Lingayen- – – “Let us give respect to ourselves as public servants. We were elected by the people as their leaders. Thus, we owe to return the favor by serving them well in all honesty and dignity.”
This was stressed by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. during the turn-over ceremony of multi-purpose vehicles to the Liga ng Mga Barangay of Districts 1 and II, comprised of 18 towns and one city, on November 27 at the Capitol Plaza here.
Gov. Espino said that beyond politics, the most important thing for public servants especially those at the frontline, specifically the barangay officials, is to perform the tasks entrusted to them as he added that it is because of this that he tried his best to bring back the dignity so required from officials and workers not just at the Capitol but even to the grassroots, as well.
It can be recalled that the Federation of Liga ng mga Barangay headed by Board Member Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III submitted a resolution to the Governor in December last year requesting for the provision of service vehicles for all 47 towns and cities, with the exemption of Dagupan City, it being a chartered city in Pangasinan. The delivery of multi-purpose vehicles to other districts will be held soon, BM Espino said.
In February this year, the provincial board headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. has authorized the Governor to purchase the new multi-purpose vehicles to provide transport services to rural folks.
Board Member Pogi said the provision of the vehicles will ensure the delivery of basic services and provide adequate means of transportation to the people in the urban areas and in the countryside especially in times of emergencies and calamities.
“Sana po magamit sa wastong paraan ang mga sasakyan dahil para po sa mga tao ng mga barangay ito,” the Governor’s son and namesake said as he added that the approval of the Liga’s request means a lot because it shows the good relationship between the provincial government and the barangay councils.
Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Calimlim said that the distribution of vehicles proves how much the provincial government and the barangay councils trust each other.
“This doesn’t only manifest ‘giving’ but trusting, as well,” the Vice Governor noted.
At least P40 million was allocated for the purchase of the multi-purpose vehicles.
The first batch of recipients include the following: Agno, Mabini, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, Bugallon, Aguilar, Mangatarem, Urbiztondo, Basista, and Alaminos City.
Present during the turn-over ceremony were Board Member Napoleon Fontelera, Board Member Raul Sison, Urbiztondo Mayor Martin Sison, and all council presidents of all 18 towns and city.
Fr. Francis Posadas led the blessing of the new vehicles. (Ruby R. Bernardino)