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LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Province of Pangasinan was recently adjudged by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-1) as the “Most Disability-Inclusive Province” in the entire region.

Pangasinan bested La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. The presentation of the award was one of the highlights of the National Disability Rights (NDR) Post-Celebration in Region 1 on August 22.

The award, according to Jennifer V. Garcia, Disability Officer IV of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), is a recognition accorded to the province for its “exceptional efforts in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are fully integrated into the community.”

“The DSWD Region 1 lauded Pangasinan for its leadership in setting a regional example in disability inclusivity and encouraging other provinces to adopt similar initiatives,” Garcia said.

Governor Ramon V. Guico III undertook a comprehensive initiative to render various programs and services that aimed not just to address the specific needs of PWDs but likewise to empower and uplift their lives.

As an assurance, Gov. Guico vowed to champion the cause of PWDs in the province by giving them equal access to government programs and services.

The provincial government, through the PSWDO led by Anabel Roque, has continuously implemented programs and projects that will redound to the benefit of the sector.

To reinforce the province’s dedication to empowering the sector, the Pangasinan Federation of PWD Incorporated was established, and the creation of 44 out of 47 local government units (LGUs) was facilitated by PSWDO PDAO.

Aside from the province, the main awardees in the regional search for the most disability-inclusive communities are as follows: Local Government Unit (LGU) of Asingan—Most Inclusive Municipality; LGU Alaminos City—Most Inclusive City; Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City—Most Inclusive Barangay. Runners-up, on the other hand, include LGU Mangatarem, 1st Runner-Up (Most Inclusive Municipality); Brgy. Poblacion Malasiqui, Pangasinan-1st Runner Up (Most Inclusive Barangay); Brgy. Tangcarang, Alaminos City, 2nd Runner Up (Most Inclusive Barangay). In the PWD Got Talent competition, Christian Joel Duenas from Zone 6 Campo, Bayambang Town, was adjudged the 2nd runner-up.

Based on the record, there are about 58,813 individuals with disabilities in Pangasinan.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan– The provincial government, through the Provincial Population Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (PPCLDO), in partnership with the Commission on Population Development (CPD) Region I, conducted a Family Planning Forum in celebration of the 2024 National Family Planning Month (NFPM).

Anchored on the theme: “Panalo ang Pamilyang Planado! Tara, Usap Tayo sa Family Planning” highlights the significance of family planning (FP) in improving the quality of lives of the people as the country aims to advance transformative, social, and economic development.

The forum aimed to increase awareness on responsible parenting (RP) and family planning (FP) and promote and share the right information with the public.

“Bilang mga kawani ng pamahalaan, isa po sa ating mga responsibilities ay ang mag share ng tamang impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan patungkol sa pagpapalaganap ng RP at FP upang ang buong probinsiya, ang lahat ng pamilyang Pangasinense ay responsableng nagpapamilya,” PPCLD Officer Ellsworth G. Gonzales said.

Gov. Ramon V. Guico III assured the full support of the provincial government for the said activities, programs, and initiatives to achieve a healthier community, a healthier family, and a better future.

Discussed during the lectures and presentations include Family Planning/Reproductive Health Status of Region I; Family Planning/Reproductive Health Status of Pangasinan; Role of Family Planning Communication in Influencing FP Acceptance; and Men’s Participation in Family Planning.

Acting Regional Director, CPD Region 1 Aileen T. Serrano; Assistant Regional Director, CPD Region 1 Wilma E. Ulpindo; Project Evaluation Officer I, CPD Region I Roy Gerson B. Torres; and FP Program Manager, PHO Pangasinan Sheryll R. Bascos, served as resource speakers.

To wrap up the event, a public health forum dubbed “Mental Health in Action” was also conducted by the province through the Employees Health and Wellness Club (EHWC).

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, and JP De Vera/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III recently created the Construction Supervision Team (CST) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up in the Province of Pangasinan by virtue of Executive Order No. 0081, Series of 2024.

PRDP is a poverty reduction development program of the national government through the Department of Agriculture that aims to increase rural incomes and enhance farm and fishery productivity in the targeted areas of the country.

As such, the accomplishments gained from the PRDP prompted the national government to increase program funds and expand the project to PRDP Scale Up. This is to further support the government’s effort to improve farmers’ and fishermen’s access to the market and boost their income from selected agri-fishery value chains.

