Bataoil Lauds Guico, Cojuangco on their Plans for Lingayen

SECOND SOMA

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – In his second State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) held recently here, Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil cited the financial and material grants of the provincial governor and the district’s congressman for the improvement of this coastal and capital town.

NEW MUNICIPAL HALL

The Mayor mentioned the new three-storey modern designed Lingayen Municipal Hall - as one of the packages - located near the Banaan Museum-Lingayen Casa Real. He said it will occupy a 5,000 square meters’ lot with at least 3,500 square meters' building floor area to house both the executive and legislative offices of the local government unit.

LINGAYEN MAYOR Leopoldo N. Bataoil (left photO) during his July 27, 2023 State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) held at the legislative hall of the capital town. Other in photos are Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico, III (top right) and Pangasinan 2^nd District Cong. Mark O. Cojuangco.

“Lingayen Government Center. The LGU Exec and Legislative Corporate Complex will soon rise at a 5,000 sqm with initial funding already allocated in the amount P20 million from Gov. RVG and P10 million from Cong. Mark Cojuangco,” he mentioned to the attendees in the Session Hall of the legislative body during the rainy Friday’s SOMA.

The edifice he said is one of the inspiring plans and programs to the town by Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico, III.

HOUSING

The Governor, the mayor disclosed, will push too for the construction of decent homes that will benefit the informal settlers here. The site is at the provincial property in Barangays Libsong and Tonton and at the Palaris areas.

 MASTER PLAN

The master plan of Governor Guico to develop the town, Baywalk, Lingayen Promenda, the iconic Limahong Bridge and other areas will boost tourism, business and other economic opportunities.

“Flood control and storm surge protection. The Dike along the Reclamation will be pursued as Lingayen Promenade, similar to the other developed areas like the Iloilo Promenade, once filled with “home along the river,” the second term’s Mayor said.

 Through the intercession of Congressman Cojuangco in the national government, a storm surge protection along critical areas of the Lingayen Baywalk will be constructed on “eye level” to preserve the panoramic seascape of the gulf, with boardwalk to serve as joggers/ walkers/ bikers lane.

AIRPORT AND BUSINESS CENTER

 He disclosed that a study is underway to construct an airport in the boundary of Lingayen and nearby towns whereby proper orientation will be observed at flat land far from mountain areas. The present old airport shall be transformed into a global standard business center.

 If it would be his way, the mayor – in an interview with Northern Watch Newspaper - wanted the present airport be phased out and converted to a business park as what real estate giant’s Megaworld had done in the old Iloilo City’s airport.

“Natuwa nga ako noong maglakbay aral ang provincial government doon sa Iloilo mismo. They should be able to appreciate what Iloilo did in Mandurriao Airport sinarado pero ang ganda na ngayon. Ngayon, ang ni-relocate nila sa Cabatuan sa Iloilo the new international airport. Malaking pondo rin iyon but malaki connection ni Governor Guico he should be able to find for that purpose”.

ECO-PARK

Cojuangco collaborated the idea of Governor Guico to transform Barangay Estanza here to a 184 hectares’ eco-park that would generate employment to the residents of the towns of Binmaley, Labrador, Bugallon, Aguilar, Mangatarem and Basista.

“Iyan iyong binabalak ni Governor na eco-park sa Barangay Estanza 184 hectares po iyon na e-developed,” the solon disclosed at a public consultation in April this year.

He explained that buildings will be built in that village to host the lucrative earning Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Call Centers to cater with customers abroad.