P’sinan Crows P7-B Budget for 2025

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The first class Province of Pangasinan will be implementing a P7 billion annual appropriation budget for the fiscal year of 2025, its governor declared.

PANGASINAN top two elected officials. Governor Ramon V. Guico III (left) and Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino flash a victory sign to all and sundry.

“Economically, we are budgeting a P7 billion annual budget for 2025. Sa tingin po natin achievable,” Governor Ramon V. Guico III partly mentioned about the provincial government budget in a speech during the grand homecoming ceremony of 2024 Miss World International Philippines Nikki Buenafe held recently at the Sison Auditorium at the Capitol Complex here.

The budget is higher by P1.3 billion compared to the P5.7 billion appropriation given by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP or provincial lawmaking body) to the Guico Administration, according to Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino – the topman of the legislature - when asked by reporters on the statement of the governor.

“Tumaas po ang NTA (national tax allotment) o iyong IRA (internal revenue allotment) ng probinsiya. Aside from that ay tataas po iyong projected natin na locally generated income ng lalawigan kaya umabot po sa mahigit kumulang sa P1.3 billion ang itataas of the 2025 annual budget,” Lambino stressed.

The P1.3 billion increase would be mostly taken from the NTA – the successor of the IRA – given yearly by the national government from the taxes mostly taken from the value added tax (VAT) of the Filipinos.

The increase has been culled from the three years preceeding the the current year of 2025 of the share of the province from the NTA on the revenue collected by the national government as mandated by the Local Government Code. The budget of 2025 is based on the fiscal year of 2022.

Forty percent (40%) of the revenue collected every year by the national government is allocated fairly to the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays all over the country.

Lambino said the share is much bigger compared to the allocation in 2024 of the provincial government from the NTA because 2022 was the year the economy had been recovering to the crippling scourge of the pandemic brought by the Corona Virus Disease-19 in year 2020.

Governor Guico cited too how the taxes and fees on the quarry operation and the collections by the fourteen provincial government owned hospitals will swell the 2025 coffer.

Experts estimate that the Guico Administration can collect between P200 million to P300 milion this year from the quarry. The collection of the quarry operations in 2022  was a pathetic P12 million only. The first semester of that year was under the governance of then Governor Amado Espino III.

“We have to improve our administrative function regarding the filing of our PhilHealth claim to improve that mas malaki ang papasok sa mga hospital kasi iyon ay dati iyong nagbibigay ng malaking pagkalugi e. Pero ngayon we are focusing on the better hospital services for the same efficient collection kaya natatarget natin ang mga collection na target natin”.

Lambino said the P7 billion budget can be achieved as it is based on the evaluation of the Finance Committee, the Offices of the Budget and Treasury.

“Kung meron pong sumobra po diyan o lumagpas o tumaas po ang ating collection tayo na lang po ay magpa file ng supplemental budget for that”.

The provincial government will not increase taxes as “tataas lang po ang efficiency ng pangungulekta sa mga existing na mga ordinances that will generate a locally generated income ng ating probinsiya,” the second highest elected official of the gargantuan province added.

Meeting the Tausog Lawmakers

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

When the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) (provincial lawmaking body) of Basilan were acknowledged and honored by the SP of Pangasinan at the Capitol in Lingayen this morning during their Lakbay Aral I was beside them standing as I just arrived to see what was the agenda of the body.

“Mapia mapita (good morning)!” I hollered so the Basilan officials located at the rear part of the August Chamber could hear me.

Damn! There was no response to their faces even as some of them including their women lawmakers clad in a black burka glanced once in a while to the spectators who were located at the gallery at the right side.

Di nila siguro ako naintindihan because I used the dialect of the Maguindanaon I heard while growing up in Cotabato Province.

These guys are Tausog – the fierce warrior tribe that fought to death the Spaniards, Americans, and Marcosian soldiers many of them from Ilocoslovakia and Pangasinan.

I tried to greet them again in Arabic – the medium of instruction of the Muslims and Arabs around the world:

“Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh (Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings),” I said.

Most of them looked at this heretic (sinner) Christian and beamed including those ladies wearing a black dress that covered their heads.

“Wa alaikum assalam (and upon you be peace),” some of them responded.

I should be crying “Allahu Akbar! (‘God is most great’!)” but I refrained lest Vice Governor Mark Lambino ordered his body guards – retired army and marine soldiers - throw me out in the Capitol for alarm and scandal or giving impression to the Christian crowd there that there was a suicide bomber standing that wanted to kill them and eventually commit suicide to get the reward of having 72 virgin- wives in heaven (Jannah) for eternal copulation because he waged a Jihad or being a shuhada (martyr) against the kuffars (nonbelievers) in Pangasinan.

Guico Admin. to Fete Miss World-Ph. Nikki B.

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The provincial government will fete a daughter of Pangasinan with a grand homecoming celebration on Monday for winning the Miss World-Multinational Philippines 2024.

On an event to be held at the Sison Auditorium on Monday morning, Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, the lawmaking body, and First Lady Maan T. Guico will honor 2024 Miss World Multinational Philippines Ms. Nikki Buenafe.

LUMINARIES. 2024 Miss World Multinational Philippines (left photo and clockwise) Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, and Limgas na Pangasinan Chairwoman Maan Tuazon-Guico.

The First Lady, the Chairwoman of Limgas na Pangasinan, will give the first message of plaudits to Ms. Buenafe – a resident of Barangay Buenlag, Binmaley.

Known on her official name as Nikhisah Buenafe Cheveh, she was crowned the 2023 Miss Limgas na Pangasinan-World after she bested 24 other candidates there that ushered her to represent the province in the Miss World 2024.

Governor Guico and Mrs. Guico will award her the Plaque of Recognition while Vice Governor Lambino and the members of the provincial lawmaking body will confer the stunner with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Plaque of Resolution.

