LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The groundbreaking ceremony for the Pangasinan Bangus Breeding and Hatchery Facility is set to take place on January 31, 2026 in Barangay Arnedo, Bolinao with Governor Ramon V. Guico III leading the event.
Joining the governor in the historic event are Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino and Provincial Administrator Manuel O. Luis, Jr., Bolinao Mayor Jesus F. Celeste and 1st District Representative Arthur F. Celeste. The guest of honor and speaker will be Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.
The PhP238.9 million project, supported by the World Bank, aims to boost the local bangus industry by producing over 100 million bangus fry and 48 million larvae annually. In addition, the facility will benefit around 39,399 fisherfolk, 63 bangus nursery operators, and one bangus satellite hatchery operator in 17 municipalities in Pangasinan.
Earlier, Governor Guico emphasized that the project will help address the shortage of bangus fry in the country, which currently relies on imports from Indonesia. The facility will not only increase production but also provide training and innovation opportunities for small-scale nursery operators and fisherfolk associations.
The groundbreaking, spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, will feature a blessing and the laying of documents in a time capsule.
The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, continues to honor the vital contributions of volunteers to the province’s progress and security.
This January, members of the Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs) across the province began receiving their annual social amelioration incentives from the provincial government. To date, more than 9,000 CVOs from the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Districts of Pangasinan have already been granted such benefits.
In his message for the CVOs, Governor Guico highlighted that this incentive is a symbol of gratitude for their steadfast commitment and dedication to maintaining peace and order at the grassroots level. “Pasasalamat po namin ito mula sa lalawigan sa inyong serbisyo sa inyong mga barangay,” he stated.
Moving beyond financial benefits, the provincial government has also integrated healthcare services into the program. Along with the incentive for amelioration, CVOs also received free medical consultations and medications. Each of them was also automatically registered to PhilHealth YAKAP. This holistic approach is part of Gov. Guico’s strengthened initiative to provide a more comprehensive healthcare system for the province.
Lulu Garcim, a CVO from Barangay Cabuaan, Bautista, expressed her gratitude for the said program. “Maganda po itong programa, para makita na rin kung talagang healthy ka or hindi. Malaking tulong po sa amin at maraming salamat po kay Governor,” she said.
This program reaffirms the Provincial Government of Pangasinan’s commitment to ensuring that community frontliner volunteers are also well taken care of while they serve their fellow Pangasinenses.
Pangasinan is set to strengthen food security and boost the livelihood of thousands of fisherfolk with the establishment of the first provincial government-owned Bangus Breeding and Hatchery Facility in the Philippines.
The milestone project was presented during a public consultation dialogue held on January 21, 2026, attended by bangus growers, fisherfolk, and stakeholders from across the province. The project is part of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, with support from the World Bank and the Department of Agriculture.
The facility directly addresses one of the biggest challenges in the local bangus industry, the shortage of bangus fry and larvae. Despite being the country’s top bangus producer, Pangasinan still relies heavily on imported fry, particularly from Indonesia.
“Ito na po ang matagal na nating hinihintay ng mga bangus stakeholders,” said Pangasinan Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya. “May hatchery na po tayo ngayon, pero nakakapag-produce lang ito ng halos 20 percent ng requirement ng buong probinsya.”
She emphasized that the project has been four years in the making, involving multiple stages of planning and coordination.
“Mahaba po ang naging journey ng proyektong ito, pero maganda ang naging resulta. Ang araw na ito ay malinaw na senyales na matutuloy na talaga ang hatchery,” she added.
Once operational, the hatchery located at the Provincial Agriculture Field Station in Barangay Arnedo, Bolinao Pangasinan is expected to produce over 100 million bangus fry and more than 48 million bangus larvae annually.
“Nagpapasalamat po ang aming lokal na pamahalaan dahil dito sa bayan ng Bolinao itatayo ang bangus breeding hatchery ng probinsya. Ito po ay malaking tulong sa aming mga mangingisda at nursery operators dahil magkakaroon na tayo ng sapat na supply ng bangus fry at larvae, at mas mapapalago ang kabuhayan ng buong komunidad,” said Mr. Eulalio Ramirez, Municipal Agriculturist and representative of the Bolinao Local Government.
The 238.9-million project is World Bank-assisted, with funding shared by the World Bank (80%), the national government (10%), and the provincial government (10%).
Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Manuel “Manny” O Luis Jr. described the hatchery as one of the major agricultural projects of Governor Ramon V. Guico III.
