The Research and Development Management Office of the Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the city government, through the city agriculture office, signed a memorandum of understanding for the project, “Comprehensive Profiling of the Milkfish Processing Industry in Dagupan City.”
 

The MOU signing was held on February 28 at the LNU Multi-Purpose Hall.
 

In his message, Brian Lim, Mayor Benjamin S. Lim’s chief of staff, noted the timeliness of the study in order to improve the bangus industry in Dagupan City.
 

“Bangus Festival was staged to highlight bangus as a main product of Dagupan. But now we have to be more scientific and educated in promoting the bangus industry,” Lim said.      
 

Lim stressed the imperative need for a Bangus Processing Plant in order to stabilize the price of Dagupan bangus even as he bared that the production of bangus in Dagupan is higher than that of Saranggani.
 

City agriculturist Emma Molina said that study aims to present a profile of the existing milkfish deboning industry in the city in terms of the socio-economic profile of the processors, their profitability, the employment opportunities generated from the industry and the precautionary measures use by the processors with regards to sanitation and environmental conservation.
 

“The information to be generated in the study can be used by the milkfish processors as indicators for possible expansion area or diversification and improvement of their product which can be offered to consumers,” Molina pointed out even as she said that the undertaking can lead to research and development endeavors to improve quality of existing products, thus, consumers will benefit with more varieties and quality processed milkfish.   
 

She added that the data generated will be useful to the government in formulating policies or strategies to further improve the milkfish processing industry, generate more jobs and income for the city.
 

The study also aims to conduct an assessment of the quality control and storage procedures, marketing, pricing, and channels of distribution of the finished product.
 

According to the Research and Development Management Office of the Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU), the proponents of the project, the results of the study can also be used by the city as a basis in determining the most immediate beneficiaries of the Bangus Processing Plant which the city is planning to set up.
 

The project was conceptualized by the Research and Development Management Office of LNU under its Community Research and Development Program (CRDP) as LNU’s contribution as an academic institution to research and development in the city. (Sunshine D. Robles)

To further help improve the lives of the family beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) housing project, the Dagupan city government and the Couples for Christ (CFC) on February 27 signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the University of Luzon (UL) for the establishment of a community extension services program.
 

The MOA was signed by city administrator Raffy Baraan, UL president MacArthur Samson, Sr. and GK provincial director Manny Casupang.
 

Under the agreement, the University of Luzon shall provide GK-Bangusville beneficiaries with community extension services, projects and activities that include, among others: conduct of livelihood and skills training, basic literacy, promotion of arts and culture, upholding of human rights, professional and consultancy assistance, advocacies and information drives, orientation on business operation and management, health resource development, public order and safety, and infrastructure development.
 

Complementing the program is the construction of a skills and training laboratory that measures 5 by 8 square meters at the GK site in Bonuan Gueset.
 

It was learned that the planning and design of the laboratory is now being underscored by the architects and other professionals of the university which then will be forwarded to the national GK office for its eventual approval.
 

According to Carmelo Vidal, director of the center for integrated extension services office, working hand-in-hand with the program are purpose-driven students, teachers, and staff of the university.
 

“Like all successful projects in the city, the Gawad Kalinga could not have been achieved without the support of some institutions and groups who were more than eager to give their share of assistance. I hope the university of Luzon will also inspire other sectors to also contribute,” Baraan stressed. 
 

“We really admire the GK project that’s why we went into partnership with the city government and CFC to take the opportunity of being of help to the underprivileged citizens of Dagupan,” Samson said.
 

In a related development, it was learned from city agriculturist Emma Molina that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will donate additional funds to take care of the livelihood component for the family beneficiaries.
 

Molina bared that the fund will be used to set up a tilapia pond and vegetable garden. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)

The Dagupan city government hosted the 2^nd regular monthly meeting of the Council of Personnel Officers, Western Pangasinan Chapter on February 28 at the City Museum.
 
The event gathered all human resource management executives, administrative officers and personnel designates from different government agencies covering 33 municipalities and three cities in Western Pangasinan.
 

In his remarks, city administrator Raffy Baraan thanked the council for its continued initiative in improving human resource services even as he recognized its crucial role in producing efficient and productive workforce in the government. He further said that their performance reflects the government’s concern of providing employment to its constituencies. 
 

Council president Flor L.. Sison and John C. Rivera, Director II of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Provincial Field Office, served as resource persons during the event.
 

One of the highlights of the meeting is the CSC’s search for outstanding public officials and employees this year.
 

The search aims to recognize and reward the commendable men and women in public service who have rendered exceptional contributions and achievements and shown exemplary conduct and ethical behavior in the delivery of public service.
 

