Lingayen – Incoming Fifth District Representative and outgoing Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. eyes to head the Agriculture and Food Committee when the 17th congress opens this July.
With Pangasinan’s welfare in mind, Gov. Espino said in an interview last June 14 that securing the post will enable him to further his advocacies on agriculture such as the second phase of irrigation in San Roque and to introduce technology that would boost development in the agriculture industry.

Gov. Espino bared that aside from heading the House of Representative’s agriculture committee, he has sought membership in the public works and appropriations committees to be able to voice the needed infrastructures in the province and in the fifth legislative district since congressmen do not have Priority Development Assistance Fund.

“I hope it pushes through… so we can help with the housing projects, and the neglected big projects like airports, container ports, economic zone, and BPO (business process outsourcing) center,” he said.

It can be recalled that PDAF, which congressmen previously used to finance own infrastructure projects in their district, has been abolished in 2014.

He also disclosed that he has just recently sworn in to the supermajority coalition Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan of which the national chairman is the President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Asked on the graft case filed against him for the alleged black sand mining, Gov. Espino said that he with his co-accused in the cases former Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan and former Provincial Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Alvin Bigay, posted P60,000 bail each on June 13.

“It was filed in 2012 and left out and just elevated to the Sandiganbayan court when the election was near. It was even used heavily to discredit us,” recounted the provincial chief executive.

He is confident that the case will be dismissed, citing that “they did nothing wrong and Lingayen Gulf has been a recipient of national awards for coastal resources management.”

“We’ll let them go through the process. (The case is already there.) We’ll just respond,” he said.

The incoming fifth district representative is elated that Pangasinenses remained unswayed by the smear tactics hurled on him and his family, proof of which is his and his namesake son and successor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III’s overwhelming win over a son of a business tycoon.

Gov. Espino thanked the Pangasinenses who showed unrelenting support to him and his family.

He promises to double the effort and service they have rendered in the past years in return for their love and support to the Espino family.

Lingayen – Two weeks before he relinquishes his 9-year gubernatorial post, Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. led the inauguration of three more structures within the Capitol Compound last June 14.

Comprising the three newly blessed edifices are the new Provincial Legal Office (PLO) and the Provincial Record and Archives Center (PRAC) in the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) compound, and the NRSCC Restaurant at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC).

Gov. Espino in an interview said that PLO, housed in its current 96-square meter office will be able to further deliver efficiently its services.

He added that the Php 1.9-million worth, 98-square-meter PRAC – the newest among the three as its construction commenced earlier April, was erected to conform to the standards set for local government units to manage and file pertinent records properly.

The governor also stressed that the two newly blessed buildings are standing on one compound with PESO, which has been accorded with various hall of fame distinctions.

As for the Php 9.5-million, fully renovated NRSCC Restaurant, the outgoing provincial executive said, “It will cater to participants of big events which the province hosts so that they will not have to go outside the compound just to eat.”

Built way back in 1995, the 524-square-meter NRSCC Restaurant was put up together with other structures in the NRSCC as the province’s showcase in hosting the 1995 Palarong Pambansa.

“It is such a pleasant sight, compared with the previous look of these buildings,” the incoming fifth district representative said.

In a separate interview, Provincial Engineer Antonietta Delos Santos also noted that the upgraded facilities have meticulously complied with the National Building and Fire Safety Codes standards to secure its occupants and the properties itself, most importantly the stored volume of records, which cannot be easily replaced.

The buildings also boast guided ramps and walkways to enable persons with disabilities better access to the services offered in the facilities.

Joining the outgoing governor in the blessing and inauguration of the edifices are various chiefs of office and some provincial government employees.

Just last June 10, Gov. Espino unveiled two more structures in the Capitol Compound: the Motorpool Repair bay 2 and the Materials Testing and Quality Control Building.

Lingayen— Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged Pangasinenses to revive local traditions and to go back to old, reliable values that made us distinctly and uniquely Filipinos.

The outgoing governor made the appeal during the celebration of the 118th Philippine Indepence Day on June 12 at the Pangasinan Heritage Center, formerly known as the Bengson-Yuson House, located at the Lingayen town proper.

With the celebration’s theme anchored on Pagkakaisa (unity), Pag-aambangan (sharing) and Pagsulong (development), Gov. Espino said all these will be meaningless if Filipinos forget the lessons of the past as he noted ‘technology has slowly stolen the values of the younger generation.’

