16 August 2005
PHOTO: Boodle fight
BOODLE FIGHT, in Army language, but simply lunch or meal taken in an open area or outdoors to civilians. That’s what reservists of the Philippine Navy including Philhealth Regional Manager Ernesto Beltran (foreground, at right, in combat fatigues) are “attacking” during a break in their Disaster Response and Rescue Training held at the University of Pangasinan last week. Dr. Ofelia C. Rayos, University of Pangasinan vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College of Liberal Arts, is lady at left.
DOH: 12 prominent docs in counterfeit drugs ‘blue book’
THE Department of Health has withheld the identities of 12 doctors listed in a supposed ‘blue book’ taken from two women distributors of counterfeit medicines who were arrested by combined elements of the police and National Bureau of Investigation last Friday.
Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the Standards and Regulations Division of the Department of Health regional office, said the supposed ‘blue book’ was among those seized from Glenda Verzosa, 30, and Alma Domingo, 28, when they were arrested aboard a tricycle at a road intersection in Calasiao town.
The list included 10 prominent doctors in Pangasinan and two others from Ilocos Sur, one of whom is a local government official there.
These doctors, including a drugstore, the name of which was also withheld, were believed conduits of a big-time syndicate engaged in the manufacture, transport, distribution and sale of counterfeit drugs.
Lawmen however said this is yet to be verified saying that inclusion in a supposed ‘blue book’ does not mean anything, unless substantiated.
Jacinto witnessed the filing of the complaints against the two women suspects last Saturday before the City Prosecutors Office. Verzosa and Domingo could post bail of P60,000 each for their provisional liberty.
Verzosa and Domingo refused to reveal where they obtained the counterfeit drugs found in their possession, all of which were valued at some P600,000.
Some reports however stated that they sourced out the counterfeit medicines from a still unidentified Pakistani national whom they met in a still undisclosed place in Pangasinan.
Jacinto said about 80 percent of the medicines seized form the two women had Arabic wordings that indicated they were smuggled in from an Arab country, possibly Pakistan.
Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the Standards and Regulations Division of the Department of Health regional office, said the supposed ‘blue book’ was among those seized from Glenda Verzosa, 30, and Alma Domingo, 28, when they were arrested aboard a tricycle at a road intersection in Calasiao town.
The list included 10 prominent doctors in Pangasinan and two others from Ilocos Sur, one of whom is a local government official there.
These doctors, including a drugstore, the name of which was also withheld, were believed conduits of a big-time syndicate engaged in the manufacture, transport, distribution and sale of counterfeit drugs.
Lawmen however said this is yet to be verified saying that inclusion in a supposed ‘blue book’ does not mean anything, unless substantiated.
Jacinto witnessed the filing of the complaints against the two women suspects last Saturday before the City Prosecutors Office. Verzosa and Domingo could post bail of P60,000 each for their provisional liberty.
Verzosa and Domingo refused to reveal where they obtained the counterfeit drugs found in their possession, all of which were valued at some P600,000.
Some reports however stated that they sourced out the counterfeit medicines from a still unidentified Pakistani national whom they met in a still undisclosed place in Pangasinan.
Jacinto said about 80 percent of the medicines seized form the two women had Arabic wordings that indicated they were smuggled in from an Arab country, possibly Pakistan.
Police, NBI on trail of fake drugs gang
LAWMEN are now on the trail of a big-time syndicate involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of counterfeit medicines following the arrest of two women suspected as distributors last Friday in an entrapment operation in Calasiao town.
The suspects arrested by agents of the police and the National Bureau of Investigation were identified as Glenda Verzosa, 30, and Alma Domingo, 28, who were charged Saturday before the City Prosecutors Office in Dagupan City for violation of Republic Act No. 8203.
Both women were arrested Friday afternoon, in possession of several boxes of counterfeit medicines, consisting of tablets, capsules and vials of at least 54 assorted medicines, all worth P600,000.
They were recommended to post P60,000 bail each for their provisional liberty.
They could be in further trouble however as among the medicines they had in their possessions were several valium tablets, a prescription medicine and one of the prohibited drugs.
The two were aboard a tricycle parked near a road intersection in barangay Nalsian in Calasiao, waiting for somebody to whom they would pass the counterfeit medicines when they were accosted by elements of the Calasiao police with the help of NBI agents.
Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the Standard and Regulations Division of the Department of Health, hailed the arrest of the two as they could give further information regarding the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit medicines.
He said an inspection showed that from 80 to 85 percent of the counterfeit medicines seized from the two women had Arabic markings indicating these were smuggled from abroad.
The arrest of the two confirmed previous suspicion that Pangasinan is one of the dumping grounds for counterfeit medicines that are originating in Central Luzon and Metro Manila.
The suspects arrested by agents of the police and the National Bureau of Investigation were identified as Glenda Verzosa, 30, and Alma Domingo, 28, who were charged Saturday before the City Prosecutors Office in Dagupan City for violation of Republic Act No. 8203.
Both women were arrested Friday afternoon, in possession of several boxes of counterfeit medicines, consisting of tablets, capsules and vials of at least 54 assorted medicines, all worth P600,000.
They were recommended to post P60,000 bail each for their provisional liberty.
They could be in further trouble however as among the medicines they had in their possessions were several valium tablets, a prescription medicine and one of the prohibited drugs.
The two were aboard a tricycle parked near a road intersection in barangay Nalsian in Calasiao, waiting for somebody to whom they would pass the counterfeit medicines when they were accosted by elements of the Calasiao police with the help of NBI agents.
Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto, chief of the Standard and Regulations Division of the Department of Health, hailed the arrest of the two as they could give further information regarding the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit medicines.
He said an inspection showed that from 80 to 85 percent of the counterfeit medicines seized from the two women had Arabic markings indicating these were smuggled from abroad.
The arrest of the two confirmed previous suspicion that Pangasinan is one of the dumping grounds for counterfeit medicines that are originating in Central Luzon and Metro Manila.
6 die, 234 downed by dengue
SIX persons have died and 234 others downed by dengue fever in Pangasinan in July alone, according to a report of the provincial office of the Department of Health.
Dr. Jesus Soriano of the DOH said 154 of these were treated at the Region I Medical Center in Dagupan and 80 others at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City and various district hospitals all over the province.
Of the six fatalities, five were from Sison, near the La Uniion border, and one in Dagupan City.
The list did not include those admitted to various private hospitals.
A report said that 54 of those downed by dengue came from Binalonan, the first town in Pangasinan to declare a state of calamity which declaration was however vetoed by their municipal mayor, Ramon Guico, Jr., contending that this had no basis and that the threat of dengue in the town was not as grave.
The number of dengue cases is expected to rise further this month of August as the rainy season continues. These will however taper off starting September, healthmen report.
Soriano said fogging operations are now going on in Sison, Binalonan, Malasiqui, Bayambang, Bautista, Lingayen, Calasiao and Dagupan to drive away the aedes Aegypti mosquito that causes dengue.
He admitted however, that fogging operation is not as effective as environmental sanitation in preventing the disease.
Gov. Victor Agbayani has ordered massive fogging operations and enjoined all local officials and school heads to adopt the four o-clock habit by simultaneously cleaning their work places.
Meanwhile, in Dagupan City, only eight cases have so far been recorded from August 1 to 6, the city health office said. Last year, 33 cases were reported in August.
Dr. Jesus Soriano of the DOH said 154 of these were treated at the Region I Medical Center in Dagupan and 80 others at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City and various district hospitals all over the province.
Of the six fatalities, five were from Sison, near the La Uniion border, and one in Dagupan City.
The list did not include those admitted to various private hospitals.
A report said that 54 of those downed by dengue came from Binalonan, the first town in Pangasinan to declare a state of calamity which declaration was however vetoed by their municipal mayor, Ramon Guico, Jr., contending that this had no basis and that the threat of dengue in the town was not as grave.
The number of dengue cases is expected to rise further this month of August as the rainy season continues. These will however taper off starting September, healthmen report.
