FATHER-TO-SON TURNOVER RITES. Former Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., now the fifth district representative, turns over the official seal of the Provincial Governor’s Office to symbolize the transfer of leadership and responsibility to the newly installed provincial chief executive, his son and namesake Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III, at the Sison Auditorium in the Capitol Compound in Lingayen which was held last June 30.
Lingayen – Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III is officially installed as the new governor of Pangasinan during the inauguration ceremony at the Sison Auditorium situated inside the Capitol Compound here last June 30.
In a turnover ceremony – a first in the history of gubernatorial inaugurals in Pangasinan, the successor Espino took over the reins of the provincial government from his father and predecessor, three-termer Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., as he received from him the official seal of the Provincial Governor’s Office.
In his inaugural speech, the newly-installed governor said that succeeding the elder Espino, who is now the fifth district representative, is “indeed a tough act to follow,” citing in his speech the legacy of accomplishments of his predecessor in his nine straight years of leadership.
The new provincial chief executive bared his administration’s goal: “If we are number one in Region I, we can also dream to become number one in the whole country.”
Addressing Pangasinenses, the former Liga ng mga Barangay president added, “And your message for me is clear… this is a mark of your affirmation and gratitude on what has transpired in our dear province for the past nine years.”
He pledged to continue the elder Espino’s flagship programs in peace and order, healthcare for all especially for the poor, quality education for everyone, propagation of agriculture, generation of jobs, decent housing, safeguarding the welfare of youth, women, elderly and the persons with disability, tourism promotion, environmental and socio-cultural development, and bolstering the infrastructure and services sector.
The newly-inducted provincial executive called on the municipal and barangay officials for support and assistance to pursue the Pangasinan vision: “the province as the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family” and the mission: “to make Pangasinan
number one.”
He also requested for all to cooperate and set aside differences which ensued during the recent May polls and instead called for unity to sustain Pangasinan’s progress.
In his concluding remarks, Governor Pogi assured that he will do everything he can to continue the “Espino brand of public service and governance.”
Gov. Pogi was joined by re-elected Vice-Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and the 12 board members of the 9th Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the oath-taking and signing rites administered by Judge Hermogenes C. Fernandez, president of Philippine Judges Association, Pangasinan Chapter.
The newly-installed members of the 9th SP are: Napoleon C. Fontelera, Jr. and Antonio F. Sison (1st District); Raul P. Sison and Nestor D. Reyes (2nd Dist.); Angel M. Baniqued, Jr. and Generoso D. Tulagan, Jr. (3rd Dist.); Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario and Liberato Z. Villegas (4th Dist.); Chinky P. Perez-Tababa and Clemente B. Arboleda, Jr. (5th Dist.) and Salvador S. Perez, Jr. and Noel C. Bince (6th Dist.)
Also gracing the ceremony are the other members of the Espino Family: his mother Mdm. Priscilla Ignacio-Espino, the governor’s wife Karina and son Amado IV, his brother Bugallon Mayor Jumel I. Espino, his two sisters and uncle, Bautista Mayor Amadeo Espino.
Before the inaugural rites, a Holy Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Socrates Villegas together with Bishop Ricardo Baccay Lingan and 21 priests in Pangasinan.
In attendance were the provincial government heads of offices and employees, police officers, provincial officials of national government agencies and several guests such as Dr. Prospero De Vera, vice president of the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Prior to his governorship, Gov. Pogi served as a three-termer Bautista town mayor from 2004 to 2013 and after that, as ex-officio Sangguniang Panlalawigan member from 2013-2016.
Lingayen – Few days before he assumes office as the 15th governor of Pangasinan, outgoing board member Amado ‘Pogi’ Espino, III vowed to strengthen further the solid foundation of transformative leadership set by his father, outgoing Governor Amado T. Espino (GATE), Jr.
Highlighting the inconvertible proofs of excellence in leadership of his father, BM Espino, in a media interview held after the regular flag-raising ceremony of the provincial government at the Capitol Plaza on June 20, assured Pangasinenses that he will continue and sustain the various flagship programs of his father’s administration.
“Itutuloy po natin ang serbisyo na ipinapanatili sa atin ni Gov. Espino para ikabubuti ng ating mga kabarangay at sa mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pangasinense,” outgoing Liga ng mga Barangay (LB) Provincial President ‘Pogi’ Espino said.
