By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY- Abono Partylist Chair Rosendo So disagreed with the pronouncements of the two top government officials that Region 1 was not affected by the El Nino Phenomenon.

So questioned how Department of Agriculture Director Cipriano Santiago and Deputy Director Cris Bautista declare that there is no dry spell that wreaks havoc on the farmlands in Region 1 where there are already 6000 hectares which are parched and cracked, giving unquantifiable misery to the farmers.

In a press conference here recently, Santiago said there was no El Nino in the region that is composed of the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.
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By Virgilio Sar.Maganes

URDANETA CITY- “What’s better, mono block chairs or a college graduate in every home? Waiting sheds or expressways?”

These were the questions posed to the newsmen by Secretary Hermogenes “Jun” Esperon, Jr. when he outlined his plans and programs as a congressional candidate of the 6th district during the “Ugnayan at Talakayan sa Silangan”, a media forum sponsored by Metro Urdaneta Press Club at Lis Rainforest Resort here last March 4.

Esperon was apparently referring to the present projects of Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias Agabas who is running also for a congressional seat in the said district.
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According to Sinsayon Elementary School in Santiago , Isabela, “Text2Teach has a great impact on the learning of the pupils… We are expecting better performance of our pupils in the coming NAT due to the employment of t2t. The grade 5 & 6 teachers are now finding it easier to motivate, explain and enrich their English, Math and Science lessons”.

Last February 25, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan in turn experienced how Text2Teach brings the power of mobile technology, not just for calling and texting, but also for learning. The Text2Teach package was turned over to 11 schools in the municipality during a community launch held that day at the Orbos Gymnasium at the Sta. Barbara Public Plaza .

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LINGAYEN— Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. initially turned over 200 water pumps to the Irrigators Association of the province as a form of emergency assistance to El Niño affected farmers.

Gov. Espino said the initial delivery is part of the 500 water pumps purchased by the provincial government intended for use of the various Irrigators associations in Pangasinan to save the crops already planted.

The 200 water pumps will be distributed to farmers in Central and Eastern Pangasinan who were given priority to save their lands planted with corn.
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The Abono Party List asked President Gloria Arroyo to look into the joint venture agreement between the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. for port operations at the Subic Freeport Zone.

Abono received an appeal from the present cargo handling firms that service the Subic Freeport Zone, mentioning the great disadvantages of the joint venture agreement between the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc.

The appellants said that the Harbour Centre will monopolize port operations that will affect existing long term contracts between locators and cargo handling companies.
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By Virgilio Sar. Maganes

URDANETA CITY- “On June 30, 2010, I shall be relinquishing the reins of the City Government to the duly elected city officials of Urdaneta after nine years at the helm of our rapidly progressing city. I shall be leaving with the City Government in utmost stability, the local economy in unpararelled vibrancy, our community in admirable serenity.”

This was the opening statement of Mayor Amadeo R. Perez, Jr. of this city as he delivered his last State of the City Address on February 22at the Balikbayan Hall of the Cultural and Sports Center before barangay officials, religious and non-government organizations, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the academic community, civic groups and the business and private sectors.

He said that when he assumed the mayoralty on July 1, 2001, the city government was in near bankruptcy as debts were staggering and revenue collections were lagging.
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By Virgilio Sar. Maganes

ROSALES- Bayan Muna Rep. Saturnino Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, both running for senators under the Nacionalista Party of presidential candidate Manny Villar, received cheers from the residents of the “tent city” at San Pedro East village here February 27.

The tent city was part of the party’s whistle stop before going to Baguio City for the Panagbenga celebration.

The group was headed by Sen. Manny Villar, vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda, and the party’s senatoriables Bongbong Marcos, Gilbert Remulla, Gwen Pimentel and Party Lists Anakpawis and Kabataan.
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By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LABRADOR – This town was called “Republic” because non-residents overlooked it because of its miniscule size.

Mayor Ernesto Acain said the town got this moniker because it was not dependent on political leaders owho looked down on the small town and small number of voters.

“Wala namang matataas na opisyal dito na puweding hingi-an kami. Kaya tinawag kami na Republic of Labrador dahil nagsosolo kami. Hindi pinapansin ang bayan namin dahil maliit. Walang nagsisikap na paunlarin ang bayan ng Labrador ,” he stressed.

But this town is the present object of envy.
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