Big days ahead for Pangasinan

You might be surprised but sooner, big projects, will come, roads and highways will lead to Pangasinan. That fearless projection came from no less than the executive director of the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Commission, Hermenegildo Dumlao.

Dumlao, in a huddle with some members of the local media last Tuesday following the signing of the memorandum of agreement between Computronix College and the National American University for the "Best of Both Worlds Program" on-line courses for students, expressed so much faith in the capabilities of Pangasinan because of its built-in advantages.

And why not? If big projects are poured in Pangasinan, these will open the gateways to La Union and other areas in Northern Luzon.

But, here is the big but. All we need is patience, adds Dumlao.

"You see, Eva, that San Roque Multi-purpose Dam Project was planned during the Marcos years. The North Luzon Expressway , another project during Marcos time, is still in Mabalacat Pampanga. That’s how project management is. We just have to have patience, " said the former deputy minister of Education of Apo Marcos.

Dumlao admitted the past years had not been very good in business. But he hopes investors next year will come back as many have already indicated interest in developing projects, like information technology (IT) and infrastructure.

They are still here in Manila watching. Those in Poro Point remained. In Baguio City, they’re still on standby for their expansion projects but we hope it will improve next year, added Dumlao.

Lucky for Pangasinan because he said in Calabarzon, some ceased operations, mostly those in electronics because theres no market.

Right now, the NLGQ is encouraging food processing, IT, other types of small and medium enterprises.The biggest investors in the Philippines are still the Americans, the Japanese, the Taiwanese, he added.

* people AND EVENTS….

* Dagupan gears up for this year's fiesta

Various activities have been lined up for the Dagupan City fiesta celebration in December this year with Councilor Conrado Matias as hermano mayor. In his directive, Mayor Benjamin S. Lim has directed Matias to come up with simple but meaningful activities to celebrate the annual affair which coincides with the Christmas holidays. One of highlights of the celebration is the Miss Dagupan City Pageant and Coronation on December 23. The coronation will be held earlier to enable more people enjoy the eve of the city fiesta on December 26. A ballroom dancing will be held at the city plaza.

* Hilkan M paper grabs awards

Hilkan Montessori’s school paper, The Hilkan Hilites, bagged three awards in the group contest and four other awards in the individual contest in the recently concluded Dagupan City Division Press Conference held at West Central Extension School here. School Directress Tess Cruz said the paper won the Best Editorial Page, Best News Page and Best in Science Page in the group contest, elementary level .

* Highlights bared of Sn Carlos fiesta

SAN CARLOS CITY-Preparations are now underway for the celebration of the 36th city anniversary foundation of San Carlos City on January 1, New Year’s Day. Spearheading this year’s celebration is Vice-Mayor Ansberto L. Cagampan who said that one of the highlights of the celebration is the beauty pageant on December 28.

NOVEMBER 25 - (Dagupan City) John Chris topher A. Marquez, Carlos GanibeNOVEMBER 26 - (Dagupan City) Renato Macasieb NOVEMBER 27 - (Dagupan City) Jacobo C. ClaveNOVEMBER 28 - (Dagupan City) Norma Azurin (USA) CELIA S. CATUBIG NOVEMBER 29 - (Dagupan City) May Agustin; (Mangaldan) Noemi Guba Penuliar; (Mapandan) Gen. Jose Calimlim NOVEMBER 30- (Dagupan City) Andres Gonzales

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY !MA. CHARISSA ALTEA T. GONZALES

( From Ma. Alyssa Jasmin G. dela Cruz, Nov. 26, 2001)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !Mrs. DELIA L. MADRIAGA

(From Personnel Staff - November 27, 2001)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !ATTY. ANDRES M. REYES

(November 25, 2001, Dagupan City)

From: Fil-American Senior Citizens of L.A. California

Buddy and Letty Reyes Super Band

Los Angeles, Ca, USA.