OMAR Ebdane, son of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. is the frontrunner in today’s special polls in Zambales.

Election watchers predict at least 70 percent turnout based surveys showing strong electorate interest.

The provincial administrator and son of incumbent Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has vowed to continue his father’s programs should he be elected.

Omar said he will continue the programs and projects of his father once he is elected as congressman of the second district of the province.

The young Ebdane is the frontrunner in the special elections that will be held today, Feb. 4.

He said since his father became governor, Zambales achieved significant progress including the increase in yearly revenues.

Gov. Ebdane inaugurated the newly reconstructed and rehabilitated Carael road in Botolan, new medical equipment in the provincial hospital in Iba and the Zambales sports complex, which now boasts of having a rubber track oval and new swimming pool.

The elder Ebdane said Zambales’ total revenue in 2011 zoomed to P800 million, compared to a five-year revenue average of P650 million, as a result of efficient tax collection. 

The governor said in mining alone, the Environment and Natural Resources Office of Zambales (ENROZ) collected an additional P43 million in enhancement fees.

Infrastructure projects under Ebdane also increased. An investment of P120 million in infrastructure projects in the province is now benefitting Zambales residents.

These include the construction and improvement of roads and bridges in Iba, Palauig, San Marcelino, San Narciso, Sta. Cruz, San felipe, Candelaria and Masinloc.

In addition, drainage and slope protection facilities were put up in San Felipe, Botolan, Castillejos, and San Narciso, and other improvements in Iba, Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, San felipe, San Narciso, Cabangan, and Palauig.

A total of P21 million was also spent for the rehabilitation of schools in Cabangan, Iba, San felipe, Subic, Botolan and Palauig.

Gov. Ebdane also focused on healthcare, sports and tourism and agriculture.

He said because of these, Zambales has been awarded the Seal of Excellence by the Civil Service Commission and the Good Housekeeping award by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.