Soriano said fogging operations are now going on in Sison, Binalonan, Malasiqui, Bayambang, Bautista, Lingayen, Calasiao and Dagupan to drive away the aedes Aegypti mosquito that causes dengue.
He admitted however, that fogging operation is not as effective as environmental sanitation in preventing the disease.
Gov. Victor Agbayani has ordered massive fogging operations and enjoined all local officials and school heads to adopt the four o-clock habit by simultaneously cleaning their work places.
Meanwhile, in Dagupan City, only eight cases have so far been recorded from August 1 to 6, the city health office said. Last year, 33 cases were reported in August.
Slain veem’s family decry ‘no-news’ in PNP probe
MAPANDAN – More than a month after the vice mayor of this town was shot dead in cold blood, his widow and daughter have yet to receive a report on how far the police investigation of the case has gone.
Mrs. Eden Aquino, widow of slain Mapandan Vice Mayor Adolfo Aquino, said as far as they are concerned, nothing has so far come out of the investigation spearheaded by ‘Task Force Aquino’ personally created by PNP chief and Director General Arturo Lomibao.
Mrs. Aquino and her daughter, Sheila, aired their growing impatience over the slow-pace investigation on the killing of her husband and his driver, Victor Villanueva on July 6 this year.
Mrs. Aquino, a cashier of the Department of Education Region 4 office, belied a press statement purportedly issued by the Rehiyonal Komite, Timog Katagalugan of the New People’s Army dated July 11, 2005 and signed by one Victor Rivero that the vice mayor was executed by elements of the Lucio de Guzman Command in Mindoro.
This was purportedly due to the refusal of the vice mayor to pay his obligation to the people in Mindoro whom he reportedly tapped to work in his alleged treasure hunting activities.
Mrs. Aquino flatly denied that her late husband or their family was involved in any treasure hunting activity, much less in Mindoro.
She said the purported letter of the rebels owning up to the slaying of her husband could be a ploy by certain people to mislead investigators from finding out the true motive for the crime.
The couple’s only daughter, Sheila, 28, said they want to verify a news report of an alleged denial by no less than Communist Party of the Philippines chairman Jose Ma. Sison of the involvement of the NPA aired in one cable television station.
The Aquino mother and daughter noted with dismay that the head of the “Task Force Aquino”, Police Deputy Provincial Director Edgar Basbas, has now been named as new chief of police of Dagupan City effective last Monday. (PNA)
Mrs. Eden Aquino, widow of slain Mapandan Vice Mayor Adolfo Aquino, said as far as they are concerned, nothing has so far come out of the investigation spearheaded by ‘Task Force Aquino’ personally created by PNP chief and Director General Arturo Lomibao.
Mrs. Aquino and her daughter, Sheila, aired their growing impatience over the slow-pace investigation on the killing of her husband and his driver, Victor Villanueva on July 6 this year.
Mrs. Aquino, a cashier of the Department of Education Region 4 office, belied a press statement purportedly issued by the Rehiyonal Komite, Timog Katagalugan of the New People’s Army dated July 11, 2005 and signed by one Victor Rivero that the vice mayor was executed by elements of the Lucio de Guzman Command in Mindoro.
This was purportedly due to the refusal of the vice mayor to pay his obligation to the people in Mindoro whom he reportedly tapped to work in his alleged treasure hunting activities.
Mrs. Aquino flatly denied that her late husband or their family was involved in any treasure hunting activity, much less in Mindoro.
She said the purported letter of the rebels owning up to the slaying of her husband could be a ploy by certain people to mislead investigators from finding out the true motive for the crime.
The couple’s only daughter, Sheila, 28, said they want to verify a news report of an alleged denial by no less than Communist Party of the Philippines chairman Jose Ma. Sison of the involvement of the NPA aired in one cable television station.
The Aquino mother and daughter noted with dismay that the head of the “Task Force Aquino”, Police Deputy Provincial Director Edgar Basbas, has now been named as new chief of police of Dagupan City effective last Monday. (PNA)
Basbas takes over Dagupan PNP post
By SHEILA HORTALEZA-AQUINOTHE Dagupan City Police Station (DCPS) has a brand new police chief.
P/Supt. Edgar Basbas was named to replace Police Supt. Noli Taliño during a formal turnover of command held August 9 at the police station
City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim and Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Alan Purisima led the program, each expressing support to the new police chief.
Taliño, who was officer-in-charge of the DCPS for only 34 days, will be taking over as chief of the intelligence and investigation branch of the Police Provincial Office.
“The great challenge is for the police to earn the respect of the community and eventually, receive their support in the campaign for peace and order,” Lim said.
In terms of support from the local government unit, the mayor said more than enough has been given to the city police to make it function effectively.
Lim later bared a plan to transfer the DCPS to a bigger, long unoccupied building fronting the station. He sought the help of Purisima to allocate funds to improve the building and provide equipment, computers, cars, ammunitions and protective gear.
The Philippine National Police is reportedly allocating P2 million to P3 million for the construction of a new building for the DCPS, according to the mayor, which can be channeled instead to providing equipment and facilities for the city police since there is now a ready building for occupancy.
Lim later challenged Basbas to perform his task better while declaring his admiration to men in uniform because they follow order of turnover of posts without any resistance “or the need for impeachment.”
Basbas expressed full awareness of the DCPS being a consistent regional and national awardee of the PNP. He said he will do his best to maintain such achievement.
He called for community cooperation in the fight against criminality.
Purisima later gave a clearer perspective on the turnover of command among police officers. “This is a way to help them improve their careers and experience as police officers so that it will be easier for them to get a promotion,” Purisima said as he called on the city policemen to perform their task well.
MALIMGAS MARKET:Can outdoor ads, radio plugs bring in the buyers?
HOPING to stem the tide of voluntary closures among stallowners at the Malimgas Public Market who have decried poor sales in their stalls, the city council here has called for more outdoor advertisements as well as radio and television plugs to attract more buyers at the market.
Forty-eight stalls have closed so far, many of these for dry goods located in the second floor of the office where there are noticeably “more sellers than buyers.”
The first floor of the edifice, designated as wet market, is the only one earning yet because it is where the people are buying all their necessities.
The third floor of the market that is designed for car parking is not earning anything.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan argued that stallowners who have closed shops were old market stallholders who were given first priority to move to the new market without any precondition.
He considers many of these as mere speculators who have no plan to do business in the new market, thinking that they can sub-lease their stalls like what they did in the old market.
He is optimistic that business will be a little bit faster in the new market soon with the voluntary departure of the “speculators.”
Forty-eight stalls have closed so far, many of these for dry goods located in the second floor of the office where there are noticeably “more sellers than buyers.”
The first floor of the edifice, designated as wet market, is the only one earning yet because it is where the people are buying all their necessities.
The third floor of the market that is designed for car parking is not earning anything.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan argued that stallowners who have closed shops were old market stallholders who were given first priority to move to the new market without any precondition.
He considers many of these as mere speculators who have no plan to do business in the new market, thinking that they can sub-lease their stalls like what they did in the old market.
He is optimistic that business will be a little bit faster in the new market soon with the voluntary departure of the “speculators.”
City Hall men give blood for PNRC bank
THE City Health Office conducted a blood letting/blood donation activity among city government employees on August 5 at the City Museum in coordination with the Philippine National Red Cross Dagupan Chapter and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologies, Pangasinan Chapter.
Some 30 bags of blood were collected from volunteers.
“This is in preparation for the full implementation of a voluntary blood donation services project in the 31 barangays in the city called ‘Blood Saves Lives’,” the city health officer said. The participants were given health cards that entitles them priority assistance in case they request for blood donation.
The activity not only augmented and replenished the existing inventory of blood at the Red Cross, but also established a registry of voluntary blood donors among city government employees and a record of their blood type. (Sheila H. Aquino)
Some 30 bags of blood were collected from volunteers.
“This is in preparation for the full implementation of a voluntary blood donation services project in the 31 barangays in the city called ‘Blood Saves Lives’,” the city health officer said. The participants were given health cards that entitles them priority assistance in case they request for blood donation.
