PESO holds more recruitment activities for jobseekers

LINGAYEN---Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. lauded the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) for keeping up with the province’s thrust of helping locate employment opportunities for jobseekers from Pangasinan.
Citing the relentless efforts of PESO in conducting skills training and job placement activities, the Governor said that since he took office in 2007, PESO has already placed some 3,400 job applicants for local and overseas employment.
Gov. Espino noted that recruitment activities at PESO have leveled up as it does not just cater to the recruitment of skilled workers but also of professionals.
Just recently, PESO conducted a special recruitment activity through the Hanjin Heavy Industries, Inc. which absorbed qualified engineers for its engineering staff.
The Govenor said, Hanjin, a Korean shipyard company based in Subic, Zambales, has been a consistent partner of the provincial government in providing employment opportunities not only for Pangasinenses but also for residents from nearby towns and provinces.
To date , Hanjin has already hired some 400 welders now working at its shipyard in Zambales.
Vakrangee, an Indian organization has also tied up with PESO for the recruitment and training of encoders to work on the computerization of land titles of the Land Registration Authority in Manila.
A separate activity was also conducted where over a hundred unemployed out-of-school youths and adults willing to be trained as factory workers, janitors or welders for local and overseas employment availed of a free orientation conducted by PESO at the Kalantiao Building here last September 20.
Alex Ferrer, PESO Manager said the orientation is in cooperation with Pro Work Cooperative, a private organization that provides training to unemployed individuals and, at the same time, assists clients for job placements in electronic companies.
Ferrer said this is the 2nd time for ProWork Cooperative to assist the provincial government trough PESO in training unemployed individuals in electronics.
Vic Ong, a representative of ProWork conducted an interview after the orientation.

PESO conducts special recruitment for high-level workers

In keeping with Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr.’s thrust to provide employment opportunities for Pangasinenses, the Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO) conduct special recruitment activity for design engineers who will fill up high-level positions in Hanjin Heavy industries, a Korean shipbuilding company based in Subic, Zambales.  PESO also facilitated the orientation of skilled workers for possible employment here and abroad.

Bilateral Youth Exchange

City Administrator Vladimir “Vlad” Mata (third from right) poses with a Korean delegation led by Yoon Kang Mo (second from right) of the South Korea Ministry of Gender Equality and Family during the group’s official visit coordinated recently by the National Youth Commission (NYC) at the mayor’s office in Dagupan City. The visit is part of a series conducted under the 2010 RP – Korea Bilateral Youth Exchange Program. At extreme right is Seo Won Jeong of the Kyungpok University. From left are Won Yong Woong of the Kyung Hu University and Dagupan Bangus Jaycees President Ernie Llanillo.

BSL swears in OSCA PREXY

Mayor Benjamin S. Lim (right) swears in former Dagupan City OIC – Mayor Felipe Siapno (left) as the newly-elected president of the Office of the Senior Citizens Association (OSCA). The induction ceremony was held at the mayor’s office after Siapno, who also served as president of the Federation of Senior Citizens of Dagupan, discussed with the mayor his plan to strengthen the role of the city’s elderly sector under the Lim administration.

Jollibee mascot cheers up BSL

A playful Jollibee Mascot cheers up Mayor Benjamin S. Lim (in checkered polo shirt) while Jollibee A.B. Fernandez – Arellano junction Manager Rochelle Balolong (right) looks on during a courtesy call on Lim at the mayor’s office. 

Noise barrage vs. poverty

Mayor Benjamin S. Lim (left) calls on officials, teachers, students and other stakeholders to join hands in battling the problems of poverty, which – he says - could  be won by raising the quality and standards of education. Joining Lim’s call are officers of the Dagupan Bangus Jaycees led by Ernie Llanilo (not in photo) and Councilor Marc Brian C. Lim (right) with “Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now” as the group’s battle cry. Thousands of students of the Dagupan City National High School, where the program was launched, initiated a noise barrage to drum up citizens’ support and active involvement. Also in photo are City Schools Division Supervisor Zenaida Sinlao (second from right) and Secretary to the mayor Philip Soria (center).

