Gov. Espino thanks Pangasinan for taking defiant stand against ‘formidable forces’ in the last election

The inaugural 2013

Lingayen- - -“I cannot thank you enough for taking that bold and defiant stand against seemingly formidable forces, in defense of the welfare and the best interests of our province and the people.”


This was emphatically expressed by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. in his inaugural speech right after he was sworn in for his third and final term of office as provincial chief executive of Pangasinan on June 28 at the elegant Sison Auditorium here.


“In order to get here, we had to endure, and survive, all kinds of psychological pressures, mental agony, and many other forms of political harassment, orchestrated by people who had easy and convenient access to awesome powers of the state,” the governor lamented.

Saying that he owes everything to the people who supported him all the way to get another fresh mandate with a commanding lead of more than half a million votes(554,351 votes to be exact), the governor said that the people of Pangasinan have spoken once again in unison.


“And so together, we emerged victorious once more. Now, we can all go back to work,” the governor said.


According to the governor, his first two terms “stand as incontrovertible proof of our solid accomplishments, and as concrete testament to the relevance and effectiveness of our poverty reduction programs, projects, and activities.”


Although Pangasinan notched 6 Regional Hall of Fame Awards in major areas of governance, work continues for the next three years to sustain the gain and move ahead to realize bigger opportunities for economic programs, the governor stressed.


“Negotiations are now in the works for the establishment of the Port of Sual as a containerized sub-port,” Gov. Espino stated even as he added that this would mean more goods coming in and out through Pangasinan with more business and investment ventures that will be attracted to locate in the province, more economic activities and livelihood and employment opportunities in the offing.


Revealing all these, the governor said that the provincial government cannot do the job alone rather it is important that strategic steps must be complemented by relevant projects and activities at the community level.


The governor called on the various local government units including the barangays, to take it upon themselves to address those nagging and persistent community-based problems such as lack of potable water, sanitary toilets, and decent shelter, widespread malnutrition, environmental sanitation such as lack of or ill-maintained drainage canals and improper solid waste disposal, traffic management, the maintenance of order, decency, and cleanliness in all government centers and offices, and other public places such as streets, parks, plazas, and public markets are a must.


The governor also urged other line agencies to do their share to enable the province provide sound policy direction, and strategic support programs to further the cause of development for Pangasinan.


The governor took his oath before Teodoro C. Fernandez, Executive Judge of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Lingayen along with Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. (who is also serving his final term in office) and 12 members of the board representing the six districts of Pangasinan.


Sworn SP members were: BM Napoleon C. Fontelera, Jr., BM Antonio D. Sison, BM Nestor D. Reyes, BM Raul P. Sison, BM Angel M. Baniqued, Jr., BM Generoso D. Tulagan, Jr., BM Liberato Z. Villegas, BM Mojamito R. Libunao, Jr., BM Danilo C. Uy, BM Clemente B. Arbolleda, Jr., BM Ranjit R. Shahani and BM Alfonso C. Bince, Jr.

All officials were accompanied by the immediate members of their families.

Gov. Espino was with his family led by Pangasinan First Lady Priscilla “Mely” Espino.