P2.3-M assistance to various cooperatives. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. along with Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and Board Member and Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay President Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III, flashes the number one sign with the livelihood beneficiaries of P2.3-million cash assistance which was distributed last February 24 at the Urduja Reception Hall in Lingayen.  Joining the Governor were:  Ellsworth Gonzales, officer-in-charge of Provincial Population Office (PPO) and Luzviminda Muego, former Provincial Population Officer and consultant to the Governor.  /MVSadim

Prov’l Gov’t braces for long dry spell.  Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and Board Member Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III lead the distribution of water pump and engine sets to members of irrigators and farmers associations from Districts 1 to 6 as part of the mitigation measures to prevent or lessen the effects of El Niño affecting the country. Joining the Governor are Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya and Asst. Prov’l Agriculturist Nestor Batalla.  /MVSadim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BSP Nat’l Council Meeting. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (2^nd from left) receives a certificate of recognition from Vice President and BSP National President Jejomar Binay (2^nd from right) for his invaluable support to all endeavors of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). The awarding was held on February 17 at the Sison Auditorium during the opening program of the three-day 60^th Annual BSP National Council Meeting participated in by some 802 scout executives and representatives from all over the country. The BSP national convention, which is the first to be held in Ilocos Region, was dubbed as the most-attended annual event of BSP executives having gathered the biggest delegation with some 105 participating councils out of the 121 total councils nationwide. Aside from this, Gov. Espino was among the 537 outstanding scouters who were given special awards by the council. Assisting the Vice President, were former Bulacan Governor Roberto Pagdanganan, BSP Senior Vice President (left) and Atty. Wendel Avisado, BSP National Secretary General (right). (Photo by Meinard V. Sadim/rrb)

Lingayen- – -The Pangasinan Provincial Board has authorized Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. to enter into and sign an amended Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PDRP) and its sub-projects in the province.

 

The crafting of MOA was made possible via Provincial Resolution No. 1911-2016 which was approved by the members of the provincial board headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. in its regular session last February 15.

 

The PDRP is a cost-sharing program designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart, and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. It focuses on expanding market access and improving competitiveness while introducing reforms in the internal operations of the agriculture department.

 

The program contributes to inclusive growth by unleashing potential of rural producers by investing in targeted, climate resilient agri-fishery infrastructure and by upgrading value to agri-based enterprises identified in ground-validated Provincial Commodity Investment Plans linked to national commodity road maps.

 

In the case of the province, Dalisay Moya, OIC of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, said the identification of projects to include farm-to-market roads was based on the requirements of the PDRP in conformation with the standards set by the World Bank.

 

Moya said that for the province’s agri-fishery commodities crops such as mango, onion, peanuts as well as goat under livestock production were considered as prime concerns.

 

The program has the following components:

1. Investments in Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Program Planning at the Local and National Levels;
2. Intensified Building up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD);
3. Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP), and
4. Implementation Support to PRDP (I-SUPPORT).

 

PRDP has a total cost of P27.5 billion for all projects nationwide, of which 92 percent is designed to deliver goods and services directly to the people through I-BUILD and I-REAP. It is funded by the World Bank (75%), National Government (13%), local government units (11%) and a grant from Global Environment Facility (1%).

 

PRDP employs geo-tagging and geo-mapping to enhance transparency and supervision of development projects. The said tools are used for strategic planning for agricultural development intervention, informing project implementation, effectively communicating gaps and overlaps and engaging beneficiaries for citizen’s feedback.

 

Likewise, it employs vulnerability and suitability analysis in ranking of municipalities for PRDP prioritization while mapping and spatial analysis is used to inform and target PRDP project allocations and funds.

 

As such, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizarro disclosed that the amendment of the MOA was done to rectify some clause in the previous agreement that states that the project implementation shall be from 2013 to 2019.

 

The period of implementation is extended until the year 2021, Pizarro explained, as she stated that the amendment was done for the purpose. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

Lingayen- – -The Pangasinan Provincial Board has authorized Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. to enter into and sign an amended Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PDRP) and its sub-projects in the province.

 

The crafting of MOA was made possible via Provincial Resolution No. 1911-2016 which was approved by the members of the provincial board headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. in its regular session last February 15.

 

The PDRP is a cost-sharing program designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart, and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. It focuses on expanding market access and improving competitiveness while introducing reforms in the internal operations of the agriculture department.

 

The program contributes to inclusive growth by unleashing potential of rural producers by investing in targeted, climate resilient agri-fishery infrastructure and by upgrading value to agri-based enterprises identified in ground-validated Provincial Commodity Investment Plans linked to national commodity road maps.

 

In the case of the province, Dalisay Moya, OIC of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, said the identification of projects to include farm-to-market roads was based on the requirements of the PDRP in conformation with the standards set by the World Bank.

