Lingayen, Pangasinan- With the inspiring leadership of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, the Province of Pangasinan has been a consistent awardee of various accolades, awards, and citations in different fields of endeavor.
Just recently, Pangasinan was recognized as the top-performing province in Region 1 for achieving the highest average increase in taxable assessed value for three consecutive years.
With this, a Certificate of Achievement was awarded to the province by the Bureau of Local Government Finance in recognition of the efforts of the Provincial Government through the Provincial Assessor’s Office (PAO), which greatly contributed to the attainment of all development programs of the local government.
Atty. Geronimo M. Abad, Provincial Assessment Office (PAssO) Chief, said the award was a collective effort of the Provincial Assessor’s Office, the Municipal Assessor’s Office, and the entire Assessment Service of the province.
‘So, collective ang award na ito, effort ng buong assessment service sa probinsiya, Provincial Assessor’s Office at Municipal Assessor’s Offices ng lahat ng munisipyo ng probinsiya. Inspired po ulit tayong magtrabaho pra ma-maintain natin yung ganitong drive dahil ang turnout nito is increase ng taxes, revenue collection,’ he added.
The awarding took place at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Quezon City, on November 27, 2024. (Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III has once again proven its excellence in local governance and financial management.
The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) awarded two certificates of achievement to Pangasinan as the region’s top performer in terms of highest locally sourced revenues in nominal terms and top 1 in year-on-year growth in locally sourced revenues, both for the year 2023.
In addition, the province was also awarded as Top 2 in terms of Collection Efficiency on Locally Sourced Revenues for Fiscal Year 2023 and Top 2 as regards Ratio of Locally Sourced Revenue to Total Current Operating Income for the same year.
Provincial Treasury Office head Cristy Ubando accepted the awards during the BLGF Region I Year-end Assessment Conference and Recognition of Top Performing LGUs of Region 1 on November 27, 2024, at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Quezon City.
Under the leadership of Governor Guico, the provincial government endeavored to increase revenues through improvement of tax collection, thereby boosting economic enterprises to become self-reliant and not just rely on tax allocation from the national government.
As earlier stated by Gov. Guico, the biggest challenge handed down on him when he took over as the provincial chief executive in 2022 was how to make Pangasinan progressive.
“We have set clear directions for investors and instituted policies that would be beneficial to them,” Governor Guico said.
His administration likewise capitalized on the province’s abundant mineral resources, and this involved the launch of automated digital apps to modernize and boost the collection of revenues from mining and quarry operators.
It can be recalled that from the total quarry collections that ranged from P12 million to P15 million during the previous administration, the present administration managed to collect an unprecedented amount of P224.33 million.
Based on a report from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, the province’s collection totaled to P15,518,952.48 in 2022. This rose to P185,822,262.49, or about 1,097.39% collection growth rate in 2023. The latest report showed that the province has collected P224,334,849.81, or an increase of 20.73% from the 2023 collection. (Ruby F. Rayat, Photo: Cristy Ubando Facebook page, Joey F. Olimpo/PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—”Seeing the eyes through the eyes of a child is the purest joy anyone can experience.” This is what the theme for this year’s Pangasinan Capitol Christmas celebration, “Paskong Ang Galing, Bida mgaTsikiting,” denotes.
A call for Pangasinenses to enliven the spirit of pure intentions and grateful appreciation of all the countless bounties received, the theme is likewise a homage to the province’s youths.
In the Christmas Lighting Ceremony Program on November 29, Governor Ramon V. Guico III enumerated in his speech the gains that the province achieved in the past two years of his tenure that uplifted the lives of more than three million Pangasinenses.
Giving priority to the healthcare program, Gov. Guico stated his desire to register all Pangasinenses, young and old alike, in the provincial government’s Guiconsulta program and eventually transform Pangasinan into the healthiest province in the country.
Gov. Guico values the future of the younger generation and has directed his administration to provide free education for deserving youth beneficiaries.
Designed to provide opportunity for Pangasinense families to have at least one professional in their homes, the establishment of the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) is a dream come true for the governor.
With children as the centerpiece of this year’s Capitol Christmas celebration, the governor expressed his full concern for them.
“It’s always special that we highlighted yungmga kabataan at mga chikiting natin. It’s an inspiration that several of all the things that we are doing are for the children or the next generation,” Gov. Guico said.
