Gov. Guico, DOH-ICHD sign MOA for P83M MAIFIP Program Fund

 LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III will again enter and sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health—Ilocos Center for Health Development for the implementation of the Medical Assistance for the Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program in 14 provincial government-run hospitals.

Sourced from the funds of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Juan Edgardo Angara, and Grace Poe, the total amount reached more than P83 million. Romualdez committed a hefty amount of P70 million, while Go allocated P14 million. Angara and Poe committed P2 million and P1 million, respectively.

“The Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program is a Department of Health program intended to provide financial support to indigent and poor patients seeking medical examination, consultation, treatment, and rehabilitation and those confined in government hospitals,” the resolution authored by Board Member Shiela Marie F. Baniqued and approved on October 7 stated.

The fund will be downloaded to the following 14 government hospitals for its purpose: 1) Asingan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 2) Bayambang District Hospital, P5,107,234.00; 3) Bolinao Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 4) Dasol Community Hospital, P5,185,874.00; 5) Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital, P5,198,323.00; 6) Lingayen District Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 7) Manaoag Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 8) Mangatarem District Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 9) Mapandan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 10) Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (San Carlos City), P6,930,000.00; 11) Pozorrubio Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 12) Umingan Community Hospital, P5,940,000.00; 13) Urdaneta District Hospital, P7,920,000.00; 14) Western Pangasinan District Hospital, P5,940,000.00.

It can be recalled that in the first quarter of 2024, Sen. Go granted a total of P55.4 million MAIFIP Program Fund, which the 14 hospitals utilized.

A patient who is not classified as indigent but demonstrates the inability to pay or spend necessary expenditures for one’s medical treatment may also apply for financial aid under DOH Administrative Order No. 2020-0060. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Espesyal na mga Numero para sa mga Kandidato

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

Marami sa mga kandidato sa Mayo 2025 eleksyon ay naniniwala sa mga numero, senyales, at iba pa na bigay ng mga kaibigan at tagapayo nila. Hango daw ito sa astrology, tarot cards, feng shui at iba pa.

Gaya ng numerong otso o “8”, ayon sa mga Intsik  ito ay pinaka masuerte na numero sa kultura nila dahil sa pagbigkas ng “Ba” na magkatunog sa salitang “Fa”. Ang numero ay maghahatid daw ng magandang kapalaran sa isang tao. Ang otso o “8” ay nauugnay sa yaman, pag-unlad, tagumpay, at katayaun. Dahil dito ang nasabing numero ay nagugustuhan ng mga negosyante  (Istitutoitalocinese.org).

MAYORALTY candidates who filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) on the special date before they campaign to win an election. (From top left and clockwise): Calasiao mayoralty bet Patrick A. Caramat, Mangaldan reelectionist Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno, Binmaley mayoralty candidate Sam Rosario, former Bayambang Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, and Sta. Barbara reelectionist Mayor Lito Zaplan.

“Ako ay maghahain sa otso (ng Oktobre 2024),” ayon kay Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno tungkol sa kanyang certificate of candidacy (CoC) noong makapanayam siya ng writer na ito habang inaantay niya at ng kanyang mga opisyales at ng mga mambabatas na pinamumunuan ni Vice Mayor Mark Stephen Mejia ng local government unit (LGU) ng bayan ang turno nilang humarap sa mga pagsusuri ng mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) sa Kapitolyo sa Lingayen, Pangasinan para sa ordinansang ipinasa sa bayan nila.

“Naniniwala kayo Mayor sa lunario?” tanong ni Sta. Barbara Councilor Marking Cruz -- kung saan andoon din siya na nakatayo sa gallery ng SP kasama ang mga ka miyembro niya sa Sangguniang Bayan ng LGU ng bayan para rin humarap sa provincial lawmakers sa batas na ginawa nila.

“Oo,” pangiting tugon ni Mayor Bona.

Ani Councilor Cruz kahit si Sta. Barbara Mayor Lito Zaplan ay maghahain din ng kanyang CoC sa otso ng buwan ng Oktubre. Ang nasabing petsa ay huling araw ng pag-file ng kandidatura ng mga kandidato sa buong Pilipinas na nagsimula noong Oktubre Uno.

Si patapos na Pangasinan 5^th District Board Member Chinky Perez-Tababa ay maghahain din ng kanyang CoC sa kaparehang petsa ng buwan gaya ng dalawang alkalde na nasambit ko. Aniya gagawin niya ito dahil sa mga payo ng mga kakilala niya na mahilig sa nasabing numero.

