LINGAYEN—“The provincial government of Pangasinan will remain as your partner in keeping the people informed,” thus said Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. as he delivered his speech before members of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Pangasinan chapter after he administered the induction of the newly-elected officers for 2016 held last December 13 in Dagupan City.

Governor Espino, who acknowledged that the broadcasters also remains  as one of the biggest “influencers” in shaping the minds of the people and the actions they take, enjoined media men to work hand-in-hand with the provincial government to usher in unprecedented development in the province.

“Lagi kong sinasabi na ang lahat ng ating ginagawa ay para sa ating mga anak, sa kanilang mga magiging anak at sa ating mga apo,” Gov. Espino added as he stressed his intent to be the kind of local chief executive who plans to stay in Pangasinan after he retires.

In his speech, Gov. Espino expressed his full support to whatever community service the association plans to implement as he proposed that KBP should conduct environment-oriented projects. “I will give you seed money to undertake these projects,” the provincial chief executive said.

Governor Espino assured the members of the KBP that he will remain as a friend wherever life path he may take after his term as governor of Pangasinan ends next year.

After his speech, the Governor led the induction and oath-taking of the newly-elected KBP officials: Emmanuel Sibayan (DWID- Love Radio) as chairman; Jay Mendoza (DZRD Sonshine Radio), vice chairman; Josie Sarmiento (DZWN Bombo Radyo), secretary; Gemma Cacas (ABS-CBN North and Central Luzon and MOR), treasurer; Bernie Errasquin (DZMQ Radyo ng Bayan), auditor; and Mark Gemson Espinosa (IFM), standards performance officer.

The KBP officers presented plaques of appreciation to Gov. Espino for his invaluable support to KBP’s endeavors as well as to all its media partners and activity partners. ADV/AJV

Pozorrubio- – -Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. led the distribution of P1,000 amelioration pay for each of the 852 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and 120 Day Care Workers (DCWs) from the towns of Pozorrubio, Sison, Laoac, and Binalonan held on December 14 at the Pozorrubio Community Hospital.

The Governor, who was joined by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr., Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay President Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III and Board Member Danny Uy, hailed the BHWs and the DCWs for their sacrifices and hardships which he said, are worthy of emulation,

Calling the workers as “frontline service providers,” Gov. Espino said the amelioration pay, which used to be in the amount of P500 and was doubled this year, is still not enough to compensate the services rendered by the BHWs and DCWs in their community.

He further noted that the financial grant is just a small way of showing how grateful the provincial government is, considering how much sacrifice each worker renders in the name of community service.

Furthermore, Gov. Espino appealed to all BHWs and DCWs to shy away from politics and to stay focused on helping the people in their community.

Having said this, the Governor poured his sentiments that while the provincial government is doing its best to serve the people of Pangasinan, a certain group continues to destroy the momentum by mixing politics.

“Votes are sacred,” the governor said as he stressed that it should only be given to rightful candidates whose objective is to serve the greater majority specifically the less privileged sector.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Calimlim thanked the BHWs and DCWs for working hand-in-hand with the provincial government.

It is the goal of the present administration, he said, to provide the needed services to all far-flung areas of the province as he further cited that the objective is being realized through the help of the BHWs and DCWs.

Board Member Pogi, on the other hand, said that the provincial government will continuously provide the best services to the people with the help of all frontline community workers.

The provincial government scheduled the distribution of amelioration pay of the workers all over Pangasinan from December 8 to 16.

As of December 14, some 4,191 barangay workers have already received their amelioration pay.

Pangasinan has more than 13,000 BHWs and DCWs. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

Lingayen- – -Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. welcomed some 1,200 OFW families from all over Region 1 in a fun-filled day of games and amusement during the 2015 OFW Family Day at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) held last December 13.

The Governor, who expressed heartfelt gratitude, commended the OFW families for the support being extended to the provincial government especially in cascading its various programs and projects to the grassroots.

“Salamat sa paglilingkod bilang tagabantay ng inyong mga barangay lalo na sa usaping droga,” Gov. Espino cited as he underscored that the support accorded to the provincial government by the OFW families means a lot to the present administration.

