Young Roots
Get up, Lingayen!
By Johanne Margarette R. Macob
I WAS born and raised in the capital town of our province. I completed my grade school and high school here but earned my college degree somewhere else. Nonetheless, there was not a weekend during my college days that was not spent in my hometown. I’ve seen its people, its different corners, its growth — somewhat and somehow.
Economy-wise, Lingayen still has much to do. It only has two supermarkets, a few banks and other small to medium-scale enterprises. Its OTOP (One Town One Product), bagoong (fermented fish paste), still needs a lot of promoting. The Bagoong Festival (yes, there is such) hasn’t made that big of a mark compared to the festivities in other towns. Through it all, it has been a long dream of the municipal government to turn our town into a city. That remains to be a dream. As a citizen living in one of the 32 barangays of Lingayen for 21 years now, all I can say is our municipality is faring just okay, just so-so. Still a lot to work on.
The one great feature of this town is the provincial Capitol Complex, the renovated and well-acclaimed version, of course. For that, we can take pride in being the home of the loveliest provincial Capitol in the country, the best cultural center, the Sison Auditorium. Then it has the region’s — if not the nation’s — favorite sports venue, the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center. Some also love taking leisurely walk along the refurbished Maramba Boulevard or around the Capitol as its every corner provides a scenic spot.
Lately, the provincial government through Governor Amado Espino Jr. has partnered with an organization headed by business tycoon Manny Pangilinan for some environmental projects, including a clean-up of the Lingayen Gulf. Good news, indeed, as the historical Gulf will again have something to add up to its beautification. That didn’t come as a surprise though as the governor has been on that path for years now.
Then, the “Lingayen Baywalk” will soon be underway, that’s through the initiative of our Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil in partnership with the provincial government. I heard the project will also serve as an alternative coastal road from our town to Binmaley.
Recently, our municipal government appeared to be serious in cleaning up the town. It started with the public market weeks ago, and I have to commend that. I just pray that those badly affected by the clearing operations would realize it’s for the greater good and would eventually find new locations for their respective businesses.
However, we continue to have problems with waste management, traffic, and tourism-related issues. For one, the municipal hall itself is not much of a sight to look at especially when you get to its interiors. The plaza is in bad shape. People still await the national government’s funding for the restoration of the Casa Real, a declared national historical landmark. It’s been a while since the resolution for the said purpose was passed.
There’s definitely still so much work to be undertaken to make our town the province’s best. The good thing (again) is that the municipal government has a good beginning. For our part as ordinary citizens, some discipline will go a long way. Let’s make all that happen and get our beloved Lingayen up!
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