Lingayen, Pangasinan—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III stood firm that Malico belongs to Pangasinan and committed to allocate P200 million for its various projects.
“Huwag ninyong kukunin ang Malico sa Pangasinan. Malico is Pangasinan, not Nueva Vizcaya. Despite the territorial dispute, we have to insist that Pangasinan is ours. Bilang ama ng Pangasinan, kayo po dito sa Malico kahit 1364 ang barangay sa probinsiya, hindi naman kayo naiiba sa ibang barangay dahil special kayo. Pangasinan will never leave Malico,” the governor stressed in his speech during the Local Initiatives: Guidance and Assistance Program” (LINGAP ed Barangay).
Gov. Guico stated that he welcomes development projects that will be introduced by the other province. What matters, according to him, is the improvement of the lives of fellow Pangasinenses in Malico.
The governor earlier identified Malico as one of the five tourism focus areas to further improve the tourism industry in the province.
Governor Guico likewise committed to bring programs of the provincial government to Malico, such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
“Kung aagawin pa nila ang Malico,P200 million ulit,” he added.
Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino assured the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through a resolution supporting all the projects of San Nicolas for Malico.
San Nicolas Mayor Alicia Primicias-Enriquez, together with Malico Punong Barangay Sandi Segundo, thanked the provincial government for bringing its services to their village through LINGAP ed Barangay.
(Chona C. Bugayong, with reports from Rich Majin|PIMRO)
