PANGASINAN BEAUTY TO COMPETE IN INT’L PAGEANT. Shary Diana Catchillar of Laoac town is crowned Miss Tourism Philippines 2016 by her predecessor during the coronation night held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila on May 28. For winning the national search, Catchillar will represent the Philippines in the forthcoming Miss Tourism World. /Photo courtesy of Missology Philippines
Lingayen- – -The 8th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan on its final session last May 30, formed an adhoc committee to shed light on several concerns and issues raised by various teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Pangasinan State University (PSU).
This developed after Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. received a letter from the concerned university personnel who specifically mentioned the case of some PSU students who were supposed to have their on-the-job-training (OJT) in Laguna. The matter was referred to the provincial board for an immediate action then.
According to the letter, the students were allegedly treated as regular employees wherein one of whom got ill and is currently hospitalized due to serious health issues associated with his exposure in said laboratory working for 12 hours per day.
Purportedly, the students were endorsed to an agency named JIF Human and Referral Services which brought them to Interfil Laboratories Incorporated in Canlubang, Laguna where they were treated as “regular employees and not OJTs.”
The unsuitable environment of the workplace, unfortunately, inflicted one of the students, identified as Dahrel dela Cruz, and was hospitalized. Likewise, the filed complaint stated that he was not even allowed to go home when he started feeling ill.
His parents, Rogelio and Isidra dela Cruz were disheartened why their son had to work in a pharmaceutical laboratory which has no relevance at all to his Business Administration (Human Resource) course.
As one of its curriculum requirements, PSU requires its 4th year students to undergo 400 hours of OJT.
Aside from this, another issue raised was the case of Dr. Mariel Cristobal Tapia, a faculty member at PSU San Carlos City campus, who reportedly received a 90-day suspension from work “without due process.”
A letter which was signed by Dr. Tapia sent to the Governor reads: “I would like to ask your most immediate help regarding the persecution I am suffering from the hands of our President, Dr. Dexter R. Buted. From the time the case I filed against Dr. Buted has been formally docketed, I have been persecuted.”
Tapia also disclosed that even her husband who works at the university was not spared as he was suddenly reassigned from Binmaley campus to Urdaneta campus despite having spine condition.
As stated in the letter, the PSU faculty member noted she did not formally receive any “formal charge” thus she could not directly respond to any complaint filed against her.
Stressing that she was unjustly treated, she said she is allegedly “being harassed” because of the cases that she and her husband earlier filed against the PSU president.
Meanwhile, Board Member Alfonso Bince, Jr. said that the provincial board will do its best to shed light on the matter.
“We will invite the president of the university, the dean of San Carlos campus, some faculty members and the students who were victims of what was reported,” Bince pointed out as he added that adhoc committee hearing is set to be held next week.
BM Raul Sison, on the other hand, said that the fact that the students were referred to an agency and were treated as employees means that there is a clear violation. “This is human trafficking,” he said.
It can be recalled that several issues were earlier raised against the administration of the current PSU president who hails from Batangas to include delayed release of paid uniforms, advance collection of payments without organized programs like seminars and shipboard training, among others. (RRB)
Lingayen- – – “Thank you for making my stay at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan memorable. I do not regret anything at this stage of my life because it was a fulfilling mission”
This was disclosed by Board Member Alfonso Bince, Jr. as he delivered his farewell speech during the last regular session of the SP on May 30 as he ends his final term this June along with two other members of the board namely Board Members Mojamito Libunao and Danilo Uy, who was elected as mayor of Sison town in the recently held elections.
The 79- year old board member from the 6th District commended the Espino administration for giving him opportunity of serving Pangasinenses to the fullest over the last nine years. Likewise, he thanked his colleagues for the “trust and confidence” accorded to him which, according to him, made his mission more fulfilling.
Bince, branded by his peers as “eternal board member,” started his political career in 1969 at the age of 32 when he was elected as member of the provincial board until 1972.
Since then, he served as 6th district board member in 1973 to 1977, 1992 to 1995, 1995 to 1998, and 1998 to 2001.
Topping his achievements, Bince was cited as a National Hall of Fame awardee in legislations.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. praised all the three outgoing board members especially Bince whom he dubbed as “brilliant, articulate and knowledgeable.”
