THE Department of Trade and Industry has advised the Dagupan City government to call a dialogue among all stakeholders to discuss the implications of entry of frozen imported meat sold at cheaper prices, which have recently been coming in large quantities into the city’s market. DTI Regional Director Florante Leal…

LINGAYEN—The El Niño weather is not entirely bad news. This prolonged dry spell, which will have a negative effect on the production of rice, corn and vegetables, is on the other hand conducive for cultivating mangoes. Angel Padilla, coordinator of high-yield commercial crops sector of the Department of Agriculture (DA),…

ALAMINOS CITY–Cosmetic products from China believed to contain heavy metal mercury were confiscated last week in the cities of Alaminos and Dagupan. Elements of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) regional office, with the help of sanitary inspectors, seized about 171 boxes of the health-risk products from beauty and health shops,…

LINGAYEN—Minimizing losses from wastage is at the top of the agenda for the 12th National Mango Congress on February 24-26 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here. The mango industry in Pangasinan, contributing about one third of total production in the country, loses about P400 million a year…

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is giving agency authorized officers (AAOs) free personal accident insurance in recognition of their crucial role in the pension fund’s processing of members’ loan applications. Among those entitled to this free program, which started this year, are principal AAOs and their alternates. They will…

LBC branches are now one-stop payment centers for bills on telecom, water, cable, bank and financial services, and insurance, among others. The LBC Bills Xpress system accepts payments for over 20 business enterprises, including the following: Globe, Smart, Bayantel, PLDT, INNOVE, Belltel, Maynilad, Manila Water, Skycable, Destiny Internet, Pilipino Cable,…

LINGAYEN—Tourist arrivals in the province have shot up by 54% increase, from 205,093 in 2008 to 316,850 last year. Governor Amado Espino Jr., in his 3rd State of the Province Address delivered last week, said the Capitol in Lingayen alone has been steadily receiving an increasing number of visitors from an…

ROSALES—This once sleepy, agricultural town is aiming to become a major city in the near future as it projects its rapid growth with the recent influx of investors and the construction of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). Following the lead of the Henry Sy-owned SM malls, which opened a branch…

ROSALES–Some 1,200 persons trooped to SM City Rosales to take advantage of the latter’s two-day public service project that provided a one-stop processing center for needed government documentation. The novel project, an initiative of SM City Rosales, provided the opportunity for customers and employees to accomplish their needed documentation in…

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is reminding agencies to submit the names of employees who will avail of early retirement 60 days prior to their preferred retirement date to ensure the judicious settlement of their retirement benefits. The pension fund said the early notification mechanism will facilitate the reconciliation…