Lingayen – The onslaught of monsoon rains  that started on Friday, August 12, and tapered off last Wednesday, August 17, served as a baptism of fire to Pangasinan Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III, just before his 50^th day as the provincial chief executive. Despite having a bout with flu, Governor Espino, on Sunday, August 14, still managed to map out plans with rescue teams, emergency health response units, engineering brigades, police force and other frontline groups of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) at the Tactical Operations Center located within the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC). Gov. Espino, who also serves as the chairman of the PDRRMC,  then issued the marching order to PDRRMC attached agencies to work in unison to ensure safety of Pangasinense  and attain zero casualty in the province while the Southwest Monsoon affected various province in Luzon. On the same day, Governor Espino issued a public advisory to suspend all classes in all levels. The following day, after meeting with various sectors during the governor’s callers day at Urduja House, the governor declared another all-level class suspension. On August 16, the provincial chief executive declared localized suspension of classes as he also denounced the fake public advisory that circulated on the internet announcing another suspension of classes in all levels.

“The unscrupulous post by heartless individuals was meant to deceive the public by digitally manipulating my public advisory,” the governor said.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Rhodyn Lochinvar Oro said that disaster prevention and response in the province now has leveled up further and even became more resilient with the resounding commitment of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (LDRRMOs).

Oro said rescue boats and dump trucks have been prepositioned in the towns of San Fabian, Bani, Dasol, Mangatarem and Mabini for possible disaster quick response in areas at high risk of flash floods, landslides and typhoon surges. Dump trucks were also positioned in strategic areas to respond in emergency cases when needed.

The PDRRMO chief deployed rescue teams with the support of the 3^rd Mechanized Phil. Army in the municipalities of Mangatarem and Bani to conduct pre-evacuation.

PDRRMC and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) staff conducted relief operations to aid evacuees in Calasiao, Aguilar, Bugallon and Mangatarem, who were transferred to safe places due to persistent flooding in their ares of abode.

A dump truck from the provincial engineer’s office was also deployed for evacuation of families in Lingayen.

Meanwhile, dump trucks have been prepositioned and redied at the PDRRMC Tactical Operations Center located within the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen. Staff from the Provincial Health Office Emergency Response Team (PHERT) also provided medical assistance to evacuees for days in Calasiao.  Fisherfolks have been advised not to venture out to the sea and beach goers wereinformed of the “No Swimming Policy”, a measure implemented to avoid drowning incidents.  A report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) at 3pm (August 18) stated that about 12,580 families or 62,366 persons from several barangays of Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Infanta, Aguilar, Urbiztondo and Mangatarem were affected by habagat. As of August 18, about 34 families or 116 persons have been evacuated in Calasiao, Bugallon, Lingayen and Mangatarem; most of them were returning to their homes as flood waters subsided. Latest update on the water level at San Roque dam is at 242.95 meters above sea level (masl) or 37.05masl way below the reservoir’s 280masl spilling level. OMV/Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca

Lingayen – The Armed Forces of the Philippines vows all-out support to the Provincial Government of Pangasinan’s anti-drug abuse campaign.

Col. Milfredo Meligrito, the highest ranking Armed Forces of the Philippines officer in Pangasinan, stated as he disclosed details of meeting with Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III last August 8 at the Urduja House, Capitol Compound here.

“The Philippine Army would be very happy to partner with the provincial government in helping the wayward to get back on the right track,” he said.

The 702^nd Brigade Commander has pledged to lend the Camp Lt. Tito Abat, the 1st Regional Community Defense Group headquarters located in Manaoag, as the province’s rehab/boot camp’s facility where the youth drug dependents will be housed for group therapy and renewal.

“This is in accordance with the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to use military camps for drug rehabilitation program. Basically the provincial government will use our military facility and our personnel… We can request for the division army to send the needed doctors and nurses for the camp,” he said.

To cater to more patients, the provincial government is planning to build more facilities in the camp, in addition to the immediately available building for its drug treatment program can accommodate up to 200 youth surrenderees, said Col. Meligrito.

