By Jason De Asis

BALER, Aurora-Atty. Cristine Faith R. Sabella, chief of staff of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) graced the 45th foundation anniversary of Aurora province which is also the celebration of the 136th birth anniversary of First Lady Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon at the Capitol Grounds in Barangay Suklayin, here on Monday, Feb. 19.

Sabella represented NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia “Limpayen” Sibug-Las.

Sabella said in her speech during the culminating activity that the government officials are lead partners in advocating projects, policies and programs that promote the well-being of the IPs, taking steps to ensure that their rights are fully respected and their culture are preserved. Sabella added to renew commitment in building a brighter future for them by reaching more to all IP communities in this province.

“As we honor Dona Aurora today, may we also give due recognition to our IP ancestors. They both immensely contributed to the progress and beauty of Aurora province. Let us be inspired to carry forth her vision of a society where every individual is empowered to reach full potential. Let us not leave anyone behind,” she said.

On the 45th anniversary Sabella said, let us celebrate the founding anniversary by appreciating the milestone of this province with gratitude for our shared history, pride in our progress and a collective determination to forge ahead a brighter future.

Aurora Day Celebration (ADC) 2024 Chairperson Virgilia P. Gomez said that she was overwhelmed with a profound sense of pride and joy, despite the challenges during the planning and preparation before and throughout the celebration, they have come together symbolizing unity and resilience. “Indeed, Aurora stands as a beacon of inspiration and possibilities, from the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage to the boundless potential of our people. On behalf of the ADC 2024 committee, I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support and active participation,” she said, adding that they forged meaningful connections and laid groundwork for future endeavors.

She added but beyond the accomplishments what truly stands out is the spirit of camaraderie and a shared purpose. “As we conclude our activities for ADC, let us carry with us the lessons of our history, the dreams of our ancestors and the aspirations of our youth. In the spirit of “Aurora sa Muling Pagsibol ng Liwanag” let us rekindle the flame of hope in our hearts, ignite the sparks of innovation in our minds and illuminate the path towards a progressive future,” she said.

Aurora Representative Rommel Rico T. Angara said that Aurora Quezon, if living , is very happy for the uprising progress and development in Aurora province. “Projects continue in covered courts, domestic airports, bridges, barangay halls, roads, new municipal buildings among many others…”one of my dreams is to have a 2nd level hospital and it was already passed in the committee level to have an Aurora Medical Center facility will be put up soon in the province of Aurora. Ito po ay isasalang na sa plenaryo,” he said.

Acting Governor Reynante Tolentino said that the celebrations marked the continues progress in the culture, arts, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure among others. He further said in his speech: “Ang tema ng ating pagdiriwang ngayon ay nagpapaalaala sa atin ng pag-asa para sa tuloy-tuloy na pagbangon at pamamayagpag ng ating lalawigan sa iba’t-ibang larangan, kasabay ng pagsibol ng Aurora mula sa dilim patungong kaliwanagan ay ang pagyakap natin sa kaunlaran…tayo po ay magtulungan patungo sa mapayapa at progresibong pamayanan,” Tolentino said.

Acting Vice Governor Jennifer Araňa said that they are at their best with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members to support all the programs of Acting Gov. Tolentino for the continues progress of Aurora province. “Sina Senator Sonny Angara at Congressman Rommel Angara ang ating pangunahing bayani sa ating lalawigan at mas magiging higit ang ating pagsibol ng liwanag sa taong ito ng 2024 hanggang sa mga darating pa,” Araňa said.

Benjamine Avanceňa, a descendant of Quezon said during the program that he was grateful for remembering the good deeds of their great grandmother and also recalled the past of Aurora Quezon.

In a letter of Senator Sonny Angara to Acting Gov. Tolentino stated that the senator lauded the local government leaders in the province for the continuous progress and development. He also cited the tourism booming industry where local and international tourist flocks in Aurora because of the amazing beauty of nature and development.

“Nakakataba ng puso na naririnig natin sa kanila na muli’t-muli tayo ang binabalikan. Bilang anak ng Aurora ako ay nakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ng ating lalawigan…bilang inyong kababayan, ako po ay laging nakahandang tumulong at sumuporta sa pangangailangan ng ating lalawigan at ng ating mga kababayan. Sa mga pagawaing imprastraktura, narito po ang inyong lingkod na lagging nakaagapay sapagkat napakahalaga ng imprastraktura sap ag-unlad ng isang bayan,” he said.