Board Member Raul Sison, one of Bince’s closest friends in the board, lauded the most senior board member for his guidance and support as he further said it was the latter who push him to run as regional chair in the Board Members League of the Philippines (BMLP). Sison is currently the league’s National Treasurer and will soon serve as the incoming National Interim President of BMLP.
Expressing thanks to the various department heads in the provincial government, Bince urged everyone to continue working hard and to fully support the incoming administration of the governor’s son, Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III, who will be inaugurated as Pangasinan chief executive on June 30.
In the absence of Vice Governor Calimlim, who will be on official leave this June, BM Bince will serve as Acting Vice Governor.
Aside from approving resolutions for the three outgoing members of the board, a resolution was also approved to commend the nine-year term of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. dubbed “the best governor Pangasinan has ever had.” (Ruby R. Bernardino)
Lingayen – The local government unit (LGU) of Pangasinan led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. extends its warmest congratulations to Pangasinense beauty queen, Sharyl Diana Catchillar of Laoac town, for winning this year’s Miss Tourism Philippines (MTP) crown.
Catchillar will represent the Philippines in the forthcoming Miss Tourism World. She bested other candidates from various cities and provinces in the Philippines during the pageant and coronation night held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila on May 28.
The Pangasinan beauty queen who stands 5’7’’ grew up in Milan, Italy, but was raised in the Philippines. She is currently taking up Bachelor of Science in Biology at St. Scholastica’s College Manila.
In a letter sent to the provincial government, Catchillar considers her winning a national beauty title as a podium “to promote her native province, Pangasinan,” focusing on tourism.
Catchillar is the latest addition to the list of national beauty titlists produced by the province of Pangasinan, following Barbara “Barbie” Salvador of Pozorrubio who won Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2012.
Other candidates crowned during the MTP coronation night were: Ethel Abellanosa of Cebu City (Miss Model of the World Philippines 2016); Krizsa Nicolitte Serquina of Ibaan, Batangaas (Miss Bikini World Philippines 2016) and Jean Lacsina Tumang of Capas, Tarlac (Miss Model of the Universe Philippines).
Lingayen – The Provincial Government continues to elevate the services of day care centers (DCC) and workers (DCW) all over the province.
Emilio P. Samson, provincial social welfare and development officer, pledged as he spoke during the first day of the 5th Convention of Day Care Workers of Pangasinan at the Sison Auditorium on May 24-25.
He said that the office is preparing a three-point agenda to bolster the welfare of the DCCs and DCWs, which comprised an increase on the workers’ honoraria, the ongoing accreditation and upgrading of DCCs and chartering a biannual general assembly for DCWs to access needed trainings to enhance the quality of teaching of the workers.
On behalf of outgoing Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., Samson thanked the participants for their consistent service as second parents to Pangasinense children as they assist them on their critical formative years, despite meager compensations.
The two-day convention centered on the theme “Strengthening the Early Child Care and Development (ECCD) is my mission”, which sought to propagate proper handling of children with disabilities.
Two key topics to be discussed were: “Early Detection, Prevention and Management of Disabilities among Children” on the first day by Purita Pueto, Baby Janet Cruz and Elizabeth Manuel and “Strategies on How to Teach Pre-Kindergarten Children in the Day Care Centers” on the second day by Dr. Yolanda S. Quijano of the ECCD Council.
Both were followed by respective open forum to elicit active participation from the DCWs.
An awarding of certificates also took place, honoring DCCs who have been in the service for 10 years and counting, a kiddie show by the September Production, and a retro dance night socials graced by Governor-elect Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III which capped the events on the first day.
Addressing the participants on the second day was Dr. Teresita G. Inciong, vice chairperson and executive director of the ECCD Council, who shed light on looming concerns on early child care and development.
Joining PSWDO in mounting this event is the Pangasinan Day Care Workers Federation, Incorporated, headed by its president Erdy T. Lozano.
Lingayen – Governor-elect Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III has assured the Department of Education (DepEd) of the provincial government’s support to the full implementation of Senior High School (SHS) in Pangasinan, a component of the K to 12 curriculum.
