RMC spells out 2nd term concerns

Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho, in his speech after being sworn-in for his second term last June 29, spelled out his administration's priority concerns during his ensuing second term.

"While many had been accomplished" during his first term, Mayor Camacho said "more still remain to be done".

With that, he told the mammoth crowd and the guests led by Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. who witnessed the occasion that, with the fresh mandate resoundingly given by the Bayambangueños, his second administration will address the following concerns:

1. Enhancing the productivity of farmers through provision of adequate irrigation, farm support, and infrastructure facilities, especially farm-to-market roads, and post-harvest facilities. 
2. Putting up of a livestock market. 
3. Improvement and rehabilitation of Block III of the public market. 
4. Putting up of livelihood training center for unemployed town-mates. 
5. Repair and improvement of the old municipal hall. 
6. Opening of roads within, and expanding by half-a-hectare the old municipal public cemetery. 
7. Putting up of a municipal museum and creation of a committee to determine the foundation day of Bayambang as a political unit. 
8. Massive information and education campaign coupled with purchase and acquisition of equipment to address solid waste management. 
9. Expansion of the business and commercial district and creation of more business-friendly environment to attract more investors. 
10. Added support to improve the quality of teaching and learning in public schools.
11. Re-training and enhancing the skills of local government employees to man computerized operations of much-improved delivery of social services. 
12. Enhancement of health and medical services, more particularly to children, mothers, and senior citizens, including increase in health insurance coverage for our indigent kabaleyans. 
13. Strengthening the capability of the town's police force to address peace and order and development concerns. 
14. Strengthening capability to respond on time during emergencies, accidents, and man-made and natural calamities. 
15. Continuing support to the Sangguniang Kabataan. 
16. Stricter implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Law.

He said "hard work, cooperation and coordination are vital" in addressing these concerns but added that "sufficient funds and legislative support are necessary". 

"I call upon all of you to cooperate with us and constantly pray for unity, peace, good health, wisdom and common sense," he said. 

As a gesture of reconciliation, Mayor Camacho said "I likewise extend my hand of friendship and an invitation to my political rivals to work with me in serving you again." *

1st ever in Bayambang: Joint executive-legislative body convened, meets

For the first time in the history of local governance in Bayambang, a joint executive-legislative body was convened. Already, it has held two meetings at the new Legislative Building. 

Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho and the heads of the different departments on one hand and Vice Mayor Mylvin T. Junio and the eight members of the Sangguniang Bayan meet in a special meeting last July 19 and 26. The objectives of the meeting is to establish a more harmonious and functional working relationship between and among the appointed and elected officials. 

The departments under the h executive branch are Accounting, Treasury, Budget, Agriculture, Human Resources, Assessment, Health, Social Welfare and Development and MPDC. 

Also in attendance during the meetings were Municipal Administrator Romulo Velasquez and consultants Alexander C. Medrano, Emma I. Mula, Erlinda S. Beltran and Ferdinand L. Quintos and special administrative assistant Armando E. Espino and Gerenerio Q. Rosales. 

On the legislative side were Vice Mayor Junio, Councilors Crisostomo M. Bato, Gerardo C. de Vera, Raul R. Sabangan, Alan D. de Vera, Angelito C. de Vera, Levin N. Uy, Gerardo DC Flores and Junie J. Angeles and SB Secretary Joel V. Camacho. 

During the first meeting, the department heads under the executive branch presented a brief status report on their personnel, PPA (projects, programs and activities), problems encountered and suggestions or recommendations to solve the problems. Secretary Camacho delivered the SB's report. 

During the second meeting, the body identified and discussed obtaining organizational and personnel problems of the local government such as frequent tardiness, loafing among employees, the needs of an organizational study and the absence of an organizational chart. 

Thereafter, the body conducted a session in preparation for the seminar for the newly-elected officials and executive-legislative agenda on July 29 and 30. 

For this purpose, MPDC head Jonathan V. Corpus made a presentation on the State of Local Government Report, doable Action Plan for 2010, priority areas, and basis for executive-legislative actions.*

SCs laud Expanded Senior Citizens Law

Senior citizens of Bayambang welcome the approval of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Francisco Camacho, chairman of the town's Office for Senior Citizens Affairs or OSCA said. The new law, Republic Act No. 9994, took effect last July 6.   