Programs and projects which are included in the annual budget shall be implemented on the remaining six months of 2016, the incoming governor bared.
Asked on his preparations for his assumption of office, the incoming governor said: “At the outset, I had to familiarize all the programs and transactions of all departments and offices of the provincial government.”
Inaugurals for the incoming provincial officials have been scheduled on June 30 at the Sison Auditorium.
Outgoing Governor Espino will assume as Pangasinan’s 5th district representative to the 17th Congress.
By rule of succession, Mdme. Jinky Zaplan, concurrent LB Provincial Vice President, shall take over the top post of LB provincial federation to be vacated by Gov-elect ‘Pogi’ Espino.
Lingayen — The provincial government may soon start a series of ‘roving’ dental health mission with a newly acquired dental health bus; and accommodate more patients needing dialysis treatment as seven (7) more new dialysis units have been installed at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) recently.
Outgoing board member and incoming Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, on behalf of his father and namesake, outgoing Governor Espino, expressed gratitude to the DOH for the donations when he led the blessing of the dental health bus and presentation of other donated medical items after the regular flag-raising ceremony of the provincial government held at the Capitol Plaza on June 20.
BM Espino, Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President, said: “with these donations, more Pangasinenses in barangays will benefit,” stressing that promotion of public health has been the primary focus of the nine-year stint of Governor Espino, who is celebrating his natal day today, June 20.
Other DOH donated items include: wheelchairs (863 units), infant weighing scale (42 units) and binocular microscopes (12 units).
The 14-unit dialysis station within PPH in San Carlos City recently acquired seven (7) new dialysis machines which were installed by its service provider, the Bridge of Life, Da Vita USA to replace old dialysis units.
For such, the provincial government also recognized the Da Vita USA, represented by its Director for Technical Operations, Engr. Christopher Atwater, for the ‘good partnership’ nurtured with the provincial government.
Appreciation was also extended to dialysis facility administrator Erica Labella; biomedical services specialist Anthony Balderama; dialysis center operation manager Peter Cayaban and volunteer Marife Bebania for their dedication in service.
Meanwhile, Provincial Health Officer Anna Maria Teresa De Guzman said that dentists of the provincial government – owned and managed hospitals have been briefed for their schedule on the use of the dental health bus.
“The province is still waiting for one (1) more unit of dental health bus from the DOH,” De Guzman said as she bared that dental services which include tooth extraction and cleaning and pasta procedures could be availed from the roving facility.
Distribution of donated wheelchairs to beneficiaries, on the other hand, will be coordinated with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
Also present during the blessing and presentation were: PPH Chief Policarpio Manuel, Provincial DOH Chief Benjamin Castillo, chiefs of hospital and dentists of the province, and other department and office heads of the provincial government.
Lingayen – Outgoing Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. assured farmers of the few provinces in region 1 of his continued support to the agriculture sector when he assumes his post as Pangasinan’s 5th district representative to the 17th Congress.
Gov. Espino, a farmer himself, has openly stated he is seeking for the chairmanship of the agriculture and food committee of the House of Representatives to extend help to farming communities in the region.
“Let’s make farming a profession,” Gov. Espino urged officials and representatives of the Pambansang Mannalon-Mag-uuma-Magbabaul-Magsasaka ng Pilipinas (P4MP) from region one during the opening program of the 1st Ilokos P4MP Regional Congress held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center on June 15.
The regional congress, supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTI), sought to empower farmers to become globally competent in the advent of ASEAN Integration.
Asking farmers to eradicate obsolete and wrong practices in farming, Governor Espino told them that “shifting to adopt modern techniques and technologies of farming also requires change of mindset and attitude.”
As incoming lawmaker, Gov. Espino expressed high hopes to realize the approval and establishment of more irrigation projects in Pangasinan.
He added that about 2,000 more hectares of farm lands in the province will be irrigated once the phase two of the San Roque dam irrigation component project will be completed.
At present, the provincial government oversees the rehabilitation works of 32 irrigation canals and water impounding projects, and construction of 163 shallow tube wells in the province.
In Pangasinan, the Espino administration, plowed the agriculture sector with support programs to increase agricultural productivity, which eventually resulted to various recognitions awarded to the province, the most celebrated is the three-peat and hall of fame Agri Pinoy Rice Achiever’s award.