“Ito po, ay I guess, it is a good sign na ang ating mga napakagandang mga dalaga at (inaudible) sa ating probinsiya ay at par po sa mga magku-compete for national pageant who will eventually represent us to international pageant,” Lambino told reporters after Buenafe won the Miss World.

He said the contest had a wide scope as it covered beauty, brain, and advocacy. The Vice Governor lauded the lass about her advocacy for the poor to have easy access for potable water.

After the presentation of her video dubbed as Miss World Multinational Philippines 2024 beauty with a purpose, the beauty from the coastal town’s Binmaley will give her acceptance speech.

The belle is a graduate of BA in Asian Studies from the University of Sto. Tomas.

One of the factors she became a shoo-in for the tilt because of her passionate involvement among the poor and their education. With her eloquence and authentic dedication to these causes she radiated since the beginning of the contest that endeared her to the judges and the public. She was one of the early favorites among the 32 beauties from all over the country.

Ms. Krishnah Marie Gravidez of Baguio City was crowned Miss World Philippines 2024 during the live coronation night held in the Mall of Asia Arena in Metro Manila, which began on Sunday evening, July 19, and ended up running until the early hours of Monday, July 20.

Aside from Buenafe, the winners of the other titles are: Reina Hispanoamericana Filipina; Dia Mate (Cavite); Miss Tourism Philippines; Patricia Bianca Tapia (Batangas); and Face of Beauty: Jeanne Isabelle Bilasano (Bicol Region)

The five stunners will vie to represent the country in their respective international competitions abroad.

“Long Live” Pagbati ni Mayor Bona sa 110th Anniv. ng INC

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – “Long Live!” sambit na pagbati ng babaeng alkalde dito sa isa sa pinakamayamang bayan ng Pangasinan sa 110^th Founding Anniversary sa Hulyo 27 ng simbahang Kristiyanong Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

110TH ANNIV. Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno hails the powerful Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on its 110^th Anniversary on July 27 this year.

“Binabati ko po ang mga kapatirang Iglesia for their 110^th Anniversary. At of course, Long Live! Good luck and sana continue pa ang pagbubunyi sa inyong taga Iglesia ni Cristo,” ani Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe. D. Parayno sa Northern Watch Newspaper.

Ang INC ay ni register ng kanyang founder na si Felix Y. Manalo sa Bureau of Commerce sa Manila noong Hulyo 27, 1914.

Noong namayapa si Manalo siya ay pinalitan bilang Punong Ministro ng anak niyang si Eraño G. Manalo na naging susi sa pagpalaki ng simbahan dito at sa ibang bansa. Noong siya ay namatay noong Agosto 31, 2009, humalili ang kanyang anak na si Eduardo V. Manalo. Noong 2020 inireport ng Philippines’ census na merong 2.8 million na tagasunod ang INC na naging dahilan para siya ay maging ikatatlo na pinakamalaking simbahan sa likod ng Islam at Roman Catholic sa Pilipinas.

Noong 2022 ang Iglesia ay merong 8,500 na mga simbahan sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bansa.

Noong Hulyo 21, 2014 kasama si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III, ang inagurasyon ng 140-hectare tourism zone na Ciudad de Victoria pinasinayaan​ nila ni Executive Minister Manalo sa Bocaue at Santa Maria sa Bulacan kung saan nakatayo ang Philippines Arena. Ang Arena ay may 55, 000-seat multi-purpose structure na pagaari ng INC.

Ang Iglesia ay humawak ng “Guinness World Record for the Largest Mixed-Used Indoor Theater”.

Basista, Labrador Bid for 3rd Class Town

 

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The municipalities of Basista and Labrador would no longer be considered as part of the poorest among Pangasinan towns after the Department of Finance (DoF) would elevate them from fourth class to third class.

Classification of towns in the Philippines starts from fifth class to first class.

TOP ELECTED BRASS. Basista Mayor Jolly Resuello (left, photo) and Labrador Vice Mayor Art Arenas.

Before becoming a third class, a fourth class town should have an average annual regular income for three (3) fiscal years preceding a general income reclassification of between P130 million to P160 million according to Republic Act 11964 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last year. It is known as the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act.

It means the towns should have that average amount mentioned in the last immediate preceding three years if they want to be reclassified as third class municipalities for 2024.

According to an insider at the office of the mayor in Basista, the rustic landlocked town that saw progress under the tutelage of Mayor Jolly Resuello bid this year for third class with the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) of the DOF.

Upon inquiry from this newspaper if the coastal town's Labrador bids too for the same classification, Vice Mayor Artemio Arenas answered in the affirmative.

“Almost 148 million - 2024; almost 140 million – 2023,” the texts he sent to this writer through short messaging service by citing this year and last year’s budget of the ten villages' town.

It had the following annual budgets of P111,245,736.00 and P159,574,704.00 in years 2021 and 2022, respectively.

The 13 villages’ Basista on the other hand had a P112,500,152.47 for 2020; P120, 158, 591.00 for 2021; P167, 673, 690.00 in 2022, (data unavailable) 2023, respectively.

Annual Regular Income, according to R.A 11964, refers to revenues, including fees and receipts actually realized which are reported yearly on cash basis by provinces, cities and municipalities from regular sources, including the National Tax Allotment (NTA) and other shares in national wealth, but exclusive of non-recurring receipts, such as national aids, grants, financial assistance, loan proceeds, sales of assets, miscellaneous income/receipts and similar others.

Binmaley VM Sues Anew Mayor

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

This coastal first class town is not only the abode of one of the sultriest and prettiest stunners in the country (I met up close and personal before) in the newly crowned 2024 Miss Multinational-Philippines Nikki Buenafe who hailed from Brgy. Buenlag, Binmaley, it is also the acrimonious turf of its top two warring politicians who ceaselessly destroy each other before the public since they assumed office in June 30, 2022.