Col. Meligrito, who just assumed position four months ago, lauded Pangasinan for being “very peaceful and a progressive province.”

Governor Espino, in a separate interview after the meeting with Meligrito, confirmed that the Provincial Government of Pangasinan pushes for a series of rehab/boot camp as its “new avenue” in rehabilitating youth drug surrenderees who are still considered “moderate” drug users

The anti-drug abuse treatment effort will roll out by early September, programmed to run 3-4 days for every single batch composed of 120-150 drug users.

“In just six weeks since the call of President Duterte or drug dependents to submit themselves to the law has started, we already have 9,000 drug surrenderees in Pangasinan alone. So we thought of how we could help them better, especially the youth who want to start over their lives or to study again,” he said.

To ease holistic transition of a patient from narcotics addiction to an improved life, Gov. Espino said that the medical treatment will include physical fitness exercises, community development clinics and religious and psychological counseling sessions as provided by a collaboration among allied government agencies.

On the other hand, the provincial chief executive admitted that members of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council are still studying the appropriate intervention for higher levels of addiction.

He also said that mandatory random drug testing for provincial officials and employees will commence during the staging of the rehab/boot camp for youth drug dependents.

Earlier, Pangasinan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Col. Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro, said that the memorandum of agreement is currently underway to formalize cooperation between the Philippine Army and the provincial government for the rehab/boot camp program.

Lingayen – Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III vowed to continue the various exemplary programs and projects set by the past provincial administration even as he bared that a more intensified project implementation to cover more areas and beneficiaries starting 2017 will be undertaken during his term.

In the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting held on August 10 at the Sison Auditorium , the governor thanked all local government unit (LGU) chief executives for signifying their cooperation with, and support to, his administration.

Acknowledging the presence of the different town mayors, he stated his intention of reaching out to all mayors of the various towns and cities of the province for the implementation of all programs and projects included in the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2017.

Among the programs and projects that Gov. Pogi mentioned as his priority activities are focused on intensified sports program, effective solutions on illegal drugs, urban greening and proper waste disposal.

Stressing the four activities that are closest to his heart, Gov. Pogi appealed to all mayors to incorporate in their plans an intensified sports program and effective solutions on the illegal drugs problem.

As a sport enthusiast, the governor urged all LGUs to appoint sports focal person per city and municipality who will coordinate with the provincial government the various activities which will focus on the active involvement of the younger generation.

With regards to his administration’s plan for the thousands of self-confessed drug users who recently surrendered to the authorities, the provincial chief executive stated his plans and initial actions taken with the officers of Camp Tito Abat in Manaoag town to set up a sort of rehab/boot camp that will accommodate the young drug users.

Assistance from the LGU, he said, will be sought by the provincial government to facilitate the rehabilitation of the thousands of surrenderees.

On urban greening proposal, the provincial government is keen on allotting funds with the help of the LGUs for the purchase of possible idle lands which will be planted with trees and be declared as protected areas in the long run, he added.

For the growing problem on garbage disposal, Gov. Pogi revealed his plan to discuss with all town and city mayors the possible establishment of three garbage sites in eastern, central and western Pangasinan.

As stated by the governor, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured that there are available funds for the project. However, possible sites must first be identified.

Furthermore, he said that together with Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr., separate meeting will be held with the town and city mayors and the DILG provincial director for the realization of the mentioned proposal.

During the PDC meeting, the 2017 Provincial AIP which contained the various 10 development thrusts of the provincial government was presented by Provincial Planning and Development Chief and PDC secretary Benita Pizarro which was immediately approved for endorsement to the provincial board.

The meeting was also highlighted by the presentation of the major development plans of LGUs particularly Sta. Barbara, Villasis, Natividad, Bautista, Aguilar, Mangaldan, Laoac, Binalonan and Urbiztondo.

