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Showing posts with label Featured Story. Show all posts
Sunday, May 4, 2014
P’sinan fiestas set summer ablaze

P’sinan fiestas set summer ablaze

Bangus bounty at display. One of the annual attractions of the world-class Bangus Festival in Dagupan City is the colourful Gilon-Gilon street dance competition where all the barangays of Dagupan City compete for the coveted championship crown. The photo above showcase an attractive and vivacious performance of one of the contingents , with of course, the prominent depiction of the best-tasting main product of Dagupan City. 

To most Filipinos, summer is practically the perfect time for vacations and adventures. Surely, beach outings earn the top spot in your getaway list, and most probably, it includes a visit to the fine beaches of the North especially Pangasinan’s beaches. Though with the ample selection of what-to-dos and where-to-visits this dry season, you’re summer experience will never be complete without partying to summer festivals. Yes, summer fiestas will definitely spice up your escapades into another level. Especially these festivals.

In addition to its abundant natural resources and pristine, exquisite natural attractions, Pangasinan takes pride in its vivacious summer fiestas.

And before your excitement gets ahead of you pushing you to start packing now, here’s a short guide to what you have to expect in Pangasinan’s top summer festivities.  

Agew na Pangasinan
Jumpstarting this year’s Pista’y Dayat is the commemoration of the 434th Agew na Pangasinan (Pangasinan Day). The two-day celebration featured Bayambang’s Kalutan ed Dalan which triumphantly seized the Guinness world record of having the longest barbecue grill from Turkey. Since Bayambang is also celebrating its annual Malangsi Fishtival, approximately 50,000 tilapia were set for grilling. This international feat was held in celebration of Bayambang’s quadricentennial anniversary.

The Agew na Pangasinan also highlighted this year’s annual ASNA Awards which conferred accolades of excellence to outstanding Pangasinenses. The biggest attraction in the Agew na Pangasinan, with nearly 20,000 onlookers, is the Parada na Dayew which featured a cavalcade of colorful and creative floats from the different participating cities and municipalities of Pangasinan.

A showcase of promising industries. In recent provincial activities, the municipality of Mangaldan has shown great enthusiasm and determination to become one of the province’s finest municipality. In the flamboyant Parada na Dayew, it’s outstanding float which highlighted the country’s booming pindang industry got the approval of the judges, besting out all other 30 float entries.

Finally, out of 30 participating floats, Mangaldan emerged as the grand winner for float design having a carabao-inspired float starring the municipality’s main produc- pindang (dried and cured carabao meat).

Following the trail of the floats are the competing street dancers from the different cities and municipalities in Pangasinan in which the Lingayen contingent were hailed as champions. A cash prize of P100,000 was granted to both float and street dance champions.

Sea’s official party
Ensuing the celebration of the Agew na Pangasinan is the Pistay Dayat ­– the province’s biggest sea festival. This year’s revelry was officially launched on April 11 starting with the 7th Trade and Tousim Expo situated in Pangasinan Training and Development Center. More than a hundred of different booths and exhibits from Pangasinan, Cebu, and nearby provinces in Northern Luzon showcased a wide array of their best products and tourist destinations from which spectators can inquire about and enjoy. The expo will run until May 10.

In a short opening program at the Lingayen beachfront which immediately followed the opening of the expo, local officials on the lead of Governor Espino reiterated the deed of giving care and importance to our vast and bountiful water resources, which is the true essence of the celebration of the Pistay Dayat.

