Cops Nab More Big Narc Sellers

 

AS ILLICIT TRADE RETURNS WITH  A VENGEANCE

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LAOAC, Pangasinan – Series of apprehensions of narcotic sellers increase as the police concentrate on the arrest of high value targets.

“Ya! Buong Pilipinas iyan kaya kita ninyo matataas ang huli natin dahil naka concentrate tayo sa mga high value target talaga,” according to Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Col. Jeff Fanged in an interview by this newspaper during the sideline of the ground breaking ceremony here of the P34 billion almost 43 kilometers expressway.

Photo credit: Pangasinan Police Provincial Office

Fanged said that tens of millions of pesos of illicit drugs have been seized by his police after he ordered them to pounce aggressively on those big illegal peddlers who come back with a vengeance after a lull on the government’s all-out war against them.  

“Milyon-milyon kaya bilin natin sa mga chiefs of police natin paigtingin natin iyong mga high value. Iyong mga mababa to follow lang mga iyon”.

During the six years – 2016 to 2022 – administration of the knuckle-duster administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, there were more than 12, 000 dead suspected narcotic sellers (Human Rights Watch) after the then mercurial president ordered the law enforcers to aggressively neutralize the peddling of dangerous drugs.

When President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. assumed office from Duterte in June 30, 2022, the drug war slackened thus the proliferation of narcotics and the arrest of their peddlers being seen on the media nowadays.

“Walang ng takot iyong mga dati nagbalikan na maybe because nag mellow down na iyong ano natin  (kaya) tuloy tuloy huli tayo ng huli”.

Fanged said the expansion of the dangerous substance is endemic around the country.

Lingayen Handa sa Oplan Semana Santa

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Nakakaantabay ang buong pwersa ng Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) sa capital town na ito katuwang ang Municipal Rural Health Unit (RHU), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Lingayen, at Philippine National Police (PNP)-Lingayen sa pamumuno ni Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil.

Mayroon nakatalaga sa bayan na limang (5) Medical Stations kung saan sila ay nakabantay sa Brgy. Poblacion, Brgy. Maniboc/ Pangapisan North (El Puerto Marina), Brgy. Libsong West (PMR), Brgy. Libsong East (near at YRS) at Brgy. Estanza.  Bukod dito ang administrasyong Bataoil ay may Incident Command Post sa LDRRMO sa Sub Station 1 sa Brgy. Maniboc.

Layunin ng local government unit dito ang ligtas, matiwasay at makabuluhang pag gunita sa Semana Santa 2024.

 “Mag Ingat po tayong lahat. Say too ya preparado, Alerto tan Alisto Arawi ed Risgo,” ani ng Lingayen Information Office.

Walang Away sina Guv Monmon, Cong. Mark, Manay Gina

 

MAGKA TEXTMATES PA RIN SILA

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Walang katuturan ang mga intrigang nagsisilabasan at kumakalat sa social media at sa mga kuwentuhan sa tabi-tabi na may hidwaan ang mga malalaking personalidad sa Pangasinan.

Mga fake news writers sa Facebook, bloggers at mga marites ay sila ang mga nagkakalat na may away sina Pangasinan 2^nd District Congressman Mark Cojuangco at comebacking Pangasinan 4^th District congressional candidate Gina de Venecia kay Pangasinan Governor Ramon “Monmon” Guico.

BIGWIGS. From left photo and clockwise: Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Pangasinan 2nd District Cong. Mark Cojuangco, and former Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Gina de Venecia.

Noong sinabi ng writer na ito kay Governor Guico na binati siya ni Cong. Cojuangco ng “Happy Birthday” noong March 19 sa Facebook Page ng huli, pinakita ni Guico  ang text message ni Cojuangco at ang pasalamat ng huli sa pagpuri sa kanya na kasama sa Aguila noong nakipagbuno at nilupig nila ang pamamayagpag ng political family Espino sa probinsiya.

“Pagbati sa iyong maligayang kaarawan, Gov. Ramon Mon-Mon Guico III! Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa iyong suporta at nakahahawang dedikasyong manilbihan para sa bawat residente ng buong Pangasinan. Isa kang tunay na inspirasyon para sa akin at sa iba pa nating kapwa-lingkod-bayan. Mula sa Distrito Dos, hiling namin ang iyong kasiyahan, mabuting kalusugan, at mas mahaba pang panahon para sa'yong tapat na serbisyo dito sa ating probinsya. Muli, happy-happy birthday, Gov. Mon-Mon!” sulat ni Cong. Cojuangco sa Facebook.

INTRIGA

Nagsimula ang intrigang may hidwaan sina Cojuangco at Guico noong September 14, 2023 noong imbestigahan ng mga miyembro ng provincial board kung saan andoon din ang gobernador sa pinapatayo na 920 meters’ sea walls ng Pangasinan 2nd District Engineering Office ng Department of Public Works & Highway (DPWH).

Ang proyekto ay panukala ni Cojuangco para matigil na ang pagbaha sa kahabaan ng baybayin ng Lingayen at Binmaley towns.

HUWAG IMBITAHIN

Noong na scooped at naging screaming headline ng Northern Watch Newspaper na Politician Marching Order: Don’t Invite the Guicos at R1MC noong sinabi ni Governor Guico noong February 14, 2024 sa isang press conference dito na pinagbabawalan na sila na dumalo sa kaganapan sa regional hospital sa Dagupan City. Ang balita ay may kasamang larawan kung saan si Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District Cong. Christopher de Venecia at kanyang inang si former Congresswoman Gina ay may ribbon cutting sa pagbukas ng bagong Center for Disease Prevention and Control sa nasabing ospital sa Dagupan City.

