Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured the people of Aurora of the national government’s continued support to the province.
Pangandaman served as Guest of Honor during the observance of the 125th anniversary of the Start of the Siege of Baler and celebration of the 21st Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in Baler town.
The Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day was promulgated in 2003, under Republic Act No. 9187, or the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act, authored by the late Senator Edgardo J. Angara (SEJA).
“It is also especially meaningful for me to honor this Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day as I also consider this a tribute to SEJA—a great legislator, leader, and to my mind and many others— a hero in his own right. He was my mentor and my personal hero, as it was at his office that I started my career in public service, as a policy researcher and then Chief-of-Staff when he was Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance,” Pangandaman recalled.
She also underscored that the rich culture, history, and developments in the areas of tourism, agriculture, health, and education, among others, have paved the way for the town’s growth over the years.
“I believe, everyone here today can attest to how Baler, Aurora, has grown, developed, and flourished over the years. And now, it is even considered one of the country’s thriving tourist destinations,” the cabinet official added.
Meanwhile, Pangandaman commended the Spanish government and development partners for their support in various programs and projects of the Philippine government.
These include the provision of COVID-19 vaccines for Filipinos and Spain’s heightened investment in various infrastructure projects, including railways and bridges all over the country.
“To our Spanish development partners, we express our deepest gratitude for your support and trust. Thank you for partnering with us and manifesting to us that you are here to invest and that you are here to support our endeavor toward a progressive Philippines,” she said.
Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day is celebrated every June 30 to highlight the enduring friendship between Spain and the Philippines as proclaimed by President Emilio Aguinaldo after the gallant Spanish garrison of Baler surrendered to Filipino forces following a year of being besieged. (PIA 3)