The activity not only augmented and replenished the existing inventory of blood at the Red Cross, but also established a registry of voluntary blood donors among city government employees and a record of their blood type. (Sheila H. Aquino)
Agbayani: Thank you, Mirant!
PANGASINAN Governor Victor Agbayani hailed the decision of Mirant Philippines to finally settle its tax obligations to the province saying that with the new money collected, the province could now pursue construction of classrooms to ease the schoolbuilding backlog in the province.
Provincial Administrator and concurrent Provincial Legal Officer Virgilio Solis, Jr. said payment of this huge tax obligation amounting to P196,479,023.26 was the culmination of a two-year legal battle between the provincial government and Mirant, one of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the Philippines.
Mirant operates the 1,200 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Sual town.
The provincial government went to court when Mirant stopped its payment of real property tax in the second quarter of 2003, contending that it is tax-exempt as the Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant is a build-operate-transfer project to be eventually owned by the National Power Corporation after 25 years.
The amount paid by Mirant, he said, will be shared by the provincial government, the municipality of Sual and barangay Pangascasan where the Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant is located.
Based on Tax Ordinance No. 1, series of 1992 of Pangasinan province, one half of the real property tax collection or P98,239,511 million will go to the Special Education Fund to be divided between the provincial school board of Pangasinan, and the municipal school board of Sual.
The other half of the basic tax will be divided among the province which will get 35 percent or P34,383,829 million, the municipal government of Sual, 40 percent or P39,295,804 million; and barangay Pangascasan, 25 percent or P24,559,877 million.
Solis said that Pangasinan’s share of P34,383,829 million from the basic tax will go to the general fund to be appropriated for projects thru a supplemental budget to be enacted by the provincial board.
Provincial Administrator and concurrent Provincial Legal Officer Virgilio Solis, Jr. said payment of this huge tax obligation amounting to P196,479,023.26 was the culmination of a two-year legal battle between the provincial government and Mirant, one of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the Philippines.
Mirant operates the 1,200 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Sual town.
The provincial government went to court when Mirant stopped its payment of real property tax in the second quarter of 2003, contending that it is tax-exempt as the Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant is a build-operate-transfer project to be eventually owned by the National Power Corporation after 25 years.
The amount paid by Mirant, he said, will be shared by the provincial government, the municipality of Sual and barangay Pangascasan where the Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant is located.
Based on Tax Ordinance No. 1, series of 1992 of Pangasinan province, one half of the real property tax collection or P98,239,511 million will go to the Special Education Fund to be divided between the provincial school board of Pangasinan, and the municipal school board of Sual.
The other half of the basic tax will be divided among the province which will get 35 percent or P34,383,829 million, the municipal government of Sual, 40 percent or P39,295,804 million; and barangay Pangascasan, 25 percent or P24,559,877 million.
Solis said that Pangasinan’s share of P34,383,829 million from the basic tax will go to the general fund to be appropriated for projects thru a supplemental budget to be enacted by the provincial board.
Alcala veem proposes a park on earthdike
ALCALA – A park on the dike.
The engaging eco-tourism prospects of such an idea is now being seriously studied by Vice Mayor Clemente Arboleda, Jr. of this town in his desire to breath life to an otherwise drab earthdike of the Agno river in sitio Patalan, barangay San Pedro Ili here.
Arboleda, who owns several farms in the area, said he has made initial talks with Engr. Fidel Ginez, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 1 and project manager of the Agno Flood Control System for the construction of a public park at the dike.
While Ginez is initially unreceptive to the idea, saying that a dike is “first and foremost a flood control structure,” the DPWH chief supposedly believes some other better practical uses can be made of the earthdike, given enough and thorough studies in cooperation with barangay and town officials.
Arboleda said he is not giving up easily however as he cited the Dipalo river in San Quintin that crosses into a national park The park was declared thru a bill sponsored by then Senator Loren Legarda. The park is now known far and wide and visited by picnickers and various outdoor-lovers who wish to enjoy rustic sceneries while swimming,eating or having fun as a group.
“Such a sprawling area as that earthdike in San Pedro Ili should not be confined to being a road and dike,” Arboleda said. “I really believe in turning the area into a theme park , or even a promenade area , even only in the summer.
Other local officials said people who have visited the earthdike commonly comment on its tourism potential , saying it affords a view all around “that calms the senses and nerves.”
The engaging eco-tourism prospects of such an idea is now being seriously studied by Vice Mayor Clemente Arboleda, Jr. of this town in his desire to breath life to an otherwise drab earthdike of the Agno river in sitio Patalan, barangay San Pedro Ili here.
Arboleda, who owns several farms in the area, said he has made initial talks with Engr. Fidel Ginez, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 1 and project manager of the Agno Flood Control System for the construction of a public park at the dike.
While Ginez is initially unreceptive to the idea, saying that a dike is “first and foremost a flood control structure,” the DPWH chief supposedly believes some other better practical uses can be made of the earthdike, given enough and thorough studies in cooperation with barangay and town officials.
Arboleda said he is not giving up easily however as he cited the Dipalo river in San Quintin that crosses into a national park The park was declared thru a bill sponsored by then Senator Loren Legarda. The park is now known far and wide and visited by picnickers and various outdoor-lovers who wish to enjoy rustic sceneries while swimming,eating or having fun as a group.
“Such a sprawling area as that earthdike in San Pedro Ili should not be confined to being a road and dike,” Arboleda said. “I really believe in turning the area into a theme park , or even a promenade area , even only in the summer.
Other local officials said people who have visited the earthdike commonly comment on its tourism potential , saying it affords a view all around “that calms the senses and nerves.”
PHOTO: Commendation
Provincial officials led by Gov. Victor E. Agbayani and Vice Gov. Oscar B. Lambino present to Police Chief Superintendent Leopoldo N. Bataoil a replica of the resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan commending the general for his “unparalleled” accomplishments and achievements in his career as police officer. Bataoil, public information officer and spokesman of the Philippine National Police, hails from Lingayen and served as provincial police director in the province in 2001 (PIO Photo/Bob Sison)
City to tap Awai water in future
IN the next few years, the city of Dagupan may draw water from San Jacinto town, some 27 kilometers to the north-east in case its wells dry up or become severely affected by salt water intrusion.
The water may be pumped from barangay Awai in San Jacinto, where the city bought a 30-hectare property in 2001 for multi-purpose use--water source, relocation site for squatters and site for sanitary landfill.
Last week’s tree planting activity in the area spearheaded by both Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim and San Jacinto Mayor Rodolfo Columbres, along with the personnel of the Dagupan City Water District and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, confirmed the plan of the city to generate potable water from the area.
The move envisions to create a big watershed area and a forest park that can be harnessed for potable water to be conveyed by gravity irrigation via a long pipepine to Dagupan City, which is now experiencing some problems of water intrusion in its wells.
This appeared to indicate that Dagupan City has already junked its plan to convert part of the 30-hectare property as site for sanitary landfill, a move strongly opposed by San Jacinto Mayor Columbres and his constituents.
A memorandum of agreement signed by Lim, DCWD General Manager Ramon Reyna and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Rogelio Pimentel during the tree planting activity sought the conversion of a large part of the property into a watershed area and a forest park.
Regular tree planting activities by city government employees of Dagupan will soon be scheduled in the area, till it becomes a forest resort and a watershed.
As a possible water source, the area could be an ideal place because today, some parts are inundated by rain and run-off water from adjacent rolling hills.
Bought by Dagupan at P16 million, the property is adjacent to a big parcel of land in barangay Lobong owned by the Duque family which itself may be converted into an exclusive golf course. (PNA)
The water may be pumped from barangay Awai in San Jacinto, where the city bought a 30-hectare property in 2001 for multi-purpose use--water source, relocation site for squatters and site for sanitary landfill.
