Joint Medical and Dental Mission a Massive Success

A joint Medical and Dental Mission by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Local Government Unit of Umingan, Pangasinan and participated by various doctors, dentists and volunteers here in the municipality, from the Virgen Milagrosa Medical Center, 105^th CDC 1^st RCDG ARESCOM and BRAVO COY 1^st RRBn of the Philippine Army. The activity, held at the Municipal Gymnasium last September 6, 2009, was in celebration of the 75^th Anniversary of the PCSO in its continuous service to the Filipinos especially to the poor and marginalized sectors of the community. The medical and dental mission provided free medical, dental check-ups and tooth extractions as well as corresponding medicines which were provided by the PCSO. The event kick started at 8:30 AM with already more than a hundred participants and ended at 5:00 PM wherein a total of 1,180 participants (886 were given medical attention and 294 were given dental attention) were catered and accommodated. Simultaneous to the event here in Umingan, similar activities were conducted at different municipalities around the country in celebration to the anniversary of the PCSO. This PCSO-LMP activity was spearheaded by Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon and the Sangguniang Bayan with Ms. Abigail P. Millora as the activity coordinator.

Inclusion in President’s Bridge Program Sought

Mayor Eldred P. Tumbokon of Umingan, Pangasinan sought early inclusion in the President’s Bridge Program (PBP) of three bridges in his municipality which are vital for its balanced-development and productivity. The three bridges have long been programmed by the Municipal Development Council but inclusion in the national program for bridges has long been delayed. He said the proposed bridges are essential for mobility, agricultural production, and the uplift of the socio-economic condition of his constituents. The proposed bridges would connect Barangays Esperanzo and Buenavista, Don Montano and Don Justo Abalos, and Santa Maria (Boaya) and Prado. The Esperanza-Buenavista structure will benefit 7,000 inhabitants and provide access for development of some 1,000 hectares of productive agricultural land in eight barangays: Buenavista, Flores, Sinawaan, Cabalitian, Libuan, Tanggal Sawang, Mantacdang and Esperanza. It will serve as alternate route to nearby town of San Quintin. The Don Montano-Don Justo Abalos Bridge will lead to four barangays namely Don Julio Abalos, Diket, Anman and Don Montano and will benefit 5,000 inhabitants. The third bridge will ease transport of agricultural products in eight barangays: Prado, Panganguan, Luna Este, Luna Weste, Conception, San Juan, San Vicente and Sta. Maria. These barangays have apopulation of 7,000 and cover some 5,000 hectares of “squash country”. Squash, Mayor Tumbokon said, is produced in great quantities in these barangays and the bridge will make easier the transport of this and other products to the town proper and other commercial districts. “Inclusion of these bridges in the President’s Bridge Program and their immediate implementation will be a high mark to an administration that is most responsive to public good and public need”, Tumbokon said.

*The above article is an exact reprint of an article written in the Manila Bulletin dated August 25, 2009 page B-9

Umingan Receives its Post-Harvest Development Plan

The Umingan Post Harvest Development Plan for the years 2009-2018 was turned over to the Local Government Unit of Umingan last August 25, 2009. The said development plan was a collaborative project of the Local Government Unit of Umingan through the Municipal Agriculturist Office and the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension. The project was spearheaded by Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy (Project Leader), a resident of Umingan, together with Maria Criselda A. Ganabo (Project Staff) and Erwin S. Embuscado (Technical writer) with close coordination with the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist headed by Francisco Collado (Municipal Agriculture Officer), Engr. Edwin Calderon (Municipal Agriculturist) and the Office of the Municipal Mayor. The concept was actually hatched by Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon, Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy and Mr. Diosdado M. Andaya during one of the visits of Dr. Estigoy to his hometown Umingan. The said Postharvest Development Plan will provide direction for the development of the agricultural sector within the municipality for the next ten years in order to accelerate the agricultural development for the municipality. It likewise contains formulation of measures to help ensure the delivery of basic services and provisions of adequate facilities relative to agricultural services. All in all it will provide a road map that will lead to a better Umingan.

