LINGAYEN—The groundbreaking for the P50-million Limahong Tourist Center was finally done on June 6 in Barangay Pangapisan Norte here and the construction is expected to start as soon as possible since funding is available.

Edita Manuel, district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways  (DPWH) 2nd Pangasinan Engineering District, said the project’s main goals is to promote tourism, socio-economic industry and livelihood among the people of Lingayen and Pangasinan as a whole.

Lingayen Mayor-elect Bataoil (3rd from left) and incoming 2nd District Rep. Jumel Espino lower the time capsule. 

The DPWH will be the lead agency to implement the project.

Outgoing 2nd District Rep. and now Lingayen mayor-elect Leopoldo Bataoil, former Bugallon mayor and now 2nd District congressman-elect Jumel Anthony Espino along with other local officials and DPWH executives led the groundbreaking ceremony.

In his message, Bataoil cited some historical facts about Limahong, a Chinese adventurer, who found his way in the country in the 1500s. He said Limahong tried to settle in Manila area but was driven away by the Spanish conquistadores and some Filipino defenders. On Limahong’s escape route to China, he found what is now known as the Limahong Channel at the mouth of the Agno River towards the Lingayen Gulf in this town.

Bataoil, a three-termer congressman, said it was during a budget hearing in his first term as congressman that he learned from Department of Tourism (DOT) that there were no tourism projects in Lingayen town.

He then proposed the Lingayen baywalk project that started at the beachfront in Capitol area and is now extended up to Binmaley town in the east and up to the mouth of the Limahong Channel in the west, a project approved by then Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

 
Bataoil said the Limahong Tourist Center once completed, it will be one of the prime tourism activities in the town and will be home to various artifacts. A river cruise along the Limahong Channel, similar to the famous Loboc River Cruise in Bohol, will be introduced to attract more tourists to visit Pangasinan.

For his part, Congressman-elect Espino said he will continue to support projects in the district that will give better opportunities for the people, particularly the opportunity to help the youth know more about the rich history of the province.

Malu Elduayan, provincial tourism officer, also expressed gratitude for the projects of Bataoil because these support the vision and thrust of the provincial government led by Gov. Amado Espino III. (PhilStar Wire Service)

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