Taguig-Pateros representative Alan Peter Cayetano informed local media that the House committee on ethics will start cross-examining First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and his brother Pampanga representative Juan Miguel Arroyo during a press conference held at the City Museum on December 27.

Regarding the expulsion case filed against him by the First Gentleman and other members of the First Family, the oppositionist congressman admitted that he is having a hard time as he remarked “they are overwhelming in terms of numbers.”

“For the last two years, there was never an opportunity that the Arroyos really face the people and answered questions directly,” Cayetano said firmly.

He expects that massive cheating which characterized the 2004 election is likely to have its repeat during the holding of 2007 local and national elections.

“I actually fear more violence and more cheating in the next election,” he enthused.

When asked about the administration’s cha-cha move, Cayetano called for character change, especially graft practices, instead of charter change even as he noted that majority of the Filipino people do not favor accommodating cha-cha through a constituent assembly.

“They should not pass something just to advance their own self-interest and why doesn’t the president allow herself to step down to know that the administration is really serious in its move?” he said.

He added: “The problem is not the charter but the corruption of this administration.”

In response to the prediction that 2007 is not a good year for the president’s political career, Cayetano boldly answered: “We feel in the opposition that the Filipino citizenry is suffering an ill fate because of GMA. Even on surveys, the president has a very low trust rating as well as performance rating.”

Despite heated debates, he clarified that he maintains good rapport with Speaker Jose De Venecia and other pro-administration politicians outside the House.

Cayetano, a known staunch oppositionist, was accompanied by Mayor Benjamin Lim, city fiesta hermana mayor councilor Maria Librada Reyna and sangguniang panlungsod members Michael Fernandez, Vladimir Mata and Nicanor Aquino.

After the one-hour press con, Cayetano proceeded to the City Plaza and attended the Barangay Night where he served as the guest speaker.(CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)

Barangay captains and officials in the city were feted to an evening of fun and entertainment during the well-attended Barangay Night held on December 27 at the City Plaza as part of the celebration of the 2006 Dagupan City Fiesta.

Taguig-Pateros congressman Alan Peter Cayetano, Mayor Benjamin Lim and fiesta hermana mayor councilor Maria Librada Reyna spearheaded the activity with the presence of some local executives, city councilors, department heads, special guests and the local media.

Among them were vice mayor Alvin Fernandez, councilors Teofilo Guadiz III, Joey Tamayo, Alex de Venecia, Vlad Mata, Michael Fernandez, Nick Aquino and Farah Decano.

In his speech, Cayetano expressed gratitude to Mayor Lim and Reyna for inviting him as the affair’s guest speaker.

He also lauded the efforts of the city fiesta committee for successfully staging the event upon seeing a jam-packed crowd composed mostly of barangay constituencies.

“It’s my fourth time to visit Dagupan and I feel delighted because I see changes and development every time I visit your city,” the opposition congressman noted.

When asked to deliver his inspirational message, Mayor Lim rated the unity and participation of the barangay captains to 98% considering the absence of two punong barangays during the event.

Games, raffles and prizes from the fiesta committee enlivened the sumptuous dinner party.

However, the dance presentation of the barangay captains to the tune of novelty song ‘boom-tarat-tarat’ stand out as a crowd favorite.

Prior to the barangay night, Cayetano and Lim conducted a one-hour press conference at the city museum where tri-media practitioners were given a chance to air their queries, be it a national or local issue. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)

The Dagupan City Police Station (DCPS) has declared the robbery and killing of three employees at the Floren Hotel solved following the arrest of the two crime suspects.

This was revealed by chief of police P/Supt. Edgar Basbas during a press conference held at DCPS yesterday (Dec 27) even as he said that the two arrested suspects have already confirmed their participation to the crime.

Ilocos regional police director C/Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, and provincial director P/Supt. Alan Purisima commended the personnel of DCPS headed by P/Supt. Basbas, PNP-Pangasinan, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for working overtime to solve the case.

“I have directed to solve the case the soonest time, but I didn’t expect that it will be solved so soon,” Bataoil said.

Mayor Lim admired the deep commitment of the police, even sacrificing their Christmas celebration with their families, and the collaboration of the various police agencies to immediately arrest the suspects and bring justice to the victims.

“I gave P/Supt. Basbas 72 hours to solve the case but the police arrested the suspects within just seven hours after the incident,” Lim said.

According to Basbas, the incident was reported to the police by a tricycle driver at around 4:15 to 4:30 a.m of December 24. When the police responded, they found three bodies sprawling with blood at the lobby of the hotel and at the coffee shop. They were identified as Jojo Calumagan, roomboy, Michael Belo, roomboy, and Joross Adress.
Adress, who was half conscious then, was rushed to the Region I Medical Center (RIMC). He is now at the state of recovery at the hospital.

