By Chona C. Bugayong, PIMRO LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—It was a big sigh of relief for the 2,415 Job Orders (JOs) and Contract of Service (COS) employees of the provincial government after Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and PhilHealth, represented by Regional Vice President, Region 1, Dennis B. Adre, signed the Group Enrollment Program (GEP) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Ceremonial Hall, Urduja House, here. With this, the five percent PhilHealth monthly premium deducted from the monthly salaries of JOs and COS employees will be shouldered by the provincial government. PhilHealth RO1 VP Adre commended Pangasinan for being a trailblazer in the entire Philippines. “Kasi karamihan po ng government employees in the entire country, ibinabawas lang sa mga empleyado nila ang payment of premiums. And talaga pong kakaiba ang probinsya ng Pangasinan dahil they have undertaken to pay the premiums of their JOs and COS,” Adre said. Gov. Guico earlier said that his administration values and recognizes the unselfish efforts and sacrifices of the Capitol workforce, who paved the way for the countless accomplishments of the provincial government. The move was a great way to help uplift the socio-economic status and well-being of employees and constituents as well. ‘Hopefully, tulad ng ginawa natin ngayon na nanguna tayo na nagsubsidized ng contribution, sana gawin din ng ibang probinsiya. Siyempre, you have to take care of your workers. Kapag hindi sila motivated e di buong organization niyo wala rin,’ the governor added. Beyond medical and physical examinations, cash incentives to retirees and recognition of outstanding civil service heroes were provided by the present administration, benefiting Capitol workers. Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II said, “patunay ito na malaki ang pagpapahalaga ni Governor Guico sa kalusugan ng bawat kawani ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan.”

(By Chona C. Bugayong, Sydney Soriano, and JP De Vera/PIMRO)   LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, together with Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, led the awarding of quarry shares to the 13 municipalities and 28 barangays on June 21 at the Ceremonial Hall, Urduja House, here. The town of Tayug, under the leadership of Mayor Tyrone D. Agabas, received the biggest consolidated 30% share for the first quarter of 2024 alone, amounting to a huge P2,598,935.51. Next to Tayug was the municipality of Sison, headed by Mayor Danilo Uy, with a total share of P1,944,796.94 for the 4th quarter of 2023 and the 1st quarter of 2024, respectively. Other recipients were the towns of Umingan, Natividad, and Sta. Maria, San Fabian, Sto. Tomas, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Mabini, Burgos, San Jacinto, and Villasis. Meanwhile, Barangay Guzon, a component barangay of Tayug, also got the biggest consolidated 40% share on quarry, amounting to P2,808,791.12 for the 4th quarter of 2023 and P2,882,364.94 for the 1st quarter of 2024, for a total of P5,691,156.06. ‘Kami po ay natutuwa sa amin pong natanggap na award na share namin sa Quarry. Pinopropose po namin namakagawa kami ng Day Care Center, multi-purpose para sa mga senior citizens at evacuation center,’ Punong Barangay of Guzon Tedy Canaveral said. Other awardees on the barangay level include Brgy., Cauplasan, and San Vicente (Municipality of Sta. Maria); Brgy. Dungon, Agat, Cauringan, Cabaritan, Esperanza, Artacho, Tara-Tara, Pindangan, and Amagbagan (Mun. of Sison); Brgy. Lipay, Villasis, and Brgy. Colisao, San Fabian, Brgy. Amistad, Tayug, and Brgy. San Jose, San Jacinto, Brgy. San Vicente, San Manuel, Brgy. San Agustin, Sto. Tomas; Brgy. Casaratan, San Nicolas; Brgy. Barangobong, Tayug, and Brgy. Sapa Pequena, Burgos, Brgy. De Guzman, Mabini, and Brgy. Caramutan, Villasis. During the activity, the governor stated that there is no excuse not to comply with the implementation of innovative ordinances, which bear positive results. We have to impose what we need to impose, the governor said. Gov. Guico congratulated the Treasury, headed by Acting Provincial Treasurer Cristy C. Ubando, and PG-ENRO, headed by OIC Vivian U. Oamil, as well as the partner LGUs and barangays, for the efficient collection of fees, with high hopes that all these fees will be put to good use by the barangay and municipal leaders. ‘Kasama po ang ating mga SP Members, asahan niyo po na tuloy-tuloy po yung ganitong klase ng serbisyo ng mga opisyales natin dito sa probinsiya sa pamumuno ni Gov. Guico na, kung ano po ang para sa bayan at sabarangay ay siguradong matatanggap ninyo,’ Vice Gov. Lambino further added.   Sta. Maria Mayor Julius C. Ramos, Mabini Mayor Colin A. Reyes, Sison Mayor Danilo C. Uy, barangay officials, treasurers, and representatives of other towns and barangays attended the undertaking.

