Zambales tourism, resource mgt top Ebdane’s development agenda

IBA, Zambales—The judicious development and utilization of resources in this province, including minerals and human capital, will be the priority of the Zambales provincial government under the administration of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

This was announced by Ebdane on Wednesday in his inaugural speech that outlined a seven-point community-centered action agenda.

Ebdane, a retired police general who also served as public works secretary and secretary of National Defense and is a political neophyte, won by a margin of almost 30,000 votes over four-term Gov. Amor Deloso in the recent local elections.

He was sworn in as Zambales executive yesterday by Iba Regional Trial Court Judge Josefina Farrales in a ceremony held at the capitol grounds here.

In his speech, Ebdane said there is much to do in his action agenda and invited his constituents to help him “take on the challenge of change and development.”

“We start by developing our tourism industry, particularly the shoreline that caters to the recreational and sporting needs of tourists,” Ebdane said. “With the construction of two major roads that allow fast and easy access to Zambales, we are on track to attract tourists and businesses alike.”

“We must ensure that in planning and preparing for the boom of people and industry, we target repeat business to ensure continuing income in the future,” he said.

He added that he would also focus on the proper regulation and development of the local mining industry, the infusion of technology to agriculture and the planting of crops appropriate to the area, and the development of youth and human resources.

Ebdane, however, made it clear that in the matter of developing the rich mineral resources in the province, Zambales residents should be given first priority.

“Mining activities must benefit our province and our people first,” Ebdane stressed. “We will build consensus among corporations, mining employees and local towns.” He also called on Zambaleños to be the first to invest in Zambales.

“We have to show other people that we believe in our own community. Let us start with ourselves so that when it’s time to reap what we have sown, those from Zambales who chose to live elsewhere will want to come home and join in the harvesting,” Ebdane said.

Aside from his priorities on the action agenda, Ebdane said he also intends to make significant inroads in the first 100 days of his administration in the areas of peace and order, health and sanitation, health care, community participation, and the reorganization of the provincial government bureaucracy.

“I expect every employee of the provincial government to work, not because he is ordered to do so, but because he believes that his service is necessary and vital to the organization,” Ebdane said.