Outgoing Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Pogi Espino expressed his commitment to SHS implementation during the DepEd Pangasinan I SHS Caravan and Summit held at the Sison Auditorium on May 23 that was attended by about 3,000 SHS teachers along with school heads and DepEd executives in Pangasinan.
“The transition of leadership in the provincial government will sustain and strengthen further the advocacies and programs implemented by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. in support to the DepEd in his 9-year stint as provincial chief executive,” Governor-elect ‘Pogi’ Espino said.
The kick-off implementation of SHS for school year 2016-2017 marks a special milestone in the Philippine Educational system as it gives every learner an opportunity to receive quality education based on a globally-recognized enhanced and decongested curriculum.
The implementation of SHS will cater to the needs of students where they could choose specialization based on their aptitudes, interests and skills.
Recognizing the hard work of the teachers in their profession, the incoming governor urged them “to double efforts in instilling into the minds of the younger generation good morals to keep them away from bad influence and ill ways of living.”
The young Espino likewise reiterated Gov. Espino’s popular dictum on leadership: “All efforts done by leaders today are for the benefit of the future generations.”
About 21,000 SHS students enrolled at 130 high schools and integrated schools in 22 towns under DepEd Pangasinan 1 are expected to finish the K-12 curriculum in March 2018.
Meanwhile, DepEd Regional Director Alma Ruby Torio, on behalf of DepEd top executives, stressed that K-12 is a strategic move of Dep Ed to produce quality and competent high school graduates.
Dr. Torio also asked the incoming provincial administration to extend its support to five more DepEd schools divisions in the province which include: Pangasinan II, Alaminos City, San Carlos City, Urdaneta City and Dagupan City.
The SHS summit organized by DepEd Pangasinan I led by Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Celia Fernandez was preceded by a caravan which started from various towns in Pangasinan and converged at the Maramba Boulevard in Lingayen then proceeded to the Sison Auditorium located within the Capitol Complex.
Lingayen – In his return to the House of Representatives as the newly-elected Pangasinan fifth district congressman, incumbent Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr pledges to sponsor a bill to “shape up” the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The outgoing provincial chief executive spoke to hundreds of police forces at the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) here in an awarding ceremony last May 23.
“The most important for a country to have is peace and security as well as the police that administers it,” said Gov. Espino, citing trustworthy law enforcement as key for progressive nations to achieve affluence in global circuits.
He revealed that his main agenda fueling his recent bid for the congress is to strengthen the national police, him taking to account his experience as a police officer himself and his ascent as PNP Region 1director.
Until now, the incoming fifth district representative still laments the absence of a permanent provincial police director, with 10 officer-in-charge placed instead for four straight years now, including the current Police Senior Superintendent Edgar Alan Okubo.
“As you can observe some entities here don’t bat an eyelash to resort to violence and blatantly show use of force,” he said.
Reiterating the need for an official and not an acting provincial police director, the outgoing governor said that an officer-in-charge cannot even do simple office tasks such as signing correspondences because he is not part of the office.
The newly elected Pangasinan fifth district congressman, however, thanked the provincial police force for their peacekeeping efforts this recent elections.
PSSupt. Okubo in turn expressed gratitude to the outgoing governor for gracing the event despite his busy schedule and for the provincial government’s participation to their Election 2016 scheme which capped a zero-election violence related incidence.
A total of 54 uniformed personnel ranging from PPO staff, Special Action Force, PSC, Protective Security Personnel, Special Weapons and Tactics team, Highway Patrol Group and Crime Investigation and Detection Group squad who were awarded with Medalya ng Papuri by the office for their remarkable accomplishment which led to responding to 141 vote-buying attempts that is worthy of emulation by other member of police force.
LINGAYEN – The father and son tandem of the Espinos proved to be unbeatable as they trounced the seemingly invincible Cojuangco couple in the May 9 elections here in Pangasinan.
Outgoing provincial board member and Governor-elect Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III garnered 736,909 votes for the gubernatorial race as he defeated his rival, former congressman Mark Cojuangco who received 513,897 votes with a difference of 223,012 votes.
