PANGASINAN TO INVEST MORE IN AGRI AND HEALTHCARE

November 30, 2024 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY

Pangasinan Provincial Governor Ramon Guico III said that they are going to focus more on the agriculture sector and better healthcare programs maximizing the available funds that will be reinforced by its P7.1billion budget for 2025. The governor said that even if the budget is whopping at that amount, it is a little bit lesser compared to the actual needs of the Pangasinenses to enjoy further improved services. Guico said that aside from looking for additional resources, it is good to prioritize some aspects that will benefit the many people of the province.

Last month, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan approved the 2025 annual budget of the Province at P7,100,312,215.00. Guico said that this is historical where it showed significant increase compared to the P5,729,765,891.00 budget of 2024 with a remarkable difference of P1,370,546,324.00. He said that aside from it is the first time that the Provincial Government have reached such amount, it shows how professional the provincial government manage its functions and mandates. He said that the budget will be used for the operational expenses of the provincial government including the upgrading of the salaries of its personnel, the programs and other official functions.

The governor stressed that ong the priorities should be the agricultural sector and the health of the people of Pangasinan. According to Guico, they are convincing the farmers to consolidate and join forces just like a corporate industry. He explained that in this, they will have the opportunity to have a systematized plan of planting quality varieties of rice and other crops, using farm inputs in accordance to more scientific approach of managing the soils among other essentials of farming methods. He said through this, the farmers can sell their produce at a better price.

He said this is where the government must actively help in providing needed support and guidance to them. Guico also stressed the need to have a serious education and information drive among the people of the province to know more about their rights to quality health care. He said that most of the Pangasinenses are not having their check-ups for many reasons and this should be addressed as the provincial government dreams of a healthy Pangasinan.

The governor said that the people should know more about the Universal HealthCare Program of the government and their benefits that they can get from the PhilHealth system.  He acknowledged that the PhilHealth had problems before but as it struggled to redeem and improve its system, the provincial government have the responsibility of getting the people to maximize its services. Aside from doing this, Guico said the provincial government will actively assist the different health units and healthcare providers in Pangasinan to ensure  qualitative services to the people.