Last week’s tree planting activity in the area spearheaded by both Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim and San Jacinto Mayor Rodolfo Columbres, along with the personnel of the Dagupan City Water District and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, confirmed the plan of the city to generate potable water from the area.
The move envisions to create a big watershed area and a forest park that can be harnessed for potable water to be conveyed by gravity irrigation via a long pipepine to Dagupan City, which is now experiencing some problems of water intrusion in its wells.
This appeared to indicate that Dagupan City has already junked its plan to convert part of the 30-hectare property as site for sanitary landfill, a move strongly opposed by San Jacinto Mayor Columbres and his constituents.
A memorandum of agreement signed by Lim, DCWD General Manager Ramon Reyna and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Rogelio Pimentel during the tree planting activity sought the conversion of a large part of the property into a watershed area and a forest park.
Regular tree planting activities by city government employees of Dagupan will soon be scheduled in the area, till it becomes a forest resort and a watershed.
As a possible water source, the area could be an ideal place because today, some parts are inundated by rain and run-off water from adjacent rolling hills.
Bought by Dagupan at P16 million, the property is adjacent to a big parcel of land in barangay Lobong owned by the Duque family which itself may be converted into an exclusive golf course. (PNA)
Anti-child abuse measures readied
LINGAYEN – Concerned about the rising number of child abuse and exploitation in Pangasinan, the provincial government will soon launch a more specific program on child health care and development.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Emilio Samson said Gov. Victor Agbayani will spearhead the program that will institute measures to address the issue of child abuse and exploitation.
Being planned for implementation is a three-year program seeking among others to conduct training in early child care and case management on child and women abuse and exploitation that will be supported by the Council for the Welfare of Children based in Manila.
Samson said at least five municipalities will be chosen by the province as pilot areas. These will be chosen according to their malnutrition rate, cases of school drop-out and cases of abused children.
The proposed program complements the various programs of the provincial government serving the interest of the Pangasinan youth that are already in place.
Among these are the ‘Kalusugan sa Barangay’, provincial scholarship program, Camp Victory Pangasinan, ‘Sumbong Musmos’, Operation Dagdag Timbang’ and others. (PNA)
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Emilio Samson said Gov. Victor Agbayani will spearhead the program that will institute measures to address the issue of child abuse and exploitation.
Being planned for implementation is a three-year program seeking among others to conduct training in early child care and case management on child and women abuse and exploitation that will be supported by the Council for the Welfare of Children based in Manila.
Samson said at least five municipalities will be chosen by the province as pilot areas. These will be chosen according to their malnutrition rate, cases of school drop-out and cases of abused children.
The proposed program complements the various programs of the provincial government serving the interest of the Pangasinan youth that are already in place.
Among these are the ‘Kalusugan sa Barangay’, provincial scholarship program, Camp Victory Pangasinan, ‘Sumbong Musmos’, Operation Dagdag Timbang’ and others. (PNA)
PFCCC donates 8 schoolbuildngs
EIGHT school buildings for public schools were turned over by the Pangasinan Filipino- Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PFCCC) to the city government in ceremonies held August 11 at the Star Plaza Hotel. City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim and Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez thanked PFCCC President Edison Soriano for his group’s continuous support to the city government.
The new structures are located in the Caranglaan Elementary School (1), Bolosan Elementary School (2), Pantal Elementary School (1), Sabangan Elementary School (1), Gueset Elementary School (1) and the Bonuan Boquig Elementary School (1) and High School (1).
Five school buildings were also constructed in Sta. Barbara in Minien (1), Maningding (1), Matic-Matic (1) and at the Banaoang Elementary School (2), bringing the total number of donated buildings to 13. (SHEILA H. AQUINO)
The new structures are located in the Caranglaan Elementary School (1), Bolosan Elementary School (2), Pantal Elementary School (1), Sabangan Elementary School (1), Gueset Elementary School (1) and the Bonuan Boquig Elementary School (1) and High School (1).
Five school buildings were also constructed in Sta. Barbara in Minien (1), Maningding (1), Matic-Matic (1) and at the Banaoang Elementary School (2), bringing the total number of donated buildings to 13. (SHEILA H. AQUINO)
Baraan pooh-poohs ‘privatization’ yarn for Malimgas market
THE new modern Malimgas market will continue to operate as a public market contrary to rumors that its second floor will be given to a private group connected to the city mayor which operates a local chain of malls, a City Hall official stressed Wednesday.
City Administrator Rafael Baraan laughed off the allegation saying Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, whose family operates the Magic chain of malls in Pangasinan, is decent enough and will never venture into such idea. Stall occupants at the second floor have asked the city government to reduce the rentals because of poor sales. Some stalls have already been closed, according to reports.
The city administration appeared unperturbed by the exodus of many stallholders. Baraan said persons with business acumen will be given the opportunity to occupy the closed stalls and that’s that.
He claimed that many such businessmen are just waiting in the sidelines.
He said the old practice by some of selling their stall rights to others will no longer be allowed. If the stall owner could no longer operate his stall, the city will jut give it to another, he pointed out.
Dagupan built the new market building thru a P280 million loan with the Land Bank. The building is equipped with an airconditioning facility, an escalator and parking spaces at the third and fourth floors.
Judging from its short operation so far, it appeared the planners missed some crucial marketing points, it was observed. The market started operating early this year.
Meanwhile, the anti-hawking division stepped up its campaign against ambulant vendors.
Market stallowners have complained that the presence of sidewalk vendors is one factor greatly affecting their duly sales.
But Gutierrez, who heads the division, admitted that ambulant vendors again sprouted in the side streets for the past months. The recent acquisition of a new truck to haul goods sold by the sidewalk vendors will help them get rid of hardheaded vendors, he added. (PIA/DOS)
City Administrator Rafael Baraan laughed off the allegation saying Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, whose family operates the Magic chain of malls in Pangasinan, is decent enough and will never venture into such idea. Stall occupants at the second floor have asked the city government to reduce the rentals because of poor sales. Some stalls have already been closed, according to reports.
The city administration appeared unperturbed by the exodus of many stallholders. Baraan said persons with business acumen will be given the opportunity to occupy the closed stalls and that’s that.
He claimed that many such businessmen are just waiting in the sidelines.
He said the old practice by some of selling their stall rights to others will no longer be allowed. If the stall owner could no longer operate his stall, the city will jut give it to another, he pointed out.
Dagupan built the new market building thru a P280 million loan with the Land Bank. The building is equipped with an airconditioning facility, an escalator and parking spaces at the third and fourth floors.
Judging from its short operation so far, it appeared the planners missed some crucial marketing points, it was observed. The market started operating early this year.
Meanwhile, the anti-hawking division stepped up its campaign against ambulant vendors.
Market stallowners have complained that the presence of sidewalk vendors is one factor greatly affecting their duly sales.
But Gutierrez, who heads the division, admitted that ambulant vendors again sprouted in the side streets for the past months. The recent acquisition of a new truck to haul goods sold by the sidewalk vendors will help them get rid of hardheaded vendors, he added. (PIA/DOS)
San Marino project urged to answer with documents
THE San Marino project on Bonuan road, this city appears to be having difficulty producing proper documents needed and required by the city government to justify its present riverside land development project.
This became evident during an initial consultative meeting called by two city task forces with the private developers who sent a representative, Engr. Jurie Claros to explain their position but could not produce the required papers.
The meeting sought to get the answer of the San Marino Project of the Managen Land Development group on charges leveled against it for encroachment, mangrove destruction, zoning violations, illegal/unauthorized land use conversion and river easement violation.
Among other documents being sought by the city’s Task Force on Comprehensive Survey, Recovery and Management of Public Land and Task Force on Housing and Squatter Relocation are the company’s application for an accreted area from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and permits and clearances for the project from the Housing and land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Agriculture.
The task force on comprehensive survey and recovery of public lands headed by Executive Asst. Teofilo Gallang also wanted to see the Managen’s rehabilitation and management plan to avoid destruction of mangrove trees along the river, an acknowledged deterrent to riverbank soil erosion.