WARRING Binmaley Vice Mayor Sam Rosario (left) and Mayor Pete Merrera. 

Vice Mayor Sam Rosario told me that he, his son Jonas – the former President of the League of Barangays -, and some lawmakers of the town did not only administratively sue Mayor Pete Merrera at the provincial lawmaking body in Lingayen for violation of Section 60 of the Local Government Code but had sued him with administrative and criminal cases at the Ombudsman (the entity that looks for “probable cause” on cases of the baddie, black hats, malefactors, miscreant, fraudster, to name a few among government officials).

One of the cases filed at the Ombudsman by the Veem was when Merrera chided and threw invectives to three lawmakers that crossed his path and told them to tell their vice mayor in the vernacular: Sabihin niyo sa Vice Mayor niyo na putang In* siya!

Rosario told reporters in one of the pressers he called that he was charged by the “ilk” of the Mayor with 43 cases at the Ombudsman.

Because of the slander allegedly hurled by Merrera to the three aldermen, I surmised Rosario sued the Hizzoner with Oral Defamation or Slander with a jail time of between Arresto Mayor to Prision Correctional as dictated by the Revised Penal Code.

Rosario by the way used to be a long reigning mayor of Binmaley and in one of his terms Merrera was his vice mayor.

I asked Merrera at his office in Tagalog: Totoo ba Mayor na sinabi niyo sa mga Councilors na “Sabihin niyo sa putang In*ng Vice Mayor na iyan…”?

The Hizzoner retorted:  Alam mo ang vice mayor na iyan ay sinungaling marunong gumawa ng istorya. Bakit nandiyan iyan bakit andiyan iyong aking mismong Councilor (Banong) delos Angeles iyan lang naman sabihin niya ang totoo,” he denied the accusation by Rosario and even cited Councilor delos Angeles - who was with one of the three aldermen allegedly disparaged by the mayor – as his ally now.

Mererra exhorted Rosario to tell the truth lest he would be incriminated:

“Dahil sa kasinungalingan niya lalo siya nadidiin lalong lumalabas ang kanyang baho sa kagagawan niya hindi na siya naano. Para sa akin gawin niya ang tama gawin niya ang totoong sinasabi niya. I proved it to him na ang sinasabi niya ay more on fabricated iyong ginagawa niya”.

He denied too that he threw invectives to the three aldermen.

“Hindi ko sila minura pinagsabihan ko lang sila”.

Rosario was unfazed about the “authoritarianism” of Merrera and with his intrepidity he called his administration as dictatorial before the listening reporters.

“Mayor huwag kang manakot. Sindak dito sindak doon. Lumalaban ako I am a product of Martial Law tandaan mo ito Mayor!”

The Veem announced to all and sundry that he will be regaining the mayorship on the May 12, 2025 election. Merrera beat Rosario’s son Jonas in the May 9, 2022 political derby.

Councilor delos Angeles, Rosario told me, withdrew his charged against Merrera. But the veem outsmarted him when he asked him in a session why he retracted his statement against the Mayor. Councilor delos Angeles retorted as a Christian he forgave the mayor.

“Pinablotter ng three Councilors sa police. Iyon ang evidence ko tapos si Delos Angeles nag retract may record sa SB na inamin nya nang minura ako ni Mayor Peter, hehehe”.

Susmariosep! It seems Councilor Banong was outwitted by his Vice Mayor and he would be – he likes it or not – a witness, although “hostile” as lawyer of the plaintiff, er, People of the Philippines would call.

Bungkalan sa Dagupan Sinisisi sa Pagbagsak ng Coll. ng BIR

 SHORT NG P146-M ANG SIYUDAD NOONG ISANG TAON

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – Dahil sa pasadsad na ekonomiya ng Dagupan City, naungusan na ng  South-Nueva Ecija sa goal ang central Pangasinan sa kuleksiyon ng buwis, ayon sa mataas na opisyal ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Ani Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 4 Chief Lope Tubera na dahil sa pagbagsak ng buwis na nakukulekta sa Dagupan magmula pa noong taong 2022 ay nalampasan na sa tax goal ngayong taon ng RDO No. 23-B ang RDO No. 4 kung saan napasailalim ang Dagupan City.

UGLIFICATION of the once economically vaunted Dagupan City dubbed as the premier city in Region-1. Because of the ceaseless demolition of the drainage system and the highway to elevate them, businessmen who have shops along the highway suffer the most. Some of the commercial stalls have closed because of these projects by the public works accused to have no real public hearing among the stakeholders. 

Ang siyudad ang nangunguna sa pagbayad ng buwis kumpara sa San Carlos City at sa 14 na mga bayan gaya ng Alcala, Basista, Bautista, Bayambang, Calasiao, Laoac, Malasiqui, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Mapandan, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Santa Barbara, and Urbiztondo.

Ang South- Nueva Ecija ay may hurisdiksyon sa tatlong siyudad at 12 na bayan sa probinsiya ng central Luzon.

Aniya parehas lang ang pinagmumulan ng mga buwis ng dalawang distrito kung saan ang pangunahing industriya ay pangangalakal.

“Wala. Puro business lang. Trading. Ang Dagupan City medyo nahuhuli na rin ngayon,” aniya noong kinapanayam siya ng Northern Watch Newspaper kung merong special economic zone sa dating hurisdiksyon niya kaya natatalo na ng Nueva Ecija ang central Pangasinan sa koleksyon.

Dagdag pa ni Tubera na problema na ng BIR si Dagupan City dahil noong 2022 pa ay kinukulang na ang mga negosyante niya sa pagbayad ng buwis. Kapos ng P147 million sa tax ang nakulekta ng distrito noong 2023 dahil sa matamplay na pagganap ng mga negosyo sa Bangus City noong taon din na iyon.