Akala ng karamihan ay tuluyang naghiwalay na si Governor at Gina de Venecia at ang kanyang anak na si exiting 4^th District Rep. Toff de Venecia.

“Merong instruction: huwag imbitahan ang mga Guicos. Pero lahat ng inilagay doon sa property sa Arellano, Dagupan City ipangalan mo sa probinsiya kasi ang lupa ay titulado sa provincial of Pangasinan. Legally sa probinsiya po iyon..,” ani Guico sa mga reporters sa isang presser na ginanap sa umaga ng Februay 14 sa launching ng Center for the Lifelong Learning (CELL) ng Pangasinan Polytechnic College sa Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Complex dito.

TEXT MATE PA RIN

Ani Guico sa palitan sa writer na ito sa pagdiriwang ng kanyang kaarawan noong gabi ng March 22 sa Sison, Auditorium dito Capitol: Hindi lang si Gina de Venecia kung hindi pati na rin ang anak niyang congressman ay bumati sa pamamagitan ng texts sa gobernador sa kaarawan niya.

NANG IINTRIGA

Noong nipasinayaan ng gobernador at ni San Miguel Corporation President at Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang noong March 21 ang ground breaking ceremony ng P34 billion first phase ng halos 43 kilometro na expressway sa eastern at central Pangasinan sa Brgy. Baligi, Laoac sa Pangasinan, may mga media men na nag titext sa writer na ito kung andoon si business magnate Cezar T. Quiambao matapos nilang makita ang mga naunang ni post niya sa Facebook kung saan makikita sa stage sina Ang, Gov. Guico, amang si Commission on Appointment Vice Chairman at Pangasinan 5^th District Cong. Ramon “Monching” Guico, Jr., at Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Lambino.

“Andiyan ba si (former Bayambang) Mayor Cezar Quiambao?’’ tanong noong isa.

Kasi pag wala, iintrigahin na naman nilang may away talaga sila Quiambao at Cojuangco kontra kay Guico na kung saan magkasama silang ni wakasan ang paghahari ng mga Espino sa Pangasinan.

“Andito nasa harapang upuan,” ani ng writer na ito kung saan nakita niyang nakaupo roon si Mayor Cezar.

Iyong ibang kritiko ng gobernador ay nagpapadala pa ng music video sa Facebook na may titulong: "Paalam" kung saan naghiwalay na si Cong. Mark kena Governor Monmon at ama niyang si Cong. Monching.

Intriga talaga.

Iba sa mga kritikong ito ay nagpapalabas ng tsismis na tatakbong gobernador si Cong. Mark sa May 2025 election at ang kanyang vice governor tandem ay si dating governor Pogi Espino o ang kanyang amang si ex-governor Amado.

“Hindi totoo iyan!” ani ng isang mataas na opisyla sa Capitol sa writer na ito.

“Walang Cojuangco at Espino na tatakbong gobernador sa susunod na eleksiyon. Walang sapat na pondo ang mga Espino na labanan si Governor Monmon matapos silang lumpuhin sa palakihan ng campaign fund noong huling eleksiyon,” may kumpiyansang pagsambit niya.

Gatekeepers of Ph Skies in the 60's to 20's

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

When I was a kid growing up in the then war-torn Cotabato, I enmeshed myself reading used military magazines from Clark Air Base the Americans would give to the personnel of the Philippines Air Force (PAF) where my father belonged.

One of them was the supersonic F-5 A/B – the one I took photo at the Clark Air Museum in Pampanga after I covered the air acrobats of the South Korean pilots and their TF-50 supersonic jets.

I thought the needle nose F-5s were smaller but looked bigger when I touched and felt its dirty white aluminum alloy skin.

There are two main models of the aircraft, the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants – the Philippines bought 37 of them from 1965 to 1998 from the United States - and the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants. Smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. Though primarily designed for a day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform.

The F5s have been used extensively to patrol areas claimed by the Philippines in the disputed Spratly island chain and the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. They were also used by the famous PAF "Blue Diamonds" aerobatics team that mesmerized the crowds in air shows nationwide in the 1960s and the 70s.

The jets were also used to back soldiers fighting communist insurgents in the central and northern Philippines and Muslim separatist rebels and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in Mindanao. They blasted military rebel positions and their Tora-Tora planes (T-28 Trojans) at an air base in Sangley Point, Cavite during a coup attempt in 1989 that nearly toppled the government of President Corazon Aquino.

After 40 years of guarding the nation’s airspace, the PAF retired the F-5s in September 2005.

Tall Order for BIR-North Pam: P14.4-B Target

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – The Revenue District Office No. 21A - that covers two cities and three towns - has been given a tall order by the national government to collect P14.4 billion this year.

TOP EXECUTIVES of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in central Luzon pose with one of the top taxpayers during the tax campaign kick-off rally of Revenue District Office No. 21A held recently at the Activity Center of Marquee Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga. From left to right: RDO No. 21A Chief Charmaine C. dela Torre, BIR Revenue Region No. 4 Director Emmanuel Ferrer, awardee-taxpayer and her male assistant, RR No. 4 Assistant Regional Director Marlon Mendoza and Assistant RDO No. 21A Chief Amalia de Leon. Photo by Mortz C. Ortigoza

“This year our district’s goal had ballooned to P14.4 billion or P2.7 billion higher than on last year’s collection – a whopping 23 percent increase! This means that we will be again doubling if not tripling the effort to build with this enormous goal,” declared by RDO No. 21A Chief Charmaine C. Dela Torre during the tax campaign kick-off held recently at the Activity Center of Marquee Mall in this city.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No. 4 Director Emmanuel Ferrer, who was one of the speakers, said that the flagship district faces a tough goal for this year.