Meanwhile, OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya lauded the significant roles of farmers during the regional congress, extolling them as “backbone of the country.”
“May this occasion contribute to attain a healthier backbone of the economy,” Moya said.
Owing to the usual support of the local government unit of Pangasinan in various agricultural programs and projects, outgoing P4MP regional president Oftociano Manalo announced that the national congress of the farmers’ organization will be held in Pangasinan this year.
The opening program of the farmers’ regional congress held for the first time was also graced by DA regional technical director Eduardo Gonzales, ATI – RTI superintendent Rogelio Evangelista, Abono partylist vice president Justine Casuga, P4MP President Eugene Ramirez and 4H National President Prince Reinier Domingo.
Lingayen – Incoming Fifth District Representative and outgoing Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. eyes to head the Agriculture and Food Committee when the 17th congress opens this July.
With Pangasinan’s welfare in mind, Gov. Espino said in an interview last June 14 that securing the post will enable him to further his advocacies on agriculture such as the second phase of irrigation in San Roque and to introduce technology that would boost development in the agriculture industry.
Gov. Espino bared that aside from heading the House of Representative’s agriculture committee, he has sought membership in the public works and appropriations committees to be able to voice the needed infrastructures in the province and in the fifth legislative district since congressmen do not have Priority Development Assistance Fund.
“I hope it pushes through… so we can help with the housing projects, and the neglected big projects like airports, container ports, economic zone, and BPO (business process outsourcing) center,” he said.
It can be recalled that PDAF, which congressmen previously used to finance own infrastructure projects in their district, has been abolished in 2014.
He also disclosed that he has just recently sworn in to the supermajority coalition Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan of which the national chairman is the President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Asked on the graft case filed against him for the alleged black sand mining, Gov. Espino said that he with his co-accused in the cases former Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan and former Provincial Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Alvin Bigay, posted P60,000 bail each on June 13.
“It was filed in 2012 and left out and just elevated to the Sandiganbayan court when the election was near. It was even used heavily to discredit us,” recounted the provincial chief executive.
He is confident that the case will be dismissed, citing that “they did nothing wrong and Lingayen Gulf has been a recipient of national awards for coastal resources management.”
“We’ll let them go through the process. (The case is already there.) We’ll just respond,” he said.
The incoming fifth district representative is elated that Pangasinenses remained unswayed by the smear tactics hurled on him and his family, proof of which is his and his namesake son and successor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III’s overwhelming win over a son of a business tycoon.
Gov. Espino thanked the Pangasinenses who showed unrelenting support to him and his family.
He promises to double the effort and service they have rendered in the past years in return for their love and support to the Espino family.
Lingayen – Two weeks before he relinquishes his 9-year gubernatorial post, Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. led the inauguration of three more structures within the Capitol Compound last June 14.
Comprising the three newly blessed edifices are the new Provincial Legal Office (PLO) and the Provincial Record and Archives Center (PRAC) in the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) compound, and the NRSCC Restaurant at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC).
Gov. Espino in an interview said that PLO, housed in its current 96-square meter office will be able to further deliver efficiently its services.
He added that the Php 1.9-million worth, 98-square-meter PRAC – the newest among the three as its construction commenced earlier April, was erected to conform to the standards set for local government units to manage and file pertinent records properly.
The governor also stressed that the two newly blessed buildings are standing on one compound with PESO, which has been accorded with various hall of fame distinctions.
As for the Php 9.5-million, fully renovated NRSCC Restaurant, the outgoing provincial executive said, “It will cater to participants of big events which the province hosts so that they will not have to go outside the compound just to eat.”
Built way back in 1995, the 524-square-meter NRSCC Restaurant was put up together with other structures in the NRSCC as the province’s showcase in hosting the 1995 Palarong Pambansa.
“It is such a pleasant sight, compared with the previous look of these buildings,” the incoming fifth district representative said.
In a separate interview, Provincial Engineer Antonietta Delos Santos also noted that the upgraded facilities have meticulously complied with the National Building and Fire Safety Codes standards to secure its occupants and the properties itself, most importantly the stored volume of records, which cannot be easily replaced.
The buildings also boast guided ramps and walkways to enable persons with disabilities better access to the services offered in the facilities.
