The provincial government of Pangasinan is allocating an initial PHP200 million for development projects in Barangay Malico in this town, one of the province’s four focus areas for tourism.

The province has declared the mountainous village as the Barangay Summer Capital of Pangasinan to reinforce its claim over the area, amidst the ongoing territorial dispute with Nueva Vizcaya.

“This is the commitment of the province. That they don’t claim Malico. If they wanted to do projects here as well, it is okay. It is a not a war. We are hoping for co-existence to develop. Respect should be given to the local government of San Nicolas as well,” Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino in an interview on Monday said.

The initial budget for the development projects will be used for the establishment of a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).

“This is for all the activities and projects including social services, infrastructure, and other projects suited for the area,” Governor Ramon Guico III said in an interview over the weekend.

Guico said he has instructed the Pangasinan DRRMO to bring a backhoe and an ambulance to Barangay Malico. Solar lights will also be installed.

In February 2000, officials of Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya tapped the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority to survey their boundaries but it did not prosper.

Nueva Vizcaya officials are firm on their position that Malico is part of the municipality of Sta. Fe while Pangasinan said it is within San Nicolas.

The mountain village attracts tourists due to its cold weather, mountain range view, waterfalls and historical value during World War II.

Japanese forces established a military base in the area between 1942 and 1945. A memorial stands for Filipino and US soldiers who fought during the war.

Situated atop Caraballo Mountain at 1,675 meters above sea level, it greets tourists with cold breeze and the fresh scent of pine trees, especially from December to February. (PNA)