Calmay Bridge, New Highway Tutuldok sa Dambuhalang Trapiko sa Lingayen- Dagupan

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Malapit nang matuldukan ang malapagong na usad ng trapiko na umaabot minsan sa isa hanggang dalawang oras na biyahi mula sa bayan na ito papuntang Dagupan City.

 BRIDGE, HIGHWAY. Then Pangasinan 4^th District Cong. Christopher “Toff” de Venecia graced the groundbreaking of the 411.150 meters' P132 million Calmay-Carael Bridge in Dagupan City. The bridge and the six–kilometer P2.5 billion Lingayen-Binmaley Diversion Highway will lighten up the monster traffic snarl in the 1.3 kilometer stretches of Barangay Nansangaan (infront of Sigay Fiestahan) going to Barangay Manat in Binmaley.

Aabot ng 14.7 kilometro ang layo ng capital town na ito sa Dagupan City.

49-K Volunteers Collect 200 Metric Tons of Trash in Nationwide Coastal Cleanup

Over 48,800 volunteers from across the Philippines gathered simultaneously at 28 SM malls nationwide to mark the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025, the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health collecting over 200,000 kilograms of trash.

Leading the nationwide movement, SM By the Bay served as the flagship site, bringing together thousands of volunteers to clear Manila Bay’s shoreline of marine debris. Across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, SM malls became community hubs where over 500 groups—spanning private organizations, government agencies, NGOs, schools, civil society, and local communities—united to protect the country’s waterways.

Lambino Pinuri ang “Clearance First’ ni Marcos

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Nagpasalamat ang bise gobernador ng Pangasinan sa Presidente ng Pilipinas sa pahayag niya na kailangan muna ng clearance galing sa  mga opisyal ng local government unit ang isang pambansang proyekto bago ito maging kumpleto.

PANGASINAN Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino (left) and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

“We are gratefull to the President on that na ibabalik ang kapangyarihan sa local government unit,” ani Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino noong makapanayam siya ng mga reporters sa kanyang tanggapan.

Buaya sa DPWH Nangotong sa May Ari ng Lupa

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

Walang patawad itong mataas na opisyal ng Pangasinan 4^th Engineering District Office ng Department of Public Works & Highway (DPWH) na nakabase sa Rosales, Pangasinan.

Ayon sa source ko na ayaw magpakilala, natamaan ng expropriation ang lupa nila sa 7.17 kilometro na Urdaneta City Bypass Road sa Urdaneta City.

The Idiotic "Bend the Law" Statement

 THE beleguered Justice Secretary Boying Remulla just rolled with the punches from the legal flurry of Senator and lawyer Rodante Marcoleta until the clown and non abogado Senator Erwin Tulfo alluded to Marcoleta with a thundering voice that reverberated from the Babuyan Islands to the lair of the Abu Sayaff in Jolo Sulu that the law should bend sometimes.

“Mga sigaw ng taong bayan na libo-libo sa People Power Movement sa Luneta. Hindi lang po ang pagnanakaw, they were also shouting ibalik iyong pera nila. And I believed the Secretary of Justice heard that and I believed Malacanang heard that. Kaya nga po doon po sa mga kontraktor, mga opisyal isuli ninyo ang pera ng taong bayan! Hindi po batas ang pinag-uusapan. Wala ho tayong pakialam sa batas. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BEND THE LAW TO BE ABLE TO PLEASE THE PEOPLE…,” the miniscule in height Senator hissed for all and sundry to hear.

I met and spoke in Cebuano before with Tulfo when was a reporter of TV-5 covering a narco raid by cops in the dangerous Muslims' compound at Bonuan Gueset in Dagupan City.

Sanamagan, so what happens now to the entrenched legal Latin maxim's Dura Lex Sed Lex (the law is harsh but it is the law)?

Suporter ni Bataoil Umalma sa Paratang ni Cojuangco sa Seawall

 Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Pumalag ang tagasuporta ni dating Lingayen Mayor Pol Bataoil noong isinulat ko sa blog ko (Setyembre 18, 2025) na “Okay si Mayora Iday sa Seawall ni Cong. Mark (Basta Walang Pananagutan ang Munisipyo)” na umani ng 36, 000 views sa Facebook.

SEAWALLS. The controversial seawalls at a beach in Lingayen, Pangasinan (top photo). Former Lingayen mayor Leopoldo Bataoil (right photo below) and Pangasinan 2^nd District Cong. Mark O. Cojuangco. The latter is the proponent of the seawall to mitigate the perennial flooding in the capital town. Photos grab from the internet.

HINDI SIYA PROPONENT

Ani ng source ko na ayaw magpakilala, hindi proponent si Bataoil ng Seawall noong kongresista pa siya (2010-2019 sa Pangasinan 2nd District). Aniya ang mga nilakad ng siyam na taong pambansang mambabatas para mapondohan noong termino niya ay ang Lingayen Gulf Baywalk, Daang Kalikasan of Mangatarem, Daang Katutubo of Aguilar, Lingayen-Binmaley-Dagupan Bypass Road, at iba pa. Karamihan sa mga proyekto ng dating congressman ay pinagpatuloy na tinapos ni dating Congressman Jumel Espino noong panahon niya magmula noong 2019-2022.

WPP Law Covers Restitution

By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

May bagong two school of thoughts sa Restitution adverse to the pronouncement of Senator Rod Marcoleta where Curlee and Sara Discaya do not to need to return their "loot" before they can be state witnesses on the billions of pesos' plunder by government officials on the flood control projects.

These thoughts ensued after the Senate's Blue Ribbon hearing yesterday. Atty. Mel Santa Maria and Wilfredo Garrido cited those two red checks I provided below on the Witness Protection Program (WPP) Law where you can find the devil (restitution) in the details.

Walang Piyansa ang Kidnapping

 

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

Nasampahan na ng kasong Kidnapping ang babaeng dumukot sa sanggol na bagong-silang sa Lingayen District Hospital na pag aari ng provincial government.

KIDNAPPER. A woman kidnap suspect faces Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III (2^nd from left), Police Provincial Director Col. Arbel Mercullo (4th from left), and Lingayen Chief of Police Lt. Col Junmar Gonzales at the Urduja House in the Capitol in Lingayen. The woman from Binmaley faces a non bailable Kidnapping case of a newly born baby she took at the Lingayen District Hospital.

Ninakaw ng walang konsensiyang babaeng taga Binmaley ang baby noong Setyembre 14. Nabawi siya noong Setyembre 16 o dalawang araw noong  palihim siyang hinablot.  

SM Supermalls Kicks off the 100 Days to Christmas with Kindness

THE world’s longest Christmas season just got merrier because SM Supermalls is ringing in the holiday spirit as early as September!

This September 16, the country’s favorite destination officially kicks off the 100 Days countdown to Christmas with dazzling decorations, festive activities, and heartwarming surprises across all 88 malls nationwide. And this year, SM is making the holidays extra meaningful as it celebrates “100 Days of Kindness”—a nationwide campaign that brings cheer, joy, and generosity to millions of Filipinos.

Mambabatas ng Mangaldan Lumahok sa Legis. Educ. Prog. Sa Davao

 

Aktibong lumahok ang mga kasapi ng Sangguniang Bayan ng Mangaldan sa kauna-unahang Continuing Local Legislative Education Program (CLLEP) sa Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City simula nitong Miyerkules, Setyembre 17, at tatagal hanggang Biyernes, Setyembre 19.

 Kasama sa programang ito ang mga bise alkalde at mga konsehal mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa.

Taste the thrill at SM Supermalls’ Food Fest this September

For Filipinos, food is an experience. It is the laughter shared over steaming bowls of soup, the thrill of discovering bold flavors, and the joy of chasing the latest food craze. This September, SM City Rosales, SM City Urdaneta Central, and SM Center Dagupan turn up the heat with the Food Fest at SM—a month-long celebration of flavors, fun, and unforgettable moments!

With this year’s unbeatable dining deals and fresh food discoveries to vibrant markets, giant foodie installations, live music, regional cuisines, and even a paw-ty for pets, Food Fest at SM definitely serves up something for everyone to savor and celebrate.

Okay si Mayora Iday sa Seawall ni Cong. Mark

 

                                   BASTA WALANG PANANAGUTAN ANG MUN.