“Saka birthday ko sa October 8,” dagdag niya sa writer na ito noong sinamahan niya si Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III at mga supporters nito para suportahan nila ang paghain ng CoC sa pagka alkalde sa Urdaneta City ni Maan Guico – maybahay ng gobernador – sa Commission on Election (Comelec) sa nasabing lungsod noong Oktubre Dos.

Para kay unopposed na kandidato para alkalde Patrick A. Caramat sa maunlad na bayan ng Calasiao ang numero otso ay sentimental at special sa kanya matapos siya maghain ng kanyang CoC noong alas nwebe - trenta ng Oktubre 8 sa Comelec.

“Well, October 8 is special for me because today is also the “monthsary” kumbaga kasi “8” namatay si mother ko. After one year and nine months I could start my promise to her to continue her legacy on serving the town’s people of Calasiao. This is only the first step I know. It’s a good start so I chose the No. 8 kasi pataaas siya,” sinabi niya sa Northern Watch Newspaper na may ngiti sa kanyang labi.

Ang kanyang inang si Mamilyn “Maya” Agustin- Caramat ay nanalo noong Mayo 9, 2022 eleksyon para alkalde. Pero sa dahil sa karamdaman siya ay lumisan noong  Enero 8, 2023.

Si Patrick ay anak ni retired Police Major Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. Ang batang Caramat ay popular at mahal ng mga tao ng Calasiao – tulad ng pambihirang pagmamahal na ibinigay nila sa kanyang ina.

Si Binmaley Vice Mayor Sam Rosario na tumatakbong alkalde laban kay reelectionist Mayor Pete Merrera ay naghahain din ng kanyang CoC noong Oktubre 8 sa Comelec.

Ani Vice Mayor Simplicio “Sam” Rosario na ang Team Sam niya ay maghain ng CoC eksakto alas otso ng umaga ng Oktubre 8  sa opisina ng Comelec sa coastal first class town sa central Pangasinan.

“Sa pag hain namin sa Oktubre 8 kung may oras punta kayo. Merong mass ng 6:30 ng umaga at pagkatapos nito before 8 o’clock eksakto nasa Comelec na kami. Para di kami maunahan magpapautos na ako bukas para mareserba ang misa sa simbahan sa 6:30 AM. Punta kayo doon!”, ani Rosario, na dating alkalde dito ng labing limang taon, sa salitang Pangasinan sa mga liders at mga taga suporta niya noong namigay siya ng parangal sa Inter-Barangay Basketball League’s Awarding Night at ang pag endorso niya sa mga ka-ticket niya noong Setyembre ng gabi dito sa Rufina’s Square Restaurant & Events Place.

 Noong tinanong siya ng writer na ito kung may impluwensya ang feng shui, pamahain, ritwal, o ano pa gaya sa mga ginagawa ng mga ibang kandidato kung kailan maghahain sila ng CoC nila, sagot ng Bise Alkalde na wala kundi bunga ito sa pinagusapan ng mga ka-tiket niya.

Babanggain ni Rosario ang mahigpit na kaaway at karibal niya sa pulitika na si re-electionist Mayor Pedro “Pete” Merrera. Ang dalawa ay nagbabatuhan ng demandahang administratibo at kriminal at mga maaanghang na salita sa mga pagtitipon at sa mga interbyu nila sa media.

KAHALAGAAN NG MGA NUMERO

Ang mga numero ay may halaga sa mga Intsik lalo na. Bahagi na ito ng buhay nila, kaya nilang magbayad ng mahal kung ang numero ng telepono nila ay may otso o “8”. Mas gusto nila na nasa eight o “8” floor ng building ang tirahan o  condominium nila.

Noong 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, nagsimula ang laro ng “8 minutes and 8 seconds past 8 pm on the 8th August, the 8th month of the 8th year of the 21st century” ayon sa Istitutoitalocinese.org.

Mga kandidatong congressman sa Pangasinan na nag “file” ng Coc nila noong Oktubre 8 ay sina reelectionist 2^nd District and 3^rd District Representatives Ma. Rachel Arenas at Mark Cojuangco.

PATI NUMERO 13 AY PAMPASUERTE RIN!

