Dagupan City’s competitiveness and performance continue to improve over the years based on the overall rating given by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center during its roadshow presentation on the city’s state of competitiveness on October 5.

 Out of the ten most competitive small-sized cities, Dagupan scored the highest in quality of human resources and third in infrastructure.

 From a 5.80 rating in 2003, the AIM team said that the city has increased its level of competitiveness to a 6.25 rating based on its 2005 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP).

 ”With the participation of our citizenry, Dagupan City will become even more competitive in the years to come,” said Mayor Lim in his welcome remarks.

 The AIM team, led by program manager of AIM policy center Leah Umali, presented the 10 strongest indicators that contributed to the city’s high level of competitiveness, as: average rent of commercial space, number of tertiary educational institutions, number of vocational institutions, number of banks and lending institutions, incidence of theft per 100,000 population, hospital beds per 100,000 population, adequate phone signals, connecting to telephone lines from other service providers is easy, rest and recreational activities are adequate and internet service providers are adequate.

 Umali also cited Dagupan as one of the best implementors of participative governance where the local government unit, non-government organizations and the private sector adhere to a common vision.

 However, Lim said that the city government is more concerned with the factors that pulled the ratings of the city because it ranked 12th in both dynamism of local economy and responsiveness of local government, 16th in quality of life, 19th in linkages and accessibility, and 31st in the cost of doing business.

 ”We shall dig deeper into these factors in order to improve our rating,” Lim stressed.

 The roadshow, which is part of AIM’s Philippine cities competitiveness ranking project, gathered government officials, city hall employees, professionals, businessmen, non-government organizations, the religious sector, academic institutions, banking and medical institutions, civic organizations and the media sector.

 After the presentation, an open forum that aired various concerns of the different sectors was conducted by the AIM team. Leziel T. Cayabyab

Dagupan City’s preparation in staging the 2006 Dagupan City fiesta is in full swing as the calendar of activities that are worth the attention and visit not only from local guests but international tourists as well are already lined up for this year’s celebration.

 According to Coun. Librada “Dada” Reyna, 2006 fiesta hermana mayor, this year’s celebration will not only focus on the major events done each year but will also highlight worthwhile activities for Dagupeño children and their families since the fiesta coincides with the Christmas season.

 Reyna bared that this year’s theme “Celebrate Life” will feature various events ranging from social, educational, economic, cultural, sports and religious activities.

 She said that this year’s celebration promises to be a globally spectacular event through a series of activities that include the trade expo, family carnival, singing contest, dance festival, photo contest, sportsfest, beauty pageant, garden show, car show, street party, acrobatic show, dog show, cheerdance competition, fluvial parade, street parade, lantern and costume parade, live bands, cultural entertainments, homecomings, fireworks display, among others.

 ”We want to let our guests, especially Dagupeños, know that aside from witnessing the traditional events, they will also experience new and exciting activities,” Reyna pointed out.

 In connection with the preparation of the fiesta celebration, the hermana mayor said she started meeting with the chairpersons of various events committee in as early as June 28.

 ”We will not be able to stage all these activities without the support of the community and the private sector,” she stressed.

 The month-long celebration of the city fiesta is slated on December 1 to 30. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)

The sister city relationship between Dagupan City and Iwata, Japan ushered in a new phase of relations after Iwata City officials visited Mayor Benjamin Lim anew on September 13 to discuss the possibility of economic, cultural and educational exchanges.

 ”They came to Dagupan not only to renew ties but to discuss the possibility of exchanges between businessmen, Rotary clubs and student exchanges,” said Mayor Lim.

 Lim noted that the sister city relationship between Dagupan and Iwata almost disappeared after the Marcos regime.

He further added that the bilateral relations entered in a new era after the city government of Iwata invited Mayor Lim along with five high school students to attend the celebration of their 30th anniversary of sisterhood ties on July 27 to 30 this year.

It was learned that Lim invited the presidents and past presidents of various Rotary Clubs based in the city to join the discussion that is expected to include their involvement in the establishment of a business partnership between the two cities.

The bilateral talks dwelled on the interest of both cities to establish a study exchange program for high school students.

 Both cities agreed to study thoroughly the planned educational exchange program before deciding on its eventual approval.

 Lim said that once approved, the qualified high school Dagupeño students will be sent to Iwata during their school vacation period from April to May.

