By Mar Supnad
BALANGA CITY -- As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) promotes one vision, one identity, and one community, this province has also the same version -- “1Bataan.”
(via Twitter)
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) provincial manager Jose Mari Garcia said that Bataan shared that the spirit of oneness transcends from Southeast Asian region down to the local level, cascading ASEAN's seven aims that include peace, stability, and active collaboration.
PIA discussed the benefits of ASEAN during its Pulong Tulong forum in the sideline of Orientation on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Plan organized by DTI-Bataan led by its director Nelin Cabahug and Global Green Growth Institute at Morong town.
The “1Bataan”, a brainchild program by Gov Abet Garcia is effectively working for the unity of the province-uniting the once fragmented political rivals in Bataan.
Citing Gov. Garcia’s exemplary leadership, good governance and performance-based action, Vice Mayor Aida D Macalinao of Samal town also revealed that the Samal folk were inspired by the ‘‘1Bataan” program of Gov Garcia.
Macalinao said that the 1Bataan program of the governor has not only inspired them but also made the people of Samal to adopt a 1Samal, a scheme that will further motivate them and to work for the interest and welfare of the people here.
“Gov Abet Garcia has become an inspiring leader to us with his effective leadership, good governance, and transparency program; these motivate us to further push for the welfare of our constituents,” pointed our Macalinao.
The third-term vice mayor said that the 1Bataan program of the governor has prompted the Samal leaders led by Mayor de la Fuente to adopt the pattern and style of
Gov Garcia’s leadership which she dubbed as “laudable and beneficial to the public.”
Under Gov Garcia’s stint, Bataan, a first class province, has now become the second province throughout the country with the least poverty incidence as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Macalinao also stressed that they were also encouraged and motivated by the style of leadership of Rep Geraldine Roman of the 1st district, who she said was
supportive of the development of Samal town.
From a sleepy town, Samal is now an emerging investment hub in Bataan, prompting Mayor dela Fuente to exclaim that “Samal is now rising.”