“Mabigat lalo ang kanilang goal. Sila po ang flagship district natin sa buong region.  Sila po ang may pinakamataas na goal for this year and their goal this year: P14.457 billion”.

Dela Torre appealed to the taxpayers to continue their support for the BIR by paying the correct taxes.

Photo by Mortz C. Ortigoza

RDO 21A covers the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat and the towns of Magalang, Porac, and Arayat.

“As we will also continue to give back to you what you truly deserve and that is giving you better and efficient quality service to everyone,” Dela Torre, a native of Calasiao, Pangasinan, stressed.

The RDO Chief optimistically told hundreds of crowd that she soldiered on because last year bode well for her district. Even Director Ferrer lauded Dela Torre’s district in hailing the most number of taxpayers who attended the tax campaign kick-off he ever witnessed in the region.

The multitude included the awardees for the individual and non-individual taxpayers, Director Ferrer, Assistant Regional Director Marlon Mendoza, Assistant RDO No. 21A Chief Amalia de Leon, and other officials of the tax agency in North Pampanga.

The RDO-21A Chief exceeded the 2022 collection of P10.4 billion by racking up P11.7 billion in 2023 or a surplus of P1.3 billion. She lauded the men and women of RDO-21A and the support of Ferrer and Mendoza for a positive performance last year.

“And of course let’s not forget to acknowledge and thank the source of all these blessings and glory and praise to our God”.

The North Pampanga chief called the taxpayers to pay faithfully their taxes as the April 15 deadline for the annual income tax return (ITR) approaches.

RDO 21A became a consistent achiever awardee on goal attainment from January to October 2023 while based on the audit and investigation for 2023, it cumulated P364 million versus P171 million in 2022 on its deficiency tax collection.

It filed cases against four erring taxpayers under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) that violated the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), filed cases on four taxpayers on Oplan Kandado or closure of their shops, collected P85.3 million in 2023 versus P31 million in 2022 on excise taxes on quarry operations.

Photo by Mortz C. Ortigoza

Dela Torre’s district became the top RDO under Revenue Region No. 4 in Tax Awareness Program (TAP) for 2022. It was a first runner up nationwide on the 2023 Tax Infomercial Making Contest.

On its Tax Compliance Verification Drive (TCVD), it chalked up 2, 807 in 2023 compared to 1,626 in 2022. On the increase on the number of business registrants, there were 29, 954 in 2023 versus the 24, 893 in 2022.

Moreover, RDO 21A garnered the highest overall satisfaction rating among taxpayers in the region while it successfully passed the ISO 9001 that covered business registration, one-time transaction process, processing and issuance of tax clearance certificate, and retrieval of BCS Reports and tax returns filed with authorized agent banks.

“Let’s do it again this 2024. Let’s embrace this year’s slogan of the BIR: “Sa tamang buwis pag-asenso’y mabilis,” Dela Torre exhorted the taxpayers.

Mayor J.R Lauds Various Officials for Successful Fiesta

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BASISTA, Pangasinan – The mayor of this town hailed the invaluable contributions of local, provincial, and national officials for the successful seven days and nine nights' town fiesta for this year.

LUMINARIES. From left photo and clockwise: Basista Mayor Jolly R. Resuello, Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, and 2^nd District Cong. Mark O. Cojuangco.

“Ako po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng tumulong, sumuporta, at umalalay sa pitong araw at siyam na gabi na town fiesta ng ating bayan. Ganon din sa ating mga kababayang tumangkilik at nag abang upang matunghayan ang hinanda ng pamahalaang lokal para sa ating kapistahan. Hindi po natin ito magagawa ng matagumpay kung wala po ang inyong suporta at presensiya, maraming salamat po,” said by Mayor Jolly R. Resuello.

The mayor extolled  the indispensable contribution of Pangasinan 2^nd District Congressman Mark O. Cojuangco, Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino and the legislature he headed particularly Board Members Haidee Pacheco and Philip Theodore Cruz.

The second term’s mayor extended his gratitude to the members of the municipal lawmaking body headed by Vice Mayor Dante P. Bustarde, Executive Committee, Local Finance Committee, municipal departments and employees, barangay officials of the 13 villages, Department of Education- Basista District headed by Public School District Supervisor Dr. Catherine Operana, the private schools, the civil society organization, Binibining Basista, the orchestra, pastors and others.

“At sa aking mga kababayan, asahan niyo po na ang inyong lingkod kasama ang ating mga opisyales ng bayan ng Basista ay patuloy at hinding hindi magsasawang mag dala ng kasiyahan at progreso sa ating mahal na bayan ng Basista. At lagi ninyo pong tatandaan na mahal na mahal po namin kayo,” Mayor Resuello ended his plaudits and gratitude.

 

Guv Monmon's Birthday Bash

 During the birthday celebration of Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico held tonight at the Sison Auditorium in the Capitol in Lingayen.

I posed in the photos here with the Guv, First Lady Maan Guico, Provincial Director Col. Jeff Fanged and his Intel Chief, Mayors, former Hizzoners, politicians and department heads of the provincial government in the gargantuan province.

GUV’S B-DAY. During the birthday celebration of Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guicon (extreme left) held at dusk of March 22 at the Sison Auditorium in the Capitol in Lingayen. Others in photo are Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico (fourth from left), consultants, department heads and hospital chiefs. Photo by Mortz C. Ortigoza

LUMINARIES. During the birthday celebration of Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico (extreme left) held at dusk of March 22 at the Sison Auditorium in the Capitol in Lingayen. Others in photo from second from left to right: Northern Watch Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Mortz C. Ortigoza, Calasiao former Mayor Roy Macanlalay, and Calasiao Mayor Kevin Roy Macanlalay.