Ranga Kalansooriya, Regional Adviser, Asia Pacific, International Media Support (IMS) conducts lectures on Improving standards in journalism through effective regulation and the role of Citizen’s Media Councils—Philippines to presidents and chairpersons of existing eight regional and provincial media-citizen councils in the Philippines held at Orchid Garden Suites, Manila on February 16-17. Photo by Carmela Reyes-Estrope

By Jason de Asis

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from Lyceum of the East-Aurora and Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), 307 Aurora Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and 307th Community Defense Center (CDC) joined in separate occasions in the massive information campaign conducted by the government troops in two-day (February 16 to 17).

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., said that the move is in collaboration with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) region 3 and 307th CDC aimed to provide the necessary information on, and enjoin the participants to support, the national government’s whole of nation approach towards peace and development in accordance with Executive Order 70.

“Our ROTC cadets and Reservists need to understand the EO 70 so that they can help us in building diplomatic and orderly schools and communities in pursuit of peace and development,” Recto said.

NICA assistant regional director for counter intelligence Anthony Magdaraog said that the Whole-of-Nation approach is significantly leading to positive effects in the continuous collapse of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) in Aurora and the rest in Central Luzon ending armed conflicts.

The 2-day info drive, conducted on separate occasions, was part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) program to end CTGs.

“We conducted an awareness program so that no one will be recruited by the terrorist among the youth and the elders in Aurora and the entire Central Luzon. We have teams who do the same in the local government units,” Magdaraog said.

He also discussed the Anti-Terrorism law which serves as a great help to end armed conflict. “We should not be silenced about these noxious terrorist fronts such as the party list that have stolen and destroyed our youth, our most precious, our family and loved ones. Do not vote for the party list involved in CTGs. Do not vote on the terrorist fronts party list,” he said.

CDC Director Major Ron Michael Soriao said that orientation among ROTC cadets and Reservists are needed to increase awareness on EO70 which institutionalized a “whole-of-nation approach” in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace including the importance of Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

“Through this engagement, we will attain a peaceful, safe and thriving community in Aurora,” he said. Ka Gary, a former NPA fighter, narrates his horrible life for a lost cause in the NPA.

“I was deceived through disinformation and empty promises that made me a “fighter for a false cause” for so many years. I was brainwashed by the terrorist. Now, I am with the government and living peacefully with my family,” he said.

Ka Joy, a former Kabataan Partylist and cadre said that she was recruited by the organizers of the terrorist fronts. “Beware of these fronts devils in sheep’s clothing and be cautious of organizations. We caution the public of their lies and deceptions. Some members of the NPA infiltrated tribes, schools, churches and even our government,” Ka Joy said.

STA. MARIA, Bulacan—The distinct to this town once a year root crop, “tugi,” because of its cultural and religious significant being harvested only in time for the annual Feast of La Purisima Concepcion every second Thursday of February will continue to grow in the town’s soil amid seen scarcity over the years due to intervention and support of key officials and groups.  

Municipal agriculture Arnel Garcia is now validating and conducting inventory of the number of farmers who continue to plant tugi in the villages of Balasing, Catmon, Bulac and Tumana in order to provide them the needed fertilizers to help them best produce their crop, the most sought food delicacy by the faithful and the tourists who come to the town on the Feast Day of La Purisima Concepcion.

Eighty four year old Prudencio Gravador, from Balasing, one of the local folks who still clings to planting tugi expressed concern the root crop is on its withering stage and will no longer be available for the the next generations to see and taste.

Tugi grows in the vast hilly lands in the villages of Balasing, Catmon, Bulac and Tumana. They were planted every May or June and harvested in December or last week of January in time for feast day.  But, their supply has been scarce over the recent years due to land conversion and farmers getting old and dying.

Fertilizers and government subsidy

An orchard is needed to grow tugi, Mang Prudencsio said. Holes (lungao) should be made in the soil where the seed (harvested tugi) would be planted. Soil and fertilizer should be mixed to cover the holes. According to Mang Prudencio, organic fertilizer like palay husks, or dried leaves or cow or carabao manure are best fertilizers but they also need urea, but they are costly these days.

Garcia said tugi is planted every after the first rainfall or thunders in the month of May or  June.  When the leaves start to become green in the month of October, fertilizer could help the seedling grow bigger and faster and ready for harvest by the end of December to January.

