Mitoy Yonting Rocks BIR

BIR ROCKER: ABS-CBN TV’s Voice of the Philippines champion 

Mitoy Yonting belts in February 27 some of his signature high pitch

 ear splitting rock songs before the dazzled and star’s struck guests

 and employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Regional Office

 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Mitoy, a resident of Calasiao,  lent his talent for free to help promote

 the tax agency’s nationwide 2014 tax campaign kick off dubbed as 

“Register File and Pay (RFP). Mortz C. Ortigoza

Duque heads Police's Provincial Advisory Council

POLICE’S PROVINCIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC) – Members of the PAC in Pangasinan chaired by lawyer Gonzalo

 Duque (3^rd from right) took their oath before Senior Supt. Sterling Raymund Blanco (extreme left), Pangasinan’s Police 

Provincial Office acting provincial director. The election and the succeeding oath taking held at the PPO in February 28, 2013

completed the organization of the PAC to pre-evaluate the performance and achievement of the Pangasinan’s PPO in the

Integrated Transformation Program – Performance Governance System (ITP-PGS) initiation stage and one of the

requirements of the Philippines bid in good governance with the Millennium Challenge Corporation -- the United States 

funding body. Final Evaluation of the initiation stage will be in March 4, 2013 at the National Police Headquarters in

 Camp Crame, Quezon City. Aside from Duque, the vice chairman of PAC is Laoac Mayor  R. Silverio D. Alarcio, the 

members are Atty. Monday Samson, provincial officer National Police Commission, Reggie R. Colisao, Provincial Director

 Department of Interior & Local Government, Jeffrey J. Catungal, Assistant Provincial Prosecutor, Department of Justice, 

Leonardo V. Micua, Bureau chief Philippine News Agency , Romana O. Fabregas, Ph.D, Dean, School of Graduate Studies, 

Lyceum Northwestern University, Dagupan City, Rev. FR. Alvin Gerald P. Platon, Team Ministry, Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Ashok Vasandani, D.Hum., President, More Than Conquerors Club, Engr. Tom Valdez, Operation Manager/Vice 

President for Corporate Social Responsibility San Roque Power Corporation, Engr. Ruben H. Licerio, Station Manager/VP for Operations, Team Energy-Sual Power Plant, Edwin R. Ferrer, Ph.D, Division Chief, Alternative Learning System, 

Department of Education, Regional Office-1. Photo by Mortz C. Ortigoza

Senior Supt. Marlou C. Chan, chief of Directorate & Staff of the Police Regional Office in Region 1, lengthily explains before the stakeholders at the Pangasinan provincial police office the nitty-gritty of the Integrated Transformation Program - Performance Governance System of the Philippine National Police's bid for good governance with the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Atty. Gonzalo Duque gives his piece on the perception of the police by the public.

TV network asked to correct damage caused by false mysterious disease story

Lingayen- - -Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has appealed to the members of the media specifically the television network which broadcasted an unfounded report in their late night news program aired February 24, claiming “a flesh-eating disease is fast spreading in the province of Pangasinan” to help the province recover from the ill-effects of the globally circulated story.

          In an interview with the governor on February 28, he said that although the television network has officially stated their public apology last night, February 27, the governor finds it necessary for the network to exert additional effort in helping Pangasinan to get back into its normal state.

          Gov. Espino said that the provincial government appreciates the network’s gesture of apology but the damage has been done and the least that the province seeks is its effort to help rebuild the image of Pangasinan as one of the country’s premier provinces.

Ceremonial Turn-over of R1AA banner

Ceremonial Turn-over of R1AA banner.  Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. (3^rd from left) turns over the Region I Athletic Association (R1AA) banner to the municipality of Agoo in La Union (the 2014 host for of the weeklong regional sports competition) during the R1AA opening last February 23.  It will be recalled that during Pangasinan’s hosting of 2013 R1AA, Pangasinan II division emerged as the overall champion.  Witnessing the turn-over are (from left): La Union Cong. Eugranio C. Eriguel, Agoo Mayor Sandra Y. Eriguel, DepEd Region I Dir. Teresita M. Velasco and Pangasinan II Schools Division Superintendent Alma Ruby C. Torio. 

