Pangasinan Today

 By AUDREY D. HIDALGO

 Managing Editor

LINGAYEN -  Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.wants Pangasinan as the best place to invest, visit, live, work and raise a family.

In a briefing at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) during its recent regular session, Espino presented his ten major development thrusts that could help in transforming the people of Pangasinan and its facilities towards achieving his goal.

Espino named his ten development thrusts as: safe and peaceful neighborhood, quality and affordable health care, adequate and high quality education, increased agricultural productivity, better jobs and income opportunities, youth and sports development, tourism development, affordable and socialized housing, mega infrastructure projects and Pangasinan Special Eco-Tourism Zone.

The first eight development thrusts are based on the immediate priorities outlined by the governor in his first State of the Province Address he delivered on January 24.

According to the presentation, two important components (mega infrastructure projects and Pangasinan special economic zone) were added  “to stimulate the sustained economic progress of the province.”

The mega infra projects include the establishment of an international seaport in Sual and the upgrading and renovation of Lingayen airport.

When realized, these two projects will set off the influx of tourists and investors in Pangasinan and transform the province as the center of economic activity in

Espino recalled that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the release of P100 million as initial fund for the construction of the international seaport.

Shortly after, a seven-man technical team from the Philippine Ports Authority had just conducted the topographic and hydrographic surveys of the

Along with the establishment of a seaport is the upgrading and renovation of

On the Special Eco-tourism Zone project, the province has started its clearing operations and civil works on the proposed 186-hectare eco-tourism site.

The venue covers Barangays Sabangan, Estanza, Malimpuec and Capandanan in this capital town of the province.

Espino said that Pangasinan is among the few provinces with no special economic zone.

“Today is a time for us to believe in what we can do as change agents,” Espino concluded.