 

Moya said that for the province’s agri-fishery commodities crops such as mango, onion, peanuts as well as goat under livestock production were considered as prime concerns.

 

The program has the following components:

1. Investments in Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Program Planning at the Local and National Levels;
2. Intensified Building up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD);
3. Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP), and
4. Implementation Support to PRDP (I-SUPPORT).

 

PRDP has a total cost of P27.5 billion for all projects nationwide, of which 92 percent is designed to deliver goods and services directly to the people through I-BUILD and I-REAP. It is funded by the World Bank (75%), National Government (13%), local government units (11%) and a grant from Global Environment Facility (1%).

 

PRDP employs geo-tagging and geo-mapping to enhance transparency and supervision of development projects. The said tools are used for strategic planning for agricultural development intervention, informing project implementation, effectively communicating gaps and overlaps and engaging beneficiaries for citizen’s feedback.

 

Likewise, it employs vulnerability and suitability analysis in ranking of municipalities for PRDP prioritization while mapping and spatial analysis is used to inform and target PRDP project allocations and funds.

 

As such, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizarro disclosed that the amendment of the MOA was done to rectify some clause in the previous agreement that states that the project implementation shall be from 2013 to 2019.

 

The period of implementation is extended until the year 2021, Pizarro explained, as she stated that the amendment was done for the purpose. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

Lingayen – Preparations are in full-swing for the staging of the 2016 Employees’ Family Day on February 26 at the Provincial Training and Development Center (PTDC).

 

            The said event, a component activity of the organizational and employee development program of the provincial administration led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., will gather together employees from various offices, hospitals and agricultural field stations of the provincial government.

 

Activities to be conducted include: livelihood seminar, obstacle course relay, cookfest contest, healthy backyard gardening and cooking demonstration along with the provision of hair and beauty care services.

 

            The Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO) led by Janet Asis has also included the conduct of “Retro Dance Competition” enjoining organized teams for Angguan tan Ehersisyo Ed Kapitolyo sportsfest.

 

Competing teams include:  Warriors, Financiers, Generals, Legislators, Green Thumbs, Builders, Medics – 1 and Medics – 2. Each team composed of 10-20 members will present a 5-7-minute medley arrangement of popular music from 1950s to 1980s.

 

Teams will be judged based on choreography, synchronization, visual impact, energy and execution and audience impact.

 

Prizes at stake include: P7,000 (champion), P5,000 (1^st runner-up) and 3,000 (2^nd runner-up). Non-winners will receive P1,000 consolation prize.

Gov. Espino hits back at political detractors

“The issue here is no longer about black sand.”

This was disclosed by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. during a press conference held on February 13 at the Urduja House in response to the published news stories that came out in two national dailies on February 11 about the resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman which affirmed the indictment of the governor along with dismissed executives provincial administrator Rafael F. Baraan and provincial housing and urban development officer Alvin Bigay due to alleged participation in magnetite (black sand) mining.

“Government agencies who are in charge of taking care of our coastal areas and mining activities have said that there was no black sand mining (in Pangasinan),” Governor Espino said, even as he pointed out that the original complainant of the black sand case has admitted that “it is nothing but politics.”

Governor Espino was referring to regional offices of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Environmental Management Board (EMB) which are both under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and AROMAS president Vicente Oliquino whose voice clips were presented by the governor based on recorded video in previous media interviews on the black sand issue.

Governor Espino said that the blacksand mining issue first cropped up in 2012 when he was about to seek re-election in the 2013 elections. He said that the issue was resurrected by his political detractors in March of 2014, a month after a gubernatorial hopeful, former congressman Mark Cojuangco, declared he wanted to run as governor and the provincial chief executive’s son, Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay president Amado I. Espino, III decided to run against Cojuangco.

“What they wanted,” the governor said, “was for me and my son not to run so that Mr.  Cojuangco will be unopposed in the coming polls.”

Governor Espino said that he cannot allow this to happen. He lamented: “Hindi naman ako papayag dahil sisirain lang nila ang Pangasinan. Kung yung bayan nga ng Sison hindi nila maasikaso, Pangasinan pa kaya?”

The governor said he cannot comprehend why his political detractors have to do this. He surmised that they would like to show that they are powerful and influential in Pangasinan and have control over some national agencies. “Kung yan ang kagustuhan nila, gusto ko lang ipaalam sa kanila na ramdam na namin ang sakit ng kaya nilang gawin,” the governor said.

“I am just wondering why Engr. Rosendo So, my friend and a fellow Filipino, citizen can afford to do such thing when he knew himself that the allegations are not true. “Is there a need to rub it on, to add more cruelty?” the governor asked referring to the dismissal of Baraan and Bigay, both of whom can no longer claim their retirement benefits and are barred to assume or run for any public office.

