Baler - pioneer of progress in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines

BALER, Aurora, Philippines – What can come out of this little town of Baler, a remote isolated coastal town on the eastern seaboard of Luzon on the slope of Sierra Madre? It’s Museo de Baler, launched by Senator Edgardo Angara together with Spanish officials from Almonte Spain, speaks of its greatness. The exhibit on the first president of the Philippines, depicts Manuel Quezon, born in Baler and lived his life seeking the independence of our country from American colonization. Old photos of 1898 depicts Baler as the last bastion of the Spanish empire when Philippine revolutionaries besieged 54 Spanish soldiers who barricaded themselves for one whole year in the town church which has been preserved. Upon their surrender President Emilio Aguinaldo ordered them treated not as prisoners of war but as worthy adversaries, ensuring their safe passage home. Sen. Angara whose whole family has faithfully tried to develop the natural wealth of Aurora stated “As a son of Baler, I take pride in a hometown fabled for its wealth of associations – including the lore and the legend that have given it a unique character and flavor. Only Baler can be Baler. Fortuitous have been the threads of fate that have gone into the weaving of it’s historical tapestry.”

Last July 26-30, the 18th OMP with a theme, Marine Sciences: A Key to Progress in Baler, was made possible through the request of Sen. Angara who sought the assistance of the NCMS. The primary aim of the NCMS outreach program was to assist the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) faculty and school administration in the development of an academic program or curriculum in the Marine Sciences.

A workshop, participated by 48 local experts, academic leaders, schools officials, college faculty members and students, fishermen organizations, NGOs and officials of local government units, was jointly sponsored by NCMS and hosted by ASCOT.

Enchanting Baler

Seldom do people go to Baler, Aurora so the NCMS was very excited. The coaster provided very competent guides from Sen. Angara’s office. Through Cabanatuan to Dingalan we passed through the Canili Pantabangan Dam route. The old bumpy road has been replaced by the Baler Bongabon road taking six hours to traverse.

The NCMS team was led by Dr. Rolu P. Encarnacion, formerly PAGASA director and Marine Science current committee chairman and Dr. Miguel D. Fortes (current chairperson), Dr. Virginia S. Carino (also a member of the international UNESCO Man and the Biosphere). Other members are Capt. Audie Venitrez, Dr. Mudjeekeewis D. Santos, Ester C. Zaragoza, LCDR. Marlon Roy Roa, Ramon V. Macabuhay Jr., Atty. Marilyn Sta. Romana and Freddie Blanco – with myself and Amb. Hector K. Villarroel.

The NCMS Team finally arrived in Baler at about 6:30 p.m. to see the fading twilight in the enchanting Dipaculao Bay. Right in front of it were BAHIA 1 and BAHIA 2 where we were billeted. These are owned and operated by the Angaras of Baler. A wise foresight in otherwise hotel-less province.

Geographic factor

The province of Aurora, “goddess of the dawn”, is named after the wife of former president Manuel L. Quezon. Being the extreme northern tip of the country, this is where the first rays of the sun first dawns in the country. Aurora is part of Region 2 and is alongside the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya while Bulacan and Quezon provinces are located south. The province forms part of the eastern side of the Sierra Madre mountains. The entire 328 kilometers coastline is exposed to the full effects of the raging typhoons of the western Pacific Ocean, posing constant danger to the province.

It was heartening to note that ASCOT president, Dr. Eusebio Angara, an ecologist took all the NCMS activities to heart and not skipping any activity. He was very proud of the mangrove reforestation done by the NGO including their reconstruction of the footbridge in the area. They still have to develop the right species to encourage crustacean production. The first site visit was the Mangrove Walk in the outskirts of Baler. The Cemento fishport and hatchery was the second site. Fishermen in native boats took us to this well organized hatchery. I noted that instead of just bangus they should give importance to the pompano hatchery. Although it takes a longer time, it would bring more money to the local fishermen.