Anticipating its effectivity, Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho, in his inaugural speech last June 29 said stricter implementation of the law is one of his administration's priority concerns.   

Henceforth, senior citizens will also enjoy exemption from payment of value-added tax and get 20 percent discount on purchases of food, medicine and other services in restaurants and movie houses.   

The law also provides that, by December this year, senior citizens will also get a five-percent discount on electric and water bills, provided the meters are registered under their names and their consumptions are below 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 30 cubic meters of water.   

The OSCA chairman, however, echoed DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman's warning that senior citizens found abusing privileges granted by Republic Act No. 9994 could be imprisoned for a minimum of six months and fined up to P100,000. 

On the other hand, the venerable OSCA chairman explained that any person who refuses to honor senior citizens' cards in their establishment may be "imprisoned for a year and fined up to P100,000" and that repeat offenders may be "imprisoned between two to six years and fined P200,000".*

LGU renovates OSCA building

The Office for Senior Citizens Affairs or OSCA headquarters inside the town plaza was recently renovated and extended by almost half its original floor area by the local government unit under Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho. 

The Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of Bayambang or FSCAB also holds office in the building. 

The OSCA also formerly shared the building with the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist. The latter office moved to the former Homeowners Bank building nearby. 

"The renovated and more spacious building will surely enhance the performance of the OSCA in administering the affairs and welfare of the town's senior citizens whose number is increasing every day," Mayor Camacho said. 

OSCA chairman Francisco Camacho and FSCAB president Leonido V. Catabay separately expressed profuse gratitude to Mayor Camacho for the improvement of the building.*

History, Culture & Arts: Where have all the carrocerias, pandayans gone?

This is the question a number of Bayambangueños ask upon coming home to the town after four decades.

Fat chances are the present generation does not understand what these old-timers are talking about.

Carrocerias are the smithies or blacksmith's workshops that made, on orders, the carts farmers used to transport farm products or the carromatas that transported people.

Pandayans are similar shops that made, also on orders, bladed implements of all shapes and sizes for sundry purposes.

Sometimes, carrocerias and pandayans are one and the same shops. Many old-timers, one in Buayaen, another in Amancosiling Norte and a third in Tambac. But these artisans' shops do no longer exist.

No one makes carromatas anymore after tricycles took over the roads. On the other hand, mass-produced or imported cutleries pushed pandayans into obsolescence.*

To mark town's culture & arts body 1st anniv: Symposium on Bayambang's "birth" set

When was Bayambang established as a political or civil administrative unit? Finding the answer to this question is one of the missions of the Municipal Council for Culture and the Arts or MCCA created last year by Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho.

The search will be launched with a symposium on November 12.

This year, Bayambang celebrated what is counted as its 396th fiesta, obviously meaning that the town is as "old" as that. Many however say that this reckoning was based only on ecclesiastical records.

An executive order creating and composing a research committee to pinpoint as near as possible the "birth" of Bayambang is now being drafted.

The MCCA is mandated to:

1. Preserve the indigenous,historical, cultural and artistic heritage of Bayambang to enable the people to establish and enhance their collective identity and dignity as a community.
2. Provide Bayambangueños the opportunity to relate present life with that of the past that would lead to a much better future.

The body is also tasked to preserve the areas among others, involving arts, music, dances, literary pieces, drama, cinema, visual arts and historical accounts.

At present, the MCCA is in the thick of researching on and collecting artifacts and historical records and necessary materials that will be preserved in the Bayambang Museum.*

Central Pangasinan's biggest mall soon to be completed in Bayambang

A posh mall, reputed to be the biggest in Central Pangasinan, will soon dominate the business skyline of Bayambang.

Construction of the modern edifice started early last year. Its grand opening is tentatively set for October this year. To be known as Royal Mall II, it is owned by business tycoon Cesar T. Quiambao who is also Baymbang's top tax payer.

It is being built under a long-term lease on a lot owned by the municipality of Bayambang east of the public plaza and just a stone's throw from the town's municipal hall.

When fully completed, Royal Mall II will have cost over P140-million, according to reliable sources.

It will have more stores and amenities than the present malls in Bayambang such as Mang Inasal, Jollibee and Save More --- a supermarket owned by Henry Sy.

The upcoming mall will house the home office and main branch of CSF Bank, of which Quiambao is a major owner.

The first mall in Bayambang, Royal Mall I, also owned by Quiambao, is just a few meters south of Royal Mall II.*