It can be recalled that the provincial government launched a program “Bantay-Barangay, Tulong-Hanapbuhay” to enable the OFW families all throughout the province as among the force multipliers to combat drug abuse in the grassroots.

In addition, the Governor stressed that the provincial government is doing its best to provide programs and projects that will redound to the benefit of all OFWs and their families to include the OFW Center which was established under his administration to serve the migrant workers in the province and the provision of start-up capital for every OFW family association, among many others.

Citing of the present status of the Pangasinan Provincial Employment and Services Office headed by Alex F. Ferrer, which has reached its Hall of Fame status as the country’s Best PESO, Gov. Espino said everything that the provincial government has established over the past 8 years is dedicated to the unsung heroes of the province—the OFWs.

Meanwhile, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region I Officer-in-Charge Sergio Borgueta, Jr. said that the occasion is envisioned to pay tribute to all OFWs and their families in the region who have sacrificed a lot.

Borgueta likewise said that the OWWA intends to transform the annual event as a provincial activity to attract more participants.

Highlights of the event include raffle draws and games such as Christmas tree making contest and talent competitions among representatives from Western Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Ilocos Norte and Eastern Pangasinan. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

TEAM PANGASINAN: HAULING 10 GOLD MEDALS IN 2O15 BATANG PINOY NAT’L FINALS. Team Pangasinan, the official delegation of the province of Pangasinan to Batang Pinoy (BP) formed by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. in 2011, romped off with the over-all 11^th place out of 261 participating local government unit (LGU) delegations in the recently-concluded BP National Finals held in Cebu City from November 27 to December 2, bagging 10 gold, 17 silver and 19 bronze medals. (In photos) Team Pangasinan joins the parade along major thoroughfares of Cebu City before the opening program of the national sporting event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.  Pangasinense athletes – 16 years old and below – vied for supremacy in 13 sporting events, namely: arnis, athletics, cycling, boxing, chess, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw (girls), swimming, taekwondo, volleyball (boys), basketball (3/3) girls and wrestling. /Photo by GDMoran

Lingayen – Basketball coaches from various towns in Pangasinan and nearby provinces of La Union and Tarlac participated in the Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas (SBP) Referees’ Accreditation and Licensing at the Pangasinan National High School (PNHS) on December 11-13.

Sponsored by the provincial government, said activity, held in partnership with the SBP, provided the basketball coaches with additional knowledge on national and international standards in basketball through coach education and training.

Most participants came from towns of Sison, Bolinao, Bani, San Fabian, Rosales, Manaoag, Malasiqui, Mangatarem, Dasol, Anda, Lingayen, Mangaldan, Alcala and from cities of Alaminos and San Carlos with some participants from San Fernando City, La Union and Tarlac.

Provincial Sports Director Modesto Operania, who represented Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. during the activity’s opening program on December 11, stressed that the activity forms part of the present provincial administration’s sports development thrust which encompasses the comprehensive development plan for the youth.

Operania said that by providing constant support to the young Pangasinan athletes in various sporting events in the regional, national and international levels, LGU – Pangasinan has provided more opportunities to the Pangasinan youth to hone their skill in various sports disciplines.

The sports director likewise disclosed that LGU – Pangasinan will host the Philippine National Games (PNG) of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center next year.

Also present to express support during the activity were: SBP Regional Director Edilberto Abalos, SBP Technical Official Liberato Valenzuela, 1^st Pangasinense International Basketball Referee Renante Jofana, PNHS Principal Florante Tamondong, DepEd – Education Program Supervisors for Sports Bernardo De Guzman (Pangasinan I) and Enrique Macayan (Pangasinan II).

DISTRIBUTION OF AMELIORATION TO BARANGAY WORKERS. Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. (right photo) and Board Member Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III (left photo) extol the Barangay Health and Day Care Workers for their dedicated service to the public during the first wave of distribution of amelioration pay to the BHWs and DCWs in the municipalities of Urbiztondo and Aguilar   last December 8.The workers who used to receive P500 amelioration pay expressed joy over their early Christmas gift of P1, 000 after Gov. Espino doubled the amount of their gift this year. The distribution of amelioration pay to over 13,000 workers all over the province has been set until December 16.  /JMoran

