Pangasinan (27 February) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has committed the initial release of P100 million to Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. to jumpstart the development and construction of an international seaport in Sual town.

The President made the announcement to local leaders before she left Pangasinan during her visit to Binalonan last Saturday, according to Espino.

The Sual shipping port is estimated to cost around P400 million.

The governor said he is elated that President Arroyo has recognized and supported the commercial seaport which he pointed out as "one of his long-term mega projects that will bring genuine progress for the province and make Pangasinan one of the country's premier provinces."

Aside from the seaport, President Arroyo also said in Binalonan that she will support other projects for Pangasinan such as the building of an airport, expressway, railroad and irrigation system.

The seaport construction will be jointly pursued by the provincial government, the municipality of Sual and the Philippine Ports Authority.

Its construction, according to Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan, will greatly boost the province's economy as this will lead to the establishment of a complementary economic zone for the whole province.

"We have so many aggregates in Pangasinan which are internationally highly competitive and if pursued, we will have no problem transporting these minerals to other destinations," he said.

Aside from the seaport, the other long-term mega projects of the Espino Administration include the establishment and construction of a commercial airport, fish processing plant, food terminals, fish port, deep-sea fishing vessels, silos and warehouses for rice and corn. (PIA-Pangasinan)