CCP VP shows designs of Badong Bernal to PA Baraan.  Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado (left) shows some of the life-sized costumes of stage actors and actresses crafted by National Artist Salvador “Badong” Bernal using indigenous materials during the opening of “Badong: Salvador Bernal Designs the Stage” exhibit at the Sison Auditorium last February 26.  On behalf of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard F. Baraan (2^nd from left) thanked the CCP for bringing Bernal’s work of art to his hometown in Pangasinan.  The exhibit runs from February 26 to May 3.  Joining Baraan were (from right) Tourism Operations Division Chief Malu Elduayan, Special Events Chief Marife Acerit and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Verna Nava-Perez.

Two-day prov’l summit on risk reduction held

LINGAYEN---The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) spearheaded the provincial summit for local chief executives and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers (DRRMOs) of the cities and municipalities of Pangasinan held on February 26 to 27, at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center here.

            The two-day summit is a provincial version of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management summits held at the national level and the regional level by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).

            Civil Defense Region 1 Director Melchito M. Castro said the activity aims to capacitate the local chief executives to ensure the integration of DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation in local development plans, programs and budgets as a strategy in sustainable development and poverty reduction.

            Castro who is also the chairperson of RDRRMC said this also seeks to approve, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan and test the plan consistent with other national and local planning programs and recommend the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of local residents, if necessary.

Prov’l government conducts Employees’ Family Day

Lingayen- - -It’s a red letter holiday for more than 3,000 employees of the provincial government as they indulged themselves with relaxing and fun-filled activities like free beauty care services,  massage and reflexology on February 28 at the Provincial Training and Development Center (PTDC) here.

The activity dubbed, “Employees’ Family Day” is part of the Wellness and Fitness Program which was launched by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. three years ago as a gesture of love and care for all hardworking workers of the provincial government.

Gov. Espino commended all employees for continuously doing their best in providing quality services to the public.

It can be recalled that under the leadership of the governor, the provincial government employees (both regulars and casuals) have experienced an unprecedented salary increase for six times.

Aside from increased wages, the Espino administration since July 2007 has launched an innovative approach to improve the welfare of the employees through the conducts of team building activities, series of study tours, provision of additional trainings/seminars or workshops to improve their level of competency and build a better human infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. said that the activity is aimed to provide a venue where employees from different offices can meet, socialize, and enjoy even for a day.

ABS-CBN Apologizes to Pang'nan Blunder

Dagupan Police Busted Candy Wrapped P.4M Shabu

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

DAGUPAN CITY -Operatives of the Philippine National Police in this city seized almost P400 thousand worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydro-chloride) in Barangay Mangin here after a buy bust operation.

CORPUS DELICTI (Body of the Crime): Parts 
of the confiscated shabu and paraphernalia
 in Dagupan City. At the left part were gum
products used to camouflage the illegal drugs.

According to Supt. Christopher Abrahano, chief of police here, 75 grams of shabu were confiscated by his men from Bolaw Jamal, y Madji, a 30 years old Muslim woman who is a native of Marawi City.

Jamal is currently residing at Ramos Apartment in Barangay Mangin of this city.

Bolaw was arrested in February 27 when she sold a shabu packed in gum wrapper to a police poseur buyer. 

After her apprehension, searching and frisking policemen  discovered 21  more sachets of illegal drugs in her possession.

Abrahano explained to this paper that to camouflage her nefarious trade, Bolaw concealed some of the illegal drugs inside a plastic sachet wrapped in  a candy and gum product. 

GUNG HO: A determined Supt. Abrahano
wields a Bushmaster assault rifle as he
and his men prepare to raid the suspec-
ted lairs of drug pushers and criminals
in Dagupan City.

  

In his report to Senior Supt. Sterling Raymund Blanco, Officer- in- Charge of Pangasinan police office, Abrahano said cases of violation of Section 11 (possession of drugs) and Section 5 ( selling of drugs) of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.) have been prepared against the suspect.

Selling of drugs in the country is considered as capital offense and non-bailable.

Earlier this February, police of this city and members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led by Regional Director Adrian Alvarino swoop  on alleged shabu pushers here.

