Lingayen- – -“Everything that you see now at the Capitol proves how much love, sacrifice, and determination that the Espino administration has poured in the past eight years.”

This was disclosed by Board Member Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III before members of the senior citizens, members of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program, and barangay officials of Brgy. Sapinit, San Carlos City during their Capitol heritage tour at the Capitol complex on October 9.

Recalling how his father and namesake (Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr.) did an excellent job in transforming not just the Capitol but other government infrastructures in such a short span of time, BM Pogi said it is only right to continue what was started.

The best things, he said, deserve continuity which lies in the hands of the people who knows the importance of it.

BM Pogi also mentioned that the Espino administration concentrated and focused on programs and projects that could uplift and improved the lives of the poor and sick Pangasinenses.

Thus, he said, the improvement of health facilities specifically the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) located in San Carlos City became one of the priorities of the present administration as he further stated that everything was done for the love of the province.

Meanwhile, Brgy. Capt. Eduardo Tamondong commended the present administration for the unwavering support it has extended to his community.

Tamondong said that their trip to the Capitol is considered as a ‘fruitful visit’ because it manifested the genuine intention of the Espino administration to deliver the best services to the people of Pangasinan.

Joining BM Pogi in welcoming the visitors were 3rd district board members Angel Baniqued, Jr. and Generoso “Jun” Tulagan, Jr. together with provincial government consultant Modesto Operania. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

FVR LEADS GROUND-BREAKING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN LIBRARY.  Former President of the Philippines Fidel V. Ramos (2nd from right), Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., (2^nd from left) and PHINMA Corporation President and CEO Ramon Del Rosario Jr. (center) lead the lowering of time capsule for the ground-breaking of the construction of a three-storey library building within the University of Pangasinan – PHINMA campus in Dagupan City last September 25. The modern library which is set to be inaugurated in March 2016 is expected to help preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Pangasinan and its people. /Photo by BSison

GOV. ESPINO INSPIRES IDOs TO IMPLEMENT IRRIGATION PROJECTS. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (left, left photo) turns on the green light for institutional development officers (IDOs) (right photo) of the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) to immediately start the implementation of the P100-million worth of irrigation projects in 183 sites in various parts of the province.  The implementation of said project will be a big help to farming communities during the long dry spell that is expected to hit the country starting this October. Joining the Governor during the meeting in Sta. Barbara Field Station held on October 1 is Provincial Agriculturist Officer-in-Charge Dalisay Moya. (2^nd from left, left photo)  /GDMoran

NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED BLEACHER AT CAMP ABAT IN MANAOAG INAUGURATED. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (right) and Col. Aniceto D. Vicente (left), Group Commander of the 1^st Regional Defense Group Army Reserve Command, lead the inauguration and blessing of a newly-constructed bleacher within Camp Lt. Tito B. Abat in Manaoag town last September 26. Other projects implemented by the Governor in said camp include: mess hall and kitchen and asphalted road and parking area. Said activity was part of the awarding and pinning of ranks ceremony for newly-promoted reservist officers, enlisted reservists and organic personnel of said camp. /GDMoran

MODERN LIBRARY TO RISE IN DAGUPAN CITY. Former President of the Philippines Fidel V. Ramos (6th from left, left photo) along with Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (4^th from left) and PHINMA Corporation President and CEO Ramon Del Rosario Jr., (4^th from right) gesture the well-known ‘thumbs up’ sign of the former Philippine President after the ground-breaking for the construction of a three-storey library building within the University of Pangasinan – PHINMA campus in Dagupan City last September 25. The modern library which is set to be inaugurated in March 2016 is expected to help preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Pangasinan and its people. Also present during the ground-breaking rites are:  former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani (center) and 6^th District Board Member Ranjit Ramos-Shahani (right) along with former members of Ramos’ Cabinet, and officials and benefactors of the host University. /Photo by BSison

PRESENTATION OF 2015 SGLG AWARD TO LGU – PANGASINAN. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Reggie Colisao (4^th from right, front row) presents the 2015 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award to Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (3^rd from left, front row) during the regular flag-raising ceremony of the provincial government last September 21.Pangasinan led by Governor Espino bagged the 2015 SGLG award in recognition to the provincial government’s compliance to the core components (good financial housekeeping, social protection and disaster preparedness) and essential components (business-friendliness and competitiveness, environment management and peace and order) of the seal. Witnessing the presentation of the SGLG award are: Board Members Liberato Villegas (left, front row) and Danilo Uy (3^rd from right, front row), and chiefs of office heads of the provincial government. /Photo by MVSadim

“LOVE PANGASINAN” BM ESPINO TELLS STUDENTS. Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III (left photo) urges about 2,000 student-participants (right photo) who participated in the 2^nd Pangasinan Skills Competition last September 22 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Gymnaisum in Lingayen to “love Pangasinan” as he stressed that tourism development does not only include skills enhancement but also the development of love for our province.  /MVSadimim

Lingayen- – -Hundreds of residents in barangays Dupo, Salapingao, and Caloocan Sur in Binmaley town have availed of free medical check-ups and medicines provided by the provincial government through the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) dubbed, Adopt a Barangay Program held on September 23.

The project, which is now on its sixth year implementation, is one of the scheduled highlights of the PPH’s yearly anniversary celebration.

Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman, Provincial Health Office chief, said that the 70^th anniversary celebration of the PPH is made more meaningful with the conduct of an outreach program that aims to provide free medical attention to the less-fortunate barangay folks of the three chosen sites as she added that the provincial hospital serves as a reflection of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr.’s helping hands especially for the sick and poor.