It can be recalled that the Province of Pangasinan is a recipient of four sub-projects approved for funding and implementation under PRDP Scale Up. These are as follows: three provincial warehouses with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) located in the towns of Bugallon and Sta. Barbara and San Quintin and the Pangasinan Bangus Breeding and Hatchery in Bolinao.

With the creation of the construction supervision team, which will be spearheaded by Gov. Guico and chaired by Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison, it is expected that project implementation will be properly guided by the plans and technical specifications required by the project.

Other members of the team include Provincial Engineer Amadeo Veras; Provincial Planning and Development Office officer-in-charge Rowena V. Ignacio; and Asst. Provincial Engineer Jonathan Ramos, Engr. Carl Abarabar, Engr. Danmill Danganan; and Engr. Alvin Melendez. The aforementioned engineers will perform different functions as stipulated in the executive order. Also included are selected offices that are tasked with special functions like monitoring and evaluation, finance, geo-mapping, and governance, among others.

In preparation for the implementation and construction of the projects, a pre-construction conference is slated to be held on August 28–30 at the Pangasinan Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) Conference Room, to be facilitated by technical personnel from the agriculture department’s Regional Project Coordinating Office 1.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan: With the establishment of additional health facilities, procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment, hiring of more health practitioners, and training, all 14 provincial government-run hospitals are now “hospitals of choice.”

In his first few months in service, in 2022, Governor Ramon V. Guico III ordered the hiring of additional health practitioners to be deployed in the various district and community hospitals in Pangasinan. From 3,117 in 2023 (1,826 health and 1,291 non-health personnel), the total number of both health and non-health personnel climbed to 3,221 in 2024 (1,910 health and 1,311 non-health personnel).

Various capability enhancement trainings were likewise conducted for health practitioners stationed in the different district and community hospitals.

In 2023, the province inked a partnership with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 1 that facilitated the deployment of a Residency Training Program to reinforce the human resource requirement in government hospitals. A memorandum of agreement (MOA), on the other hand, was signed by Gov. Guico in February 2024 with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center for the implementation of the Nursing Skills Training Program in Pangasinan.

Aside from enhancing the skills of medical workers and augmenting the number, the province also acquired new medical and laboratory equipment, including 21 ultrasounds, six computed tomography (CT) scans, one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 10 X-ray machines.

The Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program played a pivotal role in assisting indigent patients and those who are financially incapacitated. With this, a hefty amount of P461,801,375.00 was downloaded to the province, made possible through the signing of five separate Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs).

In the first MOA, the province received a total of P269,570,375.65, of which P267,332,429.59 was utilized. For the second MOA, P37,026,000.00 was downloaded, and P37,035,999.92 was utilized. An amount of P72,765,000.00 was granted in the third MOA, with P69,258,840.17 utilized. In the fourth MOA, the province received P55,440,000.00 and utilized a total of P47,969,270.89. An amount of P27,000,000.00 came from the fifth MOA, in which the province utilized P33,600,000.00. Sources of funds came from the health department and various senators, congressmen, party-list representatives, and other leaders.

To provide additional health facilities, the present administration endeavors to build hemodialysis centers in all district hospitals in Pangasinan. Recently, Gov. Guico led the groundbreaking of a three-storey building at Lingayen District Hospital. Upgrading the bed capacities of the various health facilities is also among the thrusts of the provincial government.

It can also be recalled that the province launched the Pangasinan Community-Based Konsulta Plus program to increase the utilization of healthcare services, particularly among vulnerable populations, based on their needs. This is just one of the many health projects of the present administration to achieve its thrust in instituting preventive health programs in the province.

Based on the report prepared by the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital Management Services Office (PHMSO), a total of 64,563 patients were admitted to the 14 government hospitals as of July 31, 2024.

Dr. Racki Senin Ogoy of the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital Management Services Office said the growing number of patients is an indication that provincial government-run hospitals are now hospitals of choice.

Meanwhile, with its commitment to excellence in health services and the healthcare system, the Province of Pangasinan was recently recognized as among Northern Luzon’s ‘Best Newborn Screening Facilities in Region 1 in the 2nd quarter of 2024 (Ruby F. Rayat, PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan: Gov. Ramon V. Guico III urged the 700 first batch of PPC students to do well in their studies and embrace the opportunity of free education towards a better quality of life.

