VICE GOV. Mark Ronald Lambino described the year 2023 as a “jam-packed period” filled with extensive work, actions, results, and outputs for Pangasinan.

Lambino, the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), gave this assessment after the provincial board’s final in-person session for the current year on December 11.

He told local newsmen that when the new administration took over in July 2022, while SP waited for housekeeping and process organization to lay a strong foundation for their programs, “landmark programs have started to emerge for Pangasinan.”.

In the third quarter of 2023, SP approved the agreement for the Pangasinan Link Expressway project, and the management of the second-largest salt farm in the Philippines, located in Barangay Zaragoza in Bolinao, is now under the provincial government. Groundworks have commenced for improvements at the Capitol complex, the enhancement of parks and open spaces and establishment of a new government corporate center.

He also highlighted the support for the opening of a polytechnic college as early as March for the training facility and by August for the actual bachelor’s programs.

Moreover, there was a regular passage of resolutions for memoranda of agreements between the provincial hospitals and the Department of Health, and other proponents to enhance the services of the 14 provincial hospitals. Funds were approved for upgrading provincial government-owned hospitals, including a P700-million budget for the purchase of ultrasound machines, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and others.

The SP also approved omnibus terms for the construction of the Bolinao airport, the building of a township in Umingan town for the new hospital project, the procurement of a lot for the upgrading of Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug town, approval of the first-built response center of Pangasinan in San Fabian town, and funding and opening of a reformation center in Burgos town, among others.

Lambino said the SP also met with various proponents for solar power generation projects, and four significant contracts have been approved to generate energy supply.

“We expect that in less than two years, we’ll be generating around 1,000 megawatts of solar power in Pangasinan, and it doesn’t stop there because other corporations have also signified their intent to expand further their operation,” Lambino said.

He said many investors from reputable companies are coming in to invest in the province “because they see good governance, leadership support, a friendly business climate, and at the same time, good returns for our provincemates like job and revenue generation for the LGUs without compromising the environmental status.” (Eva Visperas)

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