“Isa po ito sa mga flagship projects ni Governor Guico sa agrikultura. Layunin nitong palakasin ang produksyon, pababain ang presyo, at suportahan ang kabuhayan ng mga bangus stakeholders sa Pangasinan.” he said.
He added that bangus farming is more than a livelihood.
“Ang pagbabangus ay hindi lang trabaho… ito po ay isang lifestyle. Ang proyektong ito ay talagang para sa inyo, para mas mapagaan ang inyong trabaho.”
Aside from production, the facility will also serve as a training and innovation hub for small-scale nursery operators, fisherfolk associations, and cooperatives. It will feature modern aquaculture infrastructure, including broodstock tanks, larval rearing tanks, algal and rotifer culture tanks, and a training hall.
More than 17 municipalities including Agno, Alaminos City, Anda, Bani, Bolinao, Dasol, Sual, Binmaley, Bugallon, Labrador, Lingayen, Calasiao, San Carlos City, Mangaldan, San Fabian, Dagupan City, and Infanta will benefit, reaching over 40,000 fisherfolk and aquaculture stakeholders.
The Pangasinan Bangus Breeding and Hatchery Project is the only PRDP-supported provincial hatchery in the country, further positioning Pangasinan as a national leader in aquaculture development.
With construction expected to begin soon, the provincial government continues to work closely with communities to ensure alignment with local needs and sustainable outcomes, and to ensure the project’s success.
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The provincial government has earmarked 20 percent of its PhP8.3 billion 2026 annual budget for health. This translates to roughly PhP1.66 billion and which, according to Governor Ramon V. Guico III will establish a “competitive and comprehensive healthcare system” for all Pangasinenses.
As such, the new funding will enhance various programs and projects to include purchase of more state-of-the-art equipment, and hiring of additional medical practitioners.
“The province has committed 20% of its PhP8.3 billion annual budget to healthcare. All of us are part of this grand plan to build a competitive and comprehensive healthcare system in Pangasinan,” the governor said in a recent statement, emphasizing that the allocation is a policy lock-in that guarantees steady funding for hospitals, equipment, and health workers.
“We are investing in your health. Our objective is to make everyone happy because they are healthy,” the governor added.
It can be recalled that local officials and PhilHealth Region I Vice President Dennis Adre have praised Guiconsulta citing it as a model project for other LGUs, noting that the provincial government’s own funds cover the cash incentives, while PhilHealth provides the necessary core outpatient benefits. Quezon City has already expressed interest in replicating the program, underscoring growing national influence.
With the new budget in place, Pangasinan is set to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and moving closer to universal health coverage for the province’s 3.2 million populace.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan ng Pambansang Pamahalaan, Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan, at ng ating mga magsasaka, naniniwala tayo na ang mga programa tulad ng “Benteng Bigas Meron na!” ay patuloy na magbibigay tulong at ginhawa sa mamamayan na naglalayong magtaguyod ng seguridad sa pagkain, pag-angat ng kabuhayaan ng magsasaka, at kaunlaran para sa lahat ng Pangasinense,” stated Gov. Ramon V. Guico III during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing for the provincial launch of “Benteng Bigas, Meron na!” project on January 13.
The program — spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA), along with Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) and the National Food Authority (NFA) aims to provide affordable and sufficient rice for all Filipinos. Under this initiative, rice is made available at P20 per kilo, targeting the low-income households and vulnerable groups.
Beyond providing price relief for consumers, the project also ensures fair trade for farmers. For every kilogram of Benteng Bigas, the NFA commits to purchasing two kilograms of palay from local farmers.
Gov. Guico further stated that this program, integrated with the Kadiwa ed Kapitolyo, is partnered with other agricultural initiatives in the province, such as Corporate Farming. This initiative uses a convergence approach by uniting farmers into cooperatives, providing farming inputs and machinery, and giving technical assistance to increase crop yields and lower production costs. This guarantees long-term assistance for all Pangasinenses.
For a construction worker like Damon Sarmiento, 64, a resident of Binmaley, the program is a big help. “Balbaleg so tulong ‘to ‘yan programa ta akamenos ka lay balbaleg [ed gastos],” (This program is a big help because you can really save a lot on expenses), he shared.
Under the leadership of Gov. Guico, the provincial government remains committed to providing people-centered governance. PGP is balancing immediate relief with long-term sustainability by addressing present challenges and building a food-secure future for every Pangasinense.
