Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. declared on March 27 that Zambales is on the path to becoming a “future-proof” province, overcoming past limitations and seizing current opportunities.
In his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Botolan People’s Plaza, Ebdane highlighted how his administration has revitalized the province’s economic growth and enhanced public services over the past three years. This progress, he said, has laid the foundation for sustainable development and improved infrastructure for the people of Zambales.
Despite previous challenges, Zambales recorded over P1.2 billion in local income in 2024 alone, mobilized P2.6 billion for infrastructure development, and allocated more than P341.8 million for social services, largely benefitting poor families and vulnerable sectors.
“We inherited a Zambales filled with promise, but burdened by setbacks and limitations,” Ebdane recalled. “The turning point came when we stopped waiting for change and began driving it ourselves,” he added.
To address revenue constraints and spur economic development, Ebdane pointed to the provincial government’s bold initiatives. These included a river rehabilitation program that not only improved waterways but also generated income by collecting debris from Mount Pinatubo’s eruption, a revamped quarrying network, and improved revenue collection systems.
As a result, local revenue steadily increased from 2020 to 2024, earning Zambales the classification of a first-class province in 2023, according to Ebdane.
The governor also cited the creation of the Zambales Mango Industry Council (ZMIC), which launched the P50-million Zambales Mango Green Valley Project to boost local mango production, and the Zambales Maritime Development Council (ZMDC), which helped organize the Zambales Provincial Fisherfolks Association (ZPFA) to promote sustainable fishing practices and enhance local fishery productivity.
“We didn’t wait for investments to come; we created them,” Ebdane emphasized. He noted that the agriculture and fishery sectors would serve as economic anchors, driving development in local communities.
On the social services front, the provincial government made significant strides, upgrading facilities at the province’s four government hospitals, expanding educational assistance for students from elementary to graduate school, and providing livelihood support, including agricultural grants, farming tools, fishing equipment, and skills training—especially for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In terms of infrastructure, Ebdane highlighted a record-breaking 79.98% completion rate for development projects in 2024, which totaled P2.6 billion in investments. Key projects included a new Zambales Capitol building, a Capitol annex, the Zambales Sports Stadium, and the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital Annex, alongside community-level projects such as multi-purpose halls and senior citizens’ centers.
Ebdane outlined his vision for making Zambales a benchmark for regional development, including the implementation of a smart digital ecosystem and the launch of “Zambales eGov Services,” allowing residents to access public services, permits, and social assistance online. He also emphasized plans to strengthen the local value chain, empowering local producers and processors, and expanding support for entrepreneurs through the “Best of Zambales Products” initiative, which will receive an initial P1 million investment.
Looking ahead, the provincial government will focus on enhancing human capital and governance, with programs such as the “Zambales Youth Innovation Program” to support youth-led initiatives in technology, agriculture, education, and social change. The government will also expand participatory budgeting, barangay dialogues, and sectoral planning groups to strengthen democratic engagement, while doubling its efforts on environmental resilience.
Ebdane concluded by stressing the importance of not just predicting the future but preparing for it. “From adversity to breakthrough, from scarcity to self-reliance, Zambales is now ready to raise the bar,” he said.
