Sunday, April 4, 2010 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
By Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre
LINGAYEN -- Former President Fidel Ramos and Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. will lead the groundbreaking of the 300-hectare Pangasinan Eco-tourism Zone on Monday.
The ceremony will be held at Barangay Estanza, this town. The eco-tourism zone is situated at Barangays Extanza, Sabangan, Malimpuec and Capandanan.
Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan earlier said that Ramos was invited to be the special guest not only because he is the only Pangasinense who have reached the top most political post in the country, but also because he was instrumental in the creation of the eco-tourism zone.
On June 22, 1998, Ramos signed Proclamation 1258, giving the Provincial Government the power to develop eco-tourism zone.
Espino also wanted to see in the logo of the province the date when it became a political unit.
The new logo of the province of Pangasinan will be unveiled Monday when the province celebrates for the first time its 430th foundation anniversary.
As explained in the provincial ordinance passed last February, “the Research and Study Committee found out that it was on April 5, 1572 when Pangasinan was made an encomienda by the Spanish royal crown to receive instructions on the Catholic faith, which means that Pangasinan was organized under one local leadership and has identity before the Spanish Royal coup."
"Eight years later, in 1580, Pangasinan was organized into a political unit under an alcalde mayor who at the time has authority as head of province or Provincial Government with judicial function indicating that Pangasinan has become a province. However, there are no records found by the Committee to establish the exact date in 1580,” it added.
The Research and Study Committee headed by former vice governor and Lyceum Northwestern University President Gonzalo Duque unanimously recommended the declaration of April 5, 1580 as the official founding day of the province to commemorate two historical events in its existence.
The date April 5 commemorates the day when Pangasinan became an encomienda and 1580 to commemorate the year it became a Province.
Aside from the governor, some 3,000 casual and regular employees of the Provincial Government were happy about the declaration.
For the first time, they will receive an anniversary bonus that is mandated by law.
Meanwhile, the 11 recipients of the Asna Awards, the highest recognition the Provincial Government will give to a Pangasinense, will be known Monday.
The 11 recipients will come from different fields/sectors.
_________________________________________________________________