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The Pangasinan Provincial Government led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III and the Department of Agriculture (DA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 13, for the implementation of the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” project.
Aligning with the national government’s food security program, this initiative aims to provide affordable rice to vulnerable sectors in the province,
The project will be synchronized with the Kadiwa sa Kapitolyo, a market outlet program that brings affordable agricultural products directly to consumers and is usually held at least twice a month at the Capitol Complex. The project offers rice at PhP20 per kilo, targeting low-income households, farmers, and other vulnerable groups.
It can be recalled that the DA has already rolled out the program in various parts of the country, benefiting nearly one million Filipinos since its inception in May 2025. The program aims to reach 15 million households by 2026, with sustained implementation to the grassroots until the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.
The National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Inc. likewise play pivotal role in the implementation of the project.
(Ruby F. Rayat, photos by Ervin Alcantara | PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN— Governor Ramon V. Guico III recently met with Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Dana Kursh during a courtesy visit at the Urduja House, as both parties discussed shared interests and possible areas for collaboration between the province and Israel.
The brief visit of Kursh served as a platform for sharing of best practices and exploration of collaboration in healthcare, education, tourism and culture, and disaster preparedness. The exchange focused on practical approaches and programs that may be adapted at the local level.
Part of the talks also touched on the possible inclusion of highlights of the Israel–Philippines relationship in museums, seen as a way to promote cultural understanding and strengthen ties built on partnership and friendship.
Pangasinan has previously hosted Israeli officials, including former Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, who visited the province on November 4, 2023. The ambassador came to Pangasinan to pay their respects at the wake of Angelyn P. Aguirre, a Pangasinense overseas Filipino worker who was killed during the war in Israel.
Governor Guico was joined during the courtesy visit by Provincial Administrator Manuel Luis Jr., Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Babyruth Torre, and Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Luisa Elduayan.
(Danna Laureano, Photo by Ervin Alcantara | PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – ”Beyond its historical significance, this event encourages Pangasinenses and all Filipinos to reflect on our responsibilities as citizens — uphold the values of freedom, equality, and justice, and contribute to the continued progress and development of our nation. It is a day to express our pride… our honor… and honor the past and renew our commitment to a brighter and more prosperous future for our province.” This was stated by Governor Ramon V. Guico III during the 81st celebration of Lingayen Gulf Landings and 19th Pangasinan Veterans Day on January 9.
With only 10 living veterans, two of whom reside in the US, Pangasinan paid tribute to the gallantry and bravery of unsung heroes of war who left a pivotal mark on history. The Lingayen Gulf Landings marked an important moment in Philippine history, as Allied forces landed on January 9, 1945, paving the way for Luzon’s liberation from Japanese forces.
As a tribute, the provincial government of Pangasinan held a simple commemorative program highlighted with wreath-laying ceremony at the new Capitol Beach Park. Prior to the program, a thanksgiving mass was officiated by Most Rev. Fidelis Layog, auxilliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.
National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro sent his message through Major General Pablo M. Lorenzo. “This commemoration, therefore, is also an important opportunity to look back at the enduring alliance and collective history between the Philippines and the United States of America as nations that both put great value on democracy, diplomacy, and the free and open Indo-Pacific region,” he stated.
Major General Lorenzo cited the various programs of the national government for the welfare of the veterans and acknowledged the provincial government’s support for the veterans.
The oldest living veteran is 108-year-old Valentin Mamanta Untalan from Calasiao town. Their legacy continues through their families, reminding us that courage is not just a moment, but a continuum. The blood of courage continues to flow, inspiring future generations to stand for freedom and justice.
(Ruby F. Rayat, photos by JP De Vera and Ervin Alcantara| PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – Pangasinan will celebrate the 81st anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings and the 19th Pangasinan Veterans Day on January 9, honoring the bravery and sacrifices of World War II veterans.
Based on record, only 10 veterans remain, with two residing in the US. The oldest living veteran is 108-year-old Valentin Mamanta Untalan from Calasiao town.
The Lingayen Gulf Landings marked an important moment in Philippine history, as Allied forces landed on January 9, 1945, paving the way for Luzon’s liberation from Japanese forces.
The provincial government led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, will honor the gallantry of the WWII heroes through a thanksgiving mass, wreath laying, and commemorative program at Veterans Memorial located at the new People’s Park in the Capitol Complex. Veterans will receive financial assistance and free medical check-ups.
Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. will be the guest of honor and speaker.
