Editorial - October 2024 - May Himala

 May Himala

Nang aming marinig ang kuwento ng ospital na ito, hindi maiwasang maantig ang aming damdamin. Batay sa aming pagkaunawa, itinayo ito bilang alaala kay Julius K. Quiambao, na siyang panganay na anak ng dating alkalde ng bayan, Dr. Cezar Quiambao. Ang ospital ay hindi kasama sa orihinal na plano ng kanyang administrasyon, ngunit matapos ang ilang pagka-antala, pinasinayaan ang Julius K. Quiambao Medical & Wellness Center noong Oktubre 18, 2024. Ito ay dinaluhan mismo ni First Lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos, kasama ang iba pang mga kilalang personalidad mula sa pribado at pampublikong sektor.

Naipatayo ang JKQ Medical & Wellness Center sa loob lamang ng halos tatlong taon – napakabilis kung ihahambing sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan. Bukod pa rito, ang pondong ginamit ay nagmula sa naiwang pondo sa pangalan ni Julius, at hindi sa pamamagitan ng PPP o investment ng iba’t ibang indibidwal o grupo.

Sa aming pagkakaalam, walang sinuman sa bayan na ito ang nakaisip na magtayo ng isang ospital tulad nito nang ganoon kabilis at sa ganoong paraan sa bayan ng Bayambang, kaya’t ang kwentong ito ay nakakapanindig-balahibo.

Kung tutuusin, ito ay parang isang milagro o himala. Kaya’t tayo ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa Diyos at narating natin ang araw na ito upang masaksihan ang mga bagay na dati'y mukhang imposible ngunit maaari palang maging posible kapag mayroon tayong mabuting layunin at kapag sinasamantala ang pambihirang pagkakataon upang makatulong sa marami.

Kahit na ang sitwasyon sa likod ng pagtatayo nito ay nababalot ng kalungkutan, kami ay nagagalak na malaman na ang ospital ay itinayo bilang parangal sa isang minamahal na anak. Ito ay isang bagay na siguradong ikagagalak din ni Julius Quiambao, dahil sa kanyang pagiging mapagkawanggawa noong siya ay nabubuhay pa.

Bilang dating alkalde, si Dr. Quiambao ay mayroong maraming malalaking proyekto na nagawa, ngunit ang proyektong ito ay masasabi nating espesyal. At ang pinakabagong proyektong ito ay nagpapakitang muli ng kung ano ang maaari nating marating sa aming tinaguriang "Quiambao model of development."

Sa puntong ito, nananawagan kami sa iba pa nating mga kapwa Pilipino sa ibang bansa na may resources na maaaring gamitin upang maisakatuparan ang tulad ng mga nagawa ni Dr. Quiambao. Nawa’y isaalang-alang din nila ang mga magagandang posibilidad sa pagbalik dito upang magdulot ng tunay na pagbabago sa bayang sinilangan.

Kailangan natin ang mas marami pang makabayang Pilipino upang maging katuwang sa pag-unlad, lalo na sa larangan ng pangkalusugan.

MONDAY REPORT - December 2, 2024

 

MONDAY REPORT (December 2, 2024)

[INTRO]

 NEWSCASTER 1: Magandang Monday morning, Bayambang! Ako po si ____ (name) mula ___________ (school).

 NEWSCASTER 2: At ako naman po si ______ (name) mula _________ (school).

 NEWSCASTER 1: Narito na ang buong puwersa ng LGU-Bayambang...

 NEWSCASTER 2: Maghahatid sa inyo ng mga maiinit at napapanahong balita...

 SABAY KAYO: Ito ang…. BayambangueNews!

***

 [SALITAN NA KAYO RITO]

 Sa ulo ng nagbabagang balita:

 

1.   1,000 na Katao, Beneficiaries ng Ayudang AKAP

 

Noong November 21, mahigit isang libong Bayambangueño ang nakatanggap ng financial grant sa ilalim ng AKAP o Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) ni Cong. Rachel “Baby” Arenas. Sila ay mga Sangguniang Kabataan members, Barangay Secretaries, at Barangay Treasurers.

 

2.   Bayambang, Pinakaunang Munisipyo na may NSG sa Region I

Noong November 21, isang pulong ang inorganisa ng DOH at MNAO ukol na pagkakabuo ng Nutrition Support Groups (NSG) sa lahat ng barangay ng Bayambang. Ang NSG ay binubuo ng 539 members mula sa iba’t ibang sektor at kanilang bibigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng tamang nutrisyon bilang pundasyon ng mas malusog na pamumuhay. Ayon sa DOH, ang Bayambang ang kauna-unahang munisipalidad sa rehiyon na nakapagtatag ng ganitong inisyatibo.

 

3.   868 4Ps Members, Graduate Na!

Noong November 22, may 868 na benepisyaryo ng 4Ps ang nagsipagtapos sa programa, at 37 sa mga ito ang nagkusang mag-waive ng kanilang membership. Ayon sa DSWD, ang Bayambang muli ang may pinakamataas na bilang ng nagsipagtapos sa Rehiyon Uno.

 

4.   Street Dance Festival at Mr. & Ms. Pre-K, Ginanap

Noong November 22, ginanap ang makulay na Street Dance Festival at ang Coronation ng Mr. & Ms. Pre-Kindergarten 2024, bilang bahagi ng Children’s Month celebration. Nagkampeon ang Cluster 6, na nag-perform ng street dance na may temang Mango at Bamboo Festival. Kinahapunan, itinanghal namang Mr. at Ms. Pre-Kindergarten  2024 sina Jovanne Ian Bombiza at Caruella Antheia Buquir.

