Lingayen – Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III is officially installed as the new governor of Pangasinan during the inauguration ceremony at the Sison Auditorium situated inside the Capitol Compound here last June 30.
In a turnover ceremony – a first in the history of gubernatorial inaugurals in Pangasinan, the successor Espino took over the reins of the provincial government from his father and predecessor, three-termer Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., as he received from him the official seal of the Provincial Governor’s Office.
In his inaugural speech, the newly-installed governor said that succeeding the elder Espino, who is now the fifth district representative, is “indeed a tough act to follow,” citing in his speech the legacy of accomplishments of his predecessor in his nine straight years of leadership.
The new provincial chief executive bared his administration’s goal: “If we are number one in Region I, we can also dream to become number one in the whole country.”
Addressing Pangasinenses, the former Liga ng mga Barangay president added, “And your message for me is clear… this is a mark of your affirmation and gratitude on what has transpired in our dear province for the past nine years.”
He pledged to continue the elder Espino’s flagship programs in peace and order, healthcare for all especially for the poor, quality education for everyone, propagation of agriculture, generation of jobs, decent housing, safeguarding the welfare of youth, women, elderly and the persons with disability, tourism promotion, environmental and socio-cultural development, and bolstering the infrastructure and services sector.
The newly-inducted provincial executive called on the municipal and barangay officials for support and assistance to pursue the Pangasinan vision: “the province as the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family” and the mission: “to make Pangasinan
number one.”
He also requested for all to cooperate and set aside differences which ensued during the recent May polls and instead called for unity to sustain Pangasinan’s progress.
In his concluding remarks, Governor Pogi assured that he will do everything he can to continue the “Espino brand of public service and governance.”
Gov. Pogi was joined by re-elected Vice-Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and the 12 board members of the 9th Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the oath-taking and signing rites administered by Judge Hermogenes C. Fernandez, president of Philippine Judges Association, Pangasinan Chapter.
The newly-installed members of the 9th SP are: Napoleon C. Fontelera, Jr. and Antonio F. Sison (1st District); Raul P. Sison and Nestor D. Reyes (2nd Dist.); Angel M. Baniqued, Jr. and Generoso D. Tulagan, Jr. (3rd Dist.); Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario and Liberato Z. Villegas (4th Dist.); Chinky P. Perez-Tababa and Clemente B. Arboleda, Jr. (5th Dist.) and Salvador S. Perez, Jr. and Noel C. Bince (6th Dist.)
Also gracing the ceremony are the other members of the Espino Family: his mother Mdm. Priscilla Ignacio-Espino, the governor’s wife Karina and son Amado IV, his brother Bugallon Mayor Jumel I. Espino, his two sisters and uncle, Bautista Mayor Amadeo Espino.
Before the inaugural rites, a Holy Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Socrates Villegas together with Bishop Ricardo Baccay Lingan and 21 priests in Pangasinan.
In attendance were the provincial government heads of offices and employees, police officers, provincial officials of national government agencies and several guests such as Dr. Prospero De Vera, vice president of the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Prior to his governorship, Gov. Pogi served as a three-termer Bautista town mayor from 2004 to 2013 and after that, as ex-officio Sangguniang Panlalawigan member from 2013-2016.