SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—The Regional Development Council of the Ilocos-Pangasinan area headed by Governor Deogracias Savellano has adopted agri-industrialization and tourism as major development thrusts of the region for the next three years.

The region’s economy, according to studies made by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), including one by Ms. Irene Ubungen of the graduate studies of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), is predominantly driven by agri-fishery and forestry sector and the services sector. Read the rest of this entry »

By BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR.

BINALONAN — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo unwrapped in a brief visit here last Saturday five major projects for Pangasinan’s development as part of the master plan for the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle (NLAQ) super region.
The President spoke during the formal inauguration of a private airstrip and groundbreaking for a new two-storey school building timed to be completed when classes open in June in this quiet agricultural town that is her mother’s hometown.

Owned by the family of her cousin Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the airstrip .measuring 850 meters, was put up by the World City Colleges (WCC) Aviation Company whose president is Captain Ramon V. Guico III, vice mayor of Binalonan. Read the rest of this entry »

PRESIDENT Arroyo, at last Saturday’s inauguration of the Binalonan airfield owned by the Guicos, was diplomacy in verbiage personified when she simply proclaimed that a bigger more modern airport will be built “in another part of the province” using the Binalonan event as reference point.

She could have mentioned either Alaminos City (which city of Mayor Hernani Braganza she had anyway sometime last year mentioned as the site for the project) or Sta. Barbara, a serious ‘bidder’ for the same project (and made Mayor Rey Velasco jump with joy) but she didn’t. She was obviously only too aware of the political overtones and undertones of such a categorical statement and opted to be deliciously vague about it, at least for the moment.
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Nen Mario F. Karateka
MANSOMPA-SOMPAL la so Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Lucao rod en brids pradyek nen datin Ispiker Dyo de Benesya ya mamatikey na biyahe manlapud Dagupan paonlad Binmaley na pigaran minutos ondalan ed saray kapokokan na Dawel tan Lucao tan say ilog Pantal ed pegley.

Dakel so mangibabagan maong labat ta sanen agaway impakadesyang ed puesto nen Ispiker Dyo dimad Kongreso bilang Ispiker et onialan nasosompal la so sayan proyekto ya si mismon Presidente Arroyo met so nan-inagora nen imbebeneg a taon kaibaray opisyales na bansan Hapon.
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By BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR

IT is only correct that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by its presiding officer Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, the vice governor, is moving ever so cautiously on that controversial measure she and her board members passed for the virtual arming of barangay chairmen in these parts.

To date, the resolution has been approved and the money, so we heard, has been approved and appropriated. All that’s left, if our information is correct, is the buying of the goods.
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By DANNY O. SAGUN

FOR the very first time, former Speaker Jose de Venecia was absent when President Macapagal-Arroyo visited her homeprovince to lead the inauguration of the Guico-owned airfield last Saturday in Binalonan. We could not recall of an instance that JDV was not around during all those GMA’s visits in the past.

Well, the fourth district congressman was not invited to that affair. Host Mayor Monching Guico, who is second cousin of the President, could not do so what with the severing of ties of the Arroyos and the De Venecias as a result of the ZTE controversy.
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By ALEJANDRA M. PALAGANAS
Teacher IIIJuan P. Guadiz Elementary School

IF there’s a crisis in education, where should the greater part of blame be laid – on poor learning reception of students, on inadequate school facilities or on inept and less-motivated teachers?

The answer to that, most social scientists say, is: All three factors.
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By MERLY R. TIBALAO LINGAYEN—

Some 6, 000 participants including athletes, coaches and technical officials from 13 delegations in Region I are expected to clash in various sports events in the upcoming Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) meet slated on February 24 to 29 at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Complex (NRSCC) in Lingayen.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. will lead the opening ceremony to welcome the delegations from San Fernando, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Vigan City, Candon City, Laoag City, Pangasinan Divisions I and II, Dagupan City, Urdaneta City, San Carlos City and Alaminos City.
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BUFFETED by criticisms for voting yes to the House resolution that unseated provincemate and partymate Jose C. de Venecia from the speakership post, Rep. Rachel S. Arenas of the third district of Pangasinan finally broke her silence on the issue last week, saying it was a painful decision but that she had to make it.

She said in a interview last Friday that having been treated like a daughter by De Venecia and his wife, Gina, she could have voted the other way around.
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LINGAYEN – The provincial government has taken steps towards improving the province’s agricultural productivity by launching new and effective farming techniques through expanded technology – transfer programs and facilities.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., has reiterated his call for various line agencies to support key agricultural projects in Pangasinan as he stressed that the province has much to offer for the marginalized fish farmers and who want to earn enormous profits in the long run.
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