ANGARA LEADS AURORA PACIFIC ECOZONE GROUNDBREAKING

Senator Edgardo J. Angara yesterday led the groundbreaking of the Aurora Pacific Ecozone - PHASE I in Casiguran, the northern municipality of Aurora Province.

"Aurora stands at the cusp of economic development. It is blessed with natural splendor, and great economic potential. It is a gateway to the Pacific, which makes it ideal for international commerce and investment. This makes it a prime location for an economic zone," said Angara who hails from Baler, Aurora.

He added, "This supports our efforts towards decentralization and empowering our local governments. We must make them less dependent on the capital, Manila, which has enough problems of its own."

He said that each region must be able to stand on its own, not just as a unit of government, but more importantly as an engine of economic growth. He called on government to give the country's various provinces the opportunity to build and stimulate their own economies.

The construction includes an entrance plaza, hotel and administration building and various site developments.

The project is awarded to New Kanlaon Construction, Inc. and is expected to be completed by July 2010.

The groundbreaking was attended by 300 local government officials and townsfolk together with Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Congressman Sonny Angara, Mr. Vitaliano Sabalo ASEZA's Acting Dept. Administrator, Antonio Evangelista Chairman of New Kanlaon, Provincial Board Members of Aurora and members of the Casiguran Municipal Council.

"We cannot just mouth words about self-sufficiency while continually denying the regions the tools needed to accomplish this task. Success requires investing massively in infrastructure, research, innovation, education and training the people who live in these regions. This formula will stimulate spending, and generate economic activity," said Angara.