Lingayen- – -The provincial government under the stewardship of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. is set to award six (6) units of brand new Toyota Hi-Ace GL Grandia ambulance to six government hospitals right after the regular flag-raising ceremony on Monday, January 18, at the Capitol grounds.

The six recipients include the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, Western Pangasinan District Hospital, Bayambang District Hospital, Lingayen District Hospital, Bolinao Community Hospital and Pozorrubio Community Hospital.

The other district and community hospitals will receive their new units of ambulance before the month ends, according to Gov. Espino in his speech during the distribution of 29 multi-purpose vehicles to Liga ng mga Barangay.

The provision of new ambulances to provincial government-run hospitals is part of the present administration’s thrust to provide quality and affordable healthcare for the less-privileged sector of society.

Gov. Espino earlier took pride in the upgrading of diagnostic capability of all 14 government-owned hospitals which are now equipped with automated laboratory diagnostic equipment, digital x-ray, hemodialysis machines, with PPH being provided with CT scan and gas sterilizer apart from other modern equipment.

The governor also cited that the implementation of Point-of-Care program has proven to be a vital component of the present administration’s goal to make Pangasinan as ‘home of the healthiest Filipinos.’

Point-of-Care, in cooperation with the PhilHealth, is a program which automatically enrolls indigent patients confined in any of the 14 public hospitals operated by the provincial government to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

An amount of P60 million has been allocated this year by the provincial government for the health insurance of indigent families. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

Lingayen – With no record of Malaria cases for five consecutive years, Pangasinan expects the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the province as “Malaria-Free.”

            According to Provincial Health Officer II Anna Maria Teresa De Guzman, participation of local government units (LGUs) and increased awareness of people in communities for the sustainable implementation of programs and strategies to eradicate Malaria had significantly contributed in attaining Pangasinan’s zero Malaria status in five years from 2011 to 2015.

            Dr. De Guzman noted that Malaria-free Pangasinan is virtually attained as reflected in reports gathered by the Malaria Control Program team of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

A certification which shall be issued by WHO and Department of Health (DOH) officials who will validate malaria situation in Pangasinan this first quarter of 2016 will be the basis for the declaration of a malaria-free Pangasinan.

Malaria remains a public health concern in the Philippines being ranked as 9^th major cause of diseases nationwide, threatening the lives of about 12 million Filipinos with a rough estimate of 110 people getting sick of malaria every day, a DOH report stated. An anopheles mosquito has been identified as malaria-carrier.

            Dr. De Guzman, however, assured that despite no single indigenous malaria case was monitored, malaria surveillance teams continue to monitor endemic or high-risk areas which include 28 barangays in towns of Agno, Bani, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta, Mabini, Mangatarem, San Nicolas, Sison and Sual.

An indigenous malaria case implies that malaria was acquired through mosquito-borne local transmission.

Provincial Malaria Coordinator Eugenio Carlos Paragas noted that strategies shifting from control to total eradication of Malaria have been adopted in high-risk areas where education and information campaigns (EICs) on Malaria prevention which include distribution of mosquito nets and clearing of surroundings have been regularly conducted.

Paragas added that fogging have been jointly-conducted by LGUs on their border operations in mountainous areas within the territorial jurisdictions.

Owing to the support of LGUs for the sustainable implementation of malaria control programs, De Guzman said that municipal and city LGUs had already passed local ordinances which appropriate funding for malaria control programs in their respective communities.

“There is really a big change with the practices of people living in areas endemic of malaria, particularly on their increased awareness for malaria prevention,” she added.

Lingayen – Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. led the whole officialdom of Pangasinan in paying tribute to Pangasinense World War II (WW-II) veterans during the 71^st Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and 9^th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day celebration held on January 9 at the Veterans’ Memorial Park here.

            The commemoration which gathered together surviving Pangasinense WW-II veterans and their spouses along with their sons and daughters was made solemn with the wreath-laying rites led by Gov. Espino, top officials of the Philippine National Defense and Philippine Army; and executives of the Australian Embassy to the Philippines, and Returned Services League of Australia.

            Owing to the vital roles played by Filipino war veterans from Pangasinan to liberate the country from Japanese invaders, Governor Espino stressed in his speech that “it is fitting to honor Pangasinense war veterans who sacrificed a lot and had suffered physical deformities and psychological impairment which still affect them up to now.

Governor Espino likewise exhorted Pangasinenses to value the freedom that we enjoy today by expressing love and care for the country and for the province in pursuing progress and welfare for the people through genuine public service and also to combat corruption, degradation of the environment, poverty, crime and illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina who served as guest of honor and speaker for the commemoration, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the present provincial administration for the partnership in honouring and memorializing the heroic deeds of WW-II veterans.

Lingayen, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Carolina said, played a vital role in Philippine and WW-II history, noting that Lingayen Gulf Landings of the Allied Forces served as prelude to the Battle of Manila and its subsequent liberations.

“Lingayen became the ideal place for the take off of Philippine liberation, and today under the present provincial administration, was even more improved,” he added.

