Away ni Zaplan vs Velasco Lumalala

Velasco

Zaplan

Rene Madrid

STA BARBARA – Hindi na makapag-antay ang patutsadahan ni Mayor Carlito Zaplan ng bayan na ito at ni ex-mayor Reynaldo Velasco apat na buwan bago magsimula ang campaign period para sa May 13 , 2013 mayoralty election. Tinawag ni Zaplan na napaka-sinungaling ni Velasco, na isang dating heneral ng pulisya, pagkatapos angkinin ng huli ang pagpapa-gawa ng irigasyon sa dalawang libong extarya ng palayan dito. “Kaya nasasabi ko napaka sinungaling ni General Velasco.
Napaka-sinungaling, niloloko niya ang mga ta-o, niloloko niya rin ang sarili niya! Bakit niya aangkinin hindi niya trabaho iyan. Samantala ang mi gastos diyan ay national (government). Bakit si General Velasco kaya niyang tustusan iyan? Ilang bilyon iyong ginastos nila diyan. Sana mahiya naman kayo Mayor Velasco,” painis na sinabi ni Zaplan. Ani Zaplan hindi kaya ng kaban ng first class town na ito na tustusan ng bilyong pesong halaga sa pag –pagawa ng irigasyon dito. Kamakailan sinabi ni Velasco sa Kabaleyan TV channel na matapos palagyan niya ng irigasyon ang barangays Matic-Matic, Maningding, at Banaoang, hindi na pinabaya-an na ni Zaplan ng irigasyon kanals ang barangays Minien papunta ng Alibago .
Pero kinontra ni Zaplan ang pahayag ng dating alkalde. Sinabi niya na sa kanyang termino naglatag ang National Irrigation Administration dito ng P200 milyon na projektong irigasyon. “Siguro kung siya ang mayor ngayon sasabihin niya siya nagpapatrabaho, nagpapa-picture na siya siguro ngayon. Noong panahon niya hinuhukay hukay lang ang kanal, e ito kino concretize na ang line canals, main canals, at ginagawa na iyong check gates para may control ang tubig”. Sinabi ni Velasco kamakailan na 65 porsiyento ng magsasaka dito ay kanyang natulongan ng siya ay mahalal na punong executive noong taong 2007-2010. Pero sabi ni Zaplan na huwag ipa-ngandalakan ni Velasco ang 2000 ektarya na napatubigan ng NIA. “Naabutan niya lang iyan.
Iyan ay 10 years program ni FVR (former president Fidel V. Ramos) na ini-implement ng San Roque Dam ay nagkaka-ta-on ang mayor noon ay si ex-Mayor Velasco.” Sabi ni Zaplan ang programang patubig ng NIA ay benipisyong hindi lang ang probinsiya ng Pangasinan kung hindi ang probinsiya ng Tarlac at ilang bahagi ng probinsiya ng Nueva Ecija. Ang eleksiyon sa bayan na ito ay hindi lang sinusubaybayan ng mga ta-o dito kung hindi pati na rin sa karatig na kabayanan at siyudad dahil sa 244 votes lamang ang lamang ni Zaplan ng tinalo niya si Velasco noong 2010 election  .

MGB pushes San Fabian to O.K Mining - VM

Members of the Town Council in San Fabian, Pangasinan

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

A police officer of Mapandan town showed sachets of illegal drugs shabu (methamphetamine hydro chloride), marked money his men used to purchase them, and three bullets of 38 caliber pistol confiscated from the alleged drug pusher they apprehended in a broadcast of GMA’s Primera Balita, recently.
 The nabbed pusher was apparently still high on drugs when he was interviewed by the reporter of said TV program. But what jolted me in my seat was when the police officer said he mulls either to file a case of illegal drug possession or illegal pushing of shabu, and illegal possession of three bullets of the 38 revolver. Susmariosep, with marked money that consummated the transaction between the pusher and police’s poseur buyer it means drug pushing has ensued already.Drug possession and drug pushing is proverbial miles apart in terms of penalty.
The first is meted only with P300 thousand bail bond for temporary liberty as provided in Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, while the last is a non- bailable offense as provided by Section 5 of the same law. Hepe, baka may plano pa kayong kotongan iyong pusher?
Kahit P300 thousand magbabayad iyan huwag lang siyang kasohan ng non-bailable offense dahil sa three years or more na nililitis siya ay mabubulok muna siya sa kulungan. Saka, bakit bala na ngayon ang nahuhuli? Nasaan na ang revolver? Tsk, tsk, Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome and my friend Provincial Director Sonny Versoza would not like what happened in Mapandan incase the police there charged the culprit with possession of illegal drugs only.
 ***
Speaking of Mapandan again, a source told me that re-electionist Mayor Maximo Calimlim, Jr. (a retired army general) is pitted against his older brother for the mayoralty. I was told that what made the brother runs against the former general was due to “family squabbling”.
***
Several Pangasinenses nowadays have been treated with a “freak show” with almost daily regularity by two “mediocre” radio stations where media men ripped each other in the airwaves. But some of their colleagues don’t like their in-fighting (as a result of their being an apologist to their political patrons).
 “They should be ashamed of themselves. They “washed” their dirty linens in public,” a national reporter quipped. “That was good, so their being presumptuous and hypocrites (a fact in the local media world) would be exposed and become their comeuppance,” an opinion writer declared.
***
I was amused by these squabbling media personalities. Those who listened to their mud throwing were also media men.How could the bigger mainstream listeners patronize their program when they are rooting with patent partiality for their patrons at the expense of fair reporting? Survey cited that the bulk of AM (Amplitude Modulation) band listeners are glued to the prime time commentaries of Bombo Radyo whose policy is to get the two sides of the issues.
But if one is a politician who want to reach a huge market of listeners, the right radio band to tap is FM (Frequency Modulation) where the bigger 18 to 40 age-bracket mostly subscribe. Iyang AM pang matanda lang iyan.
The main source of the news now is TV. That’s why media men Ruel Camba and Joel Fonseca, one of the “elites” according to Bobot Caracas of the local broadcast industry, have been whisked by Aksiyon Radyo to deal “mano-a-mano” with the 6 Pm news of ABS-CBN and GMA so the patrons of the two stations could be neutralized. Abangan ang susunod na survey kong nabawasan na nga ang listeners ng dalawang TV giants versus the duo’s hard hitting radio program.
 ***
I bumped recently with Mayor Irene Libunao and Vice Mayor Leopoldo Manalo in Lingayen where we discussed my article “TGI’s application for dredging will fail” as told to me by Danny Agbayani, a mayoralty challenger of Libunao.
The duo told me that the dredging, where Trans Global Incorporated will give P400 thousand to Barangay Bued,where Cayanga River is located and P200 thousand to the municipal coffers every month, would not be held in the sea shore but in the river bed of Cayanga. Libunao said that the water there is knee deep only because of the accumulation of silts.
When it floods, the water there overflows and affects the residents who lived on the peripheries. Manalo told me that the agreement with TGI is it quarries the sand there while it gets the 30 percent of sands that contain the magnetite black minerals, while the 70 percent will be dumped to the seashore and the river banks to mitigate the floods. “But the law says if what one exploits is magnetite sand; the construction firm should be getting a permit from Mines and Geosciences Bureau?” I posed to Manalo. He told me that MGB told them to pass first a council resolution that favors TGI then MGB will issue a permit.
 The vice mayor said that the leadership of the MGB encourages them to allow the quarry because it helps dredge the river.
***
 Believe it or not, Solo de Venecia told me recently that Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez has a campaign chest of P300 million to beat to pulp Mayor Benjie S. Lim in the mayoralty contest in Dagupan City next year.He said as of press time, Lim was able to muster only P76 million campaign funds. “The family of Belen has prepared for this fight of their lives,” quipped by Solo who runs under Belen for city dad’s post.
 But someone told Solo to stop lambasting Benjie every time he joins Belen’s regular consultations in the villages. “Benjie, incase he wins, will not renew the business and mayor’s permits of your two beauty clinics (in Dagupan City)”. Solo sensing the “clear and present danger “ his antics brought against Benjie changed his tone and “praised” Lim to high heavens by declaring poetically:
“Inspite of the (political families) Fernandezes, Manaoises, and Reynas throwing their lot behind Belen, inspite of the Dukes, knights, and Queen behind Belen, Benjie got Ninoy Aquino (P500 peso bill) and Tito, Vic, and Joey (P1000 bill). Sanamagan, that’s Solo de Venecia at his best — whose ding-dong style of declamation has probably been influenced by his rabble raising uncle former five-time Speaker Joe de Venecia.
 ***
Solo also reacted to my last week’s column “ (Brian) Lim: A possibility he runs for congress”. He said the Lims could not afford to open another front because they are enmeshed with the fight of their lives too in Dagupan City. He said Belen does not only got the support of the old political families he mentioned but has to deal on the influence and wherewithal of former Speaker Joe and Congresswoman Manay Gina de Venecia who relished that the Lims would be “politically extinguished” in the political map of the Bangus City after the May 13, 2013 polls.
What can you say my pal — the ramrod and athletic Vlad Mata?
(You can read my selected intriguing but thought-provoking columns at http://mortzortigoza.blogspot.com. You can send comments too at totomortz@yahoo.com)

