Gordon cited as Bataan's Favorite Son for championing move
to create Bataan Freeport

Senator Richard J. Gordon is now the favorite son of the Bataeños for all his works and efforts that benefited Bataan, especially in the creation of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB).

"The provincial leadership and the people of Bataan, has once again recognized the efforts of Sen. Richard Gordon as one of the great public servants and who has expressed concern in the continuing need to increase the number of economic zones in the country," read the Provincial Resolution that cited Gordon as Bataan's favorite son.

Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia Jr. thanked the senator and said that "No other could have done it other than you, Sen. Gordon. Without his able stewardship in sponsoring in the Senate the bill of Congressman Albert Garcia, the Bataan Processing Zone could not have been converted into a Special Economic Zone with Freeport."

For his part, Cong. Garcia of the 2nd District of Bataan, said that the Bataeños are much grateful to Gordon not only for being the co-author of the bill creating FAB and sponsoring it in the Senate, but also for his other works that benefited, or would benefit, the province.

The congressman said, Gordon also made possible the passage of the law standardizing and upgrading the benefits for military veterans and their dependents, which allowed Filipino veterans to continue receiving pensions and benefits from the Philippine government without rescinding similar benefits from the US government.

He added that the Tourism Act of 2009, which the senator authored, will provide many opportunities for Bataan and its people. As chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, Gordon always extended assistance during disasters to further alleviate people's suffering and to rebuild the community.

"A lot of us are already aware of the life of Sen. Gordon. But it was during the time when I was lobbying for this bill in the Senate that I was able to know him better," Garcia said.

"Bagama't brainchild niya ang Subic, hindi niya ipinagkait itong malaking pagkakataon na magkaroon ng Freeport ang Bataan na maaaring maging kompetensiya ng Subic. Mas mataas at mas malawak ang naging pananaw ng ating senador, at dyan po mas lalong tumaas ang paghanga ko sa kaniya," the congressman added.

In response, Gordon thanked the Bataeños for making him their favorite son, but stressed that he would be much grateful to them if they would strive hard and work with their leaders to ensure the success of the Bataan Freeport.

"Tayong lahat ang maglilikha ng realidad sa ating mga panaginip at mga pangarap. We must be the people who created a new Philippines. It must be a combination of leaders and of people working for the common good. We must have shared vision, shared values, shared struggles, and shared victories so we can be one of the greatest countries in Asia," Gordon said.