By Eva C. Visperas

 

A LITTLE flashback from last year’s major events in Pangasinan.

October 2023 was historic. The agreement for the partnership between Pangasinan and San Miguel Holdings Corporation for the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) was signed.

November 2023 was equally memorable. It marked the groundbreaking for the reflecting pool and interactive fountain project in Capitol complex.

February 2024 was another milestone. The Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) officially opened.

I witnessed all these three events, feeling proud as a Pangasinense, filled with high hopes that one day soon, these projects that will change Pangasinan – to be better, more competitive and economically viable.

When the news broke about the PLEX construction, many raised their eyebrows. Was it even possible? That will simply be another for the dustbins, a mere dream, naysayers would say.

But no less than SMC’s Ramon S. Ang came to Lingayen to seal the agreement and it was witnessed by several Pangasinenses when the event unfolded.

Latest I heard was, few weeks from now, or in March to be more precise, the groundbreaking ceremony for the PLEX construction will be held in Binalonan where the first phase of the project will start.

Then, the reflecting pool, was also met with pessimism. Just another dream, the doubters commented.  But the trees behind the Capitol building have been cut. The area was enclosed to pave the way for the construction of the reflecting pool similar to India’s iconic Taj Mahal.

Then, again came the PPC initiative and voila, a building has been refurbished inside  the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center complex in Lingayen. Some of the who’s who in the academe were there for the opening ceremony. At the opposite side were students enrolled in the PPC, the first batch among the expected thousands of alumni to enroll here later on.

The idea of having PPC to be operated and funded by the provincial government is similar to the great plan when the University of Eastern Pangasinan in Binalonan was established many years past. It’s for the underprivileged Pangasinenses, empowering their future through education.

Needless to say that there are countless bright minds in Pangasinan who face financial barriers to higher education.

When Gov. Ramon Guico III stood there and delivered his message, he was obviously emotional as he recalled how he started his political journey with a plan to establish an educational institution he jokingly referred to as UP, as it was situated  at at their town’s ‘Upper Palengke’.

He narrated that one could smell the stink of a real palengke in the UEP but the young Monmon never wavered. He was joined in his vision by a handful of students who enrolled at that time.

Bwill ut look at it now. After 20 years, the UEP has a 12,000 student population. The ambitious project PPC, like the UEP, symbolizes a commitment to equal opportunities , that education is the key to breaking the chains of poverty. Tailored for economically challenged students, the governor envisions a future where financial constraints will no longer be a hindrance to academic pursuits.

This is the beauty of having a friendly Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Mark Lambino. The executive and the legislative are united in their vision.

The PPC will break the chains of poverty. It will focus on practical skills and hands-on training, aligning graduates with the demands of the job market. This initiative not only imparts knowledge but equips students with the skills needed for gainful employment.

The governor aptly said: i “We have to acknowledge that the institution will be greater than all of us. We built a clock that tells time, and we are only a part of that whole element. That is the vision. The clock is still ticking, telling time and reminding all of us to be on time. We are good only as our term, but this one will outlast all of us here.”

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