More exciting events are lined up for this year’s sea festival: Skim boarding (7AM, April 26, Capitol Beachfront); Palaro sa Dagat (8AM, April 26, Capitol Beachfront); Limgas na Pangasinan (Pre-pageant - 8PM, April 25; Pageant Night – 7PM, April 30, Capitol Plaza); Paboksing Ed Gulpo (3PM, April 28, Capitol Beachfront); Takayan na Dayew (7PM, April 28, Sison Auditorium); Soccer Competition (3PM, April 29, Capitol Beachfront); Sand Sculpting (5AM, April 30; 9AM, May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Doypuay Kalangweran (1:30PM, April 30-May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Sayawan ed Aplaya (4PM, April 30, Capitol Beachfront); Acoustic Night (8PM, April 30, Capitol Beachfront); Thanksgiving Mass (7AM, May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Banca Parada (8PM, May 1, Bantayan-Baňaga Bridge, Bugallon); Pakaw Awards (9AM, May 1, Baňaga Bridge, Bugallon); Dragon Boat Exhibition (9AM, May 1, Bantayan-Baňaga Bridge, Bugallon); Drum & Bugle Exhibition (9AM, May 1, Baywalk, Capitol Beachfront); Beach Volleybelles (9AM, May1-2, Capitol Beachfront); Rubik’s Cube Competition (9AM, May 1, Capitol Beachfront); Water Sports Activities (9AM, May 1, Capitol  Beachfront); Kapuso Night (6PM, May 1, Capitol Plaza); and Triathlon (8AM, May 2, Capitol Beachfront).

The grand Gilon-Gilon
Alongside the Pistay Dayat festivity is another world-class merriment showcased by the Bangus Capital of the world. And one of the festival’s mainstay is the Gilon-Gilon street dance competition.

Garbed in gleaming, creative native costumes, accompanied by the roar of drums and the angst of stunts, Gilon-Gilon street dancers awoke and signaled the formal opening of Dagupan’s pride Bangus Festival 2014.

Whilst the Parada na Dayew, Dagupan City is also celebrating its famous Bangus Festival which features the Gilon-Gilon street dancing competition that attracts a multitude of both local and foreign tourists.

“Balon Dagupan, Gilon Na” were the cheers of the 22 groups representing various barangays of Dagupan at one of the most awaited activities of Bangus Festival, the Gilon-Gilon street dancing competition.

Gilon-Gilon street dancers showcased their expertise and exhibited world class performance as the fete of Bangus Festival goes international. Breath-taking exhibitions left spectators in great awe. Crafty props such as the giant “bangus” (milkfish) of Brgy. Lucao, and the big boat of Brgy. Pantal spiced up their performance, and their native costumes made of indigenous materials made the event even more colorful.

Their acts signified their extreme preparation for the competition as one of Dagupan’s bents. The dance moves of each contestant served as expression of their gratefulness for every year of bountiful harvest, which is the essence of celebrating Gilon-Gilon, and for the patron of Dagupan, St. John the Evangelist.

The parade started at 2:30pm from the City Plaza towards the main road of Dagupan City. As the contenders marched along the streets, a massive crowd gathered around to have their fill of the festivity. Cast of GMA’s TV Series Innamorata, joined the event as well which cause an uproar among Dagupan City residents. Mayor Belen Fernandez and Vice Mayor Bryan Lim together with the Balon Dagupan team gleefully joined the street dancers.

This year, Brgy. Pantal beat the 4th time 1st placer, Brgy Lucao, receiving a cash prize of P120,00. Lucao garnered a cash prize of P80, 000. Winning 3rd place was Brgy. Karanglaan; 4th place, Bolosan; and 5th place Tebeng. The three groups received P60, 000, P40,000, P20,000, respectively. - Willord Estero/ Christian Paul Terrado (FOCUS)
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 11:36 PM 0 comments
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Thursday, April 24, 2014
Is Pangasinan ready for the ASEAN free market?

Is Pangasinan ready for the ASEAN free market?


Uniting for Economic Integration. ASEAN leaders gathered at the 22nd ASEAN Summit in April 2013 in Brunei Darussalam have shown their commitment to achieve the ASEAN Economic Community established in 2003 by enforcing its immediate implementation in 2015. The AEC allows freer flow of business 

In a 2003 summit of ASEAN leaders, a vision to finally achieve an integrated economic market by 2020 resulted in an agreement of establishing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a unified market and production base operating under a trade order characterized by a freer flow of goods, ser-vices, investments, capital, and skilled labor.