“If they suspend me, I cannot do anything about it but to accept it. If they serve the warrant of arrest, I will post bail,” the governor said as he wondered why the decision denying the Motion of Reconsideration had to come at a time when the 2016 elections is just less than 90 days to go.

In a press statement released to the media, the governor also lamented, “Two days ago, I have made my last and final report to our people, my beloved Pangasinenses. I have stated in my SOPA, magaan ang aking kalooban dahil iiwan ko na sa susunod na Gobernador ang isang lalawigan ng Pangasinan na mas maganda, mas maayos, mas maunlad, mas marangal at ngayon ay tinitingala na sa buong bansa.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Espino said, “Two days after my SOPA, we are surprised to read in the national newspapers, the Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer, articles written by Eva Visperas and Yolly Sotelo, respectively, stating that the Ombudsman affirms Pangasinan governor’s indictment. Now it would seem that all our accomplishments are being overshadowed by this unfortunate turn of events.”

“We are puzzled how the two correspondents of national dailies were able to write their respective stories about the Ombudsman case when we, the very parties to the case, have not yet received any copy of the Resolution of the Ombudsman which was mentioned in the articles, up to now (February 12). Suffice it to say that it is known in the media industry that the two lady correspondents are close media allies of the gubernatorial bet opposing the present administration,” the governor stated.

It was further stated in the press kit that the very complainants of the case, led by Mr. Vicente Oliquino (in a Joint Motion/Manifestation dated November 12, 2014), expressly denied any statement relative to the extraction of minerals to China.

In fact, the complainants, under oath, further stated “We have never made any such statement in the pleadings which we have caused to be filed, and lest we be charged for perjury, we wished that the said statement be rectified”, as they added, “The truth of the matter is that the recovered magnetite was stockpiled in the same barangay (Malimpuec, Lingayen, Pangasinan) where they are extracted, and never left the place.”

This was reiterated by Oliquino who was also present during the presscon, along with other complainants, who said in the interview that the people in the said barangays are in fact blaming him that the eco-tourism zone project did not push through which could have generated jobs by now for the barangay folks.

It can be recalled that no less than the former President of the Republic, Fidel V. Ramos declared in the Presidential Proclamation 1258 in 1998  that “the parcels of land of the public domain in Barangays Sabangan, Estanza, Malimpuec and Capandanan, Lingayen, Pangasinan were segregated, reserved and declared for eco-tourism and other sustainable development projects and activities for the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.”

With this in mind, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan thought of ways to develop the eco-tourism zone, without incurring tremendous expense.

The press statement further reads, “Part and parcel of the eco-tourism zone is the proposed Golf Course Project. With the terrain and cant arum at the identified area, it is difficult or almost impossible to establish the required vegetative growth for a golf course. It was recommended by experts in the matter of building golf courses that the black sand be removed, and be replaced with topsoil, so that the area can be planted with the appropriate grass and other vegetative growth.”

Even so, as confirmed by the DENR officials who conducted actual ocular inspections, there was no black sand mining in the area.

While showing current pictures of the still intact stockpile of magnetite sand along the shores of Lingayen, Gov. Espino quoted a DENR official who said, “The separation of the black sand is merely incidental to the purpose of clearing the area, in order to make it appropriate for the required vegetative growth.”

Lingayen – The awarding of scholarship grants to the second and last batch of provincial scholars enrolled at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) held at the Sison Auditorium on February 6 became an avenue for provincial leaders to convey gratitude to the scholars and their parents, and advise them “to respect and protect Pangasinan.”

 

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado “Pogi” Espino, III led the awarding of a total of P10 million scholarship grants to over 1,000 PSU students enrolled in Bayambang, Infanta, Binmaley, Alaminos City and Lingayen campuses.

 

The provincial government released a total of P17.76 million for the scholarship program, benefitting 1,776 PSU students. Last January 30, about 776 provincial scholars from PSU campuses situated in Sta. Maria, Asingan, Urdaneta City and San Carlos City comprised the first batch of scholars.

In his speech, Gov. Espino, underscored that respect reflects modesty; and advised the provincial scholars to keep their morale as students of a state university as he pointed out that they enjoy equal rights and privileges with other students studying in private universities.

The provincial chief executive, however, slammed the infiltration of any form of political manuevering of politicians in a university which, he said, affect the welfare of students.

 

Meanwhile, Board Member Espino exhorted the provincial scholars to give deeper emphasis for respect, for which, he said, is a gesture to save anything from harm. “If you respect yourself for your future, you also protect your family, your barangay and the province of Pangasinan,” the young Espino said.

 

Sense of respect, he stressed, is fundamental value that everyone must possess.