Marlon Gravador, a barangay councilman in Balasing who is also a farmer and son of Mang Prudencio said a support from the municipal government to propagate the root crop by providing support fertilizers and other needs of the farmers can be a major boost to their backyard tugi industry.

According to Garcia, after the validation and inventory, they will immediately distribute the needed organic fertilizers for the May or June plantation of tugi.

Garcia said, because of the still available spacious backyards of Gravador family and other farmers who grow tugi, they are certain the once a year root crop will remain their town’s golden root crop every once a year and that’s why he said, the municipal government will do its part to keep tugi still planted and harvested every year.

“Dumadayo ang mga taga Maynila, taga Bocaue, taga Marilao, taga Meycauayan, taga Balagtas at mula pa sa iba’t ibang lugar at namimiyesta sa Sta Maria at dinadayo ang may tinda na tugI. Marami rin sa kanila ang kaya lang namimiyesta ay para lang sa tugue,” (People from Metro Manila, Bocaue, Marilao, Meycauayan, Balagtas and from other towns came during the feast day of Sta. Maria and many among them only come to the town just to buy tug,” says Mang Prudencio.

Similar to the taste of taro, tugue, which is simply boiled in water, is best served as merienda similar to sweet potato and taro. It can also be used for favourite Filipino dishes sinigang, pakbet and bulanglang, and others.

Jaime Corpuz, author of Bulacan’s heritage, culture and historical books and who owns the “Pamanang Bayan” museum in Marilao town said tugi grows only in the mountainous areas of Bulacan and Rizal, along the Sierra Madre mountain range. But in Sta. Maria, tugi has been the food symbolizing the people’s tradition and faith, he said.

“Nakaugalian na ng mga mamamayan ng Santa Maria at ng namimista sa bayang ito na bumili ng tugi at ipasalubong sa kanilang pamilya.Makikita itong nakalatag sa mga bilao na ibinenta sa labas ng simbahan sa panahon ng kapistahan ng bayan ng Santa Maria sa Bulacan. Hindi magiging ganap ang kapistahan ng La Purisima Concepcion sa unang Huwebes ng Pebrero matapos ang kapistahan ng Nuestra Señora de Candelaria kung wala kang makikitang nagtitinda nito sa kahabaan ng lansangan sa labas ng simbahan.Sa ganitong panahon ng kapistahan ng Santa Maria sa Bulacan ibinababa ang mga aning tugi mula sa kabundukan ng Montalban at Norzagaray na pawang nasa paanan ng suson-susong bundok ng Sierra Madre upang gawing tampok na paninda sa pista ng Santa Maria. Dito sinasamantala ng mga magtutugi ang kapistahang ito para ibida ang bungang-ugat na ito sa mga turistang nagyayao’t dili sa pamosong bayan ni Maria,” (It has been part of the tradition of the people of Sta. Maria and the tourists who come to the place during the feast day to but tugi for them and their families. These will be seen in billows and are lined up and sold along the street on front of the church. The Feast of the La Purisima Concepcion every first Thursday of February will not be complete without this root crop. During this feat day, the people from the mountainous areas in Sierra Madre come down to the town proper and sell their harvested tugi as the featured and most sought for food and delicacy of the town during the feast day in the town of Mary), says Corpuz.

Mang Prudencio only harvested 10 sacks of tugi last month compared to 20-30 sacks of the same month in the previous years because he could no longer plant in similar quantities because of his age and because of bigger capital required to buy and make organic fertilizers. At P1,600 per sack, he sold P16,000 for his 10 sacks. During the previous years, he sold each sack of tugi for P1,200. But, during his younger days or in the 1950’5 and the 1960s, per sack of tugi only cost even less than P20.00 per sack.

But, although he had aged, Mang Prudencio said he would not stop tilling the soil in his family’s backyard because planting and harvesting tugi is like keeping cash money in a piggy bank where he said he can stash a huge amount at a given time in a year. He sees the importance of propagating tugi today so that the root crop will continue to be harvested for the next generations to witness and taste.  

“Sana ay may mga iba pang magtanim din bukod sa amin para mabuhay pa ang tugi at maabutan pa ng susunod na henerasyon. Mahina na ako ngayon, sa buwan ng Mayo ay 84 years old na ako. Konti na lang ang naitatanim ko. Pero kahit hindi na ganoong kadami ang naitatanim ko, tuloy tuloy pa rin ako at hindi humihinto sa pagtatanim ng tugi, kasi para bang isang alkansiya, pag ganoong panahon, mayroon akong kitang pera,” he said.  