“Just like the Milpitas study exchange program, this is another venue for the Dagupeño students to observe the academic environment and educational system of Japan as well as experience the culture of Japanese students,” Lim stressed.

 The Japanese officials informed Lim that they have already visited Dagupan City five years ago. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)

A team of experts from the National Historical Institute (NHI) arrived in Dagupan City on September 1 to gain new insights and perspectives about the city by visiting its 7 historical landmarks.

 The NHI group, headed by supervisor for history research Lorelei Deviana and history researcher Maria Luisa Valerio, both architects, surveyed the 7 sites as jointly recommended by the Dagupan Heritage Commission and Metro Dagupan Culture and Arts Council (MDCAC).

 Priority in their list of landmarks was the home economics building at the West Central Elementary School which General Douglas MacArthur used as temporary headquarters after landing at the Lingayen Gulf, in fulfillment of the “I shall return” promise he had made before leaving the Philippines for Australia to spearhead Allied preparations for the liberation of the Philippines and other Asia-Pacific countries from the Japanese. Next on their priority list was the Gabaldon Schoolhouse, also found at the West Central.

 According to Nora G. Siapno, MDCAC chairman, the history experts were amazed upon seeing the century-old buildings still standing erect and even survived the devastating earthquake 16 years ago.

 ”This is a major boost in our tourism landscape. Dagupan will surely benefit from the institute’s much needed expertise – assisting the city executives educate its citizenry and stakeholders on heritage conservation and preservation,” Mayor Lim said during the group’s courtesy call on him at his City Hall office.

 Other landmarks they toured were the City Hall, PNR station, Spanish and American stations, ancestral house of the De Venecias in Tambac and the landing site of General MacArthur in Bonuan Gueset, which is now a subject of controversy due to a landowner’s claim of ownership of the vicinity.

 ”We should follow great cities of the world where preservation, conservation and restoration of old structures are high on their priority list. Tourism has earned these cities enormous sums of money,” stressed Carmen Prieto of the heritage commission.

 Before departing, the NHI group thanked the city government for its warm reception and hospitality.Leziel T. Cayabyab

Afterwards, the group proceeded to the material recovery facilities (MRFs) of Barangay IV and Barangay Herrero-Perez to observe their implementation of R.A. 9003 or the solid waste management act.

According to Renomeron, he plans to replicate in his municipality the city’s MRFs, butterfly garden and communal nursery after their visit to the two barangays.

 The group also toured the city’s major river systems in barangays Pantal and Calmay where city agriculturist Emma Molina discussed the zonification and regulation of fish pens and fish cages in the city.

 Moreover, Mayor Codilla expressed his interest in learning more about the city’s dredging and declogging operations to minimize the recurrent flooding in some areas of Ormoc City.

 City tourism OIC Dea Que, city agriculturist Emma Molina and waste management division chief Reggie Ubando served as tour guides.

 Before departing, the two mayors thanked the city government for the warm reception and hospitality extended to his group.

 At present, a total of eight lakbay-aral groups have visited Dagupan City this year alone. Others were Sasmuan, Pampanga; Pilar, Capiz; Santiago, Isabela; Zamboanga City; Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur; and Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. (Leziel T. Cayab

A critically endangered hawksbill turtle rescued by a fisherman from barangay Pugaro is surrendered to the city agriculture office on July 10 and is set for release in the open sea of the Lingayen Gulf by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

 According to Emma Molina, city agriculturist, the turtle is supposed to be released on Tuesday (July 11) but was delayed due to a bad weather condition spawned by typhoon “Florita.”

 Molina said that the about 4-year-old turtle, locally known as pawikan, is considered priceless as it is listed among the critically endangered marine species and believed to be on the verge of extinction.

 Based on the official measurement of CENRO employees, the turtle is 15 inches long and 13 inches wide.

 City administrator Raffy Baraan and Marlyn Banda, community environment and natural resources (CENRO) chief of protected area and wildlife section, attached a corresponding metal tag in its flippers for reference purposes to its would-be captors.

 Baraan said that the city government will give a special citation award to the fisherman who saved the endangered turtle identified as Nonong Narvasa.

 ”The incident shows that the fisherfolks in the city really care about our marine resources,” Baraan said.

According to Molina, the hunting and killing of marine turtles as well as disposing their meat or any of their by-products is punishable by law pursuant to Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act or R.A. 9147.

