PROVINCIAL NEWS FEATURES

:: GVEA bares new priority programs

Heavy rains failed to dampen the buoyant spirit of hundreds of Pangasinenses who filled up ther Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Gymnasium recently to witness the oath-taking of the newly elected provincial officials.

A subdued fiesta atmosphere enveloped the gymnasium as the newly elected and re-elected officials led by Gov. Victor E. Agbayani and Vice Gov. Oscar B. Lambino were individually sworn into office by Regional Trial Court Judge Emma P. Bauzon. Both Agbayani and Lambino were re-elected for their third and final term with unprecedented margin of votes over their respective opponents.

Among the highlights of the inaugural were a video presentation of a documentary dubbed “Dakilang Lahi”, which offered a glimpse of and a tribute to Pangasinan’s past governors.

Agbayani said the fresh mandate given to him and the other elected provincial officials “is an unmistakable vote of confidence and approval for the governance, the policies and programs, and the record of achievement of the past six years.”

The next three years, he said will be devoted to the strengthening and expansion of existing, major programs and in addressing the growing concerns in population and reproductive health, coastal resource management, the garbage problem, socialized housing, and potable water supply.

” We shall continue our strong support for the agricultural sector, such as our irrigation and technical and marketing assistance programs; expand our watershed development and reforestation program and increase our efforts to strengthen the mango industry in the province,” he said.

Also to be intensified is the construction of more school buildings, roads and bridges and efforts to boost tourism and investments. In the fight against poverty, Gov. Agbayani said the province will continue to expand the programs of agricultural productivity, livelihood assistance, employment, health and shelter.

Following the planned withdrawal of donations for family planning commodities from the United States Agency for International Development, the province has embarked on a pioneering effort to achieve commodity self-reliance, reduce unmet needs in family planning, generate private sector participation, strengthen the natural family planning method and institutionalize health sector reforms. The governor said he plans to put up the Provincial Housing Trust Fund to further expand the province’s socialized housing programs.

Another priority thrust is the expansion of the solid waste management program which was started with the rehabilitation of the Lingayen dumpsite and the launching of garbage recycling-project under the Capitol Waste Management Program.

The governor also bared thrusts to improve the province’s coastal resource management program by providing technical and funding support to coastal municipalities with viable coastal resource management plans and counterpart funds.

Marginal fishermen will be given credit-assistance for land based livelihood projects.

Following the outbreak of gastro-enteritis in Malasiqui and San Carlos City and several other municipalities, Gov. Agbayani said the provincial government will undertake joint efforts with concerned agencies to address the long term problem of improving and preserving the quality of our water supply in the province.

Also high in the development agenda of the governor is the transformation of the Capitol area, including the whole stretch of Maramba boulevard, into a premier tourist attraction. (Source: www.pangasinan.gov.ph)