MALASIQUI—“Useless”. This was how Abono party-list chairman Rosendo So described the negotiations being undertaken by the government with the World Trade Organization for the extension on the quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice. The government was granted by the WTO an extension on the QR on rice from 2006 to 2012,…

BINMALEY–Mothers in several barangays here who wait idly under the trees or along the corridors while their children are in school have been given something more productive to do with their time. Vice Mayor Pete Merrera has introduced the Negosyo Laban sa Kahirapan livelihood project where the moms are taught…

“THE business people should be preparing for the mass arrival of foreign tourists.” Mayor Benjamin S. Lim made this statement after he spoke before businessmen, local executives, investors and non-government organization representatives during the 21st North Luzon Area Business Conference (NLABC) held at the CSI Stadia on September 9.

SOME 63 trade exhibitors participated in the North Luzon Trade Fair organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) held September 1 to 7 at the CSI Mall Atrium in Dagupan City. Vicky Gaetos, vice president for North Luzon of the PCCI, said the event attracted investors to north…

THE 2012 Hospitality and Tourism Opportunities Congress, the first for Dagupan City, is set September 14-16. A series of workshops by industry leaders and other activities are lined up for the three-day event at the People’s Astrodome centering on the theme “Creating Opportunities, Building Lasting Capabilities”.

ALAMINOS CITY—Hotel and restaurant owners in western Pangasinan have pledged before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to practice fair labor practices in their businesses. Fifteen business owners signed last September 3 the Voluntary Code of Good Practices (VCGP) to formalize their commitment to establish a good labor-management relationship…

LINGAYEN–Some 200 livestock raisers, inspectors, veterinarians and employees of various local government units learned new trends and technology on livestock production in the provincial government-sponsored seminar held August 30. Provincial Veterinarian Eric Jose Perez said the areas discussed were feeding and swine nutrition, swine management, and health management of large…

ALCALA—The three children of Eduardo Nueva, a tobacco farmer in this town, have enjoyed their right to education with the first two earning a nursing and criminology degree while the third is now pursuing a degree in agriculture at the Pangasinan State University. The Nueva family is among the beneficiaries…

A WORKSHOP was held in Dagupan, a city crisscrossed by seven rivers, last week to promote the sustainability and development of marine resources. Attended by barangay representatives, the consultative clinic focused on Executive Order 533, the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) implementation adoption law, which was explained by Marizel Calpito, coastal…