Stormy Surprises over Lingayen: A Rainy Monday at the Pangasinan Capital

Lingayen woke up this morning under overcast skies with temperatures hovering around a humid 28 °C (82 °F). As the heat built through the morning, skies remained stubbornly gray, peaking at a sweltering 33 °C (91 °F) by midday. The calm monotony was soon interrupted by rumbling thunder around noon, giving way to a brief but intense storm that left the air heavy and the roads slick once again as it passed by early in the afternoon.

By mid-afternoon, skies cleared momentarily, hinting at a break—but respite was short-lived. Lingayen residents were met with another wave of thunderstorms at around 7 pm, drenching evening commuters and reminding everyone of the season’s unpredictable temperament.

Adding to the drama, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued an Extreme General Flood Advisory for Pangasinan until 5:17 pm. The culprit? A trough associated with Severe Tropical Storm Danas (locally “Bising”) hovering over extreme northern Luzon, combined with the moisture-laden southwest monsoon sweeping across the region. This potent blend has triggered moderate to heavy rains, posing serious risks to rivers like the Balincaguing and Alaminos.

Weather Tips for Lingayeners:

1. Stay alert to advisories. With the flood advisory still in effect, it’s wise to monitor official updates and take precautions if you live near riverbanks.

2. Carry gear. Don’t leave home without your umbrella or raincoat—afternoon and evening showers are almost guaranteed.

3. Plan ahead. If you're heading out, expect possible traffic delays or flooded streets, especially later this afternoon.

With today’s dramatic display of nature’s power, Lingayen reminds us that rainy days can spring up in a heartbeat. Stay safe, stay dry—and let’s hope tomorrow brings clearer skies (or at least a break from the downpours).

Pangasinan Polytechnic College Achieves CHED Compliance: A Leap Towards Quality Education

The Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) has reached a significant milestone after receiving its Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its first four degree programs. This certification affirms that PPC meets national educational standards, ensuring quality instruction in Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, Media Arts, Public Administration (major in Local Governance), and Special Needs Education.

Governor Ramon V. Guico III, who received the COPC during his inauguration at Sison Auditorium, emphasized that this achievement fulfills his promise of providing free, quality education to Pangasinense youth. The PPC, established just last year, initially served 700 underprivileged students—a number that has already doubled this academic year. With plans to expand campuses in Umingan and Bugallon, and even a School of Medicine and Health Sciences by 2028, the governor aims to address the country’s shortage of healthcare professionals while empowering local communities through accessible education.

PPC President Prof. Raymundo D. Rovillos hailed this accomplishment as proof of the institution’s dedication to academic excellence and program quality. By aligning its curricula with CHED standards, PPC ensures that students receive competitive and industry-relevant training—key to unlocking better opportunities for Pangasinan’s future workforce.

This milestone is more than just compliance; it’s a transformative step toward uplifting Pangasinan’s education system. With free tuition and expanding programs, PPC is breaking barriers for underprivileged students, proving that investing in education is investing in progress.

Honoring the Leadership of Former Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil

The municipality of Lingayen, Pangasinan, flourished under the dedicated leadership of former Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, who served from 2022 to 2025. A distinguished public servant, Bataoil brought his extensive experience as a Philippine National Police (PNP) General and former Congressman to local governance, leaving a lasting legacy of progress and community empowerment.

During his term, Mayor Bataoil prioritized infrastructure development, improving road networks, drainage systems, and public facilities to enhance mobility and resilience against natural disasters. His administration also focused on tourism promotion, revitalizing Lingayen’s iconic attractions such as the Lingayen Gulf, Capitol Complex, and Veterans Memorial Park to boost local tourism and economic growth.

A strong advocate for social welfare, Bataoil implemented programs supporting education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities for Lingayen’s residents. His leadership was marked by transparency and accessibility, ensuring that governance remained inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people.

Beyond infrastructure and social services, Bataoil’s commitment to disaster preparedness and peace and order—rooted in his PNP background—strengthened the town’s safety and security. His hands-on leadership during crises earned him the trust and gratitude of the community.

Though his term has concluded, Mayor Bataoil’s contributions continue to benefit Lingayen, setting a strong foundation for future progress. His legacy of service, integrity, and visionary leadership remains an inspiration for both current leaders and the next generation.

