Lambino : No split in AGuiLa amid seawall row
“THERE is no breakup within AGuiLa,” (Alyansang Guico Lambino)”
This was stressed by Vice Governor Mark Lambino in an interview with The PUNCH, as he brushed off rumors that the political alliance may be in shambles.
“AGuila is AGuila. It is bigger than one. It is bigger than two. AGuila is the combined group of leaders here in the province of Pangasinan,” Lambino said when asked how the alliance is doing since Gov. Ramon Guico III and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members led by Lambino expressed their sentiments supporting the opposition to the seawall project during the September 14, 2023 public hearing.
Fisherfolks staged a rally protesting the 0.920-kilometer-long bank protection seawall project costing P75 million along the Lingayen-Binmaley Baywalk area, and 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco was alluded to as its proponent, an impression that the congressman clarified, saying the project was initiated by his predecessor.
Cojuangco said he had merely suggested that project’s implementation in the flooded area of Lingayen be prioritized rather than Binmaley, the original project site.
It can be recalled that the alliance came to the fore in the previous elections when it brought together key political figures in the province principally Governor Guico, Vice Governor Lambino, 1st District Rep. Arthur Celeste and 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco.
The vice governor further quoted Governor Guico, refuting rumors of a possible breaking up due to the issue: “There is no perfect relationship kumbaga ang pinakamagandang relasyon ay you agree on one thing that we will agree that at some points we will disagree”.
Reacting to The PUNCH’s ‘People On People ‘question about the resolutions passed by the SP on September 14, 2023, Lambino asserted that the decision to hold the project in abeyance pending compliance with all legal requirements was already made right after the public hearing,
The SP, he said, supports the position that any individual or group improperly implementing the project, as stated in the National Expenditure Program, should be held liable, whether administratively, criminally, or otherwise.
Lambino added that the governor supports a program that addresses flooding issues in Lingayen, and it is supported by the SP but it needs a thorough study, stating that multiple solutions, including embankments, drainage systems, and protection of the environmentally-critical Lingayen Gulf, should be considered.
“There are several solutions that can be implemented that are studied extensively so that people’s money will not go to waste,” the Vice Governor concluded. (Eva Visperas)
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