As such, Gov. Espino stressed that reviving the Filipino values and traditions will serve as the basic core of the needed unity, sharing and development which will be instilled in the hearts and minds of the youth.

The governor said that instilling love for local culture and tradition should become the priority objective of the teachers and parents as he narrated a story of young school children who performed before him popular novelty dances like Otso-otso and Spaghetti in his first term then as congressman of the first district which he openly criticized.

Under his tenure, the province was able to soar even higher in terms of cultural projects with the help of different sectors led by the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC) through special projects on culture and history.

In connection with this, the outgoing provincial chief executive disclosed that the Independence Day celebration has personal relevance on him as he revealed that his paternal great grandfather was the first mayor of Bautista town in 1898 as he added that the mantle of leadership was passed on to his eldest brother who served as mayor of their town in 1998.

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Immanuel Norbert S. Escano, PHCC Commissioner who officiated the thanksgiving mass during the celebration, commended the governor for taking the lead in uniting Pangasinenses by trasforming the province into its present stature.

Escano said there is no leader yet in the province who has cared and loved his natal landscape but Gov. Espino.

Likewise, Escano cited that the governor’s deep love for Pangasinan can be seen on the programs and projects he has initiated during his nine-year incumbency.

Led by the governor, PHCC officials and heads of various provincial government offices, the event concluded with a simple flower offering ceremony featuring Maestro Romi Mananquil’s artwork which showcased the country’s independence. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

Lingayen – The thriving town of Burgos in western Pangasinan famed for its ‘Cabongaoan beach’ is taking the route of rediscovering its natural wonders and other man-made attractions to spur its tourism promotion agenda.

Other potential tourism assets of the town, aside from its awe-inspiring beaches that were unraveled during the validation and mapping of tourist attractions (TAs) and points of interest (POIs) in Pangasinan conducted by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), are prospects for tourism development.

Along with Burgos, validation and mapping activities will be conducted by the PTCAO in 9 other towns in Pangasinan which forms part of tourism development thrust of the administration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.

“Soon it will be easier to get acquainted with exploring Pangasinan Tourism once the database profiling of tourist attractions and points of interest in the province is completed,” said PTCAO staff GR Canas during the validation and mapping held in Burgos on June 8-9.

The validation and mapping activities in collaboration with local government units also seeks to calibrate the developments and management of natural and man-made tourism destinations in terms of accommodation, services offered and accessibility to public transport.

“The output of the validation and mapping will also aid on the planning and implementation of government projects,” Canas said.

Situated closely by the West Philippine Sea, the Cabongaoan beach of Burgos located in barangay Ilio-Ilio is a virtual paradise noted for its fine white sands, amazing rock formations and cozy ambiance with the majestic sunset fading at the horizon of the sea.

Lone coastal village of Burgos, Ilio-Ilio, also takes pride of unspoiled beaches in sitios of Paratek and Pao which are perfect places for exclusive family gathering and small group recreational activities.

Other natural attractions in Burgos include the rolling hills in southbound barangays of Sapa Pequena, Sapa Grande, Concordia, Pogoruac and Ilio-Ilio where herds of cattle in ranches roam freely; the panoramic Sangbay Falls which could be visited best during the ber-months; and Danao Lake in Barangay Cacayasen.

For pilgrims and devouts, there are two pilgrimage places in Burgos – the Opifices Christi (OC) and the Carmelite Monastery (Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) in sitio Mapila-pila, barangay Tambacan where they could have their retreat and recollection activities, particularly during Lenten season.

A miraculous adoration chapel erected in October 2011 at the OC, the Lumen Christi “to bring life to people” is believed to have bridged several divine intercessions for Christian devouts. The Lumen Christi, which transcends religious boundary among sects, has a place for non-christians (from other sects like Muslim and Buddhists) on its third floor where they could worship.

Several livelihood ventures initiated by the OC brothers led by Rev. Fr. Aaron Bamba, OC founder, bring employment to residents in Burgos, and as a way to fuel their community outreach programs.

The OC also manages its own radio station, DWTJ 99.3 Spirit FM Hundred Islands, with a radius reaching Lingayen and as far as Benguet province to the north, Sta. Cruz, Zambales to the south and Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya to the east.

Few footsteps away from the OC, the Carmelite Monastery run by 34 nuns of the Carmelite Order welcomes everyone for spiritual encounters.

Mass is celebrated at 6:30pm onwards everyday at the monastery while anticipated mass is offered at the OC at 5:30pm every Saturday.