Four years after its institution, leaders of the ASEAN resolved to accelerate the AEC by 2015.

Simply, the AEC means more doors for opportunities have opened, and even windows are made conveniently available for a great chance to engage in a market of more than 600 million people all over the region, together with our ASEAN neighbors Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Yet, the seemingly vast possibilities the AEC will bring to businesses are just as overwhelming as the struggles, especially to our small business owners in the Philippines.

What does it mean to Philippine MSMEs?
For Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, it means a tighter grip on the reins. With more than 700,000 businesses in the country, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) represents an astounding 99.6 percent of the statistics, providing 62 percent of employment to Filipinos, according to NSO-MSMED Council. Obviously, MSMEs populates the majority of Philippine industry that when left neglected, enfeebles the bulk of our nation’s work-force and people’s livelihood.

Although foreign products, especially Asian goods, can already be found in our common groceries, a considerable volume of these Oriental products is expected to penetrate even our small-scale markets with the onset of the ASEAN Economic Community

For giant conglomerates in the country, this imminent free trade system is an opportunity to easily expand their business operations all over the Southeast Asian region.

For MSMEs, this imposes an undeniable, foreboding indication of a tougher, across-the-board competition. Recently, several distinguished corporate entities like Moody’s Investors Service promoted the Philippines into a higher investment standing, placing the country among the highest in the Asia-Pacific.

However, these recognitions do not save minor entrepreneurs in the country from the looming deadline of the AEC in 2015, nor ensure an upbeat chance for MSMEs to endure the intra-regional contest.

Can Philippine MSMEs compete?
“They (Philippine MSMEs) can’t. All of our neighbors have solved these problems. Their SMEs are now the back-bone of their industries. Here, SMEs are struggling. The attrition rates in the Philippine SMEs especially among the exporters are tremendous.

Now if you’re looking at SMEs, franchise businesses are doing fine – they have an 85-percent survival rate and they can compete. But other than that, especially in places outside Metro Manila, no way (for SMEs to compete,” Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) honorary chairman and treasurer Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., admit-ted.
He further pointed out that “Philippine SMEs are hobbled by constraints like lack of access to financing, antiquated labor laws, challenging business environment, and for those that export, even the strong peso.”

How about Pangasinan MSMEs?
Probably. Notwithstanding the province’s current economic status and in-vestment plans which are highly reflected in development projects and people-centered programs, the fighting chance of our local MSMEs in Pangasinan is just as slim and limited like any other in the country.

Beforehand, Ortiz-Luis has already depicted Philippine MSMEs as incompetent when it comes to struggling un-der an intra-regional business setting set by the AEC. All the more so for MSMEs in the provincial markets. This, however does not mean demise of Philippine MSMEs. Actually, there are clear hopes to cope with the co-ing of AEC, ‘simple adjustments’ as PCCI Vice President for Promotions Leonore Diokno Abella exclaimed. These ‘simple adjustments that she mentioned “can make all the difference” to MSMEs.

Standing a good, fighting chance
In an interview printed in the March 2013 edition of business magazine Entrepreneur, PCCI VP for Promo-tions Leonore Diokno Abella pro-posed some five “doable” steps that MSMEs can follow to prevail the impending AEC competition.

►Improve and simplify. “SMEs preparedness can come by improving the system. Perhaps there are many steps to make a product, but there are ways to simplify, lessen costs of operations. That’s the only way. They could also think of alternative raw materials. And they have to be cost-conscious,” Abella explains to Entrepreneur.

►Give what the market wants. “They should anticipate (what the market wants). For example, they should think of what’s happening in the world. Homes are getting smaller.
People are getting health conscious. They should know about these things. They should tailor their products to what the market wants.”

►Track trends. Abella mentions the shampoo packaging revolution that is popular even in rich countries. They’ve learned to downsize, she says. “Exporters have to understand that it’s not business as usual that people buy in bulk. Before, the Americans, the Europeans they ordered a lot. Not anymore. The orders are becoming smaller.”

►Control costs. She adds that enterprises should improve employee productivity through trainings. “It’s all about continuing cost control,” Abella says by citing the big chance of being hired of workers who are mindful of the businesses’ resources applying in a home décor company.

►Get help. SMEs should also take advantage of government programs that help businesses improve their operations, she says. Businesses can also get assistance from the government in improving their workflow, the layout of their factory, even the use of raw material or even packaging, Abella went on.

The problem with such types of pro-grams is that the government may not be doing enough to promote them, she concedes. “Hindi siguro sexy magpromote ang government ng programs nila. They have to make it sexy.” Government should also do more in promoting exports, she says.

For possible funding sources that can help business in the country, Abella pointed out two government financial institutions – Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency and Small Business Corporation – which lend fiscal resource to associations, which then lend to their members.

The 2015 deadline
As detailed in the AEC Fact Book, the goal of establishing an ASEAN Community is set by the year 2020, and the realization of this is through the foundation of its fundamental three (3) pillars: the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

In order to “transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment skilled labour, and freer flow of capital,” the AEC is set to be accomplished in 2015.

But according to business leaders at the 6th ASEAN & Asia Forum, AEC is still a long way off and that a real ASEAN economic integration must ensure a seamless, cross-border trade and investment. (Channel News Asia)

In the global economic community, US Chamber of Commerce and AmCham Singapore launched the ASEAN Business Outlook Survey on August 2013, with US companies preparing strategies patterned on ASEAN’s plans to diminish trade barriers for goods, services, and investment among the member countries towards economic integration. The highlights of which were discussed at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Brunei Darussalam in the same month.

The presentation of the survey high-lights in the Brunei Summit involved the polling of 475 senior executives representing US companies in all ten (10) ASEAN countries on whether the AEC will really meet its deadline in 2015.

In the survey results, 52% thinks that this goal (ASEAN Economic integration) will not be in place by 2015 while 23% percent of the respondents are certain it will be realized by the scheduled dead-line, and the remaining stood neutral.

Gleaning from these survey results, it appears that the 2015 goal of the AEC will only serve as preparation for the coming years of adaptation to the set-ting of the much-awaited economic integration.

Nonetheless, the ASEAN Economic Community is inevitable, hence MSMEs and the entire Philippine industry have only one thing to do: PREPARE.  
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 12:35 AM 0 comments
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Pangasinan soars higher with 3 massive projects

Pangasinan soars higher with 3 massive projects

Opportunities underway. This Rock Causeway, together with the RO-RO ramp that will be immediately erected the soonest possible, completes the Phase 1 of the much-awaited Sual International Seaport, one of the three mega projects envisioned by the Espino administration towards a progressive Pangasinan.

Finally, it’s Pangasinan’s time to reach greater, euphoric heights.

As 2013 comes to conclusion, Pan-gasinenses have more reason to celebrate in harmonious elation with massive development projects com-ing along the way, taking headway for the province further beyond.

Being the third most populous province in the country and the largest province in Northern Luzon in terms of land area, the rich bequest of hu-man and natural reserve, which greatly includes the vast expanse of agricultural lands and aquatic re-sources, suggests that Pangasinan is truly destined for greater things.

In this new era of progression, Pangasinan explores uncharted poten-tials towards inclusive economic growth, under a motivated and united government led by three-termer Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. Soon, a commercial airport and seaport, and an eco-tourism zone will emerge towards universal development.

