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This province is the third biggest province in the Philippines. Its name was derived from the word "salt", which is "asin" in Filipino. This province was rich in salt beds which served as the primary source of livelihood among its citizen, hence the name "PangASINan" was derived, which means "where salt came from".

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The province of Pangasinan is shaped like a crescent and has a span of 536, 818 hectares. This constitutes 41.8% of the total land area of Region 1 and about 1.8% of of the country.

It has a total of 4 cities, 44 municipalities, and 1,364 barangays. In the north, it is bounded by Lingayen Gulf, and the province of La Union and Benguet. On the east, it is bounded by Nueva Ecija, on the west by Zambales and the China Sea, and on the south by Tarlac.

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The province of Pangasinan is home to 3,163,190 million Pangasinenses. This represents 59.67% of the total population of Region 1, 5.09% of Luzon, and 2.90% of the country. They are known as warm, polite, hospital, hardworking, and fun-loving people.

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The economy of Pangasinan is driven by agro-industrial businesses, led by milkfish (bangus) cultivation and processing. One of cities, Dagupan City, is known for its abundance of milkfish. Aside from this, other agro-industrial businesses that contribute to the economy of Pangasinan is livestock raising and fish paste processing (bagoong).

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Language:
The major dialect that is spoken by a greater portion of the population in western and eastern Pangasinan is Ilocano. In the central areas, the Pangasinan dialect is more widely used. Bolinao, a municipality in the most northern part of Pangasinan has a language of its own, which is also called Bolinao.

Festivals:
i.) Bangus Festival
The city of Dagupan becomes filled with excitement as street dancers in striking costumes depict the harvest of bangus. The roads are also lined with grills for cooking bangus, and the people of Pangasinan gather and eat bangus together

ii.) Dumayo Festival
The city of Urdaneta celebrates this annually to give thanks for all the blessings that the city has received throughout the years.

iii.) Bagoong Festival
The city of Lingayen celebrates its main business and source of income, which is bagoong making. A parade of street dancers carrying earthen jars and colorful floats marches throughout town to feature the town's main product.

Visit this website to know more about their festivals: http://www.traveltothephilippines.info/2012/10/01/colorful-festivals-in-pangasinan/

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1) Hundred Islands National Park
This is a top destination for locals and tourists which is located in Alaminos. This protected area boasts a total of 123 islets which are scattered across the Lingayen Gulf. The top three islets that tourists must visit are: Governor's Island, Quezon Island, and Children's Island.

2)Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag
One of the things that make this church special is that it was declared as a Minor Basilica in 2015 for the recognition of its history and architectural value. This church is a canonical affiliate of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

3) Patar Beach
This is one of the most popular beaches in the whole province of Pangasinan. This is particularly famous for its golden sands and clear blue waters that make tourists eager for a refreshing swim.

Visit this website for more: https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/what-to-experience/best-pangasinan-tourist-spots

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All three falls are breathtaking, but they have varying heights, and the tallest is Bolinao Falls 1. Coupled with its turquoise waters, the falls' elevation makes it the ideal spot for cliff-diving. Bolinao Falls 2 is more suited for swimming and has a pool with varying depths, including shallow spots for children.

Tourists also spend more time here, as there are cottages that visitors can rent and spend the day at. The last waterfall, Bolinao Falls 3, usually has fewer people, so it's perfect if you're seeking a more peaceful experience.

7. Lingayen Beach

Lingayen Beach is most known as the spot where American General Douglas MacArthur landed in 1945 during World War II. It is also famous for its powdery sands, refreshing waters, and overall chill vibe.

Located in the municipality of Lingayen, the capital of the province, this Pangasinan beach is a popular summer destination for Filipinos seeking to relax, unwind, swim, and take in the cool breeze from the ocean. Many restaurants along the beach also serve freshly grilled seafood. It's also the best place for you to sample Lingayen bagoong, a fish paste that the municipality is known for.

Adrenaline junkies will also enjoy their time at Lingayen Beach, as you can take an all-terrain vehicle drive along the shore during weekends. You can stay at the many resorts along the beach, or if you want to rough it, you can pitch your tent on the camping grounds.

6. Tondol White Sand Beach

Tondol White Sand Beach in the municipality of Anda has been nicknamed "The Little Boracay of the North," and this monicker has made it one of the most visited beaches near Manila. Like Boracay, one of the top beach destinations in the Philippines, Tondol has long stretches of fine white sand and clear blue waters.

