Economic boom in Pangasinan seen with the groundbreaking of Sual Seaport

LINGAYEN --- The groundbreaking of the Sual Port Development Project, one of the mega infrastructure projects envisioned by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. to catapult Pangasinan into unprecedented economic growth, took place last February 5 in Poblacion, Sual.

The governor said the event marks another milestone in the history of the province as this will pave the way for the industrialization and the long-delayed economic development of Pangasinan.

He also said the project will spur a new climate of growth that will fan its steady march towards becoming a premier location for investments in Region I.

“Indeed, the Sual Port has the single-handed capability to stimulate more economic activities and livelihood opportunities for our people,” the Governor said even as he added that Pangasinan can now look forward, dream big and begin a new adventure towards greater economic progress and opportunity.

He also said that it is one historic moment when Pangasinan can enjoy the real prospect of moving forward and finally leaving behind the unfortunate years of missed opportunities.

According to Gov. Espino, the Sual Port, once completed, will pave the way for the development of the province’s potential export products like metallic and non-metallic minerals, its abundant supply of high quality sand and gravel and its agricultural crops and fishery products.

“It will provide easier access for our potential exports to reach the global market,” he added.

The governor thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her unflinching commitment to help the province realize new breakthroughs and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for making the project possible by jointly allocating P200 Million to jumpstart the project.

Also designed to accommodate international commercial vessels, the port will spell tremendous potentials for municipal, provincial and regional growth, according to Atty. Doroteo Reyes II, Undersecretaty for Civil Aviation DOTC, as he commended the entire provincial government for the grand occasion which he said is a sure insurance of the future.

First District Representative Arthur Celeste said that with the construction of the port, Pangasinan can now compete with provinces like Davao and Cebu in attracting investors.

“Hindi lang pabor sa Unang Distrito o sa bayan ng Sual, ito po ay pabor sa buong Pangasinan na magpapaangat at magpapalipad sa ating probinsiya tungo sa malawakang progreso at pagbabago,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mayor John Rodney Arcinue of Sual, said the long-awaited project will open the gates towards industrialization, not only of his town, but of the entire province even as he said that there will be more job opportunities and greater revenue for Sual and Pangasinan.

The construction of Phase I of the Sual Port, costing P80.6 Million is expected to be completed in 365 days. The project involves the construction of a RO-RO ramp, rock causeway, including rock bulkhead, fill materials, RC Curb, Stair landing, Zocalo wall, retaining wall and drainage system. (PIO/Rafael Manuel)

Sual International Seaport soon to rise

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., (2^nd from left) together with (starting from left) 1^st District Representative Arthur Celeste, DOTC Undersecretary Doroteo A. Reyes, III and Sual Mayor John Rodney Arcinue, signs the documents to be laid inside the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of Sual Port Development Project. The commercial seaport is designed to attract more investments, create more jobs and generate more economic activities in the province. Witnessing the signing are (standing left) Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan, Region I Philippine Ports Authority Port Manager Silverio Mangaoang, Jr., Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Enrie Mendoza, Sta. Barbara Mayor Reynaldo Velasco and PMO South Harbor Port Manager Edgar C. Pilar. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

Groundbreaking Ceremony of Sual Port Development Project

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (5^th from left) leads the government officials during the “Blessing of the Earth” officiated by Rev. Father Romeo V. Tandoc (right) during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sual Port Development Project in Sual Pangasinan last February 5. The long-awaited construction of commercial seaport, which is set to accommodate international and domestic commercial vessels, is one of the mega-projects envisioned by the government that would propel economic boom in Pangasinan. Joining the Governor are (starting from left) DOTC Undersecretary for Railways Guiling A. Momondiong, Sual Mayor John Rodney Arcinue, 1^st District Representative Arthur Celeste, DOTC Undersecretary Doroteo A. Reyes II, Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Region I Philippine Ports Authority Port Manager Silverio Mangaoang, Sta. Barbara Mayor Reynaldo Velasco and Executive Asst. Ramon A. Morden. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison)

New wave of PhilHealth cards distribution

LINGAYEN--- As a continuing development thrust of the provincial government, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr, has distributed anew some 2,724 Philhealth cards to new batch of enrollees in Asingan town recently following the distribution conducted in the towns of Manaoag and Urdaneta with 1,818 and 2,611 health insurance cards, respectively.

The new wave of distribution in the three towns now brings the total to 6,426 insurance cards already distributed for the month of January and a total of 9,369 new enrollees in addition to the 228,552 beneficiaries already enrolled last year.

In his speech to the Asingan townfolks, Gov. Espino reiterated his administration’s mission of making Pangasinan the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family even as he said that the provincial government is bent on helping the people of Pangasinan by providing health care to every poor family.

As he always stressed, the Governor said “It is our dream that the poor head of family in Pangasinan will no longer fear that he, or any member of his family, gets sick, fully confident of getting the best and adequate medical care in our provincial hospitals, through Philheath insurance.”

