GMA pushes ‘aggie revolt’ in NE, backs local leaders

PALAYAN CITY – President Arroyo yesterday touched off a different kind of revolution in Nueva Ecija on the occasion of the 112th anniversary of the “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija” by unveiling a bonanza to local officials in the province, a known bailiwick of her late presidential rival, actor Fernando Poe Jr. who posted the largest margin of victory against her in the 2004 presidential elections.

Mrs. Arroyo joined Gov. Aurelio Umali and the rest of Novo Ecijano officials in commemorating the historic event to pay homage to the heroism of the forefathers of Filipino revolucionarios who joined the uprising against Spanish rule on Sept. 2, 1896.

It was the first time the President celebrated the event in the province with Umali as governor. Last year, she was represented by Vice President Noli de Castro. 

The President doled out 82 flatbed dryers for the federation of irrigators’ associations in the four congressional districts, handed out certificates of award for seven barangay bagsakan and three bagsakan centers, gave out 500 packs of Bio-N fertilizer for 100 corn farmers in Talavera town, various checks for rice/palay production and 200 free patents for four towns in the province.

She also inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Atate Dam projected to irrigate 19,829 hectares of agricultural lands in the province.

Bagsakan ng Bayan certificates were awarded by the President to Mayors Romeo Borja of Pantabangan, Marcial Vargas (Aliaga), Amelia Gamilla (Bongabon), Marvin Parinas (Sto. Domingo), Lydia Pagaduan (Zaragoza) and Marivic Belena (San Jose City).

The land patents were received by beneficiaries from the towns of Zaragoza and Gen. Tinio and the Science City of Muñoz under the administration’s “Handog Titulo” program and land grants by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) covering 20 hectares of land in Carranglan town.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Carlos Salazar said the President’s show of support for agriculture and irrigation has substantially contributed to the province’s status as rice granary.

He said the new irrigation systems provided by the Casecnan and Aulo Dams and the restoration of old systems on another 15,493 hectares have increased the province’s irrigated land from 97,688 hectares in 2001 to 135,000 hectares at present, boosting rice production at 236,150 hectares per year.

It was here 112 years ago today when 3,000 revolucionarios led by Gen. Mariano Llanera attacked the Spanish garrison in San Isidro which was then the capital of the province. The revolution came 10 days after Andres Bonifacio and his Katipuneros declared their open defiance to Spanish rule in what is now known as the “Cry of Pugad Lawin.” 

Wearing red ribbons, the revolutionaries paraded down the principal streets to the music of the Cabiao Musikong Bumbong Band. Then, armed only with bolos and pointed sticks, the revolutionary soldiers carried out the attack ,which earned for the province a ray in the Philippine flag. Each ray represents the provinces that revolted against Spain.      

The President was accompanied here by Secretaries Arthur Yap of agriculture and Lito Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Presidential Adviser for Central Luzon Lorelei Fajardo, Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB) champion, Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan.