Pangasinan execs bullish on Sual international seaport

SUAL, Pangasinan, Philippines – The setting up of an international seaport in this town will open the gates of industrialization that will spur the growth of economic activities in the province.

Thus said Gov. Amado Espino Jr. as he led last Friday’s groundbreaking of the Sual international seaport with an initial funding of P500 million.

Espino said this major infrastructure project would pave the way for the industrialization and the long-delayed economic development of the province.

“It will provide easier access for our potential exports to reach the global market,” he said. 

“For that reason, today is one historic moment when Pangasinan can enjoy the real prospect of moving forward and finally leaving behind those unfortunate years of missed opportunities,” he added. 

Espino thanked the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Philippine Ports Authority, which jointly allocated P200 million for the seaport project.

He also expressed gratitude to President Arroyo, who he said helped him realize breakthroughs for the province.

The Sual municipal government allocated P100 million, and the provincial government P200 million as local counterpart funding for the project.

Sual Mayor John Rodney Arcinue recalled that before the 1,200-megawatt, coal-fired power plant was built in 1994, “Sual was a sleepy town.”

Today, he said Sual is a first-class municipality facing brighter prospects, along with the entire province, with the international seaport.