Lingayen- – -Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. led the turnover of 29 multi-purpose vehicles to all city and municipal Liga ng mga Barangay presidents of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th districts of Pangasinan held on January 13 at the Capitol grounds.
The turnover of the barangay vehicles is the second series of distribution following the initial batch of 18 vehicles distributed for the 1st and 2nd districts on November 27 last year.
During the event, the Governor urged all barangay officials to uphold “self-respect” and “respect for others” at all times and never resort or give in to dirty politics (hinting on the current situation of politicking in the province).
Recalling an incident when he was ambushed as a young military officer and left for dead by the rebels, he said that he was saved by the barangay officials in Quirino province. Since then the Governor said he has a special bond with the officials from the grassroots.
“I owe a lot to the barangay officials,” Gov. Espino said as he added that the provincial government knows exactly what the grassroots officials are going through. “We share the burden of what you feel every day,” he continued.
In addition to this, the Governor appealed to the barangay council heads to become more sensitive to the needs of their constituents.
He cited that aside from using the vehicles during times of emergencies particularly disasters, it can also be utilized to transport all pregnant women to rural health units (RHUs) or government hospitals for their pre-natal check-up.
For those needing cesarian section, they can be scheduled in any of the six district hospitals or at the provincial hospital for free.
Speaking on behalf of the federation, Liga ng mga Barangay federation president and BM Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III thanked the provincial government for all support accorded to the federation through provision of programs and projects to include the distribution of service vehicles for all 44 towns and 3 cities, which exclude Dagupan City being a chartered city, in Pangasinan.
It can be recalled that BM Espino submitted a resolution to the Governor in December 2014 requesting for the provision of service vehicles.
In February 2015, 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.
As stated by BM Espino, 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.
“These will serve as the vehicle for all,” the Governor’s son and namesake said further stressing that everyone in the barangay must have an equal access to it whenever the need arises.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Calimlim urged the barangay officials to continue serving their constituents with great pride as he said that the provincial government vows to extend its full support to the federation and the people at the grassroots, as well.
Calimlim likewise expressed optimism that the federation will remain united as ever and work under ‘One Team Pangasinan’ in pursuit of genuine progress.
Before the formal turnover, the vehicles were blessed by Rev. Fr. Ryan Tomelden. (Ruby R. Bernardino)