Calling Pangasinan as “Philippine cradle of heroes” considering the large number of WW-II veterans in the province which implies that Pangasinan has the most number

of heroes across the country, the PVAO administrator lauded the bravery of Pangasinenses that prevail over disasters that hit the province.

Also present during the activity were: Col. David B. Diciano of Philippine Army; National Defense Undersecretary Jesus Millan; Lt. Col. Bruce Murray, Defense Attache of Australian Embassy to the Philippines; Atty. James Curtis-Smith, President of Returned and Services League of Australia and Captain Brad White of Royal Australian Navy.

An exhibit featuring the miniature collection of the fleet of Lingayen Gulf Landings was also opened for public-viewing.

Medical mission for WW-II veterans also followed right after the commemoration program.

1^ST BATCH OF LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFICIARIES FOR 2016. Governor Amado T. Espino (GATE), Jr. along with Board Members Danilo Uy, Generoso Tulagan and Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President, flash the Pangasinan number one sign with the 1st batch beneficiaries of the Livelihood Assistance Program of the provincial government for 2016 which include 16 associations and cooperatives, four micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and one group engaged in goat production. Governor Espino awarded Php3 million worth of cheques to the beneficiaries during a distribution ceremony held on January 13 at the Ceremonial Hall of Urduja House in Lingayen. Also in the photo were: Ellsworth Gonzales, officer-in-charge of Provincial Population Office (PPO) and Luzviminda Muego, former Provincial Population Officer and consultant to the Governor. /Photo GDMoran

LINGAYEN – Representatives from each of the OFW Family Associations of the province attended a pre-membership and organization seminar in preparation for the formation of the first-ever cooperative for the overseas workers and their families.

Spearheaded by the Pangasinan Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO), the seminar was held at the Pangasinan PESO building here last January 12 in coordination with the Cooperative Development Authority.

PESO Manager Alex Ferrer said the participants consisted of officers and ordinary members of the association willing to become incorporators who will pioneer the establishment of a cooperative among themselves.

The participants are expected to vote their interim officers after undergoing the pre-membership and organization seminar.

Ferrer said the project seeks to provide livelihood assistance to the association members to help them uplift their economic condition and quality of life so that they can already go home and live with their families instead of sacrificing too much away from their loved ones to provide their needs.

Ferrer said the cooperative will benefit initially the families of the overseas workers and their families. It will initially start as a credit cooperative which is later projected to expand to other projects that will benefit not only its members but also other people in the community.

Last year, OFW Family Associations were formed in all 47 cities and municipalities of the province with the Federation of OFW Family Associations as the umbrella organization.

Meanwhile, another project set to be implemented is the Bigasang –Bayani project where Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. approved the accreditation of the federation as co-partner in applying grant with the Department of Labor and Employment where DOLE will shoulder 80 percent of the grant and the province shoulders the remaining 20%.

A memorandum of agreement will be signed with the OF/W associations and they will be given a rice-retail store called the Bigasang-Bayani.

If the cooperative becomes successful, it will be linked sooner to the Bigasang-Bayani project where the produce of the cooperative will be supplied to the rice retail stores which will later put up extension outlets to the barangays that will create a chain reaction because as the project expands, more and more people will be benefitted as the project is seen to create livelihood employment and generate income for the families.

Lingayen- – -Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. led the turnover of 29 multi-purpose vehicles to all city and municipal Liga ng mga Barangay presidents of the 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th districts of Pangasinan held on January 13 at the Capitol grounds.

The turnover of the barangay vehicles is the second series of distribution following the initial batch of 18 vehicles distributed for the 1^st and 2^nd districts on November 27 last year.

During the event, the Governor urged all barangay officials to uphold “self-respect” and “respect for others” at all times and never resort or give in to dirty politics (hinting on the current situation of politicking in the province).

Recalling an incident when he was ambushed as a young military officer and left for dead by the rebels, he said that he was saved by the barangay officials in Quirino province. Since then the Governor said he has a special bond with the officials from the grassroots.

“I owe a lot to the barangay officials,” Gov. Espino said as he added that the provincial government knows exactly what the grassroots officials are going through. “We share the burden of what you feel every day,” he continued.

In addition to this, the Governor appealed to the barangay council heads to become more sensitive to the needs of their constituents.

He cited that aside from using the vehicles during times of emergencies particularly disasters, it can also be utilized to transport all pregnant women to rural health units (RHUs) or government hospitals for their pre-natal check-up.

For those needing cesarian section, they can be scheduled in any of the six district hospitals or at the provincial hospital for free.

Speaking on behalf of the federation, Liga ng mga Barangay federation president and BM Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III thanked the provincial government for all support accorded to the federation through provision of programs and projects to include the distribution of service vehicles for all 44 towns and 3 cities, which exclude Dagupan City being a chartered city, in Pangasinan.

It can be recalled that BM Espino submitted a resolution to the Governor in December 2014 requesting for the provision of service vehicles.

In February 2015, the provincial board headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. has authorized the Governor to purchase the new multi-purpose vehicles to provide transport services to rural folks.

As stated by BM Espino, the provision of the vehicles will ensure the delivery of basic services and provide adequate means of transportation to the people in the urban areas and in the countryside especially in times of emergencies and calamities.