The beach is perfect for families with children, as the shallow parts of the waters stretch out far from the shore. In fact, the waters here are shallow enough that you can walk to the nearby islets, and during low tide, several sandbars will appear.

If you want a more fun experience, you can time your visit when the inflatable water park is set up in the shallow waters of the beach so you can try the slides, tunnels, and other obstacles that it offers.

Tourists on a day trip can rent cottages along the shore, but if you want to stay longer, you can book accommodations at one of the many resorts and bed and breakfasts near the shore.

5. Enchanted Cave

Photo by Enchanted Cave

The Enchanted Cave in Bolinao is a good place to cool off if you're visiting Pangasinan during the summer months. Inside is a pool of clear natural freshwater with an estimated maximum depth of 6ft, making it ideal for a refreshing swim. It is located in a park near Patar Beach.

It is deemed enchanted because locals believe that millions of years ago, Bolinao was actually underwater. This belief is supported by the presence of coral rocks and fossilized clams in the municipality, many of which you'll see on your way to the entrance to the cave. The fact that the Enchanted Cave in Bolinao is made of coral limestone also supports this theory. This history makes the cave one-of-a-kind and is one of the reasons why it has become a favorite stop amongst tourists.

Outside the cave, you can also swim in an outdoor pool or enjoy the mini waterfalls inside the park. Those who want to extend their stay can rent cabanas in the park.

4. Patar Beach

Less than 1km away from the Enchanted Cave is Patar Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Bolinao and the whole of Pangasinan. Like many beaches near Manila, this beach is popular for those seeking a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Patar Beach in particular is famous for its long stretch of golden sands and clear blue waters that make for a refreshing swim. If you're a fan of sunsets, Patar Beach will not disappoint as its location just facing the West Philippine Sea gives it amazing sunset views.

For a day trip, you can rent any of the huts dotted along the beach, but there are also a handful of resorts nearby if you wish to stay longer. You may also camp at the beach and use the public toilets and showers for a fee.

Visitors may also visit the nearby Patar Rock Formation, which will give you breathtaking views of the huge coral cliffs along the coastline.

3. Cabongaoan Beach and Death Pool

Cabongaoan Beach is located in the town of Burgos. The trip to the remote beach is not easy and can take up to an hour from the town proper, but once you see its stretch of white sand beach and blue waters, you'll instantly know that it was worth it.

There are not a lot of accommodations in the vicinity, so it would be best if you plan your trip as early as possible. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also bring a tent and camp at the beach.

In recent years, the beach has become popular among tourists thanks to its Death Pool, a natural pool that requires quite a bit of effort to reach. You'll need to wear proper footwear as you will have to traverse and climb rock formations with sharp edges. Despite its name, though, the Death Pool is not really dangerous.

Many tourists actually enjoy taking a refreshing dip at the pool. You need to be careful as some of the edges of the pool can be sharp. Its original name was Depth Pool, but some locals started calling it Death Pool, and the intriguing name caught on.

2. Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag

Photo by Our Lady of Manaoag

Pictures of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag don't do it justice at all. You might think it's just like many of the grand churches you can find all over the Philippines, but one of the things that makes this church in Manaoag special is its declaration as a Minor Basilica in 2015. This recognizes the church's history and architectural value. It is also a canonical affiliate of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

Built in 1605, the church has seen millions of devotees and thousands of religious folk still make a pilgrimage to Manaoag every year, especially during the Holy Week. The image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, which many Catholics believe to be miraculous, can also be found here.

You don't need to be religious to appreciate the beauty of the building and the surrounding areas. The church itself is located on top of a hill, and its facade is very picturesque, while the interior features interesting religious paintings.

1. Hundred Islands National Park

The Pangasinan Hundred Island National Park in Alaminos is the top Pangasinan destination for locals and international travelers alike. The protected area boasts of 123 islets scattered across Lingayen Gulf. Each islet is uniquely shaped and believed to have been formed millions of years ago, making the view of them even more special and rare. Some of the islands have white sand beaches, while some feature limestone cliffs.

The best way to enjoy the islands is to book Hundred Islands island-hopping tours to take you to some of the main islands, including three of the most popular: Quezon Island, Governor Island, and Children's Island.