Claros failed to answer the task forces’ queries satisfactorily, prompting the city representatives to demand the company’s submission of its formal explanations and proposals “as soon as possible” before the city undertakes adverse action against it.
Gallang said Managen officers should take advantage of the city government’s extended offer for the company to submit its own proposed solutions to the problem that would be beneficial to itself and to the city.
The task force members pointed out that the area being developed by Managen is considered among the eco-critical and protected area of the city.
Gallang bared that Mayor Benjamin S. Lim has a plan to establish a marina or wharf in a portion of the San Marino’s accreted land in line with the mayor’s wish to develop water transportation as an alternative means of people and goods’ movement in the city
Executive Assistant Teddy Villamil also called attention to Sangguniang Panglunsod Res. No. 4197-2003 urging the mayor to strictly implement the provisions of R.A.7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act which requires subdivision developers to allocate 20% of their subdiviision, townhouse or housing projects for socialized housing.
This became evident during an initial consultative meeting called by two city task forces with the private developers who sent a representative, Engr. Jurie Claros to explain their position but could not produce the required papers.
The meeting sought to get the answer of the San Marino Project of the Managen Land Development group on charges leveled against it for encroachment, mangrove destruction, zoning violations, illegal/unauthorized land use conversion and river easement violation.
Among other documents being sought by the city’s Task Force on Comprehensive Survey, Recovery and Management of Public Land and Task Force on Housing and Squatter Relocation are the company’s application for an accreted area from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and permits and clearances for the project from the Housing and land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Agriculture.
The task force on comprehensive survey and recovery of public lands headed by Executive Asst. Teofilo Gallang also wanted to see the Managen’s rehabilitation and management plan to avoid destruction of mangrove trees along the river, an acknowledged deterrent to riverbank soil erosion.
Claros failed to answer the task forces’ queries satisfactorily, prompting the city representatives to demand the company’s submission of its formal explanations and proposals “as soon as possible” before the city undertakes adverse action against it.
Gallang said Managen officers should take advantage of the city government’s extended offer for the company to submit its own proposed solutions to the problem that would be beneficial to itself and to the city.
The task force members pointed out that the area being developed by Managen is considered among the eco-critical and protected area of the city.
Gallang bared that Mayor Benjamin S. Lim has a plan to establish a marina or wharf in a portion of the San Marino’s accreted land in line with the mayor’s wish to develop water transportation as an alternative means of people and goods’ movement in the city
Executive Assistant Teddy Villamil also called attention to Sangguniang Panglunsod Res. No. 4197-2003 urging the mayor to strictly implement the provisions of R.A.7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act which requires subdivision developers to allocate 20% of their subdiviision, townhouse or housing projects for socialized housing.
FEATURE: The Star, Through the Years
AUGUST 17, 1985.
IT actually started out on that date as the Pioneer Herald, the product of a journalistic “itch” of the late colorful newsman Herminio A. Manantan teaming up with the late Dominador P. Navarro, former editor of The Weekly Reporter, the first offset-printed newspaper in Pangasinan in the 70s. The duo contracted then banker-printer Delfin Tandoc for the printing of a forgettable number of copies at the latter’s Mayombo printing press. When Manantan died, Navarro and Tandoc took in Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr., who in turn scouted for a financier and found it in his former University of Pangasinan pal and newly-passed lawyer Rodrigo V. Coquia. The editorial office was located, on Coquia’s voluntary offer, at the lawyer-trader’s feeds supply store along Burgos St., this city..By this time, the newspaper had been renamed The Pangasinan Examine with Tandoc still the printer.
The partnership was short-lived though and Coquia, after a few issues of the newspaper, went out.
Left with nothing but their editorial zeal and a few pesos for printing payment, Navarro and Hortaleza accepted Tandoc’s proffer to be part of the newspaper. Years of smooth operation followed until a parting of ways ensued between Tandoc on one hand, and Navarro and Hortaleza, on the other after the former took in more and more staff members whose idea of newspapering did not exactly jibe with Navarro and Hortaleza’s own. Hortaleza was first to leave when the situation became really uncomfortable for him; Navarro stayed on for a few months more only to decide to quit the “team” too.
The two struck out on their own carrying their Pangasinan Examiner banner even as Tandoc insisted on using the same masthead, By that time, the late writer Armando R. Ravanzo, advertising lady Evangeline S. Estrada and budding reporter-columnist Danny O. Sagun had joined the Navarro-Hortaleza group, boosting both its editorial and business wheels.
A messy court battle followed that led all the way to the Court of Appeals where the wise magistrates, recognizing that the name Examiner was “generic,” ruled that Navarro and Hortaleza’s paper can retain use of the brand name “Pangasinan” and Tandoc’s, the name “Regional”, complete with distinct color code for each: green masthead for the first and blue for the latter.
Thus did the Pangasinan Examiner and Regional Examiner came into peaceful co-existence.
The emergence of more newspapers in the province and region using the generic name “Examiner” prompted an editorial reexamination of options, considering that a number of these “Examiners” were giving journalism a bad name. After a careful weighing of the pros and cons, the Pangasinan Examiner was rechristened The Pangasinan Star by Hortaleza, then already wielding much of the blue pencil job in the paper as Navarro became too busy as general manager of the Lingayen Water District, managing to submit only an occasional column when the inspiration hits him. The paper’s new name was registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and re-entered as such at the Postal Office on May, 1992.
Thus began the saga of The Pangasinan Star, getting the right mix of editorial and advertising people on a trial-and- error basis until it achieved a steady keel by 2000, or a little after that year.
TODAY, AUGUST 17, 2005, minus the cheerful company of Navarro who has written 30 and had joined other newspaper buddies like Armando Ravanzo in the Great Beyond, the Pangasinan Star runs a weekly regular course with both old hands like Hortaleza, Estrada and Sagun, old but new hire Gabriel “Ging” Cardinoza, and newbloods like Venus May H. Sarmiento, Sheila H. Aquino, Christopher “Butch” Uka, Ilet Breguera, Esther H. Rivera, Miriam R. Abulencia, Raul M. Hortaleza, Roland Naoe, Jerald Chuson and Rod Saingan pooling talents and resources together to keep the Star shining.
Twenty long years of independent publishing, beholden to no political figure, owing allegiance to no civic or business entity and existing purely on its own creative juices and business acumen, The Pangasinan Star will probably celebrate its Golden Anniversary yet.
After all, come to think of it, that’s just some 30 short years away. Peanuts!
IT actually started out on that date as the Pioneer Herald, the product of a journalistic “itch” of the late colorful newsman Herminio A. Manantan teaming up with the late Dominador P. Navarro, former editor of The Weekly Reporter, the first offset-printed newspaper in Pangasinan in the 70s. The duo contracted then banker-printer Delfin Tandoc for the printing of a forgettable number of copies at the latter’s Mayombo printing press. When Manantan died, Navarro and Tandoc took in Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr., who in turn scouted for a financier and found it in his former University of Pangasinan pal and newly-passed lawyer Rodrigo V. Coquia. The editorial office was located, on Coquia’s voluntary offer, at the lawyer-trader’s feeds supply store along Burgos St., this city..By this time, the newspaper had been renamed The Pangasinan Examine with Tandoc still the printer.
The partnership was short-lived though and Coquia, after a few issues of the newspaper, went out.
Left with nothing but their editorial zeal and a few pesos for printing payment, Navarro and Hortaleza accepted Tandoc’s proffer to be part of the newspaper. Years of smooth operation followed until a parting of ways ensued between Tandoc on one hand, and Navarro and Hortaleza, on the other after the former took in more and more staff members whose idea of newspapering did not exactly jibe with Navarro and Hortaleza’s own. Hortaleza was first to leave when the situation became really uncomfortable for him; Navarro stayed on for a few months more only to decide to quit the “team” too.
The two struck out on their own carrying their Pangasinan Examiner banner even as Tandoc insisted on using the same masthead, By that time, the late writer Armando R. Ravanzo, advertising lady Evangeline S. Estrada and budding reporter-columnist Danny O. Sagun had joined the Navarro-Hortaleza group, boosting both its editorial and business wheels.