Monching kay Rammy: Laban Tayo sa Cong. o Itago Mo na Lang Yaman Mo

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Nagkahuntahan kami ni powerful Vice Chairman of the Commission on Appointment at Pangasinan 5^th District Cong. Monching Guico tungkol sa hamon ng mga taga kampo ni Urdaneta City Mayor Rammy Parayno sa sideline ng ground breaking ng P34 billion Pangasinan Link Expressway (PILEX) sa Laoac, Pangasinan. Ito’y pinangunahan ni San Miguel Corporation Chair Ramon Ang.

Congressman Monching Guico (left) and Urdaneta City Mayor Rammy Parayno.

“Kuya Monching, sabi ng mga maka Mayor Rammy Parayno bloggers at commenters mas gusto daw ni Mayor na kayo ang makabangaan niya kesa ang manugang ninyong si Maan Guico (asawa ni Governor Monmon Guico) sa eleksiyon ng pagka mayor sa susunod na taon,” ika ko.

Nakangiti si Congressman Monching  - isang beteranong pulitiko at matagal ng Alkalde ng Binalonan.

“Isulat mo sa blog mo na kung gusto niya na makalaban ako tumakbo siyang congressman!”

Ang isyung paghamon kay Cong. Monching ay nagsimula noong maghamon ang mga pro-Parayno bloggers na minamaliit nila si Madam Maan dahil wala daw siyang maiambag sa Urdaneta at dayo pa sa siyudad dahil galing siya sa Pampanga.

Sinulat ko sa blog ko sa 101 Talk Radio at P’nan News noong March 19 na may title: Matalino at Eloquent si Maan Guico.

Sabi nila kaPampangan daw si Madam, dayo at walang maiiambag sa siyudad pag siya’y manalo.

Napaka idiotic naman ang ganitong klaseng buladas na nagsilabasan sa social media at mga radyo.

Laos na iyang salitang “dayo”. Nasa Constitution, Omnibus Election Code, Local Government Code (LGC) at iba pang mga batas na ang pagiging residente ng isang tao para magkandidato ay “An elective local official must be… a registered voter in the… city…; a resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election… (Section 39 LGC). 

Wala daw maiambag na maganda si Misis Guico:

Sino ba ang mister niyan di ba ang guwapong Gobernador ng seventh economically biggest province in the Philippines kung saan lalong dumami ang kita noong isang taon ng tax initiative niya sa quarry resources: Nakapagkulekta ang province, cities, towns at barangays ng P626, 626, 641.73 noong 2023 kontra sa P51, 729, 841.6 noong gobernador pa si Pogi Espino noong 2022.

May P5.73 billion budget pa ang mister niya sa taong ito. Ngayon sasabihin ninyo walang maiambag e kung iyong ibang proyekto noong probinsiya e channel ng mahal niyang esposo sa Urdaneta e di lalong jackpot ang Carabao City dahil naka buy one take three sila.

Tandaan, hindi take two kundi take three kasi father-in-law ni Madam Maan si 5^th District Cong. Monching Guico.

Ani Congressman Monching mabuti pang itago na lang ni Rammy ang yaman na gagamitin niya sa parating ng eleksiyon para magamit pa niya sa pagtanda niya.

“Gagastos ako at gagastos din si (Governor) Monmon kay Maan. Mabuti pang itago na lang niya ang pera niyang gagamitin”.

Nakikita ng mga political pundits ang labanang Maan at Rammy ay lulunod  sa mga taga Urdaneta  sa pagbaha ng grasya.

REAKSIYON NG GOBERNADOR

Noong sinabi ko kay Governor Guico na minamaliit ng mga kalaban si Maan dahil dayo lang daw ang kanyang maybahay.

Ani ng gobernador: “Paano naging dayo e First Lady nga siya ng Pangasinan?”

O ayan, klarong klaro na tunay ngang taga Pangasinan si Maan Guico dahil hindi lang siya residente dito kung hindi FIRST LADY PA.

SMC, Guico Break Ground for P34-B Expressway

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza and Ruby Bernardino

LAOAC, Pangasinan – The top honcho of the behemoth San Miguel Corporation and the governor of one of the biggest provinces ground break the first phase of the almost 43 kilometers expressway in Pangasinan.

MARKER. San Miguel Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang (second from right) and Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico, III (second from left) prepare to unveil the marker of the ground breaking ceremony of the P34 billion almost 43 kilometers Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) held Thursday at Brgy. Baligi in Laoac, Pangasinan. Others in photo are powerful Commission on Appointment Vice Chairman and Pangasinan 5^th District Cong. Ramon “Monching” Guico, Jr. (extreme right) and Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Lambino (extreme left).  Photo and caption by Mortz Ortigoza 

Spearheaded by Governor Ramon V. Guico III and President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the P34 billion project - a historic first in the province of Pangasinan - is part of SMC’s broader initiative to enhance the road networks in Central and Northern Luzon.

In this part of the province, PLEX is a realization of an ambitious dream of the governor to bolster the province’s economic and tourism growth and a “game changer” for Pangasinan.

“Naramdaman po namin ang pag-unlad dahil sa infrastructure projects sa TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway owned too by SMC). The same mode if you’re able to construct this Pangasinan Link Expressway opens so many doors to other towns and cities sa Pangasinan definitely. There will be growth in business, investment, there will be more jobs and more ease in travel within the province and outside the province,” Governor Guico said.

It can be recalled that the joint venture and tollway concession agreements between the two parties were officially sealed on October 19, 2023.

