IBA, Zambales, Philippines — Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. inaugurated Monday three major provincial projects pertinent to his development program which he was expected to present in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) later in the day.

Before his SOPA, Ebdane inaugurated the Carael segment of the National Highway in Botolan that connects the North and the South areas of Zambales.

“This project took at least four years to complete since the National Highway is a very busy thoroughfare. It was also affected by many calamities that battered the province,” Ebdane said.

A total of P50 million was used in the rehabilitation of the highway and is now well-fortified to withstand all passing vehicles.

The inauguration was graced by mayors of different municipalities of Zambales headed by Botolan Mayor Nerma Yap. According to her, the reconstruction of the highway is a major boost in terms of logistics for the town.

Afterwards, Ebdane inaugurated the new P50-million medical equipment at the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital (RMMH) as part of the provincial government’s thrust to bring cheap medical services to the residents of Zambales.

Onhand during the event was medical equipment provider High Integrated Medical Engineering Exponent Corp., Inc. (HIMEX) chief financial officer Rema Padilla-Ohno, who also inaugurated the new medical equipment.

For P50 million, the province acquired a Hitachi Multi-Slice CT Scan Machine, a Hitachi Ultrasound Machine with Elastography and a Hitachi conventional Xray machine.

Ebdane also inaugurated a P100-million facility at the Zambales Sports Complex, which includes an Olympic size swimming pool, a track-and-field stadium, and an indoor basketball court.

“This is part of our grass-roots project that would train young athletes of Zambales and represent the province in their respective sports,” he said.