LINGAYEN–The grand fluvial parade dubbed “Banca Parada” highlighted this year’s Pistay Dayat celebration showcasing the bounty and beauty of the revived Agno River, a result of the “Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko” program of the provincial government.

Some 150 contingents participated in the fluvial parade including local government units, non-government organizations, national government agencies, private business sector, and the provincial government and cruised along the Agno River from Sitio, Bantayan in Lingayen to Banaga Bridge area in Bugallon where a commemorative program was held.

“I was impressed by the result and the story behind the Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko environmental program of the province,” said Edicio dela Torre, founder of Partnership for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, the event’s guest of honor.

Dela Torre said he previously joined the Banca Parada sa Ilog Pasig, but “Pangasinan’s Banca Parada is far different.”

“It’s not a protest for something, but rather a celebration of fresh results. We have a lot of protests in the Philippines, but we lack results to celebrate,” he said as he congratulated Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for his successful strategy to revive rivers in the province.

Dela Torre noted the Agno River that was once polluted is now teeming with an abundance of fishes and has become a natural flood mitigation facility

Meanwhile, Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, who was invited as special guest, said “All programs of the government take shape with the efforts and cooperation of local government units, civil society, national government agencies and big and small companies which represent the market. These institutions need to work together to address problems of the society.”

The senator said the summer festivity has opened more opportunities for Pangasinan businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Espino said he was delighted to see some 3,000 Pangasinenses, visitors and tourists showing up to participate and witness the Banca Parada and the Commemorative Program of Pangasinan Pista’y Dayat 2014.

In his speech, he stressed that leaders of today should already decide what legacy they could leave the province.

On April 30, the 8 finalists of the Search for Limgas na Pangasinan during the pageant night were asked a uniform question: “As a young Pangasinense, what legacy can you pass on to the next generation?”

“Young Pangasinenses have the right to demand what legacy can today’s leaders leave them,” the provincial chief executive said.

“This is what we are doing at the provincial government. All that we do now is not for us anymore; it is for the youth of today and for the next generations to come,” he explained.

“We have seen the province of Pangasinan transformed to what it is today. Now, we can say the province is really different — and this can be attributed to the leadership of Gov. Espino,” Vice Governor Calimlim added.

“Alagaan natin kung ano ang ibinigay ng Diyos sa atin for the future generation,” Calimlim said, adding that “all that we do now will be the legacy that we will leave for the province”.

The awarding of winners during the 2014 Pakar Awards (Search for the Cleanest River and Riverbank), Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest LGUs in the province as well as for Best Decorated Fluvial Floats of the Banca Parada was held after the said program. (PIO) 

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