Dagupan City

The CSI Multi-function Hall, pegged to become a new landmark in Dagupan City, is set for completion within the next two months and is expected to become the “convention center of the north”.

The structure, located in barangay Lucao within the sprawling CSI The City Mall complex, will have a sitting capacity of 6,000 people, the biggest of its kind in Northern Luzon.

Behind the venture is Belen Fernandez, president of Northern Luzon’s retail trade giant City Supermarket Inc. (CSI) based in Dagupan Cty.

Fernandez is confident that this kind of business would tick as businessmen badly need a big showroom to showcase their product.

Once completed, the facility can serve as a venue for concerts, plays and other works of arts, trade shows and exhibits, conventions, weddings, birthdays and other public occasions.

Fully air-conditioned, the exhibition hall will have eight badminton courts, one first-class basketball court, an exercise and limbering area and function rooms for weddings, birthdays and meetings.

Fernandez kidded that the multi-function hall may be completed in time for the miting de avance‘ of political parties.

The CSI Multi-function Hall can also serve as venue for out-of-town games of the Philippine Basketball Association, but Fernandez is keener in making the site as venue for trade exhibits.

The multi-function hall is only among the ongoing projects of the CSI this year. Another is a warehouse club in Bayambang.

Sinjin P.

May 9th, 2007, 01:48 PM

That's cool. Any photos?

Sinjin P.

May 15th, 2007, 12:01 PM

http://i9.tinypic.com/5xorg1z.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/6ezcexe.jpg

allan_dude

May 20th, 2007, 11:39 AM

Hooray!!! Nanalo Manok ko! Kako na nga ba Espino vs. Agbayani lang ang labanan! :banana:
---
@Nayki ayan na ang bagong political dynasty satin! Taga Bautista ang Gov! Nagpromise sya na papagandahin ang Bayambang-Bautista. Aasenso na mga bayan natin!
---

Espino wins as new Pangasinan governor (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070519104645580)

An overwhelming majority of the people of Pangasinan have elected Amado Espino Jr. as their new governor based on complete but still unofficial results from 45 towns and four cities as of Friday night.

Results tallied by the Provincial Board of Canvassers headed by Provincial Elections Supervisor Reddy Balarbar showed that Espino won by a margin of 28,302 votes as against his opponent, Dr. Jamie Agbayani, wife of last termer governor Victor Agbayani.

Espino, a candidate of the Kabalikat ng mga Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), is a retired police colonel and congressman of the second district of Pangasinan from where he got his biggest lead over Mrs. Agbayani.

Dr. Agbayani ran as independent candidate but was adopted by the Biskeg na Pangasinan, a registered political party allied with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The tally showed that Espino garnered 382,063 votes in the province's six districts while Agbayani received 353,761.

On the other hand, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, candidate of Lakas-Christian Mulim Democrats for governor, got 87,523 votes.

The tally showed that Espino won in five congressional districts while Agbayani winning only in the first district.

"The people have spoken. They have overwhelmingly supported a native son against a candidate from the longest reigning dynasty in Pangasinan," said governor-elect Espino upon learning of his unprecedented victory.

The Agbayanis have controlled the Pangasinan capitol for more than 30 years under the late Aguedo Agbayani and its last-term governor Victor.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank our people and the volunteers who helped in my campaign despite the limited resources at my command, the small machinery I was able to put together," Espino declared.

"I call upon all leaders and Pangasinenses to help the province make a fresh start," he added.

Espino won with his vice gubernatorial teammate Marlyn Primicias-Agabas.

In the campaign. Espino and his team articulated on their platform concerning efficient and transparent governance, a strong economic program to solve widespread poverty and joblessness in the province, human resource development with emphasis on upgrading basic education, building of strategic infrastructure which were mostly suspended during the Agbayani years.

Espino's victory is unprecedented considering that he was up against three institutions, namely the Agbayanis which is now a byword in Pangasinan; the Iglesia Ni Cristo and the Catholic Church.

The INC anointed Mrs. Agbayani but Espino was undaunted and campaigned even harder.

Meanwhile, Espino's teammate Marlyn Primicias-Agabas thanked the Pangasinenses for bestowing their love and trust by electing her as the new vice governor of the province.

"The overwhelming mandate is a testament to the clamor for change and the readiness of our provincemates to embrace a daughter who is a descendant of the Primicias clan and an ardent admirer of Princess Urduja," she said.

Agabas, a lawyer, said she and governor-elect Amado Espino vowed "to serve our provincemates with utmost commitment and dedication to finally move the great province forward."

She also took the opportunity to dispel all rumors about her reported ambush last Thursday night.

"With God's grace, I am very much alive with my husband and children," Agabas said. (PNA)

nayki

May 21st, 2007, 03:16 AM

^^^^Yahoooooo!!!!!!!!! lets celebrate kabaleyan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bright future for Bayambang-Bautista!

allan_dude

May 21st, 2007, 11:32 AM

^^ Bright future ahead for Pangasinan! Sana matuloy na lahat nung suspended or unapproved projects under Agbayani's administration tulad ng Pangasinan Arterial Road System (Pangasinan Expressway), Sual International Sea Port, at marami pang iba!

I hope this is our chance to move our great province forward!
--

Sana tuparin nya yung mga pangako nya sa mga bayan natin, kung saan sya pinanganak at lumaki. Adopted son na rin kasi sya ng 2nd district, sana wag tayo makalimutan. :)

igi_master

June 6th, 2007, 05:12 AM

Bolinao photo

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02810.JPG
Bolinao Church
http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02819.JPG
Bolinao Museum
http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02824.JPG
Enchanted Cave
http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02841.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02843.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02874.JPG
The Crystal Clear water of White Beach Patar Bolinao

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/100_1237.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/100_1244.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/100_1257.jpg

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http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02881.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSC02925.JPG
You Can also enjoy the forest view of Patar Bolinao

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSCN0067.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSCN0070.JPG
Treasure Of Bolinao Resort

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/DSCN0071.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/dsc00035.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/dsc00037.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/dsc0519032.jpg
The Rocky White Beach Of Patar Bolinao

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/dsc0519033.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/geilapaz/patar/dsc0519035.jpg

allan_dude

June 6th, 2007, 07:48 PM

^^ Wow ganda parin ng mga beaches dyan sa Bolinao ha! Na preserve nila yung rustic appeal nung lugar. Last na dalaw ko dyan 5 years ago, hindi parin nagbabago sa mga pics.

allan_dude

June 6th, 2007, 07:52 PM

Pangasinan language is alive and kicking (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=69757)

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes

DAGUPAN CITY – With its speakers decreasing by the day, many consider the Pangasinan language a dying language. But a local historian is struggling to keep the language alive by compiling native words and publishing these in a dictionary.

Emiliano “Mel” Jovellanos, 70, has published the fourth edition of the Pangasinan-English, English-Pangasinan language dictionary. The compilation has 20,000 entries, four times the number of words when he published the first edition in 2002.

Jovellanos said he feels bad when he hears people say the Pangasinan language is dying.

“It’s alive, and this dictionary is a proof that it is,” he said. He also cited a study of the provincial government that showed that 51 percent of Pangasinenses speak the language, as opposed to 47 percent who speak Ilocano and the rest, dialects like Bolinao.

Jovellanos’ labor of love to preserve Pangasinan words started more than 20 years ago while working as chief of staff of former Information Minister Gregorio Cendaña in 1985.

He informed Cendaña, a Pangasinense, of his dream to publish the dictionary and Cendaña readily supported the plan.

Jovellanos started researching and collecting native words, poring through available materials written in Pangasinan like the Bible, prayer books, novenas, novels of Juan Villamil and Maria Magsanoc, and copies of Tunong, a pre-World War II paper that emphasized literary works in Pangasinan.

He combed the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., and spent hours in the Filipiniana section of the National Library, the archives of the University of Santo Tomas and the Dominican Library in Manaoag town.

“I was always ready with a pen and a notebook, jotting every new word I met,” Jovellanos said.

After filling up about a dozen notebooks with Pangasinan words, the painstaking work of arranging them alphabetically followed.

Long hand

“I did everything by long hand,” he said.

The publication of the dictionary, however, was stalled as his responsibilities as the municipal administrator of Pozorrubio town, and later as councilor, had to be prioritized.

Finally, the dictionary’s first edition came out in 2002. The book became a “hit” of sorts, especially with local officials who made it a part of their towns’ “official gifts” to visitors. Local officials also bring copies whenever they go abroad as pasalubong (gifts) to Pangasinenses there.

He said the dictionary’s fifth edition would be printed in the United States this November when the Benigno Aldana National High School holds a reunion for its alumni living in the US and Canada.

“They clamor for a copy but the dictionary is heavy and the freight is expensive, so we decided to just print it there,” he said.

The dictionary has 15 pages of easy lessons in spoken Pangasinan, like greetings, signs and public notices, days and time, numbers and questions, and general expressions.

There are also poems in Pangasinan, including a version of National Hero Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios.”

Jovellanos said his father, Jose Jovellanos, the municipal president (mayor) of Dagupan from 1919 to 1925, translated the poem to Pangasinan on his deathbed in 1946.

Beautiful and rich

He said poets and novelists in Pangasinan write expressively because the language is “beautiful and rich in vocabulary.”

In the dictionary’s introduction, he cited two examples of how rich the language is: “The English word for ambition is expressed in Pangasinan in so many words: piaet, ogagep, tamitam, gunaet, posapos, pilalek, pigipig, pirawat and tindek. If in English one is crazy, in Pangasinan one is 13 times more crazy: atapis, atiwel, ambagel, ambagtit, kulang-kulang, atorik, angkampis, atiris, lokloko, akustil, bobolanen, sulok-sulok, and alintaweng.”

The dictionary’s publication has opened more doors to Jovellanos. He was named president of the Jose Tamayo Foundation, after its founder, Antonio Tamayo, owner of the University of Perpetual Help, learned of his work to preserve the language. The foundation aims to preserve the Pangasinan culture and arts, among other things.

allan_dude

June 11th, 2007, 09:50 AM

Dagupan Day set on June 20 (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/06/10/news/dagupan.day.set.on.june.20.html)

DAGUPAN CITY -- The city will celebrate the 60th Agew na Dagupan (Dagupan Day) on June 20.

The week-long celebration will kick off on June 12 during the 109th Independence Day of the country.

Mayor Benjamin Lim will lead a floral offering at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Senior Citizens Park at the plaza, which will be followed by the oath-taking of 35 high school leaders who compose the Ogogaw
ya Manlinkor.

The young leaders will be sworn in as acting mayor, acting vice mayor, acting councilors, acting department heads and heads of other agencies of the City Government.

On June 20, the newly-elected city officials led by Mayor-elect Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Vice Mayor-elect Belen Fernandez will take their oath of office at about 10 a.m.

The Agew na Dagupan Night will be held at the Dagupan People’s Astrodome. Choral groups from the different colleges and universities in the city will perform Pangasinan songs.

A highlight of the celebration is the awarding of the 10 outstanding Dagupeños who have given significant contributions to the city.

The Agew na Dagupan will be the last big event under the administration of Lim. It will also a grand welcome for Mayor Fernandez (and his team) who had served for three terms before he was designated as commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

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2 more overpasses going up in Dagupan (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p070608.htm&no=26)

Dagupan City - Two more pedestrian overpasses are slated to be constructed in separate areas of Dagupan City soon after elections.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Fidel Ginez said one of these, costing P4.5 million set on Arellano street, had just been started.

The other project will be located on A.B. Fernandez Avenue just in front of the Philippine National Bank and the Dagupan City hall building.

Ginez said excavation of the project in front of Colegio de Dagupan and the Nepo Mall on Arellano street had just been started.

The two overpass projects are parts of five projects bankrolled by the Countryside Development Assistance Fund of Speaker Jose De Venecia, Jr.

The first of these overpasses located infront of the Dagupan City National High School on Tapuac-Lucao road was already completed before the election.

allan_dude

June 12th, 2007, 08:20 PM

Asian Fisheries Academy in Dagupan ready by July

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/building.jpg
Asian Fisheries Academy

DAGUPAN City is set to further strengthen its position as the bangus capital with the opening in July of the Asian Fisheries Academy (AFA) within the 24-hectare National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) in Bonuan Binloc.

Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Fisheries Research Development Institute (NFRDI) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said if activities are accomplished according to plans, the most modern training facility for fisheries throughout the country will be ready to open its doors by next month to both local and foreign trainees.

The AFA was conceived by officials of the BFAR led by Director Malcolm Sarmiento and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. who bankrolled the construction of the academy’s initial building facility at a cost of P30 million.

The government of Japan, through its embassy in Manila, extended an additional P15 million grant for the furnishings of the academy.

Rosario commended De Venecia for being the chief benefactor of the NIFTDC. The re-elected congressional representative for the Fourth District earlier funded the establishment of the Philippine Bangus Center as well as the country’s first ever live fish market, similar to those existing in Indonesia and Thailand.

“We will first train Filipinos as fishery technicians. But once a year, we will offer the training to international groups,” Rosario said.

He said while AFA seeks to promote the Philippines as center of fisheries and aquaculture technology in Asia and the world, the trainings will also serve as a means by which the institution can raise money in order to become self-sufficient in its operation. (Sunday Punch)

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Japan helps improve bangus production

THE Japanese government, through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is funding a project that will improve the Philippine’s bangus (milkfish) harvest, the country’s number one aquatic product.

Dr. Westly Rosario, director of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and spearheading the JICA-backed project, said the aim is to make the country self-sufficient in its supply of bangus fry in a few years.

Covering a period of three years, the project intends to modernize existing bangus hatcheries, numbering 17 throughout the country, said Rosario, also chief of the Dagupan-based National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC).

Rosario said the project is a big boon to Pangasinan because a big number of fishponds as well as fish cages and pens in various parts of the country are presently empty due to lack of fry.

Today, the Philippine Bangus Center in Dagupan City can only produce 200 million eggs a year which it distributes to the 17 satellite hatcheries all over the country where fish farmers source out their supply of bangus fry.

Moreover, the program seeks to evaluate the performance of the existing hatcheries, including their cost of maintenance, with the objective of improving their efficiency.

Hatchery personnel will also be given training on effective hatchery management.

Rosario said the training on hatchery management already started at the NIFTDC in barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City.

Rosario hailed the JICA-backed project as urgently necessary in the face of the continuing importation of hatchery-bred bangus fry from countries, like Indonesia, Taiwan and Thailand, which is draining the country’s dollar reserves.

A survey of the BFAR showed that the country needs at least 1.8 billion fry yearly in order to sustain the needs of the country’ bangus industry.

To date, little less than 300 million is being imported by the country while the rest is being sourced from local hatcheries, including from fishermen catching fry from the wild. (Sunday Punch)

basti

June 17th, 2007, 03:02 AM

Our first stopover going to Ilocos.
Went to mass first in Manaoag.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q179/asph80/manaoag-ext.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q179/asph80/manaoag-ext3.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q179/asph80/manaoag-ext2.jpg

tyronne

June 21st, 2007, 11:30 AM

A new commercial building with multi-level parking being built on the site of what used to be Urdaneta's Public Market.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1123/579661329_d7accf2d3d_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1377/579661311_cb47930279_o.jpg

A modern building in Urdaneta.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/579661293_b0fb61d1e9_o.jpg

CB Mall, Urdaneta: half of it is already open; the other half, under construction.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1035/579647831_19ac0f1b47_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1122/579661279_00d0d165fb_o.jpg

allan_dude

June 21st, 2007, 01:25 PM

^^ masansanting singa met magic mall so CB mall ah!! marakerakep laba labay ko!

mhe-ann

June 22nd, 2007, 03:47 AM

^^ ano daw? :D nice pics ty!

allan_dude

June 29th, 2007, 09:58 AM

New Pangasinan gov gets funding for airport, sea port (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=regions5_june29_2007)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan— Pangasinan Governor-elect Amado Espino Jr. has enlisted the support of the Department of Transportation and Communications in expanding the Lingayen Airport and the Sual Port.

The governor, who is set to take his oath along with other elected provincial officials at the capitol tomorrow, said there is now fresh hope for the province to reclaim its once vaunted leadership in the areas of agriculture, tourism and investments.

“I call upon all leaders and Pangasinenses to help the province make a fresh start. We have a lot of catching up to do to reclaim our foothold as a premier province,” Espino said.

Espino, along with new Sta. Barbara Mayor Reynaldo Velasco, met with Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza earlier this week to discuss the project and Mendoza ordered the release of P10 million for the rehabilitation of the Lingayen Airport.

The transportation chief also approved the dredging of the Sual Port in preparation to make it an active commercial port in the near future (international sea port) that will complement other major ports in Northern Luzon.

Mendoza also committed to allocate funds for the engineering, design and feasibility studies for a proposed commercial airport project in Sta. Barbara.

Aside from the construction of an airport and international sea port, Espino vowed to restore peace and order in Pangasinan in the wake of unsolved recent political killings of San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello and San Manuel Vice Mayor Bonie Apilado.

Espino also outlined his other top priorities for tourism and investment promotions; environmental protection having started the Lingayen Gulf War, a crusade to save the endangered Lingayen Gulf when he was Pangasinan police director in the early 1990s; sports development and hosting of national and international events using the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, which Espino helped build when he served as Palarong Pambansa secretariat chairman and completed the construction for sprawling Palaro grounds in 49 days.

Meanwhile, former President Fidel Ramos welcomed the election of Espino even as he urged Pangasinan folk “to move ahead and together perform, reform and transform for a more bountiful Pangasinan and more competitive Philippines.”

Ramos called upon the people of Pangasinan under the leadership of Espino to meet the need for an aggressive and pro-active investment, trade and tourism promotion plan that specifies where investors can put in their capital, what types of business to go into and how to get started.

“The provincial officials must come out and market an investment masterplan. If present and future leaders of Pangasinan are to address grinding poverty effectively, they must first hammer out a workable plan and strategize how to do it through consistent teamwork. Getting people to put up stakes in new businesses anchored on the province’s strength and wealth, is one important part of such a strategic plan.”

Espino will formally take his oath of office along with other elected provincial officials namely: Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias Agabas; Provincial Board members Alice Pulido and Danilo Dizon (First District), Vonmark Mendoza and Nestor Reyes (Second District), Romeo Dadacay and Angel Baniqued (Third District), Jeremy Agerico Rosario and Liberato Villegas (Fourth District), Charissma Salud Carancho and Danilo Uy (Fifth District) and Tyrone Agabas and Alfonso Bince (Sixth District).

---

New governor evokes fresh hopes for Pangasinan people

Fresh hopes are in store for the province of Pangasinan and its 2.5 million inhabitants with the assumption of office on Saturday of Amado Espino Jr. as governor of the province for the next three years.

A two-time congressman of the second district of Pangasinan, Espino is the first former military and police officer in modern times to become governor of Pangasinan.

The first of course was Vicente Prado from San Jacinto who was appointed first military-politico government of Pangasinan in 1898 but replaced a year later by his second in command, Juan Quesada from Dagupan, and another Katipunero, Daniel Maramba from Sta. Barbara who reigned as governor from 1916 to 22.

Espino was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1972 but left the police service before he can earn a star rank to respond to the more demanding challenge of public service.

On the eve of his formal assumption of office, Espino called on all Pangasineses to help him build a better province, one that can equal with all the best in the entire country in all phases of undertakings.

“I call upon all leaders and Pangasinenses to help the province make a fresh start. We have a lot of catching up to do to reclaim our foothold as a premier province,” Espino urged his province mates.

The 2.5 million Pangasinenses are pinning their hopes on Espino to make their once premier province reclaim its vaunted leadership in the areas of agriculture, tourism and investments after allegedly being left out by neighboring provinces for nearly a decade after the Ramos presidency.

Espino’s electoral victory in the May 14 was unprecedented as he battled major institutions, one of them the Agbayani name which ruled the province for more than three decades starting from the late Aguedo to the outgoing Victor, now congressman of the province’s second district.

On top of this, was the Iglesia Ni Cristo that endorsed Victor’s wife, Dr. Jamie Eloise Agbayani; and, the Catholic Church that likewise endorsed either Jamie Agbayani or Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino.

More popularly known as Spines, both in the military and in the campaign trail, Espino campaigned on a platform of efficient and transparent governance, a strong economic program to solve widespread poverty and joblessness in the province, human resource development with emphasis on upgrading basic education, building of strategic infrastructure projects which were mostly suspended during the Agbayani years.

To show his firm resolve to put Pangasinan back on the right track to progress and development, Espino along with new Sta. Barbara Mayor Reynaldo V. Velasco, himself a retired three star police general, succeeded in getting the early release of P10 million from the Department of Transportation and Communication for the rehabilitation of the Lingayen airport.

They got this when they paid a courtesy call early this week on Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza, himself a former police director general.

Aside from this, Mendoza approved the dredging of the Sual Port as a preparation for making it an active commercial port in the near future that can complement other major ports in Northern Luzon.

Mendoza also committed to allocate funds for the engineering, design and feasibility studies for a proposed commercial airport project in Sta. Barbara.

At the same time, Espino vowed to restore peace and order in Pangasinan in the wake of unsolved recent political killings of San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello and San Manuel Vice Mayor Bonie Apilado.

In the campaign, Espino vowed to also put an end to cattle rustling which is till rampant in some towns of central Pangasinan, particularly in San Carlos City.

Espino also outlined his other top priorities for Pangasinan which are: tourism and investments promotions; environmental protection, sports development and hosting of national and international events using the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, venue of the 1995 Palarong Pambansa.

At the same time, former President Ramos welcomed the election of Governor Espino as he called his fellow Pangasinenses "to move ahead and together perform, reform and transform for a more bountiful Pangasinan and more competitive Philippines."

Ramos called upon the people of Pangasinan “to meet the needs for an aggressive and pro-active investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Plan and Programs – one that is specific enough to tell potential investors where they can put in their investment capital, what types of business to go into, and how to get started."

He said: "The provincial officials must come out and market an investment Master Plan. If present and future leaders of Pangasinan are to address grinding poverty effectively, they must first hammer out a workable plan and strategize how to do it through consistent teamwork”.

Espino will take his oath of office along with other elected provincial officials namely: Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas; Provincial Board members Alice Pulido and Danilo Dizon (first district), Von Mark Mendoza and Nestor Reyes (second district), Romeo Dadacay and Angel Baniqued (third district), Jeremy Agerico Rosario and Liberato Villegas (fourth district), Charissma Salud Carancho and Danilo Uy (fifth district) and Tyrone Agabas and Alfonso Bince (sixth district).

allan_dude

July 11th, 2007, 09:13 AM

Velasco vows to make Sta. Barbara a model town (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/08/velasco-vows-to-make-sta-barbara-a-model-town/)

STA. BARBARA — Watch out for our town, Sta. Barbara!

This was the gist of the inaugural speech delivered by Mayor Reynaldo Velasco last June 30 at the jampacked Daniel Maramba National High School as he reiterated his vow to pursue the 10-point agenda which he presented during the campaign period.

Velasco’s 10-point program cover “Reform in governance, Education for all, Youth and Sports Development, Values formation and strengthening, Environmental Care and Protection, Livelihood programs and jobs creation, Agricultural Productivity, Social and health services, Community Partnership, and Peace and Order.”

He said he will turn Sta. Barbara into a model town through his 10-point agenda, particularly in terms of peace and order.

Velasco, a former three-star police general, proclaimed “we intend to make Sta. Barbara the safest town in Pangasinan, safe to its residents, safe to businessmen, safe to visitors - in their homes, in their place of work and on the streets. But it will be the most dangerous place to criminals. I advise any criminal, or would-be criminal to leave the town of Sta. Barbara soonest. It is dangerous to your health.”

He also listed flood mitigation, irrigation, and agricultural productivity as priority projects in the next three years.

The new mayor said benefits presented by Sta. Barbara’s proximity to the cities of Urdaneta, Dagupan and San Carlos will be maximized particularly in the supply of commercial crops and other products.

Housing development, he added, will be adopted as a business development for the fast growing suburb and services which need to be supported and encouraged.

“We will invite and encourage more real estate developers to make Sta. Barbara a primary housing development center in Pangasinan,” he said.

He also disclosed that he will push for the development of the airport project was earlier endorsed by five Pangasinan solons to be situated on a 500-hectare marginal land specifically in the corridors of Barangays Erfe and Leet.

Together with Governor Amado Espino Jr., Velasco said they met with Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza to put this airport project on track.

Mendoza committed to provide the initial funding for the engineering and technical studies for the airport project and to help source investors to implement it.

On his first week in office, Velasco began instilling the value of punctuality and work ethic by reporting to work before 7 a.m. as an example to all the municipal employees.

“We have to change if we want to give better service to the people. I expect them to be at their offices by 8 a.m. as I go to the mayor’s office 7 a.m.,” said Velasco.

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Lingayen plans more eco-tourism projects (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/08/lingayen-plans-more-eco-tourism-projects/)

LINGAYEN—A survey of public lands is currently being undertaken by the municipal government here to look into possible sites for the development of eco-tourism projects.

The area being surveyed is the long historic coastline where then US General Douglas MacArthur landed on Jan.9, 1945, to fulfill his “I Shall Return” promise.

Mayor Ernesto Castañeda Jr. told local newsmen that he invited Tuesday officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to prepare and start the project which he described as “long overdue”, as several investors have signified interest to develop the area.

Castañeda said this is also in line with the thrust of Governor Amado Espino Jr. to develop this town, considered as the “heart and soul” of Pangasinan.

He added the long coastal area here can compare with the popular beaches in other parts of the country frequently patronized by local and foreign tourists.

He also called on barangay officials to be vigilant against squatters who set up illegal structures along the beach.

Castañeda recalled that then President Fidel Ramos had issued a presidential proclamation setting aside about 200 hectares of land along the town’s coastal area in the western part here for golf course and eco-tourism projects.

ivanhenares

July 16th, 2007, 07:39 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/390972446_eff02496b2_o.jpg
is now operational!

Dry-run stage from July 16 to 31
Grand opening on August 1

tyronne

July 17th, 2007, 01:41 AM

^^Nakita ko to nung nagkabaret kami sa Carmen (joke hehe) eh parang ang layo nya sa kabihasnan hehe! Pero parang ok hitsura nya, moderno rin.

ivanhenares

July 17th, 2007, 06:16 AM

^^Nakita ko to nung nagkabaret kami sa Carmen (joke hehe) eh parang ang layo nya sa kabihasnan hehe! Pero parang ok hitsura nya, moderno rin.

Dun lilipat ang kabihasnan. Watch out for the plans of the Municipal Government. :)

tyronne

July 17th, 2007, 08:16 AM

^^Di ba nga may plans silang gawing municipality na rin ang Carmen pero hindi pa yata ma-meet yung requirements?

allan_dude

July 17th, 2007, 09:33 PM

^^Nakita ko to nung nagkabaret kami sa Carmen (joke hehe) eh parang ang layo nya sa kabihasnan hehe! Pero parang ok hitsura nya, moderno rin.

Oo maganda nga yung terminal nadaanan ako last Sunday, parang stretched "V" yung roof. Mejo may kaliitan yung complex, tapos parang wala masyadong parking space para sa mga mini bus, pujs, trike

Dun lilipat ang kabihasnan. Watch out for the plans of the Municipal Government. :)

Hmmm baka ililipat na yung Poblacion sa Carmen? sa Carmen East or Carmen West? Highway lang kasi naghahati sa dalawa daba. :lol:

^^Di ba nga may plans silang gawing municipality na rin ang Carmen pero hindi pa yata ma-meet yung requirements?

Parang narinig ko yan sa tita ko na taga Carmen West. I guess kulang pa sa population unless pag merge nila yung mga karapit na pook. Katabing bayan ng Santo Tomas 10 barangays lang then 12,000+ population. Hatiin nalang nila Rosales. :)

allan_dude

July 17th, 2007, 09:36 PM

BEACHES OF BURGOS

7_Zso7xoahs

Northern Catch (NC) Atin 'To'; ABS-CBN Regional Network Group (Northern Luzon)

Lili

July 18th, 2007, 06:38 AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/390972446_eff02496b2_o.jpg
is now operational!

Dry-run stage from July 16 to 31
Grand opening on August 1

^^Di ba nga may plans silang gawing municipality na rin ang Carmen pero hindi pa yata ma-meet yung requirements?