 

5.   Mayor Niña, Nagdeliver ng Kanyang State of the Children’s Address

Noong November 24, matagumpay na inihatid ni Mayor Niña Jose Quiambao ang kanyang taunang State of the Children’s Address (SOCA) sa Bayambang Events Center sa pagtatapos ng pagdiriwang ng 32nd National Children’s Month. Tampok dito ang pakikipagdayalogo sa mga kabataan. Kinahapunan, nagkaroon naman ng isang Komprehensibong Serbisyo para sa Bata, na nagbigay ng libreng health, dental, at wellness services sa mga kabataan at child development workers. Namigay din ng libreng ice cream at tsinelas bilang bahagi ng selebrasyon.

 

6.   Pamaskong Handog 2024, Nag-umpisa nang Ipamahagi sa 42,000 Pamilya

Noong November 25, nag-umpisang ipamahagi ng pamilya Jose-Quiambao at Team Quiambao-Sabangan ang mga Noche Buena package sa may 42,000 pamilyang Bayambangueño upang ang lahat ng kabahayan ay siguradong mayroong handa sa araw ng Kapaskuhan. Pinangunahan nina Mayor Niña Jose Quiambao, Dr. Cezar Quiambao, SB members, at Team Quiambao-Sabangan ang naturang pamamahagi.

 

7.   Orientation on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children, Nagpatuloy

Noong November 25, nagpatuloy ang MSWDO sa pagbibigay ng Orientation on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children para sa mga miyembro ng Local Council for the Protection of Children at Barangay Council for the Protection of Children. Ipinaliwanag ni Atty. Jet Mark Ortiz ng Public Attorney's Office ang mga batas na nagpoprotekta sa mga kabataan laban sa anumang uri ng pang-aabuso, partikular na sa digital platforms.

 

8.   OVP, Namigay ng Gift Packs sa 1,000 Indigent Solo Parents

Noong November 26, ang Office of the Vice-President ay namigay ng gift packs sa 1,000 na indigent solo parents sa Events Center, sa pakikipagtulungan sa Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

 

9.   LGU-Villasis, Nagpa-calibrate ng mga Timbangan sa SEE

Ang LGU-Villasis ay nagtungo sa Bayambang noong November 26, upang magpacalibrate ng mga timbangan sa kanilang public market sa tulong ng mga DOST-trained weighing scale calibrators ng Special Economic Enterprise.

 

10.                         Buklat Aklat Team, Nagpatuloy sa San Gabriel-Iton ES

Ang ‘Buklat Aklat’ project ng Local Youth Development Office ay nagtungo sa San Gabriel-Iton Elementary School noong November 27. Naging special guest sina Councilor Benjie de Vera, Pangasinan LGBTQI Federation President Samuel Lomboy Jr., Municipal Librarian Atty. Melinda Fernandez, at Hero Group CEO, Ms. Lormie Garay. Nakiisa rin ang mga lokal na opisyal, SK Chairpersons, at guro upang suportahan ang proyekto at National Book Week celebration.

 

11.                         Sen. Bong Go, Namigay din ng Ayuda

Noong November 28, namigay naman ang opisina ni Senator Bong Go ng Local Government Support Fund sa LGU na nagkakahalaga ng P2,500 kada benepisyaryo na kinabilangan ng 1,000 na 4Ps graduates at farmers na apektado ng bagyo. Ang distribusyon ay ginanap sa tulong MSWDO. Pagkatapos nito ay binisita ni Sen. Go ng itinayong Training Center sa Brgy. Magsaysay kasama ng mga local officials.

 

12.                         Big Catch-Up Immunization, Isinagawa

Noong November 28, isinagawa ang Big Catch-Up Immunization sa Bayambang, sa pangunguna ni DOH Usec. Gloria J. Balboa. Ito ay bahagi ng ika-limampung taon ng Expanded Program on Immunization ng ahensya. Sa pagtutulungan ng ating mga Rural Health Units kasama ang World Health Organization at DOH, nagkaroon ng mass vaccination laban sa human papillomavirus, tetanus, pneumonia, at influenza.

 

13.                         SB, Nakipagpulong sa RiceBIS Team

Nakipagpulong ang mga konsehal ng Bayambang sa RiceBIS team ng DA-PhilRice upang talakayin ang progreso ng implementasyon ng RiceBIS 2.0 sa bayan. Tinalakay ang mga issues and concerns ng mga magsasaka at mga hakbang na maaaring gawin ng Sangguniang Bayan upang matulungang maresolba ang mga ito at nang mapataas ang kita at produktibidad ng mga local farmers.

 

14.                         Mayor Niña at Buong Red Cross San Carlos Council, Nanumpa!

 

Matapos maluklok sa ikalawang pagkakataon bilang Presidente ng Philippine Red Cross San Carlos Branch Council si Mayor Niña, ang kaniyang kinatawan na si Bb. Sheina Mae Gravidez ng MTICAO ay nanumpa kasama ang iba pang miyembro ng konseho, sa 2024 PRC Pangasinan Chapter Assembly na ginanap sa Gia's Farm and Events Place, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Bukod pa rito, ginanap din sa naturang pagtitipon ang eleksyon ng mga bagong Board of Directors ng organisasyon kung saan ilan sa mga napabilang sa listahan ng sampung newly elected BODs sina 3rd District Board Member Sheila Baniqued, 5th District Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Sison, Vice-Governor Mark Ronald Lambino, at Pangasinan First Lady Maan Guico.