Braganza, Lomibao consult with third district folks

Liberal Party candidate for governor Hernani “Nani” Braganza and his running mate former PNP Chief Arturo Lomibao received a heartwarming welcome from Pangasinan folks in the third district last November 20. Braganza and Lomibao made a series of stops in the city of San Carlos, towns of Malasiqui, Sta. Barbara and Calasiao to meet with vendors, tricycle drivers, police officers and church and local government officials as part of their consultation for peace and development. “We are very pleased to meet our kababayans in this part of the province.
Our exchanges with them provide us the necessary information that will guide our party in addressing their concerns,” the Alaminos City Mayor said. Marketgoers and vendors were thrilled to meet Braganza and Lomibao, saying their first impression was that “both candidates are sincere and keen to serve.” “We are surprised to find them to be so down-to-earth, something that we don’t usually see in other government officials,” the vendors and market goers said.
“We hope that they are not like other politicians who use guns, goons and golds.” They said that they came to know Mayor Braganza for his contributions in making the Hundred Islands the top tourist destination in Region 1 and for getting the nod of former President Arroyo in putting up the very first commercial airport in Pangasinan.
 “According to the news, Alaminos through the leadership of Nani Braganza achieved the rare feat of becoming the only jueteng- and drug-free city at the same time,” said a puto vendor. “He also led in opposing the issuance of shotguns to barangay captains in Pangasinan,” he added. Meanwhile, Mayor Braganza proposed the putting up of “trading posts” in every town for the various products in Pangasinan to give them the needed promotion. “With trading posts in place, our local products like puto of Calasiao, tapa and peanut brittle of Mangaldan, sweet mango of San Carlos, longaniza of Alaminos and many others are not only constrained in one location,” Braganza said. “Maliban diyan, gagayahin po natin yung Cebu kung saan ang kanilang mango juice o dried mango ay kanilang ine-export na,” Braganza said.
 Mayor Braganza said he plans to duplicate in all the other districts in Pangasinan the OPAL or the One Pangasinan Alliance – a coalition of LGUs in the first district. OPAL has been lauded by and even received development grants from the European Union and the Canadian government for working concertedly to promote their products and tourist destinations, sharing agricultural technologies and achieving the Millennium Development Goals such as poverty alleviation and universal education (PRESS RELEASE).

VG Calimlim says GATE ‘Has proven More than Enough’

Vice Gov. Calimlim

Lingayen- - -“Let your work speak for itself.” This was said by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. during the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (Pangasinan Chapter) forum held November 22 at the PIA Office in Dagupan City. Calimlim said that over the past five and a half years of service, the administration of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has proven more than enough to deliver genuine and honest public service to the 2.7 million Pangasinense and given another mandate to serve, he averred, “gusto po naming ipagpatuloy lahat ng nasimulan para sa ganap na pag-unlad ng Pangasinan.” Furthermore, Calimlim called on the Pangasinan populace to unite and work together to usher in the needed growth and development. “Di po namin kayang gawin ang lahat ng gusto nating pagbabago sa Pangasinan ng solo-solo o isa-isa lang.
Dapat sama-sama po tayo sa pagtupad ng ating mga pangarap para sa ating mga anak at sa mga susunod pang henerasyon,” the Vice Governor disclosed. In the recent inclusion of the province as one of the top 15 high risk areas in the country, Vice Gov. Calimlim urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to review their report. “Hindi po tayo bibigyan ng mga parangal kung hindi kasama ang peace and order.
 Hindi po fair na isama ang Pangasinan dahil sa isolated cases sa dalawa o tatlong bayan samantalang 48 na bayan ang ating probinsya. Kaya hihilingin namin sa DILG na ire-examine nila ang report because this creates shadow sa impression ng mga tao,” he said that there was no untoward report gathered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to confirm the issue. Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan pointed out that the province is currently wrestling against “crab mentality and traditional politics” which, according to him, is presently happening to catch media attention. “Lahat ng lugar may langaw. Kung may masarap na pagkain, maraming langaw,” Baraan said as he added that the present administration is not bothered by such brouhahas but chose to remain focus on what needs to be accomplished and done for the welfare of the majority.
 When asked about the issue on Real Property Tax, Calimlim noted that the increase on RPT collection was based on the Local Government Code. “Galing po sa taas yan na unti-unting inimpose ng probinsya. Ginagawa lang po namin ang sang-ayon sa batas. We did our best to lighten the burden of the taxpayers while satisfying the requirements of the law,” he said even as he explained that graduated plan imposing re-appraising of real properties was done further noting that the tax rate in Pangasinan is lower than other neighboring provinces like La Union, Tarlac and Pampanga.
Another issue of concern tackled in the forum was the non-inclusion of the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City as among the sites for the just-concluded visit of the Miss Earth International beauty contest. “We were actually advised by the Carousel Productions (the pageant organizer) too late in the day where we were left with only three days to prepare but nonetheless, Pangasinan is always ready to host any event,” Baraan said further disclosing that the Hundred Islands was included in the list of possible itinerary which they presented to the organizer. Ma. Luisa Elduayan, Tourism Divisions Chief, cleared that the organizers were the one who chose the sites for their segments. “Actually hindi ito ang first time ng Miss Earth International pageant sa Pangasinan. They have been to the Hundred Islands three times already.\
 Nagkataon lang na sabi ng organizer naghahanap sila ng site na may environmental relevance and not just tourism site kasi yun ang theme nila this year. Although we have included it in our recommendation, we have no control on the choice of Carousel Production,” Elduayan said. It can be recalled that the candidates conducted mangrove planting in Bolinao and fish seeding in Agno river located in Banaga, Bugallon during their two-day stint in Pangasinan. Another topic raised in the forum dealt on environment protection where Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO) Benita Pizzaro said as one of the top priorities of the present administration. “Pangasinan was awarded twice with Likas Yaman Award because of our best practices specifically with our river clean-up drive and mangrove reforestation project,” Pizarro cited as she mentioned several other awards gained by the present administration such as the Seal of Good Housekeeping and Gawad Pamana ng Lahi which is considered as the mother of all awards. Other guests who graced the forum are officials of the PNP Dagupan who shed light on the recent state of peace and order in the city. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