Alvarino told this paper that the police and PDEA operatives arrested William Balololong y dela Cruz, 62, a Navy Reservist, and Gary Gubatan, 32, jeepney driver, both residents here, because of illegal possession of 14 pieces of heat sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu with estimated weight of 70 grams and street value of P300,000. 

They were arrested at M.H Del Pilar Street of the city.

Both of the suspects were sued with a non-bailable crime of sale and conspiracy under Sections 5 and 26, respectively, of the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.

JDV hails Cojuangco’s Gov’s Bid

BY MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

DAGUPAN CITY – Former five-time Speaker Jose de Venecia lauded Mark Cojuangco’s gubernatorial bid branding him a highly qualified bet who has a good economic mind.

Former Five-Time Speaker Joe de Venecia

“What we should do now is to mobilize powerful coalition in Pangasinan that will focus on the battle against poverty and against corruption and climate change and to create tens of thousands of new jobs,” he stressed here.

De Venecia, known with his moniker’s JDV and who was a colleague of Cojuangco when they were members of the House of Representatives, said gubernatorial wannabes like Cojuangco, whose real name is Marcos Juan Bruno, should focus on these battles and employment generation of the people in Pangasinan.

The former Speaker said what Pangasinan needs for a governor is a person who has a brilliance of a Ramon Ang, the chairman of San Miguel Corportation, to build large power plants in Sual and other areas of the province for the national Luzon grid, and build infrastructure and new expressway from Pampanga, Tarlac, and Pangasinan.

Ang was the former protégé of business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco”, Mark’s father, when the older Cojuangco catapulted the food, power, and beverage San Miguel Corporation, he once chaired, as the top multi-billion of pesos business corporation in the country and in South East Asia.

‘MYSTERIOUS SKIN DISEASE IN P'SINAN, NOT TRUE’- Prov'l Doctor

Lingayen- - -“It is unfounded, not true, and baseless. There is no such thing as a “mysterious skin disease nor a flesh-eating bacteria spreading in Pangasinan.”
This was the affirmation made by Provincial Health Officer Anna Teresa de Guzman in a press conference held February 25 at the Kalantiao conference room here to clear the issue that a so-called “flesh-eating” disease is fast spreading in the province as reported on a late national TV news program last night, February 24.
Dr. de Guzman said that the alleged issue (which went viral on social media) has caused panic not only to the people of Pangasinan but even those living abroad.

Dr. Anna Teresa de Guzman, head of Pangasinan Pro-
vincial Health Office, diagnoses one of the alleged
victim of the flesh eating disease in the province.

Early morning today, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has directed the Provincial Health Officer to conduct a swift investigation on the reported two Pangasinenses who were allegedly suffering from a “mysterious” skin disease.
According to Dr. De Guzman she led the Provincial Health Office (PHO) team that went to personally check on the condition of a certain Mary Grace from Sta. Barbara town and a certain Alex in Villasis town who allegedly are suffering from the mysterious disease.
The PHO chief said that based on medical report, Mary Grace has undergone leprosy treatment two years ago when she was 19 years old.
De Guzman explained that treatment for leprosy usually takes a year.
Further, she said that the disease which can only be transferred through droplet (through saliva, sneezing) and open wound contact. Leprosy, which is curable, is not airborne (transmitted through the air), she said.
Mary Grace’s case, according to her, was aggravated from an adverse reaction from a multi-drug therapy (hypersensitivity), thus skin lesions were developed.
Alex (the second patient) is suffering from psoriasis, an auto-immune disease which is acquired through chromosomal genes. His disease was further aggravated by arthritis.
Psoriasis cannot be cured but can be controlled, as explained by the provincial health officer.
“These two cases are not that of the rare necrotizing fasciitis (scientific term) or flesh-eating disease (layman’s term). There is no reason at all for the public to panic,” she disclosed.
On orders of Governor Espino, the two patients were brought to the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital to undergo further treatment and to assess other underlying health conditions.
Dr. De Guzman likewise said that the provincial government is exerting all efforts to provide healthier environ for the 2.7 million Pangasinenses as health care is the main thrust of the Espino administration.
“Aside from the facilities in placed, we have several health projects on deck part of which is the Kilatis Kutis,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Orpheus M. Velasco, Public Information Officer, has appealed for responsible reportage on the part of the media.
“Let us not sensationalize a story that would only cause undue panic,” he said.
It can be recalled that a prophecy by self-titled prophet Vincent Selvakumar of the Voice of Jesus Ministries in April 2013 said a flesh-eating disease would spread from Pangasinan to the world.
“Sometimes, the media attempts to exaggerate to make news sensational...they just connected it to the prophecy,” Dr. De Guzman earlier said.