“These will serve as the vehicle for all,” the Governor’s son and namesake said further stressing that everyone in the barangay must have an equal access to it whenever the need arises.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Calimlim urged the barangay officials to continue serving their constituents with great pride as he said that the provincial government vows to extend its full support to the federation and the people at the grassroots, as well.

Calimlim likewise expressed optimism that the federation will remain united as ever and work under ‘One Team Pangasinan’ in pursuit of genuine progress.

Before the formal turnover, the vehicles were blessed by Rev. Fr. Ryan Tomelden. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

9^TH P’SINAN VETERANS’ DAY MEDICAL MISSION.  Surviving World War II (WW-II) veterans in Pangasinan along with their sons, daughters and kins avail of free-of-charge consultation, medicine and other medical services during the 71^st Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and 9^th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day celebration held on January 9 at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Lingayen. The medical mission sponsored by the provincial government conducted in front of the Sison Auditorium followed right after the commemorative program. /Photo by MVSadim

MEMENTO OF GRATITUDE IN SUPPORT OF WW-II VETERANS.  Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina (left) presents a memento of gratitude to Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (2^nd from left) for the support of his administration for the welfare of World War II (WW-II) veterans in Pangasinan. Witnessing the presentation of memento during the 71^st Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and 9^th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day celebration held on January 9 at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Lingayen were: (from left to right) Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr.; and Board Members Liberato Villegas, Danilo Uy and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado “Pogi” Espino, III. /Photo by MVSadim

LINGAYEN GULF LANDINGS EXHIBIT.  Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (2^nd from right, left photo) and Lt. Gen (Ret.) Ernesto G. Carolina, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Administrator (2^nd from left, left photo) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Lingayen Gulf Landings Exhibit which features a miniature collection of the Lingayen Gulf Landings fleet (right photo). Assisting during the ribbon-cutting were: National Defense Undersecretary Jesus Millan (extreme left, left photo) and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. (extreme right, left photo). At the back (left photo) are: (from left to right): Maj. Gen. Angelito De Leon, 7^th Infantry ID Commander of Philippine Army; Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Maria Luisa Elduayan; and Col. David Diciano, 702^nd Infantry Battalion Commander of Philippine Army. The exhibit was opened for public-viewing on the western side of the Veterans’ Memorial Park, but was later transferred to the Pangasinan Training and Development Center. /Photo by MVSadim/SReyes

Lingayen – A top official of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) cited Pangasinan as ‘Phillippine Cradle of Heroes’ as he recently thanked the incumbent provincial administration for upholding the welfare of Filipino World War II (WW-II) veterans in Pangasinan.

PVAO Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina, who was guest of honor and speaker during the 71^st Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and 9^th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day celebration held on January 9 at the Veterans Memorial Park here, lauded the provincial government led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. for providing support services and projects which benefit WW-II veterans and their kins.

“It is our hope that the young generation of Pangasinenses and our country will continue what Gov. Espino has already started for our veterans,” Carolina said, as he pointed out that the worthy endeavors of the provincial administration must serve as inspiration in molding the younger generation as ‘future defenders of the nation.’

Under the Espino administration, valuing to Pangasinense WW-II veterans had been given with deeper emphasis with the passage of Provincial Ordinance No. 331-007 which institutionalized the annual celebration of Pangasinan Veterans’ day every 9^th of January.

Starting in 2008, Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary was celebrated along with the 1^st staging of Pangasinan Veterans’ day.

It was in 1995 during the administration of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, a son of Pangasinan, and former Governor Aguedo Agbayani that Gov. Espino, who was then Provincial Director of Philippine National Police (PNP), was tasked to lead the preparations for the 50^th Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary which featured the actual re-enactment of the landings and unveiling of the Veterans’ Memorial Park at the Capitol Complex.

Carolina also said that he was surprised when he inaugurated a building that solely houses the PVAO built by the Espino administration last year.

“We only requested for a space for PVAO within the Capitol Complex, but we were surprised Governor Espino provided the biggest provincial office of PVAO in the entire country,” Carolina said.

Citing Pangasinan as ‘Philippine Cradle of Heroes,’ Lt. Gen (Ret.) Carolina bared that “the large number of WW-II veterans in the province imply that Pangasinan has the most number of heroes across the country.”

It was also learned that Pangasinan played a crucial role in Philippine and World War II (WW-II) history — the Lingayen Gulf Landings in 1945 which served as prelude to the Battle of Manila and subsequent liberations.

“Lingayen became an ideal place for the take off of liberation from Japanese invaders, and today under the present provincial administration was even more improved,” Carolina said.

“You see pieces of good evidence of good governance at the Capitol compound. Para kang nangibang-bansa, may ibang tanawin, malinis ang paligid. You feel fresh air at para kang nakawala sa masikip at mainit na Maynila,” he added.

The provincial government also extends support to WW-II veterans who hail from various towns and cities in six congressional districts of Pangasinan, granting them with Php5,000 financial assistance, regular medical check up with free medicines and vitamins.

The annual commemorative program is also followed by a medical mission for veterans sponsored by the provincial government.