SP condemns Bishop Cruz’s malicious accusations against Gov. Espino

Second District Board Member Von Mark Mendoza (right) reads the manifesto unanimously signed by Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. and all provincial board members rebuking retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz for linking Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. to the jueteng scandal. In the manifesto, the officials expressed “indignation” and “displeasure” over the accusations of Cruz maligning the integrity and credibility of the Governor who has been working 24/7 to steer the province towards progress and development. The former church leader admitted on ABS-CBN’s morning show “Umagang Kay Ganda” “that the list was not foolproof.” With BM Mendoza is fourth district BM Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario.

Pangasinan Mayors rally behind Gov. Espino

DAGUPAN CITY-“I don’t believe Gov. Espino is behind the jueteng operation in Pangasinan.”

This was the statement of newly-elected President of the Mayors League of Pangasinan, Bugallon Mayor Ricardo Orduna in defense of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. , who was linked to the operations of jueteng in the province by retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz during the press conference held at Dagupan Village Inn, here last September 21.

Orduña said he was disappointed at the accusation against the governor whom he portrayed as father of transformation in Pangasinan, citing the governor’s numerous achievements in his few years as the chief executive of the province.

“Napakabigat ng akusasyon nila kay Governor Espino na siya mismo ang nagpapatakbo ng jueteng sa Pangasinan, kawawa naman ang governor na inaakusahan ng wala namang sapat na basehan,” he added.

Lingayen Mayor Ernesto “Jonas” Castañeda, who also lamented the accusation against the governor, said, “since time immemorial, wala pa kami ni Governor Espino sa mga posisyon namin ngayon, meron na yang illegal acitivity na yan, yang jueteng. Sinisiraan nila yung tao e wala namang hinangad kundi ang progreso ng Pangasinan.”

As this developed, Orduña challenged the Catholic Church to do their part in curbing the menace.

“They should join the campaign against this illegal gambling and not putting all the blame on the government,” he said.

“Ang sinasabi ko sa simbahan, makisama sila, parang si Bishop Oscar Cruz, naging Bishop siya kahit sila may responsibilidad, sabihan nila yung kanilang mga parishioners na huwag ng tangkilikin yan dahil labag sa moral values natin, para makita din na may share ang simbahan”

Orduña urged his colleagues and provincemates to stop patronizing jueteng but instead help stamp it out in their respective localities.

“Problema natin lahat ito,” he said.

Favorite contractor ba ni Mayor Ayoy si Kap?

IPINAGBABAWAL sa ating batas na makakuha ng government projects ang isang kontraktor na walang lisensya, walang technical capability at walang mga equipment.
In short, ang mga tinatawag na “LAWAY CONTRACTORS” ay dapat hindi payagan na makakuha ng mga infrastructure projects ng gobyerno.
Iba naman ang kaso dito sa San Carlos City, Pangasinan dahil lumalabas sa ating imbestigasyon na paboritong bigyan ng kontrata ni Mayor Jullier “Ayoy” Resuello itong si Kapitan Marcial Lumanlan ng Barangay Bolingit.
Sinabi ng ating mga bubuyog na diumano’y nakokorner ni Kap ang mga milyun-milyong road projects na pinondohan ng city government. Ang masakit pa dito, mismong si Mayor Ayoy diumano ang nang-iimpluwensya sa bidding para mapunta kay kapitan ang mga infrastructure projects na ito. Totoo ba ito, mayor?
Ayos lang sana kung may kapabilidad na mangontrata itong si Kap. Ang problema, nanghihiram lang daw ito ng lisensya sa ibang lehitimong kontratista. Lumalabas na pati mga heavy equipment na ginagamit sa mga projects ay hiram lang ni Kap.
Hindi ba ito alam ni mayor? Bakit pinapayagan na mangyari ito ni mayor?
Payo lang sa mga kontraktor na nagpapahiram ng lisensya dito kay kapitan: Baka ang pangalan ninyo ang masira kung masyadong sub-standard o palpak ang paggawa ng project ni Kap. Mahirap nang mablacklist kayo nyan.
Ayon pa sa ating mga bubuyog, ni hindi pala civil engineer itong si Kapitan. Pati mga trabahador at foreman ay hinihiram din sa kanyang mga projects. Nakakagigil talaga.
Ilan sa mga projects na nakuha nitong si Kap ay ang paspapasemento ng Cobol-Coliling-Sapinit road diyan sa San Carlos. Ang multi-purpose gym sa Bolingit. Pati rin pala ang road project sa Talibaew, Calasiao ay si Kap ang nakakuha ng kontrata. Haay naku, pati DPWH Sub-Office sa Sta. Barbara ay napapaikot ni Kap.
Ang masakit pa dito ay nagrireklamo na rin umano ang mga taga-Bolingit dahil hindi na naaasikaso ni Kapitan ang kanyang barangay dahil palagi na itong busy sa kanyang mga milyun-milyong mga kontrata.
Bakit naman ganyan? Kaya nga tayo kumandidato para maglingkod sa ating barangay di ba Kap? Baka sa susunod na eleksyon ay hindi na kayo iboto. Hehehe
Panawagan din ng taumbayan kay Mayor Ayoy: Sana naman po, kung may mga projects kayo diyan sa San Carlos, dapat sa mga lehitimong kontraktor nyo na lang ipagawa.
Baka pati ibang opisyales diyan sa lungsod ay may masabi sa inyo Mayor dahil may paborito kayong kontraktor.
Ano kaya ang ipinakain ni Kap kay Mayor Ayoy at palagi na yatang nauuto ang guwapong mayor? Bilib pa naman kami sa mga Resuello. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