Binabatikos ng mga kritiko ang walang humpay na pagbubungkal ng Department of Public Works and Highway sa gilid ng mga kalsada sa siyudad na naging sanhi ng mga pagkalugi ng mga negosyanteng may mga puesto doon.

VIDEO: BAHA, PROBLEM NG MGA TRADERS SA DAGUPAN CITY

Ang pagbubungkal ay dahil sa pagpapataas ng drainage system sa iba’t ibang parte ng Bangus City para maitaas ang siyudad sa sea level lalo na pag high tide.

Kahit na ang isang kilalang newsstand owner na si Danny Mayola na may puesto sa Fernandez Avenue ay namatay dahil wala ng makain, ayon sa kanyang pinsang buo na si Ariel Mayola. Sabi ng huli ang dahilan ay hindi na makahinto ang mga kotse na bumibili kay Danny dahil nahahadlangan sila ng mga lupa at mga labi ng mga kongreto galing sa hukay ng heavy equipment.

“Iyong Lotto ko nga sinara ng PCSO hindi namin naabot ang quota,” sambit ng isang negosyante na nakikinig sa huntahan ng writer na ito at ni BIR Chief Tubera.

Sinabi niya na maraming mga negosyante sa Dagupan ang nagagalit kay Mayor Belen T. Fernandez dahil sa walang puknat na pagpapataas ng mga drainage system.

Kahit na si Urdaneta City Mayor Rammy Parayno ay ipinagyayabang sa mga reporters na pumupunta sa opisina niya na nalampasan na ng Carabao City si Dagupan City na tinatagurian premier city ng Ilocos Region.

Sa survey ng RPMD, kulelat sa huli sa siyam siyudad sa Region 1 sa economic performances ang Dagupan na may score lamang na 70.4%. Namamayagpag ang Candon City sa No. 1 na may score na 88.5%.

Mayor Niña Crows 573-M 2024 Budget

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan – The mayor here boasts to the public that the municipal government has more than P573 million budget for this year.

“Sa bawat taon na lumilipas, ating nasasaksihan ang pag-usbong at pag-angat ng ating mahal na bayan. Ngayon, ating tunghayan ang mga tagumpay na naabot natin sa malinis at mahusay na financial management. LGU budget tumaas at umabot na sa P573, 163, 840.35 mula sa dating P552, 095, 632.43,” Mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose Quiambao told the crowd that attended her 2024 State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) held recently at the fully airconditioned Bayambang Event Center here.

 

2024 SOMA. Bayambang Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao informs guests and her constituents during her 2024 State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) about the accomplishment and plan of her administration. The SOMA was held recently at the jam packed Bayambang Event Center. Photo Credit: Cezar Ramirez Phil. Star

Quiambao, affectionately called by friends and constituents as Niña, cited that the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the seventy-seven villages’ town grew by 55.93% and reached P5,005, 288,121.35 this year from the P3, 209, 940, 201.42 last year.

Because of these financial developments, the local government unit (LGU) received an unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) and Good Financial Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“LGU-Bayambang, kinilala sa pagpapatupad ng Good Financial Housekeeping. Locally sourced income, patuloy sa pagtaas mula sa P161, 060, 087.10 noong 2022 ito ay tumaas ng 20% at umabot sa P176, 366.820.70 noong 2023 at mayroon namang P72, 311,942.98 sa 1^st quarter pa lamang ng 2024,” the first term mayor stressed.

Quiambao cited that the 20 percent development fund of the annual budget of more than P573 million has been appropriated to 70 multi-purpose halls, 7 barangay halls, 63 covered courts, 28 early child care development centers, 7 district warehouses, 7 evacuation centers, 7 barangay health centeres, 7 senior citizen buildings, 8,000 square meters Bayambang Central Terminal located at the Pangasinan State University- Bayambang Campus with a bid cost of P34, 599, 766.58 for Phase 1 and P29, 202,654 at Phase II where any it can be opened to the public anytime from now, Phase-II of the Pantal-to-San Gabriel-2^nd farm-to market Road (FMR) with bridges project, the rehabilitation in only one month of the gutted by fire public market, and other projects.

Eighty percent of the annual budget goes to the salaries of the personnel of the LGU here, their maintenance and other operating expenses and other allocations.

PDRRM Warehouse sa Bugallon Malaking Tulong

 

Malaking tulong sa mas mabilis at epektibong disaster response ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management ( PDRRM) Warehouse sa Sitio Sapacat, Brgy. Poblacion, Bugallon.

Isinagawa ang inagurasyon at pagbabasbas sa nasabing warehouse ngayong ika-18 ng Hulyo kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng National Disaster Resilience Month.

Pinangunahan ito nina PDRRMC Chairman at Governor Ramon V. Guico III at PDRRMC Vice Chairman at Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino. Kasama sa programa sina Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Gregory M. Cayetano bilang kinatawan ni Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro, at Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Col. Rhodyn Luchinvar O. Oro (Ret).

Ang nasabing warehouse na may lawak na tatlong daan at animnapu na metro kuwadradong (360 square meters) ay naitayo sa labinglimang ektaryang lupain na pagmamay-ari ng probinsya sa Sitio Sapacat, Brgy. Poblacion, Bugallon.

Magsisilbi itong “central hub” para mailagak ang mga supplies, equipment, at resources na kakailanganin para sa mas mabilis at epektikbong disaster response and relief operations.

Ipinasakamay naman ng Office of the Civil Defense Region I ang isang Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), 2 units ng 8.5KVA portable generator sets, buoyancy tube, 10 pcs. reflectorized life jacket, 1 unit manual inflation pump, 2 units flashlights, 2 units ring buoy, 1 roll rescue rope, 4 pcs. paddles, 1 set first aid kit, 1 set high-pressure valve, at 2 sets repair kits.

Sa mensahe ni Governor Guico, sinabi niyang nais niyang maiayos ang labinlimang ektaryang lupa sa lugar ngunit kinakailangan munang magkaroon ito ng 20 meters access road.

