IBA, Zambales - The province of Zambales will soon be linked by two superhighways to speed up the delivery of goods and services here, as well as facilitate the entry of investments into this emerging growth center.
Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said in his State of the Province Address (SoPA), delivered on Monday during the first session of the new Sangguniang Panlalawigan, that his administration is pushing for change and development in all the 13 municipalities of this province by pursuing the construction of two major roads here.
"We aim for change, and we will open up Zambales for business and tourism over the next three years," Ebdane told members of the provincial board during the inaugural session.
"The fast-lane for Zambales will be via the two highways that are now being worked on. Opportunities and change will come in faster once these roads are finished," he added.
The governor said a budget of P50 million has been set aside for each of the two projects - the Botolan-Capas Road and the Sta. Cruz-Mangatarem Road.
The first one would directly link Zambales to Tarlac and the second to the eastern part of Pangasinan.
The amount will cover further leveling and paving of some 20 kilometers of land for the two ongoing projects, sources at the provincial engineer's office said.
Ebdane said the road projects are in consonance with his growth agenda as former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPHW).
"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," he said.
Ebdane also impressed upon the Provincial Board the need to improve revenue collection to be able to achieve the needed development that his administration has envisioned for Zambales in the next three years.
He said that as of the end of June 2010, 60 percent of the province's budget remains unappropriated.
"But 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