Gravador started planting tugi and different types of vegetables when he was 12. He learned it from his parents who were both farmers. He said his parents did not send him to school to help the family till their 7 hectares of farm.  

During those days, he said, the only means of living of the people in Balasing, Catmon and for some in Bulac and Tumana were through farming, by planting rice crops, vegetables and tugue. “Palay, gulay at tugi lang ang uso noong araw dito, iyan ang kinabubihay ng tao, isa sa uri ng kabuhayan sa Balasing nong araw ang tugi ganoon din sa Bulac at Tumana, kinagisnan ng mga tao dito,” he told NEWS CORE at his farm on Tuesday (February 6).   

Feast day blockbuster

For seventy year old Rhodora Sta. Ana, also from Balasing who both plant tugi in their family backyard and sells in front of the church of La Purisima Concepcion during the feast day, the story of tugi being associated with the patron dates back during the time of her grandparents and even beyond.

The story was that, in a plantation of tugi in Balasing, an image of the La Purisima Concepcion was found by farmers and residents. Since then, they plant and harvest tugi and sell them in the feast of La Purisima Concepcion.

Marietta Samonte from Barangay Catmon asked her daughter Jackelyn from Bulakan town to absent from her work to help her in selling tugi for the feast day on Tuesday. At P1,000 worth of capital each pail of 10 kilos, they will earn P4,000 for 5 pails during the eve and on the feast day itself at P120 a kilo of boiled and ready to eat tugi.

Lily Cristobal, 69, from Obando town said she regularly go to Sta. Maria during its feast day and she never forget to buy kilos of tugi for their family and her friends.

Pacita Mabun, 79, from Poblacion Sta. Maria brought home 2 kilos of tugi for her now 99 year old mother who is a devotee to La Purisima Concepcion.

According to Sta. Ana, the tradition and culture of the people of Sta. Maria of planting tugi will remain for generations. She said, only the people behind the tugi backyard industry perish over the years because of old age.  

He said tugi will continue to grow in its vines in hectares of lands in Sta. Maria despite land conversion brought by economic growth in the town because the root crop can be planted in family backyards in Balasing, Catmon and Bulac and in other areas of Barangay Tumana.

Nerissa Cruz Del Rosario, tourism officer of Sta. Maria said the municipal government in partnership with different schools in the town are now conducting propagation programs for the root crop.

Tugi plantations in schools

Emer Jose, principal at Saint Mary Village in NorthVille Subdivision in Barangay Casio has been conducting propagation programs for tugi in the school campus since 2020.

He said students in Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) and in Araling Panlipunan (AP) were given lectures about tugi because of its cultural and religious significance to Sta. Maria. He said, being an educator from the town, it was part of his obligation to help promote the rot crop which is distinct in his town.

He said, after a series of class discussions, application of the subjects of the lectures on tugi must be applied which prompted them to put up campus plantations and vines. While they started with a small plots, they will create bigger plots and plant more tugi in the coming school years.

Jose is also proposing to the Department of Education that tugi lectures and actual planting be part of the school curriculum in the town because of its significance to the cultural, religious and tradition of Sta. Maria.  

In collaboration with Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Maria, the students were able to make “tugi jam” similar to “ube jam” or “Ube halaya” and other sweet delicacies made of the root crop.

Propagation in other Bulacan towns

According to Garcia, there was a previously proposed plan for tugi to also be planted in similarly mountainous towns of Norzagaray, San Miguel, Dona Remedios Trinidad and San Ildefosno. But, he said this has yet to prosper.

Garcia has bought several kilos of tugi and made them as special tokens to fellow agriculture officers in the rest of the 19 towns and 4 cities in Bulacan for this year’s feast.

Garcia said it is also his way of helping promote their very unique root crop.

But, according to Gloria Carillo, Bulacan Provincial Agriculturist, tugi should be established as economically feasible or proven to have a sustained market even on a yearly harvest season.

But, Carillo said, the first thing that is needed is to intensify the production to sustain the large market requirement.

BDO Remit – the remittance service brand of BDO Unibank – in partnership with SM, unveils “Kabayan Day,” an exclusive year-round promo for families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

This 2024, every first Tuesday of the month will be “Kabayan Day,” treating valued clients to discounts of up to 10% at any nationwide branch, including the following SM affiliates: SM Store, SM Appliance, SM Cinema, SM Skating, SM Bowling, SM Game Park, Sports Central, Toy Kingdom, Baby Company, Miniso, Surplus, Watsons, and Ace Hardware.