Castaneda elated by NSO’s remarks of cityhood

By Mortz C. Ortigoza LINGAYEN – Mayor Ernesto Castaneda of this capital town welcomed the declaration of the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Pangasinan that this municipality will hit the 100 thousand population mark that could qualify her for cityhood. “Tataas ang IRA or Internal Revenue Allotment at malalaking proyekto ang magagampanan para sa kabutihan ng lahat at ngayong taon ay P130 million ang annual income ng Lingayen, Pangasinan,” he said. An employee of the municipality here who asked for anonymity said that in case this town become a city, it will increase the salaries of the public workers of the municipal hall.”Tataas na ang sueldo namin, magiging maganda sa pamilya namin at least madadagdagan na ang IRA, malaking tulong talaga at maganda sa pamilya namin”. Dante Pescador, the chief of the NSO in Pangasinan, said on a TV interview that from the more than 90 thousand population, this town will see an additional more than seven thousand population in the next year’s census that will qualify it to the 100 thousand population requirement for a city. According to the amended requisites for city hood provided in the Local Government Code of 1991 a town should meet the following: A locally generated income of at least PHP100 million (based on constant prices in the year 2000) for the last two consecutive years, as certified by the Department of Finance,and; A population of 150,000 or more, as certified by the National Statistics Office or a contiguous territory of 100 square kilometers, as certified by the Land Management Bureau , with contiguity not being a requisite for areas that are on two or more islands. Another source here who asked anonymity said that only two of the requirements would be enough to make this town a city. Unlike the 1, 491 municipalities that depend from the share they derived from the IRA, a new city’s share is much bigger since the IRA is allotted to 144 cities only.

Lor lauds multitude in Colayco’s Seminar

APSCU-Metro Dagupan City Prexy Rex Lor

DAGUPAN CITY – The president of the Association of Private Schools, Colleges, & Universities (Metro-Dagupan Chapter) hailed the almost three thousand jam packed crowd who attended the “Pera Mo Palaguin Mo (increase your money) program” graced by Francisco Colayco and company here. Mr. Rex Lor said the invitation for Colayco as resource person was an innovative project approved by the leadership of APSCU to increase the knowledge of the people here how to handle their finances. “This is actually an effort of different schools and universities coming together. This is nice because we have brought something new to Dagupan City, and something lasting to teach people how to fish and not to get fish,” he stressed. “Pera Mo Palaguin Mo!” is the 10 Commandments of Colayco how to effectively empower Filipinos with the knowledge, skills and tools to be wealthy.
 Colayco is a renowned best selling author on finances and personal finance and investing expert in the country. Lor explained that the idea of bringing Colayco was a concerted effort of the wisdom of the officers of APSCU particularly Mrs. Candy Torio Blancaflor of Edna’s School as relevant to the financial management of professional, students, and man of the streets.
The APSCU leadership is composed of President Lor (Escuela de Nuestra Senora de La Salette); Vice President for Basic Education Dr. Orlando Imbuido (St. Blaise Christian School); , Vice President for Higher Education Dr. Efren Abulencia (University of Luzon); ), Secretary Mae Belle Ebuen-Pamiloza (University of Pangasinan); ), Treasurer Dr.Beng Reyes, CPA (Lyceum Northwestern University; , Auditor Mr. Greg Baldemor; PRO Dr, Rebecca Kathleen Vidal; Business Manager 1 Rev. Marlon Lumagui; Business Manager 2 Leonardo Carrera; Executive Director Dr. Carmelo John Vidal; PSPL Representative/Ex Officio Mrs. Eunice Galindez; Advisers Dr. Macarthur Samson, Dr. Gonzalo Duque, and Dr. Catalino Rivera .
Lor said that a day before the Seminar in November 24 was held, the 2,500 tickets allocated for the program held in an air-conditioned gym of a university here have been already sold-out to ticket buyers who were shoving and jostling with each other just to avail one for them (MCO).

Politically Motivated Rally vs Espino

Cause Oriented Groups visited a mound of black sand in Lingayen, Pangasinan

By P.I.O

 LINGAYEN - “Everything is politically motivated.” This was said by Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan after few political detractors rallied yesterday at the Maramba Boulevard here against the alleged widespread illegal quarrying operation in Pangasinan. “Hindi naman environmentalist yang mga ‘yan. Sila yong mga kagawad na tumututol sa magandang project ng probinsya,” Baraan said as he disclosed that complaint was already submitted in the ombudsman yet the group insists to conduct rally without necessary permit elsewhere primarily to catch media attention. “Nagtataka kami bakit hindi nila nirirespeto yong Ombudsman at patuloy pa rin sa kanilang complain.
 Dapat hindi na yan pinag-uusapan kung saan-saan kasi nasa korte na yan.
Dapat hintayin na lang nila,” the provincial administrator disclosed as he noted that the provincial government is awaiting result of the complaint. Baraan said that the province had stopped the initial development of the eco-tourism zone site after the complaint was filed in court.
 “It is obvious that their motive is purely politics,” Baraan noted as he further added that the provincial government is working hard to usher in the needed progress and development for Pangasinan yet few political foes resulted to dirty tactics just to ruin the good name established by the present administration as proven by the various remarkable accomplishments gained over the past five years. The provincial administrator also cleared that the provincial government will not sacrifice the welfare of the environment and the people just for personal gain.
On the issue that the dismantling operation against illegal structures conducted by the present administration has resulted to loss of income opportunity for marginalized fishermen, Baraan concluded “hindi totoo na nawalan sila ng hanapbuhay ang totoo, hindi lang sila nakikinabang ngayon para magamit ang ilog bilang personal property nila.” Pangasinan was cited as two-time Likas Yaman awardee for the year 2011 and 2012 for its river clean- up project and mangrove rehabilitation and a hall of fame awardee for Best LGU-Coastal Resource Management Implementer (Provincial Category) in 2008, 2009 to 2010. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernatdino)

Gov. Espino is No Mascot for Environment

            Press Release

 Anti-mining advocates in Pangasinan today slammed the organizers of Miss Earth International for picking Gov. Amado Espino as their partner in promoting awareness on environmental issues and problems, saying the governor’s projects have wrought destruction in the province’s eco-system.

            “Sorry, Miss Earth, our governor is not the right mascot for environmental concerns,” said Vicente Oliquino, president of Aro Mo Ako Sambayanan (AROMAS).

