BULACAN GOVERNOR DANIEL FERNANDO
His Mission Continues
BY MARIDOL RANOA-BISMARK / PHOTOS BY MON ALMAZAN
BULACAN never had it so good. This province of storied churches and sprawling rice fields is on the cusp of change. And everyone is watching with keen anticipation.
On one hand is the Bulacan of tomorrow. The New Manila International Airport, also known as the Bulacan International Airport will open in 2026. Phase one of the 2,500-hectare mega airport, initiated by San Miguel Corporation, has begun. It is touted to be a ‘green’ airport, as it tackles social and environmental issues that involves the country’s main financial hubs.
A proposed P50-B ‘mega city’ that covers Pandi, Bocaue and Balagtas towns is being groomed as the site of a 40-hectareeconomic hub. It will create 100,000 jobs for local residents.
Seaports are poised to open in Obando and Hagonoy, thus creating more sources of livelihood for fresh graduates of the province.
Past and present
That’s the future. The past and the present are different. They are made up of acres and acres of rice land and backyards where people raise hogs and tend to fish pens. They are the sources of food direly needed especially during this pandemic.
Bulacan governor Daniel Fernando looks at this scenario and knows his mandate.
“Ang Bulacan ang susunod na pupuntahan sa buong mundo (Bulacan is poised to become the new global destination),” he says. “Kailangan natin balansehin ang kaunlaran at ang paggalang sa buhay (We have to balance progress with a respect for life).”
Bulacan’s main man points out that his province must not just focus on the infrastructure and development the proposed airport and others will bring with them. Yes, they are welcome. But Bulakenyos must not forget that they are anchored to the land as their source of sustenance.
“Kailangan natin magtanim para sa kasapatan ng pagkain. Kung mawalan ang ating mga bukirin, mawawalan tayo ng pagkukunan ng pagkain (We have to plant in order to eat. If we lose our rice fields, we lose our source of food).
Survival through agriculture
Food has always been Bulacan’s source of pride and income. Before the African Swine Fever (ASF) broke out, Bulacan was the number one meat supplier in Metro Manila, which is a mere 23.7 kilometers or a little over an hour away.
Fernando aims to change this. He hopes to stage a strong comeback for Bulacan’s swine industry through aggressive measures. One is to conduct a biosafety training among backyard.