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Sinasang-ayunan ng bagong alkalde dito ang proyektong concrete seawall ni Pangasinan 2^nd District Cong. Mark O. Cojuangco basta walang pananagutan ang munisipyo kung magkaprublema ng legal ito.

SEAWALLS. The still unfinished concrete seawalls at the beaches of Lingayen, Pangasinan (top photo). Pangasinan 2^nd District Cong. Mark O. Cojuangco (right photo below) and his political ally Lingayen Mayor Josefina “Iday” F. Castañeda. Photos grab from the internet

Ani Mayor Josefina “Iday” F. Castañeda na “okay’ lang sa kanya basta may kumpletong mga legal na papeles ang pambansang ahensya na namumuno sa P185 million proyekto sa tabing dagat ng Barangays Pangapisan, Maniboc at Libsong dito.

Marcos Knows his Presidency Imperils If Speaker did not Resign

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

I am watching at YouTube the ANC interview of Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno by ABS-CBN Karen Davila. Puno defended the culpability of former Speaker Martin Romualdez (who just resigned in favor of his Deputy Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy). Puno said that in the last few days colleagues in Congress persuaded Romualdez to just file a leave of absence which the Speaker first heeded. But had a change of mind last Saturday when he met his cousin President Ferdinand Marcos in Malacanang.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez grace the 2022 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Multistakeholder Forum at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Puno still defended Romualdez to be blameless who just absorbed the wrath of the Filipinos because of the monumental corruption in the House. Puno said the former Speaker did not want to tangle with Senate President Chiz Escudero and later Senate President Tito Sotto.

Mga Mithiin ng mga Bagong Opisylaes ng LMP-PC

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Pormal ng nunumpa ang mga opisyales ng League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter (LMP-PC) dito kay Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III sa isang pagtitipon kasama ang mga matataas na pambansang opisyal.

 Naglahad din ang mga LMP-PC opisyal ng mga plano at mithiin nila para sa organisasyon.

SM Supermalls Earns Multiple Wins at Prestigious Regional HR Awards

 

SM Supermalls earns recognition from two prestigious HR award-giving bodies in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, the Economic Times Human Capital Awards (ETHCA) and the HR Excellence Awards (HREA) Philippines, for its commitment to people-first innovation, continuous learning, and transformative leadership.

In photo: SM Supermalls Human Resources led by Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Group Head - SVP (center);  Friezee Enciso, Section Head, Leadership & Engagement (fifth from left); and Cathy Hernandez, AVP for Org & Talent Solutions (fourth from right)

 

Driving a culture of learning and growth

The Bronze Award for Excellence in Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning and Upskilling, presented to SM Supermalls at the Economic Times Human Capital Awards – Southeast Asia.

At the Economic Times Human Capital Awards – Southeast Asia, SM Supermalls received the Bronze Award for Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning and Upskilling. This recognition highlights the success of Digital University (DIGI-U), the company’s innovative online learning platform that offers curated, on-demand courses, and its competency-based development strategy that has reached 100% of its workforce. This initiative has empowered employees to grow, adapt, and lead in a fast-evolving business landscape.

SM Prime’s Hans Sy Champions Private Sector Leadership in Disaster Resilience at UNDRR Global Platform 2025

Hans Sy speaking in the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland. Photo from Antoine Tardy for the UNDRR.

 SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction (DRR) during the 2025 Global Platform of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), held in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Representing the Philippine private sector at the Ministerial Roundtable on “Accelerating Financing and Resilience,” Sy underscored how businesses can help drive scalable, science-based resilience solutions.

Solusyon Para Pagaanin ang Trapiko, Humikayat ng Investors sa Calasiao

 Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

CALASIAO, Pangasinan –Determinadong binibigyang solusyon ng bagong nakaupong alkalde na may pinakamatinding pagsisikip ng trapiko ng mga sasakyan sa Pangasinan na nangyayari sa pangunahing kalsada dito.

CALASIAO Mayor Patrick Agustin Caramat exhorts his leaders at his office on this file photo.