Working hand-in-hand with the provincial government are the members of the First Spouses League of Pangasinan spearheaded by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Maan Tuazon-Guico.
“Our theme today is more festive ang dating so that it would be more attractive to the young generations, especially our kids,” the Pangasinan first lady stated as she added that the beneficiaries for this year’s lighting ceremony are the Indigenous People (IP).
It can be recalled that since December 2022, the FSL launched several community projects to provide social services to fire victims, centenarians, or senior citizens and for the IPs in Pangasinan. Outreach projects include the provision of potable water and solar lights to the remotest areas; the conduct of medical missions; and feeding activities to different far-flung areas hardly reached by social assistance.
This year’s beneficiaries, Mrs. Guico disclosed, are the IPs in need.
“’Yung IPs na talagang nangangailangan which are in the GIDA areas or those places na you will have to travel one and a half to five hours just to get there with no transportation going there. Yun ang gusto naming isuyod kasabay ng ibibigay ng First Spouses League through the pledges,” she cited.
Aside from the lighting of the spectacular 50-feet. Christmas tree and the Nativity scene (Belen) in front of the Capitol building. One of the program highlights was the awarding of winners for the LGU MTV-making contest, wherein the local government unit of Rosales emerged as the 1st placer.
Other highlights include the fireworks display and the lighting of some of the structures that transformed the Capitol Complex into a kidskingdom.
Joining the first family in the Christmas lighting ceremony were Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino and his wife, Atty. Melanie Lambino; some members of the provincial board; various local government unit heads and representatives; heads or representatives of different line agencies; provincial government department heads led by Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II; chiefs of hospitals; provincial government employees; and other guests. (Ruby F. Rayat, Joey Olimpo, JP De Vera/PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—With his dignified demeanor, Governor Ramon V. Guico III has what it takes to be one of the country’s most brilliant leaders and perhaps one of the best provincial chief executives Pangasinan has ever had.
His brilliance was exuded in his recent interview on ANC’s Business Roadshow by ABS-CBN ace journalist, Mr. Stanley Palisada. In the interview, Gov. Guico predominantly discussed the provincial board’s approval of an unprecedented P7.1 billion budget for 2025.
“We focused on the other function of the local government unit. One, of course, is according to Republic Act 7160 Sections 15 to 21. The LGUs have political and bureaucratic functions as service providers and as tax-oriented political organizations, but equal to that is the corporate function, which is more empowering and is focused on community creation of wealth and creation of profits and incomes,” Gov. Guico stated as he further said that this kind of premise is what his administration has charted to do since he assumed office in July 2022.
The governor shared that he didn’t do it alone and that the entire community/organization was involved. “It takes the whole community or the whole organization to do it. You need the support of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the local chief executives, and all of your department heads and employees of the provincial Capitol,” he said.
When asked about the challenges he met when he decided to shift the traditional way of running the provincial government into a business-oriented style, Gov. Guico emphasized that before he ran as the highest official of the province, he first assessed what to prioritize and do for Pangasinan.
During the campaign, Gov. Guico vowed to the more than 3 million Pangasinenses that his administration would bolster the province’s economy through various big-ticket projects such as the establishment of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) and the provision of free college education for deserving youth. Likewise, he disclosed his other priority programs and projects, notably job creation, health care, social services, agriculture, and housing.
During the interview, the governor stated his desire to swiftly realize the PLEX project in due time. Thus, the provision of a standby loan and business proposal to some private corporations that are into tollways became an option for the province.
Then San Miguel Corporation (SMC) came in the nick of time, and without a single centavo investment for Pangasinan, the big-ticket project will be realized in due time. “There was a connection; it happened so fast, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement (pertaining to the province and the SMC) without a single centavo investment for Pangasinan,” Gov. Guico said.
As such, the groundbreaking of the P34 billion PLEX Phase 1 took place at Barangay Balligi, Laoac, on March 21, 2024, with no less than Gov. Guico and Mr. Ramon S. Ang, President and Chief Executive Officer of San Miguel Corporation. The historic Gargantuan project will not only improve connectivity between the eastern and western parts of Pangasinan but will likewise enhance the road networks in Central and Northern Luzon.
Among the priority projects for the 2025 provincial budget is education.
