Lingayen – Second district congressman Leopoldo N. Bataoil recently commended the brand of leadership of Governor Amado T. Espino, (GATE) Jr. which led to the effective implementation of pioneering environmental advocacies that catapulted the province to the hall of fame awards and citations in environmental governance.

 

“It takes a positive and inspiring leadership that made everyone cooperate and work together to make rivers in Pangasinan clean and green,” thus said by Cong. Bataoil, who was invited as guest of honor and speaker during the commemorative program and awarding ceremony of Pistay Dayat 2016 held on May 1 at the riverside in Banaga, Bugallon shortly after the staging of Banca Parada.

 

Bataoil further noted that the massive clearing and dredging of river systems initiated by the Espino administration brought back the natural beauty and grandeur of the rivers in the province.

 

Citing the positive transformation of the Agno River, the unopposed re-electionist solon said that the department of the environment and natural resources has even recognized the Agno river as among the cleanest rivers in the country today.

 

Meanwhile, Governor Espino thanked Pangasinenses for the all-out support he received which contributed to the over-all efforts to propel development initiatives in the province since he assumed the province’s top post in 2007.

 

Gov. Espino likewise bared that the Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko advocacy, a component of the multi-awarded coastal resource management (CRM) program of the provincial government, united Pangasinenses to protect, preserve and conserve natural resources of the province.

 

Multi-awarded province of Pangasinan under the Espino administration was adjudged regional hall of famer in CRM in 2010, for three years in a row of winning the CRM (2008, 2009 and 2010).

 

“All that we did to protect and preserve the natural landscapes of our province are not for us anymore, but for the benefit of the future generations,” Espino said.

 

At the peak of Pistay Dayat celebration, revelers witnessed the grand spectacle of hundreds of artistically-fashioned motorized bancas cruising along the Limahong Channel from sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan Norte, Lingayen to Banaga, Bugallon.

 

The Banca Parada, a display of the beauty of Pangasinan river and appreciation of its historical relevance, was participated in by 123 contingents from local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (         NGOs), national government agencies (NGAs), private business sector (PBS), including 89 barangay entries.

 

The parade is divided into two categories: category A (barangays) and category B (NGAs, LGUs, NGOs, PBS and various stakeholders).

 

Winners for category A are: Brgy. Dulag, Binmaley (Champion); San Isidro Sur, Binmaley (1^st runner-up); and Brgy.Gueset, Bugallon (2^nd runner-up). Category B winners, on the other hand, include LGU Binmaley (Champion); LGU Bugallon (1^st runner-up); and CENPELCO (2^nd runner-up).

 

Winners received Php. 25,000 (champion); Php 20, 000 (1^st runner-up); and Php.15,000 (2^nd runner-up).