Espino Administration Spends P3B for Vital Infras

PRESS RELEASE

LINGAYEN--- The province has spent over P3-billion for vital infrastructure projects in more than six and half years with 2013 as the most funded with more than P786 million expenditures.

            Of the total amount, at least P1 billion went to the upgrading of 2,988.15 kilometers of the provincial, municipal and barangay roads, and more than 6,000 lineal meters of various bridges, leaving only 48.196 kms remain unpaved of the provincial road’s total 725 kms, and 5,859.7 lineal meters provincial bridges are now built of concrete structures. 

            Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr, in his State of the Province Address last Monday February 11, said the province has also spent a total of P777.61 million for provincial, municipal and barangay buildings; P659.35 million for hospital; P390.56 million for school buildings; P333.69 million for various support facilities; and 73 million for agricultural extension facilities.

                A total of 232 provincial, municipal and barangays buildings and seven agricultural extension facilities, 998 school buildings were constructed and rehabilitated, and the construction of 197 various buildings and facilities in the 557 schools throughout the province.

             Among other projects completed in 2013 are the NRSCC Grandstand, Pangasinan Employment and Skills Development Center, Pangasinan Social Welfare and Development Crisis Intervention Center and the separate buildings for the Pangasinan Chapters of the Boys Scouts and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

            Other building include the reconstruction of the former United Way Building which now houses the DILG provincial office and will soon serve as offices of the PESO and a venue for Provincial legislative support activities.

            Gov. Espino also mentioned that on top of the provincial funds that gave a major face lift to the 14 provincial hospitals, the province has benefitted from the P700-million grant from the European Community (EC) and the Health Facility Enhancement Program under the Department of Health (DOH).

             According to Espino, the province became a recipient of a grant because of giving the health development program a priority that helps the poor have equal to access affordable and quality health services.

            The grant came in the form of the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of buildings within the 14 government hospital premises, construction and rehabilitation of 10 rural health units and construction of barangay health stations in remote areas and also the provision of modern diagnostic equipment in Pangasinan Provincial Hospital.

MCR//