A messy court battle followed that led all the way to the Court of Appeals where the wise magistrates, recognizing that the name Examiner was “generic,” ruled that Navarro and Hortaleza’s paper can retain use of the brand name “Pangasinan” and Tandoc’s, the name “Regional”, complete with distinct color code for each: green masthead for the first and blue for the latter.
Thus did the Pangasinan Examiner and Regional Examiner came into peaceful co-existence.
The emergence of more newspapers in the province and region using the generic name “Examiner” prompted an editorial reexamination of options, considering that a number of these “Examiners” were giving journalism a bad name. After a careful weighing of the pros and cons, the Pangasinan Examiner was rechristened The Pangasinan Star by Hortaleza, then already wielding much of the blue pencil job in the paper as Navarro became too busy as general manager of the Lingayen Water District, managing to submit only an occasional column when the inspiration hits him. The paper’s new name was registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and re-entered as such at the Postal Office on May, 1992.
Thus began the saga of The Pangasinan Star, getting the right mix of editorial and advertising people on a trial-and- error basis until it achieved a steady keel by 2000, or a little after that year.
TODAY, AUGUST 17, 2005, minus the cheerful company of Navarro who has written 30 and had joined other newspaper buddies like Armando Ravanzo in the Great Beyond, the Pangasinan Star runs a weekly regular course with both old hands like Hortaleza, Estrada and Sagun, old but new hire Gabriel “Ging” Cardinoza, and newbloods like Venus May H. Sarmiento, Sheila H. Aquino, Christopher “Butch” Uka, Ilet Breguera, Esther H. Rivera, Miriam R. Abulencia, Raul M. Hortaleza, Roland Naoe, Jerald Chuson and Rod Saingan pooling talents and resources together to keep the Star shining.
Twenty long years of independent publishing, beholden to no political figure, owing allegiance to no civic or business entity and existing purely on its own creative juices and business acumen, The Pangasinan Star will probably celebrate its Golden Anniversary yet.
After all, come to think of it, that’s just some 30 short years away. Peanuts!
OPINION: Mas marakep nin talaga so day coding
SAYAN INDIO
Mario F. Karateka
DIAD kasampotan, say pankaabigay baley – laotlaray lumulugan tan opereytors na luluganan pampubliko – so naikday lugar ed siyudad na Dagupan.
Say tutukuyen ko et say impangaproba na Konseho Ciudad ed samay ordinansad trapiko ya mangipasompal na samay tatawagen a”Modfied Day Coding System” o mas kabkabat ed tawag a “Odd-Even Traffic Scheme.”
Impireg na konseho so mas lablalaby lawari na saray draybers laotlaray kabiangay Piston (Pinagisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide) ya “Card System” ya sinali met na siyudad nen akaonan parte na taon antis na panlukas na iskuela balet akaani na dakel ya negatibon komento aliwalabatlad saray lumulugan no ag ingen pati diad saray draybers mismo.
Pigaran miting tan pablik hiring met so ginawa ed no antoy sankarakpan ya sistemay trapikod siudad tan angipresenta met so Piston na papel ton onsusunggay ed Modified Day Coding System ed saray konsehales tan say Pablik Order en Septi Opis (POSO). Imbagaran diad say card system maminliman telek ed dawtawan iray dyip da balet diad silong na Day Coding, labindua anggad labinliman telek so dyip paneknek konon mas makakabelat na trapiko so Day Coding.
Inkuandani ya diad card, sakey agew labat iran manpainawa balet duay agew ed day coding labay ton ibaga duay agew iran andiay anap parad pamilya da komparad sanagew labat ya panmeneng da no card. Dakel niray dalatdat dan kakapoyan na “day coding system” nen otit ya impanmiting sanen Hulyo 25 pati say mas pakagasgas kono na bokel o dalig da tan say “change oil”, puwera niy maabak konod gasolina so “day coding” ta maminpigan telek so dyip lanti.
Makapakelaw balet agda kinablit so pakakalmo da.
Onong ed si Mr. Robert Erfe-Mejia, mas baleg so nanaalmoan na draybers ed day coding nen say card system – ta siyempre met, no mas dakel so liber o telek da, mas dakel so nailugan dan pasaheros tan siyempre mas baleg so anap. Akin balet et saray opereytors ibabagaran daiset so intriga na draybers no day-coding ey?
Ah, kinuwenta la nen Mr. Mejia so almo kada telek tan onliligadad P700 anggad sanlibo sanagew manaya ed regular ya napnon dyipni, inekal lay gasolina. No mas melag nen satan so iyiintriga na draybers, nepeg mansukait laray opereytors sirin.
Mario F. Karateka
DIAD kasampotan, say pankaabigay baley – laotlaray lumulugan tan opereytors na luluganan pampubliko – so naikday lugar ed siyudad na Dagupan.
Say tutukuyen ko et say impangaproba na Konseho Ciudad ed samay ordinansad trapiko ya mangipasompal na samay tatawagen a”Modfied Day Coding System” o mas kabkabat ed tawag a “Odd-Even Traffic Scheme.”
Impireg na konseho so mas lablalaby lawari na saray draybers laotlaray kabiangay Piston (Pinagisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide) ya “Card System” ya sinali met na siyudad nen akaonan parte na taon antis na panlukas na iskuela balet akaani na dakel ya negatibon komento aliwalabatlad saray lumulugan no ag ingen pati diad saray draybers mismo.
Pigaran miting tan pablik hiring met so ginawa ed no antoy sankarakpan ya sistemay trapikod siudad tan angipresenta met so Piston na papel ton onsusunggay ed Modified Day Coding System ed saray konsehales tan say Pablik Order en Septi Opis (POSO). Imbagaran diad say card system maminliman telek ed dawtawan iray dyip da balet diad silong na Day Coding, labindua anggad labinliman telek so dyip paneknek konon mas makakabelat na trapiko so Day Coding.
Inkuandani ya diad card, sakey agew labat iran manpainawa balet duay agew ed day coding labay ton ibaga duay agew iran andiay anap parad pamilya da komparad sanagew labat ya panmeneng da no card. Dakel niray dalatdat dan kakapoyan na “day coding system” nen otit ya impanmiting sanen Hulyo 25 pati say mas pakagasgas kono na bokel o dalig da tan say “change oil”, puwera niy maabak konod gasolina so “day coding” ta maminpigan telek so dyip lanti.
Makapakelaw balet agda kinablit so pakakalmo da.
Onong ed si Mr. Robert Erfe-Mejia, mas baleg so nanaalmoan na draybers ed day coding nen say card system – ta siyempre met, no mas dakel so liber o telek da, mas dakel so nailugan dan pasaheros tan siyempre mas baleg so anap. Akin balet et saray opereytors ibabagaran daiset so intriga na draybers no day-coding ey?
Ah, kinuwenta la nen Mr. Mejia so almo kada telek tan onliligadad P700 anggad sanlibo sanagew manaya ed regular ya napnon dyipni, inekal lay gasolina. No mas melag nen satan so iyiintriga na draybers, nepeg mansukait laray opereytors sirin.
EDITORIAL: Why we never give up
EVERYTIME we are on the verge of giving up, and this due to severe economic difficulty, not the least of which is paying the office rent, power and water, something welcome always comes up. To perk up our sagging spirit, to inspire us to keep faith and wait for the sun shining behind the dark clouds.
In the case of The Pangasinan Star’s 20th anniversary on August 17, the beacon was our breaking into the internet thru the so-called Blog, a free “web log” (that’s how the blog word was derived) service which makes use of a special software that makes writing one’s thoughts, indeed, even news, on the internet simpler And the writer is still assured his penned (or encoded) musings can reach a mass audience in various parts of the world.
This revolutionary means of disseminating information and opinion first created and offered by Pyra Labs, a small San Francisco-based technology company, was recently purchased by Google, the search engine company, further boosting the “art” of blogging in the Net.