While the province pursues an aggressive public health program, Gov. Espino said that one plan of his administration on health care is to promote preventive medicine to strengthen the prevention of diseases and promote healthy lifestyles and good practices.

He noted that our hospitals have these catchment areas where there are public health doctors, nurses and sanitary inspectors who will attend to the needs of the people and likewise teach them good practices, sanitation and hygiene.

As this developed, Gov. Espino has instructed the chief of the Asingan Community Hospital, Dr. Alfredo Sy to prepare the requests for the needed equipment and other requirements necessary for the upgrading of the community hospital to Category II so that people in Asingan will no longer need to travel to nearby towns to avail of hospital treatment where an operation is needed especially the women who are giving birth by caesarian operation.

This he said coincides with one of our ultimate goals to make sure that no pregnant woman will be left to deliver her baby at home and all pregnant women receives competent care and attention in a government birthing facility.

Meanwhile, Gov. Espino said Pangasinan is set to receive an award this month from the Philippine Health Insurance with the province’s phenomenal performance in Philhealth sponsorship.

He said the award is another distinctive achievement of our province recognizing “our efforts for having the most number of indigent families enrolled to Philhealth making Pangasinan the number one province in the country with sponsored PhilHealth beneficiaries.” (PIO/Angie D. Villanueva)

Indigent families came in droves for PhilHealth cards

The number of PhilHealth enrollees in the province has increased as Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. led another wave of PhilHealth cards distribution to indigent head of families. There were 6,426 PhilHealth cards, 1,818 was distributed to the town of Manaoag (left photo), 2,611 to Urdaneta City (center photo) and 1,997 to Asingan (right photo) last January 20, 27 and 29. Joining the Governor in the distribution are Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Board Member Amadeo Espino, Urdaneta City Mayor Amadito Perez, Mapandan Mayor Ferdie Calimlim and Provincial Health Officer-in-Charge Ferdinand Totaan. As of December 31, 2009, the province, led by the provincial government, has enrolled a total number of 228,552 indigent families to PhilHealth. In 2006, the total number of PhilHealth enrollees was only 26,005. (PIO Photo by Bob Sison and Boy Aquino)

Kunsyerto sa Kampus, "Musika ng kalikasan, Handog sa Kabataan"

LINGAYEN --- The provincial government staged its 3^rd environmental campus tour dubbed, Konsyerto sa Kampus “Musika ng Kalikasan, Handog sa Kabataan” at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) Lingayen Campus last February 4.

The concert, aimed at raising the consciousness of the youth on the importance of protecting and caring the environment sang environmental songs for their main repertoire featuring the Banda ni ATE.

Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. expressed optimism that the project will serve as a “wake up call” not just to the youth sector but all Pangasinenses in particular, to start caring for the environment.

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) Chief Paterno Orduna, on the other hand, said the project is part of the environmental thrust of the governor as he added that more campus tours are slated to be held in various universities and colleges in the province.

“This is the governor’s way of getting the Pangasinense’s involvement in saving the environment since it is one of his pet projects,” he said.

During the event the PDCC provided audio-visual presentations about climate change and Pangasinan’s Golden Age to strengthen the response capability of the people in times of disaster and calamities.

The next campus tour will be held at the Urdaneta City University on February 11. (PIO/ EJ SORIO)

Gov. Espino Upgrades Performance of Team Pangasinan

Lingayen- - -Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. is determined to enhance and upgrade the capability of the new team Pangasinan for a functioning, high performing provincial government.

This was revealed by Janette Asis, HRMO Officer-in-Charge, as she said that the governor is focused at improving further the qualifications and performance of some 3,000 provincial employees thru the continuation of various human resource development programs which are already in place and by launching a new program approach to make the employees more productive and competitive.

Asis said that this year, the province will launch the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) with the creation of the province’s Citizen’s Charter which will serve as a service document of the provincial government featuring its various frontline services.

Thru this, Asis added, the flow of service within the provincial government will become transparent and efficient in the sense that the step by step procedure in availing certain services in a particular office will be publicly posted in building lobbies.

Target date of implementation of the ARTA is tentatively set on February 15.

The HRMO will also continue with its 5S program (Sort, Systematize, Sweep, Sanitize,Self-discipline) launched last year with the involvement of all provincial government offices and hospitals this time.

Under the said program, all offices are tasked to practice cleanliness and efficient records keeping. This, according to the HRMO chief will help the employees develop not just their skills but also instill discipline among them.

“Our office will also continue with the preparation and orientation of the Performance Management System and Office Performance Evaluation System and after this we will be launching the program,” Asis said as she added that each employee will be evaluated to assess their individual and collective performance, as well.

More orientation trainings and seminars designed to improve the skills and performance of employees are underway in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), state universities and other line agencies. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)