Seeking success
Governor Espino exclaimed in an economic summit in Lingayen that, “We find it ironic that, in spite of its superior area, favorable geography, strategic location and its vast reservoir of natural resources, the economic potentials of Pangasinan have remained largely untapped, because it lacks the vital facilities such as a commercial seaport and an airport, whose enormous eco-nomic benefits have long been en-joyed by the other luckier provinces in Northern Luzon,” addressing an audience of investors and public officials. Upon saying this though, these “vital facilities” mentioned by the Governor himself, are already being realized, all in full-swing.

First flight
With the completed concreting of the 1.2 kilometer-asphalt runway, discussions with private land owners are now underway to extend the runway stretch to 1.7 kilo-meters to accommodate bigger planes and commercial flights. Be-fore, the length of the runway of the Lingayen airport is only limited to serve private flights of small air-crafts.

According to Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan, “With the completion of the project, flights from Manila going to or from Hong Kong, Taipei and other places can drop by here, then pick up or bring down passengers. From Lingayen, the people of Pangasinan can also ride a trip to Manila.”

Moreover, “this venture will actually trigger the growth of businesses, increase tourist arrivals, and spur tourism and economic development of the province,” as what Provincial Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizarro conveyed to Focus-Pangasinan.

With a commercial airport in town, Lingayen has lofty prospects of driving more tourists and investors into the province. It will serve as a jump-off point to Central and North Luzon, and will even increase more access to Asia’s fast-growing region.
Taking flight. With the extension of the existing runway, the Lingayen airport will soon accommodate domestic flights and an influx of tourists.
Port of possibilities
Alongside the goal of leading more tourists into the province, the airport’s counterpart of realizing this aim is now accomplishing the 1st phase of its construction.

The Sual International Seaport, from an average fish port center, will now function as a large-scale harbor accommodating commercial and passenger vessels, and a limitless possibility of economic expansion.

Under a cost-sharing scheme, the total fund of the international seaport amounting to P500 million is divided between the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Philippine Ports Authority with P200 million; the same fund allocation by the Provincial Government, and the Local Government of Sual with an apportionment of P100 million.

Currently, the Rock Causeway (as shown in this issue’s cover photo) has already been completed and soon, the construction of RO-RO ramp will be launched completing Phase 1. Before long, commercial cargoes and bulk vessels will come pouring in Pangasinan as it navigates its clear path to a multitude of opportunities.

Prime district
Concluding the journey to positive development, perhaps one of the best things to happen in Pangasinan, is yet to come.

Positioned in the 300-hectare prop-erty of the provincial government, the Pangasinan Eco-tourism Zone will fascinate the country’s attention, with its complete, world-class facili-ties that will satiate the clamor for the best things in life.

Once the controversial sterile black sand is cleared, this foreshore land in northwestern Lingayen will be transformed into a sprawling eco-tourism zone, rising as Pan-
gasinan’s highpoint of tourism and commercial success.

The eco-tourism zone will feature first-rate amenities which includes a high-end residential area, an 18-hole golf course, an amusement park, a water sports area and a yacht club, a prime commercial area, and a sky tower, particularly depicted in the projects’ master plan.

Presently, a man-made lagoon the size of an Olympic swimming pool, a golf green, and turf grass can already be seen in the specified area. Also, an amphibian port will be situ-ated in the area where 40-seater sea planes coming from Subic can dock in this exclusive zone anytime. Moreover, The Pangasinan Aqua City Project, attached to the eco-tourism zone development project, will later rise in the same area under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT scheme).

Fully realizing this grand endeavor, a group of Korean investors and other foreign nationals had already indicated their intention to invest in the pro-ject and will employ or train a great number of Pangasinenses to work for the eco-tourism zone.


Grand ideas. This rendition of the master plan of the eco-tourism zone courtesy of the prov’l gov’t, graphically sums up the major plans of the project.
It all started with a vision and a mission

In a grueling but fulfilling struggle to serve the people, the province’s rousing vision and mission to make Pangasinan the leading province in the Philippines driven the Espino administration to initiate various projects and programs to make the lives of fellow Pangasinenses easier and positive.