Dagdag niya, maari itong gawing isang major evacuation center kung hindi magagamit bilang event center na siyang plano ng nagdaang administrasyon.

Aniya, “yong capacity niya I believe it can accommodate about 6,000. So, it could be a major evacuation center kung hindi po natin magagamit bilang isang event center. Of course, I have asked our department heads who are in charge sa mga kalupuan, si Engr. Alvin Bigay, si Atty. Ronnie Abad, hanapin ninyo para magkaroon man lang tayo sana ng at least 20 meters access road from the national highway so that this 15 hectare property, this government facility could be utilized by our constituents maging sa disaster man, nandito ang ating PSWD.”

Giit ni Governor Guico, mahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng karagdagang warehouse sa ibang lugar para may magagamit na DRRM at PSWD office para sa pagbibigay ng agarang tulong sa buong probinsya.

Sa pamamagitan ni Regional Director Cayetano, kaniyang ipinaabot ang mensahe ng pasasalamat sa buong suporta ng probinsya sa OCD.

“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa resources ng probinsya naipatayo itong warehouse natin sa Pangasinan. Salamat po Governor, I learn that it came from your resources. Kami po sa Office of Civil Defense ay naghahanap ng provincial warehouses para sa follow on or preposition response items like nonfood items and other items na nasa pipeline ng civil defense in capacities and capabilities in pursuant of response,” saad niya.

Bilang Vice Chairman ng PDRRMC, nagbigay naman ng kaniyang mensahe si Vice Governor Lambino.

Pagbabahagi nito, “Tayo po sa probinsya, masasabi natin na napakaganda po ng ating reaksyon at responses sa tuwing may mga parating po na sakuna. Pero ang pinakamaganda po talaga ay ‘yong maiwasan itong magiging epekto ng mga kalamidad na ito at ito pong mga donasyon ngayong araw na ito ang pagtayo ng isa na naman pong facility ng DRRM dito po sa bayan ng Bugallon ay simbolo po ng commitment natin yan.”

Naging saksi sa ginawang inagurasyon at turnover ceremony ang mga OCD Region I staffs, department heads ng Kapitolyo, PDDRMO personnel, MDRRMO Bugallon, Philippine Army, PNP, GSO, PEO, PSWDO, at PVO. (Marilyn Marcial, Ron Edrian Bince/PIMRO)

Beteranong Mayor ng mga Espino Lumundag kay Guico

 ·  Zaplan Supurtado si Gen. Caramat Kontra kay Cong. Arenas

·  Pinabulaanan ang Blog Tungkol Kay Maan Guico vs. Mayor Parayno

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan – Isang mabigat na ka-alyansa ni former Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, Jr. ang lumundag kamakailan patungo sa political party ni Governor Ramon Guico III.

TOP GUNS. Nationalista Party newly minted card carrying member Sta. Barbara Mayor Lito Zaplan (Top left photo), (clockwise) Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III (N.P), Police Major Gen. Romeo Caramat, and Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico.

“Tinanong ako last week ni Governor Monmon Guico na nag-usap ata sila ni Mayor (Cezar) Quiambao ako ang pipiliin sa Sta. Barbara. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Mayor Quiambao noong kinausap niya si governor automatic naman na tinawagan ako,” ani Sta. Barbara Mayor Carlito Zaplan sa pagpunta niya sa stronghold ng mga Guico sa Binalonan, Pangasinan.

Si Zaplan, Vice Mayor Roger Navarro, karamihan ng miyembro ng Sangguniang Bayan (lawmaking body) at mga matataas na opisyales ng first class landlocked town ng central Pangasinan ay buong puso na tinanggap ni Guico, ama niyang si 5^th District Rep. Ramon Guico, Jr. at Binalonan Mayor Ramon Ronald Guico IV sa opisina ng huli. Andoon din sila 3rd District Board Member Sheila Marie Baniqued at kanyang mister na si dating BM Atty. Angel Baniqued, Jr. para saksihan ang pagtagpo ng dalawang grupo.

Si Zaplan at si Congressman Guico ay matalik na magkaibigan na nagsimula noong alkalde pa ng Binalonan ang huli. Si Zaplan ay dalawampung taon na mayor ng 29 barangays dito.

Noong pinapili ng mga Guico kung sasanib si Zaplan sa Lakas CMD na pinamumunuan sa Pangasinan ni Congressman at sa Nationalista na nasa ilalim ni Governor pinili ng alkalde ang Nationalista Party.

 Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Monching Guico (extreme left) and Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico (extreme right)  raise the hands of Sta. Barbara Mayor Lito Zaplan as the new ally of the political family. The meeting takes  place at the Office of the Mayor in Binalonan - the stronghold of the Guicos.

“N.P na lang para isa na lang kami ni governor,” sambit niya.

Dagdag pa ni Zaplan na supurtado niya si dating Criminal Investigation Detection Group’s chief at Police Major General Romeo Caramat oras na sumabak siya para congressional election laban kay reelective 3^rd District Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas.

“One time tinawagan niya ako ni General Caramat ang aga-aga. “Mayor ano ang plano ninyo lalaban ka bang congressman?” “Hindi General”. “Kasi kung lalaban kang congressman di ako lalaban,” salaysay niya sa writer na ito noong makapanayam siya sa opisina niya noong Miyerkules.

Kamakailan lumabas sa ibang online news outlet na ibinunyag ni Zaplan si Department of Public Works and Highway Region-1 Director Ronnel Tan na  binawasan ng 20 percent o P10 millon ang P50 million na project niya sa Agno River Basin Flood Control Project - Construction of Flood Control Structure sa Barangay Erfe dito na ibinigay sa kanya ni DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

“Lagay daw. Porsiyento daw ‘yon. Pinapabawas niya ‘yong 20 percent para kay Congresswoman daw," ani Zaplan.