“PLEX is set to connect the east and the west of Pangasinan improving travel and drives the economic development. This project is part of our commitment of improving the lives of our kababayan by creating jobs and opening up more economic opportunities at no cost to the government,” stressed by Ang – the No. 4 richest billionaire in the Philippines with U.S$3.3 billion in assets according to Forbes 2024.

The first phase of the 42.76-kilometer gigantic project will span from the town of Binalonan to the capital town of Lingayen.

Project segments include 6.9 kilometers (km) from Binalonan to Manaoag; 11.3 km. From Manaoag to Calasiao; 2.39 km in the Calasiao area; and 22.7 km from Calasiao to Lingayen.

PLEX is a four-year public-private partnership initiative that is expected to change Pangasinan’s inland connectivity to facilitate faster movement of people, commodities, and services.

With its establishment, travel time from Binalonan to Lingayen will be reduced from an hour and 40 minutes to only about 20 to 30 minutes.

In 35 years, PLEX will be owned by the provincial government.

520 Students Receive Allowances from Mayor Bona

 MANGALDAN, Pangasinan - Four hundred fifty-four (454) and 66 colleges students received here recently their municipal stipends for this month from Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno at the social hall of the municipality.

MANGALDAN Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno gives pep talk to the 520 high school and college scholars that converged at the social hall of the local government. (Caption by Mortz C. Ortigoza/ Photo credit: Mangaldan PIO)

The mayor exhorted them to be diligent and continue to be good on their studies.

Education, she said, would pave for them to reach their dream and help uplift the economic and social status of their lives and families.

Application form for the scholarship will be opened for the incoming Grade 7 and freshman college students for school year 2024-2025 on May 20 to May 31. Forms can be availed at the Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (OMPDC).

Meanwhile, the local government of Mangaldan led by Mayor Parayno distributed 300 sets of learning materials to five pilot barangays on March 19 at the Municipal Hall Grounds.

Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Rowena de Guzman and staff along with the Child Development Workers (CDW) assisted in the distribution.

According to de Guzman, the pilot barangays Anolid, Bari, Lanas, Maasin and Malabago have been chosen because they have the most number of day care learners in Mangaldan. (With reports from 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝑷𝑰𝑶)

BIR East - P’sinan Tops Collection

 UNDER ITS NEW CHIEF

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan – The newly minted Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 6 Chief that oversees the collection for the government in the eastern Pangasinan tops the collection in the six RDOs in Region 1.

“Actually we exceeded our goal by 20 percent. We actually topped the February collection (in the region),” told by Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) RDO No.6 Chief Ma. Susana SP. Santos to Northern Watch Newspaper after she exceeded by twenty percent (20%) the collection of her office compared what her predecessor collected on the same month last year.

 

NEW Revenue District Office No.6 Chief Ma. Susana SP. Santos of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who supervises Urdaneta City and 15 towns of eastern Pangasinan.

Upon assumption of the post here, Santos disclosed that her hands were already full mapping and implementing strategies how to boost collection for the government this year.

Another high tax official told this newspaper that Santos is tasked to collect P3.023 billion this year.

“Actually we already planned our strategy for the whole year that include in intensifying the tax audit program and we will concentrate in those who are complying less instead of those who are complying taxpayers so we will deal with them first,” she stressed.

 Santos said that her office focuses too on industries thus her zealous implementation of the Oplan Kandado (closure of a business) and the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program.

Her team already conducted surveillance in the past weeks before they pound on the erring taxpayers.  

“We also follow it up with stock taking. Basically, we will be busy for the whole year. We are sure that with those programs we will reach our collection target for the year”.

One of the strategies for compliance is to instill to the mind of the taxpayers that the BIR is serious on its enforcement.

She wants to see that the lessors and the leases would be accountable too on their noncompliance. Santos pledges to vigorously run after them.

She told optimistically this newspaper that with the strategies she laid down with her staff “we will definitely reach our collection target for this year”.

The one city and fifteen towns’ eastern Pangasinan is the first post of Santos as RDO chief.

She was Assistant RDO No. 50 chief in South Makati – one of the top collecting RDOs in the country – before the main office in Quezon City assigned her here.

Santos finished her elementary and high school at an affiliate schools of St. Scholastic in Pasig City while she graduated her tertiary at Holy Spirit College in Metro Manila.

Guico’s Brainchild PLEX to Spike Tourism in P’sinan

 By ZJ R. Ortigoza

During my studies for a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at Centro Escolar University in Makati City, I distinctly recalled a forum where the Department of Tourism invited a guest speaker. He discussed strategies outlined in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) by emphasizing the urgent need to improve infrastructure and connectivity in our tourism’s industry. A key strategy highlighted was the collaboration between the government agencies and the private sectors to enhance access to tourism destinations, boost business activities, create jobs, and provide various multiplier effects to the communities.

                                                     Photo credit: Skyscrapper City 

Pangasinan faces challenges attracting local and foreign tourists and investors due to its poor road infrastructure and accessibility, despite its extensive land area and population of 3,163,190 as per the 2020 census of the Philippines Statistics Authority. News of the joint venture agreement, however, for the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) between San Miguel Corporation (SMC) leads by the Forbes Magazine’s billionaire Mr. Ramon Ang and the visionary Pangasinan Governor Ramon “Mon-Mon” Guico III brings optimism to the folks for the economic turn-around of the provincial tourism from the present snail paced state.

This collaboration aims to bridge the province’s east and west corridors, spurring tourism and economic activities. Notably, the behemoth multinational conglomerate’s San Miguel Corporation will cover the construction costs at the staggering Php 34 billion while the provincial government gains a substantial share of earnings from the toll gates the vehicle owners pay.