With its class opening in August 2024, PPC offers various baccalaureate degrees to 700 initial scholars. Before this, the educational facility started offering technical-vocational courses through its Center for Lifelong Learning (CeLL) last April of the current year. “Soon we would like to expand it into three other campuses. That’s free education, but we reimbursed the cost and the tuition from the CHED Unifast,” Gov. Guico said.
On agriculture, the governor mentioned corporate farming as his administration’s signature project. “We are promoting corporate farming, so we are asking the farmers to consolidate their land holdings so they can have bigger areas of production,” he cited.
The Corporate Farming Program, which was launched in July 2023, aims to enhance food production. Said program is in line with the province’s strategic objective to uplift the socio-economic status and well-being of every Pangasinense. “There should be a scientific approach to farming. With all those ingredients, as we have economies on scale, you get better discounts on your inputs,” he explained in the interview.
With the whopping P7.1 billion budget for Pangasinan in 2025, the governor is optimistic that more projects will be realized. “The national tax allocation is something that the national government gives you, but you have to do something with your local taxes and income,” he said.
“We passed some ordinances, we revised our revenue code, we amended quarry ordinances, and then we employed technology like apps so that we can monitor the operations of quarry in our rivers,” he stated, further revealing that the provincial government targeted a collection of P120 million for 2024 but has already exceeded its target by hitting P218,379,000.00 as of November (this year).
Based on records of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), tax collections on quarry during the past administration (Espino administration) were from P12 million to P15 million only, a far cry from the present collections for quarry under Gov. Guico.
The governor attributed the remarkable feat in revenue collections to the “honest-to-goodness” thrust of his administration. (Ruby F. Rayat/Carlo dela CruzPIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, achieved a stunning record of 14,290 job placements, both local and overseas.
The number was consolidated by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) starting in the first month of Gov. Guico’s term in July 2022 until October 2024.
Based on the report, a total of 1,363 job seekers were placed for local employment, while some 253 individuals were placed overseas from July 2022 until December of the same year.
From January 2023 to December 2023, the number rose three times from the first six months of Gov. Guico’s tenure, translating to 3,265 job seekers placed for local employment and 75 individuals sent for overseas work.
As such, the total number of local job placements from January to October 2024 incurred a threefold increase from that in 2023, with 9,315 individuals employed in different companies in Pangasinan and nearby cities and provinces in Luzon. Nineteen (19) job seekers made it for overseas employment in the past 10 months of this year.
Overall, PESO Pangasinan reported that some 347 individuals were employed overseas for the past two years of Gov. Guico’s term.
It can be recalled that among the campaign promises made by Gov. Guico is to create at least 10,000 jobs for Pangasinenses. “If we want to alleviate poverty, we must create job opportunities and equip our people for gainful employment,” the governor earlier stated as he vowed to provide more opportunities for Pangasinense job seekers in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the PESO report shows that job placements under the present administration are a far cry from the previous administration, which recorded a total of 7,015 local and overseas job placements from July 2019 to June 2022. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The health reform program for Pangasinan visualized by Governor Ramon V. Guico III is expected to be bolstered with international collaborations.
This developed after Pangasinan contingents composed of various department officials and medical experts of the provincial government led by Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II conferred with officers and administrators of the Stanford Hospital during a two-day official visit that started on November 7 in California, USA.
“We are dreaming of international collaboration for the improvement of the healthcare system in the province,” PA Patague said.
The meeting, organized by the United Pangasinanes in America, is part of the province’s benchmarking activities, which included educational discussions with the Urban Planning Council of Daly City, California.
Under Gov. Guico’s stewardship, the province’s health program was improved not just in terms of hospital facilities and equipment but with the technical know-how of the province’s healthcare providers.
Recently, the provincial government launched the GUICOnsulta project with an initial fund of P300 million.
Governor Guico is committed to fulfilling his goal of enrolling the whole Pangasinan population and make the province a haven for the healthiest populace.
As an added assistance, the provincial government has started granting cash incentives to residents who will avail of the program.
“Wala ng dahilan para hindi tayo magpa-check up for the preventive health care program of the province dahil dalhin niyo lang po sila sa mga ospital natin at sa mga barangay health station o mga RHU ng mga munisipyo at siyudad, bibigyan po namin sila ng pangkain at ng kanilang pamasahe. Hindi na po dahilan na hindi kami pwedeng magpa-check up dahil wala akong pamasahe at wala kaming pangkain,”
Lingayen, Pangasinan—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan has approved the 7.1 billion budget of the province for 2025.