Plano ng Alkalde na idemanda si Tan.

Samantala, pinabulaanan ni Zaplan sa Northern Watch Newspaper na sinabi niya kay writer at blogger Renato “Atong” Remogat na matatalo si Maan Tuazon-Guico pag nilabanan niya si reelectionist Urdaneta City Mayor Julio ”Rammy” Parayno III sa Mayo 12, 2025 election.

Aniya ang totoong sinabi niya kay Remogat –na nag interbyu na walang gamit na voice recorder o video – ay hindi pa malaman kung sino ang siguradong mananalo sa mayoralty election sa Urdaneta dahil puro maraming mga pera ang dalawang tumatakbo at malayo pa ang halalan.

Ang nasabing blog na lumabas sa Facebook ay kung saan si Remogat ay bumisita sa opisina ni Zaplan na may mga kasamang mga residente ng Villa Sta. Barbara para isangguni ang mga problema nila kay Mayor.

Kwentuhan lang ang nangayari na umabot sa huntahan sa mainit na pulitika sa katabing siyudad ng Urdaneta City. Kinabukasan ikinagulantang na lamang ni Zaplan na siya na ang pinaguusapan sa social media dahil sa mga binanggit niya.

Manaoag Mayor Nagla-lobby sa Senado

 

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

MANAOAG, Pangasinan – Nagla-lobby ang alklade dito sa mga senador para makakuha ng mga proyekto sa iba’t ibang sangay ng gobyerno.

“At first dapat medyo puntahan mo sila talaga. The Senate is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday ang sesyon nila,” ani Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario sa Northern Watch Newspaper.

MANAOAG MAYOR Jeremy Agerico Rosario (left of top photo) poses with Senator Bong Go. Other photos clockwise: Senator Lito Lapid (left) and Mayor Rosario; Senator Rosario (left) and Senator Imee Marcos.

Kahit na may bentahe ang pangalang Manaoag kung saan nakatayo ang sikat na simbahang Katoliko na The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manoaag sa mga mambabatas kailangan personal pa rin na humingi ng tulong sa mga kaibigan na mga senador, kanilang mga chiefs of staff, at mga konektado sa kanila.

“Sila ang mga bida doon sa kanilang opisina mga magkakilala rin iyan through common friends,” aniya sa mga tauhan at mga kaibigan ng mga senador.

Dagdag pa niya sa pagla-lobby kailangan na magbabad ang mga alkalde sa mga opisina ng mga mambabatas sa Pasay City para makakalap ng pondo para sa mga bayan nila.

Kahit suntok sa buwan na makakuha ng proyekto sa pamamagitan ng personal na pagsusumamo, nakakakuha pa rin si Rosario ng mga tens of millions of pesos na pondo sa national government. Tinuro niya sina Senators Imee R. Marcos at Risa Hontiveros na nagbigay na ng tulong sa local government dito.

 Sa pamamagitan ni Senator Marcos nakakuha si Rosario ng P17 million proyekto sa national government para sa isang barangay lang dito. Si Hontiveros naman ang nakatulong sa pagkuha ng pondo para sa tourist rest area dito. Aniya itong proyekto ay collaboration niya kay Pangasinan 4^th District Cong. Christopher de Venecia.

“Meron sila ni commit. Si Senator Bong Go merong ni commit (at) si Senator Jinggoy (Estrada),” paliwanag niya sa mga Senador na tumulong.

Isang kalamangan pag personal na pumapasyal ang isang pulitiko sa mga senador ay may makukuha siya gaya ng P2.8 million na ambulance para sa landlocked na bayan dito sa central Pangasinan.

“Binaba (Department of Budget) ang budget dito na P2.8 million”.

 Magkakakilala na sila ni Senator Marcos, aniya, dahil palagi na siyang pumupunta dito.

Dagdag pa ng alkalde na nangako si Senator Lito Lapid ng P30 million noong napunta siya dito para sa P20 million na renovation ng Rizal Park at P10 million para sa pagpagawa ng gusali ng Liga ng mga Barangay.

Ang Masipag, Matulungin na First Lady ng P’sinan

 Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

Kamakailan may mga mediamen – blogger at broadcaster – na pinagyayabang ang katauhan ng mga First Ladies na asawa ng mga nagdaang gobernador ng Pangasinan. Mga hindi daw sila nakikialam sa operasyon at usapin ng provincial government. Halatado naman sa mga buladas nila na pinaparinggan nila ang kasalukuyang First Lady na si Maan Tuazon- Guico.

Nakakatuwa itong mga nangiintriga na mga mediamen. Ilang beses nang nailalantad ang kanilang mga kababawan sa mga argumento nila na naging argumentum ad hominem o personal na atake na.

LOVES BY THE HOI POLLOI. Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico is embraced by a woman who is part of the crowd in her countless social services as chair of the First Spouses League of Pangasinan to the constituents of her husband’s Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III.

Magmula sa pagiging dayo ni Maam Maan na para bagang wala na siyang karapatan tumakbo sa pagiging alkalde ng Urdaneta City pero puede naman base sa mga dating dayo na sila Congressmen Mark Cojuangco at Rachel Arenas, dating congresswoman Manay Gina de Venecia, at Bayambang Mayor Nina Jose-Quiambao, hanggang sa paninisi sa mister niyang si Governor Ramon Guico III sa P800 million na white elephant na 18 ektarya na Pangasinan Convention at Multi-Purpose Center (PCMPC) sa Barangay Umanday, Bugallon sa Pangasinan.

Hindi nila ni research ng malalim na ni ground breaking ni dating Governor Pogi Espino iyong maluho na project (maluho dahil maluwag ang accretion sa likod ng Capitol sa Lingayen bakit kailangan pang bumili ng milyon-milyong pesos ng lupa sa Bugallon) noong March 30, 2019 at hindi niya tinapos sa loob ng tatlong taon at tatlong buwan noong bumaba siya sa puesto noong June 30, 2022.