Outside of making itself financially viable, a newspaper like the Pangasinan Star has to constantly strive to achieve wider circulation. Most provincial newspapers, sadly, have little of both. With the advent of “blogging”, The Pangasinan Star can look forward to a much wider circulation beyond Philippine shores; the over a hundred visitors to our blogspot so far this week – and growing -- is guarantee and proof enough of our
somehow making it in the circulation part. What’s left now for the editors and business staff is to fill up the profit part substantially as we enter our 21st year in the community newspaper business.
This latter challenge of course is a never-ending one, but having survived all of 20 years in this field amid all past economic difficulties, we just feel The Pangasinan Star will overcome.
See you on this page same time next year!
In the case of The Pangasinan Star’s 20th anniversary on August 17, the beacon was our breaking into the internet thru the so-called Blog, a free “web log” (that’s how the blog word was derived) service which makes use of a special software that makes writing one’s thoughts, indeed, even news, on the internet simpler And the writer is still assured his penned (or encoded) musings can reach a mass audience in various parts of the world.
This revolutionary means of disseminating information and opinion first created and offered by Pyra Labs, a small San Francisco-based technology company, was recently purchased by Google, the search engine company, further boosting the “art” of blogging in the Net.
Outside of making itself financially viable, a newspaper like the Pangasinan Star has to constantly strive to achieve wider circulation. Most provincial newspapers, sadly, have little of both. With the advent of “blogging”, The Pangasinan Star can look forward to a much wider circulation beyond Philippine shores; the over a hundred visitors to our blogspot so far this week – and growing -- is guarantee and proof enough of our
somehow making it in the circulation part. What’s left now for the editors and business staff is to fill up the profit part substantially as we enter our 21st year in the community newspaper business.
This latter challenge of course is a never-ending one, but having survived all of 20 years in this field amid all past economic difficulties, we just feel The Pangasinan Star will overcome.
See you on this page same time next year!
OPINION: Corporate responsibility
After All
By BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR.
WITH half of the P196 million-plus paid recently by Mirant Philippines to the Province of Pangasinan for its overdue real property tax going to the Special Education Fund, to be divided thereafter between the provincial government and Sual municipal government for their own special education needs, expect more schoolbuildings to be built, more school equipment and supplies purchased and unpaid assorted school hired hands finally getting their manna after a long spell.
Over two years since Mirant Philippines, operator of the Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant, stopped paying its tax to the province, the education picture in the province went from bad to worse. Some public schools had to scrap student athletic programs, downgrade academic competitions and temporarily abandon even their little “ambitious” computer education programs. They simply had no choice – there was just nothing more but crumbs coming in from higher provincial authorities to support such programs.
Many schools that had embarked on initial computer familiarization programs for the faculty and the young learners had to backpedal if not completely stop their efforts to “extend the classroom to the world beyond thru cyberspace” – all for dire lack of resources to buy softwares or maintain the hardwares they had somehow procured earlier thru the benevolence of their schoolboards, their congressmen, or the Office of the Governor.
In short, Mirant’s little act of “delinquency,” had far-reaching implication to the education sector in the province. Outside of the Internal Revenue Allotment, there was no denying the fact that the Mirant tax breathed much life to an otherwise cash-problematic local government.
To Mirant’s credit, it showed true corporate responsibility by finally paying up after apparently realizing the grave implications of its drawn-out legal arguments with the provincial government. After all, given the circumstances for which the tax was programmed to be spent, prolonging the fight was not actually hurting its legal adversary but the young and bright-eyed schoolchildren instead whose growth and development was being compromised over a highly convoluted tax technicality.
On a lighter vein, that’s also probably why, in this anniversary issue of the Pangasinan Star – noticed the thicker pages?—we were lucky enough to have a one-fourth page ad earlier texted to us by good friend Ruel Camba, the provincial information officer, suddenly “upgraded” to a half-page one when our staff came to pick it up at Urduja House last Thursday. Wonders never cease, see!
Thanks, Guv! Thanks, Mirant!
By BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR.
WITH half of the P196 million-plus paid recently by Mirant Philippines to the Province of Pangasinan for its overdue real property tax going to the Special Education Fund, to be divided thereafter between the provincial government and Sual municipal government for their own special education needs, expect more schoolbuildings to be built, more school equipment and supplies purchased and unpaid assorted school hired hands finally getting their manna after a long spell.
Over two years since Mirant Philippines, operator of the Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant, stopped paying its tax to the province, the education picture in the province went from bad to worse. Some public schools had to scrap student athletic programs, downgrade academic competitions and temporarily abandon even their little “ambitious” computer education programs. They simply had no choice – there was just nothing more but crumbs coming in from higher provincial authorities to support such programs.
Many schools that had embarked on initial computer familiarization programs for the faculty and the young learners had to backpedal if not completely stop their efforts to “extend the classroom to the world beyond thru cyberspace” – all for dire lack of resources to buy softwares or maintain the hardwares they had somehow procured earlier thru the benevolence of their schoolboards, their congressmen, or the Office of the Governor.
In short, Mirant’s little act of “delinquency,” had far-reaching implication to the education sector in the province. Outside of the Internal Revenue Allotment, there was no denying the fact that the Mirant tax breathed much life to an otherwise cash-problematic local government.
To Mirant’s credit, it showed true corporate responsibility by finally paying up after apparently realizing the grave implications of its drawn-out legal arguments with the provincial government. After all, given the circumstances for which the tax was programmed to be spent, prolonging the fight was not actually hurting its legal adversary but the young and bright-eyed schoolchildren instead whose growth and development was being compromised over a highly convoluted tax technicality.
On a lighter vein, that’s also probably why, in this anniversary issue of the Pangasinan Star – noticed the thicker pages?—we were lucky enough to have a one-fourth page ad earlier texted to us by good friend Ruel Camba, the provincial information officer, suddenly “upgraded” to a half-page one when our staff came to pick it up at Urduja House last Thursday. Wonders never cease, see!
Thanks, Guv! Thanks, Mirant!
* * * *
SAID AND DONE: We’ve kept our self pretty much from browsing thru the Internet in the past seeing as how, with its varied amusing sites, we’d probably spend more and more time before the pc than we should. That is, we had better time to do with our life than sit there staring at the screen most hours of the day… But exec ed Ging Cardinoza’s highly engaging way of presenting the wonders of the Net for our paper the past couple of months, especially thru the blogspot, has hooked us. You might say, we’re blazing some trails and thrilled by the uh, cyberspace response... There’s one chap (we feel it’s the same person even if he logs in as “Anonymous” in his comments to our blog items) who calls everything he doesn’t like (the Star’s “activitism”, BSL’s “resign” call to GMA, Susan Roces’ visit to Pangasinan) as “garbage.” He keeps coming back, filling up our e-mail with his pieces after each update of our blogsite. How he must love the garbage! Wait till he reads fellow columnist DOS below us writing about, uh, more garbage.OPINION: Bonuan dump rising again
The Pen Speaks
By Danny O. Sagun
WHAT happened to the ballyhooed waste segregation system in Dagupan City?
By Danny O. Sagun
WHAT happened to the ballyhooed waste segregation system in Dagupan City?
After the normal publicity gimmicks, the system seems to have been discarded and the old waste disposal practice returned to its “crowning glory” as evidenced by the growing volume of trash being dumped at the garbage site right there in Tondaligan, the city’s beach and picnic area.
Reggie Ubando of the Waste Management Division could only shake his head on why the dump there is now about 10 meters high and the heavy equipment at the site is already having difficulty moving the great volume of trash. We thought that practically no trash would ever land there anymore as much of the garbage, about 90 percent, would go to recycling and other useful means.
That was actually Ubando’s claim before when he made his pitch for the full implementation of the waste segregation system in this city of bangus.
We would usually pass by the Bonuan road every Thursday morning on our way to Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ for our weekly Pantongtongan Tayo program. We could smell the stench coming from the site. Afternoons, we could see black smoke, apparently, from the trash being burned.
