BSU JOINS CALL FOR BIAK-NA-BATO CONSERVATION

A seminar workshop of tourism on the presentation of Biak na Bato sponsored by environmental NGO Miriam PEACE and attended by Sec. Richard Gordon of Tourism was held at the Club Royale Resort in Malolos on February 12,2003.

The Biak na Bato Convenors Group composed of six environmental NGO's led by Miriam PEACE presented papers that brought attention to the centinous degradation of the National Park. From a total area of 2117 hectares proclaimed by President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937, it is now reduced to 656 due to the various Executive Orders from President Ferdinand Marcos through President Corazon C. Aquino.

During the Marcos regime, a medical doctor Dr. Pascual said to be one of those taking care of Marcos was given a concession to quarry limestone right in the middle of the National Park Reservation. She later transferred the right to quarry to a corporation known as Rose Moon Mining. In spite of the lapse of the original permit and the opposition of the various NGO's, Rose Moon continuous to enjoy quarrying activities with the blessing of the Bureau of Mines. The Convenors Group pointed out that the new permit was gravited without public hearing.

The case on the legality of Rose Moon activities is now in the Supreme Court awaiting a decision. The Seminar Workshop fashioned a "Statement of Unity" in which the various groups committed themselves towards the return of Biak na Bato National Park to its original area. This is needed so as to preserve the aquifers that support the various streams and the fragile ecological conditions of limestone formations. The geologists in the forum pointed out that limestone, being less porous than soil, could have special trees only that depend on the fallen leaves and other grasses that that thrive in very harsh environments. Hence, any physical disturbances such as quarrying will destroy the whole system of waterfalls, rivers bird and arrival habitat inside and outside the caves.

Secretary Gordon for his part, made the challenges that it is the community which should determine what development they prefer- an ecological historical tourism site or quarrying site. If it is for tourism he said he is willing to help advertise and package a Biak na Bato tour.

JUNE 30 PROCLAIMED AS
FIL-HISPANO DAY

On May 30, 2002, the Senate passed a bill proclaiming June 30 as Fil-Hispano Day. The approval was unanimous, an occasion witnessed by the Spanish Ambassador, Hon. Tomas Pantoja and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, then Senator Blas Ople. The date was chosen by historians and concurred in by the Spanish government because it was on June 30, 1899 that the "Siege of Baler" ended with the surrender of the Spanish troops. The event was way past the Philippine declaration of Independence on June 12 of the previous year. But instead of treating the soldiers as prisoners of war, President Aguinaldo freed them and considered them friends now that the Philippine-Spanish War was over. Fil- Hispano Day celebrates this show of friendship and mutual respect among Filipino and Spanish combatants of a hundred years ago.

Bulacan has a crucial role in that event not only because the troops from Bulacan were the ones that led the siege of Baler. The friendship evident among the combatants after the battle in Baler had already been shown in the Battle of San Miguel, Bulacan a year before. The Spanish troops under the command of Lt. Telesforo Carrasco, after making their surrender, were treated well by Filipino troops under the command of Col. Pablo Tecson. They were served chocolate, coffee and bread and freed afterwards. Lt.Carrasco was so impressed with this Filipino magnanimity that he later joined President Aguinaldo's Army against the invading American forces.