            “Annointing Gov. Espino, the black sand king of Pangasinan, as a champion for environmental issues is like giving instructions to the wolf to watch over and take care of the chickens,” Oliquino said.

            He noted that Pangasinan residents, particularly those living in Lingayen, were aghast to learn that the local promoters of Miss Earth International have agreed to hold activities in the province in partnership with the governor and the provincial government.

            The activities, to be held from November 17-19, involve 30 Miss Earth beauties who are expected to tour Pangasinan to promote their environmental advocacies.

            “I am sorry that the local promoters of Miss Earth had been misled. Their partner in the province has no credibility as far as the fight for environmental protection is concerned,” Oliquino said.

            Oliquino, a village official in Lingayen, has been leading the campaign of several barangay leaders and residents of Pangasinan to stop the mining of black sand in barangays Sabangan, Malimpuec and Estanza in Lingayen.

            Their group has asked the Ombudsan to suspend Espino from office pending investigation of a complaint filed against the governor and other provincial officials in connection with the illegal mining operations in Lingayen.

            The provincial government issued on June 29, 2011, a Small Scale Mining Permit to Alexandra Mining and Oil Venture. Inc., allowing the firm to “extract and remove 50,000 metric tons of Magnetite Sand Materials annually” from a 5.5-hectare coastal area situated in Barangay Sabangan, Municipality of Lingayen.

The permit was issued without authority from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan and without an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The DENR later ordered Alexandra to stop the mining activities, but the provincial government allowed another firm, Xypher Builders, to extract magnetite from the area supposedly for the construction of an 18-hole golf course.

On January 30, 2012, the DENR instructed Gov. Espino to stop black-sand mining activities in Barangay Sabangan due to the absence of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). Regional Director Joel Salvador of DENR-Region 1 also asked Espino to explain within 15 days “why no penalty should be imposed” on provincial officials who allowed the black-sand mining of Xypher Builders in Barangay Sabangan.

Up to this date, however, Xypher Builders continue their extraction activities in Barangays Sabangan, Malimpuec and Estanza despite the absence of an Environmental Clearance Certificate and the existence of a Cease and Desist Order from the DENR. Exportation and smuggling of black sands away from the shorelines of Pangasinan going to China are also being reported despite the DENR’s cease and desist order.

            The leaders of AROMAS have also appealed to the Ombudsman to act on the series of harassments against their ranks being initiated by the alleged hired goons and armed forces of the provincial government.

                       Aside from their filed plea to suspend Espino from post, AROMAS already filed administrative cases against their governor last January 13, 2012 before the Ombudsman for graft and corruption, abuse of authority, neglect of duty, and violation of the local government code.

                       AROMAS leaders and supporters had also announced their plan of holding a two-day protest caravan from Pangasinan going to Manila to troop the offices of the Ombudsman and the DENR on November 20 and 21 in time of the International Fish Day.

            Oliquino said Gov. Espino and the provincial government should also be held accountable for allowing the surge of quarrying and black sand mining activities in other parts of Pangasinan.

            In San Fabian, he said, the black sand mining operations were being conducting under the guise of dredging activities.

            Quarrying activities were also rampant in the towns of Bugallon and Alcala, he added. These activities reportedly resulted in the reduction of agricultural harvest and the destruction of irrigation systems in the area.

            Oliquino noted that a barangay kagawad in Alcala was even killed on the spot last year while conducting a round of the village to gather signatures for the petition against the quarrying activities.

            “Nararamdaman na namin dito sa Pangasinan ang epekto ng pagwasak sa kalikasan. Hindi namin papayagang magpatuloy ito dahil dito nakasalalay ang aming kabuhayan at kinabukasan ng aming mga anak,” he stressed.

Manay Gina mamimigay ng "Magic" Bulbs

Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia

 Ang libreng bumbilya na ipamimigay ni Pangasinan Kongresswoman Gina de Venecia ay mula sa Department of Energy. Ang kailangan lang po, bago kayo bigyan nito, ay ang inyong pinakahuling electric bill. Mangyari ay gustong ipakita ng Department of Energy na talagang liliit ang ating konsumo sa kuryente kapag gumamit ng mga ganitong klase ng ilaw --- ito pong tinatawag na Compact Fluorescent Lamp o CFL.
 Ayon kasi sa pag-aaral, ang CFL bulb ay gumagamit lamang ng one/fifth hanggang one-third na kuryente, at magagamit nang labinglimang beses na mas matagal, kaysa sa ordinaryong bumbilya.
 Kaya kung masasanay po tayo sa paggamit nito, mas makatitipid tayo, at magagamit natin ang sobrang pera para sa ibang pangangailangan ng ating pamilya.

MANAY GINA’S PROJECTS 

 Maliban sa anim na major road projects sa Dagupan, (Bonuan Gueset Rd.-100% finished; Mayombo District Road-95% finished; Arellano-Bani Road-100% finished; Tapuac District Road-100 % finished; Lucao District Road, 60 % finished; De Venecia Hi-Way-50% finished) ang 20 M spur dike sa sitio Pontok sa Bonuan Binloc na matatapos ngayong Disyembre, De Venecia Scholarship Program, Computer School on Wheels at ang De Venecia Dental and Medical Mission, narito pa ang ibang proyekto ni Manay Gina para sa huling buwan ng taon at sa unang bahagi ng susunod na taon.

  DAGUPAN CITY PROJECTS:

 SA DAGUPAN, napondohan na, at sisimulan na ang:  --ang paggawa sa concrete pavement sa Sitio Centro sa Salapingao;  --ang extension ng Barangay hall ng Mangin; ---ang slope protection project sa tabi ng barangay hall ng Tebeng,  ---ang improvement ng barangay hall ng Bolosan  ---ang pagpapagawa sa drainage system ng Herrero Perez, Salisay, Lasip Grande, gayundin ang phase 1 ng drainage system sa Bonuan Boquig  --- ang improvement ng covered court ng Lomboy --- ang improvement ng Leo Francisco Maramba Elementary School sa Bonuan  Boquig --- ang waiting shed ng Pugaro  --- ang Phase II ng Alumni Building ng Dagupan City National High School, worth 1.5 million --- ang phase 2 ng ating Mental Health building  ----ang pagpapagawa ng concrete fence sa Bacayao Elementary School sa Bacayao  Sur ---- ang concreting ng shoulder sa harap ng Tambac Elementary School  --- ang patuloy na improvement ng kalsada sa harap ng Pantal Elementary School . Nakatakda ring matapos ngayong Disyembre ang Protective wall at spur dike, worth 20 million na itinatayo sa Sitio Puntok sa Bonuan Binloc upang iligtas ang nasabing barangay sa soil erosion kapag may baha o bagyo.
 Maliban dito, nakakuha rin ng pondo mula sa Department of Agriculture si Manay Gina, upang maipagawa ang mga farm–to-market roads sa Pogo Chico, Lasip Grande, Salisay, Mayombo, Lucao, Bonuan Boquig at Lasip Chico, Lomboy at ang Amado Road sa Tapuac District.

 II. SAN JACINTO PROJECTS: 

 SA SAN JACINTO, ang mga proyekto na napondohan at malapit nang simulan ay ang mga sumusunod:  --- ang pagpapatayo ng solar dryer sa San Jose, San Juan at Awai  ---ang pagpapagawa ng slope protection sa Sto. Tomas --- ang pagtatayo ng Tanod outpost sa Magsaysay  ---- ang improvement ng barangay hall sa San Roque. Ang alternative livelihood project naman para sa San Jacinto ay ang Moringa Processing Plant and Plantation, worth 5 million, na itatayo sa Barangay Awai, at ang on-going na livelihood training sa bag-making, gamit ang corn husks.