Gov. Espino orders intensified crackdown vs. jueteng

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Gov. Amado.T. Espino, Jr. ordered a full-blast crackdown against the operation of the illegal numbers game jueteng in the province few minutes after President Benigno Aquino III gave marching orders for newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director-General Raul Bacalzo to stamp out the controversial game of chance.

In his directive, the governor told newly assumed Provincial Police Director, P/SSupt. Rosueto Ricaforte to spare no one in the campaign, including local officials believed to be coddling gambling lords.

“We should not squander time and effort in flushing out the illegal numbers game,” the governor said, even as he urged Ricaforte to also mount a similar drive on all forms of illegal activities in the province.

The governor, however, took a snide at sweeping allegations by political detractors in the media that jueteng was driving the marginalized sectors of society to poverty.

“These are crazy and irresponsible statements,” the governor said, as he dared members of the working press to cite a case where a family became poor, or a couple parting ways, because of betting on jueteng.

Playing mah-jong, tong-it (local version of poker), or gambling in cockfights or at the casinos on long hours could be more of a cause for marriage break-ups, he averred.

Most village folks place bets at P5 to P10 for every two numbers combination compared to the hundreds and thousands staked by big-time gamblers.

In the same directive, the governor called on the police authorities to discourage the public from placing bets on jueteng.

Jueteng thrives where there are bettors, he said, as he pointed out that the illegal numbers game had been in operation since during the Spanish colonial period.

The governor pointed out that with the game’s strong historical fabric, the other sure alternative to eradicate it is to legalize it, the proper way.

Renovation and upgrading of prov’l gov’t-owned hospitals continues

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (right) conducts ocular inspection on the additional construction of buildings at the back of Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in Bolingit, San Carlos City on Sunday, September 12, during his unannounced visit to all provincial government-owned hospitals in Eastern Pangasinan. As one of his priority thrusts, Gov. Espino continues to upgrade government-owned hospital facilities to provide quality health care to Pangasinenses especially the indigent ones. Joining the Governor are Public Information Officer Orpheus Velasco (left) and General Services Officer-in-Charge Col. Rolando Diaz (2nd from right).