It was learned that the council is also set to stage its regional convention in Baguio City from March 14 to 16.
 

The 3^rd regular monthly meeting of the council will be on April 25 at Sual, Pangasinan. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)

To further improve peace and order situation in Dagupan, the city government conducted a half-day seminar for barangay public safety officers (BSPO) dubbed “Capability Building Seminar for BSPO” on February 15 at the People’s Astrodome.
 

The seminar, which gathered more than 300 BSPOs or barangay tanods, aimed to equip members of the city’s security force with various techniques on how to effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities as force multipliers to law enforcement agencies and to empower them towards greater participation and involvement in the city government’s peace and order program.
 

One of the highlights of the event is the turnover of 62 mountain bikes with helmets and 440 reflectorized vests to the city’s barangay security forces for their roving patrols especially at night to prevent any attempt to commit crimes in their respective barangays.
 

In his speech, Brian Lim, Mayor Benjamin Lim’s chief of staff, commended the BSPOs for their volunteerism and sense of duty in keeping Dagupan one of the safest places to live in the country.
 

He also stressed the importance of peace and order in the city to attract more investors and bolster Dagupan’s status as a premier business center. 
 

Speakers of the seminar were Dagupan City police chief P/Supt. Edgar Basbas and public order and safety office chief Robert Erfe-Mejia, who both discussed related topics on Barangay Watch Program; city director of the Department of Interior and Local Government Expedita Callanta re-echoed the mandated duties and responsibilities of BSPOs, Judge Rolando Mislang lectured on warrantless arrest, hot pursuit and citizen’s arrest procedures and waste management division chief Reggie Ubando handled topics on disaster monitoring and response.
 

According to Basbas, Dagupan City recorded an impressive 92.9% crime solution efficiency rate in 2006, with an 8.5% increased compared to the previous year.
 

“We could not effectively solve criminal incidents without the support of  the community and if we were not complemented by the BSPOs,” he noted.
 

Vice mayor Alvin Fernandez and councilor Joey Tamayo underscored the contribution of the BSPOs through Ordinance No. 1798-2003 which grants health, medical and other support schemes to BSPOs and other civilian volunteer organizations.
 

City administrator Raffy Baraan and some punong barangay also graced the occasion. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)

The city government calls for the immediate formalization and mobilization of the Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) to keep track of the full blast implementation Dawel-Pantal-Lucao Diversion Road and Bridge Project.
 

The move is to oversee construction phases of the said environmental critical project (ECP) noting that Dagupan City, as a flood prone-storm surge vulnerable area, is characterized as a large environmental critical area (ECA).
 
Rudy Fernandez, CMO’s executive assistant, said the city led the creation of an MMT, the first ever in Dagupan City, by virtue of a memorandum of agreement signed on March of 2004.
 
Fernandez revealed that the city government initiated the creation of an MMT due to the alleged failure of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Region I and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Region I to do so.
 

DAGAT executive director Teddy Villamil, Jr. said the MMT has never been formalized due to the absence of duly approved Work and Financial Plan, Monitoring Modules and the proponent’s commitment to allocate a dedicated Environmental Monitoring Fund despite a MOA that was earlier signed. 
 

Proponents of the project are DPWH R1, to cover the road component, and the Project Management Office -Urgent Bridge Construction Project for Rural Development (PMO-UBCPRD) of DPWH to cover the bridge component.
 

“The city was long clamoring for an empowered MMT. It took so long before its creation which is a year after the ECC was issued to the proponent,” Villamil declared that the law calls for the creation of an MMT by the DPWH-proponent and DENR, supposedly 60 days after issuance of the ECC. 
 

“One of our major concerns here is the provision of job opportunities to the affected residents to the project implementation,” Fernandez pointed out.     
 

The MMT was supposed to sign an amended version of the MOA on January 31, but the proponents said they were not ready to sign the MOA because of some cited concerns.
 

The MMT has a task to monitor the project’s compliance to the ECC conditions and also monitor the actual filling operations on the river. 
 

DAGAT (Dagupan Estuarine Aquaculture Fisheries Growth and Technology Linkages Inc.), an NGO environmental advocate in the city revealed some violations committed by the ongoing construction of the Pantal bridge, hence the organization called the attention of MMT to take immediate actions.
 

Based on the presentation of DAGAT to the Tanggol Kalikasan and DENR, there was a massive land filling along Pantal River, particularly Pantal west, to accommodate stock piling work for the construction of Pantal bridge.
 