Joining the outgoing governor in the blessing and inauguration of the edifices are various chiefs of office and some provincial government employees.
Just last June 10, Gov. Espino unveiled two more structures in the Capitol Compound: the Motorpool Repair bay 2 and the Materials Testing and Quality Control Building.
Lingayen— Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged Pangasinenses to revive local traditions and to go back to old, reliable values that made us distinctly and uniquely Filipinos.
The outgoing governor made the appeal during the celebration of the 118th Philippine Indepence Day on June 12 at the Pangasinan Heritage Center, formerly known as the Bengson-Yuson House, located at the Lingayen town proper.
With the celebration’s theme anchored on Pagkakaisa (unity), Pag-aambangan (sharing) and Pagsulong (development), Gov. Espino said all these will be meaningless if Filipinos forget the lessons of the past as he noted ‘technology has slowly stolen the values of the younger generation.’
As such, Gov. Espino stressed that reviving the Filipino values and traditions will serve as the basic core of the needed unity, sharing and development which will be instilled in the hearts and minds of the youth.
The governor said that instilling love for local culture and tradition should become the priority objective of the teachers and parents as he narrated a story of young school children who performed before him popular novelty dances like Otso-otso and Spaghetti in his first term then as congressman of the first district which he openly criticized.
Under his tenure, the province was able to soar even higher in terms of cultural projects with the help of different sectors led by the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC) through special projects on culture and history.
In connection with this, the outgoing provincial chief executive disclosed that the Independence Day celebration has personal relevance on him as he revealed that his paternal great grandfather was the first mayor of Bautista town in 1898 as he added that the mantle of leadership was passed on to his eldest brother who served as mayor of their town in 1998.
Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Immanuel Norbert S. Escano, PHCC Commissioner who officiated the thanksgiving mass during the celebration, commended the governor for taking the lead in uniting Pangasinenses by trasforming the province into its present stature.
Escano said there is no leader yet in the province who has cared and loved his natal landscape but Gov. Espino.
Likewise, Escano cited that the governor’s deep love for Pangasinan can be seen on the programs and projects he has initiated during his nine-year incumbency.
Led by the governor, PHCC officials and heads of various provincial government offices, the event concluded with a simple flower offering ceremony featuring Maestro Romi Mananquil’s artwork which showcased the country’s independence. (Ruby R. Bernardino)
Lingayen – The thriving town of Burgos in western Pangasinan famed for its ‘Cabongaoan beach’ is taking the route of rediscovering its natural wonders and other man-made attractions to spur its tourism promotion agenda.
Other potential tourism assets of the town, aside from its awe-inspiring beaches that were unraveled during the validation and mapping of tourist attractions (TAs) and points of interest (POIs) in Pangasinan conducted by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), are prospects for tourism development.
Along with Burgos, validation and mapping activities will be conducted by the PTCAO in 9 other towns in Pangasinan which forms part of tourism development thrust of the administration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.
“Soon it will be easier to get acquainted with exploring Pangasinan Tourism once the database profiling of tourist attractions and points of interest in the province is completed,” said PTCAO staff GR Canas during the validation and mapping held in Burgos on June 8-9.
The validation and mapping activities in collaboration with local government units also seeks to calibrate the developments and management of natural and man-made tourism destinations in terms of accommodation, services offered and accessibility to public transport.
“The output of the validation and mapping will also aid on the planning and implementation of government projects,” Canas said.
Situated closely by the West Philippine Sea, the Cabongaoan beach of Burgos located in barangay Ilio-Ilio is a virtual paradise noted for its fine white sands, amazing rock formations and cozy ambiance with the majestic sunset fading at the horizon of the sea.
Lone coastal village of Burgos, Ilio-Ilio, also takes pride of unspoiled beaches in sitios of Paratek and Pao which are perfect places for exclusive family gathering and small group recreational activities.
Other natural attractions in Burgos include the rolling hills in southbound barangays of Sapa Pequena, Sapa Grande, Concordia, Pogoruac and Ilio-Ilio where herds of cattle in ranches roam freely; the panoramic Sangbay Falls which could be visited best during the ber-months; and Danao Lake in Barangay Cacayasen.