The cadaver of Arcyl Molano, on the other hand, was found at the stock room. She was found with her pants lowered down below her buttocks.

City health officer Leonard Carbonell, who performed the autopsy of the victims, clarified that based on the examination done to the external genetalia of Molano revealed no bruises, hematoma and lacerations, thus, there was no sexual assault committed to the victim.

Basbas said that the suspects used a 2X4 wood in beating the victims. The weapon was recovered near the kitchen at the back of the hotel.

Basbas pointed out that the crime is considered a premeditated case with a motive of robbery since the P44,000 cash money inside the drawer at the counter was missing.

The arrested suspects who were presented to the media were: Victor Dalisay, 44, a reliever security guard of the hotel and resident of Calunitan, Sison, Pangasinan, and Jhun-Jhun Romero, 26, laundry boy of the hotel, and a resident of Pogo Grande.

Dalisay was arrested through the help of the Sison police force.

Meanwhile, one unidentified suspect is still at large. He has a rose tattoo on his right arm, about 5’4 inches in height, medium built, has a fair complexion and was wearing bonnet during the crime incident.

Basbas said that the statements of Adress, the survivor to the crime, helped the police in identifying the suspects. (Sunshine D. Robles)

An Urban Vegetable Production seminar was staged on December 19 at barangay Herrero-Perez as part of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and zero-waste programs of the city government.

The city government encourages the establishment of nursery gardens in the barangays where the composted materials can be used.

“This program is part of our undertaking to really lessen the volume of wastes being thrown on the dumpsite,” Mayor Benjamin S. Lim said in his message.

The mayor stressed that the city government is really serious in putting order in the disposal of wastes in the city.

Lim encouraged vegetable production in the backyards. He underscored the significance of planting vegetable assortments at the house gardens, because it cannot only contribute to a green environment, but it can also be a source of income for families.

City agriculturist Emma Molina said that the barangays can take advantage of the idle lots and convert them into vegetable production areas.

Teresita Pascua, agricultural technologist, discussed the rapid composting, while Edel Marave of the East-West Sales representative gave his insights on seed selection and cultural management. Marave also made an urban vegetable production demonstration.

The seminar was participated in by representatives from Herrero-Perz, Mayombo, Barangay I, Barangay 2&3, Barangay 4, Pogo Chico, Tapuac, Mangin, Tebeng and Lucao. (Sunshine D. Robles)

A lot of Dagupeño students from various schools were impressed with the city fiesta committee’s presentation of an information technology (IT) road show and book fair during its formal launching today (Dec. 19) at the Malimgas Market.

The activity, which is part of the Dagupan City fiesta celebration, will be staged from December 19 to 20.

The road show features different knowledge centers at the second floor of the market where information, technology and other learning materials are readily available.

According to event chairman Angel Reyna, Jr., the two-day event was participated in by various local and national guest exhibitors.

The exhibitors include: the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Bitstop computer, Farm out central in touch, HWM magazine, Smart telecommunications, Copylandia, Canon Philippines, Axis Distribution Inc., PC-Cartel, Techfactors Inc., JOES Publications, Trinitas Building, Domedane Publishing, ABIVA Publishing, Diwa Publishing, C & E Publishing and Asian Tech.

The affair also highlighted the call center industry, latest information communication and technology trends and curriculum, internet profit potential and wireless technology.

In his remarks, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez lauded the city fiesta executive committee headed by hermana mayor Maria Librada Reyna for doing a great job in making the presentation well-organized and successful.

“We really bring out the best so the general public will enjoy the show which will provide them useful insights into the use of information technology in modernizing their learning process,” the hermana mayor said.

She further encouraged all graduate and non-graduate students aged 18 years and above to avail of the scholarship grant provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for those aspiring to become call center agents. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)

Mayor Lim and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz led crowd of 3,500 people during a march and prayer rally against hasty charter change and constitutional assembly yesterday (Dec 15) held at the city plaza.

The participants were composed of students and members of various religious organizations, such as the United Methodist Church, the Philippine Independent Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

“I do not believe that the Filipino people are so close-minded that they are not open to change. I am sure that the people are willing to amend or even revise completely our constitution if this is done correctly, sincerely, honestly, and in such a way would benefit the Filipino people,” Lim declared.

Lim said that opposition to charter change has snowballed not only because of the questionable intentions behind it, but also because of the untrustworthy characters who are pushing for it.

He said that the Filipino people have witnessed how the government has abused its resources to perpetuate itself in power. “The last straw, and what the people of this great nation cannot take, is the thought of a few people in government twisting and manipulating a constitution for which the Filipino people shed their own tears and blood.”