 “Bottleneck and is in the heart of the highway of Pangasinan. If you’re going from east to west vice versa dadaan at dadaan po kayo ng Calasiao major thoroughfare po talaga ito,” ani Mayor Patrick A. Caramat noong pinasinayaan ang bagong traffic light sa junction dito kung saan dumadaan ang mga sasakyan pabalik at paroon sa mga lungsod ng Dagupan, Urdaneta, at San Carlos at sa mga bayan ng Sta. Barbara, Binmaley, at Lingayen.

Nostalgic Tech Finds at SM

Blast into the past, then plug into the present. SM City Rosales, SM City Urdaneta Central, and SM Center Dagupan are bringing back the best of the past to life with modern upgrades. Whether you are reliving your childhood or discovering vintage cool for the first time, these nostalgic tech finds are sure to spark memories.

Retro-Inspired Radio - Surplus is giving you music with a throwback feel with their radio that looks straight out of the past, but sounds like the future.

Sandigan Junks Ex-Mayor Camacho Case; LGU Bayambang Reacts

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Bayambang, Pangasinan mayor Ricardo M. Camacho and businessman Willy L. Chua of graft charges arising from a controversial 2013 land swap deal involving a government school site, according to the Facebook’s post of writer Janice Hidalgo.

BAYAMBANG former Mayor Ricardo Camacho (top photo) and his successor ex-mayor Cezar Quiambao (left photo)

In a 98-page decision of the People of the Philippines versus Ricardo Camacho, et al (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act)., the anti-graft court said prosecutors failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The case stemmed from the exchange of a 31,650-sqm government lot worth ₱25.32 million with Chua’s 20,581-sqm property valued at ₱16.5 million.

JKQMC, USHH Collab. to Strengthen Healthcare in Pangasinan

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan – September 2, 2025 – Julius K. Quiambao Medical and Wellness Center (JKQMC) and Urdaneta Sacred Heart Hospital (USHH) have formally signed a partnership agreement to enhance access to quality healthcare services in the region. 

The partnership aims to expand specialty medical services, improve patient referral systems, and promote community wellness initiatives. By pooling their expertise and resources, USHH and JKQMC seek to provide comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare to residents of Pangasinan and nearby provinces.

Guv Ipinatupad ang Pagbabago, Mabuting Pamamahala sa Kapitolyo

Nauunawaan ko ang mga tanong at pangamba kaugnay ng mga pagbabagong nagaganap sa Kapitolyo. Nais kong linawin na ang lahat ng hakbang na ating ginagawa ay nakatuon lamang sa mabuting pamamahala at sa kapakanan ng bawat Pangasinense.

 Hindi sapat ang nakita kong serbisyo at pagsunod sa mga proseso ng ilang opisyal ng kapitolyo, dahilan para palitan natin sila ng mga bagong lingkod-bayan na mas makapagbibigay ng tapat na serbisyo at makakasabay sa mabilis at matuwid na direksyon ng ating probinsya.

Nakatuon po ang ating pansin sa pagbibigay ng katuparan sa mga pangako ng ating gobyerno. Ang sinumang hindi kayang sumunod at makipagkaisa sa misyon ng kapitolyo para sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga Pangasinense ay hindi karapat-dapat na manungkulan sa aking administrasyon.

Asahan po ninyo na ang ating pagkilos at mga desisyon ay para sa paninindigan nawalang puwang ang hindi maayos at mabisang pamamahala.

Ang mga pagbabagong ito ay ginagawa hindi para sa iilan, kundi para sa ikabubuti ng buong lalawigan. Sa ngalan ng mabuting pamamahala, ipagpapatuloy natin ang galing ng paglilingkod na tapat, malinaw, at para sa lahat.

                                                                                    HON. RAMON V. GUICO III

Governor, Province of Pangasinan

 

Mayors Attend Seminar for Effective Governance

By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – The mayors of the 44 towns and 4 cities of this mammoth province attended the two days’ refresher course how to be effective in governance under the tutelage of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP. Town mayors who attended the September 4-5 NEO PLUS Program Transformative Leadership for Elevated Governance: Refresher Course for Re-elected/Elected Officials sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government at Kabaleyan Cove in San Carlos City; (2^nd from left to right): Laoac Mayor Ricardo Banderas, San Fabian Mayor Marlyn Agbayani, and Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico “Ming” Rosario.