Noong unang nakipagsapalaran si billionaire-mayor Cezar T. Quiambao sa pagiging alkalde ng Bayambang, Pangasinan noong Mayo 2016 election, sinabi sa kanya ng feng shui expert na ang October 13 ay suerte na numero sa paghain ng CoC.
Ang feng shui ay “Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment”.

Ani business tycoon Quiambao na dapat sa Oktubre 12 siya magpa ‘file” ng CoC para maiwasan ang Oktubre 13 na nababalot sa malas. Dahil sa biyahe papuntang abroad napilitan siyang mag file ng CoC ng Oktubre 13.
“Sabi sa akin ng feng shui master, Sir Quiambao mag file kayo, 13 is a good day from 9 AM to 11 (AM) so nakita ninyo ho nag file kami. Nag simba kami,” Aniya sa mga media men at kanyang mga supporters sa press conference na ginanap sa Royal Mall sa bayan ilang oras bago siya maghain ng Coc sa Comelec.

Ani feng shui expert na ang Oktubre 13 ay maging dahilan na siya ay maging successful na pulitiko. 

Ang maybahay ni Quiambao na si actress Nina Jose ang alkalde ng mayamang bayan ngayon.

CELIA, BELEN MAGSASALPUKAN SA 2025 MAYORSHIP. BRIAN LIM, KUA SA VM

 MASAYA NA NAMAN ANG MGA VOTERS FOR SALE

NI MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

DAGUPAN CITY - Binigla ng kampo ni dating Mayor Brian Lim ang mga tao dito nang maghain ng certificate of candidacy (CoC) sa pagka alkalde ang ina nito ngayong Oktubre 7 ng umaga sa Commission on Election (Comelec).

CONTENDERS in the May 12, 2025 Battle Royal in Dagupan City: Mayoralty bet Celia Lim (top left) and reelectionist Mayor Belen T. Fernandez. 

Ang dating Alkalde ay tatakbong bise Alkalde laban sa may hawak ng korona na si Vice Mayor Bryan Kua.

Si Councilor Celia naman ay makipagsabak kay reelectionist Mayor Belen T. Fernandez para makuha ang korona ng pinakamataas na elektibong posisyon sa lungsod.

Inaasahan ng karamihan dito na ang batang Lim ang kalaban sa ikatatlong pagsabak sa perennial rival na si Fernandez

Tinalo ng batang Lim si Fernandez ng may 1, 239 margin na boto noong May 14, 2019 halalan sa pagka alkalde pero nabawi ng huli sa kanya ang korona noong iniwanan niya ang una ng may 14, 457 lead votes noong May 9, 2022 na salpukan.

Dahil sa pasya ni Lim at ng Ina na agawin ang dalawang korona ay nabuhayan na naman ng loob ang karamihan sa mga botante ng nasabing second class na lungsod dahil sa napipintong Battle Royale. Mabigyan na naman sila ng pagkakataon na makakatanggap ng libo-libong salapi sa mga bumibili ng boto sa mga gabi o gabi ng “pakurong” bago bumuto sa mga presinto nila.

Ang mga pamilya nila Lim at Fernandez ay mga kilalang may ari ng chain of malls sa Regions 1 at 3 ng bansa.

Sila ang bersyon ng higanteng pamilyang negosyante na mga Gaisano na may ari ng di mabilang na Gaisano Malls sa Visayas at Mindanao.

Ang labanan ng mga Lim at Fernandez kasama ang pinsan niya na si Kua at magpapakita muli sa kapalpakan ng Commission on Election (Comelec) na hulihin ang mga bumibili ng mga boto gaya sa mga pangyayari sa huling dalawang nagdaan na eleksyon.

Karamihan ng 138,721 nakarehistrong botante (Comelec 2022) ay nakatanggap ng libo-libong peso galing sa talamak na bilihan ng boto pero kahit isa sa kanila ay walang nahuli ng nagbubulagbulagang Comelec. Nabayaran rin ba ang mga pabayang mga opisyal dito?

Umabot ng P4,000 hanggang P7,000 ang natanggap ng kada isang botante noong Mayo 9, 2022.

SLATE NG TEAM BELEN-BK AT TEAM LIFE

Inilahad ng kampo ni Lim ang ticket niya: Mayor: Celia Lim (Nationalista Party (NP)); Vice Mayor: Brian Lim (Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); Councilors: Dada Reyna-Macalanda (NPC); Red Erfe-Mejia (NP); Alvin Coquia (NP); Dr. Malou Fernandez (NP); Irene Lim (NP); Alfie Fernandez (NPC) (lahat ng mga tinukoy ay mga reelectionist); Leo Cuaton (NPC); and Teddy Villamil (NP).