Governor Ramon V. Guico III expressed deep appreciation to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino as well as the department heads for their all-out support.
“Let me just highlight that this annual budget, aside from being the first time that we have reached this amount, is mostly the result of the professional management of our provincial government,” Governor Guico said.
The approved 2025 Annual Budget amounting to PhP 7,100,312,215.00 showed a significant increase compared to the P5,729,765,891.00 budget of 2024 with a remarkable difference of P1,370,546,324.00.
The Provincial Board, in its regular session on October 28, approved the 2025 Annual Budget under Appropriation Ordinance No. 5-2024, an ordinance enacting the general fund annual budget for the operation of the provincial government of Pangasinan from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
Based on the comparative data report, the National Tax Allocation(NTA) of P4,969,145,891.00 in 2024, rose to P5,899,987,215.00 for 2025.
As to other sources, the record shows that from P760,620,000.00 in 2024, it increased to P1,200,325,000.00 for 2025.
Meanwhile, the summary of appropriations includes Personal Services (features Implementation of the Salary Standardization Law VI (SSL of 2024), Anniversary Bonus and Medical Allowance); Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses; Capital Outlay and Special Purpose Appropriation (the full provisions of budgetary requirements pursuant to Section 324 of the Local Government Code), to wit: 5% LDRRMF amounting to 350,015,611.00; 20% Development Fund amounting to P1,179,997,443.00; and Other SPA in the amount of P1,283,306,831.00.
The total of which represents 39.62% of the total proposed budget, which will go directly to the priority development or results-oriented programs, projects, or activities embodied in the Annual Investment Program for CY 2025.
The annual budget likewise includes estimated expenditures by sector as follows: general services: P2,680,755,275.00 (37.75%); social services: P3,032,256,191.00 (42.71%); Economic Services: P1,387,300,749.00 (19.54%) for a total of P 7,100,312,215.00.
It has been the thrust of Gov. Guico and his administration to increase the revenue of the province.
Attuned to said thrust, Gov. Ramon V. Guico III said during the Budget Hearing on October 24 that the people of Pangasinan deserve no less than the best that such an impactful P7.1 billion was allocated for CY 2025 and further cited that this is the first time in the history of Pangasinan that such a budget has been proposed for the annual operation of the province.
“When we assumed office, the thrust of Gov. Guico and this administration was to increase the revenue not solely to be dependent on the National Tax Allocation (NTA) but more so, working our best to improve collections, proposed so many economic enterprises, efficiency in management, and, at the same time, empowering in the employees because we believe that for us to achieve all of these, we need the participation of each and every Pangasinense, every employee of the provincial Capitol, and that of our hospital system. Even the lowly employees play a big and crucial part in achieving all of these,” the governor added.
Earlier, the province’s Chief Executive also disclosed that part of the said approved budget will be for the establishment of a gnome center, the historic ‘first’ for Pangasinan, construction of an additional school building for Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), construction and acquisition of new hospitals and more dialysis centers, and other infrastructure facilities.
Also, an increased budget for the corporate farming project as well as for the salt production project is taken onto priority in addition to the increased budget for PPC scholarship and the expansion of the healthcare system, notably the GUICOnsulta or the Government Unified Incentives for Medical Consultation, among others.
Gov. Guico also stated that his administration is investing heavily in the healthcare system in his firm belief that health is important and should be given focus.
Currently, the launch of a preventive healthcare system targets about two million of the population to enroll in PhilHealth’s Konsulta program through the GUICOnsulta of the province to address healthcare issues hounding Pangasinan and the entire country.
“This is an evidence that we are on the right track. Whatever commitment or promises that we have proposed tour provincemates, hindi po ito pangakong napapako. Ito po ay pangako that is tangible, concrete, and very achievable,” the governor said. (Chona C. Bugayong/Photo: JP de Vera)
Lingayen, Pangasinan—Pangasinan officials will be joining other global attendees numbering to about 25,000 from both the public and private sectors across the globe.
This is in line with the invitation of Consul General Maria Theresa SM. Lazaro to attend the annual Smart City Expo World Congress from Nov. 5 to 7.
Delegates of the province are set on a 10-day official working visit to Barcelona, Spain, slated for November 2 to November 10.
