LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – Several big projects are expected to be implemented as Governor Ramon V. Guico III enters his second term.
Health, education, transforming the province as the Singapore of the North, and the construction of a big bangus breeding and hatchery facility in Bolinao are among the governor’s main thrusts.
Gov. Guico said that the 14 government-operated hospitals will be modernized. The governor said Team Ang Galing will not only put-up additional buildings but will also procure state-of-the-art equipment to bolster health reform and provide the best healthcare services for the people.
The latest of which was the MRI, which was placed at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City.
The Phase 1 of the Super Community Hospital in Umingan town which is part of the township program envisioned by the present administration, was completed before the election period. This time, the governor said that the project’s Phase II will be implemented.
At the same time, Phase 1 of the new Alcala community hospital will be started. The said project is a partnership of the provincial government and the local government of Alcala.
Two dialysis centers were established during his first term; the Western Pangasinan District Hospital (WPDH) in Alaminos City is operational and continuously servicing patients with renal problems. The second, in Lingayen District Hospital (LDH), is set to open after completing the requirements needed to operate.
The governor said two dialysis centers will be built in Bayambang and Mangatarem in the next three years.
Although Gov. Guico was maligned by his detractors during the 45-day campaign period, he said he will push for the continuation of the Konsulta plus Guiconsulta project until the goal of two million registered Pangasinenses is achieved.
“What they do not realize is that, yan po ang magbibigay ng sustainability at ng enough capital para maitayo po at ma-establish po ang ating health care program,” Gov. Guico said as he called for unity for all the stakeholders, especially the private movers of health care in the province of Pangasinan.
“Let us not toy with the lives of the people, especially those that involve healthcare,” he added.
Gov. Guico said that more infrastructure projects will be implemented, including roads, bridges, flood controls, solar-powered streetlights, and the completion of the redevelopment of the Capitol Complex.
“I just like to inform everybody that we will press on with what we have started. We will continue with more motivation–the programs and the projects that we have done for this first term of office,” Gov. Guico earlier said.
Setting his sights on transforming Pangasinan as the “Singapore of the North,” Gov. Guico is determined to deliver his best effort to finish Phase 1 of the 11-story Capitol Tower and convention center in his second term.
“As a leader and as a governor, I have gambled so to speak on focusing on big-impact projects that will be enjoyed by many generations to come here in Pangasinan,” he said.
As of present, the Reflecting Pool, which was pilot tested last May 1 has remained open for the public since then. Since then, all roads lead to the Capitol complex, notably before sunset when locals troop to the Capitol Park Center to witness the gushing water of interchanging colors that symbolize continuity and consistency.
“Mabuti ginawa itong project na ito, dati kasi damuhan ito…nakakaapak ka pa ng dumi ng aso dito (This is a good project, this used to be a grassy area.. and if you are unliucky you get to step on a dog poop),” said Sylvia Aquino, a 62-year old grandmother from Binmaley town, while enjoying the spectacular sight on a Sunday dusk with her family.
Education is another priority of the provincial government. The establishment of the Pangasinan Polytechnic College (PPC) campus in Lingayen, which opened doors to realizing the dream of 700 Pangasinense youth scholars, practically signalled the start of establishing more campuses within the next three years.
“We will still pursue establishing a campus in Umingan and in Bugallon because that is where we think that we can spread our resources and utilize the resources that we have,” the governor said as he added that part of the plan includes the establishment of schools of law and medicine in the offing.
Also underway is the establishment of the P238-million Bangus Breeding and Hatchery Project located in Bolinao. Once established, the hatchery project will ensure food security for Pangasinan and a leap for the country’s agriculture as well.
Complementing these big-ticket projects are undertakings dedicated to the grassroots. In his statement after his proclamation, Gov. Guico expressed his plan to strengthen collaborative programs and projects for barangays, such as electrification, among others.
(Ruby F. Rayat/ Photo JP de Vera)