 III. SAN FABIAN PROJECTS:

 SA SAN FABIAN, ilan sa mga proyekto ni Manay Gina, na napondohan at malapit nang simulan ay ang: ---- pagpapagawa sa Day Care Center ng Bigbiga  ---- ang Toilet at Artesian well para sa outpost ng Longos Central  ---- at ang improvement ng barangay hall ng Sagud Bahley
Mula naman sa Tobacco Excise Tax, ang mga napondohan ni Manay Gina na mga proyekto ay ang Farmer Center sa Anonang, Nibaliw West, Rabon at Mabilao  ---- ang improvement ng farm to market road sa Aramal, Bolaoen, Colisao, Cayanga, Inmalog Norte, Palapad -- ang Foot Bridge sa Sitio Pansil, sa Tempra Guilig  --- at ang drainage system sa Tocok .
Nakahingi rin si Manay Gina ng pondo mula sa Department of Agriculture, upang maipagawa ang farm- to- market road sa Bolaoen.
" Para naman mas mapalaki ang ani ng ating magsasaka, kinausap ko na rin ang National Irrigation Administration para ayusin ang limang malalaking irrigation canals sa ating bayan: - ang Lipit -Tomeeng canal structure and lining, worth 3.8 million;  - ang Palapad, Lipit - Tomeeng canal structure and lining, worth 4.4 million;  - ang Binday, Angio, Anonang, Cabaruan canal lining, worth 4.3 million - ang Binday, Angio, Anonang, Cabaruan canal structure and lining, worth 3.6  million  -at ang Anonang, Cabaruan, canal structure and lining, worth 3.3 million.  Ang alternative livelihood project naman para dito ay ang Moringa Processing Plant and Plantation, worth 15 million. Two weeks ago, ay sinimulan na rin ang pagpapagawa sa Fish market ng San Fabian, worth 5 million," pahayag ng masipag na mambabatas.

  IV. MANAOAG PROJECTS:

Ang mga proyekto naman na kasalukuyan niyang ipinapagawa ay ang mga kalsada sa Poblacion, Sapang, Matulong, pati na ang drainage sa Inamotan, ang Multi Purpose Solar Drier para sa Oraan East at Parian, gayundin ang Phase 2 ng Barangay Hall sa Pantal at Mermer.
Nakahingi rin sya ng pondo sa Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka kaya’t napondohan na rin, at malapit nang simulan ang mga farm-to-market roads ng Cabanbanan, Lelemaan at Lipit-Norte.
Tungkol naman sa kanilang alternative livelihood project, nag-usap na sila ni Mayor Sales tungkol sa itatayong malaki at magandang Pasalubong Center sa Manaoag. Ito ay magsisilbing showcase at pamilihan ng pinakamahuhusay na produkto ng ika-apat na distrito, at inaasahang lalong magpapasigla sa nasabing bayan.
V. MANGALDAN PROJECTS:

 SA MANGALDAN, ang mga proyekto naman na napondohan at malapit nang ipagawa, ay ang mga sumusunod:  --ang pagtapos sa covered court ng Anolid, Bari at David  --- ang paggawa sa drainage system ng Palua, Nibaliw, Salaan at Talogtog --- ang improvement sa barangay hall ng Lanas, Guilig at Bantayan  -- ang improvement ng barangay hall at health center ng Tebag at Salay --- ang paglalagay ng streetlights sa Inlambo --- ang drainage system at farm- to- market road ng Talogtog.
 Nakahingi rin si Manay Gina ng pondo mula sa Department of Agriculture, upang maipagawa na ang mga farm-to-market roads sa: Amansabina, Macayug, Banaoang, Guiguilonen, Embarcadero, Alitaya, Nibaliw, Buenlag at Guesang.
 Two weeks ago, ay pinasinayaan na rin ang katatapos na improvement ng MYDC na nagkakahalaga ng 1.5 million.

Korean Fugitive in Photo Op with P-Noy

You Hang Mok (Extreme Right), a South Korean fugitive, posed for posterity with President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang Palace despite being hunted by the Bureau of Immigration. 

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – A former personnel of the Bureau of Immigration who arrested last year a South Korean fugitive cries for justice. Ronaldo Cayabyab, the security personnel of the BI, who apprehended You Hang Mok for being an illegal alien in the country, has been incessantly sending letters to President Aquino, Justice Secretary Lelia de Lima, and commissioners of the BI for his reinstatement but to no avail. He said his miseries started when You, 50, escaped under his watch in March 14, 2007. He said You has feigned illness thus he was allowed by immigration officials to have medical check-up in Pampanga where he resided and owned a golf course. “He could not speak and understand English so he sought a medical doctor in Pampanga who understood him. That’s why BID officers allowed him to go in Pampanga,” Cayabyab said. The former BI agent said two days before the May 2007 election, he asked permission verbally from his superior for a two-day leave so he could vote here. Cayabyab left two BI guards to watch the Korean in his house in Pampanga. “When they woke up the following dawn of March 14 (2007), they found the South Korean and his live-in (common law) wife to have absconded,” he said. For three months after the escaped, Cayabyab said, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, intelligence service of the Philippine Air force in Clark, Pampanga, and others have been combing the province for You, to no avail. The former BI guard said two months after You went into hiding, he was given a 90-day preventive suspension by the hierarchy of the BI. In 2010 he was sacked from the service due to grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. He said even he was no longer connected with the BI, he continued looking for You, using his own money. With a former colleague from BI in tow, he located his prey in Ozamis City in Mindanao. With assistance from the local BI there and policemen he handcuffed You and whisked him immediately into a bus bound to Pagadian City to catch the first flight to Manila. “Nagbiyahe na kami with three convoys of police patrol cars to Pagadian (City) because political friends of You reportedly plan to abduct him at the police station. The former agent said after he surrendered the Korean to the BI office, he read on the dailies that the fugitive section of the BI took credit of the capture in Mindanao, although they were not there. “Instead of joy, it was another saddest moment of my life when I read in the (Philippine) Star newspaper that the Fugitive Section of BID was the one which apprehended You, when in fact it was me who arrested him by putting my life and limb on stake” he wrote to Secretary de Lima October 15 this year. He said You even offered him two million peso bribe to let him free as they were boarding the plane bound to Manila, but he refused, thinking he would be reinstated into office. Cayabyab said high ranking government officials like President Aquino, Secretary de Lima and the bosses at the BI did not respond to his request for reinstatement. He said he even saw You in Malacanang posing with a picture with the president when the former was being hunted by him. “I had colleagues who were on duty when some foreigners escaped, but they have been reinstated although the foreigners are still at large,” he said. He said after he borrowed two hundred thousand pesos from relatives just to arrest the Korean, he is now scrimping after he found himself jobless. “I have a family to feed and my son and daughter are studying in the University. I know that you’re a righteous person to decide based on the merit for my arrest of the subject (person)”, Cayabyab appealed to President Aquino

POSO needs firearms, says chief

DAGUPAN CITY – Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) Chief Robert Erfe-Mejia proposed the creation of a “Special Reaction Team” composed of at least 10 armed POSO men that would directly pursue criminals and other law breakers here.