CASH ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF ‘LANDO’ FATALITIES. Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III (standing) urges the families of the 14 fatalities of Typhoon Lando’s onslaught last October to stand firm despite their loss. Each family received financial assistance worth P10,000 as a manifestation of support from the provincial government. Coinciding with the distribution was the awarding of cash assistance amounting to P60,000to some 12 Children WithDisabilities (CWDs) who are enrolled at the Special Education (SPED) Center in Bautista town.The distribution ceremony was held last December 7 at the Crisis Intervention Center of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). Joining BM Espino during the event were Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and PSWDO chief Emilio Samson (both seated). (PIO photo)

CASH ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF ‘LANDO’ FATALITIES. Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III (standing) urges the families of the 14 fatalities of Typhoon Lando’s onslaught last October to stand firm despite their loss. Each family received financial assistance worth P10,000 as a manifestation of support from the provincial government. Coinciding with the distribution was the awarding of cash assistance amounting to P60,000to some 12 Children WithDisabilities (CWDs) who are enrolled at the Special Education (SPED) Center in Bautista town.The distribution ceremony was held last December 7 at the Crisis Intervention Center of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). Joining BM Espino during the event were Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and PSWDO chief Emilio Samson (both seated). (PIO photo)

38TH PANGASINAN – SAN CARLOS CITY COUNCIL JAMBOREE. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (right photo) inspires over 3,000 scouts, scouts leaders and executives (left photo) to stay active in the boy scout movement stressing that scouting remains as “the best co-curricular organization that young Pangasinenses must engage in.” Gov. Espino made this remark during the opening ceremony of the 38th Pangasinan – San Carlos City Council Jamboree which has the participation of the towns and cities in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd congressional districts. The opening of the four-day jamborette was held at the Capitol beachfront on December 10. /Photo by DManaois

Lingayen- – -Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. said the provincial board will discuss what necessary actions must be taken regarding the failure of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to consult and coordinate with the provincial government on the cutting of more than 500 trees along the Manila North Road (MNR). This developed after the DENR issued permission for the DPWH to cut the trees within 45 days. Expressing disgust, the Vice Governor said the agencies should have consulted the provincial government first as he further noted that recommended course of action will soon follow. “Dapat ikonsulta muna sa komunidad, mga tao, at sa provincial government lahat ng nangyari dito sa Pangasinan at makuha ang kabuuang sentimyento ng mga tao,” the Vice Governor said. It can be recalled that in his letter to the DPWH and DENR dated March 5, 2015, the Governor stated that the provincial government is “absolutely against the cutting of any more living and surviving trees along the MNR” as it further noted that it maintains its position that “concerned government agencies such as the DENR should exert all means to treat and rehabilitate those previously girdled tree that have a good chance of survival.” Pursuant to this, the provincial board had ratified provincial Resolution No. 269-2014 expressing their opposition “to the cutting of trees along the national roads within the province, with intent to preserve as many trees as possible with stern warning to the DPWH 3rd Pangasinan Engineering District not to cut any of the standing big trees, more or less 700..” The tree cutting went full blast after the DENR issued a permit to the DPWH last November 19. Meanwhile, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. reiterated the provincial government’s stand that “only dead and dying trees can be cut.” Expressing no objection to the cutting and removal of dead trees, on the other hand, the provincial board required the DENR to certify that the trees to be cut are already dead and beyond revival. On the part of the DPWH, Emmanuel Diaz, head of the department’s second engineering district based in Rosales town, stated: “The trees should go. We have to finish the project by the end of this year.” The condemned trees were the remaining of the previously marked 1,829 trees marked for cutting in 2013 along the 42-kilometer stretch of the MNR in the towns of Rosales, Villasis, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Sison, and Urdaneta City. Environmentalist groups, on the other hand, specifically the running-priest Fr. Robert Reyes has condemned the tree cutting even as they continuously exerting all efforts to stop the activities. In a separate interview, Virginia Pasalo, director of the Women in Development Foundation and a known environmentalist literally cried foul on the cutting of trees as she expressed lamentation and despair to the inevitability of the killing of the trees that have been there for decades. Pasalo likewise tagged Secretary Ramon Paje as Secretary of Destruction of the Environment and Natural Resources. (Ruby R. Bernardino)