BIR Region 1 Hikes Collection

CALASIAO – The Bureau of Internal Revenue in Region 1 has spiked its tax collection on a year to year basis by 11.32 percentage growths.

Village treasurers met with officials of the Bureau of
Internal Revenue in Calasiao, Pangasinan where the
bursars were briefed on the tax compliance of the
barangays like withholding taxes. 

In a cumulative/comparative collections’ copy given to this paper, BIR Region 1 under the stewardship of Director Arnel Guballa collected P8, 012,446,364.83 last year compared to P7, 117,734, 630.75 in year 2012 or a hiked of P894, 712,734.65 in calendar year 2013.

Revenue District Office-4 Assistant Chief Charmaine dela Torre said that RDO-4, that covers the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos, and 13 towns in Central Pangasinan, has collected P2,262 billion in 2013 versus the P2,032.3 billion or an increase of P230 million or 11.32 percentages.

RDO-4  is based in Calasiao, Pangasinan and is under the watch of Renato Molina.

Dela Torre said to reach the tax goal of P2.7 billion her office this year is undertaking a series of dialogues, seminars, and briefing with government agencies particularly those in the villages on how to collect taxes every time there is a project undertaken by private contractors in their areas.

RIAA Opens

AGOO, LA UNION --- “Sports is important to national development, sports inspires and unites.”

Quoting the late African President Nelson Mandela, this is what Department of Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito M. Umali wants to instill into the minds of the athletes during the opening ceremony of the Region 1 Athletic Association (RIAA) at the Sports Center of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in Agoo, La Union last February 23.

            ASec. Umali as the keynote speaker of the R1AA told the athletes, “ Habang kayo’y naglalaro hindi importante ang medalya, ang importante ay ang disiplina at mga aral na matutunan niyo na siyang isinasaad ng ating tema ngayon, fostering unity o pagkakaisa, teamwork, and peace through sports na siyang madadala niyo sa inyong paglaki na kayo’y ipagmamalaki hindi lamang ng inyong pamilya, ng iyong bayan kundi ng iyong bansa.”

Mixed Reactions on Cojuangco’s Gov’s Bid

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Some political commentators told me in a huddle that former solon Mark Cojuangco could not be a shoo-in since people in the western part of Pangasinan and many areas in the humongous province do not know him yet.

Former Congressman Mark Cojuango

“Incase election will be held today between Mark and Pogi (Amado T. Espino III, namesake and the son of the incumbent governor), Pogi will be the hands off winner since Espino is a household name already,”

DWPR political commentator Ruel Camba told us media men, over bottles of Red Horse beers, that the young Espino is the opponent that could give Mark a run of his monies.

Aksiyon Radyo  master showman Joel Balolong assails Mark when I posted the link of my blog “Cojuangco for Governor goes Haywire” at Face Book.

“Gusto nyo ba na ang susunod na governador ay mahirap kausapin? Sawa na tayo dyan. Maraming magagaling na tunay na Pangasinense na puweding maging governor. Sa senado ka na lang Cong. Mark huwag mo nang pasukin ang probinsya. Maawa ka naman! “Di ba  Mortz?”

My favorite police official cum political analyst said that the Espinos would not go into a head on collision with Cojuangco.

“Malaki ang naitulong ni Mark sa kay “Espines (Governor Espino)” noong 2013 election to the extent na nakipag away siya sa hierarchy ng Liberal Party (coalition member of Mark’s Nationalist People’s Coalition) noong hina- harassed si Espines ng kalaban. The Espinos lost all the premiums to challenge Mark in the 2016,” he opined.

A high official at the provincial capitol told me that the early announcement of Cojuangco for his gubernatorial bid that caught off guard people at the recent State of the Province Address of Governor Espino has probably got the blessing of Malacanang.