Gov. Guico made the appeal during the PPC Blessing, Ceremonial Awarding of Report on the Results of the Preliminary Assessment/RRPA (CHED), Certificate of TVET Program Registration/CTPR (TESDA), and Students’ Orientation Program.

“Ito ay binigay sa inyong prebilihiyo ng lalawigan natin na Pangasinan. Huwag niyong sayangin. Ipakita niyo yung galing niyo hanggang matapos kayo, and after your four-year stay with PPC, gusto namin na lahat kayo mag succeed sa inyong kaniya-kaniyang karera, sa inyong buhay at makatulong kayo sa inyong pamilya lalong-lalo na sa ating magulang, ” Governor Guico said.

PPC, the new state-of-the-art learning institution, served as a light of hope for the less fortunate and reflected good governance and love for the youth.

PPC was awarded the RRPA from CHED and the CTPR from TESDA, which stated that it can now operate the four programs of higher education, namely: Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business; Bachelor of Science in Special Needs Education; Bachelor of Science in Multi-Media Arts; and Bachelor of Public Administration.

Vice Governor and Chair of the Committee on Education, Mark Ronald Lambino, said that the undertaking was a celebration of the first steps of the PPC as a driver and mover of innovation, success, and prestige for the province of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Provincial Director, TESDA Pangasinan, James F. Ferrer, and Regional Director, CHED Region 1, Christine Nabor-Ferrer, both assured their unwavering support to PPC and to the present administration towards the attainment of their aspirations, primarily quality education.

They also hailed the governor for establishing the University of Eastern Pangasinan (UEP) and, now, the PPC.

“Salamat Gov. sa pagtatatag at pagdadala ng PPC sa ating mga Pangasinense. Nawa’y patuloy ang pagyabong ng PPC bilang isang institusyong kakampi ng ating komunidad para sa makatarungan at mapag-bagong edukasyon para sa mga Pangasinese,” RD CHED Ferrer said.

PPC President Raymundo D. Rovillos reiterated that PPC was an all-of-the-province approach.

“Nangyari ito dahil sa sama-samang samahan, tulungan ng iba’t-ibang opisina at institusyon within and outside the province,” the PPC President added.

Dr. Rovillos thanked all those who braved the storms to make PPC a reality and acknowledged the faculty and staff of the institution in his belief that quality education starts with quality faculty. (Chona C. Bugayong, Krizzia Mamaril, and PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—Board Member Rosary Gracia P. Perez-Tababa’s resolution urging all Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Province of Pangasinan to fully implement Republic Act No. 11313, or ‘Safe Spaces Act or Anti-Bastos Law,” will be on the agenda in the provincial board’s regular session on Monday, August 19.

The resolution is aimed at protecting individuals from gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, online spaces, workplaces, and educational and training institutions.

As such, the resolution cited that the full implementation of the Safe Spaces Act, which was enacted into law on April 17, 2019, requires the collaboration and active participation of the LGUs to ensure safe spaces for all individuals, regardless of gender, sexual preference, and sexual orientation.

Previously, the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (PIACAT-VAWC) passed Resolution No. 3-2024 to request the enactment of a Provincial Ordinance encouraging all LGUs to fully implement RA 11313.

“RA No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, mandates local government units to exercise local autonomy and ensure the general welfare of the people, particularly in the promotion of their health and safety,” the proposed resolution partly stated. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: The provincial government of Pangasinan, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, spearheaded the Awarding and Distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF-OP) at the Narciso Ramos Gymnasium on August 15 here.

PAFFF, which aims to ease the economic stress of beneficiaries severely affected by El Nino, is a project of the Office of the President in collaboration with the House of Representatives and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.

Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said that a total of 1,977 beneficiaries from the 11 LGUs of Districts I, II, and III received ten thousand pesos each (P10,000), or the sum of nineteen million seven hundred seventy thousand pesos (P19,770,000.00).

The beneficiaries include the municipalities of Bani, Dasol, and Infanta for the 1st District; Aguilar, Bugallon, Lingayen, and Mangatarem (2nd District); and Bayambang, Malasiqui, Mapandan, and Sta. Barbara for the 3rd District.

