BONGABON, Nueva Ecija – At least seven members of the Komiteng Rehiyong Gitnang Luzon of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) were killed in an armed encounter with the soldiers of the 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion, Philippine Army in Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija on June 26.   The combat operations followed after the soldiers of the 84IB conducted a hot pursuit following an aerial operation held in the hinterlands of Sitio Marikit East, Barangay Abuyo, Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya last June 20. Initial information disclosed that upon clearing the area, operating troops recovered three M14 rifles, six M16 rifles, one M16 with M203 attached rifle, one low-powered firearm, subversive documents, and personal belongings from the encounter site. No casualty was recorded on the part of the operating troops, while the seven CTG personalities were yet to be identified. According to Lieutenant Colonel Jerald Reyes, Commanding Officer, 84IB, the hot pursuit operation was part of the unit’s efforts to immediately locate and run after the enemy after they spread fear among the people of Alfonso Castaneda. “Mayroon po tayong nakuhang pitong bangkay mula sa mga CTG at naka rekober po tayo ng sampung mga matataas na klase ng armas. Napigilan po natin ang kanilang planong maibalik ang kanilang impluwensiya sa komunidad gamit ang pananakot. Actually, hinabol namin ang mga ito galing Aurora to Nueva Vizcaya ngayon dito sa Nueva Ecija. Kaya naman po lubos ang aming pasalamat sa mga tao sa kanilang suporta sa mga kasundaluhan. Tinitiyak din po namin ang kaligtasan ng mamamayan ng Nueva Ecija laban sa banta ng mga teroristang grupo,” pahayag ni Reyes. Brigadier General Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte PA, Commander of the 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade, Philippine Army, attributed the success of the operation to the active cooperation of the peace-loving community in Pantabangan who work hand-in-hand with the security sector to preserve the peace. “The community’s active cooperation has a big impact on the results of this operation. Their full support to the Army has paved the way to more significant peace and security accomplishments in our Area of Operations. We assure you our strong commitment to the community in preserving the peace that we have been working on for years,” Pasamonte said. He then called on the members of the CTG to surrender and grab the opportunities offered by the government to live a new life.   “I am deeply saddened that our brother Filipinos died because of the trickery of the CTG. We can prevent further loss of lives if the remaining members would only join us in our mainstream society. Nandito kami handang ipagtanggol ang ating mga kababayang ang nais lamang ay kapayapaan at katiwasayan,” he added. (84th Infantry Battalion, 71D Philippine Army post)

DILASAG, Aurora – Pinangunahan ni Gov.Reynante Tolentino, kasama ang Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) at mga iba pang opisyal sa pamamahagi ng ‘social pension’ sa 485 beneficiaries sa bayan ng Dilasag, na ginanap sa LGU Sports Complex at sa Barangay Esperanza Covered Court, noong Hunyo 24.     Ang 485 beneficiaries ay kinabibilangan ng 363 senior citizens at 45 persons with disabilities (PWD), 28 solo parents, na tumanggap ng kanilang social pension para sa unang kalahating taon ng 2024. Tinanggap naman ng 23 Day Care Workers ang kanilang honorarium, samantalang sa mga senior citizens na may edad 85 hanggang 99 ay binigyan ng ‘age bonus benefit’ na bagong programa ng PSWDO mula sa  tulong at suporta ni Gov. Tolentino. Bukod dito ay nagbigay din ang gobernador mula sa kanyang sariling bulsa ng tig-₱10,000.00 sa samahan ng nasabing apat na sektor bilang dagdag tulong para sa kanilang mga pangangailangan.   Sinabi ni Ryan “Yam” Tolentino, Chief Nurse ng Aurora Memorial Hospital (AMH) at Executive Assistant ng Office of the Provincial Governor na kasamang dumalo sa nasabing aktibidad, isa raw sa mga una sa mga programa ng gobernador ang mga senior citizens. Ang ama ng lalawigan, bilang bahagi ng senior citizens group ay nauunawaan ang pakiramdaman at mga pangangailangan sa ganoong edad kung kaya lahat ng mga maaring ibigay na ayuda mula sa pamahalaang panlalawigan ay ihahatid sa kanila ng gobernador. Hinikayat din ni Yam Tolentino ang mga matatanda na gamitin at pakinabangan ang libreng laboratory tests sa AMH na bahagi ng medical assistance program ng lalawigan para sa kanila.   Ayon kay Gov. Tolentino, tuluy-tuloy ang tulong na ibibigay ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa mga mamamayan lalo na sa mga wala o limitado ang pinagkukuhanan ng kabuhayan tulad ng mga senior citizens, PWD, at mga solo parents. Patuloy din magtatrabaho ang pamunuan upang mas palawigin pa ang sakop ng ganitong mga programa at madagdagan pa ang kanilang natatanggap. Pinuri din niya ang kasipagan ng PSWDO at siniguro ang kaniyang buong suporta sa mga program nito.   Nagpaabot naman ng pasasalamat si Konsehal Leah Gorospe, bilang kinatawan ni Mayor Joe P. Gorospe, sa gobernador at kay Yam sa paglalaan ng panahon upang personal na ihatid ang ayuda sa kanilang bayan. Malaking bagay daw na hindi na kailangan pang bumiyahe ng mga benepisyaryo papuntang sentro-Aurora para kunin ang kanilang social pension. Pinasalamatan naman ni Paulino ang MSWDO ng Dilasag sa pamumuno ni Jessamin T. Llave, na nakatuwang nila sa nasabing aktibidad lalo na sa pagsisigurong mga karapat-dapat na benepisyaryo ang tatanggap.   Malugod namang tinanggap ng mga benepisyaryo gaya ni Lolo Eduardo Subang, isa sa mga senior citizens at Nanay Julieta Seradoy, isa naman sa mga solo parents ang tulong na inihatid sa kanila at magagamit nila ito nang buo para sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan. (By PG Aurora Official Page)

SAN LUIS, Aurora – Malugod na naisagawa ng iba’t ibang ahensya sa pangunguna ng Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) ang selebrasyon ng Environment Month at Arbor Day na may temang “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience” sa pamamagitan ng tree planting na isinagawa sa Barangay Diteki, San Luis Aurora, Hunyo 25.   Lumahok sa aktibidad ang iba’t-ibang kawani at kinatawan ng mga ahensya tulad ng 91st infantry sinagtala battalion Philippine Army, Philippine national Police, Bureau of Fire Protection at mga empleyado ng iba’t-ibang tanggapan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan, na pinasiwaan ni Ma. Teresa De Luna, ng ENRO at sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sa pamumuno naman ni Forester G.Alfredo kasama ring nakiisa ang Local Goverment Unit ng bayan ng San Luis. Ayon kay Luna, “Ang pagtatanim ng mga puno ay nakakatulong upang mapanatili ang ganda ng kalikasan at sa pamamagitan nito ay maitataguyod ang biodiversity at malabanan pabago-bagong klima gayundin ay mabawasan ang epektong kalamidad ating lalawigan. Sa pamamagitan ng aktibidad na ito ay makakatulong ang mga lumahok para sa kinabukasan ng susunod na henerasyon.”   Ipinahatid naman ni Punong Lalawigan Reynante A.Tolentino ang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga kawani ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na nakiisa at nagbigay ng oras upang bigyang halaga ang pagtatanim ng puno kasabay ng pagpapakita ng pangangalaga sa kalikasan. (By PG Aurora Official page).

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.