Taiwan officials mull business ties with Pangasinan

Taiwan officials mull business ties with Pangasinan

LINGAYEN—Another group of foreigners expressed interest in the investment potentials of Pangasinan. After the Koreans, Taiwanese officials, diplomats and businessmen visited the Capitol and other areas of interest in the province to explore what it has to offer in terms of business and tourism opportunities.

These recent developments are clear manifestation of the growing confidence of foreigners to the leadership of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., which will bring unprecedented progress to the province on its way to its true golden age.

Last July 22, a Taiwanese delegation led by Senator Hsuen-Chang Lu and their interpreter, Jeff Yang, Executive Assistant of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila, paid Governor Espino a courtesy call in his office at the Capitol.

Governor Espino personally asked the senator to facilitate transfer of technology in agriculture and to bring to the province modern agricultural tools and equipment because the governor said Pangasinan will remain as an agricultural province in the next decade.

The Senator, on the other hand, invited Governor Espino to visit Taiwan in September to meet their country’s Minister of Agriculture for a possible cooperation on agricultural training and technology program.

Taiwan, before making it in a multi-million dollar technology-based industry, used to be an agricultural nation where it also made headways. Today, Senator Lu said, Taiwanese from the big cities flock to farms on weekends for rest and relaxation.

Provincial Government Department Heads led by Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizarro presented various visuals to the group showcasing the investment opportunities in the province.

The group particularly expressed interest in putting up a mango processing plant and storage facility even as they lamented the lack of support infrastructures that will propel Pangasinan in export business. Senator Lu, for instance, said it took him five hours to reach the province from Manila.

The Provincial Government Officials, however, assured them that support facilities and infrastructures such as an airport and a commercial seaport will soon be realized.
The group also expressed interest in the mineral reserves of the province and queried whether we have gold, copper and nickel which are widely-used in their successful semi-conductor industry.

Informed that Governor Espino is an avid environmentalist, the group also expressed interest to bring energy-saving technology, such as the use of LED lighting system, which was developed by Taiwan. This worldwide-trend, they said, can reduce carbon emission and can decrease 70 percent of energy consumption.

The Taiwanese said they wanted to enjoy good relations with the Philippines, being their closest neighbor and their fifth largest trading partner.

After the briefing, the Taiwanese delegation went on a guided tour to Western Pangasinan where they visited the Bolinao lighthouse, the Patar Public Beach, Treasure’s of Bolinao Resort and the Lucap Wharf. The Taiwanese were particularly amazed by the white sandy beaches of Bolinao, which they said, cannot be found in their country.

Local Government Officials of Bolinao led by the Mayor Alfonso Celeste, Vice Mayor Elias Quisay and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan welcomed and had lunch with them at El Pescador Resort.

Meanwhile, Governor Espino, other provincial government officials, department heads and employees feted the group to sumptuous dinner and a night of music at the Capitol Resort. (PIO/Rafael Manuel III)