LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The vision to make Pangasinan’s capital town as the tourism mecca in the future resumes as the Provincial Engineers Office started construction of the flood control component of the Capitol Complex redevelopment that is expected to be finished September next year.
PEO head Amadeo Veras said that construction of the drainage canals on both sides of the Capitol Complex are on-going.
Transforming the capital town as tourism mecca is one of the legacy projects of Gov. Ramon V. Guico III which he envisions also as a commercial district.
This as the governor said could be done with the establishment of various modern structures such as the 11-storey government center/tower; the 1,500-seater convention hall and the reflecting pool and interactive fountain as one of the attractions.
Gov. Guico also wants the roads widened, provide parking spaces and the said construction of flood control facilities to address the perennial flooding in the area.
Engr. Veras said that floodgates will be built and drainage canals along San Vicente River located at Maramba Boulevard which will be widened. The drainage system, which spans about two kilometers (from the Capitol to Maramba Boulevard) will serve as catch basins of flood waters from the Capitol area.
Gov. Guico said that his administration has started the design during the last quarter of 2023 for the comprehensive transformation and a modernized version of the Provincial Capitol Complex.
Considered as the heart and soul of the capital town, the historic site has long served as a venue for different governmental activities and a hub for various public services.
The vision will also see the revitalization of existing buildings and inclusion of green spaces. Gov. Guico also wants a new look of the war memorial which is considered a relevant symbol of Pangasinan’s rich history and its role that helped end World War II in 1945.
(Ruby F. Rayat/JP de Vera PIMRO)
