COMMUNICATION

1. SITUATION ANALYSIS

A. TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES AND FACILITIES (Table 61)

A.1 TELEPHONE SERVICES/TELEPHONE FRANCISE

A.1.1 The Bureau of Telecommunication is located along Juan Braganza Street at the back of Alaminos Water District (northwest) on a lot donated by the municipal government of Alaminos. This office offers Telegraphic Transfer Service and Telegrams in the . But some people still avail the private Telegraph Offices/Services, like the RCPI and PT&T for a quicker delivery of communication or services. The Telegraph rate charge is P1.00 per words plus P3.00 for every 100 and P0.75 per word for Telegram. The agency’s office is manned by fifteen (15) personnel such as one (1) Officer-in-Charge, two (2) Communication Equipment Operator II, two (2) Lineman, four (4) Electric Communication Technician, one (1) Telegram Courier, one (1) Electronic Communication Technician II, Line III, one (1) Disbursing Officer and Mechanical Plant Operator II. (Table 58)

A.1.2 About five years ago DIGITEL a telephone Franchise Holder was established along the national road going to the Hundred Island National Park just beside Provincial Government Building where the DENR, and Register of Deeds are located to answer the needs of the fast growing population of Alaminos. (Tale 59)

The system is manned by four (4) personnel, one (1) Manager and three (3) Cashier Commercial. There are more than two thousand (2,000) subscribers of different categories such as residential, commercial, banks, schools, hospitals and cooperatives/associations.

It covers the municipalities of Agno, Anda, Bani, , Burgos, and Mabini.

A.2 POSTAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The bureau of Post which is under the Philippine Postal Corporation is situated along Juan Braganza Street just at the back of the Hall in a lot donated by the Municipal Government of Alaminos. It serves 39 barangays. It sells stamps and deliver mails. At present there are ten (10) employees, one (1) Postmaker, one (1) Inspector, six (6) Carriers, one (1) Mail Sorter and one (1) Utility Worker. (Table 60)

The office is equipped with the following postal facilities, one (1) Post Office, six (6) Mail Transport Motorcycle, one (1) Mail Box and one (1) Postage Metered Machine. The postal service rate are as follows: Local Ordinary Mail P5.00, Registered Mail P15.00. Abroad: Asian Countries P15.00, Middle East P15.00, US & Europe P16.00. A.3 PRIVATE COURIER

Fortunately, there are three (3) private courier in town, the DHL, JRS and LBC which caters the needs of people who want immediate service especially those who have relatives from distant places and abroad. In addition to these, RCPI and PT&T likewise serves the people of Alaminos and other neighboring towns of their communication problem. The rate/charges on service depends on the weight of the object or package and distance of delivery. These telecommunication agencies are located within the Central Business District of the Municipality particularly at Marcos Avenue and Vereciano St., respectively.

A.4 RADIO & TELEVISION

Alaminos is fortunate enough to have one (1) Radio Station, the DZWM and one (1) Educational Cable TV (PECTV) located at the compound of Alaminos Cathedral (Diocese of Alaminos) and P. Reinoso St., respectively. There is no Television Station so far. (Table 63)

A.5 PANGASINAN LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Like any other municipalities, the PLECS is being maintain by Philippine National Police housed at the PNP headquarter/building north of the Municipal Hall.

A.6 PUBLICATION

Due to the rapid growth of the population and the irreversible urbanizing trend in the municipality two (2) local dailies were established year ago whose circulation are once a week. They are the Pahayagan ng Bayan and the Western Pangasinan Forum which are located at LEMORI Bldg. And Lecsab, Palamis, respectively. (Table 64)

All the national dailies, newspaper and magazine in circulation in the municipality come from and City. Local dailies in the province and other towns are contained in five weekly dailies, like the Sun Star, Pangasinan Courier, Sunday Punch, Examiner and Guardian. The National Dailies in town are Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tempo, Ang Balita, The Philippine Star, People’s Journal and Malaya. The National Dailies are circulated in town everyday, all other local dailies on weekly or by-monthly basis.