Oo maganda nga yung terminal nadaanan ako last Sunday, parang stretched "V" yung roof. Mejo may kaliitan yung complex, tapos parang wala masyadong parking space para sa mga mini bus, pujs, trike

Hmmm baka ililipat na yung Poblacion sa Carmen? sa Carmen East or Carmen West? Highway lang kasi naghahati sa dalawa daba. :lol:

Parang narinig ko yan sa tita ko na taga Carmen West. I guess kulang pa sa population unless pag merge nila yung mga karapit na pook. Katabing bayan ng Santo Tomas 10 barangays lang then 12,000+ population. Hatiin nalang nila Rosales. :)

Are the younger generation Pangasinenses still familiar with Philippine film icon Carmen Rosales (the Greta Garbo of the Philippines) after whom these municipalities were named?

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k60/ECdoesit2/CarmenRosales.jpg
Carmen Rosales with Rogelio Dela Rosa (who became the first actor-senator and almost president of the Philippines had Diosdado Macapagal implored him not to run.)

ivanhenares

July 18th, 2007, 06:57 PM

Are the younger generation Pangasinenses still familiar with Philippine film icon Carmen Rosales (the Greta Garbo of the Philippines) after whom these municipalities were named?

I don't think that is right. Carmen is not a municipality which is why the Wikipedia entry of Carmen Rosales the actress is obviously inaccurate. If I'm not mistaken, Rosales was already named Rosales even before Carmen Rosales was born. In fact, I'd like to believe it was the other way around and that Carmen Rosales is a screen name she adopted from the barangay and the town. And imagine the thought of naming a barangay and town after an actress. But after doing some research on the net, it seems to me it's simply a coincidence.

allan_dude

July 19th, 2007, 10:21 AM

From Rosales Official Website (http://rosales.gov.ph):

"From the tales related from the past, Rosales, long before the coming of the Spaniards conquistadors, was a verdant forest abounding with its flora and fauna. A veritable haven of wild life, the people found to be rich and promising. But what caught their whims and captivated their hearts , where lush of growth Gardenia, popularly known as ROSAL, whose large white flowers fill the air with luscious fragrance. These beautiful and alluring flowers were wholesome and lovely sight , that it inspired people to call their new haven ROSALES, meaning the habitat of Rosal.

On the other hand, the Spaniards who later conquered the country, refuted this source of name with another version of their own as found in the Spanish Encyclopedia (“ESPASA”) from p330, col.2, p.240, col.2, Rosales according to them, was founded as a ranch area by pioneering Filipino named Nicolas Banes. In 1852, it was created as a separate municipality with it’s own “Gobernadorcillo” and a separate parish priest. It was named in honor of Don Antonio Rosales Liberal, an “Oider de la Audencia de manila”. A man noted for his rectitude, industry and learning, he later became “consejo de Filipinas en el ministro Ultamar”.

Prior to the proclamation as a separate municipality, Rosales, which is first, called Panaclaban was a mere sitio of the towns of Cuyapo, Balungao, and Villasis. It was peopled by sturdy and pioneering Ilocanos whose fortitude, industry and thrift cleared little by little the once proud and unyielding forest in order that that they could have land of their own. A tale of the potentialities and riches of the place were related by them to their kins and soon, like proverbial messiah, they came in flocks, braving and hiking their way through vales and dales, rivers and streams, enduring the weather and all the hardships with the hope that they shall have land of their own.
Upon reaching Rosales, they sighed with relief and happiness, because long before their eager eyes, lies the promise land. Rich, wide, and promising. Then the exodus of emigrants not only from Ilocos but other places endlessly to such better life is hard to find in their native soil."

____
^^ Nagkataon nga lang siguro. :colgate:

allan_dude

July 24th, 2007, 10:27 PM

Pangasinan officials laud airport plan in Alaminos City (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070724165954170)

Officials of Pangasinan lauded an announcement by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that Alaminos City is being highly considered as site of an international airport as part of the projects envisioned for the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle.

The project was announced by President Arroyo during her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday at the joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., who was among Pangasinan officials who were in the Batasang Pambansa to listen to President Arroyo's SONA, said an international airport is a major breakthrough in air transport.

He said once it is constructed and made operational, it could bring in unquantifiable benefits to the province and the people.

Fernandez said President Arroyo mentioned that an international airport is being considered in Alaminos,some 30 kilometers west of Dagupan located in the western corridor of the province.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez of Dagupan City said an international airport in Alaminos could spell an unprecedented economic boom in the province.

She said this could open the door to tourists as well as investors and put the entire province as well as Dagupan City in the mainstream of development.

As announced by President Arroyo, the project would be included among the mega projects lined up under the NLAC, covering Regions 1, II, Cordilleras, and parts of Region III.

Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza said since he assumed office as mayor six years ago, he already started to plan for an international airport in Alaminos where planes bringing in foreigners could land.

He said the project will cater to the needs of tourists going to the Hundred Islands, whose management and supervision was already turned over by the national government to the city government.

He said the Hundred Islands was even ahead of Boracay but the drawback of the former is the absence of an airport where bigger planes bringing in tourists could land.

Rep. Victor Agbayani (2nd district, Pangasinan), said the political leaders of the province must unite and choose where really is the most convenient site for an international airport.

He said the reason why it is difficult for the province to have been given one airport in the past is because "we compete with our neighboring provinces, like San Fernando, La Union; Clark, Subic, and Loakan Airport in Baguio."

Nevertheless, Agbayani said, "we thank President Arroyo for the announcement."

_____

^^ Wow na-approve na rin! Na mention ko na dati itong proposed project sa previous post ko. Sa wakas mabubuksan na rin sa tourism traffic ang Western Pangasinan and Northern Zambales.

Hope tuloy parin yung airport sa Santa Barbara for Central and Eastern Pangasinan. Soon there'll be 4 airports in Pangasinan: Rosales, Lingayen, Alaminos and Santa Barbara!
:banana:

allan_dude

July 24th, 2007, 11:12 PM

World-class port to be established in Lingayen (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/22/world-class-port-to-be-established-in-lingayen/)

LINGAYEN—The municipal government of this town is keen on pushing for the construction of a world-class wharf in line with its bid to be elevated into city with the support of Governor Amado Espino, Jr.

Representatives from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), through its Port Management Office in San Fernando, La Union, have reportedly completed its survey and evaluation of the proposed site of the wharf in response to an invitation from the local government.

The municipal government had requested PPA to allocate funds for the proposed Lingayen wharf.

The port’s site is being planned along the area of the historic Limahong channel in Domalandan and is mainly intended for tourism development.

In a letter sent to Mayor Ernesto “Jonas” Castañeda, PPA submitted its observation that the proposed site is located in an open sea with no natural barriers for waves and sea action.

PPA further noted that the river bank of Agno River/Limahong Channel is being utilized as landing area for passengers coming from the various barangays separated by the river. Thus, construction of boat/banca landing on both sides of the river would be of great help to the residents of the concerned barangays.

“The proposed port is envisioned to serve as a jump-off point from Lingayen to other tourist destinations such as Sual and Alaminos in Pangasinan and the Ilocos Provinces,” Mayor Castañeda said.

_____

Lingayen, sleepy town no longer (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/23/here-and-there-72/)
By Gerry Garcia

LINGAYEN’S days of being a lazy sleepy town are numbered. An energetic hands-on mayor is presently at the helm of administration and is leaving no stone unturned, especially when a military-man-turned-congressman became this province’s new governor. Former Gen. Amado “Spines” Espino, now governing Luzon’s largest province, presently finds himself and his family residing at Urduja House in Lingayen facing the historic Lingayen Gulf and on a coastline he has always deemed the “heart and soul” of tourism in Pangasinan.

A top priority in Espino’s program of development projects is the enhancement of tourism, especially in Lingayen where he now resides and where the provincial capitol, in which he holds office, stands.

Seems ironic, he says, that Lingayen town which has been the provincial government center for decades still remains a town, a rural community flanked on both sides by the flourishing cities of Dagupan in the east and Alaminos in the west.

Even next-door neighbor Binmaley is presently gunning for cityhood.

Lingayen fortunately has a mayor sharing common vibrations with the governor with spine, a strong backbone.

Lingayen Mayor Ernesto Castañeda’s government is coordinating with the provincial government in a comprehensive survey to determine the public lands sufficiently ripe for development into eco-tourism sites, some areas being surveyed for development happily coincide with those being eyed by Espino as the “heart and soul” of tourism in Pangasinan — the long historic coastline in Lingayen.

Gov. Espino, being himself a military-man, is not unaware of the historic significance of the Lingayen coastline. It was where then Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his liberation forces landed on Jan. 9, 1945 to liberate Luzon from Japanese occupation.

Downtown Lingayen has of late been receptive of additional Manila-based investments, like Chowking, Jollibee, etc. Mayor Castañeda further revealed that several investors have already signified intention to come to Lingayen and put up eco-tourism in partnership with local entrepreneurs.

_____

Velasco wants international airport in Sta. Barbara (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/22/international-airport-eyed-in-sta-barbara/)

STA. BARBARA–If Gov. Amado Espino Jr. can’t possibly be serious about the plan to put up an airport in the province to make it more accessible to tourists and businessmen, Mayor Reynaldo Velasco is.

The mayor sounded resolute knowing that the Air Transportation Office (ATO) has already made initial studies for the establishment of an international airport in Sta. Barbara.

Velasco confirmed that there are such studies and that Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza is sending a team to Sta. Barbara soon to conduct a confirmatory study.

Velasco, accompanied Espino to Mendoza’s office in Manila where the latter also announced the release of P10 million for the rehabilitation of the Lingayen feeder airport.

Mayor Velasco said the DOTC confirmatory study will center on a 500-hectare property in barangay Leet that is part of the Hacienda de los Reyes.

Velasco, a retired three-star police general and one time police deputy director general, said the proposal for the construction of an international airport is not new.

He said this had been endorsed in the 13th Congress by five congressmen from Pangasinan, among them Espino.

The other congressmen are Generoso Tulagan of the third district, Mark Cojuangco of the fifth district, Conrado Estrella III of the sixth district and Arturo Celeste of the first district.

“The confirmatory study should start soon, so the livelihood program we are putting up in the area will not be jeopardized,” said Velasco who was Espino’s upper class man in the Philippine Military Academy.

Velasco emphasized that what would be put up is an international airport, not a feeder airport such as the one located in Lingayen.

He vowed that if the project will not be realized in his first term of office, he will seek a second and even a third term of office to pursue the airport’s construction–LM

_____

^^ Lingayen City! Binmaley City!

^^ Seaport for cruise ships and another International Airport for Pangsinan? How COOL! Now is really the time to catch up and regain our lost glory!

I also hope the proposed Pangasinan Arterial Road/ Pangasinan Expressway gets built soon. This is different from TLUTEP.

tyronne

July 25th, 2007, 02:39 AM

Sana nga magawa lahat yan dahil napag-iiwanan na ang Pangasinan.

kalbongdad

July 25th, 2007, 04:39 AM

lakas nyo talaga....iba talaga ang tinitingnan sa tinititigan.....anyway...good for you...

tyronne

July 27th, 2007, 06:00 AM

Carmen-Rosales transport terminal to open August 1
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/07/27/news/carmen.rosales.transport.terminal.to.open.august.1.html

ROSALES -- After more than a year of construction work, the Carmen-Rosales Central Transport Terminal will be inaugurated this August 1.

Rosales Mayor Ricardo Revita said their special guests will be President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos, Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group head Antonio Villar Jr., and Pangasinan sixth district Representative Conrado Estrella III.

There is a temporary terminal in the town that is situated at a lot owned by the Estrella family. It is being rented by the local government.

But Revita said the Rosales Municipal Government opted to relocate the terminal after the SM management bought a big parcel of land near the temporary terminal. He said the SM management is planning to put up a mall in the area.

The new Carmen-Rosales transport terminal is situated a few meters away from the previous one. It is owned by Hausland Development Corporation (HDC).

The transfer of the terminal to a new site and partnership with HDC was made by virtue of an ordinance passed early last year by the Municipal Council chaired by reelected Rosales Vice Mayor Romeo Sim.

The Municipal Government agreed that HDC would develop the company's two-hectare lot into a transport terminal with a 70-30 percent income-sharing scheme in favor of the town that would take effect for 25 years. (LCMY/Sunnex)

ivanhenares

July 27th, 2007, 09:10 AM

^^ Nagkamali ata si Mayor dun sa info about FVR. Ibang Gen. Ramos yung pupunta. Hehe!

allan_dude

July 27th, 2007, 03:47 PM

^^ Wow full force ang supporta ng local and national gov't ha! Big time talaga mga Estrella. Dami pa nila business interests sa Carmen.

Sinong Gen. Ramos? May artista ba na darating? :lol:

allan_dude

July 30th, 2007, 12:02 PM

Sual, Pangasinan

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1105/699451731_f865c5efff.jpg?v=0
Cabalitian Island Photo from Flickr/ Bingbing (http://flickr.com/photos/bingramos/699451731/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/105/316307814_ffde702a7c.jpg?v=0
Photo from Flickr/ Kinamalig (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/105/316307814_ffde702a7c.jpg?v=0)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1130/699452767_525d47f90e.jpg
Photo from Flickr/ Bingbing (http://flickr.com/photos/bingramos/699452767/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/119/316307815_7369d40ad9.jpg?v=0
Photo from Flickr/ Kinamalig (http://flickr.com/photos/49047110@N00/316307815/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/511773221_701d9a61b2.jpg?v=0
Photo from Flickr/ kitflores (http://flickr.com/photos/kitflores/511773221/)

ivanhenares

July 30th, 2007, 04:23 PM

^^ Wow full force ang supporta ng local and national gov't ha! Big time talaga mga Estrella. Dami pa nila business interests sa Carmen.

Sinong Gen. Ramos? May artista ba na darating? :lol:

Ooops, it's not owned by the Estrellas. That's the old terminal.

allan_dude

July 30th, 2007, 09:33 PM

Ooops, it's not owned by the Estrellas. That's the old terminal.

Thanks for the info! :okay:

_____

Dagupan City picked as pilot area for Swedish project (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/30/dagupan-city-picked-as-pilot-area-for-swedish-project/)
DAGUPAN City has been chosen by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) as one of the recipients of the Program on Sustainable Sanitation for East Asia-Philippines (SEA-Philippines).
Other recipients of the program are Alabel, Eastern Samar; Ormoc, Leyte; Saranggani City; General Santos City; and Mountain Province.
In line with this grant, the city government will soon enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health (DOH) that will formalize and confirm their partnership for the implementation of the program.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. will sign it with Yolanda Oliveros, Director IV of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health, along with DOH Regional Director Eduardo Janairo and City Health Officer Leonard Carbonell witnessing the signing.

Carbonell said the city will receive approximately US$200,000 (or P9 million) aside from the additional grants that will be given by SIDA to other deserving ongoing sanitation-related projects in the city.

Mayor Fernandez said the project also aims to address health concerns associated with sanitation, noting reports that poor sanitation and management of domestic waste water has led to health problems and even death among thousands of Filipinos, especially children under the age of 5.
Among the activities to be undertaken is identification of strategies to protect existing water sources and water eco-system as well as the development of surveillance mechanisms for diarrhea.
_____

Velasco holds 2-day job fair in Sta. Barbara for 600 posts (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/30/velasco-holds-2-day-job-fair-in-sta-barbara-for-600-posts/)

SANTA BARBARA—A two two-day Victorey Job Fair will be held here from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Orbos Gymnasium on July 30-31 for job-seekers in the town and Pangasinan.
Mayor Reynaldo Velasco said his long-time job generation partner at Wu Kong (S) Pte. Ltd. will arrive to accept applications and evaluate the qualifications of potential employees.

“Shortly after I assumed as new mayor, my office has been swamped with job applicants for possible slots in the municipal government. Since there are not many available vacancies, we cannot accept them all and we also just can’t get rid of civil servants out of respect for Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules,” he said.

As an alternative, Velasco alerted his Japanese friend Ito Odajima, administrative officer of Wu Kong (S) Pte. Ltd., to open new job opportunities for those qualified among his constituents.

Velasco said that Wu Kong has 600 job openings for production assistant supervisors who are 26-35 years old and graduates in engineering courses; production team leaders who are 23-30 years old engineering graduates; safety engineers who are 23 to 26 years engineering graduates;

Office staff personnel who are20 to 26 years and graduate in any 4-year course like psychology; factory workers who are 18-28 years old, at least high school graduates, welders who are18 to 28 years with knowledge and skills in welding and fabrication, and maintenance crew who are 21-28 years old and graduates in a vocational course or mechanical engineering).

Applicants will be asked to submit their bio-data, SSS employment history and 2 x 2 pictures.

He hinted that the employer is particular about personal appearance of its employees and therefore advised particularly the male applicants to be presentable when applying.
Those who will pass the screening will be given free medical examination in a mobile clinic to be provided by Wu Kong.

Velasco said that it was not difficult for Wu Kong to employ Pangasinenses since those who were previously hired rendered a good account of themselves and were known to be hard working, professionals and honest.

Velasco already conducted at least five similar job fairs in Central Pangasinan that provided jobs to more than 500 workers.

Wu Kong, an ISO 9001-2000 certified company engaged in the manufacture of pre-fabricated wood, glass and steel components of Japanese houses using state-of-the-art technology, has a working partnership with Suzuki Philippines.—LM

_____

GMA oks Alaminos international airport (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/07/30/gma-oks-alaminos-international-airport/) ANOTHER MEGA PROJECT
P700 million worth,to be built in 3 years
ALAMINOS City is it.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her State of the Nation Address Monday, announced that an airport will be constructed in this city, home to the Hundred Islands National Park.

Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza, overjoyed by the pronouncement, said in a press conference that this has long been a dream of their community.

“This has been the dream of the city of Alaminos and the First District of Pangasinan, and Pangasinan as well. We’re happy that this dream will soon be a reality,” Braganza said.

While Braganza is optimistic that the President will deliver on her promise, he is not certain whether the funding for the airport is already included in the P1.2 trillion budget for 2008 signed by President Arroyo for Congress approval.

The airport, which will be part of the “mega” projects lined up for the development of the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle, is estimated to cost P700 million and is envisioned to be completed by 2010, the end of President Arroyo’s term.

The Alaminos International Airport will be a commercial airport that can accommodate flights to-and-fro the Asian region, Braganza said.
The airport is expected to be situated in some 100 to 200 hectares of land situated between Alaminos and the adjacent towns, particularly Sual and Mabini.
“NOT A TURF WAR”

At least five other towns in Pangasinan have been eyeing an airport, including Lingayen, Alaminos, Sta. Barbara, Mapandan and Rosales.
There are already existing designated airstrips in Rosales and Lingayen towns but these facilities have technical defects and no other improvements have been undertaken in the past decades.

The plan for the commercial airport prepared during the time of President Fidel Ramos was for Alaminos, when Braganza who was then a congressman.

Braganza stressed that Alaminos is best suited for an airport given the existence of support infrastructure not found in other towns
These include the 1,200 megawatt Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant, the Sual Seaport and the officially declared economic zone in Pangasinan of which Alaminos, Sual, Mabini, Bani and Villasis are included.

Alaminos City is also the home of the Hundred Islands, number one tourist destination in Pangasinan.

He added, “We should not reduce this airport (project) into a turf war.”
“Hindi tayo nang-aagaw ng pangarap ng ibang kababayan natin (We are not snatching the dream of our provincemates),” he said.
“This will not just be an airport for tourism purposes but it will also be an airport that will make Pangasinan accessible to businessmen, and enable Pangasinenses to export their agricultural products to other countries,” Braganza said.

The initial P700 million to be allocated for the project will be used to develop a 1.2 kilometer runway. More funds would be needed if the runway has to be extended to 1.9 kilometers to accommodate cargo planes.–LM/EVA

_____

^^ Naku mukhang mahihirapan si Mayor Velasco tuparin yung Santa Barbara International Airport. Tama ata sinabi nya, aabutin pa sya ng third term para magkatotoo lang pangarap nya.

1.2 kilometer runway para sa Alaminos International Airport? May mag take-off man na ATRs, Bae Jets, Embrear or Bombardier airplanes ayos lang. Not bad as long as may mga direct flights from our East Asian travel market.

allan_dude

August 1st, 2007, 02:26 PM

PGMA inaugurates P30-million Central Transport Terminal in Pangasinan (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070801121905317)

Expect easy and fast travel from Manila to northern Luzon provinces after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated Wednesday the Carmen Rosales Central Transport Terminal (CRCTT) here, a vital "crossroad" linking Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the Ilocos region, Baguio and the Cagayan Valley.

For the past weeks, the President has been inaugurating various infrastructure projects in Luzon provinces to highlight her Super Regions development strategy, particularly the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB) and the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle (NLAQ) aimed at greatly reducing travel time of commuters, food items, and other produce goods and services to and from the provinces and Metro Manila.

The President had earlier inaugurated in Subic, Zambales the New Container Terminal 1 and the entry of airline carrier Pacific Pearl Airways which are touted to be major investments in the Philippines and form part of the Luzon Urban Beltway.

The President was accompanied by House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Pangasinan Rep. Conrado Estrella III, Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. and Rosales Mayor Ricardo Revita.

The CRCTT is a joint venture project of the Municipality of Rosales and the Hausland Development Corp. led by its president Wilfredo Tan.

The Pangasinan terminal facilities project cost its builders P30 million. Of the total income of the CRCTT, 30 percent will go to the Rosales local government, despite the fact that the town did not spend a single cent for the construction of the transport terminal.

The CRCTT is seen as a vital infrastructure project that will boost growth and development in the area as well as reduce traffic congestion.

It would provide 24-hour services to commuters and drivers and spacious parking area for jeepneys, minibuses and buses, a safe waiting area for commuters; 30 stalls for restaurants, refreshment stands and souvenir and tourism display centers, clean restrooms and a roving phalanx of security personnel. (PNA)

ivanhenares

August 1st, 2007, 04:58 PM

Here are some photos from the inauguration this morning...

http://images.ivanhenares.multiply.com/image/4/photos/176/orig/8/invyts_final.jpg?et=aORo5HOGHfqk2CvKLQi2eQ
Invitation to the event

http://images.ivanhenares.multiply.com/image/5/photos/176/orig/1/DSC02759.jpg?et=ek3PS%2BmyMxZaEA5LDZpwEQ
Yours truly welcoming the President to the terminal

http://images.ivanhenares.multiply.com/image/4/photos/176/orig/4/DSC_0156.jpg?et=uIVT%2BYPT2m7VsxSe%2B%2BMR%2Bg
http://images.ivanhenares.multiply.com/image/4/photos/176/orig/5/DSC_0165.jpg?et=G3NWtOnt%2BDFsXAaIOugCzw
Unveiling of the CRCTT marker

More photos in http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/176

allan_dude

August 4th, 2007, 11:20 PM

Urdaneta City eyeing first class status (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070804174319904)

With its promising economy as the melting pot and center of commerce and education in eastern Pangasinan, Urdaneta City is now eyeing to jump from second to first class status, best in other cities in the province and in Ilocos region.

An elated Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. announced the city posted an income of P440 million last year, derived from local taxes and Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), excluding P123 million from its own City of Urdaneta University (CUU).

The city-operated CUU, a model for all local government units, is virtually the goose that lays the golden eggs for Urdaneta as it earns extra income for the city's general fund.

Observers keenly watching Urdaneta's phenomenal rise in economy said with more opportunities coming its way soon, the city's first class status may now be in the bag.

"We might come to that, but let me clarify that we are not competing with other cities in Pangasinan," Perez said, referring to Dagupan, San Carlos and Alaminos cities.

He said that due to sound financial management and moderation in expenses, the city was able to realize an unprecedented P44 million surplus from its budget last year.

In 2005, Urdaneta was tagged by the Commission on Audit as having the biggest in savings and the lowest in expenditures among all cities in Region 1.

Now on his third term as mayor of Urdaneta, Perez said that although they earn more now, he sees to it that they come up with a very conservative budget each year in order to prevent the city from incurring deficit.

When Perez assumed as city mayor in 2001 after completing three terms in Congress, he was shocked to find out that the city had maturing loans with various financial institutions almost up to its neck.

With the city's finances in disarray, he put it back to shape by ordering a strict policy of belt-tightening. He was also compelled to order the laying off of casual employees to pay its obligations with the banks. These efforts, complemented by vigorous tax collections, enabled the city to write off all its loans with different financial institutions in less than three years.

Perez foresees the opening of the high-rise Building-B of the public market financed by a new loan of P170 million from the Development Bank of the Philippines to further soar economic opportunities in the city.

Building B will complement Building A, built two years ago through self-help, as additional attractions for investors who may want to expand their business to the city.

Building A was financed by joint contributions from Rep. Mark Cojuangco of the fifth district of P80 million and P15 million from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, both of which were complemented by local funds of P60 million.

Both Buildings A and B of the public market, designed to have pay parking areas in their third and fourth floors, assure enough stalls for anybody who wants to do business in the city.

At the same time, Perez announced that a multi-national company is negotiating to buy a 49-hectare property along the Mac Arthur Highway between Urdaneta City and Sta. Barbara town which it seeks to convert into an industrial center.

He, however, declined to identify the company and the project that it intends to build until its deal with the landowners in the city are closed.

Tagged as the single factor that made Urdaneta more attractive to investors was the recent completion of the widening of the Mac Arthur highway that relieved the once congested highway of unnecessary heavy traffic.

Shoe Mart Inc. has also acquired a property in barangay Anonas a few years ago but its plan to build a mall was stalled for the meantime due to unsettled land dispute. (PNA)

Sinjin P.

August 6th, 2007, 05:38 AM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1179/1013816011_527aad4469_b.jpg
Manaoag Church by jun acullador (http://flickr.com/photos/acullador/)

Sinjin P.

August 6th, 2007, 05:40 AM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1238/951152122_dba7d1d345_b.jpg
The Hundred Islands by amfindingmyself (http://flickr.com/photos/44168815@N00/)

iamjomar

August 6th, 2007, 01:51 PM

i hope i could have the chance to be there in Alaminos especially the Hundred Islands...its so grand!

allan_dude

August 6th, 2007, 10:17 PM

Pangasinan Aerial Photos
Courtesy of Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/author/tonetriv/) and worldpress.com (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/) (Please wait for photos to load)
(http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)
http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Alaminos.JPG
Alaminos Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Hundred%20Islands.JPG
Hundred Islands Photo from Tonet (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/06%2012%2027-31%20Flying%20North/DSCN4782.JPG
Hundred Islands Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Pangasinan%20coastline.JPG
"The Pangasinan coastline south of the islands is beautiful, if not often extolled." Photo and text from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Coral.JPG
"There are bays and coves that could be great dive spots, with underwater coral ledges and walls clearly revealed by our aerial reconnaissance. And we were 5,500 feet high!" Photo and text from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Sual.JPG
Sual Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Sual%20hydro%20plant.JPG
Sual Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Mabini.JPG
"Mabini is also the site of the Malaysian Proton car plant, on the upper left corner of the photo." Photo and text from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Lingayen.JPG
Lingayen Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/RPUG%20redux.JPG
Lingayen Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/RPUG.JPG
Lingayen Airport Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Lingayen%20Gulf.JPG
San Fabian Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Sison%20and%20Rosario.JPG
The Bued river, separates Sison from Rosario, La Union Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

http://www.philskies.net/images/RATS/First%20PPL%20flights/07%2005%2011-12%20Flying%20w%20Carlo%20in%20May/Rosales.JPG
Rosales Photo from Tonet Rivera (http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/visual-therapy-touring-our-backyard-in-a-flying-soda-can/)

dancethingy

August 6th, 2007, 10:47 PM

:banana: ^^^^^^^^^ BEAUTIFUL:banana:

What a great set of aerials. I wonder if those moutains were heavily forested in the past. If they were maybe they should create a program to restore the foliage.

:dance:

tyronne

August 7th, 2007, 03:49 AM

Nice aerials! Maganda raw talaga sa western Pangasinan kaso wala yatang magandang daan papunta don?

