Month: September 2024

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan——The provincial government of Pangasinan and the City of San Juan celebrated a historic event as Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and Mayor Francisco Javier ‘Francis’ M. Zamora sealed the Sisterhood Agreement on September 2 at the Sison Auditorium here.

This progressed after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Provincial Resolution No. 757-2024 on August 5, 2024, and City Resolution No. 134, S-2024, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panglungsod of San Juan on July 29, respectively, signifying the intention to establish a sisterhood agreement between the aforementioned LGUs.

The sisterhood relationship, once established, will strengthen friendly and economic relations and promote common prosperity and development between the people of the province of Pangasinan and the City of San Juan.

The partnership represents a significant step toward building a future of unity, collaboration, and mutual growth benefiting constituencies for generations to come.

Gov. Guico believed that many good things would come out of the sisterhood agreement, as he took pride in some of the province’s projects and products, like the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), solar salt, Malaga (rrabbitfish), Manaoag being a prime tourist destination, the Capitol Complex Improvement, Malico in San Nicolas (Pangasinan’s summer capital), and Bolinao Airport, among others.

“Ang importante po bilang magkapatid, we have an exchange of ideas and best practices that could be learned by our respective department heads and officials, all for the betterment and development of our dear Philippines. Yan po ang kontribusyon natin bilang mga officials po nahalal ng ating mga constituents at ng mga taumbayan. We have that responsibility to develop our respective LGUs and our constituency. On behalf of all of us Pangasinenses, karangalan po na maging kapatid po kayo,” Governor Guico said.

In welcoming the visitors from San Juan City, Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino said that Gov. Guico has always stressed the importance of convergence and partnership in the province, citing that over the past few years, the governor has led the great province of Pangasinan in countless partnerships and endeavors, which include partners both locally and nationally.

San Juan City Mayor Zamora who led the team thanked Gov. Guico for hosting the event and for the hospitality.

“We couldn’t thank you enough for this opportunity. Kahit maliit po kami, tinanggap niyo kami bilang inyong kapatid at ramdam naman namin ang pagmamahal mula sa inyo. Let this be the start of a long-lasting relationship between the city of San Juan and the province of Pangasinan,” the city mayor added.

He also assured support in their little way to help promote the products of their sister LGUs like Pangasinan, believing that behind the sisterhood agreements are the learnings of best practices.

The momentous occasion was graced by Pangasinan and San Juan City key officials along with First Ladies Maan Tuazon-Guico and Keri Zamora, Chief of Hospitals and Department Heads led by Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II and San Juan City Administrator Dennis Pamintuan, barangay captains and employees of both LGUs, basketball idol James Yap, Danny Ildefonso, and Marc Pingris, among others.

(Chona C. Bugayong, Orlan Llemos, JP De Vera/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The construction of a bridge connecting Barangay Luciente I at the mainland of Bolinao town to Santiago Island will finally take off this year.

Once constructed, the bridge will provide easy access and faster mobilization of people and products. This will serve as a major boost to the local economy and tourism industry.

First District Congressman Arthur F. Celeste, Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Bolinao Mayor Alfonso F. Celeste, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Ronnel Tan, and Senator Imee Marcos led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P1.95 billion project on September 1 at GuiguiwanenFishing Port in Brgy. Luciente 1.

The construction of the 680-lineal-meter bridge including its approaches and access roads will start this year, and it is targeted to be completed by 2028. The project, an initiative of Congressman Celeste that gained support from Sen. Marcos, is under the Sustainable Infrastructure Program Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) Package 1 and the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP).

Fully supportive of the mega infrastructure project, Gov. Guico said this is an opportune time to show not only in the entire Philippines but to the whole world how beautiful Bolinao town is.

“Ako naman po Ma’am ang sinasabi ko dito, gagawin po natin ang Bolinao Airport kasi napakalalim po, either government funded, PPP, joint venture, government and private, kahit ano pong modality ang mahalaga maitayo po ‘yan upang sa ganun ay maipakita po natin hindi lang po sa buong Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo nanapakaganda ng bahaging ito ng lalawigan ng Pangasinan,” the governor said.

The land acquisition for the PHP800 million Bolinao Airport project is now at 70 percent.

The construction of the bridge is a welcome development for the townsfolk, especially local traders who transport their goods from Santiago Island to the mainland on Saturday, which is their market day.

Santiago Island has seven villages, namely, Binabalian, Goyoden, Lucero, Pilar, Salud, Dewey, and Victory.

Based on the 2020 Census of Population, it has a population of 18,690.

Congressman Celeste thanked Sen. Imee for the support she has given. “Maraming salamat po sa Ate ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos,  Jr., na naging susi sa pagsasakatuparan ng matagal nang inaasam na tulay. Sa proyektong ito, magiging abot-kamay na ang pangarap ng mas mabilis na biyahe at mas maayos na koneksyon para sa lahat,” he stated.

Excited tayong lahat kasi ilang beses na akong pabalik-balik dito lahat tayo nagkakamot ng ulo kung anong gagawin at alam naman natin sa pagitan ng Bolinao at Santiago, bangka, pump boat, at kung ano-anong masakyan, swimming kung kakayanin basta makatawid sa Santiago eh talagang napakahirap po kasi 3.3 kilometers ito,” Senator Marcos said.

The project was first requested for funding in 2005 under the tenure of Mayor Alfonso F. Celeste, who completed his full term from 2004 to 2013. Former town Mayor Jesus “Boying” F. Celeste was the district representative at that time.

Serving as witnesses to the town’s milestone event were Vice Mayor Richard Celeste, DPWH Assistant. Regional Director Mathias L. Malenab, Pangasinan 1st District Board Members Napoleon C. Fontelera, and Apolonia “Apple” DG. Bacay, other local officials.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the signing of the Sisterhood Agreement at the historic Sison Auditorium, Lingayen, Pangasinan, on September 2.

The signing of the Sisterhood Agreement between the Province of Pangasinan and the City Government of San Juan, witnessed by Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino and Vice Mayor Jose Angelo Rafael E. Agcaoili, signifies the commitment to fostering partnerships for positive change, progress, and sustainable development for both LGUs.

Key leaders from both LGUs, including First Ladies Maan Tuazon-Guico, Keri Zamora Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II, Provincial Board members, city councilors, chiefs of hospitals, and department heads, attended the ceremony.