Erfe-Mejia made the proposal after the so-called “Martilyo Gang” robbed in broad daylight the BHF Gemline pawnshop on A.B, Fernandez Avenue here, carting away jewelry items and cash worth P10 million.

A POSO operative reportedly responded to the crime with bare hands, but ran away for cover after noticing that the robbers were armed to the teeth.

He said the firearms can be reasonably used by the POSO personnel, especially in extreme cases.

“For us to be able to respond swiftly and effectively, we need arms because it’s not surprising to know that these cold-blooded offenders have high-powered firearms,” he explained.

He cautioned the public against ‘instinctive behavior’ of criminal elements roaming around the city’s commercial districts with the advent of the Christmas season, requiring a sustained peacekeeping force from the POSO.

“However, holders of firearms have to go through the necessary processes like neuro-psychiatric test, drug tests and trainings on the proper handling of firearms,” he said.

A recent GMA Primera Balita interview with city residents showed that they favor Erfe-Mejia’s proposal with most respondents saying “there is nothing wrong about arming the POSO personnel, if that would mean that Dagupan will be more safe and secure and that these weapons will be used solely for that purpose.”

Tricycle driver Ricky Vidal said “kasi lagi naman po silang nasa kalye eh, mas makakabuti na rin po na may mga armas din sila upang makatulong sa pwersa ng ating mga pulis.”

(CIO)

The PMA "Clash" of 1972

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Aksyon Radyo veteran commentator Orly Navarro was unceremoniously sacked in November 12 this year from his morning prime time program over Aksyon Radio Pangasinan.
 He cried for “due process” from the arbitrary dismissal done by the Manila Broadcasting Corporation and the local bosses of the MBC in Dagupan City. He denied calling in his show Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez of Dagupan City as “tomboy,” a trait that could prejudice her mayoralty endorsement by the religious group Iglesia ni Cristo.
 The gender profiling I heard was an alleged ground of his dismissal. His friends told me the thing that got the goat of the MBC and the management of Aksyon was when he opined that there are two mayoralty candidates pitted with each other in Dagupan City: “BSL versus BSL. They said the first BSL is Benjie S. Lim, the second BSL is “Babae Sometimes Lalaki “(in reference to Fernandez. Susmariosep, was this true? ***
Media man Ruel Camba told me that a lot of media men commiserated with Orly that the majority of the board of directors resigned from the Pangasinan Press Club headed by Atty. Gonzalo Duque, one of the owners of Aksyon Radio and an avid supporter of Fernandez’s electoral bid. The media men suspected Duque to be behind Orly’s ouster.
 ***
Sta. Barbara Mayor Lito Zaplan defeated with a hair-thin 244 votes his opponent former Mayor Rey Velasco in the 2010 poll. Everybody in Pangasinan expects an exciting clash of the duo after both filed their candidacy for the mayoralty last October.
 The excitement between the two went feverish after Velasco, a retired police general, called Zaplan a womanizer who did not add a canal of irrigation after he (Velasco) paved the way for irrigation of 2,000 hectares of rice lands that benefitted 65 percent of the farming population of the town. Zaplan’s bosom friend Bebot Villar, incumbent chief of the Dangerous Drugs Board, reacted in his column to Velasco calling Zaplan a womanizer.
 He said womanizing as an issue does not carry weight nowadays. “Ibahin mo kaya sir ang style mo kasi bulok na iyan eh. Baka sakali manalo ka this time!” he said to Zaplan’s rival. “To spice up the verbal “charivari,” Zaplan chided Velasco in TV, Radio, and newspaper interviews.
He said he could not fathom why Velasco keeps on insisting he was responsible for the construction of the 2000 hectares irrigation canal when it was part of the projects by the national government to complement the construction of the San Roque Dam. “Hindi ba siya nahihiya napaka sinungaling siya. Iyan ba ang pinag-aralan niya sa PMA mag sinungaling?,” Zaplan lashed at his rival.
***
 What Governor Amado T. Espino of Pangasinan, Mayor Marcelo Navarro of Bani, Pangasinan, and former Land Transportation Office chief Art Lomibao have in common?
They were “mistah” (classmates) at the Philippine Military Academy. They are uncommon however on the following: Espino and Navarro are political nemesis despite their being good friends and bunkmates at PMA (the “bunkmate” thing was told to me by General Velasco — their upperclassman).
While Lomibao maintained a good relationship with his mistah, he challenges Espino’s vice gubernatorial candidate Ferdie Calimlim (present vice governor and a son of a general who is an alumnus too of the PMA).
***
omibao and Navarro were the guests recently at the weekly forum of the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas. “Good morning Cavaliers of Class of 1972 of the PMA,” I greeted the two former “warriors” who smiled and nodded about my quip unexpected from a member of the Fourth Estate.
 I asked Navarro, whose father, a colonel and former mayor of Bani, was the boss of my father at the PMA, if he could reverse the political landscape at the Sanggunian Bayan (town council) in Bani presently dominated by the anti-Navarro politicians, in the May 13, 2013 poll.
 In a gentle manly voice, he said he expected the members of the stalling oppositions to lose and be replaced by those who are allied with him. He also answered my question when his first cousin Marichu assailed him and even sought alliance with Governor Espino.
The soft-spoken general who looks like a pastor in barong said he respected the decision of his cousin. Navarro added too that it is high time for the huge province of Pangasinan to add other congressional seats. He said each additional congressional seat means an additional P70 million priority development assistance funds (pssst we call it as “pork barrel”).
He said it means millions of pesos for the province during the three –year stint of these congressmen. Lomibao answered my query that in case he wins he too will reduce the 300 percent real property tax.
 ***
I bumped recently into Dagupan Brian Lim of Dagupan City. I asked him if there is a possibility that he would run for a congressional seat of the 4th District since substitution of bets will be until December 21, 2012. Brian answered me that it was a possibility he runs for congress in the next year’s election.
 In case that happens, he would be pitted against Rep. Gina de Venecia or Former Speaker Joe de Venecia. In case that happens, the people in Dagupan City would be likened to the screaming, dancing, and somersaulting Arabs during the Arab Spring in the Middle East lately. But unlike the Arab spring, bags and bags of grocery items and wads and wads of monies would be the call of the day.
o those who live outside Dagupan City (except those in neighboring Binmaley town) cry your heart out sabi ng mga “highest bidder” na squatters sa Brg. Amado. Inggit na naman daw kayo sa kanila!
You can read my selected intriguing but thought-provoking columns at http://mortzortigoza.blogspot.com. You can send comments too at totomortz@yahoo.com).