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/686/rosalesaerialedni0.jpg

Dito pala ako nag-aral nung elementary ako. Dyan din nagtuturo Mama ko until now. I remember yung Agno River malawak pa yung sakop ng tubig tapos naliligo pa kami noon dyan :D

dancethingy

August 7th, 2007, 06:04 AM

^^^^^ You bathed on the river agno? hmmmmmmmm, really :)

tyronne

August 7th, 2007, 06:24 AM

^^We did, when we were little hehe!

dancethingy

August 7th, 2007, 07:31 AM

^^^^ hahaha, i bet you're young enough at heart to relive the past right?

iamjomar

August 7th, 2007, 01:41 PM

wahaha fantastic talaga ang Hundred Islands!!!
I wish I could go there someday.

allan_dude

August 8th, 2007, 01:23 AM

BEAUTIFUL

What a great set of aerials. I wonder if those moutains were heavily forested in the past. If they were maybe they should create a program to restore the foliage.

Yes, may forest cover dati dyan sa mga mountains ng Western Pangasinan especially sa may Zambales Range. Kaso napabayaan ng mga kinauukulan. Nung bata pa ako (80's), from Bayambang makikita mo ang mga bundok sa Mangatarem kulay itim dahil may kaingin. Pag gabi naman kita mo ang apoy.

Nice aerials! Maganda raw talaga sa western Pangasinan kaso wala yatang magandang daan papunta don?

Ty, try mo mag travel sa Western part, mag eenjoy ka talaga! Doon maganda mag photo shoot.

Actually, Western Pangasinan may pinakamagandang road network sa buong province. Dito kasi balwarte ng mga Agbayanis. Next is Eastern, dahil kay FVR. Finally Central Pangasinan yung least developed, though andito yung bulk ng population. Kung nanalo lang sana si Fernando Poe for President na taga San Carlos, e d tiba tiba sana kami ngayon. :lol:

OT: Diba yung mother ni PGMA na si Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal taga Binalonan, Pangasinan? Bakit wala masyadong develpoments na umuulan sa bayan na yan? Lagi ko nalang naririnig may Madam President "Pampanga or Iligan" hometown nya. HumpF!

Not to be rude, pero what i know marami sa "Macaraeg Clan" na um-attend sa family reunion nila before, whereby nagpakita si PGMA, mejo less privileged. Sana naman matulungan sila ni Madam President. May kakilala kasi kami na dumalo sa salo salo nila.

Dito pala ako nag-aral nung elementary ako. Dyan din nagtuturo Mama ko until now. I remember yung Agno River malawak pa yung sakop ng tubig tapos naliligo pa kami noon dyan

Naliligo rin ako before sa Agno River. So yung water na pinagliguan nyo, panliligo palang namin! hahaha kadiri pala! LOL

tyronne

August 8th, 2007, 02:25 AM

Naliligo rin ako before sa Agno River. So yung water na pinagliguan nyo, panliligo palang namin! hahaha kadiri pala! LOL

Ang sama mo, Allan! :lol:

allan_dude

August 8th, 2007, 12:35 PM

Ang sama mo, Allan! :lol:

^^ Loko ka. Totoo kaya!

Ngayon ayaw ko na talaga maligo sa Agno. Major tributaries kasi nya Tarlac River and Camiling River at sa bayan namin nag m-merge yung yung mga ilog sa may Poponto swamp and Mangabul lake. Sa katabing barrio naman ng Wawa kami naliligo dati. Imagine mo nalang yung pollution na galing pa sa Tarlac, Banguet at Easyern Pangasinan. Yuck talaga! :puke:

http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ffb/mapagno.jpg
Image from DOST (http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ffb/pabc.htm)

dancethingy

August 8th, 2007, 02:45 PM

^^^ Is agno river a very polluted river?

allan_dude

August 8th, 2007, 03:57 PM

^^ polluted

dancethingy

August 8th, 2007, 08:37 PM

^^^^ I hope something will be done to arrest the deterioration of our rivers so we all could bathe in them again. Especially tyronne

allan_dude

August 9th, 2007, 11:43 AM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/alcala%20Pol%20station.jpg
ALCALA POLICE STATION
Photo by Cesar Ramirez

Model police station in Alcala opens (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/05/model-police-station-in-alcala-opens/)

ALCALA–Here’s another model police station in the making.

The new police station here inaugurated last Monday, is now being bandied as the latest model for the rest of the province.

“People didn’t expect that a small town like ours, a fourth class municipality, could build a beautiful police station building but we showed to all that if we help one another, we could achieve even the impossible,” said Mayor Manuel Collado.

The building, which sits on a 400 square-meter lot, was built through efforts of the local government, private groups, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP contributed P2.5 million, the local government P1.5 million, and another P500,000 came from the proceeds of the 2005 town fiesta.

The furnishings were donated by a foundation, the class ’61 of the town’s high school while other residents funded the purchase of the office furniture and equipment.

Each of the 23 policemen in the town has an individual bed and cabinet in the building, with comfort rooms, kitchen, dining hall and conference room and a jail.

Impressed with the design of the building, Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, police regional director, said he will make the police station building here a model for other towns to adopt.

__________

Urdaneta maintains 2 city halls (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/05/urdaneta-maintains-2-city-halls/)

URDANETA CITY–This town’s new city hall, the biggest and grandest in the province, has become more of a financial burden to the local government.

Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr., who served his first term in 2001, said there was a significant drop in tax collection when they moved to the new building, which is about five kilometers away from the city proper and requires an additional P10 tricycle ride for people to reach it.

Perez said people prefer to transact business at the old city hall building as reflected in the tax collection increase following his decision to move back to the old site.

The new fully air-conditioned city hall, referred to as the “Malacañang of Pangasinan”, was completed in 2000 at a cost of P80 million, partly financed by a loan.

Perez said their efforts to convince the people to use the new city hall have been in vain. They have also considered leasing out the property but there are no takers.

Currently, about 60 percent of the town’s tax collection arm including the business and mayor’s permit divisions and the treasurer’s office, remain at the old site.

All other departments are holding office at the new site.

Perez admitted the city is spending P250,000 per month for electricity, representing twice its usual consumption at the old city Hall.

The town’s total income, including the P123 million contribution from the government-owned Urdaneta City University, is P523 million. Urdaneta’s Internal Revenue Allotment is P400 million.

Perez said they will continue efforts to persuade townsfolk to begin transacting business at the new city hall and he hopes the building will be fully utilized soon.

__________

Red Cross donates equipment to city (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/05/red-cross-donates-equipment-to-city/)

THE International Committee of the Red Cross turned over a state-of-the-art Water Sanitation (WATSAN) Equipment to the Dagupan City government on July 21.

The equipment, worth approximately P400,000, will utilize and convert waters from rivers and sea near the city into potable water.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. thanked Red Cross for the donation, describing it as timely and needed considering the dry spell plaguing most parts of Luzon.

The WATSAN equipment, which is a mobile device, consists of two tanks that can store up to 10,000 liters and 5,000 liters of water each.

The equipment, through its Watalys device, is also capable of producing stock solution that can be used as an alternative for chlorine granules for water disinfection.

Members of the city disaster coordinating council will be trained by the PNRC on how to operate it.

__________

Agbayani cites past irrigation project (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/05/agbayani-cites-past-irrigation-project/)

Second District Rep. Victor Agbayani said more than 100 communal irrigation systems built by the provincial government when he was governor could now serve to mitigate the long dry-spell now affecting many farmlands in Pangasinan.

It was these irrigation facilities, he said, that enabled many farmers to shift to hybrid rice production, a high-value crop.

“Today, Pangasinan has 17,000 hectares, one of the highest numbers of hectares devoted to hybrid rice in the country,” Agbayani said.

Although palay production is expected to drop this year because of the dry-spell, Agbayani is confident that Pangasinan will remain as the biggest rice producer in the region.

“Last year alone, the increase in the harvest was more than one million cavans or an equivalent of P500 million gross income for our farmers,” Agbayani pointed out.

Refuting claims supposedly made by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. that Pangasinan has been left behind by other smaller provinces, Agbayani said Pangasinan for almost a decade has been ruling the list of provinces in the region in terms of revenue collections.

“The 2007 third and fourth quarter funds are intact. The provincial economy is in good shape. Since my first term in 1998, the province had attained increasing budget surpluses yearly,” Agbayani said.

However, the provincial government needed to borrow P300 million from the Land Bank of the Philippines to fast track implementation of vital projects such as irrigation dams, roads and bridges and the rehabilitation of government hospitals, Agbayani explained.–LM

nayki

August 11th, 2007, 04:22 AM

^^ Loko ka. Totoo kaya!

Ngayon ayaw ko na talaga maligo sa Agno. Major tributaries kasi nya Tarlac River and Camiling River at sa bayan namin nag m-merge yung yung mga ilog sa may Poponto swamp and Mangabul lake. Sa katabing barrio naman ng Wawa kami naliligo dati. Imagine mo nalang yung pollution na galing pa sa Tarlac, Banguet at Easyern Pangasinan. Yuck talaga! :puke:

allan_dude naliligo ka din pala dati sa agno river sa Bayambang....wahehe nung bata ako naliligo din ako dun kasama mga kalaro ko malapit sa palengke. Patakas lang ako maligo nun kasi pagagalitan ako ng lola ko dahil sabi2 sa Bayambang may serena daw dun na nangunguha.. pero madalas meron ngang nalulunod dun tapos sa lingayen gulf na nila nakukuha ung biktima...:ohno:

ishtefh_03

August 11th, 2007, 02:17 PM

Manaoag...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/ishtefh_03/DSC04183.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/ishtefh_03/DSC04169.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/ishtefh_03/DSC04185.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/ishtefh_03/DSC04181.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/ishtefh_03/DSC04170.jpg

allan_dude

August 12th, 2007, 10:39 AM

allan_dude naliligo ka din pala dati sa agno river sa Bayambang....wahehe nung bata ako naliligo din ako dun kasama mga kalaro ko malapit sa palengke. Patakas lang ako maligo nun kasi pagagalitan ako ng lola ko dahil sabi2 sa Bayambang may serena daw dun na nangunguha.. pero madalas meron ngang nalulunod dun tapos sa lingayen gulf na nila nakukuha ung biktima...:ohno:

Cguro labos labos kayo agdigus diay karayan? :lol:

Wen! Marami nga nalulunod samin, lalo na pag may bagyo at nagpalabas mga dam sa Benguet. Scary scene lalo na pag nag swell yung ilog. Makikita mo inaanod ng rumaragasang tubig mga hayup, tao, kalabaw, bahay kubo, puno ng saging etc. Matapos ang wild river ride sa Lingayen beach nga ending nila.

tonetriv

August 13th, 2007, 07:37 PM

Just wanted to thank you folks for visiting Flying in Crosswinds (http://www.tonetcarlo.wordpress.com).

Thanks also for properly crediting the aerial photos.

I live in Bangkok and travel way too much in my job. But I try to come home to Makati once a month or so. Carlo and I fly over Pangasinan occassionaly in our airplane -- if you want me to take more aerial pictures of specific sites, let me know here or at tonet.rivera@bms.com and we'll do our best :)

Ang lola ko (sa panig ng ina ko) taga Mabini, Pangasinan. (Ang lolo ko taga Kawit, Cavite. Malayu-layo ang una nilang tagpuan -- sa Bocaue yata, haha!)

Paminsan-minsan umuuwi ang ina ko sa Mabini. May munting lupain silang magkakapatid doon.

Salamat ulit, at nawa's dumalaw kayo ng madalas sa Flying in Crosswinds (http://www.tonetcarlo.wordpress.com). Marami pang aerial photos at mga kuwento doon ukol sa mahal nating bayan.

Mabuhay!

.

allan_dude

August 13th, 2007, 08:14 PM

Welcome to SSC Kabaleyan! :happy:

Thank you for allowing us to use the materials for progressive discussions.

Gusto ko sana makita aerials ng Bolinao (Santiago Island) and Anda. Pati Dagupan city. Sensya na marami ata ako request.

Fly safe! Cheers!

allan_dude

August 13th, 2007, 08:34 PM

Transport group seeks single coding system for all PUJs (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/12/transport-group-seeks-single-coding-system-for-all-pujs/#more-6104)

MEMBERS of the transport sector in Dagupan led by the Alliance of United Transport Organization Inc. (AUTOCORP) held a dialogue with the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) on Tuesday to seek the amendment of a city ordinance that imposed double-coding days effectively keeping them off the streets for two days.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, who chairs the SP, immediately referred the request to a committee for the scheduling of hearing days to tackle the matter.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez, for his part, hailed the dialogue that was also attended by City Legal Officer George Mejia as a “healthy partnership between stakeholders and the city government”.

“I welcome the public hearing since it will include the vehicular and pedestrian sectors, and this will enable everyone to understand the capacity of our road networks,” the mayor said.

Benny Aquino, head of AUTOCORP, said they want an amendment of City Ordinance No. 1848-2005 banning all passenger jeepneys from plying the city roads for two days within the week because it had drastically reduced their earnings.

The group said the ban for two coding days spells a big drain to their income.

AUTOCORP, with help from Lawyer Antonio Tiong, also a jeepney operator, sued then Mayor Benjamin Lim and members of the city council charging that ordinance was manifestly arbitrary, oppressive, discriminatory and confiscatory amounting to gross and trenchant violation of the Constitution.

Aquino indicated that his group is willing to withdraw its suit as their plight has a good chance of being addressed by the current set of city officials.

The double-coding system, said Mayor Fernandez, is basically a regulatory function of the Sanggunian but added that “we should look at it with the interest of the city and the transport industry as the main consideration”.

The mayor stressed that in looking into the plight of transport workers, “we should never sacrifice orderliness”.

Aquino also suggested a terminal system from point to point of all public utility vehicles coming from outside Dagupan City instead of allowing all the PUVs to go around the city to load and unload passengers.

Exception would be PUJs plying the city and those from adjacent Calasiao.

He also recommended that the SP reconsiders their recommendation imposing one coding day for each private vehicle to help decongest traffic in the city—LM

__________

Mayor Al stops pay parking (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/12/mayor-al-stops-pay-parking/#more-6114)

SANS ORDINANCE, DOCUMENTS

AFTER stopping the construction of an P84 million tourism-commercial building at the former Magsaysay Park by MetroState Realty Corporation, Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. has thrown a monkey wrench at two other controversial contracts entered into by his predecessor.

Fernandez has ordered to stop the collection of parking fees at the third and fourth floors of Malimgas Market.

At the same time, he categorically denied having authorized the painting of conspicuous pay parking signs in the city’s side streets, ostensibly in preparation for the enforcement of a pay parking ordinance that will be handled by a supposed contractor of the past city administration under former mayor Benjamin Lim.

The new city administration is still in the dark as to how many in parking fees have been collected and how much went to the city coffers.

The Malimgas Public Market was built under the Lim administration, funded by a more than P300 million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The collection of parking fees at the upper floors of Malimgas had reportedly been going on for years without an ordinance.

The pay parking areas at Malimgas Market were reportedly managed by one Charlie Go, the same person behind the company “I Clean” which was granted the contract in the early days of the Lim administration to collect garbage from the city’s southern barangays.

Fernandez, in a talk to newsmen at Dagupena Restaurant on Thursday, said in the absence of an ordinance justifying the collection of parking fees at Malimgas Market, he had to stop the contractor from collecting fees further.

“We not only stopped the collection of parking fees but also closed the gate leading to the parking areas,” said an incensed Fernandez.

The Malimgas Market parking issue is almost akin to the deployment of the JLD Motor Service in the streets of Dagupan for many years to tow vehicles parking in prohibited areas and collecting towing and impounding fees of P1, 200 each from vehicle owners without any authorization from the city council.

JLD reportedly entered into a contract with then Mayor Benjamin Lim, without any approval from the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Fernandez pointed out that the pay parking ordinance in the city is still not in effect even as he deplored the posting of pay parking signs in side streets by still unknown persons. He suspects that the rumored favored contractor of the past administration was behind the unauthorized activity.

“I know that there is an ordinance on pay parking but all of these will have to be coordinated with the city executive for implementation and enforcement,” Fernandez said.

He warned residents against paying parking fees and to immediately report persons who are collecting parking fees to the police.

Fernandez said he will not allow the contractor to continue unless the latter can show any document authorizing him to perform collection activities.

He said the supposed contractor has not had even the courtesy of seeing him in his office or at least introduce himself at the city mayor’s office.

The mayor had said earlier that any collection of parking fees will only be done by the city government and not by a private contractor. —LM

__________

Pangasinan: Capitol set to collect power firm's tax arrears (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/08/13/pangasinan.capitol.set.to.collect.power.firm.s.tax.arrears.%285.45.p.m.%29..html)

LINGAYEN -- The Pangasinan Provincial Government is bent on collecting the National Power Corporation's (Napocor) P179 million tax arrears.

The Provincial Board chaired by Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias approved during last Thursday's special session Provincial Resolution 85-2007 authorizing Governor Amado Espino Jr. to enter into a settlement agreement with Napocor as regards the matter.

The resolution aims to expedite the collection of P179,739,292.32 (to include penalties and surcharges) from Napocor. The amount represents the real property taxes (RPT) on machineries and equipment within the Sual Coal Fired Thermal Power Plant located in Sual town.

Pangasinan Provincial Treasurer Ramon Crisostomo said the amount due covers the whole year of 2006 until July 2007. (LCMY/Sunnex)

__________

Rains benefit Pangasinan farmers, bangus growers (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=2007081364)
By Eva Visperas
Tuesday, August 14, 2007

CALASIAO, Pangasinan– The rains that poured down in the past few days had benefited about 80 percent of farmers here whose lands had dried up for many months and prices of bangus (milkfish) remain stable despite the heavy downpour in Dagupan City that left some barangays flooded for the past days.

Mayor Roy Macanlalay said yesterday over Aksyon Radyo Dagupan that although there are some barangays that remain underwater up to now, like Nalsian, Pogo, Lasip, Mancup, Buenlag and Talibaew, rainwaters had eased the worry of farmers here.

In Dagupan City, Emma Molina, the city agriculturist, told The STAR that prices of bangus remain at P77 to P78 per kilogram. The increase of P2 per kilogram is very insignificant, she said.

allan_dude

August 13th, 2007, 10:24 PM

Yap: Gov’t to start irrigation component of San Roque dam (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=82164)
Inquirer

MANAOAG, PANGASINAN -- After a five-year delay, the government will finally be able to begin the construction of the irrigation component of the San Roque multipurpose dam in San Manuel town.

During a visit here on Friday, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap told farmers’ groups that about P215 million has been included in the agriculture budget next year for the project.

“Will it be finished? I don’t know. Gusto ko pong maging tapat sa inyo (I just want to tell you the truth),” Yap said.

He said his objective now was to have the irrigation project funded even if it meant irrigating only about 7,000 hectares of rice field in Pangasinan province, which, he noted, will already be a big help to farmers.

During its construction stage in the mid-1990s, the $1.2-billion San Roque Multipurpose Dam Project boasted of an irrigation component that could provide water to about 87,000 ha of rice fields in Pangasinan and Tarlac.

The dam was completed in 2002, but minus its irrigation component.

Yap said the irrigation project has been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Japanese government, which will release the fund through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

According to a report of the Philippine Information Agency, the irrigation component of the San Roque dam costs P8 billion.

But Yap said when JBIC was about to release the money last year, farmer-leader Jose Doton was shot dead in San Nicolas town.
Doton’s killing, Yap said, prompted the Japanese Diet to protest, saying their government could not give help to an area where farmer-leaders were killed.

“The problem was that Japan held on to the money, believing that there’s a human rights problem in the area,” Yap said.

The provincial police had arrested and filed a case against a suspect in the Doton slaying, but Yap said the Japanese government was not satisfied.
“So, what happened to the commitment of President Macapagal-Arroyo? Until when will we have to wait?” Yap said.

He said the President’s instruction to him was to get a new NEDA approval and look for other sources of funding.

“In the meantime, the President told us to just include it in our budget. So in 2008, we will have P215 million to start the San Roque irrigation component,” Yap said.

allan_dude

August 14th, 2007, 09:26 PM

Dagupan conducts bangus census

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/newspics/08-14-2007/bangus.jpg
By EVA VISPERAS
The Philippine Star

DAGUPAN CITY – As the National Statistics Office (NSO) conducts the national population census throughout the country, the agriculture office here is set to conduct its own census of bangus or milkfish produced in this city, which lays claim to being the world’s milkfish capital.

Emma Molina, city agriculturist, told The STAR that she had started formulating a scientific survey of bangus which will be approved by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. to get the exact volume of fish grown in fishponds and fishpens here.

The bangus census will take more than three months and will include interviews with local consignacion or the group of 47 big-time fish dealers.

Molina said about 38 dealers are exclusively selling bangus while the others sell different kinds of fish and seafood.

She said they will have to validate if the 38 members of the consignacion sell only certified pure Dagupan bangus or mixed species grown in Alaminos City, Bolinao, Anda and Bani in Western Pangasinan.

Molina said field workers will also go around to interview bangus growers in fishponds and fishpens.

There are more than 900 fishpens and more than 900 fishponds that produce bangus in the city.

Molina said scientific data about bangus production here were last collected in 2004, but these have to be updated especially with the $2 million grant from the South Korean government for a local seafood processing plant, the bulk of production of which will be bangus.

In the 2004 data, it was indicated that 31 metric tons per day of bangus were sold in the local market here, including fish from nearby towns.

Molina said there are reports that the milkfish production is about 14 metric tons daily in Dagupan.

She said the bangus census will complement the effort of the city government for the labeling of milkfish so people can easily distinguish if the fish was grown in the city or not.

The label will be placed at the tail of the bangus, similar to the tags on chickens.

“While this planned labeling of bangus will be an added cost to the producers, it will give them more benefits in the long run because that way they will have a built-in advantage in the market because Dagupan bangus has become a byword among fish lovers,” Molina said.

It can be recalled that the administration of former mayor Benjamin Lim initiated a Bangus Festival during summer that earned for the city a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest bangus grill.

Meanwhile, a group of bangus dealers in Dagupan urged the city government to ban the sail in local markets of “alien” milkfish harvested from Laguna de Bay and other provinces that have inferior quality and undermine the quality of the world-famous Dagupan bangus.

Julie Ann Perez, president of Malimgas Aliguas Dagupan Vendors Federation, told The STAR Tuesday that alien bangus are cheaper and sold at prices ranging from P40 to P45 per kilogram compared to the genuine Dagupan bangus that are sold for P70 a kilo.

Perez said the alien bangus that mostly comes from Laguna de Bay taste and smell like mud.

She said that for the past three months, their sales have dropped because the markets were saturated with fish from other provinces with at least six jeep loads of alien bangus delivered everyday in local markets.

allan_dude

August 15th, 2007, 07:37 PM

80% of rice land in Pangasinan now planted due to past 2 typhoons (http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20070815124557277)

As a result of heavy downpour starting from August 5 this year, a total of 143,191.43 hectares or 80.17 percent of the total rice land have already been planted in Pangasinan to date, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

Nestor Batalla, provincial rice coordinator, reported that those planted from August 5 onward as a result of the rains dumped by typhoons "Chedeng" and "Dodong", all totaled 32,136.38 hectares of land.

These included 8,057.45 hectares of irrigated land and another 24,078 hectares of rainfed lands throughout the province.

The report stated that prior to August 5, only a total of 111,055.05 hectares of land had been planted yet, consisting of 64,475.45 hectares of irrigated lands and 46,579.60 hectares of rainfed lands.

This means that still to be planted of the total 289,671.96 hectares of rice land in Pangasinan totaled 35,425 .48 hectares or 19.83 percent have remained unplanted to date.

These included 13,911.46 hectares or 16.09 percent irrigated lands; and 21,514.02 hectares or 23.34 percent of rainfed areas.

The report of Batalla was submitted to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) headed by Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

Batalla was hoping that with more rains coming, set to be triggered by typhoon "Egay", the remaining 32,136.38 percent or 19.83 percent of rice land will now be planted .

The report of PDCC, however, showed that the province of Pangasinan still needs more rains as the water level of the San Roque Dam in San Manuel town for power generation was still low.

As of 4:00 p.m. of August 13, water elevation of San Roque's reservoir was at 239.09 meters above mean sea level, which is still 40.91 meters below the 280 meters spilling level mark. (PNA)

__________

Pangasinan continues to be FMD-free for 4 years now (http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20070815125235058)

The people of Pangasinan can now heave a sigh of relief as the province remained among the few provinces in Luzon free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) for four years now.

This was assured by Dr. Eric Jose Perez, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Veterinarian Office, who said this status was achieved as the provincial government has been strictly implementing measures to prevent the disease from infecting local hogs.

On the other hand, the province is also continuously safe from the dreaded hog cholera which raged for weeks in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga before it was placed under control.

Among the precautionary measures undertaken by PVO to make Pangasinan FMD-free, said Perez, include massive ring vaccination of hogs and cattle as well as distribution of disinfectant called “soda ash” to various slaughterhouses, livestock markets and to private livestock owners.

A massive information drive was also conducted at the grassroot level to enable the province to maintain its status a one the FMD-free zones in the country.

A Public Awareness Campaign on FMD was also conducted by the Department of Agriculture*Regional Field Unit 1 (DA-RFU 1), National Foot and Mouth Disease Task Force and Bureau of Animal Industry at the Livestock Auction Market in Urdaneta City.

At the same time, province-wide surveillance and installation of animal quarantine and checkpoints are also undertaken to prevent the movement of infected animals.

The checkpoints are located in Umingan, Bakit-bakit, Rosales; Carmen, Rosales; Bayambang, Mangatarem, Infanta as well as San Fabian.

Corollary to this, Provincial Board Member Danilo C. Uy, chairman of the committee on agriculture and himself a hog farm owner, urged all livestock owners to help the government in strengthening its strategies in the fight against the dreaded animal disease.

He stressed that the increased productivity of the local livestock industry is one of the priority programs of the current provincial administration of Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

FMD, which usually occurs during rainy season, is an acute, highly communicable rhinovirus-caused disease that mainly infects cloven-footed animals such as cow, carabao, sheep, goat and swine.

It was learned that meat products derived from infected animals pose serious problems to public health. (PNA)

tyronne

August 16th, 2007, 08:50 AM

May ginagawang footbridge sa bayan namin, wala lang :D

dancethingy

August 16th, 2007, 09:25 AM

^ any amount of progress is a good thing

pi_malejana

August 20th, 2007, 07:33 AM

hello.. may taga-san jacinto ba dito?

anyway.. kumusta lay pangasinan ey? ag ak la makaksempet ditan..:)

allan_dude

August 20th, 2007, 11:34 AM

hello.. may taga-san jacinto ba dito?

anyway.. kumusta lay pangasinan ey? ag ak la makaksempet ditan..

Kumusta kabaleyan! Akin met agka maka sempet?

Sikani labat so antak ya taga San Jacinto dya. Iner kad San Jacinto? Diad baley? Wala ray kabat ko diman. :)

May ginagawang footbridge sa bayan namin, wala lang

Tulad ba nito yung mga foot bridge sa Dagupan?

allan_dude

August 20th, 2007, 06:45 PM

HALF-WAY THROUGH

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/bridge%20under%20const.jpg

Work at the construction site of the P1 billion bridge across Pantal River continues without let-up as the contractor races to meet its scheduled opening in 2008. (Photo & text courtesy of Sunday Punch (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/news/inside-news/))

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Espino will negotiate for seaport and airport rehab (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/19/espino-will-negotiate-for-seaport-and-airport-rehab/#more-6201)

LINGAYEN— Gov. Amado Espino Jr. was recently authorized by the provincial board to negotiate with qualified entities for the upgrading of the Lingayen Airport and the establishment of a commercial seaport in Sual.

The twin resolutions, authored by Board Member Romeo Dadacay, said they are necessary to propel the province into “greater heights of industrialization, and promote tourism and investments.”

SP resolution 86-2007 described the Lingayen airport to be in “a pitiful state, not having been maintained and sorely lacking essential facilities and equipment.”

Sual, meanwhile, was described as an ideal place for a commercial seaport since it is within the Sual Cove which protects shipping vessels from trade winds, monsoons and cyclonic storms.

Earlier, Espino reportedly met with Department of Transportation and Communications to discuss the feasibility of a commercial airport in Sta. Barbara.

The development of Sual as a seaport has been in the drawing board for decades now but no progress has been made for its planned construction.

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Pangasinan cracks down on unlicensed quarrying (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=83369)

By Gabriel Cardinoza
Northern Luzon Bureau

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN -- The provincial government has warned quarry operators in Pangasinan that they will “face the full force of the law” if they were caught hauling sand, gravel and other mineral products without the necessary permits.

