Author: Joanna Tacason

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN — The Province of Pangasinan celebrated the best of local tourism, culinary, and hospitality excellence through the first-ever DAYEW 2025: The Pangasinan Province Tourism Skills Exposition, held from October 20 to 21 in Lingayen.

Organized by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), in partnership with the Association of Hospitality and Tourism Trainers, Educators, and Professionals of Pangasinan (AHTTEP), the two-day expo gathered students from 24 universities across the province to compete in hospitality, tourism, and culinary skills competitions, including live and display challenges.

Pangasinan State University (PSU) emerged as the DAYEW 2025 Grand Champion, sweeping both titles for Culinary and Tourism Skills Challenge categories, while San Nicolas Pangasinan Training and Assessment Center was named Hospitality Skills Challenge Champion.

“Thank you for expressing your talent and your skills as young Pangasinenses. Hopefully, in the next coming years, we will gather more institutions to be part of this endeavor,” said Provincial Administrator Manny Luis Jr., who represented Governor Ramon V. Guico III. “Rest assured that the Office of the Governor is one hundred percent in support of these activities, especially in honing future contributors to the tourism sector of our province,” he added.

Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan also described the event as part of the provincial government’s continuous investment in human capital development. “This launching activity is our aspiration for the development of young, highly skilled, culture and values-oriented Pangasinense. This exposition’s showcase of skills and culture of excellence will lead us closer to the accomplishment of the vision and mission of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan under the administration of Governor Ramon V. Guico III.”

Distinguished guests who joined the program included 1st District Board Member and Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism Hon. Apolonia DG. Bacay, AHTTEP President Dr. Jerry L. Ceballos Jr., CHED RO1 Director IV Christine Nabor Ferrer, TESDA Pangasinan Provincial Director James Ferrer, among other educators and tourism leaders.

LIST OF WINNERS

HOSPITALITY SKILLS COMPETITION
• Table Setting (Display Competition)
GOLD: Maxima Technical and Skills Training Institute, Inc.
SILVER: University of Perpetual Help System Pangasinan
BRONZE: PHINMA University of Pangasinan – Dagupan Campus

• Hotel Lobby Centerpiece (Display Competition)
GOLD: San Nicolas Pangasinan – Training and Assessment Center
SILVER: Universidad de Dagupan
BRONZE: Pangasinan State University

• Napkin Folding (Live Competition)
GOLD: San Nicolas Pangasinan – Training and Assessment Center
SILVER: Maxima Technical and Skills Training Institute, Inc.
BRONZE: Ledesma School of Skills Development, Inc.

• Cocktail Mixing Challenge – Talking Bartender (Live Competition)
GOLD: University of Perpetual Help System Pangasinan
SILVER: STI College Alaminos
BRONZE: PIMSAT Colleges Dagupan

CULINARY SKILLS COMPETITION
• Pangasinan Cuisine Cooking Challenge
GOLD: University of Luzon
SILVER: Philippine Accountancy and Science School College
BRONZE: Pangasinan State University

• Fruit and Vegetable Carving
GOLD: Pangasinan State University
SILVER: Philippine College of Science and Technology
BRONZE: PIMSAT Colleges

• Plated Dessert Display Competition
GOLD: PHINMA University of Pangasinan – Dagupan Campus
SILVER: Pangasinan State University
BRONZE: Philippine College of Science and Technology

TOURISM SKILLS COMPETITION
• Travel Brochure Design Competition
GOLD: Pangasinan State University
SILVER: PASS College
BRONZE: Lyceum Northwestern University

• Travel Vlog Competition
GOLD: PHINMA University of Pangasinan – Dagupan Campus
SILVER: Pangasinan State University
BRONZE: WCC Aeronautical and Technological College – Binalonan

• Tour Guiding Competition
GOLD: Pangasinan State University
SILVER: Señor Tesoro College, Inc.
BRONZE: WCC Aeronautical and Technological College – Binalonan

• Pangasinan Ultimate Ecotourism Tour Package Competition
GOLD: Pangasinan State University
SILVER: PHINMA University of Pangasinan – Dagupan Campus
BRONZE: University of Perpetual Help System Pangasinan

• Flight Attendant Showmanship
GOLD: Pangasinan WCC Aeronautical and Technological College – Binalonan
SILVER: PHINMA University of Pangasinan – Dagupan Campus
BRONZE: Pangasinan State University

(Danna Laureano, Photo by JP De Vera | PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, paid tribute to the province’s senior population during the Elderly Filipino Week 2025 provincial celebration held at the PTDC II here, on October 22, 2025. With the theme, “Embracing Age: Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose,” the celebration was spearheaded by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. It highlighted the PGP’s commitment to its elderly constituents.