Mayors present during the meeting include: Ramon Guico III (Binalonan), Amadeo Espino (Bautista), Marvin Martinez (Infanta), Danilo Uy (Sison), Nonato Abrenica (Villasis), Rodrigo Rafael (Natividad), Silverio Alarcio (Alcala), Alberto Guiang (Burgos), Simplicio Rosario (Binmaley), Joseph Arman Bauzon (Calasiao), Dominador Arenas (Labrador), Rebecca Saldivar (San Nicolas), Roberto Arcinue (Sual), Artemio Chan (Pozorrubio), Heidee Chua (Asingan), Manuelito de Leon (Basista), Cesar Quiambao (Bayambang), Gerald Glenn Tambaoan (Mapandan) and Cecil Tiu (San Quintin). (Ruby R. Bernardino)

MANGATAREM ASSOCIATION HOLD
ITS 33rd ANNIVERSARY & INDUCTION

Danny P. Tejada, will be formally sworn-in as president of Association of Mangatarem Overseas Residents (AMOR) of Southern California at the Holiday Inn-La Mirada on Sept. 24 coinciding with its 33rd anniversary celebration , grand reunion and coronation of  Miss AMOR of Southern California, Alyssa Lauren Veloria Soto. Miss Soto is also the current Miss Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA.
The festivities will take place from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.
Tejada, a registered nurse with the Los Angeles County Jail will succeed Carlos Sebastian who was the president from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2014.
AMOR was established on Jan. 29, 1983 in the City of Cerritos with Dan E. Nino as its founding president. Other presidents who followed him include Tommy Cruz, Aurora Sadorra, Camilo M. Escano, Gil B. Mislang, Minda E. Papilla, Caesar S. Natividad, Esq., Mel Oxciano, Esq., Leoncio D. Dumlao and Carlos Sebastian.
In his inaugural theme and address which will be reprised during this event, Nino exhorted his kabaleyans (townmates) then, “Let’s not forget our roots. We cannot just uproot to roots that bind us together no matter how well-off or comfortable we are in our adopted country that welcomed, embraced and nurtured us.”
Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA Lino F. Caringal, Jr. will be the inducting officer while past President Eddie C. Ferrer will be the guest speaker.
Proceeds of this gala night are earmarked for the organization’s scholarship fund and other projects benefiting the town of Mangatarem. Its current scholar in partnership with Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA is Noemi V. Balleser, a daughter of a farmer and plain housewife, is now pursuing Electronic Communications Engineering degree at the University of Pangasinan. Other projects that were implemented by AMOR of Southern California were the construction of a male and female restrooms at the town’s plaza auditorium, putting up of a children’s playground, rehabilitation of a crumbling classroom ceiling of the town’s central school, supplementary scholarship grants to college-bound students from both Mangatarem National High School and Mangatarem Catholic School.
Officers to be sworn-in include Mercury E. Dela Fuente (executive vice president), Milton Seril (vice president-Los Angeles County); Benjie Gamboa (vice president, Orange County), Roger Santos (vice president, Ventura County), Nora Tejada (secretary), Martina C. Lindl (assistant secretary), Nanie  D. Martinez (treasurer), Benny E. Aquino (assistant treasurer), Araceli F. Gamboa and Mila H. Seril (auditors), Prudencio Cagampan and Flor Zordilla (marshalls), Uranos M. Estrada

Lingayen – Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ Espino, III has approved additional 150 slots to the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) project implemented in the provincial government, from the150 existing slots to a total of 300 grants next year.

This was bared by Governor Espino during the distribution of 60 percent wage counterpart of the provincial government to the second batch of SPES workers (75 beneficiaries) this year held at the Pangasinan – Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) here on August 5.

Earlier, 75 members of the first batch of SPES grantees have received their wage counterpart from the province.

The Pangasinan PESO has released a total of Php730,000 for the 60 percent counterpart of the province for the 150 SPES workers. Each SPES grantee underwent a 20-day work experience with the daily wage rate of 409.09.

Separate distribution will be held for the 40 percent counterpart from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

During the awarding of wages to the Capitol SPES workers, Governor Espino has asked the beneficiaries to strive more in life and value the sacrifices of their parents for their schooling.

“I hope that with your SPES experience, you now have learned to value the essence of nurturing ‘sacrifice’ for the betterment of yourselves and your families,” the said.