“Kina-usap siguro ni president si Mark  kasi siya lang ang makapag unite ng mga partido dito sa Pangasinan para sa ikakapanalo ni (2016 presidential bet) Mar Roxas kontra kay (Vice President Jejomar) Binay”.

Cojuangco and President Aquino are second cousins.

Do you agree with this analysis Colonel non-pareil Marlou Chan?

 (You can read my selected columns at http://mortzortigoza.blogspot.com and articles at Pangasinan News Aro. You can send comments too attotomortz@yahoo.com).

Ostracized PMA Cadet Treated like a Leper

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

It seems the fair haired boy for the directorship of the police regional office (PRO) in Region 1 is a certain Chief Superintendent Diosdado Valeroso. According to my source General Valeroso is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982.

Another source Pangasinan’s media wonder boy Atong Remogat, who was the crooner at my birthday party, confirmed the rumors that a lobby for Valeroso for the top police post in the region is on the upswing. He said he met recently former PNP chief Art Lomibao and Valeroso at the Manaoag Shrine. Art asked Atong how can Valeroso meets Congresswoman Rosemarie “Baby”Arenas of the Pangasinan’s 3^rd Congressional District.

“Ako na ang bahala kay Congresswoman Gina (de Venecia), “ General Lomibao told Remogat.

“Ako na rin ang bahala sa inyo mga media pag naka-upo na si Valeroso, bata ako noon,” Atong boasted.

***

Earlier broadcaster Cisco Flores, a mason, told me that some quarters have been lobbying with the power-that-be for a last dash for General Wendy Rosario, Valeroso’s mistah at the PMA, for the directorship of the PNP in the Ilocos Region.

The chances of Rosario and his “mistah” General Ed Basbas for the directorship of the PRO-1 have been scuttled lately because of power plays among the gods in Imperial Manila.

Zaplan downplays traffic snarl created by bridge repair

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

SANTA BARBARA – The mayor here pooh-poohed the feared monstrous traffic brought by the temporary closure of the Sinucalan Bridge that served commuters to and from Manila.

Mayor Carlito Zaplan said that his administration has formulated a traffic solution to mitigate the traffic congestion caused by the construction of the four way lanes’ bridge located at the national highway.

 He said that aside from the rerouting of motor vehicles that will pass in the town proper, he barred tricycles to ferry passengers there to lessen the traffic congestion caused by the closure of the bridge.

“Meron kaming ginawang re-routing iyong mga tricycle hindi na puweding mag-park sa harap ng palengke. Puwede silang pumasok lima-lima lang,” he stressed.

Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan's town proper.

He said all the tricycles will stay in front of the Amigo Gas Station.

Zalplan said the bridge construction, undertaken by the National Builder based in Tarlac City, has a target date of ten months.

Recently, District Engineer Marietta B. Mendoza of the 2^nd Engineering Sub-Office of the DPWH, sent a media advisory announcing the closure of the bridge in February 17.

“Sinucalan Briged located along Urdaneta City- Dagupan City (Brgy. Maningding Section) will be closed to all types of vehicular traffic. Vehicles coming from Urdaneta bound for Dagupan City vice versa will pass through Sta. Barbara old road via Sta. Barbara town proper”.

Zaplan two more bridges would be constructed within this year here.

He said one of them is the bridge going to Malasiqui from the poblacion  and the other is in Barangay Balingueo.

Cayetano: Repeal online libel clause in cybercrime law

Pushes to decriminalize libel in penal code

Saying it is one of the reasons he did not sign the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is strongly urging his colleagues in the 16th Congress to repeal the online libel provision in the controversial law recently upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court.

Senator Allan Peter Cayetano (center) assails the
Cybercrime Law.

In an interview with Senate reporters, Cayetano pointed out that the said provision suppresses internet users’ freedom of speech.

At the same time, Cayetano pushed for the enactment of his bill which seeks to decriminalize libel and all forms of criminal defamation as it is restrictive of the freedom of expression, much like the provisions on online libel in the much-debated Republic Act 10175.

“What is constitutional and what is legal is not necessarily what is moral and what is right. The Supreme Court based it on the legality of the provision. But on the wisdom of the law, that is for Congress to determine,” Cayetano said.

“Kung magiging final yan, trabaho ng Kongreso kaagad na i-repeal o i-modify iyan nang hindi naman ganoon ang epekto.”

Cayetano is pushing for the approval of Senate Bill No. 249, which in part mandates the repeal of Sec. 4 (c) 4 of Chapter II of RA 10175 or the online libel provision of the anti-cybercrime law.

The bill, which he filed in July 1, 2013 during the first day of the 16th Congress, also calls for the repeal of Sections 5 and 7 of RA 10175 which was already declared as unconstitutional in part by the SC in its decision last Monday.

Guv Espino honors best performing prov’l government employees

LINGAYEN---“We are the best civil servants in the entire country,” thus pointed out Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. as he congratulated all provincial employees  who received recognition and awards from the provincial government.

The awardees were chosen for giving quality service to the people during the 3^rd Employees’ Awards and Recognition Day held at the Sison Auditorium here on February 14.

            Gov. Espino said as quoted by Provincial Administrator that these ordinary employees are “our heroes who make life more comfortable and easier for all of us in the province.”

            The awarding ceremony which was in line with the provincial government’s Employees’ Month celebration this  February, honored almost a hundred employees who have provided exemplary performance including retirees who have unselfishly shared their talents, skills, loyalty, and untiring support in the delivery of quality service.

PMA cadet na na-dismiss matapos ma-late ng 2 minuto, pinaiimbestigahan ng AFP

First Class Cadet Jeff Aldrin Cudia

Iniutos na ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang muling pagpapaimbestiga sa kaso ng isang graduating na kadete ng Philippine Military Academy (PMA) na umano'y na-dismiss matapos ma-late ng dalawang minuto sa isang formation. 

Ayon kay Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, hepe ng public affairs office ng AFP, mismong si Gen. Emmanuel Bautista ang nag-utos na imbestigahan ang kaso matapos makarating dito ang reklamo ng kapatid ni Senior Cadet Jeff Aldrin Cudia. 

Sa reklamo ni Anavee Cudia, bukod sa parusang 11 demerits at 13 oras na touring (marching), ikinulong pa umano ang kaniyang kapatid sa holding center at pilit na pinagre-resign. 

Iginiit ng kadete na late nang natapos ang klase niya sa ibang propesor na naging dahilan naman para mahuli ito sa susunod na klase. 

VALENTINE’S GALORE

A lover at the local government unit of Calasiao, Pangasinan relishes her “giant” Valentine card and posy of red roses given by her boyfriend in Tarlac.

 Calasiao Mayor Mark Roy Macanlalay said that he wed 60 couples at the municipal hall during the Heart’s Day to legitimatize particularly those children born out of wedlock so they can get their benefits particularly their claim in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Sta. Barbara Mayor Carlito Zaplan  (facing the crowd) wed 65
couples in February 14 at the municipal gym

Espino Administration Spends P3B for Vital Infras

PRESS RELEASE

LINGAYEN--- The province has spent over P3-billion for vital infrastructure projects in more than six and half years with 2013 as the most funded with more than P786 million expenditures.

            Of the total amount, at least P1 billion went to the upgrading of 2,988.15 kilometers of the provincial, municipal and barangay roads, and more than 6,000 lineal meters of various bridges, leaving only 48.196 kms remain unpaved of the provincial road’s total 725 kms, and 5,859.7 lineal meters provincial bridges are now built of concrete structures. 

            Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr, in his State of the Province Address last Monday February 11, said the province has also spent a total of P777.61 million for provincial, municipal and barangay buildings; P659.35 million for hospital; P390.56 million for school buildings; P333.69 million for various support facilities; and 73 million for agricultural extension facilities.

                A total of 232 provincial, municipal and barangays buildings and seven agricultural extension facilities, 998 school buildings were constructed and rehabilitated, and the construction of 197 various buildings and facilities in the 557 schools throughout the province.

