Government center rises in P'sinan

ROSALES, Pangasinan, Philippines  – Once a dream, now a reality.

Many cast doubts on the vision of then sixth district Rep. Conrado Estrella III to build a government center here, which is becoming the next business area of Pangasinan.

Several government offices have set up their satellite offices after a generous individual, Bobby Rodriguez, Estrella’s friend, donated a 3.5-hectare lot in Barangay Carmay East here.

Today, a 7,000-square meter Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training center is now operating in the area after its inauguration almost two years ago. Last April 30, the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman of Luzon opened its satellite office here.

On May 11, the Land Transportation Office also inaugurated its building.

The Professional Regulation Commission will soon construct its five-storey building here, Estrella said.

Also expected to rise here are the buildings of the National Tobacco Administration and the Department of Labor and Employment which will also house the offices of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

Estrella said Rosales is “a very strategic area, we share a common boundary with two other provinces, namely Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, and it is a gateway to the north, gateway to the east and we dream that this would be a city someday.”