LINGAYEN–Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. inducted the very first set of officers of then newly formed Pangasinan Union of Newspaper Publishers (PUNP) on July 11 at the Capitol here.

The governor commended the local publishers for putting their acts together and in uniting for the common cause of genuine public service.

“I am happy that local publishers formed their own group to promote their goals and objectives to further professionalize the publishing industry,” Espino said as he vowed to fully support projects of the PUNP.

Celso J. Manuel, PUNP President and publisher of The Country Mail, thanked the governor for the gesture of support given to their group.

Manuel said that the PUNP is a revival of the former local publishers association that was founded back in 1998 but went moribund over the years.

The PUNP, according to Manuel, will also serve as a regulatory board for incoming members to avoid the mushrooming of fly-by-night publications.

There are 41 existing local newspapers in Pangasinan wherein 24 are considered regular publications.

The PUNP intends to widen the scope of its function by holding seminars and trainings regarding the newspaper business in the coming months.

The group’s constitution and by-laws is likewise set to be drafted and later finalized for submission to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other officers are as follows: Executive Vice President – Benjo Rivera (Northwest Sun); VP for Central Pangasinan- Lorna Lavarias-Abalos (Weekly Guardian); VP for Western Pangasinan- Paquito Basila (Pahayagan ng Bayan); VP for Eastern Pangasinan- Maya Quiros Galletes (The Ilocano Observer); Secretary- Marilou Lee Ocsan (People’s Digest); Treasurer- Jesus Perez (Northern Bulletin); Auditor- Janice Hidalgo (Pangasinan Today).

Board of Directors, on the other hand, includes Jonathan Tandoc (Regional Examiner), Edgar Salgado (Pangasinan Express), Roshane Macopia (Pangasinan Online Balita), Bonifacio Ragos (Kawayangan Gazette), Emily Tandoc Fernandez (Weekly Forum), Kenny Russel Cordero (Northern Express), Victor Corpuz, Jr. (Headline Balita), Gabriel Yana (Philippine Weekly), and Mary Grace Lopez Ronquillo (Global Sunday Chronicle).

Tasked as group advisers are Jun M. Velasco (Pacebook Magazine), Ruben Rivera (Northern Mirror), Rannie Jim Manaois (Pinoy Magasin), Ruel C. Camba (Regional Inquirer), Lelia Chua-Sy (Northern Times).

Public Information Officer Orpheus “Butch” M. Velasco is Honorary Adviser while Board Member Alfonso C. Bince, Jr. is Legal Adviser. (PIO)

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