 

            Vice Gov. Calimlim, on the other hand, expressed confidence that the provincial scholars will finish college schooling in time for them to pursue their aspirations in life and to help their families.

 

“Galingan nyo sa inyong pag-aaral nang kayo’y maging success stories ng Pangasinan,” he said.

Lingayen – Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. was unanimously re-elected as Regional Chairman of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) to continue his stint in advancing the causes of the organization, which he believes is “the best organization an individual must engage in.”

 

The election for BSP regional officers formed part of the Regional Scout Committee Meeting held on February 11 at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Conference Hall located within the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex and Civic Center, here.

 

Under Gov. Espino, BSP Region 1 membership continues to rise annually among the ten scouting regions in the country, ranking second even with a minimal increase of 695 (151,644  – 2015; and 150,949 – 2014).

 

“Our performance is a symbol of our continuing effort of consolidating gains for the past years of commitment and dedication to make the scouting program better for more young people,” Gov. Espino stated in the letter included in the 2015 Regional Operations Report.

 

Gov. Espino stressed the need to further improve the figures (membership) for it plays an important role in determining whether the programs  delivered to young people are relevant and still effective in providing opportunities for character development and acquisition of skills to serve their fellowmen.

 

He likewise lauded the support of local government units, particularly for the sponsorship of membership fees of scouts, participation to scouting activities and organization of more community-based scouting units.

 

BSP Region 1 also expresses gratitude to parents and guardians of scouts for the continued support to the scouting movement being a catalyst to improve the lives of its members through the programs and trainings it offers.

 

With her installation as regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd), Dr. Alma Ruby Torio, who traces roots in Pangasinan, was welcomed as the new regional scout commissioner.

 

In support to the scouting movement, the provincial government is set to host the 60^th Annual Council Meeting of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines on February 17-19.

Lingayen- – -The present administration’s lofty goal in making Pangasinan as the home of healthiest Filipinos got another boost with the completion of its ambulance network upgrade for all the 14 provincial government-operated hospitals.

From only one rickety ambulance unit per community hospital in 2007, community hospitals now have an average of three ambulances while the district hospitals have four each.

“This is just one of the projects of the whole health thrust package envisioned by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. to provide quality health care to Pangasinenses,” said Dr. Anna Maria Teresa De Guzman, Provincial Health Office chief, as she disclosed that even with only one unit per hospital, these ambulances of the 14 hospitals in the previous administration were not capable to transport patients outside Pangasinan during emergency cases.

While the buildings of the 14 hospitals were being renovated during the first term of Governor Espino, the ambulance units were also upgraded, Dr. De Guzman said noting that the old units were reconditioned in 2008, while the first set of 14 brand new ambulance were purchased in 2009 through the 60-40 scheme with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and a donation of another brand new unit from the European Commission was made in 2010.

In his third and last term as the provincial chief executive, Gov. Espino has facilitated the purchase of another set of 14 brand new ambulances.

An initial distribution of six ambulances took place last January 18 with the following hospitals as recipients: Western Pangasinan District Hospital (WPDH), Bayambang District Hospital (BDH), Lingayen District Hospital (LDH), Bolinao Community Hospital (BCH) and Pozorrubio Community Hospital (PCH) and Dasol Community Hospital (DCH).

On February 1, the second batch of eight brand new Toyota Hi Ace GL Grandia ambulances, on the other hand, were turned-over to the remaining eight provincial government-operated hospitals to include the following: Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital, Urdaneta District Hospital, Mangatarem District Hospital, Mapandan Community Hospital, Manaoag Community Hospital, Asingan Community Hospital and Umingan Community Hospital.

“This is a big achievement for the present administration’s goal to provide quality and affordable health care services for the sick and poor Pangasinenses,” Dr. De Guzman said as she added that the option for a better brand of ambulance is due to several factors such as durability, capacity size, comfort and easier maintenance.

On previous interview, the PHO chief stressed that with the newly-purchased ambulances, the provincial government plans to install each unit of various medical equipment such as cardiac monitors which are more convenient considering the size of the new ambulances.

The ambulances, De Guzman said, can be utilized for free in transporting patients within the province. Patients that needs to be transported outside the province are requested to shoulder the gasoline expenses except for special cases like if the government-operated hospital cannot handle the case because it doesn’t have the necessary equipment and needs immediate transfer to private facilities and several others.

Earlier, Provincial Accountant Arturo Soriano disclosed that around P13 million were allocated for the purchase of the first six ambulances while the second batch of eight units of the same brand have amounted to about P17.6 million.

Joining the Governor in awarding the second batch of ambulances were Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr., Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay president Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III, and Board Member Danilo Uy.

Rev. Fr. Dexter Carino, Director of St. Columban’s College, officiated the blessing of the vehicles. (Ruby R. Bernardino)