TWO PHASES

PLEX will have two phases: The first phase spanning from the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Binalonan to capital town’s Lingayen with 42.76 km that significantly reduces travel time from 1 hour 40 minutes to just 20 to 30 minutes, while the second phase will extend further to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Phase 1 of PLEX will be split into three segments: the first 6.90-km section from Binalonan to Manaoag, followed by a 11.30-km section from Manaoag to Calasiao, and the third segment, the 22.17-km section from Calasiao to Lingayen. A 2.39-km spur road will also be built in Calasiao that could benefit travelers from the nearby Dagupan City – the most populated local government in forty-four towns and four cities’ Pangasinan.

 Meanwhile, Phase 2 of the project will be a demand-driven expansion all the way to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

EXPRESSWAY. San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang and Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III press flesh during the joint venture and toll concession agreements of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) held at the Sison Auditorium at the Capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

                                                                 GAME CHANGER

            Furthermore, after 35 years the project will be fully owned by the provincial government because of the statute’s private-public partnership (PPP) mandate. The Php 34 billion expressway project in Pangasinan is set to attract more investors and address the issues faced by both local and foreign tourists. These issues primarily stemmed from the inconvenience of travel and the lack of adequate accessibility to our world-class tourism sites that include the pristine white beaches of Bolinao and Dasol – which rival renowned destinations like Boracay and Siargao -, the breathtaking beauty of Alaminos’ Hundred Islands – with its 123 islets that are among the country’s most stunning natural geological formations -, the cultural pilgrimage site of The Our Lady of Manaoag Church – recognized as a “Basilica Minore” by the Vatican -, Malico in San Nicolas – often referred as Pangasinan’s “Baguio” due to its elevation of 1,675 meters -, surpassing that of Baguio City, and a lot more of Pangasinan’s world class hidden gems.   Bolinao Regional Airport is a pet project of the Guico Administration and a new U.S$1 billion (P56 billion) seaport and brewery are being constructed by SMC in San Fabian to enhance travel links.

 “PLEX is one of the most important projects, a game-changer for Pangasinan and for this administration. This is because it is envisioned to reinvent the transportation and enrich the tourism landscape; prioritize accessibility of citizens to major towns and cities, magnify business and livelihood opportunities, multiply economic activity, build more infrastructure, and protect the environment,” said Guico.

The economics benefit of PLEX is vast, attracting tourists, traders, and investors, thereby creating more jobs and contributing more tax revenues for the province. Imagine esteemed commercial hotel brands like Shangri-La, Marriott Hotel, and Holiday Inn, and prestigious bars like what we saw in Siargao, San Juan La Union, and casinos like Okada, Solaire, and City of Dreams will someday be relocating along the beaches of Western Pangasinan.  They can help attract deep pocketed tourists from South Korea, the USA, Japan, Australia, and China to splurge their money for the benefit of the locals and the province.

 This strategic partnership between Guico and the SMC is poised to elevate Pangasinan into an international tourism hub just like Boracay and El Nido in Palawan, offering a comprehensive one-stop-shop experience with world-class beaches, an airport, and various tourism amenities.

 Indeed, this sweetheart deal chalked up by the zealous governor – that could shame his predecessors – will undoubtedly transform Pangasinan into a sought-after destination.

PHOTO CAPTION 1:

EXPRESSWAY. San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang and Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III press flesh during the joint venture and toll concession agreements of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) held at the Sison Auditorium at the Capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

PHOTO CAPTION 2:

Photo credit: Skyscrapper City 

Matalino at Eloquent si Maan Guico

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

Naimbitahan ako ni Pangasinan Public Information Office’s Chief Dhobbie de Guzman – dating top man ng ABS-CBN na may hawak ng Pampanga hanggang Ilocos Norte o kalahati ng Luzon – na sumali sa Q&A pagkatapos ng press presentation kamakailan ng mga biente na nagagandahang kandidata ng prestihiyosong Limgas ng Dayat sa Monarch Hotel sa Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico and Urdaneta City Mayor Julio Rammy Parayno III.

Ako’y napabilib noong nagsalita na ang maganda at matangkad na Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon – Guico - maybahay ni Governor Monmon Guico. Di ko akalain na eloquent o magaling magsalita pala siya sa Inglis.

“Puede  siyang maging reporter o anchor ng English cable TV channel's ANC gaya nila Ginger Conejero, Gretchen Ho, at Gigi Grande o ng CNN-Philippines host gaya nila Pinky Webb, Pia Hontiveros at Menchu Macapagal at iba pang anchors ng Pinas” ani ko kay Sto. Tomas Kapitan Tony Oculto – fan ng mga Guicos - noong sumakay ako sa sasakyan niya habang binabaybay namin ang kahabaan ng national highway sa Binmaley.

Naalaala ko noong naghahatid pa ako ng tig isang sakong high end Puyat na Davao Durian sa bahay ni Congressman Monmon at Madam Maan sa Binalonan noong pumapayagpag pa ang Davao Fruits naming negosyo sa Dagupan City, nakilala ko si Mrs. Guico noong tinanong niya ako kung anong gusto naming lunch ni mister niya doon sa V.I.P lounge ng airport nila.

My impression now is she’s not only a doting housewife to her husband and children but could be one of the most eloquent in the English language intelligent mayors – we have a dearth of them in Pangasinan concerning eloquence- of the gargantuan province in case she’ll be elected as the chief executive of Urdaneta City in the next year's battle royal.

EXCHANGES OF NOTES

Sa isang huntahan sa function room ng Monarch - matapos ang press con kasama ang mga Manila media at mga fashion vloggers at bloggers - sinabi ni Mrs. Guico sa mga local media practitioners na workaholic siya magmula pa noong alkalde ng Binalonan ang kanyang mister.

