 |
Ex-Congressman
Eddie Pilapil |
The Balik Caramoan project of the Caramoan Residents Association in Naga City and its Environs (CRANE) received a big boost with the commitment of former Tourism Secretary and Congressman Eduardo Pilapil to give all-out support to the project.
The project encourages Caramoanons now living in the U.S.,Canada and other parts of the globe to revisit their hometown from May 1-8, 2007 in time for the town fiesta.
As tourism secretary in 1995 Pilapil paved the way for the creation by President Ramos of the Presidential Commission on Bicol Tourism Special Development Project which prepared the blueprint for the tourism development of Caramoan Peninsula. Implementation was, however, stalled because he did not serve long enough in the cabinet. The former solon will share his knowledge and expertise in ensuring the success of the Balik Caramoan Project.
Dr. Dolly Roa-Perez, CRANE executive vice president and chair of the Balik Caramoan Project said that her committee welcomes assistance from the government, private sector especially the business group, socio-civic organizations and anybody with sincere desire to help in the undertaking provided such assistance carries no preconditions except media mileage as stipulated in sponsorship contracts.
“Anybody, including politicians regardless of what party, may participate in this endeavor because we need as much support as possible and because wider support would drum up greater interest in the project”, Dr. Perez emphasized. “But we shall not go beyond what may be stated in the sponsorship contract”, she added.
Pilapil also expressed elation that the Presentacion–Caramoan Coastal Road which he started in 1991 is now being pursued in earnest by the national government with the vigorous support of Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte and Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte.
The vital road segment was abandoned by his successor in 1992 until CRANE initiated last year a multi-sectoral appeal to President Arroyo from government leaders and the private sector including Bicol bishops mainly through Bishop Manolo A. de los Santos, D. D., Bishop of Virac. As a result President Arroyo allocated P250 million for the coastal road early this year.