Isang mainit na pagbati sa mga bagong lider ng PRC-Pangasinan Chapter mula sa LGU-Bayambang!

 

 

15.                         Bayambang, "Beyond Compliant" Muli sa 24th Gawad KALASAG

Muling nakamit ng LGU-Bayambang ang "Beyond Compliant" rating sa 24th Gawad KALASAG ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council - Office of Civil Defense. Ito ay isa na namang pagkilala para sa kahusayan sa disaster risk reduction and management at humanitarian assistance ng LGU sa pamamagitan ng Local DRRM Council at MDRRMO. Nakatakdang tanggapin ng LGU ang naturang parangal sa December 17 as La Union.

 

16.                         Digital Projection Mapping sa Paskuhan 2024, Kauna-unahan sa Hilagang Luzon

Noong November 23, muling dinumog ng libu-libong bisita ang pagbubukas ng Paskuhan sa Bayambang. Ito ay dahil sa kakaiba na namang atraksyon, ang kauna-unahang digital projection mapping sa Northern Luzon. Muling dinagsa ang municipal plaza dahil sa mga nakamamanghang visual effects at mechatronic characters hango sa pelikulang Star Wars. Bukod dito ay nagkaroon din ng isang mini-concert ang sikat na bandang Lola Amour.

 

***

 

It's Trivia Time!

[Insert Accounting trivia that was already finished.]

 

***

 [OUTRO]

 NEWSCASTER 1: At iyan po ang mga balitang nakatutok sa iba't ibang programa at proyekto ng LGU-Bayambang.

 NEWSCASTER 2: Mga balitang may tatak Total Quality Service.

 NEWSCASTER 1: Muli, ako po ang inyong lingkod, ___.

 NEWSCASTER 2: At ____ mula sa ____.

 [SABAYANG BIGKAS]: At ito ang... Bayambangueñews!

 ***

 Samantala, 23 days na lang… Pasko na!

JKQ Medical & Wellness Center: Yet Another Fruit of 'Quiambao Model of Development'

(Of course, I gotta have my own take, yes?)

JKQ Medical & Wellness Center: Yet Another Fruit of 'Quiambao Model of Development'

What are the odds that a tertiary hospital would one day be built in a faraway agricultural town in Pangasinan? I'd say, nil. Probably not even in a hundred years.

But that's exactly what happened October 18, 2024 in lowly Brgy. Asin (or is that Brgy. Ligue?), this town.

When we in my little LGU circle heard about the story of this hospital, we couldn't help but be deeply moved. As we understand it, it was built in memory of Julius Kindangen Quiambao, Dr. Cezar Quiambao’s (Bayambang town’s former mayor) firstborn who has gone ahead a few years ago. This hospital was not among the grand projects planned by him during his administration, but after some delay, the Julius K. Quiambao Medical and Wellness Center was indeed inaugurated on that day, graced no less by the presence of First Lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos, among other dignitaries (national, regional, provincial, municipal, barangay) from the private and public sector.

There are so many things that are equally astonishing in the background story of this hospital. It was built within only less than three years – a rate that is very fast in comparison to standard government projects, labyrinthine procurement procedures and all. It was also 100% privately funded under Julius' name, instead of the usual way most big hospitals are built, that is through either PPP or a collaboration among several players or investors in the private sector.

Lastly, we were told that nobody in this town, not even Dr. Quiambao himself, would have ever thought that a hospital like this would be built this fast and be funded that way in a town like Bayambang in such a year as this.

This story is, in the vernacular, "nakakapanindig balahibo." In spiritual terms, it is no less than a miracle story, a story of grace. Let us therefore thank God that we have reached this day seeing with our very own eyes how things that are previously thought to be impossible can be possible if we have good intentions, and if we seize a rare opportunity to be of help to a lot of people.

Although the circumstances around why it was built was unfortunate, it is a great comfort to know that this tribute to a beloved son is something that Julius Quiambao himself would have approved. He may have been gone, but his legacy of doing good and being kindhearted to all will be same spirit that will surely animate the operations of this new health institution in Region I.

As a former mayor, Dr. Quiambao has had a lot of big projects to his name, but this one project “hits different” the most, as a favorite phrase nowadays goes, because it is concerned with back-to-basics, life-and-death matters.

This latest achievement illustrates anew what we would like to call the “Quiambao model of development.” If we may recall, Quiambao came to power in the most unlikely way, bringing with him a visionary, transformative style of leadership that he had honed in the global corporate world. As a successful businessman based in Indonesia, he had the choice of being content with what he had achieved in life by spending the rest of his days playing golf at the Wack-Wack Country Club with his buddies. But instead, he dared to take the risk by throwing his hat in the crazy political arena in the Philippines just so that he would be able to give back to his hometown, in his own terms.

We all heard the story of how hesitantly he came to power: Even though he had never entertained it in his mind, even though it was never a part of his plan and ambition, he was forced to run in the local elections of 2016 because he got fed up with how his hometown was being run at the time. As he would put it much, much later in his term, "Maganda pala kapag nabubuwisit ang isang Cezar Quiambao. Biglang nagkakaroon ng proyekto. Ang mga problema, bigla na lang nasosolusyunan.”

We are glad, however, that this time, JKQ MWC was not built out of annoyance or wrath, but out of love, by choosing to turn personal loss and grief into something meaningful.

We can say that through this hospital, Julius Quiambao did not suffer in vain. As this hospital becomes God's instrument in healing our much-deprived kababayans, may the pain left by his absence in the Quiambao household be healed in time as well.