Napuntahan daw niya ang pinaka malayo at mga liblib na mga pobreng pook sa Pangasinan na hindi pa napuntahan ng mister niya.

“The area doesn’t have a clean water kung baga one opted to fix the water system there and do the charity and gave hygiene kits as well as some grocery packages for the family,” aniya.

Naramdaman niya ang damdamin ng mga mahihirap dahil nakita daw niya sa lugar nila sa Bacolor, Pampanga ang mga kalunos-lunos na sitwsyon ng mga dukha doon lalo na noong inanod ng baha kasama ang mga lahar ang mga tao doon.

“Iyong iba nakikita kong nakasabit sa mga puno ng kahoy,” dagdag niya.

PAG FILE AS A NEW VOTER IN URDANETA CITY

Noong nag file ng registration of voter sa Urdaneta si Madam Maan noong March 14, umani ito ng papuri at batikos  sa mga fans at mga supporter ng kanyang nakikitang katungali na si Urdaneta Mayor Rammy Parayno.

Sabi nila kaPampangan daw si Madam, dayo at walang maiiambag sa siyudad pag siya’y nanalo.

Napaka idiotic naman ang ganitong klaseng buladas na nagsilabasan sa social media at mga radyo.

Laos na iyang salitang “dayo”. Nasa Constitution, Omnibus Election Code, Local Government Code (LGC) at iba pang mga batas na ang pagiging residente ng isang tao para magkandidato ay “An elective local official must be… a registered voter in the… city…; a resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election… (Section 39 LGC). 

Pag nasunod niya iyang mga pangangailangan na sinabi ko siya'y maging residente at hindi ayon sa batikos ng mga tangang blogger, istupidong writer, sira ulong mga radio commentators at dorobong commenters sa social media.

Parang mga nincompoop na mga pulitiko dati na nababanatan ko sasabihin nila na umuwi na daw ako sa Mindanao dahil hindi ako taga Pangasinan at nanggugulo lang ako dito, hahahaha Mga GAGO!

Mas matagal pa ako dito sa kaharian ni Princess Urduja matapos mag migrate kami ng mga magulang ko noong five years old ako galing sa tahanan namin sa Philippines Military Academy sa Baguio City noong 1973 at bumalik ako para magtrabaho sa PMA, Baguio noong 1988, naging professor sa isang unibersidad sa Dagupan City at naging publisher at editor nitong Northern Watch Newspaper dito noong 1987.

Saka kung dayo ang pinaguusapan, paano iyong mga elective political leaders natin dito tulad nila 3^rd District Congresswoman Rachel Arenas, 5^th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, returning 4^th District Cong. Gina de Venecia at Bayambang beauteous Mayor Nina Jose-Quiambao? Mga taga Metro Manila at Tarlac ang mga iyon pero naging matagal na mga pinuno dito sa probinsiya.

Laos na iyang mga buladas niyo mga kritiko!

BUY ONE TAKE THREE

Ito pa: Wala daw maiambag na maganda si Misis Guico. Sigurado kayo sa mga pinagsasabi ninyo?

Sino ba ang mister niyan di ba ang guapong Gobernador ng seventh economically biggest province in the Philippines kung saan lalong dumami ang kita noong isang taon ng tax initiative niya sa quarry resources: Nakapagkulekta ang province, cities, towns at barangays ng P626, 626, 641.73 noong 2023 kontra sa  P51, 729, 841.6 noong gobernador pa si Pogi Espino noong 2022.

May P5.73 billion budget pa ang mister niya sa taong ito. Ngayon sasabihin ninyo walang maiambag e kung iyong ibang proyekto noong probinsiya e channel ng mahal niyang esposo sa Urdaneta e di lalong jackpot ang Carabao City dahil naka buy one take three sila.

Tandaan, hindi take two kundi take three kasi father-in-law ni Madam Maan si 5^th District Cong. Monching Guico.

 E kung nabigyan si Cong. Monching ng P2 billion allocation ng Malacanang ngayong taon sa iba’t ibang departamento ng gobyerno at e funnel iyong karamihan sa Urdaneta e di baka malunod ang mga tao diyan sa dami ng proyekto.

Hindi kaya ni Mayor Rammy ang ganoong opurtunidad para lalong mapaganda ang Urdaneta.

Hindi pa natin pinaguusapan ang mga strategies na gagawin ng mga Guicos diyan sa Urdaneta na ikakagulat ng karamihan.

 

BATTLE ROYAL LOOMS: Guv Guico's Wife Transfers Residence to Urdaneta

By Mortz C. Ortigozas

Pangasinan First Lady Maan T. Guico has just transferred today her residence from Binalonan to Urdaneta City as a new registered voter of the city. She was accompanied by hubby Governor Monmon Guico and father-in- law 5th District Cong. Monching Guico and some political allies at the city election office

Some political kibitzers including this columnist have been saying in the past that Maan Guico would be a favorite mayoralty bet against incumbent Mayor Rammy Parayno in the looming battle royal for the May 12, 2025 election.

Supporters of outgoing Senator Grace Poe are calling her to run against reelectionist Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas on the May 12, 2025 local and national elections.

“May tama si Rachel kay Grace Poe. Taga Malasiqui siya tapos ang kalaban kinikilalang taga vote-rich San Carlos City at anak pa ni Fernando Poe, Jr (Congresswoman Rachel will have a run for her money. She came from Malasiqui while the challenger is a recognized daughter of the vote –rich San Carlos City and movie icon Fernando Poe, Jr. who was the favorite son of the city),” according to political kibitzer Pido Montoya and his friends in Calasiao’s town about this possible battle royal between the famous Senator and the well-entrenched Congresswoman.