 She added that the national law for the protection of sea turtles imposes imprisonment and penalty to those found guilty of catching, selling and slaughtering the endangered aquatic creatures.

 Some of the listed endangered turtles include the green turtle, loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle and olive ridley turtle. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz challenged all public servants to uphold at all times the value of integrity in order to achieve good governance and genuine reforms in the government during the observance of the 59th Agew na Dagupan on June 20 at the city plaza.

 ”If we want to become more progressive, economically viable and prosperous, then a public servant must nurture the value of integrity,” Archbishop Cruz, guest speaker at the commemorative program, said.

 In his speech, Cruz stressed that every government employee must be true, honest and dedicated to be worthy of the people’s trust and respect.

 The archbishop cited Dagupan City as an example of a local government unit that practices integrity in its governance.

 According to Cruz, he witnessed the transformation of the city from a devastated and seemingly hopeless city after the 1990 killer earthquake, into a progressive and well-developed city that it is today.

 ”Sixteen years ago, Dagupan City was wrecked but it has managed to become progressive and be back on its feet because of the integrity of the officials who have served this city,” he added.

 However, he pointed out that the ill notions about our country regarding corruption and poverty are brought by greedy and self-serving public servants.

 ”Sa dulo ng lahat ng kasamaang nangyayari sa ating bansa ay ang mga taong walang alam kundi magnakaw at baluktot ang paglilingkod,” Cruz said.

 He ended his speech by encouraging the youth to practice integrity early in their youth. Leziel T. Cayabyab

Mayor Benjamin Lim is set to fly to Vancouver, Canada on June 19 and stay there until 23 as one of the representatives of the Philippine delegation who will attend the third session of the World Urban Forum III (WUFIII) that will be hosted by the government of Canada.

 The participation of Lim in the said international event will be sponsored by the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) that includes all traveling expenses in airfare and accommodation.

 The WUFIII is a biennial gathering that is attended by a wide range of partners from non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, urban professionals, academics, local authorities and national and international associations of local governments.

 For this year, WUFIII is centered on the theme, ‘Our Future: Sustainable Cities – Turning Ideas into Action.

 Such participation will enable Lim to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies and policies.

 ”This will give Dagupan City an opportunity to share with other countries on how to minimize poverty, improve urban poor’s access to basic facilities such as shelter, clean water and sanitation and achieve environment-friendly, sustainable urban growth and development,” said Lim.

 During his five-day visit, Lim will actively participate in the following activities: Municipal Global Village Opening and Exposition, Asia Partners meeting, public engagement & dialogue, plenary sessions, visit to Canada pavilion, forum on Integrating Global Concerns into Urban Management in Asia, local government sessions, networking session on gender mainstreaming and local governance and urban development policies and programs, meeting with the mayor of Vancouver and Greater Vancouver Regional District and Global Advisory Board Meeting with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Asia Partners.

 The fourth session will be held in Nanjing, China in 2008. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)

The city government’s Oplan Zero Drowning implemented along the beach of Bonuan Tondaligan Park during the recent observance of the Holy Week season and Pista’y Dayat has been fully achieved after no single drowning victim was reported.

“No untoward incidences happened during the influx of bid crowds of people that came to the beach,” said Dino Zabala, Tondaligan Park Administrator.

According to Zabala, the success of the anti-drowning operation was achieved through the tight watch conducted by the four professional Red Cross certified lifeguards who were stationed at their respective high towers on look out at the swimming public from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm equipped with binoculars, megaphones, ring buoys and whistles.

The professional lifeguards were augmented by lifesaver organizations in Tondaligan beach composed mainly of 50 volunteers who helped monitor and ensure the safety of the swimming public.

He added that from April 10 up to the present, no drowning incident was reported except for six persons who were almost drowned, but were immediately rescued by lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers on the look out within their areas of responsibility.

Among those that almost drowned but saved were: Rodel Mendoza, 20 years old from Bonuan Boquig (April 15); Alfie Angelo, 11 years old; Ann Gayo, 12 years old and Jillian Villanueva, all residents of Benguet (April 17); Randy Melchor 11 years old from Nueva Ecija (May 7) and Arthur Martin, 62 years old from Brgy. Malued.

The Tondaligan Park Administration also served as an assistance center for lost beach-wandering kids who were immediately returned to their respective parents. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)