Various concerned sectors in the province lauded Governor Lilia G. Pineda’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) which she delivered during the 62nd regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando.
A crowd of officials and representatives from the business, education, police and military, barangay, municipal, provincial and national government officials and employees estimated at more than 2,000 came to watch the governor as she delivered her “Ulat Panlalawigan”, which highlighted her administration’s accomplishments for the past 12 months.
Pineda said that her administration focused primarily on the delivery of effective and efficient programs and services of health, education, livelihood, agriculture, improvement and construction of primary infrastructure such as hospital and school buildings including roads in various municipalities of the province, maintenance of peace and order and protection of the environment.
Fourth District Representative Ana York Bondoc congratulated the governor for her accomplishments even as she wished her good luck in the implementation of her administration’s plans and programs for the next years.
Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Assistant Vice President for Business Development Bernie Angeles opined that the Governor’s accomplishments are “so far, so good as they are geared towards the attainment of the objectives of a better Pampanga”.
Angeles agreed with the Governor that all stakeholders should participate in the realization of the developmental goals of the province.
In her report, the Governor thanked the management of the CDC headed by Felipe Antonio Remollo for its support and commitment to ensure the economic development of the province. She said that recently, the CDC allocated a two-hectare lot for the Pampanga Market, Market project.
Pineda also made special mention of the contributions and support of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce (Pamcham) headed by Rene Romero in the development of economy; the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the 703rd Army Infantry Brigade in the maintenance of peace and order.
Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Superintendent Nicolas Capulong said that the “governor has been truly supportive of the education sector as evidenced by the various accomplishments of her administration”.
Based on the governor’s report, about P9 million were expended for the construction of needed school buildings which include a two-classroom school building with comfort rooms at San Isidro Elementary School in Sta.Rita worth P1,509,546.80; three elevated classrooms with comfort rooms at San Jose Elementary School in Macabebe worth P2,490,500.86; three elevated classrooms, also with comfort rooms at San Mateo Elementary School in Arayat worth P2,332,204.92; two elevated classroom with comfort rooms at Caduang Tete Elementary School in Macabebe worth P1,662,525.35; and the repair and improvement of seven classroom school building at Caduang Tete High School in Macabebe worth P1,018,764.18.
Some 7,000 armchairs were also distributed to the newly-completed classrooms of public elementary schools to address the need for inadequate chairs, the governor added.
More so, the provincial government has on-going construction and improvement of school building projects in various towns worth more than P37 million.
The province has also extended educational financial assistance for the college education of 1,403 top graduates of public high schools.
Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Lazaro T. delos Santos of Lanang in Candaba town said that the infrastructure and other community development projects of the governor are indeed a big help to their community and the entire municipality of Candaba.
Delos Santos said that the rehabilitation of dikes and clearing of waterways currently being undertaken by the provincial government would definitely minimize the perennial flooding problem of the province.
The regular medical mission and outreach projects to far-flung barangays of various municipalities have also benefitted thousands of our constituents who are in dire need of health services, delos Santos added.
The governor attributed her administration’s accomplishments to the support of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, national and local government agencies, Pampanga Vice-Governor Joseller Guiao, provincial board members, department heads and employees, municipal mayors and barangay official, non-government organizations, other sectors and former Governor Among Ed Panlilio.
“I cannot do it alone, I need all your support,” the governor ended. (Pampanga PIO)