Ang grupong ito ay tinatawag noon pa man na Team LIFE (pagdadaglat o abbreviation ng Lim-Fernandez)

Maghahain sila ng certificate of candidacy (CoC) nila sa Oktuber 8 – ang huling araw ng “filing” sa buong Pilipinas.

Ang kandidato nila para labanan si dating Congresswoman Gina de Venecia – naka-alyansa ni Fernandez -- ay si dating Vice Mayor Attorney Alvin Fernandez (NP).

Noong Oktubre 4 inilahad din ng kampo ni Fernandez ang slate niya noong maghain sila ng CoC sa Comelec: Mayor: Belen Fernandez (Aksyon); Vice Mayor: Bryan Kua (Aksyon); Councilors: Michael Fernandez (Aksyon), Jigs Seen (Aksyon), Chito Samson, Joey Tamayo, Danee Canto, Karlos Reyna, Marvin Fabia, Joshua Bugayong, Dra. Jalice "Jaja" Cayabyab, at Christel Hillary "Tala" Paras.

Ang Team LIFE ay magpapakilala ng mga kandidato niya sa isang press conference sa Oktubre 7 ng alas dyes ng umaga na gaganapin sa Dagupan City’s Astrodome sa nasabing siyudad. Bago sila maghain ng CoC nila ng alas otso ng umaga ng Oktubre 8, magsisimba muna sila sa St. John the Evangelist Cathedral. Ang Team LIFE ay gagamit ng asul na damit sa umaga na yaon.

Ang mga kandidato ng Team Belen-BK ay gumagamit ng damit na pula o berde.

BIR East-P'nan No. 2 in Coll. Feat in Ph

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

URDANETA, Pangasinan – Among the 22 regions in the country, the Revenue District Office No. 6 here became number two in performance collection, according to its Chief.

Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 6 Chief Ma. Susana SP. Santos cited that aside from being No. 2, her office that is based here became a consistent tax performer among the six revenue district offices in the four provinces’ Region-1.

Revenue District Office No. 6 Chief Ma. Susana SP. Santos (right)

“We surpassed our goal for the months of June and July,” Santos told Northern Watch Newspaper.

In a plaque of appreciation for being a number one goal achiever, Revenue Region No. 1 Regional Director Josephine S. Virtucio lauded RDO No. 6 Chief Santos that “Revenue District Office No. 6 Urdaneta City, Pangasinan for being the No. 1 goal achiever in this region for the month of June 2024, having collected the amount of Php270, 156, 111. 35 with an excess of Php 39, 075, 111.35 or 16.91% as compared to goal. Given this 7th day of August 2024 at the BIR Revenue Region No. 1, Calasiao, Pangasinan”.

RDO No. 6 Chief Santos said that the national government mandated the one city fifteen towns’ district with almost P3 billion tax goal to be collected this year.

Despite collecting P1 billion from January to August, Santos said the tax goal is subject to adjustment.

“Inaadjust kasi ito lagi,” she said.

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

General Caramat Retires

 RETIREMENT HONOR'S RITE of Police Major Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. (PMA '92) held at the Training Center at the Capitol Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan in October 2.

Police law mandates that personnel that reached the age of 56 years old upon his birthday automatically retires from service.

The grand rite shrouded by military/police rituals was graced by Philippines National Police Chief Director General Rommel Francisco Marbil and attended by Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III, Vice Governor Mark Lambino, members of the provincial law making body, Caramat's classmates at the Philippines Military Academy, some senior police alumni of the PMA who helped shaped the honoree's illustrious police career, municipal and village leaders of Calasiao town led by Caramat's son Patrick -- the almost unoppossed mayoralty bet of the burgeoning first class municipality -- , and other guests.

Pretty Lady Merchants of Death I Meet

 

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

I met and exchanged notes lately with two pretty merchants of death from the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) who peddle armed drones to deadly 5th generation multiple role twin- engine superiority fighter jet's Kaan at the Asian Defense and Security (ADAS) 2024 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City in September 25 to 26.

A lot of arms and munitions booths there from Turkey - a Muslim country - that sells reasonably priced death stuffs that made me envious how that country - just like the South Koreans - earns a lot of revenues while we Filipinos content ourselves to buy battles ships, attack helicopters like ATAK, and combat jets from them.

