Food security program boosted with Tilapia dispersal

The food security program of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. is gaining with the regular dispersal of tilapia fingerlings in communal bodies of water across the province.

Last March 3 and 4, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) again dispersed 40,000 tilapia fingerlings in various ponds and rivers in Mangatarem and another 30,000 in Alcala.

“Maganda itong proyekto ng provincial government dahil wala na talaga kaming nahuhuling isda. Tama ang ginawa nila na magpakawala ng isda para pagdating ng araw ay meron kaming mahuhuli,” Celso Duran, a fisherman from Barangay Torre Primero of Mangatarem, said.

On the direction of Gov. Espino, the provincial government had developed a tilapia hatchery with a total area of about 7,600 sq. meter in Barangay San Gonzalo, San Quintin and upgraded the 1,840 sq. meter existing tilapia hatchery in Barangay Libsong, Lingayen.

The development of the San Quintin Provincial Freshwater Fish Hatchery was completed on the second quarter of 2008 and was fully operational later that year.

All the tilapia fingerlings that were dispersed were sourced from these facilities.

According to Zenaida Ugaban, Supervising Aqua-culturist of OPAG, fish farmers of Pangasinan finally had access to good quality tilapia fingerlings from the hatcheries and no longer have to get fingerlings from Tarlac or Nueva Ecija.

At present, the broodstock being used are Improved GET-EXCEL (genetically enhanced tilapia-excellent) and BEST (brackish water enhanced saline tilapia).

The two are the latest strain of tilapia breeders developed and improved by fishery research institutions and found to produce offspring with better growth performance.

From July to December 2009, the two hatcheries produced 1.405,000 fingerlings, 99% of which were dispersed.

In particular, about 38% were dispersed in 110 sites of communal waters and 37% were provided to 276 fish farmers for aquaculture projects in freshwater fishponds and fish cages.

The fingerling dispersal project enhances fish population in communal bodies of water increasing fish catch of sustenance fisherfolks, thus, increasing their income and addressing malnutrition problem in their locality.

Supervising Aquaculturist Zenaida Ugaban (3rd from left), turns over some 40,000 tilapia fingerlings to Mangatarem Municipal Administrator Joel Cruz (3rd from right) while 30,000 fingerlings were distributed in the town of Alcala last March 3 as part of the Food Security Program under the Espino administration.

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2,000 indigent families more awarded PhilHealth cards

LINGAYEN–Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has distributed another 2,000 PhilHealth cards in 58 barangays in Umingan last March 3.

The governor said the distribution of PhilHealth cards is part of the province’s development thrust of providing health services, mainly to the poor populace of Pangasinan even as he stressed that “we will not stop until all indigent families in our province are enrolled in PhilHealth, regardless of their political color or party affiliation.”

He also noted that from the original enrollment level of only 26,000 indigent families in 2007, the province has overtaken the province of Bukidnon and emerged on top of all provinces with 220,000 indigent families enrolled in PhilHealth in 2009.

Pangasinan was adjudged the best province in the country, besting 56 other provinces and 30 cities nationwide for having the largest universal coverage in PhilHealth sponsorship.

PhilHealth members are entitled to a wide range of benefits that the governor said, provides a big relief to the marginalized sector of the society who now have easy have access to quality health care services.

Aside from health insurance, the indigent sector in Pangasinan can also avail of the upgraded services and facilities of all 14 government-owned hospitals which have undergone continuing physical rehabilitation and are now equipped with air conditioning in all wards, stand-by generating sets, better diagnostic capabilities, re-conditioned and new ambulance units, clean surroundings and efficient hospital staff.

Espino received a national award from Philippine Health Insurance with the province’s phenomenal performance in PhilHealth sponsorship last February 12.

PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Rey B. Aquino (left) awards the plaque of recognition to Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) during the PhilHealth 15th Anniversary celebration held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City last February 12.  Pangasinan was given a special citation for being number one in PhilHealth universal coverage besting 56 other provinces and 30 cities nationwide. Witnessing the awarding is DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero (right).  (Photo by Wesley Fernandez)

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Women groups get P1.9 M worth 
of livelihood projects

LINGAYEN–Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. has began awarding a total of P1.9 million to women organizations engaged in small and medium enterprises in Pangasinan through the province’s Livelihood Assistance Program last March 5.

Provincial Population Officer (PPO) Luzviminda Muego said the amount is the first batch of distribution in 2010 with four more loan releases scheduled this month.

The provincial government under the leadership of Espino has already released P8.9 million since July 2007.

“Ang programang ito ay tuloy-tuloy para matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na madagdagan ang kanilang kita at umangat ang kabuhayan,” Muego said, stressing that it is not intended to serve as the beneficiaries’ primary sources of income but as an additional livelihood.

Muego said that the associations have been thoroughly evaluated and upon passing the screening, the PPO provides them with training and other technical assistance.

“Ang aming tanggapan ang namamahala sa pag-organize sa mga small and medium enterprises na ito at ina-assist namin sila para lumakas upang sa ganun ay ma-manage nilang mabuti ang kanilang livelihood at makabayad sila ng kanilang loan,” she cited.

The PPO chief said each association is entitled up to four loan releases only, to give chance to other groups.

“Napakaganda ng programang ito lalo na ngayon na mataas na ang presyo ng lahat ng bilihin at kailangan ng additional na pagkakakitaan ng bawat pamilyang Pangasinense para makasabay sa high cost of living ngayon,’ Muego said.

The 15 livelihood loan beneficiaries include Germinal Women’s Association (Bolinao), Malacapas Women’s Association (Dasol), Poblacion Baito Women’s Association (Sual), Carusucan Women’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Sta. Barbara), Sta. Maria Women’s Association (Mapandan), Lobong Women’s Association (San Jacinto), Sta. Cruz Women’s Association (San Jacinto), Manaol Women’s Association (Pozorrubio), Anis Women’s Association (Laoac), Caaringayan Women’s Association (Laoac), Tabuyoc Women’s Association (Binalonan), Victorious Women’s Association (Bautista), Satellite Angel Women’s Association (Tayug), Lungao Women’s Association (San Nicolas), and Lanas Women’s Association (Mangaldan).

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Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) and other Pangasinan officials thank President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for development and launching of the four-lane Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), which is seen to spur economic development in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Autonomous Region.  The President led the groundbreaking ceremony of the 88-kilometer newest expressway held at Tumana West, Rosales last March 1. With them are Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr., sixth district Representative Conrado Estrella III, Rosales Mayor Ricardo Revita and Department of Public Works and Highways officials. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

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