Uncovering the grandeur of Bataan

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia stressed the other day the universal importance of preserving cultural heritage sites at the wake of emerging  economic integration and globalization process.

Speaking before some 300 participants composed of provincial and municipal heads of offices, board members, mayors  and  officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the Launching of the Cultural Mapping  Project  held at Lou-is Restaurant in this City, Garcia underscored the urgent need to preserve and reconstruct our rich historical structures and culture for the future generations to appreciate the accomplishments of our forefathers..

“We have to safeguard our priceless culture and tradition which symbolize the values and strong-willed character of the old folks and to develop a unique identity worthy of emulation“, Garcia said.

During the plenary session, Associate Professor Eric B. Zerudo, Director of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) –Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics said that he is surprised that family values are still relatively strong in Bataan. Zerrudo also said that only institutions that maintain their own identity survive, proving that historical imagery is vital to progress.

As a cultural conservation consultant to other provinces in the country, Zerrudo said that the good governance concept means exactly how heritage develops for poverty alleviation. He likewise commended the provincial officials and the Bataan Peninsula Tourism Foundation, Inc. (BPTFI) for initiating this activity which would redound to the cultural and historical upgrading of vital data and significant top-level educational assessment of valuable information for the youth and the populace.

Bataan is identified not only with the heroic deeds of American and Filipino soldiers during the 2nd World War, but also with the still uncovered historical artifacts which would prove to the world the grandeur of Bataan.