From a foundation built through standard but significant, people-centered projects, these endeavors of realizing a domestic airport, a commercial seaport, and an eco-tourism zone, complete the final step to a towering success.

“Hopefully, this will be one of my legacies, a signature of my watch which, given a third term, will ultimately make my beloved Pangasinan the number one province in the country,”
 -Gov. Espino.

Leaving a legacy
“Hopefully, this will be one of my legacies, a signature of my watch which, given a third term, will ultimately make my beloved Pangasinan the number one province in the country,” the governor strongly confessed despite destructive criticisms.

Truly, with the people’s trust in its government and the government’s trust and heart in its people, the attainment of the province’s vision, especially its mission, is not so far at all. Even at this point, Pangasinan has claimed victory.
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 12:21 AM 0 comments
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Saturday, April 19, 2014
Boost private-sector ventures in agri for reg’l integration - NEDA

Boost private-sector ventures in agri for reg’l integration - NEDA


Photo Courtesy of Philsense
In spite of being one of the top ten rice producers in the world based on an IRRI (International Rice Research Insitute) data, the Philippines still needs to sow more agricultural investments to harvest agronomic competitiveness in the ASEAN economic integration set next year.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) supposes and suggests that the country is in need of more private-sector investments which may come in the forms of direct investments or through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said in his speech during the 2014 Asia Pacific Agricultural Policy Roundtable at Pasay City that “one of the critical constraints to agricultural growth is the absence or the lack of efficient infrastructure system, particularly transport, power supply and communication infrastructure.”

The public-private partnerships for agricultural investments, according to Balisacan, would address constraints in the agriculture sector, specifically in the lack of infrastructure. If these agricultural constraints were addressed, it would “increase the cost of doing business and prevents small farmers from taking advantage of the opportunities in the rapidly growing areas, urbanized centers and foreign markets.”

He also noted that “as Southeast Asian economies collectively gear up for regional integration, it is important to understand how public-private partnership schemes could facilitate the modernization of the agriculture sector and the revitalization of rural economies.”

With all this in mind, Balisacan admitted that the “government cannot do this alone.”

He furthered on the importance of enhancing public-private partnership for agricultural development, particularly for the infrastructure and value chain development and management, as incorporated in the Updated 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan, the country’s macroeconomic blueprint.

“The interventions include irrigation infrastructure, food-supply chain and postharvest services, production centers for various farm inputs, fish-farming infrastructure, and market and trading centers, among others,” Balisacan added.

Underscoring these investments on agricultural development, Balisacan further mentioned that the private sector investment, specifically in research, has been devoted to seed acquisition, exchange, distribution, and improvement of genetic stocks of crops, forest species, livestock, and fish using conventional and biotechnology applications.

These “private sector investments, may be made in the production and distribution of improved seed and livestock, production of fertilizers and pesticides, and the development of more efficient management practices to optimize crop production.”

Moreover, Balisacan stressed the crucial need of increasing productivity and production, expanding markets, improving participation and value-adding activities, and building disaster resilience in enhancing agricultural competitiveness.

As shown in a data from the National Statistical Coordination Board, the growth of agriculture was sustained by the sugarcane, cassava, corn and poultry sectors, in which the corn and poultry production interposes a significant contribution the growth of the agriculture sector.

Ultimately, these investment opportunities in preparation for the ASEAN economic integration should target the small farmers, which according to Balisacan, “continue to be the backbone of the agriculture and rural sector, where many of the poor are found.”

Although the Philippines has received improved economic grades which made our country earn several titles like the “bright spot” in Asia, Balisacan confessed that this economic growth “has yet to be felt by many of the poor, particularly small farmers.”

He said that to increasingly become active market players, “the potentials of the sector to contribute to growth” should be unleashed which “would mean empowering the marginal and poor producers [farmers and fishermen alike].” (Sources: neda.gov.ph, Business Mirror)
Posted by Focus Newsmagazine at 11:07 AM 0 comments
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