Why we could not be liked the Indonesians that collaborate with the Korean Aerospace Industries in manufacturing the twin- engine KF- 21 multiple role twin- engine 4.5 generation superiority jets that could make a run for the monies of U. S Lockheed Martin -- the maker of the F-16 Vipers?

The 2024 ADAS saw a 20 percent increase of foreign arms dealers as based on the number of booths in ADAS 2022. The Americans peddle there their accurate and lethal High Mobility Artillery System (HIMARS) and a tank.

                                                                           

Discussed on the last day of ADAS the lethality of the U.S made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) - with its insanely accurate rockets and missile through GPS - with U.S Army 2LT Art Hall.

The Lockheed Martin manufactured HIMARS was at the background while I interviewed him.

When I asked Art if he is a West Pointer (graduate of the United States Military Academy) he retorted:

“I am a West Pointer!”

"What class?"

"2023," he quipped with amusement as seen on the video.

Probably, the ramrod young warrior wondered how the heck does this yokel- reporter knows about the elite military college near the Hudson River in New York.

I digressed.

Let's go back to the deadly HIMARS that even Russian Tyrant Vladimir Putin is restless after U.S President Joe Biden announced last September 26 an additional $2.4 billion military assistance that could include the 300 kilometer reaching MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) launched by the Ukrainians through a HIMARS.

HIMARS carries a six-pack of GMLRS rockets, two Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) or one ATACMS missile, and is designed to launch the entire MLRS family of munitions.

                                                                                 ***

Saab brings its latest Gripen E multiple role mocked up fighter jet dubbed as better than the U.S made F-16 Block 70 Viper. Saab aggressively sells - as seen on my video interview with military jumpsuit clad executive of the company -- on its Gripen C and E series to the Philippines to fight its threatening neighbour Mainland China. Gripen E-series is a new fighter aircraft system. Developed to counter and defeat advanced future threats, the E-series is for customers with more pronounced threats or wider territories to secure.

***

Comparisons of the prices of the three multiple role jets the Filipino taxpayers are going to pay in case our military wants to buy a squadron (12 jets) to deter Mainland China in violating our skies and seas.

As of 2024: Jas 39 Gripen C & D Series $30 million (PhpP1.6 billion each jet); Jas 39 Gripen E &:F Series $ 85:million (PhpP 4.7 billion); F-16 Block 70/72 $ P65 million (PhpP3.6 billion each).

JAS 39 C-D Series users: South Africa, Thailand, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Hungary. JAS Series E users: Brazil and Sweden. Per research I did not find any spare parts shortage among Gripen C-D and E-F users.

According to Saab, the Gripens were designed for ease of maintenance that secure higher availability than its competitors. The Gripens can operate in extreme climates and from dispersed and unprepared road bases or airstrips. It takes less than 20 minutes with only a limited number of ground crew and equipment to refuel and rearm Gripen for an air-to-air mission, which ensures rapid re-engagement. With low maintenance requirements per flight hour, Gripen E spends less time on the ground and more time in the air.

Guico, Lambino Naghain na ng Kandidatura para 2025 Eleksyon

Maagang nagtungo si Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III at First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico sa tanggapan ng COMELEC Pangasinan Provincial Office sa Dagupan City noong October 2, 2024.

Dito, pormal nang naghain si Governor Guico ng kanyang Certificate of Candidacy (COC) para sa kanyang ikalawang termino bilang gobernador.

Kasabay ni Governor Guico sa paghahain ng kandidatura si Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino. Kasama rin niya ang kanyang

maybahay na si Atty. Melanie Lambino.

Determinado si Governor Guico na ipagpatuloy ang kanyang mga programa at adhikain para sa mas maunlad na Pangasinan.

“Mananalo po si Monmon Guico as Governor. Mananalo si Mark Lambino as Vice Governor at ang buong team Aguila. Mananalo po kami dahil konkreto ang mga programang inilalahad namin sa inyo at ginagawa na po namin ito,” pahayag ni Governor Guico sa naganap na press conference.

Nagtungo rin sa COMELEC para magpakita ng suporta ang ilang kabahagi ng AGUILA (Alyansang Guico Lambino) gaya na lamang ni 5th District Congressman Ramon “Monching” Guico Jr.

Una rito, naghain na rin ng kandidatura sa pagka-alkalde ng Urdaneta City, Pangasinan si First Lady Maan Guico.