Umingan Public Library Recipient of a Book Donation

The Umingan Public Library last received a book donation from Bagong Kulturang Pinoy, Inc (http://www.aklatan.org/) which is non-profit organization whose mission is to develop a reading culture among Filipino children. The Massachusetts, USA based organization sent an assortment of 345 books, mostly children story books, last August 18, 2009 with hopes to help promote better reading habits for our young constituents using our Municipal Public Library. The books were awarded through Alicia Patricio Quilicot, Country Directress, and personally turned over by Mr. Andylowi F. Bumatay and duly received by our Municipal Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon and Municipal Public Librarian Mary Gene P. Fernandez.

Umingan Bureau of Fire Protection Officer-in-Charge Outstanding!

Senior Fire Officer 2 (SFO2) Loreto M. Bernardino, the current officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here in Umingan, Pangasinan was awarded Medalya ng Kasanayan (Devotion to Duty) for his valiant effort and commitment to promote the programs of BFP in the recently concluded 18^th Anniversary of the Bureau of Fire Protection last August 11, 2009 held at the Quezon City Sports City Sports Club, E. Rodriquez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City. He is the sole recipient of the Medalya ng Kasanayan in the entire Region I (along with four others from Region 7, Region 4A and National Capital Region). No less than himself Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno awarded the medal. SFO2 Loreto M. Bernardino was also awarded a Certificate of Recognition and Certificate of Commendation for his continuous commitment, dedicated involvement and service in the performance of his duties and responsibilities here in our municipality. These were awarded to him last August 18, 2009 by SR SUPT (DSC) Ramon O. Giron, Regional Director of BFP Region I, at the Regional Celebration of the 18^th BFP Anniversary held at ORT Cooperative Development Center, Capitol Hill, Guerrero Road, City of San Fernando, La Union.

UNHS Hailed Champions at the 33rd MILO National Marathon

The Umingan National High School (UNHS) racked up ten medals and 2 trophies at the recently concluded 33^rd MILO National Marathon (Regional Elimination Dagupan Leg) at the host City Dagupan, Pangasinan held last August 16, 2009. They collectively garnered medals in the 3, 5 and 21 Kilometer Boys Marathon and Girls Marathon and took up a podium spot and a trophy for the 1^st Runner-up at the 3 Kilometers Boys Division. UNHS cruised and finished top and took home the Championship and a trophy in the Interschool Competition where it bested University of Luzon and Dagupan National High School who took 1^st Runner up 2^nd Runner up spots respectively. The marathoners of UNHS were trained by Trainer/Coach Mr. Virgilio P. Padila. Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon extended financial assistance to the athletes for the said event.

Congressman Conrad M. Estrella III visits various Road and Bridge Projects in Umingan

Pangasinan 6th District Representative Conrad M. Estrella III, together with his Chief of Staff, Ms. Susan Casareno (Rosales Councilor) and accompanied by our very own Municipal Mayor Eldred P. Tumbocon and all the Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, visited various Road and Bridge Projects last July 30, 2009. First on the list was the Umingan-Talugtog Road (Ricos-Baracbac-Diaz Road sections) with a project cost of 50 million pesos followed by the Concrete-Paving of La Paz Road amounting to 3.10 million pesos. Both projects are soon to be completed. The group proceeded to attend the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the continuation of the Concrete-Paving of the Esperanza Road. Said projects were funded through the Congressional and National Budgets. Congressman Estrella also inspected some of the just completed fourteen (14) Farm-to-Market Roads (concreting). Improvement of Farm-to-Market Roads includes Concreting of Diket, Don Justo Abalos, Carayungan Sur, Abot-Molina, Nampalcan, Mantacdang, Tanggal-Sawang, Luna Weste, Prado, Resurreccion, Casilan, Capas and Sta. Rosa. Said projects were constructed thru his and his brother Robert Raymund M. Estrella’s (ABONO Partylist Representative) initiative and were parts of the Pump-Priming Programs of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Works and Highways. Likewise, Congressman Estrella, Mayor Tumbocon and the group also visited the on-going construction of Banila Bridge between Barangays Lauren and Nancalabasaan. Project cost is 150 million pesos.