At this point, we ardently wish that Dr. Quiambao’s stupendous rise to power be known by all, especially those with the means to change our countryside with such lightning speed with which he has changed Bayambang, in ways that no one has done before.

If we may, we thus call on the rest of our Filipino expatriates who have sizeable resources waiting to be tapped to do as Dr. Quiambao did. May they consider the option of going back and making a difference by serving their own hometowns. May they consider the Quiambao model: By transferring their headquarters to their old hometowns, it is easy to imagine how their taxes alone could serve as an economic windfall that could pump-prime local economies and create drastic change -- real change -- in the lives of our people in the provinces.

We need more patriotic Filipinos who have fulfilled and sublimated all levels of self-actualization in their lives (refer to Maslow's hierarchy of needs) like Dr. Quiambao as partners of local governments in pushing the envelope in socioeconomic development, especially in the area of healthcare. Let us all find creative ways in how to make our nation move forward towards greatness, one project like this at a time. It wouldn't hurt if it's just as lightning fast as the rise of JKQ MHW.

How to Sell a Town Like Bayambang

How to Sell a Town

"How do you sell our town, Bayambang, to investors?" my colleague Gwyn quizzed me one day while I was in the middle of something.

I've been trying to answer the big question for years, thanks to this annual PCCI competition, but quite frankly, the question still stopped me in my tracks.

Initially, I gave my sudden inquisitor a deer-in-the-headlights response.

How indeed do I 'sell' a town? After I gathered my thoughts, I consciously put myself in the shoes of entrepreneurs and investors, and from there, several answers emerged one by one.

If I were an investor, I would ask a lot of things in particular order. ...All very commonsensical questions, focused on the bottom line: will I gain enough profit?

Location

First, is the place strategically located? Remote locations are not very interesting, unless that is the selling point.

Market Base

Is there a big market that I can tap into? Are there needs in the region or community that I can transform into an opportunity? Or can the existing market afford a 'need' that I have invented?

Here, obviously a big population is a plus (instead of a liability) because it means a large market base. Is there high foot traffic in the town's strategic areas?

But population is not enough. People need to have disposable income to be able to afford buying products and patronizing services. Do potential customers/clients/patrons have enough money to spare? Are there niche markets with disposable income to explore or exploit, such as retirees, seniors, call center or factory workers, government workers, students, and teenagers?

A particular game changer: Is there a sizeable number of OFW families? Recipients of dollar remittances?

Another crucial factor is: Are there major draws? Are there crowd-drawers like resorts and other popular tourism sites such as unique theme parks, natural wonders, historical and cultural heritage sites and pilgrimage sites? Are there established businesses and health /medical and educational institutions?

Labor Pool & Wages

Is there a labor pool available? Are the wages affordable?

Spaces

Are there available adequate spaces in the area in the first place? What about parking spaces?

Safety: Peace and Order

Is the place safe to invest in? Is there political stability? Are government policies constantly changing, depending on who's in power? Is the place a banana republic, prone to coup d'etats, militarism, civil unrest, communist infiltration, Muslim insurgency, terrorism, rebellion, separatism? How's the peace and order situation? Is the rate of crime, homelessness, and drug addiction high? Is police presence strong?

Safety: Proneness to Disaster

Is the place more prone to natural calamities, like typhoon, flood, tsunami, drought, earthquake, etc., than other places? How is its disaster risk management, mitigation, and response capability?

Basic Infrastructure & Utilities

Next: Is the basic infrastructure adequate and competent? I am talking about serviceable roads, traffic, and transport system, reliable energy source, water supply, and Internet and phone connectivity. If I want to put up a call center or factory, will there be enough skyrises or office spaces for rent?

In particular -- and this question is most crucial, is the energy source affordable? Are there any alternative and cheaper energy sources, like solar farms?

Competition

How's the business competition in the area? Is it stiff? Or is the market oversaturated? Is there a really free market, or is the market controlled by a local mafia?

Ease of Doing Business

Is it easy to put up business? I am talking about complicated bureaucratic procedures or red tape that I should hurdle.

Good Governance

Is there good governance, i.e., a reliable local government, with world-class/ISO-certified management system or transparent operation, with no graft and corruption? In terms of leadership, one crucial ingredient I noticed this: Is there a leader who truly loves his/her country, has access to resources, and in that stage of life in which he/she has already transcended his/her own needs, i.e., reaching a level of self-actualization in such a way that he/she has no longer has reason to act in self-serving ways and thus be able to really focus on public service (by advancing the common good, especially the welfare of the majority of constituents)?

Is there a fair and friendly Market Code or Investment Code in place?

Tax and Fiscal Perks

Are there tax and fiscal perks for me?

Investment Protection

Will my investment get enough protection from local and national government?

Regulatory Environment

Is there a business-friendly regulatory environment?

***

On the level of a small, personal enterprise, I would ask myself, what needs in the community can I meet using my own unique gifts/talents, capabilities, and resources?

***

Honest answers to these tough questions would be my guide in selling a town to potential investors. I would, of course, play up the positives to the hilt while downplaying the negatives if I could.

If you were the investor being courted to part with your hard-earned funds and risk it for profit, what questions would you straightaway ask?

(Many thanks to Gab for his inputs.)

MONDAY REPORT – NOVEMBER 25, 2024

 

MONDAY REPORT – NOVEMBER 25, 2024

 

[INTRO]

 

NEWSCASTER 1: Magandang Monday morning, Bayambang! Ako po si ____ (name) mula ___________ (school).

 

NEWSCASTER 2: At ako naman po si ______ (name) mula _________ (school).

 

NEWSCASTER 1: Narito na ang buong puwersa ng LGU-Bayambang...