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12 Best Pangasinan Tourist Spots: Hundred Islands, Beache...

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All three falls are breathtaking, but they have varying heights, and the tallest is Bolinao Falls 1. Coupled with its turquoise waters, the falls' elevation makes it the ideal spot for cliff-diving. Bolinao Falls 2 is more suited for swimming and has a pool with varying depths, including shallow spots for children.

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GOAL: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Targets:

Significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds

Protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts

Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices

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In the most recent data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on the Fisheries Production, it was shown that there was a 12.6% decrease in marine production of Pangasinan. This significant decrease may be attributed to the recent incidences of fish kill in the province.

The chief of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Dagupan City stated that these incidences may be attributed to chemical contamination of water. He further elaborated that hydrogen sulfide and other wastes that settled in the waters have accumulated to become about 30 cm thick, which signals a severely polluted environment.

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About Pangasinan. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2022 from https://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/about-pangasinan/

Añonuevo, K.I. (n.d.). 12 Best Pangasinan Tourist Spots: Hundred Islands, Beaches, Manaoag Church. Retrieved February 26, 2022 from https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/what-to-experience/best-pangasinan-tourist-spots

Austria, H. & Pasion, A. (2018). Anda, Bolinao suffer P107-M fish kill losses. Retrieved February 26, 2022 from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037212

Colorful Festivals in Pangasinan. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2022 from http://www.traveltothephilippines.info/2012/10/01/colorful-festivals-in-pangasinan/

Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (n.d.). DENR National Capital Region Set to Explore Nanobubble Technology for Improving Water Quality in Baseco Lagoon. Retrieved February 27, 2022 from https://ncr.denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/photo-releases/denr-national-capital-region-set-to-explore-nanobubble-technology-for-improving-water-quality-in-baseco-lagoon

Department of Science and Technology. (2019). Expanded National Nutrition Survey: 2019 Results. Retrieved February 27, 2022 from http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2019%20ENNS%20Provincial%20Dissemination%20-%20Pangasinan.pdf

Department of Trade and Industry. (n.d.). Profile of Region 1. Retrieved February 26, 2022 from https://www.dti.gov.ph/regions/region-1/profile/?TSPD_101_R0=d4d8b126e1475de582c6c794489b076fjw80000000000000000ba4f1d78ffff00000000000000000000000000006219e1e400b8611ffe08d98f05daab2000a14afb3f835dfd4ec3505e9d409ae1c414ed690cf6eb81be7e3e1f96e7adf64f08a14dc6650a2800df24ec99b42db056af1d801962c3698fa33a27f12ba3e35a85282dc8e45d4162b4e74d8bd1df4921

Identifying New Business Models and Technologies Within SDG 2. (2020). Retrieved March 4, 2022 from https://www.valuer.ai/blog/identifying-new-business-models-and-technologies-within-sdg-2

Jarin, S.A. (2018). Socio-economic status and environmental problems affecting the fishermen along the river tributaries of Dagupan City. Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. 6(1), 82-87

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021) Ilocos Region's Fisheries Production Increases in 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2022 from http://rsso01.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Special%20Release%20No.%202021-32%20s.%202021%20%20-%20Fisheries%202020_Overall.pdf

Visperas, E. (2020). P21.9 million milkfish dead in Pangasinan fish kill. Retrieved February 26, 2022 from https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/05/23/2015846/p219-million-milkfish-dead-pangasinan-fish-kill

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In a research conducted by Jarin, A. (2018), a survey questionnaire was distributed among the fishermen in Pangasinan to identify the environmental problems which are affecting them and their livelihood. In the data gathered from the survey, the problems listed in the table above were ranked according to seriousness.

Deteriorating water quality, and run-off agricultural and industrial waste were perceived by the respondents as the most serious environmental issues that greatly affect them. According to the respondents, the usage of fish pens or cages greatly contributed to the deterioration of water quality because of the accumulation of commercial feeds on the waterbeds.

According to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils Chairperson, the fish kills that spurred in the province were caused by the continuous declining of water quality in the rivers of Pangasinan.

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Why is it important to address the issue?

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Why is it important to address the issue?

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This presents to be a problem because not only are the water sources of the province being polluted, but  the economy of the province is also being affected. The economy of the province is driven by agro-industrial businesses and fish cultivation and processing is one of the leading businesses.

