Embattled gov says rivals blocking jobs, investments

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said he will not allow “obstructionists” to prevent him from pursuing projects that will bring in more investments and generate more jobs for Pangasinan people.

“Our detractors, obsessed with their own personal agenda, and armed with devious designs, have sought to undermine our modest gains, and are spreading lies to make it appear that some of our projects are tainted with irregularities,” Espino said in his state of the province address at the Capitol plaza here on Monday.

For instance, he said, his detractors succeeded in delaying a golf course project here and in driving away investors from the area.

But Espino said the province was vindicated when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued an environmental compliance certificate for the project, a proof, he said, that it “has always been above-board and is perfectly legitimate.”

In his speech, Espino also outlined the gains of his administration in the last five and a half years that won the provincial government seven national and 15 regional awards.

“Today, Pangasinan is widely known, not just for its inherent political value as a vote-rich province, but more importantly as a consistent top performer in local governance, as a leading tourist destination and favorite venue for big conventions, conferences, sports and other important national and international events,” he said.

Espino said some P2.5 billion was spent by the provincial government from July 2007 to December 2012 to build and upgrade provincial buildings, facilities and support infrastructure, including hospitals, roads and bridges, potable water systems and irrigation facilities. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon