LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Another feather has been added to the cap of Pangasinan for its remarkable achievement after earning another accolade from the Regional Development Council (RDC) for being adjudged as champion in the search for the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest local government unit and the Most Outstanding Project Monitor for 2014.
The two awards were conferred to Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. recently during the State of the Region’s Development Conference (SORDC) and RDC-1 Awards and Recognition Program held at Hotel Ariana in Bauang, La Union.
RDC-1 Vice-Chairman Nestor G. Rillon, who is also National Economic Development Authority regional director, handed the award to Gov. Espino and Vice-Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr.
Pangasinan as the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest LGU(provincial category) bested all other provinces in Region 1 for having successfully complied to the criteria which include support system where the province has provided projects related to the program including budgetary support and equipment, and the presence of monitoring enforcement mechanisms; implementation and strict enforcement of related laws and ordinances; and community mobilization and people’s participation in environmental protection and management like tree planting, coastal clean-up and barangay public order and safety enforcement activities.
As the Most Outstanding Project Monitor, Pangasinan also successfully complied with the preparation of quality reports which were submitted on time allowing the province to put up quality performance and display exemplary support to the objectives of the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES).
Dasol Town was also awarded as the Best LGU Poverty Reduction Program Implementer and the Most Outstanding LGU-CRM Implementer.
It was also adjudged 1st runner up in the search for Cleanest and Greenest LGUs in the municipal category.
The SORDC is an annual event that highlights the overall accomplishments of the region along with the key sectors of the economy.
Espino cited the two awards conferred to the province showcases the fruits of the teamwork, unity and solidarity of provincial and municipal officials and the people in patronizing unrelenting and uncompromising efforts to preserve and protect the environment as well as guarantee safety of the people in their respective places.
He appealed to the present batch of local officials and the people to continue pursuing programs and projects that are already in place and will still be put in place by concerned government agencies and local governments to make the province clean and green as well as safe for the people.
Espino challenged provincial and municipal governments to continue conceptualizing environmentally-friendly programs and projects in order to sustain the cleanliness and greenery of the province for the benefit of the present and future generations of people wanting to make the province as their home province.
By Dexter A. See