The PHO chief disclosed that based on reports coming from the PPH, the three adopted barangays have improved in terms of the numbers of in-patients or even walk-ins admitted to the provincial hospital.

This, she said, means that the residents of the three barangays are now healthier and even became conscious of their health.

De Guzman also stated that the present administration has intensified its health program with the launching of the Point-Of-Care for the indigents and the ‘no balance billing’ for the senior citizens.

It can be recalled that in 2014, the provincial government has allotted P60-million to bolster its health care services through the POC enrolment program for the indigent families.

Implemented since November 14, 2013 under PhilHealth’s Circular 32 series of 2013, the POC enrolment program is aimed at giving the non-PhilHealth members a full health package benefits at the time of their admission to government hospitals.

The health care mechanism wherein an indigent person or his dependent who needs urgent medical help specifically at the point of care could be admitted even without payout from the pocket.

In relation to the Adopt A Barangay Program, Dr. Policarpio Manuel, PPH chief, said that the serious concern of Gov. Espino on people’s health became their inspiration.

He stressed that the project was conceptualized by the PPH team headed by Dr. Karlo Marco Orduna in support to the Espino administration’s health reform program.

Dr. Orduna, on the other hand, commended the Governor for the inspiration and the guidance in coming up with worthy undertakings that are all geared to improve the health condition of the less fortunate Pangasinenses especially those at the grassroots.

The whole-day activity is not just limited on check-ups and consultations as it also offered lectures on preventive and promotive health program which focused on topics like environmental sanitation; prevention of infectious disease like diarrhea, dengue, pneumonia and others; healthy lifestyle advocacy; safe water and sanitary toilets; maternal and child care; oral hygiene (toothbrush drill); and handwashing drill.

The PPH team distributed various medicines like antibacterials, antipyretic/analgesics, antitussive/mucolytic/anti-asthma, antihypertensives/ACE-inhibitor/, antithrombotic, and vitamins such as ascorbic acids, zinc sulfate, B-complex, among others. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

LINGAYEN –The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has called for the personal appearance of Engr. Emmanuel Diaz of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the question hour of the SP session on Monday, September 28, to determine whether all the 153 dead and 28 dying trees were already cut down without consultation with SP.

Diaz, the officer-in-charge of the 3rd District Engineering Office of the DPWH in Rosales, Pangasinan together with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) OIC Regional Director Paquito Moreno will be invited to appear before the SP to answer queries from the board regarding the issuance of a Special Tree Cutting Permit/Sanitation Cutting Permit for the cutting of the dead trees and dying trees along the Manila-North Road in Pangasinan.

Board Member Alfonso Bince, Jr. said that based on the permit issued by the DENR to DPWH, the permittee shall conduct meetings or public consultations with the local government units, private organizations and other stakeholders in the area to discuss the urgency of the tree cutting or sanitation cutting and other environmental and social aspects of the project to address any issue that may be raised.

However, Bince noticed that there has not been any consultation made by the DPWH with the SP, the biggest stakeholder in the particular problem.

Bince said he is not sure if consultations were made with the Urdaneta-Binalonan and Pozorrubio section covered by the MNR as these are bigger areas where more important consultations must be made with the SP.

In an interview with the local media, Bince said that if there were living trees that were cut, that would have been a violation of the special permit as he stressed that the act is a show of disrespect to the SP which earlier came out with a strong resolution suspending the cutting of trees whether they are dead or dying.

The DPWH and DENR have to appear before us and explain to us the basis of special tree cutting.

If they had done any violation, then they should answer to the members of SP and we will act accordingly. We will oppose any special tree cutting permit to be issued by DENR, Bince said.

Earlier, Father Robert Reyes who went to Urdaneta, Sison and Pozorrubio on September 17, condemned the resumption of the cutting of trees along the MNR despite the hold order issued by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje.

The running priest expressed disappointment over the non-fulfillment of the agreement he shared with Paje and DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson never to cut trees again along the MNR as he recalled Paje’s commitment to protect and preserve the remaining century-old trees along the area.

Fr. Reyes said the girdled trees were slowly reviving and the previously bandaged trees have began to heal but as tree cutting activities resumed without any notice, even live trees have been cut down.

This was attested by Women in Development leader Yolanda Sia that some of the trees that were recently cut were not ‘dying and dead’ trees.

Affected residents who joined Reyes’ protest were angered by the sudden cutting of trees as they were shocked to find that the healthy trees in front of their houses, which used to protect them from the heat of the sun and provide freshness and coolness, are now gone.

Towards this end, Reyes hinted of plans of a bigger protest against the cutting of trees with residents of Carnavacan and Rosario.

Reyes tied a white ribbon on a tree in Barangay Caviganan along the MNR and read a prayer that posed a warning that those who will cut his tree will face the wrath of nature.

He likewise called on Pangasinenses to join the “Adopt and Save a Tree Movement” and adopt the 500 remaining live trees by tying white ribbons around them to show that they are being protected.

He said that the white ribbons with their names on it will send the personal message that “if they kill the trees, it means as if they killed us.”

He said “there is a punishment for murderers of trees and it will not come from the courts, but from nature.”

Reyes added that the massacre of trees along the MNR was caused by greed of politicians and businessmen.

To foster a conducive environment for learning of school children, Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (10^th from left) and officers of the Federated Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Binmaley led by Reynato Tabingo (11^th from left) will launch the search for the cleanest, most-orderly and effective schools in said town. Governor Espino and Presidents of PTAs from various barangays of Binmaley flash the Pangasinan number one sign during the courtesy call held September 18 as a gesture of the commitment to make schools effective avenues for learning. TQuimson.