The mayor noted the sacredness of the constitution. And as the fundamental law of the land, it cannot be used to lengthen one’s term of office or to postpone or cancel elections, or to protect oneself from being impeached in congress, and most definitely, it is not a means to make oneself a prime minister.

Lim issued a challenge to the government officials who are pushing for charter change: “Remove yourselves from power, then fight for charter change. That way the Filipino people can see the sincerity of your actions, and I will proudly stand beside you, and let us fight together for sincere and honest change.”

“What the proponents of charter change do not realize is that embodied in our constitution is the spirit of freedom and democracy, and that spirit can never be amended, revised, nor corrupted,” the mayor said even as he admitted that the constitution is not perfect and there are changes that can be made to make it a stronger law, but there lies the beauty of the constitution.

Archbishop Cruz, on the other hand, referred to the charter change movement as a way of snatching not only the rights and hopes of the people, but also the very lives of Filipinos.

He bared that some 700 people composed of clergymen, media practitioners, workers and farmers, have been killed because of their advocacies for the Filipino people and against the government.

The youth sector expressed its stand against chacha by performing an interpretative dance to the tune of “The Prayer.”

All participants sang together, “Ang Cha-Cha ay Sumabit,” composed by a Dagupeño. The song goes: “Ang Cha-Cha ay sumabit, dahil bayan ay nagalit, JDV namilipit, dahil gusto ay ipilit…Sa Kongreso ay naghugas kamay, dahil ang Con-Ass nila’y sumablay, sektor ng bayan, maging ang simbahan…sa laban nagtagumpay.”

Leaders from the various religious organizations also led a prayer for peace, justice and prosperity for the nation. (Sunshine D. Robles)

The slab and girder of the 104-year-old Franklin Bridge were lifted by two cranes on December 15 as part of removing its two bays to give way to the construction of the new Pantal Bridge.

Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, Councilor Joey Tamayo, city engineer Virginia Rosario and DCHC chairman Carmen Prieto witnessed the demolition of the portion of the Franklin Bridge.

Mayor Lim assured that the remnants of the Franklin Bridge will be preserved and returned to its original site for better understanding of the history and heritage of the city.

Lim said that the dismantling was made to protect the remnants of the old bridge because these will definitely be affected while the Pantal Bridge is being constructed.

“We will create plans which will make the area a tourist destination and at the same time preserve the historic significance of the bridge,” Lim said.

The demolition of the portion of the Franklin Bridge was undertaken by the Toyo-Tobishima Construction, the same contractor for the construction of Pantal Bridge, which will connect the Dawel-Pantal-Lucao diversion road.

Prior to the demolition, the National Historical Institute (NHI), Dagupan City Heritage Commission, Department of Public Works and Highways-Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development (DPWH-UBCPRD), Katahira and Engineers International (KEI) and Toyo-Tobishima (JV) held a series of meetings to define the extent and methodology of demolition of the bridge.

Then a 12-km-long highway, Franklin Bridge used to connect Dagupan and Lingayen. The original highway approached Dagupan through barangays Carael and Calmay, crossed Calmay river into Jose Torres Bugallon avenue (now A.B. Fernandez Avenue) before finally entering the commercial district. The bridge was destroyed by a great flood in 1935. (Sunshine D. Robles)

This a Test only….

This a Test only….

Various gadgets will be provided for the 8 pilot barangays in augmenting their capacities on disaster preparedness as part of the implementation of project PROMISE.

Public order and safety office chief Robert Erfe-Mejia said the sets of devices, which will be turned over to the barangays on January 8, will equip the barangays for any eventuality caused by hydro-meteorological hazards.

“One aim of project PROMISE is to empower the barangays, and one way to strengthen them is the provision of devices, aside from the earlier trainings conducted,” city agriculturist and Project Promise local focal person Emma Molina pointed out.

The gadgets include: petromax, two-way radios, megaphones, raincoats, hardhats, boots, life jackets, flat boats, bamboo rafts, flash lights, tents, ropes, transistors, and emergency lights with radio.

Aside from the gadgets, each of the pilot barangays will be provided a staff gauge and alternative livelihood.

To ensure safekeeping of the gadgets, each pilot barangay will have to prepare and submit policies and guidelines on the use of the devices.
The disaster preparedness capacities of the 8 pilot barangays will be even strengthened once the early warning system and evacuation plan modules of the 8 barangays shall have been completed, Molina added.

USAID-funded project PROMISE (Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia) will be implemented for two years by the city government of Dagupan in coordination with the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) and Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). The program emphasizes the importance of preparedness of the community for hydro-met related disasters.

The 8 pilot barangays for project PROMISE are Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Lasip Chico, Lasip Grande, Pogo Grande, Mangin, Salisay and Tebeng. (Sunshine D. Robles)