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.*

SB tackles "Mandatory Fraffic Code"

The Sangguniang Bayan is set to pass during session on August 2 a "Mandatory Traffic Code" of Bayambang. Councilor Gerardo DC Flores moved for the approval of the measure.

Authored by Councilor Angelito DC de Vera, the proposed code aims to regulate traffic on public streets, highways or thoroughfares and improve the traffic system in general in this town.

In its explanatory note, the proposed code recognizes "balanced, adequate and disciplined transportation system" as "one of the factors to the economic growth and development of an urban center like Bayambang." But, it notes, vehicular traffic in the town, particularly along its thoroughfares, has greatly worsened as a result of the increasing population, the economic and business boom, and the increase of motor vehicles.

A dry run of the traffic scheme has shown favorable results, the explanatory note also explains.

The pending measure reclassifies the town's roads into major and minor, designates one-way and two-way streets, and specifies the types of vehicles that can use certain thoroughfares.

Likewise, the legislation designates parking areas, prohibited parking areas, and pay-parking areas (and fixes fees to be paid by vehicles availing of the latter).

For public vehicles, the code also designates loading and unloading zones.

For safety on the road, the code sets the speed limits depending on the type of thoroughfares and requires all drivers and operators of for-hire utility vehicles (mini-buses, tricycles, and jeepneys) training on how to be better drivers and defensive drivers.

Penalties are provided for violations of the code.

The code entrusts the enforcement of its provisions and the National Traffic Code to the town's Philippine National Police Station. It deputizes the Traffic Management Group and qualified personnel authorized by the mayor.*

Extensive public market improvement underway

To put order and smoother conduct of business, several improvements are currently being implemented.

This was reported by Engr. Eddie A. Melicorio, head of the Municipal Engineering Office during the first ever joint executive-legislative meeting held at the newly-inaugurated Legislative Building last July 19.

The first project is the building of a two-storey carinderia section. The second project the Municipal Engineer mentioned is the establishment of a bagsakan or a terminal for wet products such as meat, poultry and fish and vegetables from the highlands.

The third project is primarily supplementary to the bagsakan but also convenient to vendors in and customers of the public market.

An access road will be constructed for deliveries to the food terminal. It is basically a one-way for vans and light trucks. The exit point is through and beyond the bagsakan, the river control dike, which will also e improved for the purpose.

In a related vein, Engr. Melicorio also revealed plans for the lighting of the principal road in the poblacion. He said the lighted streets will deter unsavory nocturnal incidents.

Without saying, this will also attract entry of investors to Bayambang.*

Renewal of public market lease contracts starts

Renewal of contracts of lease over stalls at the public market of Bayambang has started.

This was learned from Renato L. Veloria, Jr., Licensing Officer-Designate of the Office of the Municipal Treasurer which processes the contracts in accordance with the Tax Ordinance of Bayambang and other related ordinances.

So far, according to Veloria, forty contracts have been completed. He, however, added that many more are either pending signature of the municipal mayor or undergoing staffwork (checking documentary requirements, payments and performance records of the leassees).

Meanwhile, the local government under Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho and Sangguniang Bayan have issued separate appeals to all leassees to renews their contracts as soon a possible, otherwise the remedies are available under applicable local laws, including closure of the stalls they occupy, may be resorted to.*

LGU renews drive on proper disposal of solid waste

Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho has ordered renewed intensification of the drive for proper solid waste disposal in the poblacion area and in the barangays.

This renewed campaign follows up implementation of the Municipal Anti-Littering Ordinance of 2000 and the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2008, both enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan pursuant to Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The local government opened the new drive with distribution last month of copies of a four-page Isang Quick Guide sa Solid Waste Segregation sa Bayambang pamphlet.

The reading material contains the important provisions of the applicable laws, including the penalties and sanctions provided for violations thereof. Audio announcements from roving vehicles supplemented the distribution of the reading materials.

This month, the local government ordered a personalized information drive starting in 11 barangays --- Cadre, M. H. del Pilar, Magsaysay, Poblacion Sur and Zones I to VII.

The 11 barangays were divided among four teams who underwent orientation on solid waste management and  garbage segregation pursuant to the applicable laws. The four teams are headed by Rosema Caranto, Sheryl Cayabyab, Magno Bautista and Luz Cayabyab.

After the orientation, the four teams went house-to-house in their assigned barangays and explained to the residents the proper disposal of their solid wastes.

The information drive will be replicated in all of the barangays of the municipality.*

Mayor's office plus services to poor patients

To supplement the services rendered by the health department, the Office of the Mayor also extends related efforts to alleviate the plight of indigent patients and their families.

