Pangasinan soars higher with 3 massive projects
 |
| Opportunities underway. This Rock Causeway, together with the RO-RO ramp that will be immediately erected the soonest possible, completes the Phase 1 of the much-awaited Sual International Seaport, one of the three mega projects envisioned by the Espino administration towards a progressive Pangasinan. |
Finally, it’s
Pangasinan’s time to reach greater, euphoric heights.
As 2013 comes
to conclusion, Pan-gasinenses have more reason to celebrate in harmonious
elation with massive development projects com-ing along the way, taking headway
for the province further beyond.
Being the
third most populous province in the country and the largest province in
Northern Luzon in terms of land area, the rich bequest of hu-man and natural
reserve, which greatly includes the vast expanse of agricultural lands and
aquatic re-sources, suggests that Pangasinan is truly destined for greater
things.
In this new
era of progression, Pangasinan explores uncharted poten-tials towards
inclusive economic growth, under a motivated and united government led by
three-termer Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. Soon, a commercial airport and
seaport, and an eco-tourism zone will emerge towards universal development.
Seeking
success
Governor
Espino exclaimed in an economic summit in Lingayen that, “We find it ironic
that, in spite of its superior area, favorable geography, strategic location
and its vast reservoir of natural resources, the economic potentials of
Pangasinan have remained largely untapped, because it lacks the vital facilities
such as a commercial seaport and an airport, whose enormous eco-nomic benefits
have long been en-joyed by the other luckier provinces in Northern Luzon,”
addressing an audience of investors and public officials. Upon saying this
though, these “vital facilities” mentioned by the Governor himself, are already
being realized, all in full-swing.
First
flight
With the
completed concreting of the 1.2 kilometer-asphalt runway, discussions with
private land owners are now underway to extend the runway stretch to 1.7
kilo-meters to accommodate bigger planes and commercial flights. Be-fore, the
length of the runway of the Lingayen airport is only limited to serve private
flights of small air-crafts.
According to
Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan, “With the completion of the
project, flights from Manila going to or from Hong Kong, Taipei and other
places can drop by here, then pick up or bring down passengers. From Lingayen,
the people of Pangasinan can also ride a trip to Manila.”
Moreover,
“this venture will actually trigger the growth of businesses, increase tourist
arrivals, and spur tourism and economic development of the province,” as what
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizarro conveyed to Focus-Pangasinan.
With a
commercial airport in town, Lingayen has lofty prospects of driving more
tourists and investors into the province. It will serve as a jump-off point to
Central and North Luzon, and will even increase more access to Asia’s
fast-growing region.
 |
| Taking flight. With the extension of the existing runway, the Lingayen airport will soon accommodate domestic flights and an influx of tourists. |
Port of
possibilities
Alongside the
goal of leading more tourists into the province, the airport’s counterpart of
realizing this aim is now accomplishing the 1st phase
of its construction.
The Sual
International Seaport, from an average fish port center, will now function as a
large-scale harbor accommodating commercial and passenger vessels, and a
limitless possibility of economic expansion.
Under a
cost-sharing scheme, the total fund of the international seaport amounting to
P500 million is divided between the Department of Transportation and
Communications and the Philippine Ports Authority with P200 million; the same
fund allocation by the Provincial Government, and the Local Government of Sual
with an apportionment of P100 million.
Currently, the
Rock Causeway (as shown in this issue’s cover photo) has already been completed
and soon, the construction of RO-RO ramp will be launched completing Phase 1.
Before long, commercial cargoes and bulk vessels will come pouring in
Pangasinan as it navigates its clear path to a multitude of opportunities.
Prime
district
Concluding the
journey to positive development, perhaps one of the best things to happen in
Pangasinan, is yet to come.
Positioned in
the 300-hectare prop-erty of the provincial government, the Pangasinan
Eco-tourism Zone will fascinate the country’s attention, with its complete,
world-class facili-ties that will satiate the clamor for the best things in
life.
Once the
controversial sterile black sand is cleared, this foreshore land in
northwestern Lingayen will be transformed into a sprawling eco-tourism zone,
rising as Pan-
gasinan’s
highpoint of tourism and commercial success.
The eco-tourism
zone will feature first-rate amenities which includes a high-end residential
area, an 18-hole golf course, an amusement park, a water sports area and a
yacht club, a prime commercial area, and a sky tower, particularly depicted in
the projects’ master plan.
Presently, a
man-made lagoon the size of an Olympic swimming pool, a golf green, and turf
grass can already be seen in the specified area. Also, an amphibian port will
be situ-ated in the area where 40-seater sea planes coming from Subic can dock
in this exclusive zone anytime. Moreover, The Pangasinan Aqua City Project,
attached to the eco-tourism zone development project, will later rise in the
same area under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT scheme).
Fully
realizing this grand endeavor, a group of Korean investors and other foreign
nationals had already indicated their intention to invest in the pro-ject and
will employ or train a great number of Pangasinenses to work for the eco-tourism
zone.
 |
| Grand ideas. This rendition of the master plan of the eco-tourism zone courtesy of the prov’l gov’t, graphically sums up the major plans of the project. |
It all
started with a vision and a mission
In a grueling
but fulfilling struggle to serve the people, the province’s rousing vision and
mission to make Pangasinan the leading province in the Philippines driven the
Espino administration to initiate various projects and programs to make the
lives of fellow Pangasinenses easier and positive.
From a
foundation built through standard but significant, people-centered projects,
these endeavors of realizing a domestic airport, a commercial seaport, and an
eco-tourism zone, complete the final step to a towering success.
“Hopefully, this will be one of my legacies, a signature of my watch which, given a third term, will ultimately make my beloved Pangasinan the number one province in the country,”
-Gov. Espino.
Leaving a
legacy
“Hopefully,
this will be one of my legacies, a signature of my watch which, given a third
term, will ultimately make my beloved Pangasinan the number one province in the
country,” the governor strongly confessed despite destructive criticisms.
Truly, with
the people’s trust in its government and the government’s trust and heart in
its people, the attainment of the province’s vision, especially its mission, is
not so far at all. Even at this point, Pangasinan has claimed victory.