(By Chona C. Bugayong/PIMRO) LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—It’s another feather in the cap of the Pangasinan Provincial Jail after it was declared a drug-cleared controlled facility, on June 19.   PPJ Chief retired PLTCOL Lovell U. Dalisay said the declaration was made by the Regional Oversight Committee on Controlled Facilities headed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Region 1 Director Joel B. Plaza, after a thorough investigation and evaluation as outlined in ‘Guidelines in the Nationwide Implementation of Drug Clearing Program in Controlled Facilities for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). Among the activities undertaken before the declaration are the following: formulation of the Pangasinan Provincial Jail (PPJ) Drug-Free Workplace Program Policy (DFWP); composition of the Drug-Free Workplace Committee; conduct of search and seizure; conduct of drug testing; conduct of regular intelligence coordination meetings with other law enforcement agencies; and the conduct of DFWP orientation and anti-illegal drug advocacy campaigns and symposiums. The search and seizure operations conducted on March 13 and May 10, 2024, showed negative confiscation of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and other contraband. Drug testing conducted in February and March 2024 on both personnel and PDLs likewise revealed negative results for the presence of methamphetamine and its metabolites, as well as THC metabolites. It’s two in a row for PPJ, as the facility was also a recipient of a plaque of commendation as an enforcer of the drug-free workplace program on November 24, 2023, during the 2023 Drug Abuse and Control Week and Regional Awarding Ceremony held in La Union. The recognition resulted from the PPJ’s dedicated efforts in rendering and implementing the Drug-Free Workplace Program, fully supporting the Nation’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign.   Meanwhile, PPJ continues to implement its restorative and transformative justice programs through spiritual nurture, the Alternative Learning System, livelihood training, and anti-drug use campaigns among Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL).

(By Ruby F. Rayat/Photo Joey Olimpo| PIMRO) LINGAYEN, Pangasinan —The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in its regular session has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Arcely G. Robeniol as Provincial Government Department Head of the Provincial Veterinarian Office, on June 24.   Sponsored by SP Member Jerry Agerico B. Rosario, the resolution that supported the official designation of Dr. Robeniol stated: “After careful examination, scrutiny, and review of the qualifications, records, and experiences of the recommendee, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan finds the appointment meritorious and therefore interposes no objection to said appointment.” Dr. Robeniol was born and raised in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, but is now a resident of Laoac, Tayug, Pangasinan, having lived there for 29 years after marrying Dr. Roger Robeniol. They are blessed with three children. A graduate of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Central Luzon State University, Dr. Robeniol rose from the ranks in the provincial government as a casual employee in the year 2000. She was then promoted to Livestock Inspector II from September 2003 to August 2005 and to Veterinarian I from September 2005 to August 2014. She rose to Veterinarian II in September 2014, a position she held before her appointment as Officer-in-Charge of the department under the tenure of Governor Ramon V. Guico III. Dedicated to her profession, the newly confirmed OPVet head vowed to remain proactive in the strict implementation of border control measures for the intra- and inter-regional movement of animals and by-products and will remain an advocate of transparent leadership. “Dr. Robeniol epitomizes the merits of a dedicated steward of livestock health in Pangasinan. For over 24 years of unwavering public service, she has tirelessly ensured the province’s defense against harmful pathogens and diseases that threaten its valuable livestock and poultry industry. Additionally, she has spearheaded community awareness campaigns aimed at rabies prevention, further demonstrating her commitment to public and animal health,” the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Facebook post read. At present, OPVet is in close coordination with its counterparts to ensure the successful conduct of various programs and projects of the provincial government, as embodied in ‘Serbisyong Ang Galing! thrust, which the present administration is instituting.   In addition, Dr. Robeniol said programs like the anti-rabies campaign, management of animal production, and maintaining the health of domesticated farm animals were intensified to adhere to the thrust that Gov. Guico envisioned to attain in the years to come.