DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Governor Ramon Guico III delivered his first State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday, March 27 at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan, with the theme: "Reclaiming our Values, Refocusing our Visions."
 
Governor Guico reported before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and the entire populace of Pangasinan his accomplishments for the first nine months of his term as Pangasinan’s leader.
 
One of the notable accomplishments of the provincial government of Pangasinan is the improved care and treatment of the Provincial Jail’s persons deprived of liberty with the increase in meal allowance from P70 to P100, and provision of regular medical checkups.
 
In terms of safety and security, Governor Guico reported that 87% of all barangays and 63% of all municipalities and cities were drug-free and the crime rate in the province also decreased by 16% by the end of 2022.
 
The provincial government provided assistance to local towns and other provinces that were ravaged by calamities and natural disasters through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
 
Plans to establish a first responders team and to hire personnel to guard the province’s borders were also mentioned.
 
Strengthening borders is a priority to safeguard the province from criminal activities and the spread of infections that will affect livestock such as African Swine Flu and Avian Flu.
 
The provincial government  institutionalized a feeding program in collaboration with private companies as well, and formed a stronger partnership with the province’s farmers to ensure food security.
 
Governor Guico cited that aside from being the Bangus Capital of the Philippines, Pangasinan is also the biggest supplier of malaga in the country which the province should capitalize on.
 
He likewise shared the provincial government’s feat of taking over the second largest salt farm in Pangasinan in order to eventually establish the Pangasinan Salt Center which will help not only the province, but also the entire Philippines to be self-sufficient in the production of salt.
 
Meanwhile, in terms of investments and promotions, Governor Guico mentioned the establishment of the Provincial Economic Development and Investment and Promotions Office and plans to conduct an investments and promotions summit in Manila to showcase Pangasinan to a wider and broader audience, and perhaps to encourage investors that may put up international and branded accommodation establishments in the province.
 
Investment in the people through volunteerism was also a key accomplishment of Governor Guico’s administration as they established the Pangasinan Volunteerism Office last December 2022 as the province hosted the celebration of the National Volunteers Month – a first in the country.