BINMALEY, Pangasinan –“I will be your champion in education and godfather for Pangasinan State University.” These were the words that resounded amongst the crowd at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) – Binmaley Campus during a recent visit of former fifth district representative Mark O. Cojuangco.
Cojuangco graced the induction of the elected PSU-Binmaley Campus Supreme Student Council (SSC) officers and traditional acquaintance party as guest speaker. The former congressman and now 2016 Pangasinan gubernatorial candidate underscored his commitment in supporting the state university, which drew mixed reactions from students who were present at the event. “I am so proud that we would have another leader who is focused in the development of our university.” SSC Vice President elect Chelsea Ann Aguila, taking BS Criminology stated with gratitude.
Other students conveyed their expectations of having better facilities in the academe. Gerol Baniqued, another BS Criminology student while pointing to the partially installed covered court said: “Sana mapaayos niya (Cojuangco) ang mga facilities. Kinukulang din kami sa mga laboratory.” (We hope he could the facilities fixed. We also lack laboratories.)
Cojuangco also discussed the need to boost Pangasinan’s tourism industry by attracting foreign investors to the province.
He expounded on the low-speed internet access and absence of international airports to be among the deficiencies that hamper the progress of the province. The former solon is firm in his belief that boosting the tourism industry in the province is one of the prime solutions in developing Pangasinan.
“Siguro nagtataka kayo kung bakit walang call center businesses sa Pangasinan?” (You may be wondering why there is no call center businesses here in Pangasinan?) Cojuangco rhetorically stated. He rationalized that the current internet speed cannot cope with the requirements of a call center business. Cojuangco also implied erecting more ‘tourism infrastructures’ such as international airports and seaports. “Our airport in Alaminos remains unfinished and our seaport in Sual remains on the drawing board.” he added.
By Herald Express News Team