Mangatarem town, an agricultural area, got the most PAFFF recipients with 1,094, followed by Malasiqui (301) and Lingayen (176), respectively.

Lourdes Tolentino, one of the PAFFF beneficiaries from Mangatarem, expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DA, Governor Ramon V. Guico III, and Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla.

“Malaking tulong po itong ibibigay nila sa aming magsasaka dahil doon sa pangyayaring El Nino na konti lang ang aming mga produktong naani. Laking pasasalamat namin dahil yung mga dinudulog namin ay nabigyan kami ng mga financial assistance tulad nito. Nagpapasalamat po ako, kaming lahat po kasi naririnig nila yong mga hinaing namin bilang magsasaka. Lagi po kasi kaming lugi sa pagsasaka. Dumaan ang El Nino, dumaan ang La Nina, hirap po talaga kami sa budget,” Toletino said.

“Kami po na inyong mga opisyales, kami po ay andito upang siguraduhin sa inyo na ang serbisyo ng gobyerno, ang serbisyo ng Kapitolyo, makakarating mismo sa inyo. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po yung tarabaho natin; maghahanap pa rin po tayo ng programa na siyang makakapag-pagaan ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan dito sa probinsiya. Yan po yung commitment ng administrasyong Guico na pagandahin ang buhay ng lahat,” Vice Gov. Mark Lambino said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Guico thanked the President as he urged the PAFFF beneficiaries to spend their financial assistance wisely.

“Gamitin natin sa tama, sa pamilya, puhunan sa ating pangingisda, pagtatanim at pagsasaka, the governor said.

Earlier, 1,491 farmers, fishermen, and families in the 4th and 5th districts benefitted from the PAFFF, while the remaining 1,408 from the 6th district have yet to receive their financial assistance.

This will bring the total number of PAFFF beneficiaries in the entire province to 4,876.

Activity attendees were Norween Cervera, Provincial Rice Program Coordinator Pangasinan; 2nd District Board Members Haidee S. Pacheco and BM Philip Theodore E. Cruz; 3rd District BM Shiela Marie F. Baniqued and BM Vici Munda C. Ventenilla; Provincial Treasurer Cristy C. Ubando; and Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, and Joey Olimpo/PIMRO).

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan: 41 OFWs completed the Tourism Kulinarya pilot training under the Balik Bayani Sa Turismo (BBST) program conducted on August 7–9 at Sison Auditorium here.

The graduates are from the municipalities of Anda, Burgos, Bugallon, Calasiao, Infanta, Labrador, Lingayen, Manaoag, Mangaldan, and Sta. Barbara. They were awarded certificates and cash incentives amounting to P10,000.00 during the closing ceremony.

The BBST Culinary Training is part of the national government’s reintegration program aimed at boosting livelihood and income opportunities for modern-day heroes and their families.

ASEC Maria Rica C. Bueno, TRCRG, DOT, said that the President, along with DOT Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco and DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac recognizes the contributions of OFWs to nation-building.

Thus, the DOT, in collaboration with DMW, launched the BBST program.

It provides capacity building and skills training to returning OFWs and their families, offering them new opportunities in the travel and tourism industry.

“The overall objective of all the training programs of the agency is to uplift or improve the quality of tourism services and facilities in the country,” ASEC Bueno added.

Pangasinan was chosen as a pilot area for the 1st BBST Kulinarya Training Program because it garnered the highest number of respondents.

Kulinarya, or culinary, was the top choice, followed by micro-retail, tour guiding, farm tourism, and homestays.

The training program promises numerous advantages, including the creation of alternative livelihoods for families, the growth of a skilled workforce for the economy, and enriching tourism experiences through unique culinary offerings.

As such, it is with high hope that through the BBST program and Tourism Kulinarya training, Pangasinan will emerge as one of the best food destinations in the Philippines.

“When you left the Philippines, you were all considered our bayanis, but, all the more, you are a bayani coming back to the Philippines, Governor Ramon Guico III said.

The governor commended the DOT and DMW for launching the program.