Exciting Developments at the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol

 The Pangasinan Provincial Capitol has been buzzing with activity as local government officials roll out new initiatives aimed at boosting development and improving public services across the province.

Infrastructure and Economic Growth

Recently, Governor Ramon V. Guico III announced major infrastructure projects, including road expansions and upgrades to public facilities, to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth. The provincial government has also been actively promoting investments in agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy to create more job opportunities for Pangasinenses.

Health and Social Services

In response to rising healthcare needs, the Capitol has strengthened its medical assistance programs, ensuring that marginalized families have access to free or subsidized healthcare. Vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns continue to be a priority, especially in remote areas.

Disaster Preparedness

With the onset of the rainy season, the provincial government has intensified disaster preparedness efforts. Early warning systems, emergency response training, and relief goods pre-positioning are part of the Capitol’s proactive measures to safeguard residents from floods and typhoons.

Tourism and Cultural Promotion

Pangasinan’s rich heritage remains in the spotlight, with the Capitol supporting festivals like the Pista’y Dayat and promoting historical sites such as the Lingayen Gulf landmarks. These efforts aim to attract more tourists and celebrate the province’s vibrant culture.

Transparency and Governance

Governor Guico has emphasized transparency in governance, with regular updates on budget allocations and project progress through official Capitol communications channels. Residents are encouraged to participate in community consultations to voice their concerns.

As Pangasinan moves forward, the Provincial Capitol remains committed to sustainable progress, ensuring a brighter future for all its citizens. Stay tuned for more updates!

Bagoong Festival in Lingayen, Pangasinan

 Check out the Bagoong Festival in Lingayen, Pangasinan whether you enjoy food or are just interested in traditional celebrations. This yearly celebration honors bagoong, one of the most recognizable and tasty sauces in the province.

For ages, the fermented fish paste bagoong has been a mainstay of Filipino cooking. It is created by combining salt with fresh fish, typically krill or anchovies, and letting the mixture ferment for a number of months. Several recipes, including kare-kare, pinakbet, and binagoongan, employ the resulting paste to add flavor.

The Pangasinan province's capital, Lingayen, hosts the three-day Bagoong Festival in April. Numerous activities are included that highlight the bagoong's value to culture and adaptation.

The Bagoong Cook-off Competition, in which home cooks and regional chefs compete to make the most inventive meals using bagoong, is one of the festival's primary attractions. For foodies who want to learn new methods to include bagoong into their own cooking, this tournament is a must-see.

The Bagoong-Eating Contest, another well-liked festival activity, pits competitors against one another to consume a plate of bagoong and rice as quickly as possible. As bagoong has a strong and pungent flavor that may be rather overwhelming for those who are not used to it, this competition is not for the weak of stomach!

The Bagoong Festival includes a street parade, cultural performances, and a trade fair that displays regional goods and handicrafts in addition to the food-related events. Visitors get a wonderful chance to fully experience Pangasinan's rich culture and traditions.

In conclusion, learning about Pangasinan culture and cuisine can be done by attending the Lingayen Bagoong Festival. Don't forget to stop by this event and enjoy in some delectable bagoong if you're considering visiting the province!

COVID-19 Pandemic

Like many other Filipino provinces, Pangasinan has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The province government has put in place a number of measures to stop the virus from spreading, including social segregation rules, mandatory face mask and face shield use, and quarantine procedures. In Pangasinan, the pandemic has prompted many companies and schools to close their doors or scale back their activities. The COVID-19 virus has also caused an increase in cases and fatalities in the province, straining the local healthcare system. To handle the pandemic and help individuals impacted, the government and local health officials continue to work.

COVID-19 cases as of May 3, 2020

CONFIRMED CASES
Recovered - 26
Confined - 4
Died - 9
Total Confirmed Cases - 39

Pangasinan - 29
Dagupan City - 10

SUSPECTS/PUIs
Recovered - 223
Confined - 35
Died - 65
Total PUIs - 323

PUMs
Completed Quarantine - 94,331 (97.30%)
Under 14 Days Quarantine - 2,218 (2.29%)
Incomplete Quarantine - 402 (0.41%)
Total PUMs - 96,951

Source: Provincial Health Office