2. PROBLEMS/ISSUES/DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

2.1 The Bureau of Post building is still under construction, hence still renting a house at the back of DANS DE PLAZA RESTAURANT along Juan Braganza St., Poblacion. At present the agency has six (6) mail/letter carrier who equally divided the thirty-nine (39) barangays among themselves. Based on the present estimated population of the municipality of 70,002 would give a ratio of 1 letter carrier serving 11,666 compared to the standard ratio of 1:5000, there is therefore, a need to hire additional eight letter carriers for a better and faster delivery of mails/letters (see table 65). Acquisition of eight motorcycle should also be made for the additional eight letter carrier. Hiring of one more mail sorter is also necessary the sorting of incoming and outgoing messages. Likewise, additional mail boxes, mail and other facilities should be provided.

2.2 TELEPHONE SYSTEM

DIGITEL is the only telephone system, which has a telephone landline covering Alaminos and eight (8) other municipalities in Western Pangasinan such as Agno, Anda, Bani, Bolinao, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta and Mabini. However, effort should be exerted to encourage DIGITEL to expand its area of coverage to other far flung barangays for as of now its service area is limited within a radius of five (5) kilometers from the Poblacion where its office is located. As of now, it only covers Poblacion and nine (9) other barangays such as Palamis, Tanaytay, Bolaney, Pogo, San Roque, Magsaysay, Cayucay, Bued and Pocalpocal.

Likewise, efforts should also be exerted to encourage PLDT and other Telephone Companies to expand their area of coverage to Alaminos considering the eminent conversion of the latter into a component City.

3. GOAL

To coordinate with the different communication/Telecommunication companies doing their business in town to encourage them to provide adequate and efficient communication facilities and services.

4. OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS

4.1 To encourage Philippine Postal Corporation to employ additional eight (8) Mail Carriers and two (2) Mail Sorters by the end of the planning period 2004.

4.2 To encourage Philippine Postal Corporation to install mail boxes in town and in urban barangays within the next 2-3 years.

4.3 To encourage/attract more investor or private communication companies to establish branches in Alaminos within the next five years.

4.4 To encourage the introduction/development of Modern Telephone Service System in town.

5. STRATEGIES

5.1 Hiring of additional postal personnel.

5.2 To allow more communication companies, to open business in town to promote greater competition and efficiency in the Telecommunication Service.

5.3 Installation of Additional Postal facilities within the next 2-3 years.

5.4 Expansion of Telephone Service by DIGITEL Telecommunication, Philippines, Inc.

5.5 Coordinate with the Philippine Telephone and Telegraph, Inc. and Radio Communication of the Philippines, Inc. to put up permanent receiving/relaying station at the Poblacion.

5.6 To encourage Philippine Long Distance Telephone to expand its services in the municipality.

6. POLICY

It shall be the policy of the local government unit to offer tax incentive with the planning period to all new investors in Telecommunication service.

7. MAJOR PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

7.1 Modernization of Telephone Communication Service.

7.2 To encourage Telephone companies to expand their area of coverage to all barangays (39).

7.3 Encourage the Telecommunication Companies to install modern direct-dial equipment.

7.4 Technical staff training.

TABLE 59 INVENTORY OF TELEPHONE SERVICES CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ALAMINOS, PANGASINAN 1999

FRANCHISE LOCATION OF SERVICE AREA TYPE OF SYSTEM FACILITIES AND No. of Subscriber /HOLDER FIRM CAPACITY Existing Potential Subscribers/Pending Application

1. DIGITEL Sampot, Alaminos Telephone Line Network Electric communication 2000 Poblacion Agno equipment, Electronic Anda communication equipt., Bani Telephone Booth Bolinao Burgos Dasol Infanta Mabini