 

NEWSCASTER 2: Maghahatid sa inyo ng mga maiinit at napapanahong balita...

 

SABAY KAYO: Ito ang…. BayambangueNews!

 

***

 

[SALITAN NA KAYO RITO]

 

Sa ulo ng nagbabagang balita:

 

 

 

 

·       4 Farmers’ Associations, Tumanggap ng Composting Machine

 

Apat na farmers’ associations sa Bayambang ang nakatanggap ng tig-iisang composting facility for biodegradable waste (CFBW) mula sa Bureau of Soils and Water Management noong November 14. Ang mga ito ay ang Balon Sapang Farmers Association, Gabay sa Bagong Pag-asa Pangasinan Cluster Association, Pangdel Farmers Association, at Manambong Norte Farmers Association. Bawat composting unit ay nagkakahalaga ng isang milyong piso at kayang makalikha ng isang toneladang organikong pataba kada buwan.

 

 

·       RiceBIS Team ng PhilRice, Nagpulong Dito

 

Idinaos dito ng Rice Business Innovation System (RiceBIS) ng PhilRice ang kanilang Quarterly Meeting noong Nobyembre 14. Dumalo ang mga partner agencies, kabilang ang DA Region I, DOST, DTI, BPI, E-Agro, at iba pa. Layunin ng meeting na palakasin ang suporta sa mga kooperatiba at rice farmers ng Bayambang sa naturang programa.

 

 

·       School Nutrition Programs, Patuloy na Binabantayan

 

Ang Municipal Nutrition Committee ay patuloy sa pagmomonitor sa implementasyon ng nutrition programs ng ating mga paaralan. Nitong November 14, kanilang binisita ang San Gabriel-Iton, Amancosiling, at Telbang Elementary Schools, at Buayaen Central School.

 

 

·       Higit 25 Thousand Katao, Lumahok sa 4^th Quarter NSED

 

Isa na namang Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) ang isinagawa noong November 14 kung saan may 25,652 participants ang lumahok, kabilang ang mga LGU staff at mga barangay. Kabilang din sa lumahok ang mga participant ng DSWD SLP Congress.

 

·       MDRRMO at BDRRMC, Nag-monitor sa Kailugan

 

Noong Nobyembre 15-18, nag-monitor ang MDRRMO at Barangay DRRMC sa ating mga kailugan upang bantayan ang pagtaas ng tubig dulot ng Bagyong Pepito at ang pagrelease ng tubig mula sa San Roque Dam. Kanila ring tinanggal ng mga hazard tulad ng mga tarpaulin signages at mga bumagsak na sanga. Sa kabutihang palad ay walang naitalang casualty.

 

 

·       Basic Occupational Safety and Health Training, Idinaos

 

Noong November 15, nagdaos ang DOLE, sa tulong ng PESO-Bayambang, ng isang training ukol sa Basic Occupational Safety and Health para sa mga safety officers ng mga local micro-enterprises. Dito ay tinalakay ang health and safety principles, hazard identification, at emergency preparedness sa lahat ng workplaces.

 

 

·       MSWDO, Nag-organisa ng Orientation for Child Protection

 

Nagsagawa ng orientation ang MSWDO tungkol sa Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) at Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) noong November 19 sa Balon Bayambang Events Center. Dito ay tinatalakay ni Atty. Sherwin Flores, pangunahing tagapagsalita, ang mga batas na nagpoprotekta laban sa pang-aabuso sa mga kabataan.

 

 

·       LCRO, Naglunsad ng Info Drive Tungkol sa Civil Registration

 

Noong November 19, nagdaos ang Local Civil Registry ng information drive sa Bayambang Central School upang ipalaganap ang tamang proseso ng civil registration at mga bagong memorandum circulars mula sa Philippine Statistics Authority. Ang infor drive ay dinaluhan ng mga kaguruan at mga magulang.

 

 

·       DOLE TUPAD Monitoring, Nagpatuloy

 

Patuloy ang monitoring ng DOLE at PESO-Bayambang sa work output ng TUPAD beneficiaries sa 77 barangays. Noong November 19, kanilang binisita ang M.H. Del Pilar, Magsaysay, Bacnono, Ataynan, Buenlag 2nd, Sapang, at Tamaro.

 

 

·       4Ps Stakeholders Orientation, Mas Pinaigting

 

Ang MSWDO ay nagdaos ng orientation activity para sa mga partner stakeholders ng programang 4Ps, upang mas mapabuti pa ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga benepisyaryo. Tinalakay ng mga resource speakers ang ukol sa tatlong sistema ng programa: ang Beneficiary Data Management System, Compliance Verification System, at Grievance Redress System.

 

 

·       Mayor NJQ at Sir CTQ, Nagtreat ng Lunch

 

Noong November 19, nagpamahagi ng libreng lunch sina Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao at dating Mayor Dr. Cezar Quiambao, bilang bahagi ng kanilang pagdiriwang ng kaarawan at wedding anniversary. Kabilang sa mga nakatanggap ang mga LGU employees, BDH staff at patients, TODA members, market vendors, at private companies.

 

 

·       Laro ng Lahi, Tampok sa Children's Month

 

Bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng Children's Month 2024, isang makulay at masayang Laro ng Lahi ang idinaos ng MSWDO at Child Development Workers Federation noong November 20. Dito ay nagpaligsahan ang mga child development learners sa mga larong gaya ng sack race, Maria went to town, calamansi relay, paper plate relay, cup pyramid, at straw relay.