Solar panels can lower electric bills

By Mortz C. Ortigoza MANGALDAN – A Pangasinan engineer has an answer on reducing the high cost of power which eats a significant part of family’s incomes and one of the most expensive electricity rates in the world. Engineer O.J Conte said the solar panel he introduces to local government unit and the private sector could dramatically lower ones power consumption. “Halimbawa, one kilowatt or 1000 watt na aircon, kung ang ginagastos ng solar is 40 percent, iyong 60 percent ibibigay ng Cenpelco (Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative). Kung pino-produce ng solar mo is 80 percent, 20 percent si Panelco (Pangasinan Electric Cooperative) Kung pino-produce mo 100%, makikita mo yan sa metro,” he explained. He said his illustration is supported by Republic Act 9513 that has been approved in 2009. RA 9513 is an act promoting the development, utilization, and commercialization of renewable energy resources and for other purposes. Conte, who demonstrated his solar panel before municipal officials here, said despite the initial cost of the panels, the local government units will eventually be freed them from inflationary prices of electricity. “Five years ago nine pesos per –kilowatt- hour, now it is about P13, five years from now it will be P17. However, if you install solar energy now, no more (problem for the expensive power). We or you are free from that power rate problem.” He said RA 9513 has not been fully exploited in the country and that it was only the foreign businessmen who exploited it to their advantage. “Why not put solar (panel) to the hands of the people?”he posed. He supports House Bill of Rep. Teodoro Casino which aims for every households and commercial establishments able to own a solar power system. Conte, who worked at the Sual coal-fired power plant before in Pangasinan, said he saw the future of the panel just like in Israel and Germany. “It will also help plenty of people who are paying their ever increasing electricity rate not only here but also government who are paying this all-time high electricity, he said. (You can contact Mr. Conte at 09213905086).

Misinformation sowed by politicos

Are the following patent misinformation perpetrated by politicians?
Recently, opponents of Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim where all over in the dais of the city council, the radio talks and the newspapers attacking him when they said he “surreptitiously” inserted P10 million in the P1.4 billion Annual Investment Plan for fiscal year 2013 for the construction of Centro Mart – a private edifice partly owned by the Lims. It’s not true, according to City Administrator Vlad Mata when I dropped by recently at his office.
 He said what was included in the budget was a construction of a P10 million sewerage pipes from the public market that will pass under the Centro Mart and MacAdore Building.
He said it was incidental that the sewerage crosses Centro Mart. City Engineer Jane Rosario explained with Mayor Lim at the latter’s office that the sewerage is necessary to treat the water and its waste so it could no longer aggravate the silts at the Pantal River.
The problem with this misinformation was it was exploited by detractors of Lim. Imagine nobody from the allies of Lim and his City Information Office quashed the false accusations while Belen Fernandez (mayoralty bet) got the brownie points.
 ***
Another case of disinformation was the post of the nemesis of Mangaldan Mayor Herminio Romero in the resurrected “Kamusta La Mangaldan?” Face Book account where there are almost a thousand members (It used to have more than four thousands members before it was hacked to near death by a local hacker). Somebody posted there that three “floated” department heads of Romero, who were sued with alleged payroll scams, have been dismissed by the Civil Service Commission in October 31 (Son of a gun that was a holiday, how can that be?).
 Those who were after the scalp of these “scammer” were euphoric at the posting in the FB about the decision of the CSC. It was like Arabs’ Spring in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya once again among Mangaldinians there and abroad.
When I went there last week to inquire if they were suspended and in a holiday, I was told that they were still there. Susmariosep, the information posted at FB was a Benghazi at its worst!
That’s the problem with social media like FB community. Everybody can make a fool out of himself and every body relishes and swallows it hook, line, and sinker. This phenomenon is a good argument why cybercrime law like libel is needed to deter malicious minds that can destroy reputations.
 ***
International publication Newsweek, my favorite stuff since high school, folds its hard copy issues this December. Business wise, it was a losing enterprise because everybody reads its online version almost for free (it charges subscribers for its exclusive news analysis (yes Virginia, Newsweek like Times Magazine is more on news analysis) if there are exclusive news.
 My poser: Would newspapers and tabloid in the Philippines follow suit? If dailies in Australia could no longer be bought directly at one’s favorite newsstand, would newspapers particularly tabloids like Tik-Tik, Bulgar, and countless others that allegedly spewed baseless exaggerated garbage news , crimes, and sex be here to stay.
 ***
 Are blogs too a potent force to replace community newspapers? As owner (in internet language they call it “administrator” of Pangasinan News!, my answer, is yes.
 In Pangasinan alone, where there are more than 20 regular publication, with an average circulation of 500 copies every week. I know only one, ahemm, that circulated with thousands of copies and given almost for free every week.
 These traditional and expensive mode of information that runs to thousands of pesos a week in publication expenses has already been eclipsed by free blogs.
Newspaper online through Blogspot.com and Word Press are like food delivers in a silver platter, for free, directly to readers. Imagine, a blog like Pangasinan News! can penetrate in a copy and paste click of its link (internet buff called it HTTP or Hypertext Transfer Protocol) Face Book community like Our Lady of Manaoag with almost a million of members.
Its potency can be unimaginable. A propagandist can promote or undermine a politician before the eyes of hundreds of thousands of FB folks who visit and browse the posts in an account like Our Lady of Manaoag, D’ Dagupan Dreams, or Dateline Calasiao.
That’s social media in a nutshell. Son of a gun, It’s free but dangerous! (By the way, would be advertisers, politicians and businessmen, who want to exploit the popularity of Pangasinan News! to enter the rich Pangasinan market through paid advertisements at my blog you can email me at totomortz@yahoo.com). (You can read my selected intriguing but thought-provoking columns at http://mortzortigoza.blogspot.com. You can send comments too at totomortz@yahoo.com).

TGI’s application for dredging will fail – Agbayani

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

 SAN FABIAN – The mayoralty bet of the Liberal Party in this coastal town said that the quarry and dredging operations applied for by Trans Global Incorporated in the Sangguniang Bayan will not push through. Liga ng Barangay Federation President Danny Agbayani, who is eyeing the mayoralty post in 2013 here, said the application will be stalled because of the uproar of the people, acrimonies from cause oriented groups and the adverse media coverage.
 “From the beginning I was already opposing the sand mining. Sinasabi nila na ito ay river dredging pero hindi, ” he said. Various sectors here, including environmentalist groups, suspected that TGI was not really for quarry operations and to dredge the Bued River in Cayanga village but aimed at in exploiting the magnetite and gold tailings at the river bed .
 Agbayani also rebutted not only the offer of TGI to dredge the mouth of river for free in five years, but also its plan to pay a staggering P600 thousand a month tax of its quarrying to the coffers of the village and town here. “Iyong sinasabi lang nila iyong advantages para sa kanila, pero iyong disadvantages hindi pa nata-topic!”
 He said most members of the Sangguniang Bayan (town council) did not meet during regular session but opted to meet at nighttime just to approve the first reading of the resolution that will give authority to TGI of its signified undertaking.
 Agbayani further said it was he and Councilor Robert Basbas, SB committee chair on natural resources who just resigned , who opposed the resolution vehemently. Mayor Irene Libunao, Agbayani’s opponent in the next year’s poll, said recently in an interview with this paper that it was high time to dredge the river because of the flood every time the river swells. Libunao said she maintains a hand-off stance on the application of TGI with the town’s council. “It is up for the SB to decide if it will give a permit or not,” Libunao said.