Outgoing Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. who got 133,381 votes defeated his opponent, outgoing congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco who settled for 92,943 votes in the congressional race for fifth district, a known bailiwick of the Cojuangcos.
Both the father and son Espinos had an identical 59 percentage of votes that sealed their victory over the Cojuangcos who both posted only 41 percent of the total votes counted.
The young Espino won convincingly in all the congressional districts of Pangasinan — except in the first district — despite the well-oiled machinery, political leaders and religious-sect support and the alleged massive vote-buying activities of the Cojuangcos.
In the second district, the governor-elect outnumbered Cojuangco by more than 60,910 votes after he posted 136,767 votes, while Cojuangco bagged only 75,857 votes. The young Espino won in seven towns of the second district except in Binmaley.
In the third and fourth districts comprising a total of 10 towns, the young Espino made a clean sweep garnering a lead difference of 81,635 in the third district and 29,692 in the fourth district.
Still gaining the biggest number of votes, Governor-Elect Espino also toppled Cojuangco in most number of towns in the fifth and sixth districts with Cojuangco edging him in just two municipalities per district.
Governor-elect Espino clobbered Cojuangco in the fifth district by gaining 129,257 votes over 71,520 with a difference of 57,737 in favor of Espino.
In the sixth district, Governor-elect Espino received 114,412 votes over Cojuangco’s 93,079 with a difference of 21,333 votes.
Based on election results, Governor-elect Pogi gained the upperhand right in the hometown of Cojuangco’s running mate, Mark Roy Macanlalay, Calasiao outgoing mayor, where the outgoing board member garnered 27,286 votes beating Cojuangco who settled with only 16, 640 votes.
In San Carlos City, the young Espino had an avalanche of votes posting 54,514 against Cojuangco who only got 21,473 votes. The non-support of Resuello brothers to BM Pogi made no significant dent on the latter’s candidacy after San Carlenians gave Espino a lead of 33,041 votes over Cojuangco.
On the other hand, the all-out support of prominent political leaders from fourth to sixth districts namely the De Venecias, Perezes, and the Estrellas failed to convince the people of Pangasinan from their respective turf to support Cojuangco’s ambition.
Meanwhile, the outgoing provincial chief executive who garnered 133,381 ended Cojuangco’s reign in the fifth district as he toppled down re-electionist Cong. Kimi Cojuangco who got only 92,943 votes, or a difference of more than 40,438 votes in favor of the elder Espino.
Surprisingly, in Urdaneta City, the supposedly bailiwick of Ambassador and MECO Chairman Amadito Perez, Jr., who was the number one supporter of the Cojuangcos, the father-and-son Espino tandem also knocked-out the powerful power couple.
The elder Espino got 33,763 votes for congressman in Urdaneta City against 20,972 votes for outgoing Congresswoman Cojuangco with a difference of 12,791 votes while BM Pogi Espino had 33,227 votes compared with the 20,612 votes for Mark Cojuangco with a difference of 12,615 votes.
Political observers from Manila said that the 2016 gubernatorial elections in Pangasinan is one of the biggest upsets in the political history of the country as a young provincial board member, like David who slew Goliath, defeated the son of the country’s multi-billionaire business tycoon and founder of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the second biggest political party in the country.
Local observers believe that the Espinos won via landslide because of their sterling performance, integrity and love for Pangasinan. (Merly R. Tibalao and AJV)
Lingayen – Reelectionist Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. of Aksyon Demokratiko emerged victorious after a nerve-wracking vice gubernatorial race by edging his opponent by only 5,808 votes.
Vice Gov. Calimlim garnered 568,018 votes to defeat his rival, Calasiao Mayor Mark Macanlalay of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), who posted 562,210 votes.
The provincial board of canvassers (PBOC) led by Provincial Comelec Officer Joel Gines proclaimed Vice Gov. Calimlim on May 12 as re-elected vice governor, who shall serve as presiding officer of the province’s legislative branch on his third and last term.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako nang buong puso sa lahat ng nagtiwala at sumuporta sa akin at nagbigay ng pagkakataon para magsilbi sa ilalim ng bagong liderato ,” the vice governor said in an interview.
