BATANG BALER | Baler, Aurora, Philippines

by Ronald Leander

August 19, 2009

BALER, Aurora – President Arroyo visited today this historical town jointly celebrating its 400th founding anniversary, the 131st birth Anniversary of the late President Manuel L. Quezon and the town’s annual fiesta celebration in honor of St. Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the town’s patron saint.

The Chief Executive led here the unveiling of the commemorative marker for its 400th anniversary as a municipality and she was joined by Sen. Edgardo Angara, House Deputy Majority Leader Juan Edgardo Angara, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Mayor Arthur Angara and the rest of Balerianos here in the birthplace of Quezon, considered the father of the national language.

The President also led the ribbon-cutting for the “flora and fauna” exhibit at the Museo de Baler and viewed the vintage presidential car of Quezon at the Quezon Memorial Park.

She also turned over P381,000 worth of cash incentives to 157 coconut farmers represented by their leaders.

The Chief Executive was later presented a commemorative stamp, pin and medal by National Historical Institute chairman Lamberto Ocampo.

Governor Angara-Castillo praised the President for not politicizing economic development by deciding to help the province which has only a small voting population saying PGMA is the only President who did not consider the size of a place in extending help but its potentials, adding the President even went here seven times in her eight years as President.

Senator Angara in his speech said that critics had been telling President Quezon that if he could not develop his hometown, how could he possible develop the entire country. And he answered that he is leaving the development of the province all up to his successors. And only President Arroyo took his word for it.

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