 

 

·       "Buklat Aklat," Nagpatuloy sa Amancolising ES

 

Noong November 20, ang Local Youth Development Office ay nagtungo sa Amancosiling Elementary School upang ipagpatuloy ang proyektong Buklat Aklat, na naglalayong mapabuti ang reading comprehension ng mga struggling students sa lahat ng public elementary schools. Naroon bilang volunteer ang SK Bayambang, MTICAO, Binibining Bayambang, at iba pang volunteers gaya nina Councilor Benjie de Vera at kabiyak na si Atty. Charina Cherizze de Vera, na naging special guest reader.

 

 

·       Ms. Torio, Naging Speaker sa Int’l Urban Planning Conference

 

Ang Planning Officer ng LGU na si Ms. Ma-lene Torio ay kabilang sa mga naging speaker sa Sustainable Development Futures Conference 2024 sa Lungsod ng Maynila noong November 12 to 13. Kanyang tinalakay ang paggamit ng GeoRiskPH platform sa disaster risk reduction at climate change initiatives ng LGU.

 

 

***

 

It's Trivia Time!

 

Alam ba ninyo na may natatanging tradisyon sa ating probinsya kung saan pinaparangalan ang isang bata pagdating ng ikapitong kaarawaan nito?

 

Ito ay ang tinaguriang panagcorona ritual. Ito ay isang okasyon na dinadaluhan ng mga kapamilya,  kamag-anakan, at iba pang bisita, suot ang espesyal na kasuotan, at mga manganganta ng kantang para lamang sa okasyon. Ang ritwal na ito ay may kasamang sayawan din, palakpakan, at yakapan.

 

Tatawagin ang bata sa sentro at puputungan ng korona bilang parangal sa pag-abot nito sa edad na pitong taon, na siyang tinaguriang "age of reason."

 

Ang tradisyong ito ay patunay ng pagpapahalaga at malalim na pagmamahal ng mga sinaunang Pangasinense sa kanilang mga anak na kabataan.

 

 

***

 

[OUTRO]

 

NEWSCASTER 1: At iyan po ang mga balitang nakatutok sa iba't ibang programa at proyekto ng LGU-Bayambang.

 

NEWSCASTER 2: Mga balitang may tatak Total Quality Service.

 

NEWSCASTER 1: Muli, ako po ang inyong lingkod, Hazel Masiglat.

 

NEWSCASTER 2: At Christian Mark Junio mula sa Accounting Office.

 

[SABAYANG BIGKAS]: At ito ang... Bayambangueñews!

 

***

 

Samantala, ___ days na lang… Pasko na!

 

It's Trivia Time! Panagcorona Ritual

It's Trivia Time!

Alam ba ninyo na may natatanging tradisyon sa ating probinsya kung saan pinaparangalan ang isang bata pagdating ng ikapitong kaarawaan nito?

Ito ay ang tinaguriang panagcorona ritual. Ito ay isang okasyon na dinadaluhan ng mga kapamilya,  kamag-anakan, at iba pang bisita, suot ang espesyal na kasuotan, at mga manganganta ng kantang para lamang sa okasyon. Ang ritwal na ito ay may kasamang sayawan din, palakpakan, at akapan. 

Tatawagin ang bata sa sentro at puputungan ng korona bilang parangal sa pag-abot nito sa edad na pito, na siyang tinaguriang "age of reason."

Ang tradisyong ito ay patunay ng pagpapahalaga at malalim na pagmamahal ng mga sinaunang Pangasinense sa kanilang mga anak na kabataan.

Panagcorona Ritual

Panagcorona Ritual

There is a practice among Pangasinenses that seems to have vanished, although it now survives in a different form: that of a modern birthday party. It is called the panagcorona or panagkorona (crowning) ritual for children reaching their seventh cumpleaños or birthday. The occasion is noticeably made more special than a regular birthday celebration, giving the sense that there is something important about reaching the age of seven.

In Bayambang, the vestiges of this practice can be gleaned from how local families today spend a child's seven birthday in a way that is more lavish than usual, and this is apparently rooted in the age-old tradition.

The practice appears to have been observed since precolonial times, and it was meant to mark the child’s coming of age.  According to an online source, "Garbed in festive attire, the seven-year-old child is made to stand in the middle of the hall on a platform. Participants in this ceremony are the youthful celebrant, the parents, the godparents, and the invited guests. In the ceremony, the panagcorona song is sung, accompanied by clapping and hugging."

According to Dr. Perla Samson-Nelmida in her 1982 thesis, "Pangasinan Folk Literature" (University of the Philippines-Diliman), the 'Panagkorona' song is a "long ceremonial song."

She notes that, "The number 7 is not only a favorite number in Pangasinan folk literature, but it is also a significant one for varied reasons. Seven (7) is the age of reason when the child is supposed to have attained the full use of his mental faculties and he bids goodbye to innocence. He is now ready to start formal schooling, and is now also capable of committing a sin under the traditional Christian concept."

"The singers address first the lucky parents, wishing then 'unending joy' (liket ya ag naebas) on the feast day of their beloved child is ‘Kaaliling na / Sinmolming ya rosas / Ya andi suyat / Tampol binmoskag (Likened to a / Freshly-bloomed flower / That has suddenly and / Immediately opened forth.)"

"Since every birthday is also supposed to be the feast day of one's namesake among the saints, the singers now call on God to 'grant a long life' to the celebrant, and to 'gladden the hearts of all those present.'"