2. Bureau of Juan Braganza St. Alaminos and Public Calling Office Electric communication Telephone Poblacion neighboring towns equipment, Electronic Communication communication equipt. Generator

SOURCE: NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISION/LOCAL TELEPHONE COMPANY

TABLE 60 POSTAL SERVICE FACILITIES/PERSONNEL CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ALAMINOS, PANGASINAN 2000

POSTAL FACILITY NUMBER PERSONNEL NUMBER

1. Post Office one (1) 1 Postmaster One (1) 2. Mail Distribution Center one (1) 2 Inspector One (1) 3. Mail Boxes “ 3 Clerks - 4. Money Order Machine - 4 Letter Carrier six (6) 5. Stamping Machine (meter) one (1) 5 Mail Sorter one (1) 6. Postal Stations/Circuits none 6 Utility Worker one (1) 7. Mail Transport Vehicle six (6) (e.g. motorcycle, bicycle vans, etc.)

SOURCE: PHILIPPINE POSTAL CORPORATION

TABLE 61 VOLUME OF TRANSACTION FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ALAMINOS, PANGASINAN 2000

TYPE OF SERVICES YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 a. Telegram/Telegraphic Services (Telegram, Telex, Telegraphic Transfer Service)

Incoming 7,212 7,284 7,356

Outgoing 19,823 21,805 23,985

Subtotal 27,035 29,089 31,341

b. Postal Service (Mail & Packages)

Incoming 142,770 141,177 142,588

Outgoing 112,237 113,494 115,628

Subtotal 225,007 254,671 257,216

GRAND TOTAL 282,042 283,760 288,557

SOURCE: TELECOMMUNICATION OFFICE PHILIPPINE POSTAL CORPORATION

TABLE 62 INVENTORY OF EXISTING COMMUNICATION SERVICES MUNICIPALITY OF ALAMINOS, PANGASINAN 1999

1. Bureau of Telecommunications

2. Radio Communications of the Philippines, Inc. (RCPI)

3. Philippine Telephone/Telegraph Company (PT&T)

4. DZWM Radio Station

5. DIGITEL

6. Pangasinan Law Enforcement Communication System

7. Pangasinan Educational Cable TV (PECTV)

DATA SOURCE: PRIMARY SURVEY

TABLE 63 TYPE OF BROADCAST MEDIA AVAILABLE CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ALAMINOS, PANGASINAN 2000

FACILITIES AVAILABLE LOCATION AREA OCCUPIED OF THE AREA COVERED FACILITY

A. Broadcast Media

1. Radio

a. DZWM Compound of Alaminos Cathedral, Twenty-two (22) sq. m. Alaminos, Abra, Poblacion

2. Cable TV

a. (PECTV) Pedro Reinoso St. Poblacion One Hundred Twenty (120) sq. m. Poblacion, Magsaysay, Lucap, Tanaytay, San Vicente, Pogo, Part of Bued

SOURCE: NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION, LOCAL STATIONS

TABLE 64 TYPE OF PRINT MEDIA AVAILABLE CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ALAMINOS, PANGASINAN 2000

TYPE OF PRINT MEDIA LOCATION AREA COVERAGE C I R C U L A T I O N NUMBER TYPE FREQUENCY

Publication (Pahayagan ng Bayan) Poblacion (LEMORI Bldg.) Pangasinan Part of Reg. I 1 Regional Weekly

Publication (Western Pangasinan Lecsab, Palamis (C.P. Garcia St.) Pangasinan Part of Reg. I 1 Regional Weekly Forum)

TABLE 65 PROJECTED REQUIREMENTS FOR LETTER CARRIERS CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF ALAMINOS, PANGASINAN 2000-2004

PROJECTED POPULATION REQUIREMENT FOR LETTER CARRIER

YEAR 1 (2000) 70,002 8

YEAR 2 (2001) 71,220 8

YEAR 3 (2002) 72,459 8

YEAR 4 (2003) 73,319 8

YEAR 5 (2004) 74,594 8