CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — More or less 4,000 Bulakeños witnessed the birth of a program seeking to turn Bulacan into a hub of industrialization and model of inclusive economic growth as Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Rep. Joselito Mendoza launched early morning yesterday the One Bulacan Program for Rapid Industrialization and Development (PRIDE) held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here.

Ochoa said One Bulacan PRIDE is anchored on the Aquino administration’s goal of achieving rapid and inclusive economic growth by increasing production and productivity, dispersing economic opportunities, and ensuring that the fruits of economic growth are distributed equitably.

“We want to create new engines of economic growth, and Bulacan will be among the pilot provinces for this initiative,” Ochoa said, adding that the strategy calls for making Bulacan’s economy “vibrant and driven by enterprise and a strong partnership among the national government, local government, and the private sector.”

Alvarado cited Bulacan’s strategic location to help spread industrialization and development in Luzon.

“Tamang-tama ang ating lokasyon. Itinuturing ang Bulacan na Gateway to the North. Kaya ang industriyalisasyong mangyayari sa ating lalawigan ay magpapayabong rin ng ekonomiya ng ibang lalawigan sa Central at Northern Luzon,” said Alvarado.

“Napakagandang programa nito kung talagang maisasagawa at kung magtutulungan, palagay ko kayang kaya natin itong matupad, kayang kaya pa nating umunlad,” Alvarado said.