THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN ACTION
Governor Espino partners with farmers
LINGAYEN—Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. has vowed to help farmers in Pangasinan suffering from the drought.
Farmers appealed for government assistance when they said they could no longer rely on the defective and unreliable irrigation pumps distributed to them by the past provincial administration.
In a consultation meeting at the Agricultural Training Institute in Sta. Barbara, the governor also urged farmer-leaders to begin adopting new and tested farming methods and be selective as well in the choice of crop varieties to ensure quality harvests in the face of the emerging onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon.
Noting that some farmer beneficiaries of the government’s comprehensive agrarian program have not been making a headway in improving their lot owing to lack of capital, Gov. Espino asked members of farming communities to go into planning sessions to thresh out resurging problems in production.
He also encouraged them to follow the cropping calendar to avoid problems in irrigation.
The governor assure the farmers that the “provincial government will do everything it can to restore the malfunctioning facilities in A-1 condition during the summer months.”
At the same time, Espino said he would create a task force to look into other sources and applications of water for irrigation purposes.
He advised the farmers to stop relying fully on shallow wells as sources for water during a long dry spell.
It will be recalled that in a dialogue with the irrigators’ associations last year, Gov. Espino has stated that the province will institute a ‘pragmatic approach’ to improve further agricultural development in Pangasinan.
COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION—Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. signs the Declaration of Commitment for Barangay Bayaoas in Urbiztondo during the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) Caravan last February 4. Dubbed as “Gamoray Aliguas Tanlonggaring ed Ekonomiya diad Pangasinan (GATE) to Progress,” the provincial government, in cooperation with the regional agencies and non-government organizations, committed to provide scholarships for high school and college students, mobile education to out-of-school youth and free school learning assistance to drop-out students Witnessing the signing are (starting from left) Presidential Adviser for Luzon Dr. Enrie Mendoza, Provincial Sports Consultant Modesto Operaña and Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balolong, Jr. (Photo by Wesley Fernandez)
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Donations for typhoon victims
LINGAYEN—The United Pangasinanses of America, Inc. (UPAI) based in San Francisco, California, USA headed by Ernesto Abalos, recently turned over 58 balikbayan boxes to Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. in a short program at the Capitol Grandstand on February 9.
The boxes, containing various canned goods plus new and slightly used clothings were donated by the group to the provincial government for the typhoon victims from various towns in the province.
Gov. Espino, expressed his administration’s gratitude to the UPAI, commending its more than 400 members, for the support that they extended to the typhoon victims, and thanked them for the trust they have given him to keep custody of the donation.
“I hope that our other countrymen will be as concerned as you,” the governor and reiterated his open invitation to overseas ‘kabaleyans’ to come and see Pangasinan.
CAPITOL, A SOURCE OF PRIDE
Mario Panoringan, the group coordinator, said the group was very impressed with the developments under the term of Gov. Espino. He cited the efforts to rehabilitate Sison Auditorium presently undergoing massive rehabilitation, as a worthy project.
“At first, we were hesitant to get off the air-conditioned shuttle bus because it was so warm outside, but the moment we entered the Sison Auditorium, we were amazed by what we saw. All we did was to line up and feel like we were members of the royalty holding a grand march,” Panoringan said.
Hazel Sison, a provincial tour guide who escorted the group, revealed that the intricate design of the auditorium caught the fancy of the delegation that made them compare the edifice with a palace.
Panoringan also said the group was awed by the “new look” of the Capitol as they were ushered inside the building on their way to meet with the provincial chief executive.
“I haven’t seen the Capitol as beautiful as today,” Panoringan said as he revealed that he had visited the building many times during the incumbency of the past four governors.
Panoringan, who hails from the capital town of Lingayen, recalled his younger years when he strolled along the beach at the back of the Capitol. “Napakaganda ng Capitol at napakalinis pa. With this, I feel proud to be a Pangasinense,” he unabashedly confessed.
Ernie Abalos, president of UPAI and a real estate broker, said he will invite more friends to come and visit the province and include it as part of their travel destination this summer.
“Hindi naman tayo mapapahiya sa pag-imbita because we now have a Capitol bulding na talagang world-class. For this, we pledge our support to the Governor and we will help him promote the Capitol as our main tourism site,” he said.
WITH LOVE FROM UPAI—United Pangasinenes of America, Inc. president Ernie Abalos (2nd from left) turns over 58 balikbayan boxes to Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) during a ceremony at the Capitol Plaza last February 9 for distribution to calamity victims. The governor thanked the group’s organization for entrusting the task of distribution to him. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)
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More improved Health Services for Mothers
Lingayen—The groundbreaking for the Sta. Barbara Maternity and Lying-in Hospital in Sta. Barbara town last February 8 is an added testimony to Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.’s vision to provide local birthing stations for all Pangasinense mothers.
During the occasion, the Governor said that through the new hospital, the provincial government will be able to provide more quality basic health services to more mothers and infants and decrease rate of mortality among mothers and children.
“Twenty-five percent labat ed saray ina ed Pangasinan so manaanak ed ospital, say intension tayo, amin ya ina ya malukon kasal man o andi, walay asawa to man o anggapo et diad ospital mananak,” the governor said. (Only 25 percent of pregnant women in the province give birth in the hospitals. It is our goal to see that all pregnant women in the province give birth in the hospitals.)
“All pregnant women can now be assured of competent care and attention in this government birthing facility,” Gov. Espino added.
The governor advised all pregnant women in the audience to inform or get in touch with their Barangay Health Workers or their barangay captain when they are about to give birth to ensure proper care.
“Say unan silew ya nanengneng na aray anak yo komon et samay maliwliwawan siliw diad delivery room na ospital tayo,” he intoned.
The governor pointed out that all barangays are now equipped with wireless phones and should not have difficulty communicating with the government hospitals.
“The concerned barangay captain can contact the hospital so that the pregnant women can be fetched directly from their house to the hospital thru the use our new ambulances,” he added.
Gov. Espino pledged that his administration would not stop until it achieves the goal to transform Pangasinan as the healthiest province in the country.
The provincial chief executive presented P1 million to Mayor Reynaldo Velasco as the province’s fund counterpart for the establishment of the hospital.
GROUNDBREAKING FOR MATERNAL CARE—Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. (left) and Sta. Barbara Mayor Reynaldo Velasco (right) lead the groundbreaking for the Sta. Barbara Maternity and Lying-in hospital in Sta. Barbara town last February 8. The governor hailed the groundbreaking as his administration’s latest initiative in improving healthcare program, particularly to provide quality maternal care to pregnant women in a government birthing facility to avoid the risk of giving birth at home. Witnessing the groundbreaking are Provincial Engineer Victor Punay and Sta. Barbara Municipal officials and employees. (Photo by Bong Laure)
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