Political kingpin mulls more bets to support

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

 After declaring his electoral supports to three candidates eyeing for the provincial board in 2013 polls, a perceived political kingmaker of Pangasinan said he was still evaluating who among the other candidates for members of the board he will support as election campaign lurks around the corner. After assuring support to former Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera for a Sangguniang Panlalawigan seat, and re-electionist Board Members Ranjit R. Shahani (6th District) and Mojamito Libunao {4th District), Abono Partylist Chair Rosendo O. So said he was still checking the credentials of other candidates who are seeking his support. When asked if he will support an incumbent mayor who guns for the SP post, he said “we will check.” So, a philanthropist and a business czar in the region, is a magnet to every politician every time there is an election be it in the presidential, senatorial, congressional and local elections because of his generosity. He throws his support to political candidates of his preference.
 His success in catapulting to power the beneficiaries of his support is regarded as a legend in the province of Pangasinan . So’s major accomplishment was when he steered the Abono Party-list to win seats in the House of Representatives.
First, Abono Partylist won a seat in 2007 elections with Robert Raymund “Eskimo” M. Estrella Jr. of Pangasinan as the lone representative. Second, two nominees for Representatives- Eskimo Estrella and Francisco Emmanuel “ Pacoy” R. Ortega of La Union grabbed the seats in the 2010 polls.
Third ,So will be including three nominees for Abono Partylist 1n 2013 polls with former 6th District Rep. Conrad Estrella of Pangasinan, as the first nominee, incumbent Abono Partylist Rep. Pacoy Ortega as second nominee and Erika Catlin Dy, a lawyer, of Isabela, the third nominee.
he three belongs to formidable political families in Regions 1 and 2. So was ecstatic recently when three of the senators he is supporting in the province landed in the “Magic 12” based on the poll survey conducted by the Issues and Advocacy Center. “Look at our three candidates (Jack) Enrile, (Cynthia) Villar, and (Senator Chiz) Escudero.
They made it,” So exclaimed as he pointed on the names of his bets on his Apple tablet. Meanwhile, So said the gate price of a hog in the market increased after his group’s vigilant monitoring of the entry of imported pork at the Bureau of Customs has paid off. So , a director of Swine Development Council, said every shipment of imported meat at the BoC is being monitored regularly. “Nakita natin na ang market price of local hogs ay tumaas naman with live weight at P98 to P 100 per kilo,” So said adding that the current price is good for the welfare of local hog producers particularly of the backyard hog raisers that composed 70 % of the local swine industry.

Mayor Lim leads distribution of PhilHealth cards

DAGUPAN CITY— “Bawat Miyembro, Protektado, Kalusugan Natin, Segurado!”

This was the theme of the city’s indigency sponsored program spearheaded by the city government of Dagupan in partnership with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) where Mayor Benjamin S. Lim led the distribution of PhilHealth cards to beneficiaries from eight barangays in this city.

As part of the city’s comprehensive health program, Lim dispensed the LGU sponsored health insurance card to 257 receivers in Bonuan Binloc and 603 recipients in Pantal District on November 7.

On November 9, he gave out another 698 PhilHealth cards to beneficiaries belonging to Cluster III which include Bolosan District, Salisay, Mamalingling, Tebeng, Salisay and Mangin.

 “Apart from the distribution of the health cards, the construction of the soon-to-rise Maternal and Child Clinic will commence in January next year where all the sick and the needy can avail of treatment that is free of charge,” Lim said.

Meanwhile, City Health Officer Leo Carbonell who acted as focal person of said events revealed, “The beneficiaries were selected based on the criteria given by PhilHealth such as level of income, state of housing condition, inputs from barangay officials, social welfare officers, health volunteers and nurses who went around their respective villages to evaluate whether recipients fall under lower 20% quantile.”

With regards to the benefits, “The card holders will have the no balance billing policy meaning they will not pay anything out of their pocket if they will seek admission in accredited government hospitals,”Dr. Carbonell added.

“Second, the out-patient benefit package of the city government aims to grant PhilHealth sponsored members free laboratory exams and free medicines for medical and surgical cases which is a counterpart of the Department of Health (DOH) as part of the agency’s poverty alleviation program.”

When asked about the validity of the card, Dr. Carbonell said that recipients were to enjoy the benefits from January 2012 until December 2013.

 “The deferral in the distribution of cards can be attributed to the fact that PhilHealth only released the cards in October,”Carbonell explained.

“Anyway, beneficiaries have already availed of the services since the second quarter of 2012 by securing a certification from PhilHealth,” Dr. Carbonell said even as he added, “Now, they can bring the card to any hospital and they can enjoy the benefits as a member of a sponsored insurance program.”

In an interview held at the covered court of Pantal Elementary School, the CHO chief stated that the city government under Mayor Lim has so far sponsored 6,664 families with the LGU paying a premium of P1,800 per member. This is on top of those enrolled by the Department of Health (DOH) who are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4 Ps.

At present, Carbonell confirms that almost 11,000 Dagupenos-- who are members of the sponsored insurance programs-- are enrolled as Philhealth cardholders which can be translated to 55,000 recipients.

The city government plans to distribute Philhealth cards to the rest of the 31 barangays by November 21 this year.

Carbonell further stated, “The city government under Mayor Lim decided to distribute the ID cards instead of gathering our qualified constituents one by one so that we could concentrate on the information dissemination regarding where and how they can avail of the benefits.”

The following village chiefs who assisted Mayor Lim in the distribution of PhilHealth cards were Pedro Gonzales, Bon. Binloc ; Lilia Yasar, Pantal District; Marvin Fabia, Bolosan District; Bernard Cabison, Mangin and Andrew Carvajal, Salisay.

Also present during the related events were barangay nurses, medical personnel from the CHO and barangay health volunteers together with PhilHealth officers Chester Canto and Rommel Saingan on November 6  and PhilHealth marketing specialist Jun Belen on November 9. (CIO)

BP ’12 Dagupeño medalists pay courtesy call to MBSL

DAGUPAN CITY – Young Dagupeño karatekas whose wins propelled team Pangasinan to overall championship of the recently concluded Northern Luzon leg of the Batang Pinoy Games met with Mayor Benjamin S. Lim last Friday.

At the City Mayor’s Office, Lim congratulated the budding athletes for the victories they slewed in the games showing that when it comes to sports, the Dagupeños are never left out.

The crew contributed a whooping 15 medals to the unmatched haul of the Pangasinan delegation during the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission instituted tilt held in the municipality of Lingayen from October 10-13.

Leading the triumphant karatedo players in paying a courtesy call with the mayor was the 11-year-old John Enrico Vasquez, who led the oath of sportsmanship during the opening of the games and brought home the most medals, all of which were gold.

With Vasquez were: Kristelle Zabala, who brought home two golds; Francis Augustine Zabala, 1 silver and 1 bronze; and Gabriel Valenzuela, 1 bronze.

Accompanying the junior karatekas with their meeting with Lim was John Enrico’s father and the city’s karatedo delegation coach Dr. Alejandro Enrico Vasquez, also the president of the Philippine Karatedo Federation-NSA Inc and country chief of the Filipinas Wado Ryu Club.

Among the other Dagupeño players who mustered medals from the competition were: John Matthew Manantan, 2 golds; Kaille Juguillon, 1 gold and 1 silver; Elton Joseph De Sesto, 1 silver and 1 bronze; Celina Koleen Juguillon, 1 silver; Kurt Fierro, 2 bronzes.

Coach Vasquez, in an interview, said that he was elated that the mayor was always receptive of their team whenever they present to him the awards his team reaps.

“It inspires the kids. How humbling it is to be honored in your own place,” he remarked. (CIO)