Espino-Calimlim and Prov’l Board Members sworn in: Guv vows to continue Progress and Development of Pangasinan

Espino-Calimlim and Prov’l Board Members sworn in:
Guv vows to continue Progress and Development of Pangasinan

LINGAYEN--- Governor Amado T., Espino, Jr., banking on an overwhelming fresh mandate, batted for continuous development and progress for Pangasinan on his second term, during his inaugural address last June 28 at the Sison Auditorium here.

The Governor, the Vice Governor and Provincial Board Members took oath before Executive Judge Georgina Hidalgo of Lingayen Regional Trial Court, witnessed by members of their families, newly-elected local officials, heads of national agencies, foreign delegates, provincial officials and employees, and the media.

Governor Espino sought the greater unity and help of the different sectors of the local society, of the province’s cities and municipalities, of both the public and the private sector, and the industry to continue the massive development programs and projects of his administration.

Even as he called for a united front towards greater progress, Governor Espino was not remiss on espousing the delivery of basic services to Pangasinenses such as the provision of clean and potable water, decent homes, nutritious food, proper disposal of garbage and decent comfort rooms.

The people, the Governor said, should have access to basic services they need and officials should provide the leadership in achieving this goal, especially now that we live in the age of information technology where vast information and knowledge are at a click of a finger.

An environmentalist, the Governor advocated for continuous upland and coastal reforestation. He also called for the massive cleaning and desiltation of the province’s rivers and coasts to prevent floods. These waterways, he said, can even serve as highways for people and products.
Governor Espino bared that three groups of Korean investors are planning to put up electric car manufacturing plant, retirement village, medical center, socialized housing, business process outsourcing, mining, port operations and other big projects.

Governor Espino thanked the multitude who supported him in the last elections and said the unprecedented victory is an affirmation that the people of Pangasinan wanted him to continue the programs and projects he started on his first term and as a proof of their clamor for real change.

“Ang pagbabago ay likas na katunggali ng tao, at ang tao ay likas na katunggali ng Pagbabago”, he said as he speak for a change in delivering services to the people . Though the road for change is not easy, the Governor said, his administration was able to accomplish much in a short time.

Counting as one of his administration’s foremost achievements, the Governor said they were able to change the work attitude of the provincial government workforce that now deliver better and quality public services and consider their job as a sacred task and contract between the people.

In a right way of using public funds, the governor added, the Capitol Building and its surroundings were transformed into world-class destination that gets the nod and admiration of local residents, tourists and visitors, and “balikbayans.”

The Governor also cited the massive renovation and upgrading of all the 14 province-owned hospitals in the entire province, which he said now brings better and quality medical services to the people, especially the poor.

Pangasinan, according to him, is number one in the Philippines in terms of PhilHealth sponsorship program with more than 267,000 indigents enrolled, national champion in “Garantisadong Pambata” nutrition and child survival and number one in tourist arrivals in the region.

Governor Espino also bared the strides the province was able to make in peace and order, health, education, agriculture, housing, sports and youth development, tourism, infrastructure and environment care and protection.

Despite these gains, the governor emphasized that Pangasinan should never stop achieving with all the natural and built-in resources it is endowed with. To this end, he called for a stronger push to achieve his administration’s 10-point agenda. He also vouched to achieve greater progress and development with the establishment of Sual Seaport and Lingayen Eco- Tourism Zone which will attract a steady influx of investors and provide continuous job opportunities.

Outgoing Vice Governor and newly elected 6th district Congresswoman Marilyn Primicias-Agabas said that, “I am very much lucky and thankful to be part of Governor Espino’s first term. I’m sure na kung nagawa niya nung first term mas marami pa tayong mae-expect na magagawa niya.”

Incoming 2nd district Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, said, “I would like to congratulate our beloved Governor Espino and Vice Governor Calimlim for this momentous occasion, one of the historic moments in our province of Pangasinan, and I join them and all the Pangasinenses in our aspiration for the delivery of quality governance.”

Lingayen Mayor Jonas Castañeda, led newly-elected local executives in greeting the governor, and said “ito ay isa sa pinakaimportanteng araw ng ating lalawigan, dahil nandito lahat ang mga elected Provincial officials, especially the overwhelming mandate given to our re-elected governor.”

Jung Kang Hee , CEO and President of JJGPK Co. Ltd of Korea and Winchun Lim, Chairman of MIDO Construction led the two Korean groups that attended the event and pledged their support to Governor Espino’s administration. They said that they will invest in big projects in the next three years that will provide thousands of jobs to Pangasinenses. (PIO/ Rafael Manuel III and Darwin Magalong)