Espino: Pangasinan now world class
LINGAYEN–Governor Amado Espino Jr. hailed his first three-year term in office to be a period of transformation for Pangasinan from a “sad state” into a “world-class, functioning, efficient” province.
In his third State of the Province Address delivered last week, which also served as his first term report, Espino cited improvements in the administration of the provincial government and achievements in public service delivery, including infrastructure, health, disaster management, and peace and order.
Espino, who is running for re-election in the May 10 poll, also highlighted the increase in tourist arrivals in the province, due in big part to the renovation of the Capitol grounds, which was recently criticized by his political rival.
The governor also noted the various regional awards bestowed the province under his administration. Among these are Region I Most Outstanding Coastal Resources Management Project Implementer in 2008 and first runner–up in the Region I Best LGU Poverty Reduction Program Implementer in 2009.
In the health sector, the 14 government-controlled hospitals in the province have undergone physical rehabilitation and equipment upgrade, while the Dialysis Center in San Carlos City has been opened. Pangasinan, he said, is now hailed as the top province in terms of PhilHealth insurance coverage.
On human resource management, Espino said the streamlining of management systems and procedures gave birth to the “New Team Pangasinan”, which has proven itself effective, particularly during the natural calamities that devastated the province.
In spite of the typhoons that hit the province, Espino said his administration still managed to produce 51% of the region’s rice, 80% of the corn, 80% of the fish, 84% of the mangoes and 86% of eggplants, an indication that the government’s agricultural extension program is working.
Since Espino assumed office in July 2007, the provincial government had spent P1.027 billion for the construction, repair, rehabilitation and upgrading of various local road lines, provincial government buildings and facilities, hospitals, agriculture extension facilities and school buildings.
Espino said projects in the drawing board such as the construction of the Sual Commercial Seaport as well as the development of the 300-hectare eco tourism zone in Lingayen are intended to prepare the province for more commercial development in the future.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