Nestor Batalla, officer in charge of the newly formed provincial natural resources regulatory group (NRRG), said his office has begun putting up billboards in various quarry sites in the province “to send the message that the provincial government is serious in its campaign.”

“Would you believe that in six months—from January to June this year—there was only one who violated the natural resources law?” said Gov. Amado Espino Jr., quoting a report of the defunct provincial inter-agency mineral products and aggregates conservation team (Impact).

Espino has abolished the Impact and replaced it with the NRRG.

“Quarry operators in Pangasinan have been quarrying improperly, destroying our rivers in the process. There are even quarry sites where the roads have been destroyed,” Espino said.

At least 123 quarry operators are registered in the province but Espino said he was told only 26 were active.

“How do we know that the others are not operating? When I saw the names of those who were supposed to be inactive, they belonged to construction companies. Only the names of their representatives appeared in the list,” he said.

Batalla said like in Pampanga, quarry operation in Pangasinan is a major source of revenue.

But last year, the province only earned P2.7 million.

“In Pampanga, it’s P1 million a day, although we know that most quarry operators are from Metro Manila. But in Pangasinan, with a vast area, I could not believe that the share of the provincial government is only P2 million,” Espino said.

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Dagupan to set up center for children in trouble (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/19/dagupan-to-set-up-center-for-children-in-trouble/#more-6204)

Dagupan City will open a special shelter exclusively dedicated to the city’s children who are in various forms and degrees of trouble.

Elsa Santillan, city social welfare and development officer, said Mayor Alipio Fernandez has already approved the proposal to set up a crisis center for minors.

The plan has been forwarded to the city council for fund appropriation.

Santillan told The PUNCH the proposal was prompted by the increasing number of children coming in conflict with the law (CICL) as well as minors who are abandoned, neglected or abused.

For the period January to June this year, the city social welfare and development office has recorded 49 cases of CICL, almost double the 26 cases logged in for the entire 2006.

The crimes, of which 36 were committed by boys and 13 by girls, range from theft, robbery, murder to gang rape.

Santillan said some of the cases have been settled amicably except for the heinous crimes.

The cases being faced by the CICL are undergoing marathon hearings in court.

NOT ALARMING

Santillan stressed, however, that the current situation is not alarming and is still manageable.

“It would be alarming if they are mostly involved in heinous crimes,” she said.

The common root of the problem, she said, is traceable to unstable homes where the parents are either separated or mired in poverty.

Meanwhile, the number of neglected and abandoned children in the first half of the year reached 72 and there were eight cases of sexual abuse.

The social welfare office currently does not have facilities to accommodate the victims but they have been placed under foster care of immediate relatives.

The Haven for Children built by Gina de Venecia, wife of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., within the city serves the entire Region 1.

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City hall cuts costs due to thinning budget (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/19/city-hall-cuts-costs-due-to-thinning-budget/#more-6208)

ONLY less than two months in office, the administration of Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. was already compelled to adopt belt-tightening measures, specifically on energy consumption.

City Administrator Alvin Fernandez issued a memorandum on Monday directing all offices at the city hall to switch on their air-conditioners only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. instead of the 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. continuous use.

City Legal Officer George Mejia said the city hall has already exceeded the budget allocated for the year for energy consumption because of the unrestrained and excessive use of the previous city administration.

“Malakas ang konsumo ng koryente (Consumption of electricity is high). In fact, we have already exceeded our allocation for electricity,” said Mejia although he did not cite the relevant figures.

Mejia said the three hours of electric consumption saved daily from Monday to Friday can already result in significant cut in the monthly bill.

Another saving measure adopted by the new administration to save on electricity cost is to delay the switching on of street lights by at least 30 minutes.

MALIMGAS

Fernandez also ordered an investigation into the exceedingly high water bill at the Malimgas Public Market which is not earning enough in stall rentals.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez also indicated that the Malimgas Market is not only posting low revenues but is incurring very high operating costs.

“The funds spent for maintaining the market could be better used for public services,” she said.

The present city administration is also looking into pre-terminating the contract for security services entered into by the past city administration as part of the cost-cutting efforts. –LM

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Call centers coming to city (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/19/call-centers-coming-to-city/#more-6211)

The country’s growing call center industry is moving into Dagupan with at least seven operators already signifying interest to open shop in the city.

City Councilor Alfie Fernandez, chairman of the trade and industry committee of the Sanggunian Panlungsod, said representatives of these call centers have looked at the city and its potential to house operations.

The plans of the interested call centers were disclosed by Fernandez during a committee hearing he called on Wednesday in connection with his resolution seeking to convert the entire third floor of the Malimgas Public Market as location for call centers.

He said the call center owners who inspected the third floor of the Malimgas Public Market agreed that it is an ideal location for their operations and have agreed in principle to undertake the costs for the conversion of the area.

The committee hearing was attended by officers of the city’s Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC) who all endorsed the proposal and further recommended that other buildings, public or private, in the city must be looked into as possible locations of call centers.

City Planning and Development Officer Romeo Rosario tagged the idle Maresville Building on A.B. Fernandez East as another potential location for a call center.

Councilor Karlos Reyna, chairman of committee on infrastructure and public utilities of the city council, also endorsed the proposal.

A list submitted to Fernandez by Merlie Membrere, ICT Point Person, identified the interested call centers as Alorica Philippines headed by Allan Cacpal, Sutherland headed by Shridhar Aiyer, John Clements Consultants headed by Maria Carolina Dominguez, CBRE headed by Meliza Calleja, The Magellan Alliance headed by Tully Moss, ICT Group headed by John Longford and Sitel Philippines headed by Carlos de Vera.

Fernandez said that the third floor of the Malimgas Public Market, designed as a parking area, can accommodate up to 400 call center agents per shift or a total of 1,200 call center agents for three shifts.

At least 1,200 call center agents in Dagupan, receiving a salary of P15,000 per month, or a monthly total of P18 million, can pump-prime the city’s economy. —LM

pi_malejana

August 21st, 2007, 06:27 AM

Kumusta kabaleyan! Akin met agka maka sempet?

Sikani labat so antak ya taga San Jacinto dya. Iner kad San Jacinto? Diad baley? Wala ray kabat ko diman. :)

taga CAPAOAY ak nen saman, ag ko anta nu baley man.. unsesempet ak met every nov. 1 until we went to the US last year.. SACANLE so grandfather ko? kabat mo?

allan_dude

August 21st, 2007, 01:54 PM

^^ Hey pi_malejana! Daisit labat so antak ya Pangalatok ha.

Anyway, antak parte ni na Poblacion so Capaoay. Ag ko met kabat so lakim. :)

pi_malejana

August 22nd, 2007, 05:58 AM

^^ Hey pi_malejana! Daisit labat so antak ya Pangalatok ha.

Anyway, antak parte ni na Poblacion so Capaoay. Ag ko met kabat so lakim. :)

akin taga san jacinto ka? no taga-diman ka , antam iman.. councilor pa man nen saman,.. kimandidato lalamet, balet say kwanda raramay to-too palaging aburat an naynay su bulang to..:lol: say kwanmi mi met et ag kami mampawit ya kwarta, naani agasto tod bulang tan alak..:lol:
anyway, how's pangasinan, dagupan san jacinto etc.. naalala ko jan ung nepo mall.. mas maganda un kaysa dun sa lumang csi, amay asingger ed simbaan.. ak-kakar ak ed city mall one time lang.. panunto arawi lasi..:lol: insan tricycle labat su luganan kuno..:ohno:

allan_dude

August 22nd, 2007, 10:05 AM

^^ Andi, taga Bayambang ak. Arawi ak dyad San Jacinto. Sa Dagupan kasi ako nag high school insan wala ray classmates ko ya taga SJ. Lagi kami sa bahay nila. Asinger ed simbaan amay abong da.

As usual dinadayo parin ng mga taga Central Pangasinan ang Dagupan. Although may CSI at malaki na yung bagong palengke ng San Carlos, sa Dagupan parin kami nagpupunta para mamli at mag liw-aliw.

Robinson's la may anchor store na Nepo. No unla ka ed "The City Mall" sakay ka ng LUCAO na jeep sa Down Town. Di mo na kelangan may tricycle. Sobrang traffic nga lang dun. May tinayong convention center sa tabi ng mall. Marakep aro!

Wala met so gagawen dan Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Bypass road-bridge dyad dagupan. Arellano to Lucao yan na hindi dadaan sa down town. Pag nagawa na yan, balak nila umpisahan yung Dawel-Tambac-Anolid Bypass to the East naman toward Mangaldan.

Uman ni so SJ, singa dati ni. hehehe :nuts:

allan_dude

August 22nd, 2007, 11:16 AM

Yap pushes for dev’t of mango industry (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/19/yap-pushes-for-devt-of-mango-industry/)

MANAOAG–Stay on top.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap gave this advice to local government officials and farmers in the province, which is currently the top mango producer in the country accounting for about 40% of the total national output.

Yap said the future is bright for the industry as by mid-2008, the country will already be able to export mangoes directly to continental USA.

He called on provincial officials to help the farmers by identifying additional areas for planting.

Based on data from the Department of Agriculture, the national average yield of mango in the Philippines has been constantly increasing from 7.40 metric tons to a high of 11.05 met Cavite),15.6%; Cagayan Valley (Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela) 11.9%; Central Luzon (Bulacan and Nueva Ecija), 8.7%; and Western Visayas (Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Guimaras), 12.6%.

San Carlos City, the biggest mango producer in the province, holds an annual Mango Festival in April.

Worldwide production is heavily concentrated in Asia, accounting for 77% followed by South and Northern America with 13 percent share, Africa with 9 percent share and Oceana at 1 percent share.

Over half of the world mango production is produced by India. The other major mango producers aside from the Philippines include China, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil.

The Philippines ranks fifth with an estimated 4%of the world production.

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‘Our Lady of Manaoag’ draws devotees to Capiz town (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=83895)

By Felipe V. Celino
Visayas Bureau

SAPIAN, Capiz, Philippines -- Hundreds of devotees of Our Lady of Holy Rosary of Manaoag flocked to this town following the arrival of the international pilgrim image at the Roxas City airport on Monday.

Devotees coming from different parts of Capiz and nearby places met the original ivory image of Our Lady of Manaoag at the airport and joined last Monday's motorcade from Roxas City to Sapian town.

The image is housed at Saint Anne Church in this town, where vigils are being done 24 hours starting Monday until Friday.

Sapian Mayor Arturo "Turic" Orosco said provincial and municipal leaders, members of Catholic religious and lay organizations and the public joined the prayer-vigils.

The devotees would have the privilege to see and touch the miraculous image, Orosco added.

The original ivory image was brought to the Philippines 400 years ago by Fr. Juan de Jacinto of Spain.

Ten years after, the church of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan was established.

On April 21, 1926, the pilgrim image was canonically crowned by virtues of Papal Rescript.

Today, thousands flock to the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag to experience miraculous healing.

The international pilgrim image will be flown back to Pangasinan on Friday, according to Orosco.

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Sari-Sari Store Exhibit set in Dagupan City (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/19/sari-sari-store-exhibit-set-in-dagupan-city/)

A SARI-SARI store exhibit, sponsored by City Supermarket Inc. (CSI), will be held in Dagupan on September 28-30 to promote this popular small-scale business venture.

Believed to be the first of its kind in the country, the activity is meant to attract sari-sari store owners and prospective entrepreneurs in Region 1.

Dagupan Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, whose family owns CSI, said the event which is open to the public, will also feature a seminar on business management and viability, with top suppliers of consumer goods as speakers.

The three-day activity will be held at the 6,000-capacity Jimmy L. Fernandez Stadia just beside the CSI The City Mall in barangay Lucao.

Fernandez said this is her family company’s contribution to enhance and invigorate sari-sari stores whose services to the whole nation cannot be under-estimated, especially in these difficult and trying times.

Fernandez noted that from studies made, a P4,000 to P5,000 initial capital is enough to roll out a sari-sari store, which canserve as a secondary source of income for a household.

The three-day Sari-Sari Store Exhibit will coincide with the launching of the CSI Super-Savings Cards that will be distributed to all sari-sari store owners so they can enjoy discounts in their purchases of goods at CSI outlets.

Musical performances by artists from Manila are also scheduled during the event.—LM

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Dagupan to implement unifield pole agreement (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070820170404060)

In line with its beautification program, Dagupan City will soon do away with its unsightly dangling overhead wires in side streets.

This will be done soon with the signing shortly of aunified pole agreement among all public utilities and local cable television companies.

City Administrator Alvin Fernandez said that all these agreed to implement before the year ends the first ofits kind Unified Pole Attachment Scheme (UPAS).

UPAS was found to be a better alternative than the earlier suggestion for the placing of all the wires underground.

Fernandez met recently with executives of public utilities, among them from the Dagupan Electric Corporation (Decorp), Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Digital Communications of the Philippines, Smart, BayanTel, PT&T, Urban Satellite Cable Television, Sky Cable and Home Cable to finalize themechanics of UPAS.

As early as June this year, these companies have already started re-aligning their respective cable wires in preparation for the full implementation ofUPAS.

With Fernandez in that meeting were City Engineer Virginia Rosario, City Planning and Development Coordinator Romeo Rosario and some city department heads.

Under UPAS, all cable and telecommunication wires in the city will be attached only to the electric poles of Decorp. Decorp, the electric franchise holder in Dagupan, expressed its willingness to accommodate the wires of various companies.

"The alignment of wires and attachments of various cable stations and telephone companies will be completed in time before the start of the 2007 city fiesta in December," Fernandez said. (PNA)

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Milo Little Olympics to be held anew in Pangasinan (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/08/18/sports/milo.little.olympics.to.be.held.anew.in.pangasinan.html)

LINGAYEN -- The province of Pangasinan will again be the venue for this year's annual Milo Little Olympics-Luzon.

Milo sports organizer Maria Teresa Bernardino said the 10th Milo Little Olympics will open on September 21. Competitions will be held on September 22, 23, 29 and 30.

Participants will compete in athletics, badminton, chess, football, gymnastics, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and volleball. The venues are Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (where the opening ceremonies will also be held), Sison Auditorium, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office and CSI the Citymall in Dagupan City.

Bernardino said the overall champions in the elementary and secondary divisions will each receive a trophy and Milo sports equipment worth P40,000. Aside from the trophy, the second and third overall winners will receive P20,000 and P10,000 in cash, respectively.

The fourth placer will receive plaque and P5,000 worth of sports equipment while the fifth to 10th placers will each receive P3,000 in cash and plaque of recognition.

The Most Outstanding Athlete for High School and Grade School (per sporting event) will receive P5,000 worth of educational fund and a plaque of recognition.

Meanwhile, school athletes who are members or trainees of any national team or those who have represented the country in any international tournaments are not eligible to compete in the Milo Little Olympics, said Bernardino.

More than 4,000 athletes from different schools in Regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera Administrative Region are expected to participate in the event.

The Milo Little Olympics is the biggest sporting event being held in the province.

allan_dude

August 26th, 2007, 01:17 PM

Kabaleyan! Susuportahan ba natin si pareng JdV?
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De Venecia urged to again run for president (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070825122207739)

A former Constitutional Convention delegate is urging House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. to again try gunning for the presidency in 2010.

According to Luis Catubig, a long-time ally of De Venecia, the Speaker has more experience compared to other presidentiables that would enable him to effectively manage the affairs of the country.

He noted that Pangasinan's fourth district congressman has done much for the country even though he is not yet a president.

De Venecia, who ran for president in 1998 but lost to Joseph Estrada, is now on his third and last term as congressman of the fourth district of Pangasinan.

Including his previous terms under the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, De Venecia is now on his fifth term as speaker of the House of Representatives, which is unprecedented in the history of the country.

He was elected Speaker for two terms during the administration of then President Ramos and three terms under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In urging De Venecia to again run for president, Catubig cited the Overseas Filipino Remittance Program which was De Venecia's brainchild and adopted by the late President Marcos. This, he said, is now a major force in sustaining the national economy.

At the same time, Catubig said De Venecia was the one who started the deployment of Filipino workers in the Middle East in the '70s.

Catubig, who also served as Dagupan City councilor and appointed vice mayor, said another important proposal of De Venecia is the Build Operate Transfer Law (BOT) of which he was the principal author.

He also said the congressman of the fourth district of Pangasinan is a good and respected leader here and abroad and has a vision to make the country prosperous and progressive.

He added that another reason that De Venecia should run for president in 2010 is that the Lakas Party is the most dominant political party in the country, together with President Arroyo's Kabalikat ng mga Mamamayang Pilipino (KAMPI).

"It is JDV's fate and destiny to win the presidency in the second round. We should remember that when he first ran for Congress in 1965, he lost but when he ran for the second time, he won and the rest is history," Catubig added. (PNA)

nayki

August 26th, 2007, 05:20 PM

^^Di ako sure...hehehehe pero may potential siya, pwedeng siyang isa sa mga magandang choice. Sa nagyon Villar or Roxas kasi ako eh, malayo pa naman un eh...hehehe

allan_dude

August 27th, 2007, 10:30 PM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/New%20Calvo.jpg
Photo & text courtesy of Sunday Punch (http://punch.dagupan.com/)

NEW CALVO BRIDGE—3rd District Rep. Rachel Arenas (second from left), assisted by DPWH District Engineer Bella Resuello, lowers the time capsule during the groundbreaking rites for the construction of the new Calvo Bridge in Bayambang, while Bayambang Mayor Ricardo Camacho looks on. –(Punch photo (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/25/new-calvo-bridge/) by Cesar Ramirez)

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/new%20link.jpg
Photo & text courtesy of Sunday Punch (http://punch.dagupan.com/)

NEW LINK—The earthquake-damaged Calvo bridge, the only link between Bayambang and Bautista towns, will soon be replaced with an entirely new structure by the Department of Public Works and Highways through the initiative of Rep. Rachel Arenas. (Punchphoto (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/25/new-link/)by Cesar Ramirez)

New bridge up in Bayambang soon (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/26/new-bridge-up-in-bayambang-soon/)

BAYAMBANG–A new P50-million bridge, connecting this town to Bautista, will be erected to replace the heavily damaged Calvo Bridge.

The new bridge project, initiated by 3rd District Rep. Rachel Arenas, will benefit farmers and traders in central Pangasinan who transport their produce from Bautista, Alcala, Sto. Tomas, Rosales to the province of Tarlac through the Manila North Road.

The groundbreaking for the project last Friday was led by Arenas with town officials, including Mayor Ricardo Camacho, and representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Arenas thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane for their prompt response to her request for the project.

The Calvo Bridge, damaged during the 1990 earthquake, has already undergone several major repairs over the last two decades.

Construction for the new bridge will be started in September by winning contractor RoadTech Construction.

Completion is expected within one year.

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Pangasinan tops in number of new police stations (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070826140920244)

The province of Pangasinan had the biggest number of new police stations constructed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) since three years ago in the entire Ilocos region.

Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, Police Regional Office (PRO)1 director, said 37 new police stations were constructed throughout the region under the PNP transformation program with Pangasinan receiving 24.

The 13 others were distributed in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union.

Bataoil said more new police stations were built in Pangasinan, because it was the biggest province and most populous province in the whole region, having 48 towns and cities.

The most recent new police stations inaugurated in Pangasinan were those in San Jacinto and Bautista towns.

A report of Senior Supt. Alberto Vinluan, PRO1 deputy director, said four more new police stations are being constructed in the province, namely those in San Quintin, Labrador, Villasis and Barangay Carmen in Rosales.

Bataoil said construction of the new police station in Dagupan City will be next on the line.

The PNP funded all these new police stations boosted by local government counterpart fund.

Bataoil said the PNP started building new police stations during the tour of duty of then PNP Chief Director General Arturo Lomibao, who initiated the PNP Transformation Program.

PNP Chief Director Gen. Oscar Calderon, successor of Lomibao, continued the program.

Bataoil also said since the PNP in the region lacked firearms, old and dilapidated firearms were being repaired to make them serviceable and function like brand new.

The PNP shouldered the repair expenses with a counterpart fund from the local government units.

He said eight unserviceable M16 rifles were refurbished and reissued to the Dagupan Police and now being used as commando-type firearms of the Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) team.

Next week, he said, he would turn over eight M-16 refurbished rifles to the police in San Juan, Ilocos Sur.

The San Juan municipal government shared in the repair costs.

"Hopefully, all LGUs will help us in this effort so that there will be sufficient firearms for all the police stations," Bataoil said.

One policeman should have at least one short firearm as a basic requirement.

Bataoil said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo released P1 billion last year for the capability building of the PNP.

He said part of it went to the procurement of new firearms.

The program intends to purchase 5,000 firearms annually for a period of five years. (PNA)

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‘Pawil Dagupan’ returns this year (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/26/pawil-dagupan-returns-this-year/)

THE city government is seeking to restore one of its major tourism programs, the ‘Pawil Dagupan’.

Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, chair of the committee on tourism, broached the proposal before the city council Thursday.

Tamayo wants the ‘Pawil Dagupan’ program restored this year and in 2008 to encourage overseas Dagupenos to come home in December for the yuletide season which coincides with the city fiesta.

“It is the auspicious time to revive ‘Pawil Dagupan’, which was a major tourism program during the first term of office of Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. in 1992,” said Tamayo.

“It should be re-launched as a dynamic tourism program now that Mayor Fernandez is back in the saddle, along with Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez,” he added.

Vice Mayor Fernandez was a councilor when ‘Pawil Dagupan’ was still a yearly happening.

Tamayo expects Dagupan to become a beehive of tourists again with the re-launching of the program.

Dagupan needs tourists as well as investors in order to enhance its growth as a fast-rising metropolis in northern Philippines, Tamayo said.

TONDALIGAN

The city council is also currently reviewing a proposed redevelopment plan for the Tondaligan Park, the top tourist destination in the city.

The full implementation of the plan will cost P25 million, of which P5.7 million has already been provided for in the city Annual Investment Plan, said City Planning and Development Officer Romeo Rosario.—LM

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Dagupan named pilot area for JICA-BFAR fish project (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/26/dagupan-named-pilot-area-for-jica-bfar-fish-project/)

DAGUPAN City has been chosen as one of the recipients of the comprehensive outreach and fish breeding project by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Dagupan-based National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center

The project, according to Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., aims to enhance the livelihood of fish farmers in the city and by providing them with better knowledge and skills on aquaculture production.

Other pilot areas in Pangasinan are the coastal municipalities of Binmaley and Lingayen.

Representatives from JICA, led by its team leader Tokio Kitamado, met with Fernandez and some barangay chairman on August 21 to discuss the significant benefits of the project to Dagupan’s aquaculture industry.

Also in attendance was Councilor Alfredo Quinto, the city council’s chairman on agriculture.

Activities under the project include the establishment of water quality monitoring system and determination of other parameters affecting aquaculture in the river system, intermediate aquaculture from fry to fingerling, establishment of sustainable polyculture system, effective usage of natural feed, series of trainings for Dagupan’s agriculture office, fish farmers and hatchery workers, conduct of technical assistance to the two selected pilot areas and technical support for brood stock management.

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Go kayaking around the 100 Islands (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/26/go-kayaking-around-the-100-islands/)

ALAMINOS CITY–Visitors to the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) can now enjoy kayaking around its 123 islets.

The new activity springs from a project initiated by the New Zealand government with the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the city government.

The kayaking program was turned over this week to the Hundred Islands Eco-Tours Association, Inc. (HEITA), a community-based organization involved in the city’s tourism industry.

Mayor Hernani Braganza urged the HEITA officers and members to sustain the kayaking project during the turnover over event that coincided with the blessing of the new office of HEITA.

Braganza noted that as a community and family- based initiative, the kayaking project serves as an alternative income source, particularly for the out-of-school youth.

“We really appreciate this gift given to our people. More importantly, kayaking in the Hundred Islands will definitely enhance the natural beauty of the park, “Braganza said.

Kayaking complements the bird watching and snorkeling eco-tourism activities around the islands.

Tourist arrivals at the HINP have significantly increased over the last two years, translating to an increase in the city’s revenues.

The park registered a P4.7 million income in 2006, and in the first five months of this year, revenue has reached about P5 million, of which P 1.7 million was derived from the P20 ticket entrance sales.

Braganza said the number is expected to double or triple once the Pangasinan airport project, which was announced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her recent State of the Nation Address, is completed.

Director Rolando Canizal of the Office of Tourism Development Planning Director lauded the Braganza administration’s eco-tourism thrust and its efforts in regaining the old magic of the Hundred Islands.

pi_malejana

August 28th, 2007, 02:00 AM

Kabaleyan! Susuportahan ba natin si pareng JdV?

hindi.. :ohno:

Sinjin P.

August 28th, 2007, 09:02 AM

Pangasinan will soon have a 70,000sqm. Robinsons Mall of its own

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4305/robra7.jpg

allan_dude

August 28th, 2007, 09:58 AM

^^ WOW 70,000 sqm Mall!!! :uh:

I wonder kung saan nila Itatayo ang Mall. Possible site: Dagupan City, Urdaneta City, Calasiao or Rosales.

Sinjin P.

August 28th, 2007, 09:58 AM

^ Ang problema lang, wala pang specifics. Ang sabi d'yan, 2008-2012 so pwede itayo ang mall as early as 2008 or as late as 2012 :(

allan_dude

August 28th, 2007, 10:20 AM

Yes nakakabitin. Anyway anchor store ang Robinson's Supermarket and RDS sa NEPO Mall dagupan.

Ang tagal naman bago magkaroon ng "real" mall dito samin considering the size and economy of our province. Problem kasi politicians and influential families nagmamay-ari ng mga community malls and Hypermarkets. Way back in the 90's hinarang na nila pagpasok ng SM, Ever-Gotesco and Uniwide. :ohno:

Sinjin P.

August 28th, 2007, 10:22 AM

^ Oo nga, ako rin ay nashock when we took a stopover at Pangasinan. Wala man lang SM or Robinsons. I expected at least one because Pangasinan really has a huge population, huge enough to be one of the most populated provinces in the country

allan_dude

August 28th, 2007, 10:26 AM

^ Where in Pangasinan kayo nag stopover?

Sinjin P.

August 28th, 2007, 10:28 AM

^ I forgot. That was sooo 3 years ago :D

allan_dude

August 28th, 2007, 10:39 AM

Maybe nag drive lang kayo sa Eastern Pangainan along the Tarlac-La Union route passing by Urdaneta and baka dumaan pa kayo sa Manaoag?

Although center of commerce ng Eastern Pangasinan ang Urdaneta, Commercial hub talaga ng province ang Metro Dagupan Area. Andun ang mga malls like CSI. Andun din mga masasarap na restaurants and 4 star hotels. :)

Sinjin P.

August 28th, 2007, 11:06 AM

^ Wait, I think we passed by the main route going to Baguio City :)

allan_dude

August 28th, 2007, 12:49 PM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/Tonda%20plan.jpg
TONDALIGAN MASTERPLAN—Councilor Farah Decano (second from left) gives pointers to the Tondaligan Park Redevelopment/Rehabilitation Master Plan presented to the Sangguniang Panlungsod by City Planning and Development Coordinator Romeo Rosario while Vice Mayor and SP presiding officer Belen Fernandez gives the plan an attentive look. (Punchphoto (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/08/25/tondaligan-masterplan/) by Cesar Ramirez)

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Modern alternate road in Dagupan to open next year (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070827173623420)

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has assured that Dagupan will have a new modern alternate road by June next year.

DPWH Regional Director Fidel Ginez revealed that the more than four-kilometer Dawel-Pantal-Lucao road is with a more than 600-lineal meter bridge in the middle spanning across the Pantal River.

The bridge alone costs almost one billion pesos that came from a loan of the government from Japan while the road is financed from the yearly allocation of the Priority Development Fund of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

Ginez told Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez that the cementing of half of the road stretch is now completed in the Dawel to Pantal side.

The cementing of the Lucao side is still ongoing. However, Ginez admitted that the Lucao side of the new highway is still short by P15 million for it to be completed.

On the other hand, the concrete bridge in the middle of the road stretch is set for completion by June next year.

Ginez said the contractor of the bridge project, the Toyo Construction of Japan, has already completed laying all the bridge's concrete post which is the more difficult part in the construction work.

He added that the next activity for the bridge project is the putting up of girdle as well as the slabs so that cementing of the bridge floor can commence.