“Be responsible enough and do not take for granted the sacrifices of your parents,” the governor told the SPES grantees as he urged them to use their wage for schooling requirements or for the good of their families.

Meanwhile, PESO Manger Alex Ferrer noted that the SPES program of the DOLE implemented in the provincial government under the term of former Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., now 5^th district Representative, started wtih 100 grantees and later on accommodated 50 additional slots.

“The SPES program specifically helps students who come from less-privileged families, but are competitive and deserving,” Ferrer pointed out.

The SPES workers were deployed in offices and hospitals run by the province.

Expressing gratitude for the support of the provincial government to the SPES program, Vanessa Rosana, on behalf of the grantees, cited the gains she got from the SPES entitlement.

“The SPES opportunity molded me to become a productive student and citizen,” said Rosana, a 2^nd year elementary education student at the PSU Urdaneta campus.

Rina May Visperas, a fisheries student of PSU Binmaley, on the other hand, lauded the SPES grant as a chance for them to help their parents ease the finances in sustaining their college schooling.

DOLE representative, Labor Employment Officer III Rhodora Dingle from Western Pangasinan field office was present during the distribution.

PH’s 1^st TECH4ED PROVINCEWIDE LAUNCH. Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III (3^rd from right, left photo)  spearheads the ribbon-cutting ceremony for all cyber education hubs in Pangasinan at the Provincial Library within the Capitol Compound in Lingayen last July 28 as joined by (from left) Provincial Librarian Ma. Cynthia Encarnita Vila, Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr., Department of Information and Technology representative Nimer Calupitan, National Public Library division chief Blesila Velasco and Tech4ED focal person for Luzon Engr. Mario Antonio Aya-ay. The event is the first provincewide launching of Tech4ED program.

CAPITOL TOUR GUIDES. Capitol tour guides led by Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Malu Elduayan (7^th from right) flash the Pangasinan number one sign during their courtesy call on Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ I. Espino, III (center) held on August 1 at the Urduja House. The Capitol tour guides, most of them have been accredited by the Department of Tourism, facilitate tours within Pangasinan to help in the promotion of Pangasinan tourism. /Photo by RPGutierrezIII/MGNO

GUV MEETS MUSLIM LEADERS IN P’SINAN. Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ I. Espino, III (center) listens carefully to the concerns of top officials of the Pangasinan Integrated Muslim Assembly (PIMA) led by Guia Macmod (6th from left, partly hidden) on August 1 at the Urduja House. The Muslim leaders particularly lobbied support from the governor for the development of a Muslim public cemetery to be built in a two-hectare lot in Laguit Padilla Bugallon town, which was donated to them by Philanthropist Oscar Angeles (5^th from right) from Mangaldan. Photo by: ECayago/MGNO

FORMER ANTI-DUTERTE CHEF VISITS GUV POGI. Mr. Eliaquim ‘Chef Jack’ Rabang (4^th from right), owner of Quim’s Bakeshop and Café located in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, along with the bakeshop’s Managing Director Anthony Haber (3^rd from right) and Executive Chef Ruben ‘Jhollo’ Ignacio, Jr. (2^nd from right), who hails from Lingayen presents to Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ Espino, III their best seller ‘choco moist cake’ ON August 1 at the Urduja House. Earlier, the bakeshop’s team distributed 100 cup cakes to indigent Pangasinenses to fulfill Chef’s Jack promise to give out Php5 million worth of cakes if then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte wins the Philippine presidency during the May 2016 polls. /Photo by ECayago/MGNO

STA. BARBARA EQUIPMENT TURNOVER. Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III, (5^th from right) and Sta. Barbara Mayor Carlito Zaplan (6^th from right) are flanked by some national agencies and provincial government executives together with the town’s farmer-beneficiaries during the turnover ceremony of the harvesting machines, water pumps and electronic business permit and licensing computers procured by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan through the Bottom-Up Budgeting program of the national government. The event was held on August 3 at Multi-purpose Hall of the new town hall of Sta. Barbara.