 "Given special mention in the wish for a prosperous year are the godfather and the godmother. All relatives and friends are called upon next to 'sing with all sincerity the praise and exaltation of the person in whose honor the group was gathered.' Now follows the crowning ceremony itself, and the child is asked to "come and stand for on your head we shall now place the crown" and to Ipeket moy pusom / Ed Diyos ya amalsa / Ta ampayaen to ka komod / Angga lad angga. (Join your heart / With God the Creator / That He may guide you /

Now and forevermore.)"

"The 'Panagkorona' or 'Crowning Song"' is not an ordinary, informal song during a get-together. It is usually sung by veteran folk-singers who also sing in church, and so its melody sounds more like slow and sober church music rather than a simple song of exultation. The audience, however, sometimes take part in the singing of the refrain: Biba! Bibay / Polanon mapalar! / Biba met so ateng / To ran malagak! / Magnayon so liket / Ya ag naebas / Ed panfiestay / Inaro yon anak. (Long live! Long live! / Fortunate one! / Long live his parents / So loving and protective / May your joys continue / Without an end / On this feast day / Of your beloved child.)"

The panagcorona, it must be noted, is equivalent to an indigenous Ilocano ritual called padapadakam and the Marinduque ritual called putungan, in that an act of crowning is the highlight of the ritual.

References: yodisphere[dot]com/2022/09/Pangasinan-Pangasinense-Culture-Traditions[dot]html; Dr. Perla Samson-Nelmida, 1982 thesis, "Pangasinan Folk Literature" (University of the Philippines-Diliman), pp. 388-391

 

Trivia - Municipal Accounting Office

Alam ba ninyo na mayroon tayong Accounting Office dahil ang Republic Act No. 7160, o mas kilala bilang Local Government Code of 1991, ay nagmamandato sa lahat ng local government units na magkaroon ng accounting services?

Naitatag ang Accounting Office ng LGU-Bayambang noong 1991.

Pangunahing responsibilidad ng opisinang ito ang magbigay ng quantitative na impormasyon tungkol sa mga financial transactions ng LGU, upang maging basehan ng mga desisyon ng top management.

Isa rin sa pangunahing tungkulin ng tanggapan ay siguraduhing lahat ng pera na pumapasok at lumalabas sa Munisipyo ay kumpleto sa documentary requirements at sumailalim sa rules and regulations na itinakda ng Commission on Audit at iba pang applicable na mga batas ng Pilipinas. 

***

At alam ba ninyo na ang kauna-unahang Municipal Accountant ng LGU magmula noong magkaroon ng enactment ng RA 7160 noong 1991 ay si Ma'am Erlinda Alvarez?

Siya lang din ang nag-iisang CPA o Certified Public Accountant ng Munisipyo magmula 1991 hanggang 2016.

As of today, 9 na ang CPAs sa LGU:

4 sa Internal Audit Service

2 sa Treasury Office

1 sa Budget Office

1 sa Accounting Office 

1 sa Mayor's Office 

MONDAY REPORT – NOVEMBER 18, 2024

MONDAY REPORT – NOVEMBER 18, 2024

[INTRO]

NEWSCASTER 1: Magandang Monday morning, Bayambang! Ako po si Hazel Masiglat.

NEWSCASTER 2: At ako naman po si Christian Mark Junio, at kami po ay mula sa Municipal Accounting Office.

NEWSCASTER 1: Narito na ang buong puwersa ng LGU-Bayambang...

NEWSCASTER 2: Maghahatid sa inyo ng mga maiinit at napapanahong balita...

SABAY KAYO: Ito ang…. BayambangueNews!

***

[SALITAN NA KAYO RITO]

Sa ulo ng nagbabagang balita:

1. LGU, May Bagong Ambulansya

Isang bagong ambulansya ang binili ng LGU para mas lalong mapalakas ang emergency response sa bayan ng Bayambang. Ito ay nagkakahalaga ng P1,840,000, gamit ang DRRM Fund for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness.

2. Sancagulis BNC, Most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee

Ang Brgy. Sancagulis ay nagwaging champion sa Search for Most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee 2024 na isinagawa ng Bayambang Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC). Ang naturang barangay ay nakatanggap ng P20,000. First runner-up naman ang Brgy. Bacnono, 2nd runner-up ang Brgy. Caturay, 3rd runner-up ang Brgy. Magsaysay, at 4th runner-up ang Brgy. Hermoza.

3. Brgy. Tampog, Binigyan ng Service Patrol Vehicle

Isang bagong patrol service vehicle ang idinonate ni Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao sa Brgy. Tampog sa pamamagitan ng Niña Cares Foundation at Agricultural Infrastructure Leasing Corporation (AILC), sa seremonyang ginanap noong November 11. Ang patrol service vehicle ay magsisilbing kagamitan ng barangay upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga residente at maiwasan ang anumang krimen o kaguluhan.

4. Traffic Management and Safe Spaces Act Seminar, Isinagawa

Ang Bayambang Public Safety Office ay nagsagawa ng isang Traffic Management and Safe Spaces Act Seminar noong November 8 para sa lahat ng BPSO traffic enforcers at official drivers ng LGU. Kabilang sa mga naging lecturer ang Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office, at ang PNP.

5. 700 Katao, Tumanggap ng Ayuda 

Isang profiling at payout activity ang isinagawa ng DSWD at MSWDO para sa AKAP o Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), gamit ang pondo mula sa ABONO Party-List at kina Congressman Robert Raymund Estrella at Board Member, Dr. Sheila Baniqued. Ang aktibidad ay ginanap sa St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park noong November 13. May 700 na benepisyaryo ang nakatanggap ng nasabing ayuda.