In two recent articles released by The Philippine Star and Philippine News Agency, Php 21.9 million and Php 107 million worth of harvestable fish in Pangasinan were lost due to fish kills. These are significant losses which could greatly impact the economy of the province.

I think that this issue should be addressed as to protect and rehabilitate the marine ecosystems in the province of Pangasinan. This could also help avoid the development of dead zones. More than that, this could also protect the livelihoods of small scale fishermen and help the economy recover from the significant losses of profit.

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ANDA, Pangasinan -- Some 172 fish pens and cages in this town, and 67 more in Bolinao town, were hit by fish kills, incurring PHP107 million in losses.

Anda municipal agriculture office head Elizabeth Tomas, in an interview on Friday, said her office has already noted PHP83 million in initial losses from fish kills in some fish cages and pens located in Barangay Mal-ong, Awag and Siapar here. Anda has 500 to 650 fish pens and cages.

"The fish kill was caused by the high temperature during the day and then the sudden rain in the afternoon. This change in temperature decreased the dissolved oxygen in the water, resulting in fish kill," Tomas said.

She disclosed that water pollution was another factor, but clarified that Anda's pens and cages are not overcrowded.

"The fish cages and pens' owners and caretakers have minimal stocking during summer season, between 30,000 and 40,000, compared to the regular 50,000 to 60,000," she added.

The affected pens and cages contain various sizes of milkfish and some are still juvenile and were not harvestable, said Tomas.

Meanwhile in Bolinao, parts of Barangay Luna, Colang and Luciente II have also suffered from fish kill.

Florante Garcia, aquaculture technician of Bolinao's municipal agriculture office, in a separate interview Friday, confirmed that 67 out of 250 fish cages in the three barangays have been affected, incurring losses worth PHP24 million.

"The damage was minimal, as we were able to immediately harvest some of the fish in the affected area," he said.

Garcia added that the price of milkfish in Bolinao has already dropped to PHP30 per kg.

Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center, Director Westly Rosario, said a fish kill happens when dissolved oxygen levels go down mainly due to sudden change in temperature.

Rosario, however, noted that the high level of hydrogen sulfide and waste chemicals that settle at the bottom of fish cages, can also affect the water's oxygen level.

"Hydrogen sulfide and more wastes settle in the waters below, about 30 cm. thick, signaling a severely polluted environment," he said.

Anda and Bolinao have already experienced a massive fish kill in 2010, allegedly caused by the polluted water in the Caquiputan channel, where the two towns breed their aquaculture industry.

Anda Mayor Aldrin Cerdan suggested the suspension of operation of fish cages in the town to enable the body of water to recover.

In 2011, Governor Amado Espino Jr. and a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan recommended the demolition of structures in the Caquiputan channel to allow the water to rest from pollution.

Tomas acknowledged that after several years, there are still some illegal structures in the area, but attributed the latest fish kill to weather temperature.

She also assured the public that the dead milkfish were buried as part of proper disposal. (PNA)

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Anda, Bolinao suffer P107-M fish kill losses

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ANDA, Pangasinan -- Some 172 fish pens and cages in this town, and 67 more in Bolinao town, were hit by fish kills, incurring PHP107 million in losses.Anda municipal agriculture office head Elizabeth Tomas, in an interview on Friday, said her office has already noted PHP83 million in initial...

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I.) Nanobubble Technology
The Department of Environment and Natural Resrouces (DENR) is currently exploring the use of nanobubble technology to improve water quality in our country. According to research, this type of technology can aid in the improvement of the biological and chemical oxidation processes in bodies of water. Aside from that, it also helps in the removal of surfactants.

II.) Vacuum/Desludging Trucks
The use of desludging and vacuum trucks reduces the overflow of industrial and sewage waste into bodies of water. This could aid in reducing the degradation of water quality.

III.) Watersheds
Watersheds can keep underwater ecosystems healthy through filtering pollutants from point and non-point sources, promoting nutrient cycling and retaining sediments. Maintaining healthy watersheds can provide cleaner waters and productive fisheries.

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DENR National Capital Region Assistant Regional Director for Special Concerns, Martin Jose V. Despi met with Syuichi Tajima and Y. Shimazaki of ECOS Environmental Foundation, Inc., to discuss the use of nanotechnology in improving water quality at BASECO lagoon on Monday, 8 November 2021.

