After the storm comes a bright new day so they say; so I was headed to a least known hideaway in the northeastern coastal board of Cagayan where the ferocious typhoon Mina reportedly unleashed its signal number 4 fury. ____________
Sunset in Sta. Ana, a source of inspiration for the poetic heart in the nostalgic town.
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There was no Media coverage attributed to the Sta. Ana, home of the awesome Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), a chartered jurisdiction in Region 2 not within the power and control of the local government.This quiet fishing town some 120 kilometers northeast of Tuguegarao city has figured the headlines for the landfall of the signal number 4 strength super typhoon Mina, the second since typhoon Juan that ravaged the adjacent Isabela province and wrought over one billion pesos damages to crops and infrastructures.
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A lovely pair of horse grazing in the sunny morning near Port San Vicente against the backdrop of a mangrove forest where trees grow in the sea
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My way to this serene coastal town known for the free port of Irene and Port San Vicente did not much professed the passing of a violent onslaught.
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fishermen back to their trade on the fair and calm morning. At the distant view is the storm damaged MV Eagle Ferry which use to bring commuters to Calayan island also in the province of Cagayan.
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Few trees and post leaned along the highway but the impression of the place being the eye of The furious typhoon Mina is not distinct. Vice Mayor Jeremias Costales said although public infrastructures and homes did not incur much damages Typhoon Mina has wrought extensive devastation in his town's palay crops citing some P9 million damage report by the Municipal Agricultural office. "The palay crops were in their vegetative stage during the typhoon onslaught and farmers in this town need assistance from the provincial government to subsidize their replanting efforts," lamented Costales. _________
The distant view of the CEZA teeming with Business and Pleasure activities. Casinos here are exclusive to foreigners. Flocking to this place are mostly businessmen from Korea, Taiwan and Japan. To qualify entry, A Casino Player should keep at least $300 million in the bank and $30 million pocket money before being allowed to gamble.
Fresh catch from the sea unloaded at Port San Vicente "Bagsakan" where one could buy seafood that its fit for the budget __________
The Vice Mayor is seeking Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio to reconsider an earlier decision not to declare the province under "State of Calamity." The Governor earlier said the province did not suffered much from the onslaught of the typhoon to warrant the declaration of state of calamity since the provincial fund is enough to address any reported damage.
A wife giving verbal "instructions" to her husband before venturing into the sea with fellow fishermen.
However this mid October, Governor Antonio’s stance manifested a complete turnaround. He had to declare a State of Calamity this time in view of the recent twin calamities wrought by typhoons Quiel and Pedring. If Antonio still refuses to declare his turf under state of calamity; Cagayan’s untouched calamity fund goes back to Government coffers.
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My bed in the cozy accomodation at Countryside by the Sea Inn, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
__________ Sta. Ana seems to be unfazed with the developments taking place elsewhere, lifestyle remain rural and the its populace still cling to traditional values despite the sprouting signs of economic expansion only addressed to a privileged few.
A failed marital relation, hostile rapport and a gloomy environment; given preference to choose a new hometown to flee from the emotional remorse I long to escape, I would prefer relocating in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.
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A historic piece of the past, a World War II anti aircraft gunner at the heroe's park in Solano town
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I had the opportunity to stay in that socially warm place for a sojourn during their Patronal Festivities bonding old ties and finding fresh relations and have a feel how this promising municipality fared well as a “county that never sleeps” in Cagayan valley.
Located some 250 kilometers north of Manila; Solano’s daily economic chores goes on from dusk till dawn. First hours at dawn till morning teem with scores of commuters passing this municipality from Manila and by nightfall, people going south cannot complete their journey without making the town a departure point before scouring the hour-long trek to the Caraballo ranges to leave Cagayan valley.
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A cozy view of Solano downtown, clean and shows sign of progressive rural setting
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Mayor Philip Dacayo, the man on the helm could vouch for the cityhood status of this town now boosting several establishments of banks, renowned food chains and groceries. However he believes there is more to work on to further usher his town to development.
A lawyer by profession, the Mayor believes Solano and other municipalities can exact revenues with the continuing establishment of cellular sites. First however, his development team should study the status of other jurisdictions having the same proposal before handing the issue to the Municipal council.
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Releasing the Baloons by local officials headed by Mayor Dacayo and Vice Mayor Labasan signal the start of the festivities in connection to the feast day of St. Louis de Beltran of Solano
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The town has recently held festivities for its Patron- Saint Louis de Beltran while Catholics also flocked to pay homage to Cagayan Valley’s Patron Our Lady of Piat which made a weeklong stay at the Solano Parish Church. Activities to the merrymaking and galore showcased by the town were organized by Councilwoman Regie Valino- Valdez.___________
The sunday services for Solano's Patron St. Louis de Beltran officiated by Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena
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Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena celebrated the Sunday feast mass as he reiterated Christians’ commitment for the protection and preservation of the province’s natural wealth. He renewed his call for the rejection of mining.
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Bishop Villena paying homage to "Apo Baket", Our Lady of Piat.. Cagayan Valley's Patron
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During a forum at the provincial capitol; Solano Vice Mayor Alex Labasan lamented that the existing mining laws seemed tailor made for the whims of the national government whose approval has been superseding the position of the local government.
He said at the moment, local officials could not, and even if they can- impose their position on mining issues particularly how the activity could be regulated.
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The people to be rekoned with when it comes to mining should be us... stresses Vice Mayor Labasan
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So far, Solanoans have many reasons to thank the heavens since their town is the least affected by the onslaught of the series of typhoons that hit northern Luzon.
The Vice Mayor said, most of those damaged in his turf are old and dilapidated houses and a pocket of mudslides in some remote mountainside villages.
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Challenges lies ahead to the leadership of Mayor Dacayo to make Solano not only an even better place, but the Best.
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“Pasalamat tayo wala na si (typhoon) Ramon at di nagpunta dito; ang narito ngayon ay ang inyong si Bishop Ramon,” the Bishop said after the celebration. ___________
Despite the unleash of Pedring and Quiel's fury, Solano folks find time to showcase their bounty harvest during the One Barangay, One Product micro enerpreneur expo held at the Heroes park, Governor Luisa Cuaresma of Nueva Vizcaya graced the affair.
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The Governor is flanked by active women leaders Board Member Rina Balgos and Councilwoman Regie Valino-Valdez
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Solano is currently enhancing its “One Barangay, One Product” program, a micro enterprise counterpart of provincial government’s program of sustaining Nueva Vizcaya industries and products.
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"Patupat", a native "malagkit" delicacy of Solano
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The Popular "Tupig" - roasted "Malagkit" with "Buko" and peanuts of Solano (below) during the One Barangay One Product Expo
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Solano’s barangays have showcased their products during the mini trade fair at the town’s heroes’ park early October.
At the scene at the Solano government center; Parish Priest father Edmund Beronio has renewed the Local Government Unit’s faith with the blessing and dedication of the municipal hall and its facilities in its continuing service to the public.___________
Father Edmund blessing one of the local government's heavy equipment, "whatever you do, do it for the Glory of God."
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Solano will go a long way to prosperity with the optimism and active response of its leaders and grassroots supporters.