The Smart City is the world’s biggest and most influential event for cities and urban innovation, serving as a path to discover the latest technologies and enjoy premier networking with the leaders in government and business from around the world.
As per the invitation letter addressed to Atty. Verna T. Nava-Perez, Pangasinan Provincial Board Secretary, and other provincial government officials, the annual congress brings together government leaders, C-level executives, global experts, and visionaries to move cities towards a better future through sharing knowledge and best practices aimed at empowering cities to tackle the current critical challenges.
Delegates of the province are expected to have a packed work schedule/itinerary in their foreign trip, which includes a courtesy call with Consul General Ma. Theresa SM Lazaro, Philippine Consulate General, Barcelona, Spain (Nov. 4); Keynote Session: Majora Carter Infrastructure & Building: How Do Urban Resilience and Talent Retention Connect (Nov. 5); Energy & Environment Mobility Dialogue: Elevating Urban Living: Engaging Communities and Integrating Services for a Net Positive Smart City (Nov. 6); Keynote Session: Stephanie Hare Enabling Technology (Nov. 7); and Benchmarking Tour in Barcelona City (Nov. 5 to 7).
These form part of the many sessions that participants from the province will engage in that are vital in achieving gains for the province towards socio-economic opportunities apart from acquiring learnings that they can personally apply in connection with their respective duties and responsibilities in the provincial government.
Moreover, said foreign travel will be an avenue for creating ties with more than 130 participating countries.
The event activities or composition are aligned and significant to the province’s vision and mission under the stewardship of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III.
(Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO)
Images Courtesy of Smart City Expo World Congress Facebook Page
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—A partnership between the Province of Pangasinan, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the implementation of a tourist rest area (TRA) project in the Capitol Area is in the offing.
As this develop, Governor Ramon V. Guico will enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the concerned agencies.
In the regular session of the provincial board on October 29, a resolution authored by Board Member Marinor B. De Guzman was approved.
“The Tourist Rest Area is one of the flagship programs of the Department of Tourism in partnership with TIEZA that aims for local and foreign tourists in need of information on the tourist sites and attractions, activities, accommodations, safety and security, and other provisions necessary during their stay,” the resolution stated.
Known for its historical, cultural, coastal sun, and coastal tourism products, the Provincial Capitol Area has been greatly contributing to the image and branding of Pangasinan as it is likewise considered a driver to the provincial economy.
“The Province of Pangasinan in general and the Capitol Area in particular is a major tourist destination in the Ilocos Region which draws a considerable volume of tourists per year, thus the need to implement the TRA project to improve the overall tourism experience of visitors,” the resolution disclosed.
Moreover, the present administration endeavored to transform the Capitol Area into a major tourist attraction, both local and international, by enhancing its visuals and adding well-planned aesthetic projects such as the Reflective Pool and Interactive Fountain, a product of thorough deliberations between the executive and legislative branches of the provincial government along with the support of multi-agencies and grassroots leaders.
Some of the responsibilities of the parties stated in the MOA include the following:
The DOT shall provide design and conceptual assistance for the interior design (such as the pasalubong center and other tourism-related business activities or services) of the TRA to make it reflective of the local culture;
TIEZA to earmark, allocate, and appropriate, through its budget, the amount of P10,000,000.00;
Province of Pangasinan to operate the TRA exclusively for tourism purposes; provide a government-owned property where the project shall be constructed.
It can be recalled that in the previous State of the Province of Gov. Guico, he said that
“The Provincial Administration through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office strengthens our resolve toward the enhancement of participatory governance especially in tourism. We play the role of an aggressive catalyst to permeate every nook and corner of the province to strengthen the tourism industry.”
Lingayen, Pangasinan—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III is committed to strengthening disaster risk reduction through an entire agency approach.
In line with this, PDRRM Council members convened for its 4th Quarter CY 2024 Meeting on October 16 at the PASER Building Training Hall, PDRRMO here.
The collaborative session was aimed at achieving consistent updates, effective coordination, and strategic alignment.
Executive Assistant III Ronn Dale B. Castillo, who represented the Governor, assured the Council of Gov. Guico’s support towards this end.
‘We have to redouble our disaster risk reduction efforts, and whatever happens, kasama po natin ang buong province sa laban ng disaster risk reduction,” Atty. Castillo said.
Throughout the meeting, the Council engaged in discussions and presentations.
