Zambales will be the next growth center of Central Luzon – Ebdane

IBA, Zambales – To be able speed up the delivery of goods and services, newly-elected Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. announced yesterday that the province will soon be linked to two superhighways to fast track the entry of investments, here.

In his State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered on Monday during the inaugural session of the Zambales Provincial Council, Ebdane said that his administration will be pushing for the development in all the 13 municipalities by pursuing the construction of two major roads.

“We aim for change, and we will open up Zambales for business and tourism over the next three years into this emerging growth center,” Ebdane said in a statement.

Ebdane told members of the provincial board that a budget of P50 million each has been earmarked for both the Botolan-Capas Road to directly link Zambales to Tarlac, and the Sta. Cruz-Mangatarem Road to create by-pass road access to eastern part of Pangasinan.

The amount will cover further leveling and paving of some 20 kilometers of land for the two ongoing projects.

Ebdane, who is former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said the road projects are in consonance with his growth agenda.

“In real terms, our province has made a choice for change with my assumption as governor. This means that basic services, job opportunities and future growth prospects need improvement and must be done with optimum results,” the statement added.

Ebdane also stressed the need for the provincial government to improve revenue collection to be able to achieve the needed development that his administration has envisioned for Zambales in the next three years.

Ebdane also called on the provincial board, headed by Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain, to join hands with his office to bring about development that would benefit Zambaleños best.

“The state of the province of Zambales is solid and hopeful, simply because the people of Zambales have made a choice for change, and are now ready to work hard to make it
happen,” Ebdane told the board.

“While we have remaining budget for our provincial government’s operations, what I am on the lookout for are the funds and resources for the programs that we need to get going to
jumpstart our growth agenda,” he added.

These programs include his thrust to boost tourism, agriculture, and mining, and also to improve the provision of opportunities for education, health, employment and other
basic services. Cecille Garcia