Provincial Administrator Manuel Luis Jr. delivered Gov. Guico’s message, assuring the elderly of the provincial government’s unwavering support. “Ang opisina po ng ating butihing gobernador at ang PSWDO ay nakasuporta sa inyo pong mga programa at pangagailangan,” PA Luis stated, emphasizing Gov. Guico’s commitment to enhancing health initiatives for the province.

The event featured the recognition of the Top 5 LGUs with the Most Outstanding Senior Citizens Centers, which were awarded certificates of recognition and cash prizes. Winners were evaluated based on their delivery of safe, inclusive, and high-impact programs for senior citizens.

The winners were as follows: Champion: Villasis 1st Runner-Up: Urdaneta City 2nd Runner-Up: Balungao 3rd Runner-Up: Basista 4th Runner-Up: Asingan

Likewise, Pangasinense centenarians were individually honored with certificates of recognition and cash gifts. Honorary guests included Atty. Glaiza Bernadeth P. Pinto-Tadeo, National Commission of Senior Citizens-Region 1 Director; Board Member Marinor B. De Guzman; Board Member Apolonia DG. Bacay; PGO Consultant Rosary Gracia “Chinky” P. Tababa; and OSCARAP President Francisco T. Guico, Jr. Dr. Belinda S. Barrozo, President of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP) Pangasinan Chapter, expressed deep gratitude for the support received from the provincial government and Gov. Guico. “Thank you, Governor, for giving your support. This will be sustained through our advocacy, social mobilization, and linkage management,” she said.

The event reaffirmed PGP’s commitment to ensuring that Pangasinense senior citizens continue to live with dignity, respect, and purpose.

(Eira Gorospe, photo by GIP Monica Melchor | PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Province of Pangasinan has been recognized by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), under the Department of Finance, for its outstanding performance in fiscal management for the year 2024. As stated in the BLGF Memorandum Circular No. 017-2025, dated October 1, 2025, Pangasinan ranked 7th in Locally Sourced Revenues (LSR) nationwide and 10th in Year-on-Year Growth in LSR from 2023 to 2024 among the provinces across the country.

A testament of Pangasinan’s commitment to good governance, the achievement reflects the province’s commitment to sound financial leadership backed by efficient revenue generation and continuous improvement in local governance. LSR includes real property tax, business and other taxes, fees, as well as local economic enterprise revenues.

Since July 2022, Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s administration has implemented policies and programs that promote responsible financial management.  The 11-year-old Revenue Code of the province has been amended by the provincial board, resulting in increased mineral extraction fees, resulting in an unprecedented increase in revenue collection.

On various occasions, Governor Guico has emphasized that all recognitions received by the province are a result of the collective efforts of the provincial government, local officials, and employees who work tirelessly to ensure that targets and goals for financial stability and growth are met and surpassed. Pangasinan’s ranking in LSR (Locally Sourced Revenues) and year-on-year growth demonstrates its ability to generate and manage its own resources effectively.

The BLGF’s recognition of Pangasinan’s fiscal management aptly testifies to the province’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. Last year, the province incurred a record-breaking revenue collection of P6.6 billion. Gross collection from quarry products (sand, gravel, and other quarry products) has totalled P235,575,494.26.

Provincial government-run hospitals, on the other hand, generated a record of P546.14 million in hospital fees, surpassing the P400 million target. The utilization of automated digital apps to modernize and boost the collection of revenues from mining and quarry operators has contributed to the unprecedented collection growth.

(Ruby F. Rayat|PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), headed by its president Prof. Raymundo D. Rovillos, PhD, and the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifying a strong partnership to strengthen academic programs, research and development, and bolster community extension services.

Signed by the PPC president and UP Chancellor Atty. Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, the MOU aims to establish a framework for collaboration in different areas, such as joint research and development projects, community and extension service initiatives, academic program development, and technical assistance. The ceremonial signing was witnessed by Mr. Nicanor D. Germono Jr., PPC Board Secretary and International Relations Officer, and Prof. Giovanni Francis A. Legaspi, Dean of the UP-Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT).

As a flagship program of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, PPC has made significant strides since its opening in 2024, with a total of 700 students comprising the first batch of enrollees. Earlier, PPC beefed up partnerships with various international institutions and firms, including Globarx Philippines, which supports foreign professionals who want to find a job or switch careers in Japan. The Lotte Scholarship Foundation (South Korea), on the other hand, awards scholarships to deserving Pangasinense youth, including PPC students.

With a mission to provide free and quality education for the youth, Governor Guico pushes for PPC expansion through the establishment of additional campuses in the future.

As such, PPC management is optimistic that through various partnerships, enhanced academic and research capabilities that will benefit students and faculty as well as the community, are within reach.

(Ruby F. Rayat|PIMRO, photo courtesy of PPC)