6. "Idol Ko si Nanay" Training, Tumutok sa First 1,000 Days

Isa na namang "Idol Ko si Nanay" Training ang inorganisa ng Municipal Nutrition Action Office para sa 44 Barangay Nutrition Scholars at Nutrition Office staff upang sila ay matuto mula sa mga eksperto. Kabilang sa mga tinalakay na paksa sa tatlong araw na training ang "Breastfeeding," "Complementary Feeding," "Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation," at "Danger Signs During Pregnancy." 

7. Bayambang, Naging Host ng Regional SLP Congress

A. Mula November 12 hanggang 15, ang Bayambang ay nagsilbing host ng 5th Regional SLP Congress ng Department of Social Welfare and Development, kung saan sari-saring aktibidad ang ginanap sa unang pagkakataon. Nagbukas ang Congress sa isang trade fair sa Bayambang Central School grounds, tampok ang mga de kalidad na produkto ng iba’t ibang SLP associations sa Rehiyon.

B. Sinundan ito ng isang fashion show noong gabi ng November 12, kung saan inirampa ng mga Bb. Bayambang ang mga produktong gawa ng mga 4Ps SLP Associations sa Rehiyon Uno habang suot ang mga gown na gawa ng mga sikat na fashion designers sa bansa.

C. Ito ay sinundan noong November 13 ng isang live selling activity upang itampok online ang naturang items at iba't iba pang produkto ng mga SLP Associations.

D. Kasabay nito ay ang SLP Usbong Dunong Forum Series sa Events Center, kung saan ang mga tinaguriang SLP Champions ay nag-share ng kanilang mga sikreto sa tagumpay sa mga estudyanteng may kursong konektado sa pagninegosyo.

E. Noong November 14 naman, idinaos ang Punla: The Future of MSMEs, isang forum ukol sa pagtatayo ng maliliit na Negosyo at ang Yabong, na isang business-matching activity kung saan dumalo si Gov. Ramon V. Guico III.

F. Kinagabihan ay nagkaroon naman ng Hiraya Creative Awards para sa samu’t saring contests na sinalihan ng mga partisipante sa mga serye ng forum. Isang Himigsikan Singing Contest din ang ginanap sa gabing iyun.

G. At sa ikahuling araw, November 15, isinagawa naman ang Tuupan, kung saan inimbitahan nina Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao at Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao ang mga business enterprises sa Bayambang at Pangasinan na subukang mag-invest sa Bayambang dahil ang business sector at investors ay malaking susi sa tagumpay ng Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan.

8. Singkapital 2024, Muling naging Makasaysayan

 Isang makasaysayang araw sa bayan ng Bayambang ang muling naganap noong November 13 sa selebrasyon ng Singkapital 2024. Dahil kasabay ng paggunita sa digmaang Pilipino-Americano noong taong 1899, naging highlight din ng programa ang unveiling ng isang bago at updated na commemorative marker na inihanda ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Nagkaroon din ng painting contest sa lumang Bayambang Central School, kung saan nagtagisan ng galing sa pagpinta ang mga talentadong manlilikha, sa temang “Flights of Freedom."

9. SGLG 2024, Nasungkit ng Bayambang!

Ang LGU-Bayambang ay nabubunyi sa isa na namang karangalang nakamit nito, ang Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) para sa taong 2024.

Ang pinakamataas na pagkilalang ito para sa isang LGU mula sa national government ay sumasalamin sa masigasig, maayos, tapat, at epektibong panunungkulan ng mga kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan sa bawat Bayambangueño at sa bayan ng Bayambang, sa gabay ni Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao. Congratulations, LGU-Bayambang!

***

It's Trivia Time!

Alam ba ninyo na mayroon tayong Accounting Office dahil ang Republic Act No. 7160, o mas kilala bilang Local Government Code of 1991, ay nagmamandato sa lahat ng local government units na magkaroon ng accounting services?

Naitatag ang Accounting Office ng LGU-Bayambang noong 1991.

Pangunahing responsibilidad ng opisinang ito ang magbigay ng quantitative na impormasyon tungkol sa mga financial transactions ng LGU, upang maging basehan ng mga desisyon ng top management.

Isa rin sa pangunahing tungkulin ng tanggapan ay siguraduhing lahat ng pera na pumapasok at lumalabas sa Munisipyo ay kumpleto sa documentary requirements at sumailalim sa rules and regulations na itinakda ng Commission on Audit at iba pang applicable na mga batas ng Pilipinas.

***

At alam ba ninyo na ang kauna-unahang Municipal Accountant ng LGU magmula noong magkaroon ng enactment ng RA 7160 noong 1991 ay si Ma'am Erlinda Alvarez (show her photo)?

Siya lang din ang nag-iisang CPA o Certified Public Accountant ng Munisipyo magmula 1991 hanggang 2016.

As of today, 9 na ang CPAs sa LGU:

4 sa Internal Audit Service

2 sa Treasury Office

1 sa Budget Office

1 sa Accounting Office (show photo of Sir Flex)

1 sa Mayor's Office (show photo of Sir CTQ)

***

[OUTRO]

NEWSCASTER 1: At iyan po ang mga balitang nakatutok sa iba't ibang programa at proyekto ng LGU-Bayambang.

NEWSCASTER 2: Mga balitang may tatak Total Quality Service.

NEWSCASTER 1: Muli, ako po ang inyong lingkod, Hazel Masiglat.

NEWSCASTER 2: At Christian Mark Junio mula sa Accounting Office.

[SABAYANG BIGKAS]: At ito ang... Bayambangueñews!

***

Samantala, 37 days na lang… Pasko na!