At the same time, Ginez informed Vice Mayor Fernandez that the Tapuac-Lucao highway, a separate thoroughfare, that becomes flooded with just little rain will soon be elevated by one meter.

Ginez said at least 800 meters of the Tapuac-Lucao road will be raised to become out of reach by floodwater.

He noted that at least P20 million is available for the project that was sought by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. at the start of his administration. (PNA)

tyronne

August 29th, 2007, 05:07 AM

[SIZE=-1]

Tulad ba nito yung mga foot bridge sa Dagupan?

I'm not sure. Pero concrete yung dalawang supporting posts pero parang steel frame yung bridge mismo. Di ba sa Dagupan steel lahat, at least yung nakita kong ginagawa sa harap ng CSI Square.

Re: sa new police station namin, almost done na siya siguro lapit na nila occupy yun.

Re: sa new Robinson's mall, sana sa Carmen na lang para pag natuloy yung SM don, eh di harapan uli ang competition hehe!

allan_dude

August 29th, 2007, 09:14 PM

^ Sa Dagupan nakikita ko palang mga foot bridge sa Tapuac infront of City High pati yung sa tapat ng Colegio de Dagupan/ NEPO. Gusto ko yung pagkagawa ng mga "steel" foot bridge. Clean lines and hindi bulky yung dating unlike sa mga concrete foot bridge na tinatayo sa ibang lugar. :)

^ Napansin mo na ba na parepareho yung design ng mga police stations satin?

^ Parang mas gusto ko ata yung Robinson's Itayo nalang sa Villasis! :lol:

allan_dude

August 31st, 2007, 04:17 PM

Pangasinan Memorial College, Inc. (http://www.mb.com.ph/SCAU20070831101714.html)

Soaring up high in Central Pangasinan

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The Pangasinan Memorial College, Inc. (PMCI) was founded and established on February 23, 1949 by the late Dr. Baldomero L. Pulido, a well-known researcher and historian during his time, together with his wife and children.

Strategically located adjacent to the beautiful and sandy beaches of Lingayen Gulf at the corner of Artacho and Alvar Streets right in the heart of Pangasinan's capital and education center, this institution is very accessible by all modes of transportation from all entry points in Pangasinan.

From its modest beginnings, PMCI gained prominence and province-wide fame as it continuously render relentless and persistent efforts and dedicated commitment in improving crafts as well as maintaining quality education.

Yearly, the college welcomes an influx of enrollees from the vicinity and neighboring municipalities of the capital town of Lingayen, especially from the western parts of Pangasinan which includes the towns of Dasol, Burgos, Mabini, Bani, Anda, and Bolinao. The students come from as far as Zambales, an evidence of PMCI’s popularity due to its academic distinction and superiority. Its golden era of prominence was very eminent before the establishment of a state university in Lingayen. Even with the presence of government institutions and other big private schools, the operational growth of PMCI was never intimidated and continued to flourish and prosper until 1975 when Dr. Pulido passed away after being bedridden for almost 10 years.

With Dr. Pulido's inability to participate actively in the management of the affairs of the college due to his ailment almost all the incorporators backed-out one after the other, leaving the college financially broke, destitute with manpower shortfall. The eventual withdrawal of the key officials caused a terrible setback on the management of the PMCI. It came to a point when there was no other choice but for Dr. Pulido's wife to take over and continue its operation with only a handful of employees assisting her. To console their mother’s suffering from the college downfall, the Pulido children took over the stewardship of PMCI in 1976. From then on, the enrolment kept on picking up until it eventually regained its lost glory and grandeur.

Today, the population is growing steadily despite the challenges that confront the PMCI like the existence and proximity of various educational institutions competing with the college.

Undaunted by competition, the Pangasinan Memorial College, Inc. continues to soar up high as it promotes academic excellence and continues its efforts to maintain the institution’s fame and prestige.

PRESENT TIMES

Pangasinan Memorial College, Inc. (PMCI) has a vision for a learning community which evaluates the contributions of all students, staff, faculty and administrators in order to provide them with an unparalleled educational experiences. It supports an on-going process of improvement in the continued assessment of its own vision, values, practices and mission.

As a learning community, it develops the best educational environment, one that promotes learning, collaboration and shared responsibility. Using proven technological advances and a variety of instructional methods, PMCI enhances the learning process and maintains high academic standards among the students.

The PMCI’s mission is to provide high quality, relevant and varied educational growth to all members of the community. The college values its role as an educational leader, embracing change and responding to the intricate needs of those it serves.

Realizing the needs to educate the citizens to meet the multifarious and diversified demands of a complex society, PMCI provide essential programs for the students to choose from and grant them the flexibility of movement to shift from one curriculum to another. This will assist the students towards self-discovery and personal self-realization. High academic standards are preserved and perpetuated so that the students will be prepared for immediate employment in the future. Magnanimity and humility are personal trademarks of every PMCian.

The primary emphasis of every faculty is quality instruction. Faculty members are selected and employed not only due to their academic qualifications and experiences but also their commitment and dedication to their official duties and love of children. To paraphrase one philosopher: "If you dislike children, teaching is not your trade."

For this reason, PMCI formulated its objectives directed towards carrying out its vision and mission, namely: 1.) To educate young people equipped with skills, habits and convictions that are required in the rapidly changing culture and global workplace. 2.) To empower the young children to function effectively in their future; future marked increasingly with change and information growth evolving in technologies; and 3.) To equip the students with knowledge, competence and skills that represent essential, realistic, and attainable goals for lifelong learning and productive citizenry.

Over the years, the Pangasinan Memorial College, Inc. has introduced beneficial innovations and reforms which cater to students’ instructional needs and requirements. Where before, there were limited number of computer units and printers, today, PMCI is equipped with state-of-the-art computer units which exceeded more than the number of students in one class, more than the ratio of one computer per student. There are two separate computer learning centers in PMCI which includes one for the elementary and high school students and the other purely for the college students. It is with great pride for the PMCI to make known to the public that kindergarten children are already adept in the operation of computer where older children in other schools do not even know the abc’s of computer manipulation. The instructors in the computer learning centers are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) accredited.

The parents are very proud, of the achievements of their children in PMCI. As young as four years old, apart from their proficiency in manipulating a computer, can already read and write two to three words in English and can add/subtract two-digit numbers without using a calculator.

Like the computer learning centers, PMCI has two separate libraries, one for the elementary and high school students located at the ground floor of the college building, and the other for the college students housed at the third floor of the same building. Both libraries are loaded with educational materials such as softwares, reference textbooks, volumes of encyclopedia, dictionaries, periodicals, magazines and other vital printed materials.

To ensure quality instruction and superior products, PMCI limits its enrolment and/or admission requirement to maximum of 15 students per class in the pre-elementary, elementary and secondary. However, enrolment is open to a maximum of 40 students per class in the college. This policy is conceived to boost quality teaching, and give each child the necessary attention he is entitled to in all educational ladders.

The Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) are the institution’s flagship courses. From them, PMCI produces academically competitive and highly employable graduates. The percentage of the board passers in the Licensure Examinations for Teachers in the teacher education courses is something to be proud of as it falls within the passing range of the LET board passers of other teacher-training institutions in the area.
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Rehab center in Dagupan eyed (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=regions4_aug31_2007)

By Macon Ramos Araneta

House Speaker Jose de Venecia and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III are now finalizing the establishment of a Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center in Dagupan City.

“We have to act now and face up to the problems of drug abuse in the country,” De Venecia said.

The lawmaker said the rehabilitation center will rise on a 7-hectare lot donated to the national government by the Teodoro Manaois family.

According to Dr. Roland Mejia, officer in charge of the Region I Medical Center, an initial funding of P15 million has been released by the health department for the project.

“This will also help decongest the rehabilitation centers in Metro Manila,” Mejia added.

The proposed center is expected to accommodate from 100 to 200 patients at a time.

Mejia said health officials are holding a series of meetings and consultations with the barangay officials and Sanggunian members to ensure the cooperation of the residents living near the project site.

“We have held meetings with them to make sure they understand the wisdom behind the project and the benefits the community will get when the center is operational,” the health official said.

Once operational, Mejia said the funds needed for its maintenance would be included in the annual appropriations for the health department.

Mejia also revealed a plan to create a separate agency under the department to handle all drug rehabilitation centers in the country.
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Urbiztondo councilor wins national league presidency (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p070830.htm&no=71&r=&y=&mo=)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Councilor Raul P. Sison of Urbiztondo won as president of the Philippine Councilors League Pangasinan Chapter in the PCL election at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center last Tuesday.

Sison, who garnered 243 votes, edged out Pozorrubio Councilor Dennis Uy by 41 votes. The third PCL candidate, Councilor Orlando de Guzman of Basista, got three votes.

Sison, a nephew of former third district Congressman Fabian "Paping" Sison, will sit as ex-officio member of the sangguniang panlalawigan.

He replaced former PCL president Danilo Uy who earlier won a regular seat as board member of the fifth district.

After his proclamation by the PCL election committee, Sison urged his opponents and their followers to "forget the bitterness of the PCL fight and instead unite in the collective effort to support the programs of development of the Provincial Government for the good of all Pangasinenses."

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., in congratulating Sison and his team, pledged all-out support for PCL undertakings, emphasizing that they are needed in helping him bring to fruition the goals and objectives of the provincial government.

The other elected PCL officers were Councilors Maria Isabel Villacorta (Manaoag), vice president; Cheryl Bascos (Villasis), secretary; Rose M. Marcella (San Fabian), treasurer; Manuel V. Resuello (San Carlos), P.R.O.; Jose Z. Carrera, Jr. (Binmaley), business manager; and Cirilo Radoc (Alaminos), auditor.

The board directors are Councilors Jocelyn Visaya (Tayug), Dante de Castro (Anda), Mildred Marcella (San Fabian), Cecille C. Celeste (Anda), Alexander T. Parayno (Sta. Barbara), Dyna P. de Guzman (Urbiztondo), Noel Bautista (Binalonan) and Reynaldo Dotimas (San Nicolas). (DOS/PIA)

allan_dude

September 2nd, 2007, 12:53 PM

Bangladesh delegation here to observe project PROMISE (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/02/bangladesh-delegation-here-to-observe-project-promise/#more-6402)

A 20-man delegation from Chittagong province in Bangladesh will be in Dagupan City on September 6 to 7 to observe the implementation of the Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE).

The two-day visit will give the visitors an insight into how the city is implementing project PRO-MISE, being only one of four pilot areas in Asia.

The visiting officials from Bangladesh are mostly city mayors and other officials.

Project PROMISE is a program on disaster mitigation funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The visitors will be welcomed by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, along with city councilors, City Administrator Alvin Fernandez and department heads.

“We are very honored because these officials from Bangladesh are willing to take time out from a thousand miles just to come over here and learn from our experiences,” Mayor Fernandez said.

While here, the delegation will visit the eight pilot barangays of Project PROMISE, namely: Tebeng, Salisay, Mangin, Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Lasip Chico, Lasip Grande and Pogo Grande.

Dagupan City is the only Philippine city chosen to implement the Project PROMISE.

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Traders to introduce bangus brand labeling (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/02/traders-to-introduce-bangus-brand-labeling/#more-6394)

TO PROTECT DAGUPAN BANGUS INDUSTRY

“Aliens” watch out!

Fish traders in Dagupan City, known as the Bangus Capital of the World, will soon be putting a label on the city’s produce to protect the industry from so-called “alien” bangus that come from other provinces.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. told local newsmen that the move was initiated by various consignaciones, a group of fish traders, who claim that they have been receiving numerous complaints from their suki (valued clients) about the imported variety.

Fernandez said the city government, through the fisheries management section of the city agriculture office, will formulate and implement a labeling system.

City agriculturist Emma Molina said her office plans to finalize the template by the end of September.

The “alien” bangus coming from Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna de Bay, among others, reportedly smell and taste like “mud” whereas the authentic Dagupan bangus is known for its fresh, milky taste.

Fernandez said the groups of traders respect free trade but stressed the need for more transparency in the identification of goods.

“They, too, have to police their own ranks,” he said.

Fernandez said the labeling will protect the city’s bangus industry.

The authenticity involves bulk suppliers who unload their produce at the Dawel Bridge and load them in bancas direct to the Magsaysay Fish Market to make it appear they came from the Bonuan, the biggest bangus-producing barangay in the city.

Dagupan bangus, given its superior quality, is priced at about P30-P35 higher than the “alien” kind.

Fernandez met last week with officers and members of the city agriculture and fishery council, city fisheries and aquatic resources management council and the Near Shore Fisherfolk Cooperative, Inc. to assess the situation and the fishery and agricultural needs of the barangays.

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City council OKs MOA for Bangus Processing Plant (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/02/city-council-oks-moa-for-bangus-processing-plant/#more-6398)

The city council has given Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. the green light to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KICA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the construction of the proposed Bangus Processing Plant in Dagupan City.

KICA is giving a $2 million grant for the project initiated during the previous administration of former Mayor Benjamin Lim.

Councilor Alfie Fernandez, chair of the council’s committee on trade and industry, who proposed the resolution granting the mayor the authority to sign the MOA, said the Bangus Processing Plant will be a big boon for the city, particularly for the development of its export sector.

The plant is envisioned to process the bangus (milkfish), the city’s primary and most popular produce, as well as other aquaculture products from Pangasinan.

The grant from KICA was negotiated by House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. last year with the Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament and Foreign Minister of Korea, but which the Lim administration reportedly did not actively pursue.

Councilor Fernandez said aside from earning much needed foreign exchange for the country, the processing plant will also provide employment to about 100 residents and help stimulate allied industries.

Bangus, tilapia, siganid and p. vannamei white shrimp are raised here in brackish water (a combination of fresh water coming from the upland and salty water from the Lingayen Gulf).

The Korean grant does not require a counterpart fund from the local government, but the contract requires officials to make sure that the project will be viable.—LM

allan_dude

September 2nd, 2007, 01:01 PM

Hike in quarry fees noted (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/02/hike-in-quarry-fees-noted/#more-6396)

A total of P1.1 million has been realized by the provincial government from quarry fees during the month of July, or 64% higher than the P670,000 collection of the previous provincial administration during the same period last year.

The increase is a result of the set of reforms introduced during the first month in office of Governor Amado Espino Jr., among them the transfer of the supervision of quarry operations under a new body called the Natural Resources Regulatory Group (NRRG).

The NRRG is under the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and is led by Nestor Batalla as officer-in-charge.

Quarrying operations used to be supervised by the Inter-Agency Mineral products and Aggregates Conservation Team (IMPACT).

Batalla said Espino has directed the eradication of illegal quarrying and illegal mining operations in Pangasinan to improve revenue collections and attain environmental stability.

The NRRG includes municipal mayors and barangay chairmen as members of the quarry task force.

Aside from its anti-illegal quarrying and mining function, the NRRG is also tasked to cooperate with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the enforcement of provincial mining and tax laws.

The provincial government is also proposing certain revisions in the 1998 Revenue Tax Code (RTC) to further add teeth to the reform measures adopted by the provincial government.

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Rural bank extends loan for call center training (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/02/rural-bank-extends-loan-for-call-center-training/#more-6399)

THE Dagupan-based FarmOut Central Intouch and Training Center has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Rural Bank of Mangaldan Inc. providing loans to students wanting to enroll in call center training.

The first of its kind in the country, the MOA is a ‘study now, pay later plan’ for student applicants who do not qualify in the government’s PGMA TESDA Scholarships, said Jane Chua, acting president of FarmOut.

The training is patterned after the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-designed curriculum.

Under the MOA, Rural Bank of Mangaldan will cover the enrolment fees for the students who will have an option to pay back in 120 days or after they shall have been employed as call center agents.

“It is a loan to be given to students just in case they cannot afford the tuition fees initially,” said Connie Jimenez, director of Rural Bank of Mangaldan.

Wilson Chua, president of Bitstop Computers, the mother company of FarmOut, said the signing of the MOA highlights a milestone where the company is now reaching out to other industries to help them in the thrust to develop more call center agents.

Pointing to financing as one of the key concerns of students, Chua said FarmOut tied up with the Rural Bank of Mangaldan to close the gap and allow more people to avail of the education.

HEALTH BENEFIT

The Chuas also signed a MOA with Villaflor Dcotors’ Hospital, for the hospital-medical benefit of FarmOut employees. Vincent Villaflor said the partnership between their hospital and FarmOut is proof of the big future of the call center industry in the city.

FarmOut Training Center, as a call center training center, is a division of the FarmOut Central call center based in Bonuan, Dagupan City, requires students to undergo practicum training after their class studies.

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Fish pens banned in Pangasinan town (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=86067)

By Gabriel Cardinoza
Northern Luzon Bureau

BINMALEY, Pangasinan -- The municipal government here would no longer allow the return of fish pens to its rivers after a moratorium on the construction of these structures was imposed two years ago following a massive fish kill that hit this coastal town.

Mayor Simplicio Rosario said allowing fish pens to thrive again would result in the pollution of the town’s rivers and “consequently, the death of our bangus (milkfish) fish ponds.”

At least 70 percent of the town’s area is devoted to fishponds, which are scattered in its 33 villages.

“Besides, it was my election campaign promise and I’d like to think that the people reelected me because of that,” Rosario, now on his second term, said.

At least P15 million worth of bangus went belly up in 2005 in various fish pens and ponds here due to low dissolved oxygen level.

Rosario said the town’s agriculture officer said overfeeding in the fish pens brought about that condition. This polluted the river because feeds that were not consumed by the fish settled in the water and rotted, he said.

Fishponds relied on the rivers here to refresh its water during the changing of the tides in the Lingayen Gulf.

Rosario said without the fish pens, local fishermen could now fish in the rivers freely for their food.

He said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has set up satellite stations in the rivers to monitor water quality “in preparation for an oyster farm that we are going to establish.”

“We are now also conducting a hydrological survey to establish our rivers’ navigational lanes and to determine where our small fishermen could build pasabing (fish traps) to catch shrimps,” Rosario said.

But he said the local government is still having a problem on the rivers’ water quality because fish pens still exist in neighboring Lingayen town and Dagupan City.

The river flowing into this town is an extension of the Calmay River in Dagupan City. This town and Lingayen are also separated in the south by a tributary of the Agno River.

“I’m very happy because many of the fishes that have disappeared from our rivers are now coming back,” Rosario said.

Rosario said by next year, he hopes to build a fish center here, which was a major revenue source for this town in the 1990s.

“Most of the bangus consignacion (wholesalers) in Dagupan City are from this town. So we might as well build our own,” he said.

He said he is now looking for funds for the construction of the fish center.

allan_dude

September 3rd, 2007, 11:42 AM

Bayambang landfill meets its dead end (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/02/bayambang-landfill-meets-its-dead-end/#more-6406)

BAYAMBANG–The controversial P250-million sanitary landfill project here will be shelved for good if the new town mayor will have his way.

Mayor Ricardo Camacho told local newsmen that he intends to keep his campaign promise to the townsfolk to block the implementation of the project, which had already been approved by the previous administration.

“If it’s exclusively for Bayambang, there is no problem with me. But if it will be used also by other municipalities, I am against it,” he said.

Camacho said he has already referred the implications of his stance with legal experts and asked the Sangguniang Bayan to review and draft possible amendments to the approved ordinance authorizing the project.

The sanitary landfill, to be located in a 33-hectare lot in Barangay Dusoc, will be undertaken and managed by Waste Integrated Network Systems, Inc. (WINS).

Under the terms of the approved contract, 12 towns in Pangasinan and in neighboring Tarlac will be allowed to unload their trash here with corresponding fees.

WINS has complied with the requirements for the construction of the project, including the conduct of public hearings which became controversial due to the strong opposition from Bayambang residents.

Meanwhile, Camacho said he will soon implement measures called for by provisions of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act under Republic Act 9003.

The law mandates local government units to convert open dumpsites to controlled dumpsite by 2004 and eventually establishing a sanitary landfill, supposedly by February 16, 2006.

Local government officials who fail to comply with and enforce the rules and regulations of the law may be charged administratively.

Camacho said he is planning to construct a material recovery facility as an alternative to the proposal of WINS.

He warned that the town’s anti-littering ordinance will also be strictly implemented beginning September, particularly in the public market area.

Waste segregation and overall cleanliness maintenance will also be put into effect.

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Construction of Pangasinan U in Alaminos tackled (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/09/03/news/construction.of.pangasinan.u.in.alaminos.tackled.html)

LINGAYEN -- The Pangasinan State University's (PSU) plan to expand to Alaminos City is now being discussed.

PSU president Victoriano Elira said there had been initials talks with Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza and other city officials about the plan. The Alaminos City Government is willing to donate a lot for the school campus.

Online memorial for Cebu's Nenita "Inday Nita" Daluz. Post testimonials here.

Elira said construction would start early next year if and when the needed resolution for the lot's deed of donation is passed by the City Council.

Elira assumed recently as PSU president. He said part of his administration's program is to put up a campus in Alaminos "to bring quality education and make tuition more affordable to the people in Pangasinan's first district."

The first district, where Alaminos City is situated, is very wide yet there is no big college school or university to cater to the educational needs of the people especially the poor.

He said their goal is to increase the population of PSU by 50 percent by June 2008 and branching out to Alaminos is one the strategies being adopted. There will be no tuition fee increase as this would put education beyond the reach of poor students, he said.

"The intelligent ones and those who would really like to improve their lives by gaining knowledge will not be given the opportunity to study," he said.

Elira said the more than 10,000 student population of PSU (from all the eight campuses) is low considering the number of people in Pangasinan.

Of the eight campuses, the Lingayen campus has the biggest student population with more than 4,000 students followed by Bayambang and Urdaneta City campuses. (LCMY/Sunnex)

__________

Canto allays fear about proposed rehab center (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/02/canto-allays-fear-about-proposed-rehab-center/#more-6408)

Don’t worry, be happy.

Councilor Jesus Canto gave this assurance to residents opposing the planned construction of the Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center in Bonuan Binloc, which is intended to serve not just Pangasinan but the entire Northern Luzon.

The P35-million facility will be built on a three-hectare lot previously occupied by the Dona Teodora Manaois Extension Hospital.

Canto, a doctor, said the fear of Bonuan Binloc residents that wards of the drug rehab center might get out and disturb their community is unfounded because the Department of Health which will manage it, will fully secured the area.

“The people of Bonuan Binloc, especially owners of businesses in the area, should be open-minded and instead feel proud instead that the drug rehab center will be located in their area,” Canto said.

The councilor also said that their fear that Bonuan Binloc will become less attractive to tourists and investors once the drug rehab center is up is unfounded.

On the contrary, he said, the price of real estate in Bonuan Binloc will escalate because the drug rehab center that will be operated as a first class facility.

Canto, formerly the head of the Region 1 Medical Center, said the region is the only one in the country without a drug rehab center of its own.

The center will operate as a dormitory where the wards are charged nominal fees for board and lodging until they are rehabilitated.

The funding for the center has already been included in the proposed 2008 National Budget, according to House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. –LM

allan_dude

September 6th, 2007, 01:13 PM

Lingayen poised to become Pangasinan’s fifth city

The town of Lingayen, the seat of the provincial government in Pangasinan, may now qualify to be elevated into a city, hopefully to become the fifth in the province.

Lingayen Mayor Ernesto Castañeda confirmed this but added they are not in a hurry to make a bid for their town to become the next city in Pangasinan, after Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta and Alaminos cities.

“We know we are now qualified to bid for cityhood but we are not pushing this yet in order to prepare and complete the much-needed infrastructures and other projects required of a new city,” he noted.

Lingayen is a first class town of Pangasinan, the same classification attained earlier by the bigger towns of Bayambang, Malasiqui and Mangaldan, and lately Sta. Barbara, other possible candidates for cityhood.

But Lingayen has the best chance to be elevated into a city, being the seat of the Pangasinan provincial government and the landing place of the Allied Liberation Forces on Jan. 9, 1945 on the way to liberate Luzon from the Japanese.

One of the town’s greatest assets is the Lingayen beach, now the beehive of domestic and foreign tourists all-year round.

Among the landmarks in Lingayen are the provincial capitol, the Sison auditorium and the War Memorial Center; Maramba Boulevard, the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, venue of most regional and national conventions; the Ramos Museum that houses the memorabilia of the family of former President Fidel V. Ramos and the Limahong Channel.

With the aid of the private sector, the municipal government has transformed Lingayen into another big commercial and trading center of Pangasinan that could rival Dagupan.

Castañeda revealed that the town now has an annual income of P80 million which is set to increase because of its tremendous economic and agricultural potentials.

He noted the standing population of Lingayen at present is over 100,000, although it is 130,000 during the day.

With 32 barangays, Lingayen is a lot bigger than Dagupan, the first town in Pangasinan to attain cityhood in 1947.

Lingayen produces the tasty and sweet-smelling "bagoong" (fish paste), wood furniture and "bangus" (milkfish).

Castañeda said Lingayen is strategically located in Pangasinan and is connected to Manila via the Romulo and MacArthur Highways.

Tourists from the north and east going to the Hundred Islands off Alaminos City, and Zambales, always pass through Lingayen.

(PNA (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20060706173004742))

allan_dude

September 10th, 2007, 11:35 AM

Pangasinan center benefits hundreds of OFWs (http://ofw.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070907184737590)

Hundreds of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), their dependents and prospective job hunters were benefited by the Pangasinan Overseas Filipino Workers' Center (POFWC)for the past one and a half year.

Alex Ferrer, Public Employment Service Officer (PESO),said the POFWC based at the Capitol Grounds in Lingayen, can do the processing of documents of returning and outbound OFWs, including members oftheir respective families.

Set up more smetime in 2005, the POFWC opened every Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., starting last September 5 to serve OFWs and their kin, Ferrer said.

A non-stop-shop facility under the PESO, the center provides services such as the processing of Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC) of returning OFWs, and membership and renewal of PhilHealth cards, and other employment papers required by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the OFW Association.

Ferrer said that for the past one a half year, hundreds of OFWs and their dependents are getting the requirements from the center, saving them time and money in going to Manila or San Fernando City, La Union.

He added that these services are line with the new labor and livelihood program thrust of Gov. Amado T.Espino, Jr. so that there would be more jobs and income opportunities for the Pangasinan people.

The PESO already held several job fairs, job placements, Special Program for Employment of Students(SPES), Work Appreciation Program (WAP), a program called TULAY, which is devoted to the amelioration of persons with disabilities, skills training and anti-illegal recruitment drives. (PNA)
__________

Bolinao declares 60-hectare sea-grass protected area (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/10/bolinao-declares-60-hectare-sea-grass-protected-area/#more-6476)

BOLINAO–A portion of the municipal waters of this town has been declared as a sea-grass reserve area to allow marine life, specifically fish and shellfish, to spawn and thrive.

The declaration is contained in a municipal ordinance authored by Councilor Simon del Fierro.

The protected zone, located in Barangays Binabalian and Goyoden, more popularly known as Benew, has a total area of 60 hectares with 40 hectares designated as buffer zone.

Limited activities will be allowed in the buffer zone, including traditional and sustainable fishing methods.

The 20-hectare core area will be totally off-limits to the public to maintain the good quality sea-grass and reef habitat.

The management and monitoring of the sanctuary will be undertaken by the Bolinao Sea-Grass Management Board composed of the local community, barangay officials, members of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council and public organizations in coordination with the partner agencies like the municipal agriculturist for assistance.

Sea grass beds are highly diverse and productive ecosystems which serve as spawning grounds for marine life.
__________

UPang has most nursing passers (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/10/upang-has-most-nursing-passers/)

The University of Pangasinan (UPang) has sustained its record as the top producer of nurses in northern Luzon with 299 passers in the latest Licensure Board Examinations for Nurses.

A jubilant Dr. Catalino Rivera Jr., UPANG president, said “it is on record that UPang produces the biggest number of nurses every year” as he thanked the public’s continued patronage and faith in the university.

