GOVERNOR Ramon Guico III delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) last April 5, 2024 to update his constituents of his administration over the first one year and nine months on infrastructure, educational opportunities, economic growth initiatives, healthcare access, and environmental protection.

Governor Guico cited key initiatives and projects which he described as “unique initiatives and special projects” among these were the establishment of the Pangasinan Polytechnic College that opened its doors last February 14, 2024 through the inauguration of its Center for Life-long Learning or CELL; take-over of the Foreshore Lease Agreement of the former Pacific Salt Farm in Barangay Zaragoza, Bolinao town with an area of 473 hectares that produces 60,000 kilos of salt daily; the 42.76 – kilometer Pangasinan Link Expressway project to be undertaken by the San Miguel Corp. project at no cost for the province; renovation of the Banaan Museum with its magnificent 11 galleries that offer colorful “syzygy” of Pangasinan’s glorious past, challenging present, and hopeful future.

He said the provincial government has provided free medical and physical examinations, beauty care, and wellness programs for Capitol employees; launched the Governor’s Awards and Recognition Pangasinan to acknowledge outstanding Capitol employees; recognized Civil Service Heroes and will honor upcoming retirees, and improved job security for Capitol drivers.

His administration supported 1,800 scholars enrolled in Pangasinan State University campuses with increased scholarship funding yearly while the Provincial Public Employment Services Office (PESO) facilitated job placement for over 3,300 individuals through job fairs and caravans, resulting in a significant increase in the employment rate (95.5% in 2023 compared to 94.4% in 2022).  Career and employment coaching seminars for thousands of students and job seekers were conducted to enhance their employability, provide skills training in partnership with Tesda.

Informal settlers were relocated to Aplaya West Resettlement Site in Barangay Pangapisan Norte, Lingayen while the construction of 160 new housing units for residents in Barangay Pangapisan Norte, Lingayen, was already completed.

He said reported tourist arrivals significantly increased by over 50% in 2023 compared to 2022 while the province achieved a perfect score in the 2023 Performance Audit for Peace and Order Council functionality, highlighting the province’s commitment to safety and security.

With the support of the provincial government, Pangasinan’s teams brought home 66 gold, silver and bronze medals from the 2023 Batang Pinoy National Championships and 42 gold, silver and bronze medals from the Philippine National Games 2023.

He cited the increased investment of his administration in provincial hospitals by funding their construction, repair, and maintenance, while expanding to healthcare services with free consultations, laboratory tests, and medication, free TB treatment programs, expanded accreditation for local health facilities; improved medical equipment and new cold storage for vaccines, operating rooms; a tissue retrieval center; increased hospital bed capacity to serve both out-patient, in-patient.

Guico said the provincial government launched the Green Canopy Reforestation Program, planting over 230,000 forest, fruit, and culinary tree seedlings, and over 125,000 mangrove seedlings to restore ecosystems.

His administration surpassed revenue targets with a 103% collection performance on tax revenue in 2023, resulting in P5.6 billion revenue through improved tax collection and non-tax revenue sources, increase in the provincial share of mandated taxes and fees, from P15 million in 2022 to P186 million in 2023 and increased financial allocations to municipalities and barangays affected by quarrying activities. These shares grew from P15 million and P50 million in 2022 to P24 million and P242 million in 2023, respectively.

Guico thanked the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Governor Mark Lambino, and the “the courageous men and women of our beloved Province, including our rank-and-file employees in the Capitol, for your unfailing and prayerful support”, plus the hardworking legislators in Congress. (Eva Visperas)

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