Nanobubble technology, according to research, is said to help improve biological and chemical oxidation processes in bodies of water and surfactant removal. Assistant Director Despi and ECOS representatives discussed the requirements for setting up a demonstration area for nanobubble technology in BASECO lagoon.

BASECO lagoon is one of the mangrove enrichment areas maintained by DENR National Capital Region in Metro Manila. It was established to help improve water quality in the surrounding waters of BASECO and Manila Bay. The area was planted with different species of mangroves and other beach-type flora known for their phytoremediation potentials.

DENR National Capital Region is exploring both engineering and nature-based solutions on the issue of water pollution and the cleanup and rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

Assistant Director Despi was accompanied by DENR National Capital Region West Field Office (WFO) DCEO Rodelina De Villa, and Melissa Loraine Vallejos & Sharoline Silvestre of the Environmental Management Bureau-National Capital Region (EMB-NCR) during his ocular inspection and meeting with ECOS representatives.

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DENR NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION SET TO EXPLORE NANOBUBBLE TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN BASECO LAGOON

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DENR National Capital Region Assistant Regional Director for Special Concerns, Martin Jose V. Despi met with Syuichi Tajima and Y. Shimazaki of ECOS Environmental Foundation, Inc., to discuss the use of nanotechnology in improving water quality at BASECO lagoon on Monday, 8 November 2021.

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I) Domestic Sewage System
Faulty sewage systems can cause pollution in bodies of water. Raw sewage waste that runs off to the water contain chemicals and substances that are toxic to underwater ecosystems. Sewage water pollution remains a top problem that causes water quality degradation and fish kills in the country.

II) Agricultural Runoff
Agricultural runoff from products such as pesticides and fertilizers may contaminate water sources which could affect its quality. If these substances are above the critical threshold, they could be harmful to the underwater ecosystems.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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GOAL: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Targets:

Ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

End all forms of malnutrition, including stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons

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The graph above shows the most recent data from the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (2019) conducted by the Department of Science and Technology in Pangasinan. It shows that there is a higher percentage of households which are food insecure.

Data from the survey also revealed that food insecurity was more evident in households with poor wealth status. Among the households in Pangasinan, six out of ten experience acute food insecurity, while four out of ten households experience chronic food insecurity.

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Why is it important to address the issue?

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Why is it important to address the issue?

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The table above shows the self-reported problems and experiences of the food insecure residents in Pangasinan. These problems were listed by rank and depicts that most food insecure households worry about food, are unable to eat their preferred food, and only eat few kinds of food.

This presents to be a problem because a higher percentage of the population are not receiving adequate and appropriate nutrition. Not having access to food and a variety of it can cause nutritional imbalances in households which are food insecure, which can eventually lead to being vulnerable to health problems in the future.

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I) Microalgae
New start-up companies such as, Algama are exploring a sustainable way to address SDG 2. The company aims to maximize the potential of algae to create food that is good for consumption. The company also aims to develop algae-based alternatives to protein sources.

II) Food Coating
Another company such as Apeel Sciences, aims to address the reduction of food waste. To attain this, the company created an all-natural food coating made entirely from natural organic byproducts which mitigates food spoilage by keeping the moisture inside the product and the oxygen out. This way, food will have longer shelf lives and less food will be thrown out due to spoilage.

III) AgroShelf+
Similar to Apeel Sciences, another company named Agrosustain aims to reduce the amount of food waste. The company developed a biological post-harvest treatment for fungal pathogens. They created the product called AgroShelf+, which is a plant-based spray which prevents fungi from growing on food.

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Identifying New Business Models and Technologies Within SDG 2 [free report]

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SDG 2: Zero Hunger, this month’s report features innovative technologies, market projections, and startups that work in areas relevant to the UN goal.

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I) Pesticides
If fertilizers are used on food, very small amounts of this chemical may remain in the food product even after harvest. This poses as a threat to human health because if the food was not prepared properly, it can badly affect the consumer.

II) Water Irrigation
Water irrigation systems have the danger of salinization of soils. Soil salinization, is the accumulation of water-soluble salts within soil layers. It is characterized in terms of its concentration and composition. At a certain level, this may adversely affect crop production, environmental health and economic welfare.