Going beyond remittance, “Kabayan Day” is part of BDO Remit’s initiatives to elevate the experience for our OFW families. It’s a gesture of appreciation, a way of saying ‘thank you’ for choosing BDO Unibank as their financial partner.

“Kabayan Day” is made possible by the partnership between BDO Remit and SM, both dedicated to finding ways to give honor to our OFWs.  For more details, visit http://www.bdo.com.ph or like and follow BDO Kabayan Facebook page.

CITY OF BALIWAG—Department of Migrantt Workers Undersecretary Rosemarie Duquez led other concern government agencies in Central Luzon in the kick-off of a 3-day February 15-17 “Feb-ibig sa Bulakenyo, Trabaho at Turismo, Job Fair” held at Greenery Resort in this town on Thursday.

Duquez said there are 3,500 job orders open to be filled by applicants not only from the city of Baliwag but also from other towns in Bulacan.

City of Baliwag Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) head Rosario Bautista said 45 local and 20 international companies participated in the job fair.

The TESDA Baliwag branch in City of Baliwag inside the Greenery Resort is being ran and managed by its owners—former Balwag Mayor Lando and his wife Evelyn Salvador.

Duquez said they will monitor the status of the application of the job-seekers to ensure they are processed accordingly and the job requirements will be filled in and that they will be officially givwn a regular earnings.

Job opportunities range from health and medical needs and services, manufacturing and industrial companies, tourism and recreation sector, different skilled works, lawyer, other professional jobs and so many others.

Geraldine Panlilio, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 3 Director said the job fair is very unique because it is a “one-stop shop” service to the applicants where other components in job application such as requirements both locally and internationally like Department of Foreign Affairs for the passport and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for clearance, Department of Trade and Industry, TESDA and others.

According to Panlilio, applicants are spared of huge expenditures in having to come to Metro Manila to apply for their works because of the Mega Job Fair.

Athenie Bautista, sister of Gov. Daniel Fernando and head of the governor’s Damayang Filipino (DF) Foundation which conducts regular medical mission for Bulakenyos in different towns and cities assured residents of Baliwag a a medcial mission next month.

SM City Grand Central’s recent Job Fair attracted a significant turnout, with hundreds of eager job seekers flocking to the mall’s activity hall.

Organized in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Local Government Units (LGUs), the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Jobs Group, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), SM Retail, and the city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the event served as a platform to connect job seekers with employment opportunities, aligning with the government’s efforts to address unemployment.

With the aim of providing valuable employment opportunities for job seekers, a total of 119 applicants were Hired-On-The-Spot. The Job Fair also showcased the diverse range of career opportunities available, with 22 participating companies offering a combined total of 1,574 job listings. Notable industry players such as SM Retail, SM Store, and SM Supermalls were joined by a host of other esteemed companies, including SM Retail Affiliates like Ace Hardware, Uniqlo, Pet Express, SM Appliance, Our Home, Sports Central, Toy Kingdom, and The Body Shop, among others. SM Markets also adds to the lineup, introducing SM Hypermarket, SM Supermarket, Savemore Markets, Alfamart, and Waltermart to the mix.

The Job Fair underscores SM Supermalls’ commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to address unemployment and foster economic growth. Since 2008, SM Supermalls has been a key partner of DOLE in organizing job fairs aimed at bridging the gap between job seekers and potential employers while striving to mitigate unemployment challenges.

By Jason de Asis

BALER, Aurora-Rain or shine some 726 individuals participated in the Color and Bubble Fun Run at the provincial capitol grounds as part of the 45th founding anniversary of Aurora coinciding the 136th birth of Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon.

The fun run was made more enjoyable and fun because of the participation of the Buklod LGBTQIA – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual and Aurora Community who added excitement to the public.

With the use of a particular machine, the bubble was made where the people enjoyed playing with. Cash prizes and medals are awarded to winning participants. Aurora Day Celebration (ADC) chairperson Virgilia P. Gomez gave a message which was delivered by Sherwin Paul Gonzales with the theme “Aurora sa Muling Pagsibol ng Liwanag” which means province facing new hope and unity.

An advocacy which everyone is engaging with different colors we are facing whether it is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet and purple which are all in the bubbles.

The bubbles may disappear but it will leave an imprint of memories and legacies that will continue in Aurora province.

