Healthy Lifestyle Program launched on Feb. 14

LINGAYEN–The Provincial Healthy Lifestyle Program was launched last Monday, February 14, with Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. taking the lead in the first-ever medical health check-up for the provincial employees conducted at the Sison Auditorium.

During the launch, more than 200 employees underwent laboratory tests for diabetes mellitus and cholesterol, weighing-in and body mass index (BMI) evaluation, and general medical check-up.

“It is very important for our employees to be physically and mentally fit dahil marami tayong trabaho ngayon para sa ating probinsya at dahil dito magkakaroon tayo ng monthly check-up para sa kanila,” Espino said.

Aside from the monthly medical check every first Monday, there will be regular diet counseling, lectures on proper nutrition and physical exercises, according to Dra. Ana de Guzman, Provincial Health Officer.

De Guzman credited Espino for initiating the program as this will help the provincial employees to be more productive in their daily work-related activities.

“At higit sa lahat ay makaiwas sila sa mga sakit tulad ng stroke due to hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer and kidney problems na kung saan ito ay ang mga pangunahing nakamamatay na sakit ngayon sa ating bansa,” she added.

Based on the Human Resource Management Office records, there are 450 provincial employees who have joined the Provincial Health Club, a program with a one-time membership fee of P100 to avail of the use of healthy lifestyles facilities at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Complex (NRSCC).

Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan said the program aims to “give the employees the opportunity to take care of their health and bodies with the use of facilities which have been put up together by the provincial government within the Capitol premises.”

“Let us make a firm resolve within ourselves to practice healthy lifestyles and start to love ourselves by refraining from doing something that will put our health at risk such as smoking and nightlife activities,” Baraan said.

Under the program, a member-employee can avail of any of the exercise programs like tae-bo, aerobics, tai-chi, walk and run threadmill, stress management control in the form of reflexology and massage, yoga and meditation, autogenic exercises and ballroom dancing.

Last November 10, 2010, Espino signed an Executive Order No. 00117-2010 adopting a health risk management program in support to Resolution No. 78 passed by the Regional Development Council to adopt healthy lifestyle program at the local level.  (Merly R. Tibalao/PIO)

HEALTH WELLNESS AT WORKPLACE–Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (seated, left) leads the launching of the Healthy Lifestyle Program for provincial employees at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen last February 14.  The program, a joint undertaking of the Human Resources and Management Office and Provincial Health Office, is designed to keep every employee fit and in top shape. (PIO photo)

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US-based Pangasinenses hail Gov. Espino’s achievements

LINGAYEN–The United Pangasinenses of America, Inc. (UPAI), one of the biggest Filipino-American umbrella organizations in the United States with more than 40 cities under its wing, lauded Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for the various unprecedented achievements made in just three-and-a-half years of his administration.

The US-based Pangasinenses, led by UPAI president Ernesto Abalos, paid a courtesy call to the governor during their visit to their home province recently.

“We are very impressed by your achievements, the lot of changes you have made for our home province, and the great hospitality you have shown to us. It is a job well done and truly, indeed, you are a ‘Man of Action,’ because Pangasinan is now the best place to live, to invest and raise a family,” said Zosimo deVeas, grandmaster of Legionarios del Trabajo in America who hails from Rosales.

Elated by the sight of Capitol’s new elegant look made more vibrant with the manicured landscape around it, Abalos, a native of Calasiao told the Province’s Chief Executive: “Governor, you are our Pangasinan’s best.”

MORE CHANGES

Inspired by these remarks, Espino told the group there will be more changes in the province in the next few years, all geared at lifting Pangasinan up the development ladder.

The governor cited, for instance, the about-to-open P200-million Rice Processing Complex in Sta. Barbara town, a vital project funded by a grant from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) which is expected to raise the quality of rice grain produced locally.

“In the near future, you will see four-kilo rice package labeled “Pangasinan Rice” in your Pangasinan Best Center along with Pangasinan products like bagoong, among others,” the governor said as the group applauded.

Espino also proudly cited the renovation of 14 hospitals and the rise of the Dialysis Center in San Carlos City with the help of DaVita Corporation, improved agricultural facilities, and the significant increase of indigents enrolled in PhilHealth.

These hospitals, he said, are now equipped with modern facilities, like birthing areas for expectant mothers so that they can have their babies delivered in the hospitals with the help of barangay officials who are equipped with radio communication gadgets that are used for coordination.

“There are still much to be done and we need to harness everybody’s potentials,” the governor told the group.

INVESTMENTS

“Despite some shortcomings, Pangasinan continues to exist because of you and the more than 80,000 Pangasinan OFWs who are sending back their money here,” he added, as he encouraged Pangasinan expats to invest some of their earnings in income-generating ventures in the province.

In response, Deveas informed Espino that UPAI has already invested US$60,000 last year through Gawad Kalinga for the construction of 30 housing units at a cost of US $1,200 each in a 3-hectare lot in barangay Leet, Sta. Barbara.

The units, he said, are now occupied by beneficiaries in what is now known as Larrioville Village.

Also, DeVeas said the group was able to raise P27,000 from among members of UPAI  for the installation of a water pump facility for the beneficiaries to have access to potable water.

For his part, Abalos informed the governor that the UPAI with 500 members have already four scholars on skilled courses and non-four year courses through the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) in Dagupan City.

He said this initiative was the result of Espino’s visit to the United Stated where he encouraged the expats to embark on a scholarship program for skilled workers, which are in demand abroad.

Meanwhile, Canada-based Lydia Fermill, sister of Pacita Aningalan, chairman on Scholarship, and a relative of Imelda Fermill of the provincial budget office, who was on her first visit to Pangasinan after 45 years, said, “After looking at my home province, I can now say that I am very, very proud to be a Pangasinense.”

The visiting US-based Pangasinenses presented to the governor a plaque of appreciation as an expression of their gratitude for his support to the mission of UPAI which has its headquarters based in San Francisco, California. (PIO)

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