Rivera said the school, now on the vanguard of siring employable graduates thru its call center program, has stressed quality graduates.

pi_malejana

September 15th, 2007, 08:54 PM

meron po ba tayong PANGASINAN sa transport and infrastracture thread..?:)

allan_dude

September 16th, 2007, 09:43 AM

^ Angapo ni

suri_maw2020

September 17th, 2007, 11:50 AM

Photos from Flickr courstesy of diamonds_in_the_sole s_of_her_shoes'

Relics of WW2 at Lingayen (Behind the Pangasinan Capitol Bldg.)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/1193583039_3f28a5071a.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1024/1194441232_200a30450c.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1286/1193553961_17cb88a6bd.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1434/1193547735_6f295ab9b7.jpg?v=0

suri_maw2020

September 17th, 2007, 11:58 AM

From Flickr courtesy of diamonds_in_the_sole s_of_her_shoes'

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/81/237494587_7e94b5ba5b.jpg?v=0
Lingayen Church

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/130827608_e82685dc4c.jpg?v=0
The road (Boulevard) going to Pangasinan Capitol.

suri_maw2020

September 17th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Hurray!!!!..

:banana:

allan_dude

September 17th, 2007, 12:40 PM

Soon to be called Lingayen City.

Hurray!!!!..

Taga ka ed Lingayen? :)

From Flickr courtesy of diamonds_in_the_sole s_of_her_shoes'

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/130827608_e82685dc4c.jpg?v=0
The road (Boulevard) going to Pangasinan Capitol.

Maramba Blvd right? Tapos na rin yung linear park sa gitna. I think the pic shown is north bound. :)

suri_maw2020

September 17th, 2007, 01:54 PM

Soon to be called Lingayen City.

Taga ka ed Lingayen? :)

Maramba Blvd right? Tapos na rin yung linear park sa gitna. I think the pic shown is north bound. :)

I was born in Lingayen but raise in Mountain Province.....ang gulo ano....

Currecckkk Maramba Blvd...nga yan..kaya alng Old pics he he he

allan_dude

September 17th, 2007, 02:15 PM

pi_malejana

September 18th, 2007, 06:45 AM

anggapoy mai-post ko ja kabaleyan..:lol:
mantepet ak labat ta anggapo'y nagawaan ko..:lol:
kumusta la'y mangaldan ey? wala'y MAGIC mall diitan, wad-man ni? mel-melag labat iman, singano supermarket, aliwan mall..!!:nuts:

tan so san jacinto (my hometown!! hehe..) wala la'y bumbero da? ta ma'y lolo'k et wala'd DILG, budget so hawak to.. et sy kwanto mangi-iyan lay trak diman, katon ag la um-bayes ed manaoag tan mangaldan no wala'y po-ol..!!:nuts:

suri_maw2020

September 18th, 2007, 07:18 AM

^ Welcome back Kabaleyan! Feel at Home. :hug:

Hmm.. so pinanganak ka malapit sa dalampasigan tapos namulat ka na sa kabundukan. Interesting.

Gawa ka rin ng thread para sa Mountain Province, tapos share mo sa lahat kung ano meron dun. 5 years ago nagpunta kami sa Sagada, sarap dun ha. Taga Sagada ka ba? :)

:) ...malayo kami sa Sagada......saka ipaubaya ko na lang sa mga masisipag sa SSC........nasa barrio kami kasi..... pasilip-silip lang ako paminsan-minsan pag naligaw sa Bayan :)

suri_maw2020

September 18th, 2007, 02:06 PM

Old photo of Capitol Bldg of Lingayen from Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/LingayenCapitol.jpg/800px-

allan_dude

September 19th, 2007, 12:11 AM

^ Nice pic! Ayan ba before or after ng war?

anggapoy mai-post ko ja kabaleyan..:lol:
mantepet ak labat ta anggapo'y nagawaan ko..:lol:
kumusta la'y mangaldan ey? wala'y MAGIC mall diitan, wad-man ni? mel-melag labat iman, singano supermarket, aliwan mall..!!:nuts:

tan so san jacinto (my hometown!! hehe..) wala la'y bumbero da? ta ma'y lolo'k et wala'd DILG, budget so hawak to.. et sy kwanto mangi-iyan lay trak diman, katon ag la um-bayes ed manaoag tan mangaldan no wala'y po-ol..!!:nuts:

Syak angapo met la so nanunutan ko. Ta no kyen makapangiras so man panunot.

Kabatan mo lay Nyaki? Forumer dya. Taga Bayambang met man, Sarasarag to so man Pangasinan. No wadya labat man, mampabangat ak kumon ed sikayo. Ta kyen Ilocano kami ed abong mi. Talagan aman so salita mi. Nayari met lay pangalatos ko?

Panay pulitiko manaya so dalam. :)

Amay aunti'k balak ton unlaban para mayor ed Mangaldan. Ag ko sigurado no ituloy to ni ed 2010. hehehe

Balibali ni so munisipyo na Mangaldan. Agak la masyado undadalan ditan natan. Nen niman aka unla ak la ed Magic Mangaldan, tuwa aga man mall! Balet marakep so supermarket tan dakel met so lako da. Wala ni so Jollibee to awa.

Kulan mo natan? Kapigan so sempet mo? No unsempet ka ed San Jacinto, sika lay mangala na pictures ditad partem. :lol:

pi_malejana

September 19th, 2007, 06:52 AM

Syak angapo met la so nanunutan ko. Ta no kyen makapangiras so man panunot.

Kabatan mo lay Nyaki? Forumer dya. Taga Bayambang met man, Sarasarag to so man Pangasinan. No wadya labat man, mampabangat ak kumon ed sikayo. Ta kyen Ilocano kami ed abong mi. Talagan aman so salita mi. Nayari met lay pangalatos ko?

Panay pulitiko manaya so dalam. :)

Amay aunti'k balak ton unlaban para mayor ed Mangaldan. Ag ko sigurado no ituloy to ni ed 2010. hehehe

Balibali ni so munisipyo na Mangaldan. Agak la masyado undadalan ditan natan. Nen niman aka unla ak la ed Magic Mangaldan, tuwa aga man mall! Balet marakep so supermarket tan dakel met so lako da. Wala ni so Jollibee to awa.

Kulan mo natan? Kapigan so sempet mo? No unsempet ka ed San Jacinto, sika lay mangala na pictures ditad partem. :lol:

ag ak pa "fluent" ed pangalatok/pangasinan.. antak so mansalita, balet aliwan singano akukulaw, ya 'expert' la..:nuts: insan ma-irap so man type.. ag ko antay speling insan imay pronunciation, eh, init-dan ko lay hyphen ta pan awan confusing..:lol:

say pulitiko.. ay imbagam!! dakel so kabat mi.. dyad central gov't balet so kabat mi, aliwad local.. si for. sen. tatad so kabat ya kabat mi nen saman.. ay ikakandidato mi pa man nen saman ed dagupan CSI!!:lol: tan si de venecia e kabat mi met ta kyen councilor a? si benjie lim, kabat mo? sikato'y lider ya party nin lolo'k.. atalo ed 4th district.. antam? pangalatok labat so maka-basa tan maka-anta.. e ta unya so istorya pm kita na lang.. antakot ak no ibagak ja..:)

translation.. as requested by the mods...:)
'di ako fluent sa pangasinan.. marunong ako pero hindi kasing galing ng mga matatanda..:nuts: tsaka mahirap mag-type.. di ko lam spelling pati pronunciation.. nilalagyan ko na lang ng hyphen para may indication..:lol:

sa pulitika, ay oo. madami kamiing kilala.. sa central gov't pero, hindi sa locale.. si former sen. kit tatad, kilalang kilala namin dati, kinakampanya namin yan sa CSI dagupan..:lol: pati din si JDV kasi councilor yan sa district namen diba? si benjie lim kilala mo? siya ung lider ng party na kinabibilangan ng lolo ko.. kaso natalo sya kay JDV.. lam mo kung baket? sabihin ko sa 'yo.. pm kita.. ayoko dito..:)

allan_dude

September 19th, 2007, 09:57 AM

^ Ay agi anto ya! Man Tagalog ta la.

Translation: Oh ano ito kapatid! Mag Tagalaog nalang tayo.

Naging FORO PANGASINAN na to. :hilarious

ag ak pa "fluent" ed pangalatok/pangasinan.. antak so mansalita, balet aliwan singano akukulaw, ya 'expert' la..:nuts: insan ma-irap so man type.. ag ko antay speling insan imay pronunciation, eh, init-dan ko lay hyphen ta pan awan confusing..:lol:

say pulitiko.. ay imbagam!! dakel so kabat mi.. dyad central gov't balet so kabat mi, aliwad local.. si for. sen. tatad so kabat ya kabat mi nen saman.. ay ikakandidato mi pa man nen saman ed dagupan CSI!!:lol: tan si de venecia e kabat mi met ta kyen councilor a? si benjie lim, kabat mo? sikato'y lider ya party nin lolo'k.. atalo ed 4th district.. antam? pangalatok labat so maka-basa tan maka-anta.. e ta unya so istorya pm kita na lang.. antakot ak no ibagak ja..:)

Oo nakilala ko dati si Benjie. Reperesentative ako dati ng tito ko nung nagkaroon ng boardmeeting tungkol sa mga nego-negosyo nila.

Nabasa mo na ba yung Wikipedia entry about Panagsinan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangasinan) Politics? Mejo intriguing amay asulat.

Nwy, uwi uli ako sa Panagsinan sa Thursday. update kita kung ano bago

allan_dude

September 19th, 2007, 08:19 PM

More tourists flocking to Hundred Islands, says mayor (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/09/18/news/city.set.to.launch.islas.de.vidas..html)

A total of 115,811 foreigners visited the Hundred Islands National Park in the first eight months of this year, over-shooting the 111,006 visitors who went there the whole of 2006.

A jubilant Mayor Hernani Braganza said this indicates that more and more foreigners are visiting the Hundred Islands now than at any time in the past.

He said this was the result of the world-wide promotion campaign they have undertaken for the Hundred Islands, which is the top tourist destination in Pangasinan.

By classification, the biggest number of foreign visitors to the Hundred Islands from January to August this year comprised of Asians numbering 112,761, followed by North Americans, 1,580; and Europeans, 1,213.

Records showered there were 227 visitors from Oceana, 26 from Africa and four from South America.

The peak period for the foreigners' visit to Hundred Islands was from May to June as shown by the 2007 records of arrival.

There were 21,624 who arrived in May, 10,364 in June and 8,629 in February.

Braganza said out of these arrivals, including domestic arrivals, the Hundred Islands National Park was able to earn P5,794,864.40 which overshot the total 2006 collection of 4,719.148.15.

The revenue is based on ticket sales on people going to the Hundred Islands, pegged at P20 per head.

Officials noted that domestic and foreign tourists are now flocking to the Hundred Islands in droves, especially after it was placed under the management and supervision of the city government.

Braganza said the Philippine Tourism Authority helped the city promote Hundred Islands to the rest of the Philippines and the world. (PNA)

__________

City set to launch ‘Islas de Vidas’ (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/09/18/news/city.set.to.launch.islas.de.vidas..html)

“ISLAS de Vidas or Islands of Life” is the name of the Adopt an Island project, which the Alaminos City Government will introduce on September 29.

It is basically a competition that will conclude first quarter of year 2008.

Join forum on Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict on Estrada plunder case. Post comments here.

Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza said the project is a joint undertaking with the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) preparing the designs and costings.

"It will be a combination of designs associated with different cultures,” he explained.

The mayor said they are now finalizing the details in time with the launching.

The islands will be clustered, namely, under the clusters of Quezon Island, Children's Island, Governor's Island, Shell Island, and Bolodeco.

The designs per cluster are the ones, which the sponsoring participants or competitors will implement.

Braganza said the concept of Adopt an Island is technically capital infusion from the private sector.

"But more importantly is the environmental rules that will basically govern what kind of structures will be put up in the islands," he said.

"The possible arrangement in the future is to enjoin joint venture agreement between the City Government and the private sector. We are also eyeing foundations of corporations, which are very strong in environmental protection," the mayor said.

Braganza said the project is being undertaken to maximize the potentials of the Hundred Islands without destroying its environs.

"The biggest challenge in the Hundred Islands is how to sustain it, how to maintain it. We are spending almost P3 million a year just to protect it against illegal activities. It is also draining our resources, but at the same time it has become income generating. Now, it's not a problem anymore," he said.

He said an average of 79,000 tourists a year used to come and visit the Hundred Islands before he first assumed as mayor.

After the development done at the park and the improvements of amenities within the main islands, Braganza said they are now averaging 13,000 tourists a month or 156,000 tourists a month.

"We used to pay booth rentals at tourism trade fairs. Now, the Department of Tourism (DOT) gives us free booth just like in the two most recent fairs," Braganza said, adding how happy he is as the DOT is promoting the Hundred Islands extensively. (LCMY/Sunnex)

pi_malejana

September 20th, 2007, 06:29 AM

ya-a so website kuno na san jacinto.. wala'y latest pic to met lasi.!!:banana:
natan ko kasi labat aneng-neng may church grounds..:banana: karakep la manaya...:lol:

http://www.pangasinan.org/sanjacinto/

translation..:
eto na ung website daw ng san jacinto.. meron din pala 'tong mga latest pics.. kasi ngaun ko lang nakita ung bagong church grounds.. kaganda pala...!!

allan_dude

September 20th, 2007, 08:10 PM

pi_malejana

September 20th, 2007, 09:03 PM

Ay un marakep so agawa da ditan san masanting met so landscaping to.
Anak na lasi! Abasam la may a-post ko ditan.:hilarious

Traslation:
Oh yes maganda ang nagawa nila tapos maganda rin yung landscaping.
Anak ng kidlat (expression)! Nabasa mo ba yung na post ko dyan.

ay imbagam.. singa analo'y lotto ma'y cardinal..:lol: ibagak kumon jueten e..:lol:
antutan ya post mo?! ag ko ni anengneng amo..

translation..
sinabi mo.. akala ko nga nanalo sa lotto ung cardinal eh..:lol: or should i say, jueteng..:lol:

ano yang post mo? 'di ko pa ata nakikita..

allan_dude

September 20th, 2007, 09:31 PM

ay imbagam.. singa analo'y lotto ma'y cardinal..:lol: ibagak kumon jueten e..:lol:
antutan ya post mo?! ag ko ni anengneng amo..

Lanti. Dakel ya donasyon so atangap na simbaan yo a.
May kyen.. manaanapak na totoon nayarian dan man post dya. Ag mo la aanapen.

Dyad baley me wala met lay website balet dyad previous administration ni. Angapo ni may dyad tio'k. Sikato so ama na baley mi natan.

http://bayambang.gov.ph/ << aga ni tan updated.

Translation:
Oo nga. Maraming donasyon ang natangap ng simbahan.
Yung ano.. naghahanap ako ng mga taong pwede natin makasama dito para mag post. Wag mo nahanapin.

Sa Bayan namin meron ring website kaso sa previous admin pa.

http://bayambang.gov.ph/ << hindi yan updated

allan_dude

September 23rd, 2007, 09:26 PM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/1428579229_b0fe63a687_m.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1377/1428579125_d81c63a1e3_m.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1349/1428579033_601ad71554_m.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1129/1429455802_2d066c15e7_m.jpg

http://csistadia.com/images/floor_plan.gif
source (http://csistadia.com/csi_facilities.htm)

Official Website: http://csistadia.com/

Overhead pedestrian walkway

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1046/1429455498_394ad94683_m.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1402/1428578701_9dd759bb6c_m.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1058/1429455384_9c87803aee_m.jpg

Along Arellano St./ NEPO

Other completed overhead pedestrian walkways located at City High/ Tapuac and AB Fernandez Ave.

My apologies for the low quality images. Taken last 09/22/07 :colgate:

allan_dude

September 23rd, 2007, 09:54 PM

New Dagupan bypass road to ease city traffic (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p070921.htm&no=55&r=&y=&mo=)

By Danny O Sagun

DAGUPAN CITY -- Expect traffic in downtown Dagupan City to lighten up significantly by June when the new six-kilometer Dawel-Lucao bypass road is set to open.

Second Pangasinan engineering district head Rodolfo Dion said construction work on the diversion road project to include the new 300-meter bridge is ahead of schedule by some three months, thus the possible opening of the road to motorists by June instead of September.

Concreting works are almost complete, Dion told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information over Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ last Tuesday. The construction crew is finishing a portion of the Lucao section, he said.

Motorists from the north bound for Lingayen need not pass thru the traffic-laden downtown area, saving them travel time by least 30 minutes to an hour. The new road will connect the Bonuan road to the Dagupan-Binmaley roadline in barangay Lucao, some 500 meters away from the De Venecia diversion road that connects Lucao to Calasiao.

The road construction project worth some P500 million was funded locally thru the countryside development fund of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., while the P1-billion bridge that will span the Pantal river in the Babaliwan area was funded thru a loan with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)

On the planned city's circumferential road project, Dion said there are plans to build a new road to link Dawel and Tambac or Bolosan, and another road to link Perez Boulevard to Tambac. The latter, which idea was conceived some years back, encountered a problem on land acquisition however. Owners of properties to be affected strongly rejected the plan.

Meanwhile, the flood-prone Lucao road (the section from the Trauma Hospital to the highway junction) will be elevated by some half meter, he said. Part of the P20-million project is rehabilitation of the drainage system in the area, he bared. The project is due to start next month.

Funding for the proposed elevation of the other flood-prone road in barangay Caranglaan is being worked out, he also said. A similar drainage rehabilitation project is due for implementation in the easily-flooded Bonuan road, he said.

Dion also bared that he had proposed construction of two more pedestrian overpasses in the city – one infront of the holding area (former Pantranco terminal) on M. H. del Pilar street, and the other infront of the University of Pangasinan on Arellano street.

The overpass infront of Nepo Mall was already finished, while that one infront of the CSI Market Square is under construction. (DOS/PIA)

__________

3 potential sites eyed for Alaminos Airport (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/23/3-potential-sites-eyed-for-alaminos-airport/#more-6640)

ALAMINOS CITY–Three potential locations for the planned airport here have been inspected by officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and all have been found to be suitable.

Mayor Hernani Braganza told local media that the next step is for the DOTC to conduct a feasibility study, which will cost P7.5 million, to determine which of the three would be the best site.

The three options are in areas along the boundaries of Alaminos-Sual, Alaminos-Bani and Alaminos- Mabini.

The feasibility study is targeted for completion within two to three months and Braganza said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given him assurance that the funding for the airport construction will be included in the 2008 national budget.

The planned airport will have a 1.8-kilometer runway to accommodate both passenger and big cargo planes.

The construction of an airport in Alaminos, home of the Hundred Islands National Park, was announced by the President in her State of the Nation Address in July. “Pangasinan has to catch up with other provinces. Technically, we can even become a regional hub in North Luzon because of our potentials the only key here is accessibility,” Braganza said.

TOURIST ARRIVALS

Meanwhile, the HINP has surpassed the 111,086 tourist arrivals in 2006 as of end-August this year, logging in 115,811 visitors in the first eight months of 2007.

Braganza said the completion of the airport is expected to further boost tourism and economic development in the area.

Fees collected at the HINP from January to August this year totaled P5.8 million compared to P3.6 million in the same period last year.

The Philippine Tourism Authority is currently constructing an Olympic-sized swimming pool here.

Next in the project line-up is a gymnasium with a 7,000 seating capacity.

Of the tourists this year, 112,761 are Asians, 1,213 are Europeans, 1,580 are North Americans, 227 from Oceania, 4 from South America and 26 Africans.

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Espino wants rural health units open 24/7 (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/23/espino-wants-rural-health-units-open-247/#more-6637)

ALAMINOS CITY— Governor Amado Espino Jr. wants all Rural Health Units in Pangasinan to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to be able to serve people, and the town and city mayors expressed their support for it.

Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas told local newsmen that mayors are receptive to the idea when the provincial board, of which she is the presiding officer, held a consultation meeting on the issue recently.

In attendance during the meeting were the may ors of Anda, Bani, Alaminos City, Agno, Infanta, Dasol, Burgos, Mabini, Sual, Agno and Bolinao.

Agabas said Espino is set to propose that RHUs open 24 hours a day so that they can attend to patients who are too far away from district and provincial hospitals.

She said from the initial consultation, the mayors agreed to open their respective RHUs round-the-clock so they can admit even mothers delivering their babies who are in remote areas.

The RHUs can operate 24 hours a day even at their present manpower strength by rotating their personnel into three shifts, Agabas said.

Espino said that by opening RHUs for 24 hours, there is a big possibility that the overcrowding in government hospitals can be avoided.

The provincial government is subsidizing the operations of the provincial and district hospitals.

Agabas said the provincial board is also consulting municipal and city mayors on the plan to pass to their local governments the payment of sanitary inspectors, which the provincial government is currently shouldering.

The proposal is based on the tight financial situation of the provincial government and sanitary inspectors are really set up to serve at the city and municipal levels.

Agabas pointed out that there are municipal governments that can afford to handle the salaries of their respective sanitary inspectors.

At the same time, she said they do recognize that there are towns, especially those belonging to the fifth and sixth class categories that may not be able to afford the additional financial cost. — LM

pi_malejana

September 24th, 2007, 05:30 AM

^^ wow!! parang 'di dagupan ung mga pics ah!! teka, ano ung CSI? ba't parang stadium sya? ang ganda rin nung overpass a!!:banana: sana me ganyan sa junction mismo..

ung sa airport naman, why alaminos? oh well, at least there's a plan.. accessibility is the main problem there in pangasinan.. bus rides are soooo long especially in alaminos...

suri_maw2020

September 24th, 2007, 07:59 AM

Woww....nadagdagan na naman ng CSi sa Dagupan....di kaya malito na ang mga tao sa Dagupan...sana ginawan na lang nila ng extension ung nasa Lucao para mas lalong maganda...

:banana:

allan_dude

September 24th, 2007, 01:42 PM

^^ wow!! parang 'di dagupan ung mga pics ah!! teka, ano ung CSI? ba't parang stadium sya? ang ganda rin nung overpass a!! sana me ganyan sa junction mismo..

ung sa airport naman, why alaminos? oh well, at least there's a plan.. accessibility is the main problem there in pangasinan.. bus rides are soooo long especially in alaminos...

Multi purpose convention center yan. Mag hohost nga rin raw sila ng PBA games soon.

Bout the overpasses, uniform yung design ng mga overpass sa dagups. Ayos yung design and clean tignan. Overpass sa junction, hmm.. pwede rin siguro, kaso makitid yung bangketa dun. Sa side ng Jollibee across Pizza Hut pwede dun. what do you think?

Why Alaminos? Malakas raw kasi si mayor kay PGMA and the project was endorsed by JDV. Anyway under feasibility study na rin ng DOTC yung Santa Barbara International Airport. :banana:

Woww....nadagdagan na naman ng CSi sa Dagupan....id kaya malito na ang mga tao sa Dagupan...sana ginawan na lang nila ng extension ung nasa Lucao para mas lalong maganda...

True, sobrang monopolized na nila ang buong province. Katapat ng CSI City Mall sa Lucao yung Stadia.

Magkakaroon rin pala ng McDonald's sa CSI Alaminos (2nd branch for Alaminos) and CSI Bayambang (U/C).

Magkakaroon na rin ng Starbucks sa Dagupan kaso punong puno ng controversy yung Development ng Metro State vs City Gov. Mukhang malabo na ata. Not sure pag lilipat nila ng location :bash:

suri_maw2020

September 27th, 2007, 07:25 AM

allan_dude

September 28th, 2007, 05:18 PM

Dagupan sets greening of highways (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070923160244441)

By Danny O Sagun

DAGUPAN CITY (28 September) -- Greeneries along the major roadlines will make Dagupan City look livelier and more pleasant.

This was the concept being mulled to change the image of the city, according to engineer Augusto Ventenilla of the city engineer's office. He said that greening the major highways within the city limits is part of the city's plan to make Dagupan more attractive to visitors and tourists.

"Say pakanengneng dad Dagupan kaloob da et makapkapuy," (Visitors have a bad impression of Dagupan) he told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ last week.

He said that greeneries from the boundary areas to the downtown proper will leave a good impression of the city on the part of tourists or visitors.

Sidewalks in the downtown area will also be cleared and improved noting that pedestrians can hardly pass thru some areas because of encroaches by private establishments, he said.

Surveys and plans are now being done by the city engineering office in consultation with the district engineer's office of the Department of Public Works and Highways, he said. (DOS/PIA-Pangasinan)

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Sari-sari store fair opens Friday (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/09/28/news/sari.sari.store.fair.opens.friday.html)

DAGUPAN CITY -- The first ever Sari-Sari Store and Livelihood Fair in the country will open Friday at the Jimmy L. Fernandez Stadia.

Incidentally, it is also the first consumer or trade fair to be held at the Jimmy L. Fernandez Stadia, the biggest exhibit and trade fair venue constructed north of Luzon which has a sitting capacity of 6,000.

The consumer fair was organized by the City Supermarket Incorporated (CSI), owner of the biggest chain of malls and supermarkets in Northern Luzon.

Participating exhibitors are the suppliers of CSI.

The three-day sari-sari store exhibit will open Friday morning with a drum and lyre exhibition at the center alley, simultaneously with the launching of the CSI Super Savings Card at the Activity Area.

There will also be a concert by the Banda Kawayan and later a Lion Dance Exhibition.

The opening ceremony will be led by Dagupan City Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez whose family owns CSI.

Fernandez earlier said sari-sari storeowners, caterers, canteen, restaurant, and hotel owners from the city and the entire province of Pangasinan are all welcome to visit the fair.

Accordingly, there are about 100 main suppliers of assorted consumer goods joining the exhibit. There will be product exhibits, product and cooking demonstrations and samplings, CSI Negosyo seminars, entertainment, and daily raffle draws by different companies.

The seminars to be conducted include "Business for Sari-Sari Store," "How to Attract Customers," "Seminar on Sari-Sari Store Merchandizing," "Business Tips," "Laging Wagi sa CSI Entrepreneural Seminar," "Purchasing on a Tight Budget," and "Sa Maliit na Capital May Negosyo Ka na."

The CSI will likewise launch its CSI Super-Savings Cards. The cards will be distributed to sari-sari storeowners. With it, they can get discounts for their purchases of goods in any CSI outlets in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and in Baguio City.

They will also earn them points that can be exchanged with corresponding prizes from small items to appliances.

Fernandez said they organized the Sari-Sari Store Exhibit and Livelihood Fair to help unemployed housewives start their own sari-sari even with small capital.

"The extra income from the sari-sari store will be a big help for the needs of the family," she said. (LCMY/Sunnex)

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10th Milo Little Olympics to resume (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/09/28/sports/10th.milo.little.olympics.to.resume.html)

LINGAYEN -- Games in the 10th Milo Little Olympics will continue on Saturday until Sunday.

The awarding ceremony will be held on October 11 at the Leisure Coast Resort in Dagupan City.

Join forum on Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict on Estrada plunder case. Post comments here.

Being watched in the medal standing are the Baguio City National High School, the over-all winner last year, and the Holy Angel University (Angeles City, Pampanga), which has been the undefeated champion in the secondary level for several years now.

Meanwhile, winners in the opening day's Loudest Cheer Category for elementary division were: Virgen Milagrosa Child Learning Center, San Carlos City (first place); Libsong Elementary School, Lingayen (second place); and Magsaysay Elementary School, Lingayen (third place).

Students from the Pangasinan National High School, which is located beside the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, came in droves and their cheer that filled the stadium earned them first place in the loudest cheer, secondary division.

Pangasinan School of Arts and Trades, Lingayen came second followed by the Bolinao School of Fisheries.

Winners in the cheer-dance competition for elementary division were: Lorma Grade School, San Fernando City, La Union (first place); Bauang North Central School, La Union (second); and Virgen Milagrosa Child Learning Center, San Carlos City (third). First place for the high school division was BHC Education Institute, La Union followed by the Baguio City National High School and Dagupan City National High School.

Cash prizes for the cheer-dance competition in both divisions were P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000, respectively, while for the loudest cheer are P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 respectively.

Aside from the champion, first and second place for both the elementary and secondary divisions are the Most Outstanding Athlete awardees in athletics, badminton, chess, football, gymnastics, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and volleyball. (LCMY/Sunnex)

__________

Alaminos City eyeing to become NL's goat capital (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070923160244441)

The city of Alaminos is eyeing to become the goat capital in Northern Luzon in five years with the launching of three projects intended to boost goat production by the city government and the Department of Agriculture.

These are the Goat Multiplier Farm, Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) and dairy goat production project, all launched in Barangay Dulacac here.

Rudy Bristol, president of the Hundred Islands Federation of Goat and Sheep Producers and Practitioners of Pangasinan Inc. lauded these projects launched by Mayor Hernani Braganza to boost food production and incomes of farmers.