DI MATUTUMBASAN ANG NAIAMBAG NA LIBRE NI MAAN GUICO

Malaki ang naiambag ni Maan Guico na gratis o libri sa mga taga Pangasinan sa sining at social services magmula nang maluklok ang mister niya sa Kapitolyo dalawang taon na ang nakalipas kung ikumpara sa mga maybahay ng mga nagdaaang mga gobernador at mga nagsawalang kibo na mga esposa nila dahil wala namang maiisip na magandang maiiambag ang iba sa kanila.

Noong nakapanayam namin na mga reporters ang workaholic na si Mrs. Guico sa sideline ng isang event ng Miss Pangasinan sa Monarch Hotel sa Calasiao, aniya napuntahan na daw niya ang pinaka malayo at mga liblib na mga pobreng pook sa dambuhalang probinsiya (na mas malaki pa kahit ipagsama natin ang probinsiya ng Ilocos Norte at Sur at La Union) 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 sitwasyon 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.

Aniya na talagang masipag na siyang tumulong sa mga naghihikahos magmula nang naging alkalde ang mister niya sa Binalonan.

Bilang Chairperson ng First Spouses League of Pangasinan naghahatid si Madam Guico ng mga tulong financial at material sa mga nasusunugan at nasalanta ng mga kalamidad at mga nangangailangan sa ibat ibang bayan ng Pangasinan.

Ito’y makikita sa mga natulungan niyang nasunugan, mga centenarian, mga women’s groups, mga nabigyan ng wheel chair at iba pang mga tao sa lalawigan na naabutan niya ng mga food packs, hygiene kits, P20,000 cash kada isa at di mabilang na pagkabukas palad galing sa puso niya.

“Salamat Maam Maan sa wheelchair na ipinagkaloob ninyo. Malaking tulong po sa kanya ito. Salamat Maam,” maluhangluha na sinabi ni Bernadeth Permison na taga 5^th District matapos bigyan ng customized wheelchair ang pitong taon na gulang na anak niyang si Bernard na di makalakad dahil sa karamdaman.

“Maam Maan likewise transformed Limgas na Pangasinan as a world class beauty pageant. Candidates were trained by industry leaders and prepared them well for the international stage,” ani provincial government Public Information Chief Dhobie P.  de Guzman.

Ang mga innovations na ginawa niya ay nagtulak sa Pistay Dayat sa tourism map. Lalong lumakas ang sining sa Pangasinan dahil sa mga art festivals at PangaSine. Ang huli ay tungkol sa pagpataas ng antas ng film making na local sa ilalim ng pagtuturo  ng mga sikat na mga namumuno sa paggawa ng mga pelikula na galing pa sa Maynila.

O, iyan ang asawa ng gobernador ng Pangasinan!

Magaling na ang mister sinamahan pa ng galing ni asawa kaya Pangasinan ang Galing, talaga!

Iyan ang Two-in-One!

Namatay sa Gutom Dahil sa mga Kalsadang Binungkal

 Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

I bumped into Ariel Mayola yesterday at SM in Dagupan City. I asked him how his first cousin Danny Mayola --the City's prolific long time newsstand owner.

Ariel said Danny - who lived in the notorious slum area's Aleng - died three months ago.

"What?! Ano ang kinamatay niya?" I posed.

Ariel - a street toughie who lived too in the same slum - mimicked with his right hand feeding his mouth with food.

"Wala nang makain, Pare!"

"Paano walang makain e nagbebenta naman siya ng diyaryo saka nagpapa jueteng?".

"Magmula nang ipinagbubungkal iyang mga drainage diyan sa Fernandez Avenue, halos wala ng pumaparada na kotse para bumili ng diyaryo niya," Ariel explained.

REST IN PEACE, MANG DANNY!

(Photo credit: Philippines Daily Inquirer award winning lens man Willie Lomibao)

PNP-P’sinan Bested 3 Ilocos Prov. Counterparts on UPER

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Despite its huge size compares to its three smaller counterparts, the police provincial office (PPO) of Pangasinan topped for five consecutive months the Unit Performance Evaluation Rating (UPER) System.

BUSTED. Pangasinan Police Provincial Office Director Col. Jeff E. Fanged (2^nd from right, photo) inspects the estimated P71, 889, 080.00 of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride with a total weight of 10,570.60 grams. A group of youth and barangay officials in Brgy. Gayusan in Agno, Pangasinan discovered in the village’s shoreline on June 16 the nine sealed aqua blue plastic packs, one open transparent plastic pack, and one open aqua blue plastic pack that have foreign markings. PPO Photo

The Pangasinan's PPO under the leadership of Director Colonel Jeff E. Fanged bested the provinces of the Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.

Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union have a population of 609,588, 706,009, and 822,352, respectively (2020 census) while Pangasinan has 3,163,190 demography on the same year census. Pangasinan has also the bigger land area of 5,451.01 km² (2,104.65 sq mi) if compared to the combined land areas of the three provinces.

 According to Memorandum Circular No. 92 – 012 of the National Police Commission, the Philippines National Police (PNP) performance evaluation system fosters the improvement of individual efficiency and behavioral discipline as well as the promotion of organization effectiveness; it is essential to the administration and operation of the PNP as it performs a wide range of functions in law enforcement and order (of) maintenance.

According to the Pangasinan’s PPO, the monthly UPER parameters include measuring the implementation of discipline, law and order; conduct of recruitment and selection process; ensuring personnel morale and welfare; human resource actions on placement and promotion; management of personnel and records; and personnel plans and policies.

Mangaldan Tumanggap ng P637-M Infras

 Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – Ang bayan na ito ay nakatanggap ng P637 million galing sa national government para sa mga imprastraktura na ilalagak para sa pangkalahatang kapakanan ng mga mamayan dito.