Why? Is it not illegal to burn even a little trash in our backyard now per the Clean Air Act?
We heard Ubando one morning over radio chiding the community environment and natural resources (CENRO) office for failing to take action against the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Dagupan branch for the agency’s act of burning trash, i.e. the fallen leaves of the trees which abound in its compound. He also took to task the BSP for violating the law.
Now, might we ask: Just who’s burning those garbage at the Tondaligan dumpsite anyway?
Reggie Ubando of the Waste Management Division could only shake his head on why the dump there is now about 10 meters high and the heavy equipment at the site is already having difficulty moving the great volume of trash. We thought that practically no trash would ever land there anymore as much of the garbage, about 90 percent, would go to recycling and other useful means.
That was actually Ubando’s claim before when he made his pitch for the full implementation of the waste segregation system in this city of bangus.
We would usually pass by the Bonuan road every Thursday morning on our way to Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ for our weekly Pantongtongan Tayo program. We could smell the stench coming from the site. Afternoons, we could see black smoke, apparently, from the trash being burned.
Why? Is it not illegal to burn even a little trash in our backyard now per the Clean Air Act?
We heard Ubando one morning over radio chiding the community environment and natural resources (CENRO) office for failing to take action against the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Dagupan branch for the agency’s act of burning trash, i.e. the fallen leaves of the trees which abound in its compound. He also took to task the BSP for violating the law.
Now, might we ask: Just who’s burning those garbage at the Tondaligan dumpsite anyway?
****
Barangays are supposed to dispose of their own garbage, right? How would they do it other than burning those that could not be recycled? At this point we really do not know if all of the city’s barangays have adopted the method used by a barangay in Calasiao which has earned national attention.No amount of publicity will make the waste segregation system work unless it is strictly and fully implemented. We could not just allow the old practice to return, considering the city’s sad experience on waste disposal particularly at the dumpsite.
And to think that up to now, the proposed modern landfill type in barangay Awai in San Jacinto is yawning from unuse. It seems the city government has changed its mind on how to make use of that land. Convert it into a watershed and forest park? Well, just do it. Residents there will pose no objection, we suppose.
OPINION: A dangerous road culture
Windows
By Gabriel L. Cardinoza
To date, I still have to actually see a traffic enforcer apprehend a tricycle or jeepney driver glaringly defying the city’s traffic rules.
I say this because everytime I’m stopped by the red light in an intersection, I obediently stop right before the pedestrian lane marked by two thick white lines. But as I patiently wait for the green light, a tricycle, and even a jeepney, suddenly appears from nowhere and occupies the space right in front of me, blocking the pedestrian lane in the process.
Isn’t this is a clear traffic violation? Unfortunately, to the city’s traffic enforcers, this is not because this has been happening everyday right under their very noses and they did not do anything.
At the intersection of Burgos St. and Perez Blvd. one early evening, I was tailing the vehicle of then city executive Elmer Lorica. I supposed he was going to turn left to Perez Blvd. while I was on my way to Guilig St.
From the left lane of Burgos, outside the iron railings, a white van suddenly appeared. He is not supposed to be there, I thought.
But just when I was looking for the traffic enforcer to see if he noticed the vehicle, Elmer got out of his vehicle and called for the traffic enforcer to direct him to apprehend the driver of the erring white van. At that moment, I had wished Elmer would always be at that intersection.
To my mind, most tricycle and jeepney drivers violate traffic rules simply because they do not know that what they are doing are violations. Or, if they do know, they do it simply because they know that they can run away with it.
The Land Transportation Office should partly get the blame for the emergence of this road culture. This is because the LTO does not have a stringent process in the issuance of driver’s licenses.
For instance, drivers do not even have to go through actual driving tests before they are issued their licenses. And with fixers still hounding the LTO, getting a driver’s license is still as easy as buying cigarettes. Somebody I know did not even know how to drive when he got his professional driver’s license.
On the part of law enforcers, they should be more aggressive in enforcing traffic rules. Those repeatedly apprehended for the same offenses should be made to undergo an honest-to-goodness seminar on road courtesy.
There has to be a way to discipline erring drivers. Otherwise, even if we fill up our streets with concrete barriers and iron railings and install traffic light in every intersection, our traffic will continue to worsen if we have drivers who think they are above the law.
ENDNOTES: It was Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera’s birthday last Thursday, August 11. I missed his party at his residence in Barangay Bical. But those who were there swore that his spacious compound was teeming with guests that included Police Regional Director Freddie de Vera. I’m sure everybody left Mayor De Vera’s house happy… The Rotary Club of Dagupan led by Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez had a bloodletting activity last week. The vice mayor himself, after passing the screening, donated blood and it was almost immediately used to save a dengue fever victim confined at the Region1 Medical Center. Mabuhay ka, Vice!
QUICK QUOTE: To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. -- Emily Dickinson
(You can reach Gabriel L. Cardinoza at windows@digitelone.com)
By Gabriel L. Cardinoza
To date, I still have to actually see a traffic enforcer apprehend a tricycle or jeepney driver glaringly defying the city’s traffic rules.
I say this because everytime I’m stopped by the red light in an intersection, I obediently stop right before the pedestrian lane marked by two thick white lines. But as I patiently wait for the green light, a tricycle, and even a jeepney, suddenly appears from nowhere and occupies the space right in front of me, blocking the pedestrian lane in the process.
Isn’t this is a clear traffic violation? Unfortunately, to the city’s traffic enforcers, this is not because this has been happening everyday right under their very noses and they did not do anything.
At the intersection of Burgos St. and Perez Blvd. one early evening, I was tailing the vehicle of then city executive Elmer Lorica. I supposed he was going to turn left to Perez Blvd. while I was on my way to Guilig St.
From the left lane of Burgos, outside the iron railings, a white van suddenly appeared. He is not supposed to be there, I thought.
But just when I was looking for the traffic enforcer to see if he noticed the vehicle, Elmer got out of his vehicle and called for the traffic enforcer to direct him to apprehend the driver of the erring white van. At that moment, I had wished Elmer would always be at that intersection.
To my mind, most tricycle and jeepney drivers violate traffic rules simply because they do not know that what they are doing are violations. Or, if they do know, they do it simply because they know that they can run away with it.
The Land Transportation Office should partly get the blame for the emergence of this road culture. This is because the LTO does not have a stringent process in the issuance of driver’s licenses.
For instance, drivers do not even have to go through actual driving tests before they are issued their licenses. And with fixers still hounding the LTO, getting a driver’s license is still as easy as buying cigarettes. Somebody I know did not even know how to drive when he got his professional driver’s license.
On the part of law enforcers, they should be more aggressive in enforcing traffic rules. Those repeatedly apprehended for the same offenses should be made to undergo an honest-to-goodness seminar on road courtesy.
There has to be a way to discipline erring drivers. Otherwise, even if we fill up our streets with concrete barriers and iron railings and install traffic light in every intersection, our traffic will continue to worsen if we have drivers who think they are above the law.
ENDNOTES: It was Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera’s birthday last Thursday, August 11. I missed his party at his residence in Barangay Bical. But those who were there swore that his spacious compound was teeming with guests that included Police Regional Director Freddie de Vera. I’m sure everybody left Mayor De Vera’s house happy… The Rotary Club of Dagupan led by Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez had a bloodletting activity last week. The vice mayor himself, after passing the screening, donated blood and it was almost immediately used to save a dengue fever victim confined at the Region1 Medical Center. Mabuhay ka, Vice!
QUICK QUOTE: To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. -- Emily Dickinson
(You can reach Gabriel L. Cardinoza at windows@digitelone.com)
PHOTO: AND… ONE, TWO THREE.!
Region 1 Medical center personnel, with Dr. Gloria Balboa (left panel photo) leading them, do their regular start-of-the weekday exercises to keep fit and healthy for their rigorous public services. The Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (Patrima) has signed an agreement with R1MC to provide information dissemination support to medical and health services for better public appreciation of public health care. ( PStar Photo by Butch F. Uka)