Rudy Villamil (DVM), founding president of DAGAT, doubted if the tons of earth material can be effectively retrieved. He said the earth materials will surely be washed adding to silt load and destruction of marine ecosystem and of the riverine.  
 

“The resulting constriction and narrowing of Pantal River due to massive land filling poses imminent danger, flush flood and mud flow that can result to enhanced flash flooding,” Villamil added.      
 

Fernandez noted the imperative need to mobilize the MMT in order to come up with a monitoring report on: the update of the project implementation; status of LGU proposed alternate road exit; reported problem on aquatic pollution and the perceived problem on enhanced flooding due to river constriction; and issues on local and priority employment to those affected by the project. (Sunshine D. Robles)
 

The Dagupan City Police Station (DCPS), led by P/Supt. Edgar O. Basbas, has been adjudged this year’s Best City Police Station in Region 1, besting seven other top contenders. 
 

The award was handed over by PNP Chief Oscar Calderon on February 2 at Camp Oscar Florendo in San Fernando, La Union during the regional celebration of the 16th Anniversary of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
 

During the ceremony, P/Supt. Basbas lead the roster of PNP officers as he was conferred by the PNP Chief with the Medalya ng Kagalingan for his immediate solution of the robbery and killing of three employees of the Floren Hotel.
 

In fact, the cry for justice of the families of the victims were immediately answered following the arrest of the two suspects a few hours after the incident on December 24. 
 

“I hope that these accomplishments will inspire all Dagupan PNP personnel to continue performing well,” Basbas said even as he thanked the city government, residents and some non-governmental sectors for their support to the station’s campaign against crime.
 

“On behalf of the city government, I salute your dedication and hard work in protecting Dagupan constituencies,” Mayor Benjamin S. Lim said.
 

Basbas announced that the DCPS also received the Best City Police Station award in the provincial level conferred by Governor Victor Agbayani and police regional director Leopoldo Bataoil during the province-wide celebration of the PNP anniversary on February 8 at the provincial headquarters in Lingayen.
 

The awarding also recognized Basbas as the Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer of the Year in the field of operation along with his selected personnel who rendered significant contributions in maintaining peace and order in the city.
 

They were: SPO3 Mike A. delos Reyes, best senior police non-commissioned officer in the field of administration; SPO2 Joseph M. Daroy, best senior police non-commissioned officer in the field of operation (also in regional level); and PO2 Jailine G. Aquino, best women and children concern desk and police non-commissioned officer of the year.
 

This year's theme for the celebration is: Karangalan ng Pulis: Tapat na Paglilingkod sa Bayan at Mamamayan.(CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)
 

Three of the service providers located in Dagupan City ensured a better service for Dagupeños and other clienteles.
 

Representatives from the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Dagupan Electric Cooperative and Dagupan City Water District answered media queries during the 3^rd edition of Pangasinan Tri-Media Association’s Kapihan on February 8 at Masarap Grill, Magic Club.  
 

DCWD division manager Adelfo Valle said that a regular water sample testing to the water supply of the district is being conducted in order to ensure the safety of the drinking public.
 

“We also conduct regular water flushing to avoid the insertion of sands in the water supply,” Valle assured.
 

Decorp manager Dominador Liwag said that the electric cooperative keeps its rates as low as possible even as he bared that Decorp has the lowest rate in Pangasinan, and one of the lowest in Luzon.
 

Liwag further said that Decorp is one of the few electric cooperatives in the Philippines which do not apply penalty.
 

“We allow a payment period of 38 days, which is one of the longest in the Philippines, and only after 40 days that we disconnect without penalty all throughout the period,” Liwag pointed out.
 

PLDT-Pangasinan manager Gerardo Marquez, on the other hand, said that the telecom company is continuously upgrading its facilities in the province.
 

Marquez revealed the latest promotions of PLDT which can be economical and beneficial to customers especially those with family members and relatives overseas.
 

Marquez revealed the latest thrust of the telecom company which is to broadband the entire Philippine archipelago.
 

“In this drive, we will roll out the triple play, which are data, audio and video, in one line,” he said. 
 

In gratitude to the customers, Marquez said that PLDT is reaching out to barangays in forms of medical and dental missions, and pledging of support to programs such as the Gawad Kalinga housing project.
 

