BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA

Residents flocked to the Pangasinan Capitol Complex in Lingayen on May 1 for a glimpse of the new interactive fountain, even though it was only undergoing a test run.

The preview of the water feature quickly became a buzz on social media, with visitors expressing excitement over the project.

The interactive fountain is part of a broader redevelopment plan for the Capitol Complex under the leadership of Governor Ramon V. Guico III.

“We conducted a test run for the interactive fountain. This is part of our ongoing improvements to the Capitol Complex,” Governor Guico said during the event.

The fountain is situated within a reflecting pool that spans 200 meters in length and 23 meters in width.

According to provincial officials, the first phase of the project cost nearly 100 million pesos, significantly more than the Wright Park Reflecting Pool in Baguio City, which cost 19 million pesos and measures 100 meters by 5 meters.

Engineer Alvin Bigay, head of the Provincial Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Office, said the redevelopment serves multiple purposes, “The allocated budget for this first phase is close to 100 million pesos. Later on, other aspects of the project will be funded to complete both the reflecting pool and the interactive fountain.”

Apart from being a new attraction, the project also aims to improve the Capitol’s drainage system and prevent flooding in the area.

The redevelopment will also relocate heritage markers and war relics to the beachfront for better integration with the Lingayen Gulf Landing historical landmark.

Once fully launched, the provincial government said the interactive fountain is expected to be the largest dancing fountain in the region and could boost local tourism.

Work on other parts of the Capitol Complex continues, with full completion anticipated in the coming months.