***

Whenever she dropped by in Pangasinan for a whistle stop in her senatorial bids and presidential campaign, she met the siblings of her father and kin from Barangay Kawayan Quiling here at a famous restaurant in this city.

It is not common to see a senator of the Republic running for the membership of the House of Representatives after his or her consecutive two terms or 12 years’ limit in the upper chamber.

Former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Loren Legarda, Ralph Recto, Pia Cayetano and Allan Cayetano ran and won too their congressional seats in the past.

It needs only for Senator Poe to be registered voter and a resident for at least one year in the 3rd Congressional District – the most populated among the six congressional districts in Pangasinan – if she wants to be elected for the lower chamber.

1st Film Fest in P’ sinan under the Guico Admin

 LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—To establish Pangasinan as a preeminent creative hub of the country, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) will hold the first-ever film festival in Pangasinan.

Dubbed ‘PangaSINE Film Festival 2024,’ the activity will serve as one of the highlights of Pista’y Dayat (Sea Festival) this year.

As an initial step, Governor Ramon V. Guico III will sign a contract agreement with Mr. Narciso N. Santos, Jr., for the conduct of the activity.

A resolution was authored by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Marinor B. de Guzman and approved by the august body on March 12.

“For this year’s celebration of the Pista’y Dayat, Mr. Narciso N. Santos, Jr., shall be the strategic partner of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan in the presentation of PangaSINE 2024: Official Film Festival of the Province of Pangasinan, with its festival theme: “Pangasinan Through the Lens of the Pangasinense,” the resolution partly stated.

Film-making workshops will be held primarily to encourage creativity through filmmaking, discover and nurture Pangasinenses to have the talent and skill in filmmaking, and produce meaningful and quality films that are exclusively made in Pangasinan.

Based on the project proposal presented by Pangasinan Information and Media Relations Officer Dhobie P. de Guzman, the event hopes to “source, curate, and exhibit 10 outstanding short films by homegrown filmmakers; conduct short courses (for students or individuals) in story writing, screen/scriptwriting, producing, directing, cinematography/principal photography, sound editing and design, film/video editing, and film appreciation.”

There are four essential elements the festival hopes to see. These are as follows: 1) narratives from the past that greatly influenced the present-day Pangasinense; 2) the vibrant and ever-changing culture of Pangasinan today; 3) storytelling techniques that fuse the traditional and modern; 4) the hopes, dreams, triumphs, and challenges of the modern Pangasinense, particularly of the youth.

(Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMRO)

More Poor Students to Attend Free College

AFTER GUICO COLLABORATES WITH SOKOR

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -  Through the initiative of the Pangasinan governor, more students from the marginalized sector will be attending free college education in the big province because of the scholarship given by the philanthropic South Korean organization.

“We believe in the power of education as a great equalizer. Once you are equipped with the knowledge, the attitude, and the understanding, we feel and know that our youth and all Pangasinenses and Filipinos could have the opportunity to alleviate themselves from poverty and the miseries of society,” declared by Governor Ramon V. Guico III during the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Lotte Shin Kyuk-ho Scholarship (Outstanding Talent Scholarship in Southeast Asia) of the South Korea based Lotte Group and the presidents of the four government owned colleges and university in Pangasinan.

MOA. Lotte Scholarship Foundation Chairwoman Chang Haesun (extreme left) and Pangasinan Polytechnic College President Raymundo Rovillos signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two institutions for the free college education of selected poor students in Pangasinan while Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III, Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, Board Member Vici Ventanilla look. The forging of agreement among the presidents of  the four government colleges and university in the province ensued on March 8, 2024. (Photo: Pangasinan Police Provincial Official) 

The Korean project aimed to provide a scholarship fund of USD $450 per semester to each of the qualified recipients for this school year in these tertiary institutions.

The forging of agreement between the four college presidents and the Lotte Scholarship Foundation (LSF) Chair Haesun Chang have been witnessed also by Vice Governor Mark Lambino, Board Member Vici Ventanilla and other luminaries.

These presidents were Dr. Macrina V. Cajala of the Binalatongan Community College in San Carlos City; Dr. Elbert M. Galas of the Pangasinan State University; Dr. Evelyn Abalos-Tomboc (University of Eastern Pangasinan in Binalonan; and Dr. Raymundo D. Rovillos of the Pangasinan Polytechnic College in Lingayen. 

“Lotte Foundation was established 43 years ago and has been  providing 3.8 billion to foster global talents. Now we want to support the Filipino students,” Chang said in her speech at the PPC.

“We will be the lamp that lights the path to learning,” said by the motto inscribed on the LSF official website.

It elaborated that it “selects outstanding foreign students who strive diligently to learn amidst difficult circumstances, provides biannual scholarships, and also supports scholarships for elementary, middle, and high school students who show excellent talent and scholastic performance.”

Under the MOA, each of the 80 scholars in Pangasinan will receive US$450 (P24,975) per semester for their preferred courses until they graduate.

It will be the tertiary institution that will select the scholars based on their respective internal guidance. The college will then report to the LSF on the operations and expenses they incurred.

“Rest assured that we shall carefully select students who will dedicate themselves to their studies despite challenging circumstances,” PPC First President Rovillos told LSF Chairwoman Chang.

The people of Pangasinan saw the formal opening of the PPC’s Center for Lifelong Learning (CeLL) and the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) held on February 14 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Complex here.

PPC, a landmark project under the administration of Gov. Guico, serves as his gift to the poor but deserving students in Pangasinan for a free education.

Expressing gratitude to the LSF, Guico sets his sights on soliciting more organizations and foundations to extend their altruism for the scholarships of the youth in Pangasinan notably those whose families hailed from lower income brackets of the society.