Visitors in Burgos may also drop by the 19-hectare Narem Dragon Fruit Farm owned and managed by Jacinto Gabriel, who also runs a 5-hectare dragon fruit farm in Hermosa, Dasol.

Attributing to the medicinal value and health benefits derived from the dragon fruit, more and more tourists from various places visit said farm to learn information regarding the propagation and maintenance in growing the wonder fruit, as well as to satisfy the crave for mouthwatering dragon fruit delicacies and other food products.

Other tourist attractions to be validated and mapped by the PTCAO include: Allied Botanical Corporation (Tayug); Sky Plaza, Maranum Falls and Century Trees (Natividad); Villa Verde Trail, Red Row Arrow Monument (San Nicolas); Dipalao Falls, Caraballo Spring and Dipalao River (San Quintin); Mt. Amorong, Carasasong Spring and Diket Falls (Umingan); Mt. Balungao, Masa Floreda Dam, Integrated Goat Management Farm (Balungao); Acop Dam (Rosales); Nalsoc Cave, Bangrin Marine Protected Area, Baliwangga Falls and Angel Cave (Bani); Villacorta Cave, Balaki Island, Sabangan and Payong Payong Island, Babuyan Waterfalls and Pita Waterfalls (Infanta).

Lingayen – A total of 600 farmer groups in Pangasinan are set to receive water pump and engine units, with the first of the three batches of distribution held on June 16 at the Motorpool in Capitol Compound here.
Nestor Batalla, acting assistant of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) and in-charge of the program, said that the distribution of irrigation machine sets is one of incumbent Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.’s priority projects to upgrade the agriculture industry and boost harvest productivity in the province.

“This only shows the governor is being true to his commitment to upgrade the plight of farmers in the province.” said Batalla.

He said that this is the third time the Espino administration is making the donation as it is done once in every term of the outgoing governor, who is serving his third and last term as provincial chief executive.

The set includes a heavy duty but easy-to-carry, durable DP30 model air-cooled diesel water pump with built-in engine.

One kit is turned over to a farmers’ association with a minimum combined plowed field of 10 hectares, multiplying direct beneficiaries to about 7,000 rice, corn or vegetable growers from the 44 municipalities and 3 cities in the province.

Recipient groups have been selected upon submission of a formal request thru drafting an organization resolution and were further screened via an on-site validation conducted by OPAg personnel.

Batalla added that the units are helpful not only in making upland irrigation possible, but also in regulating water level in the fields which will enable growers to plant and harvest thrice a year either on dry or rainy seasons for a greater yield.

At the distribution, OPAg recorded the unit number and its recipients for inventory after the harvest from first use of the kit.

The acting assistant agriculturist assured that OPag will monitor the use and upkeep of the donated machines as it had done with the previous recipients from the past two terms of the governor.

For this term’s three-fold distribution, 217 farmers’ organizations received their units on June 16, 128 on June 17 and the final 255 on June 21.

In an earlier interview, Gov. Espino, who will assume the fifth legislative district seat as the congress opens this July, eyes the chairmanship in the committee on agriculture and food to propel the welfare of the industry in the province.

TRIPLE BUILDING INAUGURATION. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (left photo), with provincial government office heads and employees, spearheads the ribbon cutting ceremony of the newly renovated NRSCC Restaurant (upper right photo) at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, the final of the three-fold blessing and dedication of three additional buildings in the Capitol Compound – including the newly constructed building of Provincial Records and Archives Center (middle right photo) and the Provincial Legal Office (lower right photo) situated at the back of the PESO building – in Lingayen last June 14. /RMCL/MVS/JDM

Lingayen- – -Two more structures specifically the Motorpool Repair Bay 2 and Materials Testing and Quality Control Building, with a combined amount of  over P7.7M, were inaugurated on June 6 by outgoing Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr.
The inauguration was highlighted with the blessing of structures by Rev. Fr. Hernan Caronongan from the Epiphany of Our Lord Parish.
Provincial Engineer Antonietta Delos Santos said that the Repair Bay 2 project, which has a length of 948.13 sqms and project cost of P6.148M, had started last September 2015 and was completed in April this year. The Quality Control building, on the other hand, has a length of 91 sqms and cost P1.6M.
Delos Santos stressed the the transformation of motorpool was given priority of the present administration. “Hindi napabayaan ang equipment including the structures of engineering office under Governor Espino’s term,” she said as she added that she feels optimistic that the same concern will be carried out by the incoming administration of the provincial chief executive’s son and Governor-elect Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III.
It can be recalled that the Motorpool Repair Bay 1 was inaugurated last year. In addition, infrastructure equipments (mini dump truck, aerial platform, road roller tandem, vibratory roller, bulldozer crawler, water truck, hydraulic machine press, wheel excavator, mini asphalt finisher and rotary drilling machine) which had a total sum of P130M were purchased in February this year.
The blessing and inauguration was attended by heads of various provincial government offices and division chiefs of the Provincial Engineer’s Office. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

