TIME & TIDE/Rhodora M. Palinar
THE SUMMER HEAT is undoubtedly here. For a while we enjoyed chilly nights and mornings during the first weeks of March. But unfailingly as it always does every year – the heat started to creep in at the onset of the Holy Week.

The months of March and April are commonly associated with summer and yes – graduation. As early as the second week of March, some private schools already held their graduation exercises, perhaps to enable them to start enjoying an uninterrupted summer vacation beginning on the Holy Week. However I heard some students in the college level complain – that the Holy Week will be hell week for them as they have to review and finish their final papers since their finals week is set later on the last week of this month. Well, not a bad idea for penance, I suppose. Hehe.

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Now that the school year is at its close, I can only heave a sigh of relief. Temporary relief, that is, because while my daughter (the youngest in the family) has already successfully hurdled her first year in college, there are still the three remaining years to go. Yet the thought that one academic year is over, is indeed exhilarating. One year over, one step closer. Three years, I’m sure will be a breeze because as we all observe – days go by so fast. Wasn’t it like only yesterday when we celebrated Christmas? But look now – it’s almost the middle of the year! Whoa! There’s no stopping the clock, really.
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I am not a boxing fan but my husband is one great enthusiast for the sport. Last Sunday the famed Pacquiao-Marquez match once again glued him to his seat as he watched the blow by blow live coverage over USATV. And as usual, when there’s a Pacquiao fight, the whole nation keeps at standstill while people are holed in their respective homes watching, cheering, perhaps praying for the victory of Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao. Read more

IN Church liturgy, the Sunday (which was to be his last) when Jesus entered Jerusalem is called Palm Sunday.

The term was coined from the fact that the people who welcomed Him into the city spread their clothes on the street as others cut branches of trees which they waved to welcome Him.

A close look at the Gospel narrative (Matthew 21:1-17) indicates that the reaction of the people was mixed.

The common people (mostly pilgrims from other lands who came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Passover) were jubilant. They shouted “Hosana to the Son of David”.

On the other hand, the reaction of the clergy of the temple, was negative. They were incensed by the warm reception of the common tao. Read more

These young vendors in front of Quiapo Church in Manila sell what signify the palm branches that the crowds waved at Jesus while he entered Jerusalem. And these young vendors’ joyful mood derived from their play in between their selling tasks reflected the great time of celebration a week before Jesus made his journey to the cross and resurrection.  For Christians, Palm Sunday ushers in the Holy Week which concludes on Easter Sunday. (PDN PHOTO BY ERIC ISAAC)

This scene was recently portrayed at Recto Avenue and Morayta Street in Manila’s university belt area. It was a street-as-stage performance of a contemporary version of the passion of Christ by the children of the internal refugees of Quezon. Entitled Kalbaryo ng Mamamayan, the play depicted Juan and Juana de la Cruz as the suffering servants of the people; representing all those who are truth-loving, peace-loving, and patriotic sons and daughters of Mariang Bayan. (PDN PHOTO BY ERIC ISAAC)

Pangasinan governor bares state of provincial government

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The present state of the provincial government was outlined on Monday by Governor Amado Espino, Jr., possibly in order to justify the seeking of P950M letter of credit for the province with Land Bank of the Philippines.

In his speech before the provincial board, read by Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan, Espino mentioned some of the mega projects he intend to build for the next two years which, he added, “will enable Pangasinan to move forward.”

These include a commercial airport in Lingayen, a commercial seaport in Sual, fish landing facilities, fish processing plants, mango processing plants, food terminals, storage facilities and silos/warehouses for rice, onion and corn and others.

Espino’s speech was apart from his State of the Province Address (SOPA) which he earlier delivered in front of the provincial capitol sometime in January this year.

In his speech, Espino presented photographs of infrastructures owned by the provincial government now in advanced state of deterioration and urgently needing renovation and rehabilitation.

These include some of the existing buildings in the provincial capitol complex, the provincial nursery, different agri-demo centers, district hospitals and others which are now all in state of deterioration.

The provincial capitol, the Finance Building as well as the Lingayen Resort Hotel are now all undergoing total rehabilitation since Espino took over the helm of the province.

Although Espino did not categorically state on where the funding of these will come from, Bince suspects this might have something to do with a draft resolution filed before the provincial board seeking to give the governor the authority to negotiate a letter of credit of P950 million with the Land Bank of the Philippines. Read more

ROSALES, Pangasinan – Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has tagged Pangasinan as one big sleeping giant in agriculture.