Key topics include the Creation of RDANA Team Composition discussed by PDRRMO Research and Planning Unit Head Ron Maegan Equila; Health Updates on Waterborne Disease (Acute gastroenteritis/vector-borne and zoonotic diseases/Mpox) with reports from PHO through Jonathan Melchor (Nurse); La Nina Updates (Summary of La Nina Damage Reports on Agriculture and Fishery) discussed by Jonald Bautista, Agriculturist I, OPAG, while reports on the effects of La Nina in Livestock and Poultry were discussed by Dr. Ivy Fontanilla; and Oplan Undas was tackled by PDRRMO Operations Supervisor Vincent Chiu.
Earlier, Engr. Jose Estrada Jr., Chief Meteorologist, Pag-Asa Dagupan, gave a brief weather forecast condition.
Other matters such as consolidation of inventory of rescue equipment, disaster response action plan during worst-case scenario, preparation for LDRRM plan training, and 4th quarter NSED preparation wrapped up the day’s discussion.
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) through the Pangasinan Salt Center will supply 6,904 bags of Agricultural Grade Salt Fertilizer (AGSF) in Region III and MIMAROPA for the implementation of the Coconut Fertilization Program of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
An active supporter of the PCA’s Coconut Planting and Replanting Program, the PGP, under the stewardship of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, is committed to extending its cooperative efforts to the various programs and projects of the national government.
As such, the PCA is currently implementing the Coconut Planting and Replanting Program, which aims to fully revitalize the coconut industry by planting 100 million trees from 2023 to 2028.
The province’s 473-hectare salt farm in Zaragoza, Bolinao, on the other hand, will supply the salt requirement in the areas identified by the PCA for its project.
Chlorine deficiency in coconut was found to be widespread in inland areas. A PCA survey conducted nationwide reportedly showed that at least 40 coconut-producing provinces are severely chlorine deficient.
Based on studies, the use of sodium chloride (NaCl) or common salt as fertilizer is a practical means of increasing coconut yield or production.
“A partnership between the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan would help achieve the goal to help the coconut industry for the benefit of both small coconut and salt farmers,” the approved provincial board resolution authored by Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison partly stated.
The Pangasinan Salt Center, which is now being operated by the provincial government through the leadership of Gov. Guico, has an available supply of approximately 3,000 metric tons of salt and can supply the required quantity of locally produced agricultural-grade salt fertilizer for the PCA’s Coconut Fertilization Program.
In his previous State of the Province Address (SOPA), Gov. Guico stated that the provincial government took the bull by the horns in responding to the challenge of President Ferdinand R. Marcos when the latter signed the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, or RA 11985.
“We need to drastically reduce our dependency on imported salt and produce 100% of our consumption needs. We must even think of becoming a net exporter of salt in the future,” the governor disclosed further, citing that the province fully supports all other endeavors of the national government, including the programs and projects of the PCA.
Hence, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) shall be signed by Gov. Guico and PCA Administrator and CEO, Dr. Dexter R. Buted. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
Lingayen, Pangasinan—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, bagged three major awards for its services and excellence in tourism and heritage promotion during the 25th Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) National Convention and Pearl Awards held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, on October 10, 2024.
The province was awarded 1st runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenirs (Banaan Museum Souvenirs); 2nd runner-up for Best Sports Tourism Event (Philippine Beach Games of Pista’y Dayat); and 2nd runner-up for Best International Event Hosting (2nd International Conference on Pangasinan and Bulosan Studies).
Pangasinan Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) Chief Maria Luisa A. Elduayan expressed pride and elation for the significant accolades received by the province that served as a show window of the governor’s continuing efforts and support for local tourism.
“These are all manifestations of the hard work and passion of PTCAO’s Pangasinan tourism team, the cooperation and collaboration among our MSMEs, LGUs, partner organizations, the private sector, and the full support of the administration of Governor Ramon Mon-Mon Guico III,” PTCAO said in its social media post.
ATOP Pearl Awards is an annual recognition program that honors outstanding individuals, organizations, and local government units (LGUs) for their remarkable contributions to the development and promotion of the Philippine tourism industry.
It can be recalled that the province was likewise awarded as Region 1’s Best Province in Local Tourism Planning last September 20 during the Region 1 Tourism Summit 2024 in San Fernando City, La Union.
