FUNDRAISING. The giant Christmas tree in front of the provincial capitol building in Lingayen town, Pangasinan lights up on Friday (Dec.1, 2023) to signify the start of the Yuletide season. The provincial government is holding a fundraising activity by selling Christmas decors made of fiberglass to raise funds to finance the procurement of solar lights to be given to residents in far-flung areas who still do not have access to electricity. (Photo by Hilda Austria)
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - The giant Christmas tree in front of the provincial capitol building here will not only serve as a Yuletide season decoration but will raise funds to buy solar lights for households without electricity.
Initiated by the governor's wife, Maan Tuazon-Guico, the ornaments to be placed on the giant Christmas tree will cost between PHP2,000 to PHP100,000 as part of a special fundraising activity.
The ornaments that are made from fiberglass include two sizes of stars worth PHP2,000 and PHP5,000; Christmas balls, PHP10,000; Belen (Nativity scene) star, PHP15,000; and Star of David, PHP100,000.
The provincial government will set up a booth at the Christmas bazaar area in the capitol grounds to accept pledges for the fundraising, Tuazon-Guico said after the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Friday night.
She added that her family has pledged to buy the Star of David.
Last year, proceeds amounting to PHP700,000 from the Christmas tree ornaments fundraising were used to paint the provincial capitol building.
This year, it will be used to buy solar lights for families in far-flung villages and geographically isolated villages like Barangay Pita in Infanta town that still do not have access to electricity. There are an estimated three barangays and one sitio in the province which are still without power.
"We want the light of the capitol to be extended to their community," Tuazon-Guico said.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Ilocos Region assistant director for operations, Senior Supt. Bonifacio Carta said they are now on alert status, and reminds Pangasinenses to be cautious to prevent fire incidents.
During the launching of the drive against the use of firecrackers dubbed “Oplan Paalala, Iwas Paputok” at SM City Rosales in Rosales town, Pangasinan on Friday, Carta said most of the minor fire incidents recorded in the past were due to electrical appliances, faulty wirings, unattended gas range, and some fire-cracker related blazes.
He said the agency has partnered with communities in fire prevention and response.
"Ang BFP po ay palaging handa lalo ngayon Kapaskuhan at sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon (BFP is always ready especially this Christmas season and the New Year's Day celebration)," he said. (PNA)
