DAGUPAN IS REGIONAL LIKAS YAMAN TOP AWARDEE

DAGUPAN CITY – This city is this year’s “Likas Yaman” awardee (city category) for Best LGU-Initiated Environmental Project, which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) initiated in celebration of the Environment Month in Region 1.

      Mayor Benjamin S. Lim together with City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina personally received the award from DENR Regional Executive Director Samuel R. Peñafiel during the awarding and culminating program held at Oasis Country Resort, City of San Fernando, La Union last June 30.

Dagupan was nominated for successfully implementing its project “Ilog Ko, Bilayen Ko,” Water Quality Management Area (WQMA), and the so-called river cruise along the Dawel-Watak River thereby contributing to the rehabilitation of coastal and marine resources and for the promotion of eco-tourism in the city.       “The Likas Yaman award for environmental excellence is a celebration of greatness and excellence in environmental performance. The award was institutionalized by the DENR as our own especial and meaningful way to give recognition to local government units, the academe and the private sectors that epitomize environmental excellence by adopting the best practices that protect our environment and promote sustainable development,” Peñafiel said.       “These awardees created new positive changes and development for our environment. They have clearly demonstrated their commitment, resources and determination in implementing environmental programs. Ang sabi nga ni Al Gore, ‘ang political will ay isang renewable resource’,” he said.       “Ilog Ko, Bilayen Ko” was implemented by Mayor Lim, which led to the clearing operations in the river system of the city against fish pens and other illegal structures last year amidst resistance and pessimisms.       With the implementation of WQMA, Lim started cleaning the “esteros” as well to ensure a healthy environment for Dagupeños.       And to promote eco-tourism, Lim launched his own version of the river cruise now dubbed as the “Dawel River Cruise.” (CIO – Joseph C. Bacani)

  


Source: http://www.dagupan.gov.ph

Metro food plaza to open in July

NIGHTLIFE in Dagupan City is envisioned to get more exciting with the opening in July of the Metro Plaza complex in front of the city hall.

Mayor Benjamin Lim, speaking at the KBP Forum on Thursday, said the complex will house mostly food stalls and restaurants.

The project, set-up under the build-operate-transfer scheme, is expected to generate about 500 jobs and an estimated P5 million from rentals, business and real estate taxes annually.

“The income will make a substantial contribution to the city’s P560 million budget,” Lim said.

CONTROVERSIAL

Construction for the Metro Plaza started during the previous term of Lim, but was stopped under the administration of former Mayor Alipio Fernandez for lack of a building permit.

The complex is located on a portion of the Magsaysay Market, originally operated by Bugnay Construction and Development Corp. under a lease contract with the city, which was gutted by fire in September 2005.

After the fire, Bugnay asked that the lease contract be terminated without any obligation for unpaid taxes, damages and other claims.

Lim apparently agreed to the proposal.

But the sangguniang panlungsod during the Fernandez administration disagreed with the move, saying that Lim had no power to make such an agreement without authorization from the city council. (with a report from PIA-Pangasinan)

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/2011/06/18/metro-food-plaza-to-open-in-july/

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