Rather ambitious, but highly doable is the vision for Eastern Pampanga by the year 2020. This, at the first of an intended series of “Visioning Pampanga” workshops held at Max’s Restaurant here Monday.
Guided by Philippine Board of Investments governor Oliver B. Butalid, the workshop covered the municipalities of Arayat, Magalang, Candaba, San Luis, Sta. Ana, Mexico, Apalit and San Simon which comprised eastern Pampanga.
With both capacities and peculiarities for development as staging points, the local government units projected their visions for 2020 with “Arayat is Pampanga’s top eco-tourism destination with modernized agricultural sector and the beginnings of new industry.”
Candaba as “a sustainable haven for agri-ecotourism, bird-watching and duck-raising for salted eggs.”
Magalang as “the next Angeles City, with a touch of eco-tourism in its part of Mount Arayat.”
Sta. Ana as “the food terminal of eastern Pampanga.”
San Luis as “the premier rice producer in the whole province of Pampanga.”
Apalit as “a pilgrim tourist destination in and the leading source of human resources for the whole province.”
The visions were arrived at after critiques and thorough discussions from former president 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Gov. Lilia G. Pineda.
Butalid said the LGU inputs will form part of the “great urban plan” for the province as divided into three parts: Eastern Pampanga, Southern Pampanga and the Growth Triangle.
Pineda said the inputs and potentials of each town will be integrated to the Pampanga Megalopolis development plan being prepared by renowned urban developer Architect Felino Palafox Jr.
Last week, Palafox presented an inception plan of the Pampanga Megalopolis before local government executives, business leaders, NGO groups and other stakeholders at the Kingsborough International Convention Center here.
– Bong Z. Lacson with Pampanga PIO