Acting Governor Reynante Tolentino sent a message through Gonzales manifesting his excitement in the said activity.

Per se, Aurora is a community opened and respects all sex gender with no discrimination. In almost activities during the past, the LGBT community are the real heroes in every celebrations held in the province; hence, we should maintain the rainbow unity shown by the said community in leading this different celebrations in continuous pursuit of unity.

“Ang LGBTQIA ang tunay na bida sa bawat selebrasyon kaya sana panatilihin daw natin ang bahaghari ng pagkakaisa sa muling pagsibol ng liwanag sa lalawigan ng Aurora. Patuloy nating itaas ang ilaw ng pagbubuklod-buklod at pagkakaisa. Ang lalawigang walang diskriminasyon sa kulay sa antas at pulitika, tayo ay isang lalawigan na tunay na nagkakaisa,” Gonzales said referring to acting governor Tolentino message.

Meanwhile, acting vice governor Jennifer Arana was very thankful for those who support the advocacy of the activity. “Each one should take care of oneself, for as the saying goes health is wealth,” she said.

By Jason de Asis

BALER, Aurora – The provincial government of Aurora launched its 1st Pasidayaw Festival at the Capitol Grounds in Barangay Suklayin here on Monday.

Aurora Provincial Tourism Chief Ana Riza Mendoza said the weeklong festival is a celebration of culture, heritage and faith of the people, sharing of bountiful harvests from the land and the waters, and a new beginning with the break of dawn (bukang liwayway).

The launching of Pasidayaw was part of the 45th Aurora Day celebration with the theme “Aurora, sa Muling Pagsibol ng Liwanag.”

“Pasida” is a common term among the locals which means “paulam” or sharing one’s viand or harvest from nature.

“Dayaw” means celebration or to present with pride. The culture of Aurora residents includes the celebration of fiestas and thanksgiving ceremonies, strong faith, close family ties and gatherings for various occasions and “bayanihan” (unity and cooperation).

Present at the launching, aside from Mendoza, were Department of Tourism-Central Luzon (DOT-3) Regional Director Richard Daeños, acting Governor Reynante Tolentino, acting Vice Governor Jennifer Araña, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Philippe Jacobson Galban, San Luis town Mayor Ariel de Jesus, Maria Aurora Mayor Ariel Bitong, Dingalan Mayor Shierwin Taay and other local officials.

Daeños thanked the people of Aurora for their hospitality, saying he felt at home in the province.

He said the initiatives of the local government in staging another Aurora Day celebration and other activities will boost tourism and encourage more tourists to visit the province.

“During our stay here, tourism is strong and tourists are exploring Aurora. As we say in Central Luzon, Aurora goes beyond being a destination,” Daeños said.
Tolentino lauded the efforts of the provincial and local tourism offices that joined the Tourism Fair 2024 and Siempre Aurora: Trade Fair as part of the celebrations.

He promised to provide all the support needed as a high number of tourists are expected to visit the province this week.

BOCAUE, BULACAN—Love abounds this February heart’s month for senior citizens as local officials approved a resolution increasing the annual P500 birthday cash gift for senior citizens to P1,000.

Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna said starting this month, the 1,700 eighty year old senior citizens in the town will receive P1,000 worth cash gift and the 17,000 60-79 years old senior citizens will continue to receive their regular P500 annual birthday cash gift from the municipal government. 

Tugna in a recent regular session said the P10.2 million fund for the total cash gifts for all the 17,700 senior citizens of Bocaue for the year 2024 has already been approved, P8.5 million of which is allotted for the 17,700 sixty to seventy nine years old and P1.7 million for the 1,700 eighty year old. 

The Bocaue municipal board has just approved Kautusang Bayan 11th-024-002 which modifies sections 1 and 2 of Kautusang Bayan Blg. 19-006 that provides P500 cash gift to 60-79 year old senior citizens and P1,000 for 80 year old above. 

“It’s giving love to them all throughout the year, every month of the year as they celebrate their respective birthdays, but the start of the implementation of this ordinance is during this February love month and it is really something we look forward offering our beloved elderlies. Our senior citizens are our parents, our aunties, our uncles, our lolo’s, lola’s, ninongs and ninangs. It is a collective decision of all of us in the municipal government of Bocaue in celebration of the lives of our senior citizens’” Tugna told media men. 

The senior citizen is among the top priority sector beneficiaries of health and social welfare programs of Mayor Eduardo Villanueva and Tugna and all the municipal council members.