Lingayen – Hundreds of townsfolk from Bani and Sison towns had a close-up view of Pangasinan’s socio-cultural renaissance under the administration of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. during the ‘Pasyar na Pangasinan’ heritage tour program of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) held on November 16-18.
Governor Espino led provincial officials in welcoming Bani and Sison residents, mainly members of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) and other women organizations along with senior citizens associations in those towns.
“The softest part of my heart belongs to my mother,” Governor Espino told the senior citizens and the women present at the Sison Auditorium, stressing that his love for his mother is similar to his love for all senior citizens in the province.
Owing to the vital contributions of senior citizens in the community, Governor Espino likewise asked the elders to continue teaching the youth moral values in life which will guide them as they grow old.
Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. told the women association and community elders that the present provincial administration has “levelled up the dignity and pride of being a Pangasinense” as he urged them “to love Pangasinan unconditionally.”
Speaking on behalf of barangay captains in the province, Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, noted that “all things done by provincial leaders today is not for the present generation anymore, but for the next generations to come.”
“Iti anos, iti bannog ken iti sakripisyo tayo ket para kadagiti annak tayo,” (Our patience, efforts and sacrifices are for our children), the young Espino, a three-term chief executive of Bautista town said.
Townsfolk of Bani were accompanied by former Mayor Marcelo Navarro, a close friend and classmate of Governor Espino at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) while Sison residents were escorted by 5th District Board Member Danilo Uy.
Also present during the series of pasyar were: Executive Assistant IV Ramon Morden, Provincial Sports Director Modesto Operania as well as some incumbent and former councillors and barangay leaders of Bani and Sison.
Part of Pasyar na Pangasinan, the Bani and Sison townsfolk had an opportunity for a ‘spiritual experience’ at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag before they were treated for a heritage tour around the Capitol Complex, visiting the Capitol building, Urduja House, Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) and the Sison Auditorium