"In return, we will do our best to sustain the program in order to achieve the vision of the city of becoming Northern Luzon's Goat Capital in the next five years," Bristol said.

The goat multiplier farm, established in the farm of Arnold Taipan, one of the most successful goat raisers in the city, is designed to upgrade and produce good stocks to meet the high demand for goat meat in the local market.

Taipan was chosen as farmer-partner of the program initiated by the DA Regional Field Unit I and the Alaminos city government through the City Veterinary Office.

A graduate from the Farmer Livestock School (FLS) on Integrated Goat Management (IGM) technology, Taipan received 24 heads of upgraded Anglo Nubian does from DA-RFU I as initial stocks.

Dr. Jovita Datuin of DA RFU-I, explained that the goats will be raised at Taipan's farm to help boost the local breeder base of goats and improve the quality of stocks.

"Out of this herd, we will soon have direct and accessible source of good breed which will be given away to our future FLS-IGM graduates and farmer beneficiaries," said City Veterinarian Ronald Abarra.

"We are now working on the establishment of more multiplier farms in other barangays for us to enhance our goat production," Abarra said.

The latest project also complemented the health and nutrition programs of the city, said City Administrator Wilmer S. Panabang, who represented Mayor Braganza during the launching program.

Goat raisers will be trained to produce dairy products to be purchased by the city government for its year-round supplemental feeding program, thus helping improve the nutritional status of children in schools and communities.

Panabang said the city government was currently implementing a goat commercialization program aimed at supplying the minimum goat requirement of the city and generate additional income for average families.

Since 2005, hundreds of bucks and does were loaned to the FLS-IGM graduates and traditional goat raisers.

Manuel Volante, a pioneer goat raiser and also named farmer-partner for CPAR, said that many goat breeders in the city were very happy that they shifted to this livestock venture.

He said in goat raising, the return of investment was very high because it only required low capital and minimal land area and there were available markets.

More importantly, said Volante, "the city government almost provides everything to us: from technology transfer to goats loaned to us, and in organizing our group into cooperative".

Bristol expected more farmers to engage in goat production this year, saying that many people have already learned and proved that goat production was indeed a very lucrative business.

Bristol thanked Mayor Braganza for his noble programs to raise the standard of living in the countryside. (PNA)

allan_dude

September 29th, 2007, 09:21 PM

City to put up ‘night market’ (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/09/27/news/city.to.put.up.night.market..html)

TO BOOST its local income and help the local vendors earn more as well, the San Carlos City Government will soon construct a “night market.”

The night market that will be situated at the New Public Market along Roxas Boulevard will be launched on October 30, 2007.

It will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. To be sold are the usual vegetables, meat, and other goods or products for basic consumption.

Acting San Carlos Mayor Joseres Resuello said vendors from both the old and new public market are being encouraged to put their goods at the night market area. They are also inviting other prospective vendors, especially those selling refreshments, to sell at the night market.

Weeks before the start of the night market, streamers will be put up in strategic areas connecting San Carlos City to nearby towns, particularly Malasiqui, Calasiao, Bayambang and Urbiztondo, so that the residents there will know that they can buy at the night market.

Mayor Julier Resuello earlier said they are adopting ways and means to continue the initial gains started by their father, the late mayor Julian Resuello, during his incumbency.

“We are not only creating an opportunity for some of our constituents to earn more, but also to give mothers who are busy during daytime a chance to buy fresh goods for their households,” said Mayor Resuello.

He also said the operation of the night market will also prove that the city is peaceful and it is safe to do business even in the evening. (LCMY/Sunnex)

Sinjin P.

September 30th, 2007, 11:15 AM

Alaminos City eyeing to become NL's goat capital (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070923160244441)

The city of Alaminos is eyeing to become the goat capital in Northern Luzon in five years with the launching of three projects intended to boost goat production by the city government and the Department of Agriculture.

These are the Goat Multiplier Farm, Community Participatory Action Research (CPAR) and dairy goat production project, all launched in Barangay Dulacac here.

Rudy Bristol, president of the Hundred Islands Federation of Goat and Sheep Producers and Practitioners of Pangasinan Inc. lauded these projects launched by Mayor Hernani Braganza to boost food production and incomes of farmers.

"In return, we will do our best to sustain the program in order to achieve the vision of the city of becoming Northern Luzon's Goat Capital in the next five years," Bristol said.

The goat multiplier farm, established in the farm of Arnold Taipan, one of the most successful goat raisers in the city, is designed to upgrade and produce good stocks to meet the high demand for goat meat in the local market.

Taipan was chosen as farmer-partner of the program initiated by the DA Regional Field Unit I and the Alaminos city government through the City Veterinary Office.

A graduate from the Farmer Livestock School (FLS) on Integrated Goat Management (IGM) technology, Taipan received 24 heads of upgraded Anglo Nubian does from DA-RFU I as initial stocks.

Dr. Jovita Datuin of DA RFU-I, explained that the goats will be raised at Taipan's farm to help boost the local breeder base of goats and improve the quality of stocks.

"Out of this herd, we will soon have direct and accessible source of good breed which will be given away to our future FLS-IGM graduates and farmer beneficiaries," said City Veterinarian Ronald Abarra.

"We are now working on the establishment of more multiplier farms in other barangays for us to enhance our goat production," Abarra said.

The latest project also complemented the health and nutrition programs of the city, said City Administrator Wilmer S. Panabang, who represented Mayor Braganza during the launching program.

Goat raisers will be trained to produce dairy products to be purchased by the city government for its year-round supplemental feeding program, thus helping improve the nutritional status of children in schools and communities.

Panabang said the city government was currently implementing a goat commercialization program aimed at supplying the minimum goat requirement of the city and generate additional income for average families.

Since 2005, hundreds of bucks and does were loaned to the FLS-IGM graduates and traditional goat raisers.

Manuel Volante, a pioneer goat raiser and also named farmer-partner for CPAR, said that many goat breeders in the city were very happy that they shifted to this livestock venture.

He said in goat raising, the return of investment was very high because it only required low capital and minimal land area and there were available markets.

More importantly, said Volante, "the city government almost provides everything to us: from technology transfer to goats loaned to us, and in organizing our group into cooperative".

Bristol expected more farmers to engage in goat production this year, saying that many people have already learned and proved that goat production was indeed a very lucrative business.

Bristol thanked Mayor Braganza for his noble programs to raise the standard of living in the countryside. (PNA)

How do goats taste like?

allan_dude

September 30th, 2007, 06:11 PM

^ Goat meat tastes like lamb, though the flavor is stronger. :)

You should try Pinapaitan, kilawin, sinigang or kalderetang kambing! Yummy talaga lalo na with ice cold beer.

allan_dude

October 1st, 2007, 03:12 AM

Pangasinan is major player in agri-business–NEDA (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/30/pangasinan-is-major-player-in-agri-business-neda/#more-6721)

Pangasinan will be a major player in the development of the Ilocos Region as the agriculture-business capital of the Philippines by 2010, said an official of the National Economic Development (NEDA).

Medardo Panlilio, chief of Plan and Policy Formulation of NEDA Region 1, called on provincial officials to draw plans that will maximize the potentials of agricultural products from the province in order to achieve the 2010 vision.

He urged the local government officials here to team up with the private sector, including those outside the region, for the development and promotion of products, particularly under the one-town-one-product program.

The Ilocos Region is currently the top producer of peanut, mongo, garlic, tomato, tobacco, mango and eggplant.

It is second nationwide for onion, third in bangus(milkfish), fourth in palay, and sixth in corn.

Pangasinan is the largest province in the region, comprising more than 50% of the total population and land area.

Panlilio led a NEDA team in a visit to Dagupan City Tuesday for the Regional DevelopmentCouncil-1 City Development Briefing.

Aside from Dagupan, the forum was also attended by local officials from the three other cities in the province, namely: Urdaneta, San Carlos and Alaminos.

Panlilio told The PUNCH that other regions did not contest their claim to be the agri-business capital of the country.

“We might just as well follow our dream because we are number one in many commodities,” he said.

Region 1 is envisioned to be the Philippine’s northern springboard to growth through increased exports.

_______________

Coconut trees under threat (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/22/coconut-trees-under-threat/#more-6633)

STA. BARBARA–A plague is threatening the province’s coconut trees, dubbed as the “tree of life”.

Coconut leaf beetle (Brontispa longissima), a pest that can readily kill precious coconut trees, has infected more than 1,000 hectares of coconut tree plantations in Urdaneta City, Labrador and Sual, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority’s (PCA) provincial office here.

Eleazar Parohinog, PCA’s provincial coconut development manager, told The PUNCH that they are now preparing means to address the problem.

PCA officials will soon meet with coconut tree owners this week to teach them counter measures to control further spread of the pest.

Initial treatments undertaken in Urdaneta City showed signs of recovery among the infested trees.

Parohinog said the treatment cost is very affordable even as he called on a concerted effort between the coconut tree owners and government officials.

Parohinog said a composite team that examined the coconut trees in one resort in Labrador, which has about 100 infested coconut trees, found that all the imported palm trees in the place were also affected.

The team suspects that the leaf beetle originated from the palm trees.

The bugs consume the juice of the leaves, leaving them dry and looking burnt.

Parohinog said his office wants to immediately control the pest before it spreads to the western part of Pangasinan where bulk of the coconut trees in the province are planted.

Pangasinan has more than 10,000 hectares of land planted to more than one million coconut trees, making it one of the top provinces in the coconut industry within Northern and Central Luzon.

An additional 40,000 to 50,000 hectares have been identified as potential area for coconut planting.

_______________

JICA funding BFAR project in Pangasinan (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070921125451707)

The Manat river here had been chosen as a pilot area for oyster farming by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Mayor Simplicio Rosario said a model oyster farm will be put up in this river jointly by BFAR and the municipal government with the support of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

This will become a show window for oyster raising in the whole of Pangasinan.

The Manat river was selected for the project because it is among the only few water bodies in Pangasinan that had been cleared of illegal fishpens.

Aside from Binmaley, also chosen for the JICA-BFAR project are Dagupan City and Lingayen.

He said Japanese technicians who came to Binmaley already conducted water sampling in the Manat river to find out its water quality.

"I am confident that Manat river passed the water test because we noticed that fish had returned there since we did away all fishpens two years ago," Rosario said.

Filipino and Japanese technicians said they will teach local fish farmers how to grow oysters that are free from organism so that it can also be eaten raw.

Hopefully, the town can produce oysters that can be shipped to Metro Manila, which are still dependent on oysters coming from the Visayas and Mindanao, he said.

"We can reduce the price of oysters in the Metro Manila markets if we can produce much oysters in Pangasinan," he said. (PNA)

_______________

Villaflor Hospital set for expansion (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/30/villaflor-hospital-set-for-expansion/#more-6719)

THE Villaflor Memorial Doctors Hospital is expanding and has acquired more modern equipment to provide patients with even better medical services.

This was announced by Dr. Vivencio Villaflor Jr., managing director of VMDH on September 27, coinciding with the hospital’s 26th anniversary.

Villaflor said the hospital transferred to its present location in Mayombo, Dagupan City 26 years ago on September 27 from a small clinic and hospital on Arellano Street that operated from 1968 to 1981.

“Actually, we are now 39 years of managing and administering a hospital in Dagupan City, 13 years in our old hospital and 26 years in our new location”, he said.

He said this was what his late father, Vivenvio Villaflor Sr., had envisioned, to have a tertiary hospital so that people in the city and from the whole province of Pangasinan need not go to Manila for medical services and treatment any more.

That old hospital started as a 17-bed capacity until it transferred to its new location with a 50-bed capacity. To date, the hospital has grown into a 100-bed tertiary hospital.

The VMDH has a staff of about 300, with 75 physicians, active and visiting.

VMDH currently has a dialysis center, cardio-pulmonary center and new machines for cardiac 3 d echo, ultra sound, CT scan among others.

“Hopefully, we will put up another building to house our radiology and oncology. We need additional rooms in order to entice more doctors as we are missing some doctors because we cannot offer rooms for them,” Dr. Villaflor said.

Construction of the new building starts in November.—LM

______________

Centromart installs Timbangan ng Bayan (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/09/30/centromart-installs-timbangan-ng-bayan/#more-6718)

TO protect the interest of consumers who regularly buy at the Centromart public market at Zamora Street, one 25-kilogram weighing scale was installed by the management, with the official sanction of the Department of Trade & Industry, represented by Marjury Loresco and Maria Anna Espinoza and the Dagupan City Mayor’s Office, represented by Executive Assistant Dr. Edwin Aguirre, who also did the honors at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting last September 28.

Centromart General Manager Manuel V. Roy said the Timbangan ng Bayan is a convenient way by which the buyers can immediately check the weight accuracy of items purchased by the kilo. The weighing scale, he says, is reliable and accurate as it was calibrated by the Department of Science & Technology prior to its installation

allan_dude

October 2nd, 2007, 06:31 PM

Espino lobbies for Sta. Barbara as airport site (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/10/01/espino-lobbies-for-sta-barbara-as-airport-site/)

STA. BARBARA - A tug-of-war is brewing over the planned construction of an airport in the province.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. is lobbying to have the airport in the town of Sta. Barbara, instead of Alaminos City, given its more strategic location.

Espino said he already told President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. about his view immediately after the President made the announcement on the project during her State of the Nation Address in July.

The governor, in a talk with media this week, pointed out that Sta. Barbara is more centrally located with boundaries linked to Urdaneta City and the towns of Calasiao, Mapandan, Malasiqui, Manaoag, and Mangaldan.

Just the previous week, Mayor Hernani Braganza of Alaminos City, home of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) in the northwestern side of the province, announced that three possible sites for the airport have already been inspected by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Meanwhile, Sta. Barbara Mayor Reynaldo Velasco has also earlier submitted his proposed airport project to the DOTC and to the Office of the President.

Espino said an airport in Sta. Barbara will have a more significant economic impact for the entire Pangasinan since it can serve as an alternate airport to the one in Baguio City.

For tourism alone, Sta. Barbara’s proximity to Manaoag, popular for its Catholic Church shrine, also outweighs Alaminos’ HINP, he added.

The governor also pointed out that he would rather have private airplanes with investors coming in so that once investments pour in, more facilities will be built to cater to the needs of tourists.

Alaminos City, he added, would have be an ideal site if the Proton Wira plant in Mabini town is still operational but no longer.

pi_malejana

October 2nd, 2007, 08:51 PM

^^ bakit away away na naman sila?:ohno:
diba sabi nila dati alaminos kasi sa tourism, tapos ngayon sa Sta. Barbara naman..

allan_dude

October 7th, 2007, 12:37 PM

It’s turtle-watching in Burgos (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/10/07/its-turtle-watching-in-burgos/#more-6802)

BURGOS–If you want to see some giant turtles, come visit this town at this time of the year.

During the month of October, various species of giant turtles such as Olive Ridley and Leatherback come ashore at the white sand beach of this scenic coastal town to lay eggs.

Mayor Domingo Doctor said this has been happening over the past several years and residents have been helping out the turtles by enclosing their nests in nets to prevent the hatchlings from prematurely venturing out into the sea.

The baby turtles are kept at bay for about a month and the nets are removed around end-November.

Last year, about 10 kinds of rare species of turtles were found here, Doctor said.

The mayor also said their town, which has a small population, has become an ideal habitat for the turtles because of their clean coastal waters and strict policies against illegal fishing.

A sea patrol team called Bantay Dagat guards their coastal waters every night.

The seven-kilometer area where the turtles nest had been made part of the protected area watched by the Bantay Dagat.

Previously, residents of sitios Cabaoangan, Pao and Paratek, all in Barangay Ilio-ilio, 22 kilometers away from the town proper where turtles hatch their eggs, sold the eggs which are believed to be an aphrodisiac as well as the turtle meat.

The mayor put a stop to the practice by implementing a reward scheme for those who look after the turtles and their eggs.

Violators are also penalized based on existing national laws.

A local ordinance declaring the area as protected is currently being drafted.

The mayor said they currently do not have the funds to boost their tourism potentials but hope to someday be positioned as an eco-tourism destination.

Doctor said visitors from Norway have conducted tests on their sand and found it to be among the finest not only in the Philippines but in the world.

Burgos, classified as a fourth class town, is the smallest in the first district of Pangasinan with a population of about 24,000.

__________

Hanjin trains engineers, welders from Pangasinan (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/10/07/hanjin-trains-engineers-welders-from-pangasinan/#more-6788)

LINGAYEN—Hanjin Shipping Company Limited, a Korean shipbuilding company based at the Subic Freeport Zone in Olongapo, has approved a training program for some 321 welders from Pangasinan.

At the same time, the company also screened some 168 engineers from the province to fill its increasing manpower quota.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. said that the job placements offered by Subic-based Hanjin will help ease the backlog of employment in Pangasinan which annually produces the biggest number of college graduates nationwide.

The Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) announced Hanjin needs at least 600 engineers and 1,000 highly skilled welders from Pangasinan for its $1-billion shipbuilding project at the Subic Bay Freeport.

In screening workers, KC TECH Inc. of Hanjin has already interviewed some 290 welder applicants last September 5, out of which 279 have already been accepted in the first round of qualifications.

Alex Ferrer, PESO Chief, said the 500 qualified welders will undergo job orientation right after passing the interviews.

The company will provide trainees with complete uniforms, protective equipment and P150.00 per day training allowance for the duration of their training in Subic.

Meanwhile, engineer applicants who had been interviewed for immediate deployment will undergo final screening in Subic.

Recently, Fujitsu Products Corporation of the Phils. in Laguna likewise expressed interest of hiring some 400 female applicants as production operators.

allan_dude

October 8th, 2007, 03:39 PM

Pangasinan 'bangus' gets its own brand name (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=93075)

By Gabriel Cardinoza
Inquirer

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines--It's now a lot easier to spot the bangus (milkfish) grown in Pangasinan.

They are now labeled either "Dagupan bangus" or "Pangasinan bangus." Those without these labels are considered "alien bangus," or grown somewhere else, according to city agriculturist Emma Molina.

"We have to act fast because we cannot ignore and set aside the perception of our consumers," Molina said.

"Besides, we have to give premium to Dagupan bangus and differentiate them from Pangasinan bangus and from bangus [raised in other provinces]," she said.

Dagupan bangus refer to those grown in the city's fish pens and ponds while Pangasinan bangus are those grown in other towns such as Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Sual, Lingayen, Binmaley, San Fabian and Alaminos City.

The labeling of homegrown bangus was triggered by the arrival here last month of large shipments of bangus from other provinces, creating fears among local growers that it would impact on the local bangus industry, which is the lifeblood of the city.

"Not only were these sold P15 to P20 cheaper than our bangus but these were also passed off as genuine Dagupan bangus," said Julita Perez, president of the Malimgas-Aliguas Dagupan Vendors Federation.

To the untrained eye, an "alien" bangus looks exactly like a Dagupan bangus. To tell the difference, one has to smell the gills.

"An 'alien' bangus has that distinctive, unpleasant, mud-like odor," Perez said.

Dagupan bangus, especially those raised in the fishponds in the villages of Bonuan Gueset, Bonuan Boquig and Bonuan Binloc, are said to be the best tasting bangus variety in the world.

But Molina said the labeling system the group has adopted is the best it can do for the moment.

She said in her meetings with local bangus growers and wholesalers that they were thinking of putting individual labels on each package of bangus.

"But we cannot easily implement it because we need to closely coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry because there's a DTI project under the One Town-One Product program, where the DTI identified that the provincial product would still be bangus," Molina said.

To ensure that the bangus products are properly labeled, Molina said the city government's market division had fielded market inspectors to monitor bangus wholesalers.

"There are more than 50 wholesalers and we have identified who are trading Bonuan bangus, who are trading Dagupan bangus and who are trading Pangasinan bangus," Molina said.

There are only four wholesalers trading "alien" bangus, she said.

"The peculiarity of their operations is that they do not trade 'alien' bangus the whole 24 hours that they operate because the 'alien' bangus arrive during a specific period," Molina said.

At least 200 kilograms of "alien" bangus arrive here every other day from Zambales and Bulacan, she said.

"But when the supply is small, the trick is that these are mixed with the Dagupan bangus or Pangasinan bangus. So it is passed off as such, which is detrimental to the industry because we all know that they do not taste like our bangus," Molina said.

While the city government is still perfecting the labeling scheme, Molina said they could only bank now on the honesty of the wholesalers.

"We told them that we could not protect the industry alone. We can only protect it if it is coupled with honesty and with the spirit of being a Dagupeño," she said.

"The first that would be ruined is Dagupan's bangus industry and second, the credibility of the operator. Even if we help each other on the monitoring side, if the person selling it is not telling us the truth, still [we will have a problem]," Molina said.

_______________

Dagupan will restore sounding of siren (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/10/07/dagupan-will-restore-sounding-of-siren/)

Soon Dagupeños will again be hearing the sound of the city’s siren regularly.

The “angelus time” is being revived in Dagupan City with the re-commissioning of its old siren that survived many generations until it conked out years ago.

This was the siren that used to wake up residents in their slumber at 6:00 a.m. and put them in one spirit in reciting God’s blessings during angelus time at 6:00 p.m.

City Councilor Jose Tamayo, chairman of the city council’s tourism committee, said he is certain the people of Dagupan will be happy to revive back the tradition.

“We will bring back the old siren. It is a part of Dagupan’s old culture, and tradition,” said Tamayo.

He said the children who grew up hearing the wailing of the siren at least three times a day are the city’s adults and they sorely miss the sound of the siren that once bonded many Dagupan families for generations.

Tamayo said he recalls that after decades of absence, the siren was put back in the city in 2001 when he spent his personal money for its repair.

The siren, however, broke down again after only few days of use and was never heard again.

“But hopefully, and with the help of City Engineer Virginia Rosario, the siren will start to function on or before December 16, timed in with the opening of the Dagupan Fiesta this year,” he said.

“That would make the eve of the fiesta more memorable since an old fixture and tradition of communing with the Almighty at angelus time is being put back,” added Tamayo, who is hermano mayor of this year’s fiesta.

The siren, which used to be positioned on top of the city hall, will be moved to the top floor of the Malimgas Public Market.

“It can be used to sound the alarm to warn people of oncoming storm, and alert them that it is time to make early morning revelry and to seek God for His blessings at angelus time, Tamayo said.–LM

suri_maw2020

October 11th, 2007, 11:47 AM

Woow sounding of Siren sa Dagupan.....hmmmm nakakarelate ako d2...

We used to have also same at Lingayen ewan ko kung ano ang nangyari d2 kasi lumipat na kami ng tirahan....:)

nayki

October 11th, 2007, 06:32 PM

Ang tagal-tagal ko ng naghahanap ng Master plan ng Alaminos city na ginawa ng Palafox Associate wala pa din akong makita sa net. Baka meron po kayo diyan. Ito iyong master plan na piankita sa mga business leaders along with pres.ramos dito sa Manila last year. Plano ni Mayor Braganza na gawing mala economic zone at tourist hub ang alaminos city.

allan_dude

October 14th, 2007, 07:49 AM

Nayki heto o! Pinaguusapan nila yung plano. :naughty:

http://www.hundredislands.ph/photos/palafox3.jpg

http://www.hundredislands.ph/photos/palafox4.jpg

Photos courtesy of Alaminos City Government (http://www.alaminoscity.gov.ph/news/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=65)

benchjade

October 14th, 2007, 12:06 PM

planong ano?

allan_dude

October 14th, 2007, 06:15 PM

planong ano?

Alaminos City Development Master Plan

Ang tagal-tagal ko ng naghahanap ng Master plan ng Alaminos city na ginawa ng Palafox Associate wala pa din akong makita sa net. Baka meron po kayo diyan. Ito iyong master plan na piankita sa mga business leaders along with pres.ramos dito sa Manila last year. Plano ni Mayor Braganza na gawing mala economic zone at tourist hub ang alaminos city.

Hindi ko pa nakikita sa net yung master plan nila. Kaya yung meeting nila pinost ko. Try this link: City Government of Alaminos (http://www.alaminoscity.gov.ph/news/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=159), meron sila sa background.

allan_dude

October 14th, 2007, 06:24 PM

Dagupan, finalist as “most business friendly LGU” (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/10/14/dagupan-finalist-as-most-business-friendly-lgu/#more-6869)

DAGUPAN City has been named one of the top four finalists for the 2007 Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

City Administrator Alvin Fernandez and City Planning and Development Officer Romeo Rosario presented a six-minute audio-visual presentation that showcased the speedy processing of permits, certificates, tax payments, licenses and other transactions in the city on October 9 for the final round of judging.

Fernandez showcased the “One-Stop-Shop” in the city where all the transactions have been housed under one roof for the benefit of businessmen and taxpayers.

The criteria for judging will be based on quality customer service (35%); public-private sector partnership (20%); investment promotion (20%); adoption of innovations (10%); and interlocal government relations (15%).

Aside from Dagupan, the other finalists include the cities of Tuguegarao, Tarlac and San Fernando, La Union.
_______________

Urdaneta tops in region in financial performance (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/Urdaneta%20tops%20in%20region%20in%20financial%20performance)

URDANETA CITY–A second-class city and only on its ninth year of cityhood, Urdaneta bested seven others in the Ilocos region in terms of resource management, according to the 2006 financial report of the Commission on Audit (COA).

Urdaneta posted the biggest total income at P423.25 million, but placed second to San Carlos City in net income.

The city also topped in terms of total assets and equity.

Urdaneta Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. attributed the city’s accomplishments to his administration’s conscious effort to maximize revenue collections in order to support various development projects.

“With maximized tax collections, there was no need to burden the people with additional taxes,” Perez told The PUNCH.

In terms of net income, Urdaneta recorded P78.76 million, next to San Carlos City’s P99.03 million.

Perez said since he took over the reins of the city government six years ago, he saw to it that every investment that the city embarked on was self-liquidating and earned additional revenues for the city.

The city’s two major economic projects include Building A of the Public Market, built from city funds in addition to the financial assistance extended by Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the city’s cattle and ‘bagsakan’ markets.

The newly completed Building B, said Perez, was funded by a loan obtained by the city from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

He said that all these are now earning money for the city, and have doubled the value of investments made.

Urdaneta registered the highest total assets among Region 1’s eight cities at P1.075 billion and highest total equity at P762.56 million.

Perez also said that the city adopted a policy of transparency in all its expenditures, making his administration accountable for every centavo spent.

Earning its cityhood in March 1998, Urdaneta is set to pole-vault to a first class city in the next reclassification round to be conducted by the Department of Finance.—LM
_______________

San Carlos to build new city hall (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/10/14/san-carlos-to-build-new-city-hall/#more-6871)

SAN CARLOS CITY–A new city hall will rise here to replace the existing 90-year old structure, Mayor Julier Resuello announced.

The new building, to be located in a 2,000 square-meter area along Zamora St. at the former site of Central I School, will be a two-storey building equipped with a helipad and a centralized air conditioning system.

Construction is scheduled to start within the first quarter next year and targeted for completion by end-2008 or within the first quarter of 2009.

Funding will be sourced from a bank loan, initially estimated at about P70 million.

Resuello is confident that the city can cover the payment of the loan from its annual earnings pegged at a minimum of P60 million.

Various banks have given proposals for the loan and Resuello said his office is still assessing the offers.

The old city hall located at the city center will be put up for sale once vacated.

“I am sure there will be many takers,” Resuello said.

The construction of a new city is part of the vision of Resuello’s slain father, former mayor Julian Resuello.

The young Resuello said they need a new city hall to better serve the growing needs of their booming city as well as provide a better working environment for the local government’s employees.

allan_dude

October 16th, 2007, 11:16 PM

Guv promises to put the province in order

By Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/10/17/news/guv.promises.to.put.the.province.in.order.html)

LINGAYEN -- Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. said his first 100 days in office was focused in putting the house in order as Pangasinan has the lowest percentage with access to health facilities and has the highest incidence of poverty in the Ilocos Region.

Espino said this last Monday when he delivered a special report on his First 100 Days at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) gym.

"I discovered that the task is a lot harder than I expected. The most obvious challenge is economic. So for the past three months and seven days, I and my staff adopted a set of reforms that realigned policies and programs. And we have made significant progress," he said.

Espino reported that of the 3,063 provincial government workers, 1,097 or one-third are casual employees.