Similarly, the provincial government of Pangasinan, through the Pangasinan Migration and Development Council, has come up with the Volunteerism Awards for Outstanding OFW Associations and Overseas Filipinos (OF/Ws) Family Associations in the province entitled ‘BOLUN Awards’ aimed at recognizing the selfless service and dedication of these associations in promoting the welfare of OFWs and their families within the province as well as their exceptional and extra-ordinary contributions of OF/W Family Associations in the implementation of the province’s programs and services through volunteerism.

The event was graced by Dir. Arlene A. Alipio, OIC Director, DOT-OIMD; RD Joseph Francisco “Jeff” R. Ortega, Regional Director, DOT-Region 1; Labor Attache Delmer R. Cruz, OIC Director, DMW-NRCO; RD Romeo A. Jaramilla, OIC-Regional Director, DMW Region 1; Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil; PTCAO Chief Maria Luisa Amor Elduayan; PESO Manager Ma. Richelle M. Raguindin; and Chef Ellen C. Rivera, ASEAN Master Trainer Assessor, among others.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III was listed by Edurank.org as among the ‘Top 79 Notable Alumni of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.’

The governor joins the ranks of the country’s most revered personalities, like former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, Sr., who topped the list, followed by former Vice President Leni Robredo, 6th Philippine President Elpidio Quirino, ace journalist Maria Ressa, politician Jose P. Laurel, lawyer and former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, musician Ely Buendia, broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, actor JM De Guzman, and beauty queen Venus Raj.

EduRank is a reputable independent organization that evaluates higher education institutions all over the world based on various factors like academic reputation, research output, and student reviews.

The list was sorted out by Edurank based on wiki pages popularity of the alumni.

Listed in the 11th to 25th spots were news anchor Karen Davila; Senator Cynthia Villar; Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III; former Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel; Lawyer Salvador Panelo; actor-politician Herbert Bautista; young actor-entrepreneur Nash Aguas; Fil-Am chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford; beauty queen Shamcey Supsup; Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia; independent film actress Mercedes Cabral; former associate justice Antonio Carpio; Senator Nancy Binay; screenwriter and journalist Ricky Lee; and film director Jerrold Tarog.

Gov. Guico clinched the 61st spot.

UP Diliman is ranked 625th in the world, 125th in Asia, and 5th in the Philippines by aggregated alumni prominence. The university was established on February 12, 1949.

Gov. Guico obtained his degree in philosophy at UP Diliman in 1997 and earned his certificate in professional education and his master’s degree in education in 2004. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan made an assurance that executive measures would be strictly implemented to control the entry of swine into the province.

This developed after positive cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were reported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Ilocos Region in two towns and a city in a nearby province.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Arcely Robeniol stated that Pangasinan remains ASF-free.

Aside from border control, Dr. Robeniol said that Executive Order No. 0102 S. 2023, titled “An Order Extending the Temporary Total Ban on the Entry of Live Swine/Pigs, Pork, and Pork By-Products from All Cities and Municipalities Under Red Zone Into the Province of Pangasinan, signed by Governor Ramon V. Guico III on October 1, 2023, remains in effect to date.

“We are proactive in ASF control measures at ito nga po ‘yong paghihigpit at pagpapatupad ng ating existing executive order,” she cited.

Hence, the provincial veterinarian stated, “We have to protect and secure our province,” even as she mentioned that strict monitoring is undertaken at all animal quarantine checkpoints in Pangasinan, which are strategically located in Mabilao, San Fabian; Asan Sur in Sison; TPLEX Pozorrubio; and TPLEX Urdaneta City.

Dr. Robeniol said traders’ documents are thoroughly assessed before a certificate of acceptance is issued.

Documents to be presented for live animals include a certificate of ASF-free status; an ASF negative result; a veterinary health certificate; a veterinary shipping permit; a livestock handler’s license; and a livestock carrier license, among others.

On the other hand, a certificate of meat inspection should be presented for swine products.

(Ruby F. Rayat/Ron Edrian Bince PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Thirty-three recipients of the Government Internship Program (GIP) received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) the sum of P8,400.00 each for work or services rendered for 30 days.

Sheryll J. Bringas, SWO II, DSWD Field Office—I said GIP is one component of the Unlad Kabataan Program exclusively for in-school youth.

As such, this will allow them to work for the government with subsidies that they can use for educational and family needs.

The GIP is conducted every summer to enable students to participate for 30 days.

During the GIP evaluation held on August 6, GIP beneficiaries shared their testimonies about their learning experiences.