Calimlim said that he will remain supportive of the programs initiated by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. as he vowed to support through legislation the incoming leadership of governor-elect Amado “Pogi” Espino, III.
The 10th SP shall convene after the transition of provincial administration by July this year with eight re-elected members, namely: Napoleon Fontelera, Jr. (NPC) and Antonio Sison (NPC) of the 1st district; Raul Sison (Aksyon Demokratiko) and Nestor Reyes (Liberal Party) of the 2nd district; Angel Baniqued, Jr. (LP) and Generoso Tulagan, Jr. (KBL) of the 3rd district; Liberato Villegas (LP) of the 4th district; and Clemente Arboleda, Jr. (NPC) of the 5th district.
Come-backing board members are: Jeremy Agerico Rosario (LP) of the 4th district; and Salvador Perez, Jr. (NPC) of the 6th district, who previously joined the SP as provincial councilors’ league federation president.
New SP members are: Chinky Perez (NPC) of the 5th district and Noel Bince (LP) of the 6th district.
Gines, PBOC chair, noted that Pangasinan has posted 85.11 percent voters’ turnout with 1,451,424 actual voters of the 1,705,260 registered voters in Pangasinan.
“Compared to mid-term elections, the voters’ turnout for the national elections is high because of the presidential and vice presidential elections,” Gines said.
PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE
Capitol Building, Lingayen, Pangasinan
May 12, 2016
ERRATUM: The Provincial Information Office (PIO) apologizes for the non-inclusion of Hon. Christopher de Venecia, son of outgoing Rep. Gina de Venecia, as duly elected 4th district congressman who was proclaimed on May 10, in its article dispatched to media yesterday, May 11. In the same vein, PIO wishes to clarify that contrary to the previous article sent, Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste opted not to be proclaimed in public by the PBOC as re-elected 1st district representative.
Below is the revised and updated press release to replace the previous article sent to you.
PRESS RELEASE
Espinos proclaimed winners
of gubernatorial and congressional elections
Lingayen – The father-and-son tandem, outgoing Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. and outgoing Provincial Board Member Amado “Pogi” Espino, III of Aksyon Demokratiko defeated the Cojuangco couple of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in the 2016 gubernatorial and 5th congressional district races.
Governor-elect “Pogi” Espino posted an overwhelming victory, garnering 736,909 votes, which was 223,012 votes more than the 513,897 votes received by his opponent, former 5th district representative Mark Cojuangco. The percentage of votes is 58.59 – 40.86 in favor of Espino.
On the 5th district congressional race, outgoing Pangasinan Governor Espino received 133,381 votes to prevail over his rival, outgoing Congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco, who collected 92,943 votes. The percentage of votes is 58.93 – 41.06, the ratio of which is almost identical with that of the gubernatorial race results.
The provincial board of canvassers (PBOC) led by Provincial Election Supervisor Joel Gines proclaimed the young Espino as elected governor and the elder Espino as elected congressman.
Governor-elect “Pogi” Espino, in an interview after the proclamation, expressed gratitude for the trust, confidence and support of Pangasinenses which catapulted him to the province’s top post to succeed his father.
“We finish strong,” said Board Member Espino who called on for the unity of Pangasinenses to give a blast of support to the present provincial administration “to give credit to the man who transformed Pangasinan as a premiere province in the country today.”
The incoming governor likewise urged leaders in the province to “move forward for a better future,” adding that politics has already ended and it is now time for them to work hand-in-hand to elevate the province’s growth and development.
Meanwhile, Congressman-elect Espino, said he would take on “reconciliation with everyone with justice” to shed light on issues thrown at them during the campaign period.
Gov. Espino, however, assured “he will leave all things behind and move forward” as he vowed that he will remain supportive to the provincial government to promote the best interest of Pangasinenses, particularly the younger generation.
Earlier, re-elected representatives, Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd district) and Marlyn Primicias Agabas (6th district), who both ran unopposed; and Rose Marie Arenas (3rd district) had been proclaimed.
Rep. Gina de Venecia’s son, Christopher de Venecia, had also been proclaimed as 4th district representative.
First district representative Jesus “Boying” Celeste, however, opted not to be proclaimed in public by the PBOC.