-
Posted by Lani on Sunday, October 1st, 2006 at 7:25 pm
I spent the weekend lobbying for the shipwreck at Lapog Bay. On my agenda were the barangay captains of Sabangan (Maximo Gorospe) and Saoang (Pablo Pacrem). They, however, were not around. We were told they went coconut tree-planting in San Isidro. So off we went after them, feeling lucky that since they were all there with their barangay councilmen, we could brief all of them about the historicity of Lapog Bay. It turned out the activity was a formal launching of the Agribusiness Foreshore Coconut Planting Project, a project initiated by Rep. Salacnib Baterina. I wasted no time in taking these shots.
The project is done in cooperation with the provincial government and will be implemented along the coastal barangays (villages) of the first district of Ilocos Sur. The affair was organized by the barangay government of San Isidro, under the leadership of Barangay Captain Felipe Villa, Jr. It is about time we put our shores to good use, especially since coconut products, such as Virgin Coconut Oil, are picking up in domestic and international markets.
There were dignitaries from Ilocos Norte, headed by Rep. Ablan, from the Ilocos Sur government headed by Sanggunian Panlalawigan Member Jerry Singson, Magsingal Mayor Arlyn Favis, and of course, Rep. Baterina. Talk about good timing! I was prepared to broach the issue of the shipwreckto Rep. Baterina and Jerry Singson if all else failed that day. Though we couldn’t spend much time with them, fortunately, the two barangay captains were receptive to our explanation and promised they’ll do something about it. Let’s all hope for the best, that we can keep the shipwreck in our shores. Like Growen said in his survey reply, the shipwreck site puts Lapog on the tourism map of the Philippines.
[…] On Thursday, Sept. 28, I delivered this letter to the Mayor’s office and furnished the Sangguniang Bayan two copies - one for the Vice Mayor and one for the Committee on Tourism. On Saturday, Sept. 30, I went after the barangay captains of Sabangan and Saoang, Maximo Gorospe and Pablo Pacrem, respectively. We caught up with them at the Foreshore Coconut Planting Project in San Isidro. As the program was starting, I saw the two huddled in one corner. When I approached them, they said they were discussing the issue of the shipwreck. They knew at once it was what I came to see them for. From what they told me, after the mayor’s office received the letter, they (Gorospe and Pacrem) received order from the mayor’s office to tell the treasure hunters to stop the salvage activities because there was a complaint. I learned that whatever permission the treasure hunters claim to have from the municipal government of San Juan was all in verbal form. I explained to the barangay heads the legal basis, PD 374, and the site’s potential for tourism. They promised to do something about it. On Sunday afternoon, I got word from Saoang that the barge left early Sunday morning. Boy, was that quick! The downside is, they took with them whatever they have salvaged thus far from the wreckage. […]
1 | Lapoguenio Perspectives » The barge has left! October 2nd, 2006 at 10:36 am