Michael Angelo C. Cardano, a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics student, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be included in the GIP.

“For the past 30 days na nagtrabaho kami sa MSWDO-LGU Anda, ang dami naming natutunan. Dapat habaan mo yong patience mo. You should not only be mentally stable and ready but also emotionally ready. The 30-days na experience became so soon kasi, super supportive ng MSWDO-Anda. Hindi mo mapi-feel na GIP ka lang bagkus, isa kang member ng office na yun,” he said.

Other GIPs shared that they have learned how to interact with others, the value of patience and understanding, improved knowledge and confidence, the importance of confidentiality, and enhanced their communication skills, among others.

‘Very thankful ang MSWDO ng Calasiao sa DSWD sa binibigay nilang GIP slot. Thankful din kami na may program na ganito na nagbibigay ng opportunity sa ating kabataan na iniinvolve natin sila sa work experience sa ating government agencies. We are looking forward to more activities na kasama ang ating GIPs,’ King Arrvi Gaspar, Social Welfare Officer III/Youth Focal Person from LGU Calasiao, said.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Annabel T. Roque likewise conveyed her gratitude to the DSWD Field Office I.

“We are happy and blessed kasi naging part po kayo ng GIP this year. Kung ano po yong natutunan ninyo, we believe na mababaon niyo yan as you journey pa throughout your school years. Enrich more of what you’ve got, samahan ng tiyaga, samahan ng maraming dasal, and enjoy na lang ang life kasi, life is beautiful, especially sa mga edad niyo na napaka-challenging ng mundo pero alam ko na napaka-vibrant ninyo. Tulad ng laging sinasabi, kayo po ang pag-asa ng ating bayan,” Roque added.

Roque added that preparations are being undertaken for the Linggo ng Kabataan celebration this month of August.

She also shared the good news about the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC), which is the very first college institution in Pangasinan that is operated and managed by the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III.

“This is all for the love of the governor for the youth,” she further said.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos/PIMRO)

Lingayen, Pangasinan—In achieving the provincial government’s thrust to deliver the best health care services for more than 3.1 million Pangasinenses, the improvement of all health facilities, the acquisition of new state-of-the-art medical and laboratory equipment, and the hiring of more medical personnel were directed by Governor Ramon V. Guico III.

Thus, on August 5, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved a resolution endorsing to the Department of Health (DOH) the application for a Permit to Construct (PTC) a three-storey building for Level II Hospital with a 100-bed capacity at the Lingayen District Hospital (LDH).

Dr. Aurelio Carino, during the regular session, said the bed capacity for LDH is 40, but the recorded number of patients per day is about 100 to 110. Hence, the need to increase the facility’s bed capacity is needed to accommodate more patients and cater to the medical needs of the sick and less-privileged Pangasinenses.

“The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, through the LDH, intends to construct a 3-storey building for Level II Hospital with a 100-bed capacity to provide the people with a sufficient and higher level of medical and health services,” the resolution, which SP Member Dr. Shiela Marie F. Baniqued stated.

LDH is one of the 14 hospitals operated by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan which caters to patients from the different municipalities and nearby localities of the 2nd District of Pangasinan. Aside from leveling up, a hemodialysis center is being built in the hospital.

Earlier, Dr. Racquel S. Ogoy, Medical Officer III, Provincial Hospital Management Services Office, said the provincial government intends to put up hemodialysis centers in all district and community hospitals in the province.

The provincial government likewise continues to allocate funds for the construction, repair, rehabilitation, and maintenance of hospital buildings.

It can be recalled that in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in 2023, the governor cited that all 14 hospitals run by the province increased their authorized bed capacity, bringing the total outpatients and inpatients served last year to 468,122 and 111,631, respectively.

Aside from the improvement of facilities, another worth mentioning was the successful implementation of the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) from 2022 to March 2024, wherein a total of P383,816,375.51 in funds were transferred to Pangasinan during that period.

Gov. Guico is set to enter and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DOH-Center for Health Development-1 for the implementation of the MAIFIP program in all 14 government hospitals.

With Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in Bolingit, San Carlos City, receiving the biggest bulk of more than P7.6 million, all 13 hospitals will get a share of P2 million each.

(Ruby F. Rayat | Photo by Omar Cruz)