MANGALDAN Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno (top left photo) exhorts village chiefs about the P600 million farm-to market roads allocated by the Department of Public Works & Highway to some barangays in the first class town. Parayno advice them to consult too the staff of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRMO) incase of looming disaster in their turf.

Ani Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno, ang P600 million ay para sa construction ng farm-to-market roads na gagawin sa iba’t ibang barangays dito.

Sa kanyang pakipagpulong sa mga barangay chairmen pinaliwanag ng alkalde ang mga proyekto na galing sa Department of Public Works and Highway ay para sa pagiging produktibo at daanan patungong merkado ng mga magsasaka dito.

Sinabi rin ni Parayno na ang P37 million na water pumping station ay para mapagaan ang mga pagbaha sa low-lying barangay sa Bateng, Tebag, at Anolid.

Pinaaalahanan pa ni mayora ang mga magsasaka na gamitin ang pondo nila sa disaster preparedeness kung sakaling may dumating na malakas na lindol.

Hango sa kaalaman na natutunan noong 2024 Handog Pilipinas na ni organisa ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Regional, binigyan diin ni Parayno ang pag talaga ng evacuation areas at ang pag-likha ng mga kailangan na gamit panlaban sa sakuna at ang pagpapatayo ng extension office ng Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRMO) sa mga liblib na lugar.

Hinikayat din ni Mayor Parayno ang mga punong barangay na kunsultahin ang MDRRMO kung paano ang paghahanda ng mga emergency kits para sa mga kabahayan. (Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza and Mangaldan PIO)

 

Goodbye Guo Tayo Pagnakasampa siya sa Militia Ship ng China

 Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

Dahil sa nonbailable na kasong Qualified Trafficking na inisampa laban kay Bamban, Tarlac suspended Mayor Alice Guo ng Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC),  hindi ako magugulat na tuluyang maglaho na siyang parang bula sa Senate hearing dahil siya ay nakatakas sa pamamagitan ng Chinese maritime militia ship pauwi ng kanyang tunay na inang bayang sinilangang China.

Bukod sa kasong heinous na Qualified Trafficking, nahaharap rin si Guo sa mga criminal complaint na Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act at Administrative Cases gaya ng grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, at conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

FLIGHT, ER, SAIL RISKS. Bamban, Tarlac beleguered Mayor Alice Guo (left) and some of the 135 Chinese maritime militia ships in the Juan Felipe Reef or Whitson Reef in the Spratly Islands. Mainland China controls the Reef. Left photo is PCG file

 

Determinado ang gobyerno na tanggalin sa puwesto si Guo gaya ng Solicitor General na nagsampa na ng Quo Warranto para patunayan na hindi siya mamayan ng Pinas at ni peke lamang niya ang birth certificate niya.

Kahit na mahigpit na mino-monitor ng Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking sa pamamagitan ng immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO), ang suspendidung alkalde dahil sa Ombudsman, ay kaya niyang takasan ang mga awtoridad sa pagamit sa daungan o karagatan ng Sual, Pangasinan, Palawan, western Pangasinan gaya ng sa Infanta, at Zambales Province.

Ang ILBO, siya nga pala, ay ginagamit lamang sa pag monitor at hindi instrumento para pigilan ang pag-alis ng suspect sa bansa natin patungong ibang dako.

Ang alkalde ng Sual ay si Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay na alleged boyfriend ni Mayora Alice ayon kay Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality Vice Chairman Senator Jinggoy Estrada at pinangalanan ni lawyer-vlogger Berteni "Toto" Cataluña Causing na allegedly gumastos ng P1 billion na loan sa Land Bank of the Philippines ng local government of Sual para ipatayo ang mga buildings ng Pogo sa Bamban. Totoo ba ito, Mayor Dong?

Inaakusahan rin siya na administrator ng Pogo sa Bamban.

Panoorin niyo ang video sa YouTube ni Toto Causing dito na may pamagat at link na:

“Copy of Power of Love – Mayor BF ni Alice Guo, Inutang Bayan ng Sual ng P1-B Ikapital sa Pogo? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkncJEKZL3M

Kayo na dear readers ang humusga pagkatapos niyo mapanood ang mga pinagsasabi ni Attorney Toto Causing – ang akon nga kasimanwa sa Mindanao -  gaya sa mga banat niya kay fugitive former Director-General of the Bureau of Corrections Gerald Q. Bantag na principal suspect sa pagpaslang kay online vlogger Percy Lapid (real name Percival Carag Mabasa) noong October 3, 2022.

***

Nakitaan ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) noong pagsusuri nila noong June 25 to 27 na ang fingerprints ni Guo ay tumutugma sa isang Chinese woman na si Guo Hua Ping – iba ito sa Guwapings na pelikula na pinangungunahan nila Mark Anthony Fernandez, Eric Fructuoso at John Estrada.

Ang Dactyloscopy Report ng NBI ay nagkumpara sa fingerprints ni Alice sa kanyang Alien Fingerprint Card na kinuha sa NBI master files dated March 28, 2006 at sa kanyang biometric printout sa NBI Information and Communication Technology Division noong March 10, 2021.

                                                                                   ***

Pagnakulusot si Guo sa Sual at dumiretso sa Scarborough Shoal (mga 18 oras na paglalakbay sa sasakyang pandagat), o mas malayong Kalayaan  o sa Spratly, nalusutan na niya ang Philippines government na may reputasyon sa kawalan ng kakayahan sa pagbabantay sa mga high level criminal suspects gaya ni Negros Oriental former Congressman Arnie Teves. Pag dating sa mga lugar na iyon sasampa lang si Guo sa isa sa mga di mabilang na Chinese maritime militia ships at mga barkong pandagat ng China at magsalitang Intsik – yari na tayo dahil nawala na ang isang high level na dorobo at alleged spy ng Beijing.