Yap, speaking during the opening of an eighth day Agricultural Exposition 2008 in barangay Carmen East, Rosales, said although Pangasinan is the biggest province in Region I, it lags far behind in the production of rice, corn and vegetables over the years.

Pangasinan is not only the biggest province in the Ilocos region but is also the biggest in the entire country and yet it is not producing much in rice, corn and vegetables unlike other provinces, Yap noted.

Yap said in the drive for food security, the province of Pangasinan must help produce the rice, corn and vegetables needed by the whole country in view of the looming food crisis all over the world spurred by high cost of oil, fertilizer and transportation and climate change.

At the outset, Yap clarified that agriculture is the responsibility of the local government with the national government merely providing the support and direction. Read more

DAGUPAN CITY -  The Philippine eyes to bring down its high maternal mortality by 2015 as it is one of the nations in Southeast Asia which still ranks high in maternal mortality rate.

This was revealed during the day long observance of the 5^th National Pregnant Women Day held at the CSI Stadia and Jimmy L. Fernandez Center in Dagupan City on March 10.

The national statistics shows there are 200 women dying for every 100,000 births, said Dr. Ellen Manzano, regional director of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) in the Ilocos-Pangasinan region.

She said the statistics also showed that out of 10 deliveries, eight are being delivered outside medical facilities or hospitals.

The observance of the National Pregnant Women Day, in conjunction with the International Women’s Month, was provided for in Proclamation No. 569 issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 9, 2004. Read more

DAGUPAN CITY – The city government will put up its telephone hotline 3-2-4 at its emergency action center where all residents may dial if the needed help in any kind of emergency.

Hotline 3-2-4 can be accessed by facilities of any telecommunications company operating in the city, said Dagupan City Administrator Alvin Fernandez.

Fernandez said what is unique is that the hotline will be manned by persons with disabilities who are now being trained by a reputed call center institution so that they can be more effective in their work.

Similar to 9-1-1 in the United States, Hotline 3-2-4 will be open 24 hours a day, to be able to receive any request of assistance, especially during emergencies.

It can also be called whenever a mother is delivering a baby, when the expectant mother needs to be rushed to the hospital, said Fernandez.

The emergency action center to be located at the Dagupan City Museum, was envisioned by Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. in coordination with various agencies of the government, and non-government organizations for the city to be able to respond to any kind of emergencies that affect its citizens, administrator Fernandez said.

A mobile clinic made available earlier by then Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. congressman of the fourth district of Pangasinan, will be on stand-by 24 hours a day at the city plaza for any kind of emergency. (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY – Transport operators in Dagupan and Pangasinan did not participate in the strike launched by their counterparts in Metro Manila on Tuesday.

This was revealed by Bennie Aquino, president of the Alliance of United Transport Organization Province-wide (AutoPro) in a talk to newsmen.

AutoPro, the biggest transport organization in Pangasinan, has about 3,000 members whose units are all entering Dagupan City even if these are from other towns in Pangasinan.

Aquino said they did not discuss to join the strike whatsoever nor held a meeting for tha purpose because they understood that the strike was only for Metro Manila.

However, he said, they will participate if there is going to be a nationwide strike soon for them to air their concern, foremost of which is the rising cost of fuel.

He said the ticketing system implemented in the city are hurting most jeepney drivers.

The transport strike in Metro Manila on Monday was called off before noon following talks by the leaders of the strikers and officials of the Department of Transportation and Communication. (PNA)

DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. exercised his veto power over a newly passed city council ordinance that granted the condonation of penalties, interest and surcharges on back taxes due owners for-rent picnic shed at Tondaligan Park.

In his veto message sent to Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Belen T. Fernandez, the mayor said the ordinance is illegal because it was enacted without a public hearing and that there was no request whatsoever from his office for the passage of the same.

Being condoned per the ordinance which was passed when the presiding officer was Councilor Michael Fernandez is the amount of P1.6 million.

“If they cannot comply, they will be asked to voluntarily pull out or demolish their picnic sheds, otherwise the city government will do it for them,” he said.

In his veto message, Mayor Fernandez said that the request for condonation of penalties, interests and surcharges need further study by the city treasurer who shall then make the proper recommendation to him.

At the same time, Fernandez said the condonation si prejudicial to the public welfare and unfair to other shed owners who had been religiously and regularly paying their taxes to the government. (PNA)