THE Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) will hold a public hearing here tomorrow, October 22, to discuss a proposal for a new wage increase.

The public hearing will be held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Lyceum-Northwestern University in Dagupan from 1 to 5 p.m. according to department of Labor and Employment Regional
Director Henry John Jalbuena, RTWPB chairman-designate. Read more

ALAMINOS CITY - Mayor Hernani Braganza has again looked and sounded confident that the planned international airport project here will push thru.

He said that the project, costing from P700 million to P1 billion, is now up for funding, adding that it is up to the Department of Transportation and Communication where to source out the needed funds. Read more

THE city government, based on records of the treasurer’s office, has saved significant amounts from its cost-cutting measures thus far.

The measures include the 10% reduction in the cost of the consumption of electricity, water, and other utilities.

At presstime, since Oct. 16, it was learned that the city
administration has likewise fielded so called “civilian marshals” to secure city buildings like the Astrodome, Malimgas market and premises of City Hall instead of regular security guards. Read more

VIGAN CITY – Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano has launched his 24/7 public service program for his provincemates using advanced electronic communications technology that is now available to all.

The 24/7 public service means service to the people 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the governor explained.

He did this by opening three cell phone helplines, such as 09178080330 for Globe Telecom, 09188821111 for Smart and 09228112112 for Sun Cellular. Read more

LESBIAN notorious drug dealer was arrested by joint elements of the police in a buy-bust operation on Herrero-Pandayan Street in Dagupan City.

The suspect was identified as Sharon Aquino, 25, member of a big-time drug trafficking syndicate operating in Dagupan City, particularly in the university belt.

Joint elements of the Special Operation Group under the supervision of Chief Inspector Rodelio Samson, group director, Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) and the Dagupan City Police Station conducted operation in coordination with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Region 1.

Aquino was identified as a member of the Macatoman drug trafficking syndicate, an organized criminal gang engaged in illegal drugs trade operating in Dagupan City and adjacent areas.

The police said the group is led by a certain Swayle Macatoman, a Muslim trader (PNA)

FRESH from a recent China trip with some city officials, Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, now acting mayor of Dagupan, wants Shanghai, a city in northern China, to be a role model in development for Dagupan City.

Others who joined Fernandez in that trip were Councilors Michael Fernandez, Librada Reyna, Jesus Canto, Danilo Torio, Alfie Fernandez, Alfredo Quinto and Karlos Reyna.

Particularly catching the group’s fancy and now wants copied on a smaller scale is Shanghai’s urban renewal that rehabilitated its old downtown area while at the same time developing other growth centers that are now teeming in development. Read more

MANGALDAN – A hardworking educator-turned-barangay councilman is seeking re-election in this October 29 barangay elections.

Lito Bugayong, a well-known political leader in this town’s barangay circles who had once tried his luck as town councilor-candidate but lost, believes his destiny could be “to help my barangaymates to the fullest using my background and insights as educator to bring comfort to the villages.” Read more

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued guidelines and time periods in the issuance of development permits and barangay clearances for housing projects, in response to public complaints of delayed issuance of permits for housing by some local government units.

Secretary Ronaldo Puno made the move amidst reports and complaints tagging sangguniang panlungsod/bayan offices, mayors’ offices and punong barangays, as well as complaints against barangays imposing exorbitant fees for barangay clearances, or imposing fees not supported by a barangay ordinance. Read more

A new investment site will soon be made available to investors with the completion soon of the more than four-kilometer Dawel-Pantal-Lucao road in Dagupan City.

Acting Mayor Belen Fernandez, in a talk during the launching of “Magandang Umaga Ka-Pamilya” program over ABS-CBN Channel 32 in Dagupan, said the areas along side the new road is ideal location for eco-tourism projects. Read more

CITY Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. is leading a promotional tour for the Dagupan City fiesta in December in key cities in the United States.

With Fernandez are his son Alvin, the current city administrator and Councilors Farah Decano and Jose Netu Tamayo, hermano mayor of the 2007 Dagupan Fiesta from December 16-30.

The group left for the U.S. on October 11 and will be back on October 30. Read more