CAPITOL NEWS

THE Provincial Government of Pangasinan celebrated the 441st Founding Anniversary of Pangasinan on April 5 via a Thanksgiving Mass held at the Capitol Plaza here in Lingayen.

The Thanksgiving Mass, which was officiated by Rev. Fr. Jijune Herramia of the Epiphany of our Lord Parish – Lingayen, was graced by Governor Amado I. Espino III along with wife Karina P. Espino and their son Amado P. Espino IV.

Unlike previous annual celebrations of Pangasinan Day, the provincial government opted for regulated and brief celebration to avoid COVID-19 transmission in the venue.

Shortly after the Catholic mass, the provincial government also held the regular flag-raising ceremony as the founding day is coincidentally celebrated on a Monday.

In an interview, Governor Espino reiterated his call for a collective effort and cooperation among Pangasinenses as the province recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“Hinihiling po natin na sa ating pagtutulungan, pati dasal, mapababa pa po natin lalo ‘yung cases natin… kailangan pa po talaga ng pagtitiis at pakiki-cooperate sa ating mga namamahala,” Governor Espino urged Pangasinenses.

            Governor Espino stated that the provincial government maintains close coordination with the local government units (LGUs) as well as with national government agencies, especially with the members of Philippine National Police (PNP) who are manning the regional and provincial border checkpoints of the province.

“Sa mga protocols, dati tinanggal natin ‘yung pag-check ng mga documents pero binalik po natin ngayon at sana ngayong araw na ito matatapos pero nag-extend ang Manila kaya dinagdagan po natin ulit ng isang linggo,” Governor Espino disclosed noting that travelers are required to present necessary documents at the Pangasinan border checkpoints.

On the same day, Governor Espino issued Executive Order No. 0030-2021 which extends the effectivity of travel restrictions in the province under EO No. 0027-A-2021.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) issued Resolution No. 106-A, Series of 2021, placing under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, also known as the ‘NCR Plus’ Bubble,” the EO 0030-2021 reads.

It can be recalled that Governor Espino earlier released EO 0027-2021 imposing travel restrictions to complement the restrictions in force in “NCR Plus.”

The EO 0030-2021 noted that the ECQ in the “NCR Plus” as approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be extended from April 5 to April 11 due to the alarming increase of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continues.

“There is a need to prolong curfew period to arrest the further increase of new COVID-19 cases in Pangasinan, and to maintain travel restrictions to complement the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in “NCR Plus” as support to the efforts of the National Government in curbing the increasing cases in NCR and surrounding areas,” the latest EO added.

“During the effectivity of this order, the provincewide curfew shall be from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m, the EO also stated.

Governor Espino also noted that the provincial government is formulating new protocols because of the surge of COVID-19 patients admitted both in the provincial government-run hospitals and in the different isolation facilities in the province.

Meanwhile, the governor also disclosed that starting next week, the provincial government will again implement skeletal workforce on a 6-day work week schedule for Capitol employees so that the constituents have more choices when to transact business at the Capitol and subsequently avoid congestion.

Joining the Pangasinan First Family in the Pangasinan Day celebration this year were provincial board members, namely: Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, Board Member Nestor D. Reyes, BM Von Mark R. Mendoza, BM Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario, BM Rosary Gracia Perez-Tababa, BM Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison and BM Salvador S. Perez Jr; and some department heads and chiefs of hospitals led by Provincial Administrator Nimrod S. Camba.

In observance of minimum health protocols, all attendees underwent temperature check and were compliant in practicing social distancing as well as in wearing their face mask and face shield.  /Shiella Mae C. De Guzman

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments