Pangasinan governor urges unity, humility

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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Fresh from his reelection victory on May 12, Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III on Monday called on provincial government employees to embrace unity, practice humility in triumph, and renew their commitment to transformative governance.

NEW TERM Gov. Ramon Guico III (left) attends his first flag raising ceremony on May 19, 2025, at the provincial capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan, after his reelection in the midterm elections. PHOTO COURTESY OF PIMRO

"You look very tired. I should be the one who is tired," Guico said in jest, setting a light tone for what became a reflective and determined address after a grueling campaign.

The governor congratulated all winners in the recent midterm elections and emphasized the importance of divine guidance in public service.

"Not everything is in our hands. Ninety-nine percent should be in God's hands," Guico said.

Guico secured a second term by defeating former governor Amado Espino III by 96,837 votes, in a rematch of the 2022 election.

"I never realized how difficult a political battle it would be for me. But one thing is certain — it is not always in our control," said Guico, who noted that 1,744,283 out of the province's 2,011,825 registered voters went out to vote on May 12.

"No matter how strong you are politically, no matter how intelligent, no matter how entrenched your machinery is — everything can change. That's why we must always cling to God," he added.

Guico expressed gratitude to both his supporters and critics, noting that feedback from those who did not vote for him provides balance and drives improvement.

"There is still much room for growth in the things we do," he added.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to pursue programs initiated during his first term, including high-impact, long-term projects for the benefit of future generations.

Among his priorities are the continued expansion of Pangasinan Polytechnic College, with new campuses planned in Umingan and Bugallon, and the establishment of specialized medical facilities — a heart center, a kidney center, and a cancer institute.

Guico also defended his health initiative, the Government Unified Incentives for Medical Consultations (Guiconsulta) program, which provides cash incentives to the people of Pangasinan who enroll in PhilHealth's Konsulta program.

He said the program had been unfairly criticized during the campaign.

"What many fail to realize is that this is what will provide sustainability and the capital needed to strengthen our health care program," he said.

Konsulta — short for Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama — is a comprehensive outpatient medical benefit package under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. It aims to protect Filipinos from chronic illnesses, prevent complications through early detection, and ensure access to affordable medicines, according to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

Under Konsulta, all Filipinos must register with an accredited provider of their choice and are eligible for consultations, health risk assessments, select laboratory tests, diagnostics, and essential medicines.

To boost enrollment in Konsulta, the provincial government launched the Guiconsulta program, which offers financial incentives to registrants.

Guico urged stakeholders to set aside political divisions and work together to build a comprehensive health care system in the province.

"Let us not toy with the lives of the people, especially when it comes to health care. This goes beyond political color, affiliation, religion, belief, or orientation. All of us deserve to be healthy," he said.

Also reelected were Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino and board members Apolonia Bacay and Napoleon Fontelera Jr. (first district), Philip Theodore Cruz and Haidee Pacheco (second district), Shiela Baniqued and Vici Ventanilla (third district), Marinor de Guzman and Jerry Agerico Rosario (fourth district), and Nicholi Jan Louie Sison (fifth district), who all ran under Guico's slate.

Rose Apaga was elected as a new board member in the fifth district, replacing Rosary Gracia Perez, who completed her third and final term.

In the sixth district, former congressman Ranjit Shahani made a surprise comeback, winning a seat as board member alongside Noel Bince Jr. Shahani is the son of the late senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani.

They succeeded Board Members Noel Bince Sr. and Salvador Perez Jr., who both have also completed their third and final term.