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‘Balikbayan’ donates land for city’s E-Kawayan project
Date:
July 13, 2009
One of the city’s major thrusts gets a big boost thanks to a kind-hearted balikbayan who donated her ancestral land to the city government.
Mrs. Estrella Rancudo Bumacod, a prized daughter of Barangay Alos here, personally announced that her family is donating their property to the city during yesterday’s flag raising ceremony.
The 3,512 square meters of land of the Bumacod family is situated in Brgy. Alos.
The area is said to be site of the bamboo processing plant for the adoption of the Engineered Kawayan Technology Project.
New jobs, additional income
E-Kawayan is a technology that converts bamboo poles into tiles for furniture and handicrafts.
And Alaminos is the first recipient of the said technology in the entire Northern Luzon if not in the whole country.
The technology which was developed by Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) uses the university’s patented ''Kawayan Tile Machine'' (KTM).
KTM produces the tiles which will be used as material for making an array of furniture products and handicrafts.
Last year, the city government and MMSU and Ilocos Region Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to realize the project.
Under the agreement, the city’s partners will fabricate and install one unit of E-Kawayan machine in the city and provide trainings for the bamboo producers and handicraft makers.
By harnessing the city’s bamboo resources, the project is said to have a huge impact on the local economy as it provides another source of livelihood for the residents and generate additional income to the community.
Returning to share blessings
Bumacod, in her message, recalled how she arrived at the decision to donate one of the properties to the city.
She said she never thought of coming back to her city of birth after spending 25 years with her husband and children in the US.
More so when her husband passed away, confessed the former instructress at the Lyceum Northwestern in Dagupan City.
“I always think of our properties in the Philippines but none of my children wanted to come home with me,” she added.
The mother of seven professionals already made up her mind until she met Mayor Hernani A. Braganza in Carlson City few year’s ago.
It was the induction ball of the officers of the Alaminos Pangasinan Association of California USA (APASCA) then and the visionary chief executive was invited as the affair’s guest of honor and speaker and at the same time the inducting officer.
“I was totally astonished to all the beautiful presentations he (Mayor Braganza) had of our city,” she continued. I start imagining where our land is in the city’s master plan of the development.”
Seeing is believing
Lured by the mayor to revisit her city of birth just like other Alaminians living in the US and take part in the city’s Hundred Islands Global Homecoming and City Fiesta Celebration, she decided to come home all alone.
She arrived here quietly and didn’t bother the mayor, whom she said was very busy at that time.
But she managed to visit the city hall and pay their real property taxes.
While walking along the city’s central business district, Bumacod have seen all the changes and noticed the kind of development her citymates is starting to enjoy.
“Now, I remember what our beloved mayor was talking about," she said. "Come home to see for yourselves and all your questions will be answered.”
Touched, grateful
Bumacod disclosed she prayed hard until she was able to make an appointment to see the mayor.
It was during their brief meeting that Mayor Braganza decided to lend his Land Cruiser to the city’s guest. This, after learning that she is already having a difficulty riding on a tricycle or a jeepney.
“With his very good gesture and concern, I’ve been thinking of how I can return a little bit of Mayor Nani’s kindness,” she stressed.
She then ask her children but they don’t know what their citymates, particularly those less privileged ones, need the most.
“Finally, I decided to help most energetic mayor in Western Pangasinan in realizing some his projects,” she continued.
“So I’m donating today one of our properties,” she quipped further.
Generous kabaleyan
On his part, Mayor Braganza said that the city was extremely fortunate to receive another worthy gift from a bighearted balikbayan.
The mayor recalled when she first met the future benefactor.
“Mayor Nani Braganza, I do not know you but I know your parents, says Bumacod. I am from the City of Alaminos. I’m not been in Alaminos in the last 25 years.”
The mayor quickly asked her why she never bothered to come home.
“I’m afraid of pickpockets,” was her quick reply.
A better Alaminos
Braganza then told Madam Estrella, whom he learned is not an ordinary woman but an accomplished citizen in Carlson City, that Alaminos has changed.
“Many of our countrymen and even foreign tourists have made Alaminos their residence by choice,” he said.
“You might want to visit Alaminos, your city, my city, our city one day,” the mayor remembered saying it to her.
And apparently that day has come.
“I am so happy that finally, Madam Estrella has finally arrived in the city of Alaminos," noted the mayor. "She will soon leave Alaminos and we are hoping and praying that no untoward incidents will happen to her.”
Long term effect
Braganza had confirmed that the valuable land which was donated to the city will be used for the E-Kawayan Project.
“With this gift, we were able to save a lot of government funds since we will no longer need to purchase land for the city,” he pointed out.
“(But beyond that), is the long-term effect of this project, he said. With this particular donation, the people of Alos and the city of Alaminos will be known in the future for its furniture products made of bamboo are modern in design but purely Filipino in character.”
For her family’s major contribution to the city, the city mayor handed a plaque of appreciation to Madam Estrella which was witnessed by more 400 city employees and department heads.
Giving back to the city
Braganza said upon his assumption of office in 2004, many of his citymates started donating their properties to the city government which are intended for future projects.
If you notice, most of the new buildings today in the city of Alaminos are direct investments of our citymates, he said.
“These are our balikbayans, whom we have talked to and convinced to invest their fortunes or share some of their blessings to their city and citymates.”
“These are our typical balikbayans, who, while still strong, didn’t forget their beloved city and extend assistance to their citymates."
“Our sincerest thanks also to them,” said the mayor.
All these commercial buildings, hotels, apartments, and transient homes continue to mushroom in barangays Poblacion, Lucap, Palamis, Bolaney and Tanaytay.
These huge investments provide jobs to local residents and pump prime the city’s economy,
Braganza stressed that for having invested millions of pesos of their hard-earn savings in the city “our kabaleyans’ working and living abroad now have confidence in our vibrant economy.”
“Their investments will go along way not only for their relatives here but also to serve best our citymates and the city as whole,” he added. (CIO)
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