             Among other projects completed in 2013 are the NRSCC Grandstand, Pangasinan Employment and Skills Development Center, Pangasinan Social Welfare and Development Crisis Intervention Center and the separate buildings for the Pangasinan Chapters of the Boys Scouts and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

Cojuangco for Governor goes Haywire

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

After I posted at P’nan Biggest Blog “Cojuangco Declares Gubernatorial Ambition” in 2016 in Pangasinan, the news became most read in my blog by readers in and outside of the Philippines before February 10 ends -- the day Cojuangco told me in a chance interview his ambition.

Former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco argued with
reporters his advocacy on nuclear power plants in the
country amid the inflationary price of electricity
nowadays.

After Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino concluded his State of the Province Address  (SOPA) by the following phrases: “Thus, we must set aside politics for now, and remain focused on our dreams and aspirations for our province. The next election is still along way to go, and we cannot allow premature political attention from tedious, more crucial task of sustaining the momentum for the continual growth and progress of Pangasinan”,

 I did not expect  I chalked up a scoop from Cojuangco.

I was in a huddle with veteran broadcasters Tito Tamayo of DWPR and RJ Jimenez of Home Radio (Fm na naging Am radio band) when former congressman Mark Cojuangco, with four body guards in tow, emerged from the right side of the capitol building while guests and visitors queues to press flesh with the governor, his wife, and members of the provincial board inside the American era edifice.

Before the declaration of Cojuangco of his political plan (you can access it at http://wwwmortzcortigoza.blogspot.com/2014/02/cojuangco-declares-gubernatorial.html), somebody had tipped me two weeks earlier that Mark had told friends about his moist eye on the governorship, but I was ambivalent to write it since the source did not want her name to be quoted.

Aside from my questions with the former solon “Have you talked with the governor about your plan?”, “Who will be your vice gubernatorial candidate?”, and "his being a shoo-in for the derby", Here were some of his answers on his programs and projects incase he will be the governor of the mammoth province.

Cojuangco, the scion of business tychoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco said there should be a final end in the flooding in Pangasinan particularly in Binmaley, Urdaneta City, Sta. Barbara, Dagupan City, and all that areas in the 3^rd, 4^th, and 2^nd congressional districts.

“Itong mga low laying areas may baha dito, wala na ang dahilan para magkaroon ng baha if we can do it right. Just do the engineering right,” he said.

On the proposed expansion of the airport in Lingayen, Cojuangco said “he (Espino) should look at that. What’s holding him back. Bakit hindi pa iyan matapos-tapos?”

SOPA’s Ceremonial Walkthrough

SOPA’s Ceremonial Walkthrough.  Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. 
is joined by the new members of the provincial board in the ceremonial walkthrough
prior to his report on the state of the province last February 10 at the Capitol Plaza 
in Lingayen.  Assisting the Governor are (from left, back row): Board Members Liberato Villegas, Antonio Sison, Nikki “Boy” Reyes, Angel Baniqued, Jr., Amado Espino, 
III and Shiela Perez.

Criminals Rampaging in Dagupan City?

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Geez, my Monday’s scoop with former congressman Mark Cojuangco goes crazy in my blog as thousands of readers all over the globe click it.

 Recently, I bumped with former Speaker Joe de Venecia  at the turned over ceremony of health care package at the Regional Medical Center and got his take on the gubernatorial declaration of the son of business tycoon Danding Cojuangco.

 Would de Venecia’s pronouncement ricochet again in my blog? Subaybayan ang P’nan Biggest Blog that you can accessed at http://wwwmortzcortigoza.blogspot.com/2014/02/cojuangco-declares-gubernatorial.html.

The former 5 times Speaker supported Governor Espino’s rival Hernani Braganza in the last gubernatorial poll. Rumors permeate the air too that Espino has a moist eye for the congressional seat in the district reigns by the de Venecias since time immemorial.

Incase this happen this would be a battle royal as everybody from the media to the voters would be financially happy.

Police checkpoint in Dagupan City

***

Are criminals in Dagupan City have their murder binges nowadays at the expense of the Philippine National Police’s competence as painted by media reports?

A police source disagreed.
 He cited to me that compared to last year and this year, murder incidents in the city were the same in the January and February period.

“There were four murder incidents in the city. During the same period this year 2014, records show four shooting incidents where two were killed while two were injured.
He said that in the same month period there were five incidents of robbery in 2013, seven of the same crime in 2014.