N. Samar town celebrates 55th Founding Day

LAPINIG, NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines - This coastal town lying at the boundary of Eastern and Northern Samar provinces has celebrated its 55th Foundation Day last June 14.

The simple but complete ceremony started with a parade around the poblacion by members of various sectors, after which Mayor Romualdo Menzon solemnized the mass wedding of 10 couples.

In the evening a cultural presentation of waray-waray songs and curacha dances was held, participated by candidates for the Miss Lapinig 2011 title, as a form of fund raising for the church renovation.

The mayor's brother, NLRC Commissioner Aurelio Menzon, who was guest speaker of the event, rallied the townsfolk to defend the hardly-earned independence by preserving and emulating the virtues of hard work and dedication of the town's founder, his father - Lorenzo Menzon.

Lapinig was created by virtue of Republic Act 1428 on June 14, 1956. It has 15 barangays carved out of the towns of Gamay in Northern Samar and Arteche in Eastern Samar.

Facing the Facific Ocean, the town is frequently visited by typhoons causing hardship to the people in transporting their products because the only way to get in and out is by water.

Mayor Menzon, in his speech, told his constituents on today's generation's need for discipline, perseverance and God-centered attitude "so we can move forward in any undertaking for the development of our town and people. Let's forget politics and work together for the benefit of all."

In an exclusive interview, he acknowledged to The FREEMAN the uphill battle his people face against the forces of nature, specifically tsunamis.

The first tsunami in 1949 prompted the townsfolk to evacuate. Since then the people and their leaders have been cautious and wary. The latest tsunami that hit Japan did not spare Lapinig either, he said, but the sea wall project completed during his term held its ground with the help of a natural barrier called Canawayon Island that somehow absorbed the hit.

Mayor Menzon said he has lots of people-centered development plans, including an evacuation center and preservation of Canawayon Island. But he emphasized the importance of building a circumferential road a priority because Lapinig is dependent on agriculture. 

"This 24-km stretch of road, which will connect our town to the rest of the world via Arteche, is very essential to our people because this will help us market our products, mostly derive from coconuts and marine products with lesser cost and in safe manner," he said.

The mayor had started the project, but considering its 5th class status, the local government needs assistance. "I implore the aid of our national government to prioritize our plea so we can have the headstart towards the development of our town," he said. — THE FREEMAN