AFTER the embittered battle for Speakership which resulted in the dismal oust of Speaker Jose de Venecia, and the election of Mindanao’s Rep. Nograles, many Pangasinenses are left wondering why three of Pangasinan’s five congressmen voted the way they did. Whey didn’t the five vote as one solid group the way the “Mindanao Bloc” voted for Mindanao’s son? Not that their three votes would have overturned the results, this time, but hey, where has the “Pangasinan Spirit” to fend for one’s own, gone?

According to historian Miguel de Loarca, “the people of Pangasinan were industrious. They were spirited and a proud race of men and women, and such materials in other’s hands would form the foundation of all that is good and excellent” failed to express itself when given the chance in Congress to do so. The materials to form the foundation was there in the good congressmen and women of Pangasinan. But alas, politics is more complicated and involved than a mere historian’s observation. And few would admit that, yes, it is not as simple as supporting someone just because that person is from the same province especially if philosophies and political views differ. However,  one tends to believe that when one is projected to the national scene and is expected to defend “homeland” one’s choices are limited especially if that choice, that vote, is not a deciding factor anyway in the outcome.  What’s the point of rubbing it in? Read more

I GAVE Nostradamus, the French soothsayer who clearly saw tomorrow, a run for his Euro money when I accurately predicted that our Pambansang Kamao Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao would bring Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez to his knees in the first few rounds of their super featherweight fight in Las Vegas last Sunday.

While Marquez drew the first blood by dominating the first and second rounds, Pacquiao shocked the entire planet in the third round when he knocked down the “Dynamite Fighter”, battering and hobbling him physically.

Marquez survived the onslaught of Pacquiao’s volley of punches when the bell came to his rescue, but managed to win the fourth and fifth rounds.

The PACMAN lost rounds 6, 7 and 8 to Marquez as he absorbed a nasty cut on his right eye that came as a handicap for the Pinoy brawler as he draws the killer punch form his left hand.

Again, Manny proved he was a hell of a talented ring strategist when he changed his styl from an aggressor to a counter puncher – a TACTIC that paid off as the judges chose him as the winner of round 11. Read more

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo brought cheers to some 10,000 people of the third district of Pangasinan, including Dagupan City, when she brought here bundles of services from various government agencies.

Arriving here at 12:00 noon enroute to Baguio City, President Arroyo – accompanied by Governor Amado Espino, Jr. and Pangasinan third district Rep. Rachel Arenas – launched the Day Care Food-For School Program that would soon be adopted nationwide.

She was accompanied by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Trade Secretary Peter Favila. Read more

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – There will be no rice shortage in the Ilocos Region this year, an official of the Department of Agriculture field regional office said.

DA Field Regional Director Cipriano Santiago said weather permitting, the region will be able to harvest its target of 1.7 million metric tons of rice in the coming wet season.

He said the 1.7 million metric tons will be the region’s contribution to the nation that could help boost the country’s rice stockpile.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap earlier mobilized the DA field office to motivate farmers to expand their production areas and to plant the hybrid rice varieties. Read more

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Rep. Rachel Arenas of the Third District of Pangasinan has appealed to the Department of Public Works and Highways to speed up the construction of the Calvo Bridge in Bayambang.

A vital link from Bayambang town to Bautista, the Calvo Bridge underwent construction by the third quarter of last year but appeared the work is not making any progress at all.

Arenas was informed that the people are now getting impatient over the sluggish pace of construction of the Calvo bridge. Read more

DAGUPAN CITY – The present city administration aims to bring back Dagupan to its old first class status, according to a list of programs released by the office of City Administrator Alvin Fernandez.

Fernandez, speaking for his father, Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr., said local revenues here must meet the requirements of a first class city.

At present, Dagupan is a second class city just like San Carlos, Urdaneta, Alaminos and the other Ilocos Region cities. Read more

Sen. Escudero adopted son of La Union

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Senator Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ Escudero was adopted son of La Union by virtue of a resolution enacted by the provincial board.

Resolution No. 009-2008 was presented to Senator Escudero by Governor Manuel Ortega, Vice Governor Eulogio Clarence Martin de Guzman III and members of the provincial board on March 2 when the senator was the guest of honor and speaker during the 158^th La Union Foundation Anniversary celebration.

The resolution stated that Senator Escudero has endeared himself to the people of La Union due to his unending support to the different projects and programs of the provincial government. Read more

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – A newly enacted ordinance by the city council enforces a strict no smoking ban inside public utility vehicles.

Ordinance No. 07-08 authored by Councilor Samuel Millora slapped a fine of P200 to the violator and in place of fine, the offender will be forced to render community service for three days of eight hours each.

Approved on February 26, 2008, the ordinance was sought by City Health Officer Dr. Pablo Mondok III.

The ordinance was aimed at protecting citizens who inhale the second hand smoke coming from the smoker inside public utility vehicles.

Records showed that all over the world, many non-smokers are dying by inhaling smokers’ smoke. (PNA)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The provincial government is not seeking any loan at this time.

This was clarified by Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan as he branded as disinformation talks insisting that the provincial government is set to secure a P950 million letter of credit with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Baraan said the P950 million letter of credit is being offered not only by Land Bank but also the Philippine National Bank, Postal Savings Bank and Philippine Veterans Bank.

But the province is not taking any loan at this time because it has enough funds yet to be spent for its various development projects. Read more

ROSALES, Pangasinan – Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap told newsmen here recently that the National Food Authority (NFA) has no choice but to buy rice from farmers for the short term.

This is in view of the impending precarious rice situation not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world due to grains underproduction last year.

“NFA will have to continue buying rice. Walang choice ang NFA, if any one sells palay, this needs to be bought,” said Yap, in an interview after opening the 2008 Agricultural Exposition here.

He said in view of the precarious rice situation even in the world market where many of the rice exporters are no longer selling, there is a need to police the way the government injects rice into market.

Yap admitted that the prolonged drought as a result of El Niño that set in during the middle part of last year affected rice production in some areas. Read more