The office maintains at present two ambulances that ferry needy people --- sick or women on the verge of giving birth --- to hospitals and fetch them after treatment or giving birth.

Demand for services of the ambulances is such that they are seldom seen idle except in case of mechanical breakdown. But even when any one of them is out of commission, any of the service vehicles of the Mayor's Office takes its place.

In addition, the Mayor had assigned liaisons to negotiate with hospitals to bring fees within the reach of the poor patients.

In serious cases, the Mayor's staff prepares letters for his signature appealing for financial aid from the Philippine Charity and Sweepstakes Office or PCSO and other institutions to indigent patients. A liaison office handles this.*

36th 'Nutrition Month' marked

July is Nutrition Month. The celebration of the 36th edition of this annual event in Bayambang was under the auspices of the Municipal Nutrition Committee chaired by Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho and spearheaded by the Rural Health Unit under the leadership of Dr. Paz F. Vallo.

With Sa Pagkaing Tama at Sapat, Wastong Timbang na Bata ang Katapat as its theme, the celebration was ushered in morning of July 5 with a program at the municipal covered court. Dr. Maryknoll SinoCruz Catacutan, a specialist in pediatrics and herself a Bayambangueña, graced the occasion as guest of honor and speaker.

A number of activities were thereafter held:

1. July 13-16, 19-21: A lecture forum and demonstration for pregnant and post-partum mothers and mothers of severely-underweight and underweight pre-school children held in Barangays Wawa, Darawey, Pogo, Malioer, Buenlag I, Ataynan, Pangdel, Managos and Tatarac with the cooperation of DepEd PSU Nursing Department and Home Management Technology.
2. July 16: Supplemental feeding for a total of identified severely-underweight and underweight pre-school children in Buenlag I and Ataynan with the cooperation of MSWD and Kabisig ng Lahi (NGO).
3. July 13, 15, 16: Planting of fruit-bearing trees and seed distribution in Wawa, Pogo, Ataynan and Malioer with the help of the Department of Agriculture and LGU employees.

The celebration ended with a culmination program held under the aegis of the St. Vincent Catholic School.*

Youth Affairs: SKF Pres. Krizza turns 18

Krizza Anne Barrogo Camacho marked her  18th birthday last July 4 in ceremonies fit for an only daughter and youth leader who made her parents and every Bayambangueňo mighty proud.

Krizza, the hija unica of Mayor & Mrs. Ricardo M. Camacho (nee  Zenaida C. Barrogo), is president of  the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Bayambang.

An untiring youth leader, she capped her sterling performance so far by being cho¬sen one of the five national awardees as Outstanding Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President (Municipal Category) during the SK National Convention held October 28-30, 2009 at the national convention center in Subic, Zambales.
 
The colorful affair, highlighted by a cotillion, was held at the Star Plaza Hotel in Dagupan City, and attended by members of her immediate family, close relatives, associates in the SKF, friends, and select guests.

*******

Oh, to be 18!

To many young people, it is a happy point in their life: the start of enjoying rights, freedoms, and privileges members of the adult society have.

Krizza is surely happy turning 18, except for one trade-off: graduation from the SK. The law, however, allows her to hold over until her successor is chosen.

 
She has to move on and try to make a name in the adult society. But with her feats as SKF head, her parents’ guidance, and her townmates’ full support, she cannot fail.*

Sangguniang Kabataan election heating up

The dust of the May 10 national and local elections had just settled, but another poll exercise is in the offing --- and inexorably heating up.

The awaited event is  the election of the officers of the Barangay chapters of the Sangguniang Kabataan nationwide. The election will be supervised by the Commission on Elections.

Preparations are underway. 

The COMELEC had  set the registration of new members of the SK second week of August. Those qualified to register are those aged 15 but below 18, in the latter case at least on the date of the election. The election will be, as mandated by law, on October 25, this year.

Increase in the number of voters is not much of an issue because while there will be  many registrants many of those registered have turned 18 years old.

There may not be much problem with the registration to the COMELEC.

On another front, however, the atmosphere is heating up, according to many observers.

Unconfirmed reports are to the effect that, with the intervention of professional politicians, line-ups are already being formed.

The objective is to string a big number with which, hopefully, the presidency of the town’s SK Federation will be snared, they say.

This reality is typical nationwide. All this is a recognition of the role the youth in nation-building.

The standard of performance of a SKF head, however, had been ably raised several notches by Krizza Anne B. Camacho, incumbent president,  with her outstand-ing achievements.*