Gov. Espino commends prov’l gov’t employees

LINGAYEN--- Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr, who just arrived last Saturday from the United States, commended the provincial government officials and employees during a “welcome back party” prepared for him by the provincial officials last Tuesday at the Capitol Resort Hotel.

“I salute you all guys for doing a job well done,” he said. Gov. Espino likewise expressed his gratitude to Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias Agabas who was acting as Governor for almost three weeks and to all provincial department heads for “efficiently managing the affairs of the province.”

He thanked all employees “for giving their best efforts for the province of Pangasinan. “I am very much proud of you and I missed you all,” he said.

For his trip, Espino has proudly noted his accomplishments during his US official trip together with Mayor Ernesto Castaneda of Lingayen where they both convinced the “kabaleyans” to visit to Pangasinan again and see for themselves the transformation of the Capitol and Lingayen.

“Expect more balikbayans coming in as early as November,” Espino said as he stressed that their visit to US is “not to beg” but to bring pride for Pangasinan.

“I don’t believe that Pangasinenses are mendicants, and I won’t allow them to feel they are beggars as long as I am the Governor,” Giving them relief goods for just one meal would only give them a feeling of a “beggar” in their own province.

In her speech to welcome the governor, Vice Gov. Agabas, likewise, thanked Gov. Espino for giving her the “trust and confidence.” to manage the province for the second time around.

“Accepting the job as acting Governor for even a very short period of time gave me mixed emotions. And this is elation and apprehension. Elation because the governor believes in my ability, and apprehension because I might not be able to fill in his big shoes as a hardworking governor as he is. And now, with Gov. Espino around, it’s time for him to take the driver’s seat,” said Agabas.

Members of the provincial board who also welcomed back Gov. Espino include BMs Alfonso Bince, Von Mark Mendoza, Angel Baniqued, Nestor “Nicky Boy” Reyes, Raul Sison, Amadeo Espino and Alicia Pulido.

Former Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim, who was also present during the affair, pointed out that “the province is very much lucky to have Gov. Espino.”

Likewise, the province’s First Lady Prescilla Espino said she was “very happy” that her husband has arrived “safe and sound” even as she noted the efforts of the provincial department heads for doing their respective jobs even the governor is not around.(Merly R. Tibalao/PIO)