Gordon dared Bulakeños to take the lead in making RP no. 1 in Asia

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) challenged Bulakeños to take the lead in making the Philippines number one in Asia.

Gordon posed the challenge during the 2009 Singkaban Fiesta held in Malolos, Bulacan where he was the guest of honor and keynote speaker.

"Bulacan is one of the most progressive provinces in the Philippines . Ang income niyo ay mas malaki pa sa Cebu . Dapat ang goal natin ay maging gaya ng Singapore na No. 1 sa buong Asya," he said.

"Ang Bulacan ang pambato natin. Ang mga lider ninyo pinalalabas ang galing ng Bulacan kaya ang lalawigan niyo ngayon ang nagbabagsak ng pagkain sa Central Luzon . You are the largest supplier of pork in Metro Manila at kayo po ang nagsu-supply ng aqua-culture o ng mga isda. Kayo din po ang nagsu-supply ng fireworks tuwing Bagong Taon at nagsu-supply din po kayo ng matatalinong mga lider sa ating bayan," he added.

In 2006, the Commission on Audit (COA) cited Bulacan as the top income-grossing province, with P1.7-billion income, surpassing the previous topnotcher, Cebu, which had P1.6-billion income.

Bulacan is well-known for the following industries: marble and marbleized limestone; jewelry; pyrotechnics; leather; aquaculture; meat and meat products; garments; furniture; high-value crops; sweets and native delicacies and; a wide variety of high-quality native products.

Bulacan supplies 60% of Metro Manila's pork requirements. It has also become the leading province in bangus production, producing 28,110 metric tons of bangus annually.

Gordon commended Bulakeños for holding the Singkaban (Sining at Kalinangan ng Bulakan) Fiesta, an annual festival that displays the arts and heritage of the different towns.

He added that promoting its rich heritage in culture and the arts in such festivities and its numerous historical sites would ensure a thriving tourism industry for Bulacan.

"Gawin nating tourist destination ang Calumpit River at ang iba pang historical sites dito sa lalawigan. Lagyan natin ng binebenta nating ulang, pakwan, barbecue, at iba pa. Ipakita natin ang kaakit-akit na sining at kalinangan. We take it for granted na nakikita nating madalas iyan, pero ang foreigners gustong-gusto nilang makita ang galing ng Pilipino," Gordon said.