For pilgrims and devouts, there are two pilgrimage places in Burgos – the Opifices Christi (OC) and the Carmelite Monastery (Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) in sitio Mapila-pila, barangay Tambacan where they could have their retreat and recollection activities, particularly during Lenten season.
A miraculous adoration chapel erected in October 2011 at the OC, the Lumen Christi “to bring life to people” is believed to have bridged several divine intercessions for Christian devouts. The Lumen Christi, which transcends religious boundary among sects, has a place for non-christians (from other sects like Muslim and Buddhists) on its third floor where they could worship.
Several livelihood ventures initiated by the OC brothers led by Rev. Fr. Aaron Bamba, OC founder, bring employment to residents in Burgos, and as a way to fuel their community outreach programs.
The OC also manages its own radio station, DWTJ 99.3 Spirit FM Hundred Islands, with a radius reaching Lingayen and as far as Benguet province to the north, Sta. Cruz, Zambales to the south and Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya to the east.
Few footsteps away from the OC, the Carmelite Monastery run by 34 nuns of the Carmelite Order welcomes everyone for spiritual encounters.
Mass is celebrated at 6:30pm onwards everyday at the monastery while anticipated mass is offered at the OC at 5:30pm every Saturday.
Visitors in Burgos may also drop by the 19-hectare Narem Dragon Fruit Farm owned and managed by Jacinto Gabriel, who also runs a 5-hectare dragon fruit farm in Hermosa, Dasol.
Attributing to the medicinal value and health benefits derived from the dragon fruit, more and more tourists from various places visit said farm to learn information regarding the propagation and maintenance in growing the wonder fruit, as well as to satisfy the crave for mouthwatering dragon fruit delicacies and other food products.
Other tourist attractions to be validated and mapped by the PTCAO include: Allied Botanical Corporation (Tayug); Sky Plaza, Maranum Falls and Century Trees (Natividad); Villa Verde Trail, Red Row Arrow Monument (San Nicolas); Dipalao Falls, Caraballo Spring and Dipalao River (San Quintin); Mt. Amorong, Carasasong Spring and Diket Falls (Umingan); Mt. Balungao, Masa Floreda Dam, Integrated Goat Management Farm (Balungao); Acop Dam (Rosales); Nalsoc Cave, Bangrin Marine Protected Area, Baliwangga Falls and Angel Cave (Bani); Villacorta Cave, Balaki Island, Sabangan and Payong Payong Island, Babuyan Waterfalls and Pita Waterfalls (Infanta).
Lingayen – A total of 600 farmer groups in Pangasinan are set to receive water pump and engine units, with the first of the three batches of distribution held on June 16 at the Motorpool in Capitol Compound here.
Nestor Batalla, acting assistant of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) and in-charge of the program, said that the distribution of irrigation machine sets is one of incumbent Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.’s priority projects to upgrade the agriculture industry and boost harvest productivity in the province.
“This only shows the governor is being true to his commitment to upgrade the plight of farmers in the province.” said Batalla.
He said that this is the third time the Espino administration is making the donation as it is done once in every term of the outgoing governor, who is serving his third and last term as provincial chief executive.
The set includes a heavy duty but easy-to-carry, durable DP30 model air-cooled diesel water pump with built-in engine.
One kit is turned over to a farmers’ association with a minimum combined plowed field of 10 hectares, multiplying direct beneficiaries to about 7,000 rice, corn or vegetable growers from the 44 municipalities and 3 cities in the province.
Recipient groups have been selected upon submission of a formal request thru drafting an organization resolution and were further screened via an on-site validation conducted by OPAg personnel.
Batalla added that the units are helpful not only in making upland irrigation possible, but also in regulating water level in the fields which will enable growers to plant and harvest thrice a year either on dry or rainy seasons for a greater yield.
At the distribution, OPAg recorded the unit number and its recipients for inventory after the harvest from first use of the kit.
The acting assistant agriculturist assured that OPag will monitor the use and upkeep of the donated machines as it had done with the previous recipients from the past two terms of the governor.
For this term’s three-fold distribution, 217 farmers’ organizations received their units on June 16, 128 on June 17 and the final 255 on June 21.
In an earlier interview, Gov. Espino, who will assume the fifth legislative district seat as the congress opens this July, eyes the chairmanship in the committee on agriculture and food to propel the welfare of the industry in the province.