Held at the Kabaleyan Cove, the two days’ program that ensued lately saw these chief executives and their staff learned and the relearned the “ropes” of governance in a seminar dubbed: NEO PLUS Program Transformative Leadership For Elevated Governance: Refresher Course for Re-elected/Elected Officials.

P’sinan 1 sa 2 na Gender Responsive LGU sa Pinas

 Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

Isa ang Pangasinan sa dalawang lalawigan sa Pilipinas na kinilala na Gender Responsive LGU and Local Learning Hub para sa taong 2025-2028.

Ayon sa Philippines Commission on Women (PCW) nakuha ng Pangasinan sa ilalim ni Governor Ramon V. Guico III ang parangal dahil sa Pangasinan Crisis Intervention Center.

Nagpasalamat si Mayor Bona sa Magnanimity ni Mayor Riza

 

MATAPOS MAG WITHDRAW ANG HULI SA LMP ELEC.

Ni Mortz C. Ortigozana 

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – Nagpasalamat si Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno sa “magnanimity” o kagandahang-loob ng kanyang katunggali sa pagiging Secretary General sa nakaraang League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter (LMP-PC) na ginanap dito.

PANGASINAN Governor Ramon “Monmon” V. Guico III in a huddle with Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno before the start of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter held at the convention hall of the Monarch Hotel in Calasiao, Pangasinan. The Governor and his father Pangasinan 5^th District Cong. Ramon “Monching” Guico, Jr. have been an observer of the poll. The elder Guico used to be the national president of LMP. 

“I would like to shake her hands and I know that she’s very able to become a Secretary General. She had been there for many terms,” ani Mayor Parayno kay Balungao Mayor Maria Theresa “Riza” Peralta matapos makakuha sila ng 13 mga boto kada isa sa mga alkalde ng Pangasinan sa eleksyon ng LMP-PC na ginanap sa Monarch Hotel dito noong nakaraang eleksyon.

Garapalan na Talaga ang Kurapsyon sa Pinas!

Excerpt of the Senate Blue Ribbon (anti-corruption) panel hearing yesterday on anomalous flood control projects while I listened and encoding my news for my blog:

SENATOR ERWIN TULFO: Mr. Chair the head of the PCAB (Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board) saying na gagawa siya ng imbestigasyon. Ano pa ang kredibilidad ninyong gumawa ng imbestigasyon Mr. Chair kung kayo mismo mga board of directors, iyong mga kontratista may mga kontrata sa gobyerno. Ikaw may kontraktor ka din although sinasabi mo kanina walang kang proyekto sa gobyerno, how can you do that? Mr. Chair, pinagluluko tayo ng mga ito! I mean board of directors contractors’ accredition board and then kayo mismo ang mga kontraktor? How can you do,,, papaano niyo bantayan ang sarili ninyo, papaano niyo pa babantayan ang ibang tao ang ibang kumpanya sarili ninyo hindi niyo mabantayan. Sige nga! Di ba dapat ang tanong sa inyo Mr. Chair, kelan kayo mag resign? Well actually there was already an announcement of (Department of Public Works & Highway) Secretary Vince Dizon na he was suggest (sic) Mr. Chair na today lang po kalalabas lang po na he would order a sweeping revamp of the Philippines Contractor Accredition Board kasama po kayo doon. Kaya iyong sinasabi ho ninyong mga imbestigasyon kalukuhan po iyon Mr. Chair dahil kelan naman po ninyo.. papaano po Mr. Chair mag reresign e mga miyembro lahat kayo may mga negosyo kayo sa gobyerno Mr. Chair. Meron kayong mga kontrata sa pamahalaan sa DPWH… that’s all Mr. Chair.

BDO makes Tuesdays Extra Special for Overseas Filipinos, Their families

 “Yay, Tuesday na!”-

Finding ways beyond remittances. BDO constantly brings joy and excitement to Overseas Filipinos and their families through initiatives like Kabayan First Tuesday.

Every first Tuesday of the month, the daughter of a former Overseas Filipino Roselle Padua would eagerly announce this to her family, already planning her day. For the teenager, the seemingly ordinary day has become special.