Traversing the coastline with the Navy patrol boat

The team was able to traverse the coastline bordering the municipality of Baler with the use of naval ship RPS Alfredo Tecson, through the request of LCDR Roy Roa to Lt. Alfredo Todio PN, commanding officer. He happily welcomed us with the eight-man crew. The Radon covered antennae of the Weather Surveillance Radar of the PAGASA at the mountaintop is one of the weather instruments that observes and monitors weather systems in the Pacific seaboard of the Philippine Archipelago.

The ASCOT marine station on the mountaintop is still undergoing construction near a picturesque cove in Barangay Discopsip. The laboratory site is well protected from the high winds and waves of the nearby open waters. Fresh water supply for the laboratory comes from the nearby mountain springs.

A new road is being constructed between Baler town proper and the PAGASA Weather Station and the ASCOT Marine Station.

Agricultural Officer Paz Leander of the Municipality of San Luis called attention to the rampant illegal fishing activities that are occurring in her area of responsibility. Due to lack of communication facilities they cannot right away seek assistance from the coastal patrol authorities.

The Angaras on the lead

The first day session opened with Atty. Sta. Romana as the emcee, Dr. Eusebio V. Angara (ASCOT president) and Baler Mayor Arturo Angara. Special messages were given by Aurora Province Governor Atty. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Congressman Juan Edgardo Angara and Sen. Edgardo Angara. The whole Angara family is totally focused to build the resources of the Marine Sciences in Baler, Quezon.

Chairperson Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz has bee part of the Aurora Marine Research and Development Institute (AMRDI) for 10 years. She presented the institution and its physical structure. Dr. Cruz expressed her willingness to be one of the professors in the ASCOT Marine Science program.

ASCOT consultant Dr. Paul Watts expounded on the Draft Marine Science Curriculum analyzed by CHED requires revisions. Dr. Virginia S. Carino explained the Essential Elements of a Marine Science Curriculum. ASCOT VP for academic affairs, Dr. Oscar T. Vallejo, promised to seriously study the proposal for future presentation to the Academic Council. Copies of the academic modules patterned after the UP Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences programs on management of coastal resources and marine affairs were also given to ASCOT academic officials and staff for their future consideration.

Impression gathering on curriculum

Dr Mudjekeewis Santos (BFAR-NFRB) who spent six years of graduate studies in Marine Science in Japan noted “the Bachelor in Marine Sciences needs to be further reviewed. Firstly, because the title itself may be misleading to what was really intended for. The term ‘Bachelor’ sometimes connotes a course for teaching and a Bachelor of Science connotes for research such that the course includes a thesis.” It would have been better if the NCMS members were allowed to present (even for a short time) their respective agency functions and activities, as what have been evident in the group discussion particularly on Career Opportunities.

In addition, PCMARD-DOST Dr. Ester Zaragoza observed there were not enough participants, mostly students of education who will be graduating next year. Where are the faculty members of ASCOT? The faculty of the College of Fisheries in Casiguran should have participated in the two day workshop. Were they invited?

As starter, ASCOT should do small researches like assessment of the resources of Baler Bay. They could partner with UPMSI for exposure and training on Marine Science research methodologies. ASCOT faculty should also avail of scholarship for their MS and PhDs and enroll at UPMSI/abroad so that they would form the core faculty of the Marine Science course upon return to ASCOT.

A laboratory for development

This is the last chapter of Sen. Edgardo Angara’s book entitled “BALER, Aurora” he stated “If we put our resources to rural development by investing in modern agriculture, providing skills training to farmers and fishermen, educating the community, and upgrading Science education and training systems, we are addressing both poverty and economic growth problems, and strengthening local government.”

Aurora is a laboratory because with the province’s fertile arable lands, forested mountains, vast coastlines, and constant rainfall, it can serve as the ideal model for rural development throughout the country.

Establishment and operation of the planned international seaport, a transshipment site for globally destined cargos in Casiguran Sound, together with the building of a new support airport in Casiguran town, will pave the way for progress.