His administration also inherited a P650 million loan which is being paid at P13 million in monthly amortizations and interests until 2011.

On peace and order aspect, Espino reported that the province was saddled with unsolved high profile killings like the murder of San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello, cattle rustling incidents, proliferation of illegal drugs, illegal gambling and the growing threats of insurgency.

Further, Espino discovered that there were no comprehensive programs on preventive health care like anti-dengue, anti- cholera and anti-rabies

Other problems that Espino mentioned was the inconvenience that farmers encounter when buying palay and corn seeds outside the province and the low tourist arrivals in the region.

"To solve these abnormal problems, the provincial government has established a forward-thinking, more hard-working administration for effective local governance," he remarked.

The Provincial Government has been religiously paying its loans, he said, while seeking other financial sources to keep the government afloat.

Espino said his office reduced the number of casual employees from 1,097 casual employees to 700. His office had also raised workers’ salaries by 10 percent.

The Capitol building and other facilities has also undergone improvement, renovation and refurbishing.

In the peace and order aspect, Espino said there has been no cattle-rustling case after he directed the police to toughen its anti-crime operations. Likewise, there had been no insurgent sightings both at the provincial boundaries in eastern and western Pangasinan.

"We ordered the eradication of jueteng and the PNP (Philippine National Police) campaigns forced gambling lords to resort to guerilla operations. We urged the Provincial Board not to allow STL in the province. The anti-drug campaign drastically cut the supply of drugs and intelligence reports indicate the cost of drugs have become prohibitive due to the resultant scarcity of supply," he remarked.

On health care, the governor said that dialysis machines will be installed in three strategically located hospitals. The people's health insurance is being expanded with the target of giving Philhealth cards to all heads of families until December 2008.

In the field of education, more funds will be allocated for the construction and repair of school facilities. There will also be regular sports events and sustained training programs at the NRSCC in the future.

Espino further said the Provincial Government has produced 600,000 tree seedlings for reforestation while the Interagency Mineral Products and Aggregates Conservation (Impact) was replaced with the Natural Resources Regulatory Group (NRRG).

NRRG, he said, has proven to be more effective in collecting taxes from quarry operations and in protecting the province's mineral resources.

"Pangasinan has not been conducive to investments because it lacked support industries, facilities and services. So we focused on how to enhance what we have in the province under the Regional Strategic Framework," he stated.

He said the province will pursue an Integrated Agricultural Program that can pave way for the entry of private (foreign and local) investors. Included in this program are the construction and repair of deep-sea fishing vessels and storage facilities, fish and food processing plants.

"To confront the great issues and problems of our province, we must act in a spirit of goodwill and respect for one another - and I promise, I will do my part as your governor," he said.

Present during his speech was former President Fidel Ramos, a native of Asingan town, his superior when they were still in the military.

Also present were members of the provincial board led by Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Pangasinan congressmen Ma. Rachel Arenas and Arthur Celeste of the first and third districts, respectively, and businessman Cesar Quiambao, among others.

allan_dude

October 18th, 2007, 06:54 PM

Alaminos mayor confident airport to rise soon

By Danny O. Sagun (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p071018.htm&no=44)

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan (18 October) -- Mayor Hernani Braganza sounde confident that the planned international airport project here will push thru.

He said that the project, the cost of which runs from P700 million to P1 billion, is now up for funding, adding that it is up to the Department of Transportation and Communication to source out the needed funds.

The city mayor said that the feasibility study of the project is being validated by the DOTC.

President Macapagal-Arroyo, in her State of the Nation Address, mentioned the Alaminos airport project as one of her administration's priority mega projects to boost trade and tourism in North Luzon.

The famous Hundred Islands national park, which is drawing more and more domestic and foreign tourists every year, is the city' treasure. The tourism site is now being administered by the city.

More foreign tourists are expected to come to the Hundred Islands once the international airport is put in place.

Braganza said that the President's commitment was an assurance that the airport project would push thru.

Asked categorically if the project would start next year, he said it depends on the availability of funds and the endorsement by the DOTC.

The capital town of Lingayen as well as Sta, Barbara and Rosales towns also expressed interest in putting up airports in those areas.

Braganza said he was not however worried by such similar moves of his fellow mayors. "Yong sa amin may feasibility study kasi at si Presidente mismo ang nag-commit," he noted. (DOS/PIA-Pangasinan)

ishtefh_03

October 19th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Nayki heto o! Pinaguusapan nila yung plano. :naughty:

http://www.hundredislands.ph/photos/palafox4.jpg

Photos courtesy of Alaminos City Government (http://www.alaminoscity.gov.ph/news/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=65)

uy! si boss!!! with his favorite shirt... good thing na palafox ang gagawa... :D

we went to manaoag last week and dun rin sa virgin's well dun... will post pics soon...

nayki

October 20th, 2007, 01:51 AM

Alaminos City Development Master Plan

Hindi ko pa nakikita sa net yung master plan nila. Kaya yung meeting nila pinost ko. Try this link: City Government of Alaminos (http://www.alaminoscity.gov.ph/news/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=159), meron sila sa background.

Thanks allan_dude.... Sana naman mag materialize iyang plan nila sa Alaminos.

allan_dude

October 21st, 2007, 03:01 AM

uy! si boss!!! with his favorite shirt... good thing na palafox ang gagawa... :D

we went to manaoag last week and dun rin sa virgin's well dun... will post pics soon...

Almost 1 year na rin ako hindi nakabalik sa Manaoag. Hope to see some pics. :)

Thanks allan_dude.... Sana naman mag materialize iyang plan nila sa Alaminos.

No prob Nayki!

_______________

Pangasinense lass topbills local daily TV program

By Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/10/21/news/pangasinense.lass.topbills.local.daily.tv.program.html)
Sunday, October 21, 2007

DAGUPAN CITY -- A pretty lass from Urdaneta City, who is of Filipino-Libyan blood, topbills the early morning program of ABS-CBN North Central Luzon.

Ara Hanesh, a 20-year-old nursing student from Barangay Palina West, Urdaneta City co-hosts the program Gandang Umaga Kapamilya (G.U.K) with Chris Zuñiga -- a native of Hagonoy, Bulacan -- everyday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., Mondays to Fridays.

Hanesh was the grand winner of Close Up to Fame and is one of the hosts of Northern Catch. She's the youngest of seven children.

Hanesh said her nursing course was put on hold for a while when she joined the Close up to Fame. She had enrolled again and hopes to graduate soon.

G.U.K was launched last Monday (October 15) with Dagupan City Acting Mayor Belen Fernandez as special guest.

Gemma Cacas, ABS-CBN North Central Luzon area manager, said they are localizing a portion of the Umagang kay Ganda of ABS-CBN channel 2 to suit the local audience.

"We present light stories, news and entertainment. The objective is to give something, which the audience can look forward to everyday. Also, to create viewing habit for the locals," she said.

ABS-CBN North Central Luzon covers Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

"Everyday we will have guests from different sectors, issues relevant in the area where they are from will be discussed. Things the viewers would want to know will be presented," added Irene Copiozo, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group-Luzon operations head.

Cacas clarified that the launching of G.U.K has nothing to do with the plan of the other network to put-up its own regional network in Dagupan City.

"The program was planned in 2005. It's actually long overdue as Cebu and Davao already broadcasts such program," Cacas said, adding they will be launching more shows soon.

Copiozo, for her part, said G.U.K. will also serve as an avenue for local artists, bands, and even school choral groups to show their talents.

Hanesh said she has to wake at 4 a.m. everyday for the show, but she sees no problem with her early schedule as they are housed within the ABS-CBN compound.

"Masaya at mas challenging," Zuñiga said on his additional work early in the morning aside from gathering news and anchoring the North Central Luzon news in the afternoon.

allan_dude

October 21st, 2007, 05:46 PM

Espino lists problems, vows to solve them

Punch News (http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2007/10/21/espino-lists-problems-vows-to-solve-them/#more-6962)

LINGAYEN – Governor Amado Espino Jr. appears to have been on a fact-finding mission in his first 100 days in office and now he vows to spend the rest of his term resolving the ails he discovered.

Espino, who delivered his first 100 days report Monday at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, said he discovered major problems when he assumed office and that these need to be immediately addressed.

Among the problems he listed were the poor tourism industry with Pangasinan having the third lowest tourist arrivals in the region, a bloated workforce, an inherited P650 million loan secured by the past administration, alleged irregularities in financial and fiscal management of provincial funds, lack of economic initiatives, unsolved high profile killings, and poor delivery of health services.

The governor noted that despite being home to the Hundred Islands National Park, a scenic western coastline with diverse marine life, and several religious sites, the province’s tourism potential has not been tapped with the lack of infra and service facilities for visitors.

“It is a land of great natural wonders, with a diverse array of geographic attractions: gorgeous white sandy beaches, verdant hills and scenic terrains, caves and waterfalls. We have in Lingayen one of the first airports in the country, but it is already largely non-operational, used more as a grazing area for cows, goats and sheep,” the governor lamented.

ECONOMY

Espino also pointed out the lack of commercial seaports despite the province’s strategic location.

He also said despite being host to two large power plants in the province, the Sual-coal-fired power plant and the San Roque Multi-purpose Dam project, Pangasinan has no big industries and manufacturing plants.

Espino said the provincial government has already initiated moves to take over the Sual fishport complex, operated by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, which has been subleased to companies using the facility merely as storage for dressed chicken and ice cream.

“For so many years, Pangasinan has not been conducive to investments because it lacked the basic support industries, facilities and services that can adequately protect and promote large industrial operations and other big time businesses,” he said.

“Unable to properly exploit our many natural resources, we are left behind by more progressive provinces, and now Pangasinan has the highest incidence of poverty in Region One,” Espino added.

As for the provincial workforce, Espino said he has already cut down the number of casual employees from 1,907 to only 700 and raised workers’ salaries by 10 percent.

He said he has also directed the Philippine National Police to toughen anti-crime operations, including the eradication of jueteng operations.

On public health, Espino said he has directed all 14 public hospitals under the provincial government to improve preventive health care for indigent patients, among others.

He vowed to allocate more funds for the construction and repair of school facilities to ensure the limit of 50 students per classroom.

“To confront the great issues and problems of our province, we must act in a spirit of goodwill and respect for one another-and I promise, as your governor, I will do my part,” Espino said.

allan_dude

October 22nd, 2007, 07:07 AM

Int’l airport, seaport to boost Pangasinan’s economic state: guv

Sun.Star (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/10/22/news/int.l.airport.seaport.to.boost.pangasinan.s.economic.state.guv.html)

LINGAYEN -- Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. said the construction of an international airport and seaport will be the key to attract investors to the province.

“These two major infrastructures will uplift the economic condition of Pangasinan,” said Espino in his first 100 Days report.

He said the province development stalled for the past years and growth has been minimal despite its big land area and rich natural resources.

Aside from the Sual Coal Fired Power Plant in Sual town and the San Roque Multi-Purpose Hydroelectric Power Plant in San Manuel town, there are no big industries and manufacturing plants in the province.

Espino also pointed out that 50 percent of the country's supply of onion comes from Pangasinan yet there is no storage facility in the province for onions. Also, Pangasinan is the number one producer of mangoes in the country but it has no mango processing and storage facilities.

The governor said he aims to address these and other concerns to make Pangasinan conducive to investments.

"We focused on how to enhance what we have in the province under the Regional Strategic Framework drawn by the national leadership," he said.

And since Pangasinan is basically agricultural, Espino said: "The Provincial Government will pursue an Integrated Agricultural Program that can pave the way for the entry of foreign and local private investors."

Included in this program, he added, are the construction and repair of deep-sea fishing vessels and storage facilities, fish and food processing plants, construction of silos and warehouses to store rice and corn, and increasing goat and cattle-raising to utilize the vast grazing land and rolling areas of Pangasinan.

Espino is optimistic the construction of an international airport and seaport will also attract investors to set up big industries like cement, manufacturing plants, mining and exportation of mineral products, call centers, transhipment of goods, and others.

He has been fighting for the redesigning and renovation of the existing Lingayen airport for domestic flights. (The airport is being used by light planes and helicopters.)

allan_dude

October 24th, 2007, 10:24 PM

30 Miss Earth candidates set to visit Urdaneta

Sun.Star (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pan/2007/10/19/news/30.miss.earth.candidates.set.to.visit.urdaneta.html)

THIRTY of the more than 80 Miss Earth candidates will be in Urdaneta City on October 28, 2007 for the swimsuit competition.

Venue of the swimsuit competition is the Lisland Rainforest Resort located a few meters away from McArthur Highway in Barangay San Vicente in the city.

Urdaneta Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said they would welcome the Miss Earth entourage at the boundary of Urdaneta City and Villasis at 9 a.m.

There will be a motorcade around the city proper. The candidates will stop for a while at the New Public Market before they would proceed to the new Urdaneta City Hall in Barangay Anonas for the tree planting.

Perez said only 600 "paying" viewers/audience (fee includes dinner) would be accommodated inside during the swimsuit competition.

The organizers will set up a big screen outside the main resort to give the public a chance to view live the goings on inside the resort.

Security and traffic plan are in place, the mayor said. A good number of policemen, traffic aides and barangay tanods (watchmen) will be detailed along the highway especially at the area fronting the resort to prevent vehicular accidents.

Perez said the visit of the Miss Earth candidates here would be a big promotion not only for Lisland Rainforest Resort but also for the city as a whole. (Visited in the past years by Miss Earth candidates were the cities of Alaminos and Dagupan.)

Meanwhile, representatives of Carousel Productions visited the resort twice and assessed both its facilities and environs before giving allowing it to become one of the venues of the swimsuit competition.

The resort (others say it is a forest in the city) has 785 fully grown trees to date.

The candidates will spend the night here before they proceed to their next activity venue.

According to Perez, five candidates will be chosen here as finalists to the Miss Earth crown.

The Miss Earth 2007 pageant will be held on November 11 at the University of the Philippines Theater

allan_dude

October 24th, 2007, 10:33 PM

The prospects of Philippine mango

By Henrylito D. Tacio (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2007/10/25/bus/the.prospects.of.philippine.mango.html)

THE Philippine mango is not called "Manila Super Mango" around the world for nothing. After all, its taste is still unmatched. In fact, former agriculture secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor said the fruit has found its way in the Guinness Book of World Records as the sweetest of its kind in the world.

How true is this claim? You better ask Ted Hopkins, an American expatriate who was once assigned in the country. When inquired what he would miss about the Philippines before leaving, he answered mangoes.

"There's nothing quite like it in the world," he explained. "Its sweet, juicy taste is so addictive, it's the first thing I'd surely like to have when I come back."

He further said, "Fresh mangoes from other countries are definitely cheaper compared to the Philippine mango especially those coming from Mexico, but why I would I settle for the second best? When it comes to mangoes, it should be only those coming from the Philippines."

For sure, the Philippine mango is one of the country's sources of pride. It is known for "its striking yellow peel and flesh, ambrosial scent, and most importantly, its distinctly sweet yet slightly tart flavor," to quote the words of Trina Leah Mendoza, of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Ripe mangoes are eaten fresh as a dessert or processed into dried mangoes, puree, juice, concentrate, shakes, and many more. When eaten green, they are a tasty treat for lovers of sour fruits as they are usually dipped in salt, fermented fish, or shrimp ("bagoong"). Green mangoes are also pressed into juice and shakes.

The Philippines is sixth in world mango production, contributing 4% to world supply. Data from the agriculture department showed that mango ranks third as the most important fruit in the country in terms of volume of production and area after banana and pineapple.

Although the Philippines is a major mango exporting country, its average annual production of 1.4 million metric tons still lags behind India (10.8 million metric tons), China (3.62 million metric tons), Thailand (1.72 million metric tons), and Pakistan (1.7 million metric tons).

Neighboring Asian countries like Hong Kong and Singapore have long been importing the country's fresh mangoes. Other major markets of fresh mangoes from the Philippines are Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and lately Australia (which allow only those fresh mangoes coming from Guimaras Island).

Just recently, the country has been exporting mangoes to the United States.

According to the agriculture department, the country generates as much as $35 million yearly from the export of mango products.

Most mango exports come from Guimaras Island. Unknown to many Filipinos, however, the province is not among the country's top mango producers. The top producers are Pangasinan (29 percent), Isabela (14 percent), Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Nueva Vizcaya (4 percent each), Bulacan, Iloilo, and South Cotabato (3 percent each), and Cebu (2 percent).

Mango growers are being classified into three: backyard growers, commercial growers and corporate farms. The agriculture department said more than half of the mango supply comes from backyard growers (those who own five to 20 fruit-bearing trees).

This is followed by commercials growers, entrepreneurs who are mostly based in urban areas, covering roughly 40 percent of the mango supply, and corporate farms that have integrated production and processing operations or export their produce to foreign markets through their exclusive marketing arms.

allan_dude

October 27th, 2007, 06:12 PM

Alaminos 'AA' abbatoir adjudged as RP's best

Balita.ph (http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20071024185131270)

The Alaminos City Abattoir (ACA) has won the coveted 2007 Best Meat Establishment plum under double 'AA' accredited LGU-slaughterhouse category throughout the country.

City Administrator Wilmer S. Panabang received the award in behalf of Mayor Hernani A. Braganza and the city government during the celebration of the Meat Safety Consciousness Week held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management in Quezon City last week.

ACA bagged the national award for its excellent compliance to all the rules and regulations set forth by the inter-agency committee during its audit of such facilities nationwide.

It bagged the award after being national finalists three times in a row since 2004.

The audit was in connection with this year's "Search for the Best Meat Establishment."

Members of the inter-agency committee's award giving body include the Department of Agriculture-National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

ACA, also known as Don Leopoldo Alcedo Slaughterhouse, bested other three finalists, namely Imus (Cavite) Municipal Slaughterhouse, Manolo Fortich (Bukidnon) Municipal Slaughterhouse and Moncada (Tarlac) Municipal Slaughterhouse.

Interestingly, ACA was the only LGU-owned slaughterhouse to be included among the elite group of "AA" abbatoir throughout the country.

"This (recognition) is the fruit of the Braganza administration's long-term program and utmost commitment in extending quality service to the 85,000 Alaminians," said Dr. Ronald Abarra, the City Veterinarian.

"This humble accomplishment will even further realize the city government's vision of a Hot Meat Free Alaminos in the next three to five years," he said.

The citation was also considered as a real testament that ACA is doing its best to provide affordable, accessible, clean and safe, quality and wholesome meat to the city residents.

Abarra attributed the award to the ACA's adherence to high standards set by NMIS and the necessary upgrading of the facility by the city government in order to be the best in the field.

The city slaughterhouse was also adjudged as the Region I's best in the same level for four consecutive years starting in 2003.

Also, the city's pride recently got its third Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) accreditation from the NMIS Region I.

allan_dude

October 28th, 2007, 11:52 AM

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/NEW%20BRIDGE%20TAKING%20SHAPE,PAGE-1.jpg

NEW BRIDGE TAKING SHAPE —A motorboat breezes through under the hulking steel girdle of the new P900 million bridge being constructed across the Pantal River at the back of the Land Transportation Office in Dagupan City. It is set to be completed on or before June 2008.

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/MOST%20BUSINESS%20FRIENDLY,PAGE-6.jpg

MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY—City legal officer George Mejia (3rd from left) and city planning and development coordinator Romeo Rosario receive the “Most Business Friendly” award for Dagupan City during the awarding ceremonies on October 24 at the Manila Hotel. Senator Loren Legarda lead the awarding with (from right) Donald Dee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former National Bureau of Investigation deputy director Samuel Ong and Miguel Varela, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Business Conference. The system was instituted during the Lim administration and continued by the Fernandez administration.

Source: Sunday Punch (http://punch.dagupan.com/)

cq7cc2

October 28th, 2007, 01:24 PM

Good evening to all.
Has anyone heard of the plan "Lingayen Black Sands and Royal Villas"?

http://www.lingayenblacksand.com/

I e-mailed the CEO but he really can't answer some of my questions like:
Where is the proposed site exactly located? What barrio of Lingayen?
When will the project start? Completion date?

But is seems to be a very wonderful plan!!!

Welcome To Your Island Of Dreams

Lingayen Blacksand Beach & Royal Villas, Inc. proudly present the latest concept in leasing rights and its for 99 years; your lifetime perpetual rights (PR) assigned land area or PR-Lot/s an exclusive 24/7, 365 days up to 99 years Leasing ownership rights better known as PERPETUAL RIGHTS OWNERSHIP for 99 yrs. lease rights assignable and transferable, YES it is transferable to the next of kin or the like, on the fifth year of the Perpetual Rights; your Lifetime Lease:

This Perpetual Rights Ownership is similar to the commonly known TAX DECLARATION, a land property rights or an acquired lot / land area leased from the Government land based properties where its Tax Declaration rights can be applied, for either Sales or Pre-Patent Title/s. Then after five (5) years surveyed for Torrance Title/s. The Leasing Rights is along side with the conditions of, or similar to the better known short term sub- lease (35 Yrs.) at the Camp John Hay in Baguio City where the land property is directly leased from the Philippine Government (Camp John Hay is the former United States Arm Forces recreational facilities) by acquiring just Sub-Leasing the lot/s assigned area for the remaining 35 years term only is a Non-Transferable term with restriction at the back of the lease term contract; while the leasing concept of former Sierra Madre Resort at Tagaytay City is for shorter terms, all the above are located in the Philippines. The Perpetual Rights Ownership is for a lifetime extending to the 99th year of life itself, this could not be compared nor, non-comparable to the internationally accepted TIME-SHARING Concept where you owned your Time Slot for only one (1) week per year only while maintenance and the like is additional cost, sharing the year long cost of overall maintenance. We re-present the rustic and ethnic type of developments on the area, where you can only enjoy the Philippine atmosphere of purely native and natural landscaping and rap road network or macadam settings surrounding the perimeters of the assigned PR-Lots / area. All other structural designs and
facilities are to be constructed after the 50% of the Leasing Project is awarded to the Lessees towards the 2 /3 year of purely beach and water lifestyle in the Blacksand world of virtual realities today!!!

Introducing

LINGAYEN BLACKSAND BEACH & ROYAL VILLAS

At Lingayen Gulf, Lingayen, Pangasinan, Luzon Island, Philippines

This beach properties Is beautifully spread along the span of almost four (4) kilometers beach sea waters frontage of the three (3) phase developmental plans of the 64 hectares of panoramic beach frontage and beach view situated PR- Lots located in Lingayen Gulf Blacksand Beach properties with blackest powder soft beach sand claimed to have healing elements mysteriously healing many users of the methods to heal elements, likewise conducted by Faith Healers in the region of Lingayen Gulf

NOW we have FINALLY revolutionized the concept of LEASING to its best ...
Presenting the Foreigners Easy Way to OWN a piece of the Philippines though this 99 years lease lifetime ownership of Perpetual Rights; the concept which opens the gate to Heavens door of tranquility, total peace of mind and rejuvenation processes while embracing the magical blacksand which proves again that black is definitely beautiful and can heal-said the natives in the area…. Come live in this paradise NOW!!!

Lingayen the center of business of the Province of Pangasinan located at the North-West of the Republic of the Philippines is also better known as Lingayen Gulf, in caved with mystical powers of the deep seas…and faith healers emerging from Pangasinan Province.

Lingayen is found within the biggest island of the Philippines-The Luzon Island; from the over 7,200 Islands and islets of the Republic, also known as a melting pot of various cultures and breed; barely a stone throw away from the equally famous 100 Islands a tourist spot Worldwide enjoyed by Pangasinan Province. The different cultures immerged from the Ilocanos, the Pangalatoks and its distinct dialect a language of its own, discovered at the Bolinao Municipality ideally situated at the western portion of the Province.

What you can expect in Province of Pangasinan:
Airport arrival and departure services of light plane at the nearby Lingayen Airport
Foreign exchange Center in the nearby area/s
Major credit cards are accepted in Philippines / Lingayen Blacksand Office
Property Security Guards at 24 hours / 7 days with Security Cameras in area/s
3 kilometers of Seawater Frontage with clean powdery Blacksand Beach
Inland Swimming Pools for adults and children
Basketball Court next to the Clubhouse / Pavilion for local competitions
Tennis Courts and other Facilities
Playgrounds at Phase 1, 2 and 3
Picnic Grooves at Phase 1,2 and 3
Catering Services
Bicycle & Skating Lane at Phase 2 near the Clubhouse / Pavilion
15 rooms Mini-Hospital & Clinics facilities at Phase 2 commercial arcade
Fitness Room at the Pavilion
Water Skiing accessories for rent will be available at the Pavilion
Scuba Diving accessories for rent will be available for deep sea diving
Snorkeling
Windsurfing seasonal
Sailing seasonal
Deep Sea Fishing upon request
Special Tourist spots Tours within Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao upon request
Limousine service available from Manila International Airport to Site
Beauty Salon and Boutique home services upon request
Physical Massage or Faith Healing services upon request
Social Meeting / Board conference facilities and sound system equipment
Same day laundry
Car rentals / driver for hire and valet available
Sightseeing tours within 50 aerial miles upon request
Local an / or Los Angeles / New York Times newspaper supply upon request
Electrical voltage 220 / 110 AC
Cable Television
Beach Side Restrooms / Showers along Phase 1,2 and 3 made available
Local and International Telephone services (application with PLDT )

** all designed structures will be started upon the 60% Lease-out of PR-Lots **

Photo above will be the typical outdoor dining area/s at site

International and European Cuisine

(When the structural buildings are open and operational you can expect all the below)
Dining at Lingayen Blacksand & Royal Villas Pavilion will be a pleasure, with a delightful range of food and beverage facilities to choose.

The Pavilion Dining areas will serve contemporary European cuisine with seafood specialties in a relaxing yet sophisticated atmosphere. Overlooking Lingayen Gulf, the setting is romantic and peaceful. This restaurant / Pavilion can be entirely enclosed and air-conditioned or open to the open sea air.

Our resident European Chief recipes will be reflecting simple and fresh European cooking. The menu changes regularly to provide guests with a continuously changing choice of tastes. An inviting beach view bar fully stocked with a wide selection of European Wine and liquors, Brandy and spirits will be awaiting the guests’ right at the entrance of the restaurant. The Bar is open for tropical cocktails in the late afternoon and for dinner from 19.00 hour onwards. Seating is designed for 65 persons.

The Restaurant is an informal open-air terrace serving a selection of Asian and International favorites. This casual restaurant is open for continental breakfasts, light lunches, sunset cocktails and divine dinners. Buffet dinner’s dishes changes every day, providing guests with a variety of taste sensations throughout the week. Dining seats: 100 persons

The INN Room
Tested along the waterfront with breathtaking views, this is the ideal environment. for Meetings, Team Brainstorming - Whatever your business goals, the Lingayen Blacksand Beach & Royal Villas can help you achieve the best. Our planners will work with you to help make your meeting an efficient success upon request.
Seating capacity 100 / 150 persons.
(Phase 2)

The Grill along the Beach; is an Asian and Italian Restaurant offering a savory selection of fresh seafood, pastas, salads, and prime cuts from the lava stone grill. Open for lunch, cocktails and dinner, The Grill is a popular spot for quiet meals. Same will be constructed upon notice.

For an afternoon cocktail or snack between dips in the pool, The Pool Bar will be serving drinks and light meals around the swimming pool for its guests as soon as it opens for the public.

Every guestroom of the INN will be having a spacious balcony which is a lovely spot to enjoy a selection from the extensive 24-hour room service menu. Guests can savor an entirely private meal in the comfort of their room or suite.

Restaurants

Type of Cuisine

Number of Seats

Company Restaurant

International

100

The INN Room

International

100 / 150

The Grill

Asian & European

75

Open Area /s

Asian & International

250 / 500

The INN Guestrooms (Phase 2)

Nearly every square inch of our interior will be newly built or re-modeled each year. From beautifully appointed baths and luxurious carpeting to designer lighting and computer data ports on request, you'll find our accommodations tastefully elegant and relaxing when it opens. As a guest of the Lingayen Blacksand & Royal Villas Inc. you'll enjoy: 20 Guest rooms in our Central Resort area of 8 oversized rooms in our hide away Villas along the sea waterfront with Private terraces Breathtaking water views In-room dining Spacious walk-in closets Cable TV Non-smoking rooms Handicapped accessibility Concierge Valet parking outdoor pools and Restaurants and lounges on site Full Waterfront activities. All amenities are European standards.