Pangasinan Gears up for effective tax collection

LINGAYEN---Preparations for the fiscal decentralization of Pangasinan to make tax collection more effective and efficient has started even as the province tapped the services of some 55 data encoders to work on the computerization of the Integrated Tax-Real Property Tax Administration System (iTAX-RPTAS).
The newly-hired personnel underwent a three-day training at the Kalantiao Bldg, here last September 8-10 to start the implementation of the Itax RPTAS project.
The project is in line with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. with the German Technical Cooperation Agency or GTZ, a company duly incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Based on the MOA, the province and the Federal Republic of Germany agreed to improve and strengthen the good fiscal governance of the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Pangasinan through the fiscal decentralization and local financial management component of the GTZ Decentralization Program.
Gov. Espino said the decentralization program through the iTAX will improve the province’s tax assessment and collection system and increase the revenues of LGUs in real property tax, business tax and other local fees including non-taxable revenues.
The Governor said that through this program, we will be able to get accurate tax payment and enforce proper tax collection.
As this developed, Modesto Singson, Chief of the Management Information Systems, said the RPTAS Computer Software Programs were installed in the 52 computer sets which will be used for data entry operations that started last September 13 in Lingayen.
He said the data entry processing of an estimated 792, 253 lot parcels for the whole province is projected to end by July 2011.
The technical staff from GTZ-iTAX team composed of two technical staff from the provincial government of Negros Oriental assisted and supervised the data encoders during the training.
Pangasinan is the sixth province in the Philippines to be chosen by the Federal Republic of Germany through the GTZ for the program grant.

New Provincial Prosecutor

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (2nd from left) administers the oath of office to Atty. Noel Cera Bince (left) as the new Provincial Prosecutor of Pangasinan at the Governor’s Office, Capitol Building in Lingayen last September 13. Bince replaced former Provincial Prosecutor Segundino P. Ferrer following the latter’s retirement. Witnessing the ceremony are his brothers: (from right) Engr. Cesar C. Bince and sixth district Board Member Alfonso C. Bince, Jr.

Guv’nor attends Int’l. meeting on technology and climate change

LINGAYEN --- Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. arrived recently from Taiwan after attending the 7th General Assembly of the World Technopolis Association last September 2-4 at Hsinchu City.
The General Assembly aimed to bring leaders of local governments, international organizations, universities, technology parks and technology-based industry together to define and develop strategic visions and knowledge bases to support the development of a sustainable city facing the global climate change.
Gov. Espino, together with other provincial officials of Pangasinan, attended the assembly upon invitation of the Taiwanese Officials who visited the province last July to explore possible business potentials and tourism opportunities.
Ramon Morden, Executive Assistant to the Governor and a member of the Pangasinan delegation to the General Assembly in Hsinchu City, said the Taiwan trip is an offshoot of the Taiwanese visit here in Pangasinan led by Senator Hsuen-Chang Lu two months ago to express interest in the investment potentials of Pangasinan.
During the visit, Gov. Espino asked Sen. Lu to facilitate transfer of technology in agriculture and to bring to the province modern agricultural tools and equipment as he believes that Pangasinan will remain as an agricultural province in the next decade.
Towards this end, Sen. Lu invited the Governor to visit Taiwan to meet with the Minister of Agriculture for a possible cooperation on agriculture training and technology program.
Seeing the province of Pangasinan as a major investment destination, the Taiwanese delegation said they want to put up a mango processing plant and storage facility aside from setting up factories that will manufacture modern equipment and machinery.
Lu said they are also interested in buying mineral products like copper, gold and nickel from the province for their semi-conductor industry.
The 7th WTA Assembly is aimed at setting up a new vision and find development strategy for sustainable science cities in a new era of knowledge-based societies.
The General Assembly dealt with session speeches and panel discussions on topics of Situation-Awareness Technology for a Safe and Smart City, Environmental Friendly Cities, Smart Growth and Health Care City, Enhancing Quality of Life through Innovation, Boosting Regional Economics through Inter-University Cooperation and The Role of Universities in Science City and International Cooperation among WTA members.
Participants were also treated to a cultural tour to the International Glass Art Festival at the Hsinchu City Glass Museum and a technical visit to Hsinchu Science Park.
Other activities included visits to the Incinerator at the Bureau of Environmental Protection and Hsinchu Fishport where they met the Fishermen’s Association and Farmer’s Association.
While in Taiwan, Gov. Espino and the provincial team also met with Lin,Jung-Tzer, Minister and Concurrent Governor of Taiwan and Fu Guong Lin, PH.D, Chief of Aqua Culture Research Center.
The provincial delegation included Provincial Director Percival Barba and Col. Wilson Lopez of the Provincial Police Office.
The business trips of Gov. Espino in Taiwan as well as in South Korea were all expenses paid by the host organizations and business groups.