LINGAYEN–This is a vindication for all of us.

This is how Gov. Amado Espino Jr., proud and delighted, presented the five of seven awards won by the province in the annual Regional Development Council Performance Awards conferred February 22 in San Fernando, La Union.

“It was a vindication after we were accused of violating environmental laws,” said Espino referring to the complaint filed against him and other provincial officials before the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged black sand mining at the construction site for a planned eco-tourism project in Lingayen.

Pangasinan was adjudged Best Performing Local Government Unit (LGU) – LGU Best Practices for its massive river clean-up and dredging operations under the “Ilog Ko, Bilayen Ko Tan Aroen Ko” program; Best province in Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS); Best LGU Poverty Reduction Program Implementer; Best LGU Millennium Development Goal (MDG) through the Portic Integrated School in Bugallon; and Best Project Implementer in support of the Regional Agenda through the establishment of the Pangasinan Training and Development Center.

“These definitely disproved what they were saying since we are leading in all aspects of development among other provinces in the region,” he said.

Espino said Pangasinan could have also possibly won the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest LGU Search – where it placed second to La Union – had 14 of 47 towns and cities (excluding Dagupan) been able to submit their entries for the category.

Pangasinan was also excluded from two categories, Coastal Resources Management and the celebration of Statistics Month, since it already holds the Hall of Fame Awards in these after winning for three consecutive years fn 2009- 2011.

“This is certainly is a vindication for us, giving us inspiration to perform and aspire more,” Espino said at a press conference he called after the awards ceremony.

NOT MINING

In January this year, some residents accused the governor of purportedly destroying the Lingayen coast, claiming that the extraction of magnetite sand in the eco-tourism area being developed in the western barangays of Lingayen was a mining operation.

The provincial administration explained that the extraction was only incidental to setting up an 18-hole golf course as part of the master plan to develop an eco-tourism zone.

Land developers concurred that black sand had to be removed because it is unsuitable for vegetation needed for the golf course.

“The extraction of unwanted material known as black sand was only incidental,” said Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan.

Speaking to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) and provincial government officials and employees, Espino said the recognition should serve as a ‘wake up call’ for Pangasinan to “aim higher” in pursuit of the dream to become the number province in the country.

Community participation, said Espino, is a “salient ingredient in earning environmental awards” and this includes maintaining cleanliness and orderliness as well as clearing rivers of illegal structures, among others.

For his part, Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim reiterated the SP’s full support to the governor’s project.

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