Kapihan is held every Thursday at Magic Café hosted by BCJ executive editor Butch Velasco and co-hosted by Aksyon Radyo news anchor Joseph Bacani.  (Sunshine D. Robles)

The city government of Dagupan has been chosen as one of the two pilot areas in the Philippines to implement the Breaking Barriers of the Youth (BBY) Development Project.
 The project, funded by the Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA), through the Kapisanan ng May Kapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (KAMPI) and Disabled Peoples' International (DPI), aims to improve the living condition of the Young Adults With Disabilities ages 15-24 years old and help them become productive and self-reliant individuals.
Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, along with vice mayor Alvin Fernandez, city administrator Rafael Baraan and some department heads, signed a memorandum of agreement with representatives from KAMPI, DPI and DANIDA on February 6 to formalize the establishment of the project.
According to DPI chairperson Venus Ilagan, DANIDA has approved only Dagupan and Tuguegarao City as beneficiaries of the project in the entire country.
She added that the project is expected to benefit at least 167 youth with disabilities in the city. 
“This is a follow up of the Breaking Barriers for Children (BBC) project in Dagupan,” she noted.
 
In his speech, Mayor Lim expressed his elation over the selection of Dagupan as one of the two beneficiaries of the BBY project in the Philippines even as he assured that the city government is fully prepared to implement the project.
“We assure you that we will sustain this project and we are fortunate to be chosen as your partner in helping the youth with disabilities,” the mayor reiterated.     
Under the agreement, the city social welfare and development office and city health office shall assist on the identification, assessment and referral of potential beneficiaries of the project.
It was learned that the city government will give minimal counterpart for the operation and management of project before it's eventual turn over to the city after three years.
On November 14 last year, the city government has taken the responsibility of fully operating the Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center which continues to render free assistance and treatment to a total of 301 children with disabilities (CWDs). 
Those CWDS who reached the age of 15 are automatic beneficiaries of the BBY project. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)

The mainstreaming of Project PROMISE has started at the city level to cover the other 23 barangays in Dagupan City.
Punong barangays and representatives from the city’s non-pilot barangays attended an orientation seminar on disaster risk management and urban governance on February 6 held at the city museum.
Punong barangays and representatives from the eight pilot barangays namely Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Lasip Chico, Lasip Grande, Pogo Grande, Mangin, Salisay and Tebeng, were also present to share their experience with the non-pilot barangays.
Mayor Lim’s chief of staff, Brian Lim, said that the implementation of project PROMISE is very important to all the barangays of Dagupan, noting that some parts of the city are easily flooded even with only little rain.  
The young Lim, thus, urged the officials of the 23 barangays to give their support and cooperation to the project.
“Something really happened in the implementation of the project in the 8 pilot barangays and the mayor would like to share the same privilege to the 23 barangays,” public order and safety office (POSO) chief Robert Erfe-Mejia, deputized civil defense officer, said.       
Project PROMISE coordinator Mayfourth Luneta briefed the participants about the project, while city agriculturist Emma Molina, PROMISE-Dagupan focal person, presented a powerpoint presentation on how far the project has been implemented in the pilot barangays.
“We will also impart to you (23 barangays) the knowledge on disaster preparedness that was taught to the pilot barangays,” Molina pointed out.
On behalf of the eight pilot barangays, Pogo Grande punong barangay Roberto Abalos expressed his gratitude to project PROMISE and the city government as the project helped increase their capacities on disaster preparedness. 
“Because of the project, we have learned how to manage disaster systematically,” he enthused. 
Some members of the technical working group of PROMISE were also present during the activity.
Project PROMISE or Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). (Sunshine D. Robles)

The Dagupan City government led by Mayor Benjie Lim welcomed the Filipino-American doctors comprising the Philippine Medical Association in Georgia, USA (PAMAG) in a dinner party hosted by the city held at the People’s Park on February 4.

Lim expressed his gratitude to some 90 medical experts and surgeons, led by its president Dr. Marilou Beltran, who are currently conducting series of surgical and medical operations at the Region I Medical Center and a free medication and consultation at the Dagupan People’s Astrodome from February 3 to 9.

A dental mission will be simultaneously conducted at the Lyceum-Northwestern University dental clinic.  

According to city health officer Leonard Carbonell, the PAMAG doctors who participated in the mission are experts in Ophthalmology, Urology, Pediatrics, Cardiology and Internal Medicine.  

With outlying patients from the six congressional districts of Pangasinan, Carbonell estimated an initial of 2,500 beneficiaries from the mission.
“Although this is on a first-come-first-serve basis, we will still accept walk in patients,” he noted.

He said that prior to medical mission days, patients were required to undergo pre-examination, consultation and listing to ensure efficient and effective management of the treatment procedures during the entire duration of the medical mission.

The holding of the medical-surgical-dental mission was made possible through the joint collaboration of PAMAG, city government, Region I Medical Center, Villaflor Hospital and the Lyceum-Northwestern University. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)