CANADA CONNECTION: Move on E.B. Magalona

DON’T REST ON YOUR LAURELS – Probably bewildered over my recent story, some friends sent me intriguing query as to why I focus on the progress and development of E.B. Magalona, a relatively small but developing town in the northern part of Negros Occidental.

Admittedly, it maybe a cause of bewilderment for friends, or they might have been flabbergasted (?) of my story since it is a fact that my childhood days were spent mostly in Victorias City, where I had been a vendor of seashells, novelty foods, agogo, and iced pop known as Sierra Pop, and our family, prior to coming here in Canada, had stayed longer in our dwelling in Talisay City where I worked in a sugar mill as Research Chemist, and have a lot of memories and unforgettable happenings with friends.

Besides, both cities of Talisay and Victorias are undoubtedly already flourishing and gaining grounds towards prosperity like no other, which I am also proud and elated.

But for now it’s a pleasure for me to write about E.B. Magalona as I recognize it as a town worthy of recognition, and admiration, what with the exemplary performance of its new administration under Mayor Marvin Malacon, and Vice-Mayor Eric Matulac, whom I perceived to be the men coming from nowhere, having been unheard in the political arena of E.B. Magalona for quite sometime.

Historically, the leadership of E.B. Magalona was like a political basketball played predominantly by the families of Magalonas, Lacsons, Montinolas, Ledesmas, Depasucats, Fermins, and other prominent families and politically influential landlords in town.

Despite of its being a noted bastion of influential clans, however, E B. Magalona today has apparently risen up from the quagmire of sluggish and manipulated economy by the rich and well-to-do families, and the so-called oligarchs, as it happened decades ago in other towns and cities.

Indeed, E.B. Magalona is undoubtedly reaping more honors and recognitions for being the struggling center of a strong middle-class, which is reportedly due to its pro-people and economic-oriented leadership.

Unlike its neighboring cities which have vast assets and resources, and dollar-earning industries, E.B. Magalona is relatively an agro-aqua based municipality. Thus, its longest shoreline along Brgys. Manta-angan, Buyog, Madalag, Batea,Tomontong, all the way to Brgy. Tuburan is an asset that is yet to be explored for economic development, such as the establishment of export-oriented and labor-intensive Marine Products Processing Plant, which is a challenge to any investor.

On the other hand, it’s mountainous barangays like that of Brgy. San Isidro and Brgy. Canlusong have the potentials of being developed as Forest Resorts, what with its cozy ambience and tranquil environment.

In fact, I am contemplating to have a rest house in any of those areas upon my retirement someday.

Be that as it may, any forward-looking leader like Mayor Malacon deserves our high regards for mustering and rallying the support and cooperation of his fellow Magalonaons, deemed the greatest asset of the town.

The mushrooming of housing communities, new tourists destinations, opening of multi-million commercial center, and the entry of RO-RO ferries from the neighboring Panay island are nothing but visible signs that E.B. Magalona is gaining ground towards progress and development. Indeed, it deserves a continuing support from all sectors.

I understand the new Commercial Center has caught the heart and mind of various progressive businessmen in the country, who would eventually establish their outlets and showrooms in town.

Reliable report, courtesy of our good friend Carla Cañet, has it that the biggest public university in the province, Carlos Hilado Memorial State Univesity, with its main campus in Talisay City, will have its new Fermin Campus at the the Brgy. Alicante lot donated by the Fermin-Montinola family through former Vice-Mayor Robert Acaling.

Within its perimeter, the rise of dormitories, pension houses, boarding houses, restaurants, and other service outlets is certain, as the town is apparently the home to many entrepreneurs.

I was told a new Industrial Area has been declared recently to be available for the site of incoming small and medium industries. Any takers for now?

Certainly, E.B. Magalona will be ushering forward and continue to grow economic wise.

As I said earlier, E.B. Magalona is now visible in the tourism map of Sugarlandia, and is getting more active in various sports and cultural activities. Already it is proud as the hometown of prominent personalities like former Senator Enrique B. Magalona, with whom the town was named, and who is the father of the former actor Pancho Magalona, and grandfather of the famous rap dancer Francis Magalona. Other known E.B. Magalona prides, according to reports, include the feisty lawyer Haydee Yorac, who had reportedly been the member of the Commission on Elections and chair of the Presidential Anti Graft Comission, and the present Abang Lingkod Representative Stephen Paduano, best friend of Cong. Kiko Benitez and Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez.

To all E.B. Magalonaons, I hope you shall help sustain the development of your town, and not be contented of its gains and achievements today.

Don’t rest upon your laurels as it would be like resting while walking in the snow, so to speak.
As you stand higher, I urge you to “Keep moving E. B. Magalona” onward to sustainable socio-economic development.* (By Dan Cajurao, October 18, 2022)