Pangasinan to provide Coast Guard resources

By Gabriel Cardinoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The provincial government announced on Monday, Oct. 9, it was ready to provide resources to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help protect the West Philippine Sea.
    "Gov. [Ramon] Guico had decided that we provide a space, or perhaps a hangar for the PCG Aviation Force when we finish the construction of an airport in Bolinao [town]," said Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino.
    That way, Lambino said, there would be a nearby PCG air unit that could monitor the West Philippine Sea and the coastal waters of western Pangasinan.
    The nearest Pangasinan airport to the West Philippine Sea is located in this capital town, but it can only accommodate small airplanes because it has a short runway.
    "It is also timely that we received a copy of a resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Aurora province urging the different sanggunian in the country to express collective support for the national government's effort in protecting the West Philippine Sea," said Lambino.
    Last month, Guico said the provincial government would build an airport in Bolinao to boost the town's economy and tourism industry.
    Bolinao remains Pangasinan's top tourism site because of its white sand beaches, majestic waterfalls, and popular resorts, but it can only be accessed from Metro Manila through a five- to six-hour drive.
    Lambino said he had not been informed yet of the airport's exact location, but he said the runway would be about 2,000 meters long, enough for an Airbus 330 to land.
    The airport is expected to be completed next year.
    During its regular session on Monday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution to formally inform the PCG of the provincial government's plan to provide them with resources.
    The resolution will also be sent to the Office of the President and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
    Last Wednesday, October 4, in a special session, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan also passed a resolution expressing "a deep sense of sadness" over the death of three fishermen from Subic in Zambales province after their boat was accidentally rammed by a commercial ship in the open sea.