Lingayen- – -The provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) will disperse a total of 135,000 pieces of tilapia fingerlings to various communal waters in Alcala town, San Carlos City and  municipality of Rosales on June 10, 21 and July 1, respectively.
Dalisay Moya, OPAg officer-in-charge, said that of the total number of tilapia fingerlings, some 65,000 pieces were dispersed to Alcala while 30,000 pieces will be dispersed to San Carlos City and 40,000  pieces to Rosales.
The activity, Moya said, is part of the continuous project launched by the Espino administration to increase fish production and fish capture of marginalized Pangasinense fishermen.
In addition, tilapia fingerlings dispersal to communal bodies of water has become a regular activity of the provincial government to intensify fish production in Pangasinan primarily intended to increase the income of Pangasinenses engage in small scale fish farming.
Aside from the fingerlings dispersal, Moya earlier disclosed that OPAG also conducts skills training seminars on tilapia farming to provide aquaculture technology know-how among marginalized fisherfolks.
It can be recalled that Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. initiated the massive river clean-up to clear the province’s river systems of all the illegal structures that have caused environmental destructions to our waters.
As such, Gov. Espino previously noted that the beauty and richness of the rivers in Pangasinan have been brought back disclosing that “the fishermen can now fish again without using permanent fishing structures which pollute the rivers.”
The tilapia fingerlings were harvested from the three agricultural stations which are operated by the provincial government namely: Lingayen Provincial Freshwater Freshwater Fish Hatchery, San Quintin Provincial Freshwater Fish Hatchery and Sta. Barbara Provincial Freshwater Fish Hatchery.
According to the OPAg fishery division, about 16 million tilapia fingerlings have been dispersed in 714 communal bodies of water throughout Pangasinan from 2007 to present. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

Lingayen – The Provincial Government of Pangasinan joins the nation in commemorating the 118th Independence Day on Sunday, June 12.

Anchored on the theme “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong”, this year’s celebration will be held at the Bengson-Yuson House in Poblacion area here.

A Eucharistic mass at 7 a.m. will headline this year’s event, officiated by Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC)-member Rev. Fr. Immanuel Norbert S. Escano.

Second part is a general program at 8 a.m., where incumbent Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. will deliver a message and lead the flower offering with the PHCC commissioners and guests.

Singing of the National Anthem and the Pangasinan Hymn will be rendered by the Pangasinan Provincial Chorale.

The Bengson-Yuson House is one of the cultural edifices restored through the auspices of the Espino Administration, christened last April as the Center for Pangasinan Studies which houses the PHCC and an extension of the Provincial Tourism Office.

Lingayen – At the onset of the rainy season, the Provincial Health Office (PHO), here advises the public to take extra precautionary efforts from water-borne diseases, particularly dengue.

Thus said by Provincial Health Officer Anna Maria Teresa de Guzman in the wake of reports that there is a 30 percent increase of dengue cases in Pangasinan from January to May this year compared with the same period last year.

“The provincial government is ready to assist municipalities and city LGUs in their dengue eradication programs,” said Dr. De Guzman who advised the public to clean and clear the house surroundings especially the gutters of roofings, containers with accumulated waters and drainage canals where mosquitoes usually breed.

Dengue control mechanisms launched by PHO include massive health information drive which focuses in barangays and market areas as well as health promotion in various schools.

All hospitals owned and managed by the provincial government have also been directed to offer quick-response mechanism in attending to dengue patients, owing to the improved facilities and services offered by government physicians and hospital staff.

“We have to prepare for the prevalence of other cases this rainy season as the breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes abound,” she added.

Meanwhile, series of blood-letting activity has been conducted by PHO in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Region 1 Medical Center to secure available blood supply in case dengue patients need to undergo blood transfusion due to the decrease of their blood platelets.

Dengue is acquired when a person is bitten by a dengue-carrying mosquito called aedes aegypti.

Towns with high prevalence of dengue cases include: Asingan, Bayambang, San Manuel, Pozorrubio, Lingayen, Calasiao, San Carlos City and Malasiqui.